Jewish Observer» STAY SAFE! A publication of the Jewish Federation of Central New York of Central New York PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID, SYRACUSE, NY & ADDITIONAL OFFICES SYRACUSE, ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD | WWW.JEWISHFEDERATIONCNY.ORG JUNE 2020 | SIVAN-TAMMUZ 5780 BECOMING B’NAI MITZVAH IN THE ERA OF COVID-19 Dory Sinclair became bar mitzvah on March 28, 2020. INSIDE: LOOK: DON’T MISS: B’NAI MITZVAH IN THE PROFILES IN SYRAJEWS IN AGE OF COVID-19 COMMITMENT THE ARTS ( 7 ) ( 9 ) ( 16 ) Jewish Observer June 2020 of Central New York Published by Jewish Federation of Central New York From the Editor Letter to the Editor 5655 Thompson Road DeWitt, NY 13214 We have seen wonderful On Monday, April 20, 2020 at 7:30 pm, I joined, albeit remotely, things happening through the use with eighty-two members of our Syracuse community, including phone: 315-445-2040 x116 of technology during the COV- our local Federation representatives and our rabbis and cantors, to fax: 315- 445-1599 ID-19 pandemic: virtual birthdays honor the memories of those who were murdered in the Holocaust, jewishfederationcny.org and baby showers, online classes, and of those who through internal fortitude and the grace of G-d concerts by socially-isolated mu- managed to survive, come to Syracuse, and begin again. sicians concertizing, Zoom seders I knew those survivors. Many of them lived in my neighborhood and shivas, watch parties, quar- when I was growing up. I remember their faces. I went to school with antini cocktail virtual gatherings. their children, celebrated in their homes, and in later years prepared President/CEO ......................................................................................................Michael Balanoff We have been able to “attend” ser- their grandchildren for becoming b’nai mitzvah. Board Chair...............................................................................................................Ellen Weinstein Barbara Davis vices in many synagogues in our I also heard the Editor ...............................................................................................................................Barbara Davis town and also in other places, led names of people by different rabbis, including some who used to be ours. We have lis- who did not survive, tened to cantors we have never heard before and have been taught including members songs we never knew before. We have witnessed acts of chesed and of my own fam- bravery; neighbors have reached out to neighbors; we have discov- ily. When my par- ered that things we used to complain about – school, crowds, com- ents went to Israel The Jewish Federation of Central New York is a proud mutes to work, jobs – are things that we really miss when they’re a lifetime ago, they member of the Jewish Federations of North America. missing. stumbled upon a There’s a lot we do not and cannot know about the future. What tiny building run Produced by we do know is that the present crisis has inspired creativity, innova- by an old man who tion and kindness. Optimism and courage will get us through the spoke only Yiddish. current darkness and into a brighter future. As individuals, organiza- My dad spoke to him tions and institutions, we need to do absolutely everything we can in German, which to help those in need as well as the lionhearted souls who are on he’d studied at Not- Publisher/Chief Revenue Officer .......................................................................................Barbara E. Macks the front lines of fighting this invisible, implacable enemy. We also tingham High School [email protected] need to assure that our Jewish community survives to meet our com- and the man under- Creative Director .......................................................................................................................................J.P. Thimot [email protected] munal needs. stood the jist of what Vice President/Production & Sales .......................................................................................Jennifer Tudor But optimism cannot blind us to the reality of our situation. How Dad was saying and [email protected] can we assure that the entities that inspire, educate, connect, nurture, answered in Yiddish. Lead Designer ..................................................................................................................................Kimberly Miers and provide care for all of us are able to recover from the realities of My mother, who un- [email protected] lost revenue and a near cessation of all fundraising activities? derstood Yiddish but Senior Graphic Designers ..........................................................................Josh Flanigan, Andrea Rowley Even before the pandemic, we knew the Jewish world was chang- could not speak it, Graphic Designers ..................................................................................Kristen Thomas, Nicholas Vitello ing, but COVID-19 accelerated the pace. The distressing news of the translated. This mu- Production Manager .................................................................................................Adam Van Schoonhoven demise of the great Jewish newspaper of Canada and near-demise seum was dedicated Sales Director ....................................................................................................................Cynthia Oppenheimer of Great Britain’s Jewish Chronicle after decades of publication, sent to shtetls that were [email protected] a chill down our editorial spine. We know that Jewish newspapers, razed by the Nazis Sales Executives ....................................................................................................................................Keren Green and the Jewish Observer in particular, are a highly valued resource and existed now only in memory. It featured four walls that were [email protected] for longtime readers. We want our readers to know that we intend covered with bricks carrying the names of the lost shtetls. Dad took to stay in business, publishing news about the people in our Jew- pictures of “our” bricks; we had so many bricks. ish community who are making a difference, about the work of our Thank you to our rabbis and cantors for reaching our souls with Submissions: Federation and its partner agencies, and about our synagogues and their voices and compassion, to our Federation President and CEO Mi- Submit editorial stories, photos, and calendar items by the 1st of schools. We hope you enjoy reading the JO every month and we in- chael Balanoff for his coordination and support of this event, to Board the preceding month of issue to: [email protected]. vite you to let us hear your thoughts and to write a book review Chair Ellen Weinstein for her heartfelt remarks, and to Dr. Barbara To Advertise: for us or be our Jewish Cook of the Month. You can reach us 24/6 Davis, who somehow put us all in one room together. To advertise, call Cynthia Oppenheimer at 716-783-9119 x2240. May the memories of the righteous be a blessing. at [email protected] with your ideas and suggestions. Ad space & materials are due by the 16th of each month prior to Our June issue was to have featured “Celebrations,” and we an- publication. For a rate card and any additional information, please ticipated filling it with news of graduations, galas, annual meetings, Karen J. Docter email Cynthia Oppenheimer [email protected] or reunions, anniversaries, weddings and b’nai mitzvah celebrations. DeWitt Town Councilor Barbara Macks [email protected]. Well, as they say, “we plan, God laughs.” But there is still much to To Subscribe: celebrate this June, albeit in a very different way. We will tell you the story of two milestone celebrations that took place in unexpected To subscribe, email [email protected]. Free for Central ways. We will profile three professionals who are on the front lines of New York area residents and donors to the Federation’s annual providing medical and mental health care. We have an article about campaign. Non-resident subscription is $36 for 12 issues, payable “Unorthodox,” a book and video series that is currently a hot topic of to the Jewish Observer. conversation. And we will feature some talented local Jewish art- COVID-19 EMERGENCY FUND With a pandemic threatening our lives, everyone needs assis- THE JEWISH OBSERVER OF CENTRAL NEW YORK (USPS 000939) (ISSN 1079-9842) ists, tell you about lots of activities going on despite the pandemic, Publications Periodical postage paid at Syracuse, NY and other offices. Published tance. Those served by our local Jewish beneficiary agencies, -syna including the Federation’s annual meeting and its Roth Award recipi- 12 times per year by the Jewish Federation of Central New York Inc., a non-profit gogues and senior facilities are suffering in this time of crisis. The corporation, 5655 Thompson Road, DeWitt, NY 13214. Subscriptions $36/year; ent. Sadly, we will report to you on too many deaths, including some student $10/year. POSTMASTER: Send address change to JEWISH OBSERVER OF loss of income, canceled fundraising events and stretched resources who succumbed to COVID-19. CENTRAL NEW YORK, 5655 Thompson Road, DeWitt, NY 13214. have greatly impacted the ability of organizations to meet exigent It is our hope that you will read this issue, which focuses on both needs and will continue to impact their ability to fulfill their respec- The Jewish Observer of Central New York