December 29, 2017-January 4, 2018 Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton Volume XLVI, Number 52 BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK The year 2017 was a good one for Europe’s extremists

By Cnaan Liphshiz saw several dramatic and The first upset came in March, when PARIS (JTA) – On the ANALYSIS shocking developments, the Dutch anti-Islam Party for Freedom surface, at least, Europe such as Brexit, a refugee for the first time since its creation in 2006 has not changed much resettlement crisis and the became the country’s second largest, with over the past 12 months. In fact, when it terrorist attack in Nice on Bastille Day, 13 percent of the vote. Those elections also comes to European politics, this year may France’s national holiday. allowed the Denk party to enter parliament appear mild in comparison to 2016, which Across much of the continent in 2017, for the first time in the history of that far-left however, populists were blocked from movement, which was founded by Muslim reaching power by centrist parties. To the immigrants on a platform of resistance to relief of the continent’s estimated three integration and which Dutch Jews accuse million Jews and other minorities with of antisemitism. bitter memories of extremism, the European In December, the Austrian Freedom An AfD poster in Berlin on September 26. Union certainly saw no upsets of the scale Party, founded by a former SS officer in (Photo by Steffi Loos/AFP/Getty Images) of President Donald Trump’s succession of the 1950s, for the second time in its history Barack Obama, or that of the liberal prime joined the coalition government after gar- Bulgarian Communist Party double its vot- minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, over his nering 26 percent of the vote in elections ers to become the country’s second-largest. conservative predecessor in 2015. two months earlier. But the real shocker came this spring in But a closer examination suggests that In September, the populist Alternative the two rounds of the presidential election 2017 nonetheless has been a watershed for Germany entered parliament for the first in France, which is home to both Europe’s National Front leader Marine Le Pen year for the continent’s far-right and far-left time with its best electoral result ever: 12.6 largest Jewish and Muslim populations. In addressed activists at the Espace Francois movements. They have had unprecedented percent of the vote in the federal election. May, France’s National Front achieved its Mitterrand in Henin Beaumont, France, on successes in a series of elections thanks to And in Bulgaria, the far-right Volya party best electoral result ever when 34 percent April 23. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty discontent, economic anxiety, nationalistic entered parliament for the first time in of voters cast their votes for the far-right Images) sentiment and xenophobia. elections that also saw the successor to the candidate Marine Le Pen in the presidential election won by Emmanuel Macron. In the first round in April, 19 percent Comedian Judy Gold to appear at of voters chose Jean-Luc Melenchon, a far-left candidate and communist activist who is calling for rewriting the constitution Auburn Public Theater and a “redistribution of wealth.” Like Le Pen, Melenchon also seeks to take France Comedian Judy Gold will appear at Jewish Mother” (GLAAD Media Award – on “Broad City,” “Friends From College,” out of the European Union and has been the Auburn Public Theater, in Auburn, on Outstanding NY Theater and Drama Desk “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” and accused of fomenting racist hatred against Saturday, January 13, at 8 pm. Tickets are nomination – Actor). The New York Times “The Jim Gaffigan Show. She also won two Jews. The CRIF umbrella group of French $15 in advance or $17 at the door. called “25 Questions for a Jewish Mother” Emmy awards for writing and producing “The Jews branded him “just as bad” as Le Pen Gold has had stand-up specials on HBO, “fiercely funny, honest and moving.” Rosie O’Donnell Show.” In addition, she has last year. Comedy Central and LOGO. She has also Gold recently appeared on “The Late Show written for The New York Times, Huffington Like nearly all of Europe’s far-right and written and starred in two critically ac- with Stephen Colbert” and has had numerous Post and CNN.com. anti-Muslim parties, the National Front has claimed, Off-Broadway hit shows: “The Judy appearances on talk shows such as “The View” For more information visit http:// formally distanced itself from supporters Show – My Life as a Sitcom” (Outer Critics and “The Today Show.” Her other recent auburnpublictheater.org/ or contact the and members who espouse antisemitism. Circle Nomination) and “25 Questions for a TV appearances include guest-starring roles theater at 315-702-8309. See “Extremists” on page 9 Spotlight Hillel at Binghamton welcomes JTS fellow By Rabbi Marley Weiner friends. In the end, I thought a halachah. That leads to gray Weiner: What new tools and experiences Naomi Zaslow is a first-year rabbinical lot about how much teaching at areas and differences in practice, are you excited to bring to the students of student at the Jewish Theological Semi- Schechter and grounding myself which is very Jewish! I feel like Binghamton University? nary and is part of the Slifka Fellowship in the Conservative movement CJ keeps the best parts of the Zaslow: Hmmm... I think having a for Conservative Jewish life on campus. meant to me as an educator. Talmud alive in that multiple diversity of Jewish and life experiences is She will visit campus six times this year When I visited JTS, I fell in truths are left standing. critical. Like, not the amount, but doing and will be available to meet with stu- love with the balance between Weiner: How has your expe- things that both make you really happy and dents Thursday evenings through Sunday spiritual development and aca- rience been so far? feel secure in your identity, and also doing mornings. Zaslow grew up Orthodox and demic rigor within an egalitarian, Zaslow: I love coming out to things (or having things happen to you) that found Conservative Judaism while studying halachic framework. I was in the Binghamton! It reminds me a push you out of what you know. When I was at Pardes in Jerusalem. A graduate of the JTS courtyard, at an outdoors Naomi Zaslow lot of my own undergrad at the 26, I was diagnosed with a chronic illness Pardes/Hebrew College Jewish Educator’s Mincha service with drumming, University of Michigan. I love and that totally shifted how I think about program and holding a B.F.A. in visual art when one of the administrators whispered seeing how things change between each God, halachah and Jewish practice. It gave from the University of Michigan, Zaslow to me that I had been accepted. I knew at visit, and sitting down for one-to-one with me the space to shift out of a binary way of has spent the last 10 years traveling, and that moment! Koach students. Undergrad is the most wild thinking about Judaism. I hope that I can teaching Talmud and sequential art. Weiner: What is one thing that you wish time of your life, where you get exposed to share some of those experiences that have Rabbi Marley Weiner: What did you do the Binghamton community knew about so many awesome ideas and people – all on shaped me at Binghamton Hillel. before entering rabbinical school? Conservative Judaism? your own terms! I love teaching at Hillel, Weiner: What have you learned so far? Zaslow: I was a middle school Talmud Zaslow: The thing I love most about too, and then schmoozing with students What are you excited to work on? teacher! I worked at SSDS Boston and Conservative Judaism is how it engages both after and hearing their reflections. Zaslow: I’m excited to work on my d’var SSDS Chicago. I also taught middle school halachah and aggadah (law and narrative) My experience in rabbinical school has Torahs since I’m more used to giving longer in Seoul, but totally not Judaic studies. in a complex way. I love the way we get also been amazing so far. Almost every day, lessons. It’s like, how do you get across just In between all that teaching, I served to keep macholket l’shem shamayim (dis- my cohort has exciting, thoughtful conver- a few ideas in a compelling way in about five in AmeriCorps, lived for three years in agreements for the sake of heaven) alive, sations about God, prayer and halachah. minutes? A lot of brainstorming happening Jerusalem and studied at Pardes. by debating and responding to the issues The learning blows my mind. It’s been there. I’m also working [on] shifting small Weiner: Why JTS? of our day. Sometimes the law committee hard to switch back into being a student talk into meaningful ground since there are Zaslow: It was a tough call! I was living will up-vote disagreeing responsas, and it after teaching for so many years, but I’m just so many people I meet on each trip! in Boston, which has its own awesome falls on us as individuals (or communities) learning how to balance all my project and Rabbi Marley Weiner is the senior Jewish rabbinical school where I had loads of to decide how we want to interpret the paper due dates! educator at Hillel at Binghamton. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Sisterhood programs Jewish food scene Small victories Special Sections Sisterhood of BD to look at Chicago’s new kosher deli is next Jewish groups decry the Legal Notices...... 4 computers and geneology; TC to Wrigley Field; a look at the rising Republican tax reform bill signed Book Review...... 4 cooking class; TI game afternoon. popularity of Israeli cuisine. into law, but find small wins in it. Safe Driving...... 6-9 ...... Page 3 ...... Pages 6-7 ...... Page 9 Classifieds...... 12 Page 2 - The Reporter December 29, 2017-January 4, 2018 Opinion Israeli Americans can be the glue that builds a stronger Jewish community By Adam Milstein America, centered around the idea that we were connected The nearly 3,000 participants in the Washington confer- (JTA) – The Israeli-American Council’s Fourth Annual by the Israeliness in our character and the love for Israel in ence suggested the role that Israeli Americans can and do National Conference in Washington, DC, held in Novem- our heart. Many echoed the sentiment that Israeli Americans play as important partners for American Jewish institutions ber felt like a long-overdue family reunion. Enveloping and Jewish Americans are one family, need each other and in addressing these questions, and as bridge builders to the warmth and a powerful sense of togetherness, the love complement each other. state of Israel and its people. for Israel was infectious, radiating to and from all the This sense of unity extended to the event’s political There are three unique value propositions that Israeli participants. conversations. The politicians at the conference held views Americans – and groups like ours that represent them – can In the corridors of the Washington Convention Center, that spanned the ideological spectrum. They shared these bring to the table for the Jewish community. teenagers spoke with unique pride about their hybrid Israe- radically different views on stage – in very frank conver- The first is our Israeliness, a character and multifaceted li-American identity, rooted in the idea that they are deeply sations. All received thundering applause from the mixed quality that brings together many aspects of our identity: connected to their home in America while maintaining a crowd. In the many conference sessions and events, it was Jewish values, the Hebrew language, Israeli culture, pride strong affinity to their Jewish homeland in Israel. clear that Israeliness is a unifying force that can overcome in our history and heritage, the unique accomplishments Groups of Jewish American and Israeli American young political disagreements. of the Jewish people and the state of Israel, and, above professionals exchanged business cards and then headed We live during a time of growing gaps and serious all, a belief that “all the people of Israel are responsible to a packed dance floor, moving and shaking the steel challenges in the Jewish community – both inside Amer- for one another.” floors of the convention center to the beat of Israeli music. ican Jewry and between Israel and the Diaspora. How do Through Israeliness, our community is bringing new A young Jewish couple – the man from New York, the we address a declining Jewish population in the face of people into our communal conversations and re-engaging woman from Tel Aviv – joined with their 2-year-old and assimilation? How do we overcome divides among our others from a wide variety of backgrounds. We understand the hundreds of other young families in a circle with picture different denominations, political orientations, ethnic importance of Israel not just as a vibrant country and proud books in Hebrew and English. backgrounds and geographic centers? How do we ensure culture, but as a crucial part of our spiritual beliefs as Jews. Groups singing Israeli songs blended with panel dis- that Israel is not a wedge that divides our community, but We speak Hebrew at home and at shul – the same language cussions about what it means to be Israeli and Jewish in rather the glue that holds us together and strengthens us? See “Glue” on page 3 The #NoWayToTreatAChild campaign is a cynical way to manipulate Palestinian children By Daniel Laufer and like the video, it reflects the cynical manipulation of United States tax dollars from supporting the Israeli mil- JNS children’s rights that is emerging as a dominant theme in itary’s ongoing detention and mistreatment of Palestinian In a video that has gone viral, a young Palestinian anti-Israel activism. children.” The bill itself recycled a host of NGO claims approaches two Israeli soldiers. She hits, prods and slaps “No Way to Treat a Child,” or NWTTAC, is a campaign without independent verification, at times copying DCI-P them. She is trying to provoke a reaction that will be caught coordinated by Palestinian, Israeli and international NGOs, materials word for word. on camera and show the ugly violence of the Israeli army. many of which also promote the BDS movement against Another major target for NWTTAC groups is the United The soldiers respond with professionalism and restraint, Israel. Through concerted efforts to falsely accuse the IDF Nations. Every year, the U.N. secretary-general publishes a and ignore her attack. of violating the rights of Palestinian minors, they seek lists of armed forces that systematically and gravely violate The Palestinian in question is Ahed Tamimi, best known international sanctions against the Jewish state. children’s rights. And every year, NGOs such as DCI-P, from a 2015 video showing her biting and hitting a soldier The leading group behind the campaign is a Palestin- Human Rights Watch and War Child Holland attempt to as well as from regular demonstrations in Nabi Saleh. ian NGO, Defense for Children International-Palestine. have the Israeli military added to this list, alongside groups News reports have variously identified Tamimi as 16- or The agency, reportedly tied to the Popular Front for the like Boko Haram and Al-Qaida. 17-years-old, although a number of observers on social Liberation of Palestine terrorist group, has joined with Media outlets have joined in the propaganda efforts. media have pointed to documents from 2011 that would U.S.-based pro-BDS organizations such as the American Earlier in December, Al Jazeera’s AJ+ channel posted a put her current age at 18. Friends Service Committee and Jewish Voice for Peace to video on its Twitter account, alleging that Israel “system- Following the release of the video, Tamimi was arrested lobby the U.S. government to “use all available means to atically harasses and abuses Palestinian kids.” The video for her assault. Despite the ambiguity about her age, this pressure relevant Israeli authorities to end the detention parrots NWTTAC’s blatantly false or misleading claims. triggered a widespread Twitter campaign calling for her and abuse of Palestinian children.” An employee of Human Rights Watch even claimed that release, under the hashtag #NoWayToTreatAChild. In November, NWTTAC convinced Rep. Betty McCol- Israel has no reason to arrest minors – regardless of the The use of this hashtag is not accidental or random, lum (D-MN) to propose legislation that would “to prevent See “Cynical” on page 5 In My Own Words Conspiracy theories RABBI RACHEL ESSERMAN, EXECUTIVE EDITOR

One TV popular show used to include a character who [fill in the phrase that can’t be printed in a family friendly race, creed, ethnicity and sexuality, and come from every frequently spouted conspiracy theories. The other charac- newspaper] does ‘let America be America’ mean?” continent and nation of the world. Our nation’s founders ters usually ignored him because they didn’t believe the In the context of what has occurred in the past year, I deliberately did not propose having a national religion; government was that interested in every aspect of their can think of some possibilities that are really disturbing. they actually declared that church and state should be two lives. It’s usually the outsiders or “kooks” who see a secret Letting America be America could mean that: separate entities. While our founders may have all been department or organization as controlling the world. It’s ‹‹ Americans should be allowed to lie to the FBI. white men – some of whom were slave owners – they not that the U.S. government hasn’t investigated those who ‹‹ Americans should be allowed to conspire with other created a system that allowed us to move forward ethically, oppose its policies – numerous FBI files have proven that countries in order to win elections. for example, forbidding slavery and allowing blacks and a fact – but it’s rare for those with powerful relatives in ‹‹ Americans should be allowed to bring concealed weap- women to vote. government to make similar claims. ons into any building, for example, churches or synagogues The American dream – the idea that someone can What brought this to mind was a recent speech given by that would prefer people attend their services unarmed. come to this country and be afforded equal opportuni- Donald Trump Jr. I normally wouldn’t bother discussing ‹‹ Americans should believe this country was at its greatest ty – is what makes America America. That dream isn’t this because I’m not interested in unproven conspiracy when the black population lived in slavery. only for one race or ethnicity: it’s open to all. The dream theories, but one part of his statement was interesting ‹‹ Americans should believe it’s OK to discriminate against isn’t only for one gender: it’s open to all. That dream is because it refers to our national culture. During a recent anyone they want to based on race, gender, religion, eth- not limited to those who already have money: it’s open speech, Trump Jr. declared, “There is, and there are, people nicity, sexuality or politics. to all. Acceptance of that wide expanse of people – all at the highest levels of government that don’t want to let I could go on and on, but none of these describe the colors, races, religions, ethnicities, sexualities – is what America be America.” My first reaction was, “What the America I know and love. Americans are people of every makes America great.

Executive Editor Rabbi Rachel Esserman Layout Editor Diana Sochor Advertising Bonnie Rozen Dr. Howard Warner, President Production Coordinator Jenn DePersis

Sima Auerbach, Executive Director Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton Bookkeeper Kathy Brown 607-724-2332 ~ www.jfgb.org BINGHAMTON, NY Proofreaders The Reporter Editorial Board Barbara Bank, Eleanor Durfee, Fran Ferentinos, Rachel Coker, chairwoman OPINIONS Leah Ferentinos, Rebecca Goldstein Kahn, Rebecca Goldstein Kahn, Ben Kasper, The views expressed in editorials and opinion pieces are those of each author and Merri Pell-Preus, Ilene Pinsker, Heidi Thirer Toby Kohn, Richard Lewis, not necessarily the views of the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton. Robert Neuberger, Dora Polachek LETTERS The Reporter welcomes letters on subjects of interest to the Jewish community. HOW TO REACH THE REPORTER All letters must be signed and include a phone number; names may be withheld upon request. Mail ~ The Reporter, 500 Clubhouse Rd. 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Editorial/News Regular weekly deadline is noon, Wednesday, for the following week’s newspaper. www.thereportergroup.org December 29, 2017-January 4, 2018 Page 3 - The Reporter Sisterhoods plan January events TI Sisterhood to hold Beth David Sisterhood meeting to look at afternoon of games genealogy and computers The Temple Israel Sisterhood has invited all interested By Paula Rubin where the meeting will be held. Light refreshments women to share an afternoon of cards, board games and For the fifth year in a row, Beth David Sisterhood will be served. other table games on Tuesday, January 9, from noon- will offer a free, hands-on computer class open to all “This meeting has become increasingly popular over 3 pm, in the temple’s social hall. The charge for the members of the community. This year’s class will ex- the years, with different subject matter offered each time,” event, which will include a light lunch, is $5 per person. plore genealogy. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, organizers noted. This year’s meeting will explore the Attendees will also have the chance to participate in a January 9, from 1-2:30 pm, at the George F. Johnson different sites a person can use to find their ancestors and raffle drawing. Memorial Library Central Library (Endicott Public trace their genealogy. The course is designed for all levels Reservations are requested and may be submitted to Library), 1001 Park St., Endicott. Each attendee will of computer skills, from the novice to the experienced. Tammy Kunsman in the office at 723-7461, or titammy@ have his/her own computer to use and the instructor For more information, call Beth David Synagogue at stny.twcbc.com. will be Gail Seliga. There is elevator access to the room 722-1793. Temple Concord Sisterhood to cook for a cause Temple Concord Sisterhood and Mi- Washington Ave., Endicott. will donate 20 percent of the sign-ups to Anyone interested should contact chelle McIlroy, a Temple Concord member Participants will learn to make hand-cut Temple Concord’s Religious School as part Coker at [email protected] to and owner of Phantom Chef Catering, and machine-cut pasta, as well as ricot- of its Cook for a Cause program. Checks register by Friday, January 12. Class size will hold a “Make Your Own Pasta class” ta-filled ravioli. At the end, they’ll enjoy should be payable to Phantom Chef and sent is limited to ensure individual attention, on Sunday, January 21, from 4-6 pm, at the vegetarian meal they prepared. to Rachel Coker, 7 Laine Ct., Apalachin, but the minimum is 16 registered and Phantom Chef’s new culinary studio, 49 Registration is $40 and Phantom Chef NY 13732. paid. “Light Up a Life” drive collects record amount of toys The annual Chanukah Toy Drive dubbed “Light up a drive. Chai LifeLine is a New York City based organization raises anywhere near this amount of funds,” Kwestel said. Life,” conducted by the Chabad Center in coordination that provides services to children with serious illnesses and “Our student leaders continue to surprise and inspire me with the SAE fraternity and SDT sorority at Binghamton their families, and will distribute the toys purchased through with their energy and deep passion,” said Rabbi Levi Slonim, University, raised a record $32,367.63. the drive to children in New York City area hospitals. “You director of programming and development at Chabad, and Melanie Kwestel, communications director for Chai students have blown us away with your generosity, devotion the staff member that worked closely with the BU students. LifeLine, was on hand for the culminating event of the and ingenuity. No other toy drive – and there are many – “ I feel privileged each day to work with them!”

The top tier student committee from Chabad, SAE and SDT posed with a display of some The SDT sorority sisters accepted an award from Melanie Kwestel. of the many toys collected for the drive.

Glue Continued from page 2 with two unique and intertwined purposes. Our community Jewish life – initiatives that are engaging not only Israeli offers new ways to engage with Israel and Judaism itself. Americans, but also Jewish Americans of all ages. The second value proposition is our deep love for By uniting Israeli Americans and partnering with ex- Israel, rooted in personal experience and an appreciation isting Jewish American institutions, we believe that we that it is not just the homeland of the Jewish people, but a can strengthen the American communities we live in and source of our pride, common history, culture, courage and build their connection to Israel. Our vision for the coming strength. We recognize that Israel isn’t perfect, but accept decades is optimistic: Where some see challenges and gaps, and support it without any preconditions. we see promise and opportunity to reignite Jewish life, As a result, Israeli Americans are uniquely equipped re-inspire Jewish pride and courage, and re-imagine our to advocate for Israel. The Israeli-American Council, for existing institutions so that they serve the next generation example, has worked to advocate for laws that keep states in our community. like California, Nevada and Texas from allowing taxpayer By working together as one big Jewish family, Israeli SAE brothers held some of the many toys purchased for funds to support groups that discriminate against Israelis Americans and Jewish Americans of all backgrounds can the drive. with economic boycotts. In partnership with existing or- forge the future we desire. ganizations like AIPAC and Jewish Federations, the Israe- Adam Milstein is a co-founder and the chairman of the li-American Coalition for Action and the Israeli-American board of the Israeli-American Council. Women’s OB/GYN Associates community have acted to advance bipartisan support for is pleased to welcome the Taylor Force Act, the Israel Anti-Boycott Act and other Melodye Onysko, important pieces of legislation. The third value proposition is our willingness and ability ANP, CNM to think outside the box. Israeli Americans have much to learn from the American Diaspora community about how Real Estate Services Melodye’s personal warmth and extensive knowledge Jewish culture and community can flourish outside of a SUZANNE L. KRAUSE helps patients interested in holistic approaches to women’s health care. Jewish state. Yet we are also contributing fresh perspec- Licensed Real Estate Broker She is now accepting new patients who are seeking: tives that have brought a range of programs to American Cell: 607.760.3366 O ce: 607.772.1177 • Traditional and Holistic Gynecology Fax: 607.772.2435 • Early Pregnancy Care [email protected] • Birth Control Options including IUD's and Nexplanon

