Non-profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit # 184 Watertown, NY september 2015/elul-tishrei 5775-5776 a publication of United jewish federation of Volume 17, Number 7 Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien JCC Prepares to Celebrate A Lifetime of Service its 100th Birthday UJF to Present First-Ever Benson Zinbarg Centennial Events, Maccabi Games and Award The board and staff of the United ArtsFest Jewish Federation of Greater Stam- In the nearly 100 years since its munity,” said JCC CEO Eric Koehler. ford, New Canaan and Darien re- dedication in 1916, the Jewish Com- “We are fortunate to begin our second cently announced the establishment munity Center of Stamford has sought century with a legacy of service to our of the Benson Zinbarg Lifetime to serve as a second home for tens of neighbors, and we hope that the com- Service Award. The award, made thousands of families and individuals munity will join us as we celebrate this possible through the generosity of in the Stamford Jewish community. As wonderful milestone.” the Zinbarg family, is named for the JCC prepares to celebrate its 100th In 2006, Stamford hosted its first former UJF president and commu- anniversary, scores of volunteers are at JCC Maccabi Games, an annual nity leader Benson Zinbarg z’l, who work planning the events and programs Olympic-style athletic competition worked tirelessly for Jews both here in that will mark its centennial year. that brings together Jewish teens Connecticut and around the world. “From our original home in the from North America and around the James Cohen, UJF’s CEO, noted, “It Lorraine and David Kweskin basement of the Agudath Sholom world. JCC Maccabi ArtsFest grew out is wonderful that we are now able to synagogue on Greyrock Place, to the of the success of the JCC Maccabi honor individuals who have given The committee, convened to first dedicated building on Prospect Games, and offers an opportunity so much to the community over the choose the first recipients of this Street, to the 14-acre campus the JCC for creative teens to work on their years and particularly fitting that award, unanimously selected Lor- calls home today, we have endeavored crafts, engage with the community this award is named after a pillar like raine and David Kweskin to receive the to serve as the center of the Jewish Com- See “Birthday” on page 27 Benson Zinbarg.” See “Lifetime” on page 2 In France, Fear and Defiance Mix Bi-Cultural Wins Major North Months after Kosher Market Attack American Innovation Prize By Cnaan Liphshiz de Vincennes location and took its By Dora Salm PARIS (JTA) – On her way home patrons hostage. Since it reopened, Bi-Cultural Day School has won the from food shopping, Mirelle Bensason the store is guarded during its hours 2015 Jewish Education Innovation Chal- pauses to rearrange wilted wreaths of operation by police officers toting lenge, a major competition among North and posters hanging on the perimeter machine guns. American Jewish day schools. According fence that police set up around the “I take care of the commemora- to the competition sponsor, the Mayberg kosher supermarket where an Islamist tions on this fence to remember the Family Foundation, 62 schools submit- gunned down four Jewish shoppers victims and my pain, our pain,” said ted programs for consideration in this seven months ago. Bensason, who does Bensason, a blue-eyed grandmother year-long process. Bi-Cultural was one not keep strictly kosher, is not a Hyper of four who was born in Morocco and of two schools selected for the award, Cacher regular, but sees the continued now lives on the eastern edge of Paris, which includes a grant of $50,000 each. flow of customers into the shop as proof not far from Hyper Cacher. “But we’re The competition “is designed to Michal Smart and Rabbi Yehuda Jeiger of the Jewish community’s resilience. not afraid to come shopping here. We disrupt complacency and encourage Hyper Cacher reopened in March, refuse to be cowed by our enemies. innovation in Jewish day school edu- engage with Bi-Cultural in evaluating about two months after Amedy Life has not changed much, except cation,” the Mayberg Family Founda- the program’s progress and sharing it Coulibaly entered the chain’s Port See “France” on page 24 tion stated. The foundation will now See “Prize” on page 18 Candle 2 Bits & Pieces 6 Family 13 What’s on 24 Senior 26 Winter 28 Lighting Central for Adults Happenings Gala Back to School Shop Opens its Doors The Back to School Shop, a new, all-volunteer community event under the auspices of UJF, was launched on August 9 at Davenport Ridge Elementary School in Stamford. One hundred and twenty-five children from Stamford public elementary schools were able to “shop” free of charge for brand new back-to-school outfits and school supplies in a department store-like setting, created just for them. More than150 trained volunteers helped to make the event a resounding success. (More information will appear in next month’s The New Jewish Voice.) The ribbon cutting celebration included (l-r): Dr. Tamu Lucero, assistant superintendent, Stamford public schools; Randall Skigen, president, Board of Reps./deputy mayor; Meryl Japha and Jane Levene, co-founders, Back to School Shop; Mayor David Martin; Dr. Winifred Hamilton, superintendent, Stamford public schools; James Cohen, CEO, United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien; and William Tong and Caroline Simmons, state representatives. 2 THE NEW JEWISH VOICE ■ SEPTEMBER 2015 september 2015 ■ THE NEW JEWISH VOICE 3 President’s Message COMMUNITY NEWS Reflections on the Past Year What is your immediate, vis- and convening the community in a demonstration posed a Federation sponsored program for retired Brian Kriftcher receives hoffman humanitarian Award ceral reaction when you think of support. Thanks to you, UJF exceeded its fund- women/empty nesters. This became the inspiration At its annual meeting in May, the Jewish the criteria of sustained commitment and JCC Maccabi Games (in 2006 and again next sum- about the High Holidays? raising expectations for JFNA’s Stop the Sirens for “Chapter Two,” the monthly Women’s Philan- Community Center presented Stamford dedication to nurturing the overall growth mer in 2016), and developed capital campaigns of Is it that another summer is campaign, which provided assistance to those af- thropy group that is drawing rave reviews. resident Brian Kriftcher with the 2015 and development of the Jewish Community unprecedented scale in the Stamford community to over? Is it anticipation of bris- fected by the bombings. With the shrinking of the UJF board, we intro- Hyacinthe and Harold Hoffman Humani- Center; leadership in the support of the help rehabilitate and renew the JCC’s physical plant ket and taiglach? Is it a feeling We continued this role as community convener duced the Advisory Council comprised of lay leaders tarian Award. Center through the giving of time, energy and infrastructure. of sadness that you will not be and provider of Jewish experiences through spon- from our local organizations and the community Each year, the Hoffman Award is given to and financial assistance; a role model in The Kriftcher family’s lead gift helped jumpstart celebrating with lost loved ones, sorship of “Shabbat Across Stamford.” We were the at-large. The Advisory Council is a forum for infor- the individual who best expresses the ideals upholding the mission of the Center and the initial capital campaign, the second phase of or the joy of a new baby who will first community in the country with members from mation sharing and discussion, and at our meetings of service to the community that Harold E. helping to sustain the Center’s cultural, so- which, called The Centennial Campaign, has just experience Rosh Hashanah for all Jewish affiliations under one roof for a celebra- thus far, we’ve held lively conversations about teen Hoffman and his wife, Hyacinthe, longtime cial and educational programs; a respected begun, and coincides with the JCC’s 100th anniversary the first time? Ellen Weber, tory evening of prayer, food and education. And, engagement. We learned that our community has JCC leaders and distinguished humanitar- representative to the community at-large; in 2016. The Centennial Campaign will raise funds The Jewish New Year is an UJF president once again, Federation assembled our community many forums where teens can meet, but we need to ians and philanthropists, exemplified dur- selfless placement of the Center’s best needed to complete additional necessary upgrades opportunity for us to reflect on Yom Hashoah to remember the horrors of the get more of them involved. The Greater Stamford ing their lifetimes. Brian Kriftcher interest as a priority on an ongoing basis; See “Kriftcher” on page 20 on the past and plan for the future. Holocaust, honor our survivors and ensure that it Teen Task Force, an offshoot of the Council, will “The Hoffman Award selection commit- (Photo by Aviva and an inspiration to others, by example.” I look back over the last year with a feeling of “never happens again.” tackle this challenge. tee, made up of past Hoffman Award win- Maller) Kriftcher has been a member of the pride about the effectiveness of our Federation. With the promulgation of the proposed nuclear Among Federation’s fundamental roles is to raise ners, unanimously selected Brian Kriftcher Board of Directors of the JCC since 2003, Last summer, we were consumed by news of three agreement with Iran, we are attempting to determine funds to support our local partners, and help Jews to receive this year’s award,” said Eric Koehler, JCC and served as its president for three years from 2009- Deadlines for murdered Israeli students and the bombings in Is- its possible impact on America and Israel.