July 19-25, 2019 Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton Volume XLVIII, Number 29 BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK Israel Scouts Friendship Caravan community performance on Aug. 1 The Israel Scouts will perform on Tzofim are said to be “always prepared” and Thursday, August 1, at 7 pm, at the Jewish learn the principles of “working with spirit” and Community Center, 500 Clubhouse Rd., “providing community service.” Out of 60,000 Vestal. Their performance will be followed Tzofim throughout Israel, only 100 are chosen by refreshments and a meet-and-greet with annually for the Tzofim summer delegation. the Scouts. The Scouts will spend the day The Tzofim Friendship Caravan travels with the campers at Camp JCC playing throughout North America, visiting summer traditional Israeli games. The evening per- camps and cities. In representing Israel, the formance will be free to the community, but At right: The Tzofim Friendship Caravan members use RSVPs would be appreciated by calling the members of song and dance as their means of expression. JCC office at 724-2417, ext. 110. this year’s The Caravan features 10 teenagers and two Founded in 1919, the Israel Scouts were Israel Scouts adult leaders. The Scouts’ performance the first Zionist youth movement in Israel Friendship seeks to convey Israeli culture, music and and the first egalitarian Scouting movement Caravan. tradition, bringing with them a message of in the world where boys and girls partic- peace and friendship. Their professionally ipated together. The first delegation was choreographed song and dance routines are sent to the United States in 1958. Today, said to be charged with natural enthusiasm the Israel Scouts, Tzofim, remain the only and energy. Audiences are encouraged to non-political youth movement in Israel and dance, sing and enjoy the spirit of Israel. are supported mainly by the Ministry of Admission is free to the community Education and Culture. thanks to a generous donation from the Like Scouts throughout the world, the David and Virginia Eisenberg Foundation. Safe Haven plans 75th anniversary events On Monday, August 5, at 7:30 am, church Lake Ontario overlook parking lot during II. A memorial service will conclude the bells in Oswego will ring to commemorate the first refugee reunion in 1981. public program. the 75th anniversary of the arrival of a train Paul Lear, Fort Ontario superintendent At 6 pm, a 75th Anniversary Refugee Re- carrying 982 Holocaust refugees to the Fort and historian, will introduce a program union Dinner with guest speakers introduced Ontario Emergency Refugee Shelter. That of speakers, who will include former by Hill will be held at the Lake Ontario Event morning, former refugees, their families, refugees, their families, religious leaders, and Conference Center at 26 E. First St., invited officials, religious leaders and news Jewish groups, historians, public officials, Oswego. The dinner is open to the public media will board buses, visit cemeteries and U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum cu- and reservations are required. Buffet dinners conduct memorial services at the graves rator and historian Rebecca Erbelding, will cost $50 and plated kosher dinners $40 of refugees who died on the ship carrying Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter per person. Dinner reservations and event them from Italy to the United States and at Museum President Kevin Hill and repre- sponsorship forms may be obtained by the shelter during its 18-month operation. sentatives of organizations with historical contacting Judy Rapaport at 315-591-1050 Afterward, the group will gather for a private ties to the shelter. or email [email protected]. box lunch on the site of the 1944-46 shelter Speakers will deliver remarks on their The Fort Ontario State Historic Site is dining halls and living quarters. personal memories of life at the shelter, located at the north end of E. Fourth Street At 2 pm, a free public 75th anniversary events and circumstances leading to the and the Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee commemoration program will be held near formation of the Fort Ontario Emergency Shelter Museum is located at 2 E. Seventh a memorial monument at Fort Ontario State Refugee Shelter, how the shelter affected St., Oswego. The memorial monument at Fort Ontario Historic Site dedicated to the “Fort Ontario and continues to affect the lives of former For more information on the Fort On- State Historic Site is dedicated to the Refugees and the millions of victims of the refugees and city residents, how it was tario Emergency Refugee Shelter, or 75th refugees and the millions of victims of the Nazis who never had an opportunity to start administered and operated, its historical anniversary commemorative events, contact Nazis “who never had an opportunity to a new life.” The Syracuse Pioneer Women/ significance and legacy, and its impact Lear at 315-343-4711, or visit the Friends start a new life.” The monument will be Na’amat erected the monument near the on U.S. refugee policy since World War of Fort Ontario Facebook page or www. the focal point of 75th Anniversary Refugee fortontario.com. Shelter commemorative activities. Enjoying a swim with Camp JCC Sabra K, 1 and 2 campers went swimming at Cole Park on one of their day trips. For Refugees at the Fort Ontario Emergency Refugee Shelter on August 5, 1944, during more photos of week two at Camp JCC, see page 7. customs processing and baggage retrieval. INSIDE THIS ISSUE U.S. mayors in Israel First step to the Olympics News in brief... Special Sections U.S. mayors visited Israel to Israel’s national baseball team An Israeli-Palestinian business Legal Notices ................................... 4 enhance U.S.-Israel relations and takes its first step to qualify for group eyes economic engage- Book Review .................................... 4 discuss best municipal practices. the 2020 Olympic Games. ment; and more. Beat the Heat-Ice Cream Scoops .... 5 ........................................Page 3 ........................................Page 5 ........................................Page 8 Classifieds ....................................... 8 Page 2 - The Reporter July 19-25, 2019 Young Culture shock: Jewish youth and identity in small Voices town America ISAAC KARP Growing up Jewish while attending a non-Jewish public all-Jewish school to a place where I could count on one school years, and every sacrifice I made to adapt constantly school has taught me many lessons. This diverse education hand the number of Jews was the biggest culture shock I reminded me how important my roots really are. broadened my scope of understanding and appreciation for have ever experienced. However, being in a school that had barely any aware- others. Being part of a diverse community of students and After I left Hillel, I had a tough time at West Middle. The ness, let alone appreciation of Judaism, confused me. How teachers has also allowed me to reflect on my own religion only people I knew were some of my basketball teammates could I reconcile my assimilation into a secular culture and cultural Identity. from the Catholic Church League, which I ironically became while still retaining those parts of Judaism I hold most dear? After this summer, I will begin my senior year at Bing- involved in the summer after I left Hillel. Nevertheless, This question is one many young Jewish people face today. hamton High School, a place I consider more than just a the transition to a place where I basically had no friends In future columns, I hope to explore these issues, while school, since it feels like I live so much of my life either in made each day a struggle. Making new friends from scratch also analyzing in depth the relationship young Jews like it or with friends from it. However, I didn’t always attend is not the easiest challenge to take on, especially coming me have with their community. I will interview local public schools. Before BHS, before West Middle School, from such a tight-knit community like Hillel. I did make community leaders, members and students, and investigate I spent six years at Hillel Academy, a local private Jewish a couple of close friends and, eventually, I worked my how they identify and maintain Jewish culture, not just elementary school. way up. Without the relationships I developed throughout in Binghamton, but other nearby locales, as well. I will The most obvious difference between Hillel, West my years at West, attending the high school would have explore the perspectives of both the older and younger Middle and BHS is the student population – and I’m not been even more difficult. Being forced into this situation generations to find out how they think about Jewish just talking about Jews! At Hillel, I was the only member increased my open mindedness and enhanced my social youth culture and identity. I will also analyze how others of my fifth grade class. When I arrived at BHS, I was skills. Looking back on my first year at West, I realize this understand Jews by examining online media platforms one of hundreds in the ninth grade. While the increased was the time where I could either persevere or give up. and the discussions that occur regarding the position of numbers were terrifying at first, the transition from an Adaptability is the defining word of my middle and high Jews in modern America. Opinion Wading into the world of philanthropic partnerships By Vinna Katz and Romina Ruiz-Goiriena impact in the world and often do so by getting involved doesn’t soak into the ground; instead, it runs off surfaces, (JNS) – In a world riddled with problems in need of in their local communities first. A recent “Millennial taking pollutants like pesticides, oils and trash with it into solutions, philanthropy should be accessible to all.