Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle 5-20-22

May 20, 2022 | 19 Iyar 5782

Candlelighting 8:16 p.m. | Havdalah 9:23 p.m. | Vol. 65, No. 20 | pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

NOTEWORTHY LOCAL Another assault on Murray Avenue

Jewish artists featured in Michelle Gainey’s Pittsburgh Paints exhibit

Man arrested for choking a victim in a store

M

initiative from community member Sara Stock Mayo, who heard about the initiative from Michelle Gainey.

“I believe artists are prophets,” Hiller said.

“They tell us about ourselves, and they tell us our stories and make sense of our world and who we are. I’m a big supporter of what Mrs. Gainey is doing with Pittsburgh Paints because she is bringing artists and their stories into the public realm.”

Schnadower, a self-identified “bilingual graphic designer, illustrator and portrait artist” who is employed part time at the JCC, showed Hiller the thesis project she completed to earn her master’s degree from Chatham University in December. Hiller urged Schnadower to submit the work to Pittsburgh Paints.

In her thesis, Schnadower, who was born in Mexico and lives in Pittsburgh, attempted to capture the geography of faces of the Jewish diaspora in Mexico while honoring Jews who migrated in the early 1900s to the

embers of Pittsburgh Hadassah chapters recently were informed that they will now be part of Hadassah Greater Detroit Region.

In letters dated March 2022, 1,500 Pittsburghers were told “Your chapter has not met or had a board in recent years. For this reason, we are disbanding it, and would like to give you the opportunity to transfer into a more active chapter.”

Judy Cocke, of Hadassah Greater Detroit, said that 1,500 letters were sent to active members within greater Pittsburgh. The intent, she said, is to consolidate many “smaller different chapters” into the larger Detroit region.

Janice Greenwald, an active member of Hadassah for nearly 50 years, said she understood the organization’s rationale but is saddened by its decision to further withdraw from western Pennsylvania — as early as two years ago Pittsburghers were informed that their chapters were becoming part of the greater Detroit region.

“I know it was for financial reasons, but in the end, I don’t know if it was the best for Pittsburgh,” Greenwald said. “The work we do in Israel is incredible. Miracles come out of Hadassah…I believe in the product, but it’s sad that we don’t have the presence in Pittsburgh.”

Greenwald is a former chapter president, regional president and national vice president of Hadassah. She serves on the organization’s honorary council. The latter, she explained, allows her to continue helping various Hadassah regions and their chapters conduct programs.

Within Pittsburgh, however, Hadassah’s

Please see Artists, page 14

Please see Hadassah, page 14

LOCAL A new role at Congregation Beth Shalom Rabbi Mark Asher Goodman named associate rabbi

Page 4

 Yafa Schnadower’s art will be hung in Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey’s office as part of the Pittsburgh Paints initiative curated by his wife Michelle Gainey.

Photo provided by Yafa Shnadower

The Mexican hills are alive with the sound of Judaism

Meet Lubavitch emissaries Raizel and Rabbi Daniel Huebner

Page 5

Hadassah members disappointed by its departure from Pittsburgh

By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

Page 2

WORLD

$1.50

By David Rullo | Staff Writer

T

o paraphrase an African proverb, it takes a community to exhibit art.

Want proof? Take a look at the collaborative journey that resulted in Anna Divinsky and Yafa Schnadower displaying their art as part of Michelle Gainey’s Pittsburgh Paints project.

The initiative was created by Gainey as a way to support one of the goals of her husband, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, to be a more welcoming city for all. It celebrates art by creating monthly displays of the works of diverse artists inspired by various themes in the mayor’s office, his executive conference room and the office of his chief of staff.

May’s artwork celebrates both Jewish American Heritage Month and Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month.

Melissa Hiller, director of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh’s American Jewish Museum, urged both Divinsky and Schnadower to submit their art for the program. Hiller learned of the

keep your eye on PittsburghJewishChronicle LOCAL

The art of Dan Droz

THEATER

Pittsburgh native gets Tony nods

FOOD

Haricots verts

Headlines

Jewish Pittsburghers targeted in another attack on Murray Avenue — LOCAL —

By David Rullo | Staff Writer

P

ittsburgh Police arrested David Aul, 38, on May 8 after he choked a victim in a Murray Avenue store.

Aul reportedly was observed over the last several weeks walking along Murray Avenue and near Hillel Academy in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood exhibiting disturbing behavior, according to Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh Community Security Director Shawn Brokos. His actions became increasingly erratic and included making antisemitic comments before the attack, she said.

Aul’s arrest is the fourth in less than a year by suspects targeting the Jewish community in Squirrel Hill. In September 2021, Tyrone Correll was arrested for simple assault, harassment and ethnic intimidation.

Andrew Clinton was arrested April 4 for a string of burglaries, many of which targeted the Jewish community. Christian Williams was arrested on April 17 for making antisemitic comments and threats.

Brokos said there are no known connections between those arrested.

The arrests come amid growing concern about antisemitic attacks both in Western Pennsylvania and nationally.

According to a report released earlier this month by the Anti-Defamation League, last year the region experienced the most antisemitic incidents since the organization began tracking them in 1979.

Western Pennsylvania experienced an 82% increase in harassment, vandalism and assault against Jewish individuals. Twenty

more concerned about antisemitism in the United States than before,” he said. “Sixty percent had themselves either witnessed behavior or comments that they personally deemed to be antisemitic.”

Antisemitism is often an underpinning for other hate crimes, Pasch said, calling it “the canary in the coal mine.”

His comments, made in reference to the ADL report, proved prescient.

On May 14, an avowed antisemite and white supremacist killed 10 in Buffalo, New York. The killer was allegedly motivated by Replacement Theory, or the idea that white Christians would be replaced by immigrants.

In a manifesto he wrote, the p Shaare Torah is located on Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill. In the last year, the street has seen a killer said Jews are the real rise in antisemitic attacks.

Photo by David Rullo. problem, but that “they can be incidents were in 2021. tracks all regional antisemitic incidents. dealt with in time.”

The nation, too, saw the number of “There were 44 incidents in 2020; in 2021, Pasch said the rising tide of antisemitism antisemitic incidents reach an all-time high, there were 82,” she said. “Year-to-date, we are is a warning sign, “our societal norms are according to the ADL. In 2021, there were at 34 in 2022, which is closing to surpassing clearly frayed,” he said.

2,717 incidents or, on average, seven inci- what we had in 2022.”

Aul is in custody waiting to be arraigned. dents a day. The 34% increase year-over-year Aul’s arrest brings that number to 35.

Both Correll and Williams recently had their is the largest incident total since the organiThe spate of antisemitic activity, she cases moved from City Court to Criminal zation began tracking. noted, was making some Jewish community Court. No trial date has been set for either.

“There’s no indication those numbers are members feel less safe in Squirrel Hill.

Brokos urged community members to slowing down,” said James Pasch, regional “There is something going on,” Brokos said. remain alert and vigilant and to continue director of ADL’s Cleveland Regional Office, “We are being targeted. What’s this all about? ongoing security training to remain as which serves Western Pennsylvania.

I’m not sure, but it’s certainly antisemitic and prepared as possible in light of the current Brokos said that the ADL report mirrors there is a mental health component.” upsurge in antisemitic threats. PJC what has been reported in Pittsburgh.

That feeling reflects what many American David Rullo can be reached at drullo@ While the ADL report tracked harassment, Jews are experiencing, Pasch said. vandalism and assault, she said Federation “In our latest survey, American Jews are pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

5915 Beacon St., 5th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15217

Main phone number: 412-687-1000

Subscriptions: 410-902-2300, ext. 1 SUBSCRIPTIONS subscriptions@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org 410-902-2300, ext. 1 TO ADVERTISE Display: advertising@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org 412-721-5931 EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT Email: newsdesk@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org BOARD OF TRUSTEES Evan Indianer, Board Chair Gayle R. Kraut, Secretary Evan H. Stein, Treasurer Gail Childs, Dan Droz, Malke Steinfeld Frank, Seth Glick, Tammy Hepps, Richard J. Kitay, Cátia Kossovsky, David Rush, Charles Saul GENERAL COUNSEL Stuart R. Kaplan, Esq.

EDITORIAL Toby Tabachnick, Editor 412-228-4577 ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org Andy Gotlieb, Contributing Editor Selah Maya Zighelboim, Contributing Editor Adam Reinherz, Staff Writer 412-687-1000 areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org David Rullo, Staff Writer 412-687-1047 drullo@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org ADVERTISING Kelly Schwimer, Sales Director 412-721-5931 kschwimer@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org Phil Durler, Senior Sales Associate 724-713-8874 pdurler@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

PRODUCTION Jeni Mann Tough Production Manager Rachel S. Levitan Art/Production Coordinator Subscriptions subscriptions@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org 410-902-2300, ext. 1 Published every Friday by the Pittsburgh Jewish Publication and Education Foundation 5915 Beacon St., 5th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-687-1000 POSTMASTER: Send address change to PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE, 5915 BEACON ST., 5TH FLOOR PITTSBURGH, PA 15217 (PERIODICAL RATE POSTAGE PAID AT PITTSBURGH, PA AND AT ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES) USPS 582-740

Manuscripts, letters, documents and photographs sent to the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle become the property of this publication, which is not responsible for the return or loss of such items.

The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle does not endorse the goods or services advertised or covered in its pages and makes no representation to the kashrut of food products and services in said advertising or articles. The publisher is not liable for damages if, for any reason whatsoever, he fails to publish an advertisement or for any error in an advertisement.

Acceptance of advertisers and of ad copy is subject to the publisher’s approval. The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle is not responsible if ads violate applicable laws and the advertiser will indemnify, hold harmless and defend the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle from all claims made by governmental agencies and consumers for any reason based on ads appearing in the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle.

Jim Busis, CEO and Publisher 412-228-4690 jbusis@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

2

MAY 20, 2022

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Headlines Swissvale Borough confronts ‘antisemitic’ statements

public’s first interaction with the borough.

“If you want to talk about liability for the borough, allowing somebody to blatantly make antisemitic comments to a council member in an open meeting — if you’re making these kinds of comments in open meetings, what are you saying behind closed  Screenshot of the Swissvale Borough council meeting.

Screenshot by David Rullo doors,” she asked.

The interaction has had a snowball effect in the borough.

— LOCAL — At the May 4 council meeting, Weldianne Scales, chairperson of the borough’s Diversity,

By David Rullo | Staff Writer Equality and Inclusion Committee, opened the meeting reading a statement saying, in wissvale Borough Councilmember part, that Wilhelm’s comments “cast a dark Abigail Salisbury isn’t sure why Fire cloud over the progressive strides that we Chief Clyde Wilhelm directed what have made to become a more inclusive and she considers antisemitic comments at her diverse community.” during an April 27 council meeting.

Ansell noted that he met with the fire chief The exchange happened during a discussion on May 3 and communicated the serious about whether the community should know nature of his comments. what borough employees have been vaccinated.

He then continued with the public On a video of the council meeting, comments of the meeting (which are read Salisbury is seen discussing what events by Ansell because the borough’s meetings would be necessary to alert the public that are conducted virtually). He said there were borough employees aren’t vaccinated. two comments, from Miranda Crotsley and Wilhelm responds to her statement saying: Bonnie Spoales, which he wouldn’t read on “The pandemic is over, and you are asking the advice of solicitor Robert McTiernan, us to show you our papers. That’s reminis- which addressed Wilhelm’s comments at the cent of something that happened a long time previous meeting. ago that didn’t turn out really well.”

Salisbury pushed back, calling the Salisbury, who is Jewish, responded refusal to read the comments censorship saying, “I’m going to really hope that you’re and pointed out that no public comments not saying having to show a vaccination card had ever been restricted. After a lengthy is equivalent to some sort of Nazi regime.” exchange, the meeting continued without “What I’m saying is, you’re asking me to the comments being heard. show my papers to show up to an event,” Crotsley, who is on the leadership team of Wilhelm replied before Salisbury said she the Swissvale Community Action Committee, wasn’t going to continue the conversation, said she’s concerned that the borough is calling it unproductive, and Council President attempting to silence public comments.

Christopher Ansell stopped the discussion.

“There shouldn’t be any restrictions. They After the meeting, Salisbury again refer- want to take away the ability to comment enced the comments by Wilhelm, saying she during a meeting,” she said. was bothered by his statement, noting that Jews She said in addition to concerns over censoroften are a forgotten group in conversations of ship, the comments made by Wilhelm worried diversity, equity and inclusion. her, saying she was appalled that his comments Salisbury said she was taken back by the weren’t addressed during the meeting by comments because she has not been the most anyone on council other than Salisbury. ardent advocate for COVID vaccinations.

Ansell said he understood the outrage, “He chose to focus on me. I’m the only Jew but that the comments were made quickly on council. People know I’m Jewish,” she said. during the meeting and that only near the The councilmember said this isn’t the end of the session when Salisbury spoke first time Wilhelm has directed antisemitic about the incident did he connect the dots. comments at her.

“I appreciated her sharing her experi“I had a previous instance with him. After ence because, as someone who isn’t part of a public meeting when we were walking back the Jewish community, that comment kind through the borough offices. He said some- of bypassed my awareness; as someone thing to me like, ‘Why are you people always from a different perspective, it wasn’t as trying to crucify everybody?’ because I have clear,” he explained. a reputation for calling people out during The council president said he spent time council meetings.” following the meeting on the ADL website Salisbury said she’s concerned about educating himself.

Wilhelm’s comments because he is both the Ansell said it was because of the solicitor’s fire chief and works in the code enforcement advice that he opted not to read the public office. She was quick to point out that there comments submitted by the two residents. have been no formal claims of discrimination Please see Swissvale, page 19 against the office but noted that it is often the

S

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

* . 4*0- ޲'$)" system make you farmisht? ! 4*0ҍ- .+ ) $)" /** (0 # /$( ( ) "$)" ) *2)/$( $..0 .҂ /# /ҍ. /$( )*/ .+ )/ "-*2$)" 4*0- 0.$) ..ҁ Let us take IT on, so you can do what you do bestҁ

) # - /* ' -) (*- ) " / ./ -/ ҁ

fsaconsulting.us | (412) 228-3100

MANAGED IT SERVICES | BUSINESS PHONE MANAGED WI-FI | BUSINESS BROADBAND FSA Consulting is powered by Frank and Stein Associates.

