The New Jewish Voice November 2016
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Non-profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit # 184 Watertown, NY november 2016/tishrei-cheshvan 5777 a publication of United jewish federation of Volume 18, Number 9 Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien Shimon Peres, Last of Honoring Achievement Israel’s Founders, Dies UJF Winter Soiree Celebrates Worldwide By Ben Sales quest for peace with the Work TEL AVIV (JTA) – Shimon Palestinians. He was instru- United Jewish Benson Zinbarg Peres, the former defense mental in negotiating the Federation of Lifetime Service hawk turned Nobel Peace Oslo Accords, the landmark Greater Stamford, Award. “Linda’s Prize winner and the last of Israeli-Palestinian peace New Canaan and dedication to our Israel’s founders, died on agreement, and was present Darien will hold community and September 28 at 93, Israel on the White House lawn its Winter Soiree to the work of UJF Radio reported. for its signing in 1993. on Sunday, De- is truly inspiring,” The phoenix of Israeli Though he served as cember 4, at 5:30 noted UJF CEO politics, Peres continually prime minister three times pm, at Temple Dr. Rick Hodes, Linda Spilka, James Cohen. “In reinvented himself as the Shimon Peres in New without ever winning an Sinai in Stamford. guest speaker honoree addition to travel- country changed. He began York City on October 24, election outright, and The celebration will focus on local and ing on a dozen JDC missions all over his career in the Defense 2014. (Photo by Taylor shared the 1994 Nobel international Federation leaders. the world, Linda was the founding Ministry and was the ar- Hill/Getty Images) Peace Prize for a peace that Linda Spilka, longtime UJF support- force behind our Shabbat across Stam- chitect of Israel’s nuclear has yet to materialize, Peres er and a champion of UJF’s overseas ford program, and is co-sponsor of PJ program, but in his later years Peres emerged late in life as Israel’s beloved partner, American Jewish Joint Distribu- Library in Stamford, New Canaan and was more closely identified with the See “Peres” on page 20 tion Committee, will be presented the See “Achievement” on page 2 After the Election: What it A New Name for JFS Means to Israel Agency Renamed to Honor Elayne and James Schoke AJC Sponsors Israel’s Deputy Consul By Jonathan Fass Jewish Family Service announced General that James A. Schoke, a past resident On Wednesday, November ford, Temple Sholom in of Westport, has chosen to recognize 9, at 7:30 pm, AJC Westches- Greenwich and Greenwich its work with a legacy gift. In recogni- ter/Fairfield will present a Reform Synagogue. tion of his generosity, Jewish Family program titled “After the Elec- “Coming just one day after Service is changing its name to the tion: What it Means to Israel.” these tumultuous U.S. elec- Elayne and James Schoke Jewish The program will take place tions, it will be a very interest- Family Service of Fairfield County. at Temple Sholom in Green- ing and well-timed program Both Jim and his wife Elayne – who wich and will feature Matan no matter who wins,” said were married for 69 years before she James and Elayne Schoke Zamir, Israel’s deputy consul Stephne Behrend, a member passed away in 2014 – have held a deep general to New England. The Matan Zamir, Israel’s of the executive board of AJC appreciation for the work of Jewish when we read about all the wonderful event will be co-sponsored deputy consul general Westchester/Fairfield. Family Service for decades. things they do for both the Jewish and by Temple Beth El of Stam- to New England See “Election” on page 2 “Elayne and I were driven to JFS See “JFS” on page 3 Candle Bits & Pieces JEEP Professional Adult Voices & Lighting 2 6 6 Support 17 Volunteers 18 Views 22 Story Time at YLD Family Day Cantor Marcia Lane, PJ Library coordinator for United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien, read a PJ Library story to the children who attended the UJF Young Leadership Division’s Family Day on September 18 at Temple Sinai. (Photo by UJF staff) For further coverage of the event, see page 5. 