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
post offices.
Volume 11, Issue 3
Published by CHABAD OF BINGHAMTON
Contact us at: Hakesher@JewishBU.com
Editor Rivkah Slonim
Staff Writer Alan Zeitlin
Proofreading Marlene Serkin, Chaya M. Slonim
Design Avrohom Weg
Photo Credits Jonathan Cohen
Alexa Hashim
Danielle Kinches
Shoshana Klein
Adi Nissanian
Dear Friend,
A WORD FROM THE DIRECTORS
Having recently marked thirty seven years at Chabad of Binghamton we have been reflecting inwardly while simultaneously fielding questions from friends and relatives. What does it feel like? What do you think is next? How have things changed? How have they remained the same? What keeps you passionate about your work? Recently, we sat down to peruse the Hakesher magazines published over the last twelve years and the Chai Times newspapers we had published for twenty years before that. While scanning the photos of so many beloved faces and rereading the articles and reflections, we were hit with something much more powerful than deep nostalgia; those pages unleashed a veritable tsunami of memories.
We realized that in some overly simplistic—yet profoundly true—way it was those snapshots, those very vignettes, those recollections, that propelled us forward through thick and thin. So many “firsts” for hundreds, perhaps thousands of students: the first time making challah, blessing over the four types on Sukkot, the first Seder, the first Shabbat, the first Purim. And just as many “firsts” for students who grew up with Jewish observance and the privilege of a rich Jewish education but only came to appreciate it and “own it” for themselves while here.
In like fashion, it is the memories the students carried away from their time here that best articulates the “what” and “why” of our efforts. Time has shown that what happens in Binghamton does not stay in Binghamton. It’s that simple. All those experiences—enjoying Shabbat with a few hundred friends, being enveloped in the embrace of community while celebrating in the Sukkah, quiet conversations about existential matters that go deep into the night, dancing like crazy on Simchat Torah, dressing up for Purim, davening with peers on Yom Kippur (or a pedestrian Wednesday), lighting the Chanukah menorah in the dorms, uniting with others in the joyous and the heartbreaking moments—lodge themselves in the minds and hearts of our dear students and become the bedrock of the future.
Studies suggest that memory is much more integral than simply being the faculty of recall. It allows us not only to conjure the past but more importantly to imagine our future; to chart a new course, and envision our end goals. The most persistent and impactful memories are tied to intense emotion which is why our modus operandi has always been joy, pride and passion. The programs have to be cutting edge, the classes scintillating, the food delicious, the vibe fun, open, caring and embracing. Because the stakes are high. We are committed to creating memories that will inform and enrich generations.
We thank all of our beloved alumni and dear friends and supporters for an incredible memory bank; we pledge to build on those to grow Chabad of Binghamton—wider, deeper, higher—for our students here and for our far flung alumni community. And we look forward, b’ezrat Hashem, to creating many, many more memories, together, in joy and good health.
N’hiye B’kesher, let’s keep in touch!
December 2021, Volume 11, Issue 3 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
Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe of righteous memory
Seasons of our Soul
By Rabbi Yanki Tauber
In the land of Israel, the rains are confined to the halfyear from Tishrei to Nissan (roughly, October to March). This six-month period is therefore referred to by the Talmud as the “Season of Rains” (yemot hageshamim), while the six months from Nissan to Tishrei (April–September) are called the “Season of the Sun” (yemot hachamah).
The calendar is more than a measure of time; it is a cycle that charts our inner life and our relationship with our Creator. And this spiritual cycle is comprised of two basic parts: a Season of the Sun, and a Season of Rains. A Rising Mist
Sunlight and rain are both critical to the sustaining of life on earth. Indeed, there is a certain similarity in the manner in which these two sources of nourishment are bestowed upon us—both rain down upon the earth from above, drenching it with energy or moisture. In both cases, we seem passive recipients to a showering of blessing from the heavens.
But a closer examination reveals a significant difference between them. While sunlight is a unilateral gift from above, rain originates as moisture which rises from the earth, forms clouds, and returns as lifegiving waters. So the earth is not, in truth, a passive beneficiary of the rain falling from the heavens; it is she who generates it in the first place, raising columns of mist from her oceans and lakes to water the soil of her landmasses.
The earth, of course, could not do this on her own. It is the sun who stimulates the release and ascent of her watery stores; it is the sun who causes the weather patterns which carry them through the atmosphere and impel them earthward. In other words, the sun, ultimately, is the force behind both sunlight and rain. But the sun’s nurturing of life on earth takes two forms: a) nourishment which the earth simply absorbs from her benevolent provider, such as the sun’s lightand warmth-purveying rays; b) nourishment, such as rain, which the earth generates herself, with the sun serving as the
catalyst that wakens her potential for self-nurture and assists in its realization.
All of the above also applies to the miniature world that is the soul of man. Here, too, there is sunlight and rain; here, too, the soul is dependent for both upon her sun, yet differs in her relationship with these two purveyors of her nourishment. Ultimately, everything we possess, including our potential to initiate and create, is granted us from Above. Yet G-d sustains our inner lives in two ways: a) with direct and unilateral bestowal of enlightenment and experience (sunlight); b) by enabling and assisting us to gravitate upward in our own search for truth and meaning in life, and thereby generate a spiritual nurturing of our own making (rain).
Both divine gifts are crucial to the spiritual life of the soul. On the one hand, we recognize our inherent limitations. We understand that if there is to be anything that is absolute and transcendent in our lives, we must open ourselves to a higher truth—a truth to which we can relate only as a wholly passive recipient, for it is beyond anything we could possibly generate by ourselves.
At the same time, however, human nature dictates that we identify more with what we ourselves have achieved: that something earned is more appreciated than a gift, that an idea independently conceived is more meaningful than a teaching from the greatest master. That for an experience to become real to us—for it to be grafted into our nature and personality—it must stem from within.
The real or the ideal? Mine or more? We need them both. Indeed, the tension between these two needs is crucial to our growth in all areas—intellectual, emotional or spiritual. Seasons of the Soul
In the cycle of the Jewish year, the six months from Nissan to Tishrei are the Season of the Sun, and the Tishrei to Nissan months are our Season of Rains.
Continued on Page 19
Yanki Tauber is a chassidic scholar and the author of eleven books—including the groundbreaking Book of Jewish Knowledge—and hundreds
essays
Jewish
Hasidic thought. From 1999 to 2014 he served as content editor of Chabad.org,
JEREMYGENDLER BA'21, MA'23
Rocket Launch Into Space Would Put Binghamton University
In The Record Books
Jeremy Gendler knew he could become an unintended target. As a soldier with the Israel Defense Forces stationed at the Syrian border, he witnessed the horrific civil war from a distance and had to be on alert.
"(Syrian President Bashar al-) Assad's army was fighting the rebels and there were definitely mortars that misfired," he said of his time there in 2017.
By Alan Zeitlin ‘00
rocket into space, saying it is expected to go 62 miles up in the air, which would be past the Karman Line, which is the barrier between Earth and Space. The rocket made of fiberglass, will be 13 feet long and weigh 300 pounds; it will, of course, not carry passengers. He said $50,000 was raised for the project through private donations and crowdfunding.
works as a bouncer at The Rathskeller, known as "The Rat."
"I've seen some strange fights and I've had to throw people out," he said. "A lot of times it's 120-pound guys who love to brawl. But it's okay. They're very moveable."
Gendler, 24, a graduate student in the first year of a two-year program in which he will get a master's in mechanical engineering, said he was motivated to become a lone soldier because he believed one should practice what they preach.
"We always say "Never Again,'" Gendler said. "But I didn't think it was enough just to say that. I thought it was important to live that."
He said sleep deprivation and midnight marches were difficult, but the training was all worth it.
"It really pushes you to your limits," he said. "I think about the Army every day and I was very proud to serve. I definitely felt appreciated as a "lone" soldier, voluntarily coming from America to serve."
Gendler recalled the camaraderie among soldiers including getting gummi bears at the shuk, or market, and sharing them.
He said as a child he'd take apart his mother's Motorola cell phone and was fascinated to see how things were built and how they worked; taken apart and put back together. Gendler, with his group called AeroBing ,plans to launch a
As to whether he would ever go up in space if given the chance, he didn't hesitate with his answer."I'd definitely be terrified, but I would go," Gendler said. "You can't pass up an opportunity like that."
He said he was glad to have the opportunity to come to Chabad where a devoted staff made people feel at home."The Slonims and all the staff at Chabad are extremely warm," Gendler said. "Besides creating a great environment, they are very fun and caring. Even though there are a lot of students, you can talk to them and have a one-onone conversation."
Gendler said that not only is he against violence, he is against scapegoating and people not stepping up to the plate in life.
"Whatever happens in life, it's your responsibility to take charge," he said. "It's easy to sit around with no goals and
Asked his favorite dish served at Chabad meals, he was unable to pick one.
"I basically eat everything," he said. Gendler, who attended Ida Crown Jewish Academy in Skokie, Illinois, said he will soon head to California to test rocket motors in the Mojave Desert. He added that one of his hobbies is lockpicking.
Gendler who is 6'1 and 215 pounds also
blame other people. But your success or failure in life is in your hands."
The rocket-launch is slated to take place on June 15, and will be done with clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration. To date, a team from the University of Southern California has been the only college team to execute a successful launch.
"We plan on being the second," he said.
It takes an extraordinary person to be an angel.
The children of Chai Lifeline are grateful to the many super-extraordinary people at The Rohr Chabad Center for Jewish Student Life and Sigma Delta Tau at
BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY
For being our amazing Chanukah Angels.
We love the toys, games, and gifts. But we are blown away by the caring and compassion that led you to make sure our Chanukahs were super bright this year.
ALUMNI NEWS
MAZEL TOVS
‘87 Lori (Lederman) and Marc Ben-Ezra announce the engagement of their daughter, Rena ‘17, MA ‘18, to Joey Kirsch’19. See ‘17 for complete details.
‘90 Jill (Perlstein) and Richard Kirsch announce the engagement of their son Joey ‘19 to Rena Ben Ezra ‘17, MA ‘18. See ‘17 for complete details.
Sandy Bodzin and Shoshana Gross announce the marriage of their son, Adin Zadok to Miriam Adela Spigler on January 9, 2022.
'91 Shoshana Gross and Sandy Bodzin announce the marriage of their son, Adin Zadok. For complete details see '90
'92 Melanie (Cohen) and Amatsia Spigler announce the marriage of their daughter, Miriam Adela to Adin Zadok Bodzin on January 9, 2022.
‘00 Marsha Hochstadt announces the birth of her son, Shai Ephraim on May 2, 2021
Bracha (Goldress) and Avi Hirsch announce the birth of their daughter Nava Tehilla; she was welcomed home by big sister, Orli Raz.
Stuart and Stacy Mayer celebrated the Bnei Mitzvah of their sons, Noah (Leibel Chaim) and Max (Efraim Levi) on Shabbos Parashat Ki Tavo.
‘01 Stacy and Stuart Mayer celebrated the Bnei Mitzvah of their sons. See '00 for complete details.
‘02 Sharon and Simon Nourmand announce the Bnei Mitzvah of their twin sons, Jacob and Ethan on Shabbat Parashat Vayigash.
Michael and Shira Boxer announce the birth of their son, Ari Judah (Ariel Yehuda) on December 13, 2021. He was welcomed home by older siblings, Ruby Melody (Rivka Meira) and Max Raphael (Matan Rafael).
‘04 Shira (Zeif) and Steven Katchen announce the birth of their daughter, Gila Nelly (Gila Naama) on August 7, 2020.
Marc and Jennifer Lessner announce the birth of their daughter Rebecca Charlotte (Shoshana Esther) on July 19, 2021. She was welcomed home by big sisters, Emily and Abigail.
‘05 Morris and Naomi Pahuskin announce the birth of their son Jack Lester (Yaakov) on July 21, 2021. He was welcomed home by big brother, Victor Morris.
Brenda (Klein) and Ivan Corwin announce the birth of their daughter Rae Zelda (Re’ut Zelda) on July 3, 2021. She was welcomed home by big sisters, Zoe Aliza and Ava Zemira.
‘06 Mihal (Spitzer) and David Ariyeh announce the birth of their son Eitan Adin on June 6, 2021. He was welcomed home by big sister, Noa Gal. Shira and Michael Boxer announce the birth of their son, Ari Judah. See '02 for full details.
‘07 Mihal (Spitzer) and David Ariyeh announce the birth of their son. See ‘06 for details
‘10 Ariel and Lauren Blum announce the birth of their daughter, Bria Freida on September 30, 2021.
Matthew and Alison (Goldsmith) Block announce their marriage on June 13, 2021. Matt works in Finance for the Mount Sinai Hospital; Ali is a lawyer and works for a judge in Family Court.
Cynthia (Schweitzer) and Dan Goldberg announce the birth of their daughter, Lielle Mia (Lielle Maayan) on April 4, 2021.
Matthew and Gloria Ingber announce the birth of their son, Judah ( Yehudah David), on November 29, 2021. He was welcomed home by big siblings, Honey, Michele, and Ely.
‘11 Aaron and Carly (Cooper) Wolff announce the birth of their daughter, Maya Aviva on March 22, 2021.
‘12 Zach and Samantha Gross announce the birth of their son, Yitzchak Marom on June 25, 2021.
Samantha (Hechler) and Ariel Koban announce their marriage on October 3, 2021.
Shlomit Cymbalista announces her engagement to Avi Cabessa. They plan to be married in January 2022 in Israel.
Jenna (Salner) and Joshua Weisblum announce the birth of their daughter, Charlotte Bella (Penina Bracha) on October 22, 2021
Steven and Miriam Rosenthal announce the birth of their son, Ezra Nathan (Ezra Nissan) on March 16, 2021.
Carly(Cooper) and Aaron Wolff announce the birth of their daughter. See ‘11 for details.
Jacob and Rachel Decter announce the birth of their son JJ (Yisroel Yaakov) on April 18, 2021. He was welcomed home by big sister Rebecca .
Eric and Danielle Engelman announce the birth of their daughter, Stevie Grace (Shoshana Mitel) on September 27, 2021.
‘13 Samantha (Greenstein) and Oren Rasekh announce the birth of their son Eyal Idan on December 2, 2021. He was welcomed home by big sister, Galit Rachel.
Jessica (Wasserman) and Avi Alboher announce the birth of their son
Leo Cole (Matan Areyh) on August 25, 2021. He was welcomed home by big brother Samuel Max.
Eric Zoref and Deborah Tirsun announce their engagement; a Fall 2022 wedding is planned. Eric works in software sales; Deborah is in a pediatric dentistry residency program at Mt. Sinai Hospital. They will make their home in the New York area.
‘14 Roshana Sirkin announces her marriage to Steven Saunders on November 14, 2021. Roshana is a Neurosurgery PA at an NYC hospital and Steven is an internal medicine Doctor at an NYC hospital. They make their home in the city.
‘15 Kara (Dinowitz) and Micha Siegel announce the birth of their son, Ezra Dov on July 6, 2021.
Katie (Ranish) and Eric Goldstein announce the birth of their son, Aron Shmuel on June 11, 2021
Jonathan and Emunah Berns announce the birth of their son Samuel Caleb (Kalev Simcha) on June 28, 2021.
Danielle (Levin) and Donny Greenberg announce the birth of their daughter, Estelle Medina (Esther Medina) on October 21, 2021.
Joella (Goodman) and Sammy Apple announce the birth of their daughter, Sivan Nessa, on June 4, 2021. She was welcomed home by big sister, Nechama Meira.
‘16 Gabrielle (Alexander) and Alex Ainsberg announce the birth of their son, Samuel Ezra (Shmuel Ezra) on June 10, 2021.
Continued on Page 19
SYMPATHIES
Chabad mourns the passing of...
Judy Spiegel (Yehudis Bat Devorah), mother of Rachel Spiegel ‘07, in June of 2021.
Amy Levenson (Leah Pessa bat Meir Binyomin and Esther Chanah) on August 1, 2021, mother of Jessica Stein (Foreman) ‘17, Daniella Foreman ‘18, and Charles (Chuck) Foreman ‘23.
Danya (Danya Davida bat Shlomo Moshe), sister of Talia Roth, ‘08 on October 1, 2021.
Rosyln (Reva) Sokol, mother of Howard Sokol BA '90, MBA '93 on August 24, 2021.
May the families be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
For up to date Chabad Alumni news, visit: www.facebook.com/ChabadBUAlumni
DANNY AQUA ‘10
Hollywood Resident Says Jewish Day School Tuition Shouldn't Be Mission Impossible
By Alan Zeitlin ‘00
Speaking shortly after Thanksgiving, Danny Aqua said he had a lot to be thankful for because of Chabad. Aqua, who graduated from Binghamton University in 2010 recalls how there were temptations in college.
"There was a party scene and there was the potential to draw me away from my roots," he said. "Chabad helped me stay grounded and solidified in my connection to Hashem."
He said the Slonims were "psuedo parent-figures"
On Shabbat afternoon, he had a special delicacy.
"I used to take turkey cold-cuts, cholent and line it up like a burrito," said, Aqua, who studied accounting and political science.
But when it comes to Jewish education, the need and the ability to afford it does not line up, he said. "If one has three high-school age children and wishes to send them to a private Jewish high school, it could cost $150,000; that's a crisis," said Aqua.
The graduate of Cordozo Law School said he didn't feel fulfilled as a lawyer in New York City and after speaking with Mimi Jankovits, he embarked on a path to where he is now executive director of Teach Florida, an organization dedicated to safe and affordable education.
Aqua said it's an obvious shame that many parents who wish to send their children to Jewish private schools can't afford to do so; there are three solutions that his group has explored.
"First, you have to increase philanthropy as a collective," he said. "There has to be blended learning that increases technology and lowers costs of hiring staff. Then you also have to increase government funding and advocacy; to date 200,000 students in Florida are receiving state scholarships. "
He said rather than accepting the status quo, a broad outlook and imagination are both needed. He shared that there are examples of new micro-schools including one in which students spend some days in class while other days are spent on a farm, or others where a student spends 30 minutes inside and then 30 minutes outside.
The New Rochelle native, who attended S.A.R. Academy said he was thankful his parents had the financial resources to send him to a Jewish high school but knows that is not the case for everyone. He said he recognizes that elite high schools which are expensive have excellent reputations. "But there has to be pressure from the marketplace," he said. "We have to reach Jewish kids at a young age so they are imbued to look at life through the lens of G-d as the creator," he asserted.
Aqua said he fondly recalls learning Torah with Rabbi Slonim, dancing with Levi Slonim going to daily morning minyan and partaking in pizza nights.
"Chabad doesn't treat anyone like they are better than them," said Aqua. " They are authentic and I think their humility is something that stands out and people never forget it. I know I haven't."
Alan Zeitlin teaches English and Journalism at a Brooklyn public high school. As a freelance writer for the
Danny Aqua addressing the annual legislative breakfast
Freshmen Falafel
For a full gallery of pictures of
events and others, please visit: www.JewishBU.com/photos
It was SO special to be in person for the Chagim with soulful Yom Kippur davening and lots of fun in the huge ChaSukkah; cooking and decorating are all part of the Sukkos fun!
PLEASE NOTE: Where students are pictured in close proximity to each other they are room/suite/housemates.
Girl's Night Out
Paint Night
Master Chef
Making Poke Bowls
At the annual Mitzvah Marathon remembering those we lost on 9/11
PLEASE NOTE: Where students are pictured in close proximity to each other they are room/suite/housemates.
Main Stage Events
COLOR RUN
Benefitting the Light up a Life Toy Drive which raised over $32K for toys to be distributed through Chai Lifeline!
SCHOLARS
PHOTO GRAPHS Chanukah 2021
PLEASE NOTE: Where students are pictured in close proximity to each other they are room/suite/housemates.
HOUSE PARTIES were all the rage at the homes of the SHLUCHIM and in FRATERNITY and SORORITY HOUSES. Warm. Fun. Delicious.
For
There were MENORAHS DISTRIBUTED to all who wanted them. A CHANUKAH PARADE that brought Jewish cheer and pride to completely new levels, a large Chanukah MENORAH LIGHTING on the Spine complete with a parachute gelt drop, and a culminating event to celebrate
Seasons of our Soul - Continued from Page 3
During the Season of the Sun, we celebrate and reexperience the great unilateral acts of divine involvement in our destiny: the Exodus on Passover, when G-d descended to Egypt to take for Himself a nation from the womb of a nation, amidst trials, signs, wonders and battles; the giving of the Torah on Shavuot, when G-d came down on Mount Sinai to grant us His blueprint for life and our charter as His kingdom of priests and holy nation.
The Season of Rains, on the other hand, is a half-year characterized by human endeavor and initiative. The month of Tishrei—the month of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and the Ten Days of Repentance—is a time of teshuvah, of soulsearching and self-improvement. The “Season of Rains” also contains the two rabbinical festivals of the Jewish year—Chanukah (25 Kislev to 2 or 3 Tevet) and Purim (14 Adar). Unlike the biblical festivals, which were unilaterally commanded by G-d, these are humanly initiated festivals, instituted as our response to the milestones in our relationship
Mazel Tovs - Continued from Page 8
Fiona (Tarzy) and John Margareten announce the birth of their daughter Amber Shay (Amit Bina) on October 20, 2021.
Deborah Tirsun and Eric Zoref announce their engagement. See ‘13 for complete details.
Sharon Smilovich and Josh Aronoff announce their engagement.
Sharon is a Program Manager in hospital operation at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone and Josh is the CEO of an accounting and finance firm that he started called Mighty Digits. They plan on getting married at Chabad of Great Neck on September 4, 2022; they will make their home in NYC.
‘17 Arielle Katz and Andrew Weintraub announce their engagement. Arielle works at Google doing training for the trust and safety organization and Andrew is Director of Client Success at a healthcare as-tech company in NYC. A June 2022 wedding is planned; they will make their home on UES of Manhattan.
Avi Jerushalmy and Hannah Weiner announce their marriage on November 28, 2021. Avi works as an attorney at Genova Burns, LLC and Hannah is in a PsyD program at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at Yeshiva University. They make their home on the UES of NYC.
Mariah Stein announces her engagement to Avi Kozlowski. Mariah works for the HR Department at Touro College; Avi works for Greystone.
A July 10th, 2022 marriage is planned; they will make their home on the UES of NYC.
Rena Ben-Ezra and Joey Kirsch announce their engagement; a July 3, 2022 wedding is planned. Rena is director of special projects at Meir Panim; Joey is an Office Coordinator at Hudson River Trading. They will make their home in the Tri-State area.
Daniel and Tiffany Marciano announce the birth of their son Benjamin (Benjamin Leor) on December 11, 2021.
‘19 Scott and Arielle Tajfel announce the birth of their son Aaron Judah (Aaron Yehuda) on September 19, 2021.
Joey Kirsch and Rena Ben-Ezra announce their engagement. See ‘17 for details.
‘20 Gabe Shore announces his engagement to Ariella Wolfson; a January 2022 wedding is planned. Gabe will begin medical school in the Fall; Ariella will begin at NYU Nursing school in January 2023. They plan to make their home in New York.
with G-d which they commemorate.
Sometimes More, Sometimes Less
In this way too our calendar reflects the dynamics of the seasons of the soul. The “sunlight” aspect of our spiritual lives is fixed and unvarying. When we surrender ourselves to a higher truth, we also surrender our human frailties and inconsistencies. We surrender to what is infinite, perfect and unequivocal, and what we receive is likewise infinite, perfect and unequivocal.
But when we turn to our “rainmaking” self, our initiatives and achievements are subject to the rises and falls of a finite, imperfect self.
Therein lies the weakness of our rainy season, as well as its strength. By all objective criteria, this is the lesser half of our internal cycle, plagued by the instabilities and deficiencies of the human state. But it is also our more flexible half, where a lack might be transformed into a gain and a vulnerability exploited as a source of blessing.
