Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle 3-15-19

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March 15, 2019 | 8 Adar II 5779

Candlelighting 7:09 p.m. | Havdalah 8:08 p.m. | Vol. 62, No. 11 | pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

NOTEWORTHY LOCAL Processing tragedy through art

Subsidized Israel trip helps build community for interfaith couples

Pirates ‘Booster’ makes fan experience top priority

‘Weeping’ Tree of Life presented to victims and first responders by Jewish artist.

Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

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others in a similar situation and to think about what role Judaism will play in their lives going forward.

“This is not necessarily something you are thinking about before you get married,” Hyde said, adding that it was reassuring to hear the stories of others facing the same sorts of dilemmas.

The Jewish Community Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and the national Honeymoon Israel organization helped fund the trip. The trip subsidy is more than $7,500 per couple, according to Adam Hertzman, the Federation’s director of marketing, bringing the out-of-pocket cost for each couple to just $2,500.

To be eligible to apply for the trip, couples must be between the ages of 25 and 40; if married, they must be within the first five years of marriage; at least one partner must be Jewish, with “Jewish” being “broadly defined”; and at least one partner must have

ike Roteman loves baseball. To do what he does on a daily basis — for free — he’s got to love the game. During spring training, which this year runs between Feb. 11 and March 23, Roteman and his 181 fellow volunteers will work seven days a week in Bradenton, Florida, as Bradenton Boosters, ensuring optimal fan experiences at Pirate City and LECOM Park.

There are a lot of tricks to making sure someone has a great day at the park, explained Roteman, a Mt. Lebanon resident who winters in Florida. If somebody comes to a game wearing a Duquesne University T-shirt or a Slippery Rock hat, “I will kibbitz with them,” or if someone needs help finding a seat, Roteman or other volunteers guide the way. Other booster practices include giving foul balls to kids or helping guests get pictures with players.

“We volunteer because we love baseball. We love working with the fans. It has nothing to do with pay. We do not accept tips,” he said.

Roteman, 72, has participated with the Bradenton Boosters, a Pittsburgh Pirates spring training fixture since 1969, for almost a decade. Whereas other major league baseball teams employ paid ushers, greeters, program sellers or the like, the Pirates have been relying on the boosters to fill these tasks for nearly half a century.

“We continue to volunteer, which saves the Pirates a lot of money, and it’s very fulfilling to the Boosters. We all love doing what we do.”

Most days, Roteman and the Boosters arrive at Pirate City or LECOM Park around 9 a.m. and stay until 4:30. Breakfast, which typically consists of juice, coffee and donuts,

Please see Honeymoon, page 20

Please see Baseball, page 20

Page 2 LOCAL Creating change from within

National organization Sacred Spaces takes on institutional abuse.

 Honeymoon Israel participants gather for a group photo after a ceremony remembering victims of terror.

Photo courtesy of Marissa Weisblatt/ Pittsburgh Director of Community Engagement/ Honeymoon Israel/Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh

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By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

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Famous photographers

Man Ray, Kertész, Brassaï featured.

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ynn Hyde is still unsure whether she wants to convert to Judaism, but after returning from a heavily subsidized 10-day trip to Israel with her fiancé and 19 other local couples, she nonetheless feels more like she is a part of the Jewish community.

Hyde and her fiancé, Jeremy Burton, were members of Pittsburgh’s first cohort on Honeymoon Israel, a sort of Birthright for couples with at least one Jewish partner.

The trips to the Jewish state have no specific agenda, according to organizers, but aim to spark conversations about forming a Jewish family and to build community.

Hyde was raised in a Christian household and Burton is Jewish, and the couple is planning an August 2019 wedding. Pittsburgh’s inaugural Honeymoon Israel trip, which ran from Nov. 11 to Dec. 9, 2018, seemed like a perfect opportunity for the couple to meet

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LOCAL Chevra kadishas fill a vital need

NATIONAL Ocasio-Cortez fires at AIPAC

WORLD Secret history of Israeli equalizer

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Headlines ‘Weeping’ Tree of Life painting brings comfort to victims — LOCAL —

By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

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ince Oct. 27, survivors and families of the victims of the anti-Semitic attack at the Tree of Life synagogue building have been showered with loving words, actions and items of comfort from people all over the world.

And those gestures have helped the survivors and families to heal.

“I get to a point where I think I can’t see a way to be more appreciative, but there is a bottomless cup of kindness that keeps filling itself and overflowing,” remarked Dan Leger at an event last week during which Rabbi Me’irah Iliinsky of San Francisco presented him and others with prints of her commemorative painting “The Tree of Life Is Weeping.”

Leger, a nurse and UPMC chaplain, was shot during the attack and suffered serious injuries. He is on the road to recovery, and recently started back to work at UPMC parttime.

Iliinksy uses art to enrich her rabbinate, and is the author of the illustrated book “Mapping the Journey: The Mourner & The Soul.” Prior to the massacre, she was already tapped to speak in Pittsburgh at the New Community Chevra Kadisha’s annual dinner on March 10. After creating a masterful painting in commemoration of the devastation here, Iliinksy decided to share her work with the community that inspired it.

At an event held on March 8 at Jewish Family and Community Services, Iliinksy donated her original gouache painting to JFCS, and presented framed prints to representatives of Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha, New Light and Dor

p Rabbi Me’irah Iliinsky presents a framed print of “The Tree of Life is Photo by Toby Tabachnick Weeping” to the Pittsburgh Police.

p ‘The Tree of Life is Weeping’

Artwork by Rabbi Me’ira Iliinsky

Hadash congregations, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, the victims’ families, the survivors and the injured police officers.

Iliinsky described the inspiration for the painting, which depicts a crying yet sturdy Tree of Life, flanked by a gazelle and the Lion of Judah.

“When I heard the events of October 27, far away in San Francisco, like millions of people around the world, I was shocked, horrified, grieving, frightened, unbelieving,”

Iliinksy said. “The dissonance between coldblooded murder and the symbolism of the Tree of Life was something I couldn’t put together in my mind.”

The Tree of Life, she continued, “is a symbol of harmony, or diversity of life — all kinds of life — thriving together in peace. I was obsessed, and my heart ached.”

On Oct. 30, Iliinksy had a vision “of the Please see Painting, page 24

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Headlines Chevra kadisha program offers insight — LOCAL —

By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

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or nearly a century, members of the chevra kadisha have tended to Pittsburgh’s dead. Notices in The Jewish Criterion, dating back to the 1920s, denote various synagogue groups and officers dedicated to the task. Today, two entities fulfill the charge: Gesher Hachaim Jewish Burial Society and The New Community Chevra Kadisha of Greater Pittsburgh.

Representatives of both described the “holy work” of Jewish burial during a March 10 program at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh. Titled “Out of the Shadows and Into the Heart,” the event featured comments from Rabbi Daniel Wasserman, Stefanie Small and Dan Leger.

In the days following the Oct. 27 murder of 11 Jews inside the Tree of Life synagogue building, members of the media explored the efforts of a chevra kadisha, explained Wasserman, spiritual leader of Shaare Torah Congregation. While much of Jewish burial is shrouded in silence due to respect for the deceased, last week’s program provided a chance to better understand the vital work of chevra kadishas.

For her part, having grown up in a household where both of her parents regularly

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p Dan Leger (left), Rabbi Daniel Wasserman and Stefanie Small shared thoughts on the value of a chevra kadisha.

Photo by Adam Reinherz

performed the act of accompanying the Jewish dead, Stefanie Small volunteered to join Gesher Hachaim shortly after she arrived in Pittsburgh.

“A chevra kadisha was just something that was always a part of my life in some form or another and something my family did,” said Small.

Through her teachers Mimi Maizlech, Naomi Balaban and Ann Greathouse,

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Small discovered the exacting nature of serving the departed.

“Doing a taharah is a physical and emotional event,” she said of the process of preparing a body. “The room is quiet as we try to be respectful of the person we are helping on this last part of their journey. We uncover and cover, and wash and clean, and pour and dry, and dress and tie and accompany. There is lifting and turning and movement and

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placement. There are words that we say and forgiveness that we ask. There’s a lot of water and I always get soaked.”

For those interested in aiding the process, there is a place for everyone, she added.

“Some people might think that they can’t do it, and there is no role for them. There is always a role. Years ago, I broke my foot. I was not supposed to do the activities that a taharah requires. I could not do the washing, but I could help with the preparation, the laying out of shrouds and of course the reading. There is always a role.”

Nurse Dan Leger, the founder of a pediatric hospice and co-founder of NCCK, agreed.

“I have been with babies as they’ve been born. I have been with hundreds of people as they have died. It just seems logical to me that as people have to leave this world, they shouldn’t leave it alone — they need to be accompanied through this. So the act of midwifery both at the beginning of life and at the end of life is something that is integral to being human as well as being Jewish,” he said.

In 2004, Leger, Malke Frank and Pat Cluss co-founded NCCK after realizing members of the community required an alternative to the Orthodox Gesher Hachaim.

“There were people who need this accompaniment who would not have participated in it because they felt removed from the Please see Chevra, page 24

Temple AATemple SinaiSinai Purim Shpiel Purim Shpiel

Wednesday, March 20, 6:30 PM Saturday, March 30 • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

3rd Annual GREAT LATKE-HAMANTASH DEBATE

UPMC’s IBD U.N.I.T.E. program will provide a full day of education and support for patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and loved ones.

DoubleTree Monroeville DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh Monroeville Convention Center 101 Mall Blvd., Monroeville, PA 15146 (412) 373-7300

Wednesday, March 20, 7:45 PM

Our esteemed panelists will debate the merits of the latke or hamantash to determine the winner. Hilarity is guaranteed!

Dr. Nancy Berk•Dr. Jared L. Cohon•Daniel Gilman Rabbi Sara Perman•Toby Tabachnick FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 5505 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 (412) 421-9715•www.TempleSinaiPGH.org

Admission is free, but all attendees must pre-register

by Wednesday, March 20.

To learn more, visit UPMC.com/IBDUnite.

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Contact Judy Rulin Mahan at Judy@TempleSinaiPGH.org or (412) 421-9715 ext. 110 with questions.

Temple Sinai is an inclusive community that embraces, supports, and values all people, regardless of ability or needs, to participate in every aspect of our Reform Jewish synagogue life. For more information or to request an accommodation, contact Judy Rulin Mahan at (412) 421-9715 ext. 110 or Judy@TempleSinaiPGH.org.

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Headlines Pittsburgh-based nonprofit addressing abuse in Jewish institutions — LOCAL —

By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

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he abuse of power in organizational settings is certainly not a phenomenon unique to Jewish institutions, but neither are Jewish institutions immune from it.

Now a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit startup, Sacred Spaces, is working to help Jewish organizations around the country implement preventative policies as well as protocols to address such inappropriate behavior should it occur.

Especially since the launch of the #MeToo movement, many constituents of Jewish organizations have outed accused sexual predators and other power abusers who were, up until that point, widely respected leaders, including sociologist Steven M. Cohen, philanthropist Michael Steinhardt and Jewish camp director Len Robinson.

Abuse of power has been an issue locally, too. In 2017, for example, Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh dismissed a teacher amid accusations of sexually abusing children.

“We know this is an issue,” said Sacred Spaces founder and CEO Shira Berkovits, an attorney and behavioral psychologist. “We

p Ilene Rinn, left, and Shira Berkovits

Photo by Toby Tabachnick

have research to show this is occurring. If you open the paper you know. What if instead of being reactive to this, we could get institutions to proactively address this issue?”

Berkovits established her nonprofit in New York in 2016. When her husband took a job at UPMC in 2017, the couple moved to Pittsburgh, and Sacred Spaces opened its office within Beth Shalom

Congregation a few months ago. Berkovits is working with COO Ilene Rinn, whom she credits with helping the organization gain national attention.

The abuse of power Sacred Spaces focuses on is often sexual in nature, but can take other forms, including physical or emotional abuse.

“The goal is to create Jewish institutions

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Beth Shalom Speaker Series 5779 Idra Novey, Those Who Knew

Idra Novey

When a young woman ends up dead, Lena must revisit her fraught history with the senator she suspects of the crime. A taut, timely novel about a powerful politician and the group of misfits who finally bring him down.

Sunday, March 24! at Congregation Beth Shalom At 10:00 AM - Idra Novey will speak about her novel, Those Who Knew. This event is free and open to the public. A book signing will follow.

RSVPs or questions to derekhcbs@gmail.com

Congregation Beth Shalom 5915 Beacon Street Pittsburgh, PA 15217 412.421.2288 • www.bethshalompgh.org

that are sacred spaces,” she explained. “And part of that is making sure they are healthy and built in a way to prevent these abuses of power and to ensure there is a system to respond properly to an abuse of power.”

Many institutions, when faced with an abuse of power issue, end up “scrambling” to figure out how to deal with it because they have no protocol or policy in place, Berkovits said. That often leads to a split in the community, with some members defending the accused perpetrator and some defending the victim.

“This doesn’t have to be so complicated, or so sensational or controversial,” she said.

Instituting policies “deeply tailored to the programmatic realities of the institution” can help avoid or address a crisis.

