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28 AV 5776 • SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 • VOLUME XXXVII, NUMBER 17 • PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID, SYRACUSE, NY

Syracuse Rabbinical Council launches new learning initiative The Syracuse Rabbinical Council will launch a new Jewish learning initiative called “Davar Acher: Another View.”

Beginning on Tuesday, September 13, from 6:45-8:15 pm, it will be a weekly Jewish learning session with one of the seven members of the SRC. Davar acher sessions will be held and at the same time and location as the Rabbi Jacob Epstein School of Jewish Studies, which this year will be held at Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas, 18 Patsy Ln., Jamesville.

A davar acher in classical Torah com-

mentaries is a second opinion, sometimes composed by the same author who wrote the prior comment, or sometimes quoting another point of view. A davar acher offers proof that multiple simultaneous interpretations of a text are possible, and often desirable, and perhaps even by the same person. “One Jew, two opinions” is not only a joke; it is said to be a virtue.

Every Tuesday, a different member of the SRC will lead the learning, which will be based on a theme. The theme for this initial year is klal Yisrael, meaning “The Whole of Israel” or “Jewish Unity” – every

single Jewish person and their interconnection, shared heritage and destiny. The rabbis hope that the informal sessions will be “lively and engaging.”

With this series being held parallel to, and in the same location as, the Epstein School, the rabbis hope to encourage adults from all over Jewish Syracuse to become “role models of lifelong learning” and learn side-by-side with many local teenagers.

They also hope that that many members of the Syracuse Jewish community will join the Syracuse Rabbinical Council as they begin a year of learning together. To

make a reservation or for more information, contact Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone, the current president of the SRC, at syracuserabbincalcouncil@gmail.org.

The Syracuse Rabbinical Council members are Rabbi Irv Beigel, healthcare chaplain; Rabbi Paul Drazen from Temple Adath Yeshurun; Rabbi Leah Fein from Syracuse University; Rabbi Daniel Fellman from Temple Concord; Rabbi Daniel Jezer, rabbi emeritus of CBS-CS; Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone from CBS-CS; and Rabbi Evan Shore from Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse.

Epstein School unveils new curriculum

BY CANTOR PAULA PEPPERSTONE AND BETTE SIEGEL The Rabbi Jacob H. Epstein School of Jewish Studies is piloting a new curriculum this school year. Courses considered to be more diverse will be offered in core, required classes, as well as in the elective offerings.

Epstein Director Cantor Paula Pepperstone said, “By working with our community’s congregational rabbis, cantors and educational leaders, as well as teachers, parents and board members, I believe we’ve developed an updated curriculum that will serve our students well. We began by answering the question, ‘What do our students need to know or be exposed to before they graduate high school?’ Fortunately, there was a lot of overlap between the answers of the Jewish professionals

and community members.”

Their responses included the topics of Jewish history, theology, Tanach (Bible), rabbinic texts and being prepared to knowledgeably discuss the Tanach and Israel with non-Jews, among others.

Pepperstone continued, “We are happy to include these and other topics in a fresh curriculum that will include both modern concerns and answers from our tradition.

Teachers will be employing a wide variety of techniques to engage our students, who come from different Jewish experiences and learn in different ways.”

Grades eight-10 will meet on Tuesdays, from 6:30-8:30 pm, at Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas beginning on September 13. To start the year, the eighth grade students will engage in debates over ethical choices with Rabbi Evan Shore.

The ninth and 10th grades will learn about Israel “in all its complexity,” including during an evening with Miriam Elman, associate professor of political science in the Maxwell School of Syracuse University.

Some of the ninth and 10th grade students will visit Israel in February on the school’s highly-subsidized Teen Taste of Israel trip, made possible through a fund at the Jewish Foundation of Central New York.

The fall electives include “Torah, Rah, Sis, Boom, Bah: the Corner of Judaism and Athleticism” taught by Scott Miller; “Hebrew: Say It With Music and Conversation” taught by Tamar Frieden; “Texting Through Time (with Jewish American Writers)” taught by Ryan Howlett; and “Jewish Law Review: Mishnah Edition” taught by Ora Jezer.

Grades 11 and 12 will meet Thursdays, from 7-8 pm, in the Wegmans Café in DeWitt beginning on September 15. Their updated curriculum will have an eye toward Jewish life after high school. “Packing for College: Where Does Judaism Fit?” will be a five-week mini-course for students, parents and guardians. Rabbi Shore will look at different issues through the lens of primary Jewish sources. Elman will also meet with the class to teach them about the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement and appropriate responses to it. Laurence Thomas, professor of philosophy and political science at SU, will teach an introduction to Jewish philosophy.

Students can register at www.EpsteinCNY.org. For more information, e-mail Cantor Paula Pepperstone, Epstein’s director, at EpsteinCNY@gmail.com.

Jewish groups to help Louisiana flood victims Federations open fund drive for Louisiana flood victims

BY JTA STAFF North America’s Jewish Federations are seeking donations to assist the Jewish Federation of Greater Baton Rouge in providing relief to victims of flooding that has devastated southern Louisiana.

Relentless rains and high waters claimed more than a dozen lives; more than 30,000 people were rescued. As many as 110,000 homes have been damaged and 20 parishes have been declared federal disaster areas, according to Nola.com.

Staff members from the Baton Rouge Federation and many from the local Jewish community were among those forced to flee, according to the Jewish Federations of North America, which established the Baton Rouge Flood Relief Fund. Donations can be made by visiting https://secure-fedweb.jewishfederations.org/page/

contribute/baton-rouge-flood-relief-fund.

Baton Rouge’s newly opened Chabad House, Baton Rouge Beit Chabad, also launched an emergency fund-raising campaign (https://www.gofundme.com/2jrjfhfg) for those affected by the massive floods.

The recent flooding in Baton Rouge may have damaged up to 110,000 homes.

More than 100,000 people have applied for disaster relief from FEMA. (Photo courtesy of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans)

IsraAid sending aid team to help Louisiana flood victims

BY JNS.ORG An Israeli international aid organization sent a team of relief workers to help those affected by the Baton Rouge flood.

The eight-person delegation from IsraAid will help residents collect personal items from the wreckage and help return them to a normal routine. More than 13 people were killed and thousands of houses were damaged due to flooding from a torrent of rain over three days.

“We’ve been following how the storm and flooding have been developing over the last few days,” IsraAid Global Pro-

grams Director Naama Gorodischer told Yediot Achronot. “With the help of our local partners, we’ve been able to get a good situation report on the extent of the damage, and the urgent need for assistance and rehabilitation.” Gorodischer, who is overseeing the delegation that was traveling to Louisiana over the Aug. 27 weekend, said the team is expected to arrive when the water levels subside, which will enable them to start working immediately.

