Rose Girone, World’s Oldest Holocaust Survivor, Dies at 113
Born in Poland, her family moved to Hamburg; in 1939 she fled Nazi Germany for Shanghai, where she credits knitting as helping save her family before they moved to the US.
By Lisa Keys
February 25, 2025 timesofisrael.com
JTA – New Yorker Rose Girone, who celebrated her 113th birthday on January 13 and was believed to be the oldest living Holocaust survivor, died on February 24. The cause, according to her daughter, Reha Bennicasa, was old age.
Girone – who ran a knitting shop in Forest Hills, Queens and credits the craft as helping to save her family during the Holocaust – was, by all accounts, a remarkable person, and was well-loved in New York’s knitting community. Girone was also outspoken about her experiences during the war; she provided testimonies to the USC Shoah Foundation, the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County and others.
“Everything that’s out there is really
who my mother was,” Bennicasa said, referring to the press coverage her mother received in recent years. “She was a strong lady, resilient. She made the best of terrible situations. She was very level-headed, very commonsensical. There was nothing I couldn’t bring to her to help me solve – ever – from childhood on. She was just a terrific lady… and I don’t know, when God made her, they broke the mold.”
Born in Janov, Poland in 1912, Girone’s family settled in Hamburg, Germany, where they ran a theatrical costume shop. In 1938, Girone (née Raubvogel) married Julius Mannheim in an arranged marriage; later that year, the couple moved to Breslau, Germany (now Wroclaw, Poland), just as Kristallnacht launched waves of violence against Germany’s Jews. Mannheim was arrested and sent to the Buchenwald concentration camp and Girone, eight months pregnant, fled the city to stay out of harm’s way.
In 1939, Girone jumped at a chance to leave Nazi Germany: A cousin sent her a paper he said was a visa, written in Chinese. Shanghai was one of the last open ports in the world; Girone presented the visa to the Nazi authorities and was able to get Mannheim released from Buchenwald.
Continued on page 8
What Will Remain After Me?
(originally written in Yiddish)
by Mendel Naigreshel
What will remain after me?
A door standing ajar, a shelf of books, old and dusty and an empty chair-where I dreamed forth my poems, that I believed in. Poems that will lie hidden in a wooden drawer, mute like unfinished letters.
What will remain after me?
Shoes and socks, a shirt that once covered a terrified heart.
What will remain after me?
A sunbeam flickering at twilight on a wall in a courtyard.
From the anthology “VOICES WITHIN THE ARK - The Modern Jewish Poets” edited by Howard Schwartz and Anthony Rudolf
About the poet – Mendel Naigreshel was born in Nai-Sandz, Galicia, in 1903. Growing up in Vienna, he became a district attorney in juvenile courts. After the Nazis annexed Austria, he was imprisoned in the concentration camps of Dachau and Buchenwald. Nine months later, however, he was permitted to emigrate to Brazil, where he lived for two years until coming to America. He died in New York in 1965.
Rose Girone in January 2025 (Screen grab/ Fox5)
Preparations
By Keith Krivitzky, Managing Director Jewish Federation of Ocean County keith@ocjf.org
www.jewishoceancounty.org
www.jewishoceancounty.org/donate
732.363.0530
As we approach Passover, the festival of freedom, it may be worth highlighting an often overlooked aspect of the Exodus – up to 80% of the Jewish people never left Egypt. They didn’t want to. Perhaps only a total of 3 million men, women, and children participated in this redemption and were “freed.”
What does this mean?
It means a whole lot of the Jewish people – the majority – were left behind…though they probably didn’t see it that way. This “freedom” didn’t appeal to them or they were too scared to follow Moses. And, by not acting, they chose to become part of another story.
The Jewish story focused on those who left and evolved into the Jewish people today – though there have also been many forks and splits in the road since
Passover Heroes
By Rabbi Michael S. Jay Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island, Spray Beach www.jccoflbi.org
In compiling the Haggadah the Rabbis, for many reasons, chose not to use the full narrative of the Exodus story. As a result, some of the incredible events and people are given a back seat on Seder night. While I hold nothing against the Rabbis’ decision and, indeed, love the format of the Seder, it is important that we not lose sight of those who
As a Jewish Federation, our focus is on helping prepare and arm our people to be proud Jews, committed to the Jewish story and supporting those projects and programs which can help strengthen our community.
then. What set this group of freed slaves apart?
I have been fascinated by the use of a term to describe those Jews who left Egypt – Hamushim. This is often translated as “armed”…but I think it goes beyond physical arms or weapons; these committed Jews were prepared and prepped for this moment and this choice. They were spiritually/culturally/communally armed.
This realization is no surprise. It is those who show up in a conflict or time of crisis prepared and committed who persevere. This doesn’t just mean generic prep – it means cultivation of connection and commitment to a group and its ideals, its raison d’etre. That is what enables the kind of perseverance necessary to survive and come through the other side.
Clearly there are lessons here for our people and community today. On many levels. I share just a few…
• While I am not convinced every conflict is a zero-sum game, I am 100%
were actually involved in the story. The purpose of this little session is to re-familiarize ourselves with the heroic cast of characters who made the story possible. Should you choose to mention these people at your Seder, it might lead to an interesting conversation. A Zissin Pesach to all!!!!
BIBLICAL HEROES OF THE PASSOVER STORY (In order of appearance):
1) Jacob and his sons, Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah; Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin; Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher, and Joseph. If not for Joseph, the Israelites would not have been saved during the famine and might well have disappeared as a people early on.
2) Puah and Shifra – The midwives who refused to kill the Hebrew babies because they feared (knew or understood) God.
sure that you can’t always avoid conflict AND stay true to your beliefs or interests. If you are sure that your beliefs/interests/affiliations are important, then you better be prepared to fight for them. That is what hamushim means.
• There are those who think you don’t have to choose or commit to one side or another and that you can be a committed Jew and a good ______ (fill in the blank). Perhaps that is true in some broad, generic frameworks –like being an American citizen, where we respect diverse opinions, and our Jewish values are a part of the United States’ values system. But this doesn’t work when it comes to other values frameworks. For instance, believing that you can be both a secular humanist and a good Jew is, at best, naive. At worst…it’s a choice as to where your own priorities and commitments lie. The same is true when it comes to notions of “wokeness” or “intersectionality” – these are ideologies directly in tension with Jewish values and interests.
• Given this understanding, one of the single biggest dangers to cohesion and a collective future is internal squabbling about issues, both fundamental and more particular. I believe this often reflects commitment to an ideal other than integrity and loyalty to the Jewish people. Increasingly, this is playing out in the political arena in the United States. Jews should not be taking their arguments with other Jews to external arbiters. (Hello J-Street!) Internal debate/dissent/discord is one thing –
3) Amram – Moses’ father, his name is not specifically mentioned until later (Exodus 6:20), but he needs to be acknowledged as Moses’ father.
ˆ4) Yocheved – Moses’ mother. Again, her name is not specifically mentioned until Exodus 6:20, but she specifically saved Moses after he was born because she saw that he was “good or beautiful.” (Okay, so what mother doesn’t think her son is special!)
5) Moses – NUFF SAID
6) Miriam – Guess what...Her name is not given here either, but she plays an incredible role in saving her brother by following him and making sure that Yocheved becomes Moses’ wet nurse. The Midrash (story connecting the dots in the Torah) says that she convinced her parents to have another child after Pharaoh decided to kill all males born. Apparent-
which I wholeheartedly endorse – but approaches that jeopardize cohesion and even survival are problematic.
Much of this, I think, comes down to fundamental differences about what it means to be Jewish. How does being a Jew define who you are and, at a very basic level, are you in or are you out? Are you casting your lot with the Jewish people and pursuing a different path forward? Or are you joining with the rest of society and staying behind. Yes, it is a matter of perspective…which story do you wish to be a part of? But, to put a very sharp point on it, what comes first in terms of commitment – what are often considered liberal or universal values or solidarity with a particular people?
And that brings us back to hamushim. As we retell the Passover story through the Haggadah, we are supposed to see ourselves as having left Egypt. What does that mean today? What can we do to prepare and arm ourselves? What choices do we need to consider making?
As a Jewish Federation, our focus is on helping prepare and arm our people to be proud Jews, committed to the Jewish story and supporting those projects and programs which can help strengthen our community. While this has been our historic mission, this work is even more critical today in the face of numerous dangers and alternative paths.
I hope this provides some food for thought for your seders and thank you for your ongoing support of the Jewish people and our work.
The purpose … is to refamiliarize ourselves with the heroic cast of characters who made the story possible.
ly, they had decided not to have any more children and Miriam said to them, “Pharaoh wants to kill only the boys. By not having any children, you are killing the girls and the boys!”
7) The Daughter of Pharaoh (Bat Pharaoh) – She takes in and adopts Moses despite knowing that he is a Hebrew baby. (This was against her father’s edict).
8) Jethro (Reuel) – The Priest of Midian who takes Moses in even though he is
Continued on page 9
YOM HASHOAH
Naomi Miller presents “You Are The Future” WITH MUSICAL DIRECTOR, MICHAEL TORNICK
A musical program in commemoration of the Holocaust with a special candle lighting ceremony for Holocaust survivors and families.
THURSDAY APRIL 24 5:30PM
BETH AM SHALOM 1235 ROUTE 70 LAKEWOOD
CO-SPONSORED BY:
BETH AM SHALOM
CONGREGATION AHAVAT OLAM
CONGREGATION B'NAI ISRAEL
TEMPLE BETH OR JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF LONG BEACH ISLAND
JEWISH FEDERATION OF OCEAN COUNTY
FEATURING Naomi Miller
Naomi Miller, singer/actress/recording artist/educator, is also the child of survivors. Born in a displaced person's camp in Landsberg, Germany, she came to the United States when she was 2 years old, along with her parents, the sole survivors of their families.
Naomi was privileged to perform her program, "You Are The Future," at the Terezin (Theresienstadt) Concentration Camp's theatre where the imprisoned children who perished once sang. She has also performed this program in synagogues and churches, elementary and high schools, colleges and community centers, including several interfaith services. Wherever she performs, she evokes a wide range of emotions in her audiences. There are tears. There is understanding. There is hope. There is a charge to the next generations to "Never Forget."
For more information about Naomi Miller's Holocaust programs, visit www.naomimiller.com.
JFOC Impact: YOU Made an Impact through the Jewish Federation
of Ocean County
The Lone Soldier Center in Memory of Michael Levin, The Counseling Center for Women, Hostages and Missing Families Forum, and Grants Update
Hostages and Missing Families Forum
Interview with Shiri of the resource development team at the Hostages and Missing Families Forum
JFOC: What has been the impact of your work (and our grant) so far since October 7?