That policy can include specifying protocols for hiring, transportation or even when a rabbi or other person in a position of authority can meet alone with a congregant. The policy should also include response protocol, “so that if something happens, you are really prepared,” Berkovits said. “The weakest part of most policies is on the response protocol. They typically say things like, ‘If something happens we commit to addressing it immediately up to Please see Spaces, page 21

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Calendar q TUESDAY, APRIL 9 The Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh will present The Numbers Keep Changing: Poems and Paintings

by Judith R. Robinson at 7 p.m. at the Holocaust Center, 826 Hazelwood Ave. As a Jew born during World War II, Robinson has always been conscious of how easily her life might have been different if she had not been born in the United States. For that reason, the Holocaust became a subject of study and identity for her. Anti-Semitism and the enormity of loss it created and continues to create led Robinson to address these themes in multiple media. Poetry and painting weave together to interpret a shared history. Robinson will read her poetry alongside corresponding paintings that will be on display at the Center through April. This event is free and open to the public. Visit hcofpgh. org/judy-robinson for more information. >> 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.

is open to the public. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Visit oswp.org for more information about the event schedule.

Contact Sheila Nathanson at 412-343-9457 or Gary VanGelder 412-638-9756 for eventrelated questions.

q THROUGH SUNDAY, MARCH 17

q SUNDAY, MARCH 17

Film Pittsburgh announces the full lineup for the 26th Annual JFilm Festival — 11 days of international Jewish-themed films, guest speakers, and visiting filmmakers. This year, the Festival returns to SouthSide Works Cinema. The lineup features 21 narrative and documentary films from 11 countries, all of which are Pittsburgh premieres — including the world premiere of “Back to Maracanã.”

To purchase tickets and view schedule information, visit FilmPittsburgh.org.

Temple Sinai will hold a family Purim carnival with games, food and prizes from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The cost is $10 and free for children 3 and under; children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. There will be costume contests with prizes for the best Purim-related costume and most creative costume and family kite design competition inspired by the Mary Poppins Purim Shpiel. Decorate a kite to adorn the shpiel stage with prizes for the most creative kites. Contact Debbie Haber at 412-421-7039 or DHaber@TempleSinaiPGH.org for more information or visit templesinaipgh.org/ family-purim-carnival.

q SATURDAY-SUNDAY MARCH 16-17 A Revival of “Hadassah, A Persian Musical,” including a new song and all-new staging will be held at the Jewish Community Center, Katz Theater. This is a “Hamilton”-themed community Purim Shpiel to stand up to hate and collectively increase the community’s joy. Tickets are on sale at HadassahRevival.

Eventbrite.com — and ticket sales benefit Tree of Life * Or L’Simcha, New Light, Dor Hadash and the JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry. q SATURDAY, MARCH 16 Temple Sinai will hold an adult Purim carnival with games, prizes, trivia, food and adult drinks from 7 to 10 p.m. The best costume will win a Hidden Harbor gift card. The cost is $18. Register in your Temple Sinai account or RSVP to Rebekah Malkin at Rebekah@ TempleSinaiPGH.org or 412-421-9715, ext.

121. (Must be 21 or over — ID required.) Visit templesinaipgh.org/adult-purim-carnival-0 for more information.

Beth El Congregation will hold a Casino Night from 7:30 to 11 p.m., starting with dinner and live music followed by games. The cost is $40 per person. Enjoy a 50/50 raffle, prizes and silent auction. Visit bethelcong.org or call 412561-1168 by March 10 to RSVP and for more information. q SATURDAY, SUNDAY MARCH 16-17 The Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania will hold its annual orchid show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday at The Artsmiths of Pittsburgh, 1635 McFarland Road in Mt. Lebanon. The show

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The South Hills Jewish community will kick off Purim at the South Hills Jewish Community Center with activities, food and lunch from 12:15 to 2:30 p.m. Lunch and admission are free with games and activities at an additional cost. Unlimited game bracelets are available for $8 through Sunday, March 10 at the South Hills JCC and online.

Beginning March 11, bracelets will be $10 (at the JCC, online or at the Carnival). Register for the Carnival and purchase your all-youcan-play bracelets at jccpgh.formstack. com/forms/shpurimcarnival. Bracelets will be available for pickup the day of the Purim Carnival at a special Will Call window. When registering, purchase the number of bracelets you would like as well as indicate the total number of people coming. All attending will need to be registered to receive a ticket for lunch. Visit southhillsjewishpittsburgh.org/ purim19 for more information.

The Jewish and Sikh Community Gathering: Stronger Together will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Pittsburgh Sikh Gurudwara.

Experience the opportunity to share prayer, food, reflections and solidarity with Sikh and Jewish brothers and sisters. Visit jewishpgh. org/event/jewish-and-sikh-communitygathering for more information and to register.

program will consist of a panel discussion and Q&A followed by a reception at 8 p.m. The program is free and open to the community.

Registration at eventbrite.com/e/symposiumon-anti-semitism-and-the-first-amendmenttickets-56020170839 is appreciated, but tickets are not necessary.

Pasta making at Moishe House from 7 to 9 p.m. Moishe House events are for young adults ages 22-32. Contact moishehousepgh@gmail.com for more information. q TUESDAY, MARCH 19

Mary Poppins: A Temple Sinai Purim Shpiel will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Can you imagine that? A Purim that’s practically perfect in every way. Attend for a Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious retelling of the story of Esther. The program is free and open to the public. Visit templesinaipgh.org/ mary-poppins-temple-sinai-purim-shpiel for more information.

Young Peoples Synagogue’s Purim party will be held at 7 p.m., beginning with the Megillah reading followed by a kosher Purim feast.

Costumes are optional. Pay what you wish.

Call 412-421-3213 by March 13 to RSVP and for more information and location.

Chabad of the South Hills will hold a pre-Purim lunch for seniors at noon at 1701 McFarland Road, including hamantaschen and a musical Purim program.

Call 412-278-2658 to preregister and visit chabadsh.com for more information.

There is a $5 suggested donation.

Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Security Director Brad Orsini will provide hands-on training with UPMC trauma surgeons from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Stop the Bleed is a national awareness campaign and callto-action intended to cultivate grassroots efforts that encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives. There is no charge. Visit jewishpgh.org/event/stop-the-bleed-training for more information and to register.

Ashton Applewhite, a voice in an emerging movement dedicated to dismantling ageism and making age a criterion for diversity, will be the Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures speaker at 7 p.m. at the Carnegie Library Lecture Hall, 4400 Forbes Ave. There is a $10 charge.

Applewhite is the author of “This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism.”

Visit pittsburghlectures.org/lectures/ ashton-applewhite for more information.

Registration for Good Deeds Day, April 7, an international celebration of doing good, closes March 19. Visit jewishpgh.org/ good-deeds-day for more information and to register. q WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20 The Squirrel Hill AARP Chapter will hold a meeting in the Falk Library, second floor at Rodef Shalom Congregation, at 1 p.m. The chapter nominating committee will present its slate of officers to the membership for approval. Marsha Stern will give a health report on the importance of home safety and Barry Werber will give a legislative report. Naomi Herman, creator of the blog themindfulfiles. blogspot.com, will address the topic of the Responsibility of Living and Leaving for organizing important information for families.

If Pittsburgh Public Schools are closed due to inclement weather the meeting will be canceled. Refreshments will be served following the meeting. Contact Marcia Kramer at 412-7313338 for more information.

q MONDAY, MARCH 18

South Hills Purim at the Castle: Party like it’s 357 BCE at the Court of Beth El from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Make your own Purim costume accessories, dinner, activities and Megillah reading. There is no charge. Visit bethelcong.org/events/ purim-party for more information and to RSVP.

A symposium on the intersection of antiSemitism and the First Amendment’s Free Speech Clause will be held in the Duquesne University Union Ballroom at 6:30 p.m. The

Rodef Shalom and Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha congregations will hold a Purim dinner catered by Colleen Wolfson from 6 to 7 p.m. in Freehof Hall at Rodef Shalom. The cost

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is $18 for members, $36 for nonmembers, $10 for kids 12 years old and under, and free for kids 3 years old and under. Note dietary restrictions when you RSVP at rodefshalom.org/RSVP.

Megillah reading and bar outing with Moishe House from 7 to 10 p.m. at Congregation Beth Shalom. Moishe House events are for young adults ages 22-32.

Contact moishehousepgh@gmail.com for more information.

Temple Sinai will hold the Great LatkeHamantash Debate from 7:45 to 9 p.m.

Panelists will debate the merits of the latke or hamantash to determine which is the best.

Free and open to the public. Panelists are Nancy Berk, Jared L. Cohon, Daniel Gilman, Rabbi Sara Perman and Toby Tabachnick.

There is no charge and the event is open to the community. Visit templesinaipgh.org/ great-latke-hamantash-debate-0 for more information. q THURSDAY, MARCH 21 Chabad of the South Hills and South Hills Jewish Pittsburgh are co-sponsoring Purim in the ‘Burgh, Celebrating Pittsburgh Pride at the South Hills JCC, 345 Kane Blvd. with the Megillah reading at 4:30 p.m., activities beginning at 5 p.m. and dinner at 5:45 p.m.

The cost is $10 per individual and $18 per family. Contact Mussie@chabadsh.com or 412-344-2424 or visit chabadsh.com/Purim for more information and to RSVP before March 7.

Kesser Torah Grand Purim Seudah will be held at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh beginning with the Megillah reading at 4:45 p.m., and the grand Purim seudah at 5 p.m. with activities for the family. Grilliance will provide dinner. The cost is $18 per adult and $10 per child. Visit paypal.me/KetherTorah to RSVP

by March 10 and specify Purim Seudah. Your payment is your reservation. Contact Rabbi Yossi Capland at 502-807-7004 for more information.

Chabad of Pittsburgh will hold Purim Fest at Dave & Buster’s at the Waterfront from 5 to 8 p.m. and will include the Megillah reading, arcade and dinner. The cost is $15 for adults and $10 for children. Visit chabadpgh.com/ purimfest for more information and to RSVP. q THURSDAY-FRIDAY,

MARCH 21-APRIL 12

WorkLaunch, a series of work readiness events held each spring by JFCS Career Development Center in partnership with Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, provides offerings to meet the needs of the changing regional workforce. This year events will take place at the main branch of the Carnegie Library in Oakland. WorkLaunch helps Please see Calendar, page 7

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7 LOCAL

Calendar Calendar: Continued from page 6

moishehousepgh@ gmail.com for more information.

job seekers in Allegheny County gain access to workforce-related information and connect to employers and resources in the area. The series will culminate in a Career & Community Resource Fair and the opportunity to connect with more than 20 area employers and community resource organizations. Visit jfcspgh. org/?s=worklaunch&submit=Go for more information and jfcspgh.org/events to check out the scheduled programs on the calendar.

The North American Grinspoon Awards for Excellence in Jewish Education celebrate educators who teach with distinction. The award celebrates successful innovation in Jewish education. Nominations for the Grinspoon Award 2019 Outstanding Day School Jewish Educator must be submitted

by March 26 for review by the selection committee. Contact Carolyn Linder at clinder@jfedpgh.org for more information or visit research.net/r/Grinspoon.

q SATURDAY, MARCH 23

q TUESDAY-THURSDAY, MARCH 26-28

Shalom Pittsburgh of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh will hold its Young Adult Purim Party from 9 p.m. until midnight.

Visit shalompittsburgh.org/event/jfed-youngadult-purim-party for more information and to RSVP.

Performances of the play “Wiesenthal (Nazi Hunter)” written by and starring Tom Dugan will be held at the August Wilson Center, 980 Liberty Ave. Simon Wiesenthal, a Holocaust survivor, was responsible for bringing more than 1,100 Nazi war criminals to justice. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Tree of Life. Visit trustarts.org or contact 412-4566666 for tickets and more information.

Party bus to Shalom Pittsburgh Purim party at Capital Cathedral. Moishe House events are for young adults ages 22-32. Contact moishehousepgh@gmail.com for more information. q SUNDAY, MARCH 24 Congregation Beth Shalom’s Derekh Speaker Series will host Idra Novey, author of “Those Who Knew,” at 10 a.m. as part of a series of talks by authors from across the country made available through the Jewish Book Council. There will be a book sale and author signing at the end. Visit bethshalompgh.org/speakerseries for more information.

The Tikkun Olam Center of Temple Sinai and Ceasefire PA will hold an event, Squirrel Hill Stands Against Gun Violence, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Temple Sinai to introduce this new organization to the community and to present a workshop, led by Rob Conroy of Ceasefire PA, on the legislative path to ending gun violence. Visit squirrelhillstandsagainstgunviolence.org or squirrelhillstandsagainstgunviolence.org/ events-1 for more information.

Sisterhood Movie Night at Rodef Shalom Congregation will screen the film “Heading Home: The Tale of Team Israel,” which charts Israel’s national baseball team as it competed for the first time in the World Baseball Classic in 2017. The film will be shown at 7:30 p.m. in Levy Hall and is free and open to the community. Visit rodefshalom.org for more information.

q WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27 The Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh’s next Generations Speaker Series guest will be Susan Hawkins, the daughter of survivors from Hungary and Ukraine. She will tell her parents’ story of loss and survival through concentration camps, hiding and emigration.

