Archbishop of Florence, crisscrossed crisscrossed ofFlorence, Archbishop genious. Bartali,atthebehestof Jews. the NazistosavethousandsofItaly’s riskingtheirlivesbydefying Church, high-ranking officialsoftheCatholic andotherItaliansworkedwith romeo, Gino Bartali,physicianGiovanniBor deFrancebicyclingchampion II, Tour recounts how,during film World War that wasallbutlosttohistory.The Holocaust. inthe memory ofthosemurdered us forcandlelightingandprayersin of Pittsfield.Afterthefilm,pleasejoin setts, andtheItalian-AmericanClub the DioceseofSpringfield,Massachu- Jewish FederationoftheBerkshires, jointlybythe public, andissponsored April 8at2 p.m. MuseumonSunday, at theBerkshire HaShoah/Holocaust RemembranceDay inhonorofYomof aspecialprogram Italian Secret: TheForgotten Heroes, part depicted inthedocumentaryfilmMy sands ofJewsduringtheHolocaust tance movementthathelpedsavethou- - story oftheclandestineItalianresis PITTSFIELD –Discoverthefascinating lost tohistory My ItalianSecret storythatwasallbut tellsaheroic Yom HaShoahEvent Forgotten Heroes Rememberedat and loaves ZviCohenonhislife Chatham baker/restaurateur Success Story Years intheMaking Jewish Entrepreneurs...... My Israel...... Local News...... Meet Marie Tiffany, LICSW...... Your Federation Presents...... Helping HoustonRecover...... quite sure why. quite sure enough toadmitheisn’t is self-effacing that happenedwasgood.” And Cohen the BookofGenesis.“Everything bad from tothenoteddreamer referring own lifejourney. enterprises inChatham,NY, abouthis anditssisterculinary Our DailyBread of bytheproprietor outlook expressed Yetreciting. evokesthe itperfectly one thatZviCohenisaccustomedto diction onholidays,thisprayerisnot gogue istodeliverthepriestlybene- I havedreamed ofothers. my companionshavedreamed ofme,or Whether Ihavedreamed ofmyself,or dream andknownotwhatitis. as are mydreams. Ihavedreamed a toBirkatKohanim(PriestlyBlessing) response thecongregational – From BERKSHIRE JEWISHENTREPRENEURS J Their high-risk methods were in- Their high-riskmethodswere My ItalianSecret story tellsaheroic andopentothe This eventisfree “I feellikeJoseph,”Cohen says, insyna- As someonewhoserole Sovereign oftheUniverse,IamYours Vol. 26,No.3 ewish Berkshire A publicationoftheJewishFederationBerkshires, servingtheBerkshires andsurrounding NY, CTandVT Inside 10-11, 13 1, 20-23 4-9, 12 16-17 - 8 2 Nisan/Iyar 5778 convents. and womenasnunshidthemin Jews. OthersdisguisedJewishgirls hewashiding thehospitalwhere from theSSaway fictitious diseasetoscare physician, Dr. inventeda Borromeo, Nations” byYad Vashem.) Aprominent the title “Righteous Among the awarded of hisbicycle.(In2013,Bartaliwas identification documentsintheframe Italywhiletransportingfake Northern Zvi Cohen it a time when an entire continentwas it atimewhenanentire - thesewitnesses’stories,revis Through fortheircourage. orreward recognition to savestrangerswithouteverseeking willingtosacrificetheirownlives were their stories,andtothankthosewho toItalyreveal characters return In thisepicdocumentary,living YOM HASHOAH, continuedonpage6 ZVI COHEN, continuedon page 20

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PHOTO BY OURIA TADMOR/© EILAT MAZAR Page 2 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org March 19 to April 22, 2018 In My View Flood Waters Have Receded, but Challenges Remain Your generosity, Federation network support ongoing hurricane relief efforts in Jewish Houston By Dara Kaufman

Imagine yourself in the second floor of your were a vital resource for Miri, a young Israeli woman I met, who was working at a house with two six-month-old twins, trying to kiosk in the mall adjacent to my hotel. decide which baby you will strap to yourself and Upon learning of my Federation connection, Miri emotionally clasped my which one you will hand over to someone else in hands in hers and shared her story. The rental home where she lived with her order to evacuate your home in chest-high husband and 5-year-old son had flooded. They had no renters insurance, and waters that are rapidly rising. so had no hope of replacing anything. With Federation support, they received an This was the unimaginable decision that Anita emergency cash grant and were able to speak with a social worker who helped Bormaster had to make as she and her family them find additional support. Rental prices were being jacked up as demand be- found themselves trapped during the August 27 gan to exceed supply, and they received access to an advocate who helped negoti- flooding in Houston, TX. ate temporary housing at a fair rate. I was recently in Houston with 350 Federation In a presentation by Avital Ingber, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation professionals for the 2018 Professional Institute, of Great Houston, I sadly learned that at least another $20 million is still needed. which included a track specifically for executive The spotlight on Houston may have diminished as the waters have receded, but directors of small Federations from across the many challenges and needs remain in rebuilding this Jewish community. country. As I listened to Avital, I was thankful for the generosity of our small Berkshire Hurricane Harvey decimated Houston. Hundreds of thousands of people were community. Just a few weeks earlier our board of directors had authorized two impacted and the Jewish community was also hit hard. In a matter of hours, the additional funding allocations out of our 2017 budget – $5,000 to support Hous- fabric that holds this thriving Jewish community together ton’s rebuilding efforts and $5,000 to support the rebuild- became waterlogged and shredded to pieces. More than ing efforts of Puerto Rico. In my pocket book was a check, 2,000 families living within a two-mile radius of one another In a matter of hours, all which I later presented to Avital, to be used for educational lost everything. Synagogues, day schools, and other Jewish supplies for one of their local schools. institutions in the area were destroyed. As the flood waters was stripped away; yet Visiting Houston, and hearing the experiences of people quickly rose, people grabbed what they could and evacu- they still had their spirit who had been through so much, really hit home, and ated. Once the water receded, many returned to find there reinforced one of the key reasons why I believe that Feder- was nothing left to salvage. and the support they could ation, as an organization and as a collective system, needs I had the opportunity to visit the local JCC to see how provide one another. And to exist. When our community needs us, we are there to they are rebuilding. The first floor was reduced to rubble help. This is not just a tag line in our campaign – it is the when 10 feet of water rushed through, knocking out glass they had Federation. fundamental underpinning of our Jewish values. Whether window and doors and eventually punching a gaping hole through tzedakah (righteous giving), tikkun olam (social through a cinderblock wall. Walking us through the site, action), or gemilut chasidim (acts of loving kindness), as Teri Greenblatt, the assistant executive director, pointed out the outline of what Jews and as humans we must be there for one another. used to be the room where hundreds of meals each day for their kosher meals on I tried to explain this to Jorge, the team leader at the Food Bank of Greater wheels program were prepared. Houston, where my colleagues and I volunteered one morning. We were taking When I think about Federation dollars saving lives, I usually picture crises a short break from packing food bags that would be sent home in backpacks that are far away – rockets and fires in Israel, an earthquake in Haiti, war in for kids who needed extra food security over the weekend, and I shared how our Ukraine. However, the people in Houston are very much like us. They had good Jewish Women’s Foundation funded a similar project in the Berkshires. Jorge jobs, beautiful homes, and a strong, vibrant community. In a matter of hours, all asked me why, with such a limited amount of time in Houston, we were taking was stripped away; yet they still had their spirit and the support they could pro- the morning to volunteer “Your community needs us,” I said. “If we are here in vide one another. And they had Federation. Houston, we must help.” The Berkshires very generously sent more than $18,000 to Houston when the I pray that the Berkshires will never experience floods, or earthquakes or fires Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) first mobilized its hurricane relief or any other horrific event that devastates lives and rips apart the fabric of our effort. Together with other communities, we provided $20 million of emergency community. But it is reassuring to know that if, heaven forbid, something should, funding to help meet the most critical needs in those early weeks. Those dollars the Jewish community across the country would, in a heartbeat, be there for us in our time of need. Reflecting on my time in Hous- ton, I can’t help but feel a deep and abiding gratitude for the privilege it is to represent our generous and caring community in the holy work that we do together through Federa- tion. On behalf of the many grateful people I met in Houston, thank you for being there in their time of need!

Support for Houston is still greatly needed. Donate online at: houstonjewish.org or send a payment to us and we will be happy to forward it on your behalf.

Dara Kaufman is executive director of the Jewish Federation of the Houston Food Bank is the largest food bank in the US and Dara Kaufman with Avital Ingber (left), president and CEO of Berkshires serves over 800,000 people each year the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston

Letters to the Editor

B’not Tzedek Foundation Came Through for Local Youth

Dear Jewish Federation of the Berkshires: enrich their lives, the lives of their peers, and our community as a whole. Thank you so much for the recent donation of $2,000 by your B’not Tzedek In the past year alone, RSYP served over 800 youths in South County. Our Youth Foundation in support of Railroad Street Youth Project’s Q Club. Since its programs provide opportunities that reach beyond the classroom, allowing partic- founding, RSYP continues to serve a vital role in our community, empowering ipants to gain the experience and skills to think differently about their future and young people to find their voices and unique identities in the world, follow their life choices. passions, and successfully negotiate the often difficult transition to adulthood. Without your support for our mission of youth development and empower- Through RSYP, our constituents explore and develop ideas and projects which ment, none of this would be possible. Thank you.

Sincerely, Amanda Timpone, Executive Director Great Barrington 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 website! anonymous letters, insults, libelous or defamatory statements. Published letters do not represent the views of the Federation, its board of directors, or the newspaper, Check out our but rather express the views of their authors. For verification purposes, please in- www.jewishberkshires.org 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: INCLUDES A CALENDAR OF PROGRAMS AND EVENTS [email protected]. SPONSORED BY THE BERKSHIRE JEWISH COMMUNITY Nisan/Iyar 5778 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 3 Rabbi Reflections This Spring, May We All Be Blessed to “Wake Up” By Rabbi Rachel Barenblat

I attended the Rabbis Without Borders fellows reminder of the plight of migrant farm workers. The challenge is to recognize all of gathering earlier this year. On our first morning these injustices (and more) — even as we attempt to experience, however tempo- there, during morning services, we were singing rarily, what it would feel like if all of those injustices were a thing of the past. “Mi Chamocha” — the song that our ancestors That shift requires an effort of will. We have to wake up, the way I had to wake sang after coming through the sea. We were up during that morning service at Rabbis Without Borders. We have to make the using a lovely melody (by Shir Yaakov — find leap of opening ourselves to feeling something impossible: real redemption. Real his music on bandcamp.com). And then the wholeness. Real hope. rabbi who was leading This spring we’ll mark Israel’s 70th birthday. The that prayer, Rabbi David creation of the modern state of Israel was impossi- Markus, stopped and asked Pesach invites us to feel that ble, too, until it wasn’t. It required tremendous will us, “Do you really feel it, we ourselves are brought forth and hope. Israel still invites us into that audacity of though?” hope: that peace and justice can come to pass in our We were singing words from constriction into freedom, day. That enemies can learn to live together as broth- of awe and wonder. Words ers and sisters. That the constriction of conflict will meant to evoke our quint- that we ourselves can know give way to the wide-open expansiveness of peace. May essential Jewish story of emerging from constriction into the primordial unity of the it come to pass speedily and soon. freedom. And we were singing them as though they were This spring, may we all be blessed to “wake up” to just a nice melody. first moments of creation the profound existential wonder of our tradition’s core Full disclosure: I was co-leading that service, along with story. May we be blessed to taste our deepest hopes for Rabbi Markus and Rabbi Evan Krame (with me, they are a world free from prejudice and injustice of every kind among the co-founders of Bayit: Your Jewish Home). And I, too, was singing “Mi — and then, when we wake up after Seder, to put our hands and hearts to the Chamocha” with my mind on other things. task of building that world redeemed. My friend and colleague Rabbi David offered a wake-up call: what would it feel like to sing those words with awareness of what they mean? To feel in our bones Rabbi Rachel Barenblat is spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Israel in North the miracle of our core story of redemption — both the redemption that happened Adams. She blogs at velveteenrabbi.blogs.com; you can find out more about her there-and-then when we came through the Sea of Reeds, and the transformation poetry and other publications at velveteenrabbi.com. For more on Bayit: Your that’s possible in every day? When we started singing again, the energy in the Jewish Home, visit yourbayit.org. room felt different. For a moment, we were all more awake. The story of the Exodus from Egypt is referenced in daily Jewish prayer, and in the Friday night kiddush. Our tradition gives us daily and weekly opportunities to remember redemption. And, of course, we have an annual opportunity, too: the nights of Seder, when we remind ourselves of the obligation to see ourselves as if we, too, had been brought forth from constriction into freedom. Because that story isn’t just about “them” back “then”: it’s also about us in the here-and-now. I learned from the Hasidic master known as the Afikei Maym that when we inhabit the Pesach Seder fully, we have the opportunity to shed the karmic bag- gage of generations of missteps (starting with the eating of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil) and to experience the unity and whole-heartedness the first human beings knew in Eden. Pesach invites us to feel that we ourselves are brought forth from constriction into freedom, that we ourselves can know the primordial unity of the first moments of creation. Pesach invites us to shift from “it’s as if that were true” to “it really is true.” Some of us put an orange on the Seder plate as a reminder that people of all genders and sexualities have a place at the table. Some of us put a padlock on the Seder plate as a reminder of unjust incarceration policies, or a tomato as a

CORRECTION: Due to an editing error, an article in the last “My Israel” section featured an incorrect byline. Diana Feld wrote “Before There Was Birthright Israel.” The BJV regrets the error. CORRECTION: A photo caption in the January BJV article about the ALYN bicycle ride misidentified the location that the photograph was taken. The photo showed local ALYN riders at a reunion in the Berkshires, not in Israel.

Thank you volunteers Ellen Rosenblatt and the BJV delivery team, Michael Albert, Jeff Kramer, Roman Rozenblyum, and Ron Turbin

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 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: April 23-May 28, 2018 Press deadline: March 21, 2018 • Advertising deadline: April 4, 2018 Berkshire Jewish Voice e-mail: [email protected] Phone: (413) 442-4360, ext. 11 Fax (413) 443-6070 Paid advertisements do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires or its members. Page 4 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org March 19 to April 22, 2018 Your Federation Presents Lecture Series Brings More Pre-Recorded Chair Yoga: Easy Yoga for 92Y Talks to Lenox Mobility and Peace of Mind LENOX – A program series 2 p.m., “The Na- On Monday, April 2 at presented by the Jewish Fed- ture of Faith” brings 10:45 a.m., join Linda Novick eration of the Berkshire, in col- together world-re- for “Chair Yoga: Easy Yoga laboration with Kimball Farms, nowned physicist for Flexibility, Mobility, and will screen three thought- and writer Marcelo Peace of Mind.” This free provoking pre-recorded talks Gleiser and his two program at Knesset Israel, 16 from the renowned 92nd Street distinguished guests, Colt Road in Pittsfield is part Y in New York City. MacArthur Fellow of the Jewish Federation of The series is free and open and National Human- the Berkshires’ Connecting to the public, and each talk ities Medalist, philos- With Community series. lasts approximately one hour. opher, and novelist Linda Novick says: “Chair Kimball Farms is located at Rebecca Yoga is appropriate for people 235 Walker Street in Lenox. Goldstein, and of all levels of mobility. It Light refreshments will be astrophysicist and is a series of breathing and served. RSVPs are required, acclaimed novelist stretching exercises done in as seating is limited. Call (413) Alan Lightman. Even a chair, which increases mo- Linda Novick 637-7043. though we live in a bility of the joints, flexibility, On Wednesday, March 28 world where sci- Dr. Ruth strength and stamina. Some at 2 p.m., Alana Newhouse, ence and technology of the exercises are performed proper breathing, strength and editor-in-chief of Tablet Mag- dictate more and more how we America’s most trusted and standing behind the chair, balance. She attended Pratt azine, leads the panel discus- live our lives, religious belief best-loved therapist. But few while holding on. Participants Institute in Brooklyn and has sion “The End of Europe” with remains widespread in this people know she narrow- will learn breathing techniques a BFA in art education, and James Kirchick (author of The and most countries. Why do so ly escaped death from the to enhance lung capacity, as has taught art for 50 years. End of Europe: Dictators, Dem- many people believe? Is there Holocaust, was raised in an well as easy stretches and She’s been teaching yoga agogues and the Coming Dark a difference between faith and orphanage in Switzerland or yoga postures. Yoga is good since 1997, and lately has Age), Pulitzer Prize- belief? Can science contribute that she was a sniper during for all bodies. Beginners are been focusing on easy yoga for winning columnist Bret Ste- to this conversation? Or are Israel’s War of Independence. welcome.” elders. She taught on staff at phens (The New York Times), science and religion funda- In spite of this, Dr. Ruth has Linda Novick, MFA, is an Kripalu Center for 7 years, and and Julia Ioffe (The Atlantic). mentally incompatible, belong- always had an insatiable zest author, teacher, artist, and is now a regular presenter, of- Once the world’s bastion of ing to two non-overlapping for life, what she calls her professional level Kripalu Yoga fering programs that combine liberal democratic values, Eu- magisteria, as the late Stephen “joie de vivre.” Join the hilar- teacher. She currently teaches painting and yoga. She’s the rope is now having to confront Jay Gould liked to say? Is ious, inspiring and profound yoga at Berkshire West Fitness author of the book, The Paint- demons — anti-Semitism, pop- there room for spirituality in Dr. Ruth as she celebrates Center and Kimball Farms, ing Path: Embodying Spiritual ulist nationalism and territo- science? These questions and her 87th birthday and shares and all over the Common- Discovery through Yoga, Brush rial aggression, among others more will be addressed by this her secrets for a full life, as wealth with the Massachusetts and Color. — it thought had been laid to illustrious panel of thinkers. revealed in her new book, The Housing Authority. rest. Join the panelists for an On Wednesday, April 25 at Doctor Is In: Dr. Ruth on Love, She explains that her IF YOU GO illuminating discussion about 2 p.m., Dr. Ruth Westheimer Life, and Joie de Vivre. She’ll approach to yoga encourages challenges facing Europe, and joins Annette Insdorf for change the way you think everyone to listen and love Sponsor: Jewish Federation the ramifications for the US. “Dr. Ruth: The Doctor is In.” about life and love, in all their their body. Her yoga classes of the Berkshires / Connecting With Community On Wednesday, April 11 at Everyone knows Dr. Ruth as limitless possibilities. encourage gentle stretching, Venue: Knesset Israel Date & Time: Monday, April 2 at 10:45 a.m., followed by lunch Yom HaShoah Program (see page 14). “Global Perspectives and Community Conversations: Beyond Genocide” Film Screenings During On Thursday, April 12 at 10:45 a.m., join genocide Kosher Lunch Passover scholar, author, and illumi- nation artist Amy Fagin for a Hiatus visual perspective of global in- cidents of genocide and mass Although the kosher violence. Fagin has traveled lunch program will be on throughout the world in her hiatus for kitchen Pass- study of genocides and creates over prep on Monday, illuminations to interpret the March 26 and Thursday, politics of justice and truth. March 29, Connecting This free program at Knes- With Community pro- set Israel, 16 Colt Road in gramming continues with Pittsfield is part of the Jewish the screening of two films Federation of the Berkshires’ at 10:45 a.m. These films Connecting With Community will be shown in their series. entirety. Amy Fagin’s presentation The March 26 film will will begin with a brief back- be It Runs in the Family, ground of the concepts of starring Kirk Douglas genocide and prevention, and expression and the museum international advisor for the and Michael Douglas. then lead into discussion. experience. Winter School in Genocide The story involves a high- She will introduce her artistic Fagin is a visual artist Studies Dhaka, Bangladesh. ly successful New York process that results in indi- specializing in the traditional She regularly publishes edito- City family, each with vidual illuminations that are art form of manuscript illu- rials, reviews, and essays on its set of problems, and similar to historical illumi- mination embracing modern genocide, memory, memorial- highlights the difficulties nated manuscripts. She will techniques and applications. ization, art, and 21st century of the father-son rela- engage in discussion on art, Her body of work represents a expression and education. She tionship. genocide, prevention, and the meta-modernist approach to also conducts scholars’ travel The March 29 film Kirk Douglas and Michael Douglas 21st century, sharing infor- the materials, techniques, and seminars to societies victim- will be Crimes and star in It Runs in the Family mation about current areas theoretical principals used in ized by mass violence to better Misdemeanors, starring of the world where mass scale manuscript illumination for understand the social process- Woody Allen, Martin Landau, the exploits of a philandering violations are occurring. contemporary consideration. es and pursuits of collective Sam Waterston, Mia Farrow, optometrist and a depressive Fagin’s Beyond Genocide is She has contributed expertise memory, truth, and justice. and others. This film is con- documentary filmmaker in an emerging series of illumi- in international consultative sidered an important entry love with his producer. in filmmaker Woody Allen’s nations narrating a visual events such as the African IF YOU GO Join us! These free pro- documentary arts perspective Union Human Rights Memo- body of work. It is alternate- grams will be held at Knesset on global incidents of genocide rial Project in Addis Ababa, Sponsor: Jewish Federation ly comical and dramatic and Israel, 16 Colt Road in Pitts- of the Berkshires / Connecting and mass violence. She is also Ethiopia, and the 5th Interna- follows two plotlines, following field. With Community an independent scholar in tional Symposium on Genocide genocide studies and conducts and the Pursuit of Justice in Venue: Knesset Israel research seminars, lectures, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Date & Time: Thursday, April 12 workshops and advisory work Fagin currently serves on at 10:45 a.m., followed by lunch (see page 14). on global initiatives of memory the executive board of the For further information on all Jewish Federation of the and memorialization through International Association of Berkshires programs, please call Nancy Maurice Rogers, individual and collective arts Genocide Scholars and as an Program Director, at (413) 442-4360, ext. 15. Nisan/Iyar 5778 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 5 Your Federation Presents The What? Why? How? of Connecting With Community Programs / Prayer Kosher Hot Lunch On Thursday, April 5 at Programs in the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires’ Connecting With 10:45 a.m., the Jewish Feder- ation of the Berkshires wel- Community series are free and start at 10:45 a.m. most Mondays and Thurs- comes Myrna Hammerling, days at Knesset Israel (16 Colt Road, Pittsfield). Programs are followed by a director of Programming and kosher hot lunch. Lunch is a $2 suggested donation for adults over 60 years Adult Education at Knesset of age or $7 for all others. Advance reservations are required for lunch and Israel, whose topic will be “The can be made by calling (413) 442-2200 before 9 a.m. on the day of the pro- What? Why? How? of Prayer.” This free program at Knesset gram. Israel, 16 Colt Road in Pitts- For further information on all programs, please call Nancy Maurice field is part of the Federation’s Rogers, program director, at (413) 442-4360, ext. 15. For lunch menus Connecting With Community and a chronological list of all scheduled programs, please see page 14. series. This program was post- Note that lunch menus are subject to change. poned from January. Hammerling will begin “An Interactive Exploration About Myrna Hammerling Prayer” with those who wish to share their questions about or “The Spirituality of Aging: A Conversation reactions to praying, and will Knesset Israel Hebrew School then explore approaches for for about 10 years, and engi- About Life and Depth,” with Wren Bernstein the enrichment of one’s per- neered the joint after-school “The Spirituality of Aging: A include: aging conscious- sonal spiritual receptiveness. Hebrew program with KI and Conversation About Life and ly; retiring the inner critic; Hammerling says this will be Temple Anshe Amunim. Depth,” led by licensed social forgiveness; life review; facing both a personal and collective worker and spiritual guide mortality; and the mystery of exploration process. IF YOU GO Myrna Hammerling has a Wren Bernstein, concludes transformation. Sponsor: Jewish Federation master’s degrees in Second- on Thursday, April 19 at Wren Bernstein, LICSW, of the Berkshires / Connecting ary Education, English, and 10:45 a.m. This free program has been a spiritual prac- With Community Speech, and another in Ju- at Knesset Israel, 16 Colt titioner for 35 years and a Venue: Knesset Israel daic Studies from the Jewish Road, in Pittsfield, part of the clinical social worker for 25, Date & Time: Thursday, April 5 Federation’s Connecting With working with clients both Theological Seminary. She has been president of the Knes- at 10:45 a.m., followed by lunch Community series. individually and in groups. As (see page 14). What does it mean to a lifelong seeker of truth and set Israel board of directors embrace your elderhood and transcendence, she brings a and was the principal of the transform your expectations spiritual and philosophical of aging? According to Wren perspective to the psycho- Bernstein, this course offers logical and social issues that an opportunity to explore the confront us at various stag- unique spiritual and psycho- es of life. Though she works Wren Bernstein logical gifts of the third major with adults of all ages, she is stage of life in a relaxed group most recently focusing on the setting. The one-hour session unique challenges and oppor- believes in the power of will include a brief mindful- tunities that arise in the “third contemplation, conver- Being selected means a lot to us. ness practice, inspirational act” of life, when meaning-of- sation, and community readings with questions for life questions seem to demand as essential to mental introspection, and a facilitated more attention and priorities and spiritual health. group conversation. Topics and goals begin to shift. She

IF YOU GO Sponsor: Jewish Federation of the Berkshires / Connecting With Community Venue: Knesset Israel Date & Time: Thursday, April 19 at 10:45 a.m., followed by lunch (see page 14).

“20th Century Jewish Russian Immigration,” with Author Anastasia But it means even more to you.

Goodman aking this list is no small feat. First, firms must meet On Monday, April 9 at refusenik movement that led Mspecific requirements, not the least being registered 10:45 a.m., the Jewish Fed- to the release of Soviet Jews. investment advisors. Once they are met, then the editors eration of the Berkshires She assisted Soviet refugees of Financial Times ask those firms to be considered for welcomes mystery novelist by helping them find jobs in Anastasia Goodman, creator the US and acclimate to life further evaluation. of the Sasha Perlov mysteries, in America. This led her to This is neither a “pay-to-play” advertising product, a peer who will explore “20th Century writing the Sasha Perlov nov- review nor a popular vote campaign. Jewish Russian Immigration.” els, drawing on these émigré This free program at Knesset stories and weaving them into In the simplest of terms it means that all of us work in Israel, 16 Colt Road in Pitts- her own experiences. your best interest. That in and of itself is invaluable to our field is part of the Federation’s Says Goodman: “I am Connecting With Community intrigued by the fact that peo- clients, the industry and our integrity. series, and is followed by ko- ple pick up their lives, leave Have a conversation with Gary Schiff, Managing Director, sher lunch at noon. their native land, and move at the number listed below. He’ll fill you in on details that Anastasia Goodman writes to a strange country; possibly Jewish-themed mysteries. Her not even understanding the helped us make this year’s Financial Times FT300. quirky hero, Sasha Perlov, is a language. It takes guts. I don’t Russian-born New York Police think we as Americans under- Department detective whose stand the courage it takes.” mother was a Soviet dissident, and is grandson of the hero of IF YOU GO the Battle of Stalingrad. The novels mix history, mystery, Sponsor: Jewish Federation of the Berkshires / Connecting and current and historical 103 West Park Street With Community events, including the Soviet Lee MA 01238 Jewish experience and refuse- Venue: Knesset Israel nik movement. Date & Time: Monday, April 9 413-243-4331 Anastasia Goodman is at 10:45 a.m., followed by lunch of Russian descent and (see page 14). octobermountain.com was herself involved in the Page 6 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org March 19 to April 22, 2018 Your Federation Presents

“Getting Our Hands Dirty: YOM HASHOAH, continued from page 1 engulfed in genocide. However, Protecting the Environment” approximately 80% of Jewish On Thursday, March 22 people living in Italy, includ- at 10:45 a.m., the Jewish ing foreign Jews, survived the Federation of the Berkshires Holocaust. On September 8, welcomes Elizabeth Oren- 1943 the Nazis invaded North- stein, Outreach and Education ern Italy and the deportation Coordinator for the Berk- of thousands of Jewish people shire Environmental Action and others to Auschwitz Team (BEAT), who will lead a began. This film asks: “Why presentation and discussion would someone risk his or her about hands-on ways we can own life and put their family in conserve and protect our envi- jeopardy to ‘do the right thing’ ronment. This free program at and protect the life of another Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road in person... a stranger?” Pittsfield is part of the Federa- Oscar-nominated director Oren Jacoby resurrects the tion’s Connecting With Com- Elizabeth Orenstein Gino Bartali (1914-2000), recognized as a “Righteous Among the dramatic story of this secret munity series. Nations” by Yad Vashem BEAT is a regional leader and community initiatives. underground, giving it the in environmental protection She is passionate about pro- attention it so richly deserves. Beth Israel in Schenectady will share her family history of sur- and its work is only possible tecting the environment that The film draws from a vast vival. The Saranos of Milan were saved in the small Italian village through the hard work of citi- supports us all. She holds a archive of rare documentary of Mobaroccio during the Holocaust. zen scientists and volunteers. degree in ethnobotany from images that were recorded by This workshop will explore Goddard College and believes Italians, Germans, Americans how you can be involved in that the more we get to know and British during the war. IF YOU GO The film, which was re- work to restore, protect, and the plants around us the Sponsors: Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, The Diocese of leased in 2015, is narrated by improve the condition of our better stewards of the envi- Springfield, Massachusetts, and the Italian-American Club of lands, waters, and air. ronment we will be. Isabella Rossellini with Robert Pittsfield Loggia as the voice of Gino Elizabeth Orenstein Venue: Berkshire Museum, 39 South Street in Pittsfield Bartali. was born and raised in the IF YOU GO Date & Time: Sunday, April 8 at 2 p.m. Berkshires. After traveling After the film, La Rabinessa to Canada and Europe for Sponsor: Jewish Federation Liora Kelman of Congregation of the Berkshires / Connecting college, she returned in 2014 With Community to work for local non-profits Venue: Knesset Israel Date & Time: Thursday, March Kosher Community Seder – March 30 22 at 10:45 a.m., followed by PITTSFIELD – The Jewish will feature a brisket entrée. A so as soon as possible. lunch (see page 14). Federation of the Berkshires vegetarian option is available Financial assistance is will host a kosher community upon advance request. Attend- available through the gener- Passover Seder at ees are invited to bring their osity of the Jewish Women’s 6:30 p.m. on Friday, own kosher for Passover table Foundation of Berkshire March 30 at Knesset wine. County. Israel, 16 Colt Road. Rabbi David Weiner of Reservations can be made Participants will Knesset Israel will serve as by calling the Federation at enjoy a traditional Seder leader. Children of all (413) 442-4360, ext. 10 or Linking Young kosher Seder expe- ages, extended family, and online at www.jewishberk- Jewish Women in rience with plenty of community friends are wel- shires.org. explanation, insight, come. Children will enjoy Their Fight Against and song, while en- plague bags and be invited to joying all the ritual hunt for the afikomen. Prizes Donate Breast Cancer foods, ceremonial will be awarded to all. wine, and a delicious The cost is $40 for adults • (866) 474-2774 four-course Passover and $20 for children ages 5 Volunteer meal. through 13. Children 4 years www.sharsheret.org Catered by Crown and under are free of charge. • Market of West Hart- Advance reservations and pay- Make a Difference ford, the Seder meal ment are required – please do

Passover Menu Available

We will offer traditional food in honor of the celebration of Pesach 5778 Nisan/Iyar 5778 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 7 Your Federation Presents “The Man Who Never Film: Creating Harmony: The Displaced Forgot,” with Novelist Persons’ Orchestra from St. Ottilien

Kenneth Markel On Monday, April 16 at 10:45 a.m., the Jewish PITTSFIELD – On Monday, Federation of the Berkshires March 19 at 10:45 a.m., the screens Creating Harmo- Jewish Federation of the ny: The Displaced Persons’ Berkshires welcomes Kenneth Orchestra from St. Ottilien, a Markel, who will discuss his documentary film inspired new book To Catch a Nazi in by Sonia Beker’s Symphony a program titled “The Man on Fire (see cover story) and Who Never Forgot.” This free Robert Hilliard’s Surviving program at Knesset Israel, 16 the Americans: The Continued Colt Road in Pittsfield is part Struggle of the Jews After of the Federation’s Connecting Liberation. This free program With Community series, and at Knesset Israel, 16 Colt is followed by kosher lunch at Road in Pittsfield is part of noon. the Federation’s Connecting See the last issue of the BJV Kenneth Markel With Community series, and for an excerpt of the novel and is followed by kosher lunch at David Arben (born Haim Arbajtman), who passed in 2017, was more about Kenneth Markel. noon. the youngest St. Ottilien orchestra member. After coming to Creating Harmony: The America in 1949, he became first violinist for the Philadelphia Displaced Persons’ Orchestra Symphony Orchestra under Eugene Ormandy. Mixtape Live Show – 70 from St. Ottilien is the uplifting true story, narrated by Tovah The film’s running time is 55 minutes and it will begin at Years of Israeli Life Through Feldshuh, of the displaced per- 10:45 a.m. sons’ orchestra in which Sonia Beker’s parents performed. Its Music It follows several musicians’ IF YOU GO journeys from Vilna to Kovna, Sponsor: Jewish Federation of the Berkshires / Connecting With then to Dachau, and finally to Community the Displaced Persons’ Camp Venue: Knesset Israel of St. Ottilien in Bavaria, Ger- Date & Time: Monday, April 16 at 10:45 a.m., followed by lunch (see many. page 14).

