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.

Bridging Community: Danielle Weiss Prepares
for Role as JCRC Chair
DANIELLE WEISS IS NO STRANGER to leadership positions
at the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. In September,
Weiss will begin a new role as chair of the Jewish Federation’s
Jewish Council Relations Committee, bringing along her
wealth of knowledge and experience as a member of the Board
of Trustees, board member of Women’s Philanthropy, board
chair emeritus of NextGen and member of the campaign team.

Weiss hopes to create opportunities and inspire others,
particularly those of the next generation, to become leaders.

As for Weiss’ own inspiration, the attorney and partner at
Haines & Associates looks toward the late Justice Ruth Bader
Ginsburg as a role model for her constant pursuit of justice
through Jewish values.

“Justice Ginsburg once said, ‘Fight for the things that you
care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you,’”
reflected Weiss, who is completing her term as the philan-
thropy co-chair of the Jewish Federations of North America’s
National Young Leadership Cabinet. “I can think of no words
more appropriate to inscribe on my heart as I step into this role,
pledging to do just that.”
We spoke with Weiss to learn more about her and her vision
for JCRC.

all Jews, regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation
or denomination feel welcomed and valued in our Jewish
communal spaces.

How have your many past leadership roles within
the Jewish Federation prepared you for your new
position with JCRC?
Incoming JCRC Chair Danielle Weiss
envisions bringing the community
together and creating inclusive Jewish
spaces. Courtesy of Jewish Federation of
Greater Philadelphia
As the new chair of JCRC, what do you envision for its future?
It’s truly an honor to be stepping into the role of JCRC chair. Now is the time
to reinforce our commitment to the core Jewish values of repairing the world,
loving the strange and seeking peace.

The JCRC does incredible work to build strong alliances for the Jewish
community through our social justice initiatives, public policy advocacy work
and engagement with our local, state and federal elected officials. JCRC works
tirelessly to bring awareness to those issues that most deeply affect the Jewish
community, such as creating access to Holocaust education, Israel advocacy and
combating the concerning rise of antisemitism.

Right now, it feels especially important to not only bring awareness to these
priorities, but also to serve as a conduit through which our non-Jewish neigh-
bors can deliver information about key initiatives where the Jewish community
can be an ally. We are a stronger and safer Jewish community when we both
look out for ourselves, as well as support and advance the goals of the broader
community. What key issues are you most looking forward to working on
with the JCRC?
I am most looking forward to working together with organizations outside of
the Jewish community to explore ways that we, as Jews, can be better allies.

When there is hate or discrimination against anyone in our community, we are
all negatively affected. We cannot hope to have the support of our non-Jewish
neighbors if we do not open ourselves up to the concerns facing outsiders to the
Jewish community. Finding common ground is the first step to battling bigotry
in all of its forms, including antisemitism.

I also look forward to working on initiatives that will advance inclusion
within the Jewish community. We can, and must, do more to make sure that
14 JULY 1, 2021
In each of my past leadership positions, I’ve worked as collab-
oratively as possible with the extraordinary people who sit
on each committee and board. There is so much passion and
experience around the table, whether at NextGen, Women’s
Philanthropy, the Board of Trustees, the campaign team and
now at JCRC. I’ve learned the most simply by watching and
listening. But I am unafraid to push for change when I see that
innovation is needed to modernize our organization to better
achieve our goals.

At the same time, I come to any leadership position, this one
included, with the deepest respect for those who came before
me. My greatest champions have been my predecessors and my
Jewish Federation professional partners. I’m thrilled to work
with Laura Frank, Robin Schatz and Jason Holtzman, JCRC’s
professional team, to advance our shared goals for JCRC during
my term.

What is the most impactful advice that the current JCRC Chair,
Arlene Fickler, shared with you?
Arlene Fickler has been a tremendous resource to me as I transition into this
role. She reminds me that JCRC, like the Jewish Federation, is part of a national
network and to look critically at the priority areas announced each year as a
guide for the issues most important to Jews in North America, but not to be
afraid to make sure that our local agenda meets our local needs. She has also
stressed the benefits of standing together with other communities, particularly
the JCRCs across Pennsylvania, to ensure our legislators understand the power
of our collective Jewish community voice.

Why do you give to the Jewish Federation?
I give to the Jewish Federation because I trust that my philanthropic dollars will
be put to the best use to support a thriving Jewish community locally and around
the world. Whether supporting Jewish institutions like synagogues and schools,
providing security, addressing food insecurity, ensuring access to affordable
housing for struggling families or caring for our seniors, the Jewish Federation
makes sure every dollar is spent with purpose and intention. It’s not only my
responsibility, but also my honor to do my part to give back to the community
that has given me so much.

Have you picked up any new skills during the pandemic?
Like many people, I became somewhat of an amateur set designer/movie director
while living my life on Zoom! I tried to find the best ways to get good angles and
light, while hiding the laundry drying on the rack or the clutter on my desk.

For more information about JCRC and to get involved, email JCRC Director
Laura Frank at lfrank@jewishphilly.org.

JEWISH EXPONENT
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM



L ifestyle /C ulture
Teach a Sister-in-Law to (Cook) Fish …
F OO D
KERI WHITE | JE FOOD COLUMN
MY SISTER-IN-LAW Esther,
she of the halibut with aspar-
agus and green olives recipe
previously featured in this
column, talks fish with me.

When we visited last month, I
shared with her my “insulating”
technique, in which you sauté
some veggies or aromatics, then
coat the fish with the mixture
and bake it at 275 degrees F for
about 25 minutes. She has taken
this approach to new levels
and has generously shared her
creations with me. In turn, I’ll
share them with you.

Ever-vigilant about her
health, Esther makes an effort
to integrate a variety of healthy
ingredients into these recipes,
which is reflected in the
vegetable mixtures she uses to
coat the fish.

She also rounds out the
meals with healthy whole
grains. These sides may include
quinoa, barley and brown rice.

To add some interest and depth
to these otherwise fairly plain-
Jane grains, simmer them in
vegetable broth, and garnish
them with a handful of chopped
fresh herbs. Mint, parsley, basil
or dill all add a wonderful burst
of summer-y freshness to these
grains, and the effort from the
cook to accomplish this is next
to nothing.

Bonus points if you’ve
grown the herbs in your own
garden or in a pot on your
windowsill. ESTHER’S INSULATED COD
Serves 4
The jarred sun-dried tomato
pesto called for here adds a
wonderful depth of flavor, but
you can substitute as indicated
below if you don’t have any on
hand. And if you don’t have any
of the substitutes suggested, just
use another small plum tomato
in the vegetable saute step.

JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 4 cod filets, about 1½
pounds ½ lemon
1 tablespoon oil
1 zucchini, sliced
½ cup sliced mushrooms
1 plum tomato, diced
1 cup canned chickpeas,
drained 2 tablespoons sun-dried
tomato pesto, chopped
sun-dried tomatoes with
oil or tomato paste
Salt and pepper
Spritz the fish with lemon
juice and sprinkle it with salt
and pepper; set it aside.

Heat your oven to 275
degrees F.

In a large, ovenproof skillet,
heat the oil over medium, add
some salt and pepper, and
sauté the zucchini, mushrooms
and tomatoes until softened,
about 5 minutes. Add the pesto
or tomato paste and chick-
peas; stir to distribute evenly.

Remove them from the heat.

Scrape the
vegetable mixture to the perimeter of the
pan, and place the cod filets in
the center. Spoon the vegetable
mixture over the fish to coat
it and bake it in the oven for
25 minutes, or until the fish
is opaque throughout. Serve
immediately. ESTHER’S INSULATED
SALMON Serves 4
As with all of these recipes,
any fish can be used; ditto the
veggies. Esther used “zoodles”
(zucchini noodles), but you can
use a grater or simply chop
up the squash. Yellow summer
squash also would be nice in
this dish. The yellow peppers
add a nice visual complement
to the green zucchini, but green
or red can be substituted here.

4 salmon filets, about
1½ pounds
Insulated cod
Juice of ½ lemon
1 tablespoon oil
1 onion, chopped
1 cup zucchini ribbons
1 yellow pepper, sliced into
ribbons Salt and pepper to taste
Heat your oven to 275
degrees F.

Spritz the salmon with
lemon juice and sprinkle it with
salt and pepper. Set it aside.

Heat the oil over medium in
an ovenproof skillet and sauté
the onion until fragrant, about 2
minutes. Add the zucchini and
peppers and continue cooking
until all the vegetables are
softened, about 6 minutes more.

Add the salt and pepper to taste.

Remove it from the heat.

Spread the
vegetable mixture to the perimeter of
JEWISH EXPONENT
Salmon and peppers
the pan and place the fish, skin
side down, in the center of
the pan. Spoon the vegetable
mixture over the fish and bake
Photos by Keri White
it in the oven for about 25
minutes until done, when the
fish is opaque throughout.

Serve immediately. l
JULY 1, 2021
15