March 20-26, 2020 Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton Volume XLIX, Number 12 BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK Chesed Challenge brunch cancelled Federation Alert Chesed Challenge still A joint statement from the Jewish to take place Federation of Greater Binghamton and Jewish Family Service By Reporter staff community is far more important. We felt Even though the brunch to launch the that we needed to cancel the brunch in Shalom chaverim (dear friends), know of someone who is. Your well-being Jewish Federation of Greater Bingham- order to follow the guidelines set out to As we are living through this challeng- and safety is our top priority. God willing, ton’s Chesed Challenge is not taking keep us safe.” ing time, with COVID-19 disrupting our we will be together again soon. place, the Chesed Challenge, a Hubal noted, though, that the way of life, we here at the Jewish Fed- Our mission is to support and sustain matching gift campaign that Chesed Challenge will still take eration and Jewish Family Service want the Binghamton Jewish community. We will take place from March place. “I’m so grateful for our to let you all know that we care. It has thank all the caring donors who support 29-April 30, is still on. donor’s generosity,” Hubal never been more important to remember the work we do. Please be smart, stay safe An anonymous donor has added. “People can double that we are part of a community and that and follow the government’s guidelines pledged to double any new the gift they give to the Fed- kol Yisrael aravim zeh ba zeh (all Jews that are set out for us all. gift, up to $10,000 total, given eration, which will allow us to are responsible for each other). L’shalom, to the Federation through the end do even more for our wonderful Community events and weekly ser- Shelley Hubal, Jewish Federation of April. community. If you haven’t yet vices are being cancelled, causing isola- Executive Director “I’m so disappointed that the pledged to the 2020 Campaign, this tion. Financial and job security may be Suzanne Holwitt, Jewish Federation brunch with Rebekka Goldsmith will is a great time to do it.” a stressor for some. Health concerns are President not be taking place,” said Shelley Hubal, Donations may be sent to the Federation, dictating our daily activities. Although our Rose Shea, Jewish Family Service executive director of the Federation. “I 500 Clubhouse Rd., Vestal, NY13850. More office in the Jewish Community Center is Director was so looking forward to a morning of information about how to donate online will closed to the community, we encourage Rita Bleier, Chairwoman, Jewish song and community, but the health of be forthcoming. you to call or e-mail us if you are in need or Family Service Committee Local organizations announce postponed and cancelled events Federation cancels March 29 brunch childcare, call the JCC at 724-2417 for Loigman, take place during World War II. munity’s Annual Campaign kickoff party The Jewish Federation of Greater Bing- more information. Frugal Fani program on March 22 scheduled for March 29 has been cancelled. hamton has cancelled the kick-off brunch Reporter Triva fund-raiser cancelled The IAUJC hopes to reschedule the event for the Chesed Challenge that was to take The Reporter’s trivia fund-raiser that was Temple Concord Sisterhood announced at a later date. place on March 29. The Chesed Challenge to have been held on March 19 has been that the program featuring Frugal Fani has TI-TC adult ed. program postponed is still taking place. For more information, postponed. See future issues of The Reporter been cancelled. The Sisterhood is research- The Temple Israel/Temple Concord see the article on this page. for more information about a new date. ing methods to bring Frugal Fani’s message Adult Education Group brunch and pro- Broome County synagogues limit Dr. Elissa Sampson lecture at BU to the community at a later date. gram that was to be held on April 5 has face-to-face gatherings postponed IAUJC Campaign party cancelled been postponed. See future issues of The Beth David Synagogue, Temple Concord The lecture by Professor Elissa Sampson The Ithaca Area United Jewish Com- Reporter for more information. and Temple Israel announced that they are of Cornell University that was to be held at limiting face-to-face gatherings. That means Binghamton University on March 26 has there were will no services or programming been postponed until the fall. Chabad to offer shopping held until further notice. Some meetings, Book Club at Temple Concord services and classes will be available on- The March 31 meeting of the Book Club line or by phone. For specific information, at Temple Concord has been canceled. A for elderly contact the synagogues by phone or e-mail. decision about the April 21 meeting will be The Barry Raff Maasim Tovim Foundation, which is administered through the JCC cancels classes/meetings made closer to the meeting. If the club meets Chabad Center, will facilitate a service for the older and immunologically compromised The Jewish Community Center an- on May 5, it will hold a Book Club “double members of the local community. Binghamton University students who remain in the nounced that for the immediate future header” since the March 31 historical novel, area have volunteered to do grocery shopping, pharmacy runs and other errands for all classes and meetings have been can- “The Room on Rue Amelie” by Kristin these community members. celled. The pool and the Fitness Center Harmel, and the May 5 historical novel, Those interested in using this service should contact Chabad at 797-0015. are also closed until further notice. For “The Wartime Sisters” by Lynda Cohen Spotlight Creating community through music: an interview of Rebekka Goldsmith By Rabbi Rachel Esserman think about the role of voice and come interested in the Rising through singing in the secular world for Editor’s note: Rebekka Goldsmith was leadership in institute programs. Song institute? 15 years and, when I walked into my first to perform at brunch launching the Jewish She is currently working on a Answer: I became interested Rising Song Intensive three years ago, I Federation of Greater Binghamton’s the multi-disciplinary performance in the Rising Song Institute felt the power and possibility of doing this Chesed Challenge. The brunch has now piece called, “Seeding the Tree” through the annual New York kind of work in Jewish community. This been cancelled, but we think readers will that incorporates community, Hadar Rising Song Intensive experience prompted me to begin partnering still find this interview of interest. Jewish spirituality and music. that happens in December. Every with local Jewish communities in Seattle Rebekka Goldsmith is a resident and The following is an e-mail year a growing number of plural- (where I lived) to lead community singing vocal arts consultant for the Rising Song interview Goldsmith did with istic Jews gather to sing for three- events. I continued following the work of Institute, where she coaches other residents. Reporter Executive Editor Rab- five days in a powerful and rich Joey Weisenberg, founder of The Rising She also works the institute directors, Joey bi Rachel Esserman. community music making event. Song Institute, and when he and Co-director Weisenberg and Rabbi Yosef Goldman, to Question: How did you be- Rebekka Goldsmith I had been building community See “Music” on page 7 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Coronavirus webinars Nationwide closures News in brief... Special Sections Israeli doctors are giving medical Jewish organizations, schools Israeli-Palestinian cooperation Legal Notices ................................... 4 advice through webinars to and communities institute action, to fight virus; British lawmakers Car Care .......................................... 5 quarantined coronavirus patients. even close, due to coronavirus. demand changes to P.A. textbooks. Personal and Business Services ..... 7 ........................................Page 2 ........................................Page 5 ........................................Page 8 Classifieds ....................................... 8 Page 2 - The Reporter March 20-26, 2020 Israeli doctors offer On the Jewish food scene online advice to Thoughts on noodles and COVID-19 patients By JNS staff (JNS) – Israeli doctors are giving webinars to quarantined COVID-19 patients in China and elsewhere in a project potatoes organized by Innonation, an Israeli innovation platform By Rabbi Rachel Esserman relatives in Canada so she could have what she still for international collaboration. When I was a child, noodle kugel was the ultimate calls “real Italian food.” I also love noodles in Asian Innonation is working with 100 volunteering Israeli comfort food. In fact, I didn’t realize there was any sauces, particularly when they feature a large number doctors to provide a series of interactive video broadcasts other kind of kugel until I was far into my adult years. of vegetables. on various medical areas related to the coronavirus, Certainly no other kugel ever appeared on our dinner By the way, it’s not that I don’t like potatoes. It’s including children; how to maintain proper hygiene table. In fact, it’s still difficult for me to think of a po- just I think there are better ways to eat potatoes than and potential skin issues from wearing a mask for a tato kugel as a real kugel; it seems to be a completely potato kugel, for example, mashed potatoes (another long time; diet; psychology and dealing with anxieties; different dish that should have a completely different comfort food) or any type of fried potato. (Think french pregnancy; and signs of a serious illness that require name. The kugel I loved was sweet, although I don’t fries, hash browns, etc.) When my stomach is upset, immediate attention.