Syr0301 by Jewish Federation of CNY

22 ADAR I 5776 • MARCH 3, 2016 • VOLUME XXXVII, NUMBER 5 • PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID, SYRACUSE, NY

JCC of Syracuse to hold annual Purim Carnival March 20 BY WILLIAM WALLAK The Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse will once again host a day of games, activities, food and more during its upcoming Purim Carnival. The annual, family-oriented event will be held on Sunday, March 20, from noon-4 pm, at the JCC, 5655 Thompson Rd., DeWitt. The program will offer interactive activities and entertainment for preschool and school-age children and their families. Admission will be free and open to the public. “It’s always thrilling to open our doors to the community and create an afternoon that’s filled with lots of good family fun,” said Marci Erlebacher, JCC executive director. “Purim is one of the most lively, joyfilled holidays, and what better way to celebrate than with a carnival for our members and neighbors.” The JCC’s Purim Carnival is the largest indoor community event held at the center each year. It has become a tradition for the JCC to hold the celebration as “a way of giving back to the community so that families can spend some quality time together.” Children are encouraged to dress in costumes, which is a Purim holiday custom. Children dressed in costumes will receive a prize ticket at the door. A food drive to benefit the Temple Concord food pantry will also be held. Anyone bringing in canned or non-perishable food will receive a prize ticket for each item donated. Esther’s Café, considered to be one of the carnival’s main attractions,

will open for lunch at 11:30 am in the JCC’s Anne and Hy Miller Family Auditorium. It will feature a variety of home-cooked, Va’ad-supervised kosher dishes by Donna Carullo, the JCC’s chef. Menu items will include corned beef and turkey sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs, knishes and desserts, including hamantashen. The JCC Neulander Family Sports and Fitness Center’s Schayes Family Gymnasium will be used as a miniature, indoor midway and feature children’s carnival games, large inflatable toys and bounce houses, caricature drawings and raffles. Other event attractions will be entertainment, a toddler/preschool bounce house, safe ID and car seat safety checks, PJ Library® activities, a used book sale (see related article on page 8) and the JCC’s 2016 Camp Rishon summer camp guide. Organizers have reiterated that the JCC is “fortunate” to be able to put on its Purim Carnival each year due to help from “a small army” of volunteers. Some of the tasks volunteers will perform include running games, serving food and helping out in the prize room. For students seeking to fulfill community service requirements, volunteering is one way to earn credit hours and help the JCC. Volunteer shifts are available from 11:45 am-2 pm and from 1:45 pm-4 pm. For more information about the JCC’s Purim Carnival, including volunteer opportunities and donating gently used books for the sale, contact the JCC at 445-2360 or visit www.jccsyr.org.

Children played one of the games at the 2015 Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse Purim Carnival in the Schayes Family Gymnasium. The JCC’s annual Purim celebration on Sunday, March 20, will feature games, activities and food.

A Star Wars-themed Purim

Temple Adath Yeshurun, Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas and Temple Concord will share a Purim program together on Wednesday, March 23, starting with a light dinner at 5:45 pm. The event will be held at Temple Adath Yeshurun, 450 Kimber Rd., Syracuse. The Purim service and megillah reading will be held from 6:30-8 pm. There will be a modest per-person charge for dinner, with a maximum charge per family. The Syracuse Community Hebrew School

Obama signs law to defend Israel from boycott, but says won’t apply to settlements BY JTA STAFF WASHINGTON (JTA) – President Barack Obama signed a bill that punishes the BDS campaign against Israel, but said he will not apply a segment that extends protections to West Bank settlements. The Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, aimed at removing unfair barriers to competitive U.S. trade, passed the U.S. House of Representatives in December and the Senate on February 11. Obama signed the bill into law on February 24. A lengthy section of the law on promoting U.S.-Israel trade requires noncooperation with entities that participate in the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel, and reporting on such entities. The section includes within its definition of an Israel boycott actions that would target businesses in “Israelicontrolled territories.” “I have directed my administration to strongly oppose boycotts, divestment

campaigns, and sanctions targeting the state of Israel,” Obama said in a signing statement. “As long as I am president, we will continue to do so. Certain provisions of this act, by conflating Israel and ‘Israeli-controlled territories,’ are contrary to longstanding bipartisan United States policy, including with regard to the treatment of settlements.” Obama continued in the statement that “consistent with longstanding constitutional practice,” the administration would negotiate with other countries under the law “in a manner that does not interfere with my constitutional authority to conduct diplomacy,” language used in signing statements to signal that a president will not apply a part of a law that does not comport with U.S. foreign policy. The BDS portion of the law, backed by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, was written by Representative Peter Roskam (R-IL) and Representative

Juan Vargas (D-CA). There are multiple bills under consideration in Congress and in more than 20 state legislatures targeting BDS. Many of the state bills mandate the divestment of state funds, including pensions, from entities that boycott Israel, and a number of those bills extend protection to the settlements. In recent months, Illinois and South Carolina have passed into law anti-BDS bills that include protection for settlements. The Florida legislature the week of February 25 passed a law that includes settlement protections, and it awaits signing by Governor Rick Scott. A similar bill was introduced that week in the Ohio legislature.

will be dismissed at 5:30 pm so people may attend the Purim celebration. Participants have been encouraged to wear costumes. Reservations have been requested and can be made by Monday, March 7, by contacting participants’home synagogues, including the TAY office at 445-0002, the CBS-CS office at 446-9570 and the TC office at 475-9572.

2016 Federation Annual Campaign Goal: $1,200,000

738,186

as of Feb 29, 2016

To make a pledge, contact Marianne Bazydlo at 445-2040 ext. 102 or mbazydlo@jewishfederationcny.org.

C A N D L E L I G H T I N G A N D P A R AS H A March 4....................5:40 pm......................................................... ParashaVayakel March 11..................5:49 pm........................................................Parasha-Pekudai March 18..................6:57 pm.........................................................Parasha-Vayikra

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Israeli tech

Federation Campaign Congregational notes

A look at five Israeli companies Federation’s Campaign hits the A blood drive, talks, movies and making the world more accessible halfway mark; a message from more are announced by local the Campaign chair. to people with disabilities. synagogues. Stories on pages 2-3 Story on page 2 Stories on page 4

PLUS Did You Know?......................... 5 Calendar Highlights............... 6 D’var Torah............................... 6 Obituaries................................. 7

