October 23-November 5, 2020 Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton Volume XLIX, Number 35 BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK Super Safe Super Sunday By Reporter staff this year’s Campaign is ‘Socially Distant, “The pandemic has added an extra stress The Jewish Federation of Greater Bing- Spirituality Connected’ and, while we were to running a successful Campaign, but you hamton held a Super Safe Super Sunday on unable to gather in one place, the spirit of don’t have to wait for a call,” she said. October 18. Rather than having volunteers our community was alive in each volunteer “So we ask for your help. There are three gather at the Jewish Community Center, making a call. A big thank you to all our easy ways for you to make a pledge: You the volunteers made calls from the safety Campaign volunteers for kicking off our can visit our website at www.jfgb.org and of their own homes. teers call from their homes. It was very remote Campaign with much success. I am click on ‘make a pledge,’ you can e-mail “We were already planning on having important to make certain our volunteers grateful for all the hard work everyone has me at [email protected] with ‘pledge’ in the a limited number of volunteers at a time were super safe.” put forth. To all our community members subject line or fill out the form in the ad on in the JCC’s auditorium and meeting Hubal and Marilyn Bell, the chairwoman that have pledged, I want to say ‘yasher page 7 and mail it to the Jewish Federation room,” said Shelley Hubal, executive of the 2021 Campaign, discussed the issue koach.’ I am so proud to be part of this of Greater Binghamton, 500 Clubhouse Rd., director of the Federation. “But, with the and both agreed that safety was the number generous community.” Vestal, NY 13850.” uptick in COVID-19 cases, we decided one concern. “We didn’t want to risk anyone Hubal noted that the Campaign continues (See the photo collage of Super Sunday at the last minute to have all the volun- getting sick,” Hubal added. “The motto for and that it’s not too late to make a pledge. volunteers on page 7.) Hillel Academy announces journal honorees Hillel Academy of Broome County 4544 or e-mail [email protected]. with his wife, Janet, who was finishing and as a teacher, Rabbi Shmaryahu has announced the 2020 honorees for its Started in 1971, the A.M. Pierson Award her doctoral work at Cornell University. created a warm, loving and productive 57th Annual Journal. Rabbi Moshe Sh- is given to a person(s) or organization Three of their children – Aaron, Moriah learning environment for the children maryahu, director of Judaic studies at “whose tireless work and dedication and Noa – are graduates of Hillel Academy; at Hillel Academy and many across our Hillel, will receive the A.M. Pierson enriches the lives of Hillel Academy a fourth, Yona, was born in Binghamton. community. He has led our students to Award. The N. Theodore Sommer Com- children.” Shmaryahu, this year’s recip- From 1991-2016, he was the cantor at find their voices in song and prayer, munity Service Award will be presented ient, holds a B.A. in local geographic Beth David Synagogue during the High designed an innovative curriculum to to Kathy Connerton, president and CEO economics and Palestine studies from Holidays. In 2016, he was approached by help them learn about our heritage, and of Ascension Lourdes Hospital, and Bar-Ilan University and an M.A. in eco- Hillel Academy to head Judaic studies. developed creative and innovative holi- John M. Carrigg, president and CEO of nomics and business administration from “Even after his family returned to day programs to bring to life our customs United Health Service. A virtual Journal the University of Derby from England. He Israel, Rabbi Shmaryahu maintained a and ritual practices. His students adore fund-raiser will take place on Sunday, studied at Kollel Or Tak and cantorship at meaningful connection with our commu- him, and our families appreciate and November 15. Details of the fund-raiser the cantorship school with Dr. Mordechai nity, returning to lead services as chazzan enjoy the inspiration and learning he have not yet been announced. For more Sobol. Shmaryahu first taught at Hillel at Beth David Synagogue,” organizers provides our community.” information about the journal, call 304- Academy in 1991. He came to Binghamton said. “As director of Judaic studies See “Journal on page 5 TC/TI to take part in Global Day of Learning on Nov. 8 Temple Concord and Temple Israel will Goldman-Wartell will lead the program. All the ethics of inclusivity and the imperative to Federation of Greater Binghamton. Last year, again join together for this year’s Global are welcome to attend. The Zoom program decrease marginalization,” said organizers Temples Concord and Israel brought the pro- Day of Jewish Learning on Sunday, No- can be accessed at https://binghamton.zoom. of the event. “Come prepared to actively gram back to our community in a two-hour vember 8, from 10 am-noon. The theme us/j/95045435775. (No password is need.) participate in your learning.” format. The program is now being adminis- of the Global Day of Jewish Learning “The materials developed by Jewish edu- Organizers added, “The first year our tered through Limmud North America.” 