Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle 7-16-21 by Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle

July 16, 2021 | 7 Av 5781

Candlelighting 8:30 p.m. | Havdalah 9:36 p.m. | Vol. 64, No. 29 | pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

Rally against antisemitism draws thousands in show of unity at US Capitol

NOTEWORTHY LOCAL Keeping connected in college

$1.50

Rabbi Daniel Fellman begins Temple Sinai tenure By David Rullo | Staff Writer

whether Jews are facing violence in Los Angeles or Brooklyn or Paris or Tel Aviv. It won’t be silent whether Jews are being attacked in our synagogues, on our streets, on our campuses or on the floor of the House of Representatives.” Rabbi Jeffrey Myers of Tree of Life Congregation was one of the featured speakers. He described saying the viduy, the Jewish prayer before death, as an antisemite murdered 11 Shabbat worshipers in the Tree of Life building on Oct. 27, 2018. “‘We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are all endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, among them life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,’” Myers said, quoting the Declaration of Independence. “To be an antisemite means you do not accept that pact of being an American.” “My dream,” Myers told the crowd, “is that one day we don’t have to hold these

he rabbinate almost lost out to politics. Temple Sinai’s new senior rabbi Daniel Fellman graduated from Colorado College with a degree in political science. He was a speechwriter for the governor of Nebraska and even interned at the White House. He decided to put his political ambitions on hold, though, when he realized he “needed more,” he said. “I needed the substance of Judaism.” Fellman, an Omaha, Nebraska native, who founded Colorado College’s Hillel in 1994, discovered he loved working for the Jewish community. “It didn’t feel like work for me,” he told the Chronicle. “I thought to myself, if I can find something that doesn’t feel like work, that’s golden. I’m really lucky.” After graduating from Colorado College in 1996, Fellman went on to get his master’s in Hebrew Letters and was ordained as a rabbi at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati in 2005. He replaces Interim Rabbi Darryl Crystal, who has served Temple Sinai since the retirement of the congregation’s longtime spiritual leader, Rabbi Jamie Gibson, in July 2020. Fellman, 48, is new to Pittsburgh but not the rabbinate. He spent the last 12 years as the senior rabbi at Temple Concord in Syracuse, New York, and previously served as the assistant and associate rabbi at Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He left his Reform congregation in Syracuse not because he was unhappy in New York, he said, but because of what he saw at Temple Sinai. “It was about this synagogue,” Fellman said. “It was about the history of Temple Sinai. It was about a synagogue that is inclusive, openly inclusive, aggressively inclusive — that says everybody’s equal, that says, ‘We want to hear everybody’s voice.’ It was

Please see Rally, page 14

Please see Rabbi, page 14

Hillel JUC’s pandemic pivot Page 4

LOCAL Kreplach go mainstream

Little Tailor Dumplings launches in Pittsburgh Page 5

 From left: Rodney Fink, Rabbi Jeffrey Myers and Julie Paris

Photo courtesy of Julie Paris

LOCAL By JNS

Getting to know:

Comedian Steve Hofstetter Page 7

ore than 2,000 people from across the country gathered near the U.S. Capitol on Sunday to stand in solidarity against the rising tide of antisemitism across the United States. “No Fear: A Rally in Solidarity With the Jewish People” was organized by more than 100 Jewish and interfaith organizations from across the political and religious spectrum, under the leadership of business executive Elisha Wiesel, son of Holocaust survivor and Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel. “Looking out at all of you today, it becomes clear that instead of dividing us, the enemies of the Jewish people — whether from the right or the left, at home or abroad — have instead united us,” Wiesel told the crowd. “Here we stand, a coalition of Jews and our allies from all backgrounds, all political beliefs and all religious affiliations, who have come together to stand up to antisemitism,” he said. “This coalition will not be silenced

keep your eye on PittsburghJewishChronicle

LOCAL Back to the office — or not

HISTORY What’s in a name?

STREAMING ‘Unorthodox’ is uninteresting

Headlines Pittsburgh Police reports ethnic intimidation incidents for first half of 2021

wo incidents of vandalism toward individuals targeting their Jewish faith were reported in Pittsburgh in the first half of 2021, according to findings published July 7 in the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police’s Review of Ethnic Intimidation Incidents for the First Half of 2021. In total, there were 11 incidents of ethnic intimidation in the city since the beginning of the year, four of which resulted in an arrest. Ethnic intimidation incidents targeting victims by religious affiliation accounted for

9% of the crimes. Ethnic intimidation is defined in the report as “a criminal offense committed against a person, property or society which is motivated, in whole or part, by the offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability or sexual orientation.” The Pennsylvania Crimes Code does not have a “hate crimes” charge. The number of ethnic intimidation incidents represents an uptick from 2020, when eight incidents were reported for the entire year. The city is on target to nearly tie the

high-water mark year of the report, 2015, when 23 incidents occurred. The report included information spanning 2010-2021. According to the report, only one incident of ethnic intimidation occurred in Zone 4, which includes both the Squirrel Hill and Greenfield neighborhoods. It is unclear if the report includes the recent attacks against Jewish community members in Squirrel Hill during the month of June, including several verbal assaults and one physical assault. The Chronicle

The entire report can be found at pittsburghpa.gov/ publicsafety/blotterview/1355.

reached out to the Pittsburgh Police for clarification but did not hear back by press time. PJC — David Rullo

PA legislature eliminates nonprofit security fund By Ron Kampeas | JTA and Toby Tabachnick | Editor

he Orthodox Union blasted Pennsylvania’s Republican-led legislature for cutting security funding for nonprofits to zero. The General Assembly budget passed last month effectively ended a five-year fund the commonwealth established in 2019, just after the massacre at the Tree of Life building in Pittsburgh, to secure nonprofits.

So far the fund distributed $10 million in grants of between $25,000 and $150,000 to organizations designated by the FBI as likely targets for hate crimes, including synagogues, churches and mosques. In a written statement issued on July 6, the Orthodox Union asserted that Jewish community leaders across the commonwealth are disappointed with the General Assembly’s decision to defund security support for at-risk groups. However, others are optimistic that state

security funding for nonprofits will continue. “We’re identifying how to continue this program moving forward,” said Laura Cherner, director of the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. “In the past, our local elected officials have been very supportive and we expect that support to continue.” The Community Relations Council and the Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition — which advocates on behalf of Jewish Federations throughout the commonwealth — are working with elected

officials, she added, to ensure funding. The cut was one of a number of programs zeroed out as Republicans led the passage of a $40 billion budget that invests in education and infrastructure, but reserves about $5 billion for savings in order to keep taxes from rising. Much of the reserved money comes from billions in federal stimulus funds directed to the state for coronavirus relief. PJC Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

With still no trial date, judge in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting case urges attorneys to ‘get this going’

ttorneys for the prosecution, and attorneys for the defense of the man accused of murdering 11 Jews in the Tree of Life building on Oct. 27, 2018, met with Judge Donetta Ambrose on July 11 to discuss deadlines, according to KDKA. No trial date has yet been set, and it is still unclear as to whether the

defendant will assert an insanity defense. During the meeting, “prosecutors pushed for stricter deadlines and defense attorneys asked for more time due to COVID safety restraints,” KDKA reported. Prosecutors stated it was a matter of “respect” for those murdered, as well as their families, to move the case to trial. Prosecutors also

pushed for a deadline for the accused to declare if he will be pursuing an insanity defense. “I want you to understand I think the time has come to get this going,” Ambrose said. Attorneys for the defense claimed that the pandemic was delaying them from traveling to complete their investigation, according

to KDKA, and said they wanted to put off talking about mental health deadlines until hearings scheduled for September. It has not yet been decided whether the trial will be held in Pittsburgh. PJC — Toby Tabachnick

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Headlines Back to the office: Jewish organizations take different approaches — LOCAL — By David Rullo | Staff Writer

ore than 15 months after COVID-19 forced most nonessential businesses and nonprofits to shutter their doors and embrace work-fromhome models, employers are now grappling with when and how to return to the office. The strategies vary depending on the organization, and the concerns and vaccination status of its employees. The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh is in the midst of a “soft” reopening, according to Adam Hertzman, the Federation’s director of marketing. For many employees, the transition back to an office, he said, involves more than making decisions about childcare and commuting. “It’s also a psychological one,” Hertzman said. “We wanted to give our staff the opportunity to really ease back into the office and give them the flexibility in this interim period to adjust. That’s really important.” To accomplish that goal, the Federation has set a September target date — after the High Holidays — for its entire staff to return to the office full time. There is still some fear of contracting the virus among members of the Federation’s staff, Hertzman said, including those who may not

p Working from home has become more commonplace even now that restrictions are being lifted. nortonrsx via iStock Photo

be able to be vaccinated for medical reasons. “In order to maintain a truly inclusive workforce, we need to understand that there are people who don’t have the same ability to receive the vaccination as others,” he said. There will be some leeway moving forward in terms of in-person requirements, Hertzman continued, including for those employees who may worry about passing the

virus to their children under 12 and not yet eligible for the vaccine. Accommodations are important to maintain a competitive workforce, Hertzman said, adding that there were benefits to meeting over Zoom or through Microsoft Teams this past year. “One of the advantages to someone that is hearing impaired has been the closed

captioning,” Hertzman noted. “That is something we’re going to have to address in the office.” Jewish Residential Services, whose mission is to support individuals with psychiatric, developmental or intellectual disabilities, had to adopt several different approaches for its employees, according to Nancy Gale, executive director of JRS. Staff members for JRS’ supportive living program — which assists adults with chronic and persistent mental illness and/or developmental disabilities to live independently in their own homes — have worked in person throughout the pandemic, Gale said, because their work can’t be performed through Zoom or by phone. Employees at the Sally and Howard Levin Clubhouse, a psychiatric and social rehabilitation program, in contrast, were able to utilize video conferencing software and the phone to contact clients on an individual basis during the worst part of the pandemic. Since March 15, 2021, however, the Clubhouse staff has been back to work fully in-person. Behind the scenes, JRS office staff has worked in cohorts, Gale said, operating with an A and B group, limiting the number of people in the office. “Starting after Labor Day, everybody will be back in the office full time,” she said. Please see Office, page 15

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JULY 16, 2021 3

Headlines During a pandemic year, Hillel JUC continued to build community one relationship at a time

When a nursing home is not in the plan

Turn your aging-in-place goal into a practical, affordable plan.

 Carmel Baharav and Sophie Sacks celebrate Shabbat with Shabbat2Go bags provided by Hillel JUC. Photo provided by Hillel JUC

Join us for a delicious meal as we share how to make your stay-at-home dream into a reality. Enjoy in-depth discussions and personal connections at an in-person event near you. Your Plan, Your Vision and Your Future can be securely in place, right now, with Envisage.

Register for an in-person event at www.Envisage.org/InPerson or call 866.589.0597 today.  Hillel JUC and student leaders distributed Shabbat2Go bags to Carnegie Mellon and University of Pittsburgh students. Photo provided by Hillel JUC

— LOCAL — By David Rullo | Staff Writer

4 JULY 16, 2021

he COVID-19 pandemic presented some unique challenges for Hillel Jewish University Center of Pittsburgh. Hillel, whose mission is to enrich the lives of Jewish college students, could no longer host student-led Shabbat or holiday experiences in person, and longstanding programs like Challah for Hunger were put on hold. As the ethos of Hillel has always been to facilitate student-led activities and programs, according to its executive director and CEO Daniel Marcus, its priority throughout the pandemic was to continue to support students and keep them connected. Unable to meet in large groups, the organization pivoted to meet the needs of students at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, Marcus explained. “We knew that during the pandemic, Shabbat and holidays were going to continue

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

to be a vital part of the Jewish campus experience,” he said. So, instead of in-person Shabbat meals and services, Hillel created Shabbat2Go bags, each containing a full Shabbat meal, ritual items and links to online gatherings. The bags were distributed by student leaders, six feet apart and following all safety guidelines outside the Hillel JUC building on Forbes Avenue and on the CMU and Pitt campuses. “What made this so special,” Marcus said, “was that it still provided the moment of human connection with our staff and student leadership. For the students picking up Shabbat2Go, the triangle of human interaction, the delicious food and the connection to the Jewish community was very powerful.” Like other organizations, Hillel used technology to continue programs that otherwise might have been put on hiatus during the pandemic. Marcus pointed to Challah for Hunger as an example. Students were provided with the dough and other ingredients and then connected through Please see Hillel, page 15

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Headlines Little Tailor Dumplings honors intergenerational kreplach recipe — LOCAL — By Sarah Abrams | Staff Writer

hef Brandon Blumenfeld founded Little Tailor Dumplings in Pittsburgh as a way to remain in the culinary sphere during the early days of the COVID-19 lockdown. Blumenfeld was first interested in cooking as a child, mostly from watching the Food Network and hanging around family members in the kitchen. The passion followed him into adulthood, and he went on to finish first in his class from the Miami Culinary Institute. After graduation he traveled to Southeast Asia before returning home to Pittsburgh, finding work in several restaurants in Lawrenceville and Troy Hill, including as the executive chef at the TRYP Hotel. While restaurants were mostly closed due to the coronavirus crisis, Blumenfeld found himself “in a similarly lost place as a lot of people in the food industry during the pandemic,” he said. So, he decided to immerse himself in one of his family’s most traditional culinary recipes: kreplach. Blumenfeld’s great-grandfather, Joseph Rosenbloom, immigrated to Pittsburgh from Poland in 1921 — and brought along his recipe for kreplach, a Jewish take on boiled

noodle dumplings, usually stuffed with meat or potatoes. “Joseph was the cook in the family,” said Blumenfeld’s mother, Cheryl Blumenfeld. “We would sit around watching him make kreplach. Back then we p Brandon always ate it with soup… Blumenfeld Photo courtesy it was a family tradition.” of Brandon Blumenfeld Brandon was 4 when his great-grandfather passed away. Joseph had kept a recipe box, which included his recipe for kreplach, but the box went missing for several years after his death. When Blumenfeld and his mother finally found it, they went through it and prepared all the recipes inside, according to Cheryl Blumenfeld, adding that it was “wonderful to be able to pass on something from my childhood to my son.” Today Joseph’s culinary skills live on through Brandon Blumenfeld, his mother said, noting that her son “liked the stories behind the food, especially hearing about my grandfather. One day, Brandon decided to try and make kreplach.” It took a bit of practice, Brandon Blumenfeld said. “Through many hours of research and talking to family members to learn the oral

p Little Tailor Dumplings

Photo courtesy of Brandon Blumenfeld

history of my great-grandfather’s life in Pittsburgh, I was able to evoke his spirit,” he said. “I kept working at my experience with the recipe and everything eventually fell into place.” What started as a project to make kreplach for his family, friends and now-fiancée, has transformed into a full-scale business. “I never really thought about kreplach as something I would make in a restaurant, but after a [previous interview], I started experimenting with the recipe and putting kreplach on the menu in places I was running,” Brandon Blumenfeld said. That helped him “turn my great-grandfather’s recipe into something that was a little

July 17-18, 2021

Sarah Abrams can be reached at sabrams@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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bit more modern and approachable to the general public, Jewish or not.” Thus, Little Tailor Dumplings was born and named for Blumenfeld’s great-grandfather, a talented chef and tailor, who even made Cheryl Blumenfeld’s wedding gown. Blumenfeld is focusing on distributing his kreplach to small, locally-owned markets around Pittsburgh. For now, Little Tailor Dumplings can be purchased at the Bryant Street Market and littletailorpgh.com. PJC

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Photo courtesy of Cheryl Blumenfeld

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p Joseph Rosenbloom (aka ‘The Little Tailor’) and his greatgrandson Brandon Blumenfeld

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JULY 16, 2021 5

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

SAVE THE DATE

Join New Light Congregation for a weekly examination of Maimonides’ Mishna Torah Book on Repentance led by Rabbi Jonathan Perlman. Examine the journey of the soul, sin, forgiveness and the meaning of the High Holidays. 7 p.m. To register, email janet@newlightcongregation.org. q

THURSDAY, JULY 22

Tikvah Hadassah welcomes author Linda Cohen, speaking about her book, “Sarinka: A Sephardic Holocaust Journey.” Register by July 20. $10. 1 p.m. hadassahmidwest.org/TikvahSarinka.

SUNDAYS, JULY 18-AUG. 22

The Book of Job is one of the most powerful pieces of writing in the Hebrew Bible. Focused on the question of “why do the righteous suffer?” this book has universal significance. In this course, Rabbi Danny Schiff will offer a journey through the core themes raised by the Book of Job. $70. 10 a.m. foundation.jewishpgh.org MONDAY, JULY 19

Chabad of the South Hills presents Kabbalah of the Aleph Bet, a ladies’ learning course. $18 suggested donation. RSVP to batya@chabadsh.com. 10 a.m. chabadsh.com

WEDNESDAYS, JULY 21-AUG. 18

Join a lay-led Online Parashah Study Group to discuss the week’s Torah portion. No Hebrew knowledge is needed. The goal is to build community while deepening understanding of the text. 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit bethshalompgh.org.

SUNDAYS, JULY 18, 25; AUG. 1, 8

Join Moishe House for volunteer nights at the Sheridan Avenue Orchard and Garden run by Repair the World. All food grown is donated to East End Cooperative Ministries. Volunteers will help with weeding, trash cleanup and planting and caring for plants. 5:30 p.m. facebook.com/ moishehouse.pittsburgh q

MONDAYS, JULY 19, 26; AUG. 2, 9

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

TUESDAY, JULY 20

In “The Top Ten Torah Texts,” Rabbi Danny Schiff will offer his top 10 texts and share why he regards these passages as being so important. Never before offered, this course will provide you with an easily remembered list of Torah highlights, together with the deeper meaning behind each selection. $35. 9:30 a.m. foundation. jewishpgh.org

SUNDAY, JULY 25

Hang out at Frick Park dog park with Moishe House. Dogs can frolic in the off-leash area and humans can snack and dog watch. 5 p.m. facebook.com/ moishehouse.pittsburgh q

SUNDAY, AUG. 1

Join the Westmoreland Jewish Community Council and make a High Holiday trivet followed by a potluck picnic lunch at Twin Lakes Park, pavilion 5. There is no charge for the picnic but there is a fee to create the trivet. 10 a.m. trivet making; 12:30 p.m. picnic. wjccwestmoreland@gmail.com q

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 18

Join the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh on Zoom to learn more about the Mega Mission 2022. The mission will take place in Israel June 13-21, 2022. This is your chance to hear the details and ask all your pressing questions. RSVP required to receive Zoom link. 7 p.m. jewishpgh. org/event/21-mega-mission-2022-generalinformation-session-7-11-2021 q

THURSDAY, AUG. 19-JUNE 30, 2022

The Alan Papernick Educational Institute Endowment Fund presents Continuing Legal Education, a six-part CLE series taught by Foundation Scholar Rabbi Dr. Danny Schiff. Earn up to 12 CLE credits. Each session is a stand-alone unit; you can take one class or all six. 8:30 a.m. With CLE credit: $30/session or $150 all sessions; Without CLE credit: $25/session or $125 all sessions. For a complete list of dates and topics, visit foundation.jewishpgh.org/ continuing-legal-education. PJC

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Headlines Getting to know: Comedian Steve Hofstetter — LOCAL — By Toby Tabachnick | Editor

teve Hofstetter still occasionally gets online death threats from antisemites, fallout from an incident in 2019 when he took on a heckler during his stand-up routine at a club in Vancouver. But those threats haven’t silenced the Jewish comedian, who moved to Pittsburgh in February. Far from it. Hofstetter — who recently launched the Steel City Arts Foundation (or, “Steel City AF”) and is in the midst of transforming a Stanton Heights church into a “live/work/ play environment for comedians” — was riffing then on the rioters in Charlottesville who were chanting “Jews will not replace us.” When Hofstetter joked, “What the f*** job do you have that you’re worried that Jews are comin’ for ya? We don’t want to work at Hobby Lobby,” an audience member interrupted him, shouting “TV.” To which Hofstetter replied: “TV? Oh, are you saying that Jews control Hollywood? Because you can leave.” The heckler eventually responded, “Jewish people control TV and they do a great job of doing it,” to which Hofstetter replied, “That’s still prejudice, man.” When the comedian posted a YouTube video of the exchange, he was flooded with online attacks, including hundreds of death threats and thousands of antisemitic comments about “the Jew.” He ended up calling the FBI. The experience was “terrifying,” he told the Chronicle last week, speaking from Denver on his way to a gig. “There was this moment when I was on the road with two other comedians who are very close friends of mine, and I didn’t know what to do,” he recalled. “I was genuinely scared…And, you know, they basically said, ‘If this happened to someone else, what would you tell them to do?’ And I was like, ‘I would tell them to get louder.’ And then I realized that’s what I had to do. I had to take my own advice and deal with whatever fallout came. The whole idea is, the reason these people write these horrible things is because they’re trying to silence us, right? And so why give them what they want?” Hofstetter, 41, grew up in a Conservative home in Queens, New York, and took classes for a couple years at the Jewish Theological Seminary while a student at Columbia University. His father, Martin, was very active at his synagogue — and also very supportive of his son’s unconventional career. When Hofstetter performed at a fundraiser at his family’s shul, Martin “got basically two weeksworth of naches from it,” the comedian said. “People ask me often ‘What’s the highlight of your career?’ And that’s beautiful to be able to have done that, given that to my dad.” Martin died six years ago, and to honor him, Hofstetter launched the Martin Foundation, providing grants to comedians to help pay their bills so they can concentrate on their art full time. Steel City AF, which grew out of the Martin Foundation, will help up-and-coming comics while providing a venue to enhance the comedy scene in Pittsburgh. PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

p Steve Hofstetter

Photo by Mark Feocco

“Pittsburgh has a fine comedy scene, but there’s so much room for growth,” Hofstetter said. “That’s not an insult to the scene at all. It’s just I’ve seen all the other scenes. I’ve owned four comedy clubs in different cities. I have toured every major city in America. I’ve seen what the potential can be. …And I just want the Pittsburgh comedy scene to reach what it can be and not settle for what it is.” To that end, Hofstetter purchased the Stanton Heights United Methodist Church, which will serve as a performance and event space to showcase local talent as well as nationally known acts. The property includes a detached three-bedroom home that will house touring comedians for free. Renovations are underway and are expected to be completed within a few weeks, but it could take another six months to get zoning clearances, Hofstetter said. He hopes to be open by New Year’s Eve. In the meantime, Steel City AF is partnering with the Thunderbird Café in Lawrenceville to host a four-show, Thursday night series called “Steve Hofstetter and Friends.” “I’m using my connections to bring in some pretty heavy hitters from outside of Pittsburgh to headline, and then have it be a showcase for locals,” Hofstetter said. Each show will feature seven comedians doing short sets, he said, “so there will be someone you like on the show, no matter what your taste is.” The series will run July 22 through Aug. 12, and will feature veteran comics Mary Santora, Bill Squire, Brett Druck and Abby Roberge. If the four-week series takes off, Hofstetter hopes to extend it “for the foreseeable future,” he said. More information is available at steel cityaf.com and thunderbirdmusichall.com. The New York-expat, who lived in L.A. for about a decade, is smitten with his new hometown — and with his Stanton

 Thunderbird Café

Heights neighborhood. “I’ve been living in Pittsburgh since February and I absolutely love it,” he said. “It’s all the amenities I would want in a big city — I could get anything I need — but it’s a small town feel. Things are geographically close to each other; you don’t have to be in the car that long. Its people are super nice. It’s the first time in my life I’m making friends with my neighbors. That’s a thing I never did before. I’m learning how to be a Pittsburgher.” In addition to focusing his energy on the church renovation and the launch of the comedy series at the Thunderbird, Hofstetter is maintaining a rigorous touring schedule. Between mid-July and the beginning of August, he will be playing clubs in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Colorado and North Carolina. On Aug. 13, he is scheduled to perform at The Oaks Theater in Oakmont. His Jewish identity, while not

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Photo by Kyle Hines, courtesy of Thunderbird Café

the centerpiece of his current act, remains part of it. “I talk about how my family is diverse, how my sister’s adopted, my sister’s Black,” he said. “And, you know, when I talk about that dynamic, I tell a funny story that happened one Passover. And I tell a story about how somebody in synagogue didn’t believe that she was Jewish. The whole point is that there’s prejudice everywhere. And so I definitely use my stage to try to combat it as much as possible. But my premise of it is, I just want to talk about [being Jewish] like it’s a normal thing — to talk about it the same way that a comic might talk about how they grew up in Nebraska. It’s just a thing that they did that not everybody relates to, but it’s just part of who they are.” PJC Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. JULY 16, 2021 7

Headlines What’s behind a name? — HISTORY — By Eric Lidji | Special to the Chronicle

n Sunday, May 12, 1907, at least 147 people crowded into the HirschBaskin Co. store at Sandusky and Ohio streets in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, to decide who they would be. They had been meeting for years as an informal prayer group and recently resolved to form an actual congregation, one with a charter, a synagogue, a religious school and a sisterhood. They had sent out invitations to an organizational meeting. It was set for a Sunday, presumably so the merchants could get away from their shops. At the meeting they planned to elect officers. And of course, they needed to choose a name. The minutes report the following deliberation: “Two names were proposed: Ahava Sholem and Beth Israel. The name of Beth Israel, being the choice of the majority of members, was selected.” That’s all we know. Why those two names? Was the debate heated? About all that, we can only theorize. Articles from the dedication of the Beth Israel synagogue in September 1907 merely list the speakers, without deeper analysis. A nearly identical scene occurred 47-and-a-half years later, in a basement in the Eastmont subdivision of the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. Recent arrivals to the area had been gathering for about five months in the home of Harry Katz and were evolving into a congregation. They initially called themselves Eastmont Hebrew Congregation, but they had begun attracting people from Churchill Manor, Churchill Valley, Blackridge, Monroeville, Forest Hills, Crescent Hills and Penn Township. They needed a new name. They sent out an invitation. It was for Saturday, Dec. 25, 1954, Christmas night, and so once again, everyone was able to get off work. They packed the basement. This time, we know what happened next. In a scrapbook of the congregation is a photograph showing two men standing at the front of a makeshift sanctuary. Inches above their heads are joists, air ducts and fluorescent lamps. One man leans on a lectern with a Star of David. This is Rabbi Pinchas N. Gross, who had recently accepted the pulpit of the congregation. The other

man points at a chalkboard. This is Harry Katz, who grew up in a family hardware store in Canonsburg and later became a successful exterminator. On the chalkboard are potential names: “Parkway Jewish Center,” “Parkway Hebrew Center,” “Ramat Kedem,” “Rosh Pinah,” “Haye Olam” and so on. Katz is pointing to a name on the bottom row: “Shaar Hashamayim, Gate of Heaven.” And that’s when they became Parkway Jewish Center Shaar Ha-shamayim. Again, you might wonder why the name was chosen. Perhaps it was a reference to the first Jewish congregation in the region, Shaare Shemayim, founded in 1848. You could see how the early pioneers would have been an inspiration to the Eastmont group. But this time we have an answer. A newspaper article pasted into one of the congregational scrapbooks explains that the people crowded into the Katz’s basement that Christmas night had been inspired by a Friday night sermon given by Rabbi Gross a few weeks earlier. He had been talking about the dream of  Rabbi Pinchas N. Gross (left) and Harry Katz (right) at a Dec. 25, 1954, meeting to select a new name Jacob’s Ladder. “How poor for the former Eastmont Hebrew Congregation, now known as Parkway Jewish Center Shaar is a human being who does Ha-shamayim. Photo courtesy of Rauh Jewish Archives not possess the power of dreaming!” Gross said. “The House of God we are planning to establish and His blessings.” texts or emails? Think the internet is permain Eastmont will, if you please, also serve to So much of what we know about the past nent? It isn’t, not unless a thing goes viral. nurture our dreams for the higher ideals of is circumstantial. Both congregations saved Websites disappear, platforms folds, CEOs our Torah and of mankind. Here we shall things, but what they saved was not entirely pivots. And as a result, the future may never endeavor to push aside our daily worries in their control. Cameras were novel in 1907 know the meaning of our names. PJC and our petty problems and strive to bring and commonplace by 1954. One newspaper Eric Lidji is the director of the Rauh Jewish down Heaven to earth. This shall be a ‘Shaar wrote long while another wrote short. Ha-shamayim,’ a Gate of Heaven, for our Documentation today is both ubiquitous Archives at the Heinz History Center. He can supplications to ascend to our Heavenly and fleeting. Your phone is a powerful device, be reached at rjarchives@heinzhistorycenter. Father and bring down to us His guidance but who hasn’t lost years of photographs, org or 412-454-6406.

