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JewishA publication of the of the Berkshires, serving V the Berkshires and surrounding ice NY, CT and VT Vol. 27, No. 3 Nisan/Iyar 5779 April 8 to May 12, 2019 jewishberkshires.org Who Will Write Our History In honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day, film HAPPY PASSOVER 5779! screening and memorial candle lighting Israel’s Solomon Souza Brings His Jewish-Inflected Street Art to the US

Scene from the filmWho Will Write Our History PITTSFIELD – Discover the fascinating Sunday, May 5 from 2 to 4 p.m. story of the clandestine effort by a band This event is free and open to of journalists, scholars, and community the public, and is sponsored by the leaders that vowed to defeat Nazi lies Jewish Federation of the Berkshires. and propaganda in the feature docu- After the film, please join us for can- mentary Who Will Write Our History, dle lighting and prayers in memory of part of a special program in honor of those murdered in the Holocaust. Yom HaShoah/Holocaust Remembrance In November 1940, days after Day at the Berkshire Museum on the Nazis sealed 450,000 in the Warsaw Ghetto, a secret band of In 2016, the Berkshire Jewish Voice covered an art project that transformed journalists, scholars, and commu- ’s Mahane Yehuda market. Street artist Solomon Souza spray-painted Inside nity leaders decided to fight back. unforgettable graffiti art-inspired images of Jewish heroes on the market’s metal Led by historian Emanuel Ringelblum shutters, which are rolled down at night and on . Recently, we caught up A Whole Lot Afula Around...... 2 and known by the code name Oyneg with Souza to find out what he’s been up to – see page 24 for more. In honor of BJV Features Now Web-Friendly!...... 3 Shabes, this clandestine group vowed Pesach 5779, we share Souza’s wild 2015 take on “The 10 Plagues.” to defeat Nazi lies and propaganda Your Federation Presents...... 4-7 not with guns or fists but with pen Local News...... 8-12 and paper. They detailed life in the Ghetto from the Jewish perspective. JPPI on Israeli Jews...... 18 They commissioned diaries, Modern “Renaissance Man” A Shayna Knaidel for Pesach...... 21 YOM HASHOAH, continued on page 4 Rube Goldberg at the Rockwell By Albert Stern / BJV Editor Historic Haggadahs

Rube Goldberg

On my way back from Stockbridge There are some superficial resem- after seeing the Norman Rockwell blances between the careers of these Museum’s entertaining show of Rube very different artists. Both were Goldberg’s illustrations, I noticed a astonishingly prolific, with Goldberg billboard advertising another local (1883-1970) producing more than exhibition featuring fanciful con- 50,000 illustrations over the 72 years The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires wishes all a happy and healthy Pesach. traptions with lots of moving parts he was active. Goldberg was also a In this image from “The Brother Haggadah” (produced circa 1330 CE in Catalonia, – “Leonardo da Vinci: Machines true “Renaissance man” of his time, Spain), Moses and Aaron confound Pharaoh as their serpents swallow up those in Motion,” now on view at the RUBE GOLDBERG, conjured by the Egyptian soothsayers. More historic Haggadah images inside this Berkshire Museum. issue of the BJV! And if you enjoy Jewish illuminated manuscripts, subscribe to continued on page 22 the British Library’s BL Hebrew Project Twitter feed at @BL_HebrewMSS. Page 2 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org April 8 to May 12, 2019 Rabbi Reflections Truly, the Best Night Ever – Until the Next Night By Rabbi Jodie Gordon As we boarded our flight bound “Being in a place where I The evening we spent together was wonderful: the for , one of my students students introduced themselves and with the help of asked me, “How many times have shared so much in common me and their madrikhim, we were able to bridge the you been to Israel?” I paused and with the people around me language gaps. They sat together in small groups and thought – and answered honestly, talked about everything from what subjects they study “I don’t remember. More than ten made me feel like I had been in school, to what they hope to be when they grow times? Fewer than twenty?” up, to which they prefer: shwarma or . They The question stayed with me waiting to be here my en- made dinner together, preparing pizzas in a tradi- as our pilot announced our initial tire life…and the Federation tional taboon oven outside on a crisp February night. descent into Tel Aviv, and like the At some point, Karen and I found ourselves standing students and chaperones, I found helped make it possible.” on the side of the room, watching as parents from the myself eagerly looking out the win- – Adam Kronenberg kibbutz and the Hevreh parent chaperones sat and dow at the city coming into view laughed, and the teens ran around on the mirpesset below. How many times do we have outside the community room. It was truly a warm and to travel someplace before it feels meaningful encounter: but the real moment of con- familiar? How many times before it feels “like home”? How many times must we nection came as the table was being cleared and the official program was wrap- go someplace before we feel we’ve seen and done it all – that we’re maybe, a little ping up. bored of going there? “Rabbi Gordon – are we allowed to keep hanging out with the kids from the These questions reminded me of a famous essay by travel writer Pico Ayer, kibbutz? They asked if we could go play basketball with them.” who writes: “We travel, initially, to lose ourselves; and we travel, next, to find And so at nearly 10 p.m. at night, six kids from the Berkshires and ten kids ourselves. We travel to open our hearts and eyes and learn more about the world from a kibbutz in central Israel made their way to a basketball court. They than our newspapers will accommodate. We travel to bring what little we can, in returned exultant and red-cheeked an hour later, at their appointed curfew, our ignorance and knowledge, to those parts of the globe whose riches are differ- exclaiming that this had been “the best night ever.” ently dispersed. And we travel, in essence, to become young fools again — to slow This phrase, “the best night ever” would become a refrain throughout the time down and get taken in, and fall in love once more.” week, due in large part to the hospitality and openness of our Partnership coor- This past February, I had the distinct honor and privilege to travel to Israel dinators, Achiya Ben-Ari and Naveh Yogev, and our Kibbutz Jezreel hosts, Rahel Piekarski and Karen Brustein. They put their hearts into planning a visit for us that allowed our group to get beneath the surface of a tour. The night after the first “best night ever,” our group was hosted by Itzik, who runs Moadon Sandwich, or the “Sandwich Club,” which this year received a $3,000 grant from our Federation. Five nights a week, Itzik welcomes 50 teens to the Afula commu- nity center. Itzik is of Moroccan descent, with gray-blue eyes that sparkle when he laughs. Itzik himself is a recovering addict and dedi- cates his life to serving those who might otherwise be on the margins. He works with prisoners, as well as with this population of teens with varying levels of challenges in their home lives. They play X-Box and foosball, work on homework – and then make a big dinner for them- selves before they get to work. This gathering is called the Sandwich Club because each night, they make over 200 bagged lunches for chil- dren in Afula who need supplemental food. The program was inspired by a teen who had been hanging out in Itzik’s teen Moadon (club) and packed up some of his dinner that night to bring home. Noticing that the teen hadn’t finished his dinner, Itzik asked, and was told that the boy wanted to bring the extra food home for his brother. Now, they provide more than one thousand extra meals each week to Afula schoolchildren. Our Hevreh group joined them to help make those lunches and were then treated to a full-on party: in preparation for our visit, their group had decorated their community hall, prepared a special dinner, and even had a musical presentation. On the bus on the way back to the kibbutz that night our teens asked if there was any way to go back and visit with the Sandwich Club group again before we left – and just then, I got a message on my phone from the mom of one of the teens from the Members of Hevreh’s pre-confirmation class and chaperones atop Mt. Shaul in the Gilboa region kibbutz: “Can the Hevreh kids come hang out on the basketball court tonight?” with Hevreh’s Pre-Confirmation Class, which included six students and four par- Truly, the best night ever. ents. As this trip has evolved into its second year, it has truly become a family Aria Grossman, one of our teen travelers remarked “Throughout this trip, we experience: the opportunity for a group of parents and young teens to discover, have been astounded by the warm and generous people who have hosted and together and apart, all of the beauties and complexities of the modern State of helped us along the way. Israel truly is a magical place.” Israel. The eight days we spend together traveling around Israel are, of course, Israel is a small country with oversized possibilities for engagement: our itiner- amazing: the sights, sounds, smells and of tastes of Israel weave a sort of magic ary was jam-packed with opportunities for us to learn Israeli history, understand around the group. Both students and parents came with a hunger and curiosity modern Israeli innovation, engage with Jewish life in Israel today, and so much to explore and encounter, and with that openness, the trip unfolded beautifully. more. Adam Kronenberg, another traveler reflected: “We learned about the history What we have created isn’t rocket science: there are literally hundreds of ways of the land and of the Jews from thousands of years ago to the founding of the to travel to Israel for our young people, among them semester in Israel study pro- State of Israel in modern times. Being in a place where I shared so much in com- grams, summer teen tours. Soon enough, they’ll be eligible for mon with the people around me made me feel like I had been waiting to be here trips. my entire life. Everyone is truly grateful for the experience and the Federation So, what makes this trip so uniquely impactful? helped make it possible.” The answer is relationships. This trip is grounded in a relationship that has Reflecting back on the words of Pico Ayer, this was truly a trip that helped been cultivated and funded by the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, which each of us to open our hearts and our eyes, and to find ourselves anew. also provided Israel travel scholarships to our students. The experience of spending time in the Berkshires’ Partnership2gether community of Afula-Gilboa Rabbi Jodie Gordon is a rabbi and educational director at Hevreh of Southern anchors the experience in a way that elevates the trip from tour to encounter. Berkshire in Great Barrington. I want to share a vignette of the trip that really brings to life the vibrant con- nection that has been forged between our Berkshires community and the wonder- ful people in Afula-Gilboa. Karen Brustein was born in Brazil and made Aliyah to Israel when she was young, settling with her family at Kibbutz Jezreel. Karen and I met last year when, in her capacity as a program coordinator for the Partnership and as a res- ident of the kibbutz where we were staying, she took us on a walking tour of the kibbutz. This past year, Karen and I worked closely in the six months leading up to our visit to plan an intentional encounter between their B’nai Mitzvah group and our visiting students.

CORRECTION: Due to an editing error, Hope Silverman was incorrectly identified in the last issue of the Berkshire Jewish Voice. We regret the mistake.

Thank you volunteers Ellen Rosenblatt and the BJV delivery team, Mitch Greenwald, Roman Rozenblyum, Gayle Rotenberg, and Ron Turbin Nisan / Iyar 5779 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 3 Editor’s Note Stop the Presses! BJV Features to Be Linked Online! By Albert Stern / BJV Editor

So with the 21st Century now almost one-fifth the BJV over the years, and we’ll be getting as much of it online as we can. over, the Berkshire Jewish Voice has joined the late And start looking for links to BJV stories in the Jewish Federation of the 20th century and has started posting direct links to Berkshires’ Facebook feed. If you haven’t done so already, by all means, like our feature stories online at the Jewish Federation of the page on Facebook! Berkshires’ website, www.jewishberkshires.org. So “stop the presses”? Hardly so. This Federation believes that a print news- While pdf versions of our newspaper have been paper that reaches our community members in their homes – and visitors to the available online for several years, we were unable to Berkshires at high-traffic distribution points throughout the county – is an effec- link directly on our website to individual stories we tive way to publicize the first-rate Jewish programming that we, our affiliates, and publish due to limitations with the platform used to our cultural institutions offer. power our website. But most importantly, the Berkshire Jewish Voice remains essential in spread- That platform has recently been improved, and so ing this Federation’s message and building community in the Berkshires. We we can now offer links to the feature stories appearing in the print version of the hope you’ll continue to support your local Jewish newspaper as readers and BJV, making it easier to share the stories you may have enjoyed (or perhaps even donors, and that our new online capacity will enhance your enjoyment of our been featured in) via email and social media. work and your engagement with Federation. Here’s how you’ll find our online stories: • At jewishberkshires.org, on the primary navigation bar hover your cursor on Community & Events. On the dropdown that appears, click Berkshire Jewish Voice. • On the right side of Berkshire Jewish Voice page that appears, under the Berkshire Jewish Voice Highlights heading, you’ll see a list of five or six recently published stories listed. Clicking on a story’s short title/tagline takes you to a new page with that story, with a URL you can copy and paste into an email or social media post. • Clicking the Berkshire Jewish Voice Highlights heading takes you to the Berkshire Jewish Voice Highlights page, which will feature an archive of all the stories we publish online, along with an image and a summary of the article. Click the numbers at the bottom of this page for more stories. Note that links to pdf versions of past BJVs will remain on the Berkshire Jewish Voice page, an archive of complete newspapers dating back to 2017. Only feature stories will appear online – continue to use our Community Calendar for the most up-to-date information on Federation events and other local programs of Jewish interest. Our Berkshire Jewish Summer guide will also appear in pdf format on the Berkshire Jewish Voice page. As time permits, we will be posting some of the noteworthy articles that have appeared in the BJV over the past five years to Berkshire Jewish Voice Highlights. Local scholars, rabbis, humorists, novelists, essayists, memoir- ists, and artists have all contributed interesting work with lasting value to

Letters to the Editor

Your Campaign Dollars Helped Abused IDF When we have emotional problems, we carry them with us wherever we go, from one stage of life to another, and are thus treated similarly. Aviva was a vic- Soldiers Heal tim of sexual abuse most of her life, which left her unable to trust, with a fatalis- Dear Jewish Federation of the Berkshires: tic approach to life, and incapable of maintaining social relationships. That was On behalf of ELI, I am writing to thank your donors for the grant of $3,250 for the way she behaved in the army as well, even though it was a new environment. ELI’s program for working with sexually-abused soldiers in the IDF. This will be The fact that ELI was available to her in the army allowed her to ask for and targeted to the therapeutic intervention ELI provides to soldiers who have been receive professional help from someone who believed her, and thus break the sexually abused. May I share just one success story: cycle of victimization and begin to build her life again in a healthy way. Building a 20-year-old Aviva called ELI’s hotline. She said that she was calling for the culture of awareness of sexual abuse in the IDF – by teaching how to get help and 5th or 6th time, but in the previous calls she hung up whenever her call was extending our offer of non-judgmental therapy – enabled Aviva to break through answered since she was afraid. Eventually, when she gathered the courage the walls of victimization. to speak, she spoke in a very confused and unclear way. She said that she On behalf of Aviva, we thank you – our friends and partners. was alone, that no one was there for her and that she considered committing suicide. Wendy Borodkin American Friends of ELI / www.eli-usa.org Aviva was asked to come to the office and while speaking with her, we felt that we were speaking with a three-year-old child trapped in a 20-year-old body. Aviva shared her story: she was repeatedly raped for many years by her father, from the time she was three years old. Everybody in the family, includ- ing her mother, knew about it but said nothing. She was treated by everyone as “the weird child.” When she was recruited to the army, she believed that she would finally be treated like everyone else, but she wasn’t. Berkshire

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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 Dara Kaufman: Publisher and Managing Editor The color photography in this issue of the Berkshire Jewish Allan and Nan Lipton: Honorary Publishers Voice is made possible through the generosity of Allan and Albert Stern: Editor Nan Lipton, honorary publishers. The staff of the Rose Tannenbaum: Graphic Design and Layout Jenny Greenfeld: Advertising Sales Representative Federation and the BJV are deeply grateful. 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 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR view of the newspaper, but rather express the writer’s view. The Berkshire Jewish Voice welcomes signed letters on subjects of interest to the The Berkshire Jewish Voice is under no obligation to accept any advertisement. It Jewish community. Letters are printed upon space availability. The BJV reserves does not guarantee the kashrut of any merchandise or service advertised. the right to edit all letters for content, length, and style. The BJV does not print To have the BJV mailed to your home, please send a minimum donation of $18 anonymous letters, insults, libelous or defamatory statements. Published letters do Next issue publication date: May 13, 2019 – June 23, 2019 not represent the views of the Federation, its board of directors, or the newspaper, but rather express the views of their authors. For verification purposes, please in- Press deadline: April 9, 2019 • Advertising deadline: April 24, 2019 clude full name, home address, and a day and evening telephone number. Send Berkshire Jewish Voice e-mail: [email protected] letters to: Berkshire Jewish Voice, 196 South Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201, or email: Phone: (413) 442-4360, ext. 11 Fax (413) 443-6070 [email protected]. Page 4 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org April 8 to May 12, 2019 Your Federation Presents

YOM HASHOAH, continued from page 1 essays, jokes, poems, and the Oyneg Shabes members’ songs. They documented Nazi determination in creating the Connecting With Community Programs/ atrocities with eyewitness most important cache of eye- accounts. They sent reports witness accounts to survive the Kosher Hot Lunch of mass murder to via war. It follows their moments of Programs in the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires’ Connecting With the Polish underground. Then, hope, as well as their despair, Community series are free and start at 10:45 a.m. most Mondays and as trains deported them to the desperation and anger, some- gas chambers of Treblinka times at their fellow Jews as Thursdays at Knesset Israel (16 Colt Road, Pittsfield). Programs are followed and the Ghetto burned to the much as their Nazi captors. It by a kosher hot lunch. Lunch is a $2 suggested donation for adults over 60 ground, they buried 60,000 captures their humor, longing, years of age or $7 for all others. Advance reservations are required for lunch pages of documentation in the hunger, and determination to and can be made by calling (413) 442-2200 before 9 a.m. on the day of the hopes that the archive would retain their humanity in the program. Lunch alone is also served Tuesday. survive the war, even if they face of unspeakable hardships. did not. Ultimately, through their Knosh & Knowledge events take place each month on a Friday at Hevreh Now, for the first time, the voices, actions, and real-time of Southern Berkshire (270 State Road, Great Barrington). Programs start at story of Emanuel Ringelblum experiences, Who Will Write 10:45 a.m. and are now free – the buffet lunch that follows the presentation and the Oyneg Shabes archive Our History vanquishes those is $11 and must be reserved in advance by calling (413) 442-4360, ext. 10. is told as a feature documen- who distort and dehumanize tary. Written, produced, and the “Other” in favor of those For further information on all programs, please call Nancy Maurice directed by Roberta Grossman who stand up, fight back and, Rogers, program director, at (413) 442-4360, ext. 15. For lunch menus and and executive produced by as one Oyneg Shabes member a chronological list of all scheduled programs, please see page 14. Note Nancy Spielberg, Who Will writes, “scream the truth to that lunch menus are subject to change. Write Our History mixes the the world.” writings of the archive with For more information, call new interviews, rarely seen (413) 442-4360, ext. 10. footage, and stunning drama- The Process of Aging, with Maggie Bittman tizations to transport us inside IF YOU GO the Ghetto and the lives of On Monday, April 22 and purpose; facing mortality; these courageous resistance Sponsors: Jewish Federation of at 10:45 a.m., the Jewish experiencing aloneness; and fighters. the Berkshires Federation of the Berkshires engaging free will. Featuring the voices of Venue: Berkshire Museum, 39 presents “The Process of Bittman will highlight how three-time Academy Award® South Street in Pittsfield Aging” with therapist Maggie this is a lifelong process, and nominee Joan Allen and Date & Time: Sunday, May 5 at Bittman. This free program at the ways people return to Academy Award® winner 2 p.m. Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, these existential truths at each Adrien Brody, the film honors in Pittsfield, is part of the stage of life with the added Federation’s Connecting With wisdom that comes with aging. Community series. Within this context, partici- This program will provide pants will discuss, share and Donate an opportunity to be part of a offer support, as they explore group dialogue, created and these existential truths. • facilitated by Bittman, who Volunteer will explain her outlook and IF YOU GO approach, emphasizing that • aging begins at birth. She Sponsor: Jewish Federation of Make a Difference will discuss how all of us are the Berkshires / Connecting With confronted with four existen- Community tial truths as we age – the Venue: Knesset Israel search to Date & Time: Monday, April 22 find meaning at 10:45 a.m., followed by lunch Therapist Maggie Bittman (see page 14). Nisan / Iyar 5779 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 5 Your Federation Presents

Kosher Community Seder – We Knead You to Help Bake Challot – Lots of Them! April 19 By Susan Frisch Lehrer, PJ Library Coordinator WILLIAMSTOWN – On Sunday, the Berkshire Food May 5 from 10 to noon, Project.” PJ Library and the Jewish Emma was Federation of the Berkshires instrumental in invite local families to join organizing this with Williams College Jewish program and Association (WCJA) to bake reached out to challot for the Challah for the Federation Hunger Project. We’ll be baking along with Molly at the Williams College Jewish Berenbaum, Religious Center, 24 Stetson WCJA’s kitchen Court (behind the Admissions director and PITTSFIELD – The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will host Office). Challah for Hunger a kosher community Passover Seder at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, It’s free, but RSVP is co-chair, as well as April 19 at Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road. required by May 1 (413) 442- Rabbi Seth Wax, Participants will enjoy a traditional kosher Seder experience 4360, ext. 10 or federation@ WCJA advisor and Jewish morning and hope to see many with plenty of explanation, insight, and song, while enjoying all jewishberkshires.org chaplain. families joining us. the ritual foods, ceremonial wine, and a delicious four-course Learn about food insecurity We will include a PJ For more information, Passover meal. in Berkshire County, partic- Library story for the younger please email me at slehrer@ Catered by Crown Market of West Hartford, the Seder meal ipate in a mitzvah, and have kids with a challah theme or jewishberkshires.org or call at will feature a brisket entrée. A vegetarian option is available fun! one on feeding the hungry. (413) 442-4360, ext. 14. upon advance request. Attendees are invited to bring their own Emma Lezberg, a junior And of course snacks will be PJ Library is made possible kosher for Passover table wine. from Pittsfield and currently included. Emma also added, for Berkshire families through Rabbi David Weiner of Knesset Israel will serve as Seder Tzedek director for WCJA “It would be a fun activity a community partnership of leader. Children of all ages, extended family, and community said that “once or twice each teaching the kids to braid the the Jewish Federation of the friends are welcome. Children will enjoy plague bags and be semester, we bake about 72 challah and a tzedek project Berkshires, the Spitz Tuchman invited to hunt for the afikomen. Prizes will be awarded to all. miniature challot and sell for them, too. This would be a Family Fund, the Jewish The cost is $40 for adults and $20 for children ages 5 them in our student center to huge help in our work – and Women’s Foundation, and the through 13. Children 4 years and under are free of charge. raise money to combat food we would do a bit of teaching Harold Grinspoon Foundation. Advance reservations and payment are required by April 15. insecurity. Half the money on food insecurity.” Financial assistance is available through the generosity of the goes to Mazon and half goes to We look forward to this fun Jewish Women’s Foundation of Berkshire County. Reservations can be made by calling the Federation at (413) 442-4360, ext. 10 or online at www.jewishberkshires.org. Three-part Series: “The German Jewish Current Affairs: Experience,” with David Levinson, Ph.D. Starting on Monday, for the German Jewish Contemporary American April 29 at 10:45 a.m., community, including Connecting With Community immigration to the United and International Politics hosts David Levinson, a cul- States, movement from tural anthropologist, author, the towns to the cities, On Thursday, April 11 and son of a Holocaust sur- the emergence of a Jewish and Thursday, May 9 at vivor for a special three-ses- middle and upper-middle 10:45 a.m., join Professor sion overview of “The German class, and the develop- Steven J. Rubin for “Current Jewish Experience.” The ment of Reform Judaism. Affairs: Contemporary series continues on Thursday, The final session cov- American and International May 2, and will conclude on ers the Holocaust and Politics.” This course will meet Monday, May 6. post-Holocaust peri- to discuss and explore current This free program at ods, including emigra- issues that influence our lives Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road in tion from Germany, the Graphic Design and society at large. This free Pittsfield is part of the Jewish lives of Jewish German www.tgo.com program at Knesset Israel, 16 Federation of the Berkshires’ refugees, and Holocaust Colt Road in Pittsfield is part Connecting With Community commemoration. of the Jewish Federation of the series. Proof of ad for: ______Barbara GreenfeldFor the last fifteen or Please respond by ______Berkshires’ Connecting With This three-session course so years, Dr. Levinson has Community series. covers the history of theBJV May 2016been studying and writing Topics will be chosen by Jewish experiencePublication: in______Germany about the Jewish expe- to: (Tel) 413/ 528-0328 (Fax) 413/ 528-0328 [email protected] Professor Rubin in consul- from the fourth century CE up rience in Germany and tation with the class and in to today.Send It will to: take ______a lecture/[email protected] American heri- ❏ Changes req’d. & new proof view of the issue’s relevance. Professor Steven J. Rubin seminar approach with audi- tage in the Berkshires. Members will be encouraged ence participationNo. of pages encouraged. (inc. cover): ______His two1 latest books are: ❏ Approved as is. ❏ Approved with corrections as noted. to participate in discussions The Rise and Demise of the Session one will cover the Jewish Germany: An Enduring IF YOU GO to express views and opinions Brooklyn Dodgers” was broad- long periodProof from sent: the ______fourth4/25/16 Presence from Proofthe Fourth # ______1 to Approved by: ______in a supportive and informal cast live on National Public century up to 1800, with a the Twenty-First Century and Sponsor: Jewish Federation atmosphere. Radio in December 2017 and focus on the major elements of African American Community of the Berkshires / Connecting Steven J. Rubin is profes- can be currently heard online. German and Jewish life that in Rural New England: W. E. With Community sor emeritus of international defined the Jewish experience. B. Du Bois and His Boyhood Venue: Knesset Israel studies and former dean of the IF YOU GO Session two covers the Church. Date & Time: Monday, April 29; College of Arts and Sciences years 1800 to 1933, a period Thursday, May 2; and Monday, at Adelphi University, Garden Sponsor: Jewish Federation of of enormous transformation May 6 at 10:45 a.m., followed City, NY. He is the author of the Berkshires / Connecting With by lunch (see page 14). numerous books and articles Community and frequently lectures both Venue: Knesset Israel here and abroad on such top- Date & Time: Thursday, April ics as international anti-Sem- 11 and Thursday, May 9 at itism, Jewish history, pop- 10:45 a.m., followed by lunch ular culture, and literature. (see page 14). His radio play “Dem Bums:

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] Roberts & Associates 413-298-4436 Realty, inc. Page 6 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org April 8 to May 12, 2019 Your Federation Presents

Seuss in Springfield Chair Yoga: Easy Yoga for On Monday, April 8 at 10:45 a.m., we welcome Karen Mobility and Peace of Mind Fisk, director of Marketing and Communication Strategy for The Springfield Museums, home of The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss. She’ll talk about “Seuss in Springfield.” This free program at Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road in Pittsfield is part of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires’ Connecting With Community series. A Dr. Seuss museum was the number one request of the more than 4 million peo- ple who visited the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden at the Springfield Museums since it opened in and has generated more than 2002. The garden celebrates $16,000,000 impact on the IF YOU GO Theodor Seuss Geisel, aka Dr. City of Springfield. Sponsor: Jewish Federation Seuss, in the city in which he How is Seuss in Springfield of the Berkshires / Connecting was born and raised. Fifteen a gateway for the world With Community years later, the Springfield to experience Western Venue: Knesset Israel Museums opened The Amazing Massachusetts? Karen Fisk Date & Time: Monday, April 8 On Thursday, April 25 at the Massachusetts Housing World of Dr. Seuss Museum, will explain. at 10:45 a.m., followed by lunch 10:45 a.m., join Linda Novick Authority. which has doubled attendance (see page 14). for “Chair Yoga: Easy Yoga for She explains that her Flexibility, Mobility, and Peace approach to yoga encourages of Mind.” This free program at everyone to listen and love Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road in their body. Her yoga classes Jewish Women’s Foundation Issues Pittsfield is part of the Jewish encourage gentle stretching, Federation of the Berkshires’ proper breathing, strength and Request for Proposals to Support Unmet Connecting With Community balance. She attended Pratt series. Institute in Brooklyn and has Linda Novick says: “Chair a BFA in art education, and Needs in Berkshire County Yoga is appropriate for peo- has taught art for 50 years. PITTSFIELD – The Jewish grant proposals beginning on Health Program, Gladys ple of all levels of mobility. It She’s been teaching yoga Women’s Foundation of Wednesday, May 1, 2019 via Allen Brigham Community is a series of breathing and since 1997, and lately has Berkshire County, an associate an online grant application Center, Project Connection stretching exercises done in a been focusing on easy yoga of the Jewish Federation of the available at www.jewish- at Berkshire Hills Regional chair, which increases mobil- for elders. She taught on staff Berkshires, is soliciting grant berkshires.org/jewish-wom- School District, Alchemy ity of the joints, flexibility, at Kripalu Center for 7 years, proposals from not-for-profit ens-foundation. Deadline Initiative/Pittsfield Farmers strength and stamina. Some and is now a regular pre- Berkshires-based organizations for submitting a proposal is Market, Railroad Street Youth of the exercises are performed senter, offering programs that for projects or programs aimed Thursday, May 30, 2019. Final Project, and the Northern standing behind the chair, combine painting and yoga. at fulfilling unmet needs in the decisions will be announced in Berkshire Interfaith Action while holding on. Participants She’s the author of the book, Berkshire community, specifi- September. Initiative. will learn breathing techniques The Painting Path: Embodying cally those that: In 2018, the Foundation Additional support was to enhance lung capacity, as Spiritual Discovery through awarded $32,000 to fourteen provided to ongoing initia- well as easy stretches and Yoga, Brush and Color. • Meet clients’ basic needs for local organizations. Recipients tives and projects within the yoga postures. Yoga is good shelter, food, and clothing, included: Berkshire Christian Berkshire Jewish community. for all bodies. Beginners are IF YOU GO • Promote the development of Center, Berkshire Immigrant Guided by the Jewish welcome.” life skills including commu- Center, Backyard Bounty of value of tikkun olam (Hebrew Linda Novick, MFA, is an Sponsor: Jewish Federation of the Berkshires / Connecting nication, academics, litera- the Berkshires, Berkshire for repairing the world), the author, teacher, artist, and With Community cy, and empowerment. Community Diaper Project, Jewish Women’s Foundation of professional level Kripalu Venue: Knesset Israel Both Jewish and non-Jew- Berkshire Grown, The Boys Berkshire County is dedicated Yoga teacher. She currently ish non-profit organizations and Girls Club, Berkshire to sharing its Jewish values by teaches yoga at Berkshire Date & Time: Thursday, April 25 at 10:45 a.m., followed by lunch are encouraged to apply for South Community Suppers, meeting unmet needs in the West Fitness Center and (see page 14). grants up to $3,500. Congregation Beth Israel/Take community and supporting Kimball Farms, and all over The Foundation will accept and Eat Program, Community social action. the Commonwealth with

900 Hamantashen Delivered on

Thank you to all of the volunteers who baked, packed, decorated bags, and delivered a Purim gift to hundreds of local seniors who are homebound, in senior facilities, or in the hospital as part of Joe’s Project. Nisan / Iyar 5779 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 7 Your Federation Presents

“’s Holy Ground: The Yiddish “It’s Now or Never,” with Connection” Abby Schroeder, at the April on her musical family’s Jewish influences 12 Knosh & Knowledge at the May 31 Knosh & Knowledge GREAT BARRINGTON – On GREAT BARRINGTON – On Friday, April 12 at 10:45 a.m., Friday, May 31 at 10:45 a.m., Knosh & Knowledge invites Knosh & Knowledge wel- you to join Berkshire music comes Nora Guthrie, whose and theater impresaria Abby topic will be “Woody Guthrie’s Schroeder as she shares tales Holy Ground: The Yiddish and insights from her life with Connection.” In this program, her husband, renowned song- Nora Guthrie discusses the writer Aaron Schroeder, her artistic implications of her career in the music indus- father Woody’s relationship try, and her work on the with his Jewish mother-in-law, Berkshires cultural scene. Yiddish poet, Aliza Greenblatt. This Jewish Federation The program includes a pre- of the Berkshires program sentation of photographs, will take place at Hevreh music excerpts, writings, Nora Guthrie Aliza Greenblatt of Southern Berkshire at and artwork that illuminate 10:45 a.m., and will be fol- their personal and creative Browne, Janis Ian, Jay Farrar country from 2001 – 2003. lowed by lunch. relationship. and Jim James, Jorma Nora again worked with the In her early twenties, Abby This Jewish Federation Kaukonen, Lucinda Williams, Grammy Museum in 2012 to Steinberg became the young- Abby Schroeder of the Berkshires program John Mellencamp, and celebrate Woody’s centennial est woman executive at the will take place at Hevreh Dropkick Murphys, artists in year, where she co-produced top level of the music busi- Festival; worked to save and of Southern Berkshire at all genres of music have found national and international ness, as COO of A. Schroeder renovate the Mahaiwe Theater; 10:45 a.m., and will be fol- a new camaraderie with Woody concerts, exhibits, public International, created in 1960 been a mover helping to real- lowed by lunch. educational programs, by Aaron Schroeder, who ize community projects with One of Nora’s par- and seminars, including she later married. Known for the United Way and Fairview ticular focuses involves the gala tribute Woody innovative publishing prac- Hospital; and was, along with creating projects which Guthrie at 100! Live at tices and record production, her husband Aaron and musi- bring Woody Guthrie’s the Kennedy Center. In Abby and Aaron discovered, cian David Grover, instrumen- vast cultural and creative 2014, Nora worked with guided and developed careers tal in realizing the construc- legacy to the public. She Douglas Brinkley and of extraordinary composers, tion of the bandstand in Great once told an interviewer Johnny Depp to pub- lyricists, and performers such Barrington. that her father “was a lish Woody’s unpub- as , , Join Abby as she shares poet and lyricist who lished novel, House of Blood, Sweat and Tears, Barry tales of the music industry, wrote about everything. Earth. Nora worked White, , and oth- and how she helped nurture I don’t want to see him with the George Kaiser ers. Five of Aaron’s 17 songs a vital arts community in the turned into a freeze- Family Foundation and recorded by Berkshires for 40 years. dried, Dust Bowl icon the Grammy Museum reached the top spot on the representing a narrow Foundation to create the charts, including “” IF YOU GO version of what some- and “It’s Now or Never.” Aaron body thinks he was. [His in Tulsa, Oklahoma, an also discovered , Sponsor: Jewish Federation of Jewish-themed] songs educational museum and managed his career, and pro- the Berkshires are just one more facet of Date & Time: Friday, April 12 at The Klezmatics’ Wonder Wheel new home of the Woody duced his Oscar-nominated his work that will add to Guthrie Archives. hit “Town Without Pity.” 10:45 a.m. a fuller picture of him as As a creative/business Venue: Hevreh of Southern a songwriter.” Guthrie, culminating in hun- IF YOU GO manager, Abby negotiated Berkshire, 270 State Road, Great Nora is president of Woody dreds of new songs with con- major contracts for music Barrington Guthrie Publications, Inc. and, temporary artists. Her newest Sponsor: Jewish Federation of used in television, films, and Cost: $11 with fresh buffet from 1994 – 2012, the director CD, Del and Woody with blue- the Berkshires commercials, as well as for lunch. Free admission to pro- of the Woody Guthrie Archives. grass master Del McCoury, Date & Time: Friday, May 31 at Broadway productions and gram only. She was executive producer of was released in 2016. 10:45 a.m. Las Vegas revues. Advance lunch reservations Billy Bragg & Wilco’s Grammy- In 1996, Nora co-pro- Venue: Hevreh of Southern In the Berkshires, Abby required for this event. nominated recordings duced the Rock-n-Roll Hall Berkshire, 270 State Road, Great has organized star-studded Email federation@jewishberk- Vol. I, II, and of Fame Tribute to Woody Barrington galas for the Berkshire Theatre shires.org, or call (413) 442- III and the Klezmatics’ Wonder Guthrie with performers Arlo Cost: $11 with fresh buffet 4360, ext. 10 Wheel and Happy Joyous Guthrie, Bruce Springsteen, lunch. Free admission to pro- Hanuka, which both created and the Indigo Girls, among gram only. new music for previously others, which was the cata- Advance lunch reservations unknown Guthrie lyrics. Other lyst for opening the Woody required for this recording projects include the Guthrie Archives to the public event. Grammy-winning historical for research. Nora curated Email federa- project The Live Wire; Woody the first major exhibition on tion@jewish- Guthrie in Performance 1949. Guthrie, This Land Is Your berkshires.org, Working with artists as diverse Land, for the Smithsonian or call (413) 442-4360, ext. as Rob Wasserman, Lou Reed, Institution, which toured 10 Madeleine Peyroux, Jackson museums throughout the

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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 Page 8 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org April 8 to May 12, 2019 LOCAL NEWS : 85 Years of Saving Young People in Israel Hadassah fundraiser on May 14 By Joanna Fribush To celebrate the 85th Center for the Performing Arts behavioral problems, and anniversary of Youth Aliyah, at the Meir Shfeyah Village. other disadvantages. the Berkshire Hills Chapter Youth Aliyah began in 1934 To date more than 300,000 of Hadassah is sponsoring a as Recha Freier and Henrietta young people from 80 coun- dessert reception on Tuesday, Szold began to rescue children tries have graduated from May 14 at the home of Judith from the Nazi horrors await- Youth Aliyah and have Cook. ing them in Germany. In this become productive, con- Funds raised will bene- rescue mission, parents gave tributing members of Israeli fit the Meir Shfeyah Village their children to Youth Aliyah society. Hadassah main- in honor of the memory to ensure their survival in tains three villages – Meir of Andrea Lipton Becker. . Hadassah, through Shfeyah, Hadassah Neurim, Andrea’s mother, Bonnie its founder , and Ramat Hadassah Szold – Lipton, is a past president had established facilities to where at-risk students from of National Hadassah, the provide a safe haven for their diverse religious backgrounds Berkshire Hills Chapter, and growth and development. and many countries live and the Western New England Rescue work did not end when study together; these villages Meir Shfeyah Village in 1925 Region of Hadassah. the war ended. It continues include both residential and National Hadassah has today rescuing young at-risk day students. Jews, Arabs, from around the world receive together with younger ones honored Bonnie with the estab- immigrants and native Israelis Christians, Druse, Muslims, a general education as well to improve understanding lishment of the Bonnie Lipton suffering from abuse, poverty, Bedouins, and immigrants as vocational, athletic, music, between them. art, and agricultural instruc- Hadassah’s goal is to trans- tion. Emotional support and form lives of uncertainty and remedial learning needs are misery into lives of fulfillment, also part of each village’s trust and growth to “fulfill our curriculum. Zionist mission of creating a Adjusting to life in a new stronger, healthier, kinder and country may not be easy for more inclusive Jewish state.” young immigrants. For exam- Surely these are worthwhile ple, many young Ethiopian goals and Hadassah’s funding immigrants do not understand is essential to their fulfillment. their own heritage, which Contact Hadassah causes a generational divide. at (413) 443-4386 or To inform them, the Meir Berkshirehillshadassah@gmail. Shfeyah Village offers a class com for further information. on the history of Ethiopian Jews, which is the only course Editor’s Note: We are always of its kind in Israel. This proud to note that the BJV’s village also has developed a own “Traveling With Jewish model ancestral Ethiopian Taste” columnist, Carol Village with mud huts, chick- Goodman Kaufman, is the ens and vegetable farming, National Hadassah Chair of where older generations work Youth Aliyah. Youths at the Village in 2016 training for a marathon

Temple Anshe Amunim Hevreh’s Second Night Passover Seder GREAT BARRINGTON – provided. All are welcome to Pre-paid reservations are Salutes Israel’s 71st Birthday Hevreh of Southern bring their own table wine. required by Sunday, April 14. PITTSFIELD – On Friday, children ages 0-5 and their Berkshire’s annual second The meal will be catered by Adults: $40 Children 5-13: May 10 at 5:30 p.m., Temple siblings to celebrate Shabbat night Seder, led by Rabbi Neil Simon’s Catering. $18 Under 5: Free. Anshe Amunim, invites the together. P.G. Hirsch and Rabbi Jodie Registration for this Seder Call the Hevreh office at community to join in celebra- The cost for the dinner is Gordon, will take place this can be found at hevreh.org. (413) 528-6378 to discuss cost tion of Israel’s 71st birthday. $10 per person for members year on Saturday, April 20, Hover your cursor over “Jewish and sliding-scale registration. The Temple will hold a spe- ($30 maximum for families) beginning at 5:30 p.m. with Life” and choose “Passover” to Hevreh of Southern Berkshire cial Yom Haatzmaut (Israel and $15 per person for non- Havdalah. navigate to the page, and click is at 270 State Road in Great Independence Day) Shabbat yet-members ($45 maximum Seder plates, matzoh, the button that says “register Barrington. service followed by a festive for families). There is no wine, and grape juice will be here.” dinner. The dinner will feature charge to attend the Kabbalat traditional Israeli foods, music, Shabbat or Erev Shabbat and more. services. Hevreh Hipsters’ Fifth Night Seder At 5 p.m., families with Reservations for dinner GREAT BARRINGTON – On story of Passover. 16 to secure your spot at the young children are invited to may be made through May Tuesday, April 23, Hevreh Time and location were table and to volunteer a dish a Kabbalat Shabbat, led by 7. For more information or Hipsters will be getting together yet to be determined at to pass. Rabbi Liz Hirsch. There will to make reservations, please for a 5th night Passover Seder press time, so contact Jodie Special traditions, songs, be singing, blessings, and call (413) 442-5910 or send complete with matzoh ball Friedman at jfriedman@ participation, and leadership snacks. The Kabbalat Shabbat an email to templeoffice@ soup, charoset, wine, and a hevreh.org for more informa- encouraged. makes it easy for parents with ansheamunim.org. progressive retelling of the tion. RSVP is required by April

BERKSHIRE HILLS HADASSAH Wishes All A Zissen Pesach!!! Keep up the Tradition: Join & Support Hadassah

Contact Ros at (413) 553-5522 or [email protected]

HADASSAH, THE WOMEN’S ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA, INC. ©2016 Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. Hadassah, the H logo, Hadassah the Power of Women Who Do are registered trademarks of For further information on all Jewish Federation of the Berkshires programs, Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. please call Nancy Maurice Rogers, Program Director, at (413) 442-4360, ext.15. Nisan / Iyar 5779 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 9 LOCAL NEWS Congregation Ahavath Sholom to Host Chabad of the Berkshires Second Night Seder at Apple Tree Inn to Host a First Night Seder, LENOX – Congregation Passover Events Ahavath Sholom will hold PITTSFIELD – Chabad of the including gefilte fish, an array a second night Seder on Berkshires will host a commu- of unique salads, hot soup, a Saturday, April 20 at the nal Passover Seder on the first main dish, and a delectable Apple Tree Inn, 10 Richmond night of Passover, Friday, April dessert. Mountain Road in Lenox. 19 at 7:30 p.m., at 450 South “Passover is a time when On Saturday, April 27 Street. family sits together and dis- at 10 a.m., CAS holds its The Seder, the theme of cusses our rich heritage,” said Shabbat service with Yizkor which is “The Unbroken Chain Rabbi Levi Volovik, co-director for the conclusion of Pesach of Jewish Existence,” will of the Chabad House. “And at 15 North Street in Great take participants through the at Chabad, every Jew is part Barrington. wondrous liberation of the of our family. No one will be Please visit the CAS web- Israelites from Egyptian bond- turned away for lack of funds.” site at www.ahavathsholom. age, as well as help partici- Seating is limited, and res- com for details, or call (413) pants understand the Seder’s ervations are required before 528-4197. relevance to today’s Jews. April 12. Cost is $38 per adult, Included in the Seder will be $20 for children under 12. the traditional, hand-baked For reservations, more shmura matzoh, the ritual four information, or to sponsor a cups of wine, and a delicious family, call Sara Volovik at Yachad Yom Ha’atzmaut and HoTY Shabbat full-course Passover meal (413) 499-9899. at Hevreh Days of Wine and Kugels, GREAT BARRINGTON – On Dead Sea mud and Turkish led by Hevreh’s 8-12 grade Sunday, May 5, at 10 a.m., coffee will be provided at this participants to showcase what at Spirited join Hevreh’s Religious all-ages event. growing up at Hevreh is like, LENOX – “Passover for knowledge. Please contact School as they get ready to and salute faculty and mad- Foodies: Wine, Desserts, and Sara Volovik at (413) 499-9899 say “l’hitraot” (see you later) Teacher Appreciation and richim (young teachers) who Kugel Tasting,” will be hosted or [email protected] for to the school year by cele- HoTY Shabbat have spent the year crafting by Spirited at 444 Pittsfield more information. brating the sights, sounds, On Friday, May 10 at and implementing innovative Road, Lenox on Thursday, and tastes of Israel! 6:15 p.m., Hevreh looks back curricula for a lasting impact. April 11, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The Chametz ‘Sale’ All are welcome to this fun- All are welcome to join in for on the accomplishments and The event is sponsored in A free online ‘Sale of filled day where attendees will this annual evening of hon- high points of its Religious part by the Wassermann- Chametz’ form is available on have the opportunity to make oring the holy work of Jewish School, showing gratitude to Streit Y’DIYAH Memorial Fund the Chabad of the Berkshires and eat Israeli cuisine with a teaching and celebrate the those who helped young peo- and the Harold Grinspoon website, www.jewishberk- twist, partake in rikudeiyam milestones reached together. ple grow as Jews to become Foundation, along with shires.com, that will empower (Israeli dance), and pretend Hevreh of Southern conscientious members of this Chabad of the Berkshires. Rabbi Levi Volovik to act on the shemesh (sun) is shin- Berkshire is at 270 State Road community. The tasting is open to one’s behalf in the sale. Sell ing down on us in the desert. in Great Barrington. Shabbat services will be the public, and everyone is chametz the old fashioned way welcome and encouraged to by calling the rabbi at (413) attend, regardless of reli- 499-9899. gious affiliation or level of

Ever wanted to try yoga? FIRST CLASS FREE! Beginners Welcome. • Mat Yoga: Wed 5:30-6:30pm Fri 9am-10am Drop-ins welcome • mats provided • Chair Yoga: Thurs 11:30am-12:30pm • Private instruction in your home Universalist Unitarian Church 175 Wendell Ave, Pittsfield Vickie Bandoski 413-358-0199 • [email protected]

Ashkenazi Haggadah (Southern Germany c. 1460)

Temple Anshe Amunim Hosts Second Night Passover Seder and Other Passover Events PITTSFIELD – Temple Anshe Amunim members. A vegetarian option will be will hold its annual Second Night available. Reservations are required. Passover Seder on Saturday, April 20, The cost for the dinner is $36 for adult at 26 Broad Street. The Seder, which members, $10 for children of members will begin at 5:30 p.m., will be led by aged 10-18, $54 for adult non-yet- Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch. members and $15 for children non- Passover celebrates the emancipa- yet-members aged 10-18. Children tion of the Jewish people from slavery under 10 may attend free of charge. in Egypt and the hope for all to be Passover Seder reservations may free from oppression today, and the be made through April 12. For more Temple Seder participants will recount information or to make reservations the Exodus in story and song. call (413) 442-5910 or send an email “Passover offers many opportuni- to: [email protected]. ties for families to participate,” says Torah Plus Study Group and Rabbi Hirsch. “We will share tradi- Festival Service: On Saturday, April tional and innovative texts, melo- 20, at 10:30 a.m., Rabbi Liz will dies, and a dramatic retelling of the lead her weekly Torah Plus featur- Passover story. During the Seder, chil- ing Passover and festival morning dren will be invited to hunt for the afi- worship. komen, an exciting treasure hunt for Concluding the Holiday: On hidden matzo, and to win prizes. This Friday, April 26, Rabbi Liz will lead joyous event is open to all who would Erev Shabbat services at 5:30 p.m. like to experience a Passover Seder.” which will incorporate Yizkor, the Following the service, participants memorial ritual, for the 7th day of are invited to share the traditional Passover. Seder meal, prepared by Temple Page 10 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org April 8 to May 12, 2019 LOCAL NEWS

“Food and Jewishness: Jewish, Christian, and Islamic Perspectives” Shabbat study at Knesset Israel, sponsored by the Wildman Fund PITTSFIELD – On Friday, over what Jewishness is. But enemies. What are the parallel May 3 and Saturday, May 4, all sources agree that the dynamics in contemporary Knesset Israel will hold its difference between Jews and rhetoric about Islam today, annual weekend of learning non-Jews matters. To what much of which also seeks to and celebration endowed by extent does that difference influence internal audiences? the Wildman Fund. still matter in today’s era of Understanding the underlying This year, the congrega- multiculturalism? messages can help us to better tion welcomes Rabbi Dr. David To attend this dinner, understand current relations M. Freidenreich, the Pulver online please go to www.knes- among Jews, Christians, and Family Associate Professor setisrael.org and register for Muslims. of at Colby Shirei Shabbat dinner, or send To attend the Shabbat College in Maine. As director a check to Knesset Israel at 16 lunch preceding the final ses- of the Jewish studies pro- Colt Road, Pittsfield, or visit sion with Dr. Freidenreich, gram, associate director of the KI congregational office please call (413) 445-4872, the Center for Small Town during business hours. Adults ext. 10 to reserve space. The Jewish Life, and member of $20; teens $15; and children Wildman Endowment gener- the Religious Studies depart- are free (family maximum ously provides this lunch and ment, Dr. Freidenreich teaches $56). learning opportunity to those a wide range of courses on who register in advance. Judaism, Jewish history, and Shabbat Service and Lunch comparative religion. During the Shabbat morn- About the Speaker “The Wildman Fund ing service, Dr. Freidenreich After receiving a B.A. from endows weekend scholars for asks “In What Ways Should Brandeis University, Dr. the continuing Jewish educa- Jews Be Different?” In the Freidenreich earned his Ph.D. tion of Knesset Israel mem- Torah portion of that week, at Columbia University and bers and the greater Jewish Acharei Mot, God instructs the rabbinic ordination from the community,” writes Director Children of Israel to behave Jewish Theological Seminary. of Adult Education Myrna differently from the surround- His award-winning first book, Hammerling. “Judy Wildman ing peoples. Rabbinic inter- Foreigners and Their Food: and her extended family preters understood that to Constructing Otherness in Golden Haggadah (Catalonia, Spain c.1330) honor her parents, Chaim refer not only the practices Jewish, Christian, and Islamic and Dorothy Wildman, who of ancient Egyptians and Law, explores attitudes toward personified by their example Canaanites but also to those adherents of foreign religions the happy pursuit of lifelong of Christians and Muslims expressed in ancient and Jewish learning.” in their own day. How are medieval laws about sharing Jews supposed to be dif- food. He is currently studying You may request that the Berkshire Jewish Voice Kabbalat Shabbat ferent? In what ways might the ways Christians have used be mailed to your home. Friday evening begins with these traditions be relevant ideas about Jews to think a musical Kabbalat Shabbat to our own understandings of about Muslims. Just email us at [email protected] service from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Jewishness? for information. followed by dinner. After After lunch, the final ses- dinner, Rabbi Freidenreich sion of the weekend will ask: will introduce the weekend’s “Why Did Christians Use Ideas theme: “Food and Jewishness: about Jews to Think about Jewish, Christian, and Islamic Muslims?” From the earliest Temple Anshe Amunim Commemorates the Perspectives.” days of Islam into modern Why should one eat—or times, Christians frequently Legacy of the Holocaust avoid—Jewish food? What portrayed Muslims as Jewish PITTSFIELD – Temple Anshe candle lighting to honor those lessons of history are never makes food “Jewish” in the (or, more precisely, Jew-ish). Amunim invites the commu- who perished. forgotten. first place? Exploring rab- The primary target of this nity to join in a service com- As part of the service, lead- No reservation is neces- binic and other Jewish texts rhetoric, however, was not memorating Yom Ha’Shoah ers will tell the story of the sary – this is a free event for as well as classical sources of Muslims or even Jews, but (Holocaust Remembrance Day) Temple’s Holocaust scroll and the general public. Christianity and Islam, partic- rather fellow Christians – its at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 3. its enduring meaning for our Temple Anshe Amunim is ipants will learn how authors goal was to reinforce funda- This intergenerational community. located at 26 Broad Street in of these influential works mental Christian beliefs and experience will feature music, Together, attendees will Pittsfield. The temple office can disagree over what food to practices through contrast poetry, and reflections about preserve the memory of the be reached at (413) 442-5910. eat and, more fundamentally, with timeless and fearsome this important date. Attendees Holocaust and ensure that the will also join in a symbolic

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Warming Up with Berkshire Friends in Florida Thank you to the many Federation supporters who came out to connect with Dara Kaufman and other Berkshire friends during our recent get-togethers in Palm Beach and Naples. A special thank you to Paula Lustbader and Anne Schnesel for their warm hospitality in hosting these events on behalf of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires. Here are some photos from the Palm Beach gathering – we apologize for not taking pictures in Naples.

LOCAL NEWS New Torah Covers to be Dedicated at Knesset Israel

Design by Jeanette Kuvin Oren (www.KuvinOren.com)

PITTSFIELD – On Saturday, May 18 Torah covers that reside in synagogues during Shabbat services starting at all over the world. Each hand-crafted 9:30 a.m., Knesset Israel will continue cover is made up of several layers of the renewal of its sanctuary with the fabric, solid wood mantles and rings, dedication of six new Torah covers. and is specific to the congregation for The project was conceived and ini- which it is designed. The artist visited tiated by KI artists Susan Miller and to experience the spiritual space for Naomi Schwartz, whose love of color herself, and listened to congregants’ inspired them to look into vibrant ideas. Torah covers that would enhance the Each of the six scrolls is commemo- updated sanctuary. They were given rated by its donor(s), and donor names the go ahead to interview designers will be noted by a fabric inscription and settled on Jeanette Kuvin Oren, an of the inside of each cover. One of the artist specializing in design. covers was for the congregation so With studios in Connecticut and that each individual or family had the Jerusalem, Jeanette has over 20 years opportunity to participate in the proj- of experience and has completed 350 ect with a donation. Nisan / Iyar 5779 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 13

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Continued on next page Page 14 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org April 8 to May 12, 2019

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,at 12 p.m, and through Thursdays September at noon. 3. Tuesday lunch resumes on September 8. Venue: Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Rd, Pittsfield, MA.

Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield, MA.

APRIL enchiladas, black bean soup, yellow rice, Italian Monday, 8...... 10:45 a.m., Seuss in Spring- bread, tres leche cake, coffee, tea and milk for field. Lunch: Roasted chicken**#, asparagus cuts n coffee. tips, oven roasted potatoes, bread and dessert to Monday, 6...... 10:45 a.m., The German Jewish be announced and tea. Experience, final session. Lunch: Meat loaf**#, salad, Tuesday, 9...... Leftovers and tea. mashed potatoes, peas & carrots, rye bread, tropi- cal fruit salad, and tea. Thursday, 11...... 10:45 a.m., Current Affairs. Lunch: Leftovers and tea. Tuesday, 7...... Roasted chicken**#, sweet potato fries, green beans, multigrain bread, apri- Monday, 15...... No Connecting With Communi- cots and tea. ty program or lunch due to Passover preparations. Thursday, 9...... 10:45 a.m., Current Affairs. Lunch: Tuesday, 16...... No Connecting With Communi- Ken’s choice of pizza, cranberry juice, salad, grapes, ty program or lunch due to Passover preparations. coffee, tea and milk for coffee. Thursday, 18...... No Connecting With Communi- Monday, 13...... 10:45 a.m., Program to be ty program or lunch due to Passover preparations. Announced. Lunch: Turkey piccata**#, pineapple Monday, 22...... 10:45 a.m., “The Process of Aging” juice, rice pilaf, broccoli cuts, chef’s choice of bread, with therapist, Maggie Bittman. Lunch: Passover meat parve cake and tea. Linking Young loaf#, salad and Passover dressing, oven roasted Tuesday, 14...... Spaghetti and “sausage”#, Jewish Women in potatoes, broccoli, matza, grapes and tea. zucchini rice soup, salad, Italian beans, garlic bread, Their Fight Against Tuesday, 23...... Passover beef and lamb pie#, peaches and tea. Breast Cancer baby carrots, matza, applesauce and tea. Thursday, 16...... 10:45 a.m., Program to be Thursday, 25...... 10:45 a.m., Chair Yoga. Lunch: Announced. Lunch: Fresh fish**, tomato juice, kugel, (866) 474-2774 Roasted chicken**#, matza ball soup, asparagus, asparagus cuts n tips, scones, mandarin oranges, www.sharsheret.org salad and Passover dressing, matza, macaroons and coffee, tea and milk for coffee. Passover dessert and tea. Monday, 20...... 10:45 a.m., Program to be Monday, 29...... 10:45 a.m., The German Jewish Announced. Lunch: Malaysian curry chicken**#, Experience, 1st session. Lunch: Macaroni and cheese, brown rice noodles, Oriental vegetables, multi- stewed tomatoes, salad, whole wheat bread, apri- grain bread, pineapple and tea. cots, coffee, tea and milk for coffee. Tuesday, 21...... Salisbury steak**#, potatoes Tuesday, 30...... Vegetable frittata, celery rice O’Brien, Brussels sprouts, salad, pumpernickel soup, peas & carrots, rye bread, ice cream and cook- bread, pears and tea. ies, coffee, tea, and milk for coffee. Thursday, 23 ...... 10:45 a.m., Program to be Like us on MAY Announced. Lunch: Tuna salad & cottage cheese platters**, rolls, ice cream and cookies, coffee, tea Thursday, 2...... 10:45 a.m., The German Jewish Facebook: and milk for coffee. Experience, 2nd session. Lunch: Roasted vegetable • Jewish Federation of the Berkshires • PJ Library Berkshire County Nisan / Iyar 5779 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 15

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 Erna Lindner-Gilbert* Harold Sparr* Betty Braun* Eiran Gazit Amy Lindner-Lesser Lisa Fletcher-Udel Cipora Brown Jeffrey Goldwasser & Helen Maislen* Edward Udel Barbara Cohen Jonquil Wolfson Ellen Masters Michael & Joan Ury Mark Cohen* Jordan & Laura Green Stuart Masters Mark & Judy Usow Mimi Cohen Harold Grinspoon Estelle Miller Henry* & Beate* Voremberg C. Jeffrey & Judith Cook Ellen Heffan Robert Newman* Alexandra Warshaw Gerry & Lynn Denmark Ed Jaffe* Wendy Robbins Florence Wineberg* Jonathan & Lara Denmark Elihu Katzman Ken & Fran Rubenstein Rabbi Deborah Zecher & Anonymous (10) Sheila K. Donath Marilyn Katzman Stella Schecter* Rabbi Dennis Ross Ed Abrahams Melva Eidelberg Dara Kaufman Arlene D. Schiff *Of blessed memory Norman Avnet* Monroe England, in memory of Howard & Nancy* Kaufman Gary Schiff Barbara Bashevkin Monroe B. & Isabel England Lawrence Klein Stephen & Deborah Schreier Robert Bashevkin Dr. Armand V. Feigenbaum* Sarah Klein Martin Silver Linda J. L. Becker Dr. Donald S. Feigenbaum* Arthur Kriger* Sylvia Silverberg, in memory of Robert Berend Steven Feiner Fred & Brenda Landes Jerome Silverberg Shelley Berend Diana & Stanley Feld Beth Laster-Nathan Richard A. Simons & Marcie Helene Berke Stuart M. Fischman Andrew S. Levine* Greenfield Simons Lawrence Berke Lynn & William Foggle Toby H. Levine Mark & Elisa Snowise Page 16 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org April 8 to May 12, 2019 OBITUARIES

Carol F. Reich, 83, keen After the war, she and Rochester, her nieces Kathryn who knew him, Al Vorspan may be made to the charity of mind and undeniable Merwin moved to Bergenfield, Schwartz and Lisa Schwartz, was, to many, the personifi- one’s choice in care of Flynn & determination and then Tenafly, NJ, where and numerous cousins. She cation of Reform Judaism’s Dagnoli-Montagna Home For MIAMI, FL – Carol F. Reich, they were longtime residents. was preceded in death by her social justice efforts.” Funerals Central Chapel, 74 83, passed away peacefully She and Merwin, along with sister Kathryn J. Schwartz. In 1964, Vorspan was jailed Marshall Street, North Adams, on Tuesday, February 5, in Robert and Mary Ludlum, ran Funeral services were with a group of Reform rab- MA 01247. Miami. the North Jersey Playhouse held Monday, February 11 bis who, at the request of the in Fort Lee, NJ in the 1950s, in the Bookstaber Chapel Reverend Martin Luther King, Jeanette Rose (Littinsky) She is survived by her Slavin, 101, approached husband of 63 years, Joseph which fueled her love of the of Mount Moriah Cemetery, Jr., joined in the civil rights arts and her passion for pro- Harrisburg, PA. Burial was protests in St. Augustine, FL. life with energy and en- Reich, and her two daughters, thusiasm Marcia Reich Walsh and Janet moting the things she cared in Mount Moriah Cemetery. He authored several books, Reich Elsbach, and their fam- about. Dance was her lifelong Contributions in Robin’s honor which today are standards in LENOX – Jeanette Rose ilies. Her daughter Deborah delight. may be made to Carolyn’s Jewish religious education, (Littinsky) Slavin, 101, Reich died in 2013. Rena worked briefly in House, c/o Hospice of Central including Justice and Judaism, passed away peacefully, after Carol was a woman of public relations before begin- PA, Attn: Development Searching the Prophets for a long and productive life, unquenchable spirit. She ning her teaching career. Department, 1320 Linglestown Values; Tough Choices: Jewish on Sunday, February 17, at left Cornell University after She was a chemistry profes- Road, Harrisburg, PA 17110. Perspectives on Social Justice; Kimball Farms Nursing Care two years to get married. At sor at Fairleigh Dickinson and Jewish Dimensions of Center. Dancer, teacher, intel- Albert Vorspan, 95, the age of 35, she returned University in Teaneck, NJ Social Justice: Tough Moral lectual, and student of fine Jewish social justice to school and received a until her retirement. During Choices for our Times, which art, literature, and music, she leader for the Reform BA from NYU. She contin- that time, she earned two MA provides Jewish perspectives approached life with energy ued her education at CUNY degrees, one from Fairleigh movement and moral policy analysis on and enthusiasm. Graduate Center, where she Dickinson in 1966, and one NEW PALTZ, NY – Albert issues ranging from abortion Jean was born October 28, earned a Masters and Ph.D. in from City College of New York Vorspan, 95, lifelong cham- to capital punishment and 1917, into a family of Jewish Psychology. in 1972. She also completed pion of social justice, Vice from the Mideast peace pro- immigrants from Russia who She served for many years course work and research President Emeritus of Union cess to religious freedom in had settled in the Brownsville as a trustee of the Lexington towards a doctorate in science for Reform Judaism, and a Israel and the . section of Brooklyn. She Center in Queens, NY, includ- at City College. While living in founder of Reform Judaism’s His beloved wife of 72 thrived in the stimulating ing the Lexington School for Tenafly, she loved hiking at social action movement and years, Shirley, died August 27, political and intellectual envi- the Deaf, where she became Greenbrook Sanctuary. Being Religious Action Center, died 2018. He will be dearly missed ronment of her youth. She the first woman president and close to nature was always Sunday, February 17 at home, by his children and their part- married Simon Slavin when later worked to ensure that important to her. She also five days after celebrating his ners, Chuck and Emily, Robby she was still in her teens, and her successor would be the relished her time at the family 95th birthday with his large, and Brian, Kenny and Reva, they raised three daughters first deaf leader of the board. cottage in Roscoe, NY. loving family. and Debby. Their eight grand- in Mt. Vernon, NY. While her In 1988, along with her In 1992, she and Merwin Born in St. Paul, MN on children and two great-grand- children were still in school, husband Joe, she created a moved to Egremont, MA. February 12, 1924, he served children will carry him in their she attended Columbia project in the Following his death in 1995, in the Navy during World War hearts forever — Emily, Ben, University Teacher’s College, schools through Gene Lang’s Rena moved to Kimball Farms II on an escort destroyer in Zach, Sam, Jonah, Noah, earning her M.Ed. as a reading “I Have A Dream” program. in Lenox. She resided at the the Pacific Theater. He mar- Emmett, and Becca; and Jack specialist. She took pride in Appalled at the conditions Kimball Farms Nursing Care ried Shirley Nitchun on June and Audrey. Al will be forever the many achievements of her for their students in the local Center at the time of her 16, 1946, and they moved to loved, as well, by his large and professional life. public elementary schools, death. Long Island, where they raised loving extended family, many Jean taught and per- they undertook a several-year Along with her husband, four children. In retirement, of whom live in New Paltz. formed modern and folk dance project to enable private citi- she was predeceased by her they moved to Manhattan, Funeral services were held throughout her life, including zens to start and run a public brother, Irving Yusin, who was where they enjoyed each other in New Paltz on Wednesday, through her early 90s to her school. In the process, they killed during World War II. and the cultural riches of the February 20. Donations can octogenarian and nonage- incorporated the Beginning She is survived by her city. In 2014, they moved to be made to the Religious narian neighbors at Kimball With Children Foundation, three children, Marilyn Orner Woodland Pond in New Paltz Action Center, Washington, DC Farms Continuing Care which became the forerunner Cromwell (and husband John and became deeply involved in at https://donate.reformju- Community. Jean and Si cel- of the charter school move- Cromwell), Harry Orner, and the life of the community. Al daism.org/give/221428/#!/ ebrated 73 years of marriage ment in New York. Together Eric I. Orner; her grand- embraced the memoir writing donation/checkout before Si’s death in 2009. children, William and Nora class, inspiring others with She was a woman of with Joe, they impacted the Dr. Manuel Finkelstein, lives of countless students and Cromwell, Jesse Lee, Amanda his commitment and creative chutzpah and drive, always Hansford, and Aubrey Wagner; passion. 90, research chemist and in motion. Her family, stu- families through their edu- longtime volunteer cation work and were deeply and six great-granddaughters. Al dedicated his life to the dents, and many close friends invested in philanthropy in all All will miss her presence. work of social justice. He was WILLIAMSTOWN – Dr. Manuel will remember her for her the communities they lived in. She loved the world in all its the founder and first director Finkelstein, 90, of North liveliness, progressive poli- A lover of music and regu- fullness. of the Commission on Social Adams died Tuesday, February tics, intelligence, and brilliant lar at Tanglewood, she served A memorial celebration was Action of Reform Judaism 12 at Williamstown Commons. spirit. as a trustee of the held March 23. Remembrances and spent his life in tireless, Born in Scranton, PA on She is survived by daugh- Symphony for over a decade. may be sent to PO Box 26, passionate pursuit of jus- October 18, 1928, son of ter Vicky and son-in-law On moving to Miami, she South Egremont, MA 01258. tice and freedom. He was a David and Minnie (Miller) Stephen Pinkerton, daugh- became a trustee of the Miami prolific author and a compel- Finkelstein, he graduated ter Johanna and son-in- Robin Schwartz Rokoff, Music Project, where she ling orator. He worked side by from Central High School law Stanley Reissman, and 61, sewed Torah covers endowed a new school for their side with the great giants of and received his bachelor’s grandchildren Danny Epstein, for Temple Anshe work. justice of his generation and degree from the University of Jocelyn Pinkerton, and Jessa Anyone who came in con- Amunim was a lucid, articulate, pow- Scranton. Manuel received Reissman, as well as her niece tact with Carol knew her to be HARRISBURG, PA – Robin erful voice for social justice his master’s degree from Jody Shapiro. a force of nature with a keen Schwartz Rokoff, 61, of until the day of his death. Williams College and his Ph.D. Memorial services were mind and undeniable determi- Harrisburg and formerly of Rabbi David Saperstein, senior from Yale University. He was private. Contributions in her nation. She enjoyed her grand- Pittsfield, passed away on advisor, Union for Reform a Fulbright Scholar and did name may be made to the children, good food, and the Thursday, February 7 at Judaism and director emeri- his post-doctoral studies in Sedgwick Music Fund and company of the loyal network Carolyn’s House. tus, Religious Action Center of Karlsruhe, Germany. mailed to Joan Ackermann, of friends and family that sur- Born February 22, 1957, Reform Judaism, in a state- Manuel was employed as a 108 Church Road, Mill River, rounded her. in Rochester, NY, to the ment issued after Vorspan’s research chemist at Sprague MA 01244. Gifts in her memory can be late Donald M. and Carolyn death, called him “one of the Electric Co. for 30 years and Dr. Gavril William made locally to Community (Goldstein) Schwartz, Robin g’dolei hador, or ‘great ones’ of also taught organic chemistry Pasternak, 71, Access To The Arts (CATA), or was a graduate of Brighton Jewish social justice work.” labs at Williams College for internationally to the Miami Music Project. High School in Brighton, NY. “A true icon, Vorspan many years. He was a long- She had worked part-time as shaped much of social justice time volunteer at Mass MoCA, recognized scientist Rena Yusin Orner, 94, a bagger for Giant Food Stores work of the Reform Jewish the North Adams Tourist STOCKBRIDGE – Dr. Gavril loved the arts on Linglestown Road for a Movement, ensuring it lives Booth, and the North Adams William Pasternak, 71, of New LENOX – Rena Yusin Orner, short time. at the very heart of Reform Historical Society. Manuel York City and Stockbridge, 94, died Wednesday, January Robin was a member of Judaism. Beginning in 1953, enjoyed reading, crossword passed away on Friday, 2 after a full life. Temple Ohev Sholom, a life he helped inspire the cre- puzzles and stamp collecting. February 22. Rena was born on member of Hadassah, and a ation of congregational social Survivors include his wife, Son of Dr. Richard and Valentine’s Day, February 14, member of the Temple Ohev action committees across Shirley (Wood) Finkelstein, Laura Pasternak; beloved 1924, to Louis Yusin and Celia Sholom Sisterhood. She was North America, encouraging whom he married on June 13, husband of 31 years to (Halpern) Yusin in Bronx, NY. a former member of Temple Reform Jewish synagogues to 1957, and two sons, Daniel Sandra Friedman Pasternak She excelled academically Anshe Amunim in Pittsfield, partner with their local com- Finkelstein of Troy, MI and (d 2005); devoted father to and at age 20 graduated from where she was part of the munities in pursuit of tikkun Andrew Finkelstein of North Katie Pasternak (d 2008), Hunter College, where she was needlework team that sewed olam, ‘repairing the world.’ He Adams. He also leaves sev- Anna Pasternak, and David a Phi Beta Kappa member. Torah covers for the temple. played a pivotal role in found- eral nieces and one nephew. Avram Pasternak; father-in- In 1944, she married Merwin She and her husband, Paul, ing the Religious Action Center His son, Joseph Finkelstein law to Carly Gresh Pasternak; Lewis Orner at Camp Crowder traveled extensively through- of Reform Judaism, which died in 1965 and his brother, brother of Dr. Reuven in Neosho, MO. A woman out Europe. remains the hub of the Reform Herman Finkelstein, and sis- Pasternak and Dr. Sara drawn to science when few Surviving are her husband, Movement’s social justice work ter, Gertrude Finkelstein, are Pasternak; and brother-in-law women were in the field, she Paul E. Rokoff, her son Aaron in North America,” Saperstein deceased. to Mathew Jay Levine, Nancy worked as a chemist during S. Rokoff of Harrisburg, her also said, adding: “A mentor, Funeral services were Stern Pasternak and Sandra’s World War II. brother Howard Schwartz of friend, and inspiration to all private. Memorial donations sister, Dr. Ricki Goldstein, Nisan / Iyar 5779 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 17 OBITUARIES and her husband Dr. Larry earned a BS in education Pat is survived by two and Amos Meyers; adoring Long involved in the Goldstein. at New York University, her daughters, Emily and Jill; grandmother of Adam and Stamford Jewish community, Dr. Pasternak was an MA in psychology from City sons-in-law Scot Key and Peter Alexander Greenfest, Brittany Cohen was a former executive internationally recognized College, and her doctorate in Peirce; grandsons Ruslan and Dutchman, Rachael and director of the Stamford JCC. scientist at Johns Hopkins psychology from NYU. She Michael; brother James Selkin Rebecca Topel, and Carly and He has served on the executive and Memorial Sloan Kettering thrived in private practice for and his daughter Joelle Selkin Evan Sachs. and governing committees of Hospital. He was an advocate more than 35 years in down- Wedel; and many, many dear Services were held at Jewish Family Service (JFS), for family, patients, science, town Teaneck. friends. Sol Levinson & Bros., Inc., and has used his expertise in lacrosse, and golf, as well Pat was an adventurer A graveside service was Baltimore, MD on Tuesday, market research and strategic as for music, both at the with a particular love of the held Tuesday, February 19 in March 5. Interment was at planning to help Stamford- Metropolitan Opera and his outdoors, canoeing, and the Beth El Cemetery, Oradell, Arlington Cemetery of Chizuk area synagogues and Jewish beloved Tanglewood. camping. She was one of the NJ. A memorial service will be Amuno Congregation in organizations. Cohen received He was a co-founder with first female shop teachers in held in Teaneck in the spring. Baltimore. the JFS Mitzvah Award in Mathew Levine of Doc’s NYC the Bronx and later used her Please contact the family at Contributions in her 2005, Youth Lacrosse and CityLax. building and construction 860-824-7242 or jempst@ memory may be sent to Saul was the beloved hus- Dr. Pasternak was a resi- skills as a long-time volunteer comcast.net if you would like Tanglewood Development, band of Mimi; loving father dent of Mahkeenac Heights in with Habitat for Humanity of to attend. Boston Symphony Orchestra, of Amy (Carl) Kruglak and Stockbridge, and was a mem- Bergen County. Pat sculpted 301 Massachusetts Avenue, Rena (Josh) Kopelman; proud ber of the Stockbridge Golf in stone, clay, and bronze, and Marlene Brager, wife, Boston, MA 02117. grandfather of Aly, Eric, Elana Club. passionately played the piano sister, mother, and Jacob; dear brother of and harpsichord, with a par- grandmother Saul “Dooley” Cohen, Jerry (Miriam) Cohen; uncle to Joan “Pat” Esterson, 92, ticular fondness for baroque. LENOX – Marlene Brager 79, champion of Jewish many and friend to everyone. adventurer with love of She had a warm soul and (nee Meyers) passed away on causes Donations in his memory the outdoors many close friendships, fre- Saturday, March 2. She was STAMFORD, CT – Saul can be made to Elayne and LENOX – Joan “Pat” Esterson, quently inviting those friends the beloved wife of the late “Dooley” Cohen, 79, passed James Schoke Jewish Family 92, passed away peacefully on to her home. She also knew Dr. Stuart H. Brager; devoted away on Wednesday, March 13. Service of Fairfield County. Friday, February 15. the importance of making a mother of Jaye (Robert) Saul was born in Brooklyn, The funeral was held A resident of Teaneck, NJ difference – whether by mak- Greenfest, Susan Topel, NY and a proud graduate of on Friday, March 15 at for nearly 50 years, and res- ing playgrounds in Central Cyndie (Robert) Jacobson, and Etz Chaim, Flatbush , Congregation Agudath ident of Kimball Farms, Pat Park safer, marching for civil the late Cheryl Rimerman; (BA), and Sholom, Stamford. Burial fol- was a pioneer, artist, activist, rights, or in advocating for dear sister of Terry Meyers, Rutgers University (MSW). He lowed at Beth David Cemetery animal lover, and musician, an emergency alert system Dr. Gary (Evelyn) Brager, and was a longtime Jewish Center in Elmont, NY. energetic beyond measure in Teaneck after Hurricane the late Dennis Brager; loving director and community throughout her days. She Sandy. daughter of the late Annette champion.

MAZEL TOV Mazel Tov to… Rabbi David Weiner of Knesset Eagle, 1Berkshire, and the Berkshire Israel for being chosen as one of the 40 Community College Foundation. Under Forty, distinguished for profes- c sional and personal achievements and Nancy Stoll on joining Berkshire contributions to the Berkshires. The Community College as financial liter- award is presented by the Berkshire acy coordinator. c Joan Grossman on the engage- ment of her son, Benjamin Grossman-Poneman to Rebecca Wolkoff of Cleveland, OH. c Proud parents, Joshua and Jessica Hochberg, on the birth of Riley Kenneth Hochberg. c Ruthie Frommer and Ken Amron on the birth of their grandchild – parents are Rebecca Rabbi David Weiner receiving the 40 Frommer and Ben Antelis. Under Forty award from Eugene Dellea, c president of Berkshire Community College Alan and Ellen Rosenblatt on Foundation their 50th anniversary.

Affiliate with a Congregation You, the congregation, and the Jewish community benefit when you do. • YOU GET the Jewish enrichment and spiritual nourishment you are seeking. • YOU GET the rabbinical support you need in times of joy and sorrow. • YOU RECONNECT with your community and your Jewish roots. • YOU CAN PARTICIPATE in a variety of services, classes, and programs that keep Juda- ism alive and flourishing in Berkshire County. • THE CONGREGATION IS THE INSTITUTION that has sustained the Jewish people for two millenia throughout the world. Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist, or Reform, the Jewish community wins when you join the congregation of your choice. The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires encourages you to affiliate.

Full Rental Depts. at Pittsfield, N. Adams & Lee Page 18 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org April 8 to May 12, 2019

YOM HA’ATZMAUT 2019 New JPPI Analysis of Attitudes and Practice of Israeli Jews By Shmuel Rosner, Professor Camil Fuchs, & Noah Slepkov / JPPI The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) is an independent, Jerusalem-based traditions, others wanted to revive them, still others wanted to create new tra- professional policy planning think tank, its mission to ensure the thriving of the ditions. Still, the idea of the “new Jew,” like the principle of Diaspora negation, Jewish People and Jewish civilization by engaging in professional strategic think- explained Prof. Yitzhak Conforti of Bar Ilan University, “provided a middle ground ing and planning on issues of primary concern to world Jewry. for all forms of Zionism.” All A vast array of data published in a new book based on Zionists rejected the Diaspora, JPPI’s #IsraeliJudaism Project proves that Israel’s Jews “and all saw a need to cre- reinterpret Judaism by mixing tradition and national iden- ate and educate a new Jew. tity, making questions of continuity obsolete. JPPI’s work was However, each of the various conducted by its Senior Fellow Shmuel Rosner and Tel Aviv forms created a type of new University Prof. Camil Fuchs. Here we provide an edited sum- Jew that reflected its particu- mary of some of the findings. lar ideology.” So, Zionists expected a 4 Types of Israeli Jews new Jew to emerge. They were The Israeli Jew practices Judaism like no Jew before. correct in their assessment — Israeli Judaism is unique to a place and to a time, an amalga- a new Jew was born. It was mation of tradition and nationality. In many cases it is very born, has grown, and is now hard — maybe impossible — to determine where the Jew standing on both feet. This ends and the Israeli begins, or where the Israeli ends and the Jew is confident about conti- Jew begins. nuity, attributes a high level To reach this conclusion, we scanned many thousands of of importance to being Jewish, data points and utilized several methodologies of statistical mixes Israeli nationality with analysis. Our most telling model was locating the Jews of Israel on a graph with Judaism, and shows a strong tendency to practice Jewish tradition. two dimensions — one for tradition, one for nationality. We used 32 questions from the survey to create a map. If a Jew lights candles on Friday night, they get Jewish Practice in Israel a point for tradition. If they shop on Shabbat, they get a point for non-tradition. Jews in Israel, on average, practice a lot more Jewish tradition than other We measure points of Jewish tradition, such as keeping Shabbat laws, and Jews. This is one benefit of living in a society in which Jewish practice and we measure behaviors of Israeli nationalism, such as raising the Israeli flag on Hebrew language are given. In 65 percent of Israel’s Jewish homes, candles are Independence Day. Those who raise it get a point for nationalism. Those who say lit on Friday night. In 68 percent of these homes, Israelis make a Kiddush. More that Israel should not be a Jewish but rather a neutral civil state (about 9 percent than 80 percent of Jewish Israelis have a family meal on Friday night — that’s of the Jewish population), get a point for non-nationalism. tradition. Jewish Israelis keep many of the Jewish traditions, but without the Our map shows a Jewish population unequally divided into four groups. Those need to be religious or follow the script dictated by ancient religious texts. practicing tradition and nationality (“Jewraelis,” the 55 percent majority); those Israeli Jews also have the habit of mix- who mostly practice nationality (15 percent we call “Israelis” in the book, who ing Jewishness and Israeliness. Thus, tend to come from secular quarters of the old-fashioned Labor Party Zionists and Independence Day becomes a Jewish holiday whose culture is relatively devoid of keeping Jewish traditions); those who prac- — not just an Israeli holiday. Most people tice mostly Jewish traditions and many fewer Israeli customs (17 percent we call who celebrate it are Jews. The flag they raise “Jews,” who are mostly Haredi Israelis); and those who, relatively speaking, prac- is Jewishly themed. The ceremony on Mount tice neither (13 percent we call “Universalists” — urban, liberal, left leaning and Herzl includes 12 torches lit by 12 Israelis often alienated from other Israelis). who represent the 12 tribes. Why 12? Read the Torah and find out. Why torches? Go to Zionism and the “New Jew” the Mishna and find out. The themes of the Knesset Israel day make it Jewish, as do the views of those 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield Zionist thinkers, from their early days, believed that the role of a national celebrating it. We asked the Jews of Israel many ques- ONGOING MINYANS homeland was to rescue the Jews and Judaism from their cosmopolitan con- tions about their beliefs and values, and Sunday 8:45 a.m. and 7 p.m. dition. The historian Ben-Zion Dinur from their answers it is easy to extract a Tuesday 7 p.m. expressed that view without minc- simple reality: many of them no longer see Friday 5:45 p.m. ing words: “There’s one problem with a difference between being a good, patriotic Saturday 9:30 a.m. and evenings Judaism, and it is called exile.” Thus, Israeli that makes a contribution to Israeli approximately 30 minutes before political Zionism stressed the need to society to being a good Jew. There are non- sunset offer the Jews a physical refuge from Jews serving in Israel’s military, such as anti-Semitism. Its adherents had woken Druze and Bedouins; nevertheless, more CANDLE-LIGHTING up from the dream of integrating among than 70 percent of Jewish Israelis believe that to be a “good Jew” one must serve in the Israeli army. Friday, April 12...... 7:13 p.m. other nations and believed that only a defined and secure geographic terri- Friday, April 19...... 7:21 p.m. tory could sustain the Jews. Spiritual Jewish Continuity (Shabbat/Erev Pesach) Zionism emphasized the need to offer What about Jewish continuity? For many Israelis that’s a weird question — a Saturday, April 20...... 8:30 p.m. the Jews a cultural refuge from assim- question for the Diaspora. The continuity of Israel’s Jewish culture is very much (Second night Pesach) ilation. Its adherents realized that the ensured by the environment in which they live. When we asked Israeli Jews about prospect of preserving Judaism when their level of confidence that their children and grandchildren will be Jewish, the Thursday, April 25 ...... 7:28 p.m. among other nations wasn’t viable. They outcome was remarkable. Almost all of them are confident that their children will (Seventh night Pesach) believed that only a defined geographic be Jewish (86%). A similar number are confident that their grandchildren will be Friday, April 26...... 7:29 p.m. territory could supply Judaism with Jewish (79%). (Shabbat/Eighth night Pesach) the spiritual energy for its continued A strong majority of Jewish Israelis, 61 percent, have complete confidence — existence. that is, a 10 out of possible 10 – that their children will also be Jewish. A vast Friday, May 3...... 7:37 p.m. All Zionist streams strived to create majority, 86 percent, rank it from 8 to 10. And when we asked the same question Friday, May 10...... 7:44 p.m. a new Jew. But they argued bitterly about whether their grandchildren will be Jewish, the number of responses rank- about what this new Jew should be ing confidence from 8 to 10 were only slightly lower — 79 percent. like. Some wanted to abandon Jewish

5779 Nisan / Iyar 5779 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 19 Calendar – Ongoing Events Around the Community Continuous – Chabad of the Berkshires Israel, 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield. Facilitator via video conference or conference call. Monday before services. Full information: “Smile on Seniors,” or “S.O.S.,” volunteer Myrna Hammerling guides the group Email Rabbi Hirsch a [email protected] (413) 445-4872, ext 10. program to serve senior citizens in the through the triennial cycle, year-round in to find out how to join remotely. Saturdays at 8:45 a.m. – at Hevreh, 270 Berkshires. Information for families who the KI Library. Newcomers always welcome Thursdays (fourth of each month) – State Road in Great Barrington. Every can benefit and volunteers: Rabbi Levi to this gathering of students of diverse Hadassah Book Club. For times, locations Shabbat morning, gather in Rabbi Neil Volovik at (413) 499-9899 or visit www. ages, backgrounds, and perspectives who of meetings, and further information Hirsch’s study and dive into the less-often jewishberkshires.com. search together to deepen understanding about the books: Pattie Lipman, plipman@ read books of the Bible. All are welcome to of our foundational text. Free. Information: Monthly, fourth or fifth Sunday – Vol- fairpoint.net. begin the day with coffee while studying (413) 445-4872, ext. 16. unteers from Congregation Beth Israel, 53 and relaxing on Shabbat. Sessions will be Fridays, at 9 a.m. – Meditation with Rab- Lois Street, North Adams “Take and Eat” Wednesdays, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. between 45 and 60 minutes. Please be in bi Rachel Barenblat in the Congregation program cook, package, and deliver hot – Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, 270 State touch with Rabbi Hirsch for further infor- Beth Israel sanctuary, 53 Lois Street, North meals for all North Adams clients of “Meals Road, Great Barrington, offers an hour of mation: [email protected]. Adams, overlooking the Berkshire moun- on Wheels.” Information: (413) 663-5830 “Shalom Yoga, Gentle Stretch and Medita- tains. Silence, chanting, and meditation Saturdays at 9 a.m. – Temple Anshe or [email protected]. tion” with Nina Lipkowitz a certified Kripalu designed to help prepare for Shabbat. All Amunim, 26 Broad Street, Pittsfield. Rabbi and Jewish yoga and meditation teacher. welcomed. Information: (413) 663-5830 Liz P.G. Hirsch leads a meditation and light Check https://hevreh.org/calendar/ for and www.cbiweb.org. yoga group. updates. All levels welcome. Contact Nina at [email protected] with Fridays, once a month at 5:30 p.m. (fol- Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. – Temple Anshe any questions. lowed by a family style Shabbat dinner Amunim, 26 Broad Street, Pittsfield. “Torah at 6:30 p.m.) – Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Plus: Exploring Jewish Text and Culture.” Wednesdays at Knesset Israel – “En- Road, Pittsfield. Shirei Shabbat (“Songs of Join Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch for a conversation hanced Prayer Class for Adults” 10- Shabbat”). Unique service combines mel- based on the texts of the Jewish people 11:30 a.m. at 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield, odies from Carlebach, Debbie Friedman, and reflect on Jewish values and thinking KI library. What are we saying when and Camp Ramah to create a ruach filled and what it means “to be Jewish.” All texts we read prayers at a service? How does (“spirited”) family friendly experience. Cost are offered in English. Free and open to the siddur language connect with my for dinner $20 adult; $15 teen, children the public. Information (413) 442-5910 or life today? How can I build my Hebrew free. Dinner reservations are due by the [email protected]. reading fluency and practice my reading skills? How can I be more comfortable with the language and process of prayer? Facilitated by Myrna Hammerling. New- comers always welcome. Information: (413) 445-4872, ext. 16. Ashkenazi Haggadah (Southern Wednesdays at Hevreh – “Lunch N Germany c. 1460) Learn: Early Prophets” with Rabbi Neil Hirsch at 11:45 a.m. is open to anyone who wants to deepen their relationship to Sundays (second of each month) – Berk- Jewish study through text and discussion. shire Hills Society of Israeli Philatelists meet. Says Rabbi Hirsch: “Our tradition teaches Discuss Israeli and American stamps. Coffee that when two (or more) sit together, and and donuts. Information: Ed Helitzer, (413) discuss words of Torah, God dwells with 447-7622, daytime. them. Study is one of the many ways we Tuesdays, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. – Torah as a Jewish community experience the Portion of the Week study group at Knesset sacred and the spiritual.” Classes available Page 20 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org April 8 to May 12, 2019

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Traveling with Jewish Taste The recipe below was adapted from Marcie Cohen Ferris’ Gumbo: Shayna Knaidel Culinary Tales of the Jewish South. The book, an adaptation of her doctoral dissertation, tells the stories of Jewish immigrants throughout the South and By Carol Goodman Kaufman how they managed to balance and blend their Southern and Jewish identities through food. (BTW, this book includes an interview with Shirley Pailet Frisch You can call them matzo balls. Or knaid- (z”l), the mother of our own Susan Frisch Lehrer.) lach. And you can transliterate the latter any one of nine ways the YIVO Institute provides for the yummy orb. However, if by chance you are Creole Matzo Balls a participant in the Scripps National Spelling Makes 12 matzo balls or 6 servings. Bee, you must abide by its official dictionary, Webster’s Third New International. Webster’s, and therefore bee sponsor Scripps, insists on knaidel for the singular. Whatever you call them or however you spell them, these delicious dumplings are iconic in Ashkenazi cuisine. The matzo ball is so beloved that many met- ropolitan areas are home to a Eve dance called – you guessed it – the MatzoBall, billed by organizers as “the nation’s #1 holiday party.” The knaidel has even been the focus of competition, with chefs from California to New Jersey vying for the honor of having made the largest one. The cur- rent record holder is Noam Sokolow of Noah’s Ark Deli in Teaneck, New Jersey. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, this 2009 creation (shown below right) weighed 267 pounds and was made from 1,000 eggs, 80 pounds of margarine, 200 pounds of matzo meal, and 20 pounds of chicken base. Befitting the status accorded a cultural icon, police escorted it to Manhattan Red soup with creole matzo balls where an adoring crowd devoured it. Whether you’re a “floater” fan or a “sinker” supporter, it’s just not chicken soup without that big beige ball sitting in the middle. (For the record, I’m a floater Ingredients: girl. The secret is seltzer.) 2 tablespoons canola oil, divided 2 large eggs Made from a mixture of matzo meal, eggs, water, and a fat such as oil, mar- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion 1/2 cup matzo meal garine, or even chicken fat (yes, schmaltz is back!), knaidlach are traditionally 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf Water served in chicken soup and are a staple at Passover seders. But they are just parsley Kosher salt as delicious in the middle of November – and a great way to use up the leftover 2 to 2½ teaspoons Creole seasoning matzo meal from the holiday. While most of us are familiar with the standard recipe for matzo balls on the side of a Streit’s or Manischewitz box, there is actually great variety among these Directions: globes from around the globe. In a small nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat. For a heartier knaidel than the standard, Joan Nathan introduces a Add onion and cook, stirring often, until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Lithuanian beef-stuffed model in her Jewish Holiday Kitchen cookbook. The Stir in parsley and Creole seasoning to taste and cook, stirring, for 30 knaidlach are boiled first and then baked in a muffin tin with cinnamon sprinkled seconds. over the tops. Although some of my ancestors include Litvaks, I had never heard of this dish. But I can’t wait to try it. Scrape onion mixture into a medium bowl and let cool before next step. And down South, matzo balls are a totally different kettle of, well, soup. In Add eggs and remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Mix with a fork until eggs Nathan’s Jewish Cooking in America, she introduces a Cajun recipe made with are well broken up. Add matzo meal and mix until blended. Cover and whole matzos, scallions, garlic, and chipotle pepper that she says came with refrigerate for 20 minutes or a few hours. immigrants from southern Germany. Meanwhile, fill a large saucepan with salted water. Cover and bring to a The Nosher website tells us that other cousins down South have devised a boil. vegan twist on the savory sphere that they pair with a potlikker soup. (Potlikker is Moisten your hands and form the matzo ball mixture into 12 balls, using the liquid that is left behind after boiling greens or beans.) These matzo balls are a heaping tablespoon mixture for each. made with traditional Gently lower the matzo balls into the water with a slotted spoon. Southern Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes, or until cooked ingredients through. such as col- lard greens, jalapeno pep- per, scallions, corn kernels, and cornmeal – obviously not kosher for Passover but good the other 51 weeks of the year.

Christmas Eve MatzoBall mosh pit

Carol Goodman Kaufman is a psychologist and author with a passion for travel and food. She is currently at work on a food history/cookbook, tracing the paths 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 The largest matzo ball weighed 121.1 kg (267 lb) and was made by Noah’s read her blog at carolgoodmankaufman.com and to follow her on Ark Original Deli in New York on August 6, 2009. The matzo ball measured Twitter @goodmankaufman. 74.16 cm (29.2 in) in diameter. It was made of 1,000 eggs, 36.28 kg (80 lb) margarine, 9.07 kg (20 lb) chicken base and 90.71 kg (200 lb) matzo meal. — Guinness World Records BERKSHIRE ROOFING & (413) 528-9700 GUTTER CO. 413-298-1029413 298 1029 www.BGRCo.net CEDAR ROOF STANDING SEAM METAL Radon Testing ❑✓ ASPHALT SHINGLES ✓ COMPETITIVE PRICING and Mitigation Written Estimates • Fully Insured • Owner Installed MA Lic. #145878 ❑ PROMPT SERVICE SEAMLESS GUTTERS ❑✓ FIVE-YEAR WARRANTY NEHA & NRSB CERTIFIED Copper • Aluminum • Gutter Covers

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RUBE GOLDBERG, continued from page 1 working in vaudeville, live but rather through mis- bicycle. By the end of his long politicians and real estate Lucifer G. Butts, A.K.,” which action and animated film, hap. From Goldberg’s wacky life in 1970, the illustrator people,” says Kowalski, introduced the Rube Goldberg prose, poetry, songwriting, descriptions of the machines: had seen automobiles and jet adding that the cartoonist Machine in 1912 – continues radio, television, political car- “Professor Butts is oper- planes transform Americans’ enjoyed making fun of wheel- to inspire filmmakers and tooning, and (at the end of his ated on for fallen arches and lives and the landscape they ing-and-dealing machers YouTubers, many of whose life) sculpture. while under the ether thinks inhabited, and man had even in his work throughout his Goldberg-esque inventions But if Leonardo’s inven- of a handy self-working walked on the moon. career. actually do work. Kowalski tions reflected the same sunshade…” “Goldberg understood how Young Reuben always has captured a selection aspirant human spirit and “Professor Butts strolls the average man felt about wanted to be an illustrator of these on an entertain- ingenuity that, in the modern between two sets of gangsters technology,” writes Kowalski in (he was largely self-taught), ing video loop being shown age, would send men to the having a machine gun battle his exhibition notes, “not only but was pressured by his alongside the drawings. (In moon, the point of Goldberg’s and is struck by an idea for the wonder and delight around father to enroll in University of Israel, Haifa’s Technion holds intricate devices was to show, keeping a buttonhole flower the usefulness of a new inven- California-Berkley’s engineer- an annual Rube Goldberg as fellow cartoonist Walt Kelly fresh…” tion, but also the difficulty ing program to secure a more machine contest for interna- (of Pogo fame) put it, that “it And my favorite: and frustration that came with practical way of making a liv- tional high school students.) remains true that those things “Professor Butts goes over using the devices.” ing. Upon graduating in 1904, Upon arriving in New York which make us human are, Niagara Falls in a collapsible As the editorial cartoons Goldberg worked as a drafts- City, Goldberg’s success was curiously enough, always ash-can and hits upon an idea on view at the Rockwell man for ’s sewer instant and incredibly remu- close at hand.” for a simple way to take a pic- demonstrate, Goldberg also department but, after some nerative, earning him $75,000 Unlike some of Leonardo’s ture.” After a sequence involv- understood the average success cartooning, left the per year in the mid-1910s. machines, none of Goldberg’s ing a mosquito, a mouse, an man’s anxiety at the sweep- West Coast for greater oppor- By the early 1920s, Goldberg could actually work if con- “Arabian midget,” and vari- ing changes that transformed tunity back East. signed a contract that brought structed – for one, all of them ous household objects, the political life and international In 1907, Goldberg began in $200,000 annually (more depend on uncertainty (say, a description concludes: “If the affairs during the 20th cen- cartooning for the New York than $2 million today) for his golf ball hitting a watering can picture is no good, don’t blame tury. A staunch opponent of Evening Mail, for which he cartoons, and had become a just so) or the agency of a cap- the invention. It’s the way you Nazism in the 1930s and later produced a wide variety of household name. Kowalski tive human being or animal at look.” Communism, Goldberg won comic strips such as “Boob writes in the introduction to a Pulitzer Prize for “Peace McNutt” and “Ike & Mike,” the show: “In 1931, he became Today,” which depicts a and one-panel gags such as the first (and only) person to family relaxing at home atop “Foolish Questions” – their have his name listed as an an atomic bomb teetering humor value, I have to say, adjective in the dictionary, upon a precipice of “world has dwindled a bit over the when Merriam-Webster added control” above an abyss of last hundred years. However, ‘Rube Goldberg to describe “world destruction.” (Kowalski his most popular cartoon – ‘accomplishing by complex acknowledges that Goldberg’s the weekly “The Inventions of means what seemingly could political cartooning can sometimes seem a bit heavy- RUBE GOLDBERG, continued on next page handed to a contempo- rary viewer.) As befits such a singular character, Goldberg’s Jewish jour- ney was also uncon- ventional. He was born Reuben Garrett Lucius Goldberg in San Francisco, the third of seven children. His A Goldberg machine devised for Haifa’s Technion father, Max, immigrated to California from some point in the process to As Kowalski explains, Germany, worked as complete the chain of events. Goldberg thought the fig- a bank appraiser and What’s more, says ures he drew “represented political operative, and the show’s curator Jesse the common man trying to was at various times Kowalski, they are not use machines, and actually San Francisco’s police designed to show how man tried to make machines that chief and fire commis- might, through brainpower, didn’t work. He looked at sioner – certainly not transcend his limitations, but humanity as this thing that the kinds of jobs one rather how “man is always try- was constant. Machines were might expect an immi- ing to find the easy route, or a evolving.” grant Jew to hold in way to be greedy.” Kowalski notes that when the far western United The cartoon “inventor” Goldberg came of age in the States in the late 19th of Goldberg’s machines, late 19th century, people trav- century. Professor Lucifer Gorgonzola eled by boat, horse, train, and “Goldberg remem- Butts, receives his inspiration increasingly by that newfan- bered how his father not from flashes of brilliances, gled contraption, the safety would hang out with

Berkshire CREDIT: COLLECTION OF NORMAN ROCKWELL CREDIT: LIVESEY MUSEUM, GIFT OF MAGDALEN AND ROBERT An example of Goldberg’s political cartooning – Bicycle Built for Two ewishA publication of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, serving the Berkshires and surroundingice NY, CT and VT J V (1948) Thank you to our supporters! The Berkshire Jewish Voice extends a very special “thank you” for the generosity extended thus far by 9 households as of today who have sent in their contributions for voluntary subscriptions to the paper in 2019. Anonymous (3) Harold and Elaine Isaacson

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RUBE GOLDBERG, continued from previous page be done simply.’” (It also didn’t its infancy. Kowalski says he account, Goldberg’s actions father’s work to its Museum starting in 1948 as an instruc- hurt Goldberg’s bottom line ultimately worked on 70 ani- were also influenced by stories of Art, the source of several tor in editorial cartooning. that his wife, Irma, was heir- mated films, as well as script- of European anti-Semitism his of the machine drawings and Rube Goldberg seems to be ess to the White Rose super- ing the first Three Stooges immigrant parents had shared comic strips on view at the having a cultural moment – a market fortune.) short, and was friendly with with him when he was growing Rockwell. (George George went successful exhibit mounted “His job as an illustra- Charlie Chaplin, George up.) on to write for television shows by the National Museum of tor was to tell a story with- Gershwin, Harry Houdini, and As recounted in the Times like Gunsmoke and Bonanza, American Jewish History out words,” says Kowalski. Groucho Marx. In 1948, he of Israel: “Goldberg called his and is also credited as screen- in is currently “He was not the best artist, hosted a television program sons, Thomas and George, writer of the 1980s art house touring museums around but as an illustrator, he was on WPIX, just two weeks after into his office. Noting that film My Dinner With Andre. His the country, and a kid-cen- absolutely one of the best. the New York station began they would be going away brother Thomas was a noted tric version of that show is on He was always catching on to broadcasting. to college, he asked them to abstract artist.) view at the Children’s Museum what was going on in popu- In 1938, Goldberg started change their last name, under Many of the political car- of Pittsburgh through early lar culture – for example, he to contribute three political the pretext of not wanting toons and archival material May. Kowalski worked on the Rockwell exhibition for approximately 18 months, and has curated a concise overview that touches on Goldberg’s career highlights in a way that illuminates the breadth of his accomplishment working in a multitude of modes. To use a machine meta- phor, Goldberg was a dynamo, propelled by a desire to stay both productive and relevant. Says Kowalski: “At a certain point, he saw that illustra- tors who were once well- known were being forgotten. He thought that some of their ideas did not stay with the times. He always tried to stay WIKIMEDIA COMMONS with the times.” An early (1921) Goldberg machine “The Art and Wit of Rube Goldberg” will be on view first popularized the word cartoons each week to the them to stand in his shadow. were selected from a sub- through June 9 at the Norman ‘baloney.’” New York Sun, increased to Thomas, the older son, chose stantial 2014 donation of to Rockwell Museum, located at He wasn’t just an observer five weekly cartoons after his brother’s name for his the Rockwell Museum from 9 Glendale Road / Route 183 of technological advances – he the end of World War II. After new last name, becoming the Famous Artists School, in Stockbridge, MA. For more was an early adopter of every shifting his focus to political Thomas George. His brother which offered correspon- information, visit www.nrm. new media that enabled him to cartooning, Goldberg became followed suit, becoming George dence courses in various types org. reach larger audiences. After alarmed by anti-Semitic hate George.” of illustration and design. a brief career performing in mail he started to receive, and George George enrolled at Norman Rockwell was one vaudeville, Goldberg branched strove to protect his family by Williams College, and later of the founding artists, and out into animation, which was having his sons change their in life donated a trove of his Goldberg worked for the school a form of moviemaking then in surname. (According to one

Paul Green CD Release Party: Nurturing wonder. A Bissel Rhythm PITTSFIELD – On Sunday, May 5, at 4 p.m., Paul Green and his Building skills. band, Two Worlds, invites the community to a CD release party for A Bissel Rhythm, Green’s second Jewish-Jazz fusion album. The concert will be Taft Recital Hall at the Berkshire Music Join us for an Open House April 4 or May 9, School, 30 Wendell Avenue in Pittsfield. A virtuoso clarinetist or schedule a visit at your convenience equally adept at classical, jazz, and klezmer, Green has gone beyond arranging existing tunes, as he did in NEW his first album, Music Coming Early Together. Now, he is com- poser as well as arranger as Learning he continues to explore, in his own compositions, the rela- Scholarships tionships between jazz and available for klezmer music. At the concert, CDs will K-Grade 4 be available for purchase and there will be a champagne reception to follow. A free will donation at the door will benefit the Berkshire Music School.

2-year olds through Grade 9 Financial aid available Learn why BCD is voted Best Private School in the Berkshires 413-637-0755 berkshirecountryday.org Page 24 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org April 8 to May 12, 2019 CULTURE AND ARTS Back To The Wall Having transformed ‘The Shuk,’ Solomon Souza brings his Jewish-inflected street art to the US In September 2016, the Berkshire Jewish Voice shared images created by street artist Solomon Souza for a project that would transform the after-hours character of Jerusalem’s Mahane Yehuda market – aka, “The Shuk.” In the past, after shopkeepers shuttered their stalls at night and on Shabbat, the center city neighborhood was mostly unvisited. That changed after Souza, then 23 years old, was commissioned to spray paint graffiti art-inspired images on approximately 150 of the market’s 360 shutters. Souza mostly portrayed Jewish and Zionist icons, although for an additional contribution a shopkeeper could commission his or her own portrait.

7 Marcus Garvey Boulevard in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, NY

He partnered with the business-minded Berel Hahn, who arranged permissions with the shop owners, secured funding, and other- wise worked to make The Shuk a tourist, nightlife, and art scene destination. Souza, who is largely self-taught, is the grandson of Francis Newton Souza, a modernist painter and the first post-independence Indian artist whose work became known in the West. His mother, Keren Souza-Kohn, is also a painter. Solomon came to Israel at age 17 to study at the yeshiva, and met Berel Hahn in Jerusalem. In recent years, Souza has visited cities across the US and pro- duced murals and portraits (some commissioned, some spontaneous) that possess astonishing energy and creative force. We’ve enjoyed fol- lowing his career on Facebook and www.solomonsouza.com, and are pleased Solomon has allowed us to share some of his recent work. “We were slaves... drawing to an end of the festival of the remembrance of exodus from Egypt... are we truly free yet?” (2018) Miami, FL

Tel Aviv’s Yemenite Keren HaTemanim neighborhood (collaboration with , IL Mexican artists Libre HEM and Polvox)

Left: Zoological depiction of the matzah – Hispano-Moresque Hagadah (Castile, Spain c.1300) Above, left: Ashkenazi Haggadah (Southern Germany c. 1460) Above, right: Barcelona Haggadah (Catalonia, Spain 14th century)