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JewishA publication of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, serving V the Berkshires and surrounding ice NY, CT and VT Vol. 29, No. 3 Nisan/Iyar 5781 March 15 to May 2, 2021 jewishberkshires.org A Community Commemoration of HAPPY PASSOVER 5781! Yom HaShoah If we could gather together this Pesach – Dayenu! Reflections, remembrance, and the story of a long-neglected wartime diary On Thursday, April 1, at 7:30 p.m., join us for a community commemo- ration of Yom HaShoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day. Featured speaker Timothy Boyce, Esq. will discuss From Day to Day, the World War II diary kept by concentra- tion camp prisoner Odd Nansen. Boyce edited the diary, which Vanderbilt University Press republished in 2016 after its being out of print for more than 65 years. The New Yorker hailed this diary as “among the most compel- ling documents to come out of the war.” Rabbi David Weiner of Knesset Israel will offer a benediction and Massachusetts State Senator Adam Hinds will present opening remarks. Rabbi Barbara Cohen of Congregation Ahavath Sholom will facilitate a memo- rial candle lighting and prayers in memory of those murdered during the jewishberkshires.org for a link to this Holocaust following the speaker. program. After registering, you will This Jewish Federation of the receive a confirmation-email containing Berkshires program commemorating information about joining the meeting. Yom HaShoah will be presented via From Day to Day: One Man’s Diary Zoom. Visit our calendar of events at of Survival in Nazi Concentration Camps is a World War II concentration camp diary – one of only a handful This fanciful rendition of an Eastern European Seder is from The Szyk Haggadah, a Inside ever translated into English – secretly 1940 masterpiece by illustrator Arthur Szyk hailed as “worthy to be placed among written by Odd Nansen, a Norwegian the most beautiful books the hand of man has produced.” Although many of us will When COVID-19 Hits Home...... 2 who provided refuge for Jews fleeing be Zooming again, we celebrate the Festival of Freedom with good tidings in the Nazi persecution. Arrested by the Nazis Cultivating Trust for Better Days...... 3 spring air suggesting that an end to many long months of captivity is nearing. As in January 1942, Nansen, son of polar Students and Seniors – Caring Pals!...... 7 they say in Hebrew, “She’yitgashmu” – May it come true. explorer and humanitarian Fridtjof Seeking Peace Through Shared Loss...... 9 Nansen (Nobel Peace Prize, 1922), was How Yiddish Changed America held captive in various Nazi camps in (and Vice Versa)...... 23 Norway and Germany. Meanwhile, Back at the Farm… YOM HASHOAH, continued on page 4 In the Land of Israel Characters from Amos Oz’s classic portrait of Israel captured by actress/playwright TAMIR On Sunday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m., the Israeli/American actress and playwright TAMIR presents her adaptation of Amos Oz’s In the Land of Israel, bringing to life six women portrayed by the author in his indel- ible portrait of Israel in the 1980s. Near Moon In The Pond Farm in Sheffield In the 1980s and 1990s, TAMIR trav- Over the years that Elisa Spungen and purveyors – whose livelihoods can eled and worked with Bildner and Robert Bildner re- be precarious even in the best of times Oz at book festivals searched, wrote, and photographed – make it through? and other venues, The Berkshires Farm Table Cookbook, Over the summer and into the presenting a version of they could scarcely have imagined winter months, the Bildners kept tabs this performance before that publication of their book would on what was going on with our local the author would speak coincide with the coronavirus pan- farmers, restaurateurs, and artisanal about his book. In the demic, which rocked the farm and food producers – how they adapted to Land of Israel recounts food communities they intimately and the changes wrought by the pandemic lovingly portrayed. The June/July and how they are preparing for the Oz’s travels around Amos Oz with TAMIR Israel and conversations 2020 issue of the BJV featured the upcoming summer season. In this he had with its inhabitants – Israelis personalities and conveys their views of cookbook in a story that expressed report, Elisa tells some stories (and and Palestinians, Sephardim and the past, present, and future of Israel. the uncertainties of that moment in Bob shares images) that convey the Ashkenazim, secular and religious Although published 35 years ago, In time: How would our community fare resilience of this community in the face Jews, the doves and the hawks, and the Land of Israel is still relevant today. without the cultural programming that of an unprecedented challenge. nationalists and humanists. TAMIR This free online presentation is is the lifeblood of our local economy? distilled these conversations into a LAND OF ISRAEL, How would our local food producers Please turn to page 12 for the story. theater piece that captures six women’s continued on page 11 Page 2 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org March 15 to May 2, 2021 In My View When Our Traditional Ideas of Giving and Receiving Get Turned Upside Down Some thoughts about relying upon others in a time of need By Dara Kaufman

Growing up, I was blessed to have my grandpar- ents, Betty and Philip Turetsky, live close by. My A Federation board member recently reminded me grandparents were hard-working chicken farmers that by allowing others to help you during a difficult in Perinneville, NJ and my grandfather also worked as a dress cutter in New York’s Garment District. time, you are actually enabling them to do a mitzvah Upon retirement, they moved to the Berkshires to be close to us. For most of my older childhood, themselves relying on adult children or community volunteers to bring them my grandfather would be at our house every day groceries and medicine. Many times over the last year, I heard a common senti- helping my parents in our greenhouse and flower ment: “I have always been the one who gives. I never thought I would be the one business. who needed help.” Working alongside my parents in their flower This past month, despite being extremely careful, my husband Ofer and I shops, taking us for ice cream, making us our contracted the COVID-19 virus. The illness was awful, and we were both very favorite meals, and giving us rides to school was sick. To complicate matters, our 15-year-old daughter Maya did not contract the their way of showing us love. As children and even virus. The reversal of roles between parent and child, giver and receiver, changed young adults, my sisters and I happily received the overnight. We were quarantined in our room, and our daughter became our care and attention my grandparents bestowed upon us. primary caregiver. I was living in Israel when l learned that my beloved Grandpa Philip had As difficult as this situation was for all of us, it was especially hard for her. passed away. There was no Skype, FaceTime, She was scared for us; she was afraid that she or Zoom to facilitate a virtual funeral or shiva. would get it; and to make matters worse, she I had a hard time grieving alone. I remember had to go into quarantine on the exact day that sitting with a close friend and sharing stories all her peers were finally returning to in-school about my grandfather, including telling her how learning for the first time since November. he would always drive me to school when it was Let me say that Maya was AMAZING. She raining. As a child, I thought it was just a fortu- rose to the challenge in ways we never expected. nate coincidence when he would show up in our For two weeks, she managed everything on her kitchen on a rainy morning and offer to take me own. She attended virtual school, prepared and to school. It was only as an adult that I realized cleaned up meals, put away groceries, emptied he came over early on purpose because he did the dishwasher, did her laundry, and sanitized not want me to walk in the rain. every surface every time she used any common Such is the nature of life. As children, it is area. She took care of all of us! And she was natural that we are on the receiving end of care, resourceful in keeping herself busy. One day and as we grow into adulthood, we gradually I called her on FaceTime to see what she was take on the role of the caregiver. The ritual of up to, and she showed me all the rings she had becoming a bat or bar mitzvah specifically lays made out of paperclips. out this transition from being a receiver of care As much as I was grateful for all that Maya to assuming the responsibility of caring for was doing, I felt a lot of ‘mom guilt.’ I was also others – giving Tzedakah, caring for the sick, surprised at how uncomfortable I first felt when feeding the hungry, and protecting the orphans Our first post-COVID Shabbat friends and family began offering food and other and widows. forms of help. Like so many others, I was used This pandemic has turned our traditional notions of giving and receiving to being the one doing the helping. I never thought I would find myself needing to upside down. People who unexpectedly lost their jobs through no fault of their accept the assistance of others. But the reality was that we did need the help. own have suddenly found themselves in line at the food pantry and applying for Four weeks after we first fell ill, I finally felt strong enough to make a simple housing assistance. Independent and self-sufficient older adults suddenly found Shabbat dinner and light the Shabbat candles. It was an emotional experience. Staring at those flickering lights, the enormity of what we had been through really hit home. I was overwhelmed by a sense of relief and gratitude. I also felt compelled at that moment to say the Shehecheyanu for my parents and best friends who had all recently received their vaccinations. Later, I recited the Birkat HaGomel – a blessing that expresses gratitude for coming through illness (or any trauma) and the miracle of healing and full restoration to life. While I did not recite it in the traditional public format, it was still very meaningful. I love that Judaism has these wonderful blessings and rituals to help us express deep feelings, restore our spiritual energy, and bring us back to wholeness. We are so thankful for the many meals, flowers, calls, emails, cards from our family, friends, and community members. We are also deeply grateful for the many misheberachs, prayers for healing and recovery offered on our behalf. A Federation board member recently reminded me that by allowing others to help you during a difficult time, you are actu- ally enabling them to do a mitzvah. It turns out that accepting help when you need it is really a win-win for everyone. May we all keep that in mind for the future!

Dara Kaufman is the executive director of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires

Paid advertisements do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Jewish Federation of the Let’s also write the next chapter. Berkshires or its members.

Thank you volunteers Ellen Rosenblatt and the BJV delivery team, Mitch Greenwald and Roman Rozenblyum.

To create your Jewish legacy contact: Dara Kaufman [email protected], (413) 442-4360, ext. 12 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Berkshire Jewish Voice welcomes signed letters on subjects of interest to the Jewish community. Letters are printed upon space availability. The BJV reserves the right to edit all letters for content, length, and style. The BJV does not print anonymous letters, insults, libelous or defamatory statements. Published letters do not represent the views of the Federation, its board of directors, or the newspaper, but rather express the views of their authors. For verification purposes, please in- clude full name, home address, and a day and evening telephone number. Send letters to: Berkshire Jewish Voice, 196 South Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201, or email: [email protected]. Nisan/Iyar 5781 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 3 Rabbi Reflection Helping Each Other, Cultivating Trust for the Better Days that are Coming By Rabbi Rachel Barenblat

Pesach is the season of our liberation, the story at the core of our peoplehood. We were The Piaceczyner taught that God is like a human being caught in the crushing straits of The Narrow Place who cries out to a friend, “help me carry this burden?” (Mitzrayim) and God freed us with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. We went forth from The burden that God wants help in carrying is our slavery into freedom with a mixed multitude, a perennial reminder that liberation is not for us human suffering… alone but for everyone. Pesach is my favorite story and my favorite holiday, and I’m not alone in that. Studies have in a time like that (a time like this!), we can cultivate trust that God can help us shown that Pesach is the holiday most celebrated turn even the most difficult of circumstances into blessings. (Aish Kodesh on by American Jews. Across and beyond the denomi- M’tzora, 1940) nations, across and beyond the spiritual spectrum, We never know, when something difficult is happening, what blessing we might the Passover Seder is the practice we collectively be able to find in it later when we look back on it. My reading of the Piaceczyner hold most dear. We gather with our loved ones, tells me that we have two tasks in this time: to reach out to each other and retell our central story, sing and laugh, and feast. help each other carry the burdens of this time, and to cultivate trust that better Well – that’s what we used to do. Last year wasn’t like that, thanks to the start days are coming. Spring is coming. Fresh air is coming. Sunlight is coming. of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year won’t be like that, either. We’re not yet out Vaccinations are coming. The mixed multitude of the whole world will emerge of the narrow straits of global pandemic. Once again we’ll celebrate Pesach on from these narrow straits, and we will rejoice with song and dancing on the other Zoom, from home. side of this sea. What does it mean to approach the season of our liberation when many of us May the Pesach season help us cultivate hope for the better days that are are feeling that we are stuck in the narrow straits of a global pandemic causing coming – and may we support each other from afar in all the ways we can, until unthinkable amounts of death and suffering – as well as political tensions, the day comes when we can embrace in person again. heightened awareness of racism (for white folks like me; people of color were already quite aware), mistrust and misinformation? Rabbi Rachel Barenblat is the spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Israel in North I don’t have an easy answer. But I know we’re not the first generation to expe- Adams, and founding builder of Bayit: Building Jewish (yourbayit.org). rience Pesach during a time of unrest, or suffering, or pandemic, or fear. So I turned to one of my textual teachers for insight. The rabbi of the Warsaw Ghetto, R. Kalman Kalonymus Shapira (also known as the “Aish Kodesh” and as the “Piaceczyner”) lived in a time of tremendous constriction and privation. Shortly before the Jews of Warsaw were rounded up and taken away, he buried his Torah teachings in a milk can. They were found by a construction worker after the war, and subsequently published. The Piaceczyner taught that God is like a human being who cries out to a friend, “help me carry this burden?” The burden that God wants help in carrying is our human suffering, which God feels-with-us. Even God takes comfort, when bearing a burden, in not having to carry it alone. (Aish Kodesh on Vayikra, 1940) Even when we are apart physically, we can reach out to one another. When we connect – even via phone or text or Zoom – we lighten one another’s burdens. R. Shapira also taught that sometimes, our greatest spiritual practice is waiting. Waiting helps us cultivate faith that good things will come. Even in a difficult time, he writes, “when there is no school for our children, no synagogue in which to pray in community with a minyan, no mikvah (ritual bath)” – even

Berkshire

JA ewishpublicationA publication ofof the the Jewish Jewish Federation Federation of the Berkshires, of the serving Berkshires,V the Berkshires serving and surrounding the ice Berkshires NY, CT and VT and surrounding NY, CT and VT The color photography in this issue of the Berkshire Jewish Voice is made possible through the generosity of Anonymous, honorary publisher. The staff of the Federation and the BJV are deeply grateful. Welcome to the Berkshires!

a a To new members of our Berkshire Jewish community. Create a Jewish Legacy Campaign Please remember the Jewish Community in your will. Berkshire

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

Published nine times a year by the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires Dara Kaufman: Publisher and Managing Editor Anonymous: Honorary Publisher Albert Stern: Editor Rose Tannenbaum: Graphic Design and Layout Jenny Greenfeld: Advertising Sales Representative and Assistant Editor

Editorial opinions expressed in the Berkshire Jewish Voice are those of the newspaper and not those of any individual. Signed editorials do not represent the view of the newspaper, but rather express the writer’s view. The Berkshire Jewish Voice is under no obligation to accept any advertisement. It does not guarantee the kashrut of any merchandise or service advertised. To have the BJV mailed to your home, please send a minimum donation of $18 Next issue publication date: May 3-June 13, 2021 Press deadline: March 23, 2021 • Advertising deadline: April 14, 2021 Berkshire Jewish Voice e-mail: [email protected] Phone: (413) 442-4360, ext. 11 Fax (413) 443-6070 Page 4 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org March 15 to May 2, 2021 Your Federation Presents