2020 is “Human Dignity – K’vod Habri- cators affords communities opportunities to community participated in the Day of Glob- More information will be available in ot.” Rabbis Geoffrey Brown and Barbara explore Judaism’s vision of human dignity, al Jewish Learning was through the Jewish the next issue of The Reporter. Spotlight Jenni Bank new artistic advisor for Tri-Cities Opera By Rabbi Rachel Esserman have helped with social media and content artistic performances during the pandemic Jenni Bank, the daughter of Barbara and creation for the company’s marketing, and and notes that the TCO has managed to Les Bank of Binghamton, has been named am helping plan seasons and productions. do so in creative ways. Plus, she has great the new artistic director of the Tri-Cities Op- I also hope to be a mentor and resource for hopes for TCO’s future. “I think the future era. Bank, a mezzo-soprano, played the role the Young Artists [program] at the company looks bright!” she said. “Tri-Cities Opera of Mrs. Lovett in the opera’s 2016 version when we are able to have them here full- has taken the challenges of being unable to of Stephen Sondheim’s “Sweeney Todd.” time again. As someone currently actively produce live theatre during the pandemic Her decision to take the position was working in the opera world, it helps to have and turned it into new and exciting digital due to a meeting of the minds. “I met John my voice – no pun intended – in the mix.” opportunities. We recently collaborated with Rozzoni, the current general director of TCO That doesn’t mean that Bank has given LUMA, Opera Omaha and Enhance VR to many years ago and I happened to be in town up her singing career. “I certainly plan to produce a live virtual reality opera called when he was named to the position,” Bank continue singing and performing,” she said. ‘Miranda’ that was viewable from anywhere said. “We met to have a celebratory drink “Currently, everything is a bit up in the air, as in the world. We are in the midst of ‘TCO and started talking about opera and what all of my work was postponed or cancelled Next: A Virtual Vocal Competition,’ for we want to see happen in the industry and for the 2020/21 season due to the pandemic. which I am a judge for the first two rounds. ideas just started flowing! Eventually he was Some companies are rescheduling gigs, but Additionally, our educational outreach to able to ask me to be a more official part of it’s all very uncertain. I know I am going schools, called ‘Opera Go Round,’ was re- things and I was thrilled to work with him to be singing with the Binghamton Philhar- corded digitally and will be available along and the rest of the amazing staff at TCO. monic soon and I’m sure I’ll collaborate Jenni Bank as Marcellina in “Le Nozze di with supplemental education materials for It’s my hometown company where I saw with the musicians at TCO at some point. Figaro” at Hawaii Opera Theatre. teachers and schools to access and view some of my first operas – anything I can do Right now, it’s a very tough time for those online. It’s called ‘Monkey and Francine to keep opera thriving here is important.” of us who have careers that rely on large to work. My main message for everyone in the City of Tigers’ and it’s adorable!” Bank’s role with TCO takes a variety of gatherings of people and close contact with is: if you want to see any live theatre or In fact, Bank thinks that smaller com- forms. “I am working in an advisory capacity fellow artists. Many in the arts community music again, please, please, please wear panies are able to be more flexible during on anything that needs a singer’s take,” Bank have been out of work since March and have your masks and distance!” difficult times and that going digital offers said. “I sat in on our auditions last year, no idea when they will ever be able to return Bank believes that it’s possible to hold See “Bank on page 8 INSIDE THIS ISSUE On Zoom Bahrain-Israel ties News in brief..