Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage E PAID Norwich, CT 06360 Permit #329 TH RETURN TO: 28 Channing St., New London, CT 06320 Serving The Jewish Communities of Eastern Connecticut & Western R.I. CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED VOL. XLII NO. 14 PUBLISHED BI-WEEKLY WWW.JEWISHLEADERWEBPAPER.COM JULY 29, 2016/23 TAMMUZ 5776 NEXT DEADLINE AUG. 5, 2016 16 PAGES

HOW TO REACH US - BY PHONE 860-442-8062 • BY FAX 860-443-4175 • BY EMAIL [email protected] • BY MAIL: 28 CHANNING STREET, NEW LONDON, CT 06320 Operation Cool Down

The Jewish Federation of Eastern CT’s Operation Cool Down program has concluded another successful season – from June 16 through July 22, 2016. During that time the Federation gave out 24 new air conditioners (ACs) and four Please check out our special pull out section gently used, donated ACs. The Federation could not on the life of Elie Wiesel (pages 7-10) do this program without the support and generosity of area businesses, agencies and other Pres. Rivlin calls for l-r: 2013-14 Emissaries Bar Halgoa and May Abudrham met up non-profits. SupportersCore of Plus this with eastern CT’s 2016-17 Emissaries Tal Gilboa and Guy Carmi. Federalyear’s Operation Credit Union; Cool Down Chel- unity after killings seaprogram Groton include Bank, Lawrence By Edgar Asher, Ashernet + Memorial Hospital, Tal & Guy on their way here the Norwich Rotary Founda- By Marcia Reinhard, Assistant Director tion. and- - Following the terror attack in the Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray church in Northern France on Tuesday, July 26, Israeli President Their combined generos As we are heading into the last week of July, I am busy prepar Reuven Rivlin reiterated his call for international unity in the- ity allowed us to purchase an ing for the arrival of our new Young Israeli Emissaries at the end- face of the threat of terrorism and religious hatred. “This attack initial installment of 15 AC’s of August. There is still much to be done; finding host families, shows the true face of the brutal nature and horror of terror followed by an additional nine talking with Tal and Guy on What’s App and Facebook, answer- ism. This is an attack by radical extremists, terrorists, who have ACs when additional funding ing their many questions, preparing their schedule at religious struck at the very symbol of peace and murdered in cold blood in Lowe’swas received. Home Improvement schools, Solomon Schechter, the synagogues and even begin a house of God, while they pretend to speak in His name.” Once the management at ning to book Rotary Clubs and schools. Of course, let’s not forget “The whole free world must understand that our values are posting their new video that by now, hopefully, many of you have under attack,” the President stressed. “We must fight to defend in Waterford found out what seen on my Facebook page and the JFEC page. Please check it them, lest we be overtaken by waves of intolerance and hatred. we were trying to accomplish- out!! It looks like we are getting two “cracker jacks” again! This Israel stands side by side with the people of France, and we send with our Operation Cool Down- video shows their many talents in just under 1 minute and 17 our thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families.” program, they gave us a gener- seconds! - The President was speaking following his meeting at the ous discount off the ACs we or A few weeks ago, Bar Halgoa and May Abudraham, our YEs Presidential Residence with Father Francesco Patton, who was dered and included free ship from 2013-14, went to the JAFI Seminar (Jewish Agency for Is recently appointed as the Franciscan Custos (Custodian) of the ping from their store to our rael) where this year’s Young Emissaries were training. They Holy Land. - office on Channing Street; not spoke with the entire group about the upcoming year, giving President Rivlin told Father Patton, “The whole world must once but twice. - them strategies and energizing them withTal their Gilboa positive and “canGuy stand up and fight to bring to an end the terrible winds of fun The program provides room Carmi.do” attitudes. Following their presentation to the group, they damentalism of those who believe that they have a right to harm air conditioners for individu met with our incoming Young Emissaries, or even kill those who do not have the same beliefs as them. It als medically at risk with low In the short time the four of them were together, May and is our duty, each and every one of us, fromRIVLIN every CONT. nation, ON everyPG 13 incomes. In order to receive Bar told Tal and Guy as much as they could about the warm and religion, and every human being to oppose this.” an air conditioner, the at-risk wonderful community they would becoming a part of and even individualCOOL must CONT. complete ON PG an13 found time to take a picture together. Fasten your seatbelts, Eastern CT! They will be here before General Assemblywe know it and Nov.13-15 I’m sure we are in for anotherthis fabulousyear ride!

- Each year, the Jewish Federations of The GA is a unique conference with North America host the premier leader- fantastic speakers, excellent sessions and ship experience for Federation volunteer- plenty of time for networking, the GA is leaders and professionals and those en sure to send you home with great ideas gaged in the business of JewishSunday, philan and renewed energy! Novemberthropy: the 13-Tuesday, General Assembly November (GA). 15 This at Keep an eye outLeader, for information about Theyear’s Washington GA will take Hilton place in from our nation’s pre-and-post-GA programming in future Israeli President Reuven Rivlin welcoming the new ‘Franciscan Cus- capital. editions of the the Federation’s todian of the Holy Land’, Father Francesco Patton. website (JFEC.COM) and its Facebook page. 2 THE JEWISH LEADER, JULY 29, 2016 emy Son of Scott and Amy Camassar; Annie Mention & Menschen Haroun—Staples High School Granddaughter of Joseph & Sara Haroun; Daniel Haroun— NADINE LIPMAN Penn University Grandson of Joseph & Sara [email protected] Haroun Evan Hyde— Syracuse University Son of Welcome to the World: Wes and Ellen Hyde Grandson of Seymour and Linda Adelman; Ashley Lorinsky — Abigail Dorothy Levy Brandeis University Daughter of Lorin and Sue Abigail Dorothy Levy was born to Rachel Lorinsky; Austin Radin—Western New Eng- Smith-Levy and Shay Levy and on July 8. She land University Grandson of Sondra Radin weighed 6 pounds 4 ounces and was 18 inches Jordan P Radin — University of South Caro- long. Grandma and grandpa are Barry and Su- lina Grandson of Sondra Radin san Smith of Queens, NY; Susan is the former Aaron Rosenberg, as Rabbi of Temple Susan Markowitz, daughter of the late Doro- Emanu-El in Waterford, was really good about thy Markowitz, who most of you will remem- passing on his congregation’s simchas and na- chas to me for publication (hint, hint to ALL Emanu-El Sisterhood for many years. Rachel is a diplomat in the For- the other rabbis out there reading this column!) bereign worked Service incurrently the Congregation serving for Beth3 years El atoffice the Well, now it’s his turn... From Aaron’s Facebook Book Club visits Harlem American Embassy in Amman, Jordan. She is page, “Went down to Sailfest in New London. By Karen Rosenberg, Special to the Leader in New York staying at her parents’ house for Did 25 chin-ups on the Air Force bar. Won some Inspired by “Yes, Chef” (The Autobiography of Marcus Samu- 4 months of maternity leave. Then they will chatchkes and bragging rights. Not bad for a elsson), the June selection for the Temple Emanu El Sisterhood return to Jordan for 1 1/2 years. Shay (pro- septuagenarian.” Now he has written, “I gladly book club, members and friends took a road trip to Harlem. We nounced shy) is a Business Intelligence Analyst accepted the challenge to do 22 push ups a day visited Samuelsson’s restaurant, The Red Rooster, named for a for the American Society of Interior Designers. for 22 days in gratitude to American soldiers bar that was a Harlem treasure in its’ day. We all enjoyed lunch He can work from home wherever in the world and were honored by Chef Samuelsson’s visit to our tables. they are. Rachel’s sister Marny and her hus- Emanu-El friends who could do this to step up, He “schmoozed” with us for a while and obliged us by taking band Michael - the new aunt and uncle - live in fordo ittheir and sacrifice. pass it on. I challenge” (And yes, any there of my is Templea video a picture with the group. We followed our lunch with a two hour Brooklyn Heights, New York. (As if becoming a showing him doing them!!!) walking tour of Harlem. It was fascinating! Despite the rain and Remember Herb Alpert’s Tijuana Brass? heat that created what could best be described as a rainforest recently honored with the Woman of Achieve- If you’re looking for a taste of that Latin sound, environment, we all had a memorable experience and a wonder- first-timement Award grandmother at a Dinner isn’t Gala enough, of the SusanBrooklyn, was the 81-year-old still plays gigs. He just wrapped ful day. Queens, Long Island Region Women’s League up a two-week stint in New York and will play in for Conservative Judaism.) Palm Desert, C.A. this coming November. He got Candle Lighting for Eastern CT area Mazal Tov to Bob and Caren Linden of Nian- his signature sound from the mariachi bands - Friday, July 29 • 7:49 pm tic on the marriage of their son, Jeremy Linden, to Lam Tran. der in Mexico. Friday, Aug. 5 • 7:41 pm Congratulations to the following Beth Jacob thatYou performed know that at the Lin-Manuel bullfights across Miranda the bor ap- proached Pulitzer Prize-winning Jewish author, Friday, Aug. 12 • 7:32 pm 2016 Graduates and their families: Jaden Seroussi— Integrated Day Charter Ron Chernow, about the Alexander Hamilton Friday, Aug. 19 • 7:22 pm School Son of Michael and Vicki Seroussi; biography he had written and wished to turn Stephen Hyde— Fields Memorial School Son into a hip-hop musical. But, did you know: of Wes and Ellen Hyde, Grandson of Seymour Hamilton was born out of wedlock and turned and Linda Adelman; David Kohanski — The away from a lot of schools, but he was tutored Williams School Middle School Son of Phillip & under a Jewish headmistress and could recite Renee Kohanski; Jaden Seroussi— Integrated the ten Commandments in Hebrew. Because of Day Charter School Son of Michael and Vicki National Award Winner of the Council of Jewish of Jewish Federations as the Outstanding —Norwich Free Acad- MENTION CONT. ON PG 13 Small Cities Jewish newspaper. Published every other Friday for the dissemination of Jew- Seroussi; Will Camassar ish news and views by the Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut, 28 Channing Street, New London, CT 06320, 860-442-8062. Managing Editor...... Mimi Perl Layout Editor...... Forrest Sklar Social Editor...... Nadine Lipman President ...... Romana Strochlitz Primus Executive Director...... Jerome Fischer Mailing Volunteers...... Ruth & Henry Dunkerley, Jr, Mimi & Milt Seed, Irving Siegel, Marty Yavener Advertising: Call Mimi Perl 860-442-7395 or [email protected]. Advertising Deadline: Wednesday, August 3 for August 12 issue. Editorial Content: Preferred receipt of editorial material is via email to mimiperl@ gmail.com. Photo(s) submitted via email should be separate attachment(s) from article. Preferred photo format is a .jpg format; resolution should be a minimum of 200 dpi. Material sent via fax [860-443-4175] or first class mail [28 Channing St., New London, CT 06320] should be typed/double spaced or neatly printed. If you submit a hard copy of a photo and wish the photo returned, include a stamped, self- addressed envelope. Editorial Deadline: Friday, August 5 for August 12 issue. Printing: Chronicle Printing Co., 1 Chronicle Rd., Willimantic, CT 06226 Postmaster: Send address changes to Jewish Leader, 28 Channing St., New London, CT 06320 THE JEWISH LEADER, JULY 29, 2016 3 Why Camp Gan? By Nelly Abramova, culture boosts that entails. As for sum- SAVE THE DATE! Special to the Leader mer, in addition to Camp Gan I usually Every year, with- sign them up for tennis, sailing, soccer, Sunday September 18, 2016 out fail, I send my art and Lego camps. You could say these 12:00 noon two kids to Camp kids are pretty well-rounded and have Gan Israel in New lots to choose from. Gala Luncheon London. It all started And yet, there is nowhere they love one year when I got as much as Camp Gan. They look for- A tribute to their brochure in the ward to those three magical weeks in Reuben (Rip) Levin, OBM mail. At the time my summer all year long. They have made daughter was maybe wonderful friends there. They go on fan- Congregation Ahavath Chesed 6 years old. I signed her up for a week to the Seaport, the Denison Pequotsepos 590 Montauk Ave, New London, CT see if she would like tasticNature field Center, trips andto the many, Mystic many Aquarium, other it because on paper great places. They go blueberry pick- it sounded like great SSA students math scores soar Pioneers pose with glasses they Solomon Schechter Academy is thrilled to announce the re- fun. won at the Grand CGI Auction. shows and carnivals. They have crazy Needless to say, inghat days and miniand costume golfing. Theydays. holdThey talentmake sults of the Connecticut Independent School Test of Mathemat- she loved it. What’s not to love? Maryashi Stern- pizza and create a Shabbat meal from scratch. ics (CISTM), whose goal is to provide Connecticut Independent berg who runs the camp, is the warmest, most They do sports and have wicked fun with water Schools with a benchmark comparison relative to students in 26 loving and kindest woman you will ever meet. activities. other countries. Our upper-grade students took the test in the A wonderful mother In a nutshell, they have an absolute blast. spring and scored in the highest band possible, as per the report herself, she treats Contrary to the common misconception, boys we received: your children with as love it just as much as girls do; kids feel safe, “The average student score places Solomon Schechter much love and care as secure and happy there. They feel loved. And Academy at or above the achievement level of the countries she does her own. The while doing all those fun things I mentioned, [Singapore and Chinese Taipei] in the top decile of perfor- same can be said of the they are also celebrating their Jewish heritage. mance.” counsellors who help If you are still not sold and looking for that We believe that this success stems from the solid foundation run the camp - they are extra bit of incentive, you’ll be happy to know provided at school and the unwavering support of students’ families. loving, and the chil- of things that are all included in the price of infinitelydren form patientvery special and that not only does Camp Gan Israel offer a ton bonds with them. out there, thanks to the generosity of Mr. Harry The finest in printing My son was three theLeiser. camp, it is also the most affordable option and a half when I de- cided to send him to COPY CATS Gan with his sister. As Emmie and Mimi Leiser he’d never been away Call Us For a Quote • 442-8424 excited with their Shab- from me before that www/copycatsnl.com bat treasure baskets. moment, I decided to start with a half day and spent the whole time anxiously waiting for them to call me and tell me it wasn’t working Readers Connect with out. Obviously, I got no such call. Instead, at pick- Artie Dean’s up, he demanded that I let him stay the full day. Campers examine a frog at the Pequotsepos Three days later he got his wish and has been a Nature Center. MY TWO CENTS loyal Gan camper ever since. Don’t think my children are are easily im- The half day option runs from 9am to You can too! pressed either. They travel a lot. They go to 12:30pm and the full day option runs from 9am museums and theaters. They go sightseeing. to 3:30pm. Give it a try. Tell your friends. You Copies of MY TWO CENTS During the school year they do soccer, horse- can’t go wrong with Camp Gan. by Arthur Dean back riding, swimming, art, music, and take For more information on Camp Gan Israel Russian lessons. School vacation usually means of New London, CT, please contact Maryashi are available at the lots of trips to New York or Boston with all the Sternberg at [email protected] Jewish Federation office SSA 5th grader showcases art work 28 Channing St., New London. Solomon Schechter Academy is is proud to share Cost is $20 per copy with you news that 5th grader, Yana Abramova, has Cash/check/credit card accepted. a beautiful exhibit of her artwork at the Hoxie Gal- lery at the Westerly Public Library for the whole month of July. Yana’s artwork includes colorful For those who missed the book scenes from Russian folk tales, still life paintings, launch party you can see it at https://youtu.be/wa9e7KBDcpU majestic horses and birds, and more. andYana other has artwork studied ofart flowers, with with animals Alex Trachishin including since she was six years old. She has enjoyed a won- Marc Goldsmith writes: “...Here, regard- derful year creating artwork both with Alex and less of your background and experience, her SSA Art teacher Leah LeCara. you will find real life full of hopes, fears, Proceeds from Yana’s current exhibit will go to dreams, humor, joy, sadness and longing." the Cactus Jack Foundation. 4 THE JEWISH LEADER, JULY 29, 2016 Jay Levin joins Suisman Shapiro law firm NEW LONDON, CT: Suisman Shapiro has an- giving for the local New London Jewish Federa- Senior Offerings of counsel, and will add a new practice area tion, becoming Chair Reservations are necessary for all events. When making your res- nounced that Jay B. Levin will join the firm as- of its fundraising ef- ervation, let us know if you need a ride. Reservations can be forts and President of made by calling Beth at 860-444-6333x112. If Beth is to2 Union its already Plaza broadin the offeringbuilding that of legal houses and Suis busi- the Federation. He was not available, leave a voice mail message, she’ll check them the nessman services.Shapiro’s Levin’s headquarters. offices will His benew located practice at also selected to serve following business day. is called Jay B. Levin Government Relations member Consulting, LLC. from New London of August Chicken Bar-B-Que Jay B. Levin provides government relations asthe the Young first Leadership Our Chicken BBQ will be held on Tuesday, August 16, at consulting services on federal, state and local Cabinet of the United Beth El in New London at 12:30. This is a combined club event, levels. His experience includes decades work- Jewish Appeal. Mr. so Norwich members, if you need a ride, let us know when you ing in and around government politics on Levin currently serves on the Board of the make your reservation. Reservations for this event are due by major Connecticut projects in infrastructure, Connecticut Landmarks Association and as Thursday, August 11. Contact Beth at 860.444.6333. energy, urban revitalization, healthcare, retail Vice President of the Steel Point Special Tax- and the cultural arts. ing District Board. Fall Fling date is set “Jay Levin’s extensive government expe- In 1980, Mr. Levin left the State’s Attor- Mildred Shapiro Fund is scheduled for rience and regulatory intelligence brings a Tuesday, September 13 Fall Fling, our in Norwichkickoff luncheon at 12:30 PM.sponsored It will consist by The ofMartin wonder and- unique perspective to the legal team at Suis- Tobin, LLC, handling a wide range of matters at Beth Jacob man Shapiro”, said John A. Collins, III, Manag- inney’s the office general and practice joined the of law firm from of Dupont business & to attend this luncheon as our guests. Just please remember to formation to wills and probate and family. His fulmake entertainment a and an incredible dairy buffet. , soAll weare preparewelcome a strategic connection between our practices practice focused on matters of concern to reservation by Tuesday, September 6 enough food. ingthat Director will enhance at the our law firm.abilities “He to will collabora provide- working families from workers compensation (Beth tively address complicated issues for clients, to civil and criminal litigation. Encouraged by Transportation will be provided from New London El) to Beth Jacob in Norwich by 3 mini vans. Please let us know if and we’re thrilled to have him back in New his partners he entered back into politics as you need a ride as there is limited seating. London” Collins added. a candidate having previously run campaigns “New adventures are always exciting. I am and served for many years as a State Repre- Kosher Hot Lunch fall dates so pleased to be joining my friends at Suis- sentative from New London. In 1984-­‐85, Mr. Monday, Sep- man Shapiro to serve my clients, Levin served as Mayor of New London. After tember 19 at Beth El in New London and Tuesday, September and those in need of representation across the narrowly losing the nomination for Attor- 20 Ourat Beth first Jacob Kosher in HotNorwich. Lunches All KHL’s(KHL’s) start will at be 12:30 PM. State,” said Levin. my new firm ney General to Richard Blumenthal, Mr. Levin Please watch the Maven and the Jewish Leader for KHL lunch Mr. Levin attended Connecticut College in founded a government relations practice in schedules as there are many Jewish Holidays in October. New London, graduating Magna Cum Laude. After attending the University of Connecti- Carberry & O’Malley and now TCORS). He then Club dues histook New that Londonpractice lawto Pullman firm (then & Comley, Tobin, LLC. Levin, in Club Dues are due in September for the year October 2016 full-­‐time Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney in Bridgeport, and in 1999 formed Levin, Powers through September 2017. More information regarding dues will cutNew School London of County. Law he He was served appointed on boards the first of & Brennan, LLC. in Hartford. be in the September-October Maven issue. the New London County Day School and Big Among Mr. Levin’s many lobbying clients Brothers and Big Sisters (which he ultimately are PSEG Services Corporation of Newark, NJ; Share your contact info chaired). He also served for many years as the RCI Marine of Miami Beach, FL; Cross Sound Also, if you are a senior and you do not attend the Kosher Hot legal counsel to the Connecticut College Alumni Ferry and Thames Shipyard, New London, CT; - Association, as well as presiding Justice for the Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, New London, ing trips, etc., please call us with your e-mail address and we will New London Lodge of Elks. He became Chair of CT; First Hartford Partners, Manchester, CT; Luncheskeep you and informed. would like to be notified via e-mail of any upcom Zoning Board of Appeals and Chair of the Char- Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecti- ter Revision Commission that created New cut, Waterford, CT; National Reverse Mortgage Upcoming Shows at Newport Playhouse London’s Planning & Zoning, Water & Water Lenders Association, Washington D.C.; Elevator Reminder: Date change for Cheatin’ will take place on Beth will contact everyone Pollution Authority and Ethics Commission. Constructors Local 91, East Hartford, CT; and Wed., August 3. who signed up to go on Tuesday, August 2 with pick up times. Mr. Levin became deeply involved in charitable lronworkers Locals 15 & 424. Wednesday, August 31, “Bye Bye Birdie” at Goodspeed. Put on a happy face! Army-bound Conrad Birdie’s farewell ap- Are Turkish Jews at risk after coup attempt? pearance in Sweet Apple, Ohio is the talk of the town. But it’s a By Josefin Dolsten, Forward itism and multiple assassination attempts due teenage crisis for new “steadies” Hugo and Kim. She just won A prominent Turkish Jewish leader says there to his public persona, told the Forward from his the chance to give Birdie one last kiss before boot camp. It’s a hasn’t been any signs of a backlash aimed at the hip swiveling musical comedy set at the dawn of the sensational community following the populist uprising that the same now as it was before the coup. 60’s. Cost $63/$66. 2 Tickets left. helped defeat the bloody attempted coup aimed IstanbulHowever, office another that the Jewish situation Istanbul for Jews resident was Wednesday, October 5, “Plaza Suite” at Newport, SURF N at overthrowing President Tayyip Erdogan — was frightened by new expressions of anti- 1 Ticket Left. but others still fear the worst. Semitism and the blaming of minorities for the All our other shows – Chicago, Cheatin’, Rent, Man of LaMan- - coup on social media. TURFcha, and Buffet. Chasing Cost Rainbows $77/$80. – are all sold out. resents the country in the European Jewish Par- “People are celebrating [the] prevention of Cefi Kamhi, a Jewish businessman who rep the coup by chanting Allahu Akbar,” the man, Custom Tub & Shower - who asked to remain anonymous due to safety Ruby Glass Enclosures liament,lation by saidFriday’s no specificcoup, which religious killed or more minority than concerns, wrote to the Forward. “We hear anti- CO., INC • Design & Installation group300 people was affected and which more he thancalled the “the general bloodiest” popu Semitic slurs and tweets from all around.” • All-Glass Enclosures in recent history. “They turned the prevention of the coup into SERVING SOUTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT FOR OVER 60 YEARS a religious thing,” he said. “And all minorities Expert Mirror Design & minorities, in fact every segment of society has are being blamed for it.” FULLSERVICE GLASS SPECIALISTS Installation joined“It is together not specifically against theaffecting coup,” heJews said or of other the The man feared the coup could be a blow to • Visit Our Showroom weekend of chaos that ended with Erdogan re- secularism in Turkey, whose government has taken an Islamist since Erdogan came to power 151 Jefferson Avenue • New London, CT 06320 Kamhi, who has been the target of anti-Sem- in 2003. Phone (860) 442-0373 • Fax (860) 442-1356 storing his firm grip on power. THE JEWISH LEADER, JULY 29, 2016 5 smell of death. How much blood will be spilled by - By senseless hatred? Then an image of the detective ters accompanied by the district attorney, the - psychiatristprosecutor, andknocks a court briefly appointed at the door lawyer and en for ing. Jonathan, I’ve got to help Jonathan. Jonathan’s defense. firingGrandpa’s towards breathing his grandson becomes sets his labored. heart rac His “My client never meant to hurt anyone,” says Artie arms and legs tremble uncontrollably and he the attorney. Then he holds up a smart phone and replays a video of Grandpa Perkel’s shoot- Dean The nurse runs into Grandpa Perkel’s room ing taken by a protester on the campus. knocksfrom the his hall, IV andpole stares to the at floor the monitorswith a crash. arrayed like so many video screens in a television studio. - Passover Confrontation part 7 The doctor runs in, his face a wall of concern as en “Clearlyblocks is Officer not an Davenport excuse to fired kill anwhen innocent there Continued from July 2 issue…Jonathan Perkel has been taken into wasman. no The further defense threat. believes A vest the filled police with violated wood custody. “You have the right to remain silent….” pulls out a hypodermic with a long needle and our rights to protest.” theempties screens it into flash. Grandpa’s Then, without arm. explanation, he “The boy caused a riot.” After life-saving surgery Grandpa Perkel lies in a coma at the Grandpa’s body relaxes. The trembling ceas- “If you insist on a harsh sentence we will be Franklin University Hospital. Tubes enter and exit his body, con- es. He opens his mouth, straining to speak. nected to machines that whir and beep at rhythmic intervals in a “Thank God,” says Bubbie Perkel. “What’s he Mr. Perkel.” cacophony of alien sounds. His wife, son, and two grandchildren saying.” pressingThe district charges attorney against coughsthe officer nervously. who shot He take turns at his bedside. Despite 8 days of a vegetative state, to- “I think he’s coming out of the coma,” the day there is a glimmer of hope. The nurse on the nightshift says doctor says. over to the prosecutor and whispers. “This has she saw Grandpa’s arm twitch when she changed his IV. Grandpa’s lifts his head “We’ve got to keep drumsalready his spiraled fingers way on outthe ofdesk. control. Then We he do leans not Bubbie Purkel sits in a wooden chair staring at the face of the Jonathan out of jail.” want to go into court to prosecute a manic-de- man who has shared her life for nearly 60 years. She kisses his pressive student and have to explain how we forehead, as she does every morning, and then checks his im- *** wound up shooting his grandfather. Not with passive features for a response. “You had to go and be the hero, Jonathan Perkel sits alone in his detention the media all over this case.” And not with me Mr. Bigshot. Think you can protect Jonathan forever? Bist du me- cell at the psychiatric hospital. The court or- up for reelection this fall. dered medication seems to have led to more “We’ve got a plea deal,” the district attorney critical thinking. For days he’s been talking of says. “Old man Perkel doesn’t press charges, and shuggah?”hand. “The (Aredoctors you saycrazy?) you stillShe havesniffles, a chance,” wipes hershe nosesays with a we’ll accept a guilty plea from the boy, sentence crumpledpained attempt tissue, at then a smile, stuffs as itif intoby her her feigned handbag. cheerfulness She takes hehis way Grandpa crumpled to the ground right be- him to 6 months observation and treatment in might gather strength for one last battle. thefore shootinghis eyes. He at regrets the campus, his fascination horrified with by the a psychiatric facility, with release if he agrees to From her bag she takes the scrapbook she normally displays young Jessie Haddad, and the misguided emo- take medication for the rest of his life.” tions that set events in motion. The attending To be continued. . . - onsionally, her living hoping room against coffee hope table. for some She signpulls of her acknowledgement. chair closer and flips“…here the we pages, were providing with the one-sidedchildren in commentary, the Catskills. pausing You remem occa- Guiliani tours Israel’s food rescue facility ber? The summer before the Concord closed.” She pauses for his For- response, but there is none, the digital display of his heartbeat RA’ANANA, Israel – mer New York City Mayor Giuliani was escorted on the EKG the only testament to his existence. She leans for- Rudy Giuliani toured the new on the visit by Leket Israel ward and whispers in his ear, in a hushed tone, as if her shame Leket Israel facility today, in- Founder and Chairman Jo- were not already the fodder of the daily news shows. “The grand cluding a behind-the-scenes seph Gitler, himself a former jury convenes Jonathan’s case next week,” she mutters. “Inciting look at the inner working of New York City resident, and a riot. He’s fallen into a depression—says he’s responsible if you one of Israel’s largest food Leket Israel CEO Gidi Kroch. die. The psychiatrist at the hospital says if medication doesn’t collection and redistribu- He then addressed the or- work they’ll try electrical shock.” tion operations, considered to be the most innovative importance of their work impulses deep within Grandpa’s mind, yet his features remain in the country and a world- ganization’sin food recovery. staff The on trip the unchanged.The mention The of memoryJonathan’s of name a long sets ago off scene a cascade with hisof electrical grand- wide leader. Giuliani, who was arranged by Greenberg mother rises in his mind. It is 1938 and the Nazis are cleansing From left to right: Joseph Gitler, Mayor serves as Chair of Greenberg Traurig. Vienna of its Jews. Rudy Giuliani, Gary Epstein and Gidi Traurig’s Cybersecurity, Pri- Leket Israel is a non-prof- “Promise to take care of your family. It’s the only thing that Kroch. Photo Credit: Leket Israel vacy and Crisis Management it organization that leads the matters,” his grandmother mutters as the storm troopers sepa- - and distribution of surplus nutritional food in cession: the escape from the concentration camp, the trip to Pal- Practice,breakthrough is in studyIsrael onvisiting food wastethe firm’s in Israel Tel conAviv- Israel. In addition safeto the and hard effective work andcollection dedi- rateestine the in familythe hold at ofthe a cargotrain. Imagesship with of starvinghis life flash refugees. in rapid He feelssuc sidered to be a groundbreaking in terms of how cation of its 58,000 annual volunteers, the key anew the regret of leaving for Jerusalem without his parents, office. The visit came after Leket released a western governments can combat hunger. sees again his Haganah platoon, feels the fear of battle and the - logistics center. Giuliani toured the 21,500- lighted the economic, social and environmental tosquare-foot Leket’s success warehouse, is the which efficiency is equipped of the main with The report, the first of its kind in Israel, high high capacity refrigeration and cargo trucks to than two million Israeli citizens living below the assure the safe storage, sorting and distribution benefitspoverty line.of rescuing The report unused found food that for more the morethan of millions of pounds of food that is collected 2.5 million tons of edible food, with a market and donated to the organization annually. “I was honored to meet Joseph Gitler and the Since 1919 Southeastern Connecticut’s Oldest and Most Respected Jewelers value of NIS8 billion (roughly US$2 billion) is wasted in Israel annually. Leket team and hear the unique story of Leket’s Diamonds


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ally offers significant environmental benefits. 6 THE JEWISH LEADER, JULY 29, 2016 Hadassah Donor is a smashing success By Sheila Horvitz, special to the comed everyone and the Angry Inch; and Fela, an original Leader summarized Hadassah’s Broadway musical production which In keeping with the theme of the excellent year of educa- she and her husband brought to the special guest speaker, Ruth Hendel, tional, fund-raising and stage. Every attendee left the dinner Norwich native and Broadway pro- social events. She high- with a CD of the show, compliments ducer, Eastern Connecticut’s Annual lighted the Annual Wear of Ruth. Pink dinner which raises Rabbi Rachel Safman of Beth El awareness and funds for Synagogue gave a moving benedic- breast cancer prevention tion. and cure; the Power of Ruth wrote to Nancy Gordon, Purple Annual Fall Walk thanking her for her “sweet introduc- and Spring Luncheon tion” and saying: “What a community which raise awareness of caring, warm people! Hadassah is of domestic violence; the her talk “From Brisket to Broadway”, doing important work in this country Angel Luncheons featuring gourmet, detailing her journey with her hus- and with all the medical innovations elegant meal presentations; the An- band Steve into the world of theater in Israel. With dynamic leaders in and show business. She described the your chapter, Hadassah remains one “eureka” moment she had in 2001 when she and her hus- Chapter President Carol Curland, guest speaker, Ruth Hendel, and Chapter Broadway performance of Member Seila Horvitz. theband play were Metamorphoses invited to an asoff- a birthday present for her hus- Donor dinner on Tuesday, June 21, band. The play was so mov- was a smash hit. ing that she was determined Over 140 Donor attendees were to get involved in producing treated to a beautifully decorated the play and bringing it to a ballroom at the Norwich Spa and Inn, larger audience. From there, a great dinner and an outstanding many producing experiences guest speaker. followed. Just a few days be- The Donor raises funds for Ha- nual Hadassah Shabbat; the book fore the Donor Dinner, Ruth dassah’s hospitals in Israel and over club discussions; and the monthly won a Tony Award for a re- vival production of Arthur Miller’s “A of the world’s foremost, enduring of current and cultural interest. So View From the charitable organizations. Concluding manyCoffee of KlatchesEast- on provocative topics Bridge”. Some the event with Hatikva, with class- ern Connecti- of Ruth’s oth- mate Faye Ringel leading the charge, cut’s pro- er produc- was perfect! Seeing many old friends grams have ing credits and my Goldberg/Hendel mishpau- been recog- include: The cha was heart warming! Hadassah of nized with Crucible; The Eastern Connecticut gets the Tony for s t a t e - w i d e Curious In- Best Event! and national cident of the President Curland summed up the awards. Dog in the evening: “This was one of our best Sheila Hor- Night-Time; Donor events. As our chapter goes vitz provided Death of a from strength to strength, we deepen Hadassah’s Salesman; Cat our resolve to do more for our com- perspective on a Hot Tin munity and Israel and we deepen and on recent events and led a moment Roof; A Raisin in the Sun; The Gin enrich our connections to each other and our Jewish heritage”. year’s signature Hadassah event. of those lost to terrorist attacks in Tel $20,000President profit Carol was made Curland with wel this- Avivof silence and Orlando. and reflection in memory Game; Shuffle Along; Hedwig and Nancy Gordon intro- duced Ruth Hendel, a Norwich native who was COMPANION SERVICE happy to be with friends Sensitive, mature, honest, reliable woman to provide and family and who en- companionship for elderly/disabled individuals. thralled her audience with her transformation from Evenings/Nights Preferred a housewife, mother of 3, Covering all of New London County excellent cook and family leader - to a world-class Experienced/References Available Broadway producer, earn- ing Tony awards for her Call 860.446.8602 productions. She entitled E TH RETURN TO: 28 Channing St., New London, CT 06320 Serving The Jewish Communities of Eastern Connecticut & Western R.I. CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED VOL. XLII NO. 14 PUBLISHED BI-WEEKLY WWW.JEWISHLEADERWEBPAPER.COM JULY 29, 2016/23 TAMMUZ 5776 NEXT DEADLINE AUG. 5, 2016 4 PAGES

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Special Pull out Section: Celebrating Elie Wiesel Elie Wiesel, lishing a campus newspaper, The V’Shem, and Haifa University. Elie When I would sit with Sigmund Flame. was at all of them. At my very first and Lou for lunch they would share An Appreciation I must have gained some noto- meeting with him I recalled our their joys over the accomplishments riety, because the American Jewish sharing the dais for an AJC event of their children and grandchildren. By Jerry Fischer Committee invited me to a panel and he said “I remember you”. They were always their champions. t is intimidating to write an discussion at the Waldorf Astoria Then our meetings moved from But Sigmund took up the challenge appreciation of a great writer to reflect on my experiences in Is- the big banquet venues to the inti- of having the world remember and and Nobel Peace Prize laure- rael and my Zionist campus activ- macy of Sigmund and Rose’s home. commemorate the Shoah, and he ate. I cannot claim to have ism at CCNY. The AJC was trying My family was invited, sometimes saw in Elie an avenue to advance read all of his books, nor can I claim to realign its previous mildly anti- for erev Shabbat, sometimes for that cause. He became a tireless ad- toI have known him intimately, but Zionist stance and this symposium Havdalah. Elie and Sigmund loved vocate for the US Senate to nomi- we did know each other and even was part of that effort. There were to sing, loved Yiddish, and loved nate Elie Wiesel for the Nobel Peace after several years in between en- two other people on the panel. One being together for Shabbat. And my Prize. I remember Senator Ted Ken- counters he did remember me and I cannot remember, although I re- children loved being under Elie’s nedy visiting the home of Howard my ties to Sigmund Strochlitz, and member the term he coined to mock arms as we sang Havdalah songs. and Helen Glick for a Democratic even to City College of New York the audience, WASH, (White Anglo When Elie passed, both Ilana and Party fund raiser, and Sigmund and the American Jewish Commit- Saxon Hebrews). The other person Gabe called me, profoundly sad taking him into a private room to tee. was Elie Wiesel. about his death. plead the case for Elie’s nomina- So let me start at the beginning. I At the end of the program Elie The friendship of Elie and Sig- tion, and Senator Kennedy shaking had returned from my year in Israel complimented me on my talk Sigmund’s hand and saying “I’ll do on the Institute for Youth Leaders and the discussion, and intro- it”. from Abroad program. It was my duced me to his wife, Marion. Elie was not the first Holocaust post High School experience, what We shook hands and I told survivor to win a Nobel Prize. The we would now call a gap year. I him how honored I was to Swedish Jewish poet Nelly Sachs had been tapped for an all-expens- share the dais with him. He had won the Nobel Prize for Lit- es paid year of study, 6 months in looked me in the eyes and erature in 1966 together with Israeli Jerusalem, and 5 months on a kib- told me he was honored to author Shmuel Yosef Agnon. But butz. The year was 1966-67, and to- share the dais with me…I was receiving the Nobel Prize for Peace wards the end of that year we had 6 too overwhelmed to tell him gave Elie an international voice that days of war. how impactful his speech, de- Sachs and Agnon had never gained. After those six days I returned livered in a quiet and lilting And he used that voice not just for to Jerusalem for the post-kibbutz voice, had been to me, and to the memory of the victims of the wrap up of our year, and wandered the audience. mund was remarkable. They spoke Holocaust, but to battle persecution freely around the Old City, Hebron All this took place, I think, in the almost daily. They shared their mis- and injustice throughout the world. (where I bought beautiful glass), Spring of 1968 or 69. Twenty six sion of Holocaust commemoration The endowment he established with and Jericho. I returned to the U.S. years later, in 1984, I came to New and education, their commitment his award, The Elie Wiesel Founda- and started my college career at London to be the Executive Direc- to human rights, their love of Yid- tion for Humanity, reflects his effort CCNY as an ardent and active Zi- tor of the Jewish Federation of East- dish music and Jewish culture, and to make the lessons of the Holocaust onist. ern Connecticut. A few weeks after their fierce devotion to the State of universal in their application. I was very frustrated by the my arrival I started attending Con- Israel. Sigmund served as a senior Elie’s craggy face was so mark- CCNY Hillel and the overall lack of gregation Beth El for services, and advisor, the older brother that Elie edly different from his bucolic pre- enthusiasm for Israel, even after the met Lou Detz. Lou invited me to had never had. Elie had two prin- Holocaust teenager’s face. It was as communal pride American Jews felt a lunch at Whaling City Ford with ciple champions in his life: Marion, if he would never fully recover from after the Six Day War. I expressed his friend Sigmund Strochlitz and his wife, and Sigmund, his friend. the emaciated state he was reduced my frustration to individuals at the so my friendship with Lou and Sig- When Elie came to Beth El to de- to in the concentration camp. And Jewish Agency and received their mund and Rose Strochlitz began liver the eulogy for Sigmund, he his voice was always soft. There support to organize a Jewish Stu- and my contact with Elie Wiesel consoled all of us. And yet, he also were never any sharp words that I dent Union on campus. Several of was renewed. seemed to console himself. He com- heard or read. It was as if he was us, from the right wing Beitar to the I, with Sigmund and Lou, and forted Romana, who had struggled always understanding and compas- left wing Hashomer HaTzair Zion- sometimes Walter Baker or other so hard to solve the medical prob- sionate. ist Youth Movements were success- New Londoners, attended banquets lems facing Sigmund, and she com- I think Elie was fortunate to have ful in organizing this new campus in New York for the World Gather- forted him; they had both lost a Jewish Student Union and in pub- ing of Holocaust Survivors, Yad loved one. APPRECIATION CONT. ON PG D B THE JEWISH LEADER, JULY 29, 2016

WieselBy Sarah Wildman, gaveextraordinary personality the and fasci - Holocaustdreaming when he sees the mur- happen a again face simply means that JTA/Times of Israel nating books the triumph of the hu- ders of infants. the world didn’t learn — or that the Elie Wiesel, the Holocaust survi- man spirit over cruelty and evil.” “In those places, in one night one world didn’t want to learn.” vor and Nobel laureate who became He won a myriad of awards for becomes old,” Wiesel told NPR in In 1985, Wiesel’s reputation grew a leading icon of Holocaust remem- his work, including the Presidential 2014. “What one saw in one night, beyond the Jewish world when he brance and a global symbol of con- Medal of Freedom, the Congres- generations of men and women had challenged President Ronald Rea- science, died on Saturday, July 2, sional Gold Medal and the Na- not seen in their own entire lives.” gan on live television over his in- 2016, at 87. His death was the result tional Jewish Book Award. “Night” Wiesel was liberated from Bu- tention to visit a German cemetery of natural causes, the World Jewish is now standard reading in high chenwald in 1945. He went on to that housed the remains of Nazi Congress said in a statement. schools across America. In 2006, it study at the Sorbonne and moved soldiers. In the Oval Office to re- A philosopher, professor and was chosen as a book club selection to New York at the end of the 1950s, ceive the Congressional Medal of author of such seminal works of by Oprah Winfrey and, nearly half a where he lived in relative obscurity. Achievement, Wiesel chastised Holocaust literature as “Night” century after it was first published, He worked hard to find a publisher Reagan. and “Dawn,” spent more than for “Night,” which initially sold “This is not your place Mr. Presi- Wiesel, perhaps a year atop the poorly. dent,” Wiesel famously said. The more than any best-seller list. “The truth is in the 1950s and in president visited the cemetery any- other figure, He would also the early 1960s there was little inter- way but changed his itinerary to in- came to embody take Winfrey to est and willingness to listen to survi- clude a visit to Bergen-Belsen con- the legacy of the Auschwitz, that vors,” said Wiesel’s longtime friend centration camp. Holocaust and same year. Writ- Rabbi Irving “Yitz” Greenberg, who Wiesel challenged the White the worldwide ing for the New had read a copy of “Night” in Israel House again in 1993, when he community of York Times Book in the early 1960s. “In 1963, some- charged the newly inaugurated survivors. Review in 2008, one told me this author is alive and President Bill Clinton to do more to “I have tried Rachel Donadio well in New York City and I some- address the atrocities then unfold- to keep mem- said that it had how managed to find him and go ing in Yugoslavia. ory alive,” Wi- In this December 10, 2009 file photo, Elie become “a case see him.” “Most people don’t confront a sit- esel said at the Wiesel smiles during a news conference study in how Wiesel was “gaunt” and “work- ting president that way, and he con- Nobel peace in Budapest, Hungary. (AP file photo Bela a book helped ing as a freelance reporter, a string- fronted two,” said Sara Bloomfield, prize ceremony Szandelszky) created a genre, er, for a French newspaper, an the museum’s current director. in 1986. “I have how a writer Israeli newspaper and a Yiddish “He saw people would listen to tried to fight those who would for- became an icon and how the Holo- newspaper — and for none of the him,” said Stuart Eizenstat, who get. Because if we forget, we are caust was absorbed into the Ameri- above was he making a living,” held senior positions in multiple guilty, we are accomplices.” can experience.” Greenberg said. presidential administrations and Often, he would say the “oppo- “There is no way to talk about Greenberg was determined to was a key figure in the negotiation site of love is not hate, it is indiffer- the last half century of Holocaust help Wiesel find work. of Holocaust restitution ence.” consciousness without giving Wi- “He had this magnetic agreements with several The quest to challenge indiffer- esel a front and center role,” said presence,” he said. “He European governments. ence was a driving force in Wiesel’s Michael Berenbaum, a professor at was quiet but with tre- “He became more ag- writing, advocacy and public pres- the American Jewish University in mendous force and he gressive about showing ence. Though he considered him- Los Angeles and former director of felt the vividness the that it is not just the Ho- self primarily a writer, by the end the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Mu- Holocaust had a mes- locaust, but applying les- of the 1970s he had settled into the seum’s research institute. “What he sage.” sons to rest of the world role of moral compass, a touchstone did, extraordinarily, was to use the In the late 1960s Wi- as well,” Eizenstat said. for presidents and a voice that chal- Nobel Prize as a tool to call atten- esel finally began to “He became more active lenged easy complacency about his- tion to things, and as a vehicle to emerge as one of the in other genocidal or tory. scream louder, shout more, agitate preeminent voices in world conscious issues. Wiesel spent the majority of his more.” Holocaust literature. He wanted to use that public life speaking of the atroci- Born in the town of Sighet, Tran- By the end of his career, power for the cause not ties he had witnessed and asking sylvania, then and now a part of he had written some 50 just of Holocaust mem- the public to consider other acts of Romania, in 1928, Wiesel was de- books. ory, but also to prevent cruelty around the world, though ported to Auschwitz in 1944 with In 1978, Wiesel became the chair- genocide.” he drew the line at direct compari- his family. He was 15. His mother man of the Presidential Committee At the inauguration in 1993 of the sons with the Holocaust. “I am al- and one of his sisters would disap- on the Holocaust, which would ul- U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, ways advocating the utmost care pear forever when the family was timately recommend the building of Wiesel said, clearly, “I don’t believe and prudence when one uses that forced aboard the cattle cars, mur- a Holocaust museum in Washing- there are answers. There are no an- word.” he told JTA in 1980. dered immediately. His father, who ton. As his public presence grew, swers. And this museum is not an “The State of Israel and the Jew- traveled with him to the camps, he began to visit the sites of other answer; it is a question mark.” That ish People bitterly mourn the pass- died of dysentery and starvation in genocides. In 1980, he traveled to question mark, he applied to global ing of Elie Wiesel,” Prime Minis- Buchenwald before liberation. Two Cambodia. In an interview with atrocities, as well as historical ones. ter Benjamin Netanyahu said in sisters would survive the war. JTA, he called the Cambodian ref- His later years saw him wade a statement Saturday. “Elie, the In “Night,” Wiesel describes ugee camps “spectacles of horror” wordsmith, expressed through his pinching his face to see if he is and noted, “That these things could HOLOCAUST CONT. ON PAGE D THE JEWISH LEADER, JULY 29, 2016 C

MyBy Ariel Burger, Forwardlast wasmeeting never guaranteed.) We sat, he thatwith I was trying to makeElie up for it by beingWiesel it. So people see you and I just heard the news that my in his wheelchair, in the lobby of now in a flurry of creative activity. become inspired. But you also need teacher Elie Wiesel has left the his home, and spoke for almost an He said, “Nothing ever gets fear-of-God, so you don’t become world. For several years, I have said hour. He made me laugh out loud; lost.” arrogant.” Havdalah at the close of the Sabbath that hadn’t changed. At times I was “Nothing?” I was thinking of At the end, I said, “I am going and immediately checked the news, able to make him smile. how much he’d lost. His father, his to speak to many of your students. wondering if I would learn that this We talked about so many things. mother, his little sister; six million, What should I tell them?” has happened. This has become a I asked him if he was writing. and so many more across the long He said, “Tell them they’re with He said of course. years. me all the time.” He said, “I feel I inquired about “Nothing,” he said again. “It can responsible for every moment we the subject but take a hundred years, or 200, or 500. were together.” He said, “If not, quickly interrupt- We may never see it. But in God’s why do we do it?” ed myself, “Never eyes nothing gets lost.” He was I said, “There are some moments mind, I know you ready to move on, but he seemed that become eternal. Your teaching never talk about to sense I wasn’t completely on- is filled with them.” what you’re work- board. “You want proof?” he said. He said, “They are eternal be- ing on. What was “You missed it – that’s a sign that cause we were all present there to- the last thing you you never lost it.” Now I wonder: I gether.” wrote that you had been his student since I was 15 When I shared an acute personal can talk about?” years old. Was he preparing me for challenge I was facing, he said, “But And he told me this moment? you’re learning, that’s the main of a compelling He said, “Remember that I’m thing. That’s what I always tried to reimagining of a here, I’m always here for you.” teach my students, to keep learning, Hasidic work, an I reminded him that 20 years ago keep learning. I’m learning every Courtesy of Ariel Burger imaginative and I asked him about faith and doubt. day. I’m older than you, and I learn daring literary ex- “How do you teach faith?” He said, and learn and learn, and I still feel ritual of anxious anticipation, and periment, one only he could have “I tried to teach all of my students like I haven’t even begun. But I will then – every week before this one – dared write. love of Torah – learn, learn, learn.” soon.” of relief. He asked me how I was doing, I said, “You succeeded with me Ariel Burger, an artist living in the Three weeks ago, I traveled to and I told him that I was feeling and so many. How do you teach Boston area, served as Elie Wiesel’s New York in the hope of seeing that I’d lost time, had spent time on that?” teaching fellow at Boston University him. (He’d become so frail, a visit things that weren’t essential, and He said, “There is only one way: from 2003 to 2008.

MyBy Rabbi Carl Astorexperiencethought of it - of knowing with Elimore Wiesel nervous than usual. Someone Even the title of this piece seems someone who knew Wi- from the Ritual Committee came up strange to me. After all, my first esel, was intoxicating. It and informed me that he would be encounters with Elie Wiesel were was the closest I had come reading the Haftorah that morning through his books. I loved every to this semi-mythical fig- - it was his favorite. I’ll try my best one of them that I read, as a college ure in my life. I never ac- to describe how he read that Hafto- student and later as a rabbi. Early on tually spoke to Sigmund rah, the story of the birth of Samuel it was, of course, Night and Dawn. about his relationship with to Elkanah and Hannah. Then came The Town Beyond the Elie. I thought that would First of all, forget about trope. Wall, a haunting, dark novel. I read be tacky, so I simply kept He had his own trope. It was “haf- The Gates of the Forest, The Jews it in the back of my mind. torah-ish”, that is, it sounded like of Silence and Sages and Dreamers. Maybe someday I would Haftorah trope, but in no way fol- Each book made an impression on actually meet him in per- Elie Wiesel speaks at the Eugene O’Neill Theater lowed the traditional markings. It me and left its mark. I quoted him son. Center in Waterford on Aug. 14, 1989. Behind him was a trope that emanated from regularly in articles and sermons. I Early in my stay here are George White, left, and Sigmund Strochlitz. The deep inside him, and he read it in guess you could say he was for me at Beth El, I’m not sure if occasion was the dedication of a stone memorial- a way that made you feel the pain, a heroic figure: a great writer, an ex- it was 1982 or 1983, I was izing the 1952 murders of a group of Soviet Jewish the embarrassment, the anguish of traordinary human being, and the leading the High Holiday poets and writers. (Day file photo) Hannah. It made you experience model of a Jew to which I aspired. service as usual. During Looking around I immediately saw anger towards the High Priest Eli, Then I came to New London and the service I had the habit of look- in one of the front rows, sitting with the helplessness of Elkanah, and the early on I met another extraordinary ing out at the congregation and the Strochlitz family, Elie Wiesel! pathos of the whole story. It became man with a powerful Jewish identi- seeing how many of them I recog- What a shock it was for me to see more than words. All of a sudden it ty: Sigmund Strochlitz. I heard from nized (at that time, there were per- him there, in person. It would be was life. I had never heard a Hafto- others that Elie Wiesel was a close haps 900 - 1000 people for the Rosh an understatement to say that I was friend of Sigmund’s and just the Hashana/Yom Kippur services!). EXPERIENCE CONT. ON PAGE D D THE JEWISH LEADER, JULY 29, 2016

EXPERIENCE CONT. FROM PAGE C rah read in that way, and have never since. It’s Up To Us Now Afterwards I had to give my sermon and I can’t describe to you how ner- By George Clooney, Huffington Post Blog vous and inadequate I felt with him there. I was speaking to hundreds of con- Unless you’re 88 years old, most of us have gregants, but inside, I was addressing only one. I suppose it must sound some- not lived in a world without Elie Wiesel. We had what childish, but my awe and admiration for this man was immense. At the a champion who carried our pain, our guilt and end of the service, he came up to me and said that he enjoyed the service and our responsibility on his shoulders for genera- my talk. It was for me an incredible moment. tions. Now he’s gone. It’s hard to fathom. So I He attended our services on Rosh Hashana several more times and each guess it’s up to us now. To fight for the disenfranchised. To speak truth time I was able to spend a few moments speaking with him. Then I didn’t see to power and to never forget how cruel man can be to man. In memory of him for many years. I only heard about him, his confrontation with Reagan at Elie it’s the least we can do. Rest in peace my friend. You brought us this the Bitburg Cemetery in Germany in 1985, the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986, and his latest books. The next time I actually saw him was, I believe, at the funeral far. We’ll take it from here. of Sigmund Strochlitz. We met in the Chapel at Beth El and spoke about Sig- mund. He gave a beautiful eulogy, saying goodbye to his dear friend. I can’t say that I really knew Elie Wiesel, but I can say that he was an impor- International March of the Living State- tant part of my life and in me his legacy lives on. Tehi nishmato tzrura bitzrur ha-chayim - “May his soul be bound up in the bond of life.” ment on the Death of Elie Wiesel The International March of the Living Board of Directors, Staff, Global HOLOCAUST CONT. FROM PAGE A Leadership and Alumni around the world deeply mourn the passing of into politics. He met frequently with President Barack Obama but also loudly our mentor, our conscience and our Inspiration, Professor Elie Wiesel. chastised the president for calling for an end to settlement construction and We had the privilege of working with him for many years and we will for brokering the Iran nuclear rollback-for-sanctions-relief deal, positions that miss his passion, commitment and dedication to our mission of educat- led to criticism, even from long-time admirers. His very public support for Netanyahu was also questioned. Peter Beinart, writing in Ha’aretz, said: “Wi- ing hundreds of thousands of young people and their families around the esel takes refuge in the Israel of his imagination, using it to block out the pain- world on the atrocities of the Holocaust. ful reckoning that might come from scrutinizing Israel as it actually is.” We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Wiesel family on their per- The final years of his life also saw financial turmoil. His personal finances sonal loss and pray they be comforted among the mourners of Zion in the and $15.2 million in assets of the Elie Weisel Foundation For Humanity were knowledge that his legacy will endure and live on. invested with Bernie Madoff, who was convicted in 2009 of fraud. Wiesel’s fortune and the reserves of his organization were wiped out. Dr. Shmuel Rosenman And yet he did not cease his work. Just months after the scandal broke, in Chairman, International March of the Living June 2009, he led Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on a trip to Auschwitz where he noted he was at his father’s grave. He then gave a searing Mrs. Phyllis Greenberg Heideman indictment of the world’s continued inability to learn. “As a public figure who was also the very symbol of the Holocaust survivor President, International March of the Living in America, Wiesel acted as a moral compass, his personal history lending un- equalled gravity to his public remarks on genocide, anti-Semitism and other issues of injustice worldwide.” said Ruth Franklin, author of “A Thousand APPRECIATION CONT. FROM PG. A Darknesses: Lies and Truth in Holocaust Fiction.” “Wiesel never pretended found that he was a good writer. Writing was his therapy. And he wrote much that he understood the Holocaust. He spoke of it as a horror beyond explana- more than Holocaust novels and essays. Perhaps in an effort to preserve not tion, a black hole in history. As the virtual embodiment of the catch phrase only the memory of the Holocaust, but also the world of European Jewish ‘never forget,’ he did more than anyone else to raise awareness of the Holo- learning, he published books about Biblical figures (Messengers of God: Bibli- caust in American life.” cal Portraits & Legends; Five Biblical Portraits;), Talmudic and Hasidic tradition Wiesel is survived by his wife, Marion, and a son, Shlomo. (Sages and Dreamers : Biblical, Talmudic and Hasidic Portraits and Legends; Four Hasidic Masters), and a biography of Rashi. When asked by someone, after he had won the Nobel Peace Prize, what he was now doing, as if he had attained the highest goal and could now relax, Elie replied, “I study, and I write.” That was his life. He did love music, and we of Eastern Connecticut, who felt a unique con- nection to Elie Wiesel, will mark his life in many ways in the coming year, beginning with a concert following our community Harvest Supper on Thurs- day, October 20, at Temple Emanu-El. It was hard for me to choose one quote from Elie’s writing to close this ap- preciation, so I will borrow the excerpt from Night that Zubin Mehta read at a dinner in Elie’s honor: “It was pitch dark. I could hear only the violin, and it was as though Juliek’s soul were the bow. He was playing his life. The whole of his life was gliding on the strings--his last hopes, his charred past, his extinguished future. He played as he would never play again...When I awoke, in the daylight, I could see Juliek, opposite me, slumped over, dead. Near him lay his violin, smashed, trampled, a strange overwhelming little corpse.” Night, along with The Diary of Anne Frank, are the books that serve as the portal to the hell of the Nazi genocide of European Jewry. They are also books of hope. I, and my family, will always remember Elie, in Sigmund and Rose’s home, singing earnestly with all of us “All the world is a narrow bridge and the main thing is not to be afraid at all.” We are perhaps still a bit afraid, but we are braver because of Eli’s faith in mankind. Z’l. THE JEWISH LEADER, JULY 29, 2016 11 As a social worker I thought I had all of the out whether or not a person plans on moving knowledge about coping with loss and in spite Possibilities immediatelyIt really doesn’t following help the to death.have to It’s try a todecision figure of this knowledge, when my husband died sud- By Tammy Stoner Pinkerton that usually doesn’t have to be made immedi- denly and unexpectedly, I felt like I was going ately. Staying in the same place, or deciding to crazy, when it was just a normal part of griev- How to Respond to the Bereaved change residences shouldn’t occur until the ing. When I paid the same bills twice in the person has some time to think clearly. Death is same month, I was convinced I had gone nuts. ast week, I visited my 81 year old widowed Aunt fol- a source of instability for the bereaved. It’s an I am here for you. lowing the death of her boyfriend, also age 81. She was unintended upset. The home is a safe haven, a This lets the grieving person know that you quite distressed following his sudden death from heart place of stability. It’s not a helpful question be- care about them, and what happens to them. failure. In spite of having been widowed for over 20 cause it adds another layer of confusion to a There is comfort in letting somebody know years, and having three children and grandchildren and lots of grieving person’s shaken world. that they are not alone. friends,L she felt very alone. She reminded me that even at age 81, Showing pictures of family members The gift of listening. she still needed to be held and loved and neither her children If you have been a couple and are suddenly The greatest contribution you can give a uncoupled, listening and watching other cou- person grieving is to listen to them. Listening is She was upset about the way people responded to her following ples participate in family activities and events truly a present for the bereaved. Sometimes not nor grandchildren could fill that role in quite the same way. - adds to the solitude one already feels. People - ow, at age 31, and the spoken comments from people intending who have experienced a major loss have in- quently there just aren’t any words. Sometimes tohis help, death. that I flashed weren’t back helpful, to my but own were experience meant to be.as a young wid creased sensitivity to family activities. havingthe greatest any wordsability toyou offer have isto showcomforting. genuine Fre I suggested that perhaps people didn’t know how to respond to If he had lived you would have had to take care and concern is to listen. It’s such a simple the bereaved, they didn’t know what to say, or what not to say, care of him and it would have been very dif- gift, the gift of listening. and maybe we should create a list that might help people as they ficult for you. After listening to my Aunt, and compiling try to comfort friends and family following the death of someone This may or may not be an accurate state- the list, I had to wonder how does an 81 year close. Together we composed the list. - ful to hear following a sudden death. The focus What NOT to say to someone who is grieving: ment,of the but comment I know becomesfew people on who what find might this help have oldPlenty lady are find still a boyfriend around at again? age 75. First, subtract a You have to get on with your life We put this statement at the very top of the list. When a loved happened, rather than what did happen. fewAll years of which from yourbrings age me and to onefind ofa younger the greatest guy. one dies, the survivor does get on with their life from the mo- gifts one can give oneself. Do your best to keep ment of death. Just surviving is getting on with life. This state- Helpful comments following the death: a sense of hu- What can I do to help you get through mor when and the grief process. When someone close dies, we get on with this? your life has turned upside mentlife from is usually moment a reflection to moment. of theThe listeners task is not discomfort getting on with with grief, life, This comment demonstrates sensitivity to the task is learning to live with the life they now have. the grieving person’s pain. It shows you care down. You have to get out and stay busy. What are you waiting about them, and what happens to them. It gives T a m m y for? My Aunt heard this comment only days following the funeral. need from you to get through this trauma. It Stoner Pinker- This is an example of the rush to health. Grief takes time. A ma- themhelps anthem opportunity focus on what to define they whatcan do it isto theysur- ton is a social jor bruise has just occurred to the body and like any bruise it vive. worker who takes time, and care nursing it back to health. If someone breaks It’s terrible now, but it will get better. r e s e a r c h e s , This comment gives a sense of hope. Hope is designs and The Party people would tell a friend or family member following a broken what keeps people alive. It keeps people looking writes person- aleg leg, to staying slow down off the and leg take and it going easy. aA bit broken slower leg makes is visible. sense. Emo Most- forward to a brighter day. The comment empa- alized letters, Connection tional wounds can’t be seen in the same way and yet they are thizes with the current pain and lets the griev- skits and en- Party Planning ing person know that the desperate feelings one tertainment very much there. While there is a place for staying busy, the time Consulting to be slow and take one day at a time are the days immediately has now, will not last forever, to the same degree for birthdays, following the loss. The body needs time to heal. of intensity. It really does get better. Time does family reunions Weddings and special Are you going to move? help heal wounds. Bar/Bat Mitzvahs It’s normal to feel the way you do. events. She can A grieving person frequently feels that they be reached at Discounted are going crazy because of the intensity of feel- uniqueidea@ Invitations ings and the depth of them that occurs with the aol.com. loss. Telling the person the feelings of sadness 860-739-0262 and confusion and memory loss are normal 860-447-0425

helps.

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We’d like to meet you! 475 Broad St., New London CT • 860-443-CITY Since 1946 12 THE JEWISH LEADER, JULY 29, 2016 Why I quit the Republican Party By Daniel Pipes Third, with honorable exceptions, I wish to dis- Court justices, it would leave the conservative The Republican Party nominated Don- tance myself from a Republican Party establish- movement intact. ald Trump as its candidate for president ment that made its peace with Trump to the point Finally, Trump is “an ignorant, amoral, dishon- of the United States - and I responded by that it unfairly repressed elements at the national est and manipulative, misogynistic, philandering, ending my 44-year GOP membership. convention in Cleveland that still tried to resist hyper-litigious, isolationist, protectionist blow- Here’s why I bailed, quit, and his nomination. Yes, politicians and donors must hard” in the words of Republican donor Michael K. jumped ship: focus on immediate issues (Supreme Court justice Vlock. That charming list of qualities means sup- First, - appointments) but party leaders like GOP commit- porting Trump translates into never again being ile, and repulsive character, combined tee chairman Reince Priebus, House Speaker Paul able to criticize a Democrat on the basis of char- Trump’s boorish, selfish, puer Ryan, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McCon- acter. Or, in personal terms: How can one look at nell wrongly acquiesced to Trump. As columnist oneself in the mirror? tendencieswith his prideful make ignorance,him the most his divisiveoff-the- Michael Gerson wryly notes, Trump “attacked the And so, with Trump’s formal nomination, I andcuff scarypolicy ofmaking, any seriousand his presidentialneo-fascistic Republican establishment as low-energy, cower- bailed. candidate in American history. He is ing weaklings. Now Republican leaders are lining For the Republican Party to recover its soul, precisely “the man the founders feared,” up to surrender to him - like low-energy, cowering Trump needs to be thumped in November. Purged in Peter Wehner’s memorable phrase. I weaklings.” want to be no part of this. Fourth, the conservative movement, to which I can rebuild. Second, belong, has developed since the 1950s into a major of Inhis the influence, meantime, the Iparty shall ofsupport Lincoln other and ReaganRepub- (“everything is negotiable”) means that, intellectual force. It did so by building on several lican candidates, notably Pennsylvania’s excellent as president, his he flip-flopping has the mandate on the issues to do key ideas (limited government, a moral order, and Sen. Pat Toomey. As for president? Either the lib- any damn thing he wants. This unprec- ertarian Gary Johnson, a write-in candidate, or no edented and terrifying prospect could values). But the cultural abyss and constitutional one at all. mean suing unfriendly reporters or bull- nightmarea foreign policy of a Trumpreflecting presidency American will interests likely and de- Editorials • Opinions Letters dozing a recalcitrant Congress. It could stroy this delicate creation. Ironically, although a Daniel Pipes has served in five presidential ad- also mean martial law. Count me out. Hillary Clinton presidency threatens bad Supreme ministrations (DanielPipes.org). @DanielPipes) Gun rights & gun wrongs... what I learned from mom By Nathan Wise Another thing Mom said, serves today as a base- My family spent the early ‘60s at “Ban The Like many children growing up in the ‘50s, I line for me, when listening to proponents of the Bomb” rallies and anti-war demonstrations; Mom learned many things by listening to my parents ev- gun lobby which sees any talk of sensible gun legis- told me she would “burn down the draft board” if ery night at the dinner table. Our parents were the lation as a threat to the Second Amendment to the they attempted to draft me, and she meant it. World War II generation whose lives were shaped U.S. Constitution. Mom said that the men and wom- - en in the new, tiny country of Israel, went into the tant nonviolence as an instrument to achieve so- war” which resisted the fascist threat from Nazi cialMom change, was asnot taught a pacifist, and andpracticed she believed by Mohandas in mili Germanyby the Great and the Depression simultaneous and thethreat last from “justified Impe- to their backs, because Israel was surrounded by K. Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and she rial Japan, both set on invading American shores. hostilefarm fields Arab every neighbors. day to She work, was with explaining rifles strapped the use believed that the Bill of Rights was sacrosanct. She My mom often said, “Finish the food on your of self-defense, and she made this vivid and clear used a then-familiar phrase of the Goldwater Far- plate: there are children starving in Europe.” I to me, by her words. They were, in fact, prophetic: Right (“America: Love It, or Leave It”) and turned it know that many members of our Jewish commu- ten years later, Egyptian strongman Nasser would on its head in support of the First Amendment and nity right here in Connecticut were among those organize those Arab states in a futile attempt to the Bill of Rights (“Love It -- and Leave It Alone”) in children. eradicate Israel in 1967. designing a bumper sticker of the day. Since the day of the Sandy Hook slaughter of in- nocent children and teachers, Senator Christopher Choosing light over hatred Murphy has been a champion of sensible gun legis- By Abby Weidenbaum She was slaughtered. Stabbed multiple times, lation. His voice (and those of John Lewis, John Lar- I realize that yesterday was July 4th in America, murdered in her sleep by a 17-year old Palestin- sen, Rosa DeLauro, and others) has been drowned celebrations galore! Happy Birthday America... ian. Yes, let everyone who may not hear the news out by obstructionist Republicans. The Founders accurately, understand exactly, to detail, what hap- gave citizens the right to bear arms simply in order do. It’s not that we don’t have plenty of joyous, pened. to form a “well-regulated militia” to resist tyran- amazing,Here in fun Israel times though, here I fullhad ofa different celebration task and to The second- a family who was shot in cold blood, nical threats from within or without ... exactly like happiness. while they were driving. The car overturned, the those young Israelis that my mom told me