Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle 11-24-23

November 24, 2023 | 11 Kislev 5784

Three visits to Israel offer observations and instructions

NOTEWORTHY

p

Candlelighting 4:39 p.m. | Havdalah 5:40 p.m. | Vol. 66, No. 47 | pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

LOCAL Hausman

$2

Thanksgiving: An American holiday with Jewish roots

By David Rullo | Senior Staff Writer

F The rabbis organized a small prayer gathering outside the Tel Aviv Museum Square in an area now called “Captives Square.”

Along with reciting prayers for the hostages and the Israel Defense Forces, the rabbis sang “Lu Yehi,” a song written and composed by Naomi Shemer during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Adelson told the Chronicle that during the gathering he informed colleagues that his son is a member of the IDF and is serving on Israel’s northern border. Adelson then told the other rabbis that in Pittsburgh, volunteers created an empty Shabbat table for hostages like the one installed outside the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. On Nov. 7, Adelson and the rabbis visited Kfar Aza and Ofakim, two areas heavily attacked by Hamas one month earlier.

The remnants of those attacks remained obvious, he said.

In Kfar Aza, a village less than two miles from Gaza, the rabbis observed destroyed cars and homes and spoke with members of the IDF and a resident of the village.

“After the Hamasnikim came in, Gazans came in and looted people’s personal stuff.

It’s scattered all over the place,” Adelson said.

“When Israel finally retook the area, the ground was littered with bodies.”

Before the war, Kfar Aza possessed nearly 700 residents. Approximately 60 were murdered

by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7, according to Times of Israel.

amilies and friends gathered around a table set with their finest china; wine poured, and candles lit; a large meal ready to be eaten that includes dishes steeped in tradition, it sounds almost Jewish.

For many, Thanksgiving, with its familial setting and reliance on tradition — not to mention a poultry centerpiece — feels similar to a Shabbat dinner and is the most Jewish of secular holidays, well except for the inclusion of a television set often broadcasting a football game.

In fact, there seems to be at least some belief that the holiday was influenced by Sukkot, a Jewish holiday that also celebrates the bounty of a harvest.

Gloria Kaufer Greene, author of the “New Jewish Holiday Cookbook” was quoted in a Jewish Journal interview saying that the pilgrims based many of their customs on the Bible.

“They knew Sukkot was an autumn harvest festival,” she said, “and there is evidence that they fashioned the first Thanksgiving after the Jewish custom of celebrating the success of the year’s crops.”

In the same article, Linda Burghardt, author of “Jewish Holiday Traditions” said “Sukkot is considered a model for Thanksgiving. Both holidays revolve around showing gratitude for a bountiful harvest.”

Beth Schwartz never made the connection between the holiday and Jewish tradition until she was doing graduate work in St. Louis.

Rather than make the trek home to California, she stayed in the Midwestern city and celebrated the holiday with an aunt, uncle and cousins.

“My uncles said the Shehecheyanu at the beginning of the Thanksgiving meal, which I thought was weird at the time because it’s not a Jewish holiday and you say that to mark a new Jewish occasion,” she remembered. “He said, ‘This is a time for family and friends to gather together and every season we’re together, we

Please see Israel, page 10

Please see Thanksgiving, page 10

Alan Hausman bridges the community Page 2

LOCAL Primary

 A Nov. 6 installation of candles in Tel Aviv reading “Bring them home” in Hebrew calls attention to an estimated 240 hostages being held by Hamas.

Photos by Rabbi Seth Adelson B Adam Reinherz | Senior Staff Writer

Passover polling could pose problems Page 3

LOCAL Holocaust

Survivors worry about current climate Page 4

LOCAL History

Antisemitic vandalism spread in 1960 Page 7

T

wo rabbis and a lay leader traveled to Israel during the war: Rabbis Seth Adelson and Yitzi Genack went with rabbinic missions, while Michael Milch journeyed with the Jewish Federations of North America.

The visits, each Pittsburgher told the Chronicle, were opportunities to observe and strengthen Jewish peoplehood.

Adelson, of Congregation Beth Shalom, spent three days with the Masorti movement, meeting individuals and seeing spaces immediately impacted by the war.

After arriving on Nov. 6, the rabbis visited one of five distribution centers established by Achim Laneshek (Brothers and Sisters in Arms), a volunteer organization committed to providing displaced families with clothing, toys, games, cribs, housewares and other aid, Adelson said.

Achim Laneshek was created during the past year’s judicial reform protests.

Given the group’s ability to quickly “mobilize,” volunteers sprang into action following Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack in Israel, Adelson said.

Following their observation of the distribution center, the Conservative rabbis spoke with Ayelet Levy Shachar. Her daughter, Naama Levy, 19, is one of an estimated 240 hostages taken by Hamas on Oct. 7.

“She knows nothing about her daughter’s whereabouts. Her existence is really quite miserable, as you can imagine,” Adelson said.

keep your eye on PittsburghJewishChronicle ART

Local artist Julia Netzer

ADL

ADL criticizes and praises Musk

FOOD

Herbed mushroom stuffing

Headlines Alan Hausman serves as community bridge — LOCAL —

By Justin Vellucci | Special to the Chronicle

Pittsburgher.

Husband.

Father.

First responder.

Congregant.

A

lan Hausman intermingles wearing each hat. But in the five years since a gunman entered his Squirrel Hill synagogue on Oct. 27, 2018, and committed the worst antisemitic massacre on U.S. soil, Hausman has served as something else.

A bridge.

Audrey Glickman knows the story far too well.

She and her late companion, Joseph Charny, prayed during Tree of Life-Or L’Simcha’s Shabbat services that October morning and fled Pervin Chapel when the gunman opened fire, killing 11 congregants and forever changing the fabric of the city’s Jewish community. The couple survived by hiding inside a room near the synagogue’s choir loft and covering themselves with prayer shawls.

Glickman has watched Hausman, a warm-hearted man known for his knack for storytelling, navigate the weeks and months and years following the synagogue shooting.

She says he has and continues to serve as a conduit between law enforcement and Pittsburgh’s Jewish community.

“He was in the center of everything — everyone overlooked him and he couldn’t tell anyone anything,” Glickman told the Chronicle. “At every step, he was arranging something else. He’s just done this stuff because he can, because he’s a good man.”

“He’s involved in everything,” she added.

p Alan Hausman, president of the Tree of Life congregation, speaks during a news conference after the jury found the Pittsburgh synagogue shooter guilty of federal hate crimes on June 16.

Alexandra Wimley/Pittsburgh Union Progress

“Alan is the quiet center, the hub of the wheel — he’s holding everything together.”

Like his congregation, Hausman calls Shady Avenue home.

Hausman was raised along Shady Avenue and still lives on the Squirrel Hill road, albeit further up the hill from where he spent his childhood. He attended Minadeo Elementary School and Tayler Allderdice High School — both of them near or on the roadway.

Tree of Life congregation — which merged with Hausman’s synagogue, Or L’Simcha, in 2010 — opened its building at the corner of Wilkins and Shady avenues around 1953.

Several additions and renovations came in the decades that followed.

Though Hausman was elected Tree of Life-Or L’Simcha’s president after the tragic shooting, it is not his first time serving as a Jewish community leader. That came several years earlier when he was president of a Pittsburgh lodge of B’nai Brith, a Jewish service organization committed to the security

and continuity of both Jews and the State of Israel. He also worked as a district treasurer.

To most, though, Hausman is a first responder. An emergency management specialist for the City of Pittsburgh, Hausman said he started that part of his life as a fire bureau logistics manager.

Hausman, who co-workers say is a whiz with outfitting emergency vehicles, has worked as a member of the Region 13 Taskforce, a 12-county emergency management agency, since 1998. He’s been working for the city since 2007.

None of it, though, prepared him for Oct. 27, 2018.

Hausman was with his wife, Stacey, in central Pennsylvania that morning, not shul, when the calls about an active shooter came in. He quickly helped set up the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh as an operations center and sped back to Squirrel Hill on the Pennsylvania Turnpike as fast as he could.

In the days that followed, he worked out

logistics for funerals and personally escorted Rabbi Hazzan Jeffrey Myers to and from memorial services. As investigators and, later, contractors picked apart the synagogue, he was the one who provided info on the building’s structural nuances — or took calls about the location of something as simple as a panel box.

Years later, Hausman coordinated travel arrangements for survivors and victims’ families as the trial of the shooter unfolded in a federal court Downtown.

“It’s almost like you were designed to be in this position at this time to help your community through this,” Hausman remembered FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert A. Jones telling him one morning after the shooting.

Even to this day, Jones calls Hausman “absolutely instrumental” to how officials handled the incident — and, of course, its aftermath.

“As you can imagine, the first few hours and days of an investigation of this magnitude are incredibly challenging and, as both a Pittsburgh EMS member and Tree of Life congregant, Alan served as an effective bridge between the entire Tree of Life community and the FBI,” said Jones, who today works for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Jones said Hausman was essential because he was “calm and professional” and knew Tree of Life-Or L’Simcha inside and out.

In the months that followed, when law enforcement needed to walk someone through the scene of the crime, they always called Hausman.

Steve Wilharm’s friendship with Hausman started with a call he only remembers vaguely about 35 years ago.

Wilharm, a Pittsburgh native and today Allegheny County’s division manager for emergency management, was new to working with the county and had been called out for something. It could’ve been a gas leak, maybe a Please see Hausman, page 5

5915 Beacon St., 5th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15217

Main phone number: 412-687-1000

Subscriptions: 412-687-1000, ext. 2 SUBSCRIPTIONS subscriptions@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org 412-687-1000, ext. 2 TO ADVERTISE advertising@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org 412-687-1000, ext. 1 EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT Email: newsdesk@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org BOARD OF TRUSTEES Evan H. Stein, Board Chair Gayle R. Kraut, Secretary Evan Indianer, Immediate Past Chair Gail Childs, Dan Droz, Malke Steinfeld Frank, Seth Glick, Tammy Hepps, Judith Kanal, Cátia Kossovsky, Charles Saul, Derek Smith GENERAL COUNSEL Stuart R. Kaplan, Esq.

2

NOVEMBER 24, 2023

Jim Busis, CEO and Publisher 412-228-4690 jbusis@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org EDITORIAL Toby Tabachnick, Editor 412-228-4577 ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org Andy Gotlieb, Contributing Editor Adam Reinherz, Senior Staff Writer 412-687-1000 areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org David Rullo, Senior Staff Writer 412-687-1000 drullo@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org ADVERTISING Amy Weiss, Account Executive (412) 613-0697 aweiss@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

PRODUCTION Jeni Mann Tough Production Manager Carl Weigel Art/Production Coordinator Subscriptions subscriptions@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org 412-687-1000, ext. 2 Published every Friday by the Pittsburgh Jewish Publication and Education Foundation 5915 Beacon St., 5th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-687-1000 POSTMASTER: Send address change to PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE, 5915 BEACON ST., 5TH FLOOR PITTSBURGH, PA 15217 (PERIODICAL RATE POSTAGE PAID AT PITTSBURGH, PA AND AT ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES) USPS 582-740

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

Manuscripts, letters, documents and photographs sent to the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle become the property of this publication, which is not responsible for the return or loss of such items.

The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle does not endorse the goods or services advertised or covered in its pages and makes no representation to the kashrut of food products and services in said advertising or articles. The publisher is not liable for damages if, for any reason whatsoever, he fails to publish an advertisement or for any error in an advertisement.

Acceptance of advertisers and of ad copy is subject to the publisher’s approval. The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle is not responsible if ads violate applicable laws and the advertiser will indemnify, hold harmless and defend the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle from all claims made by governmental agencies and consumers for any reason based on ads appearing in the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle.

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Headlines Unless PA primary date moved from Passover, voters, candidates and polling places will face problems — LOCAL —

By Adam Reinherz | Senior Staff Writer

F

or weeks, Elena Davis has texted friends, contacted politicians and told anyone willing to listen that the date of Pennsylvania’s primary must be changed.

Scheduled for April 23, 2024, the date is problematic, the Squirrel Hill resident told the Chronicle: “It’s Passover.”

The biblical holiday, which celebrates the ancient Israelites’ escape from Egypt, will run from April 22-30 next year.

If the primary occurs on April 23, which is the first day of Passover, Davis said it will “prevent observant Jews from having a voice at the polls.”

During the first two days of Passover, like during other major holidays, observant Jews are barred from writing, shaving, playing music and performing various duties.

Included among those holiday restrictions: voting, given its requirement to take pen to paper and electronically file a ballot.

“The date needs to be changed so all voices have a chance to be heard and every vote is counted,” Davis said.

“The commonwealth should accommodate this significant group of Pennsylvanians who would be blocked from participating in the election due to their faith,” Rep. Dan Frankel, (D-23) told the Chronicle.

Of the 49,200 Jewish residents identified by the 2017 Greater Pittsburgh Jewish Community Study, 9% of adults are Orthodox.

The nearly 4,000 individuals represent a significant block of local voters.

Merely 1,000 votes determined the outcome of the May 17, 2022, Democratic primary for U.S. House PA-12: Of the 114,580 ballots cast, 48,002 were for Summer Lee; Steve Irwin received 47,014, according to Ballotpedia.

“Denying citizens the option of in-person voting is an affront to civil rights and, in this case, civil religious liberties as well,” Squirrel Hill resident David Knoll told the Chronicle.

Voters can mail in ballots prior to the election date, however, “if a candidate were to make a statement in the interim that would disqualify them in the eyes of voters, voters would already be locked in,” he said.

Knoll’s candidacy in the Nov. 7 election is an example.

After Hamas terrorists tore through a security gate in Israel on Oct. 7, en route to murdering, raping and kidnapping Israeli citizens, Bethany Hallam, an at-large member of Allegheny County Council, reposted a poem on X (formerly Twitter) about breaking down walls, as well as a video of Hamas bulldozing a wall on their way to committing last month’s atrocities.

Knoll staged a last-minute write-in campaign for Hallam’s seat because of her continued reluctance to remove the tweet — after 21 days, Hallam finally did.

Despite Knoll’s loss to Hallam, Davis said the case was “an eye-opener to the importance of researching and voting for candidates

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

“The right to vote is a fundamental right that our democracy is based on, and I just think that it’s a very dangerous thing to establish a precedent that a religious minority has their right to vote suppressed based on the fact that it is inconvenient to others to change it.”

– REP. ABIGAIL SALISBURY

p Voting in Pennsylvania’s primary isn’t simply an issue of bringing matzah to the booth.

Photo by Lindsay D’Addato via Flickr at rb.gy/kmgpil

who are supportive of the Jewish community.”

Frankel, a Jewish resident of Squirrel Hill, told the Chronicle that changing the date of the 2024 primary isn’t off the table yet, it just requires negotiations among politicians, which are “ongoing and delicate.”

“Basically, we are waiting and hoping that Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) will run the bill to change the election date from April 23 to April 16,” Rep. Abigail Salisbury (D-34) told the Chronicle.

On Sept. 20, a bill to move the date of Pennsylvania’s 2024 primary to March 19, was approved by the Senate with a bipartisan vote of 45-2. The bill was sent to the House, with added elements.

Pittman issued a statement last month saying, “This latest attempt to add school property tax language into Senate Bill 224, while moving the primary date to April 16 is unacceptable to the Senate Republican majority.”

“The Senate did not care for the amendments that the House added, so they chose to do nothing with the bill,” Salisbury told the Chronicle.

For now, the hope is “the Senate can take the bill to its Rules Committee; they can remove the amendments that we added; they can pass that clean bill — there is no content other than changing the date of the Election Day to April 16 — it would then come back over to the House; we would concur and pass the date on April 16; then the governor can

sign it and we would then have a new date,” Salisbury said.

The Swissvale resident is urging voters to contact Republican senators and “encourage Leader Pittman to run this bill clean, run it through Rules, run it on the Senate floor and then send it back to us in the House so that we can concur.”

If the date of the primary isn’t changed, it would “disenfranchise the Jewish community and create a chilling effect on Jewish candidates running,” she added.

Salisbury is Jewish and told the Chronicle that not only would other Jewish candidates face difficulties on election day, but a primary on Passover creates obstacles with polling places.

In years past, voters would cast ballots at Shaare Torah Congregation in Squirrel Hill.

Salisbury isn’t sure what would happen if the primary date isn’t changed.

She said she’s had “indirect” conversations with representatives of the Orthodox congregation who indicated, “they have not been contacted by anyone in elections, or from the Department of State, to see if they will be available.”

The assumption is Jewish facilities, like Shaare Torah, “will just make accommodations and be open nonetheless, even though it’s Passover,” Salisbury continued. “That’s an issue that has to be addressed if the election is not moved.”

