December 7-13, 2018 Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton Volume XLVII, Number 49 BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK Federation announces “gift matched” By Reporter staff Auerbach noted, munity would match she said. “The community owes this person In November, an anonymous donor of- “The theme of the An anonymous donor’s this gift because that’s thanks for helping us to raise funds that allow fered to match up to $10,000 of increased 2019 Campaign is offer to match up to $10,000 the type of wonderful our community organizations to continue the or new gifts committed to the 2019 Cam- ‘The Front Porch’ and of increased or new gifts community we are.” wonderful work they do.” paign of the Jewish Federation of Greater the Federation serves Auerbach also Although the matching gift offer expired Binghamton. The Federation announced as the front porch of committed to the Federation’s acknowledged how on November 30, the Campaign continues. that the gift has been matched. our Jewish home in 2019 Campaign has been grateful she is to the “Anyone who has not made a gift to the “This is fabulous,” said Sima Auerbach, Broome County. It’s matched. anonymous donor who Campaign can still do so,” Auerbach added. executive director of the Federation. “Not the place where many offered to match in- To make a donation to the Federation, call only am I thrilled that someone offered the of the organizations creased and new gifts. the Federation office at 724-2332. Donations matching gift, but that our community came you care about work together and meet to “This wonderful person called me, saying, can also be mailed to the Jewish Federation through by increasing their pledges so we better our community, and where people ‘The Federation is the heart of our community’ of Greater Binghamton, 500 Clubhouse Rd., could reach the $10,000 goal.” come to share and talk. So I knew this com- and proved that by offering the matching gift,” Vestal, NY 13850. BD Dec. 8 luncheon talk on “Judaism and the Greeks: Perspectives on Hanukkah, Diaspora and Beyond” Beth David’s December Saturday lun- “ I have been fascinated by recent analy- nizers say, “and look forward philosophy department, she has cheon will take place on December 8. The ses, such as those by Gruen’s ‘Heritage and to a spirited discussion.” taught her own courses, and has speaker will be Gina Santiago, who will Hellenism,’” says Santiago, “as well as a Santiago grew up in Philadel- also worked as an advising asso- focus on a Hanukkah-related topic, since it volume edited by Rabbi J.J. Schacter, titled phia and then moved to Rhode ciate at Harpur College. While deals with the Maccabean period. Santiago ‘Judaism’s Encounter with Other Cultures: Island where she obtained her completing her Ph.D., Santiago will examine the relationship between Jews Rejections or Integration.’” Santiago plans B.A. in philosophy and sociol- is working as an administrator and Greek culture during that period. She to connect her talk on Jews and Greek ogy. She earned her master’s at Hillel Academy. has examined traditional sources as well culture to current ongoing discussions, degree in philosophy at Bing- Beth David’s luncheon speak- as modern scholarship on this topic. She particularly prevalent among Orthodox hamton University, where she is er series takes place the second will share different Jewish perspectives Jews, about Judaism’s past and present currently pursuing her doctorate Saturday of the month after on the extent to which Jews engaged in encounters with other cultures. in philosophy, with a special- Shabbat morning services, and Greek culture and what effect it had on their “We are in for an absolutely ization in ancient Greek and is open to the community. There identity as Jews. thought-provoking, timely talk,” orga- political philosophy. In the BU Gina Santiago See “Talk” on page 6 TC Hanukkah House Museum now open The 22nd annual Hanukkah House Muse- history, changing borders and famous sites information and a sense of how the holi- activities. There are displays of antique oil um at Temple Concord opened on November will be highlighted. day is celebrated around the world. Also burning menorahs, as well as traditional and 27 and will close on Thursday, December Also, information from the 2014 exhibit returning is a miniature recreation of life contemporary menorahs. 27. The museum will be open Tuesdays, on the Kilmer Mansion and family will be on the Lower East Side of New York City “Displays of dreidels, menorahs and Saturdays and Sundays from noon-4 pm, on display. The mansion was purchased at the turn of the century. yarmulkes are quite impressive,” organizers and Thursdays from 4-7 pm. This seasonal shortly after Temple Concord was estab- The story of Hanukkah is told in different say. “The hands-on activities are sure to teaching museum is housed in the Kilmer lished in 1950. The Kilmer Mansion was mediums in the museum: fabric, written delight guests of all ages.” Mansion, 9 Riverside Dr., Binghamton. designed and built in 1898 by local architect words, movies, diorama and hands-on See “Museum” on page 11 The Judaic Gift Shop featuring a wide Edward Vosbury in the Italian Renaissance selection of Judaica for Hanukkah needs and and Queen Anne style. other life cycle celebrations will be open Other Hanukkah House Museum exhib- during museum hours except on Saturdays. its will give students and visitors a sense Happy Hanukkah The theme for the 2018 museum is cel- of the historic aspect of the Hanukkah ebrating Israel’s 70th anniversary. Israel’s story with tableaus and models, descriptive Rabbi Marley Weiner to speak at TI/TC program The next Temple Israel/Tem- are “ripe for the taking” in this ple Concord Adult Education session about the next generation program will be held on Sun- of Jewish engagement. day, December 16, at 10 am, at Weiner is in her second Temple Concord. Rabbi Marley year as the senior Jewish Weiner will discuss “Twenty to educator at Hillel at Bingham- Work and Thirty to Full Power: ton, and is a member of the Jewish Innovation by Millennials 2017 graduating class of the and Gen Z.” Reconstructionist Rabbinical Five years ago, the Pew Re- College. She is also a member search Center revealed that young of independent minyanim, a Jewish Americans were engaging Rabbi Marley lover of Limmud NY and a with their Judaism in “startlingly Weiner Jewish music enthusiast. new and different ways.” But Brunch is included in the $5 what are those ways, and how can they entrance fee and all are welcome. Reser- L-r: Anna Grills, Charlotte Coker and Jackson Ratterree perused the Hanukkah revitalize modern Jewish life from all an- vations are appreciated and can be made House Museum exhibits designed by Linda Green (not pictured). (See more photos gles? Everything from democratization of by calling the Temple Concord office at on page 5.) serious text study to new Jewish melodies 723-7355. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Teaching fellows in Israel A life in song Hanukkah Special Sections College students from English- A Brazilian Holocaust survivor’s Area synagogues announce Legal Notices ................................... 4 speaking countries are teaching life has been memorialized in a holiday celebrations; a look at a Book Review .................................... 4 English in Israeli public schools. song. historic chanukiah in Holland. Health Greetings ....................... 7, 8-9 ........................................Page 3 ........................................Page 6 ............................ Pages 7 and 10 Classifieds ..................................... 12 Page 2 - The Reporter December 7-13, 2018 Opinion Stan Lee gave comic books permission to be more Jewish By Arie Kaplan Show” and “The Tonight Show” would frequently book “The one thing I always feared – a witch hunt for mutants!” (JTA) – When Stan Lee died on November 12 at 95, comedians who cut their teeth at the Catskills resorts, like The newspaper features an artist’s interpretation of a he left behind a vast legacy. Between 1961 and 1969, his Henny Youngman, Jackie Mason or Jack E. Leonard. All mutant in a chariot being ferried around by human slaves. greatest sustained burst of creative activity, he co-created a of America was being exposed to their distinct brand of The caption above the drawing reads, “Dr. Trask warns vast array of iconic characters, including Spider-Man, the Jewish humor. American humor was, in effect, becoming that the superior abilities and supernatural powers of the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, the Avengers, the Incredible more Jewish. hidden mutants will enable them to enslave the human Hulk, Thor, Iron Man, Black Panther, Daredevil, Nick And Stan Lee, born Stanley Martin Lieber, the son of race, replacing our civilization with their own.” Fury, Doctor Strange and Falcon. Romanian Jewish immigrants, grew up in New York City By today’s standards, this dialogue is more than a bit Lee raised the bar for superhero storytelling. He created in the 1920s and 1930s. He must have been familiar with cheesy. But for a comic book designed for children in the characters who had godlike powers, but who were painfully Borscht Belt humor. 1960s, this was heady stuff; a superhero tale designed to human nonetheless. They were relatable because of their But why did he include those kinds of jokes in Spidey’s warn kids about the dangers of prejudice. In the story, flaws and foibles. They squabbled and gave in to petty dialogue? Perhaps he couldn’t help it. Maybe it’s the sort of mutants are clearly a substitute for any oppressed minority. jealousies, a rarity at the time. Lee’s skill at writing clever comedic voice he was most comfortable using.