She will also discuss her own recent journey of traveling back to Hungary and Ukraine years later, and retracing some of the places where her family lived. The program begins at 7 p.m. at 826 Hazelwood Ave. Visit hcofpgh. org/generations-speaker-series for more information. q THURSDAY, MARCH 28 The Jewish Association on Aging’s Amy Dukes, director of memory care operations, will present “Healthy Living for the Brain & Body” at 7 p.m. at the South Hills Jewish Community Center. There is no charge. Visit southhillsjewishpittsburgh.org/healthy for more information. q SATURDAY, MARCH 30

q MONDAY, MARCH 25

The Great Temple Sinai Bake Off will have seven of the best Temple Sinai bakers compete for the winning spot. Sample the creations and vote for “The People’s Choice” winner from 6 to 9 p.m. The $20 charge will include appetizers, dessert, two drinks and the competition.

RSVP to Kate Passarelli at klpassarelli@ verizon.net by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26.

Visit templesinaipgh.org/BakeOff for more information.

Music at Rodef Shalom presents Violin and Dance, with Attack Theatre dancers at 8 p.m. with dance music by Bach, De Falla and Sarasate, Sonata in D Minor by Brahms, and pieces by Ernest Bloch, in addition to Amy Beach for violin and piano. Roy Sonne is the featured violinist with Yeeha Chiu playing piano. Visit rodefshalom.org for more information.

Havdalah Music Share at Moishe House from 8 to 10 p.m. Bring your ukulele, clarinet or just your vocal cords, and get ready for a musical night of singing and community. We will have some songbooks and suggestions, but feel free to teach us your favorite song or melody.

Moishe House events are for young adults ages 22-32. Contact moishehousepgh@ gmail.com for more information.

q TUESDAY, MARCH 26

q SUNDAY, MARCH 31

Game Night at Moishe House from 7 to 9 p.m. Showcase your artistic abilities with Pictionary, take over the world of Catan or claim your Scrabble championship title. As always, feel free to bring your own games to teach others. Moishe House events are for young adults ages 22-32. Contact

Temple Emanuel invites previous and newly bereaved adults to its Bereavement Support Group on at 10 a.m. All are welcome to attend. Contact the Temple office with questions at 412-279-7600.

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q THURSDAY, APRIL 4 Shalom Pittsburgh will hold a Young Adult Passover Cooking Demo from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Visit jewishpgh.org/event/yad-event-3 for more information and to register. q WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3 The Jewish National Fund’s Breakfast for Israel will feature Ethan Zohn, an inspirational speaker and winner of “Survivor: Africa,” from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Rodef Shalom Congregation.

Zohn is a cancer survivor and Israel advocate.

He attributes his victory on “Survivor” to his strong Jewish values. Zohn played professional soccer in Hawaii, Cape Cod and Zimbabwe, and co-founded Grassroot Soccer, a nonprofit that combats HIV/AIDS in developing countries. There is no charge.

RSVP by March 21 at jnf.org/wpabfi. q SATURDAY, APRIL 6 Temple David will hold a Mystery Dinner Theater and Auction from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

Travel back to the groovy ‘70s when Jack, Chrissy and Janet struggle to evade their nosy landlord and murder. Tickets are $36 for dinner, show and one wine or beer. Additional beverages will be available for purchase. Be sure to come dressed to impress in your best ’70s attire. RSVP to jessicar@templedavid.org or call 412-229-7395 by March 22. q SUNDAY, APRIL 7 Congregation Beth Shalom’s Sisterhood 2019 Torah Fund Brunch at 10 a.m. will be honoring Benita “Bunny” Morris, a lifetime board member who has served on numerous committees, and she and her family have been with the shul for generations. There is a $20 charge. Visit bethshalompgh.org/eventsupcoming for more information.

Take a walk through the Haggadah with Rabbi Don and enjoy great Passover desserts and recipes with Fran Rossoff at 10:30 a.m.

The Rossoffs will lead a Passover-themed discussion at Temple Emanuel. Contact the Temple office at 412-279-7600 or templeemanuel@templeemanuelpgh.org for more information and to register. q TUESDAY, APRIL 9 Chabad of the South Hills will hold a prePassover lunch for seniors with a holiday program and model seder. The building is wheelchair accessible. There is a $5 suggested donation. Contact 412-278-2658 or barb@chabadsh.com to preregister. q THURSDAY, APRIL 11 The dedication of Krause Commons Apartments, the new location of the Sally

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

and Howard Levin Clubhouse and Jewish Residential Services, will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. at 2609/2615 Murray Ave. Contact Alison Karabin at JRS at 412-325-0039 or akarabin@jrspgh.org.

Rabbi Don Rossoff will discuss understanding the Haggadah before your Passover seder at 7:30 p.m. at Temple Emanuel. Contact the Temple office at 412-279-7600 or templeemanuel@ templeemanuelpgh.org for more information and to register. q SUNDAY, APRIL 14 The Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh will present Chana Brody for the Generations Speaker Series at 10 a.m. at Adat Shalom, 368 Guys Run Road in Cheswick. Born in the Czech Republic, Chana and her parents, Ann and William Jakubovic, immigrated to the United States in 1969. Brody feels that there is no better way to honor her parents’ memory than to tell their story. This event is free and will include a light breakfast, but registration is required; no walk-ins will be allowed. Visit hcofpgh.org/generationsspeaker-series/ for more information and to register.

Rabbi Don Rossoff of Temple Emanuel will present part 3 of his Jewish Life Cycle adult education series at 10:30 a.m. Topics will be illness, death and mourning. Contact the Temple office at 412-279-7600 or templeemanuel@templeemanuelpgh.org for more information and to RSVP. Hillel Jewish University Center will present Campus Superstar 2019 at 5:30 p.m. at Stage AE. Visit campussuperstar.org for more information. q THROUGH SATURDAY, APRIL 27 The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s traveling exhibition Deadly Medicine: Creating the Master Race will be at the Heritage Discovery Center in Johnstown.

The exhibition examines how the Nazi leadership, in collaboration with individuals in professions traditionally charged with healing and the public good, used science to help legitimize persecution, murder and ultimately, genocide. Admission to the entire Heritage Discovery Center will be free every Saturday during the exhibition in order to maximize the number of people who see it.

Visit jaha.org for more information. PJC

MARCH 15, 2019 7

8 WORLD

Headlines Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says, wrongly, that AIPAC is coming after her — NATIONAL —

By Ron Kampeas | JTA

W

ASHINGTON — “It’s official,” says the fundraising appeal from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), the freshman lawmaker who has become the flagbearer for the Democratic Party’s restive progressive wing. “AIPAC is coming after Alexandria, Ilhan, and Rashida.”

Not only is it not official, it’s not true.

The release starts by quoting an “AIPAC activist” threatening the political careers of Ocasio-Cortez and her first-year Democratic colleagues, Reps. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota.

The quote, saying they are “three people who, in my opinion, will not be around in several years,” was taken from a recent article in The New York Times exploring the political clout of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

Except the “AIPAC activist” quoted, Stephen Fiske of Florida, confirmed in a separate interview that he has not been associated with the pro-Israel lobbying group for several years. The hardball he counsels in dealing with those who depart from centrist pro-Israel orthodoxies is not the style of the lobby, which discourages alienating safe incumbents.

The error is emblematic of the misconceptions that first helped spur the controversy leading up to Ocasio-Cortez’s fundraising pitch, which was posted March 7 on Twitter

by Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs.

Fiske’s role as the chairman of a pro-Israel political action committee — unaffiliated with AIPAC, which is not a PAC — was the centerpiece of The Times article and seemed to confirm what AIPAC’s critics, including Omar, refer to as its hardball tactics. Omar has been at the center of a firestorm over Israel and anti-Semitism, fueled in part by a recent tweet charging that big spending

by AIPAC had bought congressional support for Israel.

The Times article got much right about how AIPAC operates: The lobby itself does not fund campaigns. Instead its members are expected to give to campaigns, and get perks (invitations to exclusive briefings, a chance to introduce their lawmaker as a speaker, more illustrious tags at conferences) if they are especially generous. They also are expected to cultivate close relationships with their lawmakers, volunteer for them and above all to lobby them.

But by making Fiske the poster boy for AIPAC, The Times perpetuates a major misimpression. When Omar landed a seat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, it reported that Fiske began calling lawmakers to complain and that he is “hoping AIPAC activists will punish” Omar with a primary challenge in 2020.

AIPAC would not comment for the story, but insiders said that Fiske has not been associated with the lobby for five years.

In a telephone interview Fiske, a South 8 MARCH 15, 2019

p Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speaks during the 2019 Athena Film Festival at Barnard College in New York City, in March.

Photo by Lars Niki/Getty Images for The Athena Film Festival

Florida realtor, said it was more like three or four years, but confirmed that he is no longer a member.

“I don’t give to the general [fundraising] campaign,” he said. “I do sponsor some kids at the University of Florida to go to the [annual] conference.”

Fiske, who was quoted in a separate Times article in October as a Florida supporter of President Donald Trump, said he decided he could be more effective spending his time and money on his political action committee.

“I was interviewed as to what activists might do with the Florida Congressional Committee,” he said. His PAC spent $320,000 last cycle on dozens of congressional candidates, the vast majority of them Republicans.

AIPAC discourages its donors from taking aim at safe incumbents. The examples cited in The Times article of incumbents unseated

by AIPAC activists are more than 30 years old and in both cases — Rep. Paul Findley and Sen. Charles Percy, Republicans of Illinois — the incumbents were considered vulnerable. More recent examples of vulnerable incumbents targeted by AIPAC activists are Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-Ga.) and Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-R.I.) in 2006.

Fiske’s targets — Tlaib, Omar and OcasioCortez — at least right now are seen as shoo-ins for re-election. If AIPAC were to allow its activists to push against them and then watch them win, it would damage the lobby’s reputation. AIPAC’s refusal to comment for this article underscores the paradox of this crisis: The lobby, to a degree, enjoys its reputation as a reputation killer.

The cases of two other lawmakers cited in the article are telling. Former Rep. Brian Baird (D-Wash.) and Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) both had fraught breaks with

AIPAC. In each case, AIPAC activists stopped giving them money — as opposed to mounting campaigns to unseat them — which is exactly what you would expect from people who donate to candidates they consider like-minded.

Fiske said his criteria for giving money were that a candidate did not accept money from the liberal pro-Israel group J Street and that he or she opposed the Iran nuclear deal.

A source close to AIPAC in 2015 threatened to turn donors against Democrats who voted for the deal; that never materialized.

AIPAC does not demand exclusivity from the politicians it supports, and those who also align with J Street often attend the AIPAC policy conference as well as the events for fundraisers that take place on its periphery. Typical is Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), who took money from solidly AIPAC-aligned PACs, but also welcomed funders who preferred to funnel their donations through J Street.

Ocasio-Cortez’s fundraising letter, like Omar’s “It’s all about the Benjamins” tweets and to a degree The Times story, also imagine an all-powerful and monolithic pro-Israel community. In fact, there has been increasing room to lobby for Israel outside the parameters determined by AIPAC. In 2007, Sheldon Adelson, the casino magnate who was a major AIPAC funder, broke with the lobby over its tacit backing for an increase of funding to the Palestinian Authority. Adelson’s split, which The Times notes, created the space for right-wingers to go after lawmakers that AIPAC would have discouraged targeting.

A year later, J Street was established and is still going strong, supporting lawmakers who assertively back the two-state solution, buck

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the Netanyahu government, supported the Iran deal and believe in applying U.S. pressure to return Israel to the negotiating table.

Although much smaller than AIPAC, its activists — and associated PACs — pledged to make up the funding for lawmakers who depart from AIPAC’s orthodoxies and become critical of Israel.

That — not to mention the growing clout of Christian pro-Israel groups — created room on the left and the right to ignore how AIPAC operated.

Nevertheless, Ocasio-Cortez’s fundraisers feel that pitting her against a potent proIsrael lobby is a winning strategy.

“Rashida, Ilhan and Alexandria have at times dared to question our foreign policy, and the influence of money in our political system,” her fundraising letter reads. “And now, lobbying groups across the board are working to punish them for it.”

Progressives and others critical of U.S. policy toward Israel seem to agree.

“AIPAC activist tells NYT the lobby is coming for Congresswomen @AOC @ RashidaTlaib and @IlhanMN,” Youssef Munayyer, the director of the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights, said on Twitter.

His tweet has been retweeted upwards of 3,600 times.

Also drawing attention in the Times article was the accompanying photo of Fiske, in a moment of intense prayer, wearing tefillin. Some thought it was meant to make him look pious; others thought it was mocking his religion.

Fiske said that the photographer took about a hundred photographs of him and that at one point Fiske stopped for prayer. The photographer asked him if it would be OK to continue shooting, and Fiske agreed. PJC

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9 WORLD

Headlines How Israel welcomed Jews from Arab lands — as spies — WORLD —

By Emily Burack | JTA

A

t the beginning of his new book, Matti Friedman writes that “time spent with old spies is never time wasted.” When he went to meet Isaac Shoshan in his suburban Tel Aviv home, Friedman had no idea what to expect — but knew it might be good.