AIPAC cancels 2022 policy conference, citing lingering pandemic concerns — NATIONAL — By Ron Kampeas | JTA

he American Israel Public Affairs Committee will not host a policy conference in 2022, the second consecutive year it has made the decision citing COVID-19 pandemic concerns. “The health and safety of our conference delegates is our top priority each year,” AIPAC President Betsy Berns Korn said

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in an email that went out to AIPAC activists. “Unfortunately, there are still too many questions that remain unanswered to move forward responsibly, and thus we have made the decision to cancel the 2022 AIPAC Policy Conference.” According to a source close to the pro-Israel lobby organization, the decision was made now because deadlines were looming to sign contractual agreements for conference space, hotels and other amenities. With the pandemic not fully under control, and with reports of spikes of more deadly variants

elsewhere in the world, the source said that the risks of mounting a conference were too great. “This decision may seem surprising as we appear to be entering a post-pandemic world,” Berns Korn wrote in her email. “However, with uncertainty around the continued spread of COVID, we still have a fragile and uncertain path back to normal travel and mass gatherings.” AIPAC’s 2020 conference took place just as the pandemic accelerated and at least two of its participants were among the first to have contracted the virus.

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Another concern, the AIPAC source said, was that activists may not be able to fully access congressional offices on the last day of the conference, when thousands of activists lobby in person for a three-point legislative agenda based on what AIPAC’s staff have determined are the most pressing needs of the year. Unlike other Jewish groups, AIPAC this year opted not to run a conference online, instead focusing on a series of smaller online meetings throughout the year. The AIPAC sources said that some regional events may return to being in-person. PJC PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Headlines Survey: A quarter of U.S. Jews agree that Israel ‘is an apartheid state’ — NATIONAL — By Ron Kampeas | JTA

survey of U.S. Jewish voters taken after the Israel-Gaza conflict finds that a sizable minority believe some of the harshest criticisms of Israel, including that it is committing genocide and apartheid. Among respondents to the survey commissioned by the Jewish Electorate Institute, a group led by prominent Jewish Democrats, 34% agreed that “Israel’s treatment of Palestinians is similar to racism in the United States,” 25% agreed that “Israel is an apartheid state” and 22% agreed that “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians.” Among younger voters included in the survey released Tuesday, agreement with those statements was higher, though still in the minority. The poll found that 9% of voters agreed with the statement, “Israel doesn’t have a right to exist.” But among voters under 40, that proportion was 20%. A third of younger voters agreed that Israel is committing genocide, a position that even human rights lawyers who are critical of Israel say is extreme; more than a third agreed that Israel is an apartheid state. The findings are striking as mainstream pro-Israel organizations struggle to make the case that Israel is central to Jewish identity and that criticism of it often veers into antisemitism. They suggest that many American Jews agree with statements by some of Israel’s harshest critics on the left made during the Gaza-Israel conflict in May, including in some cases by a handful of Democratic members of Congress who were then criticized by their colleagues. The survey of American-Jewish political sentiment was wide-ranging, finding wide approval for President Joe Biden and deep concern about Republican efforts in Georgia and Florida to tighten access to the ballot booth. When it came to measuring criticism of Israel, the poll first asked respondents whether they thought each of the four critical statements was antisemitic; those who said a statement was not antisemitic were then asked if they agreed with it. Of the four statements, only in one case, did a majority — 67% — agree that it was antisemitic to say, “Israel doesn’t have a right to exist.” For the other three questions, more respondents disagreed that the statement was antisemitic than agreed. The survey of 800 voters, conducted by GBAO Strategies from June 28 to July 1 online and via texts, has an overall margin of error of 3.5 percentage points; the replies of those under 40 have a margin of error of 6 percentage points. (The margin of error for the Orthodox subgroup was 11.6 percentage points.) While the proportion of respondents agreeing with critical statements about Israel was higher than many pro-Israel advocates have characterized, at least one finding is in line with that of another recent survey. Asked

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p Activists protest Israel’s military actions against Palestinians outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. on May 18, 2021.

Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images via JTA

The new survey presents the latest challenge as the new Israeli government endeavors to repair ties with a U.S. Jewish community that to a degree became alienated from Israel during the 12 years Benjamin Netanyahu was prime minister. if they felt emotionally attached to Israel, 62% of respondents to the Jewish Electorate Institute survey said they did and 38% said they did not, numbers that matched those in the Pew study of 4,700 American Jews released in May. The new survey presents the latest challenge as the new Israeli government endeavors to repair ties with a U.S. Jewish community that to a degree became alienated from Israel during the 12 years Benjamin Netanyahu was prime minister. Surveys have found that Israeli and American Jews know little about one another. One statement in the survey, echoing a claim by former President Donald Trump, that “Jews who vote Democratic are disloyal to Israel” was also put forward to respondents to assess whether it is antisemitic; mainstream Jewish organizations have suggested that it is. However, while a vast majority of respondents, 77%, disagreed with the statement, only 26% said they believed it is antisemitic. Asked about the two-state solution, 61% of survey respondents said it was their preferred outcome. But 19% said they

preferred annexation of the West Bank that would deny Palestinians the right to vote in national elections, while 20% said they preferred “establishing one state that is neither Jewish nor Palestinian” and encompassing Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. Gaza is currently controlled by the Hamas terrorist group. The Democratic lawmakers who lashed out at Israel during the conflict, including Reps. Cori Bush, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, have also raised the prospect of cutting aid to Israel. While a substantial majority of survey respondents, 71%, said it was “important” to provide financial assistance to Israel, a smaller majority, 58%, said it would be appropriate to restrict aid to Israel so it could not spend U.S. money on settlements. A majority, 62%, support Biden’s reversal of Trump’s policy of cutting off aid to the Palestinians. The survey showed continued support among Jewish voters for Biden and for Democrats, commensurate with an American Jewish Committee poll taken just before the Gaza conflict. In the latest poll, Biden earned 80% job approval, and 74% approval on how

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he is “handling relations with Israel.” He got 62% approval ratings for how he handled the recent Israel-Gaza conflict. Among the Orthodox, who largely voted Republican in the 2020 presidential election, Biden had 31% approval overall, but notably a higher number — 44% — for how he handles Israel relations. He earned 37% approval among the Orthodox for how he handled the recent conflict. Asked whether they would prefer a Democrat to a Republican in a vote for Congress in next year’s midterm elections, 68% favored a generic Democrat and 21% favored a Republican. Democratic leaders Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer got 54% and 52% favorability ratings respectively and while Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell each got 10%. On domestic issues, respondents placed high climate change, voting rights, jobs, the economy and the coronavirus pandemic. Strikingly, 83% of respondents said they were concerned about Republican efforts in Georgia and Florida to tighten access to the ballot booth, which Democrats say are aimed at inhibiting minority voters. Some 76% of respondents supported federal legislation backed by Democrats that would block the state efforts to restrict voting rights, and 62% supported eliminating the Senate filibuster to allow the Democratic majority to pass the legislation. Concern about antisemitism in the United States was high, at 90%, and more voters, 61%, believed the threat came from the right than they did from the left, 22%. Voters who said the threat was equal from both sides came in at 12%. Among the Orthodox, 69% said the threat came from the left, 10% from the right and 18% from both sides. PJC JULY 16, 2021 9

Headlines — WORLD — From JTA reports

Esther Bejarano, member of Auschwitz orchestra, dies at 96

Esther Bejarano played music while she watched fellow Jews marched to their deaths, and then used it decades later to make sure the crimes she suffered and witnessed would never be repeated. Bejarano, a member of the so-called Auschwitz orchestra, died peacefully at the Jewish hospital in Hamburg. She was 96. On Sunday, crowds gathered at Platz der Bücherverbrennung in Hamburg, where she last performed, to honor her. Bejarano, born Loewy, was born in 1924 in French-occupied Saarlouis, a town the Nazis reclaimed in 1935. After her sister and her parents were killed by Nazis, Bejarano was working hard labor at Auschwitz in 1943 when she heard there was a 40-woman orchestra at the camp and that they needed an accordionist. Trained as a pianist, she volunteered, although she did not know how to play the accordion. The Nazi commandants established the orchestra to lull incoming Jews into false confidence. “You knew that they were going to be gassed, and all you could do was stand there and play,” she told Deutsche Welle in 2014. She moved to Israel after the war and married and had children, and trained as a

singer. She moved back to Germany in the 1970s, according to Deutsche Welle, because of her husband Nissim’s health. She chose Hamburg because she had no history with the city, although she could not help but wonder if passersby were among her persecutors. “When I saw people who looked a bit older than me, I always wondered whether they had perhaps been the murderers of my parents and my sister,” she said. In 1986, alarmed by a resurgence of antisemitism in German, Bejarano helped found the Auschwitz committee to give survivors a platform to speak to youths and to media about their experiences. “It is my revenge that I go to the schools, that I tell people what happened back then,” the BBC quoted her as saying. “So that nothing like that can ever happen again.” She used music to spread the word. She formed a band called Coincidence, with her children, Edna and Joram, playing Yiddish melodies and Jewish resistance songs. At times, she took up the accordion. In 2010, a popular German hip hop group, Microphone Mafia, approached her and asked her to team up to perform music with an anti-fascist message. Then 85, she readily agreed. “It’s a clash of everything: age, culture, style,” Bejarano, told The Associated Press at the time. “But we all love music and share a common goal: We’re fighting against racism and discrimination.” Bejarano criticized the settlement policies of recent Israeli governments, but said

there was little room in Germany to articulate such complaints because of lingering Holocaust guilt. She was a critic of Germany for not doing enough to stem attacks on the vulnerable, including immigrants, but was also beloved, receiving the country’s Order of Merit. “We have suffered a great loss in her death,” the AP quoted German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier as saying.

Andrew Saul, Jewish Social Security boss installed by Trump and fired by Biden, vows to stay in the post

Andrew Saul, the Social Security Administration Commissioner who President Joe Biden fired, claimed the move was illegal and vowed to stay in the post. Saul, a businessman who has donated heavily to Jewish causes, gave the comment to The Washington Post. Biden said the Trump-appointed official was thwarting changes that Biden wanted at the agency. The government is able to cut off access to computer networks, so it’s not clear what options Saul has. Democrats, government unions and advocates for the disabled and the elderly had all pressed for the removal of Saul. “Since taking office, Commissioner Saul has undermined and politicized Social Security disability benefits, terminated the agency’s telework policy that was utilized by up to 25% of the agency’s workforce, not

repaired SSA’s relationships with relevant Federal employee unions including in the context of COVID-19 workplace safety planning, reduced due process protections for benefits appeals hearings, and taken other actions that run contrary to the mission of the agency and the President’s policy agenda,” the White House said in a statement to the Post. Saul said he had made the administration more efficient and had stemmed what he said was an abuse of work from home policies. “I quite frankly feel I’m doing an excellent job there,” he said. His term was due to last through 2025. Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader in the Senate, said the firing “politicized” the agency. Saul, also a major donor to the Republican Party, was a classmate of Donald Trump at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He was confirmed as Social Security Administration Commissioner in 2019 and immediately sought reforms to stem what the Trump administration officials said were fraudulent abuses of the system. Social Security beneficiaries said it became difficult to claim much-needed relief. Saul, 74, has had a successful career in fashion and investment. He says on his official Social Security Administration biography that he formerly served as a board member of the United Jewish Appeal Federation of New York. PJC

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Join us in

This week in Israeli history — WORLD —

Pittsburgh’s Fight Against Antisemitism

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

July 16, 1948 — Violinist Pinchas Zukerman is born

Classical musician and conductor Pinchas Zukerman is born in Tel Aviv. Zukerman plays violin and viola at his debut in New York in 1969 and launches his conducting career in London in 1970.

MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 2021 · 7 PM ET Register by Aug. 12 · Free Online Event · Open to Everyone

www.hadassahmidwest.org/PittsburghFight

Hadassah Greater Pittsburgh is pleased to present a timely and informative virtual program focusing on the fight against antisemitism. Our distinguished panelists representing local and national organizations will discuss the unfortunate rise in antisemitism and the steps that our local community is taking to combat this trend. We invite you to attend this virtual event and to participate in the Q&A following the presentations. Laura Cherner, Director of Community Relations (CRC) at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, will be serving as the Moderator for the panel discussion. Our featured panelists include Shawn A. Brokos, Director of Community Security at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh; James Pasch, ADL Regional Director - Cleveland Office; and Dan Marcus, Executive Director and CEO of The Edward and Rose Berman Hillel Jewish University Center of Pittsburgh.

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July 17, 1906 — Kibbutz pioneer Yitzchak Ben-Aharon is born

Yitzchak Ben-Aharon is born in Bukovina, Romania. He helps found Kibbutz Givat Haim. A labor activist and World War II veteran, he serves seven terms in the Knesset.

July 18, 1999 — Songwriter Meir Ariel dies

Folk-rock singer-songwriter Meir Ariel, known for his poetic lyrics, dies at age 57 of Mediterranean spotted fever. One of his most famous songs is “Jerusalem of Iron,” a response to “Jerusalem of Gold.”

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July 19, 1999 — Top officer Stella Levy dies

Stella Levy, who commanded the IDF Women’s Corps from 1964 to 1970, dies. During her military service she oversaw the transit camps for new immigrants. She briefly served in the Knesset in 1981.

July 20, 1951 — Jordan’s King Abdullah is assassinated

A Palestinian nationalist kills Jordan’s first king, Abdullah I, at the entrance to Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. He is succeeded by a grandson, Hussein, who signs a treaty with Israel 43 years later.

July 21, 1973 — Mossad kills wrong man in Norway

A Mossad team fatally shoots a Moroccan waiter, Ahmed Bouchiki, in Lillehammer, Norway, in the mistaken belief that he is PLO official Ali Hassan Salameh, the 1972 Munich massacre’s mastermind.

July 22, 1939 — Actress Gila Almagor is born

Stage and screen actress Gila Almagor is born in Haifa. She makes her stage debut at 17 and establishes herself as a leading lady during a long run at Tel Aviv’s Cameri Theatre beginning in 1958. PJC

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Headlines NJ co-op owners want an elevator they can ride on Shabbat. They’re suing the board that said no — NATIONAL — By Shira Hanau | JTA

hen Paul and Helaine Kurlansky first moved to Fort Lee, New Jersey, in 2019, they were excited at the prospect of hosting their children and grandchildren, who lived in a nearby town, for Shabbat and holidays. They chose The Colony, a high-rise co-op building, in large part for the accommodations made for the Shabbat-observant Jews like themselves who lived there. Orthodox Jews don’t press electrical switches on the Sabbath and the Kurlanskys — he’s 68, she’s 67 — live on the 32nd floor. The board’s president told the couple that the building staff had always pressed the elevator buttons for Shabbat-observant residents and that the shareholders had recently voted to install a Shabbat elevator that would stop at each floor automatically. So when the Shabbat elevator service was stopped in July 2020 and the building’s staff was instructed not to press elevator buttons for Shabbat-observant residents, the couple were all but stranded during the 25 hours between Friday and Saturday nights and on holy days. “We bought this apartment with the idea that we really don’t want to move again,” Paul Kurlansky said. “And all of that has just been trashed.” Now Kurlansky is one of several residents taking the co-op board president and other board members to court, alleging that the board is discriminating against Jewish residents like them on the basis of religion. The group has filed a complaint in federal court asking that the building be ordered to reinstate the Shabbat elevator service. The conflict has pitted some Jewish residents in the building against other Jewish and non-Jewish residents, turning The Colony into a battleground over religious accommodations in shared public spaces. “People should know better nowadays, frankly,” said Yehudah Buchweitz, a lawyer who is part of the team at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP representing the Shabbatobservant residents pro bono. The Colony wasn’t always the kind of place where shareholder disputes broke out into hate mail and name calling in the hallways. For years, the building’s Orthodox Jewish residents say they lived comfortably with their neighbors, much like Orthodox Jews in the other high-rise buildings in the area — a neighborhood of tall apartment buildings facing Manhattan across the Hudson River. An Orthodox synagogue, the Young Israel of Fort Lee, is located just a few blocks away, making the neighborhood attractive to Orthodox families, and particularly to retirees. Before the installation of the Shabbat elevator, the building’s staff would happily press the elevator buttons for residents. When the board decided to replace the elevators, Marty Epstein, a Shabbatobservant resident for 16 years, formed a PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

p Observant Jewish residents of The Colony, a high-rise in Fort Lee, N.J., are suing the board for barring employees from pushing elevator buttons for those forbidden to do so on the Jewish Sabbath. Screenshot from Google Maps

committee with other Sabbath observers in the building to push for the use of the Shabbat setting. In May 2019, the board put the matter to a vote among the building’s shareholders, who approved the Shabbat setting. The service began in September that year, operating for nine hours each Shabbat around the times when residents would go to and from synagogue. But at a meeting in January 2020, Moe Marshall, the board’s president, and another board member said the Shabbat elevator was putting extra wear and tear on the building’s elevator doors, according to the lawsuit. That month, the service was reduced from nine hours to five over the course of Shabbat. On July 24, 2020, residents received a letter informing them that the Shabbat elevator service would be discontinued. And in September, a few days before Rosh Hashanah, a staff member told a resident that employees had been instructed not to press elevator buttons for Shabbatobservant residents. Throughout the years in which the Shabbat elevator was debated and altered, Shabbat-observant residents said they have been subject to cutting remarks, hate mail and a vague threat from management. In the letter announcing the discontinuation of the Shabbat elevator service, the board alluded to the possibility of a costly lawsuit brought on by Shabbat-observant residents. “In the past, a small group of shareholders has mentioned potential lawsuits against the Board and Management when the option of discontinuing the Shabbos elevator was mentioned,” the board wrote in the letter. “We hope residents would not want to be a party to an unjustified lawsuit which would lead to legal fees that would be assessed against all shareholders.” Epstein, a plaintiff in the lawsuit against the board members, said another resident yelled at him in the lobby on April 7, blaming him for increasing the building’s legal costs.

In the suit eventually filed by the Shabbatobservant residents, several people accused board members of making derogatory comments about Jews. Joan and Glenn Katz allege in the suit that in 2017, they overheard Carol Lichtbraun, who joined the board in 2018, saying that she didn’t want “too many of those types of Jews moving into the building,” referring to Orthodox Jews. At a meeting about the Shabbat elevator in early 2019, according to the suit, Mordecai Appleton heard another resident make a similar comment: “We don’t need that kind … Let them go someplace else.” This year, on April 21, Epstein said he received a piece of hate mail calling him “an embarrassment and disgrace to Jews.” Two other residents received similar letters. In November, the Anti-Defamation League sent a letter to the board calling its policy of barring staff from pressing elevator buttons for Shabbat observers

“discriminatory on its face.” “Any prospective residents who may be interested in the building are being sent a clear message that observant Jews are unwelcome,” the letter said. Members of the co-op board named as defendants in the lawsuit did not respond to phone messages asking for comment. An assistant manager at the building also declined to comment. The defendants are set to respond to the suit by July 19. For now, Shabbat-observant residents are making do with quiet Shabbats spent at home or with hiring help to press elevator buttons for them so they can attend synagogue on Saturday mornings. Paul Kurlansky still hasn’t gotten the Shabbat with his grandchildren that he hoped for when he bought his apartment in 2019. “All The Colony has to do is turn on a switch,” Kurlansky said, “and we’re done.” PJC

Baseball phenom Jacob Steinmetz becomes first known Orthodox player drafted into the MLB

he Arizona Diamondbacks drafted Long Island, New York native Jacob Steinmetz 77th overall in the third round of the Major League Baseball draft on Monday. He’s the first known observant Orthodox player to be picked in the league’s draft. MLB.com ranked the 17-year-old as the 121st best major league prospect, so he was picked far earlier than expected. Steinmetz, a 6-foot-5, 220-pound pitcher, spent the past year at ELEV8 Baseball Academy in Delray Beach, Florida, honing his pitching skills while attending The Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway in Long Island via Zoom. His fastball has reportedly reached as high as 97 miles per hour.

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Steinmetz keeps kosher and observes Shabbat, but he also pitches on the Sabbath. To avoid using transportation on Shabbat, he has in the past booked hotels close enough to games that he can walk to them, the New York Post reported. Starting pitchers in the big leagues only pitch every five days, so his schedule could theoretically be planned to skip Shabbat. Steinmetz comes from an athletic family — his father Elliot played basketball at Yeshiva University and is now the New York school’s basketball coach. He had coached the team to record success before the pandemic. PJC — From JTA reports JULY 16, 2021 11

Opinion When you hold a rally against antisemitism and the press doesn’t show up — EDITORIAL —

ore than 2,000 people rallying against antisemitism gathered on Capitol Hill on Sunday. It was organized by dozens of Jewish and interfaith organizations spanning a range of political and religious ideologies. In a show of solidarity, Republican Jewish Coalition chairman and former Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) took the podium alongside Jewish Democratic Council of America chairman and former Rep. Ron Klein (D-Fla.), each condemning hatred of Jews from both sides of the aisle. The catalogue of speakers was impressive, and included Elisha Wiesel, son of Holocaust survivor and Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel; Israeli actress and author Noa Tishby; TV host Meghan McCain; and Deputy Assistant to President Biden, Erika Moritsugu. Victims of horrifying antisemitic attacks — including Pittsburgh’s Rabbi Jeffrey Myers and Boston Rabbi Shlomo Noginski, who survived a stabbing attack outside a Jewish day school just two weeks ago — shared personal accounts along with the resolve to fight antisemitism. Their tales were heart-wrenching. But if you want to read about this landmark event, you will primarily have to turn

to Jewish media outlets. With the exception of the Washington Post — which, by the way, reported just “hundreds” in attendance — and a couple smaller outlets in D.C., the story of the “No Fear: A Rally in Solidarity with the Jewish People” was missing in secular media. The secular press typically publishes extensively about rallies in support of minority groups under attack. So why was a rally

against animosity toward other marginalized groups is absent when it comes to Jews. The lack of media attention on the “No Fear” rally tragically reinforces its necessity. For some time, we have lamented the fact that secular media does not consistently report on incidents of antisemitism — Jewish tombstones vandalized with swastikas or crushed, students harassed on college campuses simply because they are Jews and the proliferation of

The message of the rally was clear: Jewish people must not be afraid to be Jewish. held in solidarity with Jews — staged during a time of a shocking escalation of antisemitic assaults and vandalism in the U.S. and throughout the world — not newsworthy? When it comes to hate crimes, Jews are the most targeted minority group, according to recent FBI data. Yet, remarkably — and disturbingly — antisemitism remains at best a footnote on the pages of the book of national crises. The sorts of outcries and protests

antisemitic vulgarities and incitement online. We are perplexed and deeply disturbed that the secular press doesn’t report on each incident of a physical assault of a Jew on the streets of our cities, and largely ignores antisemitic rants from some elected officials. The media’s disregard of a rally of this scope, in our nation’s capital, when the numbers of antisemitic attacks are surging, is alarming.

The message of the rally was clear: Jewish people must not be afraid to be Jewish. Speakers emphasized the imperative of calling out antisemitism, no matter who espouses it or where the hatemonger falls on the political spectrum. That commitment to zero tolerance is important. But while the rally was impressive and its message compelling, it was only a first step. We obviously must do more. The repeated call to action from multiple speakers needs to be followed by concrete steps. That includes more comprehensive measures by federal and state government to combat antisemitism, and demanding that the heads of social media empires take definitive action to shut down antisemitism on their platforms. We must all work together, and with our allies, to discredit and to sanction those who cross the line from legitimate criticism to hate, irrespective of who they are or how they vote. That means that right-leaning Jewish groups must stop disregarding antisemitism when it comes from voices that also support Israel, and that left-leaning Jewish groups must stop excusing antisemitism that is guised as criticism of Israel. If the secular media is going to ignore this problem, then all of us — individually and together — must take action. PJC

Redefining contemporary hate Guest Columnist Steven Windmueller

e are in a new era of antisemitism. Multiple expressions of hate have converged to create a different and more dangerous scenario. Whereas antisemitic attacks in our era have typically been more indiscriminate, they have recently become more blatant and violent. A number of traditional ideas, values and practices have come undone at once. Our streets and urban centers have become sites of random violence in some cases. The civility that once defined our conversations has clearly broken down. Once identified as a society that valued faith and freedom of religion, the United States has lost its faithbased identity. Along with these phenomena, a number of contemporary elements contribute to this new environment of hate that is suddenly directed toward Jews in new and insidious ways. This contemporary war against the Jews is being waged on a number of different fronts. The correlation of six critical forces in play simultaneously becomes the perfect “trigger” moment for an assault on Israel and Jews. First, the pandemic has revived the historic mythology of Jewish-led catastrophic events. Throughout history, Jews have been accused of causing pandemics or in turn benefiting from such conditions. The Black Plague of Europe during the Middle Ages, for instance, 12 JULY 16, 2021

was identified by church and public officials as instigated by “the Jews.” Second, facts have become subjective and negotiable. In the aftermath of the recent Gaza conflict, Israel was accused of being the party responsible for the violence — an accusation that discounts the “alternative fact” that rockets were fired first from Gaza into Israel. When facts and evidence are no longer prioritized, space is created to frame new beliefs and mythologies about groups. The presence of alternative facts can be highly problematic for minority communities in particular. Their “truths” can be overshadowed and lost amid the rise of alternate beliefs that ultimately drive much of this hate rhetoric. The internet is a breeding ground for alternative facts about Israel and Jews, particularly via social media. The exploitation of this tool is an efficient and effective weapon in this war against Jews, Israel and Judaism. Third, economic discord drives hate toward Jews, as once again we face accusations of Jewish economic domination over the marketplace. In an economy where many have lost their jobs, businesses have been forced to close and an increasing number of people face homelessness and food insecurity, pushback against minority communities who are seen as having significant influence and control is at an all-time high. Jews remain the most targeted group in this scenario. A fourth factor involves the case against Israel and its image in connection with the treatment of Palestinians. Israel becomes a stand-in for all Jews, even those outside of Israel: a pariah state. Israel, falsely defined

as a colonial power structure, becomes an oppressive force, or, for some, the new Nazis. Fifth, “whiteness” is a new measure of standing and power. For the political left, Jews are seen as the ultimate purveyors of influence and power, and for the right, Jews are seen as pretenders seeking to replace the authentic white establishment in decision-making roles. Sixth, the rise of American nationalism along with the left-wing progressive response has created a political environment rife with anger and hate, driven from both extremes. Deep political divisions are always particularly dangerous for minority and immigrant communities. In a divided society, the absence of a vocal, visible and vibrant political center can be particularly problematic to the welfare of minority communities. In democracies, centrists hold space and in theory defend the interests of these communities. When political extremists dominate and define the political rhetoric, the credibility and well-being of racial, ethnic and religious communities is often compromised. Today, Jews are seen as central players in three primary areas: politics, finance and culture. Some respond unfavorably to the high number of Jews in these professions, and respond in ways designed to minimize and marginalize the Jewish presence. Jews, like white males, are identified as privileged and falsely accused of holding a disproportionate amount of influence and power. For some, this alone is reason enough to oppose them. As hatred toward Jews grows, so does the simultaneous acceleration of violence on our

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nation’s streets. This moment presents a new and dangerous challenge. In the decades following the Shoah, it seemed that we were mostly protected from pervasive Jew-hatred, given that most people saw the Jews as a people who had been systematically oppressed and exterminated, a people who needed protection. We are now 75 years past the Shoah. The generation of people who experienced the atrocities is coming to a close. We are past the period of personal recall, remembrance and historic regard. Memory has but a certain life expectancy, and time has a way of warping the lessons of the genocide of the Jews. Without living witnesses to offer personal testimony, the protection offered by the memory of the Shoah is diminished. As survivors become fewer and fewer, our enemies can more comfortably apply the “Nazi” label both to Israelis and Jews around the world. Examining the confluence of all of these social forces coming to bear on our society, it seems that a different and less friendly environment is the new political condition. This moment raises a number of pressing challenges for America’s Jews. How we as a community determine how best to respond to these threats will define the future status of Jewish life on this continent. PJC Steven Windmueller is emeritus professor of Jewish Communal Studies at the Jack H. Skirball Campus of HUC-JIR, Los Angeles. His writings can be found on his website, thewindreport.com. This piece appeared on JNS and was first published in The Jewish Journal. PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Opinion A meditation for the Nine Days Guest Columnist Todd Berman

he period which began this last Saturday marks the most powerful time of collective mourning on the Jewish calendar. Jews count the days from the first day of the month of Av until the ninth, when the two Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed. The Talmud directs the Jewish people: “When Av begins, minimize joy.” (Taanit 26b) The sages inform us that Jews should view the destruction of the Temples which precipitated the mourning practices as reactions to the actions of the people at those times: “Why was the First Temple destroyed? On account of three offenses: idolatry, licentiousness, and murder…yet the Second Temple, a period when Jews learned Torah, performed mitzvot, and did acts of lovingkindness, why was it destroyed? On account of baseless hatred. This teaches that baseless hatred weighs as much as idolatry, licentiousness, and murder.” (Yoma 9b) Many people the world over finished Tractate Yoma this past week just as the Nine Days began. And in this same section, the Talmud informs us that baseless hatred is as bad as the worst transgressions. Even knowing this famous passage, the Jewish people seem to be more fractured and meaner to each other than I can remember.

Israel changed from a rallying cry for unity to a source of loud and hostile arguments. With the publication of the latest Pew study on American Judaism, divisions between those denominations seem more divisive than ever before. In general culture, Jews throughout the world seem separated into political camps where speaking to each other has become almost impossible. And beyond the Jewish people, the rhetoric and polemics created by the political makeup of the world have become an insurmountable wall. Hatred, even often baseless, seems to be spreading. How do we avoid the trap of hating people? Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the first Lubavitcher Rebbe known as the Ba’al HaTanya, describes a method of concentrating on certain interior aspects of the persons around us. He suggests that such contemplation leads to a higher love of God. “The love [of God] achievable by all people occurs when one concentrates seriously in the depth of one’s heart on those things which evoke love [for God] in the heart of everyone.” (Introduction to Chinuch Katan) If one can acquire the love of God through contemplation, then perhaps the inverse is also true. Maybe thinking about those things which evoke love can create the love of our fellow within our hearts. What are the things which evoke love? The sages in Pirkei Avot recount, “[Rabbi Akiva] used to say: Beloved is man for he was created in the image [of God]. Especially beloved is he, for it was made known to him that he had been created in

— LETTERS — Republicans — and Democrats — need to clean house

I am in complete agreement with the Chronicle (“Ilhan Omar is a blight on the Democratic Party,” July 9) that the Democratic U.S. House member is a detriment to the party, our faith, and our country, and is deserving of harsh rebuke by her colleagues for her blatant antisemitic and anti-Israel comments, which she has made on multiple occasions. I take strong issue with one facet of the editorial, the commendation of the Republican Party for taking “decisive action” against its own menace, Representative Marjorie TaylorGreene. What “decisive action”? Greene has endorsed crackpot conspiracy theories, she has supported QAnon, and has made hateful statements targeting Jews, Blacks and Muslims — anyone who is not like her. She has said that Muslims have no right to serve in elective office. She viciously taunted a survivor of the Parkland High School shooting for his advocacy for legislation to target our country’s easy access to firearms. Greene has sought to overturn the votes of millions of Americans and has no interest in getting to the bottom of how and why our modern day of infamy, Jan. 6, 2021, took place. Greene has not been expelled or even censured. She has been removed from committee assignments not at the initiation of her party, but by the Democrats, who provided the bulk of support for stripping her of those positions. The measure to oust her passed by a narrow 230-199 margin and had the support of just 11 Republicans. Greene uses as a shield the support she enjoys from Donald Trump, who, tragically, remains the de facto leader of the party which he has hijacked. The Republican Party did take decisive action against representative Liz Cheney for her audacity in telling the truth about the result of the Nov. 3 election, and to call out the insurrectionist former president, who continues to dangerously deny reality, serving to encourage another violent attack on our government. Today’s Eleventh Commandment of the GOP is, “Thou shalt not cross Donald Trump.” Both the Democrats and Republicans have some housecleaning to do. I fear that neither party is up to the task. Oren Spiegler Peters Township

Democratic party is blight on American values

Your latest editorial, “Ilhan Omar is a blight on the Democratic Party,” gets things exactly backward, and your own words prove it. PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

the image [of God], as it is said: ‘for in the image of God He made man.’ (Genesis 9:6). “Beloved are Israel in that they were called children of the Lord. Especially dear are they, for it was made known to them that they are called children of the Lord, as the Torah says: ‘you are children to the Lord your God.’ (Deuteronomy 14:1) (Avot 3:14). This well-known and often-quoted text offers the opportunity for serious thought. At the very beginning of Genesis, the Torah teaches us that humankind was created in the image of God. Rabbi Akiva marvels at that thought. All people, whether we agree with them or not, whether they act good or not, whether we accept their choices or not, every person is created in the image of God. For Rabbi Akiva, this idea demonstrates the preciousness of every soul of every individual. Rabbi Akiva adds another level of love shown to the Jewish people. This additional love need not be seen as exclusive. From the Jewish tradition, every Jew is considered a child of God. This is an internal reading — a tribal one, if you will. Jews share a special familial relationship with other Jews. But other tribes and other families, be they Christian, Muslim or what have you, can see themselves within their family tradition as children of God. I have a special relationship with my family beyond my connection to all of humanity. I am also a child of the family of the Jewish people who have a covenantal relationship with God. That does not negate another family or tribe. Being part of a particular family does not deny other

familial relationships. Being part of a family should create a strong bond. I do not always agree with other members of my family, but they are mine. So, while on one level, I find myself a member of the “beloved” family of humankind, I also have a special connection and love for my family. Perhaps, family ties can even create a bridge to all of humanity. We need to start somewhere. For Rabbi Akiva, his position is reversed by the Ba’al HaTanya, leading us to a notion of unity beyond our individuality. Concentrating on the Godly part in everyone should lead to a higher order of love. Loving God and the Divine creation demands that we recognize every human as reflecting the Divine image. Rabbi Avraham Isaac HaKohen Kook famously remarked, “If we were destroyed, and the world with us, due to baseless hatred, then we shall rebuild ourselves, and the world with us, with baseless love.” (Orot HaKodesh vol. III, p. 324) I think Rabbi Akiva would suggest a revision. Loving other people, even when we disagree vehemently with them, is not baseless at all. Loving others is recognizing, no matter how wrong they might appear in our eyes, the Divine image in all of us. PJC Rabbi Todd Berman is the associate director at Yeshivat Eretz HaTzvi in Jerusalem. He also founded the Jewish Learning Initiative (JLI) at Brandeis University and served as rabbinic advisory to the Orthodox community there for several years. This piece first appeared on The Times of Israel.

By being “hesitant to do much at all” and taking a “soft-gloved approach” to Omar’s continual “self-righteous, ill-informed and antisemitic rhetoric,” congressional Democrats have at best acquiesced to, and at worst, endorsed it. So it’s not Omar that’s a blight on the Democratic party; it’s the Democratic party that’s a blight on American values. Bruce Goldman Dormont

Democratic Party doesn’t care about antisemitism

The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle’s editorial’s demand for Ilhan Omar to be censured and sanctioned by the Democratic Party leadership for her foundational antisemitism is well intentioned but ultimately myopic (“Ilhan Omar is a Blight on the Democratic Party”). Time and again, for years now, the Democratic Party leadership has embraced Omar’s virulent antisemitism by not sanctioning or censuring her Jew-hating rants. By its years of ignoring Omar’s utterings, the Democratic Party has proven it no longer cares about antisemitism. Pelosi, Schumer, et al. are more interested in coddling the growing progressive wing of the Democratic Party with its embrace of antisemitism. With each Congressional election, antisemitism finds a growing acceptance in the Democratic Party. Clearly it is the party that has forsaken the wise and prescient words Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at Harvard shortly before his death: “When people criticize Zionists, they mean Jews; you’re talking antisemitism.” Richard Sherman Margate, Florida

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JULY 16, 2021 13

Headlines Rally: Continued from page 1

rallies anymore.” In a show of unity, Joshua Washington, executive director of the Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel, and Rabbi Menachem Creditor, UJA Federation of New York scholar in residence, appeared on stage together and led the crowd in singing, “Kol Ha’Olam Kulo Gesher Tzar Meod,” meaning, “The whole entire world is a very narrow bridge, and the main thing is to have no fear at all.”

‘Fight the evil of antisemitism’

The event included speeches from Deputy Assistant to the President Biden Erika Moritsugu; TV host Meghan McCain; Israeli actress and author Noa Tishby; Republican Jewish Coalition chairman and former Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.); Jewish Democratic Council of America chairman and former Rep. Ron Klein (D-Fla.); former U.S. Ambassador Rabbi David Saperstein; Arizona State Representative Alma Hernandez; and numerous faith and grassroots leaders. “As President [Joe] Biden so often says, ‘silence is complicity,’ ” said Moritsugu. “Each and every one of you attending this rally today in person or virtually understands that shared responsibility to come together, speak out and fight the evil of antisemitism. The Biden-Harris administration stands with you and the Jewish community.” Wiesel thanked the Biden administration for sending Moritsugu and “for the way that the White House stood with Israel” during the recent hostilities with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. “I think the president and the White House deserve our appreciation,” he added. Sharing the stage with Klein, Coleman declared, “Antisemitism is not just a Republican problem or a Democrat problem, and Republicans and Democrats share a common interest in calling it out when we see it, even when it’s in our own backyard … the fight against antisemitism bridges the political divide. United we stand, divided we fall.” “It cannot be a norm in America for Jews or

Rabbi: Continued from page 1

about a community where there is excitement and growth.” The rabbi is thrilled to be joining the local Jewish community. He and his wife, Melissa, have three children, and he appreciates Pittsburgh’s diversity. “I’m a Reform rabbi — they’re growing up in the household of a Reform rabbi — but they need to know that isn’t the only way to truth,” he said. Fellman said he has deep respect and admiration for the work Gibson has done at Temple Sinai and throughout Pittsburgh, including the partnerships Gibson built both within and outside of the Jewish community. Fellman intends to continue that work, but noted, “I’m not Jamie and Jamie’s not me. We’re going to be different. There will be parts of my rabbinate that reflect his and there will be parts that are very different.” 14 JULY 16, 2021

 Rabbi Jeffrey Myers addresses the crowd at the No Fear Rally

any other religion, racial or ethnic group to be slandered, libeled or physically assaulted,” said Klein. “Today, we stand together as elected leaders from both political parties, faith leaders, business and community leaders, to send a message that antisemitism has no place in America or anywhere in the world.” Participants also heard from victims of antisemitism, including Illinois students Daniel and Talia Raab; Los Angeles resident Matthew Haverim, who was attacked outside a sushi restaurant during the most recent conflict between Hamas and Israel; and Boston Rabbi Shlomo Noginski, who survived a stabbing attack outside a Jewish day school just two weeks ago. “Last week, my body was injured, and I still need a lot of medication and treatment, but my soul and my spirit are strong,” said the rabbi. “We will defend ourselves, we will fight antisemitism, we will emerge with our heads held high … but our true answer is that we will love one another through expressions and acts of consideration and kindness.” Noginski pledged to open a new Jewish

Photo courtesy of Julie Paris

education center where he will ordain eight new rabbis. “For every one of the eight stabs that the terrorist managed to penetrate into my body, we will ordain a new rabbi to serve hundreds … he wanted to kill one rabbi, we will make sure to [add] eight more.” Julie Paris and her father Rodney Fink traveled from Pittsburgh to attend the rally. “I’m so glad I went,” Paris told the Chronicle. “I hope this rally can be the beginning of a conversation, the beginning of a dialogue.” The speakers were inspiring, Paris said, and she was optimistic that the rally would be a “kick-off ” for the wider Jewish community to “find ways to identify the problems and find effective solutions together….We each have to do our small part and collaborate together. We have to put our differences aside and realize [antisemitism] is a bigger problem. We can’t allow antisemitism to be normalized.” “It was wonderful to see Rabbi Myers there,” she added. “He always makes Pittsburgh proud.” Several attendees were wearing Stronger

than Hate T-shirts, Paris said, even though few — if any — other Pittsburghers were in attendance. “We are inspired to see this rally garner such support from and with the Jewish community,” said Laura Cherner, director of the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, who watched the rally as it streamed live online. “We held a rally against antisemitism in Pittsburgh a few weeks ago and are pleased to continue to see expressions of solidarity with the Jewish community across the country.” A number of major Jewish and interfaith organizations participated as presenting sponsors, including the Anti-Defamation League, American Jewish Committee, Alliance for Israel, American Zionist Movement, B’nai B’rith International, Baltimore Zionist District, Birthright Israel Foundation, Combat Antisemitism Movement, Hadassah, Hillel, Interfaith Council of Metropolitan D.C., Jewish Council Public Affairs, Jewish Democratic Council of America, Jewish Federations of North America, Jewish National Fund USA, Mercaz USA, Orthodox Union, Rabbinical Assembly, Republican Jewish Coalition, StandWithUs, the Israel Forever Foundation, the Jewish Agency for Israel, UJA-Federation of New York, Union for Reform Judaism, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, World Jewish Congress—North America, Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel, Israel Bonds, Zionist Rabbinic Coalition, International March of the Living, Jewish Future Pledge, MASA, Simon Wiesenthal Center, JCC Association and National Coalition Supporting European Jewry. Absent from the rally were some left-wing groups that were asked to join but opted out of attending because some of the sponsoring groups adhere to a definition of antisemitism that encompasses harsh criticism of Israel, including the movement to boycott, divest and sanction Israel. Groups like J Street and Americans for Peace Now oppose BDS, but object to defining it as antisemitic. PJC JTA and Toby Tabachnick contributed to this report.

getting not just the standard One of Fellman’s passions message, but why this is really is interfaith outreach. Like important, and here’s how Gibson has done, Fellman led your journey can unfold. a multifaith trip to Israel while “It’s planting seeds, but serving his prior congreganot just seeds for how they tion. He also helped build may grow, but how they community across the Jewish might connect with others denominations, leading along the way.” a trip to the Jewish state Fellman led his first service along with Conservative and at Temple Sinai on July 2, the Orthodox rabbis. He has also been deeply p Rabbi Daniel Fellman congregation’s third in-person Photo courtesy of Temple Sinai service since COVID-19 involved with social justice restrictions were relaxed. projects, he said, including Hiring a new senior rabbi isn’t the only protesting on behalf of civilians in Darfur and working on issues of food insecurity and personnel change for Temple Sinai, which is homelessness. He plans to continue those preparing to celebrate its 75th anniversary activities in Pittsburgh. in September: Due to budgetary reasons, the He also loves to teach. congregation declined to renew the contract “I love being with students, whether it’s of Cantor Laura Berman, who joined the one-on-one or in a small group or a large staff in 2015, according to Drew Barkley, the group,” he said. “I love those moments congregation’s executive director. when a light bulb clicks. I’ve worked hard Temple Sinai has assembled a team to help onboard the new rabbi, said Lynn at building youth programs so our kids are

Rubenson, head of the congregation’s communications committee. For now, Fellman is working to learn more about the congregation, the local Jewish community and Pittsburgh. He is meeting members online and in small groups. A sports fan, Fellman has already attended a Pirates game and is looking forward to visiting the region’s parks, Kennywood and Fallingwater. He also plans to add more black and yellow to his wardrobe. The rabbi, who loves to cook, said he’s looking forward to “getting to know the city, the different neighborhoods and exploring the restaurants and the shops, and getting involved with the universities.” There is one other regional attraction on Fellman’s short list. “I’d be lying,” he said, “if I didn’t say that parts of my family are looking forward to going to IKEA.” PJC

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

Headlines Office: Continued from page 3

“Everyone is vaccinated. There is no health reason to put off having everyone come back, but in terms of managing the whole work-life balance, I felt it was important to give them some time to make plans for childcare and that sort of thing.” When employees do return to the office, Gale said, they seem happy to see their colleagues in person and have conversations around the coffee maker. Jewish Family and Community Services has offered modified services to its clients during the pandemic. While the JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry has remained open with staff working in person, some other services have been handled virtually — as well as in person,

Hillel: Continued from page 4

Zoom while they braided and baked the bread. On one occasion, more than 100 students participated. “It showed how important it was for us to continue to provide an active and communal opportunity for students,” Marcus said. Hillel’s staff and student leaders dedicate much of their time and energy to identifying and making connections with Jewish students on campus, Marcus explained. They often meet one-on-one with students for coffee and conversations. “There were times during the pandemic when we could still meet outside — distanced — and have those conversations,” Marcus said. “We continued to reach out and engage and meet with as many Jewish students as possible.” Last year, Hillel JUC leaders met with more than 1,000 students who engaged in at least one activity under the

with safety precautions in place as needed. JFCS leadership is still developing plans for its staff to return to the building later this year, said Allie Reefer, the organization’s public relations specialist. While many local Jewish organizations plan to return to the office full time this fall, others are taking a more tentative approach. “What the pandemic proved,” said Aviva Lubowsky, Hebrew Free Loan Association’s director of marketing and development, “is something I already knew — that HFL’s staff can work remotely very easily. It will be interesting to see if we ever go back to traditional office hours again.” The staff of the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle — with the exception of CEO and publisher Jim Busis — has been working remotely since the start of the pandemic and has no immediate plans to return to the office full time.

“The Chronicle’s staff has always worked partially out of the office — reporters cover events, and sales reps makes sales calls,” Busis said. “When we transitioned to all virtual (except for me) it worked better than we thought it would. For now, we have no plans to re-open the office in the sense that most people would be showing up most days, but we will resume having in-person staff meetings from time to time.” Hertzman said that the Federation had access to a team of experts for advice about returning to the office, but most businesses don’t have to dig too deeply. “Above all else, we are following the CDC guidelines,” he said. “I think that’s the most important thing to consider. You don’t have to necessarily pay for an expert. The CDC has excellent guidance.” And, as individuals return to the office and Jewish institutions begin to welcome

organization’s umbrella. University of Pittsburgh student Eva J. Shterengarts knows the value of Hillel. The rising senior said that growing up, she was the only Jewish student she knew of in the Mars Area School District. “I didn’t have a strong connection to Judaism,” she said. “I identified as Jewish; I just didn’t have the community around me.” After celebrating Shabbat with Hillel, Shterengarts immediately felt more connected to her Jewish identity, and spent her freshman year attending services and other events hosted by the organization. During her sophomore year, she joined Hillel’s student board, and last year she was elected its president. Pre-pandemic, Shterengarts said, she spent her time on the board focused on how many events Hillel could create and host. It was difficult this past year, she said, to reimagine how Hillel could continue to create connections with students, especially freshman. “They had never even been to the Hillel building,” she said, “and we still wanted to bring the essence of Hillel to them.”

To further that goal, Shterengarts created the “Big Little” program, matching firstyear students with those in upper classes who had common majors and interests and could offer a personal connection and serve as a resource. Although the pandemic year was challenging, Marcus said Hillel JUC leaders learned some valuable lessons on “how we can be even more nimble and flexible in the way we provide programs and activities and community gathering opportunities.” Marcus stressed that those lessons don’t preclude in-person activities, which students are anxious to resume. “The pandemic has taught us, though, that we don’t have to all be in the room to be communal.” Hillel JUC leadership is evaluating how to build on some of the successes it had during the COVID-19 crisis. For example, the organization distributed an average of 190 Shabbat2Go bags each week during the school year — at times, that number jumped to as high as 250 bags — meaning

clients and employees in person, Hertzman noted that the struggle brought on by the pandemic won’t have ended. “What about someone that can’t get the vaccine?” he said. “What do we do for them? In the interim, they’re going to need the support of the Jewish community. I think it’s important to think about the pandemic effort in the way we think about everything, which is cross-community. It’s almost funny to talk about reopening Federation’s offices because it ripples to Community Day School and Yeshiva School and Hillel Academy, JFCS, the Squirrel Hill Food Pantry and the JCC.” In the end, he said, it’s Federation’s ability to adapt to the community’s needs that is more important than whether work takes place in-person or remotely. PJC David Rullo can be reached at drullo@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. the organization touched more students than it could on a traditional, pre-pandemic Shabbat, Marcus said. “So now, we’re working on figuring out how to ensure students still have the opportunity to gather in person and be a part of that in-the-room-together community, but also think about ways we can distribute and work with students on a smaller scale — how do we marry the best of both worlds.” Shterengarts said her focus will be on freshmen and sophomores this year. “We know they definitely missed a lot of the things I was lucky enough to experience when I first came to Pitt,” she said. The Hillel president said regardless of whether activities occur online, in person or through a hybrid format, individual relationships will still be fundamental for the organization. “It’s important to make sure we’re connecting with everyone,” she said. PJC David Rullo can be reached at drullo@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

A fashion Podcaster wanted to call out white privilege. Now she’s being accused of antisemitism — NATIONAL — By Ben Sales

or years, my wife told me her outlook on fashion was inspired by Man Repeller, the edgy publication founded by Leandra Medine Cohen, a Jewish prep school graduate who encouraged her followers to dress for themselves, not for the men around them. Last year, we both watched as Medine Cohen stepped down from Man Repeller, then closed it, after facing backlash for firing one of her few Black employees a few months before last summer’s racial justice protests. So on Thursday night, when I learned that she had recorded an interview that was widely panned as a self-involved disaster, I was curious enough to listen. But when I tuned into the episode of the podcast, called

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“The Cutting Room Floor,” and hosted by designer Recho Omondi, I was surprised by what I heard — not because of what Medine Cohen said, but because her interview was bookended by antisemitism. Near the beginning of the episode, Omondi, who is Black, discussed the racist origins of the United States — and falsely implicated Jews. “This country was founded by racist white men — and for the purpose of this episode it’s important to note that many of those white men, slaveowners, etc., were also Jewish and also saw Blacks as less than human,” she said. In fact, Jews, let alone Jewish slaveowners, did not make up any significant proportion of the United States’ founders — and Omondi’s claim echoed a stereotype promoted by some of the most prominent American antisemites. Then the interview with Medine Cohen starts, and it doesn’t go well. Medine Cohen

grew up on the wealthy Upper East Side of Manhattan and attended the Ramaz School, an elite Jewish prep school. Her parents also owned a second home in the Hamptons. Yet she says at one point that until last year, she thought she grew up poor and on the verge of homelessness. She also talks about how she abruptly closed Man Repeller, leaving the site’s employees without work during the pandemic. The headline in The Cut — “Upper East Sider Realizes She’s Privileged” — summed up many people’s reactions. But at the end of the episode, while Medine Cohen was talking about antisemitism, the interview cuts away, and Omondi starts talking about Medine Cohen when it seems like she’s no longer in the room. “I couldn’t stomach another white assimilated Jewish American Princess who is wildly privileged but thinks she’s oppressed,” Omondi said. “At the end of the day you

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guys are going to get your nose jobs and your keratin treatments and change your last name from Ralph Lifshitz to Ralph Lauren and you will be fine.” Omondi’s podcast has a substantial audience — at one point it was the top arts podcast on Spotify, according to Chartable, which tracks podcast rankings. And while many of the public comments about the episode praised it, I wasn’t the only one to bristle at Omondi using a decades-old anti-Jewish slur (the “JAP”) and invoking antisemitic stereotypes about Jews, materialism and assimilation. The comment stream on the article in The Cut included reactions like, “[W]as it necessary to say such stereotypical and blatantly anti-semitic things to illustrate that? Big yikes all around.” I first reached out to Omondi on Friday, Please see Podcaster, page 20

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Life & Culture ‘My Unorthodox Life’ typical reality fare — STREAMING — By Andy Gotlieb | Contributing Writer

t’s a good thing Christopher Lasch isn’t around today to consider reality shows such as “My Unorthodox Life” and others of its ilk. Lasch, a historian and social critic, gained a modicum of fame for his book “The Culture of Narcissism.” He posited that the post-World War II United States produced a growing social epidemic of behavior consistent with narcissistic personality disorder — where people have, according to the Mayo Clinic, “an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, troubled relationships, and a lack of empathy for others.” Considering that Lasch published his book in 1979 — years ahead of social media, reality shows and the ever-increasing trappings of celebrity — he was only scratching the surface of narcissism’s rise. Reality shows have thrived for the past two decades, and show creators are always looking for the latest variation on a theme. Enter “My Unorthodox Life,” which debuted July 14 on Netflix. The nine-episode show follows the life of Julia Haart, CEO of Elite World group model management agencies, and her family. The kicker: Haart left an Orthodox community in Monsey, New York, seven years ago and the show purports to establish how she’s thrived and enjoyed the freedom gained with that change in lifestyle. Her lush Tribeca digs, high-profile position and expensive clothes seem to back it up. The problem: The show is abysmal. Vapid barely begins to describe it. Perhaps the appeal of most reality shows like “Keeping Up With the Kardashians,” “Jersey Shore” and the “Real Housewives” franchises is hate watching because the characters are so reprehensible. But when Jews are the ones being hate watched, it’s a bit more problematic, especially when they’re trashing a portion of the “Jewniverse.” In the first episode, Haart rails repeatedly about her former Orthodox community, lambasting her lack of freedom. At one point, she leads a male-bashing dinnertime discussion about how women in Orthodox communities are second-class citizens. In the second episode, she returns to Monsey to visit her 14-year-old son Aron, who still lives with her first husband. A significant chunk of time is spent showing a conversation between mother and son, as she criticizes him for maintaining his faith. And the series gives short shrift to her rise to power — perhaps because, in part, she got remarried to wealthy telecom exec Silvio Scaglia, who likely helped her climb the ladder.

p Julia Haart

Courtesy of Netflix

Between playing up the newfound freedom angle — it seems as if Haart was coached by producers to mention it as often as possible — to hitting every politically correct touchpoint, there’s just way too much that’s tailor made for the camera. A lot of this seems forced (and even phony), as well, since Haart left the community seven years ago; the freedoms she’s experienced should, at this point, be old hat. In the first episode, Haart also leads heated family criticism of her son-in-law Ben Weinstein, who is married to her older daughter, Batsheva. Turns out Weinstein is clinging a bit more to his Orthodox past than the others and is uncomfortable with the idea of his wife wearing pants. He’s not domineering or demanding, just conflicted. Between Haart lambasting her son-in-law, and younger sister Miriam saying that poor Ben is just no good — mostly because he still holds some Orthodox values — it’s kind of nauseating. To her credit, Batsheva stands by her man. And in episode two, he gives in to his wife’s wishes. Problem two: As mentioned in the introduction, these characters are narcissistic to

the nth degree. And who in their right mind would want the whole world to know this much detail about their lives? In the opening scene, Haart counsels her daughter and son-in-law in fairly graphic terms on ways to spice up their sex life. Granted, the scene’s there to hook viewers with something salacious, but really? EWWWWWW!! Problem three: Yes, reality shows have been debunked numerous times, but “My Unorthodox Life” seems particularly contrived. Between playing up the newfound freedom angle — it seems as if Haart was coached by producers to mention it as often as possible — to hitting every politically correct touchpoint, there’s just way too much that’s tailor made for the camera. Problem four: The family and other characters simply aren’t likable.

We’re told that Miriam is attending Stanford University, but she doesn’t come across as too bright, unless your idea of intelligence is saying “like” in every sentence. It’s, like, annoying to hear her say that, like, every few seconds. Batsheva’s voice is a cross between a Kardashian and Fran Drescher. She seems just as privileged. Ben is milquetoast, as is older son Shlomo, who confesses to his mom that he’s a virgin. Elite World Chief Operating Officer Robert Brotherton may well have been the template for Dan Levy’s David Rose character in “Schitt’s Creek.” Funny on a sitcom, cloying in real life. Problem five: Is any of this really entertaining? Haart seems like she’s pretty good at her job, but assorted struggles, both real and manufactured, fail to hold one’s attention, unless you like to hear her spout adjectives at a record pace. The first episode ends on a cliffhanger: Will Elite World’s fashion show to debut a new clothing line fall apart? Turns out the face of the campaign is sick. Another model is sitting in jail for some unclear reason. But as we turn to episode two — spoiler alert — everything turns out just fine. If you’re looking for a show that would give you insight into the Orthodox community, you’ve come to the wrong place. But if you’re a reality show junkie, this is right in your wheelhouse. PJC This piece first appeared in the Jewish Exponent, an affiliated publication.

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Life & Culture Former Pittsburgher’s novel weaves tale of Jewish brothers affected by a harrowing childhood — BOOKS — By Dionna Dash | Special to the Chronicle

“The Brothers Silver” by Marc Jampole (Owl Canyon Press, June 15, 2021)

“T

he Brothers Silver,” a tale of two brothers growing up in the wake of intergenerational family trauma, is the haunting and realistic debut novel from public relations executive and poet Marc Jampole — a former Pittsburgher and past president of New Light Congregation. After 32 years in Squirrel Hill, Jampole moved back to his hometown in New York four years ago. In Jampole’s novel — which focuses a realistic lens on dark themes like drug use, domestic abuse, mental illness and suicidal ideation — Jules and Leon Silver are raised by their suicidal mother and lecherous father, hopping between New York City and Chicago. The brothers become accustomed to their mother’s numerous attempts to take her own life and their father’s distance and neglect, eventually leading to Leon’s drug addiction and Jules’ entanglement in a manipulative relationship.

The novel traces the brothers’ lives from the 1960s until present day as they attempt to escape a fate sealed generations before their births, painting a portrait of parental abuse and reverberating trauma. Jampole’s background writing poetry and short stories is evident in this novel, as each of its 12 chapters is written in a different voice and from a different perspective. One chapter is formatted as a letter, one is almost entirely dialogue between the boys’ aunt and uncle, and another shows Jules’ emotions conversing among themselves. It often uses a poetic prose, including inventive rhyming phrases at the end of paragraphs that lend a rhythm to the story. The writing style demands a close, focused read from its audience, allowing for deep connection with the novel’s many themes, but rendering it inaccessible to the casual reader. “The Brothers Silver” relies on Jewish references, as well as those from other religions, to help its plot unfold. The inclusion

of Jewish scripture against the backdrop of a trauma-ridden existence offers a compelling case study of religious disillusionment throughout the book. Integration of Jewish themes and practices in the chapters heighten the imagery of this novel and lend it a personal authenticity and a sort of sacredness, yet those themes remain subtle enough to not overpower the rest of the narrative: Jules struggles with feelings of being an outsider, which echoes much of the historical Jewish experience. Jules and Leon each deal with their trauma differently, leading Leon to become a self-identified “deadbeat,” who rejects modern society, while Jules enters a relationship with a woman named El that is all-too reminiscent of his parents’ catastrophic marriage. Jules maintains a constant fear of death following an unfulfilling life, and is forced to confront that fear at every turn, especially after the rest of his family has passed away. Despite this dread, or perhaps because of it, he seems

to regenerate a new life every few decades, shedding people and personalities and cutting himself off from more and more family members. This ultimately culminates in a 150-page road trip to retrace the players from the time of his life when he was in his destructive relationship with El. Unfortunately, this chapter becomes repetitive at times, with many of the characters being near recreations of each other, with similar life trajectories. There is an ambiguity at the end of this novel reminiscent of short stories in which the reader is left with enough closure to feel satisfied, yet still wonders what might happen next. This book does not have one ultimate, final message, but rather traces the lives and deaths of the members of the Silver family through all their gritty, candid struggles, allowing readers to decide which perspectives to trust and what conclusions to draw. This novel is ideal for those who appreciate poetic writing with a Jewish undercurrent and want a realistic look at what it means to survive with unresolved trauma. “The Brothers Silver” is not a light read, but rather one that requires its audience to introspect on their own lives, their own beliefs and their own personal ordeals. PJC Dionna Dash is a writer living in Pittsburgh.

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Torah

— WORLD — From JTA reports

British Jews to get apology 800 years after expulsion

British Jewish leaders say an anticipated apology from the Church of England for antisemitic laws enacted in 1222 is “better late than never.” The church is planning a formal “act of repentance” for next year, the 800th anniversary of the Synod of Oxford, laws that restricted Jews’ rights to engage with Christians in England, according to a report in the Telegraph. The laws ultimately led to the expulsion of England’s Jews in 1290. They were not officially readmitted until 1656. “The phrase ‘better late than never’ is truly appropriate here. The historic trauma of medieval English anti-Semitism can never be erased and its legacy survives today — for example, through the persistence of the ‘blood libel’ allegation that was invented in this country,” Dave Rich, the policy director of a British antisemitism watchdog group, told the Telegraph. “But at a time of rising anti-Semitism, the support and empathy of the Church of England for our Jewish community is most welcome as a reminder that the Britain of today is a very different place,” Rich said. In planning the formal apology, the Church is taking responsibility for antisemitism that predates its founding in 1534. “Among the many perplexing things about this perplexing news story is that the Church of England didn’t exist back in 1290 when the Jews were expelled from England,” tweeted Jeffrey Shoulson, a professor of Judaic studies at the University of Connecticut. While an apology would break new ground, the church has taken steps to cultivate goodwill with British Jews in recent years. In 2019, it released a document titled “God’s Unfailing Word” that outlined the importance of the Christian-Jewish

relationship and acknowledged that centuries of Christian antisemitism in Europe laid the foundation for the Holocaust. At the time, England’s chief rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, said the document represented a step forward but fell short for not rejecting the church’s history of seeking to convert Jews.

Median age of U.S. Jews drops

The median age of United States Jews dropped from 52 to 48 since 2013, making Jews one of only two religious groups to grow younger on average, according to a Public Religion Research Institute survey published. The median age for all U.S. residents was 47. The median age for Orthodox Jews (35) was younger than for Conservative (62) and Reform (53) Jews. The survey said Jews comprise 1% of the population, with 51% living in suburban areas, 40% in urban areas and 8% in rural areas. Politically, 44% identify as Democrats, 31% as independent and 22% as Republican. Fifty-eight percent of Jews held college degrees, topped only by Unitarian Universalists (59%) and Hindus (67%).

Facebook to provide Holocaust education in 12 languages

Facebook announced it increased its efforts to combat Holocaust denial by directing users to Holocaust education materials in 12 languages — including Arabic, Russian and German, JTA reported. Since January, searches for information about the Holocaust were prompted to visit AboutHolocaust.org, which provides facts about genocide and survivor testimony. Beginning July 13, the site — a project of the World Jewish Congress and UNESCO, the United Nations cultural organization — was available in 12 languages. The site expansion continues an aboutface for Facebook that began in 2020. That’s when it said it would ban Holocaust denial — after years defending its distribution as misinformed but legitimate expression. PJC

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Dream and reality Rabbi Joe Hample Parshat Devarim Deuteronomy 1:1 – 3:22

’m grateful to have a fairly normal summer after the loneliness and boredom of a lockdown year. Coming up: face-to-face office hours! Face-to-face religious school! Face-to-face adult ed! Face-to-face lifecycle events! Face-to-face High Holidays! Woo hoo! And yet this won’t be a normal season at all. Pandemic or no, the chaos and violence over the last 12 months, in the U.S. and in the land of Israel, preclude any full return to familiar patterns. Security will be tighter; attitudes will be warier. The strains and sorrows of the coronavirus helped unleash the year’s craziness, but the damage done will outlast the medical crisis. In this week’s Torah portion, we are finally at the brink of the Promised Land after a 40-year delay and much loss of life (Deuteronomy 1:1-8). Moses reviews bonds broken and lessons learned (Deuteronomy 1:9-18). How easy to sulk and snivel, to wallow in self-pity, to blame our troubles on someone else (Deuteronomy 1:26-28) — but that won’t move us forward. The tension is palpable. We still feel that tension. We American Jews are rousing from a grand reverie, an epic illusion that we are part of the mainstream population. In spite of our contributions to American art and science, American business and politics, we are not part of the mainstream population. We are “other”: We are a minority upon whom the majority projects its fears and foibles, its vices and vanities. It’s a rude awakening. Suddenly and incredibly, we Jews are again the target of dark rumors, conspiracy theories and acts of violence, like our ancestors throughout history. The synagogue shooting of October 2018 was no fluke, much as we wish it were. Demonized in different ways by right and left, we have less and less control of our own image, our own definition. What does that bode for our future? In this week’s haftarah, in the Jerusalem of the eighth century BCE, we confront the menace of a rising, ruthless Assyria. “Come let us reason together,” says God reassuringly (Isaiah 1:18), but how often we have betrayed this God on whose protection we now depend! Are we too late to reclaim an unaccustomed piety, a half-forgotten faith?

What words, what holy acts will mend the threadbare covenant in time to rescue us? Danger hangs in the air. The danger persists. We Zionists — I trust most of us are Zionists — are stirring from a sweet daydream, a fond fantasy that the world supports a Jewish state, after all it has put us through. In spite of Israel’s contributions to culture and scholarship, medicine and technology, the world does not support a Jewish state. In the world’s eyes, 200 other peoples around the globe deserve a state — the Slovaks and the Slovenes, the South Sudanese and the East Timorese deserve a state — but the Jews, not so much. How did we get here? Yes, the Palestinians have suffered; and no, it isn’t the Palestinians’ fault if the Jews were persecuted in Germany or Russia. Israel has made mistakes, and worse abuses in other countries are beside the point. But how is it possible that one Jewish state is too many and 18 Arab states are not enough? I realize we Jews are a small people, but surely we are 1/18 as important as the Arabs. The Jew worships an invisible God: a short-term embarrassment and a longterm advantage. I’m square — I believe in the God of the Bible, but I respect other views. For my agnostic friends: God is a metaphor for our search for meaning. For my existentialist friends: By changing for God, we make God real. In any case, a Jew should never say “everyone does it”: a Jew is called to be different from “everyone,” a light unto the nations (Isaiah 49:6). We dare not stoop to the level of our adversaries — that would legitimate their tactics. If your enemy hungers, give them bread; if your enemy thirsts, give them water (Proverbs 25:21). On July 18 — Tisha b’Av, the Temple Fast — we pivot from admonition to consolation, as we begin the seven weeks of coming home to God for the High Holidays. Jewry’s position in America, Israel’s reputation in the world, is shakier than ever before in my lifetime. So be it, provided we renew our ties with the True Judge, the one impartial Observer of us all. The world lurches from fad to folly, hokum to hypocrisy. But “Zion shall be saved by justice, her returnees by righteousness” (Isaiah 1:27). PJC Rabbi Joe Hample is the spiritual leader of the Tree of Life Congregation in Morgantown, West Virginia. This column is a service of the Greater Pittsburgh Rabbinic Association.

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Obituaries FORBES: Arlene Gay Lantzman Forbes, born July 6, 1942, passed away July 5, 2021, with family by her side. Arlene settled in Tarpon Springs, Florida, after a life filled with adventure. She was a true renaissance woman. As a 1960 graduate of Taylor Allderdice High School in Pittsburgh, she was one of the first female students who rebelled against taking home ec and took wood and metal shop instead. She met and married the love of her life, USAF Lt. Col. James A. Forbes, at Penn State University and together they traveled the world. They raised two children and after they were grown, Arlene and Jim adopted three children. Arlene devoted her life to her family. After her husband passed away and her children were grown, Arlene fulfilled a dream of buying an RV and traveling across the U.S. Arlene leaves behind her five children, Sean I. Forbes (Barbara), Michelle L. Forbes, Jesse X. Forbes, Lynda S. E. Forbes, and Rachel E. Forbes; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her siblings Joel Lantzman (Joyce) and Kenneth Lantzman (Sharyn) and many nieces and nephews. Services were held graveside at King David Memorial Park in Falls Church, Virginia. Donations in memory of Arlene to be made to Fisherhouse.org or Magen David Adom. FRANK: Mary E. (Fox) Frank, formerly of Pittsburgh, peacefully passed away in Boca Raton, Florida, on Thursday, July 8, 2021, at the beautiful age of 100 years. Predeceased by her loving husband Tom, she is survived by daughters Evelyn (Jerry) Glick and Lynn (Ron) Heady. Mary was a loving grandmother to Lisa, Larry, Jim, Michael and Amy and an adoring great-grandmother to Jay, Jonathan, Brooke, Caroline, Rebecca and Sara. In May the entire family gathered to honor and celebrate Mary on her 100th birthday which fell this year on Mother’s Day, an appropriate and especially fitting coincidence. Because Mary was a warm and compassionate woman who was loved and admired by all who knew her, she greeted everyone she met with a smile and a laugh, making each person feel special and unique. Always devoted to her family, she showed them by her example how to live as a gentle, kind, and giving person. Mary enjoyed the final years of her life at Aston Gardens, Parkland, sharing laughter and joy with the many treasured friends she had there. Graveside service and interment were held on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Beth Abraham

Cemetery. Those wishing to remember Mary are welcome to make a contribution in her name to the Hospice by the Sea in Boca Raton, Florida. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., family owned and operated. schugar.com GOLDMAN: Marilyn R. Goldman, on Thursday, July 1, 2021. Beloved daughter of the late Ralph and Ann Swartz. Beloved wife of the late Gerald Lee Goldman. Beloved mother of Scott (Paulette) Goldman, Susan (David) Gates and the late Alison Goldman. Sister of the late Chucky (Patti) Swartz. Grandmother of Rachael Pardue and Emily Gates. Services and interment private. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel Inc., family owned and operated. schugar.com MYERS: Toba (Wexler) Myers, on Wednesday, July 7, 2021. Loving wife of Howard Myers; mother of Marc and Scott Myers; aunt of Pamela (Bryan) Gorski; also survived by many cousins. Family and friends welcome Sunday 12-1 p.m., William Slater II Funeral Service, 1650 Greentree Rd, Scott Twp. 15220. Service at 1 p.m. Interment in Temple Emmanuel Section of Mt. Lebanon Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Temple Memorial Cemetery Fund, 1250 Bower Hill Rd. Pittsburgh, PA, 15243. slaterfuneral.com SOLOMON: Gilbert S. Solomon, on Monday, July 5, 2021, peacefully at home with family by his side. Dearly loved by JoAnn Post, and former spouse of LaRue Solomon. Loving father of Andrea Solomon Cohen (Daniel Cohen) and Michael H. Solomon. Brother of Jerome (Rae) Solomon, June (late Lawrence) Lebovitz, Eileen (late Eli) Berger and the late Harold Solomon. Grandpa to Noah Harold Solomon and Rebekah Faye Cohen. Gilbert was also loved by Kristyn Conrad, Ronald L. Post Jr. and Wayde D. Post. He was also survived by nieces and nephews. Services and interment private. Contributions may be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation, 707 Grant Street, Gulf Tower, 37th Floor, Pittsburgh PA 15219. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., family owned and operated. schugar.com PJC

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THIS WEEK’S YAHRZEITS — Sunday July 18: Fryma Maete Berenstein, Herbert Cohen, Beatrice Galler, Julius Hemmelstein, Bluma Shaindel Labovitz, Irwin Levinson, Eva Corn Makler, Sophia Weinerman Sands, Eleanor J. Slinger, Harry Weisberg Monday July 19: Harry Blumenthal, Israel I. Brody, Sarah Fish Hassel, Esther Klee, Isaac Latterman, Ruth Mazefsky, Joseph Ostrow, Morris Rubin, Isaac Schor, Malcolm Slifkin, Sadye Steinman Tuesday July 20: Robert Chamovitz, Julius Field, Anna Rose Frieman, Nathan Gilles, Esther Glick, Sarah Geller Goisner, Saul Greenberg, Leonard Herbert Hochhauser, Mildred Golanty Krauss, Herman Labowitz, Minnie Landay, Benjamin Lazier, Helen N. Lehman, Sarah Sattler, Harry Silverstein, Clemens Simon, Dr. Morris Benjamin Weber, Hymen J. Wedner Wednesday July 21: Bess Baker, Samuel Finkelstein, Meyer I. Grinberg, Irwin “Ike” Kitman, Blanche Labovitz, Dorothy Levine, Emil Mendlow, Jean Ostfield, Dr. Herman Pink, Hermina Schwartz, Harriet Taper, Benjamin H. Tauberg, Stuart D. Weinbaum, Lillian Wells Thursday July 22: Morris Chetlin, Ida Daly, Miriam Friedlander, Bruce Robert Gordon, Max Harris, Sylvia G. Levine, Morris Linder, Ida Match, Jacob Mazer, Pearl C. Numer, Charles Olinsky, Goldie Faleder Recht, William Myer Rose, Simon Jacob Rosenthal, Reuben C. Solomon, Leonard Stein, Tsivia Topaz Sussman, Ray Weiner Wesosky, Florine K Wolk, Benjamin I. Young, Harry & Ruth Zeligman, Harry N. Zeligman Friday July 23: Sam Baker, Harry Davidson, George Freeman, Paul Allen Friedlander, Ruthe Glick, Sophia Mintz Latkin, Benjamin D. Lazar, Tillye Shaffer Malyn, Mary Perilman, Margaret Racusin, Reva Rebecca Reznick, Katie Share, Ethel K. Stept, Morton A. Zacks Saturday July 24: Anna R. Brill, Sam Friedman, Mitzi Davis Marcus, Belrose Marcus, Samuel Morris, Samuel Natterson, Phillip Nesvisky, Jacob Pearl, Nathan Rosen, Mayme S. Roth, Earl Schugar, S. Milton Schwartz, Becie Sokoler

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

Same Staff, Same Location, Same Ownership, New Name Previously, “The Rapp Funeral Home.” 10940 Frankstown Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15235 www.rosefuneralhomeinc.com 412.241.5415

JEWISH CEMETERY BURIAL ASSOCIATION O F G R E AT E R P I T T S B U R G H RESTORATION ✡ PRESERVATION ✡ CONTINUITY

A Notable Family • The Benkovitz Family

Pittsburghers need no introduction to the Benkovitz Family. Long known as one of the region’s oldest and finest seafood emporiums, Benkovitz Seafoods operated for over 100 years. Under the name “Live Fish” and opening on Centre Avenue in the Hill District, the business relocated to Smallman Street in the late 1960’s. Yellow pike, white fish and sea bass were specialties, with Pittsburgh mainstay Klein’s being one of their first and largest customers. A stop at Benkovitz became a tradition for many shopping and enjoying the Strip District. Beth Abraham Cemetery interments include two of the business founders Reuben and Joseph Benkovitz, their parents Yudel and Esther, and other family members. All are buried within Section 1. Originally from the city of Cherkasy in the Ukraine, the family name of “Binkowitsch” became Benkovitz, and synonymous for quality seafood for generations of Pittsburghers. For more information about JCBA cemeteries, to volunteer, to read our complete histories and/or to make a contribution, please visit our website at www.JCBApgh.org, email us at jcbapgh@gmail.com, or call the JCBA office at 412-553-6469 JCBA’s expanded vision is made possible by a generous grant from the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Jewish Community Foundation

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

JULY 16, 2021 19

Headlines Podcaster: Continued from page 15

soon after I finished the episode, and Medine Cohen on Monday. Neither has replied. But Omondi seemed to recognize the backlash. About a day after the podcast was uploaded, she posted on Instagram, “I want to recognize that I understand Leandra does not represent ALL Jewish people or the vast culture whatsoever.”

“If I see any mean spirited hate for the sake of hate towards Jewish people on this account, you did not listen to the episode or are missing the point completely,” she wrote. “And you will be BLOCKED. BLOCKED. BLOCKED.” Other Instagram posts from Omondi screenshot tweets from Jewish women praising the episode, including one that praised her “tenacious + brilliant probe of the intersection of Jewish whiteness and Black belonging” and demanded “our accountability

and engagement as Jewish women.” But criticism continued to brew. By Monday afternoon, the comment section on Omondi’s Instagram post about the episode had been closed. Then the Jewish writer Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt tweeted that the episode “shamelessly equates Jewishness with wealth, power & privilege.” By Monday night, the false and offensive references to Jews at the beginning and end of the podcast — both the comments about “slaveowners” and about a “Jewish American

Princess” — had been edited out. Omondi does not appear to have acknowledged the change to the podcast on social media. Medine Cohen doesn’t appear to have addressed it either. But already, Omondi may have strayed from the goal she outlined on a post last week about the episode. “I want to be clear that it’s not my intention to stir up any hate or trolling from this episode,” she wrote. “I welcome critical & constructive thoughts though.” PJC

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www.pittsburghjewishchronicle.org 20 JULY 16, 2021

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JULY 16, 2021 21

Life & Culture CNN’s ‘Jerusalem’ worth the watch — TELEVISION — By Jarrad Saffren | Contributing Writer

series is only as good as its characters, and when history is its subject matter, the characters are all there. It’s just on the producers to deliver an interesting and entertaining product. In CNN’s “Jerusalem: City of Faith and Fury,” they do just that. Blackfin, the production company behind the six-part docuseries, premiering on CNN at 10 p.m. on July 18, wanted to explore the holy city’s history to help viewers understand its connection to the present-day IsraeliPalestinian conflict, according to Executive Producer Jordan Rosenblum. And if you watch “Jerusalem,” you will see the truth in the cliché that history repeats itself: Jews, Christians and Muslims all consider Jerusalem to be their sacred place, so they keep fighting over it, but nobody really wins in the end. The series makes this historical lesson clear by focusing on charismatic leaders in each religious group, all of whom try to do the same thing — establish absolute control over Jerusalem for their people — and all of whom fail in the long run. There’s King David; there’s Richard the Lionheart, the ferocious warrior-king of England; and there’s Saladin, the tactical mastermind who defeats the Christian crusaders in the legendary Battle of Hattin. There are several others as well, including David Ben-Gurion and Golda Meir, the driving forces behind the creation of modern-day Israel and its strategic alliance with the United States. Rosenblum and his team use a stylized combination of cinematic, academic and journalistic qualities to bring these epic characters to life. Cinematically, actors play out the ancient scenes. This can be an annoying and superfluous feature in documentaries that are designed more to educate than to entertain. But in “Jerusalem,” it works, and it adds a layer of entertainment that most documentaries don’t have. In the series’ first episode, “The Kingdom,” about King David’s conquest of Jerusalem, and in its third episode, “Holy War,” about the conflict over the city between Muslims and Christian crusaders, the actors who play David, Richard the Lionheart and Saladin use walking styles, facial expressions and postures to leave indelible impressions in the minds of viewers. That they pull this off without dialogue makes it all the more impressive. The actors don’t need to speak, though, because the experts likely have far more to say than any script could. And in “Jerusalem,” the experts are a group of academics/history nerds who have no trouble showing their passion for the subject matter. They inflect with their voices and gesticulate with their hands. They offer timeless lessons about history and power, like how a good leader

p Cleopatra, ruler of ancient Egypt, in CNN’s docuseries “Jerusalem.”

p Herod the Great in CNN’s docuseries “Jerusalem.”

can unite warring factions within a tribe, in accessible and memorable terms. They show almost no bias toward any of the three religions. Sports TV shows often make the mistake of not using enough writers, the people who spend their days thinking about the games. The producers of “Jerusalem” don’t make the same mistake, because when it comes to the history of the holy city, these academics are the people who spend their days thinking about it, and Blackfin makes the right call in depending on them to explain it. “It was a deliberate decision not to do dialogue (with the actors),” Rosenblum said. Rosenblum also said that CNN was a

partner in this project from the beginning of its development, which is logical as the project, at its core, was journalistic. The actors and their colorful scenes, the professors and their passionate commentary — all of that works because it’s grounded in not just an adherence to factual accuracy, but in an efficient deployment of the facts themselves. Such details are used to deepen the audience’s understanding without overwhelming its senses. Years and eras are mentioned a few times to give viewers a sense of ancient stories as history, and not just as tall tales. Some gray political realities, like Richard the Lionheart facing a threat to his English throne as he tries

Photos courtesy of CNN

to expand his empire to Jerusalem, are emphasized as much as black-and-white battle results. And in later episodes, like “Independence & Catastrophe,” about the birth of modern-day Israel, archival videos and stills are wielded to bring figures like Ben-Gurion and Meir to life. “We wanted to tell the facts as they happened,” Rosenblum said. “And there’s no better partner to do that with than CNN.” By combining cinematic, academic and journalistic qualities, “Jerusalem” shows that, even as history repeats itself, it’s a scintillating and riveting ride. PJC Jarrad Saffren writes for the Jewish Exponent, an affiliated publication.

www.pittsburghjewishchronicle.org 22 JULY 16, 2021

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Community Summertime is senior time

Shabbat Shalom

p JCC staffers Michelle Hunter and Brian Schreiber load a cooler of meals for delivery to area seniors.

p Campers and staff at Emma Kaufmann Camp in Morgantown, West Virginia celebrate Shabbat. Photo courtesy of Emma Curtis via Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh

Shavuah Tov

p JCC volunteer Trish Callaway (left) helps organize flowers donated for seniors. The bouquets were courtesy of Amy Magoun, a volunteer with Scent with Love. The organization retrieves fresh flowers from weddings and other events and donates them to places in need in Pittsburgh.

p Rabbis Emily and Aaron Meyer of Temple Emanuel of South Hills mark havdalah with their daughter Evelyn. Screenshot by Adam Reinherz

Machers and Shakers

p JCC staffer Marsha Mullen distributes flowers to a senior at the Jewish Community Center in Squirrel Hill. Photos courtesy of Emma Curtis via Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Megan Pankiewicz from Canon-McMillan High School in Canonsburg, PA and Peter Mysels from Pennsylvania Distance Learning Charter School in Wexford, PA were selected by the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous as 2021 Alfred Lerner Fellows. Pankiewicz and Mysels are among 21 middle and high school teachers from 12 states and four educators at U.S.-based Holocaust centers who will delve into the history of the Holocaust and discuss new teaching techniques for introducing the subject into their classrooms. Photos courtesy of Joshua Steinreich

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

JULY 16, 2021 23

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• All-natural poultry — whole chickens, breasts, wings and more

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

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Price effective Thursday, July 15 through Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Available at 24 JULY 16, 2021

and

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