Non-profit Organization A Gift for You, Courtesy of... U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit # 184 Watertown, NY www.UJF.org september 2018/elul-tishrei 5778-5779 a publication of United jewish federation of Volume 20, Number 5 Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien Bi-Cultural Day School and Jewish High School Merge New Academy to Serve Pre-K through Grade 12 By Judie Jacobson Connecticut, both of whom played key tural Hebrew Academy, with Erickson est grades straight through high school. After months of planning, two Jewish roles in engineering the agreement. assuming the role of vice president. In addition, she says, “Students will schools in Stamford have announced According to Pitkoff and Erickson, The consolidated school will im- now benefit from a continuum of ed- their merger. the two schools enjoy many similarities: pact both the student body, as well as ucation that provides them with the The Boards of Trustees of Bi-Cul- both have student bodies steeped in the broader Jewish community, notes brightest of futures. The merger is a tural Day School, a national Blue Rib- Torah values and a love for the state Jacqueline Herman, Bi-Cultural Day unique opportunity to offer an excel- bon School serving pre-kindergarten of Israel; and both enjoy innovative School’s longtime head of school lent general and Judaic studies program through grade eight, and the Jewish curriculums, reputations for academic “This is a watershed moment for from pre-K through grade 12. The High School of Connecticut have excellence, legacies of service to the our entire Jewish community,” points powerful impact of Jewish continuity unveiled plans to create one unified community and seek to pass on the out Herman, noting that the merger will be immeasurable.” educational institution. legacy of the Jewish heritage. lays a foundation for the future of the Herman will continue as head of The newly formed Bi-Cultural He- “Our two schools agreed to this Fairfield County Jewish community by school of the newly formed Bi-Cultural brew Academy – the first of its kind in merger because we wanted to build seeking to instill in families considering Hebrew Academy. The high school’s Connecticut – will open its doors this a pre-K through grade 12 school that a move to the area the confidence that principal, Rabbi Elisha Paul, will take fall. At least initially, each school will con- represents the best of our community. their children will have convenient over as the new school’s madriach tinue to operate at its present location. A school committed to educational access to a top-quality, well-rounded, ruchani (spiritual leader). “There has never been a better time excellence and devoted to instilling uninterrupted education from the earli- See “Merge” on page 2 for this alliance to take shape,” say in our children and grandchildren the David Pitkoff, president of Bi-Cultural values, traditions and heritage we share Day School, and Geoffrey Erickson, as a community,” said Pitkoff, who will president of the Jewish High School of serve as president of the new Bi-Cul- Things are “A- Happenin” at Federation Israel Gets Set to Land First Rebooting “NextGen” and More Over the past year, there has been for new ideas, challenging the status Spacecraft on the Moon a great deal of conversation within quo and shaping conversations that By Israel Kasnett contractor Israel Aerospace Industries’ United Jewish Federation of Greater re-imagine strategies, leadership and (JNS) – “Houston, the Eagle has facility on July 10, Israeli nonprofit Stamford, New Canaan and Darien Jewish community in response to landed” will soon be a common refrain company SpaceIL announced its in- about its role in the Jewish com- evolving needs. Federation convenes for Israelis. tention to send Israel’s first unmanned munity resulting in changes taking change makers who share smart While entrepreneur Elon Musk spacecraft into orbit in December place. A new CEO, Diane Sloyer, has practices and resources to create sent one of his Tesla cars into space and, two months later, land it on the come on board, the staff has been more and better opportunities for last year on top of his SpaceX rocket, lunar surface. Israel would then join restructured and programs are being our community.” this year, Musk will help deliver Israel’s the exclusive club of nations that has re-evaluated. According to UJF Pres- Programming relating to the first unmanned lunar spacecraft atop accomplished this feat since the 1960s, ident Ricky Arbron, “A question that Young Leadership Division, which a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, where it will becoming the fourth nation to land has been at the forefront of my mind has been on hiatus, is one area that assume a course that will take it to its a craft on the moon after Russia, the has been, ‘What is the dream Jewish has had a lot of attention within final destination: the moon. United States and China. community and how can we at UJF Federation. With more new younger At a press conference at defense See “Moon” on page 16 help create it?’ We are a laboratory See “NextGen” on page 15 Candle 2 Bits & Pieces 6 From Schoke 8 Rosh 17 Professional 18 Voices & 18,22 Lighting JFS Hashanah Support Views Fighting Hunger with Dodgeball United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford New Canaan and Darien’s annual Dodgeball Tournament for Charity, held on August 6 to benefit programs fighting childhood hunger, drew teams from around the Jewish community (pictured above), including Bi-Cultural Day School, Carmel Academy, Temple Beth El and Young Israel of Stamford. See page 14 for further coverage. 2 THE NEW JEWISH VOICE ■ SEPTEMBER 2018 From UJF’s Chief Executive Officer Looking Ahead in the New Year Just a few weeks ago, I decisions and challenges, tunity for participants and volunteers about antisemitism have increased celebrated my one-year an- but, looking back at the last from all parts of our Jewish community and acts of hatred in general are at niversary as CEO of UJF. As I 12 months, I view it as a year to connect to each other and to their an all-time high. In Israel, kite bombs listened to the Jewish songs of progress and communal Jewish roots and values. And beyond have brought a new kind of terrorism being sung by JCC Olami growth that has brought me what WE do, we recognized the im- to the south and beyond. UJF and the summer campers congregat- and the board of Federation portance of the work of our agencies Federation system is there to provide ing outside my office window, a feeling of satisfaction and both local and overseas by allocating relief through respite summer camps, I took great pride in knowing accomplishment. close to $600,000 to fund strategic trauma counseling and emergency as- that UJF granted scholarships With an overhaul of our grants, which support UJF’s mission sistance through the Victims of Terror to enable many of these kids budget and judicious fiscal and vision. Among other things, these Fund. Across the world, there have been to attend camp. Diane Sloyer, management, our Federation grants have helped the JCC fund Camp countless people seeking refuge from It has been a year of tough UJF CEO is providing those in need Scholarships, the shlicha (an emissary violence and war and, unfortunately, with greater resources, while we spend from Israel), Jump Start (a program many have yet to find it. less money on overhead – a win-win. for children with special needs) and Despite all the challenges, as we an- CANDLE UJF’s newspaper, The New Jewish Voice, Senior Adult programs. And at Schoke ticipate the New Year, we draw strength continues to provide a voice and a free JFS, we helped fund programs like the from our collective history and tradi- marketing outlet for our community Kosher Food Pantry, counseling, case tion, knowing that it has always been LIGHTING TIMES organizations. In addition, UJF contin- management and emergency assistance the Jewish way to face adversity and to Aug. 24 ...............7:21 pm ues to exclusively fund and manage the funds, camp scholarships and family not just persevere, but to actually thrive. Aug. 31 ...............7:10 pm Jewish Community Relations Council; life education programs. Bi-Cultural Living as a Jew and more importantly Sept. 7 ................6:59 pm PJ Library; Kuriansky Teen Tzedakah Day School, Carmel Academy and the as a Jewish community has always been Corps; 3 Square; Shabbat Across Stam- new Jewish High School all receive about coming together to find the best Sept. 9 ................6:55 pm ford, New Canaan and Darien; and a funding towards scholarship assistance path through rough seas; to face the Sept. 10 ......after 7:53 pm community Yom Hashoah program. All to promote Jewish education to ensure world and keep moving forward. Sept. 14 ..............6:47 pm of these programs help unite our Jewish a Jewish future. In the year ahead, may we continue Sept. 18 ..............6:40 pm Community under one umbrella – the For the broader Jewish community, to be strong and strengthen one an- Federation – and provide an oppor- it has been a turbulent year as concerns other – chazak, chazak v’nitchazek. Let’s Sept. 21 ..............6:35 pm work together to make “a sweet New Sept. 23 ..............6:32 pm Year” not just a greeting, but a reality Sept. 24 ......after 7:29 pm Merge Continued from page 1 for ourselves and the world we share. Sept. 28 ..............6:23 pm “We see a future that captures the us as we begin the process of pooling Wishing you and your families a year best of who we are – from Einstein to all our talents and resources to create filled with health, peace and joy! Sept.