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JewishA publication of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, serving V the Berkshires and surrounding ice NY, CT and VT Vol. 28, No. 2 Shevat/Adar 5780 February 17 to March 22, 2020 jewishberkshires.org Reflecting on an Eventful Year with Worth a Thousand Words Deep Gratitude for Our Jewish Local artist Pattie Lipman’s flowers will have to tide Community us over until spring By Judy Usow / President, Jewish Federation of the Berkshires

Federation Executive Director Dara Kaufman works with peers at the Jewish Federations of North America FedLab last November in Washington, DC

I often thought about the year help but reflect on the past year with 2020 because long ago I calculated a deep gratitude for this community. Over the past 25 years, Pattie Lipman’s artwork has appeared in this would be the year my youngest My husband and I feel lucky to have exhibitions throughout the United States. This winter, her paintings daughter, Josie, would graduate from raised proud, confident daughters were on view in Sanibel, FL in a group show titled “Forever Friends: high school and leave for college. in this caring Jewish community. As Celebrating the friendship and inspiration of Hollis Garland Jeffcoat.” But this new decade came so much Federation president, I am continually Lipman, who lives in Stephentown, is a former adjunct professor at SUNY faster than I could have imagined. inspired by so many in this community – University at Albany who creates paintings, prints, and drawings – visit As I look toward the future, I can’t who live by their Jewish values. her website www.pattielipman.com. When asked by the BJV for some On behalf of the Federation board thoughts on her artistic approach, she replied that she’d rather have the of directors, I want to thank all the work speak for itself. And so it does. For more pictures worth a thousand Inside generous donors and volunteers who helped us surpass our campaign goal words, please turn to page 27. Your Federation Presents...... 4-7 to raise $918,000! A special thank Local News...... 8-10 you to Elisa Schindler-Frankel and Larry Frankel, who kicked off the Annual Report...... 14 annual campaign on Super Sunday LOOK INSIDE: Thank You, Donors...... 15-17 as campaign chairs and worked tire- lessly to help us throughout the year. Berkshire Jewish Voices...... 19-25 Culture and Arts...... 25-28 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE, MIDWINTER IN THE continued on page 4 The Kaleidoscope of Cuba – BERKSHIRES “Judaism hasn’t gone away” On a religious mission, a local rabbi experiences the warmth of a small Jewish community holding on to its long and rich history By Rabbi Rachel Barenblat The following essay is excerpted from Rabbi Barenblat’s account of her 2019 visit to Cuba, where she and rabbinic colleagues from the United States toured the island Four Freedoms Coalition March on a religious mission and distributed medical supplies to grateful communities. Please visit her blog, velve- teenrabbi.blogs.com (select Chanukah at Winterlights November 2019 from the Archives) for a complete account of her trip.

What do I Know? Members of last November’s rabbinic mission to How on earth can I Cuba (Rabbi Barenblat stands at far left) Community Havdalah write, as an outsider, about Concert the beautiful, wrenching, poignant, RABBI REFLECTION, continued on powerful experience of nine days on page 2 Page 2 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org February 17 to March 22, 2020

Rabbi Reflection, continued from page 1 a religious mission to Cuba? The kaleidoscope of Cuba keeps turning, and every who needs, Jewish or What a mechaieh, a life-giving thing, time it turns, the pieces shift and a new picture emerges. not. There are other I am here with a small delegation from Congregation Beth Israel of North pharmacies (we visit to get to join the local Jewish Adams, and a larger delegation from Temple Beth El of City Island in Bronx, NY. one later) but their community in filling this little I am here with Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer of the Cuba America Jewish Mission, a shelves are spare too. rabbinic school friend. (Also with Rabbi David Markus of TBE, and with Rabbi “Rite Aid or Walmart synagogue with holy spirit Bella Bogart, a rabbi and musician; we three are also founding builders at Bayit.) is like science fiction As soon as we visit our first synagogue, the Sinagoga Centro Sefaradi, I am to us,” says one Cuban struck by the locals’ fierce sense of identity, Jewish and Cuban. They tell us who has traveled abroad. I lose track of how many times and in how many ways proudly that they have Shabbat services every weekend, and they always manage my heart breaks. And I also lose track of how many times and in how many ways a minyan. They tell us proudly that there’s no anti-Semitism here. I half-think it’s my heart soars. propaganda, but people keep saying it. Is it possible that it’s true? Even just in Havana. The chapel at the Centro Sefaradi has light fixtures from I never once feel unsafe in my kippah. Several times people come up to us and Shevet Achim in Old Havana, the first Sefaradi congregation in Cuba, founded by say that they have never seen a woman wearing one before. “Soy una rabbina,” I immigrants from Turkey and Syria. Those fixtures still shine. I mean this literally learn to say. “Yo trabajo en una sinagoga.” (And sometimes – when more expla- and metaphorically! At the Patronato, I’m moved by the cheery preschool class- nation seems necessary – I add, “es como una iglesia para los Judíos.”) For that room funded by the Cuba America Jewish Mission. matter, I never once feel unsafe as an obvious American. The sanctuary at the Patronato looks like every mid-20th-century synagogue I’ve ever seen. Like the classic cars that serve as taxis all over Havana, it’s been The things we carry repaired and patched and kept running ever Everywhere we go on the island we bring medical since it was new. At home a space like that supplies. Our first two stops are the Centro Sefaradi would feel staid, but it feels different here, and the Patronato in Havana. Their pharmacy shelves even defiant here. It’s still here; it hasn’t gone were bare, emptied since last time R’ Sunny was here six away; Judaism hasn’t gone away. months ago. They disburse medical supplies to anyone And yet many Jews have departed. For the United States, for Israel, for Spain, for Mexico. There are fewer than a thousand Jews left on this island. The further inland we go, the smaller the communities we meet – but the heart and spirit we experience praying with them, eating with them, singing with them, just being with them, is enormous. Outsized. “My cup overflows.”

A heart afire We drive past lush green fields of banana trees and sugar cane to Cienfuegos, our first provincial stop. First we gather on the roof of an opulent former mansion, where we sip mojitos and gaze at a rainbow (appropriate during this week of parashat Noach!) Then we visit the home of the Langus family. Rebecca Langus welcomes us and (with our guide as translator) tells us her story. She always knew she was Jewish, she tells us, but she didn’t learn what that meant until 1992 when the state officially exchanged

RABBI REFLECTION, continued on page 19 Shevat/Adar 5780 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 3 Guest Editorial It’s Not The Jews’ Job To Figure Out How To Stop Anti-Semitism. It’s Yours. Jeremy Burton / Executive Director, Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston As we were reeling from the news of the If the US will now The sobering reality is that the brutal stabbing attack in Monsey, New York last be judged a failure for December that left five Hassidic Jews hospi- no longer being a place violent anti-Semitism that has come talized, a friend asked me, “When we call on where Jews can live in roaring back is in fact a return to the civic leaders to fight more vigorously against safety and security, it anti-Semitism in the United States, what can is not us, the American “normal” of being a Jew in western they do?” Jewish community, It’s an important question that requires an who has failed. It will civilization answer. But as I explained to my friend, it should be the failure of the not be my responsibility, or ours as a Jewish nation as a whole, and of those who stood idly by as expressions of this ancient community, to answer it. hatred flourished once again. America is enduring the worst wave of After the Jersey City attack, I spent the weekend on Jewish communal crisis sustained anti-Semitic violence in our nation’s calls. I attended our emergency meetings, as I have too often these past years. history. In the fourteen months since the Tree But what is most needed now are the crisis summits organized by our highest of Life massacre in Pittsburgh, places of Jewish elected officials, by the leaders of faith communities, by philanthropists who are gathering have endured deadly attacks in Poway and Jersey City. leading the way in building the welfare of our civil society. The New York City area in particular has endured a spate of attacks on mostly It is they, not us within the Jewish community, who must lead the way in Orthodox Jews over the past few years that have escalated dramatically in recent pushing anti-Semitism back into the closets from which it has emerged. weeks. The violent attack in Jersey City was only the culmination of what has become a new normal for Orthodox Jews. Jeremy Burton is the executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council And yet, while Jewish Americans are experiencing a crisis the likes of which of Greater Boston. Follow him on Twitter @BurtonJM. This editorial originally we have never experienced in this country, experiencing an acute fear and sense appeared in The Forward, and is reprinted with the permission of The Forward and of urgency about sustaining vibrant and public Jewish lives, what is happening Mr. Burton. in America right now is not just a crisis for Jews. It is a crisis for this nation as a whole. We have seen this before, in other times and other countries, though less so in this golden haven of the United States. The sobering reality is that the violent anti-Semitism that has come roaring back is in fact a return to the “normal” of being a Jew in Western civilization. Anti-Semitism is not an aberration; it is a feature, built into the DNA of our society and expressing itself in new and time- Thank you volunteers Ellen Rosenblatt and the BJV delivery team, less ways for the past two millennia. We’ve also seen the heartrending conflicts within the Jewish community about Mitch Greenwald, Roman Rozenblyum, and Colin Ovitsky what we ought to do, or what in retrospect we could have done about it. Those conversations — the victim blaming, the self-flagellation — are not productive. Because when we engage in them, we fail to affirm that anti-Semitism is not, and has never been about, anything that we Jews do. My Jewish brothers and sisters LETTERS TO THE EDITOR in New York and New Jersey are not being attacked because of their political The Berkshire Jewish Voice welcomes signed letters on subjects of interest to the views; they are being attacked because they are the Jews who are visible, readily Jewish community. Letters are printed upon space availability. The BJV reserves identifiable and most easily targeted. the right to edit all letters for content, length, and style. The BJV does not print But this series of attacks on a visible religious minority is not just an attack anonymous letters, insults, libelous or defamatory statements. Published letters do against Orthodox Jews. It’s not even just an attack against Jews. It is an assault not represent the views of the Federation, its board of directors, or the newspaper, on the very thing that makes us Americans. but rather express the views of their authors. For verification purposes, please in- Anti-Semitism is at its core, an expression of a society’s need to have an clude full name, home address, and a day and evening telephone number. Send “other” to define its own identity and to blame for its troubles, whatever they may letters to: Berkshire Jewish Voice, 196 South Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201, or email: be, in any given period. Our society needs the imagined Jew in order to compen- [email protected]. sate for the deficiency of its own ideas, and the failure of its ideologies. And that othering of a religious minority strikes at the heart of what this nation represents. This unprecedented moment threatens the very promise of America, as expressed by our first president. As George Washington eloquently wrote to the Jewish community of Newport, Rhode Island, “It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it were the indulgence of one class of people that Berkshire another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights, for, happily, the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecu- tion no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should JA ewishpublicationA publication ofof the the Jewish Jewish Federation Federation of the Berkshires, of the serving Berkshires,V the Berkshires serving and surrounding the ice Berkshires NY, CT and VT and surrounding NY, CT and VT demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.” The color photography in this issue of the Berkshire Jewish Voice is made possible through the generosity of Allan and Nan Lipton, honorary publishers. The staff of the Federa- Paid advertisements do not necessarily represent the opinions of tion and the BJV are deeply grateful. the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires or its members.

Berkshire

JAewish publicationA publication of of the the Jewish Jewish Federation Federation of the Berkshires, of the serving Berkshires, V the Berkshires serving and surrounding the ice Berkshires NY, CT and and VT surrounding NY, CT and VT

Published nine times a year by the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires

Dara Kaufman: Publisher and Managing Editor Allan and Nan Lipton: Honorary Publishers Albert Stern: Editor Rose Tannenbaum: Graphic Design and Layout Jenny Greenfeld: Advertising Sales Representative and Assistant Editor

Editorial opinions expressed in the Berkshire Jewish Voice are those of the newspaper and not those of any individual. Signed editorials do not represent the view of the newspaper, but rather express the writer’s view. The Berkshire Jewish Voice is under no obligation to accept any advertisement. It does not guarantee the kashrut of any merchandise or service advertised. To have the BJV mailed to your home, please send a minimum donation of $18 Next issue publication date: March 23, 2020 – May 3, 2020 Press deadline: February 18, 2020 • Advertising deadline: March 4, 2020 Berkshire Jewish Voice e-mail: [email protected] Phone: (413) 442-4360, ext. 11 Fax (413) 443-6070 Page 4 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org February 17 to March 22, 2020 Your Federation Presents

President's Message, continued from page 1 Also, thank you to David and Lorna Strassler, meaningful discussions to address the issues facing the Jewish world. who continued that momentum by chairing our After facing the reality of horrific anti-Semitic events around the country and Major Donors Breakfast. the world over the past couple of years, in 2019 the Berkshire Jewish community We are deeply grateful to all the board faced its own struggles with anti-Semitism. members, host committee members, and volun- This past October, Jewish students at Monument Valley Regional Middle teers who dedicated their time to reaching School in Great Barrington were threatened by another student. Supporting so many in our community and sharing the these kids and their families, and working with local schools through the Anti- important role of our Federation. I also want to Defamation League’s A World of Difference program continues to be an important express my sincere gratitude to the Federation part of our Federation staff for their dedication throughout the year. agenda. We must This past year, the Jewish Federation of the always stand up and My husband and I feel lucky to have Berkshires embarked on an important strategic speak out when- raised proud, confident daughters in planning initiative. We set out to evaluate this ever and wherever we community’s evolving needs and to examine encounter hate and this caring Jewish community. how we can most effectively meet those needs bias. As Federation president, I am to sustain a vibrant Jewish life here in the Finally, as I write Judy Usow Berkshires. this column members continually inspired by so many in With the help of a professional consultant, of the Federation’s this community who live by we heard from a very wide sampling of the Jewish community by holding town Allocations Committee hall meetings, focus groups, and stakeholder meetings, as well as through an are reviewing grant their Jewish values. emailed questionnaire. We sought input from a broad range of voices including proposals in order to full-time and part-time residents, seniors and young adults, members of congre- decide how to make a gations, people who are unaffiliated with a synagogue, and those in interfaith meaningful impact with our campaign dollars in 2020. relationships. Our Allocations Committee will determine how we will use our campaign We hope to present the findings and recommendations to the board of direc- dollars to build a strong Jewish community, to share our values and traditions tors in the next few months. Thank you to everyone who participated in the with our children and families, to strengthen the Jewish identities of teens, to study! Your contribution will help shape the future of this community. ensure that our seniors can live with dignity, and to support people in need and I also had the opportunity to attend FedLab in Washington, DC this past those facing crisis in Israel and around the world. November with our executive director, Dara Kaufman, and Josh Bloom, a On page 14 you will find our 2019 annual report. member of our executive board. Instead of the annual General Assembly confer- Thank you to everyone who stepped up, giving of their time, talent, and ence, this year the Jewish Federations of North America tried something very resources to make our holy work together possible. different. They invited representatives from Federations across the country to spend three days engaging in deep conversations and interactive problem solving focused around the Jewish world’s most critical issues. We were encouraged to share viewpoints and were exposed to exciting new ideas and approaches. It was apparent that those who attended FedLab were committed to having

Letters to the Editor

Local High Schooler Grateful for Federation’s ADL and Federation – Partners in Combating Bias Ongoing Anti-Bias Efforts and Hate in the Berkshires Dear Jewish Federation of the Berkshires: Dear Jewish Federation of the Berkshires: Thank you for your continued advocacy and commitment towards eradicating On behalf of ADL New England, we want to express our utmost gratitude to anti-Semitism within our schools. I am a junior at Monument Mountain Regional your community on behalf of your Federation’s 2019 grant totaling $23,000, as Middle School. well as for its continued generosity and support over the years. While the recent anti-Semitic incidents at Monument Valley Regional Middle At a time when our schools and communities are experiencing an increase School have received significant press coverage, it’s not the first time that such in incidents of hate and prejudice, ADL stands ready to assist Berkshire County events have occurred. When I was in sixth grade at the school, I was targeted schools and communities in responding to acts of anti-Semitism and any other with anti-Semitism on multiple occasions. form of hate, and helping prevent future such incidents. Our signature Peer The incidents opened my eyes to our need for anti-bias education and training Training Program equips educators and students with strategies and tools to in our schools. It’s my hope that through education and training from groups address and help prevent future incidents in their communities. We are grateful such as the Anti-Defamation League, we can stop the perpetuation of hate and for your partnership in this important effort. racism within our community. I am grateful to the Jewish Federation of the ADL also looks forward to participating in Berkshire community initiatives to Berkshires for supporting the implementation of anti-bias education in schools provide families with resources and strategies to foster a bias-free home envi- throughout Berkshire County. ronment and empower their children to recognize and report anti-Semitism and Thank you for your commitment to ending hate within our community and all other forms of prejudice and actively promote respect for religious, racial, making our world a kinder place for all. cultural, and other human differences. In keeping with our mission to “stop the defamation of the Jewish people and Alec Bachman secure justice and fair treatment for all,” we are incredibly proud to have the Great Barrington Federation as a partner in providing anti-bias education programs to the public, protecting our civil rights, and advocating on behalf of those whose civil rights are Your PJ Donations Keeping Berkshires Kids Warm violated. Dear Jewish Federation of the Berkshires: Best regards, The Department of Children and Families Pittsfield Area Office deeply appreci- Robert Trestan Phil Fogelman ates your generosity through your PJ Library pajama drive program. ADL Regional Director ADL Director of Education With your donation, the Department was able to provide children throughout Berkshire County with new warm cozy pairs of pajamas. Thank you for your continued support! Women’s Foundation Supports STEM Education Respectfully yours, Angela Bryan Tiffany Bassi, M.S. for Girls Director of Area Supervisor Dear Jewish Women’s Foundation of Berkshire County: Thank you for generously supporting the Gladys Allen Brigham Center and our new Girls Inc. Eureka! program. Each year we feel fortunate to be in a community that sees the value in what we do for the children, youth, and families in the Berkshires and are willing to help us to continue to build our programs. Your support, along with your friends and neighbors, will help area girls become aware of the many possibilities that lay ahead by exploring STEM subjects beyond the classroom. Girls involved in this exciting new program will have the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledges, meet women and men in STEM careers, and visit are businesses and organizations in STEM-related fields. We are grateful you chose to contribute to Girls Inc. of the Berkshires as we continue our work to empower girls to be strong, smart, and bold!

Warm regards, Kelly A. Marion / Chief Executive Officer Girls Incorporated of the Berkshires Shevat/Adar 5780 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 5 Your Federation Presents Easy Chair Yoga for Foster Children and Fostering Families Flexibility, Mobility, and On Monday, March 23 seeking to at 10:45 a.m., Jason E. expand its Larrier, who works for the network of Peace of Mind Massachusetts Department foster parents of Children and Families as in every city a family resource recruiter, and town will talk about the Foster MA across the program in a presentation state. The titled “Foster Children and Department Fostering Families.” This free strives to program at Knesset Israel, 16 place children Colt Road in Pittsfield is part with fami- Children and Families before of the Jewish Federation of the lies they can relate to in the accepting his current role of Berkshires’ Connecting With communities where they live family resource recruiter. In Community series. to help maintain important his role as a recruiter, he is Approximately 7,000 chil- connections to their school tasked with sharing informa- dren in Massachusetts live and friends during a trying tion about the need for foster with foster families. Children time. Jason Larrier will talk parents in Berkshire County. in foster care need stability about the situation in the and routine in their lives Commonwealth. IF YOU GO and to know there are adults A former foster parent who care about their safety himself, Jason Larrier has Sponsor: Jewish Federation and wellbeing. By becoming worked for the Department of the Berkshires / Connecting a foster parent, one provides of Children and Families With Community On Thursday, February 20 the Massachusetts Housing a sense of security and a for the past three years. He Venue: Knesset Israel at 10:45 a.m., join Linda Authority. sounding board for children worked in the Berkshire Area Date & Time: Monday, March 23 Novick for “Easy Chair Yoga She explains that her whose families are in crisis. Office as an ongoing case at 10:45 a.m., followed by lunch for Flexibility, Mobility, and approach to yoga encourages The Massachusetts manager for the Department of (see page 11). Peace of Mind.” This free everyone to listen and love Department of Children and program at Knesset Israel, 16 their body. Her yoga classes Families (DCF) is actively Colt Road in Pittsfield is part encourage gentle stretching, of the Jewish Federation of the proper breathing, strength and Berkshires’ Connecting With balance. She attended Pratt Aging in Amazement Community series. Institute in Brooklyn and has Linda Novick says: “Chair a BFA in art education, and On Monday, February 24 In Twilight Time, Kaufman Yoga is appropriate for people has taught art for 50 years. at 10:45 a.m., join Susie invites the reader to accom- of all levels of mobility. It She’s been teaching yoga Kaufman, who will read selec- pany her on a journey of is a series of breathing and since 1997, and lately has tions from 2019 personal inquiry, from a childhood in stretching exercises done in a been focusing on easy yoga for essay collection Twilight Time: Jewish New York in the 1950s chair, which increases mobility elders. She taught on staff at Aging in Amazement, reflec- to the unknowable final fron- of the joints, flexibility, Kripalu Center for 7 years, and tions on memory, aging and tier where the crowded canvas strength and stamina. Some is now a regular presenter, mortality. This free program at of the past gives way to the of the exercises are performed offering programs that Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road in uncharted future. standing behind the chair, combine painting and yoga. Pittsfield is part of the Jewish There will be time for while holding on. Participants She’s the author of the book, Federation of the Berkshires’ participants to share their will learn breathing techniques The Painting Path: Embodying Connecting With Community own memories and concerns. to enhance lung capacity, as Spiritual Discovery through series. Signed books will be available well as easy stretches and Yoga, Brush and Color. Susie Kaufman is a retired for sale. yoga postures. Yoga is good hospice chaplain and spiri- tual director. Her writing has for all bodies. Beginners are IF YOU GO IF YOU GO welcome.” also appeared in the journal Linda Novick, MFA, is an Sponsor: Jewish Federation Presence as well as in Lilith Sponsor: Jewish Federation author, teacher, artist, and of the Berkshires / Connecting and America magazines and of the Berkshires / Connecting With Community professional level Kripalu With Community the anthology Writing Fire Yoga teacher. She currently Venue: Knesset Israel (2017). Her blog seventysome- Venue: Knesset Israel teaches yoga at Berkshire Date & Time: Thursday, thing (susiekaufman.blogspot. Date & Time: Monday, February 24 West Fitness Center and February 20 at 10:45 a.m., fol- com) has appeared regularly at 10:45 a.m., followed by lunch (see Kimball Farms, and all over lowed by lunch (see page 11). since 2015. page 11). the Commonwealth with

Letters to the Editor Responding to Our Jewish Heritage Museum Trip “Dear Jewish Federation of the Berkshires and Jewish Women’s Foundation of Berkshire County…” Thank you for the opportunity to see the Jewish Heritage Museum. I found the Thank you so much for the powerful opportunity to share the history of the speaker’s story interesting. It helped me see the Holocaust in a new way. Holocaust with my son, Charlie. The current exhibit “Auschwitz. Not long ago. From, Not far away.” inspired my family to have further difficult conversations about the Cam Miller history of anti-Semitism, reflect on the dangers of prejudice and hate speech, and Williamstown recognize frightening examples of anti-Semitism today. Bart Raser Thank you so much for helping sponsor the trip to the Jewish Heritage Pittsfield Museum. It was very interesting and eye-opening, learning facts about the Holocaust. Thank you for making it possible! Shira Sawyer Monterey

Thank you for sending my peers and me (and our parents) to New York City to visit the Jewish Heritage Museum. The most amazing part of the trip for me was the talk by Holocaust survivor Ruth Gruener. I had read the book based on her story, Destined to Live: A True Story of a Child in the Holocaust, and to be able to hear her tell her story in person was a surprise and an honor. It made history real to me. Sincerely, Eliot Stern Pittsfield

You can now read and share Berkshire Jewish Voice feature stories online! Visit jewishberkshires.org and select Community & Events>Berkshire Jewish Voice for links to highlights of current and past issues. PHOTO BY LEE ROGERS Page 6 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org February 17 to March 22, 2020 Your Federation Presents Intergenerational: The An Introduction To Cannabis Medicine and Process of Aging, with the Emerging Cannabis Industry Maggie Bittman On Thursday, March 5 throughout at 10:45 a.m., join Maya the presenta- On Monday, March 16 Richards, the Training tion and during at 10:45 a.m., the Jewish & Outreach Manager at the Q&A at Federation of the Berkshires Berkshire Roots cannabis the end of the presents “Intergenerational: dispensary in Pittsfield, who presentation.” The Process of Aging” with will provide “An Introduction Maya therapist Maggie Bittman. This To Cannabis Medicine and Richards had free program at Knesset Israel, the Emerging Cannabis an active role 16 Colt Road, in Pittsfield, Industry.” This free program at in opening is part of the Federation’s Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road in Berkshire Connecting With Community Pittsfield is part of the Jewish Roots’ medical series. Federation of the Berkshires’ cannabis This program will provide Connecting With Community dispensary as series. the dispen- an opportunity to be part of a She now is responsible Since legalization, there sary manager in 2018, and group dialogue, created and for training Berkshire Roots has been a lot of information has been responsible for facilitated by Bittman, who dispensary agents about all and misinformation circulating education, outreach and will explain her outlook and topics concerning cannabis, about cannabis products engagement on behalf of the approach, emphasizing that provides guidance to medical and the emerging cannabis organization ever since. Prior aging begins at birth. She professionals and medical industry. This presentation to her work in the cannabis will discuss how all of us are patients seeking education will introduce topics related industry, she received a confronted with four existen- about the applications of to cannabis medicine and Bachelor of Arts degree in tial truths as we age – the medical cannabis, spear- offer support, as they explore how people are using the Communication Studies with search to find meaning and heads the “Donation Spotlight” these existential truths. plant-based medicine to help a concentration in Public purpose; facing mortality; programming supporting alleviate certain symptoms. Advocacy and a Bachelor of experiencing aloneness; and charitable organizations in the Says Richards: “We will go Arts degree in International engaging free will. IF YOU GO health and human services over what gives the cannabis Affairs with a concentra- Bittman will highlight how sector in the community, and Sponsor: Jewish Federation plant its therapeutic prop- tion in Conflict Resolution this is a lifelong process, and has developed a Cannabis of the Berkshires / Connecting erties, the consumption from Northeastern University the ways people return to Careers Training Program with With Community methods people are using to in Boston. After spending these existential truths at each Berkshire Community College Venue: Knesset Israel achieve their desired outcome, time working with grass- stage of life with the added to provide a meaningful work- Date & Time: Monday, March 16 and what the experience of roots organizations in Bali, wisdom that comes with aging. force development opportunity at 10:45 a.m., followed by lunch visiting a dispensary is like in Indonesia, and studying Within this context, partici- for students interested in (see page 11). Massachusetts. There will be disarmament diplomacy and pants will discuss, share and finding gainful employment in opportunities to ask questions conflict resolution at the the cannabis industry. United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Maya returned 1920-2020 – Women Voting to her hometown in Pittsfield IF YOU GO to give back to the commu- Sponsor: Jewish Federation On Monday, March 9 at nity she grew up in. She of the Berkshires / Connecting 10:45 a.m., join League of recognized that the emerging With Community Women Voters MA, Berkshires medical cannabis industry in Venue: Knesset Israel Chapter President Ramelle Massachusetts presented her Date & Time: Thursday, March 5 Pulitzer to honor 100 years with an opportunity to posi- at 10:45 a.m., followed by lunch of Women’s Suffrage. This tively impact her community. (see page 11). program also coincides with International Women’s Day. This free program at Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road in Commemoration – The Pittsfield is part of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires’ Liberation of Auschwitz, Connecting With Community series. 1945 Writes Pulitzer: On Thursday, February 27 For this program, Hugh Since 1920, the League of at 10:45 a.m., the Jewish Black will discuss the subject Women Voters has been Federation of the Berkshires from the literary perspective. an activist, grassroots marks the 75th anniversary Among the authors and books organization whose leaders Carrie Chapman Catt, founder of the League of Women Voters of the liberation of Auschwitz will be Primo Levi’s Survival believed that voters should with a program presented by at Auschwitz, Antonio Hurbe’s play a critical role in founders believed that of Women Voters has educator and writer Hugh The Liberation of Auschwitz, democracy. maintaining a nonpartisan evolved from what it was Black. This free program at Andrea Pitzer’s One Long The League of Women stance would protect the in 1920, a mighty polit- Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, Night: A Global History of Voters was founded by fledgling organization from ical experiment designed in Pittsfield, is part of the Concentration Camps, and Carrie Chapman Catt in becoming mired in the to help 20 million enfran- Federation’s Connecting With Yisrael Gutman’s The Anatomy 1920 during the conven- party politics of the day. chised women carry Community series. of the Auschwitz Deathcamp. tion of the National However, League members out their new respon- Writes Black: “The liber- There will also be discussion American Woman Suffrage were encouraged to be sibilities, to what it is ation of Auschwitz occurred around the topical concerns of Association. The conven- political themselves, by today: a unique, nonpar- 75 years ago on January today. tion was held just six educating citizens about, tisan organization that 27, 1945, when soldiers of months before the 19th and lobbying for, govern- is a recognized force in the 60th Army of the First IF YOU GO amendment to the U.S. ment and social reform molding political leaders, Ukrainian Front opened Constitution was ratified, legislation. shaping public policy and the gates of Auschwitz Sponsor: Jewish Federation giving women the right promoting informed citizen Concentration Camp. The of the Berkshires / Connecting This holds true today. With Community to vote after a 72-year The League is proud to participation at all levels of prisoners greeted them as Venue: Knesset Israel struggle. be nonpartisan, neither government. authentic liberators. It was Date & Time: Thursday, The League began as a supporting nor opposing a paradox of history that soldiers formally representing February 27 at 10:45 a.m., “mighty political experi- candidates or political IF YOU GO followed by lunch (see page 11). ment” designed to help 20 parties at any level of Stalinist totalitarianism million women carry out government, but always Sponsor: Jewish Federation brought freedom to the pris- their new responsibilities working on vital issues of of the Berkshires / Connecting oners of Nazi totalitarianism.” as voters. It encouraged concern to members and With Community them to use their new the public. The League Venue: Knesset Israel power to participate in has a long, rich history, Date & Time: Monday, March 9 shaping public policy. that continues with each at 10:45 a.m., followed by lunch From the beginning, passing year. (see page 11). Linking Young the League has been an There is no other national Jewish Women in activist, grassroots orga- volunteer organization in nization whose leaders America that inspires such believed that citizens Their Fight Against a great degree of commit- (866) 474-2774 should play a critical role ment from its members. Breast Cancer www.sharsheret.org in advocacy. It was then, As a direct result of that and is now, a nonpar- commitment, the League tisan organization. League Shevat/Adar 5780 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 7 Your Federation Presents My City of Dreams, with Equinox Explorations with Earth Scroll Author Lisa Gruenberg On Thursday, March 19 at 10:45 a.m., farmer, artist, and Earth- On Monday, March 2 justice advocate Debra Tyler will help us at 10:45 a.m., we welcome celebrate the Spring Equinox by sharing author and physician Lisa her 3-year spiritual journey of making Gruenberg, whose second- Earth Scroll, a prophetic 54-foot illus- generation Holocaust memoir, tration of global unity. The program is My City of Dreams was called “Equinox Explorations with Earth featured in the December Scroll.” edition of the Berkshire Jewish This free program at Knesset Israel, Voice. This free program at 16 Colt Road in Pittsfield is part of the Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road in Jewish Federation of the Berkshires’ Pittsfield is part of the Jewish Connecting With Community series. Federation of the Berkshires’ Earth Scroll is a multi-faith movable Connecting With Community mural of block and leaf prints, what series. Debra Tyler says “is a stunning reminder In her memoir, Gruenberg, of our oneness with the world. It chroni- confronted with her elderly cles the solar seasons, rising and falling father’s flashbacks, begins tides in accordance with the lunar to inhabit the story of his phases, signs of the zodiac, and phenom- sister Mia, who disappeared enology of the natural world.” Various into Germany in 1941. After spiritual belief systems are represented her father’s death in 2005, A graduate of Williams by Hebrew, Greek, Arabic, and Chinese Gruenberg traveled to Vienna, College, Dr. Lisa Gruenberg calligraphy. Germany, and Israel to explore is a physician, medical As part of “Equinox Explorations,” this lost landscape, and to educator, and writer based in Tyler will demystify its symbols and how trace the fates of Mia, their Boston. Her essays have been to read them. She says: “Together, we’ll extended family, friends, and published in Ploughshares, take a close-up look at what’s happening neighbors. She wove her own Vital Signs, Hospital Drive, The in the natural world and ways in which story with theirs, linking Intima, a Journal of Narrative different faith scriptures correspond to Medicine, and The Michigan one another in this season.” them together with photo- Debra Tyler and her Earth Scroll graphs, archival and primary Quarterly Review. Her short Debra Tyler lives in Cornwall, CT, source material, family letters, story, Keiskamma, won the where she raises miniature Jersey cows diaries, her father’s writing, 2012 Artist Fellowship from and teaches homesteading workshops. the Massachusetts Cultural She is the founding director of the his genealogy research, and IF YOU GO the joyful tales he told her long Council. My City of Dreams, non-profit Motherhouse: Nurturing Self, ago. was published in September Family, Community, and our Mother Earth. Sponsor: Jewish Federation of the Berkshires / Alex Beam, author of Life 2019 by Cambridge-based Embracing her Christian heritage and the call Connecting With Community and Death Inside America’s TidePool Press. to serve Smithfield Church in Amenia, NY, Venue: Knesset Israel Premier Mental Hospital writes: Debra aspires to ordination as a Presbyterian Date & Time: Thursday, March 19 at 10:45 a.m., minister. Concurrently, she strives to embody “The past is a foreign country, IF YOU GO followed by lunch (see page 11). sometimes best left unex- deep interfaith ecumenism, which is reflected in Sponsor: Jewish Federation plored. But Gruenberg takes her Earth Scroll. of the Berkshires / Connecting the trip, figuratively and liter- With Community ally, in an attempt to recreate Venue: Knesset Israel her father’s Vienna and the events that exterminated his Date & Time: Monday, March 2 sister, his parents, and 65,000 at 10:45 a.m., followed by lunch (see page 11). other Austrian Jews.” Let’s Bake Challah – Lots of Them! WILLIAMSTOWN – On Sunday, March 8 from 10 a.m. to noon, join PJ Library and Federation families and the Williams College Jewish Association (WCJA) for a challah bake. Learn about food insecurity in Berkshire County, participate in a mitzvah, and have Hello, Spring! A Family Walk fun! This event will be held at the Williams College Jewish Religious in Bartholomew’s Cobble Center at 24 Stetson Court. Emma Lezberg, a Williams College SHEFFIELD – On Sunday, March 22 from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., senior from Pittsfield and currently Tzedek director for WCJA celebrate the wonders of spring through an easy hike at said that “once or twice each semester, we bake about 72 minia- Bartholomew’s Cobble, where participants will learn about and ture challot and sell them in our student center to raise money to interact with nature through a Jewish lens. combat food insecurity. Please join us!” PJ Library and Federation families are invited for a Spring Monies raised will be donated to Mazon (a Jewish Response to Equinox Nature Walk with Arielle Aronoff, lead educator of Teva, Hunger) and the Berkshire Food Project. the experiential learning organization that fosters Jewish, ecolog- Join us for a PJ Library story for the younger kids with a challah theme or one on feeding the ical, and food sustainability. hungry. And, of course snacks will be included. This event is FREE! Children of all ages welcome. Please RSVP This event is free, but RSVP by March 18 by calling (413) 442-4360, ext. 10, or by emailing Required by March 2 to (413) [email protected]. Snacks included, but bring your 442-4360, ext. 10 or own water. [email protected]. Please arrive on time, as the walk will leave promptly by 2:45 p.m. Bartholomew’s Cobble is at 105 Weatogue Road in Sheffield. Meet at the Visitor’s Center.

Donate • Volunteer • Make a Difference The Ledges Trail at Bartholomew’s Cobble Page 8 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org February 17 to March 22, 2020 LOCAL NEWS KI’s Annual Purim Concert “NO HATE. NO FEAR, By Phil Coleman / Music Committee Chair, Knesset Israel #JewishAndProud in the PITTSFIELD – I am very pleased to announce that Berkshires” year 12 of the great Purim Thank you to the many community members who joined the concerts that KI is known for, Jewish Federation of the Berkshires in saying “NO HATE. NO is upon us. This year’s theme FEAR, #JewishAndProud in the Berkshires” as part of the is “The Best of British Rock!” Four Freedoms Coalition march and gathering that took place on The concert will take place January12 in Pittsfield. Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. on March 7 at Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road in Pittsfield. An incredible history of rock and roll has emerged from the United Kingdom in the past 60 years. From the British Invasion through the Punk 1980s and up until today, this small island has produced some of the most memorable music in history. Our setlist this year is diverse and most everyone sound of the song as it was Matt Mozian – electric should recognize the songs. originally sung. We call this guitar and keyboards We will be covering the our “Musical Purim Costume” Colin Ovitsky – bass Beatles, the Who, Queen, Led The writers are Jonathan Colby Lederman – drums Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, and Denmark, Phil Coleman, others. With a loving tongue in Steven Skoblow, Noah Cook- And me, Phil Coleman, on cheek, the band’s songwriters Dubin, Laura Rosenthal, and the acoustic guitar. are really “re”writers. We take Matt Mozian. The KI Band itself comprises the following Beer and wine, as well the theme of Purim and create as snacks, will be avail- lyrics to fit the meter and the members: Laura Rosenthal, Carol able. A modest cover charge sounds of the original song. of $15 will guarantee you a That’s how we come up with Link, and Steven Skoblow – vocals wonderful night and a terrific zany titles like “Lounge Lizard” concert. You can also reserve (Pinball Wizard) and “Shushan Jonathan Denmark – with office manager Diana Afternoon” (Sunny Afternoon). guitars, keyboards, banjo, Macfarlane at 445-4872, ext. It’s all in good fun. The and vocals 10 or by email at office@knes- band practices for two months Noah Cook-Dubin – guitar setisrael.org. both vocally and instrumen- and vocals Come out and join the fun tally to try to get the exact this Purim!

ssah! of Hada the Birth elebrate contribute C Join and BERKSHIRE HILLS HADASSAH [email protected] HAPPY PURIM!

As my parents planted for me before I was born, so do I plant for those who come after me. – Talmud Thank you to these individuals who through their gift to the Legacy Circle will ensure that the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires thrives long into the future. May your name be a Blessing, and may the example you set inspire others to create their own Jewish Legacy.

Lee & Sydelle Blatt Elaine Friedman Toby H. Levine Mark & Elisa Snowise Betty Braun* Eiran Gazit Erna Lindner-Gilbert* Harold Sparr* Cipora Brown Jeffrey Goldwasser & Amy Lindner-Lesser Lisa Fletcher-Udel Barbara Cohen Jonquil Wolfson Helen Maislen* Edward Udel Mark Cohen* Jordan & Laura Green Ellen Masters Michael & Joan Ury Mimi Cohen Harold Grinspoon Stuart Masters Mark & Judy Usow C. Jeffrey & Judith Cook Ellen Heffan Estelle Miller Henry* & Beate* Voremberg Gerry & Lynn Denmark Ed Jaffe* Robert Newman* Alexandra Warshaw Jonathan & Lara Denmark Elihu Katzman Wendy Robbins Florence Wineberg* Anonymous (10) Sheila K. Donath Marilyn Katzman Ken & Fran Rubenstein Rabbi Deborah Zecher & Ed Abrahams Melva Eidelberg Dara Kaufman Stella Schecter* Rabbi Dennis Ross Norman Avnet* Monroe England, in memory of Phil* and Rhoda Kaminstein Arlene D. Schiff *Of blessed memory Barbara Bashevkin Monroe B. & Isabel England Howard & Nancy* Kaufman Gary Schiff Robert Bashevkin Dr. Armand V. Feigenbaum* Lawrence Klein Stephen & Deborah Schreier Linda J. L. Becker Dr. Donald S. Feigenbaum* Sarah Klein Martin Silver Robert Berend Steven Feiner Arthur Kriger* Sylvia Silverberg, in memory of Shelley Berend Diana & Stanley Feld Fred & Brenda Landes Jerome Silverberg Helene Berke Stuart M. Fischman, Esq. Beth Laster-Nathan Richard A. Simons & Marcie Lawrence Berke Lynn & William Foggle Andrew S. Levine* Greenfield Simons Shevat/Adar 5780 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 9

LOCAL NEWS Purim Fun at Hevreh GREAT BARRINGTON – Join making hamentaschen and Census 2020 – Why It’s Important to Our Hevreh of Southern Berkshire masks, and then attend the as they celebrate the Purim Purim Carnival at 11:45 a.m. Jewish Community season with several fun, This parent-child program is After the last United States She adds that the census also outcomes,” she says. Businesses family-friendly events. an interactive time of Jewish Census was compiled in 2010, determines the number of electors use it to decide where to expand learning, activities, and snacks Berkshire County (and the Com- each state has in the Electoral Col- or contract, or even what mer- Hamentaschen DOUGH- that is most appropriate for monwealth of Massachusetts) lege, “and we all know from sever- chandise to stock in their stores. nation collection preschool-aged children or al recent elections that the number younger who are able to sit experienced one of the most Philanthropies use the data to Hevreh is once again consequential outcomes that of electoral votes matters.” better direct funds to communities collecting DOUGH-nations through a story and partici- pate in activities. the decennial population count As for how census results affect in need. for hamentaschen baking! can deliver – loss of a seat in the Each year Hevreh’s Religious a region like Berkshire County “Absolutely, the census is the Purim Carnival: Into the United States House of Represen- more immediately, Lowenthal root of all data – it is objective, it School students fold and tatives. bake hundreds of hamen- Unknown says, “there are two big buckets is universal, it is publicly available, taschen to be enjoyed during On Sunday, March 15 at The seat that represented of consequences from the census. and it forms the baseline for all the celebration of Purim, noon – Berkshire County and north- One is political power and the other surveys.” other is money. The more than who ask that dough be made The snow glows light on the central Massachusetts was Lowenthal also points to the and brought in advance mountain tonight… redistricted into what are now $1 trillion in federal spending is by community members. Not a footprint to be seen… the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Massachu- Dough can be dropped off Sometimes, winter setts congressional districts, with any time until March 8 at never seems to end in the the Berkshires absorbed into the 10 a.m., when students fill Berkshires. It’s at that point district that includes Springfield. and fold the holiday treats. when this kingdom of isolation And while it's unlikely that the Hamentaschen will be given is under a blanket of snow and 2020 census will result in a change out at Hevreh on Monday, it’s time to warm up. Come of that magnitude, the count is March 9 for Purimshpiel, to Hevreh’s annual Purim bound to be consequential for Friday and Saturday March Carnival as Queen Vashti, or this county, which has an aging 13 and 14 during Shabbat, Elsa, and bring your pals Sven demographic and is experiencing and sold as part of the class and Olaf to help dig out of this population loss. tzedakah fundraiser during cold! Hevreh’s annual Purim Purim Carnival on Sunday, Carnival is a great way to start Terri Ann Lowenthal is an March 15. daydreaming about what you’ll expert on the census and policy do in summer with games for issues affecting federal statistics. Purimshpiel families with children of all During a 14-year career as a con- On Monday, March 9 at ages. All proceeds collected gressional aide in both the House 6 p.m., Hevreh is taking a look will be combined with Hevreh’s and Senate, she was staff director 7th graders’ yearlong tzedakah of the House census oversight sub- Jewish relationship to censuses back…on past shpiels, past guided directly or indirectly based collection and donated to an committee from 1987-94 and later – both ancient and modern. In selves, and where the commu- on census data.” She cites some of organization designated at the covered the Census Bureau and English, the book of the Torah nity has been. Join Hevreh in the most consequential programs end of the semester. broader federal statistical activities Sefer BaMidbar (literally “In the its yearly tradition of retelling – Medicare, Medicaid, education, Families with children for the 2008 Obama Presidential Wilderness”) is called the Book the story of Purim with an infrastructure, and public transpor- original script written by the under 5 are invited to join at Transition Team. of Numbers, in recognition to the 11:45 a.m. and the carnival is tation. 9-12 grade Confirmation “The census is the very first extended census of the tribes of open to all at noon. “We want to have accurate class under the guidance of responsibility of the federal Israel it opens with. Throughout Admission is free, and food data on age groups,” she says, its director, Joshua Briggs government in the Constitution,” the Torah, there are numerous lists and accompanist Amy Renak. and tickets will be available “because we want to know where Lowenthal points out. “And it’s of family trees. Hevreh’s 2020 Purimshpiel for cash purchase with all our senior citizens are living be- important to participate not only Cut to today – when the prop- will begin with the Megillah proceeds benefitting a charity cause we may need to modify our because the law requires your osition that a citizenship question reading and there will be to be chosen by Hevreh’s 7th transportation systems. We may participation, but more notably be added to the census was put graggers and noisemakers for grade class. Prizes will be need different social services and because the census is the basis for forth by the Trump administra- all – but bringing your own awarded to raffle winners, recreational programs for commu- fair apportion and of representa- tion, Lowenthal notes that Jewish and coming in costume is costume wearers, and those nities that have higher percentages tion by virtue of the 14th Amend- groups were among the most encouraged! whom the cold never bothered of senior citizens, as opposed to ment – fair districting and the vocal opponents of that measure, anyway. families with young children.” Tiny Talmidim Hevreh of Southern ‘one person one vote’ standard.” which was ultimately rejected by Berkshire is located at These apportionments include not And it isn’t just government the Supreme Court. As she puts On Sunday, March 15 Graphic Design 270 State Road in Great only the US Congress, “but also funding that is predicated on it: “I think of greater relevance is at 10 a.m., Hevreh’s Tiny Barrington. For more informa- census data. “Businesses, nonprof- www.tgo.com Talmidim, led by teacher Terri in state legislature, city councils, the commandment to care for the tion, call (413) 528-6378. its, and philanthropy rely on data Sash, will celebrate Purim by school boards and any other legis- stranger, and that is mentioned lative body.” the federal government produces more times in the Torah than any Proof of ad for: ______Barbara Greenfeld Please respond by ______to guide investments and evaluate other commandment.” Publication: ______BJV May 2016 to: (Tel) 413/ 528-0328 (Fax) 413/ 528-0328 [email protected]

ImmigrationSend to: [email protected] Stakeholder’s Meeting❏ Changes req’d. & new proof

GREAT BARRINGTONNo. of pages (inc. – On cover): ______Through1 facilitated small helping❏ Approvedto support as the is. effort. ❏ Approved with corrections as noted. Thursday, February 20 at groups, participants will elicit Participants are being asked to 5 p.m., Hevreh of Southern stories and information about register ahead of time. Hevreh Proof sent: ______4/25/16 Proof # ______1 Approved by: ______Berkshire hosts B-A-S-I-C the immigrant experience in reports that it has formed (Berkshire Area Support for Berkshire County. seven committees to organize our Immigrant Community), a There will be notetakers the event and has received coalition of social service orga- at each discussion who will strong support from the nizations serving immigrants compile the information immigrant community, organi- in Southern Berkshire County. received into a report that zations that serve immigrants, This event is free. should help plan future proj- and community members who BASIC is organizing a ects and provide support for want to support immigrants. social celebration and oppor- grant writing. Provided will Hevreh is located at tunity for immigrants of the be dinner, transportation, 270 State Road in Great Berkshires to come together to childcare, and dancing to offer Barrington. identify community strength a safe, empowering and fun and needs. The group wants evening for the whole family. to create a space for immi- Hevreh applied for, and grant voices to be heard. received, a grant that is

New Home? Second Home? Israeli Retirement Home? Let me show you… Jewelry The Berkshires Barbara K. Greenfeld ABR, C-CREC, CRS, GREEN, RSPS, SRES Broker Associate • Lic. in MA & NY The Mews, by the Red Lion Inn Courtyard 413-441-5986 Stockbridge, MA [email protected] 413-298-4436 Roberts & Associates Realty, inc. Page 10 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org February 17 to March 22, 2020 LOCAL NEWS Celebrate Purim in the Roaring 20s! Temple Anshe Amunim PITTSFIELD – On Tuesday, March 10 at 6 p.m., Chabad of the Berkshires invites the entire Berkshire Celebrates Purim Jewish community to a Roaring 20s Purim party! Writes co-director Sara Volovik: “Don your furs, pearls, top hats, or tails. Be a flapper, silent film star, or a gangster. Whether you bring your 1920s spirit, or stay grounded in the 2020s, please join us for a Purim feast of glitz and glamour.” She adds: “Don’t miss out on this momentous Purim party with unlimited premium cocktails, upscale entertainment, vintage games, and gourmet food.” At 6 p.m., there will be a Megillah reading with a multi-media presentation, followed at 6:30 p.m. by a buffet dinner and “decadent dessert bar.” Cost is $20 for adults and teens, with children (12 and under) free. RSVP by March 1 for an early bird discount of $5. Chabad of the Berkshires is located at 450 South Street in Pittsfield. For more information, please call (413) 499-9899. Put on your top hat, tie up your white tie, brush off your tails New England Friends of the March of the Living Offer Scholarships to Jewish Massachusetts High School Seniors

Program takes teens to Poland and Israel “Hot dog! It’s Purim!” BOSTON – The newly-formed PITTSFIELD – On Friday, with members, not-yet-mem- board of directors of the New March 13 at 5 p.m., Temple bers, friends and guests; and, England Friends of the March Anshe Amunim invites one please come in costume if you of the Living (MOTL) reports and all to their special Purim like! that it has been successful in and Shabbat celebrations, Beginning at 5 p.m., the raising funds from generous One of Judaism’s most PFTY Youth Group will coor- donors in order to expand joyous holidays is occasion dinate games and activities, awareness of the MOTL for the highlight of TAA’s followed by light refreshments trip program throughout end-of-winter programming. and hamantaschen. Then, Massachusetts, and to offer No matter your age – 0 to 100+ at 5:30 p.m., all are welcome every Jewish high school – TAA invites you to celebrate to join in the merriment of senior in the Commonwealth a musical, humorous Purim a $2,000 scholarship toward and Shabbat experience led by participating in a future MOTL Rabbi Liz Hirsch. Poland/Israel trip. “Our temple family wishes MOTL teens pray at the site of Majdanek concentration camp, MOTL is an international a chag sameach – a joyous near Lublin, Poland organization which annually holiday – to all members of the brings some 10,000 Jewish Berkshire Jewish community!” teens from 50 nations around importance of supporting more information, visit the says Rabbi Liz. the world to Poland and Israel the State of Israel as the New England chapter of Temple Anshe Amunim, to study the history of the voice, refuge, and shield of MOTL’s website at www.motl- at 26 Broad Street, is a Holocaust and to examine the the Jewish People, and of newengland.org. Reform Jewish congregation roots of prejudice, intolerance continuing to share the stories that promotes engaging and and hate. of Holocaust survivors for Additional funding may be widespread participation in “This type of educational generations to come.” available through Federation or services, education, and social program is especially timely Adds Kempner: “A City Harold Grinspoon Foundation action programs. and important in the face of University of New York survey grants. Please call (413) 442- the dramatic rise in anti-Sem- showed that 95 percent of 4360, ext. 10 for information. itism and hate crimes in past teen participants say the the U. S. and worldwide,” MOTL trip strengthened their says Irv Kempner, son of Jewish identity and their bond Holocaust survivors and CEO with Israel. Ninety percent Applications Now Accepted for the Yiddish and chairman of MOTL’s of respondents said MOTL New England chapter. “The made it more likely they would Book Center’s Great Jewish Books Summer mission of this one-of-a-kind financially support Jewish program is to ensure the causes, and 90 percent said Program perpetuation of March of the they’re now more inclined to Living through our Teen Trip get involved when confronted AMHERST – At the Yiddish campus of Hampshire College. from dormitory living to semi- Scholarship Fund and other with anti-Semitism, such as Book Center’s Great Jewish Every admitted partici- nar-style classes. activities to create aware- on their college campus.” Books Summer Program, pant receives a scholarship for • Discover how modern litera- ness, and to promote and Registration for the rising high school juniors and the full cost of tuition, room, ture connects them to ancient fund the program. The MOTL 2020 MOTL is now open. seniors read selections from board, books, and special traditions and contemporary experience instills the neces- The teen trip will be held important works of modern events. ideas. sity to ‘Never Forget’ and the April 17-May 1, 2020. For Jewish literature and consider Great Jewish Books Students at Great Jewish how they speak to the oppor- Summer Program students: Books come from a wide tunities and challenges faced • Read and discuss important variety of backgrounds, Jewish today. Under the guidance works of modern literature by affiliations, and experiences. of college professors, they writers such as Franz Kafka, People with multiple heri- consider how the rich legacy of Sholem Aleichem, Grace Paley, tages, people of color, LGBTQ+ Grant Deadline for modern Jewish literature can Philip Roth, and Isaac Babel. participants, and non-Jewish inform life in the 21st century. • Learn from college faculty participants are welcome. Although the program’s as well as prominent visiting Anyone who has an interest in Wassermann-Streit Y’DIYAH focus is on reading, this is writers (including, in past Jewish literature and culture not school in any conven- years, novelists Allegra Good- is welcome to apply. Memorial Fund is April 1 tional sense: Great Jewish man and Jami Attenberg, poet For more information, SHEFFIELD – The Wassermann-Streit Y’DIYAH Memorial Fund Books is a lively program full and critic Adam Kirsch, and contact Margaret, education is currently accepting grant applications for projects that of social, cultural, and recre- graphic novelist and scholar program assistant, at include an aspect of the culture, history, or experience of tradi- ational opportunities—and no Ilan Stavans). greatjewishbooks@ tional Judaism in material or programming. grades—for students who read • Develop skills for literary yiddishbookcenter.org or The goal of the fund is to encourage authentic knowl- for the love of reading and who analysis and self-expression (413) 256-4900, ext. 152. edge of the expression of traditional Judaism, leading to are eager to discover the trea- that will prepare them for You can also follow the an understanding of the commonalities of all people while sures of the Jewish canon. college. program on Instagram at acknowledging diversity. Participants spend their • Meet other teenagers from @greatjewishbooks to see Individuals, schools, libraries and other nonprofit organi- days at the Yiddish Book across North America who love photos from previous years, zations in Berkshire, Columbia (NY), northwest Litchfield (CT), Center, immersed in a lively to read and who care about lit- news from the Center, and northeast Dutchess (NY) counties are invited to apply by world of Jewish culture, and erature and Jewish culture. and updates on this year’s April 1 at: www.berkshiretaconic.org/YDIYAH. live in dorms on the nearby • Get a taste of college life, program. Shevat/Adar 5780 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 11

Knesset Israel 16 Colt Road Pittsfield

ONGOING MINYANS Sunday 8:45 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday 7 p.m. Friday 7 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. Saturday 9:30 a.m. and evenings approximately 30 minutes before sunset CANDLE-LIGHTING Friday, Feb 21...... 5:14 p.m. Friday, Feb 28...... 5:23 p.m. Friday, Mar 6...... 5:31 p.m. Friday, Mar 13...... 6:40 p.m. Friday, Mar 20...... 6:48 p.m. ProgramsPrograms taketake placeplace onMondays most Mondays and Thursdays and Thursdays at 10:45 ata.m. 10:45 Lunch a.m. is Lunchserved is Monday served Mondays,and Thursday Tuesdays, andat 12 Thursdays p.m, through at noon. September 3. Tuesday lunch resumes on September 8. Venue: Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Rd, Pittsfield, MA.

Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield, MA.

You can now read and share Berkshire Jewish Voice feature stories online! Visit jewishberkshires. org and select: Community & Events>Berkshire Jewish Voice for links to highlights of current and past issues. FEBRUARY Thursday, 5...... 10:45 a.m., “An Introduction to Monday, 17...... Closed for Presidents’ Day Cannabis” with Maya Richards, Training & Outreach Manag- er at Berkshire Roots. Lunch: Macaroni & cheese, tomato Tuesday, 18...... Fish sticks, cream of mushroom zucchini medley, salad, scones or muffins, popsicles, soup, sweet potato fries, green beans, muffins, peach- coffee, tea, and milk for coffee. es, coffee, tea, and milk coffee. Monday, 9...... 10:45 a.m., “1920-2020 Women Thursday, 20...... 10:45 a.m., “Chair Yoga” with Linda Voting” with Ramelle Pulitzer. Lunch: Spaghetti & meat Novick. Lunch: Fresh fish**, cream of asparagus soup, sauce#, chicken noodle soup, green beans, Italian broccoli, rice pilaf, salad, cookies, coffee, tea, and milk bread, tropical fruit salad, and tea. for coffee. Tuesday, 10...... Tuna noodle casserole, salad, beets, Monday, 24...... 10:45 a.m., “Aging in Amazement” Challah, pears, coffee, tea, and milk for coffee. with author Susie Kaufman. Lunch: Roasted chicken**#, vegetable soup, salad, green beans, noodles & onions, Thursday, 12...... 10:45 a.m., “Chair Yoga” with Linda Like us on Farmer’s loaf, pears, and tea. Novick. Lunch: Frittata of Ken’s choice**, salad, brocco- li, whole wheat bread, apple dumplings & vanilla ice Facebook: Tuesday, 25...... Beef stew**#, rice, Italian bread, cream, coffee, tea, and milk for coffee. applesauce, and tea. • Jewish Federation Monday, 16...... 10:45 a.m., “Intergenerational: The Thursday, 27...... 10:45 a.m., “The Liberation of of the Berkshires Process of Aging” with therapist Maggie Bittman. Lunch: Auschwitz 1945” with Hugh Black. Lunch: Immigrant fish Salisbury steak**#, lentil soup, Brussels sprouts, salad, pie**, broccoli, salad, rye bread, peaches, coffee, tea, • PJ Library rice pilaf, multi-grain bread, Osem cakes, and tea. and milk for coffee. Berkshire County Tuesday, 17...... Corned beef & cabbage**#, baby carrots, red skinned potatoes, salad, rye bread, mint MARCH stuffed brownies, and tea. Monday, 2...... 10:45 a.m., My City of Dreams with Thursday, 19...... 10:45 a.m., “Equinox Explorations author, physician, and educator Lisa Gruenberg. Lunch: with Earth Scroll” with farmer, artist and earth-justice advo- Meat loaf**#, mashed potatoes, peas & carrots, salad, cate, Debra Tyler. Lunch: Dairy surprise, coffee, tea, and Farmer’s loaf, fruit cocktail, and tea. milk for coffee. Tuesday, 3...... Chicken with sundried tomatoes, Monday, 23...... 10:45 a.m., “Foster Children and Fos- mushrooms & artichokes**#, fettuccini & garlic butter, tering Families” with Jason Larrier. Lunch: Meat delights bread TBA, mandarin oranges, and tea. and tea.

Affiliate with a Congregation. You, the congregation, and the Jewish community benefit when you do. • YOU GET the Jewish enrichment and spiritual • THE CONGREGATION IS THE INSTITUTION nourishment you are seeking. that has sustained the Jewish people for two • YOU GET the rabbinical support you need in millenia throughout the world. Orthodox, times of joy and sorrow. Conservative, Reconstructionist, or Reform, the Jewish community wins when you join the • YOU RECONNECT with your community and congregation of your choice. your Jewish roots. • YOU CAN PARTICIPATE in a variety of services, The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires classes, and programs that keep Judaism alive and flourishing in Berkshire County. encourages you to affiliate. Page 12 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org February 17 to March 22, 2020 Calendar – Ongoing Events Around the Community

Continuous – Chabad of the Tuesdays, from 10 to 11:30 Wednesdays, 12:30 to Hevreh every Thursday. Bring a Saturdays at 8:45 a.m. – at Berkshires “Smile on Seniors,” a.m. – Torah Portion of the Week 1:30 p.m. at Chabad of the mat and water. Contact Janet Lee Hevreh, 270 State Road in Great or “S.O.S.,” volunteer pro- study group at Knesset Israel, 16 Berkshires (through June at [email protected] to learn more, Barrington. Every Shabbat morn- gram to serve senior citizens in Colt Road, Pittsfield. Facilitator 13). – Join together with fellow and check hevreh.org/calendar ing, gather in Rabbi Neil Hirsch’s the Berkshires. Information for Myrna Hammerling guides the Jewish women in the Berkshires for any weekly changes. study and dive into the less-often families who can benefit and group through the triennial for inspiring Torah study, warm read books of the Bible. All are Fridays at 9 a.m. – Meditation volunteers: Rabbi Levi Volovik cycle, year-round in the KI Library. camaraderie, hot tea and deli- welcome to begin the day with with Rabbi Rachel Barenblat in at (413) 499-9899 or visit www. Newcomers always welcome cious refreshments! Please RSVP coffee while studying and relax- the Congregation Beth Israel jewishberkshires.com. to this gathering of students to [email protected] or call ing on Shabbat. Sessions will be sanctuary, 53 Lois Street, North of diverse ages, backgrounds, (413) 499-9899. between 45 and 60 minutes. Monthly, fourth or fifth Sunday Adams, overlooking the Berkshire and perspectives who search – Volunteers from Congregation Wednesdays at Hevreh, – mountains. Silence, chanting, and Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. Temple together to deepen understand- Beth Israel, 53 Lois Street, North “Lunch N Learn” with Rabbi Neil meditation designed to help pre- Anshe Amunim, 26 Broad ing of our foundational text. Free. Adams “Take and Eat” program Hirsch at 11:45 a.m. is open to pare for Shabbat. All welcomed. Street, Pittsfield – “Torah Information: (413) 445-4872, cook, package, and deliver anyone who wants to deepen Information: (413) 663-5830 and Plus: Exploring Jewish Text and ext. 16. hot meals for all North Adams their relationship to Jewish study www.cbiweb.org. Culture.” Join Rabbi Liz P.G. clients of “Meals on Wheels.” Wednesdays, from 10:30 to through text and discussion. Says Hirsch for a conversation based Fridays, once a month at 5:30 Information: (413) 663-5830 or 11:30 a.m. – Hevreh of Southern Rabbi Hirsch: Currently, we are on the texts of the Jewish people p.m. (followed by a family [email protected]. Berkshire, 270 State Road, Great studying the Book of Judges, and reflect on Jewish values and style Shabbat dinner at 6:30 Barrington, offers an hour of which tells the stories of the thinking and what it means “to Sundays (second of each p.m.) – Knesset Israel, 16 Colt “Shalom Yoga, Gentle Stretch Israelites as they attempted to set- be Jewish.” All texts are offered month) – Berkshire Hills Society Road, Pittsfield. Shirei Shabbat and Meditation” with Nina tle the Land of Israel. It’s a story of in English. Free and open to of Israeli Philatelists meet. Discuss (“Songs of Shabbat”). Unique Lipkowitz a certified Kripalu and one people encountering others, the public. Information (413) Israeli and American stamps. service combines melodies from Jewish yoga and meditation the tensions that exist between 442-5910 or templeoffice@ Coffee and donuts. Information: Carlebach, Debbie Friedman, and teacher. Check https://hevreh. those parties, and the compli- ansheamunim.org. Ed Helitzer, (413) 447-7622, Camp Ramah to create a ruach filled org/calendar/ for updates. All cated, ongoing relationship of a daytime. (“spirited”) family friendly experi- Saturdays through February levels welcome. Contact Nina at Covenantal Nation with its God. ence. Cost for dinner $20 adult; and March at 10 a.m. – Hevreh Sundays, continuing through [email protected] with While the study is ongoing, we $15 teen, children free. Dinner hosts a Shabbat Lab. Organizers March at 10 a.m. – Knesset any questions. welcome people whenever they reservations are due by the Monday write: “Each Shabbat, we will use Israel continues its “Introduction may be available to join.” Classes Wednesdays at Knesset Israel, before services. Full information: our Palace in Time as a platform to Judaism” series. For informa- available via video conference – “Enhanced Prayer Class for (413) 445-4872, ext 10. to mine for meaning and insight, tion, call (413) 445-4872, ext. or conference call. Email Rabbi Adults” 10 to 11:30 a.m. at 16 to study and pray together, and 16, or visit the calendar page of Hirsch a [email protected] to Friday, March 20 at 6 p.m. – Colt Road, Pittsfield, KI library. often to eat together. Take a knessetisrael.org for schedule. find out how to join remotely. Hevreh of Southern Berkshire What are we saying when we look at the schedule at hevreh. Individual classes cost $10. hosts evening services and a com- read prayers at a service? How Thursdays (fourth of each org/shabbat and what you’ll see munity Shabbat dinner hosted Monthly on Sundays through does the siddur language connect month) – Hadassah Book Club. are the things we do whenever by Hevreh’s 6th and 7th grade the winter months at 4 p.m., – with my life today? How can I For times, locations of meetings, we come together for Shabbat, families and sponsored by the “An Afternoon Movie at Hevreh.” build my Hebrew reading fluency and further information about the with a particular emphasis on Harold Grinspoon Foundation. Spend your Sunday afternoon and practice my reading skills? books: Pattie Lipman plipman@ something a little different and Community Shabbat is free and with friends watching movies, How can I be more comfortable fairpoint.net. a little special. All are welcome.” open to the entire community chatting, and socializing. This is with the language and process For more information, call (413) Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. – Janet with advance RSVP visit hevreh. a free movie although donations of prayer? Facilitated by Myrna 528-6378. Lee will continue to teach an org/shabbat to let them know for snacks are accepted. Next film, Hammerling. Newcomers always intermediate mat Pilates class at you’ll be there. the Mel Brooks comedy To Be or welcome. Information: (413) 445- Not To Be on March 15. 4872, ext. 16.

Supporting the Arts, Culture, Environment, and Social Needs in the Berkshires Since 1984

www.StoneHouseProperties.com

38 MAIN STREET 6 MAIN STREET 35 RAILROAD STREET W. STOCKBRIDGE, MA CHATHAM, NY GT. BARRINGTON, MA (413) 232-4253 (518) 392-0332 (413) 528-4211 Shevat/Adar 5780 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 13

On a Rainy Berkshires Evening, the Jewish Community Joined Together for a Warm Havdalah Concert On January 25, more than 150 hardy souls braved a pounding mid-winter rainstorm and came together for a festive community Havdalah hosted by Knesset Israel in Pittsfield. Rabbi David Weiner of KI and Hevreh of Southern Berkshire’s Rabbi Neil Hirsch led the ceremony marking the end of Shabbat, backed by concert headliner Jacob “Spike” Kraus and his band, which was augmented by community members Rabbi Liz Hirsch of Temple Anshe Amunim, Jon Gotterer, Alan Gold, Colin Ovitsky, and Jonathan Denmark (who wowed the crowd with some mean licks on the electric guitar). Berkshire Jewish teens from across the county also had a chance to get to know each other better at a pre-concert supper and program hosted by Temple Anshe Amunim. This community event was co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires and all of its affiliate congregations, with additional funding generously provided by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.

Ringing Out Chanukah 5780 with a Dazzling Display of Light and Spirit Despite a major winter storm looming on the evening of December 29, 125 members of our Jewish community joined holiday revelers enjoying the spectacular Winterlights festival at the Naumkeag Gilded Age mansion in Stockbridge for a Federation-sponsored celebration of the Festival of Lights. On this last night of Chanukah 5780, Federation Executive Director Dara Kaufman lit the candles of a menorah, while Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch of Temple Anshe Amunim led the crowd in brachot and a selection of favorite Chanukah tunes. Page 14 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org February 17 to March 22, 2020

Jewish Federation of the Berkshires – Distribution of Resources in 2019 $1,058,567 Includes distribution of Annual Campaign funds, earned income and endowments as of December 31, 2019.

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Building Community | Strengthening Identity | Caring for those in Need

Across the Berkshires In Israel & Overseas Kosher Hot Meals & Care Visits Camp, Israel and Campus Life Through our partner, The American Joint Provided more than 3,500 nutritious meals, Funded transformative Jewish camp and Israel Distribution Committee (JDC), our Federation companionship, holiday packages and care visits for experiences for 64 local youth and enhanced helped support: over 300 older adults. Jewish life for over 2,500 college students at Food cards, meals-on-wheels, homecare, winter UMASS Amherst. Social Services relief and medicine to more than 90,000 of the Provided case management and counseling, through Community Programming world’s poorest Jews in the former Soviet Union, a Jewish lens, by a licensed social worker to more Engaged more than 6,000 participants in many of them Holocaust survivors. than 35 members of our community. celebrating Jewish life and connecting as a Food cards, medical treatment and activities for community through more than 125 cultural, more than 21,000 at risk children in desperate Emergency & Specific Assistance educational, and holiday programs. Provided small grants and interest-free loans to poverty, living with severe physical and intellectual provide a safety net for community members. Berkshire Jewish Voice disabilities. Primary resource for over 5,000 readers, Jewish Education Through our partner, the Jewish Agency for engaging our community in Jewish life and Israel (JAFI), our Federation helped support: Provided a high-quality Jewish education for broadening our spiritual, political, and cultural 137 children and young adults through Jewish understanding. Job training and resettlement services for more than education grants to four area religious schools. 25,000 Jews fleeing anti-Semitism in Europe, Community Relations & Advocacy helping them create new lives in Israel. Family Programming Provided a proactive voice against anti- Engaged over 200 parents, grandparents, and Semitism and other biases in local schools, as well Jewish education, camp experiences, and Israel children in Jewish programming and tikkun olam, as addressing Israel and the Middle East, justice experiences for more than 6,500 youths and young strengthening their connections to the Jewish legislation, and media relations. adults from the former Soviet Union. community and helping them build supportive relationships with Jewish peers. Tikkun Olam Volunteer (TOV) Network In addition, we provided direct support in Israel Engaged over 250 volunteers in more than to after school programs for at risk students, PJ Library 3,000 hours of service to the Berkshire Jewish shelter for battered women, a supportive home for Distributed more than 1,692 books and CDs to Community. disabled youth, counseling for sexually abused 141 children, nurturing their Jewish identity and women, food security for low income individ- helping their families embrace Jewish values and uals, and youth, and assistance for the frail and traditions. elderly.

This is just a sampling of how, together, we are making a difference in the lives of others. Shevat/Adar 5780 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 15

The 2019 Community Campaign Raised $918,000

Thank You for Making a Difference! “It is not what one says, but rather what one does that makes all the difference in the world” – Pirkei Avot 1:17 The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires acknowledges the tremendous effort of over 1,218 donors and many community volunteers who helped make the 2019 campaign a resounding success. On behalf of those whose lives will be saved, touched and changed, we thank you for your generosity and caring.

George & Ginger Elvin Donald Lombardi & Helene Fuchs General Contributors Monroe England Kenneth & Barbara Mahler Anonymous Donors (44) David & Lea Finck Peter & Judy Menikoff Ed Abrahams Jim & Patty Fingeroth Fred Mensch & Andrea Bodine Elise Abrams Steven & Renee Finn Norman & Wilma Michaels Bernard Abramson Martin & Susan Fischer Enid Michelman Beth Abramson Marilyn Fisher Alan & Nancy Milbauer Stephen & Phyllis Abramson Zachary & Laura Fluhr Nathan & Rebecca Milikowsky Brian Acker & Cynthia Mann Stephen & Madalyn Friedberg Dr. & Mrs. Robert J. Miller James & Rosalie Adamson Shirley Friedman Yohalem Lesley Oransky Andrew & Judith Adler Ralph & Audrey Friedner David & Susan Orenstein Susan Adler Harold & Jill Gaffin Lawrence & Marsha Pacernick David Agler Eiran & Michele Gazit Elaine Padilla, PhD Barbara Akresh Jane Glaser Wendy H. Robbins Murray Akresh Marc & Susan Goldman Rabbi Yaakov & Nina Rone Jason & Rachel Alemany Annette Gordon Jeffrey & Karen Ross Lesley Alexander Richard Greene & Lindsay Al & Frani Rothman Rosalie Alexander & Brad Crampton Milton Rubin Monceaux Elliot & Barbara Greenfeld # Steve Rubin & Jean Moore Sylvia Allan Ed Grossman Robert & Joan Rubinstein Marsha Altschuler^ Joelle Hamovit Sue Z. Rudd Chris Andersen Federation / PJ Library families baking matzo at Congregation Beth Israel Jim Heeger & Daryl Messinger Elizabeth Sacks David & Ann Ansel Ronald & Miriam Hinds Alan & Sandy Samdperil Arthur Appelstein & Lorraine Fred Hochberg James Satovsky & Gail Asarch Becker * denotes Lion of Judah ~ woman’s Jacob & Dora Wineberg Fund Julian Lichtman Richard Holland Satovsky Howard & Sue Arkans individual gift of $5,000 or more Joshua Yurfest & Kathleen Fraker # Ira & Phyllis Lieberman Martin & Joan Horowitz Michael & Raquel Scheck Helene Armet # denotes individual donations Allan & Nan Lipton Allen & Valerie Hyman Leonard & Alice Schiller Nancy Ashen ^ denotes of blessed memory Investors Leonard & Elaine Lipton Barry & Marjorie Jaffe Albert & Marcia Schmier David & Susie Auerbach Sanford Lipton ($1,800 - $4,999) Richard & Marianne Jaffe Bruce Schreiber & Ronney Ellen Axelrod Sustainers Ben & Sharon^ Liptzin Anonymous Donors (2) Gene & Miriam Josephs Rosenberg Suzanne Bach Paula Lustbader ($18,000 and up) Harold & Denyse Adler Jane Karlin Dan Schulman & Jennie Kassanoff Marc & Carrie Bachman The Feigenbaum Foundation, Inc. Jeffrey May & Kara Thornton Marion Adler Annbeth Katz Bernice Schwartz Hillel & Liliana Bachrach Stuart & Ellen Masters * # Edward & Carol Oshinsky Michael P. & Susan Albert Danny & Elaine Katz Martin & Laurie Schwartz Anita Bakst Schnesel Family Fund Steven & Helice Picheny Arnie Angerman & Shira Ezra & Tati Katz Donald & Arlene Shapiro Bill Ballen & Sharon Shepard Weston Associates Nichaman Laura Rosenthal Judy Katz Carole Siegel William & Carol Ban Paul Rosenthal & Elaine Hantman Stephen & Shari Ashman Alan Kaufman & Deborah Roth Gene & Hope Silverman # Rosalyn Baron Pacesetters Norman Atkin & Joan Ofer & Dara Kaufman Drs. Leonard & Gail Silverman Leonard Saxe & Marion Gardner Donald & Barbara Barron Schwartzman Marvin Smith ($10,000 - $17,999) Saxe Laurence & Joan Kleinman Marvin Bass Robert & Elaine Baum Stephen & Teresa Bannon Robert & Jacqueline Spielman Jack & Margo Schwartz Alan Kluger & Amy Dean Allen & Alice Bassen Robert Bildner & Elisa Spungen- Barry & Marjorie Berg Lauren Spitz Sue Shimelman Ed & Roz Kolodny Ev Bastow Bildner Helene Berger Ken Stark Ben & Elaine Silberstein Edward & Susan Kopelowitz Samuel Bates & Sharon Wiles Lee & Sydelle Blatt Judith Bergman Charles & Rosalyn Stuzin Richard Simons & Marcie Benjamin & Sandy Krause Steven & Susan Baum Peter & Julie Gale Steve & Nancy Bernstein Greenfield Simons # The Steven and Wendy Kravitz Alex^ & Sue Sussman Ira & Nancy Baumel Rita J. & Stanley H. Kaplan Family Rabbi Neal Borovitz Richard & Alyson Slutzky Philanthropic Fund Steven & Carol Targum David & Nancy Bayer Foundation, Inc. Roger & Lara Brown Mark & Elisa Snowise # Steve & Dale Kulvin Floyd & Marcia Tuler Stephen Bazil George & Lizbeth Krupp Carr Hardware Co. Paul & Jodi Tartell Alan & Susan Lafer Henry Tulgan Rachel Beckwith Jeffrey Leppo & Marjorie Safran Leonard & Ileen Cohen Mordi & Monica Lapin Howard Unker Steven Bedford & Laura Silverstein * # Elias A. Cohen Foundation, Inc. Robert & Alba Tutnauer Jeff Lazarus & Phyllis Cohen Barbara Viniar Anita Behn Messinger Family Michael & Roberta Cohn Arthur & Terry Wasser # Midge Lefkowitz Alexandra Warshaw Stephanie Beling Claudio & Penny Pincus Brenda Curtis Jerry & Donna Weiss Jay Leipzig & Cindy Chazan Melvin & Harriet Warshaw David & Cindy Bell-Deane Ronald & Karen Rettner Hezzy Dattner & Lynne Galler Jill Wollins Sergey & Natalya Yantovsky # Morris & Rhoda Levitt Ronald & Vicki Weiner Ruth Bemak Bernard & Elaine Roberts * # Justin Davies, Mara Goodman- Gerry & Pommy Levy Harry & Eileen Weinstein Davies & GE matching grant Steven & Mary Yarmosky # Lillian Bender David & Carrie Schulman * # Amy Lindner-Lesser Ken & Rhea Werner Ann Dorfman Harvey & Janis Zimbler # Aleksey Berezkin Irv & Carol Smokler Norman & Nancy Lipoff Steven & Florence Winter # William & Sandra Flannery Nina Berezkin Michael & Joan Ury Mark Lipton, PhD Jessie Wolfson William & Lynn Foggle Major Donors Robert & Marlene Bergendahl Barry Lobovits Richard & Karen Zink # Builders Larry Frankel & Lisa Schindler- ($1,000 - $1,799) Stanley Berger ($5,000 - $9,999) Frankel Anonymous Donors (1) Ellis & Joanna Fribush # Anonymous Donors (1) Irwin & Mary Ackerman Fredric Friedman & Cathy Demain Robert & Barbara Bashevkin # David & Kyneret Albert # Mann Linda J.L. Becker Michel & Abby Araten Paul & Joan Gluck Mimi Cohen Bob & Gerry Becker Susan Gold C. Jeffrey & Judith Cook # Alan & Judith Benjamin Stan Greenfield & Gaye Moelis Eitan & Malka Evan Robert & Shelley Berend Louis & Patti^ Grossman Harold Grinspoon & Diane David & Deborah Bergeron Aaron Gurwitz & Susan Troderman Ellen Bernstein Abramowitz Alan & Liz Jaffe Barry & Carol Beyer Ken & Mimi Heyman Stephen & Leslie Jerome Don & Rosetta Bierman Leonard & Harriet Holtz Julia Kaplan * Peter Bodnar & Robin Weiser Larry & Jackie Horn Margie & Danny Levin Lawrence & Joan Brotman Elihu & Marilyn Katzman John & Nina Lipkowitz Terry & Bonnie Burman Sara Koffman Estelle Miller Eric & Lisa Chamberlain Sam Kopel & Sari Scheer Michael & Barbara Rosenbaum Rabbi Barbara Cohen Livingston & Saranne Kosberg Gary & Arlene D. Schiff * # Laurence Cohen Roy & Leslie Kozupsky Zelda & John Schwebel Joel & Sue Colker # Barbara Lafer Foundation Howard Cooper Fred & Brenda Landes # Judd & Susan Shoval Oliver & Cynthia Curme Aaron & Lynne Leavitt Sharon Siegel Joel & Phyllis Curran # William & Shirley Lehman Spitz/Tuchman Family Fund David Davis & Sheila Drill Susan Frisch Lehrer Rita & Sol Toscher Memorial Fund Gerald & Lynn Denmark # Marvin & Helaine Lender Mark & Judy Usow # Mel & Terry Drucker Milton Lestz & Adam Irick Howard & Deborah Wineberg # Chip & Cindy Elitzer Howard & Judith Levin Major Donors Breakfast Page 16 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org February 17 to March 22, 2020

