APRIL 28, 2022 | 27 NISAN 5782 CANDLELIGHTING 7:35 P.M. Philadelphia’s Hannah Lavon wants to sock it to the Jewish community Page 12 |
Jewish Exponent PHILADELPHIA Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Craig Burke cburke@midatlanticmedia.com Associate Publisher Jeni Mann Tough jmann@midatlanticmedia.com EDITORIAL Editor | Andy Gotlieb 215-832-0797 agotlieb@jewishexponent.com Staff Writers Jesse Berman, Alex Krutchik, Sasha Rogelberg, Heather Ross, Jarrad Saffren, Lindsay VanAsdalan ADVERTISING Account Executives Lisa Gaglia, Alan Gurwitz, Pam Kuperschmidt, Jodi Lipson, Taylor Orlin, David Pintzow, Sara Priebe, Mary Ramsdale, Sharon Schmuckler, Kim Coates Schofi eld, Shari Seitz, Stacie Shapero, Sylvia Witaschek MARKETING Audience Development Coordinator Julia Olaguer 410-902-2308 jolaguer@midatlanticmedia.com CREATIVE Art Director | Steve Burke Graphic Designers | Ebony Brown, Rachel Levitan, Paul McGuigan, Jay Sevidal, Frank Wagner, Carl Weigel 2100 Arch Street, 4th Floor, Philadelphia, Pa. 19103 Vol. 135, No. 3 Published Weekly Since 1887 BUSINESS Accounting Manager Pattie-Ann Lamp 410-902-2311 plamp@midatlanticmedia.com accounting@midatlanticmedia.com Senior Accounts Receivable Specialist Shelly Sparks ssparks@midatlanticmedia.com Accounts Receivable Specialist Sarah Appelbaum sappelbaum@midatlanticmedia.com Main Offi ce: 215-832-0700 editor@jewishexponent.com 215-832-0797 circulation@jewishexponent.com 215-832-0700, ext. 1 sales@jewishexponent.com 215-832-0700, ext. 2 classifi ed@jewishexponent.com 215-832-0749 Connect with us: Legal Notices legals@jewishexponent.com If you’re having problems receiving your Philadelphia Jewish Exponent in the mail, and live in an apartment or suite, please contact our circulation department at 215-832-0700, ext, 1 or circulation@jewishexponent.com. Digital Media Coordinator James Meskunas JEWISH EXPONENT, a Mid-Atlantic Media publication, is published weekly since 1887 with a special issue in September (ISSN 0021-6437) ©2022 Jewish Exponent (all rights reserved). Periodical postage paid in Philadelphia, PA, and additional offices. Postmaster: All address changes should be sent to Jewish Exponent Circulation Dept., 11459 Cronhill Drive, Suite A, Owings Mills, Maryland, 21117. A one-year subscription is $50, 2 years, $100. Foreign rates on request. Jewish Exponent does not endorse kashrut claims. To verify the kashrut of goods or services advertised in Jewish Exponent, readers should consult rabbinic authorities. The Jewish Exponent reserves the right to revise, reject or edit any advertisement. Expert Care & Exceptional Hospitality It’s Elevated Senior Living... Opening Now! 610-595-4647 residencebalacynwyd.com Personal Care, Memory Care & Independent Living Select apartments remaining. Ask about our exclusive Opening Rates. 2 APRIL 28, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM |
THIS WEEK Local 5 Family with Local Ties Mourns Israeli Killed in Terror Attack 8 Weitzman to Honor CNN’s Wolf Blitzer 10 6 Million Steps Campaign Comes to Philadelphia Opinion 14 Editorials 15 Letters 15 Opinions 19 Yom Ha’atzmaut Feature Story 22 On Yom HaShoah, Ukrainian Jews Grapple with Identities at War Community 28 Obituaries 34 Calendar 32 Synagogue Spotlight In every issue 4 Seen 11 Jewish Federation 12 You Should Know 25 Arts & Culture 26 Food & Dining 33 D’var Torah 33 Social Announcements 36 Last Word 38 Classifieds 5 F amily with local ties mourns murdered Israeli. 8 C NN’s Wolf Blitzer will be honored by the Weitzman. 22 U krainian Jews grapple with their identities. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 3 |
the seen Gwyneth Paltrow Funds Historical Signboard at Her Jewish Ancestors’ Cemetery in Poland Movie star Gwyneth Paltrow has funded a sign chronicling the history of the Jews in her ances- tors’ hometown in Poland. The informational signboard — as the Foundation for the Preservation of Jewish Heritage in Poland, which is leading the project, called it in a state- ment — was unveiled on April 19 at the Jewish cemetery of Nowogród in northeastern Poland. The sign “recounts the history of the Jewish community dating back to the 15th century as well as the creation of the cemetery in the late 18th century, and the destruction of the local Jewish community and its cemetery” during and after the Holocaust. Paltrow’s father’s family descends from Nowogród, according to research done for the 2011 episode of the celebrity genealogy TV show “Who Do You Think You Are?” Paltrow’s great-great-grandfather Simon Paltrovich, who went by Simcha, had immigrated from Eastern Europe to the United States, she said during the show, and she discovered that Simcha’s father, Hirsch, was also a rabbi in Nowogród. Hirsch Palterovich, who was murdered in the Holocaust, was remembered by survivors from Nowogród as a courageous man who singlehand- edly put out a fire that threatened to consume the entire Jewish neighborhood of the town, Paltrow learned on the show. He was also a Kabbalah expert. ”This is kind of blowing my mind. Because I study Kabbalah. I can just feel how his spirituality is coming off the page,” she said on the show. Paltrow, who won an Oscar for best actress in 1999’s “Shakespeare in Love,” was particularly attached to her father, director and producer Bruce Paltrow, who died in 2002, she said. “My dad was the love of my life until he died. My father really instilled in me the importance of unconditional love and support, and to treat your family with love and respect because they’re your family,” she said on “Who Do You Think you Are.” “And you know, those are the ties that bind.” — Cnaan Liphshiz Gwyneth Paltrow attends Hollywood Unites for the 4th Biennial Stand Up for Cancer at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, on Sept. 5, 2014. Paltrow: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images via JTA’ Neeson: Amblin Entertainment via JTA Belgian State TV Apologizes for Video Parodying ‘Schindler’s List’ A state-owned broadcaster in Belgium apologized for a video that parodies Steven Spielberg’s classic Holocaust movie “Schindler’s List” by dubbing alternative dialogue about an apparent cookie shortage over some of the film’s footage. VRT, a public broadcaster which is owned and funded by the gov- ernment of the Flemish Region of Belgium, on April 18 said that it was removing the “inappropriate” April 7 video from its YouTube channel. “Humor and satire should be allowed in our programming but it must never be the intention to hurt the feelings of others or laugh at their suffering,” a VRT statement read. “We recognize that this did happen here, we wish to express our heartfelt apologies.” Some Jewish and Christian groups and Michael Freilich, an Orthodox Jewish lawmaker serving 4 APRIL 28, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Actor Liam Neeson portrays Oskar Schindler in “Schindler’s List” in Belgium’s federal parliament, had criticized the segment, which aired as part of the popular evening show “The Ideal World.” It aimed to satirize reports in Belgian media about how the war in Ukraine could be causing shortages in the supply of the popular Cent Wafer cookie brand. One character portraying a Jewish concentration camp prisoner is dubbed to say: “Goddamn, that sh** boy is gone with the last family pack of Cent Wafers” about a character being led to Nazi gas chambers. Among the organizations that protested the video was the Consultative Body of Christians and Jews in Belgium, which deemed it in a statement “disrespectful and taste- less” and called on VRT to use public funds to “promote higher values.” An Israeli primetime comedy show “Eretz Nehedert,” or “It’s a Wonderful Country,” also referenced “Schindler’s List” in a sketch from last month that used the Ukraine conflict to satirize Israeli high-tech executives. — Cnaan Liphshiz |
local Family with Local Ties Mourns Israeli Killed in Terror Attack SASHA ROGELBERG | STAFF WRITER A n area family is mourning the death of Tomer Morad, brother of Bucks County res- ident Omri Morad, who was killed on April 8 in a Tel Aviv terrorist shooting. A 28-year-old Palestinian gunman opened fi re at Ilka bar on Dizengoff Street where Tomer Morad and child- hood friend Eytam Magini, both 27, met for a beer. Morad, Magini and 35-year-old Barak Lufan were fatally shot, and at least nine others were wounded. Th e gunman was killed in a police shootout on April 9. Morad and Magini, who had recently F TAY-SACHS REE & CANAVAN SCREENING CALL (215)887-0877 FOR DETAILS e-mail:ntsad@aol.com visit: www.tay-sachs.org Screening for other Jewish Genetic Diseases also available. This message is sponsored by a friend of Israelis light candles at the scene of a terror attack on Dizengoff Street, central Tel Aviv, where Tomer Morad and two others were fatally shot. Nat’l Tay-Sachs & Allied Diseases Association of Delaware Valley ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY Casino Night THURSDAY, MAY 12 4 – 7 PM Photo by Noam Revkin Fenton/Flash90 via JTA.org Join us for a few happy hours to celebrate our first full year in King of Prussia. Come enjoy live entertainment and delicious cuisine at our casino party. Bring a friend, too! This will be a socially distanced event. Masks required. RSVP REQUIRED: 484-390-5315 ANTHOLOGY OF KING OF PRUSSIA 350 Guthrie Rd. / King of Prussia, PA Independent Living / Personal Care / Memory Care AnthologyKingofPrussia.com JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 5 |
local moved to Kfar Saba together, arrived early at the bar, planning to meet friends. “They arranged to meet some friends. They were childhood friends, always cared for each other. When they did not answer — we understood that something had happened. We under- stood that the worst had happened. The two friends who went out together were murdered,” friend Gal Benvenisti said to The Times of Israel. Omri Morad, along with his wife and children, joined his family in Israel on April 9 for his brother’s funeral. They plan to stay there for the near future. “He loved traveling abroad but mainly in Israel. There was almost no weekend when he and his friends didn’t take another hiking trip, some other canal or reef,” Omri Morad said. “[There are] so many pictures under waterfalls that he has with his friends. He was amazing socially ... He had so many social groups.” Tomer Morad was a fourth-year under- graduate student at Tel Aviv University, where he matriculated after his time as an officer in the Israel Defense Forces. After learning of his death, staff from his elementary and high school reached out to the Morad family. Memory Care Come with Love! Visit! Your loved one becomes a cherished h d member of our family in our special Memory Care program. Our memory care team provides compassionate care and meaningful days for your loved one. “We were just thinking about phrases to describe him for the grave design, and we decided that the bottom line will be, ‘You will always be remem- bered alive’ because he was only 27 — It’s something that is unbearable for us — But in those 27 years, he managed to do so much,” Omri Morad said. Omri Morad and his mother visited the site of Tomer Morad’s death 48 hours afterward, per his mother’s insis- tence and despite his warning that the bar, which was closed on that Saturday night, would be a hotbed for protesters, both Israeli and Palestinian. “When we were there, it was like a zoo,” Morad said. “There were both groups — political groups from both sides of the road — both of them shouting, cursing, throwing things at each other.” The scene “completely overwhelmed” Morad’s mother. “It’s ridiculous. In Israel, people say that in every family, there is some relation to a casualty of war, casualty of terrorist attack,” Omri Morad said. “We hadn’t had that. Yes, we had things happen to us in our life. But none were so tragic and so horrible as the murder of my brother Tomer.” The disaster illustrated one of the Where’s My Magazine? If you’re having problems receiving your Philadelphia Jewish Exponent in the mail, and live in an apartment or suite, please contact our circulation department at 215-832-0700, ext, 1 or circulation@jewishexponent.com. For additional information and to schedule your in-person or virtual tour, please go to www.TheHearthAtDrexel.org/Visit or call 1-877-205-9428. Assisted Living • Memory Care • Respite Care Jewish Exponent PHILADELPHIA 238 Belmont Ave. | Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 6 APRIL 28, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM www.TheHearthAtDrexel.org |
AT ARDEN COURTS WE OFFER: 100% DEDICATED MEMORY CARE SAFE, SECURE INDOOR/ OUTDOOR WALKING PATHS NURSING SERVICES ON-SITE Thursday, May 5, 2022 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Register in advance for this Zoom webinar by visiting the LINK below: https://tinyurl.com/bdh8h8xj Questions can be directed to VirtualSeminars@promedica.org FREE DEMENTIA VIRTUAL SEMINAR Conversations with Dr. Tam Cummings A Monthly Education Series for the Dementia Caregiver Tomer Morad loved to travel, particularly in Israel. reasons Omri and his wife Tamar Morad chose to leave Israel and settle in the Philadelphia area, where Tamar Morad’s aunt lives. Israeli culture was very intense, Omri Morad said. Even the way people drive was “a bit too much.” When the family had a fi re in their home, it was the last straw. Th e couple moved to Newtown with their young daughter in July 2019, and their son was born during the pandemic. Th e family belongs to Congregation Brothers of Israel. Tomer Morad’s death coincided with the expiration of the family’s visa, which is part of the reason they are staying in Israel until further notice. But the family hopes to return. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which “comes in waves,” hit the family hard, and though Omri Morad wants to support his family in Israel, he feels a responsibility to give his children a Courtesy of Tamar Morad safe upbringing, which he believes he can do in Bucks County. “I’m not afraid that my daughter is rid- ing the bus to school every morning,” he said. “And, yes, there were occasions that we mainly hear from the media about shootings in school in the United States, or shootings in the mall. But, for some reason, it doesn’t bother us so much ... It doesn’t aff ect us on a daily basis.” Morad is frustrated by the ongo- ing war; he feels that Israel’s proposed solutions to combating terror attacks haven’t been eff ective. He’s perturbed by the teaching in some Palestinian schools that antagonize and target Jews. He’s not sure of the country’s best path forward and is hoping to avoid any more family tragedy. “Th e only opinion I have is that I am terrifi ed that this thing will happen to one of my kids,” Morad said. JE Helping the Grieving and Guilt-Ridden Caregiver Post death grief, huge levels of guilt, a decade of caregiving, compassion fatigue, and self- compassion are the topics for this webinar. Dr. Tam Cummings will discuss what happens to us as caregivers during the decline and loss of our loved ones with dementia. Techniques to help with stress and tools to measure your stress level will be shared, along with quick tricks to quickly help with feelings of being overwhelmed. Tam Cummings, Ph.D., Gerontologist Author, Untangling Alzheimer’s: The Guide for Families and Professionals © 2022 ProMedica Health System, Inc., or its affiliates srogelberg@midatlanticmedia.com 14634_Warminster-Yardley_4.55x11.indd 1 4/21/22 9:57 AM JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 7 |
local Ever since there’s been an IDF protecting Israel, there’s been an MDA ensuring their health. Weitzman to Honor CNN’s Wolf Blitzer JARRAD SAFFREN | STAFF WRITER F ormer Jewish Exponent colum- nist Wolf Blitzer, who is also that Wolf Blitzer, CNN anchor, is coming to the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History on May 1. Blitzer, 74, an Emmy Award-winning journalist who started at CNN in 1990, will be honored by the Philadelphia museum at its reopening gala. According to a press release, the event “recognizes the achievements and contributions of American Jews who have significantly impacted American Magen David Adom has been saving lives since 1930, some 18 years before Israel became a state. We take immense pride in being Israel’s national emergency medical service and in supplying the blood and medical care for the soldiers who have ensured Israel’s existence. Join us in celebrating Israel’s independence on Yom HaAtzma’ut. Save a life in Israel — and now in Ukraine too. Support Magen David Adom at afmda.org or call 800.626.0046. 8 APRIL 28, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM afmda.org Wolf Blitzer society and culture, often despite fac- ing antisemitism and prejudice.” The reporter’s parents survived the Holocaust; he remains a proud Jew to this day. He even spent the first extended chapter of his career at the Jerusalem Post from 1973 to 1990. While there, Blitzer wrote a syndicated column that appeared weekly in the Jewish Exponent. “My Jewish identity is so important,” Blitzer said. “It has been my whole life.” The Weitzman describes itself as the “only museum dedicated exclu- sively to exploring and interpreting the American Jewish experience.” With this gala, the museum is reopening to the public after a two-year closure due to the pandemic. (Though it did host virtual events and pro- grams.) It is also reopening for the first time since it was bought out, and saved from bankruptcy, by shoe designer Stuart Weitzman. The new and improved space will feature a variety of new exhib- its, including one focusing on mod- Courtesy of CNN ern antisemitism and using artifacts from the January hostage crisis at a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas. As it reopens, the Weitzman is trying to live up to its description. But while the exhibits show that mis- sion of exploring and interpreting the American Jewish experience, Blitzer personifies it. |
P R E S E N T S P HILADELPHIA S PEAKERS S ERIES ® Seven Thought-Provoking Evenings of Diverse Opinions a nd World Perspectives The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History Photo by Jeff Goldberg/Esto for Ennead Architects His parents came to America as refugees and, while they were proud Jews, they may have become even prouder Americans, according to Blitzer. The CNN anchor called them “among the most patriotic Americans I have ever known.” They even flew the American flag outside their house year-round, not just on Memorial Day and July 4. “They truly loved this country, and they were so grateful to the U.S. and the American people,” Blitzer said. That personal history explains why the Weitzman honor is important to the anchor, despite his many career achievements. “I just wish my parents, who have both passed away, could have been with us to witness this evening,” he said. “They would have been so proud.” But for Blitzer, the honor also tran- scends his personal story. As a Jew, he believes in every aspect of the Weitzman’s mission. He said it’s important to make sure that the next Jewish generation under- stands our history. He also thinks it’s perhaps just as vital to help non-Jews gain an appreciation for the history of Jews in America. “And we do have a very proud history in this country,” Blitzer added. Misha Galperin, the president and CEO of the Weitzman, believes that Blitzer is a big part of that story. Galperin explained that the museum celebrates “both what America offered to the Jewish people and what the Jewish people give back to America.” America offered the Blitzer family a chance at freedom and prosperity; and their son grew up to become a renowned journalist who also rep- resents the profession’s lofty values. “The value of reporting and a free press. All the things responsible and good journalists do,” Galperin said. Galperin first met Blitzer in 2002 at the home of the Israeli ambassador in Washington, D.C. Since then, he has known Blitzer to be a serious supporter of Jewish causes and institutions like the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. Two of Blitzer’s close friends, Ernie Grunfeld (a former NBA player and general manager) and Ed Cohen, say that’s no joke. The man really does care deeply about his religion. Grunfeld lauded the anchor’s com- mitment to “shining a light on the events of the Holocaust” and to edu- cating people around the world to “try to ensure that it never happens again.” Cohen said, “The traditions of Judaism are important to him.” “Things that are part of his makeup that help ground him in a turbulent world,” the friend added. At the gala, Blitzer will give a speech, enjoy a video about his life and work and stay for the remainder of the event, which will also include the unveiling of the Colleyville exhibition. Then, once it ends, he will continue to encourage visits to the Weitzman, he said. The CNN anchor called the muse- um’s mission “more timely than ever.” His mission, though, remains the same, even in these turbulent and polarized times. “I believe it’s always best for us to report the news as honestly and as fairly as we can,” Blitzer said. “Ever since I started my career in journalism, I have always tried to do that.” JE jsaffren@midatlanticmedia.com 2 022 –2 02 3 S ea s o n at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts LORETTA LYNCH SCOTT KELLY September 19, 2022 March 6, 2023 Former U.S. Attorney General NASA Astronaut JOHN BRENNAN TOM FRIEDMAN October 24, 2022 March 27, 2023 New York Times Columnist CIA Director 2013–2017 MARIA RESSA ANTHONY RAY HINTON November 7, 2022 April 10, 2023 2021 Nobel Peace Prize Winner ERIK LARSON Death Row Exoneree SPONSORED BY Award-winning Author January 30, 2023 Seating is limited — Order now! Series sold by subscription only. Subscriptions available starting at $355 Call (215) 893-1955 www.PhiladelphiaSpeakers.org Scan code to order tickets online! 2022–2023 SEASON SUBSCRIBE TODAY! IN PERSON OR LIVESTREAM JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 9 |
local 6 Million Steps Campaign Comes to Philadelphia HEATHER M. ROSS | STAFF WRITER I n advance of Yom Hashoah, about 100 people participated on April 24 in a Holocaust memorial walk dedicated to the 1.5 million children who lost their lives in the Holocaust. Walkers wearing white shirts, carry- ing yellow roses and waving Israeli fl ags started at the “Rocky” steps outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art then headed down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to the Philadelphia Holocaust Memorial Plaza. A ceremony there hosted by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia culminated the event. Th e walk was part of the international 6 Million Steps campaign sponsored by the Israeli American Council. Its goal is to remember the lives lost in the Holocaust and build community to combat resur- gent antisemitism across the globe. Th e campaign urges people across the world to dedicate their steps from their walks to remember those killed. Since the campaign began on April 1 it has reached more than 30 million steps, surpassing its goal of 18 million. Th e IAC has set a goal for each com- 6 Million Steps participants munity to complete 6 million steps. Before embarking on the walk, participants outside the art museum shared stories of Holocaust survivors, sang “Eli Eli” by Hannah Szenes and donned nametag stickers where they wrote in the names of the people they were walking to remember. Szenes was a Hungarian Jewish World War II resistance fi ghter who wrote the poem in 1942; the song was set to music by David Zehavi, an Israeli composer, in 1945. If you have ANY Jewish ancestry, get screened for 101 preventable Jewish genetic diseases. Virtual counseling and screening is affordable and accessible. Randi Zeitzer, MD is a family physician who provides healthcare that honors the traditions of the Jewish community, while advocating for the screening of Jewish genetic diseases. Preventing Jewish Genetic Diseases is a program of the Jewish Health Resource Center at Einstein Einstein.edu/JHRC | 1.800.Einstein Photo by Heather M. Ross Ella Dotan and Rotem Shcori told the story of their grandmother, a survivor, in Hebrew and in English. Th e crowd listened silently while the girls spoke, telling their grandmother’s story about how some members of her family went one direction and lived while others were sent the other way at the camp and were never seen or heard from again. Participants ranged from babies in strollers to grandparents. Together, they each logged more than 5,000 steps. Many of the attendees were members of Shevet Paamon, the Israeli Scouts of Philadelphia. Th e scouts held a program for children from third to 12th grade where they discussed the Holocaust. Th e event also included about 20 people who were visiting from Israel. “We defi nitely made a mark. We brought people closer together. We strengthened our community through this event,” said Adi Ozery, the regional director for the IAC. Ozery and her husband, Boaz, walked with their three children. Ozery told her children why they were walking and why it was so important. “Th is is our heritage, this is our history. We say that we remember and will never forget. We don’t want it to happen again,” Ozery said. Ozery, 38, came to Philadelphia with her family two years ago for her hus- band’s job. Her family is closely con- nected to Israel and it was diffi cult to leave, so she said she aims to bring her family closer to Israel and its traditions. Although the event has passed, would-be participants can still contrib- ute and remember the Holocaust. People can walk independently this month and dedicate their walks online to contribute their steps. Walkers can log their steps at 6msteps.org. JE hross@midatlanticmedia.com 10 APRIL 28, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM |
COMMUNITY NEWS The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia mobilizes financial and volunteer resources to address the communities’ most critical priorities locally, in Israel and around the world. E Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia Grantee Makes Big Impact in Ukraine Romirowsky, chief strategy and impact officer for the li Beer first saw 90-year-old Holocaust survivor Jewish Federation. Mikhael crying in a refugee soup kitchen at the Although United Hatzalah is based in Jerusalem, border of Ukraine and Moldova. The stark real- Beer and his team have been at the border of Ukraine ity of running from war again was too much to bear. and Moldova since the war in Ukraine erupted. At the Traveling five days to Kishinev, Moldova, Mikhael border, the team provides refugees medical treatment, was exhausted and at a crossroads as to what to do next. shelter and food and secures entry permits to Israel “I told him we’d bring him to Israel,” said Beer, before flying refugees for aliyah. president of United Hatzalah of Israel. “But he was “Our mission is to make sure Israel is safe, but now, hesitant.” we cannot stand by the sidelines watching this horrible Despite having family in Israel, Mikhael did not own human disaster take place and not help,” Beer reflected. a passport. He also had never left Ukraine. United Hatzalah of Israel President Eli Beer meets In the first three weeks of the war alone, United But Beer didn’t give up. After a phone call with Mikhael, 90-year-old Holocaust survivor from Hatzalah provided medical assistance to more than Mikhael’s family, spirits rose, and the necessary entry Ukraine. Courtesy of United Hatzalah 5,000 people, served more than 40,000 hot meals and permits were filed for Israel. The morning after their helped approximately 1,700 refugees travel to Israel. meeting, Mikhael began the journey to Israel with 160 other refugees. “We are proud to partner with an agency that goes above and beyond when Similar to Beer’s first encounter, Mikhael was again crying, but now they were circumstances call for it,” Romirowsky said. tears of joy as he made his journey to safety. Now in the second month of war, United Hatzalah and 34 other NGOs have United Hatzalah has a three-year grant from the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, which it uses to train volunteers to save lives in Israel’s southern secured additional funding from the Jewish Federation system’s emergency region. It is the largest independent, nonprofit and entirely volunteer Emergency response efforts. As of April 18, $50 million has been raised for humanitarian aid Medical Service organization based in Jerusalem, and is the first on the scene in for Ukrainian residents and refugees. As the war rages on, this additional funding an emergency when time matters most. will support and expand United Hatzalah’s lifesaving work. “It is encouraging to see our local community coming together as part of the The Jewish Federation supports many organizations, like United Hatzalah, as part of its ongoing commitment to create deep connections in Israel to ensure national effort within the Federation system, giving generously in support of our Ukrainian Jewish brothers and sisters,” said Adam E. Laver, chair of the local safety, security and prosperity. “Helping fellow brothers and sisters in Israel and around the world in their Jewish Federation’s Emergency Response Committee. “Dollars received from our time of need, United Hatzalah embodies the qualities that we look for in a part- Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia contributors are supporting organiza- ner as we work toward our pillars of security and resilience in Israel,” said Kelly tions that are saving lives each and every day.” The Federation system has raised $50 million to support refugees and Jewish communities in Ukraine and bordering countries during their time of need. Funds have been directed to partner agencies such as The Jewish Agency For Israel, The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, World ORT, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), Hillel International, The Israel Trauma Coalition, JCC Krakow, United Hatzalah, and more. 12,100 refugees fed and housed 7,000 refugees received on-the-ground support in Ukraine 5,500+ Jewish Ukrainian refugees arrived in Israel 7,800 beds rented 55,000+ answered calls through various hotlines 20,500 Jewish elderly and children relied on funds JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 11 |
Hannah Lavon HEATHER M. ROSS | STAFF WRITER H annah Lavon is changing the world through socks. Since she started her business Pals Socks, her brightly covered wares have grown to be available at more than 800 retailers online through Amazon and via the company’s website, palssocks.com. At first, Pals Socks were just for kids, but as the business (corporate name: Hooray Hoopla LLC) grew and evolved, Lavon expanded the socks to fit adults, too. Lavon, 38, didn’t start out making socks, but said she’s always been hands-on in the creative process. After studying design at Syracuse University 12 APRIL 28, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM in New York she began with a series of mit- tens that were sets of predator and prey. However, Lavon knew she wanted to do more with her creativity. “Being female, being a Jew, being in the LGBT community, I believe that we need more humans who are open- minded and accepting,” Lavon said. The idea behind Pals Socks, Lavon said, is that even though we’re all dif- ferent and we don’t all look alike, we can still be friends and complement each other. Lavon wants to teach kids that it’s OK not to match. Every pair of Pals Socks has two socks that don’t look alike but are designed in a way that makes it clear they go together. Although Lavon designed all of the original Pals Socks herself, she now occa- sionally collaborates with artists like Paul Frank, Jason Naylor and Nate Bear. Pals Socks also sells see-through boots, so customers can show off their socks everywhere they go. “The more Pals you have the more vibrant your life will be,” she said. Lavon said she doesn’t just aspire to create social change through her designs: She uses her business to give back and participates in fundraisers with a variety of local organizations dedicated to mak- ing life a more inclusive and welcoming place for people of all kinds. When Lavon started her journey as a businesswoman she knew she wanted to give back to the commu- nity and began working with charities focused on schools and special educa- tion groups. Since the program launched, Lavon said that more than $250,000 — $70,000 of which came this year — was donated to organizations like the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network and Gigi’s Playhouse. Local charitable causes that have participated in fundraising using Pals Socks include the Schoolhouse in Flourtown, Zipporah S. Abramson Center at Beth Or, Never Surrender Hope (Declan’s Sock Drive), Bucks County Down Syndrome Interest Group, Montgomery County Down Syndrome Interest Group and the Fort Washington Elementary School PTA. Pals Socks uses the hashtag #WeDontMatch to group the photos of people enjoying their Pals on social media, but Lavon hopes to develop the hashtag into a larger campaign. Lavon juggles this all while parent- ing her 1½-year-old daughter, Cleo, who just had her first matzah pizza. Since becoming a mother Lavon feels she has gained a better understanding of the importance of teaching the next generation about Jewish heritage and traditions. JE hross@midatlanticmedia.com Photos courtesy of Hannah Lavon YOU SHOULD KNOW ... |
nation / world Ukrainian Refugees to Join March of Living at Auschwitz Refugees from Ukraine are slated to join the March of the Living commemora- tion event at Auschwitz, JTA reported. The refugees are among 2,500 people from 25 countries who signed up for the mission to the former death camp, the first since March of the Living suspended such activities due to COVID-19, the educational group said in a statement. The march brings young people from around the world to Poland and Israel to study the history of the Holocaust. The April 28 event culminates in the traditional 2-mile march between the Auschwitz and Auschwitz-Birkenau Participants of the March of the Living camps near Krakow in memory of the vic- exit a gate in the former Nazi camp tims of the Holocaust, the statement said. Auschwitz in Poland on May 2, 2019. American University Muslim Student Group Withdraws from Seder Over Israel Support The Muslim Student Association at American University in Washington, D.C., canceled its participation in an interfaith seder and Iftar event with the campus Hillel chapter, citing Hillel’s support of Israel amid renewed violent clashes at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque, JTA reported. The group had been a co-sponsor of the event to commemorate Passover and Ramadan. “Hillel’s continued support for the state of Israel after this attack contradicts our values of human rights and justice and we are unable to participate in a co-sponsored campus event at this time,” the group posted to social media. AU Hillel Executive Director Jason Benkendorf said the event went on anyway with other campus partners. “We are disappointed that the MSA chose not to participate and are hurt by their decision to express their disagreement with Israel’s actions by boycotting our campus Jewish community,” Benkendorf said. “We don’t believe this is in keeping with the values of our campus.” Courtesy of the International March of the Living via JTA.org Supreme Court Rules Jewish Art Dealer Heirs Can Use Courts to Recover Painting Nazis Stole The Supreme Court ruled that heirs to a German Jewish art dealer could use the U.S. court system to reclaim a valuable painting the family used as a bargaining chip with the Nazis — even though the painting is now owned by Spain, JTA reported. In a unanimous ruling on April 21, the justices found that the property-law dis- pute could be debated in California, where the descendants of Lilly Cassirer live today. Justice Elena Kagan, the court’s only Jewish member, wrote the opinion. “Our ruling is as simple as the conflict over [the painting’s] rightful owner has been vexed,” Kagan wrote in the case of Cassirer Et Al. v. Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection Foundation. In 1939, Cassirer surrendered the French painting “Rue Saint-Honoré in the Afternoon, Effect of Rain,” by 19th-century Impressionist Camille Pissarro to the Nazis in exchange for an exit visa so she could leave the country. Two decades later, Cassirer’s descendants accepted compensation from the German government — only to later discover that the painting had under- gone a journey of its own, from an art gallery in St. Louis to a private home in Switzerland to an art foundation owned by the Spanish government. Report: Israel the Eighth-largest Nuclear Power Israel has 90 nuclear warheads, making it the eighth-largest nuclear power, according to a report by the American Federation of Scientists, Globes reported. There are about 13,000 nuclear warheads worldwide, led by Russia (5,977), the United States (5,428), China (350), France (290) and the United Kingdom (225). The other countries with nuclear weapons are Pakistan (165), India (160), Israel and North Korea (20). JE — Compiled by Andy Gotlieb ANTIQUE & VINTAGE MARKET AT KENESETH ISRAEL (KI) Outdoors Sunday, May 1st 8339 Old York Rd, Elkins Park 8AM - 5PM Free Admission & Free Parking! Vendor Reservations: 215-625-3532 Proceeds Benefit The Hamotzi Fund Feeding the Food Insecure Exclusive Women’s Apparel Boutique Made in USA Custom designs, color options and free alterations available Evening Gowns Suits/Separates Cocktail Dresses 61 Buck Road Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 www.elanaboutique.com (215)953-8820 Make an appointment to consult with the designer Monday-Friday 10am-3pm JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 13 |
editorials Israel at 74 Y om Ha’atzmaut, which begins at sunset on May 4, invites us to look at Israel through a long lens and see how utterly different it is today than when it came into being 74 years ago. There are many who remember how encircled and outnumbered the just-declared state was on the fifth day of Iyar in 1948. There was no guarantee that Israel wouldn’t be overrun and wiped out by the sur- rounding Arab armies — not then, and not in 1967, when a similar coa- lition, backed by the Soviet Union, threatened war while the United States was too distracted by Vietnam to offer even moral support. Many remember 1967, how Israel survived and how it prevailed again in 1973, but not without the cost of 2,400 lives lost and a badly strained economy. It was Israel’s peace agreement with Egypt in 1979 that removed the most powerful Arab country as a strategic threat to Israel’s existence. That agreement wasn’t universally welcomed, but it has lasted more than four decades. Today, threats and enemies remain, but unlike in the past, everyone seems to be normalizing relations with Israel — a country that is technologically advanced, economically stable and tied to its partner and strategic asset, the United States. The close American connection has melted the Three No’s of the 1967 Khartoum Resolution: “no peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel, no nego- tiations with it ...” In its place, the Abraham Accords includes Arab countries that have said yes to all three prohibitions. In this country, the annual Gallup poll of country favorability found that 71% of Americans gave Israel a “very favorable” or “mostly favorable” rating. That’s in line with average favorability ratings since 2013 and a leap from the 45% in 1989. The results put Israel in good company; among the countries Gallup rated, only Canada, Great Britain, France, Japan, Germany and India ranked higher. Lately, Israel has become posi- tively associated with coronavirus research. With each surge of the coronavirus pandemic, it was often a surprise to hear Israel mentioned in the media as one of the countries that was doing something right in beating back COVID. In January of 2021, before most Americans even got their first inoc- ulation, The Atlantic highlighted how Israel had vaccinated six times more of its population than the United States. Writer Uri Friedman said the reason Israel was able to act so effi- ciently “traces back decades to the embryonic health infrastructure cre- ated before the State of Israel even existed.” Israel’s universal health sys- tem, present at the country’s found- ing, was able to reach a population in danger seven decades later. Then there are the more anec- dotal accolades. Tel Aviv made the Forbes list of the world’s 15 best cit- ies, coming in eighth. And Time Out ranked Tel Aviv as the world’s most fun city for the second year in a row and the second-best city in the food and drink category. Speaking of food and drink, Israeli food is having a bit of a moment in the states, too, as chefs like Michael Solomonov introduce the public to both familiar and unfamiliar culinary offerings. None of these was on Israel’s founders’ list of goals 74 years ago. It’s important not to forget Israel’s successes. JE Preserving an Ancient Diaspora Community E gypt is considered one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world. In 1948, the Jewish population of Cairo and Alexandria was estimated to be more than 75,000. In the 1950s, Egyptian authorities began expelling Jews and sequestering Jewish-owned property. Today, the number of Jews living in Egypt can be counted on one hand. The declining population also went hand in hand with a lack of pro- tection for Jewish heritage sites. But we can take some inspiration from a group of volunteers who have been working to revive Egypt’s Jewish heritage. As described in Haaretz, the vol- unteers have worked to conserve Jewish sites in the North African nation. The project is being carried out with American funding by the tiny Jewish community that remains in Egypt and with the cooperation 14 of Egyptian authorities. When these volunteers go to work, they are often greeted with destruction and neglect — places closed for more than 70 years have been used as garbage dumps. In March, the project’s focus was an old Jewish cemetery in Cairo, where it took 250 garbage trucks to remove all of the debris that had accumulated over the years. Of the 16 synagogue buildings in Egypt, 13 are in Cairo. In 2020, the refurbishing of the Eliyahu Hanavi synagogue in Alexandria, built in the 19th century, was completed. The Egyptian government covered all the costs of renovating the structure. The next big project is to restore the Ben Ezra Synagogue in Cairo, which was built about 1,200 years ago and is one of the oldest syn- agogues in the world. This syna- gogue is the site of the famous APRIL 28, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Cairo Geniza, a collection of almost 400,000 pieces of manuscripts and documents outlining a 1,000-year continuum of Jewish Middle Eastern and North African history. These pieces comprise the largest and most diverse collection of medieval manuscripts in the world and, to this day, serve as the primary source for writing the history of Eastern Jewish communities. One of the guiding principles of the Jewish heritage project is to keep what is found in Egypt. The most incredible finding was discovered at the Karaite synagogue in Cairo. In a place where anyone could have picked it up was a Bible written on vellum. The priceless 616- page manuscript was dated to 1028. The group of volunteers has uncovered more books in existing structures that are lying about like trash. Some of them are rare editions dating from the 16th or 17th centu- ries. To date, around 1,000 books have been recovered. Another discovery was unearthed in the cellar of a Cairo synagogue. A small metal box contained a registry of the entire Ashkenazi community in Egypt, including names, birthdates, emigration, professions and other information from the community’s past. These are just some of the trea- sures that have so far been discov- ered. If the project’s organizers are successful, someday there will be a central library in Cairo where these antiquities can be preserved — and hopefully be on display — so the world can know of the rich Jewish heritage that was once in Egypt. We look forward to that day. These items are beyond priceless and serve as a reminder of often-forgot- ten Jewish history. It’s a project we can all get behind. JE |
opinions & letters Ukrainian Jews, Come to Israel! YEHUDIT KATSOVER AND NADIA MATAR | JNS W e have tremendous admiration and appreciation for the dozens of organizations working to rescue Jews from Ukraine. Words cannot express our wonder at their courage, dedication, care and heroism. But on one issue, we cannot be silent. Various representatives of these aid organiza- tions have made declarations in the media, such as “We will soon return to Ukraine and reestablish the Jewish communities that existed.” In addition, there are those seeking to direct Jewish refugees to Poland or Germany. It seems that the state of Israel, with its emissar- ies and organizations, has forgotten its primary role, which is to constitute a focal point for the ingathering of the exiles of the Jewish people. So we ask: Why declare the aspiration to repatriate Jews to Ukraine? Why send Jews to Germany or Poland? Why strive to reestablish communities in the Diaspora when their real home is the land of Israel? After 1948, the term “Jewish refugee” should not be used, since every Jew has a home. It is incumbent upon the rescue organizations to strive to bring all Jews to the Land of Israel and ensure a secure Jewish future for them and their families. We are well aware of shocking global assimilation statistics and know that outside the Land of Israel, even in friendly countries, there is no future for the Jews. Beyond concern for the personal future of Ukrainian Jews, moreover, an effort to bring them to Israel is a necessity for the Jewish state itself, a country that continues to exist under demo- graphic threat and must increase the number of Jews in it. The call to return Ukrainian Jewish refugees to Israel is thus beneficial and essential to both parties. We will cite here the words of a friend who, approximately 30 years ago, served as a shaliach, an emissary, during the time he was the principal of a Jewish school in one of the large communities in Europe. He was asked what his vision was for the school. His answer was clear: that the school would close in 15 years because all the students and their parents had made aliyah to the land of Israel. Thanks to that school principal and his clear worldview, dozens of families did exactly that. This is the true role of a shaliach: To encourage and work toward the aliyah of all Jews to their land. For some reason, in recent years, an erroneous and dangerous perception has taken hold that the role of shlichim is to develop, increase and per- petuate Jewish communities abroad. But the his- torical and moral role and mission of the state of Israel is not to be a distant and unrealized vision, but to serve as an actual home for all world Jewry. It appears, however, that the shlichim of the state of Israel are afraid to articulate the call to the Jews of the Diaspora: “Come home. The land of Israel belongs to you and you belong to it.” Instead, they are busy preserving Judaism over- seas. That is not why the state of Israel, which sent them on their mission, was established. A horrific human tragedy is transpiring in Ukraine, but latent in that tragedy is another opportunity provided by G-d to gather the dispersed of Israel to their land. It is incumbent upon us to internalize the sig- nificance of the hour. A horrific human tragedy is transpiring in Ukraine, but latent in that tragedy is another opportunity provided by G-d to gather the dispersed of Israel to their land. This is the moment to proclaim in a loud voice to all Jews, wherever they may be: “Come home.” It is time to condemn the Exile and unashamedly warn people about it, without succumbing to the dictates of the politically correct and the efforts of organizations rich with foreign capital that seek to dilute the Jewish identity of the state of Israel. This is the time to return to the true Jewish- Zionist vision. We have the ability to bring another quarter of a million Jews to the land of Israel now, as part of a Jewish immigration drive that will bring many more good and beloved Jewish brothers and sis- ters from all over the world. “If you will it, it is no dream,” said Theodor Herzl. It is our duty to will it and to take action. JE Yehudit Katsover and Nadia Matar are co-chairs of the Sovereignty Movement founded by Women in Green. Statistics Misleading The editorial “The Battle Over Title 42“ (April 21) misrepresents the statistics concerning the number of migrants at our southern border. The article accurately states that there were 1.7 million “encounters“ at the United-States-Mexican border last year, representing a 400% increase from the prior year. Left unsaid, however, is that of those 1.7 million encounters, many represent the same person coming back to the border over and over again. In other words, if the same person came to the border four times and was turned back four times, that represented four encounters, not one. It therefore suggests that once Title 42 is no longer enforced as it has been, and migrants are not turned away wholesale, they’ll be far fewer encounters at the border because individuals need only try to cross the border once, not multi- ple times. Steven J. Barre, Huntingdon Valley Keep Seder Plate as Is Although Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner’s new additions to the seder plate are quite interesting (Passover: Renewed and New Meanings,” April 21, I find that the addition of anything that deviates from the Haggadah as written pulls Jews away from the very message that the story of the Exodus intends to convey — namely that “Ha Shem” did this mir- acle for us. The Holocaust is now almost 80 years away from us, yet we don’t add a piece of striped pajamas or ash to our seder plate, and yet since the third century, Jews have been persecuted, maligned and murdered and yet we have not justified any new additions to our seder plates. Salt water on the Passover table represents the millions upon millions of tears that the Jewish people have shed for transgressions that have happened to them. We just go on, rise even higher from our meager 2% of the United States’ inhabitants, and continue our ascent. Ha Shem did all of these miracles for us. Let us not give anything else precedence over that fact. JE Ann Krauss, Havertown Letters should be related to articles that have run in the print or online editions of the JE, and may be edited for space and clarity prior to publication. Please include your first and last name, as well your town/neighborhood of residence. Send letters to letters@jewishexponent.com. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 15 |
opinion Mariupol, a Main Putin Target, Once Sheltered a Great Yeshiva BY HENRY ABRAMSON arring a miracle, Mariupol, the beleaguered industrial center in eastern Ukraine, may henceforth be known only as the city that bore the brunt of Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked assault on Ukraine’s independence and its people. But the city also has a rich and often tragic Jewish history, shaped by conflict and the efforts of previous generations to preserve their lives, faith and culture in the face of brutality. One such story starts at the beginning of the 20th century, not in Ukraine but in Lithuania. Perched on the western edge of the Russian Empire, the Lithuanian town of Panevezys (pro- nounced Ponevezh or Ponevich) was home to some 7,000 Jews, roughly half the total popula- tion. The town boasted few amenities, but chief among them was the yeshiva established in 1909 by Liba Miriam Gavronskii, widowed daughter of the wealthy tea magnate Kalonymus Wissotsky. Rabbi Yitshak Yaakov Rabinovich (known as Reb Itsele Ponevezher, 1854-1919) was its first head, or rosh yeshiva. The yeshiva flourished, but it faced an early threat to its existence with the outbreak of World War I. Seeking to undermine the Russian war effort, the Germans directed a Yiddish-language proclamation to the Jews of the Russian Empire, promising them full emancipation and equal rights once the Romanov dynasty was toppled. Already distrustful of his large Jewish population, the noto- riously antisemitic Tsar Nicholas II ordered a brutal expulsion of Jews from the borderlands region to the interior of the Russian Empire. The Yeshiva of Ponevezh was forced to relo- cate, first to Ludza in nearby Latvia, and then once again to Mariupol. Before returning to reestablish itself in independent Lithuania in 1919, the yeshiva would spend the remainder of the war years in Mariupol. Why Mariupol? The great distance from the front lines certainly factored in the thinking of the rosh yeshiva, but Mariupol had developed a reputation as a haven for Jewish settlement. In 1791, the port city was added to the Pale of Settlement, the region of the Russian Empire designated for Jews. By 1847 just over a hundred Jews had established homes in Mariupol, participating in the Black Sea trade. It became a destination for Jews looking for economic opportunity and those fleeing the over- crowded regions of Lithuania and Belarus. By the end of the 19th century, the city was home to over 16 APRIL 28, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 5,000 Jews, constituting 16% of the population; the 1926 census records 7,332 Jews in Mariupol, or 18% of the city. The expanding, dynamic Jewish community of Mariupol — disturbed only by riots associated with the 1905 revolution — came to an abrupt end with the Nazi invasion. Mariupol’s Jews were rounded up and shot by Einsatzgruppen on a single dark day — Oct. 18, 1941 — as part of the horrific “Holocaust by Bullets.” As for the Lithuanian yeshiva that was shel- tered by Mariupol in World War I, it went on to establish itself as one of the greatest institutions of Talmudic study during the interwar years. In 1939, however, war came to Panevezys again, with both the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany invading Lithuania. Under the leadership of Rabbi Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman (1888-1969), the yeshiva con- tinued to function under Communist rule despite the fact that he was trapped outside the country, with students moving from one synagogue to another until the Nazis took over in June 1941 and murdered them all, together with most of Rabbi Kahaneman’s family. In 1944, Rabbi Kahaneman reestablished the Ponevezh Yeshiva once again — this time in B’nai Brak, in what would become Israel — with seven students. Amazingly, it has grown to reclaim its reputation among the most prominent institutions of higher Talmudic education in the world; at 98, its current rosh yeshiva, Rabbi Gershon Edelstein, is regarded by many as the spiritual leader of the “Lithuanian” non-Chasidic stream of haredi Orthodoxy. After the Holocaust, Jews slowly trickled back into Mariupol, which in 1948 was renamed Zhdanov by the Soviets after the sudden death of Andrei Zhdanov (1896-1948), long rumored to be Joseph Stalin’s presumed successor (his son also married the Soviet dictator’s daughter). By 1959 over 2,000 Jews lived in the city, but only consti- tuted about 1% of the total population. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the city reclaimed its original name of Mariupol in 1989, and became part of newly independent Ukraine shortly thereafter. The heroic presence of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement in Mariupol, as in many formerly Soviet communities, supported the tiny Jewish population that remained after most of them emigrated to Israel in Operation Exodus — when Jews escaped the crumbling Soviet Union more than three decades ago — and continued to serve even through the Russian invasions of 2014 and 2018. Now, in the midst of the invasion of 2022, Chabad and others are working to evacuate as many of them as possible. JE Henry Abramson is a specialist in Jewish history and thought who serves as a dean of Touro College in Brooklyn, New York. FrankRamspott / iStock / Getty Images Plus B |
opinion The Here and Now of Holocaust Remembrance BY RUTHIE BLUM FreedomMaster / iStock / Getty Images Plus I t is of tragic relevance that anti-Jewish Arab riots, rocket fire and hate-filled solidarity protests around the world upstaged the lead-up to Yom HaShoah, which began on April 27. Normally at this time, Israel’s preparations for Holocaust Remembrance Day are highlighted in news broadcasts and discussed at length by the punditocracy. Even during the more than 25-month pandemic period, when the customary somber memorials around the country were can- celed altogether or replaced by Zoom ceremo- nies, the day marked by Israel for the anniversary of the Nazi genocide of the Jews — purposely slated for the week before Israel Independence Day — was treated with deference. This year, however, one would have been hard- pressed even to realize that the date was fast approaching. If anything, Israelis have been invok- ing the Holocaust mainly to decry the events in Ukraine, whose president, Volodymyr Zelensky, played on this very heartstring last month when he addressed Israel’s Knesset via video. The desire to universalize the particular plight of the Jews is nothing new. Nor is it surprising that many Jews are at the forefront of the effort to turn “never again” into a slogan that applies to any and all forms of death, destruction and discrimination. For the past few years, even a number of promi- nent Israelis have joined the endeavor with gusto, not only through false analogies but by using the occasion of Holocaust remembrance to warn the Jewish state about its own dangerous extremists. Though some purveyors of this pernicious “cau- tionary tale” happen to be members of parties in Israel’s governing coalition, including in ministerial positions, their narrative has difficulty permeating the national membrane. For one thing, most Israelis are too concerned with their personal safety in the face of shootings, stabbings, car-rammings and Molotov cocktails to worry about the purity of their souls and adher- ence to an unrealistic “rules of engagement” doctrine. For another, the very real possibility of a nuclear Islamic Republic is both looming and concrete, with Iranian forces and proxies stationed along Israel’s borders. Israelis are aware as well that Tehran is among those fanning the violent fervor of young Arabs desecrating their cherished Al-Aqsa mosque — on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem — by spread- Doomsday scenarios are not constructive. They certainly aren’t conducive to a “never again” mindset or outcome, both of which require internal resolve and military might. ing the lie that Israeli forces are “storming” and “defiling” it. Such pressing security threats, with no end in sight, help to explain the results of a poll released this week by the Pnima movement. According to the survey, conducted by Direct Polls, nearly half of the Israeli public (47%) fears another Holocaust against the Jews. To be sure, this level of existential anxiety may be misplaced or a function of general dread on the part of a certain slice of society. Still, given the steep rise in global Jew-hatred — coupled with the spike in terrorism against Israelis and the P5+1 countries’ desperation to return to a deal that fills Iran’s coffers and guarantees its ayatollah-led regime an arsenal of atomic bombs — it’s not com- pletely irrational. It’s especially understandable when explicit calls for the extermination of the Jews have become so commonplace inside Israel and abroad. Nevertheless, doomsday scenarios are not con- structive. They certainly aren’t conducive to a “never again” mindset or outcome, both of which require internal resolve and military might. The same applies to those Israelis who opt to learn the wrong lessons from the Holocaust. Embracing the bogus comparison between Hitler’s “final solution” and other conflicts is as ill-fated as believing that a repeat performance is inevitable. And even entertaining the idea that the Jewish state is on some kind of slippery slope to Nazism — when it’s forced to defend itself against the terrorists in its midst and beyond its shores — is immoral. JE Ruthie Blum is an Israel-based journalist and author of “To Hell in a Handbasket: Carter, Obama, and the ‘Arab Spring.’” JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 17 |
opinion Yizkereim: Active Remembrance BY RABBI RAPHAEL B. BUTLER H 18 APRIL 28, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM IDF soldiers stand at attention in front of the graves of IDF soldiers buried at Mt. Herzl, Israel’s national military cemetery. Around the world, the symbols and traditions vary, but the core ideas are quite consistent. We want to remember. We want to honor. have said, “We don’t want tradition. We want to live in the present, and the only history that is worth a tinker’s damn is the history that we make today.” This view of his comes as little surprise, as he was a virulent antisemite: If you focus on material achievements, you won’t think highly of the past, of community, of identity — or of Jews. The Jewish view is much closer to this quote from Sigmund Freud: “Only a good-for-nothing is not interested in his past.” Being connected to the past, being connected to those who sacrifi ced for us, to the heroes of Israel is not just he right thing to do for their memories and spirits, as import- ant as that is. It is the right thing to do for us. It changes us. It makes us better people. This year, the Yizkereim: Honor Israel’s Fallen (honorisraelsfallen.com) program and website are helping individuals and groups take remembrance to a whole new level. Spearheaded by Olami, the international Jewish education organization in partnership with the Afi kim Foundation, Yizkereim is a unique program to memorialize each of Israel’s 23,786 fallen in that it helps us engage in what I call “Active Remembrance.” On the Yizkereim website, visitors can choose one of the fallen, read a short “blurb” about who the person was and sign up to do a good deed in his or her memory. You choose what to do: give charity, say a chapter of Psalms, read a poem or a short piece of prose… whatever you are comfort- able with. Impressive resources such as poems, songs, readings, prayers and video links are eas- ily available. Groups, schools and organizations can easily sign up to make this into a meaningful group project. Since its launch in 2018, honorisraelsfallen. com has had more than 42,000 positive actions performed in memory of Israel’s Fallen. With an impressive new website allowing individuals and groups to participate, and in partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Aff airs, Yad Lebanim and the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization, 2022 is expected to be the largest year yet. Let’s remember those who gave so much. On the days leading up to Yom Hazikaron on May 4, let’s actively remember them. JE Raphael B. Butler is president of Olami, a commu- nity of campus and young professional centers worldwide. Israel Defense Forces / Wikimedia Commons ow do you remember events from the past? Repeat the information back to yourself? Take notes? Put a reminder in your calendar and hope for the best? How do you remember people who have passed? People you loved, or perhaps even strangers to whom you owe a tremendous debt. How do you make sure to remember them? It isn’t always easy to do, which is why most soci- eties have developed traditions of remembrance for those who died defending their country. In Canada, people wear poppies in anticipation of Remembrance Day. In many countries in the com- monwealth, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month — the time of the Armistice of World War I — there is a moment of silence in respect for those who lost their lives in battle. On Memorial Day in the U.S., fl owers and fl ags are placed on veterans’ graves. In France, the blue cornfl ower (the bleuet) is used. In many countries, memorial day is marked by military parades and/or solemn ceremonies. Judaism has always emphasized remembering those who have passed, and so it is no wonder that modern Israel’s customs are unique and touching. Yom HaZikaron opens with a siren on the eve- ning preceding the day. It is a sight to be seen — but not heard: everything stops. People stop their cars (even on highways), stand in complete silence and show respect to the “Hallalim,” the fallen. During the evening, entertainment places such as restaurants and theaters are closed. Special programming appears on television. The next day, throughout the country, memorial ser- vices are held at all 43 military cemeteries across the country, usually including the special “Yizkor” prayer, wreath-laying and a military gun salute. Memorial candles are lit in homes, schools, syna- gogues and public places, and fl ags are lowered to half-staff . On this day, many relatives visit the graves of loved ones who fell in battle. Around the world, the symbols and traditions vary but the core ideas are quite consistent. We want to remember. We want to honor. All of this feels “right” in a very deep way. It is the right thing to do for the memory and respect of the fallen, and the right thing for us, the living. It teaches us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. It reminds us that others “gave” so much to us, motivating us to give to others. It inspires us to be better, to give more — and to be more. Connecting to the past — on an individual and national level — is important. Henry Ford — famous automobile industrialist — is known to |
yom ha’atzmaut Food for Thought on Yom Ha’atzmaut KERI WHITE | SPECIAL TO THE JE I srael turns 74 on the night of May 4. While 74 isn’t one of those big milestone anniversaries, we’re still ready to celebrate. So we’re going to celebrate some- thing that the early Zionists and found- ers — when they thought Israel would be a light unto the nations — never considered: food. Everyone loves food, right? And like the Torah itself, recipes are portable. On this page, we reprint a few Israeli recipes that have appeared in recent years in the Jewish Exponent’s food section. Falafel Salad Serves 2 for a meal I am generally a homemade cook and tend to avoid premade ingredients. But I make an exception for things that are just as good (or better) bought than what I could create in my kitchen, or that are so labor intensive and messy to prepare that I can’t justify the effort. Falafel ticks both boxes. This salad can be adapted to your preference and your pantry. Olives would be a nice addition. Ditto pep- pers, either mild or hot, and red or sweet onions. If you can’t find halloumi, feta is a reasonable substitute. And if you want a pareve salad, skip the cheese entirely. The heat/texture contrast of this dish make it unique and tasty. It also makes it feel a bit more substantial than a mere salad for dinner. 4 ounces halloumi cheese, sliced in ¼-inch pieces Oil to spray cheese 6 store-bought falafel 6 cups lettuce, such as spring mix, romaine or Boston, rinsed, spun and torn 1 cup cherry tomatoes ½ cucumber, peeled and sliced ¼ cup prepared hummus Juice of ½ lemon 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Sprinkle of ground cumin, salt and pepper, to taste Spray the cheese with oil and pan fry it in a skillet over medium high until crisp. Place on paper towels and set aside. Prepare the falafel according to package directions. If no prepara- tion is needed, simply heat them up. In a shallow bowl, mix the lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers. Make the dressing: In a small bowl, mix the hummus, lemon juice, oil, cumin, salt and pepper. Mix with a fork and taste for seasoning. When all the components are pre- pared, place the cheese and falafel on top of the salad and drizzle with dressing. Serve immediately. 1 chicken or vegetable bouillon cube 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped fine In a large saucepan, heat oil over a medium flame until warm, about 1-2 minutes. Add garlic, turmeric and salt and sauté. Add the rice and stir until grains are coated with oil. Slowly drizzle in more oil, if the mixture is dry and rice is sticking to the pot. Add the saffron threads and stir. Pour in the water, followed by the bouillon cube. Stir briefly. Celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut Quick Pickled Cucumbers with Cilantro Serves 4 with other sides/salads A note on the cucumbers: If you use Persian or English cucumbers, they don’t really need to be peeled, which is my preference. But if you can’t get your hands on those, just peel and slice the cukes — or be OK with a thicker skin. This will keep for several days in the fridge, and the flavors will deepen. 2 cucumbers, sliced into discs 2 tablespoons white vinegar ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped Salt and pepper to taste Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl. Let it sit at room temperature for an hour or two, or longer in the fridge. Cover the pot and reduce the flame to low. Simmer for 20 minutes, stir- ring occasionally. The bouillon cube should be completely dissolved. Check to see if more salt is needed and add gingerly, if desired. Add more water if it bubbles away too quickly. Continue to simmer for another 5 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until the rice is no longer firm in the center. Move the rice to an attractive bowl and sprinkle it with cilantro. Serve immediately. JE WEDNESDAY MAY 4 th , 7:00 - 9:00 pm 2022 Har Zion Temple Minimum $54 Israel Bond Investment to attend Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and a capella. Honoring All our local Philadelphia Heroes who served in the Israel Defense Forces including: Evan Benedon Itamar Ben Yashar Aviya Ben Yashar Joshua Frankel Akiva Goldstein Adam Klazmer Alyssa Kleiner Shirly Kolet Liron Kolet Arkadiy Landa Yair Lev Michael Levin z”l Avi Mermelstein Adi Ozery Boaz Ozery Alisa Rassin Noa Rassin Asaf Romirowsky Asaf Rothschild Evan Saltzman Eric Schorr In Partnership with Ari Sirner, Executive Director ari.sirner@israelbonds.com 267.443.2007 Sponsorship opportunities available Cyndi and David Kosloff Ivy and David Mermelstein/ Active Realty Associates Israeli Yellow Rice 1 tablespoon olive oil, or more, if needed 4 garlic cloves, minced ½ teaspoon turmeric ⅛ kosher salt, or more if desired 1 cup basmati rice A couple saffron threads, optional 2½ cups water Contact Sponsored by LINDA MOREL | SPECIAL TO THE JE Serves 6 1500 Hagys Ford Road Penn Valley, PA 19072 H OST C OMMITTEE Y OUNG I NVESTOR S OCIETY C O -C HAIRS F ARRAH & A DAM N ACHMANI H OST C OMMITEE J ORDAN G OLDFARB J OE A CHENBACH K IMBERLY & J USTIN G ROEN A RIEL & G ABE A MZALLAG S OPHIE K RUGER S ARA & J OE G LYN M AAYAN & R OBERT L ATTIN D AVID G OLDBERG R OBIN L EVENSTON -K UDISCH & J EFF K UDISCH E VENT C HAIR B RAD A BRAMSON R ICK M ILLER S ARAH W AXMAN & J ACOB C OHEN J AKE R OSENBERG E LANA W EINSTEIN & K EN B ROWNSTEIN J ULIET S TEIN D ANIEL Y ADGAROFF M ELISSA H OCHBAUM S TRAUSS M ARLA & R OB Z IPKIN S HELBY Z ITELMAN & D AN S TAMM & J OSH S TRAUSS Íèùèïòóðèñ÷Ìòõóòõä÷ìòñéòõÒöõäèïÝëìöìöñò÷äñòğèõìñêúëìæëæäñåèðäçèòñïüåüóõòöóèæ÷øöÛèäç÷ëèóõòöóèæ÷øö æäõèéøïïüåèéòõèìñùèö÷ìñê÷òéøïïüèùäïøä÷è÷ëèõìöîöäööòæìä÷èçúì÷ëìñùèö÷ìñêìñÒöõäèïåòñçöÖèðåèõÏÒ×ÛÊ JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 19 |
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING Federation Notice is hereby given of that the Greater Annual Meeting of the Philadelphia members of the Jewish Federation will of Greater Philadelphia be held will be held the Jewish on June 16, 2022, 11:30 Federation, a.m. via Zoom for the purpose and of electing Trustees conducting of the Jewish Federation, such and conducting other such other business as may properly come before the meeting. NOMINATED TRUSTEES – TERM ONE, YEAR ONE Berg, Donald Braunfeld, Roger J. Charlestein, Gary Conston, Stuart Erlbaum, Daniel Fineman, Elizabeth J. Finkelstein, Dayna Perilstein, C. Laver, Sara Ronald Golder Saft, Ellyn Ross, Michael Levin, Murray Gutin, David Sackey, Lincow, Renée Barbara Hillerson, Lee Marks, Gregory Hyman, David Menkowitz, Shelley Landis, Carole Meyer, James Perilstein, Ronald Ross, Michael Sackey, Renée INCUMBENT ELECTED TRUSTEES – TERM ONE, YEAR TWO Bacine, Marcy Barrack, Michelle Benton, Allison Ben-Zev, J. Jeremy Merry Berger, Daniel M. Y. Berkowitz, Arthur M. Blaskey, Mark S. Boni, Anna Borowsky, Gwen Bowen, Rabbi Debra Busis, Richard J. Cherry, Andrew L. Cohen, Julie Brett Susan Arthur D. Raynor, Susan D. Elias, Kathy Raynor, Karafin, Fickler, Arlene Reich, Abraham Katz, Josh M. C. Reich, Abraham C. Rosenberg, Deborah Rosenberg, Deborah Finkelstein, Phyllis Klazmer, Adam Fischer, Catherine Russell, Korman, Mitch Bradley J. Russell, Mitch Madway Eisenstadt, Merry Satell, Matt Frankel, Max Satell, Matt Shore, Mitchell Mandel, Jason Y. J. Shore, Mitchell J. Gartner, Steven M. Spain, Murray M. Glyn, Joseph Spain, Murray Mburu, Benson Stern, Joan Stern, Joan N. Miller, Jodi K. N. Goldstein, Mark S. Frederick D. Strober, Frederick D. Neil J. Gross, Geoff Strober, Model, Montague, H.L. Carly Zimmerman, Carly Gross, Josh Zimmerman, Morgan, Hersch, Jason Amy Zitelman Hersch, Amy Haron, Eric Zitelman Stamm, Shelby Zitelman Stamm, Shelby Morgan, Jonathan Isdaner, Scott Zitelman Perilstein Mozes, Julie Kagel, Robert NOMINATED TRUSTEES – TERM TWO, YEAR ONE M. Berger, Elyse L. Blaskey, Penni F. Blumenfeld, Glenn D. Burnett, Matti Cherwony, Tara R. D. Danneman, Lauren Dubin, Stephen V. Eisenstadt, Daniel M. Fires, Paul M. M. Fox Fires, Caren Freedman, Joel Shaid, Elizabeth Horowitz, David M. Shaid, Elizabeth Frisch, Rabbi Sheinberg, Robyn Levin, Jonathan Alan L. W. Sheinberg, Alan W. Specter, Tracey Specter, Tracey Gantman, Lewis I. Levine, Adam Ginsburg, Tracy Spiegel, Magerman, Sherrie Debra A. Spiegel, Sherrie A. Glassner, Lisa Steinberg, Minkoff, Sara E. Matthew Steinberg, E. Matthew Gold, Morrie Stevens, Perilstein, Jon Jayne D. Stevens, Jon Goldman, Jonathan Studner, Prine, Brett Marc Studner, Brett Margie P. Wargon, Margie P. Gordon, Tracy Wargon, H. Rakhman, Vitaly Handel, Matthew Rosenberg, Joyce Hoffman, Alan J. Rosenfeld, Carl M. INCUMBENT ELECTED TRUSTEES – TERM TWO, YEAR TWO Bacine, Daniel Belitsky, Jack Berman, Bryna Berman, Sharyn Bloch, Sheree Dalsemer, Kelly Danneman, George 20 APRIL 28, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Drobny, Jaclyn Savitch, Lefco, Julie Deborah Savitch, Julie Freedman, Susan Schwartz, Levin, Lori Rachel Schwartz, Rachel Gordon Klehr, Shechtman, Deborah Levin, Michele Benjamin Shechtman, Benjamin Kleeman, Jill Silver Scott, Minkoff, Jay Bryna Silver Scott, Bryna Korman, Jonathan Simons, Pobirsky, Dov Lev C. Simons, Dov C. Kramer, Karen Prusky, Naomi Lasdon, Cari Relles, Mary |
MANDATED TRUSTEES (BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 1, 2022) BOARD OF DIRECTORS Adelman, David J. Balaban, Michael Devor, Harris Fishman, Mark Gold, David G. Goldman, Amir Green, Richard J. Heller, Michael Honickman, Marjorie Kirshner, Benjamin Lachs Adler, Susanna Laver, Adam E. Markman, Michael Menaged, Samuel Neff, Rosalind Nelson, Holly Norry, Gail S. Saligman, Carolyn Savett, Sherrie R. Schneider, Milton S. Schwartz, Susan G. Sterling, Mitchell Weiss, Danielle M. Yaffe, Andrew Greenblatt, Samuel J. Marshall, David G. Newman, Bernard Panitch, Ronald L. Reisboard, Beth G. Schneirov, Miriam A. Simonson, Beryl D. Solomon, Mark I. Klein, Stephen B. Lidz, Victor Marcus, Jerome Marx, Rabbi Gregory Miller-Sobel, Robert Relles, Nathan Robbins, Charles L. Rubin, Gary Sandler, Lisa B. Schwartz, Nadav Segal, Evan Simon, David A. Smukler, Cindy Washington, Lisa Weinstein, Elliott Wexler, Rob Zabusky, Leora Dubrow, Lowell H. Fishman, Annabelle Fryman, Louis W. Gafni, Abraham J. Kahn, Ernest M. Kasoff, David Kramer, Arnold H. Lipton, Irwin J. Margulies, Sidney Molod, Alan H. Morgenstern, Barbara Perilstein, Cookie Richman, Hershel J. Rosen, Elliot Rosenstein, James A. Ross, Lyn M. Schneider, Carl W. Schneirov, Allan B. Schwartz, William M. Seidenberg, Bubbles Shapiro, Judie Shapiro, Raymond L. Silverman, Howard H. Smukler, Constance Steinberg, S. Ty Wice, David H. Zolot, Janet PAST JEWISH FEDERATION LEADERSHIP Aaron, Bennett L. Adelman, Andrea Barrack, Leonard Belman, Michael R. Casnoff, Alan E. Duffine, Geoffrey M. Epstein, Jerome P. Golder, Robert AGENCY PRESIDENTS/SUCCESSORS Black, Nancy Broder, Jonathan Diamond, Deborah Drobny, Lorraine Gettlin, Rick Katz, Rebecca HONORARY TRUSTEES Aaron, Carol Albert, Louise Brown Berger, Honorable Harold Bernstein, Gladys B. Binswanger, John K. Bleznak, Sally Cooper Conston, Shirley Dishler, Bernard P. Dishler, Lana Attention of members of the FEDERATION is called to the following provision of the bylaws with reference to nominations: Section 7.06(a) “Independent of the Nominating Committee, two hundred fifty (250) members of JEWISH FEDERATION may also nominate candidates for election to the Board of Trustees, provided that each such candidate shall be eligible to serve on the Board of Trustees pursuant to Section 5.02(a) and shall have consented to being placed in nomination in a written consent which shall accompany the nominating petition for that candidate. Such petitions shall be on forms provided by JEWISH FEDERATION, which forms shall be available at least fifty (50) days prior to the date of the election of Trustees, and shall continue to be available until the expiration date for submission of petitions for the election. In order to be valid, nominating petitions shall be delivered to the Secretary of JEWISH FEDERATION, accompanied by the consent of the candidate being nominated, at least twenty-five (25) days prior to the election of Trustees. The Secretary shall cause to be verified (i) the eligibility of the candidates so nominated to serve on the Board of Trustees, pursuant to Section 5.02(a) (ii) that each such candidate has obtained the required number of signatures on his or her nominating petition by individuals who are members of JEWISH FEDERATION and (iii) that the consent of the candidate has been submitted as required.” Nomination by petition shall be on forms provided by JEWISH FEDERATION obtainable at the offices of the JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA, 2100 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA, or by calling 215.832.0841. Nominating petitions must be in the hands of the Secretary of the JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA, 2100 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 not later than May 23, 2022. Votes may be cast on June 16, 2022, 11:30 a.m. via Zoom. Proof of membership must be submitted. Richard Green, Secretary. By Order of the Board Co-Chairs, David J. Adelman and Gail S. Norry. Any individual 18 or more years of age who contributes the sum of $36 or more to the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s annual fundraising campaign shall be a member of the Jewish Federation for the Campaign Year with respect to which the Membership Contribution is paid and shall be entitled to vote at any meeting of members or election by members occurring during the year of membership. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 21 |
feature story On Yom HaShoah, Ukrainian Jews Grapple with Identities at War SASHA ROGELBERG | STAFF WRITER T Photos by Heather Ross hough Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, is an Israeli memorial day of the 6 million Jewish lives lost in the Holocaust, the day has become yet another opportunity for those in the United States to mourn the tragedies of the Holocaust. Ukrainian Holocaust survivors and refugees are mourning doubly on this year’s Yom HaShoah, April 28: Th e holiday comes in tandem with continued Russian attacks on Ukraine under Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is not the fi rst totalitarian ruler to make waves in Eastern Europe in the past hundred years. But for families with recent memories of Soviet Union-era antisemitism under Joseph Stalin, embracing a Ukrainian identity in conjunction with a Jewish one, even in times of war, is proving diffi cult. As Bronislava Kerzhnerman, an 83-year-old Holocaust refugee from Ukraine who lives in Philadelphia, lights a Yahrzeit candle every year to remember lives lost, memories of her family in the 1940s being sent to barracks in a town outside of Siberia mix with 22 APRIL 28, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM news from her cousin in Kharkiv who had to evacuate an apartment she had worked for years to aff ord. “Th ey don’t look if it’s an adult or a child; they just kill,” Kerzhnerman said about the similarities between Nazi and Soviet rule. Kerzhnerman has only one photo from her childhood: a picture her neighbor kept because it made her appear to look less Jewish. When Kerzhnerman and her family left for Siberia, they didn’t pack any additional clothing; Kerzhnerman’s mother thought the war would be short-lived. Her grandfather fl ed with her brothers, leaving Kerzhnerman’s mother to perform hard labor over an open fi re. When her mother was hospitalized with a severe burn injury, Kerzhnerman was sent to an orphanage, which she repeatedly ran away from, choosing to sit outside her mother’s hospital barrack and nibble on rationed bread. At one point, Kerzhnerman’s mother, aft er she recovered, was sent to jail for allegedly speaking ill of Stalin. Photos by Heather Ross Ukrainian refugee and Philadelphia resident Bronislava Kerzhnerman looks at family pictures. She emigrated from Russia to the U.S. in 1987. |
“I came to the court, and a lawyer took me, and he said [to the judge], ‘Th is child does not have a father. Do you want her to not have a mother as well?’” Kerzhnerman said. Her mother was later released from jail. Th e family was able to resettle, and Kerzhnerman, who lived in Moscow with her husband for many years, came to the U.S. in 1987, seven years aft er her mother emigrated as part of the refuseniks. Even aft er World War II, healing for the victimized populations could not begin. Lilia Miller, a KleinLife member born in Kharkiv, immigrated to the U.S. in 1997 aft er a lifetime of antisem- itism that made her feel like her “dig- nity was being diminished.” “Th e last month when [we] already knew that [we] were immigrating to the United States, someone wrote on [our] doors, ‘Get out of here,’ and a very derogatory term for Jews,” Miller said through an interpreter. Miller and her family also endured the Holocaust. Her father was an offi - cer in the military and left to serve in World War II, leaving Miller and her sister under the care of her mother and grandparents. Th e family had to pause their evacuation in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, aft er her sister got sick. The family eventually fled to Kazakhstan, where they stayed until 1948, but when they returned to Kharkiv — aft er Miller’s father and grandfather died in the war from hun- ger — a non-Jewish family was living on their property. Th e family refused to give the home back. But for many Ukrainian refugees, coming to America didn’t off er initial comfort, and assimilation to the new culture was diffi cult. Kerzhnerman was a practicing den- tist in Russia, but aft er immigrating to the U.S., her dental license was no longer valid. She had to return to den- tal school in New Jersey, but only had enough money to aff ord to become a hygienist. Miller’s daughter had her pay her way through school by working as a dishwasher during the day and study- ing at night. While Kerzhnerhman and Miller eventually came to feel at home in the U.S., time has not healed the wounds Ukraine has left on other refugees. Feeling protective of a Jewish iden- tity has sometimes been at odds with embracing a Ukrainian identity. Alla Gopshtein, a Doylestown-based 3G Philly member, immigrated to the U.S. more than 30 years ago from her hometown, Kyiv. Her grandparents who survived the Holocaust moved to the area a month later. While Gopshtein will admit that her blonde hair and blue eyes protected her from some antisemitism in the Soviet Union, her father, with darker features, received the brunt of hatred against Jews. “My dad, especially, and my mom — I don’t think the way they see it, Ukraine was good to them,” Gopshtein said. “If you ask them, they say they’re Jewish; they’re not Ukrainian.” Th is sentiment is shared among other Ukrainian refugees, KleinLife President and CEO Andre Krug, who is from Kharkiv, noticed. “I saw Jews who were still anti- Ukrainian, who still support Putin because they say their parents or grandparents were executed by Ukrainians during the Second World War,” Krug said. FREE ESTIMATES PERSONALIZED SERVICE SENIOR DOWNSIZING DECLUTTER / HOARDING CLEAN OUTS ALL ITEMS SOLD, DONATED, OR REPURPOSED RESPECTFUL OF HOMES WITH ACCUMULATIONS OF 30+ YEARS JOLIE OMINSKY OWNER SERVING PA, DE, NJ JOCSERNICA@YAHOO.COM 610-551-3105 Tom and Linda Platt Trunk Show Day into Evening Thursday to Saturday May 12 - 14 11-5 pm 19th & Sansom Streets 215-567-4662 Discounted Parking Platt TS Ad 2205 (6.9x5.5).indd 1 4/25/22 1:40 PM JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 23 |
Courtesy of Alla Gopshtein COVID has yet again put a damper on KleinLife’s Yom HaShoah obser- vance, which used to take place in person, but will continue virtually this year due to the many older and vul- nerable individuals the organization serves. This year, the implications of the war along with split political opinions among refugees, have made the timing of the day of remembrance particularly tense. “People are just down,” Krug said. Krug’s father is a Ukrainian Holocaust survivor, and he has had to grapple with his own reactions to the war in addition to providing support for fellow Ukrainians. “I lost most of my relatives during the Second World War. Most of my family stayed in Ukraine, so basically, they were executed by Nazis,” Krug said. “It’s a story of many families from the former Soviet Union. Now, we have to watch in disbelief of what’s happening.” Though sympathetic to fellow Ukrainians who are resentful of their home country, Krug believes differ- ently. In times of political regression, Alla Gopshtein and her family as Krug describes it, the importance of moving forward, on both a global and individual level, is crucial to survival. Krug tries to remember how Ukraine has tried to make amends for its past antisemitism. Electing and rallying behind Jewish Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was a way for the country to demonstrate this, Krug believes. Alla Gopshtein and her family in Kiev in 1984 For peace of mind, Krug is hoping to move forward from Ukraine’s past antisemitic transgressions to stand in solidarity with Ukraine and maintain hope for the future. Jews have a unique perspective that allows for this, he said. “If Jews would remember all the injustices that were adopted against them, we might as well call it quits,” Krug said. “Are we going to hold onto this type of vengeance? This type of, ‘How long are we going to remember this?’” “For how long?” Krug continued. “Until we say, ‘You know what? We’re moving forward; we’re looking for- ward. We’re going to be better people for this.’” JE srogelberg@midatlanticmedia.com Thank you to this community for generously donating more than $1.19 million to directly help those in need in Ukraine. Together, we are making a difference. The Jewish Community Fund makes it possible for the Jewish Federation to immediately respond to this crisis and others as they evolve. Make your gift at jewishphilly.org/donate 24 APRIL 28, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM |
arts & culture HBO’s ‘The Survivor’ Asks Profound Question JARRAD SAFFREN | STAFF WRITER Photo by Leo Pinter/HBO H ow powerful is a reason to live? That is the question that ani- mates Jewish director Barry Levinson’s new movie “The Survivor,” which came out on Yom HaShoah on HBO Max. The film depicts the true story of Auschwitz survivor Harry Haft, who became a boxer in the United States and lived to 82, dying in 2007. Haft, the movie makes clear, would not have lived to such an advanced age were it not for his reason: Leah, the girl he fell in love with as a boy in prewar Poland. Leah drives Haft to find a way to survive every horrific concentration camp day. When a Nazi officer discovers Haft’s strong right hook, he forces the prisoner to box and pummel other Jews just to help the officer win money; and Haft does it. When the officer calls for the killings of Haft’s opponents at the end of their matches, the boxer can only stand and watch; and he does. And when the Nazi makes his “dog,” as the prisoner later describes himself, suffer the indig- nity of drinking with him after a big win, Haft confronts his owner, but then he takes a sip. The flashback scenes unfold through- out the movie, and you grow to under- stand why this man continues to wear a long, heavy expression even years after arriving in the United States. Levinson shows the viewer that, inter- nally, Haft, played by Ben Foster, is carrying around the burden of not just survival, but of the sacrifice that he forced on other Jews. But the direc- tor also shows that, externally, Haft is driven to find his reason in the form of Leah. The main character continues to box in the United States, only professionally and to earn money for himself. Yet after several losses in a row, his career is on the ropes. So he responds the same way any rational, career-oriented boxer would respond: By asking his trainer to coordinate a fight with the undefeated heavyweight champ, Rocky Marciano. Haft explains to his trainer that he only wants the fight to gain national media attention. He is hoping that Leah is out there somewhere and will see it. He feels it in his gut that she is. But after Marciano pummels Haft like Haft once pummeled his fellow Jews, the survivor sits in his locker room and tells his brother Perez Haft, played by Saro Emirze, that he’s done fighting. Leah is not out there, he explains. He feels an “emptiness” inside himself. At this moment, the heaviness on the boxer’s face overtakes his body. He stands up and sits back down. His rea- son to live no longer exists to him, and you can feel him struggling with such immensity. Yet in spite of it all, Haft decides to try and live anyway. Perez, also a survivor, implores him to try. “Why did you survive?” the brother asks. “If not to live?” But it’s Miriam Wofsoniker, played by Vicky Krieps, who answers Perez’s question by becoming Harry’s new love interest. Until that point, Miriam was helping Harry try to find Leah through a local organization. Despite her bud- ding connection with the survivor, she never attempted to interfere with his search. Now, as Harry embraces her, she comes to represent vibrant and bur- geoning love in the same way that Leah once did. It’s just on the survivor to see it, so he can start living. The immigrant tries. He even moves on with his body, building a family with Miriam, opening a grocery store and preparing for their son Alan’s bar mitzvah. But the expression on Haft’s face still does not change. He can’t stop living in the past. He even forces his son to punch a bag at the gym so Alan will become tough enough to survive, too. Levinson shows Haft’s attempt at life slipping away. He’s sleeping on the couch; he’s making his son think he Ben Foster plays Harry Haft in HBO Max’s “The Survivor.” doesn’t like him; he’s thinking about using some new information on Leah’s potential whereabouts. And then, the inevitable. Haft takes his family on a trip to a random town in Georgia where Leah might be. His wife figures out what’s going on. She tells Haft she’ll be at the beach if he wants to come back. The survivor goes to see Leah and finds his reason. Only his reason wasn’t actually to find her; it was just her. The love they shared got them both through the Holocaust, they learn. At the same moment, they understand that a reason to live is as powerful as their love. It exists in eternity. Haft returns to the beach, sits down in a chair and stares out at the ocean. His expression finally changes into a smile. He tells Miriam a joke, and she laughs. JE jsaffren@midatlanticmedia.com JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 25 |
food & dining Fancy Spring Appetizers W ith spring arriving to the great joy of many, so comes the season of garden parties. These events generally feature menus of light finger foods and beverages and conclude as the night falls and people head out for a more substantial repast. In the spirit of this seasonal event format, I offer two appetizer recipes that, full disclosure, I would not nor- mally make. My readers know me to be a rather fuss-free cook, but with local, fresh asparagus, cilantro and scallions bursting from every market, I was inspired to offer these fancy canapes. Phyllo dough terrifies some people, but it’s not that scary if you focus on the task at hand and stick with it. It’s not an ingredient that lends itself to multitasking, but these beauties are worth the effort, I promise. These are on the large side for a canape, because they use the whole asparagus stalk. I have certainly seen these that only feature the top bit of the stalk, but that seemed wasteful. If you prefer a smaller canape, you can simply cut the asparagus into smaller pieces and cut the phyllo dough to match it. Asparagus Phyllo Appetizers Makes 10 canapes using whole stalks Panagiotis Kyriakos / iStock / Getty Images Plus KERI WHITE | SPECIAL TO THE JE 1 package phyllo dough, defrosted (you will not use it all) 1 stick unsalted butter, melted 10 stalks green asparagus, trimmed ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated Coarse ground black pepper Dipping sauce (recipe follows) Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Blanch the asparagus in a large pot of boiling, salted water for 2 minutes until it turns bright green. Drain the asparagus and immedi- ately plunge it into a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Pat it with paper towels and set it aside. (This can be done a day ahead.) Remove the defrosted phyllo from the package, and place a damp towel over it to keep it from drying out. Remove one sheet of phyllo, and place it on your work surface. Brush it with a thin layer of melted butter, then sprinkle it with the Parmesan and pepper. Place another layer on top and repeat with the butter, cheese and pepper until you have three layers. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the phyllo into pieces slightly shorter than the length of the aspar- agus stalks. Position a stalk of the asparagus on the bottom edge of a rectangle, and roll it up. Brush the tips and outside with more butter, and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, seam side down. Repeat the phyllo brushing/cutting/rollup step until all the stalks are used. 26 APRIL 28, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM |
Jewish Exponent PHILADELPHIA Print | Digital | Reach an affl uent audience of 50,000 engaged readers with our print & digital magazine. Upcoming Special Sections Senior Lifestyle May 5 Amax Photo / iStock / Getty Images Plus From home health aides to financial planners to nursing homes, this is the perfect venue to show how your business can help our readers find the resources they need. Bake until golden brown, approx- imately 15 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature with the dipping sauce (see below). Dipping Sauce This is wonderful on the asparagus bites and, if you have extra, it is delightful used in place of mayon- naise on a sandwich, stirred into tuna, slathered on grilled fish or meat, used as a salad dressing or offered as a dip for veggies. ½ cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon grated horseradish 1 teaspoon capers, minced 2 teaspoons grainy mustard Salt and pepper to taste In a small bowl, combine the ingredients. Chill until ready to serve. Salmon Toasts Makes about 2 dozen canapes This recipe is classic fusion cook- ing. It combines Eastern flavors with Western ingredients and techniques. 2 teaspoons minced garlic 1 scallion, green and white parts, finely chopped 1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon mirin (Japanese rice wine) 2 teaspoons soy sauce ½ pound salmon, and cut into ½-inch pieces 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro 1 8-ounce container cream cheese 1 loaf French bread Mix the garlic, scallion, ginger, oil, mirin and soy sauce in a bowl. Add the salmon and chopped cilantro tossing to coat. Cover and chill for an hour. Prepare the toasts: Put the oven rack in the upper third of your oven, and set it to broil. Cut the slices of French bread about ½-inch thick, place them on a baking sheet and toast them on one side. Remove them from the oven, turn over each toast round, spread them with cream cheese and top them with the salmon mixture. Press gently to adhere. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Set your oven to 450 degrees F (on bake). Bake the salmon toasts until the topping is cooked through, about 10-12 minutes. Serve immediately. JE Dining & Food May 12 Let our readers know that you are open for business. Share you best deals on carryout, dining, groceries and spirits with a hungry audience. Home Services May 19 Help readers find the best deals on indoor and outdoor home improvement projects. Windows, doors, gutters, painting, roofs, general contractors, plumbers, electricians and more! JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Contact your sales consultant to schedule your advertising at 215-832-0700 ext. 2, advertising@jewishexponent.com JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 27 |
obituaries Bowling ‘Fairy Godmother,’ Bestselling Author Elaine Brumberg Dies at 81 E laine Brumberg, the bestselling author of three beauty and cos- metics books and the owner of Thunderbird Lanes in Warminster, died on April 17. She was 81. Described as living life like a “race car driver” by daughter Amy Seiden, Brumberg lived life her way, not letting age define her. For her 70th birthday celebration, Brumberg decided she wanted to go sky- diving. Her partner of a decade, David Singer, coordinated the trip. Brumberg had no reservations about the experience, but she did have one request: She’d agree to take the dive along with a tandem master, “as long as he’s a hunk.” “I got a former Navy SEAL to take her out,” Singer said. Aptly, Brumberg was the author of “Ageless: What Every Woman Needs to Know to Look and Feel Great,” “Take Care of Your Skin” and her 1986 bestsell- ing debut, “Save Your Money, Save Your Face: What Every Cosmetics Buyer Needs to Know,” which earned her an hourlong guest spot on “The Phil Donahue Show” and The Washington Post dub of “the Ralph Nader of the cosmetics industry.” Brumberg’s books worked to empower women, particularly those going through menopause, by providing beauty insights and expertise. She was inspired to share cosmetic secrets after being fired from her makeup artist position at Borghese, where she told a customer that one of their products caused allergic reactions. After her time as a beauty writer for several publications and years after the death of her husband Norman, who owned five area bowling alleys, in 2011, Brumberg decided to buy one of his alleys, Thunderbird Lanes, at age 78. She earned the nickname “Fairy Godmother of Bowling” when she decided to take Thunderbird Lanes to hospital patients and sick children, pack- ing up portable bins and bowling balls and dressing herself in a bright pink dress and plastic crown. Brumberg also served veterans and people with disabili- ties and hosted fundraisers at the alley. Have a v e you y o u recently r e c e n t l y lost l o s t YOUR Y O U R spouse? s p o u s e ? Are A r e you y o u having h a v i n g difficulty d i f f i c u l t y coping c o p i n g with i t h your y o u r loss? l o s s ? You are not alone. Locations: Monday Virtual Time Time Registration for both groups: (email preferred) rivkapowers55@gmail.com or call 215-677-1600 Registration is required. No cost to participate. 28 APRIL 28, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Sponsored by: In partnership with Elaine Brumberg as the “Fairy Godmother of Bowling” Blumberg was determined to be suc- cessful in the face of the antisemitism she experienced as a child. Born in Pittsburgh in 1940 and raised in western Pennsylvania, Brumberg was the only Jew in a class of 350 students. “I had very few friends because their parents would not let them associate with a Jewish girl,” Brumberg said in a 2020 Jewish Exponent article. The adversity only made her more set on success: “I was determined to be suc- cessful; I didn’t want to be just anyone.” After moving to the Philadelphia area, Brumberg became a longtime member of Keneseth Israel in Elkins Park and also was a member of Congregation M’kor Shalom in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. “Being Jewish was something she was very proud of,” son Bruce Brumberg said. “She always hosted a great break fast at her house on Yom Kippur.” Brumberg was a proud grandmother who loved spending time with her grand- children down the shore. She also met Singer down the shore in Margate, New Jersey, 13 years ago at the Fourth of July fireworks. The couple moved in together five years ago. In 2020, Brumberg and Singer both contracted COVID-19. While Brumberg had a milder case, Singer became severely ill and was on a ventilator for two weeks. “Even though I was in a coma, I could hear voices,” Singer said. “And I could hear Elaine’s voice every night: She’d call, they’d put the phone to my ear and she would tell me she loved me.” Brumberg is survived by her children, Seiden, Bruce and Harriet Brumberg and Scott Dimetrosky; their spouses; Singer’s daughter Rachel Hahn; nine grandchil- dren and one great-grandchild. JE srogelberg@midatlanticmedia.com Courtesy of Lee Shelly SASHA ROGELBERG | STAFF WRITER |
obituaries Sinatra DJ Sid Mark Dies at 88 JARRAD SAFFREN | STAFF WRITER T here are many Frank Sinatra fanatics out there — people who listen to the songs over and over, who feel that the lyrics explain so much about life and who view the icon as the epitome of cool. And then there’s Sid Mark, the long- time Philadelphia radio DJ and noted Sinatra connoisseur. Mark was not merely an appreciator of the legend but an actual friend of his Sid Mark in the studio as well. Sinatra appreciated Mark’s locally based and nationally syndicated pro- grams about his music. Th e two men were friends for more than 30 years. Now, the Jewish DJ can join his favor- ite musician in eternity. Mark died on April 18. He was 88. “If you knew Sidney for fi ve minutes, you would know he’s sincere,” said Judy Mark, his wife of 49 years. “And Sinatra knew he knew the music, he respected the music.” Judy Mark believes that her husband, a kid from Camden, started admiring Sinatra as a boy. But she knows for cer- tain that Sinatra got through to Mark while the latter was serving in the Army. It was Christmas time, and Mark heard the singer belt out “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” on the radio. “Th is was an amazing man,” she said of the legend. Aft er leaving the Army, Mark landed a job at WHAT-FM in Philadelphia. One day, he got a chance to fi ll in for another disc jockey. Th e new DJ brought in two Sinatra albums and ended up playing them for the entire shift . With that, a format was born. Over the next 60-plus years, Mark hosted “Fridays with Frank,” “Sundays with Sinatra” and “Th e Sounds of Sinatra.” “Th e Sounds of Sinatra” achieved national syndication. In 1966, Sinatra himself called Mark and told the DJ to visit him in Las Vegas. Mark and his fi rst wife Loretta Fliegelman even dined with the icon. (Fliegelman is Mark’s legal name; Mark Photo by Brian Mark is his middle name and a stage moniker.) According to Judy, if the DJ wanted an interview with the performer, he got it. He could also just pick up the phone and call Sinatra, while the legend would call him when he wasn’t feeling well. “He was kind,” Judy Mark said. “He always responded.” Mark played his favorite artist at home, too, according to his wife. Sinatra and jazz, she explained. He also hosted jazz shows on local TV channels WPHL-17 and WHYY in the ’60s and ’70s. Mark did not really like other kinds of music, Judy said. He just played his favorites over and over. Sometimes, he resented when people called into his radio show because he was listening to the music. “It was his whole life,” Judy added. And his life will outlive him. Brian Mark, Sid Mark’s son and exec- utive producer, said that the syndicated show’s current station, WPHT 1210 AM, will continue running it. Th e station just will not replace its host. Brian Mark is going to sit in the host seat, play the hits and dub the show with recordings of his father. “We’ll still hear Sid doing the music and such and the interviews,” Brian Mark said. Th e executive producer believes there’s no reason to end “Th e Sounds of Sinatra.” People still want to listen to Sinatra, he said. But one part of the show will not con- tinue. Th e daily call between father and son at 2 p.m. Th ey would talk about the show, what they were going to do next and family life. “It gave us a chance to be together every day,” Brian Mark said. Mark is survived by his wife; sons Brian, Eric and Andy; daughter Stacey; and a grandson. Judy Mark said he enjoyed being home with the family as much as doing the show. “He really loved that,” Judy Mark said. “And he loved being on the air. He really did.” JE jsaff ren@midatlanticmedia.com Caring. Committed. Compassionate. Leave behind a gift that your family could never repay But will appreciate forever Providing funeral counseling and pre-need arrangements Pre-planning a funeral is a gift. Anyone who has ever lost a loved one knows how hard it is to make decisions at a time of grief. Let your family know your wishes, don’t burden them with the costs of a funeral, and allow them to celebrate the life you lived. Our experienced funeral directors can guide you through the process, and assist you in making tough decisions. PHILADELPHIA CHAPEL Carl Goldstein, Supervisor 6410 N. Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19126 SUBURBAN NORTH CHAPEL Bruce Goldstein, Supervisor 310 2nd Street Pike Southampton, PA 18966 ROTH-GOLDSTEINS’ MEMORIAL CHAPEL Stephen T. Collins • Mgr. Lic. No. 3355 Pacific & New Hampshire Avenues Atlantic City, NJ 08401 Southern NJ Chapels Available www.GoldsteinsFuneral.com 215-927-5800 • 800-622-6410 For deaf and hard of hearing: 267-331-4243 (Sorenson VP) JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 29 |
obituaries Campus now annually recognizes an outstanding science and engi- neering student with the “Dr. Robert A. Bernoff Award.” Contributions in his memory may be made to Penn State Abington – contact Karen Weiss Jones at 215-881-7399 or go to abington.psu.edu (click “Give Now” and specify “Bernoff Award” under “Other”). GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com BERNOFF Robert Bernoff, Ph.D., who held the top academic position at the Abing- ton College of Penn State Universi- ty and made lasting contributions to the teaching of science at all levels, died this week at age 89. The son of working-class Russian Jewish immigrants, he achieved a Ph.D in Chemistry from Temple University and started his career as an en- trepreneur and head of research for Melcor, a startup innovating the technologies now used in heat pumps. He then joined the faculty at the suburban Philadelphia cam- pus of Penn State, known at the time as Ogontz. He was known for his topical and flamboyant demon- strations in introductory chemistry classes. Bernoff and his wife San- dra helped develop groundbreak- ing science materials, including “Science: A Process Approach,” a curriculum focused on learning science and its principles through classroom experiments. Working with colleagues Mary Budd Rowe and Emily Girault, he won grants from the National Science Founda- tion to develop new materials and tested them by teaching science classes himself at the elementary, junior high, and high-school levels. Millions of school students learned science from these new, experien- tial curricula. In 1979, Bernoff was appointed to the Ogontz campus’ top academic position, Campus Ex- ecutive Officer. Over the course of 11 years at Ogontz, he recruited top faculty who earned many teaching awards. Bernoff continued to lec- ture to seniors on topics like genet- ic engineering into his 70s and 80s. Bernoff was a devoted husband to his wife Sandra for more than 60 years. He is survived by three chil- dren and their spouses: Josh Bern- off and Kimberley Harding; Andrew Bernoff and Thomas Trautmann; and Marjorie and Curtis Stehley. He is also survived by five grand- children. In honor of Professor Ber- noff’s contributions, the Abington GORDON CIVAN CIVAN DR. MORTIMER April 17, 2022, of Philadelphia, PA; beloved husband of the late Judith (nee Hochstein); loving father of Ethan Civan, Jesse Civan (Mindy) and the late David Civan; cherished grand- father of Rebecca, Rachel, Rena, Aviva and Noah. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mortimer’s memory may be made to a charity of the do- nor’s choice. JOSEPH LEVINE AND SONS www.levinefuneral.com Allen Louis Gordon died at the age of 79 on December 13, 2021. Beloved husband of 52 years of Paula Gordon (nee Fogel). Son of the late Sylvia and Sam Gordon. Brother of the late Norman Gordon. Much loved father of Steven (Mir- iam), Daniel (Lori) and Jonathan (Sasha). Adoring Zayda of Jacob, Hallie, Shimshy, Faiga, Shterna, Chedva, Yosef, Yaakov and LeLe. Allen was a loving, intelligent and quiet man. A true gentleman. He will be greatly missed by all those who loved him. May his memory be for a blessing. GALLOP HERBERT on April 17, 2022. Be- loved husband of the late Jeanie (nee Adler); Loving father of Ron- ald Gallop, Neal Gallop, and Ste- ven Gallop (Eva Krausz); Devoted grandfather of Julian and Nova. Contributions in his memory may be made to Beth Tikvah-B’nai Jeshurun, 1001 Paper Mill Rd., Erdenheim, PA 19038. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com GOLDICH Dolores Joan Goldich (nee Druck- er) age 93, passed away April 1, 2022. Beloved wife of the late Nor- man. Loving mother of Bob Goldich (Debbi), and Stan Goldich. Ador- ing grandmother of Matt Goldich (Robyn Weinstein), Russ Goldich, and Mitch Goldich (Samantha Ash- inoff-Goldich). Great-grandmother of Graham and Sylvie. Dear sister of Patricia Schwartz (the late Paul). Also survived by her loving com- panion, Phil Kushner. Contributions in her memory may be made to Women’s League of Conservative Judaism www.wlcj.org or to a chari- ty of the donor’s choice. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com LEVY Walter Allan Levy died on April 11th, 2022. He was the loving hus- band of Deborah Wolff, father of El- liott (Nina Belfor), Andrew (Siobhan McEvoy), and Joseph; stepfather of Michelle Wolff and Leslie Wolff (Anthony Gore); and grandfather of Tom Levy, Cyrus Levy, Aedan Levy, and Abigail Wolff Gore. Walter was born in Brooklyn, New York, on May 31st 1930. His father, Joseph Levy, was a gifted engineer who, with his brother Saul (a leading civic figure in mid-century New York), founded Century Lighting. Their firm devel- oped and commercialized the mod- ern spotlight, which transformed the theater and movie industries. Walter’s mother, Sally, was born in Ukraine and raised in Montreal Canada before entering the United States in 1928. Walter had two sis- ters, Barbara Murra and Linda Cha- sis (Joel). Mr. Levy was trained as an electrical engineer. He was edu- cated at the Open Air School from kindergarten through 4th grade, The Community School from 4th through 8th grade, and Brooklyn Tech for high school. He attended Union College and graduated from New York University with Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering. He was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the Eta Kappa Nu Engineering Honor Society, and the Kappa Nu fraterni- ty. After serving in the US Army Sig- nal Corps, Walter began his career at Century Lighting. He moved to RCA at the beginning of the com- puter era, and continued his career at Pennsylvania Research Associ- ates, Informatics Inc., and Coopers and Lybrand. He then worked as a consultant in telecommunications until his retirement in 2000. He was highly respected profession- ally for his fierce intelligence, inde- pendence, honesty, and integrity. Walter was an enthusiastic ama- teur musician with an encyclopedic knowledge of the modern American Songbook. He loved to play the pi- ano and performed frequently with his band at senior citizen residenc- es. Walter also loved playing bridge and was the secretary of the Ham- ilton Bridge Club (the oldest contin- uously operating bridge club in the United States). A memorial service will be held at Har Zion Temple, 1500 Hagys Ford Road, Penns Val- ley, PA, at 1 pm on May 31st. The funeral and Shiva were private. Contributions in his honor may be made to Har Zion Temple. SCHILLER Judith “Judy” Schiller, neé Holtzer, was a fiercely devoted daughter, mother and grandmother for her 83 years of life. She passed away peacefully on April 21, 2022. She is survived by her children, Su- zanne, Marc and his wife Sara, and Howard and his wife Alicia, and her five grandchildren Benjamin, Ellery, Nathaniel, Samantha, and Charlotte. The only child of Elaine and Isidore Holtzer, she grew up in Queens, New York. At a time when many kids in her area did not leave Queens, Judy’s parents would take her into Manhattan to see theater there, giving her a view into the world beyond her neighborhood. When she was 15 her father be- came sick and Judy began working www.jewishexponent.com 30 APRIL 28, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM to help support her family. This ex- perience helped make her the com- passionate, thoughtful, dedicated, and family-oriented person that she was. She later became an editori- al assistant for Hearst Magazine where she met her future husband, Lawrence, before moving to Los Angeles. She volunteered at the Foundation for the Junior Blind and would bring her three kids with her to help pick stamps off of envelopes for reuse. She was the uncredited editor of many manuscripts so we give her credit here. She was pas- sionate about voter rights and wom- en’s rights which inspired her own independence. To quote, “I should have a flag and march someplace. Judy was a proud mother and proud grandmother. She sought to always ensure her family’s happi- ness alongside her own. With her eldest daughter, Suzanne, she trav- eled throughout Spain. She went to Marc’s every basketball game, cheering him win or lose. She re- membered fondly how her young- est son, Howard, would move his drawing table into the living room so that they could be together while he sketched. After retiring, Judy moved back across the country for her grandchildren. She went to their concerts, plays, dance perfor- mances, and graduations. She was there to embarrass you, tell you you were the absolute best, wrap you in a hug, kiss your cheek and say how proud she was of her amazing kids and their amazing kids. Judy was independent in a way that she had to fight to be. Upon her divorce she cut her hair, got her own car, a Chevy Caprice that needed a little extra love to get up those steep LA hills, adopted her own dog, a small bossy pup named Schatzie, and became a paralegal. She looked at what she wanted to achieve and said “I’m smart. I can do that.” And she did. Judy had a sharp wit and a particular fondness for word games though she missed Wordle by just a bit. Instead, she kept running Book- worm Deluxe on her ancient laptop and decimating others at Scrabble. She formed lifelong friendships with equally intelligent and formidable women. Betty, her greatest friend who was her sister by heart, Alice, her professional and personal men- tor, Bernice, her sounding board and confidante. These women who find each other and teach each oth- er. Judy was of the philosophy that we are lifelong students and that it is a gift that we get to keep learning new things everyday. She contin- |
ued to go to lectures from retired college professors until the end, scrawling notes on things to share with friends and family. She always sought people to listen and learn from, support and love. She was the support beam of her family, the glue, the gardener who cared for us all, who cared so much, about ev- erything, always. Her children and grandchildren learnt so much from her; to love, empathize, appreciate, and understand all comes from her, along with proper comma place- ment. Judy will be missed dearly. She will live on in the hearts and memories of her family and friends. Donations in her memory may be made to People For the American Way or Wayfinder Family Services. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com SILVER Jay Silver, on April 17, 2022, of Philadelphia; beloved husband of the late Nancy (nee Westfall); lov- ing father of Albert Silver (Andrea), Shereen Culbreath (James) and Karen Feyh (Dan); devoted broth- er of Sanford Silver; cherished grandfather of Kelly Lyndsey, Me- gan, Kara and Keara; adored great grandfather of Katlynn, Alexa, Er- nie, Hazel, Hailey, Sean, Lily, Joey and Nicholas; great-great grand- father of Amelia. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jay’s memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject. org/donate). JOSEPH LEVINE AND SONS www.levinefuneral.com WEISGOLD David Bruce, 62 years old, passed away on April 12, 2022. Son of the late Alvin and Phyllis Weisgold, he is survived by his sister, Elisse Kutschera (Jay), his uncle, Arnold Weisgold (Marci), nieces and neph- ews Samantha Paolini, Jennifer Hathaway, and Daniel Kutschera, as well as cousins Dean Weisgold (Cheri Cutler), Richard Weisgold, and Melissa Johnsen (Edward). He grew up on the 1100 block of Glenview St. in Northeast Philadel- phia. Dave attended Northeast High School, graduated from Northeast Prep and got his degree at Kings College in Wilkes Barre, Pa. After college, he continued to work with his father in the jewelry trade on Sansom St. Dave was an avid fan of music, especially rock and roll. He saw hun- dreds of concerts all over the country through the years and toured around mostly following the Grateful Dead and the New Orleans Radiators. He had a vast knowledge of American history, especially the wars that were fought. Dave was one of the funni- est people you would ever meet. He moved to Florida in 2014 to enjoy the good weather. Dave will be sorely missed by everyone. “May the four winds blow you safely home”. YANKS Karen Yanks passed away on April 11, 2022. She is survived by her devoted husband of 58 years, Har- vey Yanks, and her three children, Barrie, Lauren, and James, and her three grandchildren, Hannah, So- phia, and Jacob Dylan (JD). Karen was very loved and deeply missed by all. Karen was a life master bridge player and she loved going to the movies, finishing the Sun- day crossword, lying in the Florida sun, spending time with her grand- children, and most of all, she cher- ished and was cherished by her friends and family. Contributions in her memory may be made to The Blue Butterfly Foundation, PO Box 387, Tillson, NY 12486, or at www. bluebutterflyfoundation.org. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com ZOLOT Bernard “Bernie”, April 9, 2022 of Narberth, PA. Born in 1927 and raised in a musical family, took to percussion instruments and was a talented drummer and bongo player. After graduating from West Philadelphia High School, he en- rolled at Penn State and interrupt- ed college to enlist in the U.S. Navy during World War II. His ship, the U.S.S. Whittier, supplied cargo and munitions to ports in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. After the War, he joined the Bilt-Well Furniture Company, a family business begun by his father Charles. He and his brother Mickey developed the busi- ness into two companies, adding Tri-Mark Designs. At Tri-Mark, Ber- nie was a visionary who embraced the modernist furniture movement of the time. His innovative styles in metal, glass and upholstery are now recognized as classics of the “Mid-Century Modern” design pe- riod. In the 1970’s, a friend and fellow businessman showed him a sample of “Ultrasuede” fabric, a synthetic suede struggling to find relevance in clothing manufactur- ing. Bernie foresaw Ultrasuede’s greater appeal as an upholstery fabric so he developed a line of furniture styles to showcase it. The line’s immediate success inspired Bernie to pioneer the distribution of Ultrasuede, now ubiquitous, to the greater U.S. Home Furnishings industry. In his leisure time, Bernie was an accomplished golfer and was a student of the game. He was a natural golf teacher who of- fered informal tips and lessons that were valued and enjoyed among his many playing partners. Bernie is survived by loving and devoted family members, Joan (Levy), his wife of 65 years, sons Craig (Ann), George (Rafi) and Roy, grandsons Michael, Dan and Brian, and an extended family of relatives and friends. Bernie maintained lifetime friendships with childhood buddies from West Philadelphia, many of whom he survived and deeply missed. Please direct contributions to a charity of donor’s choice. JOSEPH LEVINE & SONS MEMORIAL CHAPEL www.levinefuneral.com www. jewishexponent.com JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 31 |
synagogue spotlight What’s happening at ... Congregation Brothers of Israel Congregation Brothers of Israel Welcoming to All JARRAD SAFFREN | STAFF WRITER P eople have different reasons for joining Congregation Brothers of Israel, but ultimately they have the same reason. The congregants at the Conservative synagogue in Newtown are warm and welcoming almost the minute you walk in the door. It doesn’t matter if they’ve never seen you before. Many have experienced this, though no can quite say when or how it started. Joan Hersch, the synagogue’s educa- tion director and the wife of its rabbi emeritus, said it was present even when she joined as a single mother 44 years ago. No one minded that she was a single mother. This culture is just a feature of a 140-year-old institution that still counts 142 families in its congregation. “We like to have people become part of our family,” Hersch said. Such stories, ones like Hersch’s, abound among CBOI members. Rabbi Aaron Gaber joined the com- munity eight years ago and, during his interview/weekend visit, his daughter got sick. Brothers of Israel members kept asking how they could help. Congregant Amy Deutsch, who joined 14 years ago, is a convert to Judaism who often brings her non-Jewish family members for services. Her fellow congre- gants are always friendly to her family members and willing to direct them to the right page in the prayer book. CBOI administrator Sharon Segarra learned about the community 25 years ago when she attended the consecra- tion of her friend’s son. At that event, Hersch approached her and started talking to her. The education director told Segarra a story about a bar mitz- vah for a child who had special needs; Segarra’s son is on the spectrum. She, like so many others, decided to join. That spirit is alive and well in the Newtown congregation, members say. During the pandemic, CBOI gained a handful of new families. Hersch credits the continuation of this 32 positive energy to Gaber. When he took over in 2014, the rabbi was inheriting a long legacy. He also had a rabbi emeritus, Howard Hersch, Joan’s husband, who was still in the building after leading the congregation from 1960 to 2007. It wasn’t an easy position to step into, but to his credit, the new rabbi did not change anything. He only added. In other words, Gaber maintained CBOI’s culture while expanding its offerings. He started new adult edu- cation classes; he continued and nor- malized the Conservative synagogue’s transition toward allowing women onto the bimah; and he got the syna- gogue more involved in social action efforts in the wider community. Once the pandemic broke out, the rabbi moved CBOI programming online. More than two years later, the Newtown synagogue, like many syna- gogues, offers a wide variety of hybrid programming. “Over the last eight years, we’ve done really well together,” Gaber said. “We’re growing together.” In 2021, CBOI adopted a new mis- sion statement. “CBOI is an egalitarian community of caring and diverse people, who strive to be connected to our faith, families and larger community. We are a grow- ing, evolving and inclusive congrega- tion, enjoying and enriching Jewish life together,” it reads. To live up to that mission statement, synagogue members spent the past year listening to community groups and organizations in Bucks County. They wanted to figure out how they could better help the community, and they settled on two core focus areas: food insecurity and inequity in education. Recently, congregants packed boxes of food at the Jewish Relief Agency and then delivered them to homes. They also collected children’s books and donated them to a Cherry Hill, New Jersey-based nonprofit called BookSmiles, which distributes books to schools. Gaber said the latter effort would be an ongoing partnership. “And the kids really love doing APRIL 28, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Congregation Brothers of Israel in Newtown Photo by Sharon Segarra The Purim carnival at Congregation Brothers of Israel in Newtown Photo by Sharon Segarra that,” said Roz Zucker, the synagogue’s co-president. “Giving gently used books to children who wouldn’t have them otherwise.” As it moves forward, though, Brothers of Israel faces the same exis- tential question that all synagogues face today: Why do people need a synagogue? Gaber and his congregants don’t have the answer. But with their welcoming culture at the core of everything they do, they feel confident in their ability to figure it out, they say. Plus, the longtime mem- bers are not going anywhere. Congregation Brothers of Israel is their home. Segarra, Hersch and Zucker all moved with the community from Trenton, New Jersey, to Newtown in 2007. And they would move with it again if they had to, they say. “It’s not a building. Brothers of Israel is truly a community,” Hersch said. “It’s the people and the idea of Jewish life that keeps me.” JE jsaffren@midatlanticmedia.com |
d’var torah After? Getting Past, or Going Through I Parshat Acharei Mot s there really an “aft er” in this life? Certainly, rabbinic Judaism gives us multiple models and metaphors for an aft erlife, but in this life, how do we structure the time aft er a diffi cult moment? Given our collective experiences over the past 2-plus years of pandemic, I fi nd myself newly troubled by the name, the fi rst key words, of this week’s Torah portion, Parshat Acharei Mot. We begin: “God spoke to Moses aft er the death (acharei mot) of Aaron’s sons, who died when they drew too close to the Divine Presence ...” (Vayyikra 16:1). For millennia, rabbis and other scholars have tried to explain Aaron’s sons’ sud- den, tragic and mysterious death, which is described in more detail back in Chapter 10 of the Book of Leviticus. Here, the allu- sion seems almost heartless in its passing, breezy mention — as if to say, “Now, where were we? Ah yes, you know, right aft er this unspeakable, unimaginable loss, we’re back to business with the laws …” As with so many of our modern media, it can be diffi cult to read tone into certain sections of the Torah — but here, I worry that the words “acharei mot” (aft er the death) feel like little more than a refer- ence point, a calibration — itself not so important, except in its role to keep us on track. Perhaps even more unfeeling is the fi rst reminder given to Aaron, via Moses, that he should be more careful and less fl ippant than his sons when he approaches the Divine Presence. Might Aaron hear this as “they should have known better, don’t you make the same mistake,” a warning that in some way rationalizes the loss in a time when it is still “acharei” — just aft er, still raw? Is such an admonition even necessary? Wouldn’t Aaron be instinctively reluc- tant to get too close to God aft er this shocking trauma? (Indeed, he is hesitant to resume his priestly duties, as we read at the end of Chapter 10 of Leviticus.) And given that the next laws in our parshah are about national and per- sonal atonement rituals for the priest- hood, might Aaron hear that as God and his brother Moses ascribing blame to Aaron’s loss? Regardless of whether Aaron’s sons Nadav and Avihu “deserved” their pun- ishment of death (and given the rabbis’ struggle over the centuries to explain or justify that shocking moment, I’d say that’s an unsettled question!), the fol- low-up words of acharei mot six chapters later, feel too cursory. Immediately in the wake of the loss, Aaron is struck speech- less with the pain of loss (10:3). Just a few weeks later in our reading, and just six chapters in the Torah text, is he really recovered, to the point that he feels it is “aft er” such a trauma? It may be true that both cataclysmic and pinnacle moments can serve as key markers in our lives. But when we mention such moments, they are not just reference points. As with a Yizkor service or a yahr- zeit, we return to purposefully, mourn- fully refl ect on these moments, to their emotional tugs on our hearts. It feels too cavalier to simply state, factually, “this was aft er one of the worst, most unexpected, most traumatic moments of your life.” As a rabbi, present with people working through diff erent stages of grief, including the cyclical return to that loss through memorializing, I have come to appreciate the maxim that, in our healthiest psy- chological selves, we do not just get past a heartbreak; we go through a heartbreak. Th ere was a time, early in the pan- demic, when I was hopeful for some triumphant moment of “return” to nor- malcy. We envisioned a spirited collec- tive b’nai mitzvah and other celebrations. Aft er such a long time of emotional exhaustion, the return has been less tri- umphant and more incremental. At Adath Israel, we are still planning a more subdued series of group life-cycle events (in addition to the individualized ones), which we’ve entitled “Making up for Lost Times”: an acknowledgment last week of those who experienced loss over the past two years but did not benefi t from the communal outpouring of con- dolence that comes with fully attended funerals and shivas, a group aliyah so that the community can celebrate our b’nai and b’not mitzvah, a delayed aufruf- style aliyah for wedding couples, and a baby-naming berachah (for boys and girls, some of whom, now out of infancy, will toddle themselves to the Torah). In a dystopian moment, T.S. Eliot imagined the aft ermath of the world “not with a bang, but a whimper.” Th e Israeli poet Natan Alterman reimagined Chaim Weizmann’s statement that a Jewish state would not be given to us on a silver platter as personifi ed by young soldiers, “dressed in battle gear, dirty, shoes heavy with grime ... ascend(ing) the path qui- etly ... still bone weary from days and from nights in the fi eld, full of endless fatigue and unrested, yet the dew of their youth is still seen on their head ... (say- ing), ‘We are the silver platter on which the Jewish state was given …” Let us, incrementally emerge from this time of pandemic — far from tri- umphant, but weary and weathered by loss — both the loss of life and the social-emotional toll that continues to aff ect us in varying degrees. We are far from acharei. Even as we venture forth, let us do so with humility and care — with the years 2020-2022 not a dark reference point but rather a learning, a cause for soft er words toward one another ... a font of caring, viewed not as a hashmark on some timeline that we get past, but rather an arduous period that we go through, together. JE Rabbi Eric Yanoff is a rabbi of Adath Israel in Merion Station, and is the immediate past co-president of the Board of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia. Th e board is proud to provide diverse perspectives on Torah commentary for the Jewish Exponent. Th e opinions expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not refl ect the view of the Board of Rabbis. social announcements ENGAGEMENT R Photo by Scott Goosenberg BY RABBI ERIC YANOFF GOOSENBERG-OLIVIERI MARTINEZ obyn and Rick Goosenberg of Fort Washington and Marisol Olivieri of San Juan, Puerto Rico announce the engagement of their children, Scott Ross Goosenberg and Fátima Olivieri Martinez. Fátima is the daughter of the late Eric R. Olivieri. She is a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico and the University of Virginia with a master’s of architecture. She is a principal at Philadelphia architecture fi rm KieranTimberlake. Scott is a graduate of the University at Buff alo Honors College, with a master of arts in political science from the University of British Columbia and a master of science in security studies from UCL. He is an information technology program manager at Washington, D.C. consulting fi rm CoAspire. Sharing in the happiness are grandparents Stanley Goosenberg, Ana Martinez and Jovina Beauchamp and siblings Hallie (Zac Yeni) and David (Hannah Talbot) Goosenberg and Cari and Cindy Olivieri. Scott is the grandson of the late Miriam Faye, Irving Faye and Pearl Goosenberg. Fátima is granddaughter of the late Mariano Martínez and Edgar Olivieri. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 33 |
calendar APRIL 29–MAY 5 FRI DAY, A P R I L 29 WELLNESS FEST TV’s Katie Lowes and Adam Shapiro join Jewish Family and Children’s Service via Zoom at 11 a.m. for “Bal- ancing Work, Marriage and Children” about how they make it work, tips to find that elusive sense of balance and what to do when times are tough. Wellness Fest Retail Therapy will take place before the speakers at 10 a.m. and after at 12:30 p.m. For more information, contact Sharon Schwartz at 267-256-2112 or sschwartz@jfcsphilly.org. 345 Montgomery Ave., Bala Cynwyd. SATURDAY, APRIL 30 B E T T Y C O NC E RT BETTY, the internationally known band of Jewish sisters, Amy and Elizabeth Ziff, and their best friend Alyson Palmer, bring their joyous music, intricate harmonies, heart- felt politics and humor to City Winery Philadelphia at 8 p.m. Part of the proceeds will go directly to the RUSA helping LBGTQ people in Ukraine. linktr.ee/BETTYrules. 990 Filbert St., Philadelphia. S UN DAY, M AY 1 ANTISEMITISM DISCUSSION Antisemitism incidents are rising; Israeli American Council, ADL Phila- delphia and Gvanim invite our par- ents and students to participate in this crucial and informative conversation at 12 p.m. RSVP at iac360.org/event/schools-philly. ARTOLERANCE CONCERT ARTolerance, in partnership with Har Zion Temple, is hosting an afternoon of music from 3-5 p.m. in memory of Dr. Arnold Porges. The concert will feature members of the Philadelphia Orchestra and ARTolerance. For more information, visit artolerance.org/event/baroque- to-folk-and-a-touch-of-klezmer. 1500 Hagys Ford Road, Penn Valley. YOM HASHOAH OBSERVANCE In honor of Yom Hashoah, the Phil- adelphia Holocaust Remembrance Foundation, 3G Philly and the Friends Select School are hosting an outdoor event for families at the Horwitz- Wasserman Holocaust Memorial Plaza at 3:30 p.m. 16th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. JEWISH BROADWAY Join two gifted Philly ensembles — Nashirah and the Philadelphia Voices of Pride — for an afternoon of live Broadway hits starting at 4 p.m. at the William Way LGBTQ Community Center. eventbrite.com/e/ an-afternoon-of-jewish-broad- way-tickets-294006841377. 34 MICHAEL SMERCONISH TALK Beth Sholom Congregation wel- comes Michael Smerconish, a fixture in broadcasting and politics for three decades, to discuss America’s polit- ical divide through autobiographical vignettes, insight and humor. 7 p.m. Call 215-887-1342 for ticket information. 8231 Old York Road, Elkins Park. TUESDAY, MAY 3 SISTERHOOD TRIP The Sisterhood of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim is running a cul- tural trip to visit historic Congregation Mikveh Israel at 1 p.m. The syna- gogue is at 44 N. 4th St., Philadel- phia, and the cost is $10 per person. Transportation is not included. Call the synagogue office for additional information at 215-677-1600. WOMEN & MONEY Join a supportive group of women with Jewish Family and Children’s Service over Zoom to learn about a range of financial topics, share tips APRIL 28, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM and ideas and alleviate your stress and anxiety around money at 7:30 p.m. To RSVP, contact Laura Flowers, financial empowerment program coordinator, at 267-256- 2274 or lflowers@jfcsphilly.org. birth control, pregnancy termination, IVF and adoption, from the perspec- tive of Jewish texts and tradition. Registration is required: mkorshalom.org/events/circleoflife. WE D N E SDAY, MAY 4 OLDEST BIBLE AUTHOR TALK HOARDING SUPPORT Join Jewish Family and Children’s Service and like-minded individuals from April 13-July 27 from 5:30-7:30 p.m., in a supportive community where you will learn tools to address compulsive acquiring and saving while deepening your understanding of clutter and how you got here. To register or for more information on sliding scale options, contact Rivka Goldman at 267-256-2250 or rgoldman@jfcsphilly.org. CIRCLE OF LIFE DISCUSSION Led by Congregation M’Kor Shalom Rabbi Richard Address on May 4, 11 and 18 at 10:30 a.m., these sessions will examine several critical and cur- rent issues, such as life’s beginnings, TH U RSDAY, M AY 5 Chanan Tigay, author of “The Lost Book of Moses: The Hunt for the World’s Oldest Bible,” will discuss the extensive research that went into crafting the memoir at 6:30 p.m. at Drexel University. Hillel Rabbinical Intern Adam Tigay will moderate. The event is free and open to the public. To reserve a seat or get the Zoom link, email hpi22@drexel.edu. 118 N. 34th St., Philadelphia. SACRED CINEMA Congregation M’kor Shalom con- cludes its Sacred Cinema series this year with Disney Pixar’s “Inside Out,” at 7 p.m. The film looks at the role of emotions in our lives. Registration is required at mkorshalom.org/event/ insideout?instance_id=6053. JE |
Photo by Andrew Demchick Out & About around town Courtesy of the Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties Courtesy of the Foxman Torah Institute 1 2 4 Photo by Jordan Cassway Photography Courtesy of the Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy 3 5 1 The American Jewish Committee Philadelphia/Southern New Jersey and Circle of Friends, a local affiliate of a national Muslim-Jewish organization, hosted the fifth annual Ramadan iftar program on April 19 at Congregation Rodeph Shalom. 2 The Foxman Torah Institute held a Sefer Torah celebration recently. 3 Jewish Family Service community specialist Tina Serota taught a DIY container garden class from her front porch to residents. 4 Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy senior Jordan Becker placed first in the international Jewish high school math league competition. 5 The Perelman Jewish Day School conducted model seders during Passover. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 35 |
last word Leza Raffel SASHA ROGELBERG | STAFF WRITER I n 1991, the founding year of the Communication Solutions Group in Jenkintown, founder and President Leza Raffel made only $9,000. But the Jewish Abington resident, 55, who dubbed herself the “lady to call when you are in deep doo-doo,” took the company’s humble beginnings in stride. Three clients in the company’s first year soon grew to hundreds, includ- ing 56 school districts, 40 fire depart- ments and area Jewish organizations Federation Early Learning Services and Gratz College. Communication Solutions Group has also trained more than 100 college interns. In 2009, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell named Raffel as one of the “Best 50 Women in Business.” Though the business takes on a whole host of various public relations clients, Raffel cut her teeth on crises — break- ing bad news in the most delicate way. Raffel has tackled environmental and mold issues, food recalls and acci- dental deaths, among others. It’s her job to communicate with the appropri- ate stakeholders what is going on to put them at ease or help them take the next steps. Her job also takes the load of distracted clients who have to confront and solve the crisis. “They are so focused on addressing the crisis at hand that they’re not responding to the media inquiries or communicating out to the parents,” Raffel said. “And so ... people assume they’re hiding information, or they don’t care when, in fact, they’re very much involved in addressing the crisis.” Beyond crisis communications, Raffel has provided PR services to the Tuskegee Airman, the first Black mil- itary aviators in the Army Air Corps, for their 60th anniversary. She coor- dinated a visit from then-President George W. Bush to a Harrisburg school. She’s balanced her role at 36 Communication Solutions with being a board member at Temple Sholom in Broomall and Ithaca College Hillel, where her son is attending college. For Raffel, who has spent the last 30 years specializing in crisis com- munications and PR, Communication Solutions is her pride and joy. But 30 years ago, the founding of the group came out of necessity. “My business was kind of born out of its own crisis,” Raffel said. Before Communication Solutions, Raffel was working for a small PR firm on the Main Line. Her boss would hand Raffel her paycheck every other APRIL 28, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM week and specifically tell her not to deposit it. “I was making my parents their 25th wedding anniversary [gift], and I went to take money out of my ATM to pay the bill, and there was a negative bal- ance in the account because all my checks had bounced,” Raffel said. With assurance from her attorney that she hadn’t signed a noncompete agreement, and advice from her good friend telling her to start her own firm, Raffel started Communication Solutions, taking whatever clients were able to reach her on her pager. “I was renting an apartment, I didn’t have a child at the time, so I figured, you know, I’ll give it a shot,” Raffel said. Later that decade, Raffel hired addi- tional employees. She tried to match each person with their specific skill set. As a businesswoman, she prided herself on hiring and empowering women. In the group’s 31-year history, it’s employed seven men. Since 1991, more has changed within the company than its employee demo- graphics. “When I first started working there, we all shared one computer that was located in a closet,” said Beth Drost, who retired from Communication Solutions after 20 years as a public rela- tions specialist. Though the office eventually became computerized, shifting technology continues to change the crisis commu- nications model. With the growing role of social media in breaking news, communica- tions groups have to put out statements right away and roll out information as they get it. “You’re going to be in a very reac- tionary mode because it’s out there for everyone,” Raffel said. “So you really have to be a lot faster with your response.” Raffel has also had to adapt to the economic complications of running a business. Adapting to COVID was eas- ier for the company, Drost said. Raffel was amenable to employees working from home for the past decade; they had used Zoom for seven years. The 2008 Great Recession was more challenging for the company, Drost said, when Communication Solutions lost several clients, and Raffel had to slowly build back their clientele. “I could see that being a devastating event for a company, but she rolled with it,” Drost said. “And she was able to grow the business back to where it was with a bit of a different focus, but she did a great job.” JE srogelberg@midatlanticmedia.com Courtesy of Leza Raffel TACKLES CRISES |
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Call 855-402-5341 REAL ESTATE HOUSE FOR SALE 12 S Martindale Ave Ventnor NJ Fantastic South side loca- tion less than two blocks from the beach 3 Bedroom two bath twin house close to shopping & restaurants. Private driveway (room for 3 cars), upgraded heating & electrical systems Hardwood floors. New sid- ing & vinyl windows. New appliances. Basement sau- na. Wired for a hot tub in the garage. Price $729,000 Call Larry Lunsk (Owner) 267-320-7475 Franklin Morales (Realtor) 609-380-6297 TUTORING EDUCATION PLUS Private tutoring, all subjects, elemen.-college, SAT/ACT prep. 7 days/week. Expd. & motivated instructors. (215)576-1096 www.educationplusinc.com Legals Granor Capital LLC has been formed under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Limited Liability Company Act of 1994. BRAVO VASQUEZ INC has been incorporated under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988. COURT OF COMMON PLEAS - PHILA. COUNTY - TRIAL DIV. - No. 210601336 - Regina Bolden, Plaintiff vs. Ressa Holdings, LLC and City of Phila., Defendants - To: Ressa Holdings, LLC, 305 N. 3rd St., Phila., PA 19106 and City of Phila., 1515 Arch St., 15th Fl., Phila., PA 19102, Defendants - NOTICE - You have been sued in court. If you wish to defend, you must enter a written ap- pearance personally or by attorney and file your defenses or objections in writing with the court. You are warned that if you fail to do so the case may proceed without you and a judgment may be entered against you without further notice for the relief requested by the plaintiff. YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW. THIS OFFICE CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ABOUT HIRING A LAWYER. IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO HIRE A LAWYER, THIS OFFICE MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ABOUT AGENCIES THAT MAY OFFER LEGAL SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS AT A REDUCED FEE OR NO FEE. Lawyer Referral & Info. Service, Phila. Bar Assn., One Reading Center, Phila., PA 19107, 215.238.1701. Murray L. Greenfield & Michael F. McCartin, Attys. for Plaintiff, Murray L. Greenfield & Assoc., 9636 Bustleton Ave., Phila., PA 19115, 215.677.5300 COURT OF COMMON PLEAS - PHILA. COUNTY, PA - CIVIL ACTION – LAW - No. 220100695 - Rebecca Kronbar, Plaintiff vs. Sean Davis, Defendant - To: Sean Davis, Defendant, 8930 Brous Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19152. Take notice that a Complaint in Civil Action-Motor Vehicle Accident has been filed against you in the above-named Court. Said complaint arises from an accident that took place on or about 2/5/20 south- bound on Roosevelt Blvd. at or near the intersection of Devereaux Ave., Phila. County, PA, when Defendant failed to stop and violently crashed resulting in injuries and damages. NOTICE: YOU HAVE BEEN SUED IN COURT. If you wish to defend against the claims set forth in the no- tice above, you must take action within twenty (20) days after this Complaint and Notice are served, by entering a written appearance personally or by attorney and filing in writing with the Court your defenses or objections to the claims set forth against you. You are warned that if you fail to do so the case may proceed without you and a judgment may be entered against you by the Court without further notice for any money claimed in the Complaint or for any other claim or relief re- quested by the Plaintiff. You may lose money or property or other rights im- portant to you. YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW. THIS OFFICE CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH THE INFORMATION ABOUT HIRING A LAWYER. IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO HIRE A LAWYER, THIS OFFICE MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ABOUT AGENCIES THAT MAY OFFER LEGAL SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS AT A REDUCED FEE OR NO FEE. Phila. Bar Assn., Lawyer Referral & Info. Service, 1101 Market St., 11th Fl., Phila., PA 19107, 215.238.1701. Robert P. Snyder & Erik P. Snyder, Attys. for Plaintiff, Snyder Law Group, P.C., 121 Ivy Ln., King of Prussia, PA 19406, 610.265.8050 ESTATE OF ANGELA BERRY, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to Patricia Gallo, Administratrix, c/o Catherine T. Duffy, Esquire, 300 W. State St., Ste. 300, Media, PA 19063, Or to her Attorney: CATHERINE T. DUFFY ECKELL, SPARKS, LEVY, AUERBACH, MONTE, SLOANE, MATTHEWS & AUSLANDER, P.C. 300 W. State St., Ste. 300 Media, PA 19063 ESTATE OF ANNA COHEN, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to HOWARD M. SOLOMAN, ADMINISTRATOR, 1760 Market St., Ste. 404, Philadelphia, PA 19103, Or to his Attorney: HOWARD M. SOLOMAN 1760 Market St., Ste. 404 Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF ARLYNE T. SHOCKMAN, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to DEBORAH KAPLAN, EXECUTRIX, c/o Wendy Fein Cooper, Esq., 50 S. 16th St., Ste. 3530, Philadelphia, PA 19102, Or to her Attorney: WENDY FEIN COOPER DOLCHIN, SLOTKIN & TODD, P.C. 50 S. 16th St., Ste. 3530 Philadelphia, PA 19102 ESTATE OF BENJAMIN ERIC JACOBS, DECEASED Late of Philadelphia, PA. LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION on the above estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same, and all persons indebted to the dece- dent to make payment without delay, to Samantha Jouin and Victoria Dougherty, Administratrices, c/o Gary A. Zlotnick, Esq., Zarwin Baum DeVito Kaplan Schaer & Toddy, PC, One Commerce Sq., 2005 Market St., 16th Fl., Philadelphia, PA 19103 or to their attorneys, Gary A. Zlotnick, Esq. Zarwin Baum DeVito Kaplan Schaer & Toddy, PC One Commerce Sq. 2005 Market St., 16th Fl. Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF BENNIE M. BAILEY Bailey, Bennie M. late of Philadelphia, PA. Tonnetta Graham, c/o Thomas J. Hornak, Esq., Goldsmith Hark & Hornak, PC, 7716 Castor Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19152, Administratrix. Goldsmith Hark & Hornak, PC 7716 Castor Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19152 |
ESTATE OF CLARA S. RUSH Rush, Clara S. late of Philadelphia, PA. John Yoder, c/o Ned Hark, Esq., Goldsmith Hark & Hornak, PC, 7716 Castor Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19152, Administrator. Goldsmith Hark & Hornak, PC 7716 Castor Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19152 ESTATE OF COLLEEN T. MCPEAK- MULLINS aka COLLEEN T. MULLINS MCPEAK-MULLINS, COLLEEN T. aka MULLINS, COLLEEN T. late of Philadelpha, PA. James F. Mullins, 2321 Fuller St., Philadelphia, PA 19152, Executor. Michael A. Hanamirian, Esq. The Hanamirian Firm, P.C. 1608 Walnut Street Suite 1703 Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF ELSIE IRENE HAMILTON a/k/a ELSIE I. HAMILTON, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to CATHERINE HAMILTON-THOMAS, EXECUTRIX, c/o Jay E. Kivitz, Esq., 7901 Ogontz Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19150, Or to her Attorney: JAY E. KIVITZ KIVITZ & KIVITZ, P.C. 7901 Ogontz Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19150 ESTATE OF ELWYN M. WARD a/k/a ELWYN MEYER WARD, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons hav- ing claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to DAVID EUGENE WARD, ADMINISTRATOR DBN, c/o Adam S. Bernick, Esq., 2047 Locust St., Philadelphia, PA 19103, Or to his Attorney: ADAM S. BERNICK LAW OFFICE OF ADAM S. BERNICK 2047 Locust St. Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF FLORENCE REIVER, DECEASED. Late of Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County, PA LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the under- signed, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to ANDREW REIVER, EXECUTOR, c/o Rebecca Rosenberger Smolen, Esq., 1 Bala Plaza, Ste. 623, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004, Or to his Attorney: REBECCA ROSENBERGER SMOLEN BALA LAW GROUP, LLC 1 Bala Plaza, Ste. 623 Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 ESTATE OF FRIDA L. RODE a/k/a FRIDA LOUISA RODE, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment with- out delay to ANGELA D. GIAMPOLO, EXECUTRIX, 1221 Locust St., Ste. 202, Philadelphia, PA 19107; Angela D. Giampolo, Atty., Giampolo Law Group, LLC, 1221 Locust St., Ste. 202, Philadelphia, PA 19107 ESTATE OF GLADYS L. FOREMAN, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION CTA on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to Adam S. Bernick, Administrator CTA, 2047 Locust St., Philadelphia, PA 19103, Or to his Attorney: ADAM S. BERNICK LAW OFFICE OF ADAM S. BERNICK 2047 Locust St. Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF GLADYS SIMON, DECEASED Late of Philadelphia, PA. LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above estate have been granted to the under- signed, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same, and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay, to Gayle Block and Michael Simon, Executors, c/o Gary A. Zlotnick, Esq., Zarwin Baum DeVito Kaplan Schaer & Toddy, PC, One Commerce Sq., 2005 Market St., 16th Fl., Philadelphia, PA 19103 or to their attorneys, Gary A. Zlotnick, Esq. Zarwin Baum DeVito Kaplan Schaer & Toddy, PC One Commerce Sq. 2005 Market St., 16th Fl. Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF HELENE WHITTLE, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons hav- ing claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to ERIN WHITTLE, EXECUTRIX, 362 County Line Rd., Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006, Or to her Attorney: JOHN SLOWINSKI JOHN SLOWINSKI, P.C. 3143 Knights Rd. Bensalem, PA 19020 ESTATE OF JAMIE MARIE LLOYD Lloyd, Jamie Marie late of Philadelphia, PA. Erin Talbert, c/o Bart Benoff, Esq., Benoff Law Firm, 5 Neshaminy Interplex, Suite 205, Trevose, PA 19053, Administratrix. Benoff Law Firm 5 Neshaminy Interplex Suite 205 Trevose, PA 19053 ESTATE OF JOANN PATTEN, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to MELISSA SMITH ADMINISTRATRIX, c/o Marc Vogin, Esq., 1608 Walnut St., Ste. 1703, Philadelphia, PA 19103, Or to her Attorney: MARC VOGIN KLEIN, VOGIN & GOLD 1608 Walnut St., Ste. 1703 Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF KATHLEEN M. DAVIS AKA KATHLEEN MARY DAVIS Davis, Kathleen M. aka Davis, Kathleen Mary late of Philadelphia, PA. Kimberly J. Davis, c/o Ned Hark, Esq., Goldsmith Hark & Hornak,PC, 7716 Castor Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19152, Administratrix. Goldsmith Hark & Hornak, PC 7716 Castor Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19152 ESTATE OF LEE RANDELL, JR. a/k/a LEE RANDELL, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to ALFONSO L. RANDELL, SR., ADMINISTRATOR, c/o Marc Vogin, Esq., 1608 Walnut St., Ste. 1703, Philadelphia, PA 19103, Or to his Attorney: MARC VOGIN KLEIN, VOGIN & GOLD 1608 Walnut St., Ste. 1703 Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF NEWELL FISCHER, DECEASED. Late of Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County, PA LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to RUTH S. FISCHER, EXECUTRIX, c/o Rebecca Rosenberger Smolen, Esq., 1 Bala Plaza, Ste. 623, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004, Or to her Attorney: REBECCA ROSENBERGER SMOLEN BALA LAW GROUP, LLC 1 Bala Plaza, Ste. 623 Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 ESTATE OF PATRICIA G. PERRY, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to THOMAS PERRY, ADMINISTRATOR, c/o Marc Vogin, Esq., 1608 Walnut St., Ste. 1703, Philadelphia, PA 19103, Or to his Attorney: MARC VOGIN KLEIN, VOGIN & GOLD 1608 Walnut St., Ste. 1703 Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF PRAYANK PRAPANNA, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to VINAY NIMAWAT, ADMINISTRATOR, c/o Daniella A. Horn, Esq., 2202 Delancey Place, Philadelphia, PA 19103, Or to his Attorney: DANIELLA A. HORN KLENK LAW, LLC 2202 Delancey Place Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF RICHARD L. GRAY, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the under- signed, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to JAMEY ROD, 2900 Byberry Rd., Hatboro, PA 19040 and VICKI GODOWN, 1692 SE 10th Ave., Deerfi eld Beach, FL 33441, EXECUTORS, Or to their Attorney: BETH B. MCGOVERN Trevose Corporate Center 4624 Street Rd. Trevose, PA 19053 ESTATE OF ROSALEE B. TANKEL a/k/a ROSALEE TANKEL, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to PAUL N. TANKEL, EXECUTOR, c/o Kenneth F. Cohen, Esq., 1515 Market St., Ste. 1200, Philadelphia, PA 19102, Or to his Attorney: KENNETH F. COHEN 1515 Market St., Ste. 1200 Philadelphia, PA 19102 ESTATE OF ROSE FOSCHINI, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to NICOLE RUBENSTEIN, EXECUTRIX, c/o Bruce M. Dolfman, Esq., 901 N. Penn St., Ste. F2102, Philadelphia, PA 19123, Or to her Attorney: BRUCE M. DOLFMAN 901 N. Penn St., Ste. F2102 Philadelphia, PA 19123 ESTATE OF SANDRA D. FEUDA Feuda, Sandra D. late of Philadelphia, PA. William F. Feuda, 30 E. Oleander Dr., Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054, Executor. Mark Feinman, Esquire 8171 Castor Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19152 BUSINESS DIRECTORY nmls 215-901-6521 • 561-631-1701 ESTATE OF STARLYNN JONES AKA STARLYNN E. JONES Jones, Starlynn aka Jones, Starlynn E. late of Philadelphia, PA. Kein Averi Jones, 1628 Latona St., Philadelphia, PA 19146, Administrator. George V. Troilo, Esq. Law Offi ces of Gregory J. Pagano, PC 1315 Walnut St., 12th Fl. Philadelphia, PA 19107 ESTATE OF THEODORE ZAWATWICZ Zawatwicz, Theodore late of Philadelphia, PA. Kimberly Jo Galdi, c/o Ned Hark, Esq., Goldsmith Hark & Hornak, PC, 7716 Castor Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19152, Executrix. Goldsmith Hark & Hornak, PC 7716 Castor Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19152 ESTATE OF WILLIAM DeMAY, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to CAROL DEMAY YOKOYAMA, EXECUTRIX, 92-1005 Lalahi St., #11- 206, Kapolei, HI 96707, Or to her Attorney: HENRY A. JEFFERSON JEFFERSON LAW, LLC 1700 Market St., Ste. 1005 Philadelphia, PA 19103 LEGAL DIRECTORY ESTATE OF WILLIE BERNARD JENKINS AKA WILLIE B. JENKINS Jenkins, Willie Bernard aka Jenkins, Willie B. late of Philadelphia, PA. Joseph Avril, Jr., c/o Hope Bosniak, Esq., Dessen Moses & Rossitto, 600 Easton Rd., Willow Grove, PA 19090, Executor. Dessen, Moses & Rossitto 600 Easton Rd. Willow Grove, PA 19090 TRUST NOTICE - Eva Rosenstock Revocable Living Trust dtd. 3/4/1999, as amended. Eva Rosenstock, Deceased. Late of Philadelphia. This Trust is in ex- istence and all persons having claims or demands against said Trust or decedent are requested to make known the same and all persons indebted to the dece- dent to make payment without delay to Eli M. Rosenstock and Renee Terebelo, Trustees, c/o E. Marc Miller, Esq., 100 Front St., Ste. 100, Conshohocken, PA 19428; E. Marc Miller, Atty., Flaster Greenberg, P.C., 100 Front St., Ste. 100, Conshohocken, PA 19428 TRUST NOTICE - Lee Family Trust Dated December 31, 2011. Kuo Cheung Lee and Lai Ping Lee, Deceased. Late of Phila. County, PA. This Trust is in ex- istence and all persons having claims or demands against said Trust or decedent are requested to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to Eleanor Chin-Lee and Aristotle Lee, Trustees, c/o Wendy Fein Cooper, Esq., 50 S. 16th St., Ste. 3530, Philadelphia, PA 19102. Or to their Atty.: Wendy Fein Cooper, Atty., Dolchin, Slotkin & Todd, P.C., 50 S. 16th St., Ste. 3530, Philadelphia, PA 19102 www.jewishexponent.com JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 39 |
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