Open and Shut?

*From Turkey, “cop sis” literally means “rubbish kabob” because it is made with scraps of meat marinated in onion and cumin. *Lamb, beef or poultry may be used. *Use a mandolin to slice the red onion wafer-thin.

1 large onion, cut into chunks 2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper 1½ teaspoons cinnamon 3 tablespoons olive oil 1½ pounds lamb shoulder cut in small bitesize pieces 6 pita breads, warmed bunch of flat-leaf parsley, coarsely snipped 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced juice of 1 large lemon

Place the onion, garlic, salt, pepper and cinnamon in the food processor. Process until the onion is finely chopped. Transfer to a shallow dish. Stir in the oil. Add the lamb chunks and toss with to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. Thread the meat onto skewers. Cook over hot coals, turning frequently, 4 to 5 minutes or until desired doneness. Split the pita bread. Carefully push the meat into the pockets. Top with parsley and onion. Drizzle the lemon juice over and press pockets lightly to partially close before enjoying.

*Prepare the stuffing a day ahead and refrigerate.

1 medium, sweet onion, cut into chunks 1 teaspoon bottled chopped garlic 1 teaspoon turmeric 1 teaspoon dry barbecue spice ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper ½ cup pitted dates ¼ cup olive oil, divided 4 trout (each about 8 ounces) split and heads removed

Place onion, garlic, turmeric, barbecue spice, pepper, dates and 2 tablespoons oil in the food processor. Process until coarsely chopped. Stuff the mixture inside the trout, cover and press lightly. Brush with remaining oil. Cook over medium-hot coals, about 5 minutes on each side. Serve hot from grill with black-bean pilaf or sagegrilled corn – or both!

*Instead of wrapping in aluminum foil, roll back dampened corn husks, rub with the sage mixture and rewrap husks. *Keep a pair of scissors for kitchen use as in snipping fresh herbs such as sage below. *Substitute 1 tablespoon dried sage for fresh.

6 tablespoons olive oil 3 tablespoons snipped fresh sage 6 ears corn, husked pass salt and pepper

Combine oil and sage. Rub each ear of corn with the sage mixture and wrap in aluminum foil. Place on the hot grill. Turn often about 10 minutes. Unwrap and season with salt and pepper.

*Scrub potatoes, prick all over, brush with vegetable oil and wrap in foil. Place in embers at the side of fire and bake 50 to 60 minutes until softened.

Heavy-duty aluminum foil

6 baking potatoes, scrubbed, unpeeled 6 rounded teaspoons margarine salt, pepper and garlic powder

Cut 6 pieces aluminum foil, 6×6 inches. Slice each potato about a half-inch thick. Arrange on a square of aluminum foil, dot with a teaspoon of margarine. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Continue with remaining ingredients. Wrap tightly and cook in embers, 20 minutes or until softened.

*Save time. Use instant cooked rice. *Substitute cooked wild rice for bulgur wheat. *Make one day ahead and refrigerate. *21 seasoning is available from Trader Joe’s.

½ cup bulgur wheat 2 cups cooked long-grain rice 2 tablespoons margarine 1 cup frozen petite peas 1 cup canned black beans, well-drained 1 green onion, snipped about ¼-inch thick 1½ teaspoons 21 seasoning salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Place the bulgur wheat in a bowl and pour boiling water over top. Let stand for 10 minutes. Drain well. In a larger bowl, combine the bulgur and rice. Set aside. In a medium saucepan, heat the margarine over medium heat. Add the peas. Cook stirring for 3 to 4 minutes until peas are thawed. Stir in the black beans, green onion and 21 seasoning. Add to the rice mixture. If needed, season to taste with salt and pepper.

*Substitute nutmeg for cardamom. *May use other fruits, such as plums, pears and peaches. *Use tongs to turn wedges.

¾ cup brown sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon cardamom 2 tablespoons finely shredded unsweetened coconut 1 pineapple, peeled, cored and cut in 6 wedges plastic bag for seasoning mixture

Heat grill to medium-high heat. In a plastic bag, toss together the sugar, cinnamon, cardamom and coconut. Place the pineapple in the bag and shake to coat on all sides. Spray the rack with vegetable spray. Arrange pineapple on the rack. Grill for 3 to 5 minutes on each side until nicely browned and crusty.

S’more is a contraction of the phrase “some more.” The confection appeared in a cookbook in the early 1920s when it was called just a “Graham Cracker Sandwich.”

To cook and assemble: Place a marshmallow on a long skewer. Toast over the flame to desired doneness. Goldenbrown will be soft enough to “squelch.” Place the marshmallow and a square of dark chocolate (pareve) on a graham cracker. Top with another cracker. Press lightly to make a sandwich.

Along with the classic ingredients, set out jars of peanut butter and jelly to take the place of chocolate (a winner for little kids), shortbread, chocolate-chip cookies and ginger snaps to substitute for crackers, peppermint patties for chocolate bars, sliced fruits such as strawberries, peaches and plums for chocolate, flat salty pretzel chips for crackers. The list is endless. And everybody will have fun, even if they do get a little messy. Enjoy!

Vol. 93 No. 18 JHL Ledger LLC Publisher Henry M. Zachs Managing Partner Leslie Iarusso Associate Publisher Judie Jacobson Editor judiej@jewishledger.com • x3024 Hillary Sarrasin Digital Media Manager hillaryp@jewishledger.com

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Samuel Neusner, Founder (1929-1960) Rabbi Abraham J. Feldman, CoFounder and Editor (1929-1977) Berthold Gaster, Editor (1977-1992) N. Richard Greenfield, Publisher (1994-2014)

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“Square Deals” By: Yoni Glatt Difficulty Level: Challenging

Across 1. “Bullets,” in poker slang 5. Prefix with “trust” or “social” 9. Conflict with 14. Sunday salmon choice, for many Jews 15. “Lord of the Rings” star Astin 16. ___ Sophia (Istanbul landmark) 17. Item that can be found on a 23-Down and counters at kosher pizza stores 19. What some might need to solve this puzzle 20. Isr. neighbor 21. Reliable kind of guy 22. Holder on Sukkot 23. Tu follower 24. Casts forth 26. Corona response trigger 30. Ticked-off feeling 31. Common PC connection 34. “___ goes the dynamite” 35. Jewish lady of the first “SNL” cast 37. Unlike many characters played by Stalone, ironically 38. Get-better center 40. Ark, perhaps...or word that fittingly goes into six squares in this puzzle 41. Premium spot at the Gershwin Theatre 43. Personal prayer word 44. “Annie” star Quinn 47. Improve, as a skill 48. Many who have received the Covid vac.

49. The Horned Frogs of Ft. Worth 50. “Time flies” and “If not now, when?” 52. “This is not ___” 54. Bengals, on scoreboards 55. Havdallah item, for some 58. Muted trumpet and loud baby sounds 60. “Cake Boss” cable station 63. Sacha Baron Cohen voices one in “Madagascar” 64. Basic Passover buy 66. Talks wildly 67. R&B singer James 68. Out of the ballpark 69. What Tevas might come in 70. Gray-spotted horse 71. Theater that probably looks especially empty nowadays

Down 1. Bull and Fire 2. Quite comfy 3. Constantly 4. Like many a fast day 5. Invite for Shabbat, say 6. Free of clutter 7. Nevada lake 8. Place to find minyan updates, perhaps 9. One who says a lot of Lashon Hara 10. “The Wizard of Oz” actor Bert and others 11. Currency exchange charge 12. Participate in zemirot 13. Borsalino go-with 18. Ancestor of Haman 22. Land of the leprechaun 23. See 17-Across 25. Sassy lassies 26. Big (original) name in monotheism 27. What infinity has 28. “Left ___ own devices...” 29. Shechem, now 31. Apply to, as an ointment 32. “Sababa” or “OK Boomer”, e.g. 33. Bits of memory 36. John the anonymous 39. Locale for Alex Bregman and Kevin Pillar 42. Bone or letter 45. Fridge forerunner that didn’t have a lightbulb problem on Shabbat 46. Big Breslov name 51. Lo ___ goy 52. 70 degrees, say 53. “It takes ___...” 55. Some Canon cameras, briefly 56. Mitzvah for a farmer 57. Words before expert or fool 59. Post-shave lotion brand 60. Yom follower 61. Clark Kent’s old flame Lang 62. Popular gluten-free cereal 64. Max Baer or Yuri Foreman, e.g. 65. Letters with F on erev Shabbat

It was not a common practice 30 years ago for a father to seek out especially pious rabbis to request that they bless his children. These rabbis would place a hand upon the head of the little boy, perhaps quote a biblical verse or two expressing a blessing, and then say something like, “May he grow up to be an ehrliche yid, a righteous Jew.”

One such day my friend and his young son encountered Rabbi Israel Gustman, of blessed memory, and requested a blessing from him. The rabbi gave a blessing which was unexpected. He placed his hand upon my friend’s son’s head, uttered an appropriate biblical verse, then said something quite puzzling: “May he grow up to be a boy like all other boys.”

It took me quite awhile until I understood the meaning of the rabbi’s mysterious message. Understanding that message required the knowledge of a verse in this week’s Torah portion, Emor (Leviticus 21:1-24:23). It also required knowing something about Rabbi Gustman’s tragic life.

The verse to which I refer reads, “You shall not profane My holy name, that I may be sanctified in the midst of the Israelite people...” (Leviticus 22:32). This verse is the source text for two opposing concepts which lie at the core of Jewish belief. One concept, the negative one, is chillul Hashem, the profanation of God’s name, behavior which disgraces the Divine reputation. The opposite concept is kiddush Hashem, behavior which sanctifies God’s name and thus brings prestige and honor to Him.

But first, let me give you a brief sketch of Rabbi Gustman’s biography. He was a brilliant Talmud student in the yeshiva he attended. As a very young man, he was betrothed to the daughter of the rabbi of one of the small suburbs of the great prewar Jewish metropolis of Vilna. Soon after his marriage, his father-in-law died, leaving the position of rabbi of that community to his son-in-law, Rabbi Israel.

The towering rabbinic figure in Vilna in those immediate prewar years was Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzenski. Rabbi Chaim Ozer was so impressed by this young man that, despite his age, he included him in his rabbinic court. Soon afterwards, the war broke out. Rabbi Gustman managed to survive, but in the course of his flight and evasion of the Nazis, his little son was murdered in front of his eyes. He would recount the story of how he witnessed his son’s murder and of how he was forced to take his dead son’s shoes and sell them for food.

Rabbi Gustman survived the Holocaust and eventually settled in Israel. There, he taught in a small yeshiva in Jerusalem and experienced Israel’s various wars. He made it his business to comfort the bereaved parents of fallen soldiers by sharing with them his grief over his own fallen son.

He was overheard telling a particular bereaved father that in a certain sense, his soldier son was superior to the rabbi’s own son. “Both your boy and mine,” he said, “sanctified God’s name by their death. They were both killed because they were Jews. But in the synagogue in heaven, where they both reside now, my son is sitting in the pews. Your son is the shaliach tzibbur, the prayer leader. This is because my son died as a passive victim, whereas your son died as a hero, leading a group of soldiers in defense of our land and our people.”

These two boys performed the mitzvah of kiddush Hashem by virtue of their death. But that is only one way to perform that mitzvah. There is another way to perform the mitzvah of kiddush Hashem, and that is by sanctifying God’s name not in death, but in life, by living one’s daily life in a meritorious fashion.

The Talmud, for example, tells us of one great sage who felt that had he purchased meat in a butcher store on credit, without paying immediately, he would be guilty of profaning God’s name. By simply paying his bills immediately, not allowing anyone to suspect that he was taking advantage of his rabbinical position, he was performing the mitzvah of kiddush Hashem.

The Mishnah in the tractate of Megilah teaches us that when a Jew simply attends the synagogue and participates in the recitation of the devarim shebekedusha, the sacred passages of our liturgy, he is fulfilling the mitzvah referred to in our verse, sanctifying God through his prayers. Thus, there are ways to sanctify God not by suffering a martyr’s death, but by living an ethical and spiritual life. The Talmud says that should others comment favorably on a person’s behavior, complimenting his parents for having raised him in the path of the Torah, that person has sanctified and glorified God’s name.

Now we can understand the seemingly strange blessing which Rabbi Gustman gave my friend’s little boy. “I bless you,” he was saying, “that you just be like other boys, like boys in peaceful times. I bless you that you not suffer times of persecution and that you never need to experience the battlefield. I bless you that you sanctify God in your ordinary life, in life and not, God forbid, in tragic death.”

In his blessing, he envisioned a time when little boys would not have to grow up to be soldiers and would not be hunted down and shot as his son was. He foresaw a time when this boy could be like other boys, living an ordinary life, full of living acts of kiddush Hashem.

During the past several weeks, Jewish people have commemorated the kiddush Hashem of Rabbi Gustman’s son, a Holocaust victim, by observing Yom Hashoah. We also commemorated the kiddush Hashem of the young soldier whose bereaved father Rabbi Gustman so poignantly consoled by observing Yom Hazikaron.

We all pray for the time when boys will not be forced to perform the mitzvah of kiddush Hashem by giving up their lives, but will be able to do so by living their lives; a time when “boys will just be like other boys,” allowed to emerge from their childhood alive and well, entering adulthood in a world at peace, able to sanctify God in their faith and in their noble accomplishments.

Spring 2021 lineup features jazz, poetry, cookbooks, politics, and more

The Yiddish Book Center has announced its virtual public programming lineup for spring 2021. A rich tapestry of art, history, and language, the series features presentations from preeminent authors, artists, scholars, and more. All programs are free and air on Facebook and Zoom.

Registration is required and audience members may submit questions in the Q&A. All programs are archived on the Yiddish Book Center website at yiddishbookcenter.org/vpprecordings.

For more information and to register, visit the Yiddish Book Center programs calendar at yiddishbookcenter.org/virtual-programscalendar.

Sholem Asch’s haunting WWI drama, The Dead Man, is presented as a radio drama in its first-ever complete English translation by actress, director, and translator Caraid O’Brien. Presented by the Yiddish Book Center as part of Carnegie Hall’s Voices of Hope festival

Professor and author Jonathan Sarna discusses presidential elections from the Civil War to the present, demonstrating that “Jewish politics” has a long and significant history that has shaped both Jews and American politics for over 150 years.

Writer and professor Tahneer Oksman addresses questions about how we understand horrific events of the past as they are explored through the flexible and capacious medium of comics.

Author, producer, and performer Henry Sapoznik examines the nascent “jazz” offerings of pioneering performances of recording klezmorim, the earlier generation of Europeanborn Jewish musicians.

This lecture from scholar Eddy Portnoy, featuring photos, illustrations, and a short film, will detail the compelling history of this unusual Yiddish puppet theater.

Yiddish cookbooks tell fascinating stories about their authors, publishers, and intended readers. Drawing on gems in the Yiddish Book Center’s collection, this talk with scholar and cookbook collector Barbara KirshenblattGimblett will explore what this unique literary genre can reveal about Jewish life.

APRIL 28 & MAY 5

A two-part virtual historical tour of Jewish Argentina with Claudia Hercman, an Argentinian tour guide and translator. She is also a sculptor and painter, and honors her four grandparents who emigrated from Poland to Argentina. Hosted by Congregation Beth Israel.

Session 1, April 28 at 8 p.m. – The Argentinian Jewish community is the 6th largest in the world. The first Jewish communities in Latin America were Sephardic. What happened to those Jews during the Inquisition? Why, if Latin America was part of the Spanish Empire, is the Jewish Community in Argentina 80% Ashkenazi and only 20% Sephardic today?

8pm – Before WWII many Jews came to Argentina. In a country of immigrants, it became a very important and strong community. What happened in Argentina during and after the Holocaust? Who was Perón; what was his policy towards the Jews? Did he really help the Nazis come to Argentina?

For information, visit www.cbict.org/ calendar.

THURSDAY, APRIL 29

Prof. Arnie Dashefsky will moderate a panel discussion on “Manchester Memories: Jewish History Through the Decades,” featuring panelists Will Bayer, Sissy Seader, Rabbi Richard Plavin, and Joel Wind. Co-sponsored by Beth Sholom B’nai Israel and the Manchester Historical Society, the discussion will be held April 29 at 7:30 p.m. Those who have memories of Jewish Manchester to share are invited to submit them when they register To register and receive the Zoom link, visit jhsgh.org/ manechestermemries/

A Zoom discussion of short stories and poetry by Erika Dreifus, Congregation Beth Israel’s Learning Center (Virtual) Writer in Residence, will be held APril 29 at 11 a.m. To register and receive a copy of the next short story and a link to the Zoom discussion, email kbeyard@cbict.org.

The Book of the Lost Names by Kristin Harmel will be the focus of a book discussion hosted by Congregation Beth Israel’s Sisterhood on April 29 at 7 p.m. The Book of Lost Names is inspired by a true story that takes place during World War II, about a young woman with a talent for forgery who helps thousands of Jewish children flee the Nazis. A social hour will follow. For more information, contact Rabbi Tami Elliott Goodman at ravgoodman@ icloud.com.

MONDAY, MAY 2

World-famous kosher chef Susie Fishbein, author of the Kosher by Design cookbook series will be guest speaker at “Celebrate by Design,” the virtual fundraiser of the Young Israel of West Hartford, to be held Monday, May 2 at 8 p.m. Fishbein has been named one of the 50 most influential Jews by The Forward. She has appeared on dozens of network TV and radio shows, and has been an honored guest at the White House in recognition of National Jewish Heritage Month. At the Young Israel even, Fishbein will discuss her career highlights and prepareo three amazing and tasty courses. For more information, contact David Rosen at davidsrosen.au@gmail.com. To register, visit youngisraelwh.org/celebrate.

TUESDAY, MAY 4

UJA-JCC Greenwich will host a free virtual talk by Zach Banner, offensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers, on Tuesday, May 4 at 7 p.m. When Banner posted a video on Twitter protesting an antisemitic Instagram post by DeSean Jackson, he became one of the first NFL players to speak out on the issue. Banner’s video quickly drew more than 700,000 views and an outpouring of praise. For more information, visit ujajcc. org.

The Israel Cancer Research Fund will host Jason Rosenthal and Paris Rosenthal on Tuesday, May 4, 8 p.m for. “A Journey of Hope,” a live virtual interactive conversation. Guest speakers are Jason Rosenthal and his daughter Paris Rosentahl, the team behind the New York Times bestselling book, Dear Boy. Jason is author of the memoir, My Wife Said You May Want to Marry Me, an inspiring personal account of life, love, loss and new beginnings. Paris is the co-author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Dear Girl, a collaboration with her late mother, Amy Krouse Rosenthal. She also wrote Dear Baby, Dear Teacher, and Project 1,2,3. For information: beth_belkin@emus.gov.it.

Ariel Burger, author of Witness: Lessons From Elie Wiesel’s Classroom, will talk about his experiences as Elie Wiesel’s teaching assistant. Hosted by Voice of Hope, the Zoom event will be held May 4 at 5 p.m. Registration required. For more information: ctvoicesofhope.org or 860470-5591.

THURSDAY, MAY 6

Prof. Gil Troy, McGill University will discuss “On Zionism, Israel and Social Justice,” on Zoom, May 6 at 7:30 p.m. The lecture is part o ALEPH: The Institute of Jewish Ideas, a community-wide Jewish learning initiative co-sponsored by the Mandell JCC and UConn Judaic Studies. Troy’s lecture will analyze the central theme in Zionism ideology, assessing what Israel has achieved – and where it has fallen short – in creating a nation that fulfills the Torah’s commandment to seek justice. For more information, visit judaicstudies.uconn. edu or mandelljcc.org. SUNDAY, MAY 16 & MONDAY, MAY 17

A virtual annual celebration of Shavuot, co-sponsored by Beth Tikvoh-Sholom and the Conservative movement’s Rabbinical Assembly, will be held May 16 and 17 at noon. Participation is FREE. For more information, call (860) 243-3576.

SUNDAY, MAY 23

First, watch the film “Hava Nagila (The Movie),” a fun and fascinating journey through history, mystery and meaning of this great Jewish standard, featuring interviews with Harry Belafonte, Leonard Nimoy, Connie Francis, Glen Campbell, Regina Spektor and more (available on Amazon Prime, iTunes and Google Play). Then join a virtual discussion of the film on May 23 at 7 p.m., led by Shari J. Cantor, who has an MA in Judaic Studies and has danced the hora at a wedding a time or two. For more information, call (860) 243-3576.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2

United Jewish Federation Women’s Philanthropy will host its Spring Dinner featuring guest speaker Jean Chatzky, CEO of HerMoney.com and host of the podcast Her-Money with Jean Chatzky, with live music by Arielle Eden. Masks required and all safety precautions and social distancing protocols will be observed. Zoom participation is also welcome. Pre-packaged dinner with wine tasting, crafts, Tricky Tray and silent auction at 6:30 p.m.; followed by the program at 7:30 p.m. $95/per person before May 21; $125/after May 21. For Tricky Tray/auction ticket information, visit ujf.org.

JUNE 17, 7 pm

Rabbi Herbert Brockman, rabbi emeritus at Congregation Mishkan Israel in Hamden, will be honored at a virtual celebration hosted by Jewish Family Services of Greater New Haven on June 17 at 7 p.m. The evening will also include a look at the impact of JFS of Greater New Haven on the community. For more info: (203) 389-5599 x110, jfsnh.org.