Phylis Fink Stephan Green Howard & Jane Jacobs Jeff & Ethel Kramer Jack & Joyce Finkelstein Steven Green & Rose Ellis Jerrold & Carol Jacobs Eric Kramer & Sharon Rawlings Richard & Diane Finkelstein Larry Greenapple Richard & Judith Jacobs Helen Krancer Shirley Finkelstein Ed Greenbaum & Anne Riener Michael & Lynn Jacobson Susan Krantz Peter & Nancy Finn Rabbi Michael & Cindy Marc & Vivienne Jaffe Henry Kranz Rob & Patty Fire Greenbaum Phyllis Jaffe Robert Kraus The Blossom Trust Eric & Phyllis Greenberg Harry & Arlene Jaroslaw Dave & Ann Krawet Leslie Fishbein Stuart Greenberg Jerry & Esther Jewell Myra Kressner David & Ellen Flatow Susan Greenberg-Yarmush Chip & Ellen Joffe-Halpern Carl & Iris Krieger Robin Fleet Bob Greenfield & Debbie Harris Randy Johnson & Jacqueline Lorrin Krouss Charles & Joy Flint Rabbi Jarah Greenfield & Browner Roger & Beth Kruvan Laura Flint Elizabeth Fredland Beryl Jolly Howard & Beatrice Kudler Susan Forer-Dehrey Ted & Dru Greenwood Martin & Alice Jonas Daniel Kummer & Lisa Landau Roz Forman Kenneth Grinspoon & Selina Robert and Selma Josell Michael & Marjorie Kurcias Morris Zita Fox Maurice & Judith Joseph Alexander Kutik Elizabeth Gross John & Laura Frankenthaler Gordon & Susan Josephson Lyubov Kutik Bill & Ani Grosser Hilary Freedman & Howard Zern Richard & Janice Kabel Cary & Beth Lakenbach Joel & Judie Grossman Rabbis Danny Freelander & Elyse Bruce & Sandi Kafenbaum Enrico & Cookie Lamet Lenny & Cindy Grunin Frishman Barbara Kahan Everett Lamm & Stephanie Ilberg- Sidney & Lisa Freund Beth Grzegorzewski Barbara Kalib Lamm Robin Fried & Judith Greenwald Helen Gura Kevin & Adrian Kalikow Tobi & Ellen Lanciano & Family Summer concert fundraiser benefitting ADL’s A World Elaine Friedman Steven & Roberta Haas Alex & Irene Kamaroff The Landa Family of Difference training Joel Friedman & Marian Faytell Hope Hagler Philip^ & Rhoda Kaminstein Bob & Carole Landau Barry & Sheila Halpern Miriam Bergman Stephen Cohen & Lynn Villency Friedman Drs. Irwin & Abby Kanarek Peter & Mona Lanzer Charles & Janel Halpern Lawrence & Helene Berke Cohen Lawrence Friedman & Aviva Herbert Kantor Ira & Fran Lapidus Wichler Philip & Linda Halpern Berkshire Mountain House Berta Cole Ben & Lore Kaplan David & Judi Lazan Leonard & Gloria Friedman Mitch & Susan Halpert Debarah Bernstein Philip Coleman Daniel & Rita Kaplan Joanne Lazarowitz Olson Marty Friedman Elie & Myrna Hammerling Lewis Bernstein & Gaya Aranoff Sharyn & Robert Collins Larry & Carolyn Kaplan David Leavitt Robert & Laura Friedman Yehudah & Hannah Hanani Jessie Berrick & Eugene Jura Nancy Cook Lynne Kaplan Helene Leavitt Daniel & Rosele Frishwasser Joel & Marsha Hendel Stuart Besnoff Jesse & Rebecca Cook-Dubin Marvin Kaplan & Alice Jo Siegel Philip & Susan Lebowitz Egon & Joan Fromm Mary Jane Handler Jonathan Biller & Victoria Rand Robert Cooper Philip Kaplan Nathan & Sherri Lebwohl Biller Claudia Coplan Toni Front Mark & Susan Hariton Regina Karas Sheryl Lechner Alan & Cheryl Binder William Cristo Austin & Heidi Frye David & Merle Harris Samuel Karlin Andrew & Jilly Lederman John & Melissa Bissell Adele Cukor Laurence Gadd & Cia Elkin Blossom Hasher Sharon Karlin Elaine Lee Wayne & Sue Bizer Chuck & Ada Beth Cutler Real & Alla Gadoury David Hautzig & Terri Sash Vivian Kasen Timothy & Janet Lee Walter & Hildi Black Joshua & Jessica Cutler Rik & Nancy Gagon Suellen Havsy Larry Kassman Mark Lefenfeld & Mimi Rosenblatt Lynette Blattner-Dukehart Lewis & Carol Dan Steven & Nancy Gallant Gerald & Barbara Hayden Shlomo & Maris Katsir Donna Lefkowitz Jeff & Sarah Blaugrund Ted & Karen Davis Jed & Karen Garfield Ellen Heffan Armand & Gloria Katz Wallace & Sheila Lehman Aileen Bliss Susan Dawdy Peter & Sharon Gelbwaks Cindy Helitzer Heidi Katz Estelle Leibowitz Josh Bloom Molly de St Andre Jeff & Judy Gelfand Ed Helitzer Carol Goodman Kaufman Eugene & Augusta Leibowitz Leonard & Barbara Blum Jerome & Brenda Deener Andrew Geller Bonnie Heller & Eileen Ricci Fred & Marsha Kaufman Steve & Carol Leibowitz Norton & Diana Blumenthal Mark Deitch & Diane Rosenthal Diana Geller Dennis & Diana Hellman Rabbi Jan Caryl Kaufman Charles Lemmen & Jen Margo Stephanie Blumenthal Dr. Ari DeLevie Robert & Patricia Geller Libby Helpern Joel Kaufman Stephen^ & Lois^ Lenett Bill & Hinda Bodinger David Dembowitz Bill & Jill Gellert Elieen Henle Seth & Ruth Kaufman Harriet Leonard Walter & Suzanne Bogad Jonathan Denmark Philip & Joan Gellert Marc & Judy Herbert Susie Kaufman Dolores Lerman Maxine Bookless Lara Denmark Richard & Lynn Gelman Amy Herman Jane Kavanau Abe & Rosanne Lerner Nan Ellen Bookless Jeffrey Deutsch Rabbi Everett & Mary Gendler Ellen Herman Paul & Adele Kellman Howard & Kay Lerner Ralph Bradburd & Zelda Stern Lee & Sophie Dichter Stan & Robin Gerber Howard Herman Christina Kelly, Maude Rich & Paul & Lois Lester Bruce & Andrea Braffman Mark Dickerman & Hallie Halpern Richard & Monique Gershon Jeff & Deborah Herman Family Lawrence Levien Marvin & Myrna Brams Judith Dillon Michael Gerstein & Lois Jackson Yona Hermann Danile & Jared Kelly Macey Levin & Gloria Miller Carole Bratter Tony & Jamie Dobrowolski David & Judy Gilberg Nelson & Anne Hershman Ellen Kenwood The Peter F. & Mary W. 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Anna Lotto Harold^ & Arlene Potler David Lotto & Norah Walsh Marcia Powdermaker Edward & Karen Lurie Neil & Saralee Powers Dick Macht Herb & Nancy Praver Stephen & Elaine Mack Joel & Loretta Prives Edward & Joan Mahler Ilya & Kate Prizel Hank Maimin & Elizabeth Baer Arthur & Diane Provenz Charles & Marcia Mandel Steven & Joyce Pyenson Barbara Mandler Leonard & Darlene Radin Roger & Barbara Manring Stephen & Helen Radin Dorothy Margolin Beth Radsken Joel Margolis Joel Radsken Michael Margolis Michael Ramella & Sharon Ken Markel Strassfeld Matthew Markoff & Isotta Meoni Michael & Sharon Rebell Ruth Markovits Mark & Jane Reiner Berkshire Jewish teens at midwinter Community Havdalah Rosalind Reis Robert Markowitz Nat & Marilyn Schwartzberg Richard & Carol Strunin Margot Yondorf Joan Kleinman Ron & Lori Reiss Irving & Alice Marks Bob Schwedel Donald & Phoebe Sugarman Robert & Karen Youdelman Sara Koffman Tom & Pam Rich Steve & Jala Martin Henry & Anita Schwerner Laurie Sukel Jeremy & Kathryn Yudkin Carole Kolton Lawrence Richard Herb Marton & Carol Steuer Steven Schwinder & Jane Dystel Richard & Sharon Sutter Mariya Zade Susan Kopelowitz Michel & Peggy Richard Marjorie Marusarz Benjamin & Tracy Seckler David & Lois Swawite Thomas & Cindy Zanconato Saranne Kosberg Richard & Diana Richter Mort & Suzanne Marvin Richard Seeley Alice Swersey Barry Zaret & Renee Drell Leslie Kozupsky Lewis & Marcia Ripps Dr. & Mrs. Ronald Match Anthony Segal Gerry & Dorothy Swimmer Minna Zaret Maddy Krauser Jeffrey & Joanne Robbins Bernice Matty Freya Segal Michael & Arlene Symons Rabbi Deborah Zecher Elyse Kuhn Toby Rodin Roger & Natalie Matus Keith & Arleen Seidman Abraham & Esther Szmukler Jay Zeif Beth Laster-Nathan Stu & Myrna Rodkin Eliyho & Barbara Matz Johanna Selkowitz Sisselman Leonard & Ellen Tabs Alla Zernitskaya Helaine Lender Seth Rogovoy Hillel & Janet Maximon Richard & Shana Senzel David Talbert Lanny Zuckerman Toby Levine Martin & Shelley Rolf Allen & Lise Mayer Marcie Setlow Rose Tannenbaum Marlene & Martin Zuckerman Pommy Levy Esther Rose Sy & Edi Mayerson Bernice Shainman Jayson & Jenifer Tanzman Susan Zuckerman Geri Liemer Helaine Rose Arnold Mazurenko Hal & Harriet Shair Edith Taskin Gail Zunz & Dr. Sharyn Zunz Vicki Loring The Ellen S. & Stephen E. 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Patricia Levin Grossman, fondly remember the songs companies. For the past dozen local figure skating club and Sheldon Ira Rothberg, 81, 68, strong and caring, and poems that she wrote in years, Joel was a mentor, often volunteered at Temple professor and spiritual tender and thoughtful their honor for special events. partner and investor in early Anshe Amunim and at local leader NEWTON, MA – Patricia L. Patti leaves behind friend- stage companies. Hadassah events. GREAT BARRINGTON – (Levin) Grossman, cherished ships that span decades, none Joel was the loving Once her children were Sheldon Ira Rothberg, 81, a wife, loving mother and Mimi greater than hers with her husband of Susan Cartun for grown, she worked as an longtime resident of Sheffield, Patti, passed away after a husband of 48 years. They 56 years; devoted father of interior designer for the passed away peacefully on courageous fight with ovarian relished their time together Alissa Cartun and husband family business, New England Wednesday, January 22, cancer on Thursday, January and with family, especially in Steven Slater, and Jeff Cartun Furniture. Eleanor was also surrounded by his loving 9. the Berkshires, where they and wife Sheri Cartun; adoring an avid reader and was family. In 2015, he became a Born in Boston and dashed between Tanglewood, grandfather of Isaac Slater, continually learning. In their resident of Fairview Commons raised in Newton, Patti was Jacob’s Pillow, and Darcy Slater, Avery Cartun retirement, Eleanor and Dan Nursing Home in Great introduced to her husband Shakespeare & Company with and Maya Cartun; endearing attended many classes as Barrington. Louis by her friend, Louis’s friends and in Boston, where brother-in-law of Arthur and part of the Osher Life Long Born in Boston on August sister, Linda Polivy, and their they routinely enjoyed The Krys Amdurer, David and Learning Institute at Berkshire 8, 1938, the son of Morris romance quickly kindled at Boston Symphony Orchestra Susan Weiss- Horowitz and Community College. They also and Helen Rothberg, Sheldon Camps Takajo and Wenonah and The Huntington Theater. Paul Horowitz. loved listening to classical graduated from The University in Naples, ME, where she and Patti’s light and life will be Funeral services were held music, faithfully attending of Vermont in 1962 where he Louis were both counselors. missed but remembered. at Riverside Memorial Chapel, concerts at Tanglewood. returned to earn his master’s They were married after a Patti’s memory will live on NYC on Monday, January 13. Eleanor and Dan even cele- degree in 1967. He and his two-year courtship when Patti for generations to come as she Interment followed at Beth brated their 50th wedding wife Linda moved to Pittsfield was 19 years old. touched so many in her short Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge, anniversary with family and in 1970 with their two chil- A graduate of Beaver 68 years with her warmth, NJ. Donations may be made friends on the Tanglewood dren, Adam and Jude. He Country Day School and joie de vivre, and spunkiness. to the Boston Symphony lawn. married his second wife Heidi Barnard College, Patti and Memories of her vivaciousness Orchestra specifying the dona- Eleanor was an artist. She in 1982 and they lived with Louis raised their children and strength will live on in her tion for Tanglewood. attended Traphagen School of their daughter Natana in in Needham, where Patti’s husband, Louis of Newton; Fashion, majoring in fashion Sheffield. Eleanor Anne Secunda, strong presence was felt at the her children, Joel and Holly illustration. She also enjoyed Sheldon was Professor of 91, volunteer with High Rock School and on the Grossman (Lafayette, CA), painting, drawing, knitting English and Humanities at Temple Anshe Amunim soccer fields with her mega- David and Dara Grossman and sewing, and, in her later Berkshire Community College phone. Brimming with energy, (Needham, MA), Jacob and and Hadassah years, quilting, which is what from 1970-2002. He founded when she wasn’t working at Elizabeth Grossman (Dover, LENOX – Eleanor Anne she probably loved most. She and led Project Outreach Newton-Wellesley Orthopedic MA), Debbie and Jason Secunda, 91, passed away attended numerous quilting Seniors beginning in 1978. Associates, Patti’s involvement Silverman (Brookline, MA); peacefully on Sunday, classes, designing and quilting He loved the poetry of Emily in the community spanned her nine grandchildren, Avi, December 22 at Kimball many beautiful bedspreads, Dickinson, the plays of William decades of direct and active Ezra, Ayla, Ian, Jared, Alexa, Farms Nursing Care Center. throws, and wall hangings for Shakespeare, airplanes, and engagement in organiza- Henry, Sydney and Bobby, Born in Pittsfield on January everyone in her family. teaching, and he was beloved tions including Temple Beth who will remember their Mimi 24, 1928 to Clara and Luigi Eleanor is survived by her by his students. Shalom, The Anti-Defamation with love. Patti also leaves Bearzi, Eleanor attended children, Susan Secunda of His love for Judaism led League, Women of Reform behind her brother and sister- local schools and graduated New York City, Sara Secunda him to serve for seven years Judaism, Camps Eisner/ in-law, Alan and Margie Levin from Pittsfield High School. of Cambridge, MA, and as spiritual leader at Temple Crane Lake, Mayyim Hayyim, (Wayland, MA). She lived in the Berkshires Jonathan Secunda of Omaha, Ahavath Sholom in Great Hadassah, and The Roxbury Funeral services were her entire life except while NE; daughter-in-law, Peg Barrington. Latin School, among others. held at Temple Beth Shalom, attending school and briefly Mounts Secunda; and two Sheldon is survived by Strong and caring, tender Needham, MA on Sunday, working in New York City. She granddaughters, Sydney and his brother Warren; ex-wives and thoughtful, Patti’s gener- January 12 with interment then moved back to Lenox and Bereket. Eleanor was prede- Linda and Heidi; children osity manifested itself in following at Sharon Memorial worked as a draftsperson at ceased by her husband, Daniel Natana and partner Ben, myriad ways, many anony- Park. Donations may be made General Electric. Secunda, her son, Robert, and Adam and wife Lisa, and Jude mously. She took great pride to The Patti & Louis Grossman She married Daniel her brother, John Bearzi. and husband Rob. in her family and watching Educational Scholarship Fund Secunda of Pittsfield in 1954. Funeral services were Funeral services were her children grow, marry, and at Temple Beth Shalom www. Eleanor and Dan raised four held Friday, December 27 at held Friday, January 24 at have their own children while tbsneedham.org/donate or children in Pittsfield. They Temple Anshe Amunim with Congregation Ahavath Sholom, they honor the Jewish family Mayyim Hayyim in Newton, not only gave their children Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch, spiri- Great Barrington. Donations values that she and Louis hold MA www.mayyimhayyim.org. the opportunity to try many tual leader, officiating. Burial may be made to the Sheldon I. so dearly. Her relationships different activities, they also followed in the Temple Section Rothberg Memorial Fund c/o Joel Cartun, husband, were sacrosanct, including joined them. Eleanor and Dan at the Pittsfield Cemetery. Finnerty & Stevens Funeral father, grandfather those with her children’s took figure skating lessons Memorial donations may be Home, 426 Main Street, Great spouses, to whom she referred NEW YORK, NY – Joel Cartun and tennis lessons, and the made to either, Hospice Care Barrington, MA 01230. to as “daughters-in-love” and of West Stockbridge and New whole family went on ski in the Berkshires or to The “son-in-love.” Her friends will York City passed away. vacations in Vermont. Eleanor Michael J. Fox Foundation for Joel was the founder of was also very active in local Parkinson’s Research, both in Vestcom International, a organizations. She took a care of the Devanny-Condron leading provider of digital turn as the president of the Funeral Home. Donate. printing and mailing services.

He started Vestcom in 1996 a a Volunteer. and brought it public in 1997 by merging his company, Create a Jewish Legacy Campaign Make a Difference. Comvestrix, and six other Please remember the Jewish Community in your will. digital printing service

BERKSHIRE JEWISH CONGREGATIONS & ORGANIZATIONS

Berkshire Minyan Congregation Ahavath Sholom Jewish Federation of the Berkshires Welcome to the Lay-led egalitarian minyan Reconstructionist 196 South St., Pittsfield, MA Jewish Berkshires held at Hevreh of Southern North St., Great Barrington, MA (413) 442-4360, jewishberkshires.org Everyone is welcome to attend Berkshire, 270 State Rd., (413) 528-4197, ahavathsholom.com Jewish War Veterans services and events at any of the Great Barrington, MA Congregation Beth Israel Commander Robert Waldheim organizations listed here. (413) 229-3618, berkshireminyan.org Reform (413) 822-4546, [email protected] Berkshire Hills Hadassah 53 Lois St., North Adams, MA Please call the organizations Knesset Israel P.O. Box 187, Pittsfield, MA (413) 663-5830, cbiweb.org directly to confirm service times Conservative (413) 443-4386, or to inquire about membership. Hevreh of Southern Berkshire 16 Colt Rd., Pittsfield, MA [email protected] Reform (413) 445-4872, knessetisrael.org Learn more about our Jewish B’nai B’rith Lodge, No. 326 270 State Rd., Great Barrington, MA Temple Anshe Amunim community and find great (413) 528-6378, hevreh.org Chabad of the Berkshires Reform events on the community 450 South St., Pittsfield, MA Israel Philatelist Society 26 Broad St., Pittsfield, MA calendar at: (413) 499-9899, c/o Dr. Ed Helitzer, (413) 442-5910, ansheamunim.org JEWISHBERKSHIRES.ORG jewishberkshires.com (413) 447-7622 ______Shevat/Adar 5780 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 19 BERKSHIRE JEWISH VOICES

Rabbi Reflection, continued from page 2 its atheism for agnosticism. just begun to see. afraid. I experience a feeling of When Rebecca was growing And then we reach Tifereth welcome from their hearts to up, her Turkish grandmother Israel, the Jewish community ours. insisted that they eat matzah of Camagüey. They meet in an And then the rabbis walk (sent each year by the Joint old house: a little sanctuary, into the sanctuary. Their Distribution Committee) at and a social hall, and a room aron kodesh (holy ark, the Pesach – but she never knew for feasting, and an arbor in cabinet in which Torahs are why they ate it or what it the back where pomegranates stored) is painted with letters signified until the 1990s. grow. From the moment we of the alef-bet flying upward. She tells us how she taught walk in, the joy is palpable. Dr. Evoking the mystical teaching herself everything she knows Sara Bedoya Pulin, the pres- that the world is made out of about Judaism – gesturing to ident, welcomes us warmly. holy speech, and the Hasidic their small library of Judaic There are 32 people in the story about the humble person books, all donated by commu- Jewish community here. who recites the alef-bet and nities like ours – in order We go around the room the letters fly up to heaven to teach her children. The and introduce ourselves. And where God assembles them community in Cienfuegos then we sing. Two of us have into prayer. now is eight families: eighteen guitars and one has a ukulele It is dazzlingly beautiful people, three of whom are chil- and we all sing niggunim to me. We walk up to look at dren. They meet for Shabbat (wordless melodies) and songs the ark, and I feel a spiri- services in her living room, set together. “Hevenu Shalom tual energy that I can’t quite up with white monobloc chairs. Aleichem.” “Am Yisrael Chai.” describe or explain. On the After her prepared remarks, becoming bat mitzvah. She the local Jewish community Welcoming the stranger. amud, the Torah reading table, she chats with the rabbis on lights Shabbat candles in front in filling this little synagogue Asserting that the Jewish is a prayer book open to the our trip. We ask her what fuels of a celebratory photograph of with holy spirit. people yet lives. Old familiar words we were just singing her and where she finds her herself holding a Torah. She words, but they take on a in the other room: Am Yisrael sense of hope in this work. and her sister and R’ Sunny Miracles in Camagüey spine-tingling resonance here. Chai. The people of Israel live. In response, Rebecca tells us lead us in Kabbalat Shabbat, Our final stop is Camagüey, We ask the Cubans what This Godwrestling people yet simply that everything she welcoming Shabbat into our where we admire Spanish colo- they sing when they are feeling lives. What a miracle it is that does, she does for love. That midst. Over our heads, a nial architecture and beautiful grateful, and they lead us we are here and alive. What a would have been clear even if metal grate that looks like fish narrow streets (which we tour in a shehecheyanu. There is miracle. she hadn’t said a word. Her scales shows the changing via “bicitaxi.”) It is our last full dancing. There is beaming. care for her community and colors of the sky and the early- day in Cuba and I can feel my The little girl beside me is shy Rabbi Rachel Barenblat is the for Jewish tradition shines out Cheshvan crescent moon. gears grinding. I am overstim- at first, and then – when I spiritual leader of Congregation of her face, out of her being. As in Buenos Aires ten ulated, my mind racing with give her a “You Are Beautiful” Beth Israel in North Adams, What does it take to persist years ago, I am struck by why images and questions. I want sticker and translate it for her and founding builder at Bayit: as Jewish community in a it matters that Jews pray in to spend a few years studying (“tu eres bella”), she smiles Building Jewish (yourbayit.org). place like this? To show up Hebrew. Most of us in this political economy so that I can at me and no longer seems for Shabbat every other week group don’t share a common better understand what I’ve because there are literally language with Cubans. At best only eighteen of you and if a we can manage a few phrases. handful don’t show, there’s no (A couple of us are fluent; minyan? Is there something most of us... not.) But we about being in a place where can pray with them, welcome religion used to be forbidden Shabbat with them. We can that makes people now want sing ancient words with them, to claim the right and priv- and in those words, our hearts ilege of spiritual practice in connect. community? The bat mitzvah continues What does it take to on Shabbat morning in Santa profess and choose and Clara, where we convene at celebrate Jewishness in a Beth Am, a project of the Cuba place where the economic America Jewish Mission, the picture is so difficult that nonprofit behind our religious many young people choose to / medical mission to Cuba. emigrate to Israel, or Mexico, Beth Am is the first (and only) or Europe, or wherever else new synagogue in Cuba since they can? We ask what would the Revolution. (It’s in a new help the communities most. building, but was a preexisting The answer I keep hearing: community; no “new” houses convince our government to of worship can be built.) end the embargo so Cuba can The shul is small, and thrive again. beautiful, and we fill it: 20 Americans, a few of whom Holy spirit have been coming here for years and know the Barlia Our next stop is Sancti family well, and a few dozen Spiritus, where motorbikes locals here to celebrate one of and bicycles share the roads their own. We daven and we with horses pulling wagons sing. The four rabbis on our that serve as group taxis. As trip bless the bat mitzvah (with in Cienfuegos, our historic words that I wrote, translated hotel is old Spanish-style, into Spanish!) and we join the built around central court- Barlia family in chanting from yards, with old heavy wooden Torah. furniture. It feels a million After the service we feast on light-years away from the the rooftop of the shul, beside hip mid-century-modern (as a wall of painted clay tiles that though frozen in time) décor of depict different sites across our Havana hotel. Jerusalem. Before we leave, we On Friday night our bus gather again in the sanctuary takes us on a winding route with two guitars and a ukulele out of the old part of town and we sing and dance and and to the home of the Barlia rejoice. What a mechaieh, a family. Like many houses life-giving thing, to get to join here, theirs has iron gates and window coverings – but their wrought-ironwork proudly displays stars of David. The Barlia family hosts, and leads, Kabbalat Shabbat services for Jews of this province twice a month in the courtyard of their home. This Shabbat their daughter Elisa is Page 20 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org February 17 to March 22, 2020 BERKSHIRE JEWISH VOICES Fallen Angel: Hannah Senesh Reimagining the experience of the Jewish poet, fighter, and martyr Fiction by Talia Caine

A voice called. I went. and of Miriam, and I went, for it called. now the land of my I went, lest I fall. rebirth. I train with At the crossroads 32 of my Jewish I blocked both ears with white frost brethren, nearly all And cried of whom hail from For what I had lost. Europe, to become — Hannah Senesh, “At the Crossroads” paratroopers—to fall from the sky It is 1943. I live on the Sedot Yam Kibbutz in Yerushalayim, my holy land, hav- unharmed, to hide so ing left my mother and brother behind in Hungary. It is an idyllic place, one my we can stay that way. father may have loved, had he been here. We are all equal and live in harmony. In the few moments I cook, wash, and write poems; may my father smile upon me, for I follow in his I am not training, I footsteps. No one is better than another, there is only peace, no war. explore this beautiful My hell. place—I see rolling I live surrounded by the beauty of my God, taking and taking and never hills of sand, oceans giving. What is life if one lives only to receive? I cook and I clean with no other of ground stones, purpose, my poems never to come to fruition, to live and to die, trapped under waves of rocky shreds this too gracious star. flowing out into the They were my deliverance. The men sent by Adonai, my hopes, my dreams, distance, forever and the angels of my death, all in a few mortal bodies. rushing toward their “Hannah. I come from the Jewish Agency.” God. “And what do you want with me?” The day comes. “There is a war going on.” The airplane, the “I am aware.” rushing wind, the Hannah Senesh “Hannah, our people, our brothers and sisters, are dying in Europe. They tears and the hugs, need help.” the promises that we will see each other again all the while knowing that this is “What do you want?” likely the last time we will ever look upon each other. And then, we jump. “We want you.” Falling toward the earth, the winds loud in our ears, watching my brethren No more of this. No more drudgery, no more writing poems to escape the pull the strings of their parachutes, be pulled toward the sun like birds taking formless sludge of life, to cook and to clean day after day, no end, never doing flight, just for a moment, and their angels of protection pull them up, to pause… anything to aid my nameless siblings, caught in the gunfire, millions dying under and float toward the ground once again. Pulling my own string; a moment of my worthless hand. stillness, of being frozen, of life and death colliding, fighting over me in that one May my father smile upon me. My apa, who wrote forever, as an author second… and the life, for now, winning over, my angel pulling me to her chest a and journalist, but not a poet. He loved my poems. I was eight years old when few feet above. And then gravity takes hold of me again, my angel releases me, the angels touched his heart, stopped the blood in it, turned his body cold and and I begin to float down, down, down to the open arms of Yugoslavia, so close brought his soul to God. to my beloved Hungary. May my father smile upon me. Does he watch me now, as I leave my friends of the last two years? As I take what little I own and am driven away? As I unpack many hours later in my Blessed is the match consumed bunker, and begin my studies as a in kindling flame. wireless operator? Blessed is the flame that burns May my father smile upon me. in the secret fastness of the heart. Over now. Months of training, Blessed is the heart with strength to stop and for what? To sit at a desk, its beating for honor’s sake. speak into a headset, to feel that Blessed is the match consumed one is helping? My peers are thank- in kindling flame. ful for the opportunity, this free –Hannah Senesh, “Blessed is the Match” pass to obtain all of the feelings of helping, to be able to claim bravery I spend three months in Yugoslavia, my journey to my birthplace paused by and helpfulness while never risking the German invasion. My mother in danger, and me safe and sound with Tito’s anything. To warn soldiers of an partisans, a resistance group in hiding. Trapped again, never to end, always to be attack, to sit in a compound and held away from my calling. Feels like years. phone a hospital as their brethren Finally, we step across the border into Hungary. A few hours of remembrance, are torn limb from limb miles away, triumph, of knowing that I am home again. Then, guns, shouts, the red symbol to go to sleep at night and feel of the Nazis, once of peace, now of death, burned into my head forever as I am they helped as commanders write pushed into a truck, driven away. tear-stained letters to new widows, I am sorry, apa. as families cry together and beg Torture. Just have to stay quiet, can’t say anything, won’t say anything, keep for the last bloodied remains of quiet. husbands, of sons, of fathers. How Blood. On my hands, my face, my torn and tattered clothing. They can’t do could anyone be satisfied with a life like that? this forever, just have to stay quiet, keep quiet, don’t say anything. Pain in my Not I. limbs, my face, my head, my chest, my heart, my soul. Just can’t speak, stay quiet, I know of the operation that shall be performed, of the people needed. I do stay quiet, don’t speak, just glare, what else can they do? not think, I do, for I must. Another day. It’s been months, one more day. I lost my front tooth a little “Commander.” while ago. Led to a new room. What will be waiting? I don’t care anymore. “Hannah.” Pushed through a new door. What else could they possibly throw at me? “I have heard of a mission. Of paratroopers, sent into Europe to aid the Wasn’t expecting this. My mother, my anya, here. Love courses through my efforts of the Jewish people.” blood like a drug, until I see her fear and realize why she is here. Hatred, then, “There is such a mission. What about it?” replaces every blood cell, coursing through me, bringing the hate from my heart “I want to go.” to my core, my brain, my fingers, until every muscle in my body craves to stran- Let them chuckle. Women, on a mission such as this! Let them laugh, let them gle the men around me, to hear their necks snap, to tear their bodies apart and point, let them shake their heads. I will not relent. Finally, someone says that leave this place with my mother. women will not be suspected. After all, the Germans will never believe that a Her eyes drag me back. I have no weapon. A fight would kill us both. woman would be brave enough to be a true soldier. “She could make it,” he We stand still, merely staring at each other. Just stay quiet. Can’t say anything. says, “Let her go.” I will be sent into Hungary, where my mother still resides. We will give these men no performance, no expression, no satisfaction. We are May my father smile upon me. unbeatable, hope and love and pride and confidence flowing between us, joined I train in Egypt, land of my ancestors, of the Pharaohs, of Moses and of Aaron by an understanding without ever speaking or touching. We are brought to sepa- Shevat/Adar 5780 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 21

BERKSHIRE JEWISH VOICES

rate cells. Made stronger. A creak and proud footsteps—the steps of a man who knows he has won the May my father smile upon war, but just has one more battle to win. Colonel Simon steps into the cell, scoffs me. at my broken and bloodied body, hunched in the corner. He thinks that loss is We wander like ghosts equivalent to defeat. He is a fool. around the compound for “Hannah.” three months. A glimpse, a I say nothing. smile, a tear, and then we are “You had a trial today. You lost.” torn from each other once He crosses to my cot and sits, his weight crushing it. again. Her presence, her spirit, “I am here to offer you a way out.” keeps me strong through the I chuckle. continued pain. I will not be “You find this funny, Hannah?” broken. When will they see I could tell him that I know I offended him with my speech in the courtroom, Hannah Senesh and her brother that? and that he is annoyed that my testimony almost changed the minds of his com- Finally, they do. I am given rades. I could tell him that I know how irritated he is that I spoke with such fear- a trial, one that could have only ever have had one outcome, and sentenced. less elegance. I could tell him that I know what he is trying to do. But I won’t. Death. I always knew that this would be the end, though I pled my case. Perhaps “I am giving you two options, Hannah. Either you can beg for a pardon, or they may someday see that I have only ever done God’s work. But more likely, you will die. Firing squad.” they will never allow themselves to understand. Like the wireless operators, they I have lived as a woman all my life. I know what is expected of me. To grovel wish never to be in danger, but these men are much, much worse in that girls at the feet of men, to beg and plead for them to save me, to sit idly by as they want no harm to come to their bodies, and these men want no harm to come to HANNAH SENESH, their egos, their pride, their souls. Hopeless. continued on page 25 That night in my cell, I am at peace. But there is one more attack left.

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Radon Testing ❑✓ ✓ COMPETITIVE PRICING and Mitigation ❑ PROMPT SERVICE ❑✓ FIVE-YEAR WARRANTY NEHA & NRSB CERTIFIED Page 22 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org February 17 to March 22, 2020 BERKSHIRE JEWISH VOICES What Made Milwaukee Famous Has Made a Nudnick Out of Me By Albert Stern / BJV Editor Most of us rely on, or at cited as the best craft brewery offerings. Well, he said, the started to gag? Sour beers least appreciate, knowledge- in New England and whose beer used to be really first- taste like that. able guidance that might beers I had not yet tried. So rate, but since they started So which breweries did I connect us with the best I asked the Beer Nudnick producing it in bigger batches, visit, the Beer Nudnick asked examples of the things that if the store had any Tree it had lost something, that it me, reeling off a list of those give us pleasure – food, art, House beers in stock, and he was now “thin.” To my mind, he preferred. music, movies, whatever. So responded, “Oh no, that it is “thin” seemed a specific and “Uh...um, just one,” I said, here’s a rule of thumb that only sold at the brewery near weird word to use about “and none of those I think you I find useful in navigating Sturbridge, and it would be beer. I can’t imagine even the just mentioned. I was only advice about matters involving seriously illegal to sell them most obscurant aficionados there for a couple of days, and subjective taste: “You’ll prob- elsewhere.” And though I am ever using the description “a was...um, kind of busy. Um...I ably like what an enthusiast experienced enough around ketchup-like mouth feel” in went to the Karl Strauss recommends. You might like nudnicks to know better than their tasting notes (though I brewpub.” what a nerd recommends. You to ask why it might be seri- suppose I probably shouldn’t He responded with a look probably won’t like what a ously illegal to sell Tree House be so sure about that). of great pity. You may have nudnick recommends.” beers any place other than the So I asked the Beer noticed that, a few paragraphs My experience is that an brewery – because he would Nudnick which of the local back, I mentioned that Karl enthusiast will enjoy a thing tell me – I did inquire if he’d beers in the coolers he would Strauss had three loca- in itself, in the moment, ever been to their tap room. recommend. Not many of tions. This may have seemed without too many prejudg- I’d heard that people drive them, he answered – most like an insignificant detail, ments. A nerd may collect for hours to Tree House and of them were “thin” – but he if he’s hovering around the but one that I mentioned more information and perhaps wait on long lines to buy their suggested (after correcting cooler, to the point of some- quite purposefully to create appreciate something he beers, that it’s a real scene me about the salient char- times waiting until he walks dramatic tension, signaling enjoys more profoundly, but and a lot of fun. acteristics of a New England away before taking out the to the nudnick-savvy among that enjoyment is likely to be IPA versus other six-pack I’ve made up my you that I was about to be particular, circumscribed, and kinds of IPAs) a mind to buy. I thought that at steamrollered by nudnickery. defined in opposition to many With the phrase “before couple that made my age I might be past feeling Because to a nudnick, a things he does not care for. In anyone had heard of it,” I the grade, none insecure about my tastes, brewery that only three people contrast, a nudnick – defined of which cost less but such is the power of the know about is good. A brewer in The Joys of Yiddish as “a understood I had blundered than $18.99 for nudnick – to make you feel with three bustling locations nuisance; a pest; a monu- into a nudnick’s maw a four-pack. I as if the experience you are serving delicious beers to mental bore” – delights largely bought one can for enjoying is not as good as you, thirsty, appreciative throngs in the expertise and jargon he $5.50, kind of a in your lamentable ignorance, can ONLY be, for lack of a has painstakingly amassed, The Beer Nudnick high rental fee for 16 ounces believe it to be. That’s the better word, “thin.” to the point where the thing answered that he used to go of suds, because I’m a bound- nudnick’s only power, in fact, “I had, uh, a kind of hazy to be enjoyed is itself almost the Tree House brewery all the lessly curious beer enthusiast. but it is a superpower. IPA,” I said, “and…and what irrelevant. time when they just opened, It tasted like, I don’t know, I eventually summoned the they called a…a ‘San Diego- I had this insight after an before anyone had heard of it. a chilled concoction of all the courage to reconnect with the style’ IPA, which I didn’t like encounter with the resident With the phrase “before cleaning stuff under your Beer Nudnick, however, on as much as the, uh, hazy one. Beer Nudnick at the local anyone had heard of it,” I kitchen sink, with a splash of the day after I returned from a But it was pretty good, too.” booze emporium I patronize, understood I had blundered club soda. visit to San Diego, home to one The pity that had marked an amiable fellow who was into a nudnick’s maw. Steeling I no longer ask the Beer of the most vibrant brewing his visage gave way to a stoic going on about Tree House myself, I persisted in asking Nudnick for advice, and even scenes in the country – scores expression of distaste, as if I’d Brewing, which has often been him what he thought of their feel a little self-conscious and scores of microbreweries, just told him that sure, Bud seemingly a sot’s paradise. I Light Lime-a-Rita is good, but had stumbled upon a map of not as good as the Bud Light the county’s craft brewers, and Raz-Ber-Rita. eagerly visited the one closest “And...and, they gave me to my hotel, Karl Strauss some sample glasses of some Brewing Company, which other beers,” I said. “I thought operates three popular brew- they were pretty good, too.” pubs in the area. The beers I “Which kind,” he asked. NEW! FAIR SHARE TUITION PROGRAM tried were fantastic. “I…I don’t know,” I When I spotted the Beer answered, unable to look him Nudnick, I said to him: “Hey, in the eye. you know where I just came The Beer Nudnick said back from – San Diego! They nothing. have a huge craft brewing “And my hosts shared some scene. I mean, they have over other San Diego beers that I 150 breweries there.” liked,” I said. “Well,” the Beer Nudnick “Which ones?” the Beer said, “too bad only four or five Nudnick asked, perking up of them are any good.” and repeating the names of Channeling Homer the brewers he approved of. Simpson, I thought: I would “I...I don’t recall,” I said. kill everyone in this room for “You should always take a one drop of sweet beer. But the picture of the label,” counseled nudnick first. the Beer Nudnick. “So you’ll He launched into an remember what you drank.” explanation of how the brew- I asked him if he actually eries out there were mostly did that. producing West Coast IPAs, He hauled his iPhone out of most of them not particu- his pocket and held it up. larly well-done or at least not Alarmed that he might start first-rate, and he’d had a great scrolling through his photos, many of them because he I hastily bid him a good after- participates in a community of noon, and, fully in his gaze, trade people who share beers reached into the cooler and from around the country, and took out a six-pack of Troegs anyway, he is most interested Perpetual IPA, which I imagine in sours, and there are a...few, is deliciously beneath his COME HOME TO BCD! very few...decent sours coming contempt. Affordable, personalized academic preparation in a warm environment out of San Diego, so...yeah. My tasting notes: “Troegs 2-year-olds through Grade 8 I don’t know how many of Perpetual IPA is a smooth you have tried a sour beer, but Imperial ale with a subtly if the brew the Beer Nudnick hoppy finish absent the “I DIDN’T KNOW LEARNING COULD BE THIS FUN!” had previously recommended cloying sweetness typical of tasted like blended cleaning too many double IPAs. It packs - 4th grade student products, a sour tastes like... a punch (7.5% ABV) that so have you ever had two makes it perfect for a chilly bowls of water out for your night spent indoors, a nice Learn more, see our upcoming events, and schedule dogs and noticed that your bonus being that three or four dogs are only drinking out of of them are enough to banish your visit at berkshirecountryday.org one of them, and then checked all feelings of inadequacy out the water in the bowl they and (almost) all thoughts of or call 413-637-0755 aren’t drinking out of and nudnicks.” Shevat/Adar 5780 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 23

BERKSHIRE JEWISH VOICES Young Judaism Back to Her Roots Local teen had a learning adventure in Israel with help from Federation By Maya Kaufman / Special to the BJV

This summer I had the amazing opportunity to the prayers for Kabbalat Shabbat. One of my favorite attend the Roots Israel Service Learning Adventure, places I visited there was the Western Wall. Seeing all a community service program of the Jewish National these people coming together to pray at this ancient Fund and the Alexander Muss High School in Israel. site made me feel like I was part of something much For three weeks I traveled, learned, and volunteered bigger than myself. At home, being Jewish has always with 20 teens from all over North America and a few felt a little like I was on the outside, but here I felt from Europe, too. I made many new friends and had equal. amazing experiences as we traveled from the north of I also liked visiting Mt. Herzl and learning about Israel all the way to the south. the many soldiers and people who risked their lives One of the reasons I liked this trip was the many for the State of Israel and the Jewish People. While opportunities we had to volunteer. I think this was there, we visited the grave of a lone soldier. He had the best way to really learn about the people of Israel. been a participant in the Alexander Muss High School We visited and played water games with disabled in Israel program and it had such an impact on youth at the Ilanot School in Jerusalem, helped clear him, that he had made the decision to join the IDF. walking paths for the disabled in the Carmel Forest, My father was a soldier in the IDF and maybe I will and packed food baskets for those in need with Yad consider doing the same one day. Ezra. However, my favorite volunteer activity was at an Traveling and learning about Israel made me feel organization called Save A Child’s Heart at the Wolfson like there was much more to being Jewish and being Medical Center in Holon, Israel. This organization has a part of the Jewish People than just what I had helped over 5,000 children who have heart problems learned at Hebrew school and at camp. I hope to go and need cardiac care. They help children regardless back one day to spend more time learning about and of where they live or come from, including kids from experiencing my Jewish homeland. I think I would the West Bank, Gaza, Syria, Iraq and many other really like to spend a semester studying there. countries. I got to spend time and play games with I am very grateful to the Jewish Federation of the two Ethiopian girls. They were so sweet and, while we Berkshires for helping me have this experience. had some language barriers, we gave each other lots of hugs! Maya Kaufman is a 9th grader at Wahconah Regional We spent one weekend in Jerusalem. On Friday High School. evening, we gathered to sing and dance while saying Maya (right) shares lots of hugs with Save A Child’s Heart patients at the Wolfson Medical Center in Holon

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(Supports color printing in one edition of the Voice) Jewish Federation of the _____ $180 Sponsor Berkshires, 196 South Street, _____ $72 Patron Pittsfield, MA 01201 _____ $36 Friend (Please add Berkshire Jewish Voice _____ $18 Supporter­­­­ in the memo) Name to be listed: ______p I wish to remain anonymous Page 24 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org February 17 to March 22, 2020 BERKSHIRE JEWISH VOICES Traveling with Jewish Taste Barbados – A Haven for Jews Fleeing European Persecution in the 17th and 20th Centuries A visit to the Nidhe Israel Synagogue and the oldest Jewish burial site in the Western Hemisphere By Carol Goodman Kaufman It was 10 degrees back home, so I was of those who might betray them to the Inquisition. Also on view is a profes- thrilled to be sailing in the sunny Caribbean, sionally-produced documentary that traces the journeys of the Sephardic and where temperatures hovered around 85 every Ashkenazi communities to the island nation. One particularly fun exhibit asks day. Joel and I, along with our good friends museum goers to identify spices by their scents puffed out from a display board. Rhonda and Charlie, visited several islands All in all, our visit to the Synagogue Historic District was a most enlightening and, like every other tourist, enjoyed the lush and enjoyable experience. I recommend it highly. green landscapes and the tropical fruit drinks. And, while we had the option to visit more of the same, as well as the numerous jewelry stores on the islands, we were looking for some- thing a bit less commercial. We were fortunate to discover a true gem — a Jew-el if you will. We found the history of Barbados Jewry. Our guide through Bridgetown’s Synagogue Historic District was transplanted New Yorker, Neil Rechtman, who has put his long-ago Brandeis major in Jewish studies to work as a volunteer docent. From him we learned that Jews arrived in Barbados in 1628, who were once again fleeing for their lives after the Portuguese brought the Inquisition to Brazil. There was no arable land left on the island for the immigrants to farm, but these Sephardic Jews had something far more valuable. They brought with them the technological expertise to make sugar cultivation and refining more efficient. The changes they instituted helped to make the country a world leader in sugar production and established a strong foundation for the country’s economy. In 1654, the community built the Nidhe Israel Synagogue, and within two decades, nearly 300 Jews lived in Barbados. They continued to prosper well into the 19th century. But, despite all their contributions to Barbados, life for the Jews wasn’t all rosy. On October 23, 1668, due to jealousy on the part of British Flying Fish with Red Pepper Sauce & Cou-Cou businessmen, the Jews of Barbados were banned from all forms of trade and This national dish of Barbados calls for flying fish, which may not be readily were confined to a ghetto in the capital city. It took another 150 years until those available in New England, so you can substitute tilapia. discriminatory laws were removed. Even so, Barbados was the first place in the entire British Empire in which Jews obtained full political rights. Ingredients: 1 tablespoon unsalted butter The death knell for the Barbados Jewish community came in 1831, when a 2 tilapia fillets, lightly scored pinch of freshly grated nutmeg massive hurricane devastated the island economy and destroyed the Nidhe Israel Synagogue. Many Jews left the island, significantly diminishing the community’s For the green seasoning: For the red pepper sauce: population. The community continued to decline until 1929, when the last living ½ tablespoon finely snipped 1 tablespoon vegetable oil Jew on the island couldn’t support the synagogue’s upkeep. He sold it to a local chives ½ onion, finely chopped lawyer. small handful cilantro, finely ½ celery stick, finely chopped Once sold, the synagogue saw many changes, including removal of the chopped 1 red pepper, deseeded and finely women’s gallery and construction of a full second story. The building changed squeeze of lime juice chopped ownership many times, serving over time as commercial space and law offices. 1 garlic clove, crushed Then, in 1931, a full 100 years after the hurricane that changed island life For the cou-cou: ½ teaspoon hot pepper sauce, or forever, the Barbadian Jewish community rose again when one Moses Altman left 1 tablespoon vegetable oil more if you like it really hot Poland for Barbados, followed in quick succession by 40 families fleeing perse- ½ onion, finely chopped ½ teaspoon dried oregano cution and certain death in Nazi Europe. Unfortunately, there was no longer a 1 garlic clove, crushed ½ teaspoon dried thyme synagogue for them, so the community had to build their own little shul. 1 thyme sprig small handful parsley, finely Then, in the late 1970s, the government seized Nidhe Israel property in small handful coriander leaves, chopped order to build a courthouse. Moses Altman’s son, Henry, and grandson, Sir finely chopped pinch of curry powder Paul Altman, petitioned the government to give the building back to the Jewish 1-2 okra pods, stalk removed 8 oz. can diced tomato community. Then-Prime Minister Tom Adams, agreed to do so — if they could and thinly sliced 1½ tablespoon tomato purée raise the money to rehabilitate it. They did and, money in hand, renovation 1¾ ounces fine cornmeal ½ tablespoon golden caster sugar began. Using archival photographs, contractors built an exact replica of the orig- inal sanctuary. The restored Nidhe Israel Synagogue was rededicated in 1987. One of the Directions: oldest such buildings in the Western Hemisphere, it features a dark wood ark, Mix together the green seasoning ingredients with a pinch of salt and pepper. beautiful European chandeliers, and black and white marble floors. The original Rub the fish in the seasoning, cover and leave to marinate in the fridge for 1 hr. stained glass window featuring a Star of David was found hanging over the gover- Use paper towel to dab off excess marinade, then roll up each fillet and secure nor-general’s swimming pool, and was returned to the community and installed with a toothpick. in the synagogue. While still owned by the National Trust, the building is back in use as a syna- For the cou-cou: gogue, although mostly used for destination weddings and b’nai mitzvah. And, Soak the okra in vinegar for a half hour in order to reduce sliminess. even though the community counts only 50 Jews, the historic district’s UNESCO Heat the oil in a small saucepan, add the onion and okra and cook until soft Heritage Site status ensures its maintenance in perpetuity. about 5 minutes, stirring often. In the meantime, while renovations were going on, archaeologists from the University of the West Indies were digging in the parking lot, seeking the rabbi’s Add the garlic, thyme and coriander, and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring house. A graduate student came upon what turned out to be the communi- continuously. ty’s mikvah. Because the first thing a community of Jews must do is to build a Add 1¼ cup of boiling water, reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes, mikvah, this building probably predates the synagogue. An underground spring adding more boiling water if the pan dries out. still provides the fresh running water that makes the now-rehabilitated facility Remove the onion and okra with a slotted spoon and set aside. kosher, although Neil acknowledged that nobody uses it at present. Turn up the heat and bring to a boil. The last excavated place on our tour was the cemetery. Considered to be the oldest Jewish burial ground in the Western Hemisphere, the earliest stone is Whisk in the corn meal gradually, and continue to whisk until it is smooth, thick dated 1658. The restoration of the cemetery took four years and required the and starts to bubble – about 3 minutes. excavation of massive amounts of trash and sediment that had accumulated on Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan and simmer for 10 minutes, whisking very the grounds. Once the excavation was complete, the tombstones were cleaned often, until the corn meal is cooked through. and repositioned. The older, Sephardic markers are flat and feature iconography Stir in the okra and onion. typical of that culture and time period, while the more modern Ashkenazi stones Remove the sprig of thyme and discard. are upright. Unfortunately, the Hebrew, Ladino, and English engraving on many of the headstones has eroded. Restoration work on those continues. Add the butter and nutmeg, and season to taste. On the final stop of our tour, Neil led us into the museum. Opened in 2008, its Make the sauce: glass-fronted cases set into the floor display artifacts dug up during the renova- Heat the oil in a pan, add the onion, celery and pepper, and soften, stirring tions. These items give a glimpse into the lives and habits of the many peoples often, for 5-10 minutes. who have lived on Barbados over the centuries. The cases are set in sand in Add the garlic, hot pepper sauce, herbs and curry powder, and cook for about 30 homage to the Crypto-Jews, who often spread sand on the floors of their hidden seconds, stirring often. prayer spaces to muffle the sound and protect themselves from the prying eyes Add the tomatoes, tomato purée, ½ cup water, and sugar, and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 15 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken a little. Carol Goodman Kaufman is a psychologist and author with a passion for travel Place the rolled fish fillets in the sauce, cover and continue to simmer until just and food. She is currently at work on a food history/cookbook, tracing the paths cooked through, about 10-15 minutes. that some of our favorite foods have taken from their origins to appear on dinner plates and in cultural rites and artifacts around the world. She invites readers to To serve: read her blog at carolgoodmankaufman.com and to follow her on Divide the cou-cou between plates, spoon the sauce over it, and arrange the fish Twitter @goodmankaufman. rolls on top. Enjoy! Shevat/Adar 5780 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 25

BERKSHIRE JEWISH VOICES CULTURE AND ARTS

Hannah Senesh, continued from page 21 Beside Still Waters: A fight the wars, to wait for one of them to come Thank you, Hashem. Journey of Comfort and rescue me. To sit behind a desk and have a I write a note to my mother, a few for my calming voice over the radio. To cook and clean comrades. On the last paper, I pen one more Renewal for a community. To spend a childhood writing poem, a last cry, a last reach for love and com- Meditations on mourning and mortality, poems that shall be left between the pages of a passion in this world which has been so cruel to journal, to be found and burned years later to me. I hide it in a crack in the wall. Who knows edited by Rabbi Rachel Barenblat of warm the feet of a husband in front of a fire. who will find it now. Congregation Beth Israel I have never done any of those things. Now Tomorrow I will die. They will all shoot at Reviewed by Rabbi Jack Riemer / Special to the BJV is not the time to start. me, 12 of them. They will offer me a blindfold, For most of us, prayer is a I spit at his feet. “I beg nothing from devils.” to hide them from my sight, let me see only closed world. Some of us know He slaps me. Hard. My head snaps back darkness in my last moments. I will refuse it. Hebrew, and some of us know against stone walls, sending the lights dancing Morning. A man comes to my door, bangs the melodies and the choreog- before my fevered eyes. three times, rips it open. raphy that go with the prayers, but who among us knows how “You had your chance. You will die tomor- “It’s time, Hannah.” to speak to God in prayer? row at dawn.” May my father smile upon me. Most of us are fairly good at He starts to leave, then stops and turns. keeping up with the service, “You will die forgotten, Hannah Senesh. You One–Two–Three . . . but who among us knows will die a coward.” eight feet long what it means to pour out our souls to God? And yet, ever He leaves, and I chuckle again. Then I laugh. Two strides across, the rest is dark . . . since the day when Hannah And then all of the pain of the last 15 years of Life hangs over me like a question mark. went into the Sanctuary my life, ever since the day my father left us, One–Two–Three alone, that is what prayer explodes from my chest and pours into the cell maybe another week. means according to the Jewish via a torrent of lung-rupturing laughter. Me, Or next month may still find me here, tradition. Some of the meditations in a coward! To parachute onto enemy soil, to But death, I feel, is very near. Beside Still Waters: A Journey survive months of torture without giving up a I could have been of Comfort and Renewal, a shred of information, to plead a case before an Twenty-three next July; collection of “liturgy both enemy court, is that cowardice? I gambled on what mattered most, classical and contemporary for different stages along the No. The dice were cast. I lost. On Prayers of the Shema mourner’s path” edited by Cowardice is to force others to grovel at —Hannah Senesh, “One–Two–Three” Rabbi Rachel Barenblat, fill a Blessings to Zalman your feet, to attempt to break those who real need. Schachter-Shlomi who, in refuse to be broken. To hurt the vulnerable, Talia Caine of Richmond is a junior at Ours is a death-denying the years before most of to hide from the strong, to insert an artificial Monument Mountain Regional High School in culture, in which we are us had ever even heard of taught to ignore the oncoming global warming or climate meaning behind your actions when there is no Great Barrington. She teaches Hebrew school at of death so as not to make change, rendered the second sense in the very words you speak. The laughter Knesset Israel in Pittsfield, and enjoys writing, those around us feel uncom- paragraph of the Shema as continues to rip through me, and I cough blood singing, acting, and listening to Israeli music. fortable. And so it is good to a prophecy of what would onto the floor. She loves spending her summers at Camp have a few different versions happen if we continued to A guard yells for me to be quiet, but I can- Ramah in New England and gushing about of the Vidui here, which is the mistreat the Earth. Thanks prayer that we are supposed to to him, the “Vihaya im not. Something has broken in me, has led to a Broadway musicals. This story was originally say before we die. Shamoa,” which used to make fit that I am powerless to end. I wait until the published by jGirls Magazine (www.jgirlsmag- Ours is a culture that tries us uncomfortable because it footsteps fade, and the laughter dies, dissolv- azine.org) and is reprinted with permission of to repress pain and anger, and sounded like a threat from ing into tears that rush down my face onto the author. so it is good to have a prayer God who controls the rain, the thin jacket I am wearing. Hands shaking, I to say in memory of someone now speaks directly to our who has hurt us, and whom it souls. What once seemed like reach into my coat and discover my salvation. Works Cited: The Hannah Senesh Legacy is hard to forgive. a prayer that was far behind A few sheets of paper. A pen. Were they there Foundation,www.hannahsenesh.org.il/ Ours is a society in which the times now reads like a this morning? Sc.asp?ID=1958. most of us stand before the prayer that is ahead of our yahrtzeit candle with no idea times. of what to say, and so it is We owe much to the anon- good to have a meditation for ymous poet who gives us a this sacred moment that can fresh version of the “V’ahavta” help us give expression to the blessing of the Shema in this feelings that we have inside. collection. We owe whoever it Most of us mark the end was for the phrase: “with every of a year of saying kaddish heartbeat, with every breath, by hosting a breakfast for the with every conscious act” minyan, or by promising to simply because it is so much stay part of the group, even more alive than the “with all though we know that we thy heart, with all thy soul, won’t, and so it is good to have and with all thy might, ” which a prayer available in which we have been saying for so we speak to the one for whom long that we no longer hear it. we have mourned and still And how much more alive mourn, and wish that person are these words: an ascent to a new level of holiness, and in which we “Teach them to your chil- promise that the one for whom dren, talk about them at we have recited kaddish is and work, will continue to be a part of Whether you are tired or our lives. when you feel rested. Space permits just a few examples of passages that Let them guide the work of spoke to me. your hands; Keep them in the forefront On the Amidah of your vision. I have never been comfort- Do not leave them at the able with the version of the doorway or outside your first blessing in the Amidah gate.” that ends “pok’ed Sarah” – if, for no other reason, than because “pok’ed” in the Bible Let me be clear: This text often means to punish. And is not meant to replace the so I am pleased to find “ezrat standard one. On the contrary, Sarah” in this book, instead, it only works if you know the because it means “Sarah’s original version, so that you helper,” which makes a perfect can understand why the poet parallel to “magen Avraham” speaks of the work of your (Abraham’s shield). BESIDE STILL WATERS, continued on page 26 Page 26 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org February 17 to March 22, 2020 CULTURE AND ARTS

Top Jewish Children’s Books Include Beside Still Waters, continued from page 25 hands, or the forefront of your There is more in this Stories about a Yiddish Culture Rescuer vision, or of the doorway to collection, including some your house, each of which pages that do not touch me and the Holocaust echoes a passage in the tradi- and some that may not move tional prayer book. It is living you. But try it for yourself, By Penny Schwartz / JTA midrash that the author is and you may find in it echoes PHILADELPHIA – A picture creating here – not a substi- of moments when the soul of book about the founder of the tute for the text that we grew the writer danced or yearned National Yiddish Book Center up with. or sighed or sung or screamed with pain. And you may find and a debut graphic novel of On Ma’ariv Prayers a gripping Holocaust story are some pages that will stir you among the gold medal winners We have said the prayer to do the same. of this year’s Sydney Taylor that thanks God for bringing Book Awards for Jewish chil- on the evening so many times Rabbi Jack Riemer is the dren’s books. by now – both in Hebrew and editor of New Prayers for The top awards handed in English – that it no longer the High Holidays and the out by the Association helps us feel much awe at three volumes of The World of Jewish Libraries were the setting of the sun. And of the High Holidays, and announced in January at the so, I welcome this version of of two new books of Jewish American Library Association’s the prayer for the setting of thought: Finding God in midwinter meeting in the stars, a brief excerpt from Unexpected Places and The Philadelphia as part of the which I cite below: Day I Met Father Isaac in the latter association’s Youth Image of Yiddish Book Center’s founder Aaron Lansky from The Supermarket. Media Awards. Book Rescuer “The sun wheels over the The Sydney Taylor awards horizon BESIDE STILL WATERS, recognize books with “high Palacio’s bestselling “Wonder” Fourteen honor and notable A Journey of Comfort and Like a glowing penny Renewal is published by literary standards while series of books that have been book winners were named, as falling into its slot. authentically portraying the made into a film. well. Bayit: Building Jewish and Jewish experience.” Leslea Newman, the author The winners will receive Day is spent, and in its Ben Yehuda Press, Teaneck, The Book Rescuer: How a of 70 books, including many their awards, which are named place the changing moon, NJ 2019. It is available on Amazon and costs $18. Mensch from Massachusetts Jewish titles, was recognized for the author of the “All-of- The spatterdash of stars Saved Yiddish Literature for with the body of work award. a-Kind Family” series, at the across the sky’s expanse.” Generations to Come, by Sue Her new picture book, Gittel’s American Library Association’s

Macy and illustrated by Stacy Journey: An Ellis Island Story, annual conference in June in Innerst, won in the picture illustrated by Amy June Bates, Evanston, Illinois. book category. The biography won this year’s Sydney Taylor traces Aaron Lansky’s unlikely silver medal and also garnered path to rescuing Yiddish the recently announced 2019 language books and helping to National Jewish Book Award keep alive Yiddish culture. in children’s literature. Her J. Palacio’s debut graphic trailblazing book “Heather Has novel, White Bird: A Wonder Two Mommies” remains in Story, took the top honor print after 30 years. for middle grade readers. It is based on characters from Shevat/Adar 5780 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 27

CULTURE AND ARTS RESTLESS AS A WILLOW IN A WINDSTORM... JUMPY AS A PUPPET ON A STRING We'd say that you had spring fever, but we know it isn't spring. So for the time being, here are more of Pattie Lipman’s warm still-life paintings of flowers to hold us over until real flowers bloom – plus a portrait of Great Barrington’s Rabbi Everett Gendler. For more of Pattie’s work, visit www.pattielipman.com.

Rabbi Everett Gendler

Follow-up: Stolen Marc Chagall Painting Sells for $130,000 at Auction in Israel By Marcy Oster / JTA JERUSALEM — A painting by Jewish sale but was stolen days before that modernist Marc Chagall (featured in auction. It was found in 2015 in the January issue of the BJV) sold at the estate of an elderly woman in auction for $130,000, the lowest esti- Jerusalem after her death. mated bid suggested by the auction Migdal Insurance, which paid the house. 1996 claim on the stolen Chagall, The buyer, from Tel Aviv, wishes to demanded custody of the painting and remain anonymous, a spokesman for a Tel Aviv court ruled in 2015 that the the Tiroche Auction House in Herzliya painting be transferred to the insur- told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. ance company. Migdal offered the work The artwork, the size of a standard for sale through Tiroche to recoup the sheet of office paper, was sold in late money it paid to the painting’s previous January. owner. Titled “Jacob’s Ladder,” the A Chagall painting, “Les Amoureux,” oil painting by the famed Jewish sold at Sotheby’s in New York in 2017 modernist was scheduled for a 1996 for a record $28.45 million.

You can now read and share Berkshire Jewish Voice feature stories online! Visit jewishberkshires.org and select Community & Events>Berkshire Jewish Voice for links to highlights of current and past issues. OF TIROCHE AUCTION HOUSE COURTESY Page 28 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org February 17 to March 22, 2020 CULTURE AND ARTS

muse” to be particularly Irving Berlin: New York Genius insightful, because aside Biography of Jewish American songwriter captures the from intermittent muses Fred Astaire and Ethel simplicity of his art and the complexity of his personality Merman, Berlin seemed Book Review by Albert Stern / BJV Editor to write towards his own platonic ideal of an With Irving Berlin: New York sob ballads and his own expe- “Irving Berlin Song.” Genius, James Kaplan has rience.” He concedes that a Writing a timeless accomplished a feat that is songwriter with Berlin’s gifts song is like capturing too rarely achieved by biogra- would be able to write songs in lightning in a bottle, a phers – crafting a portrait of character, but asserts “it’s also mysterious achievement a significant figure that tells important to keep in mind that however one arrives you everything you need to there is such a thing as the at it, whether through know about his life, art, and unconscious, that we all have inspiration or perspi- achievement without sharing one, and that it’s a faculty ration. Berlin, who more information than you with which artists tend to be “sweat blood” over his might care to read. on good, if even speaking, songs, seems to have This briskly paced and terms.” (pp. 49-50). despaired when hard accessible biography of the Irving Berlin sublimated his work could not produce songwriter and showman is inner demons through a “work that undefinable James Kaplan part of the “Jewish Lives” ethic that knew no bounds,” kismet. Artistically, series published by Yale writes Kaplan. And what a he produced only University Press. Kaplan the career he had, perhaps the possessed – it was not incon- two more shows of new scribe seemingly absorbed richest and most fruitful in siderable – was egocentrism material, the middling Call Berlin the tunesmith’s own show business history. Israel hard won and well-earned, Me Madam and the 1962 flop downtown Manhattan, which modus operando – keep Baline was born in Russia and yet was undercut by a fear of Mr. President, although over included a menschlich stop at things simple and sophisti- came to New York City with failure that he never over- the years his older work was a Chinatown mission where cated without letting the final his parents at the age of five, came. Kaplan quotes a letter reconstituted into several “Berlin sang and played ‘White product betray the labor it the youngest of six children he wrote to a friend: “Every successful vehicles for stage Christmas’ to a chapel full of took to achieve that simplicity. who resided in a basement time I start a show…I wonder and screen. homeless men.” As Kaplan writes: apartment on the Lower East if this is the time I’ll reach for It is difficult to read What was the most Jewish Nothing, [Berlin] discov- Side. After his father died, it and find it isn’t there.” The Kaplan’s account of how thing about Berlin? As I read ered, was so complex as the adolescent Israel worked fine balance between confi- Berlin’s later years were it, it was his passionate love simplicity. “I sweat blood,” as a busker in the roughest dence and insecurity was marred by severe depression, for America and his immi- he said. “Absolutely. I downtown dives, mastering upset after his herculean and for which he was hospitalized grant’s gratitude for all it sweat blood between 3 the popular musical idioms exhausting efforts to entertain on several occasions. It made gave him. A true patriot, he and 6 many mornings, he would employ me think of the way gave back all he could to and when the drops that in his early song- Shakespeare gave the country he loved. And I fall off my forehead hit the writing successes, What was the most Jewish thing up show business don’t think his gratitude was paper they’re notes.” [p.40] which culminated about Berlin? As I read it, it was in his mid-forties, strictly personal – the majority in his first colossal and settled into a of the people who worked in Kaplan’s own 33 pages of smash, “Alexander’s his passionate love for America seemingly contented his milieu were Jewish. The endnotes attest to the consid- Ragtime Band” retirement in dream factory of American erable amount of research and his immigrant’s gratitude (1911). By his early Stratford. Would he show business – comprising he conducted about Berlin’s twenties, he was for all it gave him. have, at a certain the Songbook, Broadway, life and times – literally a already a prosperous point, put pen to and Hollywood – may consti- century of American history, internationally-recognized the troops during World War paper to try and write another tute the greatest collective as Berlin was 101 years old hitmaker, a titan of popular II in both the European and Hamlet? Would it have both- cultural achievement of Jews when he died in 1989. He music as both a songwriter Pacific theaters of war. Those ered him if he couldn’t? in galus since the Babylonian deftly avoids getting entan- and publisher before and after years “Berlin later said, ‘were Would he have kept trying? As Talmud. As it did for Berlin, gled in the morass of history the advent of radio. He was an the most exciting the most Shakespeare died at fifty-two, show business brought riches, that ensnares too many integral figure in the develop- valuable, the most extraor- we’ll never know, but Irving fame, respectability, and biographers, who can’t resist ment of Broadway, not only dinary of his life…were the Berlin lived 49 years longer redemption to his peers, and either sharing interesting but as a creative artist but as an great divide…before…after.’” than the Bard and spent Kaplan shows how careers tangential information they’ve impresario who, with partners, Berlin struggled to create a decades of that time eating intersected, how Jews who happened upon, or spinning built the Music Box Theater second act for himself that out his kishkes because shared a hard driving sensi- their own take on the meaning on 45th Street to present was personally and emotion- he couldn’t write another bility forged as outsiders drew and import of the historical revues featuring his work. ally satisfying. “Cheek to Cheek.” The will on each other’s talents to build period their story falls into. Berlin conquered Hollywood Berlin’s second act opened that propelled him to the top American show business. Kaplan assumes his readers by scoring films like Holiday with one of the greatest drove him to his depths, and Kaplan not only chronicles will possess general historical Inn, Top Hat, and Follow the achievements of American it’s impossible to read the last Berlin’s career, but also how knowledge about the era(s) Fleet, the latter featuring the musical theater – Annie chapters of Kaplan’s biography essential and transformative Berlin lived in, as well as a immortal dancing of Fred Get Your Gun. Produced by without wishing that Berlin, that Jewish contribution was familiarity with the work and Astaire and Ginger Rogers. He Rodgers and Hammerstein, who gave so much, could have to American culture. cultural significance of the developed and performed in with a libretto by Herbert found the ability to relax and many outstanding artists, military-themed revues during Fields and Dorothy Fields, enjoy his achievements and all Postscript: Two quibbles entertainers, and impresarios both world wars, and traveled directed by Joshua Logan, and the rewards they brought him. – there are no photos, and with whom Berlin’s career bravely while in his mid-50s starring Ethel Merman, Annie And yes, Irving Berlin’s a small sampling would intersected. His book is all the in both the European and Get Your Gun was Berlin’s first story is a quintessentially have been nice. And I also better for it. Pacific theaters to entertain score in which the songs were Jewish story. Writes Kaplan: wish Kaplan would have The other morass Kaplan the troops. integrated into the plot of the Berlin may have stopped put together a song list of manages to avoid is psychol- He was by temperament musical. Hitherto, Berlin’s going to shul when his versions of Berlin tunes he ogizing. It would no doubt be antsy and also peripatetic, musicals were revues built father died, may have found appealing as both an very tempting for a biographer traveling incessantly and around his songs. At first worked hard on purging introduction to neophytes who knows as much about sequestering himself in hotels reluctant, Berlin took on the the greenhorn from and just to find out what he his subject as Kaplan does away from distractions while challenge. Writes Kaplan: himself and becoming likes. But since he didn’t, to put a complex figure like immersed in a project, and He wrote the bulk of the a true American. “But we did – please visit the Web Irving Berlin “on the couch.” moving his household (he sixteen-song score in his kind of assimila- version of this story at jewish- Although artistically mature, remarried and had three eighteen days. It was as tion was not denying his berkshires.org>Community fantastically wealthy, and daughters, in addition to his though all his exhaus- Jewishness,” [daughter] & Events>Berkshire Jewish world-renowned at an early tragic son) several times to tion and self-doubt had Mary Ellin Barrett says. Voice for links to a sampling age, Berlin began his life in different grand residences in collapsed upon itself and “He was very much a of Berlin tunes you will surely abject poverty and was dealt Manhattan. Kaplan describes spontaneously combusted Jew.” And his Jewishness enjoy. crushing personal losses at Berlin as an earnest family in a late-period glory. And permeated his songs. almost every stage of his life man though one who, in his he wasn’t just writing for – suffering the death of his Berlin looked back on consuming devotion to his himself and his muse. father when he was thirteen, his tenement upbringing work, was often absent and He had something to becoming a widower at age with nostalgia – “Every man distracted when present. prove: to Rodgers and twenty-three, and losing his should have a Lower East His company was cher- Hammerstein, to the only son to sudden infant Side in his life,” he said, and You can now read and share Berk- ished by the leading lights of Fieldses and Josh Logan. death syndrome and later apparently he often returned shire Jewish Voice feature stories Broadway, Hollywood, and the In return, he depended on a beloved sister to suicide. to the old neighborhood online! Visit jewishberkshires. literary world, and he was a their enthusiasm. The closest Kaplan comes to just to walk around. One org and select Community & true friend to other giants of psychologizing is to agree with But after Annie Get Your the most charming parts popular music, among them Events>Berkshire Jewish Voice for Tin Pan Alley historian Philip Gun, Berlin’s artistic powers of the book relates how the Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, and links to highlights of current and Furia that Berlin protested ebbed. I find Kaplan’s obser- songwriter took a theater George Gershwin. past issues. “too much by insisting there vation that Berlin wrote columnist on a vivid tour of The egocentrism he is no connection between his songs “for himself and his his old stomping grounds in