January 10-16, 2020 Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton Volume XLIX, Number 2 BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK In response to recent antisemitic attacks Federation to hold community gathering on Jan. 16 By Reporter staff helping the of the Jewish munity. Our gathering will show that we As a response to recent antisemitic Jewish com- Federation of are one people with a commitment to our attacks, the Jewish Federation of Greater munity “come Greater Bing- faith during this difficult time. We want Binghamton will host a community gath- together to hamton. to acknowledge the religious freedom we ering on Thursday, January 16, at 7:30 recognize our Hubal add- have in this country and to pray for peace pm, at the Jewish Community Center, freedom and rejoice in the loving commu- ed, “When there is a rise in antisemitism for all people.” 500 Clubhouse Rd., Vestal. Area rabbis nity spirit we have here in Binghamton. and other hate crimes, the result is that If there is a weather related cancella- and community leaders will take part We want to stand together as proud Jewish many Jews and other minorities begin to tion, an announcement will be made on in the gathering. The event will feature people and show that love wins over hate,” live in fear and isolation. I do not want the Federation’s Facebook page, “Jewish songs and prayers with the purpose of said Shelley Hubal, executive director this to happen to the Binghamton com- Binghamton.” JLI course on “Judaism’s Gifts to the World” to begin Jan. 27 and 29 “Judaism’s Gifts to the World,” a new Rivkah Slonim, the local JLI instructor headquarters, who is also the course’s edi- scintillating course in the history of ideas six-session course by the Rohr Jewish in Vestal. “Understanding Judaism’s tor. “Even this contribution is often viewed and culture by leading experts from around Learning Institute, will be offered at the historical contribution gives us a deeper rather narrowly as a religions contribution, the globe.” Chabad Center in Vestal. The classes will appreciation for its continuing relevance which is only meaningful to those interested As with all JLI programs, “Judaism’s begin on Monday, January 27, at 7 pm, and a better understanding of how the in religion. But as this course demonstrates, Gifts to the World” is designed to appeal to and Wednesday, January 29, at 9:30 am, moral and ethical institutions we take for the universal change effected by the Torah people at all levels of knowledge, including and continue for six weeks. The course granted came into being.” is much broader.” those without any prior experience or back- seeks to unearth the Jewish roots of “some “Judaism’s Gifts to the World” seeks Dr. Darrin M. McMahon, the Mary ground in Jewish learning. All JLI courses of the most cherished values” of Western to explore tensions between social and Brinsmead Wheelock professor of history are open to the public and attendees need civilization, including how common ideas individual responsibility, the implications at Dartmouth College, has praised “Juda- not be affiliated with a particular synagogue, of “personal responsibility, the inherent of monotheism, the sacredness of human ism’s Gifts to the World” as “timely and temple or other house of worship. The course sanctity of human life, institutionalized life, the meaning of social equality, how important”: “There can be no doubt that fee is $79, which includes the textbook. universal education, human equality, the Sabbath observance laid the groundwork for the Jewish contribution to the civilizations To register, e-mail rslonim@Jewishbu. dignity of a day of rest and devotion to the modern weekend, and the underpinnings of the West and the world is immense. At com, call 797-0015 or visit www.myJLI. family, and a sense of purpose” have their of morality. a time when noxious critics would doubt com. origins in ancient Judaism. “It is widely known that Judaism gifted that contribution, or deny it altogether, the JLI, the adult education branch of “At a moment in which we are witness- monotheism to the world, but for many, Jewish Learning Institute has offered a Chabad-Lubavitch, offers programs at more ing a rise in antisemitism, it is important that’s where the Jewish contribution ends,” timely reminder of the many gifts the Jewish than 800 international locations. More than to explore what has been the true impact explained Rabbi Mordechai Dinerman, the tradition has bestowed. ‘Judaism’s Gifts to 400,000 students have attended JLI classes of Jews and Judaism on civilization,” said director of curriculum at JLI’s New York the World’ is a gift of its own, providing a since JLI was founded in 1999. Quingo Game Night fund-raiser at JCC on Jan. 25 By Paige Bartholomew org. The entire community is welcome and in a minute-to-win-it game to determine pre-kindergarten. “The proceeds will go The Jewish Community Center will encouraged to attend. the winner. toward items needed in the classrooms host its first-ever Quingo Game Night Quingo is run locally by radio person- The contributions from Quingo Game that create an overall better environment fund-raising event on Saturday, January ality Barbara Fox. The game combines Night will go to the JCC’s Early Childhood for the children,” said ECC Assistant 25, from 6:30-8:30 pm, at the JCC, 500 elements of bingo, trivia and minute-to- Center. The ECC is a place that “provides Director Nichole McMillen. Funds raised Clubhouse Rd., Vestal. The cost is $20 per win-it games. Each team will receive a a warm and caring environment where will be used to buy manipulative toys for person, with a maximum number of eight bingo board, where members will record children explore, experiment, play, grow the classrooms’ stations and supplies for people per team. Light refreshments will their answers to trivia questions – every and learn to ask questions.” Programming other enriching activities. be available for purchase. Reservations are answer the team gets right counts toward is offered for infants through age 5, includ- For more information about Quingo requested and can be made via e-mail with a possible bingo. Teams that have bingo ing full-day daycare and preschool, art and Game Night, ECC programming, or the Marley Vavra at marleyv@binghamtonjcc. by the end of the round will then compete physical education classes, and universal JCC, contact the JCC office at 724-2417. TC Sisterhood to hold book talk on Jan. 26 Rabbi Rachel Esserman will discuss ward to reading the books for “The Heart of the Circle” is Reed protect himself and his friends as the three books at the annual Temple Concord what is one of my favorite events Israeli author Landsman’s first Sons of Simeon close in around them?” Sisterhood book talk on Sunday, January of the year. I deliberately choose work to be translated into En- Kadish, the author of “From a Sealed 26, at 11 am, at Temple Concord, 9 Riv- books with different themes glish. The premise of this fantasy Room,” is best known for her award-win- erside Dr., Binghamton. The snow date is and plots in order to make the novel is that “throughout human ning novel “The Weight of Ink.” The Sunday, February 2. The program is open review more interesting. Two history, there have always been author “reflects on the ghosts of the past, to the public. A brunch will be served at a of the books – ‘The Heart of the sorcerers, once idolized and now the tensions of war, and the difficult bonds cost of $3 for Sisterhood members and $5 Circle’ and ‘The Flight Portfolio’ exploited for their powers. In Is- of family. When Maya enrolls at Hebrew for non-members. Reservations must be – were published in 2019. Rachel rael, the Sons of Simeon, a group University in Jerusalem shortly after the made by Wednesday, January 22, to Phyllis Kadish’s novel is older, but I’ve of religious extremists, persecute Gulf War, she hopes to leave New York Kellenberger at [email protected], been meaning to read it for years sorcerers while the government and a fraught relationship with her mother 723-2193 or 727-8305. since I loved her second and third Rabbi Rachel turns a blind eye. After a march behind her. In Israel, she gets to know her The books to be reviewed are “The novels. Lovers of urban fantasy Esserman for equal rights ends in brutal older cousin, Tami, a housewife whose Heart of the Circle” by Israeli author Keren will be happy to note that I’ve murder, waiter Reed becomes home has a room sealed against the war’s Landsman, “From a Sealed Room” by included one by an Israeli author, Keren the next target. While his friends seek his Scud missile attacks. Like Maya, Tami feels award-winning author Rachel Kadish, and Landsman, and, as a fan of Julie Orringer’s future killers, Reed complicates everything distanced from the people closest to her – her “The Flight Portfolio” by Julie Orringer. first novel, ‘The Invisible Bridge,’ I’m really by falling hopelessly in love. As the battle mother, husband and only son. But it will Esserman said, “I’m again looking for- looking forward to reading her second one.” for survival grows ever more personal, can See “Book” on page 3 INSIDE THIS ISSUE March against hate Iran Drag Me to Brunch Special Sections A crowd of 25,000 marched in the An analysis of the potential The JCC will hold its third annual Legal Notices ..................................