“He was a really old guy who came up to my shoulders,” Friedman tells the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “He told me a story about 1948 that I had never heard before; it took me a few meetings to figure out what he was telling me. From there I was led to other sources, recently declassified files and some oral testimonies that had been recorded by other participants in the Arab Section.”

The result?

“Spies of No Country: Secret Lives at the Birth of Israel,” which tells the captivating tale of Israel’s first spies, young Jewish men originally from Arab countries who could slip across borders undetected. They were part of the “Arab Section” of the Palmach, Israel’s prestate force that would turn into the Israel Defense Forces.

“Spies of No Country” follows Isaac’s story, alongside those of three other men: Gamliel Cohen, Havakuk Cohen and Yakuba Cohen.

They weren’t related — Cohen is a common last name — yet they all shared the experience of being Mizrahi Jews in a country where the majority of Jews had roots in Eastern Europe.

As Friedman explains, “In the Zionist movement in those years — we’re talking about pre-1948 — almost everyone is European or Eastern European. Nine out of every 10 Jews were of European descent. The community of Jews who came from Islamic communities was marginal; they didn’t seem like Jews. These people spoke Arabic — they had a different kind of Judaism. And the Zionist movement didn’t know what to make of them. Sometimes they were considered really interesting and exotic, but [most] times they’re disregarded and pushed aside.”

In the nascent world of Israeli intelligence, in a country in which Mizrahim still complain of discrimination, the book’s heroes saw their identity as Arab Jews respected for the first time.

“The very thing that makes these guys marginal — their Arab identities — becomes their ticket into the holy of holies, the Palmach,” Friedman says.

Friedman, a journalist and New York Times op-ed contributor, was born in Toronto and now lives in Jerusalem. Between 2006 and 2011, he was a reporter and editor for The Associated Press in Jerusalem. His first book, “The Aleppo Codex,” told the tale of an ancient Bible manuscript that ended up in a cave in Aleppo, Syria, and his second, “Pumpkinflowers,” narrates his experience as part of a group of Israeli soldiers responsible for holding a remote outpost in Southern Lebanon in the 1990s.

“Spies of No Country” chronicles the experiences of undercover agents in various Arab communities in the lead-up to Israel’s War of Independence in 1948. After Israel’s founding, it shifts to Beirut, Lebanon, where the men pose as Palestinian refugees.

p Matti Friedman’s newest book is “Spies of No Country: Secret Lives at the Birth of Israel.”

Photo by Mary Anderson/Algonquin Books

“ In retrospect, we understand that our men had found their way into one of the only corners of the Zionist movement

”

where their identity was valued.

— MATTI FRIEDMAN As Friedman writes, “In retrospect, we understand that our men had found their way into one of the only corners of the Zionist movement where their identity was valued.” Double identity, he argues convincingly, has always been a part of life for Jews.

But particularly for Arab Jews.

“That was their secret weapon,” Friedman says in the interview. ”The people who set up the Arab Section were British, and they understand that ethnic impersonation is impossible. A lot of British officers had been undercover in Greece during the war; they could fool the Germans, but never fool the Greeks. That was really hard to pull off! But the Jews in Palestine offered this incredible opportunity. Jews had people who could pass for anything you want: Polish, German, Arab — because Jews had these double identities.

That’s what makes them such good spies, and explains the success of Israeli intelligence in the early years of the state.”

Yet they refused to call themselves agents or spies, Friedman explains.

“Instead, they chose a peculiar word, one that exists in Hebrew and Arabic but has no parallel in English. The word, mista’arvimin Hebrew, or musta’aribinin Arabic, translates as ‘ones who become like Arabs,’” he says.

“Mista’arvim comes from something much deeper. It is actually rooted in the lives of Jews in Arab countries. In Aleppo, for example, there are two Jewish communities.

One calls itself Sephardic, the Sephardim,

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they were expelled from Spain in 1492. And the second one has always been in Aleppo; before Islam, before Christianity. They adopt Arabic, and Arabic culture: mista’arvim.”

The term is still used today in Israel.

(Friedman points to “Fauda,” the hit Israeli TV show available on Netflix, where the Arabic-speaking undercover commandos are the perfect example of modern-day mista’arvim.)

As we follow their story, from training to exploits undercover to their return to Israel, we get to know the four men. Gamliel, from Damascus, was the first agent sent abroad and poses as a store owner in Beirut.

Yakuba, the only one of the four born in Jerusalem, was “fiery and resistant to discipline.” Havakuk, from Yemen, dies at age 24; Friedman dedicates the book to him.

And there’s Isaac, whom we get to know the best. We learn about Isaac’s complex relationship with Georgette, a local girl in Beirut; and about his training; and about his return to Israel in 1950. One passage is particularly striking — about Isaac recalling the Muslim ritual washing, or wudu.

“All of this was so deeply in Isaac’s mind that he could go through the wudu for me in his kitchen seventy years later — hands, mouth, nostrils, face — and then begin the prayers, as if he’d been at mosque that morning,” Friedman writes.

Friedman points out they didn’t go to spy school and had very rudimentary training

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— there was no Mossad, no state and the Arab Section was “very ad hoc.” Friedman writes about how the men learned Muslim prayers, the local figures of speech, and how they practiced in Arab markets in mixed cities like Jerusalem and Haifa.

“It’s hard to remember, from 2019, how improvised and chaotic [it all was]. No one knew the state was going to be founded in 1948. One thing I love about the story,” Friedman says, “is the unpreparedness. They were winging it!”

And because they were winging it, the story takes a darker turn: half of the Arab Section was caught and executed.

Friedman believes “Spies of No Country” is the “anti-Mossad story.” Why? “In the world of spy mythology, there is some great operation that shifts the course of events,” he says. “In the real world, spies don’t understand what is going on. They’re very flawed characters moving in the shadows, and their role in the events is ambiguous. [It’s] not like they blow something up and the war changes.”

The Arab Section men were “a lot of young guys who don’t know what they’re doing,” which Friedman believes is a more authentic spy story than what people are led to believe by pop culture.

But that doesn’t mean Friedman doesn’t love classic spy stories: His favorite is John le Carre’s “Tinker Tailer Soldier Spy,” because it is “an incredible spy novel with a complicated plot that fits together perfectly.”

Overall, Friedman hopes people take away one fundamental idea from “Spies of No Country”: To understand Israel, we must think of it as a Middle Eastern country.

“We still come to Israel with these very European stories to understand its formation,” like that of Theodor Herzl, the kibbutzim or the Holocaust, “but they don’t explain Israel in 2019. You won’t get very far with these old stories because half of Jews come from the Islamic world. If we want to understand Israel, we have to distance ourselves from stories about Europe.” PJC MARCH 15, 2019 9

10 WORLD

Headlines Some 100,000 Israelis traveled on Ethiopian Airlines last year, mostly to India and the Far East, Israel’s Kan broadcaster reported.

— WORLD — From JTA reports

Two Israelis, eight Americans on crashed Ethiopian Airlines flight

Donald Trump calls Democrats ‘an anti-Jewish’ party

Israel has offered its assistance to the Ethiopian government following the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines flight carrying 149 passengers and eight crew members.

Two Israelis and eight Americans were among the passengers on the plane that crashed six minutes after takeoff on Sunday morning. There were no survivors. The dead were of at least 32 different nationalities, according to reports.

The Boeing 737 was en route to Nairobi, Kenya.

The cause of the crash has not been identified. But the CEO of the airline, who visited the crash site, told reporters that the pilot sent out a distress call and was given clearance to return.

“I would like to send condolences to the government and people of Ethiopia, and to the families of the victims who perished in the plane crash,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting on Sunday morning.

“If there is anything we can do, we are — of course — ready to do it. We have also said this to the Ethiopian government.”

President Donald Trump called Democrats the “anti-Jewish” party after a week of controversy over a vote condemning anti-Semitism spurred by comments made by a Democratic freshman, Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota.

“I thought yesterday’s vote by the House was disgraceful because it’s become — the Democrats have become an anti-Israel party,” Trump said Friday during an impromptu news conference on the White House lawn, following a reporter’s question.

“They’ve become an anti-Jewish party,” he said. “And I thought that vote was a disgrace and so does everybody else, if you get an honest answer. If you get an honest answer from politicians, they thought it was a disgrace. The Democrats have become an anti-Israel party. They’ve become an antiJewish party, and that’s too bad.”

Omar, who backs the boycott Israel movement, said last week that she felt pressured to pledge “allegiance” to Israel, the third time she has said things that appear to track with anti-Semitic slanders. She apologized for the first two, but this time doubled down, and the congresswoman and her backers in the

party’s progressive and black caucuses pushed back against a bid for a resolution to condemn anti-Semitism, although it did not name Omar.

Ultimately the resolution condemned anti-Semitism primarily, Islamophobia and other biases, and specified that charges of dual loyalty were especially harmful. The entire Democratic caucus voted for the resolution, and all but 24 Republicans did as well. Republicans who voted against it said it should have solely addressed anti-Semitism and named Omar.

Jewish Democrats lashed back at Trump, who has equivocated when asked to condemn his backers on the far right. The president also has been accused of intimating anti-Semitic themes in his campaigning.

“We only wish the president had learned from this resolution, which defines anti-Semitism to include anti-Semitic tropes and conspiracy theories that he has repeatedly invoked himself,” the Jewish Democratic Council of America said.

Women of the Wall activists shoved, spat on at 30th anniversary event Protests by several thousand haredi Orthodox demonstrators turned into a melee as demonstrators spat on and shoved members of the egalitarian Women of the Wall group.

The protests Friday coincided with the 30th

anniversary of the Women of the Wall group, who are seeking equal rights at the Western Wall for those who believe women and men should be allowed to worship according to their own customs and not those of the holy site’s Orthodox administrators.

In Orthodox Judaism, women and men pray separately, and some rites are performed exclusively by men. The Western Wall has a female-only plaza, a larger men-only plaza and, since 2000, a small egalitarian plaza where men and women can pray together.

About 6,000 haredi protesters had gathered at the men’s and women’s sections to protest the event held at the women’s section by 150 female activists of Women of the Wall, according to the Israel Broadcasting Corp., or Kan. At the women’s section, the Women of the Wall worshippers said they were spat upon and shoved by girls attending religious seminaries, according to the report. Amid attempts by police to prevent escalation, the Women of the Wall activists moved to the egalitarian plaza, known as the Ezrat Yisrael section.

Rabbi Noa Sattath, the director of the Israel Religious Action Center, the social justice arm of the Reform movement in Israel, was lightly injured in the scuffle.

The director general of the Masorti movement in Israem Yizhar Hess, was spat upon, according to Kan. PJC

Treasured Video and Photo Memories? This week in Israeli history — WORLD —

We bring your memories into the digital age

We transfer all formats of video, old photo albums, slides, home movies etc. All work is done locally and personally.

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March 18, 1975 — U.S.-Israel affairs reassessed

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

March 15, 1972 — Hussein proposes federal plan

Jordan’s King Hussein proposes to create a Jordanian-Palestinian federation encompassing the West Bank and Jordan under his monarchy as a solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict. The proposed state would have a regional capital in East Jerusalem and a regional and national capital in Amman.

March 16, 1722 — Constitution for Berliners

Berlin’s Jewish community is reorganized under a new constitution, the Aeltesten Reglement, after Prussian authorities issue new statutes regulating the community. The Aeltesten Reglement reinforces Jewish communal autonomy within Prussia, which supports the document and insists on the collective responsibility of the Jewish population.

March 17, 1992 — Human Dignity law enacted

The Knesset enacts the Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty, adding a statement of support for core human rights to the Basic Laws that serve as a substitute for a constitution in Israel. It had been blocked by concerns about conflicts with Jewish law, but political reforms sparked by scandals cleared the way. It declares that human rights are based on a recognition of the value of individuals, the sanctity of life and freedom.

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The United States begins a “reassessment” of its relationship with Israel because of the frustrations of President Gerald Ford and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger over a refusal to withdraw from the Sinai without a pledge from Egypt not to use force against Israel. Amid rising tensions, Kissinger freezes arms sales and advises every department to “put Israeli activities at the bottom of the list.”

March 19, 2012 — ‘Photoshop Law’ passes

The Knesset adopts the “Photoshop Law,” requiring adult fashion and commercial models to have a body-mass index of at least 18.5 and to require clear notification of any alteration or digital manipulation of an image. The law comes in response to the death in 2007 of an Israeli model who weighed only 60 pounds.

March 20, 1899 — Jewish Trust incorporated

The Jewish Colonial Trust, proposed at the First Zionist Congress, is incorporated in London.

The central development bank supports the growth of a Jewish home in the Land of Israel.

March 21, 2013 — Obama addresses Israel

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks to university students in an address broadcast on Israeli television and radio. He urges Israeli youth to embrace a peaceful future with the Palestinians, pleads for a two-state solution and affirms Israel’s right to exist. PJC

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Member listing updated as of February 2019 • Dodi Walker Gross, Chair, & Ruthie Goodboe, Co-Chair

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Life & Culture Notable Jewish photographers showcased in new Frick exhibit — ARTS —

By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

T

he years between the two world wars yielded stunning artistic achievement in France, with the medium of photography flourishing alongside painting and literature. The advent of the miniature Leica camera, which used standard 35 mm rolls of film and required no tripod, allowed photographers a new freedom to wander the streets of the City of Light and spontaneously capture images representing the zeitgeist of the times in ways never before possible.