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[email protected] howardhanna.com Page 4 - The Reporter December 29, 2017-January 4, 2018 Off the Shelf Genesis and Exodus RABBI RACHEL ESSERMAN Two narratives that form a fundamental part of Western with which we live as Jews.” For David, that means “to can teach us to better use the finite amount of time we have culture originate in the Bible: the creation story in the book care for the natural universe, to take responsibility for on this earth. Finding ways to use Shabbat observance to of Genesis and the departure of the Israelite slaves from ourselves and those around us, to lift up Shabbat as a holy create special moments for parents and children is the dis- Egypt in the book of Exodus. Authors have explored both day, and to always remember our ever-profound origins.” cussion found in editor David’s “Shabbat and Parenting.” stories in a variety of ways – from attempting to prove the The more than 40 essays featured are organized by the A few other essays that stood out included Rabbi Fred accuracy of the version found in the Bible to using the text day of creation – from day one to Shabbat – and use the Scherlinder Dobb’s “Bal Tashchit: God’s First and Most to teach ethical lessons – as shown in two recent books, themes of each day to teach lessons about everything from General Call” for its creative use of diary entries written “Seven Days, Many Voices: Insights into the Biblical Story environmentalism to kashrut to multiculturalism. by a God who ponders different aspects of creation. The of Creation” edited by Rabbi Benjamin David (CCAR Although all of the essays are well done, my favorite imaginary conversation between Rabbi Karen Deitsch and Press) and “The Exodus” by Richard Elliot Friedman section focused on Shabbat. For example, Rabbi Shoshanah her late grandfather in “Forging a Path Back to the Garden: (HarperOne). While “Seven Days, Many Voices” teaches Conover’s “What This Group of Cloistered Nuns Taught A New Kashrut for Today” contributed an additional layer lessons for contemporary times, “The Exodus” attempts Me About Shabbat” serves as a guide for infusing Shabbat of interest when discussing a new type of kashrut. In “The to prove the biblical story actually occurred, even if the holiness into daily life. Finding a way for Reform Jews Physics of Jewish Time and the Fourth Day of Creation,” version as found in the Bible is not historically accurate. – who may not follow the halachic rules of Shabbat – to Loui Dobin offers interesting thoughts about seven different In his introduction to “Seven Days, Many Voices,” David refresh their souls on the seventh day of the week is the Jewish ways of looking at the meaning of time and history. sees the creation story as offering vital lessons for today’s theme of “Determining the Path Ourselves: What Might “Seven Days, Many Voices” is not a traditional com- world, but not as a scientific text. Instead, he believes that Shabbat Look Like for Us?” by Rabbi Jack P. Paskoff. In mentary on the text, but rather uses the creation story as a “when we dare to investigate the intricacies of the creation “The Loneliness of Time: What We Can Learn from That starting point for thinking about larger issues. The authors text we come to see not only ourselves, but the imperatives First Shabbat,” Rabbi Richard Address show how Shabbat See “Exodus” on page 8

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The Secretary YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED The mortgaged premises subject Ave., Vestal, NY 13850. of State shall mail a copy of any to answer the complaint in the to this action is commonly known NOTICE OF FORMATION OF ______process against the Company above-entitled action and to serve a as 905 Neal Road, Town of Union, LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY: to 3571 Smith Drive, Endwell, copy of your answer on the Plaintiff’s County of Broome, State of New York The name of the limited liability NOTICE OF FORMATION OF New York 13760. The purpose of the attorney within 20 days after the and is more accurately described in company is: Moore Family Holdings, LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY: business of the Company is any lawful service of this summons exclusive the above referenced mortgage. LLC (the “Company”). The date of The name of the limited liability business purpose. of the date of service or within 30 Dated: December 11, 2017. filing of the Articles of Organization company is: Firehouse Holdings, ______days after completion of service, if s/ William M. Thomas of the Company with the Secretary LLC (the “Company”). The date of service is made in any other manner William M. Thomas of State was December 18, 2017. filing of the Articles of Organization Notice of Formation of a Limited than by personal delivery within the ASWAD & INGRAHAM, LLP The county in which the principal of the Company with the Secretary Liability Company (LLC): Name: state. The United States of America, Attorneys for Visions Federal place of business of the Company of State was November 21, 2017. CoreLife of Albany, LLC, Articles of if designated as a defendant in this Credit Union shall be located is Broome County. The county in which the principal Organization filed with Secretary action, may answer or appear within Office and P.O. Address The Secretary of State has place of business of the Company of State of New York (SSNY) on 60 days of service hereof. In case 46 Front Street been designated as agent of the shall be located is Broome County. 11/20/17. Office location: Broome of your failure to appear or answer, Binghamton, New York 13905 Company upon whom process The Secretary of State has been County. SSNY designated LLC agent judgment will be taken against you Tel: 607/722-3495 against it may be served. The designated as agent of the Company upon whom process against it may by default for the relief demanded in ______Secretary of State shall mail a upon whom process against it may be be served. SSNY shall mail copy of the complaint. copy of any process against the served. The Secretary of State shall process to: LLC, Attn: John G. Dowd, Broome County is designated as Notice of Formation of a Limited Company, to Hinman, Howard & mail a copy of any process against PO Box 1905, Binghamton, NY 13902. the place of trial. The basis of venue Liability Company (LLC): Name: Red Kattell, LLP, Attn: Ryan M. Mead, the Company, to Hinman, Howard Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose. Date of is the location of the mortgaged Beard, LLC, Articles of Organization 80 Exchange Street, Suite 700, & Kattell, LLP, Attn: Ryan M. Mead, dissolution: None. premises. filed with Secretary of State of New Binghamton, NY 13901. The 80 Exchange Street, Suite 700, ______Dated: October 6, 2017 York (SSNY) on 12/13/17. Office purpose of the business of the Binghamton, NY 13901. The purpose s/ William M. Thomas location: Broome County. SSNY Company is any lawful business of the business of the Company is any Notice of Formation of a Limited William M. Thomas designated LLC agent upon whom purpose. lawful business purpose. Liability Company (LLC): Name: J & ASWAD & INGRAHAM, process against it may be served. ______P Khamken Industries, LLC, Articles LLP SSNY shall mail copy of process of Organization filed with Secretary Attorneys for Plaintiff to: LLC, Attn: John G. Dowd, PO NOTICE OF FORMATION OF Notice of Formation of Lewis Gray, of State of New York (SSNY) on Office and P.O. Address Box 1905, Binghamton, NY 13902. LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY: LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of 11/10/17. Office location: Broome 46 Front Street Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose. Date The name of the limited liability State of NY (SSNY) on 11/07/17. County. SSNY designated LLC agent Binghamton, NY 13905 of dissolution: None. company is: Perna Family, LLC Office location: Broome County. upon whom process against it may (607) 722-3495 ______(the “Company”). The date of filing SSNY designated as agent of LLC be served. SSNY shall mail copy of of the Articles of Organization of upon whom process against it may process to: LLC, Attn: John G. Dowd, NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION OF the Company with the Secretary be served. SSNY shall mail process PO Box 1905, Binghamton, NY 13902. LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY of State was December 18, 2017. to: 325 Death Valley Rd., Johnson Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose. Date of YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING UNDER NEW YORK LIMITED The county in which the principal City, NY 13790. Purpose: any lawful dissolution: None. YOUR HOME LIABILITY COMPANY LAW place of business of the Company activities. ______shall be located is Broome County. ______If you do not respond to this 1. The name of the limited liability The Secretary of State has Notice of Formation of Popcorn summons and complaint by serving company (“LLC”) is Rowe 1024, been designated as agent of the Notice of Formation of RPE Homes, Realty, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with a copy of the answer on the attorney LLC. Company upon whom process LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on for the mortgage company who filed against it may be served. The State of NY (SSNY) on 11/09/17. 11/28/17. Office location: Broome this foreclosure proceeding against 2. The date of filing of the Articles Secretary of State shall mail a Office location: Broome County. County. SSNY designated as agent you and filing the answer with the of Organization with the copy of any process against the SSNY designated as agent of LLC of LLC upon whom process against court, a default judgment may be Secretary of State is December Company, to Hinman, Howard upon whom process against it may it may be served. SSNY shall mail entered and you can lose your home. 18, 2017. & Kattell, LLP, Attn: Ronald L. be served. SSNY shall mail process process to: 300 Plaza Dr., Vestal, NY Greene, 80 Exchange Street, Suite to: P.O. Box 343, Johnson City, NY 13850. Purpose: any lawful activities. Speak to an attorney or go to the 3. The County within the State 700, Binghamton, NY 13901. The 13790. Purpose: any lawful activities. ______court where your case is pending of New York in which the purpose of the business of the ______for further information on how to principal office of the LLC is Company is any lawful business STATE OF NEW YORK answer the summons and protect located is Broome. purpose. G & B BREWING, LLC - NOTICE SUPREME COURT : BROOME your property. ______OF FORMATION OF LIMITED COUNTY 4. The Secretary of State of LIABILITY COMPANY (“LLC”) Sending a payment to your the State of New York is hereby Fly Cutz Barbershop LLC. Articles SUMMONS mortgage company will not stop this designated as agent of the LLC of Organization filed with Secretary Articles of Organization of G & Index No.: EFCA2017002568 foreclosure action. upon whom process against of State of New York (SSNY) B BREWING, LLC filed with the RJI No.: 2017-1432-X it may be served. The post on November 13, 2017. Office NYS Secretary of State (NYSS) Assigned Justice: YOU MUST RESPOND BY office address to which the Location: Broome County 138 on 11/29/2017. Office of LLC is in Hon. Rita Connerton, A.J.S.C. SERVING A COPY OF THE Secretary of State shall mail Front Street, Binghamton, NY Broome County. NYSS designated as a copy of any process against ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY 13905. SSNY designated as agent Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton agent for service of process against VISIONS FEDERAL CREDIT FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE the LLC served upon him or of LLC upon whom process against it. NYSS shall mail process to 72 UNION, COMPANY) AND FILING THE her is: 225 Lester Avenue, it may be served. SSNY shall mail Lewis Road, Binghamton, NY 13905. ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Johnson City, New York 13790. copy of process to: 138 Front Business purpose: any lawful activity Plaintiff, Street, Binghamton, NY 13905. ______v. NOTICE 5. The character or purpose of the Purpose: to engage in any and all ALBERT D. MILLER, JR., if living, business of the LLC is any business for which LLCs may be Notice of Formation of 3310 East and if he be dead, any and all To: All Defendants, as described in purpose allowed by law. formed under the New York LLC Main Street, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed persons who are wives, widows, the foregoing Summons ______law. with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on grantees, mortgagees, lienors, other The foregoing summons is served ______10/10/17. Office location: Broome Co. claimants against the assets of the upon you by publication pursuant NOTICE OF FORMATION OF SSNY designated as agent of LLC decedent and/or his estate, heirs, to an order of the Honorable Rita LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY: The Notice of Formation of TDS upon whom process against it may devisees, distributees or successors Connerton, an Acting Justice of name of the limited liability company Enterprises of Broome, LLC. Arts. be served. SSNY shall mail process in interest of such of them as may the Supreme Court of the State is: Community Connection Ventures, of Org. filed with Secy. of State of to: The LLC, 3630 Montebello Street, be dead, and their husbands and of New York, dated November 30, LLC (the “Company”). The date of NY (SSNY) on 12/14/17. Office Santa Ynez, CA 93460. Purpose: any wives, heirs, devisees, distributees 2017, and filed with the complaint filing of the Articles of Organization location: Broome County. SSNY lawful activities. and successors in interest, all of and other papers in the office of the of the Company with the Secretary designated as agent of LLC upon ______whom and whose names and places Clerk of the County of Broome, at of State was December 18, 2017. whom process against it may be of residence are unknown to Plaintiff; Binghamton, New York. The county in which the principal served. SSNY shall mail process NOTICE OF FORMATION OF DOUGLAS S. MILLER, ALBERT The action has been commenced place of business of the Company to: 1865 NYS Route 11, Kirkwood, LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY DANIEL MILLER, III a/k/a A. DANIEL to foreclose a mortgage given by shall be located is Broome County. NY 13765. Purpose: any lawful The name of the Limited Liability MILLER a/k/a DANIEL MILLER, Albert D. Miller, Jr., to Visions Federal The Secretary of State has been activities. Company is: TONY’S LAWN CARE TIMOTHY MILLER, CORTLAND Credit Union. Said mortgage designated as agent of the Company & SNOW REMOVAL LLC (the COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF secures the sum of $100,000.00 and upon whom process against it may “Company”). The date of filing of SOCIAL SERVICES, NEW was recorded in the Broome County be served. The Secretary of State December 29, 2017-January 4, 2018 Page 5 - The Reporter The seven most heartwarming Jewish stories of 2017 By Josefin Dolsten chicken can easily slip out of the monkey cage, but chooses (JTA) – Political turmoil, terror attacks and natural to stay. While 2017 wasn’t a year for forging lasting peace disasters around the world: 2017 had plenty of people between Israel and its neighbors, at least this pair found feeling down, for good reason. But there were also notable a way to put their differences aside and live in harmony. moments of light. As this year draws to a close, here is a ‹‹ After surviving Hurricane Harvey, woman distributes chronology of some of the more heartwarming stories JTA mezuzahs to people in need published this year. Houston resident Chava Gal-Or was lucky: Though ‹‹ An Orthodox Jew builds bridges with his Yemeni flooding from Hurricane Harvey reached her door, her home Muslim neighbors survived the storm unscathed. But that wasn’t the case for After President Donald Trump issued his first executive many of the members of Temple Sinai, where she works. order banning immigrants from seven predominantly So Gal-Or wanted to do something to help those families Muslim countries, Alexander Rapaport, a Chasidic Jew, in need – along with assisting scores of others who had wanted to show his support for his neighbors in Brooklyn. been affected by recent natural disasters. So when New York bodega owners from Yemen went on “I can’t rebuild their houses,” Gal-Or told JTA. “I don’t strike in February in protest of the ban, Rapaport organized This year’s heartwarming moments included a girl who have the money to do much. There was this increasing community members to put Post-it notes with messages helped decorate a vandalized cemetery, a dog who saved awareness that there was nothing I could do.” of support on the storefront of a local store owned by two lives, and an unlikely friendship between a monkey Then she realized she could help by collecting mezuzahs, Yemeni immigrants. and a chicken. (Photo by Lior Zaltzman) the small scrolls traditionally affixed to the doorposts of “I made a point of walking in there today – I actually Jewish dwellings, and distributing them for free to Jewish live a mile away,” Rapaport, the executive director of North Carolina, who with her husband runs two groups people in need. She started the unofficial organization Door Masbia, a kosher soup kitchen network, told JTA. “I just for young adults with special needs, approached the child L’Door – a play on the biblical phrase “l’dor v’dor,” which learned that they were Yemenite, and I was looking to do and comforted him for about two hours. means “from generation to generation – raising money something in solidarity with the people affected by the “I put out my hand, and he took my hand. It was such and soliciting donations for mezuzahs, with the goal to executive order.” a surreal moment, and he just took it, and he stopped cry- dispatch them to Jews in need. ‹‹ A 6-year-old girl sends painted rocks to decorate van- ing,” she said. “He kind of just followed me into the aisle. ‹‹ Supporters raise more than $1 million for an Orthodox dalized Jewish cemeteries I walked to the bulkhead, and I sat down and I put him in fashion designer after her husband suddenly died When 6-year-old Ayel Morgenstern learned that her my lap, and I gave him a gentle, but firm, hug and I just Tragedy struck Simi Polonsky, the Orthodox co-founder great-great-grandmother’s headstone was among the 100 started to rock him. He calmed down.” of a modest fashion label, when her husband, Shua, died in toppled at a Jewish cemetery in St. Louis in February, she Social media users were touched by the story. Photos of November from a condition he had contracted only weeks sprung into action. Groner holding the boy, along with a post by her husband before. To help alleviate her suffering, supporters quickly Ayel, who lives in Florida, decided in March to paint detailing the account, received some 6,700 likes and was came to her aid – and more than 9,000 donors raised more rocks to decorate headstones at the St. Louis cemetery, as shared 1,300 times on Facebook. than $1 million online for Polonsky and her two young well as for additional grave sites that were vandalized at ‹‹ In Israel, a monkey and a chicken become best friends children, with a third on the way. a Philadelphia cemetery. In the end, Ayel painted more At the Ramat Gan Safari Park near Tel Aviv, Niv, an Polonsky, who said she will continue working on The than 250 rocks, which she sent to the cemeteries – plus an Indonesian black macaque, was having a bit of trouble Frock NYC, wrote on Instagram that the support helped additional 100 stones that she sent to the family of Adam finding a mate. So he got creative. When a chicken wan- her go on. “I know no one will be able to heal my broken Krief, a Jewish father of three who died after a highly dered into his enclosure, the monkey cozied up to it – and heart, but at the times when I feel like I just cannot keep publicized struggle with blood cancer. an inseparable friendship was born. Niv has been hanging my arms raised any longer, your love and support are the ‹‹ A dog saves a couple from a fire at a kosher supermarket out with the bird on a regular basis, holding it, caressing it rocks that hold them for me,” she wrote. “My mind boggles, Daisy, a 3-year-old spaniel, helped avert disaster when and sleeping next to it at night. The friendship, which was when I think about the unstoppable love that ushers unto fire broke out at a London kosher supermarket in June. The documented in August, appears to be mutual; after all, the my family on a minute to minute basis.” dog’s barking roused Alex Gibson and Charlotte Perren, who were sleeping in their apartment above the store. Fortunately, the couple was able to make it out on time, but Daisy, who belongs to Gibson’s mother and whom Deciphering the past the couple was taking care of, died of smoke inhalation. “Daisy was our hero,” Gibson told The Jewish Chronicle. “It was fate she happened to be staying with us that night. Hebrew seals from Judean kingdom unearthed She saved both of our lives and our neighbors.” ‹‹ A Jewish woman comforts a distressed child with autism on an airplane in Jerusalem excavations During a transatlantic flight in July, Rochel Groner By JNS staff noticed an autistic boy crying and shrieking. The atmo- (JNS.org) – A collection of First Temple-period seals sphere on the flight grew increasingly tense and she felt has been discovered during excavations in Jerusalem’s she had to do something. Groner, a Chabad emissary in City of David. Several of the seals are emblazoned with Hebrew inscriptions, and dozens of the ancient seals reference the names of officials from the Judean Cynical Continued from page 2 kingdom who lived before the Babylonian destruction fact that some minors are perpetrators of violent terror of Jerusalem, including “Pinchas” and “Achiav ben attacks, including murder. HRW Executive Director Ken Menachem.” Roth disseminated the video in an offensive tweet. The seals, which are small pieces of clay used to Israeli NGOs have a role to play in this exploitation close letters, were well-preserved due the raging fires of children. First, videos produced by B’Tselem have ignited in the holy city by the invading armies of featured prominently in the campaigns, including the Babylon thousands of years ago. The findings were AJ+ video. Second, B’Tselem and another Israeli group, discovered during excavations overseen by the Israel HaMoked, published a joint report in October alleging Antiquities Authority in the City of David National First Temple-period seals discovered during excavations that detention of Palestinian minors in Jerusalem reflects Park. The excavations were funded by the Ir David in Jerusalem’s City of David. (Photo by Eliyahu Yanai, “systematic” and “extensive” abuse of children. As with Foundation. The artifacts were displayed at the City City of David) other NWTTC materials, the context of heightened of David’s annual archaeology conference the week Palestinian violence and terrorism, including attacks by of September 5. rusalem), but also about the residents and those who children, is completely missing. “Through these findings, we learn not only about served in the civil service,” said Ortal Chalaf and Dr. NGO Monitor research shows that campaign participants the developed administrative systems in the city (Je- Joe Uziel, excavation directors for the IAA. also make numerous false and misleading allegations about the IDF and Israeli military courts. One brazen NWTTAC Advertise in the next distortion is the claim that Palestinian minors are subject to solitary confinement. In actuality, Israel’s separation of minors from adult detainees stems from international Small Business standards and Israeli law geared toward protecting children. In fact, contrary to the NGO claims, Israeli procedures Profiles are consistent with international norms and the rule of law, If you are the owner or manager of a small business, and balance the rights of children with the need to stop The Reporter has a unique advertising opportunity violence and punish perpetrators. for you! SMALL BUSINESS PROFILES, the highlight The video of Ahed Tamimi attacking a soldier, as well of our January 12 issue, will feature an advertising as the disingenuous social media campaign on her behalf, section of display ads in a variety of sizes to suit crystallizes the cynical calculus that lies at the heart of your copy. Plus, for all ads over 4 col. inches, “No Way to Treat a Child.” Namely, Palestinian minors are encouraged to endanger themselves in the hopes of We have a place set just for you... we will include a FREE mini feature using the provoking a violent response that will help demonize Israel. information you provide. For those orchestrating these efforts, and the NGOs and your ad! January 12 issue that try to advance a political agenda, a detained or injured Upcoming Dine Out issues: Ad Deadline: January 4 Palestinian teenager is far more valuable than ensuring • February 2 (deadline January 25) To advertise, contact Bonnie Rozen their safety and well-being. • March 2 (deadline February 22) at 724-2360, ext. 244 or Daniel Laufer is the international spokesman at NGO [email protected] Monitor, an independent research institute that provides • April 6 (deadline March 29) information and analysis, promotes accountability and To advertise, contact Bonnie supports discussion on the reports and activities of at 724-2360, ext. 244 or NGOs claiming to advance human rights and human- bonnie@ thereportergroup.org. itarian agendas. Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton ÊVisit us on the web at www.thereportergroup.org Page 6 - The Reporter December 29, 2017-January 4, 2018

