FEDERATION CUTS, PG. 17 ISRAELI SOLDIERS HERE, PG. 14 MY LIFE, MY HEALTH, PG. 13 jericho lost, pg. 25

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Vol. 20, No. 4 Shevat/Adar/Nisan 5772 February 20 to March 25, 2012 28 pages

Focus: opera’s queen The “Arab Spring,” Anti-Semitism, and Israel

Brotherhood founder, Rashad Bayoumi, ‘Israel’s Yusuf al-Qaradawi, not a Hassan el Banna a criminal enemy’ moderate

By Robert S. Wistrich in the way of Allah is our highest hope.” It is this radical vision which animates The Muslim Brotherhood did not initi- all those in the region who seek a fully ate the ongoing upheavals in the Middle Islamic society and way of life. East, but the Islamist parties in Egypt, The Muslim Brotherhood has always as in Tunisia and Libya, have been the been deeply anti-Western, viscerally chief beneficiaries of the collapse of hostile to Israel, and openly anti-Semitic long-standing authoritarian repressive – points usually downplayed in Western regimes across North Africa. A Metropolitan Opera Competition award winner, soprano Chelsea Rose Friedlander commentary on the “Arab Spring.” Indeed, In Egypt itself, the two largest Islamist will sing the title role in Donald Sosin’s “Esther: A One Act Opera” at the Yiddish the anti-Jewish conspiracy theories pro- groups – the Brotherhood and the Salaf- Book Center in Amherst on Sunday, March 4. Internationally trained, Friedlander moted by the Brotherhood and its affili- ists – won about three quarters of the has sung Strauss, Mozart, and Gilbert & Sullivan throughout the East and South ated preachers are in a class of their own. ballots in the second round of legisla- (story on page 6). This is especially true of Egyptian-born tive elections held in December, while Yusuf al-Qaradawi, undoubtedly the most the secular and the liberal forces took celebrated Muslim Brotherhood cleric in a battering. the world. The still vigorous 84-year-old, The Brotherhood – which garnered often misleadingly depicted in the West over forty percent of the votes – is an as a “moderate,” flew in from Qatar to organization founded by an Egyptian Cairo’s Tahrir Square a year ago to lead schoolteacher, Hassan el Banna, back a million-strong crowd in Friday prayers, in 1928. It has never deviated from its thereby ending fifty years of exile from founder’s central axiom: “Allah is our objective; the Prophet is our leader; the arab spring, Koran is our law; Jihad is our way; dying continued on page 7 Hadassah in the Berkshires ‘Eyes Looking to the Future’ An Equine Safe By Sylvia S. Stein Haven in Israel Twenty-twelve marks the centennial of Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Orga- By Tova Saul nization of America, founded in New York City by Henrietta Szold. A volunteer organization with the Biblical mission of “Aruhat Bat Ami: the In Holy Scripture, donkeys and mules Healing of the Daughter of my People,” its first initiative was to send two nurses are ridden by kings, prophets, and judges, to Palestine to provide pasteurized milk to infants and new mothers. By 1918, used as metaphors for either humble or Hadassah had sent an entire medical unit – doctors, nurses, dentists, and sani- wild people, and have specific laws per- tary workers – to bring American-style medical care to serve all, regardless of taining to their care. race, creed, or ethnicity. Today, thousands of equines – don- In the mid-1930s, it became clear that Jewish children needed to be saved from keys, mules, and horses – mostly with a rapidly darkening Europe and Szold helped organize the rescue of thousands, Arab owners, are used in Israel and the bringing them to safety in Palestine. Palestinian territories to transport their As early as 1942, the United States named Hadassah as one of the five larg- masters, carry produce from the fields est contributors to overseas relief, and during World War Two the organization and to market, and for recreational riding. sold $200 million in war bonds. Until recently most of these animals In recent years, Hadassah has spoken out passionately in favor of government faced great harm and, for varying reasons, va Sau PHOTO: T o va funding for stem cell research and has advocated strongly for legislation that never received professional veterinary Lucy Fensom’s sanctuary tends to supports medical privacy and freedom from genetic discrimination. care. Often the owners increased their Hadassah founded, owns, and supports two world-class medical centers in animal’s suffering by using “folk medi- equines in Israel and the Palestinian territories greater Jerusalem – including the Sarah Wetsman Davidson Tower at Hadassah cine,” which includes burning or cutting Medical Center at Ein Kerem. Scheduled to open in mid-October, the Tower will areas of the body. Many equines were stand as Israel’s most advanced medical facility. abandoned, overworked, deliberately Inside Hadassah boasts over 300,000 members, associates, and supporters affiliated harmed, or injured in traffic accidents. with chapters across America. The story of the Berkshires’ local chapter began Campaign Update...... 12 Suffering in silence, they had no or- seventy-five years ago… ganization to rescue them. That is, not until 2000, when Lucy Features & Local News...... 5-8, 14-16, 22 Fensom, a soft-spoken, British airline Your Federation Presents...... 9-13, 17-21 Attending a talk regarding Hadas- Kolman was aided by Rebecca stewardess, became a savior for these sah given by a visiting rabbi, in 1937, Nelson, a native of Leeds, England, animals. While volunteering at a Jeru- National & World News...... 22-25, 27 Estelle Kolman, an ardent Zionist, was who, as vice-president of the charter salem animal shelter, she learned of the inspired; recruiting her bridge group group, assisted in collecting the fifty- extensive abuse of equines in the region. Mazel Tovs...... 9 and family members she established She used her contacts in England to ini- the Pittsfield Chapter of Hadassah. hadassah at 100, Calendar...... 26 continued on page 5 equine rescue, continued on page 14 Page 2 Berkshire Jewish Voice • www.jewishberkshires.org February 20 to March 25, 2012 Young Judaism Religion, Spirituality, and Coping with Loss By Josh Cutler October 13th, 2011, was a day that I had long Knowing that you have that built-in circle of support is such a comforting been preparing for, but never wanted to come. feeling during a time of grief. That afternoon, I lost my dear grandmother, I found it odd in the days after Grandma died that I didn’t find the need Zelda Cutler, who battled so valiantly for over to cry much to come to terms with my loss. I had always believed that due four years after a debilitating stroke zapped away to my close relationship with her, losing her would turn me into a wreck, much of her liveliness. but this was far from the case. Throughout my young life, I had been fortu- Even when I stood on the bima eulogizing her, I felt as though I should nate to have experienced very few losses close let loose and show some outward emotion, but I never could do so. I’ve come to me. I would find over the coming days and to attribute this to the fact that she was able to live 91 years on this earth, weeks that while loss is an incredible, painful raise two children, and see five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren experience, there are things to turn to in life, both grow up before her eyes. religious and spiritual, which can help numb the If I live such a long and fruitful life, I’ll be a lucky guy. pain …and help you turn the page. While my connection to Judaism has helped me cope with my loss im- My relationship measurably, I’ve also found an interesting source of with my Grandma was as close as any grand- spiritual uplift: music. mother-grandson bond you could find. We Since Grandma’s passing, whenever I’m driving in spent countless hours over the years watch- the car listening to satellite radio, I often say to myself: ing television, going out to eat, going to the “Grandma, if you can hear me, two specific artists will grocery store, and talking on the phone – a play: James Taylor and ‘Earth, Wind and Fire’.” tradition which would continue nightly even On Thanksgiving afternoon, which also happened as I went off to college and law school. to be my Dad’s birthday, we decided to drive out to the Never an evening passed without calling cemetery to pay a visit to Grandma. Grandma, to check up on her and to talk When I turned the car key, the first song playing was about our day. In many ways, Grandma “Country Road” by James Taylor. I said to Dad (who served as a second mother to me throughout knew of my little quirk), “Okay, there’s sign one. Now, my childhood, and was a driving force in if we get an ‘Earth, Wind, and Fire’ song, you know molding me – into both who I am and who I’m she’s with us.” going to someday be. I then turned the car down Pecks Road, and as I In the days and weeks following her stroke pulled into the driveway of the Congregation Knesset in July 2007, I found that turning back to Israel Cemetery, “September,” by “Earth, Wind, and Judaism and my congregation was comfort- Fire” began. Grandma and Me ing for me in coping with the massive changes Sitting there with goose bumps all over my skin, I which would follow in my life and the lives of our family members. leaned over to Dad and said, “Well, we know she’s definitely still with us now!” Not only did participating in congregational activities help give me the Though I miss my Grandma more than anyone will ever know, I take sense of family and community that I had been missing, but, in addition, comfort daily in the fact that my religion, my spirituality, and my community the peace of being surrounded by the Jewish community helped me prepare will always remain there for me whenever I need them. for the inevitable day when Grandma would no longer be with us. Josh Cutler is a second year law student at the University of Massachusetts And it was even more comforting that the Jewish community was there School of Law-Dartmouth. A member of Temple Anshe Amunim in Pittsfield, for me in the days and weeks following Grandma’s passing. he is the grandson of Maurice and Zelda Cutler (z”l).

Rabbi Reflections Shalom By Rabbi Ari Rosenberg

I have had the privilege to serve Hevreh of of our Jewish community. As I reminisce upon Divrei Torah I have delivered Southern Berkshire and the extended Jewish at various Shabbats Across the Berkshires, it has been powerful for me family of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires to see the way the Jewish value of Klal Yisrael, “Jewish Unity,” resonates for nearly four years now. Throughout my experi- throughout the Berkshires. ence, I have felt the warmth and support of the As I think of the amiable collegiality shared by the spiritual leaders of the broader Jewish community. affiliate congregations of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, it warms As I reflect upon articles I’ve written for the my heart. Bearing all of this in mind, it is with a heavy heart that I share Berkshire Jewish Voice, on such diverse topics with you that I will soon be leaving the Berkshires. as “Was the Last Supper a Passover Seder?” and I hope that you will be happy for me when you learn that I have accepted “What Islam Can Teach Jews About Ourselves,” a position at a Reform congregation in Springfield, New Jersey. My desire I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had is to take everything I have learned from our Jewish community here, and to continue these conversations with members share it with my new congregation, Sha’arey Shalom. Although it is nearly three hours from the Berkshires, Springfield, NJ, is a nice residential area, not far from Summit and Short Hills, while within close reach of New York City. Sha’arey Shalom has a number of multi-generational families, which appeals to me, and I felt a warmth from the members of the congregation not unlike the warmth I feel here. While the decision to move did not come easily, I felt that the time had come for me to take my professional growth to the next level. There comes a time in the career of many a rabbi when they are ready to serve a congregation of their own, just like my colleagues in the Berkshires, from whom I have learned so very much. I pray that I embark on this new phase in my life with all of your support. Published ten times a year by the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires rabbi reflections, continued on page 4 Arlene D. Schiff: Executive Director & Publisher David Verzi: Editor Rose Tannenbaum: Graphic Design & Layout Jenny Greenfeld: Advertising Sales Representative The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires is fully staffed each and Assistant Editor morning and encourages office visits prior to 1 p.m.

Editorial opinions expressed in the Berkshire Jewish Voice are those of the newspa- per and not those of any individual. Signed editorials do not represent the view of the newspaper, but rather express the writer’s view. DEADLINEs The Berkshire Jewish Voice is under no obligation to accept any advertisement. It does not guarantee the kashrut of any merchandise or service advertised. The next Berkshire Jewish Voice (Vol. 20, No. 5) will cover the period March 26, Subscriber to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency wire service. 2012 through May 5, 2012. The following edition (Vol. 20, No. 6) covers May 6, 2012 through June 7, 2012. The deadline for press releases and other written submis- Serves the Jewish community in Berkshire County and neighboring New York, Connecti- sions, all of which are subject to being edited, is April 2, 2012. Because of limi- cut, and Vermont. Voluntary subscription donations: $18, $36, $72, $108, other. tations of space and time, please be so kind as to not submit lengthy articles Berkshire Jewish Voice e-mail: [email protected] without first contacting the editor. Advertising deadline is April 19, 2012. For a Phone: (413) 442-4360 Fax (413) 443-6070 (Outside area): Toll Free (866) 442-4360 complete Berkshire Jewish Voice schedule, contact (413) 442-4360, ext. 11, or e-mail [email protected]. Shevat/Adar/Nisan 5772 Berkshire Jewish Voice • www.jewishberkshires.org Page 3

and had pictures of them all over the house. In My View My father wasn’t a religious man, but I will never forget the tears stream- Making Tears Holy ing down his face at my daughter’s bat mitzvahs. He was so proud of all By Arlene D. Schiff they had accomplished to get to that point and so happy that they were proud of their heritage. My father’s passing has left a void in my life that will never be filled. “We’d rather be anywhere else at this moment. I will continue to “consult” with him at times when I need advice or just That’s what we’re all thinking, isn’t it? That which someone to talk to. Several times a day, I find myself just saying, “Hi Dad,” brings us here feels unfathomable, surreal, and or “Love you, Dad” – because it’s hard to imagine not saying those words unbelievable,” said Rabbi Deborah Zecher as she on a regular basis. eulogized young Remy Kirshner on January 3. My sister spoke for my entire family when she said, “Dad, I love you so Her words were so appropriate, and unfortu- much and will miss you. You watched over us for so long, longer than we nately that was the second time in a week that her felt necessary, but your love and concern will be missed.” words of sad reflection rang true for me, the first While my Dad lived to be 82, Remy Kirshner was taken at the age of 17 being at the funeral of my father, Milton Davidson, as a result of a tragic car accident. who passed away on December 22. Remy’s mother, Barbara and I became friends nineteen years ago when My father had been in declining health for her oldest daughter and my youngest were both six-months-old. We met in awhile, but until the last month, he exhibited a a mother-baby exercise class offered at the former Federation building on strength and perseverance that I don’t think I East Street in Pittsfield. could ever duplicate. His love of family, especially We quickly became friends and our daughters became friendly as well. my mother, his wife of almost 54 years, is what As our daughters got older their social networks widened and our families’ kept him going day in and day out despite his loss of independence and interaction occurred less often, but we continued to be connected in several declining quality of life. ways: as residents of Lenox whose children went to the public school, as The few minutes his children and grandchildren spoke with him each members of the Jewish Community, and through mutual friends. week were fuel enough to keep him going until the next week’s phone call. Hearing about Remy’s passing sent shock waves through me. I have vivid His daily life, though difficult and painful at times in his later years, were memories of her as a little girl – all smiles with a radiant glow. worth getting through because in his words, “I’m not ready to give up your Rabbi Zecher described Remy as “a love,” a free spirit who loved to dance; mother.” someone well acquainted with challenge and obstacles in her life, but who As my sister so eloquently said in her eulogy everything my father did, sought ways to rise above them. She possessed a strong spirit and tremen- he did because he thought he was doing the best for the family. We didn’t dous inner strength which sustained and nourished her. always view his decisions through the same lens as he, but especially as Rabbi Zecher framed her eulogy by sharing a story about a woman whose we got older, we knew that his actions were taken with our best interest in child died. The bereaved mother came to her rabbi who listened patiently mind – as overprotective and stifling as we might have found them to be. as she poured out her grief. And then he said to her: “I cannot wipe away My father taught us to be independent, not to follow the crowd, to think your tears. I can only show you how to make them holy.” for ourselves, and at the same time to be part of “the team” – whether that And Rabbi Zecher said that our sacred task that afternoon was to let be as a member of our household doing our share of the chores, visiting the tears flow, but in remembering Remy and in celebrating her sweet life, my great-grandmother when she was in a nursing home, as a player on a learn to make our tears holy. sports team, or as the leader of an organization. Rabbi Zecher said further, “We wish this day had never come, but it has My father led by example when it came to instilling in us the importance come and we are here because, in truth, we could be no place else.” of a good education. He had to postpone going immediately from high school “With overwhelming sorrow, we are here to celebrate Remy’s life, to honor to college due to the death of his father and the need for someone to provide her goodness, her smile, the warmth of her friendship…. We will make our for the rest of the family. He worked during the day and went to school at tears holy when we cherish the people we love just a little bit more, hold night until he could afford to go back to school full time. He pursued his them just a bit closer.” M.B.A later in life while working and providing for a wife and three children. “We will honor Remy’s memory when we feel passion for the things that He made it possible for my brother, sister, and I to attend both the col- interest us. We will make our tears holy when we speak honestly and openly leges and graduate schools we wanted with minimal financial burden on to our friends and family about the things that concern us. We will celebrate us, and his generosity in this area extended to his seven grandchildren. Remy’s life when we smile more often and find more ways to say ‘yes’.” After his passing, I came across scrapbooks he had compiled for me and I am doing my best to honor both Remy and my father’s memory by act- each of my siblings documenting our academic achievements because of ing in the ways suggested by Rabbi Zecher. I can’t think of a more fitting the value he placed on them. way to show my love for them and the value I place on having had the good I am grateful for the fact that my daughters had their grandfather in their fortune to have them be a part of my life. lives for so many years. My dad loved being a grandparent, and before his May their memories be for blessings. health began to decline made an effort to visit his grandchildren as frequently Arlene D. Schiff is Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of the Berk- as possible, not only being present for major events like religious holidays, shires. She may be reached at (413) 442-4360, ext. 12 or arlene.schiff@ birthdays, and other family celebrations, but also just for a day of “hanging jewishberkshires.org. out” in the backyard or sitting on the floor playing. He wore a sweatshirt with his grandchildren’s pictures on it all the time

Letters to the Editor

Hevreh Kids Support Federation Questions Preservation of Killing Camps Dear BJV Editor, Dear BJV Editor,

Hevreh’s students understand the continue Federation’s ongoing work in The article “Auschwitz’s Future Secure visitors to deteriorating killing camps but value of community through the Jewish the Berkshires and beyond. But, Preservations Worry about ‘Forgot- in a twisted irony, to somehow compound Federation of the Berkshires. As always, we at Hevreh applaud ten’ Nazi Camps” by JTA journalist Ruth the horrendous crimes committed there, I am pleased that our Second and the work of the Jewish Federation of Gruber appearing in the November 1st by having the well-chosen countries in Third Grade (Kitot Bet v’Gimel) students the Berkshires and are grateful for your issue of the Berkshire Jewish Voice dealt which they were built, by willing collabo- chose to raise money for the Federation, in connection to the community. And I am with the preservation of Auschwitz and rators, profit from their preservation and part to show their gratitude for what the grateful to be working with Federation other Nazi-era concentration and exter- likely renovation, today. And to compound Jewish Federation of the Berkshires does via the Allocations Committee and The mination camps. the offense, ask Jews to contribute. to help them receive a Jewish education. Women’s Foundation. Coincident to what Ms. Gruber’s con- Organized tours, specifically targeted I am enclosing a check in the amount cerns and imperatives were for writing her at their descendants, to countries brutally of $117.72, which represents money L’shalom story, some months before, I happened to cleansed of most Jews and their culture collected by the students through their follow up on a request for donations by within the lifetime of many of us, seem weekly tzedakah collection and our tam- Paula Lee Hellman an organization called “Intervene Now.” I to be up and running already. chui (“support”) assembly. Education Director learned on their website that this particu- It’s quite incomprehensible to us. The students and their teachers, Hevreh of Southern Berkshire lar organization in Poland is devoted to Barbara Kahan and Chaya Berlstein, Great Barrington the restoration, close to its original state, Sincerely, hope that their contribution will help to of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp Complex in Auschwitz, Poland. Ruth and Hans Heuberger Additionally, their goal is to have it Great Barrington named a UNESCO Historic Site. “Inter- vene Now” employs an unusually large [Ed. note: While the merits of the number of staff among its many depart- preservation of the camps are certainly Letters to the Editor ments. I wrote to a responsible person a legitimate topic for discussion and The Berkshire Jewish Voice welcomes signed letters from our community on subjects there and received a reply, from the comment, it is in no way certain that the of interest to the Jewish community. Letters are printed upon space availability. The BJV Public Relations employee, that relates to reporter in question saw the matter as one reserves the right to edit all letters for content and style. The BJV does not print anony- Ms. Gruber’s goal of historic restoration. of personal “concerns and imperatives.” mous letters, insults, libelous or defamatory statements. For verification purposes, please (Please feel free to contact me if you would Reporters often simply file, or are assigned include full name, home address, and a day and evening telephone number. Concise like to read the email exchange. I wrote by editors to file, without prejudice, stories letters are less likely to be condensed. Send letters to: Berkshire Jewish Voice, 196 South to the ADL as well, but received no reply that are felt to be of interest to readers.] Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201, or email: [email protected]. aside from a request for a contribution). Apparently it is not enough to attract Page 4 Berkshire Jewish Voice • www.jewishberkshires.org February 20 to March 25, 2012

Jewish Education Today nantly about a particular teacher who “brainwashed” their child into request- It is the difference between Education: Jews’ Sole Savior? ing that the family start having Shabbat By Robert Eli Rubinstein dinners together on Friday nights, at an being a spectator at a hour when the parents customarily go sporting event and being Since Biblical times, we Jews have been a famously contrary lot, and the erosion out with their friends. of traditional values in the modern period has only deepened the divisions. Yet there I have acquired from my own Holo- a player is a single article of faith proclaimed with startling unanimity and certitude by all caust-survivor parents an appreciation who profess to care about the survival of the Jewish people. for the sacred imperative after Aus- From one end of the broad Jewish spectrum to the other, from secular human- chwitz of transmitting a strong Jewish ists to the most rigidly devout, Jewish education is promoted as the key to securing consciousness to the next generation. Although my parents never attended Jewish the Jewish future. schools, which simply did not exist in small prewar European communities, their Recently, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman added his powerful voice Jewish identity has always been unwavering and vigorous, absorbed intuitively from to the chorus. As he put it, “Nothing is more crucial to advancing this goal of en- the personal example set by their own parents in the family home. suring the continuation of a strong Jewish identity than Jewish education. At all Yes, I know, times have changed. For this reason, our challenge today is to identify levels, from the earliest age in the home, through formal and informal education at the success factors of times past and try to make them work in our contemporary all levels, there is no alternative to exposing the next generation to Jewish values, situation. traditions, and identity.” The truth is that it requires very little objective knowledge to live a vibrant Jewish I began entertaining doubts about the conventional wisdom regarding Jewish life, and in our increasingly interconnected world, this knowledge is easy to attain. education years ago, and these have only increased The real issue is the individual Jew’s degree of as I raised my own children and became ever more motivation to seek it out and act on it. I can agree involved in the lay leadership of the Jewish schools with Lieberman and many others that Jewish they attended. literacy is a worthy objective, but on the available Let me make clear that I am not saying I no lon- evidence, I have my doubts that it necessarily ger value Jewish education. Rather, what I mean is leads to the development of a strong Jewish iden- that in the distant past, the lives of our people were tity. One can acquire a comprehensive Jewish suffused with a critical mass of Jewish content, and high school education – one can even become a this preserved in them a strong sense of self as Jews. university professor of Jewish studies – without Today, however, the great majority of Jews wish necessarily forming an emotional commitment to replace the actual practice of Judaism with mere to living a Jewish life. knowledge of Judaism. As a consequence of this shift, The key to forming such a commitment is we tend to have overblown and unrealistic expectations actually doing the rather simple things one has regarding the efficacy of Jewish education in building learned about, and doing them consistently. Jewish identity. Such observance can move beyond mere nos- In 1986, the Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario talgia or folklore and become an integral part of region, commissioned a “Task Force on Assimilation, a person’s being. An individual who embraces Intermarriage and Jewish Identity”, which I was privi- an all-encompassing core of Jewish activity is leged to co-chair. Following an intensive investigative apt to seek a like-minded spouse, and together process, the taskforce issued a report setting forth they will strive to raise children on this model. recommendations for counteracting the erosion of A respected Jewish community professional affiliation among Jews. Looking back, I am struck by recently told me that she herself did not observe the fact that almost all the recommendations involved any Jewish rituals because she never had the Brooklyn’s Chassidic Jews, role models or just educational promoting Jewish education in one form or another. In benefit of a day school education. I responded the years since, our community’s deep conviction that that it does not take very much education to know Jewish education is the panacea for assimilation has continued to grow, as reflected how to light Shabbat candles, for example. All that is required is the determination by its ever-expanding investment in Jewish educational facilities and resources. Yet to do it and the ability to strike a match. parallel to this trend and notwithstanding our heroic efforts, we have witnessed a My ancestors, like hers, knew what they had to do to live richly satisfying Jewish relentless increase in the rate of attrition. lives, without having enjoyed a formal Jewish education. Clearly, something has Some years ago, I was visiting in Borough Park, a Brooklyn neighborhood heav- changed dramatically. If we truly care about securing the future of the Jewish people, ily populated by readily identifiable Chassidic Jews. While strolling along the main as we profess, we owe it to ourselves to examine what that “something” might be, street on a sunny Sunday afternoon, I came across a group of people wearing base- and what we need to do about it. ball caps and clutching cameras, listening to a tour guide’s animated explanation The celebrated 19th-century German Jewish bibliographer Moritz Steinschneider of the significance of the different types of garb worn by the local residents. I was was a modern man with modern sensibilities, unwilling to lend credence to any intrigued to learn that these were members of a synagogue adult education group religion, including his own. People would ask him in puzzlement why a totally non- from Long Island, who had come to catch a glimpse of how their ancestors in East- observant Jew had chosen to spend his days cataloguing musty old Jewish books ern Europe lived long ago. with such loving devotion. His unsettling response was that he saw it as his mission They were no doubt having a fine educational experience, learning about their to give Judaism a decent burial. ancient heritage, but this does not mean they had any interest in living significantly If they wish to avoid being among the pall-bearers, the many present-day Jews Jewish lives themselves, within any stream of Judaism. It is the difference between who share Steinschneider’s modern sensibilities yet yearn paradoxically for a bright being a spectator at a sporting event and being a player: the self-perceptions and Jewish future, need to discover meaning and satisfaction in the Jewish experience actual commitments of the two are simply incomparable. And if the goal of “Jewish beyond merely being knowledgeable about it. education” is to ensure that there will be Jews in the world of the future, no one As we survey the contemporary scene, there is, to be sure, much to cause us could seriously argue that the photo-snapping tourists from Long Island were as consternation. But in all fairness, there is also much to give us hope. In New York likely to have Jewish grandchildren as the bemused black-clad Chassidim walking by. and Los Angeles, Montreal and Toronto, Philadelphia and Chicago, other hubs of The North American Jewish community is one of the most affluent, generous, Jewish life, we see young people creating dynamic new communities where they and dedicated in the world, and we are justifiably proud of the wonderful schools devise innovative, stimulating, and joyful new ways to reconnect to their sources and other institutions that we have created. The great majority of parents I know and celebrate the age-old treasures of Judaism. who send their children to day schools wish them to be “Jewishly” knowledgeable, Throughout our long and tortuous history, we Jews have rebounded from count- so that one day they will be in a position to make informed decisions about how they less existential crises by pulling together. I am confident that in the end, we shall will choose to fulfill themselves as Jews. Deep down, they hope their children will once again meet the challenge, for “a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” ultimately vindicate their own life choices by choosing to be just as non-observant Robert Eli Rubinstein is a Toronto businessman and Canadian Jewish Book Award as they themselves are. Many are the stories of day school parents, including even Winner. The above was provided through the Jewish Education Service of North America. some leaders of the community, who have called the principal to complain indig-

