April 2021 | Nissan-Iyar 5781

The Award Winning » Celebrate Israel @ 73!

BUFFALO, ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD | BUFFALOJEWISHFEDERATION.ORG APRIL 2021 | NISSAN-IYAR 5781

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INSIDE: LOOK: DON’T MISS: Women HRC Neshama Gathering Upstander Carlebach ( 8 ) (12) ( 24 )

WHAT’S INSIDE...

Published by Celebrate Israel @ 73! April 2021 The Award Winning » Buffalo Jewish Federation 2640 North Forest Road Getzville, NY 14068 Editor’s Note On The Cover 716-204-2241 BUFFALO, ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD | BUFFALOJEWISHFEDERATION.ORG APRIL 2021 | NISSAN-IYAR 5781 www.buffalojewishfederation.org

CEO/Executive Director...... Rob Goldberg President...... Shelly Yellen Editor...... Ellen S. Goldstein

The Buffalo Jewish Federation Is a proud member of the Jewish Federations of North America and the American Jewish Press Association

( 4 ) Produced by Ellen Goldstein, Editor Made in Bflo makes its second appearance in Buffalo April 25. Graphic design by Jill Komm. As I sit down to write this message on March 16, 2021,

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED SERVICE CHANGE INSIDE: LOOK: DON’T MISS: Permit No. 4 No. Permit

Williamsport, PA Williamsport, Women HRC Neshama

PAID

I flash back to see what I wrote one year ago. And what 14068 NY Getzville, Creative Director...... Jean-Pierre Thimot

US Postage US 2640 North Forest Road Forest North 2640 Gathering Upstander Carlebach Presorted STD. Presorted a year it has been for everyone—individuals, families, 3 Message fromFederation Jewish Buffalo the Federation( 8 ) (12President) ( 24 ) [email protected] People of Color, synagogues, agencies, Jews, students, By Shelly Yellen Lead Designer...... Kimberly Miers [email protected] teachers, schools, Israelis, governments, voters. 4 Made in Buffalo in Your Home April 25 Senior Graphic Designers...... Josh Flanigan, Adam Van Schoonhoven, The original cover of the April 2020 issue of The Jewish By Margie Godin Bryen and Kelly Lignos Ziv Nicholas Vitello Journal featured the 2020 Made in Buffalo event starring 5 City of Good Neighbors Campaign Director of Advertising...... Barbara E. Macks Buffalo native Cheryl Stern, which was cancelled due CJEL Welcome Rabbi Becky Silverstein in Sales Director...... Cynthia Oppenheimer 6 [email protected] to COVID. But right before the print date, March 17, we June Senior Account Executives.... By Shira Jacobson Terri Downey, Keren Green, Mary Beth Holly, changed the cover to an image with two hands holding Caroline Kunze, Robin Lenhard, Rachel Wasserman a heart, anticipating a major change in the event. We 7 Reflections from the Belonging Initiative Proofreader...... Amy Goldstein included a note on page 3 explaining that many of the By Mike Steklof 8 CJEL’s Women Gathering BUFFALO SPREE PUBLISHING, INC. events in the paper might be cancelled or changed, which President & CEO...... Sharon C. Levite they were, including many sederim and other Passover- 9 Super Sunday was Super! Publisher/Chief Revenue Officer...... Barbara E. Macks related events, Yom Hashoah and Yom Ha’atzmaut. 10 Growing “Dignity Grows”™ Associate Publisher/Editor-In-Chief...... Elizabeth Licata A year later, the 2021 Made in Buffalo event starring 11 Partnership2Gether Pinah Vice President/Administrative & Finance...... Michele Ferguson Corporate Counsel...... Timothy M. O’Mara, Esq. Cheryl Stern returns to The Jewish Journal cover, with the 12- 13 Yom Hashoah 2021 show slated to stream virtually into our homes April 25 14 East Side Shops- (page 4). And last year’s Yom Hashoah speaker, Buffalo Jewish Buffalo History Center Members of native Jim Klein, son of Holocaust Survivor Gerda Klein By Chana R. Kotzin, Ph.D. and liberator Kurt Klein, whose original talk was cancelled 15 JCRC: Forgiveness after Hate will be speaking this year to the Buffalo community By Mara Koven-Gelman Submissions: Submit editorial stories, photos, and calendar items by the 1st of the virtually April 11 to commemorate this important day 16 5 Things You Can Do to Repair the World in preceding month of issue to [email protected]. April (page 12). To Advertise: Last year, we were looking into the COVID abyss, not Where in Jewish Buffalo? To advertise, call Cynthia Oppenheimer at 716-783-9119 x2240. knowing what to expect in our lives and the life of our 18 Rabbi’s Column Ad space & materials are due by the 10th of each month prior to community and nation. I wrote “As we move forward By Rabbi Shmaryahu Charitonow publication. For a rate card and any additional information, please together to address these (COVID-related) challenges, we 19 LIFE & LEGACY® Coming to Buffalo email Cynthia Oppenheimer [email protected] are confident that we will get through this crises together. or Barbara Macks [email protected]. 20-21 Buffalo International Jewish Film Festival To Subscribe: Now is the time to lean hard into ancient Jewish truths: 25 Special Advertising Supplement: Dining To subscribe to the Jewish Journal, please email info@ that strength comes from community; that we are all 26 Celebrating Purim through Pictures buffalojewishfederation.org. Free for Western New York area responsible for one another.” residents and donors to the Campaign. That truth holds. As we have seen this year throughout 27 Special Advertising Supplement: Kids & Camp The Jewish Journal of WNY (JJWNY) reserves the right to cancel any advertisement at Jewish Buffalo, our region, our nation and beyond, that 28-29 Organizations & Synagogue Listings any time. The Buffalo Jewish Federation and Buffalo Spree Publishing, Inc. are not liable for the content or errors appearing in the advertisements beyond the cost of indeed, strength comes from the community and YES, 30-31 In Memoriam: Lola Swede the space occupied. The JJWNY does not assume responsibility for the kashrut of we are all responsible for one another. May we continue 32 Not The Last Word any product or service advertised in this paper. Editorials, columns, advertisements, agency reports and other outside articles do not necessarily represent the views to heal, to grow, to evolve and change in life-affirming By Jody Goldstein of the newspaper or the Buffalo Jewish Federation, but rather express the view of the writer. ways and to discover All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing a new world of post- Act of 1968, which makes it “illegal to advertise “based on race, color, religion, pandemic possibility. sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate that is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal Ellen Goldstein - Editor opportunity basis.

2 buffalojewishfederation.org | April 2021 MESSAGE FROM THE FEDERATION PRESIDENT COMMUNITY

such Human Resources, Data base Better Together systems, Fundraising, Event Planning and Coordination. When we hear the words “Better Together” our thoughts may turn to Ice Cream and Sprinkles, Mac and Cheese, PBJ, or Milk As many know, February was Jewish and Cookies… you get the idea. Yet there is another thought process that is far more reaching if we consider Better Together in Disability and Inclusion Awareness the context of Jewish Buffalo. Better Together is certainly not a new concept and has been the driving force in the decision-making Month. The Center for Engagement process in recent years. Just think of temple and religious school mergers, shared programming and events, and community-wide and Learning (CJEL) changed their fund-raising activities, all designed to be welcoming, inclusive, and offer a strength-in-numbers approach. This all sounds straight strategy initiative from “Inclusion” to forward and logical given demographic trends and financial constraints; we are a mid-size community and working together only “Belonging.” Belonging emphasizes makes sense. “all people are integral and fully seen,” and “nothing about us without us.” Our But the reality is that we are subject community that we must all have a voice community is well poised to meet this to the same constraints that often to achieve the goal of a thriving Jewish challenge and while not the main intent, make good ideas and concepts difficult Buffalo. I believe we can adapt these concepts to to execute. I am sure those in our Further, we have a new cadre of the processes and decision-making that community who have worked through professional leaders that understand will drive Jewish Buffalo by being better mergers and collaborations can attest that together we can accomplish so together. to these realities, yet they’ve achieved much more. The importance of this On another note, the Federation success by demonstrating the flexibility cannot be understated as these leaders held their annual Super Sunday event to navigate through troubled waters. are creating a culture shift that is driving on February 28th. Thank you to our While much has been done out of the internal changes critical to making exceptional volunteer leaders Howard necessity, I believe there has been a the principles actionable. These leaders Rosenhoch, Joni Shatkin, Ken and fundamental shift in thinking as our recognize talent exists throughout our Merredith Levin, and our incredible staff community plans for the future. Like organizations and the challenge lies led by Randi Morkisz and Stacey Block many communities across the country in how best to utilize them for the for putting together a very creative and and around the world, there is a future of Jewish Buffalo and the greater successful event. Also, thank you to heightened realization that a thriving community. the many other volunteers and staff Jewish life can only exist if we collaborate Shelly Yellen Here are just a few examples: The that participated and of course, to our and treat each other as equals. The days Federation, under the leadership of donors, thank you for your generosity of federations, foundations, agencies, Buffalo. Rob Goldberg, and the Foundation for and kindness. synagogues, and others taking a “going There are daily, if not weekly, examples Jewish Philanthropies, led by Irv Levy, Finally, spring season is upon us and it alone” approach are being replaced of this thinking in action. If you are a have been working collaboratively in a time for us to celebrate the Passover with a much more holistic vision of “we regular reader of community activities creating a bold shared services model. holiday. Although still unable to gather are all in this together.” This means that and programs as seen in The Jewish Journal This has included marketing (just in the manner we are accustomed, we daily activities, planning, and decision- and e-mail blasts from synagogues, one example is the new Foundation look forward to being fully vaccinated making take on a different feel as guided Federation, Foundation and community for Jewish Philanthropies website), this year and next Passover will once by principles that include: agencies and partners, you are already the establishment of the Compassion again celebrate in person with family aware of the extensive collaborative and Fund, matching donors with specific and friends. For this year, consider • We are more effective when we work community-wide programs, events, and community projects and programs, and participating in the March 28th together. services that are offered throughout the Life & Legacy initiative through Community Synagogue Seder as a great • We are all equal stakeholders at the the year. The Federation convenes a the Harold Grinspoon Foundation (read way to stay connected and celebrate the decision-making table. bi-weekly Community Leadership about it on page 19). Last week, Rob holiday. With peace, prosperity, good • Mutual respect is essential. Online Gathering, where community and Irv met with their counterparts to health, and happiness, wishing you Chag leaders gather together and share news discuss expanding the shared service Pesach Sameach. Ultimately, we must constantly of what is going on throughout their model. This was the first of what will Don’t forget, please share your challenge ourselves by asking if the communities. There is sense of common lead to many discussions on how best thoughts with me at syellen@ actions we take are ultimately better for purpose from this amazing group to work together. The focus was on buffalojewishfederation.org. the sustainability and vibrancy of Jewish representing different segments of our identifying unique strengths in areas

Mark your Calendars : Community virtual Yom Hashoah April 11 @ 11 a.m.

The program will feature candle lighting by Survivors and Children of Survivors and Keynote Speaker and Buffalo native Jim Klein.

April 2021 | buffalojewishfederation.org 3 COMMUNITY Made in Buffalo is Bringing Broadway to Your Home April 25! BY MARGIE GODIN BRYEN AND KELLY LIGNOS ZIV

The Made In Buffalo speaker series kicked off in April of 2017 with Seth Godin returning home to Buffalo to lead the way. Seth entertained, energized and stimulated a sold-out crowd at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and left everyone asking when they could attend the next event. Made in Buffalo, a transformational series showcasing famous Buffalonians who cut their teeth right here in our backyard, was brought to the community by the Buffalo Jewish Federation and underwritten by the family of Lenore & Bill Godin.

Made In Buffalo set out to celebrate personalities who lay claim to being “made in our region” and allow the Buffalo Jewish Federation to provide a dynamic program as a gift to the greater Buffalo community. Many expatriates hold a deep connection with Western New York and the Buffalo Jewish Federation thinks it should be celebrated. Seth Godin provided a wonderful start for this series, and we set a high bar for future events. The original plan for our second event had been to bring in Buffalo native Cheryl Stern to perform her one- woman show, “Shoes and Baggage” at the Shea’s 710 Theater in April 2020. Well, we Cheryl Stern all know what happened there. So, the Made in Buffalo team spent a good portion of 2020 brainstorming how to bring Buffalo all the jazz and pizzazz envisioned for that April 2020 in-person event, but in the safest way possible. The result is From Buffalo to Broadway: Waiting in the Wings, a free, live and virtual event featuring Cheryl Stern, accompanied by some exceptional Buffalo talent and New York City-based Broadway Nancy Fernandez performers. The event takes place on April 25th at 7:30 PM, and can be viewed from the comfort of your own home! Big J Blues This event will be a live, virtual showcase of Cheryl’s performances, alongside a Tickets are FREE and include a swag bag full spectrum of incredible talent that includes of goodies that can be picked up on the day of the vocalists from various musical traditions, show or delivered to you at home. Ticket holders Bollywood dancing, Blues music, and much Slyboots Circus will receive email confirmation with details more. on how to access the show. And while tickets Cheryl Stern, a Broadway and television recalls that she and her cousins would put are free, Made in Buffalo will be accepting actress, grew up in Buffalo, and attended on shows in their living room. She loved donations to benefit the Arts Service Initiative Amherst High School. You may recognize creating stories and characters and singing Devi Bollywood of WNY. Arts Services Inc. (ASI) empowers the Cheryl if you’re a fan of The Marvelous Mrs. up a storm. She wanted to perform in front region’s artists and arts organizations with Maisel. She played Ida (Benjamin’s Mom) in of an audience so much that they would pay From Buffalo to Broadway: Waiting connections to funding, learning opportunities, season 2 on the Emmy-winning series. the neighborhood kids a quarter to come in the Wings from her alma mater, and community access to the arts. Cheryl grew up surrounded by a family see them “on stage”. Amherst High School, as part of our Register for your free tickets at www. of musically talented people. Her mom, While at Amherst High School she Made In Buffalo series. This cabaret- madeinbflo.org. Norma Avruinin Stern, was a talented singer excelled in academics, but her passion was style event will also feature the local Margie Godin Bryen, the President and owner and her father, Sol Stern, of blessed memory, always in the arts. Cheryl’s experience at talents of Saranaide, Big J Blues, Nancy of Hard Manufacturing, is the Treasurer of Buffalo an accomplished musician. Her uncle Harry Amherst and at Studio Arena helped her Fernandez, Devi Bollywood, Slyboots Jewish Federation and Chair of the Made in Stern was a prominent violinist and band to get accepted to, and be successful at, Circus, and Juliet Shatkin, combined Buffalo committee. Kelly Lignos Ziv owns her own leader in Buffalo for decades, along with Northwestern University’s theatre program. with Broadway veterans Karen Mason, marketing company and is an original member of his wife Lorraine, a talented singer. Cheryl We are thrilled to have Cheryl present Bobby Daye, and Adam Heller. the Made in Buffalo committee. 4 buffalojewishfederation.org | April 2021 COMMUNITY City Of Good Neighbors The Bonnie Campaign Clement Team During the week of Purim, Federation launched an emergency campaign to raise funds to assist our friends in Texas impacted by February’s severe winter storm. The campaign generated more than $10,000 from over 125 donors to support relief efforts made possible by our sister Federations in Austin, San Antonio and Ft. Worth, three communites that are part of our Partnership2Gether Midwest consortium (read more about Partnership on page 11). “Thank you! This is SO appreciated,” said Rabbi Daniel Septimus, the CEO of Shalom Austin, the hub of Jewish life in Central Texas. Daniel and his family fled Austin in the aftermath of the storm as they were without power and water.

Mary Hutton, Bonnie Clement, Lisa Levin, “Buffalonians are tough when it comes to severe weather, but we know all too Sheryl Martin, Beth Joseph well how devastating a winter storm can be especially when it comes as a surprise. That’s why we called our campaign The City of Good Neighbors,” said Rob Goldberg, Federation CEO. “And, when we reached out to our friends from these communities,” noted Federation President Shelly Yellen, “they were touched by our efforts. Michael BONNIE CLEMENT Swanson, the Board Chair of the Federation in San Antonio wrote me expressing his Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker gratitude: This concrete example of why Buffalo has earned the proud title City of Good Neighbors, is not only a sign of your community’s standard of excellence, but it is also a tangible demonstration of your commitment to living up to the Jewish value of kol Yisrael Cell: 716.553.8384 arevim zeh bazeh… we truly feel your sense of responsibility to all of us here in San Antonio [email protected] | BonnieClement.com and across all Texas.” For more information on the Partnership2Gether Consortium or Federation’s HUNT ERA Williamsville Village Branch: efforts, please contact Rob Goldberg ([email protected]). 5570 Main Street, 1st Floor, Williamsville, NY 14221

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April 2021 | buffalojewishfederation.org 5 COMMUNITY CJEL PROJECT BELONGING CJEL welcomes Rabbi Becky Silverstein (virtually) in June

was created with the spark of the Our cultural understanding of gender BY SHIRA JACOBSON divine, that everyone belongs. identity has evolved; just like sexuality, Last year when The Center for Jewish Project Belonging seeks to bring gender also exists on a spectrum, and Engagement and Learning’s (CJEL) adults together for deep learning there is more on the gender spectrum Inclusion Taskforce completed its work and about gender in Judaism and for than just male or female. launched CJEL’s belonging initiative, the conversation about how Buffalo can With the beginnings of awareness vision was clear: for all Jews, their friends continue to be more welcoming to and acceptance of the idea that gender and life partners, and people exploring a diverse array of individuals and exists on a spectrum comes a need for Judaism to feel welcome to participate in families who identify as Jewish. new or different language. This is where Jewish living and learning experiences So, what does “genderqueer” pronouns come in to play. In the English regardless of race, gender identity, sexual mean? What are pronouns and language, we refer to other people using orientation, or ability. With this vision in why were they listed after Rabbi pronouns, “she went to the grocery mind and with the generous support of Becky’s introduction? The term store.” These pronouns usually imply the Institute for Liberal Jewish Studies “genderqueer” means that one does gender, such as using “he” to refer to Fund, CJEL is thrilled to announce Project Rabbi Becky Silverstein not necessarily identify as solely a man and “she” to refer to a woman. Belonging: a series of springtime Jewish opening up conversations surrounding male or female, but falls somewhere People often make assumptions about learning experiences featuring Rabbi Becky gender and sexuality within Judaism. else on the gender spectrum. the gender or identity of another person Silverstein (he/him/his). He now serves as the Jewish Spiritual Gender is a socially constructed based on their name or appearance Rabbi Becky is a genderqueer, trans Rabbi Advisor at Northeastern University, as concept that explains how someone and will automatically assign or use who grew up in New York. Ordained at the Program Manager at the Boston Teen expresses themselves. Traditionally the pronouns they think fit. However, Rabbinical School of Hebrew College, Rabbi Beit Midrash, on the board of Keshet, within cultural norms, one’s gender the way someone looks does not define Becky became the first out transgender rabbi and as Chair of both The Jewish Studio has been categorized as either male who they are or their gender identity. to be hired by a Conservative synagogue. Rabbi Project and SVARA. or female and individuals would Everyone has the right to choose their Becky works to encourage people to bring all Jewish tradition teaches the value of present themselves to the world in own pronouns; gender identity is of their identities to their spiritual practices, B’tzelem Elohim, the belief that everyone either a feminine or masculine way. relative to each individual. It is always best to ask what someone’s pronouns are before assuming them - this is a way to show respect to them and create an inclusive environment. With Rabbi Becky’s wisdom and expertise, Project Belonging will dive further into these concepts and how they connect to Judaism. The Project Belonging series of learning experiences will occur in the beginning of June, and will be open to all adults, at no cost. For more information about Project Belonging, or to learn more about gender identity, look for information in future editions of The Jewish Journal of WNY or contact Mike Steklof, Director of Jewish Experience at the Center for Jewish Engagement and Learning at: [email protected].

Shira Jacobson is a sophomore at the University at Buffalo studying English and psychology and serves as an Intern at the Center for Jewish Engagement and Learning. 6 buffalojewishfederation.org | April 2021 CJEL COMMUNITY Reflections from the Belonging Initiative BY MIKE STEKLOF

Last year the Center for Jewish Engagement and Learning (CJEL) shifted the name of its effort to be more inclusive from “Inclusion” to “Belonging.” This change in language and framing represents the value of “nothing about us, without us,” meaning that at its most aspirational level, no decision should be made without the full participation of the constituent groups that the decision will affect. CJEL is focused on creating a culture of Belonging across Buffalo for Jewish individuals with disabilities, Jews who identify as LGBTQ+, those exploring Judaism, families of multiple faiths, and for Jews of Color.

The cover of Vickie Rubin’s new book, Raising Jess

February was devoted to Belonging Restorative Justice Coalition. awareness. Throughout the month Restorative Practice is a methodology of February, individuals who embody of building positive relationships and the values of JDAAM (Jewish Disability repairing fractured relationships when Awareness Acceptance and Inclusion harm occurs. Restorative Practices Month) were featured in the Federation’s include the use of talking circles, active weekly e-newsletter My Jewish Buffalo, listening, self-expression, relationship including Vickie Rubin, Jeremy Pratt and building questions and dialogue to foster Kelly Special. In addition, CJEL hosted a relationships between and among groups virtual Book Talk featuring Vickie Rubin, of people. discussing her forthcoming Book, Raising Carolyn Boyes-Watson, provides this Jessica. During the talk, Vickie shared the definition of Restorative Justice, the result story of the birth of her daughter Jessica, of restorative practices. “Restorative justice who is a resident of Buffalo’s Jewish seeks to build partnerships to reestablish Women’s Group home. Vickie described mutual responsibility for constructive how Jewish Buffalo has embraced this responses to wrongdoing within our home and provided programming, music, communities. Restorative approaches seek friendship and a sense of belonging to each a balanced approach to the needs of the of the residents and their families. victim, wrongdoer, and community through In addition to programmatic offering processes that preserve the safety and dignity and opportunities to gather, CJEL offers of all.” learning and development opportunities Over the course of this two-day for professional and volunteer leaders in immersive training, CJEL and Federation an effort to expand both abilities and professionals had the opportunity to the tools available to affectively create experience restorative practices both as spaces of Belonging. For some individuals, participants and facilitators. Restorative creating a space of Belonging in Jewish Justice is a tool that Federation Buffalo can only begin with repairing harm Professionals can now use to build or interpersonal conflicts. In February the community while managing conflict and Buffalo Jewish Federation Professional tension. team, including Miriam Abramovich, Mara Mike Steklof is a Director of Jewish Koven-Gelman, Elizabeth Schram, Ben Experience at the Center for Jewish Wolfson and Mike Steklof, participated Engagement and Learning. For more in a two-day long Restorative Practice information, contact him at mike@ Facilitator training led by the Erie County buffalojewishfederation.org. April 2021 | buffalojewishfederation.org 7 COMMUNITY CJEL Reflections on Women Gathering Together Women, gathering together, has been a hallmark of Judaism since biblical times. The first day of the month on the lunar calendar, Rosh Chodesh, has been set aside as a sacred time for women to gather, study, tell stories, and share experiences. Having sacred time to gather, connect through Jewish text/tradition, and lift one another up, inspired CJEL to design a series of small group learning experiences called Women Gathering. Since the fall, more than 70 women have participated in one of CJEL’s monthly or bi-monthly learning circles including the Well Circle, Mussar for Moms, Wise Women, and Wise Aging. Please enjoy these reflections from Women Gathering participants. For more information about Women Gathering cohorts contact Susan Schwartz at [email protected].

have found that these monthly gatherings have truly been able to foster a safe have not only given me something to space in our classes. I am thankful for the Gretchen Gross look forward to mid-month, but provide opportunity to be in community with other Wise Aging Participant reflective, interesting and stimulating Buffalo Jewish women, and I look forward I have been interested in joining a educational materials and conversation. to our next session! Wise Aging cohort since it began a few More importantly, however, the Well Circle years ago and this year it became possible has provided me with a new group of because of Zoom. Susan Schwartz is an friends in a community that I hold so near excellent facilitator and has a gentle and Naomi Wiseman and dear to my heart. wonderful way of engaging the women in Well Circle Participant our group. It has been a way to reconnect I have had the wonderful opportunity with old friends and meet new ones. As for the past six months to participate in we read and discuss each chapter of Wise CJEL’s Women’s Well Circle. In a year of Aging by Rabbi Rachel Cowan, (z”l) and unbelievable twists and turns, I found that Dr. Linda Thal, the book raises thought- I needed an outlet for my emotions, my Joni Shatkin provoking questions about the different anxiety, and most importantly, I felt that Wise Women Participant stages of life from childhood to my needed comradery outside of colleagues. I feel so lucky to be part of the Wise hopefully long and healthy future. Wise What I have found through the Well Circle Women group, as I always come away with Aging is a safe place to talk about things is that Jewish women will always share Rebecca Carmine-Shaw that wonderful and warm feeling of being that may be uncomfortable, sharing our a comradery; we feel safe and connected Mussar for Moms Participant in contact with other Jewish women. It’s own experiences and finding support and around one another and are willing to I am thoroughly enjoying Mussar nice to share our concerns and values while understanding. It has given me permission share and open up, more so than any for Moms. Our virtual classroom is listening to how to tackle life as a Jewish and sometimes the courage to look deeply other female co-worker or acquaintance I inspiring, joyous, and healing. We have woman. As COVID has impacted all of us, into myself to deal with life, and areas of have encountered. Maybe it is the simple been studying personality traits such as it’s also especially nice to see everyone’s aging that may be scary such as health fact that we’re all Jewish or maybe it is humility, patience, and loving-kindness, shining faces on Zoom. I do look forward issues, losing a life partner, how to stay because we are a group of women, many of and applying what we learn within to the time when we can get together in engaged in the community, and looking whom have never met prior to September, our communities, our families, and for person after COVID is gone and share a forward to new adventures. Thank you, who are sharing life experiences while ourselves. It is amazing to think that even nice glass of wine. This group has been Susan, the Buffalo Jewish Federation, and uncovering our own personal connections virtually, I have made friends! I thought it so inspiring! It is wonderful to be able to The Center for Jewish Engagement and to inherited wisdom which has allowed for was impossible during such a dark time full share thoughts with dynamic women as we Learning for making this vibrant program us to break down barriers and welcome new of so much isolation. Our group leaders, join together to learn, kibbitz, and laugh! available to us. friendships and confidants into our lives. I Evie Weinstein and Miriam Abramovich,

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8 buffalojewishfederation.org | April 2021 2021 CAMPAIGN FOR JEWISH BUFFALO COMMUNITY

In a word, virtual Super Sunday was SUPER! In a year with so much pain, difficulty and loss, this Campaign for Jewish Buffalo fundraising event was FABULOUS! “What a great day, “said Federation Assistant Executive Director Randi Morkisz. “We raised over $91,000 this year on Super Sunday, far exceeding the goal of $50,000, and a higher amount than has been raised in many years.” Challenged with having the entire event held virtually, Super Sunday chairs Ken and Merredith Levin immediately set out to plan something that would Our sincere thanks to be innovative, engaging and inspiring. shared words of encouragement and gratitude to all of the Bagel Jay’s for donating Through the Levins’ recruitment efforts, volunteers,” noted Ken, who loves to play music and can more than 60 community members often be found in his basement playing guitar, mandolin, gift certificates and to volunteered to make calls either for banjo and piano. “Earlier in the pandemic, I started creating donations, or to thank those who had and posting videos at the request of my cousin Dan Sterman, Wegmans and Tops for already made a commitment to the 2021 a physician in New York on the front lines of COVID,” added donating prizes for our Campaign for Jewish Buffalo, or to help Ken. “Once I started posting some music, I was amazed at distribute volunteer materials. the connection it was providing at a time when we all were Super Sunday volunteers! Each of two trainings began with feeling rather isolated.” a virtual welcome and information The Levins were working on a tribute for the folk singer in a few goofy Happy Birthday puppet videos and then The Super session. “During this time volunteers John Prine when Merredith suggested they incorporate Sunday Puppet Band was born.” learned about the impact the dollars some puppets. According to Merredith, “We cracked In thinking about what would be relevant for Super Sunday, raised have in our community, Israel ourselves up laughing and put a John Prine music video Merredith suggested recording “We Are The World” (with puppets, and worldwide directly from our partner together, which oddly lent itself to puppets! Our handful of course). Ken was totally on board and so they recorded over a agencies and programs. Local celebrities of fans asked for more and we happily obliged, dabbling dozen videos. Finding themselves way over their heads when it came time to compile the videos into one piece, the Levins’ panicked faces inspired their son, Charlie (12), and daughter, Parker (15), to bail Thank you Buffalo Celebrities who them out. They whipped up their teen/tween tech magic and had the final video complete in a few hours! Their youngest son, Archie (8), participated in messages and words of served as a creative advisor and puppet liaison. As a different way to say thank you to the Super Sunday volunteers, encouragement via Zoom to our the Levins also put together another puppet video of “The Todah volunteer callers on Super Sunday 2021! Song” by local physician/musician Andy Symons. “To show our appreciation, a video with the Super Sunday Puppet Band was Amherst Deputy Town Supervisor Jacqui Berger emailed the day after Super Sunday to all of the incredible volunteers Erica Brecher –WIVB Channel 4 and donors whose generosity fuels the campaign,” Ken said. Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown Even though it was virtual, Merredith and Ken felt that the entire Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein day was warm and personable. “People need connection to others. Greg Cypin – KISS 98.5 Radio It was so nice to make a thank you call, not just ask for money. Our kids made 44 thank you calls. They loved it and the people they called Ed Dranch – WKBW Channel 7 loved it. We were trying to keep the day light and fun and not take Congressman Brian Higgins ourselves too seriously. We had fun doing it,” Merredith said. New York State Senator Tim Kennedy The Levins are already planning for next year’s Super Sunday, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and rumor has it that the Super Sunday Puppet Band has already Don Postles – WIVB Channel 4 been booked to perform.

April 2021 | buffalojewishfederation.org 9 COMMUNITY The Songs You Know, Help Us Grow Dignity Grows™ The Music BY NINA LUKIN shampoo, all packed in discreet, reusable You Love zipper-top bags. Items are strategically Imagine having to choose between sourced to ensure low prices via the buying food for your family or buying Dignity Grows™ choice vender. toilet paper or running out of soap In the same way that Talmud cautions and having no money to purchase us to give charity in private to avoid more. This is a reality for 1 in 5 offending the dignity of the recipient, women in the US who struggle with volunteers arrange the hand-offs of the difficult choice between paying goods to the distribution partner rather for food, shelter and feminine hygiene than the beneficiary themselves. items. Every month, some of our While there is no financial neighbors feel a sense of helplessness commitment, we encourage volunteers and embarrassment because they lack who host or participate in packing events access to basic necessities whether by to support the low barrier fundraising poverty, stigma, or lack of education. regardless of ethnicity, race, or religion. efforts. For as little as just $10, anyone The consequences prevent women It reinforces Federation’s visibility as a can donate a Dignity Tote to a neighbor ••••••••••••••• and girls from going about their daily committed, caring partner for neighbors in need in Buffalo, and each tote will be life. Girls avoid school during their in need to reach their full potential. matched by an anonymous donor. For LISTEN & WIN periods and miss critical learning time. Dignity Grows™ was founded by the example, I purchased 5 for $50 and the Women miss work, which can lead to lost Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford’s donor purchased another 5 for a total of ••••••••••••••• wages. Poor women and girls and those Women’s Philanthropy. 10 totes. who are homeless or incarcerated often A key element of this effort involves For more information or if you would struggle the most to access menstrual identifying, connecting, and maintaining like to volunteer to help with this products. All of this further compounds relationships with social service agencies effort contact Stacey Block at stacey@ $1,000 the cycle of poverty. as distribution partners so we can meet buffalojewishfederation.org, or me Inspired by the Jewish values of the needs of the populations they serve; at [email protected], or visit the Tzedakah (righteousness) and Tikkun think Jewish Family Service. ‘Packing DignityGrows.org website where you A DAY Olam (repairing the world), the parties’ allow volunteers to gather in a can learn more. To donate directly to Buffalo Jewish Federation’s Women’s COVID conscious way to assemble the the Buffalo Chapter, go to https://bit.ly/ Philanthropy has established a local totes as well as engage new volunteers DIGNITYGROWSBFLO. GIVEAWAY chapter of Dignity Grows™ to provide who will see first-hand our Federation’s Nina Lukin is the chair of the brand monthly totes filled with menstrual and dedication to life-changing acts of new Dignity Grows™ project of Women’s hygiene supplies to women in need. I kindness. Totes contains a month’s Philanthropy, a member of the Federation am thrilled to chair this exciting and supply of sanitary pads, toothpaste Executive Committee, and past co-chair powerful initiative and continue the and a toothbrush, soap, deodorant and of the JCRC. important work of community relations via building bridges with agencies serving underprivileged and at-risk individuals. Dignity Grows™ is natural extension of the considerable local, Jewish- WEBRRADIO.COM driven social action and JCRC work that supports the wider Buffalo community,

10 buffalojewishfederation.org | April 2021 COMMUNITY

Upcoming P2G programs: ROCK STEADY Thursday, April 8 @ 9:45 a.m. BOXING at the JCC Israeli Holocaust Remembrance Day Empowering people with Closing Ceremony (Live stream) Parkinson’s disease to fight back!

Sunday, April 11 @ 11 a.m. Israel Memorial Day- Yom HaZikaron- Bravery and Memory Welcome to the Partnership2Gether Leadership Council composed of individuals (P2G) Pinah - the Hebrew word meaning who have a connection to and passion for Sunday, April 18 @ 1 p.m. “corner.” With Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s our Partnership. The Council includes Jeff Celebrate Israel @ 73—celebrate Israeli “Watching class members with 73rd Birthday, later this month, we are Blum, Cantor Arlene Frank, Jody Goldstein, cooking with world renowned Chef Uri Parkinson’s Disease improve motor skills, very excited to launch the first P2G Robbie Hausmann, Amy Pecora, Laurie Jeremias (AKA Uri Buri) balance, speech and sensory functions Pinah dedicated to the Partnership Sadler, Blaine Schwartz, Julie Weinberg, in our Rock, Steady, Boxing program 2Gether Consortium, of which Buffalo is Laura Wexler, Gil Wolfe, Katie Wzontek, Thursday, April 29 @ 1 p.m. is inspiring,” said Todd Schifferle, ACE a proud member. and Leslie Kramer. The Council will provide Here We Are: Virtual Tour of Austin Certified Personal Trainer and general Over the past 20 years, strategic direction for the way in which manager of Health, Fitness and Recreation Partnership2Gether (P2G) has become Federation engages with our Western To participate in any or all of these at the JCC Benderson Building. As a Rock Federation’s most successful and effective Galilee Area Consortium. For a wonderful events, visit https://www.westerngalilee. Steady coach, Todd said he is constantly model for creating meaningful relationships example of this, check out the “Not the Last org.il/ and click on “Events.” Then go impressed by participants’ dedication to primarily between the North American Word” column on page 32 by Jody Goldstein to the calendar in the drop down menu. improving their quality of life. “One class Jewish Community and Israel. For the past about a program she spearheads. Next, go to the date of the event in member works two full-time jobs but still 3 years, Buffalo has been an active member Please be sure to check out the P2G which you wish to participate and click makes time to attend Rock Steady weekly,” of the Central Area Consortium, a group of Pinah each month in The Jewish Journal for on “RSVP.” Make your reservation, and added Todd. “Our group members help 16 U.S. communities as well as Budapest, information about upcoming Partnership you will then receive a confirmation motivate each other and have fun working Hungary that connects us to those living in events, as well as new features of the e-mail. For more information or any together to fight against Parkinson’s each the Western Galilee region of Israel. Partnership. For more information or any questions, please contact Mandy Weiss and every step of the way!” Last fall, the Buffalo Jewish Federation questions, please contact Mandy Weiss at at [email protected]. More info at: https://www.jccbuffalo. created a new Partnership2Gether [email protected]. org/wellness/disease-prevention/

Federation Awards Commemoration, Celebration DONATE & Conversation Micro-Grants to Jewish Buffalo’s Gallery, Daemen College and the Galicia Security Fund The Buffalo Jewish Federation is Jewish Museum excited to announce the recipients of The event will be presented on YouTube when you the new Commemoration, Celebration live and is free and open to everyone. Shop on Amazon & Conversation Micro-Grants for this Registration is required, please visit spring. Through these micro-grants, the JCC website or register directly at totaling over $4,500, Federation is http://bit.ly/HolocaustPhotography. encouraging and supporting our Congregation Shir Shalom-Gesher Questions? Contact Katie Wzontek at local partners in continuing to create Religious School [email protected]. AmazonSmile Charity Lists is a engaging and fresh experiences/ Celebrating Israel Together in new and meaningful way for initiatives particularly as the impact partnership with Amberleigh Senior Temple Beth Tzedek you to donate items directly of COVID-19 continues. Focusing on Living Facility Holocaust and Hope (See page 12) to charitable organizations. holidays and commemorations that Sunday, May 2 With Charity Lists, all charity accounts are verified so you happen in the spring, all applicants Hillel of Buffalo 7:00 p.m. free and open to everyone) can take the guesswork out of were encouraged to be innovative Matzah Match In partnership with The Holocaust giving and donate worry-free. and creative as well as to engage with In partnership with Gift of Life Bone Resource Center of Buffalo, Temple Beth if you want Amazon to donate other partner organizations, both Marrow Registry Zion and Congregation Shir Shalom to us, go to smile.amazon.com, local and non-local and Jewish and and select “Jewish Federation of Greater Buffalo, Inc.” Then each non-Jewish. JCC Cultural Arts Park School— time you shop, start each session Photography of the Holocaust—The Kadimah Scholars Program at smile.amazon.com, and Congregation Beth Abraham Lodz Ghetto Photographs of Henryk Yachad in Yom Haatzmaut/Zeh Katan Amazon will donate 0.5% of the Kabbalat Shabbat with Neshama Ross (See page 13) Aleinu Project price of your eligible purchases. Carlebach (See page 24) Tuesday, April 6 In partnership with Temple Beth Tzedek Visit Your AmazonSmile Impact Friday, April 23 2:00 p.m. at www.smile.amazon.com to see 6:30 p.m.(free and open to everyone) (free and open to everyone) For more information about the donation information and learn In partnership with Congregation In partnership with The Holocaust programs that are open to the public, more about your charity. Havurah and The Hospice Foundation Resource Center of Buffalo, Jewish visit the Community Calendar at of Buffalo Community Relations Council, CEPA buffalojewishfederation.org/calendar. April 2021 | buffalojewishfederation.org 11 COMMUNITY Yom HaShoah: Deeply Personal and a Call to Action BY ANN MARIE CAROSELLA Both co-chairs are excited by a program Yom HaShoah, the annual remembrance of the 6 Million Jewish that promises to be meaningful and victims of the Holocaust, will be held Sunday, April 11 at 11:00 a.m. memorable, despite its virtual nature. “It’s over Zoom. Registration is at www.bit.ly/BuffaloYomHaShoah2021. essentially the same program we intended For both co-chairs of this year’s commemoration, the task of planning if we were in person” said Tara. “The videos Yom HaShoah is deeply personal and heartfelt. Wendy Weisbrot, retired of the candle lighters and their families are Williamsville teacher and Holocaust Resource Center (HRC) Chair of moving, informative, and very personal.” Education, recalls attending Yom HaShoah commemorations from a very Wendy added that “the program really young age with her family. Wendy’s father, Joe Diamond, was a Holocaust fits well with the platform,” as the stories Survivor. At that time, with the audience consisting primarily of Survivors captured in the videos are “each so very and their families, Wendy’s parents worried about what would become different, so personal, and so relevant to the of this event when the number of Survivors diminished. Wendy and Wendy Weisbrot Tara Karch Cross next generations.” her brother lovingly reassured their parents by making a lifetime Yom HaShoah is first and foremost a commitment to keeping the memory of the Holocaust alive. “Planning Not only are personal stories the motivation behind the remembrance of the Jewish victims and this event allows me the honor of helping to commemorate survivors planning of this event, but they are also the power within Survivors of the Holocaust. Yet, both chairs like my father and remember those who didn’t survive. It is with such the event that bring connection to those in attendance, believe the personal nature of the stories gratitude that I see that the community has embraced the importance and are what motivates us to move from remembrance shared by Jim Klein along with the candle of this remembrance and that they take responsibility to come together to action. This year’s program, L’Dor Vador: From lighters and their families will not only honor each spring to honor victims and Survivors with their presence.” Generation to Generation, will highlight the very personal the Survivors and victims of the Holocaust, For Tara Karch Cross, a transportation lawyer and HRC leader, this year intergenerational connection between local survivors, their but will prompt individuals to commit to is the third year she has co-chaired the commemoration. Raised Jewish children, and their grandchildren. taking to heart these personal messages with a Jewish father and an Armenian Christian mother, Tara says it is The Keynote Speaker will be Buffalo native Jim Klein, and to transforming them into actions that “truly an honor” to help with this community remembrance of the Jewish who will reflect on his life growing up in Buffalo as the spread the lessons and message outward. victims and survivors of the Holocaust. Furthermore, she is moved to son of Holocaust Survivor Gerda Weissmann Klein and the Wendy said “these stories of local people participate in the planning in recognition of the members of her mother’s late Kurt Klein, a Liberator. The six candle lighters will be not only let us know where we came from, family that were killed in the Armenian genocide during WWI. Eva Blum (Survivor), Gertrude Sloan (Survivor), Nicholas but they remind us to take responsibility for Leibovic (Survivor), Cindy Ashton (child of a Survivor), Sandy teaching the lessons of the Holocaust and Eisen (child of a Survivor) and Carol Froehlich (child of a taking the lessons forward. It’s truly what Survivor). Video recordings of intergenerational members of every Survivor would want us to do.” the Survivors’ families will showcase the love shared, and the Dr. Ann Marie Carosella is president of the lessons taught, by their parent or grandparent. Holocaust Resource Center.

HRC’s May 20 Upstander Event Honors David Rust of “Say Yes Buffalo”

Upstanders are individuals remove the barriers (financial, academic, who embody the integrity of our social and health) to college access and communities and change the success for youth in the City of Buffalo. world for the better. The Holocaust The inaugural Student Upstander Resource Center (HRC) announces Award will be presented to a young adult the second Upstander Event taking in the Western New York community who place virtually May 20, where the exemplifies the qualities of an upstander Sophia Veffer Upstander Award will by fearlessly defending what is just when be presented.This award is named in others choose to be bystanders. The honor of Holocaust Survivor Sophia recipient of the Student Upstander Award Veffer, who has dedicated her life to encouraging students and will receive tuition to attend the Academy community members to be upstanders by assisting those who for Human Right’s Summer Symposium need help and to stand up in the face of adversity. The HRC which provides students the opportunity presents this award to an upstander in the community who to hear internationally-known human has made a significant impact and whose efforts exemplify the rights experts, take part in hands-on mission of the HRC. activities and field trips, and learn the The 2021 recipient of the Award is David Rust, Executive skills they need to make an impact on the Director of Say Yes Buffalo, a non-profit education foundation community, nation, and world. committed to providing a powerful engine for long-term Registration information will be economic development through radically improving the life available in the coming weeks. Should course of public school students in the City of Buffalo. Say you have any questions, please contact Yes Buffalo combines a comprehensive K-12 support system Elizabeth Schram at Elizabeth@ with the incentive of locally funded postsecondary tuition to hrcbuffalo.org. 12 buffalojewishfederation.org | April 2021 COMMUNITY

JCC Commemorates Holocaust April 6 Business Casual of all types…

inhabitants for identification Tuesday, April 6 cards and for Nazi propaganda 2:00 p.m. images. When Ross was not working in his bureaucratic Photography of the capacity, he risked his life to Holocaust – The Lodz photograph the reality of daily ghetto life. Ghetto Photographs This event is presented by of Henryk Ross the JCC in partnership with the Holocaust Resource Center of Buffalo, the Jewish Community The Jewish Community Relations Council, CEPA Center will offer a unique virtual Gallery, Daemen College, and Suiting Up the Men of Buﬀ alo Since 1918 presentation Tuesday, April 6 at the Galicia Jewish Museum and 2:00 p.m. to commemorate the Six made possible by a grant from Million Jews who perished in the the Buffalo Jewish Federation. Holocaust and honor the heroism The event will be presented of Survivors. Galicia Jewish Museum on YouTube live and is free Chief Curator Tomasz Strug, artist, and open to everyone. curator, educator, and historian Registration is required, Robert Hirsch, and Dr. Shawn Kelley, please visit the JCC website Professor of Philosophy/Religious or register directly at http:// Custom Design…. Studies, Department Chair, Daemen bit.ly/HolocaustPhotography. making something new of your memories College will discuss The Lodz Ghetto documented life inside the Lodz Ghetto. Ross worked Questions? Contact Katie Photographs of Henryk Ross z”l. for the ghetto’s Jewish Administration’s Statistics Wzontek at kwzontek@ 6470 TRANSIT RD., DEPEW, NY 14043 RIVERSIDEMENS.COM | 716-833-8401 From 1940 to 1944, Henryk Ross department, photographing the Jewish ghetto’s jccbuffalo.org. SANDEJEWELERS.COM | 716-832-1595

April 2021 | buffalojewishfederation.org 13 COMMUNITY JEWISH BUFFALO HISTORY CENTER Take me Back to the East Side Shops! BY CHANA R. KOTZIN, PH.D. Harry Fagin’s or Steinhart’s? Fish and poultry suppliers and grocery stores also Several areas in Buffalo were known were plentiful. Louis Reisner, Isaac Carrel, for their extensive Jewish commercial Simon Swartz and Jacob Singer all sold activity, especially the East Side and North fish on different blocks and you could Buffalo. This is the first article in a series buy kosher chickens from several poultry of features about Jewish businesses tied to purveyors including Jacob Wohlfeld, Sam these particular neighborhoods. Balber, Sol Car and Louis Silverstein. The East Side is known for its many There were at least 20 grocery stores synagogues, the Jewish Community Building from Weinstein and Cheplowitz Fancy and other institutions including Gemiliut and Staple Groceries at 337, to the grocery Hasidim (also known as The Hebrew stores of Morris Glickstein, Hyman Benevolent Loan Association) and the Talmud Levite, Eugene Drozen, the Fierstein Torah. But it’s also remembered for numerous Brothers (see a photo of this store on the family businesses, many of which were located website: jewishbuffalohistory.org), along the long stretch of William Street. A Joseph Podlubick Grocers and Fish, brief snapshot across the 1910s to the 1930s and Benjamin Dekoff to name just a few illustrates the incredible range and popularity others. Up and down the street were of particular goods and services on William shochetim (ritual slaughterers) and kosher Street. meat markets including those run by Jacob Men’s Clothier, William Street, East Side, Buffalo, NY., c.1910s. Courtesy of the Benjamin and From dozens of dry good and furniture Dr. Edgar Cofeld Judaic Museum of Temple Beth Zion Ravinitsky, Sam Sultanik and Bernard stores, shoe shops, jewelry, furs, tailors, cigar Frey among others. shops to men’s and women’s clothing stores, to support religious practice. Well sold an array of Judaica. Rabbi Manch also As an introduction to the rich you just had to walk down William Street known among these was Hazzan served as a rabbi at the Jefferson Street commercial activity along William Street, and you could find what you needed for your Singer’s book store and Rabbi Isaac Shul and his son, Dr. Joseph Manch, would this article is just a brief guide, and one home or yourself, including specialty stores Manch’s Religious Goods store which later rise to superintendent of the Buffalo that urgently needs images. There were School district. many other streets on the East Side that But as you might expect, food was often also featured independent Jewish stores, at the heart of this commercial vitality. including Spring Street, Broadway and Grocers, delis, bakeries, confectioners, East Genesee for which we have a few meat markets and more, could all be photographs, but William Street, the main found along the road, and it must have artery of Jewish commercial life is almost been wonderful to walk down the street completed limited to directory and ad following wafts of freshly baked bread and book listings. more! Less well known were a number of Over the next few months, some lodging places that also offered restaurant of the businesses in each of these services. In 1910, for example, at 11 neighborhoods and beyond will be William Street, Green’s Kosher Hotel and featured in articles and will include Restaurant offered “first class service and more extensive information available to Hungarian cooking,” according to its city explore on the Jewish Buffalo History directory listing. website (jewishbuffalohistory.org). Individual bakeries populated every Future articles will highlight block it seemed. In 1930, at 207 William manufacturing sectors and scrap Street, you could find Joseph Cohen’s businesses, some of which have Bakery, and Rosenblatt’s Bakery at expanded into modern day recycling and 266-270 William Street spanned three allied industries. We are interested in shopfronts. Much further down the street photographs, documents and memorabilia you could choose from the bakeries of and we can help with digitizing these Isadore Guttmann, Harry Ruddank and materials. This will enable us to tell a Joseph Stein. Got a sweet tooth? Then you variety of shopfront stories, and learn were in luck! Sam Epstein, Isaac Besser, more about the families that created and Max Weber and Nathan Kaplan each had ran them. SERVICE a shop in the 200 block alone, and at If you have images or other SERVICE BUILT ON INDEPENDENCE & TRUST either end of the street there were more material you’d like to share please Securities and advisory services O ered rough FSC Securities CorporationBUILT A Registered ON Broker/Dealer confectionaries choices from the shops visit the Jewish Buffalo History Member FINRA/SPIC and a registered investment advisor. Additional advisory services o ered through of Jacob Shumsky, Israel Feldman, Harry website (jewishbuffalohistory.org) or Mollot & Hardy, Inc. A registered investment advisor not aINDEPENDENCE liated with FSC Securities Corporation. Hoffman, Tillie Herman, John Michael contact Chana at Chana@ and Louis Sader. buffalojewishfederation.org. 646 N. French Road Suite #9, Amherst,& TRUST NY 14228-2125 But that was not all. William Street Chana Revell Kotzin, Ph.D. is the 716.691.7121 • www.mollot.com was also packed with delis that drew Coordinator of the Jewish Buffalo History loyal crowds. Do you remember Chasen’s, Center. 14 buffalojewishfederation.org | April 2021 JCRC COMMUNITY Forgiveness After Hate: A Conversation BY MARA KOVEN-GELMAN compelling. “I found myself carefully listening to the speakers’ comments. More than 130 people from Buffalo This is so relevant for what is going and around the country attended on today and I greatly appreciated the the Zoom event “Forgiveness after opportunity to participate.” Ann Marie Hate: A Conversation” in February. Carosella, HRC president said this The presenters – Pardeep Kaleka and program was not only uplifting, but will Arno Michaelis - were an unlikely hopefully fuel additional thought and pair; Pardeep’s father was one of the action. “I don’t think we can dismiss victims of the August 5, 2012 mass the power of the diverse audience the shooting at a Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) program engaged,” she added. Deborah in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Arno Goldman JCRC chair said an important is a former White Supremacist who long-lasting benefit of the program helped found and lead the hate group was strengthening relationships with Hammerskin Nation. The Temple community partners. While this was shooter was a follower of the group. just one event, she noted that it helped Two months after the Temple amplify the work of all the partners and shooting, Pardeep, his family, and Thomas Beauford Jr., president and of WNY, moderated the conversation. recommitted the JCRC to building a more community, were devastated and CEO of the Buffalo Urban League, “It was an extraordinary honor to be caring and civil community. searching for answers. He knew of introduced Pardeep and Arno during the a part of such a meaningful program. The virtual event was organized by Arno, who also lived in Milwaukee, and Buffalo event. Arno and Pardeep’s message of empathy the Holocaust Resource Center, the reached out to him. Arno’s extraordinary “The journey Arno took started at a and forgiveness inspired me. As an Jewish Community Relations Council transformation came about due to single very young age. It is important we speak educator, it was affirming to hear them and Buffalo Jewish Federation. It also parenthood, love for his daughter, and to youth about the hurt that hate can talk about the critical work of teaching had a strong group of partners dedicated the forgiveness shown by people he once bring. We need to nurture love within students how to express themselves, and to creating a more just, compassionate hated. One night they met in a restaurant them. Today you will hear about the to recognize their behavior is a form of world, including NAACP Buffalo Branch, – both nervous and both resilient. This uncertainty of being loved. The absence communication.” Buffalo Urban League, Anne Frank Project all helped to enable him to embrace of love can lead to hateful behavior.” Arno and Pardeep talked about of SUNY Buffalo, Network of Religious diversity and practice gratitude for all. Beauford emphasized the importance instilling self-worth in students and that Communities, National Federation for After long, deep discussions, the two of speaking out against hate, quoting Elie schools should focus on identity, purpose Just Communities, Academy for Human partnered to share their story primarily Wiesel, (z”l). “I swear never to be silent and belonging in their classrooms. Rights, and Sikhs of WNY. in Milwaukee and eventually the world. when human beings suffer humiliation. This resonated with Elizabeth Schram, For more information about Pardeep Later, Pardeep created Serve2Unite, and We must always take sides. Neutrality Holocaust Resource Center (HRC) and Arno’s book or work visit https:// been working locally and internationally helps the oppressor, never the victim. executive director: “I’ve always known www.giftofourwounds.com/serve2unite to build safe and inclusive communities. Silence encourages the tormentor, never that Social Emotional Health (SEL) was or contact Elizabeth Schram at Arno wrote My Life after Hate and the tormented.” important, but this answer just solidified [email protected]. co-authored with Pardeep – The Beatrice Singh Arnone, an educator why it’s so important,” she said. Mara Koven-Gelman is Director of Gift of Our Wounds - and works with and active member in the Network of Shelly Yellen, Jewish Federation the Jewish Community Relations Council Serve2Unite. Religious Communities and the Sikhs president also found their dialogue (JCRC).

JCRC Recognized by US Census Bureau Help Support Literacy Buffalo’s Jewish Commnity Relations Council (JCRC) received recognition for The Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY is inviting all community their efforts as a member of the Erie members to participate in El Dia Del Niño – Day of the Child. Please video County Complete Count Committee. yourself reading a book (in any language) to children (under age 12). Last year, JCRC chairs at the time, Deborah more than 100 videos were shared with children in the Hispanic community in Goldman and Nina Lukin, expressed an effort to encourage reading and literacy. This is a wonderful opportunity for their pride at the efforts to amplify the teens to read to younger children. message “You should participate in the 2020 Census because it’s easy, it’s When recording your video, please include this introduction: “In celebration protected, and it’s important!” of El Día del Niño/Day of the Child in WNY, I______would like to read the Note: 2020 Census data will determine following book, the Title is ______by author ______and I hope you the distribution of $1.5 trillion a year enjoy it!” in federal funding and congressional redistricting for the next 10 years. The Videos are being collected until April 25. Census Bureau officials hope to deliver state population totals to the Commerce Please contact [email protected]. with questions. Secretary by April 30. April 2021 | buffalojewishfederation.org 15 COMMUNITY COMMUNITY TIKKUN OLAM Kadimah Scholars at Park Thrive! You Can Do The Park School of Buffalo, a 5 THiNGS century-old independent progressive in April to Repair the World private school, where nearly a SPONSORED BY quarter of the students are Jewish, Did you know that genetic testing and results are protected has demonstrated resilience and information? innovation throughout the pandemic. The Law Ofﬁ ce of LINDY KORN Many of them are in the Kadimah 716-856-5676  LKORN-LAW.COM Scholars program, which combines a Jewish day school education – Hebrew Join 2 virtual Community Yom Hashoah Commemorations this and Judaic Studies – with the broad- based curriculum and diverse student year: April 6 @ 2:00 p.m. Features photos of the Lodz Ghetto. Register » at bit.ly/HolocaustPhotography. Buffalo’s Community Candle lighting population of Park. And with the 1 exception of a handful, all of the and Talk by Jim Klein, son of Survivor Gerda Klein April 11@ 11:00 a.m. students have been learning in-person, Register at bit.ly/BuffaloYomHaShoah2021. five days a week, since September, taking advantage of Park’s 32-acre campus and Made in Buffalo is back virtually April 25 at 7:30 p.m. on your TV 10 buildings to receive a safe and socially Jewish delis, Yiddish theatre, and Jewish »starring Buffalo native Cheryl Stern and an all-star cast. Free tickets distanced education. women laborers in the “sweat shops” of 2 and swag bag. Registration a must at www.madeinbflo.org Kadimah’s teachers and students at the textile industry. They even learned Park aren’t missing a beat with their to make pickles. Families in WNY are hungry and there are still food scarcities during regular Hebrew and Judaic Studies Students also learned about the this difficult time. You can help by donating to Feedmore WNY, classes – which usually start with Israeli elections held in March through » 3 which nor encompasses Meals on Wheels and the Food Bank. Go to Hatikvah and short prayers. But they’re a Jerusalem-based educational program, feedmorewny.org to donate online, volunteer or learn more. also enjoying special events. in conjunction with the Congregation Kadimah Scholars celebrated Purim Shir Shalom-Gesher Religious School. Summer camp is calling the Kids! Federation is able to provide with costumes, masks and hamentaschen, And Kadimah Scholars also prepared need-blind grants of up to $1000 to Jewish families with children while exchanging shalach manot. They for Passover, although the celebration attending nonprofit Jewish overnight camp for the first time for a re-learned the story and meaning of the was different this year because of » minimum of 12 consecutive days. Families can find camps and apply holiday, while taking the opportunity COVID-19 limitations on gatherings. 4 to teach it to their non-Jewish friends, Instead of the traditional model seders for grants by visiting https://buffalojewishfederation.org/camper- classmates and teachers–who eagerly – an annual highlight of the school year incentive-grants/. soaked up the knowledge. Michael for both students and parents – a special Keren, a second-grader, even announced video for the holiday, featuring each Join Women’s Philanthropy and donate a Dignity Tote of the holiday over Park’s public-address grade picking up a different theme, was feminine hygiene products to a needy Buffalo neighbor. Totes are system school-wide, while Park wished created. »$10, and each tote will be matched by an anonymous donor. Go its Jewish community a “Chag Sameach” And the teachers are planning for this 5 to the Buffalo Chapter website at bit.ly/DIGNITYGROWSBFLO to on Facebook and Instagram. month’s Yom Hashoah, Yom HaZikaron donate. For more information or to volunteer, contact Stacey@ “There was a lot going on,” said and Yom Ha’Atzmaut, including a buffalojewishfederation.org or [email protected]. Hebrew teacher Michal Shmuel-Lewis. collaborative video recording of Tenth-grade Kadimah Scholars also students performing “Zeh Katan Aleinu,” studied the Great Migration from 1885- a new hit song in Israel that was recently 1909, and the settlement of Jews in performed by Israeli pop singers. the tenement houses of the Lower East “It’s been a crazy year, but we’re trying WHERE IN JBFLO ? Side of Manhattan. They learned about to do our best,” Lewis said. Where is this found in Jewish Buffalo? The first 5 people to correctly WOMEN’SWEALTH identify the location will be mentioned in next month’s Jewish WOMEN’SWEALTH Journal because the JCC’s Buffalo ADVOCATE Kosher Gourmet at the Myers Family Tel Aviv Café is closed due to ADVOCATELeading women to COVID-19. Leading womenFINANCIALLeading to FINANCIAL women FREEDOM FREEDOMtousing Last month, Linda Pollack and Cheryl usingour our unique unique holistic approach. approach. Tobias (who also identified February’s FINANCIAL FREEDOM using photo of the Ron Raskin Playground at AdrienneAddrienne has has a a hehe♥ rt for women who who are are widowed widowed the JCC) identified the Monument to those ouroror going going unique through through adivorce; divorce;holistic she she has has beenapproach been there there too. too.. Jews from Sokolivka who died in the 1918 Adrienne has a he♥rt for women who are widowed ADRIENNEGRACE.COM •• 817-6425 Pogroms. 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COMMUNITY Mindfulness Class at the JCC Join Yonina Andrea Foster as she facilitates a new class beginning April 8 through the Jewish Community Center’s New Horizons Adult Series. This will be a Mindfulness Class that invites participants to see themselves as, “tall and flourishing, still fruitful in old age,” as were the date palms growing in the courtyard of the Holy Temple of ancient days. This is the bigger challenge to Everett Bennett believe as our bodies-minds-spirits change shape and abilities once taken for Manager granted now challenge us.

The class will incorporate Premier Car Care | 1171 Niagara Falls Blvd. | Amherst, New York 14226 activities from Reb Zalman Phone: (716) 837-4000 | Fax: (716) 362-0733 | www.premiercarcarewny.com Schachter-Shalomi’s (z”l) work on “Age-ing to Sage-ing,” song, chant, and creative opportunities. Participants will reflect on individual and shared life experiences, to bring into their lives greater ease, forgiveness, laughter, and peace, no matter how far your date palm leans. Classes will meet virtually, on Zoom, beginning April 8, and run ESTHETICS ⋅ FACIALS ⋅ MICRONEEDLING MICRODERMABRASION ⋅ LASH LIFT & TINTING every other Thursday, from 1:00- WAXING CENTER 2:00 p.m., through Thursday, June PERMANENT MAKEUP ⋅ COSMETIC TATTOOING ⋅ 3D 17. The class is open to everyone. AREOLA/NIPPLE ⋅ SCAR CAMOUFLAGE ⋅ TATTOO SCALP MICRO-PIGMENTATION CLINIC Registration is required and can be done on the JCC website at www.jccbuffalo.org. 5823 Main St., Williamsville, NY ⋅ (716) 601-5498 Please contact Katie Wzontek with questions at [email protected]. dermatechllc.com ⋅ [email protected]

April 2021 | buffalojewishfederation.org 17 COMMUNITY RABBI’S COLUMN The Children Are Our Future Hillel of Buffalo Creates BY RABBI SHMARYAHU CHARITONOW Service Opportunities Through We are currently celebrating the “Serve The Moment” Initiative Holiday of Passover, which marks the redemption from our slavery in BY MACIE CLAWSON Egypt. The Torah teaches us that the Hillel of Buffalo is proud to roll out purpose for which Hashem redeemed the “Serve the Moment” campaign in us from Egypt was for the Jewish partnership with Repair the World. This people to receive the Torah on Mount initiative through Hillel International Sinai. helps students connect to service Beginning from the 2nd night of projects that benefit communities Passover we start counting 49 days until which are disproportionately affected by we finally reach the Holiday of Shavuot, COVID-19. Participating Hillels choose the giving of the Torah. These days of an intern who will engage 25 students counting come as a preparation, as well while completing 10 acts of service over as to show our eagerness to receive our the course of the spring semester. Hillel precious gift from Hashem, the Torah. of Buffalo has hired Hannah Nemerever, We find a common message that a sophomore geography major from we can learn from both of these Rabbi Shmaryahu Charitonow Carmel, NY, as the “Serve the Moment” holidays. The verse states: “Vehigadita intern. Hannah Nemerever Levincha” - “You shall tell your son.” of who we will be. Therefore, we must Hannah’s first act of service was Almost immediately as we begin the make every effort to provide our children focused locally on college students, to the assistance that Hillel students can Passover Seder, the children ask the Four with a solid Jewish education instilling who have faced immense mental health provide with this complicated process. Questions, opening up an opportunity in them the proper morals and values challenges during COVID-19. To boost “Asking an elderly person to navigate a for us fulfill this commandment. that the Torah teaches us. their spirits, Hannah partnered with a webpage can be challenging, especially Furthermore, this commandment is In addition to teaching our own residence advisor on Valentine’s Day to if the link doesn’t directly navigate you emphasized throughout the entire theme children, the Torah instructs us to be tape more than 150 flyers that read “You to the only page you need to visit.” This of the Seder by conducting ourselves a light upon the nations of the world. are loved” onto dorm room doors. On program was conceived of and launched with non-ordinary customs in order to Here too we can encourage them, as the reverse side of the flyers, there were as a partnership between the George initiate questions from the children. well, to teach their children to lead their resources from Jewish Family Services Washington University Hillel and the When it comes to the holiday of lives by the guidelines of the 7 G-d given and UB Counseling services for students Edlavitch D.C. Jewish Community Center, Shavuos, we once again notice that universal laws of Noah. to choose from. “It was nice seeing which to date has helped over 900 there is a big emphasis on the children. It is our hope, that just as Hashem people in the hallway get excited over individuals get registered for the vaccine. Hashem was searching for a guarantor released our ancestors from the bondage the decorations on the door,” Hannah Looking to the spring, future “Serve before entrusting us with his precious of Egypt, so too, speedily in our days, he reflected. “People were laughing and the Moment” service opportunities will gift, and the only one that he was willing should immediately redeem us from our happy to see it.” be aimed at environmentalism and aiding to accept as his guarantor, was the current exile by sending us the righteous “Serve the Moment’s” newest initiative the homeless population in Buffalo. children. Moshiach. Have a Kosher and Happy partners with JFS to match student Interested students should email Hannah The message of both Passover and Passover! volunteers with individuals in the Nemerever at [email protected] Shavuos is clear: we must focus all of Rabbi Charitonow is rabbi of the community who need help signing up for or me, Hillel Innovation Fellow, Macie our energy on investing in the next Chabad Knesset Center a vaccine. JFS’s Matt Stewart, who serves Clawson at [email protected]. generation. Our children are both the as the agency’s Manager of the Jewish Macie Clawson is Hillel of Buffalo’s foundation of who we are and the future Community Care Program, looks forward Springboard Innovation Specialist.

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18 buffalojewishfederation.org | April 2021 COMMUNITY The Grinspoon Foundation LIFE & LEGACY ® Program comes to Buffalo

Foundation and the Federation to enhance a culture of legacy giving in Buffalo and Western New York,” said Arlene D. Schiff, National Director of the LIFE & LEGACY® program. “The time is right and Buffalo is right! This legacy program will make the most of the generational transfer of wealth, change the language and landscape of giving and provide generous and forward- The Foundation for Jewish thinking members of the Buffalo Jewish Philanthropies, in partnership community with the opportunity to with the Buffalo Jewish Federation, Alison Keane Irv Levy Rob Goldberg express their passion, purpose and has been selected to join 69 other commitment to their most valued Jewish communities across North America first workshop, leadership from the Future generations will benefit from the organizations.” participating in a national Jewish agencies and synagogues will be invited legacies we are creating and the seeds LIFE & LEGACY® is an initiative of legacy giving program that, to to apply for participation in the full that we are planting. I can’t think of a HGF, which is investing $30 million date, has secured more than 30,000 four-year program. Each participating better alignment with Jewish values.” dollars over a ten-year period, to permanently endowed commitments organization must be able to dedicate “Federation’s focus on supporting preserve vibrant Jewish life for future for the greater Jewish community the efforts of their professional staff and and investing in our partner agencies generations by ensuring the long-term with an estimated value of more than a team of 4-6 volunteer leaders who will and synagogues to ensure a secure and financial health of Jewish community ONE BILLION DOLLARS. be trained and actively engaged in the sustainable future is central to our organizations in cities across North Through LIFE & LEGACY®, the legacy development program. mission,” added Rob Goldberg, CEO America, including Buffalo. Foundation and the Federation will “This is an amazing program, and of the Buffalo Jewish Federation. Our “Providing Jewish communities with partner with the Harold Grinspoon a tremendous opportunity for our professional and volunteer team could proven tools and training to help them Foundation (HGF) to launch a legacy community. We do not have to reinvent not be more excited to work with Irv secure their long-term financial goals giving initiative for Jewish Buffalo. As a the wheel as our partners at the Levy and the Foundation in bringing is absolutely vital. Through the LIFE part of the collaboration, the Foundation Grinspoon Foundation have done this these valuable resources to Jewish & LEGACY® program, I’m hopeful and Federation will partner with local in 69 other communities and with great Buffalo.” that we will be able to help sustain Jewish agencies and synagogues in success,” said Alison Keane, Chair of the As a participant in LIFE & LEGACY®, vibrant communities that allow future a four-year program that provides Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies the Foundation will receive logistical generations to enjoy our rich Jewish coaching, training and incentive grants Development Committee. “Buffalo has and financial support from the Harold culture and heritage,” said Harold to ensure that legacy giving becomes an very similar demographics as some of Grinspoon Foundation to provide our Grinspoon, the founder of HGF. integral part of the philanthropic culture the other Grinspoon communities and local Jewish organizations with the For more information about the LIFE of our Jewish community. they have proven that success is within opportunity to receive training and & LEGACY® program, please contact The initial year of the program our reach, “she continued. “We will learn unrestricted incentive grants. Irv Levy, Executive Director for the will include five workshops with the from other Jewish Communities across “The Harold Grinspoon Foundation Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies at first one, Why Legacy? Why Now?, our nation, uniting with others of similar is very excited to be partnering with [email protected] or 716- being presented in April. After the values in something larger than today. the Buffalo Jewish community, the 204-1133.

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April 2021 | buffalojewishfederation.org 19 COMMUNITY Buffalo Native Clinton Bailey Kicks Off Buffalo International Jewish Film Festival BY RICK KOLLINS

For the second year in a row, the Buffalo International Jewish Film Festival will be a virtual event with each of 13 films available online for 72 hours as well as special events related to a number of the films. Viewers will be able to purchase access to individual films, a flex pass for six films and an all-access pass for the entire lineup. This year’s Festival lineup includes seven dramas and six documentaries, representing the U.S., Israel, France, Germany, Italy and Norway. Complete information is available on the Festival web site at bijff.com, including the full schedule, film synopses, trailers, ticket prices, and instructions for streaming the films and special events. The Buffalo Angle A special prelude to this year’s Buffalo International Jewish Film Festival will have a Western New York connection with Buffalo native and Middle East scholar Clinton Bailey featured in an acclaimed documentary about David Ben-Gurion. The film will be available online from April 10-13, and Clinton will be a guest on a follow-up Zoom teleconference at 4 p.m. on April 13, the day before Israel’s served in the US Navy before making Independence Day, Yom Ha’atzmaut. Aliyah to Israel in 1958. Born Irwin Glaser, The film Ben-Gurion Epilogue explores Israel’s first prime minister as both a Bailey changed his name when he moved person and a politician through a previously lost interview conducted by Bailey to Israel. He selected the name “Clinton in 1968, five years after Ben-Gurion retired and one year after the Six Day War. Bailey” from the intersection where his The interview was intended to be part father operated a service station. It’s now of a British documentary, but the project the location of the Clinton Bailey Farmers SPECIAL EVENTS was never completed and the interview Market. forgotten until a few years ago. Bailey admits he hadn’t given Israel Tuesday, April 13 The current film, released in 2017, original interview ran for six hours, much thought until he spent time at provides an insight into Ben-Gurion’s but has been edited for “Epilogue.” an Ulpan summer camp in Upstate New 4:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. thoughts about a variety of topics, After the original British project fell York in 1957, an experience that gave Tuesday Talkback: Ben-Gurion including German reparations after apart, the interview video minus the him “a new focus on life”. The following Epilogue with Dr. Clinton Bailey World War II, the failure to forge a audio was lost until rediscovered a year, he enrolled at Hebrew University to lasting peace in the Middle East, few years ago in the Steven Spielberg study Middle Eastern history and Islamic Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Jewish Film Archive in Jerusalem. culture and learned Arabic while living Thursday, April 22 and developing religious and cultural The soundtrack was subsequently in a Palestinian village in the Galilee. 8:30 p.m. -10:00 p.m. divisions within Israeli society. With retrieved from the Ben-Gurion He then earned a PhD. from Columbia Kick-Off Event the passage of time, the interview also Archives in the Negev and spliced before returning to Israel permanently and at the Transit Drive-In demonstrates Ben-Gurion’s prophetic back together with the video in the concentrating his research on the history The Samuel Project wisdom in identifying issues that have production of “Epilogue.” and culture of the Bedouins. “I became challenged Israel for more than half a Although Bailey had long interested in Bedouin history and culture century. forgotten about the original after I met Bedouins while jogging,” he Tuesday, April 27 Bailey met Ben-Gurion by chance in interview, he is very pleased with said. “This is a culture that goes back 1500 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. January, 1967 when Bailey was 31 and the recent film by Israeli producer/ to 2000 years before the Bible, and has Ben-Gurion 82. “I was walking back from director Yariv Mozer. “I wanted the its roots among the nomadic tribes that Tuesday Talkback: The Passengers a job interview when I accidentally met interview to show Ben-Gurion’s produced the Jewish people.” with Director Ryan Porush Ben-Gurion’s wife Paula near their house persona, character and outlook on Bailey, now 84 and living in Jerusalem, in Kibbutz Sde Boker,” Bailey explained. life, and I believe this film achieves has written four books on the Bedouins, “She invited me in for tea and the next that,” Bailey said. “He was a very the most recent, Bedouin Culture in the Tuesday, May 4 day I met Ben-Gurion.” Thereafter, modest and pragmatic man, and Bible, traces the parallels between Bedouin 7:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. Bailey and Ben-Gurion would often take his whole life was dedicated to the history and culture and those of the Tuesday Talkback: Shared Legacies walks together and discuss the major cause of Israel.” ancient Hebrews. He has also served as an panel discussion issues of the day. “He wasn’t into small Bailey grew up in the Humboldt advocate for the Bedouins and an advisor talk,” Bailey said. “If I asked a question, Parkway area and attended PS to the Israeli government on Arab issues. he’d answer.” 74 (now Hamlin Park Academy) In 1994, he was presented with the Emil Tuesday, May 11 When a British film company and Temple Beth David (now the Grunzweig Human Rights Award for “his embarked on producing a documentary Faith Missionary Baptist Church). extensive range of activities and many 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. about Ben-Gurion, the former Prime After completing his high school years of work to preserve the dignity, uplift Tuesday Talkback: An Irrepressible Minister requested that his friend education at Nichols School, he the spirit, and help the members of Israel’s Woman with Eileen Angelini Clinton Bailey be the interviewer. The attended several universities and Bedouin tribes to realize their rights.”

20 buffalojewishfederation.org | April 2021 COMMUNITY

Drive-In Kick-Off April 22 2021 FILM FESTIVAL SCHEDULE Exquisite Potential Virtually from the JRT April 10 – May 14, 2021 ww.bijff.com The Jewish Repertory Theatre Stephen Kaplan has been writing presents a filmed staged reading of plays since age 15 and has numerous Saturday, April 10 6:00 p.m. – Exquisite Potential by Stephen Kaplan, awards, commissions and productions The Samuel Project Tuesday, April 13 6:00 p.m. available for digital download, April including: Southeast Texas Festival The Festival will host a, kick-off event Ben-Gurion Epilogue 8-28, 2021. This is fifth selection of New Plays, NJ Playwrights Contest featuring The Samuel Project at the Transit in a series of Five Staged Readings, and B Street New Comedies Festival Drive-In Thursday, April 22, 8:30 p.m. An Saturday, April 24 6:00 p.m. – performed on the JRT stage and seen, among many more. He is a member ideal film for parents and grandparents through the magic of video, wherever of the Dramatists Guild and serves as Tuesday, April 27 6:00 p.m. to share with children, The Samuel Project audiences choose to enjoy. Northeastern Regional Representative stars Hal Linden as Samuel, a grandfather The Passengers for the DG National Council. reconnecting with his grandson when he is The Samuel Project Exquisite Potential is directed by Adam made the subject of a high school project. Yellen and stars Brittany Bassett, Jordan Eli (Ryan Ochoa) discovers that his grandpa, Tuesday, April 27 6:00 p.m. – Levin, David Lundy, and Ricky Needham. a Jewish dry cleaner, was heroically saved Friday, April 30 6:00 p.m. Kellin Higgins is Stage Manager, Adam from Nazi capture in Germany. After some Syndrome K Yellen and Steve Vaughan are Set hesitation, Samuel agrees to tell his story Sublet Designers, and Nick Quinn is designing for the project—a story he hasn’t told in both Sound and Lighting for the more than 75 years. Saturday, May 1 6:00 p.m. – production. Exquisite Potential will be filmed and edited by Full Circle Studios, Tuesday, May 4 6:00 p.m. More Film Talkback Nights and Closed Captioning options are being Shared Legacies produced by Leah Barron at All Inclusive Starry Sky Over A Roman Productions, LLC. Ghetto The Jewish Repertory Theatre of Western New York is a program of the Tuesday, May 4 6:00 p.m. – JCC of Greater Buffalo. Unique links to Friday, May 7 6:00 p.m. the online video performances will be The Last Supper sent to subscribers and ticket holders Aulcie shortly before “opening nights.” Tickets: $20/household. Shared Legacies All productions will be professionally Saturday, May 8 6:00 p.m. – Playwright Stephen Kaplan In addition to the Clinton Bailey produced and video recorded in The “Talkback”, there will be Tuesday Tuesday, May 11 6:00 p.m. All parents think their children are Maxine and Robert Seller Theatre, Talkbacks related to three other films. An Irrepressible Woman brilliant. Alan Zuckerman just happens JCC Benderson Family Building at Producer/director Ryan Porush will be Bukra Fil Mish-Mish to think his 3-year-old son, David, is the 2640 North Forest Road, Amherst, NY. guest on the April 27 Talkback to discuss Messiah. Thirty years ago, Alan and his For more information on JRT, The Passengers, his documentary about the Tuesday, May 11 6:00 p.m. – wife, Laura, visited their rabbi to verify productions, dates and tickets, quest of the remaining Ethiopian Jews to Friday, May 14 6:00 p.m. David’s possible divine nature. Thirty visit www.jewishrepertorytheatre. immigrate to Israel. The May 4 Talkback The Crossing years later, everyone older and wiser, it com. Tickets also at JRT Box Office: for Shared Legacies, a documentary Incitement appears that dad might have been onto 716-650-7626. exploring the bond between Jewish and something. African-American activists during the civil Multiple options for tickets are rights movement, will feature a panel of available including single tickets, leaders from Buffalo’s Jewish and African- flex passes or all access passes. American communities. KENMORE EYE CARE and AMHERST EYE CARE Eileen Angelini, Associate Dean of Film synopses, trailers, ticket Graduate Studies at SUNY Empire State prices and streaming instructions Dr. David Burstein Dr. Sandra Segerson College and former Chair of Modern | available at www.bijff.com. Optometrist Optometrist Languages, Literature and Cultures at Canisius College, will lead a discussion • Comprehensive Eye Exams on May 11 about the plight of French Jews For more information about • Specially Trained in Treating Eye Diseases during the Holocaust in connection with the BIJFF, visit bijff.com An Irrepressible Woman, the dramatic love • Contact Lens Specialist story of French Prime Minister Leon Blum or contact Katie Wzontek at • Fashion Eyewear and Janot Reichenbach, who were married [email protected]. during their internment in the Buchenwald Visit our newly expanded Amherst location! concentration camp during World War II. Rick Kollins is a member of the Film Festival KENMORE EYE CARE AMHERST EYE CARE All three talkbacks will run from 7 to 8 p.m. Committee 924 Kenmore Ave., Buffalo, NY 606 N. French Rd., Suite 7 & 8, Amherst, NY (716) 876-2020 (716) 688-8127

April 2021 | buffalojewishfederation.org 21 COMMUNITY Hadassah Is Happening! BY PHYLLIS STEINBERG

The Buffalo Hadassah Chapter has recently become part of the Northern New England Region, which extends all the way to Boston and beyond. As members, during the week before Purim, the Chapter participated in the first virtual Shabbat Zachor that celebrated 109 years since the founding of the Hadassah organization. Our chapter had more participation than any other city in the region on the Zoom, and included programs scheduled with Kehillat Ohr Tzion, Temple Beth Tzedek, Congregation Shir Shalom and Hillel of Buffalo. In collaboration with the JCC, a special cultural program was held during March with the directors of the Ujima Theatre, members have been participating who discussed the history and the work even when they’re in Arizona or of this multicultural theatre company. Florida. Interesting events are being planned for the For more information on how to spring, including a virtual art auction and a join either of these groups, email celebration of Buffalo Jewish veterans. [email protected]. All Hadassah meetings continue to be For more information on programs held virtually, and there are many programs. email [email protected] or Book Club and Pray Tell meet regularly and [email protected].

22 buffalojewishfederation.org | April 2021 COMMUNITY Temple Beth Tzedek Explores the Changing World

As part of a synagogue-wide initiative, Temple Beth Tzedek is launching a series with experts to help understand dramatic ways in which the world is changing. The April speakers will be:

• Jonathan D. Epstein, Business Reporter, The Buffalo News, on “The Media is Changing” April 1 at 8:00 p.m.

• Mark Waldman, AIPAC National Director of Outreach, and Jacob Scheiner, AIPAC Upstate New York Director on “Israel’s Neighborhood is Changing” April 15 at 8:00 p.m.

Jonathan D. Epstein

You can register for these Zoom events by emailing [email protected]. The presentations are free, with donations appreciated. Visit www. btzbuffalo.org to learn more about additional presentations on our changing climate and Jewish communities in May, as well as a range of ongoing classes and opportunities curated by Jacob Scheiner TBT’s recently formed Program Committee.

April 2021 | buffalojewishfederation.org 23 COMMUNITY KOT Rocked Purim! CBA to Host Kabbalat Shabbat Kehillat Ohr Tzion celebrated Purim together with Neshama Carlebach April 23 at the Clearfield Recreation Center. The idea of Purim and the month of Adar bringing joy and happiness certainly was evident throughout the evening. The adults’ eyes lit up on their masked faces as they watched all the children dressed up in costumes who were so delighted to be part of the festivities. As is the custom at KOT, everyone brought pasta boxes to be used as their groggers, which were then donated to a local food pantry.

Neshama Carlebach, internationally renowned and award- winning performer of Jewish and spiritually inspired music, will be joining forces with Congregation Beth Abraham, Congregation Havurah and Hospice Buffalo in conducting Kabbalat Shabbat services, April 23 at 6:30 p.m. This program is made possible through a grant from Buffalo Jewish Federation. The service, hosted by Congregation Beth Abraham on Zoom, will include participation by Cantor Irwin Gelman and Marty Kerker (CBA), Virtual classes led by Rabbi Ori Bergman continue Susan Goldberg Schwartz (Havurah) and Rabbi Adam Scheldt of Hospice throughout the week, but Shabbat morning services Buffalo. The entire Buffalo Jewish Community is invited to join in are now in person as long as you sign up first and this live, interactive event. Please go to the CBA website at www. follow CDC guidelines. More in-person opportunities congregationbethabraham.net to register and receive the Zoom link. will be coming this spring. Thanks to the Buffalo Jewish Federation for their support in what For more information on available classes and promises to be a truly inspirational program, one that lives up to the very services, email [email protected]. name of our esteemed guest. SUBSCRIBE TODAY

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24 buffalojewishfederation.org | April 2021 FOOD COMMUNITY Chocolate Ganache Torte BY JESSICA MEYERS ALTMAN DINING GUIDE Enjoy the last few days of Passover with a Chocolate Ganache Torte. It is AMAZING! Warning-it’s very rich, velvety, and sinful (well, not as sinful as your normal ganache). This torte is made with a whole food raw sweetener-dates, and raw cacao powder. If you’d like to make this completely free of any processing, omit the agave, and use maple syrup or additional date paste (fully raw). ... Date paste is a whole food sweetener that is rich in vitamins and fiber, unlike most Luscious sweeteners. It’s very easy to make and leftovers can be placed into a freezer safe container by Lori to be used in place of sugar in recipes. It will not be as sweet as a traditional sugar, but as you lessen your intake of refined sugars, you will like them less and less, and your sense of taste will become more sensitive when you do eat sugar. Dates are rich in potassium, WEEKLY WEDNESDAY TAKEOUT which helps to regulate kidney and nervous function, as well as regulating heart rate. They Jewish Federation Apartments, 275 Essjay Road, Williamsville are also rich in plant-based iron, a form better absorbed and tolerated by the body than Menu Changes Weekly including Indian, Thai, Chinese, Greek, animal sources. They are rich in magnesium and manganese which helps them to boost Stu ed Cabbage, Chicken Schnitzel, Shepard’s Pie, Brisket bone health and prevent osteoporosis. Because they are high in fiber, they are also great for Soups: Butternut Squash, Chicken, Brisket, Red Lentil, Pasta Fagioli, Veggie Chili, Minestrone digestive health and help to regulate blood sugar spikes, unlike other forms of sweeteners. Cacao is the raw, pure form of chocolate. You can find raw cacao powder in grocery Follow on Facebook for Weekly Curbside Pickup Menu All Meals Certiﬁ ed stores, food co-ops, and on Amazon. I use the Nativa brand. Since it’s unadulterated, it has www.facebook.com/koshercateringbu alo Kosher by kept it’s nutritional benefits in tact. Cacao is rich in flavanols, which are chemicals that Va’ad Hakashrus Looking to make that SOMEONE feel SPECIAL? of Bu alo help to detoxify the body and may boost memory and heart health, preventing conditions How about a delicious meal delivered to their home! like Alzheimer’s and forms of cancer (Source:http://www.livestrong.com/article/522112- Check out our website for menu suggestion www.lusciousbylori.com health-benefits-of-raw-cacao-nibs/) This recipe is from www.rouxbe.com, the organization I received my plant-based cooking certification from, with a modification in the amount of chipotle powder in the crust. You may find its addition to be odd, but it bring out the flavors in the chocolate with a little kick. I suggest keeping it in the recipe, however, you can drop it to 1/8 tsp if you don’t like bold flavors. This is a great do-ahead dessert, as it’s best kept frozen.

INGREDIENTS Crust 1½ cup raw pecans 3 tbsp raw sugar ½ tsp sea salt Enjoy Eagle House Favorites ½ tbsp cinnamon ¼ tsp chipotle powder In person dining • Curbside Carry Out • Delivery thru Takeout Taxi Filling: www.eaglehouseonline.com Private rooms available for ½ cup almond butter 1½ tbsp tamari or gluten free 716.632.7669 Groups or famiiles 5-30 guests ½ cup date paste* soy sauce ¼ cup maple syrup 1 cup raw cacao powder 4 tbsp coconut butter (or increase the 1 tsp vanilla almond butter another ¼ cup) ½ cup filtered water Assorted Cuts of INSTRUCTIONS Date paste: Soak 1 cup dates in warm water for about 10 minutes. Place dates Glatt Kosher Meat into a blender, saving their soaking liquid. Add a little of the reserved soaking liquid, and turn on blender, add just enough water to get the dates to turn into a & Poultry thick paste. This is a great alternative sweetener. Dates are a low glycemic whole Best Selection in Western New York food sweetener and can be used in place of sugar.

Crust: place all ingredients into a food processor until blended, similar in Nissan Berg texture to a graham cracker crust. Smoosh into a 9-11" fluted tart pan, with Tops · 3980 Maple Road Amherst removable bottom. Place ganache filling ingredients into a blender, and puree Glatt Kosher Meats · 2,000 Kosher Grocery Items until smooth. Pour filling into tart crust and place into freezer for at least 1 hour Kosher Catering · Party Platters · Delivery Service to set. Remove from pan to serve. Serve paired with a tart sorbet, like clementine or cherry, or on its own. You don’t need large pieces to feel the love from this Mon - Th 10 - 7 | Fri 9 - 2 | Sun 9 - 3 dessert. Store leftovers sealed well in the freezer. It will last for several weeks. www.buffalokosher.com 716-515-0075

April 2021 | buffalojewishfederation.org 25 COMMUNITY Pandemic Purim 2021! Purim is still Purim, and our Jewish Community found ways to celebrate this festive holiday despite COVID restrictions. Here are photos of a Drive-Thru Purim celebration with Federation, Temple Beth Zion, Congregation Shir Shalom and Temple Beth Tzedek; and the JCC, Kadimah Scholars at Park, Kehillat Ohr Tzion and the JDC festivities.

26 buffalojewishfederation.org | April 2021 K I D S & C A M P

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April 2021 | buffalojewishfederation.org 27 SYNAGOGUES ORGANIZATIONS Jewish Community Organizations Discrimination in Western New York

Buffalo Jewish Federation Holocaust Resource Center and Retaliation. 2640 North Forest Road 2640 North Forest Road Getzville, NY 14068 Getzville, NY 14068 716-204-2241 716-634-9535 buffalojewishfederation.org hrcbuffalo.org Rob Goldberg - CEO & Executive Director Elizabeth Schram - Director Do you think you are a target Shelly Yellen - President Ann Marie Carosella - President of disability discrimination? Buffalo Vaad of Kashrus Jewish Community Center 49 Barberry Lane of Greater Buffalo, Inc. Williamsville, NY 14221 Benderson Family Building If so, talk to us. 716-534-0230 2640 North Forest Road bvkkosher.com Getzville, NY 14068 [email protected], [email protected] 716-688-4033 Rabbi Eliezer Marcus - Rabbinic Administrator jccbuffalo.org Michael Paskowitz - President Mike Rawl - Executive Director Alon Kupferman - President Center for Jewish The Law Ofﬁ ce of LINDY KORN Engagement & Learning Holland Family Building 2640 North Forest Road 787 Delaware Avenue Getzville, NY 14068 Buffalo, NY 14209 buffalojewishfederation.org 716-886-3145 Miriam Abramovich - Chief Experience Officer jccbuffalo.org 856-KORN Sheri Rodman - Chair Jewish Community Relations Council (856-5676) Chabad House of Buffalo 2640 North Forest Road 2450 North Forest Road Getzville, NY 14068 Getzville, NY 14068 ELECTRIC TOWER buffalojewishfederation.org 716-688-1642 535 Washington Street, 9th Floor | Buffalo, NY 14203 Mara Koven-Gelman - Director chabadbuffalo.com Deborah Goldman - Chair Rabbi Moshe Gurary Lindy Korn, Esq [email protected]  LKORN-LAW.COM Attorney & Mediator Jewish Discovery Center Chai Early Childhood Center 757 Hopkins Road 757 Hopkins Road Williamsville, NY 14221 Williamsville, NY 14221 831 Maple Road 716 580-4600 Williamsville, NY 14221 (office) chainursery.com Rent assisted apartments for seniors & mobility-impaired adults 716-639-7600, 716-632-0467 Chani Labkovski - Director jewishdiscovery.org Rabbi Heschel Greenberg Department of Jewish Thought Rabbi Laizer Labkovski Jewish 712 Clemens Hall - University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY 14260 716-645-3695 Jewish Family Services Of Western New York 70 Barker Street Federation [email protected] jewishstudies.buffalo.edu Buffalo, NY 14209 Dr. Sergey Dolgopolski - Chair 716-883-1914 Apartments jfsbuffalo.org Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies Molly Short Carr - CEO 2640 North Forest Road Blaine Schwartz - Chair Getzville, NY 14068 Jewish Federation Apartments Watch your favorite shows with your 716-204-1133 jewishphilanthropies.org 275 Essjay Road new friends on our big screen TV! Irv Levy - Executive Director Williamsville, NY 14221 Jonathan Schechter - President 716-631-8471 New Kitchen Renovations jewishfederationapartments.org Hadassah Kathleen Haggerty - Property Manager Great room • Media room • Wiﬁ • Fitness center 2640 North Forest Road Data center • Beauty salon • Laundry facilities Getzville, NY 14068 Jewish Federation Cemetery Full time social worker • Activities • Transportation 716-688-5260 Corporation, Inc. 2640 North Forest Road 24 hour emergency maintenance • Two elevators • Library [email protected] Elaine Kellick and Annette Magid - Getzville, NY 14068 Computer room • Pool table • Emergency medical call Co-Presidents 716-204-2246 system • Chapel • Card room • Large screen tv jfedbflo.com Hebrew Benevolent Loan Association Deborah Pivarsi - Director 2640 North Forest Road in FJP offices Charlotte Gendler - President Open to all religious denominations Getzville, NY 14068 716-204-0542 Kadimah Jewish Federation Apartments Judith Katzenelson Brownstein - President kadimah.org Reneé Lehner - Administrator 275 Essjay Road Hillel of Buffalo Hallie Keren - Board Chair Williamsville, NY 14221 Campus Center of Jewish Life 520 Lee Entrance/UB Commons Kosher Meals on Wheels Suite #101B 757 Hopkins Road For application information please call W. Amherst, NY 14228 Williamsville, NY 14221 716-616-0083 716-639-7600 716-631-8471 TTY/TDD #711 hillelofbuffalo.org koshermow.com *Jewish Federation Apartments does not discriminate on the basis of handicapped status in the Rabbi Sara Rich - Director Rabbi Laizer Labkovski - Director admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its federally assisted program and activities. Dr. Jeffrey Lackner - President Jeffery Pasler – President

28 buffalojewishfederation.org | April 2021 Ohr Temimim School Knesset Center (Orthodox) 411 John James Audubon Parkway 500 Starin Avenue W. Amherst, NY 14228 Buffalo, NY 14214 716-568-0226 716-832-5063 ohrtemimimschool.com chabadbuffalo.com Rabbi Shmuel Shanowitz - Principal Rabbi Shmaryahu Charitonow Jonathan Gellman - President Saranac Synagogue (Orthodox) One Stop Jewish Buffalo 85 Saranac Avenue A free website updated weekly about all that’s Buffalo New York 14216 happening in Jewish Buffalo 716-876-1284 OneStopJewishBuffalo.com SaranacSynagogue.org Nathan Sull - Publisher President - Shmuel Rashkin Aaron Sull - Editor Vice President - Reuven Alt Gabbai David Kunkel Weinberg Campus 2700 North Forest Road Temple Beth Tzedek (Conservative) Getzville, NY 14068 1641 North Forest Road 716-639-3311 Williamsville, NY 14221 weinbergcampus.org 716-838-3232 Robert Mayer- President & CEO btzbuffalo.org Kenneth Rogers- Chairman of the Board Rabbi Adam J. Rosenbaum of Directors Cantor Mark Spindler Marcia Goldstein - President Western New York Kim Jones - Administrator Synagogues and Temples Temple Beth Zion (Reform) Chabad House of Buffalo (unaffiliated) Sanctuary: 805 Delaware Avenue 2450 North. Forest Rd, Buffalo, NY 14209 Getzville, NY 14068 Religious School and Offices: 716-688-1642 700 Sweet Home Road Rabbi Moshe Gurary - Director Amherst, NY 14226 chabadbuffalo.com 716-836-6565 tbz.org Congregation Beth Abraham (Conservative) Rabbi Sharon Sobel 1073 Elmwood Avenue Jeff Clark - Executive Director Buffalo, NY 14222 David Goldberg - President congregationbethabraham.net Cantor Irwin Gelman Temple Beth El (Reform) Marty Kerker - President 720 Ashland Avenue Niagara Falls, NY 14301 Congregation Havurah (Reform) 716-282-2717 6320 Main St., Williamsville, NY 14221 niagarafallstemple.com 716-689-8059 Rabbi Ellen Franke congregationhavurah.org Cantorial Soloist Barry Rose [email protected] William Bell - President Bernard Schenkler, President Enid Edelman, Membership Chair Temple Hesed Abraham of Greater Jamestown (Reform) Congregation Shir Shalom Meeting biweekly at Jamestown, NY Lutheran (Reform/Reconstructionist) Church 4660 Sheridan Drive Rabbi Allen Podet Williamsville, NY 14221 President - Joe Gerstel (716-665-2118) 716-633-8877 [email protected] shirshalombuffalo.org Rabbi Alexander Lazarus-Klein The Family Shul (Unaffiliated) Cantor Arlene Frank 757 Hopkins Road Joanne Marquisee - Executive Director Williamsville, NY 14221 Bruce Corris - President 716-639-7600 Rabbi Heschel Greenberg Kehillat Ohr Tzion (Modern Orthodox) Rabbi Laizer Labkovski 879 Hopkins Rd Williamsville, NY 14221 Young Israel of Greater Buffalo (Orthodox) ohrtzion.org/kot 105 Maple Road Rabbi Ori Bergman Williamsville, NY 14221 Jeff Schapiro - President 716-634-0212 yibuffalo.org Rabbi Eliezar Marcus Richard G. Berger- President Attention Snowbirds! Due to postal regulations, The Jewish Journal of Western New York will no longer be forwarded to “temporary change” addresses.

If you plan to be away from your permanent address this winter and will have your first class mail forwarded to your temporary address and would like to continue to receive The Jewish Journal, please call Joan Kwiatkowski at 716-204-2242 to give us your “temporary” address. Thank you!

April 2021 | buffalojewishfederation.org 29 IN LOVING MEMORY Remembering Lola Swede 1926-2020

Helen Swede, a daughter of Lola The Ima club received several awards from Swede (z”l) prepared this remembrance national Hadassah and the Buffalo Jewish of her mother. community. Lola was a Lifetime Member Lola Lipschutz Swede, long-time Buffalo of Hadassah and served as a Chapter resident and active community member, President in Buffalo. In recognition of passed away at 94 on December 30, 2020 her community efforts including sustained due to complications of COVID and chronic support of Israel Bonds, Lola received the illness. Lola was a Holocaust survivor from Israel Leadership Award from the Israel Łódź, Poland. Defying all odds, with her Austria, three Bond Program in Buffalo in 1984. beloved husband of 66 years, David, also a years before One of Lola’s chief missions in life was Holocaust survivor from Łódź, they built a arriving in US, to make sure that the Holocaust was never life together of love and tikun olam. They 1952 forgotten. In 2009, she was the keynote ran two small businesses in North Buffalo, speaker at the Greater Hartford Yom a dry goods food store and a hair salon. Lola HaShoah Remembrance. Her story and her and David moved to Connecticut in 2004, delivery were electrifying. Lola spoke about where many children, grandchildren and the loving and enriching family in which great-grandchildren were living. David and she was raised, loss of her father and two Lola lived in Buffalo for 50 years, and called siblings to starvation in the ghetto, and it home. David died in 2012. risking her life to sabotage bullets being Lola moved to Buffalo in 1955 from Lola’s 90th birthday with grandchildren and great-grandchildren, 2016 manufactured in a forced labor camp. She Austria, with their young daughter, Renata, also told of a fateful encounter with the to join David who was living in Buffalo with the Ima Club, a philanthropic organization as their name to represent nurturing of notorious Dr. Josef Mengele at Auschwitz, one of Lola’s sisters. Soon after, magnetic of survivors who raised funds for Israel, children. The Imas raised funds via social who pulled her from the “bad” line to ask and witty Lola quickly established a large to provide sustenance and education for activities throughout the year, as well as her age. Lola instinctively lied, making circle of friends - many of whom were Jewish war orphans like herself. The group from private donations. Funds were directed herself two years older. Mengele challenged survivors. Lola was the founding president of selected “Ima,” Hebrew for “mother,” to the Youth Aliyah program of Hadassah. Lola asking if she were telling the truth, and she calmly and convincingly responded. Then Mengele sent her to the “good” line, saving her life, where she witnessed her mother and three young sisters walking towards the crematorium. The next day, a guard informed her exactly with whom she had spoken at the line, and the significance. In Hartford, Lola also relayed a dramatic moment soon after being liberated by the American GIs: Lola and several friends stepped up to prevent the shooting of the Camp Commandant - imploring for justice, not revenge. “We are better than this,” 18 year-old Lola said. She also spoke about being selected by the Red Cross to present General Eisenhower with a bouquet of flowers in deep appreciation for conquering fascism and saving their lives, concluding with an inspirational story about the journey she and David made and their infant daughter in 1949 to make Aliyah in Israel to support the nascent struggle for Israeli Independence, where David served as an officer in the IDF. They later moved to North America where most of their family was living. Lola contributed oral history interviews to Steven Spielberg’s Shoah Institute and the Holocaust Resource Center of Buffalo, both archived at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. In 1983, Lola was part of the Buffalo delegation to the American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors in Washington DC. There she and other survivors met with US Rep. Jack 30 buffalojewishfederation.org | April 2021 COMMUNITY In Remembrance Kemp to speak about Holocaust education. Rose met on the train to Auschwitz and Lola had joyous reunions with several remained together through Liberation and The following individuals in our community passed away during the period friends from the camps, which included the immediate post-War period. Lastly, two from February 15 - March 17, 2021*. May their memories forever be a circle dances on the National Mall under survivors in Buffalo grew up in the town blessing, and may their loved ones be comforted among the mourners of the stars in the capital of the nation that where Lola’s father was from, and knew Zion. liberated them. Lola’s grandfather who was a local rabbi, Most fulfilling was meeting a first her grandmother, and their children. Mark Alan Eisenberg Rakhil Khinkis cousin for the first time. The cousin lived Lola was one of ten children born to in France, Lola in Poland, and, they had Rabbi David and Ruchla Lipschutz, five Dr. Herbert L. Foster Mitchell B. Levy not met before World War II. In the early of whom perished in the Shoah. Left to Joan Armstrong Fox Robert Peter Marquart 1980s, the family received word that several cherish her memory are daughters Renata French cousins had indeed survived, and Lantos (Joseph) and Helen Swede, both of Milton Miller plans were made to unite at the Gathering. Connecticut, Sari Swede (Neil Grossman) David and Lola had deep ties to Buffalo of California, and Marci Swede (Bruce Marvin Morris in several ways. The Swedes were sponsored Taillon) near Chicago; grandchildren, Paul, Jon Neenos in their immigration by Henry Posmantur. Daniel, Aaron, and Katherine; and, great- Lola’s sister Regina, already living in grandchildren, Abigail, Benjamin, Max, Richard M. Platt Buffalo, was married to Henry’s cousin and Julia, as well as many loving nieces Joan Raichilson Samuel Frankel. A few years after Lola’s and nephews. arrival, Mr. Posmantur served as sponsor Lola would have been justified in being Joel Rosen AKA of another sister, Bluma Markowitz. The bitter for the unspeakable hardships she Kenneth Aiken fourth sister who survived, Eva Rosenberg, endured, but she was unstoppable in her lived in Toronto. In the mid-1960s, Lola drive to build a better world in partnership Miriam Sherman and David were incredulous one day when with David. By both example and words, Moritz and Trude Friedler, whom they had they taught their children that if goodness Rose Davis Swartz known in Austria, had moved a few houses is not present, you have the power and Ronald Zackem down on Blantyre Road in North Buffalo. obligation to create it for yourself and Also remarkable was that Rose Pohl, a close others. May her memory be for a blessing. If we inadvertently missed printing the listing of your loved one, please write to friend, also had settled in Buffalo. Lola and [email protected]. and we will include the name next month.

April 2021 | buffalojewishfederation.org 31 COMMUNITY ( NOT) THE LAST WORD Let’s Talk! New P2G Program: Café Anglit+ BY JODY GOLDSTEIN

The first step necessary in developing a partnership between individuals or groups is having the ability to communicate with one another. Our Partnership2Gether (P2G) consortium consists of sixteen communities within three countries: Israel, Budapest, and the United States. While many languages may be spoken within our regions, the predominant ones are Hebrew, English, Arabic, and Hungarian. To be able to work together, we need to be able to speak with each other (see Mandy Weiss’ story on page 11).

While attending the a partnership within our Partnership. Partnership Discovery When COVID-19 eliminated the ability Trip to Israel and Hungary for me to travel to the Western Galilee to in 2019, I spoke about develop the program, it rapidly shifted developing a program to to one that would take place virtually, teach English to people in the and Café Anglit+ was born. Western Galilee. It would be I am a long time educator with thirty- a NGO (Non-Governmental five years of experience developing and Organization) program providing Special Education services for focused on teaching those children in the Buffalo Public Schools. who wanted, but did have During my last year of full-time Jody Goldstein the opportunity, to learn. I employment, I studied for and received imagined a program in a community center or coffee a second Master’s Degree in TESL/ shop where Arab and Jewish children (and adults) would TEFL (Teaching English as a Second, have the ability to study and practice English together. or Foreign Language). My life plan was Creating a language-learning community would form to combine my love for travel and my Zooming with Café Anglit+ pals

love for teaching into a post-retirement from at least two of the three countries life of traveling around the world and in our P2G consortium. Each group met obtaining short-term English teaching for twelve weekly hour-long sessions. positions. Then, on the Partnership Planning is now underway for the next Discovery Trip, I fell in love with the groups which will be starting on May Western Galilee, and wanted to focus my 2nd. In fact, with the addition of more English teaching in that area. I wanted languages, a new name for the program to develop a program that would build is being explored. To vote for the new and strengthen ties to people within name from the three suggestions of different communities, with different Café Safah (Safah means “Language” lifestyles and different belief systems. in Hebrew), Café Olam (Olam means In May, 2020 when the world was “World” in Hebrew), or Café Y’alla (Y’alla closed down, Café Anglit+ opened is a slang for “Let’s Do It” in both Hebrew its virtual doors after weeks of and Arabic), visit the P2G Facebook page development. I piloted the program (https://www.facebook.com/p2gwgalil/). with three enthusiastic Israeli English If you are interested in facilitating or language learners. We met for an hour practicing English, Hebrew, Arabic, or each week and just talked. Sometimes we Hungarian please let us know. What followed the daily lesson plan practicing begins as a conversation may turn into a our vocabulary about food, or travel, or life-long partnership. family, but we often strayed from those Jody Goldstein is the developer topics and talked about ourselves and of Café Anglit+, a member of the our lives and our dreams and our fears. Partnership2Gether (P2G) Buffalo As long as everyone spoke English, it Council, and a Vice President of Temple was okay. For an hour each week we Beth Zion. P2G is a program of the Jewish were a partnership of language learners Agency for Israel (JAFI,) and Buffalo has sharing ourselves from one country to been a participant in the Mid-Western another in the comfort of our living Consortium of P2G for the past 3 years. If rooms. you are interested in Café Anglit+, email Since the program was piloted, there Jody at [email protected]. If you have been six more language learning would like more information about P2G in partnerships: two in Hebrew and four Buffalo, email Mandy Weiss at Mandy@ in English. All contained participants buffalojewishfederation.org. 32 buffalojewishfederation.org | April 2021 COMMUNITY

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