A proud member of the

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

MAY 20, 2022

3

Headlines Rabbi Mark Asher Goodman’s journey continues at Beth Shalom

Markiz, Beth Shalom’s former director of Derekh and Youth Tefillah, Goodman took on those responsibilities on an interim basis, as Beth Shalom searched for “the assistant rabbi of their dreams,” he said.

Despite the search, the market didn’t comply.

Beth Shalom wasn’t alone — across the country, a record shortage of Conservative rabbis caused congregations to scramble.

As reported by Religion News Service in February, 80 Conservative synagogues needed a rabbi, “but there aren’t 80 Conservative rabbis to replace them.”

When Beth Shalom was unable to find the ideal candidate, the congregation asked Goodman if he was interested in becoming its associate rabbi.

There were aspects of the job that were particularly appealing — such as being able to continue teaching and working with youth — but before accepting the offer Goodman needed to make sure Beth Shalom leadership understood his prior commitment, he said.

Once a month, he travels to Erie to serve as Brith Sholom’s rabbi.

The Erie congregation is small and struggling and likely realizes “that I’m probably the last rabbi they’ll ever have,” Goodman said.

— LOCAL —

By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

A

familiar face is ascending the pulpit at Congregation Beth Shalom. Rabbi Mark Asher Goodman, a Squirrel Hill resident and interim director of Derekh and Youth Tefillah at the congregation, is set to become its associate rabbi on July 1.

Goodman’s professional journey hasn’t necessarily been linear. The soccer-loving rabbi (he hosts a weekly podcast, has a Substack newsletter and writes for Pittsburgh Soccer Now) came to Squirrel Hill in 2018 as a trailing spouse. His wife, Noa, is a physical therapist. The couple and their two children, Yigal and Etta, previously lived in Colorado, where Goodman served as the rabbi and director of Judaic studies at the Denver Jewish Day School between 2012 and 2017 and as rabbi at Congregation Har Mishpacha in Steamboat Springs from 2014 to 2018.

After arriving in Pittsburgh, while his wife completed an internship, he accepted various positions, including teacher (both online and in person) and rabbi of Brith Sholom in Erie.

“I picked up a whole bunch of stuff to kind of pay the bills,” he said.

Following the departure of Rabbi Jeremy

p Rabbi Mark Asher Goodman

Please see Goodman, page 15

Photo courtesy of Rabbi Mark Asher Goodman

You're Invited

2022-2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS (slate indicated by *)

National Council of Jewish Women Pittsburgh's Spring Event Featuring Keynote Speaker Honoring

June 1, 2022 at 7pm Rodef Shalom Congregation

Outgoing Board President

Teddi Jacobson Horvitz Installing

RSVP by May 23 @ bit.ly/NCJWSpringEvent

Incoming Board President

Andrea Kline Glickman

Tammy Thompson

Internationally recognized Poverty Expert and Founder/Executive Director of Catapult Greater Pittsburgh

HOST COMMITTEE**

SPONSORS** GOLD LEVEL

BRONZE LEVEL

Block and Associates , LLC Dollar Bank Matthew and Adam Falcone General Alarm Systems, Inc David Horvitz Lynne & Blair Jacobson Kline, Keppel, & Koryak, CPA

4

MAY 20, 2022

**As of April 27, 2022

Judy Cohen Rachel Firestone Cathy & Mel Gold Andrea & David Glickman Debbie & Bruce Horvitz Rhonda & Mark Horvitz Becca Hurowitz Leah Kamon

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

Wallis Katz Myrna & Steve Kline Lynette Lederman Sharon Perelman Jane Rollman Dodie Roskies Marla Werner

Andrea Glickman, President* Leah Kamon, Vice President Dodie Roskies, Treasurer Lissa Guttman, Secretary Teddi Horvitz, Immediate Past President Elaine Beck, Board member* Beverly Block, Board member Judy Cohen, Board member* Matthew Falcone, Board member Paula Garret, Special Appointee Barb Ginsburg, Board member Becca Hurowitz, Board member* Suzanne Kingsley, Board member Eileen Lane, Lifetime member Anne Witchner Levin, Board member Karen Lightman, Board member Abby Lipsitz, Board member Jenny Pandya, Special Appointee Dani Rovenger, Board member Jodi Salant, Board member* Lynn Snyderman, Board member Sara Segel, Interim Executive Director

ncjwpgh.org

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Headlines A Jewish home in Mexico isn’t only a dream — it’s life for this Lubavitch couple — WORLD —

By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

U

p in the hills of Mexico, amid the chickens, donkeys, artists and musicians, are two shluchim with dreams of growing a Jewish community.

Rabbi Daniel and Raizel Huebner, Lubavitch emissaries, operate the Chabad House in San Miguel de Allende and fervently hope that Jewish travelers and residents consider it a welcome respite.

Creating a remote spiritual sanctuary for Jews was long on the Huebners’ minds.

Raizel and Daniel, a former student at Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh, discussed the idea at length while dating.

Finally, after marrying in 2014, and moving to Brooklyn, the Huebners began narrowing their sights. In 2018, the Huebners homed in on San Miguel and Beersheba — two cities separated by 7,777 miles.

Both places had communities seeking a young Lubavitch couple who could spark Jewish engagement. But the situation in each city, the Huebners said, couldn’t have been more different.

Of the nearly 175,000 people in San Miguel, fewer than 2% are Jewish, Daniel estimated.

p Rabbi Daniel and Raizel Huebner and their family enjoy an outing in San Miguel.

Photo courtesy of Rabbi Daniel Huebner

Of Beersheba’s 209,687 people, approximately 86% are Jewish, according to City Population, an online resource.

Visiting San Miguel and Beersheba in winter 2018 offered clarity.

“We decided absolutely not San Miguel,” Daniel, 32, said.

Living an observant life, where easy access to Jewish day schools and kosher food are paramount, seemed untenable in central

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

May 20, 1948 — Bernadotte is named peace mediator

The U.N. Security Council makes Count Folke Bernadotte, a Swedish diplomat, the mediator for peace efforts during Israel’s War of Independence. He arranges a truce in June but is assassinated in September.

May 21, 1963 — Shazar is elected president

Zalman Shazar, a writer of the Declaration of Independence and a former Knesset member for Mapai, is elected Israel’s third president, succeeding Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, who died in office a month earlier.

May 22, 1975 — Senators urge Ford to stand with Israel

Responding to President Gerald Ford’s decision to reassess support of Israel amid its resistance to Sinai talks, 76 U.S. senators sign a letter urging Ford to resume economic aid and restore full arms shipments.

May 23, 1420 — Viennese decree attacks Jews

Archduke Albert V issues the Wiener Gesera (Viennese Decree), ordering all Austrian Jews to be imprisoned and their possessions to be confiscated, amid religious fanaticism sweeping through the region.

May 24, 1948 — Battle for Latrun begins

Inexperienced Israeli soldiers, including Holocaust survivors, attack the Jordanianheld hilltop fortress at Latrun to relieve the siege of Jerusalem. Using outdated tactics without air support, the assault fails, and about 75 Israelis are killed.

May 25, 1991 — Operation Solomon rescues Ethiopian Jews

Using brief permission from a new Ethiopian government, Operation Solomon flies more than 14,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel in 36 hours, almost twice as many as escaped during Operations Moses and Joshua in 1984 and 1985.

May 26, 1924 — U.S. restricts Jewish immigration

Congress passes the 1924 Immigration Act, which restricts immigration based on the makeup of the U.S. population in 1890. Most Jewish newcomers are blocked, leading more Jews to choose to move to Palestine. PJC

Mexico, so the Huebners began the process of making aliyah.

But then they decided to visit San Miguel once more.

What they discovered, Raizel, 28, said, was that the same reasons that almost drove them away from the Mexican city proved to be its ultimate selling points.

San Miguel doesn’t have a kosher grocery store, a mikvah or a Jewish day school. What

this means on a day-to-day basis, Raizel said, is that apart from co-directing the Chabad House, she has to shepherd most of her children’s educational and spiritual needs.

Before moving to Mexico, those responsibilities seemed “daunting,” but after speaking with a friend in Puerto Vallarta, who made a similar decision, Raizel realized the incredible opportunity at hand.

“If I chose to [reorient] my perspective from ‘this is what I need to do’ to ‘this is what I get to do,’ then it makes a really big difference,” she said.

Raizel connected with mothers from across the Lubavitch world. She heard tales of people who homeschooled their children when traditional brick-and-mortar institutions were less than a mile away. She discovered resources for creating curricula and befriended other women who educated their own children.

The challenges that many Chabad families faced decades ago, when they first went out as emissaries, were very different, Raizel explained: “I have a complete network — mothers who are five to 20 years ahead of me in this process. We have professional help, teachers, therapists, psychologists.

There is a really great support system for Please see Chabad, page 15

Murray Avenue Kosher 1916 MURRAY AVENUE 412-421-1015 • 412-421-4450 • FAX 412-421-4451

PRICES EFFECTIVE SUNDAY, MAY 22 - FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2022 Candle Lighting Time Friday, May 20, 2022 • 8:16 p.m.

MEAT SPECIALS

Chuck Steak

$

1099 LB

Chuck Roast

1089 LB

$

Cut Up Fryers

$

349 LB

GROCERY

WINE SPECIALS

HERZOG AMERICAN OAK CABERNET SAUVIGNON $31.99 750 ML MATAR CHARDONNAY $31.99 750 ML

MONDAY & TUESDAY DINNER SPECIAL Beef Stew Egg Noodles

Serves 2

$23.00 STORE HOURS

Sun. • 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Mon.-Wed.• 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Thurs. • 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Fri. • 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

COOKED FOODS

DELI

HAOLAM SL YELLOW AMERICAN $ 99

POTATO LEEK SOUP $ 99

EMPIRE SMOKED TURKEY BREAST $ 99

LIEBERS FLAVORED MASHED POTATOES $ 89

QUINOA SALAD $ 99

EMPIRE TURKEY PASTRAMI $ 99

21 2

3 LB

BOX

FRESCORTI MARINARA SAUCE $ 09

4

JAR

BENZ’S SMOKED GRAVAD LOX $ 79

4

3 OZ

HOMEMADE SALADS & SOUPS DELI PARTY TRAYS

10 5

QT

LB

HAWAIIAN CHICKEN $ 59

15

LB

BEEF STUFFED PEPPERS $ 99

9

LB

We Prepare Trays for All Occasions UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF VAAD OF PITTSBURGH

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

TAKE-OUT SPECIAL

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

9

10

LB

LB

BABA GHANOUJ $ 79

9

LB

A & H BEEF SALAMI 99

$

21

32 OZ

CATERING SPECIALISTS DELICIOUS FRIED CHICKEN WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO LIMIT QUANTITIES.

MAY 20, 2022

5

Calendar Submit calendar items on the Chronicle’s website, pittsburghjewishchronicle. org. Submissions also will be included in print. Events will run in the print edition beginning one month prior to the date as space allows. The deadline for submissions is Friday, noon. q

SUNDAYS, MAY 22-JUNE 26

Join a lay-led Online Parashah Study Group to discuss the week’s Torah portion. No Hebrew knowledge is needed.

The goal is to build community while deepening understanding of the text.

8:30 p.m. For more information, visit bethshalompgh.org. q

MONDAYS, MAY 23-JUNE 27

Join Congregation Beth Shalom for a weekly Talmud study. 9:15 a.m. For more information, visit bethshalompgh.org. q

TUESDAY, MAY 24

Sign up now for Melton Core 2, Ethics and Crossroads of Jewish Living. Discover the central ideas and texts that inform our daily, weekly and annual rituals, as well as life cycle observances and essential Jewish theological concepts and ideas as they unfold in the Bible, the Talmud and other sacred texts. 9:30 a.m. foundation. jewishpgh.org/melton-2.

Classrooms Without Borders is thrilled to offer an opportunity to engage in discussion with author Dr. Barry Trachtenberg about his book, “The Holocaust & the Exile of Yiddish: A History of the Algemeyne Entsiklopedye.” 4 p.m. classroomswithoutborders.org/authortalk-dr-barry-trachtenberg-holocaustexile-yiddish. q

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25

Working Mothers of Yesteryear and Today, a collaborative conversation with AgeWell and NCJW MomsWork, will examine the challenges working mothers face today, what they’ve faced in the past

and how to make a difference for those in the thick of it. 1:30 p.m. ncjwpghevents. org/upcoming-events. q

WEDNESDAYS, MAY 25 -JUNE 22

The new six-week Rohr Jewish Learning Institute course, The Values That Shape Judaism’s Civil Code, examines a number of key legal issues that disclose fundamental ethical considerations that serve as the engine of Jewish civil law.

Class offered in person or at Chabad of the South Hills. $95 individual/$170 couple.

7:30 p.m. chabadsh.com. q

WEDNESDAYS, MAY 25 -JUNE 29

Bring the parshah alive and make it personally relevant and meaningful.

Study the weekly Torah portion with Rabbi Mark Asher Goodman. 12:15 p.m. bethshalompgh.org/life-text.

Join Temple Sinai to study the weekly Torah portion in its hybrid class available on Zoom. Open to everyone. Noon. templesinaipgh.org/event/parashah/ weekly-torah-portion-class-viazoom11.html. q

THURSDAY, MAY 26

Join Classrooms Without Borders virtually for “Remembering the Holocaust in Austria” featuring Hannah M. Lessing, Dr. Albert Lichtblau and Tali Nates. Registration closes 30 minutes prior to the start of the program.

2 p.m. classroomswithoutborders.org/ holocaust_museums_and_memorials_ around_the_world. q

TUESDAY, MAY 31

classroomswithoutborders.org/arab_ israeli_conflict.

The Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh presents the VR documentary “By the Waters of Babylon,” a story of composers who created hope in a time of darkness and a modern-day string quartet dedicated to shining a light on their legacy. This limited screening event is a collaboration between the filmmakers, the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh, Chatham University and Point Park University. Screenings take place on May 31. Space is limited, advanced registration required. 7 p.m.

Buhl Planetarium at the Carnegie Science Center. $0-$36. hcofpgh.org/events. q

Save the date for the National Council of Jewish Women Pittsburgh’s Spring Event. Guest speaker Tammy Thompson, founder of Catapult Greater Pittsburgh, will discuss how love, support and policy can pave a road to prosperity. Outgoing President Teddi Jacobson Horvitz will be honored, and new President Andrea Kline Glickman will be installed. 7 p.m.

Rodef Shalom Congregation. Registration coming soon. ncjwpghevents.org/ upcoming-events. q

FRIDAY, JUNE 3

The National Council of Jewish Women presents a free monthly working mom’s group as a place to get support personally and network professionally. Facilitated by Dionna Rojas-Orta. Noon.ncjwpghevents. org/events/working-moms-support-groupdrop-in-virtual-2022-06-03-12-00. q

The Arab-Israeli conflict plays a large (some would claim outsized) role in current events. This course aims to unpack the causes and core issues that relate to the conflict. The goal is to make the subject accessible to educators and to give them the tools with which to grapple in the classroom with the subject at large and with breaking news. 2 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1

SUNDAY, JUNE 5

Celebrate Shavuot and hear the Ten Commandments for the 3,334th time at Chabad of the South Hill’s Ice Cream, Tacos and Ten Commandments.

Make your own ice cream taco. 11:30 a.m.

1701 McFarland Road. Rickel@Chabadsh. com or tinyurl.com/ICE-CREAM-TACO.

q

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8

Classrooms Without Borders, presents Confronting the Complexity of Holocaust Scholarship: Reflections on the Past, Present, and Future of Holocaust Studies. In this final session, Jonathan Friedman will be joined in conversation with Michael Bernbaum discussing the use of comedy as a literary form to depict Adolf Hitler, the Third Reich and the Holocaust.

3 p.m. classroomswithoutborders.org/ confronting_the_complexity_of_holocaust_ scholarship. q

THURSDAY, JUNE 9

Classrooms Without Borders presents a post-film discussion of “The Fourth Window” with filmmaker Yair Qedar moderated by Avi Ben Hur. The film explores the life of Israeli writer Amos Oz. 3 p.m. classroomswithoutborders.org/postfilm-discussion-fourth-window. q

SUNDAY, JUNE 12

The Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh welcomes Father John Neiman on what would have been Anne Frank’s 93rd birthday. Neiman first read Anne Frank’s diary when he was 10 years old. He will recount the story of his friendship with Frank’s father, Otto, and Miep Gies, as well as discuss the Holocaust. Q&A will follow.

Presented both in person and online.

3 p.m. eventbrite.com/e/father-johnneiman-tickets-311834905597. q

THURSDAY, JUNE 30

Join the Jewish Association on Aging (JAA) at its annual fundraiser, the Art of Aging, for an evening of food, art and community. Guests will enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres followed by a unique and energetic hour-long performance by speed-painting group, The 3 Painters.

After the show, the paintings created on stage will be auctioned. Contact Ashley Crosby at acrosby@jaapgh.org or at 412586-2690 for assistance. 6 p.m. Stage AE, 4000 North Shore Drive. artofagingpgh. planningpod.com. PJC

Join the Chronicle Book Club!

T

he Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle invites you to join the Chronicle Book Club for its June 12 discussion of “The History of Love,” by Nicole Krausse.

From the publisher: “Leo Gursky taps his radiator each evening to let his upstairs neighbor know he’s still alive.

But it wasn’t always like this: in the Polish village of his

youth, he fell in love and wrote a book…Sixty years later and half a world away, fourteen-year-old Alma, who was named after a character in that book, undertakes an adventure to find her namesake and save her family. With virtuosic skill and soaring imaginative power, Nicole Krauss gradually draws these stories together toward a climax of ‘extraordinary depth and beauty’ (Newsday).”

Your Hosts

Toby Tabachnick, editor of the Chronicle David Rullo, Chronicle staff writer

How It Works

We will meet on Zoom on Sunday, June 12, at noon. As you read the book, share your favorite passages on a Google Doc you will receive when you register.

What To Do

Buy: “The History of Love.” It is available at

area Barnes & Noble stores and from online retailers, including Amazon.

Email: Contact us at drullo@pittsburgh jewishchronicle.org, and write “Chronicle Book Club” in the subject line. We will send you a Zoom link for the discussion meeting.

Happy reading! PJC — Toby Tabachnick

www.pittsburghjewishchronicle.org 6

MAY 20, 2022

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

The JCC is celebrating

Adult Fitness

in the South Hills all week long May 23-27 Bring a friend all week: Group ex and special classes, demos, info sessions and events

May 25 National Senior Health & Fitness Day: Bring a friend to join and get a free personal training session for two!

For more information, Contact Elaine Cappucci at ecappucci@jccpgh.org or 412-446-4773

HAPPY. HEALTHY. WHOLE. Get into it. JCCPGH.org The JCC: A welcoming, vaccinated environment.

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

MAY 20, 2022

7

Headlines Dan Droz’s Strip District sculpture to be spot for ‘gathering’ — LOCAL —

By Justin Vellucci | Special to the Chronicle

“M

eet me at the Kaufmann’s clock?” Try: “Meet me at the blue sculpture!”

The developer of a Strip District mixed-use development is set this month to unveil an abstract, 12-foot-tall structure at an entrance to the Three Rivers Heritage Trail that could become Pittsburgh’s next meeting-place calling card.

Designed by the hyperproductive Dan Droz, the piece is titled “The Gathering” and is intended to showcase sculpture as a means to elevate public spaces, the artist said.

“If you look at the sculpture, it’s figurative — you can see outlines of two or three figures.

You might discover two people high-fiving each other or, from another angle, a group of three people just hanging out,” Droz, who is Jewish, told the Chronicle. “Together with the fact that it’s at the entrance to the trail, it’s intended to provide an iconic gathering space for people going to the Heritage Trail.”

Burns Scalo Real Estate, the developer of the aforementioned mixed-use development — dubbed The Vision on Fifteenth — selected Droz as the artist for the centerpiece work based on his sketches for an oversized sculpture that would capture the imagination of visitors, cyclists and Strip District shoppers.

The sculpture, whose abstract figures and assured angles recall some of Droz’s finest work, will stand at the entrance of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail at 15th Street and Waterfront Place, across the street from the Facebook offices and the Homewood Suites Hotel.

p Dan Droz

Photo courtesy of Dan Droz

“We believe that art builds community and social connection and must be integral to the fabric of the spaces we create,” said Pamela Austin, brand ambassador for Burns Scalo. “‘The Gathering’ will undoubtedly become a highly recognizable landmark along the Heritage Trail and among Strip District visitors, providing an iconic place to meet, have a bite to eat or simply take a break.”

Austin met Droz in 2021 through James Gallery owner James Frederick, who represents Droz and has exhibited his work in two solo shows, the sculptor’s promoters said.

Droz is no Pittsburgh novice.

A graduate of Harvard College, the Brookline native taught for 18 years at Carnegie Mellon School of Design. After

leaving CMU, he headed an award-winning design firm in the city.

In 2018, at age 69, he decided to pursue sculpture-making full time. Since then, he’s had five solo exhibitions and more than 20 juried shows, and his work has been collected nationally. He’s also been the recipient of many awards, including the Mary Phillips Award for Sculpture from Seton Hill University, ID Magazine’s “Designer of Year” and “Best of America” by Abitari (Italy).

So, is “The Gathering” the most emblematic, so far, of Droz’s work?

“It’s definitely the largest,” he laughed.

“Hopefully, it will be the beginning of more.

My intention has always been to make larger sculptures because there’s the potential for

p “The Gathering”

Photo courtesy of Dan Droz

interaction between people — it creates a sense of space in an otherwise monochromatic environment.”

In addition to upcoming appearances at shows in California and Pennsylvania, Droz said he is set to exhibit his work — including smaller sculptures set in a form similar to a diorama — at the Three Rivers Arts Festival, which begins June 3 in the Cultural District.

But don’t think for a second he’s not savoring this artistic moment.

“The pieces are getting out there,” Droz said. “It’s very gratifying to have a piece that’s not in someone’s house or backyard.” PJC Justin Vellucci is a freelance writer living in Pittsburgh.

Getting to know: Shai Maaravi After arriving, he met the Pressmans, Jews from Squirrel Hill by way of Canada, who became his American family. And he kept coming back to Pittsburgh. An elite athlete — he played and continues to play ice hockey for Israel’s national team — he got breaks in his service every few months when he’d trek back to the Steel City and live with the Pressmans.

It was nothing less than a love story between an immigrant and a city built by immigrants.

“Staying was kinda the plan,” Maaravi said. “School in the States is expensive — I could’ve gone to school in Israel for a fraction of the price … But I was hoping for this.

I didn’t think I’d have three majors, but the plan was to get a job, stay here.”

Yes, Maaravi already has found work — and work whose sponsorship can keep him in the United States while employed.

He starts as a technology risk consultant for EY in July.

The Pressmans played a key role in Maaravi’s ability to build a new home for himself in Pittsburgh.

— LOCAL —

By Justin Vellucci | Special to the Chronicle

O

n Friday, May 13, Shai Maaravi officially became a Pittsburgher.

Crossing the stage in front of more than 1,500 members of the Class of ‘22, the Golan Heights native accepted his Duquesne University degree — one of several possible prerequisites for Pittsburgh “citizenship” — for which he amassed enough credits for not one, not two, but three majors: accounting, finance and information systems management.

Though the details took almost a decade to sketch out in real time, Maaravi knew he would find himself here as far back as 2015.

That’s when the young man, then 18 and about to start a stint in the Israel Defense Forces, first came to Pittsburgh with his Israel Hockey Academy team.

“Every year, they would go to a community in North America,” Maaravi told the Chronicle. “In 2015, they said, ‘We’re going to Pittsburgh.’ And I said, ‘I’m a Penguins fan — I want to go!’”

8

MAY 20, 2022

p Shai Maaravi at his Duquesne University graduation

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

Photo courtesy of Shai Maaravi

Please see Maaravi, page 15

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Headlines Avowed antisemite and white supremacist kills 10 in Buffalo, N.Y., supermarket shooting — NATIONAL —

By Philissa Cramer and Ron Kampeas | JTA

T

he man charged with killing 10 people at a Buffalo, New York, supermarket Saturday allegedly was motivated by a conspiracy theory that has spurred recent deadly attacks on Jews, among others.

An online manifesto attributed to Payton Gendron, 18, explains that the attack was spurred by the theory that a tide of immigrants is crowding out white populations in western countries. The manifesto also says that Jews are the real problem but that “they can be dealt with in time.”

The Tops supermarket, located just a few miles from the Canadian border, was chosen because it is in an area with many Black residents, the manifesto says. Eleven of the 13 people shot there were Black, local law enforcement officials said.

Law enforcement authorities are working to verify that the manifesto was written by Gendron, who was arrested at the scene and later charged with first-degree murder. The U.S. Justice Department is investigating the shooting as “a hate crime and an act of racially motivated violent extremism,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.

The baseless theory outlined in the manifesto is known as “Great Replacement” and has united white supremacists across borders in their hatred of Jews and immigrants.

Replacement theory has inspired multiple antisemitic and extremist attacks, including the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting in which 11 Jews were murdered; the 2019 attack on a New Zealand mosque that killed 51; and the 2019 massacre at a Texas Wal-Mart that targeted Hispanic immigrants.

In 2017, white supremacists marching in Charlottesville, Virginia, infamously chanted “Jews will not replace us.”

The manifesto cites the perpetrator of the New Zealand massacre as a chief inspiration and says that its author learned about the dangers of immigration from online research, including on 4chan, a website popular among right-wing trolls.

The theory has gained significant traction

p Police on the scene at a Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo, New York, after a mass shooting there on May 14.

Getty Images via JTA

in right-wing media and politics. Tucker Carlson, the top-rated Fox News Channel opinion host, has trafficked for more than a year in replacement rhetoric. In one passage in the manifesto allegedly written

by Gendron, the writer echoes Carlson’s phrasing in a notorious September 2018 segment, which began, “How precisely is diversity our strength?” The manifesto launches a similar salvo, “Why is diversity said to be our greatest strength?”

The Anti-Defamation League called on Fox News to fire Carlson after the host explicitly defended replacement theory on air last year. Fox executives rejected the call.

“Horrified by the #Buffalo shooting which is apparently motivated by #antisemitism and #racism,” ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt tweeted Saturday night. “The rhetoric that fuels hate-filled conspiracies has to stop. … These are the consequences of conspiracies going unchecked.”

Friends OF FRANCINE (Mrs. G.)

Celebrating

Fanny Gelernter

Sunday, May 22, 2022 • 10:30 a.m. – Noon (RAIN OR SHINE/CASUAL ATTIRE/DOG FRIENDLY)

Gary and Nancy Tuckfelt Keeping Tabs: A Holocaust Sculpture COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL 6424 FORWARD AVENUE • PITTSBURGH, PA 15217

We welcome you to help us celebrate with memorable moments of how Fanny left her unique and beautiful legacy on so many of our lives.

The world can use a little more of Fanny right now. Zei G’zuhnt!

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Replacement theory has gained currency among some Republican officials, including Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, whose hometown newspaper in Albany decried her invocation of the theory in an editorial last fall. An Associated Press poll released last week found that half of Republicans in the United States agree at least partially with the idea that there is an intentional effort to crowd white Americans out with immigrants.

Structured largely in a question-and-answer format and accompanied by collected memes and internet citations, the manifesto explicitly states that the author is driven by hatred of Jews.

The author says he departs from many white supremacists in concluding that Jews are, for the most part, white. But, citing pages of quotations from the Talmud, he says Jews are polluted by learning that “they are God’s chosen people and they are permitted

Photo by John Normile/

to hate and exploit the goyim” or non-Jews, and to engage in pedophilia. (Purported fear of pedophilia is also central to QAnon, another conspiracy theory with antisemitic roots that has gained widespread currency on the American right.)

“Are you an anti-semite? YES!!” the manifesto reads in one place. Later, the author answers the question, “Why attack immigrants when the Jews are the issue?”

The answer reads, in part: “They can be dealt with in time.”

The manifesto cites George Soros, the Hungarian-born Jewish billionaire and philanthropist who is a boogeyman for right-wing conspiracy theories, as “majorly responsible for the destruction of our White culture.” It also says that Jews are driving the rise of critical race theory, an academic idea about the ways in which racism is embedded Please see Buffalo, page 15

helping you plan for what matters the most

With the increasing costs of long-term care, having the help of a legal professional when planning for your family’s future can help you make better decisions that can result in keeping more of your money.

We help families understand the strategies, the benefits, and risks involved with elder law, disability and estate planning.

www.marks-law.com

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

412-421-8944

Michael H. Marks, Esq. michael@marks-law.com member, national academy of elder law attorneys

4231 Murray Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15217

MAY 20, 2022

9

Headlines — WORLD — Lipstadt: Antisemitism not taken seriously until deadly

Antisemitism is often not taken seriously until it becomes deadly, Deborah Lipstadt, the Holocaust scholar who is the State Department’s antisemitism monitor, said on May 12, JTA reported.

Lipstadt chose the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum for her first talk since her Senate confirmation in March after contentious hearings.

She made good on her pledges to skeptical Republicans in the body that she would identify and target antisemitism on all sides.

“Antisemitism does not come from one end of the political spectrum,” Lipstadt said.

“It is ubiquitous and is espoused by people who agree on nothing else or, better put, disagree on everything else.”

She spoke of the threat from the far-right, mentioning the 2017 neo-Nazi march in Charlottesville that convinced President Joe Biden, who named her to the post, to run for the presidency. But she also alluded to her frustrations with the left.

Israel’s fiscal deficit below 1%

Israel’s fiscal deficit for the 12 months ending in April was 0.6% of gross domestic

product, compared to a 1.4% deficit for the 12 months ending in March and 2.2% for the 12 months ending in February, Globes reported, citing Ministry of Finance Accountant General data.

That also compares to the 15.7% fiscal deficit in the 12 months ending April 2021; that high total is attributed to the pandemic.

With a surplus of $2.35 billion last month, April was the fourth consecutive month in the black. To date, Israel has recorded a surplus of $9.2 billion.

The 12-month deficit as a proportion of GDP is at its lowest level since 2008.

State revenues for January-March totaled $48.9 billion, up 25.6% from the same period in 2021.

Israelis denied entry into Jordan because of tefillin

Israeli tourists were prevented from entering Jordan on May 10 after guards at the border crossing found tefillin in their baggage, The Times of Israel reported, citing Channel 12 news.

Seven men, who were with about 40 insurance agents planning on a two-day trip in the Hashemite kingdom, returned to Israel.

One of the men delayed told Channel 12 about “the unpleasant feeling and what he said was the disrespect shown by the Jordanians to the tefillin.”

“We reached the border crossing and everything went relatively smoothly, and then they stopped us during the security check,” he said. “They asked us to open the suitcases, took out the tefillin and set it aside, took our passports and took us to a separate room.”

The man said that the guards told him that they couldn’t take the tefillin into Jordan because it was a religious sign, and that they “could be targeted for wearing it.”

German police find antisemitic material in home of teen allegedly planning terror attack

German police found explosives and antisemitic, far-right literature at the home of a teenager they suspect of planning a terrorist attack at a school, JTA reported.

Officers took the 16-year-old suspect, who was not named, into custody on May 12, the Tagesschau news site reported. Police said he is suspected of planning to bomb a high school in Essen, a city about 250 miles west of Berlin.

Separately, German police are investigating a suspected arson at a Jewish cemetery near Cologne. Both incidents closely followed the release of a report indicating a 28% rise in antisemitic hate crimes in 2021.

In the incident in Cologne on May 11, an unidentified person poured a flammable substance on the wall around the Jewish

cemetery of Bocklemünd, Rundschau Online reported. Police are investigating whether the incident was an antisemitic hate crime, the report said.

Lufthansa apologizes for expelling ‘large group’ of Chasidic Jews from flight

Lufthansa apologized for kicking identifiably Jewish people off a flight from New York City to Budapest after some Chasidic individuals had reportedly not worn masks on the flight’s first leg, New York Jewish Week reported.

Lufthansa said in a statement on May 10 that it “regrets the circumstances surrounding the decision to exclude the affected passengers from the flight.”

The statement said that the airline was still reviewing the incident and regretted that “the large group was denied boarding rather than limiting it to the non-compliant guests.”

The group referenced was 100-plus Chasidic Jews, many of whom did not know one another, flying to Hungary on a pilgrimage.

The statement said that the German carrier has a “zero tolerance” policy for racism, antisemitism and discrimination of any kind. “What transpired is not consistent with Lufthansa’s policies or values,” it said. PJC — Compiled by Andy Gotlieb

www.pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

10

MAY 20, 2022

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Headlines More than 100 Harvard faculty and alum denounce student paper’s Israel boycott — NATIONAL —

By Andrew Lapin | JTA

T

he Harvard Crimson’s recent endorsement of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement has attracted far more wide-ranging attention than a typical student paper’s editorial page, as faculty and alumni of the Ivy League institution have lined up to denounce the student paper’s op-ed and condemn the shift in Israel discussion on college campuses.

In an open letter, more than 100 Harvard faculty members objected to the paper endorsing an academic and financial boycott of the state of Israel, including the school’s former president Larry Summers; prominent psychologist and author Steven Pinker; endowed law professor Gabriella Blum; former Harvard Medical School dean Jeffrey Flier; and emeritus law professor and longtime pro-Israel advocate Alan Dershowitz.

“We believe that many well-meaning people with no hate in their hearts, including those at Harvard, gravitate to this movement believing that it offers a means for advancing Please see Boycott, page 20

p Students and visitors mingle in Harvard Yard before the gates are locked in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Sept. 6, 2020.

Photo by Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Welcoming Fine Art Consignments CONSIGNMENT INQUIRIES Carrie Pinney Business Development Manager 216.292.8300 carriepinney@hindmanauctions.com HINDMANAUCTIONS.COM Pierre-Auguste Renoir (French, 1841-1919) La Baie de Villefranche-sur-Mer, 1899 Price achieved: $524,000

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

MAY 20, 2022

11

Opinion

Collective punishment for looking Jewish — EDITORIAL —

W

e struggle to contain our indignation. The story is upsetting. The video is chilling. The apology was milquetoast. Lufthansa Airlines blew it.

But very few seem to care.

The saga began on May 4, when a large group of Jewish passengers were denied boarding on a connecting Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt, Germany, to Budapest, Hungary, after several passengers reportedly failed to comply with the airline’s mask regulations on the first leg of the trip from New York. It is not clear how many passengers on the JFK-Frankfurt leg ignored the mask rule. But it is clear that all identifiable Jewish passengers on the connecting flight were punished for the offense. According to the Lufthansa supervisor whose remarks

were recorded by passengers, the airline’s intent for group punishment was explicit: “Everyone has to pay for a couple,” said the supervisor. “It’s Jews coming from JFK. Jewish people were the mess, who made the problems.”

And so, a phalanx of German police brandishing machine guns barred identifiable Jews from boarding the connecting flight, and Lufthansa banned those passengers from purchasing another ticket to Budapest or anywhere else for 24 hours.

According to reports, there were an estimated 135-170 Jews on the Lufthansa flight, 80% of whom were dressed in Chasidic garb. During the flight, a pilot announced that flight attendants were frustrated with people blocking the galleys while praying, and with having to repeat themselves to remind people to wear masks. Some of the Jewish passengers on the Lufthansa flight

were part of a group on an annual pilgrimage to visit the grave of Rabbi Yeshaya Steiner, a wonder-working rabbi who died in 1925 and is buried in northeast Hungary. But dozens of the Jewish passengers on the flight were not part of the group or even going on the pilgrimage. Nonetheless, anyone who “looked Jewish” was denied boarding in Frankfurt. As a result, the connecting flight to Budapest, which reportedly had close to 200 seats, took off with only 20 passengers on board.

After reports and videos of the incident went viral, Lufthansa issued a lame “apology,” which failed to acknowledge the enormity of the offense, failed to articulate meaningful remorse and sought to cast blame for the mask violations on a “large group” of Jewish passengers on the first leg of the trip. When that “apology” was roundly criticized, Lufthansa’s CEO,

Carsten Spohr, called Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal in Berlin, and told him that the antisemitic incident shouldn’t have happened and that employees involved had been suspended. No details were provided.

What is almost as upsetting as the deeply troubling Lufthansa offense is the lack of more vocal and active expressions of indignation and outrage about the incident from the organized Jewish community and others.

We complain regularly about antisemitism and its pernicious infection of our society.

We complain regularly about the hateful victimization of Jews and the targeting of the Jewish community. The Lufthansa story checks all those boxes. And yet, the broader Jewish communal reaction to the Lufthansa outrage has been remarkably restrained.

Why is it that when the targets of blatant antisemitism are Chasidic Jews we don’t seem quite so offended? PJC

Guest Columnist Rabbi Susan Grossman

Y

ears ago, something went wrong late in a friend’s much-wanted pregnancy.

If the fetus continued to grow, it could kill her or damage her ability to have future children. She asked her father what to do. A respected Talmudic scholar and Orthodox rabbi, he decided she should have an abortion to protect her life and health.

She did. But to do so she had to travel out of state because late-term abortions were illegal in her state, even when medically necessary.

Her parents helped with travel expenses. I still remember the trauma she faced leaving home and family for the procedure out of town. Thankfully, today she is the mother of several healthy Jewish children.

Her father’s decision to permit an abortion was based on clear rabbinic precedent. Torah law offers a moderating, faith-based message to protect the life and health of the mother even while recognizing the preciousness of the potential life growing in her womb.

The two main classical Jewish approaches to abortion come from the great sages Rashi and Maimonides. Commenting on the

Talmud in Sanhedrin 72b, Rashi explains a fetus is lav nefesh hu, not human life, therefore its needs are subservient to those of its mother. He learns this from Exodus 21:2223, which states that if an assailant causes a pregnant woman to miscarry, the assailant is fined for damages but not prosecuted for causing a death. Rashi’s decision is consistent with that on Sanhedrin 84b, that capital punishment does not apply to a fetus because it is not a nefesh, a human being.

Maimonides has a different approach.

Just as we are obligated to save from harm anyone being pursued by a rodef (a pursuer), even at the cost of the pursuer’s life, so are we to save the mother from harm even at the cost of the fetus. Maimonides’ analogy is not perfect: the fetus has no conscious volition nor is it considered human life under Jewish law. Nevertheless, Maimonides treats the fetus like a rodef (a pursuer) when it endangers the mother’s health, thus prioritizing the mother’s life and health.

How one applies permission to abort for maternal cause depends on which position one follows. Those who follow Rashi are more likely to permit abortion whenever a woman needs medical help, even for mental distress and even at the latest stages of fetal maturation. This includes permitting abortion when a mother feels unable

to cope in the face of severe fetal deformity or inability to care for other children due to severe financial or mental distress. Those who follow Maimonides require the mother to face significant physical danger before aborting is permitted, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy.

Centuries of rabbinic commentators in both camps permit and even require abortion where the mother’s life is endangered. Why? Because for Jews, human life begins only when the fetus’s head or the majority of its body exits the mother’s body, and not before.

Until then, the fetus is part of her body and thus her health and well-being come first. In other words, Torah and Jewish law prioritizes the life and health of the mother over the potential human life of her fetus. That is why one cannot violate the Sabbath for the sake of a fetus, only for the pregnant woman, according to the 17th century Rabbi Bachrach, based upon Arakhim 7a.

If the anti-abortion lobby has its way, all abortions would be banned, even those required, let alone allowed, under Jewish law. While separation of church and state, and our rights as a religious minority, have not been part of the abortion debate, they should be. Pro-choice is not about being pro-abortion. It is about keeping the government out of private medical decisions more

appropriately made between a woman and her doctor, clergy and family. Pro-choice is about allowing all citizens to equally follow their own religious dictates.

Other issues of Jewish concern in the abortion debate include economic justice, so much at the heart of Jewish values. Antiabortion laws restrict access to women’s health care. Already some women, like my friend, travel out of state for health care and safe abortions no longer available locally, but many others cannot.

Ironically, our Jewish commitment to life is threatened. Women’s lives literally hang in the balance. The specter of coat-hanger and back-alley abortion deaths that initially drove the pro-choice movement is very real. It is time we take the moral high ground and demand that protecting women’s lives take precedence in health care and public policy decisions. It is a position that both protects our rights as a religious minority to follow the dictates of Jewish precedent law and reflects our values of protecting life, the life of the mother.

Rabbi Susan Grossman, senior rabbi of Beth Shalom Congregation in Columbia, has a doctorate in ancient Judaism; served for 30 years on the Committee of Jewish Law and Standards for the Conservative Movement and is an editor of Etz Hayim Torah and Commentary.

‘Don’t single us out!’ Welcome unmarried Jews Guest Columnist Sylvia Barack Fishman

J

ewish communities historically have encouraged marriage for most adults.

Today, the majority of Orthodox Americans continue that tradition, marrying and beginning families in their 20s, earlier than their non-Orthodox counterparts.

12

MAY 20, 2022

But a substantial segment of the modern Orthodox community does not follow that pattern, including 30% who are single at the end of their 20s (according to the Pew Portrait of Orthodox Jews, 2013, 2015), along with divorced and widowed Jews of all ages.

For unmarried Orthodox Jews, according to a new PORAT Report: Responding to the Realities of Unmarried Modern Orthodox Jews, the unintended downside of family norms is an experience of feeling ignored and invisible in synagogues or judged as “broken and waiting to be fixed.” While Orthodox

institutions plan for and try to meet the needs of families, singles often feel marginalized, and insist: “We want to be included and appreciated as the full individuals we are.”

Describing not being seen or treated as “full adults,” in recent studies, modern Orthodox singles in their 20s and 30s reported incidents such as being seated at the “children’s table” at a wedding, while their married peers were seated and socialized together.

“A 35-year-old attorney is called a girl, while a married 19-year-old is called a woman,” some observed, requesting: “See us as equal

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

— not more or less than married people.”

Some complained about “being shabbosed”— receiving last minute impromptu Shabbat meal invitations “as though they assume we have no social life,” while their married peers scheduled meals together in advance. Symptomatic of this marginalization, many reported that their shuls routinely offer free programs for families, while “singles are charged for every program.” The implicit assumption appears to be that “families” are the responsibility of Please see Fishman, page 13

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Photo courtesy of Beth Shalom Congregation

Torah prioritizes the mother’s life and health

Opinion

Chronicle poll results: Roe v. Wade

L

ast week, the Chronicle asked its readers in an electronic poll the following question: “Should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade?” Of the 380 people who responded, 89% said no, and 10% said yes.

Just 1% said they weren’t sure. One hundred people submitted comments. A few follow.

Should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade?

1% Not sure

10% Yes

Having an abortion is a personal decision, not a government regulation. I’m sure that no one does it lightly.

If the final opinion is consistent with the leaked draft, it will serve as proof positive that the Supreme Court has become nothing more than a political pawn and

Fishman: Continued from page 12

the community, while singles, divorcees and widows are on their own.

The PORAT Report affirms Orthodoxy’s celebration and support of families, while urging that new significant communal resources and attention must also be devoted to the social and religious needs of single Jewish adults in every decade of life. These individuals make up an important contemporary population. Among the Report’s recommendations, based on the testimonies of singles, divorced, and widowed persons: • Singles want respect, friendliness and inclusion. Congregants should be treated as competent and valuable irrespective of their marriage status. Singles should be asked to take on leadership roles, serve on committees and receive honors. Most shul programs

89%

While I have mixed feelings on this and try to understand a woman’s decision to terminate a pregnancy, it still seems to minimize the value of a life.

We know what it was like when abortion wasn’t legal. It was horrific for women’s health and for their families and partners.

Women will die unnecessarily. Emergency rooms will be filled with women who have sepsis from trying to abort themselves in states where doctors can be punished and jailed. It will be the Twilight Zone.

Abortion should not be used as a regular method of birth control. Having said that, there is a time when a woman should have access to it — for instance, rape and incest.

There are many circumstances to consider.

No

has lost whatever minimal credibility and integrity remained after Bush v. Gore. Could there be a more fundamental right than the right to privacy?

It is NOT making abortion illegal. It is simply returning the power to each individual state to make the determination.

should be open for all, based on topics and interests, rather than on age or life-cycle status. When programs are targeted to a specific audience, programs should be offered for singles, just as they are offered for “young families” or “teens.” To ensure that opposite-gendered children of single parents never have to sit alone, shuls should create “buddy” systems on both sides of the mehitzah — the divider between men and women in Orthodox synagogues. Above all, married peers should offer friendship.

• Singles urge more education to shape healthy gendered relationships. The unintended consequence of increasingly pervasive gender separation, according to scores of comments, are troubled social interactions, unrealistic expectations and “clueless” or “inappropriate” behavior, exacerbating situations of unwanted isolation. Numerous singles suggested curricula throughout the educational system from middle school through

— LETTERS — What AIPAC stands for

Ambassador Dennis Jett (Ret.) criticized AIPAC for endorsing Congress members who support Israel but opposed certifying the 2020 election results (Letter to the Editor, May 13). Maybe someone should tell Ambassador Dennis Jett (Ret.) what the initials A-I-P-A-C do and don’t stand for. They stand for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, not the American Democratic Party Public Affairs Committee, and definitely not the American Everything Ambassador Dennis Jett (Ret.) Happens To Believe In Public Affairs Committee.

Someone should also remind Ambassador Dennis Jett (Ret.) that the surest way to lose democracy is to deny the right of any organization, such as AIPAC, to dare hold any opinion that in any way differs from Ambassador Dennis Jett (Ret.)’s.

Bruce Goldman Pittsburgh

Hadassah has not abandoned its Pittsburgh members

I would like to correct the implication created by “Hadassah members disappointed by its departure from Pittsburgh” (online May 13; in print today, pg. 1), that Hadassah has PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

younger generation needs to step up instead of just posting about it on social media. We are going backwards!

This could create a situation where halachic decisions are in conflict with civil law, violating Jews’ religious rights.

This ruling does not address the mother’s well-being. Should include that the father is responsible for child support until 18. Rich women will be able to travel to get an abortion. Poor women will not have the same choices.

No, but it seems the crime of releasing the court’s view was done purposely to enflame and activate a voter block just so they keep their power — because they are losing it.

This act of denying women’s rights is only the beginning. Women will become secondclass citizens again. This is truly horrific.

There is no constitutional right to an abortion. Even Ruth Bader Ginsburg expressed concern over the legitimacy of the decision.

This is not a pro-life/ pro-choice issue. It’s an issue of judicial overreach. The matter should go back to the states or the legislature where it properly belongs.

I’m 74, and I said it all in the ’60s. The

young adulthood, assisting in understandings across gender lines of mutual responsibilities and “what is healthy and not healthy.”

• Singles call for natural interactive environments to meet friends as well as potential dates. Singles of all ages strongly urged the resumption of what used to be considered “normal” co-ed interactions at (non-worship) synagogue educational and social functions, family celebrations and friendship gatherings. Some suggested the creation of activities enabling interactions between single adults living in diverse locations, such as regional shabbaton programs. Many urged more opportunities in synagogue settings for meeting and conversations, “beyond kiddush.”

This call for inclusion has important policy implications. While “married with family” has been the normative marital status in many Orthodox communities, that communal norm has inadvertently created environments and situations in which singles

If Roe v. Wade is overturned then what other personal issues will be legislated by the government — contraception, interracial or same-sex marriage?

Babies have human rights! PJC — Toby Tabachnick

Poll question:

Should the sale of assault-style weapons be banned? Go to pittsburghjewishchronicle. org to respond. PJC

and divorced and widowed persons experience marginalization and even alienation.

Many singles shared stories about unmarried friends and acquaintances who drifted away from Orthodoxy because they did not see a healthy place for themselves in synagogue services and activities. PORAT hopes that the PORAT Report will begin a conversation regarding this topic in every community and lead to renewed efforts to build a modern Orthodox community where every member feels valued, necessary and central, irrespective of marital or family status. PJC Sylvia Barack Fishman is professor emerita of Contemporary Jewish Life in the Near Eastern and Judaic Studies Department at Brandeis University. She is grateful to the Orthodox Union’s Center for Communal Research for sharing data gathered from singles in the Orthodox community. This piece first appeared on The Times of Israel.

abandoned its Pittsburgh members.

Our Pittsburgh chapters have always been and remain a vital component of Hadassah, represented on the Greater Detroit’s Region executive committee and board, and in Hadassah’s National Assembly. Pittsburgh became part of the Greater Detroit Region after a nationwide review of Hadassah’s membership structure suggested that the organization could be more effective and efficient if its chapters, while retaining their independence, were consolidated into 30 regions.

While some members of Pittsburgh’s Hadassah community are understandably disappointed by the reduction in the number of chapters in their community, our hope is that by consolidating Please see Letters, page 19 We invite you to submit letters for publication. Letters must include name, address and daytime phone number; addresses and phone numbers will not be published. Letters may not exceed 500 words and may be edited for length and clarity; they cannot be returned. Mail or email letters to: Letters to the editor via email: letters@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org Address:

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

Website address:

Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle 5915 Beacon St., 5th Flr., Pittsburgh, PA 15217 pittsburghjewishchronicle.org/letters-to-the-editor

MAY 20, 2022

13

Headlines Artists: Continued from page 1

country. The artist created a series of posters that celebrated Jewish Mexican immigrants, stories and families. Migration cards were superimposed on the faces in the poster.

Schnadower was inspired by her grandparents who migrated from Syria to Mexico in the early 1900s, she said. In addition to Syria, the artist included immigrants from Russia and Poland.

“It’s about their stories,” she said.

Divinsky, who immigrated from Ukraine in 1993, said her piece selected for Pittsburgh Paints was part of an exhibit displayed at the JCC in 2009 created in collaboration with her mother, Larisa, a well-known toy maker who died in 2016.

“It was part of an artist residency that focused on immigration,” Divinsky said. “I used nests as a symbol of building or rebuilding a home. I did a series of three paintings with mom. They were birds. The ones she did were very realistic, mine were more abstract.”

Divinsky, an art professor at Penn State University, said that when she came to America, her family was not fleeing a war like those entering the country from Ukraine today.

“It’s so heartbreaking to watch what’s going on and see people losing their homes and have to start from scratch,” she said.

Gainey said that other themes previously

Hadassah: Continued from page 1

activities are few.

Part of the reason, Greenwald said, is because of national restructuring; another possibility is due to diminished desire among western Pennsylvanians.

“When you live in Pittsburgh and you’re part of Detroit, you don’t have that same type of connection,” she said.

Pittsburgher Judy Palkovitz agreed.

“Most of us aren’t interested in Detroit,” she said.

Like Greenwald, Palkovitz participated in Hadassah both locally and on a national level. These days, she serves on Hadassah’s National Portfolio Council and as chair of planned giving and estates.

According to Hadassah’s 2020 tax filings, the organization received nearly $15 million from contributions and grants, and another $8 million from investment income. Those funds support health care, education, youth institutions and land development in Israel, as well as enhancing American and Jewish life in the United States — specifically through the support of education and Zionist youth programs, and promotion of health awareness.

Pittsburgher Nancy Shuman said Hadassah does important work globally, but changing sentiment toward Israel may be one reason Pittsburghers’ support of the organization has diminished.

“I don’t think people are still as excited about Israel as they once were,” Shuman said.

“Maybe I’m wrong.”

Weeks ago, AJC published the results of 14

MAY 20, 2022

person. I almost cried out of excitement. I couldn’t believe I was in her office. She’s just a humble person. It was an amazing experience.”

Divinsky echoed Schnadower’s feelings.

She is appreciative of Pittsburgh’s Jewish community, although she still dreams about her time in Ukraine.

“I’ve been here for 28 years,” she said. “This is my home. There were so many immigrants here that we felt so connected p Anna Divinsky created artwork on the theme of and didn’t feel out of immigration, using birds. The bottom panel is featured as p Anna Divinsky place because we had part of Pittsburgh Paints.

Photo provided by Anna Divinsky

Photo provided by Anna Divinsky the support of the Jewish Community Center and the community — celebrated by Pittsburgh Paints included “We all want healthy environments,” she they helped us so much,” she said. “I feel Black History Month, Women’s History said. “We all want to be safe. We all want to very connected to all immigrants and refuMonth and Pittsburgh kindergarten through have access to resources and to access inforgees because I understand the idea of leaving 12th-grade student art. mation. That doesn’t change north, south, your home when you’re 12 and starting over.

“By doing this initiative,” Gainey said, “We east or west. I want the city to be a place that I’m happy that we came here. ” hope to help Pittsburghers see Pittsburgh a my children can choose to stay and not have Divinsky and Schnadower’s work will little different and come to the mindset that to go somewhere else for more opportunity.” hang throughout Jewish Heritage Month. A Pittsburgh should only be separated by bridges Schnadower is excited to have her work public reception will be held on May 25 at — and that even those bridges are built for exhibited as part of the initiative and to have the mayor’s office. PJC people to cross. It also helps us to hopefully be met Michelle Gainey. more open to life experiences not like ours.”

“I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “When I Gainey said that art can help people realize entered the building, it’s a beautiful building.

David Rullo can be reached at drullo@ what they have in common.

Michelle Gainey was the most approachable pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

a survey it conducted on 1,800 American and Israeli millennial Jews, which indicated “that millennial U.S. Jews may be willing to suppress their Zionism, or even their Jewishness, to remain in good social standing, and we must be cognizant of the long-term toll this will take on this key demographic.”

But Pew Research Center was unable to say whether the levels of emotional attachment to Israel had changed “appreciably” for U.S. Jews in the years between the two studies it conducted on American Jews in 2013 and 2020.

Rochelle Parker, a nearly 40-year member and past president of Hadassah Greater Pittsburgh, said that traveling to Israel with the organization gave her greater insight into Hadassah as well as the Jewish state.

“That was a catalyst for me to say, ‘Yes, I want to be involved in this organization,’” she said.

Greenwald said she wished Pittsburghers knew more both about Israel and Hadassah’s efforts.

Whether it’s supplies being sent to Ukraine, free medical care provided regardless of religion or background, or welcoming and training non-Jews within the hospital, there are plenty of things Israel and Hadassah do without receiving ample credit, she said.

Shuman, a past president of Hadassah’s Greater Pittsburgh region and a member of the national organization’s honorary council, said that over more than 25 years — as well as through trips to New York City, Israel and Jordan — she gained greater insight into Hadassah’s work.

Greenwald said she valued her decades of involvement in the organization, adding, “I’ve been all over the world with Hadassah

p From left: Hadassah Greater Pittsburgh past Presidents Zandra Goldberg, Nancy Shuman, Mimi Ginsberg, Sondra Glasser, Bernice Meyers, Janice Greenwald, Bobbee Slotsky Kramer, Judy Palkovitz, Marlene Silverman, Roz Markovitz, Barbara Scheinberg, Lynda Heyman and Rochelle Parker gather in December 2017.

Photo courtesy of Hadassah Greater Pittsburgh

and it’s changed my life.”

In addition to traveling to Bosnia and France, Greenwald said she served as a representative to the United Nations and spoke about Hadassah’s commitment to improving women’s conditions worldwide.

“My life would not have been the same without Hadassah,” she said. “I’m very proud to be a life member and a donor.”

Greenwald said she’s also proud of the organization’s commitment to protecting women’s rights.

In response to the May 11 Senate vote that failed to advance the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2022, Hadassah President Rhoda Smolow and CEO Naomi Adler stated, “Women’s agency over their own bodies and their ability to make health decisions based

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

on medical guidance and personal values should be sacrosanct. It should not be a political issue. Hadassah will continue to advocate for women’s access to reproductive care nationwide. We call on leaders from both sides of the aisle to do the same by continuing to work toward national legislation that protects women’s health and freedom.”

Greenwald pointed to the organization’s work in Washington, D.C., and the number of younger activist members, as a bittersweet indicator of Hadassah’s future.

“Hadassah is still a great organization,” she said. “It’s just very sad that we don’t have a presence in Pittsburgh.” PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Headlines Goodman: Continued from page 4

Beth Shalom’s board understood Brith Sholom’s pressures and Goodman’s desire to “keep them going as long as we possibly can,” he said.

Goodman relies on diverse sources for his inspiration. Growing up in Los Angeles during the late 20th century, he developed a love of hip-hop music. These days, he mines the lyrics of Talib Kweli, Common and Run-DMC for meaning, while in the same breath or sermon he references the teachings

Chabad: Continued from page 5

home-schooling within Chabad.”

While in Beersheba, the family “would have kosher food and Jewish schools, Daniel said, “there wasn’t as much of a void as in San Miguel. We kept thinking about need.”

While relative to Beersheba, San Miguel seemed lacking in Jewish amenities, it wasn’t entirely deficient. Even before the Huebners and their three children — all then under the age of 3 — arrived in San Miguel in November 2018, the city had some of the trappings of an active Jewish life.

Its community center, JC3/CHESMA, serves as a non-denominational space for spiritual, educational, social and cultural programming (former Pittsburgher Carole Stone serves on its board of directors).

Kehilla Shalom San Miguel de Allende (KSSMA), a separate legal unincorporated religious entity, which is affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, offers lay-led services on Shabbat mornings.

Maavavi: Continued from page 8

Stacey Pressman said her daughter Emily helped bring Maaravi’s team to Pittsburgh as part of a bat mitzvah project. The family instantly took a liking to Maaravi, a meticulously spoken young man who attended the 2015 trip as an assistant coach.

“We sort of connected,” Stacey Pressman said. “I knew there was something different about him, that he had something to offer.”

To the Pressmans, housing and feeding

Buffalo: Continued from page 9

in society that has become a recent rallying cry for right-wing activism.

“My heart is yet again broken after learning about the tragic and violent loss of life in Buffalo this weekend,” Rabbi Jeffrey Myers of Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Congregation said in a prepared statement. “We grieve with the friends and families of those killed.

Every life lost is the loss of an entire world, with devastating consequences that ripple outward in untold directions. We pray for the speedy and complete recovery of all who were injured, and that those who must now PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

of 18th- and 19th-century Hasidic masters, including Rabbis Mordechai Yosef Leiner of Izbica, Menachem Nachum of Chernobyl and Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev.

The rabbi is drawn to Hassidut, he said, and has spent years sharing its wisdom with others during morning drop-off at Community Day School, in afternoon classes at Beth Shalom, online while teaching parsha for My Jewish Learning and within the pages of a soon-to-be published book.

“Hassidut is very psycho-emotional and really personal,” Goodman said. “It talks about your feelings and your struggles.”

Within his own life, there have been

periods of setback and disappointment, he continued, yet it’s through text that he’s managed to “get back on track.”

Beth Shalom’s Senior Rabbi Seth Adelson said Goodman’s interests and talents are a boon for the congregation.

“Rabbi Goodman has developed strong bonds within the fabric of the congregation, and his love of rabbinic and Hasidic text, as well as his extensive experience, is evident in all of his work,” Adelson said. “We are fortunate to have him on board, and I am grateful to partner with him officially in serving the congregation.”

It doesn’t take a Talmudic sage to know

that the work of the rabbinate can be arduous, thankless and frustrating at times. For Goodman, however, text, tradition, music and sports have helped him remain grounded and on a path leading to this moment.

Judaism, he said, is a mechanism to “make you feel a little bit better, a little bit healthier and a little bit more balanced.” And he’s ready to share the lessons of his life to an ever-growing audience.

“This is who I am,” he said. “This is what I bring to Beth Shalom.” PJC

Rabbi Juan Pablo Mejía Restrepo of Oklahoma City serves as KSSMA’s honorary rabbi and has officiated the conversion of several San Miguel residents. And even without a fulltime resident spiritual guide, KSSMA hosts life cycle events throughout the year.

The Huebners credited San Miguel’s Jewish community with making their choice to relocate so clear.

San Miguel is gorgeous, but after meeting so many people who call it home it was hard not to “fall in love,” Raizel said.

“It’s just amazing to see how many people are there — their different walks of life — and how each person has a unique way of relating to Yiddishkeit,” Daniel said.

Since moving to San Miguel in November 2018, the Huebners started a Hebrew school, organized concerts of Jewish music and held numerous social events. But the most frequent communal experience is Shabbat, which occurs each week within the Huebners’ home. As a lead-up to Friday night, Raizel cooks for dozens. The courtyard of their rented house can seat 30.

When the crowd grows larger than that, the

Huebners reserve space at “the hotel down the block,” Raizel said.

Much of their food is bought locally, but meat, chicken and several dairy products come from Mexico City — located 146 miles southeast — Daniel said.

The closest airport is 90 minutes away, and it takes three-and-a-half hours to get to the mikvah, but everything is manageable, he continued.

COVID-19 created difficulties when it came to connecting with Jewish residents through formal prayer or learning, but “we started doing social services and food distribution to the larger community,” Daniel said.

Two years after shutdowns went into effect, the Huebners have started welcoming participants again for classes, services and Shabbat meals.

Given San Miguel’s climate — average daily highs in the warm season are 82 degrees and 74 degrees in the cold season — programming occurs outdoors, Daniel said.

The Huebners said they’ve noticed growth but would like to see more.

The couple aims to buy a home for

themselves and create a proper permanent place for Chabad. They dream of building a mikvah, kosher grocery store, cafe, library and artists’ gallery — a place where “all your Jewish needs are met,” Raizel said. “We are obviously going to have to start small, but we are hoping to build something small and as we grow something will grow with us.”

San Miguel has long been praised by expats and tourists. The Huebners hope more Jewish travelers discover the southern treasure.

“The reason why we are there in the mountains, in Mexico with the chickens and donkeys and thousands of Jews is because we want to have a home where Jews can come and have a bowl of chicken soup or a Tanya class,” Raizel said. “We want people to know that they are wandering the world but they are not wanderers — they are there with their family — and they’ve found a Jewish haven in the middle of the mountains in Mexico.” PJC

and counseling Maaravi was not, necessarily, a mitzvah.

“We figured Pittsburgh would be good for him,” she said. “Duquesne was really a perfect fit and a good place to play hockey, too. I’m just a person who likes to help others.”

When nudged, Stacey Pressman admits Maaravi fits into a sort of philosophy; she is outspoken about her Judaism and Jewishness, and feels exposure to Jews is the best way to fight antisemitism. She has helped Israelis visit Pittsburgh and, in some cases, resettle here, and has counseled visiting Israelis to help at the Emma

Kaufmann Camp in West Virginia.

“But Shai’s special,” she said. “There’s no doubt about that. He wants to help. And that just made me want to help him.”

During his time at Duquesne, Maaravi led the Jewish student organization as president.

When the Oct. 27, 2018, synagogue shooting happened, he immediately rallied his hockey peers for fundraisers and awareness campaigns.

Maaravi’s birth family — the Maaravis of Katzrin, a set of parents and two older siblings — came to Pittsburgh for commencement.

Stacey Pressman said it was a joy for both of Maaravi’s families to be together for the

momentous occasion.

“It’s in my nature to help and, in the process, I’ve gained a family in Israel,” she said. “It goes both ways.”

And what’s next for Maaravi? A little time to reflect, a little work and a little golf, he joked.

“I’ll get to do, hopefully, a little bit of traveling, and preparing for the CPA exam,” he said. “I’m going to enjoy my summer — I haven’t had free time for a little bit.” PJC

mourn will be comforted. May the memories of those lost be a blessing.

“Like the virulent antisemitism that fueled violence in our community, racism and white supremacy are deadly,” Myers continued.

“Hate destroys lives, families, our individual sense of safety, and our democracy. But we knew that before today, and our moment to act on this knowledge was before today. In this moment of grief, I am reminded of the words Rabbi Hillel: ‘If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But when I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?’ We must be for each other, and we must begin now.”

Congregation of Dor Hadash, one of the three Pittsburgh congregations attacked during Oct. 27, 2018 massacre, wrote in a

prepared statement that it “grieves for the victims of the horrific shooting in Buffalo, NY. For the families, we share your loss.

For the Black community of upstate New York, we stand in solidarity with you during this awful time.

“We call out the false virulently racist and antisemitic ‘Great Replacement’ conspiracy theory espoused by the white supremacist who targeted mostly Black victims, killing 10 and wounding three more. We have seen this before. This racist massacre is the most recent in a string of such attacks.

These attacks are inspired by such fantasy conspiracy theories and enabled by the easy availability of firearms with massive destructive power.”

The alleged shooter broadcast his attack on Twitch, a streaming platform for video game enthusiasts also used by the man who attacked a synagogue in Halle, Germany, in 2019. That attack broadcast for 35 minutes; Twitch said it had removed footage of the Buffalo attack sooner.

The manifesto says Halle showed the author “that there is enough time to capture everything important.”

The Jewish Federation of Greater Buffalo is among the many local and national organizations providing support to people in the city of approximately 250,000; it is making mental health services available. PJC

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

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

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

Justin Vellucci is a freelance writer living in Pittsburgh.

Toby Tabachnick contributed to this report.

MAY 20, 2022

15

Life & Culture Haricots verts: A side dish worth the effort — FOOD —

By Jessica Grann | Special to the Chronicle

T

his traditional French recipe is truly one of the most complimented side dishes that I cook. The lemony shallot sauce goes with everything — fish, chicken, beef and lamb. The beans taste wonderful warm, room temperature and even the following day after a night in the fridge.

I often prepare this recipe when I’m making a meal for a loved one, and it’s an easy dish to bring along to a barbecue. I love that I don’t have to worry about it spoiling because the recipe is vegan.

You can use thinner French beans or regular trimmed green beans; the cooking time will vary slightly depending on the type of bean.

Photo by Jessica Grann

Haricot Verts Serves 4-6 1 pound green beans, traditional or French beans, washed and trimmed 3 tablespoons olive oil 2 shallots, finely chopped 1 large lemon, zest and juice 2 tablespoons fresh parsley Sea salt: 1 teaspoon in cooking water, ½ teaspoon in shallot mixture ¾ teaspoon black pepper Directions:

Wash and trim the fresh beans.

Prepare an ice bath for the beans — simply fill a large bowl with cold water and add in a handful or two of ice cubes.

Bring a large half-filled pot of water to boil.

When the water is boiling rapidly, add 1 teaspoon of sea salt before adding the beans all at once. The water will take a few minutes to come to a boil again.

Cook the beans so that they are cooked but remain firm and bright in color. With thinner French beans, I start to check them at about 6 minutes of cooking time. The larger green beans need a little more time, so start to check them for texture and color at about 8 minutes. You want to get them to the point

where they are not raw but also not turning to the darker green tone of canned beans. I check them once per minute by tasting them — think al dente pasta in texture.

When ready, immediately strain them and place them into the ice bath.

Meanwhile, finely chop the shallots.

Place a sauté pan over medium- low heat, and add the olive oil.

Allow the oil to heat for a minute before adding the shallots.

Stay close to the stove at this point because the shallots need regular stirring. It usually

takes 8-10 minutes for them to brown nicely, and it’s worth the extra few minutes of cooking time to get the color to change from translucent to caramelized.

Zest an entire lemon before juicing it.

Stir in the fresh parsley, salt and pepper.

Cook for a minute before adding in the lemon zest, continually stirring for about 25 seconds, until fragrant.

Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.

Strain the beans from the ice bath and place them into the pot with the shallot mixture.

Toss with tongs until the beans are evenly coated in oil. I taste test at this point — if I think that it needs a little more zing, I add another tablespoon of lemon juice or a little more sea salt.

This recipe takes about 25 minutes in total, and it’s an easy recipe to prepare while you’re cooking your main dish.

You can cover the beans and warm them, or serve at room temperature.

Enjoy and bless your hands! PJC Jessica Grann is a home chef living in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgher Jamie deRoy nominated for 4 Tony Awards — THEATER —

By Toby Tabachnick | Editor

I

t’s not that Pittsburgh native Jamie deRoy isn’t excited about the four Tony Award nominations she received for shows she produced on Broadway last year. She most definitely is.

But she’s also just thrilled that New York theater is back in full force after its pandemic shutdown, showcasing a wide variety of quality productions and outstanding talent.

“I think the main thing is, this is a huge celebration for everybody in the theater community — everybody, even off-Broadway, because the whole thing is a trickle-down effect,” she said.

DeRoy, a Carnegie Mellon University

16

MAY 20, 2022

p Jamie deRoy

Photo provided by Judy Katz.

alum, was raised in Squirrel Hill and graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School.

Her family was affiliated with Rodef Shalom Congregation, and her mother was the famed artist Aaronel deRoy Gruber, whose large metal sculpture “Steelcityscape” is installed in Mellon Park.

Growing up in Pittsburgh, DeRoy acted in community theater and school plays, but caught the theater bug in a serious way after her father — an investor in the Broadway production of the “Pajama Game” — took her backstage to meet the cast.

“From that point on, forget it,” she told the Chronicle in 2019. “I was hooked.”

She left CMU after one year, then headed to New York.

Since then, deRoy has co-produced 60 Broadway shows and 46 off-Broadway shows, and has won eight Tonys.

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

This year, deRoy has nominations as a producer for: “Mr. Saturday Night” (Best Musical); “Company” (Best Revival); “Hangmen” (Best Play); and “The Lehman Trilogy” (Best Play).

“I’m really excited, happy for the shows themselves because, wow, it’s been quite a year,” she said, speaking from her office in New York.

Broadway theaters widely reopened in September 2021, after being dark for 18 months due to the pandemic. But that doesn’t mean things are back to normal, deRoy said.

For example, several performances of “Macbeth,” which she co-produced, had to be canceled when a few actors, including lead actor Daniel Craig, tested positive for COVID. When Billy Crystal got the Please see Tony, page 17

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Life & Culture Tony: Continued from page 16

flu, “Mr. Saturday Night” canceled two performances as well.

“Even for shows I’m not involved in, when a show has to close down, it’s just heartbreaking,” she said. “You can’t make that up. Even if you extend (the run), it’s never going to be quite the same thing. And a lot of shows may not be able to extend if they lose performances. But it’s great to be back and we just pray everyone is as careful as they can be and things stay safe.”

For now, deRoy is delighted that the curtains are up again — as are the audience numbers.

“Just to see the Broadway shows come alive was pretty exciting,” she said.

The four shows for which she is Tonynominated all have received rave reviews.

And they are all pretty different.

“Mr. Saturday Night” is a musical starring Crystal as an outspoken comedian who found fame in the early days of television and is looking to make a comeback. “Hangmen,” penned by Martin McDonagh, who wrote the screenplay for “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” is a dark comedy about a British executioner trying to find meaning after hanging is abolished. “The Lehman Trilogy,” which closed earlier this year, tells the epic story of two generations of bankers.

“Company” is a reimagining of Stephen Sondheim’s iconic musical comedy about the

search for love in New York City.

The opening night party for “Company” was planned for March 22, 2020 — Sondheim’s 90th birthday.

“It was going to be a party to end all parties because it was Stephen Sondheim, it was his 90th and it was bringing back ‘Company’ in a new vision of the show,” deRoy said. “Then, like everyone else, we had to shut down during COVID, and we were still in previews.

When things did reopen, he came to the first night back, and he got an ovation like you have never seen in your life, just sitting in the audience. He died right after Thanksgiving.”

DeRoy not only has several shows up for Tonys — the ceremony will be held June 12 at Radio City Music Hall — but she is working on several new projects, including a Samuel L.

Jackson revival of Pittsburgher August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama “The Piano Lesson.” The touring production of “Ain’t Too Proud,” which she co-produced, runs at Pittsburgh’s Benedum Center from May 17-22.

DeRoy is looking forward to the Tony Awards but wasn’t about to share predictions.

“There are so many good productions up, it’s really hard to call it, but I wish everyone the best,” she said. “The main thing is this a huge celebration for everybody in the theater community, even off-Broadway, because the whole thing is a trickle-down effect.

“I hate to lose,” she laughed, “but I wish everybody luck.” PJC Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

Restaurants

GreenTree We are offering our limited 661 Andersen Drive • Foster Plazamenu, Building 7

Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar

family style menu and our weekend features.

15220 Call Pittsburgh, for details:Pa 412-921-1062

Phone 2 • Fax 412-921-1065 Phones 412-921-106 are answered Tuesday thru Saturday

11am till 7pm and pickup is from 2pm till 7pm.

Please check out ourLunch website and facebook page GreenTree

For private functions please contact Linda Sciubba OPEN FOR MOTHER’S DAY

Hours:

We are offering our limited 661 Andersen Drive • Foster Plazamenu, Building 7 family style menu and our weekend features.

Pa 15220 11:30AM-9:00PM Mon. 11:30AM-2:00PM Tues.-Fri. Call Pittsburgh, for details: 412-921-1062

Sat. 5:00PM-9:30PM Phone 2 • Fax 412-921-1065 Phones 412-921-106 are answered Tuesday thru Saturday

3473 Butler Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201 412.586.4347 | sentirestaurant.com Free off street parking after 6:00PM

11am till 7pm and pickup is from 2pm till 7pm.

Please check out ourLunch website and facebook page GreenTree

For private functions please contact Linda Sciubba OPEN FOR MOTHER’S DAY

first

661 Andersen Drive • Foster Plaza Building 7 Hours:

BE THE

Pittsburgh, Pa 15220 11:30AM-9:00PM Mon. 11:30AM-2:00PM Tues.-Fri. Sat. 5:00PM-9:30PM Phone 412-921-106 2 • Fax 412-921-1065 Lunch

For private functions please contact Linda Sciubba

Hours:

restaurant that

Mon. 11:30AM-2:00PM Tues.-Fri. 11:30AM-9:00PM Sat. 5:00PM-9:30PM

readers see on the

first friday of every month!

ADVERTISE IN THE RESTAURANT SECTION RESERVE YOUR SPACE no later than NOON FRIDAY. Contact Phil Durler, Senior Sales Associate 724-713-8874 • pdurler@pittburghjewishchronicle.org

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

MAY 20, 2022 17

Celebrations

Torah

B’not Mitzvah

A place of choosing Cameryn Lydia Brindza, daughter of CharLee Brindza and Jason Brindza, will become a bat mitzvah during Shabbat morning services at Adat Shalom on Saturday, May 21, 2022. Grandparents are Dr. Ilene Kurfeerst and the late Marvin Kurfeerst, and Barbara Brindza and Marshall Brindza.

Blake L. Oakes, daughter of Julie Sirowitz and Christin Oakes, sister of Riley Oakes, and granddaughter of Herbert and Anne Sirowitz and Alice Oakes became a bat mitzvah on May 14, 2022, at Beth El Congregation of the South Hills. Blake is a seventh-grade student at Mellon Middle School. Blake swims for MLAC and Mellon Middle School. Blake also plays the flute for the Mellon Middle School band and jazz band.

Riley L. Oakes, daughter of Julie Sirowitz and Christin Oakes, sister of Blake Oakes, and granddaughter of Herbert and Anne Sirowitz and Alice Oakes became a bat mitzvah on May 14, 2022, at Beth El Congregation of the South Hills. Riley is a seventh-grade student at Mellon Middle School. Riley dances hip-hop and contemporary at Element Dance Co. Riley is a member of the Mellotones accapella group at Mellon Middle School and sings in the chorus. PJC

Mazal Tov!

Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Secular Jewish Community on their 10th anniversary, 5/15/12 - 5/15/22! May you have many more.

Rabbi Lynnda Targan Parshat Behar | Leviticus 25:1 – 26:2

T

his week’s parsha, Behar, located in the middle of the Book of Leviticus, also partly containing The Holiness Code in the Torah, places the Israelites, renewed from their freedom from Egyptian enslavement, at Mount Sinai.

In their efforts toward self-determination, we find them learning how to be a holy community as they continue their journey towards the fulfillment of the Biblical Covenant, i.e., to enter and dwell in the land of Israel.

The narrative begins with the laws of indentured servitude and land tenure, including, but not limited to an agricultural discussion of shmita, the Sabbatical year, which is required rest for the land every seven years, just as the weekly seventh day of creation is the weekly biblical day of Sabbath respite. The text continues with a discussion about the Yovel, the Jubilee observance, which occurs in year 50 during a seven times seven plus one cycle every half-century.

Embedded in that discussion are the words, “Proclaim liberty throughout the land for all its inhabitants.” (Leviticus 25:10) The commanded broken blast of the shofar is a clarion wake-up call to action.

These words have a familiar ring to those of us living in America. Perhaps because we know them as the inscription emblazoned on the cracked Liberty Bell, which pealed thunderously after the historic signing of the Declaration of Independence. America is a symbol of freedom all over the world, and yet, sometimes we sleepily take these freedoms for granted. Perhaps we might at times be too complacent about rising up against challenges when they’ve been threatened, even though, as we are witnessing now, those freedoms that we assumed to be iron-clad, are not absolute.

The theme of freedom and independence resonates in the here and now in a world where there is an overwhelming radical dissonance on a plethora of issues embodying the intense values of freedom — COVID behavior, freedom in the Ukraine and other parts of the world, religious freedoms for all, freedom against antisemitism, race relations, climate change, LGBTQ rights, Israel and women’s agency over their own bodies — just to name a few.

This week’s Torah portion reminds us that we are all figuratively at a mountain at a place of choosing. Neurologist, psychiatrist, philosopher, writer and Holocaust survivor Victor Frankl wrote, “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and freedom.”

Through the chronicle of expected

behaviors delineated in the Torah regarding shmita and Yovel observances relating to the Promised Land, we learn that the concepts about independence and choice pertain to the civility expected of humanity.

In one passage God reminds us, “The land is Mine; you are sojourners and residents with Me.” (Leviticus 25:23) Freedom, thus, as wayfarers on God’s land maintains an adherence to social and communal responsibility and activism, which, without exception, extends to all of God’s creations — land, animals and peoples. It is aspirational that we are to leave our world better and a more empathic place than when we entered into it.

Behar then comes to teach us about the values of reverence, social justice, cultural morality, caring for others, compassion, respecting differences and rising up against

All of Israel is responsible, one for the other. injustices in all of its iterations. Especially those of us to whom God has been generous, much is expected.

It is a manifesto to stop, listen and be transformed by performing acts of kindness and ma’asim tovim, good deeds. During the shmita and Yovel years, the Bible tells us that our debts are canceled. But the debt to our inheritance, to our people, to our families, to society, to humanity, and to those in need, can never be nullified. Freedom is not freedom from responsibility.

On the contrary, freedom embraces a deepened understanding of our personal and societal obligations as well as our accountability for heightened social consciousness.

Klal Yisrael arevim zeh ba zeh, we learn. All of Israel is responsible, one for the other.

This is a truth for our times and for all times.

Moving forward, I hope that we can all be mindful of the powerful message of the Yovel, and even though our Jewish calendar cycle is now closer to Shavuot than to Yom Kippur, I submit that we imagine hearing the shofar, described as a “sound beyond a sound,” as an ever-present reverberation, to pay mindful attention to the concept of freedom, Earth’s riches, and to all of the members of God’s sacred community who must share them. PJC Rabbi Lynnda Targan is a community rabbi in Philadelphia and the co-founder of The Women’s Midrash Institute. This article is a service of the Board of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia.

The Original Our Only Location At

2145 BRIGHTON ROAD • PITTSBURGH, PA 15212 • 412-321-2235 Serving the Jewish Community Since 1924

18

MAY 20, 2022

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Obituaries KAUFMANN: Karl Jacob Kaufmann, Jr. passed away on May 10, 2022, in Bethesda, Maryland, at the age of 100.

Born in Pittsburgh on June 19, 1921, to Karl J. Kaufmann and Ruth Helen Wolf Kaufmann, he attended Shady Side Academy, graduating in 1939.

During World War II, he left the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, to join the Army, training as a radio technician in Syracuse, New York, where he met the love of his life, Elaine Lockmyer (1924-2009). Following his military service in Europe, they were married on Dec. 28, 1946, in Syracuse. He began his career in retail at Gimbels in Pittsburgh. A

shrewd negotiator with impeccable taste, he was well-known and widely respected in the industry, ultimately serving as vice president and women’s merchandise manager at Hamburgers in Baltimore, Kennedy’s in New England and Harris & Frank on the West Coast. Following his retirement, he created websites for his children’s small business and for nonprofits, and volunteered for Goodwill Industries and the Red Cross.

Funeral services and interment were private.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Red Cross or So Others Might Eat. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., family owned and operated. schugar.com PJC

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

In memory of...

A gift from ...

In memory of...

Karen K. Shapiro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Frances Simon Rosalyn Shapiro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yetta Wheeler Sharon S. Snider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ed Snider The Rev. Marcia A. Tremmel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sylvia A. Livingston

THIS WEEK’S YAHRZEITS — Sunday May 22: Alice G. Eisner, Marion Feldman, Anna E. Ginsburg, Harry Goldberg, Hilda Goldberg, Bertha B. Levy, Harold Liptz, Theodore Mervis, Ethel A. Miller, Samuel Myer Roth

Swissvale: Continued from page 3

He noted that he reached out to invite them to the next council meeting where they could voice their concerns.

Crotsley said she received the invitation but hasn’t responded because she has seen no public information on how the public comment portion of the meeting would be handled and that she was more concerned about ensuring the possibility of future censorship was eliminated.

She noted that the SCAC has begun circulating a petition advocating for disciplinary action for Wilhelm and transparency of censored public comments, along with the demand that the council create an avenue for public comments to be read in the future.

And while Salisbury isn’t sure why Wilhelm

Letters: Continued from page 13

the chapters under the umbrella of the Greater Detroit Region, Hadassah has made both Pittsburgh and the region stronger and better positioned to realize Hadassah’s mission.

I would also like to counter the suggestion that some Pittsburgh members have become less active because they no longer feel as connected to Israel as they once did. While I cannot speak for every Pittsburgh member, Hadassah remains steadfast in its support of Israel and of Zionism, both of which are pillars of the organization’s mission.

Mandy Garver President, Hadassah Greater Detroit

When will the carnage stop?

When hatred and bigotry rear their ugly heads, we recognize anew that we must be ever-vigilant.

The Buffalo, New York supermarket massacre horror is the latest demonstration of so much that is wrong with our country (“Avowed antisemite and white supremacist kills 10 in Buffalo supermarket shooting,” online May 15; in print today pg. 9).

Another white man with a grievance and a weapon designed to mow down human beings in rapid succession becomes a notorious celebrity, he and his manifesto captivating the media and the interest of many Americans.

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

directed what she called his antisemitic comments at her, she is sure Swissvale isn’t alone in confronting hate.

“Everywhere has an antisemitism problem,” she said. “People don’t talk about that much. It’s this forgotten form of discrimination. People think it’s something from the past, from the ’30s and ’40s, and that it’s gone. After Tree of Life, it became evident to people that we didn’t make this up. I don’t think we necessarily have a unique antisemitism problem. I think there’s a casual antisemitism that is OK for a lot of people.”

Swissvale Fire Chief Clyde Wilhelm did not respond to interview requests by the Chronicle. Solicitor Robert McTiernan was unavailable for comment. PJC

Monday May 23: Lena Davidson, Irwin J. Harris, William Kempler, Edna F. Levine, Judith Gutkowska Mendelsohn, Saul M. Morris, Saul Schein, Ada M. Shepard, Abraham Shiner, Maurice A. Steinberg, Samuel Stoller, Celia S. Wedner Tuesday May 24: Herman Barnett, Myer D. Berman, Ida Burns, Allan Calman, Robert K. Finkelhor, Henry Fried, Ernest Gartner, Elise K. Goldman, Martin S. Kaiserman, Arthur Seymour Markowitz, Sylvia Shaer, Meyer Weinberg Wednesday May 25: Herman Barnett, Rae Rubin Farber, Jennie Gross, Adolph Hersh, Edward A. Lenchner, Lizzie Lieberman, Helen G. Match, Arnold Ivan Meyers, Rose Pinsker Rudick, Mary Rotter, David Rubenstein, Morris L. Sands, Lillian Goodman Smith, Ed Snider, Fannie Rosenthal Weinberg Thursday May 26: Edna Ruth Goldberg Abelson, Gitel Busis, Morris Fivars, Herbert L. Friedlander, Sol S. Goldstein, Wolf Morris Kaiser, Clara Sigal Kwall, Jack H. Lembersky, Louis Marcus, Mildred Greenwald Miller, Zalman Miller, Aaron Pattak, Hildegard Perlstein, Isadore Rosen, Nathan Sadowsky, Leo E. Sattler, Anna Stein Friday May 27: Ida Stern Cohen, Charles Friedberg, Emil Geminder, Samuel Goldberg, Irving Levenson, Sarah Holstein Lindenberg, Joseph Orlansky, Hyman Rogal, Ida Sacks, Helen Werner Saturday May 28: Dr. Henry H. Black, Abe Bortz, Ida Eisen, Mollie Klater, Macy L. Leuin, Sophia Meyer, Irwin Pariser, Betsy Sachs, Milton Sadowsky, Henry L. Schutzman, Herman S. Schwartz, Mary Sinaikin, Meyer J. Slotsky, Benjamin Solomon, Harry Tyson, Bessie Chait Weinberg

David Rullo can be reached at drullo@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

How does a young man of just 18 become so heavily indoctrinated with baseless hatred, rage and an “us versus them” mentality to enable him to senselessly slaughter innocent people going about their daily routines? How does one develop such a depraved indifference to human life? How has our society become so unhinged as to harbor such individuals?

We can look to the easy availability of lethal weapons; a rotted entertainment culture; political leaders who lie, promote division and encourage violence; and dishonest media outlets, prominently including social media, which promote crackpot conspiracy theories, including “replacement theory” — the sick belief that minorities and immigrants are being set up to replace white residents, destroying the country.

Our Jewish community surely recognizes how easily it could have been our members who were targeted and the Buffalo murderer indicated that his hatred for Jews would be acted upon at a later date. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a compassionate and honorable leader, provided assurances that the savage who mowed down predominantly Black shoppers and employees will be in a prison cell for the rest of his life.

There are no easy answers and many do not wish to undertake efforts that might serve to arrest the plague of gun violence which is unique to the United States. We can expect such carnage will continue indefinitely. God weeps.

Oren Spiegler Peters Township

Bernadette L. Rose-Tihey Funeral Director, Supervisor, Vice President

Same Staff, Same Location, Same Ownership, New Name Previously, “The Rapp Funeral Home.”

10940 Frankstown Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15235 www.rosefuneralhomeinc.com 412.241.5415

SEND OBITUARY NOTICES AND REQUESTS FOR MORE INFORMATION TO obituaries@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

Proof of death in the form of death certificate, email from funeral home or link to notice in another publication is required.

Obituaries are prepaid. The first 200 words are billed at $50, and each word after that is $.25. Unveiling notices are $20 a week.

Black and white photos are $12; color photos are $24.

Contact the Chronicle at obituaries@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org for specifications.

THE DEADLINE FOR PUBLICATION IS NOON MONDAY.

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

MAY 20, 2022

19

Headlines Boycott: Continued from page 11

Palestinian rights and peace in the Middle East,” the letter reads. “But the reality is that BDS merely coarsens the discourse on campus and contributes to antisemitism.”

The letter was organized by the Academic Engagement Network, a pro-Israel campus advocacy group.

Summers, a former U.S. treasury secretary, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that he signed the open letter in part “to reassure Jewish students on our campus that they are not in a hostile environment,” and “to reassure the wider world that the student newspaper did not speak for the broader university.”

The public should care about the Crimson’s op-ed, he said, because “it’s a widely read student newspaper that has a

Real Estate

significant impact on the tone on campus.”

He called the editorial antisemitic in a New York Sun op-ed, and said he hopes the paper will withdraw it.

In addition, Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, who recently equated anti-Zionism with antisemitism in a controversial speech, and many Harvard alumni including Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz objected to the op-ed. In a tweet, Cruz compared the editorial to Harvard’s quotas on admitting Jewish students in the early 20th century.

When asked by a professor about the editorial as an example of “the eruption of antisemitism on campus,” Harvard President Lawrence Bacow, who is Jewish, said the paper is “entitled to publish what they wish and to share their views as they may.” But he added that suggestions of boycotting groups over policy disagreements are “antiethical to what we stand for as a university,” the

BUYING OR SELLING?

Crimson reported.

The faculty letter is devoted to laying out an opposition to the BDS movement, a defense of Zionism and a condemnation of Harvard’s Palestine Solidarity Committee, whose “Wall of Resistance” art installation on Harvard Yard had inspired the Crimson’s editorial. The faculty contend that the installation had the effect of “creating spaces on campus where Jewish and Zionist students are targeted and made to feel unwelcome.”

The faculty also called the students’ decision to publish their editorial the day after Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, “thoughtless.”

A separate letter, signed by multiple generations of Crimson alumni, expressed “dismay” at the paper’s editorial, along with messages of support for Harvard’s Jewish students.

The Crimson had broken with the paper’s long-held editorial stance by endorsing BDS, which its editors compared favorably with

anti-apartheid tactics while stating that its aims were not antisemitic. Jewish groups at Harvard, including Harvard Hillel, strongly objected to the editorial.

Harvard Hillel student president Natalie Kahn, who is also a news editor at the Crimson and had led protests against the “Wall of Resistance,” wrote her own op-ed in which she said the editorial “is part of a larger trend of singling out Jews, conveniently neglecting our half of the story — and by extension our right to self-determination — while claiming to ‘oppose antisemitism.’”

The Harvard dust-up is the latest example of academic battles over Israel boycotts. In March, the Middle East Studies Association, an academic organization of Middle East and Israel scholars from around the world, also voted to endorse the BDS movement. And in April, Jewish groups mobilized to stop The Ohio State University’s student government from passing a BDS-inspired resolution. PJC

REALTOR SERVICES

FOR RENT

Are You Buying or Selling a Home?

Let Us Guide You Through the Process!

5125 Fifth Ave.

CALL THE SMITH-ROSENTHAL TEAM TODAY.

2 & 3 Bedrooms Corner of Fifth and Wilkins Spacious 1500-2250 square feet

”Finest in Shadyside”

412-661-4456

Contact me today to discuss all of your real estate needs!

www.kaminrealty.kamin.com

❀

Smith-Rosenthal Team

In the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle For home delivery, call 410.902.2300, ext. 1

Jason A. Smith & Caryn Rosenthal

Jason: 412-969-2930 | Caryn: 412-389-1695

Jasonasmith@howardhanna.com Carynrosenthal@howardhanna.com

5501 Baum Blvd.

Pittsburgh PA 15232 Shadyside Office | 412-361-4000

FOR SALE

GET THE news.

THEN GET THE FULL STORY

FOR SALE

Welcome home to 408 Northview Drive in Harmony!

“Looking to buy or sell a great house?

Call Greathouse!”

The home offers a beautiful open floor plan with lots of natural light. This singlefamily home offers one-level living in a maintenance-free community. Enter in the foyer with 9” ceilings, beautiful, bright white kitchen, stainless steel appliances, large kitchen island, plus much more to see. HOA Amenities: Community pool, fitness center, and Clubhouse, grass cutting, landscaping, mulching, and snow removal.

3537 Beechwood Boulevard $315,000

BETH NICHOLS | REALTOR® ABR® | PSA® | RSPS® Resort & Second-Home Property Specialist Coldwell Banker Realty | License#: RS-171419L 4960 Route. 8 | Allison Park, PA 15101 C. 412.600.0252 | O. 412.487.0500 beth.nichols@pittsburghmoves.com bethnichols.cbintouch.com

20 MAY 20, 2022

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Real Estate FOR SALE

RE

FOR SALE

F O R S A LE SQUIRREL HILL • $799,000.00 • 1920 BEECHWOOD BLVD. MAY 21 AND MAY 22 • OPEN SATURDAY & SUNDAY 12-3 PM FIRST TIME OFFERED! NEW LISTING! Stately 5 bedroom brick home. Home is surrounded by mature landscaping and across from Frick Park. Elegant details throughout, hardwood floors and custom built-ins. Lovely spaces inside and out. No showings until open house. Please wear a mask. See with Melissa Reich-Rubinoff Company 412-215-8056, Mark Portland 412-480-3110, Jill Portland 412-496-5600.

SHADYSIDE • $1,300,000 • CONTEMPORARY CARRIAGE HOUSE A secluded gem in the heart of Shadyside in this architect/owner home.

Efficient in size, light-filled rooms throughout, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, updated features, and set on a private manicured lot, just minutes from shopping, schools, downtown, and public transportation. One of a kind! Shown by appointment with Etta Golomb, 412-725-6524.

Allison Pochapin, Realtor m: 412.519.7636 | o. 412.307.7394 allison.pochapin@compass.com

JILL and MARK PORTLAND RE/MAX REALTY BROKERS 412.521.1000 EXT. 200

Squirrel Hill Condo for Sale 5715 Beacon Street, Unit 406

1BD

1BA

900 SF

$195,000

412.496.5600 JILL | 412.480.3110 MARK

REALTOR SERVICES

FOR SALE

KEEPING IT REAL IN REAL ESTATE!

Contact me today to find out how Howard Hanna’s exclusive buyer and seller programs can benefit you!

• Buy Before You Sell • Money Back Guarantee • One Stop Shopping • Hanna Gold Advantage • Homes of Distinction • HSA Home Warranty Protection

Contact Denise today for the REAL facts on why NOW is the best time to buy or sell!

Denise Serbin, Realtor HOWARD HANNA REAL ESTATE

Squirrel Hill Office 6310 Forbes Ave. , Pittsburgh, PA 15217 412-480-6554 mobile/preferred 412-421-9120 office deniseserbin@howardhanna.com

Business & Professional Directory AUTOS WANTED

BUYING

CAREGIVER NEEDED

CASH:

WANTED:

Caregiver needed for weekends Sat. 3 p.m. -10 p.m.

Sun. 1 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Fox Chapel area.

Dependable.

For 91 year old male Call evenings to: (412) 919-7796

BUYING GOOD WRECKED MECHANICAL PROBLEMS DOMESTIC FOREIGN CARS TRUCKS SUVS VANS PURCHASED AT YOUR LOCATION FREE LEGAL TITLE TRANSFER

DENNY OFFSTEIN AUTO SALES 7 DAYS

724-287-7771

Grandma’s & Pap’s VERY Old-Vintage Clothing, Hats, Costume Jewelry, Leopard Coats, Purses, Shoes, Bellbottoms, Hawaiian Dresses & Shirts, Lingerie.

Quantity Preferred, will pick up.

Toll Free 888-736-7242

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

THE BEST OF THE h IN YOUR EMAIL INBOX ONCE A WEEK.

Sign up on the right hand side of our homepage.

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

MAY 20, 2022

21

Community JFED celebrates Yom Ha’Atzmaut

Fun with friends Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh welcomed friends for several recent events, including Sports League, Dice Friends, Clubs in School and a trip to Sky Zone.

p Cindy Goodman-Leib, chair of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Israel and Overseas Department, welcomes Jewish Pittsburgh to Yom Ha’atzmaut: A Taste of Israel.

p Aidan Park, Charlie Chernyak, Noa Shimshi, Sydney Golden and Timmy Gross enjoy South Hills Sports League on May 3.

p What better way to celebrate than with food, music and dancing?

p Ursula Brown and Amanda Yu participate in Dice Friends on April 27. Dice Friends at Pittsburgh Allderdice High School is one of the Friendship Circle’s inclusive “Clubs in School,” welcoming more than 100 friends of all abilities and backgrounds to share lunch and fun activities together.

Photos courtesy of Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh p Participants enjoy crafting at Schenley Plaza.

Photos by David Bachman

p Federation staffer Ilana Kisilinsky welcomes people to the celebration.

Congratulations runners

Photo by David Rullo

Happy Birthday Israel

p Bnei Akiva of Pittsburgh advisers celebrate Israel’s independence with a barbecue at the home of Maxine and Macy Kisilinsky.

Photo courtesy of Macy Kisilinsky

22

MAY 20, 2022

p Squirrel Hill residents Cindy Goodman-Leib and Scott Leib were among 8,534 runners to complete the UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon on May 1.

Photo courtesy of Cindy Goodman-Leib

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

p Students from Yeshivat Heichal HaTorah are all smiles after completing the Ghost Creek Half Marathon in Black Lick, Pennsylvania, on May 15.

Photo by Adam Reinherz

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Community Party on the roof

p David and Rebecca Knoll and Kara and Jonathan Bernstein enjoy a cheese, wine and cheesecake event with Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh on the Friendship Circle’s rooftop patio.

Photo courtesy of Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh

Macher and Shaker

Repairing the world from the ground up

Mary Anne Foley received the Professional of the Year award from The Association of Jewish Aging Services (AJAS). The award is given to honor and recognize an outstanding AJAS professional (in administration, social work, nursing, marketing and/or development), who reflects the highest standards of professional knowledge and expertise; has shown exceptional leadership; and is highly respected by the staff, residents and families served.

p Repair the World Pittsburgh held a service day with University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine students.

Photo courtesy of Repair the World Pittsburgh

What an odyssey

p From left: Debbie Winn-Horvitz, Mary Anne Foley, Karen Flam (vice-chair, AJAS board of directors), Don Shulman (president and CEO, AJAS)

We care about tree care Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition organized a tree care event on May 12. Tree Pittsburgh’s Jake Milofsky, volunteers Gary Crouth and Lisa Baker and other community members, fertilized, mulched and watered all 11 of the trees.

p Community Day School’s middle school Odyssey of the Mind HQ team, led by advisor Mrs. Becky Williams, placed fifth among 850 teams competing from eight other countries and 13 U.S. states in the Virtual World Finals. Odyssey of the Mind is an international program that teaches students how to develop and use their natural creativity to become problem-solvers.

Photo courtesy of Community Day School

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

p Trees were planted outside Pittsburgh Allderdice last year in memory of the 11 people who were murdered on Oct. 27, 2018 at the Tree of Life building.

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

Photo courtesy of Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition

MAY 20, 2022

23

KOSHER MEATS

Empire Kosher Chicken or Turkey Franks

• Variety of deli meats and franks • All-natural poultry — whole chickens, breasts, wings and more

3

16 oz. pkg.

• All-natural, corn-fed beef — steaks, roasts, ground beef and more Available at select Giant Eagle stores.

Visit GiantEagle.com for location information.

49 ea.

save with your

Price effective Thursday, May 19 through Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Available at 24

MAY 20, 2022

and PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG