Non-profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit # 184 Watertown, NY SEptember 2016/ave-elul 5776 a publication of United jewish federation of Volume 18, Number 7 Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien “Disobedience: The Sousa Behrend is Back Mendes Story” UJF Announces 2017 Behrend Leadership Institute Portuguese Holocaust Rescuer Honored United Jewish Federation an- nounced that the Behrend Institute in Stamford for Leadership will be offered again By Karen Denker historian Yehuda Bauer as “perhaps in 2017. The next cadre of the elite Community members are invited to the largest rescue action by a single training program for community lead- a film screening of the award-winning individual during the Holocaust.” As ers will start in January and continue docudrama “ Disobedience: The Sousa a result of his act of conscience, Sousa throughout the calendar year. The 2017 Mendes Story” on Wednesday, Septem- Mendes was punished by his govern- program will feature new instructors ber 7, at 7 pm, at The State Cinema, ment for “disobedience,” stripped of leading workshops on a variety of top- 990 Hope St., Stamford. his position and blacklisted. He died ics, including adapting and managing The film tells the true story of Aris- in 1954 in poverty and disgrace. change within the community and tides de Sousa Mendes, the Portuguese The film screening will be followed by organizations, managing committees, consul stationed in Bordeaux, France, a brief testimonial by Stamford resident fund-raising, effective communication Stephne and Kerrin Behrend during World War II. When the Nazis Karen Denker, the daughter and grand- and others. invaded in 1940, Sousa Mendes grant- daughter of Sousa Mendes visa recipients. Program founder Kerrin Behrend adding to the over 100 existing alum- ed Portuguese visas to thousands of “Finding out that my mother and her said, “We are happy to be initiating ni, we believe this program enhances refugees against the strict orders of family had been saved by the compassion our eighth cohort of the Behrend the future leadership ensuring the his government in a feat described by See “Story” on page 2 Institute for Leadership in 2017. By See “Behrend” on page 2 “Reverse Birthright” Gives Israelis How to be a Successful a Look at America’s Jews, from Blended Family Philip Roth to the Three Stooges By Lynn Saltz only cover conventional re-marriages Jewish Family Service, in partnership with children and stepchildren, but will By Ben Sales participated in a 10-day trip to get to with the Stamford Jewish Community explore the challenges faced with an in- NEW YORK (JTA) – Instead of know American Jews. Center, will present “How to be a Suc- terracial marriage, a gay marriage and a visiting the Western Wall, they visited The trip, which began on June 18, cessful Blended Family” on Thursday, marriage joining two different religious Ellis Island. Instead of hiking in the is the highlight of a year-long master’s September 22, from 7-9 pm, at the backgrounds. The focus of the discussion Negev Desert, they took a day trip to a degree program at Haifa University, Stamford JCC, 1035 Newfield Ave. will be on the children involved in the Habonim-Dror summer camp. Instead the Ruderman Program for American “What is a blended family?” In its various types of blended families. of basking in the sun on the Tel Aviv Jewish Studies. The program teaches most basic sense, a blended family is The evening program will include beach, they watched clips of the Three 25 students about American Jewish one where the parents have children Bob Abrams, Jewish educator and Stooges mocking the Nazis. And instead history, religion and culture to have from previous relationships, but all the father of a blended family; Dr. Lee of Birthright, a 10-day trip meant to them better understand and identify members come together as one unit. Combrinck-Graham, JFS psychiatric acquaint American Jews with Israel, with their American counterparts. The areas to be discussed at the “Suc- consultant with a family background in a cohort of Israeli graduate students See “Birthright” on page 15 cessful Blended Family” event will not See “Blended” on page 18 Candle Bits & Pieces JEEP Professional Voices & Community Lighting 2 6 6 Support 16 Views 18 Contacts 19 Connecticut Yankees in King David’s Court The state of Connecticut boasted 14 participants on the recent Campaigner’s Mission to Israel in July. Participants hailed from Stamford, Greenwich and Hartford Federations. The group welcomed Shabbat on the Haas Promenade overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem. Pictured with members of the Hartford and Greenwich Federations were Stamford residents (kneeling from left) Nahum Daniels, Tracy Daniels and Rebekah Raz; and (standing from left) Arlene Rosen, Ricky Arbron, Carl Rosen and Sherry Steiner. 2 THE NEW JEWISH VOICE ■ SEPTEMBER 2016 President’s Message An Adventure to Remember This past summer, my husband, Richard, these changes will be and how grateful I Committee supports Jewish camping programs, which and I went on a biking adventure from am to G-d. help Jewish teens in Russia and Ukraine connect with Buffalo to Albany, NY, traveling 379 miles As we pedaled mile after mile, I was their Jewish roots? Without these programs these on the towpath of the Erie Canal, the hills amazed by our surroundings, the beauty children might have no link to their Jewish past. of upstate New York and along the Mohawk of the canal and the efforts that went into And, did you know that monies from our Feder- River. For those who bicycle long distances, making what some considered the “eighth ation given to World ORT help train newly arrived I’m sure you will agree that while this sport wonder of the world.” While the brainchild Ethiopian immigrants in our sister city of Afula in provides great exercise, it is, oftentimes, of one man, Dewitt Clinton, it took grit, Israel, so they can be employed and self-sufficient? quite solitary. We have been on many long hard work and determination of thousands Let’s also not forget the impact of Federation, distance bike trips and each one provides working together to turn his dream into here, in our own community. Your financial support me with an opportunity to do some thinking Ellen Weber, a reality. of Federation helps 14 local agencies provide pro- as my wheels go round and round. On this UJF president It was this idea – that people working grams and services to Jews across the age spectrum, latest trip, biking about seven hours a day, together can accomplish great things – that from students to the elderly. Federation-sponsored I did plenty of that! My thoughts focused on family, led me to think about Federation. I am so proud and programs such as Yom Hashoah remembrance, the environment and, yes, on Federation. inspired by what we achieve in our community through Shabbat Across Stamford, the upcoming Tapestry I thought about the wonderful upcoming addition our mutual acts of giving, and by the lasting impact on November 19 and Global Day of Learning on to our family (my daughter and her husband are we have on Jews locally and throughout the world. November 20 engage, energize, inspire and educate expecting their first child in the fall); how exciting Did you know that Federations’ contributions to our community. the Jewish Agency for Israel collectively support thou- Since this is my last message prior to Rosh Ha- sands of Jews making aliyah each year, many coming shanah, I would like to wish everyone a “Happy and CANDLE LIGHTING from countries like France, where it is increasingly Healthy New Year.” I recently read the following dangerous for Jews to live? Since 2000, nearly 10 saying, “No one can whistle a symphony. It takes an percent of the French Jewish community has made orchestra to play it.” I pray that we continue to make TIMES aliyah to Israel with 7,800 just last year. great music together for 5777. August 19 ............................ 7:28 pm Did you know that your Federation dollars al- All the best to you and your families, August 26 ............................ 7:18 pm located to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Ellen Weber September 2 ........................ 7:06 pm September 9 ........................ 6:55 pm Behrend Continued from page 1 September 16 ...................... 6:43 pm continuity of a strong Jewish community.” year’s program will be facilitated by Jonathan Fass, September 23 ...................... 6:31 pm Behrend fellow and current interim director of who has extensive experience with Jewish leadership September 30 ...................... 6:19 pm Jewish Philanthropies of Eastern Fairfield County, education. The 2017 program will also include new Shoshana Dweck, credits the Institute for deepened nationally recognized speakers creating an excellent October 2............................. 6:16 pm relationships within the community. “The Behrend opportunity for participants to fulfill personal growth October 3.....................after 7:13 pm Institute was about so much more than the curricu- and bring new leadership skills to their institutions.” October 7............................. 6:07 pm lum; it was about the community and our commit- Participants are nominated by all the Jewish orga- ment. Gaining skills and insights and confidence nizations and synagogues in Stamford in recognition was just the tip of the iceberg. By working together, of their potential to be future leaders. Information we learned to respect the needs of the various or- and applications for the 2017 Behrend Institute for ganizations that make up our community, and we Leadership are available by contacting Cantor Marcia learned – and keep learning – from each other. The Lane at 203-653-2668 or [email protected]. relationships I made and knowledge I gained remain the backbone of all of my communal work.” Past Behrend fellows have included presidents Story Continued from page 1 of all the Jewish institutions in Stamford.