YOM HASHOAH, continued from page 1 Bananas on the Seder Plate? This inspiring diary – with letter. It should find a place on illustrations by the author, the bookshelf of every home, With a unique new Hagadah, ethnobotanist Jon Greenberg who was also a sketch artist be taught in every school, shares forgotten Pesach lore – brilliantly illuminates made into a movie, and feted Nansen’s daily struggle, not for what it says about man’s On Monday, March 15, only to survive but to preserve capacity for humanity in the from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m., ethno- his sanity and maintain face of satanic loathsomeness. botanist Dr. Jon Greenberg his humanity. After having Mr. Nansen’s decency and will share some of the fasci- been out of print for over 60 courage in the most vicious of nating research that went years, the diary was rescued circumstances shines through into creating a new Passover from oblivion by Timothy on every page; he personifies Hagadah in a talk titled, Boyce after he discovered it the civilization for which the “Bananas on the Seder Plate, when reading the memoir of Allies fought.” the Spanish Pesach Bunny, another Holocaust survivor, Through selected readings, and Pomegranates From the whose life, as a 10-year-old Boyce will explain who Nansen Sea: Seder Gems from Fruits boy, was saved by Nansen was, why he was arrested, of Freedom, the Torah Flora while both were prisoners in why he wrote the diary, how Hagadah.” Sachsenhausen. he preserved it, and why this This Jewish Federation of According to historian diary is as important today as the Berkshires program will Andrew Roberts, author of The it was when first written. be presented via Zoom. Please Storm of War: A New History of Timothy Boyce practiced visit our calendar of events at the Second World War: law for many years, most jewishberkshires.org for a link “This is one of the most recently serving as the to this program. searing contemporaneous managing partner of the Much of the Pesach Seder accounts of the Holocaust, but Charlotte, NC office of Dechert is rooted in the history of also one of the best written of LLP, a global law firm with Jewish food and agriculture. the great documents of World offices in 13 countries. He Dr. Greenberg will present War II. It is a profound indict- holds an MBA from The some of this forgotten Pesach ment of evil, a daily diary of Wharton School of Finance, lore that he recovered during torment and torture, yet also and a JD from the University of his research for this unique somehow a deeply moving love Pennsylvania Law School. and important new Hagadah, Fruits of Freedom: Ancient Seder Insights from Nature, Food, and Farming. Learn “Acts of Assumption” – about the German rabbi who reversed the meaning A Talk with Novelist of maror by replacing it with vermouth herbs; Rabbi Hillel’s Seder burrito; how ancient S.W. Leicher rabbis used botany, physics, On Monday, April 12, from and sophisticated culinary his bachelor’s degree with Dr. Greenberg was senior 6:45 to 7:45 p.m, first-time techniques to explain the honors in biology from Brown editor of science textbooks novelist S.W. Leicher discusses Paschal lamb barbecue; and University and his master’s at Prentice Hall Publishing Acts of Assumption, her book how the potential conflicts and a doctorate in agronomy Co. Previously on the faculty about the unlikely love affair between Torah and science from Cornell University. He of Yeshivas Ohr Yosef, the between a young Haredi math- over leaning left at the Seder has also studied with Rabbi School of Education at Indiana ematician and a Latinx healer and baking matzah in the Chaim Brovender at Israel’s University, and the University in New York City. Southern Hemisphere have Yeshivat Hamivtar and of Phoenix, he has taught This Jewish Federation of been resolved. researched corn, alfalfa, and at the Heschel School since the Berkshires program will Dr. Jon Greenberg is one soybeans at Cornell, the US 2008. He is a frequent speaker be presented via Zoom. Please of the very few living biblical Department of Agriculture, at synagogues, schools, and visit our calendar of events at and Talmudic ethnobota- and the University of botanical gardens. jewishberkshires.org for a link nists. He is often consulted by Pennsylvania’s Institute for Dr. Greenberg is the author to this program. rabbis and other scholars for Cancer Research. Since 1989, of TorahFlora.org and can be S.W. Leicher writes that she his broad knowledge of this he has been a science teacher contacted at jon@torahflora. didn’t set out to write a book area. Dr. Greenberg received and educational consultant. org. about a love affair between a fiercely self-reliant, mathe- matically-gifted young Haredi “What is My Civic Responsibility?” – with woman and a street-smart, ambitious, and hopelessly- inexorably into a novel about Dr. Dan Prinzing of the Wassmuth Center attractive Latina healer. what happens when a pair of She wanted to write a short headstrong women from two tale about an Orthodox boy for Human Rights very different – but equally grappling with a very strange marginalized – communi- On Monday, March 22, disorder. Within a few pages, ties decide to dismantle from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m, join however, the boy’s older sister the assumptions that have Dr. Dan Prinzing, the execu- developed such a compel- dictated their lives. About the tive director of the Wassmuth ling voice that the work went book, SJ Rozan, award- Center for Human Rights, galloping off in new directions, winning author of Ghost Hero, builder and home of the Idaho writes: “The people and worlds Anne Frank Human Rights in Acts of Assumption are Memorial. He’ll be talking singular and universal at once, about the Center’s efforts to and vividly drawn. Leicher is a cultivate ideas about civic novelist to watch.” responsibility. S.W. Leicher grew up in This Jewish Federation of the Bronx in a bi-cultural the Berkshires program will (Latina and Jewish) home. be presented via Zoom. Please She moved out of New York to visit our calendar of events at The Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial pursue a master’s degree in jewishberkshires.org for a link public policy and then came to this program. Wassmuth Center for Human dignity and diversity through right back again to raise her “What is my civic respon- Rights is charged with taking education and to foster indi- family on the Upper West Side, sibility?” The messaging of the Memorial’s message into vidual responsibility to work where she still lives with her the Idaho Anne Frank Human businesses, classrooms, and for peace and justice.” As a husband and two black cats. Rights Memorial challenges communities – and in the career educator, his work has For the past 40 years, she has each visitor to examine his/ process, to ask the questions taken him from the class- S.W. Leicher conducted policy research her/their role in the commu- that prompt a conversation room to state government to and produced reports and nity. “Am I a bystander or about our shared humanity. countries around the globe and there was nothing Leicher marketing materials for a upstander when I hear or As etched in the Memorial’s as a teacher, coordinator, and could do but follow. range of non-profits, federa- witness injustice?” “Am I stone, the wisdom of trainer in human rights educa- The author will share the tions, government agencies, willing to commit to the core Confucius – “What you do not tion. Dr. Prinzing holds a BA in story of how a momentary and foundations. principles of diversity, inclu- want done to yourself, do not History Secondary Education, flash of inspiration morphed sion, ethics, respect, and do to others.” an MA in Curriculum and civility?” Dr. Dan Prinzing writes Instruction, an MA in History As a comprehensive human that the Center’s mission is and Government, and a Ph.D. rights education center, the “to promote respect for human in Educational Leadership. Nisan/Iyar 5781 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 5 Your Federation Presents

The World Before Your Feet Voices of the Generations Cross-country sojourner Matt Green Yom HaShoah program will focus on preserving and sharing on his efforts to traverse every block in the memories of Holocaust survivors New York City On Monday, April 5 I am the daughter of Walter at 6:45 p.m., the Jewish and Hanna Kohner both born Federation of the Berkshires in Teplitz Schonau, Czechoslo- welcomes Julie Kohner, the vakia. My mother survived four daughter of a Holocaust concentration camps during the survivor and founder of Holocaust. They reunited after the Holocaust educational the war, married, and moved to program, “Voices of the California. Together, they wrote Generations.” She’ll talk their story in Hanna and Walter, about her work to preserve A Love Story. Using the book, the stories of survivors and share a video of her mother’s artifacts, and an episode of This groundbreaking 1953 appear- Is Your Life (in which my mother ance on the television show was the first Holocaust survivor This Is Your Life. to share her story on national Julie Kohner This Jewish Federation of television), this presentation the Berkshires program will brings to life the story of Voices Julie Kohner has been a be presented via Zoom. Please of the Generations. Jewish educator for over 30 visit our calendar of events at I have struggled with the years, with a master’s degree jewishberkshires.org for a link questions of who will bear in educational counseling. Af- Matt Green walks along the West Side Highway in New York to this program. witness to the atrocities of the ter Julie’s mother passed away Voices of the Generations, Holocaust in the future: How in 1990, Julie began to create On Monday, April 19, miles, photographing and Inc., is a non-profit organi- will we teach children and adults educational programs to honor from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m., Matt researching whatever catches zation with a mission to bear about this historical period with- the victims and survivors of Green joins us for “The World his eye as he explores one witness as a second genera- out the immediacy of personal the Holocaust. Her goal was to Before Your Feet,” a look at neighborhood after another. tion. Writes Kohner: experience? How will we explain teach the Holocaust as seen his bipedal adventures as a Matt will share photos, through her mother’s eyes. In as little as ten years, there the enormity of the number of long-distance walker who has videos, and stories from his She has presented Voices of may no longer be a Holocaust six million and deal with the crossed the United States and adventures, along with some the Generations for the past survivor to share their stories in difficulties in the world in which is now in the midst of an effort of the lessons he learned while 26 years and has traveled person. As a way of remember- we live? to walk every block in New walking. His tales of unex- ing, it is important not to forget extensively throughout Europe York City. pected kindness and shared I developed Voices of the to many of the places her par- how the human race has allowed Generations to do this through This Jewish Federation of humanity offer an uplifting injustice and deprivation to ents described in their book. the story of one woman, my Kohner conducted inter- the Berkshires program will antidote to the political and target specific ethnic or religious be presented via Zoom. Please cultural polarization that mother, one family, my own, views with survivors whose peoples. If we look back into visit our calendar of events at seems so prevalent in America bringing this unfathomable experiences paralleled her our own past, it is possible to jewishberkshires.org for a link today. Tune in and enjoy history to students and adults in mother’s story of survival. As to this program. a reminder of all the small find that such discrimination has a more personal story of a family a result, Julie has become her Matt Green is a former wonders that surround us at come into our lives or the lives of not unlike their own, and thus parents’ voice and of the survi- civil engineer who quit his job every moment, just waiting for our families. perhaps helping them under- vors who shared her parents’ in 2010 to walk across the us to take the time to notice stand the atrocities and loss. story for future generations. United States, pushing his them. Because, as come- gear in a handmade cart and dian Steven Wright observed, For further information on knocking on strangers’ doors “Everywhere is within walking all Jewish Federation of the asking for places to camp. distance if you have the time.” “The Business & Politics Of Since 2012, he has been Matt was the subject of the Berkshires programs, please walking every block of every recent documentary The World call Nancy Maurice Rogers, street in the five boroughs of Before Your Feet, available Sports,” with Evan Weiner New York City, a kaleidoscopic on Amazon Prime and other Program Director, On Thursday, April 29 journey of more than 9,000 streaming sites. at (413) 442-4360, ext.15. at 6:45 p.m., the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires welcomes radio journalist and newspaper columnist Evan Weiner who will share insights about “The Business & Politics of Sports.” This Jewish Federation of the Berkshires program will be presented via Zoom. Please visit our calendar of events at jewishberkshires.org for a link to this program. Writes Weiner: “To have a successful big-time sports operation in the United States, you need three components or a ‘three-legged stool’: Government support (as in building stadiums and arenas and creating cable TV), a large cable TV contract, and for several newspapers big-time corporate support. throughout the US. He did Those three are essen- a daily commentary called tial, followed by marketing “The Business of Sports” for partners. Westwood One Radio between “Fans are not considered 1999 and 2006. He has anymore. They can watch written six books about the games on TV. A commissioner business and politics of sports. works for the owners, not the Weiner also lectures at fans or players. A commis- colleges and universities about On Sunday, March 21 at Shira Kline, Ellen Allard, Rick the highlights of the Exodus – sioner is a political lobbyist. It the business and politics of 5 p.m., PJ Library, Federation Recht, Joanie Leeds, and from slavery to freedom. is a business. Nothing more, sports, including the global- Families, and friends are Elana Jagoda. Please visit the Jewish nothing less.” ization of North American invited to join the JKids Radio During this highly- Federation of the Berkshires A radio journalist from sports and how technology is All Star Musical Passover interactive Seder experience, calendar for Zoom sign up at the age of 15, Evan Weiner changing sports. His book, The Seder, with an unbelievable participants will sing tradi- jewishberkshires.org. After won two Associated Press Business and Politics of Sports, online lineup of the very top tional and contemporary registering, you will receive a Awards in 1978 and 1979. has been critically acclaimed artists in Jewish kids’ music. songs, and tell the Passover confirmation email with infor- In the 1980s, he started by academic journals and is in Performers include Nefesh story, as well as exploring the mation about joining the event his long association with sports business management Mountain, Rabbi Josh foods on the Seder plate, the online. Westwood One Radio. Weiner courses at schools throughout Warshawsky, Eliana Light, blessings, the questions, and was a contributing columnist the United States. Page 6 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org March 15 to May 2, 2021 Your Federation Presents

Purim Bags Delivered Across the Berkshires Thank you to all of the volunteers who baked, packed, decorated bags, and delivered Purim baskets to hundreds of local seniors who are homebound, in senior facilities, or in the hospital. This year, we added a bottle of hand sanitizer to each bag – courtesy of The Consulate General of Israel in New England – along with the hamantaschen and cute drawings from our local PJ Library children. Special thanks to volunteer packers Martin and Alice Jonas (shown bottom left). Sasha and Lev Dresner (left) delivered packages to Devonshire Estates in Lenox, and Shira Nichaman (top row, second from left) brought packages to folks in Great Barrington. Also shown are some happy recipients.

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Discovering a Shared Love of Caramel and Social Justice A Williams College student works with Federation to create Caring Pals outreach to isolated Berkshire seniors Last autumn and winter, the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires helped create Caring Pals, a community outreach program conceived by Williams College junior Regina Fink to connect student volunteers with local seniors living in pandemic isolation. These connections were facilitated by Federation’s Coordinator of Volunteers Susan Frisch Lehrer and our social worker, Jill Goldstein. Here, in Regina’s own words, are some Caring Pals stories.

By Regina Fink / Williams. From learning about Special to the BJV her role in settling refugees, to her dedication to accessi- We’ve all heard variations of bility and equality within her the phrase so many times that temple, to hearing fun stories it has become like a mantra – about her genealogy project, “These unprecedented times I have thoroughly enjoyed have created unprecedented and found hope in my [Caring uncertainty and, especially Pal’s] company.” among already vulnerable In true Jewish- populations, unprecedented grandmother-matchmaker- loneliness.” fashion, Kasey S.’s pal This longing for commu- attempted to set her up with nication is felt across the her grandson. generational divide – students Personally, calling my pal, must adapt to digital college, Ms. S, has been quite joyful. and seniors are no longer able On our first call we realized we to participate in their commu- share both a love of caramel nity activities in person. In and social justice, and I am response, the Jewish value of very excited to learn more tikkun olam prompted Williams about her. College students to do some- I am so grateful to Susan thing unprecedented. and Jill at the Federation, the The obligation to make Williams students, and the the world a better place or to participating seniors who have heal the world feels at times helped make this program daunting or overwhelming, but quickly connected me with filled with the sweetness of right now from me.” a success. Please contact grounding this responsibility volunteer coordinator Susan connection, even virtually. Arguably most importantly, Susan Frisch Lehrer or Jill in what we can do locally, here Frisch Lehrer and social The wonderful Bellamy R. they have been emailing Goldstein if you would like to and now, allows us to take worker Jill Goldstein, who described how she has enjoyed photos of their pets to one get involved! the first step. Small acts of both harbor a wealth of knowl- calling her pal, Ms. P, every another, extending their inter- compassion and connection edge and experience about week: generational connection across Regina Fink is a Williams can together be the healing connecting with older adults. “Neither of us are doing species. College junior majoring in we need in the world and in I called Susan to discuss our anything particularly exciting Megan S., a Fulbright Environmental Studies and ourselves. hopes for a cross-generational right now, but it’s nice to Scholar and Williams grad Spanish. Feeling the pandemic-in- connection between Williams just chat about what shows says she feels very fortunate to For more information on duced need for connection College and the Federation, we’re watching on television have been paired with her pal, Caring Pals, please contact myself – and knowing how and soon the Caring Pals or what music we’re listening Mrs. K. Federation’s Coordinator much it must be magnified for program was born! to. She has shared a lot of “She has led an incredibly of Volunteers Susan Frisch older adults without access to After matching twelve great stories with me and inspiring life, working to uplift Lehrer at slehrer@jewishberk- technology – I reached out to Williams students with she enjoys listening to what and support the Berkshire shires.org or by calling (413) Federation’s Jenny Greenfeld, seniors, Susan and Jill led my life is like as a student at community — a mission that I 442-4360, ext. 14. the mother of my friends (and an orientation and we started Williams. She used to live in also held near and dear to my recent Williams graduates) contacting our Pals soon after. NYC so she enjoys hearing heart during my time on the Emma and Jacob Lezberg. She Our experiences have been about how things are in NYC Community Service Board at

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Every week, same time, Tuesdays, from March 2 to night Passover Seder on Zoom Eric Carle Museum of Picture same place (if you’re staying at April 6 at 7 p.m., Hevreh of Other Study Opportunities that is free and open to the Book Art. Third through home). Contact info@hevreh. Southern Berkshire joins with with Hevreh community. seventh graders are invited to org to be added to the listserv Join Hevreh for a Seder a Zoom Passover magic show and receive login credentials. Christ Trinity Church, an Lunch N Learn Torah Study from your home. Make your with magician, Danny Dubin, Episcopal/Lutheran church On Wednesdays at favorite dishes, pour some and in between, learn how to Shabbat Morning in Sheffield, for an interfaith 11:45 a.m., join Rabbi Hirsch wine, and enjoy an evening make charoset two ways with Experience study of concepts surrounding for ongoing study, about which on Zoom with members of the rabbis. Saturdays at 10 a.m. the Sabbath day. he says: “Our tradition teaches your household. Hevreh’s For more information about Join Hevreh each week Using Sabbath as Resist- that when two (or more) sit Seder is musical, fast-paced, family programs at Hevreh, for a contemplative Shabbat ance by Walter Brueggemann together and discuss words of introspective, and encourages including a Tot Shabbat on morning experience. Pour as the primary study guide, Torah God dwells with them. participation from attendees. April 10, email Jodie Friedman yourself a cup of coffee and log and The Sabbath by Abraham Study is one of the many ways For more information or to at [email protected]. on to enjoy a restful Shabbat Joshua Heschel as a supple- we as a Jewish community RSVP, email [email protected]. morning with a rabbi and ment, participants will explore experience the sacred and the other members. “We hope Sabbath beyond the ideas of spiritual. Join us each week as Ongoing Services Yachad Passover you’ll find oneg in communal simple legal prohibitions and we continue our path of sacred Kabbalat Shabbat On Sunday, March 21 song, prayer, discussion, and discover together Sabbath’s learning. All are welcome, and Fridays at 6 p.m. at 9:30 a.m., join Hevreh study.” Contact info@hevreh. potential to change our culture. make sure to bring a friend!” Join Rabbi Neil Hirsch Religious School families on org to be added to the listserv How do we break our culture’s To get the Zoom link each and Rabbi Jodie Gordon for Zoom for a morning of story- and receive login credentials. addiction with consumption week, email [email protected] a festive Kabbalat Shabbat telling, crafting, and magic. and busyness? The Sabbath and be added to Hevreh’s list- Service over Zoom each week The morning opens with a may just be the answer! serv. Classes are free and open to reflect on the past week How will this work? to all. Purchase the book Sabbath as Resistance from your favorite Creative Beit Midrash Passover and Programs at Temple Anshe independent bookseller and On April 10 and 24, both read the first chapter. Each Saturdays, at 8:30 a.m., Amunim week, Reverend Erik Karas, release your spiritual and along with Rabbi Jodie Gordon intellectual imagination Virtual Second Night Passover Seder Experience and Rabbi Neil Hirsch, will in Hevreh’s Creative Beit facilitate the discussion with Midrash. Together with All are invited to join TAA Book Discussion and Wolfe Cantorial Concert: congregants from Hevreh Rabbi Hirsch, explore Jewish Rabbi Liz Hirsch virtually Joint Program Celebrating with Israel through and Christ Trinity, as well topics through your medium on March 28, at 5 p.m., for Join Rabbi Liz virtually for Music as from Grace Church in of choice-visual art, music, this Passover Seder experi- a book discussion about In the Join Temple Anshe Great Barrington, and St. dance/movement, or written ence. Participants will sing, Land of Israel, by Amos Oz. Amunim for a musical evening Paul’s Episcopal Church in word. Sessions are for sharing share Seder highlights, on two Thursdays, March 18 with Cantor Rachel Slusky Stockbridge. and processing individuals’ and words of blessing. To and 25, at noon. To register: and Cantor Jacob Harris, The study sessions will be creative product through register, go to: tinyurl.com/ tinyurl.com/TAA MarchBook. commemorating and cele- presented via Zoom. To get the nurturing, not critique. TAAPassoverSeder See the related story on page 1 brating 73 years of Israel. Zoom link each week, email Questions? Contact info@ about the Sunday, April 25 This virtual event will be [email protected] and be added hevreh.org to be directed to Other Programs at TAA theatrical presentation by held on Saturday, April 17, to Hevreh’s listserv. Classes Heidi Katz or Larry Frankel. Jewish Meditation actress/playwright TAMIR. following Havdalah at 7 p.m. Join Rabbi Liz virtually for To register, go to: tinyurl.com/ a four-week series on Jewish Jewish Parenting Book Club TAACantorialConcert. ERKSHIRE Meditation. The Zoom class Discussion Temple Anshe Amunim is B will take place at noon on Join Rabbi Liz virtually for a Reform Jewish Congregation OOFING & Wednesdays, March 3, 10, a book discussion, March 18, that promotes engaging R 17, and 24. She will lead a at 8 p.m. sponsored by the and widespread participa- UTTER CO. guided meditation for all ages Harold Grinspoon Foundation. tion in services, education, G and abilities. No prior experi- This month’s book will be cultural and social action 413-298-1029413 298 1029 Forest Dark, by Nicole Krauss. programs. For more infor- www.BGRCo.net ence necessary! The program To register, go to: tinyurl.com/ mation, contact the Temple CEDAR ROOF is free and all are welcome STANDING SEAM METAL to join us. To register for the TAAMarParentingBookClub. 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As my parents planted for me before I was born, so do I plant for those who come after me. – Talmud Thank you to these individuals who through their gift to the Legacy Circle will ensure that the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires thrives long into the future. May your name be a Blessing, and may the example you set inspire others to create their own Jewish Legacy.

Lee & Sydelle Blatt Eiran Gazit Erna Lindner-Gilbert* Mark & Elisa Snowise Betty Braun* Jeffrey Goldwasser & Amy Lindner-Lesser Harold Sparr* Cipora Brown Jonquil Wolfson Helen Maislen* Rita and Sol Toscher Memorial Barbara Cohen Jordan & Laura Green Ellen Masters Fund Mark Cohen* Harold Grinspoon Stuart Masters Lisa Fletcher-Udel Mimi Cohen Ellen Heffan Estelle Miller Edward Udel C. Jeffrey & Judith Cook Ed Jaffe* Robert Newman* Michael & Joan Ury Gerry & Lynn Denmark Elihu Katzman Wendy Robbins Mark & Judy Usow Jonathan & Lara Denmark Marilyn Katzman Ken & Fran Rubenstein Henry* & Beate* Voremberg Sheila K. Donath Dara Kaufman Stella Schecter* Alexandra Warshaw Anonymous (10) Melva Eidelberg Phil* and Rhoda Kaminstein Arlene D. Schiff Florence Wineberg* Ed Abrahams Monroe England, in memory of Howard & Nancy* Kaufman Gary Schiff Rabbi Deborah Zecher & Norman Avnet* Monroe B. & Isabel England Lawrence Klein Stephen & Deborah Schreier Rabbi Dennis Ross Barbara Bashevkin Dr. Armand V. Feigenbaum* Sarah Klein Ellen Schwaitzberg* *Of blessed memory Robert Bashevkin Dr. Donald S. Feigenbaum* Arthur Kriger* Martin Silver Linda J. L. Becker Steven Feiner Fred & Brenda Landes Sylvia Silverberg, in memory of Robert Berend Diana & Stanley Feld Beth Laster-Nathan Jerome Silverberg Shelley Berend Lynn & William* Foggle Andrew S. Levine* Richard A. Simons & Marcie Helene Berke Elaine Friedman Toby H. Levine Greenfield Simons Lawrence Berke Nisan/Iyar 5781 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 9

LOCAL NEWS Seeking Peace Through the Trauma of Shared Loss Williams College students relate their experience of a dialogue between an Israeli and Palestinian who both lost sisters to the ongoing conflict On January 19, Students for Israeli Palestinian Dialogue at Williams College hosted an online conversation with two members of The Parents Circle – Families Forum (PCFF), a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization of families that have lost an immediate family member to the ongoing conflict. In the story below, two Williams students share their experiences of that conversation.

By Sydney Pope and Gaby organizations. Initially, Yigal in Yigal’s life, he soon faced continue where he left off. Arab to action was a visit to Ivanova / Special to the BJV couldn’t fathom what they a dilemma when he turned Arab took a few moments the Buchenwald death camp were doing — sharing his eighteen — the age at which before saying, “My story in Germany. He remembered: In January, our club, family’s most intimate and Israeli law mandates that started January 16, 2007.” “I thought ‘I’m going to learn Students for Israeli Palestinian personal experience with, as citizens enlist in the Israel On that day, an Israeli soldier something good to know how Dialogue at Williams College, he put it, “no offense, but Defense Force. By that time, shot and killed his sister Abir, to kill all the Israelis; but had the incredible honor of complete strangers.” Yigal had formed his viewpoint ten years old, in front of her when I got there...after two hearing the stories of Arab Everyone in our Williams about the injustices of what he school. “It was for no reason, seconds, I start[ed] to cry for Aramin and Yigal Elhanan, College club smiled at that, had come to consider Israel’s or maybe the reason was she the people who lost their lives both members of the Parents but as leaders of the club, it occupation of Palestinian was Palestinian,” he began. for nothing...Two years ago, Circle – Families Forum. The resonated more deeply with us territory; he also recognized Arab’s Zoom camera wasn’t I wanted to kill all of them, organization is a joint Israeli- because we had felt anxious that many of his peers did working, so we only heard his and now I’m crying for them. not possess information voice, which made his story What’s going on with me?’” about what are, in his view, sink in even more deeply. He then remembered what his “segregative policies of urban Despite the proximity and father had said all those years planning, education, culture, shared experiences between ago. language, and everything else.” the two, Yigal had electricity, Many from the audience Although he didn’t want to participate in that perceived injustice, he also realized My blood color and Yigal’s blood color – it’s that to change anything, the same color. And my pain, and his pain he had to be part of Israeli society. “And unfortunately – it’s the same pain. And my tears, and his in Israel, society is...serving tears – it’s just the same. in the military,” he said. “It’s a stamp of citizenship. This — Arab Aramin is how you gain your voice to speak publicly against what you think is wrong because whereas Arab did not. Yet, the were curious how Palestinians otherwise, what do you know?” conditions did not in any way and Israelis might change He joined in the hopes that take away from the power of their ways of thinking and Arab Aramin and Yigal Elhanan he could speak up and “look his message. He is the eldest acting if they have not expe- [his] peers….and friends in of six children, three girls and rienced such loss. Yigal took Palestinian peacebuilding in the weeks leading up to the eyes” as he explained both three boys. Of his sister Abir, a deep breath as he thought network of over 600 bereaved the meeting for that exact his view of the situation and he said: “She was my second about it, and said: “We lost our families and individuals from reason – Arab and Yigal would the power of encountering mother...she was telling me sisters. In order to join this both sides of the conflict who be sharing the details of their the other side when working always how to act good with struggle, this way of thinking have chosen reconciliation most personal and painful towards reconciliation. It came people, but unfortunately, my – this is not what needs to with the other side to pursue loss with us and we were the at a cost, however. second mother — she’s not happen to you. Every day, if a just, sustainable peace. The strangers to their lived reality. A close friend of his, a there anymore.” you open your eyes...to see Parents Circle spreads aware- However, Yigal went on to Palestinian member of the Arab’s grief drove him what is going on here, you will ness and enables dialogue share a story to which no one Parents Circle, said to him toward revenge. He wanted see enough reasons. Every through the power of sharing is a stranger, one in which an before he joined the military: to learn to use a gun in order day that goes by...the death of and open communication. individual’s beliefs come under “Yigal, once you’re going to to “kill all the Israelis” for our sisters is something that Noticeable from the onset attack when confronted with put on the uniform, I will stop what they had done, and he we feel in our bodies. So does of the meeting was Arab and a new perspective, resulting speaking to you until you take soon discovered his weapon being humiliated by policemen Yigal’s relationship and history in a gradual but powerful it off.” Those words offended of choice: the stones on the if you’re a Palestinian child. So together. They seemed not just transformation. In Yigal’s case, him deeply at the moment, streets. He threw them at it is if you hear about a friend colleagues but close friends, the catalyst was a statistic — and he carried them closely the checkpoints, not far from dying in the army as a soldier. and when deciding who would a number. At 14, he began throughout his service. At where he lives. These things are very, very start, Arab said to Yigal, “You questioning what happened the end of one workday in During that time, his close to us, for everybody, and first. You are the big brother.” before his sister’s death, so the army, he got on a bus father’s Israeli friends would once you know how to focus Yigal, 28, born in West he researched and discovered your gaze to those specific Jerusalem, might have grown that between 1996 and 1999, points, it’s very easy from up in the same munici- I think anger is a positive emotion to lead to 120 Palestinians and 100 there.” pality as Arab, 27, from East Israelis lost their lives to the In a follow-up question Jerusalem, but he empha- action. And if that action is standing conflict. “That number shook about what has helped them sized that their lives couldn’t me to my core,” he remem- directly in resistance towards injustice, the most in releasing their have been more different. Yigal bered, “because it meant anger and fear, Yigal explained explained that until the age use that anger. Cherish it. Own it. that Smadar’s death was not that joining a struggle against of five, “there was no reason as singular and unique and injustice doesn’t guarantee for me as a Jew who grew up — Yigal Elhanan specific as I thought.” Two that a person will ever make in Jerusalem to even think hundred twenty families, on and made eye contact with a come to his house to support peace with those feelings. He, about Palestinians.” For him, both sides, were torn apart by Palestinian boy. “He looked at the family. Like Yigal, he for one, has not released them. they were “a people without similar trauma. me the only way he possibly resisted these efforts from his “I think anger is a positive an identity and history.” Two Led by his shock and deep- can, under the current power parents, calling his father, emotion to lead to action,” days before his fifth birthday, ened curiosity, he decided imbalance between the Jordan in particular, a traitor. After he said. “And if that action is this narrative would change. to join the larger family that River and the sea,” said confronting him one day standing directly in resistance His sister Smadar, 14, was both he and Arab Aramin Yigal. “He looked at me as about what he believed was towards injustice, use that walking from school with belonged to – “the family of his oppressor, as his occu- the greatest betrayal of Abir anger. Cherish it. Own it.” three other girls when three the bereaved.” Yigal spoke pier, as a soldier standing at and her memory, his father Arab, on the other hand, Palestinians from nearby of this period as a process the checkpoint who held his said: “You’re right. One Israeli said he started to lose his fear houses and a refugee camp where, despite not knowing his mother for a few hours, or a soldier shot and killed your and anger towards Israelis as detonated a suicide bomb. aim, he was willing to listen soldier who entered his house, sister, but there were more he was learning Hebrew. He Smadar was killed instantly to others and open his heart or just as the representative than 100 Israeli people that wanted to talk to them and from the shrapnel. and mind. He took part in the of the administration that [were] next to me in the understand their lives better. Yigal asked everyone in the youth activities at the summer doesn’t fix his electricity.” hospital for three days...don’t In doing so, he realized that it meeting “to imagine as best as camp that the Parents Circle Though a brief and innoc- let the hate and the revenge wasn’t only the Palestinians you can a body that was, all of holds every year for bereaved uous encounter, it impelled control your life...He was who were losing loved ones; a sudden, missing an essen- children, and eventually him to leave the army and join telling me all the time that that they were united with tial organ or limb, something became a counselor. It was several groups aligned with his I have to make peace with Israelis in this sense of loss. that you will always feel as where Yigal met the “other anti-occupation, pro-justice myself. Then, I can make Arab said he began to see “a absent that will never grow side,” and learned their beliefs. At around that time, peace with others.” This human being like me” once back.” His sister represented stories and about their loss. he began speaking to different conversation with his father he grew to know and accept that unfillable void, and while “Palestinians were no longer international communities stuck with him for seven years Israelis’ stories, faces, and he felt he had no direction, faceless,” he said. “They were “with [his] brother,” Arab. as he grappled with thoughts names. “My blood color and his parents eventually opted no longer story-less.” At that point in the of how to make peace with Yigal’s blood color — it’s the to engage with the Parents Though these experiences retelling of his story to us, himself. DIALOGUE, Circle and similar grassroots marked a pivotal turning point Yigal motioned to Arab to What ultimately stirred continued on page 10 Page 10 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org March 15 to May 2, 2021 LOCAL NEWS

DIALOGUE, continued from page 9 Anti-Israel Group at Tufts University Drops same color,” said Arab. “And After a year wrought with my pain, and his pain — it’s ongoing crises and conflict, Complaint Targeting Jewish Student the same pain. And my tears, what Arab and Yigal shared and his tears — it’s just the was a strong cause for hope. MEDFORD – (JNS) The anti- marginalized; slandered in the confirmed to JNS that same.” Their words carried a tangible Israel group Students for student newspaper; interro- the complaint has been The difficulty, Arab power and a window into the Justice in Palestine has gated as to whether he is fit to withdrawn. explained, is that there are potential of human connect- withdrawn its impeachment hold office; muted for an entire “We respect the TCU two faces for every story, and edness, despite every existing complaint against a Jewish student government Zoom Senate’s independence each side genuinely believes force that could dismantle it. student government member meeting that he was elected regarding the conduct of its they know one another when at Tufts University. to participate in; and attacked business according to its poli- many only know their part of Sydney Pope is a junior from Max Price, the Jewish with age-old anti-Semitic cies and procedures. We take the story. He has since decided New Mexico, majoring in Arabic Community Union Judiciary tropes about money and power. very seriously any concerns to choose the difficult path Studies and Psychology. Gaby (TCUJ) member, was informed Earlier this month, the raised by students— regard- towards peace – to talk to Ivanova is a sophomore from on March 1 that the complaint Brandeis Center demanded less of their backgrounds people, hear them out, and try Bulgaria, majoring in History filed by the SJP that sought to that Tufts president Anthony and perspectives—of bias, to see both sides to every story. and Political Science. Students have him removed from office Monaco halt the disciplinary safety, privacy and intimida- The final question was for Israeli Palestinian Dialogue for expressing Jewish iden- hearing and end the harass- tion, whether by organizations directed at what we can do started at Williams College in tity was withdrawn and the ment and discrimination affiliated or unaffiliated with as a club, advocates, or as 2018 to create open dialogue, hearing canceled. that has infringed on Price’s Tufts.” individuals wanting to learn education, and compassion The hearing represented freedom of speech, denied him According to reporting in more. Arab’s response was a within the community about a continuation of a months- due process and deprived him The Tufts Daily student news- powerful close to the dialogue. the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. long campaign of intimidation, of equal opportunity and equal paper: “TCU Parliamentarian “If you’re going to support It facilitates discussions by harassment and discrimina- access to university programs Taylor Lewis, who had been Israel or support Palestine, inviting speakers to campus, tion targeting Price on the in violation of Title VI of the organizing the hearing, you’re not going to help us,” workshops, and training for basis of his Jewish identity, Civil Rights Act of 1964 and explained that the complain- he said. “Please, support students to engage thoughtfully according to the Louis D. Tufts University’s stated insti- ants’ decision came after their justice. For two nations. That’s and respectfully over this Brandeis Center for Human tutional policies. names were shared with the the only way how you can help charged topic. Rights Under the Law (LDB), Price said that while he members of the Judiciary us, and I’m going to finish it the group representing Price. welcomed the decision by SJP against whom they had filed with Martin Luther King, [who] Please turn to page 21 for a After Price attempted to to end its months-long harass- their complaint, citing privacy said, ‘Tomorrow, we will not review of Colum McCann’s point out baseless lies in SJP’s ment campaign, he said it and security concerns...The remember the words of our award-winning novel proposed “Deadly Exchange” does not “absolve” the anti- four students in SJP originally enemies but we will remember Apeirogon, which retells the referendum condemning U.S. Israel group of its behavior. submitted their complaint the silence of our friends.’ And stories of the Aramin and police delegations to Israel, he Similarly, he expressed disap- anonymously, but Lewis and I’m asking you guys, please Elhanan families. was harassed, targeted and pointment that the university members of the Tufts admin- don’t keep silent.” did not intervene on his istration determined it was behalf. necessary to share their identi- “I am disappointed that ties with the respondents prior Berkshire university administrators to the hearing… Lewis added failed to intervene and have that although SJP withdrew its not yet reached out to me to complaint, it is exploring other address my concerns. Unless means of pushing forward JewishA publication of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, serving V the Berkshires and surrounding ice NY, CT and VT Tufts introduces sweeping with its allegation.” reforms to combat anti- Alyza Lewin, president of Semitism, this will happen to the Brandeis Center, echoed Thank you to our supporters! somebody else.” Price’s sentiment and called The Berkshire Jewish Voice extends a very special “thank you” for the Patrick Collins, a spokes- on the university to take more generosity extended by those who have sent in their contributions for person for Tufts University, TUFTS, continued on page 18 voluntary subscriptions to the paper. There are 46 names for the year 2021 Anita Behn Tony Hollenberg and Judy Levenfeld Stephen Feingold Richard Reiss and Paula Kaplan-Reiss Linda Geffin Bob and Lee Saltz Diana and Andy Geller

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LOCAL NEWS

LAND OF ISRAEL, continued from page 1 co-sponsored by Hevreh of work that actually expresses that’s wonderful. And if you and ask me for my opinion. I and see the disparity and the Southern Berkshire, Knesset who you are or how you say ‘yes,’ then I will proceed. said, ‘What? Me? You’re the connectedness behind them, Israel, Temple Anshe Amunim, would like to leave a mark in “And he [responded]: ‘Okay, writer.’ And then he said, and the disharmony in their and the Jewish Federation theater.” TAMIR says she was I’m coming to New York, and ‘No, you’re a very good writer, visions of Israel. of the Berkshires. Additional intrigued by a fellow student I would like you to show it to and I absolutely trust you “But now it’s become a support was provided by the who used correspondence me.’” She proposed that he completely. And that as a historical piece, though it’s Harold Grinspoon Foundation. left by her great-grandmother attend a live performance but matter of fact, I want you to contemporary in the sense Visit Federation’s Calendar that described her life as a told him, “You know for you to take all of my books and write that people are still killing of Events at jewishfederation. pioneer to create a one-person be sitting alone in the audi- another play based on women each other. People are still org for information about this performance that was both ence, I would have a heart in my books.’” TAMIR went vying for what piece of land event, or the Knesset Israel theatrical and educational. attack. Can I bury you in an on to develop a second show belongs to me, what piece website at knessetisrael.org. While wondering how to audience?” He said yes, so adapted from Oz’s work titled of land is my ancestry, my Please Note: At press time, move forward with a show like long as the audience didn’t I Belong Elsewhere, in which heritage, my agricultural details about registration had that of her own, TAMIR was know he was there. she portrayed eleven of the connection to it, my archae- not yet been finalized. urged by a friend to read In the “That was going to be a author’s female characters. ological connection to it, my Land of Israel. After reading little hard because all of them The characters in In the religious/spiritual connec- Book Discussion with Rabbi just a few pages, TAMIR says were Israelis. So we warned Land of Israel include a tion to it – there is still that Liz Hirsch she knew she had to “adapt everybody – ‘don’t know woman from the ultra- constant fight that goes on. In advance of TAMIR’s this to a one-woman play him!’” TAMIR says that at the Orthodox Meah Shearim I feel that though it’s not a performance, Rabbi Liz Hirsch because it spoke to me like performance, the audience neighborhood of Jerusalem, contemporary story in terms of Temple Anshe Amunim will nothing I’d ever read before. As (unsuccessfully) took pains to an older pioneer on a moshav, of what the characters are lead two online book discus- an Israeli living in the United pretend they didn’t recognize a French Catholic nun, a specifically talking about, the sions that will delve into In the States, yet somehow never Oz and Oz, in turn, pretended Palestinian pharmacist, and meta-story is totally of the Land of Israel. These online really honoring that part of they weren’t looking at him, a right-wing extremist. Her now – sadly – because war programs begin at noon on myself, I felt that the book was “but since nobody was asking upbringing in Israel, she says, is still with us. It remains a March 18 and March 25, both a way of weaving the separate him questions, he was happy.” enabled her “to immerse in the piece of literature that allows Thursdays. cells of my history, of myself, Oz was happy with the perfor- characters, and they were able us to examine ourselves. And Register for this book together.” mance, as well – from onstage, to immerse in me. It’s kind of in that universal and esoteric discussion at tinyurl.com/ Even in its early stages, she says she could hear him an intuitive recognition of who aspect of it, it’s a book that TAAMarchBook. TAMIR could tell the work laughing. At the end of the they are and what they want.” will always be timely. would have an impact – she evening, TAMIR had received And, she says, she also has “And besides which, Amos About TAMIR recalls that her fellow acting Oz’s blessing to proceed with a deep understanding of Oz Oz is a fantastic writer, and I students started taking notes her adaptation. and his work – she grew up love him.” When TAMIR first read as she performed. To direct, TAMIR started to work in the same Jerusalem milieu In the Land of Israel in the she enlisted fellow Israeli with the same agent as Oz, that he writes about and even In the Land of Israel 1980s, the Jerusalem native Avishay Greenfield-Caspi who began booking them attended the same schools. By Amos Oz (who studied modern dance and, with input from Wynn together at book festivals Though events and issues A one-woman show with Martha Graham both Handman, the two developed and other venues – TAMIR captured in In the Land of Adapted and performed in Israel and in the US) was the piece. But there was one would perform, and then Oz Israel occurred nearly 40 years taking acting classes at the by TAMIR hurdle TAMIR had to cross. would follow with a talk about ago, TAMIR says that both Directed by Avishay American Place Theater in “I wrote a letter to Amos his work. They developed a the book and her play offer “a New York City. She recalls Greenfield-Caspi Oz,” she recounts, “and said friendship and a rapport that wonderful opportunity to see Music by Adi Rennert that Wynn Handman, its this is what I’ve done, and I TAMIR describes as “very, all the different perspectives artistic director, urged his would like to take it out to the very, very remarkable. He was at the same time, to be able to students to put aside scene public. And if you say ‘no,’ working on various books, go from one chapter to another study and “see if you can find that makes it an exercise – so and he would read them to me or one character to another

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LOCAL NEWS

Meanwhile, Back at the Farm… she says, who know how to farm is going to be there the use social media, build an next time things get tough How the Berkshires’ local farm and food communities are engaging website, and have unless they can support them- faring – and ways our community can help them thrive a strong email list have an selves between now and then.” easier time. Palumbo, by the way, urged By Elisa Spungen Bildner / Special to the BJV John Primmer jokes that consumers to support small Photographs by Robert Bildner “for a couple of older folks” Berkshire farms long before who are not “techie people,” the pandemic as a way to keep As Jews, we’re known COVID, he says, is a lot like Grown sponsors winter he and his wife managed to people fed if climate change as The People of the Book, dealing with the weather, markets). Many farms have use the Internet for online makes it difficult to obtain but, let’s face it, we’re also perhaps a bit more extreme. also increased the number ordering, adapted to curb- agricultural products from The People Who Love to Eat. ”You’re always making of Community Supported side pickup at the farmers elsewhere. Indeed, as one of our Books changes. We had a lot of prac- Agriculture (CSA) shares they market, and when they could Like farmers Palumbo and says, in this case the Talmud, tice we didn’t realize.” offer. open for in-person business, Primmer, Michael Gallagher, “there can be no joy without And that practice clearly Farms may be surviving, adopted safety protocols. owner of Square Roots Farm in food or drink.” paid off. Moulton says that but the challenges they face Plus, they landed a grant to Lanesboro with his wife Ashley And in the Berkshires, as of January, she had not should not be underestimated. purchase software for their Amsden, has been inundated. we Jews are blessed with a heard of any farms that closed “I really feel for farmers,” says online CSA ordering, which “We’ve sold all we produced plethora of small family farms “in our membership area” Moulton. “They do all their they plan to continue this and more,” he says, adding and farm to table restaurants and instead has watched the business planning, care for spring. Both in their 60s, the that they planned to open a that work mightily to supply farming community “make it everything, then come in at Primmers decided to forego farm store, but found that they us with good — local — food past those rocky shoals” by the end of the day, and update inside markets. ”Why take the didn’t have enough of their that brings us that joy. But it switching to selling online, their ecommerce. That wasn’t chance,” John asks. products left. When I caught hasn’t been easy for farmers home delivery, creating safe what they bargained for when They’ve been gratified Gallagher on his phone, he and restaurateurs this year, environments for customer they went into farming.” by the customer response. was driving between PIttsfield and just how hard it’s been is pick-up, opening farm stores, One of the most common “People wanted to support and Great Barrington making the subject of this article. and embracing farmers requests for help Berkshire their local farmer,” he says. wholesale as well as home Restaurants have been markets they might not have Grown receives is for technical deliveries, which he started the hardest hit, and so have relied on previously (Berkshire assistance. Those farmers, Sustaining Public Support during the pandemic. farmers who relied heavily Certainly the pandemic Another pandemic hurdle on supplying them. But for alerted consumers that Gallagher cites is the difficulty all farmers, whether they relying on food shipped from of finding child care and safely sold directly to consumers or California and elsewhere bringing on new employees wholesale, “everyone had to could be precarious. But during this time, which other reassess their markets,” says post-pandemic, and as the farmers also mentioned. He, Margaret Moulton, executive scarcity on grocery shelves too, is hoping his customers director of Berkshire Grown, which supports and promotes local agriculture. Even in non-pandemic times, farmers must be adapt- able folks. As one farmer, John Primmer, who with his wife, Joy, owns Wildstone Farm in Pownal, VT, says, pivoting — to use the Pandemic Word of the Year — is what farmers always do. Responding to Sheffield

JOIN HEVREH FOR ZOOM PASSOVER

Chef Brian Alberg at The Break Room in North Adams

becomes a thing of the past, don’t have “short memo- Sunday, March 21 9:30 am - 11:30am will consumers remember? ries. People aren’t going to Will they keep supporting remember that they can’t trust Berkshire farmers? Big Ag.” But he’s also opti- Yachad Passover Farmers worry about mistic that customers he’s A Passover Experience for Families this, even though the added will realize the benefits reasons to support local of buying local. He notes that products go beyond using one woman he was deliv- them as a back-up plan ering to the day we spoke first during a pandemic — area showed up in April. “She’s Sunday, March 28 at 6:00 pm farms preserve open space, stuck with it. She had no idea improve the environment there were farms around you 2nd Night Passover through sustainable farming could buy from.” methods, promote biodiver- Part of the increased sity, contribute to the local demand may result from Zoom Seder economy, and offer fresher, second home owners who have better-tasting food that retains stayed in the Berkshires this nutrients as a result of less year. As Ethan Thaler-Null, travel. Small family farms farm manager of Abode Farm in New Lebanon, NY, asks, Thursday, March 25 at 4:30 pm: Matzo Ball Soup also are more likely to treat animals humanely. are the farm’s increased sales Tuesday, March 30 at 10:30 am: Matzo Brei One farmer concerned a result of “folks with more about the public’s continued means who have moved to the Passover Cooking Classes support of local farms is area or are spending more time Dominic Palumbo of Moon In here? Or are people changing with Julie Gale The Pond Farm in Sheffield, their buying habits?” Abode’s who massively ramped up and response to the pandemic, reconfigured his operation to especially when restaurant meet the increased demand. sales declined, was to expand He acknowledges that the its CSA program (it just opened its summer 2021 signups). VISIT HEVREH.ORG/HOLIDAYS FOR MORE INFORMATION. pandemic-induced rush to support farmers like him Joining a CSA, he says, is may be “too steep a learning a great way to support local curve to stick,” and in fact, agriculture — and people who he has seen his curbside need food. At Abode, members pickup numbers decline from can subsidize shares for those Happy Passover from Hevreh of 15 a day at its height to two in lower income brackets — Southern Berkshire a week. But, he warns, “the the farm offered 30 last year. reality is if you want these The farm’s large acreage things in the future you have makes this an easy pivot for hevreh.org 413-528-6378 to maintain them. You can’t FARM TABLE UPDATE, think that the groovy local continued on page 13 Nisan/Iyar 5781 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 13

LOCAL NEWS

FARM TABLE UPDATE, continued from page 12 Abode, which also specializes perhaps will find different the survival of If you want these things in the future you have to in fall crops and has great locations later. (1Berkshire. independent winter storage. (By the way, com provides an online listing restaurateurs. maintain them. You can’t think that the groovy local besides Abode, many farms of the status of area restau- She also urges farm is going to be there the next time things get offer products nine months or rants on its COVID Resources customers to more a year.) page.) regularly take tough unless they can support themselves between If you choose not to join Yet there is optimism out if they can a CSA or buy directly from even during this first finan- afford it, and to now and then. farmers, you can still support cial quarter of the year, a consider gifting — Dominic Palumbo of Moon In The Pond Farm small family farms by opting tough stretch for restaura- takeout meals for local products in super- teurs in non-pandemic times. to older people markets, says Moulton of Steven Clark, vice president or folks who’ve been helpful owners who have stayed which is a cornerstone of his Berkshire Grown. Read the for government affairs for during the pandemic. Mezze around during a time they’re philosophy. While he normally labels under products that the statewide Massachusetts offers Thursday through usually not here. Like Mezze, sources as much local as Sunday takeout and, as of he’s lucky to have a lot of possible, Marcus says it’s January, socially-distanced space — the restaurant is harder to get, not only because indoor dining on Friday and in a former cotton-spinning of winter but because he grows Saturday. mill with high ceilings, tons many of his own ingredients Despite the challenges, of natural light and hall- — kale, zucchini, kabocha Thomas still sees a silver ways where guests can sit squash — at other times of the lining, and quotes Winston at tables easily 10 to 15 feet year. Churchill: “An optimist sees apart. Opening a restaurant He says his persistence an opportunity in every mid-pandemic as Alberg did helped him stay open from the calamity; a pessimist sees a is an impressive feat, but he beginning of the pandemic, calamity in every opportunity.” met the challenge by creating from last March 16, hyperfo- While her earnings this year a menu both easy on the cusing on his mission to feed were well below 2019 totals kitchen staff and appealing the public, and at another (her catering operation was to the customer. For those level, “give them comfort and also sidelined by the virus), ordering takeout, the menu is solace.” Yet Marcus was keenly she found ways to about break composed of dishes that travel aware that “we were one sick even. Thomas learned to be well and are ready to heat – for person away from closing,” more efficient serving guests example, Alberg chose risotto noting that staying open has inside and expanded the rather than pasta, quiche required “strict discipline” on his part and that of his staff. “The vulnerability of the staff,” Marcus says,” is a real and present danger.” Besides takeout, Bizen offers indoor dining, as of this writing, at 25% capacity, with patrons Adapting to survive: curbside takeout at Bizen in Great seated in private kaiseki rooms Barrington furnished with air purifiers. In pre-pandemic days, denote origins. “Where is this Restaurant Association Marcus was commonly seen cheese or milk from? Who (MRA), says that by April, kibitzing with customers at the grew this kale? The smallest more people will be vacci- sushi bar but “my new now places to even large supermar- nated and “consumers will is conversation on a phone.” kets like Big Y will name the just be chomping to go out.” As much as conversation, farmer.” He feels that business “will he misses the opportunity to come back gangbusters,” present food as aesthetically Chomping to Go Out born out by historical trends. as he would like. A potter who Chomping “Generally when we come out founded Bizen on the prin- ciple of using his ceramics to If farmers have had to of recessions, the first place serve food, he’s had to morph rev up to meet the increased consumers spend money is in from “ceramics to paper in a demand for local (a demand restaurants.” heartbeat.” He’s concerned they ruefully acknowledge There are ways customers Williamstown that if people bring food home might not continue) for restau- can support local farm instead of Eggs Benedict, “will it still have any feast of rateurs, the pandemic pivot table and other restaurants. restaurant’s software program and came up with a curried the eyes?” Like his colleagues, (which has usually meant “Patronize, patronize,” Clark for takeout. And increased chicken and chickpea dish he’s worked to present take increasing takeout, limiting or says. “You’re working from reliance on takeout, she says, with pilaf that’s still aesthet- out as best as possible while reconfiguring indoor dining, home. You’re done at 5. Go even upped customer contact ically pleasing when it gets minimizing plastic and using and when possible, offering out and eat. Tip your servers, since people often phone for home. Plus, he continues to no-bleach paper. outdoor dining) has been staffers. Maybe you’re getting help with the form, which feature a menu that high- As with farming, the tougher. takeout and not buying a provides an opportunity to ask lights regional products, restaurant business is likely Kate Abbott is the creator dessert or drink.” Consider for feedback. like butternut squash from to be permanently changed of an online guide to the tipping on that amount as At the same time, Thomas nearby Peace Valley Farm in as a result of the pandemic. Berkshires (btwberkshires. well. hopes customers understand Williamstown. And it’s not a bad thing, says com) who has followed the Nancy Thomas, co-founder hers and other restaurants’ Marcus of Bizen says, that the MRA’s Clark. For example, status of local restaurants. and proprietor of Mezze Bistro situation. “The nuances of he, too, has an “attitude of he says, there will likely be She says that many restau- + Bar in Williamstown, is one takeout have been hard. We’re gratitude. I tell people on the more opportunities for outdoor rants have become “nervous” of two area representatives asking for a deep breath and phone ‘thank you for your dining. “A lot of cities and and have taken a break, at (with Mark Firth of Prairie a little extra time to get things support.’” His customers are towns saw that it worked.” least for the winter, from both Whale in Great Barrington) right. Mezze is also trying not likewise appreciative they can takeout and indoor dining. of a new organization, to have too many people in still order Japanese hamachi, Others that seem to have Massachusetts Restaurants the building.” And, of course, snapper, and jackfish and that permanently closed, she says, United, that works with the she notes, the staff is wearing MRA but is geared to ensuring masks eight hours a day. he can still source organic, Joining Thomas, Chef Brian Alberg, who heads The Break Room at Greylock Works in North Adams (and who, full disclosure, collab- orated with Rob Bildner and me on The Berkshires Farm Table Cookbook), and Michael Marcus, owner of Bizen Gourmet Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar in Great Barrington, bask in the community support they’ve received. Alberg appreciates the many customers who order takeout once a week, as well as patrons who just come in for pastry and coffee. He appreciates the second home Housatonic (Blue Hill Farm Store) Dalton Page 14 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org March 15 to May 2, 2021

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BERKSHIRE JEWISH VOICES My Coming to America By Leo Goldberger / Special to the BJV

Leaving Scandinavia in The King” after the last stowaway! She spoke only unfortunate fate of our young appeared at our home in 1947 for a new life across the movie. Hungarian, which my Hungarian stowaway. Walking Montreal. She was married Atlantic was quite a momen- In late 1947, my mother, Hungarian-born mother did down the gangplank and with a child and living happily tous experience. My father two younger brothers, and as well. At my dear moth- closely intermingled with us, in Brooklyn. She came to had decided that he had I sailed to New York aboard er’s suggestion, we began a she was nevertheless noticed convey her thanks! Quite a had enough of wars – not to the Swedish ocean liner routine to provide the young by a guard at the base of the wonderful ending! mention the unspeakable SS Drottningholm from woman with daily food (hidden gangplank steps. She failed to Holocaust – having lost almost Gothenburg. This was an in a napkin from our luxu- produce the required landing Leo Goldberger, who resides at all of his family in the former unforgettable experience. We rious dinners). My mother pass. Thus the game was up Kimball Farms in Lenox, is a Austro-Hungarian realms and travelled first class as every- also suggested that she sleep for her! We notified the Hebrew psychologist, author, and editor then fearing the expanding thing else was Immigration Aid known for his work in sensory Soviet hegemony. America booked, and Society (HIAS) deprivation, personality, beckoned as the most enticing thus we ate at At my dear mother’s suggestion, we representative stress, and coping, as well as destination to consider, if not the captain’s began a routine to provide the young at the landing for his writings on the rescue also the safest for his four table, wearing site to possibly of the Danish Jews during growing children, I at seven- the required woman with daily food (hidden in a help her. Yet the Holocaust. A professor teen among them. formal attire napkin from our luxurious dinners) she was taken emeritus of psychology at New My dad, an opera-trained and hobnobbing to Ellis Island York University, Goldberger is a singer and also a cantor in with, among … and presum- former director of its Research Copenhagen, had received others, the sister of New York’s on the floor near my bed, ably deported back to the Center for Mental Health. In a six-month fellowship to Mayor William O’Dwyer and which was safer than roaming Displaced Persons camp in 1993, he was awarded The study “advances in litur- the celebrated Swedish film around at night, hiding here Vienna. Order of Dannebrog (Knight’s gical music” in the USA in star Edvard Persson, who was and there. Surely not my ideal Epilogue: Some 15 years Cross) by Queen Margrethe II 1947. His only close contact working on a film sequence on bedfellow! later, the former stowaway of Denmark. in New York was the former the boat. Even Greta Garbo And then … days later organist at Jewish funerals, was aboard – though rarely came the much anticipated, Borge Rosenbaum. A totally seen as she wanted famously wonderful sight – the Statue unknown comedic pianist “to be left alone,” with her of Liberty – as we rounded a arriving in the USA in 1940 meals brought to her cabin. corner along the Hudson River after the German occupation of Denmark, Rosenbaum was asked to change his name to Victor Borge when he quickly became a hit as the “warm-up” performer on the Bing Crosby Radio Show. (Borge had been on Hitler’s most wanted list because he poked fun of the Fuhrer in his many cabaret shows in Scandinavia.) It was Borge who helped arrange a performance at The Town Hall concert hall on 43rd Street for my dad, after which he was offered an attractive position as chief cantor in Montreal, Canada. After transatlantic phone calls with my mother and an okay from his Danish congregation the decision was cemented. All I knew of Canada came from a couple of pages in my Leo Goldberger, with his mother Ilona and other Danish geography book. (My After a few days aboard, to dock on 56th Street. There, refugees, aboard the SS Drottningholm in 1947 dad had jokingly referred to enjoying the pool and nightly joyfully, we were met by my Canada’s name as “keiner dancing, a rather awkward father after some nine months dah,” meaning “none there!” situation occurred when my of separation. in German. He was struck mother observed a young However, less joyful was the by Canada’s tiny popula- woman who seemed visibly tion of just 10 million in a anxious and ill at ease. The landmass much larger than woman continually wore the the USA.) The extent of my same clothes and ill-fitting knowledge was that Montreal kerchief, and kept moving was the second-largest from one place to another. French-speaking city in the My mother approached her world and that Canada was after several days and learned a dominion of the United that she was an 18-year-old, Kingdom where one was Orthodox Jewish, “displaced” required to sing “God Save Holocaust survivor – and a PESACH (2020):PESACH 1/28/21 12:54 PM Page 1

BERKSHIRE HILLS HADASSAH Wishes All A Zissen Pesach! Loving Our Traditions Join & Support Hadassah

[email protected] Page 16 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org March 15 to May 2, 2021 BERKSHIRE JEWISH VOICES Traveling with Jewish Taste We Kid You Not – Kitniyot are Permissable on Pesach By Carol Goodman Kaufman

From January until just this week, we’ve And now, with so many Jews practicing vegetarianism, getting all-important been reading the Torah’s story of the Hebrews’ protein into the diet practically requires the use of kitniyot. exodus from Egypt, and now we’re coming up Which brings us back to the food question. What shall we serve for Passover to our annual commemoration of that event that will add something to the traditional family fare? (I won’t say same-old, – Passover. same-old.) We need something exciting to stimulate our palates while it fosters This festival brings with it so many memo- a connection to our cousins on the other side of the world. So, I give you gundi, ries. Among mine is the model Seder we Persian chicken and chickpea balls. Serve these in your soup this year and see the students put on every year in the Pittsfield smiles (happy, not wry) all around the table. Community Hebrew School. In the Jewish Community Center gym on East Street, we dipped celery into saltwater, made Hillel sand- wiches, and recited the Four Questions. We sang ‘Had Gadya’ and ‘Ehad Mi Yodea,’ among Gundi: Persian Chicken and Chickpea Balls other songs, and looked forward to performing About 18 meatballs them at our family Seders. This recipe is adapted from one in The Encyclopedia of Jewish Food by But the Seder at my Bubbie’s house wasn’t like one of today’s more enter- Gil Marks (z”l) taining, er, educational ones with puppet shows, quiz games, and toy frogs atop the children’s plates. No, ours consisted of the men — my dad, Uncle Ralph, and Zayde Meyer — whipping through the Haggadah and droning the narrative, stop- ping only for our well-rehearsed recitations. Regardless, cousin Myla and I had a grand old time mumbling along, guzzling the Mogen David, and giggling. Of course, many of our memories of Passover have to do with the menu (this is a food column, after all). The flavors and aromas of chicken soup with kneidlach, potent horseradish, cinnamon-tinged haroset, and tzimmes can all conjure up thoughts of loved ones long gone and the beautiful tables they set. So, given that the holiday spread tends to be vast, isn’t there room for a twist on the Passover menu? A small addition? Sure, tradition is important, but how about expanding our repertoire a little to encompass the culinary customs of our extended global Jewish family? Now, a little detour. One of the guests at the wedding of my son Avi and his wonderful Shira was Rabbi David Golinkin, a close friend of the bride’s family. I simply had to meet the man who had written the responsa ruling that certain foods known as kitniyot (including corn, rice, and legumes) were permissible on Passover because they were never outlawed in the Torah. (In fact, corn didn’t Ingredients: even exist in ancient Israel) I must have looked like a rock band groupie when I sat myself down next Meatballs: ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley to him to say “thank-you” for the reasoned argument he gave on the subject ½ pound ground chicken or turkey 2 tablespoons water of kitniyot. With a wry smile he replied, “Of all the responsa I’ve written in my ½ pound ground beef career, that’s the one I’ll be remembered for.” 2 cups chickpea flour Soup: Rabbi Golinkin may have been droll in his self-assessment, but I for one 2 medium yellow onions, grated 3 quarts chicken soup shout “hurrah” that we Ashkenazi Conservative Jews are finally at one with our 3 tablespoons vegetable oil or 1 5 red or Yukon Gold potatoes, Sephardi family. Am Yisrael Chai and all that. large egg, lightly beaten peeled and cubed 1 teaspoon ground cardamom 1 tablespoon lemon juice Carol Goodman Kaufman is a psychologist and author with a passion for travel 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 teaspoon ground turmeric and food. She is currently at work on a food history/cookbook, tracing the paths 1 teaspoon ground cumin Salt to taste that some of our favorite foods have taken from their origins to appear on dinner 1 teaspoon salt 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed plates and in cultural rites and artifacts around the world. She invites readers to ½ teaspoon ground black pepper read her blog at carolgoodmankaufman.com and to follow her on Twitter @goodmankaufman. Instructions: In a medium bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients, adding enough water to form a mixture that is smooth but not sticky. Refrigerate until firm, at least 3 hours. Using moistened hands, shape into smooth 1-inch balls. In a large pot, bring the chicken soup to a boil. Add the potatoes, lemon juice, turmeric, and salt and simmer for 30 minutes. Add the gundi and chickpeas, cover, and simmer until the gundi are tender, about 40 minutes. Two notes: You can prepare this dish one or two days ahead of the Seder because the flavors meld and mellow over time. Ideal for the holiday rush! This recipe is easily doubled or tripled for a really big crowd (or because you just can’t get enough of it). Nisan/Iyar 5781 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 17 Page 18 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org March 15 to May 2, 2021

Knesset Israel 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield

ONGOING MINYANS Sunday 8:45 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday 7 p.m. Friday 7 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. Saturday 9:30 a.m. and evenings approximately 30 minutes before sunset

CANDLE-LIGHTING Friday, March 19...... 6:45 p.m. Friday, March 26...... 6:53 p.m. Sat, March 27...... 7:55 p.m. (Erev Pesach) Sun, March 28...... 7:56 p.m. (Second night Pesach) In response to coronavirus guidelines… As of press time, all in-person Connecting With Community programming has been canceled. For the most up-to-date infor- Friday, April 2...... 7:01 p.m. mation and details on virtual programming, please visit our website www.jewishberkshires.org to sign up for our eblasts to Sat, April 3 ...... 7:16 p.m. receive a weekly listing of online opportunities. (Seventh night Pesach) Meals-on-Wheels & Meals to Go – Advance Reservation Required Sun, April 4...... 8:18 p.m. Kosher lunch will be prepared on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Meals to go will be ready by noon (Eighth night Pesach) for pickup at the Knesset Israel kitchen door, 16 Colt Road in Pittsfield. Friday, April 9...... 7:09 p.m. All meals-on-wheels will be delivered by Federation volunteers in the early afternoon. Please call (413) 442-2200 no later than 9 a.m. to reserve your meal for pickup and to arrange Friday, April 16...... 7:19 p.m. delivery if standing instructions are not in place. All are welcome to reserve meals for pick-up, although Friday, April 23...... 7:17 p.m. delivery may be limited in certain circumstances. Friday, April 30...... 7:25 p.m. The menus listed below are planned, but may be modified depending on availability of ingredients. When making a reservation, please inform us if a person in your party has a food allergy. Adults 60 and over: $2 suggested donation. Adults under 60: $7 per person. Volunteers are Vital! Volunteer drivers who can deliver meals-on-wheels are always appreciated. Please call Susan Frisch MAZEL TOV Lehrer at (413) 442-4360, ext. 14. The Federation’s kosher hot lunch program is offered in collaboration with Elder Services of Mazel Tov to… Berkshire County. Eli Spungen Bildner and Astrid Schanz-Garbassi, son and daughter-in-law of Elisa Spungen Bildner and Rob Bildner, on the birth of Ayla Jo Schanz-Bildner, born on November 30. MARCH Tuesday, 13...... Chicken Marsala**#, rice pilaf, c Monday, 15...... Beef stew, noodles, potato bread, mixed vegetables, farmer’s loaf, and parve cookies. Elana Spungen Bildner and Dr. Benjamin Goldman and applesauce. Thursday, 15...... Macaroni and cheese, stewed to- Israelow, daughter and Tuesday, 16...... Turkey piccata, chef’s choice of matoes, salad, potato bread, and grapes. son-in-law of Elisa Spungen soup, rice pilaf, mixed vegetables, salad, multi-grain Bildner and Rob Bildner, Monday, 19...... Hot dogs and beans**#, salad, hot on the birth of Archie Lev bread, and peaches. dog roll, and applesauce. Israelow, born on February 15. Thursday, 18...... Chefs pleasure of dairy meals. Tuesday, 20...... Stir fried turkey**#, rice, rye bread, Monday, 22...... Meal to be announced. and tropical fruit salad. Tuesday, 23...... Turkey stew**#, rice, salad, potato Thursday, 22...... Tuna salad and cottage cheese plat- TUFTS, continued from bread, and apple dumplings. ters**, three bean salad, pita bread, and pudding. page 10 Monday, 26...... Salisbury steak**#, hash browns, proactive steps to combat Thursday, 25...... Roasted chicken**#, gefilte fish, anti-Semitism. matza ball soup, asparagus cuts n tips, oven roasted green beans, pumpernickel bread, and mandarin “SJP got caught, their potatoes, matza, and Kosher for Passover dessert. oranges. harassment of Jewish Tuesday, 27...... Roasted chicken**#, salad, brown students was exposed, and Monday, 29...... Closed for Passover rice, mixed vegetables, Challah, and brownies. they backpedaled. But this Tuesday, 30...... Closed for Passover goes beyond Max. Now is when Thursday, 29...... Salmon**, noodle kugel, asparagus the real work begins. It is time APRIL cuts n tips, farmer’s loaf, and lemon pudding. for the Tufts administration Thursday, 1...... Closed for Passover to take concrete steps to end MAY the ongoing marginalization, Monday, 5...... Meat loaf**#, kreplach soup, peas, Monday, 3...... Make your own turkey sandwich#, harassment and discrimina- mashed potatoes, salad, pumpernickel bread, and apri- tion of Jewish students on vegetable soup, coleslaw, whole wheat bread, and cots. campus.” pears. Lewin added “The univer- Tuesday, 6...... Turkey salad platter**#, coleslaw, Tuesday, 4...... Rice, bean, and cheese burrito sity should officially adopt farmer’s loaf, and fruit cocktail. and utilize the IHRA Working casserole, yellow rice, and dessert TBA. Definition of Anti-Semitism Thursday, 8...... Fresh fish**, tomato soup, broccoli, Thursday, 6...... “Pepperoni” pizza, salad, mixed and its contemporary exam- rice pilaf, salad, whole wheat bread, and pudding. ples when investigating and vegetables, and peaches. responding to incidents of Monday, 12...... Spaghetti and meat sauce, salad, harassment and discrimina- Italian beans, garlic bread, and applesauce. tion to determine whether such conduct is motivated by anti-Semitic animus or bias.” This JNS article was supple- mented with information from other news sources.

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Stanley Z. Shapiro, 88, psychotherapy practice. She genetic disorder characterized A Vermont neighbor said extensively shared with his greatest joy was his earned her MSW from Smith by refractory seizures, lack of Jason early on, “Well, just wife and children throughout family College. She also held a PhD of speech and motor ability, because he’s handicapped his retired life in Lenox STOCKBRIDGE – Stanley Z. in English Literature from and pervasive developmental don’t mean he ain’t got no and Sarasota. His happiest Shapiro, 88, passed away on The University of Connecticut delay. Despite the long odds purpose.” Jason warmed the moments included sharing Friday, January 15. Born May and undergraduate degrees against him, he made his hearts of everyone he met. He laughs and a picnic meal 5, 1932, he was a wonderful from Barnard College and mark, advancing the under- taught us compassion, resil- at Tanglewood with friends, husband, father, grandfather, Hebrew University. She was standing of Angelman’s and ience, and acceptance, and admiring the beautiful sounds and true friend to many. You one of the first four women to enriching the lives of those he how to live life with grace and emerging from the shed while couldn’t help but love the graduate from Trinity College encountered. delight in the face of unfor- gazing up at the brilliant guy. He was interested in just in Hartford. Always an advo- Featured in a medical text giving adversity. He was, in summer stars. His love for about everyone he ever met, cate for victims of trauma, in a chapter on Angelman’s the words of one doctor, “a travel led him to experience and proved equally interesting she worked for a variety of and the subject of a course piece of love.” extensive trips around the to them. social service agencies in at Harvard Medical School, Jason leaves his devoted world, including favorite desti- A lover of classical music the Berkshires including the Jason inspired research in sister Emmy and his father nations in New Zealand, India, and the Berkshires, he proudly Berkshire Rape Crisis Center, Angelman’s by principal inves- Roger, as well as loving uncles, and Africa. ushered at Tanglewood for the Massachusetts Society for tigators through their contacts aunts, and cousins. He is Alan is survived by his over 40 years. A child at heart the Prevention of Cruelty to with him in hospital settings. predeceased by his mother loving wife of 53 years, Nancy and an avid animal lover Children, and the Barrington But perhaps more enduring Barbara, without whose Milbauer; daughter Karen (just ask any of the six dogs Stage Company Playwright were Jason’s contributions unfailing love, advocacy, and and son-in-law Michael Wolfe he loved and nurtured over Mentoring Project for at-risk to those fortunate to cross medical knowledge Jason of Westport, CT; son Stephen the last 56 years), he served teens, before starting her his path. Though speechless, would not have survived, let Milbauer of Manhattan, as a dedicated docent at the private psychotherapy he was intensely social and alone thrive. We remember NY; daughter Jennifer Bronx Zoo for decades. But practice. greeted people with a smile so and give thanks to his many and son-in-law Stephane his greatest joy was his family. Roberta was a champion wide and endearing it warmed doctors, nurses, respiratory Dumonceau of Los Angeles, He was a devoted husband to of human rights. She was the coldest curmudgeon. He therapists, special educa- CA; and four adoring grand- Roberta for 59 years. He was a leader in social justice, held you with his eyes and, tion teachers, and aides who children Jacob and Rachel the best dad in the world to civil rights, and peace move- if you were unlucky enough accompanied Jason on his Wolfe and Fiona and Emil Randy (Dan Ripp) and David ments, as well as in developing and got too close, would grab journey. No funeral is planned Dumonceau. Alan is also (Meg Lord). And, boy, did he creative approaches to psycho- you in a vise grip from which at this time. If inclined, survived by his sister, Roberta love his grandsons, Theo and therapy. She was passionate you could reasonably fear contributions may be directed Gross, and a large list of rela- Wesley Shapiro, and Harry about women’s rights, advo- you might not emerge. He to the Angelman Syndrome tives who will treasure their and Joey Ripp. Having taught cating to advance abortion had what others charitably Foundation angelman.org or memories of time with him. them all backgammon, poker, rights, access to contracep- called ‘a mischievous streak,’ Berkshire Meadows berk- A small family service was hearts and blackjack, he was tion, rights for rape victims, able to telescope out his arms shiremeadows-jri.com. held on Tuesday, January 26 looking forward, someday, to a and rights for victims of beyond what was thought a in Paramus, NJ, and will be Alan Milbauer, 77, affable boys’ trip to Vegas. sterilization abuse. She collab- reachable threshold and grasp followed by a memorial service personality, devotion to Stan lived life with gusto orated with social workers of anything in sight and bring it at a later date. Donations friendship and tremendous energy. color to end police brutality to his mouth for exploration, can be made in Alan’s He tried parasailing when and support voter registration. prompting several emer- LONGBOAT KEY, FL – Alan memory to Jewish Federation he was in his eighties and Roberta was a prolific gency room visits. One Easter Milbauer, 77, of Longboat of Sarasota-Manatee, 580 eagerly traveled the world writer and an avid reader. visit, an x-ray revealed a toy Key, FL and Lenox, formerly McIntosh Road, Sarasota, with Roberta. He was always To help expose the human bunny lodged squarely in his of Wilmington, DE, beloved FL 34232 or https://jfedsrq. his own boss, even when rights violations in concentra- windpipe. husband, father and grandfa- givingfuel.com/donate-now working as a financial advisor tion camps and to honor the Jason delighted in every- ther, passed away peacefully or to JFCS, 2688 Fruitville at large brokerage firms. He triumph of the human spirit, thing around him, and that on Friday, January 22 after a Road, Sarasota, FL 34237 or believed in service and regaled she translated into English delight was infectious. He long battle with brain tumors. https://jfcs.harnessapp.com/ his wide-eyed children with the memoir of a relative who loved water. He would sit at Born August 30, 1943 wv2/donate. his exploits from his time in survived Auschwitz-Birkenau water’s edge on Wiley Pond on in Brooklyn, NY to parents Alan was a man who Korea. He knew every line to during the Second World War. the Cape and splash endlessly Frances and Irving Milbauer, believed in finding common The Godfather (Parts 1 and 2), She was completing the script with a broad smile on his Alan earned degrees in bonds between people, and Goodfellas and It’s a Wonderful for her first play at the time face. You could put him down Pharmacy and Law from the those bonds will surely live Life. He also told really, really of her passing. She was also on a wide expanse of ocean University of Connecticut, on in his memory. He will be good jokes. an enthusiastic patron of the beach far from the water leading to a professional deeply missed. Stan will be buried in his arts, including the Boston and pointed in the opposite journey in the pharmaceu- Deb Koffman, artist, beloved Stockbridge, with his Symphony Orchestra and direction, and he would imme- tical industry that lasted teacher, loving friend, family in attendance, just as Broadway theater. diately calibrate his location, over 35 years. His esteemed daughter, aunt, sister they were when he took his Roberta leaves her son, turn around, and crawl to career began as an attorney last breath. He was one of a Gabriel Russell and partner, the water even when out of for the Pharmaceutical HOUSATONIC – Deb kind and will be very much Bethany Murphy, of Seattle; view, crunching the chips Manufacturers Association in Koffman, born in 1966, an missed. two brothers, Joel Russell and bruising the sandwiches Washington, DC; he moved artist, teacher, loving friend, Anyone wishing to honor and wife Mari Gottdiener, of startled beachgoers as he to Wilmington to join Atlas daughter, aunt, sister, and this extraordinary man and David Russell and buzzed over their blankets Chemical Industries, and ulti- polka dot aficionado passed may make a donation to wife Holly Hartmann, all of toward the sea. He developed a mately becoming an integral away the week of February 7. Tanglewood or the Bronx Northampton, MA; and four following at these beaches over member of the leadership team We’ll miss her love, her laugh, Zoo c/o Finnerty & Stevens nephews, Samuel Russell of the years, with people looking of what became AstraZeneca her genius, her generosity and Funeral Home, 426 Main Jersey City, NJ, Jonathan forward to their annual Jason Pharmaceuticals. Once her presence. These are her Street, Great Barrington, MA Russell of Cambridge, MA, sightings. described as the “conscience” words about her life: 01230. Julian Hartmann-Russell He loved music. As a baby, of the company, Alan led I do what I do because I of Northampton, and Elliot Jason would crawl to a floor teams devoted to regulatory got tired of doing what I was Roberta Joy Russell, 73, Hartmann-Russell of Turners speaker and rest his head affairs, marketing, public supposed to do – you know, leader in social justice, Falls, MA. against it, absorbed in clas- policy, corporate communica- supposed to cry at funerals, civil rights, and peace sical music. During a year at tions and Federal and State laugh at weddings, be hungry Jason Neil Goldin, movements Baystate Hospital, he enter- government affairs. He retired at mealtime, sleepy at bedtime. delighted in everything LENOX – Roberta Joy Russell, tained staff, patients, and in 2004. But sometimes I felt like laughing around him and that visitors alike with his daily 73, passed away on Tuesday, Alan was perhaps best at funerals and crying at wed- delight was infectious guitar plucking, bringing known for his affable January 26 at Baystate dings...And sometimes I wasn’t WESTFIELD – Jason Neil unexpected smiles to other- personality, his devotion to Medical Center after a brief hungry for days...And sometimes Goldin died on Monday, wise solemn visages. He friendship, and his unique illness. I wanted to sleep forever... January 25 at Western enjoyed long van rides, his ability to find common connec- Born on September 6, 1947 I spent the first 31 years of my in Hartford, CT, she grew up Massachusetts Hospital in eyes riveted on the windshield tions with others. His genuine Westfield where he resided and the road rushing up to interest in others made him life living by someone else’s stan- in West Hartford, and lived in dard of what was “right:” my Lenox for almost 40 years. the past 30 months. Jason meet him. He beamed on his a trusted advisor and confi- parents, my boyfriends, schools, Roberta was a licensed was born with Angelman’s golf cart rides at Berkshire dant for countless numbers of professional environments – that social worker with an active Syndrome, a then-unknown Meadows in Housatonic, where friends, family members and he lived for 23 years. coworkers. No room in which didn’t work. Alan was present I needed some perspective, I could exist in needed to know what was right awkward silence for for me. So, I became an “artist” long, as he brought being dedicated to, and inspired out a joyous and by, discovering what is inherently vibrant spirit in true for me. nearly everyone I describe to myself how I he would come in feel about the world...so when contact with. I forget what I’ve learned I can His passions look at a table I’ve painted or included golf, tennis, and clas- sical music, OBITUARIES, continued on all of which he next page Page 20 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org March 15 to May 2, 2021