HMFF: The year 2024 was significant for the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. This year, we enhanced the support system for families and expanded our influence on public opinion both in Israel and internationally to keep the hostage issue on the public agenda and promote their release from Hamas captivity.
JFOC: What is the biggest challenge you are finding now and in the immediate future, in terms of your work and addressing the population/challenges you are trying to impact?
HMFF: As of February 2025, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum operates with determination and dedication to ensure the completion of the first phase of the hostage deal and to move forward immediately to the next stages until all hostages are brought home. In the coming days, we are intensifying our efforts and amplifying the public, political, and media campaign to exert significant pressure on decision-makers and ensure that this issue remains at the top of the national and international agenda. To achieve this goal, we are operating on several key fronts at the advocacy level while enhancing the support of family services as these horrific days continue.
JFOC: What do you see as the biggest need for recovery at this point after October 7 – which could relate to your work or be related to other needs/organizations/challenges?
HMFF: The Hostage and Missing Families Forum is engaged in extensive activities to support and accompany the families in response to the evolving reality. To achieve recovery and start rehabilitation we need all hostages to return.
Thank You from the Lone Soldier Center
To the Jewish Federation of Ocean County:
I hope you are doing well. On behalf of the entire team at The Lone Soldier Center in Memory of Michael Levin, I want to sincerely thank you and your board for approving this generous $3,600 grant. Your support makes a direct impact on the lives of our lone soldiers, ensuring they receive the care, resources, and community they need.
We would love to share some personal stories with your community, which are here included. Regarding recognition, we would be happy to acknowledge this grant in any way you see fit – please let us know your preference.
Thank you again for standing with us in support of our soldiers. Please let me know if you need any further details or have any questions.
With gratitude,
Amit Sofer
Resource Development Manager
The Lone Soldier Center in Memory of Michael Levin
Editor’s Note: JFOC is continuing our support of these three lone soldiers into 2025.
JFOC Impact: YOU Made an Impact through the Jewish Federation of Ocean County
The Lone Soldier Center in Memory of Michael Levin, The Counseling Center for Women, Hostages and Missing Families Forum, and Grants Update
Jewish Federation of Ocean County Grants Update
The grants recently approved by the Jewish Federation of Ocean County so far in 2025 were to: Koby Mandell Foundation, Shutaf, Crossroads, Lev Otef (GANAT), Lone Soldier Center in honor of Michael Levin, Counseling Center for Women, Derech Eretz, and Dror.
Additionally, JFOC has approved grants to our core overseas partners: Joint Distribution Committee
(JDC), Jewish Agency, Hillel and ORT.
Next will be a round of food insecurity grants prior to Passover, including our sponsorship of One Ocean County's Pass It On For Passover food drive. If you would like to make a food donation or help with this program, please contact Avi via text at 732-806-0261.
The Counseling Center for Women
Thank You and a astory of the impact we have helped make happen
Dear Jewish Federation of Ocean County, During one of the saddest times in Israel, receiving your email and updates brings us a sense of encouragement. On behalf of the CCW staff, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Board and the Jewish Federation of Ocean County for the generous support. This grant will enable us to assist women impacted by war trauma and provide crucial support to our team of psychotherapists, who have been working tirelessly since the war began. Thank you again for your ongoing support.
All the best, Medi
The Story of N.
N., in her late fifties and a mother of two, began her psychotherapy at CCW a month after October 7th. Her oldest son G., aged 30, was at the Nova music festival with his best friend; both were murdered by terrorists.
N. was unable to learn what happened to G. on the day of the attack as communication with him was very limited. Due to the ensuing chaos and the high number of casualties, three days passed until officials confirmed their deaths. Three weeks after G’s funeral, N. learned about his heroic act of saving the women
who were with him in the bomb shelter. One of the survivors met with N’s family to share the story.
N. shared that G. was a sensitive, brilliant and very talented young man. He was creative, athletic, a great manager and a people person with a great sense of humor. He lived life to the fullest. He was the “glue of the family” and played an important role in keeping everyone together. G. was engaged and was planning to ask his fiancée to marry him soon.
According to N., psychotherapy at CCW helps her with the difficult mourning process. During her therapy, she can freely share her feelings and pain with her psychotherapist and cry if she wants. N. is a woman who loves helping and giving to others. All her life she volunteered in different capacities. With a history of sexual abuse, she currently volunteers at an NGO that helps women survivors of violence. At CCW, she prioritizes her own needs, focusing on what is important in her healing process.
Tu Bishvat Seder Held at Congregation B’nai Israel, Toms River
(photo credit: Teri Abramson)
Congregation B’nai Israel celebrated Tu Bishvat with a communal seder and dinner, led by members of the congregation with food prepared by a committee of congregants.
A long banquet table was filled for the gathering on February 13, which had been postponed for a day because of snow. The seder was led by Penny Leifer and Ruth Kerr, and the meal was prepared by members of the Food Service Committee, chaired by Marion Pardes with Janet Miller and Barbara Cohen.
According to a compilation by Rabbi William Gershon, Tu Bishvat started as an acknowledgment of the blossoming of fruit trees, which the mystics of Safed marked with a ritualized ceremony for drinking wine and eating fruits. In modern times, it became a holiday for tree planting, and more recently ecolo-
gists have embraced it in support of their efforts to redeem the land.
The Food Committee prepared a traditional Tu Bishvat meal, which incorporated some of the seven species honored in the seder: a bountiful seder plate of fruits with challah; barley soup; a salad that included greens, fruits, nuts and seeds; a buffet dinner of eggplant parmesan and pasta; and cheesecake for dessert. And, of course, a flow of wine and grape juice. Traditional music was played and all the guests joined in the seder.
Many congregations are conducting prayer services and classes online which may be accessible from a computer or a telephone. Contact each congregation for further information to access these events.
Set Me Free: Film Premiere
By Ellen Keller
On Sunday, February 23, Westlake had its first Red Carpet film event. Several months ago, I had discussed bringing an independent film, Set Me Free, to Westlake with its director/producer, Estelle Kohen. Jeff Brown kindly offered to use the Westlake Yiddish Club’s February meeting as the venue. As a result, over 160 guests gathered to see the film after enjoying coffee and cake, which was provided by the club.
The film centers around a Jewish therapist who hosts a radio talk show. She has two daughters who have been raised in a totally secular manner. When Alexandra is drawn to a more Torah observant lifestyle after meeting an Orthodox rabbi, her mom is distraught that her daughter is making a terrible choice.
There are many questions that come up during the film. Will this couple be able to bridge their gap? Can Alexandra accept that the man she loves cannot hold her hand before marriage? Is she becoming more observant for him or because she really has a spiritual calling? Will her family, particularly her mom, ever accept that Alexandra is making a choice? Will Rabbi Eli be able to change and still maintain his moral values? The end hints at the answer. There is a sequel which will be having a premiere in the spring which might answer these questions.
Before the film, we were able to take photos on an actual red carpet in front of a screen which read Red Heifer Productions, as if we were at an actual film festival. Indeed, Estelle Kohen had just returned from The Palm Beach Film Festival and shared these props with us. After the film, Estelle and another member of the crew, Lauren Roth, were available for a question-and-answer session. Anyone who had a question received a chocolate bar, as was the case in the Seder scene in the film.
Despite the cerebral nature of the film, the audience seemed riveted and was filled with questions. We learned that the character of the observant rabbi was portrayed by a non- Jewish actor. Several people shared their experiences with having married in or out of more observant families. We noted that some of the scenes were filmed locally in Lakewood and Princeton as Ms. Kohen is a Jackson resident. Some guests doubted that the observant Eli would be willing and able to bridge the gap with Alexandra, who had adopted an observant lifestyle. It was interesting to note that the couple had fallen in love despite no physical contact. I guess we will have to wait to see the sequel. Does love conquer all?
An interesting side note: Estelle had asked for anyone who wanted to appear as an extra in an upcoming film to leave their names. Monte Levine, who has been in several productions at Westlake, came up with his wife Ellen. Ellen mentioned that her kidney transplant had been facilitated through an Orthodox group, Renewal. Lauren Roth said that a friend of hers had donated a kidney through that group. Unbelievably, Lauren’s friend turned out to be Ellen’s donor! Lauren placed a call to Israel so that Ellen and her donor could marvel at the coincidence and touch base. It was a sweet ending to a very warm afternoon…despite the cold February day.
The Jewish War Veterans of the USA Update
“A Jewish Voice for Veterans, A Veterans Voice for Jews.”
By Al Adler
On January 28 and 29, the Jewish War Veterans of the USA Department of New Jersey and Ladies Auxiliary participated in our Capitol Hill Action Days. During this event we visited the offices of our two Senators and our twelve Congresspeople. Since Congress was on recess we met with their Legislative Aides. Among the topics we discussed was the topic of antisemitism in New Jersey. We also addressed the issue of military and veteran suicides, the need for housing for our homeless veterans, improved medical care and resources for female military and veterans. We also urged our legislators to support the Major Richard Star Act and the Caregivers Acts.
I want to thank Carol Adler, Tracey Adler, Bob Jacobs, Fran Gimpel, Selina Kanowitz, Merci Silverman, Michael Steinhorn and Dorit Attias for making our Capitol Hill Action Days a success.
On February 4, The Chapel of the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation held a beautiful dinner honoring Chaplain Rear Admiral Harold Robinson and Johnny Walker Jr. In attendance from the JWV were JWV National Commander Gary Ginsburg, Past National Commander Nelson Mellitz, Debbie Mellitz, NJ Department Commander Selina Kanowitz, Harold Kanowitz, Past Department Commander Larry Rosenthal, Carol Peoples, PDC Al Adler and NJ State JWVA President Carol Adler.
The Four Chaplains were Reverend George Fox (Methodist), Father John Washington (Catholic), Reverend Clark Poling (Reformed), and Rabbi Alexander Goode (Jewish). The troop transport SS Dorchester was torpedoed in the North Atlantic just after midnight on February 3, 1943. The Four Chaplains helped evacuate the ship and then help guide the wounded men to safety. The four chaplains were last seen with arms linked, praying and singing hymns as the Dor-
chester perished. It was later found out that the Four Chaplains gave away their life jackets and gloves to the sailors and crew. Everyone should visit the Chapel of the Four Chaplains, it is located in the Philadelphia Navy Yard, 1201 Constitution Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19112.
