July 16-29, 2021 Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton Volume L, Number 15 BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK Federation to hold Super Sunday on August 29 By Reporter staff Netherlands, as well as the last Broadway The Jewish Federation of Greater production revival with Danny Burstein Binghamton will hold Super Sunday on At right: Zero and Jessica Hecht. Kassan, who is the Sunday, August 29, at 10 am, at the Jewish Mostel (center) with coordinator of special events and theatre Community Center, 500 Clubhouse Rd., Maria Karnilova, at the Rod Serling School of Fine Arts at Vestal. It will feature a brunch, comedy by Tanya Everett, Julia Binghamton City School District, will lead comedian Josh Wallenstein and a showing Migenes and Joanna the discussion of the film. (For an interview of the film “Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles” Merlin backstage, of Kassan, see this page.) about the Broadway musical “Fiddler on opening night of “After not being able to gather during the Roof.” Larry Kassan, who has directed “Fiddler on the the pandemic and share a meal, it will be productions of the musical, will facilitate the Roof” on September wonderful for us to be together again,” said film discussion. The cost of the brunch and 22, 1964. (Photo by Hubal. “Campaign Chairwoman Marilyn film is $15 and reservations are requested by AP Photo, courtesy of Bell and I really want this event to be a Sunday, August 22. To make reservations, Roadside Attractions joyful experience for all, filled with laughter visit the Federation website, www.jfgb.org/, and Samuel Goldwyn – a celebration of our heritage and coming or contact the Federation at director@jfgb. Films) together after the pandemic. I look forward org or 724-2332. to seeing and talking to everyone.” “We are hoping to get community mem- ing.” His comedy videos can be seen at bers to pledge early again this year,” said www.tiktok.com/@thatjoshuakid93. (For Shelley Hubal, executive director of the an interview of Wallenstein, see the next Federation plans post- Federation. “We started the 2021 Campaign issue of The Reporter.) with almost 25 percent of the pledges al- “Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles,” a docu- ready made. That helped to cut back on the mentary by Max Lewkowicz, tells the origin manpower we needed to get through the story of the Broadway musical “Fiddler on pandemic Campaign Campaign. When the community pledges The Roof,” and its creative roots in early By Rabbi Rachel Esserman means the Federation allocations are an im- early the allocation process is much easier. 1960s New York City. The film includes Running a Campaign during a pandemic portant part of their budget. “We are hoping We also want the snow birds to have an interviews with the show’s creators, which was very difficult. Just ask Shelley Hubal, to raise $290,000,” she noted. “This would opportunity to gather before they leave for reveal how the success and worldwide executive director of the Jewish Federation cover most of our allocations. COVID has sunnier climates this fall.” impact of “Fiddler” and its subsequent film of Greater Binghamton. “Last year’s Cam- reduced advertising for The Reporter, re- Wallenstein, son of Larry Wallenstein, adaptation is most appropriately viewed paign was different from any other,” she duced the JCC’s income and has increased will share a comedy routine. During the through the lens of the social upheaval said. “There was no Super Sunday event and the needs for Jewish Family Service. So, pandemic, he returned to this area from and change in mid-20th century America. it wasn’t even safe for those making phone our organizations are all in great need.” California where he had been performing The documentary also explores a variety calls to gather at the Jewish Community One way to help the Federation plan for stand-up comedy. Since last November, he of international productions of the show, Center. They made phone calls from home. the future is by pledging early. “If we know has been working as a fifth-grade teaching detailing how individuals of many cultures But our community showed its spirit by how much money we’ll be raising before assistant and was recently featured in a see themselves in the residents of Anatevka. answering those calls and pledging early.” the allocation process, that is an enormous Newsweek article titled “5 TikTok Teachers The film features scenes from productions Hubal is hoping that same spirit will con- help,” Hubal said. “It also makes it easier on Share Behind the Scenes of Virtual Teach- from Canada, the United Kingdom and the tinue this year. In order to include more of our volunteers since there are fewer phone the community in the event and help speed calls to make and less follow-up to do.” the allocation process, she’s moved Super The Federation is looking for volunteers Larry Kassan and Sunday to August 29. (For more information to make calls and write thank-you notes in about Super Sunday, see the article on this support of the Campaign. “We learned last page.) “We changed the date of Super Sunday year that organizing the Campaign virtually “Fiddler on the Roof” for several reasons,” she said. “We want to so volunteers can do the work from home By Reporter staff Joel Grey at the New York City reach snow birds before they leave. The JCC is easy,” said Hubal. “We hope to continue Larry Kassan will facilitate Museum of Jewish Heritage. It and Hillel Academy do large fund-raisers in that this year.” the film discussion of “Fiddler: was wonderful and held a spe- the fall, and we do not want to interfere with Although the past year was difficult, -Hu A Miracle of Miracle” at Super cial place in my heart since my them. Plus the holidays are early this year so bal noted that the local community rose to Sunday on August 29. For more daughter was getting married a we wanted to get the process moving before the occasion. “I am so proud of the way we information about the event, see month later. I sobbed through people’s lives get even busier.” came together and raised money to help our the article on this page.) the wedding scene and ‘Sunrise According to Hubal, the past year has Jewish organizations,” she said. “We have Larry Kassan, who is coor- Sunset.’ I also got to see a local been a difficult one for many local Jewish a wonderful community and I know that it dinator of special events and actor, Claus Evans, play the lead organizations due to the pandemic, which will rise to the occasion again this year.” theatre at the Rod Serling School in an outdoor summer production of Fine Arts at Binghamton City in Albany, but surprisingly never School District, knows “Fiddler Larry Kassan saw him here at the former Cider TI to hold Honeygram on the Roof”: not only has he Mill Playhouse.” seen more than a dozen productions of the His connection with the musical began musical, but he has directed, designed or young. He noted that his first production produced “Fiddler” at least six times. Why took place during his high school years at fund-raiser does he feel the musical is so popular? “I can his temple on Long Island. Other perfor- Temple Israel is holding a Honeygram Honeybee: Group gifts that are for local say that in one word: tradition,” he noted mances include those at community theaters fund-raiser as a way to wish friends and delivery only. The first box sent is $18, in an e-mail interview. “Honestly, Tevye’s and summer stock productions, including family a sweet New Year 5782. The Honey- additional boxes are $6 each. The person’s story is universal. It touches all who see it. one in Lake Placid, NY, just prior to the grams can be sent locally and out of town. name will be included on a group card Recently, I was watching ‘The King and I.’ I 1980 Winter Olympics. But some of his Each Honeygram will include two 1 oz. delivered with the gift box. could even see Tevye’s struggles [as similar favorite memories are from productions jars of Bonne Maman honey (OU certified Orders with payment must be received by to those of] the king of Siam: a changing held in the Binghamton High School Helen kosher), a wooden honey dipper and a New the Temple Israel office by Monday, August world [where one is] so desperately trying Foley Theatre. Year greeting card. 15, and include the recipient’s name and to hold onto one’s traditions.” “As you know, [Binghamton High Organizers of the event said, “Bonne address. To place an order, call the temple The many performances he’s seen range School is] a very diverse school and our Maman honey was chosen because the office at 723-7461 or e-mail titammy@ from community theater to Broadway. He cast both reflected and celebrated this di- company may have helped save Jews during stny.twcbc.com. noted, “[I saw] the recent revival and a versity,” Kassan said. “Tevye, who makes the Holocaust.” revival a few years back starring Harvey a point often throughout the musical that he There are two delivery options: The Reporter’s Annual Fierstein, who took over the role from has five daughters! In our production of his Bumblebee: A gift box is $18 and will Community Guide is inside Alfred Molina. I must admit my favorite to five daughters, one was African American, be sent to a single recipient anywhere in the date was the all-Yiddish revival directed by See “Kassan” on page 5 U.S.