Rhode Island, Delaware and Maryland

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

were slated to hold primaries on April 23.

Each of the states moved the election date earlier, “making Pennsylvania the only state not to do so,” according to Spotlight PA. Included within the wrinkles of holding a primary on Passover is the potential inability of Jewish poll workers from helping that day.

But there’s a greater concern, the state representative said.

“To me, the biggest issue is making sure that everyone regardless of their religion has the right to vote,” Salisbury said. “The right to vote is a fundamental right that our democracy is based on, and I just think that it’s a very dangerous thing to establish a precedent that a religious minority has their right to vote suppressed based on the fact that it is inconvenient to others to change it.”

Salisbury holds a law degree and Master of Public Policy and Management from the University of Pittsburgh. She also served as an adjunct professor, teaching a First Amendment course, at the school.

“People’s rights or not based on whether it is convenient for others. It is based on the fact that that is their inherent right,” she said. “If we are okay with suppressing the Jewish vote, who else’s vote are we OK with suppressing?” PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

NOVEMBER 24, 2023

3

Headlines Holocaust survivors react to antisemitic uptick — LOCAL —

By David Rullo | Senior Staff Writer

S

teffi Berg knows the terror of antisemitism.

The 94-year-old Holocaust survivor was living in her home near Berlin with her mother 85 years ago when Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass, began the German pogrom that would eventually murder more than 6 million Jews.

The 9-year-old and her mother didn’t need a public action though. Her father had already been arrested by the Nazis for being a Jew. Berg’s mother made the difficult decision to send her to safety in the Shanghai Ghetto nearly 11,000 miles from her home, where she spent the remaining years of Adolf Hitler’s reign in power with almost 20,000 children.

“It was no picnic,” she said. “It was horrible conditions, but we were safe.”

Berg thought she had left behind the anxiety and horror of antisemitism. And for nearly 78 years, she did.

“This is how it started,” Berg told her daughter Cindy after the terrorist group Hamas invaded Israel on Oct. 7 triggering antisemitic actions in America, purportedly in support of Gaza citizens, and rallies on college campuses with students chanting anti-Israel and anti-Zionistic phrases.

“It’s escalating now,” Berg said. “And it feels like it will never stop unless someone can put a lid on it.”

“I’m disgusted”

Kurt Leuchter was born in Vienna. He was turned over to a Jewish aid agency in the south of France when his parents were sent to Auschwitz. His wife, Edith, was born in Bruchsal, Germany and was also turned over to an aid agency. Like Berg, she witnessed the terror of Kristallnacht, when she witnessed Germans burn her synagogue to the ground.

“The situation is very bad,” Leuchter said.

“Because of the war between Hamas and Israel it seems like, it’s going to be a long time before things settle.”

Unlike Berg, Leuchter believed antisemitism would again rear its ugly head.

“I predicted this was going to happen, sooner or later,” he said. “These things don’t change. Maybe 80 years have gone by, and it was all quiet, but now it starts over again — the hate. The war in Israel didn’t help.”

The anxiety has pushed the survivor, who served in the French resistance during World War II and the Korean War, to the brink.

“I’m disgusted,” he said. “I don’t even want to be around anymore. I’ve had it. My wife, too. Most of our friends are gone. I don’t want to go through this.”

sense of obligation and patriotism, joined the Israeli army.

“That’s why this is affecting her so badly,” she said.

Berg said that in the early days of the country, there was a sense of freedom and security, even living among those who weren’t Jewish.

“Palestinians lived with us,” she said. “We were among the Arabs, and we all got along, that’s how it was. There was no fear.”

Berg, who worked as a beautician in Israel, eventually moved to the United States with her husband, Willie, believing there were opportunities in America for a better life.

Settling first in Pittsburgh but moving to Florida for the weather, Berg believed she had escaped the antisemitism of old. And then came Oct. 7.

“It’s bringing back so many memories,” she told her daughter. “I’m having a hard time coping with what I’m reading and hearing on TV. It’s very hard. I’m devastated to see how Jews are being attacked today, and not feeling safe.”

Debbie Leuchter Stueber understands that sense of devastation and tried to get her parents to stop watching the news after Oct. 7.

“My mother said, ‘No, we have to watch.’

I’m pretty sure I know why. They can know now because from moment to moment, during the Holocaust, they didn’t know what was going to happen to them, so they feel like they have to watch, so they’re aware of what’s going on,” she said.

Stueber presents her parents’ story to organizations like schools, libraries and churches.

“I have never been concerned about security, but I am now,” she said. “I’ve never had to walk in my parents’ shoes. For the last six weeks, I feel as if I’ve been tiptoeing in them.”

p Steffie and Willie Berg married in Israel after surviving the Holocaust.

Photo provided by Cindy Vayonis

been on the rise for some time.

“It was probably always there and just dormant,” she said. “It’s been enabled, that’s the problem. It’s crazy because there’s a lot of other hate out there, as well, for the Palestinians and Muslims, which is concurrent with the antisemitism. Hate, in general,

seems to have been enabled since the Trump administration, which was festering and under the surface. Now it’s more out in the open and accepted.”

Thum said it’s important for people to find organizations and social media groups that encourage minorities to work together.

Her father, she said, has always encouraged people to think for themselves and not be brainwashed. Something her mother said happened in Germany.

“It’s not that they weren’t intelligent, educated people,” she said.

The matriarch said America has a history of scapegoating people, pointing to the country’s treatment of its Black citizens.

“They were discriminated against, and they were killed.”

People use scapegoats, Stueber pointed out, because they don’t want to look at the root cause of problems. That is why the family believes it is important that people educate themselves so that they know the history of Israel.

In the end, Berg, perhaps, best sums up the feelings of Holocaust survivors reacting to what is happening in Israel and the United States today.

“I wasn’t expecting this for the final chapter of my life,” she said. PJC

p Holocaust survivors Kurt and Edith Leuchter are anxious about the current state of the world.

Photo provided by Debbie Leuchter Stueber

David Rullo can be reached at drullo@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Hate Enacted

Stueber’s sister, Julie Thum, said that she wasn’t surprised by the antisemitism and anti-Zionist rhetoric. In fact, she thinks it’s

“No one wanted us”

After a dozen years in Shanghai, Berg immigrated to the new country of Israel. The reason, she said, was simple.

“No one wanted us.”

Her parents, Cindy Vayonis said, went to Israel for safety. Her father, feeling a 4

NOVEMBER 24, 2023

Headlines Hausman: Continued from page 2

fire. There, he met Hausman, who was volunteering at the time for the Salvation Army.

He ran into Hausman again when the latter was working in the Monroeville area as an “upfitter,” or installer, of lights, sirens and gear on emergency vehicles. The two later worked together on an emergency planning committee.

“His memory is scary, impeccable,” Wilharm laughed. “I’d say to him, ‘Hey, Alan, this light went out on my vehicle,’ and he’d say, ‘Oh, that’s a 7-3-6-A’ without even looking up; it was incredible.”

“He always paid attention to detail,” he added. “The bulb, he knows the bulb number. He can name the number of the fuses — ‘the I-17 fuse’— and sure enough that’s what it was.”

Darryl Jones, chief of the Fire Bureau of Pittsburgh, also is impressed with Hausman’s know-how and work ethic. The two worked together years ago at the company Keystone Fire Apparatus, Inc. Today, Hausman reports to Jones in his capacity as the city’s emergency management coordinator.

Jones also worked with Hausman in responding to the 2018 synagogue shooting.

When he first saw Hausman, Jones said he “was in a different place” and seemed distracted.

“Despite all that, he set up what we needed,” said Jones, who recently finished his 16th year as fire chief. “He was an invaluable resource to us, not only in managing that incident but in recovering from that incident.”

p Alan Hausman, vice president of Tree of Life*Or L'Simcha Congregation, is also the chief of PA Strike Team 1, an urban search and rescue team that is equipped to save people from building collapses, floods and other natural disasters and terrorist attacks.

Photo by Lauren Rosenblatt

Returning to the Tree of Life-Or L’Simcha site has been tough for those selected to do so. But Hausman said he is moving forward with and passionately touting the site’s rebuilding plans.

His wife, Stacey, a bookkeeper and the mother of their 23-year-old son, Duncan, said it’s time to return to “a new normal.”

“I am looking forward to going back to

Don’t miss an issue

what would be our building, even if it’s not the same,” said Stacey Hausman, who recently celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary with her husband. “It will be more comforting.

It’ll be our space.”

It’s been a tough year, punctuated by a trial, in which Hausman testified for the prosecution, that ran for much of the summer.

Hausman admits that the trial against the synagogue shooter has emboldened his views of how to move on from Oct. 27, 2018.

Hausman still won’t say the shooter’s name.

“I have zero feelings for the bad guy, none,” he said. “It’s almost in my mind as if he doesn’t exist. My concentration has always been on the survivors, the victims and their families, the officers.”

Wilharm said the incident has really changed Hausman. He remembers his old friend talking about the emergency management response to the Oct. 27, 2018, shooting during an emergency planning committee hearing in Coraopolic in the following January.

“He broke down a few times,” Wilharm said.

“The people in the audience did, as well. But he talked through it.”

“Alan knew every single person in the temple, that’s tough,” Wilharm added. “I’ve been out on a lot of calls, fires and plane crashes, but it never happened to me that I came onto a scene and saw someone that I knew or loved. That’s left some emotional scars for him.”

In the shooting’s aftermath, Shawn Brokos said Hausman has become an indispensable partner in the Jewish community’s fight against antisemitism.

Brokos, a 24-year FBI veteran who today heads community security efforts for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, talked with Hausman regularly after the synagogue shooting and in the wake of this summer’s trial.

But, the two have remained in regular contact as Brokos deals with gatherings — and antisemitic incidents — stemming from the conflict unfolding in Gaza, kickstarted when Hamas militants stormed southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing and injuring thousands of civilians.

“He is probably near the top, if not the top, of the most frequent contacts in my cellphone,” Brokos told the Chronicle.

Brokos remembers asking Hausman for tours of the Tree of Life-Or L’Simcha building after the shooting.

“As painful and as gut-wrenching as it had to be for him (to tour the site), he was amazing and he was so patient, walking us room to room and talking to us about what happened,” she said. “In typical fashion, he was always so accommodating, always with a smile. He was walking through some of the most painful places … and he did it week after week.”

“That is Alan to a T,” Brokos said. “He goes above and beyond every day.”

His wife says it’s just what Hausman does.

“He’s been doing this forever and he knows everyone,” Stacey Hausman said.

“Everywhere we go in the world, Alan knows someone. He just knows everyone, and everyone knows him.” PJC Justin Vellucci is a freelance writer.

We are thankful for our amazing, caring & supportive community

All changes can be submitted in writing or emailed to subscriptions @ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

or call 410-902-2300, ext. 1

Wishing you a meaningful and Happy Thanksgiving

ACCOUNT NUMBER NAME CURRENT ADDRESS CITY, STATE, ZIP PHONE

EMAIL

Financial help for the Western PA Jewish Community for pressing expenses

NAME NEW ADDRESS CITY, STATE, ZIP PHONE

EMAIL

DATE EFFECTIVE

Timely, Confidential, No Repayment

SNOWBIRD RETURN DATE

Please clip this coupon and mail to: 5915 Beacon St., 5th Flr., Pittsburgh, PA 15217

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

412.521.3237 | JewishAssistanceFund.org

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

NOVEMBER 24, 2023

5

Calendar Submit calendar items on the Chronicle’s website, pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. Submissions also will be included in print. Events will run in the print edition beginning one month prior to the date as space allows. The deadline for submissions is Friday, noon. q SUNDAYS, NOV. 26 – DEC. 3 Join Chabad of Squirrel Hill for its Men’s Tefillin Club.

Enjoy bagels, lox and tefillin on the first Sunday of the month. 8:30 a.m. chabadpgh.com. q SUNDAYS, NOV. 26- DEC. 10 Join Chabad of South Hills for Babyccino, a chic meet for moms and tots. Three classes of Chanukah delight for ages 0-3. Location given upon registration. 11:15 a.m. chabdsh.com/babyccino. q SUNDAYS, NOV. 26 – DEC. 17 Join a lay-led online parshah study group to discuss the week’s Torah portion. No Hebrew knowledge needed. The goal is to build community while deepening understanding of the text. 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit bethshalompgh.org. q MONDAYS, NOV. 27 – DEC. 4 Join H. Arnold and Adrien B. Gefsky Community Scholar Rabbi Danny Schiff for Modern Jewish Philosophy.

In this course, Rabbi Schiff will introduce the great Jewish philosophers of modernity and will make their important ideas understandable and relevant to today. $95. Zoom. jewishpgh.org/event/modern-jewishphilosophy/2023-10-16. q MONDAYS, NOV. 27 – DEC. 18 Join Congregation Beth Shalom for a weekly Talmud study. 9:15 a.m. For more information, visit bethshalompgh.org. q MONDAYS, NOV. 27 – MAY 13 H. Arnold and Adrien B. Gefsky Community Scholar Rabbi Danny Schiff presents Torah 2. Understanding the Torah and what it asks of us is perhaps one of the most important things that a Jew can learn. In Torah 2, Schiff will explore the second half of Leviticus and all of Numbers and Deuteronomy. $225. Zoom. jewishpgh. org/event/torah-2-2/2023-10-09. q TUESDAY, NOV. 28 Classrooms Without Borders presents “Political Corruption and the Rise of Modern Anti-Semitism in 19th century France” with Lisa Leff, Professor of History, American University and Director, Mandel Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and moderated by Michal Rose Friedman, Jack Buncher Professor of Jewish Studies, Department of History, Carnegie Mellon University. 6 p.m. 100 Porter Hall, Carnegie Mellon University, 4815 Frew St, 15213. cwbpgh.org/venue/100porter-hall-carnegie-mellon-university-4815-frew-stpittsburgh-pa-15213.

Join together in unity for an evening filled with light, joy and laughter. Chabad of the South Hills presents A Night of Light-Ladies Night Out. Sharing our talents and tasting family favorite recipes. All proceeds will go to the victims of terror. 7 p.m. $18. chabadsh.com/ladies. q TUESDAYS, NOV. 28, DEC. 5, 12, 29 Israeli politics is at the center of many critical Jewish conversations. But how does the Israeli political system really work? In the Israeli Political System Rabbi Danny Schiff will describe how the Knesset functions, how elections are handled, and how the courts, the laws and the demographics make Israel so politically unusual. Noon. $55. jewishpgh.org/series/the-israelipolitical-system. q WEDNESDAYS, NOV. 29 – DEC. 6 Join H. Arnold and Adrien B. Gefsky Community Scholar Rabbi Danny Schiff for The God Class. Schiff will discuss

Jewish views of God and how they’ve developed through the ages. 9:30 a.m. $150. jewishpgh.org/event/ the-god-class/2023-09-27.

Chabad of the South Hills presents a new six-week JLI course, “The World of Kabbalah – Revealing How Its Mystical Secrets Relate to You.” Discover the core mystical and spiritual teachings of Kabbalah and their relevance to everyday life. Learn to think like a Jewish mystic and gain powerful insights to fuel deeper self-understanding and personal growth. 7:30 p.m.

Chabad of the South Hills, 1701 McFarland Road. chabadsh.com.

Join Chabad of Pittsburgh for The World of Kabbalah, a 6-week JLI course. Discover the core mystical and spiritual teachings of Kabbalah and their relevance to everyday life. You’ll learn to think like a Jewish mystic and gain powerful insights to fuel deeper self-understanding and personal growth. Curious why there’s so much buzz around Kabbalah? Discover it for yourself by attending The World of Kabbalah with Rabbi Yisroel Altein. 7:30 p.m. $90/course.

1700 Beechwood Blvd. chabadpgh.com. q WEDNESDAYS, NOV. 29 – DEC. 27 Bring the parashah alive and make it personally relevant and meaningful with Rabbi Mark Goodman in this weekly Parashah Discussion: Life & Text.

12:15 p.m. For more information, visit bethshalompgh. org/life-text.

Temple Sinai’s Rabbi Daniel Fellman presents a weekly Parshat/Torah portion class on site and online. Call 412-421-9715 for more information and the Zoom link. q WEDNESDAYS, NOV. 29 – MAY 15 The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh virtually presents two Melton courses back-to-back: “Ethics” and “Crossroads.” In “Ethics,” learn how Jewish teachings shed light on Jewish issues. “Crossroads” will present an emphasis on reclaiming the richness of Jewish history. 7 p.m. $300 for this 25-session series (book included). jewishpgh.org/series/ melton-ethics-crossroads. q THURSDAY, NOV. 30 Chabad of Squirrel Hill presents A Celebration of Light, an evening of women’s song and stories exploring the gift of Chassidism. 7 p.m. $10. 1700 Beechwood Blvd. chabadpgh.com. q SUNDAY, DEC. 3 Get into the Chanukah spirit with Chabad of Squirrel Hill by baking Chanukah Gelt Crinkle Cookies to take home and to share. Also, enjoy a special Chanukah balloon show. 3 p.m. $10/child. 1700 Beechwood Blvd. chabadpgh.com.

