MOMMY DEAREST GETTING WARMER “If You See My Mother” channels Sophocles’ “Oedipus Rex,” albeit with humor. MAY 6, 2021 / 24 IYAR 5781 PAGE 22 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM — WHAT IT MEANS TO BE JEWISH IN PHILADELPHIA — $1.00 LOCAL NMAJH Leads Jewish American Heritage Month Commemoration dates to 2006. Page 6 LOCAL Kaiserman JCC Names New CEO Alan Scher’s resume includes stints at multiple JCCs. Page 8 Volume 134 Number 4 Published Weekly Since 1887 JESSE BERNSTEIN | JE STAFF PENNSYLVANIA EXPERIENCED a slight decrease in antisemitic incidents in 2020 relative to 2019, according to the Anti-Defamation League’s 2020 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents. Th e annual audit, released on April 27, recorded 101 incidents — 70 harassment incidents, 29 vandalism reports and two cases of assault. In 2019, there were 109 incidents, with slightly fewer harassment cases, many more vandalisms and one fewer assault. Th e audit included some specifi c incidents (the full list is publicly avail- able at adl.org/heat-map.) Th e list includes incidents like a youth hockey coach in Northampton County who called 10-year- old Jewish players “dirty Jews” in the handshake line, and a sign in front of a Philadelphia synagogue that was defaced At JCC Camps at Medford, summer 2020 fi shing specialist Bill Hamby teaches fi rst-grade campers about their catch. Photo by Sara Sideman Vaccines to Allow Camps to Return Closer to Normal JESSE BERNSTEIN | JE STAFF FOR JEWISH SUMMER CAMPS in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the wide availability of vaccines represents a chance for a summer that’s closer to “normal” than the summer of 2020 was. Th ough camp directors are hardly rushing to drop policies regarding mask-wearing or disinfection, they acknowledged that some of the mental weight of in-person camp was lift ed. With their vaccine-eligible staff s on their way to being vaccinated, the possibility of infection or transmission is dramatically reduced, making way for a summer that might just look like summer. As of May 4, 51% of all Pennsylvania See Antisemitism, Page 16 See Camps, Page 17 ti • Sa sf yi SA RS U OO • Page 4 76 Labor activism a part of its origins. ng 19 Jews Played Historical Role in May Day c e HISTORY ADL: Antisemitism Stats Decline Slightly in 2019, Still High FL OF NOTE n C u s t o m e rs Si SPRING A N N U A L INTRODUCING MAKEOVER EVENT! PAY OVER 5 YEARS 555 S. HENDERSON RD KING OF PRUSSIA, PA 610.757.4000 10 YEARS 15 YEARS THIS WEEK I N T H IS I SSU E 4 HEADLINES Local Israel National Global 18 OPINION Columns Kvetch ’n’ Kvell 20 LIFESTYLE & CULTURE Food Arts 23 TORAH COMMENTARY 24 COMMUNITY Jewish Federation Deaths Calendar 28 CLASSIFIEDS CANDLE LIGHTING May 7 7:44 p.m. May 14 7:50 p.m. Weather, pandemic don’t slow local Lag B’Omer celebrations. Add some scapes to your cooking. 20 12 Tribe 12 fellow mentored in novel-writing process. 21 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Miriam’s Advice Well Philacatessen HOW WILL YOU RE-ENGAGE AFTER THE PANDEMIC? HEAVENLY LEMON POUND CAKE How do singles in the mostly married 30s and 40s community re-engage after the pandemic after seemingly losing “their spot” because of social distancing? Miriam suggests first asking yourself a couple questions, including what you want out of social interactions. For details, read Miriam’s Advice Well. From dating to parenting, Miriam welcomes all questions. Email yours to news@jewishexponent.com and put “Advice Well Question” in the subject line. jewishexponent.com/2021/05/03/dear-miriam-how-will-you-re- engage-after-the-pandemic/ Who doesn’t like pound cake? Food columnist Keri White developed a simple recipe that uses both sour cream and lemon juice to help make for an especially tasty cake. The end result works as a dessert, a snack or even as breakfast. Read Philacatessen, her online blog, for the recipe. And check Philacatessen regularly for food content not normally found in the printed edition, such as other recipes, restaurant reviews and food news from around the Delaware Valley. jewishexponent.com/2021/05/03/heavenly-lemon-pound- cake/ Gourmet Every Day …it’s Senior Living Elevated With a vast menu rooted in local, seasonal ingredients and daily specials, our chefs create unforgettable dining experiences with mouthwatering choices – all day, every day. Leasing Gallery Open: 251 Rock Hill Road, Bala Cynwyd 610-595-4647 | residencebalacynwyd.com An LCB Senior Living Community: Over 25 Years of Excellence Contact us to secure your exclusive Charter Club rate. 2 MAY 6, 2021 JEWISH EXPONENT JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 2100 Arch Street, 4th Floor, Philadelphia, Pa. 19103 2018 MAIN PHONE NUMBER: 215-832-0700 if you lost a loved one from covid-19, you may be eligible for financial assistance up to $9,000 through fema JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA David Adelman and Gail Norry, Co-Chairs Steven Rosenberg, Chief Operating Officer JEWISH PUBLISHING GROUP Andrew L. 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Steve Burke, Art Director Calendar Events listings@jewishexponent.com SNAPSHOT: APRIL 10, 1936 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM ANY ADVERTISER’S OFFERS FEATURED IN SNAPSHOT ARE NULL AND VOID JEWISH EXPONENT MAY 6, 2021 3 H eadlines The Jewish History of May Day and Labor Activism H I STORY SOPHIE PANZER | JE STAFF MAY DAY MIGHT conjure images of flower garlands and maypoles as a traditional European spring festival, but the May 1 holiday is also a celebration of workers’ rights. Kate Rosenblatt, a fellow at the Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at the University of Pennsylvania and a professor of religion and Jewish Studies at Emory University, said the workers’ holiday of May Day was created during the 1880s when American trade union- ists took up the cause of the eight-hour workday. “They were responding to the realities of a brutal labor situation in which people — by which I mean men, women and also children because this is a period before regulations on child labor — were working crazy hours, 12, 14, 16 hours a day or more,” Rosenblatt said. On May 1, 1886, unions in Chicago called for a general strike to demand an eight- hour workday, and workers across the country walked out of their jobs. In Chicago, the protest and accompanying parade were largely peaceful, but another strike on May 4 led to a violent crackdown on protesters by police and culminated in a bomb being thrown into a crowd. The incident became known as the Haymarket Affair. In 1889, labor organizers decided to observe a worker’s holiday on May 1 in honor of the national strike and the workers who were injured or killed during the Haymarket Affair. May Day gained a second moniker, International Workers’ Day, and became a rallying point for labor activ- ists for years to come. Many Jews, especially poor immigrants from Russia and Eastern Europe, became involved in unions and labor organizing in the late 19th and early 20th century. They were overrepresented in the garment industry and worked in factories with dangerous, exploitative working condi- tions and starvation wages. Rosenblatt said Jews partici- pated in famous strikes in 1909, when thousands of Jewish Jewish women shirtwaist strikers hold copies of the socialist ‘The Call’ in 1910. Photo courtesy of the Kheel Center, Cornell University Library is licensed under CC BY 2.0 women garment workers in New York and Philadelphia walked out of their jobs to protest dangerous working conditions and low pay, and in 1911, when workers responded to the deadly fire that killed 146 young women — many of them Jewish — at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York because they were locked in the building with no fire escapes. Jews across the country joined unions like the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union and the Amalgamated Clothing Workers Union to advocate for greater protections. Rosenblatt added that in the 1920s, members of the ACWU, including many Jews, SHARE your engagement, wedding birth, Bar/Bat Mitzvah announcement and any other simcha on both jewishexponent.com and the weekly Jewish Exponent newspaper for ... FREE . J E W I S H E X P O N E N T . C O M / S U B M I T - M A Z E L - T O V 4 MAY 6, 2021 JEWISH EXPONENT JEWISHEXPONENT.COM H eadlines established a bank to provide credit and loans to workers and built thousands of cooperative housing units in New York City to provide them with decent living conditions. By World War II, union members began looking at labor rights as a holistic vision of quality of life for the working class, including natural light, green space, plumbing and sanitation. Although May Day as a workers’ holiday originated in the United States, the celebration and the workers’ movement it represented were also widely popular in the Soviet Union, which conse- quently led to popularity among Soviet Jews and Israelis during the 20th century. Armin Rosen, a staff writer for Tablet, wrote in his 2017 article “When May Day Was a Major Event in Israel” that while the USSR eventually became one of Israel’s enemies, there was initially no tension between left-wing politics and Jewish nationalism. Many members of Israel’s commu- nist kibbutzim were raised The holiday was also popular among mainstream Israeli labor unions that were not aligned with communism, but it began to fall out of favor as tensions rose between Israel particularly in response to the dangers workers have faced during the pandemic. Michael Hersch, director of the Philadelphia Jewish Labor Committee, cited the fights They were responding to the realities of a brutal labor situation in which people — by which I mean men, women and also children because this is a period before regulations on child labor — were working crazy hours, 12, 14, 16 hours a day or more.” KATE ROSENBLATT to admire the USSR and the tenets of communism. “The ties went deeper than any political alliance: For many, Zionism was an avowedly secular pro-labor movement with the same utopian aims as Communism itself,” Rosen wrote. and the USSR and Israeli politics shifted to the right. In the present day, popular Jewish observance of May Day has waned, but Jewish labor leaders view the holiday as an opportunity to focus on the labor fights of the modern era, response to essential workers like grocery store employees and nurses during the last year. “Calling someone a hero is great, but how about paying them? The hope is that you’ll see workers rewarded with a different level of compensa- tion and appreciation, not just being called a hero.” The national JLC did not host a May Day celebra- tion this year, opting instead to commemorate Workers Memorial Day, which is observed on April 28 to honor the victims of workplace injury and illness, in light of the pandemic. The organization held a virtual event on April 29 to mark the occasion as well as the 50th anniversary of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. l for paid sick leave, raising the minimum wage and a return to collective bargaining as contemporary versions of the eight-hour workday campaign. “You’ve heard workers lauded as heroes in this spanzer@jewishexponent.com; country,” Hersch said of the 215-832-0729 YOU’RE INVITED! TA S T E O F Antholog y M AY 13 / 10 A M or 2 P M Join us at Anthology of King of Prussia as Executive Chef Mark Bandjough prepares our Brain-Healthy Smoothie in our bistro and then take a tour of the community. On your way out, take home our signature Spinach & Strawberry Salad. RSVP TODAY! LIMITED AMOUNT OF SPOTS AVAILABLE. RSVPs ARE REQUIRED BY MAY 10. This will be a socially distanced event. Masks required ANTHOLOGY OF KING OF PRUSSIA 484-392-5011 350 Guthrie Road / King of Prussia, PA AnthologySeniorLiving.com/King-of-Prussia INDEPENDENT LIVING / PERSONAL CARE / MEMORY CARE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM RSVP RE QUIR BY MAY 1 ED 0! JEWISH EXPONENT MAY 6, 2021 5 H eadlines NMAJH Leads Jewish American Heritage Month L OCA L SOPHIE PANZER | JE STAFF MAY IS JEWISH American Heritage Month, and the National Museum of American Jewish History is enmeshed in the nationwide annual educa- tion project it began to lead in 2018. “We joke that every month is Jewish American Heritage Month at the museum,” said Emily August, director of communications and public engagement. CEO Misha Galperin said the origins of JAHM date to 2006, when U.S. Rep. Deborah Wasserman Schultz of Florida and Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter introduced a resolution urging President George W. Bush to proclaim a month that would recognize the more than 350-year history of Jewish contri- butions to American culture. The resolutions passed unanimously, first in the House of Representatives in December 2005 and later in the Senate in February 2006. Bush embraced the idea, and every sitting president since Bush has also signed on to the project, including President Joe Biden. A group of cultural and history organizations, including the Library of Congress, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service Ed Snider Only in America Gallery/Hall of Fame Conservest serves wealthy and successful clients throughout the United States. At Conservest, first we get to know you, and then we get to work. 6 MAY 6, 2021 JEWISH EXPONENT and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, collab- orated to form the Jewish American Heritage Month coalition. The institutions created museum exhibits, art galleries, classroom teaching materials and online videos and photo collections dedicated to telling the story of Jews in the United States. There was also an annual congres- sional celebration in honor of the month. In 2018, NMAJH assumed leadership of the event and the various programming it entailed. When Galperin became CEO in 2019, he was taken with the idea and felt JAHM was not as well-known as it deserved to be. He and his staff began brainstorming ways to help the month fulfill its purpose: educating the public about Jewish contributions to the United States and expressing gratitude for the opportunities that the nation has given Jews. In May 2020, less than two months after museums closed to the public due to COVID- 19, NMAJH began creating an entirely virtual JAHM programming schedule. The theme chosen was “Crisis and Resilience,” and many of the events featured prominent Jewish American historians giving lectures about historic Photo by David Rosenblum moments of crisis and answering questions from their online audiences. Topics included the Civil War, the 1918 influenza pandemic and the Great Depression. Galperin said digital marketing and partnerships with 50 other institutions allowed NMAJH to reach approximately 400,000 people virtually. This year, the museum wants to build on that success by expanding its number of partners, especially among organizations outside the Jewish community. August said the number of partners is between 75 and 80, a significant increase from last year. For the first time, organizations besides museums and cultural institu- tions, including corporations and government entities, started to reach out to express interest in incorporating JAHM into diversity, equity and inclusion training. This year’s theme is a quote from first century sage Rabbi Hillel: “If I’m not for myself, who am I, and if I’m only for myself, What am I? And if not now, when?” Galperin said the quote addresses issues that the Jewish community needs to address, including preserving heritage and combating rising antisemitism, as well as the history of Jews of color and JEWISHEXPONENT.COM H EADLINES Virtual Dementia Support Groups Specially Designed for Families and Caregivers on Zoom The 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the Month May 11 and May 25, 2021 10:00 am - 11:00 am Joining is easy! Call 215.321.6166 or e-mail Yardley@arden-courts.com to register and receive the link to join the support group. Statue of Liberty Menorah Courtesy of Emily August Jewish solidarity with multiple communities in the face of national reckonings on racial injustice. “We embrace the Jewish community in all its diversity,” Galperin said. “We’re trying to bring in as many diff erent stories and people, whether they be Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Mizrahi, Jews of color, diff erent denominations or levels of religious observance.” Th e kickoff event will be a multi-day screening begin- ning on May 8 of fi lmmaker Martin Doblmeier’s documen- tary “Spiritual Audacity: Th e Abraham Joshua Heschel Story,” which focuses on the titular character’s leadership during the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War and the movement to free Soviet Jews. Other events will include a virtual discussion among members of the Congressional Caucus on Black-Jewish Relations about the importance of America’s Black and Jewish communities coming together to combat hate and an all-night virtual Shavuot festival. Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, the fi rst ordained Asian American rabbi in North America, will speak in honor of the intersec- tion between JAHM and Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which also takes place in May. NMAJH’s partner organi- zations have provided online resources for perusal, from the Th eatre Schmooze Podcast by the Alliance for Jewish Th eatre to reading lists from the Jewish Book Council to online exhibits from regional Jewish museums across the country. August said NMAJH will organize a nomination and voting process for the Ed Snider Only in America Gallery/Hall of Fame Hometown Hero Contest. Participants will be able to nominate and vote for people in their communities with outstanding records of service, and one winner will be inducted into the hall later this year. “Just reading the news over the past year, you read stories of incredible individuals who have taken the initiative to help their communities,” August said. “It’s a way to celebrate the ongoing, everyday contri- butions of Jews in America.” ● You do not need to download the Zoom application to join the event. Memory Care Community If you are caring for someone with dementia, who is caring for you? You are not alone. This virtual informational, supportive group will help you to learn more about the disease as well as understand their feelings about the changes dementia has made on their daily lives. Support groups can also help you: • • • • Learn practical caregiving information Get mutual support Learn about your local community resources Find solutions to challenging behaviors arden-courts.org spanzer@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0729 14006_Yardley_May_5.5x11.indd 1 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM JEWISH EXPONENT 3/11/21 9:52 AM MAY 6, 2021 7 H eadlines Kaiserman JCC Hires New CEO From JCC Ranks L OCA L ANDY GOTLIEB | JE MANAGING EDITOR anniversary, as fallout from a collapsed pool roof in 2013 led to a steep drop in membership (there was no indoor pool again until 2019). And because of the pandemic, the JCC went from closure and furloughs of nearly the entire staff to the rehiring of many of those employees after securing a federal Payroll Protection Program loan. The fitness facilities remain closed to members, although some group fitness classes are UPPE R DU BLI N ! M LE OO LAB DR AI BE V 2 TS A I UN N M OW OD L EL EA S SIN OP G EN ! THE KAISERMAN JCC named veteran JCC executive Alan Scher as its new CEO, effective July 1. Scher, 41, an associate execu- tive director at the 14th Street Y in New York City, pledged to listen well and build relation- ships as the JCC considers its post-pandemic future. “I’m a JCC guy,” he said. “I’ve had the honor and privi- lege to work at five different JCCs.” Scher replaces Amy Krulik, who served as CEO from 2017 through March of this year. She left to become executive director of Main Line Reform Temple. Jay Steinberg is serving as the interim CEO. Scher enters into a difficult situation as the Wynnewood- based JCC celebrates its 50th Alan Scher UPSCALE LIVING STEPS ABOVE IT ALL! Designed with luxury in mind, The Residences at the Promenade off er lavish apartments situated above a beautiful town center. • Park Trails • Pool with Sundeck • Dog Parks & Washrooms • Media & Game Rooms Amenities too many to mention! • Bocce Court • Fitness Center Clean Juice • Sprouts Farmers Market • Lululemon • Fine Wine and Good Spirits! Coming Soon! Home Goods • Banfi eld • La Scala’s Fire • Trinity Physical Therapy Smashburger • Carbon Health • Starbucks • Serenity Nail Bar Welsh & Dreshertown Roads • Dresher, PA 833-238-1100 ResidencesUD.com A Bruce E. Toll Community 8 MAY 6, 2021 JEWISH EXPONENT held online and two are held outside. Its preschool continues to operate, the pool just opened for the summer and Camp Kef is slated to begin in June. Board President Cindy Smukler said Scher is the right person for the job and stood out among the dozen candi- dates seriously considered. “From the get-go, I felt his love for the JCC,” she said. “The JCC is in his blood.” Smukler said Scher will offer a fresh set of eyes to consider the institution’s future. “He’s not afraid to roll up his sleeves and get dirty,” she said. “The big question for a lot of JCCs is what we look like in the community now.” Krulik, who participated on the search committee for her successor, said Scher is well thought of among Jewish communal professionals. She noted there’s an added element for the position. “You’re looking at things through a Jewish lens ... and must be mindful for supporting and honoring our heritage and culture,” she said. Scher grew up near Sandy Courtesy of Kaiserman JCC Hook, New Jersey, and has Philadelphia childhood memories — a frequently visited cousin in Mt. Airy. He and his wife and two daugh- ters will be moving to a home just four blocks from where the cousin lived. After graduating from the University of Southern California — he later completed a master’s degree at Sonoma State University — Scher began his JCC career in Chicago. After a stint as a supervising teacher at CalSERVES, NCOEwest, he worked for five years at the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco. In 2013, he returned to the East Coast as managing director of youth and family services for the YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood in the New York City area. He joined the 14th Street Y in October 2017. Although each of the JCCs is different in terms of size, amenities and other factors, Scher sees a common element: the ability to bond and inspire the community. That will be valuable post-pandemic. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM H EADLINES The Kaiserman JCC pool’s heated tent Courtesy of Kaiserman JCC I see the antidote to the last 16 months as [being] JCCs. “People need community more than ever before.” National Nurses Week May 6 – 12, 2021 ALAN SCHER “I see the antidote to the last 16 months as [being] JCCs,” he said. “People need community more than ever before.” Scher has no preconceptions heading into the job, saying “it’s somewhat folly,” to come in with pre-formed ideas. By listening and building relation- ships, the proper direction should present itself, he said. Scher described the JCC fi nancially as a three-legged stool, with Camp Kef and the Robert J. Wilf Preschool and Kindergarten components doing well — camp enrollment is topping the pre-pandemic 2019 numbers — but the largely closed fi tness compo- nent creating a major hole. Th at means fundraising will be a key component of his job. “Fundraising is essential for every JCC right now. It’s not a luxury right now,” Scher said. “Increasingly, philanthropy has had to fi ll that gap.” Th e structure of local JCCs JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Einstein Healthcare Network nurses are superheroes who give their all, every day. Please join us in thanking our extraordinary nurses for the work they do and their dedication to their profession and our healthcare network. has changed radically in recent years. The Jewish Community Centers of Greater Philadelphia split up in 2009, leaving the three branches — the Kaiserman JCC, the Gershman Y and the Klein and Stiff el JCCs — on their own, including regarding fundraising. Th e Kaiserman JCC is now the only true JCC in the fi ve Southeastern Pennsylvania counties. Th e Gershman Y morphed into the Gershman Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival and the Klein and Stiff el JCCs merged into one entity called KleinLife to refl ect a larger communal role. Still, Scher said he’s an optimist by nature. “I have found out already that the Philadelphia Jewish community is a special place,” he said. ● agotlieb@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0797 JEWISH EXPONENT MAY 6, 2021 9 H EADLINES ISRAELBRIEFS Woman to Lead an Israeli Orthodox Synagogue for First Time SHIRAT HATAMAR, a congregation in the West Bank settlement of Efrat, elected Rabbanit Shira Marili Mirvis, 40, as spiritual leader on April 26, marking the fi rst time a woman will hold that role in an Israeli Orthodox synagogue, JTA reported. “I truly hold in my heart all of the women, across all of the generations, who are greater than me, and smarter than me, and fear heaven and are students of Torah that didn’t receive the recognition and love that I have received,” she said. “I have a congregation that is a group of people — men, women and children — that come together to serve God in happiness, simplicity and prayer.” Mirvis’ election is considered historic. Unlike the more liberal Conservative and Reform movements, Orthodox seminaries have traditionally ordained only men as rabbis. Mirvis was elected with the support of 83% of the synagogue’s membership. nation’s two most-common snakes, Th e Jerusalem Post reported. Israeli company Kamada produces the antidotes and sells them to the nation’s Health Ministry. Th e company specializing in developing medicines to treat people receiving organ transplants or suff ering from rare diseases. May is considered peak snake season in Israel. Th e Health Ministry estimates that 58% of snake bites occur in central Israel, while 33% are in southern Israel and 9% in northern Israel. Isolation Required for Israelis Returning From Countries with High COVID-19 Rates Israelis returning from countries with high levels of COVID-19 infection will be required to isolate, even if they’re already vaccinated or recovered, according to a Health Ministry director Director-General Chezy Levy signed on April 29, Th e Jerusalem Post reported. Th e measure, which took eff ect May 3, was prompted aft er 41 cases of the Indian variant — including in four already-vaccinated people — were Israel Prepares for Snake Season In advance of snake season, Israel’s health system detected. Th e high-risk countries include India, South has bought antidotes that counter the venom of the Africa, Turkey, Ethiopia, Ukraine, Mexico and Brazil. Levy said outbound travel of Israelis to those countries would be halted. Travelers spending less than 12 hours in airport transit in those countries will be exempt. Most of those infected entered from India, the Post reported. Israeli Cash Use Jumps 17.5% in 2020 Th e amount of cash in circulation in the Israeli economy jumped by 17.5%, or about $5.7 billion, in 2020, compared to a 1.5% increase in 2019, Globes reported. Th e Bank of Israel said the rise in cash use indicated that the public needed to feel more fi nancially secure in an uncertain era, noting that the biggest jump in cash use came at the pandemic’s start. Globes said it’s possible that businesses took cash to lower their revenues so they could receive government grants for COVID-19 compensation, and that people ostensibly on unpaid leave were performing work for cash. Th e increases have continued in 2021, with about $1.9 billion more in circulation in the year’s fi rst two months. ● — Compiled by Andy Gotlieb Vote by mail or on May 18th! "I am proud to endorse Wendi Barish and Craig Levin for Judge. These two candidates are brilliant and accomplished lawyers who care deeply about the Philadelphia community. Wendi and Craig will make excellent additions to the Court of Common Pleas." We n PUSH #11 10 MAY 6, 2021 Crai gL in ev rish a i d B ~ 45th Governor of Pennsylvania, Ed Rendell Paid for by Friends of Wendi Barish and Craig Levin for Judge JEWISH EXPONENT P USH #12 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM H eadlines NEWSBRIEFS Birthright to Resume Trips to Israel BIRTHRIGHT, WHICH FLIES young Jews to Israel for a free 10-day tour, will resume its trips because Israel is nearing herd immunity, JTA reported. “Dozens of trips are expected in May and June, and more than 400 tour groups are planned for July, August and October,” the organization said in a statement. Eligible people between the ages of 18 and 32 from the United States must be vaccinated or recovered, the statement said. Participants will be tested for coronavirus before boarding and upon arrival, The organization has brought more than 750,000 young Jews to Israel in 20 years, including close to 46,000 in 2019. Elie Wiesel First Jew honored With National Cathedral Bust Washington’s National Cathedral is honoring Nobel Peace Laureate and Holocaust memoirist Elie Wiesel with a bust, making him the first Jew to be so honored, JTA reported. Or maybe not. “I would say he is the first 20th-century Jewish person,” the cathedral’s dean, Rev. Randy Hollerith, said when asked how Wiesel came to be the first Jew to earn a sculpted depiction at the cathedral. Asked if he was referring to Jesus and some of the apostles, who appear in statues and in busts in the landmark, known for its role during presidential inaugurations, Hollerith said yes. There are also depictions of Jewish prophets, including Noah, Joab, Isaiah and Jeremiah, on the stained glass windows in the cathedral Wiesel’s bust joins other luminaries on the Human Rights Porch, along with Mother Teresa, Rosa Parks and Oscar Romero, the El Salvador archbishop assassinated in 1980 while saying Mass. Stray Bullet Kills Jewish Reporter in Kansas City Aviva Okeson-Haberman, a reporter for the Kansas City NPR affiliate, died April 23 after being struck by a stray bullet in her apartment in Kansas City, Missouri’s Santa Fe neighborhood, JTA reported. She was 24. Okeson-Haberman had returned from apartment hunting in Lawrence, Kansas, where she was about to start a new job covering social services and criminal justice for the Kansas News Service. She was found unconscious and rushed to a hospital, where she was placed on life support. Kansas City police are investigating the shooting. “Social services is a tough beat, but I’m a tough reporter,” she wrote in her application for her new job. “I’ll ask the hard questions, dig into the data and spend time building trust with sources.” She wanted to focus on foster care because she spent time in foster homes in her teens. NJ Township Sued For Second Time in a Year for Discrimination Against Orthodox Jews The state of New Jersey sued Jackson Township over alleged discrimination against Orthodox Jews for the second time in less than a year, JTA reported. The township has selectively applied local laws and drafted new ones in an attempt to push out Orthodox Jews and limit their religious activities, the suit alleges, according to a report by NJ Advance Media. New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal wants the township to overturn the allegedly discriminatory rules and pay a fine. Terence Wall, the township’s business administrator, was JEWISHEXPONENT.COM The Board, staff and residents of Federation Housing are deeply saddened to acknowledge the passing of Ron Rubin on April 12, 2021. Ron was one of the original Board members of Federation Housing, and served as our second Board president from 1975-1978. Ron brought compassion, generosity and great vision to our organization. His expertise and philanthropy provided Federation Housing with a strong foundation, enabling us to carry out our mission of providing affordable housing and services to the low-income seniors throughout Philadelphia and surrounding communities. Ron was greatly admired and respected by the Federation family and the community and residents that are served by Federation Housing. Please join us as we remember this philanthropic, hard-working and visionary gentleman. May Ron Rubin’s memory be for a blessing. Jay Weinstein President Eric Naftulin Executive Director quoted by local media as saying that he was “surprised” to learn of the lawsuit. “Jackson Township is a community of over 60,000 residents, including members of nearly every faith, and the township will defend itself appropriately,” he said. Idaho, West Virginia Pass Anti-BDS Laws Idaho and West Virginia bring to 33 the number of states over the past several years passing anti-Israel boycott legislation aimed at outlawing businesses that support the boycott, divest- ment and sanctions movement, JTA reported. Idaho’s Anti-Boycott Against Israel Act prohibits public entities from doing business exceeding $100,000 with companies that do not expressly oppose the BDS movement. West Virginia’s bill is similar. “The State of West Virginia has an economic and a humani- tarian obligation to denounce and reject the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement against Israel, and to prevent the state or any of its instrumentalities from contracting with companies that engage in the movement,” the measure reads. l — Compiled by Andy Gotlieb JEWISH EXPONENT Chai. News for people who know we don’t mean spiced tea. Every Thursday in the JEWISH EXPONENT and all the time online @jewishexponent.com. For home delivery, call 215.832.0710. MAY 6, 2021 11 H eadlines Lag B’Omer Celebrations Go On Despite Challenges L OCA L JESSE BERNSTEIN | JE STAFF FOR THE SECOND YEAR in a row, those who celebrated Lag B’Omer dealt with obsta- cles both commonplace — iffy weather — and extraordinary (you know, the pandemic). But with more and more members of the community having received vaccines, this year’s Lag B’Omer celebrations allowed for groups to come together safely. l jbernstein@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0740 At the Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy, students were treated to miniature golf, a pareve whipped cream eating contest and a barbecue lunch, among other outdoor activities. Here, Noah Cohen enjoys a hot dog and Avital Uram recovers post-whipped-cream eating contest.  Photos by Marcia Harwitz At Adath Israel on the Main Line, Cheryl Milgram’s pre-K class created their own “bonfires” out of toilet paper rolls, cardboard and tissue paper. Photo by Cheryl Milgram changing addresses? Cub Pack 1958 celebrated Lag B’Omer at Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El with archery, bonfires and a barbecue.  Photos by Lisa Richman/Hallie Chandler About 30 undergraduates and grad students, all of them vaccinated, attended an outdoor Lag B’Omer barbecue at the Chabad House at Penn. Photos by Debora Haskelevich DON’T MISS A SINGLE ISSUE OF THE Call 215.832.0700 or email subscriptions@ jewishexponent.com with your new address. 12 MAY 6, 2021 Cheder Chabad of Philadelphia held a Lag B’Omer parade down Bryn Mawr Avenue with more than 200 students and adults, ending the parade with an activity-filled fair.  Photos by Rabbi Motti Yarmush JEWISH EXPONENT JEWISHEXPONENT.COM H EADLINES BUSINESS DIRECTORY Catching Up with Kevin Pollak P E RFORMA NCE HAYDEE M. RODRIGUEZ | JE FEATURE ACTOR, COMEDIAN and impressionist extraordinaire Kevin Pollak, 63, has starred in more than 80 fi lms. His work includes playing Moishe Maisel in “Th e Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” on Amazon Prime and also doing “Alchemy Th is,” a podcast featuring fi ve improv comedians. He spoke about his work, among other topics. Tell us more about the magic in what you do, what inspires you and how you keep it all fun? We are coming on the 30th Anniversary of “A Few Good Men.” Rob Reiner, who directed the fi lm, announced one day, “If you are not having fun, I don’t know what the point is.” And that really resonated with TCS Management is a full service property management company headquartered in Philadelphia, PA and services the surrounding Tri-State Area. (NJ, PA & DE). We specialize in residential property management including: single family homes, condominiums, apartments and homeowners associations. Inquire for more details sales@tcsmgt.com (215) 383-1439 x.108 me. Th at was, what, 80 movies ago? What inspires you? True-life stories. A great idea for my stand-up or script comes from life stories these days, and I’ll put that in my notes app, one of those modern conveniences that simplify life. For example, I look at today’s phones and wonder, “How the hell did we miss the push buttons to begin with?” Th e rotary phone seems so archaic now. Th e idea of a push button pad of what is now known as a landline — why wasn’t it always like that? Th ese little, tiny life questions like that stay with me. Is it fair to say that comedy is still your fi rst love? Comedy is my fi rst love for sure. When I was 5 or 6 years old, my mom would take me to the movies, and I became See Pollak, Page 14 *Mention this ad and we will waive your first month’s worth of management fees! NEED A NEW BANK? CALL SEGAL FINANCIAL TO GUIDE YOU. • COMMERCIAL LOANS • INVESTMENT REAL ESTATE • CONSTRUCTION • WORKING CAPITAL ELDER LAW AND ESTATE PLANNING ROBERT A. ROVNER, Esq. (former State Senator and Asst. Dist. 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LARRY SCOTT AUERBACH, ESQ. CERTIFIED ELDER LAW ATTORNEY CPA-PFS, J.D., LL.M.,MBA 1000 Easton Road Abington, PA 19001 We understand the importance of keeping your loved one in the place they love — their home. Griswold Home Care is here to help. For consultation call 215-517-5566 or 1-877-987-8788 Toll Free Website: www.Lsauerbach.com Philadelphia 215.515.8679 GriswoldHomeCare.com JEWISH EXPONENT MAY 6, 2021 13 H eadlines Pollak Continued from Page 13 engrossed in the world repre- sented on the screen, and when I left the theater, I would play act as though I was living in the movie. It had a deep effect on my psyche because I carry that with me to this day. Your first podcast, “Kevin Pollak’s Chat Show,” lasted 10 years, and you are now doing another podcast, “Alchemy This.” Can you tell us more about the podcast and the magic you find in the process? The chat show was really about people’s journey — how did you get from there to here. So when I started doing “Alchemy This,” a theme suggested by fans, we gathered suggestions from emails, as a way to prep the show. I wanted to cast the show with the fastest improvisers I’ve seen in LA. We’ve been doing “Alchemy This” for two and a half years now. It’s incredibly fun and completely improvised. It’s a great creative outlet, like stand-up comedy, which has been a ghost town for the last 15 months. busy, to keep comedy at the forefront of what you do? A good 15 years ago I came up with a mantra, “If you are not creating, you are waiting.” So I became more proactive in my career. I’ve been a writer for a long time, writing stories. I love writing, might be my favorite thing to do, and that fueled this notion if you are not creating, you are waiting. I’ve been reading “How I Slept My Way to the Middle: Secrets And Stories From Stage, Screen, And Interwebs.” You wrote the book in 2012. If you were writing the book today, would you choose a different title? It’s a show business term, not meant to be demeaning to say about something. But for a character that has had one love scene in 80 movies, it seemed funny. But today … I am working on a new project, an audio book, for audible.com, the ultimate joke book, street jokes, that start with “Did you hear the one about … two Jews walk into a bar, they buy it” as a punch line. These street jokes are ultimately offensive to someone. We can’t worry about that, and we’ll put a disclaimer about that, “If you are easily What drives you to stay offended, good for you, I don’t want to hear about it. And please know ahead of time that none of these jokes are opinions or even facts, truths of any kind.” Tell us about your mom and her influence in your career. My mom was my first audience and remained my best audience. Thankfully, her biggest contribution was how supportive she was from the very beginning. In 2015, I did a documentary, “Misery Loves Comedy,” where I ask, “Who’s your mommy and or daddy? Were your parents supportive?” I just know how lucky I was that my mom was so supportive from the very beginning. I read that you grew up in Reform Judaism. Can you tell us more about that? Yes, I was bar mitzvahed, and I went to religious school on Saturdays. We were California Reform Jews, which means we were almost Catholic. ... There was a slow building of a pride of being Jewish, what it meant Kevin Pollak Courtesy of Celebrity Talent International for family and friends and the holidays, learning about the sacrifices, the oppression, the anti-Semitism. one of the top 100 comedians that you had crossed the goal of all time. In a 1994 inter- line to getting offers in films. Comedy Central named you as view with Rich Eisen, you said Once you cross that line, how do you stay grounded? I would attribute that to my mom, and also how one is raised. Show biz is a bizarre undertaking. A lot of your dreams are being fulfilled, and I didn’t see this coming, I have succeeded beyond my dreams. And even though there are a lot of great actors and comedians who have succeeded beyond my plateau, there is a sense of gratitude, instilled by my parents, to be grateful for the fruits of your labor, and also for your labor, to be able to work, in any capacity. I don’t have to beg for this part. That is a goal or a threshold I am so PORTION OF TOTAL CONTRACT PRICE WILL BENEFIT grateful for, and it contributes JEWISH CHARITY OF CLIENT’S CHOICE to my disposition immensely. 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Preserving Our Tradition 600 Church Road • Jenkintown, PA 19046 215-663-1250 www.montefi ore.us JEWISHEXPONENT.COM JEWISH EXPONENT MAY 6, 2021 15 H eadlines Antisemitism Continued from Page 1 with a drawing of a swastika and the messages “Long live Hitler” and “Jews are scum.” While the 101 incidents in 2020 represents a slight decrease, it is still the third- highest number of antisemitic incidents in Pennsylvania reported to the ADL since the organization began tracking them in 1979. “The main takeaway is that the news is still not good,” said Shira Goodman, regional director of ADL Philadelphia. “We still seem to have this climate where hate is embold- ened, where people who harbor antisemitic attitude seem emboldened to take action.” And Yael Rabin, a data analyst with the ADL’s Center on Extremism, said the rate at which antisemitic incidents were being recorded prior to the pandemic suggests that the imposed isolation seems to have leveled off what was shaping up to be a year where many more incidents would have been recorded. “If it weren’t for the pandemic, or stay-at-home measures, it probably would have continued to increase,” Rabin said. “Not just with the harassment, but with 16 MAY 6, 2021 Antisemitic incidents in the ADL Philadelphia region since 2016 vandalism as well.” For the second straight year, Pennsylvania had the nation’s fifth-highest number of antise- mitic incidents, according to the audit. The Keystone State trailed only New York (336), New Jersey (295), California (289) and Florida (127) in total incidents. Within Pennsylvania, the greatest number of incidents took place in Philadelphia County (39), followed by Montgomery (17), Delaware (eight), Lehigh (five) and Allegheny (five). The national findings were released at an April 27 Zoom webinar, during which the ADL reported 2,024 incidents against American Jews during 2020, down 4% from 2019. That was still the third-highest year for incidents against Jews nationwide since 1979, said Deb Leipzig, ADL’s vice presi- dent of leadership. “The pandemic changed life as we know it, but it didn’t stop hate,” said ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, adding that the stats showed an average of more than five antisemitic acts per day. “Antisemites are elusive,” he said. “Anti-Jewish hate is often thought of as the oldest hatred. It is really the most persistent virus because it adapts and mutates and finds new vulnerabilities to exploit for spreading its toxin.” Zoombombing is a new medium for antisemitism, Greenblatt said, and is partly responsible for a 40% increase in incidents at Jewish institu- tions compared to 2019. In Pennsylvania, there were 10 antisemitic Zoombombing incidents in 2020, seven of which specifically targeted Jewish institutions. That number probably does not represent the true number of Zoombombings that targeted Jews, as the novelty of that form of harassment likely prevented people from reporting, Rabin said. “In general, incidents do go vastly underreported and, while we are at historic highs across the country over the past few years, it’s really only scratching the surface of likely what’s actually happening,” she said. Goodman noted the same JEWISH EXPONENT Antisemitic incidents in Pennsylvania in 2020 broken down by county Yael Rabin, data analyst with the ADL’s Center on Extremism Photos courtesy of the ADL issue with data collection. “A lot of people don’t want to report them; they don’t think the police can do anything. And sometimes they can’t,” she said. Nationwide stay-at-home orders, a reduced number of daily commutes and school closures likely affected the number of antisemitic incidents, said Oren Segal, vice president of the ADL’s Center on Extremism. There were 161 reported antisemitic incidents at non-Jewish K-12 schools in 2020, a 61% decrease from 2019. Classes were Zoom bombed 22 times with antise- mitic language and swastikas. U.S. colleges and universities experienced 128 antisemitic incidents, Segal said, a 32% drop from the previous year. He stressed the importance of reporting all occurrences of hate. “The way we can inform policymakers and advocate for better policies and practices is through good reporting,” he said. “The better the data, the better prepared we will all be to strategize about ways to mitigate antisemitism and all forms of hate.” Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle staff writer David Rullo contrib- uted to this report. l jbernstein@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0740 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM H eadlines Camps Continued from Page 1 residents and 52% of all New Jersey residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, two of the 10 highest percentages among all states, according to The New York Times. Though herd immunity is still a long way off, rising vaccination rates are good news for everyone. “We’re just feeling better about our ability to keep COVID out and keep people healthy,” said Eytan Graubart, executive director of Pinemere Camp in Stroudsburg. Graubart, who joined Pinemere earlier this year, was initially frustrated that summer camps in Pennsylvania were not permitted to require vaccines for their staff, as per Department of Health guide- lines. But that frustration was assuaged; after Graubart reached out to staff earlier this spring to offer them assis- tance and information about vaccines, he learned that he was preaching to the choir. As it stands, Pinemere is on track for all of its staff members to be vaccinated by the time camp begins on June 27. In fact, parents of Pinemere campers were offering their help in securing vaccine and testing appointments for those having trouble finding them on their own. “There’s been a little bit of a moment where we’re coming together,” Graubart said. Though it’s “still too early to say” exactly how having a fully-vaccinated staff will affect the way that Pinemere will be conducted this summer, Graubart’s hope is that there will eventually be an opportu- nity to relax some of the more rigid protocols in place for its staff and campers. Maybe staff will be able to spend some of their off-days away from camp. What the reduced risk has given the camp administra- tion is the freedom to think a little more about camp and JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Fireworks on the Fourth of July at Pinemere Camp in 2019 Courtesy of Pinemere Camp We’re just feeling better about our ability to keep COVID out and keep people healthy.” EYTAN GRAUBART a little less about the possi- bility of a COVID-19 outbreak. While no less vigilant about safety, Graubart and his team are able to put more energy into providing a positive camp experience to children who’ve gone through a difficult period. “My peace of mind changed,” Graubart said. At Camp Galil in Ottsville, safety practices like podding, outdoor dining, masking and regular testing will continue unabated this summer. Executive Director David Weiss said the administration has not yet fully determined the effect that a fully-vacci- nated staff would have on their plans for this summer. “Vaccination has really only added an extra layer of protec- tion,” he said. “It has not led us to pull back on any of the plans that we have been making.” “It’s just one more thing that we can do to help protect our community,” he added. Jeremy Fingerman, CEO of the Foundation for Jewish Camp, said that’s a pretty typical view among Jewish camp directors. Combining the vaccines with the safety struc- tures put in place over the last year-plus — bubble systems, testing and cleaning protocols, etc. — “has given people confi- dence” that they can deliver a safe, fun summer for their staff and campers, Fingerman said. “The vaccines sort of put it over the top,” he said. JCC Camps at Medford, a day camp in Medford, New Jersey, typically serves 1,300 campers over the summer, with around 1,100 on site on any given day. They’re joined by 550 to 600 seasonal staff members — counselors, kitchen workers, lifeguard, specialists and more. Last summer, just 200 campers attended a modified program without busing, lunch service or instructional swim. Everyone stayed safe, and there were no cases of COVID-19 at the camp, according to Camp Director Sara Sideman, but it was not a typical summer. With more staff members vaccinated every day, JCC Camps at Medford will welcome campers in numbers closer to that of a typical summer. While safety will JEWISH EXPONENT Campers at Camp Galil in 2019  remain front of mind, Sideman said, the widespread vaccina- tions will bring a much-needed reduction to the temperature of the situation. “The vaccination piece is, more than anything else, our ability to not feel so stressed going into the summer,” she added, “that we can have a Photos by Mark Liflander/Camp Galil much healthier and safer summer, knowing that we are doing everything we can to keep our kids and our staff safe. That’s the biggest piece of it. But it’s not going to change any of our protocols.” l jbernstein@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0740 Exclusive Women’s Apparel Boutique Made in USA Custom designs, color options and free alterations available Evening Gowns Suits/Separates Cocktail Dresses 61 Buck Road Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 www.elanaboutique.com (215)953-8820 Consult with the designer to explore your style options MAY 6, 2021 17 O pinion Antisemitism Mutated Like a Deadly Virus in 2020 BY SHIRA GOODMAN AND JEREMY BANNETT WE HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN that antisemitism is a social virus that has mutated with deadly efficiency throughout human history. In 2020, Jews actually watched in real time as the “world’s oldest hatred” updated itself for a new era. For the last 40 years, the ADL has released its annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, which tracks incidents of vandalism, harassment and assault against Jews across the nation. Our latest report reflects some disturbing developments in 2020: During a year we spent mostly at home and reliant on technology for school, work, religious gatherings and our social lives, antisemitism did not abate. In fact, we saw the third-highest number of incidents across the nation since we began tracking in 1979. It was also the third-highest number for Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and the second- most on record for Delaware. How can we explain extraordinarily high numbers of antisemitism across the nation and around the region in a year when most people were largely kept apart by social distancing and pandem- ic-related restrictions? The audit reveals that antisemitism morphed in 2020 to thrive in these new conditions. Because large swaths of society and the economy were shut down, we saw significant declines in vandalism, assault and other incidents at in-person locations. Yet much of those declines were offset by spikes in harassment and threats online and at Jewish institutions, where bigots actively sought out Jews to target. Antisemitism in 2020 experi- enced two major “innovations” — the adaptation of classic antisemitic tropes to the current moment and the manipulation of new technology as a means to spread hate. Familiar symbols of hate were used in antisemitic incidents online and offline. Synagogues were vandalized with swastikas, old slurs were hurled and tired memes like the Happy Merchant and the Diseased Jew were recycled to accompany accusations that Jews are greedy, somehow responsible for the spread of the virus and profiting from vaccines. These age-old manifesta- tions of hate exploded online in 2020 — incidents more than doubled in every state in the region and across the nation. Last year, 36% of Jews reported that they personally experi- enced antisemitic harassment online, with 22% experiencing severe harassment. This does not include the millions of antisemitic posts and images circulating online without a specific victim, which infected our digital ecosystem with anti-Jewish hate. Bigots also innovated in 2020, repurposing new technology to target Jews. “Zoombombing” is a perfect example of this increasingly malicious version of online antisemitism. Synagogues, Jewish schools and secular venues saw hundreds of virtual gatherings hijacked by people spewing vile anti-Jewish hate. This development is notable because, for the first time, haters could infiltrate Jewish spaces almost at will. No gathering was spared, no matter how sacred — High Holiday services, weddings and even shivas all suffered traumatic Zoombombing attacks last year. We must look behind the numbers to the incidents themselves, each of which represents an individual and a wider community targeted or terrorized. Our friends and neighbors, many right here in the region, have been targeted with antisemitic threats online, taunts of “dirty Jew” during sporting events and harassing telephone calls. It is our synagogues and community centers that have been vandalized with swastikas, terrorized with bomb threats and disrupted by “Zoombombers.” Antisemitism is happening right here, right now. The need to solve this problem should unite Jews in solidarity. Antisemites, whether online or offline, do not discrimi- nate when picking particular targets — Jews of all denom- inations, political affiliations and economic status are fair game. Accordingly, we must continue to fight this battle together. But we can’t fight it alone, nor can it be about antisem- itism alone. All forms of hate are closely tied together, so anyone who cares about stopping anti-Jewish hate must also work to fight all forms of bigotry. Fighting back against antisemitism and all forms of hate will require a whole-of- society approach at the levels of government, law enforce- ment, business, technology, civil society and community. It demands creative thinking, coalition-building and courage. Antisemitism is changing before our very eyes, and now is the time to stop it before it has a chance to mutate into an even more virulent and dangerous form. l Shira Goodman is the regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, and Jeremy Bannett is the senior associate regional director. Why Palestinian Elections Were Canceled BY SOLOMON D. STEVENS THE PALESTINIAN ELECTIONS have been canceled again. This is not a surprise, and it is also not a surprise that most of the world will blame 18 MAY 6, 2021 Israel. I haven’t decided yet if this is because many people are ignorant, or whether it is just another manifestation of antisemitism (I prefer the term “Judeophobia”). Elections haven’t been held for over 15 years for a very simple reason. Last time there were elections (in 2006), Hamas won by a landslide. International pressure to reverse the outcome (some overt and some covert) led to an open conflict between Fatah and Hamas, which resulted in Fatah assuming power in the West Bank and marginalizing Hamas in Gaza. Even if the elections had been held, it would not have been a sign that things were becoming more democratic in the West Bank and Gaza. It is important to remember that both Fatah and Hamas are classic autocratic and kleptocratic entities, and Hamas is a terrorist organi- zation. They both control the press and arrest journalists who dare to speak out against them. They routinely arrest political rivals and dissidents. They torture those under arrest and have political control of what are called courts. Each rules without significant internal JEWISH EXPONENT competition, so any candi- dates for the legislature or the presidency exist only because they are allowed by the current leadership. If the announced elections were not signaling a movement toward democracy, what were they? More than anything else, they were a recognition that in the Middle East, the struggle of the Palestinians is no longer seen as central to the future of the region. Four Arab countries, Morocco, the U.A.E., Bahrain and the Sudan, have already normalized relations with Israel, and this is probably only the beginning. For years, the Palestinian conflict was seen as the key to peace in the region, but this is no longer the case. Both Fatah and Hamas recognize that the upcoming elections could have offered them an opportunity to get back in the game. The key to all of this is the new Biden administration, which could be impressed with the elections and see this as a reason to return to old models for understanding the Middle East. President Joe Biden is See Stevens, Page 30 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM O pinion My Son Was at Mount Meron BY RABBI ROBYN FRISCH LAST THURSDAY EVENING, as I was about to close my computer, I saw the news alert from The New York Times: “Breaking News: At least 15 people are dead and dozens are injured after a stampede at a religious celebration in Israel.” A surge of panic ran through my body. I stopped reading because I knew this happened at Mount Meron, the site of the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, where over 100,000 chasids and other Jews had gathered to celebrate Lag b’Omer. This tragedy would have been upsetting in any circumstances. But my terrified reaction was deeply personal: My 21-year- old son was there. Horrifying thoughts ran through my head. What kind of devastating things had he witnessed? Was he injured? I couldn’t let myself think beyond that. The Friday before, my son had told me that his yeshiva in Jerusalem was providing a bus for students who wanted to celebrate Lag b’Omer at Mount Meron. I was so excited for him. During the eight months he’s been in Israel, he hasn’t been able to leave Jerusalem very often due to COVID-19 restrictions. Now he was getting to travel and participate in a unique experience that I knew he would find deeply spiritual. My son and I are both deeply passionate about Judaism, but our practices differ enormously: I am a Reform rabbi and he is haredi Orthodox. I myself had been to Mount Meron on Lag b’Omer some 25 years ago, JEWISHEXPONENT.COM and I still remember it well — the thousands of chasidic men dancing and singing; the 3-year-old boys getting their first haircuts; the bonfires and the joyful celebration. But here I was at home in Philadelphia feeling helpless and terrified about my son. It was after 8:30 p.m. — way past the time I’d normally call him, as Israel is seven hours ahead of us — but this night was different. Fingers trembling, I reached for my phone and dialed, but I couldn’t get through. Nightmare scenarios raced through my brain. As I sat there, practically unable to move, my phone rang — I saw that it was my husband, who wasn’t home at the time. He had reached our son and he was safe. He described sensing trauma in my son’s voice, but at that moment only one thing mattered to me: He was alive! I was so relieved, so grateful. I learned the next day that the death toll was 45, and more than 150 people were injured. I finally talked to my son before Shabbat began in Israel, and he told me that two young men from his yeshiva were still missing. Throughout Shabbat, all I could think about was what happened at Mount Meron. Forty- five human beings; 45 families that had lost loved ones. I was so grateful that my son was alive, and at the same time felt terrible pain for the parents, grandpar- ents, siblings and children who weren’t so fortunate. I could have been one of them. I haven’t been able to bring myself to read a single article about what happened, though I see the headlines and I hear people talk about it. I envision the crush of people and innocent people dying of asphyxiation. All I’ve read on the topic are the emails from my son’s yeshiva. Yesterday’s email informed us that there was a funeral for one young man from the yeshiva on Saturday night, after Shabbat ended; there were two more on Sunday. Because my son is on a religious path that’s so different than mine, I often think about how dissimilar our family is from those of his haredi peers. We have three kids, while many of them have 10 or 12. Our understanding and observance of Jewish law is very different. But these past few days, I can’t stop thinking about how similar we are; how much all Jews — and all humans, for that matter — love their children. Haredi parents may have more children than I do, but I know that losing one of them is every bit as tragic for them as it would be for me. While we are deeply grateful that our son is physically unharmed, my husband and I worry that he could be suffering from PTSD. Fortunately, I am incredibly impressed with how his yeshiva, which I have always respected but usually feel I can’t relate to, is handling this devas- tating situation. It has provided counseling for those who want — the young men can even make anonymous phone calls to a counselor — and is working to get entry permits to Israel for those parents who want to visit their sons. Knowing that my son is in good hands gives me comfort. But no matter what I’m doing, my mind drifts to Mount Meron, imagining that horrific evening that my son was lucky enough to survive — but many others weren’t. I find myself constantly fighting back tears, although sometimes I don’t bother to hold them back. I will continue to pray and mourn for all the families who lost loved ones, with the humble acknowledgment that we are far more alike than we are different. May the memories of these 45 souls be a blessing. l Rabbi Robyn Frisch is the director of the Rukin Rabbinic Fellowship for 18Doors as well as the spiritual leader of Temple Menorah Keneseth Chai in Northeast Philadelphia. This op-ed first appeared on Kveller. JEWISH EXPONENT KVETCH ’N’ KVELL IHRA Program Needed Third Panelist I WISH TO RESPOND to one point of disagreement in Jesse Bernstein’s April 29 article, “Panel on IHRA Anti-Semitism Rankles.” Would the panel discussion co-sponsored by Congregation Rodeph Shalom and Temple University’s Feinstein Center for American Jewish History have been objectionable to Murray Friedman, z”l, the center’s founder? Well, yes, and no. My first Jewish job was as Friedman’s assistant from 1979-83. An intellectual giant and mensch, Friedman introduced me to and got me totally hooked on the field of Jewish community relations where I ended up spending my entire professional career. He was a strong supporter of Israel and Zionism, but he also was not afraid to criticize those Israeli policies with which he disagreed. A neo-conservative in a community dominated by liberals, he constantly challenged our conventional wisdom. In that regard, I believe he would have approved of a program that explored the use or misuse of the IHRA definition of antisemitism. I also believe — in the interest of exposing participants to a full range of opinions — that he would have preferred to see a third panelist on the program to defend the current use of the IHRA anti-Semi- tism definition advocated by establishment Jewish organizations. That was an important, yet missing perspective. Martin J. Raffel | Langhorne Simple Arithmetic One sentence spoken by Joyce Ajlouny, general secretary of the American Friends Service Committee, reveals the perver- sity of modern antisemitic liberal education. (“Panel on IHRA Anti-Semitism Definition Rankles” April 29). She complained that the criticism over what many perceived as the antisemitism of the chosen panelists “affirms that the attempt to silence narratives is alive and well.” In fact, in the real world there are no narratives, only facts. Two and two equals four. There is no narrative to make two and two equal five or three except in the minds of modern antisemitic liberal educators. “Educators” that teach students to just create their own narra- tives that two and two equals five or three or anything you want about modern Middle East history and we will coddle you and say it’s all true, because everyone is entitled to their own narra- tive regardless of the facts. Sorry, there are facts about modern Middle East history, not narratives, and as much as you wish it were true, two and two does not equal three or five. l Richard Sherman | Margate, Florida STATEMENT FROM THE PUBLISHER We are a diverse community. The views expressed in the signed opinion columns and let- ters to the editor published in the Jewish Exponent are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the officers and boards of the Jewish Publishing Group, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia or the Jewish Exponent. Send letters to letters@jewishexponent.com or fax to 215-569-3389. Letters should be a maximum of 200 words and may be edited for clarity and brevity. Unsigned letters will not be published. MAY 6, 2021 19 L ifestyle /C ulture The Great (E)Scape F OO D KERI WHITE | JE FOOD COLUMNIST SCAPES ARE HITTING the markets now: These spring garlic sprouts are the tender-ish greens that shoot out of garlic bulbs. They look like long, curly scallions but have a garlicky flavor. Like scallions, they can be used raw or cooked, and you should use both the white bulb and green stalk portions of the vegetable; some of the very top of the stalk can be tough and reedy, so discard that. Scapes deliver a milder zing than mature garlic cloves, but there’s plenty of flavor to go around. Like mature cloves, scapes will mellow when cooked. I have used these recently to jazz up scrambled eggs, mixed them with carrots to form a mirepoix-style coating for slow-roasted salmon, and snipped them into both a green salad and red salsa. I also mashed them into a baked potato with Icelandic yogurt for a light, healthy, flavorful supper. Here are some other delicious ways to use scapes: • Puree them into pesto, stir them into risotto or toss them over pasta. • Chop and mix them with salt, oil and vinegar to drizzle over steak or fish. • Shove them inside a roasting chicken to add flavor. • Snip them into soups either while simmering or as a fresh and zippy garnish. • Stir them into tuna salad or chicken salad for a riff on SHOP THE HOUSE FROM YOUR HOME. HOUSEOFKOSHER.COM STORE HOURS Shop online at Houseofkosher.com or download our FREE HOUSE OF KOSHER APP 215.677.8100 9806 BUSTLETON AVE. PHILADELPHIA, PA 19115 20 MAY 6, 2021 The main thing to know about scapes is that, like spring, they are only here for a short time. So enjoy them while you can! Scape-coated salmon Photos by Keri White SCAPE-COATED SALMON Serves 2 I used lingcod in this prepara- tion and it worked beautifully, but any fish filet would shine in this recipe. Just be sure to adjust cooking time based on the size and thickness of the pieces. 2 lingcod filets 1 wedge lemon 1 tablespoon oil 2 scapes, green and white parts, chopped 1 carrot, chopped Salt and pepper to taste Shop your groceries, meat, fish, and fresh takeout online and we'll deliver your order to your door. Strictly Kosher the traditional onion/celery combo. • Jazz up homemade or store- bought hummus with a sprinkle of chopped scapes. • Chop them finely and mix them with sour cream or plain yogurt with a spritz of lemon and a sprinkle of salt for an epic dip. • Drape them on top of avocado toast. • Schmear them in your cream cheese and lox over a bagel. Heat your oven to 275 degrees F. Spritz the fish with lemon, and sprinkle it with salt and pepper; set it aside. In an ovenproof skillet, heat the oil and sauté the carrots until they are beginning to soften, about 6 minutes. Add the scapes, along with a little salt and pepper, and sauté until they are wilted and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat. Move the vegetables to the sides of pan, place the fish filets in the center and scoop the carrot/scape mixture over the fish to coat it. This will keep the fish from drying out, while also infusing flavor. Bake the fish JEWISH EXPONENT Scrambled egg-scape for about 25 minutes until just omelet, frittata or a soufflé; cooked through. the scapes don’t care what’s wrapped around them. SCRAMBLED EGG-SCAPE Serves 1 I bashed this together for a quick, healthy, flavorful lunch. The scapes elevated the basic scramble to something quite special. I am notoriously lazy about dishes, so I tend to just crack the eggs into the hot skillet and scramble them with a spatula. But more motivated and precise cooks may wish to crack them into a bowl and whisk them until fluffy. Your dishes, your call! And if you want to make this a little fancier, make an 2-inch piece of scape, chopped Spray of cooking oil Salt and pepper to taste 2 eggs In a small skillet, heat the oil and sauté the scapes until they are wilted and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add the salt, pepper and eggs, and mix them in the pan to distribute the scapes evenly. Cook to the desired doneness, about 3 minutes for a soft-ish texture. Serve immediately. l JEWISHEXPONENT.COM L ifestyle /C ulture Philly Faces: Elijah Tomaszewski little overlap in those parts of my identity and kept my transi- tion to myself, but nowadays I enjoy connecting with other trans Jews. P H I LLY FACES JESSE BERNSTEIN | JE STAFF ELIJAH TOMASZEWSKI, 29, began his Tribe 12 fellow- ship in January. Tomaszewski’s project is a little different than that of the typical Tribe 12 fellow; it doesn’t revolve around mentorship for his new business or nonprofit. Instead, Tomaszewski is being mentored through the process of writing a series of novels. Tomaszewski, who is trans, lives in West Philadelphia. He studied creative writing at Susquehanna University and Rosemont College, and contributes to several local literary magazines while he works his day job. In between, Tomaszewski, who also writes poetry and essays, is trying to craft stories about trans characters, people with “the sort of lives that I really didn’t see in regular, contemporary fiction,” he said. “I went through several years of not really wanting to talk about it, or feeling like it was too difficult to talk about,” Tomaszewski said of his own identity as a trans man. “But as I’m opening up more and more, I’m realizing that this is what I want to contribute to the literary world.” What do you write about? What are you interested in? Right now I’m finishing up a novel about a trans Jewish father who returns to his southern hometown after a decade-long absence, but overall, my intent is to write characters who are trans, Jewish, or both. My under- standing is that outside of YA (young adult) fiction, there aren’t a lot of trans charac- ters outside of the standard nonfiction transition narra- tive, and not many of them are Jewish as well. I’m writing JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Ari Wexler, is trans and Jewish, and has to choose between being comfortable and taking a leap of faith — something I feel we can all identify with at I’m finishing up a novel about a trans Jewish father who returns to his southern hometown ... but overall, my intent is to write characters who are trans, Jewish, or both. Elijah Tomaszewski characters who have that whole life experience — being trans is a big, intersecting part of these characters’ lives, but it’s only a portion of what makes them who they are. After I graduated with my MFA and began seriously writing fiction, including my novel-in-prog- ress, I realized that I was writing the sort of characters and narratives that I didn’t often see while navigating the literary world, and I found fiction to be a slightly better outlet for writing parts of my own trans and/or Jewish experience. That representa- tion could be what it takes for someone to feel a little less alone. Photo by Yael Pachino in my joy. And in a way, my transition gave me a different perspective on being Jewish. I view my transition as an act of creation — similar to how we make bread from wheat, I used what I was given to change my life for the better. Initially I saw What are you reading these days? As a recommendation from my mentor from the Tribe 12 fellowship, I just finished reading a novel by Dov Zeller, “The Right Thing To Do At The Time,” which is described as, “If Jane Austen and Sholem Aleichem schemed in an elevator, this might just be their pitch.” The protagonist, some point in our lives. When I first was starting the fellowship back in January, I was unsure if my work would be a little too niche for the literary market, but this “Pride and Prejudice” retelling made me confident that audiences for my work are definitely out there. l jbernstein@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0740 Those two identities — existing as a trans person and as a Jewish person — how do they affect or reflect one another? Does one complicate your expression of the other? They do occasionally compli- cate each other, especially in gendered environments where I can’t rely on the social reflexes of my upbringing, and the fact that I didn’t have a Jewish identity when I was young. Both are parts of my lifelong journey, which can sometimes mean awkwardness and uncertainty, but no human experience is exempt from these feelings, and I’m lucky to have supportive friends and family who both comfort me and share JEWISH EXPONENT MAY 6, 2021 21 L ifestyle /C ulture ‘If You See My Mother’ Brings Mother’s Day Laughs FI L M SOPHIE PANZER | JE STAFF IT’S ALMOST MOTHER’S Day, but depending on your family’s vaccination status, you may not feel comfortable taking the moms in your life out for brunch just yet. A movie screening at home might be just what the doctor ordered. Enter “If You See My Mother,” director Nathanaël Guedj’s French comedy about a man and the most important woman in his life. The film will screen virtually at the Gershman Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival from May 3-10. The story revolves around the relationship between Max, a bespectacled Jewish ophthal- mologist played by Félix Moati, and his mother Monique, a restaurant owner portrayed by Noémie Lvovsky. Monique, like many Jewish mothers, shows her love through cooking copious amounts of delicious food for her children. When she dies suddenly, Max discovers that he can see, hear and touch her at the funeral as if she is still alive. Initially, he is thrilled, and the two continue to spend time together as mother and son even as the people in Max’s life become increasingly disturbed by his reclusiveness, lack of visible mourning and new habit of talking to himself as he converses with the apparition. This denial-induced bliss hits a snag when Max becomes romantically involved with Ohiana, a psychotherapist played by the delightful Sara Giraudeau, who shares his offices. Monique appears in his apartment when the couple starts having sex, and she refuses to leave even as he demands she respect his privacy (Ohiana witnesses this exchange as Max furiously gesticulating at thin air.) Although his loved ones try to be patient with his bizarre plight, their frustration with 22 MAY 6, 2021 Max (Félix Moati) and Monique (Noémie Lvovsky) stand at Monique’s funeral in “If You See My Mother.” The film is meant to be a modern take on Sophocles’ “Oedipus Rex,” the story of the king who kills his father and sleeps with his mother because he cannot see the true nature of his actions. Max’s inability to see his self-de- structive behavior for what it is puts his relationships on tenter- hooks. It soon becomes clear that Max must choose between being present for the living and living in a fantasy with the dead. The film is meant to be a modern take on Sophocles’ “Oedipus Rex,” the story of the king who kills his father and sleeps with his mother because he cannot see the true nature of his actions. While “Mother” is a comedy rather than a tragedy, allusions to the power of sight and blindness abound in Max’s profession as an eye doctor, his reliance on glasses and his inability to see the consequences of his actions. One of his friends, a fellow mama’s boy, is actually nicknamed Oedipus. The Greek tale combines with distinctively Jewish ideas about death and mourning, although religion appears to be an after- thought at first. The funeral makes it clear that none of the bereaved children truly connect with their religion, and there are no plans to sit shiva for the deceased. A desperate Max seeks out the bumbling rabbi when he realizes he can see his mother standing next to him, and the learned man’s advice is largely useless. This is underscored by Monique’s outright disdain for the rabbi and the fact that their discussion takes place in a bathroom next to the toilet. However, the story raises important questions about grief’s potential to overwhelm mourners in the absence of the structure and communal bonding provided by the shiva JEWISH EXPONENT Courtesy of Playtime and physical comedy, including the scenes when she snuggles next to Max and Ohianna while they sleep, are a joy to watch. There is one instance where her performance is undermined by poor scripting and directing decisions: an offensive and unnecessary scene where she is dressed up as a geisha. To reveal the reason behind the costume would spoil the plot, but the scene could have been completely removed from the film without compromising storytelling. Still, her sense of humor and versatility elevates her character’s overbearing Jewish motherli- ness beyond stereotype. Lvovsky takes one of Max’s lowest points and makes it her highest when she performs in drag as her son to illustrate the lack of bound- aries between them. Tickets for “If You See My Mother” are available to residents of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware at pjff.org. l process. As Ohiana, Oedipus and Max’s sisters observe Max’s increasingly deranged behavior, they realize that he is stuck in the first stage of grief — denial — and incapable of processing his feelings in a healthy way. Ohiana tries to use her abili- ties as a therapist to provide some semblance of structure for Max’s grief by sternly asking the apparition of his mother to leave before they have sex and later ordering him to throw away the frozen meals she prepared for him before she died. These attempts ultimately fail, since Max is the only one who can save himself. Although Moati’s Max is technically the main character in the story, Lvovsky is the true star of the film. Her facial spanzer@jewishexponent.com; expressions, comedic timing 215-832-0729 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM T orah P ortion What Do You Do When You Don’t Care? BY RABBI MOISHE MAYIR VOGEL Parshat Behar-Bechukotai PEOPL E A R E OF TEN shocked by their own indif- ference to right and wrong. Men and women who have always preached morality and justice might find themselves on the wrong end of a string of misfortunes or disappoint- ments and find themselves just too tired to care. Right, wrong, what’s the difference anyway? People sometimes feel this way as a result of persistent poverty. Unable to climb out of what they feel is a pit of failures, they give up not only on success, but on being right. It doesn’t seem to matter anymore. Others fall into this trap as a result of chronic illness, or loneliness, or an endless stream of depressing news. Having always believed that doing good is the surest path to living well, such well-meaning people, when they suffer disappointments, may find themselves terribly discouraged and despairing of the benefits of doing the right thing. What is a person to do at that point? G-d declares in the Torah this week, “If you follow in my ways ...” and a shower of blessings follows that opening. The Talmud illumi- nates the verse and explains, “In this case, ‘if’ means ‘if only.’ Almighty G-d is imploring us to follow in His ways.” A deeper look reveals an astonishing truth: Far more than we depend on G-d to provide our needs, G-d needs us to provide His needs. And what are divine needs? The performance of the mitzvot; the choice of right over wrong. G-d has too often been portrayed as the supreme drill sergeant in the sky, barking orders, setting the bar, demanding performance and handing out penalties to those who misbehave. As if the commandments He issues are for your benefit and your benefit only, He is perfect and isn’t really depending on your success. As if He would love you if you found purpose in your life, but His perfection has no need for your petty life lived right. Literally, nothing could be further from the truth. The shining quality of G-d’s perfection is His ability to be vulnerable to us. He created us, we didn’t create Him. This whole universe was His idea, not ours. Morality and living right and not wrong — that’s all Him. The mitzvot are His dearest wishes, and He entrusts them only to us. Not to the celestial angels, not to the natural world; only to us, His cherished, dear, mere mortals. The truest reason to make the right choices in life is not because that’s how you get ahead but because that’s how you fulfill the purpose of your life. You are needed — urgently, indescribably needed CAN DL E L IGHTIN G May 7 May 14 — with an eternal need coming straight from the creator of the universe Himself, and the mitzvot are what you are needed for. G-d got the world started in the six days of creation, but He’s been looking for partners ever since then. We are His partners. Full, comprehensive partners. Our decisions affect Him and His plans exactly as His decisions affect us and ours. He prays for us to do the right thing just as we pray for Him to do what we (imagine we) need Him to do. With the same intensity that a person might yearn for divine intervention in the midst of a crisis, G-d yearns for our inter- vention where we can make a difference. The only distinc- tion is that G-d’s yearning is infinite. Our very existence is the biggest compliment. The fact that G-d put us here and keeps us here is His way of saying, “I need you.” Hard times can put a damper 7:44 p.m. 7:50 p.m. on our energy and darken our moods. Tough times can be discouraging to our enthu- siasm for doing what’s right and for sacrificing for a higher purpose. But knowing that the urgency of our lives and our choices comes not from our needs but from G-d’s, means that it never changes. Our self-worth comes from G-d’s faith in us, not from our own self-importance. If G-d in Heaven, in front of the watchful eyes of all the angels, is imploring us to run our little corner of His world with kindness and wisdom, this means one thing: All the hard times, foul moods and bitter disappointments in the world can not diminish the glorious purpose of our days, our stories and the choices we make to write their most triumphant chapters. l Rabbi Moishe Mayir Vogel is executive director of The Aleph Institute — North East Region in Pittsburgh. Be heard. Email your letters to the editor. letters@jewishexponent.com JEWISHEXPONENT.COM JEWISH EXPONENT MAY 6, 2021 23 COMMUNITY NEWS The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia mobilizes financial and volunteer resources to address the communities’ most critical priorities locally, in Israel and around the world. Around the World: Jewish Federation Mission Participants Refl ect on Life-Changing Israel Trips ADVENTURE, CULTURE AND MEMORIES to last a lifetime. Th e Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia provides experiences for people of all ages and backgrounds to travel and connect with Jewish communities from around the world. While in-person missions are still on hold due to COVID-19, the Jewish Federation has off ered a number of tailored, engaging and immersive virtual trips for the community. “We have pulled together as a Jewish community during the pandemic and have been able to explore the world through technology,” said Arielle Shemesh, missions and travel manager of the Jewish Federation. “I hope that soon we will be able to travel in-person again and connect face-to-face with Jewish communities in America, Israel and around the globe. When that time comes, we will be ready to take you on an incredible and life-changing experience.” As the possibility of resuming group travel becomes more of a reality, we spoke with past participants from the Jewish Federation’s various missions to Israel to refl ect on how their trip expanded their worldview and their Jewish identity. Baruch Hashem, here’s to next year in Jerusalem! For more information about travel experiences with the Jewish Federation, contact Shemesh at ashemesh@ jewishphilly.org. Philadelphians Love Israel Marilyn & Jonathan Goodman: Honeymoon Israel, 2019 Ali Sayer: Israel360, 2018 Going on Israel360 made me feel more connected to my Jewish identity. I felt as though I was somewhere I belonged. Visiting the historical sites of our ancestors made me feel closer to those who came before us, and experiencing the newer innovations was exhilarating. It is easy to say the Jewish Federation assists in Israel, but going on this Mission allowed me to experience first hand the work being done there. 24 When we learned we would be traveling to Israel, we were looking forward to making new friends, tasting new foods and seeing new sights. However, our trip to Israel was so much more. It allowed us to connect with a place, a destination, and a concept as something that felt familiar and foreign at the same time. Israel gave us such wonderful gifts and memories that have shaped our lives and our futures as Jewish people. Melinda Berkman: Women’s Philanthropy Mission, 2018 Paul Fires: Men’s Entrepreneurship Mission, 2016 The Women’s Mission to Israel was an important part of exploring my place within the Jewish community. Being surrounded by such wonderful, strong and inclusive Jewish women during my trip reinforced my belief that raising my children in this community was the path for me. Beyond bonding with my fellow trip members, I got to meet some incredible families from the Negev region and see the work the Jewish Federation does to support growth and protect communities. I felt a connection as soon as we landed, a connection of being a Jew in a Jewish country. It was that indefinable feeling, which embraces and envelops you as nothing else can, a sense of belonging which reaches people at all levels of observance. I prayed with my Mission friends, walked among catacombs unchanged by millennia, and experienced the enormity of our Jewish history and of our communal responsibility to each other. MAY 6, 2021 JEWISH EXPONENT JEWISHEXPONENT.COM C ommunity COMMUNITYBRIEFS Resolution to Honor Holocaust Hero Carl Lutz Introduced in Senate PENNSYLVANIA SEN. BOB CASEY and Sen. Roy Blunt (Mo.) introduced a resolution April 28 to the U.S. Senate honoring Carl Lutz, a Swiss diplomat who saved more than 50,000 people — half of Budapest’s surviving Jewish population — from deportation to concentration camps during the Holocaust. While working in Nazi-occupied Hungary, Lutz obtained permission from Nazi leadership to issue 8,000 letters of diplomatic protection. Anyone holding the protective papers was considered to be under Swiss protection and exempt from deportation. Instead of issuing the papers to 8,000 Jewish individ- uals, Lutz issued them to entire family units, ensuring protection for thousands more Jews. Lutz also placed 76 buildings under Swiss diplomatic protection, where he was able to house thousands of Hungarian Jews who had lost their homes. Lutz’s efforts marked the largest civilian rescue mission of World War II. Lutz later worked in both Philadelphia and St. Louis as a Swiss diplomat. “With antisemitism on the rise, we must never forget the millions of lives lost during the Holocaust and the stories of the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to save others from Nazi persecution,” Casey said. “I am pleased to introduce a bipartisan resolution to honor Carl Lutz for his act of valor, which saved tens of thousands of Hungarian Jews from deportation to Auschwitz concentration camp.” Companion legislation was introduced in the House by U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (Mo.). Carl Lutz Courtesy of The Mid-Atlantic – Eurasia Business Council HIAS Pennsylvania Announces Golden Door Awards for 2021 HIAS Pennsylvania virtually handed out its 2021 Golden Door Awards on April 28 to “those who lead the way in support of immigrants and refugees.” U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, who represents Pennsylvania’s 5th Congressional District, was cited for “her outstanding leadership in extending the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act, and support for the immigrants in our community.” The Refugee Access Center at Snyder Church in South Philadelphia was honored for “their continual support of refugees and immigrants in South Philly throughout the pandemic and beyond.” And Lara Ali and Ali Arif, who are former HIAS PA clients, were cited for becoming “leaders in their community, working within the Philadelphia School District to make it welcoming to immigrants and refugees.” Jewish Exponent Reporter Places First in 2021 Keystone Media Awards Jewish Exponent reporter Sophie Panzer won first prize in the 2021 Keystone Media Awards in the diversity category. The entry included five stories “that inform on diverse elements in the community, encourage diver- sity awareness and reflect an ongoing effort to cover inclusive integration of diverse populations within your community.” Panzer’s entry included “Couple Creates Ribbon to Mourn Victims of Racism” (Sept. 10), “Original ‘SNL’ Writer Explores Comedy in Memoir” (Dec. 10), “Phillies Pitcher Helped Integrate Baseball” (May 7), “Russian‐Speaking Moishe House Goes Virtual” (April 9) and “Interfaith Couples Navigate Unusual Holiday Season” (Dec. 10). Jewish Law Day Set for 37th Year The 37th annual Jewish Law Day will feature former Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman of the State of New York Court of Appeals speaking about Jewish law and the responsibility to perform pro bono service. The virtual event will take place on May 24 at 4 p.m. The day was originally honored in juxtaposition to the Red Mass celebrated by the Thomas More Society, but in conjunction with the Brandeis Law Society, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and the Greater Philadelphia Board of Rabbis, the celebration was moved to Shavout, the time of revelation of the Ten Commandments. Over the years, prominent speakers have included White House Counsel Abner Mikva; Supreme Court of Canada Justice Rosalie S. Abella; Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice Max Baer; professors Melvin I. Urovsky, Jonathan Sarna and Deborah Lipstadt; and Villanova University Professor of Law Abraham Gafni. JFCS to Present Notecards to Holocaust Survivors to Recognize Liberation Day In lieu of its annual Café Europa luncheon for members of its Holocaust Survivors Support Program, Jewish Family and Children’s Service will recognize Courtesy of Jewish Family and Children’s Service Liberation Day by delivering packets of notecards on May 13. JFCS Art Therapist and Art Studio Manager Debora King collaborated with members of the program, teenagers from its Education and Outreach Services, and members of its People Living with Disabilities Program “to create a beautiful piece of art representing the concept of liberation.” JFCS plans to directly deliver more than 100 packets of notecards to survivors and mail an additional 400 packets to survivors in the five-county region. “When I spoke with the Holocaust survivors, they shared images and colors they experienced on Liberation Day so many years ago,” King said. “Their common theme was experiencing tremendous grief, loss, trauma and sorrow. They shared seeing a bright light which inspired the tunnel, flashing yellow and light blue colors for salvation, warmer hues of oranges and yellows for strength, and a vision of a wounded person looking at the sky with wide arms, which I depicted as birds flying free.” l — Compiled by Andy Gotlieb www.jewishexponent.com JEWISHEXPONENT.COM JEWISH EXPONENT MAY 6, 2021 25 C ommunity / deaths DEATH NOTICES B A LA B A N Larry Joseph Balaban, 78, of Philadelphia and Warminster, PA, Margate, NJ, and Rancho Mirage, CA passed away on April 4th, 2021. Larry is survived by his beloved wife, Sandy, and loving children, Michael Balaban, Daniel Balaban, Drue [Morris] Naish, and Jessica [Glenn] Sapadin. He is the proud Saba of Luria, Lee Ty, Aryeh, Elias, Sela, Noah, and Ethan. In memory of our hero, trees may be planted in Israel through the Jewish National Fund (www.JNF.org). Forever the wind be- neath our wings. J.S. Goldstein Funeral Home & Monuments Mays Landing, New Jersey www.jsgfunerals.com A Community Remembers Monthly archives of Jewish Exponent Death Notices are available online. www.JewishExponent.com Honor the memory of your loved one... Call 215.832.0749 to place your memorial. DEATH NOTICES DEATH NOTICES DEATH NOTICES B R E N N E R B R OO KS E R L I C K Roslyn Faye Rickles Brenner, devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and talented artist and author passed away April 15, 2021 of natural causes. She was 90. Born Jan. 22, 1931 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Roslyn was the daughter of Pauline Brown Rickles and Charles Rickles. Her brother, Irwin Rickles, passed away in 1984. A lifelong Phil- adelphia resident, Roslyn married Clifford Brenner, who built a career as a public rela- tions executive in Philadelphia, in 1950. The couple were married for 56 years, until his death in 2006. Roslyn held a BFA and MFA from Temple University, Tyler School of Art, and taught art in the Philadelphia public school system. An accomplished painter and photographer, Roslyn created, wrote and photographed the book, Philadelphia’s Out- door Art: A Walking Tour, in 2002 that is still in active distribution. A number of her paint- ings are in private collections. She and her husband traveled extensively around the world and were members of a longstanding book and discussion group in the Phil- adelphia area. Roslyn was observant of the Jewish faith and she and her family particip- ated in numerous holidays, services, celebra- tions and events. Roslyn is survived by her daughters, Keri Louise Brenner and Meryl Brenner, and sons, Roy David Brenner and Michael Evan Brenner, daughters-in-law Megan Murphy and Chie Utsumi, sister-in- law Betty Rickles and grandchildren: Rafaella Pontes, Remington Pontes and Ruby Bren- ner, Alisa Connolly and Julian Connolly. She is also survived by her beloved nieces and nephews and their partners Stephanie and Barry Gang, Richard Rickles, Robert and El- len Rickles, Laura and Michael Lehman, Freya Kamel and Michael Lamvik, and Rachael Kamel and Susan Rouda. Roslyn will be missed also by her many wonderful cousins and lifelong friends with whom she kept in regular touch. A memorial gathering is planned for a later date due to current COV- ID-19 restrictions. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Barnes Founda- tion www.barnesfoundation.org in Roslyn’s memory. facebook.com/jewishexponent To place a Memorial Ad call 215.832.0749 Stanley Brooks 1929-2021, resident of Rydal Park, passed away on April 4, 2021. He was 92 years young. Stan was the baby to three older siblings in a working class family in New York City. Stan was an intellectually curious person who loved sharing his know- ledge and insights with others. He built friendships across the globe and is much be- loved by many. Stan was a 1951 graduate of the National Agricultural College (now Delaware Valley University). In 1952 he was drafted into the Marine Corp to fight in Korea but before his ship arrived, the war ended and his unit set out to rebuild Japan . He and a Japanese student of English developed a strong friendship which endured for decades. When Stan’s mother suffered a stroke in 1953, his older brothers worked through the Red Cross to return him home, to New York. For the duration of his services, he was sta- tioned in a Watch Tower in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, guarding the East River from potential enemies. In late 1954, Stan married Millie Mosko, whom he met in 1950, when both were college students. Given the choice, he picked his urban bride over a career in farm- ing. He never looked back. While Stan’s ori- ginal career goals involved work in farm product processing, he soon joined a family- run company that bought, sold and refur- bished used industrial equipment. Stan hap- pily continued at Perry Equipment for 38 years. Among his specialties were repurpos- ing sugar refineries, old-style large American breweries and pharmaceutical tanks. His work gave Stan insight and knowledge into global manufacturing practices. His bound- less creativity and entrepreneurship led him to pursue business in the Soviet Union and India long before it became commonplace. He and Millie lived near London for over a year, while Stan opened the first internation- al office of his company in 1990. Stan was active in his retirement years. He took great pleasure as a docent at the Franklin Institute science and technology museum in Phil- adelphia, taking special interest in the manu- facture of paper. In his 70’s, Stan studied clowning and became a hospital clown known as “Dr. Dandee” visiting patients (kids and adults) in hospitals and providing strong medicine called ‘laughter.’ Kibitzing aside, his warmth and compassion were most ap- preciated. He was a leader at Melrose B’nai Israel Emanu-el and could be counted on to make a minyan. Stan and Millie raised their family in Philadelphia and Cheltenham, and later moved to Elkins Park. Their final move landed them in a retirement community two weeks before the world shut down in March 2020. Stan is survived by his wife Mildred Brooks, daughter Fran Brooks (Michael Elen- ko), son Maury Brooks, daughter Sharon Brooks (Yisroel Schwartz), grandchildren Kaija, Sasha, Aesop, Yehoshua, Leah, and Shalom, as well as many other loving relat- ives. Stan lives on in the people he touched with his warmth, and joy in connecting with every person near or far. He brought laughter to hearts and nudged us to see light in dark- ness. He showed us that there is no end to curiosity and a certain satisfaction on the journey initiated this way. Just give it a try. Contributions in Stan’s memory can be made to his shul, Melrose B’nai Israel Emanu-El ht- tp://mbiee.org/ or Feeding America, a U.S. hunger relief organization https://www.feedingamerica.org/ or your local food bank. A Community Remembers Monthly archives of Jewish Exponent Death Notices are available online. www.JewishExponent.com Estelle G. Erlick, age 91, passed away on April 18, 2021. Wife of the late Milton Erlick. Mother of Nelson & Cheryl Barish Erlick and Michael & Marcie Erlick. Grandmother of Matthew & Lindsay Erlick, Marc & LeAnne Matlach Erlick, Rayna Erlick and Melissa Er- lick. Sister of Dr. Raymond Goldstein & Joyce Dexter, the late Temma & Moshe Reif and Judy & the late Martin Rosenberg. Also survived by many loving nieces and neph- ews. Estelle was an Executive Secretary for Raytheon Company for many years. When she retired she became a Docent for the Na- tional Park Service at Independence Mall. She loved taking people around and showing off her city. Services were private. Contributions can be made in her memory to Temple Brith Achim in King of Prussia, PA or to any char- ity of your choice. G E L M A N Janice R. Gelman (nee Shaffer) on April 28, 2021. Beloved wife of Arnold H. Gelman. Devoted mother of Dr. Kenneth J. Gelman (Dr. Lisa Leschek-Gelman) and Dr. David Y. Gelman (Eric Blume). Dear sister of Dr. War- ren Shaffer (Dr. Pamela Shaffer). Loving mom-mom of Devon and Ryan. Contribu- tions in her memory may be made to the Foundation for Women’s Cancer www.found- ationforwomenscancer.org or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. www.michaeljfox.org GOLDSTEINS' ROSENBERG'S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com H E R MA N Flora Marlene Herman (nee Levin) on April 24, 2021. Beloved wife of the late Leonard; Loving mother of Faith (Sol) Weiss and Mindy Herman; Devoted grandmother of Mi- chael (Charlotte) Ashe, Emily Ashe, Gabrielle Weiss, Lucas Herman and Laynie Herman; Adoring great-grandmother of Louisa. Ser- vices and interment were private. Contribu- tions in her memory may be made to Hor- sham Center for Jewish Life, 1425 Horsham Rd., North Wales, PA 19454. GOLDSTEINS' ROSENBERG'S RAPHAEL SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com K O C H Harvey S. Koch, Ph.D. April 28, 2021 of Cyn- wyd, PA. Born August 17, 1943 to Phillip M. and Ethel (nee Saltzburg) Koch in Phil- adelphia, PA. Harvey was raised in West Oak Lane and was a graduate of Germantown High School (1961). He then earned his B.S. in Mathematics (1965), and his M.S. (1967) and Ph.D. (1973) in Computer Science from Pennsylvania State University. He had a pres- tigious career in the computer sciences and was an expert in the security field working at Univac, General Electric, Martin Marietta, Lockheed Martin, and the SI Organization. He was a faculty member at Penn State, Ohio State and the University of Rochester. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Rho, Xi Chapter. Harvey is survived by his beloved wife June (nee Tucker), cherished daughter Miriam, and treasured brother Allan (Norma) Koch. Due to COVID, graveside services were held privately. Contributions in his memory may be made to Pennsylvania State University (psu.edu). JOSEPH LEVINE and SONS www.levinefuneral.com HONOR THE MEMORY OF YOUR LOVED ONE... CALL 215-832-0749 To place a Memorial Ad call 215.832.0749 26 MAY 6, 2021 JEWISH EXPONENT DEATH NOTICES L A B E Alexander Labe, M. D. passed away peace- fully on April 24th. He was better known as "Sandy" to his family and friends. He is sur- vived by his loving wife of 66 years, Myra Goldberg Labe, his devoted and loving chil- dren, Andrea, Marjorie and Jonathan, and his grandson Jeremy, who all brought him so much joy. Sandy was a graduate of Chelten- ham High School, where he was an outstand- ing wrestler, a graduate of Franklin and Mar- s h a l l Co l le ge a nd th e Un i v e r s it y of Pennsylvania Medical School. He became a General Surgeon and was dedicated to his work and patients. Sandy enjoyed tennis, bridge and his many travels and vacations with Myra and his family. He enjoyed his work, his life and his many friends. Services and interment were private. Contributions in Sandy's memory can be made to the Phil- adelphia Zoo, the Montgomery County SPCA or a charity of the donor's choice. JOSEPH LEVINE and SONS www.levinefuneral.com L E V I N Michael D. Levin M.D. passed away on April 25, 2021. Beloved husband of Tania Levin (nee Berg). Devoted and loving father to Adam (Margo) Levin, Matthew (Lorin) Levin and Aaron Levin. Adoring grandfather of Wil- liam, Ari and Alexandra Levin, Sydney, Ella and Max Levin, and Madison and Bradley Levin. Private Funeral Services are being held at Roosevelt Memorial Park. Contributions in his memory may be made to Childrens’ Hos- pital of Philadelphia, www.chop.edu/giving. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com A Community Remembers Monthly archives of Jewish Exponent Death Notices are available online. www.JewishExponent.com Honor the memory of your loved one... Call 215.832.0749 to place your memorial. facebook.com/jewishexponent A Community Remembers Monthly archives of Jewish Exponent Death Notices are available online. www.JewishExponent.com TO PLACE A MEMORIAL AD CALL 215.832.0749 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM C OMMUNITY / deaths DEATH NOTICES DEATH NOTICES DEATH NOTICES S E R N O F F S M AL L O W Louise (Lowenthal) Sernoff, on April 21st, 2021. Wife of the late Harold Rubinson and the late Nathan Sernoff, mother of Richard (Deborah Holtzman) Rubinson and the late Jill Rubinson. Also survived by 5 grandchil- dren and 7 great-grandchildren. Services and Interment were private. Contributions in her memory may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. JOSEPH LEVINE and SONS www.levinefuneral.com S E T Z M A N L O V I T C H Nancy Lovitch, age 74, passed away peace- fully on Sunday, April 25, 2021 at her home in Bryn Mawr after an extended illness. Sur- vived by her loving husband, Dr. Edward Bleeden, daughter Laura (Ryan) Maleknia and granddaughter Ava Leigh; brothers Fred (Di- nah) and Edward (Martha) Lovitch; sister-in- law Ellen Richmond; nieces and nephews as well as extended family. She is predeceased by her parents, Clarence and Freda (Ruben- stein) Lovitch. Nancy was a proud native of Williamson, West Virginia. Following her graduation from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in teaching, she attended Anti- och College where she earned her Master's degree. She taught special education in the Philadelphia school system for over 15 years. After raising her daughter, she enjoyed a second teaching career in the Lower Merion school system, where she again dedicated to teaching challenged students and mentoring young teachers who were very grateful to her. As a consummate hostess and a talen- ted cook and baker, she generously wel- comed friends and family for legendary meals on the holidays, birthdays and other special occasions. She has a special way of opening her home and making everyone feel comfort- able. She was a loving and caring daughter, wife, mother and grandmother, whose time with her granddaughter Ava was cut far too short. She was a kind and caring listener whose companionship will be missed by many. Contributions in her memory may be made to Main Line Reform Temple mlrt/giv- ing/Covid-19 Emergency Fund or for ovarian cancer research www.pennmedicine.org/ocrc JOSEPH LEVINE and SONS www.levinefuneral.com M I L L E R Rena Miller, formerly of Jericho, NY, died peacefully in her home on April 27, 2021 in Glen Mills, PA, where she has lived for al- most 15 years. Beloved wife of the late Lester; mother of Lauren Collins, Stacey Bruno and Stephen (Jill) Miller; grandmother of Ryan (Mally) Collins, Samantha Collins, Emily and Hannah Bruno, Jordan, Drew and Madison Miller. Funeral services were private. Contributions in her memory may be made to Cancer and Kidney Research Funds. JOSEPH LEVINE and SONS www.levinefuneral.com Stephen C. Setzman, age 73, April 23, 2021. Father of Ryan (Lisa Saitta) and David (Jef- frey Trull) Setzman. Grandfather of Thomas Setzman. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Eleanor Setzman as well as his sister Eileen Setzman. Services and internment were private. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Lung Can- cer Research Fund at Memorial Sloan Ketter- ing Cancer Center P.O. Box 5028 Hager- stown, MD 21741-5028: giving.mskcc.org/lung-cancer GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com S H A P I R O Jeffrey Shapiro on April 25, 2021. Devoted husband of Eileen (nee Guckin). Loving fath- er of Brian Shapiro and David (Shiwaye) Sha- piro. Beloved grandfather of Eliyahu, Yord- anos and Yehanatan. Jeff will always be missed and remembered with love by his family. Funeral services were private. Contri- butions in his memory may be made to the Pennsylvania SPCA, 350 E Erie Avenue, Phil- adelphia PA. 19134. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com S H A P I R O Morton “Morty” Shapiro on April 24, 2021, age 97. Husband of the late Jean Rittenberg. Son of the late Isadore and Minnie Shapiro. Dear brother of the late George Shapiro, Es- telle Spielberg and Judith Farber. Father of Joan (Jerry) Rappaport and Kenneth (Ying) Shapiro. Grandfather of Louis (Nancy) Rap- paport, Brian (Jennifer) Rappaport and Seth (Jamie) Rappaport. Great grandfather of Ju- lia, Ethan, Abraham, Jude, Jake, Issac, Jo- nah and Brooke Rappaport; brother-in-law of Rochelle Shapiro Wolf; also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Morty was a proud veteran of WWII. Burial private. Con- tributions in his memory may be made to Paul’s Run Retirement Community, 9896 Bustleton Ave., Phila., PA 19115 or to a char- ity of the donor’s choice. JOSEPH LEVINE and SONS www.levinefuneral.com HONOR THE MEMORY OF YOUR LOVED ONE... CALL 215-832-0749 www.JewishExponent.com DEATH NOTICES Morris S. Smallow on April 28, 2021. Hus- band of the late Leatrice. Father of Janice (Joel) Kanoff and Dr. Stevan A. (Susan) Smallow. Dear companion to Barbara Mueller, also survived by 9 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Contributions in his memory may be made to Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, 9768 Verree Road, Phil- adelphia, Pa. 19115. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com S P EL K O M AN Sylvia Spelkoman (nee Sokoloff) on April 28, 2021. Wife of the late Norman. Mother of Howard Spelkoman, Carol Spelkoman (Carol Underwood) and Randee Spelkoman-Ryan (Michael Ryan). Grandmother of Jennifer (Wayne) Hausfeld, Jason Spelkoman, Doug (Melissa) Underwood and Ken (Tanya) Un- derwood. Great grandmother of Lily and Shira Hausfeld, Ashley, Abby, Leighton and Charlotte Underwood. Contributions in her memory may be made to ORT America, 75 Maiden Lane, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10038, ortamerica.org. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com W E R TH E R Shirley Werther, 93, passed away peacefully on April 27, 2021. She was born in Phil- adelphia, moved to Cheltenham and eventu- ally retired in South Florida with her husband David who pre-deceased her in 1997. She was a registered nurse and eventually be- came the head nurse in the Jenkintown School District. She was also an educator, and for many years, the camp mother (Golden Slipper) which her husband ran for many years. She is survived by her children Susan (Warren) and Daniel (Caroline), her grandchildren Elie (Rachel), Shoshana, Meira (Orrin), Samuel and Maxwell, and four great- grandchildren. Services were private and in- ternment occurred in Florida. The family re- spectfully suggests that contributions in her memory be made to the American Friends of Magen David Adom. A Community Remembers Monthly archives of Jewish Exponent Death Notices are available online. www.JewishExponent.com Honor the memory of your loved one... Call 215.832.0749 to place your memorial. ZBIK Fritzi Zbik, 99, of Philadelphia, passed away on Tuesday, April 20th, 2021. She was born in Rona de Sus, Romania to Malka and Av- raham Yisrael Jeger in 1921. She lived an ex- traordinary life in extraordinary times. The 10th of 12 children, Fritzi was a Holocaust survivor who was in the Dachau subcamp of Kaufering from November 1944 to her libera- tion on May 1st, 1945. While in the camp, she met her future husband, Benjamin, and they were married shortly after the war. They had their only child, Hanna, while still in Ger- many. Fritzi and Benjamin immigrated to America in 1949 and settled on Bainbridge Street, where they owned a stable and rented horses and wagons to merchants. They even- tually moved to Northeast Philadelphia. Fritzi was a selfless and loving person, devoted to her family and friends. She was a member of the New Americans Association and the Holo- caust Survivors Association. She spoke with young people at many synagogues to teach them about her experiences in the Holocaust. She supported many charities and organiza- tions, including MDA, Israel Bonds, JNF, and the Firefighters Association. Fritzi was a mag- nificent homemaker. She loved to garden, to cook, and to shep naches from her grandchil- dren and great-grandchildren. Fritzi could converse in seven languages. She was a compassionate, nurturing, beautiful soul. She was known as Mom Mom and Tante Fritzi by her loved ones. Fritzi is survived by her daughter, Hanna; her grandchildren, David and Josh; her great-grandchildren, Madison and Jonah; and many dear nieces and neph- ews. She was preceded in death by her hus- band, Benjamin. Memorial donations may be made to: JFCS of Greater Philadelphia Holo- caust Survivors Support Attn: Development Department 2100 Arch Street, 5th Floor Phil- adelphia, PA 19103 Fritzi will be loved and missed forever. A COMMUNITY REMEMBERS MONTHLY ARCHIVES OF JEWISH EXPONENT DEATH NOTICES ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE. www. jewishexponent.com Honor the memory of your loved one … CALL 215-832-0749 TO PLACE YOUR YAHRTZEIT AD. Family owned and Operated since 1883 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM JEWISH EXPONENT MAY 6, 2021 27 CLASSIFIEDS REAL ESTATE YARD SERVICES RENTALS EDUCATION ACTIVITIES BUSINESS/ FINANCIAL EMPLOYMENT/ HELP WANTED OUT OF AREA VACATION SALES/RENTALS INFORMATION SERVICES PROFESSIONAL/ PERSONAL AUTOMOTIVE HOUSEHOLD SERVICES MERCHANDISE MARKETING REPAIRS/ CONSTRUCTION STATEWIDE ADS TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD: LINE CLASSIFIED: 215-832-0749 classified@jewishexponent.com DISPLAY ADVERTISING: DEADLINES: LINE CLASSIFIED: 12 p.m. Mondays DISPLAY ADVERTISING: 12 p.m. Fridays HOMES FOR SALE 28 MAY 6, 2021 “ O A K H I L L " C a l l d i r e c t l y f o r u p d a t e s o n s a l e s a n d r e n t a l s . KKKKKK S O U T H T E R R A C E -Top floor. 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Neg Salary Theresa 267- 591-9382 HOUSEHOLD GOODS WANTED D O W N S I Z I N G O R C L E A N I N G O U T ? 1 man's trash/another man's treasure C a l l J o e l 2 1 5 - 9 4 7 - 2 8 1 7 CASH IN YOUR CLOSET INC. Licensed and Bonded E S T A T E S A L E S COLLECTIBLES Sports Card Market is Booming! Koufax, Clemente, Gretzky, Jordan, Brady etc. Consign or Sell Your Cards Free Appraisals Call or Text Steve at Rittenhouse Archives 215-514-3205 or email steve@scifihobby.com facebook.com/jewishexponent Follow us on @jewishexponent To place an ad in the Real Estate Section, call 215.832.0749 COMPANION/AIDE seeks pos. to care for sick/elderly live out, 30 yrs exp., great references; own car 215-681-5905 or 215-242-5691 Caregiver/Housekeeping/ Companionship Great Refs, Flexible hrs, Great Bargain!! Will make your house shine! 267-456-5615 HELP WANTED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jewish Federation of Northeastern PA, located in Scrant- on, seeks a full-time Executive Director to lead its Feder- ation in continuing to provide dynamic leadership to the Jewish communities of Lackawanna, Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties and support for the State of Israel and overseas Jewish organizations. Qualifications: Undergraduate degree as a minimum, 5 yearsʼ experience in fundraising and administration in a nonprofit setting, effective communication skills and com- mitment to enhancing Jewish values Please send applications to Jewish Federation of Northeastern PA, 601 Jefferson Ave. Scranton PA 18510. Attn: Search Committee or email to weinberg.em@gmail.com PET SERVICES WE SCOOP DOG POOP 215-DOG-POOP www.poopiescoopersr-us.com ESTATE NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES 770 Jenkintown Road Owners’ As- sociation has been incorporated under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Business Corpora- tions Law of 1988. PCL INCORPORATED has been in- corporated under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Business Corpor- ation Law of 1988. Mark D. Schaffer, Esq. 1500 Walnut St. Suite 2000 Philadelphia, PA 19102 Rabbit Recycling, Inc. has been in- corporated under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Business Corpor- ation Law of 1988. George J. Lavin, III & Assoc. 920 West Chester Pike Upper Floor Havertown, PA 19083 To place an ad in the Real Estate Section, call 215.832.0749 ESTATE OF ANNE BEEBIE a/k/a ANNE E. BEEBIE, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to ANDREW BEEBIE and MEGAN BEE- BIE, EXECUTORS, c/o Deborah B. Miller, Esq., 650 Sentry Parkway, Ste. One, Blue Bell, PA 19422, Or to their Attorney: DEBORAH B. MILLER STRONG STEVENS MILLER & WYANT PC 650 Sentry Parkway, Ste. One Blue Bell, PA 19422 ESTATE of BLANCHE E. RICE; RICE, BLANCHE E., Deceased Late of Philadelphia, PA LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same, and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay, to: Vicki Nelson, c/o Thomas J. Hornak, Esq., Gold- smith Hark & Hornak, PC, 7716 Castor Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19152, Administratrix. Goldsmith Hark & Hornak, PC 7716 Castor Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19152 APARTMENT HOUSING APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE FOR FLORENCE E. GREEN HOUSE 4701 SOMERTON ROAD TREVOSE, PA 19053 Non-Smoking Building Affordable One and Two Bedroom Units Applicants Must Be 62+ Years No Rent Subsidy But Housing Vouchers Accepted Resident pays own gas & electric Elevator Building - Wheelchair Accessible Applications may be requested at: www.federationhousing.org/housing-application or by mailing request to: Federation Housing Corporate Office 8900 Roosevelt Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19115 MAIL AND ONLINE REQUESTS ONLY, PHONE CALLS NOT ACCEPTED To place a Classified Ad, call 215.832.0749 JEWISH EXPONENT JEWISHEXPONENT.COM SEASHORE SALE LOVE where you LIVE VOTED ATLANTIC COUNTY BOARD OF REALTORS 2020 REALTOR OF THE YEAR! *TOP 10 in the country out of all Berkshire Hathaway agents *GCI 2019 NEW PRICE! VENTNOR $1,738,000 IMMACULATE & PERFECTLY MAINTAINED BEACHBLOCK HOME! 7 BEDS, 6 FULL BATHS, OCEAN VIEWS, & YARD! NEW PRICE! MARGATE $749,000 RENOVATED 4 BEDROOM, 4 FULL BATH, OPEN CONCEPT, PLUS SPACIOUS FIRST FLOOR THAT CAN BE IN-LAW SUITE! www.HartmanHomeTeam.com NEW LISTING! MARGATE $1,699,000 PARKWAY WITH IN GROUND POOL! COMEPLETLY RENO- VATED 4 BEDROOM, 3.5 BATH WITH FINISHED BASEMENT! NEW LISTING! MARGATE $729,000 SPACIOUS 4 BEDROOM, 2.5 BATH HOME WITH A DEN, DREAM FRONT PORCH, & BACKYARD! WANTED TO BUY HHT Office 609-487-7234 NEW LISTING! LINWOOD NEW LISTING! $1,589,000 WATERFRONT ESTATE! SPRAWLING 6 BEDROOM, 7.5 BATH WITH IN-GROUND POOL & SKYLINE VIEWS! NEW PRICE! MARGATE $899,000 4 BEDROOM, 2 BATH PARKWAY HOME! SITU- ATED ON A WONDERFUL OVERSIZED LOT! STEPS TO THE BEACH & BOARDWALK! MOVE-IN READY 7 BR, 3.5 BATH. FABULOUS FRONT PORCH & YARD! MARGATE $639,000 FABULOUS ONE-STORY HOME WITH 4 BEDROOMS, 2 FULL BATHS! EASY OPEN LAYOUT & MASTER SUITE! NEW LISTING! NEW PRICE! VENTNOR $889,000 ST. LEONARDS TRACT JUST 2 BLOCKS TO THE BEACH! 5 BR, 5 BA, FINISHED BASE- MENT & IN-GROUND POOL! NEW PRICE! LOWER CHELSEA $669,000 9211 Ventnor Avenue, Margate 8017 Ventnor Avenue, Margate NEW LISTING! VENTNOR $879,000 BEAUTIFUL 4 BR, 3.5 BA IN DESIRABLE NEIGHBORHOOD! CHEF’S KITCHEN, BONUS DEN & FABULOUS BACKYARD! NEW LISTING! $425,000 WATERFRONT TEARDOWN! BUILD TWO BAYFRONT UNITS OR ONE MASSIVE HOME! JUST A FEW SHORT BLOCKS TO THE BEACH! LEGAL SERVICES MARGATE CHELSEA HEIGHTS $399,000 RARE OPPORTUNITY TO OWN THIS MOVE IN READY 4 BR, 2.5 BATH HOME AND ADJACENT 30X105 LOT! SENIORS TO SENIORS ATTORNEYS! ADVERTISE YOUR LEGAL NOTICES AND LEGAL SERVICES WE GUARANTEE THE BEST RATES! WE CIRCULATE THROUGHOUT THE TRI-STATE AREA (PA, NJ, DE) CALL THE CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT FOR DETAILS 215-832-0749 or 215-832-0750 classifi ed@jewishexponent.com FAX: 215-832-0785 SENIORS TO SENIORS BOX REPLIES will be forwarded once a week on Friday. To answer a Senior to Senior ad, address your reply to: JE Box ( ) Classifi ed Dept. 2100 Arch Street 4th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19103 DEADLINE - TO PLACE YOUR SENIOR TO SENIOR AD Friday by 10 am for the following Thursday’s issue Call 215-832-0749 www.jewishexponent.com JEWISHEXPONENT.COM JEWISH EXPONENT MAY 6, 2021 29 ESTATE NOTICES ESTATE NOTICES ESTATE NOTICES ESTATE of ETRUSIA B. GIBBS, III; GIBBS, III, ETRUSIA B. Deceased Late of Philadelphia, 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: Charles M. Gibbs, Esq., 1845 Walnut St., 19th Fl., Philadelphia, PA 19103, Executor. Charles M. Gibbs, Esq. 1845 Walnut St. 19th Fl. Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF LESLIE ANN SHINN, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been gran- ted to the undersigned, who re- quest all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the de- cedent to make payment without delay to HART WILLIAM JOHN- SON, ADMINISTRATOR, c/o Roy Yaffe, Esq., One Commerce Square, 2005 Market St., 16 th Fl., Phil- adelphia, PA 19103-7042, Or to his Attorney: ROY YAFFE GOULD YAFFE and GOLDEN One Commerce Square 2005 Market St., 16 th Fl. Philadelphia, PA 19103-7042 ESTATE of MARVIS FRANKLIN; FRANKLIN, MARVIS, Deceased Late of Philadelphia, 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: Frank A. Franklin, II, c/o Edgar R. Einhorn, Esq., 7 N. Columbus Blvd., Unit #243, Phil- adelphia, PA 19106, Executor. Edgar R. Einhorn, Esq. 7 N. Columbus Blvd. Unit #243 Philadelphia, PA 19106 ESTATE of Evelyn E. Solomon aka Evelyn Solomon; Solomon, Evelyn E. aka Solomon, Evelyn, Deceased Late of Philadelphia, 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: William J. So- lomon, c/o David W. Crosson, Esq., Crosson Richetti & Daigle, LLC, 609 W. Hamilton St., Suite 210, Al- lentown, PA 18101, Executor. Crosson Richetti & Daigle, LLC 609 W. Hamilton St. Suite 210 Allentown, PA 18101 ESTATE OF HARRY SMUKLER, DECEASED Late of Philadelphia LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been gran- ted to the undersigned, who re- quest all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the de- cedent to make payment without delay to MICHAEL SMUKLER, AD- MINISTRATOR - c/o Marc Vogin, Esq., 1700 Sansom St., 3 rd Fl., Phil- adelphia, PA 19103, Or to his Attorney: MARC VOGIN KLEIN, VOGIN & GOLD 1700 Sansom St., 3 rd Fl. Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF JANINA GABRYSZEWSKA, DECEASE D Late of Philadelphia LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to Halina Glowacki, Executrix 3355 E. Thompson Street Philadelphia, PA 19134. ESTATE of JOSEPHINE L. GALLO; GALLO, JOSEPHINE L., Deceased Late of Philadelphia, 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: Elissa E. Gallo, Executrix, c/o Gail Marcus, Esq., 2 Penn Center Plaza, Suite 1020, 1500 JFK Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19102. Gail Marcus, Esq. 2 Penn Center Plaza Suite 1020 1500 JFK Blvd. Philadelphia, PA 19102 facebook.com/jewishexponent Follow us on @jewishexponent SELL IT IN THE JEWISH EXPONENT 215-832-0749 30 MAY 6, 2021 ESTATE OF LILY SHARP a/k/a LILLY SHARP, LILLIAN L. SHARP, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to HOWARD M. SOLOMAN, ADMINIS- TRATOR, 1760 Market St., Ste. 404, Philadelphia, PA 19103, Or to his Attorney: Howard M. Soloman 1760 Market St., Ste. 404 Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF LINDA LAUDISIO, DECEASED Late of Philadelphia LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been gran- ted to the undersigned, who re- quest all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the de- cedent to make payment without delay to DOMINICK LAUDISIO, AD- MINISTRATOR, c/o Peter L. Klenk, Esq., 2202 Delancey Place, Phil- adelphia, PA 19103, Or to his Attorney: PETER L. KLENK THE LAW OFFICES OF PETER L. KLENK & ASSOCIATES 2202 Delancey Place Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE of Marilyn A. Cheskis Lear, Deceased Late of Bucks County, PA LETTERS TESTIMENTARY 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 decedents to make payment without delay, to: Joel H. Cheskis, Executor 3405 N. 3 rd Street, Harris- burg, PA 17110-1410 Or to Attorney: Ronald Jay Smolow, Esq 3 Three Ponds Lane Newtown, PA 18940 (215) 579-1111 Email: Ron@Smolow.com ESTATE OF MARION DOROTHY WATERS a/k/a MARION WATERS, MARION D. WATERS, MARIAN DOROTHY WATERS, MARIAN D. WATERS, DECEASED Late of Philadelphia LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been gran- ted to the undersigned, who re- quest all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the de- cedent to make payment without delay to PAUL WATERS, ADMINIS- TRATOR, c/o Nicholas W. Stathes, Esq., 899 Cassatt Rd., Ste. 320, Berwyn, PA 19312, Or to his Attorney: NICHOLAS W. STATHES TOSCANI, STATHES & ZOELLER, LLC 899 Cassatt Rd., Ste. 320 Berwyn, PA 19312 To place a Classified Ad, call 215.832.0749 ESTATE OF MARY AGNES JEFFERY, DECEASED Late of Philadelphia LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to MEGAN JEFFERY, EXECUTRIX, c/o Danielle M. Yacono, Esq., 2202 Delancey Place, Philadelphia, PA 19103, Or to her Attorney: DANIELLE M. YACONO THE LAW OFFICES OF PETER L. KLENK & ASSOCIATES 2202 Delancey Place Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF MICHAEL DAN GOTTLIEB, 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 Kathleen Reilly, Executrix, c/o Mark J. Davis, Esq., 644 Germantown Pike, Ste. 2-C, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444; Mark J. Davis, Atty. Connor Elder Law 644 Germantown Pike Ste. 2-C Lafayette Hill, PA 19444 ESTATE of Peter Edward Pertschi aka Peter Pertschi; Pertschi, Peter Edward aka Pertschi, Peter, De- ceased Late of Philadelphia, PA LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same, and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay, to: Kristopher T. Pertschi, c/o Hope Bosniak, Esq., Dessen, Moses & Rossitto, 600 Ea- ston Rd., Willow Grove, PA 19090, Administrator, CTA. Dessen, Moses & Rossitto 600 Easton Rd. Willow Grove, PA 19090 ESTATE of REMEE ZOE KLOS, De- ceased Late of 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 Caleb Deitch, Executor, c/o their at- torney Debra G. Speyer, Two Bala Plaza, Suite 300, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. ESTATE NOTICES ESTATE OF RICHARD COPPOLA, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia LETTERS 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 DOMINICK COPPOLA, ADMINIS- TRATOR, c/o Marybeth O. Lauria, Esq., 644 Germantown Pike, Ste. 2- C, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444, Or to his Attorney: MARYBETH O. LAURIA THE LAW OFFICE OF MICHAEL S. CONNOR, LLC 644 Germantown Pike, Ste. 2-C Lafayette Hill, PA 19444 ESTATE OF ROBERT A. KELLY, a/k/a ROBERT KELLY, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to WILLIAM J. KELLY, EXECUTOR, 1718 Hampton Dr., Jamison, PA 18929, Or to his Attorney: BARRY F. PENN LAW OFFICES OF BARRY F. PENN, P.C. 30 S. 17 th St., Ste. 810 Duane Morris Plaza Philadelphia, PA 19103 STATEWIDE ADS M i s c e l l a n e o u s : DISH Network. $59.99 for 190 Channels! Blazing Fast Internet, $19.99/mo. (where available.) Switch & Get a FREE $100 Visa Gift Card. FREE Voice Remote. FREE HD DVR. FREE Streaming on ALL Devices. 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Call for Your Free Author`s Guide 1-877-670-0236 or visit: ht t p : / / d o r r a n c e i n f o . c o m / p a s n M i s c e l l a n e o u s : Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estim- ate today. 15% off Entire Pur- chase. 10% Senior & Military Dis- counts. Call 1-855-569-3087 TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD CALL 215.832.0749 Place a Classified Ad CALL: NICOLE MCNALLY 215.832.0749 or KIMBERLY SCHMIDT 215.832.0750 JEWISH EXPONENT O pinion Stevens Continued from Page 18 anxious to re-assert American leadership around the world, and he might be enticed to insert America back into the middle of the Israel-Palestinian conflict at a time when the rest of the Middle East has moved on. He has already begun to reinstate aid to the Palestinian Authority and other groups aiding Palestinians — $75 million to Palestinian areas, $40 million for security assis- tance, $150 million to the United Nation’s refugee agency and other assistance. West Bank in 2011. He has been in exile in the UAE since and is often mentioned as a possible successor to Abbas. The Jerusalem Post calls him a “wheeler-dealer” rather than a “conviction politician,” and therefore someone who might bring some change to the Palestinian Authority. But several of Dahlan’s key associ- ates were recently arrested in the West Bank. Nasser al-Qudwa is the nephew of Yasser Arafat and a former envoy of the PA to the United Nations. He was on the Central Committee for many years but was recently dismissed when he announced his inten- The real reason that the elections were not held is that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, now 85, is not popular. The real reason that the elections were not held is that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, now 85, is not popular. In a recent survey, the Palestine Center for Policy and Survey Research found that the most popular political leader throughout the West Bank and Gaza is Marwan Barghouti, who is currently serving five consecutive life sentences in an Israeli prison for murder and terrorist activities. In addition, Mohammed Dahlan and Nasser al-Qudwa could play roles in the election. Dahlan was a rival of Abbas until he was driven out of the tion to run in the legislative election and support Barghouti for president. With all of these conten- tious players, the Fatah vote would have been split in the election, bringing certain victory to Hamas. Abbas, of course, would never admit this publicly. Instead, he turned to the reliable excuse of blaming the Israelis. The only question is: Why would anyone believe him? l Solomon D. Stevens has a Ph.D. in political science from Boston College and has published a book entitled “Challenges to Peace in the Middle East.” Join the conversation! Tell us what you’re thinking and interact with the community at jewishexponent.com Connect with us on JEWISHEXPONENT.COM C ommunity COMMUNITYCALENDAR FRIDAY, MAY 7 Parsha for Life Join Rabbi Alexander Coleman, 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 a Zoom link and password. SUNDAY, MAY 9 Shvitz & Shmooze Join the Yoetzet Initiative of Philadelphia and South Jersey for an outdoor morning workout event. IntenSati is a workout class that combines spoken affirmations with simple, high-energy moves drawn from aerobics and strength conditioning. Masks and social distancing required. Class starts at 9:30 a.m. and location will be shared after registration. Sign up at tinyurl. com/3XY2V9DH. cookbook and a jar of Soom Tahini. Event starts at 7:30 p.m. Call 215-593-5655 for more information. N E W S MAKE R S On April 29, the National Museum of American Jewish History hosted author Judy Batalion for discussion of her new book “The Light of Days: The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters in Hitler’s Ghettos.” TUESDAY, MAY 11 Yiddish Bingo The Sisterhood of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim will host a virtual general meeting at 7:30 p.m. The program will be Yiddish bingo and it is open to all levels of Yiddish proficiency, from beginner to fluent speakers. Contact the synagogue office at 215-677-1600 for further details. THURSDAY, MAY 13 MONDAY, MAY 10 Papercutting Workshop Papercutting is a traditional Jewish folk art form created by cutting figures and words in paper or parchment. Join Rabbi Kelilah Miller of Congregation Ohev Shalom in Wallingford at 7 p.m. for a pre-Shavuot workshop to learn how to create paper art pieces. Contact delawarecounty@kehillah. jewishphilly.org for more information. Tahini Table Join NA’AMAT Rimonim chapter for a cooking demonstration by Amy Zitelman, co-owner of Soom Foods. She will prepare two dishes from her cookbook, “The Tahini Table” and answer all of your questions. Included in the $18 cost is an option to receive a jar of Soom Tahini or the Bend the Arc Join Bend the Arc for an evening of focused movement-building in South Jersey. Learn more about the Moral Minyan, ideas for action and your role in the movement. Register for the 7:30 p.m. online meeting by May 11. Sign up for email alerts at bendthearc.us/southjersey_signup. l NMAJH Director of Communications and Public Engagement Emily August with Judy Batalion Courtesy of Emily August Dayna Glantz, formerly of Golden Slipper Gems and KleinLife: Montgomery County, joined LCB Senior Living in April as director of business development. LCB Senior Living owns The Residence at Bala Cynwyd. Dayna Glantz Photo by Cindy Graul On April 30, Beth Sholom Congregation hosted a World Music Shabbat, accessible to congregants both in-person and via livestream. Cantor Jacob Agar led musicians in prayers with influences from flamenco, Middle Eastern and Indian music. WHAT’S GOING ON in Jewish Philadelphia? Submit an event or browse our online calendar to find out what’s happening at local synagogues, community organizations and venues! Submit: listings@jewishexponent.com Online: jewishexponent.com/events/ Screenshot by Jesse Bernstein PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT Published weekly since 1887 with a special issue in September (ISSN 0021-6437) ©2021 Jewish Exponent (all rights reserved) Any funds realized from the operation of the Jewish Exponent exceeding expenses are required to be made available to the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, a nonprofit corporation with offices at 2100 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA 19103. 215-832-0700. Periodical postage paid in Philadelphia, PA, and additional offices. Postmaster: All address changes should be sent to Jewish Exponent Circulation Dept., 2100 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA 19103. A one-year subscription is $50, 2 years, $100. Foreign rates on request. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM JEWISH EXPONENT MAY 6, 2021 31 Now more than ever CONGRATULATE YOUR GRADUATE The Jewish Exponent’s graduation issue will publish on Thursday, June 10 TH DEADLINE IS THURSDAY, JUNE 3 RD SIZE SIZE D 45 SIZE A 95 B 75 $ $ Congratulations Rachael, We wish you the best in this next chapter of your life. Adam, Work hard in College next year, we wish you the best! Mom & Dad SIZE C 45 $ Congratulations Emma! You always make us so proud Your loving family Mazel Tov! Highlight the achievements of your graduate! Grandma & Grandpa Limit 25 words and photo. Jeremy, on your graduation! Dad, Mom, Sister & Brother $ PLEASE RUN MY CONGRATULATIONS IN YOUR GRADUATION ISSUE. Email classifi ed@jewishexponent.com with all your pertinent information. Please include your name and phone number, which ad you would like and how the message should read or call Nicole @ 215-832-0749 (all congratulation ads must be paid for in advance) 32 MAY 6, 2021 JEWISH EXPONENT JEWISHEXPONENT.COM