IsraAid has helped American communities recover from natural disasters such as Hurricane Sandy and Hurricane Katrina.

C A N D L E L I G H T I N G A N D P A R AS H A September 2.............7:19 pm............................................................Parasha-Re’eh September 9.............7:06 pm....................................................... Parasha-Shoftim September 16...........6:54 pm....................................................... Parasha-Ki Tetze

INSIDE THIS ISSUE JMAC

Congregational notes JCC children’s classes

The 17th Syracuse Jewish Music Local synagogues announce The JCC announces dance, and Cultural Festival will be held talks, services, the start of their gymnastics and sports classes for religious schools and more. on September 25 at the JCC . preschool and school-age children.

Stories on page 4 Story on page 3 Story on page 7

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

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ SEPTEMBER 1, 2016/28 AV 5776

What I have learned through the Jewish Community Foundation of Central New York B’nai Mitzvah Teen Funders Program

This is a speech delivered by Jacob Charlamb at the Jewish Community Foundation’s annual meeting on August 11 at the home of Neil and Jan Bronstein.

Charlamb is a member of the B’nai Mitzvah Teen Funders Program. He spoke about how this program has helped guide him in his Jewish value of tzedakah.

Good evening, I’m Jake Charlamb, and I am here tonight on behalf of my fellow teen funders. I’m here to inform everyone what it is exactly that we do and how we all started doing it. I believe this is my fourth year participating in the program, and I am going to be honest.

At first, my mom made me participate.

I did not know what this teen funders program was; I had no idea what the word “philanthropy” meant; and I wanted no part of it. As the years went on, and I got older, I came to understand the magnitude of what we were learning from this program, all the while simultaneously helping our community.

The word “philanthropy” comes from the Latin word philanthropía, meaning

love for mankind. You might be wondering now why I am talking about this word, and as fluffy as the words “love for mankind” might sound, it really is the foundation of what we do. We are all here by choice – well maybe not at first – but each one of us, growing up in the Jewish community of Central New York, and participating in the teen funders program, has developed a strong love and interest in others, and we want to give back. The teen funders organization allows us to do just that.

When we became a b’nai mitzvah, we had the opportunity to donate a small portion of the money we received, and in doing so having it matched by the Sam Pomeranz matching grant. In the two meetings each year, we discuss the applications we received from various not-for-profit organizations. Each report is a detailed request for money and outlines how the organization intends to spend the dollars we donate. We are then faced with the daunting task of deciding which organization deserves the money.

Sometimes these decisions are easy to make; but sometimes we have different opinions and we stubborn teens don’t like to change our minds. It’s a good thing we have Mrs. Linda Alexander and Mrs. Nancy Belkowitz to mediate.

These meetings continue to teach us the important skills of conversation and decision-making. The meetings may seem insignificant to some, but again, they introduce us to the world of philanthropy. Our decisions are made on the basis of how important we view the purpose of each organization, and whether or not our money is being put to good use.

This year, we donated nearly $5,000 to 12 organizations. Two organizations I can say I fought for were the Learning Disabilities Association of Central New York and Yashar LaChayal.

I am very supportive of all organizations that work with the disabled. The past two winters I have volunteered with the organization Arise and Ski, where I helped teach kids with various mental and

physical disabilities how to ski. Obviously, the Learning Disabilities Association of Central New York works with and assists some of the same individuals I have been fortunate enough to work with. The $400 teen funders contributed to their program helped support a summer camp for kids with learning disabilities.

The other organization I strongly supported was Yashar LaChayal. I know that I have already explained that we support our community, and as Jewish teens, Israel is a part of who we are and a part of our community. In 2006, I traveled to Israel with my family and saw the soldiers. We decided to donate to this group as our money will be spent to buy water backpacks for dozens of IDF soldiers to help them stay hydrated while they protect Israel.

The skills I have learned throughout my time in teen funders will not only help me in the short term, but in the future. More importantly, the program has engraved in me the importance of giving back to one’s community.

Thank you.

PJ kites at the Art Park with the Israeli Scouts PJ Library® participants spent the afternoon of August 7 at the Stone Quarry Hill Art Park in Cazenovia. In attendance were 14 families, for a total of more than 50 people.

All of the children had a chance to decorate and build their own kite and then run through the art park landscape while trying to fly their new kites. Israeli Scouts Talya Cohen and Shani Ostreicher, the two Israeli Scouts that spent the summer with the JCC’s Camp Rishon, joined the PJ Library group to share some Israeli culture and teach some Hebrew. Participants had the opportunity to explore some of the different trails throughout the park, enjoy a picnic lunch and make new friends and connections.

There will be a PJ table under the children’s tent at the Jewish Music and Cultural Festival on Sunday, September 25, at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse. Participants can make “instruments” to “jam with the bands,” decorate potholders to use for the High Holidays and play some outdoor games.

The PJ Library Central New York chapter is a program of the JCC and is supported by the Pomeranz, Shankman

Israeli Scout Talya Cohen flew a kite with the Hebrew word afifone (“kite”) on it. 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-yearsold in Cortland, Madison, Onondaga and Oswego counties. For more information and to sign up, visit www.pjlibrary.org or e-mail Carolyn Weinberg at pjcny@ jccsyr.org.

L-r: Jill Levy, Lilah Levy, Hanna Wallis and Mark Levy flew their kites at the PJ Library event at the Stone Quarry Hill Art Park in Cazenovia on August 7.

CORRECTION Correction in statistics in the “religious hate crime” article in the August 18 Jewish Observer

In the first paragraph of the article titled “Religious hate crime on the rise, says political scientist” on page 2 of the August 18 Jewish Observer, there was an error in the statistics quoted. The actual statement should have read: “Religious bigotry is more visible in America than we’ve seen in decades. And while conversations about Islamophobia abound in the media, the FBI reports that almost 60 percent of religiously-oriented hate speech and crimes are actually committed against Jews – and only 16 percent against Muslims.”

The JO apologizes for the error and regrets any misunderstanding that occurred.

PJ Library Coordinator Carolyn Weinberg and several families attended the PJ event on August 7.

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AROUND CENTRAL NEW YORK Syracuse Jewish Music and Cultural Festival set for Sunday, September 25

BY JUDY SCHMID The 17th Syracuse Jewish Music and Cultural Festival will be held on Sunday, September 25, from noon-6 pm, at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse, 5655 Thompson Rd., DeWitt. The event is

considered the largest of its kind outside of New York City.