Join Classrooms Without Borders on Zoom for “A Daughter’s Kaddish” with author Sarah Birnbach in which she recounts her year-long odyssey to persevere through an unfamiliar world of Jewish prayer and honor her father. 7 p.m. cwbpgh.org/ event/a-daughters-kaddish-with-author-sarahbirnbach/?mc_cid=3e7160b202&mc_eid= 300cbb1627. q WEDNESDAY, DEC. 6 Join Chabad of South Hills for a pre-Chanukah Legoland and build your own light menorah, enjoy a mystery Maccabee quest, mega-dreidel showdown, glow nut lab and hot dinner. 4:15 p.m. $13/child.

Early bird, $10/child for anyone who registers before Nov. 23. chabadsh.com/lego. q THURSDAY, DEC. 7 Join Chabad of the South Hills for the annual South Hills Lights Chanukah festival. Enjoy a car menorah

parade, live music, an 8-foot LED robot, photo booth, fire truck gelt drop, latkes, doughnuts and grand menorah lighting. 4:30 p.m. Free. 1801 Dormont Ave., Dormont pool parking lot. chabadsh.com/lights.

Join Mayor Ed Gainey for a Downtown Menorah Lighting and enjoy live music and latkes and donuts.

5 p.m. City County Building, 414 Grant St., 15219. chabadpgh.com. q SATURDAY, DEC. 9 Join Chabad of South Hills for a latke cook-off. Sixth and eighth graders will compete for the title of “latke masters.” Enjoy a doughnut bar, get special swag and write letters to the soldiers. 6:30 p.m. $10. Address given upon registration. chabadsh.com/latke. q SUNDAY, DEC. 10 Join Chabad of Squirrel Hill for the Squirrel Hill Chanukah Walk and Menorah Lighting Festival.

Enjoy a variety of activities, including cookie making, a dreidel craft, cards for Israeli soldiers, watching a juggling show and more. The walk culminates with a Grand Menorah Lighting Festival complete with a fire show, ice-carved Menorah, photo booth and hot latkes and donuts. 2:30 p.m. Corner of Beacon Street and Murray Ave. chabadpgh.com.

Join Classrooms Without Borders in partnership with The Collaboratory Against Hate and the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh for the premiere of the film “Irena’s Vow.” 3 p.m. McConomy Auditorium, 5032 Forbes Ave., 15213. cwbpgh.org/event/irenas-vowcommunity-film-event/?mc_cid=3e7160b202&mc_ eid=300cbb162.

q TUESDAY, DEC. 12 Join Chabad of Squirrel Hill for a Menorah Car Parade.

Drive through the streets of Pittsburgh with menorah topped cars and music. Share the joy and spread the Chanukah light. 4:45 p.m. JAA parking lot, 200 JHF Drive. chabadpgh.com.

Join Chabad of Squirrel Hill for a Schenley Plaza Menorah Lighting as they light the menorah on the sixth night of Chanukah. Celebrate with live music, latkes and donuts and a juggling show. 5:45 p.m.

Schenley Plaza, outdoor tent. chabadpgh.com. q WEDNESDAY, DEC. 13 Classrooms Without Borders scholar Avi Ben-Hur presents an update on Israel with analysis into the war as it unfolds. 2 p.m. cwbpgh.org/event/israelupdate-with-avi-ben-hur-12/?mc_cid=3e7160b202&mc_ eid=300cbb162 Women are invited to join Chabad of Squirrel Hill on Zoom for a Rosh Chodesh gathering and to hear words of wisdom on the month of Teves. 7:30 p.m. chabadpgh.com. q SUNDAY, DEC. 17 The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh presents Advanced Community Active Threat Training, a fourpart course that will address: The mind of the active shooter predator vs. prey, situational awareness and survival mindset, basic self-defense techniques, weapons awareness and disarming techniques.

Reality based training. 2 p.m. Rodef Shalom Congregation, 4905 Fifth Ave. jewishpgh.org/ event/advanced-catt. PJC

Join the Chronicle Book Club!

T

he Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle invites you to join the Chronicle Book Club for its Dec. 17 discussion of Senior Staff Writer David Rullo’s new book, “Gen X Pittsburgh: The Beehive and the ’90s Scene.”

The discussion will take place in person at noon at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh in Squirrel Hill. A Zoom link will also be available.

About the book: “Beginning in the early 1990s, Pittsburgh’s South Side neighborhood began to transform from the post-industrial morass it had been suffering for the last few decades. Artists began to rent empty apartments, what were once shot-and-a-beer bars became hip dive bars and entrepreneurs found inexpensive real estate to follow their visions. It was in this landscape that the Beehive Coffeehouse began to attract a new '90s alternative crowd. The South Side Beehive ... was where the night often began, and weekends ended.”

Come meet the author and hear more about this thoroughly engaging story.

Email: Contact us at drullo@pittsburgh jewishchronicle.org, and write “Chronicle Book Club” in the subject line to register.

Specify if you will be attending in person or would like to participate online. Registration closes on Dec. 14.

Happy reading! PJC — Toby Tabachnick

Your Hosts:

David Rullo, Chronicle senior staff writer Toby Tabachnick, editor of the Chronicle

What To Do

Buy: “Gen X Pittsburgh: The Beehive and the '90s Scene.” It is available at most local book stores, from online retailers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and through the Carnegie Library system.

www.pittsburghjewishchronicle.org 6

NOVEMBER 24, 2023

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Headlines Antisemitic vandalism spread worldwide in 1960, then faded away — HISTORY —

By Eric Lidji | Special to the Chronicle

T

he powers that were would have criticized this article. They would have found it foolish to risk the publicity, possibly even dangerous. What good is scaring everyone?

At least, that appears to be how they handled things. The only reason we know anything happened is because one person felt compelled to photograph it. He saved those photographs, and then his family sent them to this newspaper — some 63 years later.

The photographer was Clarence “Code” Gomberg. He was a lovely man, a proud veteran, a jack-of-all-trades. His photographs show the entrance to Minadeo Elementary School in October 1960, covered in swastikas, slogans and other antisemitic graffiti.

After months of searching, I’ve been unable to find this incident in the historical record — not in any of the local newspapers, not in the records of the leading Jewish organizations. An inquiry to the “Minadeo Alums” group on Facebook yielded nothing.

What I did find were similar incidents.

And not just a few, but a lot — hundreds, possibly even thousands of acts of antisemitic vandalism all over the world that year.

It began on Christmas morning 1959, when neo-Nazis defaced the Roonstrasse Synagogue in Cologne, Germany. Soon, other German synagogues were defaced.

Within a week, similar acts of vandalism started occurring throughout England. Over the next few months, it spread to some 34 countries, including the United States. By early March 1960, the Anti-Defamation League had recorded 637 incidents in 236 American cities.

It became known as the Swastika Epidemic of 1959-1960. While historians still regularly study the event, it is surprisingly absent from popular Jewish memory.

The Minadeo incident came six months after the peak of the epidemic, but it fits the trend. In a paper from April 1961, sociologist Howard J. Ehrlich analyzed American communities where incidents had occurred.

He found that both the size and the growth rate of a Jewish population correlated with increased incidents of vandalism.

Minadeo had only opened a few years earlier in 1957. The Jewish population along the border between Squirrel Hill and Greenfield was increasing, and there is anecdotal evidence about the hard time Jewish kids were facing from their non-Jewish peers. According to the ADL report, some 20% of the American incidents occurred at non-sectarian colleges, at public libraries and public schools like Minadeo.

The Swastika Epidemic prompted a United Nations investigation into global antisemitism. (At least one historian has since argued that the UN’s response led, in a roundabout and perverse way, to its infamous “Zionism is Racism” resolution of 1975.)

The epidemic also received a lot of media attention. Throughout 1960, the

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Jewish Criterion and the American Jewish Outlook (predecessors of the Chronicle) both published dozens of editorials and wire reports on incidents of antisemitic vandalism across the country and around the world.

And yet neither newspaper reported directly on the Minadeo incident. Here and elsewhere, the Swastika Epidemic was often discussed globally but suppressed locally.

A few weeks before the Minadeo incident, the two local Jewish newspapers both reprinted comments from Rabbi Amiel Wohl, addressing vandalism at his synagogue in Waco, Texas. The Jewish Community Relations Council there had “elected silence,” asking the press to withhold the antisemitic nature of the incident from its coverage.

But Rabbi Wohl privately identified his vandals and confronted them. They were local teenagers. “I tried to reason with the boys and discover what made them desecrate a House of God, writing obscenities and drawing swastikas,” Rabbi Wohl wrote.

“Didn’t they know about Hitler’s mass murders? No. Did they know American men had died fighting Nazism? Hardly.

Wasn’t it a low blow to desecrate a ‘church?’

Well — sort of.

“They didn’t know anything about anything. Except that a swastika did belong on a Jewish house of worship. They had read about it. It was fun to do.”

The incident at Minadeo appears to have been something similar— the work of young people who had “read about it.” Among the swastikas and death threats are some toilet humor, as well as schoolyard-type taunts that have nothing to do with Jews.

Based on little more than a gut feeling, the lack of coverage surrounding the vandalism at Minadeo was a deliberate strategy by community leaders to contain the viral nature of the swastika epidemic by reducing publicity. Or maybe their goal was to reduce fear among a Jewish population that was just 15 years out from the Holocaust. Or perhaps they did address the incident publicly, but the documentation doesn’t survive.

Silence is a source of historical insight but is highly prone to misinterpretation.

I don’t have the historical expertise to compare our moment to the Swastika Epidemic, but I do have a sense of my own psyche. Ever since I was little, I have been told that societies can degrade quickly — that, to steal a line from Hemingway, stability can disappear “gradually, then suddenly.” I suspect many of you heard that, too.

In her memoir “Roses in December,” Florence Berman Karp recalls standing with her siblings on the back porch of her home on Washington Avenue in Altoona in the 1920s, looking over a distant hillside where the Ku Klux Klan was burning crosses.

“As small children we could not have understood the implications of fiery crosses, but I remember vividly the shuddering fear, the sobering terror we felt when we saw them … we all felt these fears and sort of inhaled them from the air in our house, probably from Mama’s behavior and attitudes if not definite words,” Karp wrote. Her mother was a survivor of violent antisemitism in Europe, with a worldview shaped by those experiences. Karp continued, “Even though

Clarence “Code” Gomberg snapped his photograph of the vandalized entrance of Minadeo Elementary School in October 1960.

Rauh Jewish Archives

no truly antisemitic act was ever experienced by any of us, the fear of such a thing was quite definite, at least in me.”

I imagine there are millions of Jewish children right now, and many adults, too, who are standing on their back porches, shuddering at the fiery crosses in the distance.

Things are different today. Containment doesn’t work in a digital age. Even if it did,

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

there is a growing sense that it is better to announce and condemn hateful acts than to obscure and deplore them. Having to debate which approach is better is itself a tragedy. PJC Eric Lidji is the director of the Rauh Jewish Archives at the Heinz History Center and can be reached at rjarchives@heinz historycenter.org or 412-454-6406.

NOVEMBER 24, 2023

7

Headlines Department of Education opens investigations of antisemitism and Islamophobia at 7 schools in the wake of Oct. 7 — WORLD —

By Andrew Lapin | JTA.org

T

he U.S. Department of Education announced that it has opened five new investigations into the handling of antisemitism and two into the handling of Islamophobia on college and K-12 campuses.

The announcement on Thursday, Nov. 16, was a show of force from the department, which said the flood of investigations represented “part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s continued efforts to take aggressive action to address the alarming nationwide rise in reports of antisemitism, anti-Muslim, anti-Arab, and other forms of discrimination and harassment on college campuses and in K-12 schools since the October 7 Israel-Hamas conflict.”

Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza began when the terror group invaded Israel on Oct. 7. Since then, Jewish groups and law enforcement agencies have reported a spike in antisemitism, and at a meeting in late October, the White House warned of “an alarming rise of reported antisemitic events” on college campuses since Oct. 7.

The investigations are being handled by the department’s civil rights office under

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which forbids discrimination based on race or shared ancestry at federally funded institutions. An executive order signed by then-President Donald Trump in 2019 included some anti-Israel activity in the definition of antisemitism that falls under Title VI’s purview.

Jewish leaders at three recent House hearings on the subject called on the Education Department to use its resources to protect Jewish students, and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona has tasked the department with moving swiftly to do so. Two weeks ago, he warned schools that they could lose their federal funding if they failed to properly investigate antisemitism on campus.

“Hate has no place in our schools, period.

When students are targeted because they are—or are perceived to be—Jewish, Muslim, Arab, Sikh, or any other ethnicity or shared ancestry, schools must act to ensure safe and inclusive educational environments where everyone is free to learn,” Cardona said in a statement about the new investigations. “These investigations underscore how seriously the Biden-Harris Administration, including the U.S. Department of Education, takes our responsibility to protect students from hatred and discrimination.”

Opening an investigation does not mean

ALAN CUMMING and ARI SHAPIRO: OCH & OY! A Considered Cabaret

Friday, December 1, 2023 • Byham Theater

TRUS TARTS.ORG 8

NOVEMBER 24, 2023

Media Partner

 A woman affixes a flier for Israeli hostages to Cooper Union College in New York City, a day after Jewish students sheltered in a library during a pro-Palestinian protest on Oct. 26.

Luke Tress via JTA.org

the department believes the complaint’s claims are true, only that it has determined the complaint falls under its civil rights purview. Investigations look at whether the school in question took adequate measures to protect students from discrimination.

Several of the schools on the list have issued responses in the wake of headline-grabbing instances of antisemitism.

The department declined to comment on the details of the investigations to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency and would not disclose which were related to antisemitism and which to Islamophobia.

But three of the colleges on the list, all in New York state, have made headlines because of antisemitic incidents since Oct. 7.

At Cornell University, one student sent death threats to Jewish students on campus after a professor said at a rally that he was “exhilarated” by the Oct. 7 attack; at Columbia University an Israeli student was assaulted amid what Jewish students have said is an increasingly antisemitic environment; and at Cooper Union, Jewish students barricaded themselves in a library during a pro-Palestinian protest.

The presidents of all three schools have since issued statements condemning antisemitism, and Columbia’s president has announced the formation of an antisemitism task force. The school has also suspended its chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, citing violations of university rules, following a call by Jewish leaders to crack down on the group.

In addition, two of the new investigations appear to line up with recent civil rights complaints brought by the Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, a pro-Israel legal group. Kenneth Marcus, founder and chair of the group, and a former Trump administration official, took credit for the “swift” opening of the two investigations in a statement to JTA, and a Brandeis Center spokesperson said the group had been informed that the investigations were in response to its complaints.

One of those complaints was about reported instances of antisemitic graffiti and a trespasser on the property of Hillel at the University of Pennsylvania in

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

conjunction with a “Palestine Writes” festival held on campus prior to Oct. 7. The school has already pledged to review its event policies as a result of these incidents.

The Brandeis Center’s Penn complaint also includes references to purported antisemitism taking place on campus since the attacks, citing chants referencing the “intifada” and “From the river to the sea” at campus rallies.

The second Brandeis Center complaint is about Wellesley College, where, the center alleges, dorm residential staff sent out an email after Oct. 7 saying that there should be “no support for Zionism within the Wellesley College community.” That complaint was brought jointly with Jewish on Campus, a student antisemitism watchdog group.

The other two schools with new investigations are Lafayette College in Pennsylvania and Maize Unified School District in Kansas, a suburb of Wichita. Maize Unified School District said in a statement Friday that the Department of Education did not provide it with a copy of the complaint, so the district couldn’t respond to it.

It was not immediately clear what may have prompted these final two investigations, but an Oct. 25 statement from the president of Lafayette College references a student holding up “a poster bearing words with antisemitic meaning” during a proPalestinian walkout, and notes that the incident would be addressed “through our bias accountability process.” An account from pro-Palestinian students in the campus paper said that the student in question had held a poster reading “From the river to the sea,” which the writers did not believe was antisemitic. In addition, administrators at the college this spring rejected a request to form a chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, with the dean of students suggesting the group could target Jewish students.