2 THE NEW JEWISH VOICE ■ NOVEMBER 2016 CEO Message First-hand Knowledge is Power by James A. Cohen, UJF CEO foster meaningful discussions and help put issues Third, we are going to do more to promote the As heretical as this statement into perspective. Consensus will not be possible on incredible opportunity offered to young people sounds, Jewish professionals every issue, but surely better understanding is a goal through the Birthright Taglit program. The statistics and lay leaders alike lament the worth pursuing. You will be hearing more about this prove that this program and the offer of free travel fact that Israel is simply not the exciting undertaking and the various projects which to Israel is the best engagement tool to keep folks rallying point for American Jews will sit under its auspices in the coming months. in their late teens and 20s engaged. And finally, we which it once was. A generation Second, I am so pleased to announce that UJF is are going to work with our local partners to enhance ago, Jewish fund-raisers and organizing a communitywide mission to coincide the already rich Israel education programs to make friend raisers would simply have with Israel’s 70th birthday in April 2018. Chaired by them even more robust and inviting. to whisper the word “Israel,” and Rhoda and Avram Freedberg, the mission will feature Mr. Hughes was right. Knowledge is power and the checks and volunteer hours multiple options and elements that will appeal to first knowledge is even more powerful. I hope with would pour in. But we now live James Cohen, first-time and seasoned travelers alike. More infor- all sincerity that it is powerful enough to alter our in a far more complex and Bal- UJF CEO mation on this exciting trip will be available soon, current trajectory. I hope you will all join us on the kanized world. Nationally, our community’s views so get ready to mark your calendars. journey. on Israel are no longer monolithic. Fortunately, our local community’s connections to Israel are stronger than most, but divides still exist. This is a fact with Achievement Continued from page 1 which we must contend. Darien. Few supporters exemplify the scope of what dedication to curing the sick was documented in Rather than beat our proverbial heads against the UJF does better than Linda. Her love of the Jewish the HBO film “Making the Crooked Straight.” UJF wall, we should focus our energies on what can be people, whether they live here in Stamford or in a President-Elect Ricky Arbron said she was “thrilled done to solve this problem. My high school head- remote corner of the world few of us will ever see, is that Dr. Hodes will be gracing our stage. He is one master, William Hughes, had sayings that he would evident every time you speak to her.” of the most inspiring speakers I have ever heard.” exclaim in a rather loud voice when students’ grades The 2016 Harvey A. Peltz Award for Young Lead- The UJF Annual Meeting will follow the Soiree were falling short of his expectations. None of these ership will be presented to Jill Kaplan. She co-chairs and will be open to the public. At that time, the new sayings were new or terribly original, but they were UJF’s 3 Square Program, which provides hungry board and officers will be installed. all simple and profound. Among them was the tried children with nutritious food on the weekends, has For information about the Soiree, visit www.ujf- and true “knowledge is power.” In order for Jews to chaired Super Sunday and has worked on numerous winter.com or call 203-321-1373, ext. 101. not only be comfortable with Israel, but to fall in love UJF committees. Kaplan has also been involved with with it again (if in fact they are suffering from the the Stamford chapter of Hadassah and currently 68 year itch) is for them to experience it first-hand, serves as co-president of the Bi-Cultural Day School Election Continued from page 1 for themselves. Parents Association. Rebekah Raz, vice president for AJC will introduce Zamir to the community at To that end, UJF is taking some concrete and development at UJF, commented, “Working with Jill this event. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Israel exciting steps. First, we are set to launch our Jewish is a Jewish professional’s dream come true. She is the recently closed certain offices and reconfigured its Community Relations Council. This lay council, personification of a dedicated and caring volunteer.” embassies and consulates. Connecticut was reassigned aided and stewarded by a paid professional, will Rounding out the awards to be presented, Lin- to the New England office in Boston. have many functions, amongst them Israel advocacy da Gornitsky and Gary Schulman will be honored Zamir has been a member of Israel’s Foreign Ser- and the promotion of Israel (beauty marks, warts as Volunteers of the Year. “Normally,” noted UJF vice since 2011. He previously served as the deputy and all) to the Jewish community and of equal, if President Ellen Weber, “Volunteers of the Year are chief of mission at the Israeli Consulate in Mumbai not greater importance, beyond. The Council will recognized for specific achievements in a given year. and led a decorated career in the IDF – the Israeli But this year is special.