March 10-16, 2017 Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton Volume XLVI, Number 10 BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK Intersisterhood program to be held on April 5 The annual Intersisterhood program will will be served. Those interested in attend- ferent?” Part of the holiday is the retelling an opportunity for people to “get together and be held on Wednesday, April 5, at 7 pm, at ing should RSVP by Thursday, March 30, of the story of the Exodus, organizers noted, interact in a fun and meaningful way.” Orga- Temple Israel, 4737 Deerfield Pl., Vestal. to Beth David Synagogue at 722-1793, to and so the program has been designed to nizers added, “We always have a good time All women in the community have been Temple Concord at 723-7355 or to Temple give all attendees a chance to bring their and come away enriched and energized.” For invited to attend and have been asked to Israel at 723-7461. favorite Passover Judaica and share why the first time this year, the event will be held bring a non-perishable food item or personal With Passover following soon after it is important to them, or to share Pass- in the newly rebuilt Temple Israel. care item for CHOW. The cost will be $5 the Intersisterhood event, organizers have over-related stories or even recipes. For more information, call Roz Antoun per person at the door. Light refreshments chosen the theme of “Why is this night dif- The goal of Intersisterhood is to provide at 203-1126. Binghamton selected for survey of small Jewish communities Binghamton has been selected as one incomplete representation of the American in small communities, including their the community take the survey now and of the small Jewish communities to be in- Jewish landscape,” noted Rabbi Barbara values, strengths and contribution to the help the Jewish community count. The cluded in a Jewish population survey along Goldman-Wartell. American Jewish world. Most people are Small Jewish Communities Project can be with other communities with 1,000-3,000 Sam Richardson, the primary investi- expected to be able to complete the survey followed on Facebook. Jewish individuals. gator, argues that those who live in small in 10-15 minutes. The survey is being conducted with Although there have been four major Jewish communities have different patterns The survey link is available at www. the oversight of the University of Virginia national surveys of American Jewry and of identity development and maintenance, smalljewishcommunities.org. The Institutional Review Board (IRB Proto- more than 200 surveys of local American community structure and generational community has been asked to use the col #2014-0203-00). All participation is Jewish communities since 1970, there has transmission of values than those who live unique community identification code voluntary and any participant can leave been “a noticeable neglect” of the smaller in the large urban centers. BINNY02. the survey at any time. No identifying Jewish communities throughout the Unit- The purpose of the survey is to provide All surveys must be completed by Fri- information will be collected without the ed States. “The result of this deficit is an a first attempt at better understanding Jews day, March 31, so organizers have urged participant’s full knowledge. Cornell lecture on “Living in and leaving a Chasidic community” on March 14 Shulem Deen is the author of the and then leaving the Skverers, considered a lecture on Tuesday, March 14, and elsewhere. He serves as award-winning memoir “All Who Go Do one of the most insular Chasidic sects in at 5:30 pm, in McGraw Hall 165, a board member at Footsteps, Not Return,” an account of growing up in the U.S. Deen will discuss his memoir in Cornell University, Ithaca. Tickets a New York City-based orga- are not required and the public is nization that offers assistance invited to attend. and support to those who have Deen is a former columnist left the ultra-Orthodox Jewish Women’s Seder to be for The Forward. In 2015, he community. He lives in New was listed in the Forward 50, York City. an annual list of American Jews For further information, held on April 2 at TC with outsized roles on political visit jewishstudies.cornell. A Women’s Seder will be held on Sun- Participants should bring a copy of “The and social issues. His articles edu. Jewish Studies, Cornell day, April 2, at 1 pm, at Temple Concord, 9 Journey Continues: the Ma’yan Passover Hag- have appeared in The New Re- Shulem Deen (Photo Hillel and Religious Studies are Riverside Dr., Binghamton. It will be open gadah,” which is available for purchase online. public, Salon, Tablet Magazine by Pearl Gabel) sponsoring his lecture. to the female public. Attendees will have an The fee for the program is $30. To make opportunity to prepare for Passover, spend a reservation, mail a check made out to time with friends and make new ones. Temple Concord Sisterhood or deliver it Jewish Film Fest Planning The seder will be led by Rabbi Barbara to the Temple Concord office no later than Goldman-Wartell and Rabbi Rachel Esser- Monday, March 27. The event is organized man, with music by Shari Neuberger. A full by Carol Herz, Rachel Coker, Sandy Fore- Committee met meal will be served featuring a meat main man, Connie Fisher and Genevieve Ado-Mai dish by Michelle McIlroy, of Phantom Chef. of Temple Concord Sisterhood. Federation board meeting open to community The Jewish Federation will hold a full board meeting on Wednesday, March 15, at 7:30 pm. The community is invited to attend. Those interested in attending should make a reservation by calling the Federation at 724-2332 so that enough materials will be available.

Wishing the community The Planning Committee of the International Jewish Film Fest met on March 2. The film fest is sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton. This year’s film fest will be held from early September to early fall. L-r: Roz Antoun and Rita Shawn (standing), and Diane Gartell, Susan Hubal and Federation Executive Director Sima a happy Purim Auerbach (sitting). Members of the committee not shown are Phil Cali, Sandra Forman, Ben Kasper, Arlene Krassin, Razi Liss, Myra Memis, Susan Remizowski and Ellen Shaw. INSIDE THIS ISSUE A home of their own Purim News in brief... Special Sections Female Israeli lone soldiers Local celebrations; nine things Israel upsets South Korea in World Legal Notices...... 4 may finally get a home off-base, you may not know about Purim; Baseball Classic; artists to visit Book Review...... 4 complete with a “mom.” and why villains are fascinating. Dead Sea; and more. Financial Planning...... 6-7 ...... Page 6 ...... Pages 3, 9 and 10 ...... Pages 7 and 12 Classifieds...... 12 Page 2 - The Reporter March 10-16, 2017 Opinion When Jews were illegal and turned to others for sanctuary By Elana Kahn Or perhaps they would have been While the American Jewish com- Unity for Human Dignity,” we listened (JTA) – I was privileged recently to among the millions who were murdered munity includes support for a range of to the stories of refugees from Africa, participate as the sole Jewish voice at as part of the Nazi genocide of Euro- political positions, it has been driven Asia, Central America, the Middle East a news conference with Latino leaders, pean Jews. by a vision of America as a beacon of and Europe. Such events are not only community activists and faith groups at Until recently, I had no idea that Jew- hope, a nation with shoulders and heart symbolic. They draw a community which we spoke loudly and clearly in ish immigrants had entered the United big enough to welcome people fleeing closer around shared values while giving support of compassionate immigration States illegally. That was not our story. persecution and to absorb the hopeless elected officials an opportunity to clarify policies. I told the people gathered about Unlike the “illegals” of today, our peo- seeking their second chance. their position. At this event, Milwaukee a piece of Jewish history I had only re- ple arrived to the “goldene medina,” That is why our community has stood Mayor Tom Barrett signed a resolution cently discovered – one that illustrated the golden land, only through proper shoulder to shoulder with communities of expressing opposition to the Presidential a strong parallel between our peoples channels, we have been told. newer immigrants as we call for policies Executive Order 13769, the “travel ban.” and sharpened the moral imperative for But Libby Garland’s research, de- that reflect our shared values. With allies He voiced a clear promise that local po- a Jewish voice on behalf of immigrants. scribed in her book “After they Closed from many different religious, ethnic and lice officers would not act as immigration In 1921 and 1924, Congress passed the Gates: Jewish Illegal Immigration to national communities, we have spoken enforcement agents. laws strictly limiting immigration ac- the United States, 1921-1965,” takes a lid at news conferences, issued statements, This work is essential to Jewish com- cording to nation-based quotas. The off the smug distance we are able to keep urged policymakers and advocated on munity relations, driven by enlightened controversial laws dramatically reduced from the issue of illegal immigration. We certain issues with a simple, but import- self-interest through vigorous and strate- the number of Europeans allowed to are not better. We, too, were strangers. ant, call: Our nation and its inhabitants gic relationship building. We stand with enter this country and made permanent Illegal strangers. deserve compassionate immigration allies, protecting them when necessary, an already existing, near-total ban on The story of seeking asylum, of being policies that balance national security and we ask them them to stand with us, Asian immigrants. These people, it was refugees and immigrants, of entering this with adherence to our higher value of interrupting hatred and linking arms with understood, presented political, racial country through both legal and illegal welcoming the stranger. us when we need their support. and cultural threats to the United States. means, is a deeply American story and, The pursuit of such policies – charac- Those of us who feel safe in this Three of my four grandparents had as it turns out, an American Jewish story. terized by rule of law, national interest country cannot absent ourselves from arrived several years previously, entering But it serves only to bolster what is an and compassionate treatment – is not this renewed debate about the nature of this country before the gates closed. But if eternal Jewish value, repeated through- simply a moral imperative for the Jewish this country as a patchwork of ethnicities. they hadn’t, perhaps they would have been out our texts: to welcome the stranger community. It is also entirely pragmatic That is the blessing of living in commu- among the estimated tens of thousands of – “When strangers sojourn with you in and self-interested: We know that a nation nity, knowing our neighbors – earning European Jews who entered this country your land, you shall not do them wrong. that shuts its doors to immigrants will be about their stories and concerns, and illegally – by sailing into the ports of New The strangers who sojourn with you shall less kind to those already here. recognizing that they, too, were created York with fake German passports, by ar- be to you as the natives among you, and With other minority groups, we can in the image of God. riving in Florida by hiding in boats from you shall love them as yourself; for you envision the outcomes of nativist poli- Elana Kahn is director of the Jewish Cuba, by sneaking across the Canadian were strangers in the land of Egypt.” cies that divide rather than unite. At a Community Relations Council of the border or crossing by foot from Mexico. (Leviticus 19:33-34) recent gathering, “Milwaukee Gathers in Milwaukee Jewish Federation.

In My Own Words Costumes and Purim RABBI RACHEL ESSERMAN, EXECUTIVE EDITOR Did I observe Purim when I was no recollection of adults dressing up in a child, I was very serious. If you don’t ful purple crayon costume hanging on young? I must have, but I really don’t costumes even when I was in my 20s. If believe me, ask my mom, who still finds a nearby shelf. I did find one early this have any memories of the celebrations. there were adult-only activities, I didn’t it easy to tease me because she says I take year when I was at the mall, while I was I remember bits and pieces of other know about them. That has changed over everything so seriously. It wasn’t until I again looking for something else. A local holidays, but nothing specific about this the years: I’ve come to love Purim – par- was an adult that I developed a sense of costume store had set up a temporary one. What does come to mind is that fact ticularly the fun of finding and wearing humor. Maybe that’s why I love Purim store and I couldn’t resist looking. I that the holiday was for children, or, at a costume. costumes: They give me a chance to act have told one friend what the costume least, it seemed that way since I have Why does that part appeal to me? As goofy, rather than serious. is, but that was part of a deal: If I told It also helps that people – especially her, then she had to buy a coordinating the ones who don’t wear costumes – tell costume. So this year, my friend and I me that they look forward to them. I will be.... Come on, did you really think post on Facebook when I decide what I would tell you? I’m going to be, but won’t reveal the Although Purim is fun, the under- actual costume until the holiday. (Why current of the holiday is serious: the spoil the suspense?) One year I did give Jewish people once again faced possible people a clue and two people guessed destruction and survived. Even though my costume, although I didn’t tell them scholars say that the biblical Purim until after Purim. (The clue was Oscar, is probably not a historical event, the but not the green or gold one. My two idea later expanded to include those friends, who obviously watched too that were. Numerous communities and much TV when they were young, cor- families celebrated their own Purims, rectly guessed hot dog. For those who noting when they were saved from don’t get it, there were frequent TV personal or communal disasters. These commercials for Oscar Mayer wieners celebrations, though, have disappeared and, if you ask politely, I’ll sing part of in contemporary times. the theme song for you.) Since most Jewish holidays are sol- Every year I tell myself I should start emn, it’s wonderful to celebrate one that looking for a costume in October when allows us to stop being so serious and they’re easy to find, but I’ve only done self-conscious – to dress up or act in a that twice. Both times it was by accident. Purimspiel or eat too many hamantashen. The first time, I was in K-Mart looking That’s the joy of Purim. Chag Purim for something else and saw this beauti- sameach! Happy Purim!

Executive Editor Rabbi Rachel Esserman Layout Editor Diana Sochor Assistant Editor Michael Nassberg Dr. Howard Warner, President Advertising Bonnie Rozen

