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VOL. XLVII NO.6 PUBLISHED BI-WEEKLY MARCH 19, 2021/6 NISAN 5781 NEXT DEADLINE APR. 2, 2021 16 PAGES

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Happy Passover Shared moments and many memories By Marcia Reinhard, JFEC Ass’t Director I don’t know how many of you remember Noa Brosh and Ron Peleg (2014-15) or how many of you had the pleasure of really getting to know them. I sincerely hope there are many of you. I know they made a lot of connections and became close to quite a few people, but I can never keep track of all those who impacted each of the emissaries’ lives. If you were lucky enough to get to know them, you Architects’ rendering of Jewish Community Campus located on the site of Temple Emanu-El in will remember two very sweet people; two gentle souls. Add to that, Waterford. their good nature, their senses of humor and their hard work and A rendering of the proposed new Jewish campus was presented Carin Savel, Executive dedication to the program and to our community. to the Campus committee on March 9. Michael Doherty and Joe Director of the JFEC exclaimed, As I read through Noa’s and Ron’s articles, it struck me how, two Sziabowski, the Boston-based architects presented three thrilling “Very rarely is a project born that emissaries, two young people from the same year, who shared many of options for the campus which would be the new home of Temple inspires this kind of momentum-- the same moments, have different memories come to the forefront of Emanu-El and Congregation Beth El along with a new building for from individuals, families, their minds. Their narratives, while similar in tone and sentiment, give the Jewish Federation of Eastern CT. The project is expected to add corporations and foundations us a broad overview of their year thanks to the events that affected vitality to the entire Jewish community in Eastern CT and renovate -- to invest and ensure vibrant them each individually. It illustrates for us, in black and white, the the existing Temple Emanu-El facility creating an awesome place for Jewish life for generations.” impact the Year of Service has had on each and every one of our past observance, celebrations and more. Nate Weiss, member of Temple emissaries. SHARED CONT. ON PG 10 The Campus is expected to be fully funded by donations and grants. Emanu-El and the committee “This is a once in a life-time opportunity to help create long term solid says, “We are approaching this

exciting atmosphere at Temple Emanu-El.” says Kenn Fischburg, a memberfinancial of footing Temple for Emanu-El the congregations and the committee. and build upon the already towith secure fiscal Jewish caution, practice but alsoand Gail Weber, Chair of the committee says that, “Strength in numbers traditionsconfident thatin Eastern this is a CTgreat for path the is the best way to emphasize the importance of this project to our foreseeable future.” entire Jewish community. How exciting to imagine all that we can do Romana Primus, President together!” CAMPUS CONT. ON PG 3 Local cemetery has a new name Beth El Cemetery Association, Inc. has been reorganized under a be happy to assist you when you new leadership committee, a new name and a new mission. Located are ready to choose and purchase on Lestertown Road in Groton, it is now known as, The Beth El your plots. To contact our Community Cemetery of Eastern Connecticut, Inc. The newly administrator, Merrill Mazzella, Happy times with the 2014-15 Young Emissaries. l-r Ron Peleg, organized committee members include: Harriet Juli, President; Jerry please call (860) 383-5605. Marcia Reinhard, and Noa Brosh. Fischer, Treasurer; Len Cohen, Cemetery Maintenance; Sarah Rogovin, Special thanks to Jerry Secretary; and Cemetery Administrator, Merrill Mazzella. Committee Schwell, who has been kind Members are Nancy Brand, Steve Daren, Sandra Davidson and Judi enough to act as our advisor as Save these Dates Goldberg. we reorganized. Community Yom Hashoah Observance Moving forward, we will continue to provide the community with a place to celebrate the lives of our loved ones. Some guidelines have Holocaust Remembrance -- now changed as it has become a Jewish Community Cemetery. An Wed., April 7, early evening individual need not be a member of Congregation Beth El (or any Yom Hazikaron/Yom Haatzmaut synagogue) to purchase a plot. Accommodations can be made if a Israel Memorial Day/Israel Independence Day -- member of the family is not Jewish and chooses to be buried at the Wed., April 14 & Thurs., April 15 cemetery. For both these events go to www.JFEC.com, If you or a loved one are seeking peace of mind, buying plots for the Community Calendar on the date of the event future will provide comfort for all family members. This will eliminate to register and receive a link to the program. a task that must be undertaken at a particularly difficult time. We will 2 THE JEWISH LEADER, MARCH 19, 2021 Celebrating Yachad Day and much more By Jack Haynes they love most about each advisor in addition On February 27, Yachad hosted another amazing virtual event! The to their most memorable moments together. event, “Yachad Day” focused on learning about our chapters’ short but Again, thank you so much to Marcia and Beca meaningful history! Our VP of programming, or in Hebrew, our Sh’liach, in our Krispy Kreme fundraiser Ethan Novick, put together for everything you do We raised a good amount of an amazing slideshow of for our chapter!! money for our chapter, but more past chapter events dating Even after importantly, we have 63 boxes all the way back to before pictures and advisor of donuts that we were able to any current members were appreciation, there donate to Safe Futures and the even in high school! It was was still more to New London Meal Center which a beautiful experience come! Next up was comes to 756 donuts in total. reminiscing together about celebrating Purim. If you or someone you know old events. To add to the During this section is interested in joining our nostalgia, we had Yachad of the event, we JFEC sponsored Senior Youth alumni join the Zoom as played a dress up Group which has been a BBYO well! It was great hearing game to simulate chapter for the past seven years, about what each alum has dressing up for please contact Regan Kaye, our been up to since leaving Purim. During each VP - Membership at kayer@ Yachad. To learn more about round, we had one region18.org. You can also how our chapter works, our email our Youth Director, Marcia chapter president Hannah around our houses to Reinhard at mreinhard@jfec. Linder showed everyone the Yachad charter, old Yachad merchandise dress up as whatever theme was chosen. For example,minute toif the find theme items com. (swag), and other Yachad memorabilia. was princess, everyone had one minute to scramble around grabbing Jack Haynes is a Senior at After the pictures, we got a chance to celebrate our amazing advisors, princess items before we all returned to the zoom and decided who East Lyme High School and the Marcia and Rebecca Reinhard. The teens took turns sharing what Communication Chair for our Congratulations to Hannah for winning the costume contest! Yachad BBYO Chapter. Jack enjoys hadThe the event best costume.was a massive We had success! about Stayfive roundstuned for of ourcostume next eventhunting. on posting on social media and March 21 from 3 to 4:30 pm where we will celebrate Passover! putting his skills to work for the Candle Lighting for Eastern CT area Thank you to the many people in our community who participated chapter. Friday, Mar 19 • 6:41 pm Friday, Mar 26 • 6:49 pm Friday, Apr 2 • 6:56 pm Friday, Apr 9 • 7:04 pm

National Award Winner of the Council of Jewish of Jewish Federations as the Outstanding Small Cities Jewish newspaper. Published every other Friday for the dissemination of Jewish news and views by the Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut, 28 Channing Street, New London, CT 06320, 860-442-8062. Managing Editor...... Mimi Perl Layout Editor...... Jen Gault Social Editor...... Freida Katz President ...... Romana Strochlitz Primus Executive Director...... Carin Savel Mailing Volunteers...... Mimi & Milt Seed, Marlene Siegel ...... Gerald & Marilyn Rubin Energy Saving Advertising: Call Mimi Perl 860-442-8062 or [email protected]. Windows & Doors! Advertising Deadline: Friday, April 2 for April 9, 2021 issue. Order Factory Direct! Editorial Content: Preferred receipt of editorial material is via email to [email protected]. Photo(s) submitted via email should be separate Vinyl Replacement & attachment(s) from article. Preferred photo format is a .jpg format; resolution New Construction Windows should be a minimum of 200 dpi. Material sent via fax [860-540-1475] or first class mail [28 Channing St., Storm Windows & Commercial Aluminum New London, CT 06320] should be typed/double spaced or neatly printed. Professional Installation Available If you submit a hard copy of a photo and wish the photo returned, include a stamped, self- addressed envelope. Railings & Fences of Many Styles Editorial Deadline: Friday, April 2 for April 9 issue. 860.848.9258 • www.alltimemfg.com Printing: The Republican, Springfield, MA Postmaster: Send address changes to Jewish Leader, 28 Channing St., New London, CT 06320 Since 1946 THE JEWISH LEADER, MARCH 19, 2021 3