Event Co-Chair Vicki Feldman said, “As always, the music is the main draw. But we have terrific kosher foods that reflect both Middle Eastern and Eastern European favorites, beer and wine to keep you cool, and artisans

The Oaks at Menorah Park celebrates 20 years on September 14

BY JUDY SCHMID The Oaks at Menorah Park will commemorate its 20th anniversary with a Roaring ‘20s-themed celebration on Wednesday, September 14, from 6:30-8:30 pm, in the lobby, atrium and back patio at The Oaks, 18 Arbor Ln., DeWitt.

“As we celebrate our 20th year, we’re giving residents, families and friends the opportunity to join together for this special occasion,” said Susie Drazen, development director at Menorah Park. “Delicious passed and stationary hors d’oeuvres, a wine bar, decadent desserts

and jazz-age music by the Cortini Brothers will add to the festive mood. We’re also encouraging attendees to dress in Roaring ‘20s attire if they’d like.”

A commemorative “tree of honor” will be added to the atrium so that “on the 20th anniversary – and into the future – residents of The Oaks may be honored by their loved ones.”

Reservations are required no later than Wednesday, September 7. For more information on event tickets, becoming a sponsor, or purchasing a commemorative oak leaf or acorn on the “tree,” contact Susie Drazen at 446-9111, ext. 141, or sdrazen@menorahparkofcny.com.

Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center senior dining menu SEPTEMBER 5-9 Monday – closed for Labor Day Tuesday – turkey chili Wednesday – vegetable soup, grilled cheese Thursday – meat loaf Friday – roast turkey SEPTEMBER 12-16 Monday – beef stew with mixed vegetables Tuesday – mac and cheese Wednesday – split pea soup and hamburger Thursday – imitation crab cakes Friday – Marsala meatballs 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 on 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.

with jewelry and apparel. There’s plenty for kids and teens, too – and there’s free parking on and near the JCC.” The children’s activities this year include making a klezmer instrument under the guidance of musician Robin Seletsky, who will lead the group in a short performance with the newly-made instruments; the Robert Rogers Puppet Theater; Open Hand Theater; the Price Chopper Hopper; and face painting. The Rabbi Jacob Epstein School of Jewish Studies will host activities for teenagers.

The groups performing include the Wandering Klezmorim Band from noon-12:45 pm; Farah from 1:15-2:15 pm; Robin Seletsky and the children performing during the sets on the instruments they made; Sy Kushner Jewish Music Ensemble from 2:45-4 pm; and Robin Seletsky and the Big Galut(e) Ensemble from 4:30-5:30 pm.

Catering by The Oaks at Menorah Park will provide a selection of kosher foods under Va’ad supervision.

For more information, visit the JMAC website at www.SyracuseJewishFestival.org.

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CONGREGATIONAL NOTES Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas TRAVEL THE WORLD WITH THE JEZERS Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas Hazak will present Rabbi Daniel and Rhea Jezer on Sunday, September 11, at 2:30 pm, when they will share some of their favorite pictures and stories from the far places of the world they have seen.

The couple met as students traveling to Israel and have been traveling ever since.

They will present pictures of the people, cultures and animal life they have seen throughout all seven continents.

From the reaches of the Arctic north to the frozen Antarctic wilderness in the south; to the jungle of equatorial Africa to the island of Madagascar; from the multi-sensory experience of India to the remote country of Bhutan, they have traveled on elephants, camels, tuk tuks, tundra buggies, rickshaws, trains, zodiacs, jeeps, cars and boats. They have flown over the Massai Mara in a hot air balloon, in addition to 50 different airlines, in airplanes with four seats and those with 400.

The program is open to the community.

Refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact the CBSCS office at 446-9570 or office@cbscs.org.

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL TO INCLUDE ENVIRONMENTAL CLASS This year, the CBS-CS Religious School curriculum will include a new class, “The Environment and You,” along with Torah and avodah (Jewish prayer and song). “The Environment and You” (ha-sviah ve’ateh) is being included in the weekly course of study as part of a

congregationwide focus leading up to a scholar-in-residence weekend with Rabbi Lawrence Troster the weekend of Thursday-Sunday, March 30-April 2.

Among the issues discussed in the class will be the relationship between Jewish texts, traditions and practices and food, and, more specifically, how Judaism relates to all of the processes and choices involved in how good is grown, harvested, prepared and eaten, as well as how waste is managed; and how Judaism relates to a family’s food choices.

First-fourth grades and fifth-seventh grades will rotate through each class, which will be taught by a teacher with expertise or skills appropriate to the subject. Student teachers are paired with each teacher, and the first and second grade class will have a student teacher who will rotate with them.

This year, families with children from birth through kindergarten will have their own monthly program on Sundays, starting at 10:30 am. These sessions will allow for group and individualized play and programming, as well as child and parent socializing. The group is called “Oys and Joys of Parenting.” In addition to the monthly Sunday morning sessions, the group will have outside programs, joining the larger congregation for apple-picking, but also have its own activities.

Continuing this year will be all-school tefillah (prayer) at 11:30 am in the sanctuary. Parents have been invited to join the school each Sunday, as children and See “CBS-CS” on page 6

Kids rule after school!

Busing from ts, & F-M distric -D J y, it C a .

East-are vate schools and area pri

• K – 6th grade • Open snow days, half days, holidays and superintendent days

Temple Concord RELIGIOUS SCHOOL TO BEGIN SEPTEMBER 11 Temple Concord’s Religious School serves students from kindergarten-seventh grade. It will meet on Sundays, from 9 am-noon.

Cantor and educator Kari Siegel Eglash said, “Each of our teachers is passionate about Jewish learning and building connections with our students. They bring experience, creativity and compassion to every aspect of their teaching.”

For registration information, contact CantorEglash@TempleConcord.org.

SEPTEMBER 11 BLOOD DRIVE In observance of the 15th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks, Temple Concord has urged the community to donate blood at its annual fall community blood drive on Sunday, September 11, in the synagogue’s social hall, with appointments available from 9 am-2 pm.

Temple Vice President and Blood Drive Coordinator Mark Kotzin is currently signing up donors, with appointments every 15 minutes. The entire donation process takes about one hour, and no previous experience is needed. Donors ages 16 and older are needed.

Anyone wishing to donate can make an appointment by calling the TC blood donor hotline at 315-288-0773, e-mailing

Kotzin at concordvampire@verizon.net, or going online to www.redcrossblood. org using sponsor code “templeconcord” to access the synagogue’s drive. Donors can also sign up using the Red Cross app on their smartphone.

Donors also have a new ability to speed up their donation process by using the Red Cross’ “rapid pass” system to pre-register, read the educational materials and answer the donor questionnaire from their home computer the day of the drive. To take advantage of this new tool, visit www. redcrossblood.org/rapidpass the morning of the drive.

SISTERHOOD AND BROTHERHOOD The Temple Concord Sisterhood will host a welcome back brunch on Sunday, September 11, at 9:30 am. For more information, contact Ellyn Roloff at 638-4284 or egr.dec@outlook.com.

The TC Brotherhood meets monthly for bagels and lox, guest speakers and discussions. It will next meet on September 11 at 9:30 am. For more information, contact Larry Brown at 633-5583 or lawbrown1@ aol.com.

SCHOLAR SERIES Temple Concord congregant Andrew Cohen, history professor at the Maxwell School of Syracuse University, will share See “TC” on page 6

Temple Adath Yeshurun TAY MISHPACHA (FAMILY) SHABBAT SEPTEMBER 17 Temple Adath Yeshurun will have its first Mishpacha (family) Shabbat of the school year on Saturday, September 17, at 10:30 am, followed by a kiddush lunch.

Mishpacha (family) Shabbat is a monthly program with Shabbat morning services for different age groups. In September, the children will learn about and prepare for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Young children, from birth-kindergarten age, and their parents or caregivers can participate in Tot Shabbat at 10:30 am; children in first-fifth grade can participate in junior congregation at 10:30 am; and sixth-12th

grade students will help lead services in the main sanctuary.

For more information, contact Alicia Cafarchio Gross at alicia@adath.org or 445-0002.

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL The Temple Adath Yeshurun Religious School will begin the 2016-2017 school year on Sunday, September 18. There will be an orientation and breakfast for parents. The orientation will provide an opportunity for parents to learn about plans for the upcoming school year. The second-seventh grade students will walk to Meadowbrook Creek for a Shacharit service to start the school year.

At right: Virginia Ames and Caden Pease were among the Camp Rothschild campers who visited the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology for a field trip during their “Mad Scientist” week. The campers explored the MOST for hours, going to the planetarium for “Harry Potter and The Night Sky” to learn how J.K. Rowling used stars and constellations to name characters in the series. They visited the Earth Science Discovery to look at rocks and minerals, and how weather affects them in New York state; and walked through a replica beating heart to observe its chambers in the Life Sciences section.

They also played in the science playhouse, which featured multi-colored, multi-sensory equipment and interactive toys.

d’s your chil Reser ve y! s p ot t o d a

• Enrichment classes available • Homework room available Mon. – Thurs.

• Before school care available, too!

5655 Thompson Rd., DeWitt 315.445.2360 • www.jccsyr.org

L-r: Diane Gingold, Ann Goldstein, Lois Ross and Shari Cohen (standing) joined with several other women of Temple Adath Yeshurun for a Sisterhood coffee and dessert program on August 11. The program encouraged relaxation, friendship and a chance to learn more about Sisterhood. For more information about the TAY Sisterhood, contact Sisterhood President Alison Bronstein at alisonbronstein@gmail.com.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2016/28 AV 5776 ■

InterFaith Works dinner dialogues

BY DANIEL ORTEGA InterFaith Works will hold its next dinner dialogue on Thursday, September 22, from 6-8:30 pm, at host residences and faith communities throughout Onondaga County. It is expected that more than 200 people will gather to share a vegetarian meal, which is provided by the host, and engage in conversation surrounding questions such as whether people believe they are guided by a power greater than themselves; how faith or spiritual tradition helped with forgiveness; and if people have ever faced religious discrimination.

“I feel heaven as I sit with a group of strangers who quickly burrow themselves into my heart to become my brothers and sisters,” said Jenifer Moss, a mother of eight children and a community volunteer who participated last fall in a dinner dialogue organized by InterFaith Works of Central New York.

Dinner dialogues provide a space where people can learn about the faith and spiritual traditions of others first-hand.

Through facilitated conversation, dialogue participants can gain an understanding of other people’s beliefs and have been said to find “more similarities than differences.”

Defensive driving course offered September 18 The Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse will host a defensive driving course on Sunday, September 18, from 9:30 am-4 pm, at 5655 Thompson Rd., DeWitt.

There will be a charge for the class, with a discount for JCC members. It is open to licensed drivers of all ages. Attendees must bring their driver’s license and are welcome to bring a dairy (non-meat) lunch.

The National Safety Council course focuses on prac-

tical defensive driving knowledge and techniques to help participants avoid collisions and traffic violations.

The interactive class will include learning activities, discussions and videos with driver simulations. Upon completing the course, participants will be eligible for a discount on their auto insurance and up to a four point reduction for recent infractions.

To register for the class, call the JCC at 445- 2360 or visit the JCC front desk.

DO YOU KNOW? Your Federation dollars at work – security enhancements

BY JACKIE MIRON TheAllocations Committee of the Jewish Federation of Central New York awards community Program Fund Grants annually during the fall. The grants are available to all Jewish organizations, agencies, and synagogues in the Central New York community. The funds come from Federation’s Annual Jackie Miron Campaign and are given out in amounts of $10,000, $5,000, or $2,500. The Allocations Committee reviews the grant requests and makes recommendations to the board, which then votes on the recommendations.

Every Jewish community in the United States and around the world is seeking to meet the challenges of providing security at locations frequented by members and the public. In Central New York, security needs are continually changing, and as a community, we are striving to provide the measures required to keep us safe, while still working within budgetary constraints.

Numerous security measures are employed at the synagogues, the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center, the Syracuse Hebrew Day School, Menorah Park, and many other organizations and institutions. The Jewish community endeavors to balance the significantly increased risk of terrorism with sensitivity and common sense, striving to provide effective security within a positive and caring environment.

The 24/7-news cycle enhances fear with repetition and reminders. This is an unfortunate reality that creates uncertainty and panic, and makes it difficult to fully enjoy a pleasant atmosphere within our community organizations.

The Jewish Federation of Central New York recognizes the need to continually enhance and upgrade the existing security; but it comes with added costs to the

establishments involved. There is a great awareness, as well as a willingness to step up to provide many of the enhancements that have already been put in place. Strong but manageable security is the ultimate goal.

Examples of recent security expenditures and planned expenditures the Federation has funded this past year are the new, reinforced doors at the JCC and SHDS; alarms and panels to protect the facility during fires and emergencies and communication upgrades to phones, intercoms, and audio/visual equipment. Future upgrades and enhancements are being made for proximity card readers (door swipes).

The Federation also funded an armed, plain-clothed security guard this past summer for the duration of the JCC summer camp. The security guard helped ensure that campers and staff had a safe experience, and provided an extra level of comfort and supervision.

Most users are made more comfortable with changes, upgrades, and revisions, though usage may require practice, and getting used to having items on hand at access points. Patience and tolerance are definitely warranted, and should provide confidence in safety and security, while reducing frustration and panic.

The next time you are stopped and asked to provide necessary information, use an access tool, or feel a bit inconvenienced, remember that our organizations are using your Federation dollars for your safety and security.

The community must practice recognition, awareness, kindness, sensitivity and patience.

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A member of the interfaith dialogue design team, Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone said, “Interfaith dialogue is one of the most crucial aspects of religious life today. Interfaith dialogue helps us understand our own faith and the faith of other people. It helps to create a deep awareness of the connectedness of all faiths and an appreciation for their distinctiveness. Interfaith dialogue is an antidote for some of the ills facing religion today.”

Each dinner dialogue group is comprised of eight-10 people representing different faith and spiritual traditions, so that participants have an opportunity to share their personal stories with others. In previous dialogues, attendees included those of Jewish, Roman Catholic, Muslim, Sikh, Agnostic, Baptist, Mormon, Buddhist, Episcopal, Methodist and Hindu traditions.

As the evening concludes, participants said they were left “wanting more.” Tim Saka, director of the Turkish Cultural Center and a recent dialogue host and participant, said, “We were just getting a glimpse of what people keep in their heart.”

Those who participate in a one-evening dinner dialogue group can continue the discussion by joining a six-week interfaith dialogue series, which InterFaith Works anticipates will begin this year in October.

Interfaith dialogue groups are conducted weekly on a variety of days and times to make attending convenient for participants.

Dr. Diane Zigo, a professor at Le Moyne College, said that participating in a dinner dialogue provided her with a unique opportunity “to meet people with such rich, interesting stories and lives – people whom I might not otherwise be able to meet and share (experiences) with at such depth.”

Moss added that she “believes that dialogue is the only path to peace. We cannot love someone we do not know.

We cannot know someone until we truly listen to them.”

For more information about hosting, facilitating or participating in a dinner dialogue, contact Daryl Files, InterFaith Works’ volunteer coordinator, at 449-3552, ext. 208, or dfiles@interfaithworkscny.org. Online registration is available by clicking on the InterFaith dinner dialogue link on the homepage of the InterFaith Works website, www.interfaithworkscny.org.

Daniel Ortega is a summer volunteer at InterFaith Works of Central New York in Syracuse and a senior at Canisius College.

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ SEPTEMBER 1, 2016/28 AV 5776

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.

Monday, September 5 Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas Back-to-Shul barbeque from 4-6 pm Wednesday, September 7 Temple Adath Yeshurun Hazak presents “The Peacetime Draft during the Cold War” at 1 pm Sunday, September 11 Temple Concord blood drive at 9 am Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse Board meeting at 9 am TC Sisterhood meeting at 9:30 am TC Brotherhood meeting at 9:30 am Menorah Park Auxiliary annual meeting and brunch at 11:30 am CBS-CS apple-picking at Abbott Farms at 1 pm CBS-CS Hazak presents a “Travelogue by the Jezers” at 2:30 pm Monday, September 12 TC board meeting at 7 pm Tuesday, September 13 Federation working board meeting at The Oaks at 5:30 pm CBS-CS Sisterhood annual potluck dinner at 6 pm Wednesday, September 14 Deadline for the September 29 issue of the Jewish Observer The Oaks 20th anniversary celebration at 5:30 pm Thursday, September 15 TAY executive Committee at 6 pm, followed by Board meeting at 7 pm Saturday, September 17 STOCS scholar-in-residence, Lahav Harkov, speaks at noon and at 6:15 pm Sunday, September 18 TC scholar series hosts Andrew Cohen at 11 am Monday, September 19 TC Goldenberg Series presents “An Evening of Broadway Jazz” at 7 pm

D’VAR TORAH Methinks the parasha doth protest too much

BY JUDITH S. HUOBER Today it seems a no-brainer: God wants us to pursue justice. How could it not be so? How could a good Jew not take it for granted that we are called on to work as hard as possible for justice?

Well, apparently it is not a given. The parasha Shoftim, with its well-known verse, “Justice, justice shall you pursue...” (Deuteronomy 16:20), raises our awareness that it does not have to be that way – there is an alternative.

It seems we must consider, at least once each year, the mandate to define and pursue this thing called justice.

So what is it, and what does it mean to pursue it?

One way to answer this question is to look at what justice is not. For instance, it is not mercy. In fact, the quality of mercy is elusive in the parasha’s many injunctions. The command to stone people to death for transgressing the Covenant might seem just, but it hardly qualifies as merciful; showing pity is actually forbidden in certain instances (Deuteronomy 19:13). And yet, we identify God closely with mercy in so many moments of Jewish observance.

Why, then, are we not being commanded to be merciful?

Perhaps mercy is off limits for us, as humans. It has been suggested that mercy is a quality of God, and only its close cousin, compassion, is an equivalent characteristic for us humans to strive after. I am not sure this answer is entirely satisfactory, though, since in many other ways we are expected to emulate the divine source of our being, in whose image we are created, whether or not the expectation is there for success. As it is said, we are not responsible for completing the task, only for not holding back from commencing it.

So let us look at what it means to commence the task.

In this election season of our own country (during which one key issue happens to concern the appointment of court justices, Supreme and other), it is instructive to see how a system of justice is to be built from the ground up.

The parasha includes very specific guidelines for setting up a corruption-proof court and administration system. Partiality is singled out as a problem to be protected against. The importance of witnesses and reliable testimony is spelled out. Estate and family law receive their moment, even to the inclusion of parameters for blended families and the unequal distribution of love

TC

insights from his 2015 book, “Contraband: Smuggling and the Birth of the American Century,” on Sunday, September 18, at 11 am. Cohen holds a doctorate from the University of Chicago. He is also the author of “The Racketeer’s Progress: Chicago and the Struggle for the Modern American Economy, 1900-1940” (Cambridge University Press, 2004).

Scholar Series sponsorships are available. For more information, contact the TC office at 475-9952 or administrator@templeconcord.org.