Sima Auerbach, Executive Director Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton Production Coordinator Jenn DePersis Bookkeeper Kathy Brown www.jfgb.org BINGHAMTON, NY Proofreaders The Reporter Editorial Board Barbara Bank, Eleanor Durfee, Fran Ferentinos, Robert Neuberger, chairman OPINIONS Leah Ferentinos, Rebecca Goldstein Kahn, Aaron Alweis, Rachel Coker, The views expressed in editorials and opinion pieces are those of each author and Merri Pell-Preus, Ilene Pinsker, Heidi Thirer Rebecca Goldstein Kahn, Ben Kasper, not necessarily the views of the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton. Richard Lewis, Dora Polachek LETTERS The Reporter welcomes letters on subjects of interest to the Jewish community. HOW TO REACH US All letters must be signed and include a phone number; names may be withheld upon request. Mail ~ The Reporter, 500 Clubhouse Rd. Vestal, NY 13850 ADS “The Reporter” (USPS 096-280) is published weekly for $36 per year by the E-mail ~ [email protected] • Fax ~ 607-724-2311 The Reporter does not necessarily endorse any advertised products Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton, 500 Clubhouse Road, Vestal, NY 13850-3734. Periodicals Postage Paid at Vestal, NY and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Phone ~ 607-724-2360 or 800-779-7896 and services. In addition, the paper is not responsible for the kashruth of any advertiser’s product or establishment. Send address changes to The Reporter, 500 Clubhouse Road, Vestal, NY 13850-3734 or reach us by e-mail at [email protected]. Extension#/Department ~ 1. Advertising 2. Business Office DEADLINE 3. Art Department 4. Circulation 6. Editorial/News Regular weekly deadline is noon, Wednesday, for the following week’s newspaper. www.thereportergroup.org March 10-16, 2017 Page 3 - The Reporter Jews and comedy to be discussed at next Beth David Shabbat luncheon By Paula Rubin In his talk, Cali will explore several aspects He has been teaching Latin for the past 19 years at Hornell The next Shabbat luncheon at Beth David, of comedy and Jews, including why there are so High School. He has been a public school administrator featuring guest speaker Philip Cali, will be many Jewish comedians. According to organiz- for 13 years, including eight years as assistant superinten- held on Saturday, March 25, at the synagogue, ers of the program, 80 percent of all comedians dents of schools in the Susquehanna Valley CSD. He has 39 Riverside Dr., Binghamton. The date was at the end of the 20th century were Jews. The also taught 19 courses for Lyceum. Along with courses changed due to Purim. The free luncheon will program will discuss what draw show business in education and teaching, his interests include history, follow services. Cali’s talk, “From the Borscht has for Jews. While explaining these questions music, film and travel. Belt to the Great White Way,” will explore Jewish and other related entertainment topics, Cali will Beth David luncheons are free and open to the entire comedy from its beginning to the present day. share one-liners from Jewish comedy. community. Donations are accepted through the Beth Da- Everyone in the community has been invited to Cali received his B.A. from Fordham Univer- vid Shabbat Luncheon fund. To find out how to sponsor attend services, the free luncheon and the talk sity majoring in Latin and Greek classics, and an all or part of a luncheon for any reason, call Beth David that follows. Philip Cali M.A. from SUNY Geneseo in library science. at 722-1793. ECC to hold Literacy Day on April 6 The Jewish Community Center of Binghamton’s Early This year’s Literacy Day features the books of Eric This event is made possible in part by the Judith and Childhood Center will hold its ninth annual Preschool Carle, the author of works such as “The Very Hungry Edwin Cohen Foundation, Roberson Museum and Science Literacy Day on Thursday, April 6, from 5:30-7:30 pm, Caterpillar,” “The Grouchy Ladybug” and “The Very Center, International Paper, WSKG and the Four Counties at the JCC, 500 Clubhouse Rd., Vestal. The event will be Busy Spider.” Children will have a chance to experi- Library System. free to the public and will feature areas for children to ex- ence the world of Carle with activities, an interactive perience art, science, math and reading, and opportunities story time, and singing and dancing with local musician to play as well. Johnny Only. Annual Saperstein Sermon Contest Awards Gala at Cornell U. The seventh annual Harold I. Saperstein Student Topi- For further information, visit www.curw.cornell.edu. cal Sermon Contest Awards Gala will be held on Sunday, The Awards Gala dinner buffet and dessert reception March 26, from 5-8:30 pm, at Cornell University in Ithaca. will be catered by 104 West, Cornell’s kosher dining hall This year’s sermon contest is being held in hon- under Star K supervision. While the gala is open to the or and memory of Elizabeth Ellsworth Cook, Class community by invitation, with no cost to attend, space is of 1908, who was suffragist and the winner of the limited. Those who wish to attend the Awards Gala should Woodford Prize in Oratory. This year’s sermon topic contact Janelle L. Hanson at [email protected], or Sidney is “Women’s Issues of Today.” The Awards Gala will Madsen at slm284 @cornell.edu by Thursday, March 16, feature the presentation of the winning sermon, along or no later than Monday, March 20, so they can be added JCC Youth Director Lynette Errante posed as a gardener with several guest speakers. to the guest list, if possible. and read an Eric Carle book to preschool children. Chabad Purim Feast still Tot Time at TC Tot Time, a program for preschool children and their parents, will be held on Saturday, March 11, at 9:30 am, accepting reservations at Temple Concord, 9 Riverside Dr., Binghamton. The focus this month will be on the Purim story. Children and Last-minute reservations are still being accepted for The program includes a meal catered by Dougie’s their parents will be able to join the religious school’s the annual Chabad Purim Feast, which will be held on BBQ and Grill, of New Jersey. Vegetarian options and a Purim celebration around 10:30 am. Costumes have been Purim, Sunday, March 12, at 5:30 pm, at the Chabad Cen- children’s menu will be available, as well as l’chayims, encouraged for all ages. ter in Vestal. Dinner will be preceded by a “last chance” desserts, music and dancing. Participants have been Tot Time is sponsored by Temple Concord Sisterhood megillah reading at 4:30 pm for those who did not hear urged to attend in costume, and a parade of children in for children ages 2-5. It is free and open to the public. A the megillah read earlier. The cost for the program will be costume will be held. Participants will automatically be parent must attend with children. $15 per person; $12 for students and seniors 65 and older; entered into a raffle. Children are introduced to Judaism through a story, ac- and $6 for children under 12, with children 2 and younger To make a reservation, call the Chabad Center office at tivities and a snack each month. To make a reservation and admitted for free. 797-0015 or visit www.Jewishbu.com/PurimFeast. for more information, contact Fitch at [email protected]. St. Louis man arrested for bomb threats Enhance your Seder Table with handmade Shmurah Matzah against eight Jewish institutions Chabad House also stocks an $15 per pound • $9 for 3 Matzos extensive selection of Hagadot By JTA staff threatened institutions including the ADL, JCCs in San for the entire family and a wide NEW YORK (JTA) – A St. Louis man has been charged Diego and New York City, schools in New York and Mich- variety of Passover Judaica. for making at least eight bomb threats against Jewish igan, and a Jewish history museum in New York City. In community centers and the Anti-Defamation League. the threats to the schools, made on February 1, Thompson For further information or to Juan Thompson, 31, made some of the threats in the name referred to a “Jewish newtown,” a reference to the 2012 order call 797-0015 of a former romantic partner he had been cyberstalking, mass shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut. Subject to availability according to a statement on March 3 by the U.S. Attorney The complaint is currently focused on Thompson’s of Southern New York. Thompson has been charged with alleged harassment of a woman identified as “Victim-1,” cyberstalking, which carries a maximum sentence of five saying he engaged “in a course of conduct that placed [his years in prison. victim] in reasonable fear of the death of and serious bodily “Today, we have charged Juan Thompson with al- injury to that person.” In addition to the bomb threats, legedly stalking a former romantic interest by, among the complaint says the coworkers of Thompson’s former other things, making bomb threats in her name to Jewish See “Arrested” on page 8 Community Centers and to the Anti-Defamation League,” U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said in a statement. “Threats th of violence targeting people and places based on religion 12 Annual or race – whatever the motivation – are unacceptable, un-American and criminal. We are committed to pursuing and prosecuting those who foment fear and hate through such criminal threats.” NBC News cited “additional sources” saying Thompson is being considered a “copycat” and investigators continue to look for others believed to be behind the wave of threats targeting JCCs. Thompson made some of the threats in his victim’s name and some in his own in an attempt to portray himself as being framed. In a series of Twitter posts the week of March 3, he claimed his victim was in Binghamton University’s West Gym fact making the threats and framing him. He also tweeted sympathetic messages expressing support for the Jewish Saturday, March 18 • 9am-4pm victims of the threats. However, the FBI complaint against Thompson says he $1.00 o admission with this ad! was behind at least eight of the threats made in January and • one coupon per person • February, mostly via e-mail. The complaint says Thompson A Food Donation for CHOW is Appreciated! ÊVisit us on the web at www.thereportergroup.org Page 4 - The Reporter March 10-16, 2017 Off the Shelf Folklore or literary creation? RABBI RACHEL ESSERMAN

Although stories about the fools of Chelm may seem like Ruth Von Bernuth, an associate professor in the Depart- later – when the German language was modernized – that timeless folk tales passed down through the generations, ment of Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literature at Yiddish became a separate language. the actual story of their creation is far more complex. In the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, searches While contemporary readers may think of the Chelm “How the Wise Men Got to Chelm: The Life and Times for the origin of these tales. While the term “the fools of stories as charming nonsense for children, that was not the of a Yiddish Folk Tradition” (New York University Press), Chelm” is not found in any literary source before 1873, original authors’ intent. Von Bernuth notes that there was the German and Yiddish precursors of these stories can be an ideological component to the early works: the fools traced as far back as the late Middle Ages. were those the authors opposed, for example, “dogmatic Although the following summary is an oversimpli- community rabbis, irrational Hasidic rebbes and their fication of Von Bernuth’s research, it helps portray the incredulous followers, and even differently enlightened.... complex path of the stories’ creation. According to the rivals.” Things changed, though, when the tales began to author, the initial inspiration for Chelm can be found appear in a Yiddish newspaper in Poland. The column writ- in German folk tales about Christian fools. Collections ten by Menakhen Kipnis for Haynt transformed the “Chelm of these tales were first printed in German and then in stories into a full-fledged popular phenomenon.” Kipnis Yiddish. In these early Yiddish versions of these stories, published a total of 67 stories, which greatly expanded Jewish choirs’ concert the characters were not Jewish, although some aspects on the Chelm tales already available. Some of them were The concert “Ilu Finu: Bursting with of their Christian lives were usually toned down or taken from different fools’ tales not originally connected to Song” featuring the choirs of Hebrew Union changed. During the Jewish Enlightenment, German Chelm, but, since Chelm soon became synonymous with College-Jewish Institute of Religion’s Debbie Jewish writers adapted these tales to feature Jewish foolishness, they were transferred to that locale. Friedman School of Sacred Music and the characters and situations. Some authors used them as a Chelm stories did not appear in the United States until Jewish Theological Seminary’s H.L. Miller Cantorial way of criticizing the Chasidic movement, although the the 1940s, several decades after they became popular School will be held on Thursday, March 30, at 7:30 tales did not necessarily take place in Eastern Europe, in Europe. The tales, which were originally written for pm, at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of nor did they mention Chelm, which is a real town. As adults, also began to be published in versions appropriate Religion, One West Fourth St., New York City. It will time passed, more and more authors placed their fools’ for children and continue to be popular in contemporary featured the music of Salamone Rossi, Franz Schubert, tales in Chelm – offering variations of stories that had times. Writers create new versions of old tales or offer new Charles-Valentin Alkan, Mark Lavry, Naomi Shemer, already appeared and creating new ones. It was not until stories – not only in books, but on the stage and screen. Achinoam Nini, Michael Boino and Steve Cohen, among after World War II, though, that the “wise men of Chelm” In addition, Von Bernuth notes that Chelm “plays a major others. The concert will be directed by Joyce Rosenzweig become a well-known part of American Jewish culture. and still-unexplored role in Israeli popular culture and and Cantor Natasha J. Hirschhorn. Von Bernuth’s systematic look at the different versions literature and is frequently invoked even in newspapers To register for the concert, visit http://huc.edu/registra- of German and Yiddish books is impressive, even though and current-affairs broadcasting with references to parlia- tion-ilu-finu-bursting-song. For more information, contact there is more depth offered than the general reader may mentary, governmental and institutional mismanagement Jocelyn Nixon at [email protected]. wish to know. However, included in this research is some and folly.... Chelm does appear to be regarded as one of fascinating material – for example, when the author Israeli culture’s richer natural sources, well-adapted to The Jewish outdoors shows what occurred when the German tales were first the population’s widely varying linguistic and cultural The website of JOFEE – Jewish Outdoor, Food, published in Yiddish. According to Von Bernuth, most backgrounds and the misunderstandings to which this is Farming and Environmental Education – can be found Jews in the 1700s spoke German, so to say that the tales liable to give rise.” at http://jofee.org/. The site is produced by a partnership were translated into Yiddish is not technically correct. The sections of “How the Wise Men Got to Chelm” between Hazon, the Pearlstone Center, Urban Adamah and What these Jews could not do is read the Roman alphabet that focus on the minute differences between the various Wilderness Torah. The organization seeks to help create (for example, the alphabet used for German, French and editions of the German and Yiddish tales will be of more experiences that connect people to Judaism, community English), so the text was transliterated – meaning that interest to the scholar. The work does include some anal- and the natural world. Its programs are open to participants while the letters used were Hebrew, the language was ysis of specific Chelm tales, but that’s only a small part of many different ages, Jewish backgrounds and religious actually German. Yes, changes were also made to the of the work. However, those eager to discover how folk approaches. The website offers education information and text, even though some authors claimed their work was traditions evolve will be impressed by the level of Von information about upcoming programs. exactly the same as the German original. It was only Bernuth’s scholarship.

