March 29-April 4, 2019 Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton Volume XLVIII, Number 13 BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK Spring CJS program on “Rethinking ‘the Ghetto’ in Jewish History and Beyond” The spring 2019 program of the College ly-Modern Italian Ghettos.” Francesconi is will be on Thursday, May 16. Gina Glasman Several of his paintings depicted late 18th cen- of Jewish Studies will focus on different assistant professor of history and director will speak on “Painting a Ghetto Paradise: tury Jewish ghettos in an idealized fashion. aspects of “the ghetto” as an historically of the program of Judaic studies at the The Political Artistry of Moritz Daniel Op- College of Jewish Studies programs specific and sometimes idealized place in University at Albany. Her research and penheim.” Glasman is a lecturer in Hebrew are open to the entire community; general Jewish history and as an abstract concept publications address the social, religious and and Yiddish literature in the Judaic studies admission is $8 per program, or $20 for that has relevance beyond Jewish history. cultural aspects of the early modern history department at Binghamton University. She all three programs; senior admission is $5 The first lecture in the program will be of Jews in Italy, focusing on the multifac- will talk about Moritz Daniel Oppenheim, per program or $12 for all three programs. on Thursday, May 2, “Ghetto: Invention eted politics and dynamics of ghetto life. known as the first Jewish painter of the BU students are welcome to attend with of a Place, History of an Idea.” Mitchell She is currently completing a monograph, modern era. Oppenheim’s work attempted to no charge. All programs will begin at 7:30 Duneier, professor of sociology and chair “Invisible Enlighteners: Modenese Jewry challenge negative assumptions of Jews held pm at the Jewish Community Center, 500 of the Department of Sociology at Princeton from the Renaissance to Emancipation.” by a non-Jewish audience by emphasizing Clubhouse Rd., Vestal. University, and author of the book “Ghet- The final lecture in the spring program positive aspects of Jewish life and culture. See “CJS” on page 5 to:Invention of a Place, History of an Idea,” will speak on the idea of the ghetto from its beginnings in the 16th century, its revival Federation PJ Library event on April 7 by the Nazis to the present day and how an understanding of the ghettos of Europe By Reporter staff Vestal. There is no charge to attend Sima Auerbach, executive director of can help lead to an understanding of race, The Jewish Federation of Greater the event. the Federation, noted that the PJ Library poverty and American urban problems. Binghamton will hold a PJ Library event The event will feature the reading of offers a variety of books with Passover On Thursday, May 9, Federica Fran- for children 2-6 years old on Sunday, Passover-themed books, along with food themes. “There is something for every cesconi will speak on “From Venice to April 7, from 11 am-1 pm, at the Jewish and activities. Graduates from Hillel child,” she said. “There are new versions Rome: Jewish Girls and Women in Ear- Community Center, 500 Clubhouse Rd., Academy will help with the readings. of old tales that offer Jewish slants to the story, and stories showing how contem- porary children can relate to the holiday. Hillel Academy students celebrated Purim Some of the stories are so good that adults will love them, too.” To RSVP for the event, contact the Fed- eration at 724-2332, [email protected] or [email protected]. At left: Hillel Academy students came to the Jewish Community Center in their Purim costumes to deliver a shalach manot basket to Federation Executive Director Sima Auerbach. (See page 6 for more community Purim photos.) Sima Auerbach, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton, showed Passover-themed books from the PJ Library. Spotlight David Rittberg wins JFN’s 2019 JJ Greenberg Memorial Award By Jewish Funders Network and president of the local chapter, take new initiatives to scale. Rittberg served as executive director at Reporter staff as well as serving as an officer While some may know him the Edgar M. Bronfman Center for Jewish The Jewish Funders Network award- on the group’s Teen Regional for his semi-pro guitar skills, Student Life at NYU, Hillel at New York ed the 2019 JJ Greenberg Memorial Board. “David had it all: he was Rittberg’s true calling has been University and, in 2011, received NYU’s Award to David Rittberg, director of the talented, smart, generous, caring called his hands-on approach to Hallmark Award for outstanding university Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family and wise beyond his years,” said this philanthropic portfolio: He administrators. Rittberg was also part of the Foundation’s U.S. Jewish grant making Sheryl Brumer, JCC executive spends much of his time work- Hillel staff at The University of Arizona portfolio, in a ceremony on March 18 at director. “I always knew David ing directly with organization and Stanford. the 2019 JFN International Conference in would do great things, that he staff and board members to Rittberg received his B.S. in marketing San Francisco. The award honors young was the one to watch.” help build their team’s capac- from the Smeal College of Business Ad- foundation professionals. Rittberg serves as a direc- David Rittberg ity, develop long-term strategy ministration at Penn State University and Rittberg, who is the son of Riva and tor for the Charles and Lynn and grow as integral players in an executive M.P.A. from NYU Wagner. Howard Rittberg, grew up in Vestal and was Schusterman Family Foundation. Based common ecosystems. He now resides in Potomac, MD, with his involved in the Binghamton Jewish Com- in the Washington, DC, office, he advises Prior to arriving at Schusterman, Ritt- wife and two children. munity Center from preschool through his Co-chairwomen Lynn and Stacy Schus- berg’s career took him across the country, “In 2017, as Houston was reeling from teens, during which he was an active member terman on how to best leverage their from his hometown of Binghamton to Hurricane Harvey, David jumped on a of the JCC’s Jewish Center Youth group as investments in existing organizations and Brooklyn, San Francisco and Tucson, AZ. See “Rittberg” on page 11 INSIDE THIS ISSUE JDC in Mozambique Klezmer concert News in brief... Special Sections The JDC is sending medical The klezmer ensemble Big Israel ramps up defenses on Legal Notices ................................... 4 supplies and a relief team to Galut(e) will perform in Oneonta Golan and Gaza border; U.S. Book Review .................................... 4 cyclone devastated Mozambique. on April 7. recognizes Golan as Israeli. Spring Home Improvement ........... 8-9 ........................................Page 2 ........................................Page 3 ....................................Pages 8-9 Classifieds ..................................... 12 Page 2 - The Reporter March 29-April 4, 2019 Shabbat event celebrates 25th anniversary at BU Twenty-five years ago, the Rohr Chabad Center for world. The 25th Annual Shabbat 1800 dinner will be held in a joyous and meaningful Shabbat dinner and cultural Jewish Student Life at Binghamton University started on Friday, April 5, at 6 pm, at the Binghamton University experience,” said organizers of the event. what has become a longstanding student tradition, and Events Center. A national Chabad on Campus initiative, pioneered in has since been replicated by campuses throughout the “The event unites a diverse group of college students 1994 by the Rohr Chabad Center for Jewish Student Life at Binghamton University, the event continues to hold the record for the largest single Shabbat dinner attended by students held on any campus. TC Sisterhood’s annual donor To date, more than 50 campuses in the U.S. and through- out the world have replicated the Shabbat 1000 model since its inception at Binghamton in 1994. program on March 31 In recognition of the event’s 25th anniversary, additions have been made to the program, including the presence On Sunday, March 31, from “Not a donor? It’s never too late to become one.” said of Binghamton alumni whose involvement in organizing 11:30 am-1:30 pm, Temple Con- organizers. “To attend, pay Sisterhood dues plus make a Shabbat 1000 goes back to 1994. cord Sisterhood will hold its an- donation of $25, or $36 if you wish to bring a guest to Shabbat 1800 has been called “a yearly highlight for nual donor program in the Kilmer the event.” A guest is someone who is not eligible to join many Jewish students at Binghamton, with some reporting Mansion. Sisterhood members are Sisterhood such as a gentleman, daughter or a member of that it was the first Shabbat dinner they ever attended.” invited to a presentation about another temple’s Sisterhood. “This event takes months of planning and hundreds KNOW Theatre to be given by Brunch will be $5 per person to help cover the cost of of hours of work on the part of hundreds of volunteers. Tim Gleason, the artistic director the food. Payment, including donor if that donation hasn’t Our students are spectacular and I am privileged to work of this local theater in Bingham- already been made, may be made at the door the day of with them and inspired by their efforts every day,” said ton. Gleason will also give several the event. Reservations were requested by March 22 at Rabbi Levi Slonim, program and development director short performances. Tim Gleason the temple office. at Chabad. TC Sisterhood to vote for 2019-20 board on April 3 On Wednesday, April 3, at 7:30 pm, Temple Concord Marsha Luks, Barbara Thomas and Deb Williams, ligious school parties; Daniels and Kellenberger, adult Sisterhood members are invited to an evening of voting directors; Williams, Nominating Committee chair- education/programming; Dickman (paperwork); Sylvia for the 2019-20 board members, followed by making ice woman; Phyllis Kellenberger, ways and means vice Diamond and Eisenstadt, Friday night onegs; Philips cream sundaes and playing board games.