Stop & Shop Bloomin’ 4 Good program CAMPUS CONT. FROM PG 1 of the JFEC says, “Building a common campus will not be easy, but, has raised over $100 for the JFEC working together for the common good, we can create something wonderful. The Jewish community of the future will thank us for our hunger too. Every bouquet sold vision.” Stop & Shop Bloomin’ 4 Good Program for the month of March. To will feed 10 plus people in need.” Members of the committee also include both Rabbis Ekstrand The Jewish Federation of Eastern CT (JFEC) is a beneficiary of the date shoppers’ generosity has raised over $100 for the Federation. The Jewish Federation is a and Kideckel, Harry Leiser, Len and Robyn Wolman, Steve and Debra It’s not too late, Daren, Mona Levin, Kathleen McFadden, Gabe Stern, Judy Engel, and especially if you CT. Founded in 1970, the JFEC Andy Parad. supportsnon-profit basedhumanitarian, in New London, social your Seder table or services, and education efforts th arewant visiting flowers friends for in Eastern CT, in Israel, and in 27 Jewish FilmFest of or family. Specially 70 countries around the world. marked bouquets In our Eastern CT service area, Eastern CT opens May 6 purchased now we provide direct services The Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut (JFEC) is proud to through the end of to seniors, adults, and youth present eastern Connecticut’s 27th Jewish FilmFest (JFF), which will March will garner through a variety of programs run from Thursday, May 6 - Sunday, June 27, 2021. Please visit jfec. a $1 donation and activities. A lay Board of com for a full line-up of this year’s movies, FilmFest information and for every $9.99 speakers, as they are announced. This year’s features include movies Bloomin’ for the Federation. The JFEC is a from Israel, Italy, Germany, and the U.S.A. Good Bouquet memberDirectors agency and Officersof the United governs Way If you are interested in becoming a JFF sponsor, information about purchased at the of Southeastern CT. Learn more Stop & Shop, 155 about the Federation by visiting website. Post Post Road in JFEC.com. For more information sponsorshipThe well-being levels andand safetybenefits of canour alsocommunity be found continues on the Federation to be our Waterford. about the Stop & Shop Bloomin’ top priority during this pandemic. This year, our 2021 FilmFest will “Flowers can 4 Good Program, please visit make someone’s day, brighten a room or spread a smile,” said Carin stopandshop.bloomin4good.com. comfort and safety of your home. Our highly anticipated Q+A sessions withbe virtual, guest speakerswhich offers will alsothe opportunitybe accessible to through screen the all Zoomfilms platform.from the Look for additional information about the movies that will be Savel, ExecutiveJewish Director of theart Jewish competitionFederation. “Now they can fight to increase “screened” in May and June in the April 9 and 23 Jewish Leaders. awareness of shmita Hadar, the Shalom Hartman opened submissions for The Shmita Prizes – an international arts Institute, Limmud, Pardes, Hazon, the Jewish Lab for Sustainability non-profit, officially Aleph and 929.org), as well as to and raise awareness of the forthcoming shmita year (beginning many JOFEE (Jewish Outdoor, competition with five different prizes. The goal is to draw attention Food, Farming & Environmental Education) organizations (Ekar writtenRosh Hashanah word - essays 2021). and Categories ideas. include ritual object, fine art, film Farm, Jewish Farmer Network, or video,Shmita performance is “a year of art/music/liturgy, letting go”. It takes plus place a fifth every category seven for years the Organic Torah, Pearlstone, in the Jewish calendar - it is indeed where the modern notion of a Shoresh, Shmita Project “sabbatical” comes from. “Shmita offers a remarkable framework for Northwest, Grow Torah and addressing some of the most pressing issues of our time,” said Hazon Wilderness Torah). CEO, Nigel Savage. “Shmita is about our relation to land and food; to Arts partners include Atiq, the community and boundaries; to work, overwork and rest; and to debt Jewish Maker Institute, Jewish relief and the amelioration of inequality. Each of these topics is a Arts Salon, Gold Herring, and the Greensboro Contemporary The inspiration for the project came from Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin, Jewish Museum. Sponsors whosignificant saw that issue everything in contemporary else in life.”Jewish life has an associated ritual include the Covenant Foundation except for Shmita – lighting candles on Shabbat, attending a seder on and a number of individual Passover, or eating apples and honey on Rosh Hashanah. supporters. The Shmita Prizes aim to engage artists, teachers, and religious For more information, visit leaders from around the world in their own exploration of what a https://shmitaproject.org/ “Shmita ritual” might look like. about-prizes/ or reach out via Shoshana Gugenheim, the project director for The Shmita Prizes, is email to Shmitaproject@hazon. a social practice artist and former Jewish environmental educator. She org. passionately believes that “connecting and reconnecting Jewish artists About Hazon Donate your chametz to JFEC Food Pantry with the tradition is a profound and lasting way to strengthen Jewish Hazon, the Jewish Lab for With Passover fast approaching on March 27, those who keep life, to enrich Jewish experience for people who are already involved, Sustainability, is the largest kosher for Passover should consider donating their chametz to the and to bring new people through the door to Judaism who have not faith-based environmental Federation’s Food Pantry. The pantry serves the general community organization in the U.S. It previously found a gateway.” The Prizes are open to people of any age and its clients would appreciate your cereal, pasta, and grains like is building a movement or background and from any country. wheat, oats, rye, barley and spelt to name just a few things. Please A Shmita Prizes committee will select one artist in each category to that strengthens Jewish life donate only unopened items that haven’t expired. Donations can be awarded a lead prize of $1800 with three additional awards of $250 and contributes to a more be made between 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. in each category. Submissions are open until May 19. environmentally sustainable The Shmita Prizes is a centerpiece of the wider Shmita Project, a world for all. One of the ways Food can be dropped at the Federation’s back door at 28 Channing that it accomplishes these goals St. in New London. You need not call ahead of time, but a call to 860- Each partner is planning to teach about shmita or produce programs is by striving to leverage Jewish 442-8062 would be appreciated when you drop the food at our back insignificant association collaboration with the shmita of a wide year. and Project growing partners range of include organizations. leading thought itself, and Hazon’s door. educational institutions (such as the Fuchsberg Center in Jerusalem, work on shmita, since 2007, is a Pictured above is Sam Linder who dropped off a friend’s chametz to the Federation earlier this week. Todah Rabah!

significant part of this. 4 THE JEWISH LEADER, MARCH 19, 2021 Adding to your Passover food repertoire Pesach By Carolyn Goodman Kaufman By Dana Kline From January until just this week we’ve been with our Sephardi family. Am Yisrael Chai and It’s nearly Pesach. After 59 years of marriage, I ordered a new Seder reading in the Torah the story of the Hebrews’ exodus allAshkenazi that. Conservative Jews are finally at one plate. Why you may ask. What’s wrong with the one that graced my from Egypt, and now we’re coming up to our annual And now, with so many Jews practicing table since forever? That my friend is my tale of woe. That and what commemoration of that event: Passover. vegetarianism, getting that all-important came next. Please let me explain. This festival brings with it so many memories. protein into the diet practically requires the It was over a year ago when Chanukah came just after Thanksgiving. Among mine is the model seder we students put on use of kitniyot. I decided to clean my menorah (last year’s wax, if you know what I every year in the community Hebrew School, where we Which brings us back to the food question. mean was still there). While rearranging the items in the cabinet to get dipped celery into saltwater, made Hillel sandwiches, What shall we serve for Passover that will to the menorah, I pulled out a box. Inside was my Seder plate with a and recited the four questions. We sang Had Gadya and add something to the traditional family fare? card lovingly inscribed “love mom and dad”. Ehad Mi Yodea, among other songs, and looked forward (I won’t say same-old, same-old.) We need I took out the cream- to performing them at our family seders. something exciting to stimulate our palates colored Lenox china But the seder at my Bubbie’s house wasn’t like while it fosters a connection to our cousins on plate trimmed with gold one of today’s more entertaining, er, educational ones the other side of the world. So, I give you gondi letters indicating where with puppet shows, quiz games, and toy frogs atop the - Persian chicken and chickpea balls. Serve to put the ceremonial children’s plates. No, ours consisted of the men — my these in your soup this year and see the smiles food... Now i ask you to (happy, not wry) all around the table. imagine what happens Gondi: Persian Chicken and when porcelain meets Chickpea Balls is shards. Yes, my About 18 meatballs beautifula tile floor. Seder The answerplate This recipe is adapted from one in The was scattered across Encyclopedia of Jewish Food by Gil Marks (z’l) Ingredients: streaming down my the kitchen floor. Tears Meatballs: cheeks. There was ½ pound ground chicken or turkey nothing to be done but ½ pound ground beef pick up the large pieces. But I couldn’t throw them away, and stuffed them into a plastic bag. 2 medium yellow onions, grated Out of sight in the linen closet they sat for months. 32 cupstablespoons chickpea vegetable flour oil or 1 large egg, Next COVID arrived. A few weeks before Elijah was supposed to visit lightly beaten our home. No need for a Seder plate. All guests canceled for that night 1 teaspoon ground cardamom when we asked ”Why is this night different from all other nights?” 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 teaspoon ground cumin famous Bessie”s sponge cake. But no real Seder. Oh we were on zoom 1 teaspoon salt withMarty the family, and I had but the zoom matza was ball new soup, to us. the And gefilta all the fish, tech the preparations chicken, the ½ teaspoon ground black pepper took our “kishkas” out. Needless to say it was a poor substitute for the dad, Uncle Ralph, and Zayde Meyer — whipping through ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley real thing. Now we are mavens at zoom. Which brings me up to why I the Haggadah and droning the narrative, stopping only 2 tablespoons water went on Amazon to, you guessed it, order a Seder plate. for our well-rehearsed recitations. Regardless, Cousin But I am getting ahead of my story. Growing up I was always Myla and I had a grand old time mumbling along, Soup: admonished with the following lesson. When given a lemon, make guzzling the Mogen David, and giggling. 3 quarts chicken soup lemonade. And so back to the shards. And enter Robin , the artist. She Of course, many of our memories of Passover have 5 red or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and is a magician who works in mosaics ie:shards. to do with the menu (this is a food column, after all). cubed Thanks to my daughter-in-law Caren, Robin inherited what 1 tablespoon lemon juice remained of my Lenox plate. And what she sent me was beyond potent horseradish, cinnamon-tinged haroset, and 1 teaspoon ground tumeric lemonade. A beautiful Hamsa (a palm shaped amulet used in the The flavors and aromas of chicken soup with kneidlach, tzimmes can all conjure up thoughts of loved ones long Salt to taste Middle East) which she fashioned from broken china pieces. It is a gone and the beautiful tables they set. 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed small wall hanging which i placed in the kitchen. Each time i pass by I So, given that the holiday spread tends to be vast, smile and admire her unique design. isn’t there room for a twist on the Passover menu? A Directions: Pesach begins on March 27 this year. My children are planning to small addition? Sure, tradition is important, but how In a medium bowl, combine all the meatball come from Nevada for a visit. Will it be safe to sit around the table? about expanding our repertoire a little to encompass ingredients, adding enough water to form Perhaps we will be outside. My hope is this year in Sarasota. the culinary customs of our extended global Jewish a mixture that is smooth but not sticky. And yet as I reread this small story, I see that it is just that. A small family? Now, a little detour. One of the guests at the wedding Using moistened hands, shape into smooth in the sunshine. Vaccinated, thanks to help getting online for an of my son Avi and his wonderful Shira was Rabbi David 1-inchRefrigerate balls. until firm, at least three hours. appointment.reflection of someone I see that who I have has failedbeen partto address of the luckythe horror ones. ofSheltered most. I Golinkin, a close friend of the bride’s family. I simply In a large pot, bring the chicken soup to a have not given voice to the many who have lost more than china. We had to meet the man who had written the responsa boil. Add the potatoes, lemon juice, turmeric, read today of the loss of empathy in our community. This is what my ruling that certain foods known as kitniyot (including and salt and simmer for 30 minutes. small story lacked. My lighthearted words, my attempt at keeping this corn, rice, and legumes) were permissible on Passover Add the gondi and chickpeas, cover, and tale about a Seder plate is perhaps a bit shameful. Perhaps it hides my because they were never outlawed in the Torah. (In fact, simmer until the gondi are tender, about 40 fears. Perhaps it is a cover for my unstated hope that our loved ones corn didn’t even exist in ancient Israel.) minutes. make it through this plague. I must have looked like a rock band groupie when I Two notes: sat myself down next to him to say “thank-you” for the You can prepare this dish one or two days reasoned argument he gave on the subject of kitniyot.  With a wry smile he replied, “Of all the responsa I’ve and mellow over time. Ideal for the holiday Everyone counts: We are counting on you! written in my career, that’s the one I’ll be remembered ahead of the seder because the flavors meld rush! Here in Eastern Connecticut the JFEC works to for.” This recipe is easily doubled or tripled for a support, sustain and revitalize Jewish life. But we Rabbi Golinkin may have been droll in his self- really big crowd (or because you just can’t get can’t do it without you. Send in your donation today. assessment, but I for one shout “hurrah” that we enough of it). THE JEWISH LEADER, MARCH 19, 2021 5 prospective in-laws. She wonders and see Sherrill, still rushing around at the other end of the clinic. By if she’ll ever get a paying job in this horrible pandemic. Unemployed “Roll up your sleeve and go wait in that chair.” restaurant managers are a dime “All right then. Just about five on the dot.” The clinic director says. Artie a dozen these days. Somehow my *** lucks got to change. At the other end of the clinic a similar scenario is playing out. “Hey, Dean *** Sherrill,” the director of nursing says. “We’ve got a couple of extra vaccinations left over. “In two minutes, one of them is yours if no one On the other side of the clinic else shows up and you want it.” The Shot Michael Plotkin is wiping down Sherrill blinks back tears, takes a deep breath. “Oh, my God! Of Sherrill Waterhouse beckons to the next octogenarian in line at the the counter with disinfectant, course, I’ll take it.” Lawrence and Memorial Vaccination clinic. “Next.” She says, watching sanitizing pens with UV light, all She glances over at the other end of the clinic, searches out her as a man leaning heavily on his walker dodders in her direction. in an effort to keep up with CDC beloved Michael, sitting with his sleeve rolled up, a huge smile on She takes hold of his elbow and guides him to a chair, enters his guidelines. He handles his job with his lips. Her heart is doing the Mexican Hat Dance in her chest as she information into the hospital database. “Mr. Cohen, you’re getting the a professionalism and concern Moderna vaccine,” she says when he inquires. “Make sure you return admired by his supervisors and in a month.” fellow volunteers. “You’d think He nods, glancing around the clinic in wonderment. He closes his these people were his own eyes and then smiles in gratitude, as if he’s witnessing a miracle, which relatives,” another volunteer in all likelihood he is. She guides him to a nurse, then repeats her task mumbles under her breath when she sees the care Plotkin takes with complete strangers. otherwith the end next of the in line, clinic, filling doing in thecomputer same task forms from until 9 toher 5. eyes glaze over. “Down but not out,” is how And“Imagine so, it goes helping all day to endlong. the She worst thinks health of her disaster fiancé this working nation’s on hadthe Plotkin likes to think of himself. in a 100 years,” he had said, the day after she closed her restaurant for Often, he daydreams about good. “What could be better than that?” And so, she’d volunteered for a week as well, uneasy about accepting — if and when entertainment in government handouts to stay home and pout. Why not do something personfinding everanother resumes. job in the theater important when their marriage had to be delayed, their honeymoon “Imagine spending two years canceled. Besides, who in their right mind would take a cruise to Alaska getting a masters in set design contemplates the possibility of sharing a piece of wedding cake with these days without being vaccinated. the love of her life. The head of nursing guides Sherrill to a chair. She “I’m afraid of needles,” a man with a heart tattoo on his bicep blurts. myself unemployable,” he says to rolls up her sleeve and waits, watching the clinic clock tick towards the He trembles as she takes his pulse. Something about the kindness in hisat NYU’s parents New when School they only ask to if find he magical 5 pm in an all but deserted clinic: 4:58, 4:59….she closes her her eyes lets him relax. She thinks of her own grandfather, gone these needs help with his rent. The one eyes and imagines luxuriating on the deck of an Alaskan cruise ship on six months. Pity he couldn’t have lived to see this day. bright spot in his life is Sherrill, her honeymoon as icebergs bob in the sea. During a lull in the action, she daydreams of getting the vaccine for working in the other end of the “Bam! Bam! Bam! The sound of someone pounding on the clinic herself when her turn comes, however far in the future that might be. clinic. When he gets his COVID door explodes her reverie, shocking her back to the moment. She imagines dancing the hora with her friends, laughing at their jokes The door swings open. A middle-aged man appears in the doorway, I haven’t even met my is help plan their wedding. sweat on his brow, his hair disheveled, his features contorted. “Am I vaccinationFor Michael, the firstthe daything seems he’ll doto too late to get my parents the shots they signed up for? We went to the without an N95 mask stifling her every breath. wrong building.” He holds the door open and the heads of an elderly After a year's he can, keeping the line moving, couple appear. “Are we in the right place?” a white-haired woman says doingfly by. hisHe parthelps for people his community. as fast as in a trembling voice. sabbatical due to the Finally, the crowd thins, the “We’ve waited a month for this chance,” says her husband. “Can Pandemic, someone help us?” As he’s packing up his personal Sherrill glances to the other end of the clinic where Michael sits with DR. ARTHUR DEAN thingsendless to flow leave, of humanitythe head of stalls. the his eyes closed and his shoulder exposed, waiting for the approaching announces the clinic approaches. “You know, nurse who wields an uncapped needle like a magic sword. 5:03 reads Michael,” he says with a twinkle the clock on the wall. reopening of his in his eye. We’ve got a few extra Sherrill’s eyes bulge. Her mind reels, the icebergs in her daydream Periodontal Office vaccinations that have to be used sinking beneath a tempestuous sea. She lifts a trembling hand and by the time we close. He taps opens her mouth to speak… at the face of his watch. “Five more 489 Route 184, Ste 201 minutes, and that last shot is To be continued. . . yours. If you want it, of course?” Groton, CT Michael takes a sharp breath, with a focus on all aspects of his pulse quickening. He eyes the AUTO | HOME | COMMERCIAL | MARINE entry to the clinic, the door eerily Gum Disease, Dental Implants, and TMJ Disorders closed after an eight-hour shift of

For appointments call incessant movement. The image L E V I N E of Sherrill’s face laughing as he

860-449-1643 lifts her veil under the chuppah INSURANCE GROUP, LLC in front of his family rises in his mind.

“Of course I’ll take it,” he says. ANDREW J. LEVINE “I’d be crazy not to.” Owner, Producer, 40+ Years Experience He sits in the corner of the room watching the clock on 221 Boston Post Rd. 860-739-4444 Office “Striving for Excellence in A Relaxed, the wall tick off its seconds, P.O. Box 339 860-739-6861 Fax Supportive Environment” the minutes seeming to last an East Lyme, CT 06333 [email protected] eternity. He cranes his neck to try 6 THE JEWISH LEADER, MARCH 19, 2021 Realtor Corner Survivor Stories Monday, Frustration By Geoff Hausmann April 26, 2021 I can honestly state that I have never 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm worked harder for my buyers that I am now. I received a call the other day from a new buyer and I tried explaining the lack of current inventory and that he had to be prepared to offer more on a property than the asking price. Join us for an engaging Zoom webinar with when I made the appointment only to see a parade of buyers going Marlene Yahalom, PhD, child and grandchild of Holocaust survivors intoThis this home home. hit The the market.asking priceI thought was I$275,000. was one of My the clients first showings offered and Director of Education for the American Society for Yad Vashem, $290,000 with a clause stating that they would pay $1,500 over as she shares her family’s incredible story of survival. Dr. Yahalom kicks any other contract up to $320,000. The seller made the decision to off this multi session community education series focusing on Holocaust keep the property active for the entire weekend due to the number survivors from across the globe. of showing requests. The end result, a different buyer ended up with this home. This was the sixth offer that these buyers had submitted. Luckily, I found a better home for them and got them under contract Go to JFEC.com to register and receive a link. for that one. Finally, a happy ending. I always have stated that buying a home is supposed to be an Rose and Sigmund Strochlitz Holocaust Resource exciting experience as it is a milestone in your life. In today’s world, people are settling for a home and paying more than they want to pay. Center of the Jewish Federation of Eastern CT Then there is my frustration. I was showing a client a home and

finally found a very nice home for her and her family. I explained to one.my client I explained that there to my were client five what offers I would already recommend on the property on a purchase and that pricethe agent hoping was for planning her to obtainon meeting a chance with on the the seller home in andfive herhours response to pick was that she wanted the weekend to think about it as the property has not even been on the market for a day. I lost that battle. The 4th Annual Henny Simon Remembrance Today, was even worse. I showed a multifamily to an investor and had to explain to them that they should offer over asking price. Seeking Refuge: Shanghai & Beyond I thought I was going to be shot as it is unheard of for investor to pay Journeys from Peril to Freedom asking price, not to mention over asking. Thank God for COVID as I was six feet away so he could not strangle me easily. I had a new client contact me with six different properties to Special Guest: Laurence Tribe, Harvard Law check out. I responded with four were under contract and made Professor Emeritus, whose family sought refuge appointments for the other two on the next day. Well, the next day I was only able to show one property as the other one was now under in Shanghai during the Holocaust contract. The sixth property had a unique layout and was not for them. Their search continues. I do not mean to scare off buyers in today’s market, but I am just trying to explain reality. I want my clients to be prepared so that they are ready and know what will be required when they make the decision to make an offer on a home. Some agents are recommending things that I am unwilling do. They are having their clients purchase a home in as-is condition with no inspections and no appraisal. Basically, they are purchasing a home without any conditions. What is your feeling of making a $400,000 purchase by looking at a picture? Shanghai Not sure if this soap opera is still on TV but join Geoff as the World Turns! Please remember you can search for homes at www. Featuring Helen Elperina, noted teacher whose CallTheHouseMan.com. Do you have a question about real estate? family sought refuge from Nazism and the Soviet Advice/responses will be made by: Geoff Hausmann, RE/MAX on the Bay, 860-443-4400, [email protected] Union Henny Simon Author’s Note: As you read this article, I will be celebrating my Zoom presentation 55th birthday. I wish everyone a safe and healthy year Please help me Sunday, April 11th at 2:00 PM celebrate by having a piece of chocolate cake. Watch your Hadassah email for zoom link  or contact president Karen Bloustine at [email protected] Everyone counts: We are counting on you! Here in Eastern Connecticut the JFEC works to support, sustain The Rose and Sigmund Strochlitz Holocaust Resource Center of The Jewish Federation of Eastern CT and revitalize Jewish life. But we can’t do it without you. is a sponsor and supporter Send in your donation today. THE JEWISH LEADER, MARCH 19, 2021 7 Jewry in the Jews in South America Hadassah News Russian By Susan Lorinsky President’s Message The Jewish population of South America is small but they have a Empire and distinct ethnicity. South American Jews are proud of their heritage by Karen Bloustine and practice their religion. Ashkenazi Jews make up the majority Former and descended from Jews Combatting Antisemitism - who came from Russia, Germany, and Eastern The Importance of a Working Definition Soviet Union By Sheila Horvitz and discrimination. The 4th Annual Henny Simon SephardicEurope. Many Jews fled came pogroms from is. On January 27, 2021, Hadassah adopted a new policy statement Remembrance Program: Seeking Spain and Portugal, as well supportingWe cannot the eliminateadoption of antisemitism the International without Holocaust first defining Remembrance what it Refuge: Shanghai & Beyond as Turkey, Morocco, Syria, will explore the journeys of and Lebanon in the Middle President Rhoda Smilow said that “ In reaffirming Hadassah’s East. They make up the Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism. harbors like Shanghai. Helen support for the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s rest of the South American ElperinaJews fleeing and persecutionher family’s to story safe Working Definition of Antisemitism, we are saying to organizations, Jewish population. institutions and government leaders both here at home and around the represents those Jews remaining after World War II who fought for world what we believe the standard ought to be.” to South America came To effectively combat the scourges of antisemitism and racism in all the right to leave the oppressive on Theships first from Jewish Spain Settlers and their manifestations, we must be able to easily identify acts of violence life in the Soviet Union. Portugal to the New World. Through the efforts of the These Jews were Marranos Jewish resettlement agencies or Conversos. They were or inflammatory rhetoric. Nations around the world are adopting the and the work of our Eastern CT forbidden to practice Congressworking definition until it that adopted is done. by the IHRA in 2016, but Congress has not Jewish Federation, Soviet Jews Judaism in Spain and yet written the definition into law. Hadassah will continue to lobby have found refuge here in our Portugal so they outwardly and formally adopts the spelling - antisemitism — without a hyphen community. What is the history converted to Christianity or capitalThe IHRA S — Working to ensure Definition clarity of includesmeaning accompanyingfor the term used illustrations to signify of the Jews of the former Soviet Temple Libertad in Buenos Aires but observed the Jewish modern Jew-hatred. Union, once the home of the religion in secret. It is believed that Christopher Columbus’ crew were majority of Jews in the world? The Working Definition is: mostly Marranos. They formed Jewish communities in the New World, Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may mostly in Brazil. From 1880 to 1914, many Jews came from the Middle be expressed as hatred towards Jews. Rhetorical and physical Jews in the Russian Empire East and Eastern Europe to start communities in Brazil, Argentina, and manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non- The story of the Jews goes Uruguay. Today’s Jews are mostly descended from this group. Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community back 1,500 years. They can be Before and after WWII many Jews emigrated to Argentina from institutions and religious facilities. traced back to the 7th century. Europe to escape the Holocaust and antisemitism. Argentina has the Expelled en masse from England, The following examples serve as illustrations largest Jewish population in South America, about 200,000 - the sixth- France, Spain, and most other of antisemitism. largest Jewish population in the world, and Brazil with 100,000 Jews Manifestations might include the targeting of the state of Israel, Western European countries at is the tenth-largest Jewish community in the world. conceived as a Jewish collectivity. However, criticism of Israel various times, and persecuted like that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as in Germany in the 14th century,

KAREN CONT. ON PG 13 JEWRY CONT. ON PG 11 Important facts about colon cancer everyone should know By the time you have serious symptoms, cancer By Carol Curland, CRNA, APRN, MSN, PHD Colon Cancer is the second most common cause has often progressed. That’s why it is so critically of Cancer death among men and women today. It is important to be aware of the signs of colorectal on the rise for people under 50 years of age. cancer - especially if you are young. You must not ignore a change in bowel habits and movements or any bleeding. Seek medical care immediately. If you have a family history of colon cancer, you need to be screened. A large percentage of people who are diagnosed do not have a family history. But Great Israelite Temple of Rio de Janeiro we need to be aware of other cancers that are in our families because that can increase your risk of colon cancer. If you have a history of breast or Hadassah Eastern CT ovarian cancer in your family, you need to really be We’d love to hear from you. vigilant. Please feel free to call or write. Medical science is telling us that in the next 15 We need more awareness and research funding. There have not been enough research dollars years, more than one in ten colon cancers will be ● President: Karen Bloustine [email protected] diagnosed in patients ages 20 to 35. dedicated to studying different ethnic groups. 860-326-6377 It is highly preventable with proper screening. This is something that is clearly being discussed ● Membership: Moira Ross [email protected] ● Donations: Treas. Vicki Seroussi 2 Mitchell Ct Everyone must be vigilant, and we cannot feel and painfully revealed with the Pandemic. We need to make medical care more accessible for Norwich, CT 06360 squeamish about something that has the potential ● Cards/Certificates: Kim Fischburg [email protected] to save lives. The subject of diagnosing and treating all people. People of color are 2 1/2 times more 860-608-9223 likely to be diagnosed with Covid because of colon cancer is sensitive, but we must keep talking Follow us on Facebook about it. CANCER CONT. ON PG 13 8 THE JEWISH LEADER, MARCH 19, 2021 Missing you all so much! students whom I also think about and miss very much. By Noa Brosh, 2014-15 Young Emissary On Wednesday afternoons after Solomon Schechter, we Hey everyone, I was a young emissary in 2014-2015 with Ron Peleg, drove to Willimantic (separately, alternating weeks) to be with the students at Temple Bnai Israel and do Israel arrived. I remember all the tests that I went through programming with them as well. They were also a great and how I can’t much believe I wanted it’s been to be 6 a ½ Young years Emissary. since we I firstwas group of kids. I miss them all. Where are so excited when they called me and told me that I was Then there are the teens. Another group I really miss. they now? going to be a Young Emissary in Connecticut (at that We used to meet with them every Monday night at Jewish time I didn’t even know where Connecticut was), and Community High School and enjoyed our weekly pizza that I would be in your community with Ron Peleg as dinners before lessons with the rabbis. We also joined my partner. them at their monthly BBYO chapter events. Bonding I remember my many concerns, as I didn’t know with this group of teenagers really helped make our anything about the community to which I was coming year very special. Of course, I also miss my host family, The McCaffreys, who hosted me throughout the year, and always made me feel accepted and at home. They provided me with endless love and experiences, from tickle wars, family road trips to Florida and Maine, to making me tacos whenever I was sad; thankfully not too often. I am very grateful and will never forget everything they did for me. They will always have a big chunk of my heart saved especially for them. Lastly, I cannot write about my year with all of you, without mentioning our amazing Yom Ha’Atzmaut Ron Peleg (2nd from left) with host family The Novicks during Emissary event. It was only the third year since the emissaries Farewell at 2015 JFEC Annual Meeting. took it over and we really wanted it to be spectacular! We knew your expectations were high, and so were ours. We hoped it would be as good, if not better, than the Engineering. first year in Software and Information Systems and years before us! We knew we were successful when the After my army service, I came back to the Beth-El social hall was jam-packed with people and there community for a short visit with Itamar and got to see was tremendous celebration and energy throughout the The McCaffreys, The Reinhards and even attended a evening! I was lucky enough to have my parents, not only graduation party for Amanda Zettler where I was lucky witness this amazing event but participate in it as they enough to see so many people whom I have missed so also brought wonderful items from Israel to be sold at the much. shuk. It helped us tremendously and they had a blast! My year in Eastern Ct, with you provided me with so Noa Brosh and her boyfriend Itamar at a pre-COVID many positive experiences. I carry it with me every day. wedding in Israel. I cannot begin to describe the year I had in words- all the experiences, the hard work, this great community - I That year will always be with me and affect my life in so could never thank each and every one of you enough who many ways. It already has. other than its name, if I would get along with my This has been a strange year for all of us and has host family, with Ron, or with my Coordinator, Marcia took part in our year, and I am lucky and privileged to have been chosen to be your emissary. kept us all apart. Thankfully, The McCaffreys visited last Reinhard, and of course with all of you. Today I want to tell you a little bit about my life since I December, just in time before COVID hit. I hope this will left Connecticut. end soon and I can come “home” for a visit with Itamar and after four days of orientation at Camp Laurelwood again and you can all start coming back to Israel and With all these concerns, I got on a flight to New York, When I went back to Israel, I enlisted in the military and served for two years (it is mandatory for all Israeli’s.) visiting me and all of your emissaries. I’d love to see as passed all my concerns were gone; I had the perfect many of you as possible. In the meantime, if you’d like hostin Madison, family CT,– The I finally McCaffreys reached - thewho community. will always As be time my I don’t know if you guys remember but I always loved sports! So, in the army I served as a Combat Fitness to stay in touch, you can reach me at my email address: second family. I was more than blessed to work with [email protected]. You can also reach me Marcia as my Coordinator and a good friend that I could Instructor for soldiers in a brigade called Golani. My time in the Army was hard but very educational, using Facebook at Noa Brosh. I’d love to hear from you! always approach with any question or problem and who Love and miss you all, Noa Brosh was always there for me, working around the clock with and even fun sometimes. I got to know a lot of love and care. a lot of people and made some good Of course, I was privileged to be part of your friends along the way that will stay community. Even though I was 5000 miles away from with me forever. They helped me get home, you all always made me feel that I was among through challenges that made me family and friends, with a warm feeling, just like at stronger. home. In the army I met my boyfriend, I will carry with me fabulous memories from those Itamar Ben-Atar. He was a combat days at Solomon Schechter Academy with the kids and soldier in Golani and today we are staff, and especially with Tracy Todd, (the principal together for 4.5 years. We are best back then) who cared about us like a mother and was a friends; we live together in a city called great friend for Ron and me. Beer Sheva and we are both studying I miss the religious school on Sunday mornings at the university of Ben-Gurion in the at Temple Emanu-El and all the activities we did with the kids as well as the great conversations with the degree in Computer Science, currently south of Israel. He is doing his first adults over bagels and coffee in the social hall. We in his second year with one more year went to Ahavath Achim and did activities with their Noa Brosh (3rd from left) with host family The McCaffreys during Emissary until he finishes. I am also working Farewell at 2015 JFEC Annual Meeting. towards my first degree, still in my THE JEWISH LEADER, MARCH 19, 2021 9

The best year of my life! By Ron Peleg, classes and to the 2014-15 Young Emissary kids themselves. Dear community, For me, one of Six years ago the best year of the best parts at my life had started and the reason SSA was singing for it was because of all of you! I the prayers at heard about the Young Emissary lunch. It opened program through my older sister, a whole new Shahar - YE in Worcester MA (good) Jewish 2011-12. During her year I got to experience for hear all about her experiences, me that I had and I started to understand the never had before. importance of our Living Bridge. Seeing how much In my senior year of high school the kids wanted At Ahavath Achim in Colchester in 2015. l-r .Marty Hirschkowitz, Ron Peleg, when preparing for my year I to participate Fran Hirschkowitz, and Noa Brosh. Marty and Fran teach religious school at was matched with Noa Brosh, my and even lead it, the synagogue. partner for the year, and Eastern how much joy up with an Israeli meal. We inspired him when we CT as my community! and happiness it brought to us every showed the class the many different foods in Israel. We During that summer, the Ron Peleg -- always with a smile! day by just taking a few minutes to got approval to bring them to Temple Emanu-El where community had organized a trip sing together, left a lasting impression they were given a tour led by Rabbi Aaron Rosenberg to Israel (led by the one and only Jerry Fischer) and I got to experience a day worth of experiences of what forget! I also got to work in the religious schools at Temple synagogue!) and then they were treated to Shakshuka, the year was going to be like - from meeting a lot of new Emanu-Elon me. Every in Waterford, day was filled Ahavath with Achim memories in Colchester I will never and an(for Israeli some breakfast of the kids that it was was cooked their first by ME time (and visiting Noa of a people to having entire conversations in English and Temple Bnai Israel in Willimantic, as well as Hebrew High, course.) What better way to share one’s culture than doing fun activities. From with a delicious meal? that day on, I couldn’t wait A HUGE part of my year was living with my host for my year to begin! Finally, it was time to leave Israel and from the the community and into thefirst Novick moment Family I arrived home, in everything felt like home because of all of you and the Novick’s. Everywhere I went I was welcomed with at Solomon Schechter (SSA), whereopen arms. I spent On mymost first of daymy morning, I had the chance to meet the people I would be working with and began Can you spot Noa and Ron on the last day of religious school at Temple Emanu-El? to understand the work I would be doing. As time went on, I became friends aka Jewish Community High School. I got to meet with the with the AMAZING staff including Esther Morrell, Terri Senior Citizens and do an activity or a presentation at a Goldsmith (R.I.P) and Tracy Todd, who allowed Noa few of their weekly luncheons at Beth Jacob and Beth El. and me to bring our experiences and ourselves to the Another important part of my year was giving talks and lectures about Israel to students at a variety of elementary, middle, and high schools, and even to the Rotarians at the New London Ron and Noa having a good time as Ron dresses up Rotary club. For me, sharing in the gorilla costume that Abir Shamriz, 2010-11 YE, Israel the way I know it was left behind. very important. It was the way to connect the Eastern family The Novick’s - Caryn, Steven, Ethan, and Ryan. CT community as a whole to They truly made me feel at home - everything from Israel, the Jewish and non- having dinners in the evenings to just spending the Jewish communities. nights together, along with going to all the possible One of these sports games in the community and traveling to many presentations so inspired different places like New York, Washington, D.C., local the teacher that he wanted community parks and more! Having spent my WHOLE his whole class from Westerly High School in Rhode Island to visit and Last day of religious school at Temple Bnai Israel in Willimantic 2015. BEST CONT. ON PG 10 tour a synagogue and finish 10 THE JEWISH LEADER, MARCH 19, 2021

SHARED CONT. FROM PG 1 In the summer of 2014, I returned to Israel with Jerry on one of and a half ago when we cleaned the two years before them?” The answer was an unequivocal, YES! his missions. It had been four years since Mike and I had made that Noa and Ron put everything into their planning. They wanted their gone. I’m still hoping it will turn celebration to be bigger and better. Just as Hadar and Paz brought us 11 emissaries). I was thrilled to be returning. If I remember correctly, up.out the office. Suddenly, it was the event itself and May and Bar brought us the candle lighting, it was therefirst journey were 45 to people Israel ontogether that trip. and Jerry when asked we met me toShai contact and Asaf all our (2010- past When we started planning Noa and Ron who brought us the Pitot on the Tabun - make your own emissaries as well as the two that were due to arrive in August and Yom Ha’Atzmaut, and even Pita with Israeli chocolate spread - outside the Beth-El social hall on have as many of them join us as possible. So, I did just that and out of before, I was still nervous. It was the deck. That was another tradition we’ve kept through the years. 28 emissaries, including our two new ones, we had 17 past emissaries only the third year the emissaries (With many thanks to Ella Sackett who was always out there, year after join our trip intermittently, whenever and wherever they could. It were responsible for the event, year, making them.) was amazing! While seeing our past emissaries was so exciting and so and although I knew how capable It is hard to believe that we are 14 years and 28 emissaries into much fun for everyone, another highlight for me was getting to meet Noa and Ron were, I couldn’t help our “Where Are They Now?” series. And we are not done yet. Noa and Noa Brosh and Ron Peleg, our two new Young Emissaries, in person asking myself, “Would they be Ron were here six years ago. They brought charm, humor, kindness, and in Israel. able to pull off another amazing Once back home in Connecticut, I awaited their arrival at the end event as the emissaries did emissaries to go. Stay tuned. . . of August. It was four days at Camp Laurelwood and then the car and a whole lot of love. We still have five more years and ten more ride from Madison to East Lyme. Ron and Noa were both living with BEST CONT. FROM PG 9 families in East Lyme and the bonus? The families were close friends. The McCaffreys and the Novicks had been friends for years because Erica and Caryn had been friends since high school. Ron and Noa celebrating Purim in the spring of 2015 One of the bonuses for me in this program is getting to know so at Solomon Schechter Academy. many families in our community and even becoming friends with some. The Novicks were one of those families, and to this day, Caryn and I are good friends. Mike and I were already friends with The McCaffreys and having them host Noa brought us even closer. At Passover, The Novicks invited my entire family to their home for were visiting from Israel, so it was quite a party! Noa and Ron got to bethe together first seder with along their with, host offamilies course, and The we McCaffreys. all got to be Ron’s with parents Ron’s parents for the holiday. What a treat! Noa and Ron worked really hard all year long. Noa was the morning person and Ron was the night owl. The exact opposite of the year before. Thank goodness I always get one night owl. Ron and I often discussed programs and activities late at night. When it came to collaborating during the day, Noa and Ron were amazing! They rarely argued, never best. They made it look so easy. a raisedHappily, voice it wasn’t and they all workalways and seemed no play. to Noa figure and out Ron what had woulda wonderful work occasional shenanigan or two. I’ll never forget when they found Abir’s gorillafriendship. costume There in the was closet always that laughter The Krasner’s in the gave office him. and Next even, thing an I with that gorilla costume. And when it wasn’t the gorilla costume, know, we’ve got a gorilla in the office. Noa and Ron had the best time year with them helped us make sister Ziv also became a YE in New Haven in 2018-19! So, three Peleg them work together and “play” together. a strong connection! I truly children - three Young Emissaries! they’dNoa’s find and something Ron’s kindness else to joke and around friendship about. Ittowards was fabulous each toother see couldn’t have asked for a better After three years of service, I joined a small start-up company in extended to everyone around them, including their site mentors and family! Tel-Aviv and worked for 2.5 years as a Back-end Developer. During that Another big part of my year time I took a 3-month vacation and traveled to South America. When stop at Dunkin Donuts. They knew I was watching what I ate, but they was working and becoming I returned, I started studying at Tel Aviv University for a degree in alsome. Theyknew would I loved come mocha to lattesthe office and afterhad a being weakness at Schechter for Boston and Cream often friends with my partner Noa Mathematics which I am still working on. Recently I changed jobs and donuts. If they went to Dunkin’, you can bet they had a coffee for me Brosh and my Coordinator, joined Wix as a Mobile Developer. I’ve only been there a short time, but and sometimes, even a Boston Cream, whether I wanted it or not. Marcia Reinhard, an unstoppable so far, so good. Purim was a fantastically wonderful event with Noa and Ron. They led to many funny moments and my degree, but until then you are more than welcome to contact me! I’mteam! very Sharing grateful an officefor the with time them the My Iemail hope oneis: [email protected] day to come home and .see See you you all all again, in the after states finishing when made these fabulous masks – one that was painted with the Israeli flag three of us spent together! I go for my master’s degree there. LOL! Wishful thinking. (P.S. If you and one with the American flag. Then they did the sweetest thing – After the year I returned to know someone from M.I.T., let me know. Wink, wink.) they surprised me with a mask half painted as the Israeli flag and the Israel to join the Israeli Air Force Sending lots of love & big hugs from Israel, Ron Peleg other half as the American flag. I had that mask up until about a year in the IDF as a Commander in a course for technicians for small Custom Tub & Shower THOMAS L. NEILAN & SONS aircrafts. Being a commander Ruby Glass Enclosures Funeral Directors had a lot of similarities to being CO., INC • Design & Installation a Young Emissary which helped • All-Glass Enclosures me be a better commander than SERVING SOUTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT FOR OVER 60 YEARS I would have been without it. Expert Mirror Design & During my service, I was also FULLSERVICE GLASS SPECIALISTS Installation 12 Ocean Avenue 48 Grand Street lucky to join a birthright trip for • Visit Our Showroom 10 days, which also reminded New London, CT 06320 Niantic, CT 06357 me of my year with all of you 151 Jefferson Avenue • New London, CT 06320 860-443-1871 860-739-6112 in Connecticut. My younger Phone (860) 442-0373 • Fax (860) 442-1356 THE JEWISH LEADER, MARCH 19, 2021 11

JEWRY CONT. FROM PG 7 many Western European Jews migrated to Poland and areas of Eastern Ukraine, and 25,000 in Belarus. most educated population groups in the world. Out of all ethnicities Europe. The Jews faced many periods of anti-semitic policies, pogroms, They were perpetrated mostly in Russia, only Jews were 100 percent literate and skilled in learning and persecutions in Russia - but also many years of development of by anti-communist forces. These because of their traditional Jewish values of education. Jewish cultural traditions. Ashkenazi Jews make up the largest group Russian Civil War pogroms But the short-lived illusions about a better future for Jews quickly of Jews in Russia - but there are also Mountain Jews, Sephardi Jews, shocked world Jewry and rallied evaporated with Stalin’s reign and as World War II approached. Jews Crimean Karaites, Krymckaks, Bukharan Jews, and Georgian Jews. many Jews to the Red Army were victims of Stalin’s deadly purges and many Jewish leaders were and the Soviet regime - with arrested and executed. The Shtetl many young Jews becoming the During the reign of Catherine II in the 18th century, Jews were backbone of the Bolsheviks who World War II and the Holocaust restricted to the Pale of Settlement which included Belarus, Lithuania, came to power after the Civil War. By 1941, the Soviet Union was home to almost 5 million Jews. eastern Poland, and Ukraine. In the Pale, Jews lived in small communities The new Bolshevik The majority lived in rural western Belarus and Ukraine. These were called shtetls and traditionally ruled themselves according to halakha. government initially established the- populations that suffered greatly due to the German occupation They were limited by the privileges granted them by local rulers. They policies that helped nurture and the Holocaust. During World War II, more than 500,000 Jewish were not assimilated into the larger eastern European societies but Jewish culture, setting up Yiddish soldiers served in the Red Army and about 200,000 were killed in remained a separate ethnic group with a unique set of religious beliefs schools, Yiddish newspapers, battle. Approximately 3 million Soviet Jews died in the Holocaust, in and practices. Within the Pale, they were required to obtain special settling Jews on farms, and warfare, in Nazi-occupied territories, and in extermination camps. permission to immigrate into other parts of Russia. They were given establishing the Jewish Autonomous Oblast settlements in the Russian Far East. These settlements were formed to show that Russian Jews could receive a territory in which to pursue cultural autonomy in a socialist framework. The JAO’s capital city was in Birobidzhan, with

In the 1920s, Yiddish writers like SholemYiddish asAleichem its official and language.Mendele Mocher Seforim were celebrated as Soviet Jewish heroes. The story by Sholem Aleichem - “Tevye the Milkman” - later adapted into the musical “Fiddler on the Roof”, offers a good explanation of the situation of Solidary Rally for Soviet Jewry. the Jews in Russia at the turn of the century and the beginnings the right of voting in municipal elections, but their vote was limited of the Russian Revolution: one to one-third of the total number of voters, even if their proportion daughter moves to Palestine, in many areas was much higher, even a majority. Life in the Pale for another goes with the rest of the This photo and article appeared in the December 14, 1989 Jewish many was economically bleak. Most relied on small service or artisan family to America, and a third Leader. Left foreground l-r: Dimitri Rabinovich behind his brother work, but even so, Jewish culture, especially Yiddish, developed in the marries the revolutionary and Paul and Valery Vodonos behind his sister Irina. Rear l-r: Reuben shtetls and intellectual culture developed in the yeshivas created by remains in Russia. Only a small Levin, Mikhail Rabinovich, Valery Bekman, Jerry Fischer, Helena the Jewish community. part of Jewish immigrants at Elperina Rabinovich, Inna and Leonid Vodonos, and Larissa Bekman. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Russian Empire the turn of the century went to Arichival photo from the Jewish Leader and The Day. had not only the largest Jewish population in the world but actually Palestine. America was the place a majority of the world’s Jews living within its borders. In 1897, the of Dreams, and many families These are facts largely overlooked by the western narrative of the total Jewish population of Russia was over 5 million. Of this total, 94 yearned to go there. catastrophe and the Soviet policy which regarded the Holocaust as an percent lived in the 25 provinces of the Pale of Settlement. atrocity against Soviet citizens rather than genocide against the Jews. After 1827, Jewish boys were forcibly conscripted to military The Young Bolshevik Among some of the larger catastrophes were the massacres in 1941 of service at the age of 12 and placed in cantonist schools. They were Revolutionaries over 33,000 Jews of Kyiv shot in ditches at Babi Yar, 100,000 Jews and then required to serve in the imperial Russian army for 25 years after The young Jews who remained Poles of Vilnius killed in the forests, and 25,000 Jews of Riga killed in the completion of their studies, often never seeing their families again. in Russia and became actively the woods at Rumbula. Many potential conscripts preferred to run away rather than submit. involved in the Revolution saw their future after the revolution The Reign of Stalin frequently taken. as a safe harbor without After World War II, Stalin’s campaign against “rootless In order to fulfill quotas, Jewish boys of eight and even younger were antisemitism and pogroms. Their cosmopolitans” and anti-Zionism led to mass arrests of prominent The Great Migration from Russia hopes were understandable, for Jewish intellectuals and suppression of Jewish culture. On August Beginning in the 1880s, waves of anti-semitic pogroms swept across life in Russia under Tsarism was 12, 1952, in the event known as the “Night of the Murdered Poets”, the that Jews had been involved in the assassination of his father Tsar unbearable. For these young thirteen of the most prominent Yiddish writers, poets, actors, and Alexander II, made Jews easy targets and scapegoats for pogroms and revolutionaries, the hope for a other intellectuals were executed on the orders of Stalin. Stalin died anti-Jewish riots. The situation for Jews became especially desperate better future became in a way a before his next wave of arrests and executions could be launched after the unsuccessful revolution of 1905. religion for them that replaced which were to include the forceful resettlement of Jews to the farthest Judaism. After the Revolution, reaches of the Soviet Union - Siberia. mostly to the US and some to Palestine. they could leave the poverty of Between 1880 and 1920, more than 2 million Jews fled Russia the shtetls. Forty percent of the The Fight for Soviet Jewry The 1917 Revolution and Civil War population in the Pale left for the The fate of Soviet Jews began to emerge as a major human rights The chaotic years of World War I, the 1917 Revolution, and the newly industrialized cities where issue in the West. Life for the Jews remained bleak as the Communist ensuing Russian Civil War led to anti-semitic persecutions. Over the emphasis was on education. 150,000 Jews were killed in the pogroms of 1920-1922, 125,000 in The Jews became one of the JEWRY CONT. ON PG 13 12 THE JEWISH LEADER, MARCH 19, 2021 Safeguarding Women’s Rights: It’s Time for the ERA By Rhoda Smolow and Frieda Rosenberg to move forward. The Senate did many Hadassah events, Filler-Corn has broken many barriers of her “We shall not be safe until the principle of equal rights is not vote. That was last year. written into the framework of our government,” suffragist Alice Paul said in 1923, as she introduced the Equal Rights Where We Stand Now ownRep. — asCarolyn the first Maloney woman to(D-NY) be speaker — with in thewhom Virginia Hadassah House workedand the Amendment (ERA). ERA supporters from closelyfirst Jewish on the speaker. Never Again Education Act — has pushed forward the Now, here we are it’s 2021. Since that day in 1923, we’ve both parties have pushed on, ERA, for decades alongside now-Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), to seen remarkable gains in the United States for women’s convinced that as long as women garner support from both parties. By the 1940s, the Democrat and rights — and for women. We now have the highest face a meaningful pay gap and Republican parties had added the ERA to their political platforms percentage of women serving in Congress (with 27%, or a staggering rate of domestic 144 of 539 seats, held by women in the 117th Congress) — violence, the need for the ERA removed the ERA from its party platform 40 years later). remains. And in case it wasn’t — This with January, the GOP Maloney lending shared its support a powerful first in piece 1940 in (though Ms. Magazine the GOP in President Kamala Harris supports the ERA.) clear enough, COVID-19 has made support for the ERA, stressing that “the Biden Justice Department can andYet as theVice Equal President, Rights a firstAmendment among firsts. still faces(And whatyes, Vice we it even clearer — with women hope is its last hurdle. In its current incarnation, which facing the disproportionate the 28th amendment to the Constitution, at last guaranteeing equal Paul rewrote slightly in 1943 to better align with the 15th brunt of its economic impact, rightssimply to withdraw women.” Barr’s opinion and direct certification of the ERA as and 19th Amendments, it remains remarkably simple: particularly women of color. “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or Eileen Filler-Corn is the A Moment Ripe for History abridged by the United States or by any state on account Virginia House speaker, who Now what? The new presidential administration has clearly stated of sex.” announced the Virginia vote its support for the Equal Rights Amendment. And Article V of the with this unifying message: “We Constitution gives Congress the power to set and change deadlines for support for the ERA. “The status of women in this nation stand today on the shoulders hasHadassah long been policy of majorstatements concern have to repeatedly Hadassah, reaffirmed and we of the thousands of women — To help secure the amendment’s place in the Constitution once believe that this Amendment is essential to strengthen and men — who have fought andthe ratification for all, a bipartisanof constitutional joint resolutionamendments. to eliminate the deadline the position of women,” it said succinctly in our 1980 for the last 97 years to secure was introduced in the House and the Senate in late January 2021. statement, urging members in states that hadn’t yet the Equal Rights Amendment’s Introduced by Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R- AL) in the Senate and Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) and Rep. Tom Reed (R-

Editorials • Opinions Letters The struggle to have the 24 simple words of the ERA “By the action we have taken enshrinedratified the inamendment the Constitution to take action. has been anything but today,ratification,” our daughters she said last and January. their into the 117th Congress, almost exactly a year after Virginia’s vote to simple. It wasn’t until 1972 that the ERA passed the House daughters after them will have ratify,NY) in which the House, passed it becamewith a solid the firstmajority bipartisan (59 to legislation41). introduced equal protection under the law. Far beyond the walls of Congress and the pages of Ms., the ERA has While putting gender equality found its place in the cultural spotlight, from “What the Constitution happenedand the Senate, — the finally same movingyear we along celebrated to the a states century for of ratification. voting rights To in the United States Constitution Means to Me” and “Mrs. America.” forbecome women. an Amendment, In January 2020, 38 states Virginia must became ratify. And the last38th year state that to finally ratify does not right the injustices of Yet with our voices and perseverance, together we can help make the Equal Rights Amendment. history in the Commonwealth or our nation, nor does it cure all as the 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution. by Congress to 1982 — had long since passed. The attorneys general forms of discrimination, we have sureWe that know the Equalthat changeRights Amendmentcan take time. finds After its rightful all, the place most in recent 2021: Yet the deadline for ratification — originally 1979, then extended sent a signal to America today of Constitutional Amendment — the 27th — took a 202-year journey a shared commitment to a more from the states that ratified after that deadline filed a lawsuit to push just and equal future.” have high hopes in 2021 for the ERA. And we’re encouraging our recognition of its ratification, and then-Attorney General William Barr A life member of Hadassah membersfrom being and proposed friends toto beinghelp secureratified. the While amendment’s challenges place remain, in thewe argued that the deadline for ratification had been missed. Lawyers who has attended and spoken at Constitution once and for all! If all goes well, generations to come can filed cases challenging the constitutionality of a ratification deadline. learn all about this hard-fought win at the National Women’s History Again, Congress revisited the deadline for ratification. The House voted Museum on the Washington Mall.

Rhoda Smolow is the national president of Hadassah. TECHNOLOGY. TRADITION. TORAH. Frieda Rosenberg is the coordinator of Hadassah’s Education and Congregation Beth El is welcoming new members. During this time Advocacy Division. of pandemic our congregation is more active than ever through the safety of Zoom and offers a wide variety of options for everyone. Remember to send in your subscription

Rabbi Earl Kideckel joined Beth El as its spiritual leader this summer and has rapidly become a beloved part of the congregation. He has provided innovative ways to vitalize the synagogue despite the pandemic and has initiated diversity to our services while respecting our traditions. Rabbi Since 1919 Southeastern Connecticut’s Oldest and Most Respected Jewelers ❖ ❖ Kideckel has officiated at life cycle events for many Diamonds Watches Crystal Fine Contemporary & Antique Jewelry decades and enjoys collaborating with other area Custom Jewelry Design ❖ Expert Jewelry & Watch Repair synagogues and clergy. Estate Jewelry Bought & Sold

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JOIN US – WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU! 262 Boston Post Road • Utopia Centre Waterford, CT • (860) 442-4391 860.442.0418 • [email protected] • bethel-nl.org Monday - Thursday 10:00-6:00 ❖ Friday 10:00-7:00 ❖ Saturday 10:00-4:00 THE JEWISH LEADER, MARCH 19, 2021 13 exploring the link between colon KAREN CONT. FROM PG 7 CANCER CONT. FROM PG 7 cancer and BRCA Mutations. antisemitic. Antisemitism frequently charges Jews with conspiring to A small percentage of people preexisting conditions or underlying health issues - what we call the harm humanity, and it is often used to blame Jews for “why things go (about one in 400, or 0.25% of social determinant of health, which includes things like poverty, bad wrong.” It is expressed in speech, writing, visual forms, and action, and the population) employs sinister stereotypes and negative character traits. carry mutated Contemporary examples of antisemitism in public life, the media, BRCA1 or BRCA2 schools, the workplace, and in the religious sphere could, considering genes. A BRCA the overall context, include, but are not limited to: mutation occurs Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the when the DNA that name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion. makes up the gene Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical becomes damaged allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as collective — in some way. When such as especially but not exclusively, the myth about a world Jewish a BRCA gene is conspiracy or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government, or mutated, it may no other societal institutions. longer be effective Accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined at repairing broken wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, or even for DNA and helping acts committed by non-Jews. to prevent breast Denying the fact, scope, mechanisms (e.g., gas chambers) or cancer. intentionality of the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of Looking further National Socialist Germany and its supporters and accomplices during into the link World War II (the Holocaust). between colorectal Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or cancer and BRCA nutrition - which make certain people at greater risk for Covid. These exaggerating the Holocaust. 1 and 2 genetic mutations, same conditions make them at greater risk for colon cancer. People Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the researchers from the Hadassah of color have a 20 percent higher incidence and a 40 percent higher alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interests of their own Medical Center’s Sharett Institute mortality rate for colon cancer. nations. of Oncology, together with Although the second most common cause of cancer death among Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., colleagues from Chaim Sheba men and women combined in the U.S., it is also one of the most curable by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor. Medical Center, analyzed data cancers if diagnosed early. Applying double standards by requiring of it a behavior not from 32 patients with colon New recommendations for screening include Colonoscopies expected or demanded of any other democratic nation. cancers. starting at age 45 years instead of age 50 and even earlier if there is a Using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism Nearly 63 percent of the family history. (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel patients were BRCA 1 carriers. There are other steps we can take to help lower the risk of colon or Israelis. This research is leading to the cancer. Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the exploration of different treatment Develop an exercise routine. Opt for plant-based protein, fruit and Nazis. approaches and diagnoses. vegetables, and limit red meat in your diet. Manage your stress. Talk to Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Hadassah Hospital is always your health care provider, Israel. on the cutting edge of research Colon Cancer research and treatment is a specialty at Hadassah and treatment. Hospital in Jerusalem. Hadassah cancer specialists have been JEWRY CONT. FROM PG 11 leadership closed down Jewish organizations and declared Zionism of 1 million. In the Autonomous Oblast of the Russian Far East, the caretakers of Beth El - Boris the an ideological enemy. Synagogues were often placed under police population is about 4,000. Most Russian Jews are secular and identify janitor and Sophie the cook. surveillance. Soviet Jews suffered hardships, often not being allowed themselves as Jews via ethnicity rather than religion - but there “They transformed our Shabbat to enlist in universities, work in certain professions or participate are Jewish movements that are active and most Russian Jews have Kiddush luncheons into a weekly in government. “Allowed “ professions included teaching and relatives who live in Israel. feast. Needless to say, our Shabbat engineering. In 1972, the USSR imposed a “diploma tax” on would- morning attendance shot up be emigrants who received higher education in the USSR. The tax was Soviet Refugees Arrive in Eastern CT greatly once word got out.” When designed to combat the brain drain caused by the growing emigration As part of the “Passage to Freedom” Campaign in Connecticut, Fischer organized a mission to of Soviet Jews. After international protests, the tax was revoked - but under the leadership of former Federation Executive Director Jerry Israel that included Elperina limitations on emigration continued. Those seeking to leave - but who Fischer, Soviet refugees Helen Elperina and family members were and Michael Rabinovich, he was were denied became known as “Refuseniks”. Throughout the ’60s, ’70s, welcomed to our community in December 1989. Jerry Fischer has amazed as they met, by chance, and ’80s, Solidarity rallies in support of Soviet Jewry were organized called his work in helping to bring Soviet refugees here “the most people from their hometown in American cities. In 1965, Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach debuted his song, significant accomplishment” of his long career at the Federation. Before Minsk. “The ties our new citizens “Am Yisrael Chai” at a New York City demonstration and it became a Helen and her family arrived, there was a core of families already here have to Israel are very strong and rallying cry for the Soviet Jewry movement. In 1977, Natan Sharansky, to welcome them. Hundreds of refugees arrived, with each family very meaningful. It is beautiful to a young Jewish activist, and participant in the human rights movement warmly integrated into the community with the help of religious see them, their children, and now was arrested on charges of treason and became a symbol of the and civic organizations. He recalls the Pais family who became the their grandchildren thrive in their “Refuseniks”. Upon his early release from prison in 1986, he arrived new home.” in Israel. In the late 1980s, the liberal government of Mikhail Gorbachev Stay tuned for more news allowed emigration and the Soviet Union itself collapsed in 1991. As a about Jews in the Diaspora and result, mass emigration of Jews took place. Since the 1970s, over 1.1 our April 11 program: Seeking million Russian Jews have immigrated to Israel and over 100,000 to Refuge: Shanghai & Beyond. the US and Canada. 136 Sachem Street Contact Karen Bloustine at [email protected] for Memorial Norwich CT 06360 Jews Today in Russia and former Soviet Republics 860-889-2374 more information and to sign The Jewish population in Russia and former Soviet republics today up for the Zoom program. is shrinking due to small family sizes and high rates of assimilation Fax 860-886-2396 and intermarriage. The majority live in the Moscow area with another 20 percent in the Saint Petersburg area - with a total population 14 THE JEWISH LEADER, MARCH 19, 2021 Claudia Shapiro Marian S. Silverstein Waterford -- Claudia Moynihan Shapiro, 92 years of age, Mystic - Marian Stepner (Rachel) of Teaneck NJ; and of Waterford, died on March 11, 2021 at Bridebrook Health Silverstein, 93, passed away after sister-in-law Ruth Silver of North & Rehabilitation Center. Claudia was born November 4, a valiant struggle with multiple Franklin, CT and niece Deborah 1928 in Bridgton, Maine, the daughter of Hazel Hartford health issues on March 9, 2021. Larkin. She was predeceased by and Claude Moynihan. Marian was born March 15, her brother, Jerome Stepner and She graduated from 1927 in Hudson New York, the sister Henrietta Stepner Alter. Bridgton High School daughter of Fannie and Meyer The family is eternally grateful and completed courses Stepner. At the young age of to Marian’s loyal and caring health at Connecticut College. twenty-one she took over the care worker, Mamadou Diop who Claudia was employed as family business and forged carefully, gently and lovingly Obituaries an Administrative Assistant it into the best wine store in helped her for many years. Special for many years; her last ten Southeastern Connecticut- thanks to the many people at at Connecticut College for Towne Liquor Store. She was Masonicare in Mystic who assisted her. She was a larger-than-life former President Claire an innovative and formidable person and there is an emptiness in all of her family’s hearts. Gaudiani, retiring in 1998. While at business woman with a vision A graveside service was held Thursday, March 11, 2021 at Brothers that kept her ahead of the curve of Joseph Cemetery in Preston at 12:00. prize in a contest sponsored by the in her industry. She delighted Due to Covid-19 there was no Shiva. CenterConnecticut for International College, she Studies won and first the Liberal Arts with her essay, in telling jokes – sometimes The Church and Allen Funeral Home, 136 Sachem St. assisted with “Democracy is a Discussion.” As she often stated, ‘working at Conn unexpectedly and sometimes arrangements. Please visit www.churchandallen.com to leave a College has been a great highlight in my life. Where else could I have a bit risque. She loved a good message of condolence for the family. worked and had the opportunity to meet and shake hands with party and had a zest for life that Donations in Marian’s memory can be made to The Jerome and Professors Elie Wiesel and Cornel West among many others?” She was lasted for 93 years. The glass Marian Silverstein fund at Goodspeed Theater in East Haddam, CT. a devout convert to Judaism yet remained proud of her Irish/English was always half full. She was heritage. Claudia was a descendant of Charles Dickens. highly respected by the Norwich Claudia and Lester Shapiro were married on December 18, 1960 business community and in the Byles-MacDougall in Manchester, New Hampshire, by the late Rabbi Samuel Umen of Connecticut Liquor Industry. She Funeral Service, Inc Temple Adath Yeshrum. also was an active member of (860) 442-0343 She was a long-time member of Temple Emanu-El, serving on its Brothers of Joseph Synagogue. (888) 736-7036 Board of Trustees, teaching Sunday School, and was a member of Marian was a quiet and Sisterhood. She was a 14-year National/International News Editor perceptive observer of the Daniel W. Byles for the Jewish Leader under former Managing Editor Vicky Shulman. people and organizations in Reid B. Burdick Claudia loved children and was a literary tutor at Harbor School. In her life. Should a need arise, John D. MacDougall November 1999, Claudia was presented an award by then Lieutenant she generously and quietly Governor M. Jodi Rell for being an outstanding volunteer at the Drop- provided support. Marian was Byles Memorial Home Byles-Groton Memorial Home 99 Huntington Street 310 Thames Street In Learning Center. She was a spokesperson for Seeds for Peace, a deeply appreciated by the many New London, Conn. 06320 Groton, Conn. 06340 human rights advocate, and an outspoken supporter for social justice. organizations and individuals Claudia was politically involved in the local and national Democratic that she supported. party, and she fought as hard as she could to support civil rights and Marian was a devoted and oppose antisemitism. loving wife to her husband, Norwich Hebrew Benevolent She is survived by her husband, Lester Shapiro and son Michael, Jerome Silverstein who Association daughter-in-law Tracy, and her beloved grandchildren, Ari and Skylar predeceased her. He was the P.O. Box 663 Jewett City, CT 06351 Shapiro. She is also survived by nieces Hazel and Pat Shaw (daughters love of her life. Together they of Claudia’s sister Hazel Shaw) of Bridgton, Maine; Linda Shapiro- Jones of West Townsend, MA, and nephew Attorney Jeffrey Shapiro of dining, supporting the Norwich Hebrew Cemeteries #1, #2, and #3 Arlington, VA. Other survivors include Claudia’s grandniece, Mikayla Community,loved travel, and visiting theater, the wine fine Interfaith Cemetery #4 Jones, and grandnephew, Jakob Jones. She is predeceased by two areas of the world and especially Cremains Cemetery sisters, Sylvia Moynihan, and Hazel Shaw, of Bridgton, Maine. France. Marian’s family always In Claudia’s memory, donations may be made to Temple Emanu- Synagogue Affiliation Not Required El, P.O. Box 288, Waterford, CT 06385. A funeral service was held at she kept in close touch with her Jordan Cemetery - 240 Boston Post Road in Waterford on Monday, brothercame first. and Throughoutsister to make her sure life 860-887-0896 March 15 at 1:00pm. they and their children were The Thomas L. Neilan Funeral Home assisted with arrangements. thriving. Her nieces and nephews, You may leave a condolence at www.neilanfuneralhome.com. and great nieces and nephews have many special memories of the times they spent with Marian JT’s All Seasons Landscaping and Jerry in Franklin, CT or on vacation. Winter is here! Marian leaves behind her ON THE BAY Ice & Snow will disappear loving nieces Betsy Alter Eichholz ( Karen Scopino) of Mystic ,CT, from your sidewalk, driveway, parking lot Rochelle Alter Levine (Zachary) FOR ALL YOUR or any paved surface when you call of Charlotte NC, Tova Kantrowitz (Gary) of West Hempstead, NY, REAL ESTATE NEEDS Joel Tomsky @ 860-271-9549 and Dodie Rothschild (Brian) Direct: 860-443-4400 Cell: 860-625-5255 Commercial & Residential of Brooklyn NY; nephews David Alter (Carol) of Vernon Email: [email protected] Ask about our senior rates CT, Charles Alter (Bonnie), Website: www.CallTheHouseman.com Manhattan, NY, Meyer Stepner Insured #MPT7743H • LLC 1101711 (Lisa) of Israel, and Saul Stepner Blog: CTHouseMan.com THE JEWISH LEADER, MARCH 19, 2021 15 God-Talk and the Passover Seder TEDDY WEINBERGER © 2021, Teddy Weinberger Two years ago I wrote about my friend Valeria’s “Catholic Tsuris” [I will carry out judgements against have used pseudonyms for all names in this column.] Despite Valeria’s all the gods of Egypt’; I and not a providing her son Michael with parochial school education, Michael went messenger. ‘I am the Lord’; it is I questions)--so please don’t feel that you have ahead and found himself a Jewish girlfriend, Lisa. The couple is still and no other.” to go easy on God. For example: Why was it together and my friend is now resigned to having Jewish grandchildren. This year, during your Seder, I part of God’s plan for the people of Israel to Over the past few months due to Covid-19 accommodations, Valeria be enslaved; after all, has spent a lot of time with Michael and Lisa. To her surprise, Lisa remember that told Valeria that growing up through all her (Reform) Jewish God told Abraham: educational frameworks (Sunday school, summer camps, etc.), there “Know well that your was absolutely no talk about God. Talk about ritual and practice, yes; offspring shall be God, no. Valeria was dumbfounded since for her God-talk is a key part strangers in a land not of Catholicism. The truth is that since Lisa attended and still attends theirs, and they shall be enslaved and oppressed Passover Seders, she was exposed to much discourse about God -- at four hundred years” (Genesis 15. 13). And after least in print. The Haggadah is replete with God talk. Indeed, Moses the Holocaust, can we really speak about how is completely absent from the Haggadah’s narrative in order to God saves his people “in every generation.” concentrate our attention solely upon God’s role in the Exodus. For Lisa There is no getting around the fact that this powerful theological message got lost amidst the ritual meal with its American Jews are a tiny minority amidst a huge four cups of wine, matzo, maror, and haroset. nation with a majority Christian culture. Talking With so much going on at the Seder, it is perhaps understandable how about God may therefore not do anything to God could get overlooked, and yet what about the entire course of Lisa’s lower the assimilation numbers, but it certainly Jewish education? Apparently the strategy that guided Lisa’s teachers does better justice to Judaism in general and to was as follows: with a limited amount of time for Jewish education, it’s best encourage you to engage in God- the Seder night in particular. to emphasize what is unique in Judaism (i.e., Jewish ritual and tradition). talk. Questions are especially Postscript/Passover Gift: Because Israel is a majority-Jewish culture, If this strategy was designed to increase intra-Jewish marriage, my hunch encouraged on this night (indeed it regularly happens that artists find inspiration in Judaism. In a brilliant is that Lisa was not the only one for whom it was misplaced. At any rate, one explanation for certain move, 28-year-old singer/songwriter Adi Avrahami cuts the first syllable it’s hard to square such a strategy with the Hagaddah’s bold God-talk; portions of the Seder, such as from the classic Haggadah song/text “Ve-hee she’amda” (and it has stood) for example take the Hagaddah’s dialoguing with Exodus 12.12:“‘And the hand-washing before eating to create a catchy and women-empowering song called “Hee She’amda” I will pass through the land of Egypt’; I and not an angel. ‘And I will the Karpas vegetable, is that (she has stood), ending with the words, “and in every generation she will smite every firstborn in the land of Egypt’; I and not a seraph. ‘And I they are designed to stimulate stand in the light”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXyqdcpyGaA Passover-friendly brownies are coconut bliss By Nina Friend, Food & Wine Although brownies aren’t Coconut Macaroon Brownies Make the macaroon layer Active: 20 mins / Total: 3 hrs 50 mins / Yield: 2 dozen typically included in the canon Step 3 Ingredients of classically Jewish food, for Preheat oven to 375°F. Brownie Layer Jake Cohen, they’re integral to Beat egg whites with a stand 8 ounces dark chocolate bar (70% cacao), coarsely chopped his Jewish identity. Cohen is a 1 cup unsalted butter or coconut oil (8 ounces) New York–based food writer and attachment on medium 4 large eggs a serious entertainer; friendly speedmixer fitteduntil frothy, with the about whisk 1 dessert. pre-pandemic, he hosted 1 cup granulated sugar minute. With mixer running communal Shabbat dinners for ¼ cup packed light brown sugar on medium speed, slowly 100 people at a time. For a crowd- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa add granulated sugar, vanilla, pleasing dinner, he’d serve sheet 1 tablespoon vanilla extract and salt. Beat, gradually Credit: Photo By Greg Dupree / Food pan brownies—but found dinner 1 teaspoon kosher salt increasing speed to high, guests were divided on them. 1 teaspoon instant espresso granules until stiff peaks form, about Styling By Paige Grandjean And “They fell into either Team Cakey 2 minutes. Add coconut; Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling By or Team Fudgy,” Cohen says. “I 1 cup milk chocolate chips beat on low speed until just Christine Keely 1 cup coconut flour (about 4 ounces) wanted to create a brownie that Macaroon Layer combined, about 30 seconds. was going to please everyone.” 4 large egg whites Spread coconut mixture in an And that’s exactly what Jake ¾ cup granulated sugar even layer over brownie batter. Cohen did in his new cookbook, 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract ½ teaspoon kosher salt Jew-ish: Reinvented Recipes Step 4 from a Modern Mensch. Bake in preheated oven until brownies are just set and top is Directions golden, about 30 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Remove 4 cups unsweetened finely shredded coconut (12 ounces) Make the brownie layer from pan; cut into 24 brownies and serve. aUsing brownie coconut with floura consistency instead Step 1 that’sof wheat simultaneously flour, Cohen tender created and Line a 13- x 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving dense, while also keeping the overhang on all sides. Set a medium metal bowl over a small saucepan DR. BRIAN MANN & ASSOCIATES brownies gluten-free and kosher of simmering water. Place dark chocolate and butter in bowl, and cook, for Passover. stirring occasionally, until melted and smooth, about 10 minutes. Optometrists Then, in an homage to the Remove from heat. canned Manischewitz macaroons he grew up eating at his own Step 2 www.BrianMannVision.com family’s Passover Seder, Cohen Whisk together eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cocoa, vanilla, ROUTINE, FUNCTIONAL & salt, and espresso granules in a large bowl until smooth. Whisk in with a layer of well-salted HOLISTIC VISION CARE coconuttops the coconut-flourmacaroon to browniesyield an combined, and fold in chocolate chips.Transfer batter to prepared pan; Also specializing in: eye-catching hybrid dessert that’s spreadwarm chocolate in an even mixture layer. Refrigerate until smooth. 1 hour. Fold in coconut flour until just Contact Lenses, Learning Challenges, ADD, ADHD, Autism the best of all worlds: chewy, Located at Pearle Vision | Waterford Commons, Waterford, CT crunchy, and not too sweet. 16 THE JEWISH LEADER, MARCH 19, 2021

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