The work of 16 celebrated photographers in and around Paris from 1900-1945 is on view at the Frick Pittsburgh in the exhibit “Street Photography to Surrealism,” running through May 5. What may surprise many visitors to the show is that a disproportionate number of the leading photographers of the era were Jews.

The number of Jewish photographers in Paris during this “golden age” of photography “is astonishing,” noted Sarah Hall, the Frick’s chief curator and director of collections. “Photography in particular seems to be a field that really took hold [with Jewish artists]. Whether that has to do with being immigrants and looking around at the city as outsiders — what the reasons are it’s

p Ilse Bing (German, 1899–1998), “Self-Portrait with Leica,” 1931.

Gelatin silver print.

Collection of Michael Mattis and Judith Hochberg. Exhibition organized by art2art Circulating Exhibitions.

hard to know. But it is amazing, and the work is fantastic.”

Jewish photographers showcased in

the exhibit include André Kertész, Man Ray, Ilse Bing, Erwin Blumenfeld, Lisette Model (whose father was Jewish) and most

likely Brassaï, although his Jewish heritage is less clear.

Jewish photographers were pivotal in shaping the art form, according to Hall.

“Someone like Kertész, he is really seminal when we think of modernist photography,” she said. “There is also this idea of a sort of combination that is intellectualism and creativity.”

Some Kertész photos in the Frick show are remarkable for their gritty and simultaneously gentle look at the streets of Paris, as in his “Clochards [homeless men] by the Seine,” while others offer a nod to surrealism, such as his distorted nude series — which actually began as a humor assignment for a magazine.

Kertész trained as a stockbroker but became interested in photography at the age of 6. What began as a hobby became a calling, and he moved to Paris in 1925. Just two years later, he was given a one-man show at the art gallery Au Sacre du Printemps, and in 1928, he became a photojournalist. His work, hallmarked by unusual camera angles and cutting-edge subjects, is widely considered to have made a major contribution to modernist photography.

“His photographs are so beautiful, and you get a sense of him as an observer and there is a little bit of aloofness,” Hall said. “They are so tender to me. Even if he is standing far Please see Exhibit, page 23

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7,600+ Since the Community Security program began, over 7,600 Jewish communal professionals and members of Jewish organizations have attended security training sessions.

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Thank You

to the Independent Committee and Advisors At its November 13, 2018 meeting, the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh approved the formation of a committee of respected civic leaders charged with overseeing the distribution of undesignated donations to the Victims of Terror Fund. This board created this committee to function independently from the Jewish Federation.

Very early in its work, the independent committee invited leaders of the three congregations directly affected by the tragedy of October 27th, as well as the chair of the Jewish Federation, to attend every meeting of the committee and to engage actively in the committee and its deliberations. These four individuals were not added to the committee, but they engaged fully in the committee’s work, contributing valuable knowledge, insights and opinions. The executive director of The David S. and Karen A. Shapira Foundation supported committee members and contributors with immense time and patience.

Individuals from the law firm of Cohen & Grigsby and the accounting firm of Schneider Downs and representatives from PNC Bank provided hugely valuable assistance with legal, accounting and banking matters. The Jewish Community Center provided generous assistance and space for meetings.

On behalf of the Jewish Federation, the Jewish community of Pittsburgh and d donors around the world, we offer our most sincere thanks to:

Independent Committee Members

David Shapira, chairman of Giant Eagle and chair of the Committee Susan Brownlee, former executive director of the Fine Foundation Jared Cohon, president emeritus of Carnegie Mellon University Steve Halpern, president of Woodland Management and Jewish Federation board ard memb member Mark Nordenberg, chancellor emeritus of the University of Pittsburgh Charles Perlow, chairman of McKnight Realty Partners and Jewish Federation n board m member er Nancy Rackoff, estates and trusts attorney at the Eckert Seamans law firm

People Who Contributed Knowledge, Insights and Opinions Meryl Ainsman, chair, Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh Stephen Cohen, co-president, New Light Congregation Jon Pushinsky, past president, Dor Hadash Congregation Sam Schachner, president, Tree of Life * Or L’Simcha Congregation

Partner Companies and Organizations Cohen & Grigsby, PC Jewish Community Center of Pittsburgh PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. Schneider Downs & Co., Inc.

Staff Joshua Donner, executive director, The David S. and Karen A. Shapira Foundation

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Schedule your free philanthropic estate planning session now.

Call our Foundation staff at 412.992.5216 to schedule a free informational session about how you can continue to impact Jewish Pittsburgh for years to come.

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Opinion Understanding Omar — EDITORIAL —

F

reshman Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), the Somali-American politician who made history last fall by becoming one of just two Muslim women to ever be elected to Congress, bemoans that she’s misunderstood. But maybe her real problem is that she is understood too well.

For those who need a recap, Omar was called out during her congressional campaign for supporting the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel.

She subsequently pledged her opposition to the effort — but then reversed course and embraced BDS as a valid form of anti-Israel criticism after her election. She found herself in

hot water again last month, as she engaged in political discourse via Twitter and claimed that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy was taking aim against her criticism of the Jewish state because “it’s all about the Benjamins, baby.”

As with her BDS charade, when forced to apologize for her statement, Omar embraced the concept of shared dialogue and claimed that she abhors the kind of anti-Semitism her original tweet seemed to invoke. She claimed that she never meant to say that Jews and, by extension, the national state of the Jewish people, control politics through their money. The apology was heralded as an example of the good that comes from cross-community interactions.

Just days later, Omar struck again, when she was asked about the controversy. Her remarks offer substantial proof that when it

comes to anti-Semitism, Omar is indifferent at best, or a practitioner at worst.

“I want to talk about the political influence in this country that says it is OK for people to push for allegiance to a foreign country,” she said, a clear swipe at AIPAC and Israel, one that harkens back to the tired — and frequently deadly — trope that Jews, and their dual loyalties, are inherently suspect.

The denunciations of her newest outrage came fast and from practically all corners of the political universe, except from certain elements of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. When House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) tried to corral her caucus into passing a resolution condemning anti-Semitism, it embarrassingly faltered.

Prodded by Omar and several allies on the

left, who used the affair to further gin up animus against AIPAC, what the House of Representatives ended up passing was a watered-down rebuke of hatred in all its forms, even as it included a strong condemnation of anti-Semitism.

But the homogenization of the condemnation and concomitant minimization of the direct critique of Omar herself left a lot to be desired. As a result, the Democrat-led resolution became a mealy-mouthed condemnation that satisfied no one.

Anti-Semitism is a serious problem. We need to call it out, expose it and condemn its proponents no matter where they sit on the political spectrum. Our community has a voice. We cannot be afraid to use it to defend ourselves. PJC

Israel’s religious Zionists shouldn’t bed down with racist provocateurs Guest Columnist Shlomo Brody

T

he Jewish Home party has made a moral error by creating a pre-election alliance with the Otzma Yehudit party, an anti-Arab group that ascribes to the ideology of the late Rabbi Meir Kahane.

In doing so, Jewish Home will facilitate the entrance of a racist party into the Israeli parliament that will desecrate the name of the Torah and its genuine followers.

The good news, however, is that despite its self-identified status as the party of religious Zionists, Jewish Home hasn’t really represented the broader religious Zionist public for some time, and its mistake now may present an opportunity for renewal and rejuvenation within this sector.

As a political movement, religious Zionism is often seen as a driving force behind the settler movement and a source of Zionist enthusiasm with a hawkish tinge. Yet as Israeli journalist Yair Ettinger has noted, the group is far from homogenous — and the political party that claims to represent it was on the verge of obsolescence for several elections.

Jewish Home and its predecessor, the National Religious Party (Mafdal), has roots in the Mizrachi movement, which represented the original religious Zionist movement well before the State of Israel was founded in 1948.

However, the majority of religious Zionists today don’t actually vote for the party. In the 2013 and 2015 elections, for example, according to estimates, only 35-40 percent of the national-religious population voted for Jewish Home. Many voted for Likud, a few for the Sephardic haredi Orthodox Shas party and others for a range of parties in the center-right of Israel’s electoral spectrum, like Yesh Atid.

The religious Zionist community has significantly grown to approximately 10-12 percent of the total population. Yet by the 2006 elections, Jewish Home rightfully feared that

18 MARCH 15, 2019

it wouldn’t cross the electoral threshold, so it created mergers with other small right-wing parties that comprise the National Union party. In 2009, when merger attempts failed, Jewish Home barely passed the threshold.

In 2013, Naftali Bennett reunited and rebranded the religious Zionist parties under Jewish Home, reaching 9 percent of the general vote by managing to garner votes from both religious and secular Jews.

Yet this success did not repeat itself in 2015, with Jewish Home receiving only 6.7 percent of the general vote. Further attempting to reach voters turned off by strong rabbinic influence, Bennett and Ayelet Shaked formed a new religious-secular nationalist party, The New Right, last month.

Why has the Jewish Home-National Union alliance not succeeded in expanding its reach? In addition to not drawing enough nonreligious voters, the diverse religious Zionist sector does not vote for it in masses.

Much of the national-religious public at large, unlike the haredi public, does not apparently see a great need to be represented by a party aligned with their own sect.

This may stem from people not identifying with its eclectic mix of religion and nationalistic public policy, or because it prefers supporting larger parties like Likud that will ensure a right-wing prime minister.

Much of the religious Zionist public is largely integrated socially and economically within broader Israeli society and does not feel that its own interests need special representation. The religious Zionist community serves in the army and workforce at the same rates as the general population, and many religious Zionists prefer integration in the political realm as well.

This is not to say that religious Zionists have abandoned Jewish Home. Some have loyally continued to vote for the party because they believe it will ensure government support for sectorial institutions and religious services. Equally important, they think it will maintain certain religious and Zionist values in the public sphere, including basic biblical teaching and traditional Zionist values in Israel’s education system. The new

head of the party, Rabbi Rafi Peretz, claims to want to continue this legacy.

But precisely because Jewish Home continues to claim to represent the beliefs and interests of religious Zionists, its merger with a racist group has raised the ire of so many people, including those who question what it says about the state of the broader religious Zionist movement. Jewish Home made a mistake, yet the logic behind its decision reflects more about the party itself and less about the beliefs of religious Zionists.

Politics, it is often said, is a combination of idealism and realism. Elected officials may go into office hoping to positively impact the society with their values, but need to make alliances and compromises to get elected. In Israel’s parliamentary system, the parties can maintain their alliances after the election, but they also have regularly broken apart and formed smaller factions within the Knesset.

Jewish Home leaders have promised this will happen, deeming the alliance as a “technical bloc” for electoral purposes alone. This also would allow Netanyahu to invite Jewish Home to join the coalition while excluding Otzma Yehudit Knesset members.

Yet what’s the point of a values-based ideological party if you are willing to partner with those whose values strongly clash with your own? Religious Zionist parties over the years have broadly rejected Kahane and his beliefs in expelling Arabs from Israel and violently harassing Israeli Arabs. Why now facilitate his followers to enter the Knesset? The answer, in part, is that Peretz was convinced by a skilled politician, Prime Minister Netanyahu, that it was necessary — that without the Jewish Home-Otzma Yehudit alliance, the party would not garner sufficient votes to pass the electoral threshold.

It’s not clear that this is true, but it is clear that votes for the right — in support of Netanyahu himself staying prime minister — would be lost without this union, making it difficult for him to be reelected and build a right-wing coalition of 60 seats. This alliance stemmed from realpolitik, at its best — and worst.

The simpler answer is that some limited

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elements of the “religious-right” within the national Zionist sector — especially those represented by the National Union party — are comfortable voting in one or two Jewish racist provocateurs if it means saving their own representation. That’s a choice of values, indicating a willingness to allow into the Knesset — under the religious Zionist banner — a disgusting distortion of what Judaism stands for. While perhaps a politically canny move, it’s hard to assert that you’re an important bastion of Jewish values when you help get elected those who adulate the mass murderer Baruch Goldstein.

Yet the truth is that many religious Zionists who are infuriated about this decision aren’t necessarily planning to vote for the Jewish Home party anyway. Some were planning on voting Likud, a few for the new centrist party, Blue and White, and I suspect that many more will support Bennett and Shaked’s new party that calls for a new religious-secular alliance and reforms on religion-state dilemmas.

The uproar highlights not only that much of the religious Zionist community does not support this problematic alliance, but also that the community is variegated and has not been represented by one party for many years. It presents an opportunity to create new bridges in other parties with other sectors of Israeli society that need to be cultivated to strengthen Israel’s religion, social and moral fabric.

In the meantime, judicious religious Zionists need to make clear what’s been quietly known for sometime: The religious Zionist political parties do not truly represent them, and that was even true before this realpolitik alliance betrayed the values of the movement. Our votes should show that parties running under the banner of ideology do not deserve support when they compromise core values and don’t represent their alleged constituents. PJC Rabbi Shlomo Brody is the director of the Tikvah Overseas Students Institute and author of “A Guide to the Complex: Contemporary Halakhic Debates,” which won a 2014 National Jewish Book Award.