JEWISH OBSERVER ■ MARCH 3, 2016/22 ADAR I 5776

A MATTER OF OPINION Message from our Campaign Chair that of previous years. FollowBY MARK WLADIS ing the dinner, we opened up a It was a little more than a year large-scale forum at no charge ago when I received a phone and welcomed the greater Jewcall from Linda Alexander. She ish community to come and hear wanted to meet, and I assumed Ambassador Ross address a it was about raising our pledge sanctuary full of attendees. to Federation. My wife, Diane, Linda and I continued to and I decided pre-emptively we work hard and made sure we would do so, but when I met were inclusive in the newlywith Linda what she hit me formed cabinet. We wanted to with was way bigger than an keep the longtime supporters Mark Wladis increased donation: “I want you involved, while welcoming to run the Campaign!” I consulted with Diane, who said, individuals who had never been in“You’ve got to do it!” My dad, George, volved in Federation to the table. Our concurred, “You need to do this!” My goal was to make the cabinet more repmother, Roberta, was more cautious, and resentative of our diverse community as said, “Don’t you remember how upset your a whole so we could focus on the task of dad got when he did this and how hard it getting the entire community involved and bring everyone together under our was to get people to give money?” I knew my wife and father were right; ever-expanding tent. Our efforts really but I heard my mother’s concern and I bore out at the “Meet at the MOST” realized if I was going to take this on, event. Our attendance of 350 folks of I had to take a step back and approach all ages was unprecedented. As it turns out, our numbers are coming things differently. It was time to reflect on what the Campaign was really about and back at unparalleled levels, reflective of the what exactly it meant to our Jewish com- team’s hard work. At the end of January, munity. I spent the next 30 days reaching pledges were already at $673,944 toward out to many different people and getting our goal of $1.2 million, an increase of input from a range of individuals. Their more than $150,000 from previous years’ perspectives ran the gamut, but they all Campaigns at the same date. Of the 686 were saying similar things. The sentiment pledges, 256 have significantly increased I heard repeated was that the Campaign from last year and 67 are new. Our goal is needs to be about more than just raising within reach and, more importantly, the money: it needs to engage people, draw Jewish community is thriving. From the success of last year’s Camthem in and create a stronger sense of belonging to the community. I spoke paign, the Jewish Federation was able to longtime Federation supporters and to award more than $62,000 in grants members of the Jewish community who for new programming and unmet needs had never been asked to the table, but who throughout our Jewish community. This were very interested in playing a role and was only made possible because of extra dollars collected above and beyond the becoming more active. I met with Linda and told her, if I was base allocations. This is so important going to do this, I was going to do it dif- because we always need to be supporting ferently and shake things up. She gave me innovative programs and creative ideas to her full support to move forward and do it enhance our Jewish lives. With your sustained support, we can my way. I told her we were going to need to take a two-pronged approach. It was continue to grow and expand and reach important that we raise money, but it was our goal of $1,200,000. We have some just as important to unify the community even bigger ideas in the works for next and be proactive in making this happen. year, and we cannot wait to share them We were going to have to get a diverse with you once we have completed our group involved – it was going to take a goals for this year! On behalf of Diane and me, Linda committed team. Hence, the Campaign Cabinet was born and this hardworking and all the staff at Federation, and each group had its first meeting in the spring member of the Campaign Cabinet, thank you for stepping up, for reaching out of last year. For our initial community event, we and for joining in. Let’s keep up the brought in Ambassador Dennis Ross to momentum and start looking ahead to speak to the major donors, and doubled the some exciting ventures brewing in our attendance at the Major Gift dinner from ever-expanding tent!

Meet five Israeli companies driving disability tech BY BEN SALES TEL AVIV (JTA) – After a missile strike during the 1973 Yom Kippur War left Omer Zur’s father paralyzed from the chest down, his dad vowed to continue life as normal. But there was one Israeli pastime he couldn’t enjoy: hiking. “He’d say, ‘I’ll go in the car and meet you on the other side,’” said Zur, a certified Israeli tour guide. “I said, ‘Why can’t he do this with us?’” In 2008, Zur decided that he and his wheelchair-user father would complete a 300-mile trek in southern Turkey. With the help of dozens of friends who joined them on segments of the hike, Zur and his father were able to complete the trail, sleep in tents and cook meals over an open fire. The hike sparked Paratrek, a startup Zur founded in 2014 that aims to make hiking

accessible to people with paraplegia by outfitting wheelchairs with accessories that enable them to travel over rough terrain. The company is one of several startups focused on improving the lives of the nearly one million Israelis with disabilities. A3I, a startup accelerator run by PresenTense that fosters social entrepreneurship, is housed at Beit Issie Shapiro, an Israeli advocacy organization for people with disabilities and backed by the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. It has helped launch 22 disability projects in the past two years. Tikkun Olam Makers, a three-day competition where tech entrepreneurs design projects for people with disabilities, had three events in Israel in 2014 and 2015. “We very much think one of the missing approaches in the world of disability See “Tech” on page 7

TEMPLE ADATH YESHURUN, TEMPLE CONCORD AND CONGREGATION BETH SHOLOMCHEVRA SHAS CELEBRATE PURIM TOGETHER The “Star Wars”-themed Purim celebration “Help us Queen Esther, You’re our only hope!” will be held by rabbis and cantors of Temple Adath Yeshurun, Temple Concord and Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas on Wednesday, March 23, at Temple Adath Yeshurun, 450 Kimber Rd., Syracuse. The event will be sponsored by all three synagogues. Community Hebrew School classes will dismiss at 5:30 pm on March 23 so that families can have a pizza and salad dinner, with hamantashen, at 5:45 pm. The service and megillah reading will follow at 6:30 pm. There will be a modest cost for dinner, with a family maximum charge. Children 3 and younger will be admitted for free. There will be no cost to attend the megillah reading. Everyone will be welcome and costumes have been encouraged. Volunteers are needed for various of shifts, including 12:30 pm for set-up, 3-5:30 pm for preparation and cooking, 5 pm for guest check-in and at 8 pm to clean up after the event. Reservations and payment have been requested for the dinner in advance and can be made by contacting participants’ home synagogue by Monday, March 7. For more information or to volunteer, call the home congregation office, or contact TAY at info@adath.org or 445-0002. SHAAREI TORAH ORTHODOX CONGREGATION OF SYRACUSE Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse will hold its annual Purim seudah on Thursday, March 24, starting at 6 pm at the synagogue, 4313 E. Genesee St., DeWitt. A “festive” dinner is one of the five prescribed mitzvot of Purim, the others being hearing the Megillah Esther read during the evening and daytime, giving friends shalach manot (ready-to-eat food items) and giving charity to the poor. The meal will be meat, with a vegetarian option. Adult and child participants have been encouraged to attend the meal dressed in

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“royal attire.” There will be prizes for the best costumes among the children. There will be a special dining table, as well as crafts, a movie and a surprise entertainment for the children. There will be a silent auction for a variety of items and vouchers. For those who did not hear the megillah read earlier, there will be an extra reading starting at 5 pm. The event will be open to the public. Reservations can be made at info@ stocsyracuse.org or by calling 446-6194 by Wednesday, March 16. CHABAD-LUBAVITCH OF CENTRAL NEW YORK COMMUNITYWIDE PURIM DINNER BY CHANIE RAPOPORT Chabad-Lubavitch of Central New York will hold its 30th annual communitywide “Purim in Peking” seudah on Thursday, March 24, beginning at 6:15 pm, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Conference Center, 701 E. Genesee St. “Purim in Peking” will once again offer participants a chance to enjoy kosher Chinese food and drink “royal” wine “according to the King’s Bounty.” (Esther 1:7) Asian attire will be optional. The Purim seudah has been “wellattended” in the past and draws from a cross-section of the community. In addition to being the only glatt kosher Chinese food in Syracuse, the celebration invites participants of all ages to enjoy the music, celebration and atmosphere. Hanita Blair, who has attended the dinners for many years, said, “For the past 15 years my husband and I have enjoyed Purim with Chabad. It is a fun-filled evening from start to finish. We can always count on an evening of good food, good friends and good times, with plenty of Purim dancing and fun thrown in.” There will be a megillah reading, accompanied by a slide show of the Purim story, at 5:30 pm. There will be a charge for the dinner, with a reduction in price for children. Children age 3 and younger will be admitted for free. Parking is available in the Crowne Plaza Hotel parking garage. For reservations and more information, call 424-0363. All articles, announcements and photographs must be received by noon Wednesday, 15 days prior to publication date. Articles must be typed, double spaced and include the name of a contact person and a daytime telephone number. E-mail submissions are encouraged and may be sent to JewishObserverCNY@gmail.com. The Jewish Observer reserves the right to edit any copy. Signed letters to the editor are welcomed: they should not exceed 250 words. Names will be withheld at the discretion of the editor. All material in this newspaper has been copyrighted and is exclusive property of the Jewish Observer and cannot be reproduced without the consent of the publisher. Views and opinions expressed by our writers, columnists, advertisers and by our readers do not necessarily reflect the publisher’s and editors’ points of view, nor that of the Jewish Federation of Central New York. The newspaper reserves the right to cancel any advertisements at any time. This newspaper is not liable for the content of any errors appearing in the advertisements beyond the cost of the space occupied. The advertiser assumes responsibility for errors in telephone orders. The Jewish Observer does not assume responsibility for the kashrut of any product or service advertised in this paper. THE JEWISH OBSERVER OF CENTRAL NEW YORK (USPS 000939) (ISSN 1079-9842) Publications Periodical postage paid at Syracuse, NY and other offices. Published 24 times per year by the Jewish Federation of Central New York Inc., a non-profit corporation, 5655 Thompson Road, DeWitt, NY 13214. Subscriptions: $36/year; student $10/ year. POST MASTER: Send address change to JEWISH OBSERVER OF CENTRAL NEW YORK, 5655 Thompson Road, DeWitt, NY 13214.

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MARCH 3, 2016/22 ADAR I 5776 ■

JEWISH OBSERVER

AROUND CENTRAL NEW YORK The Jewish Federation of Central New York Annual Campaign is more than halfway to its goal of $1.2 million BY MARIANNE BAZYDLO Mark Wladis, 2016 Campaign chair, is working to make this “the most successful Campaign yet.” Due to the support of the Jewish community and last year’s Campaign, the Federation allocation committee recently granted $62,000 in Community Program Fund Grants. This funding is said to affect “the entire Jewish community,” as all synagogues and Jewish agencies are eligible to receive funding,

not just Federation beneficiary agencies. Pledges are not due for payment until Saturday, December 31. Pledges can be set up to be paid monthly on a credit card at no cost. Donors can be anonymous and not listed in the Jewish Observer honor roll of donors. Campaign pledges can also be designated as local only, in which case all funds will stay in Central New York. Pledges can be designated overseas only, but the first $500 will stay in Central New York.

Kids Yoga class for preschool students begins March 8 The Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse’s Jerome and Phyllis Charney Early Childhood Development Program will offer a weekly “Mommy and Me Yoga” class for children age 3 and younger with their mothers. The four-week class will be held on Tuesdays, starting March 8, from 9:15-10 am, in the Neulander Family Sports and Fitness Center yoga studio at the JCC, 5655 Thompson Rd., DeWitt. “Mommy and Me Yoga” offers mothers, fathers and caregivers the opportunity to spend some time together with their children while exercising. The class will include

stretching, balance and flexibility exercises. Participants should wear comfortable clothes. Registration for the program is ongoing through the class’ start date. Spots are limited and early registration has been recommended. Children do not need to be enrolled in the JCC’s Early Childhood Program and JCC membership is not required to take the class. For more information, call the JCC’s Early Childhood Program at 445-2040, ext. 120, or visit www. jccsyr.org.

AARP Driver Safety course coming March 15 and 16 BY WILLIAM WALLAK The Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse will host an AARP Driver Safety course for seniors on Tuesday, March 15, and Wednesday, March 16, from 9 am-noon both days, at the JCC, 5655 Thompson Rd., DeWitt. There will be a charge for the class, with a reduction for AARP members, and it will be open to licensed drivers age 50 and older. Attendees must come both days and bring their driver’s license. The AARP Driver Safety course teaches current rules of

the road, defensive driving techniques and how to operate a vehicle more safely. Attendees will also learn how to manage and accommodate common age-related changes in vision, hearing and reaction time. Upon completing the course, participants may be eligible to receive an insurance discount and are encouraged to consult their insurance agent for details. AARP membership is not required to take the course and there are no tests to pass. To register for the class, call the JCC at 445-2360 or visit the JCC front desk.

The Campaign supports local beneficiary agencies, including the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse, Syracuse Community Hebrew School, Syracuse Hebrew Day School, Hillel at Syracuse University, Rabbi Jacob Epstein High School of Jewish Studies, Syracuse Jewish Cemeteries Association, Judaic Heritage Center of Central New York and the Ahavath Achim Mikvah. The Campaign also provides support to Syracuse Jewish Family Service, the Beit Tikvah House, Friends of Israel Scouts, InterFaith Works, camp scholarships, Jewish Music and Cultural Festival, Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel Independence Day), the annual Holocaust Commemoration, the Jewish Observer and Community Program Fund Grants to local Jewish agencies and synagogues. To make a pledge for 2016, contact Marianne Bazydlo at 445-2040, ext. 102, or at mbazydlo@jewishfederationcny.org. To make a secure payment on www.jewishfederationcny.org, click on the tzedakah box graphic on the home page.

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THE JCC, CONG. BETH SHOLOM & TEMPLE CONCORD, GLADLY ACCEPT DONATED VEHICLES THRU C*A*R*S (a locally owned Manlius company) “giving to your own”

(it’s what you do best)

MIKE LESSEN 256-6167 donatecars@twcny.rr.com Charitable Auto Resource Service In our 12th year of enriching the religious sector

Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center senior dining menu MARCH 7-11 Monday – cheese and spinach quiche Tuesday – hot corned beef Wednesday – Hawaiian chicken Thursday – shepherd’s pie Friday – cranberry-orange glazed chicken MARCH 14-18 Monday – vegetable lasagna Tuesday – chicken rollatini Wednesday – stuffed cabbage Thursday – imitation crab cakes Friday – roast turkey The Bobbi Epstein Lewis JCC Senior Adult Dining Program at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse offers Va’ad Ha’ir-supervised kosher lunches served Monday-Friday at noon. Lunch reservations are

required by noon of the previous business day. There is a suggested contribution per meal. The menu is subject to change. The program is funded by a grant from the Onondaga County Department of Aging and Youth and the New York State Office for the Aging, with additional funds provided by the JCC. To attend, one need not be Jewish or a member of the JCC. For more information or to make a reservation, contact Cindy Stein at 445-2360, ext. 104, or cstein@jccsyr.org.

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ MARCH 3, 2016/22 ADAR I 5776

CONGREGATIONAL NOTES

Temple Adath Yeshurun

BLOOD DRIVE AT TAY BY SONALI WIJESURIYA The Temple Adath Yeshurun Men’s Club and Sisterhood will sponsor an American Red Cross blood drive on Sunday, March 13, from 9 am-2 pm, on the stage side of the TAY ballroom. Men’s Club Membership Outreach Chair Jeffrey Joseph said, “Temple Adath is committed to helping the community through this important cause, especially during the rough Syracuse winter months when blood supplies are needed desperately.” To make an appointment, contact Lisa or Jeff Joseph at 692-4085 or lisajo8021@gmail.com, or visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code TEMPLEADATH. CELEBRATING SHABBAT AT TAY BY SONALI WIJESURIYA Temple Adath Yeshurun will celebrate Shabbat on Friday, March 18, as a congregation, beginning with a Shabbat in the Round service at 5:45 pm, followed by a congregational Shabbat dinner at 6:45 pm. The participatory Kabalat Shabbat service will be led by Rabbi Paul Drazen, with music by Ba’alat Tefillah Esa Jaffe and the Adath adult choir. Jaffe said, “Music is such an integral part of how we celebrate Shabbat, and Shabbat in the Round is one of the special musical services we have each year.” The participation of the Adath choir, joined by a klezmerstyle band, is meant to enhance the Shabbat celebration. Participants will have the opportunity to sing z’mirot, Shabbat songs, during dinner. Following Shabbat in the Round services, the Temple Adath Yeshurun Sisterhood will host a Congregational Shabbat dinner. Susie Drazen, a member of the TAY Sisterhood, commented, “We look forward to welcoming everyone to another delicious, music-filled and enjoyable Shabbat dinner.” The dinner will feature a bring-yourown-beverage kosher wine option for dinner. The dinner costs $12 per person for ages 13 and older or $6 per child ages 5-12. Children age 4 and younger will be admitted for free. Registration forms are available online at www.adath.org or at Temple Adath Yeshurun.

Temple Concord TEMPLE CONCORD’S CINEMAGOGUE PRESENTS “BEST OF MEN” BY LESLIE BROCKSMITH Cinemagogue, Temple Concord’s film series, will screen “Best of Men” on Tuesday, March 8, at 7:30 pm. The film is the story of a Jewish refugee from Nazi Germany who cares for injured British servicemen with spinal injuries. His attitude and efforts to mobilize the patients revolutionize rehabilitation tactics at the hospital. The doctor organizes a national disability sports competition, which later becomes the Paralympics. Cinemagogue offers a variety of films with Jewish themes, Israeli filmmakers and Jewish-American stars. The event is free and open to the public. Donations will be welcome. For more information, contact the TC office at 475-9952 or office@templeconcord.org. GOLDENBERG SERIES PRESENTS THE SYRACUSE POPS CHORUS BY LESLIE BROCKSMITH Temple Concord’s Goldenberg Cultural Series will host the Syracuse Pops Chorus on Sunday, March 13, at 2 pm. Among the 125-member chorus’ repertoire are works from the American Songbook, Broadway and Americana. The volunteer group performs concerts throughout the Central New York area and is considered a favorite of Temple Concord audiences. The event will be free and open to the public. Donations will be welcome. For more information, contact the TC office at 475-9952 or office@templeconcord.org. SCHOLAR SERIES PRESENTS CHRIS FARICY SPEAKING ON THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION BY LESLIE BROCKSMITH Temple Concord’s Scholar Series will host Chris Faricy, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School, on Tuesday, March 15, at 7 pm. Faricy is the author of “Welfare for the Wealthy: Parties, Social Spending, and Inequity in the United States.” His analysis of party spending reveals that Democrats and Republicans have increased social spending to their constituencies throughout the last 42 years, and explains the implications for those who provide and receive assistance in the United States. The event will be free and open to the public. Donations will be welcome. For more information, contact the TC office at 475-9952 or office@templeconcord.org.

Jackson McLaughlin and Khyir Johnson played a game with Marcia Mizrachi during an intergenerational board game brunch program, a part of the “Acts of Kindness” week at the Temple Adath Yeshurun Rothschild Early Childhood Center’s February break camp. For more information, call 315-445-0002, e-mail info@ adath.org or visit www.adath.org. TAY SELECTED AS A MEMBER OF THE USCJRUDERMAN INCLUSION ACTION COMMUNITY BY BARBARA SIMON Temple Adath Yeshurun was one of 18 congregations selected from a continent-wide search to participate as a member of the USCJ-Ruderman Inclusion Action Community. This program, designed to foster inclusion of those with disabilities, is funded by the Ruderman Family Foundation. Through this effort, Temple Adath will examine every aspect of its community: physical facilities, education programs, tefillah, social activities

and attitude of congregants and leaders. The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism will provide consultation and guidance to develop and implement an action plan to make the synagogue a more inclusive community. TAY Rabbi Paul Drazen said, “We have already made great strides in being welcoming and inclusive, and we are honored to be chosen as part of the USCJ Ruderman Inclusion Action Community in order to become even more aware and inclusive. We now have large print and transliterated siddurim available. We already have ramps, threshold-less doorways and designated places for wheelchairs in our worship spaces. Both the Goldberg Sanctuary and Miron Family Chapel are handicapped accessible. We are currently investigating electric information signs so congregants and visitors can more easily navigate the building, as well as exploring assistive hearing devices for the Miron Family Chapel.” Alison Bronstein, chair of TAY’s Inclusion Committee, said, “Having Temple Adath Yeshurun be accepted into this fantastic learning community will benefit our congregation on so many levels. We already are making great strides with our youth programs, having recently hosted a sensory-friendly children’s service. A committee has been formed to look at all areas where we can improve inclusion for all our members. Being part of the Ruderman Inclusion Community will allow us to share ideas and have access to resources to improve the experience at Temple Adath Yeshurun for everyone. My goal is for Adath to be the place where we can all feel comfortable and safe, for persons with special needs, those who might be struggling with mental health issues, or those dealing with issues of aging – a true spiritual and communal place for our congregation.”

Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas CBS-CS HAZAK TO PRESENT THE STORY OF THE UNSUNG HERO Alan Goldberg will present and discuss the documentary “Watchers of the Sky” to the Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas Hazak group on Sunday, March 13, at 2 pm, at CBS-CS, 18 Patsy Ln., Jamesville. The documentary tells the story of Raphael Lemkin, a Polish Jew who dedicated his life to making sure mass murders were categorized as international crimes. It was through his efforts that the word “genocide” was brought into the legal vocabulary. The documentary was inspired by Samantha Power’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book, “AProblem from Hell,” and examines the journey “from Nuremberg to The Hague, from Bosnia to Darfur, from criminality to justice, and from apathy to action.” The program is open to the community. Refreshments will be served. Goldberg is a graduate of Yale University and received his Ph.D. from Michigan State University. After a long career at Syracuse University, he earned the title of professor emeritus. His expertise is currently devoted to Holocaust and genocide studies at Syracuse University. He is involved in many community organizations, is the author of several publications and makes numerous presentations around the country relating to education, counseling and Jewish subjects, including the Holocaust. He is a former president of the national Association for Counselor Educators. He is a member and past president of Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas. STUDY SESSIONS TO EXPLORE “THE JEWISH GOSPELS: THE STORY OF THE JEWISH CHRIST” BY DANIEL BOYARIN Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone will explore a new topic in the Sisterhood study sessions, which will meet on Thursdays, March 10 and 24, April 14 and 28, at 10:30 am, at Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas. Daniel Boyarin’s book “The Jewish Gospels: The Story of the Jewish Christ” explores various sources examining ideas about the messiah that predate Christianity, challenging notions about the origins of Christianity. Some believe that early layers of the Christian Bible are actually continuous from contemporaneous rabbinic Jewish teachings. Although there will be handouts, participants have been encouraged to read the book as well. It is At left: Peter Saulson discussed “The Nature of Time in Science and Religion” at a Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas Hazak program.

available online in various formats. PURIM PROGRAM TO BE HELD MARCH 12 Bob Tornberg will lead a consideration of the story of Esther on Saturday, March 12, at approximately 12:15 pm, after Shabbat services, at Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas. Tornberg aims to see if participants can figure out why Purim is considered “the one observance that must continue, even after the world becomes the place God envisioned before creation – a place of shalom.” Purim is often seen as a children’s holiday, when people dress up, act silly, make noise, sing songs and eat hamantashen. Those who are more serious about the celebration listen to the megillah (the story of Esther), give gifts of food to friends, tzedakah to those who need it and they may even drink a bit more than usual. At its root, however, Purim does not feel as serious to many as Passover or Yom Kippur. According to talmudic and midrashic tradition, once the Messiah or Messianic Age comes, the only holiday that will continue to be observed will be Purim. The talk will explore the reason for this. SISTERHOOD MEMBERS MAKE BLANKETS FOR UPSTATE GOLISANO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas Sisterhood members and their daughters will gather for Havdalah, desserts and blanket-making on Saturday, March 12, at 7 pm. Participants will make Havdalah and then create knotted fleece blankets for donation to the Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. This will be a Sisterhood event, open to women and children age 10 and older. Participants should bring a pair of sharp scissors if they have them. No experience or sewing skill will be necessary. Reservations have been requested and can be made by contacting Robin Young at ryoun8@twcny.rr.com.

Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas staff, United Synagogue Youth members and children showed off the Havdalah bags made by participants at the CBS-CS PJ Havdalah parents’ night out event.

DO YOU KNOW? Your Federation dollars at work – Rabbinical Council

never before, they agreed BY JACKIE MIRON that a booklet prepared and The Allocations Committee of endorsed by all members the Jewish Federation of Central could help the entire commuNew York awards community nity learn about, understand, program fund grants annually in and observe the customs of addition to the annual allocations mourning shared by the Jewmade in the spring. Based on ish people for centuries. the success of the 2015 annual They have produced a campaign, community program short booklet on Jewish fugrants are available to all Jewish Jackie Miron neral and mourning customs, organizations, agencies and synagogues in the Central New York with the hope that the booklet would be community. The funds are given out sent to every Jewish home in the Central in amounts of $10,000, $5,000 and New York region. In addition, there would $2,500. The Allocations Committee be copies available in each synagogue, as reviews the grant requests and makes well as in local Jewish funeral homes. The recommendations to the board, which Federation grant will able to defray the booklet’s costs, though not in total. The votes on the recommendations. Occasionally, grants are for other dollar rabbis are exploring more cost-efficient amounts for various reasons. Recently, printing options, and the booklet will be The Rabbinical Council was awarded printed and made widely available. The Syracuse Rabbinical council meets $3,750 for a project to produce and distribute a handbook on Jewish funeral and monthly to discuss issues to help the community grow in knowledge and practice mourning customs. The Syracuse Rabbinical Council is made without regard to which movement a parup of seven local rabbis, and after a period ticular rabbi may represent. As mourning of inactivity, has been quite active in the last and funeral customs are a difficult topic, two years. Members include Rabbi Irvin S. information should be spread widely so it is Beigel, Rabbi Paul Drazen, Rabbi Leah Fein, there when needed. It is hoped that the entire Rabbi Daniel Fellman, Rabbi Daniel Jezer, community will benefit as uncomfortable Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone (chair) and questions are answered, and interaction Rabbi Evan Shore. The council’s primary will become more accessible between objective is to collaborate to help the Jew- community members and the clergy. The Jewish Federation of Central New ish community to live inspired Jewish lives rich with meaning and purpose, maintaining York is making an effort to help with projects to benefit the community, and ethics and values within our faith. These rabbis have noticed individu- mourning and funeral customs are often ally and collectively the need for better an afterthought. We hope you will find education on Jewish funeral and mourn- the information helpful, but feel free to ing customs. As the population ages contact your rabbi or the Jewish Federaand our community comes together as tion of Central New York.

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name on the last page, so PJ Library will know who referred them. The PJ Library Central New York chapter is a program of the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse and is supported by the Pomeranz, Shankman and Martin Charitable Foundation, Jewish Federation of Central New York, Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas, Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse, Syracuse Hebrew Day School, Temple Adath Yeshurun and Temple Concord. The PJ Library in Central New York serves children from 6-months-8-years-old in Cortland, Madison, Onondaga and Oswego counties. For more information and to sign up, visit www.pjlibrary.org or e-mail PJ Library Coordinator Carolyn Weinberg at pjcny@jccsyr.org.

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PJ Library® is a free service available to families raising Jewish children almost anywhere in the United States and Canada. In Syracuse, PJ Library Central New York offers books to each registered child, from 6-months-8-years-old. Every time a qualifying family signs up for PJ Library and mentions the person who recommended PJ Library, the name of the person who recommended PJ Library is entered into a drawing for an Amazon Fire Kids Edition. The more people who are referred increases the chances for the person who referred them to win one of 50 grand prizes. Every referring family also receives a PJ Library lunchbox. The contest will end on Monday, March 21. To sign up, visit www.pjrefer.org. Visitors will be able to enter the referred person’s

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MARCH 3, 2016/22 ADAR I 5776 ■

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God is the ultimate artist BY RABBI URI C. COHEN “When people ask me who is my favorite cartoonist, I answer ‘God.’ Just look around at all the characters he created.” – Don Perlin, Marvel comic book artist When a person’s name includes a reference to God (such as the names ending in “el” or “yah”), sometimes it is meant to tell us something about the person, but other

Calendar Highlights

To see a full calendar of community events, visit the Federation's community calendar online at www.jewishfederationcny.org. Please notify jstander@jewishfederationcny.org of any calendar changes.

Friday, March 4 Hillel community Shabbat, with services at 6 pm and dinner at 7 pm. RSVPs required. Saturday, March 5 Syracuse Hebrew Day School Celebration dinner at Temple Adath Yeshurun at 6 pm Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse Kids’ Nite Out at the JCC at 7 pm Sunday, March 6 Lecture on Jewish cooking history by Rabbi Daniel Fellman at TC at 10:30 am Tuesday, March 8 Rabbi Jacob Epstein High School of Jewish Studies Board of Directors meeting at Temple Concord at 6:30 pm Epstein School at Temple Concord at 6:30 pm Temple Concord Cinemagogue series at 7:30 pm Wednesday, March 9 Syracuse Community Hebrew School at Temple Adath at 4 pm Jewish Federation of Central New York Board of Directors meeting at 5:30 pm Thursday, March 10 Rabbi Epstein School at Wegmans Café at 7 pm Sunday, March 13 Temple Adath Yeshurun Red Cross blood drive at 9 am TC Brotherhood meeting at 9:30 am TC Sisterhood program at 9:30 am Goldenberg pops chorus at Temple Concord at 2 pm Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas Hazak program at 2 pm Monday, March 14 TC Board of Trustees at 7 pm Tuesday, March 15 Rabbi Epstein High School at Concord at 6:30 pm TC Scholar series at 7 pm Wednesday, March 16 Deadline for the March 31 issue of the Jewish Observer Syracuse Community Hebrew School at TAY at 4 pm CBS-CS Board of Trustees meeting at 7:15 pm Thursday, March 17 Rabbi Epstein High School at Wegmans Café at 7 pm SHDS drama performance at 7 pm TAY Board of Directors meeting at 7 pm Friday, March 18 SHDS drama performance at 2 pm TAY Shabbat in the Round at 5:45 pm Saturday, March 19 TC Mitzvahpalooza at noon Sunday, March 20 Community Purim Carnival at the JCC from noon-4 pm Monday, March 21 Syracuse Hebrew Day School Board of Directors meeting at 7 pm

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times, it is meant to tell us something about God. For example, take the name Betzalel, the architect and artist of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). There are at least two translations of the name, each of which can illuminate an aspect of God. The literal translation of Betzalel is “in the shadow of God” (be-tzel-El). According to Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, this tells us something directly about art and indirectly about God: “Betzalel’s gift lay in his ability to communicate, through his work, that art is the shadow cast by God. Religious art is never ‘art for art’s sake.’ Unlike secular art, it points to something beyond itself. The Tabernacle itself was a kind of microcosm of the universe, with one overriding particularity: that while in it, you felt the presence of something beyond – what the Torah calls ‘the glory of God’ which ‘filled the Tabernacle.’” (Exodus 40:35) The Greeks believed in the holiness of beauty (Keats’ “Beauty is truth, truth beauty, – that is all/Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know”). Jews believed in the opposite: hadrat kodesh (Psalms 29:2), the beauty of holiness. Art in Judaism always has a spiritual purpose: to make us aware of the universe as a work of art, testifying to the supreme artist, God himself (http://www. rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-5768-vayakhelthe-beauty-of-holiness-and-the-holiness-of-beauty/). In other words, Betzalel’s name doesn’t refer to the artist, but to the art that God would indirectly create by giving Betzalel the talent to create. That art is God’s shadow. The implication is that the universe that God directly created is certainly a kind of art, and that God is the ultimate artist. A different understanding of Betzalel’s name can lead to the same conclusion. The Malbim, a 19th-century commentator, has a fascinating interpretation of the verse (Genesis 1:26) in which God says, “Let Us make man in Our image (b’tzalmenu) and Our likeness (kid’mutenu).” According to the Malbim, the word tzelem (image), in my opinion, is a conjugation of the word tzel (shadow). A shadow is the father of all artists. A form that is made intentionally is called an “image” and it is the “shadow” of that which it pictures (commentary on Genesis 1:26). In other words, tzel (shadow) and tzelem (image) are related to each other. The implication is that Betzalel’s name means “in the image of God.” Why would an artist be described as “the image of God”? We can answer this question by looking at a different interpretation of the same verse in Genesis. Rav Nachman of Breslov (Likkutei Moharan II 5:9) understands kid’mutenu (“in Our likeness”) to mean “endowed with an imagination” (koach ham’dameh). This radical approach is saying that the essential human trait is our imagination, creativity or fantasy, and that we have it because God made us to be like Him. We can be creative because God is creative. The late Rabbi Dr. Byron Sherwin, one of the heads of the Spertus Institute in Chicago, writes this in his article, “Portrait of God as a Young Artist: The Flood Revisited” (Judaism, Fall 1984, p. 475). Rabbi Yaakov Asher Sinclair elaborates on this point: “[T]he fact that God created us in His image means that by understanding ourselves, we can understand something about God. Thus man’s ability to create – the ability to take the material world and make it speak the language of emotion, of inspiration – must be the most distant

reflection of some characteristic of God. The fact that art exists must reveal some aspect of the Divine.” Jewish mystical sources teach that when God created the universe, He “constricted Himself” to allow the appearance of something other than Himself. This concept is called tzimtzum – literally, “constriction.” In other words, this world and everything in it is God’s work of art. Interestingly, the word for “artist” in Hebrew, tzayar, is related to the word tzar, meaning “narrow” or “constricted” (www.seasonsofthemoon.com/articles/ about-artists-of-the-soul.aspx). It turns out that the description of God as an artist is not new. It appears explicitly in the Talmud: “[Hannah prayed,] There is none as holy as God, truly, there is none beside You; there is no Rock like our God.” (1 Samuel 2:2) Rabbi Yehudah ben Menashya said, “Do not read: biltecha, ‘there is none beside You,’ but rather l’valot’cha, ‘to survive You.’ Come and see how much the nature of man contrasts with the nature of God. The nature of man is that his works outlast him, but God outlasts His works. “And there is no Rock like our God. Do not read ‘There is no Tzur [Rock],’ but rather, ‘There is no tzayar (artist) like our God.’ In the ways of the world, when a man draws a figure on a wall, he is unable to endow it with breath, soul, internal organs, and intestines. But God creates a form inside another form [a child in the mother’s womb] and endows it with breath, soul, internal organs, and intestines.” (Megillah 14a) Where do we go from here? What do we do with the understanding of God as artist? I’m not sure, but I found an intriguing possibility in the following dialogue from a comic strip called “Sinfest”: “Slick: This world you created is a bust! It’s a full-on hellhole! What gives?! God: Well, it’s sort of a work in progress. It’s open to interpretation and functions on multiple levels. Slick: Great. Our creator is an artist. God: It might be too deep for you.” (http://www. sinfest.net/comikaze/comics/2000-05-28.gif) In other words, viewing God as an artist can shed light on theodicy, the age-old problem of why bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people. (Our sages formulated it as tzaddik v’ra lo, rasha v’tov lo.) Many attempts at answers appear in rabbinic literature. The bottom line seems to be that we just don’t understand. In the words of Rabbi Yanai in Pirke Avot (4:15), “Ein b’yadenu, lo mishalvat har’sha’im, v’af lo miyisurei hatzaddikim – It is not in our grasp [to understand] the tranquility of the evil or the suffering of the righteous.” In the allegory provided by “Sinfest,” art is often misunderstood. If a work of art doesn’t appeal to us, we should consider the possibility that it is too deep for us. (Compare the anecdote about an arrogant person visiting the Louvre. When his group came to the Mona Lisa, the man whispered, “That’s it?! I don’t see what’s so great about it.” The sharp-eared tour guide replied, “Sir, the Mona Lisa is not on trial – you are.”) In the corresponding reality, understanding the world as God’s work of art may lead us to the same conclusion. If we can’t handle the existence of evil in the world, we should consider the possibility that God’s artwork is too deep for us. Rabbi Uri C. Cohen and Dr. Yocheved Engelberg Cohen, the first couple of the Syracuse Kollel, now live in Ramat Beit Shemesh. He teaches in Midreshet HaRova and Midreshet Moriah in Jerusalem.

At Rutgers, Wisconsin and Vassar, antisemitic incidents prompt different responses BY JTA STAFF (JTA) – A Jewish student is accusing Rutgers University of mishandling a mid-January incident in which one of her roommates taped a swastika to the ceiling of their shared living room. Meanwhile, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is responding to a similar swastika incident by hosting a campuswide forum on antisemitism. And in a third campus antisemitism case, the AntiDefamation League has praised Vassar College President Catherine Bond for inviting alumni and parents to discuss “current issues and tensions” on the upstate New York campus related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but says the college must take “concrete steps” to “address incidents of antisemitism and anti-Israel bias on campus and ensure that Jewish students are not isolated and marginalized.” Anti-Israel and antisemitic sentiment at Vassar, a private liberal arts college in Poughkeepsie, was the focus of a February 17 Wall Street Journal article called “Majoring in Anti-Semitism at Vassar.” Sara Rosen, a senior at Rutgers, is faulting the New Jersey

state university administration for responding to a swastika by moving her to a different dorm rather than forcing the perpetrator, who refused to take down the swastika, to relocate. After Rosen’s roommates told campus police the symbol was intended to represent a Buddhist symbol associated with peace and not the infamous Nazi icon, the officer advised them to take down the swastika, but said, “I cannot force them to do so and infringe upon their freedom of speech,” according to NJ.com. Rosen said the Rutgers dean of students, Mark Schuster, implied “she was exaggerating” when she complained, according to NJ.com, which unsuccessfully attempted to interview Schuster. Schuster instead referred the publication to a statement from Rutgers spokesman Jeff Tolvin saying that after an “extensive investigation,” the Prosecutor’s Office at the university “determined there was not probable cause to charge the suspect with a bias crime.” According to Rosen, neither roommate is Buddhist and, “This is all done as an act of intimidation toward me.” The New Jersey Jewish Standard reported that Rosen posted on Facebook that “the culprits should have been See “Vassar” on page 8

MARCH 3, 2016/22 ADAR I 5776 ■

Chabad international conference reaffirms women’s central role

During the weekend of January 28-31, 3,000 women from 87 countries attended the International Kinus Hashluchos – Conference of Chabad Rebbetzins – at Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters in Brooklyn. Chanie Rapoport, Syracuse rebbetzin and co-director of Chabad House at Syracuse University, said, “I have been at every Kinus since its inception 26 years ago, and for the past eight years, I have had the pleasure and honor to do so with my daughter, rebbetzin Tzivie Hecht, who is a shlucha (Chabad emissary) in Rhinebeck.” Conference participants had the opportunity to explore various issues with professionals and colleagues who have years of experience. Among the topics that covered their concerns were raising a large family, mental health, events marketing, understanding troubled relationships, fund-raising and inclusion. There was also a special session for Hebrew school and preschool directors. Women Chabad representatives organized and planned the Kinus. Sessions were targeted to address the different demographics served by Chabad. At least 240 women in leadership positions on campuses in the U.S. and

Tech

is the entrepreneurial approach,” said Shira Ruderman, director of the Ruderman Family Foundation, which supports A3I. “We wanted to work with organizations that are not disability oriented.” Here are five Israeli companies helped byA3I that are making the world more accessible to people with disabilities. PARATREK Zur and his co-founder, Ziv Demeter, saw no reason why people in wheelchairs should not enjoy a hike. So they outfitted a chair with oversize wheels, mountain bike-style tires and a wide rod in back for easier pushing. A U-shaped harness attached to the front allows it to be pulled like a rickshaw. Zur and Demeter also act as hiking consultants for would-be hikers. Understanding their clients’ physical limits and where they want to hike, the company can set up a trek and even join in to make sure all goes smoothly. The pair have set up hikes across Israel, as well as in France and, later this year, in Switzerland. They’re also looking into using rescue equipment to help people with disabilities climb mountainsides. IC TOUCH A pair of glasses normally would be useless to a blind person, but Zeev Zalevsky’s glasses don’t help somebody see what’s in front of them – the glasses help people feel it. Zalevsky’s startup, IC Touch, makes glasses that take and process a picture before sending a signal to a set of tiny mirrors that are millimeters from the wearer’s eyes. The mirrors then send a set of vibrations to the cornea that make the cornea “feel” objects in the space around it. Instead of guiding themselves with a stick or a dog, Zalevsky said, blind people can feel their surroundings with the glasses, even identifying objects up to a half-mile away. “It’s like if you close your eyes and feel your surroundings with your fingertips, you can imagine what’s in front of you,” said Zalevsky, an engineering professor at Bar-Ilan University. “Instead of reaching out in front of you, the picture comes to your head.” GEMON The screen looks a little like the classic 1980s arcade game Frogger, in which an amphibian tries to cross a busy street. In this version, a red car has to maneuver through blue cars to reach an open lane – but instead of using buttons and a joystick, players move the car by raising a pole from one notch to the next. Sensors in each notch capture the motion and project the car’s progress on an iPad. The game, the initial offering from the startup Gemon, helps strengthen the upper back of people with disabilities or those recovering from an injury. The company aims to “game-ify” rehabilitation to relieve the tedium of staring at an exercise machine all day. Co-founders Tomer Yannay and Ohad Doron are also creating a sensor that can be attached to any workout machine to transform the exercise into a game. Eventually, Yannay said, the games could even appear in health clubs. EASY STROLL Adira was eight months pregnant and about to become a single mother, but she had a problem: She couldn’t take her baby for a walk. Adira is in a wheelchair and can’t push a stroller. She contacted Dana Yichye-Shwachman, a designer with Jonathan Bar-Or Industrial Design. Yichye-Shwachman responded with Easy Stroll, an aluminum attachment to the wheelchair’s footboard that latches on to a stroller. Yichye-Shwachman posted a video of the product online

Chanie Rapoport (right), Chabad rebbetzin and codirector of Chabad House at Syracuse University, had a chance to catch up with her daughter, Tzivie Hecht (left), who is a shlucha (Chabad emissary) in Rhinebeck, at a recent Chabad kinus (assembly). (Photo by COLlive) abroad attended, and there were sessions designed for their interests. The conference included a parallel track for lay leaders. Continued from page 2 and received 30 e-mails for new orders. She is now creating a prototype that will fit a variety of wheelchairs and strollers. SIMAN SHENAGISH Few children have to accompany their parents to the bank and explain to them that their account is in overdraft, but for Tal Bousidan, days like that were routine. Bousidan was born to two deaf parents. With sign-language interpreters in short supply in Israel, he would fill the role for his parents, explaining to them what bank tellers and shop clerks were unable to communicate on their own. Now a professional sign-language interpreter, Bousidan has created a startup that provides instantaneous Hebrew sign-language translation via tablet computers. The startup, Siman Shenagish – Hebrew for “accessible sign” – has a pilot running at a health clinic in the southern city of Ashkelon. Deaf patients tap on the iPad, and a full-time translator appears on the screen ready to translate for the doctor. The startup has plans to expand to Tel Aviv, and Bousidan hopes to provide translation in other languages in the future. This article is part of a series tied to Jewish Disability and Inclusion Awareness Month that is part of a partnership with the Ruderman Family Foundation. The foundation aims to advocate for and advance the inclusion of people with disabilities throughout the Jewish community. To learn more, visit the www.rudermanfoundation.org.

Your ad should be here! To advertise, please contact Bonnie Rozen at 800-779-7896, ext. 244 or bonnie@ thereportergroup.org

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OBITUARIES PHYLLIS HECHT

Phyllis Hecht, 95, died on February 15 at Menorah Park. Born in Oswego, she moved to Syracuse, where she and her husband raised their family. She was a member of Temple Concord, and for many years was an awardwinning sales associate for E. Cramer of DeWitt. She loved to bake, knit and play bridge. She was predeceased by her husband of more than 70 years, Hy, in 2014; her brother, Harold Rakov; and her twin sister, Vivian Rakov Lavine Wilkins. She is survived by her children, Roger (Mary), Lonnie (Richard) Joyce, and Robert; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Burial was in the Temple Concord section of Woodlawn Cemetery. Sisskind Funeral Service had arrangements. Contributions may be made to Temple Concord, 910 Madison Ave., Syracuse, NY 13210. 

ELEANOR (ELLIE) MOGILEVSKY KRONHAUS

Eleanor (Ellie) Mogilevsky Kronhaus, 88, died on February 15 in Tamarac, FL. Born in New York City, she graduated from New Brunswick High School in New Jersey and went on to obtain a degree in nursing. She worked as a nurse until the birth of her sons. She enjoyed playing and watching tennis, reading and being with family and friends. She served her community by volunteering as a reader with elementary school children and staffing a mobile medical van. She was predeceased by her husband, Henry Kronhaus; and her brother, Eugene Marlowe. She is survived by her sons, Richard (Olivia) Kronhaus, of Manlius, and Kenneth (Julie) Kronhaus; a brother, David (Renee) Marlowe; three granddaughters; and four great-grandchildren. Burial was in Florida. Sisskind Funeral Service had arrangements. Contributions may be made to Hospice of Central New York, 990 7th N. St., Liverpool, NY 13088.  To advertise, contact Bonnie Rozen at 800-779-7896, ext. 244 or bonnie@thereportergroup.org

PEXTON MEMORIALS (FORMERLY GROSKIN MEMORIALS) MONUMENTS, MARKERS, CEMETERY LETTERING, PLANTINGS ARRANGED

Established 1970

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ MARCH 3, 2016/22 ADAR I 5776

Syracuse Community Hebrew School celebrates Inclusion Day

BY DIANE WLADIS In recognition of Jewish Disability and Inclusion month, the Syracuse Community Hebrew School celebrated “Inclusion Day” on February 10. The program encouraged taking time to include people who are perceived as “different” from the mainstream. SCHS Director Shannon Small introduced the special programming by asking students to raise their hands if they ever felt left out. She said, “Have you ever noticed anyone else being left out? Have you ever noticed anyone being left out and done something about it?” Small reminded the students that they “are all coming together” from different backgrounds, different synagogues and different religious schools, but together “they are one community and should respect each other as one inclusive group.” Fourth grade student Olivia David underscored the message, saying, “We should always be kind to each other!” In the individual classrooms, each teacher had an inclusion lesson tailored to the specific grade levels. Fourth grade teacher Jody Cooper assigned each student a hidden disability by taping a card to their back. The students were instructed to walk the room and only speak

Syracuse Community Hebrew School seventh grade students completed a puzzle to learn about perspectives for Inclusion Day at the school.

Teacher Jody Cooper led the Syracuse Community Hebrew School fourth grade students in an Inclusion Day program.

to the other students about their strengths and what they could do without saying anything about their limitations and what they could not do. Regarding her goals for the inclusion day programming, Cooper explained, “There

are many interesting things that make the people in our class special and unique. When they look at their differences, I want them to see those as reasons to celebrate. It’s about people from different backgrounds overcoming stereotypes and finding common ground in a positive way. It’s all about community.” Ora Jezer led the seventh grade students in a more complicated lesson plan that challenged the oldest grade to see that “our own interpretations significantly shape our treatment of others.” Each student was again assigned a disability and then expected to carry out regular classroom activities, but at this level, it was not clearly spelled out for them and presented as challenging roadblocks that were often misconstrued by their peers. For example, seventh grade student Samson Myshrall was given sound-blocking earphones. The assumptions that other students made were that he wasn’t paying attention or didn’t care. To further this lesson, Jezer gave each student a marble and a blank puzzle piece, and instructed each student to write on the puzzle piece how the marble made them feel. She explained that their class was like the marble, that they “all see the same thing differently.” The class struggled at first to cooperatively put the puzzle together, but when the interlocking pieces of varying perspectives finally started fitting together, Myshrall was the first to realize the metaphor, crying out, “the family is finally starting to function!”

Donations of gently used books sought for fund-raiser BY WILLIAM WALLAK The Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse is seeking donations of gently used books for its upcoming book sale fund-raiser. Books suitable for all ages and in generally good condition can be brought to the JCC, 5655 Thompson Rd., DeWitt, through Friday, March 18. The JCC’s used book sale will begin during the

Center’s upcoming Purim Carnival on Sunday, March 20, from noon-4 pm. The sale will continue Monday, March 21, through Friday, April 1, during the JCC’s regular business hours. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the JCC’s children’s and seniors programs. For more information, contact Erin Hart at 445-2040, ext. 133, or ehart@jccsyr.org.

NEWS IN BRIEF From JTA

Palestinian wanted by Israel found dead in Bulgaria

A Palestinian terrorist who escaped prison in Israel was found dead at the Palestinian mission in Bulgaria, where he was living to avoid extradition. The body of Omar Nayef Zayed was found on Feb. 26 in the garden of the Palestinian Authority’s mission in Sofia, the Sofia Globe reported. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine published a statement accusing Israel’s Mossad foreign intelligence and special operations organization of killing Zayed, the news site nrg.co.il reported. Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas also said Zayed was assassinated and that his death will be the subject of an investigation, though he did not name Israel as responsible. According to the Bulgarian National Television, Zayed, 52, had fallen from one of the floors of the embassy building.

Vassar

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totally ousted from University housing.” The Facebook post quoted Rosen’s father saying, “Rutgers needs to shout loud and shout often that it will not tolerate these thinly disguised messages/symbols of hate and intimidation. Period.” In a similar incident on January 26, Nazi swastikas and pictures of Adolf Hitler were posted on a Jewish student’s dorm room at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The Jewish student, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, described the incident as an “insensitive joke/prank gone wrong” and said the perpetrator was “not cognizant” of how offensive such an action was. In response, the university planned to hold a town hall on antisemitism shortly. Greg Steinberger, executive director of the University of Wisconsin Hillel, told the newspaper the college is responding appropriately. In a news release about the situation at Vassar, the ADL said that since 2015, it has received “a number of firsthand complaints and concerns,” among them some “Jewish students expressing discomfort about openly identifying their faith on campus.”