about. Yesterday, though I was not at a celebration. father was killed, and the wife is in critical condi- That was the intent of the Second Amendment and tion. We are all just praying that the kids will not mourners. be totally orphaned. Some of the ten children wit- of mass-slaughter (unknown in the 18th Century) Yesterday, I visited two different homes of nessed their father die. toit stillbe readily should accessible. be, rather than(It took a means the Orlando for firearms killer Hallel, who was stabbed multiple times, while she The lies and propaganda that spread, the wealth 7 minutes to acquire his AR-15 without any scru- wasThe asleep, first in was her the room. home The of room a 13-year had of oldcourse, girl, that the Palestinians hide (they live in exquisite tiny at all.) been a typical room of a teenage girl, with her bed, mansions that could be displayed in any design The Second Amendment will never be repealed shelves, things a 13-year old girl likes and all of the magazine, but news cameras somehow always or altered, because the Bill of Rights is what makes trappings that should comprise a fun, carefree en- miss that) and the Olympic level of lying and “hon- the U.S.A. unique in the world today ... and in the vironment. or killings” which Westerners cannot fathom” are history of the world. Thank you, Mom, for teaching Thirteen is such a beautiful age, a pivotal point known to some. me well. from childhood to adulthood. She will never see Mr. Wise’s grandfather was a founder of Sinai adulthood. CHOOSING LIGHT CONT. ON PG 13 Temple in Mount Vernon, NY THE JEWISH LEADER, JULY 29, 2016 13 Ron Popeil brought Jewish salesmanship into the living room By Michael Kaminer, Courtesy of theElmhurst cades, wallpaper a video installation. intention of buying.” History Museum, Forward But along with iconic gadgets and indelible The exhibition traces the origins of both Popeil Brothers and Read this article, and marvel at an exhibit in advertisements, the show’s about a particular- Ronco — the Jewish clans of Popeil and Morris hawked tchotch- Elmhurst, Illinois! But wait, there’s more! You’ll ly Jewish kind of salesmanship and showman- kes on boardwalks and at county fairs. “It was glass knives, learn the incredible exploits of Samuel and Ray- ship — “a classic tale of hustle and chutzpah,” simple slicers, traditions that go back long before the Popeils,” mond Popeil, and their empire of gadgets and Samuelson said. “It’s not like they invented this. But they did it gizmos! Isn’t that amazing? But wait! There’s historian of the City of Chicago and an obses- very well.” Samuel’s Popeil estranged son, Ron Popeil, who accordingsive Popeil/Ronco to Tim collector. Samuelson, “But official Wait! culturalThere’s With the emergence of television, Samuel and Raymond Po- created Ronco to best his father! More” is based on his 2002 book of the same peil saw the potential to hawk on a grand scale. Bringing their That might have been how a Popeil Broth- name and curated by Lance Tawzer, the muse- uncanny showmanship and salesmanship to the small screen — ers or Ronco infomercial would have pitched um’s curator of exhibits. to sell products they started manufacturing themselves in Chi- “But Wait There’s More! The Appeal and Spiel “The Popeils’ brand of pitching comes right cago, where they’d relocated to tap new markets — the brothers of Ronco and Popeil” on at the Elmhurst History out of streets of New York and New Jersey essentially created the infomercial. Museum, about 18 miles west of Chicago. with strong origins in Jewish street-sales tech- The exhibition showcases more than 125 Po- niques,” Samuelson told the Forward from his COOL DOWN CONT. FROM PAGE 1 peil and Ronco products that have ascended to application that includes a letter from their health care profes- the realm of pop culture lore — from Mr. Micro- in Chicago actually go back to the East Coast, to sional, such as a nurse from the Visiting Nurse Association, a dis- phone and the Pocket Fisherman to the Veg-O- ChicagoAsbury Park, office. New “The Jersey, origins and of New the PopeilYork, where story charge planner from a hospital or a physician. The letter should Matic and Sit-On Trash Compactor. Infomercials their relatives were. It was a virtual dynasty of from both companies, inescapable to anyone master pitch people. They could get you to line by heat and humidity and could prove life threatening without who watched late-night television over the de- up and put up money for something you had no conveythe use thatof an the air patient’s conditioner. medical condition is adversely affected The individuals we were able to help this summer ranged in age from 10 years old up to 90 years of age. Their medical condi- CONT. FROM PAGE 1 RIVLIN URGES UNITY tions included asthma, COPD, heart failure, and cancer. With the The President continued, “I can assure you, Father Patton thanked the President for his help of area agencies including Norwich Housing Authority, the that the Government of Israel, and the nation of warm words, and said, “I visited here many Visiting Nurse Association, L+M Hospital, United Community & Israel, respect the ability of every human being years ago, and I am proud to return to serve Family Services, New London Housing Authority, and Reliance to worship God as they choose. One of the most my order and the Pope. I am very open to every House, we reached out to case workers to let them know about important values that Israel holds is the princi- kind of cooperation, we know that we have to our program. They in turn made sure their clients submitted ap- ple of the freedom to worship God according to always work together and maintain our good plications. Operation Cool Down helped people in Groton, Jewett the beliefs of everyone. We know very well here relationships, as you say this is a message to City, Mystic, New London, Norwich, Preston, and Pawcatuck. in Jerusalem that there is only one God, he is the whole world. Today the message coming The saying “It is better to give than receive” was played out the God of all us, and he gave us the freedom to from this region is not good, and we must work over the past month because the community came together to worship him according to our beliefs. Although for peace, God asks that we work for peace.” © there are those who say there is a religious war ASHERNET what is turning out to be a hot and humid summer. The Federa- – this is blasphemy.” helption thanks low income you all. medically at risk individuals find relief from

CHOOSING LIGHT OVER HATRED CONT. FROM PAGE 12 Here’s the thing though- der someone because he deserved to die a martyr. Anyone think If you don’t live here you can’t understand. That’s not a criti- truth never goes out of style... that was a misuse of facebook? Incitement? Just a wild guess. cism. It’s just a truth. So, here we go... Sorry to inform you that not As opposed to the 17 year old who expressed his soul through Westerners pride themselves on principled truth and de- only European money is used hatred and murder, I will turn to the 16-year old girl who ex- mocracy. Lying, cheating and stealing is considered bad as is of to fund terrorism. Part of the pressed her soul through love and gratitude. course murder. People who do those things are not put on a ped- American tax dollar is too. I estal and given parades. guess CNN and the myriads of would have truly loved every person who was present in the Not true in the Arab world. In that world, hatred is taught other honest journalists just room.She She spoke expressed of her father, appreciation what he for exemplified, everyone who and came how he to from birth and murder is applauded. Education is of minor im- somehow keep omitting this pay respects and told us how we have to be strong. I hugged her portance. Principles of democracy and human rights do not exist tiny fact.. and her sisters as I cried, and her powerful gaze and words of in the Arab world and no amount of Western analysis and whin- Time to say the truth, even strength will be forever emblazened on my soul. I came to com- ing about it will change that. if it’s inconvenient for most fort her, and bless her with strength from G-d, but her strength of the world. As proactive in the end comforted me. Connection. Power. trust is non-existent, and life is of no value. What matters is the Americans, you can certainly - distortedThey have use ofdifferent “honor” rulesand the to roadthe game.to “martyrdom.” Lying is encouraged, raise this issue with your Con- ed in the faces of all who came to pay respects. He spoke not only Raw human intelligence is converted to hatred, much like gressman and Senators. We all of hisHallel’s daughter’s father relayedkindness, how intelligence, he felt his daughter’stalent, and lightother reflect many milk which sours, or cheese that turns rancid. know that truthful, powerful I have expressed my pain, but deep down, it is my nature to lobbying works. That was cer- were challenges. I started to cry as he got up from his chair to look forward in a positive fashion, and not stay steeped in that tainly my experience on Capi- finegreet qualities an older butman. of They her unwaveringboth hugged tenacity and cried. to do things that pain. That is why I chose to write about it, to process it... tol Hill... The room had a palpable energy. Pathways of unity formed. It is my hope that we can all live up to our truest potential, The 17-year old who mur- Hallel’s father asked me who I was and thanked me for com- and be sources of comfort and strength to our families and each dered Hallel posted on face- ing. other. book how he was going to mur- I did not know what to say. My eyes just welled up with tears In the words of a friend of mine, we can only respond by liv- as I wished him comfort from G-d. ing. Yes, that is the most powerful thing we can do. May we all MENTION Again, I was there to comfort him, but I walked out with an in- merit to be the best people we can be, and to live up to what Hal- CONT. FROM PAGE 2 fusion of his strength. Unbelievable. Indescribable. Connection. this, Chernow thinks, Hamil- Power. ..May the memories of the victims be blessed... lel’s father said. To reflect her light. ton truly respected Jews and Abby Weidenbaum is the daughter of local resident Rhoda We- defended them in public -- an- idenbaum and the late Sherman Weidenbaum. Abby lives in Israel, other mark of his bold charac- No, I do not want to read books about the “conflict” in the MiddleReading East. a The lot “conflict” of books is about this. medicine will not make me a is married with several kids and shared her thoughts with girl- ter. To set the historical record hood friend Evelyn Katz (daughter of Izzy & Safra Katz) where straight though, Hamilton was doctor.If you Reading want to about kill me, baseball we have and a conflict.football That’swill not a makeproblem. some- one understand the game. Only playing will... they both attended the Hebrew Day School many years ago. Izzy not biologically Jewish. forwarded Abby’s article to the Leader for consideration. 14 THE JEWISH LEADER, JULY 29, 2016 Frances Plotnick Beatrice Device aids motion sickness Frances “Fran” Plotnick, 84, passed Colchester -- Kosseff By Viva Sarah Press, Israel21c away unexpectedly on Friday, July 1, at Hartford Hospi- Waterford- Beatrice Ko- tal. She was born in the Bronx, NY on June 27, 1932 to feeling of nausea, dizziness and unevenness can be debilitating. the late Saul and Esther (Shatzman) Blustein. On May ForThe peoplemarket whohas numerous suffer from wearable motion devices sickness, and anti-nausea the revolting 23, 1953 she married her beloved husband Herbert in Monday, June 27, 2016. sseff,Bea was 93, born of inWaterford, Brooklyn, died pharmaceuticals boasting cures or prevention, but as most suf- Colchester, CT who survives her. ferers will tell you, almost nothing works. Fran was an educator who enjoyed teaching and New York on August 20, 1922 learning throughout her entire life. Completing college to Rose and Charles Krupit. She was married to Samuel after starting a family, she was determined to leave her Now,It’s called an Israeli MotionCure team ofand entrepreneurs it is developed offers by Sidis a Labs, solution a Tel for mark in the classroom. She enjoyed 30 years of teaching (Bill) Penstein, he predeceased Bea in July, 1968. someAviv startup sufferers. that is pulsing away all those bad feelings. Obituaries in the Ledyard school system, achieving frequent rec- Bea married William (Bill) - ognition including “Educator of the Year,” and receiving ness,” Sidis Labs CEO Ohad Raz tells ISRAEL21c. state recognition for her creative teaching ideas. Fran “It’s a big thing for everyone who suffers from motion sick continued long after her retirement by educating at the predeceased her in 2006. KosseffSurvivors in includeMay, 1974 daugh and- he people, MotionCure doesn’t work and we’re honest about it. If Mashantucket Pequot Museum. it doesn’t“There’s work no for on/off you, just solution return it.to But motion for others, sickness. the reviews For some She lived a full life, always on the go, ready for her next adven- ters Lois Steinman and her husband, Don, of Niantic CT, are saying, ‘This is like magic for us.’ It can be an amazing solu- ture. Her love of music brought her all over tion.” the world, singing with the Eastern Con- Ellen Ashley of Staten Island, NY, grandchildren Sheri Tar- MotionCure is a neck brace that looks like a cross between necticut Symphony Chorus in China, per- cervical collar worn after a whiplash injury and an airplane trav- forming in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, el pillow. and attending countless concerts whenev- (Amy), Kenneth Ashley and diffgreat-grandchildren (Marc), Joel Bethany, Steinman The brace transmits pulses to the brain through both the me- er she had the opportunity. Her incredibly dian nerve at the back of the neck and the inner ear’s vestibular kind heart made her a true humanitarian; Sam and Rose. A graveside service was held June 29, 2016 at Hebrew ear, which gives your brain a sense of motion, equilibrium and Haddasah, The Connecticut Human Soci- systemspatial orientation.— a network The of nerves,customized channels frequencies and fluids sent in to your the innerbody freelyety, and sharing the Relay her For time Life and ; just efforts to name with Benevolent Cemetery #3, on Middle Rd. in Preston. and brain help reduce symptoms of motion sickness. a few. Whether getting lost in a book, on While there are other devices claiming similar results, Raz long walks on the beach or chasing her requests that donations in her says, “the real competition is medical; prescriptions, not other memoryIn lieu beof flowers,made to the the family char- devices.” of every single moment. The Sidis Labs technology, says Raz, integrates NASA research loveFran of adventure,dearly loved you her could family. always In addition find Fran to her making husband, the mostFran ity of one’s choice. is survived by her daughter Ellen Curtin, her husband Keith, son The family would like to thank Atria Crossroads Place and Beacon Hospice for their andbetween scientific what studies. your eyes see and what your inner ears, which her family, and her adored grandchildren David and Elyssa Rav- help“Motion with balance, sickness sense,” is thought according to occur to the when National there’s Health a conflict Ser- Jeffenelle. Plotnick and his wife Jayne. Her sister Cynthia Brasche and help and support. To leave a message of con- vice of England website. Fran was the heart and soul of Herb’s Deli, who was often “Your brain holds details about where you are and how you’re referred to as “Mrs. Herb”. Her outgoing personality, warm wel- dolence for Bea’s family, please visit her memorial at www. moving. It constantly updates this with information from your coming nature, and tenacious business savvy allowed their small eyes and vestibular system. If there’s a mismatch of information family restaurant to become something the community will nev- churchandallen.com. The Church and Allen Fu- between these two systems, your brain can’t update your cur- er forget. She will always be loved and truly missed. rent status and the resulting confusion will lead to symptoms of Fran served as a volunteer for the Israel Defense Forces and neral Home assisted the family with arrangements. motion sickness, such as nausea and vomiting.” then later joined a JFEC mission to Israel. A ride in a car, ship, airplane or train can cause motion sick- Remember to send in ness. People also can get these unpleasant symptoms from Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus or Hadassah. The Church your subscription amusement park rides or from watching fast-paced movies or & AllenIn lieu Funeral of flowers Home, a memorial Norwich, donation assisted withmay bearrangements. made to either video games. Norwich Hebrew Benevolent Byles-MacDougall Association Funeral Service, Inc P.O. Box 663 Jewett City, CT 06351 (860) 442-0343 Dr. Brian G. Mann & (888) 736-7036 Hebrew Cemeteries #1, #2, and #3 Associates, Optometrists Complete Eye Care Daniel W. Byles Interfaith Cemetery #4 Reid B. Burdick Cremains Cemetery BY APPOINTMENT OR John D. MacDougall Synagogue Affiliation Not Required WALK-INS WELCOME Anthem BCBS, Mohegan Sun, Byles Memorial Home Byles-Groton Memorial Home 99 Huntington Street 310 Thames Street 860-887-0896 HealthNet, Foxwoods, Tricare, New London, Conn. 06320 Groton, Conn. 06340 Aetna, Eyemed, ConnectiCare, & other insurances accepted. 860.442.0380 Waterford Commons, Waterford CT THOMAS L. NEILAN & SONS (across from Best Buy) Funeral Directors Our Services Include: 136 Sachem Street Comprehensive Eye Exams, Norwich CT 06360 Extensive Range of Frames, Memorial Lenses & Contact Lenses 860-889-2374 Evaluation & Treatment of: 12 Ocean Avenue 48 Grand Street Fax 860-886-2396 Adult & Pediatric Functional Vision, New London, CT 06320 Niantic, CT 06357 Vision Related Reading Problems, 860-443-1871 860-739-6112 Complete Ocular Health THE JEWISH LEADER, JULY 29, 2016 15 TEDDY WEINBERGER Religious Jew as pop star! © 2016, Teddy Weinberger had gone in to the music store intending only to purchase Why, any synagogue Amir Benayoun’s new cd, since I was going to an upcom- things Jewish that one regularly happens upon could take Ankri’s musi- ing concert by Benayoun and wanted to do my homework. contributesin the Jewish to state. the positive It is Milyonim’s identification last song, with cal setting of this psalm As the guy at the store was ringing me up, he suggested however, that for me broke new ground. and use it whenever the I get a cd by Etty Ankri (she, like Benayoun, is a pop star who The song “Yoduha” (“They will praise You”) liturgy calls for Psalm I“returned” to religion). To make the salesman happy, I bought opens with some brash electric guitar chords, 67 (it is, in fact, used on Ankri’s “Milyonim.” and then, in sharp contrast, Ankri begins to sing various occasions, de- Etty has a wonderful voice: clean, exposed, and penetrating. “lamnatzeah bin’ginot mizmor shir” in her poi- pending on Sephardic or And, while Israeli pop stars occasionally incorporate verses from Ashkenazic tradition). the Bible and phrases from Jewish tradition in their work, “Mily- listened to it, this sounds like a psalm. Then In Etty Ankri’s “Milyonim,” religious cul- onim” is jam-packed with such allusions. Consider: gnant,Ankri goesfragile on voice. with Hey,two moreI thought psalm-sounding when I first ture and popular culture merge. Here is a The second song on the cd is entitled “Malhuyot,” a word that lines, and I thought to myself: Wow that’s won- well-known recording artist giving me a song ordinarily refers to a key portion of the Rosh Hashana liturgy derful: she seems to be quoting this psalm’s en- through which I can enhance my religious life. (when God is crowned king), except in this song Love is what is “Yoduha” is an exceptional example of this above us ”wrapping us like a majestic crown of light.” The next Then Ankri sings what functions as the cho- merging of Judaism and pop-culture, but it hap- two songs also quote from Jewish tradition. “Mayim Haim” is a tirerus tofirst this verse. song (from which she takes the title): Jewish legal term for rainwater (a minimum of which must be “Yoduha Amim Elokim.” There’s a wonderful in- and music. present in a ritual bath), and the “Yearnings” described in the terplay in the chorus between words and melo- pens regularly in Israel: in literature, film, art, fourth song are for God’s love and for the Temple. In the rest of dy; the melody rises and tops out on the last syl- the cd, one song (taken from the traditional marriage ceremony) lable of the word ”Elokim”—God. At this point seemsThe that field musicians of music (like is especially Ankri and rich like in Amir the I realized that “Yoduha” does not just feature confluenceBenayoun) are of popparticularly culture receptive with religion, to matters as it taken from phrases in Psalms, and the next is a sort of politi- quotations from a psalm but is a marvelous and of the spirit. In such a culture, especially with a iscal entitled allegory, “You with Are the Sanctified “speaker” To in Me,”the songthe next being song’s a throne, lyrics once are complete rendering of an entire psalm (and in- song like “Yoduha,” it becomes possible to think majestic, now abused, longing to be a throne for a King in the deed the rest of the song consists of the remain- what was unthinkable for me in America: that Temple. ing words of this Psalm 67). Put another way, a person who is serious about Jewish religious - Ankri is not just using tradition for her song life just might be, yes, dare I say it, yes: COOL. brew scriptures and Jewish tradition in “Milyonim,” that the cd but remaking contemporary Jewish tradition. I was delighted to find, in Ankri’s liberal quoting from He Soccer and studies prove winning formula for coexistence By Abigail Klein Leichman, Israel21c part of the post-high school National Service program. Twenty-four very excited boys and girls from across Israel [Hebrew University] studies I “They work with a sense of mission and belief in their work arrived at the President’s House in Jerusalem recently to take a volunteered“During the to first teach year Hebrew of my - group picture with President Rivlin and to tell him about their to elderly new immigrants munity in which they live, as well as the entire state of Israel,” participation in The Equalizer (Sha’ar Shivyon in Hebrew), a na- from Ethiopia and in my sec- andsays inGerassi. their ability to influence the next generation of the com tional educational and sports organization that brings some of ond year I decided to set up a Not surprisingly, most of the children are more passionate the most marginalized children together through their love of project for their children,” Ger- about the sport than about the academic piece of the program. football (soccer). assi tells ISRAEL21c. “The main way to overcome this challenge is to set a condition The kids chosen for the special trip that day — based on “So I started a project that for the participant,” Gerassi says. “The Equalizer is a whole pack- their conduct in school and in The Equalizer’s study centers and combines my great love (and age; either you participate in it all, or you don’t participate at sports activities — included Muslims, Bedouins, Jewish immi- especially children’s great all.” grants, Druze, and even a child of Eritrean refugees. love) – football — with es- Remember to send in your subscription They are just a sampling of the 2,300 children involved in The sential kids’ needs such as Equalizer’s seventh year of operation. The program is based in role models, educational as- 152 schools from the Golan Heights in the north down to Mitz- sistance and social and emo- &DOOXVWRGD\IRU\RXUIUHH peh Ramon in the south. tional empowerment, enhanc- Each participating school selects 15 pupils, aged nine to 14, ing self-esteem and a sense of LQKRPHDVVHVVPHQW deemed most in need of support both in school and after school. belonging.” Each week throughout the year they receive two sessions of tu- The Equalizer began in sev-  toring by college students and two sessions of coaching with an en elementary schools in Je- ZZZFDUHDWKRPHQRZFRP authorized soccer trainer. Once a month, the teams in each re- rusalem and grew from there 䙜 gion gather for a tournament. due to high demand and im- &RPSDQLRQVKLS 3HUVRQDO&DUH Founder and Executive Director Liran Gerassi explains that pressive results, he says. 䙜 $O]KHLPHUÝV 'HPHQWLD&DUH the project instills values such as mutual respect, tolerance and Expenses are covered by Is- 䙜 3UH 3RVW6XUJHU\&DUH coexistence, while enhancing awareness of how education and raeli sponsors including com- 䙜 3HUVRQDO7UDQVSRUWDWLRQ organized sports can prevent violence, crime and racism. panies, colleges, universities 䙜 +RXUO\RU+RXU/LYH,Q6XSSRUW and government ministries, as well as UK bodies such as the British Embassy and the United Jewish Israel Appeal AUTO | HOME | COMMERCIAL | MARINE (UJIA). Gerassi says UJIA’s sup- port over the past three years made it possible to expand to Levine Insurance Group LLC the north and build capacity and management capabilities. Andrew J. Levine

More than 400 Jewish and Arab volunteers provide the 221 Boston Post Rd. 860-739-4444 Office backbone of The Equalizer, P.O. Box 339 860-739-6861 Fax serving in roles from tutors to Outstanding participants in The Equalizer got to meet President East Lyme, CT 06333 [email protected] Reuven Rivlin on May 25, 2016. coaching assistants. Many are 16 THE JEWISH LEADER, JULY 29, 2016

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