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Opinion The power of increasing our joy Guest Columnist Elinor Nathanson

A

bout five years ago, a friend introduced me to a marvelous Jewish concept that captured my imagination.

She explained that for the entire month of Adar — the month in which the holiday of Purim falls — Jews are supposed to increase in joy. This concept is rooted in a statement from the Talmud, mishenichnas Adar marbin b’simcha, “When Adar enters, we increase in joy.”

So that year, my friend came over with her family, and our children increased in their joy by baking a rainbow cake. We made colorful signs that said things like, “It’s Adar: Make More JOY!” and we hung them up around the house for the entire month. It was a sweet joyful experience, and I felt grateful for Judaism’s wise reminder to actively cultivate happiness.

I carried the seeds of that experience forward. Two years ago, when Sara Stock Mayo and I produced our region’s first community Purim Shpiel — “Hadassah, A Persian Musical” — one of our explicit goals was to increase our community’s joy.

Set to the music of “Hamilton,” our show brought together a diverse group of participants that included congregants from Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist and Reform synagogues, as well as members of independent minyans and unaffiliated Jews. While our production involved some serious moments and moving songs, audience members specifically told us how much joy our show had brought them.

This past summer, knowing that the national tour of “Hamilton” would be taking Pittsburgh by storm this January, Sara and I decided to bring back a revival of “Hadassah” and increase our collective joy once again.

The timing seemed perfect.

And then Oct. 27 happened.

Now, just months after the largest anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history, our tradition whispers a challenge to our dear Jewish community: Increase joy. In fact, because we are in a Jewish leap year, we are challenged to increase joy over two months of Adar. In the wake of our community’s devastating tragedy — with its ugly parallels to Haman’s plot in the Book of Esther — the mandate to increase joy suddenly reveals its full power.

— LETTERS — When did seminary last hear a pro-Israel voice?

At its core, increasing joy isn’t merely about feeling happier.

Instead, increased joy is an act of defiance.

It is also an act of necessity that is deeply woven into the fabric of Judaism. In the face of Haman and other evildoers who seek our destruction, we refuse to allow ourselves to succumb to despair. We celebrate, we sing, we laugh, we play.

“The Jewish response to trauma is counterintuitive and extraordinary,” writes Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. “You defeat fear by joy. You conquer terror by collective celebration.”

The simcha of Adar, he explains, is not “expressive” joy, where one feels positive about something that has occurred. Rather, the simcha of Adar is what Sacks calls “therapeutic” joy. Confronted with the perils of being Jewish, we dig deep and find the strength to rejoice.

We find echoes of this notion in the world of musical theater as well. As Sheldon Harnick penned in his lyrics for “To Life” from “Fiddler on the Roof,” “G-d would

In the face of

As a former Pittsburgher who lived just a few blocks from the Pittsburgh Theological seminary, I am well aware of the seminary’s anti-Semitic reputation and disregard of Israel (“Seminary wishes to clarify its position,” Feb. 22). Seminary President David Esterline states that “everyone must be heard.” But when was the last time a pro-Israel speaker was “heard” on his campus?

Last month the seminary showcased the Racial Justice Summit, treating the audience to a diatribe of hate speech and attacks against the legitimacy of Israel. In May, Anglican priest Naim Ateek was welcomed to the seminary and given free rein to demonize Israel.

Since Esterline advocates an all must be heard doctrine, when does the seminary plan to host a Friends of Israel presentation? I would even settle for a balanced discussion of opposing viewpoints.

Gerri Ash Bronk Abingdon, Md.

Not everyone happy with Federation move

The move of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh is a missed opportunity to lead (“Jewish Federation enters new home,” Jan. 10). The location chosen was dictated entirely by parking, not the character of the Jewish community.

The Federation lost credibility with this decision. Planners ignored the people that rely on public transit. The poor, elderly, students and those that choose to use public transit for the environment were invisible.

There are eight bus lines from downtown to Oakland and two directly from Squirrel Hill to Oakland every 20 minutes, off peak, serving the former location. Now, it requires two buses instead of one from Squirrel Hill to Federation’s Hazelwood location; the second leg of the trip is on a bus that runs once an hour.

This move is described as a “modern” way to work. It is new, but not modern. Modern organizations have shrunk their footprint and have taken advantage of technology to have employees work remotely. This move was a missed opportunity.

Lee Golden Greenfield

Haman and other evildoers who seek our destruction, we refuse to allow ourselves to succumb to despair. like us to be joyful, even when our hearts lie panting on the floor.”

Joy strengthens us by reminding us what feeds our souls. It enlivens our senses. It reconnects us with ourselves and connects us with others. Perhaps most importantly, joy refuels our spirits for the difficult days that lie ahead. PJC Elinor S. Nathanson is the co-founder of ShpielBurgh Productions and wrote “Hadassah, A Persian Musical.” Ticket sales benefit Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha, New Light, Dor Hadash and the JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry.

We invite you to submit letters for publication. Letters must include name, address and daytime phone number; addresses and phone numbers will not be published. Letters may not exceed 500 words and may be edited for length and clarity; they cannot be returned.

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MARCH 15, 2019 19

Headlines Honeymoon: Continued from page 1

had no prior Israel experience on a trip after high school.

“We are looking for couples who are in the right place and time to have the kinds of deep discussions the trip is designed to promote,” Hertzman said. “The goal of the program is to help couples in a committed relationship have a serious discussion about what they want for the future, and if they are planning to have children, what they want for their kids.

“The program does not express a preference for Judaism over another religion,” Hertzman added. “It is just to facilitate discussions about what couples want for themselves.”

For Hyde, diving deep into these conversations while immersed in Israeli culture has empowered her to declare herself a part of the Jewish community.

“I can claim to be a member of the Jewish community without being Jewish myself,” said Hyde, who is a member of Temple Sinai and is considering conversion. “I haven’t done the paperwork, and I don’t have immediate plans to do that, but if we have children, we will raise them Jewish. Honeymoon Israel took away the feeling that I’m not a legitimate part of this community, and I feel empowered to say I am a part of this community.”

Pressing conversion is not part of Honeymoon Israel’s mission.

“Honeymoon Israel is a national program with essentially no agenda,” stressed Marissa Weisblatt, Pittsburgh director of community engagement for Honeymoon Israel. “Its goal and impetus is to make each individual couple and family feel welcome to the Jewish community and inspire them to incorporate Jewish values in their lives in whatever way works for them.”

The 10-day trip included many of the popular tourist spots, the Western

p The Pittsburgh cohort visits the Western Wall.

Photo courtesy of Marissa Weisblatt/Pittsburgh Director of Community Engagement/ Honeymoon Israel/Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh

Wall, the Old City, beaches in Tel Aviv and visits to spots of significance to Christians and Muslims.

In addition to the trip itself, Honeymoon Israel provides opportunities for participants to get together both before and after their visit to Israel.

Neither Loghan Wright, who was raised Roman Catholic, nor her Jewish-born husband, Oren Wright, are “particularly religious,” she said, but traveling with Honeymoon Israel was an “exciting opportunity to explore Judaism more, not just as a religion, but as a Jewish people.”

The Wrights are still working out how to incorporate Jewish traditions into their lives, but do know that “when we do have kids, we want to inform our kids about the different religions, where they come from and their history.”

Although their “hectic schedules” prevent them from preparing or attending a Shabbat

dinner every week, since their return from Honeymoon Israel, they have participated in some Shabbat meals, have attended a service and are on a committee to organize holiday-related events for the cohort. Oren is also participating in a book group with friends from Honeymoon Israel.

The most significant outcome of the trip, explained Wright, is the formation of a new community comprised of people in similar situations.

“What I am most grateful for is having a wider group of people in our circle now,” she said. “Our family got a little bigger.”

That is precisely the point, said Rabbi Keren Gorban, associate rabbi of Temple Sinai, who accompanied the group on the trip.

“One of the goals of Honeymoon Israel is to help couples find their peers in the Jewish community so that they can develop those bonds of friendship and even family,” Gorban said. “Whether it’s celebrating Shabbat with

Baseball: Continued from page 1

is provided by the Pirates. Lunch, also compliments of the team, is usually Domino’s Pizza or sandwiches from Jersey Mike’s Subs or Chick-Fil-A. A staff room with water and fountain drinks is available throughout the day, explained Roteman.

“They make sure we’re taken care of. It’s really a two-way relationship.”

Other perks include an annual welcome breakfast and separate luncheon — the latter costs $20 to attend and is held at “a really nice restaurant.” There is also a pep rally, a catered beach party, a chartered bus trip to Fort Myers to see the Pirates play an opposing team and an end-of-the-season picnic in Pittsburgh. Also occurring up north, for three days in June, “the Pirates provide one of the World Series suites to us and we watch the games, and they feed us and we have a really good time.”

Roteman has been president of the group for two years. The position, much like volunteering with the Boosters in general, doesn’t afford much time to 20 MARCH 15, 2019

p Mike Roteman, left, and Clint Hurdle

watching baseball. Rather, it’s a chance to be around the game and enjoy its inherently social elements.

Photo courtesy of Mike Roteman

“Most of the Boosters who come, they’re not from Bradenton. They’re from up north from places like Pittsburgh and even as far

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

services or dinner, gathering at a restaurant just to see each other or participating in a book club, our Honeymoon Israel couples now have a community in Pittsburgh that most did not have previously.”

Aly Silver and Jen Butchart, who will be married in May 2020, are enthused they have found a new community of peers. Jen, who was raised Methodist, is in the process of converting to Judaism. While the couple has been involved in Bet Tikvah, a “queercentric, independent minyan,” the Honeymoon Israel cohort is comprised of more people who are in their age demographic.

“On top of creating relationships with other couples, Honeymoon Israel also fostered a relationship with the rabbi [Keren Gorban],” said Silver. “Jen has questions, and I do, too, and this rabbi is available to us.”

Amy Bardack, the Federation’s director of Jewish Life and Learning “spent a long time building consensus” with members of the commission on Jewish Life and Learning before bringing the Honeymoon Israel program to Pittsburgh, she said.

“The first few years of marriage are right for defining your family identity,” Bardack explained. An “immersive experience with a cohort that can become a friend-group takes away the loneliness” that can exist for an interfaith couple trying to navigate its way, somehow, in the Jewish world.

The program is designed for “intermarried families, LGBT families, and multiracial families … and people who have low commitment and low exploration” of Judaism. “If you are too engaged and have figured it out, this program isn’t for you. We want to try to get the people who are not walking in our doors.”

Honeymoon Israel’s next trip will be Jan. 16-26, 2020, with the new application cycle running May 15-June 30. PJC Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

away as Canada ... so they come from far and wide, and I’ve made many friends as a result of the Boosters.” They are always looking for new members, he added, and there are no gender or age restrictions.

Spring training still possesses an element of charm unseen during the regular season, said Roteman, who has authored baseball-related articles and novels.

“If you’d go to a game at PNC Park, people want to see the Pirates win at all costs. If the Pirates are playing poorly, they boo and carry on, but that’s not the case in Florida.

A lot of times people who come to spring training games are on vacation. They’re going to Florida, it’s an opportunity to get up-close-and-personal with the players and they’re able to really have a good time.”

This is where the Boosters step in. By being congenial and facilitating great memories, they make the experience that much better, Roteman said.

“We’re always looking to make the experience for the fans, and especially for the kids, one that they will always remember.” PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

21

Headlines Spaces: Continued from page 5

and including termination.’ What does that actually mean? There is nothing to hold the institution accountable to.”

Details are key, she explained, such as specifying who is notified when a crisis occurs, how soon the institution will report back to the accuser, when the community will be notified and when an outside investigator should be employed. These protocols should be posted on the institution’s website and publicized to the community to ensure accountability.

Sacred Spaces provides consultation to organizations that require technical assistance in implementing policies and training. It also offers one-hour consultations to assist organizations that are either in crisis or determining if a certain behavior is problematic, and how to deal with it. In such a case — especially when the accused is a respected member of the community — it is imperative to get input from an objective source, Berkovits said.

The Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale in New York (CSAIR) has been working with Berkovits and Sacred Spaces to implement its “Safeguarding Our Children” program. The comprehensive initiative was not launched in response to any particular incident, but rather as part of a broader effort to make the community safer, said Cliff Nerwen, chair of CSAIR’s Safeguarding Our Children committee. Nerwen, impressed

with the work of Sacred Spaces, has since become that organization’s board chair.

In addition to creating a detailed policy statement, CSAIR has provided a host of educational offerings and training to its community, and has even upgraded the safety of its building by adding windows to all doors and making sure the doors cannot be locked from the inside.

While community members sometimes are resistant to implementing new policies, or think that abuse cannot happen in their own space, “we all know this happens everywhere,” said Nerwen.

Hillel International, which recently confirmed an internal investigation of sexual harassment allegations against some of its donors, has found Sacred Spaces to be “trusted advisers on the international and campus level,” according to Mimi Kravetz, chief talent officer of Hillel International.

“Sacred Spaces has helped Hillel International go from an organization that cares deeply about issues of safety, respect and equity to one with concrete plans to improve our culture and tackle specific issues,” Kravetz said.