On the Jewish food scene In the shadow of Wrigley, Chicago’s newest kosher deli pitches cured meats and good deeds By Ellen Braunstein next door by offering fresh meat sandwiches, prepared CHICAGO (JTA) – Baseball gloves and caricatures salads and side dishes. The deli, offering catering and of famous ballplayers adorn the walls of Milt’s Extra takeout, is small, seating only 14. The deli fare ranges Innings – no surprise for a deli that’s a short drive from from soups to schnitzel to whitefish salad and sweet potato Wrigley Field, the home of the Chicago Cubs. But look salad. The workers cure their own meats and sell them in closely and the picture becomes a little more unexpected: vacuum-sealed pouches. A Shabbat menu offers traditional The memorabilia on the walls celebrate Jewish greats and fare like cholent and chicken. not-so-greats like Sandy Koufax, Philadelphia Athletics first Extra Innings was a response to customers, general baseman Lou Limmer, and the catcher and sometimes spy manager Stephen Kriesler said. “Our customers appreciated Moe Berg. And there among the collection of bobbleheads, a kosher restaurant, but wanted more than barbecue,” he right next to former catcher Brad Ausmus, is Moses – that said. “For almost four years we thought about what other Moses – gripping a set of tablets. foods we could do. Then the restaurant next door left and The latest addition to the redevelopment of the neighbor- the space became available.” hoods around Wrigley is a kosher deli that is a celebration Most of the deli workers at Extra Innings are associated of Jews and America’s pastime – as well as a place where with Keshet and its GADOL program – Giving Adults Jewish adults with intellectual disabilities can find mean- Daily Opportunities for Living. They have an intellectual ingful work experience. disability, but are high functioning, Kriesler said. Overseen Restaurateur and real estate investor Jeff Aeder recently by a job coach, “They can hold a job, learn tasks, be able opened Milt’s Extra Innings next door to his kosher Milt’s to communicate with people, and help prepare and serve Barbecue for the Perplexed, which for five years has do- the food,” he said. nated all profits to Jewish causes. Milt’s Extra Innings will An exhibit at the Jewish baseball museum at Milt’s Extra Deli worker Shmuel Emanuel, 24, describes his work follow suit, donating all profits to Keshet, a Jewish agency Innings in Chicago. At left is deli worker Zahava Auerbach. as fun. “I like making the sandwiches and working with serving children and adults with intellectual challenges in (Photo by Ellen Braunstein) my co-workers,” he said. the Chicago area. Debbie Harris, Keshet’s director of adult programming, The owner of a 5,000-piece collection of Jewish base- in America,” Aeder said of his niche Jewish Baseball Mu- said, “We are excited to bring together people of all abilities ball memorabilia, Aeder is showcasing a small fraction seum, where his entire collection lives, for the moment, to work side by side and create a new community. Most of of artifacts that celebrate 170 Jews who have played in online. The website includes a quote from author Jonathan all, we are grateful to Jeff for his incredible vision and are the major leagues. A mural timeline on a wall tracks the Eig saying that in baseball, like Judaism, members of a so pleased to be his partner in this new endeavor.” history of Jews in the sport from 1860 until today. Among “tribe... pass along a collective sense of identity – where Aeder views the deli as a partnership between the the framed collectibles near the deli counter are a jersey we come from and who we are.” community and the restaurants. “Hiring primarily special worn by Koufax from 1963 (his best year), Detroit slugger “We’re telling the story of Jews in America through needs adults to work in the restaurant, we’ve given them Hank Greenberg’s game-used bat and a mitt used by Berg. baseball,” Aeder said. an opportunity to live a fulfilling life,” he said. “Baseball is a great metaphor for the Jewish experience Extra Innings branches away from the barbecue fare See “Wrigley” on page 11

Prepare for safe winter driving – top questions answered by the tire specialists (NAPSI) – While it’s always a good time to job – grip the road and stop safely. make sure your vehicle is in good shape, it’s Q: How can drivers prepare for winter road particularly important when bad weather and trips? the busy travel season occur. Vehicle mainte- A: Plan ahead and winterize your vehicle. nance and preparedness are key for keeping Take your car in for routine maintenance, in- you protected but it can be challenging to know cluding checking your tires. Before you get on where to start. To help, here are the answers the road, check the department of transporta- from tire experts at Les Schwab Tire Centers tion’s website for road conditions. Listen to the to the most common winter driving questions radio for announcements about accidents, road that people ask. closures and travel advisories. Also, let someone Q: What’s the most important thing to keep in know your route in case an accident occurs, and mind when it comes to winter driving? you get stuck in an area with no cell service. A: Make sure that you allow extra time and slow down. Q: What type of tires should I get for my vehicle, snow Whether you’re cornering, stopping, accelerating or driving tires or all-weather tires? What’s the difference? DON’T DRINK & DRIVE on a straightaway, reducing speed is the key to safe winter A: The decision between studded and winter tires driving. Tires have a big effect on what the car can do. Tires comes down to personal needs based on your commute A community service message from are your car’s only point of contact with the road, and they and driving habits. Winter traction tires are specifically Binghamton Police influence how much control you have while driving. Before designed to provide the extra grip, braking and handling you’re on the road, make sure you have properly inflated you’ll need to confidently drive on slush and packed Benevolent Association tires and adequate tread depth to help your tires do their snow. Studded tires offer additional traction in more treacherous winter driving conditions, such as ice. Chains can be important, too – and are sometimes required – Have A Safe 2017 ~ Don’t Drink & Drive for traction when you’re traveling in the mountains or on icy roads. It is always recommended that you talk to ERNEST H. PARSONS a tire expert to help you make the best decision based FUNERAL HOME on your need. Faithfully Serving Broome County Since 1928 See “Tire” on page 8

a message from

don’t talk or text PRE-ARRANGEMENTS when AND PRE-FUNDING AVAILABLE driving! Joseph Fritsch Managing Director 71 Main St., Binghamton, NY 13905 Phone 607-724-1336 Fax 800-948-5844 [email protected] www.ParsonsFuneral.com HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE December 29, 2017-January 4, 2018 Page 7 - The Reporter

On the Jewish food scene Two Jews, three za’atar recipes: reflecting on the diversity and rising popularity of Israeli cuisine

By Eliana Rudee Sherman’s documentary, “In Search of and how cuisine started and developed,” JNS Israeli Cuisine,” featuring world-renowned Sherman tells JNS. When film director and producer Roger chef and restaurateur Michael Solomonov, “We don’t get the full picture from Sherman referred to Israel as one of the has played in 38 theaters across the U.S. the [United] States, only the bad picture “hottest food scenes in the world,” his and more than 150 around the world on and bad news,” he says. “So it came as a colleagues laughed. It was at that moment the film festival circuit. The documentary surprise to me when I found out about Is- that Sherman knew he had discovered a is now available on Netflix. rael’s technological advances, agricultural subject for a successful film. The film’s success is reflected not only advances, and that Israel has some of the in its ability to reach wide audiences, but happiest people in the world despite being also in showing a side of Israel that very surrounded by hatred.” few knew existed – including Israelis Solomonov, who was born in Israel and themselves, who turned to Sherman after grew up in Pittsburgh, co-owns and runs screenings to admit that they learned var- Zahav, a modern Israeli restaurant in Phil- ious new things about their own cuisine adelphia. The chef tells JNS he was happy and heritage. that through the film, he could “personally Yet according to the director, the film make a case for Israel, outside of politics.” still seeks to educate the masses who are In Sherman’s estimation, the film con- Chef and restaurateur Michael Solomonov largely “clueless” about Israel – including veys a “portrait of the Israeli people, as told with a tray of bourekas. (Photo courtesy of Sherman himself, who describes himself through food, conflict and all. “In Search of Israeli Cuisine”) as “naive” on that topic before visiting “Every chef, whether Druze, Christian, the Jewish state to shoot the film. “While Palestinian, Arab or Jewish, said, ‘You much more rich and modern than he had Film director Roger Sherman sampled I don’t consider this to be a historical film, cannot be my enemy if you are sitting at previously thought, and was surprised to Israeli cuisine. (Photo courtesy of “In we do tie together the historical aspects of my table,”’ he says. find that Israeli traditions rooted in religion Search of Israeli Cuisine”) immigration, how poor the country was, Sherman found that Israeli culture was See “Za’atar” on page 11

Teach teens safe driving habits (NAPSI) – Getting a driver’s license is keep the road safe for all drivers. an exciting time for a teenager, but can be Driver’s Ed Course a worrisome time for parents. Motor vehicle The more experience a driver has, the crashes are the leading cause of death among better. Professional driving lessons will give 15- to 20-year-old drivers, according to the your young driver more confidence on the National Center for Health Statistics. To road and the ability to react more quickly help reduce the risk, Les Schwab Tires shares to unexpected situations. He or she should some tips on helping keep teen drivers safe learn to follow these simple but critical rules: and lowering their chances of getting into an c Obey the posted speed limits. Excess accident. Les Schwab is committed to helping See “Teens” on page 9

To advertise in the next Safe Driving issue, DeMunn Funeral Home please contact 36 Conklin Avenue, Binghamton Bonnie Rozen at 722-8800 724-2360, ext. 244 www.demunnfh.com or bonnie@ thereportergroup.org Issue date: June 29 Ad Deadline: Have a Safe & June 21 Happy New Year!

TIMOTHY SZCZESNY DONNAMARIE OLIVIERI Directors W hen alcohol is the driver, nobody's safe! It doesn't take a large amount to do a lot of damage. Even one drink can cloud judgment and slow reflexes enough to hamper fast thinking and total control at the wheel. At holidays when many people celebrate "to the limit", steer clear of disaster. If you take a drink, don't take the driver's seat...and make it a safe and happy holiday weekend! This Safety Message Sponsored By: Barber Memorial Home Binghamton Rumble Ponies Broome County Sheriff's Corrections Officers Local 2012 Broome County Stop DWI Chris Palmer, agent -- State Farm Insurance Coleman & Daniels Funeral Home Gary Wilcox’s Towing & Automotive Miller Auto Team Savitch Agency Southern Tier Physical Therapy Association Temple Israel Riverside Cemetery Committee Tioga County Stop DWI ÊVisit us on the web at www.thereportergroup.org Page 8 - The Reporter December 29, 2017-January 4, 2018 A 25-year-old Jewish guy plays SpongeBob on Broadway By Curt Schleier way stars are alumni of the Conservative camping network. NEW YORK (JTA) – There’s a new star on Broadway Ben Platt recently completed his Tony Award-winning run and his name is – wait for it – SpongeBob SquarePants. in “Dear Evan Hansen,” which also won the Tony for best “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical” opened earlier in musical, and Cassie Levy will play Elsa in the Broadway December to “rapturous reviews.” And no one collected adaptation of “Frozen” that opens in March. higher praise than the title character, played by Ethan Slater, For his part, Slater started acting and singing as a kid, a graduate of Ramah summer camps. and never really had a Plan B. “I know that my father was For those unfamiliar with Nickelodeon’s long-running a little nervous about me pursuing a career in the arts,” he animated kids’ show, SpongeBob is – spoiler alert! – a sea said. “It was actually at his suggestion that I go to a liberal sponge who lives in a pineapple in the undersea community arts college as opposed to an [acting] conservatory.” of Bikini Bottom. An eternal optimist, he’s a cook at the And, yes, he took a number of political science courses, Krusty Krab (Eugene Krabs, proprietor) and has a host of just in case there was law school in his future. But that friends, including a starfish (Patrick Star), a squirrel (Sandy never happened. Instead, as a sophomore at Vassar College, Cheeks) and a squid (Squidward Q. Tentacles). Also in Slater auditioned for a show – one that was decidedly not town: the less-than-virtuous Plankton (real name Sheldon). about a sea creature. “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical” has been called However, “it just so happened the audition was being “a genuinely fascinating confection that will warm and L-r: Danny Skinner as Patrick Star and Ethan Slater run by the same casting director who was working on win the hearts of, well, anyone with a heart.” At its center as SpongeBob SquarePants perform in “SpongeBob what was then called ‘The Untitled Tina Landau Project,’” is Slater, 25, who has been involved in the production for SquarePants: The Broadway Musical.”(Photo by Joan Slater explained. five years. His story is instructive in the way Broadway Marcus) Landau, an accomplished theater director, had already musicals work today – as well as the roles that both fate been working on a SpongeBob project for five years – and family can play in shaping one’s career path. Hebrew High, affiliated with Ohr Kodesh and co-founded during that time, the cost of opening a show on Broadway Slater grew up in a Conservative Jewish household by his dad. has skyrocketed. And while Nickelodeon execs had visions in suburban Washington, DC. His father, Jay, is a doctor Asked how his Jewish upbringing impacted his career, of “Lion King” dancing in their heads, they were mindful who works for the Federal Drug Administration and his Slater said it has informed “every aspect” of his life – in- that not all animated shows-turned-musicals become hits. stepmom, Ellen Goldmuntz, works for the National Insti- cluding his childhood summers. (Does the name “Spider-Man” ring a bell?) tutes of Health. The family belonged to Ohr Kodesh, the Slater attended Camp Ramah in New England because The show’s casting director saw something he liked Conservative synagogue in Silver Springs, MD, where his dad was the camp doctor. “I went there originally as a in Slater and called him two weeks later about an oppor- Slater had his bar mitzvah. staff rat, but stayed on until I was 16,” he said. tunity – without disclosing what it was. “From the sides He attended the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Like many Jewish camps, arts and music are considered [pages] and scenes he sent me, it became clear that it was through middle school, and while he attended a secular major parts of the Ramah experience. But perhaps there is SpongeBob,” Slater said. high school, Slater continued to take classes at Shoresh something unique to Ramah’s programs – two other Broad- See “Broadway” on page 11

Exodus Continued from page 4 are more interested in ethics from a liberal Jewish voice never traveled to Egypt. The author offers several ideas people will be led. Friedman sees the poem as referring than they are with strict halachah, but their essays show for the way the two people came together, but recognizes only to the Levites. how the biblical tale speaks to a wide variety of contem- that exactly how that occurred is open to debate. He also As for the religions of the Levites and the Israelites, porary concerns. describes what he sees as the connections between the Friedman sees them as having two different Gods – El and While “Seven Days, Many Voices” does not focus on Levites and Egypt: Yahweh – who became one entity when the two groups the historical accuracy of the biblical text, Friedman’s ‹‹ The Levites in the Exodus story are the only Jewish declared themselves one people. This one God was then “The Exodus” attempts to show not only that the Exodus characters with Egyptian names. said to have two different names, which had been revealed occurred, but why the story still matters today. He be- ‹‹ The Tabernacle is very similar to the Egyptian battle tent. to their ancestors at different times. Friedman believes the lieves that “monotheism and loving others as ourselves” ‹‹ The ark of the Tabernacle is also similar to other Egyp- Levites and the Israelites could not have existed as distinct are “two radical developments, major developments, tian ritual objects. entities in one land for any length of time and then com- in human consciousness” that come from this biblical ‹‹ The Exodus story used a name of God that is only found bined with their Gods into one God. For him, this had to tale and which have greatly affected Western cultural. in Levite texts. have occurred when they first met in Canaan. However, he does note that the story did not occur as ‹‹ The Levites and the Egyptians both practiced circum- This simplified discussion does not do justice to Fried- written in the Bible. cision. man’s research. Is his theory correct? That’s difficult for the Friedman theorized that the Exodus is the story of the ‹‹ The Song of Sea, considered one of the oldest writings non-scholar to decide. However, I enjoyed “The Exodus” Levites, who left Egypt and traveled to Canaan where a found in the Bible, does not mention Israelites by name, and found parts of it fascinating. Friedman has created a group known as Israelites were living. According to his does not tell the number of people who left Egypt and beautiful story about our ancestors that anyone interested theory, the Israelites were indigenous to that area and had speaks of a “sanctuary,” rather than a land, where the in the biblical text will definitely want to read.

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606923900 2659 ain t, hitney Point, 13862 Jim Shara, owner/manager - serving our area for over 25 years remation Traditional uneral ptions onuments Handicap ccessible Theres o omparison acilities taff Prices wwwT com December 29, 2017-January 4, 2018 Page 9 - The Reporter Jewish groups find small victories in a tax bill they otherwise hate By Ron Kampeas subsidizes health care for the poor, while SNAP, formerly programs by slashing benefits, since revenue increases would WASHINGTON (JTA) – Most Jewish groups decried a known as food stamps, provides nutritional assistance to be off the table when the tax bill becomes law,” the group’s massive tax reform package for what they said were cuts the poor. “It makes the tax code more regressive and less CEO, Nancy Kaufman, said in a statement. in taxes that would savage entitlements, although some fair, deepening our country’s already-significant economic The Reform movement and B’nai B’rith also decried the groups celebrated discrete victories in portions of the inequality,” the Reform statement said. removal of a tax penalty for those who fail to buy health in- massive bill. The Republican-led Senate and U.S. House B’nai B’rith International, which runs a network of surance, which had been a feature of the Affordable Care Act, of Representatives passed the bill recently, and President homes for the elderly, decried the risks it said the tax bill the signature law passed by Trump’s predecessor, President Donald Trump, who hungered for a legislative victory in posed to Medicaid as well as to Medicare, which subsidizes Barack Obama. “Last year, 3.3 million people between the his first year in office, signed the bill on December 22. health care for Americans 65 and older. “B’nai B’rith In- ages of 55 and 64 received insurance through the Affordable The bill, which goes into effect for 2018 tax filings, ternational is deeply disappointed that Congress has passed Care Act marketplace,” B’nai B’rith said. “Repealing the institutes some moderate cuts for individual filers and a tax reform plan that does not consider the negative long- individual mandate, according to the Congressional Budget slashes the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, term consequences to Medicare and Medicaid – the social Office, will cause premiums to increase by 10 percent.” which Republicans say will spur business. It purports to safety net programs that are a hallmark of this nation’s Charities also fear that the new tax code will discourage simplify tax filing by replacing deductions with tax cuts. commitment to those in need,” it said. charitable giving by doubling the “standard deduction,” One nonpartisan analysis predicts it will increase deficits The National Council of Jewish Women also reserved its which does not require itemization from $6,350 to $12,000 by $1.4 trillion over the next decade. most pointed attack for the reform package’s potential to slice for individuals and $12,700 to $24,000 for married couples. The Reform movement, in a statement before the Senate funding for Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. “Perhaps “These provisions will greatly decrease the number of tax- vote on December 19, said the law “will impose a massive most egregious, the cuts to revenues endanger programs such payers that itemize (and thus benefit from a tax deduction addition to the debt and threaten effective anti-poverty as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security by triggering rules for charitable giving) as well as ‘increase the cost of giving’ programs, including Medicaid and SNAP.” Medicaid that would force Congress to make up for shortfalls in those See “Bill” on page 12

Extremists Continued from page 1 But such declarations were generally met with suspicion “We’re seeing a breakdown of conventional politics,” to close their borders to newcomers in open defiance of by Jewish community leaders. he said. “Half of the French population wants out of the Brussels’ decision to welcome them. And this, Goldschmidt In France, where wartime collaboration with the Nazis European Union and they almost had their way.” said, is bad news “for the European Union, which is the is still the subject of acrimonious debate, the gains of Many blame the revival of far-right parties in countries best guarantee for the continuation of the most tolerant the far right and far left were widely seen as signs of the where bitter memories of Nazism had kept such movements environment that has existed in centuries on the continent breaching of conventions held in place after World War II at bay on leaders who admitted into the European Union at toward Jews and others.” and the growing polarization in society. least two million refugees from the Middle East since 2015. Fears of Muslim immigration this year were a main “We got lucky with Macron,” Pascal Bruckner, a well- Pinchas Goldschmidt, the president of the European Con- theme at one of the largest nationalist rallies in the re- known French philosopher who has written extensively on ference of Rabbis, said the far-right renaissance in Europe cent history of Central Europe: On November 11, some antisemitism, said during a panel discussion about popu- “is a counter-reaction” to the pro-refugee policies of German 60,000 people attended a march in Warsaw that featured lism at the December 10 CRIF annual conference in Paris. Chancellor Angela Merkel, who took the lead in welcoming anti-Muslim banners and antisemitic chants. In nearby “But this might not be the case next time, with potentially the immigrants. “Strategically she did the right thing, but Hungary, the rightist government placed the immigration destructive consequences for France and Europe.” technically she might have made a mistake,” Goldschmidt, issue squarely at the center of a campaign against the Jewish To some observers, the growing popularity of the far right a frequent critic of Europe’s far right, told JTA. and pro-immigration billionaire George Soros, which some even among European Jews is indicative of the scope of the Germany’s negative birth rate and growing need for critics said had antisemitic overtones. problem. In France, the National Front is believed to enjoy working-age citizens “explains why Merkel wanted to open Fear of Russian expansionism under President Vladimir the backing of 13.5 percent of Jewish voters. The party was the gates, but short-term it created tremendous amount of Putin is further exacerbating the ultranationalist problem thought to have had few Jewish supporters before Le Pen troubles for her, her party and moderate forces throughout in countries with bitter memories of life under Russia’s took over the party from her father, the avowed antisemite Europe,” he said. The rise of the far-right Freedom Party to rule, Dominique Reynié, a political science professor and Jean-Marie Le Pen, in a bid to rehabilitate its image. power in Austria “is a backlash against Merkel’s policy,” founder of the Paris-based Fondapol think tank, noted at In the Netherlands, Party of Freedom leader Geert Wilders Goldschmidt said. He said it has gained strength amid the CRIF event. But that threat, along with radical Islam, polled 10 percent among Jewish voters despite his party’s growing fears of Islamist attacks in Europe and tensions is also having therapeutic effects on the ailing European support for a ban on the ritual slaughter of animals and his connected to failures in the integration of second- and Union and may be key to its survival, Reynié added. 2014 promise to make sure the Netherlands has “fewer Moroc- third-generation Muslim immigrants. “For the first time in decades, the European Union has cans” – language that many Jews found racist and offensive. Meanwhile, Goldschmidt added, the issue is taxing enemies in Putin and jihadism,” Reynié said. And while Bruckner spoke of the French elections as “a warning the already uneasy relationship between the western and those threats come with serious complications, she said, sign in which extremists came closer than ever before after eastern components of the European Union. Hungary, “they are also pillars for a disunited European Union to World War II to ruling France.” Poland, the Czech Republic and Croatia have moved rally around.”

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Passover Blessings from L’Shanah Tovah from Hopler & Eschbach Hopler & Eschbach Funeral Home Funeral Home “A new family tradition” “A new family tradition” Personal Service Personal Service Professionalism Professionalism Experience You Can Trust Experience You Can Trust COMPARE OUR PRICES COMPARE OUR PRICES We charge far less than other area funeral homes We charge far less than other area funeral homes Kurt M. Eschbach, Funeral Director Kurt M. Eschbach, Funeral Director 483 Chenango Street Binghamton 483 Chenango Street Binghamton 607-722-4023 607-722-4023 www.HEfuneralhome.com www.HEfuneralhome.com Page 10 - The Reporter December 29, 2017-January 4, 2018

Weekly Parasha Blessing the children RABBI SUZANNE BRODY, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND YOUTH PROGRAMMING, Vayechi, Genesis 47:28-50:26 TEMPLE BETH EL, ITHACA When our first child was born, my husband and I agreed we love that as an aspiration for our children. addresses each of his sons in turn. However, in contrast that we wanted to take on the tradition of blessing her But, when Shabbat came around, we were faced with to the blessing given to his grandsons, Jacob’s remarks to every Friday night as we brought in Shabbat. We thought a problem. Both of us wanted to bless our daughter, but the rest of his offspring sound a lot more like a litany of that it sounded like a beautiful custom, and that it would there was only one blessing to give. Neither of us liked things they have done wrong than good things that await serve as a peaceful way to bond us together and remind the idea of trying to say the words in unison or alternating them in their future. our child how much we loved her. We loved the idea of lines or phrases. We contemplated alternating weeks, but These contrasting styles of blessings made me think saying a blessing that Jewish parents all over the world say knew that, in our sleep-deprived state, we’d forget who of Rebbe Nachman’s famous tale of the seven beggars. to children on Friday night, not just because this week’s said it last and that would surely lead to fights over whose Two poor orphan children are wandering in the woods. Torah reading says that Israel will invoke blessings in turn it was. They are crying with hunger when a beggar appeared. the names of Ephraim and Menashe. We appreciate the As it turns out, unlike in the case of Isaac and his sons He saw their plight and gave them some bread from his recitation of the priestly benediction (not just because Jacob and Esau, where it seemed that blessings were in short own meager possessions. The children tried to follow the we’re a family of Kohanim), but also because our sages supply, Israel (or Jacob) seems to have a blessing ready for beggar, whom they soon realized was blind, but he would say that one of the reasons that we invoke the names of each of his many sons as well as for his grandsons. First, not take them with him. Instead, he blessed them that they Ephraim and Menashe is that they were the first pair of the merit of their ancestors is evoked to bring protection should be like him and then disappeared into the forest. siblings in the Torah who don’t fight with each other, and and prosperity to Ephraim and Menashe. Then, Jacob See “Children” on page 11 Congregational Notes Temple Concord Temple Israel Beth David Synagogue Affiliation: Union for Reform Judaism Orientation: Conservative Affiliation: Orthodox Union Rabbi: Barbara Goldman-Wartell Rabbi: Geoffrey Brown Rabbi: Zev Silber Address: 9 Riverside Dr., Binghamton, NY 13905 Address: 4737 Deerfield Pl., Vestal, NY 13850 Address: 39 Riverside Dr., Binghamton, NY 13905 Office hours: Tues.-Fri., 10 am-2 pm Phone: 723-7461 and 231-3746 Phone: 607-722-1793 Phone: 723-7355 Office hours: Mon.-Thurs. 8:30 am-4 pm; Fri. 8 am-3 pm. Rabbi’s Office: 607-722-7514 Fax: 723-0785 E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 607-722-7121 Office e-mail: [email protected] Website: www.templeisraelvestal.org Office hours: Mon. closed; Tues. 10 am-1 pm; Wed. closed; Website: www.templeconcord.com Service Schedule: Tuesday and Friday, 5:30 pm; Saturday, Thurs. 9 am-1 pm; Fri. 10 am-1 pm Regular service times: Friday, 8 pm; Saturday, 10:35 am, 9:30 am. Beth David e-mail address: [email protected] when religious school is in session. On Saturday, December 30, at 9:30 am, services will be Rabbi’s e-mail: [email protected] On Friday, December 29, at 8 pm, Shabbat services led by Rabbi Geoffrey Brown. The Torah portion will be Website: www.bethdavid.org will be led by Suzanne Holwitt and Elsie Doetsch. Facebook: www.facebook.com/bethdavidbinghamton Genesis 47:28-50:26. The haftarah will be I Kings 2:1-12. Shabbat Services: On Saturday, December 30, at 9 am, there will adult The kiddush sponsor will be Donald Zelter. Friday, Dec. 29...... 4:25 pm education at 9:15 am. There will be no religious school The temple office will be closed on Monday, January 1. Shabbat, Dec. 30...... 9 am or family Shabbat service. The Temple Israel Sisterhood will hold a card and game ...... Mincha after the kiddush On Tuesday, January 2, at 10:30 am, the Tuesday afternoon on Tuesday, January 9, from noon-3 pm...... Maariv 5:45 pm Morning Book Club at Temple Concord will meet. There There will be a Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, Weekday Services: will be no Hebrew school. January 16, at 7 pm. Mornings: On Friday, January 5, at 8 pm, Shabbat services will Sun., Dec. 30...... 8:30 am An Adult Ed. Brunch and Program will be held on Sunday Mon., Jan. 1...... 8:30 am be led by Rabbi Rachel Esserman. January 21, at 10 am. The cost is $5 per person. Tues.-Fri., Jan. 2-5...... 7 am On Saturday, January 6, at 9 am, there will be religious Those who wish to recite the Mourner’s Kaddish during a Evenings: school; at 9:15 am, adult education; and at 10:35 am, weekday service can contact Howard Schwartz at schwerz@stny. Sun., Dec. 31...... 4:25 pm there will be family Shabbat services. rr.com or call the temple office one-and-a-half weeks or more Mon., Jan. 1...... 4:20 pm before the date to ensure time to make up a minyan. Temple Tues.-Thurs., Jan. 2-4...... 7 pm Classes: Rabbi Zev Silber will hold his weekly Talmud class Norwich Jewish Center Israel holds weekday minyan services on Tuesdays and Fridays every Tuesday evening after services. Orientation: Inclusive at 5:30 pm. For those who prefer a different day to coincide On Tuesday, January 9, from 1-2:30 pm, the Sis- Rabbi: Dena Bodian with a yahrzeit date, contact the temple to make arrangements. Address: 72 South Broad St., Norwich, NY 13815 terhood will hold a class on how to use a computer Contact: Guilia Greenberg, 373-5087 to research genealogy. The class will be held at the Purpose: To maintain a Jewish identity and meet the needs Penn-York Jewish Community George Johnson Memorial Library in Endicott. For of the Jewish community in the area. President and Treasurer-Secretary: Harvey Chernosky, 570- more information, see the article on page 3 or call the Adult Ed.: Saturday morning study is held at 10 am. Call for 265-3869 synagogue at 722-1793. more information and to confirm. B’nai B’rith: William H. Seigel Lodge Purpose: To promote Jewish identity through religious, Temple Beth El of Oneonta cultural, educational and social activities in the Southern Tier of New York and the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania, Rohr Chabad Center Affiliation: United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism including Waverly, NY; Sayre, Athens and Towanda, PA, and Affiliation: Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi: Molly Karp surrounding communities. Rabbi: Aaron Slonim, E-mail: [email protected] Address: 83 Chestnut St., Oneonta, NY 13820 Address: 420 Murray Hill Rd., Vestal, NY 13850 Mailing address: P.O. Box 383, Oneonta, NY 13820 Phone: 797-0015, Fax: 797-0095 Phone: 607-432-5522 Congregation Tikkun v’Or Website: www.Chabadofbinghamton.com Website: www.templebetheloneonta.org Affiliation: Union for Reform Judaism Chabad on the West Side E-mail: [email protected] Address: PO Box 3981, Ithaca, NY 14852; 2550 Triphammer Rd. Rabbi: Zalman Chein, E-mail: [email protected] Regular service times: visit the temple website for days of (corner of Triphammer and Burdick Hill), Lansing, NY Address: 27 Bennet Ave., Binghamton, NY 13905 services and times Phone: 607-256-1471 Phone: 722-3252 Religious School/Education: Religious School, for grades Website: www.tikkunvor.org Regular service times: Daily 7:30 am, Friday evening 6 pm, kindergarten through bar/bat mitzvah, meets Sunday E-mail: [email protected] Shabbat morning 9:30 am, Maariv and Havdalah one hour mornings. Rabbi Karp conducts services and holds classes Presidents: Miranda Phillips and Shawn Murphy after candle-lighting time, Sundays 9:30 am. in Torah, beginning Hebrew and Maimonides. Rabbi: Brian Walt Linking Hearts for youngsters with special needs: This program For schedules of services, classes and events, see the website. Religious School Director/Admin. Coordinator: Naomi Wilensky connects Jewish special-needs children and teenagers, ages Services: Fridays at 7:30 pm unless otherwise noted. Family 5-14, who have mental, physical and/or functional disabilities, services and Tot Shabbat once a month at 6:30 pm. Call for with student volunteers who will visit participating youngsters Temple Beth-El of Ithaca weekly schedules. weekly in their homes. Affiliation: United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Religious School: Preschool through seventh-grade classes To join the mailing list, for up-to-date information on adult Rabbi: Scott L. Glass meet on Sunday mornings. Sixth-grade Hebrew and seventh- education offerings or to arrange for a private tutorial, for Address: 402 North Tioga St. (the corner of Court and Tioga grade b’nai mitzvah classes meet on Wednesday afternoons. details concerning the Judaica shop and resource center, or streets), Ithaca, NY 14850-4292 Adult Ed: Mini courses throughout the year. Adult Hebrew offered for assistance through the Piaker Free Loan Society or Raff Phone: 273-5775 regularly. Call the office for details. Maasim Tovim Foundation, call Chabad’s office at 797-0015. E-mail: [email protected] and [email protected] Website: www.tbeithaca.org Temple Brith Sholom President: Jerry Davis Affiliation: Unaffiliated Kol Haverim Sisterhood President: Julie Paige Address: P.O. Box 572, 117 Madison St., Cortland, NY 13045 Affiliation: Society for Humanistic Judaism Director of Education: Rabbi Suzanne Brody Phone: 607-756-7181 Address: P.O. Box 4972, Ithaca, NY 14852-4972 Administrative Assistant: Jane Griffith President: Louis Wilson, [email protected] Phone: 607-277-3345 Services: Friday 8 pm; Saturday 10 am, unless otherwise Service leaders: Lay leadership E-mail: [email protected] announced. Weekday morning minyan 7:30 am (9 am on Shabbat services: Either Friday evening at 7:30 pm or Saturday Website: www.kolhaverim.net Sundays and legal holidays). at 10 am from Rosh Hashanah to Shavuot. Holiday services Chairman: Jonathan Joseph Religious School/Education: September-May: Classes meet are also held. Check the weekly e-mail for upcoming services. Kol Haverim: The Finger Lakes Community for Humanistic on Sunday, 9 am-12:30 pm and Contact the president to get on the e-mail list. Judaism, is an Ithaca-based organization that brings people Wednesday afternoons, 3:45-5:45 pm. The Midrashah (eighth- Religious School: Students are educated on an individual basis. together to explore and celebrate Jewish identity, history, grade and high school) classes will meet at times designated Temple Brith Sholom is a small equalitarian congregation serving culture and ethics within a secular, humanistic framework. by their respective teachers. the greater Cortland community. Congregants span the gamut of KH is part of an international movement for Secular Adult Ed.: Numerous weekly courses, several semester-long observance and services are largely dependent on the service Humanistic Judaism and is affiliated with the Society for courses and a variety of mini-courses and lectures are offered leader. The Friday night siddur is “Likrat Shabbat,” while the Humanistic Judaism, a national association with over 30 throughout the year. Call the temple office for more details. Saturday morning siddur is “Gates of Prayer.” The community member communities and congregations around the country. On Friday-Saturday, January 5-6, in honor of Shabbat extends a warm welcome to the Jewish student population of Established in the spring of 1999, it offers celebrations of Shemot (shemot means “names”) those attending services SUNY Cortland, as well as the residents of local adult residences. Jewish holidays, monthly Shabbat pot-lucks, adult education, are encouraged to wear name tags. a twice-monthly Cultural School for children, and a bar and bat mitzvah program. On Saturday, January 6, Tot Shabbat will be held at Friday, December 29, light candles...... 4:22 pm KH welcomes all individuals and families, including those 11:15 am. Shabbat ends Saturday, December 30...... 5:23 pm from mixed religious backgrounds, who wish to strengthen On Saturday, January 13, Shabbat Yeladim services Friday, January 5, light candles...... 4:28 pm the Jewish experience in their lives and provide their children will be held at 11:15 am. Shabbat ends Saturday, January 6...... 5:29 pm with a Jewish identity and experience. December 29, 2017-January 4, 2018 Page 11 - The Reporter Jewish Community Center Third Annual Breakfast Ball at the JCC on Jan. 21 The Jewish Community Center of Binghamton will host “provide a warm and caring environment where children its third annual Breakfast Ball on Sunday, January 21, at explore, experiment, play, grow and learn to ask questions.” 10 am, at the JCC, 500 Clubhouse Rd., Vestal. Admission Programming is offered for infants through age 5, including is $5 per person, $20 per family max. Reservations are full-day daycare and preschool, half-day preschool, art and appreciated and can be made with ECC Assistant Director physical education classes, and Universal Pre-Kindergarten. Nichole Fuller at 724-2417, ext. 431. “The proceeds go toward items needed in the classrooms The event is family oriented and open to the entire that create an overall better environment for the children,” community. “Children and their families can come and noted Fuller. Proceeds from previous Breakfast Balls were eat breakfast with their favorite characters,” said Marley used to purchase items such as thermometers, cots and Vavra, the ECC administrative assistant and one of the classroom manipulatives. event organizers. Several Disney, Marvel and DC characters For more information about the Breakfast Ball, ECC will be in attendance, including Snow White, Rapunzel, programming, or the JCC, contact the JCC office at 607- Spiderman, Power Rangers and more. There will be for- 724-2417. mal photo opportunities for children to take pictures with The JCC is a not-for-profit organization and partner their favorite characters for a $5 fee, benefitting the Early Princesses posed at last year’s Breakfast Ball. agency of the United Way and the Jewish Federation of Childhood Center. Greater Binghamton that serves the community at large The breakfast will feature standard breakfast offerings event for children and their families to attend,” said Vavra. regardless of age, race, religion and sexual orientation. along with other activities, such as music for dancing, The contributions from the fund-raiser go to the JCC’s Financial assistance is available to all who qualify as long coloring and a formal story time. “We wanted to host a fun Early Childhood Center. The ECC is a place that seeks to as funds remain.

Broadway Continued from page 8 “I didn’t watch the show much,” Slater admitted. “I guy – which was a relief,” he said. “Of course, there was dresses in colorful plaid slacks and a bright checkered yel- grew up without cable, so I didn’t have a lot of memories. no guarantee we were going to move forward. The only low shirt. He retains SpongeBob’s walk – more a sashay, I first watched it at my bubbe’s house.” reason to bring it to Broadway was if it was something really – which is greeted by cheers from the audience as Fortunately, thanks to grandma, Slater’s peripheral new and innovative theatrically, not to do it just to do it.” he crosses the stage the first time. knowledge of Bikini Bottom and its denizens helped con- It was a sentiment Nickelodeon heartily endorsed: If The show’s plot crosses age lines. At its simplest, a vince Landau that he was her ideal SpongeBob. “At the the network was going to invest a reported $20 million volcano threatens to engulf Bikini Bottom. Sandy the time there was no script, no music,” he said. “We were just or so, the show needed to be perfect. The team made a squirrel comes up with an innovative (and scientific) way messing with these characters to see if can make them fun.” number of fortuitous choices, such as having the actors to vent the volcano, but it is rejected by the community in There were a series of workshops, held over summer project their characters’ essences and not simply copy favor of a simpler, but fake, solution offered by Plankton, and winter breaks, so as not to interfere with Slater’s their cartoon counterparts. “I didn’t want to be doing an which involves hypnotizing everyone in town. studies. Slater was about two years into the project when impression,” Slater said. “It was important to me and Tina The community rallies against Sandy, soon sporting he was was told “if the show moved forward, I was the that we weren’t just copying.” “Mammals Go Home” signs. And while the play wasn’t So instead of wearing a boxy yellow costume, Slater intended as a political statement, as it has developed over the years and the political situation in the U.S. has changed, Za’atar Continued from page 7 the anti-science, anti-almost-everyone aspect obviously took on new (and adult-like) resonance. have become part of the country’s culture – even among For instance, Israeli spice shops often sell 10 different Potentially dark undertones aside, Slater considers the most secular Israelis. za’atar mixes, each one a slight variation based on its himself an optimist – and said he’s become one even more Jewish dietary laws, such as not mixing milk and meat origin. “It’s remarkable that the same dish can be done 10 since since his involvement with the production began. as well as not cooking during Shabbat, seep through the different ways,” says Sherman. “I’ve grown to be more like the character in the sense that culture and into the food. “Shabbat is very important to the Due to the size of Israel – about the size of New Jersey every day when I wake up, I feel I’m happy and it’s going Jewish cuisine, because when people [assimilated into] the – nearly all ingredients are local. While being a “loca- to be the best day of my life,” he said. Diaspora, what made them different from their neighbors vore” (eating only local ingredients) has become a fad in “I think I’m a little less naive than SpongeBob can were the Shabbat and the kosher laws. Because they had the U.S. in recent years, Israelis have been cooking with sometimes seem to be,” he added, “but I would also say I to preserve the Shabbat, not to light fire and all kinds of almost exclusively local ingredients for decades. “It took appreciate the similarities more than I do the differences.” religious regulations, they developed a lot of dishes,” says a while, but eventually, Israelis were saying, ‘Why are we culinary journalist Ronit Vered in the film. copying other cuisines when we have such amazing fresh Similarly, Solomonov maintains that the nuances and vegetables here?’” says Sherman. fusion of traditions and cultures represent the hallmarks Gradually, Israel’s chefs began to take their grand- Wrigley Continued from page 6 of Israeli food. He specifically notes Israeli spices, small mothers’ traditional family recipes, and expanded and The neighboring kosher-certified restaurants are not dishes and “primitive cooking methods” such as “al ha- innovated on them with local ingredients. Sherman and in an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood, so the clientele esh” (food cooked directly on a flame) that serve to excite Solomonov believe that process, as well as the Israeli is diverse, Aeder said. “We created something for all of and stimulate the Western palate. travel bug, could be behind the recent worldwide boom us to be proud of. The success of it is dependent on the The result, celebrity chef Yisrael Aharoni says in the of Israeli cuisine. “Israel is such a small country, but it community viewing it as their own. And I think that the film, is an “amazing, colorful mosaic” of cultures – as is very well-traveled,” says Solomonov. “Israelis travel patrons gain something from the experience of interacting opposed to a melting pot of cultures – in which the 150 everywhere, and with that, combined with their entrepre- with each other.” cuisines that came to Israel from around the world keep neurial spirit, it was just a matter of time that Israeli food Redevelopment around Wrigley Field includes a new their distinct flavors so that traditions can really shine. became globalized.” five-story headquarters for the Cubs, a seven-story hotel, a new residential and retail complex, and an annex to the park that will include retail and restaurant space. Children Continued from page 10 It doesn’t hurt that the Cubs won the World Series in A while later, the children were once again hungry and more productive modes of interacting with the world.” 2016 – ending a historic 107-season drought – and made began to cry. A second beggar appeared and gave them It is this very personalized mode of blessing that my it to the National League Championship Series this year. food. When they tried to thank him, they realized he was husband and I chose to adopt as an addition to the tradi- “I’m a huge Cubs fan,” Aeder said, “and being able to deaf. Like the first beggar, the second beggar blessed the tional parental blessing we give on Friday nights. Each throw that into the equation was great.” children that they should be like him and then disappeared. week, each child hears a reflection of something that we As the children continued walking through the forest, sim- noticed them do in the previous week. Usually I am able ilar scenarios continued to occur. They met a beggar who to highlight something positive, but every so often, an stammered, one with a crooked neck, one with a hunched admonition creeps in under the guise of the blessing. ... back, one with no hands and another with no feet. All fed When Jacob was about to bless Ephraim and Menashe, To our readers ou to let our the children, blessed them “that you should be like me” he spoke of them being as precious to him as his own chil- I want to remind y and disappeared. Years later, the two orphans got married dren, but, when they actually stood before him, he had no ou saw their and all seven of the beggars were invited to the wedding idea who they were. Most traditional commentators read advertisers know that y feast. There, each finally explained how what appeared to this passage as saying that Jacob didn’t recognize the boys ad here in THE REPORTER! be a deformity was, in fact, a mark of some great, positive because he was going blind like his father Isaac. But, I It is so important to remember feature he possessed and was bequeathing to the couple would like to posit that what Jacob did not know was not ou go to get your hair done as a wedding gift. the outer appearance, but the character of his grandsons. when y Similarly, at first glance, when we read this week’s Without knowing who his grandsons truly were as people, or buy something at their store or parasha, it doesn’t seem like much of a blessing to have all that he could offer to them was a generic blessing based ou say use their services that y TER! your father tell you that you brought disgrace on yourself on his own merits and those of his forefathers. When it came AD IN THE REPOR and your family, or that your anger is fierce and destructive. to blessing the sons whose characters and actions were as I SAW YOUR . But, as it says in the commentary in the Chumash “Eitz familiar to him as his own, he was able to offer blessings They want to know Chayim,” “[p]erhaps the greatest blessing is to have some- to them despite (or, perhaps, even because of) their flaws. one who cares about you to point out your faults.” Jacob is Moreover, they were each given the opportunity of turning Thank you, very specific about what each of his sons has done wrong the flaws in themselves into blessings. Bonnie Rozen and what they are capable of doing in the future. As upset We, too, have the opportunity to bless others the way vertising with his sons as he is, Jacob doesn’t punish or curse them that Jacob did. We can reflect on our own good traits and Ad from his deathbed; he brings them together to say farewell bless others that they “be like us.” We are also capable of Executive and receive a blessing and/or prophecy. The commentator really seeing the people in front of us, flaws and all, and Hizkuni points out that Jacob highlights his sons’ negative finding the nuggets of blessing nestled in those flaws. May actions as a way of saying, “May this type of behavior be we and all those we encounter find words of blessing to ineffective so that you stop using it and instead turn to share this Shabbat and all week long. ÊVisit us on the web at www.thereportergroup.org Page 12 - The Reporter December 29, 2017-January 4, 2018 NEWS IN BRIEF

From JNS.org ister Benjamin Netanyahu has in recent months repeatedly emphasized Israel’s oft-stated Syrian Army and Hezbollah advance deeper into border position that the Jewish state will not allow Iran to maintain a military presence in Syria. area near Israel Bank of Israel mulling creation of digital shekel Israel’s central bank is considering the creation of a digital shekel aimed at weaning the The Syrian Army and the Iran-backed Lebanese terror group Hezbollah moved deeper into a strategic area bordering Israel and Lebanon the week of Dec. 25, in the latest ag- the Jewish state’s economy off cash and curbing tax evasion. “For the past few weeks the gressive Iranian advancement in the region. The Syrian forces and Lebanese terror group Bank of Israel has been looking at this matter, which has various aspects to it, including moved near the Sunni rebel-controlled area of Beit Jin in southern Syria with support monetary and legal,” a source close to the matter reportedly told The Marker, an Israeli from heavy artillery and aerial bombing. Beit Jin is the last remaining rebel-controlled financial news website. “There are many central banks studying the subject. There is no enclave southwest of Damascus. “The Iranian-backed militias are trying to consolidate operative plan at the moment and perhaps there may never be, but it is something the their sphere of influence all the way from southwest of Damascus to the Israeli border,” Bank of Israel is studying.” Unlike bitcoin, a peer-to-peer digital currency with no central said Suhaib al Ruhail, a member of a Sunni rebel group in the area, Reuters reported. distributing authority, the digital shekel would be controlled and distributed by the Bank of The developments follow a recent surge in alleged Israeli strikes on targets in Syria, Israel. The digital shekel would function in the same way as cash, but rather than being in suggesting a new Israeli urgency to block Iran’s spread into the war-torn country. The the form of a banknote, it would appear only in digital form and would likely be used on latest purported Israeli strikes in Syria targeted weapons production facilities and an smartphones as well as similar devices. Digital shekel transactions would be carried out Iranian military base. Without confirming any of the alleged Israeli strikes, Prime Min- electronically through code, in a similar way to credit card purchases and wire transfers.

Bill Continued from page 9 for those who continue to itemize,” the Jewish Federations dents whose university employment is paid in part by dependents – and reductions in deductions for state and of North America said in an analysis. tuition write-offs, the measure exempts taxes on the tuition. local taxes. “As a high percentage of Orthodox Jews have Groups pointed to some wins wrapped into the reforms Religious schools use the reduction to subsidize tuition large families, and reside in areas that are highly taxed, – although in many cases, the victories involved the pres- for the children of staff and are thus able to attract quality these changes will likely have a dramatically negative ervation of long-existing provisions that Republicans had teachers. There had been proposals to end the exemption. effect on large numbers of our community,” said Agudath, at various points sought to remove. The bill preserves “Many nonpublic schools – including the Jewish com- an umbrella body for haredi Orthodox Jewish groups. deductions for medical expenses for at least two years. munity’s day schools – utilize QTRs as an essential element Groups across the Jewish spectrum also breathed a sigh There had been talk of removing them, and JFNA and to recruit and retain teachers to work in their schools by of relief at the preservation of the so-called Johnson amend- B’nai B’rith said the elderly especially would be adversely offering tuition discounts for the teachers’ children to at- ment, a decades-old ban on tax exemptions for houses of affected. Also preserved was the Low Income Housing Tax tend the school,” Nathan Diament, the O.U.’s Washington worship that are directly involved in electioneering. Trump Credit, which B’nai B’rith says is an incentive to build director, said in a statement. has campaigned to kill it, but the provision that would do affordable housing for the elderly. Orthodox groups also welcomed one new measure so was removed at the last minute on a technicality. Orthodox groups, usually to the right of other Jewish allowing parents to use a portion of tax-exempt savings Although some synagogues may have welcomed the groups on domestic issues, found reasons to praise and for tuition, or 529 plans, to subsidize education in K-12 opportunity to endorse candidates, most organizations criticize the legislation. The Orthodox Union and Agudath private schools. believe the amendment draws an appropriate line between Israel of America praised the preservation of “qualified Agudath Israel of America decried the removal of per- church and state, and relieves local clergy of the pressure tuition reductions.” Intended primarily for graduate stu- sonal exemptions – $4,050 per tax filer and each of her to take divisive political stands.

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