LEGAL NOTICE Notice of Formation of 47 Floral LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of Organization filed with Secretary Notice of Formation of Integrity of any process against the Company, name of the limited liability company of NY (SSNY) on 12/15/16. Office of State of New York (SSNY) on Environmental Health Services, LLC. to Hinman, Howard & Kattell, LLP, is: Gazelle Race Timing, LLC (the Attention location: Broome County. SSNY 1/20/17. Office location: Broome Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State Attn: Ryan M. Mead, 80 Exchange “Company”). The date of filing of Attorneys designated as agent of LLC upon County. SSNY designated LLC agent of NY (SSNY) on 01/30/17. Office Street, Suite 700, Binghamton, NY the Articles of Organization of the whom process against it may be upon whom process against it may location: Broome County. SSNY 13901. The purpose of the business Company with the Secretary of State served. SSNY shall mail process to: be served. SSNY shall mail copy of designated as agent of LLC upon of the Company is any lawful business was March 1, 2017. The county in 158 Merrill Ave., Staten Island, NY process to: LLC, Attn: John G. Dowd, whom process against it may be purpose. which the principal place of business Published by the 10314. Purpose: any lawful activities. PO Box 1905, Binghamton, NY 13902. served. SSNY shall mail process ______of the Company shall be located Jewish Federation ______Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose. Date of to: 4 Franklin Ave., Binghamton, NY is Broome County. The Secretary of Greater Binghamton dissolution: None. 13901. Purpose: any lawful activities. Notice of Formation of a Limited of State has been designated as fulfills the Liability Company (LLC): Name: Notice of Formation of 188 Helen ______agent of the Company upon whom requirement of LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of Idea Kraft NOLA, LLC, Articles of process against it may be served. State of NY (SSNY) on 12/15/16. NOTICE OF FORMATION OF Notice of Formation of Organization filed with Secretary of The Secretary of State shall mail “newspapers of Office location: Broome County. LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY: The Crescent and Robert Properties, State of New York (SSNY) on 2/10/17. a copy of any process against the general circulation”. SSNY designated as agent of LLC name of the limited liability company LLC Office location: Broome County. SSNY Company, to Hinman, Howard & upon whom process against it may is: DeAngelo Realty, LLC (the designated LLC agent upon whom Kattell, LLP, Attn: James W. Orband, Very reasonable be served. SSNY shall mail process “Company”). The date of filing of Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of process against it may be served. 80 Exchange Street, Suite 700, rates and a broad to: 158 Merrill Ave., Staten Island, NY the Articles of Organization of the State of NY (SSNY) on 01/30/2017. SSNY shall mail copy of process Binghamton, NY 13901. The purpose circulation makes 10314. Purpose: any lawful activities. Company with the Secretary of State Office location: Broome Co. SSNY to: LLC, Attn: John G. Dowd, PO of the business of the Company is any The Reporter ______was January 31, 2017. The county in designated as agent of LLC upon Box 1905, Binghamton, NY 13902. lawful business purpose. which the principal place of business whom process against it may be Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose. Date ______a great choice for NOTICE OF FORMATION OF of the Company shall be located served. SSNY shall mail process of dissolution: None. legal advertising! LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY is Broome County. The Secretary to: The LLC, 101 Jefferson Avenue, ______NOTICE OF FORMATION OF Partnership UNDER NEW YORK LIMITED of State has been designated as Endicott, NY 13760. Purpose: any LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY: The LIABILITY COMPANY LAW agent of the Company upon whom lawful activities. Notice of Formation of Ajar Properties, name of the limited liability company Notices process against it may be served. The ______LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of is: Midnight Run Holdings, LLC (the 1. The name of the limited Secretary of State shall mail a copy State of NY (SSNY) on 02/16/17. “Company”). The date of filing of Surrogate’s liability company (“LLC”) is CALY of any process against the Company, Notice of Formation of Rozboril Office location: Broome County. the Articles of Organization of the Citations PROPERTIES LLC. to Hinman, Howard & Kattell, LLP, Properties LLC. Arts. of Org. filed SSNY designated as agent of LLC Company with the Secretary of State Attn: Ryan M. Mead, 80 Exchange with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on upon whom process against it may was March 2, 2017. The county in Changes of 2. The date of filing of the Articles Street, Suite 700, Binghamton, NY 02/03/17. Office location: Broome be served. SSNY shall mail process which the principal place of business of Organization with the 13901. The purpose of the business County. SSNY designated as agent to: 3652 George F. Hwy., Endicott, NY of the Company shall be located Name Secretary of State is August 23, of the Company is any lawful business of LLC upon whom process against 13760. Purpose: any lawful activities. is Broome County. The Secretary 2013. purpose. it may be served. SSNY shall mail ______of State has been designated as Bankruptcy ______process to: 1520 Drexel Dr., Vestal, agent of the Company upon whom Notices 3. The County within the State of NY 13850. Purpose: any lawful Notice of Formation of Finger Lakes process against it may be served. New York in which the principal Notice of Formation of Pendell activities. Winery Services, LLC. Arts. of Org. The Secretary of State shall mail Trustee Sales office of the LLC is located is Companies, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed ______filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) a copy of any process against the Broome. with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on on 02/14/17. Office location: Broome Company, to Hinman, Howard & Auction Sales 01/27/17. Office location: Broome NOTICE OF FORMATION OF County. SSNY designated as agent Kattell, LLP, Attn: Ronald L. Greene, 4. The Secretary of State of County. SSNY designated as agent LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY: The of LLC upon whom process against 80 Exchange Street, Suite 700, Foundation the State of New York is hereby of LLC upon whom process against name of the limited liability company it may be served. SSNY shall mail Binghamton, NY 13901. The purpose Sales designated as agent of the LLC it may be served. SSNY shall mail is: Castle Masters, LLC (the process to: 816 Buffalo St., Endicott, of the business of the Company is any upon whom process against process to: 199 Smith Hill Rd., Lisle, “Company”). The date of filing of NY 13760. Purpose: any lawful lawful business purpose. Mortgages it may be served. The post NY 13797. Purpose: any lawful the Articles of Organization of the activities. ______office address to which the activities. Company with the Secretary of State ______Foreclosures Secretary of State shall mail ______was February 14, 2017. The county in Notice of Formation of Place Your a copy of any process against which the principal place of business Notice of Formation of Gillen Nolan Rick’s Tree and Shrub Service, LLC the LLC served upon him or her Notice of Formation of Pendell Land of the Company shall be located & Matthew, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed Legal Advertising In is: 132 Washington St, Group, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with is Broome County. The Secretary with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on Articles of Organization filed with Binghamton, NY 13901. Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on of State has been designated as 02/16/17. Office location: Broome NYS Dept. of State (SSNY) on 2/7/17. 01/25/17. Office location: Broome agent of the Company upon whom County. SSNY designated as agent Office location: Broome County at 5. The character or purpose of the County. SSNY designated as agent process against it may be served. The of LLC upon whom process against 291 Kattelville Rd, Binghamton, NY business of the LLC is any of LLC upon whom process against Secretary of State shall mail a copy it may be served. SSNY shall mail 13901. SSNY has been designated To place your ad, purpose allowed by law. it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: P.O. Box 112, Vestal, NY as agent of LLC upon whom process contact Bonnie Rozen ______process to: 199 Smith Hill Rd., Lisle, To place a legal notice, 13851. Purpose: any lawful activities. may be served. SSNY shall mail a at 724-2360, ext. 244 NY 13797. Purpose: any lawful contact Bonnie at ______copy of any process to: 291 Kattelville or bonnie@ Notice of Formation of a Limited activities. 724-2360, ext. 244 or Rd, Binghamton, NY 13901. Purpose: thereportergroup.org. Liability Company (LLC): Name: 84 NOTICE OF FORMATION OF [email protected] Any Lawful Purpose. www.thereportergroup.org Brownfield Investment, LLC, Articles LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY: The March 10-16, 2017 Page 5 - The Reporter TC Religious School students made mezuzot

At right: Fourth- and fifth-graders in the Temple Concord Religious School recently had an opportunity to craft their own mezuzot with a little help from their parents. The class was led by Orly and Shalom Shoer. Shown are Amy Heilveil assisting her daughter, Victoria. The class created a variety Laura Klotzkin showed Victoria Heilveil displayed Charlotte Coker put the of designs using clay and offCamps her finished & design Af at herter completed School mezuzah at finishing touches on her small glass tubes that will Temple Concord Religious Temple Concord Religious mezuzah. hold the mezuzah scrolls. School.Info Night AtSchool. The JCC Kids will be offered activities while parents learn all about “Online conversion” helps fulfillSchool Agea Childlongtime Care Programs and Summerdream Camps at the JCC! • Camp JCC 15 • JCC Co-Ed Sports Camps – but controversy dogs theAges 5-process or Perfect f • After School Programs s with By Josefin Dolsten va – an online platform providing long-distance pareconvertingnt rabbi for the official ceremony, Stirne said. “I o be soon t rs! • Day Care when school is not in session (JTA) – The morning of her conversion, learning about Judaism, including for the pur- don’trgarte nebelieve there is really such a thing as online conver- Diana Sewell was so nervous she “was running pose of conversion – as well as speaking with Kindesion, at least not• Theatr when it’se Camp in accordance with halachic around like a headless chicken” in her Australia Bregman every two weeks. [Jewish legal] standards,” Stirne said. “But we do use online home. Meanwhile, some 9,000 miles away in Sewell’s age and mobility challenges made it distanceTu esdalearningy, to provideApril the 4 education• 5-6:30pm component of Georgia, her rabbi was dealing with computer hard for her to travel to her conversion rabbi, asPlease conversion RSVP to tostudents, Lynett ande thenat (6 connect07)724-2 them 41with7, rabbisext 421 difficulties. Neither of those things put a stop is the norm for Darshan Yeshiva. So Bregman and mentors for the purposes of conducting and completing to Sewell fulfilling a 60-something-year-old convened the Beit Din – five rabbis rather than conversionor Ly tonett Judaism.”[email protected] dream of converting to Judaism – with a little the traditional three because so many rabbis Though Bregman sees conducting conversions online help from the internet. expressed interest in helping out – on the internet. as “not the ideal,” she said she was open to performingfind us on After nearly an hourlong online conversation The event was life changing for Sewell, who additional ones. “I want to throw the borders and bound- with the Beit Din, or rabbinical court, whose five did not think her longtime desire to become aries to the Jewish world open wide, and I wantwww people.binghamtonjcc.org to members were located across the U.S., the rabbis Rabbi Rachael Jewish could become reality because the small come500 in, and Clubhouse I want people Road, to Vestal, feel like New they York can 13850 be part of accepted Sewell’s conversion, contingent upon Bregman performed Jewish community to which she belongs does Judaism readily,” she told JTA. her going to a local river to immerse herself, the her first online con- not have a rabbi. “I wanted to be Jewish, but I The majority of Reform rabbis are not as open to final ritual in the process. “I didn’t walk on the version in September wasn’t – I couldn’t be,” she said of her situa- performing online conversions, but the movement does floor that day, I floated,” Sewell, 82, told JTA. 2016. (Photo by Ellis tion prior to learning about Darshan Yeshiva’s not have an official stance on the matter, said Rabbi Hara Vener) Just as online learning is becoming more conversion program. See “Conversion” on page 8 common in the secular world, it has also emerged Raised Episcopalian, Sewell first became as a tool for potential converts to learn about Judaism. Sites interested in Judaism at age 12 after having Shabbat dinner offering “online conversion” range from one-person outfits at a friend’s house. She started attending synagogue at 18 Camps & After School to those affiliated with little-known groups like the Union and, when she visited Israel in 1978, she felt as if she had of Jewish UniversalistGet Communities the to the wordorganization “comeou homet! from a long journey.” Info Night At The JCC behindDoes Sewell’s your conversion, organiza onDarshan have Yeshiva, an event whose comi fac-ng upUpon you wareturningnt from the trip, Sewell looked into con- ulty includes rabbis ordained at various liberal seminaries. verting at an Orthodox synagogue in Sydney – where she Kids will be offered activities while parents learn Butthe just community as with online to adegrees,end? suspicionThen get surrounds the wor d outwas livingthroug at hthe time – but found its traditional approach to all about School Age Child Care Programs and conversionsThe Reporter! relying on If long-distance you’re new learning. to PR and “The ar termen’t suJudaismre how “too to restrictive.” When she moved to the town of Summer Camps at the JCC! 15 onlinepubliciz conversione your is not event, a neutral The oneReport – it eris editorextremelys a re Nowra,ready, whichwilling is located on Australia’s southeastern coast, es 5- • Camp JCC Ag for polemical,” said Rabbi Juan Mejia, who has helped several her longtime dream seemed to fade because its Jewish Perfect • JCC Co-Ed Sports Camps and happy to help you: ents with • After School Programs communities in Latin America convert to Judaism through community did not have a rabbi. par to be 3x4.5 soon eners! • Day Care when school is not in session a process that relies in large part on online learning. “It is Sewell’s conversion was “a very unique case” for Dar- gart • determine the best weeks for your arcles to appear in Kinder something the that paper the Jewish to ar communityact the mo is justst a discovering,enon shan Yeshiva, said Sara Stirne, the director of administration • Theatre Camp and for the most part it has quite a big stigma attached.” and student experience. Stirne said she was not aware of any Tuesday, April 4 • 5-6:30pm • the deadlines for arcles to get into any given issue of Mejia, however, was quick to clarify that he performs other conversions at Darshan Yeshiva in which the ritual Please RSVP to Lynette at (607)724-2417, ext 421 only “onlinethe paper training for conversions,” meaning that he elements of the ceremony were conducted entirely online. or [email protected] always• performsthe e-mail the actual addr conversioness to send ceremony the arcle in person. to The yeshiva, which first started offering its conversion The traditional process for converting to Judaism varies program in 2014, grew out of Punk Torah, an Atlanta-based by denomination,• how to wri butte typically your arcles includes (the counseling first rule with of journalismonline community or for unaffiliated Jews. “We don’t offer online a rabbi, P takingR: te llclasses people at a who local, synagoguewhat, when, or other wher Jewe -andconversion why!) – we really try not to use that terminology,” Stirne nd us on ish institution, undergoing circumcision for males, being told JTA. However, Punk Torah on its website lists Darshan 500 Clubhouse Road, Vestal, New York 13850 interviewedFeel fr eeby ato Beit con Dintact, immersing The Report in aer ritual at 724-2360 bath, or Yeshivaor as providing “Online Conversion to Judaism.” www.binghamtonjcc.org mikvahTreport, and [email protected] a Hebrew – the name. sooner the beer! The yeshiva offers three tracks for conversion, the cost Sewell’s(Use the conversion, subject line which“Report waser arcle conducted help” ifentirely e-mailing.) of which ranges from $800 to $2,200. While learning is online with the final ceremony taking place last September, done via the internet, students are expected to travel to the Women’s OB/GYN Associates was a first for her rabbi, Rachael Bregman, who leads the is pleased to welcome Reform Temple Beth Tefilloh in Brunswick, GA. Sewell Melodye Onysko, spent seven months taking classes through Darshan Yeshi- ERNEST H. PARSONS FUNERAL HOME ANP, CNM Faithfully Serving Broome County Since 1928 Melodye’s personal warmth and extensive knowledge helps patients interested in holistic approaches to Get the word out! women’s health care. Does your organizaon have an event coming up you 2x3.5 She is now accepting new patients who are seeking: want the community to aend? Then get the word • Traditional and Holistic Gynecology out through The Reporter! If you’re new to PR and • Early Pregnancy Care aren’t sure how to publicize your event, The Reporter • Birth Control Options including IUD's and Nexplanon editors are ready, willing and happy to help you: • Infertility Counseling and Testing • determine the best weeks for your arcles to • Menopausal Support with Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy appear in the paper to aract the most aenon PRE-ARRANGEMENTS • Weight Management • the deadlines for arcles to get into any given AND PRE-FUNDING AVAILABLE Melodye Onysko offers the area's issue of the paper Joseph Fritsch only Optifast program including • the e-mail address to send the arcle to Advanced Body Composition and Managing Director • how to write your arcles (the first rule of other Nutritional Supplements! journalism or PR: tell people who, what, when, 71 Main St., Binghamton, NY 13905 where and why!) Phone 607-724-1336 607.754.9870 Feel free to contact The Reporter at 724-2360 or Fax 800-948-5844 Women’s OB/GYN Associates [email protected] – the sooner the beer! 401 Main Street, 1st Flr. [email protected] (Use the subject line “Reporter arcle help” Johnson City, NY 13790 www.ParsonsFuneral.com Dr. Carol Miller, if e-mailing.) Dr. Marianne Davis and HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE my.womensobgyn.info Karen Castoro FNP ÊVisit us on the web at www.thereportergroup.org

r Greeting New Yea s from Page 6 - The Reporter March 10-16, 2017 Female Israeli lone soldiers may finally get their home away from home By Lori Lowenthal Marcus Lone soldier Nechama (whose last them, beginning in 2015, the Lone Soldier JNS.org name cannot be published because she is Center created an independent home for Part of the widely admired strength of still serving), who will be 22 next month, male lone soldiers, and has since added two the Israel Defense Forces comes from the is part of a missiles unit in the Israeli more facilities. Women – who comprise military’s many “lone soldiers,” who leave Air Force. Originally from London, she 40 percent of the IDF and about one-third their homes and families abroad in order to made aliyah in 2014. “I’m an Israeli of the military’s lone soldiers, according help protect the Jewish homeland. Now, with a British past, not a British person,” to center head Flaster – have had no such some women in this group may receive a Nechama responds when asked if she home to date. boost to their ability to serve. plans to return to England after finishing But the Lone Soldier Center is now ac- Significant media attention has focused her military service. tively engaged in the process of acquiring on Israeli lone soldiers in recent years, Dana Grob (left), a former Israeli lone When Israeli-born soldiers are off-duty, a private home to accommodate up to 10 particularly after two American-born soldier from New York, and Natalie Adjei. they can return to their families for home- female soldiers. The organization has a soldiers (Max Steinberg of California and (Photo by Dana Grob) cooked meals, and to have their laundry and current fund-raising goal of $60,000 for the Sean Carmeli of Texas) were killed in the shopping done for them. If they get sick or project. The home will be fully furnished 2014 Gaza war. There are currently three Female soldiers’ existing key support role injured, they can visit their regular doctors and stocked with everything necessary to “homes” that provide lone soldiers with in the IDF was amplified during the past with little hassle and they have families to sustain the troops when they are off base. communal living quarters, camaraderie 18 months upon the creation of two new look after them. Just as with the male soldiers’ homes, the and support. combat divisions that almost completely But lone soldiers have no experience facility for women will have a “house Yet there is one large segment of this consist of women. The divisions comprise with the Israeli medical system and no- mother” who will prepare kosher meals group that doesn’t receive the same atten- 2,000 soldiers. Previously, women could body to help them navigate it. There are and provide the kind of adult supervision tion – nor some of the same resources – as pursue combat roles through units such no home-cooked meals or supportive and support that so many lone soldiers the rest of their peers. Until now, female as the IDF’s nearly two-decade-old coed parent-like figures waiting to greet them sorely miss. lone soldiers have not enjoyed the same Caracal battalion. when they go off-duty. They do all their “I really could have used the kind of type of group residential facilities as their “When people think of the IDF, they own shopping, cooking and cleaning in support system a bayit l’chayalot (home male counterparts. But that is likely about picture a guy with a gun in a combat unit, the short time they are not on their base. for female soldiers) will provide,” Grob to change. but they have no idea what happens behind Israeli-born soldiers, meanwhile, can said. “People are wonderful about donating “The IDF would not exist today as the scenes,” said former lone soldier Dana focus on what they need most – sleeping fleeces to keep us warm, or pizzas for those a functioning army without its female Grob, a native of New York’s Long Island or socializing. doing late-night guard duty, but having an soldiers,” said Josh Flaster, national region who made aliyah at age 22. Grob broke her foot last year during actual home in a central location, with laun- director of The Lone Soldier Center – In What isn’t apparent to most observers, a training exercise. The kibbutz where dry facilities and an adviser who can help Memory of Michael Levin, a nonprofit she explained, is the Israeli military’s she lived while off-duty is not set up to with practical or just emotional support, is that assists lone soldiers before, during vast combat support system – comprised take care of sick soldiers or soldiers with even more important.” and after their army service. “Every largely of female soldiers. “I was a search- disabilities, and it’s extremely difficult Nechama added, “It’s so hard for a lone soldier is taught to shoot or is taught and-rescue instructor. I taught guys in to carry a bag filled with groceries or soldier to find a place that is affordable and in other essential aspects of combat or combat units. The girls get overlooked, laundry while on crutches. After some a central location – to have the camaraderie military preparedness and fitness by although our role is critically important,” tough months under those circumstances, of other soldiers in the same home would female instructors.” Grob said. Grob couldn’t wait to get back on her make our lives so much easier.” military base. “We would not have the IDF, we would To address these problems and to aug- not even have our state,” said Flaster, “were Community Calendar ment its own staff’s efforts to mitigate it not for the females serving in our military.” The Community Calendar can be found on the Jewish Federation of Greater Bing- hamton’s website, www.jfgb.org, by clicking on “calendar.” Soldiers of the IDF’s “Have you forgotten the date of your organization’s event? Can’t remember when Bardales Battalion the CJS lecture is? Do you want to hear what’s happening at the next Federation board prepared for urban meeting? Are you planning an event and want to make sure there are no conflicts? warfare training on Then go to www.jfgb.org and hit ‘calendar,’” said Sima Auerbach, executive director a foggy morning in of the Federation. “This is your Community Calendar! All the events this amazing southern Israel on community holds are listed – and if you do not see what you were looking for, call us July 13. Fifty-percent at 724-2332. In a community of this size – where people belong to several organiza- of the soldiers in the tions or synagogues – we want to make certain that people don’t miss an important Bardales Battalion, event or meeting.” an infantry combat Updates or additions of events for the calendar can be made by contacting the unit, are women. Federation through its website (click on “calendar” and then “click here to request a (Photo by Hadas change to the calendar”) or by calling 724-2332. Parush/Flash90)

How to handle your own retirement (NAPSI) – Retirement is evolving. And if Americans to see how retirement is unfolding you’re part of the baby boomer generation for this generation. Less than half feel they – an estimated 76 million Americans born have a strong understanding of financial between 1946 and 1964 – you’re seeing matters, and of the 84 percent who think of this evolution first-hand. Call it the “new themselves as at least somewhat financially retirement,” where it’s increasingly likely literate, most haven’t done enough to put your employer no longer provides you that knowledge to good use. with a pension. This means it’s up to you Three-quarters have not calculated a to take care of your golden years. Are you monthly retirement income number goal ready? If you are, you’re ahead of many they need to reach; nine in 10 don’t have a of your peers. written retirement plan; and nearly seven in Five years after the first wave of boomers 10 admit that they don’t have, or don’t know turned 65, the Bankers Life Center for a Secure whether they have, the financial resources to Retirement checked in with middle-income See “Retirement” on page 7 It just makes cents to advertise here in The Reporter! For information on advertising, contact Bonnie Rozen at 724-2360, ext. 244 or bonnie@ thereportergroup.org.

Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton March 10-16, 2017 Page 7 - The Reporter NEWS IN BRIEF

From JNS.org enforcement.” According to the new policy, first-time offenders will receive a $270 fine, which Artists to visit Israel as part of regional bid to save Dead Sea would double for a second offense. A third offense would warrant a police investigation and fourth offense would result in criminal proceedings. Selling and growing marijuana would (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) – Twenty-three artists from around the world still remain criminal offenses. Israel has been a world leader in marijuana research, with are scheduled to visit Israel in mid-March to raise awareness for the efforts to save the Israeli scientists being among the first to identify the key compounds in marijuana such as shrinking Dead Sea. The Dead Sea, the deepest hypersaline lake in the world, is shrinking THC, the principle psychoactive compound found in the drug. at a rate of more than a meter (3.3 feet) per year. The initiative is the brainchild of the Ornithological Center in the Society for Protection of Nature in Israel, which partnered Ahead of Purim, Israeli library displays 400-year-old Book with the Netherlands-based Artists for Nature Foundation and the Tamar Regional of Esther scroll Council in southern Israel to promote it. Established in 1953, the SPNI is Israel’s leading (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) – As the Purim holiday approaches, the National environmental nonprofit organization. According to the SPNI’s website, the Dead Sea Library of Israel has put a 400-year-old hand-illustrated copy of the Book of Esther on venture also involves collaboration with Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. The 11-day display. The scroll, dating back to the 1600s in Italy, will soon be uploaded to the national event, set for March 16-27, and will involve workshops in which the artists paint the Dead library’s website. The curator of the library’s Judaica collection, Dr. Yoel Finkelman, Sea, as well as local landscapes from both the Israeli and the Jordanian sides of the sea. said the illustrations on the scroll are full of violence, bloodshed and beheadings in an Indian PM Modi to visit Israel in July, will reportedly skip apparent attempt to portray the ancient Purim story as vividly as possible. “A study of the Palestinian territories rich detail reveals hints that the illustrator expected that given the tense relations between Jews and Christians and because of the antisemitism throughout Christian Europe at that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make a historic visit to Israel this summer, time, God would inflict the same violence on the Christians if they dared to attack Jews,” the first by a sitting Indian leader, and will reportedly not visit the Palestinian Authority Finkelman said. The scroll was commissioned by Mordechai Ben Eliyahu Halevy from leadership in Ramallah. “Contrary to expectations that Modi would include Palestine in his the city of Brescello, near Parma, in 1616. A scribe named Moshe Ben Avraham Peshkarol itinerary too, like many ministers did in the past, he will be traveling only to Israel,” the Times copied and illustrated the scroll in 1617. The scroll covers 27 parchment pages and was of India reported, noting that the move underscores the “di-hyphenation” of India’s relations much-used, as evidenced by the many stains and damage to its colors. with Israel and the Palestinians. The P.A.’s envoy to India, Adnan Abu Alhaija, said he was “shocked” by Modi’s decision to skip a Ramallah visit, but that P.A. President Mahmoud Facebook apologizes, reinstates Fatah page after shuttering Abbas will likely visit India before Modi’s Israel trip. “Mr. Modi is not visiting Palestine on it over glorifying terror this occasion. Inshallah (by Allah’s will), our president will be here this year,” Alhaija told Facebook reinstated the official page of the Palestinian Fatah political party just one the Times of India. Modi is expected to visit Israel on his return from the G20 summit in day after initially shuttering it following a rash of posts glorifying terrorism and murder Hamburg, Germany, during the second week of July. The Indian government said it believes against Israelis. Facebook originally shut down the page on Feb. 27 over a picture of the the stand-alone visit to Israel will further “underline the significance of India’s special ties with late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat holding a rifle that belonged to an Israeli soldier, the Jewish nation.” The visit will mark 25 years of diplomatic relations between the two allies. who was abducted in the 1980s by Palestinian terrorists in Beirut. But just a day later, Israeli gov’t to decriminalize recreational marijuana use Facebook reversed the decision and apologized for shutting down the page. “The page The Israeli government voted in favor of decriminalizing recreational marijuana use, was removed in error and restored as soon as we were able to investigate. We apologize joining several other European countries and U.S. states that have adopted similar measures. for this mistake. All pages have to abide by our community standards,” a Facebook At Israel’s weekly Cabinet meeting on March 5, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said spokesman said in a statement. Palestinian Media Watch, an organization that monitors a team of experts had studied the issue and that “this obviously needs to be done in a careful Palestinian incitement, said Facebook reinstated the account without removing any of and controlled manner. ...On one hand, we are opening ourselves up to the future. On the other the terror-promoting material that is regularly posted by Fatah. According to PMW, posts hand, we understand the dangers and will try to balance the two,” he said. Public Security this year by Fatah – which is headed by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas Minister Gilad Erdan called the Cabinet’s vote “an important step toward implementing the – have glorified Palestinian arch-terrorist Abu Jihad, who planned attacks that killed 125 new policy, which will place the emphasis on awareness and treatment rather than criminal Israelis; have promoted dying for Palestine; and have endorsed violence in other ways.

Millennials and their money (NAPSI) – According to data from the IRS, millennials ‘gig economy’ won’t understand that all income has to be To help young people – and everyone else – stay on top – those between 18 and 34 – file one out of every three reported on their tax returns, even if they are paid in cash of all the tax aspects of the sharing economy and avoid a tax returns, earn one out of every six dollars in income or the activity is only part-time or occasional,” explained potential misstep, the IRS suggests speaking with a trusted and pay one out of every 13 dollars in taxes. For many of Kerry Freeman, an enrolled agent and owner of Freeman tax professional, such as an enrolled agent (an EA). EAs are these young people, their tax filing is complicated by such Income Tax Service. “Estimated quarterly payments may be licensed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and overseen things as high education loans and other debt, and by the necessary, and when you’re selling cuff links on Etsy, for by the IRS. In order to earn the credential, EAs must pass a current “gig economy” in which many people are essentially instance, the fact that you could be setting yourself up for a three-part exam on taxation. To maintain the credential, they self-employed, though they may not be aware of it. letter from the IRS is probably the last thing on your mind.” must report annual continuing education on tax to the IRS. Airbnb, DogVacay, TaskRabbit and Liquid are all examples According to Freeman, taxpayers may also be missing Hiring a tax professional can save time and effort in tax of the trend toward using the Internet to generate revenue out on business deductions they are qualified to claim, such preparation and its associated tasks. Tax professionals are from assets people already own – such as houses, cars and as mileage on leased cars. The rules on rental income can equipped to advise, represent and prepare tax returns for bicycles – and provided services. be particularly tricky. In some circumstances, rental income individuals, partnerships, corporations, estates, trusts and “There’s a real danger here that people engaged in the does not need to be reported at all for federal tax purposes. any entities with tax-reporting requirements. EAs’ continuing education requirements ensure that they have the up-to-date knowledge to effectively represent taxpayers audited by the Retirement Continued from page 6 IRS despite the continually changing tax laws. live comfortably to age 85, the average life expectancy of a valuable resource in helping you find savings products that 65-year-old boomer today. can provide a reliable monthly income. Retirement planning can be challenging and complex. 3. Don’t be overly reliant on benefit programs: Retirement Fortunately, you can do five things to become more finan- is becoming more dependent on individual contributions – HAPPY PASSOVER cially literate and to ensure a more secure retirement for only a third of non-retired boomers expect to get guaranteed your future. post-employment income from an employer. Also, Social 1. Develop a plan: Even if you started preparing for Security was never designed to fully replace one’s wages. retirement late, getting a plan in place will help you figure 4. Educate yourself: Many products are available to help out what steps to take now and what steps you may need you plan and save for your retirement, provide income and to take in the future. protect your assets. Take the time to learn about mutual 2. Consider professional guidance: You don’t need to funds, IRAs, Roth IRAs, insurance and annuities. be wealthy to benefit from financial professionals. Their 5. Be prepared: Plan to meet unexpected situations by experience in retirement planning can be an extremely creating or updating a will and power of attorney.

