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INSIDE

this week

CONNECTICUT JEWISH LEDGER | SINCE 1929 | FEBRUARY 12, 2021 | 30 SHEVAT 5781

8 Briefs

10 Opinion

14 Torah Portion

17 Around Connecticut

17 Crosswords

COUP D’ETAT.................................... 5 Sammy Samuel, a leader of Myanmar’s tiny Jewish community, called the military coup that rocked his nation this month “a sad day for Myanmar.” Here’s why.

End of an Era................................... 5 Rabbi Jon-Jay Tilsen, spiritual leader of Congregation Beth El –Keser Israel in New Haven for 27 years, will step down from his pulpit at the end of this month.

Spotlight on…................................ 11 West Hartford native Ruthie Fierberg launches a podcast that links theater to social justice.

18 What’s Happening

20 Obituaries

21 Business and Professional Directory

22 Classified In Memoriam......................................................................12 Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski was more than a psychiatrist and a Torah scholar. He was also a man who positively impacted countless families by shining a light on addiction and abuse within the Jewish community.

ON THE COVER:

T Ranj Abderrahman Cohen, an Iraqi Kurdish Jewish man, stands at a ruined Jewish synagogue in Arbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq, on July 5, 2020. Jews were historically Iraq’s second-largest religious sect, comprising 40 percent of Baghdad’s population according to a 1917 census, before their exile in 1969. Today, their descendants risk losing everything they left behind. (Credit: Safin Hamed/ AFP via Getty Images) PAGE 13 jewishledger.com

And the winner is…............................................................15 The Golden Globes and the NAACP Image Awards…all the Jewish nominees, from ‘Mank’ to ‘Borat’ to ‘Unorthodox’ to David Diggs to Doja Cat.

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CONNECTICUT JEWISH LEDGER | SINCE 1929 | FEBRUARY 12, 2021 | 30 SHEVAT 5781

Myanmar’s tiny Jewish community is rattled after military coup

BY BEN FRANK

Rabbi Jon-Jay Tilsen to leave BEKI in New Haven after 28 years

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BY STACEY DRESNER

(JTA) – A leader of Myanmar’s tiny Jewish community, reacting to the military coup that has rocked the nation, recalled witnessing “the brutality of the Military” in his Southeast Asian country in 1988.

“But since 2015, I never thought I or my children’s generation” would ever “witness this again,” Sammy Samuels wrote on Facebook. “But I was wrong.”

He called the Sunday, Jan. 31 coup “A Sad Day for Myanmar.”

Samuels, who keeps the keys of Musmeach Yeshua synagogue in the nation’s largest city, Yangon, once known as Rangoon, has been instrumental in holding together the community of about a dozen families. Following in the footsteps of his father, Moses, Samuels has maintained the site as a haven for Jewish visitors and tourists.

The coup is the latest turn in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, where the military took over the government and announced a yearlong state of emergency.

The junta detained the democratically elected leader, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, on transparently thin criminal charges, put up roadblocks, suspended communications and closed down the airport.

The action ends nearly a decade of fledgling democracy in Myanmar that saw the country become a popular tourist destination. And it throws into relief a history of colonial and post-colonial turmoil.

Several thousand Jews thrived there when the country was under the mantle of the British Empire. Musmeach Yeshua, which means “brings forth salvation,” was built in 1854 and rebuilt in 1896. The oldest tomb in the nearby Jewish cemetery dates back to 1876.

British rule ended when the Japanese bombed Rangoon on Christmas Day, 1941, and invaded the country at the outset of World War II. Many Burmese Jews fled to India and never returned.

Burma achieved independence in 1948 and established cordial relations with the new State of Israel, mostly due to the friendship between prime ministers, David Ben-Gurion and U Nu. The latter was the jewishledger.com

A GROUP OF MYANMAR ACTIVISTS RESIDING IN ISRAEL WAVE THE HISTORICAL FLAG OF BURMA (UNTIL 1974), THE FLAG OF OUSTED LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI’S NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY PARTY, AND THE FLAG OF ISRAEL DURING A PROTEST OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY’S EMBASSY IN TEL AVIV AGAINST THE COUNTRY’S MILITARY COUP, FEB. 3, 2021.

(JACK GUEZ/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES)

INSIDE THE MUSMEACH YESHUA SYNAGOGUE IN YANGON, MYANMAR. (BEN G. FRANK)

first head of state to visit Israel after its birth. A warm relationship exists between the two nations, including Israel selling arms to Myanmar over the years, according to reports. Israel aided Myanmar after Cyclone Nargis in 2008.

In 1962, a brutal military coup that installed a dictatorship took place.

The military nationalized businesses, causing most Jews to emigrate. The army CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE

EW HAVEN – Rabbi Jon-Jay Tilsen, spiritual leader of Congregation Beth El – Keser Israel (BEKI) in New Haven for the past 27 years, will leave the Conservative synagogue at the end of February.

Yaron Lew, president of BEKI, said that Tilsen’s departure is the result of 18 months of evaluation by the BEKI board of directors in planning the congregation’s future.

“Rabbi Tilsen has been a valuable member of our community for many years,” Lew said. “That being said, we have been going through an evaluation process of not just the rabbi but also the changing needs of the congregation. As a result, the BEKI board determined, after much discussion and review – which involved the board, the rabbi and the congregation – that now would be a good time for us to move in a different direction. Consequently, the BEKI Board decided not to renew Rabbi Tilsen’s contract when it expires in August. We extend to Rabbi Tilsen our heartfelt thanks for his 27 years of service at BEKI, and we wish him all the best wherever his next steps take him.”

Rabbi Tilsen has decided to use his accrued vacation, conference and professional days starting March 1, rather than stay until his contract expires.

“Serving the BEKI and Greater New Haven community has been a pleasure and a privilege,” Rabbi Tilsen said.

“After concluding 28 years of service to this congregation, I will retain the life-long fringe benefit of enduring friendships and fellowship in Torah.”

Rabbi Alan Lovins, a longtime member of BEKI and one of the several rabbis in the congregation, was chairman of the search committee that found and hired Rabbi Tilsen 27 years ago.

“We hired him with unanimous approval and felt that he would be CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE

JEWISH LEDGER | FEBRUARY 12, 2021

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Myanmar

Tilsen

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

suppressed freedom of speech and political parties, and the country fell into economic ruin. The army jailed or kept in house arrest Suu Kyi, the daughter of a beloved independence leader. Tourists were advised not to mention her name; guides never did. She spent nearly 15 years in detention between 1989 and 2010, when she was released.

Suu Kyi emerged from house arrest and in 2015 her party, the National League for Democracy won a decisive election victory.

The military honored the results and Suu Kyi appeared to be the de facto national leader. She played a vital role in Myanmar’s transition from military junta to partial democracy in the 2010s, though she was condemned internationally for defending the military campaign – labeled a genocide by human rights groups – against the Rohingya minority.

In 2006, Samuels and his father founded Myanmar Shalom, a boutique travel company. They designed and arranged tours that included Buddhist stupas, Hindu temples, Christian churches and Muslim mosques, along with the last remaining synagogue and cemetery.

After his father died in 2015, Samuels, in his late 30s, has represented the Jewish community at interreligious councils and often met with Suu Kyi on matters of interfaith dialogue. Samuels had graduated with high honors from Yeshiva University and worked at the American Jewish Congress in New York. Returning to Yangon, he organized Hanukkah candlelighting ceremonies that often drew several hundred government leaders.

For these few Jewish locals and the

Jews working at the American and Israeli embassies, the synagogue stands as the focal point for Jewish travelers and conveys a message to the world: “We are still here.”

Usually no one shows up for a daily minyan, though a minyan frequently does take place – either the result of someone having to recite a memorial prayer, or when a small group of American, Israeli or Australian Jews arrive during the tourist season. When that happens, Samuels frantically calls the few Jews in the city to come quickly to the synagogue and meet the guests in the building, one of 188 sites on the list of Yangon heritage structures.

The two-story, white stone synagogue is located at No. 85 26th St. At the main street entrance, visitors can see above the walls an archway with a seven-branched candelabra.

Inside that wall sits a Jewish star. The bimah, surrounded by wooden benches, stands in the middle of the sanctuary ,which features a balcony. Over the years, the Samuels raised funds to paint and keep the house of worship in good repair.

An international outcry to sanction the military over takeover is growing. Whether tourism rebounds after the pandemic recedes may depend on whether the military pulls back or the world forgets.

In 2019, when global outrage about the treatment of the Rohingya was building, Samuels told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency about the related decline in tourism.

“A lot of people start to boycott traveling to Myanmar, but when we say tourism, it’s not just about us, a tour company, or the hotel or airline. It involves the tour guide, taxi driver, hotel bellman,” he said. “They should not be punished for what happened.”

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RABBI JON-JAY TILSEN

excellent for our congregation and he was,” Rabbi Lovins said. “We had an interesting congregation, but unity was difficult to achieve. And he did it. By keeping kind of a low profile, but being there in a strong way too, he forged our synagogue membership into a community.

“It’s a wonderful congregation and it has been growing since he came and that’s not true of other synagogues around us; and he is responsible for that,” Lovins continued. “One of the things that my wife and I have always appreciated is that Jon-Jay does need to have a lot of kovod [honors]. He did not require that. He did not need to get the last word. We have a lot of rabbis in the congregation, and he has been very welcoming to all of the rabbis and has been happy to share his pulpit with them.

“He was very generous about letting other people, who were not rabbis also share the pulpit with him. One of the things I really appreciated, because I think it is rare, is that people said what they thought on the pulpit and he didn’t have to get up and have a last word about it. And if it was controversial, that was okay too. As a result I think we have had a stimulating and well-educated congregation.”

Lisa Stanger agrees that by stepping back a bit, Tilsen has enabled “others to lead and learn. It is unusual in a pulpit rabbi and worked beautifully for BEKI, producing a congregation of volunteers and leaders.”

Stanger, the executive director of the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven, also remembers the first time she, her husband Greg Coldoner, and their then three-month-old daughter

stepped foot into Congregation Beth El Keser Israel (BEKI) in 2001.

“We had moved to town a few months earlier and had not joined a synagogue yet. On 9/11 my husband’s stepmother was killed – she worked on the 96th floor of Tower One of the World Trade Center. That Friday night we needed a synagogue and we walked into an unfamiliar building and asked a rabbi we did not know whether one sits shiva for a step-parent …what about a non-Jewish step-parent, and when would it start if there is no burial?” Stanger recalled.

“Rabbi Tilsen, not knowing my husband, provided the words and advice he needed at that time.”

A native of Mendota Heights, Minnesota, Tilsen graduated from Columbia College in 1984 with a B.A in Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures and Political Science. He received his MA in Interdisciplinary Judaica Studies in 1986 from the Jewish Theological Seminary, where he later attended rabbinical school and from which he was ordained as a rabbi in 1991.

Besides working at BEKI, Rabbi Tilsen is an appointee to the Board of the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven (the longest serving person on that board), and also serves as the Rav HaMakhshir (Kashrut Authority) for Camp Laurelwood.

He is a member of the Rabbinical Assembly, the global organization of 1,600 Masorti-Conservative rabbis, and of the New Haven Area Rabbinical Assembly, the local organization of Masorti-Conservative rabbis.

Lew said that plans for expressing the congregation’s thanks to Rabbi Tilsen are underway.

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Briefs Israel sends 5,000 coronavirus vaccines to Palestinian areas (JTA) – Israel is sending 5,000 coronavirus vaccines to the Palestinian areas, earning praise from some U.S. lawmakers who had urged the country to extend its successful vaccination program to the West Bank and Gaza Strip. “In accordance with the recommendation of the Defense Minister and the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, the political echelon approved the transfer of 5,000 vaccine doses to medical teams in the Palestinian Authority,” The Times of Israel quoted Israeli military officials as saying Monday, Feb. 1.

Israel had been saying that it was not obligated under law or prior agreements to supply Palestinians living under Palestinian Authority rule with the vaccine. The P.A. leadership has sent mixed signals, saying it would prefer to get the vaccines from other sources, but more recently asked for 10,000 doses for its frontline health care workers.