Sacred Spaces is not yet doing longterm prevention work with any Jewish organizations in Pittsburgh, but it has provided several short-term case consultations in the area.

To further its reach in helping to prevent child abuse, Sacred Spaces is now working on an online platform called “Safeguarding Children” or “Alenu,” which will be available

“ What if instead of being reactive to this, we could get institutions

”

to proactively address this issue?

— SHIRA BERKOVITS, SACRED SPACES FOUNDER AND CEO to “thousands of institutions” and is funded by a grant from the UJA-Federation of New York, said Berkovits.

“It’s a web-based platform that will identify 10 best practices in child protection in Jewish youth-serving organizations,” she said. “We will be asking participating organizations to commit to two best practices a year for five years.”

While there is no research available that examines whether any particular denomination of Judaism is more likely to experience abuse of power issues, Berkovits pointed to anecdotal evidence that those in the Orthodox community are more likely to acknowledge the problem and the need to address it.

“I think that is surprising to most people,” she said. “When we work with more liberal communities, there is often a response of, ‘Well, we are very liberal, or we are all highly educated with a college education and very smart, we would know what to do here if

this happened.’ And sometimes even people will say things like, ‘Oh, that’s an Orthodox problem.’ That’s too bad, because it is not an Orthodox problem, it’s not even a Jewish problem; it’s a human problem.”

While it is relatively easy for organizational leaders to pay lip service to fighting abuse of power issues, “it’s much harder to do the right thing,” Berkovits said. “I would urge anyone who is not sure to just ask themselves if they have prepared. Do they have a policy guiding them? Do they know what the best practices are in this area, and have they consulted an expert?

“It’s not as hard when you get an egregious case, but when you get a case that is gray behavior, or something ambiguous, institutions get really stuck and don’t know what to do.” PJC Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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23 TORAH/CELEBRATIONS

Celebrations

Torah

B’nai Mitzvah

The power of a blessing

Henry Ginsburg, son of Howard and Kathy Ginsburg of Upper St. Clair, will become a bar mitzvah on Saturday, March 16 at Temple Emanuel of South Hills. Henry is the older brother of his sister Lauren. Henry’s grandparents are Tom and Betsy Heeter of Punxsutawney, Pa., Ruth Ginsburg of Bridgeville, Pa., and the late Larry Ginsburg.

Joseph Daniel Kushon, son of Joseph R. Kushon and Jennifer Kushon, will become a bar mitzvah at Adat Shalom during Shabbat morning services on Saturday, March 16. Grandparents are Joseph F. and Pamela Kushon and the late Sheila Ward-Linver. PJC

Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Parshat Vayikra | Leviticus 1:1 - 5:26 Shabbat Zachor

T

he Book of Leviticus continues where the Book of Exodus left off: after the exquisite description of the complexity of the Sanctuary’s components, the Torah is ready to introduce the priestly duties of sacrifices. Undoubtedly, the entire sacrificial system, replete with whole burnt offerings, sin offerings, guilt offerings and peace offerings, has a rather raucous ring to the modern sophisticated ear.

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch attempts to provide a symbolic significance for each of the sacrifices, and etymologically suggests

appreciation of every object in the world; indeed the necessity of our making a blessing precludes the possibility of our taking for granted God’s many bounties.

But what then should we do with our awareness? How do we channel our newfound awakenings to the gifts of the world around us?

According to Rabbi Aaron Soloveitchik, of blessed memory, a world devoid of blessing is a world without any divine connection, a neo-platonic world with an iron curtain separating the human and godly realms. If the Torah has one urgent message, it is the sanctification of our physical world. For Jews, the divine and the physical meet in an eternal dialogue, and the first expression of that dialogue is the blessings we make.

For Jews, the divine and the physical meet in an eternal dialogue, Exhibit:

camera and became such a unique visionary that became her main creative focus for a Continued from page 12 number of years, mostly the 1930s in Paris.

Then she turns to poetry and collage work.” away looking at people, he is looking incredThe breadth of the creativity of Bing and ibly sensitively.” other Jewish photographers may have been Like so many other Jewish photographers a product of the social unrest of that time working in Paris at the time, Kertész was in Europe — “this cultural time period, the motivated to emigrate by the rise of Nazism. eve of World War II, the pressures and stress He moved to New York in 1936, and worked of urban living and social issues creating a there for more than 30 years shooting photos generation of people who are examining their for Condé-Nast. world, and also in many incidences becoming The American-born Man Ray, who is activists, and trying to use their artwork to get celebrated for his surrealist paintings as well people to see the world differently,” Hall said. as his photographs, stayed in Paris as long That Jews historically have played a key as he could, not returning to the United role in the evolution of photography has States until 1940. been noted by several experts on the subject.

Born Emmanuel Radnitzky in A 2002 exhibit at the Jewish Museum in Philadelphia, Man Ray studied art in New Manhattan organized by art critic Max York before moving to Paris in 1921, where Kozloff highlighted the contributions of Jews he became part of the artistic and intellectual to photography in New York. To accompany elite, forming relationthe exhibit, Kozloff wrote a ships with James Joyce, series of essays speculating Gertrude Stein, Max why Jews have made such Ernst and Picasso. an impact in the genre — including the controIn addition to several versial claim that photos of his dramatic portraits, of New York produced by the Frick exhibit features some of Man Ray’s Jews “show a sensibility “Rayograms,” a process distinct from those by he developed in which p non-Jews,” wrote Richard Ilse Bing (German, he placed objects directly 1899–1998), “Cancan Woodward in a 2002 New onto a photosensitive dancers,” Moulin Rouge, 1931. York Times article. paper, then exposed the Gelatin silver print.

The photos displayed Collection of Michael Mattis image to light — not using and Judith Hochberg in “Street Photography to a camera. The dreamSurrealism” are extraorlike images straddle between the real and dinary, not only for their sheer beauty and the imaginary. evocative content, but for their historical The photographs of Ilse Bing are notable significance in representing the vast creative for their novelty — unusual camera angles output in France prior to the Nazi invasion, as well as content. A photo of a Greta Garbo after which the world would be changed. billboard, with the star’s face peeling and “One thing you get from the exhibition is fading, can be read as contemplative social a desire to wish you could time travel back commentary, as can an image of a group of to 1930 to 1935 in Paris when there is this men examining Yiddish theater posters. amazing group of people in painting, in “Ilse Bing was a fascinatingly restless intel- photography and in literature all working, lect,” said Hall. “She starts out majoring in maybe dancing too fast, knowing it is all math, and then she moves to architecture and going to be shut down,” Hall said. PJC art history, and apparently picked up a camera to help shoot architectural images to illusToby Tabachnick can be reached at trate her dissertation. She then mastered the ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

and the first expression of that dialogue is the blessings we make. that the essence of korban (Hebrew for “sacrifice”) is to bring the individual close (karov) to God. I’d like to approach the entire sacrificial ceremony by analyzing a rather striking Midrash which emphasizes an otherwise innocuous pronoun in our opening verse: “When any person of you (mikem) brings an offering unto God.” The fact is that if the purpose of our verse is to issue a command to bring offerings, it could just as easily have been transmitted without the word mikem.

Indeed, this particular pronoun in this particular context never appears in the Bible again.

Expounding on the numerical value of the word mikem, 100, the Midrash teaches, “From here we derive that whoever fulfils the obligation to recite 100 blessings each day is considered as if he offered a sacrifice.”

Let us examine the essence of a blessing.

Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi in his classic work “The Kuzari” teaches that the laws of proper blessings enhance our pleasure, create heightened awareness and a more sensitized

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When a human being takes the objects of the world around him, and makes blessings over the world he lives in, he brings all of existence into a relationship with God. In effect he is giving a higher purpose to all of these realms, thereby bringing everything back to its ultimate divine source.

By uplifting the world, by restoring it to its divine dimension, the human being repairs a world broken by iniquity and despair, alienation and materialism.

Now we are ready to return to our Midrash. What God wants from us is not only to build a Sanctuary, but to transform the entire world into God’s Sanctuary, God’s Temple. Just as the sacrifices brought God and all of His creations into the world, so do the daily 100 blessings bring God into our world today. By means of daily blessings we have the potential of making the entire universe a divine sanctuary. PJC Rabbi Shlomo Riskin is the chief rabbi of Efrat.

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24 OBITS

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THIS WEEK’S YAHRZEITS —

Sunday March 17: Louis C. Burstin, Dora Cohen, Fannie Orlansky, Nat Rubin, Samuel Williams Monday March 18: Minnie Abelson, Ethel Chesterpal, Harvey N. Goldstein, Dorothy Morantz, Lester Poser, Jean G. Semins, Goldie Simon Tuesday March 19: Joseph H. Braemer, David L. Ekker, Jack Elkovitz, Harriett W. Kopp, Ida Kramer, Samuel Lichtenstul, Pearl Wintner Rosen, Kenneth S. Samowich Wednesday March 20: Harry Davis, Gary Lee Kress, William A. Lubarsky, Steven L. Ochs, Lena Pavilack, Malie Silverman, Dorothy Sloan, Helen Tepper, Sarah Leah Zinner Thursday March 21: Arlene Y. Apter, Israel Backer, Daniel M. Emas, Rose Harris, Leonard Nadel, William H. Silverman, Isadore Winerman Friday March 22: Dr. Paul Cramer, Celia F. Daniels, Gertrude Robinowitz, Isabelle I. Sachs, Ida L. Weinthal Saturday March 23: Malvina Chotiner, Sadie Fink, Anna Fireman, Dr. Ben Greenberger, Miriam Keilly, William Lederer, Abe Albert Lewis, Louis Pechersky, Esther Ruben, Ralph Rubinoff

Headlines Painting: Continued from page 2

Tree of Life covering its eyes and weeping,” which inspired her to begin to draw.

When she picked up a pencil the next day, the first thing she sketched was the tree covering its eyes with its branches, and she noticed that those branches formed a heart.

The tree is filled with eight pomegranates, one for each of the men murdered, and three flowers, one for each of the women killed, “because what they did in their lives remains on the Tree of Life.”

The Lion of Judah, which is traditionally an image of strength, is depicted hugging the tree and weeping. Leaves that have fallen off the tree contain the names of the deceased, and leaves hanging near the base of the tree are inscribed with the names of people who were injured Andrea Wedner, who is recovering from serious wounds suffered from being shot during the attack, was moved by the painting.

“It has so much meaning,” Wedner said.

“We’ll never forget what happened, but this can maybe take away from it a little bit. There is such beauty in it, and that’s what we have to look for, the beauty.”

Wedner continues to be inspired by the outpouring of communal support, and has chosen to be optimistic about the future.

“There is a lot of good that has come out of this, so much good and positivity,” said Wedner, whose 97-year-old mother, Rose Mallinger was murdered in the attack. “You have to move on. You can’t change things, you just have to hope for a better world, and I see so much love now in the world. I see people differently now. You just have to be kind to people. And the community has been so wonderful, there has been so much support.

“When you almost die, you have a new outlook on life,” Wedner continued. “You have to live. It’s made me stronger. I have to go on for my mother. She was a strong

Chevra: Continued from page 3

Orthodox world in some way,” he said. “So we needed to bring it to them in a way that they could relate to. Just like there are lots of different kinds of shuls in town, there needs to be a different kind of chevra kadisha.”

Even so, NCCK has a wide variety of members.

“The members of our chevra kadisha belong to many streams of Judaism, including Orthodox,” said Frank.

“We do exactly the same thing [as Gesher Hachaim,” Leger clarified. “It’s not what we do that’s different. It’s making it available to more people. I think that it has provided so many people in the Pittsburgh Jewish community with the ability to know that the funeral home industry is not comprised of people who take your dead one away from you and bury them but people who really still care for you as Jews … and will continue to accompany you in this process, along with your loved one, who is now in this period of transition.”

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PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

woman and she would want me to go on and be strong.”

Sharyn Stein, whose husband Dan was murdered on Oct. 27, also expressed gratitude for the love that has been showered on the victims’ families since the attack, the many acts of kindness, and the items of beauty donated.

“The community has been overwhelming as far as their support,” Stein said. “Today’s touched me to the core. The rabbi’s print was right on — everything we feel is what she put in the painting. It’s just lovely.”

Stein’s daughter, Leigh, agreed.

“When the rabbi was explaining the meaning behind everything, it was very emotional to me,” she said. “It hit home. It struck a chord.”

For Iliinksy, being able to share her work with the Pittsburgh Jewish community was “probably the highest point of my life right now — to be able to bring some comfort in a place that is so attacked. It means a lot more than having it sitting in my living room, having the home that it was meant for.”

JFCS representatives were pleased to hang the original painting in a prominent space in the JFCS foyer.

“We have been in close contact with all the family members and the wounded,” said Stefanie Small, director of counseling services and senior services at JFCS. “We are very honored to have the painting here because to us, it represents the people we’ve been working for and the community we’ve been working for — and will continue to do so — to help along with the healing.”

The rabbi’s visit to Pittsburgh was sponsored by Kavod V’Nichum, a North American organization that provides assistance, training and resources about Jewish death and bereavement practice for Chevra Kadisha groups, and the New Community Chevra Kadisha. PJC Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

For the nearly 60 attendees at last week’s program, Leger’s words carried particular weight. Leger is a survivor of the Tree of Life shooting, and these were his first public remarks since the horrific day almost 18 weeks earlier.

“I’m really fortunate,” he said. “I am blessed. I am blessed to be alive. I feel that some of us get the opportunity to feel close to death, and somehow we have the opportunity to make choices along the way, how we manage these deep things that happened to us through our lives. Viktor Frankl was the great teacher about this, he said that you don’t have the ability to change your fate, but you always have the ability to decide how you’re going to manage the consequences of that fate. I have my story about that. I’ll tell that story over time, but it begins with saying thank you. It begins with saying, ‘I am so fortunate to be a person who has learned the meaning of chesed through being a Jew.’” PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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Obituaries ADELSHEIM: Marcia (Saul) Adelsheim, age 84, of Scottsdale, Arizona, formerly of Pittsburgh, daughter of the late Sara and Benjamin Saul, is survived by her husband Richard Adelsheim; children Steven Adelsheim and Tara Ford, Nancy Adelsheim and Patricia Martin, Jim and Leslie Adelsheim; grandchildren Erin Ford and Ethan Gallegos, Julia Adelsheim, Sara Adelsheim and Nick Kanthadai, Kate Adelsheim, Rachel Adelsheim, Zoe Adelsheim; nephew Mark Adelsheim and wife Susan and niece Sherry Small and husband Mitch. Marcia received her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, teacher and a geriatric social worker at the Jewish Family and Children’s Service for more than 20 years. Marcia loved playing tennis and spending time with her family and friends. Services will be held at Rodef Shalom Congregation, 4905 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, on Friday, March 15 at 11 AM. Visitation one hour prior to the service.

Contributions may be made to Rodef Shalom Congregation or a charity of your choice.

BLECKMAN: Stewart Bleckman, on Monday, March 4, 2019. Beloved husband and best friend for 50 years to Kathy (Hoffman) Bleckman.

Beloved father of Dana (Michael) Laidhold and Marc (Johanna) Bleckman. Son of the late Harry and Tillie Bleckman. Brother of Marshall (Gail) Bleckman. Brother-in-law of Stuart (Gloria) Hoffman. Beloved “Papa” of Noah and Jacob Laidhold and Sylvie and Eben Bleckman.

Also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Stewart was a special education teacher in the Pittsburgh Public Schools for

35 years and a former president of Hebrew Free Loan Association. He loved music, dancing, biking and was a life-long learner.

He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Services were held at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. Interment Temple Sinai Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to Hebrew Free Loan Association, 4307 Murray Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217 or National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Keystone Chapter, 1501 Reedsdale Street, # 105, Cardelllo Building, Pittsburgh, PA 15233 or Temple Sinai, 5505 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217. schugar.com COHEN: Robert A. Cohen, age 89, of Pittsburgh, died Saturday, March 9, 2019. He was born July 23, 1929, in Pittsburgh, a son of the late Max and Mollie (Segal) Cohen.

Mr. Cohen was a practicing attorney for over 60 years at the time of his death. He enjoyed spending time with his family, playing the oboe and following Pittsburgh sports.

Surviving are his children, Deborah (Peter Basofin) Cohen of California, Deborah Ann (Scott) Wheeler of Florida, David R. (Meredith) Cohen and Charles E. Hickman, both of Pittsburgh; grandchildren, Jennifer (Michael) Huey, Anthony M. Hickman, Stephanie (Brian) Kirklin, Amanda Cohen, Raymond D. Sagi and Mark Cohen; great-grandchildren, Kailyn Coughenour, Nicholas Huey and Alana Kirklin; greatgreat-grandchild, Jordyn Kramer; also surviving is one sister, Beatrice Friedman and one brother, Arthur (Barbara Bailey) Cohen.

He was preceded by his wife, Mary E. Cohen and a daughter, Chrisann Sagi. Services were held at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to West Allegheny Community Library, 181 Bateman Road, Oakdale, PA 15071 or KidsVoice, 437 Grant Street, #700, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. schugar.com EDELSTEIN: Adeline Edelstein, of Portland, Oregon, formerly of Homewood,

Hadassah Pittsburgh office closes; chapter becomes part of Central States Region

H

HAUSMAN: David Hausman, on Wednesday, March 6, 2019. Devoted husband of Jennie Titlebaum Hausman.

Beloved father of Alan W. (Stacey) Hausman, Linda Hausman and Stuart (Jennifer) Hausman. Brother of the late Ruth Altshuler.

Grandfather of Duncan Hausman, Will (Brittany) Okoniewski and Erin Okoniewski.

Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Services were held at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. Interment private. Contributions may be made to American Heart Association, 444 Liberty Avenue, #1300, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 or Animal Friends, 562 Camp Horne Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237. schugar.com LASDAY: On February 24, 2019, Richard Milton Lasday of Maplewood, N.J. formerly of Washington, Pa., and West Orange, N.J. He is remembered for his generosity, patience, love of animals and sense of humor. He enjoyed gardening, nature and art; he painted his entire adult life. A veterinarian with a large and small animal practice he was also active in his Jewish communities, serving as synagogue and B’nai B’rith president in Washington, Pa. He was born on Jan. 8, 1924, in Pittsburgh to Ralph and Adele Lasday and was older brother to Don, all deceased. He

grew up on Long Island and Bayside, N.Y. He attended Cornell University then Auburn University Veterinary School. He served in the Army during the Korean War in Chicago and Kansas City. He married Audrey Golomb of Pittsburgh on September 10, 1950, in Pittsburgh and moved to Washington, PA, where he established his veterinary practice. In 1996, the Lasdays moved to West Orange, N.J., to be closer to family. He did part-time veterinary work until he was 85 years of age. His wife passed away on Dec. 19, 2011. Surviving are his three children, Judi Curl and husband Jeff Joy of Owings Mills, Md., Deborah Lasday and husband Brian O’Reilly of Cedar Grove, N.J., and David Lasday and wife Dr. Lisa Stern of New York City; five grandchildren, Seth Curl and wife Heather Layne of Redwood City, Calif., Abigail and husband Dr. Krishna Nemani of Mechanicsburg, Pa., Ethan O’Reilly of New York City, and Asher and Yonina Lasday of New York City and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews. Services were held at Temple Ner Tamid. Contributions may be made to B’nai B’rith, www.bnaibrith.org/ support-us.html, Hadassah, www.hadassah. org/ways-to-give, Beth Israel Congregation, 265 North Avenue, Washington, PA 15301, Temple Ner Tamid 936 North Broad Street, Bloomfield, NJ 07003.

WEISS: Marilyn Weiss, on Sunday, March 10, 2019. Beloved wife of the late Melvin Weiss; beloved mother of Joseph (Jill) Weiss of Westfield, N.J., and Wendy (Greg Rowe) Weiss of Philadelphia; sister of the late Ilene Aronovitz; grandmother of Leah and Neil Weiss and Lila Rowe; also survived by two nephews. Graveside services and interment were held at Cneseth Israel Cemetery. Contributions may be made to JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry, 5743 Bartlett Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15217.

Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., family owned and operated. schugar.com PJC

Squirrel Hill resident and attorney publishes debut novel

adassah’s Pittsburgh office on Hadassah’s exemplary history, but also Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill to help it move into a bright future,” she closed in December 2018, but wrote in an email.

Pittsburgh members are invited to attend the Pittsburgh chapter will continue local the Midwest Area Leadership Retreat programming as usual, according to Barbara April 6-7 in Novi, Michigan, as well as Scheinberg, immediate past president of the Central States Region Hadassah Pittsburgh.

HADASSAH Shabbaton September 13-15 in The chapter, established Beachwood, Ohio. here in 1917, is now under “Over the years Hadassah the auspices of the Central has changed its operations States Region, which includes model to one of consolidation Kentucky, Michigan (except of areas, ” said Furness. “Central for metro Detroit), Ohio, States is in a consolidated area West Virginia and Buffalo and with four other regions. This Rochester, N.Y. TM means we have access to staff “Hadassah is alive and well in the Midwest Area office which gives the in Pittsburgh,” Scheinberg said. “We will Hadassah Pittsburgh community resources continue to plan, execute and have our for many matters previously handled locally.” events. We are under a new system called Furness is available to answer ques‘Hub,’ but we are alive and well.” tions or concerns at lfurness@hadassah.

Pittsburgh Hadassah members will be invited to regionwide trainings and Midwest org or 859-338-5970. Tribute cards and Area conferences, according to Lynn certificates can be obtained by contacting Furness, current president of the Central the staff at 847-205-1900 or midwest@ States Region. “We look forward to working hadassah.org. PJC with you to not only sustain Pittsburgh —Toby Tabachnik PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Illinois and Pittsburgh, passed away peacefully in Portland on March 6, 2019. Born in Pittsburgh in 1925 to Anna J. (Wanetick) and Harry B. Herlick. Predeceased by her husband of 48 years, Joseph Edelstein and her brother and sisters, Lawrence Herlick, Florence Rudov and Estelle Weissburg.

Loving mother of Stanley (Gail Granoff) Edelstein of Merion Station, Pennsylvania, and Lois (Howard) Tobin of Tigard, Oregon, and cherished grandmother of Jessica (Marc Levy) Edelstein and Jonathan Edelstein, both of Philadelphia, and aunt to many nieces and nephews and their children. Interment, Beth Abraham Cemetery, Pittsburgh. Services entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., family owned and operated. schugar.com

J

ames Rosenberg, a native of Pittsburgh and graduate of Taylor Allderdice High School and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, released his debut novel, Legal Reserves.

The self-published thriller takes place in the Steel City where three law school buddies find themselves on opposite sides of a rollercoaster trial, five years after graduation.

Rosenberg styled the narrative on “archetypes he’s encountered over the years,” said marketing and business development consultant Lydia Blank in a press release. Legal Reserves is “inspired not only by the courtroom stories his father and grandfather used to tell him when he was a child, but also by the wild adventures he has encountered through his own experience as a lawyer,” she added.

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

Rosenberg is a Squirrel Hill resident and practicing attorney at Marcus & Shapira, LLP. He has been a trial lawyer in Pittsburgh for nearly 30 years, and began journal writing to manage his stress level.

“I love my job, but writing allows me to take a break from real life and flex my creative muscle,” he said in a press release.

Legal Reserves is available online at Amazon.com and in several independent bookstores, including Mystery Lovers Bookshop in Oakmont, Classic Lines Bookstore in Squirrel Hill and White Whale Bookstore in Bloomfield. The audiobook is currently in production and will be available in the spring. PJC — Adam Reinherz

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MARCH 15, 2019 25

22 COMMUNITY 26

Community Father’s Day at the Early Learning Center at Yeshiva Schools

Yeshiva Boys High School welcomes fathers

The Early Learning Center at Yeshiva Schools recently celebrated Father’s Day. Fathers were invited to spend time in their children’s classrooms, participate in activities with their children and learn about the preschool experience.

Yeshiva Boys High School welcomed fathers from across the country to celebrate Shabbat with their sons. The weekend is an educational, inspirational and uplifting time for the students and their fathers. Fathers came from Arizona, Florida, New Jersey, Connecticut, Ohio, Colorado, Massachusetts and New York.

p Judah Cowen and daughter Moriyah enjoy a story together at TELC Father’s Day celebration.

p Yeshiva ninth-grade student Ari Lite welcomes his father, Jeremy Lite, from Phoenix, Ariz.

p Dov Ber and daughter Missy Naiditch create loose parts sculptures.

p Yeshiva 11th-grade student Duvy Burston welcomes his father, Rabbi Pesach Burston from Monroe, N.Y.

p Rabbi Dovid Hordiner poses with son Mendel at TELC Father’s Day.

p Ninth-grader Tzvi Shusterman and his father and Yeshiva Boys High School teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Shusterman Photos courtesy of Yeshiva Schools

26 MARCH 15, 2019

Photos courtesy of Yeshiva Schools

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Community Pittsburgh teens attend L’Taken Social Justice Seminar Pittsburgh teens from Rodef Shalom Congregation, Temple David, Temple Emanuel of South Hills and Temple Sinai attended the L’Taken Social Justice Seminar for four days in Washington, D.C.

p Pittsburgh teens at the Capitol

p In a rare moment of free time, L’Taken participants visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.

Photos courtesy of Temple David

A happy birthday at Hillel Academy

Friendship Circle At the Friendship Circle home on Murray Avenue, families assembled birthday bags for Beverly’s Birthdays, an organization that provides birthday cheer to those in need. The friends also decorated goodie bags, cards and created games for UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. The next Kids Who Care Day will be March 17. Contact Julia at julia@fcpgh.org to learn more. The Friendship Circle’s middle-schoolers recently launched the first “Kids Who Care Day,” a day of sharing the value of friendship with other organizations and individuals. New and old friends from across the community joined together to volunteer and connect.

p Sharing friendship while volunteering

p First-graders celebrated a classmate’s birthday by dressing up as Dr. Seuss characters.

Photo by Morgan Friedman

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t Assembling bags of birthday cheer

Photos courtesy of Friendship Circle

MARCH 15, 2019 27

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