DECEMBER 8, 2022 | 14 KISLEV 5783 CANDLELIGHTING 4:17 P.M. Huntingdon Valley's Glenn Segal A LIFELONG ADVOCATE FOR ISRAEL BONDS Page 32 Jewish Exponent PHILADELPHIA ADVERTISING Account Executives Alan Gurwitz, Robin Harmon, Pam Kuperschmidt, Jodi Lipson, David Pintzow, Sara Priebe, Sharon Schmuckler, Samantha Tuttle, Sylvia Witaschek 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 Jillian Diamond, Sasha Rogelberg, Heather Ross, Jarrad Saffren MARKETING Audience Development Coordinator Julia Olaguer 410-902-2308 jolaguer@midatlanticmedia.com CREATIVE Art Director | Steve Burke Graphic Designers | Ebony Brown, Lonna Koblick, Jay Sevidal, Frank Wagner, Carl Weigel Digital Media Coordinator James Meskunas 7605 Old York Road, Melrose Park, PA 19027 Vol. 135, No. 36 Published Weekly Since 1887 BUSINESS Accounting Manager Pattie-Ann Lamp 410-902-2311 plamp@midatlanticmedia.com accounting@midatlanticmedia.com Senior Accounts Receivable Specialist Jessica McGinnis jmcginnis@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. 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Cover: Huntingdon Valley’s Glenn Segal a lifelong advocate for Israel Bonds 5 D elaware Valley Cantors bring 6 N orthwest Philadelphia back in-person concert chavurah celebrates 50 years 17 D espite rise in antisemitism, deeply Jewish comedy is having a moment JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 3 Weekly Kibbitz M usician Leonard Cohen’s momentous trip to the Sinai Desert to perform for Israeli soldiers in the wake of the Yom Kippur War is being turned into a dramatized TV series. “Who by Fire: Leonard Cohen in the Sinai” will be written by Yehonatan Indursky, a co-creator of “Shtisel,” the landmark Israeli drama about an Orthodox family in Jerusalem, according to Variety. The limited series, an adaptation of journalist Matti Friedman’s 2022 book of the same name, will film in Israel in 2024. It’s being co-produced by Keshet, the Israeli company that has also produced shows such as “Prisoners of War,” which was adapted for U.S. audiences as “Homeland.” The singer-songwriter’s trip to the frontlines of the 1973 war became a turning point in the way the folk troubadour incorporated his Jewishness into his songs — for instance, his 1974 album “New Skin for the Old Ceremony” featured “Who by Fire,” a song inspired by the Yom Kippur “Unataneh Tokef” prayer. Despite being internation- ally famous, Cohen slept in an army sleeping bag, ate army rations and performed a series of concerts for on-edge soldiers, who decades later told Friedman that they were moved by his support. Leonard Cohen performs in Hamburg, Germany on May 4, 1970. “In October 1973, the poet and singer Leonard Cohen — 39 years old, famous, unhappy and at a cre- ative dead end — traveled to the Sinai Desert and inserted himself into the chaos and blood of the Yom Kippur War,” according to the show’s press materials. “Moving around the front with a guitar and a pick-up team of local musicians, Cohen dived headlong into a global crisis and met hundreds of fighting men and women at the worst moment of their lives. Cohen’s audience knew his songs might be the last thing they heard, and those who survived never forgot the experience.” — Gabe Friedman Gunter Zint/1970 K& K Ulf Kruger OHG/Redferns/Getty Images 1973 Yom Kippur War Concerts to be Dramatized in TV Series by ‘Shtisel’ Writer Bulletin Print Ad Celebrating each life like no other. ROOSEVELT It's simple to customize this ad for your WE HONOR INTERFAITH MARRIAGES 1. Change the document name of your ROOSEVELT MEMORIAL PARK MEMORIAL PARK spacer Trevose clicking on "Change Document Name" of the page. Consider including size, abbreviated publication name. 215-673-7500 Do Have You Have a for Plan for the Future? Do You a Plan the Future? Do You Have a Plan for the Future? 2. Review the property information to the correct location(s) has been Why You Pre-Plan Should Pre-Plan Today You Should Pre-Plan Why Why You Why Should Today You Should Pre-Plan Today Today 3. Double-click on the headline of the ad • Make sure sure your sure family your knows your nal final wishes Make your family knows your fi knows wishes Make sure your family knows your final final change wishes the messaging. 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Family Service Manager (215) 673-7500 673-7500 (215) Family Service Manager Karen Karen Pecora Pecora OR, to save your ad to work on later, Family Service Service Manager Family Your Manager ad will appear in the Drafts tab of Documents folder. local Delaware Valley Cantors Bring Back In-Person Concert Jarrad Saff ren | Staff Writer Courtesy of Cantor Stephen Freedman C antor Jen Cohen, now in her 15th year at Temple Beth Sholom in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, grew to enjoy Zoom services during the pandemic: She led songs and prayers over the digital connection from her dining room, with her dog at her side. “It felt important to be able to do that,” she said. But even as she enjoyed the new normal, Cohen recognized that it couldn’t last for- ever. Now, she’s relieved that it’s over. “Th ree years is a long time to be apart, and I think we all feel much more together now. We haven’t been in lock- down for a long time. We’re using our social muscles again,” Cohen added. On Dec. 11 at Melrose B’nai Israel Emanu-El in Elkins Park, Cohen and 13 other cantors in the Delaware Valley will not only use their social muscles but fl ex them. Th e Delaware Valley Region of the Cantors Assembly is bringing back its annual pre-Chanukah concert. For the fi rst time since before the pandemic in 2019, it will be in person. Th e show starts at 4 p.m. Tickets are available on the synagogue’s website at mbiee.org or by calling 215-635-1505. General admission is $18 in advance and $25 at the door, according to an event fl yer. You can become a donor and get a better seat: Shammash-level donors give $36; Menorahs donate $72; and Maccabees off er $118. Th e concert drew between 100 and 300 attendees in pre-COVID times, accord- ing to Cantor Stephen Freedman of Melrose B’nai Israel Emanu-El. He said this year’s ticket sales are moving toward 100 people. If the Elkins Park synagogue opens its auditorium, it can accommo- date as many as 250 guests. Th e cantor is confi dent that the audience will grow as the event gets closer. Chanukah begins a week later on Dec. 18. “It’s an opportunity to hear over a dozen cantors from the Delaware Valley region singing together as an ensem- ble, and also singing solos and duets,” Freedman said. “You’re going to hear music that you would not hear from the bimah on a typical Shabbat.” Cantor Stephen Freedman of Melrose B’nai Israel Emanu-El in Elkins Park Th e cantors will focus on “a number of themes,” Freedman added. Th e main one is the Festival of Lights, which is where the concert’s title, “We’ll Light up Your Life,” comes from. But Chanukah will cede the stage to other bright lights during the night, including Israel’s upcoming 75th anniversary and a set of Broadway selections. During the Chanukah portion of the show, the group will sing “We are Lights,” a song about the holiday written by Stephen Schwartz, who wrote the Tony Award-winning musical “Wicked.” Later, they will perform a piece by Salamone Rossi, an Italian composer who pub- lished the fi rst known piece of Jewish liturgical music in 1622, according to Cantor David Tilman, the choir director at Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel and a member of the ensemble. Two cantors will sing “For Good” from “Wicked.” Another is going to belt out “America” from the 1980 remake of “Th e Jazz Singer” starring Neil Diamond. And one will perform “I Am Easily Assimilated,” a tune from “Candide,” a 1956 operetta based on the 1759 Voltaire novella. “It’s kind of like an eclectic concert,” Freedman said. “But with some really spectacular voices.” Freedman and his cohorts organized a show during COVID, too, just online and pre- recorded. And as Cohen said of Zoom services, the cantors grew to enjoy their digital concert as well. But it was not the same. In-person, “you get the vibe of the audience,” Freedman said. At a pre- recorded event, there’s no applause at the end of each number. In a sanctu- ary or auditorium, there is, and then performers respond to that. And then the audience responds to the charisma of the indi- vidual singers and the ensemble. “It’s kind of the diff er- ence between listening to an album that an artist produces in the studio as opposed to going to an arena to hear that same band,” he added. “Th e music is equally beautiful at both. But the feeling you get from having a live presence is exciting.” Th e cantorial group includes seven men, seven women and the entire range of singing voices — from soprano to bass. And cantors, Tilman explained, are hap- piest when they sing as a group because “the music comes together” and “the harmony is unbelievably wonderful.” Cohen said she enjoyed the High Holidays this past year because services were at capacity again. Th is concert will feel similar. “We do this to make people sing together and to make a joyful noise,” she said. JE jsaff ren@midatlanticmedia.com Don Needs a Kidney to Save His LIFE! You can give the greatest gift this holiday... Discover the joy of saving a LIFE for a lifetime! Don spends his time helping others. Now he needs your help to save his LIFE! Kidney donors have reported a profound sense of fulfillment. • You do NOT have to be a match to donate a kidney. • It is well documented that we can all live a normal life with only one kidney. • All costs to the donor are covered. • Voucher programs guarantee that the donor or a family member would be first in line for a kidney if ever needed. To learn more, please visit www.Kidney2Don.com or email Ned Brooks, kidney donor & Founder of the National Kidney Donation Organization at nedbrooks@nkdo.org JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 5 local Northwest Philadelphia Chavurah Celebrates 50 Years Sasha Rogelberg | Staff Writer O n Dec. 17, a handful of families will sit down for a Shabbat meal, a celebration of a prac- tice they’ve sustained for half a century. Chavurah Bet, a small Jewish group based in Northwest Philadelphia, will celebrate 50 years since its fi rst conven- ing. Since 1972, the group has hosted Friday night Shabbat dinners, High Holiday services, Passover seders, movie and book groups, b’nai mitzvahs and weekend retreats. “Th is is one that got going and kept going,” said Dick Goldberg, a 42-year member. Common among the 12 member fam- ilies was a desire to break free from the mold of synagogue traditions and large congregations that proved diffi cult for some in fi nding community. “We were looking for an alterna- tive structure other than a synagogue, where families together would do their own planning and think about what Judaism meant to them, to try to create our own traditions,” member of 45 years Elliot Seif said. Th e group created programming driven by its values, but the structure of the chavurah was not unique. In the 1960s and ’70s, many Jews, inspired by the counterculture movement of the time, desired to create their own small communities. And before there was Chavurah Bet, there was Chavurah Aleph. Chavurah Aleph emerged years prior, operating out of Germantown Jewish Centre. Th e rabbi there allowed Chanukah 2022 Special Focus: December 15 CHANUKAH IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER! Contact your sales consultant to schedule your advertising at 215-832-0700 ext. 2, advertising@jewishexponent.com 6 DECEMBER 8, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Chavurah Bet members at a chanukah celebration the chavurah to use the space, the beginning of the creation of GJC’s cul- ture of “a community of communities” according to Ellie Seif, Elliot’s wife and Chavurah Bet member. But as the chavurah movement began to pick up steam, the group gen- erated too much interest to accept new members, while also maintaining its internal culture and feel. “It been going on for several years, and they were a cohesive group — as it should be,” Chestnut Hill resident and Chavurah Bet founding member Judy Levy said. “Because it needs to be small; it needs to be intimate. ... In order to make this work, you had to be on the same page.” Levy didn’t take it personally when Chavurah Aleph told her she was unable to join the group. Instead, she created a second iteration of the group, wanting to take all the best parts of Aleph’s operation and, together with a group of families also interested in chavurot culture, make it their own. Dedicated group members began to organize services loosely based on the traditional structure. Four groups of three families were randomly selected to have Shabbat dinners together — totaling about 200 dinners since the group’s inception — and the groups rotated regularly. Th e chavurah created a cookbook of Shabbat dinner favorites. Th e group had retreats at Camps Reeta and Arthur and lively conversa- tions about Judaism, despite theological Courtesy of Jo Baskin Help prepare our readers for the holiday season by showcasing your favorite gift ideas, holiday treats and greeting ads. diff erences among members. “We once had a fi ght about God — which was, when I think about it, quite lovely — between someone who was an atheist, a raging atheist, and a very reli- gious member,” Levy said. “I remem- ber it with great fondness because I couldn’t believe it was happening.” Chavurah Bet celebrated life cycle events with one another: births and b’nai mitzvahs, with Levy’s son being the fi rst to come of age in the group. And the group, 50 years later, is expe- riencing yet another profound life cycle stage. Particularly over the past few years, several of its members have died. Levy said she was not able to attend the funerals of members because of COVID. Th ough the deaths were a defi ning part of its continued existence, the chavurah remained resilient over the pandemic. Attendance and events have always waxed and waned over the years, Goldberg said, but the pandemic and increased use of Zoom enabled the group to host frequent book clubs and virtual movie viewings. However, the group is mostly sus- tained by its original generation, with the children and grandchildren of the Chavurah Bet members at their 30th anniversary celebration chavurah moving away and no longer attending events. “Th ey basically formed their own lives ... they developed their own paths,” Elliot Seif said. Th e chavurah’s core group is still strong, according to the Seif couple. Even during years with a scarcity of programming or events, there’s an understanding that not everyone in the group needs to be organizing services or holidays; the chavurah has a future as long as the members keep in touch in some capacity. “It’s tradition and friendship that have kept us together,” Ellie Seif said. JE srogelberg@midatlanticmedia.com WHO SAYS YOU HAVE TO Act Your Age? Retirement should be a time to live it up and dive into new experiences. That’s why Anthology of King of Prussia is in such high demand. We cultivate an optimistic, active outlook on life. Every day is full of promise and possibilities. Ask how to get up to $10,000* in savings on independent living or personal care. *Valid through 12/31/22. Savings disbursed at community discretion toward rent or fees within the first year of residency. Other terms and conditions may apply. Contact us for details. CALL 484-390-5315 TODAY! HAPPY HANUKKAH! Wishing your family a season of love, light and happiness. CONTINUE YOUR LIFE STORY WITH US ANTHOLOGY OF KING OF PRUSSIA 350 Guthrie Rd. / King of Prussia, PA Independent Living / Personal Care / Memory Care AnthologyKingofPrussia.com JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 7 local A Mensch in an Unkosher Kitchen: JFCS Partners with King of Steaks Sasha Rogelberg | Staff Writer and father would hide the cheese to keep the restau- rant “kosher” for them, Olivieri said. Olivieri’s commitment to serving food to Jewish Philadelphia as part of JFCS’ Nourishing Community is less superfi cial. “We pride ourselves on giving back to the commu- nity in any way possible,” he said. “So it just seemed very natural to do this.” Beyond cooking a three-course kosher meal for event attendees, Olivieri and Sichel’s demonstration was a fundraiser for JFCS’ Food Security Initiative, which impacts Philadelphians beyond the Jewish community. Th e initiative includes providing groceries to homebound JFCS clients; fi nancial assistance and help in applying for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamp, benefi ts; teach- ing kitchen programs; and the Our Closet In Your Neighborhood program, which distributes food, F 8 DECEMBER 8, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Frank Olivieri is the owner of Pat’s King of Steaks and great-nephew of creator Pat Olivieri. Frank Olivieri and Yehuda Sichel at the Feb. 1 JFCS Nourishing Community event over Zoom Olivieri said. “Th at’s what we do. We love food. For us, food is the way that we show our love. Food is the way that we keep our traditions alive, which is important for both Roman Catholic Italian and Jewish folks.” Jewish-Italian relations have existed in Oliveri’s family for decades. His great-uncle and restaurant namesake Pat was married to a Jewish woman whose ex-husband was a kosher butcher, and the couple had plenty of Jewish friends and family. At the store’s original location, according to Olivieri, the Olivieris had two separate kitchens to keep up the appearance of a kosher or kosher-style establishment. When Jewish loved ones would come to patronize the place, Frank Olivieri’s grandfather clothing and services to clients in need. In addition to bringing funds to the organization, the Nourishing Community program helps bring awareness of JFCS’ work, which is rooted in the Jewish values of community, dignity