A number of Democrats had faulted Israel for not doing enough to get vaccines to the Palestinians. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said Monday that he had raised the issue with the Biden administration and was “glad to see” Israel deliver the doses.

Also noting Israel’s delivery of the vaccines was Rep. Jamaal Bowman, a progressive congressman from New York who added that he believed Israel was obliged to deliver the vaccines to the entire Palestinian population.

Bowman, who last week posted and then deleted a tweet criticizing Israel, on Tuesday posted a letter on Twitter to Israel’s consulate in New York asking for a meeting to discuss the issue. “The entire population in the West Bank and Gaza must also be covered,” said Bowman, who said he was “heartened” by the news that Israel was set to deliver 5,000 doses.

Bowman told Acting Consul General Israel Nitzan that the issue for him was personal as a Black man. “I know the feeling of being neglected in my government and society, of feeling like a second class citizen or not a citizen at all in my own home,” he said.

Canada places Proud Boys on terror list (JTA) – Canada designated the Proud Boys as a terrorist group on Wednesday, Jan. 3, less than a month after the far-right group allegedly took part in the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol. The addition of the Proud Boys on Canada’s list appeared to mark the first time that the U.S.-based group was formally designated as terrorist.

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Along with the Proud Boys, Public Safety Minister Bill Blair announced the addition of three others to the terrorist list: Atomwaffen Division and The Base, white supremacist groups based in the United States, and the Russian Imperial Movement based in Russia. All the groups have trafficked to varying degrees in antisemitism.

U.S. Jewish groups are pressing the government to create a category for designated domestic terrorism groups.

The United States now designates only foreign groups as terrorists. Canada’s list of terrorists includes Islamist groups such as ISIS, al-Qaida and al-Shahab.

Canadian officials who spoke anonymously to journalists after the Capitol riot in January described the Proud Boys as a “neo-fascist organization that engages in political violence” and who “espouse misogynistic, Islamophobic, antisemitic, anti-immigrant, and/or white supremacist ideologies and associate with white supremacist groups.”

The Capitol riot was spurred by former President Donald Trump’s false claims that he won the election. The rioters were trying to stop Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s win.

Biden administration ‘embraces’ international definition of antisemitism (JNS) The Biden administration has said it will adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, a key tool in fighting antisemitism at home and abroad.

While addressing the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Kara McDonald stated: “We must educate ourselves and our communities to recognize antisemitism in its many forms, so that we can call hate by its proper name and take effective action.

That is why the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism, with its real-world examples, is such an invaluable tool…. As prior U.S. administrations of both political stripes have done, the Biden administration embraces and champions the working definition. We applaud the growing number of countries and international bodies that apply it. We urge all that haven’t done so to do likewise.” The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations praised the announcement.

The adoption comes amid tensions within the American Jewish community over the IHRA definition. Earlier in January, a group of left-wing Jewish and Israeli groups known as the Progressive Israel Network issued a joint statement in opposition to adopting the definition.

The Conference of Presidents pushed back, expressing support for the IHRA definition. The 51-member Conference of

| FEBRUARY 12, 2021

Presidents adopted the IHRA definition last week ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Jan. 27. However, two members of the Conference that also belong to the Progressive Israel Network did not: Americans for Peace Now and the Workers Circle.

Over the last several years, the IHRA’s definition of antisemitism has been adopted by countries and organizations across the world as the standard to help combat rising antisemitism.

Supreme Court rejects appeal by Holocaust heirs seeking restitution in US (JTA) – The U.S. Supreme Court has unanimously rejected an appeal by Holocaust survivors and their heirs who wanted to pursue restitution claims in the United States after failing in the countries where the art was stolen. The opinion published Feb. 3, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, agreed with the defense and with the U.S. government, which joined the defense, that allowing the lawsuits to go ahead would contradict international agreements. “As a Nation, we would be surprised – and might even initiate reciprocal action – if a court in Germany adjudicated claims by Americans that they were entitled to hundreds of millions of dollars because of human rights violations committed by the United States Government years ago,” Roberts wrote.

During oral arguments in December, some of the justices had appeared skeptical of the government’s position and expressed surprise that the solicitor general could not identify how the lawsuits would damage the nation’s foreign policy. The two cases are known as the Republic of Hungary v. Simon and Federal Republic of Germany v. Philipp.

The plaintiffs are Hungarian survivors who were deported to death camps and whose property was appropriated by the Hungarian collaborationist government, and the descendants of German Jewish art dealers who say that Nazi German authorities coerced their ancestors into selling their collections to the state at less than market value. The defendants, the governments of Germany and Hungary, claimed that the Foreign Sovereignty Immunities Act protects foreign governments from having to defend claims in U.S. courts. The plaintiffs contended that an exception to the act holds that claims regarding property taken in violation of international law may be pursued in U.S. courts.

Massachusetts Anti-vaxxer rabbi fired by Chabad over social media posts (JTA) – A longtime Chabad emissary in Massachusetts was fired after months of social media posts in which he railed against pandemic-related lockdowns and mask mandates. In more recent weeks Rabbi Michoel Green, the Hasidic movement’s envoy in Westborough for almost 20 years, encouraged his followers not to be vaccinated with the new COVID vaccines. “It’s NOT immunization. It’s pathogenic priming & mass sterilization,” he wrote last week, according to Haaretz.

Green was dismissed on Jan. 27.

Anti-vaxxers constitute a small minority in Orthodox communities. During the COVID pandemic, in which some Orthodox communities have seen little compliance with mask wearing and social distancing, misinformation about the new vaccines has been spreading for months. Green apparently had been promoting his antivaccine views since the 2019 measles crisis, but the posts intensified during the pandemic.

Rabbi Mendel Fogelman, director of the Central Massachusetts Chabad, told Haaretz that Green’s social media posts were “contrary to the organization’s mission and a direct conflict with the sacred task for which he was appointed.” “It became clear that dismissal was our only choice,” Fogelman said. The Westborough area, located about 35 miles outside Boston, “constitutes a second hub of Jewish life in the Central Massachusetts area,” according to the Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts.

Technion to award Pfizer CEO honorary doctorate (Israel Hayom via JNS) The TechnionIsrael Institute of Technology will award an honorary doctorate to Pfizer CEO and chairman Dr. Albert Bourla for his “extraordinary achievement” in leading the record-time development of a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, Technion president Professor Uri Sivan announced this month.

“Dr. Bourla headed the trailblazing effort to develop a vaccine against the coronavirus,” said Sivan. “In his 27 years with Pfizer, Dr. Bourla promoted multiple areas within the company, among them technological innovation,” said Sivan. “[His] family history, as a son of Holocaust survivors from Thessaloniki, is a symbol of the remarkable vitality of the Jewish people, their liveliness, and their capacity for renewal in the wake of the Holocaust.”

Bourla said he was “moved and honored” to hear that he would be receiving a degree from “such an important and historical institution as the Technion. In my youth, I considered studying at the Technion; this is an emotional closure for me.” jewishledger.com

ADL proposes offensive against domestic terrorism (JTA) – Citing the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, the AntiDefamation League says the threat of domestic terrorism is so serious that it requires a “whole of society” offensive, comprising federal and state governments and the tech sector.

The plan ADL launched Feb. 3 simultaneously with its annual report on murders by extremists, calls on the Biden administration to convene a Preventing Domestic Terrorism Summit bringing together state, federal and private sector officials.

“On January 6, Americans watched as an insurrection fueled by violent conspiracy theories and white supremacy gripped the nation and attacked our democracy,” the report said. “This was a predictable act of political violence fueled by years of increasing extremism; the forces that led to the attack on our Capitol continue to pose a threat to American security and democracy.”

The proposal calls for greater interagency coordination at the federal level and for states to designate officials that would work with the federal government in identifying domestic threats. One ADL recommendation calls on Congress to “investigate any complicity between social media companies and extremists, and make social media platforms more transparent and accountable for dangerous disinformation and misinformation.” The proposal also calls for the identification of elected and other officials who identify with extremist groups like QAnon, the conspiracy movement that peddles false slanders, including some with antisemitic themes, and for the tracking of terrorist white supremacist groups overseas.

The report on murder and extremism said domestic extremists killed at least 17 people in the United States in 15 incidents in 2020, the lowest number since 2004. All but one of the murders were linked to rightwing extremism. The low number is due to the absence of mass killings, the report said, and sounds a note of caution, saying that extremists remain active. “ADL has documented more than 4,500 incidents of white supremacist propaganda distribution in the U.S. in 2020, compared to only 2,724 in 2019.”

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Senate confirms Alejandro Mayorkas as Homeland Security secretary (JTA) – The U.S. Senate confirmed Alejandro Mayorkas, a Cuban-born son of a Holocaust survivor, as Homeland Security secretary on Tuesday. National Jewish groups had sought the confirmation of Mayorkas, who had served under President Barack Obama as deputy Homeland Security secretary and was known to the groups.

The nomination had been subject to partisan tussling and the 56-43 vote was closer than for other Cabinet picks of President Joe Biden.

Jewish groups had pressed for a fast confirmation, citing the pressing need to counter right-wing extremism, particularly in the wake of the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol by proTrump marauders who sought to prevent Biden from assuming the presidency.

Republicans opposed Mayorkas’ pledge to reverse some of former President Donald Trump’s restrictive immigration policies, although the nominee’s views stated during his confirmation hearings comported with those of Biden. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., placed a hold on the Mayorkas nomination.

Mayorkas is one of a number of Jewish Cabinet secretaries, including Antony Blinken in the State Department, Janet Yellen in Treasury and Avril Haines as director of national intelligence.

Kosovo formalizes diplomatic ties with Israel (JNS) Israel and Kosovo officially established diplomatic relations on Monday, Feb. 1, in a ceremony held via Zoom due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Israel’s Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi signed the agreement, which was then scanned and sent to his counterpart in Kosovo, Meliza HaradinajStublla, who was joined by representatives of Kosovo’s Jewish community for the event. The foreign ministers signed two cooperation agreements: one to establish their diplomatic ties and the other related to the activities of Israel’s international development agency Mashav.

“The establishment of relations between Israel and Kosovo is an important and moving historical step that reflects the many changes the region has experienced in recent months,” said Ashkenazi. “Today, Kosovo officially joins the circle of countries that aspire to peace and stability and recognize Israel, and Jerusalem as its capital.”

Kosovo becomes the latest Muslimmajority country to recognize Israel, following the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords with several Arab states in the fall of 2020. Kosovo also agreed to open its embassy in Jerusalem, becoming the third nation to do so after the United States and

Guatemala. In the ceremony, Ashkenazi unveiled a sign that will be placed at the entrance of the Kosovo embassy when it opens, possibly in March or April.

The normalization deal stems from a larger one agreed to last September that was part of a Serbia and Kosovo economic agreement by the Trump administration.

The U.S. State Department welcomed the agreement. Israel becomes the 117th country to formally recognize Kosovo, which has fought its own battle for international independence from Serbia.

world, so expanding our reach in Israel with the addition of Deni is a perfect opportunity to extend our global efforts,” said Jim Van Stone, president of the Monumental Sports & Entertainment group, which owns the Wizards. Avdija, 20, is averaging 6.6 points and 2 assists per game in his rookie season.

Kushner, Berkowitz nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

(JTA) – A leaked email written by a Facebook employee hints that the social media giant may review its policy on allowing the term “Zionist,” and proPalestinian groups argue that such a move would endanger free speech on Israel issues.

In the email dated Nov. 10, the unidentified employee wrote to an unidentified source: “We are looking at the question of how we should interpret attacks on ‘Zionists’ to determine whether the term is used as a proxy for attacking Jewish or Israeli people. The term brings with it much history and various meanings, and we are looking to increase our understanding of how it is used by people on our platform.”

Since last week, the anti-Zionist group Jewish Voice For Peace has circulated a petition opposing any change to Facebook’s policy on allowing use of the word Zionist.

Its signers include an array of prominent voices such as Michael Chabon, Peter Gabriel, Wallace Shawn, Noam Chomsky and Linda Sarsour.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, put out a statement Monday saying that it has “joined the international campaign” to keep Facebook from changing its position on the word.

“The proposed policy would too easily mischaracterize conversations about Zionists – and by extension, Zionism – as inherently antisemitic, harming Facebook users and undermining efforts to dismantle real antisemitism and all forms of racism, extremism, and oppression,” the petition states.

