May 20-26, 2016 Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton Volume XLV, Number 21 BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK BU to offer Judaic studies courses online By Reporter staff Judaic studies allow us to reach an audience was Yiddish-speaking New York? How between theology and democratic culture, Binghamton University’s Judaic Stud- beyond the immediate campus,” he said in an did Jews from a very different society and challenges to inherited religious traditions, ies Department is offering online courses e-mail interview. “Though we believe that culture adjust to modern, urban life in the the influence of feminist thought on reli- this summer. The first term runs from nothing is better than meeting together to late 19th and early 20th century metropolis? gious practice and the place and function May 31-July 1 and the second from July build a conversation, online learning does The course will travel from tenement to of religious authority. 11-August 12. The courses for term one are allow for exceptional learning experiences talking pictures, from political clubhouse “Sex and Sexuality in Judaism”: The “Jewish New York” and “American Jewish that are rigorous, engaged and convenient.” to the vaudeville stage in search of New course will explore traditional, ancient and Thought.” The course for term two is “Sex He noted that students will be able to York’s Jewish immigrant past. modern views of sex and sexuality in the and Sexuality in Judaism.” Senior citizens interact with faculty and fellow students. “American Jewish Thought”: The course Jewish religion and community from the can register through the university’s Older “Faculty will still be able to speak directly will review some of the central works of Book of Genesis to today. The class will Adult Auditor Program. Those interested with students through the university’s modern American Judaic thought, mostly utilize primary sources as well as articles, should contact Lynn Datto at 777-6305. conference software that is built-in to each from 20th century American figures. It will current events and discussions covering as Non-senior community members can au- course website,” he said. “Podcasts are concentrate on philosophical questions and many aspects of this topic as time allows, dit summer courses as non-matriculated available that introduce material. Students theological issues that arise in the contexts including religious views on sex and de- students and can find information about are encouraged to add their voice to a variety of American Jewish thought. It will exam- sire, procreation, marriage (and divorce), that process at www.binghamton.edu/clt/ of sophisticated and interactive discussion ine how specific Judaic thinkers transform gender roles, modesty laws, homosexuality, summer-session/academic-information. boards. We are excited to invite students aspects of the Judaic tradition to fit the auto-eroticism and sexual abuse, as viewed html#auditing-a-course. throughout the Binghamton community to challenges of religious life in the modern in traditional Jewish sources, texts, law, Randy L. Friedman, chairman of the join in this new Judaic studies endeavor.” and democratic age, and the response(s) to religion and current articles and events. Judaic Studies Department and the di- Descriptions of this summer’s courses are: this transformation. The course will also For more information, visit www.bing- rector of the Center for Israel Studies, is “Jewish New York”: An exploration of examine in detail the debate over same- hamton.edu/judaic-studies/undergraduate/ “pleased” that the department is offering Jewish New York with a focus on the East- sex marriage in Reform and Conservative courses.html or contact the university at online classes. “Online summer courses in ern European immigrant experience. What Judaism. Questions include the relationship 777-2000. Temple Concord to participate in Sacred Sites Open House Weekend Temple Concord in Binghamton will be “Many of New York’s weekend celebrates the 30th Temple Concord, located at 9 Riverside one of several of Central New York state’s magnificent houses of wor- anniversary of the Landmarks Dr., Binghamton, will be open on May 22 historic churches and synagogues participat- ship have served generations Conservancy’s Sacred Sites from noon-3 pm. Temple Concord’s roots ing in the New York Landmarks Conservan- and continue to anchor com- program, the only statewide reach back more than 100 years, to the first cy’s sixth annual Sacred Sites Open House munities, and all too often program in the country pro- Jewish organization in the area. The original Weekend on Saturday, May 21, and Sunday, they are seen only by their viding financial and technical Jewish settlers in Binghamton organized May 22. Numerous organizations will open members,” said Peg Breen, assistance for the restoration the Hebrew Benevolent Society, founded in their doors to visitors who wish to explore president of the New York of culturally significant reli- 1862. Subsequently, they created a number of their religious art and architecture. Landmarks Conservancy. gious properties. Since 1986, Jewish organizations and religious societies. More than 40 sites in New York City and “The Sacred Sites Open the program has awarded Temple Concord was incorporated in 120 statewide will participate in the weekend. House Weekend allows ev- 1,350 grants totaling more November 1950, and in February 1951 Congregations will also showcase the cultur- eryone to enjoy the architec- than $9.3 million to more than regular services were instituted in the al and social service programs they provide ture, art and history of these 750 congregations, regardless Jonas M. Kilmer Mansion, a Romanesque for the wider community, with special tours, remarkable structures.” of denomination, throughout Revival mansion designed in 1898 by concerts, food fairs and other events. This year’s open house Part of the Kilmer Mansion New York state. See “Sites” on page 3 New Temple Israel building nearing completion Temple Israel announced that its new the moveable wall between the sanctuary building is nearing completion. “The antic- and social hall have been installed. The ipation and excitement are increasing,” said ark doors are on site and ready to be representatives of the synagogue. “Many installed.·The sanctuary speaker is being of the finishing touches are now being installed and connected to the sound sys- applied, and the work is being inspected tem, and the final wiring is nearly complete. and reviewed as we near receipt of our The meat and dairy kitchens, as well as the Certificate of Occupancy.” bathrooms, are almost complete. Lighting Representatives noted that the ner tamid fixtures throughout the building have also (eternal light), the memorial plaques and been installed. At right: The main entrance of the new Temple Israel building. The lights have been installed in the social hall. The ark doors are in the building and ready to be installed. Temple Israel’s dairy kitchen is near completion. INSIDE THIS ISSUE JCC athletic honoree News in brief... Sharing campuses Special Sections The JCC will honor Neil Auerbach Cuban-Jewish women visit Israel; Intergenerational bonds form Legal Notices ................................... 4 as this year’s Athletic Hall of Fame U.S. intel chief says U.S. “can’t fix” when seniors share campuses Congregational Notes ...................... 6 inductee at a June 4 event. the Middle East. with young students. Classifieds ....................................... 8 ........................................Page 3 ........................................Page 8 ........................................Page 9 Senior Living ............................... 9-12 Page 2 - The Reporter May 20-26, 2016 In “Dough,” London Jewish director serves bittersweet comedy on racism By Cnaan Liphshiz co-star – the actor Jonathan Pryce, who is known to televi- Holder’s character also makes discoveries about Jews. At LONDON (JTA) – Jerome Holder was a teenager with no sion viewers as the High Sparrow in “Game of Thrones.” first, Ayyash distrusts his Jewish boss and suspects that he uses acting experience when he successfully auditioned for the On set, Holder learned how to pray to Allah in Arabic. blood for baking. All the while, Ayyash abuses the baker’s movie “Dough,” a British comedy about Jewish-Muslim re- But the teen has discovered even more about Judaism, trust by selling marijuana from his shop and secretly spiking lations. Undaunted by Holder’s inexperience and impressed he told JTA. “Since doing the film, I’ve almost become the challah. The laced loaves dramatically increase sales for by his potential, director-producer John Goldschmidt gave a surrogate Jew,” said Holder, a slender 21-year-old with the small bakery, which serves a dwindling Orthodox Jewish him a lead role in the film, which was released in the United soulful eyes. “I’ve been to so many Jewish events and community in London’s increasingly Muslim East End. States in April. Holder portrays Ayyash, a devout Muslim seen so many Jewish people that I know much more about As for the baker, a widower who is not over his wife’s Darfuri refugee who forges a close friendship with Nat, Judaism than even a year ago.” death, he is alarmed to discover Ayyash is a Muslim, asking a Jewish baker for whom he works, despite their mutual Some of these events have been Jewish film festivals, him to pray out of sight so as not to invite a counterterrorist biases. There were, however, a few challenges along the where “Dough” is emerging as a major crowd-pleaser. The raid. Over time, though, the two men develop a father-son way. For one thing, Holder comes from a churchgoing film has been called a feel-good urban fairy tale with round, bond that is reinforced by external threats. family of Jamaican descent, and he admittedly knew little credible characters who – despite the “highly implausible” Written by Jonathan Benson and Yehuda Jez Freedman about Judaism or Islam. For another, he describes himself plot involving challah laced with marijuana – successfully – the latter a London Jewish screenwriter who died last as “horrible” at cooking and baking.