Good Deeds Mitzvah Day to Bring Smiles for Seniors LENOX – On Sunday, April 15 at 1 p.m., the Good Deeds Day is an annual international Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will mark celebration of doing good—where all around international Good Deeds Day with a local the world hundreds of thousands volunteer to Mitzvah Day of Service. Smiles for Seniors help others, putting into practice the simple will bring an afternoon of smiles, cheer, and idea that every single person can do something friendship to the residents of Pine Hill Assist- good, be it large or small, to improve the lives of ed Living and the Life Enrichment Program at others and change the world. Israel Story’s Mixtape gang Kimball Farms, located at 235 Walker Street in Good Deeds Mitzvah Day in the Berkshires Lenox. is co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation of AMHERST – Join the Jewish 4:50 p.m.: Pick-up from Volunteers of all ages are invited to join the Berkshires and its PJ Library program. Federation of the Berkshires parking lot of the Jewish residents in friendly visits over sweet treats and Volunteers are requested to RSVP in advance to on a road trip to UMass Am- Federation of the Berk- refreshments, a singalong with live music, and [email protected] or (413) 442- herst for a dazzling musical shires, 196 South Street, in assembling fresh flowers in vases and make 4360, ext. 10. journey through Israel’s 70 Pittsfield cards to be delivered to the residents. years of statehood on Sunday, 5:20 p.m.: Pick-up from April 29 at 7 p.m. in Room parking lot of Big Y Su- 151 at the Integrated Learning permarket, 10 Pleasant Center, 650 North Pleasant Street, Lee Street, Amherst. This event is sponsored by UMass Hillel, to For those who prefer to which the Jewish Federation drive, parking is available at of the Berkshires contributes the Campus Hotel Garage ongoing funding and support. located at 1 Campus Way, In its brand new live show, Amherst, MA. It is short walk “Mixtape – The Story Behind to the Integrated Learning Israel’s Ultimate Playlist,” Center from there. Israel Story – Israel’s leading Space is limited and ad- podcast and radio show – ex- vance ticket registration is plores seven decades of Israeli required by April 16. Reserve tunes, all in celebration of one your spot today by calling the big milestone birthday. Federation at (413) 442-4360, They’ll take us behind the ext. 10 or email federation@ Good Deeds Day 2017, at Kindred Laurel Lake in Lee scenes of some of Israel’s most jewishberkshires.org. iconic songs, and unpack the dramas, complexities, and About UMass Hillel social tensions involved. Mark UMass Hillel is the only your calendars, and prepare campus Hillel in the world to yourself for an unforgettable win the William Haber Award evening of phenomenal live for outstanding program- music, incredible visuals and – ming six times. With multiple more than anything else – the student groups, free Shabbat surprising brand of Israel Sto- meals every Friday night, ry stories people everywhere free trips to Israel, internship have come to love. opportunities, and events Show tickets are free but going on almost every day advance registration is man- of the week, UMass Hillel is datory. Bus transportation will a vibrant, multi-faceted and be provided for those who pre- exciting community supported fer not to drive. Pick up times by your campaign dollars. are as follows: Page 8 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org March 19 to April 22, 2018 Your Federation Presents

Meet Marie Tiffany, Our New Social Worker The Jewish Federation of “I am very impressed by the tion, she was hired as an early to know that I would be con- the Berkshires recently wel- role that the Federation plays education and care clinician, tinuing some of her work at comed Marie Tiffany, LICSW, as a significant support to followed by some time spent as the Federation.” to her new position as commu- those aging in the Jewish com- a full-time outpatient clinician. Marie was also drawn to nity social worker. In this role, munity,” says Marie. “Adult In addition to her hours the Federation by the princi- Marie will support the Jewish children and loved ones have at the Federation, Marie ples of Judaism and the community in all areas of so- also expressed their gratitude also works as an integrated Jewish Family Services of cial work, including informa- for our services as a natural services manager, conduct- Western Massachusetts, by tion referrals, outreach, and support, especially if they are ing many of the intakes for whom she is formally em- case management. living out of the area. They feel new clients, whom she also ployed. Although not raised Life can present challenges, more secure at times, knowing manages in addition to her in the Jewish faith, Marie was both expected and unexpect- there are local people also car- own caseload. She now works able to identify her own core ed. Sometimes a little help ing for those dear to them. almost solely with seniors at values and beliefs in learning along the way can make things “I am grateful for the oppor- CSO, but became most inter- of B’tselem Elohim (in God’s easier. The Federation has tunity to work with such a car- ested in working with elders image) and Tikkun Olam identified the most immediate ing, collaborative faith-based at Kindred at Home, where (repairing the world), which challenges are those faced by community.” she worked for 5 years as a embody the mission of the older adults, many of whom Marie holds a BA in Psy- medical social worker. National Association of Social are aging in place in Berkshire chology from the University Marie had also enjoyed Workers, which states: “The County, with or without other of Vermont, and graduated working with families as well primary mission of the social Marie Tiffany natural supports in the local with a Masters of Social Work as individuals and adults, work profession is to enhance community. Marie’s exten- from Springfield College in and was once a supervisee of the human well-being and developmental disabilities. sive experience makes her 2011. While interning in her the Federation’s former social help meet the basic human Marie is eager to learn an advocate and resource for graduate program, she began worker, Susan Dawdy, LICSW. needs of all people, with par- about Jewish faith and cul- individuals and families trying working for Clinical and Sup- “Susan brings such a warm, ticular attention to the needs ture, as applicable to not only to navigate and connect to port Options (CSO), a com- mindful perspective to the field and empowerment of people her work in our community, community services related to munity based mental health of social work,” Marie said. “I who are vulnerable, oppressed, but her life experience as a personal care, housing, mental agency that also has several still look to her for guidance at and living in poverty.” whole. A Dalton native, she health needs, transportation, clinics throughout Western times, especially during major Her shared belief of a continues to learn about local and more. Massachusetts. Upon gradua- life transitions. I was pleased higher power and inner sense residents on a daily basis, and of responsibility to care for is very much looking forward those who are in need are also to being an active resource exemplified in the work she and participant in the Jewish has done with individuals with community. Nisan/Iyar 5778 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 9 Your Federation Presents GI JEWS: Jewish Americans in World War II Documentary explores experiences of the 550,000 Jewish men and women who served

PITTSFIELD – On Sunday, March 25 endured slurs and even violence from at 2 p.m., local PBS station WGBY, the their fellow servicemen, and often felt Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, forced to prove their courage and patri- Pioneer Valley Jewish Film Festival, otism. and the MA Multicultural Film Festival All the while, they observed their of UMASS Amherst are pleased to pres- religion, far from home. Jewish men ent free film screenings of GI JEWS: and women sought solace in their faith Jewish Americans in World War II. and celebrated holidays overseas, even The Berkshire screening will be at on the frontlines. Some went without the Berkshire Museum’s Little Cinema, rations for days to keep kosher, and located at 39 South Street in Pittsfield, many carried a small prayer book with and is presented in partnership with them on every mission. the Berkshire Museum and the Jewish War Veterans Louis Green Post #140 of An American Story Pittsfield, MA. World War II was a watershed in American history—with 16 million About the Film Americans fighting for their country, GI JEWS: Jewish Americans in World everyone intermingled. Fighting togeth- War II tells the profound and unique er in the trenches and in the air, men story of the 550,000 Jewish men and forged deep friendships across religious women who served in World War II. lines, and learned to set aside their Through the eyes of the servicemen bigotry for the greater good. responsibility as international lead- Jar (A&E, 2003), and In the Company and women, the film brings to life the Jewish Americans earned their ers, many American Jews became full of Women (IFC, 2004). Most recently, little-known story of the brave men and citizenship by shedding blood, leaving participants in postwar culture and she directed a seven-part documentary women who fought for their nation and their outsider status behind. For the politics, fighting for social change. They series, The Syrian Jewish Communi- their people, for America, and for Jews first time, their nation embraced them would demand equality at home, join ty: Our Journey Through History. worldwide. Like all Americans, they as true Americans. the battle for civil rights, and fight for fought against fascism, but they also the creation of a Jewish state. Additional Screenings waged a more personal fight—to save Liberating the Camps Wednesday, March 21, at 7:30 p.m. their brethren in Europe. After years Jewish servicemen were among the Producer/Director at UMass Amherst, 137 Isenberg of struggle, they emerged transformed, first to reach the concentration camps Lisa Ades is a documentary film- School of Management Building, locat- more powerfully American and more liberated by American troops. Many maker who has produced and directed ed at 121 Presidents Drive, Amherst, deeply Jewish, determined to continue spoke Yiddish and so were able to films for PBS and cable television for MA. Visit umass.edu/film/mmff.html the fight for equality and tolerance at offer the survivors their first words of 25 years. Her acclaimed film, Miss for more information. home. comfort, and explain to them that after America, premiered at the Sundance Monday, March 26 at 7 p.m. at the years of suffering, they were finally Film Festival before it was broadcast Springfield Jewish Community Cen- A Jewish Story free. Rabbi chaplains said prayers for on the PBS series American Experience ter, located at 1160 Dickinson Street, Jewish men fought in every branch the dead, and held services, honoring in 2002. Previously, she produced Springfield, MA. Visit www.springfield- of service and in every theater of war. the survivors as the bravest heroes award-winning films with Ric Burns, jcc.org for more information. They were held as POWs and awarded of the war. Many Jewish servicemen including the ten-hour series New GI JEWS: Jewish Americans in World honors for merit and valor. Thousands stayed on to help care for the survivors, York (PBS, 1999), The Way West (PBS, War II will be broadcast by WGBY on were wounded and 11,000 were killed locating relatives, fighting for their 1995), and The Donner Party (PBS, Wednesday, April 11, at 10 p.m. in action. Ten thousand Jewish women rights and even smuggling thousands 1992). Other films include Beauty in a joined up as well, disregarding their of them to Palestine. parents’ warnings that the military “was no life for a nice Jewish girl.” In Coming Home the midst of it all, they fought a second, In the wake of the Holocaust, Amer- more private battle, against anti- ica’s Jewish community was now the Semitism within the ranks. They largest in the world. With their new Berkshire Country Day School

What makes us INTENTIONAL, INDEPENDENT, Preschool thru’ Grade 9 & INSPIRED? Open House: October 12 Berkshire Country Day: intentionally balancing a challenging, comprehensive curriculum with a nurturing community and the culture and spirit of the Berkshires. Come for an Open House or schedule a personal visit to learn why so many families choose BCD. Open Houses: April 5 & May 10 2-year-olds thru Grade 9, Now enrolling for Fall ’18 413.637.0755 x116 [email protected] 55 Interlaken Rd. (Rt. 183), Stockbridge, MA www.berkshirecountryday.org Page 10 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org March 19 to April 22, 2018 LOCAL NEWS Modern Loss Co-Founder to Speak at Fred Lafer Memorial Hevreh Lecture at Hevreh, with GREAT BARRINGTON – On nity for coping with the mess Friday, April 6 at 6:15 p.m., of loss through candid original Stephen Greenberg Hevreh of Southern Berkshire essays and wry cartoons from welcomes Rebecca Soffer, a variety of voices, including GREAT BARRINGTON – On co-founder and CEO of the Lucy Kalanithi (physician and Sunday, April 15 at 4:00 p.m., website Modern Loss and wife of When Breath Becomes Hevreh of Southern Berk- author of Modern Loss: Candid Air author Paul Kalanithi), shire’s Fred Lafer Memorial Conversation About Grief. Be- stylist Stacy London, rocker Lecture will feature Stephen ginners Welcome. A Kabbalat Amanda Palmer, and CNN’s M. Greenberg, chair of the Shabbat service will precede Brian Stelter. Conference of Presidents of the program, and an oneg will Rebecca Soffer is a former Major American Jewish Or- immediately follow. producer for the Peabody ganizations. His topic is “The In a Q&A moderated by Award-winning Colbert Re- State of Jewish America in Rabbi Jodie Gordon, Soffer port. She has spoken nation- 2018.” Each year, in honor of the memory and legacy of Fred

will offer insights from her ally on the themes of loss and PHOTO: ELAINA MORTALI book and the Modern Loss resilience at venues including Lafer, Hevreh hosts a lecture Rebecca Soffer that addresses the current community about grief and re- Chicago Ideas Week, HBO, and Stephen M. Greenberg silience. Inspired by the web- Kripalu. She is a Columbia and two young children. opportunities and challenges site that the New York Times University Graduate School Hevreh Shabbat services facing American and Israeli Cabinet of UJA; co-chaired hailed as “redefining mourn- of Journalism alumna and and Shabbat programs are Jewish life. the First Moriah Conference; ing,” the book is a fresh and contributes regularly to books, free and open to the public. A light reception will follow was a founding member of The irreverent examination into magazines, and other media. Hevreh is at 270 State Road, the lecture, which is free and North American Jewish navigating grief and resilience Rebecca splits her time be- Great Barrington. open to the public. Forum; member of the in the age of social media, tween the Berkshires and New Mr. Greenberg was executive committee and offering comfort and commu- York City with her husband elected to his current position treasurer of the Tel Aviv-Yafo in 2015. Immediately prior to Foundation; past president of his election, he was the chair- the American Friends of Beit man of the National Coalition Hatfutsot and current member for Eurasian Jewry (NCSEJ). of its International Board; past Affiliate with a Congregation. He is a graduate of George national vice president of the You, the congregation, and the Jewish community benefit when you do. Washington University Law UJA and also a national vice School, and served as exec- chairman and chair of the de- utive assistant to the United velopment committee of Hillel • YOU GET the Jewish enrichment and spiritual • THE CONGREGATION IS THE INSTITUTION that States Attorney for the District International. nourishment you are seeking. has sustained the Jewish people for two of New Jersey. A founding He has been honored by millenia throughout the world. Orthodox, • YOU GET the rabbinical support you need in partner of the firm of Robin- several significant Jewish times of joy and sorrow. Conservative, Reconstructionist, or Reform, the Jewish community wins when you join the son, Wayne and Greenberg, he organizations both here in the • YOU RECONNECT with your community and congregation of your choice. later served as chairman and United States and in Israel. He your Jewish roots. CEO of NET2Phone, Inc. and is currently a managing mem- • YOU CAN PARTICIPATE in a variety of services, IDT Spectrum. ber of the Pilgrim Mediation classes, and programs that keep Judaism alive As a Jewish leader, Mr. Group. Mr. Greenberg resides and flourishing in Berkshire County. The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires Greenberg has chaired the in Manhattan with his wife, encourages you to affiliate. National Young Leadership Sandra Lafer Greenberg. a a Create a Jewish Legacy Campaign • Please remember the Jewish Community in your will. OSHER LIFELONG No tests. LEARNING No grades. INSTITUTE Just learning for the love of Spring classes learning begin April 12 • International Folkdancing ...... Shakespeare’s Unruly Plays ...... Mathematical Surprises ...... Free Will & the Self ...... Healthcare Today ...... Fine Art Photography ...... The Fight to Vote ...... Reading the Quran ...... Berkshire Performing Arts Previews

Request a free catalog • 413-236-2190 or [email protected] www.berkshireolli.org • Classes held throughout Berkshire County

Partners in Education with Williams College • Bard College at Simon’s Rock, Mass. College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) Nisan/Iyar 5778 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 11

LOCAL NEWS Special Shabbat and Holiday Shabbat HaGadol Shabbaton – Prepare Events at Hevreh Your Heart and Soul for Freedom with CBI GREAT BARRINGTON – Cohen, Shluffy the Sloth, and NORTH ADAMS – On Friday, A schedule of events is as Mincha / bedikat chametz) Hevreh of Southern Berkshire Barak-y Raccoon for a sweet March 23 and Saturday, March follows: 4:45-5:45 p.m. “Angels in welcomes families outside the Shabbat morning celebration. 24, Congregation Beth Israel Friday Night, March 23: the Outfield: Transcendence Hevreh community to these This spring, Hevreh adds to invites you to “Prepare Your Shabbat dinner at 7 p.m. and Liberation” events organized through its the Shabbat celebration with Heart and Soul for Freedom,” (contact CBI for details) 6:00-7:00 p.m. Time of religious school. crafts, stories, and the chance a special program to celebrate Saturday, March 24: Yearning: niggun and story to learn some new songs for “Shabbat HaGadol” (The Great 9:30 a.m. Shabbat morning 7:09 p.m. Havdalah at Yachad Passover: Hip Hop spring holidays like Passover, Sabbath), the special name davenen (prayer) – Parshat sundown Haggadah Yom Ha’atzmaut, and Shavuot! given to the Shabbat before Tzav (Eternal Flame) Contact CBI for informa- Sunday, March 25 from Hevreh welcomes interfaith Passover. 11:30 a.m. Potluck Shab- tion on a children’s program. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. families, GLBTQ families, Join CBI for a Shabbaton bat lunch Please RSVP at cbinadams@ Matt Bar, aka the Bible nursing moms, babies and sib- (an immersive Shabbat expe- 1:00-2:00 p.m. Prelude to gmail.com. Rapper, is bringing his inter- lings of all ages, grandparents rience) featuring Rabbi Rachel Liberation Congregation Beth Israel nationally renowned “Bible and special people, new mem- Barenblat and Rabbi David 2:15-3:15 p.m. Intro to is located at 53 Lois Street in Raps” project to Hevreh for bers, first timers, neighbors Markus aimed at helping you Jewish Angelology North Adams. this year’s Yachad Passover. and friends. prepare your heart and soul 3:30-4:30 p.m. Contem- The day will start with a family for the Festival of Freedom. plative practice (Four-Angel Taste of Shabbat workshop to learn the basic lessons on rap, hip hop and Fridays at 5:30 p.m.: March rhyme, and the concept of 16 and April 13 “Meet Me at the Intersection of Trans and 4-4 time. Participants will A New Program for Pre-K then transform text into rap, through 3rd Grade Students & Jewish Identity,” with Professor Joy Ladin all the while making sure all Families understand the Haggadah Suggested donation of $5 WILLIAMSTOWN – On Tues- Auditorium, Professor Ladin text. Then, in groups, attend- per family. day, April 3, Professor Joy will deliver a lecture on her ees will work on the elements Sometimes just ‘a taste’ is Ladin will explore the intersec- forthcoming book, The Soul included in a final rap song exactly what you need! Fam- tions and collisions of trans of the Stranger: Reading God and music video. Adults will ilies with children in pre-K and Jewish identity through and Torah from a Transgender have the opportunity to learn through 3rd grade are invited her personal experience of be- Perspective (Brandeis Universi- with Matt during the adult for this new Shabbat initia- coming the first and still only ty Press). learning sessions, and the day tive designed to give you the openly transgender employee Joy Ladin’s work has been will conclude with a Passover chance to celebrate Shabbat of an Orthodox Jewish institu- recognized with a National song session (or, maybe, a rap together at a time and in a tion. She will discuss her work Endowment for the Arts Fel- battle!) and snack. way that works for you! The on theorizing trans identities lowship, a Fulbright Scholar- This program is sponsored group will gather at 5:30 p.m. in relation to religious tradi- ship, an American Council of by the Grinspoon Foundation for a pizza dinner, Shabbat tions. Learned Societies Research Professor Joy Ladin Family Education Grant. If you blessings, and a special craft At 4:15 p.m., Professor Fellowship, and a Hadassah are not currently registered or story. Then, when the main Ladin will be at the Williams Brandeis Institute Research Program. Links to her poems with Hevreh’s religious school Shabbat service begins at College Jewish Religious Cen- Fellowship, among other hon- and essays are available at but would like to join for this 6:15 p.m., all are invited to ter reading from her memoir, ors. A nationally recognized joyladin.wordpress.com. special program, please call the stay through the end of Kab- Through the Door of Life: A speaker on trans and Jewish The 4:15 p.m. reading Hevreh office at (413) 528-6378 balat Shabbat (the beginning Jewish Journey Between Gen- identity, she was recently will take place at the Jewish and let them know you are part of the service) or for as ders, and from two recently named to LGBTQ Nation’s Religious Center, 24 Stetson coming. long as works for you! Please published poetry collections, Top 50 Transgender Amer- Court. The 7 p.m. lecture RSVP to Jodie Friedman The Future is Trying to Tell Us icans list. She has held the takes place at Paresky Audi- Tot Shabbat ([email protected]) to help Something: New and Selected Gottesman Chair in English torium, 39 Chapin Hall Drive, Poems and Fireworks in the at Yeshiva University since Lower Level. Saturdays at 9 a.m.: March them plan accordingly Graveyard, 2003, and taught for a year in Both events are free and 24 and April 21 All programs will be at At 7 p.m. in the Paresky Sarah Lawrence’s MFA Writing open to the public. Appropriate for families with Hevreh, 270 State Road, Great pre-school children and older Barrington. For more infor- siblings. mation, please call the Hevreh Join Hevreh rabbis, Cantor office or visit hevreh.org.

MAZEL TOV Mazel Tov to… Grandparents Richard Simons and Marcie Greenfield Simons and great- grandma Marilyn Simons on the birth of the second son of Judith and Ariel Marks. c Ava Cohen on her March 3 bat mitzvah at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire. c Jacob Shron on his March 17 bar mitzvah at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire. c Andrew LaRochelle on his April 28 bar mitzvah at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire. c Fiber artist Wendy Rabinowitz (featured in the September/October 2015 BJV) on the installation of her work at Beth El-Keser-Israel (BEKI) in New Haven, CT from April 8 – June 24. “Yahi Ohr V’Yahi Ohr – Let There Be Light and There Was Light” is a series of dynamic weavings inspired by Jewish prayer, story, and tradi- tion. For more information, call BEKI (203) 389-2108 or visit www.beki.org. PHOTO: EVAN SOLDINGER PHOTO: EVAN “Women at the Wall: A Call for Peace,” by Wendy Rabinowitz Page 12 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org March 19 to April 22, 2018 Your Federation Presents

SYMPHONY ON FIRE, continued from page 1 Nazis in 1941. Pianist Fania Durmashkin and violinist From Symphony on Fire Max Beker navigated through “In June 1941, the Nazis took over Vilna, and The evening of January 18 was opened by concentration camps, labor forced the Durmashkin family to move into the Yosef Glazman in the hall of the previous Real camps, and POW camps until Vilna Ghetto. Despite perilous Nazi treatment of Gymnasium on Rudnitsker 6. In solemn words they finally met at a displaced the Jews, random killings, mass executions, and of remembrance, he commemorated the Jewish camp in Landsberg, Germa- the inhumanely crowded living conditions there, martyrs. These words and the spiritual atmo- ny after the war. There they Wolf continued to create music and, in so doing, sphere the actors managed to create did not formed a survivor’s orchestra provided a source of hope and relief to the en- interfere with the feelings of pain and suffering – the Displaced Person’s dangered ghetto souls. in the audience: they even brought elation. Orchestra of St. Ottilien – The concert began in total silence with Chaim which performed for the Amer- “Dr. Mark Dworzecki, ghetto diarist, com- Nachman Bialik’s verse “S’gulust zikh mir ican troops, the Nuremberg mented that it was impossible to comprehend veynen” (“I Am Astounded to Tears”) perfectly judges, and David Ben Gurion and believe that a theater for stage performances performed by Shabse Bliakher. The poem was and Golda Meir, and was con- could be established in the ghetto. The idea of a followed by parts of the opera ‘Mirele Efros’ and ducted by Leonard Bernstein. ghetto theater was initiated by Yakov Gens in Dec- the prayer ‘Eyli, Eyli, lama azavtoni?’ (‘Oh God, Their inspiring story illumi- ember 1941 – when mass extermination was sus- why did You abandon me?’) led by Cantor Yosef nates how to hold strong to pended for about eighteen months. He summoned Idelson. Then a young player, Sonia Rekhtik, life, Jewish values, family and Sonia Pauline Beker conductor Wolf Durmashkin, ballet teacher Nina performed Chopin’s piano concerto and, at the friendship, and is a testament Gershteyn, and actor Shabse Bliakher and asked end full of pathos, came ‘Di goldene keyt’ (‘The to the strength of the human continued working with music them to organize a concert. His rationale was that Golden Chain’) by Y.L. Peretz. Avrom Stuzkever spirit. at the highest level in the direst this would stimulate the will to live, and also give remembered that the singer, Luba Levitska, sang On Monday, April 16, the of circumstances even in the the people a way to forget, for a while at least, the a well-known Jewish folk song, ‘Tsvey taybelekh’ Connecting With Community Vilna ghetto. The project is horrors of their everyday lives. The first reaction to (‘Two Doves’). The concert had a great impact on program will screen Creat- being funded by the Bavarian the proposal was of absolute rejection, in particu- the people. ing Harmony: The Displaced government and is supported lar from the cultural elite (many of them from the Persons’ Orchestra from St. Ot- by other cultural foundations Bund) and from Orthodox Jews. Still, an initiative In large measure, Wolf Durmashkin’s efforts tilien, a film inspired by events such as the Goethe Founda- developed from a number of creative people, also elevated his own state of mind and prevent- described in Sonia’s book. For tion. among them poet Avrom Sutzkever, Shabse ed him from falling into absolute depression. He more information, see page 7. She will share the story Bliakher, and the producer Max Viskind. Their organized a 100-voice choir for which he wrote Sonia Pauline Beker, a of the creation of a youth or- first meetings to organize a concert took place Hebrew songs. He also put together a symphony retired New York City edu- chestra, which first performed in Shabse Bliakher’s tiny room on Strahuner 7.” orchestra with instruments that were smuggled cator of English as a Second on February 19, in Munich [Quoted passage from Rachel Kostanian-Danzig’s into the ghetto piece by piece. Performances were Language, was born in Brook- and that will play again on Spiritual Resistance in the Vilna Ghetto.] attended by the ghetto Jews and by the Nazis May 10, the 70th anniversary lyn, and it was there that her The diarist, Herman Kruk, was initially opposed themselves, who were astonished at the high level of the last Displaced Per- mother taught her to play the to the concert, insulted by the apparent frivolity of musicianship and professionalism of the par- sons Orchestra concert. She piano. Her father became a of such an event with the ghetto population faced ticipants and their director. These efforts infused brought her father’s violin to skilled employee in New York’s death and destruction on a daily basis, and when vitality, comfort, and spirit to the tortured inhab- Germany for the performance, thriving clothing industry, and so many had already been killed. However, the itants of that hopeless place. Wolf became much and then continued to Israel the family would entertain next day after the event, Kruk noted that the con- loved, and was the musical pride of the ghetto. to deliver the instrument to their survivor friends with mu- cert had been a great success, that the audience During its 15 months of existence, the ghetto Holocaust violin restorer, sical evenings at their home. had had appreciated it, and that it had given the orchestra performed 35 chamber and symphonic Amnon Weinstein, who re- She has given numer- people joy. “The concerts had become a popular concerts. The last one took place on August 29, stores Holocaust violins, and ous presentations about her social event in the ghetto and an impetus for the 1943, three-and-a-half weeks before the ghetto gives them to professional family and her book to Jewish development of cultural and social life in a sealed- was liquidated. Israeli violinists (along with cultural organizations, syna- off community.” gogues, and schools, and was the violins’ stories). an education consultant for Symphony on Fire opens the USC Shoah Foundation, with an informative history of providing expertise in public Jewish life in Vilna, followed Children’s Culture in the Vilna Ghetto high school curriculum devel- by chapters in which Sonia’s A poster (1943) from the Vilna ghetto, one of 280 cultural, educational, and sports posters now opment for teachers who are mother and father recount stored at the Lithuanian Central State Archives and the State Vilna Gaon Jewish Museum. By Nikolai teaching about the Holocaust their stories in their own Borodulin, via jewishcurrents.org: “[The poster] includes the emblem of the youth club (top middle) — and genocide worldwide. A words. In the 1980s, Sonia a stylized rendition of the words yugnt klub forming the six-cornered Star of David. The top left says: longtime summer visitor to the asked them to write down “ghetto theater, January 8, 1943, starts at 20 o’c[lock],” and the top right says “cultural department, Berkshires, she and her hus- their memories, journals that school section.” band, Steven Zucker, recently became the core of the book. Finally, Sonia concludes with purchased a home in Lenox. Almost in the middle of the poster, the sign says: “first public performance.” The program listed on her own memories of grow- Sonia will also talk about the bottom of the poster includes: • Lyalkes (Puppets), an opera for children, directed by Paye Wapner ing up in Brooklyn, writing her participation this winter (1921-?), who also worked in the Vilina Ghetto library, sang in the ghetto choir and was a member of der about her experience growing in a team based in Landsberg, fareynikte partizaner-organizatsye — The United Partisans Organization (FPO). The opera was created as up with Holocaust survivors Germany that is developing a children’s musical game at the Vladimir Medem Sanatorium for children in Miedzeszyn, near Warsaw. It in the 1950s and 1960s as a project that was sparked was a gift to students of secular Yiddish schools and thousands of children treated at the Sanatorium. by her book. The name of the they adapted to a new life in project is the Wolf Durmashkin America. The text of the opera Composition Award, memorial- The excerpt that follows is was written by Motel Gilinski izing Sonia’s uncle who was a from Symphony on Fire, and (?-1944), the music by Yankl musical prodigy, conductor of details how the arts program Trumpyanski (1907-1944). the Vilna Symphony Orchestra, in the Vilna Ghetto came to be. Both were ghetto prisoners, a composer and pianist, and and both perished during the Holocaust. Interestingly enough, the second entry of IF YOU GO the program is a choral rec- Sponsor: Jewish Federation of the Berkshires itation in Hebrew. Moreover, Date & Time: Friday, April 13 at 10:45 a.m. the title of the recitation is Venue: Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, 270 State Road, striking: “Revolt.” The direc- Great Barrington tor of this performance was Cost: $11 with fresh buffet lunch. Program only, $5. the legendary Abba Kovner Advance lunch reservations required for this event. (1917-1988), the leader of the Hashomer Hatzair (“The Email [email protected], or call (413) 442-4360, ext. 10 Young Guard”) underground movement, a founder of FPO, and in later years a famous poet and writer. The third part of the program is a four-act adaptation of a well-known story by Sholem Aleichem, “Dos farkishefte shnayderl” (author’s original, Der farkishefter shnayder) — SEE the Berkshire “The Enchanted Tailor,” directed by Elye Pilnik Jewish Voice (1912-1943), who joined the partisans in the forest in COLOR at and perished in August, 1943. www.jewishberkshires.org Nisan/Iyar 5778 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 13

LOCAL NEWS Second Night Seder with Hevreh Chabad of the Berkshires GREAT BARRINGTON – Join Hevreh of Southern Berkshire for Passover on Saturday, March 31 to Host a First Night Seder, at 5:30 p.m. The Seder will be led by Rabbis Neil Hirsch and Jodie Gordon. The meal will be catered Passover Events by Mara Simon Catering and will have chicken and PITTSFIELD – Chabad of the Friday, March 23. Cost is $36 vegetarian options. Cost for adults is $40, children Berkshires will host a commu- per person and $18 per child from 6-12 $18, and children 5 and under are free. nal Passover Seder on Friday, under the age of ten. There is Reservations are required by Sunday, March 25. March 30 at Chabad of the no charge for children under Visit the Hevreh.org online for more information. Berkshires, 450 South St., in the age of three. Rabbi Volovik A new Haggadah will be introduced: A Night to Pittsfield, starting at 7:30 p.m. says no one will be turned Remember by Michael and Noam Zion. The Seder will take partic- away for lack of funds. Financial assistance is available. Call Hevreh for ipants through the liberation For more information, more information at (413) 528-6378 of the Israelites from Egyp- to make a reservation, or to tian bondage. Included in the sponsor a family, call Sara Seder will be the traditional Volovik at (413) 499-9899. Temple Anshe Amunim Hosts Second Night hand-baked shmurah matzo, the ritual four cups of wine, The Chametz ‘Sale’ Passover Seder and Other Passover Events and a delicious full-course A free online ‘Sale of Cha- Passover dinner that includes metz’ form is available on the PITTSFIELD – Temple Anshe Amunim will More Passover Events homemade salmon gefilte fish, Chabad of the Berkshires hold its annual second night Passover Seder an array of unique salads, Chocolate Seder: All ages are warmly invited website, www.jewishberk- on Saturday, March 31. The Seder, which will chicken soup, a gourmet to participate in a fun-filled Passover Chocolate shires.com, that will empower begin at 5:30 p.m., will be led by Rabbi Josh brisket and kugel entrée, and Seder on Saturday, March 24 at 4:00 p.m. The Rabbi Levi Volovik to act on Breindel. delectable desserts. cost for this event is $8 per person with a maxi- one’s behalf in the sale. Sell Passover offers many opportunities for fami- Seating is limited and res- mum of $30 per family. All chocolate will chametz the old fashioned way lies to participate at TAA, sharing traditional and ervations are required before be nut-free and dairy-free. Sugar-free and glu- by calling the rabbi at (413) innovative texts and melodies. During the Seder, ten-free options will be available upon request. 499-9899. children will be invited to hunt for the afikomen, For more information and to RSVP for this event an exciting treasure hunt for hidden matzo, and please contact Esther Benari-Altmann, Director Second Night Matzoh Ball Tasting to win prizes. This joyous event is open to all of Education at [email protected] or at “Passover for Foodies: who would like to experience a Passover Seder. (413) 442-5910. Seder at CBI Wine, Desserts, and Matzoh Following a service, participants are invited Shir Ha-Shirim and Festival Service: On NORTH ADAMS – Congrega- Ball Tasting,” will be hosted to share the traditional Seder meal, prepared by Saturday, March 31, at 9:30 a.m., Rabbi Brein- tion Beth Israel will be hosting by Spirited at 444 Pittsfield Temple members and Edie Mulligan. The meal del will lead a reading of Shir Ha-Shirim (The its annual second night of Road, Lenox on Friday, March will include chicken soup with matzo balls, ge- Song of Songs), one of the most evocative and Pesach Seder on Saturday, 23, from 1 to 3 p.m. The event filte fish, beef brisket, roast turkey, carrot tzim- romantic texts of our tradition. A joyous stream- March 31. Cost will be $25 is sponsored in part by the mes, plus assorted desserts. A vegetarian option lined festival service will follow at 10:30 a.m. per adult and $10 per child. Wassermann-Streit Y’DIYAH will be offered. Reservations are required. The Yizkor Study and Concluding Festival Service: RSVPs can be made to Jack Memorial Fund and the Harold cost for the dinner is $36 for adult members, Friday, April 6 at 9:30 a.m., Rabbi Breindel will Hockridge at the CBI office at Grinspoon Foundation, along $54 for adult non-members, $10 for children of read an exploration of the texts and rituals of [email protected]. with Chabad of the Berk- members, and $15 for children of non-members. Yizkor, our memorial service. Participants will shires. Children under 10 may attend free of charge. examine Eil Malei (our great memorial prayer), Please see Rabbi Reflections on Passover Seder reservations may be made Kaddish Yatom (Mourner’s Kaddish), and some page 3 for Rabbi Barenblat on through March 23. For more information or to contemporary poems. A meditative service of the Pesach holiday. make reservations call (413) 442-5910 or send celebration and memory will follow. an email to: [email protected]. Page 14 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org March 19 to April 22, 2018

ProgramsPrograms taketake placeplace MondaysMondays andand ThursdaysThursdays atat 10:4510:45 a.m.a.m. LunchLunch isis servedserved Mondays,Monday and Tuesdays, Thursday andat 12 Thursdays p.m, through at noon. September 3. Tuesday lunch resumes on September 8. Venue:Venue: KnessetKnesset Israel,Israel, 1616 ColtColt Road,Rd, Pittsfield, Pittsfield, MA. MA.

MARCH Tuesday, 10...... Pasta and chef’s choice of dairy sauce, salad, beans, muffins, apricots, coffee, tea, Monday, 19...... 10:45 a.m., “The Man Who Never and milk for coffee. Forgot” with editor/author, Ken Markel. Lunch: Left- overs as we prepare for Passover. Thursday, 12...... 10:45 a.m., “Global Perspectives and Community Conversations: Beyond Genocide” with Tuesday, 20...... Leftovers as we prepare for artist, Amy Fagin. Lunch: Grilled cheese and tuna, to- Passover. mato soup, beets, salad, mandarin oranges, coffee, Thursday, 22...... 10:45 a.m., “Getting our Hands tea, and milk for coffee. Dirty: What You Can Do to Protect our Environment,” Monday, 16...... 10:45 a.m., film Creating Har- with Elizabeth Orenstein. Lunch: leftovers as we mony: The Displaced Persons’ Orchestra from St. Ottil- prepare for Passover. ien.” Lunch: Turkey tenders with sundried tomatoes Monday, 26...... 10:45 a.m., film It Runs in the and artichokes**#, salad, mixed vegetables, noo- Family. No meal due to Passover preparation. dles, potato bread, pears, and tea.

Tuesday, 27...... Kitchen closed for Passover Tuesday, 17...... Lamb meatballs, Greek lemon, preparation. egg and chicken soup, rice pilaf, green beans, pita bread, tropical fruit salad, and tea. Thursday, 29...... 10:45 a.m., film Crimes and Misdemeanors. No meal due to Passover Thursday, 19...... 10:45 a.m., “The Spirituality of preparation. Aging: A 5 Session Course and Conversation About Life and Death” with Wren Bernstein, LICSW. Final ses- APRIL sion. Lunch: Fresh fish**, mushroom soup, kugel, spinach, pumpernickel bread, pudding, coffee, tea, Monday, 2...... 10:45 a.m., Chair Yoga with Linda and milk for coffee. Novick. Lunch: meat loaf**#, salad and Passover dressing, oven roasted potatoes, broccoli, matzo, Monday, 23...... 10:45 a.m., Program to be An- grapes, and tea. nounced. Lunch: Salisbury steak**#, salad, brown rice, broccoli, rye bread, parve cookies, and tea. Tuesday, 3...... Passover beef stew**#, matzo, applesauce, and tea. Tuesday, 24...... Roasted chicken**#, baked sweet potato, asparagus cuts and tips, noodles & Thursday, 5...... 10:45 a.m., “An Interactive Explo- onions, farmer’s loaf, pineapple, and tea. ration About Prayer…What? Why? How?” with Myrna Hammerling. Lunch: Roasted chicken**#, matzo ball Thursday, 26...... 10:45 a.m., Program to be An- soup, asparagus, carrots, matzo, macaroons, and nounced. Lunch: Spinach mushroom quiche, salad, tea. mixed vegetables, challah, pudding, coffee, tea, and milk for coffee. Monday, 9...... 10:45 a.m., “20th Century Jewish Russian Immigration” with author, Anastasia Monday, 30 ...... 10:45 a.m., Program to be An- Like us on Goodman. Lunch: Vegetable frittata**, celery rice nounced. Lunch: Turkey salad platters, celery rice Facebook: soup, zucchini and tomatoes, salad, multi-grain soup, coleslaw, marble rye bread, grapes, and tea. bread, cookies, coffee, tea, and milk for coffee. • Jewish Federation of the Berkshires • PJ Library Berkshire County Nisan/Iyar 5778 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 15

OBITUARIES

Seymour Karpen, 92, the Rutgers University Food to counter anti-Semitism in on retail store location. In his nion Society (ATS) for more leaves loving family and Science department at Cook academia – later joined by later years, he pursued his than three decades. He was a friends College. He and his family re- his brother Michael and his interest in teaching and taught Life Trustee of the ATS Nation- SARASOTA, FL – Seymour turned to his home state and sister Libby. He was survived market research and busi- al Board of Regents, a mem- Karpen, 92, died Thursday, academia, his first love. He by his wife Erna, who passed ness administration at Florida ber and past president of the February 15, surrounded by was instrumental in estab- away in March; and daughters International University and Philadelphia Chapter Board, loving family and friends. He lishing the Center for Packag- Nancy, Bethanie, and Laurie Regis University. and a member of the South was a longtime resident of ing Science and Engineering Gilbert, Wendy Gilbert-Simon, In San Francisco, Will Palm Beach Chapter Board. Norwood, NJ, Otis, MA, and and the Center for Advanced and Amy Lindner-Lesser of met the love of his life, Judy He was also an Honorary Life Sarasota, FL. Food Technology at Rutgers. Lenox (past president of both Freilich. They married in 1953 Member of the Technion Board Sy was raised in Bronx, NY He became internationally the Jewish Federation of the and spent 58 wonderful years of Governors. and was a longtime roofer/ known throughout the food Berkshires and Hevreh). He is together, primarily in Norwalk, Mr. Nathanson was a grad- sheet metal worker and a high packaging and preservation also survived by grandchildren where they raised their family. uate of Virginia Polytechnic school teacher in New York industry, traveling extensively, Kirk and Rodd McLaughlin; He was an adoring and kind Institute, and served in the US City. often with Rita. He published Dominique, Joel, and Manuel father to his three daughters. Army during World War II. He He was predeceased by over 190 scholarly papers Simon; Nina Anderson and Will loved cars and was the worked his entire professional his beloved wife Leah, and and mentored more than 40 Maya Lindner-Lesser; and unofficial consultant to family life in the plastics materials is survived by their three Ph.D. students from all over great-grandchildren Rio Mc- and friends for their automo- industry for firms that include children, Judy Karpen, Gary the world, many of whom have Laughlin, Gunnar McLaughlin, bile purchases. He enjoyed Monsanto Chemical Compa- Karpen, and Saul Karpen; themselves become experts in Jaela Simon, Mia and Isabella tennis, golf and listening to ny and Celanese, and was a daughter-in-law Abby Dern- the field. Simon, and Hunter Anderson. classical music. He was active member of the board of the burg; Judy’s companion, Cliff Dr. Gilbert was particularly A memorial service is in his community, and ran for Judaic Studies Program at Enz; 7 grandchildren, Joshua, proud of his role in NASA’s planned for the spring at Rut- the office of Connecticut state Drexel University. Sarah, Emily, Matthew, Apollo project, designing pack- gers. Donations may be made representative in 1994. He was the husband of Benjamin, Ari, and Jason; aging for the moon landing life to the Senior Program of the He was known for his sense Ruth (nee Stein) and the late and his sisters Heny Peters support systems. He designed Jewish Federation of the Berk- of humor, mischievous be- Joy (nee Maker); father of and Elaine Paris. and oversaw manufacturing of shires, where he was an active havior, and optimism. Despite Wendy (Keith) Miles, Gilbert A service was held on Sun- the material used in both the participant and lecturer. serious health challenges in (Mary Saecker) Nathanson, day, February 18 at the Pavil- food supply and the elimi- his later years, he met each Susan (Don) Wenger, Ira (Beth) Willard M. Salzer, 92, ion in Pelican Cove, Sarasota. nation system. He received day with a passion for life and Leventhal, and Margie Ferst. known for sense of hu- A funeral service took place numerous honors, including a resilience that was an inspi- He also leaves 13 grandchil- mor, mischievous on Tuesday, February 20 at from the Institute of Food ration to all around him. dren and 9 great grandchil- Gutterman and Musicant, Technology, the Packaging behavior, and optimism He is survived by his three dren. Hackensack, NJ. Interment Hall of Fame, the Food Engi- LENOX – Willard M. Salzer, loving daughters, Nancy Funeral services were held followed at Beth El Cemetery, neering Hall of Fame, and the 92, formerly of Norwalk, CT Salzer of Arlington, MA, Jan at Har Zion Temple, Penn Val- Paramus, NJ. New York Academy of Science. and Naples, FL, passed away Salzer-Ogden, and Susie ley, PA. Interment followed at Donations in his memo- Continuing to teach and con- peacefully on Saturday, Feb- O’Donohue of Naples; his Sharey Tefilo Israel Cemetery, ry can be made to Hevreh of duct or lead research into his ruary 10 at Kimball Farms son-in-law Elton Ogden; and Montclair, NJ. Southern Berkshire, 270 State eighties, he became Professor Nursing Care Center. 5 grandsons, Gabe Salzer, Contributions in his mem- Road, Great Barrington, MA Emeritus in 1988. Remaining Born in the Bronx, NY on Zachary and Benjamin Ogden, ory may be made to American 01230; the Perlman Music highly active within the field, February 23, 1925, the middle and Jamie and Cory O’Dono- Technion Society, 55 East Program/Suncoast, Sarasota; in 1991 he took an associate son of Morris and Ethel Sal- hue; his sister-in-law, 59th Street, New York, NY and Congregation Kol HaNe- directorship of the Center for zer, he spent his early years Carolyn Levin and brother- 10022 or Israel Guide Dog shama, Sarasota. Packaging and Engineering at in Spring Valley, NY before in-law, Arthur Freilich; and Center, 968 Easton Road-Suite Rutgers College of Engineer- moving to Denver, CO with nieces and a nephew. He also H, Warrington, PA 18976. Seymour G. Gilbert, 103, ing, where he expanded the his family, where he gradu- leaves behind many dear Distinguished Scientist, scope of the Center’s research ated from East High School. friends from Norwalk, Denver, Moysey Kirshteyn, 87, Packaging Innovator, and to an interdisciplinary Ph.D. His studies at the University and Naples. proud father, grandfather, Food Science Educator program. Dr. Gilbert then of Colorado in Boulder were Besides his parents, he was great-grandfather LEE – Seymour G. Gilbert, retired for the final time in interrupted by World War II. predeceased by his wife, Judy, PITTSFIELD – Moysey 103, passed peacefully on 1996. He was honored with a He served in the Navy from and his two brothers, Chester Kirshteyn passed away on December 23, 2017. Born Lifetime Achievement Award in 1944-1946 as a radar techni- and Syril. Monday evening, February 19. in Orange, NJ in 1914, he 2011 by the Rutgers Depart- cian, stationed in the Aleutian A burial service took place He was born in Baku, received a Ph.D. in Plant ment of Food Science. Islands. He returned to the on Tuesday, February 13 at Azerbaijan on December 26, Physiology from Rutgers Following his first wife University of Colorado on the the Independent Hebrew Soci- 1930 to mother Feigha and University in 1941, having Rita’s death in 1995, Seymour GI Bill, where he finished his ety Cemetery, Norwalk. father Mordechai (native of again found love and com- B.A. and received an M.A. in Kherson, Ukraine). He gradu- supported himself during the Bennett Nathanson, Great Depression through panionship with Erna Caplow philosophy, with a focus on ated from “Oil and Chemistry Lindner. Seymour and Erna economics. devoted supporter of Production” University with work in a fish market, along the American Technion with academic scholarships. maintained homes in West Will began his career as an a degree in engineering. He Society Married in 1939 to Rita Small- Palm Beach and Lenox, and economist with the US Labor worked as an engineer doing heiser, he worked from 1942 they were very active in the Department in Washington, BALA CYNWYD, PA – construction management for to 1951 for the US Department arts communities of both. He DC, and the Federal Reserve Bennett Nathanson, of Bala a number of years until he of Agriculture performing also continued to give guest Bank in San Francisco. Most Cynwyd, PA, and Boca Raton, joined the Food Production research for the war effort, lectures, advise students, and of his professional life was FL, passed away on Thursday, Ministry, where he achieved while also teaching chemistry serve as a consultant in the at Allied Stores Corporation January 18. the post as the head of the at the University of Florida. He packaging industry, even serv- in New York City, where he Mr. Nathanson was an ad- construction department. He became a Scoutmaster, using ing as a patent infringement became vice president for mired leader and devoted sup- received a number of major that position to create bridges expert witness at age 96. planning and research and a porter of the American Tech- medals and eventually re- Seymour was predeceased nationally known authority between the different religious OBITUARIES, continued on next page and racial communities of by parents Max Gainesville, FL. In 1951, he and Fanny Gold- berg; brothers and his growing family moved (413) 528-9700 to Milwaukee, WI, where he Jack, Ben, was a biochemist in industrial and Michael enzyme research at the Pabst Gilbert; and Brewing Company Research sisters Ada Laboratories from 1951-58. (Goldberg) He later served (1958-65) as Gelernter and technical director at Milprint, Libby (Gilbert) Radon Testing Rosenberg. It is a food packaging company. ❑✓ COMPETITIVE PRICING and Mitigation important to note ✓ In 1965, Dr. Gilbert was ❑ PROMPT SERVICE offered a full professorship that he chose the ❑✓ FIVE-YEAR WARRANTY NEHA & NRSB CERTIFIED at his alma mater to develop surname Gilbert,

Enjoy KoshEr & MEvushal WinEs Special Selections include... notte italiano Prosecco, Italy Tishbi sauvignon Blanc Gran sarao Cava Brut, Spain & reserve Cabernet, Israel Gabriele Pinot Grigio, Italy Golan Cabernet sauvignon, Galilee Jim Nejaime, Wine Merchant Guillermo de Mendoza Malbec, Argentina o’Dwyers Creek sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand 444 Pittsfield Road, Lenox, MA 01240 Barkan Classic Merlot, recanati Chardonnay & Cabernet, Galilee Cabernet & Pinot noir, Israel spirited-wines.com 413.448.2274 Page 16 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org March 19 to April 22, 2018 OBITUARIES MY ISRAEL OBITUARIES, continued from page 15 ceived the title of “Honorable ary 22, shortly after her 96th Adventure in Israel with a Motley Group of Engineer of Azerbaijan.” birthday on February 16. Moysey married Rebecca Born in 1922, Dorothy was Mitnadvim Berman in 1952, in Baku. the second of three sisters By Ruth Heuberger They had two sons, Yakov born in New York City to her (Roshana) and Boris (Mila). He parents Ella Sternberg Levin- The note, with phone number, was pinned securely to a tree was a very proud grandpa of sohn and Herman Levinsohn, in the park and read: “Volunteers for Israel.” I came home and Mark and Sam, and an even MD. She graduated from shared what I’d seen with my husband, concluding with the hint prouder great-grandpa of Ari, Brooklyn College. She sub- of a casual question mark. Eliana, Zeke, and Aden. The sequently met her husband, “You’ve always wanted to go,” he said. “Why not?” last one-and-a-half years he the late Homer Lewis Kurjan, So I did. What serendipity! It was the early 1980s. Our older spent happily married to Zema whom she married in San son was at college, and the younger a high school student. He Baghirova. Antonio, TX in 1945, upon Ho- and his dad could ably fend for and feed themselves. Graveside funeral services mer’s army deployment there. I was soon boarding an El Al flight from New York to Israel were held on Wednesday, Dorothy moved to Windsor, with a motley group of mitnadvim (volunteers) who must have February 21 at Knesset Israel CT and raised three children, passed the same tree in the park. In those days, the require- Cemetery, Pittsfield, with Michael, Diane, and Peter. ments to be a volunteer were apparently minimal to non-exis- Rabbi David Weiner officiating. In 1963, the family moved tent. After being deposited in Jerusalem, where we were wel- The family welcomes con- to Pittsfield where Dorothy comed overnight in various Orthodox households over Shabbat, tributions in Moysey’s memory volunteered in many groups, our group of 20-odd volunteers re-assembled and were bused to the Jewish Federation of the including the Cerebral Palsy to Machane Julis, a hot and sandy tank base near Ashkelon, for Berkshires, 196 South Street, Parents Group, working on the strictly non-military duties. I was designated “group leader” (in Pittsfield, MA 01201. board of the Urban Coalition, this case, an oxymoron), because the sergeant in charge of us the Berkshire Association for spoke only Hebrew and French. I spoke the latter. But he was so Jeffrey R. Kahn, 55, Families and Children, and exasperated with us, that when our four weeks were up he spoke Ruth the Mitnadevit enjoyed New England the State Department of Men- to no one! The goodwill that he began with had been squandered sports tal Health, as well as serving through the idiosyncrasies of some of the volunteers, antics that you wouldn’t believe if I told you. PITTSFIELD – Jeffrey R. Kahn, as president of the board of But I enjoyed most of it, learning a bit here and there. I shot up my hand to volunteer in the 55, passed away Tuesday, Berkshire Mental Health, and air-conditioned binocular-cleaning room, but if you can’t see the invisible February 20, at Berkshire serving as the president of shmutz on the lens, you’re out. So I did a stint in the (non-air-condi- Medical Center. the League of Women’s Voters tioned) infirmary, and gave out tank parts, too. In the mess hall, I soon Born in Pittsfield on May of Central Berkshire County. learned NOT to say “please pass the….” – politesse that was consid- 19, 1962, a son of the late She also worked as a child ered bizarre and a waste of time. Just reach for what you want! Leonard and Marion E. advocate for the State Office We had organized trips to significant sites around the country, and (Friedman) Kahn, Jeffrey at- for Children in Pittsfield from enjoyed interactions with the young soldiers who were glad to practice tended Dalton schools, gradu- 1973-1981. their English. On a weekend off when the bus from the base inexpli- ated from Wahconah Regional She was a compassionate cably left me stranded on the highway, I hitchhiked. I even stopped High School in 1980, and at- people person who believed in the West Bank on another occasion with an off-duty female soldier tended Berkshire Community in people and social justice, who picked me up, to drink some delicious freshly squeezed juice College. For the past 14 years, a friend and encourager to offered at a roadside stand. My driver was a little uneasy, I was totally he was employed at HI-Tech all. She had a great sense of naïve, and the juice seller a little puzzled, but willing. I took in the every- Mold & Tool as a press oper- humor and loved to travel, day activities in the village, admired the embroidered bodice-inserts on the dresses of the Palestin- ator. Jeffrey enjoyed bowling knit, play bridge and Scrabble, ian women and the riot of brilliant bougainvillea growing against old walls. and all New England sports. do puzzles, cook, and enter- I was looking forward to meeting, for the first time, relatives who invited me to celebrate Rosh He is survived by one tain guests and family. For Hashanah with the extended family at their home in Jerusalem. Imagine their surprise on Erev brother, Charles D. Kahn and the last 18 years, she lived at Rosh Hashanah, when I frantically knocked on the door of their apartment, two flights up and out wife Julia of Leesburg, VA; two the Kimball Farms Retirement of breath, because the taxi driver who raced after me up the stairs was not pleased that I refused sisters, Judith D. Kahn and Community, where among to pay the exorbitant sum he demanded! My dad’s indomitable, kind, and no-nonsense cousin husband Jack Matarazzo of many activities, she raised soon settled the issue. Dalton, and Charlene prize-winning orchids. A lasting memorable experience occurred in the few days I tacked on to my stay. The trip Goodman and husband Dorothy is survived by her through the descending hilly terrain from Beersheba to Eilat was so bumpy that I thought the Aaron of Eastlake, OH; three son Michael and his wife Karla occasional clunks I heard outside the window were pieces falling off the bus. They were! My nieces, Anna, Jennifer, Erickson of Westbrook, CT; sixth-generation Israeli seat-mate assured me that it was not SO very unusual. For my sake, he Michelle; and his aunt Laurel daughter Diane Blagdon and very kindly reassured me by reporting it to the driver who actually pulled over and climbed down Lynch of Rotterdam, NY. her grandson Daniel Blagdon, to look. He gave a typical Israeli shrug before quickly pushing on. But to arrive in Eilat toward Funeral services were held both of Maryland; sister Myra dusk, when all the surrounding hills are paint- Thursday, February 22, at Perlmutter of Atlanta, GA. ed in cool hues, from lavender to purple to Graphic Design Pittsfield Cemetery (Temple Her husband, Homer, died in indigo, quite simply made for an unforgettable ERKSHIRE Anshe Amunim Section) with 2001. Her son, Peter, died in memory. B www.tgo.com Rabbi Joshua Breindel, spir- 1991. Dorothy will be greatly And the trip to Israel five years later with OOFING & itual leader of Temple Anshe missed. my husband, was no less a wonderful adven- Proof of ad for: ______Barbara Greenfeld R Please respond by ______Amunim, officiating. A memorial service will be ture, but of a different kind – not initiated by R UTTER CO. held in the future. notes tacked to trees or living with kooks on a BJV May 2016 G Dorothy Kurjan, 96, Please make donations to a tank basePublication: in the desert ______for four exciting weeks! 413-298-1029413 298 1029to: (Tel) 413/ 528-0328 (Fax) 413/ 528-0328 [email protected] believed in people and local children’s organization in www.BGRCo.net social justice Berkshire County. Ruth HeubergerSend to: lives______in [email protected] Barrington. CEDAR ROOF ❏ Changes req’d. & new proof LENOX – Dorothy Kurjan died STANDING SEAM METAL peacefully, with relatives by 1 ASPHALT SHINGLES No. of pages (inc. cover): ______Written Estimates • Fully Insured❏ • Owner Approved Installed asMA Lic.is. #145878 ❏ Approved with corrections as noted. her side, on Thursday, Febru- SEAMLESS GUTTERS Proof sent: ______4/25/16 ProofCopper # ______• 1Aluminum • Gutter CoversApproved by: ______

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MY ISRAEL Our Former Executive Director Saw Israel through a Federation Lens By Rhoda Kaminstein

My first visit to Israel took during our 9-day stay. the early 1980s that sponsored place in August 1983, while Of course, we enjoyed Kab- programs in Kiryat Ata, then a I was executive director of balat Shabbat at the Western town of 32,000 residents who the Jewish Federation of the Wall, and then traveled north were largely Moroccan and Berkshires traveling on the to spend a night at Kibbutz Iraqi. Its goals were similar to Council of Jewish Federations Kfar Giladi, close enough to the Partnership2Gether pro- (CJF) Small Cities Executives touch Lebanon. On the way gram that connects us now Seminar. there, we stopped in Afula to the Afula-Gilboa region of Since many of my col- and met some of the first Israel.] leagues from across the children who had arrived from At our stop in Yad Vashem, United States and Canada Ethiopia – all of them wearing the director of education ad- were also first timers, we were NFL team t-shirts. I remember dressed us about the unique- encouraged to bring along our them being disappointed that ness of the Holocaust, sharing spouses and teenaged chil- our camera wasn’t a Polaroid with us the fact that Hitler dren. This meant my hus- that could produce instant said he planned to eliminate band, Phil, and my soon-to-be pictures. every Jew, including the 204 college bound son Dan, would We also spent a day at Jews in Albania. Somehow, be along for a family occasion. Kiryat Ata, our Project Renew- that statistic remains in my The purpose of our CJF al twinned community, and mind to this day. mission was to provide us with met with residents at the se- Knowing that I would be “a better understanding of nior center that our Federation expected to report back, I took Israel today – the country and sponsored along with others in copious notes. Reading them Rhoda Kaminstein (in dark dress) representing our Federation its people.” To that end, we New England. Several of them over now brings back many at the Kiryat Ata senior center in 1983, with husband Phil (in were not merely tourists, but were pleased to speak Yiddish memories, not only of the sites striped shirt) students – at every meal and with Phil, as Hebrew was not we saw but of the people we stop along the way, we met easy for them. met, including Phil’s cousin The opportunity given to Rhoda Kaminstein was the with professionals from the [Editor’s Note: Project who had made aliyah me and my family by second executive director of the various agencies and employ- Renewal created a cluster of with her family sever- the Federation was Jewish Federation of the Berk- ees of the facilities we visited Massachusetts federations in al years earlier. certainly one of the shires, holding that position high points of my from 1982 to 1989, and resides 8 years as execu- in Pittsfield with her husband, tive director. Phil, a past president of the Federation.

Send stories about your early Israel ex- periences to Albert Stern, BJV editor, at [email protected] Page 18 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org March 19 to April 22, 2018 BERKSHIRE JEWISH VOICES Traveling with Jewish Taste Mortar Bored? Try a New Haroset This Passover By Carol Goodman Kaufman ing been harvested for Sukkot, behind this truly bizarre recipe wouldn’t citron have spoiled by is etymological. Remember, the to the dazzling diversity of The dominant rabbinic Passover? word haroset comes from heres, nationalities being absorbed opinion is that the paste is The origins of the some or clay. Supposedly, this recipe into the Promised Land. I meant to remind us of the ingredients commonly used is meant to reinforce the idea of was bored with the same old clay and mortar used by the in haroset are believed to be the clay from which the bricks same old. I wanted more to my Israelites when we were slaves found in Shir HaShirim (Song were made. Lest you think this mortar! in Egypt. The other position of Songs): apples, figs, pome- custom was unique to Italy and First of all, why haroset? maintains that the haroset is granates, grapes, walnuts, in that time only, Greek Rabbi The idea of haroset as a meant to remind the modern dates, wine, saffron, and Joseph David from Salonika symbolic food first appears Jewish people of the apple cinnamon. In fact, although we writes in the 17th century that in the Babylonian Talmud, trees in Egypt. do see some of these items in Jewish communities in Salonika compiled in the 3rd to 5th Huh? Apple trees? Ac- various recipes from around also put a little ground potsherd century (Pesachim 114a). It cording to these rabbis, the the Diaspora, others also ap- or crushed stone into their har- is based on this line in Exo- Israelite women quietly (and pear. Egyptian Jews use dates, oset, apparently following both dus 1:13-14: “The Egyptians painlessly, no less!) gave birth raisins, walnuts, cinnamon, Rashi and his grandson, the One spring evening several enslaved the children of Israel beneath apple trees so that and sweet wine. Both Greek Rashbam. years ago, Joel and I hosted with back-breaking labor, and the Egyptians would never and Turkish Jews combine ap- At one point in the Pass- a party at our home. I had a they embittered their lives know that a baby boy was ples, dates, chopped almonds, over story, you will recall that wonderful time cooking up a with hard labor, with clay born that they could then and wine. In Italy, chestnuts the Egyptian taskmasters storm, diving into my favorite and with bricks and with all murder. are part of the mix, while some stopped supplying the Israelite hors d’oeuvres recipes. Among kinds of labor in the fields – all At any rate, the rabbis Spanish and Portuguese com- slaves with clay, so they had the different items I served their work that they worked talked about having some- munities add coconut. Brazil- to use straw. So, a tradition- that night was one particular with them with back-breaking thing acidic in the mix (not ians use a completely different al Yemenite recipe calls for spread. Guests made a point labor.” Hasidic; that would just be mixture of avocado, banana, whole herbs and spices meant of raving about it to me. There are as many recipes weird). The acid serves to bal- orange, and Granny Smith to simulate the straw. While What was this ambrosia? for the mortar as there are ance the bitterness of slavery apples. difficult to chew, that recipe Sephardic haroset. Left over communities in the Diaspora, with the optimism of redemp- In the end, it probably all bit would be a bit easier on the from our Passover Seder. The and they range from thick tion. Thus the addition of ap- comes down to ingredients tummy than those requiring sticky, sweet paste symboliz- pastes, commemorating the ples, which in ancient times that are locally available. ground-up clay pots. es the clay and mortar with clay, to runny syrups that were quite tart, and could Which apparently now in- Not surprisingly, the word which our ancestors worked evoke the blood of the plague explain our Ashkenazi recipe. cludes dairy products. Just haroset is not a universal while enslaved in Egypt was and the Israelite doorposts. However (isn’t there always three years ago, Ben & Jerry’s term. Some Jews of the Middle a hit on the cocktail party But, before I get to discuss- a however?), one modern introduced haroset flavored East instead use the term circuit. Our MOT friends were ing those, I want to address rabbi, Howard Jachter, not ice cream in Israel – kosher for “halegh.” Jews of Persian amused. Our gentile ones an issue I have always had satisfied with the apple deci- Passover, of course. If you’re descent have an impressive came away with some new, with the stuff. If haroset is sion, found in his research on doing a dairy Seder, I guess tradition of including forty arcane knowledge of their Jew- indeed supposed to remind us a totally different topic, dis- you’d be good to go. different ingredients in their ish neighbors. I had to laugh. of the bricks we made while cussion by the Tosafists that The most unusual recipe for halegh, meant to symbolize the Having grown up with slaves, why is it so sweet and identifies the tapuah, or apple, haroset has to be one men- 40 years of wandering in the apple, walnut, cinnamon, and delicious? It turns out that, as in fact etrog, or citron. The tioned by the 13th century Ital- desert. sweet wine haroset, the stan- in fact, there is quite a bit of lemon-like fruit would indeed ian Rabbi Zedekiah ben Avra- No matter which recipe – dard Ashkenazi recipe was all discussion among the rab- be a sour addition to the mix- ham HaRofeh, who writes about or several – you use at your I knew. That is, until I lived bis about what constitutes a ture. But this finding brings adding finely crushed potsherds Seder, I wish you all a happy in Israel, where I was exposed proper haroset. up yet another question: hav- into the mix. The rationale and healthy Passover.

Egyptian Haroset: No Potsherds Needed

Makes about 4 cups As long as we’re celebrating our liberation from slavery in Egypt, why not try an Egyptian recipe for haroset? Super easy to make, and delicious to boot. You can use any leftover as a spread on matzah – or even as hors d’oeuvres!

Ingredients: 1 pound dark raisins 8 oz. pitted dates – Medjool are best Water ¼ cup sugar ¼ cup chopped almonds

Directions: Combine raisins and dates in a bowl. Add enough water to cover. Cover with plastic wrap. Let stand overnight. Drain. Place mixture in food processor with sugar. Process until mixture is well chopped. Turn into bowl. Sprinkle chopped almonds over all. Serve.

Carol Goodman Kaufman is a psychologist and author with a passion for travel and food. She is currently at work on a food history/cookbook, tracing the paths that some of our favorite foods have taken from their origins to appear on dinner plates and in cultural rites and artifacts around the world. She invites readers to read her blog at carolgoodmankaufman.com and to follow her on Twitter @goodmankaufman. Nisan/Iyar 5778 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 19 Calendar – Ongoing Events Around the Community

Continuous – Chabad of the Berkshires Wednesdays at Knesset Israel – “En- Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. – “Torah Plus: conversations in every generation. Join in “Smile on Seniors,” or “S.O.S.,” volunteer hanced Prayer Class for Adults” 10- Exploring Jewish Text and Culture.” Join study of passages of Tanhuma Shemot, a program to serve senior citizens in the 11:30 a.m. at 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield, KI Rabbi Josh Breindel for a conversation creative 5th century commentary on the Berkshires. Information for families who library. What are we saying when we read based on the texts of the Jewish people Book of Exodus, and enjoy the ensuing can benefit and volunteers: Rabbi Levi prayers at a service? How does the siddur and reflection on what it means to be discussions. Volovik at (413) 499-9899 or visit www. language connect with my life today? How Jewish. All texts are offered in English. jewishberkshires.com. can I build my Hebrew reading fluency Temple Anshe Amunim, 26 Broad Street, and practice my reading skills? How can Pittsfield. Free. Open to the public. Infor- Monthly, fourth or fifth Sunday – Vol- Knesset Israel I be more comfortable with the language mation (413) 442-5910 or templeoffice@ unteers from Congregation Beth Israel, and process of prayer? Facilitated by ansheamunim.org. 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield 53 Lois Street, North Adams “Take and Myrna Hammerling. Newcomers always Eat” program cook, package, and deliver Saturdays at 9 a.m. – “Walking with ONGOING MINYANS welcome. Information: (413) 445-4872, hot meals for all North Adams clients of Mitzvot,” with Judith Weiner. Classes fol- Sunday 8:45 a.m. and 7 p.m. ext. 16. “Meals on Wheels.” Information: (413) lowing the schedule of the Knesset Israel Tuesday 7 p.m. 663-5830 or [email protected]. Thursdays (fourth of each month) – Hebrew School. Judith Weiner leads an Friday 7 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. Hadassah Book Club. For times, locations exploration of the purpose, development Saturday 9:30 a.m. and evenings Sundays (second of each month) – of meetings, and further information and form of mitzvot. This curriculum, de- approximately 30 minutes before sunset Berkshire Hills Society of Israeli Philatelists about the books: Roz Kolodny at (413) veloped by the American Jewish University meet. Discuss Israeli and American stamps. CANDLE-LIGHTING 243-2077 or [email protected]. of Los Angeles, introduces participants to Coffee and donuts. Information: Ed He- Friday, March 23 ...... 6:51 p.m. some of the most compelling thinkers of litzer, (413) 447-7622, daytime. Fridays, last of month, time varies Friday, March 30 the contemporary Conservative move- with candle lighting – Chabad of the (Erev Pesach)...... 6:59 p.m. Tuesdays, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. – To- ment and guides them towards greater Berkshires’ “Friday Night Live,” traditional rah Portion of the Week study group at understanding of the role of mitzvot in Saturday, March 31 Kabbalat Shabbat service. Information: Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield. their lives. (Pesach 1)...... 8:08 p.m. (413) 499-9899 or visit www.jewishberk- Facilitator Myrna Hammerling guides Thursday, April 5 shires.com. Saturday afternoons – “Exodus Inspi- the group through the triennial cycle, (Pesach VI)...... 7:05 p.m. rations,” with Rabbi David Weiner. Please year-round in the KI Library. Newcomers Fridays, at 9 a.m. – Meditation with Rab- check with the KI website for times (which Friday, April 6 always welcome to this gathering of bi Rachel Barenblat in the Congregation coincide with evening services) and dates. (Pesach VII)...... 7:07 p.m. students of diverse ages, backgrounds, Beth Israel sanctuary, 53 Lois Street, North Our people’s central story – our journey and perspectives who search together Adams, overlooking the Berkshire moun- Friday, April 13...... 7:14 p.m. from slavery to freedom, from Mitzrayim to to deepen understanding of our foun- tains. Silence, chanting, and meditation Friday April 20...... 7:22 p.m. the Promised Land – sparks innumerable dational text. Free. Information: (413) designed to help prepare for Shabbat. All 445-4872, ext. 16. welcomed. Information: (413) 663-5830 and www.cbiweb.org. Tuesdays at 10:45 a.m. – “The Book of Deuteronomy” at Knesset Israel. Please Fridays, once a month at 5:30 p.m. STUNNING BERKSHIRE CONTEMPORARY check with KI for dates. Classes taught by (followed by a family style Shabbat Rabbi David Weiner who is guiding an dinner at 6:30 p.m.) – Knesset Israel, in-depth exploration of a revolutionary 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield. Shirei Shabbat book of the Torah that continues to shape (“Songs of Shabbat”). Unique service Jewish thought and practice to this day. combines melodies from Carlebach, Texts are in English. Debbie Friedman, and Camp Ramah to create a ruach filled (“spirited”) family Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. – Rabbi David friendly experience. Cost for dinner $18 Weiner continues the Rachel Korazim’s per adult, $15 teens, $50 family maxi- “Israel at 70” class for adults in the KI mum. Dinner reservations are due by the library. Upcoming sessions: March 20 Monday before services. Full information: GREAT BARRINGTON | GUEST WING | GUNITE POOL (change of date), “Liberation or Occupa- (413) 445-4872, ext 10. tion,” on reactions to the 1967 war and Steve Erenburg Associate its outcomes. April 3, The Third Decade Saturdays at 8:45 a.m. – Hevreh, 270 413 663 0457 (1968-1977), more information to come. State Road in Great Barrington. Every The perfect combination of privacy and luxury, this fabulous Please RSVP so enough materials are Shabbat morning, gather in Rabbi Neil Contemporary is an outstanding choice for the Berkshires... readied – [email protected]. Hirsch’s study and dive into the less-often in a convenient location to everywhere you want to be! read books of the Bible. All are welcome to Wednesdays, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Exclusively offered at $1,700,000 begin the day with coffee while studying – Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, 270 State and relaxing on Shabbat. Sessions will Road, Great Barrington, offers “an hour 413 637 1086 be between 45 and 60 minutes. Please of morning stillness” with Nina Lipkowitz, lenox, ma be in touch with Rabbi Hirsch for further a certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher. Donation www.cohenwhiteassoc.com information: [email protected]. of $10 is asked for from non-members. Information: (413) 528-6378.

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

Lee & Sydelle Blatt Elaine Freidman Erna Lindner* Lisa Fletcher-Udel Betty Braun* Eiran Gazit Amy Lindner-Lesser Edward Udel Cipora Brown Jeffrey Goldwasser & Helen Maislen* Michael & Joan Ury Barbara Cohen Jonquil Wolfson Ellen Masters Mark & Judy Usow Mark Cohen* Jordan & Laura Green Stuart Masters Henry* & Beate* Voremberg Mimi Cohen Harold Grinspoon Estelle Miller Alexandra Warshaw C. Jeffrey & Judith Cook Ellen Heffan Robert Newman* Florence Wineberg* Gerry & Lynn Denmark Ed Jaffe* Ken & Fran Rubenstein Rabbi Deborah Zecher & Jonathan & Lara Denmark Elihu Katzman Stella Schecter Rabbi Dennis Ross Anonymous (10) Sheila K. Donath Marilyn Katzman Arlene D. Schiff *Of blessed memory Ed Abrahams Melva Eidelberg Dara Kaufman Gary Schiff Norman Avnet* Monroe England, in memory of Howard & Nancy* Kaufman Stephen & Deborah Schreier Barbara Bashevkin Monroe B. & Isabel England Lawrence Klein Martin Silver Robert Bashevkin Dr. Armand V. Feigenbaum* Sarah Klein Sylvia Silverberg, in memory of Linda J. L. Becker Dr. Donald S. Feigenbaum* Arthur Kriger* Jerome Silverberg Robert Berend Steven Feiner Fred & Brenda Landes Richard A. Simons & Marcie Shelley Berend Diana & Stanley Feld Beth Laster-Nathan Greenfield Simons Helene Berke Stuart M. Fischman Andrew S. Levine* Mark & Elisa Snowise Lawrence Berke Lynn & William Foggle Toby H. Levine Harold Sparr* Page 20 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org March 19 to April 22, 2018

JEWISH ENTREPRENEURS • PART I

ZVI COHEN, continued from page 1 E.B. White famously wrote, build the efficient work- with their father. “No one should come to New places in Chatham, all of He left for an organized York to live unless he is will- which boast top-of-the-line program in Israel at age 15, ing to be lucky” – but it’s an kitchens behind the scenes. but abandoned its strictures insight that can be usefully Out front, the pleasant dining and immersed himself in the internalized by anyone living rooms fill up with diners en- subculture there – once again, anywhere. Certainly, when joying meals made with fresh, by his own admission, too Cohen talks about his life wholesome ingredients, almost fully. By the time he came out story, the role of luck is never everything on their plates the other side of those experi- far from the narrative, nor is made from scratch on site. ences, he says he had learned the role played by hard work. “Do I have experience as a how to make his way in the But the way things all came restaurateur? No,” say Cohen. world and talk to anyone. together remains mysterious “Do I have experience as a And he also met Beatrice, in a way that clearly amazes baker? No.” Like Joseph, he the woman he ultimately and amuses him. adds, “I never had a plan.” married. Although not Jewish, The good fortune that he Coming from Zvi Cohen, that the Swiss-born Beatrice was has experienced in Chatham isn’t a humble brag. Truly, impressed and intrigued by the has not only transformed his when he talks about his life harrowing events of the Yom life and his family’s, but also – and he is a fine and expan- Kippur War and, via a Rotary the character of the small sive raconteur – the idea of International Youth Exchange village just over the New York “destiny” is not something that program, “went to Israel to see border from Berkshire County, really comes up. who these people are,” says where he has lived for the past Cohen’s story began in the Cohen. What she brought 30 years. His various enter- Brooklyn neighborhood of Mill back from her experience in prises – of which the Our Daily Basin, which is in the south- Israel met her parents’ worst Bread restaurant, market, ern portion of the borough fears – “me,” says Zvi – yet the and bakery is the centerpiece along Jamaica Bay. Sent to two stayed in touch as Cohen – now provide work for more an Orthodox yeshiva by his returned to New York City, than 100 people. In addition father, Cohen internalized a where he turned his life around Zvi Cohen, right, with a worker at The Gluten Free Bakery to Our Daily Bread, he and love of Judaism and connec- working as a carpenter. his sons Gavriel and Yonatan tion to it that would manifest In the late 1970s, Beatrice operate the vegetarian Our itself in various ways through- secured a scholarship to the Friday for the next two years,” Arbor and Switzerland. Over- Daily Bread Café (and adja- out his life. He says the road University of Michigan to study he said. Around that time, seas, he worked on 500-year- cent gluten free dairy bakery) that took him “from payes to Special Education, and she Beatrice began two years of old Swiss houses undergo- and Destino Cocina Mexicana where I am now” began when and Cohen together moved to Jewish study, which culminat- ing modernization, learning and Margarita Bar, as well as he was a young adolescent, Ann Arbor. While she obtained ed in her Orthodox conversion traditional techniques such The Gluten Free Bakery that bristling at the authoritarian her degree, Cohen apprenticed to Judaism. They had what as fashioning hidden dovetail produces kosher, dairy-free approach of his teachers. He to two master cabinetmakers, Cohen describes as a “hippy jointing. Back in the States, loaves and biscotti sold across ended up immersing himself and was one of the creators of wedding,” for which Beatrice however, he determined that the Northeast. – too fully, he admits – in the in-store designs for the earliest made his shirt and her dress. he wanted a college education. Cohen built his businesses counterculture that flourished incarnations of the Borders The couple lived a bohe- The problem – “I had no high from the ground up – literally. in New York City during the and Staples chain stores. mian life. In the years that school diploma,” he says, “but His early career working in late 1960s and early 1970s. The couple was also intro- followed, his cabinetry and I was a reader and, as a union construction and as a master Both he and his sister were duced to the Hillel rabbi on carpentry skill in demand, carpenter, had gone through carpenter gave him the skills rebels, and home life turned campus, and was invited for Cohen ping-ponged back and several challenging classroom to help conceive, design, and complicated as they clashed Shabbos. “We were there every forth between jobs in Ann ZVI COHEN, continued on next page

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ZVI COHEN, continued from previous page programs in night school.” of the Steiner-inspired Haw- for me and delivered a great each week, as well as biscotti. Parkway in Brooklyn, and Co- Fortunately, the University of thorne Valley Farm Store and baker to work there.” The bak- Cohen says that with his hen is proud that he was privi- Michigan had established a its Waldorf school, where the er was somehow…obliged…to baked goods and restaurant leged to have experienced a ye- program for unconventional couple wanted their daughter Cohen’s underworld-connected concepts, he has “followed chidus (one-on-one encounter) students, and Cohen enrolled. and two sons to be educat- friend, and relocated to Cha- his heart.” His connection to with the late Rebbe Menachem “It was like candy to a ed; Beatrice took a teaching tham to work for several years. Steiner principles is manifest Mendel Schneerson. baby,” Cohen recalls. “I could position there that she held for This gifted baker created an in how the food is prepared Dire as his illness was, it study anything I wanted, and many years. Zvi went back to array of artisanal loaves that – organic ingredients, with brought his sons back to Cha- it was all I wanted to do.” He work as a shop teacher at the transformed Our Daily Bread’s virtually everything made tham to work in the business obtained a teaching degree local high school. However, as offerings, and got the ball roll- from scratch. There is also a (his daughter lives in Pough- with a design and architecture an adult, he no more enjoyed ing for the bakery. Later on, Jewish flair to his menus – keepsie), and he says it gives focus, but before he start- dealing with the strictures Cohen had the good fortune to you can get lox that has been him joy to see his grandchil- ed work as an instructor, he of an educational institution hire a second gifted baker – “a smoked on site, house-brined dren having “a love of Yid- returned to Switzerland “to than he had as a yeshiva bu- monkish man, who walked and smoked pastrami, and a dishkeit. It was a burden for create a farm for some rich cher in Brooklyn, and he lost barefoot in the snow, fed poor variety of classic deli and Mid- me. Fifty years later, I’ve come friends of Beatrice’s.” He loved the job after a couple of years. people, and went about mak- dle Eastern dishes, including back full-circle to Yiddishkeit. the work – the punishing And that, says Cohen, is ing breads” – who conceived shakshuka. The market also It’s how my life came around. 4:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. workday where the story really begins. many of the gluten-free offer- sells high-quality spices and It rectified it, and moved it was “easy for me” – but living Our Daily Bread was a ings the bakery now sells. prepared food. forward. I’ve had such good in Switzerland was ultimately bakery in Chatham operat- The Chatham-to-Union Yet, as Cohen observes, luck, I’m so blessed. I have to too hard and expensive. The ed by “two bickering owners Square pipeline was main- “though you may forget about attribute it to something more farm was conceived on the who mismanaged it,” says tained, and the popularity the past, the past won’t forget than good luck. biodynamic agriculture princi- Cohen. He started working of Our Daily Bread grew. about you.” Three years ago, “I’m still the same failure I ples of Rudolf Steiner, whose for them part time, driving The small bakery became a Cohen underwent a liver always was. I’m still the same ideas would hold an enduring their brown bread down to the bigger bakery, with its prod- transplant necessitated by despondent person I always interest for the Cohens. Union Square farmers mar- ucts now being trucked by damage originating in his early was. I really do feel like Jo- Returning to the United ket in downtown New York. Cohen’s drivers to New York wild years. The process of re- seph. How did I get here?” States, Cohen worked as a “They made the worst bread,” City culinary institutions like covery he describes adds poi- shop teacher in Bennington, he remembers. “They were Dean & Deluca and the famed gnancy to his descriptions of …If they be good dreams, VT. It was there that he em- going out of business.” While restaurant Jean Georges, as his current place in the world, confirm and reinforce them like barked on his first truly entre- hawking their loaves, Cohen well as to the Fresh Direct and his gratitude for it. the dreams of Joseph; if they preneurial venture, Homestead befriended “a mobster, a young network that delivers gro- His Judaism is central – “I require remedy, heal them, Toys, a line of wooden play- guy” who had…an interest… ceries to homes in 200 ZIP carry myself as a yid. It’s on as the waters of Marah were things and puzzles that sold in what was going on at the codes. Contracts now under my mind 100 percent of the healed by our teacher, Moses, all over the country. Cohen market. The two started eat- negotiation hold the promise time.” He is closely involved as Miriam was healed of her says his young family ended ing lunch together, with the of an even greater distribu- with Chabad of the Berk- leprosy, Naaman of his lepro- up moving around during younger man showing a par- tion profile, with the kosher shires, a connection to Chabad sy, Hezekiah of his sickness, those years – “it was a blessing ticular curiosity about Cohen’s gluten-free baked good rep- Lubavitch that dates back to and the waters of Jericho by to be able to go where I want- family life. resenting a particular area of his once-rebellious sister’s Elisha. As You turned the curse ed to go. I felt I could make “He was from a mob fam- growth. That bakery – housed joining the movement as she of the wicked Balaam into a anything, and always earn a ily,” Cohen says. “He never in the former Blue Seal Feeds straightened her life out de- blessing, so turn all my dreams living.” When the toy business knew his father, who had been & Needs plant, its signage cades ago. Cohen’s sister was into something good for me. fell on hard times during the in prison for years. He didn’t still in place – produces 1,400 married at Chabad’s worldwide — Conclusion of the economic downturn of the late know what family was. I would loaves of bread four times headquarters at 770 Eastern congregational response 1980s and early 1990s, the talk to him about kids.” to Birkat Kohanim Cohens settled in Chatham. The grateful young man Close by is Harlemville, home eventually “bought the bakery

Today, home of The Gluten Free Bakery Our Daily Bread, Cohen’s flagship location

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CELEBRATING 10 YEARS WWW.WINVIAN.COM Page 22 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org March 19 to April 22, 2018 BERKSHIRE JEWISH ENTREPRENEURS • PART I More Meaning Than Bottom Line Profit How Sheffield native Nick Friedman introduced medical marijuana to the Berkshires with Theory Wellness By Albert Stern / BJV Editor

“Dude, am I really high, or However one feels about sation of pain. In The Scientist, is this actually working?” – cannabis, it has to be counted a fascinating documentary Harold for the good that headlines about his life available on You- “Both.” – Kumar about marijuana and crime Tube, Mechoulam (since 1972 From the film, Harold and are being replaced by happier a Hebrew University professor) Kumar Go to White Castle ones like these: speculates that cannabis-de- Marijuana is having a ‘Asthma treatment could rived medicines could replace cultural moment. It is now be Israel’s latest high 10 to 20 percent of the phar- allowed for medical use in 29 achievement in medical maceuticals currently on the states and for recreational cannabis’ (JNS) market. use in nine (including Massa- ‘Milk, Honey, and Sweet Socially, Israel has, at least chusetts), even as it remains Mary Jane’ (Tablet Maga- for the past 30 years, been tol- prohibited by federal law. In zine) erant toward marijuana; while terms of public perception, the drug is still illegal for rec- marijuana has largely shed its ‘Can Medical Marijua- reational use, enforcement is identity as a menacing po- na Save Israel’s kibbutz lax and there is a push in the tential gateway drug to more movement?’ (JTA) Knesset to decriminalize the dangerous substances, and is ‘High time for Israel’s substance. A study conducted being redefined as a veritable flagship medical cannabis recently by the Israeli An- panacea to treat a wide range conference to go global’ ti-Drug Authority, found that of medical and psychological more than a quarter of Israelis

(JNS) SICKLE / COURTESY PHOTO: HANNAH VAN BERKSHIRE EDGE disorders. aged 18 to 40 reported having Nick Friedman, left, and Brandon Pollock, right, of Theory Why now? Perhaps because ‘Medical Cannabis Signifi- used marijuana within the last Wellness, Berkshire County’s first medical marijuana dispensary. a critical mass of American cantly Safer for Elderly month, and that Israel has the have used cannabis to no ill With Chronic Pain Than highest rates of annual canna- effect, and have determined Opioids’ (Ben-Gurion Uni- bis usage in the world in that country in Delaware, Washing- threatened to rescind the Cole that there must be a better versity of the Negev) age group. In all age groups, ton, and Nevada. Memo (an Obama-era policy way to deal with the reality of a As this small sampling Iceland (18 percent) and the In the United States, memo by and large protect- marijuana trade than as a law suggests, Israel is at the United States (16 percent) are marijuana remains a curi- ing marijuana-legal states enforcement problem and/or a forefront of cannabis re- the top annual users. ous and volatile business. As from federal scrutiny), Time cash cow for tax-dodging (and search and development, and Medical use for the treat- noted earlier, state laws are magazine reported his state- possibly violent) black market- has been for a long time. In ment of pain has been permit- in conflict with federal law, ments sent “ripples of unease ers. And while marijuana might 1964, Weitzman Institute ted in Israel since the 1990s. under which use and posses- throughout the burgeoning seem like a product that sells chemist Raphael Mechoulam Research and innovation is sion is illegal for any reason. industry” as investments now itself, its growers, scientists, discovered the plant’s active supported (8 million shekels a States where marijuana is in place suddenly seemed less and sellers have assembled substances, the psychoactive year) by the Ministry of Health, sold in pleasant dispensaries secure. a well-oiled public relations tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which licenses nine grow- staffed by helpful “budtenders” Jewish entrepreneurs and apparatus to extol its benefits and non-psychoactive can- ers cultivating marijuana for coexist alongside states where investors have often been early and normalize its use – it is nabidiol (CBD); his work also medical use. The Tikun Olam the marijuana trade is con- adopters of business models rare that a day passes with- helped researchers identify Company, Israel’s leader in the trolled by hardcore criminals. that emerge before they find out one or two press releases the brain’s endocannabinoid field, produces approximately When Attorney General Jeff widespread social acceptance about the wonders of cannabis system, which plays a role in 230 marijuana products, and Sessions, a fierce opponent THEORY WELLNESS, continued appearing in my inbox. mood, memory, and the sen- retails its wares made in this of marijuana, in early 2018 on next page Nisan/Iyar 5778 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 23

BERKSHIRE JEWISH ENTREPRENEURS • PART I

THEORY WELLNESS, continued from previous page

home and was majority of startups that have to talk to patients about their “at a time of obtained licenses have not interaction with cannabis, and life when I was been able to follow through guiding them to a product that looking for a and open. As of January 31, suits. new project.” there were 22 dispensaries While marijuana has a Friedman re- open for sales, serving 46,294 long countercultural history, connected with active patients. one finds virtually no traces Brandon Pollock As Friedman and Pollock of it at Theory or the other who, after Blue developed and implemented dispensaries I’ve visited in Reserve Water, their business model, “we Massachusetts, where the was involved in leveraged our cumulative experience of purchasing mari- opening two of network of investors. Getting juana as a patient resembles the four mari- investors on board was much nothing so much as complet- juana dispen- harder five years ago than it is ing a transaction at a bank. saries in New now, a reflection of how pub- The freak flags fly more overtly Hampshire. lic sentiment has changed.” in the West, where purvey- Having a part- The partners determined that ors might be former outlaws ner, says Fried- it was more prudent to build who sold marijuana on the man, is one of their cultivation facility from grey or black markets. After three essential the ground up in Bridgewater, marijuana starts to be sold for component of rather than repurpose an ex- recreational use this sum- his entrepre- isting warehouse. There they mer, Friedman envisions that neurial philoso- grow the plants and produce dispensaries might start to phy, along with the line of products bearing have a less antiseptic identity, PHOTO: HANNAH VAN SICKLE / COURTESY SICKLE / COURTESY PHOTO: HANNAH VAN BERKSHIRE EDGE caring about an the Theory brand, which in- morphing into outlets that feel Theory Wellness in Great Barrington idea beyond its clude oils, infusions, edibles, more like apothecaries than profitability and leveraging a tinctures, vape cartridges, banks. Certainly they will be network of experts. “Having a salves, and, of course, flower. “more inclusive,” he says, and or display a proven track approach. “If you are not pas- partner as a sounding board “It’s not one size fits all,” says prices are expected to drop, as record – the motion picture sionate about the product and is instrumental,” he says. Friedman. “Each product has well. Overall, the trajectory the industry is probably the most about the mission, interest will “Without one, you fall subject a different candidate.” marijuana business will take notable example in US histo- flag before it will become a vi- to self-doubt and lose your And it is also true that is still very much up in the air, ry. In the past, Jews pursued able firm.” He says his experi- propensity to take risks.” cannabis has different effects with a lessening – but extant these opportunities because ence starting his first business From the start, says Fried- on different users, unlike – possibility that increased other avenues to success were while still a student allowed man, he and Pollock were pharmaceutical drugs that federal pressure will cause the closed to them, but now there him to really appreciate the determined to “work with the undergo clinical trials to industry to go up in smoke. are myriad reasons why Jews ways that theoretical ideas he highest caliber of operators, determine a measurable (and Did we mention that marijua- are overrepresented in these was absorbing in class could who would come up with new reproducible) impact of new na is still illegal? businesses, and passion often intersect with practical real life designs to cultivate cannabis potential treatments. While The possible scenarios do figures as strongly as profits. endeavors. “Having experience in an East Coast environment such trials are underway and not “thwart or inhibit the work For Nick Friedman, as a philosophy major was and pass the lab require- their results constantly being we want to do,” says Fried- 30-year-old president of definitely unusual,” he says. ments that Massachusetts published, patients’ responses man. “We’re beyond the point Theory Wellness in Great Friedman’s conviction has in place.” Massachusetts to cannabis products remain of no return to the old ways. Barrington and Bridgewater, about cannabis is rooted in sets the bar for entry into the subjective, to a certain degree. Polls show that 90 percent of the marijuana dispensary his own family’s struggles. medical marijuana business A large part of the training the public approves of canna- business is the second en- In 2010, while he was still a quite high. For one, the state Theory “budtenders” undergo bis. The toothpaste is out of trepreneurial venture he has student at Colby, his father, requires that all businesses revolves around learning how the tube.” entered into guided by his Benno Friedman, was injured be vertically values. While still a student in a skiing accident that left integrated, at Maine’s Colby College, the him a quadriplegic. A commer- meaning that Sheffield native (and Berkshire cial and fine art photographer the firm must School graduate) founded (with work in the collections of cultivate its Blue Reserve Water, a sustain- New York’s Museum of Modern own plants able drinking water company Art, Boston’s Fogg Museum from seed and that eliminates the need for and Museum of Fine Arts, and operate its plastic bottles, with partner the Smithsonian’s National own stores. Brandon Pollock, who is now Museum of American Art) and Friedman re- CEO of Theory. Blue Reserve outdoor enthusiast, Benno ports that the Water grew to become one of was also active in the com- the largest businesses of its munal life of the Berkshires, kind in New England, fulfilling founding the Housatonic River Friedman’s goal (as stated in Initiative and contributing to a biography found online) ‘to the Railroad Street Youth Proj- displace bottled water delivery ect. “He has an environmental- and consumption, thereby ist spirit, and his injury took reducing the carbon impact of him away from the things he the drinking water industry. loved to do,” says his son. Its long term mission is to pro- It was Benno’s “response tect our global right to afford- in terms of pain management able, clean drinking water.’ that made me interested in “A field has to have more the efficacy of cannabis,” says meaning than bottom-line Friedman, whose first involve- profit,” says Friedman, who ment in the cannabis industry dual majored in Philosophy came while working for others and Economics at Colby, on the West Coast. He says about his entrepreneurial he knew he wanted to return New! LIMITED EDITION – RESERVE YOUR COPY TODAY Pre-publication orders being accepted. Berkshire Jewish Entrepreneurs, Part II will appear in the next issue of the BJV, with a feature on Gulliver’s Gate Available summer, 2018. impresario (and Gateways Inn proprietor), Eiran Gazit. 250 pages of original definitive research tell this fascinating and important story which will be valued by anyone with family ties to the area, local history enthusiasts and students of the Jewish experience in the Berkshires. Includes family You may request that the Berkshire Jewish Voice histories, many delightful anecdotes and over 100 rare photos. be mailed to your home. Just email us at [email protected] For more information, contact [email protected] for information. Page 24 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org March 19 to April 22, 2018