Tax Planning & Preparation EVER WISH YOUR Accounting & Auditing REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTIONS , LLP Business Valuations WEREN’T REQUIRED RIGHT NOW? Software & Computer Consulting Peer Review Services Our range of services features: Your wish just came true. I All levels of financial statement preparation and related services for private Recent changes to U.S. Treasury James J. Lewis, CPA/ABV, CVA - Alan D. Piaker, CPA and non-profit companies; including audits, reviews and compilations regulations now allow you to delay Roy E. Fuller, CPA - John R. May, CPA I Specialized Services and Tax Compliance Services; including high net worth taking required minimum individuals, businesses, estates, trusts, business valuations, litigation support, Angelo J. Gallo, CPA - Richard A. Lynch, CPA forensic and matrimonial accounting distributions (RMDs) until as Tax Planning & Preparation I Planning strategies for tax minimization late as age 85 for a portion of Amy E. Brown, CPA - Janeen F. Sutryk, CPA Accounting & Auditing I Management consulting your IRA and qualified plan assets. Grow with us. Kyle J.Miesfeldt, CPA - Thomas F. Shanahan, CPA Business Valuations Call us today to discuss Software & Computer Consulting Davidson Fox Catherine A. Maliwacki, CPA how this might benefit you. 92 Hawley Street • P.O. Box 1330 Peer Review Services & Company, LLP Mark A. Wasser, CPA Binghamton, NY 13902-1330 PO Box 730 Jesse J. Wheeler, CPA, CFE 92 Hawley Street • P.O. Box 1330 Binghamton, NY 13902 Dedicated Financial Solutions www.pnlcpa.com Faith L. Sigler, LUTCF, CLTC; Financial Adviser Binghamton, NY 13902-1330 P: 607.722.5386 David M. Stella, CPA Other Offices: www.davidsonfox.com 273 Riverside Drive, Johnson City, NY 13790 Norwich and Syracuse [email protected] Tera A. Stanton, CPA, CGMA www.pnlcpa.com 607•240•5670 www.DedicatedFinancialSolutions.com ÊVisit us on the web at www.thereportergroup.org

HAPPY HAPPY CHANUKAH ROSH HASHANAH

Tax Planning & Preparation Tax Planning & Preparation Accounting & Auditing Accounting & Auditing Business Valuations Business Valuations Software & Computer Consulting Software & Computer Consulting Peer Review Services Peer Review Services

92 Hawley Street • P.O. Box 1330 92 Hawley Street • P.O. Box 1330 Binghamton, NY 13902-1330 Binghamton, NY 13902-1330 www.pnlcpa.com www.pnlcpa.com Page 8 - The Reporter March 10-16, 2017 Tel Aviv and Jerusalem marathons revel in a “healthy competition” By Hillel Kuttler through due to extreme heat.) TEL AVIV (JTA) – Noah Roth likes to recall two And Tiberias? It draws sneers for an uninspired course moments from Israeli marathons in which he’s raced: a – dipping counterclockwise around the southern tip of the competitor in Jerusalem breezing by him in 2010 wearing Sea of Galilee, then boomeranging back – and the near all-black, haredi Orthodox garb, but for a white athletic absence of spectators, but praise for being consistently shirt; and a Russian woman on this city’s Allenby Street flat, enabling runners to post their best times in any of the who last year handed sprinters cups of clear-liquid refresh- country’s three marathons. ment – not water, but vodka. The best runners stand to profit in the coming weeks. “I’m neither a Tel Avivian nor a Jerusalemite. I like both Tel Aviv is offering $15,000 to the first marathoner to cities, and I like both marathons,” said Roth, a corporate break the course record and $40,000 for finishing in 2:08 recruiter who lives in Beit Shemesh, about midway between or faster. Jerusalem’s various prizes include $1,500 to a the two. “Jerusalem has more of a family feeling. Tel Aviv marathoner setting a course record. is more like, ‘I’m out here for the event.’” The current record for Tel Aviv is 2:10:30 and for Je- While hardly on par with the New York, Boston and rusalem 2:16:09 – both set by Kenyans in the past three London marathons that draw world-class runners, the Je- years. That compares to the world record of 2:02:57 set rusalem and Tel Aviv races are huge for Israel, attracting Runners took part in the Jerusalem Marathon on March in Berlin in 2014 by another Kenyan, Dennis Kimetto. growing numbers of competitors and providing welcome 18, 2015. (Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90) Some 40,000 runners registered in the Tel Aviv Mar- jolts to the economy. athon and its related half-marathon, 10K, 5K and charity This is marathon-event season in Israel, with Tel Aviv wear his running watch. “Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are like walks; 25,000 have registered for Jerusalem’s various staging its race on February 24 and Jerusalem following dessert. I can take my feet off the gas and have fun,” he said. event categories. three weeks later. The Tiberias Marathon, Israel’s oldest, Each city’s signature sporting event has unique allures Ilanit Melchior, tourism director of the nonprofit Jerusa- was held on January 8. They are scheduled so near each and drawbacks. Jerusalem Marathon partisans speak of lem Development Authority, a sponsor of the capital’s race, other because of the weather, competitors and organizers being uplifted by the route’s brief sojourn in the Old City projected that city hotels, restaurants and shops will earn said. The window for safe and hospitable racing is a narrow and the magnificent views of it from other neighborhoods $7.5 million just from the 3,000 foreign runners (600 of one in the winter before the long, hot summers. – several interviewees used the term “running through his- them marathoners) from 50 countries who have registered, The especially tight period between the Tel Aviv and tory” – and by large crowds of cheering spectators. They not counting money spent by their travel companions. Ofer Jerusalem events also reflects some of the rivalry between also talk of the brutality of the city’s extremely hilly terrain. Shytrit, whose company produces the Tel Aviv Marathon, the cities. Organizing officials say they feel welcome at Those favoring the Tel Aviv Marathon cite the city’s offered a “minimal estimate” of $5 million that runners each other’s events, but don’t jointly market them here or seaside beauty and the energy drawn from racing through will spend in town for his event. abroad, nor do they approach potential sponsors together. Israel’s commercial capital, but also the sometimes-chal- “If you have one startup, it’s a startup. If you have two That’s OK with Jerusalem’ s mayor, Nir Barkat, who lenging heat. (The city permanently shifted its marathon or three, it’s a market,” said Barkat, who made his fortune told JTA recently that a rising tide lifts all boats. “The better from springtime to February in 2013, but even then a man in high-tech. we do separately, the better we do together,” said Barkat, competing in the half-marathon that year died of apparent The popularity of the Tel Aviv and Jerusalem marathons, a longtime runner who is entered in the 10K race in his heat-related causes. In 2015, the event was canceled midway he said, “creates a dramatic improvement in the market.” city’s event. He added: “It’s a very healthy competition.” Not so healthy, though, to Yossi Melman, a Tel Aviv- based journalist who has run 35 marathons, including a Continued from page 3 dozen in Israel. “There’s no reason Tel Aviv or Jerusalem Arrested can’ t be held in October or November,” he said. “It’ s really partner received anonymous e-mails claiming she had a of a sustained campaign to harass and intimidate” Victim-1. ridiculous [having] three marathons in nine or 10 weeks. sexually transmitted disease. In total, more than 100 Jewish institutions, mostly JCCs, You can’ t run three marathons in 10 weeks.” Thompson attended Vassar College and is a former have received bomb threats since the beginning of the year. Some actually do after modifying their training. Roth journalist who was fired from the online news site The The last two weeks saw vandalism at Jewish cemeteries completed the trifecta in 2016 and is trying again this year. Intercept in 2016 for fabricating sources and quotes in his in Philadelphia, St. Louis and Rochester, NY, as well as He runs Tiberias, the fastest course of the three, aiming for articles. A statement on March 3 from The Intercept said of two more waves of bomb threats called into JCCs, schools a personal best, and Tel Aviv as a fairly reasonable reprise Thompson’s arrest, “These actions are heinous and should and institutions across the country, representing the fourth a mere month and a half later. Roth competes in Jerusalem be fully investigated and prosecuted.” and fifth waves of such harassment this year. No explosive just because it’s Jerusalem. In the latter two, he obsesses On his Twitter account, Thompson made repeated device was found after any of the calls. far less over his split times and sometimes doesn’t even complaints about a woman he had previously dated, at “The NYPD and the FBI have done an outstanding job one point claiming she “sent a bomb threat in my name & in this regard,” Paul Goldenberg, director of the Secure wants me to be raped in jail.” In another, dated February Community Network, which coordinates security for Jew- 27, he tweeted “The @SecretService visited me looked at ish institutions, told JTA on March 3. “We at SCN and the my tweets, questioned my politics b/c some awful white Jewish Federations of North America commend them and woman I date reported me. I won’t be silenced.” Thompson hold them in the highest regard.” is African-American. The JCC Association of North America said it was “grat- According to the complaint, however, Thompson made ified” by the arrest. “We trust that the perpetrators behind at least eight JCC and Jewish institution threats “as part all of the threats will be swiftly identified and brought to of his campaign of harassment” against “Victim-1.” For justice,” said the organization’s president and CEO, Doron instance, according to the complaint, on February 21, Krakow, in a statement. Thompson is alleged to have sent an e-mail to the ADL’s The threats prompted clamor for President Donald midtown Manhattan office blaming the woman for the Trump to condemn the antisemitism behind the targeting bomb threats and claiming she would be “making more of Jewish institutions. After initially demurring to comment bomb threats tomorrow.” The next day, according to the directly when asked about the spate of recent antisemitic U.S. Attorney’s Office, “the ADL received a phone call incidents, Trump eventually called the threats to the com- claiming that explosive material had been placed in the munity centers “horrible” and “painful,” and Vice President ADL’s midtown Manhattan office.” Authorities say the Mike Pence paid a visit to the Jewish cemetery vandalized e-mails and phone calls were made by Thompson “as part near St. Louis.

Conversion Continued from page 5 Person, director of strategic communications for the Re- roots. “I’m extremely draconian in that because I know form movement’s Central Conference of American Rabbis. how poorly regarded this phenomenon of long-distance Most CCAR rabbis believe that “the connection to a rabbi learning for conversion is in the Jewish world,” he told and the connection to a community is really important in JTA, explaining that his candidates for conversion must the [conversion] process because the idea is that you can’t study with him for about 100 classes of about one to one be a Jew on your own, that being a Jew means being part and a half hours each. of a community, so I think there’s a concern among our The reason some are hesitant to accept conversions that rabbis about people who do the conversion process only incorporate online elements can be traced back to Jewish online,” Person told JTA. laws meant to ensure that potential converts were sincere Nevertheless, Person added, some rabbis affiliated with in their desire to embrace Judaism, said Sylvia Fishman, the Reform rabbinical group are using distance learning to a professor of Judaic studies at Brandeis University who help meet the needs of Jews who for geographic reasons has published a book about conversion. “I don’t think it’s are not able to attend classes about Judaism. possible to really come to an understanding of a human Bregman believes resistance to online conversions stems being and why they want to do this and how they envision from a reluctance toward change. “I think that there’s a their lives afterward unless you spend some time with them,” lot of hesitancy around much of the new technology and she told JTA. “I think that’s why rabbis have distanced new tools that are emerging and that have been emerging themselves from online conversion.” over the last five to 10 years, like Darshan Yeshiva, like Fishman said conversions incorporating online ele- an online conversion,” she said. “These are entities which ments are “better than nothing,” but that in addition to challenge the status quo, and the status quo doesn’t usually not getting to know their rabbi in person, those relying like to be challenged.” on distance learning may also miss out on becoming Mejia, who received rabbinic ordination from the involved in a Jewish community as part of their con- Conservative movement’s Jewish Theological Seminary version process. of America, is also aware of this hesitancy and says it mo- Meanwhile, Sewell said her life has completely changed tivates him to be stringent with potential converts. Many since her conversion. “I’m just so [much] more at peace find him through Kol Tuv Sefarad, his online resource with myself and more content in life generally,” she said. “I for descendants of Sephardic Jews who are interesting never expected it to happen at all, and I’m just so grateful in exploring, and sometimes reclaiming, their Jewish for it, I thank God every day for the conversion.” March 10-16, 2017 Page 9 - The Reporter Nine things you didn’t Purim poser: What is our know about Purim fascination with villains? By Julie Wiener By Edmon J. Rodman (My Jewish Learning via JTA) – With LOS ANGELES (JTA) – Who is the costumes, spiels and lots of drinking, Purim Haman in your life? The person, who like is one of Judaism’s most raucous holidays. the bad guy in the Megillah Esther that we You might know about beautiful Esther read on Purim, schemes to bring you down. thwarting evil Haman’s plans, the custom When we get to the place in the megillah of getting drunk and what hamantashen are. where Haman is forced to lead Mordechai But we’re guessing there are a few things though the streets of Shushan, saying, about Purim, which this year starts at sun- “This is what is done for the man whom down on March 11, that might surprise you. the king desires to honor,” might we insert 1. Esther was a vegetarian (or at least a ourselves – like a video game – into an Two faces of Haman: Why do we like trying flexitarian). According to midrash, while updated version of the story? Imagining them on? (Masks and photo by Edmon J. Queen Esther lived in the court of King What does hamantashen symbolize? that a seriously negative person in our life Rodman) Ahasuerus, she followed a vegetarian diet Answers abound. (Photo by Wikimedia is pushing our car down the street while we consisting largely of legumes so that she Commons) sit behind the wheel and wave? adult sons play one day, I was surprised to would not break the laws of kashrut (dietary Not that your neighbor is Lord Volde- see how readily they took on the role of the laws). For this reason, there is a tradition held belated Purim services inside Nazi pro- mort or Dr. Moriarty, but what about that evil protagonist. Trying it myself, driving of eating beans and peas on Purim. (After pagandist Joseph Goebbels’ confiscated cas- boss who is omitting your name from the my stolen car down the streets of Santa all, you’ll need something healthy after all tle. According to JTA coverage at the time, organization chart? The relative who always Monica, I soon became a regular Haman the booze and hamantashen.) the Jewish chaplain “carefully arranged the leaves you off the guest list? That student on Wheels, threatening the extinction of an 2. You’re supposed to find a go-between to candles over a swastika-bedecked bookcase spray-painting swastikas on your son’s entire population of pedestrians. Was that deliver your mishloach manot, the gift baskets in Goebbels’ main dining room,” and Jewish fraternity house? Or just the forever inter- me grinning as I “accidentally” backed up traditionally exchanged with friends and family soldiers explained to their Christian com- rupting “Rachel” from cardholder services? over a man on the sidewalk? on Purim. The verse in the Book of Esther about rades in attendance “about Haman and why If we could only rid ourselves of them, In Jewish texts, beginning with the snake mishloach manot stipulates that we should it was so fitting that Purim services should then “Oh, today would merry, merry be.” in the Garden of Eden, we are tempted by send gifts to one another, not just give gifts to be held in a castle belonging to Goebbels.” Or would it? the promises of the villain. At Passover, one another. As a result, it’s better to send your 6. The Book of Esther, which many In the Purim story, we have sweet Esther, as we take a drop of wine for each plague, packets of goodies to a friend via a messenger scholars theorize is fictional, may be an wise Mordechai and foolish Ahasuerus – a the heart-hardened Pharaoh fills our seder than to just give them outright. Anyone can act adaptation of a Babylonian story. Some pretty light cast of characters until the heavy, tables, though afterward we ease the tension as a go-between, so feel free to recruit the postal scholars argue that the Book of Esther Haman, adds the contrast of evil and stirs by singing about “frogs in his bed.” service or even that nice guy in the elevator to adapted stories about these pagan gods – the action. In synagogue, the words of the sorcerer help you deliver your gifts. Marduk becoming Mordechai and Ishtar Beginning with childhood, we intuitively Bil’am, who the rabbis called “harasha,” 3. The Book of Esther is the only biblical transformed to Esther – to reflect the realities understand how boring fairy tales would “the wicked,” even begins our prayers with book that does not include God’s name. The of its own Jewish authors in exile. be without the witch, and in Oz, Dorothy the words “mah tovu,” “How goodly.” Book of Esther also makes no references to 7. The Jewish calendar has a regular leap would have no one to resist surrendering to. At Chanukah, without the severe decrees the Temple, to prayer or to Jewish practices year with two months of Adar (but only one On Purim, Haman is the name we are of King Antiochus, we would not only such as kashrut. Purim, which falls during the second Adar). supposed to blot out, yet clearly his name be minus a dilemma in December, but a 4. Hamantashen might have been de- To ensure that the holidays remain in their remains written in our minds. Could it be holiday, too. signed to symbolize Haman’s hat – or his mandated seasons, the Jewish calendar that in our own life stories, we need someone The biblical anti-hero calls to us as well. ears or pockets. Or something a little more was ingeniously adjusted to accommodate to mix it up with in order to progress? Does In discussions about the Torah portion Kor- womanly. Some say these cookies represent the 11-day difference between the lunar that explain our fascination, even attraction, ach, which is named for the man who rebels Haman’s ears (the Hebrew name for them, and solar years. In the fourth century C.E., to villains? against the authority of Moses, I sometimes “oznei Haman,” means just this), and refer Hillel scheduled an extra month at the Pirkei Avot, “Ethics of the Fathers,” find it easy to take his side. Wasn’t he just to a custom of cutting off a criminal’s ears end of the biblical year, as necessary. The tells us that the “crown of a good name is a misunderstood nonconformist? before his execution. Another theory is biblical year begins in spring with Nissan superior to all.” So why do we seem so at And though I first heard the story of the that the three corners represent the three (Exodus 12: 1-2) and ends with Adar. Hillel, ease with those who wear a black hat – and golem as a child, I am still confused: Was patriarchs whose power weakened Haman in conjunction with the Sanhedrin (Jewish I don’t mean the haredim. Rabbi Judah Loew of Prague’s monster of and gave strength to Esther to save the Jews. supreme court), chose to repeat Adar (Adar We hate what Gordon Gecko of “Wall mud hero or villain? Or a little of both? Yet another theory: Because the German I and Adar II) every third, sixth, eighth, 11th, Street” stands for, but why do we know what The truth is that in villians we see a little word tasche means “pouch” or “pocket,” 14th, 17th and 19th year over a 19-year period. he had to say about greed? Is it that we like of ourselves. An idea in Jewish thought the cookies could signify Haman’s pockets 8. Purim is celebrated one day later inside to see the bad guy get his comeuppance, is that we are all born with both an evil and the money he offered the king for per- walled cities than it is everywhere else. The or do we just like seeing him coming up? inclination, “yetzer hara,” and a good one, mission to kill the Jews. Finally, in recent Book of Esther differentiates between Jews Either way, the series finale of “Breaking “yetzer hatov.” Does this internal duality years, some feminists have suggested the who lived and fought their enemies for two Bad,” featuring the high school chemistry connect us to Haman? Perhaps for the part cookies, which after all are not dissimilar days within the walled capital city of Shushan teacher turned methamphetamine dealing of our psyches that conjures up ways to in appearance to female reproductive parts, and those who lived in unwalled towns, where anti-hero Walter White, was watched by wipe out opposition before we consider were meant to be fertility symbols. only one day was needed to subdue the ene- more than 10 million viewers. how wrong it is. 5. In 1945, a group of American soldiers my. The rabbis determined we should make In sports, when our team’s archrival In terms of reconciling the villain inside, that same distinction when memorializing comes to town, we get tickets to watch thankfully most of us don’t have Darth the event. Accordingly, if a person lives in our heroes trounce the villains. But as Vader as a dad. But we do imagine, and a city that has been walled since the days of we boo when their stars come to the even know, what we look like in black. Joshua (circa 1250 B.C.E.), as Shushan was, plate, make a late hit or a flagrant foul, And on Purim, if you put a light saber in Purim is celebrated on the 15th of Adar, a day we hate them while at the same time our hands, even if it is a toy, we know that referred to as Shushan Purim. understanding that without those bums, somehow the force wouldn’t be any fun 9. Just after the 1991 Gulf War, Israel’s the fun would fade. without the bad. most popular Purim costume was of the In some of our favorite computer games, Edmon J. Rodman is a JTA columnist Israeli army spokesman whose face ap- like “Grand Theft Auto,” we can even act who writes on Jewish life from Los Angeles. peared on TV every time a Scud missile out the ways of the villain. Watching my Contact him at [email protected]. alert sounded – and people snacked on “Saddamtashen” instead of hamantashen. Spokesman Nachman Shai’s “reassuring tones earned him the sobriquet ‘National omen reater inhamton Valium’” while Israel was being pelted with Iraqi missiles, according to a JTA report at the unheon time. That year, while many costume-makers avoided the temptation to make Saddam “Women’s History Month Luncheon Hussein costumes (it would be like a Hitler costume, one vendor told JTA), bakeries & Scholarship Presentation” hawked “Saddamtashen,” which “look and In Partnership with omen n, usuehanna hater Queen Esther’s diet consisted largely of taste exactly like hamantashen.” legumes so that she would not break kashrut Julie Wiener is managing editor of My and ioa omen ead laws. (Photo by Wikimedia Commons) Jewish Learning. Featuring: Tracy Higginbotham, Martha Sauerbrey and Pam Pringle ost $30 inludes lunh, roram, insiration, networin Wednesday, March 22 • 11:30am - 2:30pm Pheasant Hill Country Club, Owego, New York RSVP to www.womenties.com or 315-708-4288 by March 20. This is a women only event.

ÊVisit us on the web at www.thereportergroup.org Page 10 - The Reporter March 10-16, 2017

Wishing the community a happy Purim

6:48 pm 6:48 ...... 11 March Saturday, ends Shabbat with a Jewish identity and experience. and identity Jewish a with SUNY Cortland, as well as the residents of local adult residences. adult local of residents the as well as Cortland, SUNY

5:46 pm 5:46 ...... candles light 10, March Friday, the Jewish experience in their lives and provide their children children their provide and lives their in experience Jewish the extends a warm welcome to the Jewish student population of of population student Jewish the to welcome warm a extends

from mixed religious backgrounds, who wish to strengthen strengthen to wish who backgrounds, religious mixed from Saturday morning siddur is “Gates of Prayer.” The community community The Prayer.” of “Gates is siddur morning Saturday 6:40 pm 6:40 ...... 4 March Saturday, ends Shabbat

KH welcomes all individuals and families, including those those including families, and individuals all welcomes KH

leader. The Friday night siddur is “Likrat Shabbat,” while the the while Shabbat,” “Likrat is siddur night Friday The leader. 5:38 pm 5:38 ...... candles light 3, March Friday,

children, and a bar and bat mitzvah program. program. mitzvah bat and bar a and children, observance and services are largely dependent on the service service the on dependent largely are services and observance

pot-lucks, adult education, a twice-monthly Cultural School for for School Cultural twice-monthly a education, adult pot-lucks, the greater Cortland community. Congregants span the gamut of of gamut the span Congregants community. Cortland greater the

the office for details. for office the

1999, it offers celebrations of Jewish holidays, monthly Shabbat Shabbat monthly holidays, Jewish of celebrations offers it 1999, Temple Brith Sholom is a small equalitarian congregation serving serving congregation equalitarian small a is Sholom Brith Temple

Essential Judaism classes offered in the fall and spring. Call Call spring. and fall the in offered classes Judaism Essential

congregations around the country. Established in the spring of of spring the in Established country. the around congregations Religious School: Students are educated on an individual basis. individual an on educated are Students School: Religious

Adult Ed.: Special classes and discussion groups held regularly. regularly. held groups discussion and classes Special Ed.: Adult

national association with over 30 member communities and and communities member 30 over with association national Contact the president to get on the e-mail list. e-mail the on get to president the Contact

grade b’nai mitzvah classes meet on Wednesday afternoons. Wednesday on meet classes mitzvah b’nai grade

and is affiliated with the Society for Humanistic Judaism, a a Judaism, Humanistic for Society the with affiliated is and are also held. Check the weekly e-mail for upcoming services. services. upcoming for e-mail weekly the Check held. also are

meet on Sunday mornings. Sixth-grade Hebrew and seventh- and Hebrew Sixth-grade mornings. Sunday on meet

of an international movement for Secular Humanistic Judaism Judaism Humanistic Secular for movement international an of at 10 am from Rosh Hashanah to Shavuot. Holiday services services Holiday Shavuot. to Hashanah Rosh from am 10 at

Religious School: Preschool through seventh-grade classes classes seventh-grade through Preschool School: Religious

and ethics within a secular, humanistic framework. KH is part part is KH framework. humanistic secular, a within ethics and Shabbat services: Either Friday evening at 7:30 pm or Saturday Saturday or pm 7:30 at evening Friday Either services: Shabbat

weekly schedules. weekly

together to explore and celebrate Jewish identity, history, culture culture history, identity, Jewish celebrate and explore to together Service leaders: Lay leadership Lay leaders: Service

services and Tot Shabbat once a month at 6:30 pm. Call for for Call pm. 6:30 at month a once Shabbat Tot and services

Judaism, is an Ithaca-based organization that brings people people brings that organization Ithaca-based an is Judaism, President: Glen Goldwyn, [email protected] Goldwyn, Glen President:

Services: Fridays at 7:30 pm unless otherwise noted. Family Family noted. otherwise unless pm 7:30 at Fridays Services:

Kol Haverim: The Finger Lakes Community for Humanistic Humanistic for Community Lakes Finger The Haverim: Kol Phone: 607-756-7181 Phone:

Religious School Director/Admin. Coordinator: Naomi Wilensky Naomi Coordinator: Director/Admin. School Religious

Chairman: Jonathan Joseph Jonathan Chairman: Address: P.O. Box 572, 117 Madison St., Cortland, NY 13045 NY Cortland, St., Madison 117 572, Box P.O. Address:

Rabbi: Brian Walt Brian Rabbi:

Website: www.kolhaverim.net Website: Affiliation: Unaffiliated Affiliation:

Presidents: Dorothy Debbie and Nina Cummings Nina and Debbie Dorothy Presidents:

E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: Temple Brith Sholom Brith Temple

E-mail: [email protected] E-mail:

Phone: 607-277-3345 Phone:

Website: www.tikkunvor.org Website:

Address: P.O. Box 4972, Ithaca, NY 14852-4972 NY Ithaca, 4972, Box P.O. Address:

Phone: 607-256-1471 Phone:

Maasim Tovim Foundation, call Chabad’s office at 797-0015. at office Chabad’s call Foundation, Tovim Maasim

Affiliation: Society for Humanistic Judaism Humanistic for Society Affiliation:

(corner of Triphammer and Burdick Hill), Lansing, NY Lansing, Hill), Burdick and Triphammer of (corner

for assistance through the Piaker Free Loan Society or Raff Raff or Society Loan Free Piaker the through assistance for

Kol Haverim Haverim Kol

Address: PO Box 3981, Ithaca, NY 14852; 2550 Triphammer Rd. Rd. Triphammer 2550 14852; NY Ithaca, 3981, Box PO Address: details concerning the Judaica shop and resource center, or or center, resource and shop Judaica the concerning details

Affiliation: Union for Reform Judaism Reform for Union Affiliation: education offerings or to arrange for a private tutorial, for for tutorial, private a for arrange to or offerings education

Congregation Tikkun v’Or Tikkun Congregation To join the mailing list, for up-to-date information on adult adult on information up-to-date for list, mailing the join To

dalet classes will hold services in the Rubinstein Chapel. Rubinstein the in services hold will classes dalet

weekly in their homes. homes. their in weekly

On Saturday, March 18, at 11:15 am, the gimel and and gimel the am, 11:15 at 18, March Saturday, On

with student volunteers who will visit participating youngsters youngsters participating visit will who volunteers student with more information and to confirm. to and information more

and Practice” as part of TBE’s adult ed. programming. ed. adult TBE’s of part as Practice” and

5-14, who have mental, physical and/or functional disabilities, disabilities, functional and/or physical mental, have who 5-14, Adult Ed.: Saturday morning study is held at 10 am. Call for for Call am. 10 at held is study morning Saturday Ed.: Adult

College, will discuss “The Role of Magic in Jewish Belief Belief Jewish in Magic of Role “The discuss will College, connects Jewish special-needs children and teenagers, ages ages teenagers, and children special-needs Jewish connects the Jewish community in the area. the in community Jewish the

associate professor and Jewish studies coordinator at Ithaca Ithaca at coordinator studies Jewish and professor associate Linking Hearts for youngsters with special needs: This program program This needs: special with youngsters for Hearts Linking Purpose: To maintain a Jewish identity and meet the needs of of needs the meet and identity Jewish a maintain To Purpose:

after candle-lighting time, Sundays 9:30 am. 9:30 Sundays time, candle-lighting after Contact: Guilia Greenberg, 373-5087 Greenberg, Guilia Contact: On Wednesday, March 15, at 7:30 pm, Rebecca Lesses, Lesses, Rebecca pm, 7:30 at 15, March Wednesday, On

Shabbat morning 9:30 am, Maariv and Havdalah one hour hour one Havdalah and Maariv am, 9:30 morning Shabbat Address: 72 South Broad St., Norwich, NY 13815 NY Norwich, St., Broad South 72 Address: The cost is $5 per person or $10 per family. per $10 or person per $5 is cost The

Regular service times: Daily 7:30 am, Friday evening 6 pm, pm, 6 evening Friday am, 7:30 Daily times: service Regular Rabbi: Dena Bodian Dena Rabbi:

Purim Carnival will be held at The Space at Greenstar. Greenstar. at Space The at held be will Carnival Purim

Phone: 722-3252 Phone:

Orientation: Inclusive Orientation:

On Sunday, March 12, from 2:30-5:30 pm, the Ithaca Ithaca the pm, 2:30-5:30 from 12, March Sunday, On

Address: 27 Bennet Ave., Binghamton, NY 13905 NY Binghamton, Ave., Bennet 27 Address: Norwich Jewish Center Jewish Norwich

bring tzedakah and a mishloach manot to share. to manot mishloach a and tzedakah bring Rabbi: Zalman Chein, E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: Chein, Zalman Rabbi:

those attending are encouraged to dress in costume, and and costume, in dress to encouraged are attending those Chabad on the West Side West the on Chabad

For the schedule of services, classes and events, see the website. the see events, and classes services, of schedule the For

Website: www.Chabadofbinghamton.com Website: rim eve megillah reading. A Purim reception will follow; follow; will reception Purim A reading. megillah eve rim

beginning Hebrew and Maimonides. and Hebrew beginning

Phone: 797-0015, Fax: 797-0095 Fax: 797-0015, Phone:

- Pu a be will there pm, 7:15 at 11, March Saturday, On

Rabbi Karp conducts services and holds classes in Torah, Torah, in classes holds and services conducts Karp Rabbi

Address: 420 Murray Hill Rd., Vestal, NY 13850 NY Vestal, Rd., Hill Murray 420 Address:

kindergarten through bar/bat mitzvah, meets Sunday mornings. mornings. Sunday meets mitzvah, bar/bat through kindergarten throughout the year. Call the temple office for more details. more for office temple the Call year. the throughout

Rabbi: Aaron Slonim, E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: Slonim, Aaron Rabbi:

Religious School/Education: Religious School, for grades grades for School, Religious School/Education: Religious courses and a variety of mini-courses and lectures are offered offered are lectures and mini-courses of variety a and courses

Affiliation: Chabad-Lubavitch Affiliation:

services and times and services Adult Ed.: Numerous weekly courses, several semester-long semester-long several courses, weekly Numerous Ed.: Adult

Rohr Chabad Center Chabad Rohr

Regular service times: visit the temple website for days of of days for website temple the visit times: service Regular will meet at times designated by their respective teachers. respective their by designated times at meet will

E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: pm. The Midrashah (eighth-grade and high school) classes classes school) high and (eighth-grade Midrashah The pm.

and surrounding communities. surrounding and

Website: www.templebetheloneonta.org Website: Sunday, 9 am-12:30 pm and Wednesday afternoons, 3:45-5:45 3:45-5:45 afternoons, Wednesday and pm am-12:30 9 Sunday,

including Waverly, NY; Sayre, Athens and Towanda, PA, PA, Towanda, and Athens Sayre, NY; Waverly, including

Phone: 607-432-5522 Phone: Religious School/Education: September-May: Classes meet on on meet Classes September-May: School/Education: Religious

Tier of New York and the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, of Tier Northern the and York New of Tier

Mailing address: P.O. Box 383, Oneonta, NY 13820 NY Oneonta, 383, Box P.O. address: Mailing announced.

cultural, educational and social activities in the Southern Southern the in activities social and educational cultural,

Address: 83 Chestnut St., Oneonta, NY 13820 NY Oneonta, St., Chestnut 83 Address: Services: Friday 8 pm; Saturday 10 am, unless otherwise otherwise unless am, 10 Saturday pm; 8 Friday Services:

Purpose: To promote Jewish identity through religious, religious, through identity Jewish promote To Purpose:

Rabbi: Molly Karp Molly Rabbi: Administrative Assistant: Jane Griffith Jane Assistant: Administrative

B’nai B’rith: William H. Seigel Lodge Seigel H. William B’rith: B’nai

Affiliation: United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Conservative of Synagogue United Affiliation: Director of Education: Rabbi Suzanne Brody Suzanne Rabbi Education: of Director

570-265-3869

Temple Beth El of Oneonta of El Beth Temple Sisterhood Co-presidents: Elizabeth Hess and Esther Racoosin Esther and Hess Elizabeth Co-presidents: Sisterhood

President and Treasurer-Secretary: Harvey Chernosky, Chernosky, Harvey Treasurer-Secretary: and President

Co-presidents: Jerry Dietz and Richard Wallace Richard and Dietz Jerry Co-presidents:

Penn-York Jewish Community Jewish Penn-York

Website: www.tbeithaca.org Website:

Goldman-Wartell and Jeff Strosberg. Jeff and Goldman-Wartell

E-mail: [email protected] and [email protected] and [email protected] E-mail:

be Family Shabbat morning services with Rabbi Barbara Barbara Rabbi with services morning Shabbat Family be

Phone: 273-5775 Phone:

luncheon and the talk that follows. (See article on page 3.) page on article (See follows. that talk the and luncheon

conflict narratives in the Bible. At 10:35 am, there will there am, 10:35 At Bible. the in narratives conflict

streets), Ithaca, NY 14850-4292 NY Ithaca, streets),

community has been invited to attend services, the free free the services, attend to invited been has community

gious School. At 9:15 am, there will be Torah study on on study Torah be will there am, 9:15 At School. gious Address: 402 North Tioga St. (the corner of Court and Tioga Tioga and Court of corner (the St. Tioga North 402 Address:

from its beginning to the present day. Everyone in the the in Everyone day. present the to beginning its from - On Saturday, March 18, at 9 am, there will be Reli be will there am, 9 at 18, March Saturday, On Rabbi: Scott L. Glass L. Scott Rabbi:

the Great White Way.” He will explore Jewish comedy comedy Jewish explore will He Way.” White Great the Affiliation: United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Conservative of Synagogue United Affiliation: Shari Neuberger. Shari

Temple Beth-El of Ithaca of Beth-El Temple Philip Cali, who will speak on “From the Borscht Belt to to Belt Borscht the “From on speak will who Cali, Philip evening services with Rabbi Barbara Goldman-Wartell and and Goldman-Wartell Barbara Rabbi with services evening

be the next Shabbat luncheon. It will feature guest speaker speaker guest feature will It luncheon. Shabbat next the be On Friday, March 17, at 8 pm, there will be Shabbat Shabbat be will there pm, 8 at 17, March Friday, On

terhood meeting. terhood On Saturday, March 25, following services, there will will there services, following 25, March Saturday, On tion class. tion

- Sis a be will there pm, 7 at 21, March Tuesday, On every Tuesday evening after services. after evening Tuesday every - Confirma be will there pm, 2 at 12, March Sunday, On

Brunch will be served. be will Brunch

Classes: Rabbi Zev Silber will hold his weekly Talmud class class Talmud weekly his hold will Silber Zev Rabbi Classes: will be “Bing Bang Theory” Purim Spiel. Purim Theory” Bang “Bing be will

6:55 pm 6:55 ...... 13-16 March Mon.-Thurs. “The Shema and its blessings: Where does it fit in?” in?” fit it does Where blessings: its and Shema “The

reading. All will be welcome to attend. At 7:30 pm, there there pm, 7:30 At attend. to welcome be will All reading.

3 pm 3 ...... Sun., March 12 March Sun.,

The subject in the series of “Why Pray? Part 2” will be be will 2” Part Pray? “Why of series the in subject The

At 6:15 pm, there will be Purim services and a megillah megillah a and services Purim be will there pm, 6:15 At

Evenings:

a learning session with Interim Rabbi Geoffrey Brown. Brown. Geoffrey Rabbi Interim with session learning a

pm, there will be a Purim dinner for those with reservations. reservations. with those for dinner Purim a be will there pm,

7 am 7 ...... 13-17 March Mon-Fri.,

On Sunday, March 12, from 10 am-noon, there will be be will there am-noon, 10 from 12, March Sunday, On

and carnival. At 9:30 am, there will be Tot Time. At 5:30 5:30 At Time. Tot be will there am, 9:30 At carnival. and 8:30 am 8:30 ...... Sun., March 12 March Sun.,

be I Samuel 15:2-34. Bima guest will be Phyllis Heller. Phyllis be will guest Bima 15:2-34. Samuel I be Mornings: man-Wartell and Jason Flatt, featuring a Purim celebration celebration Purim a featuring Flatt, Jason and man-Wartell

portion will be Exodus 27:20-30:10. The haftarah will will haftarah The 27:20-30:10. Exodus be will portion

Weekday Services: Weekday - Gold Barbara Rabbi with services Shabbat School gious

Mincha/Maariv 7:10 pm 7:10 Mincha/Maariv ......

services led by Interim Rabbi Geoffrey Brown. The Torah Torah The Brown. Geoffrey Rabbi Interim by led services

- On Saturday, March 11, at 9:15 am, there will be Reli be will there am, 9:15 at 11, March Saturday, On

9 am 9 ...... 11 March Shabbat, On Saturday, March 11, at 9:30 am, there will be Shabbat Shabbat be will there am, 9:30 at 11, March Saturday, On

with Rabbi Barbara Goldman-Wartell. Barbara Rabbi with

5:50 pm 5:50 Friday, March 10 March Friday, ......

31-April 2, April 14-16, May 5-7 and May 19-21. May and 5-7 May 14-16, April 2, 31-April

Friday, March 10, at 8 pm, there will be Shabbat services services Shabbat be will there pm, 8 at 10, March Friday,

Shabbat Services: Shabbat

the weekends of March 10-12, March 24-26, March March 24-26, March 10-12, March of weekends the

religious school is in session. in is school religious Website: www.bethdavid.org Website:

Interim Rabbi Geoffrey Brown will be at the temple temple the at be will Brown Geoffrey Rabbi Interim Regular service times: Friday, 8 pm; Saturday, 10:35 am, when when am, 10:35 Saturday, pm; 8 Friday, times: service Regular Rabbi’s e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: Rabbi’s

Service Schedule: Friday, 5:30 pm; Saturday, 9:30 am. 9:30 Saturday, pm; 5:30 Friday, Schedule: Service Website: www.templeconcord.com Website: Beth David e-mail address: [email protected] address: e-mail David Beth

Website: www.templeisraelvestal.org Website: Office e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: Office pm; Thurs. 9 am-1 pm; Fri. closed Fri. pm; am-1 9 Thurs. pm;

E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: Fax: 723-0785 Fax: Office hours: Mon. closed; Tues. 9 am-1 pm; Wed. 9 am-1 am-1 9 Wed. pm; am-1 9 Tues. closed; Mon. hours: Office

Office hours: Mon.-Thurs. 8:30 am-4 pm; Fri. 8 am-3 pm. am-3 8 Fri. pm; am-4 8:30 Mon.-Thurs. hours: Office Phone: 723-7355 Phone: Fax: 607-722-7121 Fax:

Phone: 723-7461 and 231-3746 and 723-7461 Phone: Office hours: Tues.-Fri., 10 am-2 pm am-2 10 Tues.-Fri., hours: Office Phone: 607-722-1793, Rabbi’s Office: 607-722-7514 Office: Rabbi’s 607-722-1793, Phone:

Address: 4737 Deerfield Pl., Vestal, NY 13850 NY Vestal, Pl., Deerfield 4737 Address: Address: 9 Riverside Dr., Binghamton, NY 13905 NY Binghamton, Dr., Riverside 9 Address: Address: 39 Riverside Dr., Binghamton, NY 13905 NY Binghamton, Dr., Riverside 39 Address:

Interim Rabbi: Geoffrey Brown Geoffrey Rabbi: Interim Rabbi: Barbara Goldman-Wartell Barbara Rabbi: Rabbi: Zev Silber Zev Rabbi:

Orientation: Conservative Orientation: Union for Reform Judaism Reform for Union Affiliation: Orthodox Union Orthodox Affiliation:

Temple Israel Temple Temple Concord Temple Beth David Synagogue David Beth

Congregational Notes Congregational

See “Scenes” on page 11 page on “Scenes” See For example, the very first sentence of the Torah portion, portion, Torah the of sentence first very the example, For surface, what is behind the scenes, what is unsaid, that the the that unsaid, is what scenes, the behind is what surface,

you would expect God’s name to be mentioned, it isn’t. In In isn’t. it mentioned, be to name God’s expect would you is deliberate. is town by Haman. But it is precisely in what is below the the below is what in precisely is it But Haman. by town

Similarly, in the Book of Esther, every place where where place every Esther, of Book the in Similarly, seem to indicate that the absence of the name in question question in name the of absence the that indicate to seem Mordechai dressed in the king’s clothes as he is led around around led is he as clothes king’s the in dressed Mordechai

is not mentioned. not is God isn’t mentioned. In both cases, certain odd phrasings phrasings odd certain cases, both In mentioned. isn’t God Esther donning queenly garments to influence the king, or or king, the influence to garments queenly donning Esther

text were saying, “look here” – notice how Moses’ name name Moses’ how notice – here” “look saying, were text on if you accept certain emendations – where the name of of name the where – emendations certain accept you if on clothing is portrayed as costume for a role, whether that of of that whether role, a for costume as portrayed is clothing

doubling seems to be trying to catch our attention, as if the the if as attention, our catch to trying be to seems doubling books of the Bible – or indeed the only one, depending depending one, only the indeed or – Bible the of books are described in loving detail. In the Book of Esther, Esther, of Book the In detail. loving in described are

to say “you,” or even “you, Moses.” The thrice-repeated thrice-repeated The Moses.” “you, even or “you,” say to mentioned by name. Similarly, Esther is one of only two two only of one is Esther Similarly, name. by mentioned people wear. In Tetzaveh, the garments of the high priest priest high the of garments the Tetzaveh, In wear. people

sentences (28:1 and 28:3). It would have been simpler just just simpler been have would It 28:3). and (28:1 sentences at the end of the Book of Deuteronomy, where Moses isn’t isn’t Moses where Deuteronomy, of Book the of end the at holidays besides a superficial focus in both about what what about both in focus superficial a besides holidays

noun formula is repeated two more times in the next four four next the in times more two repeated is formula noun birth at the beginning of the Book of Exodus until his death death his until Exodus of Book the of beginning the at birth little or no connection with this most raucous of Jewish Jewish of raucous most this with connection no or little

- command the children of Israel.” This odd double-pro odd This Israel.” of children the command Tetzaveh is the only portion of the Torah, from Moses’ Moses’ from Torah, the of portion only the is Tetzaveh comes right before Purim. At first, it would seem to have have to seem would it first, At Purim. before right comes

Exodus 27:20, literally reads, “And you, yourself, shall shall yourself, you, “And reads, literally 27:20, Exodus true connection can be found. be can connection true This week’s Torah portion, Tetzaveh, almost always always almost Tetzaveh, portion, Torah week’s This

RABBI DANIEL J. SWARTZ, TEMPLE HESED, SCRANTON HESED, TEMPLE SWARTZ, J. DANIEL RABBI Tetzaveh (Shabbat Zachor), Exodus 27:20-30:10 Exodus Zachor), (Shabbat Tetzaveh

Behind the scenes the Behind Weekly Parasha Weekly March 10-16, 2017 Page 11 - The Reporter Jewish Community Center JCC Fitness Department open house on March 12 The Jewish Community Center of Binghamton’s Fitness The event will feature a variety of exercise classes in Department will host an open house with fitness and aquatic the fitness center, weight room, swimming pool, exercise instructors on Sunday, March 12, from noon-5 pm, at the loft and gymnasium. Participants will have an opportunity JCC, 500 Clubhouse Rd., Vestal. The open house will be to sample group fitness classes, from Kettlebell to PiYo, free to members and non-members. as well as personal training demonstrations. JCC representatives called the Fitness Center “a wel- coming, unintimidating environment where anybody can work out at their own pace, with no pressure.” Health Club amenities – such as steam rooms, saunas, lockers, changing areas and showers – are available and will be open to visitors on March 12. In the full-sized, heated pool, there will be water vol- leyball, an exercise class for the Silver Sneakers crowd and swim lesson demonstrations for preschool students ages 3-5 and youth ages 6-16. Once the swim classes end, there will be almost two hours of free, open pool time for the community. “Winter is almost over and now’s the time to work on Classes offered at the JCC your health and wellness goals,” noted organizers of the include Kettlebell with Jan Carol Hawley, a JCC fitness Swim lesson demonstrations and Community Open Swim open house. “Take advantage of this opportunity to see what DeAngelo, JCC health and instructor, teaches classes at will be held in the full-sized heated pool. the Jewish Community Center of Binghamton can offer.” fitness coordinator. the fitness center. Ladies Vera Bradley Bingo at the JCC on March 26 The community has been invited to participate in Vera will be available for purchase. The first 20 people to pre-register Bradley Bingo games on Sunday, March 26, at 1 pm, at will be entered into a drawing to win an additional prize. the Jewish Community Center, 500 Clubhouse Rd., Vestal. “We wanted to put together an event that would be fun The cost will be $10 per bingo card. A total of 15 games and women could win good quality products while helping will be played. to support the Early Childhood Center,” said Nikki Fuller, The event will be open to the entire community and will ECC co-assistant director at the JCC. offer many chances to win door prizes such as massages, Vera To register, contact Fuller at 724-2417, ext. 431, or at Bradley products, beauty products and more. Light refreshments [email protected]. Music that made the movie memorable Riachard Knox will present “Sight and Sound” on Thurs- with music composers to make Community members played bingo at an earlier Ladies day, March 23, at 2 pm, at the Jewish Community Center, 500 audiences laugh and cry, or to add Vera Bradley Bingo event. Clubhouse Rd., Vestal. Due to donations by fans of Knox, the elements of fear or suspense the lecture will be free and open to the public. Seating will while creating some of the most be limited, and registration has been requested by noon on memorable motion pictures in the JCC Friendship Club Monday, March 20, by calling the JCC at 724-2417. history of Hollywood. With “Sight and Sound: Integration of Film Montage According to organizers of the and Music,” Knox will make a third appearance at the JCC. program, having music accompany The JCC Friendship Club met on March 1 and heard Deb He will examine how directors such as Steven Spielberg, motion pictures has been a tradition Foreman play the piano. Some of the pieces played were Alfred Hitchcock, David Lean and William Wyler teamed in Hollywood that goes back to the “Climb Every Mountain,” “Till Then,” “Fools Rush In” silent film era, when pianos and or- Richard Knox and “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” She said that she gans were commonplace in theaters. didn’t mind if we talked while she played. Morty Hofstein Scenes Continued from page 10 Movie directors, working closely with composers, have announced that he became a New York City police officer Chapter 4, first Mordechai, then all the Jews, don sackcloth continually attempted to enhance the audience involvement or, as he said, “a cop,” on this day 50 years ago. After 20 and ashes, fast and cry out – but it doesn’t say to whom they and enjoyment of their films by adding musical scores and years, he retired and I remember the store he opened at cry out. In the Book of Jonah, even the people of Nineveh, specific motifs that help identify particular characters or add the JCC. He and his wife sold kosher food such as kugels who aren’t Jews, know to cry out to God when they fast an atmospheric tone to certain scenes. With the passage of and sandwiches. The rye bread was delicious. He said it and don sackcloth and ashes. But in Esther, strangely and time, many of these film scores are now considered “iconic.” was open for three years. I wish we had a place like that noticeably, God isn’t mentioned. Knox’s presentations are interactive, engaging the audi- now. Nobody makes a pastrami on rye sandwich like a What is the meaning behind these very obvious omis- ence with questions and answers, comments and personal good kosher restaurant. sions? In the Book of Esther, the answer, like much of the experiences. Sylvia Diamond remembered that she graduated from book, isn’t so subtle. As Dr. Lisa D. Grant of the Hebrew Following retirement after 38 years as a school teacher and Kings County Hospital School of Nursing in March 1953. Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion writes, “In a administrator, Knox began to develop a series of multimedia There are no more hospital schools to become a registered typical Purim twist, the biblical text also reinforces the presentations inspired by his fascination with the performing nurse. Now you have to go to college to achieve it. “presence of God’s absence by pointing out the conse- arts. His program subjects include Broadway musicals, film, The meeting was called to order by Sylvia. Morty gave quences of the absence of God’s presence,” emphasis in opera, 20th century songwriters and vocalists, and radio and the treasurer’s report after the Pledge of Allegiance. We the original. In other words, the debauchery depicted in the television programs of the “Golden Age.” At previous JCC were pleased to have Walter Selan join us. We hope that king’s court, as well as the violence promoted by Haman, appearances, Knox entertained with the subjects “An Alfred he will join us again. Robin Greenblatt, a pharmacist at are symbolic of what happens when we shut out God and Hitchcock Retrospective” and “Lullaby of Broadway.” Wegmans, will speak with us on Wednesday, March 16. seek the material instead of the holy. In a 2015 interview, Newsday reported, “Knox is a fa- She will talk about immunizations for older people and But there is no such debauchery in Tetzaveh. Even on vorite speaker at Long Island University’s Hutton House review our medications, as well as answer questions. Come the quite literally superficial level of clothing, the finery lectures, said director Kay Sato. ‘You can tell that he join us at 1:30 pm at the Jewish Community Center, 500 depicted in our Torah portion is dedicated solely for holy enjoys the challenge of teaching our population of savvy Clubhouse Rd., Vestal. purposes, quite a contrast to the scenes in the palace and adults, with whom his discussions make each presentation Sylvia Diamond the harem in Shushan. So why “hide” Moses’ name? even more rich.’” In that interview, Knox talked about the President I think it is because it is natural for people to confuse development of this passion, saying, “As I got older and the trappings of power – such as the garments of the high my taste in films grew a bit more sophisticated, I began to priest – with the purpose of power. By hiding Moses’ name, study the behind-the-scenes elements that made some films Hopler & Eschbach Happy Chanukah from yet making his behind-the-scenes presence felt throughout stand above the rest, whether it was a creative director, the entire portion, we are reminded that what makes Moses outstanding musical score or innovative cinematography.” Funeral Home Hopler & Eschbach so important is not his title or garment or anything exter- Knox has lectured at dozens of libraries, colleges, nal. It is how he acts, who he serves and what his soul is community centers and other public and private venues “A new family tradition” Funeral Home like that are the key. Moses isn’t significant because he is throughout Brooklyn and Long Island. “A new family tradition” leading the people; rather, he is leading the people because Personal Service Professionalism Personal Service he knows what is truly significant. We would be wise, in Moving any time soon? Professionalism the present political climate, to keep this in mind. Or just leaving town for a few months? Experience You Can Trust And with Moses behind-the-scenes in this portion, Experience You Can Trust Whether you’re moving across town or paired with God behind-the-scenes in the Book of Esther, COMPARE OUR PRICES COMPARE OUR PRICES across the country, please let The Reporter We charge far less than other area funeral homes we are doubly reminded that what is most apparent is not know so you can stay up to date on com- We charge far less than other area funeral homes what’s most important. True, Tetzaveh goes into great depth munity news and quickly receive the paper Kurt M. Eschbach, Funeral Director about what the high priest wears. But the emphasis of the at your new (or temporary) address! Kurt M. Eschbach, Funeral Director Torah as a whole is on how we, a kingdom of priests, are E-mail [email protected] with “Reporter 483 Chenango Street Binghamton 483 Chenango Street Binghamton called not to look holy but to be holy. Then, no matter how Address change” in the subject line, or call 607-722-4023 607-722-4023 behind the scenes it might be, we will be able to feel God’s 607-724-2360, ext. 254, to let The Reporter www.HEfuneralhome.com www.HEfuneralhome.com presence in our lives. know about your new address. ÊVisit us on the web at www.thereportergroup.org

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 12 - The Reporter March 10-16, 2017 NEWS IN BRIEF

From JTA thing. It’s aimed mainly at organizations that work against Rabbi Jill Jacobs, who directs T’ruah, a rabbinical human Knesset bans entry to foreigners calling Israel,” Folkman said, according to Haaretz. The Interior rights group, said a broad swath of U.S. Jewish groups Ministry will be able to make exceptions to the law, and could face a ban for speaking out against settlements, or for boycotts of Israel foreigners with residency permits will not be affected, ac- even for snubbing them. “Does it mean an organization like Israel enacted a law banning entry to foreigners who cording to the Times of Israel. U.S. left-wing Jewish groups the Jewish Federations of North America, that has a policy publicly call for boycotting the Jewish state or its settlements. condemned the ban. J Street, the liberal Middle East policy of not taking its groups across the Green Line, is barred The Knesset passed the law by a vote of 46-28 on March 6, group, said the ban was counterproductive. “This bill is the from coming into Israel?” she said. “Is an organization like the Israeli daily Haaretz reported. The ban applies to any latest piece of Israeli legislation to undermine Israel’s own mine, that called on the Jewish National Fund not to invest foreigner “who knowingly issues a public call for boycotting democratic principles and its international standing,” the in settlements, on the list?” The week of March 3, Israel Israel that, given the content of the call and the circumstances group said in a statement it excerpted on Twitter. “Passage denied a tourist visa to an American employee of Human in which it was issued, has a reasonable possibility of leading of this legislation sends a message to the Israeli public and Rights Watch days after denying his application for a work to the imposition of a boycott – if the issuer was aware of to the world, that as far as the Israeli political establishment visa, citing the organization’s alleged anti-Israel bias. In this possibility.” It includes those who urge boycotting areas is concerned, legitimate political expression is verboten,” explaining the visa denial, the Israeli government said the under Israeli control, such as the West Bank settlements. The said Debra DeLee, the president of Americans for Peace group’s “public actions and reports have focused on politics measure was meant to target groups, rather than individuals, Now. “Such a message will further quash dissent inside in service of Palestinian propaganda while falsely raising the according to Roy Folkman, a lawmaker from the Kulanu Israel and will further portray Israel as a state that betrays banner of ‘human rights.’” Iain Levine, the program director party. “It doesn’t cover any individual who ever said some- the democratic principles upon which it was established.” for Human Rights Watch, said it was “deeply troubling that Israeli officials, despite promises to the contrary, have denied Human Rights Watch’s country director a visa to enter Israel. ...Blocking access for human rights workers impedes our ability to document abuses by all sides and to engage the Israeli and Palestinian authorities and partners to improve the human rights situation for all,” he said. Cuomo at Yad Vashem: “No tolerance” for acts of antisemitism “There will be no tolerance for these acts of antisemi- tism,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said during a March Gary Riley 5 weekend visit to Israel. “We must live by the rules that an PLUMBING abuse to one, an affront to one, is an affront to all, and that large fires start as small fires, and we will have zero tolerance I’ll drive you or & HEATING for any abuse or discrimination of any fellow human being,” We Also Do Natural Gas Conversions & All Plumbing Work Cuomo said on March 5 during a visit to the Yad Vashem I’ll deliver your vehicle near or far, Free Estimates • Fully Insured • Residential & Commercial We Install, Service & Repair... Holocaust memorial with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin. pets welcome! Furnaces • Air Conditioners “In the United States now we have had a rash of antisem- Water Heaters • Gas Fireplaces itism, over 100 acts of antisemitism, and I am sad to say References Available SERVING BROOME & TIOGA COUNTIES also in my state, the state of New York. It is disgusting, it is 607-760-0530 reprehensible, it violates every tenet of the New York state [email protected] [email protected] 754-6376 tradition.” Cuomo continued: “This trip has two purposes; number one, while some would weaken the relationship between the people of the state of New York and our Jewish Need Help brothers and sisters, the purpose of this trip is to strengthen those relationships through cultural exchange, through eco- Selling Your Stuff? nomic development partnerships, and we’ll be working on them. The second purpose of this trip is ‘Hineini,’ I am here, Experienced and insured local seller with I have been here before and I will be here again.” Cuomo years of experience pricing and selling online, last visited Israel in the wake of the 2014 Gaza War, also on at auction and regional flea markets will assist in a whirlwind 24-hour trip. Rivlin thanked Cuomo for his visit getting the most money for your junk or treasures. and said, “Your arrival to Israel at this time is an extremely Confidential, discrete, reasonable & affordable. important signal that the U.S. people and government will I don’t get paid until you do! not let antisemitism win. On behalf of the state of Israel, I Call (607) 699-9004 ask for Jonathan would like to express our appreciation for your visit and for No Shabbos Calls Please the clear and powerful message you have sent.” Cuomo was scheduled to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later on March 5. The visit also was meant to bolster economic your ad could be here! CARTOON ties between Israel and New York state. For information on advertising, please contact Bonnie Rozen CARICATURES Israel upsets South Korea in first game A memorable gift, at 724-2360, ext. 244 or [email protected] accepting commissions, of World Baseball Classic Team Israel defeated Korea in the first game of the World Baseball Classic. Israel topped South Korea 2-1 in the 10th Johnson City Senior Center inning on March 6 in Seoul. Team Israel had 8 hits to South 30 Brocton Street Korea’s 7 in the hard-fought game. The Israeli team was Raw Local Honey Varieties Johnson City New York 13790 scheduled to play the team from Chinese Taipei later on Spring • Summer • Fall Text/Voice: 607.427.0186 March 6 and The Netherlands on March 8. This is the first Propolis, Pollen, Beeswax candles year that the Israeli team has qualified for the quadrennial Try a sample at the Or Amazing baseball tournament, in which 16 countries are represented. Binghamton Regional Meets the 1st Wednesday of the Month Live Entertainment Farmers Market, In 2012, Israel’s inaugural WBC team narrowly missed 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. 840 Upper Front Street At Your Event! making the tournament. The game marks the first time that 9-1 Saturdays all winter [email protected] Russ The BIG Guy is honored American Jewish baseball players, including several current bcregionalmkt.com to help you celebrate your www.hearinglossofbinghamton.org suegaringhoney.com special day by drawing the and former Major League Baseball players, are representing 607-775-5041 Education • Advocacy • Support WORLD'S ONLY Israel in a world championship. World Baseball Classic personalized & attering rules state that players who are eligible for citizenship of a CARTOONICATURE of country may play on that country’s team. Israel is the only Please support our you, your friends and family! participant in this year’s tournament not currently among HANDYMAN advertisers... More info at the top 20 in the world rankings. Israel is ranked 41st in tell them you saw RussTheBIGGuy.com the world. The game was not broadcast on any of Israel’s 4 SENIORS, INC. their ad and on Facebook. major television channels or sports channels. Ten current All your home here in Voice or text: 607-725-5704 and former Jewish major leaguers representing Israel in maintenance and Published by the Jewish Federation of noon 'til Midnight, 7 days! repairs, along with Greater Binghamton the World Baseball Classic visited Israel in December. in-home care services. In an article published on March 5, ESPN described the COOK’S TREE SERVICE Israeli team as “the Jamaican bobsled team of the WBC.” These care services RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL include but are not Conservative shuls pass resolution limited to: allowing non-Jews as members • Bath Assistance Fully Insured The umbrella body for Conservative synagogues ap- Free • Meal Prep Estimates proved a resolution to allow individual congregations to • Cleaning Our 48th Year decide whether to grant membership to non-Jews. The • Shopping, etc. resolution was passed on March 1 during a special meeting John Jacoby M.C. NEW YORK CHAPTER of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism General CERTIFIED Assembly held over the Internet with electronic voting. The Valerie Jacoby C.N.A. ISA ARBORIST (Licensed & Insured) measure passed overwhelmingly by a vote of 94-8 with one abstention. According to a statement from the USCJ, 888-540-0320 Professionals In All Phases Of: 15 members did not vote. The proposed resolution grew www.handyman4seniors.com · Tree Care · Tree Stump Removal · Trimming Trees Shrubs & Tall Hedges out of a commission set up last March to explore ways to · Tree Insect & Disease Identification & Treatment engage intermarried couples. The Conservative movement WWW.COOKSTREESERVICE.NET prohibits its rabbis from marrying or attending the wed- 607-748-2347 ding ceremonies of interfaith couples, though some of its 4 Pumphouse Rd Vestal, N.Y. synagogues celebrate intermarriages before they occur and welcome the couples afterward.