OCTOBER 1, 2020 – 13 TISHRI 5781 JEWISH JOURNAL VOL 45, NO 3 JEWISHJOURNAL.ORG JUSTICE FOR ALL: GINSBURG SET AN EXAMPLE FOR ALL TO FOLLOW Ruth Bader Ginsburg became the first Jewish female justice of the Supreme Court. Ruth Bader Ginsburg lying in repose outside of the U.S. Supreme Court. By Ethan M. Forman “The Torah is relentless in reminding and instructing changed the way women are viewed in the American JOURNAL STAFF and commanding that we never forget those who live in workplace and society. the shadows, those whose freedom and opportunity are In her more than 27 years on the Supreme Court, As Americans mourned the passing of Supreme Court not guaranteed,” said Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt of the Adas Ginsburg was often in the dissent as she fought for equal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg – the most influential female Israel Congregation in Washington, D.C., while eulogiz- treatment of women and men under the law. judge in U.S. history – Jews in Greater Boston also paused ing Ginsburg as she lay in repose in the Great Hall of the She has become an inspiration to established judges, to reflect on the seminal figure who devoted most of her Supreme Court. attorneys, and those in law school as a tireless judge, law- life to protecting the rights of all citizens. Ginsburg was a superhero to Rabbi Alison Adler, the yer, and mother who balanced family and work life, and “I think we’ve lost a great justice and a great Jewish spiritual leader of Temple B’nai Abraham in Beverly. for being a Jewish woman who broke barriers to sit on the justice,” said U.S. District Court Senior Judge Mark Wolf. “For Hanukkah, my husband got me a Ruth Bader nation’s highest court. She also suffered her share of gen- Ginsburg was as an example and an inspiration for Ginsburg action figure that’s sitting in my office,” Adler der discrimination as she began her law career, they said. women lawyers and others, he said. said. She said she spoke with her son, as kids are into Ginsburg, who was the first Jewish woman to serve on Ginsburg died on Sept. 18 — Erev Rosh Hashanah — at comic book figures like the Avengers, about how Ginsburg the Supreme Court, took pride in her heritage in its call for age 87. A week later, she became the first woman, and the was someone who fought for justice. justice. first Jewish person, to lie in state in the U.S. Capitol. Her “That was what she was to me, a superhero,” Adler Adler said she had written a sermon in advance of the casket was set on the same platform built for the casket said. The rabbi admired Ginsburg for the way she broke High Holidays on the topic of search for meaning, and of President Abraham Lincoln after his assassination in through barriers, and for the clever way she brought when Ginsburg died, she talked about the late justice’s 1865. gender discrimination cases forward that eventually continued on page 16 Jewish teachers learn lessons about For safety’s sake, most plan perseverance during pandemic small gatherings for Sukkot By Ethan M. Forman By Rich Tenorio JOURNAL STAFF JOURNAL CORRESPONDENT With schools across the region Sukkot begins Friday reopening for the fall, some remotely, night, and despite the pan- some with a mix of in-person and virtual demic, Phil Blue of Lynnfield instruction, Jewish teachers are learning plans to host guests during how to teach during a pandemic. the holiday to enjoy spiced The going can be frustrating at times, cider and a sweet potato lentil they said. But some said their faith helps curry stew his wife only pre- inform them when it comes to being a pares for the festival. teacher during these challenging times. “I don’t think we are going Larry Lodgen has been teaching for to have a party with, like 20 42 years. But these days, the fourth- people, like we’ve had open- grade teacher at the Washington S.T.E.M. ing night before, but, you Elementary School in Lynn feels like a know, of the 30 people we usu- newbie as he navigates how best to teach ally have for Rosh Hashanah, remotely during the COVID-19 pandem- we can instead invite them ic. “My biggest concern is getting the kids over for different nights on Lodgen, who formerly taught at the engaged in the lessons,” says Larry Sukkot,” said Blue. Lodgen, who recently set up his desk Lynnfield’s Phil Blue marked Sukkot with his children continued on page 16 outside of the Washington school in Lynn. continued on page 9 Talia and Shalev in their sukkah last year. SMART PRODUCTS. COMPETITIVE RATES. METRO HAS A MORTGAGE FOR YOU! Call 877.MY.METRO or click MetroCU.org. NMLS #198524 The Jewish Journal is a nonprofit newspaper supported by generous readers, committed advertisers and charitable organizations. Email [email protected]. 2 THE JEWISH JOURNAL – JEWISHJOURNAL.ORG – OCTOBER 1, 2020 LAPPIN FOUNDATION Enhancing Jewish Identity across Generations appin Foundation thanks donors to our 2020 Annual Campaign Lfor your generous support, making it possible to provide FREE, exciting and informative Jewish programs for our community. Everyone is welcome to join our upcoming virtual programs. Register at LappinFoundation.org or call Susan Feinstein at 978-740-4431. OCTOBER 1 ............6:30 p.m. .......Going Rogue at Hebrew School Book Party (Tweens & Adults) 7 ...........7:30 p.m. ........What We Can Do about Antisemitism with Adam Milstein (Adults & Teens) 18 ........6:30 p.m. .......Lappin Teen Fellows (Teens) 21 ........7:30 p.m. ........ Concepts and Misconceptions about Israel, Zionism and Jews (Adults & Teens) 26 .......7:00 p.m. .......Building Connections in the Virtual World (Adults) 27 .......7:30 p.m. ........Paper Mosaic Workshop for Adults with Israeli Artist Mia Schon (Adults & Teens) NOVEMBER 2 ...........7:00 p.m. ....... Israeli Culture through Poetry and Song with Israeli Tour Guide Gadi Ben-Dov (Adults & Teens) 6 ..........5:30 p.m. .......PJ Library Shabbat Shalom Circle (Families) 8 ...........6:30 p.m. .......Lappin Teen Fellows (Teens) 11 .........4:00 p.m. .......Paper Mosaic Workshop with Israeli Artist Mia Schon for Tweens 8-12 DECEMBER 6 ..........6:30 p.m. .......Lappin Teen Fellows (Teens) 10 .......4:00 p.m. .......PJ Library Hanukkah Puppet Show (Families) 13 ........4:00 p.m. .......PJ Library Hanukkah Concert with Eliana Light (Families) Enrollment is now open for PJ Library, PJ Our Way and Rekindle Shabbat. Enroll at LappinFoundation.org or contact Sharon Wyner at 978-565-4450 or [email protected]. Check the calendar on LappinFoundation.org since new programs are added on a regular basis. Lappin Foundation’s 2020 Annual Campaign runs through December 2020. A donation of any amount will support quality Jewish programs that are enhancing Jewish identity across generations. You can donate at LappinFoundation.org or contact Susan Feinstein at 978-740-4431 or [email protected]. Lappin Foundation • 29 Congress Street • Salem, MA 01970 • 978-740-4431 • lappinfoundation.org THE JEWISH JOURNAL – JEWISHJOURNAL.ORG – OCTOBER 1, 2020 3 Benches smashed at Peabody cemetery among recent reports of anti-Semitism By Ethan M. Forman The temple has set up a fund apparent hate incident, the JOURNAL STAFF to assist with the restoration of Associated Clergy of Cape Ann, the benches and “to contribute including Rabbi Steven Lewis PEABODY – In the days lead- to educational efforts to combat of Temple Ahavat Achim and ing up to the High Holidays, the rising expressions of anti-Semi- the Rev. Sue Koehler-Arsenault caretaker for a cemetery belong- tism and bigotry.” of Annisquam Village Church, ing to Temple Tiferet Shalom Raising awareness of such both located in Gloucester, off Route 128 discovered two acts is important, Kudan said. hosted a “Repairing Our Spirit of granite memorial benches that “It’s just a constant struggle Connection” event on Sept. 21. appeared to have been smashed to educate people and respond,” The gathering was “in with a sledgehammer. said Kudan. The vandal- response to rising instances The temple said last week ism occurred during the High of public expression of hate, police are investigating what Holidays, when Jews go to the in cluding a large swastika recent- it is calling an apparent hate cemetery to pay their respects to ly found drawn in the sand at Courtesy photo crime and increasing surveil- their loved ones. Good Harbor Beach,” accord- One of two benches damaged at a Jewish cemetery in Peabody in lance of the cemetery prop- Kudan said he spoke with ing to the Facebook invite. The the days leading up to the High Holidays. erty, which also contains two Debbie Coltin, a Peabody resi- Gloucester Daily Times reported have to be replaced at an esti- ple merged with Temple Beth other Jewish cemeteries along a dent and executive director the drawing was found on Sept. 1. mate of over $1,600, McKenna Shalom in Peabody in 2015 to stretch of Route 128 north near of the Lappin Foundation in “My response to these inci- said. form Temple Tiferet Shalom. the Danvers line. Salem, about the incident. dents and threats is to bring the Sam Tabasky of Middleton “We are obviously quite upset “The congregation has noti- “It is disheartening,” said community together and find serves as president of the about it,” Tabasky said. fied the families who donated Coltin, who recalled what hap- solidarity,” Lewis said in a brief Lebanon-Tiferet Shalom “It had to be done with a the benches in memory of their pened earlier this month when interview. Cemetery Association.