On Sunday, February 9, JWV Post 178 and Ladies Auxiliary held its monthly meeting at Beth Am Shalom in Lakewood. Our guest speakers were Michael J. Colwell from the Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor and Detective Thomas Scalzullo. Our guests spoke about antisemitism in Ocean County. JWV Post 178 has been very proactive in fighting antisemitism by meeting with Township Mayors and the local police. We also give the local police a monetary reward for the apprehension of the individuals who commit acts of antisemitism. JWV Post 178 wants to thank Florence Leone and Leisure Chateau for donating the delicious breakfast at this meeting.
On February 20, State JWV Auxiliary President Carol Adler and Past Department Commander Al Adler attended a veterans round table hosted by Congressman Dr. Herb Conaway. At this meeting were representatives from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. This was a very informative meeting with many veterans’ issues discussed with Congressman Conaway.
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR –
The 43rd Annual JWV Legislative Breakfast will be held on May 4, 2025, at 9:15 AM at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Toms River. At the Legislative Breakfast we will be honoring US Senator Andy Kim as Legislator of the Year and Keep our Veterans Alive (KOVA) as Organization of the Year. Cost is still $22 per person. Kosher meals are available upon request with your reservation. Please plan on attending and support our Veterans.
A Concert for a Cause –
“A Concert for a Cause” to benefit the Frances Foundation for Kids Fighting Cancer will be held at Congregation Ahavat Olam in Howell on Sunday, May 18 at 1:00 PM. The concert will feature the award-winning Liberty Oak Chorus. The Liberty Oak Chorus’ membership consists of women from many different walks of life who travel from 48 different towns in 13 different counties and three states each week to share a common bond – the love of singing. The cost to attend the concert is $12.00 per person. For information email Sisterhood@CAO-NJ.org. Mark your calendars today and join us for this wonderful, uplifting musical program that your entire family will enjoy!
In the Dirksen Senate Office Building (l-r): standing are Fran Gimpel, Tracey Adler and Carol Adler; seated are Bob Jacobs and Al Adler
At the Post 178 meeting (l-r): JWV Post 178 Senior Vice Commander Barry Segal, Michael J. Colwell from the office of the Ocean County Prosecutor, Detective Thomas Scalzullo and Post 178 Commander Dorit Attias
A round table held by Congressman Dr. Herb Conaway and members from veterans organizations
At the podium: Mrs. Lisa Hirbour, granddaughter of Chaplain George L. Fox who is one of the Four Chaplains
Rose Girone
Continued from page 1
“They let my father out with the proviso that we pay them and get out of the country within six weeks, and so we did,” Bennicasa, now 86, told New York Jewish Week writer Tanya Singer in 2022.
Conditions in the Chinese city were difficult for the Jewish refugees, but Girone – who had learned to knit from an aunt as a child and took to it immediately – was able to find wool and knit clothes for her baby girl. Soon enough, an entrepreneurial Viennese Jewish man saw her creations and helped her sell her work and taught her about business.
The money Girone earned from selling her wares to an upscale Shanghai store provided much-needed income for her family. In 1947, when the family was granted a visa for the United States, knitting again played a crucial role in the family’s well-being: Each person was only permitted to leave China with $10, but Girone hid $80 cash inside buttons on her hand-knit sweaters.
The family traveled by ship to San Francisco and ultimately ended up in New York, where they were reunited with Girone’s mother, brother and grandmother,
who had all survived the war.
Girone and Mannheim divorced and, in 1968, she met and married Jack Girone. They moved to Whitestone, Queens, where she thrived as a knitting teacher. Soon, she and a partner opened a knitting shop in Rego Park, Queens; they later expanded to a second location in Forest Hills. The partners later split and Girone became the sole owner of Rose’s Knitting Studio on Austin Street. “Mother was pretty proud of all her designs,” Bennicasa told the New York Jewish Week in 2022. “People would bring ads from Vogue and the like and say they wanted something just like this particular picture. Some with intricate patterns, Mother would sit, figure it out, lots of times with graph paper. She loved it.” In 1980, at 68, Girone sold her business –but she never stopped knitting.
According to the Long Island Herald, following the death of her husband, Girone lived alone at her apartment in Beechhurst, Queens until she was 103. After breaking her hip three years ago, Girone relocated to Belair Nursing & Rehabili-
tation Center in North Bellmore, which is close to Bennicasa and her daughter, Gina, who survive her.
As Girone told the Herald on her 113th birthday, “the secret to a long, healthy life is simple: Live every day with a purpose, have amazing children, and eat lots of dark chocolate.”
“She just was a terrific lady,” Bennicasa told the New York Jewish Week. “There was nothing that was too hard for her to think about doing. She was just great.” She added, “We have an awful lot of people who thought that she was everybody’s Oma,” said Bennicasa, using the German word for grandma.
Yom Hashoah / Holocaust Memorial Day (this year) is on Wednesday night-Thursday, April 23-24.
ADVERTISE IN THE JEWISH JOURNAL 732-534-5959
"For
The Jewish Federation helped to build Israel. Today, we help keep it strong.
Deuteronomy/Devarim 8:7-8
Rose Girone in January 2025 (Screen grab/ Fox5)
Illustrative: Jewish refugees in Shanghai during World War II. (screen capture: YouTube/ HongKongHeritage)
Passover Heroes
Continued from page 2
a stranger and allows him to marry his daughter, Tzipporah. Later, Jethro will let Moses go back to Egypt without an argument. It is clear from the Torah that Jethro was aware of God’s existence.
9) Tzipporah – Moses wife and daughter of Jethro, the Midian Priest. She not only agrees to marry Moses, a foreigner, but she saves Moses from an angel sent to kill him.
10) Burning Bush – But for its ability to burn and not be consumed, Moses never would have met God.
11) Aaron – Moses’ older brother who becomes his spokesperson. Because he is there, Moses has the strength to return to Egypt. Aaron will be at his brother’s side through most of the story.
12) Pharaoh’s Magicians – Instead of matching Moses’ magic, they should have been trying to counter it. It is also the Magicians who say: “It is the finger of God” when they cannot produce lice (Plague 3). They therefore recognize early on that God is, well, Numero Uno.
13) Average Israelite – Apparently, thou-
gh living in a foreign land and enslaved, Mr. and Mrs. Average Israelite managed to keep his or her identity as the children of Israel.
BUT WE CAN’T FORGET OUR BEGINNINGS:
1) Abraham: First to acknowledge that there is one God and to introduce God to others. Left his home and family at God’s call.
2) Sarah: Stood behind, and joined Abraham when she could have dismissed him as a nutcase. Had her own relationship with God.
3) Isaac: Known mostly for the fact that his father agreed to sacrifice him to God, and he, Isaac, did not put up much of a fight. Don’t ignore the strength inherent in his decision to stay low-key.
4) Rebecca: Knew that it was Jacob who was going to inherit and carry forward the relationship with God.
5) Jacob: Had a lot of sons who ultimately comprised the 12 tribes of Israel. After wrestling with God, or an angel of God, Jacob’s name is changed to “Israel” – “he who wrestled with God and prevailed.” Hence our name as the “Children of Israel.”
6) Rachel and Leah: Jacob’s wives. Rachel is noteworthy as the mother of Joseph. Leah is Judah’s mother. They somehow managed to keep things together though Jacob consistently said he loved Rachel more.
7) Judah: In Hebrew “Yehuda” from whom we are descended. We are Yehudim, Jews.
8) Joseph: Joseph saved the Israelites when he became Pharaoh’s second in command and invited his father, Jacob, and all his brothers to come to Egypt to live during the famine.
9) Joshua: Became Moses’ second in command and led the Israelites after Moses died.
The Jewish Journal is pleased to host a monthly Rabbi Column, rotating among our community’s pulpit rabbis. The views and opinions expressed are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect those of The Jewish Journal, the Jewish Federation of Ocean County or the author’s Congregation.
Groundbreaking Study: Jewish Teens Need Us Now
From JFNA February 14, 2025
Apioneering study from Jewish Federations' BeWell program and Stanford University found that Jewish teens who consider being Jewish important reported higher levels of overall wellbeing. This finding comes at a critical time, amid record levels of antisemitism and an escalating teen mental health crisis.
BeWell supports and provides resources to organizations and Federations addressing the mental health concerns among young people, as well as resources for parents, caregivers, and Jewish professionals. “This groundbreaking study makes one thing clear: Jewish teens need us now,” said Sara Allen, Jewish Federations’ Executive Director of BeWell. “It reveals a plea for wisdom, understanding, care, and investment. Working together as Jewish professionals, educators, community leaders, caregivers, and parents, we have the sacred responsibility of helping teens not just cope with the world but also feel empowered and equipped to shape it.”
In late 2023, BeWell commissioned the first national research of American
Jewish teenagers’ wellbeing. In partnership with Stanford, the result is a firstof-its-kind study: Strength, Stress, and Support: A National Study of American Jewish Teen Well-Being.
The goal: to understand how American Jewish teens navigate the complexities of adolescence. The study investigated both sources of stress and systems of support, allowing for identification of key factors that enhance or diminish their overall well-being. "The research reveals the unique complexities of being an American Jewish teen," said Stanford professor and study researcher Ari Y. Kelman. “Jewish teens who feel being Jewish is important to them show high levels of wellbeing, but those same teens are also highly sensitive to the challenges of antisemitism."
The national survey was conducted in Spring 2024 from a pool of nearly 2,500 Jewish teens in 49 states, plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.
The study revealed that a teen’s Jewish identity also heightens their awareness of – and stress about – the tensions of our times. Key findings include:
• Teens who said that being Jewish is important to them reported higher le-
vels of overall well-being.
• They cited the relationships they experienced with their peers in Jewish teen programs as being particularly influential in helping them feel like they could be their full, authentic selves. Most teens, however, felt that adults involved in Jewish teen programs had a limited understanding of contemporary teen experiences.
• American Jewish teens face a dual burden: They contend with the universal challenges of adolescence while also grappling with unique pressures that arise from being Jewish.
• Jewish teens are experiencing heightened tension over recent geopolitical conflicts and increasingly prevalent antisemitism. Those who reported that being Jewish is important to them experienced higher levels of overall well-being but also tended to experience more stress related to Jewish-specific issues.
• Jewish teens have multiple contexts and people in their lives that allow for authentic self-expression, which supports positive well-being outcomes.
Most survey respondents indicated that they feel free to be their full selves with Jewish friends and family. About half of all teens reported feeling the same sen-
Jewish Federations Statement on Return of Bodies to Israel
From JFNA
February 20, 2025
Today, the hearts of the Jewish community are once again broken.
For over 500 days, we have prayed for the safe return of every single hostage that was stolen from their homeland and torn away from their loved ones by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023. Along the way, we have rejoiced as many of the hostages were returned home, and mourned upon learning that many others did not survive.
Today, our hearts are heavy following
the return of four bodies to Israel, one of whom was identified as Oded Lifshitz. We await the identification of the remaining bodies, which media reports have suggested are likely Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas.
At 84, Oded Lifshitz was among the oldest of the hostages. He was a founder of Kibbutz Nir Oz and an ardent peace activist, volunteering with the "Road to Recovery" program that helped transport sick Palestinian children to Israeli hospitals for treatment. His wife Yocheved was also taken hostage on October 7 and released two weeks later.
Holocaust Survivors Alert
As we await official identification of the remaining bodies, our thoughts are with the Bibas family, whose plight has been a symbol of Hamas's barbarity. Images of Shiri tightly clutching her two, young, red-headed sons, 4-year-old Ariel and 9-month-old Kfir, as they were abducted by terrorists are etched on our minds. We marked Ariel and Kfir's birthdays in captivity with orange balloons, wondering how the youngest of the 250 hostages were faring, hoping they would celebrate their next birthdays in freedom.
Our hearts are with husband and father Yarden Bibas, who was himself taken
se of freedom with non-Jewish friends. When seeking advice, Jewish teens said that they were most likely to turn to friends and parents and far less likely to turn to Jewish leaders (i.e., clergy and youth program leaders).
This study sheds light on the tension at the heart of American Jewish teens’ well-being, where identity centrality emerges as both a source of strength and a potential driver of increased stress. This complex portrait presents a challenge for Jewish organizations, communal professionals, and educators who work in teen-facing settings.
While teen engagement strategies have focused on enhancing teens’ sense of their Jewish selves, the findings suggest the need for a more nuanced approach that acknowledges the relationship between social stressors, well-being, and teens’ expressed sense of Jewish importance.
The study also found that supporting Jewish teens may require providing opportunities for authentic self-expression, equipping them to engage in challenging discussions, and empowering them to ask difficult questions.
hostage and released at the beginning of February.
In moments such as these, our communities rely on one another to come together, embrace each other, and provide strength.
Editor’s Note / Update: The bodies of Ariel and Kfir Bibas were positively identified in this exchange. The body of their mother, Shiri Bibas, was later identified after a later turn over from Hamas as the initial casket contained the body of a different woman (who was not any of the other hostages).
If you are a Holocaust Survivor who has never applied for compensation, or was turned down previously, there are new funds and guidelines. For more information, you may call the Claims Conference in NY at 646-536-9100 or go to their website: www.claimscon.org. Click on survivor resources, then click on compensation programs. They have a FAQ (frequently asked questions) section which should be read prior to applying.
Passover as One –Your Jewish Federation at Work
From JFNA
As One, We Inspire: Just as the Four Questions spark curiosity at the Seder table, we’re fueling a passion for Jewish learning. By investing in community initiatives, we inspire the next generation to form a lasting connection and deep sense of belonging within our global community.
As One, We Protect: The story of Exodus reminds us that we must actively resist prejudice to secure a brighter future. As we support Israel and combat hatred in our own communities, we stand united against antisemitism and bigotry. Together, we empower our children to confront intolerance and build a world where everyone feels safe and respected.
As One, We Connect: As we celebrate our people’s liberation, we’re reminded that our connections extend far beyond
the Seder table. We are bound by a global community that transcends borders and comes together in times of need. From providing safe haven to refugees in Ukraine to supporting Israel’s recovery, we showcase the strength and unity of our global Jewish family.
As One, We Build: Inspired by our ancestors’ journey from slavery to freedom, we’re committed to building a brighter future for all. We envision a world where compassion and empathy flourish and hate has no place. Whether it’s caring for Holocaust survivors, ensuring our neighbors feel loved and cared for, or supporting mental health initiatives, we guide the next generation to become forces for good, just as Moses led the Israelites to freedom.
Federations Welcome Release of Arbel, Gadi, Agam, and Five Thai Nationals
From JFNA
January 30, 2025
Jewish Federations are overjoyed to welcome home Arbel Yehud, Gadi Mozes, and Agam Berger, as well as five Thai nationals, after a horrific 482 days held in Hamas captivity.
Arbel Yehud’s family has lived in Kibbutz Nir Oz for three generations. She lost her brother Dolev Yehoud on October 7, and her partner Ariel Cunio and his brother David Cunio remain in Hamas captivity. 80-year-old Gadi Mozes is an agronomist from Kibbutz Nir Oz. His partner Efrat was murdered the day he was taken hostage. Agam Berger, was taken from Nahal Oz, where she was an observer, and was taken alongside observers Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, and Naama Levy, who were released in previous rounds.
The five Thai nationals were in Israel working in agriculture: Thenna Pongsak, Sathian Suwannakham, Sriaoun Watchara, Seathao Bannawat, Rumnao Surasak. Few details have been released about them individually.
With every soul released from captivity in Gaza and reunited with their families, we are filled with emotion and hope. Yet our community cannot fully begin to heal until every last one of the remaining 82 hostages is released. We pray that in the coming weeks, they all will be.
Editor’s Note / Update – Since January 30, more live hostages have been released, and several bodies of deceased hostages have been returned to Israel.
Securing Our Community
Secure Community Netwok, Hillel International, and Foundation to Combat Antisemitism Team Up to Launch SafeU: Campus Safety
Initiative with Three-Time Super Bowl Champion Julian Edelman
CHICAGO, IL – The Secure Community Network (SCN), the official safety and security organization for the Jewish community in North America, in partnership with Hillel International and the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS), is announcing the launch of “SafeU: Campus Safety Initiative,” a first-of-its-kind training program designed to equip university students with critical situational awareness and first-aid skills.
SafeU was developed in response to the ongoing hate and violence Jewish students face on university campuses, which dramatically escalated following the 07 October Hamas terrorist attacks. In 2024, SCN tracked over 500 reports of threat incidents and suspicious activity on our campuses and identified over 120 encampments on campuses. During this period of unrest, Jewish students and faculty encountered hostile protests, unlawful encampments, violent incidents, and targeted harassment on many campuses.
Developed with students, SafeU adapts SCN’s proven training curricula to specifically address the increasingly volatile security issues facing Jewish students. Expert instructors guide students through real-life simulations, enhancing their knowledge, confidence, and situational preparedness.
Three-time Super Bowl Champion and tolerance advocate Julian Edelman previewed the training and endorsed the program in a special video message for students. “As a Jewish athlete, I know how important it is to feel proud of who you are and what you stand for – and college should be no different. Safety and community are at the heart of who we are,” Edelman said. “This training isn’t just about being prepared – it’s about empowerment. It’s about showing up, standing strong, and knowing you have the skills to support yourself and others while making a difference.”
Students who participate in the training will learn awareness techniques to remain vigilant in everyday settings, planning strategies for preparing safe
commuting routes and emergency contingencies, hands-on practice with lifesaving first-aid procedures, de-escalation techniques and communication methods, and action steps for safely responding to imminent threats, including methods of escape.
These skills are applied to scenarios such as recognizing and responding to hostile or potentially dangerous situations and ensuring that campus Hillels and other centers of Jewish life remain open and active joyful spaces free from fear. Students or campus organizations interested in participating can contact SCN’s Director of Campus Safety & Security, Kerri Reifel, or email training@securecommunitynetwork.org for more information.
“As the official safety and security partner of Hillel International, SCN is dedicated to ensuring that students feel safe and proud of their identity, especially in these challenging times,” said Michael Masters, SCN National Director and CEO. “SafeU equips students with practical tools and confidence, reinforcing our mission to protect and strengthen Jewish life through engaging and practical programming, especially that which embeds a safety mindset amongst the next generation.”
The program builds on SCN’s broader campus safety initiatives, including its longstanding partnership with Hillel International. In August 2024, SCN and Hillel International announced the launch of Operation SecureOurCampuses, an effort to expand resources to over 50 college and university campuses to include full-time intelligence analysts dedicated to monitoring campus developments and enhanced coordination with law enforcement, public safety officials, and centers of Jewish life.
“Hillel International is proud to work with SCN on SafeU to expand the tools and resources we provide students that can enhance their safety on campus,” said Adam Lehman, President and CEO of Hillel International. “This training is a unique and impactful way to address
Secure Community Network February 2025 Report
By Michael G. Masters National Director & CEO Secure Community Network
The past two weeks saw the return of further hostages – both those living and those who died in captivity – and, with that, the relief of welcoming survivors home and the anguish of knowing the loss of those taken from us. In the midst of this reality, we recognize the challenges that continue to face us each day, and the preparedness, vigilance, and strength we must summon to meet the moment and ensure the survival and vitality of Jewish life. Together, we will meet the moment – and more.
At SCN, we are working and innovating to ensure our community has the tools to be prepared, vigilant, empowered, and strong. This month, we introduced new resources that make it easier than ever for the community to access vital tools to protect our institutions, our families, and our way of life.
We continue to see organized threats and violence on our campuses that are too often allowed by administrators to not merely fester but explode. To continue to address this reality, we announced the launch of SafeU: Campus Safety Initiative, a first-of-its-kind program designed with Jewish students to equip them with the critical skills they need to navigate increasingly volatile campus environments. In partnership with Hillel International and the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, this initiative directly addresses the surge in campus-based antisemitism following the 07 October at-
targeting of Jewish students and Jewish student organizations, such as Hillels, and ensure our university communities can be secure, welcoming spaces for all Jewish students.”
“FCAS is proud to partner with SCN and Hillel on this SafeU training to support our mission of uniting Jews and non-Jews alike in the ever-important fight against hate and violence on college campuses. Collaborating to surge resources, alongside our own data tracking, outreach, and mass media campaigns – that can help equip students with tools to stand up to Jewish hate and combat threats,” Tara Levine, President of the Foundation to
tacks. By providing hands-on training in situational awareness, emergency response, and de-escalation techniques, we are empowering students to take control of their own safety while reinforcing the broader security network that protects Jewish life. If our campuses won't protect our students, we will – and we will work to give our kids the tools they need to be safe and strong.
Beyond campuses, SCN continues to work in partnership with communities to expand our security shield across North America. This month, the Jewish Federations of the Berkshires and Western Massachusetts launched a new regional security initiative with SCN under the leadership of Deputy Regional Security Advisor Andrew Hoffman. Like so many of the security directors across our network, Andrew brings decades of vital operational experience in law enforcement to bear in enhancing security measures, conducting training, and ensuring that our community across Western Massachusetts remains well-prepared for potential threats.
