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JewishA publication of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, serving V the Berkshires and surrounding ice NY, CT and VT Vol. 26, No. 6 Tammuz/Av/Elul 5778 July 2 to August 19, 2018 jewishberkshires.org Sam Glaser and “The Power of the No Turning Back Jewish Soul” Turn Park Art Space founders are creating a Celebrate Israel at 70 with one of the top Jewish cultural community in West Stockbridge musicians in the USA LENOX – Dive deep into “The Pow- er of the Jewish Soul” with Sam Glaser and his band at the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires’ annual summer concert, always an uplifting evening of music and community. Sam Glaser’s inspir- ing and contemporary take on Jewish music will have you up on your feet for this joyful, feel good concert in celebration of Israel’s 70th birthday! The concert will take place at 7 p.m. on Sunday, August 5 at the Duffin Theater at Lenox Memorial High School. This year, all concert proceeds will benefit the Jewish Agency’s Victims of Terror Fund, which

continues to play a vital role in photo: I i n P Cox meeting the needs of families and individuals injured by senseless Sam Glaser Establishing a new arts destination in the culture-rich Berkshires might acts of violence in Israel. seem like a lofty – perhaps even daringly quixotic – ambition, but Turn This event is sponsored by Park’s Katya Brezgunova and Igor Gomberg have bravely taken it on. This the Federation, with support from the About Sam Glaser summer, Turn Park’s second season features an array of art, music, film, Harold Grinspoon Foundation. “Some consider Sam Glaser to be the and performance, all carefully curated to share the founders’ enthusiasm hardest working man in Jewish music for the creative expression they love. For more on Turn Park and Inside today. With over 20 albums under his Brezgunova and Gomberg’s Jewish journey from the Soviet Union to the belt and his annual concert tour which Bay State, please turn to page 28. Volunteer Subscribers Needed...... 2 plays for over 100,000 fans, we think Your Federation Presents...... 4-10, 15-17 that Sam has earned the title.” — Jewish Music Group Online Local News...... 11-14, 19-21 Successful Super Sunday...... 16-17 Sam Glaser’s soulful music has be- Mission Impossible? come part of the fabric of Jewish life in Religious Schools...... 12-13 Presidential historian Jeremi Suri on communities worldwide. He performs Culture & Arts...... 24-28 in an average of 50 cities a year and Western democracy past and future at

sam glaser, continued on page 8 Knosh & Knowledge, July 20

GREAT BARRINGTON – On Friday, Maimonides Society Meeting July 20 at 10:45 a.m., Knosh & Knowledge welcomes presidential Rabbi Leonard A. Sharzer, MD on decision making historian Jeremi Suri, whose topic will be “The History and Future of at the end of life Western Democracy in an Age of LENOX – On Sunday, August 12 at Populism.” 9:30 a.m., the Maimonides Society of This free Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, organized under the the Berkshires program will take auspices of the Jewish Federation of place at Hevreh of Southern the Berkshires, will hold its 5th annual Berkshire at 10:45 a.m., and will meeting, this year at the Marriot Court- be followed by lunch, available for yard at 70 Pittsfield Road. $11 (RSVP required). The featured speaker is Rabbi Jeremi Suri holds the Mack Leonard A. Sharzer, MD, whose topic Brown Distinguished Chair for will be “Decision Making at the End of Leadership in Global Affairs at The Life: Paradoxes and Paradigms.” University of Texas at Austin. He All healthcare professionals working is a professor in the university’s in or visiting the Berkshires are invited Department of History and the LBJ to this networking event – no funds School of Public Affairs. Professor will be solicited, and a bagels and lox Suri is the author and editor of nine breakfast will be served. Couvert is books on contemporary politics and Professor Jeremi Suri $15. This live activity will receive a foreign policy, most recently The maximum of one hour of AMA PRA Impossible Presidency: The Rise and Category 1 Credit through the Joint Fall of America’s Highest Office. He direct decision-making by all Providership of Berkshire Health Sys- writes for major newspapers and citizens. Through the Constitu- tems and the Maimonides Society. magazines including The New York tion and early federal institutions, Rabbi Sharzer, who practiced Times, The Washington Post, The Americans invented a system that medicine as a plastic surgeon, is the Boston Globe, Foreign Affairs, emphasized representation, unity, Rabbi Leonard A. Sharzer, MD associate director for bioethics of the Fortune, and Wired. and leadership by individuals of Finkelstein Institute of Religious and About his upcoming Knosh & merit. This system has always been Social Studies at the Jewish Theo- About his upcoming talk, Rabbi Knowledge talk, Professor Suri unstable, uncertain, and emerging. logical Institute in New York City. He Sharzer says: “Over the last half centu- writes: “American democracy Our history is about the continu- retired from medical practice in 1999 ry, technological advances have given emerged in the late 18th century as ous re-making of our democracy to enter The Rabbinical School at JTS, us control over both the beginning and a mix of political forms. The Found- and our institutions.” His talk will where he was ordained in May 2003. end of life that our forebears could not ing Fathers rejected monarchy, but close with thoughts on how our While in the Berkshires, Rabbi Sharzer even have imagined. In a world of ICUs they were also skeptical about Jeremi Suri, continued on page 6 is active with the Berkshire Minyan in Great Barrington. maimonides, continued on page 4 Page 2 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org July 2 to August 19, 2018 In My View Creating a World of Difference by Starting Here at Home By Dara Kaufman When I was 13 years old, I was the target of a of any kind. As individuals, we say “never again” but we must also act, because horrible anti-Semitic event. On my walk to school, our actions are what define us. I was accosted by an older girl who told me that It is with this in mind that Federation, in partnership with the ADL, reached she was German, that I was a Jew, and that I out to the Berkshire County Superintendents Roundtable to see how we might needed to get down and lick her boots. Other kids leverage those concert proceeds (together with an additional grant from our an- walking to school gathered around us and said nual campaign) to bring the ADL’s WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® anti-bias training nothing. I stared her down, not saying a word, but program to our local schools. I was shaken to my core. Unfortunately, I was too ADL’s Peer Training Program provides a group of 30 students who reflect the scared to speak up and tell anyone about it until diversity of their individual middle school or high school’s demographics with ex- much later in my life. That event has stayed with tensive anti-bias training to lead developmentally-appropriate activities and dis- me to this day. cussions with their peers on explicit and implicit bias pertaining to race, religion, According to the Southern Poverty Law ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, culture, and other aspects of human diversity. Center, in the months following the 2016 elec- Participants also develop safe and practical prevention and response strategies tion more hate incidents took place in America’s to address prejudicial behaviors, including the ways in which young people can schools than anywhere else. And hate crimes become allies for peers who are targeted. continue to rise in 2017. This yearlong program, which also includes workshops for parents and teachers, The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), in a report released this past February, is certified by the National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices. identified that the number of anti-Semitic incidents was nearly 60 percent higher This past May, Phil Fogelman, the director of the ADL’s A WORLD OF in 2017 than 2016, the largest single-year increase on record and the second DIFFERENCE Institute, presented this program to the school superintendants. highest number reported since ADL started tracking incident data in the 1970s. Their response was overwhelmingly positive. I am thrilled to share that the The sharp rise, reported in ADL’s Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents, was in part districts are currently working to mobilize staff to move this program forward in due to a significant increase in incidents in schools and on college campuses, North Adams, Williamstown, Pittsfield, Dalton, Lenox, and Great Barrington. which nearly doubled for the second year in a row. Jake McCandless, superintendent of the Pittsfield public schools – the largest Last year, amidst rising anti-Semitism and an escalating national debate on school district in the Berkshires – shared this: “Key to our mission is working to racial equality, religious freedom, women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, and immigration ensure that all students have the attitudes, the vocabulary, and the character to reform, Federation focused extensively on community outreach. We collaborated know hate when they see it, hear it, or feel it...and then the conviction and cour- with local non-profits and hosted speakers from the NAACP-Berkshire Chapter, age to fight against it. The Pittsfield Public Schools see the A WORLD OF DIFFER- Multi Cultural Bridge, the Berkshire Immigrant Center, and Rainbow Seniors in ENCE Peer Training Program as being crucial to our mission of really educating order to be an ally and advocate for those in our extended Berkshire community students about how to be responsible and respectful global citizens. Hate and who, like us, were feeling deeply unsettled and vulnerable. bias are sadly alive and well in every community. This program gives us the tools And just when we thought it could not get any worse, we were shocked by the to educate and rise above hate and intolerance in Pittsfield and beyond.” images and virulent chants of white nationalists marching in Charlottesville, VA. I am so proud that our Federation is leading the way in helping young people The bigotry and intolerance that we saw sweeping our nation was both uncon- gain the courage and conviction to speak out whenever they encounter bias. To- scionable and deplorable. gether, we will create a more just and tolerant community for all of us. Having called on the ADL with increasing frequency to address anti-Semitic As for that 13-year-old girl who still lives inside of me, I am incredibly grate- acts in our local community and to help provide security training for our Jewish ful for what this opportunity means to all students who face attacks on their institutions, the Federation directed the proceeds of our 2017 summer concert personal identity, that they know they have allies to support them. They are not to support the critical work it was doing in our community and in communities alone. across the country. As a people, we know we cannot remain silent in the face of hatred and bigotry Dara Kaufman is the executive director of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires.

Editor’s Note Let’s Do It Again By Albert Stern / BJV Editor Let me explain how things go when you are is literally $0.00. If someone wants us part of an endeavor – in this case, the Berkshire to pay for art, you know what we say? Jewish Voice – that depends upon the munifi- “Nope, can’t do it.” Every time. This is cent donations of people who appreciate your where creativity has been important. hard work. • Original writing – We try to give you So say you have a great year, and exceed stories you’ll enjoy reading. In addition your fundraising expectations by a surprising to articles from regular contributors like margin. Carol Goodman Kaufman and Avi Your reaction when you find out the news: Dresner, we’ve excerpted compelling “That’s fantastic omigod how are we ever going chapters from books by local authors to be able to do it again next year?” Fedora Horowitz, Kenneth Markel, and First of all, thank you again, readers, for Sonia Beker. Plus, we give you original providing such a high level of support as vol- feature stories you can read nowhere untary subscribers and honorary publishers in else, such as interviews with Abigail 2017/2018. Pogrebin, Last summer, after we published our annual insert appealing for additional Rachel Kadish, Kenneth Pollack, and funding – similar to the one you may have already noticed in the newspaper you Jeremi Suri, as well as special sections are currently holding (it may have fallen out, so if you don’t see one please check that introduced you to local Jewish your floor or mailbox)– you responded with unprecedented generosity. This genealogists, Jewish entrepreneurs, and enabled us to defray (rising) print costs and to continue to deliver a community community members’ first encounters with Israel. This commitment newspaper we hope you are proud of directly to your homes at no cost to you, to publishing original work has allowed us to drastically reduce the number of beyond a gift to Federation’s annual campaign. wire service stories we use and has, in turn, allowed for the next highlight… So let me explain how things go at the meeting at which you strategize about • A more locally-focused newspaper – By staying focused on local news and how to repeat that success. culture – and not duplicating too many stories that can be otherwise found “So for this year’s insert,” you say, “what if we…” online – we’ve largely been able to keep the paper at a lean 24 pages, excepting “What we did last year worked – don’t change a word!” the busy summer and holiday issues that are well supported by advertising. “If we point…” Working for the Federation, we realize that there are many important uses for “What we did last year worked – don’t change a word!” your campaign dollars, and we endeavor to keep the Berkshire Jewish Voice “We could also…” economical by keeping it focused on this community’s stories. “What we did last year worked – don’t change a word! What’s next on the Which totally works, because this is a dynamic community filled with fasci- agenda?” nating, accomplished people and rich in material. Nevertheless, we need your Consequently, attentive readers of this year’s volunteer subscriber insert support. And so I will further economize by using this verbatim excerpt from the may notice a certain sameness in the verbiage to last year’s volunteer subscrib- appeal column published 12 months ago: er insert (albeit with some important differences – for example, this is the 26th year that the Berkshire Jewish Voice has been a source of timely and meaningful This publication’s revenues do not cover all its costs, and so your financial information about Jewish life in the Berkshires, not the 25th). And while we hope help as voluntary subscribers is essential in our efforts to bring you meaning- it will be as effective as last year’s volunteer subscriber insert in inspiring you to ful, positive, and entertaining stories both by and about your neighbors, as support this newspaper, I’d like to point to three additional highlights from the well as Jews around the world. past year. • Enhanced visual impact – We’ve been more creative in how we work with Please see the insert in this newspaper for the different funding levels museums and institutions (like the Yiddish Book Center, which connected available. An honorary publisher gift of $360 allows us to provide 4 pages us with illustrator Mark Podwal and his High Holiday paintings), publishers of color, while all voluntary subscriptions help us defray the cost of (remember last fall’s stunning images from the art book Passage to Israel?), printing and mailing the thousands of copies of the newspaper we send creative artists (Afula-Gilboa artist Tanya Fredman’s work from her Lenox out to you nine times each year. exhibit was great), and public domain image archives (remember the Israeli Please continue to support our efforts with a voluntary subscription to the kova tembel guy stamp when we kicked off Israel at 70?). This has allowed Berkshire Jewish Voice. us to feature high quality visuals while staying within our budget for art. And here’s what I want to highlight – we have absolutely no budget for art. It Hope it works again. Tammuz/Av/Elul 5778 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 3 Rabbi Reflections Remembering a leader whose mission was to bring the world to a better tomorrow By Rabbi Levi Volovik

Moshe, the faithful shepherd of the Children of Always leading by exam- Israel, was nearing the end of his historic, charis- In the words of Rabbi Jonathan ple, the Rebbe inspired and matic leadership. Who would replace him capably Sacks… “The Rebbe was not empowered his thousands of and courageously while serving the people with followers to become leaders in wisdom, patience, and devotion? In the Torah por- interested in creating followers; their own right. In the words tion of Pinchas (read this year on July 7), Moshe be- of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, for- seeches G-d: “Let the G-d who recognizes the spirits he was passionate about mer chief rabbi in the United of all human beings, place a man over the congrega- creating leaders.” Kingdom: “The Rebbe was not tion who will go out before them and come in before interested in creating follow- them, who will lead them out, and bring them in...” ers; he was passionate about (Pinchas, 27:16) creating leaders.” As the Rebbe Moshe’s request has many interpretations. He sent out his emissaries to far-flung corners of the globe, to remote communities was very familiar with the obstinate character of his that never felt a Chassidic presence, his mission became their mission. By reach- beloved people, and the daunting task that leadership ing out to every Jew with joy, love, and concern, the Rebbe’s shluchim (emissar- presents. He trusts that G-d knows the spirit of ies) turned parched “deserts” into blossoming oases of Jewish life, and spread a humans can be challenging, that their thoughts are many and disparate, some- universal message of ethical and moral behavior for all mankind. Today, close to times divisive; they do not think alike nor do they necessarily agree. Conse- 5,000 emissaries cover the fifty states in America and 100 countries in Europe quently, Moshe requests that Hashem appoint a leader who will be able to reach and Asia. out to everyone, and yet be uncompromising in his beliefs. A leader who, with Imbued with the Rebbe’s selfless spirit, my wife and I joined his growing army steadfast and unwavering convictions, will be a guiding light for the nation. One of shluchim in 2005, making the Berkshires our home. Thank G-d, through the who is fearless, whose influence is powerful, whose voice is heard, and with years since our arrival, Chabad has become an integral part of this scenic com- spiritual strength “leads his people out” of all hardship and “brings them in” to an munity. While we have endeavored to implement successful educational and so- elevated level of holiness. cial services, Torah classes, and projects to help the elderly and the homebound, This past June 16, the 3rd of Tammuz, marked the 24th year since the pass- it is the Rebbe who is the driving force behind every Chabad outpost and the ing of Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, the 7th Rebbe in motivation behind every success story in changing the life of one person at a time, the Chabad dynasty and an illustrious leader of world Jewry. through one mitzvah at a time. In his five decades of leadership, the Rebbe’s influence spurred unprecedented The Rebbe’s legacy lives on; his teachings continue to guide and inspire; his growth in Jewish education and Torah studies. Through his Torah teachings and influence is ever-present. And on the day of his yahrtzeit, we were privileged to deep insights, through his majestic presence which radiated love, warmth, and connect with his relentless, boundless energy that enables every community concern for young and old from all walks of life and background, the Rebbe stirred member to stand up as a “leader,” impacting the lives of others and forging ahead the conscience of world Jewry and changed the panorama of Jewish life in America toward greater heights. and throughout the world. From heads of state, scholars, laymen, professionals, On a personal note, I’d like to thank every community member who answered school children to infants in arm, the Rebbe met everyone on his/her level, and the call to participate in a minyan, making it possible for me to fulfill my obliga- gained the respect and admiration of every individual who merited to stand in his tion in reciting the kaddish for my beloved father, of blessed memory. Your being presence. there for me helped ease the pain and was a source of strength during this diffi- The Rebbe approached every situation with keen intellectual foresight, always cult year. It is, indeed, such acts of kindness that bring our community together, pragmatic and proactive, yet uncompromising; courageous and daring when and I am grateful to each one in return. I pray that we share only joyous occa- necessary. The Rebbe’s mission was to bring the world to a better tomorrow, to sions, along with the ultimate joy in seeing the Rebbe’s dream of a world perfected an era of perfection where unity, kindness, goodness, and compassion reign. The become a reality, with the coming of Mashiach, in our very day. Rebbe recognized the diverse spirit and station of human beings, and lovingly revealed the potential and unique capabilities within every person. He touched Rabbi Levi Volovik is co-director (along with his wife, Sara) of Chabad of the the soul, elevated the spirit, and ignited the spark that moved one toward positive Berkshires. action.

Thank you volunteers Ellen Rosenblatt and the BJV delivery team, Michael Albert, Jeff Kramer, Roman Rozenblyum, and Ron Turbin Berkshire

JA ewishpublicationA publication ofof the the Jewish Jewish Federation Federation of the Berkshires, of the serving Berkshires,V the Berkshires serving and surrounding the ice Berkshires NY, CT and VT and surrounding NY, CT and VT Letters to the Editor The color photography in this issue of the Berkshire Jewish The Berkshire Jewish Voice welcomes signed letters on subjects of interest to the Jewish community. Letters are printed upon space availability. The BJV reserves Voice is made possible through the generosity of Robert the right to edit all letters for content, length, and style. The BJV does not print Bildner and Elisa Spungen Bildner, honorary publishers. anonymous letters, insults, libelous or defamatory statements. Published letters do not represent the views of the Federation, its board of directors, or the newspaper, The staff of the Federation and the BJV are deeply grateful. but rather express the views of their authors. For verification purposes, please in- clude full name, home address, and a day and evening telephone number. Send letters to: Berkshire Jewish Voice, 196 South Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201, or email: [email protected]. Berkshire

JAewish publicationA publication of of the the Jewish Jewish Federation Federation of the Berkshires, of the serving Berkshires, V the Berkshires serving and surrounding the ice Berkshires NY, CT and and VT surrounding NY, CT and VT Published nine times a year by the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires

Dara Kaufman: Publisher and Managing Editor Robert Bildner and Elisa Spungen Bildner: Honorary Publishers Albert Stern: Editor Rose Tannenbaum: Graphic Design and Layout Jenny Greenfeld: Advertising Sales Representative and Assistant Editor

Editorial opinions expressed in the Berkshire Jewish Voice are those of the newspaper and not those of any individual. Signed editorials do not represent the view of the newspaper, but rather express the writer’s view. The Berkshire Jewish Voice is under no obligation to accept any advertisement. It does not guarantee the kashrut of any merchandise or service advertised. To have the BJV mailed to your home, please send a minimum donation of $18 Next issue publication date: August 20-October 7, 2018 Press deadline: July 19, 2018 • Advertising deadline: August 2, 2018 Berkshire Jewish Voice e-mail: [email protected] Paid advertisements do not necessarily represent the opinions of Phone: (413) 442-4360, ext. 11 Fax (413) 443-6070 the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires or its members. Page 4 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org July 2 to August 19, 2018 Your Federation Presents

maimonides, continued from page 1 Lecture Series Brings More Pre-Recorded and respirators, brain death in Glasgow, Scotland. and organ transplantation, In 1978, he moved to New 92Y Talks to Lenox prolongation of life without York to join the faculty of the hope of recovery, how are we Albert Einstein College of Med- LENOX – A program series Light refreshments will be witty guides, who uncover its to draw inspiration and guid- icine, where he attained the presented by the Jewish served. mysteries with humor and in- ance in decision making from rank of clinical professor. He Federation of the Berkshire, Please RSVP by the dates sight. Please RSVP by July 13. a 2000 year old tradition? We participated in and led medical in collaboration with Kim- indicated below by contacting On Wednesday, August 15, will look at Rabbinic, medi- missions to Africa and China ball Farms, will screen two Kimball Farms at (413) 637- at 2 p.m., find out about “Sex eval, and modern sources to to operate on children with thought-provoking pre- 7000. and Love Around the World,” see what they can offer to the cleft lips and palates, as well recorded talks from the re- On Wednesday, July 18 with Christiane Amanpour vexing problems we face at the as other deformities. During nowned 92nd Street Y in New at 2 p.m., take “A Mind- and Maureen Dowd. What end of life.” his years of practice, he served York City. Expanding Tour of the does this seasoned journalist About the Maimonides on various peer review com- The series is free and open Cosmos” with Neil deGrasse make of the state of our global Society of the Berkshires, mittees and has long been to the public, and each talk Tyson and Robert Krulwich. society and how has she seen chairperson Dr. Stuart Mas- interested in bioethical issues. lasts approximately one hour. From the Big Bang to black love and sex play out around ters says: “We are a fellowship Rabbi Sharzer is the recip- Kimball Farms is located at holes, discover the great be- the world? Please RSVP by of Jewish physicians, dentists, ient of the Lamport Homiletics 235 Walker Street in Lenox. yond with these brilliant and August 10. chiropractors, nurses and Prize, the Lillian M. Lowenfeld many other healthcare profes- Prize in Theology, and the Ein- sionals who seek to strengthen horn Award for a Hebrew es- the bonds amongst ourselves, say, Jerusalem Journal 2000. the local and overseas Jewish In addition to 17 book chap- Current Affairs: Contemporary American community, and Israel. We ters and 26 journal articles in are committed to the highest the medical literature, he has and International Politics ideals of the healthcare pro- recently published “Artificial fession. We serve as resources Hydration and Nutrition: Re- On Thursday, July 19 studies and former dean of the to the general and Jewish visiting the Dorff and Reisner and Thursday, August 2 at College of Arts and Sciences community, wherever leader- Teshuvot” in Conservative 10:45 a.m., join Professor at Adelphi University, Garden ship might be needed, whether Judaism, and “Tradition, Steven J. Rubin for “Cur- City, NY. He is the author of in areas of healthcare, educa- Obligation, and Healthcare,” rent Affairs: Contemporary numerous books and articles tion, community leadership, or published in Shema. Rabbi American and International and frequently lectures both philanthropy.” Sharzer is currently working Politics.” This course meets to here and abroad on such top- on a book on ethical issues in discuss and explore current ics as international anti- About Our Speaker plastic surgery from a Jewish issues that influence our lives Semitism, Jewish history, pop- A native of Boston, Rabbi perspective and a book titled and society at large. This free ular culture, and literature. Sharzer graduated from Challenging Conventional program at Knesset Israel, 16 His radio play “Dem Bums: Boston University School of Wisdom in Jewish Bioethics. Colt Road in Pittsfield is part The Rise and Demise of the Medicine and completed resi- In addition to his teaching at of the Jewish Federation of the Brooklyn Dodgers” was broad- dency training in general sur- JTS, he has organized confer- Berkshires’ Connecting With cast live on National Public Community series. Radio in December 2017 and gery at the University of Iowa, ences on a variety of issues, Professor Steven J. Rubin also earning an MS in surgery including face transplantation; Topics will be chosen by can be currently heard online. for work in organ preservation use of preimplantation genetic Professor Rubin in consul- diagnosis for the purpose of tation with the class and in for transplantation. If You Go Following a fellowship in prenatal sex selection; and view of the issue’s relevance. Sponsor: Jewish Federation of the Berkshires / Connecting With hand surgery in Louisville, medical error and medical Members will be encouraged Community KY, he received a Fulbright liability reform. to participate in discussions Scholarship to do clinical To RSVP, please contact to express views and opinions Venue: Knesset Israel and laboratory research in the Federation at federation@ in a supportive and informal Date & Time: Thursday, July 19 and Thursday, August 2 at microsurgery in Melbourne, jewishberkshires.org, or call atmosphere. 10:45 a.m., followed by lunch (see page 23). Australia. He completed a us at (413) 442-4360, ext. 10. Steven J. Rubin is profes- residency in plastic surgery at For additional information sor emeritus of international the Eastern Virginia Graduate about the Maimonides Society, School of Medicine in Norfolk, please contact Development VA, and worked as a registrar Officer Leslie Kozupsky at lko- at the West of Scotland [email protected] Israeli Authors, with Fedora Horowitz and or (413) 442-4360, ext. 19. Regional Plastic Surgery Unit Avram Horowitz

On Monday, July 23 Jewish Germany – Its and Thursday, July 26 at 10:45 a.m., join Fedora Horow- itz and Avram Horowitz for History and Legacy discussions of work by prom- On Monday, July 16 at inent Israeli authors David 10:45 a.m., the Jewish Feder- Grossman, Ayelet Tsabari, and ation of the Berkshires wel- Dorit Rabinyan. These free comes Dr. David Levinson, a programs at Knesset Israel, 16 cultural anthropologist and Colt Road in Pittsfield are part son of a Holocaust survivor of the Jewish Federation of the who will speak on the topic of Berkshires’ Connecting With “Jewish Germany – Its History Community series. and Legacy.” This free pro- On July 23, Dr. Avram gram at Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Horowitz explores the novel Road in Pittsfield is part of the A Horse Walks into a Bar by Federation’s Connecting With David Grossman. The novel Fedora Horowitz Avram Horowitz Community series. covers an event lasting about Says Dr. Levinson: “The Dr. David Levinson two hours in a bar in the city books for high-school reading. Horowitz received a B.Sc. de- purpose of the talk is two- of Netanya, near Tel Aviv. The The Best Place on Earth by gree at the Hebrew University fold. First, to provide a quick Germany and African Amer- novel won in 2017 the pres- Ayelet Tsabari collects sto- of Jerusalem and M.Sc. and introduction to the long and ican heritage in the Berk- tigious British Man Booker ries that take place in Israel, Ph.D. degrees in Experimental complex history of Jewish shires. His two new books are: International Prize for English Canada (where she lives now), Psychology at the University of communities in Germany, with Jewish Germany: An Enduring Translations. and India. Themes include a North Carolina in Chapel Hill. an emphasis on the enduring Presence from the Fourth to On July 26, Fedora summer of independence in Dr. Horowitz publishes trends that shaped Jewish life the Twenty-First Century and Horowitz will discuss two Eilat, absent fathers molded Israeli literature book reviews for over 1,800 years. Second, African American Community books authored by women by lifelong enlistment in the in Florida’s Jewish Journal to discuss Jewish Germany’s in Rural New England: W. E. B. from Mizrahi (Middle Eastern) IDF, the divisions between and lectures on Israeli litera- contributions to Jewish life Du Bois and His Boyhood Jewish communities. The members of Yemenite families ture across South Florida. and the human experience in Church. autobiographical novel All The with their dark skin, and the general, including commercial Rivers by Dorit Rabinyan is lingering of exotic foods. If You Go innovations, Yiddish, Reform If You Go about a love affair between an Fedora Horowitz is the Judaism, scientific discoveries, Israeli woman and a Pales- author of the historical novel Sponsor: Jewish Federation Sponsor: Jewish Federation of the Berkshires / Connecting and cultural advances.” tinian Arab who met in New Jaffa Beach and Only Yester- of the Berkshires / Connecting With Community York not long after 9/11. For the last fifteen or so With Community day... 1941-1958, a memoir years, Dr. Levinson has been The book became a national of her life growing up in Venue: Knesset Israel Venue: Knesset Israel studying and writing about the cause when Israel’s Education Romania during the Holocaust Date & Time: Monday, July not totally dissimilar topics Date & Time: Monday, July 16 Ministry decided to pull it and the subsequent postwar 23 and Thursday, July 26 at at 10:45 a.m., followed by lunch of the Jewish experience in out from the approved list of Communist regime. Dr. Avram 10:45 a.m., followed by lunch (see page 23). (see page 23). Tammuz/Av/Elul 5778 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 5 Your Federation Presents Explore the Legacy of Primo Connecting With Community Programs / Levi Kosher Hot Lunch On Monday, July 2 Programs in the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires’ Connecting With Com- and Thursday, July 5 at 10:45 a.m., join us for two munity series are free and start at 10:45 a.m. most Mondays and Thursdays at programs on the life and leg- Knesset Israel (16 Colt Road, Pittsfield). Programs are followed by a kosher hot acy of Primo Levi, the Italian lunch. Lunch is a $2 suggested donation for adults over 60 years of age or $7 author and chemist whose for all others. Advance reservations are required for lunch and can be made by memoirs, Survival in Aus- calling (413) 442-2200 before 9 a.m. on the day of the program. chwitz (also known as If This Is a Man) and The Reawakening, Knosh & Knowledge events take place each month on a Friday at Hevreh are among the greatest works of Southern Berkshire (270 State Road, Great Barrington). Programs start at of Holocaust literature. 10:45 a.m. and are now free – the buffet lunch that follows the presentation These free programs at is $11 and must be reserved in advance by calling (413) 442-4360, ext. 10. Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road in Pittsfield are part of the Primo Levi For further information on all programs, please call Nancy Maurice Rog- Jewish Federation of the ers, program director, at (413) 442-4360, ext. 15. For lunch menus and a Berkshires’ Connecting With chronological list of all scheduled programs, please see page 23. Note Community series. Black will look at The Drowned that lunch menus are subject to change. Also note that through the summer On July 2, we screen Primo, and the Saved, in which Levi months, the Tuesday kosher lunch program at KI will be on hiatus. Tuesday a film adaptation of the 2004 reflected on the topic of survi- play If This Is a Man, a one- lunches will resume in the fall. vor’s guilt. He’ll also discuss man production created by The Periodic Table, a collection and featuring actor Antony of autobiographical episodes Sher. Sher is often harrowing of Levi’s experiences as a as he brings Levi’s words to Jewish-Italian doctoral-level life, and proves that he is an chemist under the Fascist actor capable of plummeting to regime and afterwards. “Music and Friendship,” with David Grover the depths of human despair with alarming ease. The film and Linda Worster will be screened at 10:45 a.m., If You Go break for lunch at noon, and Sponsor: Jewish Federation On Monday, July 9 at conclude after lunch. of the Berkshires / Connecting 10:45 a.m., join local musi- On July 5, Hugh Black With Community cians David Grover and Linda will reflect on Levi’s work as Venue: Knesset Israel Worster for “Music and Friend- part of his continuing series Date & Time: Monday, July 2 ship,” a morning of songs of programs on the important and Thursday, July 5 at and fun. This free program at writings of authors who are 10:45 a.m., followed by lunch Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road in Jewish. In addition to talking (see page 23). Pittsfield is part of the Jewish about Survival in Auschwitz, Federation of the Berkshires’ Connecting With Community series. Using Theatre to Extend Each David Grover and Linda Worster concert is dif- Community and Deepen ferent from the others they’ve given. These two friends have Empathy hundreds of songs in their repertoire – both originals and On Monday, July 30 at covers. Whether taking on the 10:45 a.m., the Jewish Feder- adventure of playing requests ation of the Berkshires wel- unrehearsed or delivering the Linda Worster and David Grover comes Daniel Elihu Kramer of many songs that they have the Chester Theatre Company, performed dozens of times delightful children’s concerts. opened for many well-known who will speak on the topic together… always, a fun time Linda Worster has toured artists, including Livingston of “Using Theatre to Extend is had by all. as a solo musician throughout Taylor, Harry Chapin, Paul Community and Deepen Em- David Grover spent many New England, New York, and Stookey, Joan Baez, Richie pathy.” This free program at years as Arlo Guthrie’s lead New Jersey, performing in Havens, and Taj Mahal. She is Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road in guitarist and bandleader, and, many coffeehouses, colleges, noted for her original composi- Pittsfield is part of the Federa- churches, healing centers, tions and for her varied selec- tion’s Connecting With Com- along with his Big Bear Band, Daniel Elihu Kramer has performed at the White cafés, and clubs. She has tion of songs everyone knows. munity series. House, opened the Goodwill Daniel Elihu Kramer is tion of Every Brilliant Thing at Games, appeared on the Today producing artistic director of Chester won a Berkshire The- Show, performed with the De- If You Go Chester Theatre Company, as atre Award for best new play. troit Symphony for their youth Sponsor: Jewish Federation of the Berkshires / Connecting With well as chair of the Theatre De- In addition to his work as a series, and played for the del- Community partment at Smith College. “At theatre director, he also writes egates of the United Nations. Venue: Knesset Israel Chester Theatre Company,” he stage adaptations, includ- He is especially known for his Date & Time: Monday, July 9 at 10:45 a.m., followed by lunch (see says, “we produce contempo- ing Pride@Prejudice, which is page 23). rary plays that inspire audi- frequently performed through- ence engagement and thought- out the country, including ful, productive conversations, this summer at the Theatre at and that create and extend Monmouth in Maine. He holds community. Every play opens an MFA in directing from Yale Donate us up both to difference and School of Drama. • to shared humanity: coming to know the stranger, coming If You Go Volunteer to love the stranger, seeking a world where strangers are Sponsor: Jewish Federation of the Berkshires / Connecting • embraced.” He quotes Deuter- With Community Make a Difference onomy 10: “You shall love the stranger, for you were strang- Venue: Knesset Israel ers in the land of Egypt.” Date & Time: Monday, July 30 Kramer’s 2017 produc- at 10:45 a.m., followed by lunch (see page 23).

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jeremi suri, continued from page 1 control the scope of the office, not just the candidates.” In even as he exceeded it. Given his book, he writes that voters democracy can grow and pros- temperament – to reverse that that his rise to the presidency “chose a brash personality per with a new generation of definition of the office, to the was propelled by his ability to who rejected the entire history leaders in coming years. point where in the present cooperate with others, FDR of the office to blow it all up.” Professor Suri spoke with day, the job is simply too all- was a true believer in what Suri suggests that a way the BJV about his upcoming encompassing for even the would become an Obama era forward might be to divide the talk and some of the ideas he most skilled leader to succeed mantra (attributed to former responsibilities of the presi- developed in The Impossible in. Massachusetts Rep. Barney dency in a way that would re- Presidency. Suri writes that each of Frank) that “government is energize the role of the Legis- these men shaped the presi- simply the name we give to lative Branch – redefining the President as Protector dency to serve as a “protector” the things we choose to do role of Speaker of the House In The Impossible Presiden- of certain values. Broadly char- together.” might be one way that could cy, Suri charts the develop- acterized: By the John F. Kennedy be accomplished within an ment of the Chief Executive George Washington was administration, “the volume of existing constitutional frame- role from its rise – which he the protector of national pri- crises was just too much,” as work. traces as an ascending arc orities (not a ruler of policy, were outsized public expecta- But what would that pres- from the job’s inception with programs, and people). tions of what government could ident be “protector” of? Says George Washington through Andrew Jackson was deliver (a new frontier!). “In- Suri: “A protector of democra- Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s protector of “The People,” and stead of pursuing fundamental and financial commitment of cy, of a system of government stewardship – to its fall into introduced a populist, activist interests,” writes Suri about congressional legislation. Their responsive to the voices of what he terms “overstretch and bent to the presidency. Kennedy and his successor successors reversed many of the people,” rather than the mediocrity” after World War II. Abraham Lincoln (through Lyndon Johnson, “they react- them with ease. Checks and ingrained interest groups that While the decline, he says, is arms and words) was protector ed to pressures and perceived balances became stagnation presently have too much influ- “reflective of society’s changes,” of the Union, which he posited weaknesses. Instead of setting and do-nothingism when ence on government priorities it is also the result of the way as necessary if the Constitu- an international agenda, they the party that lost the White and decision making. five transformative presidents tion was to have any meaning, each followed priorities set House barricaded itself to Possible? Come hear Profes- viewed and shaped the posi- and the American project was abroad and in the streets.” deny presidential advances sor Jeremi Suri at the July 20 tion. to fulfill the opportunities Summing up, Suri writes: anywhere across the policy Knosh & Knowledge and find Suri writes that the Found- afforded it. “The post-Roosevelt presidents landscape.” out more. ing Fathers envisioned the con- Theodore Roosevelt saw found it difficult to match their Which leads us to the stitutional role of the president the presidency not only as power with their purposes.” “Future of Western Democracy If you go a protector of social welfare, Suri feels that the presiden- in an Age of Populism” part to “keep the country running Sponsor: Jewish Federation of but as a provider of it, as well, cy, as currently constructed, is in line with the national laws of Professor Suri’s Knosh & the Berkshires through progressive policies inhospitable to deep thinking Knowledge talk. When pre- and the national interest. That Date & Time: Friday, July 20 at that would direct the complex and big discussions. Recent sented with the proposition was the core of what Ameri- 10:45 a.m. cans defined, then and now, as machinery of state. presidents “have been good that the most glaring mani- Venue: Hevreh of Southern And finally, Franklin reactors,” he says, “rather festation of perils of an “im- ‘executive power’ – the capa- Berkshire, 270 State Road, Great Roosevelt redefined the Chief than problem solvers.” In The possible presidency” is not bility to navigate unexpected Barrington challenges at all times…For the Executive as protector of indi- Impossible Presidency, he ac- embodied in the man who now Cost: Knosh & Knowledge framers, however, the role was vidual basic welfare, with the knowledges that the legislative holds the office, but rather programs are now free. Fresh less time-intensive and more role of government expanded accomplishments of Clinton in the choice of major party buffet lunch is $11. Advance conceptual than literal.” by the belief that citizens need- and Obama were “infrequent candidates running for that lunch reservations required for And there’s the rub. Each ed government that could rap- and small,” with the executive office in 2016, Suri says “nei- this event. of the major presidents Suri idly react to manage economic orders that mark the “phone ther addressed the structural focuses on did much – owing and social complexity. and pen” approach “limited problem of the office, which is Email: federation@ jewishberkshires.org, or call to political ideology, historic Suri writes that FDR was in scope because they lacked that it has taken on too much. (413) 442-4360, ext. 10 circumstances, and personal the last president to be able to the legislative permanence Most voters sensed that there was a problem with the office,

