JJMM Permit #607
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Non-Profit Org. The Jewish Journal U.S. Postage Monthly Magazine PAID Youngstown, OH JJMM Permit #607 Photos/Patricia R. Kelvin (Top left) After 41 years of service to the Jewish Com- munity, Gary Weiss is retiring soon. (See story on page 17.) (Top right) The 2017 Inaugural event featured the hu- mor of Joel Chasnoff, author of The Crybaby Brigade.” Florence Harshman and Claudia Moss are having their copies of the book signed by Mr. Chasnoff. (See story on page 4.) (Lower left) Once again, the Christian evangelical com- munity celebrates the State of Israel and the Jewish people. (For more details, see page 22.) Vol. 14, No. 10 t Oct. 2017 t Tishrei/Cheshvan 5778 Commentary Starting the New Year off right Let it Rain By Rabbi Franklin Muller Ms. Pogrebin does a masterful job of By Rabbi Dario Hunter sacrifices we bear a responsibility to Congregation Rodef Sholom gleaning the deeper values and les- Ohev Tzedek- Shaarei Torah make is to relinquish the barriers with- sons which lie just beneath the surface in ourselves to understanding circum- By the time you receive this edition of every Jewish holiday. Her book is Rain is vital to a desert people as a stances and cultures different from of the Jewish Journal, we will have just a veritable treasure trove of morally parched landscape may mean a lack our own. It is tough labor of a spiritual completed the 10-day period of the edifying and spiritually uplifting wis- of sustenance. Arid conditions might nature to put aside the “us vs. them” High Holidays known as the “Aseret dom which has the power to take your also mean strife or warring with neigh- and accept the idea of we, confident Y’mei Teshuvah,” or the Ten Days of religious life to a higher level, what we bors over limited resources. The effort in our uniqueness but appreciative of Repentance. Having just ushered in call in Hebrew, “Laalot b’Kedushah” to survive in a harsh climate compels the things all humans share. Nonethe- the New Year 5778, we are asked by to “ascend in holiness.” preparation, sacrifices and indeed less, we must offer to Hashem, the te- our tradition to consider how we can The unfortunate state of affairs prayers for favorable weather. nacious charging “bulls” that are our improve ourselves, morally and spiri- is that for many of us, our under- In regards to the upcoming holi- capacity for prideful exclusion and in- tually, in the year ahead. standing of the Jewish festivals has day of Sukkot, the Talmud tells us that difference to the fate of others. Abigail Pogrebin, author and a for- remained at a childhood level. Don’t traditionally 70 bulls were to be sacri- At present, there is a national dia- mer producer of “60 Minutes,” em- you owe it to yourself to explore the ficed to Hashem for the 70 nations of logue developing about the place of barked on an entire year of research, depth of the precious heritage which the world so that rain may fall all over those some might deem “others” in observance, and writing about every we have inherited from our parents the earth. This fits an equation we -un our society. Some may choose to place ritual, fast, and festival in the Jewish and grandparents? derstand well from Torah, that loyalty labels that equate to ‘‘foreigner” or calendar. If your answer is yes, then a great to Hashem equals blessings. But it also “stranger” upon these fellow human Although she grew up with some start is to read this wonderful book. fits what we logically understand as hu- beings but we cannot deny that, as the basic holiday rituals, Ms. Pogrebin Abigail Pogrebin spoke at Chautau- man beings to be true – that work (in- Torah repeatedly reminds us, we too realized how little she knew about qua over the summer about My Jewish cluding sacred work) begets prosperity. were once strangers in Egypt. The upcoming holiday of Sukkot the origins, purpose, and current Year, and one of our congregants who All humanity at one point or an- is deeply connected to agriculture; in relevance of the vast array of Jewish heard her called me up and told me other experiences alienation and dis- fact the sukkot (or booths) built for she was amazing. appointment. We can choose to make feasts, celebrations and commemo- the holiday hearken back to the simple Dear friends, we’ve made a great the entire world a desert or we can rations. This immersive exploration, dwellings lived in by farmers during wish prosperity upon all and thereby first chronicled in a popular series for beginning by observing Rosh Hasha- harvest season. uphold our common blessing. the Forward, led to the publication of nah. Now let’s keep up the momen- The sukkot also represent the her latest book, My Jewish Year: 18 tum and perhaps we’ll see you at Ro- booths the children of Israel lived in In struggling to reshape our un- Holidays, One Wondering Jew. It is a def Sholom for Yom Kippur, Sukkot, during our journey through the desert derstanding of how we relate to other fascinating look into the modern-day Simchat Torah — and beyond! after Hashem delivered us from bond- peoples and faiths, we plant the seeds meaning of our oldest holiday tradi- Throughout the year I will discuss age in Egypt. It is a holiday that cel- for the end of strife, warfare and in- tions. via sermons, bulletin messages and ebrates our uniqueness as a people by justice. This is the true measure of What a concept! Have you ever articles in the Jewish Journal, the les- underlining our particular relation- our ‘harvest’ as a people – the dis- imagined how your spiritual life could sons outlined in this well-written, ship with G-d. But it also underscores tance we have moved the world far- be heightened if you made a commit- witty and humorous book. what we share with all humanity by ther towards peace, harmony and un- ment to fully understand and observe Together let’s make 5778 Our Jew- drawing attention to how all human derstanding. every Jewish holiday in the calendar ish Year! Shanah Tova and G’mar beings are in need of Hashem’s grace May we live to reap that harvest for one full year? It would undoubt- Chatimah Tovah, may each of us be for sustenance. and may we witness Hashem spread- edly be a transformative, rejuvenat- inscribed for blessing and good in the While we are no longer compelled ing his sukkah (shelter) of peace over ing (no pun intended) experience. Book of Life. to make animal sacrifices, one of the all humanity. Israeli balloon helped protect Pope Francis on South America visit RIO DE JANEIRO (JTA) — Pope Monday. Two of the three Masses led advanced day and night cameras, the also helped secure the pope’s past trips Francis’s security detail used an Is- by the pope in Colombia two weeks balloon can automatically identify to Africa and Israel. Police in Bogota raeli-made observation balloon to ago were accompanied by the device, suspicious movements, better zoom and Medellin leased the device and protect the pontiff during his visit to which is made by the Israeli company in on targets we want to follow, and transmitted its video footage directly South America. RT Aerostats Systems. maintain an overview of the entire to their headquarters. The balloon proved to be more re- “We have recently added a few area even while focusing on a specific It helped scan the large crowds, liable than the unmanned air vehicles upgrades to the balloon that secured target.” the rooftops in the area and other typically used and cost only a fraction the pope,” an RT official told the -Is The balloon, which is regularly spots that cannot be seen from the of the price to operate, Ynet reported raeli news website. “In addition to used by the Israeli military and police, ground. 2 The Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine October 2017 What’s in this month’s Jewish Journal Candle-Lighting Times Celebrations ............................................................. 18-19 Oct. 4 (erev Sukkot) 6:41 p.m. Commentary ......................................................................2 Oct. 5 (erev Sukkot II) Culture ............................................................................8-9 (after) 7:38 p.m. Education .......................................................................6-7 Oct. 6 (Shabbat) 6:38 p.m. El Emeth........................................................................... 16 Oct. 11 (erev Shemini Atzeret) 7:34 p.m. Federation ..........................................................................4 Oct. 12 (erev Simchat Torah) Israel ................................................................................. 10 7:49 p.m. JCC activities .......................................................12-13, 15 Oct. 13 (Shabbat) 6:27 p.m. JCRC ................................................................................. 11 Oct. 20 (Shabbat) 6:16 p.m. Memorials .......................................................... 22-23 Oct. 27 (Shabbat) 6:06 p.m. Ohev Tzedek .............................................................17 Rodef Sholom ..........................................................24 Nov. 3 (Shabbat) 5:57 p.m. Spotlight on Seniors .......................................... 20-21 Nov. 10 (Shabbat) 4:50 p.m. About the Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine Publisher: Andrew L. Lipkin JJMM Mission Statement Editor: Patricia R. Kelvin, Ph.D., APR A The Youngstown Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine, a publication of the Advertising Director: Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, strives to — Phyllis Friedman A Provide a major tool of community communication for the Youngstown Area Office: Kathy Schell Jewish Federation and its affiliated agencies; A Present current local, national and world news of Jewish interest; The Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine is a publication of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation and has received major grants A Offer timely commentary, interpretation, analysis and authentic background from the Schermer Trust, The Maurice and Florence Lipscher Chari- on events of the day for the purpose of encouraging the concern and re- table Trust and ZOA.