October 2015 - Jewish Federation of New Hampshire

Transcription

Published by the
Jewish Federation of
New Hampshire
Volume 36, Number 2
October 2015
Tishrei-Cheshvan 5776
A Gift to You From Your Jewish Federation
According to the Talmud (Avodah Zarah 19a), “One
should always learn Torah in the place one’s heart
wishes.” This has two different interpretations: 1) that
the environment and actual location where one studies
helps prepare or enable one to learn; or 2) in order for
any learning to take place, one’s hearts must be touched
by the specific text or topic of study.
The Board of Directors of the Jewish Federation of
New Hampshire is pleased to announce a special gift to
the local congregations and communities. We are excited to sponsor a NH visit by Mark Lazar, an Israeli educator-in-residence, for four weeks from mid-November through mid-December 2015. Mark will be available to visit congregations and organizations throughout the state and to offer programs and workshops on
many topics that will touch your heart. He engages
with people of all ages, exploring Jewish identity and
history, modern and ancient Israel, and the Holocaust.
Synagogue, chavurah, and organization leaders will
have the chance to speak with Mark prior to November
in order to tailor his sessions to meet specific community’s needs and interests. Through both formal presentations and lively group activities, Mark will bring new
excitement and joy to Jewish learning and living.
Mark’s career as a Jewish educator began in California, where he taught at supplementary and day schools,
as well as at Camp Ramah, the University of Judaism,
and the Bureau of Jewish Education in Los Angeles. In
4
Campaign Dollars at Work
5
From the Bimah
7
In the Community
9
Israel
11
World Jewry
12
Arts & Entertainment
13
Book Review
14
Recent Events
15
Obituaries
16
Tributes
17
Business & Professional
Services
18
Nashua -- The past couple
Jews, or Jewish judges have a
of years have seen an unusudistinctive view of these matal number of religion-state
ters?
matters debated in the U.S.
On Wednesday, Oct. 14, at
Supreme Court and the po6:30 PM, Temple Beth Abralitical process. Same-sex marham will host a conversation
riage, objections to covering Professor Noah Feldman between Rabbi Jon Spira-Savett
contraceptives through mediand Professor Noah Feldman
cal insurance, prayer before governmental of Harvard Law School. The conversation is
meetings, accommodation of religious dress titled “Religion, Law, and the Constitution
in the workplace -- these issues and more Today: A Rabbinic Discussion With Profesraise constitutional questions as well as ethi- sor Noah Feldman.”
cal ones about the relations between reliRabbi Jon and Prof. Feldman met in colgious groups and secular society, and be- lege at Harvard University, and they took
tween religious majorities and minorities in their first two courses in constitutional law
our country. Do American Jews, religious together. Noah Feldman is Felix Frankfurt-
er Professor of Law as well as a columnist
for Bloomberg View. He clerked at the Supreme Court for Associate Justice David
Souter. In 2003, he served as senior constitutional advisor to the Coalition Provisional
Authority in Iraq, and subsequently he advised members of the Iraqi Governing
Council on the drafting of the interim constitution. Professor Feldman’s books include
Divided by God: America’s Church-State
Problem -- and What We Should Do About It
and After Jihad: America and the Struggle
for Islamic Democracy.
A donation of $10 is suggested to attend.
Temple Beth Abraham is located at 4 Raymond Street, Nashua.
The New Hampshire Jewish Reporter
Jewish Federation of New Hampshire
1361 Elm Street, Suite 403
Manchester, NH 03101
3
Calendar
TBA Hosts Discussion on Religion, Law,
and the Constitution Today
Change Service Requested
Federation Voices
addition to professional Jewish education credentials, tion Conference at Hebrew University. He has been the
Mark has been a member of the Screen Actors Guild, scholar-in-residence for the North American Alliance
the Writers Guild of America, and the American Guild for Jewish Youth, the Dead Sea Conference for Inforof Variety Artists. He often combines his theatrical tal- mal Educators, and Arachim in Hungary, as well as a
ent with the exploration of Jewish history and texts and guest lecturer at Limmud gatherings around the world,
is a featured presenter on pedaCoalition for the Advancement of Jewish
gogic techniques at the Bergman
Education (CAJE) conferences, and local
Seminar for Jewish Educators in
conferences in the United States, Europe,
Israel.
and Australia. Mark is a favored teacher
Since moving to Israel in 1993,
in gap-year programs of Nativ, Nifty/
Mark has worked extensively for
Netzer, and Young Judaea and has guidthe two service partners of the
ed over 50 journeys in Poland for all ages.
Jewish Federation movement, the
Mark enjoys and offers leadership sesJewish Agency for Israel (JAFI)
sions dealing with communications, proand the Joint Distribution Comgram and schedule planning, group dymittee (JDC). Mark served as
namics, and mapping community needs.
Mark Lazar, Israel Educator
the director of the JAFI MaHe has facilitated sessions for synagogue
chon Madrichei Chutz La’Aretz (Institute for Youth leadership, organization and community boards, reliLeaders From Abroad); and as both the deputy direc- gious school leaders, and classroom teachers.
In discussing his work, Mark says, “I am looking for
tor of the Buncher Community Leadership Program
and educational consultant for the JDC in Bulgaria the engagement of ideas. I really strive in every session
and Hungary. These programs train leaders to rebuild I do, no matter what the topic, for each individual to
Jewish communities destroyed by World War II and find meaning. I don’t want to talk about something
that is flat, two-dimensional; I want it to be alive and
stifled by the Iron Curtain.
Mark has guided numerous Taglit-Birthright Israel impactful.”
For more information about the upcoming visit, see
and March of the Living programs as well as worked as
the senior educator in Israel engagement at the General the back page of this issue of The Reporter and feel
Assembly of Jewish Federations and the Israel Educa- free to contact the JFNH office with any questions.
PERMIT NO. 1174
MANCHESTER, NH
PA I D
US POSTAGE
ORGANIZATION
NON-PROFIT
CONGREGATIONS
JRF: Jewish Reconstructionist Federation URJ: Union for Reform Judaism
USCJ: United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
The New Hampshire
Jewish Reporter
Volume 36, Number 2
AMHERST
HANOVER
MANCHESTER
CONGREGATION BETENU
Rebekah Goldman (Rabbinic Intern)
5 Northern Blvd., Unit 1, Amherst
Reform, Affiliated URJ
(603) 886-1633
www.betenu.org
Services: Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat
services at 7:30 PM
Saturday morning twice a month, 9:30 AM
CHABAD AT DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
Rabbi Moshe Gray
22a School Street, Hanover
Orthodox, Chabad
(603) 643-9821
www.dartmouthchabad.com
chabad@dartmouth.edu
Services: Friday Evening Shabbat services
and Dinner
Shabbat morning services
Call for times
CHABAD LUBAVITCH
Rabbi Levi Krinsky
7 Camelot Place, Manchester
Orthodox, Chabad
(603) 647-0204
www.Lubavitchnh.com
rabbi@lubavitchnh.com
Services: Shabbat Services
Saturday morning at 9:30 AM
Sunday morning minyan at 9 AM
BETHLEHEM
BETHLEHEM HEBREW CONGREGATION
39 Strawberry Hill Road
PO Box 395, Bethlehem
Unaffiliated-Egalitarian
(603) 869-5465
www.bethlehemsynagogue.org
davegoldstone1@gmail.com
Services: Contact for Date/Time Info
President Dave Goldstone (516) 592-1462
or Eileen Regen – (603) 823-7711
Weekly Services: July through Simchat Torah
Friday: 6:30 PM; Saturday: 10 AM
CLAREMONT
TEMPLE MEYER DAVID
25 Putnam Street, Claremont
Conservative
(603) 542-6773
Services: Generally the second Friday of
the month, 6:15 PM, April to November.
CONCORD
TEMPLE BETH JACOB
Rabbi Robin Nafshi
67 Broadway, Concord
(603) 228-8581
www.tbjconcord.org
office@tbjconcord.org
Services: Friday night - 7 PM
Saturday morning - 9:30 AM
DERRY
ETZ HAYIM SYNAGOGUE
Rabbi Peter Levy
1½ Hood Road, Derry
(603) 432-0004
www.etzhayim.org
office@etzhayim.org, rabbi@etzhayim.org
Services: Fridays 7:15 PM
Please check the website for the Shabbat
Morning schedule
PAGE 2
UPPER VALLEY JEWISH COMMUNITY
Rabbi Edward S. Boraz
Roth Center for Jewish Life
5 Occom Ridge, Hanover
Nondenominational, Unaffiliated
(603) 646-0460
www.uvjc.org
uvjc@valley.net
Services: Friday night Shabbat services
at 6 PM, led by Dartmouth Hillel
Saturday morning Shabbat services at
9:30 AM, led by Rabbi Boraz
KEENE
CONGREGATION AHAVAS ACHIM
Rabbi Amy Loewenthal
84 Hastings Avenue, Keene
Reconstructionist, Affiliated JRF
(603) 352-6747
www.keene-synagogue.org
rabbi.ahavas.achim@gmail.com
Services: Regular Friday night services at
7 PM
Monthly Shabbat morning services at
9:30 AM
Check the website for time variations
LACONIA
TEMPLE B’NAI ISRAEL
Rabbi Boaz Heilman
210 Court Street, Laconia
(603) 524-7044
www.tbinh.org
Services: Every other Friday
night at 7:30 PM
TEMPLE ADATH YESHURUN
Rabbi Beth D. Davidson
152 Prospect Street, Manchester
(603) 669-5650
www.taynh.org
templeadathy@comcast.net
Services: Shabbat services the first Friday
of the month at 6 PM
All other Friday nights at 7 PM
with some exceptions.
Alternating Shabbat services or Torah
study Saturday mornings at 10 AM
TEMPLE ISRAEL
Rabbi Eric Cohen
66 Salmon Street, Manchester
Conservative
(603) 622-6171
office@templeisraelmht.org
Services: Friday night 7:15 PM
Saturday 9:30 AM
Mon. - Fri. 7 AM daily service/minyan
NASHUA
TEMPLE BETH ABRAHAM
Rabbi Jon Spira-Savett
4 Raymond Street, Nashua
Conservative, Affiliated USCJ
(603) 883-8184
www.tbanashua.org
rabbi@tbanashua.org
office@tbanashua.org
Services: Friday night services 8 PM
1st Friday family service 7 PM
Saturday morning 9:30 AM
Mon. - Thur. minyan 7:30 PM
OCTOBER 2015
Tishrei-Cheshvan 5776
Published by the
Jewish Federation of New Hampshire
Tel: (603) 627-7679 Fax: (603) 627-7963
Editor: Fran Berman
Layout and Design: Tim Gregory
Advertising Sales:
603-627-7679
info@jewishnh.org
The objectives of The New Hampshire
Jewish Reporter are to foster a sense of
community among the Jewish people of New
Hampshire by sharing ideas, information,
experiences and opinions, and to promote the
agencies, projects and mission of the Jewish
Federation of New Hampshire.
The New Hampshire Jewish Reporter is
published monthly ten times per year, with a
deadline for submissions of the 10th of the
month before publication. There are no
January or July issues. All items, including
calendar events, for the December-January
or June-July newspaper must be submitted
by Nov. 10 or May 10, respectively.
Please send all materials to:
thereporter@jewishnh.org
Send items for the print and online
JFNH Calendar and E-News to
events@jewishnh.org
Opinions presented in the paper do not
necessarily represent the views of the
Federation. Photos submitted by individuals
and organizations are published with their
permission.
Neither the publisher nor the editor can
assume any responsibility for the kashrut of
the services or merchandise advertised in this
paper. If you have questions regarding
kashrut please consult your rabbi.
The New Hampshire Jewish Reporter
is overseen by the JFNH Publications
Committee, Merle Carrus, chairperson.
All materials published in The New
Hampshire Jewish Reporter are ©2015 Jewish
Federation of New Hampshire, all rights
reserved, unless noted otherwise.
Shabbat Candle Lighting Times:
(Manchester)
October 2
October 9
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October 30
The New Hampshire
Jewish Reporter
6:06 PM
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Tishrei-Cheshvan 5776 • October 2015
Reflecting on Anti-Semitism and Our Role in World Affairs
We live in New Hampshire. We are
fortunate. As our state motto “Live Free
or Die” suggests, the people of New
Hampshire generally tend to be tolerant
of one another’s differences, following
the advice of Voltaire: “Think for yourself and let others enjoy the privilege of
doing so too.” Living here openly and
without fear, as Jewish citizens of our
state, we may sometimes forget that life
is not as relaxed and unworried for
many Jews living in other places
throughout the world.
In last month’s issue of the Reporter,
we published a highly informative letter
written by Rabbi Tom Cohen of Synagogue Kehilat Gesher in Paris, France,
about the Paris bombing earlier this
year, and subsequent events of religiously inspired violence that have so affected
the lives of France’s Jewish population
and Rabbi Cohen’s congregation. Rabbi
Cohen’s description of the events that
Message from
the Co-Chairs
Bob Selig
Jeff Crocker
have transpired in France since the
bombing -- the continuing fear of violence, the need for soldiers to provide
armed protection -- all of those things
should remind us of the good fortune
we daily take for granted here in New
Hampshire .
Recently, we read with concern that
the number of recorded anti-Semitic incidents in Great Britain escalated in the
first six months of this year as compared
with 2014. There were 473 recorded incidents between January and June of
2015, including two classified as “extreme violence,” which represents a 53%
rise compared to the same period last
year. According to a recent report released by researchers at Tel Aviv University, the number of violent anti-Semitic
attacks around the world surged nearly
40% last year.
We also read with great dismay about
the stabbing death this summer of a
16-year-old girl, Shira Banki, by Yishai
Schlissel, a Haredi Jewish man, at the Jerusalem Gay Pride Parade. According to
reports, Shira did not identify as LGBT,
but in their eulogy her parents, Uri and
Mika Banki expressed support for “the
right of everyone to maintain their way
of life and customs. Our fight,” they
said, “is with the lack of tolerance, the
hatred, and the sanctifying of one’s goals
at the expense of other people’s pain.”
In a recent email conversation with
JFNH co-chair Jeff Crocker, JFNH cochair Bob Selig wrote, “We in New
Hampshire are not alone in the world of
Judaism. We have responsibilities.” He
posed the following questions: “How
important is Israel to Jewish life in New
Hampshire?
How important is defense against anti-Semitism in the world to Jewish life in
New Hampshire? How important is defense of defenseless Jews in the world to
Jewish life in NH? What can JFNH do
to help?”
These are important questions to contemplate, especially at the beginning of
a new year, for each of us individually
and for our statewide organization.
Please tell us what you think. We invite
your comments. Please accept our best
wishes for a happy, healthy, and peaceful
new year.
Federation Makes a Difference Worldwide and at Home
The Jewish Federation of New Hampshire offers a variety of programs and
services to communities and congregations throughout the state. These range
from our preschool, the NH Jewish Film
Festival, and the NH Jewish Reporter
newspaper to support for religious
schools, Israel travel, camp, and more.
Through our grant process, organizations can request start-up or special
event funding twice a year.
During the next few months, I’ll be
traveling to each community to learn
about your needs and interests. By the
end of the year, I’ll work with the Board
of Directors to develop an action plan
in response to my learning. I’m encouraged to find some commonalities among
the places I’ve visited thus far, and I am
confident that JFNH will be able to develop and support useful and meaningful initiatives in the near future.
If we choose, the impact of our local
Federation can extend far beyond its
geographic borders. We are part of a
community of 150 other Federations
and 300 small communities in the United States and Canada. Together, we raise
over $900 million through our annual
campaigns and emergency campaigns,
and through our central organization,
the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), we distribute over $2 billion
from JFNA-managed foundations and
endowments each year. Federation impact in the United
States emanates primarily from our
Washington, D.C., office, where staff
and volunteers advocate for a variety of
social service and vocational programs,
as well as legislation that expands support for people with special needs. Onefourth of 130,000 Holocaust survivors
in the United States live in poverty, and
the Washington office seeks basic services, home health assistance, and emergency aid to increase their quality of life.
In addition, the Jewish Federation Secure Community Network (SCN) works
with the F.B.I. and Homeland Security.
The SCN puts out weekly alerts and
runs workshops with Jewish organizations to improve their safety.
To care for people outside of the United States, JFNA works with several
partner agencies, most notably the
American Joint Distribution Committee
(JDC) and Jewish Agency for Israel
(JAFI). Our service provider to “a world
of needs” is the JDC, which operates in
over 70 countries regularly and is always
ready to respond to emergencies in other
locations. The JDC is a most impressive
organization, with myriad programs. It
The New Hampshire
Laurie Tishler
Mindlin
Executive
Director
cares for homebound elderly in Ukraine
who are so poor they don’t have resources for both food and medicine. It was
among the first agencies to arrive in Haiti and Nepal, bringing emergency supplies and working to rebuild communities. When Fidel Castro allowed religious practices in Cuba after it was illegal for two generations, the JDC taught
Cuban Jews how to create and run synagogue communities and to lead prayers
and life cycle celebrations. The JDC
works in Europe to revitalize Jewish
communities that suffered under Communist rule and educates future generations of Jews at community centers,
summer camps, and family retreats. In
Sderot, Israel, the JDC developed therapeutic programs for children and adults
living under stress from constant rocket
attacks. The JDC, the Jewish Federation’s partner, is so capable that when
the religious movements in the United
States have campaigns to help victims of
disasters, they are funneled through the
JDC to implement the response.
The Jewish Agency for Israel serves as
the main link between the Jewish state
and Jewish communities everywhere.
JAFI connects the global Jewish family,
bringing Jews to Israel and Israel to
Jews, by providing meaningful Israel engagement and facilitating aliyah. Our local Jewish Federation has participated
in the JAFI Sheliach (Israel ambassador) program in the past, and we hope
to participate again very soon. The JAFI
continues to be the Jewish world’s first
responder, prepared to address emergencies in Israel and to rescue Jews from
countries where they are at risk. JAFI
has seen a 300% increase in aliyah since
January 2015, primarily from France
and Ukraine.
I am so proud to be a part of this
worldwide network. No matter how our
donors and directors choose to distribute
our charitable support, the Federation
offers us many high-quality, well-managed opportunities to make a difference.
Do you live in Keene, Laconia, Bethlehem,
Hanover, or another NH community
and want to help produce the Jewish Reporter?
We are looking for people all over the state who are interested
in writing about their local Jewish community.
To get involved, contact thereporter@jewishnh.org
Jewish Reporter
PAGE 3
Friday, October 2
Geoffrey Brahmer presents “Windows to the
Holocaust in the Netherlands”
5 PM, Bethlehem Hebrew Congregation, Bethlehem
This presentation is based on the diaries and letters
of Etty (Esther) Hillesum, a 27-year-old writer, and
Philip Mechanicus, a young journalist, both
transported to Westerbork when Holland (a long-time
refuge for Jews) changed as Germany occupied the
Netherlands in May 1940. Free and open to the
public. www.bethlehemsynagogue.org.
Pot Luck Dinner in Sukkah
Sukkot-Shemini Atzeret and Yizkor Evening
Reform Service
6 PM, Upper Valley Jewish Community, Roth Center,
Hanover
More information: 646-0460 or uvjc@valley.net.
Monday, October 5
Upper Valley Jewish Community Services
Wednesday, October 14
10 AM, Sukkot/Shemini Atzeret and Yizkor, Roth
Center, Hanover
6 PM Simchat Torah Community Celebration, Roth
Center, Hanover
Religion, Law, and the Constitution Today:
A Rabbinic Discussion With Professor Noah
Feldman
Tuesday, October 6
7:30 PM, Congregation Betenu, Amherst
More information: 886-1633 or www.betenu.org.
Center, Hanover
Sunday, October 4
Sunday, October 11
Temple Beth Abraham Sisterhood Paid-Up
Membership Brunch
SNHJMC Breakfast and Speaker: “Setting an
Example: Teaching Our Children and
Grandchildren About Gender Roles in
Tomorrow’s World
Simchat Torah morning service
Musical Sukkot Service led by Sarah Noyovitz 10 AM, Upper Valley Jewish Community, Roth
Simchat Torah Service
6 PM, Temple Adath Yeshurun, Manchester
More information: www.taynh.org.
PAGE 4
Hadassah Book Club
7 PM, Jewish Federation of NH, 1361 Elm St. Suite
#403, Manchester
More information: Michele.bank@gmail.com or
488-5657.
6–7 PM, Etz Hayim Synagogue, Derry
More information: 432-0004 or www.etzhayim.org.
9:30 AM – Noon, Temple Beth Abraham, Nashua
Relax, schmooze, and enjoy the entertainment while
eating a delicious meal. Your dues can be paid at the
door. RSVP deadline was September 29. More
information: Carol Kaplan at 860-4163, cakaplan@
hotmail.com or Carol Mann Cohen at 216-2849,
carolmanncohen@gmail.com.
Tuesday, October 13
9:30 AM, Temple Beth Abraham, Nashua
The Southern New Hampshire Jewish Men’s Club hosts
Rabbi Jon Spira-Savett speaking about the Jewish
perspectives on gender roles and their place in the
modern world. A hot breakfast of eggs and potatoes is
included, accompanied by bagels, lox, whitefish salad,
and more. Cost: $5 for paid-up members, $10 for
others. For more information, visit www.snhjmc.org.
The New Hampshire
6:30 PM, Temple Beth Abraham, Nashua
Rabbi Jon Spira-Savett and Professor Noah Feldman
of Harvard Law School will discuss constitutional and
ethical questions about the relations between
religious groups and secular society, and between
religious majorities and minorities in our country. Do
American Jews, religious Jews, or Jewish judges
have a distinctive view of these matters? $10 per
person suggested donation.
Friday, October 16
Musical Shabbat
7:15 PM, Temple Israel, Manchester
A wonderful musical service led by Cantor Sarra
Spierer. No cost, all are welcome! More information:
Christine at the temple office 622-6171.
Saturday, October 17
cost, all are welcome! More information: Christine at
the temple office 622-6171.
Sunday, October 18
L’Chayim Food Festival
12–3 PM, Temple Adath Yeshurun, Manchester
Delicious Jewish food. More information:
www.taynh.org.
Friday, October 23, 2015
Family Shabbatl
6 PM, Temple Israel, Manchester
A family Shabbat service followed by a catered meal.
Registration is required by 1 PM on Wednesday,
October 21. More information and to RSVP contact
Christine in the temple office at 622-6171 or office@
templeisraelmht.org.
Monday, October 26
Sisterhood Paid-Up Dues Dinner
6 PM, Temple Adath Yeshurun, Manchester
More information: www.taynh.org.
Wednesday, October 28
Fall Rummage Sale
Temple Beth Abraham, Nashua
This is the Sisterhood annual Fall Rummage Sale.
Drop off and set up will be on Tuesday Oct. 27.
More information: Ricki Klopfer 465-7654 or
rickik4@aol.com.
Junior Shabbat
9:30 AM, Temple Israel, Manchester
Temple Israel’s Hebrew School students will assist in
leading a children’s service with Kiddush to follow. No
Jewish Reporter
www.jewishnh.org
Camp Stories
Elliott Frank, son of Mandy and Barry
Frank of Bedford, is a sixth grader and a
member of Temple Adath Yeshurun in
Manchester. He received a first-time
campership grant through the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire and the Foundation for Jewish Camp.
Elliot Frank
The URJ 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy is
one of Union for Reform Judaism’s
camps. It’s set in a classic New England
landscape at the Governor’s Academy in
Byfield, Massachusetts, just 45 minutes
north of Boston.
This camp has five core values: kesher
(connection), sakranut (curiosity), taglit
(discovery), kavod (respect), and savlanut
(patience). They incorporate these five
values to help make camp a better place.
The camp offers six different workshops: Earth and Sky, Forensics, Robotics, Video Game Design, Web and
Graphic Design, and Digital Film Production. I picked Digital Film Production and learned a lot about how to make
an awesome movie.
They also have you choose four chugs
(electives), two for each week. They
switch every year. This year they had
rocketry, flight, food science, the chemistry of making things, Rube Goldberg, 3D
Printing, Makerspace, Magic, and more.
They split you up by age and gender for
your halls. A hall is a floor of a dorm.
They have separate halls for girls and
boys. They use three dorms. They have
The Rosie Dorm, The Ramon Dorm, and
The Baer Dorm, named after Ralph Baer,
the father of the video game, who recently
passed away as a member of Temple Adath Yeshurun in Manchester. I was in a
two-person room with a bunk bed with a
kid from New Jersey. My session had 114
kids from 20+ states and three countries.
We started off the day by waking up at
7:10 and witnessing the Boker Big Bang.
It’s a science experiment that often ends
up with a bang. My favorite one was
when we launched 1,200 ping pong balls
with liquid nitrogen.
Then we went to breakfast, and let me
just say that the food is spectacular. Then
we had our workshop. Next we had a
chug, and then we had livnot, building
time. This could be designing, learning,
or building sci-tech mezuzot with test
tubes and rulers.
Next came lunch, resting time, and
sports. And yes, 6 Points even has sports!
Adam Klein, MANTY’s advisor, was
one of the sports directors. Every day we
had choices such as tennis, quidditch,
gaga, and capture the flag. Chug, workshop, and shower hour follow sports. It is
a requirement that you shower every day,
as well as make your bed.
In the evening, we had dinner and then
a song session. Then we had a night-time
•
Emma Plater
Elliott Frank at 6 Points Sci-Tech
Academy
event. We could watch a movie, play
games, or go to the pool (which we got to
do three times.) Next, we sang some songs
like “Hashkiveinu” and went to bed.
On Shabbat, we did a couple of different things. We had a Shabbat dinner of
brisket, salad, and matzo ball soup, and a
fun service afterward that was almost all
songs. On Saturday, we slept late and had
a Shabbat “Shelective” after services.
Some examples are Israeli navigation,
challah making, stump the Rabbi, and
predict the future of the prayerbook. After lunch, the whole afternoon was based
on a theme. Ours was Superhero Shabbat, where we visited the world of AntMan and played giant games and did obstacle courses.
On one of the days in the final week,
we had “trip day,” where each workshop
visited a different place and then we all
met up at the Boston Museum of Science. Digital Film Production went to
New England Studios and got a tour of
the facility. We got to go into the rafters
of the sound stage. The Earth and Sky
group provided an interesting twist for
the whole camp as we got clipped by the
edge of a real tornado as we were leaving
the Museum.
On the final night, we had TECH talks,
where each workshop presented what it
did. I would definitely recommend 6
Points Sci-Tech Academy. There has
been some talk about adding either Makerspace, Food Science, or Aerospace as a
new workshop. So come to 6 Points SciTech and give it a try!
Thank you to the Jewish Federation of
NH for providing me with a first-time
camper grant.
The New Hampshire
This summer I went to Crane Lake
Camp. It was so much fun because I got
to do so many different things, like
sports, dance, gymnastics, climbing, seeing the animals, and zip lining. It made
me a better Jewish person because they
taught me blessings before meals. We
also said blessings after meals. This was
to help me to be thankful for what I have
to eat. We also learned Shabbat prayers.
We sang songs before bed. One of the
songs was called “Hashkiveinu” and that
was my favorite song.
Shabbat at Crane Lake was different
than at home because we had a service
and we could sit anywhere with our
friends. We learned many blessings. Each
week at camp was a different theme (curiosity, love, and peace), and we spent a lot
of time on Shabbat talking and learning
about this theme. After the service, we
had a dance and a celebration. We also
had a special dinner before Shabbat services.
Every year, they have a Color War.
During Color War they split the camp
into two parts. The team colors were
white and blue in honor of the Israeli
flag. It was four days long. Each day
there was a different activity for the
whole group and for the smaller group.
The names this year were “Blue Uprising” and “White Empire.” I was on the
“White Empire” team. One of the activities they did was called “chop.” Chop
was when they had a piece of wood (all
teams had the same size piece of wood)
and there was a little hand axe, a pair of
goggles, and a pair of gloves. The older
campers worked on cutting the log, while
the rest of the team cheered them on.
My favorite activity was “tug.” It was a
game of tug of war, and whoever’s side
won the most won that game for their
team. Every team member could help
with tug of war.
There were many other fun parts of
camp, but the ones I wrote about were
my favorites. I was lucky enough to win
one of the four puppies. Her name is Tess
and she is six months old. I can’t wait for
next summer so that I can go back to
Crane Lake Camp.
Emma Plater, a resident of Chester, is
nine years old. She received a first-time
campership grant through the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire and the Foundation for Jewish Camp.
•
Russell Plater
When I went to URJ 6 Points Sci-Tech
Academy, there were a lot of different
fun things there. I took the Robotics
class. There were four activities that you
chose called chugs. I chose virtual world
design, Minecraft, LARPing (live action
role play), and 3D printing for chugs. A
couple of sports I did while at camp were
rock climbing, tennis, swimming, and
gaga. We learned about prayers and Judaism at camp, and we also learned how
it is important to have a balanced life and
stay active and fit.
Camp Stories continued on page 6
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to Last a Lifetime
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Jewish Reporter
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PAGE 5
Camp Stories
Camp Stories continued from page 5
In Robotics we made three robots. At
first, we learned about robotics by building a simple robot. Then we made the
second one for the first challenge, and the
third one we built for the second challenge. My team’s robot collected fake
brains and foam blocks. We learned five
Hebrew words in Robotics; kavod is respect, kesher is connection, sakranut is
curiosity, taglit is discovery, and gemishut
is flexibility. Our team had to learn to be
flexible (gemishut) and work together to
get the robot finished. We also had to
show respect (kavod) for ourselves and
for other campers and their ideas. Our
connection (kesher) was that we all wanted to build a robot. Learning about robotics showed curiosity (sakranut), and
by building our robots and learning
through our mistakes we demonstrated
discovery (taglit).
Every Shabbat morning we had a twohour service, and after the service we had
to make a connection to another part of
our lives. For example, we had Superhero
Shabbat. On this day, we played games,
designed our own superhero, and got to
do other special events. We did all of this
to help us remember to keep Shabbat as a
day of rest. We also sang songs at bedtime to show our thankfulness for the
fun day.
I am excited to go back to Sci-Tech for
a fabulous second year in the Robotics
program. I hope to be able to go back for
many more years.
Russell Plater, a seventh grader from
Chester, is 12 years old. He received a
first-time campership grant through the
Jewish Federation of New Hampshire and
the Foundation for Jewish Camp.
•
Jacob Savage
I’d like to begin this article by thanking
the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire for the grant toward my first experience at Jewish sleep-away camp. This
grant helped me experience something
that totally changed me for the better. I
can’t imagine what my summer would
have been without having gone to Camp
Derryfield students have
a passion for learning—
and colleges know it.
• 72% admitted to top choice
• Average merit aid $32K
(per student, per year)
• 100+ colleges visit campus each fall
• 1-on-1 personalized
college counseling
Jacob (center) enjoys the last Shabbat at camp with two friends
Tel Yehudah -- it made my summer one
that I will always remember.
To start off, everything good anyone
says about sleep-away camp is true. It is
an experience like no other. This year was
my first time, at 16, going to overnight
camp. I was nervous. After the first night,
all of my fears dissolved. I quickly made
a bond with four other guys, and we have
been best friends ever since that night.
The prime benefit out of going to
camp is making friends like no others.
During the three weeks, I made friends
from all over the world, ranging from
Texas to Israel. I had the opportunity
while at camp to go on a couple of different overnight trips.
For the first overnight trip, we went
camping. During our camping trip we
had to make our own food and set up our
own tents. I know this doesn’t sound fun,
but that night turned out to be one of the
best nights of camp for me. On our second trip, we went to Washington, D.C.
During this trip our goal was to make a
change, and we did! Both trips taught me
very important things that I will never
forget and made me a better person.
My favorite part of this whole experience was Makabia. This is a competition
between all of the regions. I was part of
the New England team, along with a couple of good friends; we were so close to
winning. Makabia lasted about two days
-- it was amazing. It was the climax of the
three weeks. Other then Makabia, we did
many activities. For example, we boated
down the rapids, raved nightly, hung out
in the Bet camp, and much more. Because
I went this year, I plan on going to Israel
next summer. I cannot wait for what my
future with Camp Tel Yehudah holds.
Jacob Savage, son of Alyse and Chris
Savage of Nashua, is 16. He received a
first-time campership grant through the
Jewish Federation of New Hampshire and
the Foundation for Jewish Camp.
OPEN HOUSE
Sunday, November 15
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
The Derryfield School is a coed,
independent,
college-preparatory day school
in Manchester, NH,
for students in grades 6–12.
PAGE 6
Contact us at:
603.669.4524
admission@derryfield.org
www.derryfield.org/passion
Five bus routes available.
The New Hampshire
Jewish Reporter
Sukkot Connects Us With Life’s Fragility and Joy
Moadim l’Simcha – Happy Sukkot!
Whether it is called Chag ha Asif (the
Feast of Ingathering), or Z’man Simchatenu (the Time of Our Joy), or Chag ha
Sukkot (the Festival of the Booths), Sukkot is a wonderful holiday!
The ancient spiritual joy of Sukkot
stemmed from relief and gratitude at an
abundant harvest. Our survival these
days does not depend so heavily on each
year’s harvest. Even so, appreciation of
what the earth brings forth unites us all,
as the leaves are turning and the cooler
breezes carry the scent of apples.
On the Shabbat of Sukkot, we’ll break
with the usual cycle of readings and read
from Parashat Ki Tissa, which mentions
Sukkot. Our reading doesn’t begin with
Sukkot, though. We start reading when
G-d has forgiven the Israelites for the sin
of the golden calf. G-d offers the people
a second chance, offering Moses a second set of luchot, tablets of the commandments.
I imagine that the Israelites were partly reassured when Moses returned with
the “good news,” but also partly wary.
Rabbi in the House
Rabbi Amy Loewenthal
Congregation Ahavas
Achim, Keene
Was the rupture they created through
building the golden calf irreparable?
Would their sin be held against them
forever? A little later, surrounded by
Sukkot abundance, they realized their
great fortune: They had truly been forgiven. We, too, arrive at Sukkot with a
sense of starting the year with a clean
slate, looking forward to being our new,
improved selves.
One of the most beautiful and mysterious passages is found within this reading
for Shabbat Sukkot. Moses asks to know
G-d more deeply. Moses says, “Please,
help me to know Your ways; please, show
me Your presence.”
G-d responds, “I will go before you on
your journey, I will travel with you, and
I’ll be good to you, but you cannot see
My face and live.”
G-d hears Moses’s yearning and disappointment, and consoles him. Moses
can’t look at G-d directly, but he can
stand safely in the crack of the rock,
sheltered, and see G-d’s back as G-d
passes by. This sounds strange to modern ears. Is “G-d’s back” part of an anthropomorphized anatomy? Maybe, instead, we can see this as metaphor -- as if
to say “G-d’s contrail” or “G-d’s vapor
trail.” Although we can’t directly behold
G-d in the world, we can behold traces
of G-d.
As a chaplain, I saw that when life is
hard, when tragedy and illness happen,
people sometimes ask, “Why did G-d do
this to me?” and really, there is no completely consoling answer.
One of the kinder answers is that life is
a mystery and we simply don’t know. We
don’t know how G-d works. Just like Moses, we might yearn with a great aching
loneliness to understand the ways of
G-d. This ache can be most profound at
times of tragedy.
Still, sometimes we can find traces of
G-dliness, of holiness in the world.
When tragedy strikes and we are brought
low, we may find ourselves surrounded
by a caring community. Without understanding why misfortune happens, we
can see that people who carry us and
shelter us when we need them most can
be G–d’s “back.” This is one way G-d
can be manifest in the world, through
people’s goodness.
Even in happy times, we are aware of
our own vulnerability, which we can
sense as we sit in our fragile and temporary sukkahs. We can never truly understand G-d’s ways, but in the sukkah we
also sense G-d’s protection. We say,
“Ufros alenu sukkat shlomech”a -- spread
over us the Sukkah of Your peace -- protect us.
We are grateful to be alive in this glorious season, and we are offered this festival as a time to feel pure joy -- z’man simchatenu -- the time of our happiness.
May we rejoice in our festival and have
nothing but joy! V’samachta b’chagecha
v’hayita ach sameach !
Temple Israel Has a New Portable Ark
By Steve Saulten
Manchester — Many months ago,
Rabbi Eric (Cohen) and I were in one of
our meetings, and he mentioned that
Karen Jacobs (religious school director
at Temple Israel) and he were beginning
to refine the curriculum for the older students to become more familiar with the
Shabbat Torah services. We thought,
wouldn’t it be great if we had a small ark
for one Torah that could be placed in a
classroom? I decided right then and
there that I would build an ark. Not the
Noah variety, but the Moses and the
Tablets variety.
I researched the instructions that God
gave to the recently freed Jewish people,
and it became apparent that there was no
way that I could replicate the original
ark. Acacia wood and gold were just not
in the budget. However, I knew that I
could use black walnut and make a stunning ark that the Temple and the kids
would be proud of. It took several months
of work in my shop, but the end product
is just the right size and looks great!
Rabbi Eric plans to have a ceremony
after school starts to sanctify the new
ark. It was also on display for all to see
during the High Holidays.
wishing everyone a sweet new year
filled with health and peace... judaica
·
l'shana tovah.
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Jewish Reporter
/beckonings
PAGE 7
The Journey to Torah Restoration Begins
By David Winthrop, Torah Restoration
Project Chairperson
Manchester — The congregation of
Temple Israel is fortunate to be blessed
with the possession of numerous Torahs.
Some are tall in stature and heavy in
weight, while others are considerably
shorter, weighing less. We are blessed, for
there are synagogues in this world that
don’t have the advantage of owning as
many scrolls as we do; they may only be
able to afford one or two scrolls, maybe
even fewer.
Torahs were created to be used, and
scrolls that are not used on a regular basis are neglected and disrespected. Usually, scrolls are used for the weekly parshah readings, along with special holidays. Any scroll that is not used on a
regular basis should be occasionally
rolled to prevent the ink from fading and
cracking. A Torah scroll can acquire a
“memory” if left in one spot for too long.
This can cause waviness to form in the
parchment, with wrinkling and creases,
and it can damage the writing. With the
PAGE 8
ownership of multiple Torahs comes the
additional responsibility of maintaining
the scrolls. Periodically, the Torah scrolls
should be inspected by a qualified scribe
known as a “sofer” and have damaged
sections repaired.
Approximately 20 to 25 years ago, two
of Temple Israel’s Torahs were evaluated
for major repair work. At that time, the
temple board decided to repair only one
of them, known as the “Mandel Torah.”
There were numerous reasons for the decision, including better condition and
less damage to repair. Plus, a family with
temple membership had a personal interest in that scroll’s health.
The temple’s rabbi at the time deemed
the second Torah scroll no longer kosher. What made this scroll no longer
kosher? Scrolls become “pasul,” or no
longer kosher, when letters are damaged,
chipped, or faded to the point of being
unrecognizable. There are 304,805 letters
in the Torah, and most scholars believe
it is critical that every letter be perfect.
Every book you read and every website
you visit on the subject will state that the
The New Hampshire
Torah must be 100% perfect or it is 100%
“pasul.” This second Torah scroll has
numerous locations that show damage
to the writing, with chipped lettering,
large areas of fading, and letters that are
just unreadable. This scroll has been unused, unread, and unloved for close to
three decades, left sitting in the corner
of the ark gathering dust and continuing
to deteriorate.
This Torah does have many good qualities, though. The scroll is short in stature, making it light in weight. It shows
very few signs of wear and tear, besides
the deteriorated writing. There are hardly
any signs of edge fraying or tears. The
sheets that make up the scroll are well
sewn together and show little sign of separation. The scroll rolls up very well and
overall is in good shape. Declaring a Torah scroll not kosher is paramount to filling out a death certificate. All that is further required is to sign the document and
bury the body. The fate of this Torah
needed to be decided. The situation was
just not right and was very disrespectful.
If the heartbeat of the temple is its
membership, then the Torah scrolls are
its soul. This Torah scroll’s soul has been
neglected and disrespected for too long.
Since a long time had elapsed since the
last inspection, a sofer reassessed the unkosher Torah to determine the feasibility
of bringing this scroll back to a kosher
condition. This reevaluation gave the
temple’s religious committee and board
members a starting point in deciding the
fate and feasibility of undertaking such
a project.
There were several arguments in favor
of restoring the Torah. The long-term
project of rejuvenating a Torah back to
kosher condition would give this temple’s
congregation the opportunity to perform
Jewish Reporter
multiple mitzvot. First, repairing and
making kosher a neglected sacred scroll
-- giving back its soul -- so that we might
use and appreciate it. Second, educating
our youth about the importance of maintaining and appreciating their temple’s
sacred Torah scrolls.
One way to supplement the financing
of this Torah Restoration Project and to
allow temple members to contribute is to
hold a fundraising campaign similar to
the one for the Mandel Torah repair project, which culminated back in 1997. It
was suggested that the fundraising could
be directed through the Hebrew school,
thus allowing our students to lend a hand
in the mitzvah. Member contributions
could also be accepted for the purchase
of letters, words, or whole sheets. A large
temple gathering to celebrate the finalization of the project could be organized,
with special guests. At the ceremony, the
last letters would be added to the rejuvenated Torah scroll, with certificates
handed out to contributors.
With all of this information at hand
and with thoughts to the future, the temple’s religious committee and board
members decided to initiate the Torah
Restoration Project. Rabbi Eric has been
in touch with a sofer who is able and willing to take on this project. He has visited
Temple Israel, inspected all of the Torahs
for insurance evaluation, and has a very
positive opinion on the feasibility of returning this Torah to a kosher condition.
The Sofer has scheduled a tentative date
of Sunday, December 6, to visit with the
Hebrew School students, lecture, and
demonstrate his trade. All are welcome to
attend and help Temple Israel kick off
the Torah Restoration Project. All are invited to help us perform this wonderful
mitzvah.
Making the Jewish Connection When You Least Expect It
By Brenda Johnston
On August 24, I met three troop planes
landing to refuel at Pease Airport in
Newington, NH, at 12:30 AM,12:45 PM,
and 2:45 PM. Over the years, I have had
the honor and joy of meeting hundreds
of flights and tens of thousand of men
and women soldiers on their way to and
returning from war in the Middle East as
a member of the Pease Greeters.
The 2:45 flight was coming in from Kuwait, but as I had an appointment with
my accountant, I was only staying to welcome and thank each soldier, and I left
after the moving ceremony held for each
group, feeling sad not to stay and see all
of the troops onto the plane.
Sitting in my car in the parking area
sorting through my financial records, I
looked up and saw two soldiers walking
by, well away from the others, so I called
out to them, laughing, “Come on, climb
in my car, maybe they won’t notice.” We
laughed and chatted, and then I got out
and we hugged. One of the soldiers was
from Miami and one was from Puerto
Rico. I said I was married in Miami in
1966, and I often traveled to Puerto Rico
as a manufacturer’s representative.
Then the Puerto Rican soldier looked
at my necklace and said, “ Are you Jewish?” “Yes,” I replied, “I am Jewish.” He
said, “I have a story -- I’ll make it short,
My grandmother was Jewish and she escaped from Corsica to Puerto Rico, but
she had to convert to Catholicism in order to be able to buy land in PR. They
lived outwardly as Christians, but secretly kept some Jewish traditions. Later, my
family were some of the founders of the
Jewish community in Puerto Rico.” His
name, he told me, is Matthew Muentes,
but the Jewish family name is Shimek.
What an exciting synchronicity, one I am
always hopeful for when greeting troops.
Matthew went on to say, “I am a very
involved Jew,” explaining that in Kuwait
he helped set up Shabbat services and
made every effort to make the holidays
meaningful for the Jews serving their
country such a long way from home.
They had 50 soldiers participating for
last Pesach, he said.
“They could really use some help over
there,” he said, and he gave me the name
of a nonmilitary man (Sheldon Daitch),
who brings what is necessary for Shabbat
and holidays to give the Jewish soldiers a
connection to home and tradition (while
serving in the 125- to130-degree heat and
95% humidity) a very long way from
home.
This was an incredible meeting, and
Matthew was as thrilled as I was to share
some moments with a fellow Jew. I did
stay and walked with them all the way to
the plane, then I gave him my card and
said we here in New Hampshire will send
packages to Kuwait for Rosh Hashanah. By the time you read this, our packages hopefully will have made their way
to our Jewish soldiers serving abroad.
Please keep these brave and dedicated
troops and their families in your and
your family’s prayers during the holidays
and throughout the year. You can share in the extreme nachas of
greeting and thanking our troops by going to Peasegreeters.org for the schedule.
Brenda Johnston is a resident of Rye,
NH, and a very active Pease Greeter. You
can reach her at 603-396-5310.
Water, the Source of Life, and Etz Hayim Synagogue
Derry — The weekend of August 22
and August 23 was a wet one for Etz
Hayim Synagogue in Derry, NH – and in
a good way. On Saturday, August 22,
folks gathered at the lakeside home of
EHS president Steve Soreff and Peggy
Tucker for a fantastic day of fun and
spiritual renewal. There was canoeing,
kayaking, and a sunset cruise on a pontoon boat, a bonfire, horseshoe playing,
lounging and, of course, a lot of eating.
The day concluded with a Havdalah service led by Rabbi Peter Levy.
On Sunday, August 23, the synagogue
held Etz Fest 5775, a giant yard sale and
festival at which dedicated EHS mem-
bers of all ages sold
wares, manned a Jewish bake sale, held multiple raffles, made balloon animals, played
folk music, grilled kosher hot dogs, face
painted, and had lots
of laughs. The rainy
weather necessitated a
move indoors, but it
didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits, and the
event was a huge sucCanoeing on Lake Pawtuckaway at the EHS annual cess: Etz Fest 5775
brought the communisummer picnic.
Jewish Genealogy From the Shtetl
to the 21st Century
Derry — Jennifer Shoer, a professional Jewish genealogist, will present “Jewish Genealogy From the Shtetl to the
21st Century,” at Etz Hayim Synagogue,
1 ½ Hood Road, Derry, on Sunday, November 8, 9:30-11:30 AM. Her passion
and goal is to help people reconnect with
their roots and living family members.
Jennifer specializes in assisting Jewish
individuals in finding family members
with whom they have lost contact due to
time, memory loss, family conflict, and
the devastation of the Holocaust. Her
talk covers current genealogical stan-
dards; organizing and building a family
tree online; talking with relatives/meeting cousins; finding living relatives; genetic genealogy; tracing your family
back in time; how to craft a research
question and common United States resources; identifying your ancestor’s
name and place of origin; Jewish-specific resources and New England-specific
resources; and free online tools and how
to share your findings. For more information, contact Etz Hayim Synagogue
at http://www.etzhayim.org/ or call 603
432-0004.
The New Hampshire
ty to the synagogue for a day of
fun and raised money both for EHS and
Elijah’s Table, a joint project of EHS
and the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration that provides free meals to the
community. Many people and local
businesses contributed to the success of
the day, but EHS wishes to especially acknowledge its sponsors, Enterprise Bank
& Trust, HPM Insurance, Roy Aboody/
Staffing Sense, and Jill McAlpine of
Berkshire Hathaway/Verani Realty. For
more information about Elijah’s Table,
or to donate to the cause, please go to
the Elijah’s Table blog at http://
freemealsinderry.blogspot.com.
Keeping you connected
eNEWS
jewishnh.org
Jewish Reporter
PAGE 9
Gender Roles Will Be Focus of Men’s Club
Nashua — On Sunday morning, October 11, at 9:30 AM, the Southern New
Hampshire Jewish Men’s Club proudly
presents Rabbi Jon Spira- Savett of Temple Beth Abraham, who will engage in
lively conversation related to Jewish perspectives on gender roles and how we
connect those views in the modern
world. His talk is entitled “Setting an
Example: Teaching Our Children and
Grandchildren About Gender Roles in
Tomorrow’s World.”
We live in a time of unprecedented
gender equality. Yet we know that there
are messages, sometimes unspoken, that
we send to both boys and girls about career and parenting. What are we conveying to our children and grandchildren
about what we value in their futures, as
family members and people with career
ambitions? Do you want to advocate the
life pattern you have lived in your family,
or something different? Rabbi Jon will reflect a bit on his upbringing and the Spi-
ra-Savett synthesis, followed by a discussion with those attending.
As always, a hot breakfast of eggs and
potatoes will be served, accompanied by
bagels, lox, whitefish salad, and all the
trimmings Cost is $5 for paid-up members and $10 for others. The breakfast
talk will take place at Temple Beth Abraham, 4 Raymond Street, Nashua.
The Southern New Hampshire Jewish
Men’s Club has been operational since
1982, meeting monthly for Sunday
brunches. The mission has been loosely
based on building a fellowship of likeminded men who wish to share their commitment and values to those in the greater
NH Jewish community. The SNHJMC
has been a nonprofit organization serving
all of southern NH’s Jewish communities,
regardless of synagogue membership, for
over 30 years. Anyone interested in joining
the Men’s Club should contact SNHJMC
president Mark Dickens at president@snhjmc.org or visit www.snhjmc.org.
Speaker Asks, ‘Is the Two State Solution Dead?’
Nashua — On Sunday, November 8, at approach to resolution of the conflict.
10 AM, renowned Middle East scholar What then?
Bernard Avishai will review the Israel/
All are invited to join in this thoughtPalestinian conflict and ponder the ques- provoking discussion on the future of the
tion, “Is the two-state solution dead?” at Israel/Palestinian relationship. A light
Temple Beth Abraham in
brunch will be served folNashua. It has long been
lowing the talk. RSVP is
held by diplomats that esrequested to Omanut@
tablishing a Palestinian
aol.com.
state including the Gaza
Bernard Avishai is visitStrip and the West Bank
ing professor of governalongside Israel would rement at Dartmouth Colsolve the Israel/Palestinlege and adjunct professor
ian conflict. This premise
of business at the Hebrew
has been the official posiUniversity. A Guggenheim
tion of the Israeli governfellow, he is the author of
ment, the Palestinian AuThe Tragedy of Zionism,
thority, and many in the
A New Israel, The Hebrew
international community.
Republic, as well as dozens
Middle East scholar
The unilateral withdrawal
of articles on politics,
Bernard Avishai
by Israel from the Gaza
business, and the Middle
Strip followed by rocket attacks and re- East conflict in such publications as
taliatory wars, and the breakdown of Harper’s, The New York Review, New
governance/increase in extreme violence York Times Magazine, and The New
in places like Syria, Iraq, and Libya have Yorker, where he is a regular blogger. He
led some to think that establishing a Pal- is a former editor of Harvard Business
estinian state may not be the preferred Review and international director of in-
tellectual capital at KPMG. His new
book, Promiscuous: Portnoy’s Complaint
and Our Doomed Pursuit of Happiness,
was published in 2012.
Hadassah Plans Book Discussion and More
Manchester — The Manchester Chapter of Hadassah Book Club is reading
The Tin Horse by Janice Steinberg. A
discussion will be held on Tuesday, October 13, at 7 PM, at the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire Office at 1361
Elm Street, Suite #403, Manchester.
Hadassah’s next chapter meeting will
be held on Thursday, November 5, at
1PM at the JFNH Office. At this meeting, a drawing will be held for two gift
certificates, one for $75 and one for $25
for a restaurant of the winner’s choosing. Tickets cost $5 each or five for $20
and are available by contacting Linda
Feinberg, chapter treasurer, at 645-6762
or lhfeinberg@gmail.com. Donations
will go toward completing and equipping Hadassah’s Sarah Wetsman Davidson Hospital Tower in Ein Kerem, Jerusalem. Your participation and support
will be appreciated.
Hadassah has an ongoing promotion
of a Gifting Campaign to introduce new
women to the organization. Current Life
Members and Associates may give free,
unlimited gifts of an annual membership
to women 17 years of age or older. Each
annual membership will last for one calendar year from the date the gift is processed. This campaign will expire on December 31, 2015.
Hadassah is still offering a lovely sterling silver open heart necklace on a chain
with a minimum donation of $100. The
proceeds go toward completing the operating rooms of the Sarah Wetsman Davidson Tower.
For additional information about Hadassah, the ticket drawing, the Gifting
Campaign, or the open heart necklace,
please contact Michele Bank, chapter
president, at Michele.bank@gmail.com
or 488-5657.
Mark Lazar, Israeli educator, will visit New Hampshire Nov. 12 - Dec. 15 under the auspices of JFNH.
He can custom design any session on any theme for most age groups (see a few suggested topics below).
Contact JFNH at office@jewishnh.org or 603-627-7679 to arrange for Mark to visit your community.
FOR ADULTS
ISRAEL
A Bridge Too Far? A Look at Israel/Diaspora Relations
Is Zionism Dead? From the Precursors to the Founders to
Post-Zionism
Too Many Cooks? Israeli politics
Israel Update: Current events hitting the news
JUDAIC STUDIES
Jewish Values Auction: An activity prioritizing Jewish values
and setting goals in community
Personal Reflections and Pirke Avot, The Sayings of Our Fathers
The Sun Also Rises: Selections and discussions based on Kohelet (Ecclesiastics)
Jewish Identity: Past, Present and Future
Creating a Page of Talmud: A contemporary exploration of
an age old method
PAGE 10
HISTORY
The Story of the Jewish People...standing on one foot!
Yochanan Ben Zekai and the Survival of the Jewish People
Theatrical Reflections of the Holocaust
Deciding the Jewish Future, circa 1850
Poland...1,000 Years of Jewish Presence
FOR TEENS
Dilemmas of an Israeli Soldier
Connecting to Israel...an interactive workshop
Israel/Diaspora Relations...and how do I fit in?
Jewish Values Auction: An activity prioritizing Jewish values
A Look at Jewish Sexual Ethics: From tradition to contemporary to self
G-d Wrestling: An interactive session of traditional and contemporary views of G-d
Personal Reflections and Pirke Avot: User friendly text looking at ourselves
Cycling Through Life Jewishly: An interactive session on the
Jewish life cycle
The New Hampshire
Jewish Reporter
Youth and the Holocaust: Exploring the Shoah through the
testimony and poetry of youth
The Meaning of Life ...through the words of Kohelet
FOR YOUTH (School Age to B’nai Mitzvah)
These sessions usually are comprised of a few opening games,
storytelling, and creative drama. The themes below work
well within this framework:
Israel
Torah
Jewish Life Cycle
Jewish Values Holidays
Prayer History Jewish Identity Holocaust (age appropriate)
TRAINING AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
Board Leadership Training
Teacher Training
Camp Staff Training
Family Programming
Program Planning:Yom HaAtzmaut, Yom HaShoah
Pedagogic techniques using Drama and Games
The Shabbat Project Aims to Unite
a Million Jews Worldwide At a time when the Jewish world seems
more polarized than ever, The Shabbat
Project (https://www.theshabbosproject.
org) is seeking to mobilize more than one
million Jews worldwide to pause and observe the Sabbath together this Oct. 23-24.
The goal of The Shabbat Project (also
referred to as The Shabbos Project) is to
allow Jews from all walks of life to share
in one of the most profound and central
Jewish traditions -- to rest, reflect, and rejuvenate -- “keeping it together” as a
global community. Currently, the Shabbat Project is scheduled to take place in
more than 500 cities around the world,
from Australia to the United Kingdom,
from France to Israel, from Russia to the
United States.
“Modern life has become fragmented; we are constantly pulled in different
directions by distractions, demands, and
onerous responsibilities that pile up with
increasing speed. We seldom get the
chance to be truly present. In a world of
fragmentation, Shabbat enters to offers
us that chance to connect and unite as a
community,” said Dr. Warren Goldstein,
Chief Rabbi of South Africa and the
founder of the project.
The Shabbat Project was born two
years ago in Johannesburg, quickly proving so popular that it spread across social
media and grew into a global grassroots
movement. To date, thousands of special
local events are planned, including synchronized challah baking, communal
meals, prayer services, concerts heralding
Havdalah (a ceremony marking the end
of the Sabbath), and even weekend-long
celebrations.
In many ways, The Shabbat Project is a
holy global flash mob, a coordinated action, taking place at the same time around
the world. For those who have never experienced a traditional 25-hour Jewish Sabbath, The Shabbat Project website offers
plenty of user-friendly instruction as well
as channels to connect with other participants -- both in real and virtual space.
“Shabbat enables us to momentarily
set aside the distractions, demands, and
pressures of daily life, offering us the
time and space to renew our inner selves,
and to revisit and reinvigorate our most
important relationships,” said Rabbi
Goldstein. “We thought that Jewish unity was actually a pipe dream and some
kind of utopia that we would never get
to. And yet The Shabbat Project gave us a
taste of the possibilities of what could be.
The Israel Photo Gallery
With this issue, The Reporter begins a
new feature: The Israel Photo Gallery.
Send us your very best photo taken in Israel, with an identifying caption, and we
will publish it. These photos can be of
scenery, people, or historic sites.
Only one photo per person, so choose
carefully!
Please send your high-resolution jpeg
photo to thereporter@jewishnh.org.
Friday shoppers during Purim were greeted by bunny-eared salesmen in Jerusalem’s Machane Yehuda. This photo was taken by Fran Berman while on the JFNH
Mission to Israel in 2006.
Planning a Trip to Israel?
If you are planning a trip to Israel,
JFNH has a special gift to send you on
your way: a Sister City luggage tag! Designed to incorporate photos of New
Hampshire and Hof Hacarmel and featuring the Hof HaCarmel Connection
logo, this luggage tag can serve as a reminder of the link between our communities -- and help you find your bag
when it’s on the carousel in the airport.
So let us know if you are planning a
visit to Israel by stopping by or calling
the JFNH office at 627-7679. We have a
luggage tag just for you. And if you
want to visit the beautiful region of
Hof HaCarmel while you are in Eretz
Yisrael, we can suggest places to go and
people to meet.
The New Hampshire
Jewish Reporter
PAGE 11
JPPI’s Annual Assessment:
Six Top Trends Affecting the Jewish People Worldwide
Jerusalem — Changing Jewish demographics and power structures, the polarization of American Jewry, growing antiSemitism in Europe, and the BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanctions) movement highlight the six top trends affecting Jewish people worldwide, according
to the Jewish People Policy Institute
(JPPI).
These trends are detailed in JPPI’s
2014-2015 Annual Assessment of the Situation and Dynamics of the Jewish People, which also includes a deep analysis of
the geopolitical situation and its impact
on the Jewish people and Israel. In late
June, an executive summary of the Assessment was presented to Prime Minister
Netanyahu and the full Israeli cabinet by
the Institute’s chairmen, Ambs. Dennis
Ross and Stuart Eizenstat. with Avinoam
Bar-Yosef, JPPI’s president, and Dr.
Shlomo Fischer, the project’s head.
Avinoam Bar-Yosef emphasized: “27%
of American Jewish kids (0-18) are Orthodox, most of them Haredi, and 64%
of this age cohort in New York City, are
being raised in ultra-Orthodox households. This is a trend that should not be
ignored. The good news is that in the
next decade we may see an enhanced
connection to Israel. The bad news is
that it may generate deeper rifts within
the broader Jewish community and risks
weakening Jewish impact in American
society. The ultra-Orthodox community
is lower income and less prepared for
21st century realities and challenges. This
creates an urgent need to develop policies
and to re-think the investment of resources to encourage and better prepare
the young generation for assuming responsibility for the global future of the
Jewish people.”
Here are some of the Assessment’s additional findings:
BDS
The most pressing concern is that today’s colleges will produce tomorrow’s
leaders and opinion shapers and alter deterioration of civil security, Europe is
public perceptions. Therefore, the threat in the throes of political turmoil and
lies in the general erosion of Israel’s very identity crisis. Anti-Semitic incidents
legitimacy in the United States, which doubled in France and the United Kingcould spread to the wider public opinion dom last year, and more than 1,700 jithrough constant demonization and vili- hadists have returned to Europe from
fication, which has
Syria. Despite keen
become more acceptefforts made by the
• The increase in the number
able in the mainFrench authorities to
of the American ultra-Orstream.
protect them, many
In order to overFrench Jews do not
thodox requires policies to
come polarizing potrust their governengage them in the general
liticization, the top
ment to do so, and
Jewish community and the
Jewish leadership in
feel excluded from
the Diaspora and Isfull civil participation
larger American society.
rael should undertake
in the country. Most
• Greater connection to Israel
a
community-wide
French Jews have inis seen in the future generadialogue in order to
vestigated
emigradistinguish between
tion.
French
immitions, but enhanced risk of
legitimate criticism of
gration to Israel has
polarization exists within
Israel’s policies and
grown from 3,300 in
the Jewish community
delegitimization of
2013 to 7,300 in 2014.
the State of Israel itOut
of
480,000
self. Such a determination will enable the French Jews, more than 9,300 are expectorganized Jewish community to effective- ed to move to Israel by the end of 2015.
ly fight BDS and expose its genuine antiDemographics, a Positive Development
Semitic face.
Today, there are 14.2 million Jews in
American Jews Polarized
the world. Taken together with the “parin Support for Israel
tially Jewish” and the Russian immiThe latest data show that the American grants in Israel, who are of “no religion,”
Jewish community is becoming more po- but fully integrated in the Jewish Israeli
larized in regard to its support for Israel. life, the number reaches 16 million. This
For the first time studies show that liberal is very close to the number of Jews in the
views correlate with more “distance” world in 1939, on the eve of the Holofrom Israel and that the liberal American caust
Jewish community finds unequivocal
Chabad is growing and may become
support for the policies of the Israeli gov- one of the strongest Jewish streams in
ernment more problematic.
America
Younger Jews in general have a greater
There are 959 Chabad Centers in
attachment to Israel, in large part be- America, while only 595 Conservative
cause of their participation in Taglit - synagogues and a little over 800 Reform
Birthright and Masa programs. Temples. And, Chabad Centers are a
The Rise of Anti-Semitism in Europe
worldwide phenomenon, serving Jews
and the Movement of Jews From Europe globally, a claim that no other stream
The outlook for Jewish communities in can make.
Europe is not positive. Due to economic
Chabad plays by different rules than
downturns in some countries (France in mainstream Jewish organizations and inparticular), demographic shifts, and the stitutions. They are not concerned with
“membership,” nor with group and denominational boundaries. They are much
more concerned that individual Jews do
mitzvot and endow the world with divine
purpose and meaning through individual
acts of tzdedakah, tefillin, and Sabbath
observance -- without demanding membership fees and long-term commitments.
Chabad thus seems particularly suited
for to an individualist fluid age of “symbolic ethnicity. Preliminary research indicates that involvement with Chabad encourages Jewish engagement and commitment in ensuing years.
Growing Orthodox Population Orthodox Jews today make up only
10% of the American Jewish population,
but they are significantly younger than
the American Jewish population as a
whole, and their birth rates are much
higher. Orthodox Jews are more attached
to Israel than other Jews are: 61% say
that they are very emotionally attached
to Israel, while only 27% of other Jews
indicate the same feeling.
Analysis of the Pew reports on American Jewry shows that the growth of Orthodox Jewish children signals a trend of
growing support for Israel in the coming
years but less influence on the general
American society, as ultra-Orthodox
Jews, who make up 62% of the Orthodox
population, also affirm social isolation
and believe that secular education and
culture is less important than their tradition. Therefore, they have a narrower and
less instrumental engagement with the
larger American society and political
agendas.
JPPI is an independent policy planning
think tank established by the Jewish Agency for Israel. The mission of the Institute
is to ensure the thriving of the Jewish people and the Jewish civilization by engaging
in professional strategic thinking and action-oriented policy planning on issues of
primary concern to world Jewry.
eNEWS
PAGE 12
The New Hampshire
jewishnh.org
Jewish Reporter
Klezmer Music and Dance Coming to Nashua
Nashua — Temple Beth Abraham is
excited to announce a weekend of
klezmer music and Yiddish dance classes
and performances in Nashua on Saturday night, November 21, and Sunday
morning, November 22.
Steven Lee Weintraub remembers, as a
young child, dancing along with his parents as they Lindy hopped in the living
room. He also remembers the hora
danced at family events. Later, in his
twenties, “Dancin’ Steve” studied ballet
and modern dance with Alvin Ailey and
Erick Hawkins. From that experience,
Weintraub decided that dance should be
easily accessible and that one shouldn’t
need a page of notes to be able to follow
a dance routine.
Weintraub moved on to work with a
Jewish dance company, mostly performing Israeli dance. He then became inter-
ested in klezmer music and Yiddish
dance, which he researched by watching
old movies and interviewing older people
who remembered the dances. He now
teaches a contemporary version of Yiddish dance. He has taught his approach
to Yiddish dance at KlezKamp, KlezKanada, and other festivals and workshops. He has also taken his dance instruction around the world, including
Krakow, Furth, London, and Paris.
Dancin’ Steve says, “Yiddish dance
speaks to all people, even outside of the
Jewish culture. They can relate to the bitter sweetness and joy of the dance.”
Klezmer music has been called the soul
music of the Jewish people. In the early
18th century, klezmer musicians traveled
from shtetl to shtetl playing at Jewish weddings. Throughout Eastern Europe, these
Yiddish dance tunes were used for drink-
ing songs, love songs, wedding processionals, and liturgical melodies. Over the last
generation, they have seen a surge in popularity and international acclaim. When
the music is played slowly, it can make you
want to cry, and when it is played to tempo, the urge to dance is irresistible.
Steve Weintraub, also sometimes called
the “Pied Piper of Yiddish Dance,” will
be teaching the dances using a followthe-leader technique that will get everyone up and moving. Israeli dance is different than Yiddish dancing. Israeli
dancing or circle dancing follows a structure, with choreographed steps. “Yiddish
dancing is more of a kaleidoscope, a freilach that may seem chaotic when you are
doing it right,” Weintraub says. “It is
more about where you go in space, about
the use of your body and space.” Some
of the dances are similar to barn dances,
square dances, or clap dances, with circles turning into lines.
“You will be having fun before you
know it,” the Pied Piper of Yiddish
Dance says. “I have a lot of goodies in
the attic.” The fun begins on November
21 at 7 PM and continues on November
22 at 10 AM at Temple Beth Abraham,
Raymond Street, Nashua, NH.
For more information or to purchase
tickets, contact Heidi Lovitz, Director of
Education and Programming, at 8839844 or email director@tbanashua.org.
Reservations are also available by visiting the Temple Beth Abraham website,
tbanashua.org.
These events are cosponsored by the
Temple Beth Abraham Religious School,
the TBA Life-Long Learning Committee, and The Southern New Hampshire
Jewish Men’s Club.
Temple B’Nai Israel Hosts Benefit Jazz Concert
Meredith -- Boston College’s BC bOp!
will perform its first NH concert on Saturday, November 14, at The Winnipesaukee Playhouse, Meredith, NH, as a fundraiser that is part of Temple B’nai Israel’s
“We Care” program. Proceeds from the
concert will benefit Central New Hampshire Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice. Complimentary delicious snacks
and desserts can be enjoyed at 7 PM; the
concert begins at 7:45 PM. Wine and
beer will also be available at a cash bar.
Created almost three decades ago at
Boston College, BC bOp! includes a
20-piece band plus vocalists. This awardwinning ensemble performs traditional
and contemporary instrumental and vocal jazz with music from the 1940s right
up to present day -- all designed to appeal to a variety of musical tastes. It has
consistently placed among the top 10 college instrumental vocal ensembles in national competitions. Competitive auditions of instrumentalists and vocal performers are held each academic year in
September to determine who is qualified
to become a member of this talented
group.
BC bOp!’s musicians have performed
and captivated fans at Carnegie Hall,
Jazzfest in Orlando (FL), and the Reno
(NV) and Lionel Hampton jazz festivals.
In addition, they have performed internationally at resorts in Cancun, the Bahamas, and Jamaica.
The organizer of this event, Temple
B’nai Israel (TBI) of Laconia, will con-
Boston College’s jazz band, BC bOp!
tribute the net proceeds of the BC bOp!
performance to Central New Hampshire
VNA & Hospice (www.centralvna.org),
whose mission is “promoting dignity, independence, and well-being through the
delivery of quality home health, hospice,
and community-based care services.”
Central New Hampshire VNA & Hospice serves Lakes Region communities in
Belknap and Southern Carroll County
and provides home care (nursing and rehabilitation services in the home), pediatric care (direct health care, education,
and support services for children and
families), and a comprehensive, teambased hospice program. Central New
Hampshire VNA & Hospice is a not-forprofit, Medicare-certified provider of
home care and hospice services, licensed
by the State of New Hampshire. The
agency is governed by a volunteer board
of trustees and receives grants, state and
federal funding, and private and corporate donations. Ranked the highest-qual-
The New Hampshire
ity home-care provider in Belknap and
Carroll Counties, Central New Hamp-
shire VNA & Hospice provides homecare, pediatrics, and hospice services to
over 3,000 individuals every year.
Anyone purchasing a $25 ticket can enjoy great music, food, and drink while
supporting a local and deserving agency
whose services you, too, may want to access one day. Wine and beer will be available at a cash bar. Only 200 tickets are
available, advance purchase of tickets
through the Winnipesaukee Playhouse
box office is recommended at 279-0333.
The Winnipesaukee Playhouse is located
at 50 Reservoir Road in Meredith. For
more information, contact tbinh.org.
Peter Pan Comes to Manchester
Manchester — Manchester Community Theatre Players will present
the classic musical Peter Pan on November 13, 14, 15. 20, 21,
and 22 at the MCTP Theatre, 698 Beech St., Manchester (the former Federation
building).
Based upon Sir James M. Barrie’s
1904 play about the boy who refuses to
grow up, the play begins in the London
nursery of Wendy, John, and Michael
Darling, where the three children are visited by Peter Pan. With the help of his
tiny friend, the fairy Tinkerbell, Peter
takes the three children on a magical
flight to Neverland. This enchanted island is home to Peter, Tink, the Lost
Boys, and Tiger Lily and her Native
Jewish Reporter
American nation. Also in residence
is the scheming Captain Hook,
who is as intent on defeating
Peter Pan as he is from escaping the tick-tocking crocodile, which once ate his hand
that Peter Pan cut off and
which loved the taste so much.
The crew and cast of over 50 includes
Jewish community members Alan Kaplan
(director), Steve Short (company manager), Loren Hallett (choreographer), Arielle Kaplan (flight choreographer),
Brooke Flanders, Tzipora Yellin, Zosia
Yellin, Jess Miller, and Collin Moore.
Fantastic flying, magical music, superb
scenery, and colorful costumes await your
arrival to Neverland. For more information, please see www.mctp.info.
PAGE 13
Book Review
Reviewed by Merle Carrus
Sin and Atonement Featured in New Novel by David Liss
Author David Liss once again has
made history come alive. The Day of
Atonement (Random House, 2014) is a
quick-moving, suspenseful story of life
in Lisbon during the Inquisition. The author’s ability to write about historical
facts interwoven with a personal story
makes the time period feel realistic and
immediate.
This is the story of what it was like to
be a “New Christian” living and doing
business during the 1700s in Lisbon, Portugal. When Sebastiao Raposa finds
himself an orphan of the Inquisition at
the age of 13, he escapes to London.
There he is taken in by a benefactor, the
notorious bounty hunter Benjamin
Weaver. He apprentices under Weaver for
10 years and then returns to Lisbon disguised as an English businessman, now
known as Sebastian Foxx. He is anxious
to have his revenge on the men who imprisoned his family.
Sebastian has become a practicing Jew
in London even though his family had
been New Christians, Jews who were
forced to convert to Christianity genera-
PAGE 14
tions before but are still the subject of
the Inquisition. He wrestles with atonement and sin. He goes to Lisbon with the intention of
making the priests atone for
their sins, but as he begins to
exact his violence, he is concerned that it will make him
as evil as the Inquisition
priests. “Yesterday I had
killed in self-defense. Could I
truly kill a man in cold
blood? I had always believed
that when the moment came,
I would be equal to the task.
Now here it was, and it was no longer
simply a matter of rebalancing the scales
of justice. A child’s life, a parent’s love,
hung in the balance, and yet I found that
murdering a man, even the most hated of
men, was a harder thing than killing in
the heat of conflict.”
Of course all is not what it seems, as
Sebastian finds out. He is ruthless and
unafraid, feeling he has nothing to lose.
But as time goes by and he becomes embroiled in many different business plots,
The New Hampshire
his feelings change and his hardness softens. This could be either an impediment
to his success in exacting revenge or it could be his opening up to feelings of vulnerability again. He indeed has a
conscience that guides him
through life.
This is a book of suspense,
subterfuge, and romance. The
reader is pulled in from the
beginning and is left sitting
on the edge of his chair until
the final page. Characters
who seem loyal may turn on
you to save their own skin and fill their
personal coffers. Sebastian learns he cannot trust anyone until the final ship has
sailed.
David Liss is the author of six fascinating novels, including, The Coffee Trader
and A Conspiracy of Paper. Liss was born
in New Jersey and raised in Florida. Once
an encyclopedia salesman, he received a
BA from Syracuse University, an MA
from Georgia State University, and an
MPhil from Columbia University. He left
Jewish Reporter
his dissertation unfinished to pursue his
writing career. Liss lives in San Antonio
with his wife and child.
I would like to mention briefly two
new books by New Hampshire authors. Be on the lookout for The
Jews That I Knew: Voices From the
Invisible Ghetto, by Ed Schwartz.
Through a series of essays and poems, Schwartz shares memories from
his childhood, revisions of Shakespeare from Yiddish theater, and
even a psalm praising G-d and his
lost children.
Former columnist for the Concord
Monitor and the NH Bar News,
Nashua attorney Michael Davidow is
the author of Split Thirty. “The back
door beckons to a prodigal son,”
writes Davidow in his new book,
where politics meets advertising at
the crossroads of hope and faith. The
plot follows the main character as he
weaves a path through bribery, burglary, and blackmail.
At the bottom of the TBJ Holocaust Memorial, granite and other pieces make a
Star of David surrounding the memorial. The students designed the memorial after
hearing from survivors and children of survivors, as well as viewing a montage of
Holocaust memorials from around the world.
Temple Israel recently inaugurated a new podium cover, donated by the Singer/
Sydney family.
Want to see
your organization’s
photos here?
Send them to
thereporter@
jewishnh.org.
The Temple Beth Jacob Holocaust Memorial, dedicated on September 13, was
designed and created by the TBJ Gesher
(high school) students last spring and
summer. The tiles up the pole spell the
word zachor, “remember.”
In the TBJ Holocaust Memorial, the six
rusted metal “flames” on the bottom
each contain the name of a death camp.
The pristine steel flames at the top contain a wire hand emerging, and the hand
holds stones.
I would like to thank everyone for the well wishes on my recovery.
I should be up and running again soon!
Etz Hayim Synagogue member and
musician Laurence Bleicher (center),
accompanied by his friend John (right)
and EHS Hebrew School teacher and
musician Irina Rubenshteyn (left),
rocked at Etz Fest 5775
Learn more
about JFNH
by visiting
www.jewishnh.org
Thanks, Alane Sabel
The New Hampshire
Jewish Reporter
PAGE 15
Neil Robert Singer
Goffstown — Neil Robert Singer of Goffstown, 65, passed
away on August 7, 2015, after a lengthy illness, surrounded by
loving family.
Neil was born in Hartford, CT, on December 10, 1949, a son
of Solon and Miriam (Kollman) Singer.
Neil will be deeply missed by his loving wife of 43 years, Mary;
his daughter, Jessica Ecker and husband Sonny of Dover, NH;
his son, Douglas and partner Sarah Bournival of Nashua, NH;
and his two granddaughters, Kennedy and Joley Ecker. In Connecticut he is survived by his mother, Miriam; his brother, Howard Singer and wife Carrie; and his
brother-in-law, Howard Schwab. Neil was preceded in death by his father, Solon,
and his younger sister, Jodi Schwab.
Neil’s daughter, Jessica Ecker, is a family practice lawyer with a focus on mediation and collaborative law at the firm of Weibrecht & Reis in Dover, NH. His son,
Douglas Singer, works as an analyst in the corporate offices of Staples in Framingham, MA.
Services were held on Monday, August 10, at Temple Adath Yeshurun, followed
by burial in the Manchester Hebrew Cemetery on South Beech Street, Manchester.
At the funeral, eulogies were prepared by his two children, Jessica Ecker and
Douglas Singer, and read by Rabbi Beth D. Davidson, who conducted the service.
Sol Rockenmacher and Ted Yegerman, who were members of the Temple Adath
Yeshurun Brotherhood with Neil and also members of the small but dedicated Torah Study group that Neil and Mary participated in each Saturday morning, offered
their remembrances of Neil. Tony O’Malley, a member of the Nashua Granite
Statesmen Barbershop Harmony Society, offered remembrances. Rabbi Davidson
also delivered a eulogy. Joseph Rojek, pianist and music director at Temple Adath
Yeshurun, accompanied and provided incidental music.
After the eulogies, 18 men from the Nashua Granite Statesmen and other choruses
from around New England offered an a cappella song in four-part harmony in Neil’s
memory. Many of them were friends of more than 40 years who had sung in quartets with Neil.
Music in the ceremony and at the cemetery was led by Cantor Donna Gordon,
cantor of Temple Sinai in Newington, CT. In 1986, Neil got Donna and her husband Max to try out barbershop singing after a community theater rehearsal; the
two couples formed a quartet named “Mixed Company.” They practiced weekly and
performed semiprofessionally for seven years, until the Gordons moved to West
Hartford in 1993. After her move, Donna studied to be a cantor and has now been
singing at Temple Sinai for over 20 years.
In 1998, Neil and Mary found another couple to make harmony with, and they
sang as “Side by Side” for another seven years, until Delbert and Jessie Smith of
Nashua retired to Holiday, FL, in 2005.
Neil’s contributions to his temple were legion, filling in as a cantorial soloist, running services when Rabbi Beth was away, singing in the choir, helping Mary with the
enormous task of putting out the Temple Adath Yeshurun Bulletin…but best of all,
providing jokes and witticisms that made everyone relax.
Neil’s sense of humor fit well with his various theatrical performances at TAY
(head of Lipsky’s Kosher Caterers) and at Manchester Community Theatre Players’
Fiddler on the Roof (Laser Wolf) and The Music Man (bass of the barbershop
quartet).
Douglas’s eulogy described his father’s love for family and history that made him
light up when he was embellishing the legends of his life, such as the time he was
babysitting for his little sister Jodi and he hit her in the head with a shovel.
Daughter Jessica remembered that he would just completely make things up that
were absurd, to the point where “we would have to ask our Mom all sorts of questions to determine if, for example, brown cows really made chocolate milk.”
Ted Yegerman recalled the Saturday morning Torah study sessions he had shared:
“It was at Saturday morning Torah study that I really got to know Neil and Mary.
Doctor Mary knows her “stuff ” when it comes to religion. Neil, on the other hand,
could come up with questions, comments, or better yet, theories, that could cross a
rabbi’s eyes!”
Rabbi Davidson summed up by saying, “Our tradition teaches us that the spirit of
humanity is the lamp of God, and that not even the darkness of death can extinguish the light which God kindles in our souls. Therefore O God, we thank You for
the musical, loving, laughing spark that lit the life of Neil Singer.”
People who wish to remember Neil R. Singer are encouraged to donate in his
name to the Janice Whitaker Music Fund at Temple Adath Yeshurun, 152 Prospect
Street, Manchester, NH 03104; or to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Hampshire, 814 Elm Street, Suite 300, Manchester, NH, 03101-2230; or the charity of the
donor’s choice. Please visit www.goodwinfh.com to sign the online guestbook. SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAM
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www.jewishnh.org
The New Hampshire
Jewish Reporter
JFNH Tributes
Received by September 10, 2015
Annual Campaign
R. Good in memory of Charlotte L. Gandler
Isadora Zlotowicz to the NH community “L’Shanah Tova and best
wishes for the New Year!”
S
a
S
ve,
,
e
p
t
D ona
ho
at jewishnh.org/save
Shop for your favorite products and brands, at your favorite
stores, or find competitive products from other retailers and
manufacturers. Save money, using comparative shopping, hot
deals and more. And generate funds for the Jewish Federation
of New Hampshire.
Make your check payable to “Jewish Federation of NH”
and mail with this form to: Jewish Federation of NH
1361 Elm Street, Suite 403, Manchester, NH 03101
The New Hampshire
Jewish Reporter
PAGE 17
AUTOBODY REPAIR
Prestige Auto Body, Inc.
200 Frontage Rd., Manchester
(603) 669-0015
Technology meets craftsmanship
www.prestigeab.com
DENTAL SERVICES
Richard Kudler, DMD
97 West Merrimack St., Manchester
(603) 669-8678
drkudler@kudler.com
www.drkudler.com
PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
Rochelle H. Lindner, DMD
Lindner Dental Assoc., PC
72 So. River Rd., Bedford
(603) 624-3900
James B. Haas, DDS
Haas Dental Associates
4 Manchester Ave.
Derry, NH 03038
(603) 434-1586
Elizabeth Sandler Spindel, DMD
Victoria Spindel, DMD
862 Union St., Manchester
(603) 669-9049
Gary S. Lindner, DMD, DMSc.
(603) 624-3900
ENDODONTICS
Douglas J. Katz, DMD, PC
Katz Endodontics
1310 Hooksett Rd., Hookset
Dougrct@comcast.net
(603) 628-2891
GENERAL DENTISTRY
Henniker Family Dentistry
John S. Echternach, DDS
144 Hall Ave.
Henniker, NH 03242
(603) 428-3419
Sarah K. Katz, DMD
Bow Family Dentistry
514 South St., Bow
(603) 224-3151
www.BowFamilyDentistry.com
Luis S. Englander, DMD
(603) 624-3900
Tracy Pogal-Sussman, MS, DMD
(603) 624-3900
JUDAICA BOOKS AND GIFTS
Israel Book Shop, Inc.
“New England’s Judaica superstore”
1 day shipping to N.H.
410 Harvard St. Brookline, MA 02446
617-566-7113, Toll Free 800-323-7723
www.israelbookshop.com
LEGAL SERVICES
ATTORNEYS
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Devine, Millimet & Branch, P.A.
Steven Cohen, Esq., CPA, LLM
111 Amherst St., Manchester
scohen@devinemillimet.com
(603) 695-8504
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS
PERSONAL INJURY LAW
Daniel Cohen, CFP
CEO & Chief Investment Officer
Cohen Investment Advisors, LLC
264 South River Rd., Suite 520, Bedford
(603) 232-8351
www.investwithcohen.com
Stephen E. Borofsky, Esq.
Borofsky, Amodeo-Vickery & Bandazian, P.A.
708 Pine Street, Manchester
(603) 625-6441
sborofsky@e-atty.com
ORTHODONTICS
Gary S. Lindner, DMD, DMSc.
(603) 624-3900
JUDAICA
Mark B. Severs, CFP
Family Wealth Director
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
203 Heater Road, Lebanon, NH 03766
(603) 442-7900
mark.b.severs@morganstanley.com
www.morganstanleyfa.com/hanovergroup
(MEDICAL
SERVICES
PLASTIC SURGERY
Robert Feins, MD
144 Tarrytown Road, Manchester
(603) 647-4430
www.drfeins.net
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Penchansky & Co., PLLC
David Penchansky, CPA
Certified Public Accountants
70 Stark Street, Manchester
davidp@penchansky.com
(603) 647-2400
Letters to the Editor may be sent to
thereporter@jewishnh.org.
Letters must be signed
with full name and address.
NH Print & Mail Service
Cheryl & Kevin Boyarsky
30 Terrill Park Dr., Concord
info@nhprintmail.com
(603) 226-4300
www.nhprintmail.com
Advertise in our
Business & Professional
Services Directory.
SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS
Call JFNH office at 603-627-7679
or contact one of our sales reps.
Tell Them
You Saw
Their Ad in
The Reporter!
PAGE 18
PRINTING SERVICES
Michelle Harrison
(603) 437-0167
RunFree94@yahoo.com
Rachel Spierer
(603) 682-3845
rachel3rdlife@gmail.com
The New Hampshire
Jewish Reporter
W
FOOD
co
m
NIT Y f
e.
37
23
republic
ca
European Hospitality
603-627-1585
Locally Sourced Menu
541 Amory Street, Manchester, NH
on the West Side
Inspired by the
Mediterranean
Specializing in Seafood
from the Atlantic Coast
Alan J Green, MD
Certified Mohel
MU
6.
Remember — It’s snow tire season!
Where friends meet for Italian wine, fresh pasta & engaging conversation
969 Elm Street
Manchester, NH
603.625.0256
RePUBLiC
66
Monday - Saturday
Tires for Autos & Light Trucks
Brakes, Alignment & Auto Inspection
3.
DINNER
Monday - Friday
C
60
LUNCH
COFFEE
E M
CampoEnoteca.com
IN
O

CAMPO
ENOTECA
(gathering place)
(wine bar)
JOHN & SONS TIRE SERVICE
lnxun kvun
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
7 Days
9 am - 10 pm
1069 Elm St. Manchester, NH
www.mohelNH.com
603-440-3444
Over 38 years of experience in New England
Master Lic# 2408C
“Service is our Business”
603-668-5468 800-439-8797 Fax 603-623-8591
257 Bridge Street Manchester, NH 03104
info@tromblyplumbing.com www.tromblyplumbing.com
R. Hurst Estate Auctions & Appraisals
Professional Auction and Certified Appraisal Service
NH Lic #6101 www.EstateAuctionsNH.com
603.306.7926
Eric M. LaFleur
Jonathan E. Baron
143 Essex Street, Suite 709
Haverhill, MA 01832
Phone: 978.373.1010
www.NECompServices.com
ASK ABOUT OUR DAILY SPECIALS!
Let us host your next private daytime gathering of up to 50 people.
Open for dinner daily.
Enjoy our Authentic
SUPPORT
OUR
ADVERTISERS
Tell Them
You Saw
Their Ad
in The
Reporter!
Italian Cuisine
Estate Goods Purchasing & Sales Company
603-627-2424
Estate/Business
Liquidations - Antiques Buyer
www.EstateGoodsNH.com 603.306.7926
We also
provide catering
for PARTIES
TO GO!
)PPLTFUU3PBE.BODIFTUFS/)t7JMMBHHJP/)DPN
eNEWS
New Office Address
jewishnh.org
The New Hampshire
Jewish Reporter
PAGE 19
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The New Hampshire
Jewish Reporter