A Facebook spokesperson told The Verge that the company allows the term Zionist “in political discourse,” but not “when it’s used as a proxy for Jews or Israelis in a dehumanizing or violent way.”

Although Facebook is “independently engaging with experts and stakeholders,” the spokesperson added, that does not necessitate a change in policy.

(JNS) Jared Kushner, senior adviser to former U.S. President Donald Trump, and his deputy Avi Berkowitz were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize on Sunday for their role in the normalization deals between Israel and several Arab states known as the Abraham Accords. The two former officials were nominated by U.S. attorney Alan Dershowitz, who was eligible to do so in his capacity as professor emeritus of Harvard Law School. In his nomination, Dershowitz noted that while the choice might not be popular, the peace deals between Israelis and Arabs speak for themselves. “The Nobel Peace Prize is not for popularity. Nor is it an assessment of what the international community may think of those who helped bring about peace. It is an award for fulfilling the daunting criteria set out by Alfred Nobel in his will,” he wrote.

In his letter, Dershowitz also cited the work of former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman and former Israeli ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer for their roles in negotiating the deals.

Washington Wizards launch Hebrew Instagram for Israeli fans of Deni Avdija (JTA) – The Washington Wizards are all in on Deni Avdija content. The team, which made Avdija the highest-ever Israeli NBA draft pick last year, now has an Instagram account in Hebrew to cater to Israeli fans.

It’s a first for an NBA team and adds to the team’s Hebrew Twitter account. Yaron Talpaz, formerly the chief marketing officer for the Israeli Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball club, will lead the Wizards’ Hebrew coverage, the team said in a news release.

Adding to its Hebrew media blitz, the team will also launch a Wizraeli podcast to “feature interviews with Wizards personnel and voices from around the NBA and Israel.” The first episode will include Avdija and former Israeli NBA player Omri Casspi.

“We are committed to growing the game of basketball and connecting fans all over the

Facebook draws left-wing ire after employee says site could police the term ‘Zionists’

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9

Opinion

Andrew Yang got it right on BDS

BY STEPHEN H. NORWOOD AND RAFAEL MEDOFF

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e’re used to politicians mangling history, whether out of carelessness or partisanship. So it was a breath of fresh air when New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Yang recently shared a powerful historical truth about people who boycott Jews.

Yang has been pilloried by supporters of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. But he got it right. “A Yang administration will push back against the BDS movement, which singles out Israel for unfair economic punishment,” he wrote in The Forward. And then came his most controversial – but most important – sentence: “BDS [is] rooted in antisemitic thought and history, hearkening back to fascist boycotts of Jewish businesses…”

The best known “fascist boycott” against Jews was waged by the government of Nazi Germany, beginning with a one-day nationwide action, on April 1, 1933, shortly after Hitler’s rise to power. Throughout the Reich on that day, stormtroopers were stationed at entrances to Jewish stores and offices, and above the doors they posted a yellow circle – the medieval symbol associating Jews with gold and prostitution.

The boycott was intended to demonstrate that the Nazis could readily threaten Jews’ economic survival. In subsequent years, the Nazis avidly enforced local boycotts of Jewish-owned businesses across Germany.

Elsewhere in Central and Eastern Europe during the same period, antisemitic political parties and grassroots movements promoted anti-Jewish boycotts, although generally they were local initiatives, lacking the imprimatur of government approval.

A notable exception was Poland, where, beginning in 1936, Prime Minister Felicjan Skladkowski openly endorsed “economic struggle” against Polish Jews.

Here in the United States, the pro-Nazi German American Bund and the neofascist Christian Front organized and aggressively promoted boycotts of Jewish stores. The Friends of the New Germany, from which the Bund evolved, originated the boycott in 1934, establishing a German-American Business League to promote and police it.

In the heavily German-American neighborhood of Yorkville, in upper Manhattan, Jewish business “are boycotted quite as thoroughly as in Germany,” the 10

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Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported that spring. A Jewish bookseller told the JTA his sales “have fallen off almost one hundred percent.” Previously, his business was so successful that there were “frequent robberies.” But now, “not even the burglars come any more.”

To intimidate non-Jewish shopkeepers, those who failed to pledge loyalty to the boycott had their front window “marked with large swastikas;” in many cases, “the Hitlerite insignia has been cut into the bay windows of the stores, apparently with a diamond.”

Over the next several years, in New York and Boston, the Christian Front, organized by followers of the antisemitic Catholic priest Charles Coughlin, distributed guides for shoppers identifying stores not owned

by Jews. These guides carried the statement that “Christ Himself” sponsored the antiJewish boycott. The Christian Front posted fliers featuring Nazi-style antisemitic imagery in subway stations and on shop windows and buildings, urging passersby to boycott Jewish stores and to “Buy Christian.” These fliers included genocidal threats, such as “Destroy the Jews!” and “Kill the kike vermin!–Wake up Christians!”

As in Germany, the boycott and the circulation of antisemitic propaganda precipitated frequent violent attacks on Jews in the streets and parks of Boston and New York, on Jews’ homes and stores, and the desecration of Jewish cemeteries.

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Commentators referred to these attacks as “mini-pogroms.” They reached a peak during World War II, but continued for several years after the end of the war.

Obviously, there are many differences between the anti-Jewish boycotts of the 1930s and the BDS campaigns of our own time. Yet we dare not ignore the parallels.

Today’s BDS advocates heatedly deny that they are fascists or antisemites. They claim they are “only” boycotting Israelis, not Jews. Likewise, advocates of “partial” BDS say they are boycotting “only” Israeli settlers, not residents of Israeli towns within the pre-1967 areas.

If that were true, the BDS movement would boycott Israeli Arabs as well as Israeli Jews. And the “partial boycotters” would target Israeli Arab residents of communities beyond the pre-1967 lines. They would also refrain from boycotting foreign-born Jewish “settlers” who are not Israeli citizens.

Have you ever heard of BDS activists boycotting Israeli Arabs in general, or Israeli Arab residents of settlements or exempting non-Israeli settlers? We haven’t.

The reason is simple: they are targeting Jews. And that makes their actions uncomfortably similar to the behavior of the fascists to whom Andrew Yang referred.

Dr. Norwood is professor of History and Judaic Studies at the University of Oklahoma; his latest book, which is in press, is “Prologue to Annihilation: Ordinary American and British Jews Challenge the Third Reich.”

Dr. Medoff is founding director of The David S. Wyman Institute for Holocaust Studies; his most recent book is “The Jews Should Keep Quiet: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Rabbi Stephen S. Wise, and the Holocaust.”

This article was first published in the Jewish Journal of Los Angeles, Jan. 29, 2021.

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Spotlight on…

Ruthie Fierberg’s new podcast links theater to social justice

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BY STACEY DRESNER

est Hartford native Ruthie Fierberg has always loved the theater.

“I remember going to the city once or twice a year to see shows,” she says. “My first Broadway show was Grease and then Les Miz the next day. I also grew up going to The Bushnell. I wanted to soak up shows whenever I could.”

Fierberg has now launched Why We Theater a podcast on the Broadway Podcast Network that looks at theater not just as entertainment but as a vehicle for supporting social justice.

In each podcast, Fierberg talks with a playwright or director about their work, then engages with a panel of experts to discuss the social issues presented in the production. Her goal is to help theatergoers take action to remedy some of the intense emotional issues reflected on stage. The podcast’s first 10-episode season, launched in July, highlights plays with themes that include “colorism” and beauty, LGBTQIA rights, education inequity, Internet addiction and antisemitism and the Holocaust.

Fierberg says she got the idea for the podcast five years ago after seeing “Disgraced,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama by Ayad Aktar about post-911 Islamophobia, which she found shocking.

“More and more I’m inspired by shows that talk about social and civic issues, says Fierberg. “I realized…that when we see a curtain come down and think it’s the end, it’s not – it’s actually the beginning. An artist is ‘putting the basketball down in the middle of the court’ and we’re not picking it up.”

One of the plays featured in Fierberg’s podcast is “If I Forget” by Steven Levenson – the story of three adult Jewish children coming home to visit their father on his 75th birthday.

“The eldest is the ‘two-times a year Jew,’ the middle is a Jewish studies professor, completely secular, who looks at Judaism from an intellectual perspective; and the youngest is very religious and very involved,” Fierberg says. “The professor writes a book called Forgetting the Holocaust about how Judaism has become a religion haunted by death and ghosts.”

Family drama ensues.

On the podcast, Fierberg talks with Levenson about the play’s message.

Rabbi Shuli Passow of B’nai Jeshrun in Manhattan and Judah Isseroff, a Jewish scholar at Princeton University, join in as the discussion turns to American jewishledger.com

Jewish identity, Israel and Zionism and antisemitism.

Fierberg says that Judaism is a part of her work “every step of the way.”

The daughter of Randi and Elliot Fierberg, her family is a longtime member of The Emanuel Synagogue in West Hartford.

“I was the co-president of [Emanuel Synagogue’s] USY chapter and it was always very ingrained in us that we had to have Tikun Olam projects, interwoven throughout our programming,” says Fierberg , who now belongs to Manhattan’s Congregation B’nai Jeshrun.

While she loves the theater, Fierberg said her first love is writing. She previously worked for the Meredith Corp., writing for magazines such as Good Housekeeping and Parents. While at Backstage, she wrote feature stories and produced digital videos for events like the Tony Awards, and interviewed the likes of Hugh Jackman, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Platt and Annette Benning.

Most recently she served as senior features editor at Playbill, creating written, multimedia and video content. She left that position in November and has been focusing on the podcast and several video projects.

Fortuitously, in early 2020 as Fierberg was beginning to work on Why We Theater, when Broadway producer Dori Bernstein decided to launch a podcast network called the Broadway Podcast Network and offered studio space, equipment and editing staff to potential podcasters.

“She said, pitch me the idea I’ll do all that work for you,” Fierberg recalls. “I was planning to do my first recording on March 16, and my second on March 18 – I had studio space reserved.”

Then Covid-19 changed those plans.

“We immediately had to switch to remote recording,” she says. “So, I record on one platform and then we Zoom.”

Recorded in her New York City apartment, the podcast can be heard on Apple podcasts, Google Play and Spotify.

Fierberg is already planning the second season “Part of my goal with every episode is to give tangible, actionable ideas to people; whether that is a question to ask yourself to check your own bias, who to write a letter to, an organization to donate to or volunteer with,” she says. “I want people to realize there is theater out there for everyone that will appeal to whatever their interests are and allow them to ask bigger questions.”

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IN MEMORIAM Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski led the way in the fight to help Orthodox Jews struggling with addiction and mental illness

BY RABBI AVI GLUCK

(JTA) – On Sunday, the Jewish community lost one of the biggest forces fighting for those who are suffering the most.

At Amudim, a crisis intervention organization serving the Orthodox Jewish community, we have been humbled by the increasing number of community members who have come to accept the realities of mental health challenges in recent years.

None of what we do today would be possible without the groundbreaking work of Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski, of blessed memory, who died at 90 years old.

Rabbi Twerski deserves to be remembered as a tzaddik (a righteous person), a title that he rightfully earned in his lifetime. But Rabbi Twerski was so much more than a psychiatrist, author of dozens of books and brilliant Torah scholar. He was also a man who positively impacted countless families and individuals in so many ways, ranging from pulling out the rug from within the community of addiction to being outspoken about abuse issues, and so much more.

My father, Rabbi Edgar Gluck, and Rabbi Twerski shared a close relationship that spanned 60 years. When I became involved with those in danger of slipping through our societal cracks, it was a privilege to be able to reach out to the man who was known simply in our family as “Reb Shia.”

I will never forget the time I reached out to him to discuss the suitability of 12-step meetings, trying to ascertain how I could send religious Jewish clients to a meeting that more often than not was being held in a church (many Orthodox Jews believe Jewish law forbids one to enter any Christian houses of worship).

Explaining to me that cases that had reached that level were clearly life threatening, he told me straight out, “When a patient has cancer, do you look for the best doctor or a Jewish doctor?”

He discussed this issue in one of his many books, and he made it clear to me that he was more than happy to have a discussion on the matter with anyone who saw the issue differently.

In addition to being available to offer guidance on specific cases or emergencies as they arose, Rabbi Twerski was helpful to me in many other ways. Nearly 15 years ago, I found myself dealing with a crisis involving 12

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RABBI DR. ABRAHAM J. TWERSKI (COURTESY OF AMUDIM)

a family that had multiple children living in an abusive environment. With numerous rabbis weighing in with different views, I reached out to Rabbi Twerski for an outside opinion. He introduced me to someone that he felt could get to the heart of the matter – Dr. David Pelcovitz. Not only was Dr. Pelcovitz perfectly suited to help me navigate the complexities of this particular case, but he became a tremendous inspiration to me and an invaluable asset to Amudim since the day we opened in 2014.

Over the years, Rabbi Twerski became a guiding light for Amudim. He wasn’t able to join us for our 2015 mental health conference, a groundbreaking two days that gave mental health professionals the opportunity to share their feedback from the trenches, helping us focus our efforts to help as many people as possible in their personal struggles. But he worked with us every step of the way to create the program, spending hours on the phone with Amudim’s founder, Mendy Klein, and me in order to maximize the event’s potential.

Rabbi Twerski also taught me the perplexing nature of recovery. He explained that while some go through recovery and fare well in the long run, others keep repeating the same destructive patterns again and again. In order to end the vicious cycle haunting those in the latter group, Rabbi Twerski said, one must give them

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the tools to approach life and its sometimes daunting circumstances in a healthier way.

But perhaps one of the most incredible lessons I learned from Rabbi Twerski came during a Zoom conference for high level mental health professionals, community leaders and philanthropists that took place approximately two years ago. One participant averred that a person can only be helped once they have hit rock bottom.

When I disagreed wholeheartedly, another person jumped in, saying that Rabbi Twerski had said exactly that in one of his books. Wasting no time, Rabbi Twerski explained that while he had made that statement 30 years ago, it no longer applied in today’s world, where hitting rock bottom too often means death.

That was vintage Rabbi Twerski. He could balance Torah, medical knowledge and practical life skills while still being able to adapt his expertise and advice to changing realities. I have tried to model my own approach at Amudim after the example set by Rabbi Twerski. When it has sometimes seemed awkward and embarrassing to do an about-face, I remind myself that if Rabbi Twerski could publicly change his mind, I could, too.

Throughout my life, whenever I hit a speed bump, I knew I could always count on Rabbi Twerski. I treasure the moments I spent with him, particularly the time he

sat me down at a family wedding and told me that he truly believed that Amudim’s work over the past several years to promote awareness and destigmatize mental health challenges had surpassed anything he had done in his lifetime. Surely it was an exaggeration and was meant as a form of encouragement, but it was meaningful and touched my heart all the same.

That was Rabbi Twerski. Always uplifting. Always inspiring. I remember the times when people would try to convince him to give his stamp of approval for one organization over another and he would have none of it, saying only, “I do what is best for Klal Yisroel. Don’t get me involved in politics and games.”

During his 90 years on this earth, Rabbi Twerski made a tremendous impression as a Torah scholar, a psychiatrist, a rabbi, a clinician and a mentor, a man whose sage advice was a godsend to so many, empowering individuals and families and giving them strength even during their darkest moments. His ability to integrate his seemingly boundless knowledge of mental health with an equally vast ocean of Torah values was unparalleled, and even with his incredible erudition, he had the ability to inspire every person – his kindness, humility and sensitivity shining with every word and on every page.

Despite his many professional accomplishments, I can’t help but remember Rabbi Twerski as someone who spent his days and nights sowing seeds of happiness. As I close my eyes, the words and notes of his iconic “Hoshia Es Amecha” echo in my mind, a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to making the world a better place.

Rabbi Avi Gluck is the CEO of Amudim, an organization dedicated to helping abuse victims and those suffering with addiction within the Jewish community. He has been heavily involved in crisis intervention and management for the past 21 years.

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THE IRAQI JEWISH ARCHIVES. LOST and FOUND…and LOST? 52 years ago, 9 Jews were hanged in Baghdad. Today, their descendants risk losing everything they left behind.

BY CAROLE BASRI AND ADRIANA DAVIS

(JTA) – On Jan. 27, 1969, nine Jews were hanged in Tahrir Square in the center of Baghdad as half a million people looked on.

It was the climax of a campaign of persecution that followed the establishment of Israel, which in turn hastened an exodus of what had been a strong and flourishing community. Of the 160,000 Jews who had lived in what is today Iraq since the destruction of the First Temple, only a handful of Jews remain.

When the Jews fled, they were not allowed to take anything more than three sets of clothing and 50 dinars – a pittance.

Their communal and personal property was confiscated by the Iraqi regime.

For decades, the survivors and descendants of that community thought all records of their lives in that ancient land were lost.

For the Basri family, leaving Iraq meant leaving behind not only our own personal belongings but a vast collection of material belonging to the Frank Iny School, the last Jewish school to operate in Iraq. Frank Iny was my grandfather, and his school was an island of security for Jews as the fires of anti-Semitism raged around them. School records, photos and more were lost, we thought forever.

However, by a series of miraculous events, in 2003, the communal and personal property that had been stolen by the Baath regime was discovered in a flooded basement of the headquarters of Saddam Hussein’s secret police by US troops. The United States undertook to salvage and restore the collection.

Presently, the collection is in the custody of the U.S. National Archives, where they were restored and displayed at various locations.

But now, this priceless collection is once more in danger of being lost forever.

The Iraqi Jewish Archives chronicles the 2,700-year history of the Jews of Iraq – a history that ended when the Iraqi Jewish community was forced to flee. The collection contains tens of thousands of items, including a 400-year-old Hebrew Bible, a 200-year-old Talmud, Torah scrolls, Torah cases and other sacred books jewishledger.com

including manuscripts by the Ben Ish Hai, the late 19th-century Baghdadi scholar, as well personal and communal records.

Until Saddam Hussein was deposed, many Iraqi Jews were afraid to speak publicly about their heritage. Today, when we interviewed members of the community for our latest film, “Saving the Iraqi Jewish Archives,” one woman we spoke to told us how the discovery of the archives strengthened her desire to protect the remnants of their past for future generations. We filmed other Iraqi Jews touring the archives and, for the first time in 50 years, seeing images of themselves and their records as young students at the Frank Iny School.

Now, the historical record of this once flourishing community is in danger. The State Department plans to return it to Iraq in 2021. We are now in danger of losing the tangible proof of our very existence in Iraq. Only the Administration or U.S. State Department can prevent this from happening.

The US State Department has signed agreements with various Middle Eastern states, including Iraq, Libya, Algeria and Syria, about sending Jewish cultural and religious artifacts back – material that had been stolen from the Jewish communities when they were dispossessed of all their property (and sometimes of their lives).

The Iraqi Jewish Diaspora is fighting against such a miscarriage of justice.

If the Iraqi Jewish Archives are sent back to Iraq, it will be another step in the ethnic cleansing of Iraqi Jews. These agreements could have far-reaching consequences for all Judaica that had been saved from these countries and are now in use in synagogues or in museums and cultural centers in the United States.

We commend the United States for saving the Iraqi Jewish Archives. But now, all that effort could be for naught. Due to the circumstances of the community’s flight from Iraq, there is very little documenting their history and the role they played for over two millennia in this part of the world.

This archive is one of the only concrete links to that past and the reality of Jewish

life in the land between the rivers.

I remember that day in 1969 when nine Jews were murdered. My family had already come to the United States, but even here we were too concerned about the potential consequences for our family still in Iraq to raise our voices in protest.

Instead, we drove by the protest at the U.N. silently.

My uncle Meir Basri, the head of the Jewish community in Iraq at that time, was then being tortured, for three months, at the Terminal Palace, Qasar al Nehiya,

by Saddam Hussein. During this same time, and at the same location, the Chief Rabbi’s son, Shaul Hakham Sassoon, was held and tortured for over a year. He was falsely accused of collusion with a spy ring.

His elderly father was forced to publicly proclaim, through an interpreter, that the Jewish community was being treated well and had full freedoms even while his son was being tortured.

We can’t erase their pain, but we can preserve their memory.

The Iraqi Jewish Archives are Jewish property stolen by the Government of Iraq. Returning the collection to Iraq is the very definition of the biblical rebuke by the Prophet Elijah in Kings 1: “Have you murdered and also inherited?” – that is, seized another’s property. The United States must not be a party to this travesty.

CAROLE BASRI

FRANK AND MUZLI INY ON THEIR WEDDING DAY.

Carole Basri is the daughter of Iraqi Jewish refugees. The Frank Iny School, the last Jewish school to operate in Baghdad, was built by her grandfather.

Carole and filmmaker Adriana Davis have made four films about the Jews of Iraq. Their latest, “Saving the Iraqi Jewish Archives: A Journey of Identity” explores the significance of the archives and the struggle to keep it safe and accessible.

MEIR BASRI IN THE 1960s.

(COURTESY OF THE BASRI FAMILY)

JEWISH LEDGER

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TORAHPortion Mishpatim

M

BY RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

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Our Kosher meal services allow residents to maintain their dietary requirements throughout their stay with us. At the Hebrew Center, we ensure we follow all principles of Kosher including purchase, storage, preparation, and service.

At the Hebrew Center for Health and Rehabilitation, we also offer a variety of other services and amenities to ensure your stay is as comfortable as possible.

THESE SERVICES INCLUDE: • Passport to Rehabilitation Program • Long-Term Skilled Nursing Care • Specialized Memory Care • Respite Care Program • Palliative Care and Hospice Services Coordination

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OUR AMENITIES INCLUDE: • Barber/Beauty Shop • Café • Cultural Menus • Laundry and housekeeping services • Patient and Family education • Life Enrichment

For more information on our Kosher program, please contact: DIRECTOR, PASTORAL SERVICES - (860) 523-3800 Hebrew Center for Health and Rehabilitation One Abrahms Boulevard, West Hartford, CT 06117

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y wife and I moved to the Jewish community of Baltimore almost 50 years ago. The fond memories we have of the time we spent there begin with our first Shabbat in town. It was then that I met two older men, at least twice my own age, at a nearby synagogue.

They told me about their encounters with the great early 20th-century sage Rabbi Yisrael Mayer Kagan, of blessed memory, the author of the famous book, Chafetz Chaim. My two friends insisted that that particular book was not his most important work. Their candidate for their mentor’s masterpiece is entitled Ahavat Chesed, “Loving Kindness,” which is about the acts that one is commanded to perform in order to assist others who are in need.

A major portion of the work is dedicated to a mitzvah which is less well known, but which is promulgated in this week’s Torah portion, Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1-24:18).

The following are the verses to which I refer: “If you lend money to My people, to the poor among you, do not act toward them as a creditor; exact no interest from them. If you take your neighbor’s garment in pledge, you must return it to him before the sun sets; it is his only clothing, the sole covering for his skin. In what else shall he sleep? Therefore, if he cries out to Me, I will pay heed, for I am compassionate” (Exodus 22:24-26).

This beautiful passage portrays an act of compassion. The image of a totally destitute person who has but one change of clothing is heartrending. The sensitivity to his sleeplessness is exquisite. But there is one word that the commentators find puzzling: the first word in the passage, “If.” If you lend money to my people?

Shouldn’t it read,“You must lend money to My people.”?

Rashi cites Rabbi Ishmael’s teaching in the Talmudic tractate Bava Metzia: “Every ‘if’ in the Torah expresses an act which is optional, except for three instances in which ‘if’ expresses an act which is mandatory–compulsory–and this is one of the three.” This “if” is to be translated as “you must.”

And so, why does the Torah not simply tell us that we must lend money to those who need it? Why the “if”? One answer to this question is found in the teaching of the Hasidic master Rabbi Yechezkel of Kuzmir, regarding the following Talmudic text: “Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair was on a mission to try to redeem several Jews who were held captive. His route was blocked

by the river Ginai. He said to the river, ‘Split your waters so that I might pass through!’ The river refused, saying, ‘You are on your way to do the will of your Maker, and I am on my way to do the will of my Maker. You might succeed, but you might not succeed! But I will certainly succeed! I simply need to continue to flow.’”

The river seems perfectly justified. All he has to do is follow nature’s course and flow downstream as his Maker created him to do. But Rabbi Pinchas could not be certain of success. Indeed, the odds are that he would fail. Why should the river yield?

Rabbi Pinchas ignored the river’s reasonable argument. Instead, he threatened the river, saying, “If you don’t split for me, I will decree that not a drop of water shall ever again flow down your riverbed for all eternity!”

What right did the rabbi have to ignore the river’s argument? Rabbi Yechezkel of Kuzmir answers: The river’s assumption is that a deed that is certain to be successful is more desirable to the Almighty than is a deed whose ultimate success is in doubt.

Rabbi Pinchas taught him otherwise.

The Almighty cherishes the person who undertakes a mission which is risky and whose outcome is uncertain much more than the person who undertakes a mission which he knows will be blessed with success.

This, I would suggest, is why lending money to someone in need is, at least in one way, more desirable to the Almighty than simply giving a handout to the poor.

When one gives food, for example, to a hungry person, he knows immediately that he has done a good deed. There is no element of doubt. However, when one lends money to another, one never knows.

Will the borrower postpone repayment?

Will he default? It is a mitzvah done in the throes of doubt and uncertainty. The lesson taught by Rabbi Pinchas teaches the lender that the mitzvah he did with so much doubt and uncertainty is all the more cherished by the Almighty.

There are many mitzvah missions that we all undertake at great risks and with no guarantee that we will be successful in our efforts. Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair teaches us to deliberately pursue such mitzvot.

Hence, the passage in this week’s Torah portion begins with the big “if.” Moral actions are often “iffy.” But that’s all the more reason to engage in them. The risks are real, but the rewards are eternal.

Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb is the executive vice president, emeritus of the Orthodox Union.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 2021 Golden Globes: All the Jewish nominees

2021 NAACP Image Awards: The Jewish nominees

BY EMILY BURACK

BY EMILY BURACK

(JTA) – “Schitt’s Creek” is trying to pick up in the Golden Globes where it left off in the fall with its historic Emmys sweep.

The show about a wealthy interfaith Jewish family was nominated Wednesday for five awards, including four for the main actors and one for best series.

There are plenty of other Jewish nominations, too, notably “Mank,” the acclaimed film on the story of Jewish screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz, with six.

The Golden Globes, taking place virtually in the new pandemic normal, will be held Feb. 28 and hosted for the fourth time by comedians Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. This time they’ll be on different coasts.

Unlike the Oscars, the Globes divide their film categories into musical or comedy and drama, allowing for a wider range of actors and actresses to be nominated.

The television categories are divided, too, similar to the Emmys.

Check out all the Jewish nominees below.

TELEVISION “Schitt’s Creek” is up for best series and Eugene Levy, Dan Levy, Catherine O’Hara and Annie Murphy are all nominated in the best television series, musical or comedy categories. The show follows the well-to-do family that loses its money and is forced to live in a small town they once bought as a joke.

“Unorthodox,” the hit Netflix drama based on Deborah Feldman’s memoir of the same name about a young woman leaving the haredi Orthodox world, is nominated

IBRAHIMA GUEYE AND SOPHIA LOREN IN ‘THE LIFE AHEAD’ (REGINE DE LAZZARIS AKA GRETA)

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for best limited series. The Israeli star of the show, Shira Haas, is also nominated for best actress in a limited series.

Up against “Unorthodox” in that category is “The Undoing,” a not-veryJewish HBO miniseries adapted from Jewish author Jean Hanff Korelitz’s novel “You Should Have Known.”

Jane Levy is nominated for her role in “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” a musical NBC comedy.

Last but not least: Al Pacino is nominated for his role as Meyer Offerman, a Jewish Nazi hunter with a Yiddish accent in the Amazon Prime show “Hunters.”

MOVIES “Mank,” starring Gary Oldman (in a controversial casting decision), leads the pack with its six nominations: for best motion picture, drama, best screenplay, best supporting actress, best actor (drama), best original score and best director.

“Borat Subsequent Moviefilm,” starring Jewish actor Sacha Baron Cohen as Borat, a fictional journalist from Kazakhstan, was filled with Jewish moments and timely commentary on anti-Semitism. It received three nods from the Globes: for best motion picture, musical or comedy, for best actor in the musical or comedy category (Cohen) and best actress in the same category.

Maria Bakalova, the Bulgarian actress who plays Borat’s daughter in the film, delighted viewers with a wacky breakout performance (and a memorable scene with Rudy Giuliani).

“Palm Springs,” the “Groundhog Day”-style time-loop comedy from Hulu starring Jewish actor Andy Samberg, is up for best motion picture, musical or comedy. Samberg also notched a best actor nomination in the comedy category.

“The Trial of the Chicago 7,” also starring Sacha Baron Cohen, is the story of Jewish anti-war activist Abbie Hoffman from Jewish writer-director Aaron Sorkin.

The film is up for five awards: for best motion picture, drama; supporting actor for Cohen; best director and best screenplay for Sorkin; and best original song for “Here My Voice.”

Sophia Loren‘s Holocaust film “The Life Ahead,” which tells the tale of survivor and former sex worker Madame Rosa, is up for two awards – best motion picture and best original song.

Jewish actress Kate Hudson was nominated for her role in “Music,” the musical drama film from singer-songwriter Sia.

(JTA) – Several Jewish stars are among the nominees for the 2021 NAACP Image Awards, which celebrate Black achievement in movies, television, music and literature.

The list announced Tuesday features a mix of familiar Jewish names, such as the often-awarded rapper Drake and TV star Tracee Ellis Ross, along with rising artists like actress Jurnee Smollett and rapper Doja Cat. The ceremony will air virtually on March 27. Here are the Jews to know.

THE STARS Jurnee Smollett received a nomination for her breakout role as Leti in “Lovecraft Country,” the HBO horror drama that received eight nominations, including for outstanding drama series. Smollett last won a NAACP Image Award for her role in the 2008 film “The Great Debaters.”

“Blackish,” which stars Tracee Ellis Ross, leads the TV categories with 11 nominations, including for outstanding series. Ross was tapped for the sixth consecutive year as outstanding actress in a comedy series – she’s won four times.

Ross tacked on another nomination, as outstanding actress in a motion picture for “The High Note,” and now has 16, bringing her career total to 16.

Multi-hyphenate star Daveed Diggs, whose 2020 included an instantly iconic Hanukkah song and a viral dig at Donald Trump, was nominated for his portrayal of Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson in the filmed recording of the musical “Hamilton,” the Broadway sensation that was released on Disney+ last summer.

The musical film received a total of four nominations. Diggs is up against his fellow “Hamilton” star Leslie Odom Jr.

THE SHOWS The Netflix sitcom “#blackAF,” starring Jewish actress Rashida Jones alongside creator Kenya Barris, was nominated for outstanding comedy series, as was “The Last O.G.,” which stars Jewish actress Tiffany Haddish alongside Tracy Morgan.

“Bridgerton,” the hit Netflix series based on the series of the same name by Jewish romance author Julia Quinn (nee Julie Cotler), received three nominations: for outstanding drama series, for Rege-Jean Page’s star turn as the Duke of Hastings, and for Adjoa Andoh’s portrayal of Lady Danbury.

“Big Mouth,” the very Jewish animated Netflix show about puberty in suburban

FROM LEFT: DAVEED DIGGS, JURNEE SMOLLETT AND THE MISSY CHARACTER FROM “BIG MOUTH.” (NETFLIX; HBO; GETTY IMAGES)

Westchester, received a nod for outstanding animated series. The series made waves after it recast the voice of the character Missy, a Black Jewish tween, after Jewish actress Jenny Slate stepped away in June.

“At the start of the show, I reasoned with myself that it was permissible for me to play ‘Missy’ because her mom is Jewish and White – as am I. But ‘Missy’ is also Black, and Black characters on an animated show should be played by Black people,” Slate wrote in a statement posted by Instagram.

Toward the end of last season, Missy’s voice changed to from Slate to Ayo Edebiri, a writer on the show.

MUSIC Breakout rapper Doja Cat, real name Amalaratna Zandile Dlamini, was nominated for best new artist for her record “Say So.” Doja Cat also garnered many nods at the 2021 Grammys.

Drake, real name Aubrey Drake Graham, received three nominations: for outstanding male artist, and two for outstanding hip hop/rap song, for the tracks “Laugh Now, Cry Later” and “Life Is Good.”

Jhené Aiko, a singer-songwriter with Jewish heritage, received two nominations for her song “B.S.” feat. H.E.R., and a nomination for her album “Chilombo.”

LITERATURE Author Walter Mosley, who recently was honored with the National Book Foundation’s lifetime achievement award, was nominated in the outstanding literary work, fiction category for his novel The Awkward Black Man. Laura Freeman, a children’s book illustrator, received a nomination alongside author Nikki Grimes for their children’s book Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice.

JEWISH LEDGER | FEBRUARY 12, 2021

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AROUND CT Yad Sarah inspires start of medical equipment-lending outlet in Connecticut (JNS) Yad Sarah announces the benefit of Wheel It Forward, a Connecticutbased not-for-profit organization that offers a convenient destination for MEDICAL EQUIPMENT anyone to easily LENT OUT BY YAD SARAH. borrow or donate CREDIT: COURTESY. durable medical equipment. Like Yad Sarah’s lending centers, Wheel It Forward is a volunteer-run community library that provides equipment for anyone in need free of charge.

Wheel It Forward founder Elliot Sloyer was inspired to build a team and start the American-based organization when he visited Yad Sarah in Israel back in 2018.

Sloyer was chaperoning a month-long eighth-grade trip from the Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy to Israel when he was introduced to the organization. “When I saw the world-class presentation, I said to myself, ‘Wow. This is just an incredible idea, an incredible concept,’ ” he said.

When one of the students was injured during the trip, the school borrowed a wheelchair from Yad Sarah for the remainder of their visit. Sloyer spoke highly of Yad Sarah’s assistance, adding “that was my exposure to Yad Sarah, and it was an inspiration to me to come back to America to see what’s going on in our blessed country.”

“A true act of kindness always prompts another; that’s what happened when Elliot visited Yad Sarah in Israel,” said Friends of Yad Sarah executive director Adele Goldberg.

He said he started collecting and lending out equipment on a personal level to test the idea in the United States, forming the Wheel It Forward board in the summer of 2020 with a soft launch it in October, working out of the Stamford Government Center that serves greater Fairfield County in Connecticut. Now, it is being thoroughly operational.

Said Goldberg: “We are so proud to have inspired Elliot to improve the lives of others in his community, and he has done so with the same passion and dedication of our volunteers in Israel.”

ANSWERS TO FEB. 5 CROSSWORD

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THE KOSHER CROSSWORD FEB. 12, 2021

“Preposterous Presidents” By: Yoni Glatt Difficulty Level: Manageable

Curbside pick up and local home delivery available!

SHABBAT DINNER TRADITIONAL DAIRY LUNCHEON DELI SANDWICH PLATTER DINNER MENU

Across 1. The Coen’s “True Grit”, for one 7. It might cause a rip in a talit 11. Hank Azaria voiced pal of Chief Wiggum 14. Actress Brie whose real last name is Schermerhorn 15. Every President, so far 16. Lang. that gave us the word “pogrom” 17. 20th century President and Prime Minister of Israel?

19. Capote, to friends 20. Ashkelon to Bet Shemesh dir.

21. “Gentleman’s Agreement” director Kazan 22. Arab chieftain

23. Slovenly 21st century President?

27. Look up to 30. Tref sushi options 31. 21st century President from a Biblical country in Africa?

35. Approx.

38. Bring down the house 39. HS tests that might shorten ones time at YU 40. Rental from Hertz or Eldan 41. Wood shaping tool 42. 20th century President and foe of Seinfeld?

46. City east of Be’er Sheva 48. “Abracadabra” alternative 49. 20th century President who audibly showed he was from the

tribe of Judah?

54. Schreiber in “Spotlight” 55. Glass, once 56. Snake in “Raiders of The Lost Ark” 59. Each and every 60. 19th century President who needed tzeddakah?

64. Abe (Vigoda) in “The Godfather” 65. Clay jug 66. Like many a “Twilight Zone” ending 67. “Come ___?” (Italian for “Mah shlomcha?”)

68. Abbr. at the end of a list 69. They help people get connected

Down 1. Like a Hasmonean coin, today 2. Gold or Musk 3. Go for the gold 4. A good king of Israel 5. All 6. Put the kibosh on 7. Common sense?

8. Bygone Sephardic title 9. What con men may assume 10. Two before Lev. 11. The Louvre and Accademia 12. Some call it Yom Mordechai 13. Take forcibly 18. “C’mon, ___ pal!”

22. Start of a Luach?

23. Urgent

24. The ADL, e.g.

25. Born 26. Snarky laugh or Hebrew letter 27. Taj Mahal locale 28. Unlike Elijah or Serah, according to Jewish lore 29. Layer on many pies 32. First Jewish-Roman, e.g.

33. Letters for Hatzalah volunteers?

34. Jewish teen grp. established in 1951 36. Ballpark figure?

37. Up ___ good 40. Stupefied, in a way 42. “2001” evil computer 43. Respond to blandness, as a chef might

44. Where to hear Ari Shapiro 45. Poetic palindrome 47. Jewish Toyota model?

49. Jewish wedding fragment 50. Israeli city approximately 200 miles due south of 51-Down 51. Israeli city approximately 200 miles due north of 50-Down 52. 1993 N.B.A. Rookie of the Year 53. They can help a business 56. As good as it gets 57. 0% fat, say 58. Bench press muscles, for short 60. Shortened name of Jacob’s 11th 61. Big name in North Korea 62. Shim, to 60-Down 63. Serling of old TV

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WHAT’S HAPPENING Jewish organizations are invited to submit their upcoming events to the our What’s Happening section. Events are placed on the Ledger website on Tuesday afternoons. Deadline for submission of calendar items is the previous Tuesday. Send items to: judiej@jewishledger.com.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9 Politics & Identity among Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jews Joshua Shanes, PhD, associate professor of Jewish Studies and director of the Center for Israel Studies, College of Charleston, will discuss “A Growing Schism: Politics and Identity Among Orthodox and NonOrthodox Jews,” on Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m.

The FREE webinar is sponsored by the Judaic Studies Program in collaboration with the Bennett Center for Judaic Studies.

Registration required at fairfield.edu/ bennettprograms. For questions, contact the Bennett Center at bennettcenter@fairfield. edu or call (203) 254-4000 ext. 2066.

Professor Greenberg will share her reflections lessons learned form the history of Black-Jewish relations in the 20th century on Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. on Zoom.

Recent discussions about white privilege and white supremacy have raised questions about where Jews of European descent fit in. Are Jews white? And if so, how has that affected Jewish involvement in Civil Rights Movement in the past? How should it inform us moving forward? Hosted by the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford. For more information, contact jhsgh.org.

The NY Librarian who spied on American Nazis Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust presents “The New York Librarian Who Spied On American Nazis” on Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. Marshall Curry, Academy Awardwinning filmmaker (A Night at the Garden); Dr. Daniel Greene, president and librarian at the Newberry Library, professor of history at Northwestern University, and curator of “Americans and the Holocaust;” and Michael Simonson, head of public outreach and archivist at the Leo Baeck Institute discuss the life and legacy of Florence Mendheim, a Jewish librarian who went undercover in the 1930s to spy on local Nazi groups in the New York area.

Co-presented by the Museum and the Leo JEWISH LEDGER

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10 The power of unplugging on Shabbat The 9th Annual Saul Cohen-Schoke JFS Lecture Series presents “Tech Shabbat,” with guest speaker Tiffany Shlain, Emmynominated filmmaker and author of 24/6: The Power of Unplugging One Day A Week, who will focus on regaining your inner calm and connection to people instead of screens. The free lecture to be held Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m., is co-sponsored by UJA/ JCC Greenwich, Federation for Jewish Philanthropy of Upper Fairfield County and the UJF Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien, in partnership with the Jewish Book Council.

To register, visit www.ctjfs.org/saulcohen-jfs-lecture. For more info, contact Matt Greenberg at (203) 921-4161 or mgreenberg@ctjfs.org.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11 “Purim On Tap” for Young Adults

Jews & Civil Rights, and lessons learned

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Baeck Institute. For more information on this virtual program, visit: mjhnyc.org/ events.

The Tribe, a group for adults in their 20’s and 30’s organized by Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford, and JewGood, a branch of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford that empowers young professionals to engage in philanthropy, are hosting “Purim on Tap,” a virtual discussion of the Purim story on Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m., with refreshments. For more information, visit cbict.org/calendar.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14 Before Fiddler – Live from Florence “with Hershey Felder “Before Fiddler - Live From Florence,” featuring actor, playwright and virtuoso pianist Hershey Felder as Yiddish author Sholem Aleichem, as well as performances by the Florence-based Klezmer music ensemble, Klezmerata Fiorentina. Filmed on location where events actually took place, this streaming production will feature the stories and characters of Sholem Aleichem, along with music that is sure to move the soul. This World Premiere production will be streamed live on Feb. 7 at 8 p.m., and will be available for on-demand streaming until Feb. 14 at 8:59 p.m.

Proceeds will benefit over 20 national and international theaters, arts organizations and publications.

Tickets: $55 per household, available at hersheyfelder.net.

| FEBRUARY 12, 2021

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16 “The Garden of the Finzi-Continis,” screening & discussion Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust presents a screening and discussion of the 1970 classic film “The Garden Of The Finzi-Continis” on Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. Ricky Ian Gordon, composer of the operatic adaptation of the film, and Portia Prebys, longtime companion of Giorgio Bassani, join Italian film and history experts for a discussion on the film. Attendees will receive a private link to screen the film during the fourday period before the program. For more information on this virtual program, visit: mjhnyc.org/events.

Exploring the history and evolution of Yizkor Books Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust presents Z”achor: Yizkor Books As Collective Memory Of A Lost World,” on Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. on Zoom. Speakers include Avraham Groll, executive director of JewishGen; Joyce Field, former JewishGen VP for Research and Data Acquisition and Yizkor Book Project Manager; Lance Ackerfeld, director of the Yizkor Book Project; and Joel Alpert, coordinator of the Yizkor Books in Print Project, Compiled from memory by groups of former residents of Eastern European towns in the immediate decades after the Holocaust, Yizkor Books are some of the best sources for learning about pre-war Jewish life in Eastern and Central Europe. Of the more than 1,500 Yizkor Books in existence, hundreds have been completely or partially translated into English by JewishGen and more than 100 translated editions are now available in print. For more information on this virtual program, visit: mjhnyc.org/events.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18 Jewish Ethics, Social Justice, and the 21st Century Rabbinate Rabbi Stephanie Ruskay of the Jewish Theological Seminary will discuss “Jewish Ethics, Social Justice, Community Organizing and the 21st Century Rabbinate ” on Feb. 18 at 7:30 on Zoom, as part of the 2021 series of virtual lectures surrounding the theme of “The Jewish Roots of Social Justice,” presented by the ALEPH Institute, a learning initiative sponsored by the Mandell JCC and UConn Judaic Studies.

Rabbi Ruskay will focus on raising the scope and profile of social justice work and community organizing skills in the role of the contemporary rabbi. For more information, visit judaicstudies.uconn.edu or mandelljcc.org.

Beyond the Ghetto Gates with author Michelle Cameron The book Beyond the Ghetto Gates by Michelle Cameron is set in 1796-97, a rare happy epoch in Jewish life when Napoleon marched into Italy and demolished the ghetto gates, freeing the Jews who had long been trapped behind them. This virtual book discussion with Cameron on Feb. 18 at 7 p.m., explores issues the novel raises issue that remain pertinent today, including antisemitism, the conflict between assimilation and religious tradition, intermarriage, and the struggle between love and familial duty. For more information, visit cbict.org/calendar.

A talk with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust presents “Legacies: A Talk With Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla,” who has overseen the development of the world’s first safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine, will discuss his experience as the son of Holocaust survivors and how his upbringing informed his accomplished career. He will be joined in conversation by Robert Krulwich, science and technology journalist and longtime host of the double Peabody Award-winning show Radiolab. Admission is complimentary with a suggested donation. For more information on this virtual program, visit: mjhnyc.org/ current-events.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20 JTConnect’s Pink Shabbat raises breast cancer awareness In keeping with Sharsheret Pink Day 2021, a worldwide initiative to raise breast cancer awareness that will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 10, JTConnect will host its annual Pink Shabbat on Feb. 20, 7 - 8 p.m. Led by JTConnect teen engagement fellows and open to all ages, the evening will include Havdalah and a meal certified kosher by the HKC and ready for pick up

by Friday, Feb. 19. JTConnect Pink Shabbat Boxes that include a pink Havdalah set, Sharsheret swag, mitzvah cards, and more, may be purchased for $36. Procees will benefit Sharsheret, a national non-profit that improves the lives of Jewish women and families living with or at increased genetic risk for breast or ovarian cancer.

Reservations a must by Friday, Feb. 12.

Zoom link will be sent upon registration. To register, contact cara@jtconnect.org.

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FEBRUARY 9 – MARCH 18 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21 In concert: Alex Nakhimovsky & Friends Beth El Temple presents a Zoom concert featuring pianist pianist Alex Nakhimovsky and vocalists led by Cantor Joseph Ness. jazz and pop to classical and Israeli folk songs. Part of the 2021 BEMA online season. FREE. Register at https://tinyurl. com/BEMAandAlex.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22 UJF Community Read to feature author Rachel Barenbaum Author Rachel Barenbaum will discuss her debut novel A Bend in the Stars on Zoom, Monday, Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m. at the Community Read hosted by United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien.

Set in Russia during World War I, in A Bend in the Stars Barenbaum melds the science relating to solving Einstein’s theory of relativity with a love story. The book was named a New York Times Summer Reading Selection and a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers selection. Barenbaum, who lives in Brookline, Massachusetts, is a reviewer for the LA Review of Books, the Tel Aviv Review of Books and DeadDarlings.

She is an honorary research associate at the Hadassah-Brandeis Institute and a graduate of GrubStreet’s Novel Incubator, and is founder of Debut Spotlight and the Debut Editor at A Mighty Blaze.

To register for this free program, visit ujf.org/communityread, or email Diane Sloyer at dianesloyer@ujf.org.

AFTERLIFE: What does Judaism say about the world to come?

Cantor Abramson of Congregation Shir Ami will lead a virtual exploration on the Jewish perspective on the afterlife and the concepts of heaven and hell on Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Cantor Abramson cantorjea@gmail.com.

the Center’s commemoration efforts in Oświęcim and their impact on descendants of the town’s Jewish residents, on Feb 23 5 p.m.For more information on this virtual program, visit: mjhnyc.org/events.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24 Arthur Szyk & the Art of the Haggadah Irving Ungar, rabbi and antiquarian book dealer specializing in history Judaica, will present the Samuel and Bettie Roberts Lecture in Jewish Art, and co-editor, The Szyk Haggadah, publisher and editor, Arthur Szyk: Soldier in Art (2017) on Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. The FREE webinar is part of the lecture series presented by Fairfield University’s Bennet Center for Judaic Studies. Registration required at fairfield. edu/bennettprogram. For questions, contact the Bennett Center at bennettcenter@ fairfield.edu or call (203) 254-4000 ext.

2066.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26 Purim Story Slam Congregation Shir Ami will host a Purim Story Slam on Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m.

A Story Slam is a live story-telling event where individuals share a personal story (about 3-5 minutes long) in the form of a story, a poem or a song; it can be funny, inspiring or dramatic. (If you have never heard a story slam before, listen to The Moth on NPR to get the idea). The Purim Story Slam theme is inspired by the way Mordechai and Queen Esther found a way to foil Haman’s nefarious plan to harm the Jews. If you can recall a time when you felt stuck but you found a way to get out of it, or if you have a personal story that speaks about confronting adversity? If so, contact Cantor Abramson at cantorjea@gmail.com with a brief description of your idea.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23

Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy’s annual dinner goes virtual

Since 2000, the Auschwitz Jewish Center (AJC), a Polish satellite location of the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust and the only Jewish presence remaining in the vicinity of Auschwitz, has preserved Jewish memory in the town of Oświęcim and educated about the contemporary dangers of antisemitism and other forms of prejudice. Barbara Posner and Shlomi Shaked, the daughter and grandson of survivors from Oświęcim, who have both reconnected with the town over the past two decades, will explore

Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy 65th Annual Celebration Dinner, to be held virtually on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m,. will honor several community leaders, including: Guests of Honor Stephanie and Josh Bilenker; Young Leadership Award recipients Nicole and Jonathan Makovsky; Doris Zelinsky, recipient of the Morton G. Scheraga President’s Award; and the many school alumni who are currently serving in the Israel Defense Force. In addition, Jacqueline Herman, who will be retiring as Bi-Cultural head of school at the end of this

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academic year, will receive the inaugural Walter Shuchatowitz Award for Excellence in Education. For more information, call (203) 329-2186 or visit bchact.org.

For more information, visit judaicstudies.uconn.edu or mandelljcc.org.

Looking for God in All the Right Places with author Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin

The Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust continues to bring live music to audiences at home through the Live from Edmond J. Safra Hall concert series, presented from its state-of-the-art theater. Next up in the series: A live performance by the celebrated klezmer musician Michael Winograd & The Honorable Mentshn on March 4 at 8 p.m..

The group will play hits from Winograd’s 2019 LP Kosher Style, classics from the golden age of Yiddish theater and Klezmer music. Winograd will lead the concert on the clarinet, joined by trombonist Daniel Blacksberg, accordionist Will Holshouser, pianist Carmen Staa, bassist Zoe Guigueno, and drummer David Licht.

For more information, visit mjhnyc.org.

Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin will discuss his book Looking for God in All the Right Places, on Zoom, Feb. 28 at 4 p.m. Rabbi Slakin is well known for his writing, teaching and activism. He has written or edited three Torah commentaries – two of which are for teens. Several of his books have won national awards. His award-winning blog, “Martini Judaism: for those who want to be shaken and stirred,” is published by the Religion News Service. He is currently spiritual leader of Temple Israel in West Palm Beach, Florida.For more information, visit cbict.org/calendar.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3 Two women talking: A rabbi and a pastor sit down for coffee The Open MINDS Institute of Fairfield University’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts present “Women Who Transform Tradition: Or, What Happens When a Female Rabbi and a Female Pastor Sit Down for Coffee,” on March 3 at 1 p.m.

Rabbi Sarah Marion of Congregation B’nai Israel in Bridgeport and Reverend Vanessa Rose of First Church Congregational in Fairfield, talk about about women who serve as religious leaders: their history, opportunities, and challenges.

No registration is required for this FREE virtual program. For more information, visit quickcenter.com or call (203) 254-4010.

THURSDAY, MARCH 4

Klezmer musician Michael Winograd & The Honorable Mentshn in concert

THURSDAY, MARCH 18 Susannah Heschel, The Eli Black Professor of Jewish Studies at Dartmouth College, will explore the intertwined dimensions of relations between African Americans and Jewish Americans, Jewish involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, Jewish memory of the Civil Rights Movement in recent decades in light of the rise of white nationalism, and scholarship on racism and what they might contribute to our understanding of antisemitism, in her lecture “Blacks, Jews and Black Jews,” to be held on March 18 at 7:30 p.m. The lecture is part of the 2021 series of virtual lectures surrounding the theme of “The Jewish Roots of Social Justice,” presented by the ALEPH Institute learning initiative and sponsored by the Mandell JCC and UConn Judaic Studies. For more information, visit judaicstudies.uconn.edu or mandelljcc.org.

ALEPH presents: “Performing Judaism and Social Justice” How to both teach and deconstruct the dominant stereotypes that Jews reinforce when teaching about Jews and Judaism is the focus of “Performing Judaism and Social Justice,” will be presented on Zoom on March 4 at 7:30 p.m., as part of the 2021 series of virtual lectures surrounding the theme of “The Jewish Roots of Social Justice.” The Zoom-theatrical performance will feature Kendell Pinkney, a Brooklyn based theater-maker, Jewish-life consultant, and JTS rabbinical student; Avi Amon, a Turkish-American composer, sound artist, and educator; and Rebecca S’manga Frank, an actor, writer, director. The performance is part of the ALEPH Institute learning initiative sponsored by the Mandell JCC and UConn Judaic Studies.

JEWISH LEDGER

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FEBRUARY 12, 2021

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OBITUARIES BLOOM Barbara Ruth (May) Bloom of Randolph, N.J., formerly of Bloomfield, died Jan. 30.

She was the widow of Leonard Bloom. Born in New London and raised in Chesterfield, she was daughter of the late Helen Kaplan and Samuel May. She was also predeceased by her son Alan Michael Bloom, and her brother Ira May. She is survived by her daughter Susan and her husband Jacob, and her granddaughters, Rachel Helen and Hanna Nicole, all of Randolph, N.J. She then moved to Whippany, NJ to be near her family. She was a past member of Beth Hillel Synagogue in Bloomfield.

EDELSON Philip Edelson, 87, of Avon, died Jan. 27 of complications from COVID-19. He was the widower of Judith Rose Edelson. Born and raised in New Britain, he was the son of the late Max and Esther Edelson. He was also predeceased by his brother Sylvan. He was a longtime member of Temple Beth Sholom B’nai Israel in Manchester. He is survived by his daughters, Lynn Merenda and her husband Sam of Tampa, Fla., Marci Yaffa and her husband Michael of Manchester, and Melissa Young and her husband Thomas of Avon; her grandchildren, Jamison, Lauren, Jesse, Hannah, Sydney, and Matthew; and his brother Herbert.

FISHMAN Edward E Fishman, 88, of West Hartford, died Feb. 4. He was the husband of Eve (Stahl) Fishman. Born in Hartford and raised in West Hartford, he was the son of the late Herman and Maybelle (Taylor) Fishman. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons, Michael B. Fishman and his wife Evelyn of West Hartford, Kenneth S. Fishman and his wife Lisa Wendell of Southborough, Mass., and Ronald J. Fishman and his wife Kathy of West Hartford; his grandchildren, Carolyn,

Eric, Andrea, Jeremy, Rachel, Alex, Ben and Dana; and his sisters-in-law, Helene Fishman and Hedyth Fishman. He was also predeceased by his brothers, Arthur Fishman and Robert Fishman.

HERMAN Doris Herman, 89, of West Harrford, formerly of Great Neck, N.Y., Lee, Mass., and Boynton Beach, Fla., died Jan. 22 of complications from COVID-19. She was the widow of Robert Herman. She was born in Brooklyn. She is survived by her children, Kathy Herman Smiley of West Hartford, Patricia Herman McAnally of Palm Harbor, Fla., and Jeffrey Herman of Stockbridge, Mass.; her sister Roberta Gould of Boca Raton, Fla.; nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren. She was also predeceased by her son-in-law Michael Smiley.

KASOWITZ Bernice (Bruskin) Kasowitz, 90, of West Haven, died Jan. 27. She was widow of Milton Kasowitz. Born in Ansonia, she was the daughter of the late Samuel and Ida (Stern) Bruskin. She is survived by her children, Lewis Kasowitz and his wife Wendy, Gerald Kasowitz and his wife Nancy, and Sheldon Kasowitz and his wife Kathryn; her grandchildren, Seth, Eric, Adam, Ian, Alexis, Evan, Jake, and Stefan Kasowitz; her step-grandchildren, Grace Garett, Nick, Wesley, and Sam Aldershof, Henry Huarte Toll; six great-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren. She was also predeceased by her brothers, Murray and Leo Bruskin.

KASSMAN Shirley (Galinsky) Kassman, 91, of Hebron, formerly of Columbia, died Jan. 27. She was the widow of Barney Kassman. Born in Hartford, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Bessie (Spector) Galinsky.

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She was a long-time member of United Brethren of Hebron Synagogue. She is survived by her children, Edward Kassman and his wife Leslie of Columbia, S. Steven Kassman and his wife Cheryl of Vernon, Abby Kassman-Harned and her husband Courtney of Ellington; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was also predeceased by her two brothers, David Max Galinsky, and Jacob Morris Galinsky and his wife Rosalind; her brothers-in-law, Morris Kassman, Samuel Kassman and his wife Marilyn; and her granddaughter, Elizabeth Sarah Kassman.

LIDSKY Mark Lidsky, 74, of Lakeland, Fla., formerly of Hamden, died Jan. 28. He was the husband of Barbara (Katsoff) Lidsky. Born in New Haven, he was the son of the Late Yale and Eleanor (Levinson) Lidsky. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Heidi Lidsky & Joshua Lidsky (Laura); his sister Carol Evans and her husband Joel; his grandchildren, Kayden, Isabel and Madison; and his nephew Selma Pauker.

SCHUL Eduard Schul, 89, of Bridgeport, died Jan. 24. He was the son of the late Enni Unger Schul and Moses Schul. He was also predeceased by his brother, Leon Schul.

SHAPIRO Gertrude B. Shapiro (nee Berkman), of Stamford, CT, died Jan. 30, 12 days after the passing of her husband Martin L. Shapiro. Born in Oconto, Wisc. and raised in Syracuse, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Lena Anna and Levi Joshua Berkman. She is survived by her children, Susan, Barbara and Jonathan (“Jody”) and his fiancee Annette; her granddaughters, Jennifer and her husband Michael, and Casie and her husband Josh; her great-

grandchildren, Madison, Everly, Scout and Ellis; and her sister Jane Feld of Syracuse, N.Y. She was predeceased by her six other brothers and sisters.

SHERAMY Richard Sheramy, 92, formerly of Orange, CT, died Jan. 3. He was the husband of Cecile. A Holocaust survivor, He came to the United States in 1946 and shortly thereafter joined the U.S. Air Force.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughters Felice (Sheramy) Joffe and her husband Gavin, and Rona Sheramy and her husband Adam Segal; and seven treasured grandchildren.

SOLOWAY Martin Bernard (“Marty”) Soloway, 86, died Jan. 29. He was the widower of Sondra (“Sandy”) Cammaker Soloway. Born in Derby. He served in the U.S. military. He is survived by His children, Robin Goldberg and her husband, Marc Rockower, and Scott Soloway and his wife Deborah Shammash; his grandchildren, Matthew Goldberg, Rachel Goldberg, Benjamin Soloway and Sydney Soloway; his sister, Trudy (“Goldie”) Aarons of Boynton Beach, Fla.; his brothersin-law, Sheldon Cammaker, Irving (“Butch”) Levine and Howell Aarons. his partner Joan Gelbert; and many nephews, nieces and their families. He was also predeceased by his sister Thelma (“Temmy”) Levine.

For more information on placing an obituary, contact: judiej@ jewishledger.

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CHRIS BONITO 860.748.0004 BA Music Performance 20+ years private instruction References available

MASONRY

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860.930.2536 • Dan Messina ROOFING

Online Math Tutoring College and High School Prep Teacher Praxis Certification Medical calculations (RN, LPN)

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WEB SOLUTIONS

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21

CLASSIFIED

LOOK for these MAGAZINES in your INBOX!

To Place An Ad: PH: 860.231.2424 x3035 • Fax: 860.231.2485 Email: howardm@jewishledger.com

The Jewish Ledger assumes no responsibility for the product and services advertised

TRENDING

CELEBRATIONS • JUNE SENIOR LIVING • AUG.

MARCH JUNE SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER

BLACK FRIDAY GIFT GUIDE: NOVEMBER

Kosher NEW ENGLAND

MARCH

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Needed, a live-in caregiver for an elderly female home owner in Bloomfield. Duties include trash out, availability at night in case of emergency - attached apartment provided at reduced rent. Applicant must submit 3 references. Call Vivian at 860301-2066.

Compassionate Elder Companion - Driver & Cook Beth: alifeofplantsandart@gmail. com.

CHAUFFEUR, WEST HARTFORD will drive you to New York, Boston, New England tri-state area. Reasonable rates.

References. Call Jeff 860-7124115.

CNA - Five or Seven Days - Live In - Seventeen Years Experience - References Available - 860938-1476.

Mary and Alex Housecleaning.

We have experience and references. We are an insured company. Please call or Txt for a free quote. 860-328-1757 or servicesam.llc@gmail.com.

NURSE SEEKING POSITION: GETTING BETTER TOGETHER! Adult care only. Live-in, days or nights and weekends.

Responsible and dedicated caregiver with medical education. Leave message: 860229-2038 No Text or Email.

Caregiver - Willing to care for your loved ones overnight - Excellent local references Avoid nursing home or hospital in light of Covid 19. Call 860550-0483.

Tricia’s Cleaning Service - Residential & Commercial Detailed cleaning for Home & Office - For Free Quote call 860477-8636.

Polish certified nursing assistant.

Twenty years experience in hospitals, nursing homes and private home settings looking to help your loved ones. Please call 860-803-6007.

Certified Home Care Aide - Live-in - HHA Certficate Experience with dementia, stroke, alzheimer’s - Driver’s License - References - Lydia 718864-7600.

All Things

JEWISH

Mikael Poreshi - Remodeling & Painting - 860-978-2505 - miki. pori87@gmail.com.

CONNECTICUT September MASSACHUSETTS December For more information on advertising in these magazines, call Donna 860.833.0839 or DonnaE@jewishledger.com 22

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P.C.A. - HHA Caregiver - 17 Years Experience - Available Live In or Live Out - Five Days a Week - Car Available - Have References - Please Call K.B. 860-796-8468.

Nurse (LPN, Male). 2 Years Experience in long term care.

4 Years Home Care as CNA and Nurse. Seeks Private duty.

Reliable, honest, hardworking.

860-656-8280.

Caregiver for your elderly loved one available Thursday evenings to Sunday evenings. Kosher experience, stellar references.

Monica - 347-486-0911.

Home Health Aide - Two Years Experience - Reliable - Livein seven days. References available, negotiable rates. Call Kwasi 774-253-5479.

Driver available for shopping & errands in the greater Hartford area. Reasonable rates, senior discount and references available. Call Ira 860-849-0999.

Caregiver looking for full time live-in job - HHA/Precursor CNA - 12 Years experience - Friendly, outgoing, dependable - Please call Janet at 412-527-9285.

CNA with 25 years experience, reliable car, live-in or hourly.

References available, and negotiable rates. Call Sandy 860-460-3051.

FOR SALE OR SEASONAL RENTAL

Two bedroom, two bath villa in Boynton Beach. Available immediately. $2800 monthly for winter season plus utilities.

Community pool, tennis and pickleball courts 561-632-6662.

REAL ESTATE

For lease- Boca Raton, FL. Fully furnished 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo with kosher kitchen in beautiful Century Village. First floor, parking, pool & club house. Call Mike 561-654-4221.

WANTED TO BUY

Third Generation Jeweler - Gold & Diamond Buyer - Is Buying All Gold Jewelry - Sterling Silver Flatware Sets - Diamonds Over 2 Carats - Fast Payment Contact - mitchellrosin@gmail. com.

Collector looking to purchase coins and currency, silver, copper, and gold. No collection is too small. Will travel. Call 860951-5191 paprfred@aol.com.

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Home Health Aide - Companion available for live in/live out Mon. - Fri. Valid driver’s license. Over 15 years experience. Excellent References. Call 860-796-8468.

Reach our highly qualified readers by placing your display classified ad in our digital issue with a LIVE link to your website!

CNA - 8 Years Experience Reliable - Own Car - Live-in 24/7 - Negotiable Rates - Please call Tina 860-461-8692.

Contact Leslie 860.231.2424 or leslie@jewishledger.com

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CT SYNAGOGUE DIRECTORY To join our synagogue directories, contact Howard Meyerowitz at (860) 231-2424 x3035 or howardm@jewishledger.com.

BLOOMFIELD B’nai Tikvoh-Sholom/ Neshama Center for Lifelong Learning Conservative Rabbi Debra Cantor (860) 243-3576 office@BTSonline.org www.btsonline.org BRIDGEPORT Congregation B’nai Israel Reform Rabbi Evan Schultz (203) 336-1858 info@cbibpt.org www.cbibpt.org Congregation Rodeph Sholom Conservative (203) 334-0159 Rabbi Richard Eisenberg, Cantor Niema Hirsch info@rodephsholom.com www.rodephsholom.com Jewish Senior Services Traditional Rabbi Stephen Shulman (203) 396-1001 sshulman@jseniors.org www.jseniors.org CHESHIRE Temple Beth David Reform Rabbi Micah Ellenson (203) 272-0037 office@TBDCheshire.org www.TBDCheshire.org CHESTER Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek Reform Rabbi Marci Bellows (860) 526-8920 rabbibellows@cbsrz.org www.cbsrz.org

COLCHESTER Congregation Ahavath Achim Conservative Rabbi Kenneth Alter (860) 537-2809 secretary@congregationahavathachim.org EAST HARTFORD Temple Beth Tefilah Conservative Rabbi Yisroel Snyder (860) 569-0670 templebetht@yahoo.com FAIRFIELD Congregation Ahavath Achim Orthodox (203) 372-6529 office@ahavathachim.org www.ahavathachim.org Congregation Beth El, Fairfield Conservative Rabbi Marcelo Kormis (203) 374-5544 office@bethelfairfield.org www.bethelfairfield.org GLASTONBURY Congregation Kol Haverim Reform Rabbi Dr. Kari Tuling (860) 633-3966 office@kolhaverim.org www.kolhaverim.org GREENWICH Greenwich Reform Synagogue Reform Rabbi Jordie Gerson (203) 629-0018 hadaselias@grs.org www.grs.org

Temple Sholom Conservative Rabbi Mitchell M. Hurvitz Rabbi Kevin Peters Cantor Sandy Bernstein (203) 869-7191 info@templesholom.com www.templesholom.com HAMDEN Temple Beth Sholom Conservative Rabbi Benjamin Edidin Scolnic (203) 288-7748 tbsoffice@tbshamden.com www.tbshamden.com MADISON Temple Beth Tikvah Reform Rabbi Stacy Offner (203) 245-7028 office@tbtshoreline.org www.tbtshoreline.org MANCHESTER Beth Sholom B’nai Israel Conservative Rabbi Randall Konigsburg (860) 643-9563 Rabbenu@myshul.org programming@myshul.org www.myshul.org MIDDLETOWN Adath Israel Conservative Rabbi Nelly Altenburger (860) 346-4709 office@adathisraelct.org www.adathisraelct.org

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NEW HAVEN The Towers Conservative Ruth Greenblatt, Spiritual Leader (203) 772-1816 rebecca@towerone.org www.towerone.org Congregation Beth El-Keser Israel Conservative Rabbi Jon-Jay Tilsen (203) 389-2108 office@BEKI.org www.BEKI.org

ORANGE Chabad of Orange/ Woodbridge Chabad Rabbi Sheya Hecht (203) 795-5261 info@chabadow.org www.chabadow.org

Orchard Street ShulCongregation Beth Israel Orthodox Rabbi Mendy Hech t 973-723-9070 www.orchardstreetshul.org

Congregation Or Shalom Conservative Rabbi Alvin Wainhaus (203) 799-2341 info@orshalomct.org www.orshalomct.org

NEW LONDON Ahavath Chesed Synagogue Orthodox Rabbi Avrohom Sternberg 860-442-3234 Ahavath.chesed@att.net

RIDGEFIELD Congregation Shir Shalom of Westchester and Fairfield Counties Reform Rabbi David Reiner Cantor Debora Katchko-Gray (203) 438-6589 office@ourshirshalom.org

Congregation Beth El Conservative Rabbi Earl Kideckel (860) 442-0418 office@bethel-nl.org www.bethel-nl.org NEWINGTON Temple Sinai Reform Rabbi Jeffrey Bennett (860) 561-1055 templesinaict@gmail.com www.sinaict.org NEWTOWN Congregation Adath Israel Conservative Rabbi Barukh Schectman (203) 426-5188 office@congadathisrael.org www.congadathisrael.org NORWALK Beth Israel Synagogue – Chabad of Westport/ Norwalk Orthodox-Chabad Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht (203) 866-0534 info@bethisraelchabad.org bethisraelchabad.org Congregation Beth El-Norwalk Conservative Rabbi Ita Paskind (203) 838-2710 Jody@congbethel.org www.congbethel.org

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Temple Shalom Reform Rabbi Mark Lipson (203) 866-0148 admin@templeshalomweb.org www.templeshalomweb.org

SIMSBURY Chabad of the Farmington Valley Chabad Rabbi Mendel Samuels (860) 658-4903 chabadsimsbury@gmail.com www.chabadotvalley.org Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation, Emek Shalom Reform Rabbi Rebekah Goldman Mag (860) 658-1075 admin@fvjc.org www.fvjc.org SOUTH WINDSOR Temple Beth Hillel of South Windsor Reform Rabbi Jeffrey Glickman (860) 282-8466 tbhrabbi@gmail.com www.tbhsw.org SOUTHINGTON Gishrei Shalom Jewish Congregation Reform Rabbi Alana Wasserman (860) 276-9113 President@gsjc.org www.gsjc.org

TRUMBULL Congregation B’nai Torah Conservative Rabbi Colin Brodie (203) 268-6940 office@bnaitorahct.org www.bnaitorahct.org WALLINGFORD Beth Israel Synagogue Conservative Rabbi Bruce Alpert (203) 269-5983 richardcaplan@sbcglobal.net www.bethisrael/wallingford. org WASHINGTON Greater Washington Coalition Rabbi James Greene (860) 868-2434 admin@jewishlifect.org www.jewishlife.org WATERFORD Temple Emanu - El Reform Rabbi Marc Ekstrand Rabbi Emeritus Aaron Rosenberg (860) 443-3005 office@tewaterfrord.org www.tewaterford.org WEST HARTFORD Beth David Synagogue Orthodox Rabbi Yitzchok Adler (860) 236-1241 office@bethdavidwh.org www.bethdavidwh.org Beth El Temple Conservative Rabbi James Rosen Rabbi Ilana Garber (860) 233-9696 hsowalsky@bethelwh.org www.bethelwesthartford.org Chabad House of Greater Hartford Rabbi Joseph Gopin Rabbi Shaya Gopin, Director of Education (860) 232-1116 info@chabadhartford.com www.chabadhartford.com

Congregation P’nai Or Jewish Renewal Shabbat Services Rabbi Andrea Cohen-Kiener (860) 561-5905 pnaiorct@gmail.com www.jewishrenewalct.org Kehilat Chaverim of Greater Hartford Chavurah Adm. - Nancy Malley (860) 951-6877 mnmalley@yahoo.com www.kehilatchaverim.org The Emanuel Synagogue Conservative Rabbi David J. Small (860) 236-1275 communications@emanuelsynagogue.org www.emanuelsynagogue.org United Synagogues of Greater Hartford Orthodox Rabbi Eli Ostrozynsk i synagogue voice mail (860) 586-8067 Rabbi’s mobile (718) 6794446 ostro770@hotmail.com www.usgh.org Young Israel of West Hartford Orthodox Rabbi Tuvia Brander (860) 233-3084 info@youngisraelwh.org www.youngisraelwh.org WETHERSFIELD Temple Beth Torah Unaffiliated Rabbi Seth Riemer (860) 828-3377 tbt.w.ct@gmail.com templebethtorahwethersfield. org WOODBRIDGE Congregation B’nai Jacob Conservative Rabbi Rona Shapiro (203) 389-2111 info@bnaijacob.org www.bnaijacob.org

Congregation Beth Israel Reform Rabbi Michael Pincus Rabbi Andi Fliegel Cantor Stephanie Kupfer (860) 233-8215 bethisrael@cbict.org www.cbict.org

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Our Passover Menu Is Ready!

Continuing our tradition of providing delicious kosher foods, expertly butchered meats and traditional holiday groceries throughout Connecticut!

www.thecrownmarket.com Deadline For Out Of Town Orders Is 3/8 IN-STORE & CURBSIDE PICKUP ORDER DEADLINE IS 3/17 The Crown Market 2471 Albany Ave West Hartford, CT 06117

860.236.1965

www.crownmarketonline.com

Deliveries Throughout CT Wednesday 3/17

New Haven: Norwich:

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

HKC supervises the Bakery, Five o’clock Shop, Butcher Department and Catering.

We’re not JUST kosher...we’re DELICIOUS! 24

JEWISH LEDGER

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