JUNE 15, 2023 | 26 SIVAN 5783 CANDLELIGHTING 8:13 | HAVDALAH 9:21 Chabad Lubavitch of Doylestown member Joel Bolstein FIGHTS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS Page 42 Jewish Exponent PHILADELPHIA Publisher & Chief Executive Officer 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 ADVERTISING Account Executives Madison Goldstein, Alan Gurwitz, Robin Harmon, Pam Kuperschmidt, David Pintzow, Sara Priebe, Sharon Schmuckler, Samantha Tuttle MARKETING Audience Development Coordinator Julia Olaguer 410-902-2308 jolaguer@midatlanticmedia.com 7605 Old York Road, Melrose Park, PA 19027 Connect with us: Vol. 136, No. 11 Published Weekly Since 1887 BUSINESS Accounting Manager Pattie-Ann Lamp 410-902-2311 plamp@midatlanticmedia.com accounting@midatlanticmedia.com Accounts Receivable Specialist Sarah Appelbaum sappelbaum@midatlanticmedia.com Legal Notices legals@jewishexponent.com Main Office: 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 classified@jewishexponent.com 215-832-0702 CREATIVE Art Director | Steve Burke Graphic Designers | Ebony Brown, Lonna Koblick, Frank Wagner, Carl Weigel Digital Media Coordinator James Meskunas 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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A limited number of apartments are still available. 610-595-4647 | residencebalacynwyd.com An LCB Senior Living Community: More Than 25 Years of Excellence 2 JUNE 15, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT inside this issue Local 5 Efforts continue to institutionalize dignified burial, cemetery restoration 6 What’s new at Jewish camps this summer? 8 Jewish summer camps find ways to limit, adapt to technology Why Go Green? Opinion 16 Editorials 17 Letters 17 Opinions Feature Story 24 Food allergies another ritual at Jewish institutions Special Section 30 This Summer Join us for a complimentary lunch and explore your green funeral and burial options as well as the benefits of pre-planning and a tour of Nature’s Sanctuary. Community 35 Synagogue Spotlight 36 Obituaries 38 Calendar Tuesday, June 27 · 11:30AM to 1:30PM The Conservatory at Laurel Hill West In every issue 4 Weekly Kibbitz 10 Federation 12 You Should Know 13 National Briefs 26 Arts & Culture 28 Food & Dining 37 D’var Torah 39 Around Town 42 Last Word 43 Classifieds 5 E fforts continue to institutionalize dignified burial, cemetery restoration This program is free to the public. Seating is limited. RSVP by scanning the QR code or by visiting laurelhillphl.com/events/calendar laurelhillphl.com 6 W hat’s new at Jewish camps this summer? Bala Cynwyd | Philadelphia 610.668.9900 22 F ood allergies another ritual at Jewish institutions JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 3 Weekly Kibbitz bonus digital content Film Version of ‘Soul Doctor,’ the Shlomo Carlebach-Nina Simone Musical, Hit US Theaters for One Night A filmed version of “Soul Doctor,” the 2013 Broadway musical about the life of the influential and controversial Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, played in 600 movie theaters nationwide for one night only on June 13. The performance was filmed at the Israel Festival in Jerusalem in 2018 as part of celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of Israel’s founding.  “Soul Doctor,” written by Daniel Wise, earned mixed reviews during a short Broadway run. The show follows Carlebach from his childhood in Austria in the 1930s to New York, where he becomes one of the most well-known Jewish spiritual figures of the 20th century, working to fuse the modern musical sensibilities of the 1960s with religious liturgy. It also chronicles his friendship with Nina Simone, the iconic singer and civil rights activist, whom he meets at a downtown jazz club. Given his family’s experience of antisemitism, Carlebach empathizes with Simone’s struggles against racism. Simone’s daughter, Lisa, who produced a Grammy- nominated Netflix documentary about her mother, is an executive producer on the “Soul Doctor” film. Jeremy Chess, the original Broadway show’s producer, along with Jerome Levy and Chandra McQueen, are also producers of the film. The show does not reckon with the allegations of sexual misconduct first raised against Carlebach in 1998, which include abusing his power as a spiritual leader with, among other things, unwanted touching and kissing of several women. The allegations were scrutinized again by Jewish communities across the country in the wake of the #MeToo movement in 2017. Several rabbis and congregations have moved away from using Carlebach’s music in their houses of worship in recent years. His daughter, Neshama, herself a musician, has struggled with how to uphold her father’s musical and spiritual legacy. Both Naomi King, the civil rights activist and sister-in-law of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Susannah Heschel, the Dartmouth Jewish studies professor and daughter of civil rights-era activist Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, watched the “Soul Doctor” film and commented on it in a recent press release. “Any person watching this movie, it’ll shake ’em, move ’em and change ‘em to help make this a better world,” King said. Heschel said the film “is a tribute to Nina Simone’s enormous influence. By inspiring and encouraging Shlomo Carlebach, Nina contributed to the extraordinary revival of Jewish music and spirit immortalized by Shlomo.” — Gabe Friedman | JTA Celebrating each life like no other. ROOSEVELT MEMORIAL PARK Trevose WE HONOR INTERFAITH MARRIAGES 215-673-7500 Do You Have a Plan for the Future? New Cremation Options Private Family Estates Ellipse II Garden Monuments available in various colors Shomer Shabbos orthodox section 4 JUNE 15, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT Leah Feldman General Manager Brian Friedman Family Service Manager local ‘It’s an Obligation’: Efforts Ongoing to Institutionalize Dignified Burial, Cemetery Restoration FHBS or the Fischer Memorial Burial Park. “It’s an obligation that when needed or when called upon, we do what we can to help those who we need to help,” Levine simple, traditional Jewish funeral said. costs about $7,500-8,500, accord- About 5% of the funerals Levine provides ing to Joseph Levine & Sons Funeral are free or subsidized, about one or two a Home partner Brian Levine. That’s with a month. plain, wooden casket and no limousines, At the same time, Sklaroff began organiz- flowers or death notice advertisements. ing meetings with leaders from Jewish The burial and funeral process, a neces- Federation, JFCS and Jewish funeral sary part of the Jewish life cycle, is costly homes, including Levine, on how to make and, for the past 50 years in Philadelphia, the free and subsidized burial process the Jewish community has tried to lighten more streamlined across the community. the burden for families who cannot afford it. Using the database, cemetery and Today, the Dignified Burial Fund, run by funeral home owners, such as Levine, the Female Hebrew Benevolent Society, is would have a standardized process the foremost effort for the cause. The volun- Jewish community leaders are interested in a nonprofit that would to assist families in need. JFCS would teer-led organization uses its emergency oversee both dignified burial and cemetery restoration, as well as maintenance efforts. conduct a needs assessment for families, aid to assist in the burial of Jewish women and FHBS would identify costs and a and uses additional funding from the Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia’s Jewish Federation, has also expressed interest in a burial plot. Addie Lewis Klein, former senior director of critical needs fund to help friends to provide families nonprofit that would support the cause. community development at Jewish Federation, gave The Jewish Federation, which previously operated in need with a modest Jewish funeral and burial. They use cemetery plots in Har Yehuda Cemetery, Har DBF and has organized community cemetery clean- $10,000 in seed money to the cause, which then Nebo Cemetery, Montefiore Cemetery and six other ups, is looking into nonprofit models to steward became DBF. “When there are living people with unmet needs, it is area Jewish cemeteries, donated by families who do these efforts. In iterations around the country, Jewish sometimes hard to prioritize providing a dignified burial Federations have incubated these nonprofits, which not need them. DBF also uses grant money from the and caring for our cemeteries,” Klein said. “But I really then became independent entities. Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. As of this month, the Jewish Federation of Greater think they are key parts of our legacy as a community Since September, DBF has reviewed 26 cases and assisted in 22. In its first year in 2018, it reviewed 17 Philadelphia did not offer an update on the status of the and that we do have the responsibility to treat them as places of honor.” nonprofit creation. cases and assisted in 11. When Klein left the Jewish Federation in 2022 to Sklaroff argues that a nonprofit would make the Though in demand, DBF has changed hands multiple times since its creation. Many of the Jewish vetting and fund distribution process for DBF efficient become the executive director of the Macks Center for Jewish Connections in Baltimore, DBF changed once leaders involved in the project, as well as in cemetery and consistent. She first came up with the idea for DBF in 2016, when more. maintenance and cleanup, have additional jobs and The Jewish Federation handed over DBF, and responsibilities. To ensure DBF and cemetery resto- the Jewish Federation and FHBS worked together to ration efforts continue and have consistent financial update a database of donated graves across various $20,000 in grant money, to JFCS to handle the project. support, the project should be institutionalized, argued Jewish cemeteries. Working with Linda Roth from the Five months later, FHBS took over DBF, but JFCS still Eileen Sklaroff, president emerita of FHBS and DBF Jewish Federation, Sklaroff cataloged the database, partners with FHBS and conducts the needs assess- co-founder. She has worked to create a nonprofit that previously held by JFCS, which documented how ment for each case. Though DBF continues to have a demand and and where cemetery plots were used. The Jewish would oversee these efforts. operate successfully, there are still limited resources “If we had this overarching nonprofit, then it would Federation held the updated database. Families of deceased relatives who no longer need — both in people and monetarily — that prevents the incorporate all functions that were related to death and dying. Burials and funerals would be under the space in a cemetery plot cannot sell back the land project from having a greater impact, Sklaroff said, auspices of this nonprofit entity,” Sklaroff said. “That to cemeteries, but they can donate it, according to underlying the urgency of a nonprofit. Levine. These plots are used for free or to subsidize would make sense to me.” “I can’t see any organization in the community that will Though Sklaroff is leading these efforts in the hopes burials for poor families. Before DBF, Levine & Sons, take this on,” she said. “It’s a huge amount of work.” ■ of institutionalizing DBF, she’s not the only one inter- as well as other Jewish funeral homes, provided ested. Friends of Jewish Cemeteries, a project of the these services themselves, using money from JFCS, srogelberg@midatlanticmedia.com Sasha Rogelberg | Staff Writer Courtesy of Rich Blumberg A JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 5 local Pinemere campers gather during the summer of 2022. What’s New at Jewish Camps This Summer? n March, the Foundation for Jewish Camp released a “State of Jewish Camp” report showing that enroll- ment was close to pre-pandemic levels. Local camps were exceeding those numbers. It was not even spring yet, but optimism was in the air. Going into the summer season, it still is. The question of what’s new at camp this summer brought many different answers. Here’s the rundown from some of the area Jewish camps. 6 JUNE 15, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT Golden Slipper Camp Stroudsburg Golden Slipper is adding hatch- et-throwing, BB guns, wrist rockets and more archery targets to its pro- jectile range; 3-D printers, an engraver and an etcher to its maker space; inflat- ables, a trampoline, an iceberg float and single-passenger kayaks to its lake; and candle making and miniature painting to its arts and crafts area. Camp Director Justin Guida said a big upgrade was not necessary, but that many small upgrades were. “Our goal is to create an experience at camp. And that experience gets you out of your comfort zone,” he added. driving everything we do,” Seid said. Camp Ramah in the Poconos Kintnersville Like Ramah, Nock-A-Mixon’s changes have to do with reopening post-COVID, according to Director Gary Glaser. Counselors can take off for 30 hours again, instead of morning to night. Visiting Day is back in full. So is the out-of-camp trip schedule. In camp, more guest entertainers will come, and DJs will not have to stay behind cones at dances. “The cool thing is, COVID doesn’t run everything we do,” Glaser said. Lakewood For Ramah, the big change is reintro- ducing activities that were not available during the COVID summers, according to Executive Director Miryam Seid. Ramah’s day camp will be returning to indoor gatherings, including lunch in the dining hall. “I think there’s a shift this summer where we’re hoping to go back to pre-COVID operations where it’s not Camp Nock-A-Mixon Courtesy of Pinemere Camp Media Team I Jarrad Saffren | Staff Writer local former JCC camper and counselor who died in a car accident two years ago, is a huge, outdoor stage with open space and a flagpole, according to Director Sara Sideman. This summer, Sideman and her team will gather kids and counselors twice a week before the day starts. Eventually, Sideman wants to start every day at Ravi’s Bimah. “As I said to my team on a Zoom the other night, 20 years from now kids don’t remember the soccer period. They don’t remember what they made during arts and crafts. They remember being around other people and singing camp songs,” Sideman said. “Those are the memories I want to create.” The unveiling of Ravi’s Bimah at the JCC Camps at Medford Southampton Summer Day Camp Southampton Southampton is adding science, tech- nology, engineering, art and math, or STEAM, experiments, projects and team-based games, according to Director Lindsay Blum Schlesinger. “We’re going to try it,” Blum Schlesinger said. “It’s a big push in the educational curriculum.” “Camp is a lot of recreational sports and running around. But we also have performing arts and arts and crafts,” she added. “We wanted to give kids an opportunity who may want to try something else.” Courtesy of the JCC Camps at Medford Pinemere Camp Stroudsburg A new complex at Pinemere will include a recreational hall, an outdoor amphitheater and a chapel. All three should open “incredible opportuni- ties” for campers, said Eytan Graubart, Pinemere’s executive director. Pinemere’s theater program will be able to put on indoor shows with better lighting and sound. The air-con- ditioned, indoor portion of the complex will also allow for safe activities during heat waves. The camp’s old rec hall was 100 years old, according to Graubart. An upgrade was needed. “We pride ourselves on being a community camp where we could do stuff together,” Graubart said. JCC Camps at Medford Medford, New Jersey The JCC Camps are unveiling a new facility in which all campers can gather. Ravi’s Bimah, named for Ravi Bloom, a Camp Galil Ottsville Galil’s big addition will emphasize “com- munity care,” according to Executive Director David Weiss. Campers and counselors will get to use a “hammock lounge/wellness space” to “relax and unwind,” Weiss said. Camp Kef Wynnewood The Kaiserman JCC’s day camp is add- ing a program for second and third graders in which they will create a weekly newspaper and news show for camp. It’s another creative outlet for kids, according to Jordan Bravato, Kef’s director. Camp Harlam Kunkletown Harlam is implementing a new pro- gram, called Avodah, which means work, worship and service in Hebrew, for people with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 28 to attend camp, learn life skills and work. They will live independently and help in the office, kitchen and other areas, according to Rachel Steinberg, the camp’s manager of community outreach. Harlam is also reintroducing out-of- camp trips and adding two cabins, a fire pit and a garden. ■ jsaffren@midatlanticmedia.com Happy CNA Week We celebrate the invaluable role CNAs play in our residents' lives. Your compassion, kindness, and dedication make the world a better place. Join Our Team Today! Call (215) 371-3000 or visit horshamhc.com to learn more. Horsham Center For Jewish Life | 1425 Horsham Rd, North Wales, PA 19454 | Email: admissionoffice@horshamhc.com JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 7 local Camp Galil isn’t the only Jewish summer camp following this philosophy. Many camps in the Greater Philadelphia area have banned cellphones and any technology with screens from camp premises. For the most part, the restrictions have been beneficial, camp management said. “When we tell families this before the summer, parents always get very excited, and kids kind of roll their eyes,” said Rabbi Isaac Saposnik, executive director of Camp Havaya, a Reconstructionist sleep- away camp in Wyncote. “And when we talk about it with families and kids after the summer, we often hear kids talk about this being one of the highlights, that it really is the only time where they don’t have to be connected 24/7 like that.” Saposnik has noticed that about a week in, campers stop the compulsive reach for their phone to snap a picture and start living in the moment. They look forward to writing letters to parents and friends back home. Sasha Rogelberg | Staff Writer A bout 10 years ago, David Weiss, executive director of Habonim Dror Camp Galil in Ottsville, noticed a change in the camp’s bunks. Instead of the snickering and chatting he usually heard after lights out, there was silence. Kids were not cracking jokes or sharing secrets. They were scrolling on their phones. Since then, Camp Galil has implemented a no-cell- phone policy at camp. “Summer camp, especially overnight summer camp, is a really intentional space that is apart from the rest of the world,” Weiss said. “It’s a space where you come together and for two weeks, four weeks, seven weeks, do things that really aren’t comfortable in any other setting. And part of that is being disconnected and away from the distractions of the outside world.” Eliyah Eisenman, a 14-year-old from Plymouth Meeting, has spent summers at Camp Galil since 2018. There have been cellphone restrictions in place as long as she’s been a camper. “I’ve never missed my phone,” Eliyah said. “I mostly use my phone to communicate with friends and, because I’m constantly around my friends, there’s no need for it,” she added. Though she finds it hard to fall asleep on the first night of camp without her phone, by the second night, she’s glad she’s phoneless. When Eliyah comes home from camp, she finds it hard to text friends for about a month. She said she’d rather just call people. But by the end of the summer, she’s tethered to her phone once more. Though cellphones are a relatively recent invention, there have always been distractions at summer camp. When Jordan Bravato, camp director at Camp Kef at the Kaiserman JCC, was a camper at the same camp N OMIN HAVE S ATIONS TARTE D From your favorite restaurant to the best bagel, day camp to your favorite doctor, Family-friendly Shabbat service to best non-profit organization, nominate your favorite people, places and things in Jewish Philly! The winners are chosen by popular vote, so nominate your favorites. As a business, share with your audience to help you win the title of “Best” in your category! F 2 ES 2 0 3 B T O Jewish Exponent Nominations close July 27. PHILADELPHIA 8 P H P HILADEL JUNE 15, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT H IA IS JE W Voting for the winners starts August 10th. Winners will be contacted in October and the results will be in the October 19th issue of the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent. Go to www.jewishexponent.com/readerschoice and nominate your favorites! Print | Digital | Contact Jeni Mann Tough for more information jmann@midatlanticmedia.com Photo by Liflander Photography Jewish Summer Camps Find Ways to Limit, Adapt to Technology he leads now, he brought his portable CD player to Camp Kef’s grounds. “I remember being told by many, many counselors like, ‘Hey, you gotta put that away,’” Bravato said. Distractions at camp aren’t just a 2023 issue. Whether it’s a CD player, Tamagotchi or iPhone, it’s always been the job of camps to regulate the presence of technology. As smartphones and screens become more integral parts of daily life, camps are once again figuring out how to adapt. “We know that this is getting harder and harder given how much kids are on their screens,” Saposnik said. “We know kids use devices for music, and they use it to read and they use it to take pictures.” Camp Havaya recommended kids pack devices that don’t connect to the internet. For families who can’t afford these gadgets, the camp provides some. Day camps, such as JCC Camps at Medford, offer STEM, or science, technology, engineering and math, programming, where kids can use robotics, computer coding or 3-D printing. “They’re going to the lake, and then they’re going to archery or they’re going to the ropes course,” JCC Camps at Medford Director Sara Sideman said. “So it’s not in the entirety of their day. It’s just infusing it into their experience.” The JCC Camps at Medford and Camp Kef have both created apps to send parents camp updates and photos regularly, including protected folders for Habonim Dror Camp Galil in Ottsville has restricted cellphones during summer camp for about a decade. photos of their children. Implementing regulations on phone and technology use at camps isn’t camp leadership being ignorant of adolescent life. It’s an attempt to preserve a decades- long Jewish tradition of camp joy and camaraderie in a rapidly changing world. “It’s not about trying to create some vision of what Utopia looked like five years ago, 10 years, 20 years ago,” Saposnik said. “But figuring out what is Utopia for our kids right now.” ■ srogelberg@midatlanticmedia.com Every Tuesday of the Month MEMORY CARE 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Questions? 215-321-6166 Join us each month for coffee and conversation specifically for people with dementia and their caregivers. Event to be held at: Barnes and Noble (in the Starbucks) 210 Commerce Boulevard Fairless Hills, PA 19030 What is a Memory Café? Originally started in England, this informal setting provides the caregiver a forum for discussion, reducing the isolation often felt by people with dementia, their caregivers and families. Discussions can range from practical tips for coping with dementia, avoiding caregiver burnout or information about community resources. There is no cost or obligation, and many attendees develop friendships that result in support even outside the Memory Café setting. All attendees will adhere to proper COVID-19 guidelines including masking, staying socially distant and hand sanitizing. arden-courts.org JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 9 An Evening of Generosity: 200+ Attend Jewish Federation’s Jewish Community Day at Green Valley Country Club More than 200 Green Valley Country Club members attended the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Jewish Community Day on June 8. For decades, this annual event at the Green Valley Country Club has convened the Jewish community to raise vital funds for the Jewish Federation to make the world a better place for generations to come. Filled with socializing, dinner and drinks, the evening featured former professional baseball player and Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame inductee Ruben Amaro, Jr. During a facilitated conversation with Green Valley Country Club President and event chair Jonathan Wolfe, Amaro discussed his unique and strong Cuban- Mexican, Jewish-American heritage. The Jewish Federation’s Jewish Community Day at Green Valley Country Club garnered one of its largest turnouts. Guest speaker Ruben Amaro, Jr., former professional baseball player, shared his experiences as a Cuban-Mexican, Jewish- American share. Richard Grossman (left), honoree of this year’s Green Valley Country Club Ralph Snyder Award, with his son James Grossman(right). Attendees enjoyed an evening of connection, community and giving back. You can help uplift Jewish communities locally, in Israel and around the world by making a gift to the Jewish Federation at jewishphilly.org/donate. 10 JUNE 15, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT Mazel tov to the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s LIFE & LEGACY® Cohort! The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is thrilled to announce the 13 schools, synagogues and agencies participating in the community’s LIFE & LEGACY initiative, a partnership with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. Jack M.Barrack Hebrew Academy Beth Chaim Reform Congregation Chabad of Bucks County Jewish Center JEVS Human Services KleinLife Kosloff Torah Academy Maccabi USA Main Line Reform Temple Politz Hebrew Academy Shir Ami Temple Beth Hillel Beth El Temple Beth Zion Beth Israel Temple Sinai LIFE & LEGACY provides the opportunity to come together as a community to ensure that Jewish life thrives in the Greater Philadelphia area for many years to come. Successfully operated in 72 other communities around North America, the results-oriented endowment-building program equips Jewish communal professionals and lay leaders in the Greater Philadelphia area with the skills, knowledge, and plans to incorporate legacy giving into their philanthropic culture. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 11 YOU SHOULD KNOW ... Jarrad Saffren | Staff Writer T he year 2022 was a big one for Mitchell Daar. The longtime educator got the biggest job of his career, as head of school at the Perelman Jewish Day School. He also moved with his fiancée (now wife) from New York City to the Philadelphia area. For Daar, 37, 2022 was about managing that transition. But in 2023, he was able to do more than manage. He started putting his stamp on the pre-K-5 institution that he took over. After spending his early months on the job building relationships, Daar could walk through the doors of the school and wave to everyone he encountered. His team also implemented a geographic scholarship program designed to expand the Perelman brand to zip codes in which it may not have been present before. And finally, he was able to reopen the school community post-COVID, putting kids back in full classrooms and hosting holiday gatherings and family events. As the year concludes, Daar is satisfied. “It’s an incredible community, and it has already allowed for some changes and will set a foundation for changes in the future,” he said. Daar was hired in January 2022 and started that summer, after the 2021-’22 school year. When he arrived in the Philadelphia area, he had to get to know parents, students, teachers and donors. He did that with 12 JUNE 15, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT “satellite dinners in people’s homes,” he said. “Really making sure I was out there,” he added. After that, he started trying to spread the word about his new institution. He looked at data from the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s 2019 popula- tion study and determined that there were areas with Jewish populations that were “underrepresented in our school,” he said. Those zip codes included parts of Montgomery County, parts of Bucks County and portions of Philadelphia. Perelman instituted a $12,000 per-year scholarship for students from those zip codes. Daar explained that the school started the program by retroactively providing the scholarship to 60 students already in the school. But in 2023-’24, 15 new kids also will benefit from it. In the future, Daar is hoping to offer it to more new students. “We want to make sure that families far and wide have access to our incredible Jewish day school experience,” he said. In 2022-’23, it was certainly a more better experience than it was during the COVID years. Hundreds of people came out for Chanukah and Purim events, according to the head of school. Parents, grandparents and other relatives attended a multigenerational family gathering. In early June, the community hosted a parent kickball game. Before that, it welcomed in Shabbat at a local synagogue and held a Shabbat dinner at which parents cooked for the whole community. “We’re getting sort of, quote, back to normal,” Daar said. “We run our program to the fullest for the first time since before the pandemic.” There were other small changes, too, like an investment in the school’s enrollment department, the hiring of a new human resources director and the implementation of a parent survey on “everything about our school,” Daar said. Daar believes that in his first year, he’s “laid a foundation for future growth.” The tagline at Perelman’s recent gala was, “The future starts now.” Next year will be about “setting a path for that vision of what it’s going to look like and how we’re going to execute,” he said. Daar intends to show Jews in the community that “we’re the best elemen- tary school in the Philadelphia area, and it’s going to be because we’re a Jewish day school.” Recently, the former math teacher taught a math class to a group of fifth graders. “I was so impressed with the students. The level of interest mixed with their appreciation for learning and their knowl- edge of the subject matter,” he said. “It was an absolute joy to teach them.” ■ jsaffren@midatlanticmedia.com Courtesy of the Perelman Jewish Day School Mitchell Daar nation / world Polish City Throws Children’s Bubble Party on Top of Jewish Graves The chief rabbi of Poland sent an angry letter to the mayor of Kazimierz Dolny, condemning the eastern Polish town for throwing a festive children’s bubble party Children at a bubble party in on the site of a former Jewish cemetery Kazimierz Dolny, Poland, for where the dead are still buried, JTA.org Children’s Day on June 1 reported. Kazimierz Dolny authorities filled the former cemetery with bubbles for Children’s Day, a holiday celebrated on June 1 in many European countries. In the letter sent to Mayor Artur Pomianowski on June 6, Michael Schudrich wrote, “The party organized on the yard, which was after all fun on the graves, proves that for the municipal authorities, respect for human burial is not an important value.” Schudrich said that it was “outrageous” that Pomianowski posted a video of the bubble party on his mayoral Facebook page. Bartłomiej Godlewskia, Kazimierz Dolny’s deputy mayor, sent a letter in response. “I regret the wrong decision to organize Children’s Day. We share a common history and a common home, and it was never our intention to hurt feelings — it was human error. I hope that this event will not interfere with our dialogue and cooperation in the future,” he wrote. The former cemetery, now a children’s play area next to an elementary school, was demolished roughly 50 years ago, but the bodies were not removed. State Department Calls Roger Waters Concert ‘Antisemitic’ The State Department has condemned Roger Waters, calling the former Pink Floyd frontman’s recent concert in Berlin “antisemitic,” JTA.org reported. A reporter asked at a press briefing on June 5 whether the department agreed with recent comments from Deborah Lipstadt, the department’s envoy for combating antisemitism, who tweeted criticism of Waters. “The concert in question, which took place in Berlin, contained imagery that is deeply offensive to Jewish people and minimized the Holocaust,” the department wrote in a response to the question, the Associated Press reported. “The artist in question has a long track record of using antisemitic tropes to denigrate Jewish people.” Waters is a leader in the call to culturally boycott Israel, often promoting the cause of the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement, or BDS. Jewish leaders around the world have long said his harsh criticism of Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians crosses the line into antisemitism. Expansive Exclusive Bonus CONTENT Found in Philadelphia Jewish Exponent’s Digital Magazine Over 4,000 Philadelphia Jewish Exponent readers are enjoying bonus content NOT found in the print publication. BONUS Content: • Exclusive Stories • Video • Audio • Photo Slideshows Philadelphia Jewish Exponent’s Digital Magazine is easy to use on your mobile, tablet and computer devices. It’s EASY to get your Digital Magazine every week! Simply subscribe with your email address. jewishexponent.com/econfirmation/ Screenshot from YouTube/Kan via JTA.org City of Miami Beach to Pay $1.3M to Settle Jewish Congregation’s Discrimination Claims The city of Miami Beach has agreed to pay $1.3 million to a small Orthodox synagogue that accused it of discrimination by sending inspectors more than once a week on average for two years, JTA.org reported. At the same time, Congregation Bais Yeshaya D’Kerestir agreed to make changes to its parking and noise practices. The agreement ends an extended dispute over whether the congregation, which meets in a single-family home owned by its rabbi, Arie Wohl, was a religious institution or a private gathering. The congregation argued that because its services are invitation-only, the building’s use is similar to that of any other private home and so should not be subject to scrutiny by city inspectors. It sued in April 2022, claiming that city officials visited more than 126 times over two years to enforce various city laws, including 60 times to enforce pandemic restrictions on large gatherings. The congregation also claimed that the city installed a video camera in 2021 that surveilled only its property, not neighboring buildings. ■ — Compiled by Andy Gotlieb JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 13 nation / world bonus digital content Feds to Investigate College Where an Assault Survivor Group Booted a Zionist Student Andrew Lapin | JTA.org T 14 JUNE 15, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT College Hall at SUNY New Paltz in New Paltz, New York, May 1, 2013. investigations, adding, “We unequivocally condemn any attacks on SUNY students who are Jewish, and we will not tolerate anti-Semitic harassment and intimidation on campus.” In the immediate aftermath of the controversy, the school’s president condemned antisemitism but indicated that, because the student group was not formally recognized by the university, administrators were limited in their ability to respond. The federal investigation will focus on two claims: that SUNY New Paltz did not respond appropriately to the exclusion of a Jewish student from a student group, and that students were being harassed on the basis of their Judaism. The investigation itself does not mean the department believes the claims have merit — only that they fall under the purview of its Office of Civil Rights under a section of the law known as Title VI. The complaint focuses on an episode that CNN featured as part of a prime-time special on antisemitism in the United States last year. It was filed on behalf of Cassandra Blotner, a Jewish student who was, according to coverage by the campus newspaper, removed from the student group New Paltz Accountability over her pro-Israel Instagram post. It was also filed on behalf of another Jewish student, Ofek Preis, who quit the group in solidarity with Blotner. Blotner was a co-founder of the group, which seeks to pressure the university to adopt greater transparency in its sexual assault investigations. As reported last year by the New Paltz Oracle, a student newspaper, Blotner shared an infographic on Instagram in December 2021 from pro-Israel influencer Hen Mazzig reading, in part, “Jews are an ethnic group who come from Israel,” and, “Israel is not ‘a colonial state’ and Israelis aren’t ‘settlers.’ You cannot colonize the land your ancestors are from.” Shortly afterward, Blotner said, her fellow group leaders messaged her to request a conversation about her views on Israel. One wrote, “Personally, I think Israel is a settler colonial state and we can’t condone the violence they take against Palestinians.” Blotner at first refused to have a conversation with other members of the group, then later suggested they talk to the school’s Jewish Student Union — at which point, she said, the group kicked her out. Preis then decided to resign from the group (administrators said she had only been a prospective member).  “They told me that because I’m a Zionist, that that crz4mets2 via Wikimedia Commons via JTA.org he U.S. Department of Education has opened an investigation into the State University of New York at New Paltz surrounding an incident in which a student-led group for sexual assault survivors kicked out one of its co-founders for sharing a pro-Israel Instagram post.  Pro-Israel legal groups filed a complaint with the department last year alleging that the school did not respond forcefully enough to the incident, which they characterized as antisemitic discrimination. They are calling on the school to improve its training on antisemitism, which they define as including targeting students for a “connection to Israel.” Announced June 8, the investigation is taking place under the auspices of the department’s Office of Civil Rights, which looks into allegations of discrimination at educational institutions that receive federal funding. It is the latest in a series of investigations opened into allegations of campus antisemitism since the Trump administration broadened the office’s mandate to include certain kinds of anti-Israel speech in 2019.  It is also the first antisemitism investigation to be opened since the Biden administration unveiled a plan last month to combat antisemitism that includes a section on higher education. The 60-page document outlining the plan notes that “Jewish students and educators are targeted for derision and exclusion on college campuses.”  “No student should ever be excluded from campus because of facets of their Jewish identity, let alone survivors of sexual assault,” Julia Jassey, a recent University of Chicago graduate who is the co-founder and CEO of the college antisemitism watchdog group Jewish on Campus, said in a press release celebrating the investigation.  Jewish on Campus brought the federal complaint in partnership with the Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, a pro-Israel legal group that often involves itself in campus conflicts over speech about Israel. The complaint was filed on behalf of two Jewish students at the school, which is located in upstate New York. A spokesperson for SUNY New Paltz said the university does not comment on pending bonus digital content means I’m an oppressor, and that means I’m not against all forms of oppression, which means that I’m not against sexual violence,” Blotner told CNN’s Dana Bash in the antisemitism special.  One day after the publication of the student newspaper article detailing the allegations against the group, New Paltz Accountability appeared to defend its opposition to Zionism in an Instagram post. “Being against sexual violence but indifferent to colonialism are conflicting ideologies,” the post stated. “Justifying the occupation of Palestine, in any way, condones the violence used to acquire the land. This does not mean we do not support survivors or students with different political beliefs.” According to the Brandeis Center and Jewish on Campus, Blotner requested that university administrators provide her with a security escort because her interactions with the group left her feeling unsafe on campus, but they declined her request. She graduated last month, thanking the Brandeis Center, Jewish on Campus and Mazzig in an Instagram post that said they “lifted me up when I was down.”  In response to the incident, SUNY New Paltz’s president met with Jewish students and issued a strongly worded condemnation of antisemitism, saying, “Excluding any campus member from institutional events and activities on the basis of differing viewpoints on such matters is a traditionally defined form of antisemitism.”   The university, according to the Brandeis Center, also said that it should adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism. That definition has been endorsed by dozens of U.S. universities, according to the American Jewish Committee, but has drawn criticism for saying that certain criticisms of Israel are antisemitic. It is the first antisemitism investigation to be opened since the Biden administration unveiled a plan last month to combat antisemitism that includes a section on higher education. The Brandeis Center has frequently called for universities to adopt the IHRA definition, yet in this case it said SUNY New Paltz had not gone far enough and called on the school to change other policies in response to the incident. Some previous investigations into schools accused of antisemitism violations have resulted in universities pledging to make tangible changes to their diversity training programs and other initiatives.  That was the case recently at the University of Vermont, which was the subject of a federal civil rights complaint that also partially revolved around a student group for sexual assault survivors excluding Zionists. In 2020, the University of Illinois pledged to take steps to combat antisemitism days after the Department of Education opened up a Title VI investigation into the school. But other campus communities faced with Title VI antisemitism investigations into Israel-related matters have seen the investigations prompt division and distrust. George Washington University faced its own investigation days after clearing a professor of antisemitism allegations brought against her by pro-Israel groups.  And the University of California, Berkeley saw an investigation opened into its law school after the Brandeis Center’s founder, a former Trump administration official, alleged in an op-ed that it was propagating “Jew-free zones” because an alliance of student groups at the law school pledged not to invite Zionist speakers. The Jewish dean of the law school vehemently denied the charge. ■ THE PERFECT FIT. With hundreds of custom designs for showers or tubs, a one-day install † and a lifetime warranty ‡ ... it’s no wonder 2 million happy customers have trusted Bath Fitter with their bath remodels. 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JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 15 editorials Trump Pleads Not Guilty E arlier this week, former President Donald Trump entered a Miami courthouse to respond to criminal charges made against him by the Office of Special Counsel of the Department of Justice that, among other things, he violated the Espionage Act by knowingly mishandling classified documents that he kept upon leaving office and obstructed the government’s efforts to reclaim them. The 37-count indictment against the former president — which provides detail regarding the charges of willful retention of national defense secrets, conspiracy to obstruct justice and the making of false statements in response to inquiries about them — are serious criminal charges. A conviction on any one of them could have significant consequences. Trump pled not guilty. We feel like we’ve seen this movie before, even though we haven’t. Trump, who loves to claim he is the first person in history to do one thing or another, now has the dubious honor of being the first former president to face federal criminal charges. But part of the reason we feel a sense of déjà vu is that the federal indictment comes about two months after local prosecutors in New York City filed more than 30 felony charges against Trump in a case arising from hush money payments made to a porn actress before the 2016 presidential election. Trump denied those charges. And we have been regularly reminded about two other criminal investigations that are being pursued separately from the New York and Miami indictments: First, a Justice Department investigation of Trump’s wide-ranging efforts to stay in power after losing the 2020 election, and how those efforts led to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol by a pro-Trump mob. And second, an inquiry by the district attorney in Fulton County, Georgia, relating to possible election interference by Trump in the 2020 election. Had anything of this magnitude happened to almost any other national politician a decade or more ago, the result would have been largely predictable. The politician would declare his innocence, bow out of public activity and pledge to devote his full time to support his family and to the necessary fight against the forces of evil that conspired to take him down. But that’s not how Donald Trump operates. Trump’s approach is to confront his accusers, declare and repeat his own narrative of the facts that may or may not be grounded in truth, and ascribe improper motive to anything his opponents do or say. Trump is a master at playing the victim card. He has perfected an aggressive approach that enables him to strengthen support from his base and beyond notwithstanding accusations of serious malfeasance, and parlay that support into increased fundraising and higher poll numbers. We saw that result following the New York indictment and are seeing it again with the Miami charges. But Trump’s multiple criminal indictments present an opportunity. Although the ever-expanding group challenging Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination needs to walk a careful line, the stage is set for the emergence of a credible alternative to Trump’s narcissistic narrative in which he considers himself not merely above the law, but wholly unlimited by it. The Miami indictment is serious. Trump would be well-advised to take it seriously. And so should his supporters. ■ ast week, Oklahoma’s virtual charter school board voted 3-2 to approve the opening of the nation’s first religious charter school. If allowed to proceed as planned in 2024, the K-12 online school named St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School will be run by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa, with religious teaching and Catholic doctrine woven into every aspect of the school’s program. As a charter school — a public school that is independently managed — the St. Isidore school would be fully funded by taxpayer dollars. Since public schools aren’t supposed to provide religious education (even though they are permitted to teach about religion) the Oklahoma board’s decision sets the stage for a high-profile legal fight over the constitutionality of the plan and the boundaries of the separation of church and state under the Constitution. And that’s exactly what Oklahoma’s previously obscure virtual charter school board set out to do, with the active encouragement of the state’s Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt and the Republican-controlled state legislature. The creation of religious charter schools is not a new issue for Oklahoma. It has been in the works for years. In addition to the consideration of vouchers, tax credits and other means to offer subsidies to parents 16 JUNE 15, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT to help pay for non-public school tuition, often at religious schools, the question of the legality of creating a religious charter school was presented in 2022 to Oklahoma’s then-Attorney General John M. O’Connor. He opined that Supreme Court precedent supported the view that publicly funded religious charter schools are permissible. That opinion was withdrawn by the state’s current attorney general, Gentner Drummond, who recommended strongly against the plan. But Stitt was on a mission. Three days before the board vote on the religious charter school proposal, Stitt appointed a new board member who provided the deciding vote in support of the plan. Stitt celebrated the board’s “courage” and declared, “This is a win for religious liberty and education freedom.” His attorney general, on the other hand, bemoaned the fact that “board members violated their oath in order to fund religious schools with our tax dollars.” While some government money already goes to a wide range of religious private schools throughout the country, including Jewish day schools and yeshivot, those funds are earmarked for secular or other non-religious purposes like health and safety issues, special education, secular textbooks and busing. And although organized efforts are being pursued to expand funding, Jewish schools have been sensitive to what has been understood until now as the need to steer clear of government funding for religious education and programming. As unlikely as it seems, that could change under the Oklahoma case. Shortly after the board’s vote, Americans United for Separation of Church and State announced that it is preparing legal action to challenge the decision. Proponents for and against the plan are lining up on respective sides of the issue. The case will ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court. And advocates on both sides can’t wait to get there. ■ iStock / Getty Images Plus / klenger Oklahoma’s Religious Charter School Challenge L opinions & letters letters A House Divided Michael Gelman P olitical disagreements are nothing new. But in a healthy democracy, ideological and policy disagreements are settled through elections, and citizens on both sides respect the outcome and the rule of law. More than 40 years ago, the Watergate scandal tested the strength of our democracy. For the first time since just after the Civil War, a president faced imminent impeachment. Some feared violence and a constitutional crisis. But Republicans and Democrats put principle before politics and Republican leaders, to their credit, called upon Richard Nixon to step down for the good of the country. The system worked because both sides, despite significant ideological differences, ultimately shared common values related to our democracy. Today’s Republican Party refuses to recognize fundamental democratic values. The U.S. Capitol was not attacked during the Civil War, nor did angry mobs storm the Capitol in support of Richard Nixon. But on Jan. 6, 2021, Donald Trump incited a violent, deadly insurrection designed to impede the peaceful transfer of power. Yet, instead of condemning Trump and the insurrectionists, 147 Republican members of Congress voted to overturn the lawful results of the 2020 presidential election. The recent indictments of Trump on 37 felony charges should have been followed by bipartisan calls to respect the judicial process and the rule of law. Instead, Republicans have defiantly echoed Trump’s implicit threats of disorder and violence. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said on June 9 that the indictments are “going to disrupt this nation because it goes to the core of equal justice for all, which is not being seen today. And we’re not going to stand for it.” Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) said, “We have now June 8 Poll Results Have you ever served on jury duty? Haredi Not Pulling Their Weight reached the war phase. An eye for an eye.” Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) referred to the indictments as “a perimeter probe from the oppressors.” Kari Lake of Arizona said that most Trump supporters are “card-carrying members of the NRA.” None of the Republican presidential candidates have explicitly condemned this rhetoric. We cannot pretend that any of this is normal or acceptable. Republicans want to restrict voting rights, restrict reproductive rights, restrict minority rights (including LGBTQ rights) and ban books. Xenophobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism and other forms of hate — all marginalized and condemned in the Democratic Party — are tolerated, emboldened and even embraced in the Republican Party, where white supremacists and right-wing extremists have seats at the table. This was clearly demonstrated by the record number of extremists who, according to the ADL, ran for office in the 2022 election — all as Republicans. It is concerning to observe that, 153 years after the Civil War, many of the states that rebelled against the Union are still susceptible to this extremism and anti-democratic demagoguery. Equally concerning is that most Republican presidential candidates are still unwilling to criticize the most corrupt president in our nation’s history even as they run against him in the 2024 GOP presidential primaries. Some might find it difficult to be optimistic about the future of our country when such deep divisions persist. That is certainly understandable under the circumstances. However, the most effective way to safeguard our democracy is by overwhelmingly voting the anti-democracy Republicans out of office. We need to vote and encourage others to vote. The consequences of not doing so will spell the end of our country and its government as we know them. ■ Michael Gelman serves on the national board of directors of the Jewish Democratic Council of America.. He is a member of the owners group of Mid-Atlantic Media, which publishes the Jewish Exponent. THREE OR MORE TIMES TWICE 14% 41% Next Week’s Poll What kind of Jew do you consider yourself? To vote, visit: jewishexponent.com 10% 35% NO YES I was quite upset by the editorial “Budgeting for Haredi Isolation” on June 1. That fact that they are given many millions from the national budget without making contributions to the economy is bad enough. However, I was appalled by their exemption from serving in the military. They were 3% of the popula- tion in 1948 and 13% of today’s population. They are currently 25% of newborns. This means the total numbers of individuals from the general population available for the military is gradually decreasing. This definitely is a subtle weakness of Israel’s military might. Sidney Rubin, Wynnewood Media Response to Antisemitism at Fault The hate speech at CUNY (“A Test of White House Policy,” June 8) should never have happened, but the university’s response of condemnation was correct. However, CUNY, the White House and the editorial skipped over mitigating issues, namely that the U.S. press leans toward the same anti-Israeli bias until they are pressed. The New York Times — I single out the Times since CUNY is in New York — and many other otherwise diligently unbiased publications regularly publish articles about the Middle East from biased sources without due diligence on accuracy. When, later, after the headline or front-page story is shown to be inaccurate, a retraction is published but not with the same attention-grabbing headlines. Commencement speaker Fatima Mohammed was ill-informed with a bias that he was carefully taught. Then, in the U.S., he had that bias reinforced by inaccurate reporting of events in the Middle East. No wonder that he only saw the headlines that supported his misconceptions and never saw the retractions that might have corrected his views. ■ Aaron Grosky, Cheltenham SEND US LETTERS 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. correction The June 8 article “Tredyffrin Jews Respond to Antisemitic Incidents” incorrectly reported that there are no synagogues in Tredyffrin Township. Chabad Lubavitch of Chester County is based in Tredyffrin Township. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 17 Why I Helped Write an Alternative Definition of Antisemitism Jonathan Jacoby 18 JUNE 15, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT Getty images M y 95-year-old mother knows a thing or two about trauma. Not only because she is a survivor of Auschwitz but also because she is a psychologist. “What worries me,” my mother says, “is that we Jews will succumb to our past trauma rather than rise above it.” I share my mother’s concern. Jewish Americans face the threats of escalat- ing antisemitism and growing white nationalism at the same time that the Israeli government’s anti-democratic policies are eliciting increasingly harsh condemnation worldwide. There is no inherent relationship between antisem- itism and the outcry over Israeli policies. But when they occur together, they can trigger traumatic memories and confuse our thinking. This confusion can lead to a dangerous conflation of issues at the intersection of Israel and antisemitism. Prime Minister Netanyahu exploits this confu- sion to deflect condemnation of his policies. He constructs a misleading equation, portraying severe criticism of Israel as not only a threat to the Jewish state but also to the Jewish people. To demonize his political opponents, Netanyahu invokes the ultimate act of antisemitism, the Holocaust. He did so when he blasted those negoti- ating a nuclear deal with Iran and when he repri- manded The New York Times over its criticism of the agreements he reached with far-right political parties. His strategy is to downplay antisemitism on the right and emphatically equate left-wing with right-wing antisemitism to obscure their distinctions. Some Jewish organizations, perceiving strong criticism of Israel as threatening Jewish unity and the Jewish state, reflexively reinforce that equation. A case in point is Anti-Defamation League chief Jonathan Greenblatt’s approach to anti-Zionism. Greenblatt used his keynote address at ADL’s annual leadership summit in May to hammer home his assertion that “Anti-Zionism is antisemitism. Full stop.” Over the past two weeks, he has played a leading role in the campaign to endorse the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism as the sole such definition in the Biden administra- tion’s U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism. In a tweet urging its adoption, Greenblatt proclaimed: “Anything else permits antisemitism under the guise of anti-Zionism.” Greenblatt was worried about reports that the White House would include other definitions in the strategy, such as the Nexus Document, which addresses “the complexities at the intersection of Israel and antisemitism.” Greenblatt has repeatedly denigrated Nexus by calling it a “pasted-up process organized by activists” and circulating inaccuracies like: “The Nexus definition assumes that unless there is outright violence involved, anti-Zionism is gener- ally not antisemitism.” In fact, the Nexus Document includes seven examples of anti-Zionist or anti-Israel behavior that should be considered antisemitic and four that might not be. As Dov Waxman, a member of the Nexus Task Force and chair of Israel Studies at UCLA, tweeted: “Nexus clearly identifies when criticism of Israel or opposition to it crosses the line into antisemitism. But because it is clearer than IHRA in this respect, it is less susceptible to being misused and weaponized against Palestinians and their supporters.” It’s not that Greenblatt doesn’t understand the complexity of these issues. He has taken nuanced and moderate positions on anti-Zionism in the past. But complex formulas impede the use of simplistic equations. If Greenblatt wants to show that anti-Zion- ism is always an existential threat to both the Jewish state and the Jewish people, he can leave no room for nuance. Ultimately, the White House acknowledged the significance of utilizing a varied set of resources to combat antisemitism, stating, “There are several definitions of antisemitism, which serve as valuable tools to raise awareness and increase understanding of antisemitism.” The strategy acknowledged that the United States had already “embraced” the IHRA version, describing it as the “most prominent,” and went on to say that it “welcomes and appreciates the Nexus Document” and other efforts. That formula has angered some supporters of the IHRA definition, including World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder, who said: “The inclusion of a secondary definition in addition to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism is an unnecessary distraction from the real work that needs to be done.” Like Greenblatt, Lauder wants to build a consen- sus around a simple explanation for a complex situation. But their approach actually diminishes our ability to carry out “the real work that needs to be done” because it weakens our ability to confront the dominant force fueling increased antisemitism in America: white supremacy. According to the ADL, white supremacy is the See Jacoby, page 19 ‘Succession,’ ‘Barry’ and the Very Jewish Nature of Unresolved Endings Rabbi David Bashevkin O ver the past few weeks, a lot of sad faces were peering at their screens as two popular television shows came to an end. Two HBO staples, “Succession” and “Barry,” aired their season finales in late May. And as happens with all high-drama prestige television, the debates began the moment the episode was over. Did Kendall deserve what he got? Was justice served for Mr. Cousineau? Without revealing any details, it is fair to say that many fans were left with that gnawing feeling of an unresolved ending. TV endings were not always this way. Decades before “The Sopranos” famously concluded with its cut to black, shows typically concluded with a nice emotional ribbon — loose ends tied up, characters discovering the promised land. On “Cheers,” Sam returned to his bar. “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” ended with an actual group hug. On “Friends,” Ross and Rachel finally got together. “M*A*S*H,” still the most watched television finale of all time, ended with the main character finally returning home, wistfully looking from a helicopter to the word “goodbye” spelled out in stone. The episode was aptly titled, “Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen.” Then everything got darker and grittier. Today, TV fans have come to expect unsettling, unresolved and Jacoby Continued from page 18 greatest danger facing Jewish Americans. As President Biden said in his opening remarks when the national strategy was unveiled: “Our intelligence agencies have determined that domestic terrorism rooted in white supremacy — including antisemitism — is the greatest terrorist threat to our homeland today.” “We can’t take on white supremacy, xenophobia, anti-LGBTQ hate or any form of hate without taking on the antisemitism that helps animate it,” says Amy Spitalnick, the CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs and former head of Integrity First for America, which successfully sued the neo-Nazis who organized the deadly 2017 Charlottesville march. “And likewise, we can’t take on antisemitism without taking on white supremacy or these other forms of even unhinged endings to their favorite shows. I am here to say that such conclusions are quintessen- tially Jewish. The Torah itself is an ode to unresolved endings. As you may already know, the Torah concludes (spoiler alert!) with the death of Moses on the edge of the promised land. I take it for granted now, but imagine reading this for the first time. What?! The leader of the Jewish people, who brought them out of Egypt, received the Torah on Sinai and led them through the desert for 40 years doesn’t live happily ever after in the promised land? If the Torah were an HBO show, fans would have been outraged. Shouldn’t the final scene have seen Moses walking arm and arm with the Jewish people across the Jordan River, the sun slowly setting as the credits roll? Instead, we are left with our beloved leader buried right outside the land he yearned to enter. Why does the Torah end this way? Franz Kafka — himself no stranger to unresolved endings (The Trial” ends with Joseph K. being beaten “like a dog”) — took an interest in this question. He writes: The dying vision of it can only be intended to illus- trate how incomplete a moment is human life, incom- plete because a life like this could last forever and still be nothing but a moment. Moses fails to enter Canaan not because his life is too short but because it is a human life. In Kafka’s reading, the Torah’s ending reflects the larger reality of human life itself, which is “nothing but a moment,” an exercise in incompleteness. Our personal narratives don’t fit neatly into a box. They don’t have ribbons on top and rarely end with group hugs. Human life ends unrequited, ever yearning, ever hoping. As Aviva Gottlieb Zornberg writes in her magisterial biography of Moses: “Veiled and unveiled, he remains lodged in the Jewish imagina- tion, where, in his uncompleted humanity, he comes to represent the yet-unattained but attainable messi- anic future.” And that is perhaps why I love abrupt endings most. They reflect the fabric of life itself. As David Foster Wallace once observed of Kafka’s narratives, they emphasize “[t]hat our endless and impossible journey toward home is in fact our home.” What is more human than an ending that just recursively folds into another beginning of longing and hoping? Moses’ unrealized dream and legacy continues, and begins again, in the minds and hearts of those captured by his story. So save your group hugs for sitcoms. Real life doesn’t have a neat ending. We continue the journey where the last generation left off. An ending that perpetually endures. ■ hate … All our fates are intertwined.” But Israel’s policies create a dilemma. When many of our potential allies see Israel, they see a country that calls itself a democracy but enacts laws enshrin- ing Jewish dominance over Palestinian citizens of Israel. And they see a country that has denied funda- mental human rights to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza for 56 years. So, not surprisingly, they are moved to speak out about these realities. Criticism of Israel will inevitably heighten in response to the policies and actions of this Israeli government. Some of Israel’s critics may indeed cross a line by using antisemitic tropes or stereo- types or denying Jews the same rights afforded to others, including Palestinians. When they do, they should not get a free pass. Full stop. But we must resist the temptation to reflexively respond with accusations of Jew hatred, even when the criticism of Israel is off-base or unjustified. We cannot afford to oversimplify complex issues by conflating political disagreements about Israel with antisemitism. If we do, we risk distracting from addressing the most dangerous instances of antisemitism and bigotry. Times like these call on us to shed the weight of our past and approach these issues with clear minds and thoughtful consideration. “Sometimes we split the world into good and bad to guard ourselves against difficult realities,” my mother said. “If we can rid ourselves of the bad and make it so the other side is always guilty, then we feel safe. But by doing so, we lose the ability to find a solution.” ■ Rabbi David Bashevkin is the director of education for NCSY, the youth movement of the Orthodox Union, and an instructor at Yeshiva University. This op-ed originally appeared on My Jewish Learning. Jonathan Jacoby directs the Nexus Task Force, which is affiliated with the Center for the Study of Hate at Bard College. He is the former executive director of the New Israel Fund and the former executive director of the Israel Policy Forum. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 19 Mitchell Bard A pparently recognizing my intelligence, Google has named its artificial intel- ligence service after me. Given the current interest in antisemitism generated by the new strategy of the Biden administration which I have found wanting, it seems appropriate to see what Bard would suggest. Here is what (A)I recommend for dealing with campus issues: Increase awareness and education about antisemitism. Many students are unaware of the history and nature of antisemitism, or they may not understand how it can manifest itself in different ways. By increasing awareness and education about antisemitism, we can help to create a more inclusive and welcoming environ- ment for Jewish students. Create safe spaces for Jewish students. Jewish students should feel safe and supported on campus. This means having places where they can gather and socialize, as well as having access to resources and support if they experience antisemitism. Hold perpetrators accountable. When antisemi- tism does occur, it is important to hold perpetrators accountable. This can be done through disciplinary action, education or other means. Promote dialogue and understanding. It is import- ant to promote dialogue and understanding between different groups on campus. This can help to break down stereotypes and build bridges between communities. Work with campus security. Campus security can play a role in preventing and responding to antisemitism. They can work with students and staff to develop safety plans, and they can investigate and respond to incidents of antisemitism. Encourage students to report incidents of antisemitism to the appropriate authorities. This can help to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable and that steps are taken to prevent future incidents. Support student organizations that promote Jewish identity and culture. These organizations can provide a sense of community and support for Jewish students, and they can also help to educate others about Judaism and antisemitism. Get involved in your community. There are many ways to get involved in your community and help to combat antisemitism. You can volunteer with 20 JUNE 15, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT organizations that fight antisemitism, donate to organizations that support Jewish causes or simply speak out against antisemitism when you see it. Bard’s recommendations for fighting antisemitism outside the campus are similar; the word campus is simply removed for most suggestions. Evidence that great artificial minds think alike, here are ChatGPT suggestions: Education and awareness: Promote educa- tion and awareness about antisemitism among students, faculty and staff. This can be done through workshops, seminars, and awareness campaigns that provide historical context, dispel myths and stereotypes, and foster empathy and understanding. Strong policies: Ensure the presence of robust institutional policies that explicitly condemn and address antisemitism. These policies should clearly define antisemitic acts, outline consequences for offenders and establish mechanisms for reporting incidents. Reporting mechanisms: Establish confidential and accessible reporting mechanisms for victims or witnesses of antisemitic incidents. Encourage students to report incidents promptly and ensure that these reports are taken seriously and addressed promptly by the appropriate authorities. Dialogue and engagement: Encourage open and respectful dialogue between diverse groups on campus, including Jewish and non-Jewish students. Foster an inclusive environment that encour- ages understanding, empathy and coopera- tion, and facilitates the sharing of different perspectives. Collaboration with Jewish organizations: Forge partnerships with Jewish organizations on and off campus to address antisemitism effectively. These organizations can provide valuable resources, expertise and support to combat antisemitism and promote a positive campus climate. Faculty and staff training: Provide training to faculty and staff members on recognizing and addressing antisemitism. This can help ensure that educators are equipped to identify and respond to incidents of antisemitism effectively. Campus security: Enhance campus security measures to ensure the safety and well-being of Jewish students. This may include increased surveillance, improved lighting and the presence of security personnel in areas identified as potential hot spots for antisemitic incidents. Collaboration with law enforcement: Foster collaboration between campus authorities and local law enforcement agencies to address antisemitism. Establish protocols for reporting hate crimes and ensure that such incidents are thoroughly investi- gated and prosecuted. Support services: Ensure that adequate support services, such as counseling and mental health resources, are available to victims of antisemitic incidents. This can help individuals cope with the emotional impact and provide them with the neces- sary support to navigate the aftermath. Celebrate diversity and inclusion: Foster a campus culture that celebrates diversity and inclu- sion. Promote events, activities and initiatives that showcase different cultures, religions and backgrounds, including Jewish culture, to foster understanding and appreciation. I couldn’t have said it better myself — my genuine self. These are precisely the steps needed. AI is criticized for lacking specificity. It only took me a few seconds and no money to come up with ideas that others have spent years and millions of dollars to figure out. Maybe there is something to this AI business. A Bard should know. ■ Mitchell Bard is a foreign policy analyst and an authority on U.S.-Israel relations who has written and edited 22 books. iStock / Getty Images Plus / ArtemisDiana Forget Biden’s Strategy: (A)I Have the Solution to Antisemitism ONTEFIORE C EMETERY C OMPANY Family-Owned and Operated for 113 years Our Promise To You... Our staff of dedicated professionals will treat you with warmth, compassion, understanding and sensitivity. Whether you want to talk with someone about pre- arrangements or just need help finding a loved one, we at Montefiore are here to help. Montefiore Cemetery is proud of upholding Jewish traditions. The cemetery offers Jewish families a beautiful resting place with character and a wide variety of options. Protect Your Family Through Pre-Planning ONTEFIORE HAPPY FATHER’S DAY C from our management team Serving the Jewish Community... Preserving Our Tradition 600 Church Road • Jenkintown, PA 19046 215-663-1250 www.montefiore.us JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 21 NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of the members of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia will be held on June 15, 2023, 11:30 a.m. at the Jewish Federation’s headquarters and via Zoom for the purpose of electing Trustees of the Jewish Federation and conducting such other business as may properly come before the meeting. INCUMBENT ELECTED TRUSTEES – TERM ONE, YEAR ONE* AND TWO Barsky, Andrea* Berg, Donald A. Braunfeld, Roger J. Charlestein, Gary Conston, Stuart Erlbaum, Daniel Fineman, Elizabeth J. Finkelstein, Dayna C. Golder Saft, Ellyn Gutin, David Hillerson, Lee Hyman, David Landis, Carole Laver, Sara Levin, Murray Lincow, Barbara Marks, Gregory Menkowitz, Shelley Meyer, James Perilstein, Ronald Robbins, Robin* Ross, Michael Sackey, Renée Thomas, Jenifer* NOMINATED TRUSTEES – TERM TWO, YEAR ONE Bacine, Marcy Barrack, Michelle Benton, Allison Ben-Zev, Jeremy Berger, Daniel M. Berkowitz, Arthur M. Blaskey, Mark S. Boni, Anna Borowsky, Gwen Bowen, Rabbi Debra Busis, Richard J. Cohen, Brett J. Fickler, Arlene Finkelstein, Phyllis Fischer, Catherine Frankel, Max Gartner, Steven Glyn, Joseph Goldstein, Mark S. Gross, Geoff Haron, Eric Isdaner, Scott Kagel, Robert Karafin, Arthur Katz, Josh M. Klazmer, Adam Korman, Bradley J. Madway Eisenstadt, Merry Mandel, Jason Y. Mburu, Benson Miller, Jodi K. Montague, H. Laddie Morgan, Jason A. Morgan, Jonathan R. Perilstein Mozes, Julie Raynor, Susan D. Reich, Abraham C. Rosenberg, Deborah Russell, Mitch Satell, Matt Shore, Mitchell J. Spain, Murray M. Stern, Joan N. Strober, Frederick D. Zimmerman, Carly Zitelman Hersch, Amy Zitelman Stamm, Shelby INCUMBENT ELECTED TRUSTEES – TERM TWO, YEAR TWO Berger, Elyse Blaskey, Penni F. Blumenfeld, Glenn D. Burnett, Matti Cherwony, Tara R. Danneman, Lauren Dubin, Stephen V. Eisenstadt, Daniel M. Fires, Paul M. Fox Fires, Caren Freedman, Joel Frisch, Rabbi Robyn Gantman, Lewis I. Ginsburg, Tracy Glassner, Lisa Gold, Morrie Goldman, Jonathan Handel, Matthew Hoffman, Alan J. Horowitz, David M. Levin, Jonathan L. Levine, Adam Magerman, Debra Minkoff, Sara Perilstein, Jayne D. Prine, Marc Rakhman, Vitaly Rosenberg, Joyce Rosenfeld, Carl M. Shaid, Elizabeth Sheinberg, Alan W. Specter, Tracey Spiegel, Sherrie A. Steinberg, E. Matthew Stevens, Jon Studner, Brett Wargon, Margie P. NOMINATED TRUSTEES – TERM TWO, YEAR THREE (ONE-TIME ADDITIONAL YEAR) Bacine, Daniel Berman, Bryna Berman, Sharyn Dalsemer, Kelly Danneman, George Drobny, Jaclyn 22 JUNE 15, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT Freedman, Susan Gordon Klehr, Deborah Kleeman, Jill Korman, Jonathan Kramer, Karen Lasdon, Cari Lefco, Deborah Levin, Lori Minkoff, Jay Newman Schwartz, Rachel Pobirsky, Lev Prusky, Naomi Relles, Mary Savitch, Julie Shechtman, Benjamin Silver Scott, Bryna Simons, Dov C. Gold, Elias, of the being to be on By to the the MANDATED TRUSTEES (Beginning September 1, 2023) C - Chair of the Board, O - Officers of the Board BOARD OF DIRECTORS Adelman, David J. (O) Balaban, Michael (O) Cherry, Andrew L. Devor, Harris Fishman, Mark (O) Glazer, William H. Gold, David G. (O) Goldman, Amir (O) Gordon, Tracy H. Green, Richard J. (O) Heller, Michael Honickman, Marjorie (O) Krouse, Bradley A. Lachs Adler, Susanna (O) Laver, Adam E. Levin, Michele S. (O) Markman, Michael P. (C) Menaged, Samuel Nelson, Holly (O) Newman, Bernard Norry, Gail S. (O) Saligman, Carolyn Savett, Sherrie R. Schneider, Milton S. (O) Schwartz, Susan G. Sterling, Mitchell Weiss, Danielle M. Yaffe, Andrew Marshall, David G. Panitch, Ronald L. Reisboard, Beth G. Schneirov, Miriam A. Simonson, Beryl D. Solomon, Mark I. PAST JEWISH FEDERATION LEADERSHIP Aaron, Bennett L. Adelman, Andrea Barrack, Leonard Casnoff, Alan E. Duffine, Geoffrey M. Epstein, Jerome P. Greenblatt, Samuel J. AGENCY PRESIDENTS/SUCCESSORS Black, Nancy* Bloch, Sheree I. Diamond, Deborah* Elias, Kathleen Frankel, Richard Gantman, Carol Gettlin, Richard* *Rotating off - will update the roster accordingly Goldenberg, Mitchell* Grinnell, Phil Gross, Josh Jacobson, Neil Klein, Stephen B. Lebowitz, Ann Lidz, Victor Model, Neil J. Marcus, Jerome Marx, Rabbi Gregory* Miller-Sobel, Robert Moyseyenko, Irina Obstfeld, Elana* Relles, Nathan Sandler, Lisa B.* Segal, Evan Washington, Lisa* Weinstein, Elliott Zabusky, Leora Dubrow, Lowell H. Fishman, Annabelle Fryman, Louis W. Gafni, Abraham J. Kasoff, David Kramer, Arnold H. Lipton, Irwin J. Molod, Alan H. Morgenstern, Barbara Perilstein, Cookie Richman, Hershel J. Rosen, Elliot Rosenstein, James A. Ross, Lyn M. Schneider, Carl W. Schneirov, Allan B. Schwartz, William M. Seidenberg, Bubbles Shapiro, Judie Shapiro, Raymond L. Silverman, Howard H. Smukler, Constance Wice, David H. Zolot, Janet HONORARY TRUSTEES Aaron, Carol Albert, Louise Brown Berger, Honorable Harold Bernstein, Gladys B. Binswanger, John K. Bleznak, Sally Cooper Conston, Shirley Dishler, Bernard P. Dishler, Lana Attention of members of the FEDERATION is called to the following provision of the bylaws with reference to nominations: Section 7.06(a) “Independent of the Nominating Committee, two hundred fifty (250) members of JEWISH FEDERATION may also nominate candidates for election to the Board of Trustees, provided that each such candidate shall be eligible to serve on the Board of Trustees pursuant to Section 5.02(a) and shall have consented to being placed in nomination in a written consent which shall accompany the nominating petition for that candidate. Such petitions shall be on forms provided by JEWISH FEDERATION, which forms shall be available at least fifty (50) days prior to the date of the election of Trustees, and shall continue to be available until the expiration date for submission of petitions for the election. In order to be valid, nominating petitions shall be delivered to the Secretary of JEWISH FEDERATION, accompanied by the consent of the candidate being nominated, at least twenty-five (25) days prior to the election of Trustees. The Secretary shall cause to be verified (i) the eligibility of the candidates so nominated to serve on the Board of Trustees, pursuant to Section 5.02(a) (ii) that each such candidate has obtained the required number of signatures on his or her nominating petition by individuals who are members of JEWISH FEDERATION and (iii) that the consent of the candidate has been submitted as required.” Nominations have been closed and votes will be cast on June 15, 2023, 11:30 a.m. in person and via Zoom. Proof of membership must be submitted. Richard Green, Secretary. By Order of the Board Co-Chairs, David J. Adelman and Gail S. Norry. Any individual 18 or more years of age who contributes the sum of $36 or more to the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s annual fundraising campaign shall be a member of the Jewish Federation for the Campaign Year with respect to which the Membership Contribution is paid and shall be entitled to vote at any meeting of members or election by members occurring during the year of membership. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 23 feature Another Ritual at Synagogues, Schools and Camps Maren Hettler | JTA.org N o challah on Shabbat for those with celiac disease or wheat allergies. No cheese- cake for Shavuot for those with dairy allergies. No mishloach manot gift packages on Purim for kids with severe allergies to the treats inside. Synagogues and other Jewish organizations are seeing a rise in the number of children and teens who suffer from food allergies and are adjusting to make sure that no one is endangered or feels left out – from nut-free policies to separate gluten-free kitchens. For some, however, such accommodations aren’t enough to make them feel part of the mainstream. “I try not to let it get the best of me, but in the back of my mind I’m like, ‘Wow, I really wish I could try what everyone else is trying,’” said Micah Pierandri, 17, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, who often feels disconnected from others during community events involving food. More children and teens are being diagnosed with food allergies than ever. In 2007, only about 4% of children in the United States under 18 reported food allergies, but last year the number more than doubled. A 2020 review of hospital admissions data showed a global increase in hospitalizations for anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threaten- ing allergic reaction. One study found that 37% of children in an Orthodox Jewish community had food allergies. Food allergies can have a significant impact on a person’s mental health. Up to 40% of parents of children with allergies said that they would associ- ate the word “isolating” with their child’s allergy, 24 JUNE 15, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT according to a study by Allergy UK. And while many synagogues are taking steps to become more aller- gy-friendly, holidays and religious events involving food can be a struggle for many children and teens with food allergies. “I’m that allergy kid that has to sit out or bring their own dessert or their own food to events,” Pierandri said. Pierandri, who has an airborne allergy to peanuts and severe allergies to pecans, walnuts, soy and eggs, often brings food to synagogue events. This can make her feel separated from the rest of the Jewish community during the holidays, even if her food is similar to her peers. Tu Bishvat and Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israeli Independence Day, are especially difficult to celebrate because of the foods that are involved. On Tu Bishvat, the springtime New Year of the Trees, it’s customary for people to eat nuts and try fruits that they haven’t tasted before. For Pierandri, who has oral allergy syndrome, eating most fruits could cause an allergic reaction. Many Israeli dishes contain sesame or nuts, and her mild sesame allergy and severe nut allergies mean that she struggles to find foods that are safe for her to eat on Yom Ha’atzmaut, forcing her to choose between bringing her food or eating before she goes. By listing the ingredients in all food dishes at events, Beth El Temple Center in Belmont, Massachusetts, makes it easier for people with food allergies to be included. Around 10% of students at their religious school have allergies. Though the number hasn’t changed much over the past few years, it is high enough that all teachers are notified about students’ allergies, said Joan Perlman, its director of education. “It’s important to accommodate people with food allergies because it aligns with our core value of being an inclusive community,” said Debbie Ezrin, executive director of Temple Beth Ami in Rockville, Maryland. To her, inclusivity means making sure that everyone feels like they belong. Their congregation is a nut-free facility and works to accommodate people with food allergies during any event involving food. “While the synagogue adheres to traditional Jewish dietary laws, we always ask people to share their dietary needs and do our best to accommodate them,” said Rabbi Daniel Kaiman of Congregation B’nai Emunah, the synagogue that Pierandri attends. She also feels like her food allergies have stunted her BBYO experience. “Part of me feels like it’s not really having food allergies, it’s more like people not being cautious,” Pierandri said. She’s been to multi- ple chapter and regional events where there have been peanuts even though people are aware that she has an airborne allergy. “This is one of the areas where we really try to make sure that we’re accommodating our teens, and I think it’s a small step we can take towards creating a supportive, inclusive, welcoming environment,” said Drew Fidler, director of BBYO’s Center for Adolescent Wellness. Like many other organizations, BBYO has seen an increase in the number of teens with allergies over the past decade. All of BBYO’s conventions are peanut and tree nut-free to accommodate teens with nut allergies, and the organization also offers vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free meals by request. “They just want to participate and feel normal and be a part of what’s going on,” she said about members who might feel excluded. At its international Getty Images; Design by Mollie Suss Fighting Food Allergies Courtesy of Josephine Schizer BanksPhotos / Gettyimages convention and summer programs, BBYO has a dedicated area for special meals so that teens with dietary restrictions can eat during meals. Many Jewish summer camps are taking similar steps toward inclusion. “We always tell families that food should never be a reason that campers cannot be at camp or participate in Jewish life,” said Rabbi Ami Hersh, director of Ramah Day Camp in Nyack, New York. Around 10% of the 800 campers that attend each session have food allergies, a larger percentage than in past years. The camp has a dietary specialist who works with each family to find alternative meals for campers. It’s important that the alternative meals closely mirror what the other campers are eating “so that no one’s feeling left out or excluded based on food needs,” Hersh said. “I think that sometimes food needs and allergies are misunderstood as something that people are just being difficult about,” he said. “No one wakes up in the morning and says, ‘I really wish I had a food allergy.’” After noticing an increasing number of campers with celiac disease, NJY Camps, an organization that runs five Jewish summer camps in eastern Pennsylvania, opened a dedicated gluten-free kitchen in 2011. Taking care of children with food allergies costs US families more than $25 billion each year. When parents have to provide food for their children, it can be expensive and isolate the child even further. In From left: Josephine Schizer at dinner with a friend a study by Dalhousie Medical School, all 56 gluten- free products tested were more expensive when compared to their regular counterparts. At NJY Camps, the camp charges the same for the gluten-free meal plan as for the regular meal plan. “We don’t charge families extra despite the additional cost, it is simply a courtesy provided to those who need it,” said Carrie Youngs, director of Camp Nah-Jee-Wah, its camp for younger kids. Within the last five years, they’ve had as few as 30 and as many as 60 gluten-free campers register for each session. The gluten-free kitchen has separate staff, equip- ment and serving area to avoid cross-contamination. Like Ramah Day Camp, NJY Camps try to make the gluten-free meals match the regular meals being served that day so that campers with dietary restric- tions won’t feel left out. “Because we’re a kosher camp, some allergies are just a good fit,” she said. The camp doesn’t have to make accommodations for allergies like shellfish because shellfish aren’t kosher. Camp Nah-Jee-Wah is also completely peanut free to accommodate campers who have airborne peanut allergies. Before arriving at camp, families can meet with an allergy liaison who ensures that all of their needs are met. “We just feel that accommodating campers and giving them the most incredible camp experience is important for their upbringing,” Youngs said. Eating away from home can be scary for people with food allergies, especially when those allergies are life-threatening. “My house is the space where I feel most comfortable when it comes to food,” said Josephine Schizer, 21, a sophomore at Harvard University. She’s allergic to eggs, dairy, sesame seeds, chickpeas, kiwi, lentils and peas, but thanks to her school’s Hillel, she’s been able to eat safely while she’s away from home. She’s developed a relationship with the Hillel’s dining hall staff and made them aware of her food allergies. They’ll often make special meals for her so that she’s able to eat. Her allergies don’t usually make eating a problem during Jewish holidays, but on Passover, a holiday that imposes additional dietary restrictions, she struggles to find nutritious meals because there are fewer options. “Many of the options that I could normally eat are out of the question during Passover because of the holiday or have egg in them because flour gets replaced with egg,” Schizer said. Nearly everyone in her family has allergies, making it easier for her to celebrate Jewish holidays at home. “I think it’s harder when I’m in places that aren’t my own home,” she said. “It’s harder, but it’s still doable.” ■ JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 25 arts & culture 20 Years Ago, Marvel Introduced a Jewish Black Panther Eric Schulmiller | JTA.org L ike some Jewish baseball fans, many dedicated Jewish comic book readers keep a running roster of Jewish heroes that have appeared in the “major leagues” of the comic world: Marvel, DC and some independent publishers’ titles. Many know the handful of often-dis- cussed Jewish characters: The Thing, whose adult bar mitzvah and Jewish wedding were major storylines; the Jewish star-wearing X-Men character Kitty Pryde; one-time Batwoman Kate Kane; and the popular supervillain Harley Quinn, to name a few. Moon Knight recently became the first overtly Jewish character to appear in the so-called Marvel Cinematic Universe, with his own show on Disney+ starring Oscar Isaac. But not many readers are aware that, for a brief period exactly 20 years ago, the most overtly Jewish of all mainstream superheroes was the Black Panther. Marvel’s original Black Panther character debuted in the summer of 1966, coincidentally just months before the launch of Bobby Seale and Huey Newton’s political party of the same name. Like Superman, Batman, Spider-Man and Captain America, the first mainstream Black superhero was created by Jewish comic book legends, in this case, the dynamic duo of Jack Kirby (born Jacob Kurtzberg) and Stan Lee (born Stanley Lieber). The Black Panther first appeared in a “Fantastic Four” issue and is also known as T’Challa, the king and protector of the fictional African nation of Wakanda, a technologically advanced society hidden from the world. T’Challa possessed super- human abilities, advanced technology and unmatched combat skills, and was considered one of the most brilliant men alive. The character and his storylines explored themes of identity, heritage and the responsibilities that come with power. At the time of its creation, a strong, positive portrayal of an African super- hero that defied stereotypes was a 26 JUNE 15, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT significant milestone in representation and diversity in the comic book industry. Flash forward several decades after the character’s debut, and comics creator Christopher Priest was nearing the end of a transformative 60-issue run at the helm of the Black Panther title. Priest was the first Black writer to work full time at either of the big two studios, and his trailblazing reinvention of the character served as the primary inspira- tion for the two blockbuster movies that have earned acclaim in recent years. In the final dozen issues of Priest’s “Black Panther” series, the story took a surprising turn. T’challa had vanished and was presumed dead. In his stead, a new Black Panther appears myste- riously on the scene: Kevin “Kasper” Cole, a narcotics officer in the NYPD’s Organized Crime Control Bureau. Cole’s father was born in Uganda, but Kevin lives in a tiny apartment in Harlem with his Korean girlfriend, Gwen, and his Jewish mother, Ruth. Kevin is known as “Kasper” — after the well-known Casper the Friendly Ghost cartoon. Cole originally “borrows” the Black Panther costume from the home of his boss, Sgt. Tork, an ally of T’challa who had held on to the costume for safekeep- ing. Cole’s motives were hardly altruistic, as Priest wrote on his blog at the time: “Kasper’s motive is to wear the costume so he won’t be recognized by the good guys or the bad guys as he goes about cleaning up his precinct so he can get a promotion to Detective so he can make enough money to marry his pregnant girlfriend and move them all out of Harlem.” But what starts out as a side hustle for Cole soon evolves into a hero’s journey. When Cole is discovered by T’challa’s longtime adversary and half-brother, Hunter — AKA The White Wolf — he provides Cole with training, equipment and mentorship to use Cole as a proxy to hurt T’challa, who has resurfaced in New York City. The story soon becomes, in Priest’s words, “a war between The Black Panther (T’Challa) and the ‘white panther’ (Hunter) over the soul of this young kid.” The story doesn’t end there: Cole decides to pursue official Wakandan acceptance as Black Panther by endur- ing rigorous initiation trials, and he soon receives support from none other than Erik Killmonger (the villain in the first “Black Panther” movie). Killmonger offers Cole a synthetic version of a heart-shaped herb, giving him T’challa-level powers. The series ends when Cole agrees to become an acolyte of the Panther god, Bast, instead of living as an imitator. He assumes a new title, The White Tiger (thereby becoming the second Jewish Marvel hero after Moon Knight to dress all in white). Throughout the series, Cole’s Judaism is not a mere aside. Priest provides numerous examples of a strong Jewish identity: He dreams of his unborn son having a bar mitzvah. He dons a kippah and recites a Hebrew prayer at the grave of his slain friend and boss, Sgt. Tork. Even Erik Killmonger refers to Cole’s Jewish identity as a reason why Cole would identify with the underdog. Cole also proudly mentions his Jewish identity to several other characters in both Black Panther and in Priest’s short- lived follow-up series, “The Crew.” One reason why Priest decided to make Cole Jewish could have been his familiarity with Jews. Priest went to a primary school in a Jewish neighbor- hood in New York City, where, he writes, “I had absolutely no sense of racism being directed at me … If I had a beef with another boy, it was about whatever it was about — race played absolutely no role … At least half of my friends were white. Right up through middle school, my girlfriend was a little Jewish girl.” Fabrice Sapolsky, CEO and founder of FairSquare Comics — which aims to “promote and give more exposure to immigrants, minorities and under-repre- sented creators of the word” — hopes that Cole will not be the last comic character to represent an understanding of Jewish ethnicity beyond the “Ashke- narrative trope.” "It is the right time for these kinds of stories to emerge,” Sapolsky said. ■ bonus digital content arts & culture A New Pop Culture Convention Will Celebrate Jewish Excellence and Ideas in Comic Books Jacob Henry | JTA.org J JewCE co-creators Fabrice Sapolsky and Dr. Miriam Eve Mora pose in front of the poster of the event. dubbed “The Jewcie Awards.” Sapolsky was the founder of another Jewish Comic Con that was held in Brooklyn in 2016, with a follow-up event in 2018. The November confer- movies and TV shows based on them. Last year’s Comic Con faced criti- cism for its perceived lack of Jewish representation. Mora said JewCE is not a response to Comic Con’s lack of Jewish repre- sentation. Rather, she said the confer- ence will explore how “the comic medium is becoming a place for Jews in a very different way than it has been in the past.” “Right now there is all this content coming out that shows Jewish charac- Jewish comics experience,” Mora said.   ters as primary characters, who are JewCE will take place one month of varying degrees of Orthodoxy after New York Comic Con, one of and practice, from different Jewish the biggest pop culture events of the backgrounds and regions,” Mora said. She added, “It’s really starting to year, where fans come to celebrate their love of comic books, graphic represent the diversity of the Jewish novels and video games — and the world in a new way.” ■ October. “It will have both a museum element with several micro exhibits focusing on the many worlds of Jewish comics, and then also an immersive experiential learning laboratory of the There will also be what the organizers believe is the first-ever awards ceremony held in celebration of Jewish comics and | graphic novels, dubbed “The Jewcie Awards.” ence — with appearances expected from from underground cartoonist Trina Robbins, Jewish Mexican-American graphic novelist Yehudi Mercado and others —  will also coincide with a new exhibit opening at CJH that will focus on the Jewish comics experience in JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 27 Fabrice Sapolsky via JTA.org ews and comic books — two deeply entwined entities — will be the subject of a new pop culture convention coming to New York this fall. Billed as the “ultimate comics and pop culture event,” the first-ever Jewish Comics Experience, or “JewCE,” will take place at the Center for Jewish History on November 11-12. Created by Fabrice Sapolsky, a comic book creator and publisher, and Dr. Miriam Eve Mora, the director of academic and public programs at the Center for Jewish History, the event aims to be  “an inclusive convention, celebrat- ing an industry largely created by Members of the Tribe, and promoting diverse Jewish narratives in comics and graphic novels,” according to the JewCE website.   “It’s really looking at diverse Jewish representation in comics and graphic novels through Jewish characters, narratives, themes and ideas,” Mora said, describing how the event will celebrate both Jewish comics content and creators.  The history of Judaism and comics is long and rich, with Jewish stories arising in both popular comics and more esoteric ones. For example, Marvel briefly had a Jewish Black Panther character, while a new comic features an Asian-Jewish superhero. Meanwhile, some traditional Jewish texts have gotten the graphic novel treatment. The convention, which is still being planned, will include panel discus- sions, meet-and-greets, exhibits and vendors. There will also be what the organizers believe is the first-ever awards ceremony held in celebration of Jewish comics and graphic novels, food & dining bonus digital content Savory Tomato Tart Jessica Grann S avory tarts are an incredible way to showcase seasonal vegetables any time of the year. For this recipe, I used sautéed onions, fresh oregano and basil, beautiful heirloom tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese. It has a Margherita pizza vibe, so people are always happy to see it on the table. The tomatoes really shine in this recipe. I use various colors and sizes to make it more visually interesting. If you don’t love fresh mozzarella, then I suggest using feta or goat cheese in its place. This is a fun recipe because once you get the basics down, you can get super-creative with your pairings, changing up the herbs, vegetables and cheeses. I recommend store- bought pie crust to make life easier and keeping fresh pots of herbs on hand, which is much more economical than buying herbs at the grocery store. I serve this for brunch with salad, but it’s also a beautiful appetizer and a lovely dish to take to a party. Ingredients: 1 store-bought pie crust 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided Half a large, sweet onion, sliced thin 1 large clove garlic, minced ½ cup fresh herbs, divided; I used a mix of basil and oregano 2 cups tomatoes, sliced 3 ounces fresh mozzarella, or cheese of your choice ¼ teaspoon sea salt, divided Freshly ground pepper Set your oven to 400 degrees F and place the oven rack in the middle slot. Thaw the pie crust according to its instructions. It should still be cool to the touch when you unwrap it. I suggest running a rolling pin over it a few times to make sure that it fits the size of your pan. Gently lift the pastry and place it over 28 JUNE 15, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT Savory tomato tart the pan, then use your fingers to press the pastry into the corners and edges. Use kitchen scissors or a sharp knife to trim any pastry that flows over the edge of the pan. If you don’t have a tart pan with a loose bottom, you can use a 9-inch pie plate for the pastry, but only pat the pastry about halfway up the side of the pie plate. My dairy tart pan is square, so I roll the dough as much as I can, trim the edges and use any extra dough to build up edges where the dough cracks or looks sparse. With square pans, the corners usually need a little extra work. Just take a little strip of pastry and use your fingers to smooth it into any cracks. Pastry is pretty forgiving. If it tears, you can almost always repair it. Pre-bake the crust for 15 minutes at 400 degrees F. Pre-baking is an important step to ensure that the center of the tart is not soggy from the vegetables and that the dough doesn’t remain raw after baking. Photo by Jessica Grann Sauté the onion in 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-low heat for 10-12 minutes — just olive oil and onions, no salt yet. While the onion is cooking, mince the garlic, slice 2 cups of tomatoes and tear the fresh herbs into pieces. The more natural and organic it looks, the better. Tear or cut 3 ounces of fresh mozza- rella. I like the mini balls for this size tart. Once the onion is soft and starting to brown, remove it to another dish and add 2 more tablespoons of olive oil to the pan with the garlic and ¾ of the fresh herbs. Sauté on low for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant, but be careful not to burn the garlic. Remove the pastry and turn the oven temp to 425 degrees F. Pour the garlic and herb oil over the crust, using a pastry brush to spread it evenly and into the corners and edges of the pan. Spread the onions evenly over the crust and sprinkle them with salt. Arrange the tomatoes as you please, sprinkle them with more salt and bake for an additional 15 minutes. Remove the tart quickly from the oven, sprinkle it with cheese and put it back into the oven for 3-4 minutes, until the cheese starts to melt. Allow it to cool for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with the rest of the fresh herbs. Mozzarella cheese has very little flavor on its own, so I usually check to see if it needs a little more salt. If you’re using a different cheese, you may not need much added salt, if any. This makes 4 nice-size portions for a light meal paired with a salad. I usually cut 9 squares if I’m serving it as an appetizer or on a mezze table. Enjoy and bless your hands!  ■ Jessica Grann is a home chef living in Pittsburgh. food & dining Showcasing Spring Produce S Keri White pring has sprung, and markets are bursting with local, seasonal produce. This means fresh asparagus, peas, herbs, ramps, fiddleheads, baby greens and glori- ously juicy berries. In the last week, I celebrated spring’s bounty with both sweet and savory, once at breakfast and once at dinner in delicious presentations. The savory dinner option was an offering from my neighbor “I,” who has bestowed her culinary gifts upon me in the past. I am truly fortunate to live next to a culinary-obsessed individual who happily shares her creations with me when she has a surplus. Her risotto showcased asparagus, peas and basil to great advantage. The sweet breakfast option came via my daughter, who returned from a morning power walk craving pancakes. But ever healthy and fitness oriented, she was not going to dive into the carb bomb offered by traditional pancakes. No, instead she concocted a wholesome blend of oats, banana, peanut butter and various seeds to create the flapjacks and topped them with fresh berries. I was impressed by how tasty, fluffy and flavorful they were and planned to file them in my “breakfast for a crowd” stack of recipes. Neighborly Risotto | Dairy Photos by Keri White Serves 4 Note: My neighbor recommends blanching the asparagus and cooking the peas then adding them to the risotto near the end of the cooking process; this ensures that the vegeta- bles are cooked to perfection and not mushy. 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 small onion, chopped 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped, or ½ teaspoon dried 1 cup arborio rice ½ cup dry white wine 3 cups vegetable broth 8 ounces asparagus, trimmed, chopped into 1-inch pieces and steamed for 2 minutes 1 cup frozen peas, cooked 2 cups spinach (chopped if large leaves) ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 teaspoon lemon zest 1 tablespoon lemon juice Handful of fresh basil leaves, coarsely chopped Salt and pepper to taste In a small saucepan, heat the broth and wine to a simmer. In a large saucepan, heat the oil with the onions and thyme. Sauté over medium until fragrant. Add the rice and stir until it’s coated. Add one cup of simmering broth and stir constantly until it is absorbed. Add another cup and stir until it’s absorbed. Add ½ cup, add the spinach and continue stirring and adding hot broth in ½ cup increments until all but ½ cup of broth is used. Add the asparagus and peas and the final bit of broth. Stir until absorbed. Taste to ensure the rice is cooked; it should be cooked through, soft but not mushy, with a teeny bit of firmness at the very center — think al dente pasta. If it is not cooked to your liking, add another ¼ cup of hot broth or water and stir until absorbed. Remove it from the heat, add the lemon zest, juice, Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper to taste, then add the basil and stir. Serve immediately. In a blender, mix the oats, cinnamon and seeds. Blend until the ingredients are finely ground into a coarse, flour-like texture. Add the bananas, eggs, soy milk and vanilla; blend again until the texture is consistent. Heat a large skillet over medium/medium-low and add the oil. When the oil is heated, ladle ½ cup portions of batter into the pan. When bubbles appear on top of the pancakes, flip (this takes 3-4 minutes). Cook the other side for another few minutes and, when done, remove it from the pan. Repeat the process with the remain- ing batter and serve the pancakes Healthy oat-banana pancakes with fresh berries and maple syrup, if desired. Keri White is a Philadelphia-based freelance food writer. Healthy Oat-Banana Pancakes | Pareve Serves 2-3 My daughter used soy milk, but any non-dairy milk can be substituted. 1½ cups rolled oats ½ teaspoon cinnamon 2 tablespoons chia seeds 2 tablespoons flaxseeds 2 very ripe bananas 2 eggs ½ cup soy milk 1 teaspoon vanilla Oil for cooking 2 cups fresh berries Maple syrup, honey or agave, if desired JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 29 local This Summer A lthough plenty of area residents will head down the shore or to other vacation destinations this summer, there’s plenty to do if you stick around. Here’s a sampling, including a couple of events that may have already passed, depending on when you read this: On June 15, the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History will host a live event on “Pink Triangle Legacies: Coming Out in the Shadow of the Holocaust,” named for the book of the same name by W. Jake Newsome. Newsome will moderate a panel featur- ing Galia Godel of J.Proud Philly, Jazmyn Henderson of ACT UP Philadelphia and Mark Segal of Philadelphia Gay News. Also on June 15, the Dead and Co. — featuring several former members of the Grateful Dead — hits Citizens Bank Park for what’s billed as the band’s final tour. A lot of Jews have attended shows by different incarnations of the Dead since the band formed in 1965, but this appears to be the end of the (Golden) road. Bring your bottle of red (and bottle of white) because the following night is another big stadium concert, as Billy Joel (a Jew!) and Stevie Nicks co-head- line Lincoln Financial Field on June 16. Perhaps no artist was more popular around Jewish summer camp campfires of a certain vintage than the Indigo Girls. That folk duo is having a bit of a moment, with both a new documentary 30 JUNE 15, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT and their song “Closer to Fine” being featured in the trailer for the upcoming “Barbie” movie. The Indigo Girls will appear on June 16 at Parx Casino in Bensalem. Jewish comedian Rachel Feinstein, a veteran of three Comedy Central specials, brings her stand-up stylings to the Punchline Philly on June 20. The Phillies will host the 14th annual Jewish Heritage Celebration on June 21, as the team takes on the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. In past years, the Phillie Phanatic has danced the hora, donned a kippah, waved an Israeli flag and was lifted in a chair bar mitzvah-style. Artist Jonathan Horowitz will visit the Weitzman on June 25 for a “Meet the Artist” event, in connection with his continuing exhibit “The Future Will Follow the Past: An Exhibition by Jonathan Horowitz.” The Katz JCC in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, will host a Cherry Hill Comedy Night on June 28 featuring comics Gianmarco Soresi and Ariel Elias. Elias is the comedian who, last October, had a beer can thrown at her during a set at the shore, then picked up the beer and chugged it. Hey Alma called her “the Jewish Comedian Going Viral for Beautifully Handling a Heckler.” Another Jewish campfire perennial, James Taylor, comes to TD Pavilion at the Mann Center, along with All-Star Band, on July 1. The annual Wawa Welcome America The “OY/YO” sculpture was first installed outside the Weitzman on May 2, 2022. Photo by Brad Maule Stephen Silver Phillies kiddush cup festival is set for the days leading to July 4, with this year’s concert on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway headlined by Demi Lovato and Ludacris. On July 8, the Jewish actor and comedian Ben Schwartz — best Courtesy of the Weitzman No Shortage of Things to Do in Philadelphia This Summer known as Jean-Ralphio from “Parks & Recreation,” will host his Ben Schwartz & Friends show at the Xcite Center at Parx Casino in Bensalem. CNN anchor Jake Tapper, the Jewish Philadelphia native, returns to his Photo by Andrea Cipriani Mecchi Jennifer Weiner hometown on July 11 for an author event at the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Parkway Center Library. Promoting his new novel “All the Demons Are Here: A Thriller,” Tapper will speak with one of the only Philadelphians more famous than he is: retired Action News anchor Jim Gardner. Also on July 11, the one and only Kenny G will appear for a concert at the Keswick Theater. Despite appearing on a recent album with Kanye West, the saxophonist (real name Kenny Gorelick) is, in fact, Jewish. In what’s probably the biggest concert of the summer, at least now that Taylor Swift has left town, Beyonce brings her Renaissance World Tour to Lincoln Financial Field on July 12. Another group with a huge Jewish following, Phish, heads to the Mann Center on July 25 and 26. Regina Spektor, described as a “Russian-Jewish-American singer,” brings her latest tour to the Keswick Theater in Glenside on Aug. 2. Baylen Levine, the young social media star, is bringing his live show to the TLA on South Street on Aug. 8. The Boss is coming to town, with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band headed to Citizens Bank Park on Aug. 16 and 18. Another bestselling author who is Jewish and from Philadelphia, Jennifer Weiner, will appear at the Free Library on Aug. 30 for a talk on her latest novel, “The Breakaway.” And finally, the Made in America festi- val, also on the Parkway, is set for Sept. 2 and 3, although headliners have yet to be announced. ■ Memory Care with Compassion! New Memory Care renovations and upgrades providing a home with the luxury and comfort desired by our residents and their families. For additional information and to schedule your in-person or virtual tour, please go to TheHearthAtDrexel.org/Visit or call 1-877-205-9428. Come Visit with Us! Assisted Living • Memory Care • Respite Care 238 Belmont Ave. | Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 TheHearthAtDrexel.org Stephen Silver is a freelance writer. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 31 local This Summer Summer Rites: Philadelphia-area Jews Are Headed 'Down the Shore' Atlantic City Boardwalk looking north I Stephen Silver f it’s summer, it means that many Philadelphia-area Jews are headed “down the shore” at some point and, as usual, the local calendar is full. This year, the Jersey Shore’s most iconic attraction, Lucy the Elephant in Margate, is celebrating its first summer since the completion of its 15-month renovation in 2022. The “new” Lucy was unveiled in December. As Rich Helfant of the Save Lucy Committee told the Exponent last year, the famed six-story elephant on Atlantic Avenue received “a whole- body lift,” which required scaffolding that covered up Lucy last summer. Lucy’s 142nd birthday party is set for July 22, featuring “The Multi-Million Dollar Makeover.” In addition, “An Intimate Evening of Art,” featuring work by Jon Baker, is scheduled for June 17. 32 JUNE 15, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT Lucy the Elephant “Yes, the exterior work is completed, and Lucy looks amazing,” Helfant said. The next phase, starting in the fall, will include replacing Lucy’s gift shop building. Meantime, for those whose visits to the shore include time in Atlantic City, there’s going to be a new hotel there. Sort of. Nobu Atlantic City is a restau- rant and “distinct hotel experience” on the top three floors of the Caesars Centurion Tower, part of Caesars in Atlantic City. It’s scheduled to open sometime this summer. Also in Atlantic City, the Las Vegas- based Spiegelworld this June will open The Hook, a theater-and-restaurant concept that’s also part of Caesars. It features a live show — which the company describes as “Atlantic City’s first-ever permanent entertainment residency” — and a restaurant and bars. The Hook is on the former site of the 1929-built Warner Theatre and has recreated part of its famed exterior. And further up on the Boardwalk, the Showboat Resort hotel in Atlantic City will open a new indoor waterpark called Island Waterpark this summer. It will feature attractions for both kids (waterslides, a lazy river) and adults (multiple swim-up bars, a nightlife destination at night). Farther to the north, the husband- and-wife Broadway star tandem of Jeremy Jordan and Ashley Spencer is set for a concert on June 17, at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal, New Jersey. Jordan, Jewish on his mother’s side, has played numer- ous prominent Jewish roles on stage and screen, most recently in the movie “Spinning Gold.” The following month, at the Milton & Betty Katz Jewish Community Center in Margate, the renowned Israeli-American chef Michael Solomonov of Zahav and other restau- rants will appear for “An Evening with Michael Solomonov” on July 6. Solomonov will discuss his book “Zahav: A World of Israeli Cooking,” and raise money for Camp By The Sea. And on July 20, the Katz JCC will host an event with Philadelphia’s most beloved modern-day Jewish sports figure (at least for the moment): Eagles General Manager Howie Roseman. Roseman is the guest of honor at the Eighth Annual Jackie & Hank Herskowitz Sports Night, ahead of the team’s training camp. On June 29, Chabad in Ventnor will host a screening of the new film “Myron Sugerman: The Last Jewish Gangster,” with Sugerman himself in attendance, where the one-time associate of Meyer Lansky will “tell the story of the Jewish Mob and their contributions to the Atlantic City betterment of the Jewish people.” The Jewish Federation of Ocean County will host an event to celebrate Israel’s 75th anniversary on June 8, including a visit by the Tzofim Friendship Caravan. The event will feature “delicious Israeli food.” The Philadelphia-based “Word Mavens,” Joyce Eisenberg and Ellen Scolnic, are appearing at Beth El Synagogue in Margate on June 28 to share funny stories about Jewish words. The two are authors of the book “The Whole Spiel: Funny Essays About Digital Nudniks, Seder Selfies and Chicken Soup Memories.” The Shirat Hayam congregation in Ventnor will host its “Devotion by the Ocean” Kabbalat Shabbat services on the beach on five Fridays this summer, on the beach behind the Ventnor Library. Conservative-led services on June 30, Aug. 4 and Aug. 18, with Reform-led services set for July 28 and Aug. 11. On June 24, Margate will host Beachstock, described as “the planet’s biggest beach party.” New this year is an “anti-surf contest surf contest” called the Red Bull Foam Wreckers Soft Board Surf Classic. The event is free, and several area businesses, such as Margate Dairy Bar and Burger, Tony Baloney and Vagabond Kitchen and Taphouse, will provide food. And the biannual Ventnor City Garden Tour, presented by the Ventnor Beautification Committee, is set for July 15, with a rain date the following day. The tour will visit around two dozen locations around Ventnor City. ■ Stephen Silver is a freelance writer. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 33 This Summer Pantry Dinners, Summer Edition call dishes like these “Stone Soup” after the classic children’s tale where the whole town claims to have no food to prepare a proper meal. In the book, a visiting stranger offers a recipe for stone soup that encour- ages each villager to contribute a little something. A carrot here, an onion there, some rice, some beans and, suddenly, the whole community is enjoying a bowl of goodness. I have written about these types of dishes before — dinners that come together from seemingly bare cupboards that deliver tasty, simple, nourishing meals. I am calling these recipes the summer edition because they do not involve a long spell in the oven — both are quick, stove- top preparations, on the lighter side, although they can certainly be offered year-round. WE ARE BETTER THAN EVER! Come and see our new exciting apartment home designs, the spirited dining venues and relaxing community spaces. Experience our friendly and engaging residents and team members. TWO MONTHS FREE! Retirement Community Contact Jennifer and Rebecca to schedule your personal visit at 1-877-859-9444 PaulsRun.org/Welcome 9896 Bustleton Avenue • Philadelphia, PA 19115 34 JUNE 15, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT Savory French Toast | dairy Serves 1 We are all familiar with traditional French toast — past-its-prime bread dipped in a batter of egg and milk, usually seasoned with vanilla, cinna- mon and nutmeg, and fried in butter to a crisp exterior and a custardy middle. Challah is a traditional choice, but any bread that is either neutral or sweet is used in such a preparation — no one is using rye or olive bread — so the recipe below allows for that. I had a bare cupboard at home and was heading for a deadline — this allowed no time for a trip to the market, but lunch approached. I had some leftover baguette from last night’s dinner, some eggs, a bit of milk and some Parmesan cheese. The result is below and was quite tasty. This could be used as a bed for an arugula salad, sliced tomatoes or any type of savory salsa or sauce, and the flavor palate can change per prefer- ence. Curry powder for Indian flavors, cumin and cayenne for Mexican, za’atar for Israeli: You get the picture. 4 slices baguette or 2 slices larger-sized bread 1 egg ⅓ cup milk ½ teaspoon mustard Sprinkle of salt and pepper 1 tablespoon ground Parmesan cheese Butter/oil for pan Snipped chives or fresh herbs to garnish, if desired In a shallow bowl, mix the egg, milk, mustard, salt, pepper and cheese. Soak the bread in the mixture, turning it over once or twice to ensure that all batter is absorbed. In a skillet, heat the butter or oil over medium. Place the bread into the pan and cook it until golden on one side, approximately 3 minutes. (Be careful that it doesn’t stick — the Parmesan can be sticky — add butter or oil if needed). Turn over the toasts and cook the second side until golden brown. Serve immediately, topped with snipped chives or fresh herbs. Spicy Thai Noodles | pareve Serves 4 This dish is simple, tasty and can be served as is or topped with chicken, fish, tofu, vegetables or a combination. It is a synergistic recipe, meaning the end is far greater than the sum of its parts. If you have ramen or any other type of Asian noodle (soba, rice, mung bean, jop chae) feel free to use it, but good old spaghetti will also work. In keeping with the pantry dinner theme, the recipe here offers the simplest version, but if you have fresh ginger to grate into the sauce, do so. Ditto topping it with a handful of chopped fresh cilan- tro, sesame seeds, chopped peanuts or a spritz of fresh lime juice. It can be served warm or cold. 1 pound long noodles (ramen or spaghetti) ½ cup creamy peanut butter ¼ cup warm water 3 tablespoons soy sauce 1 tablespoon honey 1-2 tablespoons Sriracha, to taste 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (white vinegar works, too) 2 cloves garlic, minced Optional additions: any combination of shredded veggies such as cucumbers, bell peppers, cabbage, scallions, etc. Cook the noodles according to the package directions. While the noodles cook, make the sauce. Combine all of the remaining ingredients in a large bowl and mix until smooth. If using veggies, toss them into the mixture. Top as desired and serve hot, at room temp or chilled. ■ Keri White is a Philadelphia-based freelance food writer. Photo by Keri White I Keri White synagogue spotlight Members Keep South Philadelphia’s ‘Little Shul’ Alive Jarrad Saffren | Staff Writer Photos by Jarrad Saffren I n a South Philadelphia neighborhood filled with renovated rowhouses, Congregation Shivtei Yeshuron Ezras Israel looks like it’s out of another era. Its brick is weathered and discolored in certain areas. The blue text above the door displaying the synagogue name is faded. An opening of the door and a step inside will leave you with the distinct waft of old book pages, as one congregant, Ariel Kamen, describes it. And as you walk around the bottom floor and then the top, you will see yahrzeit memorials dating to the first half of the 20th century, handcrafted Judaica pieces and two columns of pews facing a bimah in the center of a living room. Congregation Shivtei Yeshuron Ezras Israel, or the “Little Shul,” as it’s known online and among members, looks like it’s out of another era because it is. It dates to the late 1800s when droves of Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe were Congregation Shivtei Yeshuron goes back to the early settling down in South Philly. Among the Ezras Israel, also known as the Little Shul 1930s. While he did more than 150 little shuls that emerged in not raise his daughter that period, it is the only one left. The 15-25 members who remain gather once a at the old rowhome, he did host her bat mitzvah here in 2001. Today, Berg is not that religious, but month for a Shabbat morning service and kiddush. “As long as we have a minyan, I’m happy,” said he still sits on the board at the Little Shul and comes Richard Sisman, the synagogue’s president. “Because monthly for Shabbat. “It served a place for immigrants who were strang- it means the work we’ve put in is worthwhile.” ers in a strange world to come to and find the people The we that Sisman refers to is a group of Jews from every generation who feel a connection to their from their own communities,” Berg said. Dave Kalniz did not grow up at the Little Shul, religion. Sisman, 65, grew up at the synagogue and returned but he has been going for 35 years. He lived in as an adult after driving by one day, noticing that the the neighborhood when his father died, and he doors were open, walking in and finding a service. walked over on Friday and Saturday that week to say He describes his house growing up as “pretty kaddish, and just keeps coming back. Kalniz grew up Orthodox and, while he tries to secular.” His family celebrated the holidays but did not keep kosher. As he put it, they were “spiritual, observe the Sabbath today, he only avoids activities on Shabbos if he does not have to do them. But not observant.” It’s an approach that Sisman pretty much maintains. his Orthodox life experience makes him well-suited But he’s committed to keeping the Little Shul alive. It to leading services at the Little Shul, a role he fills is the president, after all, who organizes payments for admirably, according to Sisman. “It’s haimishe. It’s a good community gathering,” the minimal expenses on the synagogue’s paid-off Kalniz said. building. Daniel and Irene Berbit, 42 and 38, respectively, “You do whatever you have to do not to let a are younger than Sisman, Berg and Kalniz. But like synagogue close. It’s just in my bones,” he said. David Berg, a Mount Airy resident, also grew up at those older congregants, they feel their religion is the Little Shul. His family history at the synagogue important. Daniel Berbit grew up Conservative and Little Shul member David Berg Irene Berbit’s mother found refuge in a synagogue in New York City after the family emigrated from the Soviet Union. The Berbits enjoyed their first date at the Little Shul in 2019 on the morning after they met at a Shabbat dinner at the Old City Jewish Arts Center. They’ve been coming back ever since. “It’s something I was raised with,” Daniel Berbit said. “It’s being part of the Jewish community,” Irene Berbit added. Kamen, who mentioned the old book smell, is the youngest congregant at 23. After having a bat mitzvah in her youth in Manalapan, New Jersey, she reconnected with her Judaism in 2020. Now a nurse who lives in West Philadelphia, Kamen likes to study the weekly parshah on Saturday mornings. In January, she Googled “oldest shul in Philly,” and the Little Shul came up. She’s gone for six straight months. She might even want to clean up the synagogue’s library at some point. “For it to be a place where people who are inter- ested in seeing these historical things can come and look and feel and inquire about things that they like,” Kamen said. ■ jsaffren@midatlanticmedia.com JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 35 obituaries BLUMENFELD JANE (nee Watkins), June 5, 2023, of Rittenhouse Square and Ventnor, NJ. Wife of the late Jack; mother of Robin Blumenfeld, Eric (Laura Cordaro) Blumenfeld and David (Tracy) Blumenfeld; grandmother of Alexis, Jesse, Penelope, Karen, Deborah, Carly and Alec. The family respectfully requests contributions in her memory be made to Vetri Foundation. JOSEPH LEVINE & SONS www.levinefuneral.com FLASHNER MORTON On June 2, 2023, of Philadelphia, PA. Beloved husband of the late Anna (nee Rosen) Flashner, loving father of Dr. Steven (Dr. Deirdre Collins) Flashner and Arthur (Susan) Bachman, Esq., cherished pop-pop of Helene (Jeffrey), Hannah (Terry), Bess (Patrick), Samuel (Lauren), Evelyn (Patrick), Lillian (Nicholas) and 5 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers STUDY! JOSEPH LEVINE & SONS www.levinefuneral.com GLASSBERG SOL. June 7, 2023. Age 100 years old. Devoted husband of the late Eudice Tontak Glassberg and the late Ruth Nathanson Marks. Loving father of David Glassberg (Lisa Kent) and Deborah Glassberg. Dear stepfather of Jon Marks (Debby Nathan) and Laurie Marks. Cherished brother of Dr. Rose Glassberg. Beloved grandfather of Rachel Glassberg, Daniel Glassberg, and Lauren Marks. Contributions in his memory may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com GRABOYES WILLIAM on May 3, 2023. Beloved son of Cheryl Graboyes (nee Schlanger) and Alan Graboyes; Loving neph- ew of Arleen Moffitt; and half-broth- er of Jacob Graboyes. William was 40 yrs. old and lived in Phila., PA. Contributions in his memory may be made to Blue Pearl Veterinary Hospital, www.bluepearlvet.com or Hopewell Veterinary Hospital, www. hopewellvet.com GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com May Their Memory Be For a Blessing The Philadelphia Jewish Exponent extends condolences to the families of those who have passed. To receive our weekly obituary eletter visit www.jewishexponent.com/enewsletter jewishexponent.com 215-832-0700 36 KLEIN HOWARD age 84, passed away on Saturday, May 20th, 2023. Beloved husband of Joni Klein (z”l) for 60 years, loving father to Stacey Klein (Jeffrey Rodolitz) and Nicole Klein Andelman (Steven Andelman), cher- ished “pop” of Samuel and William Andelman and devoted brother to Barbara Lubis. Howard and Joni met as teenagers. After graduating from Penn State Howard married Joni while attending Villanova Law school. Once Howard started practicing he and Joni started their family in the Philadelphia suburbs. Howard practiced law in Philadelphia with great dedication to his clients for almost 60 years, and was active in the Commercial Law League of America. He greatly en- joyed the outdoors and throughout the years he was active in a number of sports including, kayaking, sailing, swimming, biking and tennis. Howard also had a love of dogs and won a number of AKC dog shows with the family dog. Howard’s life was blessed with many loyal lifelong friends and blanketed by the love of his extended family. Remembrances may be made to American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation, Howard Klein Memorial Fund. JOSEPH LEVINE & SONS www.levinefuneral.com MARCUS SAMUEL-June 6, 2023 of Villanova, PA. Beloved husband of the late Florence (nee Colcher); loving father of Jeffrey Marcus (Marcie) and Annie Weiss (Dr. Steven); adoring grandfa- ther of Scott, Gregory, Michael, David, Allison, and Adam. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Samuel’s memo- ry may be made to the College of Engineering Department at Carnegie Mellon University (give.cmu.edu/pmtx/ giving). JOSEPH LEVINE & SONS www.levinefuneral.com MELOHN ANNETTE (nee Auerbach) on June 7, 2023. Beloved wife of Richard P. Melohn. Devoted mother of Richard Koban Payne. Loving grandmother of Andrew, Julia, and Henry. Dear aunt to Nancy (David) Sharp and Victor (Lori) Strauss, and many loving nephews, nieces, and cousins. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Trustbridge Hospice Foundation. www.trustridge.com GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com LUDWIG RICHARD on June 2, 2023. Beloved husband of Sandra (nee Rabinowitz); Loving father of Carol Bree (Ronald); Sherri Seidman (Stanton), Donna Dimeo (Joseph), and Michele Zucker (Jeffrey); Devoted grandfather of Scott (Tyesea), Michael, Elysa (Neil), Robert (Rachael), Elena, Samantha, David, Eric, and Frank; Adoring great-grand- father of Madison, Zosha, Graham, Laszlo, Milo, and Theo. He was the owner of Lavelle Aircraft Company in Newtown PA. He received nu- merous awards including one from Drexel University and the US House of Representatives. He was also a published author, having written several books. Contributions in his memory may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675, or Voorhees Animal Orphanage, 419 Cooper Rd., Voorhees, NJ 08043. www.vaonj.org GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com JUNE 15, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT OLDER HERBERT (“Herb”), age 94, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of May 22, 2023. Herb was the beloved husband of the late Leona (nee Rubin) for 64 years. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Ruth and Barry Smith, by his grandson, Aaron Ross Smith, and by his younger sister, Carol Kligerman (the late Samuel). Herb was predeceased by his siblings the late Dorothy Kerr (the late Melvin [Buddy]), the late Richard Older (the late Corrine), and the late Bernard Older (the late Doris). “Uncle Herbie” is also survived by many nieces and nephews and his “granddog”, Max. Herb was a graduate of what was then the Drexel Institute of Technology (now Drexel University), which he attended under the GI bill after serving active duty in Korea during the Korean War. Initially intending to major in architecture, Herb quickly pivoted to study engineering; for most of his long career, he worked in the aerospace industry, designing and testing safety equipment for small private airplanes. As those who knew him will readily attest, Herb certainly didn’t wear his heart on his sleeve, and he could be a bit “prickly” and taciturn if he wasn’t in the mood for human interaction. However, he was a true, loyal friend - a “mensch” in the best sense of that word - and the people Herb loved never had to doubt for a second how he felt. To Herb, “Love” was a verb … something to be shown rather than ex- pressed verbally. He and Leona agreed that family came before everything else, and they both spent their lives honor- ing and treasuring that commitment. Herb’s family would like to express their gratitude to his hospice case manager, Jennifer Wisneski Grim, and his niece/ former hospice nurse, Eileen Rugh (nee Kligerman). Both of these women were tenacious, knowledgeable, compassion- ate advocates for Herb; they’ve also been champion handholders and support providers to Herb’s family. Thank you. Contributions in Herb’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org/delval, the Bucks County SPCA www.buckscountyspca.org, or the animal shelter/rescue of your choice. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com REDNER LILY of East Norriton, PA, passed away on May 24, 2023 at age 92. Lily was born Dec 15, 1930 in Nancy, France. She sur- vived the Holocaust as a child in hiding, as did her three sisters, but her parents Benjamin and Lea Lustig were not as for- tunate and were murdered by the Nazis at Auschwitz. She married Salomon (Alex) Redner at the age of 21 (1952) in France and they enjoyed 69 years of marriage until he passed away in April 2021. Despite hardships of surviving the war as an orphan, Lily graduated from the Sorbonne (France) and became a French teacher in Uruguay, and later at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School and Berlitz, plus she offered private tutoring. She was a speaker and active in Holocaust remem- brance programs and organizations, and while it pained her to remember her past, she focused on teaching tolerance for many years in schools and other venues including programs at her retirement com- munity. She enjoyed traveling and took great pride in her family.Survived by four daughters (Isabel Alcoff, Sylvia [Stuart] Greenstein, Barbara [Jeffrey] Hoffman, and Francine [Tim] Wilson), nine grand- children (Celia Brown, Benjamin Alcoff, Brian Liedman, Samuel Greenstein, Leah Grumet, Talia Greenstein, Joshua Hoffman, Rachel Hoffman, Isaac Wilson), and thirteen great-grandchildren.The family wishes to express appreciation to the staff at Brightview Senior Living in East Norriton. Special thanks to Lily’s caregivers for their kindness and support. Funeral arrangements by Boyd Horrox Givnish Funeral Home of East Norriton. Lily’s Service was held on Sunday May 28, 2023 at Boyd-Horrox-Givnish of East Norriton. Livestreaming of the service are available on the Boyd Horrox Givnish Facebook page at https://www.face- book.com/BoydHorroxGivnish/ In lieu of flowers, donations in Lily’s name can be made to The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, or the charity of your choice. BOYD-HORROX FUNERAL HOME www.boydhorrox.com SPECTER GLORIA BADER passed away peace- fully at her home in Philadelphia, PA on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Gloria, a life- long resident of the Philadelphia area, was born in Philadelphia and raised in Allentown, PA. After graduating from Rider College, Gloria began her ca- reer as a medical secretary at Temple Hospital. She later worked at Ernest Bock and Sons Construction Company as a Senior Administrative Assistant for over 20 years. Gloria had a wide range of interests, including travel, cooking, dogs, bird watching, gardening, and na- ture photography. However, her greatest passion was her family. She and Billy were inseparable and celebrated 59 years of marriage. Gloria was the daugh- ter of Theodore and Dora Bader and is survived by her husband Bernard “Billy” Specter, two daughters and sons-in- law, Jodi Specter and Joseph S. Keats of New Hope, PA, and Jami Pearlman and Steven Pearlman of Ivyland, PA, as well as two grandsons, Tyler Pearlman, and Troy Pearlman. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to American Bulldog Rescue www.americanbulldogrescue.org GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com STEIN GERALD ‘JERRY’ died on June 3, 2023. Longtime companion of Ellen Hudis. Jerry was preceded in death by his beloved wife Florence (nee Keller) Stein; Loving father of Cheryl (Kenny) Boshinski; Abby (Tom) Broccardi; Eric (Sherri) Stein Devoted grandfather of Erin (Brian) Barclay, Corey Boshinski, Anthony (Jen) Broccardi and Josh (Katie) Stein; Adoring great-grandfather of Aiden, Bryce, Brian, Gloria, Jason, Spencer, Sami and Jason. He was the owner of Verifacts INC, a private investi- gation firm. One of his greatest joys was fishing on his boat with friends and family. A lifetime Philadelphia sports fan, but his passion was the Philadelphia EAGLES! Contributions in his memory may be made to American Cancer Society. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com TRESCOTT GEORGETTE (nee Spears)-Passed away on June 2, 2023. Mother of Judith (Laurence) Mester. Sister of Roberta Lynn (Stephen) Last. Grandmother of Max Marcus and Benjamin Asher Mester. Aunt of Amy Small and her fam- ily, and Andrea Worsley and her fam- ily. Contributions in her memory may be made to Philadelphia City Rowing. Georgette Trescott was born August 12, 1936 in Brooklyn, NY to Harry and Martha Spears. Georgette attended The City College of New York, majoring in mathematics. She worked as a teach- er in the New York City Public School District for 40 years. Following her re- tirement, Georgette served as a rep- resentative for the NYSUT. Georgette moved to Philadelphia in 2003, where she spent the next two decades as a loving mother, grandmother, and friend. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com d’var torah The Courage to Continue the moment of his death, the rabbi in me automatically noted the Torah portion of that week. Parshat Shelach Lecha Every year, I have revisited this Torah portion to allow it to reveal more of itself to irkei Avot 5:24-Teachings of the me. Shelach Lecha has been and continues WAISBORD Sages, in the name of Ben Bag-Bag, to be the wisdom guide that has helped me HERSH-Passed away on June 6, 2023. Husband of the late Ingrid Waisbord (nee teaches, “Turn it and turn it (the Torah) – to move forward in my life after a personal Winster). Father of Daniel Waisbord, you will find everything in it.” life loss that is shared by so many. In the Rhonda Kalchman (Steven) and the late These words have rung poignantly true spirit of helping others going through that Ivan Waisbord (the late Ava). Grandfather of Ilana Waisbord Bohm (Mendel), Meredith in my life, especially with the Torah portion same loss, I now offer these words. Waisbord Ickowicz (David), Brittany Shelach Lecha being read this week. True Shelach Lecha contains the account Kalchman Berman (Alex), Ivy Waisbord to Ben Bag-Bag’s teaching, with each of the 12 scouts sent ahead by Moses Kazatsky (Brett), Ingrid Kalchman Greenberg (Jake), and Brooke Waisbord passing year, this beautiful Torah portion to the Land of Israel. They were sent to Morrison (Tyler), and Great Grandfather has revealed that there is no end to what report back on what awaited our people of 12. Longtime companion of Edna Price. it can teach me about life’s journey. It is a when we arrived. Their reports are most Contributions in his memory may be made to Yad Vashem, www.yadvashem.org, or beautiful fruit with many layers. revealing. Jewish National Fund, www.jnf.org. Eighteen years ago, at the start of As I wrote in my first Jewish Exponent GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S Shelach Lecha, my dear husband passed article 18 years ago when my husband died, RAPHAEL SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com away. Even while standing with him at Shelach Lecha was a personal message of hope and encouragement to me as I, too, had entered “a new and uncharted land” from being married to being widowed. I found encouragement in that our people chose to follow the IN MEMORIAM minority report of Joshua and Caleb, A RESOLUTION on the death of SHIRLEY GOODMAN PEARLSTINE who encouraged our people to move Beth Sholom Congregation bows its head in profound sorrow at the passing of one of its distinguished and be- forward and enter the land. loved members, and past Board member, Shirley Goodman Pearlstine. Shirley was a member of the congregation for 68 years, and the loving wife to Samuel Goodman (z”l) for 33 years and Jules Pearlstine, Esq., (z”l) for 27 The other 10 scouts had a very years. She was the devoted mother of Bruce (Judi) Goodman, Dr. Roberta (Dr. Steven) Schulman, and Mindy (John) different recommendation. They said Wexler, and stepmother of Susan Pearlstine and Neal (Sharon) Pearlstine, Esq. She was the loving grandmother of that the land awaiting us was a severe twelve grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Shirley was the beloved sister of Sydney Muchnick (z”l) and Blanche Cramer (z”l); and daughter of Morris and Anna Muchnick (z”l). land that “devoured its inhabitants.” After graduating from high school, Shirley trained to become a dental hygienist, and soon met her beloved Sam. They said that the people of Israel They married in 1953, beginning a beautiful partnership. During their early years together, she was a stay-at- would never survive there, as we home mom to their children, and when Sam opened a Home Improvement store on Broad Street, she kept the were “as grasshoppers in the eyes of accounting books. Following Sam’s passing, Shirley was blessed to have a second life partner in Jules with whom she enjoyed traveling and entertaining. Family was always the priority, and there was always great love, mutual those (giants) living there.” Moses and respect and admiration among Shirley, her children, and their spouses. the people of Israel chose to follow Shirley’s huge heart was made manifest in the scope of her philanthropy. She was deeply involved in the work of the words of the optimistic minority the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. As a member of the Board of Trustees of Abramson Senior Care, and we moved forward. she was instrumental in several major campaigns and was one of the original architects of their Rainbow Ball at which she was honored 25 years ago. Shirley held various leadership positions, including her work at Meadow- Eighteen years ago, as a newly lands Country Club. She served on the boards of the Women’s Division of Israel Bonds, Boys Town Jerusalem, widowed person, the optimism of Hadassah, Jewish Family and Children’s Service, the Elder Craftsmen Society, and 18 Doors. Joshua, Caleb, Moses and our people Shirley was a pillar of our Beth Sholom Congregation family, serving on our Board of Directors for decades and propelled me to move with courage then as a Lifetime Trustee, generously building for the future of our community. In 2010, she and Jules were hon- ored at our Golden and Diamond Gala Dinner. The Congregation was fortunate to have such a devoted leader who and optimism into a new land that was was so dedicated to its success and that of the larger Jewish community. also unknown and frightening to me. Her soul is now with the Almighty and the illustrious model of her life provides a memory to inspire those who knew, Widowhood terrified me. loved and respected her. May the memory of Shirley Goodman Pearlstine be perpetuated in reverence and gratitude. The teaching of this Torah portion The Board of Directors of Beth Sholom Congregation extends to her family and friends its heartfelt condolences. gave me the strength to forge a new This Minute is published in remembrance of SHIRLEY GOODMAN PEARLSTINE life for myself without drowning in May her memory forever be a blessing in our midst. fear and defeat. I came to understand Done this 2nd day of March 2023 that optimism or pessimism was my AMY CUKER, Secretary RUTH LEFTON, President Rabbi Cynthia Kravitz P choice to make. I decided to choose the route of optimism inspired by the example of Moses and the Jewish people in this portion. It has served me well, and I am grateful that our people teach this model of optimism when faced with the unknown. Here it is, 18 years later, and this portion continues to speak with me and, hopefully, others about how to find our way through life after a difficult personal setback. This year, Shelach Lecha revealed to me that in addition to being optimistic, it is also essential that we gather our bravery and look straight into the eyes of those “giants” called “our fears.” It is essential that we understand our fears, learn from them and work toward finding new and positive ways of living. “Making friends, getting to know our fears” and not ignor- ing them is a necessary part of our life journey. If done with openness and the courage to gain greater self-understanding, it can actually make us stronger. It can be fright- ening, but without confronting our fears — those “scary giants” in our lives — we will always carry these giants on our backs and be limited by their power over us. And this is what I have learned from Shelach Lecha about finding my way through the often-difficult twists and turns of this adventure called life; it’s a fitting lesson for the 18th (chai) year of my journey. Thank you, Moses, Joshua, Caleb and the people of Israel! To life, L’Chaim! ■ Rabbi Cynthia Kravitz is the rabbi of Congregation Hesed Shel Emet (Mercy and Truth Congregation) in Pottstown. The Board of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia is proud to provide diverse perspectives on Torah commentary for the Jewish Exponent. The opinions expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Board of Rabbis. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 37 calendar JUNE 16–22 WE D N E S DAY, JU N E 2 1 NEW MEDIA FESTIVAL STREAMING Philadelphia Jewish Film and Media announces this summer’s streaming of the 2nd Annual Jewish New Media Festival. Couldn’t make it to the festival in person? Beginning June 21, you can stream all events from the festival right from your home. Visit phillyjfm.org for more information. FRIDAY, J UN E 16 PARSHA FOR LIFE DAVID AND ME David Harris and Alvin Gilens met in Israel in 1965 and bonded instantly over their mutual love for Israel and for photography. The photographs displayed in this Temple Judea Museum exhibition through June 30 attest to their friendship and their talent for capturing the land and its people. For more information, contact tjmuseum@kenesethisrael.org or 215-887-8700. 8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park. Join Rabbi Alexander Coleman, a Jewish educator and psychotherapist at the Institute for Jewish Ethics, at 9 a.m. for a journey through the Torah portion of the week with eternal lessons on personal growth and spirituality. Go to ijethics.org/weekly-torah-portion. html to receive the Zoom link and password. MUSICAL KABBALAT SHABBAT Join Beth Sholom Congregation’s Rabbi David Glanzberg-Krainin, Cantor Jacob Agar and the band at 6 p.m. THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, THROUGHOUT THE WORLD Jewish Community Radio with Estelle Deutsch Abraham MUSIC | FEATURES | INTERVIEWS LIVE ON SUNDAYS AT 10 AM AND NOON ON RADIO AM 1190 PHONE SUNDAY 641-741-2474 ENJOY ANYTIME NEWWORLDRADIONETWORK.COM FOR INFORMATION CALL 301-530-6530 38 JUNE 15, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT for a musical Kabbalat Shabbat. The community is welcome to attend. Call 215-887-1342 for information. 8231 Old York Road, Elkins Park. KI PRIDE SHABBAT Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel presents its Pride Shabbat at 7 p.m. The synagogue will share music from LGBTQ+ Jewish composers who expressed their hopes, dreams and vision through their music. For more information, email contact@ kenesethisrael.org or call 215-887- 8700. 8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park. MON DAY, JU N E 1 9 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. T U E SDAY, JU N E 20 AARP REFRESHER COURSE The Congregations of Shaare Shamayim will host an AARP drivers two-day refresher course through June 21. There are no tests to pass, and most insurance companies provide a discount for completing the course. Payment to AARP is needed to hold your spot. For more details, call the synagogue office at 215-677-1600. 9768 Verree Road, Philadelphia. W E D N E SDAY, JU N E 21 AJC ANNUAL MEETING American Jewish Committee Philadelphia/Southern New Jersey’s annual meeting will feature the installation of new board members and officers, followed by the presentation of the 2023 Human Relations award recognizing outstanding service to Jewish and general communities. For more information, contact 215- 665-2300 or philadelphia@ajc.org. 231 S. Broad St., Philadelphia. TH U RSDAY, JU N E 22 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. ■ Courtesy of Nancy Berger Courtesy of Debbie Zlotnick around town 2 Courtesy of Jill Rosen 3 4 5 6 Courtesy of Andrea Cantor Courtesy of the Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties Photo by Bernie Roseman 1 1 Federation Housing residents gathered for Mother’s Day. 2 Ambler residents Barbara German, a breast cancer survivor, and Nancy Berger made beaded bracelets and necklaces and sold them for charity, donating the $3,700 they made to the National Breast Cancer Coalition. 3 Jewish Residents’ Council of Anns Choice hosted Reena Freidman, an adjunct professor of Jewish history at Gratz College, to discuss the historical development of the four major Jewish religious movements in the U.S. 4 Students of the Goodblatt Academy took a mikveh tour at Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El in Wynnewood. 5 The NFI & The Brown Family Fore Charity Golf Tournament, benefitting the Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties and the Milton & Betty Katz Jewish Community Center, raised more than $135,000 to support both agencies. 6 The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Women of Vision group held its annual spring event on May 23 at Congregation Rodeph Shalom. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 39 around town bonus digital content Philly Fights Cancer: Round 6 cancer research. This event has raised more than $40 million since 2015 and has helped lead to 12 Food and Drug Administration approvals for new cancer treatments, according to press materials. Abramson, a cancer survivor, died in April 2020 at the age of 84. She spent time as a Philadelphia public school teacher who championed education locally and in Israel and was one of the region’s most influential philanthropists along with her husband, Leonard, the former CEO of US Healthcare. At the time it was made, in 1997, the $100 million the Abramsons donated for what would become Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center was “the single largest contribution for cancer research to a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehen- sive cancer center … and one of the largest gifts ever made to a university,” according to a news release. ■ Nancy and Richard Wolfson and their children • Dr. Robert Vonderheide and Dr. Susan Domchek • Aaron and Arielle Kaplowitz • Amos Lee • The Roots 40 JUNE 15, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT Photos courtesy of Philly Fights Cancer Philly Fights Cancer: Round 6: An Evening with Philadelphia Legends occurred on May 20 at the Fillmore and raised $6 million for Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center. The event, which included performances by The Roots, Daryl Hall, Kathy Sledge and Amos Lee, honored the life and legacy of Madlyn Abramson, who co-founded Philly Fights Cancer and whose philanthropic endeavors centered around funding HEAR THE DIFFERENCE WITH SOUND SHIELD TM MORE THAN A WINDOW Turn down the outside volume with Sound Shield. Our sound dampening glass filters out 35% more exterior noise than our standard double-pane windows And call now to get BUY 1 WINDOW, GET 1 40% OFF Plus no interest until January 2025 MORE THAN A WINDOW COMPANY Get 20% off doors, roofing, siding, gutters, bath & shower Scan here Thompson Creek is neither a broker nor a lender. Financing is provided by Greensky, LLC under terms and conditions arranged directly between the customer and Greensky, LLC, all subject to credit requirements and satisfactory completion of finance documents. Thompson Creek does not assist with, counsel or negotiate financing. *Subject to credit approval. 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Even amid pogroms and anti-Jewish violence, the rabbi found a way to help his community. As chair of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, Bolstein, 62, tries to embody his great-grandfather daily. “I think about it all the time — every- thing that they went through so I could live here, free from discrimination,” Bolstein said. “I don’t want anybody to be discriminated against because my family history is such that we know what it is. We know what discrimination feels like, what it looks like. I think it’s at the root of everything that I do.” Bolstein has served as PHRC commissioner since 1999 when he was first appointed by then-Gov. Tom Ridge. The Doylestown resident is also a partner at Fox Rothschild. In the 24 years he’s been a part of the commission — which monitors and investigates complaints of bias, hate and discrimination and provides educational outreach — Bolstein has seen combating antisemitism go from inapplicable to central to his job. To address rising anti-Jewish hate, Bolstein has worked with PHRC Executive Director Chad Dion Lassiter to fortify Black-Jewish relations in the commonwealth. He believes that forms of hate are connected, and to address 42 JUNE 15, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT antisemitism, you must confront all forms of hate and “speak with one voice.” Bolstein comes from 22 generations of rabbis, and the Torah his great-grand- father brought from his village sits in the ark at the Chabad Lubavitch of Doylestown, where Bolstein is a member. Although he doesn’t speak behind a pulpit, Bolstein’s approach to his work is near-spiritual. “Evil has been around since Adam and Eve, and part of me says that there’s evil in the world because God wants all of the good people to fight that,” he said. “That’s kind of the philos- ophy that I bring to this, which is that good people have to get together and address all the hatred — not just the antisemitism — but racism and every- thing else that’s affecting our society.” Drawing from the Torah, Bolstein compares the obligation to address discrimination to the story of Noah: Following the flood that wiped out evil from the world, God insisted that Noah and his family finally leave the ark to begin the work of rebuilding society. The trouble is, in Bolstein’s world, evil only appears to be mutating, not disappearing. When he joined PHRC, Bolstein was still getting to know Pennsylvania. He grew up in the homogenous Scotch Plains township of New Jersey, where there were few minorities. Most of his work as commissioner was investigat- ing employment and housing discrimi- nation against mostly Black community members. The most helpful tool he had was simply to listen and learn. “You do start to see that there is systemic racism. You can’t say it’s not there. It’s there. It goes back many decades, in terms of employment and housing and education, how we fund education, redlining in terms of housing,” Bolstein said. But about a decade ago, Bolstein investigated a flyering incident in Central Pennsylvania, where hundreds of leaflets with antisemitic tropes were distributed on cars and around a movie theater, bringing antisemitism to the forefront of his mind. “That’s probably when it really started to materialize for me,” Bolstein said. After the Tree of Life synagogue complex shooting, Bolstein could tell that antisemitism would be a growing issue. Partly because of social media, white supremacists are empowered through quickly growing online communities. Hate groups used to lurk in people’s basements, finding secret meeting places. Today, Bolstein said, white supremacists can find an “electronic basement” online, where they can meet frequently and anonymously. “That’s the worst part about it,” Bolstein said. “It’s out there; it’s under the surface. You can always see it, and then it pops up like it did with the Tree of Life synagogue shooting.” It’s a bleak thought, and Bolstein once more turns to his Judaism to give him hope and energy to carry on: “I believe we’re here for a reason. ... I’m here because God wants me where I am.” ■ srogelberg@midatlanticmedia.com Courtesy of Fox Rothschild USES SPIRITUALITY TO FUEL FIGHT AGAINST HATE SEASHORE SALE LOVE where you LIVE #1 IN NEW JERSEY FOR LARGE TEAM SALES VOLUME *RealTrends 2021 NEWLY RENOVATED! MARGATE $999,000 COMPLETELY REMODELED HOME HAS 3 BEDS, 2.5 BATHS, A NEW EAT-IN KITCHEN AND AN ADORABLE BACK PATIO! NEW CONSTRUCTION! 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REDUCED & Available Immediately: $2,195.00 per month NEW LISTING – Tower at Oak Hill Large corner 2 bedroom/2.5 baths; wood floors; washer & dryer in unit; lots of closets; balcony overlooking pool; 24 hour doorman; basement storage, SPECIAL CABLE PACKAGE; 2 gyms. Heating & air conditioning included. SEPTA 44 & school bus at front door. NO PETS PERMITTED! NEW LISTING – Oak Hill Estates Townhome 2nd floor walk-up; spacious 2 bedroom/2baths; washer/dryer in unit; new carpets; new appliances; living room w/ fireplace; lots of closets; sunny balcony. FOR RENT IMMEDIATELY $2,350 plus utilities Broker, Owner & Your Neighbor at Oak Hill! Realtor® Emeritus. 5 Star winner, Philly Mag Google Harvey Sklaroff oakhillcondominiums.com HBSHOME@AOL.COM Office: 610-667-9999 Direct: 610-660-9999 PA#RB041533-A NJ#8310118 Cell/Text: 610-613-7606 MARGATE $1,795,000 HIGH-END NEW CONSTRUC- TION WITH 3 FLOORS AND LOADS OF SPACE! 5 BEDS, 3 FULL BATHS! MARGATE NEW CONSTRUCTION! BAY VIEWS! 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Code: “ToTheOcean2023” (Expires 07-01-2023) TUTORING EDUCATION PLUS Private tutoring, all subjects, elemen.-college, SAT/ACT prep. 7 days/week. Expd. & motivated instructors. (215)576-1096 www.educationplusinc.com LEGALS ESTATE OF ADELE SEARS aka ADELE ETHEL SEARS, DECEASED Late of Philadelphia, PA. LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above estate have been grant- ed 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 pay- ment without delay, to Stanley Franklin Sears and Alan Jeffrey Sears, Executors, c/o Gary A. Zlotnick, Esq., Zarwin Baum DeVito Kaplan Schaer & Toddy, PC, One Commerce Sq., 2005 Market St., 16th Fl., Philadelphia, PA 19103 or to their attorneys, Gary A. Zlotnick, Esq. Zarwin Baum DeVito Kaplan Schaer & Toddy, PC One Commerce Sq. 2005 Market St., 16th Fl. Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF ANDREA MARIE KYER, 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 pay- ment without delay to ARYN MICHELLE KYER, ADMINISTRATRIX, c/o Bradley Newman, Esq., 123 S. Broad St., Ste. 1030, Philadelphia, PA 19109, Or to her Attorney: BRADLEY NEWMAN ESTATE & ELDER LAW OFFICE OF BRADLEY NEWMAN 123 S. Broad St., Ste. 1030 Philadelphia, PA 19109 ESTATE OF BETH COLOMBE a/k/a BETH W. COLOMBE, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia 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 STANLEY PELLI, EXECUTOR, 1880 JFK Blvd., Ste. 1740, Philadelphia, PA 19103, Or to his Attorney: STANLEY A. PELLI ALEXANDER & PELLI, LLC 1880 JFK Blvd., Ste. 1740 Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF ELIZABETH LIU BAINBRIDGE a/k/a ELIZABETH L. BAINBRIDGE a/k/a KUNG-JI LIU BAINBRIDGE, DECEASED. Late of Pennsylvania LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION on the above estate have been granted to the undersigned, who bequest 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 Benjamin Eckersley, Executor, c/o their attorney Debra G. Speyer, Two Bala Plaza, Suite 300, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. ESTATE OF ELVIRA THERESA RICCOBONO, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia, PA. Letters Testatmentary on the above estate have been granted to the undersigned. All per- sons having claims against or indebted to the estate should make claims known or forward payment to Samuel Riccobono, Executor, c/o Paul J. Perpiglia, Esq., Perpiglia & Assocs., 1332 Jackson St., Philadelphia, PA 19148. ESTATE OF ERNESTINE G. MARTIN, 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 JOHN WILLIAM YOUNG, JR., EXECUTOR, 2314 River Green Dr., NW, Atlanta, GA 30327 ESTATE OF EUGENE F. MCGRATH, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia, PA. Letters Testamentary on the above estate have been granted to the undersigned. All persons having claims against or in- debted to the estate should make claims known or forward payment to Anthony J. Comitalo, Executor, c/o Ned Hark, Esq., Goldsmith Hark & Hornak, PC, 7716 Castor Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19152. ESTATE OF FRANK A. CHIAVAROLI, DECEASED. Late of Pennsylvania LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION on the above estate have been granted to the undersigned, who bequest 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 Karen Panichelli, Executrix, c/o their attorney Debra G. Speyer, Two Bala Plaza, Suite 300, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. ESTATE OF HELEN CHRISTINE KAUFMAN, DECEASED Late of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 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 Brad K. Kaufman, Administrator c/o Michael E. Eisenberg, Esquire 2935 Byberry Road, Suite 107 Hatboro, PA 19040 Or to Attorney: Michael E. Eisenberg, Esquire 2935 Byberry Road, Suite 107 Hatboro, PA 19040 ESTATE OF IDA V. SESSO a/k/a IDA V. RUSSO-SESSO, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia 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 – LOREDANA BERNADETTA SESSO-MROZ, EXECUTRIX, 1033 Watkins St., Philadelphia, PA 19148 ESTATE OF IRENE B. KATZ a/k/a IRENE BERNARD KATZ, 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 LEWIS JAY GORDON, EXECUTOR, c/o David S. Workman, Esq., 200 S. Broad St., Ste. 600, Philadelphia, PA 19102, Or to his Attorney: DAVID S. WORKMAN ASTOR WEISS KAPLAN & MANDEL, LLP 200 S. Broad St., Ste. 600 Philadelphia, PA 19102 ESTATE OF JOSE ANTONIO LOPEZ a/k/a JOSE A. LOPEZ, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County, PA LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to AMY LOPEZ, ADMINISTRATRIX, c/o Bess M. Collier, Esq., 820 Homestead Rd., Jenkintown, PA 19046, Or to her Attorney: BESS M. COLLIER FELDMAN & FELDMAN, LLP 820 Homestead Rd. Jenkintown, PA 19046 ESTATE OF JUDITH F. BRAHIN a/k/a JUDITH FREEMAN BRAHIN, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia 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 HAROLD J. BRAHIN and LEE BRAHIN, EXECUTORS, c/o Jonathan H. Ellis, Esq., One Tower Bridge, 100 Front St., Ste. 100, Conshohocken, PA 19428, Or to their Attorney: JONATHAN H. ELLIS FLASTER GREENBERG PC One Tower Bridge 100 Front St., Ste. 100 Conshohocken, PA 19428 ESTATE OF MARTHA ZACK, 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 RONALD ZACK, EXECUTOR, c/o Andrew Gavrin, Esq., 306 Clairemont Rd., Villanova, PA 19085, Or to his Attorney: ANDREW GAVRIN 306 Clairemont Rd. Villanova, PA 19085 ESTATE OF MICHAEL CRAIG YARNELL a/k/a MICHAEL C. YARNELL, MICHAEL YARNELL, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County, PA LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to DAVID DOUGLAS YARNELL, ADMINISTRATOR, c/o Harry Metka, Esq., 4802 Neshaminy Blvd., Ste. 9, Bensalem, PA 19020, Or to his Attorney: HARRY METKA 4802 Neshaminy Blvd., Ste. 9 Bensalem, PA 19020 ESTATE OF MUJAHID ABDUL HAQQ MYERS, 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 WILLIAM A. CALANDRA, ADMINISTRATOR, c/o Kristen L. Behrens, Esq., 1500 Market St., Ste. 3500E, Philadelphia, PA 19102, Or to his Attorney: KRISTEN L. BEHRENS DILWORTH PAXSON LLP 1500 Market St., Ste. 3500E Philadelphia, PA 19102 ESTATE OF SARAH L. PETERS, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia 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 MICHAEL PETERS, EXECUTOR, c/o Nathan Snyder, Esq., 3070 Bristol Pike, Bldg. 2, Ste. 204, Bensalem, PA 19020, Or to his Attorney: NATHAN SNYDER LAW OFFICE OF NATHAN SNYDER 3070 Bristol Pike, Bldg. 2, Ste. 204 Bensalem, PA 19020 Testamentary on the above estate have been granted to the undersigned. All per- sons having claims against or indebted to the estate should make claims known or forward payment to Susan McMullin, Executrix, c/o David W. Crosson, Esq., Crosson Richetti & Daigle, LLC, 609 W. Hamilton St., Suite 210, Allentown, PA 18101. ESTATE OF TIMOTHY J. DEISSLER, SR. a/k/a TIMOTHY J. DEISSLER, 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 MEGHAN DEISSLER, ADMINISTRATRIX, 12300 Dunks Ferry Rd., Apt. 1, Philadelphia, PA 19154, Or to her Attorney: JOSEPH J. CONSOLE CONSOLE MATISON, LLP 1 W. Third St., Ste. 204 Media, PA 19063 ESTATE OF SHIRLEY SMALLWOOD, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia, PA. Letters of Administration on the above estate have been granted to the undersigned. All per- sons having claims against or indebted to the estate should make claims known or forward payment to Charles Kalvin Ivey, Administrator, c/o Ned Hark, Esq., Goldsmith Hark & Hornak, PC, 7716 Castor Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19152. ESTATE OF TRACEY A. JONES a/k/a TRACEY JONES, 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 ARIBELLE JONES, EXECUTRIX, c/o Jay E. Kivitz, Esq., 7901 Ogontz Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19150, Or to her Attorney: JAY E. KIVITZ KIVITZ & KIVITZ, P.C. 7901 Ogontz Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19150 ESTATE OF SUSAN J. ANTON aka SUSAN J. ANTON THORPE, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia, PA. Letters ESTATE OF TYREK CARLTON, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County, PA LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment with- out delay to ROSEMARIE CARLTON, ADMINISTRATRIX, c/o Kristen L. Behrens, Esq., 1500 Market St., Ste. 3500E, Philadelphia, PA 19102, Or to her Attorney: KRISTEN L. BEHRENS DILWORTH PAXSON LLP 1500 Market St., Ste. 3500E Philadelphia, PA 19102 ESTATE OF WARNELL GAMBLE, DECEASED LETTERS on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the Estate of the dece- dent to make known the same, and all persons indebted to the decedents to make payment without delay, to Rowena Durant, Administratrix Or to Attorney Gary E. Thompson, Esquire Carosella & Associates, P.C. 882 South Matlack Street, Suite 101 West Chester, PA 19382-4505 ESTATE OF WILLIAM WALKER, JR , DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County, PA LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to STEPHANIE BONDARENKO, ADMINISTRATRIX, c/o Jay E. Kivitz, Esq., 7901 Ogontz Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19150, Or to his Attorney: JAY E. KIVITZ KIVITZ & KIVITZ, P.C. 7901 Ogontz Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19150 Jewish Careers.com For Those Who Value Community The preferred career resource for the Jewish community. info.jewishcareers.com 410-902-2300 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 45 MAZAL TOV BARRACK CLASS Of Rose Bat-Chen Shapiro Ackerman Harrison Joshua Andelman Niva Pfaelzer Cohen Benjamin Ilan Diamond Lila Abby Elkins Raphael Benjamin Englander Nicole Arielle Epelboim Noah Zachary Erlbaum Talia Rachel Erlbaum Benjamin Austin Gelwarg Joshua Noah Graub Abigail Jolie Greenspan Megan Emily Grob Kate Elana Hoffman filler Maxwell Nathan Kanefsky Jonah Benjamin Kosloff Maya Sadie Koval Ellie Peyton LaVoe Claire Ann Mansheim Talia Esther Markowitz 2023! Andrew Max Meltzer Samuel Emmet Menkowitz Rebecca Maia Miller Carmen Nadav Noah Luke Pomerantz Ari Powers Jack Gabriel Rabinowitz Sophie Joy Romisher Jenavieve Tianmei Rose Mitchell David Rosenthal Noah Gabriel Rosenthal Aiden Joseph Sandler Abigail Devorah Schurman Jonah Paul Shapiro Eden Singer Sophie Lyla Sussman Jenna Lee Ufberg Talia Vaknin Talia Raquel Willner Benjamin Neil Zelnick Samantha T Zivitz Our 41 seniors have received 166 offers of admission from 86 colleges and universities. The following colleges and universities have offered admission to at least one member of the class of 2023. Schools that members of the class of 2023 have chosen to attend are in bold. Agnes Scott College American University Amherst College Arcadia University Arizona State University (Main Campus) Bard College Binghamton University Boston University Bowdoin College Brandeis University Brown University Bucknell University Colby College Cornell University Dartmouth College Drexel University Duke University Eckerd College Elon University Florida State University Franklin & Marshall College George Washington University Harvard University Imperial College London Indiana University (Bloomington) James Madison University Jewish Theological Seminary of America/Columbia University Johns Hopkins University Kent State University Kenyon College King's College London Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Lehigh University Massachusetts Institute of Technology McGill University Michigan State University Muhlenberg College New Jersey Institute of Technology New York University Northeastern University Penn State University (Abington) Penn State University (University Park) Princeton University Purdue University Fort Wayne Purdue University Northwest Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rochester Institute of Technology Rutgers University (New Brunswick) Skidmore College Smith College Stanford University Syracuse University Temple University The College of William and Mary The Ohio State University The University of Texas at Austin The University of Warwick Thomas Jefferson University (East Falls Campus) Tufts University Tulane University of Louisiana University of Arizona University of Colorado Boulder University of Delaware University of Florida University of Hartford University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University of Maryland (College Park) University of Massachusetts (Amherst) University of Michigan University of Minnesota (Twin Cities) University of Oregon University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh (Greensburg) University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh) University of Rochester University of Vermont University of Virginia (Main Campus) University of Washington (Seattle Campus) University of Wisconsin (Madison) Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Wake forest University Washington University in St. Louis Wesleyan University West Chester University of Pennsylvania Williams College Yale University Partnering with Accredited by Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS) and Secondary Schools.