Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle 6-21-19 by Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle

June 21, 2019 | 19 Sivan 5779

Candlelighting 8:36 p.m. | Havdalah 9:44 p.m. | Vol. 62, No. 25 | pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

Pittsburgh Jewish burial societies offer insights at national conference

NOTEWORTHY LOCAL Jacob Naveh moves on

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New kosher restaurant opens Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

or chevra members and work through a plan to deal with the issue should it ever happen, to discuss within a congregational framework death and traditional Jewish practices and to forge relationships with other Jewish communal organizations, like we did, so people already have a tradition of working together.” Frank co-founded the New Community Chevra Kadisha of Greater Pittsburgh in 2004. Since then, she has attended the North American conference and used it as an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals. This year, it was important to make clear the uniqueness of Pittsburgh’s Jewish community and its relevance to the period following Oct. 27. “One of the things I talked about is how

hose craving kosher shawarma straight off the spit, fresh pita or falafel reminiscent of iconic Israeli cuisine are in luck. Hamsah Mediterranean Grill (4371 Murray Ave.) held a soft opening last week with hopes of satiating a particular hunger. Owned and operated by Nissim and Siglait Assouline, the table service restaurant, which is currently Pittsburgh’s only kosher restaurant of its kind, “is something different than what everybody else has,” said Nissim. “People know all about Mediterranean food,” he continued. The salads are homemade. The pitas are homemade. The shawarma is a “speciality.” Being able to offer these fresh dishes in a comfortable setting to the larger Steel City community is the goal, said Nissim, 57. More than a decade ago, Nissim was among those who owned Pinati, a Middle Eastern kosher restaurant located at 2100 Murray Ave. He left the venture in February 2006, six months after opening, because of a dispute with his partner. “Since then, a lot of people have asked me to open up a restaurant. The community has said we need a good restaurant.” Nissim enjoys being a chef, but he was reluctant to step back into a similar kitchen, so he volunteered as a caterer for synagogues, undertook kiddushes and handled functions with as many as 200 guests. “I love working with food. It makes me relaxed,” he said. It is also rewarding. “When I saw the smiles, and the faces, and the enjoyment, out of the food that me and my wife made — and I have to mention her because she is the best — the compliments I was getting and the warmness I was getting, it made me feel so good. That’s when I decided to open it up, and that was the kick that got me back into the restaurant,” he said. Nissim was also motivated by a feeling of responsibility to fellow restaurant patrons. “When I wanted to go out with my wife and the kids, I didn’t have any place to go, so I didn’t go,”

Please see Burial, page 20

Please see Kosher, page 20

South Hills b’nai mitzvah tutor retires after 50 years. Page 2 LOCAL Changing children’s lives

CMU group develops app that helps kids access education in Tanzania. Page 3 LOCAL

 These stones were placed on seats prior to the Pittsburgh panel at the 17th Annual North American Chevrah Kadisha and Jewish Cemetery Conference.

Capitol Steps in town

Photo courtesy Alisa Fall

By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

R Community members enjoyed comedy troupe. Page 10

espect for the dead requires dignity, purpose and education, which is why, nearly eight months after performing unanticipated tasks, representatives from Pittsburgh’s two Jewish burial societies traveled to Colorado to explain their actions following Oct. 27. In joining others dedicated to the Jewish practice of preparing the deceased for burial, the Pittsburgh contingent shared insights at the 17th Annual North American Chevrah Kadisha and Jewish Cemetery Conference. Part of the purpose in traveling to Colorado and participating in this conference was to deliver a call for preparedness, said Malke Frank. “We were suggesting they go back to their synagogue and talk with their caring committee, or rabbi

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Headlines Jacob Naveh, South Hills b’nai mitzvah tutor, retires after 50 years — LOCAL — By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

or the last 50 years, “I want to thank Mr. Naveh” has been the customary conclusion to the bar or bat mitzvah speech of anyone coming of age at Temple Emanuel of South Hills. And for the last 30 years, the phrase has been standard at Beth El Congregation of the South Hills as well. Since 1969, Jacob Naveh has been training children, and some adults, for their bar or bat mitzvahs. His gentle teaching style, coupled with a firm and unyielding confidence in his students, led to generations of Jews who are now comfortable and proficient in synagogue skills. At the age of 81, he will be retiring from b’nai mitzvah tutoring at the end of this month. Naveh, an accomplished, professional violinist, did not intend to fashion a career tutoring 12-year-olds in chanting haftorat. He is at once amused and touched by the irony of a secular Israeli being responsible for preparing more than 1000 young Jews for their milestone celebration. Born in Haifa in 1938, Naveh lived through the War of Independence, during which his mother was permanently injured — and almost died — after being struck by a dumdum bullet fired by an Arab sharpshooter while she was walking to the market. An immigrant to Israel from Romania, Naveh’s mother, who was musically inclined, encouraged her son to begin learning violin at the age of 10. The instrument became “the love of my life,” in addition to his family, Naveh said. After his army service, Naveh taught at

p Jacob Naveh has trained bar and bat mitzvah students since 1969. Photo by Toby Tabachnick

the Conservatory of Music in Haifa, and in 1961, he came to the United States to study at the Mannes School of Music in New York. He moved to New Orleans in 1963, where he played in the New Orleans Symphony for six years. There he met his wife, Edie. The couple came to Pittsburgh in 1969 so that Edie could pursue a Ph.D. Because he was having some trouble with his eyes which made it difficult for him to sit in an orchestra, Naveh decided to look for other work once he arrived in Pittsburgh. “I said, ‘Well, I can teach violin and I can teach Hebrew,’” he recalled. “There was no Hebrew teaching job at that time, but the Tree of Life hired me as a music teacher, and Temple Emanuel hired me as assistant to the

cantor [Murray Gold] to help with the bar mitzvah students.” Naveh’s parents were secular Zionists, so he “knew very little about prayers or blessings or things like that,” he said. Gold asked if Naveh could help with the haftorah tropes. When Naveh asked to see the music, Gold told him he did not have any. “I said, “OK, sing it and I will write the notes,” Naveh said. “So, he sang, and I wrote the notes of the tropes and studied it.” The method worked, and Naveh was able to successfully take on many students at Temple Emanuel. After Gold died, shortly after Naveh was hired, the violinist was charged with tutoring all of the b’nai mitzvah students at Temple Emanuel. His duties expanded further when Rabbi Mark Mahler came on board in 1980, as the new rabbi wanted to encourage the temple youth to learn to lead more parts of the service, Naveh said. In 1989, Naveh left his position teaching music at Tree of Life, and began tutoring the b’nai mitzvah students at Beth El, in addition to those at Temple Emanuel. Naveh remembers a time when he was training up to 30 b’nai mitzvah students in a given week. Now, he said, the number has decreased by almost half. That’s not all that has changed, he said. Back in the early years of tutoring at Beth El, “I was encouraged to teach the students Shacharit and the Torah service, and the Musaf service, and even some of the Friday night service,” Naveh said. “But I found that more and more, kids got more involved with other activities, sports especially, but also dancing and being in plays in school. And the parents less and less asked me to teach them all these things. They would say, ‘Whatever my kid could do.’ Every once in a while I would have someone ask me to teach

everything, but that was the exception.” Another change, Naveh noted, is that the number of students who cannot read Hebrew is increasing. For those students, he painstakingly writes out everything in transliteration. He doesn’t mind the extra work, because he loves the kids, he said, and is continually impressed with how much they can accomplish. “Although I came from a secular home, I just love to see the kids tackling almost illogical tasks, because a bar mitzvah in many ways is illogical,” he said. “You are asked to chant, to read, to sing in a language you don’t know. You hardly hear it, you cannot speak it. You learn a few phrases in Hebrew school, but you basically are in a foreign language. “Many of the students are nervous,” he continued. “Some of them think they can’t do it. I decided my job is to tackle the obstacle and show them that they can overcome it, so they can be proud of themselves and lift their self-esteem.” In a career that has spanned 50 years, it is not surprising that Naveh often found he was teaching children of his former students. Howard Ginsburg recalled being a student of Naveh’s at Tree of Life in the 1980s. His son, Henry, was tutored last year by Naveh for his bar mitzvah at Temple Emanuel. “I remember when Henry came home and told me that his teacher was Mr. Naveh,” Ginsburg said. “I was blown away — that many years later, it was amazing.” Ginsburg described Naveh as “a soft-spoken man who is caring and understanding and who kept you in line. His impact on the Pittsburgh Jewish community cannot be measured.” Lisa Sharfstein, a member of Beth El, studied Please see Naveh, page 21

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Headlines Tanzanian kids gain access to education thanks to Jack Mostow and CMU team — LOCAL — By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

ack Mostow has spent decades researching robotics, machine learning, language technologies and human-computer interaction as a professor at Carnegie Mellon University. But it has been his work of the past four years — creating and testing a tablet app that could revolutionize education in developing countries — that has been the most rewarding. “I am hooked,” said Mostow, whose project, RoboTutor, won a $1 million grant from Global Learning XPRIZE, a contest backed by billionaire Elon Musk, two years ago. “The past four years have been the most fun of my career.” Mostow’s RoboTutor team was one of five finalists for the $10 million top award, which was announced on May 15 at a ceremony in Los Angeles. The grand prize went to two projects that tied in their achievements: U.S. and South Korea-based KitKit School and U.K.and Kenya-based onebillion. All finalists had produced Swahili apps that were tested in a 15-month-long independent controlled field study conducted in 170 Tanzanian villages. “We did not win the grand prize, but the celebration as a whole was a celebration of the five finalists,” said Mostow.

p Jack Mostow, his wife, Janet, and Leonora Kivuva in Kidongochekundu, a village near Bagamoyo. Also pictured is a local teacher and some of the children who used RoboTutor. Photo provided by Jack Mostow

The RoboTutor app provides learning sessions to a child that are adjusted to his or her proficiency level, assesses performance automatically and provides feedback and help that is tailored to the individual. Although RoboTutor did not win the grand prize, Mostow is determined to continue to refine his project in order to help children with little or no access to live educational instruction in reading and math. The project will continue under the umbrella

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of the CMU’s Simon Initiative. “There is a big world out there,” said Mostow, a Mt. Lebanon resident and member of Beth El Congregation of the South Hills. “The entire competition is a first step, not a last step. And it was a proof of concept to find out whether technologies can plug the kids’ gap caused by the failure of the market to provide good teachers for kids in developing countries.” Worldwide, more than 250 million kids “are not in school,” Mostow explained. “And even

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many kids who are in school attend school for years without learning how to read. They may be in a class with 250 kids, or they may have teachers who don’t show up because they are not paid, or they may have teachers who show up and are well-meaning, but have never been trained in how to teach effectively. So, there is a lot of room for improvement.” The RoboTutor team hopes to improve its app to become more effective, serve children in more countries and work in more languages, and run on other platforms, including smartphones. “We really believe in this work and are committed to see it continue,” said Norman Bier, executive director of the Simon Initiative, in a prepared statement. Mostow has seen data for 75% of the children who tested RoboTutor. “The big picture is, the kids who used it a lot gained a lot,” he said, noting that reading scores among the children who used the app a lot improved by a factor of five. “The long-term goal of the visionary founder of XPRIZE is a technology-enabled worldclass education for every child on the planet,” Mostow said. “Now, we will not get there in one step. That’s why there is plenty of room for all five finalists to contribute and why XPRIZE is encouraging them all to contribute. And it will Please see Mostow, page 24

JUNE 21, 2019 3

Headlines Pittsburgh man arrested for setting fire to Brooklyn rabbi’s house — LOCAL — By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

n area resident, familiar to many in the Pittsburgh Jewish community, has been arrested in connection with a fire in the home of a Brooklyn rabbi that investigators suspect was an arson attack. Menachem Karelefsky, who also is known as “Matthew,” has lived in the Pittsburgh area for more than 10 years, and frequented several Jewish institutions and congregations in Squirrel Hill. The 41-year-old father of four moved from Squirrel Hill to McKeesport last fall. He was arrested by officers from the New York Police Department at about 1:30 a.m. on June 16 and charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count of arson. Thirteen people, including a 6-week-old baby, were injured in the early morning fire on June 14 in Brooklyn’s Midwood neighborhood. The fire had spread to three other homes. None of the injuries were life-threatening, although 12 people were sent to the hospital, including nine civilians, two firefighters and an EMS medic. On his LinkedIn profile, Karelefsky accused the homeowner, Rabbi Jonathan Max, a teacher at the Chaim Berlin Yeshiva, of sexual midsconduct. Max has denied the accusations, and there do not appear to be any other public accusations of sexual misconduct against him. Karelefsky has repeated his allegations on various Orthodox blogs and reportedly has threatened to kill the rabbi for at least a decade. He allegedly has a tattoo on his right

arm expressing his desire to kill the rabbi. “He said he was going to make an attempt on my dad’s life,” said the rabbi’s son, Ezra Max, to the New York Daily News. “He’s a sick individual who needs help.” Karelefsky has been on the radar of Pittsburgh law enforcement officials for more than a year, according to Brad Orsini, director of community security for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. “We received reports from community members about his bizarre behavior, including emails to community members that are highly disturbing,” Orsini said. “When the arson occurred, we were able to provide information to law enforcement in Pittsburgh to coordinate with law enforcement in New York City.” For the last 12 to 18 months, Karelefsky has been a “big concern” in Pittsburgh and was considered “an internal threat,” according to Orsini. “We have been monitoring his movements from community advisements,” he said. Many people within the Orthodox community, in particular, “were aware of him,” and “this was not the first time he has threatened this rabbi.” Orsini stressed that it is important for the community to continue to report disturbing or threatening behavior because it can be a precursor to criminal acts. Karelefsky, who was born Jewish to non-Orthodox parents and later attended the Chaim Berlin Yeshiva, claims he converted to Christianity and, according to writings obtained by Matzav.com, said he is “healing in church almost every Sunday.” PJC Additional reporting by JTA. Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

p Thirteen people, including a 6-week-old baby, were injured in the fire. Photo by Atilgan Ozdil/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

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Calendar q MONDAY, JUNE 24

q SUNDAY, JUNE 30

Woman2Woman Toastmasters invites you to attend their Open House With a Twist at the Center for Women-NCJW, 1620 Murray Avenue. The theme of the evening is effective networking. Highlights include four distinguished Toastmaster speakers who will present novel networking concepts. Light refreshments. This is a free event open to all women in the community. Visit w2wopenhouse.eventbrite.com to register.

q TUESDAY, JUNE 25

q MONDAY, JUNE 24 The Zionist Organization of America: Pittsburgh hosts “Anti-Semitism and American Law” featuring Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice David N. Wecht. at 7 p.m. in the Eisner Commons at Congregation Beth Shalom. Justice Wecht will discuss how the law helped to shape our destiny as American Jews and what insights our legal tradition offers as we confront new and troubling forces of anti-Semitism. Free and open to the public, but reservations are required at pittsburgh@zoa.org or 412-665-4630. >> Submit calendar items on the Chronicle’s website, pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. Submissions will also be included in print. Events will run in the print edition beginning one month prior to the date as space allows. The deadline for submissions is Friday, noon. q FRIDAY, JUNE 21 World Refugee Day is free and open to the community from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Market Square (Market Street & Forbes Avenue). Enjoy crafts; food; African, Nepali and Greek dance groups; Venezuelan musicians, dance and drumming from the Hill Dance Academy Theater, poet Osama Alomar from Pittsburgh City of Asylum, and more. Taste treats from

Syria, Iraq, Turkey and more. Visit jfcspgh. org/event/world-refugee-day-2019 for more information. Prom Shabbat at Moishe House from 7 to 9 p.m. Relive the biggest night of your young life with formal wear, stairwell pictures, slow dancing and a crowning of the prom court. Come in your snazziest prom outfit and prom-pose to a special cutie or come stag, no date needed. Contact moishehousepgh@ gmail.com for more information. Moishe House events are intended for young adults age 22-32.

Jewish Family and Community Services offers free “Grounding Through Movement: Managing Symptoms of Trauma, Anxiety and Stress in Our Bodies” sessions to anyone suffering trauma from the aftermath of the Tree of Life shooting in room 202 of the Jewish Community Center of Pittsburgh in Squirrel Hill beginning at 6:30 p.m. No registration is necessary. Visit jfcs.org/ events/events-calendar or a complete list of community support events in June. q THURSDAY, JUNE 27 Thursday Evenings in My Garden offers weekly conversation and exploration about everyday spirituality for healing, growth, creativity and innovation. Thursdays, Memorial Day through Labor Day, 6:308:30 p.m. Come once or come weekly, friends are welcome. Check http://bethshalompgh. org/thursday-evenings-in-my-garden/ for location and confirmation of upcoming dates. q SATURDAY, JUNE 29 Start your week off with a Havdalah Bonfire from 8 to 10 p.m. Bring your ukulele, clarinet, or voice and enjoy a night of singing, bonfires and s’more. Beer and snacks will be available. Contact moishehousepgh@gmail.com for more information. Moishe House events are intended for young adults age 22-32.

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q SATURDAY, JULY 6 Beth Shalom hosts Noam Sienna for a study session at 12:45 p.m. centered on his work on the intersection of Jewish and queer identities. Sienna is the author of “A Rainbow Thread: An Anthology of Queer Jewish Texts From the First Century to 1969.” For more information visit noamsienna.com q MONDAY, JULY 8 Beth El Congregation will host its monthly lunch program, “First Mondays with Rabbi Alex” featuring guest Laurie Zittrain Eisenberg, historian in the history department at Carnegie Mellon University. She will present “Comforting Objects and Art in the Wake of the Tree of Life Shooting.” Visit bethelcong.org for more information. Call 412-561-1168 with any questions. q THURSDAY, JULY 11, 18, AND 25 Thursday Evenings in My Garden offers weekly conversation and exploration about everyday spirituality for healing, growth, creativity and innovation. Thursdays, Memorial Day through Labor Day, 6:308:30 p.m. Come once or come weekly, friends are welcome. Check http:// bethshalompgh.org/thursday-evenings-inmy-garden/ for location and confirmation of upcoming dates. PJC

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Headlines Where some see unsettling challenges, Amira Aharonovich sees opportunity — WORLD — By Noa Amouyal | JNS

n an era when a major shift in Jewish philanthropic engagement is needed and rapid-fire reactions to a kinetic news cycle are required, a person steering an organization founded in 1929 may be resigned to playing from an outdated playbook. But Amira Aharonovich, the Jewish Agency’s new CEO and director general, recognizes the challenges that lie ahead and sees before her only opportunity. As the first woman to hold this position, Aharonovich has already made history. And while she says she appreciates the significance of that milestone, she believes that it was her 24-year history at the institution — and not her gender — that earned her the position. Some of her previous roles at the Jewish Agency included serving as the director of partnership regions, and as deputy director general and COO. As such, there is perhaps no one else who knows the benefits and flaws of the institution so intimately. Below are snippets of a conversation with the agency’s new executive as she weighed on what challenges befall global Jewry and how she, along with new chairman Isaac Herzog, plans to shake things up. What do you plan to bring to the table as the new CEO of the Jewish Agency, and how do you differ from your predecessor? I want to bring my experience and talents, which I believe have helped me ascend to this position, along with the new spirit that the chairman [Isaac Herzog] has brought with him. I’ve had time to grow in each role that I’ve had, and what motivates me is the interest and excitement that flow from that. With regard to my predecessor [Alan Hoffman], I may be new to the role, but I am not new to the organization. I have worked my way up from my first job after graduating college. I must admit that I learned so much from Alan and I need to thank him for giving me opportunities to grow. However, we are at a point in time when we

p New Jewish Agency for Israel CEO Amira Aharonovich.

Photo courtesy of Jewish Agency for Israel.

need change. It isn’t connected to one person, but is a reflection of the strategic shift that we are making. The world has changed dramatically in the last nine years and we have to change with it, including the Jewish world in general and the Jewish philanthropic sphere. In the next 10 years, as we approach our 100th anniversary, we have to ask ourselves what are the main issues the Jewish people face, and how do we prepare for them? What is the Jewish Agency doing to reach young Jews, specifically millennials, and Generations Y and Z? This is a big goal for us, and we have made great strides to reach the younger generation. They are highly influenced by what they see on social media and interested in exploring other non-traditional ways to be Jewish. I don’t subscribe to the notion that younger Jews are less engaged; they are very much willing to get their hands dirty, but they want to do so in ways that are different from their parents and grandparents. We are doing this in two main ways. First, we are fostering face-to-face interactions,

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especially regarding social media. The potential for interaction in the digital world is infinite. We employ face-to-face interactions with our more than 2,000 Israeli emissaries dispatched worldwide. We encourage the exchange of ideas and opinions, and reject the idea that one person should talk and the other listen. As a result, both the emissary and community members are forever changed from these interpersonal interactions. The second thing we do is create unique Israel experiences so that those around the world can work and study here. Studies indicate that this is a transformative experience for young adults. We understand that their time in Israel has to have added value and be a résumébuilding experience, as well as being culturally and spiritually fulfilling. They need transferable skills if they end up [as Jewish Agency emissaries] in Milan, Paris or Rio de Janeiro. We also have a new initiative called Crowd. IL. During my time at the Mendel Institute, I learned about the importance in revamping Jewish philanthropy. As such, Crowd.IL provides an interactive platform for individual donors to engage in impact investing. Specifically, we will roll out an innovative website that will allow the next generation of donors to select ways to give to Israel’s periphery with a peer-to-peer lending digital platform. Whether one is interested in helping senior citizens, besieged citizens of the Gaza envelope or influencing Jewish education, an individual donor can monitor his or her investment and move their money around as they see fit. What about Israel programs such as MASA or the Israel Experience? How do they foster engagement? We bring about 80,000 people per year who engage in the Israel Experience, including 12,000 MASA participants a year. I’ve been involved with this project since the beginning, and it really is fostering a generation of young adults who fall in love with Israel from a most impressionable age. Since its inception 14 years ago, MASA initiatives have been constantly altered to meet the needs of the current generation, and we have seen the changes that have taken place.

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It is a wonderful educational opportunity to start and to sow the seeds and to build on what we have done previously. The motto is to “Live like a local” — a chance to live like a sabra, to take part in face-to-face interactions because it really changes a person’s life and helps the community. And in this way, we can be increasingly confident that this person will have a connection to the Jewish community as they progress with their life and take on leadership roles. The third way to foster engagement is working on the ground within communal life. For more than 25 years, we have run summer camps. We interact with more than 8,000 kids and teenagers every year, and for some of them, it’s their first interaction with someone from the Jewish world. It’s a gateway that opens their eyes and fills them with curiosity. They return home to their families and begin to peel the onion; having listened to the stories and begin to engage their parents in returning to a Jewish connection. They arrive at the camps year after year, and it builds their identity; they become youth counselors and take on leadership roles. Later, when they arrive at MASA or Birthright, we have been able to build engagement. What was your initial reaction to the mass shootings in religious institutions, such as the October 2018 shooting in a Pittsburgh synagogue and six months later, at Chabad of Poway? We’re witnessing an increase in hate crimes and anti-Semitism. It’s true that we’re seeing more people come forward and report these crimes, and that these crimes are also being amplified. We’re in very close touch with Jewish communities worldwide, and they’re all reporting the same thing: that we’re seeing an escalation of anti-Semitism in places we’ve never seen before. We’re not just talking about college campuses; we’re also seeing this in France, where we have a very active Jewish community. The first tactic when it comes to these situations is to address them head on. Chairman Herzog opened a new unit to Please see Aharonovich, page 21

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Headlines — WORLD — From JTA reports

Senate spending bill warns Israel about taking Chinese money A major spending bill in the Senate includes a veiled warning to Israel not to allow China to run one of its ports. The National Defense Authorization Act is in its final stages of passage and is likely to be approved by the Republican-led Senate. It includes a “sense of the Senate” passage stating that “the United States has ... serious security concerns with respect to the leasing arrangements of the Port of Haifa ... .” Haaretz, which first reported the passage in the bill when it was posted last week on a congressional website, said the reference is to the Shanghai International Port Group, which under a deal with Haifa is set to operate its port for 25 years starting in 2021. The U.S. Navy’s 6th Fleet often docks at Haifa and is a major economic boost to the city. Successive administrations and leaders of both parties see China as a security threat and are wary of any deals that facilitate its access to U.S. security. The bill includes multiple passages favorable to Israel, including funding for its anti-tunnel technology. Labeling the passage on Haifa as a “sense of the Senate” means it is not binding — but the implied warning that Israel could face consequences for going ahead with the deal is clear.

Israel in the past has suffered U.S. repercussions for its China dealings. The George W. Bush administration suspended strategic dialogue with Israel for three years until Israel agreed to allow the U.S. to review any Israeli military sales to China. The Haifa deal drew an unusual rebuke from Mark Dubowitz, the director of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a pro-Israel think tank. “Israeli officials have to wake the hell up,” tweeted Dubowitz, who has consulted with the Trump administration on Iran policy. “This is serious and Israel’s strongest supporters are losing their patience.” New York state bans religious exemptions to vaccines New York state has banned religious exemptions to vaccinations, meaning that parents must vaccinate their children unless there is a medical reason not to. The state Senate passed the bill last week amid an ongoing measles outbreak in New York City and the state largely involving members of the Orthodox Jewish community. New York City has seen 588 measles since September, concentrated in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood. Monsey in Rockland County has had 266 cases. “This administration has taken aggressive action to contain the measles outbreak, but given its scale, additional steps are needed to end this public health crisis,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement upon

This week in Israeli history

signing the bill. “While I understand and respect freedom of religion, our first job is to protect the public health and by signing this measure into law, we will help prevent further transmissions and stop this outbreak right in its tracks.” State Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, who led the charge to pass the bill, tweeted that “science has won.” New York is now one of six states that outlaws religious exemptions. Parents previously could choose not to adhere to a school’s mandatory vaccine policy for religious reasons. Now the only way parents can opt out of vaccinating their child is with a note from a doctor explaining why the child is immunocompromised. It’s unclear how big a role religious exemptions have played in the current outbreak. One analysis of Jewish day schools data says that an unweighted average of 96% of their students are vaccinated. But more than 20 Orthodox schools in Rockland and Brooklyn had more than 10% of kids claiming a religious exemption from vaccination. Agudath Israel of America, a major haredi organization, said that the law “sets a dangerous precedent,” even though the organization encourages vaccination. “[T]he First Amendment, and the sacrosanct constitutional principle of governmental aversion toward impinging on the free exercise of religion, is a cornerstone of our country,” the group said in a statement. “It is a principle that our constituents routinely rely upon to function as

June 23, 2011 — Israel’s first female major general

Orna Barbivai, a 30-year military veteran and a mother of three, is promoted to major general, the first woman to hold the secondhighest rank in the Israel Defense Forces.

June 24, 2007 — Israel holds first pro baseball game

The Israel Baseball League launches with a 9-1 win by the Modi’in Miracle over the Petach Tikvah Pioneers. The six-team professional league folds after one season.

The Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh is participating in the Summer Food Service Program, offering kosher and kosher-style meals to all children, ages 18 and under, without charge, and regardless of race, national origin, sex, age or disability. In Squirrel Hill, children are invited to “Come for Milk” at 10 a.m. at the JCC, 5738 Forbes Ave., and to stay for arts and crafts prior to lunch, which begins at 11 a.m. A snack will be provided between 2 and 3 p.m. Food served at the JCC will be kosher. In Monroeville, kosher-style meals will be provided at 261 Rosecrest Drive, with milk and arts and crafts beginning at 10 a.m., followed by lunch at 11 a.m., and a snack from 2 to 3 p.m. The program at both locations runs from June 17 to Aug. 16, 2019, Monday through Friday, excluding July 4. PJC —Toby Tabachnick

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June 21, 1990 — Eliahu Eilat dies

Ada Yonath, who shares the 2009 Nobel Prize for chemistry, is born into an Orthodox Jewish family in Jerusalem. She is recognized for her work deciphering the structure of ribosomes.

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June 22, 1939 — Ada Yonath is born

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Eliahu Eilat, who won President Harry Truman’s U.S. recognition of Israel in May 1948 and served as Israel’s first ambassador to the United States, dies in Jerusalem at 86.

Orthodox Jews in America … Enhanced public vaccine and contagion education would have been a more comprehensive, long-term approach.” PJC

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June 25, 2006 — Gilad Shalit captured

After capturing East Jerusalem from Jordan during the war in early June, Israel annexes that area and some surrounding West Bank land — a total of 27 square miles — into an expanded, unified Jerusalem municipality PJC

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June 26, 1944 — GOP platform supports Jewish state

June 27, 1967 — Israel annexes East Jerusalem

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Palestinian militants entering Israel through a tunnel from Gaza disable a tank on patrol, kill two soldiers and capture a third, Gilad Shalit. Shalit isn’t released until Oct. 18, 2011, in exchange for 1,027 Palestinian prisoners.

The Republican National Convention in Chicago follows the lead of its presidential nominee, New York Gov. Thomas Dewey, and for the first time in its platform supports the creation of a Jewish state in Palestine. The Democrats take a similar step in July.

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Opinion Did Young Israel overstep?

— EDITORIAL —

ewish umbrella organizations are not the same as the individual groups they represent. As such, the relationship between the organization and its members can be complex — depending on the sensitivity of leadership and how far the membership is ready or willing to go. That’s the case of the National Council of Young Israel, one of the well-known brands in Orthodox Judaism. Modern and Zionist, with some 150 member synagogues, it has been a comfortable home for Jews with a center-right religious focus since its founding in 1913. Last week, though, the Young Israel of Toco Hills congregation in Atlanta voted to leave the national Young

Israel organization, with 93 percent of voting synagogue members opting to separate. The decision wasn’t a surprise. In recent years, the Young Israel national leadership has been moving right in its politics and its Zionism — and has taken positions that have upset segments of its diminishing member ranks. For example, in February, NCYI issued a statement defending Prime Minister Netanyahu’s controversial brokering of a racist party’s merger with another right-wing Israeli party. That is now ancient history in Israel. But Young Israel’s support for the merger, which was almost universally condemned by the rest of American Jewry, deepened the growing fault lines within the organization. Twenty-two Young Israel synagogues condemned the national movement’s embrace of Netanyahu’s decision to merge

the parties. “In recognition of the current, highly divisive political environment in the United States, Israel and beyond, we … call upon NCYI leadership to immediately cease making all political pronouncements,” the synagogues’ statement said. One of the dissenting rabbis, Rabbi Adam Starr, leads Young Israel of Toco Hills, which has now changed its name to Kehillat Ohr Hatorah. Earlier this year, he expressed concern to JTA about the National Council opining on hot-button political issues. “A synagogue organization should not be making deeply divisive political statements on our behalf.” Of course, there are many Jewish organizations that take strong political positions. Indeed, it seems that some spend more time issuing press releases than anything else. And they are certainly free to do so.

But when a member-driven organization purports to speak in the name of its members on controversial issues, it must first get buy-in from its constituents. When it fails to do so, it should expect some members to revolt. Does that mean that umbrella organizations should avoid taking positions for fear of losing members? We don’t think so. Diversity of opinion is healthy, and not everyone is going to agree with every position taken. Nonetheless, it makes sense for organizations to avoid weighing in on controversial political issues without assurance that the majority of its members agree. We hope that other umbrella organizations are paying attention. In these times of radical political divisiveness, some things may be better left unsaid for the sake of unity. PJC

From Pittsburgh to Poway, here’s how communities can rise above the hate Guest Columnist Josh Sayles

n the cold, rainy evening of April 27, more than 100 Pittsburghers gathered for an impromptu vigil in Squirrel Hill in front of the Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha synagogue building. We weren’t there because it was the six-month anniversary of the shooting that killed 11 Jewish people and wounded six others a few yards from where we were standing. Rather, hours earlier, for the second time in the United States in exactly six months, a gunman murdered Jews on Shabbat — this time at Chabad of Poway. As the vigil came to a close, I noticed my friend Rev. Liddy Barlow, a local interfaith leader, standing near the back of the crowd. “We just gathered for Sri Lanka on Wednesday,” I said, giving her a hug. “I know,” she responded quietly. Save the days and weeks immediately following the massacre in Pittsburgh, I’d never seen her that angry. It’s an all-too-large and rapidly growing fraternity of diverse communities that

have been targeted by violent extremists in both the U.S. and abroad. In Poway and Pittsburgh, we were attacked because we are Jewish. In 2012 it was a Sikh gurdwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. In 2015 it was a black church in Charleston, South Carolina. In 2016 it was an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Orlando, Florida. In 2017 it was a Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. More recently, there were the two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. The shooting at Chabad of Poway could have and has been any of us. So where do we go from here? First of all, while most San Diegans and Pittsburghers are back to business as usual, for many Jewish people in San Diego County, Pittsburgh and throughout the country, life will never be the same. Many of us closely and constantly monitor the doors whenever we are inside a synagogue or other Jewish space. Every individual handles trauma differently. After the shooting in Pittsburgh, it was estimated that as many as 30 percent of our community would need to seek help from a mental health professional. Additionally, in Parkland, Florida, two survivors committed suicide about a year after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. It may be months before friends and loved ones show signs of trauma.

Be vigilant, check in with the people you care about and recognize that sometimes those who seem the least in need of help may be the most vulnerable. Secondly, when discussing gun violence prevention — or for that matter any other topic — let’s find the commonality among each other and start from there. We can disagree on how to interpret the Second Amendment, what comprehensive background checks for owning firearms should or shouldn’t look like, and whether or not private citizens should have access to automatic or semi-automatic weapons. Regardless of what side of the debate we land on, no one wants to see a repeat of what happened at Chabad of Poway. Remember that. Thirdly, ongoing and meaningful dialogue between people of different races, religions, sexual orientations, gender identities and abilities is a must. It’s a lot harder to hate or fear someone once you get to know them. Locally, the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Community Relations Council is uniquely equipped to represent the Jewish community in that space. Take advantage of us as a resource. Lastly, extremists targeting religious communities with gun violence is not a problem we will solve overnight. As we address the issue, we need to make sure

our nonprofits and religious institutions are safe and secure. It is particularly complicated for houses of worship to maintain an open and welcoming environment that is also appropriately safe, and there are vast cultural differences between synagogues, mosques and churches on the best way to achieve that goal. CRC is working on two legislative initiatives in Harrisburg that would not only secure state funding to help us protect our Jewish communal institutions in Southwestern Pennsylvania, but also would provide grant funding for community, religious and nonprofit institutions throughout Pennsylvania to do the same. Pittsburgh and Poway are far from the only communities targeted by violent hate. We will not fix this problem unless all of our diverse communities overlook our differences, share resources and stand together in solidarity. Why wait? PJC A version of this op-ed originally appeared in the San Diego Union-Tribune on June 2, 2019. Josh Sayles, director of community relations for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, visited San Diego June 5-7 to provide support to the Jewish community there and to speak at a forum about combating hate and bigotry.

Jewish education for ambivalent people Guest Columnist Arielle Levites

he fastest growing religious group among American adults today is “Religious Nones.” Yet, at the same time that Americans increasingly describe themselves as having “no religion,” they also increasingly describe themselves as “spiritual.” How can we make sense of this apparent 8 JUNE 21, 2019

paradox? What might it mean for American Jews, the American Jewish community and the field of Jewish education to engage with Jews who do not describe themselves as religious, yet seek sacred meaning and connection? To start, it’s important to understand that people of “no religion” are not without religious beliefs, feelings or interests. They are people who do not affiliate with a particular religion, church or denomination. Having “no religion” is primarily a claim about formal membership. Thus, “Religious Nones” may still have religious

beliefs or engage in religious activities like prayer. Interestingly, among American Jews of no religion, the 2013 Pew study found that almost half (46%) believe in God or a higher power. Further, while research in American religion often classifies people into distinct boxes of “religious” and “secular,” sometimes human beings are more complicated than these dichotomous categories allow. Increasingly scholars are marking the ways in which individuals may be ambivalent, ambiguous and changeable. In a recent study, sociologist Michael Hout

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found that many Americans are what he calls religious “liminals,” that is, moving between the categories of religious and not religious. As far back as 1994, the sociologist of religion José Cassanova argued “that the majority of Americans tend to be humanists, who are simultaneously religious and secular.” We are not always consistent in our approach to the world. Different events and challenges require different strategies for action. As an example, consider receiving a difficult medical diagnosis. One might Please see Education, page 24

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Opinion What we stand for our social and political positions. We are not likely to ever view positively “King Bibi” or his right-wing cohorts nor any other aspiring monarch or authoritarian leader. We know that it is the Likud and its former right-wing partners that are in a crisis. We

Guest Columnist Ivan C. Frank

n a recent Chronicle op-ed, “Why Israelis have left the left behind” (May 17), software engineer Anat Talmy and writer Abby W. Schachter described two right-wing populist negative views about the left wing in Israel and about the liberal and progressive Jewish communities in the U.S. The first section of the op-ed stressed the fact that previous prime ministers, such as Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres, had failed to create a permanent solution regarding the continual Jewish-Arab antagonism in Palestine, in the Israel of today, and in the Occupied Territories. At one point, they wrote that the liberal and progressive American Jewish majority is “stuck.” The writers do not seem to understand that we are “stuck” within our own value system that includes now and always has included social justice positions and a hope for peace in Israel and in other parts of the world. (Most polls state that the voting record of the American Jewish community on all issues is 75% liberal or progressive.) It is unlikely that their points will convince us to change our philosophy or

… the majority of Jews who live in America continue to love the people and the land of Israel. know that the crisis includes the disassembling of the coalition and the need to call for new elections because, otherwise, President Rivlin would have to officially ask the newly relevant centrist Blue and White Party to form a coalition. In the meantime, progressive groups have been winning local elections and the left-wing Zionist party Meretz has begun to discuss aligning with the Labor Party and with one of the Arab parties from the Arab List. Netanyahu was the one who failed by not being able to stitch together the torn seam between the nationalist and secular party

— LETTERS — Making synagogue more meaningful The article in the June 14, 2019, Jewish Chronicle regarding the relevancy of the synagogue in the 21st century asks the question of what the synagogue may provide in the future. I view a synagogue as a place for the gathering of Jewish people. Gathering together in and of itself is a valuable function. First of all, social interaction is a powerful buffer to loneliness and the associated negative effects on health. In addition, just getting to a synagogue involves physical activity, which also helps to promote good health. This point cannot be overstated and is especially important for older individuals. Secondly, a synagogue can provide meaning and purpose to life. While that might translate into a study of the Torah and its interpretation, it also could mean promoting and being involved in activities that benefit other people. Giving meaning to others and promoting their welfare are important precepts in Judaism and promotes one’s own well-being. Under synagogue auspices, you might, for example, visit those who are ill or in need in some way, volunteer to tutor and/or be a role model for children in high-risk communities, connect to other religious communities, especially to those communities facing trauma of their own. All these and other activities can provide opportunities for members of the synagogue to add meaning to their own life by helping others. Yes, there are nonprofit organizations that provide opportunities to engage in programs that help others. But if we are looking for ways to make the synagogue more meaningful, it is important to look beyond the traditional ways that continue the traditions of the synagogue. We should incorporate ways to reach out and add meaning to the lives of synagogue members by helping to address issues that can improve the quality of life of people in all communities. Bruce S Rabin, MD, Ph.D. Pittsburgh

Synagogues and tikkun olam

In the synagogue we do things which are Jewish. We have Shabbat services, Yom Tov prayer services, Hebrew school, b’nei mitzvah, confirmations, baby naming and funerals. However, tikkun olam is also Jewish. In Leviticus XIX 9, we are told to leave the gleaning of the field for the poor. Today we feed the hungry. In Deuteronomy XV 7: “If there be among you a needy man…. Thou … shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need ... .” Today we look after the needs of the poor in many ways. In Deuteronomy XVI 20, we are told, “ Justice, justice shalt thou pursue.” There is no lack of injustice in this world. PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

of Avigdor Lieberman (the former defense minister) and the haredi United Torah Judaism and SHAS parties. The recurring issue over many years has been the issue of military service for yeshiva students. Netanyahu also fired the minister of education, Naftali Bennett, and the minister of justice, Yael Shaked, both of whom vocally favored the Knesset being able to override Supreme Court rulings and have worked toward ousting Netanyahu from power. Immediately, Netanyahu chose a new justice minister whom, he hoped, would rescue him from his three indictments. As a veteran and involved member of the American Jewish community, I would politely suggest that the writers study the American Jewish community and what its Jews stand for. For example, in Israel, freedom to pray at the Kotel for all Jews, male and female, in whichever Jewish stream of Judaism they follow; recognition of other streams of Judaism, in addition to Orthodox. The vast majority of the Jewish population of the U.S. votes for Democratic candidates on such issues as gun control, health care, immigrant rights, minority rights and minimum wage. This same population favors more equity and social justice in every aspect of our lives. A number of Democratic senators have already signed a resolution against annexation of the West Bank, which Netanyahu had expressed as his next step.

In May, a similar resolution was passed in the House of Representatives. In late May, a letter signed by nearly 300 high-ranking generals from the Israeli Defense Forces and security services warned Prime Minister Netanyahu that annexation would “harm Israel’s economy, its regional and international standing, and especially its security.” In recent months, there have been serious conversations among college students, synagogues and organizations planning trips to Israel about the important need to include tours of the West Bank and of Palestinian and Bedouin villages in order to see and to understand the totality of life on both sides of the Green Line. Despite the concerted efforts of rightwing Israeli and American organizations, the majority of Jews who live in America continue to love the people and the land of Israel. They visit Israel, celebrate life events there, send their children to Israel on tours and on youth movement programs, support the IDF and contribute financially to the many American organizations that raise money for a better and peaceful State of Israel. They actively work for and continue to hope that Israel will live up to its values clearly expressed in Israel’s Declaration of Independence. Those values include equality and justice for all of its inhabitants. PJC Ivan C. Frank lives in Squirrel Hill.

Feeding the hungry, providing for the poor and seeking justice are all part of Judaism just as much as prayer ritual. It is expected that synagogues provide religious ritual, and that should not change. However, synagogues should stop hiding behind ritual. Actions speak louder than words. We need active committees that feed the hungry, provide for the poor and seek justice. You can take the Jew out of the synagogue, but you cannot take the Judaism out of his DNA. People who have no interest in attending a prayer service could be motivated by a serious program to feed the hungry, help the poor or fight injustice. Lee Feldman Dormont

Keeping synagogue relevant

The Reform and Conservative movements are definitely becoming less relevant. They are a product of their own success in that they have allowed Jews to believe less is good. This, as well as their business model, are not sustainable for the long run. A young couple with or without a family finds it hard to justify the expense of a synagogue membership to only go several times per year. Let alone the cost of Hebrew school and building assessments on top of that. Based on a discussion held last year at the South Hills JCC, it was noted in the Federation survey and confirmed by many Jewish communities throughout the U.S. that the only growing group is the Orthodox. Their birth rate is much higher and they tend to stay observant and connected. Within this group Chabad is making inroads to many Jews who are not connected in any other way. They have become the largest Jewish un-organization in the world. There is no central governance, however they are in over 100 countries and have thousands of Chabad Houses and shuls. During Shavuos, on the first day, there was a program at the Chabad of the South Hills for young children — families who mostly do not belong to a synagogue. Many of us have never seen these families before as they do not regularly attend services. This is the success of Chabad in that they engage people on their level and show them the beauty of Judaism. The Reform and Conservative movements have morphed into more cultural and social justice movements than religious organizations. They need to offer their constituents something they cannot get through their phones and the media. Case in point: the Reform movement honoring Al Sharpton at their convention. Al Sharpton is truly anti-Semitic and led riots in Crown Heights and has blood on his hands from the Freddie’s Fashion Mart protest. This type of activism turns many people away. Maybe it is time for these movements to think outside the box and take a hard look at what they have become. They should do this sooner rather than later lest they become extinct.

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Andrew Neft Upper St. Clair JUNE 21, 2019 9

Life & Culture Jewish Agency on Aging welcomes comedy troupe The Capitol Steps

p Pittsburgh Councilmen Corey O’Connor and Danielle Lavelle warm up the crowd. p Rose Berman, Lynne Jacobson and Ed Berman

— THEATER — By David Rullo | Staff Writer

he Capitol Steps brought their unique blend of satire, music and wit to the Jewish Agency on Aging’s fifth annual “The Art of Aging: Step Up Seniors” on Tuesday, June 11, at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. In a performance dubbed as “putting the mock in democracy,” the comedy troupe skewered both the left and right to the delight of the nearly 500 in attendance. The evening benefited JAA’s Free Care Fund, according to Tinsy Labrie, director of marketing and public relations. “We have patients and residents who are on Medicaid; if they run out of funds, we find a way to keep taking care of them. That’s what this fund is for. It’s about 10% of our overall budget, so it’s really important that we keep that replenished. This event goes a long way toward giving it publicity.” A d’var Torah by Rabbi Eli Seidman opened the benefit, followed by speeches from Andrew Stewart, JAA board chair, and Deborah WinnHorvitz, president and CEO. Several short videos highlighted the agency’s work. Pittsburgh City Councilmen Cory O’Connor and Daniel Lavelle introduced The Capitol Steps with several jokes about local politics. “The city has a lot of crises going on. There’s a recycling crisis, the Highmark/ UPMC crisis, we have a wage crisis and a housing crisis, but more importantly, we at Council are dealing with Bill Peduto’s midlife crisis,” O’Connor joked. “If you haven’t seen the mayor or his new beard, he’s planning on joining a civil war reenactment.” Featuring Morgan Duncan, Bari Biern Sedar, Tracey Stephens, Brad Van Grack, Jamie Zemarel, and Howard Breitbart, The Capitol Steps made quick work of Washington, D.C. Skits were heavily influenced by current affairs, with cast members

10 JUNE 21, 2019

playing politicians as they took jabs at Bernie Sanders with the song “Songs of Sanders,” the current state of the Democratic Party with “All About That Base,” featuring Barack Obama, and the upcoming primary with Joe Biden singing “Can You Feel the Rub Tonight.” The president and his political woes weren’t ignored either. “I’m So Indicted,” a parody of the Pointer Sisters’ hit “I’m So Excited,” featured both Donald Trump and Paul Manafort. Sarah Sanders and Michael Cohen reworked Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Boxer” in a prescient number for the press sectary with the refrain “bye, bye, bye, bye.” In perhaps the most predictable parody, Stormy Daniels sang “Stormy Weather.” A highlight of the show not centered on the political landscape included a send-up of sexual harassment charges spurred on by the #MeToo movement done in the style of the ’60s surreal comedy group Firesign Theatre’s classic skit “Nick Danger.” In this case, a private detective, Huge Idiot, recounted his attempts to investigate sexual misconduct. The evening ended with an extended piece by Van Grack, “Lirty Dies,” in which the comedian employed spoonerisms, transposing the beginning sounds of words for comedic effect. The result was an audience favorite that made ordinary conversation seem risqué. “This evening we’ve had some lighs and some hoes … tonight’s tory is about our lugged presidential erections. Because every your fears the world ends us gusting a butt … ” Labrie explains that one important goal of the evening was to highlight the work done by JAA. “As a growing agency, with services not just related to what people think we are, which is a nursing home. [People] want to age at home, they want to age in place. And independent living like we have in Riverview is an important part of the puzzle. We need to be out there. Doing things like ‘Art of Aging’ is important to that vision.” “It was meaningful to honor our parents’ generation through the amazing work of the

p From left to right: Jamie Blatter, Anne Witchner Levin, Lynette Lederman, Judy Tobe and Mitchell Pakler Photos by John Schiller Photography

JAA, and also a hilarious time laughing and singing with the community,” said attendee Dan Rothschild. “We loved the show,” said Chris Bairnsfather. “The August Wilson Center was a perfect venue for this shindig. With such intense

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political division, The Capitol Steps managed to slay everyone equally. In our house, we love equality.” PJC David Rullo can be reached at drullo@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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A HUUUGE WIN!

The Art of Aging 2019 JAA Presents The Capitol Steps It was an evening of friendship, laughter, and political humor.

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Headlines Baldwin students meet congregational representatives and deliver gift — LOCAL — By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

ith rain pelting down and umbrellas hoisted up, a group of students and congregational representatives met outside the Tree of Life building on June 17 for an opportunity to share gifts and sentiments. The five rising ninth-graders, who will attend Baldwin High School in the fall, traveled 35 minutes alongside family and faculty to present a colorful banner representing a collective endeavor. For weeks, prior to graduating from J.E. Harrison Middle School in Whitehall, the students spent lunch and free periods cutting, painting and arranging paper and ceramic butterflies along an 8-by-8-foot manufactured tree. After working with nearly 142 individual butterflies, 11 butterflies were separated from the bunch and positioned above. Those isolated butterflies are intended to look “like they’re flying away from the tree,” said Ava Bell, a participating student. The 11 floating butterflies “represent the 11 people who died here.” Please see Baldwin, page 24

p The original 8-by-8-foot tree and butterflies that the Harrison Middle School students created did not travel to Squirrel Hill (it’s too big to easily transport). The students brought a replica of their work instead. Photo courtesy of Daniel Shaner

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Life & Culture Staff picks: summer reading — BOOKS—

ummer is a time for enjoying sand, swimming and sweet sugary popsicles. It is also a chance to sit back and dive into a great read, so whether you plan on hitting the Atlantic shore or that of the Youghiogheny River, kick off your shoes, prop or drop your shades and grab a good book. We have some ideas on what to read, but our general recommendation is to savor the season, have some fun and keep on reading. Passing Through: The Later Poems, New and Selected (W. W. Norton & Company, 1997) By Stanley Kunitz I invited a friend for lunch and what he brought was a book. Not a plant, not a dish, but his gift was something equally satisfying if not to the senses then to my sensibilities. In the weeks since I was gifted Stanley Kunitz’s “Passing Through: The Later Poems, New and Selected,” I have enjoyed toiling with the 176-page text. Though each entry could be read in minutes, it’s been no easy read. Kunitz’s poems, like meals made right, are deceptively simple and inviting. Five-dollar words tantalizing writers and spellers alike are largely absent as are cryptic references to classical tales. Easy terms are presented in uneasy ways, which makes deciphering Kunitz’s work pleasingly laborious. I find myself reading and rereading words I know and phrases I should understand but cannot glean without repetition, pause and rumination. “Chariot” and its image of the speaker’s studio “where curiosity runs the shop” should remind me of Geppetto, but I keep wondering how “Toy Story 4” won’t unravel the satisfying ending of its predecessor. “The Gladiators” makes visual a barbaric scene relishable to a cadre of pugilists, historians and “Game of Thrones” aficionados. But who is the battler in this book? “Passing Through” may be something wholly different to Kunitz and his readers, but to me it is the struggle for interpretation and understanding that makes this book delightfully difficult and a sure accompaniment to my summer sandy getaway or the refreshingly familiar woodsy-concrete combination at Monroeville Pool. — Adam Reinherz Ascension: John Coltrane And His Quest (Da Capo Press, 1995) By Eric Nisenson Jazz saxophonist John Coltrane spent his life searching. Professionally, he sought his voice and the right type of saxophone to capture that voice; personally, he was seeking God and what it meant to be an African American in the 1950s and ’60s. As an artist he was attempting to combine these pursuits and communicate them to the public. In his book “Ascension: John Coltrane and His Quest,” Eric Nisenson documents

Coltrane’s explorations and how they affected his career as an artist. “Ascension” isn’t your typical biography. It quickly dispatches with the facts of the musician’s life and moves to his early days in jazz where he struggled with both his playing and drug use. The book explores Coltrane’s time with Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk and how each helped him discover his unique “sheets of sound” playing technique. Nisenson spends time connecting Coltrane’s output, recorded and live, to his quest for God, including his attempts at using LSD for spiritual insight. Along the way Coltrane’s recordings are discussed in light of these quests — “Mediations,” “Ascension” and, of course, “A Love Supreme” are written about in depth. The book itself is, at times, a clumsy read. Nisenson’s writing can be both repetitive and hyperbolic. These deficiencies though, in no way lessen the value of this study of John Coltrane and his immense impact on the world of jazz. A must-read for any fan of the late saxophonist. — David Rullo Where the Crawdads Sing (Putnam, 2018) By Delia Owens I have been in the same book group for 19 years. Every month, eight women, more or less, gather in someone’s living room to catch up on each other’s lives, have a glass of wine, and discuss whatever work of literature we have chosen for that meeting. Besides the friendships that have been nurtured since 2000, I also cherish the experience of being forced — I mean encouraged — to read books that others choose, and which are often those that I would not necessarily select if left to my own devices. It has broadened my literary bandwidth, which cannot be a bad thing. I just finished reading our book for July, “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens, which has been ranked at the top of the New York Times bestseller list for 39 weeks and counting. Despite its rave reviews in several newspapers, despite the buzz it generated when Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine company was tapped to produce a film version, and despite its five-star rating on Amazon, “Where the Crawdads Sing” is a book I probably would not have picked up on my own. The subject just didn’t interest me that much: A young girl, abandoned by her family, gets by on her wits living alone in a marsh in rural North Carolina in the 1950s. Once I started reading, though, I couldn’t put it down. Although Owens is not a particularly gifted writer, she is one heck of a good storyteller. I found myself liking this book a lot. What it lacked in lush language was completely overshadowed by a compelling plot which the author deftly developed through its surprise ending. “Where the Crawdads Sing,” which is Owens’ debut novel, is at once a murder mystery and a coming-of-age tale, and it is peppered with provocative themes that

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kept running through my head days after I finished the book. Humanity in the midst of isolation. Social responsibility. Gender roles. What it means to be a family. There will be lots to talk about at book group next month. — Toby Tabachnick A Thousand Hills to Heaven: Love, Hope, and a Restaurant in Rwanda (Little, Brown & Company, 2013) By Josh Ruxin For this feature last year I wrote about a memoir from a remote, obscure, landlocked country, Bhutan, so naturally I am following up this year with a memoir from another remote, landlocked country, Rwanda, although Rwanda is anything but obscure. Probably most readers have heard of the genocide in Rwanda in 1994, and some may know that since then Rwanda has made a remarkable recovery, with enough progress to be called the “Singapore of Africa.” The author, an expert in international development, and his bride, an expert in public health, moved to Rwanda in 2005 to

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lead an ambitious new project to accelerate development in one of the most impoverished regions of Rwanda, which itself was in dire condition. The couple arrived only 11 years after the end of the long-running civil war that had culminated in the three-month genocidal campaign in which 500,0001,000,000 people were brutally murdered. The country had little infrastructure and a population beset by widespread poverty and disease, including AIDS and malaria. It took an enormous amount of optimism and chutzpah for Ruxin to believe that his project could succeed under these conditions, especially when so many other international aid projects had languished with such little success for so many years in most other parts of Africa. Throughout the book Ruxin weaves together three intertwined stories: the progress of his development project, the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide and the progress of his wife and growing family, especially as they establish a world-class restaurant in Kigali, the capital. Ruxin had become convinced that the fancy international development consultants Please see Reading, page 18

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Life & Culture Moroccan couscous and chicken: A hearty dinner easy enough for busy weeknights — FOOD — By Leanne Shor

always considered couscous to be just a simple side dish until I met a dear friend whose Israeli-Yemenite-Moroccan family introduced me to couscous in all its glory: a big, hearty, super comforting main dish. I quickly understood that couscous has a rich place in the North African kitchen and is so much more than just tiny pasta you buy from a box at the supermarket. Preparing my version of weeknight couscous involves stewing bone-in chicken, hearty root vegetables, squash and a rich chicken broth spiced with cinnamon, turmeric and cumin. What makes this couscous dish perfect for weeknights is that all the ingredients come together in one pot, which means there’s a lot less cleanup. By taking a few short cuts, we can make a big pot of this couscous in under an hour, with plenty of leftovers to take for lunch the next day — the flavors will be even better! For the stew: 2 tablespoons olive oil 5-6 bone-in chicken thighs 1 large onion, chopped 3 garlic cloves, chopped finely 1 large sweet potato, cut into 1/2-inch rounds 3 carrots, peeled and cut into 3-inch chunks 2 zucchini, cut into 1-inch chunks 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon sweet paprika 4-5 cups low-sodium chicken broth For the couscous: 1 cup couscous 1 cup boiling water 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 cup chopped parsley

Reading: Continued from page 17

and their fancy studies were too far removed from real life in developing countries, and especially from the people who lived there and were supposed to be being helped. He structured his project to be hands-on and practical, with intense involvement of local leaders and communities from the very beginning. Over the ensuing years, he and his team faced a bewildering series of challenges, but they ultimately transformed their pilot region in a way few could have believed possible beforehand. His success 18 JUNE 21, 2019

Photo by LeAnne Shor

Moroccan couscous and chicken

1. Heat a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Season the chicken lightly with salt and pepper on both sides. Add olive oil to the pot. 2. Carefully place the chicken in the pot in a single layer, and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until chicken has become golden and fragrant. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside on a large plate. 3. Add the onion and garlic to the pot, cooking in the rendered chicken fat. Scrape

up all the brown bits from the bottom of the pot. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the onion is soft. Add the turmeric, cinnamon, paprika and cumin to the pot. By adding the spices now, you are basically toasting them in the hot oil. This releases their aromas and flavors more intensely than if you added them to the simmering liquid. 4. Return the chicken to the pot, along with all of the largely cut veggies and the chicken broth. 5. Bring the stew to a simmer, then place the lid on top (ajar) and continue to cook for

about 35 minutes. Add additional salt to taste. 6. Meanwhile, make the couscous according to the package directions, and set aside until the stew is ready, when the sweet potatoes are fork tender and the chicken is very soft. 7. Serve in large shallow bowls, with plenty of broth. Sprinkle the chopped parsley on top. Serves 6. PJC

was largely due to his unique approach to the work, but also could not have occurred had not Rwanda been governed by the most capable leader in Africa today, Paul Kagame, a talented and non-corrupt pragmatist. Ruxin does not attempt to give a complete history of the genocide and what led up to it, but through the personal stories of the Rwandans he knows the reader gets a good feel for the horrors of that time. He also sketches out the remarkable healing and unifying process that Rwandans have been going through since 1994. I know of no other comparable conflict where the parties have made so much progress in reconciliation in so short a time with so little violence in the aftermath.

In the most charming and accessible part of the story, Ruxin describes his wife’s struggles to adjust to life in an extraordinarily challenging environment and to raise a family there. Ultimately, she led them to create Heaven, a seriously good restaurant which itself became a mini-development project for its local staff who went on to prosper in the new Rwanda. The author and his wife are Jewish, but there is very little of explicit Jewish life or themes in the book, other than family photos from Chanukah and Passover. However, in a broader context, there is a lot that will resonate for a Jewish reader. Anyone who is interested in tikkun olam should carefully consider the

lessons learned in Rwanda when thinking about programs with which they are involved here. While reading about the Rwandan genocide, it is impossible to not think about the chilling parallels to the Holocaust. Finally, throughout the book, I found myself frequently drifting toward the many conflicts in the Middle East, and wondering how different the Middle East would be if the various tribes there focused on grassroots human and economic development, and reconciliation with their former enemies no matter how bitter the history, rather than perpetuating the hate and destructive conflicts. PJC

Directions:

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This article originally appeared on The Nosher.

— Jim Busis

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Life & Culture Documentary chronicles lives of IDF soldiers with PTSD — FILM — By Eric Schucht | Special to the Chronicle

always thought it was weird when cinemas started airing regular commercials before the movie. An advertisement for a Honda Civic seemed out of place when mixed in with trailers for the latest Spiderman or Transformers flick. A staple was U.S. military recruitment ads. They’d show soldiers jumping out of helicopters and rescuing people from floods — real action-packed stuff. One of them showed a group of militiamen charging a line of British soldiers during the Revolutionary War with rock music blasting in the background. These zealous short films had a pretty simple message — join the military, become a hero. They were fun to watch, but never delved into the complex reality of a life of military service. When the Smoke Clears: A Story of Brotherhood, Resilience and Hope, newly available for Amazon Prime viewing, delves into that reality, telling the story of former Israeli Defense Forces soldiers Gil, Ofer and Elad. We learn of their reasons for enlisting, the struggle of being injured in the line of duty and how they readjust to civilian life.

Gil is shot while trying to apprehend an enemy combatant during the Second Intifada, Ofer loses sight in his right eye after fighting in the Second Lebanon War and Elad gets shot in the head while participating in Operation Protective Edge. Each of these combat moments is illustrated via black-and-white cartoons, which adds energy and drama to the interviewee’s voiceovers. The film’s cinematic score also adds to the intensity, although it can be a bit intrusive at some points. When the Smoke Clears does great work at humanizing the trio with photos of them growing up and interviews with their friends and family. By the film’s end, you come to really care about them, but much of what is learned of their stories feels superficial. And because we have three subjects with fairly similar stories, the film comes across as a bit of a retread. They all enlist out of patriotism and have identical views reflecting on their time in the service.

It would have been interesting to see more of a variety of backgrounds and perspectives among the subjects — such as a veteran from a much older generation. That would have created opportunities to compare and contrast the subjects’ experiences, adding in the factor of showing how aspects of life in the Israeli military have either remained the same or changed over time. But none of this detracts from the value of the film. While it goes over similar points multiple times, it’s all interesting and enhanced by fast editing and quick pacing. Some of the interviewed parents mention how the military changed their sons, but the audience is never shown this change. For example, there’s a short clip of Elad struggling to play a song on the piano. This moment would have been more impactful if the audience had been shown Elad’s relation to music before he was injured. Part of the problem is trying to tell three stories in 80 minutes. Each of the three

narratives is compelling enough to carry a feature-length movie. At the end of the film, we hear Ofer explaining how he isn’t a hero, all while surging music plays in the background. Earlier, there’s a scene where Ofer is being interviewed in his home about a medal he received, which he explained he had to look for, finding it in his parents’ basement. We then hear the interviewer speak (the only time in the movie) telling him how he should be proud of his accomplishment. Ofer remarks that several of his friends died in the conflict, so what does he have to be proud of? Like those Army recruitment commercials I saw before the new Star Wars, When the Smoke Clears sets out to put its subjects on a pedestal without asking bigger questions. If you’re looking for a feel-good, patriotic film that glorifies the Israeli military, you’ll enjoy this; after all, it did win Best Documentary Feature at the 2018 San Diego GI Film Festival. But if you’re looking for something deeper, something that really examines why a man like Ofer doesn’t see himself as a hero in a society that paints him as one, you’ll be left wanting more. PJC Eric Schucht is a staff writer for the Jewish Exponent, a Chronicle-affiliated publication.

It’s Ashkenazi vs. Sephardi Jews in this take on ‘Romeo and Juliet’ — THEATER — By Josefin Dolsten | JTA

new production of “Romeo and Juliet” puts a Jewish spin on the classic Shakespearean love story. Produced by Paris-born opera singer David Serero, the musical is set in Jerusalem and imagines an Ashkenazi Juliet falling in love with a Sephardi Romeo, to the dismay of their families. The official opening night of the production at the Center for Jewish History in New York City was on Sunday, although this reporter attended a preview a few days before. Serero, who produced and wrote the adaptation, also plays Romeo in the six-person cast. Jewish jokes are rife. Instead of Shakespeare’s Friar Laurence, the priest who secretly marries the lovestruck teens, there is a tallit- and kippah-wearing Rabbi Laurence. Romeo’s mother plays off the Jewish mother stereotype and worries about her son being too thin and losing his hair. And Juliet’s dad seems preoccupied by the cost of what he thought was his daughter’s wedding to Rabbi Mordechai, the man he wanted her to marry. This “Romeo and Juliet” production includes songs in Ladino, Yiddish, Hebrew, Russian and English — including a new take on pop star Ariana Grande’s hit “thank u, next.” Serero said he was aware of the fact that

songs,” he told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. The show is the result of a collaboration that started in 2014 between Serero and the American Sephardi Federation, which is hosted at the Center for Jewish History in downtown Manhattan. As part of the project, Serero has adapted a range of classical plays, including William Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice” and “Othello,” as well as others such as Edmond Rostand’s “Cyrano de Bergerac.” Leonard Bernstein and three other Ashkenazi Jews famously adapted “Romeo and Juliet” as the Broadway musical “West Side Story” and originally conceived the warring sides as Jews and Catholics. (Arthur Laurents, who wrote the book, felt it p David Serero plays Romeo and Ashley Brooke Miller plays Juliet in a Jewish adaptation of would be more relevant if it the classic tragedy. Photo by Josefin Dolsten became about Puerto Rican and white street gangs.) in the early days of the State of Israel, there mix more readily. Serero, whose family has roots in was tension between Ashkenazi Jews, with But he chose to make Juliet Ashkenazi Morocco, likes including Sephardi elements their roots in Germany, France and Eastern and Romeo Sephardi mostly because he in Jewish theater. Europe, and Sephardim, whose ancestors wanted to show off the two rich cultural “For the arts, especially the performing were from Spain, Northern Africa and traditions, including by featuring songs in a arts, the theater, that was mostly an Muslim countries. At that time, marriages range of languages. Ashkenazi thing,” he said, “so I want between the two communities were consid“I wanted to show the cultures, whether to take all these classics but show my ered taboo, though today the groups it’s in the humor, whether it’s through the Sephardic chutzpah.” PJC

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Headlines Burial: Continued from page 1

Pittsburgh has a real tradition, a decades-old tradition, of these communal organizations working together for whatever the needs are, whether to plan a program or something tragic, whatever it is,” she said. “Another layer of that is some of the persons who are involved in these communal institutions are friends outside of their professional lives. ... In a lot of cities, the people in various organizations don’t even know each other.” “The reality of the world today is these things do happen and there needs to be a plan that hopefully you don’t have to put into place,” said Jonathan Schachter, executive director of the Jewish Cemetery and Burial Association of Greater Pittsburgh, and a member of the New Community Chevra Kadisha since 2007. Schachter participated in several panels at the Colorado conference. Being in the company of fellow speakers and listeners was beneficial to “decompressing and working through what we had been through,” he said. What transpired on Oct. 27 and after is difficult to address because “it’s something that’s very emotional for me for a lot of reasons — obviously the horror that we all experienced and everyone knows everyone,” he added. “This was the hardest thing for me since the massacre because it brought back all of the memories and all of the emotions we went through,” echoed Alisa Fall. Since joining the New Community Chevra Kadisha in 2014, Fall has performed numerous taharot (ritual purifications of the dead). But after Oct. 27, she and others undertook an additional practice: shmira (watching over the deceased’s body prior to burial). Fall designated a portion of her Colorado remarks to describing the latter ritual act. “We did not know much about shmira, but wanted to do anything we could to help,” she said. After bodies were released from the crime scene, “we arrived that evening to the most gracious funeral directors that went out of their way to comfort us. We read prayers, sang songs and received a phone call from our friend Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, who leads Park Avenue Synagogue in New York City. He offered comfort, prayers and love.” Fall also described her involvement in cleaning the Tree of Life building. “It was surreal as we sat in the all-purpose room where my family attended Purim carnivals and holiday services. I was now dressed in

 The program guide from the recent conference that highlighted the experience of Pittsburgh residents. Photo courtesy of Alisa Wall

“ It was pretty powerful. They showed how they related to me and what

”

I had gone through.

— MALKE FRANK, CO-FOUNDER OF THE NEW COMMUNITY CHEVRA KADISHA OF GREATER PITTSBURGH full protective gear, head to toe, with tools in hand. Rabbi [Elisar] Admon briefed us on what needed to be done as the men and women were divided into separate groups.

He made us feel comfortable and at ease during such a daunting task,” she added. Admon, a member of Pittsburgh’s Gesher Hachaim Jewish Burial Society, also talked

Kosher: Continued from page 1

 Sigalit and Nissim Assouline stand outside Hamsah Mediterranean Grill

Photo courtesy of Nissim Assouline

JUNE 21, 2019

he said. Hamsah will be part of the solution. A private June 13 Chanukat HaBayit ceremony welcomed dozens of friends and supporters to the restaurant for a mezuzah fixing and opportunity to relish falafel, Moroccon cigars, stuffed grape leaves, eggplant and other salads. The Vaad Harabanim of Greater Pittsburgh-certified restaurant’s June 16 event, which required reservations, was attended by more than 60 people, whose carefully prepared plates

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about the aftermath of Oct. 27 at the Colorado conference. Apart from describing his role in “approaching” the Tree of Life site both in the hours and weeks after the attack, Admon shared stories related to his involvement with ZAKA, an Israeli group of volunteer emergency response teams, in order to provide conference attendees an understanding of how to handle “events dealing with blood, suicide, a car accident or shooting,” he said. Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife, who is not a member of either Steel City Jewish burial society but maintains a Pittsburgh presence, participated in the conference and said in an email it was “an incredible opportunity be with 140 other people who are dedicated to the sacred work of tending to people at the end of life.” The June 3-5 event featured an array of speakers, as well as sessions dedicated to addressing spiritual and ethical wills, green burials and end-of-life accompaniments. The conference (which will be held next year in Pittsburgh) afforded “an opportunity to convene, get together and be in the presence of people who do the sacred work we do,” said Schachter. Tuesday morning, before beginning a nearly day-long focus on events pertaining to Oct. 27, conference attendees arrived to discover a single stone placed on each seat. Attendees were told they could hold the stone, gift the stone or use it however they liked. When members of the Pittsburgh contingent finished describing Oct. 27, people approached the podium. One by one, listeners placed stones in the speakers’ hands. “It was pretty powerful. They showed how they related to me and what I had gone through,” said Frank. The moment grew out of the Jewish tradition of leaving stones at gravesites, a custom that some believe is meant to signify permanence — and that just as stones weather time, so too will memories remain. Frank said that when she and the other Pittsburgh attendees were speaking, “you would hear gasps. People weren’t able to understand how we were able to do it. It was hard for them to comprehend and digest that this happened, how it happened, where it happened, the role of the chevra kadisha in it.” There was one other fact the Pittsburgh group made clear, added Frank: “How we were able to live through it.” PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

included homemade hummus, tabouli and other Mediterranean staples. Over the course of the evening, the eatery went through two shawarma sticks, all of its Israeli salad and more falafel balls than could be counted, noted Nissim. By the end of the night, he was “crazy overwhelmed” and Sigalit had been there for nearly 12 hours. “We were short two cooks, but we survived. It seemed like people were happy,” he added. Check Facebook for Hamsah’s hours and days of operation. PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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Headlines Naveh: Continued from page 2

with Naveh when she decided to celebrate her bat mitzvah as an adult 10 years ago. Her two children studied with him a few years later. “He’s amazing,” Sharfstein said. “For him, it’s like brand new every time. You would never guess he’s been doing this for 50 years.” Naveh has a keen focus on the needs of the individual student, she said, and tailors the lessons accordingly.

Aharonovich: Continued from page 6

monitor anti-Semitism and coordinate with the security establishments in each Jewish community. Pittsburgh was a wake-up call for the Jewish community in America. American Jews understand that now, despite how tolerant and open it is, these kinds of unimaginable crimes can happen there, too. We need to make sure we establish a presence on the ground. We sent a Jewish Agency emissary to be on hand there less than 24 hours after

“I was nervous,” she said. “But he was the perfect mix of firm and gentle encouragement. I thrived learning with him and my confidence grew.” Sharfstein, who is also an educator, learned from Naveh “to really have confidence in your students and to push them as far as they can go,” she said. “He meets students where they are.” Both Temple Emanuel and Beth El are still working to determine who will take over b’nai mitzvah training after Naveh retires. Naveh will be difficult to replace, said

Rabbi Alex Greenbaum of Beth El. “He has this quiet way about him,” Greenbaum said. “It was a miracle and a blessing that we had him all these years, and now we’re struggling to figure out the direction we will be going in. There is never going to be another Mr. Naveh.” Naveh also taught private violin lessons for decades. He retired from that pursuit nine years ago. As his love of music has continued throughout his life, Temple Emanuel planned an evening of chamber music in his honor on June 20, featuring musicians from

the Pittsburgh attack. Chairman Herzog also arrived quickly and met with senior members of the community. We’re also involved in assessing post-trauma efforts. For us, this is an example of how the Jewish community can beautifully come together in times of crisis. While these are tragedies we haven’t seen before, it’s also an opportunity for communities to come together, especially on an interfaith level. Look at Pittsburgh, where the Muslim community opened its doors for Jewish worshippers. Our message needs to always stand in support for tolerance and pluralism, while also focusing on protecting our Jewish brethren

wherever they may be. There seems to be increasing polarization between Israel and Israeli Jews, and the American Jewish Diaspora. What is your assessment of this relationship? As an apolitical organization with a specific worldview, we are of the mind that there’s a place in the world for a Jewish state and Jewish homeland. We have a more than 3,000-year history that is so much bigger than the current political issue of the day. For the younger generation, the existence of Israel is all too obvious. They did not bear witness to the miracle that was the

the Pittsburgh Jewish Music Festival. While Naveh does not anticipate missing the frequent commute from his residence in Squirrel Hill to the South Hills, he will definitely be missing his students when he retires. “I will miss the children, there is no doubt about it,” Naveh said. “There were times in my life — for example when there were wars in Israel, or during the intifada — when I was really down. But when I was with them, I felt great.” PJC Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

birth of this country and the struggle of establishing it. They are seeing a different kind of Israel — one that is usually filtered through the not always objective lens of the media and social media. This provides a big window of opportunity for the Jewish Agency. It gives us the ability to educate the next generation about Israel, and have a conversation about Jewish identity and see how they can play a part in supporting the world’s only democratic Jewish state. I don’t want to surrender and dismiss Jews who have qualms about Israel. Let’s try to embrace them and figure out ways to communicate with them, rather than alienate them. PJC

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Celebrations

Torah

B’not Mitzvah

Second chances Rabbi Paul Tuchman Parshat B’ha’alotekha Numbers 8:1-12:16

here was a Jewish storyteller who made his living going from one village to another, telling his stories to whomever would listen. It wasn’t much of a living. He received hardly any money for his efforts. More often his reward was a meal and a place to sleep for a night. Once on a cold winter day, he arrived in a village where no one would listen to him, so intent were the townspeople on finishing their work and hurrying to the warmth of their homes. Some kind person pointed up the hill to the lord’s castle. Torches burned outside, and it was lit from within by a great many candles. “Go see him. They say he is eager to hear stories, and that every time he hears a tale that is new to him, he pays well.” It was the storyteller’s only hope. He presented himself at the great doorway and was admitted to the lord’s presence. Old and haggard, seated at a table with a large pile of coins before him, the lord motioned the storyteller to a chair. “Begin.”

p Erica Reese Block

be educated. The boy never saw his family again. He excelled in school and university, adopted the religion of his benefactor, and made his way to great wealth in the best society. As he grew old, the little boy — now a great lord — felt an inner hollowness which could only have been filled by the family he missed and the tradition he had renounced. He withdrew from society and lived alone in his castle, comfortable but wretched.” “I am sorry,” the storyteller added, “that my last tale is such an unhappy one.” Rapt in his performance, he had closed his eyes, and now he opened them and saw that the lord was weeping. “You left out one detail,” said the lord. “I am that very man, rich but hollow. Years ago, I went to see a rabbi and poured out to him my loneliness and anguish. I asked him how God could forgive me. He told me that I would know I had been forgiven when someone came and told me my own story.” The lord invited the storyteller to live with him, and the storyteller helped him to reclaim what he had abandoned. In this week’s Torah portion, B’ha’alotekha, we read of a provision for those who are unable to observe Pesach/Passover prop-

Let this passage teach us that those who have drifted away from Judaism — to whatever degree — have opportunities to reclaim what they have allowed to slip away.

p Emily Rose Block

Erica Reese Block and Emily Rose Block, daughters of Loren and Howard Block, became b’not mitzvah at Congregation Rodef Sholom in San Rafael, California on Saturday, June 15. Grandparents are Helene Pretter of Fox Chapel and the late Paul Pretter and Diane and Gilbert Block of Naples, Florida. PJC

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The storyteller told his tales. As it happened, many of them were new to the lord, and each new story earned a precious coin. In only a few hours, the storyteller had received in one night more money than he had made in many years. After a satisfying meal, he was shown to a beautifully appointed bedchamber and slept in such comfort as he had never known. His recitation continued the next day, as did the flow of coins. Eventually, even this accomplished storyteller ran out of stories. “Is that all?” asked the lord. Exhausted, the storyteller sat in silence, and then he said, “I know one more. Many years ago, a little Jewish boy attracted the attention of a nobleman who lived near his village. The boy was handsome and intelligent, and the noble paid his family well for the privilege of taking the boy away to

erly due to ritual impurity or absence on a journey (Numbers 9:6-14). In such a case, a person may observe Pesach on the same day of the next month. By extension, let this passage teach us that those who have drifted away from Judaism — to whatever degree — have opportunities to reclaim what they have allowed to slip away. We must not resign ourselves to the loss of any aspect of Jewish experience: mitzvot, observance, study, community involvement, worthy behavior. If we have been absent in any way, there is always someone who can tell us our own stories and bring us home. Shabbat shalom! PJC Rabbi Paul Tuchman is the rabbi of Temple B’nai Israel in White Oak. This column is a service of the Greater Pittsburgh Rabbinic Association.

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Headlines Mostow: Continued from page 3

take more than just the five finalists.” More than 100 CMU students and faculty are part of the RoboTutor team, as well

Education: Continued from page 8

choose to seek a second opinion from a top medical specialist, experiment with a New Age wellness practice, or pray to God. It’s certainly not hard to imagine all three of these activities within the repertoire of response of one person. In my own studies of American Jewish education, which has been primarily of educational programs that foreground spirituality and alternative communities of meaning outside of synagogue and other traditional Jewish institutions, I have come to appreciate how people seek different forms of connection and expression at different points in their lives, often while still wanting to maintain an overarching self-concept of being “Jewish.” Among the many and varied orientations, one may foreground religious ritual, spiritual practices, intellectual understandings, cultural production, politics or ethnic ties. Some may emphasize just one element or a combination of a few, and we may see different expressions ebb and flow

Baldwin: Continued from page 12

The Baldwin-based installation was inspired by the Butterfly Project, a decades-old endeavor of the Holocaust Museum Houston to signify the murder of 1.5 million children. Since 1996, students nationwide have created butterflies in memory of the young people who perished due to Nazi atrocities. Because of the Holocaust Center of Greater Pittsburgh and Classrooms Without

GET THE

as additional experts and students from around the world. Leonora Kivuva, an instructor in the University of Pittsburgh’s African Studies program, provided the voice of RoboTutor. Swahili is one of Kivuva’s native tongues. “Jack sought me out, and I fell in love with

the project,” said the Kenya-born Kivuva. “I’m giving back not only to my own continent of Africa, but also giving back to the place that I came from, having had difficulty accessing education.” Kivuva, who also runs a project that assists blind children in Kenya to access

education, said she feels “blessed” to be part of the RoboTutor team. “It became something very personal,” she said. PJC

over the lifespan. In particular, in a recently completed study of American Jewish teens, I was struck by how teens wanted to explain that they can be both secular and religious, and sometimes have spiritual experiences and feelings. I think what is true for teens may be true for older generations as well. American Jews can be secular and religious and spiritual, sometimes all in the same day. The primary lens through which they want to orient to the world often depends on life stage, social networks, relationships, institutional settings and transient circumstances. People are complex and flexible, and different needs and concerns may come to the fore in the different contexts in which they find themselves. Fortunately, the corpus of the Jewish imagination is vast and diverse. There is virtually no feature of human experience or orientation to the natural and supernatural universe, that Jews, past and present, have not tried to make sense of and connect to. As a result, one challenge for Jewish educators today is to ensure that our learners gain some sense of the scope of the universe of Jewish ideas and communities of practice

that are available as sources of meaning and connection. Educators will have their own preferred ideologies and practices that they (rightfully) want to emphasize and promote. At the same time, educators must hold in the front of their minds that at various junctures in life people may seek new on-ramps to Jewish living and diverging paths of exploration. But these will be difficult to find if they don’t know they exist. There is a famous Chasidic story, attributed to the Baal Shem Tov, in which we learn of a “master key” that opens every chamber in the Divine Palace. I recently read a poem on the subway that brought that story to mind. In “Notes on Longing,” the poet Tina Chang writes, “On the corner, there is a shop / that makes keys, keys that open / human doors, doors that lead / to rooms that hold families.” I love this image of the shop that is occupied all day with making keys and how these keys lead ultimately to people and human connection. There can be so many barriers to participation in Jewish life. While we always yearn for the possibility of one key, a silver bullet, no one perfect method that unlocks the heart of every learner has yet

been identified in Jewish education. Perhaps, as we await the discovery of the master key, we can provide learners with not just one key to open one familiar door, but multiple keys that open multiple doors. Those who work with children and teens — even as they promote their own preferred ideologies and practice, facilitating entry to one particular door — may want to consider whether the curriculum they offer gestures toward alternative visions of Jewishness and multiple entry points. Given that American Jews may be ambivalent, ambiguous and changeable in terms of how they connect to being Jewish, let’s consider how Jewish education, rather than trying to find just one key, can be like that little key shop on the corner, making many keys, that open many doors, leading to many connections and possibilities. PJC

Borders, “we knew about the Butterfly Project,” said Daniel Shaner, an English teacher at Harrison. In connecting the murder of children with the killing of 11 Jews inside the Tree of Life building, the Baldwin-based students mined hateful acts for artistic purpose and intellectual exploration. Now they had the chance to meet representatives from Dor Hadash, New Light and Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha congregations and discuss the significance of Oct. 27. Among the congregants who spoke with the young adults was Debi Salvin, Dr. Richard Gottfried’s twin sister. In addressing

the small group of nearly 25 people, the New Light congregant said, “I’m Debi Salvin. My brother was one of the 11. The outpouring of love and support means a lot.” Rosa Lynn Pinkus, of Dor Hadash, echoed praise for the students and their work, and said, “I feel like we’re all in this together, like we all have each other’s backs.” Although the tree is unable to be easily transported due to its size, the students presented a banner depicting a replica of their creation. Hal Grinberg, Dor Hadash Religious School principal, thanked the students and pointed out other items displayed near the building’s windows

that were similarly gifted by students and communities from around the world. “I feel that [coming] here and just looking at all those different things in the windows, it’s just incredible how many people had taken their time to create things and donate them here,” said Bell, who was visiting Squirrel Hill for the first time. Aidan Segal, a University of Pittsburgh student and Tree of Life congregant, agreed, noting it was his first time back at the building since Oct. 27. PJC

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

Arielle Levites is the Golda Och Postdoctoral Fellow at Jewish Theological Seminary. She is working on a book about contemporary American Jewish spirituality. This article was originally published in Gleanings, the ejournal of the William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education of the JTS.

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

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Obituaries DAVIS: Rachel Leah Davis (also known as Terry) died peacefully at home in Jerusalem on May 19, after a brief but brave battle with cancer. She was 73. Formerly from Greensburg, PA, and New York City, she fulfilled her dream of living in Israel when she made Aliyah in 2006. With devotion and enthusiasm, Rachel Leah lived a full life dedicated to Torah, charitable giving, learning and helping others fulfill their dreams. She generously supported various efforts to advance Jewish education, to protect the environment and Biblical vision of the land of milk and honey and to encourage all Jews to deepen their connection to Torah and Hashem. She will be dearly missed by her family and every life she touched, especially her children Elisabeth Duffy and husband Sam Chatterton-Kirchmeier, Margot Laksin and husband Jacob Laksin, grandchildren Caleb, Nathan, Sasha and Amaya, mother Phyllis Davis, and siblings Carole Davis, Steven Davis, and Jim and Marilyn Davis. She is preceded in death by her father, Robert Davis. The funeral and burial were held in Jerusalem on the evening of May 19. Donations can be made to the Chabad of Briarcliff-Ossining, https://www.chabad briarcliff.com/, 914-236-3200. May her memory be a blessing to all. LINDER: Robert (Bob) Allen, age 87, died peacefully on Sunday, June 9, 2019. Beloved husband of the late Miriam Grodner Linder. Beloved father of Sandi Linder of Agoura Hills, CA, Mark (Sandra) Linder of New Albany, OH and the late Rochelle Linder. Adoring “Papa” of Nicole and Matthew Solomowitz, Danielle and Marissa Linder. Brother of Ruth Edelstein and the late Sylvia Mason. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Bob earned his degree in accounting from Duquesne University. After serving in the Army, Bob practiced accounting his entire life. He was a member of Temple David

in Monroeville leaving behind many lifelong friends. Services were held at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. Interment Kether Torah Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Riverview Towers, 52 Garetta Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15217. www.schugar.com MARCUS: Dolores Eleanor Marcus (Ackerman), age 91, of Plum, died peacefully in her home on Saturday, June 8, 2019, surrounded by family members. Wife of the late David Marcus; Mother of Bonnie (Steven) Gaynor, Sherri (William) Wise, and Gary Marcus; Grandmother of Lisa Wise, William Wise, III., Rachel Mautino, Brandon Wise, Aaron Marcus, Chanel (Jeremy) Robison, Katie Spencer, Christina (Jason) Voigt, and Robyn Garner; Great Grandmother of 20, whom she adored; also survived by brother Robert Ackerman, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Dolores was preceded in death by great-grandson, John W. Shipley, sisters, Esther Leff, Shirley Bellman, Lenora Yannotti and brother, J. Edward Ackerman. Interment in B’Nai Israel Cemetery. SCHREIBER: Jeffery A. Schreiber, it is with great sadness that Jeff ’s family announces his passing on June 10, 2019. Jeff was 61 when he lost his courageous battle with esophageal cancer. Jeff will be lovingly remembered by his mother, Barbara Schreiber, his sisters, Lorynne Schreiber (Ian Shore) and Deena Nacion (Glenn Nacion). Jeff will also be missed by his niece, Jennifer Nacion, and his nephews, Eric Shore and Josh Shore, as well as by his many friends and fellow chess players. Jeff was predeceased by his father, Sidney Schreiber. Jeff graduated from Churchill Area High School. He studied engineering at Case

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Western Reserve University, the University of Miami and University of Pittsburgh. Jeff was a life-long sports enthusiast who enjoyed baseball, bowling, golf and especially tennis in his younger years. He became an armchair athlete later in life and always knew the latest Steeler, Penguin and Pirate statistics. He also enjoyed collecting stamps and coins. Though Jeff struggled with mental illness for most of his adult life, his life-long passion for chess brought focus and joy into his life. Jeff was an avid and expert chess player for most of his life, frequently competing in tournaments, and always thinking of the next several moves. Jeff ’s family is grateful for the support that Jeff received through the Community Treatment Adult Team at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital as well as the excellent care he received from the Family Hospice Center at Canterbury Place. Services at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., 5509 Centre Avenue, Shadyside on Wednesday at 2 p.m. Visitation one hour prior to services (1 p.m. - 2 p.m.). Interment B’nai Israel Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the Community Treatment Adult Team at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, to the Pittsburgh Chess Club, or to the Beulah Church Support Group Section of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. www.schugar.com VARAT: Dr. Murray A. Varat, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend died peacefully in his home on June 12, 2019, at the age of 82. Born January 5, 1937, Murray served as a military physician in the U.S. Army and then was head

of cardiology and ran the coronary care unit at Montefiore Hospital. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Terry, his children, Benjamin Varat (Deborah), Patrick Nold (Raphaela), and Jessica Varat (Nikolai), his grandchildren, Nathaniel, Jesse, Tassilo, Isidor, and Hatcher. Brother of Jonathan and the late Harvey and Joshua. Graveside service and interment was held at Homewood Cemetery. Shiva will be held out of town. Arrangements entrusted to the Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. www.schugar.com WEIL: Gilbert Weil, age 88, of Pittsburgh, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, June 14, 2019. Survived by his loving wife, Ilene, devoted sons, Dennis (Lorise) and Jay, stepsons, Richard and Robert (Georgina) Jacobson. Son of the late Jonas and Anne. Grandfather of Arnie, Zachary and Nathan. Brother of Charlotte (surviving spouse Sid) Schwimmer, late Greta (late Bill) Williams and late Frayda (late Ted) Century. Also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Graveside service and interment were held at West View Cemetery of Rodef Shalom Congregation. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 320 Bilmar Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., family owned and operated. www.schugar.com PJC

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

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Anonymous ............................................. Frank Kopelson

Sheila Lawrence .....................................Julius Moskovitz

Anonymous ............................................Rose Marcovsky

Bernice & Jack Meyers ............................... Louis Meyers

Anonymous .................................................Rae Solomon

Donald & Janet Moritz .................................. Rose Moritz

Joel Berg ............................................... Regina Goldberg

Irma E. Morris .........................................Mary Segal Eger

Lessa Finegold .........................................Mildred Caplan

Gail Murman.............................................Melvin Murman

Edward M. Goldston ............................Dorothy Goldston

Richard, Mindy, & Logan Stadler ......Fannie S. Hattanzio

Edythe Greenberg .............................. Charles Greenberg

Rosalyn Shapiro ......................................... Irving Shapiro

Falk Kantor ................................................... Louis Kantor

Marcia Sigler ................................................Bessie Sigler

Jan & Edward Korenman ...................... Ruth Kuperstock

Beatrice Taft ........................................... Pearl Tufshinsky

Barbara & Mel Landay & Family .................... Henry Wolk

Sheldon B. Wolk............................................. Henry Wolk

THIS WEEK’S YAHRZEITS — Sunday June 23: Casper Alman, Leah Bloom, Louis Bowytz, Mary Segal Eger, Sadye Klee Gardner, Oscar Green, Sarah Haltman, Rae Kreger Hepps, Rose Kramer, Jack Kenneth Kruman, Shirley F. Levenson, Joseph Pickholtz, Hyman Shapiro, Mollie Silverblatt Monday June 24: Sarah Bass, Benjamin Block, Usher Z. Cohen, William Congress, Suzanne Dolgin, Hyman Elovitz, Louis Fienberg, Ida Leah Hurwick, Cheri Glick Jak, Jessie Levine, Harold B. Levy, Dr. Theodore Lundy, Dorothy Glickman Mandelblatt, Erwin Lawrence Rubenstein Tuesday June 25: Edith S. Adler, Hyman Berkowitz, David J. Cohen, Lawrence Stephen Fisher, Ada Gilles Frank, Herbert S. Goodman, Fannie Griglak, Rae Horovitz, Milton Klein, Rebecca Leff, Sarah Mollie Lewis, Louis Meyers, Harold Middleman, Abraham N. Miller, Rose Morgan, Molly Moskovitz, Rae Rader, Harry Recht, Ben Sussman Wednesday June 26: Rachel Americus, Isadore Becker, Clara Bluestone, Florence Fredericks, Esther Lang Glick, Julius Goldberg, Rose Goldstein, Fannie Goltz, Goldie Graff, Rose Azen Horewitz, David Rosenfield, Libby Silberblatt, Rae Solomon, Phillip Weiss, Morris Zinman Thursday June 27: Howard J. Friedman, Benjamin Horne, Julie Katzman, Minnie Reich, Ida S. Segal, Nathan Shaer, Ethel Silver, Irene Feldman Weiss Friday June 28: Dr. Fredrick Amshel, Nathan Baum, Frank Bennett, Della B. Berman, Marine Private Alan Bernstein, Sarah Bernice Fine, Judith Friedberg, Ida S. Frieman, Samuel Gordon, Milton Samuel Horowitz, Morris I. Lieberman, Isaac Lincoff, Janet Gutkowska Mirow, Sara Pollack, Barney Snyder, Bertha Weinberg Saturday June 29: Norman L. Berger, Louis Cohen, Hyman Danovitz, Hattie Kaufman, Dr. J. Kalman Leon, Emanuel Samuel Levin, Miriam Levin, David Levine, Esther Levine, Julius Moskovitz, Ruth Perlmutter, Fred Rosen, John J. Roth, Louis Siskind, Clara S. Sniderman, Mollie Weiss

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JUNE 21, 2019 25

Community Pirates win World Series p The Pirates beat the Angels in a best of three contest to win Squirrel Hill Baseball’s Division 3 World Series. Games were held at Stan Lederman Field at Frick Park.

Photo courtesy of Squirrel Hill Baseball

Rockies take it all

Takin’ it to the streets with cookies

p Players and coaches from the Colorado Rockies and Minnesota Twins gather after Game 3 of Squirrel Hill Baseball’s Division 2 World Series. The Rockies bested the Twins two games to one in the three game series.

Photo courtesy of Squirrel Hill Baseball

Science can be festive

t Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh ninth-grader Gabe Small explains his STEMFEST project to curious seventh-graders Nate Itzkowitz and Noam Azagury.

Photo by Micki Myers

p Bend the Arc Teens took to the streets to demand action on gun reform. With cookies as incentives, the teens told passersby to call their senators and congresspeople to ask for action to reduce gun violence. From left: Simone Rothstein, Daniella Shear, Maya Hochheiser, Elena Mayo and Ada Perlman. Photo courtesy of Beth Kissileff

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Community Macher and Shaker

Honored at Rodef Shalom t Marla Perlman was honored along with Colleen Wolfson at the Rodef Shalom brunch for the Women of Rodef on June 2. Front row, from left: Susannah Perlman, Marla Perlman and Ada Perlman. Back row, from left: Marla’s grandson and Repair the World fellow Josh Hoffman, Beth Kissileff Perlman and Rabbi Jonathan Perlman of New Light Congregation.

Photo courtesy of Beth Kissileff

Ed Frim, former executive director of Pittsburgh’s Agency for Jewish Learning, has been named Head Of School at MetroWest Jewish Day School MWJDS in Framingham, Massachusetts. Frim has spent more than 30 years in the world of Jewish education. Frim begins his post at MWJDS July 1.

Zone 5 Open House

Coming together for food, fun and service

p Barry Werber, of New Light Congregation, joined officers from the Pittsburgh Police Department at the Zone 5 Open House on June 8. The family oriented event attended by Mayor Bill Peduto featured music, face painting, a dunk tank and opportunity to play chess with Officer David Shifren. Photo courtesy of Barry Werber

Pomp, Circumstance and Smiles

p Harold Caplan, left, and Roland Venderland were among those from Dor Hadash and New Light congregations who joined together for a communal potluck and Havdalah service on June 16 at Rodef Shalom Congregation. The event allowed attendees to fraternize and enjoy a dinner with dairy and pareve options. Photos by Barry Werber

t Jacob Notovitz enjoyed the get-together.

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p The Hillel Academy Boy’s High School Class of 2019 gathered for a quick graduation day photo. The class includes, from left, Sammy Balyasny, Isaac Brown, Yoshi Mahoney, Shua Ben-Lapid, Yaakov Brown and Yermi VanSickle. Photo by Micki Myers

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KOSHER MEATS

• All-natural, corn-fed beef — steaks, roasts, ground beef and more • Variety of deli meats and franks • All-natural poultry — whole chickens, breasts, wings and more Available at select Giant Eagle stores. Visit GiantEagle.com for location information.

Alle Kosher 80% Lean Fresh Ground Beef

99 lb.

Price effective Thursday, June 20 through Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Available at 18AD33745_PJC_0620.indd 1

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and PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

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