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413 637 1086 lenox, ma www.cohenwhiteassoc.com Tammuz/Av/Elul 5778 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 7 Your Federation Presents The Process of Aging, with Maggie Bittman Beyond the “Hora:” How On Monday, August 13 at facing mortality; experiencing 10:45 a.m., the Jewish Federa- aloneness; and engaging free Israeli Contemporary Dance tion of the Berkshires presents will. “The Process of Aging” with Bittman will highlight how Became World Famous therapist Maggie Bittman. This this is a lifelong process, and free program at Knesset Israel, the ways people return to On Thursday, August 16 16 Colt Road, in Pittsfield, these existential truths at each at 10:45 a.m., the Jewish is part of the Federation’s stage of life with the added Federation of the Berkshires Connecting With Community wisdom that comes with aging. hosts noted dance writer Brian series. Within this context, partici- Schaefer, whose topic will be This program will provide pants will discuss, share and “Beyond the ‘Hora:’ How Israeli an opportunity to be part of a offer support, as they explore Contemporary Dance Became group dialogue, created and these existential truths. Therapist Maggie Bittman World Famous.” This free pro- facilitated by Bittman, who gram at Knesset Israel, 16 Colt will explain her outlook and Road in Pittsfield is part of the approach, emphasizing that If You Go Federation’s Connecting With aging begins at birth. She will Sponsor: Jewish Federation of the Berkshires / Connecting With Community series. discuss how all of us are con- Community From folk dancing on kib- fronted with four existential Venue: Knesset Israel butzim to the development of truths as we age – the search Date & Time: Monday, August 13 at 10:45 a.m., followed by lunch a robust contemporary dance to find meaning and purpose; (see page 23). scene, movement and choreog- raphy have played a dynamic role in shaping and reflecting Israel’s national identity. Be- The Jews of Turkey – Yesterday, Today and ginning in the 1960s, modern dance masters from America Brian Schaefer Maybe Tomorrow brought their artistic vision to Yale scholar Seyla Benhabib on Turkish history at the August 3 the young country, creating 2010-2013, first as part of a foundation for innovative the Dorot Fellowship in Israel, Knosh & Knowledge dance that, decades later, has then working for Haaretz and GREAT BARRINGTON – On as I could detect during my made it one of Israel’s most attending Bar Ilan Univer- Friday, August 3, Knosh & childhood in Istanbul. This popular cultural exports. sity, where he received a Knowledge welcomes Seyla community which numbered This talk will look at the master’s degree in literature Benhabib, the Eugene Meyer around 100,000-130,000 in roots of dance in Israeli soci- and writing. He has been a Professor of Political Science the 1950s declined as a result ety, the influence of American scholar-in-residence at the and Philosophy at Yale Univer- of immigration to Israel, polit- modern dance on its growth, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival sity, whose topic will be “The ical turmoil of the 1970s, and, the companies and choreog- since 2015 and was a board Jews of Turkey – Yesterday, in recent years, the rise of Is- raphers that have brought it member of the Dance Critics Today and Maybe Tomorrow.” lamist parties and movements. international acclaim – like Association from 2011-2014. She’ll talk about her own At present, the Jewish com- the Batsheva Dance Company In 2007, he received a Nation- family background, as well as munity in Turkey is not more (at Jacob’s Pillow and in New al Endowment for the Arts report on developments cur- than 20,000 in number, and York City this July) – and how Fellowship in Arts Journalism rently roiling this important although not directly attacked dance in Israel represents the for Dance Criticism at the nation straddling Europe and by the Erdogan government, country today. American Dance Festival. the Levant. its future is uncertain and Brian Schaefer is a New This free Jewish Federation many young people continue York-based journalist covering Seyla Benhabib If You Go of the Berkshires program will to leave for the Israel, the USA, arts and culture for a variety of publications, including the Sponsor: Jewish Federation take place at Hevreh of South- and Europe.” commitment to international of the Berkshires / Connecting New York Times, The New ern Berkshire at 10:45 a.m., Seyla Benhabib is a understanding and tolerance. With Community Yorker, Haaretz, and Tablet and will be followed by lunch, Turkish-Sephardic-American She received an honorary doc- Venue: Knesset Israel Magazine, among others, available for $11 (RSVP re- philosopher and the author torate of Humane Letters from where he has written exten- Date & Time: Thursday, August quired). of several books, most nota- Georgetown University in May sively about dance in Israel. 16 at 10:45 a.m., followed by Explains Dr. Benhabib: bly about the philosophers 2014. lunch (see page 23). “The origin of the Turkish- Hannah Arendt and Jürgen Brian lived in Tel Aviv from Jewish community goes Habermas. Born in Istanbul, mainly to the influx of the Benhabib traces her family If You Go Jews of Spain escaping the history back to the 1492 ex- Sponsor: Jewish Federation of Inquisition to the Ottoman pulsion of Jews from Spain on the Berkshires Empire after 1492. This the “second Reconquista.” She Date & Time: Friday, August 3 at Jewish community to which is well known for combining 10:45 a.m. I belong continued to speak critical theory with feminist Venue: Hevreh of Southern Ladino – a form of medieval theory and has been based in Berkshire, 270 State Road, Great Spanish, laced with words of the United States since 1970, Barrington Hebrew and French and Ital- earning a bachelor’s degree Cost: Knosh & Knowledge ian – down to our own days. from Brandeis University and programs are now free. Fresh “There were also a large a Ph.D. from Yale. buffet lunch is $11. Advance number of Jews from Ashke- In 2012, she was awarded lunch reservations required for nazi background from Poland, the Dr. Leopold-Lucas Prize by this event. from Russia, and from Ger- the Eberhard Karls University Email federation@jewishberk- many. Divisions between the of Tübingen in recognition of shires.org, or call (413) 442- dianafelbergallery.com two communities were not outstanding achievement in 4360, ext. 10 6 Harris Street West Stockbridge 413-232-7007 all that significant, and there the field of theology, intellectu- was intermarriage among al history, historical research, the groups – at least as far and philosophy, as well as the Supporting the Arts, Culture, Environment, and Social Needs in the Berkshires Since 1984

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sam glaser, continued from page 1 “North Korea: The Road to his energetic style and pas- as the John Lennon Song- Victims of Terror plays a vital Infamy,” with David Rutstein sionate delivery never fails to writing Competition, Parents role in meeting the needs of ignite the spirit of audiences of Choice and the National Asso- families and individuals in- On Thursday, August 9 at all ages. Named one of the top ciation of Parenting Publica- jured by war and other acts of 10:45 a.m., the Jewish Federa- ten Jewish artists in the US tions. In addition to the 20 al- violence against Israel. tion of the Berkshires welcomes by Moment magazine, Glaser bums of his own compositions Founded in 2002, the Fund historian and author David is equally comfortable behind he has published four collec- has provided financial assis- Rutstein for a presentation on a keyboard in intimate solo tions of lyrics and poetry, four tance to thousands of victims a nation currently much in the concerts, leading his top-notch musicals, three sheet music of terror and related disasters, news: “North Korea: The Road band or headlining with full songbooks of his Jewish music including hundreds of fami- to Infamy.” This free program at orchestra. and an SATB choral book. lies in 2014, with many more Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, in While he typically performs In his cutting-edge recording applications coming in as a Pittsfield, is part of the Federa- in synagogues and Jewish studio, Glaser Musicworks, he result of recent attacks. As- tion’s Connecting With Commu- Community Centers, he has produces albums for a wide sistance through the Fund nity series. appeared at such venues as variety of recording artists and is fully coordinated with the At the outbreak of World L.A.’s Greek Theater, Universal music for such networks as government of Israel to avoid War II, Winston Churchill Amphitheater, Staples Center, the WB, ESPN and PBS. duplication of service. coined a phrase that defined and Dodger Stadium as well And he has a Berkshire Tickets for this concert may the Soviet Union as “a riddle, David Rutstein as on Broadway and at the connection – he’s the nephew be ordered in advance, and are wrapped in a mystery, inside White House. He has traveled of Jane Glaser, co-founder of priced at $25, with $20 tickets an enigma.” This idiom is just degree in American history the world over in concert, from the Jewish Women’s Founda- available for young adults as appropriate today in de- from the State University of Sydney to London to Hong tion of Berkshire County. under the age of 30. Children scribing North Korea. New York at Albany. He was a Kong to Tel Aviv. under 10 will be admitted free Historian and author David teacher of high school his- Sam’s best-selling Jew- Fund for Victims of Terror of charge. Please inquire about Rutstein will propose this tory in New York and in the Berkshires, and also taught ish CDs include The Songs This year, the people of the variety of underwriting op- query: how did this small and We Sing, Hallel, Nigun/Voice portunities also being offered. once insignificant nation of a course on Berkshire county Israel continue to suffer horri- history in Berkshire Com- of the Soul, Presence, The fying random acts of terrorism. For more information, North Korea, with a popula- Bridge, A Day in the Life, and please call the Federation at tion close to 26 million people, munity College’s extension Unfortunately, the suffering program. He is a past presi- the award-winning children’s of the victims of such terror (413) 442-4360, ext. 10. become a threat, not only to musical Kol Bamidbar. He was All tickets will be held at America and South Korea, but dent of the Great Barrington does not end when the details Historical Society, a member one of the first artists signed of the attack are no longer in the door. The Duffin Theater also to world peace? Rutstein’s by Sony/JMG Records, a label is located at Lenox Memorial narrative will place the Korean of the Great Barrington Histor- the news. Physical, emotional, ical Commission, and serves dedicated to promoting Jewish economic, and psychological High School, 197 East Street peninsula in its proper histor- music. Sam’s children’s CD in Lenox. ical perspective to explain this as chairperson of the Great rehabilitation is a long and Barrington Council on Aging. Soap Soup won such awards tedious process. The Fund for question. Highlights of his presen- He is the author of the tation will stress how the recently published book, A dropping of two atomic bombs History of Searles High School, Decoding the Bible for Modern Readers: on Japan would determine the 1898-1967, Great Barrington, fate of Korea; how a blunder Massachusetts. The Mystery of the Arar or misunderstanding of a On Monday, August 20 at less meaning. We’ll consider all major foreign policy paper in If You Go 10:45 a.m., the Jewish of the interpretations and vote early 1950 led to the Korean Sponsor: Jewish Federation Federation of the Berkshires on the answer.” War; and how the rise of the of the Berkshires / Connecting hosts agronomist Dr. Jon Dr. Greenberg is devoted Kim dynasty has determined With Community Greenberg, who will explore to biblical ethnobotany, a way the intent and destiny of this Venue: Congregation Knesset how the language of ancient of using the tools of botany to nation. Israel Near East agriculture in- better understand the Torah. David Rutstein is a gradu- Date & Time: Thursday, August formed the words and ideas of He received his doctorate in ate of the University of Ver- 9 at 10:45 a.m., followed by the Bible in a talk titled “De- agronomy from Cornell Uni- mont and holds a master’s lunch (see page 23). coding the Bible for Modern versity, and has also studied Readers: The Mystery of the with Rabbi Chaim Brovender Arar.” This free program at at Israel’s Yeshivat Hamivtar Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, and conducted research on “Amy Herzog — A New in Pittsfield, is part of the corn, alfalfa, and soybeans at Federation’s Connecting With Cornell, the US Department of Talent Of American Theatre,” Community series. Agriculture, and the University Dr. Greenberg will discuss of Pennsylvania’s Institute for with Diane Steinbrink how Biblical language relies Cancer Research. Since 1989, On Monday, August 6 at heavily on metaphors from na- he has been a science teacher Dr. Jon Greenberg 10:45 a.m., the Jewish Fed- ture and ancient agriculture. and educational consultant. eration of the Berkshires This helped to make the words Dr. Greenberg was senior welcomes back actress Diane of the prophets understand- editor of science textbooks at If You Go Steinbrink for a presentation able to their contemporaries, Prentice Hall Publishing, and Sponsor: Jewish Federation on “Amy Herzog — A New Tal- but leaves the modern, urban was previously on the facul- of the Berkshires / Connecting ent Of American Theatre.” This reader confused or disinterest- ty of Yeshivas Ohr Yosef, the With Community free program at Knesset Israel, ed. “With a little help from bot- School of Education at Indiana Venue: Knesset Israel 16 Colt Road, in Pittsfield, any and ecology,” he says, “we University, and the University Date & Time: Monday, August is part of the Federation’s can reconstruct the message of Phoenix. He has taught at 20 at 10:45 a.m., followed by Connecting With Community that Jeremiah sought to con- the Heschel School since 2008. lunch (see page 23). series. vey, and appreciate its time- In this lecture, Diane Steinbrink will discuss the family background and work of Amy Herzog, a significant new and prolific playwright. Diane Steinbrink Diane’s program will feature monologues of some of the the producer/facilitator of the significant characters from her Anne Frank Theater Project for plays: After the Revolution, The Jewish Family and Children’s Great God Pan, Belleville, and Service of Philadelphia. 4000 Miles, which was nomi- nated for a 2013 Pulitzer Prize If You Go for drama. Diane will also discuss the moving new play, Sponsor: Jewish Federation of the Berkshires / Connecting Mary Jane. With Community Diane G. Steinbrink is a Venue: Congregation Knesset graduate of Adelphi University Israel with a BA in Speech and Dra- ma. She served as the coordi- Date & Time: Monday, August 6 at 10:45 a.m., followed by lunch nator of Philadelphia Plays for (see page 23). Living for 17 years. She was Tammuz/Av/Elul 5778 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 9 Your Federation Presents Soil and Shul Tells the Fascinating Story of a Jewish Farm Colony in the Southern Berkshires

pittsfield – On Monday, by the Jewish Agricultural and a black curtain. (This really July 12 at 10:45 a.m., local Industrial Aid Society. It was made an impression on Steve’s historian Lorraine German part of the Society’s overall cousin Joan, who was about will present a talk about her plan to get the immigrants out 14 at the time and went to a soon-to-be-released book Soil of New York. The first colonists Reform synagogue in New and Shul in the Berkshires: The came in 1902. The Society had Jersey.) The synagogue never Untold Story of Sandisfield’s a real estate broker named had another full-time rabbi af- Jewish Farm Colony. She Michael Susskind who bro- ter Rabbi Cohen left in the mid has spent the last two years kered many of the sales. 1940s. Some of the communi- researching newspapers, his- Although the immigrants ty’s elders would lead prayers torical records, and first-hand were ostracized by many of the and for the High Holy Days a accounts to tell the tale of this locals at first, the colony con- rabbi would come from Great Jewish farming community tinued to grow over the coming Barrington or Pittsfield. and will share some stories of decades and assimilated into How have you researched the forgotten events and char- the larger Sandisfield commu- the material in Soil and acters she’s uncovered. nity, which by then was made Shul, and what will the book This free program at up of other immigrant groups cover? Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road in (Poles, Finns, non-Jewish I used a variety of sources. Pittsfield is part of the Jewish Russians, etc.). I researched history books, Federation of the Berkshires’ Your husband Steve’s as well as period magazines, Connecting With Community family arrived in the 1920s newspapers, and books. I series. – what brought them to the also looked through deeds Lorraine German has been Berkshires? and genealogical records and interested in the history of the Steve’s grandfather, Max interviewed people who lived In the center is Steve German’s great-grandmother, Clara southern Berkshire town of Linder, came up in 1918 in Sandisfield from the 1920s Weintraub; the girl at her side is Steve’s mother, Sylvia Linder. The Sandisfield since the 1970s. because his friend, Samuel on. Descendants of the Jewish photograph was taken at the family’s chicken farm in 1927 She and her husband, Steve, Goldstein, had a boarding community provided me with were members of the commit- house on Town Hill Road family stories and photo- keep Jews from moving too to acknowledge the passing tee that published Sandisfield in the Sandisfield village of graphs. (I’ve got a bibliography close. There was also a KKK last February of Sandy Then and Now, a general Montville. Max came up to of about 50 pages) cross burning in Monterey, Parisky, who was instrumental history that marked the town’s take a look and the country- The book covers the histo- next door to Sandisfield and in getting this project up and 250th anniversary in 2012. side reminded him so much of ry of the community from the part of the original Sandisfield running and an enthusiast for Lorraine researched and wrote his homeland in the Austrian arrival of the first Jewish colo- colony, in 1926 that must all things Sandisfield. He was several chapters in that book. Empire that he was hooked. nists in 1902 until the unused have been really unsettling. a supporter of the BJV, and it Lorraine and Steve’s roots in He and his family kept coming synagogue was turned over to is with sadness that we extend Sandisfield’s Jewish commu- back and in 1922 he bought the Sandisfield Arts and Resto- Graphic Design Graphic Design Editor’s Note: The BJV our condolences to Flora and nity go deep. Steve’s grand- his first home there (the one ration Committee for use as an www.tgo.com would like to use this occasion family. parents, Max and Ida Linder, we still own). He and his wife arts centerwww.tgo.com in 1996. It’s broken bought the family home in the took in boarders during the into three main parts. The first Sandisfield village of Montville summer and he bought and part is aProof chronological of ad for: history______Barbara Greenfeld Please respond by ______Proof of ad for: ______Berkshire Fitness and WEllness Please respond by ______If You Go in 1922, and the Germans are sold real estate like a lot of the of the Jewish community; the Sponsor: Jewish Federation of the Berkshires / Connecting With proud to be third-generation other Jews in town. He was second part goes into depthBJV May 2016 BJV June 2018 Publication: ______Community to: (Tel) 413/ 528-0328 (Fax) 413/ 528-0328 [email protected] Publication: ______owners. to: (Tel)also 413/ responsible 528-0328 for (Fax) moving 413/ 528-0328on [email protected] topics (Religion, Venue: Knesset Israel The idea that Sandisfield’s other members of his and his Farming,Send Boarding to: ______Houses,[email protected] ❏ Changes req’d. & new proof Send to: [email protected] colony warranted its ❏ Changeswife’s family req’d. to & Montville.new proof and Schools); the third part Date & Time: Monday, July 12at 10:45 a.m., followed by lunch (see own book germinated in 2016 What was Sandisfield’s contains brief histories of 12 page 23). No. of pages (inc. cover): ______1 ❏ Approved as is. ❏ Approved with corrections as noted. No. of pages (inc. cover): ______after the BJV published Flora ❏ Approvedsynagogue as is.like? ❏ Approved with correctionsfamilies as who noted. are representative Parisky’s article about the I never attended services of the community. Proof sent: ______4/25/16 Proof # ______1 Approved by: ______Proof sent: ______6/4/18 town’s Proof Jewish # ______history2 in a Approvedthere, by: so I can’t______speak from What were some of the roundup of stories about Jew- experience, but I’ve talked surprises about Jewish life ish farming in the Berkshires, to Steve’s aunt and cousin. in the Berkshires that you past and present. German It was very Orthodox at the uncovered? has spent the last two years beginning and the women sat I was surprised at the working on the book, and she in the balcony. Later on, under lengths that some of the locals answered some of the BJV’s Rabbi Cohen in the 1930s, went to at first to keep the questions about the project. it was more relaxed and the Jews out – the farmers went How did a Jewish commu- women came down from the so far as to agree that they nity take root in Sandisfield, balcony and sat on one side. wouldn’t sell their farms to and how did it evolve? In the 1960s, it went back to Jews without first offering The Sandisfield Jewish being strict Orthodox again them to other farmers, and community got its start as a and the women moved back rich New Yorkers bought up Jewish farm colony, sponsored to the balcony and sat behind land around their estates to

New Home? Second Home? Israeli Retirement Home? 413-885-1633 Let me show you… Jewelry The Berkshires Barbara K. Greenfeld ABR, C-CREC, CRS, GREEN, RSPS, SRES Broker Associate • Lic. in MA & NY The Mews, by the Red Lion Inn Courtyard 413-441-5986 Owner 137 North Street – Crawford Square [email protected] [email protected] Pittsfield, MA 01201 Stockbridge, MA bfwstudio.com Roberts & Associates 413-298-4436 Realty, inc. Page 10 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org July 2 to August 19, 2018 Your Federation Presents

Celebrate Israel’s 70th Anniversary with a Mission— a Federation Mission Israel Anniversary Mission, October 17-24, 2018, includes participation in JFNA’s General Assembly in Tel Aviv Community members promoting coexistence and and political thought lead- are invited to join a national tolerance through cultur- ers from around the globe on Jewish Federations of North al, artistic, and community topics that most impact our America (JFNA) mission to wit- programs. Then travel to the Jewish world. ness firsthand the impact of nature preserve and gardens Day 8 our work together. Berkshire of Ramat Hanadiv, a living Return from your trip feel- participants will be traveling memorial to Baron Edmond de ing connected — to Israel, to with participants from other Rothschild. Dine at Mata’im, a Israelis, to your global Jew- small Jewish Federation com- Federation-supported restau- ish community, and to your munities from across the US rant that employs and mentors Jewish values and identity. and Canada. at-risk youth. And sample local There’s no place like home. Throughout your journey, wines with renowned Israeli you’ll taste the earth of Israel winemaker Roni Saslove. Cost and feel its storied paths be- Day 3 $3,595 per person, which neath your feet, sip its wine All roads lead to Jerusalem. includes the fees for the and hold its fruit in your Experience a deeper connec- General Assembly. Costs are hand. You’ll meet real people, tion to Israel as we journey for land only, based on double break bread, and discuss poli- into Jerusalem. Travel by occupancy. Single supplement tics over steaming cups of cof- jeep up the Burma Road and is $1,275. fee. Put your ear to the heart retrace the steps of the 1940s $1,500 reimbursement of Israel – its people. Listen to Palmach fighters, the under- grant is available to qualifying their struggles and successes, ground army of the nascent fulltime residents of Berk- their hopes and fears for the Jewish State. Immerse your- shire County from the Harold future, and share yours with self in the day-to-day life of Grinspoon Foundation. For them. Israelis and wander through more information about this the iconic Mahane Yehuda first modern Jewish neighbor- munities together. Enjoy an subsidy and to see if you Itinerary market. Mingle among locals hood established outside the authentic Moroccan lunch qualify visit https://hgf.org/ Old City walls. with our partners at Hama- Day 1 as they eat, shop, work, and grants-awards/israel-trav- Participate in a bike tour kom, a community initiative Caesarea was once a sto- convene. Later, welcome Shab- el-and-study. to the 9/11 Memorial in where North African culture is ried port to rival Alexandria bat in the ancient Old City and the Jerusalem forest on the expressed through song, art, and Carthage. Gaze upon its enjoy a communal Kabbalat Hotel Information outskirts of the city to reflect and food. Then tour Sderot past through the lens of the Shabbat service and dinner. October 17-19 on the cultural and diplomat- with residents of Netiv HaAs- future – using Israel’s cut- Day 4 Elma Hotel Zichron Yaacov, 1 ic ties between the U.S. and ara — the community closest ting-edge virtual reality tech- Experience Shabbat in the Yair Street, Zichron Ya’akov, Israel. to the Gaza Strip — to discuss nology, you’ll be transported world’s holiest city. Attend 3094260 Israel As Shabbat ends, gather life on the border and how our to Herod’s Palace, the Hippo- morning services at a nearby October 19-21 on the terrace of the David work sustains it. drome, and the ancient Roman synagogue and experience the David Citadel Hotel, 7 King Citadel Hotel for a beautiful amphitheater. Then spend the unique beauty of Shabbat in Days 6 & 7 David Street, Jerusalem, Havdalah ceremony. Later, re- evening getting to know locals Jerusalem. Or, embark on a Welcome to Federation’s 94101 Israel lax or join an expedition to the from Zichron Ya’akov, a town different spiritual journey: seminal event, the General October 21-24 famous Western Wall Tunnels. founded in 1882 by pioneers of Visit Masada, the ancient Assembly of North American Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv, 10 the First Aliyah, and stay the desert fortress and majestic Day 5 Jewish Communities— for the Eliezer Peri Street, Tel Aviv, night there at the acclaimed Heritage Site overlooking the Venture south to the Gaza first time in Tel Aviv! Commu- Israel 6357325 border. Travel to the Black Ar- nities from around the world Elma Arts Hotel. Dead Sea, to learn about the Air Travel Information row Memorial, overlooking the will come together to deepen Day 2 Jewish zealots who held Participants are respon- Gaza Strip, where you’ll hear our mutual understanding of In Haifa, visit Beit HaGefen, strong to their identities sible for arranging their own from the former director of one another — putting you an Arab-Israeli cultural center during Roman rule. travel to and from Israel. If the Israeli Counterterrorism at the epicenter of dialogue that shares our dedication to Take a walking tour of you would like assistance with Bureau. Continue into the between Diaspora and Israeli picturesque Yemin Moshe, the your travel arrangements, Negev and Jews. More information about please contact Gil Travel at fully expe- the General Assembly pro- (212) 284-6999. rience how gram can be found by visiting Federation is https://generalassembly.org/. revitalizing Share coffee, conversation, Interested? the desert, and viewpoints with Israeli inspiring philanthropists, intellectu- Call Dara Kaufman, Execu- residents, and als, and activists. Hear from tive Director, (413) 442-4360, bringing com- renowned religious, cultural, ext. 12. Tammuz/Av/Elul 5778 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 11 local news David Gergen to Speak at 51st Annual Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch to Feigenbaum Lecture at Anshe Amunim begin Rabbinic Tenure at PITTSFIELD – The 51st Annual civic and spiritual legacy of Temple Anshe Amunim Hilda Vallin Feigenbaum Me- this outstanding woman. The morial Foundation Lecture will series would not be possible PITTSFIELD – Temple Anshe be held on Sunday, August 26 without her sons Dr. Armand Amunim has announced that at 7:30 p.m. at Temple Anshe Feigenbaum and Dr. Donald as of July 1, 2018, Rabbi Liz Amunim. The speaker will be Feigenbaum, who established P.G. Hirsch will serve the con- David Gergen, a senior political the Hilda Vallin Feigenbaum gregation as its next rabbi. analyst for CNN and advisor to Lecture Series in perpetuity Rabbi Liz joins Anshe after four US presidents. as a living memorial to their serving as rabbi and assistant His topic will be “Eyewit- mother’s spirit.” director to the URJ Eisner ness to Power: Leadership in Camp. A skilled song-leader About the Guest Speaker America.” The lecture, spon- and teacher, trained in mind- sored by the Temple Anshe David Gergen is a professor fulness, meditation, yoga, Amunim Feigenbaum Lecture of public service and co- pastoral care, educational and Endowment, is free and open director of the Center for Pub- leadership development, the to the public. lic Leadership at the Harvard David Gergen congregation looks forward to Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch From Nixon to Clinton, Kennedy School, positions he Rabbi Liz’s powerful worship Watergate to Whitewater, few has held for over a decade. In the larger community. The and spiritual leadership, and Greet’ will be announced at a Americans have observed the addition, he serves as a senior Foundation has sponsored lec- her inspired oversight of the future date. Rabbi Liz’s profile ups and downs of presidential political analyst for CNN and tures by leaders in American Temple’s Religious Education and background information, leadership more closely over works actively with a rising government, literature, theol- Program. and her beginning experiences the past thirty years than generation of new leaders. In ogy, and journalism including Rabbi Liz makes her home at Anshe, will be provided in David Gergen. A White House the past, he has served as a such personalities as Julian in Great Barrington with the next edition of the BJV. adviser to both Republican White House adviser to four Bond, Representative Barney husband, Rabbi Neil P.G. In the meantime, the and Democrat presidents, U.S. presidents of both par- Frank, Isaac Bashevis Singer, Hirsch, rabbi at Hevreh of congregation looks forward to he offers a vivid, behind-the- ties: Nixon, Ford, Reagan and Bernard Kalb, Ambassadors Southern Berkshire, and their Rabbi Liz’s full engagement in scenes account of their strug- Clinton. He wrote about those Daniel Kurtzer and Martin 15-month-old son, Lior. a community that she “already gles to exercise power and experiences in his New York Indyk, Steven Emerson, Mara A community ‘Meet and loves!” draws from them key lessons Times best seller, Eyewitness Liasson, Howard Dean and for leaders of the future. to Power: The Essence of Lead- Bret Stephens. As the world’s economic ership, Nixon to Clinton (2001). Refreshments and political dynamics con- In the 1980s, he began a will be served tinue to evolve, a new age is career in journalism. Starting after the lecture. ahead for America, but its with The McNeill-Lehrer News Seating will realization will depend heavi- Hour in 1984, he has been a be limited and ly upon the success of a new regular commentator on public early arrival is generation at the top. Drawing affairs for some 30 years. recommended. upon all his many experiences Twice he has been a member Doors may close in the White House, Gergen of election coverage teams that before the lecture offers seven key lessons for won Peabody awards, and he begins. leaders of the future. What has contributed to two Emmy For more in- they must have, he says, award-winning political anal- formation, please are: inner mastery; a central, ysis teams. In the late 1980s, call the Temple compelling purpose rooted in he was chief editor of U.S. office: (413) 442- moral values; a capacity to News & World Report, working 5910 or visit the persuade; skills in working with publisher Mort Zucker- website at www. within the system; a fast start; man to achieve record gains in ansheamunim. a strong, effective team; and a circulation and advertising. org. Temple An- passion that inspires others to she Amunim, at keep the flame alive. About the Hilda Vallin 26 Broad Street Andy Hochberg, lecture Feigenbaum Lecture Series in Pittsfield, is committee co-chairman notes, The Hilda Vallin Feigen- an accessible “This is the 51st year of the building. Hilda Vallin Feigenbaum baum Memorial Foundation Memorial Foundation Lec- continues to enhance the ture series and it presents an spiritual and intellectual life opportunity to emphasize the of Temple Anshe Amunim and Author Judith Schumer on In The Presence of My Enemies GREAT BARRINGTON – On Thursday, July 19 at 7 p.m., Congregation Ahavath Sholom hosts Judith Schumer who will speak about her new book, In the Presence of my Enemies: A Memoir of the Holocaust and its Aftermath, a true story of a Jewish survivor who spent part of the war in Poland pretending to be a Christian Pole in order to save himself and his family. Adam Zurawin jumped off a cattle car headed for the Auschwitz concentration camp, eventually came to America, and was later accused of being a Nazi collaborator. Schumer says it is a particular- ly compelling narrative in 2018, with the new law being passed in Poland that criminalizes what can Judith Schumer and cannot be told about Polish involvement in the Holocaust. Zurawin was a family friend of Schumer’s, and told her his story in 1994, before his death. This account is only appearing now at the request of his widow, who asked that the story not be released until after her own passing. Schumer was born in Shanghai, China in October, 1945 – two months after the end of the war with Japan. Her parents survived the Holocaust by first escaping to Lithuania from Nazi-occupied Poland, and then getting a special visa which enabled them to get out of Eastern Europe and travel first to Japan and then to China. They spent the war under Japanese occupation in Shanghai and were finally able to get visas to the United States in 1948. Her first book was about her family’s escape and survival titled Esther’s Journey – A Holocaust Memoir. She and her husband live in Sheffield, MA and in Reno, NV, where she was recently appointed chairperson of the Nevada Governor’s Advisory Council on Education Relating to the Holocaust. She is also a member of the Northern Nevada Holocaust Education Task Force, and speaks at schools, universities, and adult groups about her books and her responsibility as a “Second Generation” survivor. Congregation Ahavath Sholom is at 15 North Street, Great Barrington. For more information, call (413) 528-4197, or visit www.ahavathsholom.com. Page 12 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org July 2 to August 19, 2018 jewish education in the berkshires 2018/19 The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires has a strong commitment to Jewish youth, helping to provide a high-quality Jewish education for more than 158 children and young adults through $63,000 in grants to congregational religious schools across the Berkshires. Berkshire County is fortunate to have a diverse Jewish community that offers educational opportunities encompassing a wide range of approaches and family preferences. This section offers an overview of local Jewish schools. Please note that owing to the BJV’s publishing schedule and the way the holiday season falls on this year’s calendar, some key dates for local religious schools were not finalized at press time. Please contact the congregations for complete details.

Temple Anshe Amunim CHAI (Community Hebrew Pittsfield Afterschool Initiative) Temple Anshe Amunim, a Massachusetts, New York, In the coming year, along Pittsfield Reform Jewish congregation, and the Berkshires. She re- with other experienced CHAI is a partnership ing forward to introducing a offers religious education and cently participated in a three- teachers, Rabbi Liz will teach between Temple Anshe brand new visual arts pro- Hebrew for students at all year pilot fellowship through Hebrew and Jewish studies, Amunim and Knesset Israel gram, featuring the participa- levels from early childhood the Institute for Jewish fostering mitzvot and tikkun that meets Wednesday after- tion of local Judaica artists. through high school, along Spirituality called “Educating olam through creative arts noons. These classes use For more information about with adult education. The for a Jewish Spiritual Life,” and service learning proj- formal and informal tech- CHAI, please call the educa- Temple’s program features which equipped her to teach ects. Group tutoring sessions niques to help students learn tion director at TAA or KI. professional educators who meditation and yoga to youth (TBA) may also be available to read Hebrew fluently and focus on individualized learn- in a Jewish context. Rabbi Liz for those students who wish accurately. The school is look- ing. plays guitar and is a trained additional help with learning The Religious School songleader. She loves to use Hebrew. will be led by Rabbi Liz P.G. music to teach, inspire, and Several times each year, Hirsch, who assumed her create community! TAA holds family education Hevreh of Southern Berkshire role as rabbi and head of the Debora Cole-Duffy, imme- programs designed to bring religious school on July 1. diate past Temple president families together to celebrate Great Barrington Rabbi Liz has extensive says, “Based on our history and learn with an emphasis Experience Jewish life, 7th grade from 10 a.m. to experience with both formal to offer a rich and valued on l’dor vador (from genera- learning, and community at 12:30 p.m. and informal Jewish edu- Jewish education program tion to generation). Some past Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, Hebrew Skills meets cation. She most recently to meet the unique learn- family programs include a a Reform congregation. weekly on Wednesdays from served as the rabbi and ing styles of our students Tu Bishevat Seder, Chocolate From the littlest learners 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for grades assistant director at the URJ and the personal and social Seder, Yom Hatzma’ut (Israeli in Tiny Talmidim (ages 3-5) to 3 through 7. Eisner Camp in Great Bar- needs of our families, TAA Independence Day) service teenage confirmation students Tiny Talmidim is a rington, where one of her key looks forward to Rabbi Liz and Seder, and a special and everyone in between, monthly parent-child program portfolio areas was the over- bringing her special talents service to commemorate Yom Hevreh is a place where Jew- for pre-school age children. sight of the Jewish educa- to oversee our school. While Hashoah (Holocaust Remem- ish tradition comes alive. From Pre-Confirmation (8th tional vision and curriculum our students enjoy learning brance Day). Families also hands-on learning through grade) & Confirmation Class for this 1000-person camp. about Shabbat, festivals, and love to take springtime trips art and music, to lively debate (9th-12th grade) meet twice Rabbi Liz grew up as an Jewish traditions and ritu- to discover their Jewish roots, about important moral issues, per month. active leader in NFTY, Reform als, they also delight to lead visiting destinations such as students at Hevreh have the Religious School registra- Judaism’s youth movement, services and offer meaningful New York City or Boston. opportunity to engage in Jew- tion opens on July 15. Hevreh which serves as the umbrella Divrei Torah, speeches and At press time, the Temple’s ish life in new and meaningful welcomes interfaith families, organization for PFTY, the commentary on the weekly school calendar had not been ways. GLBTQ families, new mem- Temple’s youth group. Torah portion, even before finalized. To learn more about The talented and caring bers, first timers, neighbors, Rabbi Liz has diverse celebrating their B’nai the Religious School offered faculty, energetic madrikhim and friends to explore all the religious educational ex- Mitzvot.” by Temple Anshe Amunim, or (young teachers), and the education programs have to perience, and has worked Debora adds, “Our TAA to learn more about fami- education team of Rabbi Jodie offer. To schedule a one-on- with students ranging from Religious School offers spe- ly High Holy Day Services, Gordon and Jodie Friedman one appointment and tour, kindergarten to high school. cial instruction to students. please contact Rabbi Liz P.G. are eager to welcome families please contact Jodie Friedman Rabbi Liz is passionate about For example, in 2016, one of Hirsch at the Temple Office, to the community. at [email protected]. Visit service learning and has our students won the Region- (413) 442-5910 or at: tem- Religious School meets Hevreh online at www.hevreh. created Jewish educational al Chidon Hatanach Contest [email protected]. weekly on Sunday mornings org/youth-family-life. opportunities that incorporat- (Bible Contest) and partici- for kindergarten through ed hands-on volunteer experi- pated in the national contest ences throughout in New York City.”

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Lunch and Learn at TAA vived war, epidemic, fire and and social action programs. who knows what else – to leave The Temple, located at 26 Lecture series to cover a diverse range of topics loving legacies that inspire us Broad Street, Pittsfield, MA all. is an accessible building. For PITTSFIELD – Temple Anshe at noon, Dr. Larry Pellish, a benefactors of her activism Temple Anshe Amunim is more information, contact the Amunim will host an informal retired physician, will lead a – women and Jews. By broad- a Reform Jewish congregation Temple Anshe Amunim office series of lunchtime events this discussion about end of life ening our focus we enrich our that promotes engaging and at (413) 442-5910, email tem- summer. Guests are invit- issues. The main focus will be understanding of and admi- widespread participation in [email protected] or ed to bring their own lunch; the need to dialogue with one- ration for this remarkable services, education, cultural visit www.ansheanumim.org. beverages and dessert will be self, one’s family and friends, woman and her capacity for provided. Admission is free for and with one’s physicians spiritual and political growth.” Temple members and $5.00 regarding how you define Robyn Rosen is professor for non-members. death with dignity. Specific of history at Marist College, issues like the Massachu- where she has taught US Fertile, A Play Produced by The S.S. St. Louis: An setts MOLST (medical order history, women’s history, and Illustrated Lecture for life sustaining therapies) women’s studies since 1994. the Israeli Stage April, 1939: Nearly one form, life directives, the Do LENOX – On Sunday, August Matches Made in Heaven thousand Jewish refugees, Not Resuscitate order, and 12 at 5:30 p.m., Hevreh of fleeing the Nazis, board the health care proxies will be On Thursday, July 19 at Southern Berkshire presents S.S. St. Louis in Hamburg, addressed. 11:30 a.m., join Keren Weiner a staging of Fertile, a play pro- Germany, bound for Cuba, for “Matches Made in Heaven: duced by Israeli Stage, a group Eleanor Roosevelt: Personal where they will await permis- Genealogy Research Uncov- that brings Israeli theater to sion to complete their migra- & Political Transformation ers Love Stories in a Family American audiences. tion to the United States. But On Thursday, July 12 at of Jewish Immigrants.” “What This event will take place at will they be allowed to disem- 11:30 a.m., Dr. Robyn Rosen do we know of our ancestors’ Shakespeare & Company, of her dreams, Fertile decides bark in Cuba? In the United presents on the life and career deepest commitments beyond 70 Kemble Street in Lenox. to reexamine the “broken” States? Anywhere? of Eleanor Roosevelt. “The the names and the dates?” Fertile was born with a gift parts of her life, and sets on a This program will be pre- groups we most associate with wonders Weiner. Follow one – she was born without a uter- journey of healing herself. Her sented by Jesse Waldinger Eleanor Roosevelt’s courage immigrant family from New us. An inherited genetic ab- journey makes her confront all on Thursday, August 9 at and commitment to justice are Orleans during the Civil War normality makes her barren at sides of her femininity and her 11:30 a.m. the poor and African-Ameri- era through their move to New birth. Throughout her life, she right to exist as a woman, de- cans,” says Dr. Rosen. “This York City. Research methods is marked by society and by spite her inability to fulfill the Death with Dignity talk shifts our gaze to two from the Internet to the tele- herself as faulty and defective. basic female mission, bringing On Thursday, August 16 other constituencies who were phone reveal how they sur- At 26, following a romantic encounter with the man Fertile, continued on next page Tammuz/Av/Elul 5778 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 13

jewish education in the berkshires 2018/19 Congregation Beth Israel Knesset Israel North Adams Pittsfield The Knesset Israel their study of Hebrew, prayer, Life.” Lively discussions Hebrew School, now a part mitzvot and Jewish holidays. will explore problematic of this Conservative congre- Afterwards these students join hot topics like the ethics of gation’s new Families To- together for Purposeful Play, lying, fracking, medical en- gether program, welcomes a new program for Knesset hancement, end-of-life care, students from preschool Israel that gives the young- and surrogacy. High school through 12th grade to dy- est pupils a chance to learn students also have the op- namic classes where they creatively and experientially. portunity to serve as teach- learn Hebrew, Torah, Jewish A team of experienced primary ing assistants in our Hebrew studies, history and culture. school educators is working School, especially in Junior The school prides itself on its together to infuse this pro- Congregation, the bar/ intimate classes and extraor- gram with best practices and bat mitzvah program, and dinary faculty. In addition to joy. Purposeful Play programs. teaching skills for meaningful Elementary School: This year Knesset Israel will Jewish living, the school also Grades 2-6 meet twice a be piloting new youth pro- incorporates a ‘hidden curric- week, on Shabbat morn- gramming, incorporating the ulum’ helping students learn ings and on Wednesday arts, social time, leadership to value and prioritize their afternoons. Over the course development and regional CBI Hebrew School students having some fun own involvement in Jewish of their elementary school conventions with United The Congregation Beth through the b’nai mitzvah community life. years, students study stories Synagogue Youth. These Israel Community Hebrew experience. Jane is a school This year KI welcomes from the Torah, lifecycle, holi- youth programs welcome the School offers a vibrant after- counselor, family coach, Judith Weiner as the new days and Jewish values. This participation of members school Jewish learning pro- storyteller and magician with director of Knesset Israel year, grades four and five will and non-members. gram for pre-K through 7th 45 years of working with Families Together. She will explore the history of Israel Family Programming: grade. The program supports children and their families. administer the Shabbat and the Middle East through Exciting programs for the children’s Jewish development She is assisted by Inquisitive morning program together maps and geography and whole family linking themes by fostering friendship, em- Bernard (aka, Inky the Won- with Rabbi David Weiner, and grade six will use discussion of the Jewish holidays and pathy, acts of caring, creative der Dog), a trained therapy the Wednesday afternoon of current events to explore year with contemporary social exploration and Jewish liter- dog and state certified reading program in conjunction with issues in modern Jewish issues take place on select acy. Located in the Northern specialist, as well as several Rabbi Weiner and Rabbi Liz history. All students at this Sundays, Wednesday after- Berkshires, classes meet on parent volunteers. Heather, P.G. Hirsch of Temple Anshe age level also participate in noons, and Shabbat after- Mondays from 3:30-5:15 p.m. a local teacher and artist, Amunim. She will also spear- Junior Congregation on a noons throughout the year. Special family and commu- blends Torah learning with art head KI’s family education weekly basis. Open to non-members as well nity programs are also held making in many forms, having and teen education programs, Bar/Bat Mitzvah: The as members, these programs throughout the year by this students integrate knowledge both generously funded by crown jewel of KI’s education are a great way for families to Reform congregation. and self-expression through the Harold Grinspoon Foun- programs, the intensive bar/ experience the Knesset Israel This year, CBI’s Community projects such as writing and dation. Drawing on her many bat mitzvah program engages community. Please check the Hebrew School begins on Mon- designing psalm art, Torah years of teaching and Jewish students deeply in developing Knesset Israel calendar (at day, September 17. The educa- story dioramas, game building, camp experience, as well the skills and enthusiasm https://knessetisrael.org) or tion team is headed by Rabbi and map-making. as her graduate-level study they will need for lifelong lead- Facebook page for details. Jarah Greenfield, a seasoned CBI offers special pro- of education at the Jewish ership of Jewish religious life. At press time, KI’s school and passionate Jewish educa- gramming throughout the Theological Seminary, Judith Instruction includes chanting calendar had not been final- tor who recently joined CBI as year, including community will bring creativity, profes- Torah and Haftarah and lead- ized. Registration for Knesset director of education. picnics, field trips, concerts, sionalism and passion to her ing all Shabbat services and Israel’s Hebrew School will As the program evolves artists-in-residence, holiday new leadership role. is complemented by a mitzvah take place during the sum- in new directions this year, celebrations, and more. Primary School: Pre- project and the preparation of mer months. Members and students will continue to To learn more about the school students age 2 years a short sermon for the morn- non-members are welcome, benefit from the presence of CBI Community Hebrew 9 months and up enjoy ing of the bar/bat mitzvah. and Hebrew School can be an beloved teachers Rabbi Rachel School and staff, please programming on Shabbat High School: Students excellent gateway to becom- Barenblat, Jane Shiyah, and visit the website at www. mornings. A 45-minute class convene on Shabbat morn- ing more involved in the com- Heather Levy. Rabbi Rachel, cbihebrewschool.weebly.com. with a highly qualified teach- ing for a class with Rabbi munity. Interested families CBI’s own spiritual leader, is Education Director Rabbi er features song, movement Weiner. This year, the group are invited to contact Judith a poet, rabbi, chaplain, and Jarah Greenfield can be and Shabbat-friendly crafts. will study Jewish values Weiner at (413) 445-4872, or blogger who works closely reached at rabbijgreenfield@ Students in kindergarten using a new curriculum [email protected]. with students as they move gmail.com. and first grade also meet on from the Jewish Theological Shabbat mornings, beginning Seminary called “The Ethical

local news Summer Outings with Temple Join Chabad for Special Anshe Amunim Shabbat Lectures Join Temple Anshe Amunim on Saturday, July 28 at 7 p.m. LENOX – This summer, Chabad of the for a special experience at Berkshires hosts two special speakers following Tanglewood as David Newman Shabbat morning services at its summer space conducts Bernstein’s West Side at the Lenox Community Center, 65 Walker Story. The Boston Symphony Street. The speakers will present following plays Leonard Bernstein’s elec- Kiddush at approximately 12:30 p.m. All are trifying score live, with the new- welcome. ly re-mastered film is shown on On July 7, Sonia Beker will discuss her large screens with the original book, Symphony on Fire: A Story of Music and vocals and dialogue intact. Look Spiritual Resistance During the Holocaust, a for the blue and white balloons memoir describing the Holocaust journey of on the lawn. Attendees will need her Vilna-born musician parents. Max Beker,

to purchase their own tickets at photo: stu rosner violinist, and Fania Durmashkin, pianist, came www.bso.org. from a rich musical family heritage in their be- Tanglewood at dusk Eugene Fidell On Sunday, July 15 at loved town, Vilna, Lithuania. When Nazi horror 5 p.m., TAA will have a picnic destroyed their family, the music continued as they navigated through the and watch the Pittsfield Suns For more information, templeoffice@ansheamu- Holocaust with music as their lifeline. They survived the war and ended up play baseball at Wahconah contact the Temple nim.org, or visit www. in a DP Camp near Landsberg, Germany. Today, the family legacy is being Park. The cost is $20. which Anshe Amunim office at ansheamunim.org. celebrated in symposia in Landsberg, where Max, Fania and her sister, includes the price of the ticket (413) 442-5910, email Henia, were then DP members of the survivor Ex-Concentration Camp and picnic. Orchestra, which shared its life-affirming performances with other DPs, the American troops, the Nuremberg judges, David Ben-Gurion, and Golda Meir, and was conducted by Leonard Bernstein. FERTILE, continued from previous page On July 14, join Eugene R. Fidell for “The United Nation’s Peace- children into the world. mieres of Israeli plays, and hosted five Israe- keepers: Some Revolutionary Thoughts for Bastille Day.” Gene Fidell The Israeli Stage shares the diversity and li playwrights. To purchase tickets (prices teaches at Yale Law School and specializes in military law. He and his vitality of Israeli culture through theater. vary), visit hevreh.org/summer and click on wife Linda Greenhouse, who also teaches at Yale Law School and is a Since their first season in 2010-11, the the link for eventbrite. Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter who covered the United States Supreme Israeli Stage has presented over 25 pre- Court for the New York Times, have a home in Stockbridge. Page 14 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org July 2 to August 19, 2018 local news Berkshire Hills Hadassah’s B’Shalom Chorale 5th Season Annual Donor Dinner Concert PITTSFIELD – Berkshire Hills Hadassah will host GREAT its annual donor dinner on the evening of Tuesday, BARRINGTON August 28 at the Country Club of Pittsfield. – The B’Sha- This year, Hadassah celebrates the 100th anni- lom Chorale versary of Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO), will hold its 5th the 100th anniversary of Hadassah Ophthalmol- season concert ogy Department, and the 100th anniversary of on Wednesday the Henrietta Szold Hadassah-Hebrew University evening, August School of Nursing. 15 at 7 p.m. at “It is our great pleasure, in recognition of this Hevreh of South- anniversary celebration,” says Sherry Boullt, ern Berkshire. co-president of Berkshire Hills Hadassah, “to The Chorale honor the healing arts and our local commu- is conducted by nity nurses for their great contributions in our Jack Brown and Dr. Rachel Schonberger medical care, from bedside nursing at hospitals accompanied by to home visits, as well as participating in special- Joe Rose, and will be singing music of various eras and genres, including a tribute to ized health initiatives. Leonard Bernstein on the 100th anniversary of his birth. “Dr. Rachel Schonberger, Hadassah Medical Organization National Chair, will For more information call Cantor Emily Sleeper Mekler at (413) 418-1836, email be our highlighted speaker. Dr. Schonberger will share with us the latest medical [email protected], or visit the group’s Facebook page. and scientific breakthroughs at Hadassah Hospital and their global impact.” The B’Shalom Chorale is sponsored, in part, by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. Berkshire Hills Hadassah members and associates will receive an invitation in the mail. All are welcome. For more information, please contact Pattie Lipman at [email protected] or (518) 281-7340. more local news appears on pages 19 - 21

BAR AND BAT MITZVAHS COME BUT ONCE IN A LIFETIME. MAKE THEM MEMORABLE AT WINVIAN FARM.

Celebrate life and all your “mazel tovs” at Winvian Farm, a storied and picturesque Connecticut estate with unique venues, five-star dining, and the experienced staff to make all your celebrations extraordinary. L’chaim!

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS WWW.WINVIAN.COM Tammuz/Av/Elul 5778 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 15

Your Federation Presents

More Than Just Books – PJ Library Events in the Berkshires By Susan Frisch Lehrer, Coordinator of Volunteers & PJ Library PJ Library is connecting families throughout the Berkshires in small neigh- and stories with a light supper. Free to all. Bring chairs and blankets. In case of borhood programs, recognizing that smaller more intimate programs work well rain we’ll have an alternate location. for busy families. Our most recent program in Williamstown at Cricket Creek Please RSVP by contacting [email protected] or (413) 442-4360, Farm (shown in the photos) brought 10 families together on a beautiful summer ext. 14. day to celebrate Shavuot. Stay tuned for more info about PJ Library programs throughout the county. On Friday, August 10 at 5:30 p.m., we travel south for PJ Library Shabbat at And, parents (or grandparents) if you would like to help us plan and implement the Lake. We welcome all families to join us for a special PJ Library Shabbat at programs, please be in touch! PJ Library is made possible through the Jewish Lake Mansfield, Great Barrington Federation of the Berkshires, the Jewish Women’s Foundation of Berkshire for an evening of blessings, songs, County, and the Spitz Tuchman Family Fund. PJ Library at Cricket Creek Farm

The Yiddish Book Center The world’s first Yiddish museum

Permanent & Visiting Exhibits ■ Talks ■ Films

July 12–15, 2018

Museum and Visitors Center hours: Sunday–Friday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Public tours: Tuesdays at 2, Sundays at 11 and 1 Amherst, Massachusetts | 413-256-4900

yiddishbookcenter . o r g Page 16 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org July 2 to August 19, 2018

Superb Super Sunday Showing

More than 55 volunteers, with cell phones in hand and pledge cards in front of them, worked diligently May 6 to reach out to hundreds of potential donors to ask for their support. By mid-afternoon, callers in Pittsfield and Great Barrington had reached 255 donors and successfully raised more than $61,000 for the 2018 Annual Campaign to support community programs locally and help Jews in need around the world. Thank you to everyone who volunteered and everyone who gave! You are supporting Jewish life across the Berkshires and around the world! A special thanks to Ed Udel, our Super Sunday campaign chair. If you did not have the opportunity to answer the call on Super Sunday, please contact the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires at (413) 442-4360, ext. 10, or visit www.jewishberkshires.org.

Special thanks to these partners: Tammuz/Av/Elul 5778 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 17

Superb Super Sunday Showing

Jewish Federation of the Berkshires’ 2017 Annual Campaign GOAL $805,000

400 480 320 560 240 640 160 720

80 790 DOING YOUR ANNUAL EXTRAORDINARY IMPACT CAMPAIGN THINGS IS REAL 2018 Page 18 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org July 2 to August 19, 2018 berkshire jewish voices Traveling with Jewish Taste Rhubarb! By Carol Goodman Kaufman

Rhubarb season is here, and with it comes a vegetable (it is actually classified as one botanically), adding it to fish and lamb a flood of childhood memories. A big patch in dishes, such as the stew Khoresht-E-Reevas. back of a neighbor’s garage was a treasure we There is some dispute over rhubarb’s arrival in America in late 18th century. looked forward to every year. We kids would Some records indicate that a Maine gardener planted it and then introduced it to snap off stalks to chomp on, the intense sour- Massachusetts. Others say that it was first grown by Philadelphian John Bartram, ness seemingly not a problem for us as we sat from a case of the root sent to him by Benjamin Franklin. At any rate, by the in a circle telling ghost stories in the dark on 1820s, rhubarb became available for purchase in markets. balmy summer evenings. It may even have en- But, why buy it when it is so incredibly easy to grow? Because rhubarb likes hanced the spooky atmosphere. the cold – and in fact it can survive deep freezes in those places – the northeastern Perhaps due to these fond memories, or per- United States is an ideal place to grow it. I’ll bet that many of the readers of this haps because it is a super-easy plant to main- column have a patch or two in their yards. The vegetable can grow in hot climates, tain, I still love rhubarb and have two different but it must be done as an annual and with lots of shade. The plants will live for varieties growing in my garden. In fact, one of decades, the only maintenance being a necessary splitting every five or six years. the plants came from my father’s backyard, and I have recently given a piece of that plant to my eldest son, Seth, as a sort of hor- ticultural mi’dor l’dor action. Given my total lack of success with bonsai, I figured this would be my way of perpetuating the family love of gardening while providing a memento of his grandfather. Growing the family tree, as it were. As a little girl, I believed that rhubarb was a Jewish vegetable, named in fact Khoresht-E-Reevas: Persian Rhubarb Stew for my Uncle Reub. (I also believed that brisket was Jewish. After all, on the eighth day…) Anyway, when he wasn’t practicing optometry, Uncle Reub was a big-time gardener and grafter of tree fruit, and his wife, Aunt Bea, was a phenom- enal cook and baker who incorporated rhubarb from said garden into all manner of delectable dishes. I also believe that rhubarb has the power to save a romance. The first time my then-boyfriend came to visit, my stepmother had cooked mackerel for dinner. The house reeked of the oily fish, so I rushed out to the garden, picked some stalks, grabbed a pint of strawberries from the fridge, and baked a pie. By the time the boy arrived, flowers in hand, the house smelled divine. He is now my husband. Today, many Jewish cooking websites feature recipes for everything from strawberry-rhubarb blintzes to Shabbat rhubarb chicken. So, I figured that the veggie must have figured large in the cuisine of our ancestors. In fact, rhubarb had its roots in China, where its dried root was used for its laxative properties. In fact, it was so coveted for that purpose that at one point it cost more than cinnamon and saffron. Islamic traders brought it west over the Silk Road beginning in the 8th century, and Venetian Marco Polo mentioned the vegetable in journals of his travels to China in the late 13th century, but his fellow Italians didn’t get around to planting it until much later. In the 14th Century, rhubarb arrived in Syria, and from there it traveled to the rest of Europe, where cooks began incorporating it as a fruit into pies and tarts (hence, its other name, “pie plant”). Documentation of Ashkenazim cultivating it in their gardens I could not find, but Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews are absolutely known to use the sour rhubarb as

Where Healthcare and Hospitality Meet Adapted from My Persian Kitchen Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 lb. stew beef or lamb, cubed 2 medium yellow onions 1 teaspoon turmeric 3 cups parsley 1½ cups mint 2 lb. rhubarb, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces salt & pepper oil

Instructions:

Sauté onion until just past translucent. While onion is sautéing, separate herb leaves from stems, wash and chop. Add turmeric, stir, and continue cooking for two more minutes. Add beef. Season with salt and pepper. Brown meat on all sides. Add 2 cups of water. Cook, covered, on medium low for one hour. Add enough oil to thinly cover the bottom of a sauté pan. Add herbs and fry them for about 5 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add herbs to the stew. Continue to cook, covered, for a half hour longer until meat is tender. We o er independent and assisted living, as well as memory care in a Adjust seasoning if needed. beautiful setting with breathtaking Berkshire views. We were named a Add rhubarb to the stew. Caring Superstar this year and are celebrating our 20th anniversary Give one gentle stir and cook untouched for 10 to 15 minutes longer. with all-inclusive pricing. Our residents and their families can enjoy peace of mind knowing we encourage independence while providing the right amount of support when needed. It’s our 20th anniversary! Carol Goodman Kaufman is a psychologist and author with a passion for travel Sign up now and enjoy 50% off your fi rst three months’ rent. and food. She is currently at work on a food history/cookbook, tracing the paths that some of our favorite foods have taken from their origins to appear on dinner plates and in cultural rites and artifacts around the world. She invites readers to —Family-Owned and Operated for Three Decades— read her blog at carolgoodmankaufman.com and to follow her on Twitter @goodmankaufman. 140 Melbourne Road, Pittsfi eld, MA 01201 | WingateHealthcare.com Tammuz/Av/Elul 5778 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 19

local news Exploring Jewish Lunch ‘N’ Learn Series – “The Jewish Road Survival and Resistance to Character: A Taste of Mussar” during World War II GREAT BARRINGTON – On six faithful; the kinds of relation- consecutive Wednesdays start- ships you formed. Most of us GREAT BARRINGTON – ment with the fact that French ing July 18, Rabbi Eric Gurvis would say that the eulogy Hevreh of Southern Berkshire Jews survived at markedly will lead a class on Mussar at virtues are more important will host two talks by Hevreh higher rates than Jews else- Hevreh of Southern Berkshire. than the resume virtues.’ member Stu Schweitzer where in Europe.” Classes are free and open to “Brooks contends that we exploring the Jewish expe- the public. live in a world that celebrates rience in Europe during the Jewish Resistance in the Dates will be the following the resume values, and de- Second World War. Schweitzer Holocaust Wednesdays: July 18 and 25, mands that we enhance those is a docent at the Holocaust On Thursday, August 2 and August 1, 8, 15, and 22. values. In our confusing and Museum and Education Cen- from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., The classes will be held from contentious time, many are ter of Southwest Florida. Schweitzer returns to address 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. seeking to find a greater sense These events are free and what he says is the “oft-heard, Says Rabbi Gurvis: “In of grounding in core virtues open to the public. his 2015 book, The Road to which can guide us, uplift us false assertion is that the Jews Rabbi Eric Gurvis went passively, ‘like lambs Character, David Brooks posits and inspire us to become the Vichy France and the Jews study of Mussar teachings and to slaughter’ during the that we live our lives by two best persons we can be. For their accompanying practice On Thursday, July 19 Holocaust. We will put this different sets of virtues, what the Jewish world, asking such into their lives. In this 6-week from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., myth to rest, highlighting he calls ‘resume virtues’ and a focus is hardly new. Yet, in series, participants will delve Schweitzer will talk about Jewish resistance in the ‘eulogy virtues.’ Brooks writes, our time, we have the uncover- in the study and practice of the right-wing French regime ghettos, the camps, and the ‘Resume virtues are the ones ing of a rich part of our Jewish some of the Mussar tradition’s based in Vichy that governed forests. Measured in terms you list on your resume, the heritage which was nearly lost wisdom. much of France following its of German dead and injured, skills that you bring to the job to our people – the study and Rabbi Eric Gurvis is rabbi fall to Germany in 1940. these episodes had little im- market and that contribute practice of Mussar.” emeritus of Temple Shalom of Schweitzer will discuss the pact. But as Elie Wiesel once to [your] external success. In large part inspired by the Newton in Newton, MA. He rise of official anti-Semitism said ‘The question is not why The eulogy virtues are deeper. work of The Mussar Institute has studied and practiced in Vichy France, where he all the Jews did not fight, but They’re the virtues that get and other contemporary efforts Mussar for over 5 years and says the authorities attempt- how so many of them did. talked about at your funeral, at reclaiming Mussar for the has trained with The Mussar ed to outdo the Germans in Tormented, beaten and the ones that exist at the core present day, an ever-expanding Institute as a facilitator of their treatment of the Jews. starved, where did they find of your being – whether you number of communities and Mussar groups. “We will, at the same time,” strength – spiritual and physi- are kind, brave, honest or individuals are bringing the explains Schweitzer, “strive to cal – to resist?’” reconcile this vicious treat-

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Humor from Genesis to Berkshire, 270 State Road, Dr. Saks, a Hevreh member, is Seinfeld and Soloway hosts a variety of free talks on a renowned expert on human PITTSFIELD – Temple Anshe Marymount Manhattan Col- topics of general interest that sexuality, and a teacher to On Monday, August 6 from Amunim will host a four-part lege, and Queens College for are open to all interested in medical students and resi- 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Roberta play analysis series taught by twenty-five years. She received attending. dents. Rosenberg, emerita professor Dr. Barbara Waldinger, theater her Ph.D. from the CUNY of English and a visiting schol- professor and director, enti- Graduate Center in New York #MeToo: Changing Sexual “Becoming the Nazi ar at the Center for Jewish tled, “Starting Over: Jews in City, and is serving her 17th Attitudes Officer’s Wife” History, explores the sources America,” on Tuesday morn- year as Artistic Director of HR of Jewish laughter. “How and ings July 24, 31, and August Showcase Theatre in Hudson, On Monday, July 9 from On Thursday, July 12 from why is Jewish comedy funny?” 7, concluding on Monday, which is dedicated to staged 9:30 to 11 a.m., join Dr. 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., biographer asks Dr. Rosenberg. “How has August 20. The series will be readings of the five winners of Bonnie Saks, clinical pro- Susan Dworkin discusses the Jewish comedy responded to conducted from 10 a.m. to its annual nationwide play- fessor of psychiatry at the writing of The Nazi Officer’s the circumstances and rela- 11:30 a.m. and is open to the writing contest. Waldinger University of South Florida, Wife, a New York Times best- tionships of the Jewish people public. directs for Plays in Progress, whose topic will be “#MeToo: seller that tells the story of the throughout the ages and in Plays to be discussed are a theatre group that helps to Changing Sexual Attitudes.” astonishing escape from the contemporary America? Mark Harelik’s The Immi- develop the work of new play- Topics to be addressed Holocaust experienced by Edith The seminar will address grant, based on the life of wrights, teaches for OLLI, and will include: “How are sex- Hahn Beer. Dworkin collabo- traditional Jewish humor from Harelik’s grandfather, a reviews plays for Berkshire On ual attitudes changing in rated on the book with Beer, the Bible to the European Russian Jew who arrives in Stage, an online publication. America? Is sexual behav- and will talk about what it is Diaspora (Genesis, Kafka, Texas in 1909; and Barbara The cost for the four-session ior changing? How do we like for an author to “inhale Aleichem) as well as contem- Lebow’s A Shayna Maidel, course is $40 for members; $45 talk about sex and what are the realities of another person, porary Jewish humor in an about a survivor of a Nazi for non-members for 4 sessions we teaching our kids?” Dr. another time. Identifying with assimilated American commu- concentration camp in Ger- or $15 per session. Saks will also discuss sex as Edith’s struggle was the true nity (Roth, Englander, Seinfeld, man-occupied Poland who For more information, power, sex as sport, sex as work of writing this book.” Larry David, and Jill Soloway). reunites with her family in contact the Temple Anshe No prior knowledge of the sub- New York City in 1946. Amunim office at (413) 442- Investment Approaches ject is required beyond having Dr. Waldinger, a direc- 5910, email templeoffice@an- for Today’s Economy and a sense of humor!” Roberta tor and professor of theatre, sheamunim.org or visit www. Markets Rosenberg writes on Jewish taught at Hofstra University, ansheamunim.org. On Monday, July 16, identity in popular literature, and Monday, July 30 from television and film. 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., join facilitator Stu Schweitzer for a fourth consecutive year of dis- The Return of Musician Steve Katz cussions focused on personal GREAT BARRINGTON – On Thursday, August 16 at 7 p.m., investment topics, including Hevreh of Southern Berkshire welcomes back Steve Katz, found- the outlook for the economy ing member of the legendary Blood, Sweat & Tears, and The and markets, asset allocation, Blues Project. Katz will present a humorous discussion about taxes, and investment strate- his firsthand experiences with folk songs of the 1960s and the gy. Both sessions will have a Greenwich Village scene at the time, and will also perform songs clear, differentiated focus. from that period. His stories include anecdotes about many of the musical icons of the folk, rock, jazz and blues idiom, includ- ing his performance at Woodstock. A nice Jewish boy from Long Island, Steve sur- vived the sex, drugs and rock n’ roll culture and speaks candidly about it all. Admission is $15 per person in advance or $20 at Steve Katz the door. Hevreh is located at 270 State Road in Great Barrington.

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local news Summertime JTS Lectures in the Special Summer Shabbatot Berkshires with Hevreh LENOX – Once again this Jewish Encounters with the On August 24, Dr. Raymond GREAT BARRINGTON – This of the connection between summer, Knesset Israel and Natural World.” For a full Scheinlind tackles “Gardens of summer, Hevreh of Southern God, Torah and nature; gain New York’s Jewish Theological description of lectures, please the Gilded Age: The Pleasures Berkshire is organizing several a greater appreciation for our Seminary will be partners for a refer to Berkshire Jewish and Perils of Nature in outings to enhance and ex- environment, and build our four-part educational series at Summer, the previous issue Medieval Hebrew Literature.” pand the Shabbat experience. intergenerational community. the Bernstein Theater on the of the BJV, or www.jtsa.edu/ Register early for the series We will walk, talk, pray, sing, campus of Shakespeare berkshires. on-line at www.jtsa.edu/berk- Tanglewood Shabbat eat (after all, we are Jewish) & Company. Starting July 13, On July 13, Rabbi Daniel shires, or contact Lynn Fein- On Friday, July 20 from and experience a different sessions will be held on al- Nevins will present “Biotech man at (212) 678-8821. The 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., join Hevreh kind of Shabbat morning amid ternating Friday mornings in and the Bible: Jewish Perspec- four-session series is $85; for a special gathering on the the natural beauty of our July and August from 11 a.m. tives on Genetic Engineering.” each separately is $25. Tick- lawn at Tanglewood. Look for Berkshires. Throughout the to 12:30 p.m. To ensure a On July 27, Rabbi Mychal ets may be purchased at the the blue and white balloons ages our literature prominent- seat, please register early. Springer, speaks about “Water- door. The Berkshires contact in the middle of the lawn ly connects our biblical figures As in years past, an overall ing the Soul: Rain, Dew, and is Myrna Hammerling, direc- and then gather for Kabbalat to nature, and the Torah has broad theme will be interpret- Spiritual Care.” tor of programming at Knesset Shabbat at the back of the been compared metaphorically ed by four different distin- On August 10, Dr. Alan Israel, (413) 445-4872, ext. lawn at approximately 7 p.m. to a tree of life. Join us as we guished professors from their Mittleman discusses “Is Na- 16, or mhammerling@ Contact the Tanglewood box explore pathways to God liter- respective and diverse aca- ture Sacred? Reassessing the knessetisrael.org . office to purchase lawn tickets. ally and spiritually.” demic perspectives. The 2018 Value of Nature in Judaism.” Plan to meet at the Hevreh theme is “Back to Nature: Shabbat Hike parking lot where partici- pants will carpool to a nearby On Saturday, August 4 destination, and reconvene at from 9:45 a.m. to noon, meet Playgrounds and Playpens: A Model for Hevreh for a Kiddush lunch. at Hevreh for a hike. Although They plan to picnic at their they won’t be scaling Everest – Creative Leadership destination. Group size is or even Greylock – participants GREAT BARRINGTON – On Thursday, August 9 from 4 p.m. to limited to 20 hikers, so please should have some experience 5:30 p.m., join Hevreh of Southern Berkshire’s Rabbi Jodie RSVP well in advance with an walking in the woods and be Gordon for a discussion on creative leadership for the 21st email address so that they can able to sustain a good pace for century based on the teachings of Karina Zilberman, a Jewish get respond with the necessary approximately 90 minutes. educator and community leader. This event is free and open to details. This event is free and Rabbi Neil Hirsch says: the public open to all. Would you rather play on a playground or in a playpen? This “Our goals are threefold: to question, and how you answer it, may have more to do with deepen our understanding leadership in the Jewish community than you might imagine. Rabbi Gordon says, “In her phenomenal ELI Talk, Zilberman a a says we need to foster a holy ‘playground’ mentality where spon- Create a Jewish Legacy Campaign taneity, creativity, imagination, and collaboration are affirmed. Please remember the Jewish Community in your will. Presenting four building blocks to creating holy playgrounds, Zilberman demonstrates that when we have faith in what will be Rabbi Jodie Gordon created, we move past the walls of a playpen.” Hevreh is located at 270 State Road in Great Barrington. Page 22 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org July 2 to August 19, 2018 obituaries

ton, NY. He was predeceased Healy convertible. He loved mechanical contracting firm es Sandy worked so hard to Philip Franklin Heller, 73, by his sister, Charlotte, and playing the trumpet. In the headquartered in Long Island rejuvenate. well respected attorney his brother and partner of winter, he loved to ski, and in City, NY, which is still in oper- Sandy is survived by his STOCKBRIDGE – Philip many years, Burton (Bud) the summer, he loved to golf. ation today. wife, Flora, of fifty years, and Franklin Heller died on Koffman. It seems when Bud He was a long time member of Funeral services were held four daughters: Katherine, Wednesday, May 30 after a joined Dick’s Uncle Milton the Stockbridge Golf Club. on Friday, April 27. Elizabeth, Jennifer, Rebecca; long and courageous battle in heaven late last year, G-d Philip had a keen wit and nine grandchildren: Neviah, with cancer. He was the be- decided that they both needed was famous for his humorous Sandy Parisky, always an Liam, Andrew, Sílvia, Alexan- loved husband of Anita Heller, someone up there to say “no” axioms which were not only artist der, Xavier, Anna, Brenna, and devoted father to Elizabeth to whatever deals they’d been hilarious, but true. We will SANDISFIELD – Irwin Cory. He is predeceased by his Pyle, loving father-in-law to cooking up, so He asked Dick miss his smile, love, friend- Sanford (Sandy) Parisky parents, Harold and Jean, and Jeffrey Pyle, proud grandfather to join them. ship, generosity, and wisdom. passed away on Monday, Feb- his brother Marvin Donald. A to Lucy and Emily Pyle, and Dick is survived by his Funeral services were held ruary 19. Always an artist, he memorial service was held on dear brother to Frederic Heller. loving wife of 63 years, Sara; at Temple Anshe Amunim on valued and imbued design and Sunday, February 25 at Tem- Born April 15, 1945 in New daughter, Deb; his elder son, June 3. Burial followed at the style into every part of his life. ple Sinai in Brookline, Massa- York City, Philip received his Joby, and his wife, Lorraine; Stockbridge Cemetery. Memo- Whether singing in a barber- chusetts. Memorial donations bachelor’s degree from Adelphi his younger son, Marty; and rial donations may be made shop quartet, acting with the may be made to the Sandis- University; did graduate stud- his six grandchildren: Sam, to Shakespeare & Company, Sandisfield Players, or leading field Arts Center, 5 Hammer- ies in Urban Affairs at Amer- Harry, Abe, Isaac, Genevieve, Berkshire Theatre Festival, or a historic park restoration, town Road, Sandisfield, MA, ican University; and received and Billie. the Edward J. Madden Open Sandy brought his love of life, 01255 via Levine Chapels, a Juris Doctor degree from His body faded out before Hearts Camp. aesthetics, and culture to all Brookline at (617) 277-8300 or Suffolk University Law School. we expected, but that was typ- projects he touched. www.levinechapel.com. He began his legal career in ical. He always wanted to leave Dr. Ronald M. Krasnick, Born and raised in Toledo, the Berkshires. For 6 years, before the party was over. just plain mensch OH, Sandy completed a degree Ira Yohalem, 77, generous he was a public defender for He will be remembered for STOCKBRIDGE – Dr. Ronald in architecture and urban de- contributor to cultural the Massachusetts’ Defenders his spirit, generosity, sense Mark Krasnick passed away sign at Washington University institutions Committee. of responsibility, strength on Thursday, May 31. in St. Louis. A life-changing Philip then was appointed and loyalty. He was one of a MILL RIVER - Ira Yohalem, 77, He was the beloved hus- fellowship with the Scandi- as a special prosecutor for generation who wore a leather accountant and business ad- band of Carla Joy (nee Yaffe); navian Seminar brought him the Berkshire County District helmet onto the football field visor, died on Wednesday, May loving father of Alex Krasnick to Denmark where he was Attorney’s office, a position and rode his horses like his fa- 16 from a sudden illness. of Louisville, CO and Shelley introduced to a European sen- he held for 8 years. He began vorite movie cowboys, with his Born in Mt. Vernon, NY, Ira Krasnick of Seattle, WA; and sibility and a deep and last- his private practice in Lenox beloved dogs running behind. received his BA from the Uni- the son of the late Horace and ing connection with his host in 1976. In 1984, he formed He was a man of few words; versity of Michigan and MBA Byrdie Krasnick. family, the Breums. Sandy’s a partnership with Frederic yet, just being in his presence from Columbia University. He Dr. Krasnick was a native early career included projects D. Rutberg; in 1986, Lori A. was sufficient to let us know joined his father’s accounting of Montreal, a McGill Universi- in Copenhagen, Paris, San Robbins joined the firm. He we were loved and safe, and firm, Yohalem Gillman, which ty alum, an orthopedic sur- Francisco, and New York City. continued to practice until the that he’d always take care of he expanded and later merged geon devoted to his patients, Guided by the principles of time of his death. He was well us. We sit in the shade today with Anchin, Block & Anchin, canoeist, stone carver, lover of Frederick Law Olmsted, Sandy respected for his expertise in because Dick labored to plant a prominent New York firm. the outdoors, passionate mu- worked to ensure that the zoning law, encouraging local a tree a long time ago. We are A long-time second home- sic fan, supporter of the arts, great public green spaces were development while maintain- so grateful for the luxury of owner in the Berkshires, Ira Tanglewood docent, Scrabble refurbished to be as accessi- ing the beautiful character of sitting at the roots of all Dick and his second wife, Shirley, snob, and scotch aficionado. ble as they were majestic for the Berkshire area. sowed. lovingly renovated an old home He put his family first, was generations. After establishing Philip was known for his Memorial services were and then became full-time generous to a fault, gentle as Parisky Associates and the generosity in providing pro held Monday, June 11 at residents. Ira was a generous can be, passionate, strong, Bushnell Park Foundation bono legal work for many Hevreh of Southern Berk- contributor to cultural in- good-willed, a natural educa- in the early 1980s, Sandy local non-profits, among them shire. If you wish to honor stitutions in the Berkshires. tor, and a just plain mensch. partnered with Quennell Shakespeare & Company and him, please give to any of the He was a board member and He brought good and warmth Rothschild Associates in the The Berkshire Theater Festi- following charities: Berkshire treasurer of Barrington Stage to the lives of many. celebrated restoration of the val. He served on the board Horseworks, 101 Patton Road, Company. An avid tennis Funeral services were held New Haven Green and Hart- of Edward J. Madden Open Richmond, MA 01254; Guiding player, he competed in tourna- on June 3 at Finnerty and ford’s Bushnell Park. Hearts Camp for 40 years. He Eyes for the Blind Canine De- ments at Wyantenuck Country Stevens Funeral Home, Great Since retirement, Sandy also created a trust for The velopment Center, 361 Route Club in Great Barrington and Barrington with interment embarked on a new career of Lillian Heller Curator’s Award 164, Patterson, NY 10509; or became an enthusiastic golfer. at the Stockbridge Town painting, pursuing constant at Chesterwood Museum in an educational or scholarship Ira enjoyed talking sports and Cemetery. study and exhibiting wide- honor of his mother. Phil- fund of your choosing. business, and always found ip was a member of Temple Contributions in his ly. His greatest pride later in time to advise friends, young Anshe Amunim, where he blew memory may be made to The Arthur D. Winston, 92, life was the result of working and old. the shofar for over 20 years. Michael J. Fox Foundation , founder of A.D. Winston alongside other volunteers Ira is survived by his wife, Philip served in the New PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD Corp to build the Sandisfield Arts Shirley; his children, Matthew 21741-5014; or to a charity of Center in the Berkshires into and Beth and their spouses; York State National Guard GREAT NECK, NY – Arthur D. the donor’s choice. a vibrant arts destination. The two grandchildren; his broth- and the Massachusetts Army Winston, 92, passed away on center has now been recog- er, Nat, and sister-in-law, Reserve from 1969 through Wednesday, April 25. Richard (Dick) Koffman, nized by the Massachusetts Louise, and their daughters; 1975. He was an avid reader Born February 18, 1926, 85, spirit, generosity, Historical Commission. his sister-in-law, Judy Brown, of historic books. Although he he grew up in Brooklyn, NY strength, loyalty Sandy’s deep love of art, and his many nephews and loved history in general, his and served in WWII in the US GREAT BARRINGTON – good design, travel, and above nieces who lovingly call him greatest interest was in World Army Air Corp. He married Richard (Dick) Koffman, 85, all, his family was unmistak- “Uncle I.” War II. Judith Winston in 1956. After passed away in his home on able to those who knew him. Donations in his memory Philip had a passion for an- her death, he married Joan Wednesday, June 6. But so many more enjoy the can be made to Barrington tique cars and was often seen Davidson Winston in 2002. The son of the late Harry lasting work of this remark- Stage Company in Pittsfield. tooling around Stockbridge in In 1958, Arthur founded and Billie Koffman, Dick was able man as they stroll or his prize-winning 1967 Austin A. D. Winston Corp., an HVAC born and raised in Bingham- play through the green spac-

berkshire jewish congregations & organizations Berkshire Minyan Congregation Ahavath Sholom Jewish Federation of the Berkshires Welcome to the Lay-led egalitarian minyan Reconstructionist 196 South St., Pittsfield, MA Jewish Berkshires held at Hevreh of Southern North St., Great Barrington, MA (413) 442-4360 jewishberkshires.org Everyone is welcome to attend Berkshire, 270 State Rd., (413) 528-4197, ahavathsholom.com services and events at any of the Great Barrington, MA Jewish War Veterans organizations listed here. (413) 229-3618, berkshireminyan.org Congregation Beth Israel Commander Robert Waldheim Reform (413) 822-4546, [email protected] Berkshire Hills Hadassah 53 Lois St., North Adams, MA Please call the organizations P.O. Box 187, Pittsfield, MA (413) 663-5830, cbiweb.org Knesset Israel Conservative directly to confirm service times (413) 443-4386, Hevreh of Southern Berkshire 16 Colt Rd., Pittsfield, MA or to inquire about membership. [email protected] Reform (413) 445-4872, knessetisrael.org Learn more about our Jewish B’nai B’rith Lodge, No. 326 270 State Rd., Great Barrington, MA (413) 528-6378, hevreh.org Temple Anshe Amunim community and find great Chabad of the Berkshires Reform events on the community 450 South St., Pittsfield, MA Israel Philatelist Society 26 Broad St., Pittsfield, MA calendar at: (413) 499-9899, c/o Dr. Ed Helitzer, (413) 442-5910, ansheamunim.org JEWISHBERKSHIRES.ORG jewishberkshires.com (413) 447-7622 ______Tammuz/Av/Elul 5778 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 23

ProgramsPrograms taketake placeplace MondaysMondays andand ThursdaysThursdays atat 10:4510:45 a.m.a.m. LLunchunch isis servedserved Mondays,Monday and Tuesdays, Thursday andat 12 Thursdays p.m, through at noon. September Beginning 3. Tuesday on June lunch 1 and resumes continuing on S througheptember the 8. summer months, the TuesdayVenue: Knesset kosher Israel,lunch program16 Colt R d,will Pittsfield, be on hiatus. MA. Tuesday lunches will resume in the fall.

Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield, MA.

July August Monday, 2...... 10:45 a.m., Film screening on life of Thursday, 2...... 10:45 a.m., Current Affairs with Primo Levi. Film begins at 10:45, breaks for lunch, and com- Professor Emeritus, Steven J. Rubin. Lunch: Tuna salad plat- pletes after lunch. Lunch: Hot dogs and hamburgers**#, ter** with mini Greek salad, potato salad, Italian bread, tomato juice, coleslaw, potato chips, potato salad, choice ice cream and cookies, coffee, tea, and milk for coffee. of bun, watermelon, and tea. Monday, 6...... 10:45 a.m., Amy Herzog – A New Tal- Thursday, 5...... 10:45 a.m., Discussion of author, Primo ent of American Theatre. Lunch: Meat loaf**#, gazpacho, Levi, with Hugh Black. Lunch: Barbecued turkey**#, macaroni mashed potatoes, peas, whole wheat bread, applesauce, salad, 3 bean salad, corn cobettes, rolls, pears, and tea. and tea.

Monday, 9...... 10:45 a.m., Music and Friendship Thursday, 9...... 10:45 a.m., North Korea: The Road to with Linda Worster and David Grover. Lunch: Meat loaf**#, Infamy. Lunch: Tomato basil quiche, salad, beets, green mashed potatoes, peas & carrots, salad, pumpernickel beans, muffins, mandarin oranges, coffee, tea, and milk bread, grapes, and tea. for coffee.

Thursday, 12...... 10:45 a.m., Soil and Shul – The Story Monday, 13...... 10:45 a.m., The Process of Aging, with of a Jewish Farm Colony in the Berkshires. Lunch: Fresh therapist, Maggie Bittman. Lunch: Stir fried chicken**#, fish**, gazpacho, rice pilaf, Italian beans, muffins, cake pineapple juice, brown rice, Oriental blend vegetables, and ice cream, coffee, tea, and milk for coffee. multi-grain bread, pineapple, and tea.

Linking Young Monday, 16...... 10:45 a.m., Jewish Germany – Its Thursday, 16...... 10:45 a.m., Beyond the Hora: How Jewish Women in History and Legacy with Dr. David Levinson. Lunch: Egg salad Israeli Contemporary Dance Became World Famous. Lunch: and cottage cheese platters**, pineapple juice, coleslaw, Vegetarian chopped suey, salad, mixed vegetables, Their Fight Against farmer’s loaf, tropical fruit salad, coffee, tea, and milk scones, cookies, coffee, tea, and milk for coffee. Breast Cancer for coffee. Monday, 20...... 10:45 a.m., Decoding the Bible for Thursday, 19...... 10:45 a.m., Current Affairs” with Modern Readers: The Mystery of the Arar with Dr. Jon Green- (866) 474-2774 Professor Emeritus, Steven J. Rubin. Lunch: Spinach pies, berg. Lunch: Chicken with sundried tomatoes and arti- www.sharsheret.org tomato juice, salad, beets, rolls, coffee, tea, and milk for chokes**#, rice pilaf, salad, green beans, potato bread, coffee. grapes and tea.

Monday, 23...... 10:45 a.m., Israelis Fedora and Avram Thursday, 23...... 10:45 a.m., Current Affairs, with Horowitz discuss Israeli authors. 1st installment. Lunch: Professor Emeritus Steven J. Rubin. Lunch: Middle Eastern Roasted chicken**#, salad, broccoli baby carrots, rye Day, Hummus platters to include stuffed grape leaves, bread, apricots, and tea. feta, olives, etc. **, Hearts of Palm salad, pita bread, baklava, coffee, tea, and milk for coffee. Thursday, 26...... 10:45 a.m., Israelis Fedora and Avram Horowitz discuss Israeli authors. 2nd installment. Lunch: Fresh Monday, 27 ...... 10:45 a.m., Program to be fish**, borscht and potato, blintz soufflé, asparagus cuts Announced. Lunch: Salisbury steak**#, hash browns, n tips, Challah, strawberry shortcake, coffee, tea, and broccoli, salad, marble rye bread, apricots, and tea. milk for coffee. Like us on Thursday, 30...... 10:45 a.m., Program to be Facebook: Monday, 30...... 10:45 a.m., Using Theatre to Extend Announced. Lunch: Fresh fish**, salad, zucchini medley, Community and Deepen Empathy. Lunch: Chef’s salad**#, rice, Challah, coconut cake, coffee, tea, and milk for • Jewish Federation cranraspberry juice, pumpernickel bread, grapes, and tea. coffee. of the Berkshires • PJ Library Berkshire County Page 24 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org July 2 to August 19, 2018 Calendar – Ongoing Events Around the Community

Continuous – Chabad of the Berkshires Sundays (second of each month) – dational text. Free. Information: (413) combines melodies from Carlebach, Deb- “Smile on Seniors,” or “S.O.S.,” volunteer Berkshire Hills Society of Israeli Philatelists 445-4872, ext. 16. bie Friedman, and Camp Ramah to create program to serve senior citizens in the meet. Discuss Israeli and American stamps. a ruach filled (“spirited”) family friendly Wednesdays, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Berkshires. Information for families who Coffee and donuts. Information: Ed He- experience. Cost for dinner $20 adult; $15 – Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, 270 State can benefit and volunteers: Rabbi Levi litzer, (413) 447-7622, daytime. teen, children free. Dinner reservations Road, Great Barrington, offers an hour of Volovik at (413) 499-9899 or visit www. are due by the Monday before services. Tuesdays, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. – “Shalom Yoga, Gentle Stretch and Med- jewishberkshires.com. Full information: (413) 445-4872, ext 10. Torah Portion of the Week study group itation” with Nina Lipkowitz a certified Monthly, fourth or fifth Sunday – at Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield. Kripalu and Jewish yoga and meditation Saturdays at 8:45 a.m. – at Hevreh, 270 Volunteers from Congregation Beth Israel, Facilitator Myrna Hammerling guides teacher. Check https://hevreh.org/cal- State Road in Great Barrington. Every 53 Lois Street, North Adams “Take and the group through the triennial cycle, endar/ for updates. All levels welcome. Shabbat morning, gather in Rabbi Neil Eat” program cook, package, and deliver year-round in the KI Library. Newcomers Contact Nina at ninalipkowitz@gmail. Hirsch’s study and dive into the less-often hot meals for all North Adams clients of always welcome to this gathering of com with any questions. read books of the Bible. All are welcome to “Meals on Wheels.” Information: (413) students of diverse ages, backgrounds, begin the day with coffee while studying Wednesdays at Knesset Israel – 663-5830 or [email protected]. and perspectives who search together and relaxing on Shabbat. Sessions will “Enhanced Prayer Class for Adults” 10:00- to deepen understanding of our foun- be between 45 and 60 minutes. Please 11:30 a.m. at 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield, KI be in touch with Rabbi Hirsch for further library. What are we saying when we read information: [email protected]. prayers at a service? How does the siddur mazel tov language connect with my life today? How Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. Temple Anshe can I build my Hebrew reading fluency Amunim, 26 Broad Street, Pittsfield Mazel Tov to… and practice my reading skills? How can – “Torah Plus: Exploring Jewish Text and I be more comfortable with the language Culture.” Join Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch for a Len Schiller, past president of Knesset Israel, on being honored by the and process of prayer? Facilitated by conversation based on the texts of the congregation in gratitude for his 4-year term and his work on the synagogue’s Myrna Hammerling. Newcomers always Jewish people and reflect on Jewish values renovation. A brunch will be held on Sunday, August 25 – please call KI at (413) welcome. Information: (413) 445-4872, and thinking and what it means “to be 445-4872 for time and cost. ext. 16. Jewish.” All texts are offered in English. c Free and open to the public. Informa- Thursdays (fourth of each month) – tion (413) 442-5910 or templeoffice@ Bill Wright, chosen to be the 2018 artist in residence at the Red Lion Inn in Hadassah Book Club. For times, locations Stockbridge this summer, a residency that celebrates the artistic and creative ansheamunim.org. of meetings, and further information energy of the Berkshires and invites artists to interpret and express. c about the books: Roz Kolodny at (413) Diana and Stanley Feld on their 65th anniversary. 243-2077 or [email protected]. c Fridays, last of month, time varies Knesset Israel Elliot Krantz on his June 2 bar mitzvah at Temple Anshe Amunim. with candle lighting – Chabad of the 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield c Berkshires’ “Friday Night Live,” traditional Roselyn and Edwin Kolodny on their 60th anniversary. Kabbalat Shabbat service. Information: Ongoing minyans c (413) 499-9899 or visit www.jewishberk- Sunday 8:45 a.m. and 7 p.m. Georgia Raser on her June 9 bat mitzvah at Knesset Israel. Tuesday 7 p.m. c shires.com. Friday 7 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. Sam and Stephanie Frommer on the birth of their son, Rory Jo Frommer. Fridays, at 9 a.m. – Meditation with Rab- Saturday 9:30 a.m. and evenings c bi Rachel Barenblat in the Congregation approximately 30 minutes before sunset Isabelle Hoffstein on her extra-special birthday. Beth Israel sanctuary, 53 Lois Street, North c Adams, overlooking the Berkshire moun- CANDLE-LIGHTING Ronald and Karen Rettner on the marriage of son Mathew Rettner to Amy tains. Silence, chanting, and meditation Brower. July 6...... 8:15 p.m. designed to help prepare for Shabbat. All c July 13...... 8:12 p.m. Carole Siegel of OLLI and Berkshire Children and Families (Lifetime Achieve- welcomed. Information: (413) 663-5830 July 20 ...... 8:07 p.m. ment) and Jay Weintraub and Mark Lefenfeld of Backyard Bounty of the and www.cbiweb.org. Berkshires (Rising Star), winners of the inaugural Berkshire Nonprofit Awards, Fridays, once a month at 5:30 p.m. July 27...... 8:00 p.m. presented by the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires in partnership with The (followed by a family style Shabbat August 3...... 7:52 p.m. Berkshire Eagle, for outstanding commitment and contributions to the Berkshire dinner at 6:30 p.m.) – Knesset Israel, August 10...... 7:43 p.m. community. 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield. Shirei Shabbat c (“Songs of Shabbat”). Unique service August 17...... 7:33 p.m. Carol and Irv Smokler, honored by Hillel International with this year’s Re- naissance Award, the organization’s highest honor bestowed each year upon an individual or individuals whose bold vision and transformative initiatives enrich the campus, the Jewish community, and the world. c Suze Goldman on being honored 51ST ANNUAL by the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts. HILDA VALLIN FEIGENBAUM c MEMORIAL FOUNDATION LECTURE Cookie and Enrico Lamet, whose daughter, Beth Reinhard, shared a Pulitzer Prize for a series of articles SUNDAY – AUGUST 26, 2018– 7:30 PM published in the Washington Post, “The Senate Race in Alabama.” c Barbara and Michael Wasserman Eyewitness to Power: on the birth of their twin granddaugh- ters. c Leadership in America Janie and Larry Pellish, co-chairs of the Social Action Committee at Tem- ple Anshe Amunim, for being named with Guest Speaker 2018 Members of the Year. c Dr. Michael Smith on being hon- David Gergen ored by the Jewish Federation of Dutchess County for his many years Senior Political Analyst, CNN of service and exceptional community work. c Sara and Rabbi Levi Volovik, co- Sponsored by directors of Chabad of the Berkshires, on the June 18 birth of their baby boy. The Hilda Vallin Feigenbaum Lecture Endowment c Norman Michaels on his special The lecture is free and open to the public. A reception follows the lecture. birthday. Limited seating – arrive early. The doors may close before the lecture begins. Temple Anshe Amunim is an accessible building. Temple Anshe Amunim – 26 Broad Street – Pittsfield, MA – 413-442-5910 Tammuz/Av/Elul 5778 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 25 culture and arts Children’s Book Reading and Event: Sparkle Havdalah, July 28 By Avi Dresner / Special to the BJV

GREAT BARRINGTON – Although Newman will not performer, is particularly ex- On Saturday, July 28 at be able to attend the event cited about doing the reading 4:00 p.m., Hevreh of Southern due to a scheduling conflict, at a synagogue. “I think it Berkshire presents a Sparkle she was on hand at a similar says a lot about our changing Havdalah. This free program, event held in January at the societal climate, and about co-sponsored by Hevreh of Lander-Grinspoon Academy, how (Reform) Judaism is ready Southern Berkshire, Jewish a Jewish day school, in her to adapt with those societal Federation of the Berkshires, native Northampton. changes. It’s great to see reli- the Harold Grinspoon Foun- When asked what having a gion and the queer community dation, and PJ Library, is this drag queen read her story adds coming together in this way, year’s signature children’s event of Hevreh’s four-day Jewish Festival of Books. Families are invited to wear their sparkly best, and bid farewell to Shabbat with a spe- cial story time, featuring drag queen “Robin From Human Resources” reading Lesléa Newman’s Sparkle Boy, which tells the story of a boy named Casey who likes to wear spark- ly clothes. Inspired by the national initiative, “Drag Queen Story Hour,” this event aims to cap- ture the imagination and play of gender fluidity and child- to it, Newman says, “a drag and I am honored to be a part are not required – to make Berkshire Jewish Community hood, where parents and chil- queen, by her very presence, of something so special to the sure that they have enough Calendar online, as well as dren can see people who defy illustrates the main point of community.” for everyone – kindly RSVP its Berkshire Jewish Summer rigid gender restrictions, and the book: that sparkly, glit- Robin’s “out of drag” pro- by calling the Hevreh office at guide, for more about all of the imagine a world where people tery, shimmery things are for fessional career is in theatrical (413) 528-6378, or registering other book festival events. can present as they wish, and everyone, and we all deserve education, working mainly for this and the other festival A complete listing of events where dress-up is real. to freely express ourselves with middle school age stu- events at hevreh.org. See the can also be found in the insert According to Hevreh’s through what we wear and how dents between grades 6 and 8, Hevreh website, Federation’s in this issue of the BJV. Rabbi Jodie Gordon: “An event we present ourselves to the “so it’ll be cool to see these two like this is meant to demon- world.” worlds combine, working with IF YOU GO strate a commitment to diver- For parents who might be kids while in drag.” sity and this Sparkle Havda- nervous about bringing their At the end of the program, Sponsors: Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, and PJ Library lah is very much in keeping child to an event like this, children and parents will with that commitment. Not to Newman says “I would ask enjoy a hands-on havdalah, Venue: Hevreh of Southern Berkshire mention supporting authors the parents what makes them and some sweet Shabbat Date & Time: Saturday, July 28 at 4:00 p.m. like Lesléa Newman, who has nervous. What are they afraid treats. Although reservations worked hard to represent peo- of? If the book inspires a par-

It’s terrific to see our kids inspired to learn, and to see an education that is tailored specifically to them. We would encourage any prospective parents to check out BCD and all it offers. – BCD 3RD GRADE PARENT

Schedule a visit to learn more about our compelling curriculum that connects the dots!

ple and experiences that are ent to do some soul-searching often overlooked in children’s that’s a good thing. The book literature.” is about challenging gender Newman is also the author stereotypes, and celebrating of the groundbreaking Heather everyone’s right to be their Has Two Mommies; Mommy, authentic selves.” She adds Mama, and Me; Daddy, Papa, that “I have had more than and Me; The Boy Who Cried one grown man read the book, Fabulous; as well as over 20 grow teary-eyed, and say, ‘I picture books, and half a doz- wish I’d had a book like this en others for middle grade and when I was growing up’.” BCD high school readers. “Robin From Human Rabbi Gordon says that Resources” – who will be “Sparkle Boy is the kind of reading Newman’s book at the has it all! book I want to read to my own festival, and who describes children.” (She has two girls, herself as “equal parts fat, INTENTIONAL aged 2 and 4.) “It demon- funny, and flawed” – definitely strates the Jewish value of agrees. INDEPENDENT b’tzelem Elohim (of recogniz- “I honestly never remember ing the divine uniqueness of having books like this when INSPIRED each person) in terms that I was much younger,” she are recognizable, whether the explains. “I grew up in a small reader is four years old, or town in central Massachusetts forty.” that was definitely more on Newman says that the book the traditional end of things is intended for “readers aged than the progressive way of Preschool through Grade 9: five to 105” and adds that, thinking. I think Sparkle Boy Now Enrolling for Fall 2018 Voted although it isn’t explicitly is helping to cultivate forward Financial Aid Available “Best Private School Jewish, “some of the Jewish thinking regarding gender, 413.637.0755 x116 in the Berkshires! ” values explored in it are kind- gender identity, and the way [email protected] ness, loyalty, protecting those we identify as people.” 55 Interlaken Rd (Route 183), Stockbridge, MA who can’t protect themselves, Robin, who has always and respect.” been more of a nightclub berkshirecountryday.org Page 26 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org July 2 to August 19, 2018 culture and arts Drama, Comedy, Documentaries, and Shorts at This Year’s Berkshire Jewish Film Festival Plus some Screening Committee testimonials

LENOX – The Berkshire of thousands of refugees from July 30 Jewish Film Festival (BJFF), sub-Saharan Africa who are At 4 p.m., Keep the Change From the BJFF Screening one of the longest-running film seeking relief and safety in follows protagonist David as festivals in the United States, Israel only to find a society Committee he struggles to come to terms is proud to announce its 32nd bitterly divided on how to treat with his own high-functioning “If you have experienced the loss of a loved one or have tried to season comprising screenings them. autism. Unexpectedly, he falls understand how it feels to be an Israeli and your children have to serve in on six Mondays from July 9 At 8 p.m., BJFF presents for Sarah, a quirky and outgo- the army, Israeli’s award-winning through August 13, all at the Shelter, a drama about two ing woman whose lust for life Foxtrot will affect you deeply; it Duffin Theater, Lenox Memo- women—a Mossad agent and a both irks and fascinates him. did me. It is a cinematic experi- rial High School, 197 East Lebanese informer—who find As their relationship evolves, ence that never looks away from Street, Lenox. themselves trapped in a laby- Keep the Change blossoms the hard truth of life and death in Presented by Knesset rinth of deception, paranoia, into a refreshingly off- Israel, the army, what death does Israel, BJFF will present and intrigue in this Israeli kilter story about the ups and to a marriage, and the cruelty of thirteen films hailing from the espionage thriller. downs of romantic life and the chance. Nevertheless, it remains United States, Israel, France, rewards of acceptance and one of the most memorable films.” Ireland, Germany, and Latin July 23 mutual trust. America. All presentations are — Susan Miller At 4 p.m., enjoy Sammy At 8 p.m., see Good open to the public. Davis, Jr: I’ve Gotta Be Me, Thoughts, Good Words, Good the first major film documen- July 9 Deeds: The Conductor Zubin tary to examine Davis’ vast Mehta, a documentary that fol- The festival opens at 4 p.m. talent and his journey for lows the dazzling international with The Oslo Diaries, a doc- identity through the shifting career of a musical maestro. umentary about a group of tides of civil rights and racial Filled with stirring perfor- Israelis and Palestinians who progress during 20th century mances and interviews with secretly come together in Oslo America. Davis was the most friends, family, and colleagues, for unsanctioned peace talks public black figure to embrace this globe-trotting biography during the 1990s. Judaism, thereby yoking his is a magnificent tribute to a A Bag of Marbles (8 p.m.) identity to another persecuted virtuoso and a true believer in depicts the story of the Nazi minority. New interviews with the international language of occupation through the eyes of Billy Crystal, Norman Lear, music. two young Jewish boys strug- Jerry Lewis, Whoopi Goldberg, From the BJFF Screening Committee gling to survive on their own. and Kim Novak are featured August 6 “Hannah Cohen’s Holy Communion is a delightful short film that com- Joseph, age 10, has such little with never-before-seen photos At 4 p.m., A Classy Broad pletely charmed me. I found myself completely taken with this young girl understanding of the persecu- from his personal collection. is a film portrayal of the life who herself was intrigued by her tion of the Jews that he thinks At 8 p.m., Foxtrot is Israel’s and career of trailblazing Catholic friend’s Communion party. nothing of swapping his yellow bold and highly controversial Hollywood executive Marcia I hope that her heart of gold will star for a bag of marbles. The Academy Award submission Nasatir, who broke through warm and surprise you, and make boys survive on courage and for Best Foreign Language the glass ceiling as the first you smile as I did!” ingenuity as they make their Film. This audacious and woman to serve as vice presi- way through France hoping to brilliantly crafted critique of dent of production at a major — Laura Ferber Hazen reunite with their families. Israel’s military confronts Hollywood studio. Nasatir the absurdity of war through championed such classics as July 16 the ordeal of a young Israeli One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s soldier and his grief-stricken At 4 p.m., BJFF presents Nest, Rocky, Carrie, Coming parents. Nominated for 13 the film Levinsky Park, a Home, Apocalypse Now, and Israeli Academy Awards. documentary about the tens The Big Chill. At 8 p.m., The Cakemaker tells the story of a gay German baker and his deceased lover’s From the BJFF Screening Committee weary Israeli widow who are “If you are here for the music, aka Tanglewood, and you are here for unwittingly united in grief by on Israel’s youth—what they the BJFF, we have a double delight for you. Good Thoughts, Good Words, a closet affair. The pair seeks see, how they think, what they Good Deeds: The Conductor Zubin mutual catharsis in this com- learn—and the astonishing Mehta is a captivating documenta- passionate meditation on the impact their thoughts and ry that will take you on a personal human urge for connection. lives have on their country journey of the music and the values Mature content. and the world they will soon that have made Mehta an inter- inherit. national ambassador and natural August 13 At 8 p.m., the bittersweet A poignant message of the choice as maestro of the Israel Phil- At 4 p.m., the short film and wistful road movie, The enduring importance of family, harmonic Orchestra. And wait until Hannah Cohen’s Holy Last Suit, is the story of friends, and honor. the interview with former concert- Communion is the tale of a 88-year-old Abraham The Berkshire Jewish Film master Chaim Taub – you will be spirited seven-year-old girl Bursztein, who feels that he’s Festival, organized and hosted moved to tears (I know I was) as he from Dublin who can’t wait to about to be put out to pasture by Knesset Israel in Pittsfield recounts a particular performance make her Holy Communion by his children who have sold is generously supported by of ‘Hatikva. Bravo!” – the only problem is she’s his house in the suburbs of the Greylock Federal Credit Jewish! The second short film Buenos Aires and booked him Union, the Harold Grinspoon — Amy Herman is To Be A Child Again, Israel, into a retirement home. Refus- Foundation, the Spitz-Tuch- a snapshot of Israel as seen ing to bow to family pressure, man Charitable Trust and through the lens of eleven Abraham sets off on an adven- Berkshire Bank. All seating children from different back- ture halfway around the world is general admission. Season grounds and demographics. to find the man who saved him passes are available at www. This candid view casts an from Auschwitz and to fulfill a berkshirejewishfilmfestival.org intimate and personal light promise he made years before. or (413) 445-4872, ext 10.

• You get the Jewish enrichment and spiritual • The congregation is the institution that has nourishment you are seeking. sustained the Jewish people for two millenia Affiliate with a Congregation. • You get the rabbinical support you need in times throughout the world. Orthodox, Conservative, of joy and sorrow. Reconstructionist, or Reform, the Jewish community You, the congregation, and the Jewish wins when you join the congregation of your choice. • You reconnect with your community and community benefit when you do. your Jewish roots. • You can participate in a variety of services, The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires classes, and programs that keep Judaism alive and flourishing in Berkshire County. encourages you to affiliate. Tammuz/Av/Elul 5778 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 27

culture and arts Yidstock ‘18 to Feature Berkshire-based Ladino Songstress Sara Aroeste Four-day festival includes concerts, talks, workshops

AMHERST – The seventh an- David Krakauer’s Acoustic stripped-down and unplugged, nual Yidstock: The Festival of Klezmer Quartet, featuring the forefronting his skills as a New Yiddish Music will feature world-renowned clarinetist, performer and arranger while a headlining performance by whose playing can be heard in enlivening a new Yiddish David Krakauer’s Acoustic recordings and performances music for the 21st century by Klezmer Quartet that draws by the Kronos Quartet, Emer- celebrating and dusting off for- from and emphasizes the son String Quartet, Dresdner gotten masterpieces for a new beauty of traditional klezmer Philharmonie, Amsterdam audience of music lovers. dance tunes, ritual songs, and Sinfonietta, Klezmatics, and Talks and workshops reflective melodies, all given the works of composer Osval- during the festival include an the ineffable David Krakauer do Golijov, among dozens of exploration of Yiddish theater touch. others. music with Hankus Netsky, The four-day festival – July Sunday, July 15, includes founder and director of the 12 to 15, at the Yiddish Book three concerts, including the Klezmer Conservatory Band Center in Amherst, Massachu- closing performance featuring and co-chair of the Contempo- setts—will also include per- the Socalled String Quartet—a rary Improvisation Department formances by a diverse group one-of-a-kind concert with at the New England Conser- of groundbreaking, innovative Josh Dolgin (aka Socalled), vatory, on July 12 at 4 p.m.; bands and performers: Heather the mad wizard of Yiddish a klezmer music dance class Klein and Joshua Horowitz; hip-hop, on vocals backed by with world-renowned dance Tsvey Brider, featuring Antho- members of the Common Mu- instructor Steve Weintraub on ny Russell and Dmitri; David sic Collective, playing newly July 13 at 11 a.m. Krakauer’s Klezmer Madness commissioned transcriptions And on July 14 at 1 p.m., Reunion Concert, with special of classic Yiddish theater, the multimedia presentation guest Socalled; Beyond the folk, and art songs, some of “A Journey to LadinoLand” Pale; Sarah Aroeste and which he discovered in the with international Ladino sing- unique linguistic interpreta- found at yiddishbook.center. Anthony Russell; and the Yiddish Book Center’s archive er-songwriter Sarah Aroeste, tions, modern technologies, org/yidstock. The Yiddish Socalled String Quartet. of Yiddish sheet music from in which she uses sound and contemporary musical Book Center is located at 1021 Yidstock kicks-off July the early 20th century. The clips, videos, and live music arrangements. West Street, Amherst, MA. 12 at 8 p.m., with the cham- program presents Socalled as to demonstrate how Ladino The full Yidstock schedule ber music-like sounds of he’s never been heard before— culture is still evolving with and ticket information can be

See the Berkshire Check out our website! Jewish Voice www.jewishberkshires.org in COLOR at Includes a Calendar of Programs and Events Sponsored by the Berkshire Jewish Community www.jewishberkshires.org Page 28 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org July 2 to August 19, 2018 culture and arts

Turn Park’s Second Season Founders of the Berkshires’ newest art space are realizing their vision for creative community WEST STOCKBRIDGE – It is been to build a traditional fitting that one of the cen- collection of artworks, but terpieces of Turn Park Art rather to create a community Space is a sculpture of Don of interesting people that we Quixote, as that particular can share our life and inspira- piece embodies much of what tion with.” co-founders Igor Gomberg The site in West Stock- and Katya Brezgunova are bridge inspired love at first currently creating in an old sight – it was the first place marble quarry sited a stone’s they investigated after decid- throw from Six Depot Roast- ing to create an art space. Ulti- ery and Cafe. mately, says Brezgunova, they For one, creating a new arts hope to expand the number of and culture destination in a cultural events offered so that region so rich in established Turn Park becomes the kind institutions may seem like a of place visitors will return to distinctly quixotic pursuit. But many times over the course of what’s really interesting about a season. Scheduled this sum- this Don Quixote is that, unlike mer are programs of dance, so many of the clichéd por- music, film, lectures, and also trayals of Cervantes’s shabby a Phoenicia Flea, what they knight errant, this Man of La describe as “a nomadic market Mancha is really interesting, of makers and merchants from both visually and in its back the Catskills, Hudson Valley story. It was created by Rus- and beyond.” Gomberg and sian artist Nikolai Silis, now a Brezgunova invested their own nonagenarian, and is reflective money to develop Turn Park, photo: I i n P Cox of his own struggles to sustain and are now exploring funding marble and also sculptural in- had their DNA tested. “Igor’s mixes video with sewing and his creativity and artistic spirit opportunities that will allow stallations, some of them mon- DNA was 98 percent of Jewish embroidering craft. His art in the Soviet era. The artwork them to sustain their vision for umental and others tucked in origin,” says Brezgunova, “and shows are always colorful, languished in the sculptor’s the space. corners. mine just a little bit less.” avant-garde and outrageous.” Moscow studio for years after Upon entering the site, one Gomberg and Brezgunova “The USSR destroyed The installation will remain on Gomberg and Brezgunova is immediately aware that a are both Jewish, and their Jewish traditions,” says view through October. acquired it in 2001, finally distinct sensibility has shaped stories follow a pattern that Gomberg, but as Americans, On Saturday, July 7 finding a permanent home it. The entrance building and was altogether too uncom- the couple has explored their at noon, Maxim Frank- when Turn Park opened last gallery is the epitome of “a mon during the Soviet era. Jewish identities, sending Kamenetskii, professor of bio- summer. clean, well-lighted space.” A Gomberg’s great-grandfather their three children to the medical engineering at Boston was a successful entrepreneur Jewish Community Day University, will deliver a talk on in Ukraine whose proper- School in Watertown and “The Jewish Genes,” an explo- ties were confiscated by the learning more about Jewish ration of the founder effect (the Communist state after the faith and values. reduced genetic diversity that Bolshevik Revolution. Many The couple is also using results when a population is members of his family were Turn Park to explore their descended from a small num- killed in the Babi Yar massa- Jewish connection. Last ber of colonizing ancestors) as cres of 1941, and his family kept alive awareness of their background during the Cold War era, even as they down- played it in order to better get by. Even so, Gomberg ended up having to enroll in college in Moscow because, as a Jew, he would not have been placed in a university in Kiev. Brezgunova said she didn’t know about her family’s Jewish connection until she was fifteen, and began to inquire more about her family stories. “I learned that my grandmother had different names,” she says, “which photo: bob g i ttleman changed to allow more oppor- Turn Park co-founders Katya Brezgunova (left) and Igor Gomberg tunities for the family.” Their (center, between Einstein and Niels Bohr), with Luke, Iosif, and Jewishness “went without turn park photo: c ourtesy Alyona mention.” summer, the space hosted a it relates to Ashkenazi Jews. Gomberg operated a soft- concert that melded Jewish As he explains: “Ashkenazi Although Gomberg and pathway constructed over the ware business after the Soviet niggunim (prayer melodies) Jews are of special interest Brezgunova, who are married, rooftop of the building takes Union fell, and moved it to the and traditional Iranian mel- because of several population own several of the sculptures visitors from an intimate Boston area in 2012 because odies. The performance was bottlenecks in their turbulent currently installed at Turn sculpture garden to more of the political climate in conceived by Turn Park’s history. These bottlenecks Park, they say that they are expansive fields, which feature Russia. In recent years, both artistic director, the composer entailed specific Jewish genetic not “collectors” and that the an amphitheater made of Gomberg and Brezgunova Matti Kovler, who was born in diseases. Modern genomics art space is more Moscow, made aliyah to Israel and Jewish history studies than just a show- with his family as a child complement each other in case for artworks and served in the IDF, was a pursuing better understanding they have acquired. Tanglewood fellow in 2008, of the origin and the identity of The couple befriend- and founded Floating Tower, the Ashkenazi Jews.” ed Nikolai Silis and a music theater production Professor Frank- say that Turn Park company based in Brooklyn Kamenetskii’s talk is the is their own effort to that has staged performances first of a planned series of recreate the creative around the world. lectures on popular science, energy and commu- Floating Tower performed and reflects the diversity of nity they experienced at the July 1 opening of a new programming that Gomberg when visiting the installation “Inhabitants of and Brezgunova envision for sculptor’s bustling Childhood,” created by Uta Turn Park. “We want to exhib- Moscow studio. (In Bekaia, a New York City-based it interactive art for the whole addition to sculpture artist originally from Georgia family,” says Brezgunova, by Silis, this summer in Eastern Europe. As de- “and inspire them to explore.” Turn Park features scribed on the Turn Park an exhibition of his website: “Bekaia is a multi- Turn Park Art Space is at drawings.) media artist—in his work he 2 Moscow Road in West As they put it on uses various kinds of media. Stockbridge. their web page “Our He combines performance Visit www.turnpark.com for main goal has not with wearable sculptures. He more information. ourtesy turn park photo: c ourtesy