As we approach Purim, a holiday that commemorates both resilience and survival, we encourage all synagogues and Jewish institutions to review their security measures and engage in proactive planning to ensure safe and joyous celebrations. Thank you for your continued dedication to this mission. Together, we are not just responding to challenges –we are building a future in which Jewish life can thrive, openly and securely.
Stay safe.
Combat Antisemitism, added.
To report a campus security incident to SCN’s dedicated campus monitoring database, please visit reportcampushate.org. Students or Jewish Life centers interested in participating in SafeU: Campus Safety Initiative can contact SCN’s Director of Campus Safety & Security Kerri Reifel, or email training@ securecommunitynetwork.org for more information.
About the Secure Community Network –The Secure Community Network (SCN), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is the official safe-
Continued on page 20
G
E
Be a GEM
Combatting Hate
Serving our Holocaust Survivors
Connecting our Community with News and Programs
Helping Jews in Need Locally & Globally
Be a GEM like:
Alan Baum
Mark Hauerstock
Mary Jassie
Steven Katz
Keith Krivitzky
Ronen & Janett Rotem
Harriet Selinger
Judith Shalitt
Support all the eff orts of Jewish Federation of Ocean County and Jewish Family and Children’s Service: Your Name Here
Arrange automatic payments on your credit card or send in a monthly check
Contact JFOC office by calling 732-363-0530 sending your pledge to: 1235A Route 70, Lakewood, NJ 08701 or https://jewishoceancounty.org/gem
BETH AM SHALOM
SECOND NIGHT SEDER
SUNDAY APRIL 13, 2025
5:00 pm (doors open at 4:30 pm)
Rabbi Stephen D Gold and Cantor Jon Saouma will conduct the Seder
Kosher-Style Menu to include Chopped Liver, Charoses Matzah Ball Soup
Roast Chicken, Brisket, Matzah Lazagna
Broccoli Souffle, Roasted Red Potatoes,Tzimmes
Fresh Fruit Platters and Cakes
Wine, Juice, Coffee and Tea
RESERVATION ARE REQUIRED
PRIOR TO APRIL 1, 2025
Covert: Members $54 per Adult (Age 13 and over)
Non-Members $60 per Adult (Age 13 and over)
$15 Children Age 5 to 12
No Charge for Children under 5
For Reservation and additional information: Call Lois Pollinger at 732-477-2585
Checks for payment to be mailed to:
Beth Am Shallom – Second Night Seder in memo 1236 Route 70 Lakewood, New Jersey 08701 bethamshalom.org
FULL SERIES ANNUAL SPONSORSHIPS
Gold Sponsor: $5,000 – Includes tickets for events and a full page ad in Ocean JPages
Silver Sponsor: $2,750 – Includes tickets for events and a half page ad in Ocean JPages
Bronze Sponsor: $1,500 – Includes tickets for events and a quarter page ad in Ocean JPages
Patron Sponsor: $1,000 – Includes tickets for events and name listing in Ocean JPages All sponsorship levels are listed in multiple issues of the Jewish Journal and featured on our website, in community emails and social media. WWW.JEWISHOCEANCOUNTY.ORG/SPONSORSHIPS
The deadline to be in the next issue of the Jewish Journal is the first day of each month.
Full Series Discount Sponsor Level: Gold@$5000 Silver@$2750 Bronze@$1500 Patron@$1000 (Gold, Silver and Bronze Sponsors, please email camera-ready logo to sharron@ocjf.org) Send form to: Jewish
Single Event – Fill in (Gold, Silver and Bronze Sponsors, please email camera-ready logo to sharron@ocjf.org)
Remembering Those We Lost in 2024
University of Southern California Shoah Foundation
Sfi.usc.edu
The USC Shoah Foundation mourns the passing of members of our community in 2024, including survivors who have given testimony, Yehuda Bauer, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Dana Schwartz, Abner Delman, Rena Ferber-Finder, Michele Cohen-Rodriguez, Robert Badinter, Sara Rus, Ben Stern, Martin Greenfield, Lily Ebert, and Peter Fleischmann. We especially remember our dear colleagues, Steve Cozen, Ita Gordon and Kia Hays, whose passion, dedication, and brilliance continue to impact all that we do.
We are grateful that so many survivors, partners, friends, and family members have entrusted us to share their stories for future generations, and for the passion and dedication they brought in support of our mission. May their memories be a blessing.
We Mourn the Passing of Steve Cozen.
Steve's passion for fighting antisemitism and educating the next generation led him to join the Board of Councilors in 1997 when the organization was in its infancy. He has remained committed to our mission, serving as Chair of the Board of Councilors from 2015 to 2019.
A Tribute to Professor Yehuda Bauer
Yehuda Bauer (z”l) was much more than his many well-deserved titles, including (but not limited to) Professor Emeritus of History and Holocaust Studies at the Avraham Harman Institute of Contemporary Jewry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Academic Advisor to Yad Vashem, and Honorary Chair of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. He was also a friend and mentor.
Ita Gordon, 84, Brought Passion and Expertise to Her Work with Testimony
The USC Shoah Foundations mourns the passing of friend and colleague Ita Gor-
don, an indexer, translator, mentor, and researcher who, for nearly thirty years, channeled her passion for testimony into diligent care and expertise that helped the organization become a world leader in collecting, preserving, and sharing Holocaust survivor testimony.
Remembering Dr. Ruth Westheimer
The USC Shoah Foundation mourns the loss of Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer, a Holocaust survivor who fled Nazi Germany without her parents at the age of 10 and went on to become a renowned and beloved sex therapist and media personality. She was 96 years old.
Holocaust Survivor Dana Schwartz, 89, Recorded Interviews with More Than 125 Survivors
We mourn the passing of Dana Schwartz, 89, a Holocaust survivor and dedicated interviewer for the USC Shoah Foundation, who died on May 9 in Los Angeles. Dana, who later became a teacher and marriage and family therapist, was four when the Second World War started. She and her mother escaped the Lwów ghetto and survived in hiding.
Dr. Abner Delman, 93, Husband of Survivor, Supported Holocaust Education
The USC Shoah Foundation mourns the passing of Dr. Abner Delman, a cardiologist and longtime supporter of the USC Shoah Foundation. He was 93. Abner's wife, Ilse-Lore Delman, was a Holocaust survivor who fled her hometown to escape Nazi persecution at a young age. She spent three years in hiding. In 1998, Ilse recorded her testimony with the USC Shoah Foundation, and soon after, the couple became involved with the organization.
Remembering Kia Hays
When one works in the field of Holocaust memory, you tend to find that your colleagues are a mission driven, self-effacing, highly dedicated bunch. We work with hard subjects, care deeply and build strong bonds with one another as we cope with the challenging, yet abundantly meaningful work. We were blessed here at USC Shoah Foundation to have formed those strong bonds with the brilliant and compassionate Kia Hays.
“Yad
Vashem Way” Inaugurated in New York City
January 30, 2025 yadvashem.org
As the world observed International Holocaust Remembrance Day and marked the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz-Birkenau's liberation, Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, took part in a series of historic events in New York City.
In New York City – home to one of the largest Holocaust survivor communities outside Israel –the inauguration of “Yad Vashem Way” carries profound significance, arriving at a time when antisemitic incidents in the city have reached historic highs amid a troubling global surge in antisemitism. The street co-naming initiative, honoring the world-renowned Holocaust Remembrance Center, was sponsored by New York City Council Member Keith Powers and supported by Mayor of New York City Eric Adams.
“The alarming resurgence of antisemitism reminds us of the urgency of our mission,” said Yad Vashem Chairman Dani Dayan. “By commemorating the Holocaust and educating future generations, we strengthen our collective resolve to build a world of tolerance, mutual respect, and peace.”
The newly inaugurated Yad Vashem Street was the focus of several featured events in New York City.
NYC Council Special Event Recognizing Yad Vashem’s Mission
On 29 January 2025, Yad Vashem Chair-
Steve Cozen
Professor Yehuda Bauer
Ita Gordon
Dr. Ruth Westheimer
Dana Schwartz
Dr. Abner Delman
Kia Hays
“Yad Vashem Way” street dedication with Chairman Dani Dayan
“Yad Vashem Way” in NYC
Combating Hate
Jewish Community Calendar – April 2025
Compiled by the Jewish Federation of Ocean County based on submissions from the event hosts – Events can be submitted at www.jewishoceancounty.org/calendar.
Most of the Jewish Virtual University webinars are emergent with only a few days’ notice and are updated on the page www.jewishoceancounty.org/jvu and our facebook page facebook.com/jewishocean.
Tuesday, April 1, 1:00 PM (and every week on Tuesday) – Grief After Loss Group led by Rita Sason, Jewish Family and Children’s Service, virtual online, 732-3638010
Wednesday, April 2, 3:00 PM - 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda Commemorative Event, sponsored by Chhange, virtual online, check JVU page for registration links, see ad above
Wednesday, April 2, 3:00 PM – Center for Jewish Belonging Webinar Series, Jewish Federations of North America, check JVU page for registration links
Thursday, April 3, 7:30 PM (and the first Thursday of every month) – Caregivers Group led by Rita Sason, Jewish Family and Children’s Service, virtual online, 732363-8010
Monday, April 7, 2:00 PM (and every week on Monday) – Israel Briefings, Jewish Federations of North America, check JVU page for updated registration links
Tuesday, April 8, 11:00 AM – PJ Library Hebrew Circle Time, register at www. jewishoceancounty.org/pj-library
Thursday, April 10, 6:30 PM - Gaslighting the World: How Azerbaijan Denies Armenian Existence, sponsored by Chhange, in-person at Brookdale College Cam-
pus, see ad above
Friday, April 11, 11:00 AM – PJ Tot Shabbat, register at www.jewishoceancounty. org/pj-library
Saturday night, April 12 – Passover begins
Sunday, April 13, 4:30 PM – Second Passover Seder, Beth Am Shalom, Lakewood, reservations required, call Lois at 732-477-2585 prior to April 1
Monday, April 21, 8:00 PM (and every month on the third Monday) – Living Our Values: Jewish Parenting with PJ Library, register at www.jewishoceancounty. org/pj-library
Wednesday night-Thursday, April 23-24 – Yom Hashoah / Holocaust Memorial Day
Thursday, April 24, 5:30 PM – Community-wide Yom Hashoah Commemoration, being held at Beth Am Shalom, Lakewood; cosponsored by five congregations and the Jewish Federation of Ocean County; see ad on page 3
Tuesday night-Wednesday, April 29-30 – Yom Hazikaron / Israel Memorial Day Wednesday night-Thursday, April 30-May 1 – Yom Haatzmaut / Israel Independence Day
Save the following dates: June 19 – Let’s Connect, June 26 – Game Day, June 29 –Brunch in honor of Rabbi Stephen Gold
For information, contact the event host or see related publicity in this issue of The Jewish Journal.
Memorial Tribute –Rabbi Dr. Robert E. Fierstien z”l
Rabbi Dr. Robert E. Fierstien, a devoted spiritual leader, scholar, and educator, passed away on December 5, 2024. His life was a testament to the Jewish people whom he served through his congregation, students, and friends.
For thirty-two years, from 1976 to 2008, Rabbi Fierstien served as the beloved spiritual leader of Temple Beth Or in Brick, New Jersey. His leadership extended beyond the pulpit, as he also took on the role of Principal of the Religious School, ensuring that Jewish learning remained central to the community's growth. Even after stepping down from his formal role, he continued to serve as Rabbi Emeritus for sixteen years, remaining deeply involved through teaching, mentoring, and officiating life cycle events. His presence brought comfort and continuity to generations of congregants.
Rabbi Fierstien was also a distinguished scholar and educator, serving as an Adjunct Professor of Jewish Studies at Richard Stockton University in Pomona, NJ from 2008 until his passing. His dedication to Jewish history and education was evident in his active participation in scholarly and communal endeavors. He was a past president of the Shore Area Board of Rabbis and a committed member of the interfaith Brick Clergy Association, fostering interfaith dialogue and mutual understanding. His passion for history was reflected in his role as Co-Chairman of the History Committee of the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, a position he held since 2010. His list of lectures and addresses includes and is not limited to the convention of the Rabbinical Assembly in 2000 and the New York Jewish Historical Society, and he delivered the commencement address at the centennial com-
Secure Community
ty and security organization of the Jewish community in North America. Founded in 2004 under the auspices of Jewish Federations of North America and the Conference of Presidents of Major AmeContinued from page 12
mencement of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in 1986.
A prolific writer and historian, Rabbi Fierstien made significant contributions to the field of American Jewish history. He served as Chairman of the Centennial History Committee of the Rabbinical Assembly from 1995 to 2002 and authored the seminal work “A Different Spirit: The Jewish Theological Seminary of America, 1886-1902” published by JTS in 1990. He also edited “A Century of Commitment: One Hundred Years of the Rabbinical Assembly” (2000) and “Solomon Schechter in America: A Centennial Tribute” (2002). His articles, published in various journals and encyclopedias, provided invaluable insights into Jewish history, and his lectures enlightened and inspired audiences in congregations and academic forums alike.
Rabbi Fierstien’s academic achievements were equally remarkable. A summa cum laude graduate of New York University in 1970, he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa during his junior year and was a member of the Joseph Park History Honor Society. He pursued advanced studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, earning a Master of Arts in 1973, Rabbinical Ordination in 1975, a Doctor of Hebrew Letters in 1986, and an honorary Doctor of Divinity in 2001. His scholarly excellence was recognized with the prestigious Rabbi Joel S. and Sylvia M. Geffen Prize for Graduate Studies in Jewish History in 1981.
His warmth, wisdom, and humor endeared him to all who had the privilege of knowing him. He is survived by his wife Ruth, his son Rabbi Jeremy, daughter-in-law Dr. Ilana Jackson, grandchildren Noah and Ami, brother Joel and sister-in-law Joan. He leaves behind a legacy of love, scholarship, and a deep commitment to the Jewish people.
May his memory be a blessing, may his soul rise high in the heavens, and may his teachings continue to inspire generations to come.
Memorial Tribute – Dr. Jarrod P. Kaufman z”l
Dr. Jarrod P. Kaufman, a highly respected surgeon, educator, humanitarian, and our friend, passed away on January 30, 2025. This is a special tribute from Lauren, David, Adam, Ethan and Eli Rosen.
Born on October 10, 1970, in New York City, Jarrod was the son of Haya and the late Barry Kaufman and older brother to Steffen. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Lehigh University and earned his medical degree from the Sackler School of Medicine in Israel. He met the love of his life, Rachael, in New York City, and they became engaged in Israel. Jarrod and Rachael married in 1997 and began their family in Havertown, PA, then Northfield, NJ, before later settling in Toms River where they raised their daughters, Victoria and Hannah.
Jarrod was a founding member of Premier Surgical Group and Premier Vein Center in Brick, where he was widely recognized for his expertise in general and laparoscopic surgery. He served as Chairman of Surgery at Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus and New Jersey Chair of the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons, providing cutting-edge care with deep dedication to his patients. He was affiliated with Ocean University Medical Center, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, and the Center for Ambulatory and Minimally Invasive Surgery.
Beyond his professional achievements, Jarrod was a devoted humanitarian. As president of Hernia Repair for the Under-
served, he led global surgical missions, providing life-changing medical care to underserved communities while mentoring the next generation of surgeons. Following the tragic events of October 7, 2023, Jarrod dedicated his service and philanthropic endeavors to support soldiers and victims in Israel – a place so close to his heart.
Jarrod took life seriously, work seriously, opportunities seriously, and his patients’, friends’ and family’s happiness and health seriously. At the same time, he loved to have fun, loved to laugh, and loved it when others laughed. Jarrod’s laughter and zest for life were infectious. And if we were happy, then Jarrod was happy. That was really Jarrod’s essence: What can I do to help? What can I do to make your day better? What good can we do together? What fun adventure can we share together?
Jarrod made time for everything and everyone. He helped, he healed, he listened and he cared. His legacy of excellence, compassion and service will live on through the countless lives he impacted. Jarrod is survived by his beloved wife, Rachael, his daughters and pride and joy, Victoria and Hannah, his mother, Haya, his brother, Steffen, and a vast community of family, friends, colleagues, and patients whose lives he touched.
Jarrod was a true mensch. A full-time, international mensch. Our family is infinitely grateful to have had Jarrod in our lives, and for all the ways, big and small, that he inspired us, taught us, helped us and amazed us. He is forever in our hearts and missed more than words can express.
Editor’s Note: Jarrod served on the Jewish Federation of Ocean County Board of Directors for many years and was a pastchair of the Maimonides Society.
rican Jewish Organizations, SCN serves as the central organization dedicated exclusively to the safety and security of the American Jewish community. Learn more at securecommunitynetwork.org.
We continue our prayers for the crisis
May those who are still captive as hostages be released soon and safely.
May those who are wounded have a complete recovery.
May the memories of those who died be forever a blessing. May all have peace.
Jewish Holiday Family Photos
We invite our community members to submit a few photographs of their family’s recent holiday celebrations. Include a one-line caption describing the activity in the photo. You may include everyone’s name or just your family’s name or without any names at all. All submissions are subject to our editorial review, and we do not promise that all submitted photos will be published.
Email your submission to jfoceditor@ocjf.org.
We now have two matching grants that provide over 4 million dollars in home health care services,
We invite our community members to submit original poetry or short essays (500 words or less) to the Jewish Journal. All submissions are subject to our editorial review, and we do not promise that all will be published.
Email your submission to jfoceditor@ocjf.org.
online at
TRIBUTE DONATIONS
Special Offer
A Tribute Card Pack
You can purchase a dozen blank assorted tribute cards to send on your own for a $36 contribution to the Jewish Federation.
FULFILL THE MITZVAH OF TZEDAKAH WITH AN INDIVIDUAL TRIBUTE CARD FOR $18 EACH.
Jewish Federation of Ocean County accepts a minimum donation of $18 and sends a Tribute card as well as lists your tribute in the Jewish Journal to anyone you may want to acknowledge; a simcha, graduation, an award, new grandchild, starting a new adventure, get well, loss of a loved one, or any other life-altering event. Call the Jewish Federation of Ocean County at 732-363-0530, email federation@ocjf.org or visit our website www.jewishoceancounty.org/tribute.
NEW
Send an email tribute for a minimum donation of $10
Mazel Tov, In Honor of You, Birthdays, and in Memory of e-mail cards sent on your behalf and listed in the Jewish Journal
JFOC Tributes
February 12 – March 11
In Honor of Great-granddaughters by Arlene Grasso
Avi Kotler’s son becoming a Bar Mitzvah
In Memory of Kiley Armstrong
Marvin Glasman by Arlene Glasman
Isabel Goldfarb by Robert Klipper
Marilyn Herstein by Robert Klipper
Jarrod Kaufman by Fran Gimpel
Neil Solomon by Barbara & Ernie Mathias
Tributes
PJ Library Photos with Children
Do you have a photo of your child reading or holding a PJ Library book? We would like to publish some of them. We omit the names of children. The names of any adults in the photos could be included or omitted based on the guidance of the adult submitting the photo(s). Email them to JFOCeditor@ocjf.org
is How You Can Support Our Holocaust Survivors and Seniors Please contribute to:
• Friends of JFCS
• The Holocaust Survivors’ Special Fund
• The Seniors Lunch Program Special Fund
It is easy to donate a little each month, to make a big impact!
• Go online to www. jewishoceancounty.org
• Send a check, use your credit card, transfer stock.
• Call the office and talk with our staff.
• Bring in your Tzedakah box. We will count it for you.
• Consider making a monthly gift to support your community.
Jewish Federation of Ocean County 1235A Route 70, Lakewood, NJ 08701 732-363-0530
World Zionist Congress Elections – You Can Vote and Make a Difference
Between March 10 and May 4, 2025, American Jews will vote for their delegates to the 39th World Zionist Congress, the “parliament of the Jewish people,” which will convene in Jerusalem in October 2025.
Voting in the election is the most powerful opportunity to have your voice heard in Israel, make an impact in Jewish communities worldwide, and stand up for Zionism. The representatives who are elected – with one-third of them coming from the United States – will make key decisions on allocating over $1 billion annually to support the most pressing needs across Israeli society and the Diaspora.
To be eligible to vote in the U.S. election to the 39th World Zionist Congress, you must:
• Be Jewish (and not subscribe to another religion)
• Be 18 years or older by June 30, 2025
• Be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident in the U.S.
• Maintain your primary residence in the U.S.
• Accept the Jerusalem Program (the Zionist movement platform)
• Not have voted in the November 2022 Knesset election (and will not vote in any future Knesset election which may be held prior to July 28, 2025)
Registration and voting will open on March 10, 2025. Voting will be online and paper ballots will be available on request. The fee to register and vote is $5, which goes to cover the operating costs of the election.
YU Maccabees Head to NCAA DIII Men’s Basketball Tournament for First Time since 2022
Yeshiva University clinched the conference title to earn an automatic spot in the NCAA DIII tournament.
By Philissa Cramer March 3, 2025 jta.org
It’s another March Madness run for the Yeshiva University Maccabees, which clinched the Skyline Conference championship on Sunday night to head to the national men’s basketball tournament.
The 81-78 win against the Farmingdale State Rams means that the Orthodox university is returning to the NCAA Division III men’s basketball tournament for the first time since 2022. That year, the team fell in the first round of play to Johns Hopkins, following a season that notched a record 50-game winning streak, and captivated Jewish basketball fans.
Mayim Bialik, the Jewish actor, is producing a documentary about the 2022 team, whose star, Ryan Turell, now plays professional basketball in Israel after a stint in the NBA’s G League in Detroit.
The team’s current star is Zevi Samet, a junior from the heavily Orthodox town of Monsey, New York, who is also the Skyline Conference’s Player of the Year. Samet posted the game-winning three-pointer with just 16 seconds to spare on Sunday.
“Solid run… Onto the @ncaadiii tournament,” coach Elliot Steinmetz posted on Instagram on Sunday. “Thanks to those who have continued to support us.” He posted photographs showing the team wearing orange practice shirts in honor of the Bibas brothers killed in captivity in Gaza; fans holding Israeli flags in the stands; and a victory dinner at a kosher restaurant on Long Island.
The DIII men’s basketball tournament begins March 20 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Maccabees have played in the tournament only twice before, making it to the third round in 2020 before play was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Zevi Samet is a star of the Yeshiva University Maccabees men's basketball team. (Kodiak Creative/Jimmy Naprstek)
“Excited Jews are Coming Back” - US Jewish Group Receives Warm Welcome in Syria
Delegation of American Jews visits Damascus for first time since Assad regime’s fall, finding hospitality but Jewish sites in disrepair.
By Luke Tress
February 22, 2025 timesofisrael.com
Before he left Syria for the United States in 1992, Henry Hamra worked in the garment trade with a local boy born to a Jewish mother and a Muslim father in Damascus. He got to know the family, but lost touch when he left Syria at the age of 15.
This week, on his first trip back to Syria, Hamra reconnected with his former coworker’s brother while visiting the neighborhood. “He was hugging me and kissing me and saying, ‘Don’t leave us alone. We want to see you. We want to have a connection with you,’” Hamra said.
The encounter was part of a warm welcome an American Jewish delegation received this week in Damascus, the first visit by US Jews to Syria since the fall of the Assad regime. Hamra and his father, Rabbi Yusuf Hamra, made the trip to reconnect with their Syrian roots and check on the state of Jewish sites. Alongside the positive reception, they found a depleted Jewish community and that most Jewish sites were in disrepair.
The four-day trip was organized by the Syrian Emergency Task Force (SETF), a US-based nonprofit founded in 2011 in response to the civil war and Assad dictatorship. The delegation flew on Qatar Airways from New York to Doha, and from Doha to Damascus.
The delegation of nine included the Hamras, members of SETF, and Rabbi Asher Lopatin, the director of community relations at the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor, in Michigan. The group visited a former Jewish school, several synagogues, and a Jewish cemetery, as well as non-Jewish sites, Lopatin said.
Lopatin does not have Syrian ancestry and connected to the trip through a Muslim doctor in Detroit he collaborates with on interfaith work. He said the group received “VIP treatment” at the airport and that he walked around the Jewish quarter of Damascus wearing a kippah. “Kids, adults, the security people, they were excited that Jews are coming back, because what it means to them is that there’s this vision of a new Syria that is unified, and everyone is Syrian,” he said. “Everyone that we met that found out we were Jewish was so excited. It was warm.”
Hamra said the trip was part of a personal journey to reconnect with his birthplace. His “best years” were his childhood in Syria, living in the tight-knit Jewish community, which dissipated after the move to the US. “The family, the friends, we were together. We were stuck together. The whole community was like one family,” he said. “Then you’re changing a whole country. Especially when you go to America, you get lost in the big city.”
When he was around 20, he began researching the community’s history in Syria, visiting libraries and collecting pictures, antiquities and videos. He connected with Mouaz Moustafa, the director of SETF, during the war. After a historical synagogue in Jobar was bombed, Hamra contacted a neighborhood resident and asked him to collect items from the synagogue for preservation. The man put the Jewish items in a box, but the government confiscated it, and they remain lost. The man later moved to Turkey and connected Hamra with Moustafa.
After the regime fell, Moustafa invited Hamra to Syria. SETF has connections to the new government and vouched for the group’s safety, Hamra said. Personnel from Syria’s foreign ministry provided security for the group.
He said the new government wanted to facilitate the trip as a peace message. “I think it’s to show everybody that there is peace between everybody. I think they
want to have peace in the region,” Hamra said. “I think that delegation was an open door for everybody.”
The elder Hamra sent a letter to interim Syrian president Ahmad al-Sharaa, congratulating him on the new government and saying that, despite its decades in exile, the Syrian Jewish community “continues to cherish its deep-rooted connection to Syria, its motherland.”
“As we witness the dawn of a new era, we look forward to rebuilding bridges of communication and to actively participating in the reconstruction of our home-
land, standing side by side with our fellow Syrians,” the letter said. The group met with Syria’s deputy foreign minister during the trip.
“Now it’s different, but it’s beautiful”
Hamra and his father went to see what had happened to the Jewish sites in Damascus, including a school where the elder Hamra had taught for decades. Most of the sites had been stripped of Jewish artifacts, although the al-Franj synagogue still has Torah scrolls. In the area of the Jobar synagogue, the group was only able to find a remnant of an arch with a Star of David on it.
“Everything is stolen,” Hamra said. “There’s only a ceiling and a floor. Nothing else.”
Hamra described returning to the alFranj synagogue, where his father served as rabbi. “I thought it was bigger than that because I was little and now it’s different, but it’s beautiful,” Hamra said. Despite their dilapidated state, the Jewish sites had not been repurposed or occupied, Lopatin said, and neighborhood
Continued on page 31
Henry Hamra holds a Torah scroll as he tours the al-Franj Synagogue in the Jewish quarter of Damascus, February 18, 2025. (Louai Beshara/AFP)
Rabbi Asher Lopatin, center left, with residents of the Jobar neighborhood in Damascus, Syria, February 18, 2025. (Courtesy)
A Muslim woman speaks to Syrian US-based Rabbi Yusuf Hamra outside the al-Franj Synagogue in the Jewish quarter of Damascus, February 19, 2025. (Louai Beshara/AFP)
“I feel guilty because I’m so irritable.”
“How come nobody asks how I am doing?”
“I’m so distracted at work, worrying about Mom.”
"I’m tired of relatives and friends criticizing me. I’m doing the best I can.” JOIN US FOR A MONTHLY SUPPORT GROUP
Learn coping strategies, get practical information about dementia and managing other chronic diseases, find new community resources and benefit from the support of other caregivers
changing lives... JEWISH FAMILY AND
Head up High, Feet on the Ground
By Judith Sason, LCSW, Guest Writer Jewish Family & Children’s Service
Your phone dings with a new message from work and it’s your demanding boss. The kids just got home from school and are asking “what's for dinner?” Your friend is calling to confirm upcoming plans. The news is on TV showing images of destruction. Your mind is going a mile a minute and you are thinking about everything you have to do and yet not able to do anything at all. In a matter of minutes, these daily triggers are making you spiral to a negative place where you feel like you are drowning with no life raft in sight.
PAUSE.
little steps forward. I took a minute to capture the detailed image of this tough little guy in my mind. It may have seemed silly to give this much power to such a brief moment but it’s the silliness that helped refocus my energy. I used the grounding technique of imagery to help me redirect any immediate negative feelings so I could get home and take care of my responsibilities.
While speaking with a patient of mine prior to a medical appointment, I noticed she was looking around the waiting room frantically. She seemed anxious, and while appropriate for the circumstances, it was interfering with her ability to focus on her upcoming appointment. When I asked her what was on her mind her response was “I don’t know, this is all too much”.
PAUSE.
You may be able to relate to these feelings and if you have experienced them in the past, you will most likely experience them again in the future. Life is happening all around us, and while feeling overwhelmed means we are actively living in it, disassociating hardly allows us to be productive. In life we have no actual pause button, so we must create our own pause. We can do this by practicing grounding techniques, tools that help us stay in the present and refocus our energies to get back into a productive mindset.
Recently while walking my dog in the evening, a big gust of wind came and I felt as if it would knock me down, both physically and emotionally. My own exhaustion spiral made me assume that now I will also have to carry my dog home, just adding to the weight of my everyday tasks.
PAUSE.
I looked over to see my small dog standing with his head lifted high and taking
I encouraged her to put both feet down and then guided her in taking five deep breaths. As I felt her energy shifting, I asked her again what was on her mind. She still said it is all too much but added that she wished her son was with her but due to work he was unable to attend. Using a grounding technique called controlled breathing, my patient was able to better organize her thoughts to address her underlying needs. This allowed me to better support her so she could follow through with being fully focused on her medical appointment.
Grounding techniques are mindfulness-based practices that allow us to stay in the present in an effort to manage strong feelings. The following are examples of activities that introduce the act of grounding to your daily routine. They can be done for as little as 30 seconds and utilized as often as needed.
Continued on page 27
Together with the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) and a grant from the State of New Jersey, the Jewish Family and Children’s Service of the Jewish Federation of Ocean County has been providing the sacred obligation of pikuach nefesh (saving a life in jeopardy) to Holocaust Survivors for many years. We realize that unless you are impacted directly, you may not fully appreciate how important this work is. Every dollar you contribute will be matched 25 times!
CHILDREN'S SERVICE
...making a difference
PJ Library Offerings
While we have been highlighting the monthly Tot Shabbat and Hebrew Circle Time programs, we have been neglecting our PJ Library podcasts! Our PJ Library page has “Have I Got a Story for You” and a link to the others.
Have I Got a Story for You – Every episode takes a classic Jewish folk tale and gives it a modern twist. You can explore episodes here and if you find one you really like, be sure to click on the episode page to find activities, book lists, and keep the fun going.
Beyond the Bookcase – Sundays in the synagogue library with Auntie PJ are anything BUT quiet! Join Miri, Micah, and their friends as they adventure beyond the bookcase to the wonderful land
of Mashal, where familiar fairy tales magically come to life. Surprises, thrills, and Jewish connections weave through every journey.
Afternoons with Mimi – Settle in for a snack and a story with everyone’s favorite grandmother… Mimi! Listen together as Mimi reads favorite PJ Library books, Jewish folktales, and original stories that will capture the imaginations of young and old alike!
Radio Chitaika – Russian language podcast
We do have some Sifriyat Pijama books in the Jewish Federation Office if you want to borrow them!
Head up High
Continued from page 26
Imagery: Close your eyes and think of a place that instills calm or an image that brings you meaning.
Controlled Breathing: Hold up one hand in front of you, and with the other hand trace your fingers while breathing in and out.
Five Senses: Name five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste.
Sensory Regulation: Hold an ice cube in your hand and focus on the cold sensation.
The Alphabet: Find something around you that starts with the letter A, B, C, D and so on. You may not even make it to the end of the alphabet before you start to feel more centered.
These techniques, when practiced on a regular basis, can be a strong asset in managing high intensity emotions. You can print out this list and post in an easily accessible spot to have as a reference as needed, and with regular practice, it will come naturally. Overwhelming emotions do not need to make us stop, but by creating our own PAUSE we can regain control.
Blessed are You, Ad-nai our G-d, Sovereign of the universe, who hallows us with mitzvot, commanding us to kindle the light of Shabbat.
UNAFFILIATED
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF LBI 2411 Long Beach Blvd. Spray Beach, NJ 08008
Rabbi Michael Jay 609-492-4090
Email: jccoflbi@gmail.com www.jccoflbi.org
For Passover Nights 1, 2 and 8: Blessed are You, Ad-nai our G-d, Sovereign of the universe, who hallows us with mitzvot, commanding us to kindle the light of Holiday.
For Passover Night 7:
Blessed are You, Ad-nai our G-d, Sovereign of the universe, who hallows us with mitzvot, commanding us to kindle the light of Shabbat & Holiday.
For Passover Nights 1 and 2: Blessed are You, Ad-nai our G-d, Sovereign of the universe, who has kept us alive and sustained us and enabled us to reach this moment in time.
Please contribute to:
• Friends of JFCS
• The Holocaust Survivors’ Special Fund
• The Seniors Lunch Program Special Fund
It is easy to donate a little each month, to make a big impact!
• Go online to www. jewishoceancounty.org.
• Send a check, use your credit card, transfer stock.
• Call the office and talk with our staff.
• Bring in your Tzedakah box. We will count it for you.
• Consider making a monthly gift to support your community.
Jewish Federation of Ocean County 1235A Route 70, Lakewood, NJ 08701 732-363-0530
Behold the Guardian of Israel will neither slumber nor sleep (Tehillim 121)
Yad Vashem Way
Continued from page 18
man Dani Dayan, together with City Council Speaker Adrienne E. Adams, Jewish Caucus Chair NYC Council Member Eric Dinowitz, NYC Council Members Keith Powers, Julie Menin, Lynn Schulman, Lincoln Restler, and Inna Vernikov hosted a special event in the New York City Council, commemorating the 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and attesting to Yad Vashem’s invaluable role in preserving Holocaust memory, fostering education, and fighting antisemitism.
Yad Vashem Chairman Dayan delivered the keynote address from the floor of the New York City Council where he emphasized, “As we confront the global resurgence of antisemitism, this event and its decision to recognize Yad Vashem’s impact reaffirms New York City’s commitment to ensuring that the Holocaust’s lessons remain a guiding light for humanity. Together, we must stand against hatred and ignorance.”
Inauguration of Yad Vashem Way
On 30 January 2025, Consul General of Israel in New York Ofir Akunis, Yad Vas-
hem Chairman Dani Dayan, and NYC Councilmembers Keith Powers and Julie Menin gathered to unveil 'Yad Vashem Way' at East 67th Street and 3rd Avenue on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. New York State Senator Liz Krueger, Congressman Jerry Nadler, Assembly Member Alex Bores, and Borough President Mark Levine were also in attendance.
"In a time of rising antisemitism and fear, it is more important than ever before that we remember what happened during the Holocaust,” said Council Member Keith Powers. “New York City is home to the most survivors of the Holocaust outside of Israel, but sadly that number is shrinking. We must continue to educate future generations about the atrocities that occurred during the Holocaust so that they never happen again, and now every person who looks up at the street sign proclaiming East 67th Street as ‘Yad Vashem Way’ will understand the history and resilience of the Jewish people. I am proud to honor the memory of the victims today.”
The location of the co-named street was chosen in the vicinity of Rabbi Arthur Schneier’s iconic Park East Synagogue as a testament to the many Holocaust
survivors who immigrated to the United States in the aftermath of the Holocaust and went on to build a thriving Jewish community in New York City. “This street sign is more than a name – it is a powerful symbol of our shared responsibility to preserve Holocaust memory and combat the disturbing rise of hatred and intolerance.” said Dani Dayan at the unveiling. "By bringing the name of Yad Vashem to the heart of Manhattan, we are hopeful that this street will inspire those who pass by it to remember the murdered and the survivors and to carry the story of the Holocaust along with them."
About Yad Vashem
Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem, serves as the global epicenter of Holocaust commemoration, education, and documentation. Through its groundbreaking exhibitions, educational initiatives, and digital resources, Yad Vashem ensures that the memory of the Holocaust continues to inspire and educate future generations.
Advertise in The Jewish Journal
732-534-5959
Book
Review –
“Hope is the Last to Die” by Halina Birenbaum
Halina Birenbaum is a writer, poet, and translator. She was born in Warsaw in 1929. During the German occupation, she was incarcerated in the Warsaw Ghetto, from where she was deported to Majdanek, Auschwitz, Ravensbrück, and Neustadt-Glewe camps. Two years after the liberation she emigrated to Israel.
Life and death during the years of the occupation and the martyrdom of Polish Jews in concentration camps and ghettos are the main subjects of Halina Birenbaum's prose and poetry. Her works are sad but devoid of hatred. What emerges from them is peace, kindness, and belief in a human being. This memoir was written as a direct effect of the Eichmann trial in Jerusalem.
She writes in Polish – the language of her childhood – and her work has been published in Poland, Israel, Germany and the United States. The book is available in English, Polish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.
Excited Jews are Coming Back
Continued from page 25
residents still remember Jews walking to the synagogues.
The previous government disinterred bodies at a Jewish cemetery in Jobar to make way for a road, but Hamra was able to locate the gravesites of his grandfather and great-grandfather.
Hamra said seven Jews remained in Damascus – three women and four men. Some are infirm and one is suffering from mental health issues. The group spoke to several by phone, but they didn’t want to meet the delegation for reasons that were unclear, Hamra said. They met with the self-appointed leader of the remaining
Jews, Bakur Simantov, who has forged ties with the new government, but argued with an official responsible for one of the synagogues over the looted property.
Joe Jajati, a Syrian Jew living in New York and a relative of the Hamras, was visiting Dubai when the group asked him to come to Damascus to try to assemble a minyan, or Jewish prayer quorum of 10. Jajati flew to Beirut, then drove to Damascus to join the trip, although they weren’t able to get together 10 people for a minyan.
Jajati, who visited Syria while it was still
controlled by the Assad regime, recalled sitting in a hotel lobby with Lopatin, who was wearing a kippah, when some men approached them. “These people would come up to him and be like, ‘Hi, can I take a picture with you?’” Jajati said. “I was like, ‘Wow, I didn’t expect that,’ but it was very nice to see.”
Jajati was complimentary of the Assad regime and its protection of Jewish sites before its downfall, but said the country under the new government appears more welcoming of Jews. He noted that there seemed to be more Islamists in Damascus than during his previous visits. “Before, it was much too political. Here, it was more and more accepting,” he said. “These people, they do feel this type of hope now. They feel like, ‘Now we’re going to be different. Now we’re finally going to be good again. We’re probably going to have peace now. No more war.’ Any normal person would love that, especially after living 15 years in hell.”
Issam Khoury, a Syrian journalist in New York who was exiled by the Assad regime, said the new government was still getting established, facing significant hurdles, and has not made any statements about Syrian Jews. “However, it has officially called for the return of all Syrians to rebuild their war-torn country, which certainly includes Syrian Jews,”
Khoury said. The government is hoping that Syrian Jews will invest in the country and help get sanctions lifted, he said. Many Syrians are aware of past contributions by the community and are “proud of Syrian Jews,” although they were afraid to express positive feelings toward Jews under the Assad regime, he said.
The security situation remains unstable, the country will likely need one or two years to stabilize, and there has been some persecution of minorities, such as the Murshidians, Alawites and Christians, Khoury said.
The country is awaiting a new constitution, with some fearful of an “Islamic system,” but if the constitution has a pluralistic, democratic framework, “this would mean social and political freedom in Syria, and then Jews and other Syrian minorities would feel reassured,” Khoury said.
Al-Sharaa was formerly the leader of the Islamist insurgent group Hayat Tahrir alSham, or HTS, which started as a local branch of al-Qaeda. “I know there are a lot of questions,” Lopatin said of the new government, “but give them a chance.”
Hamra said he hopes the trip will get more Syrian Jews interested in the community’s roots. Syrian Jews came to the US starting more than 100 years ago. The earlier arrivals are less connected to Syria, and knowledgeable about the community’s history there, than those who arrived in the 1990s when the Assad regime lifted travel restrictions on Jews, like Hamra and Jajati.
“I would love a hand just to clean up the shuls, restore everything else,” Hamra said. “It’s a four, five hundred-year-old synagogue, why would I want to see it just fall apart? This is where I prayed. This is where I used to be with my friends. It’s memories. How would you say no? Just throw everything out? It’s hard to let it go.”
Jewish Federation of Ocean County, a non-profit corporation, publishes The Jewish Journal 12 times a year. Views expressed by columnists, in readers’ letters and in reprinted opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Jewish Journal, the Jewish Federation of Ocean County or any agency of the Jewish Federation of Ocean County. Submissions of copy and .jpeg photos may be sent to Editor (jfoceditor@ ocjf.org) or mailed to the known office of publication. All copy or photos submitted to The Jewish Journal shall become the property of The Jewish Journal and the Jewish Federation of Ocean County. All submissions of text or photography may be changed and printed at the discretion of the editor without notice to the submitter. The Jewish Journal reserves full discretion to decide what will be published. No material will be accepted which is considered against the best interest of the Jewish community. Acceptance of advertising neither endorses advertisers nor guarantees kashrut.
Rabbi Asher Lopatin in Damascus, Syria, February 2025. (Courtesy)
