November 20-December 3, 2020 Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton Volume XLIX, Number 37 BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK Campaign 2021 Campaign, community and the pandemic By Reporter staff the pandemic. “If businesses and restaurants are located in Israel (for example, Lunch The Jewish Federation of Greater are closed, we certainly understand their and Learn – Dimona and the JDC Center Binghamton says that its Campaign is con- need to cut back on advertising,” said Rabbi for Independent Living – Bnei Brak), the tinuing, but this is the most difficult year Rachel Esserman, executive editor of The former Soviet Union (for example, Hesed for fund-raising in recent memory. “The Reporter Group. “We’ve reduced expenses Eliyahu – Tbilisi, Georgia) and across the problem is not just that it’s more difficult by going bi-weekly, but that can only do world for its Aliyah of Rescue, which helps to raise funds when we can’t hold events increased expenses for supplies needed to so much. Our Federation allocation is an Jews who live in hostile parts of the world or meet in person,” said Shelley Hubal, keep teachers and students safe. important part of our funding and we wish emigrate to Israel. Federation executive director. “It’s that local Jewish Community Center: The JCC has Campaign 2021 great success.” “Help us keep all Jewish life strong, both organizations are also hurting because of lost income from a decrease in member- The Federation also allocates money here and across the world,” Hubal said. the pandemic. Their income is down due to ship, programming and daycare. The JCC to support programs of the Jewish Feder- “Thank you for your support. I assure you, reductions in programming and advertising, ran a successful summer camp, but, due ations of North America. These programs every gift has a positive impact.” and an increase in expenses for equipment to COVID-19 restrictions, had a greatly and sanitizers so everyone entering their reduced number of campers. buildings remains safe.” Jewish Family Service: JFS has seen an Save the date Hubal noted, “In addition, members of uptick in needs for its clients. “During this our community have also lost income due pandemic JFS has experienced an increase to the pandemic. Whether due to layoffs, in requests for assistance with food, rent, Federation to hold drive-up businesses closing or reduction of hours, utilities and, more recently, medical co- many people don’t have as much disposable pays,” said Rose Shea, director of JFS. “The income as normal. Our mission is to ensure people reaching out for assistance consist Hanukkah event our local institutions endure, now and for of those who have lost their jobs and those By Reporter staff this event, but are so excited we wanted future generations. We are working hard who have experienced a decline in their The Jewish Federation of Greater to make sure people save the date,” said every day to make that happen.” work hours as related to the pandemic. Binghamton will hold a communitywide Shelley Hubal, executive director of the Federation beneficiary organizations that Additionally, JFS has seen an increase in drive-up Hanukkah event on Sunday, Federation. “This will be a fun, safe way have been affected by the pandemic include: a need for emotional support, and a need December 13, at 4:30 pm. Partnering in for the community to get together for Hillel Academy of Broome County: for referrals for counseling as related to the the event are Beth David Synagogue, Hanukkah.” Additional expenses occurred when Hil- pandemic and recent world events.” the Jewish Community Center, Temple More information about the event lel Academy went virtual for the end of The Reporter: Advertising income is Concord and Temple Israel. will be available in the next issue of The the 2019-20 school year. There are also down due to businesses cancelling ads due to “We are working on the details for Reporter. Federation to hold virtual “Conversation with Michael Oren” on Nov. 30 By Reporter staff that appear in his book. I would The Reporter’s review of the book the United States for almost five years The Jewish Federation of Greater Bing- also like to thank Rabbi Barbara in the November 6 issue or online before becoming a member of Knesset and hamton will hold a virtual “Conversation Goldman-Wartell for alerting us at www.thereportergroup.org/ deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s with Michael Oren” about his new book of to this opportunity.” past-articles/feature-book-review/ Office. Oren is a graduate of Princeton short stories, “The Night Archer and Other Best-selling author Daniel Sil- feature-book-review-stream/ and Columbia universities. He has been Stories,” on Monday, November 30, at va called “The Night Archer and book-review-stream/off-the-shelf- a visiting professor at Harvard, Yale and noon. Dora Polachek, associate professor of Other Stories” “an extraordinary stories-by-oren-and-schwartz-by- Georgetown universities. In addition to romance languages and literatures at Bing- collection of stories that sparkle rabbi-rachel-esserman.) holding four honorary doctorates, he was hamton University, will moderate. There is with wit, intelligence, tenderness In addition to his collection awarded the Statesman of the Year Medal no cost for the event, but pre-registration and penetrating honesty.” Ac- of short stories, Oren is the by the Washington Institute for Near East is required and can be made at the Feder- cording to TheJewishPress.com, author of several nonfiction Policy and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ation website, www.jfgb.org. Additional “[Oren’s] characters are terrifying, Michael Oren works, including “Six Days Legacy Prize for International Service. sponsors of the event are the College of tragic, passionate and yes, funny as of War,” “Power, Faith, and Oren was named by NPR as “one of Jewish Studies, the Temple Israel/Temple hell.” A.J. Jacobs, New York Times bestselling Fantasy” and “Ally: My Journal Across the best college commencement speakers Concord Adult Education Group and Beth author, called the book “delightful.” Liel the American-Israel Divide,” all of which ever.” Politico called him “one of the 50 David Synagogue. Leibovitz, an Israeli-American journalist and made The New York Times bestsellers most influential thinkers in America.” “It’s an honor to have someone as ac- author, wrote that “Oren delivers a heartfelt list. He has also received the Los Angeles The Forward placed him on its list of “the complished as Michael Oren speak to us,” and heartbreaking account of who we are as Times History Book of the Year Award, a five most influential Jews in America,” said Shelley Hubal, executive director of a species – flawed, fearful, and lonely but National Humanities prize and the Jewish while The Jerusalem Post said he was the Federation. “I look forward to learning always open-hearted, always trusting that tran- Book Award. “one of the 10 most influential Jews how he came to write the many stories scendence is possible, if not imminent.” (See Oren served as Israel’s ambassador to worldwide.” Giving Tuesday matching grant of $500 for Reporter By Reporter staff Greater Binghamton. Anyone who does not climate. So many Jewish newspapers are porter received the grant. “I think the paper The Reporter announced that it has re- receive Federation e-mails, but would like either going under or turning into online is a valuable addition to our community,” she ceived a $500 matching grant for Giving to be on the list, should e-mail director@ productions only. Although The Reporter said. “It not only lets me know what local Tuesday, December 1. The grant is courtesy jfgb.org with “Federation e-mail list” in has gone biweekly, I am pleased we are organizations are doing, but helps keep us of the David and Virginia Eisenberg Fund. the subject line. still able to produce hard-copy newspa- connected. Thank you to the Eisenberg Fund Donations came be made from now through Mail donations to The Reporter, 500 pers for our readers. I know that I prefer for their gift. This is the first time we have Tuesday, December 1. Donations may be Clubhouse Rd., Vestal, NY 13850 with to read offline. Plus, a hard copy is great run a Giving Tuesday mini-campaign and made several ways: “matching grant” in the check’s subject line. for those of us who like to read the paper I know the generosity of our community Give online through The Reporter Group “We are thrilled to receive this match- on Shabbat, but don’t get on the computer will make it succeed.” website, www.thereportergroup.org. ing grant,” said Rabbi Rachel Esserman, that day.” Other community members have also Through Giving Tuesday e-mails that executive editor of The Reporter Group. Shelley Hubal, executive director of the expressed their support for the paper. Their will be sent by the Jewish Federation of “Every penny counts in this economic Federation, was also pleased that The Re- comments can be found in the ad on page 5. INSIDE THIS ISSUE TC community programs Aiding Guatamala News in brief... Special Sections TC will host Lunch ‘n Learn IsraAID launches an emergency Mideast regional rail link discussed; Chanukah Gifts ................................ 6 programs in December, celebrate response in Guatemala following bomb threat in Argentina; FBI says Professional & Business Services ... 9 its 70th anniversary and more. Tropical Storm Eta. anti-Jewish crimes in ‘19 up; more. Dine Out ........................................ 11 ........................................Page 3 ........................................Page 8 ...................................... Page 12 Classifieds ..................................... 12 Page 2 - The Reporter November 20-December 3, 2020 Jewish resources to occupy your family during social distancing – part 25 By Reporter staff Hillel International will holds its first virtual Hillel Col- Sunday, November 15, at 7 pm, with a sliding scale cost; A variety of Jewish groups are offering online resources – lege Fair from Sunday-Tuesday, November 22-24.