OBITUARIES

Ilisa is survived by her Nadler, research physician. As water, becoming a proficient at Congregation Beth Israel continued OBITUARIES, loving husband, Andrew B. a cancer survivor, he devoted sailor in his youth on the in North Adams. David was a from page 19 Sulner; daughter, Farrah S. himself to raise money for family boat on Long Island sales representative at Oak & an image I’ve drawn or words Wax and husband, Benjamin; the Jimmy Fund, the chil- Sound. He moved to Athens, Spruce and had a busy land- I’ve written and it reminds me two granddaughters, Makayla dren’s cancer division, by NY, and with his wife, he built scaping business. of what I know, of what is true and Effie, who were the loves participating for 10 years in a home on Sleepy Hollow Lake. He was an accomplished about the world for me. of her life; and dog, Sadie. She the annual Pan-Mass Bicycle After moving to Pittsfield, Ron youth swimmer and he loved When I see what I’ve created was a surrogate mom, g-ma, Challenge, a two-day 200-mile enjoyed spending time with downhill skiing. David had a it touches my heart. It comes and sister to many. event. friends at Burbank Park on keen interest and knack for Expressions of sympathy Mr. Levin is survived by Onota Lake, playing chess, history, especially the Civil from my heart and miraculously may be made to St. Jude’s his beloved wife of 56 years, picnicking, listening to music War and the Pacific theatre of it always touches me again. So, in care of the Birches-Roy Ronnie Jane Levin; son Dr. and relaxing. World War II, and was an avid my truth is, I do this for me... Funeral Home, 33 South Andrew Levin and wife of Ron is survived by his son, reader. Because it makes me feel good... Street, Great Barrington, MA Brick, NJ; daughters Dr. Jake Meyers; his good friend David was a good friend lt is my gift to myself. When you 01230. Kimberly Levin, of Aspen, CO and former wife, Pattie Meyers; and he had many close and see what I’ve done, and your and Tamara Levin; grand- his mother, Toby Meyers; long-standing friendships. He heart is touched...Then we have Lawrence C. Levin, 83, children, Manakai and Koa sister Lynn Meyers; niece loved to share the bounty of exchanged presence... husband, father, grand- of Conifer, CO; sister Francis Shayna Haust; and nephew his garden with neighbors, And there is no greater gift father, entrepreneur Sisson, of St. Louis, MO. Nate Haust. Ron was prede- friends, and family. David was to receive. Thank you for your POWNAL, VT – Lawrence C. In memory of Larry, please ceased by his father, Fred a sensitive and skilled care- presence. — Deb Koffman Levin, 83, passed away on consider a generous donation Meyers, who was his mentor giver, providing comfort and Saturday, February 13 at to the Dana Farber Cancer and role model. He is also support to family members Ilisa Dawn Sulner, 65, home, surrounded by his Institute at www.jimmyfund. survived by his dear friend and friends in need. He was a educator for 35 years for loving family and faithful dog. org. and caretaker of the past two devoted dog lover and any dog NYC Dept of Education A lover of nature, he spent years, Paula. he raised was well-behaved SANDISFIELD – Ilisa Dawn many hours hiking and kayak- Ronald David Meyers, 63, Donations may be made and affectionate. Sulner, 65, died Saturday, ing at his family cabin on Lake happiest times when he in Ron’s name to Burbank He is survived by his February 13 at her home George, NY. was around the water Park, City of Pittsfield Parks mother, Melinda Tanzman; surrounded by her loving Born in New Rochelle, NY, PITTSFIELD – Ronald David Department, in care of Dery step-father Burton Shapiro; family. Lawrence graduated with Meyers, 63, passed away at Funeral Home, 54 Bradford daughter Kaitlin Collins; Born in Brooklyn, NY on a degree in chemistry from home on Monday, February 8. Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201. granddaughter Alexis Taylor; December 2, 1955, daughter Ohio State University in 1959 Ron grew up in Mt. Vernon, Rest in Paradise. siblings Beth, George, and of Irving and Eleanor (Rifkin) and served in the U.S. Army NY and had a happy childhood Jayson Tanzman; and step- Malchatsky, Ilisa was a grad- Reserves. He was an entre- with friends and family. He David Jeremy Tanzman, brothers Andrew and Loren uate of Tilden High School preneur, the founder and started his career path as a 55, good friend, sensitive Shapiro, and Colin Barney. class of 1971. She went on president of Poly-Guard, Inc., chef both in New York restau- and skilled caregiver David was predeceased by his to graduate from Brooklyn a manufacturer of plastic core rants, and on cruise ships to PITTSFIELD – David Jeremy father, Irving Tanzman, and College in 1975, attained a plugs that he designed for the Alaska. He transitioned into a Tanzman, 55, died at home step-mother Gail Tanzman. master’s degree from Adelphi paper and plastics industry. second career in the timeshare early in the morning of A small graveside gathering University and her Ed.D. from He also founded Pomona industry, acquiring awards as Saturday, February 27, having took place on Monday, March St. John’s University. She Plastics, buying and reselling a top seller. bravely battled cancer for the 1 at Beth Israel cemetery in worked as an educator for 35 recycled plastic raw materials. Despite his many health past five months. Clarksburg. Memorial contri- years for the NYC Department Lawrence survived challenges, Ron maintained David was born in North butions may be made to the of Education. non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, an optimistic outlook, always Adams on November 8, Berkshire Humane Society in Ilisa was a member of thanks to a successful interested in the lives of his 1965 and attended Pine care of the Flynn & Dagnoli Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, experimental bone marrow friends and family, offering Cobble School, Mt. Anthony Funeral Home, 521 West Main the Otis Cultural Society, transplant treatment at age advice and telling a joke. Union High School and Street, North Adams, MA and she wrote for the Otis 49 at the Dana Farber Cancer His happiest times were Franklin-Pierce College. He 01247. Observer. Institute in Boston by Dr. Lee when he was around the celebrated his bar mitzvah

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CULTURE & ARTS Book Review: Colum McCann’s Apeirogon — Showing a Path Forward By Roberta Silman / via The Arts Fuse (artsfuse.org)

How a novel comes into existence in the newspapers — Tolstoy famously stories into a first-class novel. Yet that is often mysterious and writers run said he began Anna Karenina after is what has happened here. Through the risk of sounding a bit fey when reading about a woman in a train Narrative 4, a global storytelling orga- trying to describe how they make the accident. Dreiser also claimed a news- nization Colum McCann founded, he decision to devote themselves — some- paper source for his masterpiece, An was introduced to Bassam Aramin, times for years — to characters that American Tragedy. Dickens knew of an a Palestinian, and Rami Elhanan, an they have made up. Some, like Donald endless law case which propelled him Israeli. (These three men found such Barthelme, insist that the source is to write his amazing Bleak House. And a special place in my heart that I will dreams; others talk about characters when John Steinbeck witnessed the call them all by their first names in knocking desperately on the doors of devastation of the country he loved, he this review.) Five years later we have their brains (as if our brains are safe was propelled to write The Grapes of Apeirogon, a superb work of art which, in little houses in our heads); and Wrath. The variations are endless. actually, now that I am connecting the still others talk about getting fictional What is rare is a writer meeting his dots, can be traced back to Colum’s material from an obscure incident in characters first, falling in love with short story “Sh’khol,” which appeared real life or something they have read their stories, and then shaping those in his 2015 collection Thirteen Ways of Looking. “Sh’khol” is a Hebrew word that is difficult to translate. The closest Colum could come in English is “bereaved” when he describes that story’s protagonist translating a story written by an Arab Israeli about a couple who had lost their two children. first seem unrelated facts and stories And it is that shocking loss which and memories and vignettes about has drawn him to the two men in bird migrations, Sir Francis Burton, Apeirogon. the science of falconry, politics in the How do you describe lives blown Middle East, polio, Francois Mitterand, apart, never to be the same, yet still the importance of water in all our lives not robbed of meaning? How do you and countries, the history of the fami- bring to life two fathers who have lies of these two men, and details about lost their daughters to violence yet the short lives of the two children continue to live in places filled with who were killed — Rami’s daughter danger and steadfastly refuse to Smadar and Bassam’s daughter Abir. succumb to anger and hate? That There is also material about Einstein is the task Colum McCann has set and Freud, weaponry (who knew that for himself, a daunting task but there was actually a man named Henry one that he knows well because he Shrapnel?), some tenets of the Torah has written about The Troubles in and Qur’an, and, perhaps most inter- his native country, Ireland. (For the esting, a full account of how Bassam record, he is now an American citizen educated himself while he was in who lives in Manhattan with his wife prison. [Editor’s Note: Bassam Aramin and children and teaches at Hunter served a 7-year sentence for planning College, although he is under a cloud an attack on IDF soldiers when he was because of an accusation of sexual 17 years old.] There are also a number assault off-campus in 2014. He is of other subjects, as well as occasional on leave from Hunter until 2022.) Its photographs and illustrations. Some form is based on its title; an apei- sections are only a line or two long, rogon is from the Greek and defined others as much as a few pages, but all as a polygon with infinite sides. In this somehow connected to the tragic tales Apeirogon there are 1001 sections and of these two men, one of whom — Rami throughout there is an awareness of — has a sticker on his motorcycle that this book’s roots in The Arabian Nights, reads “It will not be over until we talk.” which I have always loved, especially And that is what Bassam and Rami, in the translation by Husein Hadawy, who are as close as brothers, do. As whom I knew when he was a graduate members of a club no one would ever student at Cornell and I was an under- want to belong to, they go around graduate. Just as in that great classic, the world under the auspices of the you have the feeling while reading Parents Circle – Families Forum, “a Apeirogon that these stories are a grassroots organization of Palestinian matter of life and death. and Israeli families who have lost The first 1-500 sections build to immediate family members due to the Rami’s story, then there is 1001, liter- conflict. The PCFF operates under the ally the lynchpin of the book, which principle that a process of reconcil- I will give in its entirety below, and iation is a prerequisite for achieving then the next 500 beginning with a sustained peace.” That is a direct Bassam’s story and going back to 1. quotation from the website about their In these tales, sometimes no more APEIROGON, than snippets, are all sorts of what at continued on page 21

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APEIROGON, continued from page 20

mission. Bassam and Rami desire for a future that is open award was not made to me as a the suburbs of Jerusalem to eager, hopeless, buoyed, con- are sometimes welcomed, and free, not stuck forever, as man, but to my work — a life’s the Cremisan monastery in the fused, cynical, complicit, silent, sometimes not. But they are the cynics about the Middle work in the agony and sweat of mainly Christian town of Beit our memories imploding, our determined to channel their East keep insisting. Thus, the human spirit, not for glory Jala, near Bethlehem, in the Ju- synapses skipping, in the gath- grief and anger into something as Colum writes, the reader and least of all for profit, but to dean hills, to meet with Bassam ering dark, remembering, while that encourages hope and a becomes a participant in the create out of the materials of the Aramin, a Palestinian, a Muslim, listening, all of those stories that future; that is what makes story. Each detail asserts its human spirit something which a father of Araab and Areen and are yet to be told. them and their families so own meaning depending on did not exist before.” Although Muhammad and Ahmed and remarkable and why Colum who you are and what your in his personal life Faulkner was Hiba, father too of the late Abir, Roberta Silman of Great was so attracted to them, not interests are, but in the end slow to recognize the evils of ten years old, shot dead by an Barrington is the author of four only for their stories, but for you have somehow done more slavery and segregation, he left unnamed Israeli border guard in novels, a short story collection themselves. And why, as he than just read this book. and two children’s books. Her got to know them better and You have gathered it into the us with amazing works that con- East Jerusalem, almost a decade front race in America and are still after Rami’s daughter, Smadar, most recent novel, Secrets and better, he realized that the fabric of your life. So, although Shadows (Arts Fuse review), Hebrew notion of tikkun olam, some of Apeirogon is painful, relevant today. Colum has also two weeks away from fourteen, was killed in is in its second printing and is that it is our obligation to this novel can available on Amazon and at the western repair the world, is real and inspire you to Campden Hill Books. It was Although some of Apeirogon is painful, part of the being enacted before our very think differently chosen as one of the best Indie eyes. and even to act, this novel can inspire you to think city by three Books of 2018 by Kirkus. A I am an American Jewish which is surely differently and even to act, which is Palestinian recipient of Fellowships from woman who can remember welcome after suicide bomb- the Guggenheim Foundation when Israel came into exis- this horrible surely welcome after this horrible year ers, Bashar and the National Endowment tence and whose three aunts year in which we in which we have all felt so helpless Sawalha, for the Arts, she has reviewed and an uncle emigrated from have all felt so Youssef Shouli, for The New York Times and Lithuania to Palestine in the helpless. and Tawfiq Boston Globe, and writes 1930s and who has very mixed I might also looked at a seemingly unsolvable Yassine, from the village of Assira regularly for the The Arts Fuse. feelings about the present add that Apeirogon’s over- situation and written a work al-Shamaliya near Nablus in the More about her can be found at Israeli government. I am also riding theme is the difficult that both in substance and form West Bank, a place of intrigue robertasilman.com and she can an admirer of David Grossman one of forgiveness, which is has never “existed before” and to the listeners gathered in the also be reached at rsilman@ and other Israeli writers what I was exploring in my that shows a path forward, filled redbrick monastery perched on verizon.net. who are doves in the present own latest novel, Secrets and This review was origi- conflict, and I was riveted Shadows, and which, in the with the “agony and sweat of the hillside, in the Mountains of the human spirit.” So it seems the Beloved, by the terraced vine- nally published by The Arts by this book. And, although end, may be the only way to Fuse (artsfuse.org), a curated, I have supported organiza- sustain us as we continue to fitting to end this review with his yard, in the shadow of the Wall, own words — that wonderful having come as far apart as Bel- independent online arts maga- tions that try to form a bridge live in a world filled with so zine dedicated to publishing sentence that comprises Section fast and Kyushu, Paris and North between the Palestinians much conflict. But forgive- in-depth criticism, along with 1001 — which will, I hope, entice Carolina, Santiago and Brooklyn, and the Israelis, I feel that ness requires trust, which is high quality previews, inter- Apeirogon is unique. It has not easy to attain, especially you to read this novel and give it Copenhagen and Terezín, on views, and commentaries. the potential to make the among people who have been the audience it deserves: an ordinary day at the end of For a related story about various sides see and listen in hurt beyond repair. That is Once upon a time, and not so October, foggy, tinged with cold, the Israeli and Palestinian a way they never have before. why Apeirogon is so important. long ago, and not so far away, to listen to the stories of Bassam families whose story McCann Because you feel what these In thinking about the im- Rami Elhanan, an Israeli, a Jew, a and Rami, and to find within portrays in Apeirogon, please characters feel, understand pact of this singular work, I am graphic artist, husband of Nurit, their stories another story, a song see page 9. their doubts and exhaustion reminded of Faulkner’s Nobel father of Elik and Guy and Yigal, of songs, discovering themselves and everlasting grief, and Prize acceptance speech in 1950 father too of the late Smadar, – you and me – in the stone-tiled you also know their profound in which he said, “I feel that this traveled on his motorbike from chapel where we sit for hours, Nisan/Iyar 5781 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 23 CULTURE & ARTS How Yiddish Changed America and How America Changed Yiddish And how Yiddish and America changed our correspondent By Alex Rosenblum / Special to the BJV Of special interest to our community is a new anthology titled How Yiddish Haskalah and Hasidism. Ozick, understanding that our interpretation of 19th Changed America and How America Changed Yiddish, edited by Ilan Stavans and century Ashkenazi roots is tinted by the Fiddler on the Roof, goes into great detail Josh Lambert in affiliation with the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst. It’s a monu- to introduce and explain the “real” Tevye who is the central character in eight mental effort, 63 diverse entries in five separate but intertwining sections. The stories written by Sholem Aleichem at the turn of the last century. Aleichem’s editors present essays, articles, excerpts of Yiddish plays and stories, poems, and Tevye was more than a “simpleminded, peasant-like, naïve pre-modern char- cartoons, all in English with occasional transliteration from Yiddish. acter – the The editors present a new and different picture of Yiddish that is true to its occasion of history as the language of the Jewish culture of Eastern Europe, transported to nostalgia for “Assimilation in the United States has the United States and remolded by the immigrants, their children, and the radi- a sweeter indeed presented Yiddish with challenges, cally-different American environment. In unbiased tones over a mere 400 pages, time, the anthology attempts to tell the stories of these Yiddish redders (speakers) and pogroms and it has responded impressively, their offspring. The result introduces the Yiddish-speaking culture the editors call notwith- “radical, dangerous, and sexy, if also sweet, generous and full of life.” If this effort standing.” dynamically, demonstrating its flexibility, is not wholly successful, the fault does not lie with the editors; instead, it is the Tevye, viewed complexity, and strength.” undertaking of a humongous task that perhaps could not be covered even in an through a encyclopedia. late 20th —from How Yiddish Changed America The book seems intended for an audience whose own life, memories, acts, and century and How America Changed Yiddish yikhes (family background, pedigree) over the last three to five generations might lens, seems have a connection to the contents of the anthology. I believe a reader’s own expe- to us an riences, remembrances, and contact with Yiddish and the current existing Yiddish affable shtetl culture, as well as the thickness of his or her own vortslen (roots), will determine bumpkin, but Aleichem’s original Tevye was in fact a sober chronicler/witness of their enjoyment and interpretation of the material. his society in transition. Tevye’s simple humor stands out today, but Aleichem’s A brief summary of my vortslen: I am the oldest child of socialist Zionists protagonist (despite living in poverty and persecution) was more complex. When from Piotrkow Trybunalski, Poland, a provincial capital near Lodz. They already his beloved Golde passes away, he recites the prayer, “What are we and what is were breaking from their religious upbringing before the war almost consumed our life?” them. Miraculously, they survived Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen and left Europe Ozick ultimately points out that “the rush to Americanization, the immigrants, to make a new life in Canada. When I grew up in Montreal, Yiddish was the zealously setting out to shake off the village ways they brought with them, ended first and only language at home, and I managed to graduate from the Yiddish by encouraging amnesia of the central motifs and texts of their civilization.” day school, I.L. Peretz Shuleh, even though playing The tinted misinterpretation of Eastern Europe Yiddish life of hockey after school was more important than redden, some hundred-plus years ago is obliquely addressed in the book’s laynen, Grammatik und geshikhteh (speaking, reading, brief reference to I.L. Peretz’s famous short story “Bontshe Shvieg” grammar, and history). After we moved to Brooklyn, my (‘Bontshe the Silent’), first published just before the turn of the last Yiddish slowly began to fade. century. Peretz’s stories, most of which are accessible in English, As my Yiddish continued to diminish, I did make were and remain loved by many Yiddish readers both because of some half-hearted effort to hang on to my first his expression of Jewish ideals and his respect for the majority of language. In college, I wrote a major paper on the Ultra-Orthodox who practiced true piety. Forverts, at one time the fifth-largest daily newspaper In summary, Bontshe is a dirt-poor porter in a shtetl. Without in New York City. But during my interview, I managed friends, wife, or child, he lives a miserable existence without to insult Simon Weber, editor of the paper, by insinu- complaining his entire life. Upon dying, he arrives at the gates of ating that he was the editor of a newspaper printing in heaven, where he must undergo a hearing to gain admittance. With a dying language. Later, to soften my guilt, I subscribed tears in his eyes, his representative/angel recounts his pitiful life to the Forverts, and to this very day, I occasionally to the extent that the prosecutor/angel remains silent and turns try to plod my way through articles. In recent years, away. Bontshe is now offered anything he wants. Anything! He I’ve lectured on Yiddish culture and language at the ponders for a moment and quietly mumbles, “a roll with a little community college and synagogues, another form of butter.” The audience in heaven is silent; his defendant/angel now catharsis for my own squandered opportunities to turns away; and the prosecutor/angel laughs. be a part of the true and I hope resurgent Yiddish So what is the moral of this story? Today, when presented to an community. audience, discussion centers around humility, righteousness, and The editors of How Yiddish Changed America saintliness. Yet, to the reader in the shtetl living in fear of the next and How America Changed Yiddish identify poten- pogrom, and to the poor Jewish immigrant ghettos in America, and tial readers as those who are casually familiar with to the enlightened, the poor, the socialists, and the communists, Yiddish, those who still can speak (and possibly) read the story is an obvious condemnation of society which leaves the Yiddish, and those who are interested in the topic from victim totally disempowered to the extent he cannot even think of a a historical perspective. Within these overlapping groups will be readers who just reward in the coming world. relate to Yiddish with nostalgia (essays such as Ilan Shandler’s “O R*O*S*T*E*N, To paint a truer picture of our parents’ and grandparents’ experience, the My R*O*S*T*E*N”; Matthew Goodman’s “Kosher Chinese”; and Asya Vaisman editors have included several essays, short stories and excerpts of plays dealing Shulman’s “On Bagels, Gefilte Fish and Chulent”). with the underbelly of the immigrants’ ghettos and life, including stories of Another group will be Yiddish redders, like me, who still believe that Yiddish suicide, incest, homosexuality, and prostitution, all facts of life in America that has a viable future. For us, the anthology provides an abundance of historical in the course of human nature we have chosen to forget. The editors present a background, observations, memories, and samples of Yiddish loshn (language). translation of the second act of Sholem Asch’s God of Vengeance, which appeared My own resolve to return more seriously to Yiddish was strengthened by a on the Yiddish stage just after the turn of the last century and on the English week spent at the annual “Yiddishland” retreat in rural Dutchess County with stage in 1923. The plot revolves around a pious Jew who makes a living by ‘campers’ of all ages, including over a dozen Yiddish-speaking children. Since that running a house of prostitution below his abode, where he, his wife (a former unexpectedly transformational experience, a good part of my interaction with my prostitute), and their virtuous 17-year-old daughter live. The Jew tries to shield three-year-old granddaughter has been in the mamehloshn. his daughter from the activities below their abode, but the daughter meets and The book can’t quite identify how a convergence might occur between the two falls in love with one of the prostitutes and may be induced to run off with other most important streams of the current Yiddish world – one, the Haredi commu- prostitutes and ply their trade. The play, which features the first known kiss on nities with their ever-growing number of speakers for whom Yiddish is the lingua stage between people of the same sex, was raided by the police after opening night franca used daily and colloquially, and two, the secular new Yiddish speakers who and several of the principals were arrested. are products of Yiddish studies offered in universities, via the internet, and at Both the strength and the weakness of How Yiddish Changed America and summer camps and workshops like Yiddishland. How America Changed Yiddish is its refusal to answer the question suggested by Among the Haredi Yiddish redders, grammar and introduction of additional the title – how did Yiddish actually change America, and vice versa. In general English words to the Yiddish language are not as important as innovation might terms, the editors reference the achievers who emerged from the culture of be to scholars of earlier Yiddish literature and the language’s history. To them, Yiddish speakers – the number of Jewish Nobel Prize winners, the notable polit- Yiddish is a living language used daily that, like all languages in current use, ical and social movement leaders, the movers and shakers of American life. Also constantly evolves. One hurdle to the two streams meeting is that the Haredi noted are our immigrant parents’ contributions to science and literature, theater community views Yiddish as its own private form of communication that helps and movies, and commerce and industry (not to mention the occasional gonif and keep the non-Haredi community on the outside – it’s an issue addressed by quack). Their Yiddish cultural background heavily influenced all of them. Jeffrey Shandler in his essay “Looking for Yiddish In Boro Park.” Another obstacle The anthology challenges readers to interpret the numerous entries and relate – one that might be surmounted – is that Yiddish literature in any form is only and meld their own experiences and history to produce their responses to the beginning to resurface. Some new writing is subject to Haredi religious restric- question. The editors may go a bit overboard when they note that, “Assimilation tions, although there has also been a resurgence of secular Yiddish periodicals in the United States has indeed presented Yiddish with challenges, and it has like the Yiddish League’s Afn Shvel, newsletters, and now even Yiddish books. responded impressively, dynamically, demonstrating its flexibility, complexity, Theater, film, and television are major topics in How Yiddish Changed America and strength.” Given the strength and the thoughtful selection of the many – with an inevitable emphasis on Fiddler on the Roof, which was, of course, based articles, I give them the benefit of the doubt, and attribute this statement to a on Yiddish stories penned by Sholem Aleichem. The anthology presents Cynthia boundless optimism for Yiddish. Ozick’s excellent and informative essay, “Sholem Aleichem’s Revolution,” which packs in a lot of information about how Yiddish changed American and vice versa. First, she introduces us to the Yiddish language, making a comparison to Hebrew, and concluding that until the mid-19th century, “[Y]ou might tie your shoelaces with Yiddish, but Hebrew was the avenue of thought and certainly of civility.” You can now read and share Berkshire Jewish Voice feature stories online! With the Jewish Enlightenment (Haskalah) in full bloom by the mid-19th Visit jewishberkshires.org and select Community & Events>Berkshire century, many in Eastern Europe embraced Yiddish as a cultural tool for the Jewish Voice for links to highlights of current and past issues. masses. Ozick introduces us to Sholem Rabinovitsh, our Sholem Aleicheim, and reviews his personal background, as well as social and religious thought in Page 24 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org March 15 to May 2, 2021

Your Federation Dollars at Work From the Berkshires to Afula, Israel with Joy this Purim The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, together with our Southern New England Coalition (SNEC) partners, funded shaloch manot Purim packages for healthcare workers in the coronavirus and respiratory intensive care units at Ha’Emek Hospital in Afula, Israel. Teens from the Federation-supported Sandwich Club at the Afula Crowns Community Center were engaged to help put together and deliver 130 packages.

7 things you didn’t know about Passover By My Jewish Learning / 70 Faces Media

Passover celebrates the ancient Exodus of the Israelites from bondage in experience of Egyptian slavery, from the eating of bitter herbs and matzah to Egypt. Here are seven things you might not have known about the major Jewish the dipping of greenery in saltwater, which symbolizes the tears shed by the festival. oppressed Israelites. Some Jews from Iran and Afghanistan have the tradition of whipping each other with green onions before the singing of “Dayenu.” 1. In Gibraltar, there’s dust in the charoset. The traditional charoset is a sweet Passover paste whose texture is meant as 5. Karaite Jews skip the wine. a reminder of the mortar the enslaved Jews used to build in ancient Egypt. The Karaite Jews reject rabbinic Judaism, observing only laws detailed in the name itself is related to the Hebrew word for clay. In Ashkenazi tradition, it is Torah. That’s why they don’t drink the traditional four cups of wine at the Seder. made from crushed nuts, apples and sweet red Wine is fermented, and fermented foods are prohib- wine, while Sephardi Jews use figs or dates. But ited on Passover, so they drink fruit juice instead. the tiny Jewish community of this small British (Mainstream Jews hold that only fermented grains territory at the tip of the Iberian Peninsula takes are prohibited.) The Karaites also eschew other the brick symbolism to another level, using the staples of the traditional Seder, including the Seder dust of actual bricks in their recipe. plate, the afikomen and charoset. Their maror (bitter herbs) are a mixture of lemon peel, bitter 2. Abraham Lincoln died during Passover. lettuce and an assortment of other herbs. The 16th American president was shot at Ford’s Theatre on Friday, April 14, 1865, which 6. You’re wrong about the orange on the Seder coincided with the fourth night of Passover. The plate. next morning, Jews who wouldn’t normally have Some progressive Jews have adopted the prac- attended services on the holiday were so moved by tice of including an orange on the Seder plate as Lincoln’s passing they made their way to syna- a symbol of inclusion of gays, lesbians and other gogues, where the normally celebratory Passover groups marginalized in the Jewish community. services were instead marked by acts of mourning The story goes that the practice was instituted by and the singing of Yom Kippur hymns. American the feminist scholar Susannah Heschel after she Jews were so affected by the president’s death was told that a woman belongs on the synagogue that Congregation Shearith Israel in New York recited the prayer for the dead – bimah, or prayer podium, like an orange belongs on a Seder plate. But according usually said only for Jews – on Lincoln’s behalf. to Heschel, that story is false. In that apocryphal version, she said, “a woman’s words are attributed to a man, and the affirmation of lesbians and gay men is 3. Arizona is a hub for matzah wheat. erased. Isn’t that precisely what’s happened over the centuries to women’s ideas?” Hasidic Jews from Brooklyn have been increasingly sourcing wheat for their Passover matzah from farmers in Arizona. Excessive moisture in wheat kernels 7. “Afikomen” isn’t Hebrew. can result in fermentation, rendering the harvest unsuitable for Passover use. For many Seder attendees, the highlight of the meal is the afikomen — a But rain is scarce in Arizona, which allows for a stricter standard of matzah broken piece of matzah that the Seder leader hides and the children seek; the production. Rabbis from New York travel to Arizona in the days leading up to the person who finds the afikomen usually gets a small reward. Most scholars believe harvest, where they inspect the grains meticulously to ensure they are cut at the the word “afikomen” derives from the Greek word for dessert. Others say it refers precise moisture levels. to a kind of post-meal revelry common among the Greeks. Either theory would explain why the afikomen is traditionally the last thing eaten at the Seder. 4. At the Seder, Persian Jews whip each other with scallions. Many of the Passover Seder rituals are intended to re-create the sensory