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october 2015/- 5776 a publication of United of Volume 17, Number 8 Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien The Phantom Unmasked Vatican II at Fifty TBE Presents “The Songs of Broadway” UConn Judaic Studies Kuriansky Conference By Steve Lander Phantom,” a title he retained By Rebecca time,” a theologi- On Sunday, October 18, for over a decade. Isenstein cal landmark that at 7 pm, Temple Beth El in Born in the Bronx and The Center for signified a dra- Stamford will host a concert, a graduate of the Hartt Judaic and Middle matic turn in the “The Phantom Unmasked School of Music in Hart- Eastern Studies Catholic Church’s – The Songs of Broadway,” ford, D’Ambrosio made his at UConn-Stam- conception of featuring award-winning Broadway debut in the first ford will host its Jews and of the tenor Franc D’Ambrosio (see revival of “Sweeney Todd.” Annual Louis J. role of in http://tinyurl.com/francd). His resume includes the Kuriansky Confer- history. D’Ambrosio is best known for role of Anthony Corleone, ence on Tuesday, The confer- his portrayal of the Phantom the opera-singing son of Al November 10, at 7 ence, titled “From in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Franc D’Ambrosio Pacino and Diane Keaton, in pm, in the GenRe Dr. James Bernauer Dr. Susannah Enmity to Friend- Tony Award winning musi- the film “Godfather III,” and auditorium at Heschel ship: The Re- cal, “The Phantom of the Opera.” the male lead, Tony, in the pre-Broad- UConn-Stamford. This year’s confer- markable Trans- With more than 11 years and 2,300 way, national tour of Barry Manilow’s ence will celebrate the 50th anniversary formation of Christian-Jewish Relations performances, he gained the distinc- “Copacabana.” His one-man show, of the Vatican II proclamation, known Since Vatican II (1965),” will include a tion of “The World’s Longest Running See “Phantom” on page 2 as the Nostra Aetate, meaning “in our See “Vatican” on page 2 Eight Stories to Watch in At a Theater Near You Next Year JCC’s Jewish Arts and Film Festival Returns By Ben Sales Mediterranean Sea, Israel has turned By Luisa Viladas Films: Big Ideas,” which will examine (JTA) – Tired of hearing about Israel’s from an energy importer to an exporter. The 14th annual Jewish Arts and Film the power of short films as a medium conflict with the Palestinians or the machi- Israel has signed agreements worth Festival of Fairfield County, presented for storytelling and communicating nations of a certain Islamic Republic? tens of billions of dollars to export gas by the Stamford Jewish Community values, culture and ideology. There’s plenty of other news happening to Egypt and Jordan, and in 2013, a Center, will return for nine days, from This year’s literary event will feature in Israel, from uproars over the country’s conglomerate of two energy companies Saturday, October 24, through Sunday, an appearance by veteran Middle East enormous natural gas reserves to a grow- – Noble Energy and the Delek Group November 1. This year’s festival will correspondent Mark Lavie, author of ing push to legalize marijuana. – began exporting gas from the Tamar be highlighted by screenings of Jew- the book “Broken Spring.” In a fact- Here are eight newsy items you natural gas field. ish films from Israel, the U.S., Europe filled presentation, Lavie will share may have missed in 5775 – and stories In June, however, an agreement to and Africa. his close-up view of how Egyptians lost you should watch out for as the new let Delek and Noble also develop the The festival will also feature a their struggle for freedom. year begins. much larger Leviathan field set off photography exhibit called “Israeli “We are thrilled to present the very 1. Israel’s controversial gas drilling protests in Israel. Critics, including Impressions” by photographer Paul best current Jewish films, speakers, fine increases the head of Israel’s antitrust authority, Margolis, a documentary and fine art art and literature that the international Since the discovery of two huge called the deal a monopoly. But Israeli photographer. On Sunday, October 25, Jewish community has to offer,” said offshore fields of natural gas in the See “Israel” on page 18 there will be a program called “Short See “Theater” on page 13 Candle 2 Bits & Pieces 6 Family 12 Senior 15 Adult 17 Voices & 18 Lighting Central Happenings Education Views

Hadassah’s “Day in the District” The Power of Women Who Do could not have been more self-evident on August 25 when Hadassah CT members met with Senator Richard Blumenthal to discuss “Gender Equality in Healthcare Research,” “Women’s Preventative Health” and the “Iran Nuclear Agreement.” Seated (l-r): Jodi Maxner (past president of Stamford Chapter, current annual giving chair for the region) and Joyce Backman (past president of Westport Chapter, current OVP for the region). Standing (l-r): Beverly Stein (member of CT Advocacy Team as part of the 50 State Network, member of Stamford Chapter), Rhonda Ginsberg (treasurer of the Stamford Chapter), Sharon Sobel (co-president of the Norwalk Chapter), Ivy Gosseen (co-president of the Westport Chapter), Senator Richard Blumenthal, Gayle Weinstein (past president of the Westport Chapter, past region OVP), Sally Kleinman (Hadassah CT president, member of the Westport Chapter), Connie Cirillo Freeman (past Hadassah CT president, co-team leader for Advocacy at national, member of the Stamford Chapter) and Claudia Cohen (co-president of the Westport Chapter). (Photo contributed by S. Backman) See article on page 9. 2 THE NEW JEWISH VOICE ■ october 2015 CEO Message Vatican Continued from page 1 discussion “From the Catholic Perspective” with Dr. Tales from B Side James Bernauer, S.J., the Kraft Family Professor of By James A. Cohen no U.S. Congress, no primary campaign, no mass Philosophy at Boston College, and also “From the One of the reasons I love murders and no suffering Ukraine. What existed was Jewish Perspective” with Dr. Susannah Heschel, the the novels of Jane Austen is joy – the joy of spending summer with friends and Eli Black Professor of at Dartmouth because of the atmosphere she the joy of being Jewish. College. The Rev. Dr. Blaine Edele from Union Memo- created. The early 19th century I have written previously about the importance of rial Church in Stamford will moderate a Q&A session was one of the most tumultuous Jewish summer camping and the vital role it plays following the lectures. Additionally, the Center will periods in human history. The in insuring that the next generation of Jews remains host a special supplement session aimed at students Napoleonic Wars were shaping engaged. The statistics prove this point time and time on Wednesday, November 11, at noon, in the MPR and then reshaping the map of again – kids who go to Jewish summer camp tend to (Room 1.08) titled “Lunch and Conversation: A Europe. People on both sides of be more involved in Jewish life as adults. This summer, Follow-up Dialog on the Conference.” This session the Atlantic were debating the with all the things in the world to which we could will be moderated by Dr. Beth Ginsberg, professor of slave trade. Revolutions were James Cohen, point that were less than positive, I felt the importance political science at UConn-Stamford, and will include smoldering throughout Latin UJF CEO of creating this oasis for our children more strongly Dr. June-Ann Greeley, professor of theology at Sacred America and the United States was taking its first than ever. Each Saturday night, attending Havdalah Heart University, and Rabbi Joshua Hammerman, baby steps. By reading Ms. Austen’s novels, you learn on the B side of camp, I felt simultaneous waves of rabbi at Temple Beth-El, Stamford. absolutely none of this. Her novels take place in an pride and urgency. Bernauer, a Jesuit priest, is the director of the idyllic cocoon, from which the world’s problems are Federation does so much to give as many children Center for Christian-Jewish Learning at Boston figuratively, if not literally, millions of miles away. as possible the opportunity to share in this incred- College. His most recent book, co-edited with That is precisely how I felt this summer while visit- ible experience. From giving a grant directly to Robert Maryks, is “The Tragic Couple: Encounters ing my wife and children at overnight camp. Within Connecticut’s only Jewish overnight camp, to provid- Between Jews and Jesuits (2014).” He is the author the confines of Camp Ramah in New England’s ing funds for JFS camp scholarships, to supporting of many publications, including “The Flawed Vi- campus, there was no existential threat from Iran, our Jewish Community Center and to supporting the sion in Claude Lanzmann’s Shoah and the Correc- Jewish Agency for Israel’s camps in the former Soviet tive Lens of Pierre Sauvage” in “Through a Lens Union, we do our best to make sure every kid has the Darkly: Films of Genocide, Ethnic Cleansing and candle lighting chance to sample and savor this joy. It is never too Atrocities (2013).” His current research project early to start thinking about next year’s needs. To is a study of Jesuits and Jews during the period of times help give each Jewish child a passport for tomorrow, the Holocaust. if you haven’t already, please give today. Heschel is the author of numerous books and September 25...... 6:29 pm articles, including “Abraham Geiger and the Jewish September 27...... 6:25 pm Jesu”s and “The Aryan Jesus: Christian Theologians Phantom Continued from page 1 and the Bible in Nazi Germany,” and the editor of September 28...... after 7:22 pm “Insider/Outsider: and Multicultural- October 2...... 6:17 pm “Franc D’Ambrosio’s Broadway,” sold out during its three-year, 150-city tour. ism,” as well as “Moral Grandeur and Spiritual Audac- October 4...... 6:14 pm Cantor Magda Fishman will make a guest appear- ity: Essays of Abraham Joshua Heschel.” A recipient October 5...... after 7:11 pm ance during the program and join D’Ambrosio in of four honorary doctorates, she has held grants singing a few of his favorite Broadway tunes. from the Carnegie Foundation, the Ford Founda- October 9...... 6:05 pm tion and a fellowship at the Wissenschaftskolleg in October 16...... 5:54 pm Tickets are now on sale to the public. General admission tickets are $50; reserved seating is $75; and Berlin. Currently on a Guggenheim fellowship, she October 23...... 5:44 pm student tickets are $36. Tickets may be purchased is writing a book on the history of Jewish scholarship October 30...... 5:35 pm online at http://tinyurl.com/tbebroadway. Seating on Islam. is limited. The 2014 Louis J. Kuriansky Annual Conference November 6...... 4:26 pm is made possible through the generosity of the Louis November 13...... 4:19 pm For further information, contact Steven Lander, ex- ecutive director at TBE, at 203-322-6901, ext. 304. J Kuriansky Foundation. A donation of $10 per per- son is suggested and the conference is free to local educators, students and non-profit professionals. To register or for more information about the confer- ence or other programs of the Center for Judaic and Middle Eastern Studies at UConn-Stamford, contact the Center at [email protected] or 203-251-9525. The Center for Judaic and Middle Eastern Studies is a recipient agency of United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien. october 2015 ■ THE NEW JEWISH VOICE 3 community news The Torch is Passed ... the Countdown Begins JCC Maccabi Games and ArtsFest By Luisa Viladas what an amazing experience JCC Maccabi is For a dozen Stamford Jewish community leaders, for the kids,” said Jeannie Kriftcher, who is co- a trip to Ft. Lauderdale, FL, in August was much chairing the Stamford 2016 JCC Maccabi Games more than an opportunity to observe and learn from and ArtsFest with Michael Gold. “Our team got this year’s JCC Maccabi Games and ArtsFest. By the a rousing reception when the kids and coaches time the torch was passed to Stamford for next year’s walked into the opening ceremonies. It was a big event, the teens who participated, coaches, JCC moment for Stamford.” staff and lay leaders alike said they were energized “Many communities across North America are and inspired to host the 2016 Games and ArtsFest excited and eager to come to Stamford next year,” in Stamford. added Gold. “Our team spirit and outstanding “From the first night, we were reminded of See “Torch” on page 4 UConn Hillel Appoints New The torch was passed from Ft. Lauderdale to Stamford for the 2016 Games. L-r: Stamford JCC Games and ArtsFest Executive Director Director Rachel Rothman; JCC Associate Managing Director Daniel Levenson has been appointed as Vilna Review, an online journal dedicated of Sports, Fitness and Aquatics Mo Concepcion; JCC the new executive director of UConn Hillel. to exploring modern Jewish identity from Maccabi ArtsFest 2016 Stamford Co-chair Robin Frederick; Daniel most recently served as executive an individual and communal perspective. and JCC Maccabi Games ArtsFest 2016 Stamford Co-chair director of the Jewish Federation of New Levenson said he was deeply influenced Michael Gold. Hampshire and prior to that as director of both personally and professionally by his public affairs at the Consulate General of Is- experiences at Hillel rael to New England. Committed to building where he served as chair of the Graduate a vibrant Jewish future, he has worked with Student Steering Committee, as well as the Jewish young adults from around the world time he has spent living, studying and vol- Deadlines for as an artist-in-residence at the Brandeis Col- unteering in Israel. As an educator in both legiate Institute in southern California, and college classrooms and synagogues, he said was the founder and publisher of the New Daniel Levenson See “Hillel” on page 7 articles The deadlines for the next three issues of the new jewish voice are: Monday, September 21...... November Save the Date: Saul Cohen – JFS Lecture Thursday, October 1...... December Monday, December 28...... February The entire community is invited to attend, at no For additional information, contact Iris Morrison Send New Jewish Voice article submissions to cost, the fourth annual Saul Cohen – JFS Lecture at 203-921-4161. Sandy Golove at [email protected] marked “Stamford on Thursday, November 5, at 7:30 pm, at the Fer- Jewish Family Service is a recipient agency of United Voice” in the subject line. Expect an acknowledge- guson Library in Stamford. Leonard Felder, Ph.D., Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford, New Canaan and ment; please re-send if you do not receive one. author and a clinical psychologist of books on Jewish Darien. spirituality and personal growth, will be this year’s guest speaker. FelderREUNION will discuss “When Difficult Relatives Hap- pen to GoodPHI People,”EPSILON exploring PI fraternity “how to creatively deal withis familyholding members its 50th who reunion are complicated in or who Pittsburghhave baffled on and Oct. challenged 23 & 24, each 2015. one of us in the past,” Felder notes. “My wisdom, cultivated over years ofAll listening graduates to my clients, between for dealing with challengingl959 family and membersl964 are will welcome. be presented in a humorousFor further and highly-practical information, way.” contact A reception for JFS patrons with Felder will precede Steve and Hersh Batkin the communityEd Friedlander lecture. atContact 203 Claudia 322-8808. Brenner at 203-921-4161 to find out how to become a patron. Personal & Commercial Insurance REUNION PHI EPSILON PI fraternity is holding its 50th