September 2-8, 2016 Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton Volume XLV, Number 36 BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK Federation Super Sunday and Annual Meeting to be held on Sept. 18 By Reporter staff the Phonathon will be held from 2-8:30 Jewish Federation of Greater Bingham- She also mentioned two Federation The Jewish Federation of Greater Bing- pm and continue from Monday-Thursday, ton – Neisen Luks organizations that help the community: hamton will hold a combined Super Sunday September 19-22, from 6-8:30 pm. Temple Concord – Dr. Ted Major “We are always grateful for the hard work and Annual Meeting event on the morning “Please be sure to pick up your phone Temple Israel – Howard Schwartz and done by Roz Antoun, the director of Jewish of Sunday, September 18, at 10 am, at the and say hello to one of our dedicated vol- Al Lavker Family Service, which helps members of Jewish Community Center, 500 Clubhouse unteers,” said Auerbach. “Make a pledge The Reporter – Fran Ferentinos the community in need, and The Reporter, Rd., Vestal. The cost to attend will be $10 and help keep our community vital! You The meeting will also give people the which serves as our source of local, national and reservations have been requested by can also call us before September 18, which opportunity to thank and say yasher koach to and international Jewish news. Almost no Wednesday, September 14, so there will be is a double mitzvah – you’ve made your Arieh Ullmann, who will be stepping down other community of this size has a weekly enough food for the brunch. Reservations pledge and have given us the opportunity after seven years as Federation president. paper. Thank you, Rabbi Rachel Esserman can be made by calling the Federation at to call someone else.” The early date of the “Please come help us celebrate all the hard and your hard working staff. 724-2332. Phonathon will help the Federation know work that Arieh has done during his term “Join us for this wonderful event,” “We decided to combine our two major what funds are available before the alloca- as president,” Auerbach said. “He’s done Auerbach added. “Celebrate all that the events into an even greater celebration of tion process, which begins in mid-October. a wonderful job and this will give us the Greater Binghamton Jewish community our local community,” said Sima Auerbach, “It is helpful to have a sense of how much perfect moment to let him know how much has to offer.” executive director of the Federation. “This money we’ll be raising before we allocate we have appreciated his leadership.” The Federation Board is perfect timing: The summer will be over funds,” said Auerbach. Auerbach noted that the Federation has The new slate of Federation officers and people can reconnect with old friends This year’s Yasher Koach award win- accomplished a great deal throughout the past is Howard Warner, president; Arieh A. and make new ones. Come hungry, because ners are: year. “In addition to our 92Y Live programs, Ullmann, past president; Mark Walker, there will be a delicious brunch.” Beth David Synagogue – Judy Simon we had another film fest last fall,” Auerbach vice-president; Jeff Shapiro, treasurer; Lee During the event, there will be the elec- Hadassah – Sima Auerbach said. “The Film Committee is now preparing Schechter, assistant treasurer; Eileen Miller, tion of officers to the Federation’s Board of Hillel Academy – Jeff Horowitz for the film series we’ll be holding in the secretary; Rita Shawn, Campaign co-chair- Directors and the giving of the Yasher Koach Jewish Community Center – Sylvia spring. Hard work from the Temple Beth El woman; Barbara Greenberg, Campaign awards, which honor local members of Diamond Windows Committee saved an important part co-chairwoman; and Michael Wright, en- community organizations. That afternoon, Jewish Family Service – Sandy Weiner of our local Jewish heritage. All the windows dowment chairman. Board members to May have been safely removed from the building 2017 are Nancy Dorfman Tandlich, Dennis and relocated to their new homes.” Foreman, Lillian Levy, Charles Manasse, TI to celebrate new Auberbach said that not everything the Elliot Niman, Malvinia Sambursky and Federation does gets publicized. “It’s the Cathy Velenchik. Board members to May quiet, behind-the-scenes activities that also 2018 are Neil Auerbach, Marilyn Bell, help us serve the community,” she noted. Charles Gilinsky, Marcia Hofstein, Richard home with community “We’re here to help local organizations with Lewis and Linda Salomons. Board members By Linda Salomons with glass walls, high ceilings and modern their needs and questions – whether to brain- to May 2019 are Aaron Alweis, Rita Bleier, Many Temple Israel members have now lighting concepts; glass enclosed meeting storm on how to accomplish a task or give Steve Gilbert, Barbara Greenberg, Suzanne been able to visit the new synagogue and and conference rooms; warm and cozy suggestions on the best way to approach it.” Holwitt and Susan Walker. are said to be “eager” to share it with the chapel for minyans; a newly designed ad- community. The Temple Israel “Welcome ministrative wing for office and rabbinical Home” celebration will be held on Sunday, staff; and a new sanctuary, which features September 25, from 4-7 pm, at 4737 Deer- new ergonomic, comfortable seating and a Hillel Academy appoints field Pl., Vestal. The entire community is new sound system designed for congregants invited. Tickets cost $45 per person, and the of all ages to see and hear services.” event will include hors d’oeuvres, wine and In addition, there is a brand new wing new principal dessert, as well as a dedication program. to house Hillel Academy, with a private Jan DeAngelo will provide music on the entrance and security features; classrooms By Rabbi Rachel Esserman for BU at a public school gave piano and evening casual dress is preferred. for science and other STEM classes; and a The title may be new, but her insight into the difference be- Reservations can be made by calling private cafeteria. the face is not. Wendy Stafford, tween Hillel and public schools. Temple Israel at 723-7461 by Thursday, “As I entered the new sanctuary, an who used to be the education In addition to the fact that it’s September 15, or by e-mailing titammy@ overwhelming sense of peace embraced coordinator of Hillel Academy the only Jewish day school in stny.twcbc.com. me,” said Myrna Dubofsky. “The familiar of Broome County, is now the Broome County, it has a flexibil- “I was so pleased that the natural beauty stained glass windows were a comfort to new principal. Stafford recently ity that’s not always possible in of the surroundings was present in all the me because each color represented a loved received her certificate of ad- a public school setting. “While public spaces,” said Art Siegel. “And yet one I focus on in my prayers.” vanced studies from Binghamton we follow the New York state we were also able to capture the essence In December 2013, a 40-foot by 40-foot University and has taken over standard, our lesson plans are of the original building through re-use of section of the roof, a structure built in 1967, leadership of the school from Wendy Stafford not focused on standardized test- historical elements.” One element in the collapsed into the temple’s large social hall, Julie Piaker. Although Piaker has ing,” she said. “We offer Jewish new building that visitors will see “is that with much debris breaking through the floor retired as school administrator, she will still education and secular studies taught by an the new lighting and glass windows give not and falling into the basement. The devas- work at the school part-time. amazing staff that is highly qualified. The only light, but also a bright feel. It brings tation forced both Temple Israel and Hillel Stafford noted that doing her internship See “Principal” on page 5 nature inside,” noted Jon Weiss. Academy to find temporary space during Those attending the event will be able to the interim period. Temple Israel had been tour the new facility. According to Weiss, housed at the JCC and Hillel Academy had features include “an expansive entry hall been housed at Temple Concord. Piaker event reservations still being accepted Last-minute reservations are still being rael’s freeing of Israeli and Jewish hostages At left: The new Temple Israel accepted for the 21st Annual Piaker Me- held in the Entebbe airport in July 1976, sanctuary. morial Lecture to be held on Thursday, Reuven, who participated in the mission, September 8, at 7 pm, at the Chabad Center. will relate his firsthand account. Sasson (Sassy) Reuven, a veteran IDF Reservations for the lecture can be made commando, will present “Failure was not by visiting http://JewishBU.com/Piaker an option.” In commemoration of the 40th or calling the Chabad office at 797-0015. anniversary of Operation Thunderbolt, Is- Coffee and desserts will be served. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Salute to Jewish Womanhood Sisterhoods Culinary dreams Special Sections Chabad’s annual Salute to TC Sisterhood will learn how to A look at how an Israeli and Legal Notices ................................... 4 Jewish Womanhood will feature reduce memory loss; “Spiritual Palestinian duo wound up opening Book Review .................................... 4 a women’s concert by PERL. Beauty” topic for BD Sisterhood. one of Berlin’s hippest restaurants. Dine Out .......................................... 9 ........................................Page 3 ........................................Page 5 ........................................Page 9 Classifieds ..................................... 12 Page 2 - The Reporter September 2-8, 2016 Opinion Point/counterpoint It’s indisputable: The GOP is the Quit the failed attempts to paint pro-Israel party Democrats as weak on Israel By Jeff Ballabon and Bruce Abramson for Israel as “a moral issue” and called for By Michael M.