Previous antisemitism-related investigations in the department have resulted in schools including the University of Vermont and the University of Illinois pledging to put new resources in place for Jewish students, including new campus facilities and antisemitism awareness training for staff. PJC PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Headlines Three polls asking the same question showed a stark contrast: A substantial majority of American Jews approve of President Joe Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war, while majorities of Americans disapprove, JTA.org reported.

A poll released on Nov. 16 by the Jewish Electorate Institute found that 74% of Jewish registered voters approved of Biden’s handling of the war Hamas launched on Oct. 7.

A Marist poll conducted for public broadcasters NPR and PBS News Hour and released on Nov. 15 found that 53% of registered voters disapprove of how Biden is handling the war while 41% approve. A Quinnipiac University poll released the same day found that 54% disapprove and 37% approve.

Jewish voters favored Biden’s handling of the war more strongly than Democrats did in general. While the Jewish Electorate Institute showed 74% of Jews approved of Biden’s handling, both general polls, Marist and Quinnipiac, showed 60% approval among Democrats for Biden’s handling of the war. The Marist poll showed 34% of Democrats disapproved, as did 33% in the Quinnipiac poll.

to curtail the group’s operations this month, JTA.org reported.

The group will not be able to sponsor or organize on-campus activities or use any university facilities for at least the next 90 days. It also cannot post communications on university property until May 20, the end of the school year.

GWU made international headlines last month when members of the pro-Palestinian student group screened anti-Israel messages including “Glory To Our Martyrs,” “Divestment From Zionist Genocide Now” and “Free Palestine From The River To The Sea” on the outer wall of the Gelman Library, named for two prominent local Jewish figures.

University president Ellen Granberg said the next day that the projections were antisemitic and violated university policy. Now, administrators say an investigation confirmed the violations and the group would be suspended.

On Nov. 6, Brandeis University permanently banned SJP, saying the group “openly supports Hamas.” And Columbia University suspended both SJP and Jewish Voice for Peace for violating university policies and expressing “threatening rhetoric and intimidation.” In addition, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered public universities in that state to “deactivate” SJP chapters, though state officials said that had not happened.

SJP suspended at George Washington University, adding to a growing trend

UK cabinet member fired after saying police are more lenient with pro-Palestinian protesters

— WORLD — Polls show American Jews approve of Biden’s handling of war, but Americans as a whole don’t

George Washington University has suspended Students for Justice in Palestine for at least 90 days, making it the third U.S. college

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak fired his home secretary, Suella Braverman, on Nov. 13, days after she published an op-ed arguing

Today in Israeli History — ISRAEL — Items are provided by the Center for Israel Education (israeled.org), where you can find more details.

Nov. 24, 1938 — Parliament debates Palestine

During the 1936-1939 Arab Revolt, the House of Commons debates the future of Palestine. Colonial Secretary Malcolm MacDonald says Palestine can accommodate only a fraction of the Jews who might flee Nazism.

Nov. 25, 1940 — Transport ship Patria is sunk

The Haganah bombs the SS Patria in Haifa’s harbor to disable the ship and prevent the British from shipping more than 1,700 Jewish refugees to Mauritius.

But the ship quickly sinks, killing 267 people.

Nov. 26, 1949 — Singer Shlomo Artzi is born

p Shlomo Artzi performs in Tel Aviv in 2011.

By Ya’acov Sa’ar, Israeli Government Press Office

Singer-song writer Shlomo Artzi is born at Moshav Alonei Abba, near Haifa.

He sells more than 1.5 million albums, and Israel Television names him “The Singer of the 60 Years” for Israel’s 60th birthday in 2008.

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Nov. 27, 1914 — JDC is founded

that British police are more lenient with pro-Palestinian protesters than they are with far-right ones.

The article, published without Sunak’s approval, highlighted how divisive proPalestinian protests have been in the United Kingdom and around the world. Ahead of a massive pro-Palestinian rally in London that drew hundreds of thousands of people, Braverman wrote that the city’s Metropolitan Police “play favorites” with different groups of protesters.

While many global pro-Palestinian rallies since Hamas’ attacks on Israel on Oct. 7 have included antisemitic incidents and chants, protest groups say that authorities have focused on fringe figures who do not represent their movement.

Most rally arrests involved far-right counter-protesters. But Sunak, who has voiced strong public support for Israel, condemned “Hamas sympathizers” who joined in the march, “singing antisemitic chants and brandishing pro-Hamas signs and clothing.”

Ventura County sheriff arrests suspect in killing of Paul Kessler

The Ventura County sheriff announced that it arrested Loay Abdelfattah Alnaji, 50, on Nov. 16 in connection with the death of 69-year-old Paul Kessler from injuries sustained at a proIsrael rally in the Los Angeles area on Nov. 5, JNS.org reported.

Alnaji’s bail is set at $1 million, the sheriff ’s office announced. The suspect is to be booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility.

The British Land Transfer Committee reports on the effectiveness of restrictions on Jewish land purchases under the 1939 White Paper. The panel finds that Arabs willingly continued to sell land to Jews.

Nov. 29, 1928 — Meretz founder Aloni is born

Shulamit Aloni, a civil rights activist, is born in Tel Aviv.

She is first elected to the Knesset in 1965 with Mapai. p Shulamit Aloni fought with the She starts Ratz in Palmach in the 1973, then merges defense of Jerusalem Ratz with Mapam during the War and Shinui to form of Independence.

Meretz in 1992.

Nov. 30, 1947 — Jews are attacked in Arab cities

The U.N. partition vote the previous day not only sparks violence between Jews and Arabs in Palestine — the first phase of Israel’s War of Independence — but also leads to riots against Jews across the Middle East. PJC

Hebrew watch, frozen in time of Titanic wreck, hits auction block

A pocket watch, frozen in time when the Titanic went underwater, was set to sell at auction on Nov. 19, with an expected sales price of nearly $100,000, JTA.org reported.

That’s nearly 30 times the value of the ticket that Sinai Kantor, a Russian Jew, spent for his ticket on the “unsinkable” ship. Henry Aldridge and Son is the auction house selling the watch.

Numbers on the Swiss-made, silver-onbrass watch are written in Hebrew numerals and its hands are nearly all deteriorated, due to saltwater exposure — but dried water marks indicate that time stopped at 2:25 a.m., about five minutes after the Titanic sank. Its back features an embossed, solemn, muscular Moses holding the Ten Commandments on a background of date palms.

The silver pocket watch once belonged to Kantor, 34, a second-class passenger traveling with his wife Miriam, 24. The pair were on their way to New York where Kantor planned to sell furs while they studied dentistry and medicine, as part of a flood of Jewish immigration.

— Compiled by Andy Gotlieb

Murray Avenue Kosher 1916 MURRAY AVENUE 412-421-1015 • 412-421-4450 • FAX 412-421-4451

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee is founded with the merger of the Central Relief Committee and the American Jewish Relief Committee. The goal is to aid Jews worldwide in a timely way.

Nov. 28, 1945 — British issue land report

The sheriff ’s office encourages anyone with evidence, including video footage, of Kessler’s death to come forward.

An archived page for Loay Alnaji on the website of the Ventura County Community College District identifies Alnaji as a full-time professor at the community college who teaches computer architecture and organization, program concepts methodology and server-side development using PHP.

PRICES EFFECTIVE SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26 – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2023 Candle Lighting Time Friday, November 24, 2023 • 4:39 p.m.

MEAT

WINE SPECIALS

BONELESS CHICKEN BREAST

CHATEAU ROYAUMONT LALANDE DE POMEROL WINE

7

$ .49 LB .6

$

CHUCK STEAK

13.59 LB

$

.6

41

.99

750 ML

TERRA DI SETTA CHIANTI CLASSICO WINE

HOURS

MONDAY & TUESDAY DINNER SPECIAL Grilled Chicken Breast Multi Bean Salad $ .99

14

Serves 2

STORE HOURS

GROCERY

DELI

Sunday • 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Monday • 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Tuesday • 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Wednesday • 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Thursday • 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Friday • 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

COOKED FOODS

NUGO CHOCOLATE ALMOND BAR WITH SEA SALT $ .99

REGULAR PASTRAMI $ .19

CHICKEN POT PIE $ .99

OSEN SOUP CROUTONS $ .49

GARLIC OLIVES $ .99

STUFFED PEPPER SOUP $ .99

NOVA LOX .99

CUCUMBER SALAD $ .99

CHUCK ROAST

$

13.39 LB .6

1

5

EA

EA

$

22.99 750 ML

16 7

LB

LB

GEFEN CHOCOLATE CHIPS $ .99

$

BEYOND CHICKEN NUGGETS $ .99

A & H LEAN CORNED BEEF $ .29

2

7

EA

EA

HOMEMADE SALADS & SOUPS DELI PARTY TRAYS

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

29

20

LB

LB

We Prepare Trays for All Occasions UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF VAAD OF PITTSBURGH

8

10 6

LB

QT

LB

BOLOGNA BBQ .99

$

11

LB

CATERING SPECIALISTS DELICIOUS FRIED CHICKEN WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO LIMIT QUANTITIES.

NOVEMBER 24, 2023

9

Headlines Israel: Continued from page 1

In Ofakim, Adelson and his fellow spiritual guides witnessed other reminders of the carnage.

Vehicles, which belonged to Nova music festival attendees, were grouped in a parking lot, Adelson said. “Many of the cars had bullet holes in the windshields. In many cases, the glass was broken. You could see people’s personal stuff inside — strollers, purses — some of the stuff was melted and burned.”

Adelson photographed a vehicle produced by BYD Auto.

“It’s somewhat ironic that the car says, ‘Build Your Dreams,’” Adelson said. “The back window was shot out.”

Genack, of Shaare Torah Congregation, traveled to Israel between Oct. 29 and Nov. 3 alongside Orthodox rabbis on a mission organized by the Rabbinical Council of America, Mizrachi and RIETS. “I saw a country that I was not familiar with,” he said. “Everybody was completely activated and completely engaged.”

Whether it was simply noticing countless uniformed soldiers throughout the country or watching volunteers pack food for refugees and caring for displaced people, the engagements were “serious and inspiring,” Genack said.

In Ofakim, Genack said he saw the “strength and perseverance” of a community where people are “living this grief together.”

He described walking the streets of the southern city and seeing shiva notices lining Ofakim’s walls.

During a separate visit to an army base with Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon, Chief Rabbi of Gush Etzion, Genack attended a barbecue for soldiers. The event was held in memory of those killed on Oct. 7.

Along with hearing from a deceased soldier’s mother, Genack said he watched soldiers — of varying religious practices — dance together.

When Rimon offered dog tags with the imprinted words of “Shema Yisrael,” soldiers quickly took the small metal pieces,

p Remnants of a Kfar Aza home that was destroyed by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7. Rabbi Seth Adelson visited the site on Nov. 7.

Photos by Rabbi Seth Adelson

Genack said: “There’s almost like a spiritual revivalism that’s going together with the national revivalism and the unity there.”

Genack told the Chronicle that he, too, took one of the dog tags, and while exiting Israel was stopped by security at Ben Gurion Airport.

He said a young woman asked about the odd metal marker: “I said, ‘I am a rabbi from America. I am here with Rabbi Rimon, and this is for you.’”

Genack said the security agent cried, and he did as well.

“People are together, and they are strong, but not in a way that buries or counteracts their grief. They really feel their grief at the same time as they are pushing together and sharing their determination,” he said. “The trip was very profound, very inspiring and very serious all at once.”

Squirrel Hill resident Michael Milch traveled to Israel between Oct. 30 and Nov. 3 with Jewish Federations of North America.

Milch, a member of the organization’s Young Leadership Cabinet, said he visited the Jewish state to strengthen Israelis: “I ended up leaving with probably about 50 times as much inspiration from them as I was able to give.”

During an Oct. 31 visit with individuals whose loved ones are captives of Hamas, Milch heard stories and suggestions.

“It was a very difficult and very emotional

p On Oct. 7, this vehicle’s window was shot out by Hamas terrorists. Rabbi Seth Adelson observed the car in Ofakim one month later.

Photos by Rabbi Seth Adelson

day. I did not understand the magnitude of it until I listened to the firsthand accounts and heard from people who were locked in their saferooms with their families — some of their family members didn’t make it out, some didn’t survive, some did survive and are now hostages — some of these people expressed guilt for surviving; it was a very difficult day, and I want to bring their message back,” he said. “They want us to reach out to our elected officials and tell them to do everything they can to bring the hostages home. It’s obviously a very complicated situation, but I took the message to heart and have tried to reach out to as many people as I possibly can.”

Milch spent Nov. 1 visiting a United Hatzalah warehouse and speaking with members of the volunteer Israeli medical service.

“The cost of what it’s taken to restock supplies since Oct. 7 is tremendous. There are people who are working behind the scenes to give men, women, Jews, Arabs, Druze, everyone the supplies they need,” he said.

Since Oct. 7, the organization has enabled more than 2,500 physicians, paramedics and EMTs to rely on 375 emergency vehicles. And, during the initial days of the war, of the 3,800 people who were treated, 800 were transported to hospitals by United Hatzalah volunteers, according to the organization.

Milch called the volunteers “heroes” and said

Thanksgiving: Continued from page 1

should commemorate that.’”

Because of its basis in Sukkot, she ventured, the holiday feels as if it has religious themes not present in most secular holidays, which usually have patriotic themes.

“In Israel, that would feel Jewish but not in America,” she said. “Thanksgiving celebrates the theme of thankfulness, which is very Jewish. I mean, we have a prayer of thanksgiving in our services.”

Abby Mendelson recalled that Thanksgiving was his mother-in-law, Fran Newman’s, favorite American holiday, for multiple reasons.

The family, he explained, had varying degrees of religiosity, so it was hard to get together for a Jewish holiday. Thanksgiving presented a simple alternative.

“This, based on one meal in one evening, with no liturgy, was easy,” he said.

Mendelson said that his mother-in-law was a wonderful, kind generous woman, who, importantly, was also the oldest first American born in her family. Her parents, he noted, survived many trials and tribulations to get to the country and those left behind in Europe 10

NOVEMBER 24, 2023

AIGen / Adobe Stock

were murdered in one pogrom or another.

For a community of aliens who have made the United States their home, he said, Thanksgiving is a good time to feel American.

It’s culinary traditions: comfort food in great proportion, a menu everyone can enjoy and then everyone’s able to get home in one piece before winter grips the country and travel is more difficult.

“Everything that’s been added to it is benign,” he said, “designed to make us feel more like Americans: touch football, some TV, frenzied consumer shopping, no wars to discuss. No

politics or uniforms necessary. No, ‘who fought in the big one’ and ‘who dodged the draft.’

It’s perfect for Jews to feel good and fit in.”

Like Mendelson, Hadassa Feinhandler Kamensky grew up appreciative of her family’s life in America.

“We grew up saying every day is Thanksgiving,” she said, “so this is kind of like an anniversary to celebrate that.”

And while she’s grateful for the life she has in America, there was one part of the holiday, followed by Shabbat, which became too much.

As she explained it, like most Americans,

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

hearing their stories was “incredibly moving.”

Before leaving Israel, Milch traveled to Holon and attended the funeral of Sgt. Itay Yehuda, 20, a member of the Givati Brigade who, according to the IDF, was killed in fighting on Oct. 31.

“I saw thousands of people crying,” Milch said.

Now back in Pittsburgh, the Squirrel Hill resident told the Chronicle he has a better understanding of “the work that the Jewish Agency, JDC, Hatzalah and countless other organizations are doing to keep citizens protected.”

Everywhere Milch traveled in Israel, people thanked him for visiting but reiterated one message, he said: “We need the support to keep coming. It can’t wane, not from our brothers and sisters, not from members of Congress and The White House and not from other governments across the world.”

The Squirrel Hill resident said he hopes fellow Pittsburghers heed those words and contact elected officials: “We need to tell them that the hostages must be released, that Israel needs our support and will continue to need our support, and hopefully sometime soon we see peace.” PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. her family enjoyed turkey on Thanksgiving and, like many Jewish families, they enjoyed it again on Shabbos. At some point, she tired of the doubleheader. When she started her own family, a new tradition was born, pizza Thursday.

The abbreviated holiday meal made it easy for the family to enjoy another tradition: Black Friday sales.

“We’d wake up at 3 or 5 o’clock in the morning, and our Shabbos meal would be turkey,” she said.

Kamensky said the extended family, which would gather around the holiday, would enjoy another bygone tradition: going to Olan Mills.

“We’d have a family portrait for Thanksgiving,” she said.

No matter what part of the tradition she remembered, one recurring theme was present in all of Kamensky’s memories: family.

Mendelson, too, pointed out the importance of family to Thanksgiving, an idea present in many Jewish holidays.

