MARCH 23 2017 – 25 ADAR, 5777 JEWISHVOL 41, NO 16 JOURNAL JEWISHJOURNAL.ORG Thank you! All in The Family for Rabbi Perlman ow in our 41st year of publishing the Jewish Journal, we’d SOPHIE KATZMAN Ivan Perlman, who grew up in studying with his rabbi in like to thank you for welcoming us into your home every Special to the Journal a family that wasn’t extremely Rhode Island as well as with Ntwo weeks. It is a privilege to serve the North Shore Jewish religious. Ivan’s religious call- his father, on alternate days Community – and beyond - as we publish more than 17,000 For years, Rabbi Richard ing came after he served in of the week, not to mention papers each edition, holding a mirror up to our community. Our Perlman (now of Temple Ner Iwo Jima and came back as a at the Yeshiva. But as he went hope – our goal – is to provide continuity, to be a glue that helps Tamid in Peabody) resisted war hero, having gone to war out into the working world, he to hold the community together, even as the world of Judaism and joining what he likes to call with 450 comrades but having started out in furniture sales the world of publishing go through challenging times. “the family business.” Not only returned with just three - one and later became a radio host The fact that the Journal has been able to maintain this con- were his parents involved in without an arm, one without and manager. Although he tinuity through the course of so many years has to do with you. the synagogue, but his three both an arm and a leg, and was doing part time cantorial It is only through the generosity of readers like you who send us brothers are rabbis, cantors or himself. This had a huge impact work and teaching in religious donations, businesses which buy our advertising, and institutions a mix of both. For some rea- on his decision to become a schools during those years, like CJP whose generosity is a constant, that we are able to keep son, though, Rabbi Perlman Cantor, as Rabbi Perlman Rabbi Perlman said he felt a doing what we do. put off the inevitable, leaving recalls of his father. “He was void. “Something was missing taking his place on the bimah so moved by what he had seen. in my radio days, it was very Along those lines, we’d like to ask for your support once again as to wait until later. But he was He was influenced by the chap- much a business; I wanted to we hold a fundraiser brunch on April 23 at the JCC in Marblehead well trained in the necessary lain overseas who had to bury help people and do community at 11am. Called “Menschions and Mimosas,” the event will honor skills – his upbringng had been so many, that he decided to work.” the fascinating people who we’ve been highlighing since last a home schooling rabbinical go to the Jewish Theological It was only as he was September. Please see our ad on the back page for details of how training program. Seminary to serve God.” approaching middle age that you can donate, buy tickets, a table or an ad in our event book. The ‘family business’ started Per his parent’s rules, Rabbi Rabbi Perlman, feeling the need Thank you! with Perlman’s father, Cantor Perlman spent his childhood continued on page 14 WHAT’S NEXT ON YOUR TO-DO LIST? Get the financing you need to tackle your next project with a HOME EQUITY LINE OF CREDIT. Remodel the kitchen Repair the roof Shop for the holidays % Go on vacation Finish the basement APR* Consolidate credit cards 3.25 Call 877-MY-METRO or visit metrocu.org. 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Email [email protected]. 2 THE JEWISH JOURNAL MA – JEWISHJOURNAL.ORG – MARCH 23, 2017 COMMUNITY NEWS Update: JCC bomb threats continue PENNY SCHWARTZ available facts and evidence, logistics of the meeting. “From Special to the Journal and will ensure this matter is the community’s standpoint, investigated in a fair, thorough, that was well received,” he told In the wake of the most recent and impartial manner,” Setera the Journal. spate of bomb threats against said in an email. Training on how to prepare local Jewish institutions, local While that language may and respond to bomb threats law enforcement officials from sound rote, it was welcomed was among the subjects dis- the FBI and Justice department, by Robert Trestan, ADL New cussed at the meeting, Trestan as well as local police depart- England regional director. said. A training session was ments, are responding to the “Someone is targeting Jewish held in February and another threats against the Jewish com- institutions, a potential civil was scheduled for this week munity. As news spread, expres- rights violation,” he pointed out. in Springfield. The Springfield sions of support bolstered the ”It’s what they should be doing,” Jewish Community Center was spirits of those impacted by the he said of Setera’s response. evacuated on Friday, March 3, incident. Last week, local FBI officers following a bomb threat at the Bomb threats phoned and the acting U.S. Attorney JCC that houses a pre-school Police responded to recent bomb threats phoned in to the Solomon in to the Solomon Schecter for Massachusetts, William D. and many educational and rec- Schecter Day School in Newton. Day School in Newton, the Weinreb, met with representa- reational programs for people MetroWest Jewish Day School tives from the area’s Jewish com- of all ages. receiving a telephone bomb with kids told at that point that in Temple Beth Sholom in munity, where Trestan found Trestan had high praise for threat. “That’s important. Those there was a fire drill. Local law Framingham and the ADL office more reason to be encouraged. local law enforcement in the are the people who respond on enforcement arrived quickly on in Boston were part of another “They told us in no uncertain communities that have been the ground,” he added. the scene. One hour later, the wave of attacks on Jewish insti- terms that this was a top prior- impacted, such as Newton, Rabbi Mark Sokol, head of building was determined to be tutions and three other ADL ity and the FBI had allocated home to many Jewish schools school at the MetroWest Day safe and the decision was made offices across the country – in significant resources to finding and institutions, including the School, said the Framingham to return to school and get on fifteen different cities. There out who is behind this,” said Leventhal Sidman JCC, was police have been very respon- with the day. Later, they learned were no bombs found at any of Trestan, who helped arrange the evacuated in January after sive. that the Solomon Schecter Day the sites, as has been the pat- The school has an ongo- School in Newton had also been tern. ing relationship with local targeted. Since January, there have STATEMENT OF MARTY SCHNEER, law enforcement and the “We know what’s going on been more than 150 phoned- JCCNS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Framingham police department around the country. We weren’t in or emailed bomb threats “The JCCNS has not received any threat. has a designated school liai- happy but we were not terribly targeting Jewish institutions, son who has been very helpful, surprised,” Sokol said. But he according to Jewish Telegraphic However, we have been monitoring the recent Sokol said. discovered that there’s a big dif- Agency. situation closely and want to assure our members The threatening call received ference between knowing this “The FBI and the Justice and the local community that we have established at the school was answered by a in theory and the reality when it Department’s Civil Rights staff member who heard a voice actually happens. Division are investigating possi- protocols for these types of threats. We are always saying there was a bomb in the Rabbi Sokol acknowledged ble civil rights violations in con- vigilant about security and are in constant contact building and that people in that the goal of disruption is nection with threats to Jewish the building would be harmed, real. “But, we are not going to Community Centers across the with local, state and federal authorities and security according to Rabbi Sokol. allow them to disrupt us. ‘We country,” according to Kristen experts, as the safety and security of our members, With safety and security are safe,’” he told the students, Setera, of the FBI’s Boston field guests, and staff is our highest priority.” protocols already in place, the and the school would make sure office. “The FBI will collect all building was quickly cleared, they feel safe.