The JCC will hold a run/walk to Non-profit Organization 3 benefit its JumpStart program. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit # 189 The Center for Judaic and Middle Watertown, NY 7 Eastern Studies announces its fall classes. The Teen Leader award winners 17 are announced. The annual Goldman Essay 22 winners are announced, and the winning essay is published. september 2014/elul-tishrei 5774 a publication of United jewish federation of Volume 16, Number 7 Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien “My Promised Land” Author Jewish High School Moves to Coming to TBE Stamford Hyacinthe and Harold E. Hoffman Parents, Leaders and Philanthropists Memorial Lecture Support Move Ari Shavit, a leading Is- called one of the most talked The Jewish High School of Connecti- (Science, Technology, Engineering and raeli columnist and writer, will about and influential authors cut announced that it will open the aca- Math) program. speak at Temple Beth El, 350 of 2014. While “My Promised demic year in Stamford at the Stamford While JHSC is new to Stamford, it Roxbury Rd., Stamford, on Land” was a New York Times Technology Center for the fall of 2014. is not a new school. Since its opening Tuesday, September 16, at 7:30 bestseller and described by The school will be located at 1937 West in 2010, JHSC has received accolades pm. His topic will be “Is Peace its literary critic as one of the Main St. The move to Stamford is a result in two Exploravision Science Contests Dead? The Arab Awakening, best 10 books of the year, it of a demographic analysis of the student (competing with more than 30,000 the Israeli Predicament and was also perceived as a game population and the desire to be in a students nationwide) and an award of the Chances for Middle East changer and required read- space that supports the school’s STEM See “School“ on page 21 Peace.” With the recent pub- ing for anyone engaged with lication of his internationally Israel, the Israeli-Palestinian acclaimed book “My Promised Ari Shavit, a leading conflict and the Middle East. Cantor Magda Fishman Joins Land: The Triumph and Trag- Israeli columnist and Among its best known readers edy of Israel,” Shavit has been writer See “Author“ on page 14 Temple Beth El Women’s Forum: Navigating Sylvan D. Pomerantz, presi- Rabbi Joshua Hammer- dent of Temple Beth El, an- man added, “Cantor Fishman nounced the appointment possesses a rare combination Greater Financial Independence of Cantor Magda Fishman of musical talent, personal Women of all ages are invited to join the ers who will explain asset management, as the synagogue’s new can- charisma, spiritual depth and UJF’s Women’s Philanthropy for a casual retirement and estate planning strategies tor beginning September 1. sensitivity. She also shares forum titled “Financially Fit: Financial for all stages of a financial life. The panel of “Cantor Fishman brings an a vision that we have been Intelligence for Today and Tomorrow” speakers will share thoughts and insights, extraordinary amount of tal- growing here for more than on Monday, September 15, at 6 pm, at and be available to address questions fol- ent, passion and energy to our a decade, one emphasizing Temple Beth El, Stamford. The forum lowing the presentations. congregation,” said Pomerantz. inclusiveness, participation seeks to empower women of all ages to See the back page of the paper for the “We are thrilled to have her as and warmth. Her dynamic achieve financial well-being. The evening full schedule of speakers and topics. The our shaliach tzibur (emissary of Cantor Magda style fits precisely the kind will include dinner, dessert and four speak- See “Financial“ on page 3 the congregation).” Fishman See “Cantor” on page 19 Family Yom Kippur Bits & Pieces 6 Candle 6 11 14 Adult 21 Voices & 22 Lighting Central Recipes Education Views Stamford Rallies to Support Israel Children from all over Fairfield County showed their support for Israel at the Fairfield County Rally for Solidarity, Security and Peace held on July 23 at the Jewish Community Center. See page 9 for further coverage of the event. (Photo by Aviva Maller) 2 THE NEW JEWISH VOICE ■ SEPTEMBER 2014 President’s Message By Shoshana Dweck reflect and then prepare for the challenges and joys Whatever the challenges in my life, when I put I love torturing my kids at of the year ahead. How do we prepare for the future my hand to the left, my family and friends hold it, camp with letters starting, “as I when we struggle to plan for next month? As we turn and when I put my hand to the right, my community write I am...” They are used to inward and reflect, we each will find our own unique holds it. Whatever the challenges in the Jewish world getting immediate knowledge, way to answer that challenge for ourselves and our and in our local community, when you reach to the and for all of us the awareness community. “Hatikvah,” The Hope,” is Israel’s na- right, you connect with our agencies and professional of temporal and geographic dis- tional anthem. Hope is the sustenance that enables staffs to make a difference and help repair the world, tance between writing and read- us not just to believe that tomorrow can be better, and when you reach to the left, all of our hands are ing can be uncomfortable. And but to wake up each morning and have the energy there. This year, among many other losses, Israel yet... I wrote this while Israelis and determination to take tomorrow into our hands lost a beloved singer, Arik Einstein, who wrote, “ Shoshana Dweck, counted their safety in seconds, and make it better. You and I we’ll change the world... Others have said UJF president and we could only hope for peace. But the liturgy for the High Holidays reminds us it before me but it doesn’t matter. You and I, we’ll There is so much uncertainty about what the situation to ask not just how do “I” prepare, but how do “we” change the world.” will be as you read this. Will war still rage? Will the prepare; not just what do “I” do, but what can “we” do. And so, let us once again turn to face uncertainty Jews of France be in continuing danger? Will the an- After all, we repent in the singular and in the plural, and chaos with hope and unity and resolve. Our tisemitic rhetoric in the United States have subsided? reminding us that we do not face life alone. When we community and the Jewish people need every single Will Ukraine still be embroiled in war? What will be came together as a community across all denominations one of us. That is how you can be sure that when you happening in Sudan, in Nigeria, in Ethiopia? and geographical and agency distinctions, to rally for reach your hand to the left and to the right, others With the world’s chaos and reminders of the Israel, we strengthened ourselves in our joint resolve always will be there to grab hold. As individuals and uncertainty of life screaming from our phones, our and we strengthened Israel with our support. We lifted as a community, together we will keep changing tradition urges us each fall to hit pause so we can up Israel and we were uplifted by each other. the world. In FranceDry Cleaning, Laundry, Jewish Flat work Self-Defense Group Support Rises By Cnaan LiphshizPick up / Delivery 100 Jews wielding baseball bats and clubs were and ourselves that we are equal French citizens en- SARCELLES,All Work France Done (JTA) On –Premises Shortly before their singing the French national anthem in front of the titled to safety,” said Eliyahu, a member of France’s synagogue became shrouded by tear gas and smoke, synagogue’s heavy metal gate. Jewish Defense League, or LDJ, who agreed to be Frank Policastro/Owner (203) 323-0507 They had gathered outside the main synagogue identified only by his first name. 67 Crescent Street [email protected] Stamford, CT 06905 www.crescentcleaners.com in this Paris suburb on July 22 to defend it against a It was the ninth synagogue attack in France in predominantly Arab mob of 200 men who had gath- the first two weeks of Israel’s Operation Protective ered nearby with sticks and stones, setting garbage Edge in Gaza, which was launched on July 8. To Eli- cans aflame and chanting “Slaughter the Jews.” yahu and many other French Jews, the attacks have The Jewish defenders were not singing for the contributed to a growing realization that, despite Happy rioters. Their performance of “La Marseillaise” was the extraordinary efforts of French authorities to intended as a gesture of gratitude toward the 100 protect them, French Jews need to rely mostly on Chanukah! police officers clad in anti-riot armor that prevented themselves for their defense. the mob from approaching. “The cops are here now, but it’ll be just us and Dry Cleaning, Laundry, Flat work Unable to reach the Grand Synagogue of Sarcelles, the Arabs tomorrow,” said Serge Najar, a local com- Pick up / Delivery some of the rioters smashed shop windows in this munity leader. All Work Done On Premises poor suburb where tens of thousands of Jews live amid French authorities have been vigorous in their many Muslims. They torched two cars and threw a condemnations of recent attacks, with President Frank Policastro/Owner (203) 323-0507 firebomb at a nearby, smaller synagogue, which was Francois Hollande vowing not to allow violence In67 theCrescent Paris suburbStreet of Sarcelles,[email protected] pro-Palestinian riotersm brokeStamford, shop CTwindows 06905 and setwww.crescentcleaners.co fires on July 20.