“As the Gershwin brothers wrote, ‘Who could ask for anything more,’” he said. PJC David Rullo can be reached at drullo@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Headlines Why ADL Chief Jonathan Greenblatt Is Praising Elon Musk as Advertisers Flee X Over Antisemitism — NATIONAL —

By Andrew Lapin | JTA.org

A

dvertisers have been dropping off the social network X this week after its owner, Elon Musk, called an antisemitic post “the actual truth.”

It was the exact pressure tactic that the Anti-Defamation League had recommended almost exactly a year earlier to fight hate on the platform, then known as Twitter.

And given the Jewish civil rights group’s CEO’s response to Musk’s post endorsing the antisemitic “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory, one might have expected it to follow suit.

“It is indisputably dangerous to use one’s influence to validate and promote antisemitic theories,” ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt wrote on the platform.

Yet even as companies including IBM, Apple and Disney are pulling their ad dollars in protest, the ADL is continuing to buy ads on X — and Greenblatt has shifted to praising Musk, this time for what he says is a meaningful effort to fight antisemitism.

Musk had written another post, saying that two phrases common to pro-Palestinian protests — “decolonization,” and “from the river to the sea” — “necessarily imply genocide.” He added that users would be suspended if they posted “clear calls for extreme violence.”

“This is an important and welcome move by @elonmusk,” Greenblatt responded on X. “I appreciate this leadership in fighting hate.”

Musk has been sparring publicly with the ADL for months, at one point blaming it for rising antisemitism and threatening to sue it for billions of dollars. Now, the latest whirlwind chapter in that saga — Greenblatt’s quick shift from condemning to praising the billionaire social media mogul — has created a whiplash moment for the Jewish world.

On Monday, the State Department’s antisemitism envoy suggested that she opposed Greenblatt’s stance, while a member of one of the ADL’s advisory boards called the about-face “embarrassing.”

“The damage was done,” Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt remarked about Musk’s first tweet during a Monday briefing with Jewish media. “The endorsement of the Great Replacement theory was very harmful.”

Lipstadt added that she disapproved of what she saw as any attempt to “mitigate” Musk’s earlier tweet, without criticizing Greenblatt directly. “You can try to mitigate, but once you open the pillow, it’s like chasing the feathers,” she said.

Greenblatt told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency he didn’t regret his praise for Musk.

Praising people when they take what the ADL sees as the right steps, he said, is part of his job fighting antisemitism. Musk’s tweet and his own praise of it, Greenblatt told JTA, came following a private conversation between the two men in which Musk previewed his vow to suspend users who call for violence.

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

p Under Elon Musk, the social media platform X has been at the center of several antisemitism-related controversies.

Ludovic Marin/Pool/AFP via Getty Images/Design by Mollie Suss via JTA.org

“I will call out Elon Musk and X, like every other platform, when they get it wrong. And I will credit Elon Musk and X and every other platform when they get it right,” Greenblatt said Monday. “One doesn’t negate the other. It was not that, ‘this happened, therefore that wasn’t bad,’ or ‘that was bad, therefore we can’t see the value in this.’ Quite the contrary.”

the actual truth.”

Greenblatt joined a loud chorus in condemning that post. Other Jewish groups, including the American Jewish Committee, harshly condemned it. Later in the same thread, Musk went after the ADL itself, saying the group “push[es] de facto anti-white racism.”

Greenblatt acknowledged the attacks on

Musk, who repeatedly dabbles in conspiracy theories and white nationalist rhetoric, is a misstep that undermines the ADL’s credibility and core principles.”

Following Musk’s endorsement of the “Great Replacement” theory, more than 100 Jewish activists called out Musk for “spreading the kind of antisemitism that leads to massacres.”

“I will call out Elon Musk and X, like every other platform, when they get it wrong. And I will credit Elon Musk and X and every other platform when they get it right."

– ADL CEO JONATHAN GREENBLATT During their conversation, Greenblatt said, he did not press Musk for an apology for the post the billionaire wrote on Wednesday, which Greenblatt had called “indisputably dangerous.”

Musk was replying to a user who wrote, “Jewish communities have been pushing the exact kind of dialectical hatred against whites that they claim to want people to stop using against them. I’m deeply disinterested in giving the tiniest s— now about western Jewish populations coming to the disturbing realization that those hordes of minorities [they] support flooding their country don’t exactly like them too much.”

The post was an endorsement of the Great Replacement theory, which posits that Jews are orchestrating the replacement of white populations in Western countries via the mass immigration of people of color. It was the theory cited by the attacker in the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting.

Musk responded, “You have said

his group. “I don’t take any of that personally,” he said. Despite Musk’s public attitude about the ADL, Greenblatt called their meeting “extremely promising.”

Greenblatt noted that he believed Musk “still has work to do. He is not, if you will, in the clear.”

But, he added, “We saw a change in what he said on Friday, and that was noteworthy.”

He said the ADL was buying ads on X, and in response to major firms suspending their ad spending, said companies “need to make their own decisions about where they want their brands to be placed.”

He said, “I hope that the other social media companies follow X’s leadership on this.”

His handling of Musk is not sitting well with some supporters of the ADL. Peter Fox, a member of the group’s NextGen Advisory Board in New York, wrote in the Forward that Greenblatt’s praise of Musk was “baffling and frankly embarrassing.”

He added, “Aligning with someone like

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

Michelle Goldberg, a Jewish columnist for the New York Times, noted that Israel’s Diaspora minister, Amichai Chikli, also thanked Musk for denouncing the proPalestinian language. “It’s hard to figure out who is behaving more cynically, Musk or the Jewish leaders who are koshering him,” she wrote in a column on Monday.

Greenblatt acknowledged the criticism.

“At the end of the day, I understand that everyone might not agree with what I did,” he said. But he told JTA that he wasn’t concerned that his positions on Musk would harm the ADL’s reputation.

“The ADL has been around for 110 years.

We don’t play for any particular team,” he said. “Our job is to protect the Jewish people.

I don’t make the decisions I do based on how do I think this affects our, quote, ‘reputation.’ I do it based on, am I able to keep our community safe?” PJC Ron Kampeas contributed reporting.

NOVEMBER 24, 2023

11

Opinion A day to remember Guest Columnist Abby Mendelson

F

razzled and frantic and frightened, the emails from friends and family and former students flew back and forth from Israel, with tales of call-ups; cooking and cleaning and collecting clothes for soldiers; taking in refugees; houses full of sleeping bags; and civilians standing armed guard.

All while missiles were still flying — and armed brigands stalked the countryside seeking to murder Jews.

I was enraged. And I was also helpless.

So, when this march was announced, I had to go. To transmit messages of love and support for Israel, of thanks for the United States. To offer strength for the struggle.

Of course, I discussed it with my family, with Judy, my wonderful wife, and our children.

While Tova in Cleveland was unable to make it, Jesse & Co. in Potomac (ages 11-46), and Elie in Boca Raton came to what we hoped would be a glorious day.

We were not disappointed.

And we were not alone.

As a friend said to me the night before, “You’re taking all of us with you.”

I have never been more honored.

The day began in the pre-dawn dark of the Federation parking lot, with coffee, doughnuts and WTAE interviews. (Old pards Kenny Steinberg and Larry Rubin were superb. Yosher koach!)

Boarding buses, there were hugs and

handshakes, high spirits and holy thoughts.

As dawn broke over the Allegheny Mountains, some of us dovened shacharis, the hills and trees, cows and cornfields quiescent in the gathering light.

Arriving at FedEx Field in suburban Washington, a friend had predicted “chaos — at best.” In reality, things were quite well coordinated, thanks to the efforts of Federation VP/COO Jessica Brown Smith and her volunteers. Kudos!

called up. As one man said, 600,000 Jews stood at Mount Sinai. That day, we again were 600,000 people together. One people. One heart.

Delivering with power and conviction, the speakers reminded us that, unlike in dark times past, we are not alone, that we have powerful friends who will support us here and in Israel.

Support us in the fights against this vicious rise of what my oldest friend (as in, since kindergarten) calls volcanic antisemitism and the complicity of silence in the fights to bring

That day, we were the light, about 300,000 of us, the largest Jewish gathering in American history.

Predictably, the Metro was packed — with people, sure, but more with energy and love, high purpose and positive vibes.

Positioning ourselves close to a monitor and speaker so that we could see and hear well, Amy and Marty Cohn, Mordechai Peled and I were roughly a mile and an ocean of people from the podium.

I like crowds – always have — and I just loved this one, with black hats and rainbow flags, painted faces and knit kipot. Am Yisroel Chai!

There are no accidents in life, so on the day we celebrated Rosh Chodesh Kislev, the Jewish month with the most darkness in it, we also looked forward to Chanukah, the holiday of light.

That day, we were the light, about 300,000 of us, the largest Jewish gathering in American history. It was, arguably, the single largest group of Jews since Joshua led us into Canaan.

There had also been 300,000 Israeli reservists

home the hostages and end Hamas’ savage reign of terror in both Gaza and Israel. Bring peace to Israel.

Tovah Feldshuh, whom Judy and I saw in the remarkable “Golda’s Balcony,” said, “I stand here for the kidnapped children.”

Right. I had thought about what my reaction would be if one or more of my beautiful, perfect grandchildren (for those of you not yet in the bracket, everyone’s grandchildren are beautiful and perfect) would by kidnapped by those monsters. Then I thought about something else.

When she added, “We stand here as yahrzeit candles,” it was time to take the tissues out of my pocket because I could no longer see to write notes.

Reminding us that he is the highest-ranking Jew in American history, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer was hardly displaying ego, but instead relating the fact of our collective position in America, that, including a state and

an army, we are neither alone nor unprotected.

Speaking of antisemitism in America, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries echoed Dr. King, saying, “An attack on any of us is an attack on all of us.”

My favorite moment came when newly elected Speaker of the House Mike Johnson simply said, “The calls for a ceasefire are outrageous.”

As the events began to wind down, what we had done started to sink in.

As my extraordinary daughter-in-law Elana put it, “Today was safe. Today was organized.

Today was fun. Today we made history.

“And we needed today,” she added. “We needed to witness, experience and feel the energy, love and strength of 300,000 Jews. We’ve been so sad, scared, anxious, stressed and sick for 39 days, and today, finally, we feel empowered and energized.”

“It was the event of a lifetime,” her husband, my son Jesse, added.

Yes, it was.

The older I get, the more I consider how things snag in memory, how they never leave.

This won’t, not for me, not for my children.

Most important, not for my grandchildren.

Who will no doubt remember this day forever.

When, given the chance, they, their parents and their Zeidi went to Washington to stand up for our Jewish families, everyone, everywhere.

On a day of inspiration and emotion.

A day that ended back on our buses, watching long lines of red taillights snaking out of Washington, into the darkness and distance and beyond. PJC Abby Mendelson is the author of many books about Pittsburgh.

The other side of hate Guest Columnist Ray Werner

C

ertain shirts you wear for certain occasions.

After the Tree of Life tragedy, as you know, the worst antisemitic attack in America’s history, I bought this long-sleeved Stronger than Hate pullover in the gift shop at Rodef Shalom. A lot of us started wearing them. I bought a few more at Yinzer’s in The Strip for our kids and grandchildren — to give support, in a small way, to our neighboring Jewish community.

When we travel to our condo in North Carolina and visit relatives in Charleston, South Carolina, I wear it to say, “I’m from Pittsburgh, I support my Jewish friends and I’m a Steelers fan.”

(This was the one and only time in the franchise’s history that the Rooney family allowed their logo to be altered, for any reason.

Another piece of the pride. Another reason to wear the shirt.)

Wearing it gets me into nice conversations walking the beach or eating out. They usually begin with, “Hey, I like your shirt.” Which 12

NOVEMBER 24, 2023

is an opening to say I’m from Pittsburgh and live a short walk from Tree of Life, tell them about our St. Bede choir and the hymns we sang that Sunday morning after, how our entire congregation, each of us carrying a flower, walked in a procession two blocks up Wilkins Avenue to pay our respects.

That morning, there were dozens of reporters and cameramen from around the world crammed on the corner across from the cordoned-off Tree of Life. It was solemn. People were talking in whispers.

Then one of our choir members started singing “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” We joined in and, soon, so did everyone else. I looked around. Cameramen were crying. Strangers were hugging each other. It was a moment.

So, when someone comments on my Stronger than Hate shirt, I use it as an opening. I’m proud to share a Pittsburgh story of love and support, And then, the Hamas massacre. Wearing this shirt is telling another story and a catalyst to other kinds of conversations everywhere we went.

On three occasions in early November, a person asked to take a picture of my shirt and its message. I got a lot of thumbs up from passersby.

On a Sunday morning in Charleston, we were walking through the famous market that goes several blocks along Meeting Street.

Merchants were setting up their wares.

The sweet grass Gullah baskets are extraordinary. The wide variety of homemade art and carvings and souvenirs are enticing.

But the main draw are the people from around the world, all of us sharing the same experience.

As we walked by a handsome lady setting up her display of elegant tablecloths, she stopped in her tracks and approached me.

Thank you, thank you, for wearing that shirt.

Right. I segued into Pittsburgh and Tree of Life and how our city, like a family, supports our Jewish friends and neighbors.

“I’m from Brazil and live here now. I’m Jewish, and my husband is French and our son — he is a soldier in Israel.”

She took out her phone and showed us his picture, in uniform, a handsome young man. She was fighting back tears. We asked his name.

It’s easy. His name is Daniel. Daniel.

In a lion’s den.

The conversation quickly turned to the antisemitic hate exploding all over America.

She showed us pictures of a Hamas rally in D.C., we talked of hostage posters being torn down, Nazi swastikas showing up near synagogues, including in Pittsburgh, even as we were commemorating the fifth anniversary of Tree of Life.

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

She showed us a chat room called Mothers of the Lone Soldier — about 230 mothers of Israeli soldiers who share their stories and support each other, every day. Some of the stories are harrowing.

Her son texted that he went into a kibbutz and found a family of a dozen or more who had been murdered — and then beheaded.

Who does that? Why is there so much hate in the world?

Before we left, we bought one of her tablecloth runners, a gorgeous red Christmas design, that will remind us of meeting her, and her story. And Daniel’s. And our chance to share Pittsburgh’s.

So, the Stronger than Hate shirt is more than a shirt. It’s a page in our story of love and support of our Jewish friends and neighbors. It’s a reminder of a past that won’t go away but also one that goes forward with a hint of optimism.

There is another side of hate.

We have to keep turning the page. Keep telling the story.

Telling it may help us arrive at a better ending than any of us ever expected. PJC Ray Werner is an ad executive turned Pittsburgh playwright whose business card reads Writer, Baker, Music Maker.

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Opinion Chronicle poll results: March for Israel

L

ast week, the Chronicle asked its readers in an electronic poll the following question: “Did you attend the March for Israel in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 14?”

Of the 282 people who responded, 48% said no; 36% said they wanted to but were unable to; and 16% said yes. Comments were submitted by 75 people. A few follow.

I’m still working.

I will not march under any flag, Israeli or American. I do not believe in nor support any nationalist movement.

Further, I will not march with religious fanatics. They are conflating religion with politics and exploiting both. I am for a ceasefire. Not a continuation of the slaughter in Gaza and the possibility that more Israelis may also die. And full disclosure, a friend was murdered by Hamas. I could not honor her memory by calling for more deaths...

I loved the “No Ceasefire” chant in response to Van Jones.

Watched in its entirety, streaming.

I was sick, or I would have been on the bus.

Historical day. Glad I was able to attend and thankful for our Federation and the role in putting it together.

I would have liked to, but I have a terrible back. I did stream it.

Did you attend the March for Israel in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 14?

We were proud to represent three generations of Jewish support for the state of Israel.

Although there were hundreds of thousands of people attending the rallying, it felt extremely unifying in an otherwise very complex situation.

I have been expending so many hours emailing, calling and persuading both Jewish and non-Jewish acquaintances about the issues.

I am more motivated and better equipped to compile pertinent articles, pointed memes and incisive videos to support our brethren than to travel 250 miles each way to listen to speakers in overwhelming crowds.

This event brought all kinds of Jewish factions together, and it reminded me that when we, as a nation and people, work together, change is possible.

16% Yes

36% Wanted to but were unable to attend

I would like to see pro-Israel and proPalestine individuals march together for universal kindness and peace.

48% No

Friends of Israel and our community were there, such as Bhavini Patel. Once again, Summer Lee, a Squad member, failed to support us.

Did not really know about it until it occurred.

This is such a complicated and emotional issue. I was worried about security.