and repairing the world. Olivieri’s consistent participation in JFCS reinforces the organization’s mission of extending services to Philadelphians across all backgrounds. “We want anyone in the community Jewish or not, to feel a part of JFCS,” Eisenberg said, “and to feel like they are supporting not just the Jewish community, but the entire community as well.” JE srogelberg@midatlanticmedia.com Courtesy of Jesson Geipel or the past few years, Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia has found help in an unlikely source: one of the city’s largest purveyors of treyf. Since the onset of the pandemic, Frank Olivieri, owner of cheesesteak purveyor Pat’s King of Steaks, has teamed up with a Jewish chef for JFCS’s annual “Nourishing Community” fundraiser for its Food Security Initiative. On Dec. 6, Olivieri and James Beard Award- nominated chef and HUDA owner Yehuda Sichel teamed up for the in-person and virtual event, where they cooked a Glatt-kosher meal together for the fundraiser. Th is is the second time the duo partnered for the event. “Chefs and people in the restaurant and food and beverage world understand that we’re on the side of serving a luxury, and that there are unfortunately people that are food insecure,” Sichel said. Olivieri shares Sichel’s desire to give back to the community and, despite not sharing Sichel’s Jewish upbringing, Olivieri’s connection to community out- reach has Jewish roots. In 2019, Olivieri’s wife Nancy Schure, who is Jewish, began volunteering at JFCS. “ We have a lot of people who come to our [Barbara and Harvey] Brodsky Enrichment Center to volun- teer and really help us with the community aspect of the work that we do,” JFCS Chief Business and Resource Development Offi cer Pia Eisenberg said. “Because everyone we serve, we feel should be part of a community and part of the larger community.” According to Eisenberg, Schure was part of a cooking program at the Brodsky Enrichment Center teaching kitchen and came up with the idea to have Olivieri conduct a virtual Nourishing Community cooking demonstration during COVID. Olivieri is also the founder of the Spread the Whiz Foundation, which has the goal to “inform and demonstrate healthy eating habits and nutrition in school-aged children through artistic and cooking expressions,” according to the foundation’s website. Th e fi rst iteration of the Nourishing Community event with Olivieri had him working along- side CookNSolo chef Michael Solomonov. For the February event this year, Olivieri started his partner- ship with Sichel. From two diff erent religious and culinary back- grounds, Sichel and Olivieri had no problem fi nding common ground. “Like all Italian families, like all Jewish families, at a meal, we’re sitting talking about our next meal,” 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. Eight Ways to Celebrate the Eight Days of Chanukah Across Greater Philadelphia D reidels spinning, latkes flipping in the pan and candles lighting up windows — the glow of the menorah is just around the corner with Chanukah beginning Sunday, December 18 at sundown. Over the holiday’s eight days, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s neighborhood Kehillot and Jewish Community Relations Council will host a number of family-friendly programs to celebrate the Festival of Lights. Open to all, community events will include candle lightings, mitzvah opportunities, deli- cious Chanukah treats and more. Visit jewishphilly.org/hanukkahguide for the full roundup of community events and registration details. Miracle of Lights: Chanukah Laser Show Saturday, Dec. 17 | 6-8:30 p.m. Beth Sholom Congregation, 8231 Old York Road, Elkins Park Celebrate the Festival of Lights with a laser light show! Join Old York Road Kehillah for an evening of wonder for people of all ages. Enjoy snacks and a laser show, presented by Wondergy. Following the Community Chanukah Celebration program, families are invited to a camp fair. While Monday, Dec. 19 | 5-6 p.m. this event is sold out, community members can join Shady Brook Farm, 931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley the waitlist. Celebrate the second night of Hanukkah with the Bucks County Kehillah! All are welcome to enjoy Chanukah Celebration at Horsham Center crafts, candle lighting, music and donuts. for Jewish Life Sunday, Dec. 18 | 3-4 p.m. Horsham Center for Jewish Life, 1425 Horsham Road, North Wales Help spread the light of Chanukah with the Buxmont Kehillah and residents at Horsham Center for Jewish Life. Welcome in the first night with a meaningful candle lighting. All ages are invited to enjoy singing, stories and Chanukah goody bags. Chanukah Lighting on Boathouse Row Sunday, Dec. 18 | 4:30 p.m. Virtual Celebrate the first night of Chanukah with a special holiday lighting. Virtually join the Jewish Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council, Mayor Jim Kenney, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell and other city officials for songs and prayers as Boathouse Row is illuminated in blue and white. Chanukah Candle Lighting Tuesday, Dec. 20 | 5 p.m. Rittenhouse Square Park, 210 W. Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia Show your Chanukah love in the hub of the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection. Perfect for the whole family, make the third night of Chanukah one Chanukah at the Train Station for the holiday memory books by joining the Center Monday, Dec. 19 | 5:15- 6:15 p.m. City Kehillah for a joyous and meaningful candle Circle at Narberth Train Station, 1 Station Circle, lighting in Rittenhouse Square Park. Narberth Come gather with friends for some blessings, songs, Community Chanukah Celebration sufganiyot (jelly donuts) and Chanukah celebrations. Wednesday, Dec. 21 | 6-7 p.m. Join the Lower Merion Kehillah for candle lighting House of Kosher, 9806 Bustleton Ave, Philadelphia, with community members and train goers. PA 19115 Welcome in the fourth night of Chanukah with the Shine a Light on Antisemitism Northeast Kehillah! Bring family and friends for an eve- Monday, Dec. 19 | 7 p.m. ning of candle lighting, live music by Ken Ulansey, latkes Gladwyne Presbyterian Church 1321 Beaumont and donuts — and, of course, schmoozing and all of the Drive, Gladwyne Chanukah fun. Nosh will be provided by House of Kosher. The Jewish Federation’s Jewish Community *** Relations Council invites the community to join an Full event listing: jewishphilly.org/hanukkahguide important interfaith conversation to listen, learn and discuss the rising antisemitism in America. Want to get involved in Jewish life within your Led by Jewish and other faith leaders, the program community? Contact Max Moline, director of com- will include a menorah lighting, self-reflection and munity development, at mmoline@jewishphilly.org thoughts on action. or 215-832-0803. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 9 YOU SHOULD KNOW ... Andy Jenks Andy Jenks, second from left, wearing sunglasses, poses for a picture with Team USA at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Jarrad Saff ren | Staff Writer A Courtesy of Team USA Courtesy of Andy Jenks s a child, Andy Jenks played soccer, T-ball and other sports that kids oft en play. But when he got older and those games moved outside, he could no longer see the ball or his opponents very well. Jenks had 20/200 vision, meaning he could see things from 20 feet away that someone with 20/20 vision could spot from 200 feet away. Even when he was able to play soccer and T-ball with his peers, he never felt comfortable. So at 10, he tried a new sport called goalball for athletes with limited vision. Teams of three would stand on opposite sides of the court and try to throw the ball into the opposing net. Jenks started playing and, as the Philadelphia resident put it, “fell in love.” More than 20 years later, he’s still playing; this December he will play for the United States in the International Blind Sports Federation’s Goalball World Championship in Portugal. “It’s incredibly meaningful for me to play this game at the highest level,” Jenks said. Th e tournament will mark Jenks’ fourth appearance in international competition in his favorite sport. He represented the U.S. in the 2010 and 2014 world championships and in the 2016 Paralympic Games, where he helped the team earn a silver medal. Jenks, 32, grew up celebrating Chanukah with his Jewish mother’s side of the family. While he’s not religious today, he still eats whitefi sh salad and knows and appreciates “a good bagel,” he said. He’s also not a full-time goalball player. Th e athlete works a day job as an educational assessment specialist at the Center for Teaching and Assessment of Learning at the University of Delaware. But he is committed to the sport like it’s a full-time job. Jenks did not make the U.S. team for the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo (played in 2021 due to the pandemic). He said he had carried around multiple injuries that he had “never fully dealt with.” So, he 10 DECEMBER 8, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM walked into a physical therapist’s offi ce at Excel Physical Th erapy on Ludlow Street, now Ivy Rehab Physical Th erapy. “I said, ‘I want to be 100%,’” Jenks recalled of the conversation. He dedicated countless hours to stretches, exercises and full routines that rebuilt his strength and endur- ance. Aft er a while, the man who had recently turned 30 felt like a Paralympic silver medalist again. Jenks said he was stronger aft er those months of working out than before. Th e athlete also learned a valuable lesson. If he wanted to make another national team, he had to become the kind of scientist that great athletes oft en are: of their own bodies. He had to pur- sue excellence in weight training, nutri- tion and even sports psychology. “Taking advantage of every oppor- tunity to get on the court and play the game,” Jenks said. When Jenks fi rst played goalball, he said he felt free for the fi rst time. It was the only sport he had played where he was not at a disadvantage due to his visual impairment. He did not have to worry about his safety; and his oppo- nents didn’t have to worry about him, either. He could just move around, fi re the ball across the court and stop it from fl ying into his own net. “I found there were less of those barri- ers that existed in everyday life,” he said. At 12, he started training with a Philadelphia area men’s team and trav- eling to tournaments in the Northeast, Midwest and West. At 16 or 17, he played in a tournament in Canada. Today, he has played goalball in 18 U.S. states, three Canadian provinces, 14 other countries and a U.S. territory. And he hopes to add to that list. In 2028, Los Angeles will host the Paralympic Games. Jenks wants to try to make the U.S. team as a 38-year-old. “It would be incredible to make that happen,” he said. In goalball, everyone plays off ense and defense, and Jenks prides himself on being a willing defender. But he has always taken a particular interest in making his throws more diffi cult to defend. He claims that he was an “early adopter” of throwing a ball that bounced high in the air to evade defend- ers. In 2010 it was relatively new, but today, everyone’s doing it. Jenks may be right. Aft er all, since the age of 15 or 16, he’s taught the game, too, in sports camps, schools and other set- tings. One time, a mother of a visually impaired child in central Pennsylvania asked him to conduct a clinic in the child’s school. Th at day, the kid “was able to come in and be good at that game in front of her peers,” Jenks said. JE jsaff ren@midatlanticmedia.com nation / world Philanthropists Call on Jewish Community to Increase Investment in Birthright Following the recent announcement that budget cuts will cause Birthright Israel to cut up to one-third of its trip participants in 2023 and beyond, the leading philanthropic supporters of the program on Nov. 29 called upon Jews and Jewish organizations worldwide to become “fellow investors” in the orga- nization that provides free 10-day trips to Israel for Jewish young adults, JNS. org reported. “We are creating space for others to commit, to re-commit or to increase their commitment. Birthright is not an Adelson family investment. It is an invest- ment in us all, in our collective, communal future,” said Dr. Miriam Adelson, who, along with her late husband Sheldon Adelson, through the Adelson Family Foundation, has contributed nearly $500 million to Birthright during the past 15 years. Adelson and Charles Bronfman addressed the Birthright Israel Foundation’s board meeting via video conference after Birthright announced last week that due to inflation and rising travel expenses that have increased the per-person cost of the experience to $4,500. The organization is “now seeking contributions from the wider American-Jewish community to maintain the organization’s provision of the critical program.” American Jews who attend Birthright trips are 160% more likely to have a spouse who is Jewish, according to a recently published analysis by the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University. Jewish Passengers Booted Off Lufthansa Flight in May Are Getting $20,000 Payouts Nearly seven months after they were denied boarding in Frankfurt, a group of more than 100 Chasidic Lufthansa passengers are getting paid for their troubles, JTA.org reported. The airline is paying each passenger $20,000 plus giving them $1,000 to reim- burse them for expenses incurred during the May incident, according to Dan’s Deals, the discount travel website that first reported the incident at the time. After legal fees and some other expenses, each passenger will net approximately $17,400, the site is reporting. Lufthansa would not confirm the dollar figures but said that it is seeking to set- tle with each of the affected passengers, capping a series of conciliatory responses to the incident. On May 4, airline agents in Frankfurt barred many Jewish travelers coming from New York City from boarding their connecting flight to Budapest, citing the fact that some of the passengers were not wearing masks, as was required at the time. But that rule was applied inconsistently, passengers said at the time, and a Lufthansa supervisor was caught on video speaking disparagingly about Jewish passengers as a group. Global Index: Tel Aviv Drops From First to Third-most Expensive City Tel Aviv is no longer the most expensive city in the world, dropping from first place last year to third in the 2022 Worldwide Cost of Living Index, released on Nov. 30 by the Economist Intelligence Unit, JNS.org reported. New York City and Singapore shared the top spot, with Hong Kong and Los Angeles tying for fourth place. Zurich, Geneva, San Francisco, Paris and Copenhagen placed five through 10, respectively. The index is compiled by comparing prices in U.S. dollars for goods and ser- vices in 172 major cities around the world, with data showing that average cost of living in those places jumping by 8.1% compared to 2021. “The war in Ukraine, Western sanctions on Russia and China’s zero-Covid pol- icies have caused supply-chain problems that, combined with rising interest rates and exchange-rate shifts, have resulted in a cost-of-living crisis across the world,” Upasana Dutt, head of worldwide cost of living at EIU, said in a statement. JE — Compiled by Andy Gotlieb Exclusive Women’s Apparel Boutique Made in USA Mother of the Bride/Groom, Bar-Mitzvah and all of your special occasions needs. 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One way to judge how central Birthright has become to our North American Jewish core is by the howls that went up when it was learned that the Adelson Family Foundation was cutting back on its annual contribution. Since 2007, the Adelson Foundation has been the largest donor to Birthright, having contributed nearly $500 million over the past 15 years. The announcement that the foundation would reduce its annual gift to $20 million this year and to $10 million next year was quickly followed by the announcement that Birthright was scaling back its operations by up to a third. Before the pandemic, Birthright was taking 45,000 participants to Israel every year. Next year, only 23,000 participants are projected. Birthright officials acknowledge that the reduc- tion in the Adelson Foundation gift is not a sur- prise. It has been in the works since 2016. Yet for whatever reason, Birthright has not been able to secure supplemental funding to make up for the shortfall they knew was coming. Instead, they cut back on the program. That is unfortunate. But perhaps this is the wake-up call needed to remind us of the importance of the program and to make clear why no one should take it for granted. Last month, researchers at the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University reported that in comparing Jews who had taken a Birthright trip with Jews who had never been to Israel, Birthright participants were 85% more likely to be “somewhat/very” attached to Israel and 160% more likely to have a spouse who is Jewish. Those statistics are compelling. We urge efforts to expand communal and institutional support for Birthright. To be sure, despite the widespread belief that Birthright is funded by a few very wealthy Jews, the Birthright Foundation currently has nearly 40,000 annual donors. The Israeli government provides a large portion of Birthright’s estimated $150 million annual budget. And according to the 2018 annual report — the most recent available — 17 donors gave $1 million or more. We recognize that there are aspects of the Birthright program that give some donors pause. For example, critics aren’t happy with how the program deals with the Israeli-Palestinian con- flict. Still, even with its warts, Birthright is doing exactly what it was created to do and what the Jewish world has come to expect. Indeed, because of its success, Birthright has become an essential Jewish rite of passage almost on par with bar and bat mitzvahs. Birthright deserves meaningfully expanded com- munal support. JE I t began with a noble purpose. Some solution needed to be found to address the effects of too many years of discrimination against minorities in the college admissions process, as well as for those seeking employment. Among the approaches developed was a race-conscious college-admission policy that allowed for consideration of a student’s race as one of many factors in the admissions process. That approach, called “affirmative action,” was promoted as a means to address historic discrimi- nation against Black applicants and to help create a diverse student body at participating universities. It was further argued that the inclusive educational environment fostered by affirmative action would enrich the educational experiences of all students at participating universities. The affirmative action program has prompted decades of court battles over its legality. For the past 50 years, affirmative action has been part of American life and was repeatedly upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. But with today’s 6-3 conserva- tive majority on the court, that is likely to change. In late October, the Supreme Court heard argu- 12 DECEMBER 8, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM ment in a pair of lawsuits — one against Harvard University and the other against the University of North Carolina — on whether colleges and univer- sities can consider race when they decide which applicants to admit. Most court watchers agree that the court will almost certainly rule that affirmative action in college admissions is illegal, probably because the practice violates the Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection of the laws and the 1964 Civil Rights Act’s prohibition of racial discrim- ination by recipients of federal funding. The reasoning is straightforward: Notwithstanding whatever positive motivations may be driving the process, discrimination on the basis of race should not be used as the means to correct past discrim- ination on the basis of race. In other words, two wrongs don’t make a right. But if universities can’t use affirmative action, then how can they work to level the playing field for minority and disadvantaged applicants, and con- tinue their commitment to creating a diverse cam- pus community? At least two suggested approaches have been advanced — both of which will likely test the sincerity of a university’s embrace of diversity over fundamental financial concerns. First, universities can increase their efforts to promote the admission of economically disadvan- taged students, irrespective of their race or any other prohibited, discriminatory factor. Given the wealth gap that separates Black and white house- holds, an increase in the recruitment of economi- cally disadvantaged students will almost certainly help boost campus diversity. Similarly, doing away with “legacy” preferences in university admissions for children of alumni and significant donors will also open more spaces for Black applicants and further add to each university’s diversity pool. The problem is that most bottom-line-conscious universities are not willing to give up the financial bounty of legacy student tuitions and historical donor gifts. And given tight budgets and increasing costs, most universities are reluctant to increase allocations for financial assistance in order to achieve desired diversity. But if the court rules as expected, universities are going to have to find some race-neutral solution to their admissions challenges, and they may have to put some of their money where they say their values are. JE flickr.com / HRYMX Alternatives to Affirmative Action opinion City’s Palestinian Event an Affront to Area Jews By Steve Feldman A s any coach, athlete or sports enthusiast knows, if one is not even on the playing field, there is no chance of winning. Even if one’s opponent falls flat on their faces, the best one can hope for is a tie if you are not at least present. Philadelphia’s government hosted an event and issued a proclamation on Nov. 29 that places the city as a participant in an international obser- vance created to delegitimize Israel and Jewish rights. Philadelphia also endorsed Arab violence against Jews via a promotional poster that featured three clenched fists and three Palestine Liberation Organization flags. The event, proclamation, remarks by a City Council member at the event and the bellicose poster serve as reminders that the Jewish commu- nity and supporters of Israel need to challenge our enemies and their enablers — to be on the meta- phorical playing field — although it is no game. Today for Jews in America. physical and emo- tional well-being are jeopardized; the ability to freely observe our religion is at stake in some cases, as is our right to freedom of speech/expres- sion such as in support of Israel and Zionism. Rampant attacks against Jews and Jewish institu- tions, and the incessant incitement of hatred and resentment against Jews have gotten us to this juncture. Our future here rests on what the Jewish People and our friends and allies do in response to the attacks and intimidation, as well as proactively. Jewish persons today in America who wear garb or a symbol that easily identifies that person as Jewish are being violently attacked; many are afraid to hold an Israeli flag or wear an “I support Israel” shirt or hat — Jewish or not — for fear of attack; synagogues, other Jewish institutions and Jewish events require unprecedented security. Those who are determined to harm Jews have been embold- ened. They are emboldened by celebrities who sow resentment and hatred of us. They are emboldened by elected and appointed officials, politicians and political operatives. They are emboldened by news media in its var- ious forms. They are emboldened by religious leaders. They are emboldened by social media “influenc- ers” and prominent podcasters. They are emboldened even by some within the very Jewish community that is under attack who aid and collaborate with those harming us. In proclaiming “International Day of Solidarity With the Palestinian People,” in Philadelphia, Mayor Jim Kenney and other city officials committed an atrocity against the Jewish people. And they are emboldened by our community’s weakness, indifference, apathy and fear. It is true that to stop the attacks and incitement we need more, and more-diverse tools than there are in a typical Swiss Army knife, and each of these tools must be utilized — both the quiet, behind- the-scenes tools and the public tools activists have employed for generations. In proclaiming “International Day of Solidarity With the Palestinian People,” in Philadelphia, Mayor Jim Kenney and other city officials committed an atrocity against the Jewish people by echoing a dastardly United Nations-led expression of regret that Israel was re-established and that Jews finally again had self-determination in our homeland. The city claimed it was not political. But the violence-themed posters and Yasser Arafat’s blood- drenched PLO flags contradicted officials. As one communal leader from another organization put it: “It looks like Philadelphia is calling for jihad.” The poster included the imprimaturs of Kenney’s office of the city representative and his department of immigrant affairs. Officials claimed the purpose of the event was “to celebrate the rich and significant contributions Palestinian community has made to our beautiful city” — but they could have done that on any date. Nov. 29 is significant. It is a date that Jews have celebrated since 1947 thanks to the United Nations partition plan vote paving the way for a Jewish state on land where Jews are the indigenous peo- ple. Arabs and Muslims see that date from a different perspective: Many refuse to accept an independent Jewish state in the Middle East and reject Jewish self-determination. On the 30th anniversary, Nov. 29, 1977, the United Nations voted to in essence reject the Jewish state and Jewish indigenousness. Thus: The date and the poster and the presence of PLO flags are indeed political. The city had a public ceremony outside of the city’s Municipal Services Building across from City Hall on Nov. 29. For the second consecutive year. Last year, Israel’s consul general pleaded with Kenney to cancel the event or at minimum not to speak at the event. Kenney ignored him. Local Jewish communal leaders including those from the Zionist Organization of America’s Greater Philadelphia Chapter reached out to Kenney and his staff to express concern about a second event. Concerns and pleas to cancel it were again ignored. Greater Philadelphia ZOA took an additional different path: We showed up at the event at noon on Nov. 29, and we stood tall, proudly waving our American and Israeli flags, and some of those who participated in our protest vigil also displayed signs in support of Israel and our people’s rights. Greater Philadelphia ZOA and our activists, and others who joined us went onto the playing field. We showed up; we showed that the Jewish peo- ple will always be there in support of the Jewish state of Israel, our right to self-determination and in defense of our heritage and history. If the city opts to do this again, we will be there again — and we invite all of the Jewish community, all of the pro-Israel community and all decent people to be there with us. Meanwhile: Philadelphia has not had an event to celebrate its Jewish immigrants, nor has it had an event to specifically honor its Israeli immigrants. JE Steve Feldman is the executive director of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Zionist Organization of America. 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 13 opinion A Campaign Against Jew-hatred That Actually Worked By Karen Lehrman Bloch S ince I started writing about antisemitism about a decade ago, I’ve had trouble answering one question: Why are Jews, who excel in fields from science to literature to music, so bad at confronting antisemitism? Part of the answer is that antisemitism is irra- tional — based on conspiracy theories that morph every century. It’s also sadly the case that many Jews today in a position to create change — pro- fessors, heads of nonprofits, CEOs — prefer to sup- press their Jewish identity to maintain their social “status.” But neither of these things fully explains how, for instance, the lies of “Palestinianism” have been able to completely consume our campuses. However, a small exhibition at the New York Historical Society shows that this was not always the case. “Confronting Hate 1937-1952” examines how a groundbreaking media campaign launched by the American Jewish Committee to combat rising antisemitism in the United States actually worked. AJC CEO David Harris calls the exhibit “a testament to the vision of creative individuals committed to preserving and strengthening our pluralistic democracy.” American antisemitism didn’t begin in the mid- 20th century, but it did reach a dangerous peak. In 1935, a newspaper called American Gentile declared on its front page, “Let’s Take America Away From the Jews!” and “Jewish CARTHAGE Must Be Destroyed if Free America Is To Survive!” By 1937, roughly 50 demonstrations a week, includ- ing rallies at Madison Square Garden, spewed antisemitic propaganda, openly inciting violence. Organizations such as the Anti-Jewish League, Protect American Rights and the American National Party distributed leaflets with slogans like “White Men Do Not Buy From Jews” and “Buy Gentile, Employ Gentile, Vote Gentile.” One 1938 survey found that nearly 41% of Americans thought that Jews had too much power. The AJC campaign, spearheaded by advertising executive Richard Rothschild, partnered with doz- ens of artists, writers, political leaders, women’s and church groups and celebrities — including Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland — to spread anti- hate messages across the U.S. in innovative ways. Rothschild produced graphic posters, newspaper ads and pamphlets, as well as comic books such as They Got the Blame, which chronicled the history of scapegoating. Nazism, Rothschild said in a 1973 interview, sought to spread internal discord. “Divisiveness can 14 DECEMBER 8, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM be the source of a country’s greatest weakness,” he asserted. His goal was to show the evil of antisemi- tism and, at the same time, the importance of unity. “It would not be enough to show that antisemitism was bad for Jews,” he said. “We had to show that it was bad for America and Americans.” For the first six years of the project, the AJC did not affix its name to it. That changed after the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising in 1943. The centerpiece of the exhibition is a short doc- umentary about an extraordinary 15-minute radio broadcast on Sunday, Oct. 29, 1944. “Today, the National Broadcasting Co. brings its listeners a pro- gram of historic moment,” war correspondent James Cassidy said at the opening of the show. “The first direct broadcast of a Jewish religious service from German soil since Adolf Hitler and his Nazis began the destruction not only of the Jewish religion but of all religions more than a decade ago.” The service, produced by the AJC and its radio direc- tor Milton Krents, took place in an open field near the site of a demolished synagogue in Aachen, Germany. With the sound of artillery thundering in the back- the spirit and resilience of American GIs as they fought to eradicate Nazism,” Historical Society curator Debra Schmidt Bach said. “Milton Krents understood the symbolism and importance of the service, and we are fortunate that he left us this poignant legacy and vivid example of the power of American cooperation.” Forgotten in the decades after the war, the ser- vice at Aachen is only available to us now because of a chance discovery by AJC archive director Charlotte Bonelli, who noticed a brief mention of it in a Krents oral history in the mid-2000s. It is essential for us today to learn the lessons of the AJC’s successful campaign. American Jews need to start using our brains and creativity to fight the antisemites now threatening us on three fronts — Islamists, white supremacists and the likes of the “Black Hebrew Israelites.” Just as important, the overall focus needs to be on unity — on the beautiful mosaic of immigrants that America once stood for. But you can’t have that mosaic if there’s an over-emphasis on race, whether from racists or “anti-racists.” Woke ideol- American Jews need to start using our brains and creativity to fight the antisemites now threatening us on three fronts — Islamists, white supremacists and the likes of the “Black Hebrew Israelites.” ground, we can hear the haunting audio from Army Chaplain Sidney Lefkowitz, a rabbi from Richmond, Virginia, who led the service in front of 51 Jewish sol- diers — a young private served as the cantor. In a short address, Chaplain Lefkowitz acknowl- edged what the service represented: “Even as we sadly observe the ruins amid we stand and con- sider the loss of lives with which this victory has been purchased, we are solaced with the thought, though the cost must be high, of the lasting memo- rial which consecrates the sacrifice, and upon it is written in letters that glow like burning coals, ‘The spirit of man cannot be conquered.’” The service, broadcast throughout Germany, was meant as a warning. “The Allied armies, composed of every color, faith and nationality, will never halt until freedom takes the place of tyranny on every inch of Axis soil,” Krents said. But it also imme- diately captured the attention of Americans. The response was so profound that it was later re-aired. “The Aachen broadcast is a vivid reminder of ogy is meant to create division — precisely the type of division that leads to increased antisemitism. The soldiers who attended the service at Aachen had survived Omaha Beach, one of the bloodiest battles of the Normandy invasion, and later fought in the brutal Battle of Saint-Lô in France. “These are men who belonged to a group of people that had been deemed by the Nazis to be cowardly — that they should be exterminated from the earth,” said Bonelli. “They’re standing on German soil, singing ancient Jewish prayers, equal members of the Allied advancing forces. It was a symbol that the war was coming to an end, and that Judaism and the Jewish people would survive.” It is precisely this type of symbolism, updated for the 21st century, that needs to become a fixture on every U.S. campus . JE Karen Lehrman Bloch is the editor-in-chief of White Rose Magazine. This was originally published by Jewish Journal. opinion A Rock Star Channels Jewish Outrage at Antisemitism By Eric Fusfi eld Sharononthemove / WikiCommons T he antisemitic utterances of Kyrie Irving and Ye (formerly Kanye West) prompted condemnations from many celebrities, both those with Jewish backgrounds and those who weren’t Jewish but who issued solemn pledges of support for their Jewish friends and colleagues. Oscar-winning actress Reese Witherspoon went as far as to tweet, “This is a very scary time,” to which one follower chimed in with an anti-Israel rejoinder. Solemnity, however, unexpectedly yielded to outrage at the annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Los Angeles. What was no doubt expected to be one of the eve- ning’s least momentous junctures, the honoring of lawyer-agent Allen Grubman, turned into a consciousness-raising session when rock star John Mellencamp took the stage for a profanity-laden introduction speech. “Allen is Jewish, and I bring that up for one rea- son,” Mellencamp said. “I’m a gentile, and my life has been enriched by countless Jewish people.” Mellencamp then turned it up a notch. “I cannot tell you how f***ing important it is to speak out if you’re an artist against antisemitism,” he continued. “Here’s the trick: Silence is complicity. I’m standing here tonight loudly and proudly with Allen, his family and all of my Jewish friends and all of the Jewish people of the world. F*** antisemitism!” Whoa. What was surprising about Mellencamp’s speech was not his principled stance, but the sheer indig- nation and the unbottled emotion that gave voice to it. For millions of Jews who have fearfully observed the growing normalization of antisemitic motifs in today’s popular culture, such a righteous outburst was surely a welcome surprise, but it begged a question for the entertainment industry: “Where have you been until now?” We sometimes temper our responses to hatred, perhaps out of decorum, perhaps out of a sense that there may be worse injustices that merit greater attention and outrage. For a culture that rightfully decries racism and off enses against other marginalized groups, hatred and discrimination toward Jews sometimes receive less opprobrium than the world’s oldest and most persistent social illness warrants. Some of this is undoubtedly due to the popular conception of Jews as a white, privileged group undeserving of victim status. Another contributor is the prevalent, but demonstrably false, notion of the Singer-songwriter John Mellencamp We sometimes temper our responses to hatred, perhaps out of decorum, perhaps out of a sense that there may be worse injustices that merit greater attention and outrage. Jewish state as a white, colonial settler project whose central aim is to displace an indigenous people. But the mainstreaming of antisemitic attitudes plays a clear role as well. This is why the antisem- itism and anti-Zionism of celebrities has proven so insidious. Whether it’s in response to Mel Gibson, John Cusack, Roger Waters, Ye, Irving and even U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), the objections have been somewhat muted in proportion to the danger that antisemitic pronouncements by celebrities presents. Polite tweets and affi rmations of support for the Jewish community have been the norm among those who have registered objections. But antise- mitic sentiments, like those expressed by Ye and Irving, persist in the public realm. Enter John Mellencamp. As rock music critic Greil Marcus once wrote, rock and roll is not a “polite, quiet, cerebral” art form. “If you’re reading a news- paper, that music says, put it down, listen to me.” If someone is going to deliver the passion that the fi ght against antisemitism requires, it might as well be a rock star, then. At a time of rising antisemitism, Jews need allies. Particularly helpful are allies with high visibility who can turn the dial on the outrage machine to a volume at which it can be heard by Jews and non- Jews alike. Jews are vexed, fearful and angry at the antisem- itism that has manifested itself across the political and social strata and injected itself into the popular culture. On a night in Los Angeles before a national television audience, Mellencamp channeled our indignation and used his platform to spread it. Will other celebrities follow? JE Rabbi Eric Fusfi eld is B’nai B’rith International’s director of legislative aff airs and deputy director of its International Center for Human Rights and Public Policy. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 15 opinion We Must Beware of the Normalization of Antisemitism By Hen Mazzig T wenty years ago, the phrase “Never Again” still meant something, at least in the United States. Yet awareness of the Holocaust and the 6 million European Jews murdered — the culmination of 2,000 years of brutality toward the stateless Jewish people — has fallen among the youngest generations of Americans. A 2018 survey by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany found that 31% of Americans and 41% of millennial and Gen Z respondents believe that two million or fewer Jews were killed in the Holocaust. A further 41% of Americans and 66% of millennials cannot say what Auschwitz was. No fewer than 11% of millennial and Gen Z respondents believe Jews caused the Holocaust, including 19% of the 18-39-year-old subsample from the state of New York. Something has certainly gone wrong when American public education doesn’t provide basic historical literacy. Is it any coincidence that the Anti-Defamation League reported an all-time high of 2,107 anti-Jew- ish hate crimes in 2020? This figure then increased by 34% to a mind-blowing new high of 2,717 incidents of assault, harassment and vandalism reported to the ADL in 2021 — more than seven such incidents per day. One study found that, based on data from 2018, Jews per capita were by far the targeted group in the U.S. and the most likely to suffer from hate crimes. That’s 2.7 times more likely than Blacks and 2.2 times more likely than Muslims. Yet often the villains who commit these crimes go entirely unpunished, with one shocking scoop finding that “of the hundreds of hate crimes committed against Jews in [New York City] since 2018, many of them documented on camera, only a single perpetrator has served even one day in prison.” If violent crime against Jews has no discernible deterrent, can anyone really feign surprise that ugly speech toward Jews is increasingly normalized in certain quarters? Many took note when Kanye West, now calling himself Ye, one of the country’s most popular musical artists, went on a weeks- long social media attack on Jews generally. Among other things, he threatened to “go death con 3 on Jewish people” while saying it was not antisemitic for him to say so because “black people are actually Jew also.” Of course, lowbrow antisemites have embraced this amplification of their hateful rhetoric, as a banner reading “Kanye is right about the Jews” was hung over a busy Los Angeles freeway. That 16 DECEMBER 8, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM same message was mysteriously displayed on an electronic video board at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida, following a college football game between the University of Florida and the University of Georgia. More recently, a Jewish cemetery in suburban Chicago was vandalized on Nov. 14 with swastikas and the misspelled phrase “Kanye was Rite” spray-painted on Jewish tomb- stones. This would be troubling enough without the support that West and his hateful message have received from more highly placed and celebrated figures. Tucker Carlson, the most-watched cable news host in U.S. history, gave West a prime- time interview that was heavily edited to conceal antisemitic claims from the artist, including that the Jewish holiday of Chanukah involves “financial It has long been argued that manifestations of anti-Jewish hate are a “canary in the coal mine.” engineering” and “the 12 lost tribes of Judah, the blood of Christ, [are] who the people known as the race Black really are.” The Washington Post reported that “Carlson mostly nodded along with Ye’s commentary [with] no obvious effort to ques- tion Ye’s assertions.” Notably, Carlson himself has indulged in the antisemitic “Great Replacement” theory, a claim that originated with neo-Nazis and alleges a Jewish conspiracy to replace America’s white majority with groups from other countries by promoting immi- gration and interracial marriage. West was briefly removed from Twitter, but returned days later to support the Brooklyn Nets’ Kyrie Irving’s promotion of a film that accuses Jews of worshipping Satan, masterminding the trans-Atlantic slave trade and controlling the media and other industries — literally quoting from the famous antisemitic hoax “The Protocols of the Elders of Zion,” a forgery by Tsarist Russia’s secret police that purports to describe the Jewish plan for global domination. West’s claims were further legitimized by famed comedian Dave Chappelle in a “Saturday Night Live” monologue, in which he alluded to tropes of Jewish secrecy and illicit power, saying, “I’ve been to Hollywood. … It’s a lot of Jews. Like a lot.” Chappelle continued, “You could maybe adopt the delusion that Jews run show business. It’s not a crazy thing to think. But it’s a crazy thing to say out loud in a climate like this.” ADL head Jonathan Greenblatt tweeted that it was “disturbing to see [‘SNL’] not just normalize but popularize #antisemitism.” Why are Jewish sensitivities denied or dimin- ished at almost every turn? Why does our trauma trigger applause? As Yair Rosenberg put it in The Atlantic, “The problem … is that as anti-Semitism and related conspiracy theories become more normalized in our discourse, laughing about them becomes harder, because you never know who might not get the joke.” But perhaps it’s also the difficulty of understand- ing antisemitism for what it is. It’s not racism, but a different sort of hatred. As Hannah Arendt clearly described it, antisemitism, unlike other forms of bigotry, does not seek to enslave the Jewish peo- ple. Instead, “antisemitism’s end goal is genocide.” There are many vectors for the rising Jew-hatred in America, including far-right neo-Nazis, white supremacists, far-left anti-Israel voices, radical Islamists and increasingly high rates of antisemi- tism among some racial minority groups. It has long been argued that manifestations of anti-Jewish hate are a “canary in the coal mine,” indicating that tolerance and democracy itself are in severe distress. Now is the time for lead- ers from all sectors of American society to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in solidarity with Jews and against hateful speech and violence, wherever they originate. If society, heaven forbid, crosses a tipping point into mass violence against Jews, history shows that it will not stop with them. While the present wave of intolerance promises catastrophe for the American Jewish community if left unchecked, it is a dire threat to us all. JE Hen Mazzig serves as a senior fellow at the Tel Aviv Institute and is the host of the podcast Fresh Look. This was originally published by Jewish Journal. Various screenshots via YouTube; photos courtesy; design by Jackie Hajdenberg via JTA.org feature story As antisemitism spends months in the pop culture spotlight, Jewish comedians tackle the hate onstage and on social media. Deeply Jewish Comedy Is Having a Moment, Even as Antisemitism Rocks Pop Culture JACKIE HAJDENBERG | JTA.org T wo weeks after a Trump-supporting heckler threw a beer can at Ariel Elias at a club in New Jersey over her politics, the Jewish comedian’s fortunes took a turn for the better. A video of the incident went viral and she made her network television debut on Jimmy Kimmel’s late- night talk show. She spent most of her fi ve-minute set talking about her Jewish identity and how it clashed with parts of her upbringing in Kentucky. “I’m Jewish from Kentucky, which is insane, it’s an insane origin story,” she said last month before getting to jokes about how Southerners mispronounce her name and how badly her parents want her to date Jews. Even though the crowd found it funny, Elias’ tight fi ve wasn’t particularly groundbreaking. In the world of standup comedy, discussing one’s Jewish identity in a deep way has become increasingly common on the mainstream stage over the past several years. Jewish comedians are going beyond the bagel and anxiety jokes, discussing everything from religiosity and traditions (and breaking with those traditions) to how their Jewishness has left them prone to awkward situations and even antisemitism. Ari Shaffi r calls his most recent special, which was released in November and titled “Jew” — and racked up close to 4 million views on YouTube in two weeks — “a love letter to the culture and religion that raised [him].” In his recent one-man show “Just For Us” — which drew widespread acclaim and a slew of celebrity audience members, from Jerry Seinfeld to Stephen Colbert to Drew Barrymore — Alex Edelman discussed the details of growing up Modern Orthodox (and infi ltrating a group of white national- ists). In 2019, Tiff any Haddish released a Netfl ix spe- cial called “Black Mitzvah,” in which she talks about learning about her Jewish heritage. At the same time, the current uptick in public displays of antisemitism — punctuated by a series of celebrity antisemitism scandals and comedian Dave Chappelle’s controversial response to them — is complicating the moment for comedians who get into Jewish topics. Jewish comics are even debating what kinds of jokes about Jews are acceptable and which cross a line. “I fi nd it ironic that at a time where more Jewish come- dians feel comfortable expressing their Judaism (i.e. wearing a yarmulke, making Jewish-oriented content) and not hiding it (by changing their name for example), we also see an up-swelling of outright antisemitism,” said Jacob Scheer, a New York-based comedian. “I don’t think — and hope — those two things are not related, but I fi nd it really interesting and sad.” Th e two phenomena could be related. Antisemitic incidents nationwide reached an all-time high in 2021, with a total of 2,717 incidents, according to an April 2022 audit from the Anti-Defamation League. Th ose incidents range from vandalism of buildings to harassment and assault against individuals. “Now that [antisemitism is] a headline, it actually JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 17 feature story "Now that [antisemitism is] a headline, it actually helps me to do what I need to do, which is just be extra out and loud and proud" helps me to do what I need to do, which is just be extra out and loud and proud,” said Dinah Leff ert, a comic based in Los Angeles. “I was hiding who I am just so I can survive in this environment. But this environment is not worth it if I have to hide.” Scheer said that “people who are Jewish with an emphasis on the ‘Jew’ are having a moment.” “[Th e] ‘Jew-ish’ world I wouldn’t say is dead, but I don’t think the ‘Jew-ish’ world is producing that much,” he said. By “Jew-ish,” Scheer clarifi ed that he means com- ics like Seinfeld and Larry David, who oft en infuse secular, culturally Jewish material into their comedy. Th eir apex of fame came during a time when Jewish comedy was not nearly as mainstreamed — the “Seinfeld” sitcom team was famously told that their idea was “too New York, too Jewish.” Some of Seinfeld and David’s Jewish comedic suc- cessors, such as Judd Apatow and Seth Rogen, sprin- kled in more explicitly Jewish jokes before 2010. But today, “you see more Alex Edelmans coming out,” Scheer said, referencing the increase in visibility for comedians with more observant upbringings. Th ings have progressed to the level of “Jews doing com- edy for other Jews about Jewish things,” Scheer added. In August, the fi rst-ever Chosen Comedy Festival at the Coney Island Amphitheater in Brooklyn fea- tured a lineup of mostly Jewish comics whose reper- toires ranged from impressions of old Jewish women (who sound like bees) to breakdowns of the diff er- ences between how Sephardi and Ashkenazi Jews say “Shabbat shalom.” Leah Forster, who also performed at the festival, uses her Chasidic upbringing as source material for her standup routines, creating characters and using accents and impressions. (In her early days as a comedian, Forster performed for women-only audiences while she was a teacher at a Bais Yaakov Orthodox school in Brooklyn.) Th e festival, which was hosted by Stand Up NY (an Upper West Side club that Scheer says is known for being “the Jewish one”), welcomed a packed audience of about 4,000 guests, many of whom were Orthodox. A second Chosen Comedy Festival will take place in downtown Miami in December. 18 DECEMBER 8, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Th e festival’s co-hosts, Modi Rosenfeld and Elon Gold, who frequently collaborate, both grew their audiences in the early days of the pandemic: Rosenfeld with his camera-facing comedic characters, like the esoteric Yoely who delivers news updates with a Hasidic Yiddish twist; and Gold with his Instagram Live show “My Funny Quarantine,” which featured guest appearances from other comedians. Both Gold and Rosenfeld work antisemitism into their material. Some are fi nding the moment diffi cult to navigate. In late October, at the standup show she runs in Los Angeles, the comic two slots ahead of Dinah Leff ert asked the room, “Is anyone still even supporting Kanye at this point?” Th e crowd responded with resounding whoops, claps and cheers, leading Leff ert to feel like they did support Kanye West, the rapper who spent much of last month in the news for his multiple antisemitic rants. Just a few jokes into her own 10-minute set, Leff ert walked off stage. “My body wouldn’t let me keep being inauthentic about what I was really feeling,” she said. “I don’t want to give laughter to people who are anti-Jewish.” Leff ert, who is openly Zionist, said she also observes a level of anti-Zionism in comedy clubs these days that feels to her like antisemitism. “Th ey’re not criticizing Israel,” she said. “It slips into antisemitism very quickly. And it’s just a really hostile environment.” During the last large-scale military fl are-up of the Israeli-Palestinian confl ict in May 2021, she felt inun- dated with Palestinian fl ag comments on posts about Jewish holidays, not Israel. “You just get Palestinian fl ags underneath your Chanukah posts,” she said. In October, at a club in Omaha, comedian Sam Morril was heckled by an audience member as he told a joke about how he hopes Jeff rey Epstein won’t be honored during Jewish Awareness Month. “Can I ask why you chose to yell out ‘free Palestine’ aft er a Jeff rey Epstein joke?” he responded. When the heckler said she was making a “public statement” and was looking for “justice,” Morril answered: “A public statement? At the Omaha Funny Bone?” Eitan Levine, a New York-based comedian known for his TikTok show “Jewish or Antisemitic” — on which he asks people to vote on whether objects like ketchup and mayonnaise, for example, are Jewish or antisemitic (in a loose comic version of the word) — said he receives similar comments online. “Th is is a TikTok video about bagels,” Levine said. “What do you mean, you want me to take a stance?” Th ough the response to his show has been largely positive and he has gone viral several times, Levine still receives all kinds of white supremacist comments on his videos — with a backward swastika, money bag or mustachioed man emojis evocative of Hitler, along with comments that say “jas the gews” as a spoonerism for “gas the Jews,” as a way to avoid TikTok censorship. Levine said he manually deletes these kinds of com- ments, but sometimes that’s not enough; one of the guests on his show had to cancel an in-person show due to online threats made against her. “Th is stuff is clearly happening and it is dangerous and it is scary,” Levine said. Writer and comedian Jon Savitt, whose writing has been featured on College Humor and Funny or Die, and says he has oft en been “the fi rst Jew that people have ever met,” recently launched an experimental web page called Meet A Jew, where users can connect with a Jewish person, much like a pen pal. His 2016- 2018 standup show “Carrot Cake & Other Th ings Th at Don’t Make Sense” largely dealt with antisemi- tism — and its audience, he was surprised to see, was largely non-Jewish. “Not only did I have people come up to me aft er the show, but I had non-Jews come up to me months later when they saw me and say 'tikkun olam' to me, or recite Hebrew,” Savitt said. “And to me that was the coolest use case because not only were they there, but they kind of retained something.” Savitt says he isn’t trying to change any extremists’ minds with Meet A Jew, but he sees it as one step that could engage people who may be ignorant or unaware and give them a place to ask questions. “Although it shouldn’t be on us to educate everyone or to have to constantly be standing up for ourselves, I think there are ways that we can bring other people into the conversation as well,” he said. JE Stock Vector One / AdobeStock - Dinah Leff ert wishes you a Happy Chanukah! 4 for 5 $ Promised Land Chanukah Candles 44 ct 2 for 6 2 for $ Kedem Sparkling Juice 25.4 oz LIMIT 2 OFFERS Kedem Tea Biscuits 4.2 oz Gunter’s Clover Honey Bear 12 oz WHEN YOU BUY 2 Savion Fruit Slices lesser quantities $3.49 6 oz 79 ¢ 4 99 6 99 U Kosher Boneless & Skinless Chicken Breast Fillet lb Manischewitz Potato Pancake Mix 6 oz 5 $ 2 99 Bosco Chocolate Syrup 22 oz 1 $ 3 99 3 99 2 for 6 $ Kedem Concord Grape Juice 64 oz LIMIT 2 OFFERS WHEN YOU BUY 2 lesser quantities $3.49 2 for Manischewitz Matzo Ball Mix or Egg Noodles 4.5 - 12 oz 4 for Manischewitz Candy Coins 0.53 oz U Fresh Kosher Whole or Cut Up Fresh Chickens lb 4 $ 2 for 2 for Lipton Onion Soup Mix 1.9 oz $ 4 5 $ Tabatchnick Chicken Broth 32 oz 4 99 Challah Bread ea We also carry many of your favorite Kosher deli, dairy, frozen and grocery products. Prices effective through December 29th, 2022 www.weismarkets.com We reserve the right to limit quantities. • Not responsible for typographical or pictorial errors. Products may not be available in all stores. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 19 chanukah Abby Ricarte | JTA.org T here’s no question that the most delicious, comforting recipes are the simplest, especially if they come with a bushel of history and soul. My Jewish husband Miki’s grand- mother (Grandma Esta) made the best brisket I’ve ever tasted. I know that these might be fighting words, but hear me out. It was complex, sweet and tender — everything that Grandma Esta embod- ied. I was honored that she passed down her recipe to me, but also surprised that the world’s best brisket could pretty much be made only with carrots and onions. My own Filipina mother makes the best lumpia. Hands down. World’s best, even. Lumpia is a Filipino spring roll filled with meat (or vegetables) rolled skillfully and fried to golden perfection. My earliest food memories include platters of lumpia at family parties with relatives raving while inhaling as my mom basked in the compliments. Preparing for parties typically meant that my mom would make the fill- ing ahead of time. Eventually, I would lose many of my weekend mornings to hours of rolling lumpia for her in front of that never-ending bowl of filling. I had no idea what was in the filling. It wasn’t until I was an adult, throwing my own parties, that I was able to pull back the curtain on the mysterious, world’s best lumpia recipe and call my mom to just ask. After Rosh Hashanah, when I have leftover brisket in my fridge and guests coming over, my first thought is: Let’s turn this into lumpia! Lumpia is always a crowd-pleaser and easy to fry ahead and serve at room tempera- !חמש הכונח - The Rothenberg Family  MANHATTAN | LAKEWOOD | PHILADELPHIA BROOKLYN | MONSEY | HACKENSACK | CHERRY HILL 20 DECEMBER 8, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM ture. My brisket lumpia was merely a quick Filipinx/Jewish experiment, but it tasted so wonderfully familiar. I had forgotten that my mom’s lumpia’s rec- ipe is really mostly carrots and onions just like Grandma Esta’s brisket. As I look forward to creating my own spe- cial Jewish home with my husband, I’m comforted by these unexpected connections between his family and my own. Note: You can find spring roll pas- try for this recipe in the freezer aisle at Asian food markets. It is similar to phyllo dough, but not the same as egg roll wrappers. 1 pound ground beef 1 cup raw walnuts 2 yellow onions, roughly chopped 1 carrot, roughly chopped 1 teaspoon of salt (plus more to taste) 1 packet spring roll pastry (found in the freezer aisle at Asian grocery stores — similar to phyllo dough) 2 tablespoons neutral oil (such as avocado, grapeseed, vegetable) plus about ½ cup more for shallow frying Store-bought sweet chili sauce for dipping To make the filling: 1. In a food processor, add the wal- nuts, onions and carrot. Pulse until finely minced. 2. In a large wok or sauté pan on medium-high heat, heat 2 table- spoons of oil. Add the vegetable mix- ture and saute for 2 minutes. 3. Add the ground beef to the pan, and combine thoroughly. Cook until the beef is just about brown, and there is no more red. Add salt to taste. Remove the filling from the pan and set it aside to cool. 4. Roll the lumpia. Place a single pastry sheet onto a cutting board or clean counter. Point one corner toward you so that the sheet is posi- tioned like a diamond. Add about two teaspoons of the cooled filling to the lower triangle that is closest to you. Use your fingers to shape the filling into a log. Pull the bottom corner up and over the filling, and roll tightly, tucking in the sides like a burrito. 5. Use a dab of water on your finger to seal the final edge. Repeat and roll the rest of the lumpia. 6. To a large wok or pan on medi- um-high heat, add enough oil so that it reaches about ½ inch from the bottom of the pan. Gently heat the oil, and fry the lumpia until golden brown. Serve the lumpia with a side of sweet chili sauce for dipping. JE This story was originally published on The Nosher. Courtesy of The Nosher This Fried Filipino Delicacy Is Perfect for Chanukah Hanukkah Favorites *Where Available, While Supplies Last 3 49 $ 2 79 1 $ 3 $ FOR SAVE $1.00 Manischewitz Chocolate Coins LIMIT 4 PER VARIETY Kedem Grape Juice LIMIT 4 PER VARIETY Kedem Sparkling Juice .53-oz. pkg., (Where Available, While Supplies Last) Dark or Milk Chocolate 25.4-oz. btl. (Plus Dep. or Fee Where Req.) Any Variety 64-oz. btl., Any Variety 4 2 $ FOR 1 LIMIT 4 PER VARIETY Tabatchnick Soups 3 $ 99 $ 79 Manischewitz Matzo Ball & Soup Mix Golden Potato Pancakes LIMIT 4 PER VARIETY 14.5 to 15-oz. pkg., Any Variety (Excluding Organic) 4.5 to 5-oz. box (Excluding Gluten Free) Any Variety Variety (Excluding Organic) 89 ¢ $ 49 (Frozen) 13-oz. pkg. Any Variety 3 1 $ 49 SAVE 50¢ $ 29 SAVE 70¢ LIMIT 4 PER VARIETY LIMIT 4 LIMIT 4 Russet Potatoes 5-lb. Bag or Yellow Onions 3-lb. Bag 44-ct. pkg. Golden Blintzes (Frozen) 10.6-oz. pkg., Any Variety Organic) 2 Rokeach Chanuka Candles 4 49 $ Bowl & Basket Vegetable Oil 48-oz. btl. Manischewitz Potato Pancake Mix 6-oz. box U.S. #1 5 59 ¢ 4 $ FOR Paskesz Dreidel Treats Manischewitz Ugly Sweater Cookie Kit Kedem Tea Buscuits (Grocery) (Grocery) Excluding Sugar Free or Whole Wheat 1 $ 79 3 FOR (Grocery) 7 MUST BUY 1 $ 99 SAVE 75¢ LIMIT 4 PER VARIETY 3 LIMIT 4 PER VARIETY Macabee 18-ct. Pizza Bagels Breakstone Sour Cream (Frozen) 46-oz. pkg. 2 $ 99 $ 49 Empire Kosher Whole Roaster Chicken Empire Kosher Chicken Leg Quarters (Meat) 42.3-oz. pkg. SAVE $1.00 (Grocery) Any Variety, Cups, Mott’s Applesauce 6-Pack or 25.4-oz. jar, Any Variety lb. Manischewitz Chanukah House Decorating Cookie Kit $ Mott’s Applesauce (Grocery) 3.5-oz. pkg 11 99 $ 10 99 $ 75 LIMIT 4 OFFERS Galil Organic Roasted Chestnuts 2 5 99 $ lb. (Meat) Fresh, With Back Attached, Glatt Kosher Never Administered (Dairy) 16-oz. cont., Any Variety 4 29 $ lb. Empire Kosher Turkey Breast (Meat) Frozen, 4 to 6-lb. Average Prices, programs and promotions effective Sun., Dec. 11 thru Sat., Dec. 17, 2022 in ShopRite ® Stores in PA (excluding Philadelphia and Eddystone) and in New Jersey, Trenton and South (excluding E. Windsor and Montgomery Twp., NJ). Sunday sales subject to local blue laws. No sales made to other retailers or wholesalers. 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We are required by law to charge sales tax on the full price of any item or any portion of an item that is discounted with the use of a manufacturer coupon or a manufacturer sponsored (or funded) Price Plus ® club card discount. Not responsible for typographical errors. Artwork does not necessarily represent items on sale; it is for display purposes only. Copyright© Wakefern Food Corp., 2022. All rights reserved. Digital Coupon savings can be loaded to your Price Plus ® club card IN STORE at the service desk, kiosk or contact 1-800-ShopRite. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 21 chanukah More Israelis Use Pure Olive Oil to Light the Menorah, Counterfeiters See Opportunity CNAAN LIPHSHIZ | JTA.org J ERUSALEM — In a supermarket here, Ohad David made a beeline for the most expensive olive oil in the store. He took three bottles of the award-win- ning Midnight Coratina brand, which goes for about $3 per ounce. It has “medium potency, green fruitiness and a green-leaf, grassy bouquet,” according to its description on the website of Ptora, the boutique olive oil factory that makes it. But David, a 40-year-old insurance agent and father of five, did not buy the oil for its taste. Like thousands of Orthodox Jewish consumers who buy premium olive oil ahead of Chanukah, David bought $160 of the stuff only to burn it — in a menorah. Observant Israelis increasingly like to use olive oil in their Chanukah cande- labras instead of wax candles because of its significance in the holiday’s story. Chanukah, which this year begins on Dec. 18, is a celebration of how the Maccabees, after defeating the Greeks, were able to light the menorah in the temple in Jerusalem for eight days with a one-day supply of oil — believed to be of the olive variety. “Using olive oil for Chanukah candles is not required by halacha [Jewish law], but in our communities everybody does it,” David said. Those who follow suit want only 100% pure olive oil to use in their menorahs — and that has become more expensive in Israel over time because of tariffs on imports and the rising demand. In response, some producers dilute their olive oil with cheaper vegetable oils without disclosing all of the ingre- dients and lure consumers in with lower prices. The product can still be consid- ered kosher, but it is unacceptable for the observant Jews who want only pure olive oil in their menorahs. “[T]he temptation to deceive custom- ers is tremendous,” Rabbi Moshe Biegel, an expert on Israel’s kosher certification industry, wrote in a 2020 essay on the olive oil sector in Israel. Israeli authorities perform inspections on dozens of brands each year around Chanukah and often find oil advertised as pure to contain up to 50% canola or soy oil. But despite fines and the naming of offenders online, the phenomenon persists. For David and others in his commu- nity, the solution is to stick to boutique brands, no matter the cost. “You know there’s no monkey business because to them it’s a matter of pride, so there’s a high level of transparency and trust,” David said. He discovered Ptora while visiting their facilities during a family trip to the northern Negev desert, where the factory and groves are located, about 30 miles southwest of Jerusalem. Like many boutique olive factories in Israel, Ptora offers tours and tastings to increase their brand recognition. “The place is magical,” said Hani Happy Hanukkah May your candles burn bright and your table be full this year. 22 DECEMBER 8, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Dana Friedlander for the Israeli Ministry of Tourism via JTA.org Ashkenazi, owner of the Jerusalem Olive Oil factory, about the Ptora groves. He is technically a competitor, but the two companies cooperate on some projects to leverage their respec- tive strengths. Th e olive is a national symbol tied closely to the country’s broader agri- cultural history — it is even depicted in the offi cial emblem of the state of Israel. In 2019, Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture found that Israeli olive oil was on average double the price of its European coun- terparts, costing about 9 euros (roughly $10) in Israel per liter compared to 5 euros throughout much of the European Union. Israel employs a protectionist customs policy meant to level the playing fi eld for local producers. Both production and demand are ris- ing steadily in Israel, a 2020 report from the ministry shows. About 30,000 tons of olive oil are sold in Israel annually, of which about 12,000 are imported. In comparison, the average annual pro- duction between 1990 to 2010 was 5,000 tons. Th e average for the past decade has been 16,000 tons annually. (For comparison, Egypt, with a land area 47 times that of Israel’s, produces about 20,000 tons of olive oil annually. Italy produces about 340,000 tons annu- A Chanukah menorah in Israel glows with the light of olive oil, not candles. ally, and the biggest producer is Spain, providing about 1.7 million tons annu- ally, or half of the world’s supply.) In recent years, local producers have profi ted from growing demand for olive oil generally and a preference for Israeli brands specifi cally, said Ashkenazi, who runs her olive oil factory in the northern Negev with her partner, Moosh. “Chanukah is the Jewish feast of light, but it’s also the feast of the Israeli olive oil,” she said. “Each year we’re seeing an increase in sales especially ahead and during Chanukah.” Th e share of shoppers seeking it as candle fuel is unknown, but increasingly fi rms are buying packages of premium Israeli olive oil as a holiday gift for their employees, Ashkenazi said. Business is going so well that Ashkenazi says she doesn’t need the protectionist taxes imposed on the imported products. “Competition is good, the consumer should have broad choice,” she said. JE Development Corporation for Israel Ari Sirner, Executive Director Sharon Richman, Registered Representative David Kadosh, Registered Representative 1511 Walnut St, Suite 301 • Philadelphia, PA 19102 215.545.8380 • philadelphia@israelbonds.com JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 23 charitable giving On the ‘Festival of Lights,’ an Opportunity to Give Back Sarah Ogince | Special to the JE H eard of the Squishmallow? Quirky, cuddly and only $25 a pop, it appears on just about every one of the “must have” gift lists that thoughtful retailers have compiled to inspire children and strike fear into the hearts of their parents. The season of spending is upon us. But if the idea of shopping for Chanukah gifts this year fills you with an extra measure of dread, you’re not alone. Rising prices on basic staples have left American consumers with a mild aversion to malls: More than half say they will buy fewer gifts this year due to inflation, according to a recent survey by coupon aggregator Retail Me Not. Instead of opting for generic brands and smaller quantities, perhaps it’s a good opportunity to revive a time-hon- ored Jewish tradition — Chanukah gelt, which, in its original form, made the “Festival of Lights” a holiday to strengthen the bonds of community and to give without the expectation to receive. Chanukah gelt first emerged in 18th-century Eastern Europe, but the money wasn’t for children: “Teachers would be tipped or paid then, proba- bly in keeping with the etymological link between Chanukah (‘dedication’) and chinuch (‘education’),” said Eliezer Segal, professor emeritus of classics and religion at the University of Calgary. From there, the custom morphed into an all-out charity bonanza. Chanukah gelt “tours” — when teachers, cantors, bea- dles and even butchers would go house to house accepting donations — appear frequently in early Chasidic stories. The custom also made its way into Sephardic communities. Segal noted that in pre-state Jerusalem, yeshivah teachers would walk through the Jewish Quarter on Chanukah singing Ladino songs and collecting contributions. It was only in the 19th century that gelt was given by parents to children. Though no one is sure why the switch occurred, mass immigration and outside influences played a role. “In America, the need to com- pete with Christmas presents is, of course, a decisive factor in popularizing the practice,” Segal said. Along with this new incarnation of the custom came its now more famil- iar chocolate counterpart, a 20th-century Jewish riff on the chocolate Santa. Today, Chanukah gelt is embraced by those eager to avoid the consumerism of the holiday season. And as an alternative to the Xbox, it certainly caries signifi- cant educational value. Children can be encouraged to save or to spend on books and other meaningful purchases, and to give a tenth of their haul to charity, as Jewish law stipulates. But in keeping with the original spirit of gelt, Chanukah is also a time to give out- side the home. They may not be knocking on the door or singing songs outside the window, but there are many charities in the Philadelphia area that provide essen- tial support to Jewish children. “Contrary to the trivialized Hollywood or Borscht-belt portrayals, Chanukah is an adult holiday devoted to themes of struggle, freedom, miracles and wor- ship,” Segal said. Treats and gifts are a good way to get the kids involved, but they shouldn’t be allowed to overshadow the deeper values at the heart of the holiday. Chanukah gelt developed long after the Maccabees waged their unlikely struggle against the Greeks, but its focus on tradition and strengthening the institutions that per- petuate it is something they would have recognized. The Squishmallow is not. JE Sarah Ogince is a freelance writer. Whether in lockdown or reopening, peace or war, certainty or uncertainty... Your gift fuels the Jewish Federation’s critical work to: - care for people in need - create an inclusive and accessible community - foster Jewish identity - combat antisemitism - connect to Jewish communities in Israel and around the world Make your gift to the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia before December 31. jewishphilly.org/donate 215.832.3484 24 DECEMBER 8, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Liz West/Flickr via Wikimedia Commons Our Jewish community is strong. Now, with your help, we go forward. arts & culture Sasha Rogelberg | Staff Writer P hiladelphia may not have seen its first snow of the season, but December brings with it winter in earnest, including the shortest days of the year. While a 4:30 p.m. sunset might mean an earlier Shabbat, it also brings the onset of seasonal affective disorder and the win- ter doldrums. To relieve the cold weather scaries, artists and galler- ies around the city are putting on exhibits that bring levity and light to their spaces and audiences. The Jewish Exponent rounded up a few options for gallery view- ings and events to add a little brightness to your day or weekend: Old City Jewish Art Center’s “Light” ture the works of Elkins Park artist Ursula Sternberg, who immigrated to Philadelphia after fleeing Nazi Germany. While much of the exhibit will feature Sternberg’s figure drawing and textile work, Sternberg perhaps made her biggest impact in the Philadelphia art community off the canvas as one of InLiquid’s first members and creator of a mak- er’s space in the 1990s. She hosted drawing classes for the community. While the exhibit doesn’t directly address the themes of lev- ity and light like OCJAC does, Sternberg’s approach to her art represented, in part, escapism and One of Ursula Sternberg’s pieces on display as part expansiveness that some audience of InLiquid’s “Ursula Sternberg: Daydream” members may look for in dark times. Congregation Beth Or’s Olitsky Much of Sternberg’s art appeared in The Old City Jewish Art Center kicked off its December exhibit with the theme of “Light” on Dec. 2, but the exhibit will continue for the rest of the month. The exhibit will feature several art- ists who previously contributed to OCJAC and will explore “the compo- nents of light in practical terms and spiritual meaning, connecting it with Chanukah,” OCJAC Executive Director Rabbi Zalman Wircberg said. As with OCJAC’s other themes, “Light” will draw on Jewish themes to promote a universal message, inter- preted across different mediums and from Jewish and non-Jewish artists. Artist Bonita Wagner will feature her piece “Dahlia II,” a large charcoal drawing that stretches about 5 feet. In the center, a black and white dahlia flower blooms. “All of the subjects that I work with, when I draw them, I focus on how light interacts with them, with bouncing off of the surfaces of the flowers, with how those flowers absorb the light and reflect it back,” Wagner said. Charcoal lends itself well to the theme of “Light,” as Wagner uses the medium to carve out delicate petals and leaves that appear almost translu- cent between thick and weighty char- coal shapes. Gallery On Dec. 9 at 8:45 p.m. following Kabbalat Shabbat services, Congregation Beth Or in Maple Glen will host an open- ing reception for its newest exhibit at its Olitsky Gallery featuring the art of Elissa Goldberg. Goldberg will display about 30 pastel landscapes, many of which are scenes from the beach. “Her landscapes seem to be just so evocative, just so dreamy and just someplace you would love to be,” gal- lery curator Karen Liebman said. Similar to the charcoal of Wagner’s works, pastel also creates brightness and contrast that are effective at conveying light and reflection with what Goldberg calls “the immediacy of color.” A lawyer by trade, Goldberg uses art as an escape and can see her audience doing the same. “It’s just freeing because these large swaths of color that you can just create the scene as opposed to a lot of fine detail. ... It’s more liberating,” she said. “Ursula Sternberg: Daydream” at InLiquid InLiquid’s gallery in the Olde Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia frequently exhibits local Jewish artists, and their exhibit open- ing on Dec. 10 will posthumously fea- her home, with nearly every exterior covered in her creations. “We’ve seen photos of her house in Chestnut Hill; it’s like literally every surface of her home, she made it her own,” InLiquid Program Director Clare Finin said. “And I think she was building a world for herself — a beauti- ful world for herself and one where she was safe.” Finin suggested that Sternberg’s escapist approach to her art and home was a byproduct of the instability and danger that pervaded her life. This balance can be seen in the InLiquid exhibit. “A lot of her works kind of undulate between there being a kind of poetic sadness, but also a humorous beauty,” Finin said. JE srogelberg@midatlanticmedia.com ART LIQUIDATION SALE  50% OFF NOW  DECEMBER 24 DAVID FOX HOWARD WATSON JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 25 Courtesy of InLiquid Art Galleries Focus on Levity, Light for December Exhibits obituaries BLENDER TOBY (nee Weintraub) passed away peacefully on November 23, 2022. Beloved mother of Sharon Blender (Paul Grabowski) and Lee Estep (Dale); predeceased by her best friend & sister Barbara (Bobbie) Kilcup (Bill), survived by brothers David Weintraub (Arlene), and Steve Bakaley (Marjie Miller), and loving grandmother and ad- venture buddy of her “one and only” Adam Grabowski. Toby loved her family and friends and basked in the joy and warmth of staying connected with her many cousins, nieces & nephews, extended family and friends. She lived an adven- turous life; Toby traveled the US and the world, and spent her time filled with volunteering in the arts in the Philadelphia area. For the past few years Toby had been manag- ing many health complications with strength and dignity. Contributions in her memory may be made to Can Do Multiple Sclerosis www. cando-ms.com 1-800-367-3101 GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com CENZIPER FRED I, 80, November 25, 2022 of Bensalem, PA; beloved husband of Anita (nee Paul); devoted brother- in-law of Curtis Paul (Diane); cher- ished uncle of Barbie Spear (John); great-uncle of Lois, Benjamin and William. In lieu of flowers, contri- butions in Fred’s memory may be made to USS Kitty Hawk Veterans Association (www.kittyhawkvets. com) or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude. org) or a charity of the donor’s choice. JOSEPH LEVINE & SONS www.levinefuneral.com COHEN ALAN on November 28, 2022. From Phila., PA. Dear father of Asher Cohen, Summer Cohen, and Cody Cohen; Loving brother of Ina Gaber Greenspan; Uncle of Lee Gaber, Esq., Cathy Gaber Glass, and the late Andrew Gaber, Esq.; Dear friend of Al Chacker. Contributions in his memory may be made to Reform Cong. Keneseth Israel, Hamotzi Fund, 8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com DICKSTEIN JACK, Ph.D. Chemist, a native of Philadelphia, PA, and long-time resident of Huntingdon Valley, PA, on November 26, 2022. Husband of the late Pauline (nee Gothelf); fa- ther of Jeffrey L. Dickstein, John F. (Barbara) Dickstein, and Andrea E. 26 Dickstein. Jack had a college degree from Pennsylvania State University, Temple University and Rutgers University, and was a distinguished chemist with expertise in the ap- plications of specialty monomers. Relatives and friends are invited to a Memorial Service Wednesday, December 14, 3:30 PM precisely at Goldsteins’ Rosenberg’s Raphael Sacks Suburban North, 310 2nd Street Pike, Southampton, PA. Contributions in his memory may be made to the American Chemical Society Charities, donate@acs. org, 1155 Sixteenth Street NW, Washington DC 20036. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com FELDMAN EUGENE S. on November 27, 2022. Son of the late Milton and Sylvia Feldman. Brother of the late Eileen (Jerome) Verlin. Uncle of Jonathan Verlin and Maxwell (Carol) Verlin. Great uncle of Brandon and Ethan. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com GREEN BARBARA (formerly Barbara Slifkin), 85 years of age, of Egg Harbor Township, NJ, died of natu- ral causes on Saturday, November 26. She was born on March 12, 1937 in Philadelphia, PA, to Leon and Carrie Slifkin. Barbara graduat- ed from Olney High School in 1954 and Temple University in 1958. After graduating from Temple with a BS degree in Medical Technology she worked at Temple Hospital and then at Germantown Hospital. She later went on to work with her hus- band, Marty, at his fastener busi- ness, before retiring and spending her winters in Lake Worth, Florida, and her summers in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. Barbara enjoyed reading, traveling, and spending time with her family. Barbara is sur- vived by her sons Brian Green and Jeff Green and Jeff’s wife Sherry Green, her grandson Tyler Green, her brother Robert Slifkin, and her sister, Elise Slifkin-McClure, along with her five nieces, her nephew, her brother and sister in law Robert and Nancy Green, other rela- DECEMBER 8, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM tives, and many longtime friends. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Jewish Family Service of Atlantic and Cape May Counties, 607 Jerome Avenue, Margate, NJ 08402 www.jfsatlantic. org. ROTH-GOLDSTEINS’ MEMORIAL CHAPEL www.rothgoldsteins.com IRMA (nee Love) passed away on November 27, 2022. She was the beloved wife of the late Albert for 56 years. Cherished mother to Ellen (Dale) Stein and Susan Green (Jeffrey) Schwartz. Loving Nana to Eric (Melissa) and Danielle Stein, Arielle (Alex) Leeser, Jonathan Green, and Remi Pearl Schwartz. Loving great-grandmother to Alexander Jacob, Leo Reid, and Maya Juliette. Devoted sister to Jeffrey (Claire) Love. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com her other half, would miss being with his friends (he was a part of the Benton 5 who never missed being together to watch an Eagles game) so she insisted that he leave her to join the Benton Avenue guys as she was surrounded by family. Her loving daughters, Neni (David) and Jennifer (Bobby) were such a big part of her life along with her 5 loving grandchildren: Brandon, Alyssa, Samantha, Amelia and Anthony. When she took sick, she wanted to have a support dog. Rocco was so attached to her that he became jealous whenever she spoke on the phone. He would not stop barking until she was ready to give him attention. Wilma was a very caring daughter-in-law to Marlyn and Herb Harris and always so anxious to know that everyone was OK. When her niece visited from Israel, she took her to New Hope and made sure she picked out a beautiful long-skirted dress to take home with her. Wilma was in much pain, but it did not prevent her from telling the family her last wish: “Please send money to St. Jude for the precious children who are so sick.” HARRIS HAUT GREEN It is with an aching heart that we announce the passing of Wilma Harris on November 19, 2022. She was the loving wife of Ron Harris. They were together almost 24 years, embraced by a deep love and respect for each other. Before Wilma took sick, she worked as a surgical technician. The Big C tried to control her life, but she remained positive during those years while always eager to know how every- one else was doing. Family was always first with her. One year she announced that she wanted to host the Passover Sedar instead of go- ing to her in-laws. It was a beautiful evening, and she was so proud of the chicken soup with matza balls that she made along with a variety of kugels. We have great memories of that Pesach with Wilma being the best cook and considered her the Passover Lady of the Year. She was born in New York City and she liked to share how it was having 3 sisters and 7 brothers. That is probably why cooking and showing her love came so natu- rally to her. Wilma knew that Ron, ROSALIE (nee Brooks)-Rosalie Haut passed away on November 30th, 2022. Beloved wife of the late Dr. Michael J. Haut. Devoted mother of Dr. Elliott Haut (Dr. Jayne Gerson), Wendy Peikin (Roger), and Jonathan Haut (Cara Willis). Dear sister of Naomi Rafaeli and Peter. Loving and cherished grand- mother of Arenal and Fletcher. Rosalie was an exceptionally tal- ented artist and dedicated teacher. Contributions in her memory may be made to https://www.donor- schoose.org. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com daddy to Harley. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Pennsylvania SPCA, www.pspca. org, or to the Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproj- ect.org GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com KATZ ALAN PHILIP, long time resident of Lower Merion, PA, passed away on 11/28/2022 surrounded by loving family and friends, at the age of 78. He received his undergradu- ate degree from Temple University. He also did his graduate work at Temple University and University of Iowa. Alan started his career with the Philadelphia School District as a School Counselor. Later he became a School Psychologist, and then spent over 35 years as a School Principal. After Alan's re- tirement, he continued to work as an Adjunct Professor for Temple University and a Student Practicum Teacher. Alan is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Sandy Katz, his two children, Michael Katz and Steven Katz, and their wives, Anne Katz and Stephanie Katz, four grandchildren, Joshua Katz, Nathan Katz, Daniel Katz, and Levi Katz, and his sister Diane Cohen. Alan adored his family, en- joyed traveling, and was an avid Philadelphia Sports fan. Memorial Contributions may be made to Penn Medicine - Abramson Cancer Center - Sarcoma Research LAUREL HILL FUNERAL HOME www.laurelhillphl.com KAMENS GENE D. of Norristown, PA. Nov. 28, 2022. Beloved husband of Linda. Proud father of Steven and Brian (Rachel) Kamens. Dear brother of Marcie (Larry) Mitchell. Adoring grandfather of Scott, Adam, Noah, Zack, Carter, Colin, Keira, Ava, Aiden, and Gavin. Loving un- cle of Caryn and Susan. Devoted KATZ IRENE BERNARD of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 8/31/1924- 11/27/2022 - Preceded in death by her par- ents Rose & Jacob. Sister of Mae Robinson (Lee), Mother of Jeanne & Jack Katz, Mom-Mom to Rose Katz-Gobeli (Sam) and Jordan Katz (Lauren), Great Mom-Mom to Charley & Alessi. Great friends, Mozelle, Gloria, & Jackie. Born in Bristol, PA, Irene, “Rene”, Katz fiercely loved her life, family, and served her commu- nity for all 98 years she lived. Irene was ahead of her time. She worked in her parents store in Bordentown as a young woman and educated herself at Temple University. Temple is also where she met her husband of 50 years, Honorable Leon Katz, de- ceased, and began to have a family. Irene’s passion was volunteer work, primarily at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital. She took great pride in en- suring the gift shop was fully stocked with quality items that would bright- en the days of the patients and vis- itors at the hospital. Especially, the candy section, as Irene had a big sweet tooth. Irene was also dedi- cated to the arts and music. A love that she passed down to her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed attending Broadway musicals, the Philly Pops, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. She also never missed a Phillies game on TV or in person. Her favorite player was Ryan Howard. Irene enjoyed shopping, walks in Rittenhouse Square, and her game shows. I love you, a bushel and a peck, and a hug around the neck. Contributions in Irene’s memory can be made to: Magee Rehabilitation (https://mageerehab.jeffersonhealth. org/get-involved/fundraising-events/) or Eric Hubbs Recovery Scholarship Fund, C/O PNC Bank, 22 N. Broad Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096. May her memory be a blessing. JOSEPH LEVINE & SONS www.levinefuneral.com LAURIE RAE, age 98, passed away on September 17, 2022. Wife of the late Albert Laurie. Survived by her daugh- ters Anita (Spencer) Snyderman, Janis (the late Jeremy Steinberg) Laurie, and Marsha (Fred) Jonas. Also survived by six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. For many years she was an ac- tive member of Deborah. For the last 18 months, she was a beloved resident of Artis Senior Living of Yardley. In lieu of flowers contribu- tions in her memory can be made to Deborah Hospital 212 Trenton Road Browns Mills, New Jersey 08015 or Alzheimer Association, 399 Market Street Suite 250 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com ROTHMEL GARRY, passed on November 29th, 2022. Beloved husband of Cecelia (nee Weinstein); loving father of Rochelle (Fred) Sassler and Michael (Randi) Rothmel. Adoring grandfather of Temima (Gary), Hersch, and Sarah; loving great-grandfather of Shayna and Dalyah. Brother of Jacob (Ellen) and Sam Rothmel. He was a de- voted husband to his wife Cecelia for 68 years, and a devoted father, grandfather and great grandfather, always willing to help others in need. A Korean war veteran, and a proud Mason, who worked at RCA as a technician who rose to branch manager for 38 years. While work- ing at RCA he owned two laundro- mats in Wynnefield, and he worked diligently 7 days a week, instilling an extreme work ethic in his chil- dren which followed to his grand- children. Garry was a man larger than life, who will be fondly remem- bered by all. Contributions in his memory may be made to Jewish Family and Children Services or a charity of the donor’s choice. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com STARIN CLIFFORD BERNARD, passed away on November 27, 2022, at Paul’s Run Retirement Community. Husband of Rosalyn (Brownstein) Starin, son of the late Rose & Samuel Starin, brother of the late Elaine (Starin) Zlotnick. Cliff is survived by his 2 daughters, Eileen Albert and Myra Kehner (Jerry), 4 grandchildren, Lisa Hall (Andrew), Laurie Sked (Matthew), Rachel Albert and the late Erica Albert. Also survived by 4 great grandchil- dren, Cole Sked, Emily Hall, Aidan Sked & Ryan Hall. Contributions in his memory may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com and Amanda. In addition, she was proceeded in death by her loving son Fred Weiner. Contributions can be made to the following charity in Bernice’s memory: H.E.R.O.E.S. (special needs camp Zoe Weiner attends) https://heroesdfw.org/do- nate/ GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com WOLF WEINER BERNICE MARLENE - Bernice was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She spent many years of her life teaching children with special needs and donated her time to many charities. The world is a better place because she was a part of it. May her mem- ory be a blessing. On November 23rd, 2022, Bernice passed away peacefully. She was devoted to her family and left behind her beloved husband of 64 years Sam Weiner, her son and daughter-in-law Lee and Amy Weiner, her daughter and son-in-law Caren Weiner and Frank Medvedik, and her beloved grand- children Max, Zoe, Scott, Nicole, EVELYN BERNICE (nee Cohen) 95, of Plymouth Meeting, PA died on November 17, 2022. Only child of the late Jacob and Frieda Cohen. Wife of the late Bert Wolf. Mother of Charles (Susan Newman) and the late Mitchell (Nancy Wolf Sussman/ Robert Barralough); Mommom to Jake (Andrea), Dara (Eric), Jillian (Jimmy), Marisa (Michael), and Danielle (Steven); Gigi to Lana, Maya, Ryan, Scarlett, Lillian, Keira, Grace and Henry; Aunt Ev to many. Evelyn grew up in Baltimore where she appeared on Bowling for Dollars in her thirties. She was a hospital switchboard operator, jew- elry salesperson and later retired from real estate in her eighties. Evelyn thrived socializing with fam- ily and friends involving varied ac- tivities or extensive travel. She con- tinued to earn Bridge Masterpoints in her nineties. Memorial donations to the Horsham Center for Jewish Life preferred. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 27 synagogue spotlight What’s happening at ... Beth Am Israel Synagogue ‘Soulful Shul’ Not Just a Tagline for Beth Am Israel ANDY GOTLIEB | JE EDITOR V 28 Beth Am Israel Hazzan Harold Messinger (front row) sings with the synagogue's Nitzinim class of 3- to 5-year-olds. Rabbi David Ackerman into its other activities, particularly through its building and grounds. “Our sanctuary is full of light,” Dafi lou said. “Th e windows purposely look over our woodlands, so we bring nature into our sanctuary. Speaking of the sanctuary, all of the classrooms open directly to it. “We feel having kids participate in the service is essential to their Jewish education,” she said. As for religion, Ackerman said he’s been able to experiment ritually and on the education side during his 14 years there. Th e prayer experience oft en is fi lled with music. “We want it to feel like a living room jam, and it does kind of feel like a living DECEMBER 8, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM room jam and camp,” he said. Meantime, Beth Am Israel is working on sustainability issues, doing things such as converting to LED lighting, tapping into wind credits for electric- ity and only using compostable paper goods, Dafi lou said. And when nature presents a prob- lem — a green patch in the center of the parking lots regularly fl ooded — attempts are made to resolve them naturally. Th e space was turned into a “rain garden,” with signage added to explain its purpose. Th e synagogue also encourages activism. For example, it’s involved in Hazon’s Climate Leadership Coalition, distributes left over food to the commu- nity and participates in the Lancaster Farm Fresh Co-op. “What sets us apart is that we really live our beliefs,” Dafi lou said. “We go to protests, we travel to Harrisburg, we write letters ... if you have a cause you feel strongly about, we will support you and help promote it.” Th at sense of activism extends to the congregation, which long has been LGBTQ-friendly. An October event was entitled, “Judaism, Trans Identity and Civil Rights.” “Synagogues need to be welcoming to all people,” Ackerman said. “To me, there was not and remains not a hala- chic problem. I’m proud and happy that Cantor Jenn Boyle, the director of family engagement and outreach, prepares dough for a Shorashim Limmud bread-making activity. we’re seen as open and welcoming to the LGBTQ-plus community.” Th at includes having a gender-neutral bathroom, along with signs on the other bathrooms encouraging members to use whichever one they identify with. Ackerman expects Beth Am Israel to continue evolving as its second century approaches. That included some changes prompted by the pandemic. Dafi lou noted that the day aft er the shutdown in 2019, the synagogue was conducting services via Zoom. “We’ve continued with Zoom ser- vices to accommodate people who can’t come to the synagogue,” she said, not- ing that Zoom replaced the more-pas- sive livestreaming because it allows for greater interaction with those at home. Th e synagogue will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2024, having been founded during the Roaring Twenties at 58th Street and Warrington Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia. As its mem- bers moved to the Main Line, so did the synagogue, relocating to its Penn Valley location in 1973. Events are in the planning stages, including the commission of a new Torah by Jen Taylor Friedman, the fi rst-ever female soferim, Ackerman said. JE agotlieb@midatlanticmedia.com Photos courtesy of Beth Am Israel isitors to the Beth Am Israel website may notice the phrase “BAI: the soulful shul of the Main Line” and wonder if it’s just a marketing phrase. But longtime Rabbi David Ackerman and Executive Director Lori Dafi lou both say that’s not the case for the Penn Valley institution. “We’re pretty serious about growing spirituality and spiritual space for our congregants,” Ackerman said. “Th e synagogue had always had a reputation of doing its own thing,” Dafi lou said. And both Ackerman and Dafi lou were quick to point out several pro- grams that refl ect the spirituality of the synagogue that the former some- times describes as “Conservative with a twist.” For example, the synagogue is taking advantage of its wooded campus to incorporate outdoor learning into the curriculum for the 54 students. “Th e kids spend a lot of time in the woods,” Dafi lou said, adding that themes from the Torah and other texts about caring for the world are peppered into the lessons. Bamboo on the property was turned into wind chimes. Carrots were planted and harvested (and tasted). Composting is a mainstay. On a recent day, the children made bread by wrap- ping dough around a stick and cooking it over a fi re. For December, the theme of the les- sons is light and darkness. “Yesterday, it was 38 degrees at four o’clock, and we were outside,” Ackerman said, as the children searched for sparks of light before darkness. “Th ey had a ball. ... Th e kids jump in the carpool line to get out there.” Th e ya’ar (forest) featuring a ravine was mapped out in recent years, with some trails built, Ackerman said. Th e synagogue, which counts about 340 families, incorporates the outdoors d’var torah Wrestling With Judaism By Rabbi Elyssa Cherney Parshat Vayishlach W restling. We, as Jews, wres- tle with so many things. With identity, with being a minority and with when and how to live out our Jewish values. Last week, in parshat Vayetzei (Genesis v. 28:17), we see Jacob in a state of awe. “Ma Norah ha Makom Hazeh.” He awakes and says this line. ... Wow, how awesome is this place?! Th is must be the place of G-d! He is presumably in just an ordinary place that he has stumbled upon during his travels. Th e Hebrew word that is used for awe, Yi-rah, is also the same word that is used for fear. Th is verse of Torah is the same verse I use in a niggun (a wordless melody) to open up a beautiful wedding cere- mony. Why? Because I know that G-d is surely there. Th at celebrating love is indeed a place of awe. Yet somehow, it is also a place of great fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of what life will throw at this marriage. Fear of lack of support from the community and world that surrounds the couple. Sometimes when we are in the thicket of the weeds, it is hard to see the miraculous vision of awe that the Torah speaks about. We may be stuck in the fi ght, in the wrestling. Yet, when we get to the other side, I hope we are struck with wonder and gratitude for having gone through the journey. As Torah teaches us, it isn’t just about the joys but the griefs and challenges as well. In this week’s parsha, Vayishlach, Jacob wrestles with an angel and pre- vails. He then asks to be blessed by the angel before the angel departs. Th e angel replies, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with beings divine and human and have prevailed.” Th rough this wrestling, Jacob over- comes his fears. Th e question I am left with is: How do we wrestle with that which we fear? Is it in fact wrestling with something that turns it from fear into awe? Or is awe always there as the trembling curiosity and we must stop to engage with it instead of running the other way? I think about these two verses from time to time. I think about this con- cept of awe/fear and how it relates to the Jewish community. I think about how the Jewish community I grew up with and the one I am a part of now are shift ing. I think about the ways in which the Jewish community itself must wrestle with its own identity and defi nition of Judaism. I’m in awe of the way in which Jews and those who love them are being more and more embraced in a world that once feared their very existence. I marvel at the way that I see non-Jewish partners being welcomed into Jewish spaces. Yet, many of these couples still enter Jewish spaces with that fear. Fear of rejection and fear of having to defend their love. I don’t think interfaith fami- lies have fully come to be accepted for their similarities over their diff erences within the Jewish community and are still, in fact, wrestling. When Jacob is blessed by the angel and his name shift s, he no longer lives in fear. Jacob instead lives with confi - dence in his new identity, and his new name Israel. He is able to approach his relationship with his brother Esau in a way that works toward peace versus agitation. I wonder what that type of radical acceptance would look like in the lib- eral Jewish world. I can understand both sides of the word Yi-rah as fear and as awe. As if fear is, in fact, the reverence of trembling in disbelief at the infi nite possibilities before us. Th ere is always going to be the fear of change, and the foresight of amaz- ing miracles as well. Perhaps we can only experience true awe once we, like Jacob, have gotten to the other side and prevailed past fear. Jews and those who love them have already prevailed in so many ways. For those who still wrestle with what it means to hold a Jewish identity, I hope you feel more blessings of awe than fear in the journey ahead. JE Rabbi Elyssa Cherney is the founder and CEO of Tacklingtorah. Th e Board of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia 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 B I RTH B I RT H DAY PAIGE JULIET DAUSCH RUTHE VEDATSKY STEINBERG BROWNSTEIN L R u t h e Ve d a t s k y S t e i n b e r g Brownstein celebrated her 100th birthday on Nov. 10. The celebration continued with a party on Nov. 12, surrounded by her family and friends who came from across the United States and the United Kingdom. She is the mother of four children and their spouses, a grandmother of nine plus spouses and a great-grand- mother of seven. Courtesy of the Assour family indsay and Justin Dausch announce the birth of their daughter Paige Juliet on June 23. Sharing in the joy are grandparents Susan Breslow Silver, Bob Silver, Janis Zaidman Silver, Jane and Daniel Dausch and great-grandparents Melvyn Breslow, Roberta Steinberg, Barbara Breslow (deceased), Marvin Silver, Geraldine Silver (deceased), Judy Penziner (deceased) and Michael Penziner. Paige Juliet “Shoshana Yaff a” is named in loving memory of maternal great-great grandmother Sylvia Pearl and paternal great grandmother Judy Penziner. Courtesy of the Brownstein family Courtesy of the Dausch family JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 29 calendar D E C E M B E R 9D E C E M B E R 15 SISTERHOOD VIRTUAL BINGO T H U R S D A Y, D E C E M B E R 1 S H A R E D H I S TO RY P ROJ E CT Join Temple Sholom for “The Shared History Project: 1,700 Years of Jewish Life in German-Speaking Lands,” open to the public from 1-5 p.m. To attend, RSVP to Marissa Kimmel at community@temple- sholom.org. 55 N. Church Lane, Broomall. The Sisterhood of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim is hosting a virtual bingo on Zoom on Dec. 5 and 12, starting at 7:30 p.m. The cost is $36 per person and includes two cards for eight games of bingo each night. We are also offering a $5 50/50 that will be called on each night. For further information, call the CSS office at 215-677-1600 and ask for Gerry or Nancy. T U E S D A Y, D E C . 1 3 BINGO WITH BARRY Join Barry at Tabas Kleinlife for bingo at 12:45 p.m. on Dec. 13 and 14. Free parking and free to play with snacks available on Dec. 14. For more information, call 215-745- 3127. 2101 Strahle St., Philadelphia. W E D N E S D A Y, D E C . 1 4 GLOBAL CONNECTIONS F R I D A Y, D E C . 9 PARSHA FOR LIFE Join Rabbi Alexander Coleman, a Jewish educator and psychotherapist at the Institute for Jewish Ethics, at 9 a.m. for a weekly journey through the Torah portion with eternal lessons on personal growth and spirituality. Go to ijethics.org/weekly-torah- portion.html to receive the Zoom link and password. JRA FOOD PACKING Volunteers will assist with Jewish Relief Agency’s pre-distribution preparation from 10 a.m.-noon. Volunteers will tape boxes, pack toiletries and assemble family- friendly food bags. For more information about JRA’s volunteer schedule, visit jewishrelief.org/ calendar. 10980 Dutton Road, Philadelphia. MIKVEH ISRAEL SHABBATON On Shabbat Vayishlah, from Dec. 9-11, Congregation Mikveh Israel will welcome back Rev. Nachshon Pereira, the former cantor of 30 Amsterdam Esnoga and founder of Bendigamos, who will join Rabbi Albert Gabbai and Rabbi Yosef Zarnighian for services and events throughout Shabbat, starting with dinner at 4:15 p.m. Contact the synagogue office at 215-922-5446 to register in advance. 44 N. Fourth St., Philadelphia. transportation, language barriers or access. Additional delivery opportunities are available Monday through Wednesday. For more information about JRA’s volunteer schedule, visit jewishrelief.org/ calendar. 10980 Dutton Road, Philadelphia. ROCK MUSIC KABBALAT SHABBAT Melrose B’nai Israel Emanu-El will host a pre-Chanukah concert featuring the cantors of the Delaware Valley under the direction of Hazzan David Tilman, starting at 4 p.m. Come let your heart soar and your neshema (spirit) be stirred. 8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park. Join Beth Sholom Congregation’s Rabbi David Glanzberg-Krainin, Cantor Jacob Agar and the band at 6 p.m. for a musical Kabbalat Shabbat service featuring rock music. The community is welcome to attend. Call 215-887-1342 for information. 8231 Old York Road, Elkins Park. S U N D A Y, D E C . 1 1 JRA FOOD DISTRIBUTION Join Jewish Relief Agency from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. for junior and all ages food packing, as well as food delivery, to allow recipients to receive assistance directly to their door, alleviating some of the challenges they may face, such as DECEMBER 8, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM CHANUKAH CONCERT M O N D A Y, D E C . 12 MAHJONG GAME Melrose B’nai Israel Emanu-El Sisterhood invites the community to join our weekly mahjong game at 7 p.m. Cost is $36 per year or free with MBIEE Sisterhood membership. For more information, call 215-635-1505 or email office@ mbiee.org. 8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park. Robert Siegel (former senior host of NPR’s “All Things Considered” for 31 years) interviews Rosa Brooks (Georgetown Law Center) and Chuck Wexler (executive director, Police Executive Research Forum) at 4 p.m. as part of “Global Connections: Crime in America.” Free registration: globalconnections. splashthat.com. Watch live: tinyurl. com/3et22nam. SISTERHOOD MEETING The Sisterhood of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim will host its December meeting at 7:30 p.m. We ask members to bring a menorah that has meaning to their family. Light refreshments will be served, and there is no charge. For further information, call the synagogue office at 215-677-1600. 9768 Verree Road, Philadelphia. T H U R S D A Y, D E C . 1 5 CANASTA GAME Ohev Shalom of Bucks County Sisterhood invites the community to a weekly canasta game from 1-3 p.m. Open play is $4. Call 215-968-6755 for more information. 944 Second Street Pike, Richboro. JE Courtesy of Ari Mittleman Out & About around town 1 Courtesy of Shir Ami Reform Synagogue of Newtown Courtesy of Stu Coren 4 Courtesy of Rhonda Cohen Courtesy of Hilary Levine 5 Courtesy of the Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties 2 6 3 1 The Philip Spector Memorial Fund hosted a concert featuring the Jukebox Legends at KleinLife in Northeast Philadelphia. 2 The American Jewish Committee Philadelphia/Southern New Jersey held its Thanksgiving diversity luncheon on Nov. 9 at the One Logan Square Conference Center in Philadelphia. 3 Alee and Ava Southrey donated nearly 50 bags packed with water bottles, breakfast bars and other items to the Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties. 4 Ari Mittleman, the author of “Paths of the Righteous” from Gefen Publishing, joined leaders at Har Zion Temple in Penn Valley for the 10th annual “Open a Book, Open Your Mind” event on Nov. 10. 5 Congregants of Shir Ami Reform Synagogue in Newtown collected more than 15,000 pounds of food during a month-long fall food drive. 6 The Kaiserman JCC in Wynnewood hosted a performance of “Half a Bike” on Nov. 13, a play based on Tikvah member Michael Solomon’s journey through bipolar disorder. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 31 last word Glenn Segal Sasha Rogelberg | Staff Writer G lenn Segal has not only been passionate about Israel Bonds for the entirety of his adult- hood, but also the entirety of his Jewish adulthood. In 1967, during Israel’s Six-Day War, Segal’s father took a 10-year-old Segal to their Wilmington, Delaware, syn- agogue Congregation Beth Emeth, where Segal later became bar mitzvah. The synagogue was holding an Israel Bonds appeal, asking congregants to consider buying bonds to support the budding nation-state. “That was my first exposure to bonds, when people were standing up and pledging and buying bonds during the war,” Segal said. “There was such excitement. People wanted to help. There was also worry; people wanted to do what they could.” Six years later, the now-65-year-old Chabad Lubavitch of Montgomery County member bought his first Israel bond at a similar appeal event at Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel in Elkins Park. The bond was for $1,000. “That was probably my whole life savings,” Segal said. Forty-nine years later, Segal’s passion for Israel Bonds hasn’t waned. He’s the Israel Bonds chair for the Philadelphia region, where he’s served for the last 15 years, and a board mem- ber of Israel Bonds on the national level, a position he’s held for nearly two decades. In addition to his board positions, Segal is the president of closeout remarketing company Glenn Distributors Corp. Since being involved in Israel Bonds, also called the Development Corporation for Israel, Segal has vis- ited Israel about 30 times, he said. He’s hosted numerous prime minis- ters at his Huntingdon Valley home; Bibi Netanyahu attended his children’s b’nai mitzvahs. Since coming of age, Segal’s six children have also bought Israel Bonds. 32 Growing up in a Conservative Jewish family in Northeast Philadelphia, Segal was used to his father talking about the Holocaust and the need for a Jewish state, but Segal’s father did not become passionate about Israel until he recog- nized the volatility of the young Israel. “In the Six-Day War, he really woke up to Israel,” Segal said. Segal’s father’s views transformed from seeing Jews as defenseless during DECEMBER 8, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM the Holocaust to becoming heroic through the growth of the nation-state. “Nobody came to our aid during the Holocaust,” Segal said. “And then he would contrast that with the [Battle of] Entebbe, when Jews were captured in the middle of Africa: Nobody came to their aid, but nobody needed to come to aid because the long arm of the [Israeli Defense Forces] was there.” Since the age of 16, when Segal bought his first Israel bond, he has continued to buy bonds, initially using money he earned selling wares at flea markets. Though $1,000 was all he could contribute at the time, others at the Keneseth Israel bonds appeal offered $100,000 — the equivalent of about $670,000 today, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Segal didn’t have to pay that sum to feel like he was making a difference. At 21, he joined the board of Israel Bonds in Philadelphia. “From that day onward, I always encouraged people to buy bonds,” he said. After his initial investment, Segal felt swells of pride during moments of Israeli history, especially when the Israeli Air Force airlifted Ethiopian Jews to Israel as part of Operation Solomon. During a recent trip to Israel, Segal visited an air force base and met with a 21-year-old woman who was an F-16 fighter pilot; her grandmother was a survivor of Auschwitz. And he recently donated a Torah to the IDF in his father’s memory. Along with Israel’s success, Israel Bonds has experienced success as well. Last year, the national goal for Israel Bonds was $1.1 billion; the Philadelphia region’s goal was $80 million. Both met their respective goals, which has hap- pened every year in Segal’s experience. During 2020, because of the pandemic, Israel raised its requisition for bonds from $1.1 billion to $1.6 billion; buyers rose to the occasion. Changing times have meant that the bonds appeals process has changed, too. No longer campaigning at syna- gogues or community centers, Israel Bonds forms affinity groups among real estate agents, health professionals, young professionals and women. This year, the real estate group raised $42 million. “We’re the backbone of Israel,” Segal said. JE srogelberg@midatlanticmedia.com Courtesy of Glenn Segal SHOWS LIFELONG COMMITMENT TO ISRAEL BONDS SEASHORE SALE LOVE where here you LIVE LIV HHT Office 609-487-7234 #1 IN NEW JERSEY FOR LARGE TEAM SALES VOLUME *RealTrends 2021 NEW LISTING! VENTNOR $2,299,000 BAYFRONT NEW CONSTRUC- TION! 4/5 BEDROOMS, ELEVATOR, TWO LARGE DECKS & BEAUTIFUL VIEWS! NEW LISTING! VENTNOR $899,000 ONE VERY SPECIAL PROPER- TY! COMPLETELY RENOVAT- ED 5 BED, 4 FULL BATH JUST 2 BLOCKS TO THE BEACH! www.HartmanHomeTeam.com NEW LISTING! MARGATE $2,299,000 SOUTHSIDE NEW CONSTRUC- TION! 5 BEDS, 4.5 BATHS, ELEVATOR & AMAZING LOCATION STEPS TO EVERYTHING IN TOWN! NEW PRICE! 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Jordan Kleinman Sales Associate Berkshire Hathaway Without the right help, buying or selling a home can be complicated and stressful. It is my goal to make your purchase or sale go as quickly and smoothly as possible, so you can relax and live in the moment. Call me today to take the stress out of your move. Also if you have friends, relatives or business associates looking to purchase or sell please pass my contract information along to them. Jordan Kleinman Caring Communities for Independent Seniors 9218 Ventnor Ave, Margate, NJ 08402 Cell: 609.335.3904 Bus: 609.822.4200 x 6995 jrdkleinman@aol.com www.jordankleinman.foxroach.com JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 33 JEWISH EXPONENT CLASSIFIEDS To advertise, call 215-832-0749 HOMES FOR SALE The DeSouzas are Back on Bustleton! The Holiday Market is Here! Now is the time to list your home with US! Call Andi or Rick DeSouza for an appointment & we will deliver: Results, Not Promises! 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Kelly & Herron PC 1500 Market St. Center Sq., West Tower Suite W3110 Philadelphia, PA 19102 ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION Notice is hereby given that Articles of Incorporation were filed for INTEGRITY REAL ESTATE ACADEMY, INC. with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The address of this corporation’s proposed registered office is 6303 Sherman St., Philadelphia PA 19144-3109 in Philadelphia County. This corporation is incorporated under the provisions of the Business Corporation Law of 1988, as amended. ESTATE OF AURORA CARRASQUILLO, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been grant- ed to the undersigned, who re- quest 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 REINA ROSA DONES, EXECUTRIX, c/o Stephen C. Zumbrun, Esq., 130 N. 18th St., Philadelphia, PA 19103-6998, Or to her Attorney: STEPHEN C. ZUMBRUN BLANK ROME LLP 130 N. 18th St. Philadelphia, PA 19103-6998 ESTATE OF BRUCE ALEXANDER SHAW, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County 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 JOYCE SHAW PETERSON, ADMINISTRATRIX, c/o Stanley A. Pelli, Esq., 1880 JFK Blvd., Ste. 1740, Philadelphia, PA 19103, Or to her Attorney: STANLEY A. PELLI ALEXANDER & PELLI, LLC 1880 JFK Blvd., Ste. 1740 Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF CAROL PERLOFF a/k/a CAROL BENENSON PERLOFF, 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 ABBI L. COHEN, EXECUTRIX, c/o Amy Neifeld Shkedy, Esq., 1 Bala Plaza, Ste. 623, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004, Or to her Attorney: AMY NEIFELD SHKEDY BALA LAW GROUP, LLC 1 Bala Plaza, Ste. 623 Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 ESTATE OF DORIS A. McDOWELL, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County 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 CRYSTALL E. MCDOWELL, EXECUTRIX, c/o Adam S. Bernick, Esq., 2047 Locust St., Philadelphia, PA 19103, Or to her Attorney: ADAM S. BERNICK LAW OFFICE OF ADAM S. BERNICK 2047 Locust St. Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF ERVIN T. GLENN a/k/a ERVIN T. GLENN, SR., DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or de- mands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to ADRIENNE A. GLENN, EXECUTRIX, 6342 Ardleigh St., Philadelphia, PA 19138, Or to her Attorney: DANIEL BALTUCH 104.5 Forrest Ave., Ste. 10 Narberth, PA 19072 ESTATE OF FAYE A. FLITTER, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia, PA. Letters of Administration on the above estate have been granted to the under- signed. All persons having claims against or indebted to the estate should make claims known or for- ward payment to Andrew M. Flitter, Administrator, 35 Grand Banks Circle, Marlton, NJ 08053 or to their attorney Edward L. Paul, Esquire, 1103 Laurel Oak Road, Suite 105C, Voorhees, NJ 08043. ESTATE OF GEORGE SWIERCZYNSKI a/k/a GEORGE ALBERT SWIERCZYNSKI, DECEASED Late of Philadelphia, PA. LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above estate have been granted to the un- dersigned, 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 Executor, Janice Ciepiela. Beneficiaries Janice Ciepiela, Richard Ciepiela, Bernadette Ciepiela Ruch, Nicholas Ciepiela, Michael Ciepiela, Jacqueline Ciepiela, Steven a/k/a Stephan Ciepiela, Janice Williams. The Law Offices of Jon Taylor, Esquire, PC, 1617 JFK Blvd., Suite 1888, Philadelphia, PA19103 also the attorney ESTATE OF HAROLD REUBEN STERN, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County 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 with- out delay to GREGORY STERN, ADMINISTRATOR, 19 Moredon Rd., Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 ESTATE OF HU AU, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County 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 ASHLEY J. AU, EXECUTRIX, 7511 Pennsylvania Dr., Amarillo, TX 79119 ESTATE OF JAMES C. RUSH, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION DBN 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 LA-VERN LUNSFORD, ADMINISTRATRIX DBN, 225 W. Hansberry St., Philadelphia, PA 19144, Or to her Attorney: ROBERT DIXON 6800 Clearview St. Philadelphia, PA 19119 ESTATE OF JOHN J. PANAS, SR., DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia, PA. Letters of Administration on the above estate have been granted to the under- signed. All persons having claims against or indebted to the estate should make claims known or for- ward payment to Bernice Panas, Administratrix, 3064 Edgemont St., Philadelphia, PA 19134 or to their at- torney Andrew I. Roseman, Esquire, 1528 Walnut St., Suite 1412, Philadelphia, PA 19102. ESTATE OF JOSEPH THOMAS PARIS, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia, PA. Letters of Administration on the above estate have been granted to the undersigned. All persons having claims against or indebted to the estate should make claims known or forward payment to Jason Paris, Administrator, c/o Hope Bosniak, Esq., Dessen Moses & Rossitto, 600 Easton Rd., Willow Grove, PA 19090. ESTATE OF LILLIAN KLASKY, DECEASED. Late of Cheltenham 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 SHERYL WEINER and ROBERT T. KLASKY, EXECUTORS, 7 Sima Rd. Holland, PA 18966. ESTATE OF MAURY WENDELL SINGLETON, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County 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 ELISE BROWN, ADMINISTRATRIX, 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 MICHAEL O. DIGGS, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County 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 with- out delay to PATRICIA A. DIGGS, ADMINISTRATRIX, 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 PAVEL ABUKHOUSKI, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County 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 PIOTRE ABUKHOUSKI, ADMINISTRATOR, c/o Zachary R. Dolchin, Esq., 50 S. 16th St., Ste. 3530, Philadelphia, PA 19102, Or to his Attorney: ZACHARY R. DOLCHIN DOLCHIN, SLOTKIN & TODD, P.C. 50 S. 16th St., Ste. 3530 Philadelphia, PA 19102 ESTATE OF RAYMOND SYLVESTER MILLER, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County 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 with- out delay to BETTY JEAN MILLER, ADMINISTRATRIX, c/o Harvey Abramson, Esq., 7 Neshaminy Interplex, Ste. 400, Trevose, PA 19053, Or to her Attorney: HARVEY ABRAMSON LAW OFFICES OF HARVEY ABRAMSON, P.C. 7 Neshaminy Interplex, Ste. 400 Trevose, PA 19053 ESTATE OF REINALDO ALAMO, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County 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 with- out delay to YOLANDA MORALES, ADMINISTRATRIX, c/o Daniella A. Horn, Esq., 2202 Delancey Place, Philadelphia, PA 19103, Or to her Attorney: DANIELLA A. HORN KLENK LAW, LLC 2202 Delancey Place Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF ROSE DOLEZAR a/k/a RUZA DOLEZAR, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County 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 SANJA MOTZ, EXECUTRIX, c/o D. Keith Brown, Esq., P.O. Box 70, Newtown, PA 18940, Or to her Attorney: D. KEITH BROWN STUCKERT AND YATES P.O. Box 70 Newtown, PA 18940 www. jewishexponent .com HELP WANTED RABBI / CANTOR Congregation Beth Israel, an unaffiliated congregation following conservative traditions, is looking for an innovative addition to its congregation of eighty families. We have been grounded in Lebanon, PA since 1907, located conveniently between Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. Our neighboring cities include Harrisburg, Hershey, and Lancaster. We are local to Lebanon Valley College in nearby Annville. A renowned hospital and excellent medical services are within the city of Lebanon. The Rabbi/Cantor leads congregation services on Thursday mornings, Shabbat evening and morning, Sunday mornings and all Jewish holidays. He/She reads Torah, serves as a spiritual guide, has a community presence, teaches adult education, and performs all life cycle events. The Rabbi/Cantor is expected to work closely with the board of directors and attend monthly board meetings. The synagogue building has a kosher kitchen, several classrooms, a lounge, a chapel/library, a beautiful sanctuary which accommodates up to 400 people, a social hall/gymnasium, and a large parking lot. Our annual lecture series is well known and includes famous speakers such as Eli Weisel and Wolf Blitzer. We will consider applicants of Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist backgrounds as full time or part time candidates to work 20-40 hrs./week. Salary is commensurate with experience. Benefits are available. JEWISH EXPONENT CLASSIFIEDS To advertise, call 215-832-0749 BUSINESS / LEGAL DIRECTORIES See our website for further information: http://www.congregation-beth-israel.org Send resume or cv by no later than December 31st, 2022, to Sammi Parmer, Administrative Assistant, Congregation Beth Israel, 411 S. 8th St, Lebanon, Pa 17042 or beth.israelsynagogue@verizon.net Careers.com Jewish For Those Who Value Community The preferred career resource for the Jewish community. info.jewishcareers.com 410-902-2300 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 35 PRE-CHANUKAH JOIN US FOR THE WORLD’S LARGEST CAR MENORAH PROCESSION SATURDAY - DECEMBER 17TH - 7:00 PM BEGINNING AT: BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PARKWAY AND 22ND ST. FINISHING AT: INDEPENDENCE NATIONAL PARK FACE PAINTING, BALLOON ARTIST, ARTS & CRAFTS FOR ALL AGES, POPCORN, COTTON CANDY. LIVE MUSIC, JUGGLING, DANCING, TRADITIONAL DONUTS & GOODIE BAGS FOR ALL CHILDREN! YOU CAN ORDER YOUR OWN CAR MENORAH FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL LUBAVITCH OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA AT 215-725-2030 OR VISIT WWW.CHABADPA.ORG RABBI ABRAHAM SHEMTOV, REGIONAL DIRECTOR SPONSORED BY ARI BEN ROCHEL IN MEMORY OF ROCHEL BAS AVRAHAM O.B.M. 36 DECEMBER 8, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM