Hakesher Magazine - September 2019

Chabad of Binghamton

‫בס’’ד‬

‫הקשר‬ SEPTEMBER 2019 | ELUL 5779

the connection

Jewau

2019

Community. Education. Inspiration.

A word fROM THE DIReCTORs Executive Director Rabbi Aaron Slonim Education Director Mrs. Rivkah Slonim Education Rabbi Zalman & Rochel Chein Chabad Downtown and Development Rabbi Levi & Hadasa Slonim Programming and Engagement Rabbi Yisroel & Goldie Ohana President Mr. Michael Wright Vice President Mr. Al Lavker Board Members Mr. Richard Frankel Mr. Charles Gilinsky Dr. Chaim Joy Mr. Alan Piaker Solomon Polachek Ph.D. Dr. Charles Rubin Mr. Brian Savitch Mrs. Susan Walker Dr. Mark Walker Founding Board Members Mr. Abe L. Piaker OBM Prof. Philip M. Piaker OBM Dr. Barrett J. Raff OBM The Rohr Chabad Center for Jewish Student Life at Binghamton University 420 Murray Hill Rd. • Vestal, NY 13850 607-797-0015 info@chabadofbinghamton.com

www.JewishBU.com

September 2019, Volume 10, Issue 1 Hakesher is published four times a year; September, December, March and May

by Chabad of Binghamton, 420 Murray Hill Rd., Vestal, NY 13850. Postage paid at Newark, NJ post offices.

Dear Friend, I have a childhood memory, relates Rabbi Aaron Slonim, of being told that the cries of the shofar—the various notes that are blown—mimic the cries of a young baby. Why, I wondered, specifically like the cries of a very young child? Older children and even adults, cry too. I was told, when I asked, that in contradistinction to the cries of an adult which are specifically linked with great sadness or pain, and on occasion, deep happiness, babies use crying as their only mode of communication. They cry when hungry, when scared, when wet, when cold, and even when they don’t quite know why they are discomfited. And the parent somehow figures it out.

When we come before G-d on Rosh Hashana, our cry is undifferentiated.

We recognize that we are completely reliant for everything on G-d. Sure there are prayers to be said; there are specific requests that are articulated in the words we utter. But the shofar is the salient mitzvah of the holiday.

It captures the transcendent bond with our father; the one unable to be contained in mere words. It encompasses all of the needs we have but somehow cannot identify. Our Father, we trust, knows our needs better than we can ever know them.

Additionally, the prophet Hosea expressed G-d’s love of Israel in saying Ki Naar Yisroel V’ohavehu, for Israel is a young lad and I love him. There is something about the young child that evokes a special love in the parent; a softening of stance and willingness to overlook fault or slight.

This year when we hear the cries of the Shofar, let us take to heart just how much G-d loves us and just how much what we do means to Him. And let us ask our Father in Heaven to grant us, His young sweet child, a year filled with every conceivable blessing.

From all of us at Chabad, the Slonims and Slonims, the Cheins and the Ohanas, we wish you and yours, a shana tova umetukah, a good and sweet year, N’hiye B’kesher, let’s stay connected and in touch!

Volume 10, Issue 1

Published by Chabad of Binghamton Contact us at: Hakesher@JewishBU.com Editor

Staff Writer Proofreading

Design & Printing

Photo Credits

Rivkah Slonim Alan Zeitlin Marlene Serkin, Chaya M. Slonim The Printhouse Allison Adler Lisa Applebaum Rosalie Coschignano Batsheva Garfinkel Randi Traison

About our cover: Freshmen and transfer students enjoyed a sunset cruise on the Finger Lakes.

Pictured is the group boarding the boat.

2 | hakesher magazine

contents A new perspective on Yom Kippur........................ 5-6 Alumni occasions, spotlight and photos..............9-11 Remembering Camren....................... 12-13, 18 Photographs.................................................. 14-19 For information about dedication opportunities please visit www.JewishBU.com/Hakesher

Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe of righteous memory

torah for today

One Day

By Rabbi Yanki Tauber

[The sages say:] Yom Kippur atones only for those who repent.

Rabbi [Judah HaNassi] says: Yom Kippur atones whether one repents or one does not repent.

Talmud, Shevuot 13a

On Yom Kippur, the day itself atones... as it is written, “For on this day, it shall atone for you.”

Mishneh Torah, Laws of Repentance 1:3

The Virtue in Sin

The Torah describes the people of Israel as “the nation close to Him.” What does it mean that we are “close” to G-d? There are three fundamental aspects to our relationship with the Almighty and the manner in which it is expressed in our lives.

On the most elementary level, we achieve connection with G-d through our observance of the mitzvot, the Divine commandments.

The mitzvot embody the will of G-d; by observing the mitzvot and making their fulfillment the substance and aim of our lives, our souls and bodies become vehicles of the Divine will.

But when a person violates the Divine will, G-d forbid, he uncovers an even deeper dimension of his bond with G-d.

The connection created by the mitzvah is exactly that—a connection created between two separate entities. Taken on its own, this connection does not point to any intrinsic bond between the two.

In fact, it implies that the natural state of the observer of the mitzvah is one of separateness and distinction from G-d—a state which is overcome by the act of the mitzvah, which bridges the gulf between the mortal and the Divine. But when a person transgresses a Divine command, a deeper bond with G-d comes to light.

His inner equilibrium is disturbed; his soul finds no peace and is driven to compensate for its devastated identity with material excesses or profane spiritual quests. His transgressions highlight the fact that there is nothing more unnatural than a soul estranged from her G-d.

Teshuvah is a soul’s experience of the

agony of disconnection from its source and its channeling of this agony to drive its return to G-d. Thus, our sages have said that the sins of a baal teshuvah (“returnee”) are “transformed into merits,” and that he attains a level of relationship with G-d on which “even the perfectly righteous cannot stand.” His transgressions become virtues, for the distance and disconnection they created have become the impetus for greater closeness and deeper connection.

His sins have provoked—and his teshuvah has actualized—a dimension of his soul’s connection to G-d which a perfectly righteous life never touches.

The “One of the Year”

But there is also a third, even deeper, dimension to our bond with G-d.

The two types of connection discussed above have one thing in common: they both allow for the possibility of disconnection.

The mitzvah relates to the level on which our finite and mortal nature set us apart from G-d—a state of affairs which the mitzvah comes to overcome. The transgression makes the opposite point (that connection with G-d is the natural state of every soul) with its very dissevering of this connection, teshuvah being the consequential effort to restore the natural bond.

Ultimately, however, there is a quintessential bond between the soul and G-d that is immutable. On the deepest level of our being, there can be no disconnection, “natural” or “unnatural.”

This underlying oneness with G-d is the root from which the other two levels of connection stem. Every time we do a

mitzvah, we draw from this quintessential unity with G-d the power to overcome our “natural” apartness and connect to G-d through the fulfillment of His will. Every time we sin and experience the agony of disconnection from G-d, this is but another expression of the fact that, in essence, our soul is one with its Creator. And it is this unity with G-d that empowers us to restore our relationship with G-d—on the level on which our transgressions do affect it— through the process of teshuvah.

These, however, are only expressions of a deeper truth, glimmers of unity rising to the surface of a life that is perceptively distinct and apart. But one day each year, our quintessential oneness with G-d shines forth in all its glory. This day is Yom Kippur, which the Torah refers to as “the one of the year.”

Yom Kippur is more than a day of teshuvah. Teshuvah, “return,” implies that, in the interim, one has been somewhere else; Yom Kippur is a day on which we are empowered to actualize that dimension of our souls whose unity with G-d has never been disturbed in the first place.

Rabbi Yanki Tauber is a noted scholar and author.

September 2019 | 3

Brochures, Fliers, Books, Envelopes, 538 Johnson Avenue Mailings, Design, CD/DVD Production, Brooklyn, NY 11237 Large Format Printing, Packaging, t 718.628.6700 Complete Bindery, Embossing, f 718.628.6900 Foil Stamping, Die Cutting, e jobs@tphny.com Laminating, www.tphny.com AND MUCH MORE...

8 Uplifting Contemplations for Yom Kippur Take a different view of what this day is about

By Tzvi Freeman

1. Unrepenting

REPENTANCE

Do not repent.

Repentance means to stop being bad and to become good.

But your essential being is always good. The bad is only on the outside.

So instead of repenting, return.

Return to the essential self and to what is rightfully yours.

• 2. Recovery TESHUVAH MEANS RECOVERY Teshuvah doesn’t mean repentance. Repentance means regretting who you’ve become.

Teshuvah means returning to who you truly are.

Teshuvah, in English, is recovery.

Recovering a lost inner self.

On Yom Kippur, we are all in recovery.

• 3. Self pity

Self-pity is nothing less than an impulse to self-destruction. And this is its script:

“This is the way you were made. These are the facts of your situation. It’s bad. In fact, it’s so bad, it’s impossible to do anything about it. And therefore, you are free from any responsibility to clean it up. Nobody can blame you for anything.”

now I will do things differently.”

You will change yourself. You will change your past. You will say, “I am no longer that person who lived in that past.”

In fact, you do have a time machine.

• 5. Hit The Road

Self-pity is a liar and a thief.

A liar, because everyone is granted the power to clean up their own mess. A thief, because as long as it sits inside you, it is stealing away the days of your life.

Getting to where you need to be is an important step.

But nothing is as important as getting out of where you’re at right now.

•

•

4. Time Machine

If you could travel back in time, what would you change?

Perhaps you could revisit some crucial scenes and distance yourself from the mess that occurred. Perhaps you could jump in as a hero and grab credit for some of the good.

But for that, you don’t need a time machine. All you need is to stand right where you are and say, “I messed up. I dropped the ball. But I learned my lesson and

6. Dance With the Other

As a parent and a child, as siblings who remain bonded, as two young people in love, as in any marriage that stays alive—so we are with the One Above.

One chases, the other runs away.

One runs away, the other chases in longing pursuit. One initiates, the other responds. The other initiates, the one responds.

It is a dance, a game, a duet, and it plays as surely as the pulse of life.

September 2019 | 5

Until one falls away. Until it seems the game is over, that all is lost and it is time to move on.

That’s when the other looks and says, “This is not an other. We are one.” And so, they return to each other’s arms.

It is a great mystery, but in that falling apart, there is found the deepest bond.

will to do good and to restrain ourselves from the opposite. Yet even then, we are only playing our role in the script for which we were formed.

•

7. Beyond the Script

What do we bring to the table?

Our brains, our power, our beauty, are all from Him. We can decide with our own free

But when we mess up, we can call out to the Infinite Light and say, “Dad, I still love you. Do you still love me?” and ask forgiveness.

That is not in the script. That is from beyond. Way beyond.

• 8. Divine Delights

G-d has many delights: The delight that comes from a pure and simple act of love.

Greater than that, the delight that comes from an act of beauty sparkling in the darkness.

Greater than that, the delight when a child who has run away from Him returns with all her heart.

All the world was formed from G-d’s delight. There is nothing else.

•

Tzvi Freeman is the author of Bringing Heaven Down to Earth and more recently Wisdom to Heal the Earth. Subscribe to The Daily Dose of Wisdom and Freeman Files for regular updates.

Sniffle, ache, cough, or rash?

Get real care

wherever you are!

Go online and have a “virtual visit” with a UHS provider from home, school or work.

All you need is a camera-enabled laptop, smart phone or tablet.

Start at nyuhs.org

YOUR CARE. YOUR WAY. 6 | hakesher magazine

By Tzvi Freeman

The Covenant

A Jewish reflection on the 18th anniversary of 9/11 When terror struck the towers of our pride, as the tempered steel of civilization collapsed before our eyes, It was then that we began to wonder: Is our reinforced concrete more solid than the gates of Rome, that gave way before the barbarian onslaught?

More fortified than the palaces of Baghdad, that crumbled before the Mongol hordes?

Are the edifices we raise more eternal than theirs, that also rose and glistened in the sun, only to wither and dissolve into the dust?

Yet America is not built upon steel, nor upon concrete, nor silicon or nuclear power.

Not by powerful weapons does it endure, nor by commerce or by the ingenuity of human brains.

It is built upon the vision of those who journeyed here with wisdom and faith.

Upon their belief that every human being is endowed by our Creator with inalienable rights.

Upon their covenant as a nation under a G‑d who cares for His creatures, for He has made each one of us with purpose, and breathed within us the breath of life.

As they rammed steel against concrete, they cried, “God Is Mighty!”

As we shed tears for our loved ones, we cried, “G‑d bless America.”

They died for a god of destruction and death.

We live for a G‑d of justice and life.

G‑d Bless America, And all those nations who stand for the dignity of life.

Reprinted with permission from Chabad.org, the Judaism website.

September 2019 | 7

studentspotlight HillelRosenheim '22

Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a (Fris) Bee

By Alan Zeitlin ‘00

When it comes to basketball, Binghamton will probably beat Syracuse when Moshiach comes. But last April, Binghamton was the winner when it came to Ultimate Frisbee and Hillel Rosenheim was excited.

“It was definitely a great win, for us” said Rosenheim of the 11-7 victory. “We have mainly the same team as last year so we’re gonna have a lot of mojo this season.”

The sophomore said that while some view Frisbee as something only played at the beach, it’s a serious sport that requires practice, precision throwing and endurance. And it’s a fast growing sport.

“We run as much as soccer players,” he said. “When

you have to lay out to make a catch, there’s definitely a chance you can get injured. Also, when it’s cold or rainy, it is difficult to maintain accuracy in throwing the Frisbee,” he said. If a glove is worn, an adjustment must be made on the throw because there is a slight difference on the release. Rosenheim is a handler,

which means he focuses on flinging the Frisbee for his teammates to catch while he can get the assist.

For one game last season, Rosenheim, who observes the Sabbath, went to a field to find that nobody was around. Due to a field change, the game was moved to be somewhere else and of course, he was not on his phone to learn of this. But someone was nice enough to come find him and walk with him to the new location so he could get to the game.

The 19-year-old from Davis, California said trading the sun for snow was definitely worth it. He said a big reason he chose the Vestal campus was that he heard it was great for Jewish life. He said he loves going to Chabad for Shabbat and is a special fan of the matzah ball soup, the cholent, as well as the people who make the food.

“Rivky is the maternal figure on campus and if you ever need anything, she is on top of it,” he said. “Rabbi Slonim, I love listening to his D’var Torahs on Shabbat. We also have conversations in Hebrew and he corrects me when my grammar is wrong.”

Rosenheim lived in Israel for a year for first grade. As for his studies, he’s not sure what his major is yet but it will likely be biology He is a big baseball fan and watches the San Francisco Giants. On July 13, 2014, he went to a game that became historic as it marked the first time a pitcher and catcher hit grand slams in the same game as Madison Bumgarner and Buster Posey did the honors.

His decision to come to Binghamton was definitely a home run.

“I’m looking forward to learning a lot, playing competitive games and making a lot of great memories,” he said.

Alan Zeitlin teaches English and Journalism at a Brooklyn public high school. As a freelance writer for the past 11 years, his articles have appeared in The Jewish Week, The Journal News and other publications.

8 | hakesher magazine

Alumni came home for a Shabbat in Binghamton in late July...

It was magical!

Wishing You A Sweet New Year L’Shana Tova Tikatevu 2019-5780

299

24 oz.

with AdvantEdge Card

Welch’s Manischewitz or Kedem Grape Juice

Challah Bread

64 oz.

Select Varieties

Large Raisin $4.99

299

5

99

with AdvantEdge Card

Kosher 12-24 Lb. Avg. Wgt.

4 oz.

299

1299

with AdvantEdge Card

Kosher

U.S. #1

299

1199

with AdvantEdge Card

with AdvantEdge Card

Meal Mart Stuffed Cabbage

PICS Honey Bear

39 oz. or Meat Balls in Marinara Sauce 33 oz.

12 oz.

5

6

2/$

2/$

with AdvantEdge Card

with AdvantEdge Card

Golden Blintzes 6 Pack

Osem Cake

13 oz.•All Varieties or Gourmet Pancakes Select Varieties•10.6 oz.

8.8 oz.•Honey or Marble

3

3

2/$

2/$

with AdvantEdge Card

with AdvantEdge Card

Manischewitz Matzo Ball & Soup Mix

Farmers Horseradish

4.5-5 oz.•Select Varieties•Where Available

8.5 oz.•Red or White

199

299

with AdvantEdge Card

Gold’s Borscht Soup

with AdvantEdge Card

Breakstone’s Whipped Butter

24 oz.•Original or Low Calorie

8 oz. Tub•Salted or Unsalted

1

4

2/$

2/$

with AdvantEdge Card

with AdvantEdge Card

Osem Toasted Couscous 8.8 oz. or Season Roasted & Shelled Whole Chestnuts

Rokeach Yahrzeit Candle

5.3 oz. or Roasted & Peeled 5.2 oz.

6

25.4 oz.•Select Varieties

lb.

Meal Mart 1st Cut Brisket

New York State Red Apples

Kedem Sparkling Juice

lb.

Empire Kosher Frozen Whole Turkey

PICS Smoked Salmon

3 Lb. Bag

399

5

2/$

5/$

with AdvantEdge Card

with AdvantEdge Card

Manischewitz Egg Noodles

12 oz.•Select Varieties or Bow Ties 7 oz.

Where Available

Prices effective Sunday, September 1 thru Saturday, October 12, 2019 in our Market 32, Price Chopper and Market Bistro stores.

September 2019 | 9

AL U MNI NE W S

Mazel Tovs

‘94 Liba and Yaakov Kadar celebrated the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Moshe David, on Shabbat Parashat B’haalotcha, on June 22, 2019.

‘95 Hadasa and Emanuel Behar announce the birth of their daughter, Sara Shifra, on April 13, Nissan 8, 2019. She was welcomed home by older siblings, Avrohom YItzchok, Yenta, Moshe, Sheindel Brocha, Sima, Naftali Tzvi and Meyer. Their daughter, Yenta, is engaged to Gershon Felderbaum; an October 31, wedding is planned.

‘96 Andrew and Nili Yolin celebrated the Bar Mitzvah of their son Koby on July 4, 2019.

‘01 Adam and Laurie Stern celebrated the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Gavriel Moshe, on Shabbat Parashat B’haalotcha, June 22, 2019 ‘02 Laurie and Adam Stern celebrated the Bar Mitzvah of their son. See ’01 for full details.

‘07 Adam and Kayla Romanowski announce the birth of their son, Boaz Mordechai on May 31, 2019.

‘09 Ani and Bradley Lipitz announce the birth of their son, Yosef Yitzchak, on September 9, 2019. He was welcomed home by big siblings, Dovber, Mendel, and Chaya Mushka.

‘10 Brittany and Jon Cogen announce the birth of their daughter, Ellie Ruby, Chana Esther, on August 21, 2019. She was welcomed home by big brothers, Brody Jack and Grayson Leo. ‘11 Laurie Hutt and Isaac Katz announce the birth of their daughter, Maya Tamar, on June 6, 2019, Sivan 4, 5779.

Lauren Solomont announces her engagement to Brett Spier; a February 16, 2020 wedding is planned. Lauren is a nurse at NYU Langone Medical Center; Brett works at Ernst and Young. They will make their home in NYC. ‘12 Ariella (Fineman) and Rom Leibner announce the birth of their daughter, Chana Ita on August 26, 2019. She was welcomed home by big brothers, Shalom David and Menachem Gedaliah.

Jenna Salner announces her engagement to Joshua Weisblum; a December 15, 2019 wedding is planned. Jenna is an optometrist in New York City and Josh is a Business Development director for eMenu International. They will make their home on the UWS of Manhattan.

‘14 Hodaya (Gari Dayan) and Yosef Berger announce the birth of their son, Yair Chaim, on June 25, 2019. He was welcomed home by big sister, Libby Chayah.

Sara Birnbaum announces her marriage to Yehuda Magid on September 24, 2019. Sarah is a social worker at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell; Yehuda works in finance. They will make their home in NYC. ‘15 Zach Petrover announces his engagement to Shani Goldofsky; an April 5, 2020 wedding is planned. Zach is pursuing his Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology in Rechovot; Shani is pursuing a degree in food science at Hebrew University in Rechovot.

‘17 Jessica Feldman and Dean Ofer announce their engagement; a June 11, 2020 wedding is planned in Netanya, Israel. Jessica works at Wibbitz, an Israeli tech company and Dean works for Landmark Dividends, a Real estate company. They will make their home in NYC.

Tara Hanau announces her engagement to Avi Wechsler; a May 24th 2020 wedding is planned. Tara is completing her BSN at George Washington University and Avi is working at KeyW doing contract work for the FBI. They plan to make their home in Washington, DC.

Zachary Alexander and Rebbeca Gabay announce their engagement; a January 26, 2020 wedding is planned. Zach is working as an accountant at EisnerAmper and Rebecca is a 5th grade teacher at PS 192. They will make their home in the New York area.

‘19 Talia Gross and Marc Generowitz announce their engagement; a December 29, 2019 wedding is planned. Talia has a management trainee position with Enerprise; Marc is attending Touro Dental School. They will make their home in the NY area.

Rebecca Gabay and Zachary Alexander announce their engagement; see ’17 for complete details.

Sympathies

Chabad mourns the passing of...

Gail, Tova bat Aharon Yaakov Yisroel, Schnur, on August 27, 2019, mother of Ariel Schnur Azarian ’13.

May the family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

For up to date Chabad Alumni news, visit:

www.facebook.com/ChabadBUAlumni

Calling all Alumni who want to continue their Binghamton learning....

For the very first time, Rivky is opening up her JLI course to distance learners — the Fall JLI course is...

Worrier to Warrior:

Jewish Secrets to Feeling Good However you Feel Six Consecutive Mondays 7-8:30pm beginning November 11 $79 Inclusive of textbook To register visit myJLI.com and register under Binghamton Please register before November 4 so we can get the text book to you on time.

Stand up to Negative Emotions: Regret Failure. Self Doubt.

Bad feelings are a real force of nature, but they don't have to pull you down.

Ready to turn the tables?

10 | hakesher magazine

BaruchNOVEMBER '00

ALUMNIspotlight

Touro Teacher Talks Poetry

By Alan Zeitlin ‘00

Baruch November woke up and smelled smoke. He rushed out of bed and thought his roomate’s life was in danger. Unable to see well, he put out the blaze with a blanket. It turned out his roommate was not in the bed.

“The firemen told me I did the wrong thing by opening the door because there could have been a backdraft and I could have been killed,” November said. “My only thought at the time was that I had to do what was right. I had to take a chance to save him.”

November’s poem “Casual Incineration” about this experience is one of many in his new book, “Bar Mitzvah Dreams” published by Main Street Rag. His poems cover a vast array of topics from Justin Bieber’s visit to the Anne Frank Museum, the symbolism of beards, his grandfather giving advice on how to find the right women and some humorous poems. November, who teaches at Touro College, has been featured in The Forward and The Jewish Journal and a recent article in The Jewish Week explored his poetry. He has done several readings at synagogues and clubs.

November, who graduated from Binghamton in 2000, showcased his humor at Chabad by founding the mock-apella group, The Ferrets. The group would poke fun at Kaskeset and improvise parody covers that were purposely sung off-key. On one occasion the group opened for The Crosbys and Kaskeset at Lecture Hall One. But November remembers the thrill of performing every Shabbat at Chabad.

“It always surprised me that the Slonims would let us joke around like that but I think it shows what a good sense of humor they have,” November said.

“They knew people wouldn’t take us too seriously.”

But November takes his teaching and his poetry seriously. He said it is an honor to work with a diverse group of students and help them hone their craft when it comes to writing. November, 42, lives in Washington Heights and said when it comes to writing poetry he encourages people to use vivid imagery and be mindful of the sights and sounds around them. His brother Yehoshua, who graduated from Binghamton two years later, is an awardwinning poet and he said his brother’s work was an inspiration to him.

He remembers his days at Chabad of Binghamton fondly.

“It was one of the best times of my life,” November said. “There is so much they do, you kind of take it for granted when you’re there. The last Shabbos there was unforgettable and bittersweet. You’re happy to move on, but sad to leave them. I don’t think there’s anything like it at any college in America.”

The Pittsburgh native said the Slonims must have a secret to how they have so much energy.

“They keep in touch with you over the years and they show how much they care about you,” he said.

“There are so many graduates and I don’t know how they’re able to do it, but somehow they are.”

He said that there is a stigma that poetry is too complex or a waste of time. But he thinks some of the best poetry is accessible and hopes people understand the power of poetry.

“I think in life sometimes we just rush from one thing to the next,” November said. “I think the good thing about poetry is that it lets your reflect so that you’re not just a passenger in life.”

September 2019 | 11

In tribute to Camren Vilinsky obm Chaim Tzvi Eliezer ben Eliyahu Eliezer Avrohom

POWERofFAITH

The

The following article was written by Alexandra (Aly) Scharf in collaboration with Camren and reprinted from the Jewish Link August 1, 2019 edition. The Jewish Link is a NJ periodical where Aly interned this summer.

When my good friend Chaim was diagnosed with cancer, at age 17, his life was suddenly and drastically changed. While his high school classmates’ biggest issues were deciding on colleges and gap-year programs, Chaim’s situation made everything else seem trivial. However, he did not allow his condition to consume him. He embraced all dimensions of life, whether they were mainstream or divergent, and completed his senior year of high school, earnestly planning his future alongside his peers.

Present day, when sitting down to interview Chaim, I faced a good-looking 22-year-old brimming with youthful optimism and cheer. Despite the devastating prognosis, Chaim has beaten the odds against his deadly disease and continues to fight it every day. I wondered, how does a person carrying

Pictured is Camren Vilinsky (flanked by Rabbi and Rivky Slonim) accepting the Az Kanamer, “Bold as a Leopard”, award at Chabad's Senior Farewell in May 2019.

12 | hakesher magazine

such a heavy burden appear like this? From speaking to Chaim, it was clear what his life anchor was: faith. Through all of the obstacles thrown his way, he has retained strong faith in Hashem. In fact, his connection to Judaism has strengthened as a result of his difficulties.

Since his diagnosis, Chaim has had several relapses. He has received many rigorous treatments and has traveled all over the country seeking the next best option. Despite these unimaginable hardships, his positive attitude has not wavered, as he continues to live life as normally and humbly as possible.

“Even when bad things happen to me—not just being diagnosed, but other things in general, like some things just don’t go my way—it could be for good,” he said. “I think it’s all Hashem’s plan. This happened for a reason and that’s all I can say.”

A shining trait of Chaim’s is his optimistic perspective and ability to find light in darkness. This characteristic became pronounced as he speculated on the positivity in his life and how his diagnosis brought his family closer together. He told me it is amazing he graduated from high school and recently, college, on time, despite ongoing medical challenges.

He thinks it is miraculous that he has relapsed mostly at convenient times, in between semesters or after school.

Chaim did not merely complete a schedule of difficult academics, but also engaged in an active extracurricular lifestyle. Being a natural athlete, he was captain of his high school soccer team, while battling cancer. In college, he continued with athletics and was even employed as a referee. In addition to being an all-around sociable guy, he was a member and big leader of Jewish life and its many organizations in college.

These accomplishments can be signs of God’s presence in Chaim’s life, helping him navigate the challenging road.

“Hashem works in mysterious ways... even though bad things happen, it still works out,” he said.

Connecting with Hashem through davening every day and learning has guided Chaim in his sickness/fighting process.

“I always commit to putting on my tefillin every single day, no matter what,” he said.

Since his diagnosis, davening for health has been an integral part of Chaim’s life. He attended Camp Simcha, the camp of Chai Lifeline, so he had many friends in need of a refuah sheleima. “I believe in this concept that if you pray for others, you will also be healed… it’s kind of a selfish concept,” he said.

Chaim’s statement about the selfishness of a process that is, in truth, rather inclusive, is indicative of his humble personality, which he expresses daily. If you spend a day with Chaim, you will notice the large number of times he recites a bracha under his breath, whether it be before taking a bite of a bagel or exiting the restroom. He believes in the importance of being thankful for all aspects of daily life and saying a certain amount of brachot per day, including for bodily functions. “In the bracha Asher Yatzer, it speaks of all of these beautiful things we take for granted. If any organ is ruptured, it would be life threatening,” he said.

The theological complexities of Chaim’s disease, like its medical complexities that stump doctors, are overwhelming. There have been times when Chaim has questioned why he is put through suffering. “I know G-d is with me; it’s more questioning why is G-d doing this to me.” Despite these doubts, Chaim said, “Overall, I haven’t lost my faith in Hashem.”

Faith is a strong force against anything and Chaim is proof of that. His commitment to lead a purposeful and meaningful life, in any circumstance, is a beacon of inspiration to me, as I try to find holiness in everything life has to offer. It is common to feel constantly worried and stressed about the future, without living in the present. No one knows what life will throw at them, and Chaim’s attitude is a reminder to appreciate the fortune of living every blessed day and recognize that life is precious.

When Chaim wakes up every morning, he says Modeh Ani and puts on his tefillin. Reciting Modeh Ani in the morning is and expression of thanks for starting a new day full of possibility and hope.

Chaim plans to study for the LSAT to become a lawyer, and has also set his sights on becoming a rabbi, a job fitting for someone who spreads his kindness and warm guidance to all.

“I believe in this concept that if you pray for others, you will also be healed…”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

September 2019 | 13

PHOTO GRAPHS

WELCOME to Welcome Back BBQ Everyone's favorite event!

Freshmen Falafel featured Great food, fun games and a Chabad Center orientation.

Binghamton Fun Day!

14 | hakesher magazine

PHOTO GRAPHS

For a full gallery of pictures of these events and others, please visit: www.JewishBU.com/photos

Binghamton!

The sunset Jewau Cruise for new students was an absolute blast!

September 2019 | 15

PHOTO GRAPHS

Fun. Fun: Fun!

Everyone enjoyed Apple Picking

Chabad’s JGrads, a new group for

grad students and young professionals

Supper and Study

The hot, delicious, mind expanding destination for Torah Study

16 | hakesher magazine

PHOTO GRAPHS

For a full gallery of pictures of these events and others, please visit: www.JewishBU.com/photos

GNO fun with Sushi Rolling and

moving and shaking with our really cool ice breaker.

The Rosh Hashanah Yom Iyun featured delicious food for the mind, body and soul.

Remembering those who fell with the annual 9/11 Mitzvah Marathon and Mega blood drive

September 2019 | 17

PHOTO GRAPHS

In Memory of Camren

An enthusiastic group turned out at the Challah bake – mixing, kneading, shaping – the world’s most delicious bread, in memory of Camren.

Brothers of AEPI learn with Rabbi Chein in memory of their brother, Camren.

BU administrators, faculty, students and family gathered at a deeply moving memorial for Camren Vilinsky.

The memorial was followed by candle lighting, a rousing Kabalat Shabbat, Shabbat dinner and a Tish at which heartfelt stories and vignettes about Camren were shared.

Many students pledged to do mitzvot in his memory and scores are studying Mishnayot.

Yehi Zichrono Baruch. May his memory be for a blessing.

18 | hakesher magazine

One People; One Heart

PHOTO GRAPHS

For a full gallery of pictures of these events and others, please visit: www.JewishBU.com/photos

The 24th Annual Pauline and Philip M. Piaker Memorial Lecture featured an address by Joseph Telushkin, author of the NY Times best seller, Rebbe, on Five Teachings from the Rebbe that can Change your Life Today.

The event that was co-sponsored with the Jewish Federation and the JCC drew a full house.

September 2019 | 19

Non-Profit Org. US Postage

Paid TPHNY 11237

420 Murray Hill Road Vestal, NY 13850 Change service requested

The Rohr Chabad Center for Jewish Student Life at Binghamton University 420 Murray Hill Rd. Vestal, NY 13850

607.797.0015

info@chabadofbinghamton.com

www.JewishBU.com Facebook.com/JewishBU Youtube.com/JewishBU Twitter.com/JewishBU Instagram.com/ChabadBU

Apple Picking in The Fall. #ChabadBing Tradition.

The happy group poses just before leaving Chabad for the orchard.