rabbi reflections, continued from page 2 Metaphorically, I feel like I am packing a bag, to take along with me, car- As I bring these reflections to a close, there is only one word that comes rying everything I cherish about this community. Along with the value of Klal to mind: Shalom. Yisrael that is so powerful here in the Berkshires, I am taking so much more. As we all know, Shalom is a word that we say when greeting one another. I’ll be taking with me our fidelity to Israel, as well as our commitment to It reminds me of how well I was received when I first became a part of our respectful dialogue about the diverse ways to support the people of Israel. extended Jewish family here. Shalom is also what we say upon departure, I’ll be taking with me our communal concern that the Holocaust must never but I still have plenty of time to savor all that our community has to offer be forgotten, as well as our tradition of gathering as a community to honor before I leave in June, so we can save that Shalom for later. those who perished and those who survived. I’ll be taking our enthusiasm In the meantime, Shalom, in the sense of Peace, is the best way to express for lifelong Jewish education, and our yearning to expand our knowledge the way that I feel about the Berkshire Jewish Community. The Berkshires and our minds towards our fullest potential. will always be a place of Shalom and Peace for me, in no small part because I’ll be taking our commitment to tzedakah, at home here in the Berkshires, of the love that has been shared within and among everyone associated with at our “other home” in Israel, and throughout the Diaspora. I’ll be taking our the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires. concern for all people created Btselem Elohim, in God’s image, regardless of Thank you for increasing the Shalom in my heart, in my soul, and in their religion, culture, race, gender, or sexual orientation. I’ll be taking the my life. warmth and the haimishness that we all feel in our own synagogues, and Shalom. we feel as well when visiting any one of the affiliate congregations of the Rabbi Ari Rosenberg serves Hevreh of Southern Berkshire in Great Barrington. Jewish Federation of the Berkshires. The best part is, since I don’t have to fly, I don’t have to limit myself in what I pack to bring with me. And, I know that when I return to visit, the Create A Jewish Legacy Campaign spirit of the Berkshire Jewish Community will always help “re-Jew-vinate” Please remember the Jewish Community in your will my soul. Shevat/Adar/Nisan 5772 Berkshire Jewish Voice • www.jewishberkshires.org Page 5 Features and Local news

service awards honoring hadassah at 100, two long-time members, continued from page 1 with a “rookie” commen- cent deposits from prospective dation presented to a members. first-year member. Since many joining the new A collaboration of chapter spoke Yiddish, and did Hadassah, B’nai B’rith not understand English, meet- Women, and the Sis- ings where conducted in that terhoods of Congrega- High German language that had tion Knesset Israel and developed in the tenth century Temple Anshe Amunim, among Ashikenazi Jews along the 1970s saw the pub- the River Rhine. lication, and republica- While Kolman focused on tion, of the fast selling the necessity of fundraising for “Hadassah Cookbook,” a myriad of causes, Nelson was which made its way from instrumental in developing the the Berkshires across intellectual life of the chapter – the whole of the nation introducing the review of books, to the financial benefit cultural programming, and the of all four organizations. discussion of current events. Commencing in the Together the duo guided 1980s “Youth Aliyah Pittsfield Hadassah’s growth Luncheons,” whose goal Estelle Kolman founded Hadassah in Four fashionable ladies were among the five-hundred attending a from its original dozen to is funding to serve dis- the Berkshires Hadassah dance in 1959 four-hundred-and- twenty-five mem- Wildman and Helen bers, making the Weiss, daughters of organization the Estelle Kolman, both largest women’s as- served as presidents of sociation in Pitts- their respective chap- field. ters, Dorothy (Pitts- Thr ough the field) and Helen (New decades, Hadas- Britain, Connecticut). sah’s energetic Paula Pomerantz, a and enthusiastic life-long member and Berkshire chapter Mrs. Nelson’s grand- would flourish via daughter, also served a changing menu of as a chapter president. memorable events, The greatest claim many conducted to fame of the Hadas- at the once Jewish sah movement in the Community Center Berkshires was the (JCC) on Pittsfield’s elevation of Bonnie East Street. Lipton to National A staple of the President after hav- 1950s, “The Jewish ing served as a local National Fund Tree president, Regional In 1968, Joanna Fribush (standing) began Dance,” attended President and Na- In the 1970s and 80s, the auction of services was a big Hadassah hit. In her first of three stints as Hadassah by hundreds in its tional Vice-President. 1975, ski maintenance, tennis lessons, a catered dinner, and an air flight president; she’s shown here with daughter heyday, was con- Known through- were among those up for bid Andrea and her mother, Mrs. Morris Harris sidered the social out the nation for event of the year her speaking prowess and featured a live band, elegant advantaged youths in Israel and Poland by “Youth Aliyah” and place at many a yesteryear meet- and phenomenal fundraising cocktail hour, and a sumptuous elsewhere, were held for many transported safely to a “Youth ing. Sonia Herberg’s “Mitzvah ability, Lipton continues to be dessert table; with admission years at Temple Anshe Amu- Aliyah Village” in Israel, where Cakes” – three layer, beautifully avidly involved in Hadassah, to the event – which was ear- nim, where they enjoyed high her counselor and mentor decorated delicacies – served as currently heavily so with regard marked for the purchase of “tree attendance, turned out to be none other than a way of honoring a member, to the Sarah Wetsman Davidson certificates” to aid in planting in With individual Hadassah Henrietta Szold! as other members, at a dollar a Hospital Tower in Jerusalem. Israel – three dollars! members bringing all the food, The 1970s brought Hadas- clip, wrote names of prospective Today, with the chapter Donor dinners, which began quiches reigned supreme and sah’s “Nearly New Sale.” This honorees on slips of paper which numbering more than six- in the 1940s, often saw over over the years the afternoon forerunner of local thrift shops were then placed in a hat – with hundred, the majority Life two-hundred in attendance fill- repasts have been sparked by invited members to contribute one lucky name drawn to take Members, Berkshire Hills Ha- ing the JCC gymnasium which fashion shows, with designer gently used clothing, coats, the elaborate confection home. dassah, under the leadership of was transformed into an elegant, clothing from Israel; presenta- shoes, handbags, and more, Initiated by the national Co-Presidents Joanna Fribush draped dining room, embellished tions by prominent national which were priced and placed on Hadassah organization, in the and Marcia Tuler, continues to with stylish table centerpieces speakers; and unique auctions, racks and tables. The sale, open 1980s the program to resettle act with devotion, constancy, and chandeliers made from which began in the ‘70s, involv- to the public, saw lines forming Jews from the Soviet Union in adherence, faithfulness, and hula hoops. ing services offered by both outside the JCC in anticipation the United States chose the passion; committed to the ide- The dinners raised thou- members and their spouses. of wonderful bargains. With a Pittsfield chapter to conduct als and precepts that Estelle sands for Hadassah’s health- Another annual Hadas- percentage of the proceeds go- the program in the Berkshires Kolman and her followers es- focused programs, but, with sah highlight, saw prospective ing to both Hadassah and the with its administration eventu- tablished so many years ago. donors and dinner chairmen members treated to dinner at contributing member, the sale ally being taken under the wing Fribush, a record three-time soliciting donations from gen- the home of Dorothy Wildman, was a resounding success for of the Jewish Federation of the president, is solely responsible erous local vendors, there was founder Kolman’s daughter. many years. Berkshires. The result: some for promoting the “Keepers of no cost to dinner attendees – During one memorable evening, Another innovation that, over one-hundred eight-five Soviet the Gate” group of almost fifty who each year after the feast a new member, Sonia Witkowski, time, raised thousands of dol- immigrants came to Pittsfield, women, who contribute $1,000 witnessed the presentation of told her story of being saved in lars for Hadassah’s coffers took the largest per capita resettle- annually. ment by any community A monthly book club keeps in the United States. members engaged; a Mah Jongg From the 1920s group fundraising effort is fun; to 1992, Hadassah’s “Donor Dinners” and “Youth Ali- Pittsfield chapter oper- yah Luncheons” remain events ated separately from that members eagerly anticipate; the chapters in North and the summer “Chai Tea” – Adams and Great Bar- supported by both members rington. But in ’92 was and non-member-summer- visi- born Berkshire Hills tors – is a delightful afternoon Hadassah, with all three of entertainment and delectable incorporated into one. refreshments. Looking back over All with the purpose of sup- three-quarters of a cen- porting Berkshire Hills Hadas- tury, Hadassah in the sah, as the seventy-five year Berkshires is proud to old organization recalls and is claim several members motivated by Henrietta Szold’s who became regional late-in-life quote. presidents: Ruth Shapiro When asked by a sculptor (North Adams), Bonnie commissioned to create her like- Lipton, Ellen Silverstein, ness about her portrayal Szold In the summer of 1999, many congratulated Current Berkshire Hills Hadassah Co-presidents and Ellen Masters. said: “Make my eyes look to the Bonnie Lipton as she became the twenty-second Joanna Fribush (left) and Marcia Tuler Life Members Dorothy future.” president of Hadassah’s national organization Page 6 Berkshire Jewish Voice • www.jewishberkshires.org February 20 to March 25, 2012

Features and Local news Purim Celebration at the Yiddish Book Center: At Knesset Israel: Introduction to Opera, Costume Contest, and Workshop Judaism Series Begins in April

AMHERST, MA – On Sunday, wry, poignant lyrics of “Esther: PITTSFIELD – Congregation bat (7/1); Prayer (7/8); Making March 4, a Purim celebration A One Act Opera” add to its ap- Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, Sense of the Siddur/Prayerbook for all ages will take place, at peal to audiences of all ages. The will begin a twenty-one class (7/15); and Medieval Jewish the Yiddish Book Center, 1021 inclusion of a narrator/juggler, “Introduction to Judaism” se- History (7/22). West Street. The day will in- played by Nicholas Sosin – the ries, on Sunday, April 22 and Also, Anti-Semitism & the clude a noon workshop led by composer’s son – dancing, and continuing through the spring, Shoah (7/29); Zionism and the Leslie Elias, artistic director of some fun antics make “Esther” summer, and fall. Modern State of Israel (8/5); the award-winning “Grumbling especially appealing to children. Taught primarily by Judith Jewish Values (8/12); Kashrut Gryphons Traveling Children’s “Esther” is based on the and Rabbi David Weiner, classes and Medical Ethics (8/19); Days Theater,” a costume contest, and Biblical story of Esther, Queen will incorporate dynamic activi- of Awe (8/27); Jews and Juda- a 2 p.m. performance of “Esther: of Persia, a courageous Jewish ties to pique participants’ inter- ism in America (9/9); Women A One Act Opera.” woman who risks her life by ap- est and maximize learning. and Judaism (9/30); Lifecycle Guests are invited to dress in proaching the king to keep her Each class will reflect a par- (10/14 and 10/21); Passover costumes. Prizes will be awarded people safe from the wicked Ha- ticular theme, including: Jewish (10/28), and Hannuka (11/5). after the opera performance man. Jews throughout the world identity, sacred books, Jewish With registration available for in several categories. Haman- celebrate this event through the time, Jews in America, ethics the full series or on a per ses- taschen, the traditional Purim festive holiday of Purim, with and values, lifecycle, as well as sion basis, classes will meet on snack, will be available for sale singing, dancing, and costumes. medieval and modern Jewish Sunday mornings, from 10:10 throughout the day. Sosin has written and per- Nicholas Sosin will narrate the history. a.m. to noon, with babysitting “Esther: A One Act Opera,” formed music for film, stage, opera – and juggle! The accessible series is espe- available from 10 a.m. to noon. written by Donald Sosin with and synagogues. His orches- cially suitable for interfaith cou- Breakfast will be served before a libretto by Sari Magaziner, tral music has been performed director. ples looking for understanding; the beginning of class, beginning is performed in English. The throughout the United States Elias, actress, playwright, ar- individuals considering conver- at 9:30. show, starring Chelsea Rose and Europe. The composer pre- tistic director, and co-founder of sion; and inquisitive people who Upon registration, partici- Friedlander in the title role, is miered “Esther” in 1977 and has ‘Grumbling Gryphons’” has been have not participated in Jewish pants will be offered a reading list meant for the whole family and revived the show in honor of the teaching drama to children and education since childhood. to enhance their experience, as emphasizes the power of owning centennial anniversary of the adults for over thirty-five years. The class assumes that most well as access to class materials one’s identity and standing up to founding of Hadassah, the large She has authored numerous participants will be new to Jew- via the Congregation’s website. evil, whatever the personal risks. Jewish charitable organization plays and is a teaching artist/ ish education and welcomes all For further information or Friedlander, a soprano, holds that shares its Hebrew name performer for the Connecticut who are interested in broaden- required registration in advance a Bachelor of Music Degree in with Queen Esther. Commission on Culture and ing their Jewish experience as of class, please contact Chris Vocal Performance from the Admission to the opera is Tourism. adults. Participants need not Kelly-Whitney at (413) 445- Cleveland Institute of Music $8, members, $10, general ad- Participants will dance, sing, be members of Knesset Israel. 4872, ext. 10, or visit www. and will receive her Master of mission; free for children and and parade in a Purim Pageant The schedule, which is sub- knessetisrael.org. Music in Classical Voice from students 18 and under. Reser- adorned in festive Purim masks ject to change, is: Jewish Per- As substantial work and time the Manhattan School of Music vations are suggested to attend and costumes from the collec- spectives on God (4/22); Tanakh is being afforded the preparation in May. In addition, she has the opera. tions of ‘Grumbling Gryphons.’ (4/29); Ancient Jewish History of materials for the series, a $10 trained in Salzburg, Austria, is A limited number of par- They will be taught musical and Literature (5/6); Rabbinic donation for each session per a Metropolitan Opera Competi- ticipants are invited to attend a numbers to perform in the show. Literature in Context (5/20); household or $100 for the series tion award winner, and has sung pre-performance drama work- Free admission, advance Halakha: Jewish Law (6/3); The is suggested. Strauss, Mozart, and Gilbert & shop led by Leslie Elias, the registration suggested. Jewish Calendar (6/24); Shab- Sullivan throughout the East “Grumbling Gryphons Traveling For further information, and South. Childrens Theater’s” artistic please call (413) 256-4900. The tonal, upbeat score, and At Beth Israel: Second Night Seder At Anshe Amunim: Purimshpiel, March 2, Service, NORTH ADAMS – At 6 p.m. This is a family-friendly March 7 on Saturday, April 7, all are event, said Barenblat. “The welcome to join the community whole Seder was designed to be PITTSFIELD – Following the 5:30 directed by Dr. Alan Gold, the was originally written by the of Congregation Beth Israel, 53 intriguing to children, and the Erev Shabbat, on Friday, March Temple musical director. late humorist Allen Sherman; Lois Street, North Adams, for a structure of the meal, with its 2, the “Broad Street Players” While humorous plays and titled “Goldener Moments from second night Passover Seder, a highly ritualized components, is of Temple Anshe Amunim, 26 musical performances are a Broadway,” it was a My Fair ritual meal, interspersed with meant to provoke children to ask Broad Street, will present their historical part of the Purim Lady parody. songs and storytelling centering ‘why are we doing it this way?’” modern, and lively Purimshpiel celebration, since 2007 the “People enjoyed it,” said around the story of the Exodus Because of this, noted Baren- celebration, “A Purim Home Temple’s ensemble has put forth Dr. Gold “so I decided that the from Egypt. blat, the Seder-leader gets to say, Companion,” produced and theater that doesn’t necessarily Purimshpiel theme would alter- This year’s Seder will be led “Ah, I’m so glad you asked! It’s a have a lot to do with the holi- nate every other year, with the by Rabbi Rachel Barenblat using ritual recreation of the Exodus, day – although the artistic and even years being a “non-Purim” a special abridged version of her a dinner party, and a teaching irreverent underlying theme of show that would provide enter- “Velveteen Rabbi’s” Haggadah for opportunity all rolled into one.” Purim is steadfastly maintained. tainment and amusement and Pesach; the word “haggadah,” The Seder will include a pot- With this year’s “A Purim little else. noted Barenblat, comes from a luck dinner. A chicken-based Home Companion” theme, the Live music for the “Home Hebrew root denoting storytell- main dish will be provided by the cast “takes off” on the same- Companion” will be provided ing while the haggadah is the congregation; others are asked named public radio weekly hit, by a band composed of musi- book which tells the story of the to bring non-dairy, kosher-for- with the production including cians who have played often at Exodus. Passover items to share. “News from Lake Veyizmir,” as the Temple, including Dr. Gold “This year’s Seder will be a Noted Barenblat, “Kosher for well as live sound effects and an on keyboard, Charlie Tokarz on bit different from what we’ve Passover,” primarily means no on-stage band playing klezmer woodwinds, Miriam Shapiro on done in years past,” explained leaven; but for more informa- tunes. violin, and Dave Fields on drums. Barenblat: “Some guitar, some tion she is available to answer The performance will be ac- At the Purim service on new songs, some poetry, plus questions. companied by a non-traditional Wednesday, March 7, Rabbi an orange and an olive on the Tickets for dinner and the pizza dinner with very traditional Joshua Breindel will provide Seder plate!” ritual celebration, are $18 for Hamentashen for dessert. comic highlights of the Megillah. Barenblat also noted that individuals and $36 for a family. Purim festivals in Europe “A Purim Home Companion,” Beth Israel’s Seder will feature Please contact [email protected] centuries ago didn’t necessarily is open to both congregation the liturgical accessibility and or (413) 663-5830 for further in- have much, or anything, to do members and the general pub- sense of warm welcome which formation or reservations which with the Biblical story of Esther, lic. The dinner’s cost is $5 per are trademarks of her congre- are due by Friday, March 30. and it wasn’t long until Anshe person, with a $20 family limit. gational community. Amunim’s presentation didn’t Reservations are made at (413) either – the 2008 production 442-5910.

VOLUNTEER? IT’S VITAL! Contact: Susan Frisch Lehrer, Coordinator of Volunteers Jewish Federation of the Berkshires (413) 442-4360, ext. 14 [email protected] Shevat/Adar/Nisan 5772 Berkshire Jewish Voice • www.jewishberkshires.org Page 7

Features and Local news arab spring, were seeking to prevent Egyp- “Home Sweet Hadassah” continued from page 1 tian and Islamic unity, as well “Pathways of as trying to “Judaize al-Quds (Jerusalem).” A Coast-to-Coast Celebration Prayer”: his native land. This kind of incitement and PITTSFIELD – At 1:30 p.m. on gathering together on the same He called for pluralistic de- the pressure from the Egyptian Thursday, March 22, at the day in homes across the nation. New Sunday mocracy in Egypt while at the street does not mean that the homes of Toby Morganstein, To share past memories, Learners’ same time offering the hope “that fragile peace treaty with Israel Rhoda Kaminstein, Carole greet new members, and dis- Almighty Allah will also please will be cancelled overnight. But Schwimmer, and Joanna Fri- cuss the future of Hadassah, Minyan at me with the conquest of the calls for such a step have been bush, Berkshire Hills Hadas- those interested are asked to al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.” repeatedly heard in recent sah will join in the “Home respond to (413) 442-6758 or Knesset Israel Two years earlier, in a notori- months even from the “liberal” Sweet Hadassah” celebration berkshirehillshadassah@gmail. PITTSFIELD – From 8:45 to 9:30 ous commentary on Al-Jazeera and more “progressive” sectors of Hadassah’s centennial join- com indicating the home of their a.m., beginning Sunday, April TV, the “moderate” Qaradawi of the political spectrum as well ing hundreds of thousands of choice. 22, Congregation Knesset Israel had provided religious justifi- as from the Islamist parties. Hadassah members who will introduces a Learners’ Minyan, cation for both past and future Dr. Rashad Bayoumi, the entitled “Pathways of Prayer” to Holocausts. deputy leader of the Muslim its program of worship. He said, “Throughout history, Brotherhood, bluntly told the Purim at Hevreh: March 7 and 11 Led by Rabbi David Weiner, Allah has imposed upon the Jews Arabic daily al-Hayat on the the service aims to guide and people who would punish them first day of this year that his GREAT BARRINGTON – Hevreh Those attending may come deepen the experience of prayer for their corruption. The last organization will never “recog- of Southern Berkshire will cel- in costume or not, and Hamen- as well as open pathways for punishment was carried out by nize Israel at all,” whatever the ebrate Purim at 5:30 p.m. on taschen will be served. understanding and connection. Hitler. By means of all the things circumstances. Wednesday, March 7. There is no cost. In addition to the initial ses- he did to them – even though Israel, Bayoumi emphasized, As the congregation asks, Is From 11 a.m. to noon on sion spring “Pathways of Prayer” they exaggerated this issue – he was a “criminal enemy” with it “Just My Imagination?” And Sunday, March 11, Hevreh’s dates include April 29, May 6 and managed to put them in their whom Egypt should never have answers, no. “I Heard It Through Annual Purim Carnival will take 20, and June 3 and 24. place. This was divine punish- signed a peace treaty in the first The Grapevine” …Purim is on its place. Lots of prizes, games, After the services, partici- ment for them. Allah willing, the place. If this treaty is not to be way. They’re in an excited state, food, and fun are on tap, with pants will be invited to join to- next time will be at the hands of abrogated, much will depend on with each congregant exclaim- tickets available at the door and gether for breakfast (donations the believers.” the United States making clear ing, “I Second That Emotion!” all proceeds going to tzedakah. welcome) generously underwrit- In other words, the loathing to Egypt how dire the economic Thus, it will be a “Motown Megil- The Carnival is sponsored ten by the Jerold Spitz Minyan of Jews, the Holocaust, and the and political consequences for lah at Hevreh.” by “SCOOBY,” Hevreh’s Junior Fund. destruction of Israel by Muslims its wellbeing would be. All are invited to join the fun. Youth Group. No advance registration is were linked by Qaradawi as It is particularly chilling to The reading of the Megillah will For further information on required for the program which things mandated by God himself. note that the Islamic wave al- be followed by a ‘Spiel’ performed either event, please call Hevreh is open to the community. For Regarding Israel and the ready dominates not only in Iran, by the Confirmation Class teens during the week at (413) 528- further information, please call Jews, fundamentalist Muslim which is on the verge of nuclear as directed by Andrea Patel. 6378. (413) 445-4872. attitudes have never deviated weapons, but also in Turkey, since the 1940s. Islamist ideo- Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, the logues, despite their virulent Gaza Strip under Hamas, and anti-Westernism, have had no the Lebanese state, currently in Retreat Center to Feature Ethiopian Jewish problem in drawing on Western the iron grip of Hizbullah. sources for their radical Anti- Apart from seeking to impose Experience Semitism – whether these libels Sharia law, and to further down- FALLS VILLAGE, CT – From come from the Protocols of the grade the status of women – while March 16 to 18, the Isabella Elders of Zion forgery, Henry repressing Christian Copts and Freedman Jewish Retreat Cen- Ford’s The International Jew, other non-Muslim minorities – ter in northwest Connecticut Hitler’s Mein Kampf, fantasies the neo-Islamist movements and will provide an opportunity to about Judeo-Masonic plots, regimes remain as determined delve into the fascination and or have their origin in Chris- as ever to wipe out Israel and to inspiration of the Ethiopian tian Anti-Talmudism, medieval radically reduce American influ- Jewish Community through its blood-libels, or the slanders of ence in the region. Needless to offering the “Ethiopian Jewish contemporary Holocaust deniers say, like the Brotherhood itself, Experience,” an unraveling of in America and Europe. Islamists consider themselves to the mystery and immersion The current swelling of Is- be the sole authentic interpreters into Ethiopian Jewish culture lamist ranks within Egypt and of the divine will. and ritual. across the Arab world has hardly In the face of this mounting Presented in partnership with improved matters. At a vocal fundamentalist danger, Israel the Ethiopian National Project, Muslim Brotherhood rally in has no choice but to consolidate the primary Israeli organization Cairo’s most prominent mosque its deterrent capacity, close working to integrate the Ethio- in November, Islamic activists ranks, and treat with the upmost pian Jewish Community into ominously chanted “Tel Aviv, skepticism any siren voices call- Israeli society, the weekend will judgment day has come,” vowing ing on it to take unreasonable include Ethiopian ritual, story, to “one day kill all Jews.” “risks for peace.” dance, music, craft, and, won- The rally, which sought to At the same time it will have to derful Ethiopian food. promote the “battle against Jeru- develop a new regional strategy Attendees will have an op- with the community.” of Weisberg and the Ethiopian salem’s ‘judaization,’” was pep- that takes into account the seis- portunity not only to listen to According to the Ethiopian National Project’s Director of pered with hate-filled speeches mic changes currently shaking riveting first-hand accounts National Project, over 116,000 International Relations, Grace about the “treacherous Jews.” the Middle East. of Ethiopians who made the Ethiopians currently live in Rodnitzki, a Pennsylvania- There were explicit calls for Professor Robert S. Wistrich is journey from Africa to Israel Israel, with approximately one- native like Weisberg, who made Jihad and liberating all of Pal- the director of the Vidal Sassoon but will also have the chance to third of those being born in “aliyah,” moving to Israel in 1993 estine as well as references to a International Center for the Study be participants in many of the the Jewish State. While the and working for the American well-known hadith concerning of Anti-Semitism at the Hebrew weekend’s activities, from danc- Ethiopian community brings a Jewish Joint Distribution Com- the future Muslim annihilation University of Jerusalem and the ing to craft work. beautiful new culture to Israel, mittee prior to her current role. of the Jews. author of “A Lethal Obsession: “Having been to Israel many the immigration of Ethiopian Close friends since their days Dr. Ahmed al-Tayeb, the head Anti-Semitism from Antiquity times myself, I’ve always been in- Jews to Israel has raised some together as members of the B’nai of Egypt’s Al-Azhar University – to the Global Jihad” (Random trigued by the Ethiopian Jewish major challenges, in particular, B’rith Youth Organization, Rod- the most senior clerical authority House, 2010). The above story Community, but my experiences how this group can become an nitzki and Weisberg are excited to in Sunni Islam – even claimed was provided through WJD.com with it have been in small bites,” integral part of Israeli society and work together on this important that Jews throughout the world said Isabella Freedman’s Execu- how they can adapt to the major and enlightening retreat. tive Director, David Weisberg. differences in lifestyle from their For further information, “I’m excited to be providing the villages in Ethiopia to a fast- please visit www.isabellafreed- …Create a Jewish Legacy Campaign… opportunity for participants to paced modern country – both man.org/ethiopian or call (860) have a genuine immersive expe- topics which will be explored at 824-5991, ext. 305 or (717) Please Remember the Jewish Community rience, having the opportunity to Isabella Freedman. 503-9207. in Your Will learn, participate, and interact The weekend is the brainchild

New Home? Second Home? Retirement Home? Israeli Let me show you… Jewelry The Berkshires Barbara K. Greenfeld abr, c-crec, crs, green, rsps, sres Broker Associate • Lic. in MA & NY The Mews, by the Red Lion Inn Courtyard 413-441-5986 Stockbridge, MA [email protected] 413-298-4436 Roberts & Associates Realty, inc. Page 8 Berkshire Jewish Voice • www.jewishberkshires.org February 20 to March 25, 2012

Features and Local news At Hevreh: Blessed Gateways Shabbaton For Sale: Weekend Hamentashen By The Dozen GREAT BARRINGTON – The weekend of March 16 and 17 will be marked by gentle movement, meditation, prayer, chanting, a Torah service, and a vegetarian lunch as Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, 270 State Road, hosts a Shabbaton. Rabbi Deborah Zecher will begin the weekend at 3:30 p.m. on Friday evening with a Kab- balat Shabbat Rabbi’s Tisch. The Shabbaton will continue on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. At the entrance to the Gateways Inn in Lenox, Rabbi Levi Volovik PITTSFIELD – Congregation vor, and number of dozens starting with gentle led move- helps new owner Eiran Gazit put up the mezuzah Knesset Israel is again bak- wanted. ment, followed by a Shabbat ing their delicious homemade Orders, and checks – service, a potluck, a hands on Hamentashen for Purim. The which should be made pay- activity, and the sharing of ex- price is $12 per dozen with a able to “Knesset Israel” with periences, with the day ending Serving Company? Experiment! choice of apricot, raspberry, “Purim” in the memo – should at 2:30 p.m. prune, or mixed. be mailed to: Congregation Those attending may par- Cooking Series Offered at The deadline for orders is Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, ticipate in all or any aspect Friday, February 24, with the Pittsfield, MA 01201; atten- of the Shabbaton. Everyone Knesset Israel Hamentashen to be picked up tion “Purim.” is welcome. For reservations, By Myrna Hammerling at Knesset Israel from March All proceeds support Con- which while not required are Many members of Congre- volunteering on Shirei Shabbat 5 though 11. gregation Knesset Israel. For always appreciated, and further gation Knesset Israel fancy cooking teams, will be dreaming Those interested should further information, please information, please call (413) themselves as “foodies.” In fact, up some brunch menus with a submit by mail their name contact Cindy Helitzer at 528-6378. our rabbi, David Weiner, is a Middle Eastern theme. and telephone number, the [email protected]. gourmet chef extraordinaire in He is just back from a trip to selected Hamentashen fla- his own right. Israel which included a gourmet Live There are numerous volun- walking tour in Jaffa, enabling teers, male and female, who en- him and his wife Alice to eat their Generously! joy planning, baking, prepping, way through the city’s finest off- and serving meals at congrega- the-beaten track culinary finds. tional events as well as at their Attendees will have the op- Beth Israel Seeks Education own festive gatherings. Thus, portunity to taste all of the dishes when I, in my role as Director Len will introduce, bring home Director of Adult Education and Pro- the recipes, and learn some of NORTH ADAMS – Congregation Beth Israel, 53 Lois Street, is BerkshireBerkshire gramming, was thinking about the secrets or techniques to help in search of an education director, for an approximately ten Print Shop programs that would attract reproduce these tastes at home. hours per week position, to administer its programming which Print Shop interested participation, the idea Three more consecutive ses- consists of: “Hand in Hand,” a family education program for Invitations,YourYour Local Local Postcards, of a cooking series seemed one sions will follow. While details families with children in pre-school and kindergarten that Menus,PrintingPrinting Flyers, & & Copy Copy Letterhead, Center Center that would ignite interest among about the March meetings have meets on a Sunday once a month; “Avodah,” a family educa- tion program for families with children in grades one through WouldEnvelopes,413-99PRINT like to thankBusiness everyone Cards, for the “foodies,” while the classes not been fully confirmed, they your413-99PRINT support Brochures this firstetc... year in might also inspire those who are will include a session about four that meets on a Sunday once a month; “Aleph Bet” is a business.Stop We hope in today! to have many not so confident in the kitchen gluten free/dairy free cooking weekly Hebrew education program for children in grades one more years of meeting all your through four that meets on Monday afternoons from 3:30 to 46 West Street and looking for inspiration and and one featuring Rabbi Weiner’s printing and copying needs. encouragement. “famous” Seder recipes, includ- 4:30 p.m. Pittsfield, MA 01201 Also, “Aleph Garten” a weekly Hebrew program for children (Across from the Crowne PlazaSincerely, Entrance) As Pesach approaches in ing brisket. The Valuski Family early April, there will be four To cover the cost of the in pre-school and kindergarten that meets on Monday after- Tel: 413.997.7468 Monday night sessions from 7:30 edibles, the series is offered at noons from 3:45 to 4:15 p.m.; “Ne’arim,” a weekly program Berkshirephone:BerkshireFax: 413~997~7468413.997.7470 to 9 p.m. that could potentially $25 and individual sessions at in Hebrew and Jewish studies for children grade five through E-mail:fax: [email protected] Print413~997~7470 ShopShop be inspiring for pesadik menus. $7.50. Series payment is due Bar/Bat Mitzvah that meets on Mondays from 3:30 to 5:15 e-mail:[email protected] Although they are likely also to by the first class; payment for p.m.; “CBI Youth Group,” and engaging social and educational YourYour Local Local include recipes for year-round individual sessions is due by the monthly program for youth in grades 6 through 12; and “ Adult 46 WestPrintingPrinting St., Pittsfield, & & Copy Copy Center Center MA 01201 use, the volunteer chefs are plan- Wednesday before each class. Education,” courses that meet mainly in weekly, afternoon, Would413-99PRINT413-99PRINT like to thank everyone for ning to attract your attendance For required reservations or evening classes for periods of three to eight weeks and oc- your support this first year in casionally as single-meeting events. business. We hope to have many and attention with less common or further information, please more years of meeting all your specialties. contact me at (413) 445-4872, The CBI Education Director coordinates the activities of all printing and copying needs. Their theme: “Experiment!” ext. 16, or mhammerling@knes- of these programs, following the directives of the Education The first of the series will be setisrael.org. Information is also Committee, and under the supervision of the rabbi. Sincerely, The position also entails administrative, financial, com- The Valuski Family on February 27 in the Social available at www.knessetisrael. Hall. Len Schiller, often found org. munication, curriculum, and personnel responsibilities. Those interested should call (413) 663-5830. phone: 413~997~7468 fax: 413~997~7470 e-mail:[email protected] 46 West St., Pittsfield, MA 01201 Be Wise… Advertise! “PJ” Havdallah at Hevreh In the GREAT BARRINGTON – At 4 p.m. and pajamas as well as stuffed on Saturday, March 3, Hevreh animal friends welcome, a brief Berkshire Jewish Voice of Southern Berkshire, 270 Havdallah ritual will conclude State Road, will be hosting a PJ the afternoon. Contact Jenny Greenfeld Havdallah Service, with Purim RSVPs are encouraged and (413) 442-4360, ext. 13 as its theme. further information is available A cozy story time, crafts, at (413) 528-6378 or hevreh. [email protected] and snacks for those 9 and [email protected]. younger, with siblings invited

To learn why EPOCH at Melbourne is the ‘Residence of Choice for Seniors,’ call today!

413-497-8442 140 Melbourne Road Pittsfield, MA 01201 A donation of 3% of the Broker’s personal commission www.EPOCHMelbourne.com will be made to the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires after a transaction has been completed. Assisted Living . Memory Care . Respite Shevat/Adar/Nisan 5772 Berkshire Jewish Voice • www.jewishberkshires.org Page 9 Your Federation Presents

Community Kosher Passover Seder: Community Directory Not to Be Published First Night – April 6 at 6 p.m. For many years the Jewish Federation to 1,800 households. of the Berkshires produced a community The survey asked if individuals were The Jewish Federation of the Berk- The costs are $40 for adults and $20 directory which listed the names, ad- interested in being listed in the direc- shires and Congregation Knesset Israel for children, ages 3 through 13. Children dresses, and phone numbers of both full tory, stating that a minimum of 250 will sponsor a Community Kosher Pass- under age 3 are free of charge. and part-time members of the Berkshire listings were required for the project to over Seder at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 6, Reservations are required by Friday, Jewish Community. A full directory was be undertaken. It also asked if individu- at Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield. March 23. Financial assistance is avail- last published in 2007. als were willing to pay $18 to cover the Rabbi David Weiner of Knesset Israel able for those in need. In 2010 the Federation Board noted cost of production of the directory and if will serve as leader of the Seder; minyan For reservations, please send a check that producing the directory had become they would be willing to assist with the will be held at 5:30 p.m., with the Seder to the Jewish Federation of the Berk- cost prohibitive and individual interest publication. running until 9 p.m. shires, 196 South Street, Pittsfield, MA in being listed in the directory had de- Of the 1,800 households who received The Seder will include a catered meal 01201. Please write “Passover Seder” in clined. At the time, the Board decided to the survey form, only sixty-two returned provided by Bob Greenberg. The menu, the memo. You may also call (413) 442- produce one last addendum and to end it expressing interest in the directory be- served family style, includes: wine, grape 4360, ext. 10, to reserve by credit card. the practice of producing the directory ing produced. Seventy-seven percent of juice, matzoh, karpas, charoset, maror, When making reservations, please every two years. those responding agreed to pay for the vegetarian chicken soup with matzoh indicate the names of those in your Over the course of the last year, several publication and a little more than a third balls, chicken, tzimmes, vegetable, coffee, party, the number of chicken or vegetar- community members approached the Fed- offered to help with production. tea, and dessert. A vegetarian alternative ian meals your party requires, and any eration regarding this issue. In light of these In light of the limited response, the is available. dietary restrictions. requests, the Federation Executive Com- Federation’s Executive Committee voted, mittee agreed to re-evaluate the situation. at its January 10 meeting, to adhere to its A survey titled “Are You Interested in original decision and to no longer publish Having A 2012 Community Directory?” the directory. was published in the September 23, No- The Federation thanks those members ATTENTION! vember 1, and December 2 issues of the of the community who took the time to TD BANK ACCOUNT HOLDERS Berkshire Jewish Voice, which is mailed return the survey forms.

The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires is participating in TD Bank’s The Jewish Transportation Network Affinity Membership Program a program of the Jewish Women’s Foundation of Berkshire County TD Bank Will Make an Annual Contribution to the Discount Taxi Coupons Federation Based on the Average Balance of Our Available for Jewish residents 65 years of Age or Older. Members’ Accounts Participants can purchase $50 worth of taxi coupons for $5. If you already have a TD Bank account, please visit or call them at Rainbow Taxi of Pittsfield and Taxico of Great Barrington and Lee (413) 445-8221 and ask to have your account linked to the “Jewish currently participate in this program Federation of the Berkshires’ Affinity Program.” If you are consid- For More Information Please Contact Arlene D. Schiff at ering opening a new account, please consider doing so at TD Bank (413) 442-4360, ext. 12, or [email protected] as you will also be supporting the Federation. For further information, please contact Arlene D. Schiff at (413) 442-4360, ext. 12.

Mazel Tovs

Mazel Tov to Allan Lipton on his birthday. birthday. Mazel Tov to Seth Madison, son of Mazel Tov to Murray and Barbara Joe Madison of blessed memory and Akresh on the birth of their granddaugh- Florence Grende on his engagement to ter, Elizabeth Hailey Scates. Stephanie Knopf. Mazel Tov to Colin and Sopheap Nhim Congratulations to landscape ar- Ovitsky on the birth of their daughter, chitect and sculptor Jon Piasecki who Haya Sitha Nihm Ovitsky. recently received an Honor Award from Congratulations to Joanna and El- the American Society of Landscape Ar- lis Fribush on the engagement of their chitects for his stonework. This award daughter Lynn to Jon Kushnel. honors the best landscape architecture Mazel Tov to Eugene Wein on his 90th from around the globe.

The Berkshire Jewish Voice welcomes Mazel Tov items, accompanying photographs, and obituaries. When submitting, please either type or clearly print the information. Make certain it is complete, accurate, and includes the submitter’s name and telephone number. Corrections will be made in the following edition if they are the result of writer or editor errors only, and not due to illegible or inaccurate information forwarded. Open 9:30am-9:00pm 7 Days a Week Largest Kosher Variety in Upstate New York. Our kosher offering features Rubashkin meat, poultry and cold cuts cholov yisroel milk and dairy products pas yisroel cookies, snacks and cakes and Klein’s ice cream. Plus, a variety of grocery and perishable essentials that your family KOSHER – VEGETARIAN – BAKING DONE ON PREMISES will enjoy. EAT IN / TAKE OUT The Price Chopper Kosher Store is 11 North 7th Street, Hudson, New York located in Colonie, only 2 miles west, off Exit 2W of I-87. For hours or more 518-828-5500 information call 1-800-727-5674. PARKFALAFELANDPIZZA.COM SUPERMARKETS Page 10 Berkshire Jewish Voice • www.jewishberkshires.org February 20 to March 25, 2012 The 2011 Jewish Federation of the Berkshires’ Campaign

“Donate, Volunteer, Make A Difference” The Board of Directors and staff of the Federation acknowledge those members of the community who contributed to the 2011 Annual Campaign. Through the generosity of 1,224 donors $679,787 has been raised. These funds will ensure the Federation cares for those in need and nurtures and sustains the Jewish community locally, in Israel, and around the world today and for future generations. The Board of Directors also acknowledges the efforts of the Jewish Women’s Foundation which raised $30,300 additional to be used to strengthen Jewish values, family, and community in Berkshire County. On behalf of all of those who will benefit from your generosity, THANK YOU!

Pacesetters ($10,000 and up) Fred & Brenda Landes^ David Adler & Amie Weitzman Millie Calesky Altshuler Peter & Robin Goldberg Anonymous Donor (1) Mordi & Monica Lapin Irwin & Claire Adler Barbara Caplin Laura Feakes Richard & Rosalie Goldberg The Barrington Foundation, Inc. Aaron & Lynne Leavitt Susan Adler George (of blessed memory) & Gregory Federspiel Marcia Golden Lee & Sydelle Blatt Harvey Lehrer & Susan Frisch Roy & Caryl Aibel Janet Carey Susan Federspiel Mark Goldfus & Beverely Rubman Armand Feigenbaum Lehrer^ Murray & Barbara Akresh Joel & Susan Cartun Steven Fein & Wendy Penner Roger & Barbara Goldin Donald Feigenbaum Marvin & Helaine Lender Doris Albrecht Harvey & Rita Casher Carl & Eunice Feinberg Roger Goldman & Fern Portnoy Lola Jaffe* Julian Lichtman Deborah Alecson Natalie Castle Steven Feiner & Cipora Brown Irene Goldman-Price George Krupp Ira & Phyllis Lieberman Jason & Rachel Alemany Donald Chabon & D. Anne Martin & Paulette Feit Rabbi Robert & Faith Goldstein Rabinowitz Jeffrey Leppo & Marjorie Safran*^ Murray & Patti Liebowitz Sylvia Allan Diana Felber Margo Golos Jonathan Chabon Martin Messinger Amy Lindner-Lesser Naomi Alson Dora Felber Ira & Susan Golub Daniel Chaiet Rohatyner Young Men’s Society Norman & Nancy Lipoff Eleanor Altrows Stanley & Diana Feld Lynne Goodman-Leary Eric & Lisa Chamberlain Henry Voremberg Allan & Nan Lipton Ellen Altschuler Lorraine Feldman Alan & Marilyn Gordon Eleanor Chandler Elaine Lipton Marsha Altschuler Ronald Feldman & Elizabeth Morse Garet Gordon Alan & Roselle Chartock Builders ($5,000-$9,999) Leonard Lipton Benjamin & Adrienne Apkin Merle Ferber Ronnie Gordon Mel & Iris Chasen Linda J. L. Becker* Mark Lipton, PhD Howard & Susan Arkans Richard & Heidi Ferren Rose Gordon Myron Chefetz Mimi Cohen* Sanford Lipton Stuart & Helene Armet Maurice & Meryl Filler Susan Gordon Arnold & Natalie Chekow William & Lynn Foggle Leonard & Gloria Luria Bud Aronson Adam Filson & Amy Cott Filson Jerry & Corinne Gorelick Ellen Chenaux Robert & Esther Heller Helen Maislen Frank & Nancy Ashen Jim & Patty Fingeroth Sherri Gorelick The Cherry Family Julia Kaplan* Stuart Masters Margaret Axelrod Milton & Helen Fink Albert & Phyllis Gormezano Jae & Suzanne Chung Howard & Nancy Kaufman Fred Mensch & Andrea Bodine Robert & Suzanne Bach Sherwin & Phylis Fink David & Donna Gorson David Citrin Ellen Masters* Norman & Wilma Michaels Hillel & Liliana Bachrach Jack & Joyce Finkelstein Marc & Lauren Gotlieb Michael Citrin & Tracy Mack Gloria Schusterman* Alan & Nancy Milbauer^ Lawrence & Beverly Bader Manuel & Shirley Finkelstein Jon Gotterer Roslyn Citrin Irv & Carol Smokler Estelle Miller Elizabeth Baer Steven & Renee Finn Jon Gottlieb & Elizabeth Myrna Citron Michael & Joan Ury Alan & Toby Morganstein^ Seymour Baer & Regina Karas Robin First Youngerman Herbert & Jayne Cohan Howard & Deborah Wineberg^ Irene Moskowitz Anita Bakst Ardis Fisch Paul Graether & Barbara Rosenthal Alan Cohen Florence Wineberg* Bennett & Ruth Nathanson Sigmund Balka Leslie Fishbein John & Laurel Graney Bruce & Joan Cohen Jacob & Dora Wineberg Fund Harold Novick Helen Ball Walter & Judith Flamenbaum Laura Gratz Clemente & Lisa Cohen Dr. & Mrs. Lawrence Pacernick Bill Ballen & Sharon Shepard William & Sandra Flannery Paul & Karen Graubard Daniel & Stephanie Cohen Major Donors ($1,000-$4,999) Helice Picheny Christine Barash George & Marjorie Flashner Suzanne Graver David & Sherry Cohen Anonymous Donors (8) Steven Picheny Donald & Barbara Barron Robin Fleet Jordan & Laura Green Edward & Nadine Cohen Irwin & Mary Ackerman Claudio & Penny Pincus Marvin & Elaine Bass Barry & Barbara Fleischmann Paul & Lisa Green Iris Cohen Harold & Denyse Adler Leonard & Shirley Posner Milton Bass Doris Fleisher Larry Greenapple Mark & Barbara Cohen Marion Adler Bernard & Elaine Roberts Yvette Bastow Charles & Joy Flint Eric & Phyllis Greenberg Nancy Cohen David & Kyneret Albert^ Rabbi Yaakov & Nina Rone Steve & Susan Baum Laura Flint Joel & Carol Greenberg Rich Cohen & Cheryl Sacks Michael Albert Michael & Barbara Rosenbaum Ira & Nancy Baumel Zachary & Laura Fluhr Marco Greenberg & Stacey Nelkin Debora Cole-Duffy Stephen & Shari Ashman Laura Rosenthal Stephen & Ruth Bazil Cynthia Folit Mel & Ellen Greenberg Philip Coleman Norman Atkin Paul Rosenthal & Elaine Hantman Lee & Winifred Bell Shirley Forman Zina Greene Joel Colker Norman Avnet Kenneth & Francine Rubenstein David & Cindy Bell-Deane Rose Foster Jenny Greenfeld Sue Colker Elinor Baker Walter & Iris Rubenstein Walter & Ruth Bemak Marcia Fox Mark & Mary Greengold Sharyn Collins Stephen & Teresa Bannon Alan Sagner Esther Benari-Altmann Martin & Dorothy Fox Lenore Greenstein Harry Conklin & Ali Azarva Irving Bashevkin Michael & Raquel Scheck Lillian Bender Kathleen Fraker Ted & Dru Greenwood Winston Robert & Barbara Bashevkin^ Cantor Robert & Susan Scherr Alan & Judith Benjamin Harry Franklin Peter & Gussie Greer Nancy Cook Robert & Elaine Baum Arlene D. Schiff Aleksey Berezkin Milton Freadman Peter Griffith & Marlene Chautin Anne Cooper Robert & Shelley Berend Gary Schiff Nina Berezkin Rabbi Danny Freelander & Elizabeth Gross Lois Cooper Helene Berger Martin & Audrey Schlanger Boris Berlin Elyse Frishman Bill & Anne Grosser Robert Cooper Lawrence & Helene Berke Albert & Marcia Schmier^ Liya Berlin Gary Freifeld & Nancy Greenwald Jack Grossman & Diane Cohen Leona Cooperman Ellen Bernstein David & Rosalie Schottenfeld Lillian Bernstein George Frenkel Joan Grossman Claudia Coplan Donald & Rosetta Bierman Carrie Schulman Paul & Alyce Bernstein George & Pearl Fried Joel & Judith Grossman Judith Corell Robert Bildner & Elisa David Schulman Roma Bernstein Stephen & Madalyn Friedberg Louis & Patti Grossman Fred Corman & Vida Berkowitz Spungen-Bildner Margo Schwartz Gerald Berthiaume & Jane Perlman Rae Nadler Friedenberg Lucille Grossman Dean Crawford & Darra Goldstein Irwin & Ilse Browner Rabbi Len & Lois Sharzer Stuart Besnoff Edith Frieder Lenny & Cindy Grunin William Cristo Carr Hardware Co. Carole Siegel Barry & Carol Beyer Bert & Fay Friedman Gerald & Helen Gura Adele Cukor Mark & Spiritual Leader Barbara Ira & Sharon Siegel Martin & Phyllis Biener Elaine Friedman Aaron Gurwitz & Susan Amy Glaser D’Alton Cohen^ Ben & Elaine Silberstein Alan & Cheryl Binder Joel Friedman & Marian Faytell Abramowitz Liliya D’Yakova Laurence Cohen Richard Simons & Marcie John & Melissa Bissell Lawrence Friedman & Aviva Harold Gustin Benny & Ephrat David Leonard & Ileen Cohen Greenfield Simons^ Walter & Hildi Black Wichler Louis & Evelyn Gutlaizer Saul Cohen William & Marilyn Simons^ Justin Davies & Mara Goodman- Leonard & Gloria Friedman Ralph Gutmann Robert & Renee Blank Davies Michael & Roberta Cohn Paul & Turbi Smilow Robert & Laura Friedman Ruth Gutmann Lynette Blattner-Dukehart Jerome & Brenda Deener C. Jeffrey Cook Mark & Elisa Snowise^ Egon & Joan Fromm Steven & Roberta Haas Albert & Aileen Bliss Edan & Alexis Dekel Judith Cook Jesse & Patricia Spector Sigmund & Toni Front Warren & Hope Hagler Martin & Glenna Bloom Ari Delevie Joel & Phyllis Curran^ Spitz/Tuchman Family Fund Carol Fryd Roz Halberstadter Len & Barbara Blum Simon Dembitzer Alan & Brenda Curtis^ Ken & Lynn Stark Enid Fuhrman Ira & Ellen Halfond Stephanie Blumenphal Jonathan Denmark Gerald & Lynn Denmark^ Arthur & Sylvia Stein^ Richard & Barbara Gaba Charles & Janet Halpern Walter & Suzanne Bogad Lara Denmark Joseph & Brenda Eckstein Richard Sussman Real & Alla Gadoury Philip & Linda Halpern Linda Bonito Carl & Joanne Deutch Chip & Cindy Elitzer Rita & Sol Toscher Memorial Fund Richard & Nancy Gagnon Elie & Myrna Hammerling Max Bookless (of blessed memory) Jeff Diamond & Diane Pearlman- George & Ginger Elvin Henry & Norma Tulgan^ Peter & Julie Gale Sol Handwerker Bruce & Elaine Bosworth Diamond Harvey & Janine Engel Mark & Judy Usow^ Evelyn Garbowit David & Natalie Hanna Grace Bowen Mark Dickerman & Hallie Halpern Monroe & Elise England^ Alexandra Warshaw Jed & Karen Garfield Beth Harlan Thomas & Carole Bratter Judith Dillon Eitan & Malka Evan Arthur & Terry Wasser^ Eiran Gazit Gerald & Barbara Hayden Joya Braun Evan & Kit Dobelle David & Lea Finck Harry & Eileen Weinstein Michele Gazit Ellen Heffan Jay & Jane Braus Barbara Doctrow Martin & Susan Fischer Jerry & Donna Weiss Andrew Geller Cindy Helitzer Edward (of blessed memory) & Nathan Doctrow Ellis & Joanna Fribush Barry & Adrienne Wesson Diana Geller Edwin Helitzer Myra Braverman Sheila Donath Ralph & Audrey Friender Arthur Winston & Joan Eve Geller-Duffy Libby Helpern Rabbi Josh Breindel & Stephanie May Dondey Marjorie Gelber Davison-Winston Bennett Robert & Patricia Geller Arthur & Eileen Henle Douglas & Amy Doty Michael & Eleanor Geller Sergey & Natalya Yantovsky^ Charles & Elaine Brenner Susan Geller David & Nadine Henner Burt & Ellen Downes Seymour & Jane Glaser Rabbi Deborah Zecher Mory & Laurie Brenner Jill Gellert Peter Herman & Jerri Chaplin The Drayman Family Susan Gold Harvey & Janis Zimbler^ Arline Breskin Philip & Joan Gellert Robert & Beverly Hertzig Alexander & Aline Drescher Annette Gordon Richard & Karen Zink^ Rachel Brier Rabbi Everett & Mary Gendler Hans & Ruth Heuberger Arthur & Henya Dresher Howard & Sue Gorham Lyonel Zunz & Rosalind Mann Arthur & Marilyn Brimberg Steven & Jenny Gerrard Kenneth & Mimi Heyman Avi & Natasha Dresner Richard Greene & Lindsay * denotes Lion of Judah Simeon & Judith Brinberg Melvin & Sandra Gershman Vincent Higuera & Robyn Rosen Dale Drimmer Crampton ^ denotes giving separately Chaim Bronstein & Rabbi Pamela Stephen & Sheila Gershoff Arthur & Louise Hillman Joy Dronge Elliot & Barbara Greenfeld Wax Michael Gerstein & Lois Jackson Andrew & Barbara Hochberg Mel & Terry Drucker Harold Grinspoon & Diane General Contributors Larry Bronstein Seymour Gilbert & Erna Fred & Marcia Hochberg Robert & Karen Drucker Troderman Anonymous Donors (31) Nancy Bronstein Lindner-Gilbert Scott Hochfelder & Jennifer Sacon Marilyn Dukoff Werner & Karen Gundersheimer Mark & Hope Aaron Barry & Jacolyn Brown Judith Gitelson John & Susan Hogan Alvin Edelstein Jerry & Joelle Hamovit Ed Abrahams Roger & Lara Brown Alan & Bene Glackman Susan Hogan Bonnie Edelstein Joseph & Mary Jane Handler^ Amy Simons Abramovich Norman & Carolyn Brust David Glaser & Debra Stone Christopher Holmes & Anne Melva Eidelberg David & Paula Hellman^ Bernard Abramson Dan Buehler Marshall & Denise Glasser Rocheleau Sandy Einhorn Martin & Joan Horowitz Beth Abramson Jerri Buehler Andor & Gloria Glattstein Joshua & Nehoma Horwitt Donald & Janet Eisenstein Alan & Liz Jaffe Stephen & Phyllis Abramson Mitchell Burgin Leon & Ruth Glazerman Edward Hotchkiss Arnold & Barbara Eisman Richard & Marianne Jaffe Sh’ma Abramson Daniel & Joan Burkhard Stephen Glick Sharon Hotchkiss Cia Elkin Michael Kahn & Loretta Cornelius Rosalie Adamson Brendan Burns & Nerissa Bardfeld Lillian Glickman Nick Hubacker & Maxine Wisbaum Burton Elliott & Michele Waldman Annbeth Katz Stanley & Francine Adelman Lewis & Rochelle Burrows Scott & Karyn Goffin David & Patricia Hubbard David & Martha Elpern Eli & Phyllis Katz Steve & Cynthia Adelman Rita Buschel Alan Gold Allen & Valerie Hyman Judith Katz Gordon Adelson Myron & Harriet Bussel Michael & Barbara Ende Barbara Gold Frederic & Robin Hyman Alan Kaufman & Deborah Roth Leonard & Patricia Adelson Hanan & Rebecca Caine David & Judith Epstein Mark Gold & Ellen Kennedy Burton & Linda Imberman Steven & Wendy Kravitz Matthew Adelson & Beryl Jolly Rabbi Ivan & Deborah Caine Edward & Phyllis Epstein Robert & Marcia Gold Ella Iones Fred & Barbara Lafer Andrew & Judith Adler Robert & Susan Caine Elaine Epstein Irwin & Mae Goldberg John & Jacqueline Iovieno Corrado Fasciano & Jeannie Shevat/Adar/Nisan 5772 Berkshire Jewish Voice • www.jewishberkshires.org Page 11

Michael & Debbie Irwin Mark & Taryn Leavitt Alan & Alice Model Barbara Roth Galina Sirota Rita Weinberg Harold Isaacson Philip & Susan Lebowitz Irwin Moiseff Richard & Leslie Roth Robert Siskin Rabbi David & Judith Weiner Richard & Lana Israel Sheryl Lechner Nina Molin Sheldon & Heidi Rothberg Steve Skoblow & Jenny Gitlitz Anita Weinstein Solomon & Carole Israel Jack & Ruth Leddo Jonathan Molk & Christine Bellino Orson & Dianne Rothkopf Edward & Loretta Skoletsky Diane Israelite Weinstein Alfred & Joann Ivry Andrew & Jilly Lederman Stanley & Ronni Monsky Rosalind Rothman Carl & Toby Sloane Family Jerome & Marjorie Weinstein David & Suzanne Jacobs Timothy & Janet Lee Bobbie Monterose Alan & Harriet Rothstein Foundation Roney & Gail Weis Eileen Jacobs William Lee Deborah Morris Dan & Lori Rothstein John Slote Elliott & Caroline Weisberger Jerrold & Carol Jacobs Mark Lefenfeld & Mimi Rosenblatt Joel & Leslie Morris David & Janet Rothstein Alice Small Joel & Phyllis Weiss Ed Jaffe (of blessed memory) Irwin Leff Michael & Jennifer Morris Raphael & Evelyn Rothstein Joseph Small Julie Weiss Joseph & Phyllis Jaffe Bruce & Roberta Lefkowitz Howard & Iris Mortman Roman Rozenblyum Mitchell Smilowitz & Audrey Marvin & Helen Weiss Sussman Mike & Katherine Jaffe Midge Lefkowitz William & Beth Moser Shirley Rubenstein Michael & Gail Weiss Benjamin & Beth Smith Warren James & Nancy Orovitz William & Shirley Lehman Gertrude Moskowitz Allan & Sandra Rubin Burton & Joan Weitzner Leon & Elaine Smith Harry & Arlene Jaroslaw Geoffrey Leibovitz Norman Moskowitz Jack & Lenore Rubin Tom & Suky Werman Marvin Smith Ronald Jasper & Tamara Robin Eugene & Augusta Leibowitz Judy Moss Abigail Rubinstein Ken & Rhea Werner Michael & Pam Smith Jerry & Esther Jewell Dolores Lerman Matthew & Sharon Mozian Benjamin & Alice Rudin Cyndie White Alan Solomon Randy Johnson & Jacqueline Howard & Kay Lerner Michael & Edie Mulligan Harold & Roberta Rudin Karol White Larry & Carol Solomon Browner Joseph & Barbara Lerner Robert Munch & Joan Goldberg Arthur & Amy Rutstein Marlene White Paul & Sue Ellen Solomon Martin & Alice Jonas Judith Lerner Munch Ron Rutstein & Jennifer Yohalem Aura Whitman Sidney & Shirley Solomon Gregory & Nina Jones Milton Lestz Peter Murphy & Audrey Thier Alan & Jane Salamon Roger & Ellen Whitmer Paul & Susan Solovay Morton & Sandra Josel Macey Levin & Gloria Miller Barbara Myers Edwin Salsitz Arthur & Anne Wichman Doris Soman Maurice & Judith Joseph Andrew Levine Manny & Alice Nadelman Boris & Inna Saltanovich Jack & Jane Widitor Martin Sonkin Gordon & Susan Josephson Arline Levine Robert Nason & Lisa Sloane Bob & Lee Salz Warren & Myra Widmann George & Dorinne Sorter Irene Kagan Cecily Levine Michael Nathan & Beth Robert & Susan Salzman Susan Wilansky Laster-Nathan Steven Sousa & Karen Kwitter Barbara Kahan Martin & Hilda Levine Rabbi Harold & Audrey Salzmann Sharon Wiles William & Elizabeth Nayor Harold Sparr & Suzanne Abramsky Dona Kahn Louis & Pat Levine Morton & Helen Samen Selma Williams Philip & Barbara Nelick Lorette Spiegel Kenneth & Joan Kaiser Peter Levine & Ellen Croibier Donald & Elma Sanders Randall & Mara Winn Mordecai & Felicia Nevo Diane Spinrad Marlene Kalfus Sydney & Judith Levine Pam Sandler Florence Winter Doug & Barbara Newman John & Heather Spitzer Bea Kalikow Toby Levine Stuart & Phyllis Sandrew Steven Winter Robert Newman (of blessed Stephen & Mimi Stambler Philip Kaminstein Kitty Levitan Fern Sann Charles Wohl & Alba Passerini memory) Jeffrey & Carissa Steefel Rhoda Kaminstein Morris & Rhoda Levitt Kenneth Sann Joel & Fran Wolk Larry & Faith Newmark Herbert Stein Sydell Kane Douglas Levy Aaron Sardel & Deborah August Richard Woller Nancy Nirenberg Alvin & Shirley Steiner Herbert Kantor Peter Levy James & Gail Satovsky Ruth Woolfe Robert Nishman & Judith Stern Dan & Helene Sterling Lisa Kantor Phillip & Rita Levy Howard & Roberta Saunders The World Is Bigger Than Me Sidney & Mildred Novick Myra Stern Ginsberg (of blessed Norman & Elinor Kantrowitz Ralph & Evelyn Levy Tom & Suzanne Sawyer Children’s Campaign Roberta Nussbaum memory) Ben & Lore Kaplan Sy & Sue Levy Leonard Saxe & Marion Alec Yantovsky Michael & Carol Ochs Armin Sternberg & Kathy Friend Beverly Kaplan Willam Levy & Karen Kelly Gardner-Saxe Anna Yantovsky Albert & Anne Oppenheim Jeff & Bonnie Stevens Daniel & Rita Kaplan Joseph & Bonnie Lewis Stella Schecter Louis & Mary Ann Yarmosky Lesley Oransky Michael Stoll Marvin Kaplan & Alice Jo Siegel Martin & Sharon Lewis Stephen & Deborah Scheier Nat & Louise Yohalem Walter & Gail Orenstein Nancy Stoll Michael & Barbara Kaplan Bob Lezberg Mike Schiffer & Nancy Fremont Margot Yondorf Thomas & Ronna Ostheimer Judith Stolzberg Philip & Cynthia Kaplan Florence Liberman Leonard & Alice Schiller Jeremy & Kathryn Yudkin James Overmyer & Ellen Weiden Leonard Stolzberg Ben & Olivia Karis-Nix Janet Lichtenberg Stephen & Dorothy Schindel Joshua Yurfest Guyon & Patricia Pancer Marvin & Sandra Stonberg Edith Karlin Ralph & Cynthia Lichtenstein Norman Schnayer & Joyce Thomas & Cindy Zanconato Michael & Kimberly Parker Freundlich Michael & Lois Storch Samuel Karlin Marvin & Judy Lieberman Barry Zaret Robert & Joyce Parks Steven Schneider - Schneider Jefferson Strait & Robin Brickman Sharon Karlin Charles & Roberta Liebowitz Joe & Tela Zasloff Richard & Elaine Parmett Engineering, PLLC Sharon Strassfeld Seymour Karpen Mark Liebowitz & Nancy Katz Alla Zernitskaya Richard Pasternak Myrna & Al Schneiderman Mariah Strattner Shirley Kasindorf Gerald & Carol Link Mildred Zimmerman Daniel & Andrea Patel Paul Schoeman & Julie Sternberg Lawrence Strauss & Francine Larry & Tina Kassman Gerald & Natasha Lipkin David & Susan Zuckerman Arthur & Susan Peisner Harold Schrager & Cathy Kogan Weinberg Fred & Nikki Katz John & Nina Lipkowitz Evelyn Zwerner Jane Pellish Bruce Schreiber & Ronnie William Stuhlbarg Gilbert Katz Pattie Lipman Larry Pellish Rosenberg Jerome & Kathleen Sugar Patricia Katz David Lippman Jewish Women’s Foundation Martin & Shiffra Perlmutter Dan Schulman & Jennie Kassanoff Donald & Phoebe Sugarman of Berkshire County Carol Goodman Kaufman Paul & Frances Lippmann Larry & Phyllis Phillips Eileen Schulman Richard & Sherry Sukel Helene Berger Rabbi Jan Caryl Kaufman Susan B. Lipton Irving & Sharon Picard Ralph Schulman Andy & Ellisa Sulner Elisa Spungen Bildner Joel Kaufman Martin & Madeline Lizt Theresa Pill Sue Schulman The Sunny Days Charitable Sydelle Blatt Ofer & Dara Kaufman Barry Lobovits Foundation Peter & Jo Podol Ellen Schwaitzberg Judith Brinberg Dr. Seth & Mrs. Ruth Kaufman Walter & Phyllis Loeb Lois & David Swawite Cecil & Ellen Pollen Lloyd Schwalb Jayne Cohan Stephen Kaufman & Rabbi Kaya Morton Lomask Burt & Alice Swersey Stern-Kaufman Michael & Sybil Pollet Norman & Irene Schwalbe Barbara Cohen Jeffrey & Maxine Lome Michael & Arlene Symons Susie Kaufman David & Maribeth Pomerantz Martin & Laurie Schwartz Hillary Cohen Richard & Roslyn Lorge Symons-Rubenstein Yiddish Yonaton Kaufman Estelle Pomerantz Martin & Jane Schwartz Mimi Cohen Gerald & Selma Lotenberg Program Joe & Jane Kavanau Paula Pomerantz Naomi Schwartz Roberta Cohn David Lotto & Norah Walsh Lisa Szeman Laurie Kaye Philip Pomerantz Sunny Schwartz Judith Dix Elaine Loveman Leonard & Ellen Tabs Ellen Kenwood Mark & Jean Poopor Marvin & Carol Schwartzbard Sheila Drill Sanford Lubin Edith Hope Talbert Fred Kimmelstiel Andrew Potler Nat & Marilyn Schwartzberg Janine Engel Ann Lyons Matthew Tannenbaum David King & Sharon Marcia Powdermaker Thomas Sebestyen Marian Faytell Jack & Judith Machanik Rose Tannenbaum Flitterman-King Michael & Ilene Prokup Richard Seeley Pat Fingeroth Stephen & Elaine Mack Irving Tanzman Rabbi Ralph & Brenda Kingsley Robert & Mary Proskin Anthony Segal Phylis Fink Todd & Carrie Mack Jayson Tanzman Boris Kirshteyn Stephen & Jody Prunier Freya Segal Marilyn Fisher Edward & Joan Mahler Edith Taskin Mila Kirshteyn Maxwell (of blessed memory) & Beatrice Selig Lynn Foggle Kenneth & Barbara Mahler Susan Taskin Moysey Kirshteyn Audrey Pyenson Janice Selkowitz Joanna Fribush Candy Docimo Mahony Goldie Taub Rebecca Kirshteyn Steven & Joyce Pyenson Mark & Elizabeth Selkowitz Morton Taubin & Rochelle Laura Friedman Hank Maimin Gail Raab Richard & Shana Senzel Yakov & Rushaniya Kirshteyn Leinwand Louise Galpern Bob Mainzer & Carole Schwimmer Georgiy Rabinovich Marcie Setlow Larry & Sondra Klein Herman & Charlotte Teitler Lois Ginsberg Charles & Marcia Mandel Judy Rachelle Donald Shaffer Lawrence & Sarah Klein Ilene Tetenbaum & Irwin Leff Jane Glaser Herb Mandel Stephen & Helen Radin Irwin & Bernice Shainman Sondra Klein’s Mah Jongg Group Robert Thistle & Ruth Ann Cohen Patricia Goldman Barbara Mandler Leonard & Darlene Radin Hal & Harriet Shair Laurence & Joan Kleinman Roger & Jerry Tilles Paula Hellman Stanley & Rebecca Marcus Beth Radsken Eyal Shapira Ernest (of blessed memory) & Ruth Lora Tobias Mimi Heyman Klemperer Sol & Paula Marenberg Joel Radsken Burton D. Shapiro & Melinda S. Sigmund Tobias Joan Horowitz Mark & Tatyana Knaster Dorothy Margolin David & Joanne Ranzer Tanzman Kathi Todd Annbeth Katz Jack Koenigsberg Joel Margolis Viktor Rashkes Donald & Arlene Shapiro Gideon Toeplitz Marilyn Katzman Rhoda Koenigsberg Michael & Marilyn Margolis Joseph & Carol Reich Florence Shapiro Rosanna Trestman Joan Kleinman Mikhail Kogan Ruth & Robert Markovits Leslie Reiche Howard & Shirley Shapiro Robert & Natalie Tublitz Barbara Lafer Barbara Kolodkin Robert Markowitz David & Joanne Reiss Stanley & Ruth Shapshay Donna Tukel Helaine Lender Edward & Susan Kopelowitz Irving & Alice Marks David & Elizabeth Resnik Roberta Sheffer Floyd & Marcia Tuler Susan Ludwig Neil & Dorothy Koreman Jay & Shirley Marks Maude Rich Saul Shenkman Ron & Judy Turbin Gloria Luria Robert & Judith Korostoff Leila Marks Thomas & Pam Rich Suzanne Shenkman Gary & Bernice Turetsky Ellen Masters Esther Kosakoff Greta Marsh Michel Richard Molly Sheriff Judith Turtz Brenda Menker Earl & Janet Kramer Jonah Marshall & Eric Casey Richard & Diana Richter Arthur Sherman Robert & Susan Turtz Nancy Milbauer Eric Kramer & Sharon Rawlings Steve Martin Fred Roa & Susanne Ackerman Barbara Shickmanter Robert & Alba Tutnauer Gayle Moskowitz Jeff & Ethel Kramer Marjorie Marusarz Arnold & Linda Robbins Bruce Shickmanter Bernard & Florence Udel Ruth Nathanson Elliott Krancer Mort & Suzanne Marvin Larry & Wendy Robbins Robert & Elaine Shindler Edward Udel Penny Pincus Helen Krancer Dr. & Mrs. Ronald Match Rick & Renee Robbins Jane Shiyah Lisa Udel Carolee Reiber Susan Krantz Eliyho & Barbara Matz Merrill Roberts Michael & Arlene Shreefter Howard Unker Elaine Roberts Henry Kranz Hillel & Janet Maximon Herbert & Paula Rod Marjorie Shulman Ron & Sandra Veillette Frani Rothman Yefim Kurchenko Jeffrey May & Kara Thornton Stu & Myrna Rodkin Nancy Shulman Loet & Edith Velmans Lesley Jane Rubinger Leatrice Kushlefsky John Mayer Jerry & Lorraine Rodman Lynn Shyevitch Diana Versenyi Sue Rudd Alexander Kutik Arnold Mazurenko Seth Rogovoy Dana Siegel Donald Victor Sandra Samdperil Isaak Kutik Tatyana Mazurenko Martin & Shelley Rolf David Siegel Rabbi Levi & Sara Volovik Arlene D. Schiff Lyubov Kutik Charles & Gayle Mazursky Helaine Rose Jack & Alice Siegel Albert & Shirley Vorspan Marcia Schmier David LaChance & Joan Rubel Eric Mendelsohn & Diana Lafer Bob Rosegarten & Doreen Jeffrey Siegel Edward & Linda Wacks Anne Schnesel Arnold & Marilyn Lampert Richard & Kristina Methe Rappaport Jonas & Judith Siegel Sheldon & Susan Wagner Margo Schwartz Toby Lanciano & Ellen Alan Metzger Alan Rosen (of blessed memory) Norma Siegel Robert & Ruth Waldheim Hally Shaw Levi-Lanciano Margery Metzger Alex & Jane Rosen Efrem & Frederica Sigel June Waldman Carole Siegel Lucille Landa Shirley Metzger Charlene Rosen Bob & Roberta Silman Philip & Florence Wallach Elaine Silberstein Morris & Toby Landa Corey Meyers & Susan Michael & Karen Rosen Martin Silver Ronald & Marilyn Walter Turbi Smilow Robert & Carole Landau Mechanic-Meyers Selma Rosen Miriam Silver Eleanor Ware Carol Smokler Mike Landes Lester & Evelyn Meyers Miriam Rosenbaum Sylvia Silverberg Barbara Wasserman Enid Spira David Lane & Jennifer Mattern Edith Michelson Rabbi Ari Rosenberg Leonard Silverman Michael Wasserman Lauren Engel Spitz Ira & Fran Lapidus Richard Mickey & Nancy Salz Ernst & Judith Rosenberger Jane Silverman Robert & Barbara Watkins Myra Stern Dennis & Dawn LaRochelle Arnold & Linda Miller Alex & Sabina Rosenblum Stu & Susan Silverman Sandor & Edith Wax Carol Targum Leon & Estelle Laster Robert & Jane Miller Lawrence & Laurel Rosenbluth Arnold & Barbara Silverstein Lawrence & Judy Weber Florence Wineberg Gisela Lawton Steven & Elizabeth Miller Alfred Rosenthal Michael & Doris Simon Joshua & Darlene Weeks Marilyn Wolf Jeff Lazarus & Phyllis Cohen Jamie Minacci Steven & Ruth Rosenthal Lorraine Simonson Bruce & Penny Wein Shirley Yohalem David Leavitt Bradley Minnen & Bonnie Saks Rabbi Dennis Ross Kenneth & Christine Singer Eugene Wein Helene Leavitt Etya Mizikovskaya Marcy Ross Maria Sirois Page 12 Berkshire Jewish Voice • www.jewishberkshires.org February 20 to March 25, 2012 Your Federation Presents

Campaign Update

Join Us For….

2011 Annual Campaign Raised “PJ Pals” Monday • March 5 • 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. $679,787 Church on the Hill Chapel 55 Main Street • Lenox All Pledges Are Included In Our 2012 Budget Income • For Ages 6 Months to 6 Years With Educator Vivian Newman of the Award- and Are Required For Our Operation Winning PJ Library Jewish Book and Music Program We Appreciate Your Prompt Payment • Free • No Pre-registration To Pay By Credit Card Program Includes Please Call (413) 442-4360, ext. 10 • “Purim Potpourri” • Make noisy graggers Checks May Be Sent To • Fashion simple costumes Jewish Federation of the Berkshires • Learn about Purim through a reading of Sammy 196 South Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201 Spider’s First Purim by Sylvia Rouss • Sample holiday treats donate, volunteer, make a difference! Sponsored by The PJ Library and the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires RSVP to Susan Frisch Lehrer Live Generously! at (413) 442-4360, ext. 14

Join Us For…. Join Us For…. “PJ Pals” “PJ Goes North” Monday • April 2 • 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday • March 11 • 10 a.m. to noon Church on the Hill Chapel Tzedakah Program at 55 Main Street • Lenox Congregation Beth Israel 53 Lois Street • North Adams • For Ages 6 Months to 6 Years With Educator Vivian Newman of the Award- The PJ Library and Congregation Beth Israel will Winning PJ Library Jewish Book and Music Program hold a joint program with the theme tzedakah – • Free • No Pre-registration “justice and righteousness” Program Includes • Learn what we can do to help others • “Preparing for Passover” • Stories • Create a simple, child-friendly Haggadah (the • Craft projects book which describes the exodus from Israel • Snacks and much more • Learn new songs • Free program for families with children ages 3 to 9 • Enjoy a reading of Kippi and the Missing Matzah • Older and younger children are most welcome to by Louise Gikow join in as are parents and grandparents • Munch on Seder foods Sponsored by The PJ Library and the Sponsored by The PJ Library and the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires Jewish Federation of the Berkshires RSVP to Susan Frisch Lehrer RSVP to Susan Frisch Lehrer at (413) 442-4360, ext. 14 at (413) 442-4360, ext. 14 Shevat/Adar/Nisan 5772 Berkshire Jewish Voice • www.jewishberkshires.org Page 13 Your Federation Presents

“Moving Into Well-Being,” February 20 “A Date with a Queen”

At 1 p.m. on Mon- Celebrates Hadassah at 100 day, February 20, the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will sponsor the program, “Moving Into Well- Being,” with registered somatic movement therapist, Cheryl Ann Luft. At a cost of $3, open to the public, and held at Congregation Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield, Luft will offer demonstra- tions and exercises – accessible to all ages and fitness levels – to At 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, the and timeless values of its founder, Henri- help attendees move Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will etta Szold, a Jewish scholar and activist, better and feel better. sponsor the showing of Ruth Heuberger’s who was dedicated to Judaism, Zionism, In addition, Luft documentary “A Date with a Queen” in and the American ideal. will discuss, answer celebration of the one-hundredth an- Committed to the centrality of Israel questions, and offer niversary of the founding of Hadassah, based on the renaissance of the Jewish suggestions regarding The Women’s Zionist Organization of people in its historic homeland, Hadassah many easy ways to For Cheryl Ann Luft – “life is movement” America – the largest women’s non-profit promotes the unity of the Jewish people. enjoy bodily movement organization in the world. In Israel, Hadassah initiates and sup- in support of the philosophy that “life is seniors, special populations, and others. At a cost of $3, and open to the public, ports pace-setting health care, education, movement.” Luft teaches in a variety of Berkshire the presentation will take place at Con- youth institutions, and land development Cheryl Ann Luft has been studying, regional venues and maintains a private gregation Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, to meet the country’s changing needs. training, and practicing a variety of practice. Pittsfield, In the United States, Hadassah en- movement techniques for the last thirty For further information, please call Taking its name from the Hebrew hances the quality of American and Jew- years. Therapeutic movement and dance Nancy Maurice Rogers, Program Director, for the Biblical heroine Esther, Queen ish life through its education and Zionist therapy are the basis of her work with at (413) 442-4360, ext. 15. of Persia, Hadassah is motivated and youth programs, promotes health aware- inspired to strengthen its partnership ness, and provides personal enrichment Explore Purim with Rabbi Breindel with Israel, ensure Jewish continuity, and growth for its members. and realize its potential as a dynamic For further information, please call At 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 8, the force in American society. Nancy Maurice Rogers, Program Director, Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will Founded in New York City in 1912, at (413) 442-4360, ext. 15. sponsor the program, “Mordechai and Hadassah strives to retain the passion Haman: Purim in Many Times and Many Lands,” with Rabbi Joshua L Breindel of Pittsfield’s Temple Anshe Amunim. Exciting Healthy Aging Opportunity! At a cost of $3, open to the public, and held at Congregation Knesset Israel, 16 Series: “My Life, My Health” Colt Road, Pittsfield, Breindel’s presen- At 1 p.m. on March 5, 12, 19, and 22, tation will explore the history, folklore, continuing on April 9 and 12, the Jewish and customs associated with Purim, a Federation of the Berkshires will spon- uniquely merry Jewish holiday. sor the program, “My Life, My Health,” For further information, please call as developed and licensed by Stanford Nancy Maurice Rogers, Program Director, Rabbi Joshua Breindel University and brought to the region by at (413) 442-4360, ext. 15. Elder Services of Berkshire County. At a series cost of $18, with partici- “Positive Economics” South County pants obliged to commit to all six sessions, the program is open to the public and will Program – at Hevreh, March 16 be held at Congregation Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield. A presentation of its “South County “My Life, My Health” – noting that Lunch Program,” at 10:45 a.m. on Friday, those living with chronic health con- March 16, the Jewish Federation of the ditions share many challenges and Berkshires will sponsor “Positive Econom- struggles – is an interactive six-week Sandy Alfonso and Roger Suters of ics,” a program of fact-based, unbiased workshop covering such topics as: attain- Elder Services of Berkshire County research and critical analysis designed ing optimal health, remaining active and to educate individuals regarding how independent, reducing pain and fatigue, Alfonso, Nutrition Services Supervisor, to protect their interests in the current communicating with healthcare profes- each who have undergone extensive economic environment. sionals, making informed treatment training to be named presenters of the Presented by Great Barrington’s choices, managing stress and learning “My Life, My Health,” program. eighty-year-old “American Institute of to relax, and increasing energy through Limited in numbers, for reservations, Economic Research,” the program – improved lifestyle choices. as well as further information, for “My Life, which will be held at Hevreh of Southern Both from Elder Services, facilitators- My Health,” please call, Nancy Maurice Berkshire, 270 State Road, Great Bar- for the series will be Roger Suters, Direc- Rogers, Program Director, at (413) 442- rington – is open to the public at a cost tor of Community Services, and Sandy 4360, ext. 15. of $3 for those solely attending the talk, and $6 for those also attending the noon Steven Cunningham catered lunch. Among the speakers will “Hearing Loss and What to Do About It” be Steven Cunningham, the American ket and Bakery, will include a buffet of Institute’s Director of Research and vegetable medley, Israeli couscous, sweet March 1st Education. corn casserole, broccoli At 1 p.m. on Thurs- est technologies and treatment options. A professor emeritus in the Depart- cashew salad, spring mix day, March 1, the Following the presentation an optional ment of Economics, University of Con- salad, crusty rolls, and Jewish Federation of free hearing screening will be available. necticut, Cunningham earned his M.S. apple walnut cake. the Berkshires will Dr. White is the practice manager and and Ph.D. in economics from Florida State For lunch reserva- sponsor the program, co-owner of Berkshire Speech & Hearing University, where he gained expertise tions, due by Monday, “Hearing Loss and in Williamstown. He has a doctorate in regarding monetary policy and interna- March 12, or for further What To Do About It,” health economics from Brandeis Univer- tional trade as well as finance. information regarding with Stephen L. White, sity and has held senior level executive Joining Cunningham will be an Ameri- the program, please call Ph.D. positions in various non-profit and for- can Institute representative well versed in Nancy Maurice Rogers, At a cost of $3, profit healthcare organizations includ- investment principles and management Program Director, at (413) open to the public, and ing Preferred Healthcare, LTD, Charter as well as portfolio diversification. 442-4360, ext. 15. held at Congregation Medical Corporation, and Johnson & The luncheon, by Freund Farm Mar- Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Johnson Healthcare Systems. Dr. White Road, Pittsfield, White also serves on the Board of Trustees of will offer an overview the Pulmonary Hypertension Association. Live Generously! of the latest research For further information, please call Stephen L. White, Ph.D. on hearing loss as well Nancy Maurice Rogers, Program Director, as a review of the new- at (413) 442-4360, ext. 15. Page 14 Berkshire Jewish Voice • www.jewishberkshires.org February 20 to March 25, 2012

Israeli Soldiers in Berkshires, Ashkelon, on Israel’s Mediter- Currently pursuing a B.A. in tor, Jewish Federation of the ranean coast, Shemesh served Political Science and Interna- Berkshires at (413) 442-4360, March 19 as a combat soldier in a border tional Relations, Avidan is eager ext. 12, or arlene.schiff@jewish- police unit of the IDF. Feeling to relate his IDF experiences berkshires.org. PITTSFIELD – On Monday, Jewish Federation of the Berk- strongly about the way the Is- dealing with the Palestinian March 19, Lital Shemesh and shires and the educational raeli military is perceived, and population and interna- Adam Avidan, both members of organization “StandWithUs,” believing that there is no need tional representatives. the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) which is dedicated to inform- to be apologetic, Shemesh noted Shemesh and Avidan’s will be speaking in Pittsfield and ing the public about Israel and she was very eager to contribute visit to the Berkshires is Great Barrington in programs combating the extremism and as much as possible to the Jew- part of the Los Angeles- co-sponsored anti-Semitism that often distorts ish State and thus chose the based “StandWithUs” by the the issues. border police unit, which serves organization’s dozen- Veterans of both active and at checkpoints – an unusual city, late-winter, across reserve duty, Shemesh and selection of service for a woman America effort to correct Avidan will be welcomed by the in the IDF. common prejudices about Student Veterans Alliance of Shemesh has a BA in social the Arab-Israeli conflict, Berkshire Community College sciences and is a journalist for and encourage discus- at the school at 1350 West various outlets including televi- sions and policies that Street (Room K-111) in sion and newspapers. can help promote peace Pittsfield beginning at Avidan was drafted into the in the Middle East by noon for an extensive IDF in 2002 and has developed presenting through the discussion, and a career in the army. Today he eyes and via the words, from 7:30 to 9 serves as Head of International of front-line experienced p.m. at Hevreh of Organizations and Diplomatic young soldiers first-hand Southern Berk- Missions Department and in experiences that are rarely shire, 270 State the past he has been an officer reported or heard. Road in Great Bar- in the Coordination of Govern- The programs are free. rington. ment Activities in the Palestinian For further information, Born in the an- Territories. He has also served please contact Arlene D. in civil administration. Schiff, Executive Direc- Adam Avidan, made the IDF a career cient seaport of Lital Shemesh, watchful at the border

equine rescue, On a recent visit to the Kalki- continued from page 1 lya clinic, the place was abuzz. A Jewish vet and an intern in tially fund a donkey sanctuary green scrubs were examining called “Safe Haven for Donkeys a thin and limping grey horse. in the Holy Land” (SHADH) in The vet spoke in Hebrew to Abu Gan Yoshiya, a rural area in Jad, whose job is to translate central Israel. from the vet’s Hebrew to Arabic There are presently one- for the patients’ owners, and to hundred and sixty donkeys and supervise the rest stations. several horses in her custody, There were another five Arabs with SHADH treating donkeys, present, besides the owner, who via mobile clinics, in Arab vil- were watching and listening with lages in Israel as well as in the utmost fascination as the vet West Bank. gently urged the owner to feed A year ago, I arrived at SHADH the horse more. All the while the to see a dark skeletal horse being owner nodded his head as Abu bathed by the staff. Fensom’s Jad translated. A Palestinian waits at a mobile clinic for his animals to be treated Her Royal Highness Princess husband Adi explained that SHADH is ever expanding its Alexandra of Ogilvy, cousin to it had just been rescued from ambitious activities, trying to Queen Elizabeth II, is the royal the “Jericho Equestrian Club.” bring about a quiet revolution patron of the effort to aid and Originally established by Yasser in the attitudes and behaviors save the Holy Land’s equines Arafat, the Club has been in of people towards their animals, decline for lack of funding since and it is slowly accomplishing his death. its goals. A French diplomat who had Last year it held a free two- ridden this horse in the past day blacksmithing course to was shocked to see its condition, teach seventeen farriers and and he called Fensom directly. farmers in Tulkarem about Although Jericho is off-limits proper shoeing and foot care. to Israeli citizens, Fensom and Word quickly spread to nearby her team were able to go to the Nablus, where so many people Club, rescue two horses, and clamored for the course that send bales of hay for the rest. another was given for eighteen At SHADH, donkeys are farriers there. recovering from varying forms The northern West Bank is of abuse. Torture by burning is too large for most equine own- common. One donkey was used ers to bring their animals to as an anti-Israel billboard, a the Kalkilya vet clinic. SHADH large Star of David carved into therefore offers a roving mobile its hindquarters. clinic that carries a vet, a farrier, Fensom’s original concept and basic medicine and equip- was to rescue donkeys in bad ment several times a week. This situations and let them en- is virtually the only professional joy their lives at the spacious veterinary care for equines in SHADH’s blacksmithing and equine foot care sanctuary. However, over the the northern West Bank, and Young ‘Amir’ who was born at ‘Safe Haven courses are popular past twelve years, SHADH has certainly the only free care. for Donkeys in the Holy Land,’ with his mom morphed into shining fingers of While SHADH’s “adopt a don- who was rescued and brought to the shelter pregnant compassion reaching far beyond key” fundraising efforts attract the grounds of the sanctuary. worldwide support, Fensom Four “rest stations” have travels to England several times been established next to the a year seeking further donors, towns of Kalkilya, Tulkarem, with celebrities such as Des Bethlehem, and Taibe, all lo- Lynam and Uri Geller becom- cated in the West Bank. Each ing contributors and recently station has free food and water Her Royal Highness Princess for any passing equine, usually Alexandra of Ogilvy, cousin to an over-worked, under-fed horse Queen Elizabeth II, signing on or donkey pulling a cart. as the royal patron of the effort At Kalkilya, SHADH provides to aid and save the Holy Land’s two veterinarians, Jewish and equines. Muslim, who share their case- “We hope very much to extend load every day; and I was told our work within the Palestinian that the Jewish vet is sought out sector – both to help the animals more due to his Western-style and work at trying to change education. A constant stream of people’s attitudes towards their horses and donkeys is brought animals,” said Fensom. to this free clinic, which serves “It can be done but it takes Horse being treated by a SHADH veterinarian at a clinic eighty to a hundred animals per immense effort and infinite Two babies rescued in Nablus on the set up in a parking lot day, thousands per year. patience.” northern West Bank Shevat/Adar/Nisan 5772 Berkshire Jewish Voice • www.jewishberkshires.org Page 15

Texts and Tunes Of Family …and ‘Flying’ By Seth Rogovoy Cambridge, Mass. native Yaeko Miranda El- Conservatory Band under the leadership of Netsky, and recently recorded her maleh hardly seems to have had a choice from eponymous debut album (www.yaekoplaysviolin.com) featuring guitarist/ birth. Her grandfather mandolinist Brandon Seabrook, cellist Ariel Friedman, was an accomplished im- and accordionist Michael McLaughlin. pressionist painter and As heard on her CD, which features traditional mu- musician who performed sic from Old World and New, ranging from “Beregovski with Gypsy jazz guitarist Hope #99” to “Doina/Hora/Honga” – a kind of cross- Django Reinhardt and cultural musical journey through Eastern and Central other musicians during Europe – to “Philadelphia Sher,” a popular American the 1940s and ‘50s bo- klezmer tune that she undoubtedly learned from hemian era in Paris; a Netsky, who stems from a prominent Philadelphia grandfather in El Salvador klezmer family, Elmaleh’s sound can be best described was classically trained in as soulful and passionate. guitar under Agustin Bar- Her accompanists are sympathetic and well-versed rios Mangore; and a great-grandfather in Boston was in the material, and easily straddle the klezmer/Gypsy a jazz clarinetist and owner of the second largest jazz divide, which is more a question of nuance and orna- collection in the United States during his time. mentation in most cases than anything else. So it comes as no surprise that Elmaleh has played When Elmaleh performs she transcends the separa- violin since she was three. A finalist in the Boston tion between herself and her instrument, and instead Symphony Orchestra youth competition and “First Yaeko Miranda Elmaleh … transcends one hears an authentic voice, rooted in the dedication Prize” winner in the Arlington Philharmonic competi- the separation between herself and her of years of training, respect for diverse musical tradi- instrument tion, she was classically trained at the New England tions, and her deep familial ties. Conservatory Preparatory School under Fudeko Laura Wetzler, who calls the hilltowns just east of Takahashi, and was the recipient of many awards the Berkshires home, has long been a leading voice and soloed with many ensembles and orchestras in on the contemporary Jewish music scene. Her latest Massachusetts. CD, “Flying” (www.laurawetzler.com) is a bit of a depar- Later, Elmaleh went on to study violin under Mi- ture; it features Wetzler, the folk singer-songwriter, as chele Auclair and received her B.A. in music from the opposed to Wetzler the Jewish artist. But the Jewish New England Conservatory, where she studied with artist is never far from the surface – the title track is Ran Blake and Klezmer Conservatory Band founder an ode to two sisters of the Resistance, and “High on Hankus Netsky. While studying with Netsky, she dis- a Hill” celebrates a family legacy. covered a connection to klezmer, Jewish and Gypsy Fans of this essential Jewish artist will find plenty styles of music. to love about Wetzler’s “Flying.” Featured in the Berkshires at last year’s “A Sum- Seth Rogovoy ([email protected]) is the editor of Berk- mer Celebration of Jewish Music,” Elmaleh currently shireDaily and The Rogovoy Report (www.rogovoy.com) performs and freelances in Boston and New York – and the author of BOB DYLAN: Prophet Mystic Poet most recently in the New York run of “Shlemiel the and The Essential Klezmer: A Music Lover’s Guide to First” under the musical direction of Zalmen Mlotek. Jewish Roots and Soul Music. She also plays violin with the renowned Klezmer Laura Wetzler’s latest is ‘Flying’

Traveling with Jewish Taste© Purim Treats Around the World By Carol Goodman Kaufman

When we American Jews, mostly Ashkenazi, think of Purim, our mouths begin to water in anticipation of Hamantaschen. Whether made from cookie or yeast dough, and filled with mohn (poppy) or prune, apricot, or chocolate, the three-cornered delights are an annual treat so yummy that some bakeries now feature them year-round. But there is so much more to savor at Purim, that this month, instead of chronicling my own personal travels, I offer a Purim culinary world tour, along with two recipes to enhance your holiday gustatory pleasure. But first, a message from our all-time favorite – Hamantaschen! The recipe I use is so good that, even years after my three children had “graduated” from Almond crescent cookies nursery school, the school’s director kept inviting me to come back to bake with the kids. That recipe – the secret is the orange rind in the dough – is, by the way, that of my former Hebrew School teacher here in Pittsfield, the late Adele Goldblum (z”l). The word “hamantaschen” is actually a play on words. “Mohn” means poppy in both Yiddish and German. “Tasche” is the German word for pocket or purse. Together, the two words form “mohntaschen,” the pastry’s original name since the Middle Ages, and still a popular dessert in Germany. Since we Jews love to play with words, we added the “ha” to add our own twist to the delicious treat and make the pastry Haman’s pockets. It was in these pockets that the evil vizier carried the lots, or Purim, designating the days for the Jews to be hanged on the gallows – in case you don’t know the story, Haman did not accomplish his goal, but ended up hanging on those same gallows! In Israel, the identical pastry is referred to as “oznei Haman,” or Haman’s ears. Tradition has it that Queen Esther, in order to observe kashrut while living in the palace of King Ahashverus, maintained a strict vegetarian diet, relying on legumes, seeds and nuts for protein – legend has it that caraway seeds were her favorite. jewish taste, continued on page 16 Caraway bundt cake

Hamantaschen Mohntaschen Bourekas Page 16 Berkshire Jewish Voice • www.jewishberkshires.org February 20 to March 25, 2012

traveling with jewish taste, continued from page 15 Sweet Dairy Couscous with Cinnamon and Almonds This dish is very popular among Moroccan Jews at Purim. While you are certain- In honor of her reverence for Jewish law, vegetarian dishes (chickpea pizza, any- ly welcome to prepare the pasta the old-fashioned way, mixing semolina flour one?) are popular Purim mealtime choices around the world, as are desserts based with water, rolling the dough into tiny balls, sifting it over a sieve to remove on seeds (e.g., caraway bundt cake). any excess flour, then steaming the final product over boiling water or a stew – My friend and fellow congregant, David, an Israeli of Moroccan descent, explained you don’t have to. to me that when he was growing up, and still today, all the Moroccan women in his American supermarkets carry instant couscous in packages. Phew! neighborhood prepare a wonderful sweet dairy couscous with dried fruit. He lent me his Moroccan Jewish cookbook, giving me the honor of believing that I could translate the Hebrew and the metric measurements into useable English. His recipe does not include nuts, but others do. You will find one recipe in the sidebar. The Jews of the Caucasus Mountains are proud of their origins in ancient Persia, so for them the holiday has a personal resonance. These Members of the Tribe enjoy a halva called Hadassah, after Queen Esther’s Hebrew name. I have found several recipes for this delicacy, all different, but none resemble the sesame-based confec- tion my father used to buy for me at Sam Mandel’s Columbus Avenue delicatessen when I was a child. By the way, this Purim happens to be the centennial anniversary of the found- ing of Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America. Back in 1912, the group’s founders chose the name Hadassah, not only because of the establishment on the holiday, but because they hoped to emulate the courage and steadfastness Ingredients: of its namesake. 1/2 cup butter, cut into small pieces 3/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted The holiday of Purim falls on the first full moon after Tu B’Shevat, and Jews 1 - 1/2 cups couscous 1 cup mixed dried fruits, chopped of Yemenite background prepare almond crescent cookies to eat and to share. My Pinch of salt 1 - 1/2 cups milk guess is that the Yemenites realized that nobody would get the connection between 1 teaspoon of cinnamon 1 cup hot milk or cream the full moon and a round cookie that looks like every other cookie on the block, so the crescent shape lets us know that it is in honor of the holiday’s position in Directions: the calendar. Butter, brown sugar, and finely ground almonds make these cookies Cut butter in small chunks and let come to room temperature. delectable alone, or with tea. Combine couscous with a small pinch of salt in a medium saucepan. Shake pan While not necessarily a Purim dish, I think bourekas should be added to the list to spread couscous in an even layer. of traditional holiday treats. They are a very popular Middle Eastern nosh and, since Cut the butter into small pieces and distribute half of it over the couscous. they are indeed triangular in shape, they make a savory Hamantaschen to serve as Bring the one and one-half cups of milk to a boil in a medium saucepan. appetizers or, as Israelis do, with salad, olives, and leben or shamenet (alternatively, Pour milk evenly over couscous. plain yogurt). Immediately cover pan tightly and let stand for five minutes. Carol Goodman Kaufman, an organizational psychologist and writer, is the author of Place remaining butter pieces over top, cover, and let couscous stand one minute. Sins of Omission: The Jewish Community’s Reaction to Domestic Violence (Westview Fluff mixture with a fork, tossing until mixture is blended. Press, 2003). She serves on the National Board of Hadassah and chairs the Jewish Spoon into individual bowls, and sprinkle cinnamon, dried fruits, and toasted Community Relations Council of Central Massachusetts. Kaufman divides her time almonds over the couscous. between Worcester, West Stockbridge, and the world. Serve with heated milk or cream. This column is copyrighted © by Carol Goodman Kaufman and the Berkshire Jewish Voice. It may not be reprinted or reproduced, in whole or in part, in any manner. All rights reserved. Persian Halva The word “halva” means “sweet” in Arabic. This Persian recipe is very different from that for the sesame candy familiar from Jewish American delicatessens. More like a slightly gelatinous pudding than a candy, this dessert is customarily included in baskets as part of the custom of sending mishloah manot to friends and neighbors. Ingredients: 2 tablespoons oil 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 cups grain white rice 1 teaspoon ground cardamom 4 cups water 2 or 3 strands of saffron 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup boiling water

Directions: Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat and fry the rice until it is lightly browned. Transfer rice to a heavy-based saucepan, add water and all but one table- spoon of the sugar, and the spices except saffron. Cook over very low heat, stirring frequently, until mixture is smooth, about forty-five minutes. In a bowl, mash the reserved sugar with the saffron and add boiling water. Stir this mixture into the rice and continue to cook, stirring, for ten minutes. Let cool, then pour into individual bowls and chill. One type of ‘Hadassah’ or Persian halva

Affiliate with a Congregation. Save the Date You, the congregation, and the Jewish community benefit when you do Jewish Federation of the Berkshires’ • 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 Major Donors Breakfast community and your Jewish roots. • You can participate in a variety Sunday, July 15, 2012 of services, classes, and programs that keep Judaism alive 9:30 a.m. to Noon and flourishing in Berkshire County. Cranwell Resort, • The congregation is the institution that has Spa and Golf Club sustained the Jewish people for two millenia throughout 55 Lee Road, Lenox, MA the world. Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist, or Reform, the Jewish commu- nity wins when you join the congregation of your choice. The Major Donors Breakfast is for households who contribute a mini- The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires encourages you to affiliate. mum of $1,000 to the Federation’s 2012 Annual Campaign. For more information contact (413) 442-4360, ext. 12

Donate, Volunteer, Make a Difference Invitations To Be Mailed in May Shevat/Adar/Nisan 5772 Berkshire Jewish Voice • www.jewishberkshires.org Page 17 Your Federation Presents

Federation: Major Cuts Made, Fees Implemented Campaign Declines for Third Year

The Jewish Federation of the Berk- don’t also attend the meal. shires was forced to make reductions to The Berkshire Jewish Voice will be its programs and services and implement reduced to nine issues per year rather new fees in light of its Annual Campaign than the ten previously published. As of falling short of its goal for a third year the 2012 Campaign, only those house- in a row. holds who make a donation to the annual The Older Adult Kosher Hot Meal Pro- campaign will be eligible to receive the gram will continue to operate three days newspaper via home delivery. a week, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday The South County Lunch Program will through April 13; however between April continue to take place monthly, with the 15 and November 23, the program will catered buffet cost increasing to $6 and be cut back to two days a week, serving a new fee for those just attending the meals only on Monday and Thursday. programs at $3. Those members of the community Federation staff reductions have been receiving home delivered meals will con- implemented and co-sponsorship funding tinue to receive three meals a week, with reduced over the last three years; this in two meals being delivered on Mondays. addition to implementing the charging of The program was also cut back in 2010 fees for programs and events that were when it was forced to operate only two previously provided free of charge. days a week during the winter months. The Federation’s Board of Directors is It was returned to a three-day-a-week re-evaluating its campaign structure and program in 2011 by utilizing funds from strategy with the hopes of reaching out to the Federation’s Older Adult Endowment, more members of the Jewish Community but the use of these funds could not during the 2012 Campaign so additional sustain the program over the long term. funds can be raised. Programs continue to be offered fol- To make a donation to the Federa- lowing the Meal Program on Mondays tion’s 2012 Campaign, please contact and Thursdays year-round. Tuesday Kathi Todd, Development Assistant at programs were eliminated in 2010. Pro- (413) 442-4360, ext. 16. The 2012 Annual grams, while previously offered free of Campaign will officially kickoff in June. charge, now have a $3 fee for those who

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Insurance designed for retirement includes long term life insurance and annuities. Guarantees provided are backed by the financial strength of the issuing insurance company; not guaranteed by any bank or FDIC. Limitations may include an early surrender charge or market value adjustment that may affect contract surrender value. Guaranteed lifetime income available thru payout settlement or optional lifetime income benefit rider for which an annual fee may be charged. Past performance is no guarantee of future values or performance. Withdrawals may reduce premium. Withdrawals prior to 59 may incur IRS penalty. Fixed indexed annuities are not a direct investment in the stock market or indices; they are insurance products that may provide enhanced growth potential without experiencing loss of premium from market fluctuation or loss; may not be appropriate for all clients. Neither I nor any company gives legal, tax, or Investment advice. Consult the appropriate advisor in these areas. Member: National Ethics Association; National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. [email protected] 18420-262201 D2472 D13048 Page 18 Berkshire Jewish Voice • www.jewishberkshires.org February 20 to March 25, 2012 Your Federation Presents Volunteers are Vital! “Skilled Volunteers for Israel” By Susan Frisch Lehrer, Coordinator of Volunteers

Several years ago I wrote a column on Jewish volunteer organizations around • Photographers and Videographers. Multiple non-profit organizations are seek- the world, particularly in the United States and in Israel. I recently learned about ing volunteer photographers willing to photograph for the organizations’ to use for a new volunteer organization called “Skilled Volunteers for Israel” (www. skillvol- websites, reports, fundraising, and newsletters. Times are flexible. unteerisrael.org) which matches experienced professionals with meaningful skilled volunteer opportunities in Israel. • Event Planning, Marketing, and Publicity. A Jerusalem based non- profit The website states: We link the expertise of North American Jews with the critical working with Down Syndrome children is hosting an international conference in needs of Israel through limited-term volunteer Jerusalem in December and is seeking volun- engagements. Volunteer to meet a need that’s teers to assist with English marketing materi- been identified by our partners or we will design als and event planning. Four to five hundred an opportunity for you based on your skills and professionals, parents, support workers, and interests. We will connect older adults with ex- children will be attending this event which is pertise in fields such as education, accounting, held in Israel every ten years. public relations, and marketing to Israeli non- profits. Skilled volunteering is the practice of • Public Relations. Help a Tel Aviv-based using work-related knowledge or other expertise non-profit with their public relations work in a volunteer opportunity. Skilled Volunteers for targeted to their overseas (English speaking) Israel provides two primary avenues to designing supporters. The organization is seeking assis- your skilled volunteer position. Select a project tance in developing and refining its outreach from our network of Israeli organizations that strategies as well as building greater awareness can use your particular professional expertise about the organization’s programs, activities, and matches your interests. Or, customize your and community impact. This project includes own position. Volunteers have already served as identifying appropriate press and contact dis- English tutors, accountants, grant writers and tribution networks as well as writing publicity medical triage in a refugee clinic. materials. Marla Gamoran, of Madison, Wisconsin, started Skilled Volunteers for Israel during the In addition, at a tuition cost, “Skilled Vol- summer of 2010 when she saw a need to con- unteers for Israel,” with co-sponsorship by the nect “Baby Boomers” who were non-residents Conservative Yeshiva of United Synagogue, is with volunteer opportunities in Israel. offering “Volunteer & Study,” which is comprised A recent study from NYU reported that A Skilled Volunteer for Israel at work of a half-day of study at the Yeshiva and a half almost one-half of active Jewish adults in the day of volunteering with an Israeli non-profit United States are “Baby Boomers” and are organization in Jerusalem. The program is open looking for meaningful opportunities when they retire. to college students and adults of all learning levels and religious backgrounds who Gamoran stated that she “found that there are many internships and service want to enrich their knowledge and contribute their experience and skills to Israeli programs for younger folks, but found there were limited opportunities for adults society. The program will run for two sessions: Session I takes place from July 1 to to apply their professional skills to volunteering in Israel. Our volunteers are retired 19; Session II from July 22 to August 9. Participants may sign up for either one or and working professionals, academics, and teachers who seek to make an impact by both summer sessions. volunteering with the spirit of civic participation and community service.” The following list is just a sampling of the types of volunteer matches that can If you are planning a visit to Israel and would like to volunteer, check out Skilled be made. Volunteers for Israel. You’ll have one of the most rewarding experiences you’ve ever had! If you are interested in applying, please complete the “Skilled Volunteers for Israel” Special note: Speaking of volunteering, the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires intake form found on the website and start the match process. The following list is will once again be conducting “Joe’s Project,” the delivery of Purim Hamantashen just a sample of the volunteer opportunities available. to all of our older adults who are living in senior housing as well as those who live alone. Volunteers will be needed to bake and pack before Purim and deliver before • A social service non-profit in Nahariya is seeking social workers, psychologists, or on the holiday – Thursday, March 8. If you are available to help out in any way, and teachers to work with children in trauma. In addition to individuals, they are please contact me. interested in forming a group of professionals willing to be trained and who would Thank you! be prepared to travel to Nahariya to support children and families in time of war or other crisis. B’shalom, Susan Frisch Lehrer Coordinator of Volunteers Jewish Federation of the Berkshires (413) 442-4360, ext. 14 www.jewishberkshires.org [email protected]

Roberts & Associates Realty, Inc. 48 Housatonic St., Lenox • (413) 637-4200 • Sales & Rentals Readers! Pamela Roberts, CBR®, CRB, CRS, GRI, ePRO®....637-4952 Iris Cohen, CBR®...... 443-1073 Interested In Receiving Susan Foulds...... 464-1887 Helen Gasparian, CBR®...... 243-4425 the Berkshire Jewish Voice Barbara Meisel Greenbaum, CBR®...... 446-1472 Barbara K. Greenfeld, ABR, C-CREC, CRS, On-Line Instead Of In The Mail? GREEN, RSPS, SRES...... 442-9108 Direct from New York’s Diamond District Vivi Mannuzza, CBR®...... 243-5795 Anne Meczywor, ASR, CBR®, SRES, RSPS...... 446-2179 Please email Arlene D. Schiff at 137 North Street, Pittsfield, MA • 413.236.9300 Tiffany Roberts, CBR®, ePRO®...... 637-4205 Lisa Sauer, SFR®...... 298-4766 [email protected] www.unusualweddingrings.com Dia Trancynger, ABR, CRS...... 637-1822 www.berkshirehouses.com Gayle & Herman Rotenberg Shevat/Adar/Nisan 5772 Berkshire Jewish Voice • www.jewishberkshires.org Page 19 Your Federation Presents

Theater Trip Sponsored by The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires A Summer Celebration Barrington Stage Company’s of Jewish Music “Fiddler on the Roof” Paul Green and Robert Scherr, Co-Directors

Wednesday · June 20 · 2 p.m. $36 · Orchestra Seating

Reserve tickets by Wednesday, June 13 Call Nancy Maurice Rogers, Program Director (413) 442-4360, ext. 15 Jewish/African-American Fusion With Special Guest Charles Neville of The Neville Brothers Enjoy a “Talk-Back” with Barrington Stage Company Tuesday, May 29, at 7:30 p.m. Following the Production Congregation Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield $18

Tickets will be distributed at The Relationships Between Jewish and Barrington Stage Company on the African-American Music Day of the Performance A Lecture and Performance Wednesday, May 30, at 7:30 p.m. Taft Recital Hall, Berkshire Music School, Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield • Free The Chamber Music of Jewish Composers Wednesday, June 6, at 7:30 p.m. Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, 270 State Road, Great Barrington • $12 Save the Date A Klezmer Evening with Paul Green & Friends Tuesday, June 12, at 7:30 p.m. Third Annual Temple Anshe Amunim, 26 Broad Street, Pittsfield • $12 A Jewish Choral Concert With Special Guests The Cantilena Singers Jewish Women’s under the Direction of Andrea Goodman Friday, June 15, at 7:30 p.m. Foundation Luncheon Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, 270 State Road, Great Barrington • Free, part of “Shabbat Across the Berkshires” Monday, June 11, 2012 A Klezmer Afternoon with 10:30 a.m. Paul Green & Friends Cranwell Resort, Spa & Sunday, June 17, at 3 p.m. Congregation Beth Israel, 53 Lois Street, North Adams • $12 Golf Club, Lenox, MA Co-sponsored by Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, Congregation Beth Israel, Congregation Ahavath Sholom, Congregation Knesset Israel, Hevreh of For information call Southern Berkshire, Temple Anshe Amunim, the Boston Symphony Orches- (413) 442-4360, ext. 12 tra Berkshire Education and Community Programs, The Cantilena Singers, Berkshire County musicians, and Charles Neville.

The program is sponsored in part by a grant from the Pittsfield Cultural Council and the Harold Ginspoon Foundation The Jewish Women’s Foundation of Berkshire County, under the auspices of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, is dedicated to doing tikkun olam by strengthening Jewish values, family and community. It identifies and funds needs of the local Jewish commu- For further information contact (413) 442-4360, ext. 12, nity through the generosity of women. or [email protected]

"We saw that through Create a Jewish Legacy, we could meet our obligation to start teaching our son the importance of taking care of the Jewish community."

- Sarah and Lawrence Klein

Photo by David Verzi What will your legacy be? For information, contact Scott Kaplan: 413-732-9994, [email protected] www.jewishlegacywesternmass.org or Sue Kline: 413-439-1960, [email protected]

For more information about creating your Jewish Legacy, please contact Arlene D. Schiff at (413) 442-4360, ext. 12 or [email protected] Page 20 Berkshire Jewish Voice • www.jewishberkshires.org February 20 to March 25, 2012 Your Federation Presents

Support Today – Secure Tomorrow The “Legacy Circle” We thank the following people for including the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires in their estate planning: Anonymous (7) Melva Eidelberg Andrew S. Levine Richard A. Simons and Marcie Ed Abrahams Diana and Stanley Feld Toby H. Levine Greenfield Simons Barbara Bashevkin Steven Feiner Erna Lindner-Gilbert Mark and Elisa Snowise Robert Bashevkin Stuart M. Fischman Amy Lindner-Lesser Harold Sparr Robert Berend Lynn and William Foggle Helen Maislen Lisa Fletcher-Udel Shelley Berend Eiran Gazit Ellen Masters Edward Udel Helene Berke Jordan and Laura Green Stuart Masters Michael and Joan Ury Lawrence Berke Harold Grinspoon Robert Newman, of blessed memory Mark and Judy Usow Lee and Sydelle Blatt Ellen Heffan Arlene D. Schiff Henry Voremberg and Beate Betty Braun Ed Jaffe, of blessed memory Gary Schiff Voremberg, of blessed memory Cipora Brown Howard and Nancy Kaufman Stella Schecter Alexandra Warshaw Barbara Cohen Lawrence Klein Stephen and Deborah Schreier Florence Wineberg Mark Cohen Sarah Klein Martin Silver Jeffrey Goldwasser and Jonquil C. Jeffrey and Judith Cook Arthur Kriger, of blessed memory Sylvia Silverberg, in memory of her Wolfson Sheila K. Donath Fred and Brenda Landes husband Jerome Silverberg By joining the “Legacy Circle” your good deeds and Jewish values will live on and Jewish needs will continue to receive the resources you have provided over the years. Questions? Call Arlene D. Schiff at (413) 442-4360, ext. 12.

Get Cuffed! sure cuffs to high risk individuals. The you are beginning a new exercise regime. “Get Cuffed” schedule of blood pressure Drink water before, during, and after By Deborah Wineberg, Pastoral Nurse screenings in the community is printed you exercise. Your efforts pay off doubly “Get Cuffed Berkshires: A Blood Pres- in The Berkshire Eagle twice a month. as exercise is a mood enhancer and it will sure Reduction Program,” Berkshire • Initiating local policy for dietary help to relieve any stress you may have. Health Systems’ Accent on Health Depart- sodium reduction and healthier eating The following are activities/amount of ment, and the Tri-Town Health Depart- options in food service establishments calories a 150 pound person can burn ment were recently awarded a grant to throughout the county doing the activity for thirty minutes: help address hypertension (high blood Automatic blood pressure cuffs are floor cleaning, 89 calories; raking leaves, pressure) in Berkshire County. available free of charge through the grant. 171 calories ; car washing, 153 calories; “Get Cuffed Berkshires” will bring If you have been diagnosed with high window cleaning, 153 calories. existing outreach and public health ser- blood pressure, and are having difficulty Keep your weight at a healthy level. vices together to organize evidence-based in getting your blood pressure to goal, An increase in weight can raise your blood initiatives. home blood pressure monitoring might pressure. Reduce your portion size. Eat The Problem: Hypertension is a silent be helpful. Please call (413)447-3052 for using the Dietary Guidelines 2010 – My- killer. Every thirty-nine seconds, an adult more information as to eligibility require- Plate at each meal. dies of heart attack, stroke, or other car- ments and availability. One half of our plate should consist of diovascular disease. In general, the lower For more information on “Get Cuffed fruits and vegetables; one fourth should one’s blood pressure, the lower the risk Berkshires,” visit www.berkshirehealth- have food that contain grains; the other of heart disease and stroke. systems.org. fourth section consist of protein foods- The Get Cuffed Berkshires’ program leaner meats, poultry, beans, nuts. The facts: is beneficial. I encourage people having The dairy section outside of the plate • One in three adults has high blood issues with their blood pressure to see if should be fat-free or low-fat milk, yogurt, pressure. you are eligible to participate. cheese. It is important to know your blood Eating in this manner helps you feel • One in three adults with high blood pressure reading. Blood pressure is re- full and discourages overeating. Snacks pressure does not get treatment. corded as two numbers. are important and should supplement • One in two adults with high blood pres- The first number is the systolic blood your diet. An example of snacks rich in sure does not have it under control. pressure. This measures the force of blood protein are: mixed nuts, celery with peanut in your arteries as your heart beats. The butter, or hummus with wheat crackers. Many people do not know they have second number is the diastolic blood Additionally, you should become an or how to control high blood pressure. pressure which measures the force of the informed consumer when you purchase ing, meals in restaurants can be higher Nationally, nearly sixty million Americans blood in your arteries when your heart foods. It is important to limit sodium in sodium content. Be aware that some are at risk for hypertension and pre- rests between beats. intake not to exceed 1,500mg-2,300mg antacids contain sodium. hypertension, largely driven by lifestyle Your blood pressure fluctuates at vari- per day. Don’t smoke! Injury to the blood ves- factors: overweight, physical inactivity, ous times of the day. Blood pressure is One teaspoon of table salt equals sels can occur causing an increase risk for and smoking. higher at work and drops when you are 2325mg of sodium. Processed foods heart disease and stroke. Use alcohol in In Berkshire County, approximately at home. It is lowest when you are asleep. are very high in sodium content. Read moderation. Women should have no more seventeen percent of working people have Normally there is a spike in pressure packaging labels. Pay special attention than one drink per day and men should high blood pressure, which is defined as when you wake up from sleep. to the “serving size” and “amount per limit themselves to two drinks per day. a reading greater than 140 over 90, and Your body usually compensates and serving-mg.” Lower your risks, increase your activ- an additional forty percent are at risk keeps the pressure at a healthy level. When purchasing prepackaged and ity, and keep some raw, cut-up vegetables for high blood pressure. Populations When readings stay above normal it can canned foods, listed ingredients such as in your refrigerator for easy snacking. with limited access to care, seniors, the indicate a problem somewhere within monosodium glutamate (MSG), sodium Your heart and loved ones will be homeless, and those with mental illness the body. chloride, baking soda (sodium bicarbon- grateful. or disability have an even greater risk. With your health care provider’s ate), baking powder, sodium nitrite, and so- In the spirit of mishloah manot, send- High sodium (salt) intake raises blood guidance you can improve your blood dium sulfite indicate a presence of sodium. ing gifts of food to friends on Purim, let pressure. Most adults should limit so- pressure and overall health. Below are Search for words such as “low sodium” us remember our friends and neighbors dium intake to between 1,500 and 2,300 the categories for blood pressure levels (140mg or less), “sodium-free” (less than who are in need of company. Pay a visit milligrams a day. For more information for adults 18 years and older per the 5mg), and “unsalted.” The label “reduced and spread your joy! on the harmful effects of high sodium U.S. Department of Health and Human sodium” means that the food has to have intake, including elevated blood pressure, Services and National Heart, Lung, and twenty-five percent less sodium when Debbie Wineberg, RN, serves the Berkshire visit www.cdc.gov/salt/ Blood Institute: compared to a regular food item. Jewish Community as a health counselor NORMAL: < 120/<80 An example: regular noodle soup has and advocate, referral agent to resources The Get Cuffed Berkshires campaign’s PREHYPERTENSION: 120-139/80-89 1000mg of sodium, “reduced sodium” within the community, and collaborator of three goals: HYPERTENSION: 140 or >/90 or > canned noodle soup will have 750mg. health education and spiritual health care • Implementing a countywide edu- This is still an extraordinary amount of programming. Her position is funded by the cation program aimed at changing the There are some changes you can start “reduced sodium,” so do not be fooled Jewish Women’s Foundation of Berkshire social norm around lifestyle and personal to make in your daily living that may by this label! County, under the auspices of the Federa- behaviors. Check the schedule on PCTV help in reducing the risks of developing Flavor your cooking using herbs, spices, tion. She can be reached at 413-442-4360, for programs on high blood pressure. hypertension or help to lower an already and flavors such as lemon pepper, ginger, ext. 21 or [email protected]. • Providing targeted clinical inter- existing elevated blood pressure. balsamic vinegar, marjoram, mint, sage, As individual circumstances vary, it is rec- ventions for high risk people, expanding Exercise. It is recommended to do citrus peels, or lemon juice. Do not add salt ommended that you always consult your access to screening and monitoring, and moderate activity for about thirty minutes when cooking and keep the salt shaker off health care provider before undertaking providing 1,000 automatic blood pres- most days of the week. Of course always the table when eating your meals. any nutritional or medical regimen. consult with your health care provider if Limit eating out. Generally speak- Shevat/Adar/Nisan 5772 Berkshire Jewish Voice • www.jewishberkshires.org Page 21

Senior Corner

The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires offers an Older Adult Lunch Program in conjunction with Elder Services of Berkshire County. Kosher hot meals are served every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday at noon at Congregation Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield. Open to members of the general public.

Reservations are required to attend meals, as space is limited. Call prior to 9 a.m. When making a reservation for the lunch program, please inform Cindy Bell-Deane, Director of Food Services, if a person in your party has a food allergy. Suggested donation: $2 (under age 60, $7). For reservations and information: Cindy Bell-Deane, Director of Food Services, (413) 442-2200. Funding provided by the B’nai Tzedek Youth Foundation and the Federation’s Annual Campaign. senior Menus & activities Menus subject to change without notice Get Connected! ALL 1 P.M. ACTIVITIES are at a charge of $3 (unless noted higher) for those who solely attend the program. Sign up to get an email bulletin of what’s happening in Western Massachusetts! February Suters and Sandy Alfonso of Elder Services of photography film making Monday, 20...... Tuna noodle casserole, salad, Berkshire County. painting potato bread, cherry pie, coffee, tea, and milk Tuesday, 13...... Turkish lentil stew, rice, salad, sculpture for coffee. At 1 p.m., “Moving Into Well-Being,” multi-grain bread, tea biscuits or honey cake, and with registered somatic movement therapist, tea. theater Cheryl Luft. musicals & dance Thursday, 15...... Macaroni and cheese, tomato jazz & folk music Tuesday, 21...... Salisbury steak, split pea soup, soup, mixed vegetables, cranberry muffins, cook- mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, whole ies, coffee, tea, and milk for coffee. At 1 p.m., puppetry wheat bread, pears, and tea. “Ageless Grace” chair-based exercise technique storytelling Thursday, 23...... Chicken cacciatore, noodles, with certified teacher, Jane Rosen. Israeli folk dancing salad, Italian bread, pineapple, and tea. At 1 Monday, 19...... Chicken pot pie, rice, salad, mask making p.m., film, “Ahead of Her Time: The Extraordi- whole wheat bread, chef’s choice of fruit, and fiber arts nary Journey of Ruth Gruber,” with discussion. tea. For those already enrolled: at 1 p.m., third of chanting Monday, 27...... Vegetarian chili in corn bread six sessions of “My Life, My Health,” with Roger holiday rituals “bowl,” salad, applesauce, oatmeal raisin cook- Suters and Sandy Alfonso of Elder Services of Judaic studies ies, coffee, tea, and milk for coffee. At 1 p.m., Berkshire County. arts beit midrash “The Process of Aging” with therapist Maggie Tuesday, 20...... London broil, vegetable soup, tikkun olam Bittman. mixed vegetables, sautéed onions, rosemary pota- Hebrew study Tuesday, 28...... Vegetable lasagna, split pea toes, potato bread, apple dumplings, and tea. travel soup, breadsticks, peanut butter cookies, coffee, Thursday, 22...... Dairy leftover day and tea. For genealogy tea, and milk for coffee. those already enrolled: at 1 p.m., fourth of six ses- lectures & exhibits sions of “My Life, My Health,” with Roger Suters book clubs and Sandy Alfonso of Elder Services of Berkshire March County. JewishCultureConnect.com Thursday, 1...... Stir fried chicken, hot & sour Monday, 26...... Meat leftover day and tea. At 1 a project of soup with rice noodles, Oriental blend vegeta- p.m., documentary, “Date With A Queen,” cel- Jewish Arts & Culture Initiative / bles, rice, multi-grain bread, pineapple, and tea. ebrates Hadassah’s one-hundredth anniversary, Harold Grinspoon Foundation At 1 p.m., “Hearing Loss and What to Do About with film maker Ruth Heuberger. JeJewishwish FFederationederation It,” with Stephen White, Ph. D., co-owner of of Westernof Grea Massachusettster Springfield Berkshire Speech & Hearing. Tuesday, 27...... Meat leftover day and tea. Jewish Federation Monday, 5...... Meat loaf, Moroccan vegetable Thursday, 29...... Dairy leftover day and tea. At 1 of the Berkshires soup, mashed potatoes, peas & carrots, salad, rye p.m., “Ageless Grace” chair-based exercise tech- bread, tropical fruit salad, and tea. At 1 p.m., “My nique with certified teacher Jane Rosen. Life, My Health,” with Roger Suters and Sandy Alfonso of Elder Services of Berkshire County. April Pre-registration required by calling (413) 442- 4360, ext. 15. First session of six part series at $18; Monday, 2...... Closed for Passover Preparation participants obliged to attend all six sessions. Tuesday, 3 ...... Closed for Passover Preparation Tuesday, 6...... Roasted chicken, red and green Thursday, 5...... Closed for Passover Preparation cabbage soup, kasha varnishkes, green beans, Monday, 9...... Passover meatloaf, matzo ball rye bread, peaches, and tea. soup, oven browned potatoes, broccoli, matza, Thursday, 8...... Fresh fish, vegetable Biryani, applesauce, and tea. For those already enrolled: beets, salad, scones, pudding, coffee, tea, and at 1 p.m., fifth of six sessions of “My Life, My milk for coffee. At 1 p.m., “Mordechai and Ha- Health,” with Roger Suters and Sandy Alfonso of man: Purim in Many Times and Many Lands,” Elder Services of Berkshire County. with Rabbi Joshua Breindel of Temple Anshe Tuesday, 10...... Roasted chicken, tzimmes, aspar- Amunim, Pittsfield. agus, salad, matza, macaroons, and tea. Monday, 12...... Open faced turkey sandwiches, Thursday, 12...... Passover meat pie, red pepper mushroom barley soup, sweet potato kugel, soup, vegetable medley, salad, matza, and tea. broccoli, whole wheat bread, pears, and tea. For those already enrolled: at 1 p.m., final of For those already enrolled: at 1 p.m., second of six sessions of “My Life, My Health,” with Roger six sessions of “My Life, My Health,” with Roger Suters and Sandy Alfonso of Elder Services of Berkshire County.

Live Give A Kosher Meal To Someone You Know Do you know an elder recovering from illness or injury? Why not arrange to have a kosher hot lunch Generously! delivered to their doorstep? Do you know a senior citizen who frequents the lunch program offered at the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires? Why not give lunches as a gift? It’s inexpensive ($2), easy, and certain to be appreciated. For more information, call (413) 442-2200. Page 22 Berkshire Jewish Voice • www.jewishberkshires.org February 20 to March 25, 2012

obituaries national and world news

Remy Cotton Kirshner, career working with his father, Lisa Kravitz of New Hartford, 17, artistic and creative A. Leo Nash, dealing with scrap CT; Laurie Wood of Colchester, ‘Forum of Russian Jewry’ LENOX – Remy Cotton Kirshner, materials, went on to operate the CT; and Amy and Rick Lohrer Formed 17, of Housatonic Street, died A. Leo Nash Steel Corporation, of Block Island, RI. She also Friday, December 30, as the and later took on the business leaves nineteen grandchildren; result of a motor vehicle acci- of developing and managing real twenty-two great-grandchildren; dent in Lee. estate, including Nash Realty and Diana Geller, wife of her Born in Pittsfield on October Trust and ALNASCO in Pittsfield. beloved late brother Jerome, 22, 1994, the beloved daughter His passions were flying, and their two sons and three of Kevin and Barbara Cotton being a volunteer pilot for grandchildren. Kirshner, Ms. Kirshner attended “Angel Flight,” an organization A private graveside funeral Lenox schools and at the time dedicated to transporting sick service, led by Tsvi Greenfield, of her death was a junior at children for treatment and care, was held on Thursday, January Lenox Memorial Middle and Rotary International, travel, and 5 at the Congregation Knesset High School. the arts. Israel Cemetery, Pittsfield. Mr. Nash is survived by his She was a gentle spirit, whose George Warren Carey, 85, artistic nature and creativity wife, Suzanne; their sons, Seth, Mitchell, and A. Leo; daugh- professor of Urban was expressed through her love Planning and Policy of music and dance, especially ters-in-law Mary, Caitlin, and hip-hop, drawing, and writing. Victoria; grandchildren Dylan, OLD CHATHAM, NY – George She will be remembered for her Jake, Chloe, Martine, Jasper, Warren Carey passed away on smile, kindness, love of friends and Lucy; brother, Melvin, and Tuesday, January 10, at Colum- and family, free spirit, and per- his wife, Susan, and a large bia Memorial Hospital. sonal inner strength. extended family. Born January 1, 1927, in Alexander Levin, (left) President of the newly established ‘World Ms. Kirshner is survived by the Bronx, Mr. Carey was the Forum of Russian Jewry,’ with Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Ron Evelyn Ruth Geller son of the late George Anthony her parents; a loving sister, Alix Kravitz, 82, enthusiastic Prosor Kirshner of Lenox; and cherished and Florence Kearns Carey. teacher NEW YORK (SPECIAL) – A new peace, and protect the State of grandparents, Henry and Linda He received his B.A., M.A., and international Jewish organiza- Israel.” Kirshner of Boynton Beach, FL. BREWSTER – Evelyn Ruth Geller Ph.D. from Columbia University tion, the “World Forum of Rus- The new organization’s She was pre-deceased by her Kravitz, of West Hartford, CT, and served in the Army Air Corps sian Jewry” was announced launch was organized by with paternal grandmother, Ruth died Wednesday, January 4, at from 1944 through 1946. in late January at the United the support of Ron Prosor, Is- Kirshner; her maternal grand- Pleasant Bay Nursing & Reha- He was a professor of Urban Nations with the participation rael’s Ambassador to the United mother, Miriam Cotton; and her bilitation Center, Brewster. Geography at Columbia and a of nearly six-hundred American Nations. loving aunts and uncles Helen Born in Pittsfield on April 12, professor of Urban Planning and Russian-speaking Jews. In his keynote speech, Levin and Max Benjamin and Ann and 1929, to Arthur and Reba Geller, Policy at Rutgers University. Not The newly-established orga- spoke of the new World Fo- Louis Kulin. Mrs. Kravitz attended Pittsfield only was he a scholar but a true nization was declared by Alex- rum’s aims to combat modern Funeral services were held on public schools, Bridgewater “Renaissance man” with a love ander L. Levin, president of the Anti-Semitism, xenophobia, and Tuesday, January 2, in Lenox State Teachers’ College, and the of music, philosophy, poetry, Greater Kiev Jewish Community, Holocaust denial. To that point, with Rabbi Deborah Zecher, of University of Massachusetts, ancient history, Judaism, and who will serve as President. Levin emphatically brought up Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, prior to receiving her Master of most of all family. He was a gentle The forum will act as a bridge the increasingly worrisome issue officiating. Education from the University spirit with a strong commitment of Hartford. to social justice. between East and West, an in- of Iranian nuclear aspirations. Kenneth Monroe Nash, She was an enthusiastic Mr. Carey is survived by his termediary between the United “Standing here on this stage, 80, supporter of many teacher with a passion for wife Janet; children, James and States, Russia, and other coun- said Levin, “I would like to re- local causes lively debate, sports, literature, Ann (Barry) Carey, Alana Fisher, tries - with the primary goal of mind you that there is today a influencing governments to join member country of the United PITTSFIELD – Kenneth Monroe and music. She was a lifelong Conan Carey, Maura Carey the world’s fight against Iran. Nations that is currently on Nash, 80, passed away on Sun- member of Congregation Knes- Marlin, and Michael Marlin; and “I have the honor to an- the road to obtaining a nuclear day, January 1. set Israel. grandchildren, Forrest Carey, nounce today that we, the weapon who’s President, without Busy to the end, Mr. Nash is Mrs. Kravitz was married to Ryan Carey, Moses Marlin, Tami Russian-speaking Jews of the blinking an eye, tells humanity remembered as a dedicated and the late Walter Kravitz. She is Carey, Charles Fisher, Caryl world, have established a new that the Holocaust is a deception entertaining patriarch, innova- survived by their six children Fisher, Norah Carey Burke, and organization, the “World Forum that it never occurred.” tive businessman, staunch sup- and their spouses, Robert and Hannah Carey. of Russian-Speaking Jewry,’” Stressed Levin, “We, Russian- porter of many local causes and Susanna Kravitz of Canton, CT; Funeral services were held declared Levin. “Our goal is to speaking Jews from the far-flung companies, and having a wise, Miriam and Eric Kravitz-Roth on Friday, January 13 at The bring together Russian-speaking corners of the Earth, stand witty, and watchful presence. of Orleans; Karen Davidson of Chatham Synagogue Netivot Jews from around the world in ready to unite against him and Mr. Nash began his business Woodmere, NY; Stephen and Torah. Interment followed at the Chatham Rural Cemetery. order to save ourselves and other the nuclear program of Iran. We people from the next catastrophe will not let another Holocaust and genocide, to preserve world engulf us!”

See the Berkshire Jewish Voice in COLOR at www.jewishberkshires.org Shevat/Adar/Nisan 5772 Berkshire Jewish Voice • www.jewishberkshires.org Page 23

national and world news Filipinos Integrating Israeli Society By Mati Wagner TEL AVIV (JTA) – With eyes majority. Bialik-Rogozin School. closed, it would have been dif- Of all the nationalities repre- Most of her fellow ficult to guess that the female sented among migrant workers, students were children voice with the amazing range Filipinos are the quickest to of foreign workers and singing a Hebrew classic was integrate, said Tamar Schwartz, asylum seekers, along a shy-looking, 11-year-old a social worker at Mesila Aid with immigrants from Filipina. and Information Center for the Ethiopia or the former But there was Kathleen Foreign Community in Tel Aviv. Soviet Union and a few Eligado performing Miri Aloni’s “Compared to other migrants, native Israelis. Still, “Ballad of Hedva and Shlomik” Filipinos usually speak articu- Joy said that growing before a prime-time television late English, often are well-ed- up in south Tel Aviv audience of a million Israelis. ucated and have a strong family made her “totally” Is- Eligado, born in Israel to Filipino ethic that emphasizes discipline raeli. migrant worker parents, is one and respect for elders,” said While her family of the stars of the popular Israeli Schwartz. “And incidents of child attends Mass at St. show “Music School,” a kind of abuse are low. As a result, there Anthony’s Church in “American Idol” for kids. is less of a gap between them Jaffa and celebrates Her performance gave new and Israeli society, which makes Christian holidays, meaning to the quintessentially it easier for them to integrate.” not Jewish ones, she Israeli song. Lyrics written to But while Filipinos excel at said she would have describe the culture shock of integrating into Israeli society, no problem dating or leaving the kibbutz for the city the biggest challenge is avoiding marrying an Israeli Kathleen Eligado, a star in Israel – “I’m alone in a strange city, deportation. Jew. Joy said that one as if I have no choice” - seemed In 2006, under pressure from of the main reasons in Eligado’s rendition to be the advocacy groups, the Israeli she enlisted in the IDF was to to receive their residency status. she asked, ‘Why haven’t you blues of a Third World immigrant government – in what was billed provide her family with perma- About four-hundred children been expelled from the country?” who ends up in Tel Aviv. as a one-time-only measure – nent residency. were rejected and thus slated Pancho said she thought that Yet for Eligado and thousands provided about 900 children In 2010, the Israeli govern- for deportation. she had not received residency of other children of foreign work- with permanent residency. ment approved the recommen- Unlike Joy, the majority of because of a bureaucratic mix- ers from the Philippines and Their close relatives – parents dations of an inter-ministerial children of foreign workers have up. elsewhere, Israel is now home and siblings – received tempo- committee to provide residency yet to receive any sort of legal Unlike children of migrants – for many, the only home they rary residency, which would to an additional group of children residency status, said Schwartz. in South Tel Aviv, Pancho at- have ever known. Some came to become permanent only after and their families. To qualify, Janelle Pancho, 16, born in tended schools where the vast Israel as children; others were the children served in the Israel the child had to speak fluent Israel to Filipino parents, wanted majority of her fellow students born in the country. Tel Aviv Defense Forces. Hebrew and be enrolled in the to join her eleventh-grade class- were Jewish Israelis. alone is home to an estimated Among the children who re- first through twelfth grades of a mates at Herzliya’s Harishonim “Even though I am not Jew- 3,600 children of foreign workers ceived permanent residency in state school during the 2010-11 High School on a trip to Poland ish, I feel a part of it,” she said. and asylum seekers, according ‘06 is Jewellri Joy, 18, now serv- school year. The child’s parents to visit Auschwitz. But without “I’ve been invited over to my to the city’s municipality data. ing in the IDF Police Corps. Like had to have entered Israel legally, residency status, she cannot friends’ houses for Shabbat and As they integrate into Israeli many children of foreign workers even if they had since overstayed leave the country. Jewish holidays. And we even society, the children of foreign living in Tel Aviv, the Israeli-born their work permit. “I went to the local Interior celebrate Passover at home, workers are crafting identities Joy, whose mother is from the About eight-hundred chil- Ministry office to get a special that are similar yet distinct from Philippines and whose father dren were said to have met the visa, but the clerk rejected my filipinos in israel, those of the country’s Jewish is from Thailand, attended the criteria, but they are still waiting request,” recalled Pancho. “Then continued on page 25

Berkshire Jewish Congregations and Organizations

The Berkshire Minyan CONGREGATION BETH EL SERVICES Agie Seife, President Lay-Led Traditional/Egalitarian Minyan 107 Adams Street, Bennington, VT 05201 Fridays – 7:30 p.m., except first Friday of SERVICES Held at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire (802) 442-9645 month, 6 p.m., “pre-neg” – 5:30 p.m. 2nd Friday of each month, 270 State Road, Great Barrington www.CBEVermont.org Saturday – 10 a.m., except on weeks April-November, 7:30 p.m. with Bar or Bat Mitzvah Contact: (413) 274-1034 [email protected] B’NAI B’RITH LODGE, NO. 326 Rabba Kaya Stern-Kaufman, Coordinator Rabbi Joshua Boettiger Torah study – 9 a.m., service – 10 a.m. Bob Shindler SERVICES: Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. Lance Allen Wang, President Services and Torah study weekly. 443-0231; [email protected] SERVICES NASSAU Jewish Community Chabad of the Berkshires Saturdays –10 a.m. JEWISH WAR VETERANS 450 South Street, Pittsfield Center & Synagogue Bob Shindler, Commander 499-9899 CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL Route 20, Box 670, 443-0231; [email protected] [email protected] (Reform) Nassau, NY 12123 www.jewishberkshires.com 53 Lois Street, North Adams 01247 (518) 766-9831 BERKSHIRE HILLS HADASSAH Rabbi Levi Y. Volovik 663-5830 Rabbi Debora Gordon, ritual director 26 Broad Street www.cbiweb.org Bruce Huttner, President the chatham synagogue Pittsfield, MA 01201 [email protected]; [email protected] SERVICES (413) 442-6758 Route 28, Box 51, Chatham, NY 12037 Rabbi Rachel Barenblat, Interim Saturdays – 9:30 a.m. Joanna Fribush and (518) 392-0701 Grace Bowen, President Marcia Tuler, Co-Presidents www.chathamsynagogue.org TEMPLE ANSHE AMUNIM SERVICES Call for office hours. [email protected] 1st Friday – Potluck Dinner 5:30 p.m.; (Reform) SERVICES Family Services 6:30 p.m. 26 Broad Street, Pittsfield JEWISH FEDERATION OF THE Saturday – 9:30 a.m. All Saturday Services – 9:30 a.m.; 442-5910 BERKSHIRES www.templeansheamunim.org 11:00 a.m., Kiddush and Torah Study 196 South Street, Pittsfield CONGREGATION AHAVATH [email protected] or 442-4360 SHOLOM [email protected] CONGREGATION KNESSET [email protected] (Reconstructionist) Rabbi Joshua L Breindel ISRAEL www.jewishberkshires.org North Street, Great Barrington Rabbi Harold I. Salzmann, Rabbi Emeritus (Conservative) Arlene D. Schiff, Executive Director 528-4197 Howard Shapiro, President 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield Michael Ury, President www.ahavathsholom.com 445-4872 SERVICES: Spiritual Leader Barbara Cohen www.knessetisrael.org Fridays – 5:30 p.m., sometimes 7 p.m. SINAI ACADEMY OF THE Guy Pancer, President [email protected] (call to confirm) BERKSHIRES SERVICES Saturdays – 10:30 a.m. Rabbi David Weiner 199 South Street, Pittsfield Fridays – 5:45 p.m. Erev Shabbat Rides available, please call Ed Udel, President 499-4167 Saturdays – 9:30 a.m. three days in advance. SERVICES www.sinai-academy.com Friday evenings – 5:45 p.m. Congregation Anshe Emeth TEMPLE ISRAEL OF Esther Benari-Altmann, Head of School Saturday mornings – 9:30 a.m. Robyn Rosen, President (Conservative) CATSKILL 240 Joslen Blvd., Hudson, NY 12534 HEVREH OF SOUTHERN (Reform) (518) 828-6848 BERKSHIRE Route 385 (230 Spring Street) www.congregationansheemeth.net. (Reform) south of Route 23 [email protected] 270 State Road, Great Barrington PO Box 607 Everyone is welcome to attend Rabbi Daniel Fried Catskill, NY 12414 528-6378 services and events at any of the Barry Margolin, President www.hevreh.org (518) 943-5758 Services Rabbi Deborah Zecher www.templeisraelofcatskill.org organizations listed here. Please call Friday evening – 7:30 p.m. Rabbi Ari Rosenberg, Assistant Rabbi Rabbi Brian Daniels the individual organizations with Saturday morning – 9:30 a.m. Cantor Elizabeth Goldmann Amy Lindner-Lesser, President inquiries about membership. Page 24 Berkshire Jewish Voice • www.jewishberkshires.org February 20 to March 25, 2012 national and world news Opinion: Mystery: Exploiting Child Holocaust Victims Obscene Judaic Manuscripts Discovered By Menachem Z. Rosensaft in Afghanistan By Ben Harris It is virtually impossible to President Franklin D. Roos- to go from one group to the other. imagine anything more repre- evelt and Prime Minister Winston “Our five-and-a-half year-old JERUSALEM (JTA) – It was said University of Jerusalem who saw hensible than the recent spec- Churchill and the other Allied son went with his father. Some- to be a finding of groundbreak- some of the documents. “This tacle of haredi Orthodox Jewish leaders knew full well that Ben- thing that will haunt me to the ing scholarly and historic sig- is the first time that we have a boys wearing yellow stars of jamin and virtually every other end of my days occurred dur- nificance, comparable in impor- large quantity of handwritten David and simulated striped Jewish child in Nazi-occupied ing those first moments. As we tance to the nineteenth-century documents from that area, from black-and-white concentration Europe were about to be brutally were separated, our son turned discovery of the Cairo Geniza and Afghanistan, where we knew camp uniforms at a demonstra- and systematically murdered. to me and asked, ‘Mommy, are rivaling the Dead Sea Scrolls for vaguely there was some kind tion in Jerusalem. On December 17, 1942, the we going to live or die?’ I didn’t sheer drama. of Jewish settlement, a Jewish Offended by the Israeli au- United States, Great Britain, and answer this question.” That, at any rate, was the buzz community, but we had very thorities’ efforts to curtail the the USSR had condemned the Benjamin, his father, and my in scholarly circles when reports vague ideas about what their verbal and physical abuse of German government’s “bestial grandparents were murdered began surfacing recently that an life was like.” women and girls in haredi policy of cold-blooded extermi- that night in one of the Aus- exceptionally rare collection of an- Wolfe noted that he had neighborhoods, the demonstra- nation” of Jews in Nazi-occupied chwitz gas chambers. Since my cient Judaic manuscripts – some the opportunity to purchase a tors knowingly and intentionally or controlled Europe. Yet Ben- mother’s death in 1997, he has of them dating back more than small portion of the documents desecrated the suffering, death, jamin’s fate and that of other existed inside of me. I see his a millennia – were discovered in recently and is holding them and memory of the more than 1.5 Jewish children like him was face in my mind, try to imagine a cave in Samangan province in in Jerusalem until a national million Jewish children. not a priority for any government his voice, his fear as the gas northeastern Afghanistan. institution can come up with official anywhere. chamber doors slammed shut, The manuscripts are of the money to acquire them. “Suffer the little children to his final tears. several varieties, both religious He declined to say how much One SS man was come unto me,” said Jesus ac- If I were to forget him, he and secular, and are drafted in he paid for them, where he got cording to the Gospel of Mark. would disappear. a number of languages, includ- them, or how much it would cost standing in front of “Forbid them not: for of such is Tragically, the hundreds of ing Judeo-Persian and Judeo- to deliver them to a museum. the people …with a the kingdom of God.” This fun- thousands of children who were Arabic. Among the documents In all probability, the manu- damental Christian imperative killed in the subsequent 20th recovered are fragments of the scripts were illegally smuggled single movement of was ignored by the U.S. State century genocides in Rwanda, writings of the Saadia Gaon, a out of Afghanistan; and it is not Department bureaucrats who Darfur, the former Yugoslavia famed Jewish sage born in Egypt uncommon for local antiquities his finger, he was deliberately frustrated any at- and elsewhere fared no better. in the ninth century, and finan- to be shipped abroad where they sending some people tempt to come to the rescue of The 1948 Convention for the cial records that may shed light fetch much higher prices. European Jewry. Prevention and Punishment of on the little-known medieval As a result efforts to de- to the right and some Even in the midst of World the Crime of Genocide was sup- Jewish merchant class known termine those who now hold War II, if the United States, Great posed to protect them. So was the as the Raddanites. documents, where they are being to the left Britain, Canada, Australia, and 1990 Convention on the Rights But those who have seen the stored, or how they were ac- other Western democracies had of the Child, to which Rwanda, documents, and who are familiar quired proved to be inconclusive. “This protest,” said one of announced a willingness to Serbia, and the Sudan are all with the shadowy trade in Middle What is clear is that the col- the rally’s organizers, “reflects give refuge to Jewish children, parties, which affirmed that Eastern antiquities, say the fan- lection is split between several the Zionists’ persecution of the Benjamin might still have had “every child has the inherent tastic tales of an unsuspecting private dealers, at least one of haredi public, which we see as a chance. right to life.” shepherd happening upon docu- whom is based in London. worse than what the Nazis did.” Instead, as Gregory Wallance The mutilated corpses of ments of incalculable historic Other lots are said to be in the The image of one particular chronicles in his forthcoming children and infants hacked by value are not to be believed. hands of dealers in Dubai and boy at the demonstration raising book, America’s Soul in the machetes in Rwanda or buried in “Generally, you have to be Switzerland. his hands in mock surrender to Balance, The Holocaust, FDR’s very careful of what a Middle Other than Wolfe’s acknowl- re-enact the famous photograph State Department and the Moral Eastern antiquities dealer tells edgement of his holdings, it has of a terrified Jewish child being Disgrace of an American Aris- As we were separat- you,” said Lenny Wolfe, himself a not been confirmed who else rounded up by the Germans in tocracy (Greenleaf Book Group ed, our son turned Middle Eastern antiquities deal- holds the documents or how the Warsaw Ghetto struck a very Press), after Gerhard Riegner, er based in Jerusalem. “You’re they were acquired. personal chord within me. the director of the Geneva office to me and asked, probably safer not believing it.” But that doesn’t mean there Sixty-nine years ago another of the World Jewish Congress, What no one disputes is that aren’t lots of colorful stories little Jewish boy named Benja- had sent a telegram through ‘Mommy, are we go- the documents are authentic floating around. One story, min was living with his parents in U.S. diplomatic channels in ing to live or die?’ I and, if they can be made widely which several of those involved the city of Sosnowiec in southern Switzerland in January 1943 available to scholars, can po- had heard, involves a Russian- Poland. The previous month he reporting that 6,000 Jews “are didn’t answer this tentially shed light on a period Jewish billionaire who suppos- had celebrated his fifth birthday. killed daily” at one location in in Jewish history that remains edly had expressed interest in He was a smart, good-hearted, Poland, and Romanian Jews are question shrouded in mystery. purchasing the manuscripts but totally innocent child who had similarly being murdered under The documents, which num- had pulled out after his attorneys never done any harm to anyone. dire circumstances, Secretary ber about a hundred and fifty – far advised that he may run into Only he had already been sen- of State Cordell Hull instructed mass graves in Bosnia epitomize fewer than the thousands in the legal difficulties. tenced to death. the American legation in Bern the international community’s Cairo Geniza – are generally be- No one would divulge his not to accept similar “private failure to live up to this most lieved to be about 1,000 years old, name. messages” in the future. fundamental of all aspirations. though a few are probably older. It “adds an element of mys- Hillel: The Foundation for On the night of August 3, My brother and every other They include early texts tique,” said Wolfe. “I personally suggesting the community may never spoke to any Russian oli- Jewish Campus Life, which is 1943, Benjamin arrived at the child murdered in any genocide Auschwitz-Birkenau death deserve to be remembered as have been Karaite, a Jewish garch. What I’ve heard is hear- supported by Jewish Federa- camp with his parents and fragile flames extinguished in sect that rejected rabbinic law say. I don’t trust hearsay.” tions, recently awarded a total grandparents. In her posthu- tsunamis of hatred, intolerance, and flourished in the tenth and Menashe Goldelman, a Lon- of $99,470 to nine campuses in mously published memoirs, his and bigotry. eleventh centuries. Poems were don-based expert in Middle the U.S. as part of its first Ask mother, our mother, recalled her Exploiting their memory to also recovered, as were financial Eastern antiquities who has Big Questions Pilot Innovation final moments with my brother: score cheap political points is documents that may have much authored a twenty-three page Fund. The program, which is “We were guarded by SS men and obscene. to teach about the Jewish mer- report on the documents, said run in partnership with the women. One SS man was stand- Menachem Z. Rosensaft is gen- chants who acted as middlemen that they have emerged on the Einhorn Family Charitable ing in front of the people and eral counsel of the World Jewish along the trade routes between London market. East Asia and Europe. Goldelman said he had been Trust, identifies campus ini- he started the selection. With a Congress and vice president of single movement of his finger, In addition, the writings of enlisted by a dealer to sell the tiatives that engage diverse the American Gathering of Jew- he was sending some people to ish Holocaust Survivors and Saadia Gaon include fragments documents on his behalf. At populations in conversation, the right and some to the left. of a Biblical commentary and a present, Goldelman said he was bring together educational Their Descendants. He teaches Men were separated from about the law of genocide at rebuttal to the claims of a local trying to broker an agreement and extracurricular activities, women. People with children Cornell Law School, Columbia heretic. with the various dealers to bring and foster self-awareness and were sent to one side, and young Law School, and Syracuse “I think that it’s a very impor- the collection together. deeper relations with others in people were separated from older University College of Law and tant find,” said Shaul Shaked, an manuscripts, the community. looking ones. No one was allowed writes for JTA. emeritus professor at the Hebrew continued on page 27

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But even after they have filipinos in received citizenship, completed Jericho: Jewish Presence Lost IDF service, and seemingly inte- israel, continued from By Judy Lash Balint grated into Israeli society, some page 23 Filipinos still grapple with their JERICHO (JMNS) - Ask Israelis though not the way it is supposed split identity. what first comes to mind when to be done.” “M,” 24, fell in love with an they think of Jericho, and nine But without residency status, Israeli Jew while serving in the times out of ten, you’ll hear “ca- Pancho will not be able to un- IDF – first as an officer manager sino” – Yasser Arafat operated dergo her peers’ most important for a high-ranking officer and one there from 1998 to 2000 – or rite of passage – army service. later as a noncommissioned of- perhaps “area-off-limits.” “All of my friends are begin- ficer tracking down soldiers who Indeed, it’s the rare Israeli in ning to get letters from the IDF to went AWOL. 2012 who’ll mention the town prepare for the first stage of the “I hid it from my mother for half an hour north-east of Jeru- draft. But I haven’t,” she said. a year,” said “M,” who requested salem as the first place Joshua Pancho said she respected anonymity to avoid hurting her led the Israelites into the land the Israelis’ desire to maintain a mother, who is a devout Catholic. after crossing the Jordan. strong Jewish majority in Israel. “When my mom found out In fact, Jericho, the oldest “I understand that this is she kicked me out of the house,” continuously inhabited city in supposed to be a Jewish State she said. the world, has been devoid of any and that I am Christian,” she Now “M,” who owns a wom- normal Jewish presence since said. “But my parents came to en’s apparel boutique in an 1994, as the Gaza-Jericho Agree- this country as guests. They affluent town that is culturally ment phase of the Oslo Accords came to work. They have a right light years from where she grew mandated that the lush oasis to establish a family. And there up in south Tel Aviv, lives with fall under Palestine Authority was nothing in the law that said her boyfriend’s family. (PA) control. that they were not allowed to.” “They have accepted me Since then, Jericho has borne A survey conducted in No- completely, as though I were a witness to various phases of the vember 2010 by Leah Ahdut member of the family,” she said. Israeli-Palestinian relationship. and Karin Amit of the Ruppin “M” said that she celebrated Like King David’s birthplace Intricate mosaic in the flooring of the Shalom al Yisrael synagogue Academic Center’s Institute for Chanukah with her boyfriend Bethlehem, now also under PA Immigration & Social Integra- and his family, but they also control, Jericho stands as one tion found that 49.5 percent of bought a Christmas tree. She of several examples of impor- Monastery of St. George and a the muddy trickle of river. Israelis said they were in favor cooked traditional Filipino tant historic sites whose links restaurant offers spectacular Very few Jewish groups ven- of giving citizenship to migrant Christmas foods like leche flan with the Jewish people are in views toward Jordan. ture through the deactivated workers’ children born in Israel and pancit, a type of noodles danger of fading due to a lack Less than a ten-minute drive minefields to visit the place while 42.5 percent said they that symbolizes long life. of Jewish presence and a strong away - through flat, sandy fields named for the Jews crossing the were opposed. “I also made them Siopao – economic incentive to emphasize where wild camels graze - is Qasr Jordan after the exodus from Arab, left-wing, secular, or Chinese buns – but I filled them Christian sites. al Yahud, the spot on the Jordan Egypt -Qasr al Yahud in Arabic university-educated Israelis with chicken instead of pork,” Today, one of Jericho’s main River where Christians believe means the place where the Jews were more in favor. Religious she said. sources of income is Christian John the Baptist baptized Jesus. “broke” the water. and haredi Orthodox Israelis “My boyfriend and his family tourism. The small, sleepy town Renovated by Israel’s Min- Entry into Jericho itself is were less supportive. are Jewish, you know.” of 20,000, which is surrounded istry of Tourism at a cost of $3 forbidden to Israelis by Israeli by acres of banana groves, million, the site was reopened law – apart from groups with welcomes busloads of pilgrims. last July and now hosts thou- an Israeli army escort who are Donate, Volunteer, A cable car takes them up the sands of the faithful who come occasionally permitted to visit hill known as the Mount of to be baptized under the gaze of the remains of the Shalom al Temptation, where stairs lead Jordanian troops stationed a few jericho, Make a Difference to the ancient Greek Orthodox yards away on the east bank of continued on page 27 Page 26 Berkshire Jewish Voice • www.jewishberkshires.org February 20 to March 25, 2012 Calendar Around the Community

ONGOING bers. Information: (413) 528-6378. and information: (413) 442-5910. Thursday, 22, at 1:30 p.m. – Berkshire Hills Hadassah’s “Home Sweet Hadassah” Ongoing – Chabad of the Berkshires Wednesdays at noon – Great Bar- Sunday, 4, beginning at noon – Purim celebration of Hadassah’s centennial. Various “Smile on Seniors,” or “S.O.S.,” volunteer rington’s Congregation Ahavath Sholom’s celebration at Yiddish Book Center, 1021 household locations. Information: (413) 442- program to serve senior citizens in the “Nosh & Drosh.” Please call to check that West Street, Amherst. Includes: Workshop 6758 or [email protected] Berkshires. Information for families who there will be a session and for full informa- led by Leslie Elias artistic director of the can benefit and volunteers: Rabbi Levi tion: (413) 528-4197. award-winning “Grumbling Gryphons APRIL Volovik at (413) 499-9899 or visit www. Traveling Children’s Theater;” costume Thursdays, from 10:45 a.m. to noon jewishberkshires.com. contest; performance of Donald Sosin’s – “Maimonides’ Mishne Torah.” Engage “Esther: A One Act Opera,” starring Chelsea Monday, 2, from 10:30 to 11:30 Monthly – Gourmet ‘Senior Lunch Bunch’ with this masterful understanding of Jew- Rose Friedlander. Grumbling Gryphons a.m. – “PJ Pals.” “Preparing for Pass- at Congregation Beth Israel, 53 Lois Street, ish law and life by reading the sage’s laws Workshop and costume contest, free, ad- over.” Program for ages 6 months to North Adams. Information: (413) 663-5830. of repentance. Facilitated by Rabbi David vance registration suggested. Opera, $8, 6 years. At Church On The Hill Cha- Weiner, discussion delves into the depths Monthly – Volunteers from various con- members, $10, general admission, free pel, 55 Main Street, Lenox; the small of the text and what its ideas mean for gregations, provide a Jewish service, social for children and students 18 and under. brown building between Lilac Park us today. All are welcome. Prospective interaction, and entertainment to residents Reservations suggested. Reservations and and the Lenox Academy. Free. No pre- participants are invited to call in advance at Great Barrington’s Fairview Commons information: (413) 256-4900. registration required. Sponsored by The and the Great Barrington Nursing and to confirm the current schedule. Congrega- PJ Library and the Jewish Federation Rehabilitation Center. Information: Don tion Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield. Monday, 5, from 10:30 to 11:30 of the Berkshires. Information: Susan Victor at (413) 528-3742. Information: (413) 445-4872. a.m. – “PJ Pals.” “Purim Potpourri.” Frisch Lehrer, The PJ Library Coordi- Program for ages 6 months to 6 years. nator, the Jewish Federation of the Monthly, fourth or fifth Sunday –Volun- Thursdays, from noon to 1 p.m. – At Church On The Hill Chapel, 55 Main Berkshires, (413) 442-4360, ext.14, or teers from Congregation Beth Israel, 53 Lois “Jewish Journeys,” an ongoing series on Street, Lenox; the small brown building jfb. [email protected]. Street, North Adams “Take and Eat” program Jewish thought and culture, with Rabbi between Lilac Park and the Lenox Acad- delivers hot meals for all North Adams clients Joshua Breindel, at Temple Anshe Amu- emy. Free. No pre-registration required. of “Meals on Wheels.” Information: (413) nim, 26 Broad Street, Pittsfield. No prior Friday, 6, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sponsored by The PJ Library and the 663-5830 or [email protected]. registration. Please call for full and further (minyan at 5:30 p.m.) – The Jew- information: (413) 442-5910. Jewish Federation of the Berkshires. ish Federation of the Berkshires and Sundays, 8:45 to 9:30 a.m., begin- Information: Susan Frisch Lehrer, The PJ Congregation Knesset Israel sponsor a Thursdays (fourth of each month) ning Sunday, April 22 (also April 29; Library Coordinator, the Jewish Federa- Community Kosher Passover Seder, at – Berkshire Hills Hadassah Book Club’s May 6, 20; June 3, 24) – At Congrega- tion of the Berkshires, (413) 442-4360, Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield, 2011-2012 season: February 23, “The tion Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield. ext.14, or [email protected]. with Rabbi David Weiner as leader. Ca- Clothes on Their Backs” by Linda Grant; Learners’ Minyan, “Pathways of Prayer,” led tered meal provided by Bob Greenberg. March 22, Book To Be Announced; April by Rabbi David Weiner. Breakfast. Open to Wednesday, 7, at 5:30 p.m. – Purim Costs: $40, adults; $20, children, ages 3 26, “Call It Sleep” by Henry Roth; May the community. No registration required. Celebration, “Motown Megillah at Hevreh, a through 13; under 3 free. Financial as- 24, “Wherever You Go” by Joan Leegant; Donations welcome. Information: (413) ‘spiel’ performed by the Confirmation Class sistance available. Reservations required June 21, “Edith’s Story” by Edith Velmans- 445-4872 teens.” At Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, by Friday, March 23. Checks to the Jewish VanHessen. For times, locations of meet- 270 State Road, Great Barrington. Free. Federation of the Berkshires, 196 South Sundays, 10:10 a.m. to noon, begin- ings, and further information about the Information: (413) 528-6378. Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201; “Passover ning April 22 – Twenty-one class “Intro- books: Jane Rosen at (413) 464-0173 or Seder” in the memo. Call (413) 442- duction to Judaism” series at Congregation [email protected]. Wednesday, 7, at 7 p.m. – Purim ser- 4360, ext 10, to reserve by credit card. Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield. vice at Temple Anshe Amunim, 26 Broad Taught by Judith and Rabbi David Weiner. Fridays, usually first of each month Street, Pittsfield. Rabbi Joshua Breindel will Registration available for series or per ses- at 5:30 p.m. (followed by a family provide comic highlights of the Megillah. Saturday, 7, at 6 p.m. – Second night sion. Breakfast. Babysitting. $10 donation style Shabbat dinner at 6:15 p.m.) – Information: (413) 442-5910. Passover Seder at Congregation Beth Israel, session per household; $100 for series. Congregation Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, 53 Lois Street, North Adams. All welcomed. Information and required registration: Chris Pittsfield. Shirei Shabbat (“Songs of Shab- Sunday, 11 from 10 a.m. to noon Chicken-based main dish will be provided Kelly-Whitney at (413) 445-4872, ext. 10, bat”). Unique service combines melodies – “PJ Goes North.” Tzedakah Program by the congregation; others are asked to or visit www.knessetisrael.org. from Carlebach, Debbie Friedman, and at Congregation Beth Israel, 53 Lois bring non-dairy, kosher-for-Passover items Camp Ramah to create a ruach (“spirited”) Street, North Adams, for ages 3 to 9. to share. Tickets for dinner and the ritual Sundays, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. – “Sun- filled family friendly experience. Cost $18 Free. For questions and RSVPs, please celebration:$18, individuals; $36, family. day at the Movies” series at Temple Anshe per adult, $36 family maximum. Dinner contact Susan Frisch Lehrer, Coordina- Information or reservations due by Friday Amunim, 26 Broad Street, Pittsfield. March reservations are due by the Monday before tor of The PJ Library, Jewish Federation March 30: [email protected] or (413) 4, “Crossfire;” March 18 “The Front.” No services. Full information: (413) 445-4872, of the Berkshires at (413) 442-4360, 663-5830. admission charge. Suggested donations: ext 11. ext. 14, or [email protected]. $25 for members, $30 for non-members, for the series; $6 for members, $7 for Fridays, 5:45 p.m. at the evening Sunday, 11, from 11 a.m. to noon – non-members for individual showings. service – “Welcoming Shabbat.” Imbibing Congregation Hevreh’s Annual Purim Carnival at Hevreh of Information: (413) 442-5910. insights into the rhythms and opportuni- ties of the seventh day, refracted through Southern Berkshire, 270 State Road, Great Knesset Israel Mondays, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., begin- psalm and prayer. Congregation Knesset Barrington. Prizes, games, food, and fun. 16 Colt Road ning February 27 (also, March 5, 12, Israel, 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield. Information: Tickets at door. Sponsored by “SCOOBY,” Pittsfield 19) – Four session cooking series offered at (413) 445-4872. Hevreh’s Junior Youth Group. Information: Congregation Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, weekdays at (413) 528-6378. Pittsfield. Series, $25; individual sessions, Saturdays (second Saturday of month Friday, 16, (beginning at 3:30 p.m.), DAILY minyan $7.50. Required reservations, information: when possible) from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, 17 – “Shabbaton Weekend” at Monday, Thursday, (413) 445-4872, ext. 16; mhammerling@ – Monthly alternative Shabbat Service at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, 270 State Friday...... 7:00 a.m. knessetisrael.org.; or www.knessetisrael. Congregation Knesset Israel library, 16 Colt Road, Great Barrington. Reservations ap- org. Road, Pittsfield, Featuring mindful move- Sunday...... 8:45 a.m. ment, breathing, guided imagery, and preciated. Information: (413) 528-6378. Sunday through Thursday.... 7:00 p.m. Mondays, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. meditation inspired by concepts from the Friday, 16, to Sunday 18 – At Isabella Friday...... 5:45 p.m. (first of each month) – Hadassah Rosh weekly parshah, with Jane Rosen. Be sure Freedman Jewish Retreat Center, Falls Saturday varies with ending of Shabbat. Chodesh group meetings at Jewish Fed- to call ahead to see if service will be held. Village, CT. The “Ethiopian Jewish Experi- eration of the Berkshires, 196 South Street, Information: Jane Rosen at (269) 757-1425 ence,” an unraveling of the mystery and im- CANDLE-LIGHTING Pittsfield. Topical research paper presented or [email protected], or Knesset mersion into Ethiopian Jewish culture and at each meeting. New members welcome. Friday, February 24...... 5:18 p.m. Israel at (413) 445-4872. ritual. Information: www.isabellafreedman. Please be sure call ahead to be sure meeting Friday, March 2...... 5:26 p.m. org/ethiopian; (860) 824-5991, ext.305; will be held and also for details and further Saturdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. – The Friday, March 9...... 5:35 p.m. or (717) 503 -9207. information: (518) 733-6063. PJ Library, the Jewish Federation of the Friday, March 16...... 6:43 p.m. Berkshires and Hevreh of Southern Berk- Tuesday (first of each month) from Monday, 19, at noon, at Berk- Friday, March 23...... 6:51 p.m. shire, 270 State Road, Great Barrington, noon to 1 p.m. – “Practicing Prayer, A shire Community College, and, Friday, March 30...... 6:59 p.m. co-sponsor “PJ Havdallah” programs for Guide to Reform Worship and Ritual Leader- from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Hevreh Friday, April 6...... 7:07 p.m. children 8 and younger. Stories, crafts, ship,” with Rabbi Joshua Breindel at Temple of Southern Berkshire – Soldiers brief ritual, and snacks. Pajamas, toys, Anshe Amunim, 26 Broad Street, Pittsfield. Lital Shemesh and Adam Avidan of and stuffed animal friends welcome. Information: (413) 442-5910. the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) speak Themes: March 3, Purim; May 5, Israel. about the reality of the Israeli military. Wednesdays, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 Free to all children and their parents Sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Donate, a.m. – Yoga practice with instructor Jane and grandparents. RSVPs encouraged. the Berkshires and “StandWithUs,” an Rosen at Congregation Knesset Israel social Information: Paula Hellman, (413) 528- organization dedicated to informing the hall, 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield. $5 per class 6378 or [email protected]. public about Israel and combating the Volunteer, for Knesset Israel members; $10 for non- extremism and anti-Semitism that often members. Information: Jane Rosen at (269) MARCH distorts issues. Berkshire Community 757-1425 or [email protected], College session,1350 West Street (Room Make or Knesset Israel at (413) 445-4872. Friday, 2, following 5:30 p.m. Erev Shabbat – At Temple Anshe Amunim, 26 K-111), Pittsfield; Hevreh session, 270 Wednesdays, from 10:30 to 11:30 Broad Street, Pittsfield, Purimshpiel celebra- State Road, Great Barrington. Free. a a.m. – Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, tion, “A Purim Home Companion,” presented Information: Arlene D. Schiff, Execu- 270 State Road, Great Barrington, offers by the “Broad Street Players,” directed by tive Director, Jewish Federation of the “an hour of morning stillness” with Nina Dr. Alan Gold. Open to both congregation Berkshires at (413) 442-4360, ext. 12, Difference Lipkowitz, a certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher. members and the general public. Dinner, or [email protected]. Donation of $10 is asked from non-mem- $5 per person, $20 family limit. Reservations Shevat/Adar/Nisan 5772 Berkshire Jewish Voice • www.jewishberkshires.org Page 27

national and world news jericho, continued from page 25

Yisrael synagogue. The synagogue is believed to date back to the sixth or seventh century CE and sits in the base- ment of a non-descript building at the western edge of town. An intricate mosaic still visible on the floor depicts a menorah and a shofar along with the inscription “Shalom al Yisrael”– Peace unto Israel. According to “Annex II” of the Gaza-Jericho Agreement of 1994, “Religious affairs in the ‘Shalom Al Israel’ synagogue in Jericho shall be under the aus- Monastery of St. George on the Mount of Temptation pices of the Israeli authorities.” But, in fact, Israeli authorities have taken little interest in the site, leaving it to tiny groups of yeshiva students who have intermittently tried to preserve Jewish housing at Mitzpeh Yericho which overlooks Jericho a presence there. Before the second intifada, Palestinians even charged admission to Jew- ish tourists who ventured into the site. Today, the mainstay of con- cern about Jericho comes from the few hundred families living in several small communities over- looking it. At Mitzpeh Yericho, a predominantly religious com- munity of four-hundred families, longtime resident Moshe Eyal explains how a mixed group of re- Christian pilgrims descend into the Jordan River near Jericho, ligious and secular young people where Israelis are prohibited to go. wanted to settle on government land adjacent to Jericho in 1977. Evidence of ancient Jewish on a road system linking Jericho However, Defense Minister settlement in the area is easy to and Ramallah, strengthening Ezer Weizman refused to give identify. Remains of aqueducts the links between cities under permission, and agriculture from the Hasmonean period Palestine Authority control – but Minister Ariel Sharon suggested are visible on the community’s making ever more remote the they move up the hill to the main street, and the remains of prospect of a return of a Jewish Banana farms surround Jericho current site, with its panoramic the sixth century Na’aran Syna- presence. vistas over the stark desert. gogue and its beautiful mosaic Eventually two communities floor are within walking distance. were formed: on the hill sits Standing out on the low-rise Mitzpe Yericho, a small town Jericho skyline are the various that today includes a yeshiva, a US-sponsored facilities built to wedding hall, and an electronics train Palestinian security per- business; and Vered Yericho, in sonnel. They include the $9.1 the valley, just south of Jericho. million, 18-acre Presidential A more recent addition to the Guard Training College, the Jewish communities surround- nearby Nuweimah Training ing Jericho is Mevo’ot Yericho, a Center ($8 million), and the village of twenty-seven families NSF Operations Camp ($11.3 founded in 1999 just north of million). Jericho in the Jordan Valley. USAID is apparently working manuscripts, lawyer denied the accusations continued from page 24 and threatened to sue for libel. Goldelman estimates their None of the experts who have total value at about $5 million. spoken publicly on the matter of “They are not things that the Afghan documents appeared are stolen from an institution to be too troubled by unanswered or found in a legal excavation,” questions about their origins, Goldelman said. “At some point, seeming to accept such things everything that comes from the as the cost of doing business in ground goes to the black market. ancient artifacts. The black market, this is the “What is important for us is institution that helps to save that these fragments and docu- this material. If something has, ments don’t get buried again in let’s say, commercial value, it some safe of a collector,” said gets saved. If you don’t have a Haggai Ben-Shammai, a profes- commercial value for the manu- sor of Arabic at Hebrew Univer- script, they go and put it in the sity and the academic director of fireplace.” Israel’s National Library. Goldelman’s involvement Ben-Shammai said the li- may not reassure skittish buy- brary was searching for a donor ers about their provenance. In who would acquire the manu- 2010, two professors reportedly scripts on its behalf. accused him of trafficking in sto- “We don’t have the means to len antiquities and protested his acquire them on our own,” said scheduled appearance at a con- Ben-Shammai. “We need some ference in Israel. Goldelman’s assistance in this.”

The Jewish Agency for Israel, which is supported by Jewish Fed- www.jewishberkshires.org erations, will help bring more than 10,000 young Jewish adults to Israel during the 2011-12 academic year through its “Masa Israel Journey” initiative, in partnership with the government of Israel. Masa enables young Jews from all over the world to experience Israel through long-term academic, volunteer, and internship programs. Page 28 Berkshire Jewish Voice • www.jewishberkshires.org February 20 to March 25, 2012

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May 11, 2001 (sell) May 10, 2002 (sell) March 6, 2009 (buy) “Don’t get too scientific…just ask yourself; does “If [the NASDAQ] pierces the 1600 level again, “Expect a bottom for the S&P 500 at 660 points.” it feel like a recession? We don’t think it feels the prudent investor will not hold out for an- The stock market rose 63.2% from that buy as bad as 1990-1991, but it is bad enough.” other relief rally…the NASDAQ is setting up signal to the end of 2009. The stock market fell 16.5% until our next for a retest of the September [2007] lows of buy signal. the 1400s.” April 4, 2010 (sell) September 28, 2001 (buy) October 11, 2002 (buy) “…The bottom line is a correction is coming, but it’s not a crash… Signs of a longer-than- “Equity valuations are better than they have “The VIX broke 50 [on October 10th], and that typical correction.” been in years.” is my buy signal this time.” The stock market rose 10.4% until our next The stock market rose 80% until our next July 14, 2010 (buy) sell signal. sell signal. “…the correction is over…being in cash is a risky proposition.” January 1, 2002 (sell) November 15, 2007 (sell) “I’ve had my three months of bullishness, but “The obvious answer is a temporary position now I must adhere, once again, to a more in cash.” bearish sentiment.” The stock market fell 48.9% after that sell The stock market fell 30% until our next signal. buy signal.

The S&P 500 Index (S&P) has been used as a comparative benchmark because the goal of the above strategy was to provide equity-like returns. The S&P is one of the world’s most recognized indexes by B E R K S H I R E investors and the investment industry for the equity market. The S&P, however, is not a managed portfolio and is not subject to advisory fees or trading costs. Investors cannot invest directly in the S&P 500 Index. The S&P returns also reflect the reinvestment of dividends. Berkshire Money Management is aware of the benchmark comparison guidelines set forward in the SEC Clover No-Action Letter (1986) and compares clients’ performance results to a benchmark or a combination of benchmarks most MONEY closely resembling clients’ actual portfolio holdings. However, investors should be aware that the referenced benchmark funds may have a different composition, volatility, risk, investment philosophy, holding times, MAN A G E M E NT and/or other investment-related factors that may affect the benchmark funds’ ultimate performance results. Therefore, an investor’s individual results may vary significantly from the benchmark’s performance. All indicated stock market calls and associated commentary are that of Allen Harris & Berkshire Money Management and have no relationship to NDR/MDR. The Knowledge and Experience to Build Your Wealth

V I S I T U S A T W W W . B E R K S H I R E M M . C O M O R C A L L 8 8 8 . 2 3 2 . 6 0 7 2