ADULT EDUCATION COURSE TO ADDRESS DEATH AND DYING Rabbi Daniel Fellman and guests will lead a 14part course on Jewish views and practices concerning death and dying beginning on Tuesday, September 13, at 6:30 pm.

The classes will run through May and meet on Wednesday evenings. Readings and speakers will guide learning about end-of-life issues and Jewish practices and beliefs.

To register, contact the Temple Concord office at 4759952 or the rabbi at RabbiFellman@TempleConcord.org.

Continued from page 4

GOLDENBERG SERIES KICKS OFF IN “BROADWAY STYLE” Now in its 14th year, Temple Concord is presenting the Regina F. Goldenberg Cultural Series, made possible with the support of the Regina F. Goldenberg Cultural Fund. This year’s series begins on Monday, September 19, at 7 pm, with “An Evening of Broadway Jazz.”

The program will feature Mary Sugar (pianist) conducting Joe Carello (reeds), Jeff Stockham (trumpet), Melissa Gardiner (trombone), Darryl Pugh (bass), Doug DiGennaro (drums) and Irwin Goldberg (synthesizer).

Patrons may become a “Friend of the Goldenberg Cultural Series.” For information, contact Vicki Feldman at 682-6360 or vickifeldman@gmail.com.

GAN PROGRAM SLATED FOR MID-SEPTEMBER The toddler and preschool Gan program for children 2-5 years old will begin on Sunday, September 18.

Gan incorporates art, movement, stories and music, and is held one Sunday per month from 10:30 am-noon, with each month focusing on a different theme. The September 18 theme will be Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

YOUTH ACTIVITIES Two youth groups at Temple Concord have announced upcoming events. JYG, for students in grades five-seven, will pick apples at Beak and Skiff on Sunday, September 25. TYCON, for students in grades eight-12, will participate in a leadership weekend at Camp Seneca Lake from Thursday-Sunday, September 8-11.

For information about these and the entire 2016-17 season’s meetings and events, contact Lauren Rosenstein, TC’s youth director, at youthdirector@templeconcord.org.

CBS-CS

Continued from page 4

adults learn to pray together as a community.

The first day of religious school will be Sunday, September 11. Each Sunday, religious school operates from 9 am-noon. An informal meeting with the congregation’s youth and education team, which includes staff and volunteers, will be held on September 11 at 9:45 am.

Third-seventh grade students participate in the Syracuse Community Hebrew School on Wednesdays from 4-6 pm.

For more information about the CBS-CS Religious School, contact Julie Tornberg at 701-2685 or director@ cbscs.org.

among their members. Rules are given for just dealing with vanquished enemies, as well as protections for the lands and other properties of those enemies, possessions whose existence is blameless and not to be wasted through misplaced revenge. A system of cities of refuge mitigates the specter of human overreach and over-assignment of guilt: a safeguard against putting people to death who are not guilty of premeditated murder.

The details are many and the levels inclusive. We read about individual, family and community justice, and we learn to think about how our community is to interact justly with other world communities. Throughout the chapters, it is striking how comprehensively the text appears to focus on predicting the Jewish people’s judicial quandaries to come. And yet, I am reminded of Shakespeare, whose line in Hamlet, “The lady doth protest too much, methinks,” reminds us that an over-emphasis on transparency calls for us to question what that public messaging is meant to obscure. In this case, I would suggest that the recitation of behaviors is not meant as a literal and comprehensive list of what we must do and refrain from doing to achieve justice in our individual, family, communal and global lives. The list is so comprehensive that it begs the question of all that is omitted. I would suggest that we are not meant to exalt ourselves by believing that the attainment of justice lies within our grasp at all.

In fact, the text does not read, “Be just.” Rather, we are exhorted to pursue justice; whether or not we catch it is moot. Is it possible that perhaps this is an instance in which it is not the goal, but the journey, that matters?

That in the pursuit of justice, true justice, we will of necessity detour through mercy, along with many other way stations on the journey of fair and ethical living?

In fact, perhaps we are not really meant to complete the task of achieving justice at all. Perhaps the “mandatory sentences” of Shoftim, such as stoning one’s “wayward and defiant” son (Deuteronomy 21:20) and exacting “life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot” (Deuteronomy 19:21) are included explicitly to warn us off going down that extreme road toward the intellectual, but heartless, endpoint of a blindly applied “justice.” Perhaps we are being warned that true justice is equally a divine prerogative, its achievement as far out of human reach as mercy. That the injunction against showing pity – pity! – is a smokescreen.

The real message of Shoftim is that we must commence the task anew each day (and each election season) – to consider, define and attempt the idea of justice. Shoftim commands us to set off, again and again, on a renewed journey toward justice by restoring and perfecting our communal systems and our individual attitudes. On this journey, we are not to aspire for some ultimate (impossible) way of being, but for intermediate (doable) behaviors – actions which develop and demonstrate the human qualities of compassion, humility and diligence.

Human justice is an endless pursuit; its attainment, divine.

Judith S. Huober is director of Syracuse Jewish Family Service and founding director of IMPARA: the Rodney and Marjorie Fink Institute at Menorah Park for Applied Research on Aging. Huober was editor, and then executive editor, of the Jewish Observer for seven years.

NEWS IN BRIEF From JNS.org

Study: Israeli sabras at higher risk of Hodgkin lymphoma than olim

Native-born Israelis, known as sabras in Hebrew, are at a higher risk of contracting Hodgkin lymphoma than immigrants, according findings published on Aug. 26 in the journal Leukemia and Lymphoma. Israel’s incidents of the blood cancer are among the highest in the world. Israeli women have the highest age-standardized rate of the disease, while Israeli men have the second highest, according to 2012 estimates by the Global Cancer Observatory. The study looked at Israeli-born Jews of both genders between 1960 and 2005. The discrepancy between the two groups is likely due to differences in lifestyle and environment dating back to people’s childhoods, said Dr. Hagai Levine, an epidemiologist and head of the environment and health track at Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical Center School of Public Health. His findings were published in the journal. “While we still need further studies to identify the specific causes of the high rates of Hodgkin lymphoma among native Israelis, our findings direct us to search for possible environmental causes in Israel and the neighboring countries,” Levine said, the Jerusalem Post reported. “These causes could be not only environmental exposures, but also diet, climate, social environment and stress that may be related to chronic regional conflict.”

SEPTEMBER 1, 2016/28 AV 5776 ■

JEWISH OBSERVER

Annual meeting of the Menorah Park OBITUARIES ELAINE KROST HERMAN Auxiliary set for Sunday, September 11 The Menorah Park Auxiliary will hold its annual meeting on Sunday, September 11, at 11:30 am, in the Menorah Park Café.

The auxiliary is a non-profit organization created to support the residents of Menorah Park’s Jewish Health and Rehabilitation Center (formerly the Jewish Home).

For more than 40 years, the auxiliary has raised thousands of dollars through dinners, events and membership.

The funds have provided vehicles to transport residents, facility improvements, new beds in residents’ rooms, activities, programming and many other materials and services. The beauty salon at Menorah Park is subsidized through funding from the auxiliary, and the gift shop is run by members and volunteers.

Membership is open to anyone – men and women of all ages – interested in helping friends, neighbors and

loved ones who reside at Menorah Park. Members enjoy a 10 percent discount at the gift shop and have said they are rewarded “in countless other ways” through volunteerism and friendship.

The annual meeting will once again include an auction and brunch starting at 11:30 am. The newly relocated and expanded gift shop will be open during the event.

There will be no charge to attend the annual meeting and donations will be appreciated, as all funds raised will support the auxiliary and Menorah Park residents. Reservations are required and can be made by contacting Lisa Stuttard at Lisa.Stuttard@sodexo.com or 446-9111, ext. 255.

For information on joining the auxiliary, e-mail Janis Martin, president, at jmmartin@twcny.rr.com or Victoria Kohl, secretary and vice president, at victoriakohl.vk@ gmail.com.

Children fitness and recreation classes start week of September 12

BY WILLIAM WALLAK Another round of enrichment classes aimed at getting children moving will begin the week of Monday, September 12, at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse, 5655 Thompson Rd., DeWitt. Dance, gymnastics and sports classes for preschool and schoolage children will be held through early December.

Sherri Lamanna, JCC director of gymnastics, dance and preschool physical education, said, “We’re excited to offer another great lineup of classes this fall for children of all abilities. We make the classes fun, while teaching

NEWS IN BRIEF From JNS.org

Hate crimes against British Jews surge, prosecutions drop

A disturbing report shows hate crimes committed against British Jews continues to rise while the number of hate crime cases being prosecuted has dropped, according to the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism. Last year, there was a 26 percent surge in crimes against British Jews and 51 percent spike in reported violent antisemitic crimes, the group reported. “Antisemitic crime has surged in the last two years and is now at a record high,” said Gideon Falter, the Chairman of CAA, a British charity that exposes antisemitism. “Instead of demonstrating that British Jews can rely on the authorities to prosecute antisemitism, the number of cases charged has actually dropped.” Out of 15,000 hate crimes prosecuted last year, only 12 of those prosecutions were for hate crimes against British Jews. CAA has issued legal guidelines to educate the British Jewish community on “how to obtain justice” as authorities fail to prosecute these crimes.

Number of Arab teachers increase in Jewish schools

Israel’s Education Ministry has successfully integrated more Arab teachers in Jewish schools, revealing a 40 percent increase in the last three years, Walla, an Israeli news site reported. The number ofArab teachers instructing in English, math and science jumped by 76 percent whileArabic language classes gained a 40 percent increase in Arabic teachers from 2013 to 2016, according to Ministry of Education figures.

Haaretz recently reported that there was a shortage of qualified English teachers in Jewish schools, which explains the why there’s been a drop in English-language proficiency among Israeli high school graduates, according to a Ministry of Education report. The Ministry of Education tackled the problem in 2013 by launching an integration program run by its teaching personnel department and the Merchavim Institute for the Advancement of Shared Israeli Citizenship in Israel.

the children a range of skills and various ‘life’ lessons, such as cooperation and teamwork.”

Ballet, jazz and tap dance classes for children ages 3-12 focus on movement, rhythm, strength and flexibility while emphasizing fun, creativity and self-esteem. The program will conclude with a recital.

Those interested in gymnastics from 3-14-years-old can learn the basics of the bars, beam, floor and vault.

Placement in the gymnastics classes is based on skill, not age. A regimen of instruction is intended to help children develop agility, flexibility and self-confidence.

A sensory gym class is offered midday on Thursdays for 3-5-year-olds to address sensory input for children of all abilities and developmental levels.

Basketball, karate and rookie sports classes are open to children ages 3-12. Each sport’s specific skills are taught, along with teamwork, fair play, sportsmanship and conditioning. The JCC has once again partnered with the Central New York Karate School to offer the karate classes.

Enrollment in the program is open to the community and will continue through the start of each class. JCC membership is not required; however, members receive a discount. Busing for school-age children attending classes is available from some Syracuse city schools, select private schools, Fayetteville-Manlius schools and all public schools within the Jamesville-DeWitt School District.

For more information about the JCC’s classes for children, contact Lamanna at 445-2040, ext. 126, or slamanna@jccsyr.org, or visit www.jccsyr.org.

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To advertise, please contact Bonnie Rozen at 800-779-7896, ext. 244 or bonnie@ thereportergroup.org

Elaine Krost Herman, 89, formerly of Scott Ave., Syracuse, died on August 18 in Redding, CT, after a long fight with Parkinson’s disease.

Born and raised in St. Louis, she lived in Syracuse for more than 50 years. For the last 12 years, she had lived at Meadow Ridge Senior Living Community in Redding, CT. She had a long career working for Estée Lauder, primarily at Flah’s, and then at the Addis Company in Syracuse.

She was predeceased by her husband, Robert, in 1991.

She is survived by her daughters, Linda Herman Pringle of Long Beach, NY, and Debra Herman James (William Henry James III) of Stamford, CT; and two grandchildren. She was expecting to be a great-grandmother in December.

Burial was in Adath Yeshurun Cemetery. Birnbaum Funeral Service had arrangements. 

LILLIAN SLUTZKER

Lillian Slutzker, 98, died at home on August 18.

Born in Budapest, Hungary, she fled Nazi control in Berlin, where she was working in 1939, for England.

While in England, prior to the Normandy invasion of World War II, she met her husband and, in 1947, left England for Syracuse, where she married him and began a new life.

She was a member and former board member of Temple Adath Yeshurun; its Sisterhood; a former member of the Corinthian Club; the Cavalry Club; the Humane Society (national and Onondaga County); the ASPCA; and a longtime supporter of Hillel at Syracuse University.

The International Student Center at SU was renamed the Lillian and Emanuel Slutzker Center for International Services in 2000.

She believed strongly in and supported B’nai B’rith International; the National Humane Education Society; World Wildlife Fund; U.S. Holocaust Museum; Guiding Eyes for the Blind; U.S. Disabled Veterans; National Wildlife Foundation; and Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

She was predeceased by her husband, Manny, in 1985; and their son, Eric, in 1953.

She is survived by her son, Craig.

Burial was in Adath Yeshurun Cemetery. Sisskind Funeral Service had arrangements.

Contributions can be made to the Lillian and Emanuel Slutzker Center for International Services at SU; or the Lillian and Emanuel Slutzker Scholarship Fund for lacrosse at SU. 

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Syrian Jewish families resettled in KY

Three of the remaining Jewish families in Syria were quietly brought to the United States and settled in Louisville, KY. The Jewish refugees, numbering 13 people including seven children, were smuggled out of Damascus, where they had been living amid the raging civil war since 2011.

The families posed as Christian refugees to enter Sweden earlier this year, according to Point of No Return, a blog about Jewish refugees from Arab and Muslim countries.

The families were described as able to speak multiple languages, well off and had done business with the Assad regime, according to the blog. A Conservative synagogue in Louisville helped the families enter the U.S. and resettle in the southern town, which has already absorbed thousands of Middle Eastern refugees over the past five years.

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ SEPTEMBER 1, 2016/28 AV 5776

JCC concludes one of its most successful summer camps

BY WILLIAM WALLAK The Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse recently completed what has been called “its most successful” Camp Rishon summer day camp.

Hundreds of campers ranging in age from infants to school-age children to teenagers,

attended a total of 2,500 camper weeks during the eight weeks of camp which ran from June 27-August 19.

“Camp Rishon was a huge success this year,” said Mick Hagan, director of children and teen services. “The children were great and were filled with loads of

enthusiasm and adventure. We couldn’t have done it without our excellent camp counselors, many of whom have been with us for the past few summers. It’s very satisfying to be able to make the kids happy and give them an experience they won’t soon forget.”

Campers in the JCC’s Nitzanim, or traditional, school-age day camp, participated in arts and crafts, swimming, sports, field trips and more. Many school-age children who opted to focus on a specific area of interest participated in a JCC specialty camp, such as soccer, gymnastics,

dance, horseback riding and fishing.

Once again this year, teenagers entering grades seven-10 in the JCC’s SyraCruisin’ Teen Travel Camp attended several local and regional road trips.

They also volunteered with various local organizations.

“There’s nothing like summer camp at the JCC because it’s all about the children,” said Hagan. “We go the extra mile to make each camp a fun, safe and wonderful experience. In doing so, we help to create great memories that will last a lifetime.”

L-r: Shani Ostreicher and Talya Cohen were this year’s Israel Scouts. They helped out during all eight weeks of Camp Rishon.

Drew Scouten held a small bass he caught and released at Onondaga Lake Park during this year’s JCC fishing camp.

Arts and crafts time was offered during the JCC’s Nitzanim camp.

NEWS IN BRIEF From JTA

Italy’s national Jewish museum joins cultural sites donating a day of proceeds to earthquake relief Children in the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse’s soccer camp prepared to start a scrimmage game.

L ’ Sh a nah Tova h

The National Museum of Italian Judaism and the Shoah is among dozens of state museums and cultural sites that will donate all proceeds from visitors on Aug. 28 to aid earthquake victims and rescue efforts in central Italy. The museum, which is under development, does not yet have a permanent exhibition, but announced it would donate its proceeds from visitors to its temporary exhibit on the Torah. On Aug. 25, the culture minister of Italy announced that the Aug. 28 proceeds from state-run museums and archaeological sites all over the country would go to the area devastated by the quake that hit early Aug. 24 and urged Italians to visit them to show solidarity. At least 291 people have been confirmed dead in the 6.2 magnitude temblor. Meanwhile, more than 20 volunteers from the Israeli aid organization IsraAid have been working in the earthquake zone since Aug. 25 along with other relief organizations, including volunteers from Islamic Relief Italia. Italy’s national Jewish umbrella organization, UCEI, and the Rome Jewish community initiated a blood drive in Rome; among the donors was outgoing Israeli Ambassador Naor Gilon. Local Jewish communities and UCEI have collected funds and material for relief operations, and UCEI opened a special bank account for earthquake relief donations.

Honduras to get tech from Israel to fight organized crime

President Juan Orlando Hernandez of Honduras said his country has signed an agreement with Israel for “cutting-edge technology” to help his army fight organized crime. Hernandez said the agreement, which will be submitted to the legislature for its approval, will be used to battle “the highest levels of crime in the last 15 years.”

Calling the pact “pivotal to the growth of the Honduran nation,” the president said it “will allow the strengthening of our armed forces with capabilities we have probably never had.” The agreement was announced in light of the 52nd anniversary of the founding of the army’s 2nd Airborne Infantry Battalion, the Spanish-language Iton Gadol news service reported on Aug. 21. Hernandez said he foresees some disagreement in the parliament, but asked lawmakers to approve the deal.

Israeli students win second prize at internat’l robotics contest

A group of Israeli high school students came in second place at an international robotics competition in Shanghai, China. The students also were granted an Inspiration Award in the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology Robotics Competition, or FRC, which included 57 teams from Israel, the United States, Canada, Australia, Brazil and China, according to the Friends of Israel Sci-Tech Schools. In the competition, which concluded earlier in August, students had to build robots to complete various tasks, such as balancing on a beam and scoring balls into goals. The Israeli team consisted of 29 students from a science and technology high school in the northern city of Binyamina. Students at the Binyamina high school have been participating in FRC since 2005 and have won awards every year, said Zvi Peleg, director general of the Israel Sci-Tech Schools Network.

Israeli-German discovery could help cure deadly skin cancer

A new discovery by Israeli and German researchers could be the key to stop the spread of melanoma, the deadliest kind of skin cancer. The scientists found the method by which melanoma spreads from its original site and how to stop the metastasis before it turns deadly, according to a study published online on Aug. 22 in Nature Cell Biology. “The threat of melanoma is not in the initial tumor that appears on the skin, but rather in its metastasis – in the tumor cells sent off to colonize in vital organs like the brain, lungs, liver and bones,” said the study’s lead researcher, Dr. Carmit Levy, according to The Jerusalem Post. “We have discovered how the cancer spreads to distant organs and found ways to stop the process before the metastatic stage,” added Levy, of Tel Aviv University’s Sackler School of Medicine. The Tel Aviv University researchers collaborated closely with scientists at two Israeli hospitals – the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan and the Wolfson Medical Center in Holon – as well as the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg.