» L’SHANA TOVA! Jewish Observer 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 SEPTEMBER 2020 | ELUL 5780-TISHREI 5781 High Holidays in the COVID-19 World LOOK: DON’T MISS: INSIDE: YOUNG BOUNCING BACK NEW BABIES LEADERSHIP FOR 5781 FOR A NEW YEAR ( 6 ) ( 10 ) ( 12 ) Jewish Observer September 2020 of Central New York Published by D’var Torah Jewish Federation of Central New York From the Editor 5655 Thompson Road Looking Behind the Curtain DeWitt, NY 13214 Thoughts About the New Year by Rabbi David Kunin phone: 315-445-2040 x106 fax: 315- 445-1599 New years usually begin In The Wizard of Oz, jewishfederationcny.org with happy thoughts, but as the voice of the wonder- 5781 begins, we are forced to ful wizard resounds with confront the reality that our the words, “Pay no atten- future will not look like our tion to the man behind past nor will it resemble the the curtain.” Yet, of course, the large fiery head was a President/CEO ...................................................................................................... present. In a season which is mask, and the hidden man was Oz. Masks, therefore, Michael Balanoff Board Chair.............................................................................................................Neil Rosenbaum usually the highpoint of syna- Barbara Davis often hide truths, but sometimes they can be revealing Editor ...............................................................................................................................Barbara Davis gogue participation, when so as well. many Jews find spiritual renewal and the joy of connection While in Japan, I experienced a strange festival, the with families and community members in their sanctuaries, Menkake Gyoretsu procession of more than ten gro- we instead find ourselves upholding the Jewish tenet of pi- tesquely masked figures that march with a large follow- kuach nefesh - protecting life supersedes all else. This year’s ing for several hours in Kamakura. The masked figures High Holidays will be unlike any in our memory. make for quite a spectacle, making funny gestures and The Jewish Federation of Central New York is a proud And we will need to face other facts. Jews are not affiliating funny faces as they walk through the streets. Many of member of the Jewish Federations of North America. the way they used to and things will be different in the years the over two-hundred-year-old wooden masks were ahead. In 5781, just as we are finding new ways to worship, quite humorous in design, with exaggerated features many Jewish entities will need to find new ways to exist, and and expressions. While some were human-like, others Produced by the demographics and needs of our community will not be were mythical creatures or monsters. the way they once were. Remembering this procession has led me to think But there is a Talmudic saying, Gam zu l’tova or “this too is about masks during our holiday season. Though they for good.” Despite its disastrous effects, COVID-19 has taught cannot be seen, I believe that many of us wear masks us to appreciate much that we used to take for granted: in our interactions with others, even as we look at our- Publisher/Chief Revenue Officer .......................................................................................Barbara E. Macks schools and teachers, the freedom to go to stores, libraries, selves. This is true, especially of those who aspire to [email protected] Creative Director .......................................................................................................................................J.P. Thimot movies, concerts and theaters, the ability to watch and cheer seats of power. Sometimes the mask can be our occupa- [email protected] for the sports we love. We have also learned to appreciate the tion, while for others, it may exemplify a quality that we Lead Designer ..................................................................................................................................Kimberly Miers valor of front-line workers, the kindness of those who reach aspire to, whether positive or negative. Indeed, wearing [email protected] out to the elderly and vulnerable, the generosity of those who masks may not even be a choice, as the expectations of Senior Graphic Designers ........................................................................Josh Flanigan, Nicholas Vitello donate to emergency funds, and the creativity of those who a community can impose it. The variety of these masks Sales Director ....................................................................................................................Cynthia Oppenheimer use social media to make music, dance, art and comedy. Some- we wear was captured in those depicted in the Menkake [email protected] how we’ve improved air quality, reduced noise pollution and Gyoretsu procession. Some were noble and some mon- Sales Executives ....................................................................................................................................Keren Green swapped cars for bicycles. We’ve learned that we can work sters, but each was exaggerated out of all reality. [email protected] from home remotely, use telemedicine and connect through In many cultures, the ceremonial wearing of the videoconferencing with distant members of our communities mask transforms the wearer. For the Hopi and Zuni, and families. the Kachina dancer embodies the god for the duration The terrible effects of the pandemic on certain segments of the dance. When the mask is removed, however, the of our population have also increased our awareness of the dancer returns to himself. During this holiday season, I Submissions: disparities in wealth, health and historical treatment of many believe that it is essential for each of us to engage in Submit editorial stories, photos, and calendar items by the 1st of citizens of the United States. American Jewry has had its con- introspection and consider the masks we wear. Whether the preceding month of issue to: [email protected]. sciousness raised. Tikkun olam, the repair of the world, has positive or negative, we need to take the time to see To Advertise: come to the fore on many agendas. We are a different Jewish ourselves for who we indeed are. It is that person who To advertise, call Cynthia Oppenheimer at 716-783-9119 x2240. people now and will be in the future. Most American Jews are needs to grow and improve through the process of Ad space & materials are due by the 16th of each month prior to no longer immigrants from or even children of immigrants teshuvah during the high holidays. Even a positive mask publication. For a rate card and any additional information, please from Eastern Europe. We need to recognize a multiplicity of is still an illusion unless we, in our essence, attempt to email Cynthia Oppenheimer [email protected] or new identities and see them as an opportunity for positive embody that value truly. Barbara Macks [email protected]. communal growth. As Rabbi Leah Fein, formerly of Syracuse The ritual masks of the procession also exemplify To Subscribe: Hillel, wrote, “To only consider stereotypes and affiliation sta- a separate truth. As they wear the masks, the march- To subscribe, email [email protected]. Free for tistics is to miss those yearnings for Jewish meaning and con- ers lose their identity, and now embody the values Central New York area residents and donors to the Federation’s nection which are very much alive in our next generation of expressed through the masks, be they monstrous or annual campaign. Non-resident subscription is $36 for 12 issues, Jewish leaders.” noble. The masks, therefore, reveal truths that are often payable to the Jewish Observer. We all wish we could know when and how the “new normal” hidden. In the same way, though the Eternal is beyond THE JEWISH OBSERVER OF CENTRAL NEW YORK (USPS 000939) (ISSN 1079-9842) will come into being, but as we approach the Days of Awe, we all knowledge and apprehension, the world of material- Publications Periodical postage paid at Syracuse, NY and other offices. Published 12 times per year by the Jewish Federation of Central New York Inc., a non-profit have to focus on staying healthy, keeping safe, realizing our ity can be a mask through which the divine is revealed corporation, 5655 Thompson Road, DeWitt, NY 13214. Subscriptions $36/year; goals and strengthening our families and our community. The to us. In the Tanya, the Alter Rebbe teaches that though student $10/year. POSTMASTER: Send address change to JEWISH OBSERVER OF CENTRAL NEW YORK, 5655 Thompson Road, DeWitt, NY 13214. months ahead will be challenging, but we must use them to God is beyond understanding, God can be experienced create a different kind of future, stronger and better perhaps through his/her garments. Therefore, when we see a The Jewish Observer of Central New York reserves the right to cancel any advertisement at any time. The Jewish Federation of Central New York and Buffalo Spree Publishing, than the one we anticipated before the pandemic struck. flower or the face of a child, we can, if we open our Inc. are not liable for the content or errors appearing in the advertisements beyond May 5781 bring all of the JO’s readers and their loved ones hearts and minds,