I am too old to engage in such a march, but I support those who did. However,

I watched the livestream and so did my son, who is in Israel. It was a great comfort to many of us who feel under attack by old friends. It was inspiring, comforting, soothing and hopeful.

This was a hate rally. I wanted to attend, but was deeply heartbroken when the organizers invited Christian evangelist extremists. How is this going to keep Jews, Israel and help get the hostages back? Let alone, keep Jewish people in the Jewish Diaspora safer?

What a scary thought: so many Jews all together. I felt vulnerable, and yet had I been able to, I would have attended all the same.

Antisemitism is growing, and some of it is within our own ranks.

The march makes you feel good, like you did something, and it certainly shows solidarity. But in terms of the world stage, and actually getting anything done, it doesn’t accomplish anything.

I felt it was co-opted by the Federation and AIPAC. The choice of speaker was reprehensible.

Our religion has survived because we banded together and didn’t let others dictate for us. Am Israel Chai. PJC

I would love to attend the march, but I live in central Canada and we’re kind of isolated.

—Compiled by Adam Reinherz

It’s disgraceful that several major media networks grossly underestimated the vast number of people in attendance at the March for Israel.

Chronicle weekly poll question: As we are going to press it appears that there likely will be a hostage deal announced in the next 24 hours. For this week’s poll question go to pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. PJC

— LETTERS — Force works

This is in response to Dennis Jett’s letter of Nov. 17.

Mr. Jett raises the adage about the definition of insanity (doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result), but I submit that the objective of the current response of Israel is nothing like what its objective was in response to previous attacks by Hamas. As Jett writes, Israel thought hitting back “hard enough” would deter “future murderous assaults. It didn’t, it won’t”!

But crushing the enemy in a war (rather than bombing an empty chemical factory in the desert, for example) might bring peace. That is what happened with Germany and Japan after World War II and, I might say, with Egypt after the 1973 Yom Kippur War. I ask, which has a better chance for true peace in the near future between Israel and the Palestinians — a ceasefire and some kind of agreement between the parties to agree on a two-state solution or to crush Hamas and extend the Abrahamic agreement to regional parties and work with them and the Palestinians to work something out? I submit that nothing can/will be solved until Hamas, the Islamic Jihad and the other “from the river to the sea” groups are eliminated.

Jack Mennis Allison Park

An alternate view

I was pleased to see that the Chronicle recently published a letter by Eileen Yacknin which provided an alternative view on the current war in Israel-Gaza. It is important to remind people that the Jewish community is not of one mind on this issue.

In my own Jewish peer group, I have friends who feel that Israel has no choice but to conduct a war in Gaza as it is doing. I have other friends who were equally shaken by the atrocities of Oct. 7 but would like the Israeli response tempered to decrease the deaths of innocent Palestinians. And I have still other Jewish friends who simply cannot accept that thousands of Gazans, including huge numbers of children, have been killed “in our name.”

The latter group was represented on Oct. 18, when 5,000 Jews came together on the National Mall in Washington demanding an immediate ceasefire. I was there. A subgroup of the protesters 400 people — including 25 rabbis — staged a peaceful sit-in in a Capitol office building.

These groups, along with non-Jewish supporters, have been attacked by both parties in Congress, the White House and around the country. We have been accused of being naive at best and antisemitic at worst.

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

The accusation that these views represent antisemitism is galling to those of us who raise our families Jewish, go to shul regularly and light candles on Friday night. It is reminiscent of when a president, after 9/11, said “You’re either with us or with the terrorists.” We now know that this call to “loyalty” and military action in Iraq and Afghanistan didn’t turn out so well.

We Jews who share these views are repulsed by the atrocities committed by Hamas on Oct. 7 and by the Israeli military since then. Watching civilian families blown apart — their homes, hospitals and schools destroyed, their lifelines severed — offends our understanding of Jewish morality. Most families in Israel and Gaza want what all of us want — food, shelter, medical care, the raising of healthy children and economic security. Their killings are beyond tragic.

What of the accusation of naïveté? My answer is: Look back at the cycle of violence over the decades. Do you really believe that somehow this war — unlike all the others — will bring that to an end?

To build a strong and safe future for all human beings in that land, we need to think outside the box. For example, one proposal that has been put forth by some Israelis and Palestinians is for a regional federation of two states based on democracy, freedom of movement, settlement of refugee claims and guaranteed rights for all. There would need to be leaders who are committed to reconciliation and repentance.

One can call these views naive, but I look at what’s been going on for the past 75 years and ask: Isn’t there a better way?

Robert Kraftowitz Point Breeze

We invite you to submit letters for publication. Letters must include name, address and daytime phone number; addresses and phone numbers will not be published.

Letters may not exceed 500 words and may be edited for length and clarity; they cannot be returned. Mail, fax or email letters to: Letters to the editor via email: letters@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org Address & Fax: Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle,5915 Beacon St., 5th Flr., Pgh, PA 15217.

Fax 412-521-0154 Website address: pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

NOVEMBER 24, 2023

13

Life & Culture Herbed mushroom stuffing — FOOD —

By Jessica Grann | Special to the Chronicle

I

’m so happy to share my savory stuffing recipe that complements both turkey and roast chicken. I find that many people associate stuffing with Thanksgiving, but I cook and enjoy it all winter long.

This has warming herbs like sage, thyme, rosemary and marjoram, which come in a seasoning blend simply called “poultry seasoning.” My recipe is easy to prepare, and the addition of mushrooms is a fantastic way to get more vegetables into the meal while elevating the flavor.

You can make this the day before and warm it up before your meal. If you love stuffing but are not a fan of mushrooms, you can omit them and still get a wonderful result.

Herbed mushroom stuffing

3 tablespoons of olive oil 2 cups of onion, diced 1½ cups of celery, diced 4 cups of white mushrooms thinly sliced 1½ teaspoons of dried sage 2 teaspoons of poultry seasoning ¾ teaspoon of salt ¼ teaspoon of black pepper 2 cups of chicken broth 10 cups of dried bread cubes

The most important factor in making stuffing is making sure that the bread you’re using has been toasted in the oven. Don’t skip the step of toasting fresh bread cubes — you will end up with a sloppy mess if you use soft bread pieces.

I was lucky this year and able to find stuffing cubes for sale at my local bakery, but you can use any bread that you may have on hand. When I’m going to be making stuffing, I take my leftover bread, cube it and place it on a cookie sheet in a 180-degree oven for 10-15 minutes to dry it out. (This is also how you make homemade breadcrumbs: You just need to grind the bread up after it’s dried out.)

Keep an eye on the bread while it’s toasting because you don’t want it to burn. You can use all white bread, but if you have some pumpernickel or cornbread, you can mix it in with the white bread which could be made from challah, Italian bread or even sliced sandwich bread.

Just keep in mind that better quality bread will give you a better-tasting stuffing.

If you’re making the bread cubes ahead of time, store the toasted bread in an airtight container until you’re ready to cook with it.

Measure out 10 cups of dried bread cubes and put them in a large mixing bowl before you prepare the savory broth.

Set your oven to 350 degrees.

Add the olive oil to a large pot and turn

 Herbed mushroom stuffing

the flame to medium heat. Add the onion and celery and sauté for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the mushrooms to the pot, stir them well with the onion mixture and cook them for 5-7 minutes. The mushrooms should appear soft and cooked but still have firmness to them.

Be careful not to overcook the mushrooms because they will bake in the oven, and you

Photo by Jessica Grann

want them to retain their shape.

Add the herbs, salt and spices to the pot. Stir well and allow it to cook for a minute more before adding the chicken broth. Bring the chicken stock to a gentle boil. Once the broth is gently bubbling, you can pour the hot liquid over the bowl of bread cubes. Mix well and Please see Stuffing, page 22

FEEL AT HOME, RIGHT FROM DAY ONE Retire at Weinberg Terrace, a premier personal care community in the heart of Squirrel Hill

Discover the benefits of Weinberg Terrace!

Our community offers a range of amenities: • Spacious apartments with recently renovated kitchenettes • Registered nurse available daily • On-site resident advocate • Complete schedule of activities • Convenient transportation service • 24/7 on-site security

For information about availability and to schedule a tour, call 412-586-3292

jaapgh.org | 412-420-4000 200 JHF Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 The JAA is a beneficiary agency of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh We actively hire and provide services without regard to age, race, gender, color, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, or disability.

14

NOVEMBER 24, 2023

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Tuesday November 28

Community is the heart of what we do. When you give to the JCC, you’re supporting an organization that has been a cornerstone in Pittsburgh for almost 130 years.

This Giving Tuesday, we are asking you to help us continue to serve Pittsburghers of all ages.

No donation is too small.

Make an impact today.

Scan here to give.

TOGETHER WE GIVE For questions, contact Sara Rhoades srhoades@jccpgh.org

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

NOVEMBER 24, 2023

15

Life & Culture

p Round Three

All works by Julia Netzer

p Carnival

p Toy With Me

Former Squirrel Hill resident returns for one-night art exhibit — ART —

By Adam Reinherz | Senior Staff Writer

B

erkeley-based artist Julia Netzer is returning to Pittsburgh for a one-night show. “Be My Bruise,” scheduled for Nov. 25 at Iron City Circus Arts in the Brew House Lofts, features Netzer’s works and live musical performances from Panther Hollow (Bernardo Ochoa) and Naomi Anderson.

Netzer, who was bat mitzvahed and confirmed at Temple Sinai in Squirrel Hill, told the Chronicle that coming home is a chance to demonstrate many of the values the artist derived from the community years ago.

“Something that was really drilled into me was always looking at things from multiple sides and questioning the obvious,” Netzer, 29, said. “That is such an artistic perspective, and just a beautiful life lesson, that I feel

p Brace for the Enemy

16

NOVEMBER 24, 2023

very lucky to have learned early on.”

“Be My Bruise,” Netzer told the Chronicle, was inspired by an accidental stop within the Big Apple: “I stumbled into a boxing gym when I was last walking through New York, and I fell in love with the old leather and the muted tones and colors.”

Netzer tapped that energy and converted it into a series of gritty, emotionally charged works.

One of Netzer’s images is of a bloodied boxer with a tattooed arm reading “tender.” Another image is of a fighter and someone standing behind her, carefully adjusting a strand of the boxer’s hair.

There’s an aggressive hyper-masculinity of a 1940s boxing ring, but beneath the posturing is a tenderness, Netzer said: “Through the feminine and queer lens, I am beginning to unravel the layers of these traditional, sometimes restrictive narratives.”

That exploration, the Berkeley resident said, is a departure from earlier artistic pursuits,

which were “a bit more dreamy, natural and in a gentler realm.” This exhibit is “something more to chew on, possibly even a little more uncomfortable.”

Netzer is excited to probe history in a historical space like Pittsburgh, they said.

Before moving to California to pursue documentary film, the vicenarian’s upbringing was quite familiar: There were regular performances in Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh musicals, routine attendance at Hebrew school and a swath of Jewish friends.

“I spent so much of my life in Squirrel Hill as a child. It’s so intrinsically in me, it’s hard to even tease out what it is,” Netzer said.

But when pushed to extract those elements, certain themes arise.

“There’s a deep sense of a historical community that feels really embedded in a lot of my work,” Netzer said.

There’s also a Jewish aspect.

Throughout childhood Netzer and their peers

p Howl

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

were “constantly in conversation about one’s culture, how vast that word is, how vast that concept is, and how all these different people kind of moved through their own Jewishness really differently but with similar themes.”

Berkeley has “its own flair, its own sense of Judaism as well,” Netzer said. “Being Jewish in Squirrel Hill, you’re not very different; but being Jewish in many other places can be very othering, and not always in a bad way.”

Teasing that tension through art — especially at home in front of friends and family — can be a rush, Netzer said: “Maybe they’ll enjoy some art. Maybe they’ll hate some art. Either way, it’s fun for me.” PJC “Be My Bruise” is Nov. 25, from 5-9 p.m., at Iron City Circus Arts on the South Side. Reservations are available at https://rb.gy/ik99z9.

Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

All works by Julia Netzer

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Life & Culture 2 more Jewish Democrats, Jamie Raskin and Sara Jacobs, join growing calls for a ‘bilateral’ ceasefire — NATIONAL —

By Ron Kampeas | JTA.org

W

ASHINGTON — The number of Jewish Democrats calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war now numbers three, with Reps. Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Sara Jacobs of California joining Vermont’s Becca Balint.

The calls signal a growing shift in how Jewish Democrats are approaching the war as it enters its sixth week, the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip intensifies and the Palestinian death toll climbs. Other Jewish Democrats, including Rep. Jon Ossoff of Georgia and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, have ratcheted up their criticism of Israel in recent days while stopping short of calling for a ceasefire.

As recently as Oct. 22, all 24 Jewish Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives signed onto a statement backing President Joe Biden’s wholehearted backing for Israel in the war Hamas launched on Oct. 7. Raskin was one of three Jewish Democrats spearheading that statement.

Biden steadfastly opposes a ceasefire, which would leave Hamas in power in Gaza, reiterating his position in an op-ed in The Washington Post on Saturday.

“As long as Hamas clings to its ideology of destruction, a ceasefire is not peace,” Biden wrote. “To Hamas’s members, every ceasefire is time they exploit to rebuild their stockpile of rockets, reposition fighters and restart the killing by attacking innocents again. An outcome that leaves Hamas in control of Gaza would once more perpetuate its hate and deny Palestinian civilians the chance to build something better for themselves.”

The Jewish lawmakers’ shifted positions follow extensive advocacy by critics of Israel, including hundreds of Biden administration staffers and Jewish antiIsrael groups that have held high-profile demonstrations at lawmakers’ offices and the headquarters of the Democratic Party, among other sites.

While those groups call for an immediate ceasefire, most of the Jewish lawmakers have so far outlined conditions they would like to see in a cessation of hostilities.

In his statement, Raskin called for “American strategic, diplomatic and political leadership to press for a breakthrough change in the relentless and dangerous dynamics of war and violence.”

He called for “a mutually agreed-upon bilateral humanitarian pause or mutually agreed-upon ceasefire to provide for a ‘global humanitarian surge’ of aid to hundreds of thousands of displaced and suffering innocent civilians throughout Gaza.”

Raskin outlined a number of components he wanted, including the release of some 240

p Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat, questions General Services Administration Administrator Robin Carnahan as she testifies before a House Oversight and Accountability Committee oversight hearing on the GSA in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 14.

Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images via JTA.org

hostages Hamas abducted on Oct. 7, removal of Hamas from governing the Gaza Strip and the prosecution of the Hamas officials who organized the mass slaughter. In her statement, Balint also called for Hamas’ removal.

Jacobs made no such call in her statement on Saturday, although she said the Oct. 7 attack was “gruesome, horrifying and inexcusable” and that Israel had the “right to respond to protect its citizens, and hold Hamas accountable.”

She said she was concerned that after warning Gaza civilians to move to the south of the strip while Israel attacked Hamas’ infrastructure in the north, spurring a massive migration southward, Israel appears ready to pursue Hamas in the south.

“It is time for a bilateral ceasefire — to immediately release the hostages; to establish humanitarian access and allow fuel, food, water and medical care into Gaza; and to end the bombardment of millions of Palestinian civilians,” she said.

Other Jewish Democrats have also been outspoken. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota on Friday said that there should be a ceasefire of “large-scale military operations,” albeit only after the release of hostages, and Ossoff said Israel’s conduct has been a “moral failure.”

Hamas terrorists killed more than 1,200 people, most of them civilians, on Oct. 7 and abducted some 240 people. Since Israel launched counterstrikes, the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry claims that 11,000

Palestinians, including thousands of children, have been killed. It is not known what portion of that number are combatants and how many were killed by rockets aimed at Israel that misfired.

Independent reporting has increasingly documented a steep toll on Palestinian civilians, particularly on children, and the Israeli government nodded at worsening conditions on Saturday when it authorized the delivery of fuel it said was needed to prevent the spread of disease.

The number of Democrats in the House now calling for a ceasefire has doubled in recent days from 18 to 37, according to a count by The Intercept, a publication that backs a ceasefire.

Separately, Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Jewish Vermonter who is the unofficial leader of progressives in Congress, on Saturday called for conditioning aid to Israel unless it hews to strictures on its conduct of the war.

Sanders has resisted urging from fellow progressives to call for a ceasefire but said he wanted a “significant pause” in the fighting.

Among his conditions were “an end to the indiscriminate bombing which has taken thousands of civilian lives and a significant pause in military operations so that massive humanitarian assistance can come into the region; the right of displaced Gazans to return to their homes.”

In addition to the $3.8 billion Israel gets annually from the United States, Biden has asked Congress to authorize $14 billion in emergency aid.

Biden in his op-ed outlined the humanitarian assistance his administration has facilitated in negotiations with Israel and Egypt but suggested he wanted to see more from Israel, particularly related to increased settler violence against West Bank Palestinians since the war’s start. For the first time, he said his administration would bar Israeli extremists from entering the United States.

“The United States is prepared to take our own steps, including issuing visa bans against extremists attacking civilians in the West Bank,” he said.

Biden also said that once Hamas is ousted he sees Gaza as being governed by the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority, an outcome Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has resisted endorsing.

A number of Jewish Democrats in the House immediately rejected Sanders’ call for conditioning aid, among them Reps.

Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida and Brad Schneider of Illinois.

Schneider linked Sanders’ proposal to a bill that the new speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Republican Mike Johnson of Louisiana, advanced recently conditioning Biden’s $14 billion request to cuts to the Internal Revenue Service.

“Conditioning aid to Israel is misguided and dangerous,” Schneider said in an emailed statement. “Plans such as those offered by Speaker Johnson and Senator Sanders serve only the interests of those opposed to Israel and to peace.” PJC

www.pittsburghjewishchronicle.org PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

NOVEMBER 24, 2023

17

Celebrations

Torah

Wedding Announcement

Take your Judaism seriously and joyfully

With great pleasure, Karen Levin of Squirrel Hill announces the marriage of her son Noah Lewis Levin to Vina Uriarte, daughter of Kyong and Ray Uriarte of Murrieta, California. Surrounded by family and friends from near and far, the ceremony and reception took place on Saturday Nov. 4, 2023 at the Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California. It was a celebration of love, officiated by Max Friedman, lifelong friend of the groom. Lena Garcia, best friend and first cousin of the bride, served as the maid of honor; Nathan Levin, brother of the groom, served as best man. Noah is the son of the late Harry Levin, and grandson of Gertrude Lewis and the late Edward Lewis, Rachel Levin and Rafael Levin. Vina is the granddaughter of Elba Uriarte and the late Renato Uriarte. Following a mini-moon in Napa, the newlyweds will continue to reside in San Francisco with their dog Izzy, where Noah is vice president of product design at Figma and Vina is the global benefits manager at Notion. PJC

bagel factory DELICATESSEN

Rabbi Dovie Kivman Parshat Vayeitzei | Genesis 28:10 – 32:3

L

ast week, an incredible gathering took place.

Jews from all over convened in a single location with an incredible show of unity and brotherhood.

They came together for a goal: to stand together against darkness and, more importantly, to bring more light into this world.

This assembly parked itself by a world-famous building.

If you haven’t figured it out, I’m referring to Brooklyn, New York.

Over a few short days, Chabad emissaries from all around the world flocked together at 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn for the annual International Conference of Shluchim, often referred to as “the Kinus.”

This isn’t a relaxing retreat. It’s a four- to five-day recharge so that the “shliach”

The shliach and his family represent the Lubavitcher Rebbe. They represent his ideals, his values, his love and his care. They represent the rich and uplifting principles of the Chassidus-Chabad philosophy, which places infinite worth on the body and soul of a Jew. That’s beautiful. You may ask yourself, “Great! So, they do all this good work, and I get to tag along by attending the Chabad house, right?”

In our culture, the response to this is “LOL.” Here’s the plain, honest truth: Every Jew is a shliach at their core. Every Jew is Hashem’s representative to the world to introduce light and purity into every event, every encounter and every moment.

Sounds quite fluffy and vague, though.

So, let’s bring it down a bit and make it simple and practical.

Give charity, lots of it. Study Torah — you’ll learn a thing or three. Women, light a Shabbat candle before evening on Fridays. Men, lay tefillin for a few minutes.

Parents, educate your children to be like our

5885 Forbes Avenue • Squirrel Hill, PA 15217 phone #: 412-521-8100

Stop in for our famous pumpkin rolls…Miniature pumpkin gobs…

Pumpkin coffee cake and our famous pumpkin cream cheese…

And don’t forget the blue and white Israeli bagels

SHOP FOR

THE H

O LIDAYS!

“Pittsburgh’s Largest Selection” UGG® Footwear, Apparel & Accessories for the Entire Family

Do something nice for your brother or sister, immediately related or even very distant — we Jews are one big family.

Mazel Tov! Mazel Tov!

(singular of Shluchim) can come back to his community full-throttle.

You, my dear readers, may or may not be familiar with the word “shluchim.” It can translate to “messengers” or “representatives.”

Let’s pause on this for a moment. What do these rabbis represent exactly? They dedicate their lives to the communities and individuals where they are sent, in cities both big and small. They provide guidance, spiritual nutrition, connection with heritage, listening ears and warm hugs. But again, what core does this all embody? What is the drive behind what they do?

forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Kids, show your parents what it means to be excited to be a Jew. Do something nice for your brother or sister, immediately related or even very distant —- we Jews are one big family.

Take your Judaism seriously and joyfully. Show the world you are Hashem’s shliach. PJC

Rabbi Dovie Kivman is the executive director of Chabad of Erie County. This column is a service of the Vaad Harabanim of Greater Pittsburgh.

SPECIAL OCCASIONS DESERVE SPECIAL ATTENTION

Mazel Tov! But so is a birthday, a graduation, What is a special occasion…a birth, an athletic victory, an academic a b’nai mitzvah, an engagement, SPECIAL OCCASIONS DESERVE SPECIAL ATTENTION achievement…anything that deserves a wedding, an anniversary? special recognition.

Absolutely!

But so is a birthday, a graduation, What is a special occasion…a birth, a b’nai mitzvah, an engagement, a wedding, an anniversary?

Absolutely!

an athletic victory, an academic achievement…anything that deserves special recognition.

And there is no better place to share your joy than in...

And there is no better place to share your joy than in...

@LittlesShoes

littles_shoes

412.521.3530 5850 Forbes Ave • Squirrel Hill http://littlesshoes.com

18

NOVEMBER 24, 2023

Mon- Sat: 10a - 7P • Sun: 12P - 5p

The more you celebrate in life… the more there is in life to celebrate!

TheCELEBRATIONS, more you celebrate life…

SEND YOUR MAZEL TOVS,in AND PHOTOS TO: announcements@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org SPECIAL ATTENTION theOCCASIONS more thereDESERVE is in lifeSPECIAL to celebrate!

But so is a birthday, a graduation, What is a special occasion…a birth, YOUR CELEBRATIONS, MAZEL TOVS, ANDan PHOTOS TO: an athletic victory, academic a b’naiSEND mitzvah, an engagement, PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG announcements@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org achievement…anything that deserves a wedding, an anniversary? special recognition.

Absolutely!

Obituaries ARANSON: Joel Aranson, age 86, of Boca Raton, Florida. On Nov. 9, 2023, we lost our beloved Gramps. He was the rock of our family and taught us that the most important values in life are love, laughter and family. He will be missed most by his wife, Diane Aranson; daughters Lynn Shapiro (Eric), Pamela Adelsheimer (Gregg); his son, David Aranson, along with his grandchildren Adam Shapiro, Lauren Shapiro, Allison Shapiro, Andrew Adelsheimer (Amanda), Jeremy Adelsheimer and Eric Adelsheimer, and his great-grandson, Benjamin. He was born in New York to Milton and Pearl Aranson. He moved to Pittsburgh at a young age where his family thrived and became stalwarts in the tight-knit Jewish community. Graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in business, he joined his father in building Johnny Jones Jr into one of the leading distributors of roller skates in the country. In the 1990s he merged Johnny Jones with his sister company National Sporting Goods (“NSG”) and Joel relocated to New Jersey as well as Boca Raton, Florida. Along with his son-in-law Gregg, they built NSG into a thriving business focusing on creating and distributing sporting goods and toy products. He remained active and chairman of NSG right up until the end. He lost his first wife, Annette, to a long battle with cancer in 1985 at the young age of only 48. He was very fortunate to find love again and married Diane. For the past 30 years they built a beautiful life together surrounded by countless friends and family. After the tragic loss of his stepson Jeffrey Grossman to myocarditis, Joel became very involved in the Myocarditis Foundation fighting to bring awareness and research dollars to this often misunderstood and misdiagnosed virus. He joined the Myocarditis Foundation Board of Directors where he remained active until this day. He was an active member of the Polo Club in Boca Raton, Florida. His passion for golf was not only based on the sport but the quality of time he got to spend with his friends. He was never short of telling one of his infamous jokes or one of his numerous stories. His family is defined by his legacy, and he will truly be missed by everyone who knew and loved him. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the Myocarditis Foundation – myocarditisfoundation.org.

FUHRER: Russell Fuhrer, on Monday, Nov.13, 2023. Russell was a loving husband of Nancy Fuhrer and father of Evan Isaac Black. He was born Dec. 29, 1961, in New York City’s Mount Sinai, on a cold snowy night. He grew up Brooklyn and attended elementary school at Parochial, Non-Denominational Yeshiva. There he studied supremely long hours and attended Sunday school from 7:30–4:30 in the afternoon. He was accepted based on a test to the competitive and prestigious Stuyvesant High School where he attended from 1975-1979. Since he was 14 years old, he took the subway 45 minutes each direction to school along with friends. There were students from all five boroughs, cultures and walks of life at that school. Russell attended undergrad at University of Pennsylvania from 1979-’83, and then Medical School at SUNY Buffalo from 1983-87. After medical school, he decided to pursue Radiation oncology. Having never been to Pittsburgh, he began his residency in radiation oncology at AGH in 1987.

In Pittsburgh he met Nancy Scheid, and married in 1991 at the Tree of Life Congregation.

Russell soon got an offer at UPMC, where they hired him as a visiting assistant professor since he only planned to be in Pittsburgh for one year. He ended up staying for 32 years, living and working in Pittsburgh. He started work at Shadyside Hospital, and became medical director at the Mary Hillman Jennings Radiation Oncology Center. In 1999 Russell

was recruited to AGH where he has been ever since. There, he took care of thousands of patients over the years, eventually specializing in prostate cancer. He was always able to implement new techniques and bring new technologies to Pittsburgh, providing state of the art care. Russell enjoyed taking care of patients and working with great staff over the years.

He was the director of clinical operations Radiation Oncology Department, in addition to administrative and clinical duties. Russell served as president of Beth Samuel Synagogue from 1997-98. He loved traveling with Nancy, and enjoyed extended family vacations and celebrations. The most important and fulfilling thing for Russell was caring for and spending time with family. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; a son, Evan (Lacey); his father, Neil Fuhrer; his mother, Marjorie Black; brother, David (Violaine); sister, Beth; loving in-laws, nephews, nieces and longtime friends. Russell had a small collection of classic cars that he enjoyed working on, driving on the back roads of Pittsburgh and hanging out with friends with similar useless interests. He enjoyed problem-solving and fixing cars as a meditative hobby. He had an excellent sense of humor that was appreciated by his friends, family, co-workers and patients alike. Russell enjoyed fixing and improving things around the house, garden and property. He loved being in nature and hiking with Nancy, family, friends and dogs. Russell died peacefully of pancreatic cancer at his home in Sewickley with his wife, son and daughter-in-law. Services were held at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. Interment Beth Shalom Cemetery. Contributions may be made to The Russell S. Fuhrer Collaboration Room, please make checks payable to AHN, and mailed to AHN, Office of Development, 4818 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224. On the memo line, please place Dr. Fuhrer. schugar.com ROSENBERG: Edmund Rosenberg, on Friday, November 17, 2023. Beloved husband of the late Audrey Rosenberg. Loving father of Rosalyn Rosenberg (Greg Eggert) and Matthew (Kristin) Rosenberg. Brother of the late Harriet Gerber. Papa to Jacob and Benjamin Rosenberg. Also survived by nieces and nephews. Services and interment were private. Contributions may be made to Pittsburgh Pirates Charities, PNC Park, 115 Federal St., Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. schugar.com

RUBB: Karen Louise Rubb, born Karen Judy and owning the important title of Nana to her grandchildren, died peacefully on Monday, November 13, 2023 after an extended battle with FTD (Frontotemporal Dementia). She was 71. Karen was born to Ray Judy and Mary Conroy of Duquesne, Pennsylvania. The oldest of 5 children, Karen’s instinct for protecting and nurturing others was evident early. So it was no surprise that her kindness and empathy would lead her into the field of nursing, attending St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing and Waynesburg University. Karen spent the early part of her career working in surgery and recovery at the Veterans Administration Hospital and Montefiore Hospital.

In November, 1973, an elderly woman came into her care for cancer treatment. Karen had of course worked with such patients before — what she had not encountered was anyone quite like this woman’s son, Bernard (Bernie). While the details of their initial contact are reserved for a good, old-fashioned live telling, the two of them hit it off and went on a date Please see Obituaries, page 20

PITTSBU RGH NEWEST ’S FUNERA L HOME

• Serving the Pittsburgh Jewish Community with Traditional Jewish funerals • Specially Developed Taharah Room with Mikva facilities for Chevra Kadisha • Accommodations for Shomer • Guaranteed advanced funeral planning

D’Alessandro Funeral Home and Crematory Ltd. “Always A Higher Standard”

Dustin A. D’Alessandro, Supervisor • Daniel T. D’Alessandro, Funeral Director

4522 Butler St. • Pittsburgh, PA 15201 (412) 682-6500 • www.dalessandroltd.com

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

LOCALLY OWNED and OPERATED

1650 GREENTREE ROAD • PITTSBURGH, PA 15220 412.563.2800 • FAX 412.563.5347

DEBORAH S. PRISE Licensed Jewish Funeral Director

SERVING Scott Twp., Greentree, Carnegie, Mt. Lebanon, Upper St. Clair and Bethel Park

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

NOVEMBER 24, 2023

19

Obituaries Obituaries: Continued from page 19

(rescheduled from Friday to Saturday because Karen had already committed to spending Friday coloring with her younger sister). One date led to another, and another — trips to Florida and New Jersey along the way — and two years later, Karen married Bernie Rubb on August 31, 1975. Karen put her nursing career on hold as she and Bernie welcomed two children in the ensuing years, Eric and Tamara. She created a home filled with laughter and love, punctuated by late night card games, charades, and movie nights on what was probably one of the last remaining Betamax players on the east coast. Her home became the epicenter of family gatherings. Visitors would often be greeted by the strains of Irish folk music and the savory smells of lemon chicken or her mother’s goulash. And her hugs were legendary.

As her kids flew the nest, Karen’s drive to serve others never waned and she returned to nursing, working as a charge nurse at Sewickley Valley Hospital and in recovery at Shady Side Hospital before her illness unfortunately forced her from the work she loved so much.

Karen was diagnosed with FTD in 2009 and battled the slow advance of her disease with grace. Even as she lost her ability to speak, her family and her caregivers would remark on the ever-present brightness in her eyes. A lifetime of service, of desire to help others, still bubbling beneath the surface, trying to get out. Karen is survived by her husband, Bernie, her children Eric and Tamara, her daughter-in-law, Caroline, her grandchildren Banjo, Leo, and Eloise, and her siblings Karol, Kathy, and Ray. Services were held at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. Interment Beth Hamedrash Hagodol Cemetery/Beth Jacobs Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family would kindly request donations to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (www.theaftd.org). schugar.com

Estate Notice Scott Alan Brown, Deceased April 10, 2023, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania No. 02-23-05505 Sandra Lee Esposito, Executrix; 209 Countryside Drive, McKees Rocks, PA 15136 or to Bruce S. Gelman, Esquire, Gelman & Reisman, P.C., Law & Finance Bldg., 429 Fourth Avenue, Suite 1701, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

SAVAGE: There is less laughter in the world today. Rabbi Stanley Savage was known for his quirky sense of humor, always having a “Dad Joke” at the ready. But on Friday evening, November 17, Rabbi Savage passed away peacefully following a two-year long battle with cancer. Rabbi Stanley was born in Belgium on Aug. 3, 1949. His parents, Sam Savage (z”l) and Jolan “Yetta” Savage (z”l), were both Holocaust survivors, and emigrated to the United States following Stanley’s birth. Stanley grew up in Pittsburgh but went to high school in Baltimore and studied at the Brooklyn College in New York. He obtained his smicha (ordination) from the Yeshiva Gadol (Talmudical Institute of Pittsburgh), which is no longer in existence. As a young man, Stanley taught at several Jewish schools and did various jobs throughout the community, including being a shomer at the Jewish funeral homes that were in Pittsburgh at the time. He was the rabbi at Congregation Ahavath Achim in Carnegie, PA, New Light Congregation in Squirrel Hill and Tree of Life Congregation in Uniontown, but his longest tenure was at Beth Hamedrash HaGadol-Beth Jacob Synagogue in downtown Pittsburgh. Stanley served this synagogue from 1983-2021. His assistance was invaluable to the congregation in the transition period during which they were relocated to their current home, and the previous building was demolished for the construction of the new Penguins’ hockey arena. Although still enjoying his place at the synagogue, when the pandemic no longer allowed for daily minyanim, he retired. Rabbi Stanley’s offbeat sense of humor was legendary. His home contained framed pictures of the Marx Brothers, cardboard cutouts of the Three Stooges, and a life-sized family of stuffed giraffes. His passion, other than studying Talmud and Torah, was sports, particularly wrestling. But mostly, he enjoyed interacting with people. His home was open to all who wished to sit and “schmooze” either over a bagel or a glass of peach schnapps. When at a restaurant, he would walk into the kitchen and thank the food preparers. On the street he would stop to talk with everyone: he would admire a baby in a stroller, help an elderly person to maneuver, or give money and food to a homeless person. Stanley loved his children, Adina (Brad) Cohen and Daniel (Angelina) Savage; also his three grandchildren, Frank, Nora and Sophia Cohen. Devoted to his beloved family, Stanley is survived by his sister Faye (Leslie) Unger and his brother Eugene (Michelle) Savage, his many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and his Aunt Marlene Lebovitz and his cousins.

Stanley was very grateful for his many friends, especially those on the team that looked after him during his illness. Rabbi Stanley Savage was one of a kind, and will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him. Services were held at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. Interment Beth Hamedrash Hagodol/Beth Jacob Cemetery. Contributions in Stanley’s memory and honor may be made to Autism Society of America, 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 305, Rockville, MD 20852. schugar.com PJC

I n - Ho m e Care S e r v i ce s Jewish Association on Aging gratefully acknowledges contributions from the following:

A gift from ...

In memory of...

Anonymous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dr . Marshall Steinberg Anonymous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ruth I . Perlman Anonymous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bernice Finegold Dr . Lawrence Adler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr . Henry Goldstein Hedy M . Caplan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Benjamin Mitchel Geraldine Gomberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Harry Gomberg Jan & Ed Korenman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Martin Rebb Randy Malt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Donald J . Malt Randy Malt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marian Pearl Malt Marion & Alan Reznik . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eleanor Bergstein Richard, Mindy, & Logan Stadler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charles Saxen Karen K . Shapiro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sadie Levy Iris Amper Walker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Norman Amper Marcia J . Weiss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr . Louis Weiss Marcia J . Weiss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anne C . Weiss Sanford Zaremberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Samuel Zaremberg

Contact the Development department at 412-586-2690 or development@jaapgh.org for more information.

THIS WEEK’S YAHRZEITS — Sunday November 26: David Ackerman, Alan Adler, Bertha Lillian Berliner, Simon Blatt, Morris Braun, David Breman, Sarah Cramer, Gussie Finkelstein, Jacob Firestone, Sol Z . Heller, Rebecca Hoffman, Hyman Kalovsky, Ithamar Lando, Frances Elling Levine, Morris Levine, Tema Lewinter, Sam Makler, Benjamin Mitchel, Esther Bluestone Morrow, Jacob Offstein, Elly Mars Goldstein Resnik, Sam Sacks, Silas J . Simensky, Ethel Solomon, Jack Talenfeld, Dr . Louis Weiss, Bessie Zakowitz, Samuel Zaremberg Monday November 27: Max Blatt, David H . Fischman, Walter Frank, Fern Halpern Kaye, Lawrence L .

Lifshey, Edward C . Meyer, Sam Salkovitz, Harry B . Saltman, Harry Soltz, Abe Stolovitz, Samuel Tufshinsky, Jacob Winer Tuesday November 28: Eleanor Bergstein, Thomas Berlinsky, Maurice A . Berman, Sybil Young Cherington, Henrietta Chotiner, Bessie C . Cohen, Hyman Cohen, Gertrude Dugan, Joseph O .

Goleman, Helen Gusky, Meyer Leff, Marian Pearl Malt, Leona Mandel, William Nathan, Hyman Parker, Samuel Silverman, Anna R . Weil

Making Moments Matter • Companionship • Light Housekeeping • Transportation and Errands • Personal Care Services

6RXWK (DVW &LW\

Wednesday November 29: Flora Breverman, Harry A . Cohen, Lillian Cohen, Sol M . Cohen, Morris D .

Golden, Myron (Bunny) Klein, Edward Lamden, Pvt . Joseph Mandel, Louis J . Rubenstein, Fannie Solomon, Edward E . Strauss, Blanche Strauss Zionts Thursday November 30: Sidney Epstein, Anna Gold, Ella Kazan, Jennie Levy, Donald J . Malt, Isaac Mikulitsky, Jane Florence Pianin, Joseph Reisz, Freda Rosenwasser, Charles Saxen, Norman M . Schwartz, Yetta Vinocur, Judge David H . Weiss Friday December 1: Bessie M . Bleiberg, Joan Brandeis, Samuel B . Cohen, Louis Debroff, Hilda B .

Friedman, Jacob Gilberd, Marcella Shapiro Gold, Bella Goodman, Everett Green, Eileen G . Herman, Frieda K . Lawrence, Ruth M . Lazear, Sadye Lincoff, Carl Markovitz, Jacob Mendelblatt, Marcus Rosenthal, Goldie Mallinger Schwartz, Charles B . Shapiro, Julius Sheps, Morris Solomon, Bella Stein, Edna Teplitz, Celia Verk Saturday December 2: Bernice Finegold, Bertha Fingeret, Rebecca A . F . Finkelhor, Leo Freiberg, Margaret K . Lebovitz, Martin Rebb, Edward F . Reese, M .D . , Esther Rice, Herbert Rosenbaum, Bessie Rosenblum, Eugene M . Rosenthall, Louis Schultz, Dorothy Schusterman, Albert H . Snyder

20

NOVEMBER 24, 2023

Most offices independently owned and operated. • ©2015 CK Franchising, Inc.

Pittsburgh-247.ComfortKeepers.com

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Real Estate REALTOR SERVICES

FOR SALE FOR RENT

F O R S A LE

5125 Fifth Ave.

Contact me today to discuss all of your real estate needs!

2 & 3 Bedrooms Corner of Fifth and Wilkins Spacious 1500-2250 square feet

”Finest in Shadyside”

412-661-4456

www.kaminrealty.kamin.com

Sherri Mayer, Realtor

Squirrel Hill Office C: 412-760-0412 O: 412-421-9121x225 sherrimayer@howardhanna.com HowardHanna.com

Are You Buying or Selling a Home?

Let Us Guide You Through the Process!

CALL THE SMITH-ROSENTHAL TEAM TODAY.

SHADYSIDE • $499,000 2 bedroom 2 bath home steps from the main shopping area on Walnut

Smith-Rosenthal Team

Enjoy the sexy closed in private patio with a 2 car garage Home has a main floor laundry, hardwood floors, and stained glass. Access to Bakery Square, Hospitals, Universities and much more.

Jason A. Smith & Caryn Rosenthal Jason: 412-969-2930 | Caryn: 412-389-1695 Jasonasmith@howardhanna.com Carynrosenthal@howardhanna.com

5501 Baum Blvd.

Pittsburgh PA 15232 Shadyside Office | 412-361-4000

JILL and MARK PORTLAND

RE/MAX REALTY BROKERS 412.521.1000 EXT. 200 412.496.5600 JILL | 412.480.3110 MARK

LUXURY CITY LIVING For Sale by Owner

Squirrel Hill. Charming Spanish Colonial architecture. 4 bds 2.5 ba, 8 rooms, A/C, patio yard, 2 car garage. Unique design with stucco, hardwood floors, stained glass, wrought iron works throughout.

Inquiries: 6681kinsmanroad@gmail.com

Business & Professional Directory BUYING – AUTOS

CA$H BUYING

DOMESTIC FOREIGN CARS TRUCKS SUVS VANS GOOD WRECKED MECHANICAL PROBLEMS LEGAL TITLE TRANSFER PURCHASED AT YOUR LOCATION

DENNY OFFSTEIN AUTO SALES 7 DAYS

Please support our advertisers, and mention that you saw their ad here.



We depend on them, and they depend on you!

4707 WALLINGFORD STREET | SHADYSIDE | $749,900 3 BEDROOMS | 2.5 BATHS | AMAZING VIEWS

MELISSA REICH 412-215-8056

GARAGE PARKING | EASY COMMUTES

RUBINOFFREALTY.COM

www.pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

724-287-7771 PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

NOVEMBER 24, 2023 21

Life & Culture

Ventura County DA: Paul Kessler death does not ‘meet the elements of a hate crime — NATIONAL —

By Jacob Gurvis | JTA.org

A

fter a suspect was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter and battery in the death of a pro-Israel protester near Los Angeles earlier this month, Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said that his office has “not ruled out a hate crime” in the case.

But he added that at present, based on what the police know, the death does not appear to be a hate crime.

“Simply put, looking at the statements as well as the words that accompany this act, we cannot at this time meet the elements of a hate crime,” he said at a Friday morning press conference. “But nevertheless, we will continue to explore and investigate that offense as well as that special allegation.”

Kessler’s death has received widespread attention as it has come during Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza as well as during a reported spike in antisemitism in the United States following the outbreak of the war. A number of prominent pro-Israel activists have claimed that his death was motivated by antisemitism.

Loay Abdelfattah Alnaji, 50, of Moorpark,

p From left: Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko and Sheriff James Fryhoff at a Nov. 17 press conference in Thousand Oaks, California. Screenshot via JTA.org

California, was arrested Thursday morning in the case and charged with two felony counts — involuntary manslaughter and battery causing serious bodily injury. His bail was set for $1 million, and he will be arraigned Friday afternoon. The charge of involuntary manslaughter implies that there was no proven intent to murder, Nasarenko said.

But Nasarenko said each count was accompanied by the “special allegation that in the commission of those crimes, the defendant personally inflicted great bodily injury upon Paul Kessler.” Nasarenko added that those

allegations “elevate these offenses to strikes under California’s three-strikes law, which makes punishment prison-eligible.”

Regarding the hate crime determination, Nasarenko said the investigators are specifically looking into “whether or not the acts, the impact, the force, was accompanied by specific hate speech, specific statements or words that demonstrate antipathy or hatred toward a specific group.” He said there are still outstanding search warrants in the case, and nine have so far been executed.

Sheriff James Fryhoff said the investigation

Stuffing: Continued from page 14

J�-J�JJ· Community Starts With You. HAVE YOUR GIFT MATCHED!

Help our community by donating on Giving Tuesday, November 28!

jfcspgh.org/givingtuesday 22

NOVEMBER 24, 2023

allow the bread to stand for 10 minutes so that the liquid softens the toasted bread.

Transfer the stuffing to an ungreased 9-inchby-13-inch baking dish, cover it with foil and bake it for 35 minutes. Remove the foil and bake it for an additional 10 minutes before serving.

You can also use this recipe to stuff a turkey or chicken. My absolute favorite is when stuffing has been cooked inside of a bird. It collects all the juices from the poultry, and it will have a softer consistency than stuffing baked in a casserole dish.

You need to be careful about cross-contamination. Make the stuffing as directed, then take about ¼ of it and put it into a separate bowl.

Be sure to use a separate spoon in the smaller bowl to stuff the bread mixture into the cavity of the bird. If you need more stuffing for the bird, use the clean spoon in the larger bowl to transfer extra stuffing into the smaller bowl.

Immediately wash the spoon and bowl to avoid bacteria in your sink.

If you accidentally cross-contaminate the bowl, you need to bake the larger portion immediately. If you were careful, you can cover the unbaked version and store it in the fridge until closer to dinner.

I’m admittedly a little OCD when cooking raw poultry, and I usually spray my entire sink and the utensils that were used with a bleach solution immediately after preparation. When cooking stuffing inside of chicken or turkey, it is extremely important to use a digital thermometer to check the temperature to avoid bacterial illness.

Instead of poking the flesh of the bird to check the temperature, insert the probe into the

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

has thus far gotten statements from 60 witnesses and that his team has reviewed 600 pieces of evidence. He said the investigation, which began within 24 hours of Kessler’s death on Nov. 5, has so far comprised more than 2,000 hours of work by his investigators.

He encouraged anyone with information or footage of the incident to come forward.

Nasarenko also thanked Ventura County’s Jewish and Muslim leaders, saying that they have “shown restraint” and respect as the investigation is underway.

Fryhoff and Nasarenko also met virtually with Kessler’s family on Thursday, they said.

“They are mourning. They are grieving.

And they are asking for privacy for this very difficult period,” Nasarenko said.

He added that while Kessler’s Israel advocacy has received considerable attention since the altercation took place nearly two weeks ago, he wanted to share additional information about Kessler, “because in this process, we should never forget that human life was taken, and that a victim exists.”

Nasarenko highlighted that Kessler had worked in medical sales for decades and had taught sales and marketing at a number of colleges. He was a pilot, and had been married for 43 years. He left behind a son.

“We want to continue to remember and honor Paul Kessler, and the tragic loss of life that has occurred,” Nasarenko said. PJC

center of the cavity, directly into the stuffing.

The temperature must reach 165 degrees for food safety.

If the temperature is not at 165 degrees and your bird is looking a bit brown, loosely wrap the entire bird in foil. If you check the temperature and it’s below 165 degrees, be sure to wash the thermometer immediately so that it’s clean when you recheck the temperature of the stuffing. If you use a thermometer, you can put any fear of illness to the side.

I rarely suggest cooking tools to readers, but an instant digital read thermometer is a must for your health, and there are affordable versions available online and in stores.

When you stuff a chicken or turkey, you must let the bird rest on the countertop for half an hour before removing the stuffing. It can be steamy, so be careful not to burn yourself.

Use a large spoon to scoop the stuffing out into a separate bowl and carve the bird as you wish. If the bird is steaming hot, it usually carves better if it rests (empty of stuffing) for an additional 15-20 minutes. A small chicken will cool much more quickly than a large turkey.

This recipe makes one large 9-inch-by13-inch casserole dish that serves 6-8 people.

The recipe is too large to fill a turkey or chicken cavity.

If you wish to stuff the bird, take the amount that you need for that purpose, then place the additional stuffing mixture into a smaller casserole dish and bake as directed.

This recipe can be easily doubled if you’re expecting a crowd; just divide it between two casserole dishes when baking.

Enjoy and bless your hands! PJC Jessica Grann is a home chef living in Pittsburgh.

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Community Walk 4 Friendship

The Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh hosted its fourth annual Walk4Friendship event. The Nov. 5 gathering included a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Bunny Bakes Specialty Coffee, the organization’s new bakery and coffee shop and inclusive employment initiative. After the ceremony, participants of all abilities walked down Murray Avenue to Wightman Park, where the event concluded with a carnival celebration.

p We’re on our way.

Photos courtesy of The Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh

Taking it to the streets

StandWithUs

Israel Bonds/Development Corporation for Israel partnered with StandWithUs for a lunch and learn at Block and Associates on November 13th. Carly Gamill, the founding director of the StandWithUs Center for Combating Antisemitism, addressed the group and answered questions about fighting antisemitism on campuses by students of all ages.

p L to R: Julie Paris, Adrienne Indianer, Beverly Block, Carly Gamill and Marcie Solomon Zack Block for StandWithUs/Israel Bonds

Community members gathered in Squirrel Hill to demand the return of an estimated 240 hostages taken by Hamas on Oct. 7. The Nov. 19 demonstration welcomed approximately 50 attendees, including state Reps. Dan Frankel (D-23) and Abigail Salisbury (D-34).

p Civilians want civilians home.

Photo courtesy of Julie Paris

p Fox Chapel residents Meir Aridor and Orly Aridor hold a sign bearing the name and photo of Yarden Roman, one of nearly 240 hostages.

Photo by Adam Reinherz

Scenes from the March

Approximately 600 Pittsburghers traveled to Washington, D.C., for the March for Israel rally on Nov. 14. Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh brought 10 busloads of travelers. Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh brought three busloads. Other community members traveled by car.

p Nearly 150 students, staff and friends of Hillel Academy raised their voices in Washington, D.C.

Photo courtesy of Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh

p Rachel Marcus and Rachael Speck show their support for Israel.

Photo courtesy of Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

NOVEMBER 24, 2023

23

KOSHER MEATS

• All-natural poultry — whole chickens, breasts, wings and more • All-natural, corn-fed beef — steaks, roasts, ground beef and more • Variety of deli meats and franks Available at select Giant Eagle stores.

Visit gianteagle.com for location information.

Empire Kosher Fresh Bone-In Split Chicken Breasts

5

49 lb.

Price effective Thursday, November 23 through Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Available at 24

NOVEMBER 24, 2023

and

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG