Mercer Bucks June 16, 2020

® NEW JERSEY
JEWISH NEWS

PRINCETON | MERCER | BUCKS COUNTIES

A PUBLICATION OF THE JEWISH WEEK MEDIA GROUP
Vo l . X X I I I No . 1 | J une 1 6, 2 0 2 0 | 2 4 S I VA N 578 0
njjewishnews.com

Federation fund
assists ailing

organizations

Rapid mobilization raises more
than $100,000 for those hurt by
pandemic

Battling Covid: Innovation Michele Alperin
and Uncertainty NJJN Contributing Writer

Israel Now: Special Section N ormally it’s rare for Jewish organiza-
tions to make quick decisions. And usu-
Rabbi with southern charm Due to the pandemic, Aleeza Schoenberg, a rising junior at Princeton ally it’s next to impossible for a mass of
joins Har Sinai Temple University, switched from a service internship in India to creative work Jewish people to arrive at any kind of consen-
for a publishing company. PHOTO BY YONI SCHOENBERG sus. Normal and usual, however, have not been
Our Towns 4 seen in some time.
With summer
internships scrapped, With multiple Jewish institutions in desperate
Princeton Hillel helps need of capital just to stay afloat during the Co-
students find a plan B vid-19 crisis, the Jewish Federation of Princeton
Mercer Bucks was able to raise over $100,000
Our Towns 4 Michele Alperin employment, education, and job (which includes a federation match of $50,000)
Opinion 12 training to women. Hannah Bein, in one month by adapting established procedures
LifeCycle 15 NJJN Contributing Writer president of the University Glee and infrastructure, and by enlisting the assistance
Agenda/Gallery 17 Club and musical director of the all- of the entire Jewish community. A week-and-a-
Touch of Torah 18 H annah Slabodkin was set to female a cappella group Tiger Lilies, half after the funds were in, grants had already
Exit Ramp 19 spend this summer in the was exploring opportunities in arts been allocated and distributed to community or-
molecular biology labo- management. ganizations in distress because of the pandemic.
ratory at Princeton University col-
lecting data on an enzyme involved As their summer plans started The fund is now at about $105,000 and is still
in cancer metastasis for her senior evaporating due to the pandemic, a increasing in size. Out of the 195 donors to date,
thesis. Aleeza Schoenberg planned team of Princeton alumnae, students, between 25 and 30 percent of the gifts to federa-
to use her creative writing skills to and staff from Princeton Hillel’s tion were from first-time contributors.
support the media efforts of Ankuri, Center for Jewish Life (CJL) devel-
an Indian nonprofit that provides oped an idea raised by alumna and Fund marketing guru Daniel Herscovici, who
parent Dina Brewer to put together Continued on page 9
an intern-matching program.
Daniel Herscovici, who co-chaired the fund-
Team member Ron Miasnik, raising committee with Don Lebowitz, was the
a rising junior, entrepreneur, and marketing guru for the fund that to date has
computer science major, told NJJN raised $105,000.
that the plan was to reach out to
professionals from the extended
Princeton community and ask if

Continued on page 10

NJ Jewish News ■ njjewishnews.com ■ June 16, 20202

The Jewish Week & New Jersey Jewish News Present

Retirement
Living A special

full-color magazine

NJ Jewish News | Greater MetroWest: July 30
The Jewish Week: July 31
NJ Jewish News | Monmouth & Middlesex: August 11
NJ Jewish News |Princeton, Mercer, Bucks: August 4

Reach an audience of affluent people who want to know
all about retirement lifestyle choices.

Especially as our readers are coping with the coronavirus Choose to advertise in The Jewish Week or New Jersey Jewish
crisis and are concerned about how it is affecting important News or both and enjoy these benefits:
health and retirement decisions for themselves and their
parents, this special issue is extremely timely. Whether they • Your ad appears in the magazine and in the online
are planning their retirement, are currently retired, or have flipbook on thejewishweek.com and njjewishnews.com
retirement questions concerning their loved ones, there are
many choices to make regarding finances, healthcare, day-to- • Receive a FREE advertorial in the magazine and online,
day life and more. RETIREMENT LIVING is your opportunity based on your ad size
to reach people who are eager for information that will help
them make the best retirement-related decisions. These Jewish Week subscribers are affluent and educated1
readers rely on The Jewish Week and the New Jersey Jewish
News for news, opinions and cultural information they can’t • Average household income: $255,222
find elsewhere, meaning they will welcome the information • Average net worth: $1,956,320 / NJJN 40% have net worth
you provide.
$1,000,000+2
Your targeted advertising in the July 30/31 magazines will be • 91.2% attended college or more
in a compatible environment of articles including: • 81.8% own primary residence
• Opportunities and challenges in selling your home now • 18.1% own vacation/weekend home/investment property
• Should people delay their retirement in the age of • 59 is the mean (average) age (41.5% are 65+) / NJJN 57%

coronavirus? are 65+2
• How is the coronavirus affecting the care and services
1 MRI Subscriber Study | 2 NJJN Reader Survey
provided by nursing homes, assisted living facilities and
homecare organizations? We can create a customized package for you, with print and
• Online learning for seniors digital advertising. We also have options for newsletters and
• Maintaining good health and mindfulness during e-blasts to enhance your advertising message.
coronavirus
• How JCCs and family service agencies are reaching out ADADCLCOLSOE:SME:AJRUCHLY29| |AADDMMATAETREIARLIADLUDE:UMEA: RJCUHLY6 14
to seniors
For details please contact your advertising
representative or Ruth Rothseid, Sales Manager,
[email protected], 212-997-2954.

1501 Broadway, Suite 505, New York, NY 10036 1719 Route 10, Suite 307, Parsippany, NJ 07054
212-921-7822 973-739-8110

Kolbo www.thejewishweek.com MANHATTAN • $1.00

Find out how our extensive 3ANCrrteioswawnaFnlokHoosdehiegSrhcbetosno’me.NJ Jewish News ■ njjewishnews.com ■ June 16, 2020 WWiitllhOWUomO
training and care N.Y.18
ocCoronpngucrneeirgtniavwteiohanecsttihowenirl.lvlie
EGdairtoyrRaonsdePnubblalitsther
pmheialonsionpghfuylhceolnpnuesctmioankse ITnrtuomBpe’lslyFOirsftTThreipB: east LMIsraacerol LnoAonmdsJBewetsween
ethnagtalgeiandgtcoabree.tter, more OIn A JamInt’l26
TtPhrreuemWsipdh’esitneutpHTcroouummsiepnigannvFidseiIbtsrrruaaaieslreiysP. WmriaimtnheyoMuqtuinaeiscsttlieeoranrsN.MeGtEiaTdnTeYyaaIsMhtAupG EoaSlticy, hcUmthalihrwencs.aoeeSrhfvmollgl.eeriemuyacasbtehb,,breeUpnnaabTeternherttfsignshisotdsrsyeauieeeeh.ootmnlnrehrifnJavnbapemtlgtianiehihwlnosttoaeeegtsiigideyhoousuftiOrennheoinewernadusersWacgoltriamglohnmbeOewfaohrooteeUiihitdandkcnnthelhot-aysaehlxt-s
wtpciPorhiresniseWislCrJtssoeieyodiwnoldasmeaisR,nkrealnthoriniltiscopirguutbgyanMpihnB,bhasiotdttntuahofiogMraolttodavrihitrIrncsiiesnwetysktghrmienMatiraeOanEeoiMrlcssinbdsUdtwakuag.taid.mstr,anSlolstesfia.rmoowd-’sEIsfresmnaehdriisanannieet-se-rgltofsmapitwfrlthpcraidshreoeitsoesenNTdnttsartgefrcvmioainiumpcadwetmorceeahae,nCshnefbpristpOfacoonhrormdieonubsosaratana,ginoipndsnmecafhPtluvotatsharakheeIinneinndsresdtnsidcrrhinsoiiUaadedneenvsecg.agehvtSoplolniiwe?.atassnotedaigdiiqnt.Dltneolhuityanehf2oi.uhrc3inntmB-ksih-soey,- mTBhaeySetobwmLe ieaenebfeienrslsitesvteemppthuteonewvitiaiasvirte-ds
Strike out Schott nfaoonrtdccooCpnnoofgsnorstrieminbgulaweetdiioteohnxntsphsputeauhlgOsareitUeo7dn’sos,,
Providing hourly and Roller DerbWy’isthMOTsORanmHaerBNureswhtFeiilnm Rabba Sa
Arts 27 know that
29 Arts Guide ing a few o
graduates.
live-in care. 30 Travel
Former Major League Baseball star Kevin
I31 Sabbath
gbGelootttcihnkaegmrus pGtaiolrklfsfatJbheoewuditsehfcakjiat.hm, mpreidrse and
and

Youkilis joined fellow University of Cin- SHtaafnfnWarhitDerreyfus kiGssgteYayhhceieirooiotpdtlcrusluba“kFsnlaiuhTiethoscnsraaokvk.naevgAiimvuevntuphseei,patnelanosiagatnto,po.rygb2”eaFyae8ocheiod,pkntbauwoel.rvewuurhc,ebaghaworhyneyaje.no,.fi“aynTpAloelahdudrdoeotsfschw.aeeeHlnnlaAGtrNdbepoNouArtJwthHaewawcnDmte,R-i”EcYeF in Williamsburg: Wea
cinnati alumni in calling on the school to aFGbionlykebtTfhnmechyaoateaomtcmenuksr,apeGwmwdygieadrhemltnoosgotwcogrnotnoeooims.klelpesffeolrorbarrHyydtbaeeterbrbhoiblnreleeylgtewrwsJrekeHiidwfatehatbiermsubgrhtye,DL,ltsotiayainvrnio-a-dgu US/JW
change the name of Marge Schott Stadium 1po0rvo2eu-Frpdihlnleayerymsleperaofntlreet—ayhgeeurw—eJh,uowidsap
ZJACMEEIZRRALNMUOIERDSCEBwiDHthAORHRLAAALEZETAMMEIR C
due to the former Cincinnati Reds owner’s You know Start home care today.
MayIN2CO

Call 212-

www.ZamirChora

racism and anti-Semitism. Give A Gift Subscription To:
hwcg.com/princeton
Schott, who owned the Reds from hotherae’sntagheesrtjmuiciockselteawtritafhot r6na7oc°pl.eualnph, oanuNAdsdamderee,ss 609.423.1200
1984 to 1999, was banned from manag-
ing the team in 1996 after she spoke admir- Kevin Youkilis in 2012 when he played Apt. No.
ingly of Adolf Hitler, saying that he “was for the Boston Red Sox. BRAD WHITE/GETTY IMAGES
We’ll know that, too. City/State/Zip

good in the beginning, but went too far.” She also once called two black Boston Red Provide an e-mail address and get our online newsletter FREE!

Sox outfielders “million-dollar niggers.” Give A Gift Subscription To:
Schott sold her controlling interest in the team in 1999 and died in 2004 at age 75.
In a recent tweet,Youkilis expressed his support for an effort to rename the stadium,
Name

noting that he had once been asked to donate to the school’s baseball program in ex- Address Apt. No.

change for having the stadium renamed KevinYoukilis Field at Marge Schott Stadium, Please fill out the form below.
but his father told him not to let the family name share space with Schott’s.
City/State/Zip

“I will never let our family name be next to someone that was filled with such hatred Name of Gift Recipient
Provide an e-mail address and get our online newsletter FREE!

towards our Jewish community,”Youkilis said his father told him. Send the gift of Address of Gift Recipient Apt. No. Your Name & Add
The campaign to rename the stadium was launched June 6 by a University of Cincin- connection while ExpiraEtixopn. DDaattee
social distancing 1. NCoit.y/oStfates/uZipbscriptions $36 ea. Name
Address
nati baseball player, Jordan Ramey. More than 5,600 people had signed the Change.org 2. ToYotuar lNaomreder =$ City/State/Zip
Provide an e-mail address a
petition as of Monday morning. — JTA Your Email and/or Phone Number
3. Choose payment method: Send To:
Choose payment method:
SUBSCRIPTION RATES FOR
Coexistence in the Covid lab NEW SUBSCRIBERS
PRINCETON, MERCER, BUCKS EDITION Card NCuarmd bNeurmber
Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, a silver
lining is that researchers from diverse cul- IN STATE OUT OF STATE Check Enclosed 1501 Broadw
mailing address mailing address *SavinSgigsnoaftfurreegular $49.00 subscription price. Please allow up to 4 weeks for delivery of first issue. ww
(within U.S.)
tural backgrounds are coming together Check Enclosed (made payable to JWMG, LLC.)

to work on the response — as Jewish- 1 year $18 1 year $21 Choose subscription rate:

2 years $32 2 years $38 1 year 2 years 3 years

American Jonathan Gootenberg and 3 years $48 3 years $57 Please mail to:

Palestinian-American OmarAbudayyeh Please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery of first issue. NJ Jewish News - Subscriptions
can attest. 12 monthly issues per year. 1719 Route 10, Suite 307, Parsippany, NJ 07054

Gootenberg and Abudayyeh both Questions? Contact Nancy Greenblatt at [email protected]. PMB
work at the McGovern Institute for Brain Or order online at njjewishnews.com/subscribe-to-print

Jonathan Gootenberg, left, and Omar Research at the Massachusetts Institute
Abudayyeh MCGOVERN INSTITUTE FOR BRAIN RESEARCH AT MIT/ of Technology. They are collaborating
with the Broad Institute-based laboratory ® PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT
PHOTO BY CAITLIN CUNNINGHAM PHOTOGRAPHY New Jersey Jewish News, an independent
Vol. XXIII No. 1 June 16, 2020 24 Sivan 5780 voice, seeks to inform, engage and inspire its
of MIT neuroscience professor Feng Zhang, which released a protocol of an at-home EDITORIAL readers, covering and helping to build com-
coronavirus test on May 8. Gabe Kahn, Editor munity. The Princeton Mercer Bucks edition
“I think it speaks to one of the many ways science can transcend cultural boundar- Shira Vickar-Fox, Managing Editor of NJJN (USPS 1227) is published monthly
ies,” Gootenberg said in a Zoom call with members of the Zhang lab and The Times Lori Silberman Brauner, Deputy Managing Editor by the JWMW, LLC, at 1501 Broadway, Room
of Israel. Johanna Ginsberg, Senior Staff Writer 505, New York, NY 10036. © 2016, NJ Jewish
The duo, who both grew up in the United States, have worked together very closely Jed Weisberger, Staff Writer News. All rights reserved. • Periodical postage
over the last five years. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS is paid at Whippany, NJ, and additional offices.
Their achievements include helping develop a viral detection technique called Michele Alperin, Jennifer Altmann, • Postmaster: Send address changes to New
SHERLOCK, or specific high-sensitivity enzymatic reporter unlocking. It can use Max L. Kleinman, Martin J. Raffel, Jersey Jewish News, 1719 Route 10, Suite 307
either a nasal swab or saliva sample in detecting whether a person has the coronavirus. Merri Ukraincik, Stephen M. Flatow, Parsippany, NJ 07054-4507. NJJN was founded
An early protocol of the test, named STOPCovid, recently received emergency-use Jonathan Tobin as The Jewish News on Jan. 3, 1947. Member,
FDA authorization. BUSINESS New Jersey Press Association and American
Gootenberg said, “All around the world, you have people coming together, science Nancy Greenblatt, Manager Sales/ Jewish Press Association; subscriber to JTA.
coming together; there’s much more collaboration.” — The Times of Israel Administration and Circulation TELEPHONES/E-MAIL: Main — phone: 973-
Nancy Karpf, Senior Account Executive 739-8110, fax: 973-887-4152, e-mail: edito-
The boar ate my homework Steven Weisman, Account Executive [email protected], ■ Manuscripts, letters,
Lauri Sirois, Classified Sales Supervisor/ documents, and photographs sent to New Jer-
One Israeli boy recently had what is perhaps the best- Office Manager sey Jewish News become the physical property
ever excuse for not doing his homework: a wild boar GRAPHIC DESIGN/DIGITAL/PRODUCTION of this publication, which is not responsible for
ate it. Luckily for him, he also had video evidence Clarissa Hamilton, Janice Hwang, the return or loss of such material.
to prove it and a dad who found the whole episode Dani Shetrit SUBSCRIPTIONS: ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
pretty hilarious. EXECUTIVE STAFF (INCLUDING POSTAGE): New Jersey: $52. Out
Rich Waloff, Publisher of State: $56. Call Nancy Greenblatt, 973-739-
Ido Kozikaro, an Israeli basketball player and Andrew Silow-Carroll, Editor in Chief 8115 or e-mail: ngreenblatt@njjewishnews.
contestant on TV show Survivor VIP, recently posted PIXABAY Gary Rosenblatt, Editor at Large com. For change of address, call 973-929-3198.
on Facebook a video showing a wild boar eating the contents of his son’s schoolbag to Rob Goldblum, Managing Editor ADVERTISING: NJJN does not endorse the
the delighted shrieks and exclamations of the boy and his friends. Ruth Rothseid, Sales Manager goods or services advertised in its pages and
Thea Wieseltier, Director of Strategic Projects makes no representation as to the kashrut of
All this took part near the entrance to the boy’s school in Haifa. It is not the first Dan Bocchino, Art Director food products and services in such advertising.
incident of wild boars leaving nature for Haifa’s more urbane environment — over the Arielle Sheinwald, Operations Manager The publisher shall not be liable for damages if,
past months, the city’s residents have been spotting boars on roads, pedestrian crossings, Gershon Fastow, Advertising Coordinator for any reason whatsoever, the publisher fails to
backyard gardens, and even inside a blow-up pool. publish an advertisement or for any error in an
advertisement. Acceptance of advertisers and
The extensive spotting of wild boars in Haifa’s streets during the coronavirus lock- of advertising copy is subject to publisher’s ap-
down may have had more to do with their birthing season than with the absence of proval. NJJN is not responsible if ads violate ap-
humans walking about. — ISRAEL21c plicable laws and the advertiser will indemnify,
hold harmless, and defend NJJN from all claims
made by governmental agencies and consum-
ers for any reason based on ads carried in NJJN.

NJ Jewish News ■ njjewishnews.com ■ June 16, 20204 Our Towns
Rabbi Jordan Goldson to lead
Har Sinai Temple ‘into our future’

After stint in Louisiana, Long Island native returns to his roots

Jed Weisberger Rabbi Jordan Goldson is the new spiritual leader both have family. He grew up in Smithtown, N.Y., and
of Har Sinai Temple in Pennington. PHOTO COURTESY B’NAI ISRAEL Warren in Bellmore, N.Y. She also works for Creative
NJJN Staff Writer Realities, a Manhattan-based technology firm, to which
others and develop meaningful friendships while they she often commuted from Louisiana.
R abbi Jordan Goldson will soon trade spicy jam- celebrate Jewish life.”
balaya for New York-style bagels. “This move will make it a lot easier for us,” said
“I hear the [Princeton-Bucks] area has good Having served as spiritual leader of B’nai Israel Goldson. “I will be close to the synagogue and Beth
bagels,” said Goldson, a Long Island native who told for 11 years, Goldson and his wife of three years, Beth will be able, in normal times that is, to easily get the
NJJN he craves the quality of bagels from his youth. Warren, wanted to return to the New York area where train to New York.”
“Cajun food in Louisiana is terrific for a weekend, but
after having it available every day, I’m looking for a bit Dr. Arnold Speert of Lawrence Township, a former
more of this area’s Jewish palate.” president of William Paterson University in Wayne and
the chairman of the synagogue’s search committee, told
Goldson, 60, is leaving Congregation B’nai Israel NJJN that the committee was impressed with Goldson
of Baton Rouge, La., to assume leadership of Har Sinai when he visited the congregation in January.
Temple in Pennington on July 1. In succeeding Rabbi
Stuart Pollack, who is retiring after more than two de- “Rabbi Goldson was thoughtful and appreciated
cades in the position, Goldson will become the 27th both our history and was excited about our future,” he
spiritual leader in the Greater Trenton-area Reform said. “We felt he was what we needed to build on the
congregation’s 163-year history. leadership of Rabbi Pollack and lead us into our future.”

Leading a 200-family congregation in the midst Speert added that the search committee was fur-
of a global pandemic presents unique challenges, but ther swayed by Goldson’s comfort with technology;
Goldson has some creative ideas of how to maintain a in Louisiana he’d been conducting classes by video
sense of community. conference.

“My focus will be on creating new opportunities for Of the Har Sinai Temple community, Goldson said
us to engage with one another,” he said, citing social he enjoyed meeting “people who were passionate about
media as one example. “We envision a temple com- their synagogue, community, and Reform Jewish life.”
munity where more people will come to connect with He values both the Jewish and non-Jewish members

Continued on page 8

New Shabbat pandemic practices
may have staying power

Research by Princeton University reveals ‘engaging and meaningful’ rituals

Michele Alperin Princeton University student Amital Haas researched alternative Shabbat happen every week.”
practices during the pandemic. PHOTO BY NETTA HAAS But these days, with synagogues
NJJN Contributing Writer
closed and social distancing in place,
T he Shabbat observances of Am- Shabbat with her family has taken a
ital Haas’ family are evolving different shape.
during the pandemic. Haas, a
rising senior at Princeton University “It’s been interesting to see how
majoring in anthropology, completed my family has altered its routines
her semester at home living with her and tried to establish new rituals and
parents and five siblings in Cleveland. norms when the communal structure
is not there,” Haas said.
She described the pre-pandemic
Shabbat traditions in her modern Or- As her family sought evolution
thodox family as “pretty communal in their Shabbat rituals, she became
and structured” — including prayer curious about how other people
services Friday night and Shabbat were navigating theirs. She decided
morning in synagogue, and festive to delve into the topic, interviewing
meals at home with guests, or as 20 Jews of varying ages and across
guests in the homes of friends. denominations who observe Shabbat
in some way, and wrote a research
“That’s the bones of Shabbat,” paper for an anthropology class that
she told NJJN in a phone interview. looks at changes in Shabbat experi-
“Everything else fills in around ences across Jewish movements in
those large, established events that the United States and Israel.

Our Towns 5 NJ Jewish News ■ njjewishnews.com ■ June 16, 2020

“Everybody has been appreciating certain as- anywhere that utilize streaming, including their social distancing she found since her research is
pects of Shabbat that they hadn’t been able to childhood synagogues or one “they’ve always that since Shabbat is no longer filled with attend-
appreciate previously,” she said. wanted to attend but never could,” Haas told ing services and entertaining, there was wide-
NJJN. Plus it gives those who are raising young spread agreement that “Shabbat has become a
In Ohio, the Haas family has tried to mimic children access to services with the convenience more calm and family-oriented time.”
the prayer services they would normally attend of remaining at home.
by singing the Kabbalat Shabbat portion of the All of her interviewees are already think-
Friday evening davening together, and taking Haas observed that the changes they’ve been ing about which new rituals they’d consider
turns reading parts of the morning service or forced to make because of the pandemic could keeping even after the pandemic. One young
chanting the weekly Torah portion. build empathy for women in Orthodox communi- adult from a Reform background said she has
ties; under normal circumstances, some women enjoyed Friday night meals with her parents and
For her part, Haas has been pushing her family feel marginalized because their religious obliga- now expects these meals will replace attending
to try something that might be more appropriate tions are different than those of men. synagogue services as the central focus of her
for the present circumstances by including a dis- Shabbat experiences.
cussion, reading parts of the service in English, “Coronavirus is putting everyone in that posi-
or even reading a smaller section of Torah to tion of being distanced from community expe- “The fact that people are being forced to adjust
facilitate a focus on content. riences,” Haas said, and she hopes that when their religious practices is opening their minds to
Jewish communal life begins to normalize, “these other ways Shabbat can look like,” Haas said.
“Since we have the freedom to redefine, it developments have the potential to encourage “As things transition back, people will remember
may serve us well to reimagine services in a way greater interest in dialogue on the importance of these other modalities of Shabbat, and maybe
that is more engaging and meaningful during this accessibility.” there are things they will carry with them.” ■
period when we don’t have the standard commu-
nal services,” she said. Another positive outcome of quarantine and

All of Haas’ subjects told her they felt some- Live well, age well... with personalized care
thing was missing from their Shabbat experi-
ence, such as communal prayer, social time with Combining a warm and inviting
friends and family, or a sense of spiritual uplift. atmosphere with personalized
One interviewee misses the structure that Shab-
bat provides, feeling in its absence a void that and attentive care!
isn’t experienced during the week. We provide all the amenities a loved
one could desire in an environment
Jews across denominations are using technol-
ogy to keep communal life flourishing, but for that reflects and respects Jewish
those in Orthodox and some Conservative con- values, traditions and lifestyles.
gregations, video conferencing apps are prohibited
on Shabbat and holidays. Some told Haas that Gracious, private accommodations • Kosher fine dining
not using technology was a “blessing” while oth- Nurses on premises 24/7 • Specialized memory support
ers said it made them feel isolated. And one non- Social, fitness and educational activities • Beauty salon
halachically observant Jew told Haas she stopped Housekeeping services • Transportation • and much more!
using technology on Shabbat during the pandemic
in order to spend more time with family. Find out why Stein Assisted Living is the right fit
for you or your aging parent.
Overall, the individuals she interviewed ex-
pressed mixed reactions to live prayer services Call 732-568-1155 or email [email protected]
that are streamed via videoconferencing apps
such as Zoom. 350 DeMott Lane, Somerset, NJ l www.wilfcampus.org

“People said they appreciated the fact that Commitment. Compassion. Community.
there were communal services, but that they
didn’t feel much like the real thing,” Haas said.

Nonetheless, some people did report that
they had been part of “spiritually moving and
extremely uplifting online services,” crediting
community leaders who “really tried to play to
the advantages of the technical platform they
used and not stick exactly to how the service
would usually look.”

For instance, one rabbi urged members to go
outside to greet Shabbat during the singing of
“Lecha Dodi” on Friday evening, and another
replaced communal singing, which can be chal-
lenging to coordinate with delays on Zoom,
with having various members share thoughts
and reflections.

“Community members have been willing to
reimagine what Shabbat will look like on this
new platform,” said Haas. “That is allowing
services to be meaningful in new ways, even if
they can’t replicate what it was like before the
pandemic.”

Accessibility was reported as another perk of
technology. It allows people to attend services

6

NJ Jewish News ■ Princeton-Mercer-Bucks Edition ■ June 16, 2020 ThankYou!
To the 195 donors that supported the Jewish Community COVID-19
Emergency Response Fund of Greater Mercer

Thanks tTohyeonueerdgsiffrtosmththeeFCuOnVdIDdi-s1t9rCibruistisedco$n1ti0n0ue,0t0o0grinowg.rants to:

We made great strides, but our job is not done.

GREENWOOD HOUSE

Phiegrhso-rniasklCTPhOreerVJoseIitDwde-isce1h9tniFEtvesmde,eeraEragstqieonwunciybeprlRomluegsaephsont ncttohseimosFmsueuensndsittheyofanleGttaidrcaeeaalrsrtteetorogMfeeotenhrrescrtueharrn.eedmctrh.eaeTtehsdaethfeeFJtuyewnaidsnhsdCuohpmepmaolurtntheitydofth1e35pufrrcahila, se of:
12nT55eh,0ei0sd•Ts0una0yHisfvieaKeaedrlkNetchsou:9pmlCt5rmoooufsatnttsehniteocydf-CtweiNOvsidsVee9eInDf5stui-uan1Rldi9m,tepsceosadnopirdcidaerlimnasaietctor,evdirincbceMlysuFdaaniensddgkee:rqsautiiopnm,epnrtohvaidveesgdriorwecnt support to the urgent local
• dramatically.
•

• 5,50•0 EpdauicrastioonfagnldoSvoecisalaSnerdviacebs:uNnededasnftorheaduncdatisona,nciotuinzseelring and social services increased.

• Economic Assistance: Those impacted by unemployment, furloughs, and fixed-income

challenges require greater financial assistance.

JEWIS•HFoFodAInsMecurIityL: RYequeAsts Nfor Dfood CassiHstanIceLincDreasRedEexpNone’nStiallyS. ERVICE

Due to the increased demand by seniors in need, the Fund is supporting the expansion of the Kosher
Meals on WheeilnsclTpuhdraoinnggkrsaat$om5t0h,te0o0im0smmeaerdtvcihaetbeayslulthpsepeoJnretwiooisfrhmcFalenidyeerdnaottnsioo.nrTso,hfwPiesrsiunwrcpeitlaolsnsieMndce$rl1uc0e0dr,0eB0u02c,5ks0. meals/week for ten weeks.

Grant applications from beneficiary agencies, synagogues and other Jewish institutions are being

JCC PRINCETON MERCER BUCKS & ABRAMS CAMPSreviewed by the Grant Committee and allocation of available funds is in process.

FamiliesWaecaprpoosinstedoaucrrolsos-cseactliocnoofmJemwisuhncoimtymuanarleleaadfefres ctotseedrveboyn thcelGorsauntrCeosmomifttesecfohrothoe lEsmearngedncysynagogues.
The FunRBdeesrsmpouannps,epDFoaunnrdBte:reCdnot,-tCShuhesaairnJsFCEalCilocot nFt,orHeeadmroealnldiaHvnedeftLr, iDsdaaanToiHlbeyiarsscvaoinvrdictCiu, oaamnldmaDittnoenedLMeleiibmvobweeirstszt.ArTdeheaeleymAwgielilndb, eJJujodCiynCAedxeeplxr-orodof,fgiSckiroiap mming.

by Rabbi Ben Adler, Chair of the Mercer County Board of Rabbis. The committee will be staffed by Jewish

OUR COMMUNITY SYNAGOGUEScommunal professionals Mark Merkovitz and Linda Meisel.
Jerry Neumann, President Mark Merkovitz, Executive Director
The Fund provides support to the Board of Rabbis to meet urgent assistance to individuals

identified in their lTochael Tsyanlamguodguseasy.s: Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh L’Zeh

Thank you to the Jewish communalAlelaldoefrsIwsrhaoeslerivsedRoenspthoenGsriabnlteCfoomrmOittneeefAornthoethEmerergency Response Fund: Co-Chairs

Elliot Freeman and Lisa Tobias and Committee Members Adele Agin, Judy Axelrod, Skip Berman, Dan Brent, Susan Falcon,

Harold Heft, Dan HersFcoevdicei,raantdioDnonisLaeilbwoawyitzs, haserweeltl oasseuxp-opffoicriot mtheme beenrtRiraebbJi eBwenisAhdlcero, mChmairuonfitthye Mercer County Board

of Rabbis, and Jewish communal professionals Mark Merkovitz and Linda Meisel.

THE THAoLwMeveUr,DweScAanYnSot: mKeOetLtheYseISurRgAenEt nLeeAdsRwEitVhoIuMt yZouErHhelLpAZEH
ALL OPFleaIsSe RdoAnaEteL: hItStpRs:/E/wSwPwO.jeNwSisIhBpmLbE.oFrgO/CROVOIND-E19AFUNNODTHER

Thank you aTghaanink yfoour. sPulepaspeosrtatyinsgafethanedJheewalitshhy. Community.

7 NJ Jewish News ■ Princeton-Mercer-Bucks Edition ■ June 16, 2020

NJ Jewish News ■ njjewishnews.com ■ June 16, 20208 Our Towns

Goldson — but do not play an instrument — and ing national champion Louisiana State to embrace tri-state area teams and their
really enjoy it. I will sing and accompany University football and its former quar- overall less-than-inspiring play during
Continued from page 4 anyone at any service.” terback Joe Burrow, who was selected the years he was in Baton Rouge. “As a
first overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in boy, the Mets, Jets, and Knicks were my
of a Reform congregation who “give Goldson has also come up with an the 2020 NFLdraft, play. “He was some- teams,” he said. “What happened?” ■
their soul” to the temple. Also, the rabbi efficient methodology for teaching To- thing to watch,” said Goldson.
is active in interfaith work and told NJJN rah and haftorah trope to b’nei mitzvah [email protected]
he is looking forward to joining Interfaith students, using crash courses and online And despite his roots, he’s not ready
Caregivers of Mercer County, an orga- resources, in addition to traditional text
nization which assists the home-bound study. “Within several weeks, these stu- JFCS open for mental health counseling
elderly. dents will have it all,” he said.
JEWISH FAMILY & Children’s Ser- The counseling department is ac-
Goldson, who received ordination His first pulpit was in Calgary, Al- vice of Greater Mercer County (JFCS) cepting new clients and completes
in 1987 from the Reform movement’s berta, where he served for 12 years. Dur- is a non-profit, comprehensive social intakes and initial assessments via
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute ing his tenure there, he was president of service agency that focuses on help, phone and video calls. The agency
of Religion, has seen synagogues change the Canadian region of the Central Con- hope, and healing in the Greater Mer- also offers consultations with a psy-
over the past three decades and noted ference of American Rabbis and chair- cer region. The agency serves all ages, chiatrist.
that the coronavirus has forced further man of the Calgary Rabbinical Council. backgrounds, and faiths with mental
evolution. Later he took a break from the pulpit to health counseling, senior services, and JFCS expanded mental health
serve as executive director of the Hillel a range of food distribution programs. services — through the funding sup-
“In the 1970s and 1980s, we built a at California State University in North- port of Princeton Area Community
model with large synagogues, similar ridge. He returned to synagogue life in The JFCS counseling department Foundation — to include free weekly
programs built to fit all, supported by as 2004, joining Temple Kol Ami in Scott- accepts clients with private insurance, webinars and drop-in hours by phone.
many dues-paying members as we could sdale,Ariz., and five years later assumed Medicare, Medicaid, and no insur- Drop-in hours are Monday, Wednes-
attract,” he said. “Now we don’t know if his position in Baton Rouge. ance. The agency also is one of the day, and Friday, 10 a.m.-noon, and
that is what the next generation needs. few in Mercer County which provides Tuesday and Thursday, 5-7 p.m. Call-
We have to say, ‘This is what we have, “I missed the pulpit the years I was services in Spanish. ers can reach a counselor at 609-987-
how can we make it work for you?’ to away,” he said. 8100 and dial 0 to be connected.
that part of our community.” Through the use of technology and
Goldson and Warren plan to reside adapted procedures, all JFCS services For more information, visit jfcson-
Besides serving as rabbi, Goldson in the Princeton area. He has a daugh- have continued during the pandemic line.org or call 609-987-8100 during
was also B’nai Israel’s cantor. “I’ve al- ter, Tali, who lives in Denver, and a son, shutdown. business hours.
ways been involved musically in the ser- Gabe, who resides in Los Angeles.
vices where I’ve been,” he said. “I sing
Even with his new gig being closer
to home, he admits he will miss watch-

WE LOVE ANTIQUES!

ANS has been in this business for over 25 years. Our attention to detail and skilled knowledge of antiques makes us unique among buyers and

sellers, ensuring each client receives accurate information about each item and each seller receives top dollar. We purchase entire collections

as well as single items. We also do complete estate clean-outs. We will purchase the entire estate Call today to schedule a meeting.
including real estate. We can also work with your favorite charity.

We pay cash for: ANS Antiques

Antique Furniture Cameras Military Items We come to you • Free Appraisals
Modern Furniture Mens & Ladies Watches Coins – Individual or Entire 201-861-7770 • 201-951-6224
Modern Art Judaic Art and Silver & Chinese Collections
Oil Paintings Art and Porcelain Entire Home Contents Visit us at www.ANSAntiques.com
Bronzes Top Dollar for Any Kind of Jewelry Property/Real Estate Purchases [email protected]
Silver & Chinese Porcelain – Fast Closings Sam Guidan
Shommer Shabbas

Our Towns 9 NJ Jewish News ■ njjewishnews.com ■ June 16, 2020

Federation Lisa Tobias, co-chair of the alloca- Sinai Temple, and the Jewish Center, a Jewish community federation is criti-
tions committee with Eliot Freeman, as well as Abrams Hebrew Academy, cal. Tobias, a decades-long participant
Continued from page 1 said she has “never seen as efficient Greenwood House, JCC Abrams in federation allocations, said she has
a response to an emergency situation Camps, Jewish Family & Children’s “never seen as efficient a response to an
is co-chair of the fundraising committee as I have to this.” Service of Greater Mercer County, and emergency situation as I have to this.”
with Don Lebowitz and also a member the Jewish Community Foundation
of the allocations committee, spear- much money to distribute, the process of Greater Mercer. (Abrams Hebrew “I know that a lot of people have
headed the strategy that brought to- turned out to be different than they ex- Academy and Beth El declined to ap- questioned the need for an umbrella
gether key agencies and synagogues to pected. At the beginning of the process ply, and Har Sinai did not respond to organization to oversee something in
raise money as a community.And rather the committee created a rubric of what the proposal request.) our community when people can give
than federation reaching out to individ- they were looking for: a strong state- directly to agencies and synagogues,”
uals to solicit donations, the fundraising ment of need, project goals within the Neumann said that the federation Tobias said. “But it is in situations like
committee requested that each syna- organization that effectively met needs expects there to be increasing demand this where the value of a federation
gogue impress upon their members the generated by the pandemic, the orga- for allocations in the coming months. gets to really show itself.”
importance of giving to the fund for the nization’s plans for distributing grant
sake of the larger community. monies, and a well-defined project de- “The fund is still available,” he said. Said Herscovici, “I think it was a
sign. But things quickly changed. “It is fair to say that the economic dis- defining moment for the community at
“Instead of competing for dollars, location from this virus is not going to large and the federation in particular,”
the idea was to encourage everyone to “All of a sudden very subjective simply reverse itself in a matter of days adding, “It is our hope to grow and
come together and unify our efforts,” factors started to enter into our judg- and weeks; it could take months and evolve as an agency whose mission is
Herscovici told NJJN. ment,” Tobias said. “Under normal al- therefore these needs will continue. to serve the community.” ■
locations, we take a good look at the
Funds would be distributed based budget, but budget didn’t even factor “We are very nimble, very flexible, To donate to the Jewish Community
on needs in four areas: health, educa- into this, and we weren’t looking at and prepared … for that eventuality.”
tion and social services, food insecu- project planning. We were looking at COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund
rity, and economic assistance. dire need.” For both Tobias and Herscovici, the
effectiveness of the fund-raising and al- of Greater Mercer, visit jewishpmb.org/
“Because of the immediate, urgent They shifted gears and began ask- locations process were evidence of why
need, almost everything was distrib- ing different kinds of questions: Did COVID-19FUND.
uted,” Herscovici said. That said, he an organization have to lay off or fur-
added, “the monies we raised were a lough employees, or create a hiring Community Food Drive
fraction of what was needed and re- freeze? How much were they impacted
quested by these agencies.” by a lack of revenue? What is the or- Now through June 30,
ganization’s value to the community? JFCS invites the community
Ultimately the three major recipi- How likely are they to recover from to participate in our Food Drive.
ents were Greenwood House, which the pandemic? Can they survive with-
experienced illness and death from out receiving the grant? HOW TO DONATE
Covid-19 despite major efforts and ex-
penditures to keep the disease at bay; Federation president Jerry Neu- Order online from your website of choice
Jewish Family & Children’s Service of mann told NJJN he was most im- and have items delivered to:
Greater Mercer County, whose Meals pressed by “the outpouring of JFCS 707 Alexander Road, Suite 204, Princeton NJ
on Wheels program delivers food to generosity from the community, how
homebound seniors; and various rab- quickly things were able to be mo- Order through Amazon* and have items delivered to:
bis’ discretionary funds, determined bilized, and how quickly we broke JFCS 707 Alexander Road, Suite 204, Princeton NJ
to be an effective vehicle for helping through $100,000.”
individuals with rent, health insurance, *Use Smile.Amazon.com and select Jewish Family & Children’s Service of
and household needs. The request for proposals went Greater Mercer County as your charity of choice and we will receive
to the agencies and synagogues they contributions for your purchases.
“It was a dire situation; internal re- thought needed immediate help: Adath
sources for agencies and synagogues Israel Congregation, Congregation Make purchases while you are shopping and drop off
were tapped out,” according to Lisa Beth Chaim, Beth El Synagogue, Har items in our donation bin outside of
Tobias, who co-chaired the allocations Suite 204 at 707 Alexander Road.
committee with Eliot Freeman.
What to Donate
Federation withheld a modest sum
so they would have funds available JFCS maintains a Kosher on-site and Mobile Food Pantry.
should other needs arise after the first Please ensure any donated items have the appropriate Kosher symbols.
distribution, Tobias said. For example,
when the JCC/Abrams Camp submit- Please check expiration dates.
ted their application, they did not know
yet whether they would be open this Tuna in water Applesauce Tomato sauce
summer. Once they made the decision Shelf stable milk/almond milk Peanut butter Beans (any type)
to open (camp starts July 13), Tobias Gluten free items
said, “we had funds that we could use Hot & cold healthy cereals Jelly Healthy snacks
to fund their PPE [personal protective Low sugar fruit cups Pasta
equipment] needs as they were open- Rice
ing camp.”
Questions about the food drive?
Because of the urgency of the situa- Contact Beth Englezos
tion, the application was purposely kept [email protected]
simple. But even though the allocations
committee knew they wouldn’t be
keeping to federation’s usually detailed
system of determining where and how

NJ Jewish News ■ njjewishnews.com ■ June 16, 202010Our Towns

Princeton benefit from the labors of a smart worker and, at the Ron Miasnik, a rising junior at Princeton Univer-
same time, contribute to a student’s career develop- sity, helped organize the Center for Jewish Life’s
Continued from page 1 ment by providing them with work experience and intern match program. PHOTO BY WILLIAM LIN
they would take on a Princeton student for a mini- professional wisdom.
mum two-week internship or mentoring opportunity, that Alice Roth — mother of CJL executive director
either paid or unpaid. “We are placing students at the organizations that Rabbi Julie Roth — has collected for a family tree.
need it the most, where students can be big fish in a
“It seemed like a tangible way we could improve small pond,” Rabbi Ira Dounn, senior Jewish educator Thanks to the program, Schoenberg, a rising junior
the pandemic experience of our students,” Miasnik at CJL, told NJJN. “It is really meaningful to students and psychology major from Newton, Mass., will use
said. And an hour after sending out a survey to assess to be able to contribute tremendously and actually do her creativity to help market a line of books published
student interests and skills, they had 35 responses, real work.” by Language Lizard on American English idioms, il-
which made clear, he said, that “this was an issue with lustrated with pictures from many cultures.
real urgency.” Over 60 students — not all of whom were Jewish or
active in CJL — applied for a match. Approximately a “I’m really thankful to the CJL for pairing me and
Immediately, parents and CJL trustees reached third of the applicants had been matched as of the first doing such a good job of fitting with my interests and
out to their networks for mentors. Mentors would week in June, another third had withdrawn, and Dounn strengths,” she said.
expects the final 20 students to be placed soon.
Instead of laboratory work for her senior thesis,
Hannah Slabodkin will be digitizing family tree “Once we had everyone’s interests and what
sources and working on projects for the Buffalo they wanted in an internship, we could leverage our
Jewish Federation. PHOTO BY LIVIA SLABODKIN Rolodex, tap into our network, and find matches,”
said Dounn.

Normally the only internships offered by CJL are
in partnership with the university’s Pace Center for
Civic Engagement, but Dounn said the situation re-
quired that they adapt for the sake of the students.

“One of our many goals at the CJL is to give sup-
port to our students in the variety of ways they need
it,” he said.

Slabodkin, a rising senior from Buffalo, N.Y., who
is majoring in molecular biology, has started several
internships set up by CJL. She’s working three paid
projects, including several for the Buffalo Jewish
Federation, such as planning a virtual reading of the
play “Speak Truth to Power: Voices From Beyond the
Dark” for the Holocaust Resource Center and work-
ing on a survey about communal needs for the Jew-
ish Community Relations Council. In addition, she’s
digitizing documents, photographs, and family records

FROM A FORTUNE™ 100 Hannah Bein landed an internship in market-
CEO TO THE HQ ing for the Jewish Community Foundation of
FOR YOUR TOP DOG Greater Mercer. PHOTO BY BOLA OKOYA /LEWIS CENTER FOR THE ARTS

We insure them. And Bein, a rising junior and history major from
Riverside, Conn., applied for the CJL matching pro-
Family-owned for four generations, Borden Perlman gram when she realized that the Covid-19 crisis would
has global reach, community roots. Licensed in 50 states, stymie her hopes of finding an arts management in-
we work tirelessly to insure what’s important to you. ternship. They matched her with Amy Zacks, director
of philanthropy at the Jewish Community Foundation
609.896.3434 | 800.932.4476 of Greater Mercer, for a four-week internship to help
BORDENPERLMAN.COM with communications and social media, including
250 Phillips Blvd., Suite 280, Ewing, NJ 08618 the launch of their Facebook page and the creation of
120 Albany St., Tower II, Suite 405, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 blog posts.

“It is a great opportunity to learn about working at a
nonprofit in general, fundraising, and what administra-
tive and philanthropic work looks like,” she said. Also
important to Bein: working for an organization “whose
mission I care about — building Jewish community.”

Bein is particularly grateful for the lifeline CJL
tossed her.

“It wasn’t clear at that point what was going to
come from that, but it definitely made me feel a lot
better having someone look out for us.” ■

ISRAEL NOW
A SPECIAL ISSUE OF THE NEW YORK JEWISH WEEK AND NEW JERSEY JEWISH NEWS | JUNE 2020
BATTLING COVID:
INNOVATION AND UNCERTAINTY
As Israel reopens, we look at
how coronavirus is rewriting
the country’s script.
A SPECIAL REPORT

A model
medical
response

PAGE 4

The reopening
debate PAGE 6
Pondering
an altered
future PAGE 8

2

The Jewish Week | New Jersey Jewsih News ■ ISRAEL N✡W ■ June 2020 ISRAEL N✡W An Ethical Shoulder
CONTENTS to Lean On

Spirit of Innovation As the coronavirus crisis drags on, a rominent
Marks War Against Covid
10ethicist becomes the go-to person for doctors
Israeli hospitals teamed with the high-tech
sector and the military to battle the virus. and others on a range of weighty issues.

4 TAU Researchers
Fighting Covid-19
A Reopening 12
Riddled with Anxiety U.S. patent for vaccine design and 13
success in antibody-based therapies.
Israelis caught between ‘letting society live’ and
HowTel Aviv Creatives
6fear of moving too quickly to end the lockdown. Made Art Out of the
Covid-19 Crisis
Into the Brave New 8
Post-Covid World Designers, photographers, artists
and storytellers have turned a crisis
From Arab-Jewish relations to religion into an opportunity to delight and
to healthcare, Israelis ponder an altered future. distract a socially distanced public.

THE WEIZMANN EFFECT

INSPIRING THE NEXT
GENERATION OF
SCIENTISTS AND A
SCIENCE-LITERATE WORLD

We all possess a deep-rooted desire to know. As one of the world’s leading multi-disciplinary scientific
research centers, the Weizmann Institute in Israel demonstrates that this natural curiosity can be
developed through education. Our highly selective graduate school produces top scientists uniquely
qualified for medicine, industry, and academia. Our Davidson Institute of Science Education is a major
force in creating a science-literate citizenry. By understanding the science behind all aspects of life, we
improve the quality of society. This is The Weizmann Effect, and it is your opportunity to do some lasting
good for humanity. A BETTER WORLD IS IN YOUR HANDS. To find out how you can become part
of The Weizmann Effect, call: 800-242-2947. Or visit us online: WEIZMANN-USA.ORG

3 The Jewish Week | New Jersey Jewsih News ■ ISRAEL N✡W ■ June 2020

Saving lives.
Giving hope.
Every day.

Hadassah COVID Ad for NYJewishWk_F.indd 1 What does Hadassah Hospital do
when faced with a crisis?
What we do every day.
We treat with compassion.
We heal with state-of-the-art medicine.
We research with a warrior mindset.

For over 100 years Hadassah’s hospitals have
defined modern healthcare in Israel, most recently
serving as a global model in the fight against
COVID-19. Together, we are healing the world.

Help save lives and give hope.
hadassah.org/SaveLives
[email protected]
800.928.0685

HADASSAH THE WOMEN’S ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA, INC.

©2020 Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. Hadassah, the H logo and Hadassah the Power of Women
Who Do are registered trademarks of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc.
Photography: Eli Atias

6/1/20 3:18 PM

The Jewish Week | New Jersey Jewsih News ■ ISRAEL N✡W ■ June 20204

Spirit of Innovation
MarksWar Against Covid

Israeli hospitals teamed with the high-tech
sector and the military to battle the virus.

Doug Chandler Staff members at the Galilee Medical Center, a teaching hospital in Nahariya serving the western Galillee, monitor
patient data at one of the center’s command-and-control posts. R O N I A L B E RT F O R T H E G A L I L E E M E D I C A L C E N T E R , N A H A R I YA
AContributing Writer
s soon as they learned of the number of active cases in Israel tor of Hadassah’s Ein Kerem Hospital, seriously and they drastically cur-
Covid-19 and the dangers it posed to climbed, eventually reaching a high who spoke at a May 20 webinar spon- tailed traffic from the outside world.
Israel as well as the rest of the world, of 10,000, and other hospitals began sored by the Jewish Council for Public The latter, he noted, was only possible
top staff members at Sheba Medical taking patients, as well. They included Affairs. Medical centers had already because Israel is a small country, with
Center faced a key question related to Hadassah Medical Center, the largest discharged most of their cases, he said. one international airport, and because
their mission. hospital in Jerusalem and one of the Israelis have been in semi-quarantine
centers designated to receive corona- (Israel’s health minister warned for years, albeit for security reasons.
The medical center already knew it virus patients. Hadassah had already on Sunday that a new lockdown was
would need “every doctor we can get made headlines in mid-February when possible given a sharp spike in cases, “We’re a population used to deal-
and every nurse we can get” to fight one of its infectious-disease special- mainly at schools. Prime Minister Ben- ing with sudden emergencies,” Halevi
the novel coronavirus, Dr. Eyal Zim- ists, Dr. Ran Nir-Paz, was asked by jamin Netanyahu, in a nationally tele- said. “What that means is that once
lichman, its chief medical and chief the government to fly to Japan to treat vised address on Sunday, urged Israelis you impress on Israelis that it’s a life-
innovation officer, told The Jewish Israelis from the Diamond Princess. to “continue adhering to the rules” of or-death situation, we’re generally
Week. “But what about innovation social distancing in order to avert an- able to follow the rules.”
staff, data scientists and engineers? Forecasts presented at the end of other lockdown. At Sunday’s cabinet
How essential are they? March to Prime Minister Benjamin meeting, Netanyahu stressed that the AWar-like Footing
Netanyahu reportedly warned that economy “has to remain open,” ac- s for innovations, Sheba
“And it took us about seven min- as many as 40,000 Israelis would die cording to The Times of Israel.) adopted what it calls a mili-
utes to get to an understanding that should the government do nothing, tary-like strategy to fight the
innovation is not only essential, but and that 10,000 would die under the Doctors and other observers inter- disease. Helmed by Dr. Yitshak Kre-
critical, if we’re going to try to win this rosiest of scenarios. viewed by The Jewish Week credited iss, a former brigadier general and a
war against the virus.” the government, which took early former surgeon general in the IDF, the
But nothing even close to those and decisive action to limit the virus’ hospital made rapid-fire assessments
As it turned out, that understand- scenarios took place. From the end of spread; Israeli scientists, engineers and based on shared input; acted imme-
ing became not only crucial for February to May 20, the number of con- high-tech professionals; and the com- diately while planning for every sce-
Sheba, the largest hospital in the firmed cases in Israel totaled 16,667 pa- mitment among Israelis in general. nario; and kept information flowing
Middle East and, according to a 2019 tients, of whom 13,504 recovered and on key data points, such as expected
article in Newsweek, one of the 10 279 died. Throughout that time period, Yossi Klein Halevi, an Israeli- patient loads, the availability of beds
best in the world, but for other Israeli the number of new cases per day ranged American author and a senior fellow and the quantity of medical supplies.
hospitals, too. Israeli hospitals large from one to 20 throughout the entire at the Shalom Hartman Institute, said
and small have become partners in country, said Dr. Yoram Weiss, direc- Israel’s leaders did two things right “It’s imbedded in our DNAto be pre-
the past few months with their coun- from the outset: They took the virus
try’s high-tech sector and the Israel
Defense Forces in developing new
technology that would allow them to
treat coronavirus patients while keep-
ing their own staff safe.

Sheba was chosen — in light of its
scope, location and nature — by Is-
rael’s Ministry of Health to house the
country’s first coronavirus patients.
A 2,000-bed medical center in Ramat
Gan’s Tel Hashomer neighborhood,
close to Tel Aviv, Sheba took root in
1948 as Israel’s first military hospital.
It remains a government-run hospi-
tal today, and its 150-acre campus
is home to such national institutions
as the Israel Center for Disease Con-
trol, the equivalent of the CDC in the
United States.

The first coronavirus patients in-
cluded only the 11 Israeli citizens who
had flown home from Japan near the
end of February after being quaran-
tined on the Diamond Princess cruise
ship, where they were passengers. But

pared, to drill, to practice, to have enough supplies,” 5The Jewish Week | New Jersey Jewsih News ■ ISRAEL N✡W ■ June 2020
said Yoel Har-Even, director of the hospital’s interna-
tional division and a retired IDF colonel. The ethic is to Medical staff at Sheba tend to a
act rather than ask questions, he added during a recent patient at a special coronavirus
podcast. “If you know what to do, don’t ask others. Just intensive care unit. It took workers
do what you have to do and plan for the future.” at the hospital 72 hours to build
the massive unit, which includes
Over at Hadassah, Dr. Nir-Paz said in a Zoom call 100 beds and was built in what used
with The Jewish Week that he attributes the ethic not to be an underground parking garage.
to the military, but to what he called the Israeli spirit.
“When you’re committed to something, you’re com- COURTESY SHEBA MEDICAL CENTER, TEL HASHOMER
mitted all the way. There’s no other choice.”
Join us on
Whatever the source of that ethic, it propelled the 570&#; ,70'
country’s major hospitals to pioneer a host of new
high-tech systems in such areas as telemedicine, ro- UVTGCOKPI " 2/
botics and contact screening. Zimlichman and other
Sheba staff members described some of the innova-
#XCKNCDNG QP FGOCPF CHVGT VJG DTQCFECUV
tions at their hospital during a private webinar for
American donors and friends of the medical center Streaming via
that the Jewish Week was allowed to join. %GNGDTCVG+UTCGN0; QTI
(CEGDQQM CPF ;QW6WDG
EarlySense: a monitor placed under the mattress that
continuously measures the patient’s heart rate, respira-
tory rate and motion. The device uses an algorithm to
predict if the patient’s health is about to deteriorate.

TytoCare: a device with special adaptors that al-
lows doctors to examine a patient’s throat, heart and
lungs while sitting in a different room.

Contact screening: a system developed by AnyVi-
sion, a surveillance and facial-recognition company,
that connects with 600 video cameras throughout
the hospital to track contact between patients and
staff members, as well as monitor who is and isn’t

continued on page 19

)KXKPI VJCPMU VQ QWT HTQPVNKPG YQTMGTU DGPGƂ VVKPI %18+& TGNKGH

%GNGDTCVG+UTCGN0; QTI CelebrateIsraelParade #TodahFrontLineHeroes
@celebrateisrael

The Jewish Week | New Jersey Jewsih News ■ ISRAEL N✡W ■ June 20206

A Reopening
Riddled with Anxiety

Israelis caught between ‘letting society live’ and
fear of moving too quickly to end the lockdown.

Michele Chabin Israeli students at the Orot Etzion school in Efrat wear protective face masks thousands of students were sent into
as they return to school in early May. G E R S H O N E L I N O N / F L A S H 9 0 quarantine in Jerusalem, Hadera and
JContributing Editor Beersheva, according to The Times
erusalem — Larry Derfner, almost fully open, sometimes back- derly relatives, to limit the virus’spread. of Israel.)
68, knows that if he contracts the coro-
navirus, he could be at higher risk of tracking along the way. Tens of thousands of families held their “Any lockdown destroys the
life-threatening complications than economy, and when you have 25 to
younger people, but he supports the “The way Israel is reopening is seders via Zoom. As recently as Israel 30 percent unemployment, even in six
Israeli government’s decision at the months’ time we expect unemploy-
beginning of May to end the country’s haphazard at best,” Nadav said. Independence Day, April 28, citizens ment will be 10 to 15 percent,” said
month-long lockdown. David (Dudu) Gershon, a professor of
The Israeli government’s seemingly were ordered to stay within 100 meters economics at the Hebrew University
“Israel has done a great job in con- School of Business.
taining the coronavirus, and now it’s sudden about-face to permit many com- of their homes, with all public celebra-
time to let people live, let society live,” The rate of unemployment prior to
said Derfner, a journalist, noting that panies, all stores, tions cancelled. the outbreak was about 4 percent.
fewer than 300 people have died in
Israel, apparently thanks to an early schools and parks Israel even Gershon predicted that 25 percent
lockdown that saw schools, shuls and of Israeli restaurants will shut down,
businesses shuttered. to reopen within The newfound took the difficult and that “there will be a generation of
a matter of weeks decision to close people who will find it extremely hard
Sarah Nadav, a behavioral econ- to keep jobs.
omist and a single mother, isn’t so has been a wel- freedoms are all places of wor-
sure that it’s time to “let society “That will include high tech work-
live,” at least in the way it was ac- come develop- ship, and to keep ers,” he continued. “The father of one
customed, pre-Covid. In the grip ment for some them closed dur- of my sons’ classmates was a high tech
of a mid-May heat wave, Israelis worker. Now he’s working as a super-
flocked to beaches even before re- Israelis and a giving people ing Passover, Eas- market cashier to feed his family.”
strictions on outdoor activities were cause of worry for ter and Ramadan.
officially relaxed. Nadav is deeply Israel’s economy contracted by
troubled by the speed with which others. (Last Fri- In mid-May, 7.1 percent in the first quarter of 2020
Israel has gone from lockdown to due to the coronavirus pandemic, the
day, amid a spike “a false sense with the absolute sharpest decline in 20 years, according
in coronavirus number of deaths to the Central Bureau of Statistics.

cases and fears and the fatality Derfner is worried that unless peo-
ple are allowed to return to work, it
that social distanc- of confidence.” rate low com- could take a decade or more for the
ing measures were pared to other economy to recover.

not being followed countries, the “Israel’s unemployment rate is
nearly 30 percent. We are galloping
as closely as they government opted into an unimaginable economic de-
pression, and with it will come a na-
had been, health officials were con- to allow young children to return to tional psychological depression. How
many lives will that cost? What will it
sidering once again halting school for school to allow homebound parents do to the living?” he asked. “I have two
sons in their 20s. I didn’t raise them
grades seven through 12.) to work. for such a future, and I’ll be damned if
they have to go on living this crippled
During Passover, Israelis were or- (This week, as more coronavirus life to protect me and my generation.
It’s not right. Let them live.”
dered to stay home and not visit with el- cases have been found at schools,
According to a much-discussed
study Gershon co-authored with He-
brew University colleagues Alexander
Lipton (Business School) and Hagai
Levine (School of Public Health), Is-
rael didn’t need to lock down the coun-
try in the first place.

“If a state like the State of Israel takes
non-closure mitigation steps such as
physical distancing as much as possible
while continuing work, isolating patients
and those who were in close contact with

continued on page 18

7

We act. We change. We lead. The Jewish Week | New Jersey Jewsih News ■ ISRAEL N✡W ■ June 2020

TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY: At the Forefront of the War Against Coronavirus

Vaccine Development

Neopharm Group has signed an agreement with Tel Aviv University's
RAMOT, its technology transfer company, to work in collaboration with a
team led by Professor Jonathan Gershoni of the School of Molecular Cell
Biology and Biotechnology to develop a novel and potentially life-saving
COVID-19 vaccine. Professor Gershoni has received a US patent for his
vaccine candidate.

Scienti c Research

Across campus and departments, TAU is seeking solutions. Five expert
scienti c teams and over 140 researchers are working aggressively to better
understand the virus and swiftly develop candidates for vaccines and
treatments. TAU faculty are applying AI techniques to Health Ministry data
to improve quarantining e orts and contain the disease, and TAU built a
dedicated lab to dramatically increase the number of Corona tests being
processed in Israel—a critical step in conquering the disease.

Global Pandemic Center

The Center for Combating Pandemics is the rst of its kind in the world.
It will bring together university experts from di erent academic elds,
including medicine, biology, mathematics, physics, economics, engineering,
education and psychology to work with other experts from hospitals and
research institutions to advance research and assist Israel and the world in
battling future outbreaks.

To learn more about TAU's promising work in the global
ght against Coronavirus: aftau.org/coronavirus

1 800 989 1198

AFTAU.ORG

The Jewish Week | New Jersey Jewsih News ■ ISRAEL N✡W ■ June 20208

Into the Brave
New Post-Covid World

From Arab-Jewish relations to religion to healthcare,
Israelis ponder an altered future.

Michele Chabin linings has been the strengthen-

TContributing Editor ing ties between Arab and Jewish
he lockdown came early. In early March,
Israel closed its borders and put into place tough citizens of Israel.
restrictions on people’s movements. Some of the
measures were draconian, some thought — the gov- According to a poll by the Is-
ernment, despite grave privacy concerns, used cell
phone data for public health purposes in tracking rael Democracy Institute released
people infected with Covid-19.
in early May, 56 percent of Jew-
The early and disciplined actions worked, and
Israel has been able to flatten its Covid-19 curve: ish Israelis and 64 percent of Arab
By late May, the country recorded only three deaths
for every 100,000 people; the figure for the United Israelis believe that relations have
States was 10 times higher.
improved between Jews and Arabs IDF soldiers delivering food to Israeli Arabs for Ramadan. Ac-
Now that the government is easing restrictions — since the start of the outbreak. (At cording to polls, Israelis believe the coronavirus crisis has brought
schools, synagogues and hotels have reopened, and the same time, the survey found that Israeli Jews and Israeli Arabs closer together. IDF.IL
the beaches are packed — Israelis are taking stock of more than 6-in-10 Israelis believe
the changes the virus has wrought on society, and pon-
dering what these changes might mean for the future. that relations between charedi Orthodox Jews — some Blue & White political party, initially courted theArab

By all accounts, one of the pandemic’s silver of whom have been criticized for flouting social dis- Joint List coalition of Arab parties during the latest

tancing rules — and the rest of Israelis were damaged campaign season “demonstrated to many Israelis that

during the outbreak.) we are an important part of the political process,”

“Relations between Jews and Arabs were already Abu Rass said. “It also reminded us and others that

improving prior to the Covid-19 crisis,” said Thabet everyone has one vote. There aren’t many times when

Abu Rass, co-director of the Abraham Fund Initia- we feel equal, but on Election Day, we were equal.”

tives, an organization that promotes equality in Israel. Arab Israelis have also received a great deal of

“They have improved even more during the crisis.” positive media attention — and gratitude from the

The fact that Benny Gantz, the head of the centrist public — for being on the front lines in the fight

against the virus. countries, because it is accustomed to dealing with “This will ease the load on primary physicians, 9 The Jewish Week | New Jersey Jewsih News ■ ISRAEL N✡W ■ June 2020
The fact that 30 percent of Israeli hospital staff mem- mass casualty events. His hospital, which built nine and hopefully older physicians will adopt telemedi-
Covid wards within a couple of weeks (some are cine, too,” Halevy said.
bers are Arab is a source of pride for both Arab and now closed due to far fewer people needing to be
Jewish citizens,Abu Rass said. “It’s shown that when it hospitalized), frequently holds mass casualty drills. Israel’s healthcare system, though the envy of many
comes to the virus, we are combating it together.” a country, “is severely under-budgeted,” Halevy said.
It also helped that Israel has universal health care,
Another first: Arab Israelis got to see a positive so citizens did not hesitate to seek treatment. “I believe our calls for higher budgets will be
side of Israel’s security apparatus. The IDF delivered treated favorably during the next couple of months.
tons of food packages to Arab families under lock- While Israel has dealt very well with Covid-19, Hopefully there will be more slots to hire physicians,
down, just in time for Ramadan. Halevy said, the virus also exposed Israel’s woefully more investment in infrastructure, and the congestion
inadequate supply of hospital beds, the extremely long in the emergency rooms will be eased.”
“For the first time in 72 years we saw soldiers in hours medical residents are required to work and other
uniform on a positive mission, helping people get food. problems within the under-funded health care system. Whereas other Organization for Economic Co-oper-
Our polls show that the overwhelming majority ofArab ation and Development countries spend an average 8.5-
citizens mistrust the Israeli police, but the police have Halevy said that if the Israeli government is smart, it 9.3 percent of their GDP on healthcare, Israel spends
been helping us during this crisis. Israel is taking our will learn valuable lessons from the pandemic: It will in- just 7.5 percent, Halevy said.
citizenship more seriously, and is doing a really good crease funding in order to hire more doctors and nurses,
job helping the Arab community,” Abu Rass said. and will encourage telemedicine, especially for routine “Some of my colleagues think I’m naïve, but if
matters like prescriptions and assessments. the crisis has achieved anything, it’s the recognition
To maintain this forward momentum, the Abra- that Israel has to increase its healthcare spending.” ✡
ham Fund Initiatives plans to contact every govern-
ment minister, including Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu, about the challenges facing the Arab
madan. Ac- community.
sis has brought “The time is right. Jews and Arabs understand
that unless we work together, there will be no equal-
ity,” Abu Rass said.

Religious Life WE SALUTE ISRAEL ON HER 72ND BIRTHDAY

Rabbi Seth Farber, a congregational rabbi JODRÉ BRENECKI, LLP IS A FULL-SERVICE LITIGATION PRACTICE
and founder of ITIM: The Jewish Life Ad- SPECIALIZING IN:
vocacy Center, said that when it came to
religious practices and Covid-19, the government
acted “responsibly” by demanding that all places
of worship — synagogues, mosques and churches
— be closed.

“It limited the size of and required necessary pre-
cautions (social distancing, masks) at gatherings, such
as weddings. It issued reasonable protocols regarding
the use of ritual baths. The government developed
practical burial solutions that both maintained reli-
gious traditions and protected public health.”

In some instances, Rabbi Farber said, some re-
ligious authorities “demonstrated unprecedented
courage and halachic creativity,” which, he said, has
“spurred a new discussion focusing on human needs
and halacha,” or Jewish law, “that will hopefully be
continued beyond the crisis.”

Rachel Stomel, director of English communications
for the Center for Women’s Justice, lauded the “in-
novative and empathetic spirit” of several rabbis who
permitted minyans to be held via Zoom and circumci-
sions to be performed on balconies (which allow more
people to “attend” while maintaining social distancing).

But she lamented that no such empathy has been
extended to longstanding women’s issues.

“Men temporarily trapped at home can turn to
a virtual minyan, but where can women turn when
they are permanently trapped in dead marriages as
agunot?” she asked, referring to women whose hus-
bands refuse to grant them a religious divorce. “Do
the rabbis not see our suffering as a crisis? Is it that
women’s issues do not warrant solutions because
they are not seen as an aberration from the norm?”

Healthcare

On the medical front, Jonathan Halevy, presi-
dent of Shaare Zedek Medical Center, said
Israel’s experience with Covid-19 demon-
strated that Israel’s health system was better prepared
for a pandemic than health systems in many other

The Jewish Week | New Jersey Jewsih News ■ ISRAEL N✡W ■ June 202010

An Ethical Shoulder to Lean On
As the coronavirus crisis drags on, a prominent
ethicist becomes the go-to person for doctors
and others on a range of weighty issues.

Nathan Jeffay While Cherlow is a yeshiva head
and director of the Center for Jew-
IThe Times of Israel ish Ethics at Tzohar, an alliance of
sraelis can be a rough-and-tum- Orthodox rabbis, he receives ques-
ble, self-reliant lot, but a strange thing tions from a wide spectrum of Israeli
happened as the coronavirus crisis has society and draws on secular ethics
dragged on through March and April as well as religious ideas.

“We’ve had doctors saying they

and into May: they sought counsel are afraid and asking if it’s ethical

about an unseen enemy that follows for them to quit,” Cherlow told The

no ethical rules. Times of Israel. “People have said

Israelis have been inundating a they are afraid for their families and

prominent ethicist with requests for for themselves. It’s not just about

moral guidance during the coronavirus looking after themselves, it’s a con-

crisis, from doctors who want to quit flict between two commitments they

work to people angry about Ikea open- feel.”

ing while cemeteries remained closed. “One doctor put it this way: ‘Who

“Normally, I get just five ques- do I have a bigger commitment to? Pa-

tions a week, but over the last two tients or my children?’” he said.

months I’ve received hundreds,” Yu- Cherlow told the questioner that Rabbi Yuval Cherlow delivering a lecture at Bar Ilan University’s Azrieli
val Cherlow said. quitting in the crisis would be like School of Medicine. P H OTO S CO U RT E SY O F T ZO H A R
abandoning a bunker during war.
Everyone gets an answer, but

Over the last few days, so many

parents have been asking him

whether it’s ethical to send children

back to school despite the chances

of them spreading the virus that he

published a Times of Israel blog post

on the subject. Risk is part of life and

there is “no ethical or moral obstacle

to a parent deciding to send his or her

child back to school,” he concluded.

Some have contacted him to dis-

cuss the ethics of the government’s re-

sponse to the outbreak, including from

some journalists who were exempt

from cell phone tracking to protect

confidential sources.

“I replied that if it was a personal

privilege for reporters it would be

unethical,” he said. “But reporters do

work of public importance and they

need to be able to keep sources secret

Rabbi Yuval Cherlow, meeting with a group of Chinese MBA students visiting Israel. to do their job, so it’s justified.”
He receives questions about finan-

cial ethics from businesses that are

sometimes it’s not what they want “I compared their situation to sol- training and investment from the state, hard hit by the crisis, and educational

to hear. Questions come from people diers. Over the years they got benefits he has a smaller level of obligation. institutions that needed to close after

frustrated by lockdown restrictions, as doctors, with training and a salary, “His commitment is lower,” Cher- people paid for classes.

decrying them as illogical and hop- so they have a commitment to give low said. “He is part of the war so he He also gets inquiries about some

ing this gives them the moral high back when needed, as soldiers do in a has a commitment to the hospital but if of the ugliest effects of the lockdown.

ground. battle,” he said. his danger is high, for example because “In the last ten days there are more and

“But we’re dealing with a vi- He also reasoned that a doctor’s he lives with his parents, he could easily more questions from women saying

rus that doesn’t follow our rules of young family is more equipped to fight say he doesn’t want to do it.” they are suffering from violence,” he

logic,” said Cherlow, who sits on a the virus, if they catch it, than patients In the end the cleaner decided to said in an early May interview.

Health Ministry ethics committee at hospital who are in need of care. continue working. “He didn’t quit be- Some come from women who

and has lectured widely on ethics, But Cherlow’s answer was different cause, weighing the factors, I outlined doubt their ethical right to take action

including at a 2018 conference of when a hospital cleaner asked the same that he does a very important job, and against the violence, and receive swift

the United Nations cultural body question, because, as a contract worker, this recognition was important to him,” reassurance from Cherlow. There are

UNESCO. and someone who has received less said Cherlow. also messages from social workers,

11

who want ethical advice to consider alongside pro- People in the Mahane Yehuda market in The Jewish Week | New Jersey Jewsih News ■ ISRAEL N✡W ■ June 2020
fessional guidelines. Jerusalem in early May after it reopened
tion, but a medical one. If people hug each other for according to the new government orders.
One query related to a woman experiencing comfort in cemeteries but don’t do that in Ikea, it’s
violence who insisted that she didn’t want her hus- a medical issue. Part of our mission is to say what is OLIVIER FITOUSSI/FLASH90
band removed from the home. The social worker an ethical question and what isn’t.”
was considering whether to use his professional onstrations are allowed but synagogue services still
powers to “force” the husband out of the home, In a similar vein, when synagogues were closed aren’t. “It has an ethical factor, given there are values
or whether this would undermine the woman’s (they are now open under social distancing rules), attached to demonstrating and values of freedom
freedom of choice. frustrated worshipers who may have expected a sym- of religion,” he said. “But practically speaking it’s
pathetic ear from Cherlow, as an Orthodox rabbi, different. In synagogues people are close together,
“I said that from the ethical perspective the as- ended up disappointed. meeting three times a day, while demonstrations are
sumption is that she is the decision maker,” Cherlow occasional and less concentrated.”
said. “But when there are good reasons in extreme People turn to him saying it is illogical that dem-
situations, it may be that you are 100 percent sure The solution adopted by the state regarding
she doesn’t really have freedom of choice. If she is prayer (until mid-May when the restrictions were
living under this kind of threat the ethical thing is to
send the husband away from the home.” continued on page 12

As well as dispensing ethical advice, Cherlow has
been busy calling people out when he feels they are
trying to frame non-ethical questions in ethical terms.

“One of the main crises for people is the fact that
the virus doesn’t obey ethical rules, and because of
this, people have been feeling that the reality they
have been living isn’t fair,” he said, explaining that
this means coronavirus regulations can often seem
unfair even if they are justified.

Many bereaved families were furious on Israel’s
Memorial Day last week, when cemeteries were shut,
even though other restrictions, such as those govern-
ing retail, had been relaxed. Cherlow commiserated
but refused to acknowledge an ethical element.

He explained: “Was it ethical to keep cemeteries
closed but open Ikea? I said it’s not an ethical ques-

HUNGRY
AT HOME

Covid-19 has crippled
Israel’s economy,
leaving so many
more vulnerable and
hungry citizens.

You can help our 5316 New Utrecht Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219 | 877.736.6283
team deliver 110,000 Please consider joining our matching campaign. Visit our website at donatemp.org
Meals-on-Wheels
each month. Donations to American Friends of Meir Panim are tax deductible in the US registered under EIN number 20-1582478

DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT!

DONATIONS WILL BE MATCHED
DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR

12

The Jewish Week | New Jersey Jewsih News ■ ISRAEL N✡W ■ June 2020 Shoulder TAU Researchers Fighting Covid-19
to Lean On U.S. patent for vaccine design and success in antibody-based therapies.

continued from page 6 IStaff Report constituting the RBM feature of the spike protein in SARS
n their fight against CoV and subsequently in MERS CoV,” explains Prof.
lifted) was that people can gather Covid-19, researchers at Gershoni. “The moment the genome of the new virus was
for services, but outdoors. Cherlow Tel Aviv University have published in early January 2020, we began the process
considers it a good compromise, but been awarded a U.S. patent of reconstituting the RBM of SARS CoV2, the virus that
with a problem. for an innovative vaccine causes COVID-19, and expect to have a reconstituted
RBM of the new virus soon. This will be the basis for a
The outdoor services are limited design for the corona fam- new vaccine, which could be ready for use within a year to
to 19 worshipers, and many commu-
nities have given men preference for ily of viruses, and a uni- a year and a half.”
the limited amount of space, while The two suitable anti-
women rarely participate. versity laboratory reports Dr. Natalia Freund,
it has successfully isolated bodies were identified in
He acknowledged that Orthodox two antibodies that would above, and Prof. Jonathan patients recovering from
religious law doesn’t give women neutralize the virus’ ability Covid-19, according to Dr.
the same obligation to pray with a to infect human cells. Gershoni, right. Natalia Freund who heads
quorum as men and doesn’t count the Laboratory for Human
them toward the quorums, or min- PHOTOS COURTESY OF Antibody Responses at
yanim. But Cherlow said that there TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY TAU’s Sackler Faculty of
is an ethical imperative to ensure Medicine.
that all citizens, men and women, The patent from United
feel equally empowered to be part of “The use of antibodies
communal religious life if they wish. States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) was granted bears significant potential
as a treatment for high-risk coronavirus patients and as
“The government law is OK, but to TAU Prof. Jonathan Gershoni of the School of Mo- a preventative measure for at-risk groups, like medical
practically, people are organizing workers and essential employees, exposed to the virus,”
minyanim and aren’t leaving capac- lecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology at TAU’s George she explains.
ity for women to pray at the services, In the long run, identifying effective antibodies against
and this is an ethical issue,” he said. S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences. Approved in March, it virus neutralization could also accelerate the development
“We need to find a solution in which of vaccines for the disease. ✡
50 percent of the population doesn’t is for a vaccine that targets the most vulnerable point in
feel excluded from minyanim.” ✡
a coronavirus’ structure — its Receptor Binding Motif

(RBM) — through which it penetrates human cells. The

Swiss-based biopharmaceutical company, NEOVII, is

working with TAU to develop the vaccine.

“We have been working on coronaviruses for the last

15 years, developing a method of reconstructing and re-

During these challenging times and always, Karen Chernick
we’re here for you and your loved ones.
DJTA
Stein Assisted Living Supporting Israel 1400 Prospect Avenue · East Meadow, NY 11554 · (516) 483-4205 esigne
Wilf At Home and the remarkable www.eastmeadowjc.org around his south Tel Aviv
saw a discarded latex glov
Wilentz Senior Residence efforts of our “WE INTERRUPT THIS ters later he spotted anoth
Stein Hospice WEEK FORAN IMPORTANT By the time he looped bac
Wilf Transport health care heroes! NEWS BREAK.” over a dozen photos of
The Education of the coronavirus crisis
Now you’ll find updates on world,national,and inspiration hit.
and Resource Center local news as it happens all week long.
“I had a photo galler
Experience the www.thejewishweek.com recalls. “When I looked
Wilf Campus difference. about the shapes and colo
of things — a nest full o
Contact us: 732-649-3502 or [email protected]. a rabbit.”

350-360 DeMott Lane, Somerset, NJ l www.wilfcampus.org He scanned the photo
tails to turn them into ch
Commitment. Compassion. Community. for example, hates being
today. Avikam the purpl
what day it is, and doesn’

On Instagram, Gati r
response to his oddball c
acters and started a new
stories — encouraging f
own photos of throwaway
to call attention to the lit
from the pandemic. To da
Tel Aviv and beyond hav

(Don’t worry about h
After photographing the

13

How Tel Aviv Creatives Made Art The Jewish Week | New Jersey Jewsih News ■ ISRAEL N✡W ■ June 2020
Out of the Covid-19 Crisis
protein in SARS Designers, photographers, artists and storytellers
” explains Prof.
he new virus was have turned a crisis into an opportunity to delight
egan the process and distract a socially distanced public.
V2, the virus that

a reconstituted

be the basis for a

e within a year to

a half.”

o suitable anti-

re identified in

ecovering from

according to Dr.

eund who heads

atory for Human

Responses at

ckler Faculty of

se of antibodies
ificant potential
s patients and as
ps, like medical
ed to the virus,”

ntibodies against
the development

Designer Yoav Gati makes doodles out of discarded gloves.

COU RTESY OF YOAV GATI/VIA JTA

Karen Chernick disposes of them using a stick.) for free both on his personal portfolio and on the
“It’s become a thing, sort of a new coronavirus Tel Aviv municipality website, the booklet has
DJTA been downloaded hundreds of times. At a time
esigner Yoav Gati was walking routine,” Gati says. “This is great fun for me — when the city’s residents are urged to shelter in
around his south Tel Aviv block in March when he I’ve been able to raise awareness about an issue place, Farago’s toy-sized versions of buses, shared
saw a discarded latex glove on the street. A few me- that was bothering me personally, and it also helps taxis and electric scooters tap into a collective
ters later he spotted another one, and then another. others and myself express creativity.” longing for mobility.
By the time he looped back home he had collected
over a dozen photos of them, clearly a product Gati isn’t alone among Tel Aviv creatives look- “A yearning for the city’s streets grew more
of the coronavirus crisis. Unexpectedly, artistic ing for a way to counter the negative aspects of and more intense during the lockdown period,”
inspiration hit. Farago said. “From a model of a taxi for my neph-
‘A yearning for the city’s ews, the idea expanded to a booklet of transporta-
“I had a photo gallery full of gloves,” Gati tion vehicles, and another booklet [coming soon]
recalls. “When I looked over them, something streets grew more and of Tel Aviv buildings.”
about the shapes and colors made me see all sorts
of things — a nest full of baby birds, a monkey, more intense during the Illustrator Yali Ziv also had homeschooling
a rabbit.” kids in mind when she released a complimentary
lockdown period.’ set of downloadable coloring pages for “con-
He scanned the photos and added doodled de- fusing days” in late March, with a note to “feel
tails to turn them into characters: Roger the fish, the lockdown, which is now easing. For the past free to color outside the lines and send me the
for example, hates being asked if he’s got plans couple of months, Israeli designers, photogra- results.” Known for her love of greenery in her
today. Avikam the purple walrus doesn’t know phers, artists and storytellers have started new usual work for Israeli and international commer-
what day it is, and doesn’t care. projects that offer a boost to their surrounding — cial clients, these black and white pages show
yet socially distanced — public. local flowers, and women happily indoors with
On Instagram, Gati received an enthusiastic their houseplants and cats.
response to his oddball cast of coronavirus char- Hagai Farago, an architectural photographer
acters and started a new account called @glove. and screen-printer, created a cut-and-fold booklet Meanwhile, in south Tel Aviv, well-known
stories — encouraging followers to share their of iconic Tel Aviv transportation vehicles. Shared street artist Dede Bandaid recently started draw-
own photos of throwaway gloves, both for fun and ing on real shekel bills — protecting the faces of
to call attention to the littering that has sprouted the poets who grace Israeli currency with masks.
from the pandemic. To date, over 100 people from He tailors the size, shape and color of the masks
Tel Aviv and beyond have posted photos. to each of the country’s four bill types. Dede will
spend some of these notes to get them circulating.
(Don’t worry about him, he’s being sanitary:
After photographing the gloves, Gati carefully “The idea to draw on money is something I’d
continued on following page

The Jewish Week | New Jersey Jewsih News ■ ISRAEL N✡W ■ June 202014

CELEBRATING

ISRAEL @ 72!

Senior Rabbi Eric Eisenkramer
Rabbi Emeritus Eric Milgrim
Cantor Andrew Edison
Cantorial Soloist
Robyn Streitman,
The Board of Trustees,
Congregation and Staff

Temple B’nai Shalom

a welcoming, uplifting & inclusive
Reform congregation
East Brunswick, NJ
732.251.4300
www.bnaishalom.com

The Jewish Community Center
of

Middlesex County

Celebrates Israel
at 72

Dorothy Rubinstein Barbara Muhlgeier
Chief Executive Officer President

1775 Oak Tree Road
Edison, NJ 08820

732.494.3232 www.jccmc.org

CELEBRATING

ISRAEL @ 72!

JEWISH WAR VETERANS Artists weeks (although some have begun to reopen), lead-
SUPPORTS ISRAEL ing designer and photographer Teddy Cohen to
You served continued from previous page collect, photographically, over a thousand notices
JWV needs you posted in the windows of Tel Aviv businesses.
also do when I was younger, but here it takes on
Contact a completely new and different meaning,” he says. “Each sign is interesting and unique,” Cohen
Stan Shapiro CMDR “As an artist used to creating in the public sphere says. “Some of them are heartwarming, funny,
and for a very diverse audience, this format of optimistic, correct, angry.”
JWV Post 125 money bills connects the idea of community with
732-493-2948 what you have with you at home, and will one day Cohen, like Gati, began by photographing
[email protected] reach someone else.” things near his apartment. But when he started
noticing that these signs were everywhere, he pho-
It was initially hard for Dede to find businesses tographed them more intentionally — and has now
where he could spend his embellished shekels, documented store notices signs in all of the city’s
though. Nonessential shops were shuttered for commercial areas.

The messages range from notes about own-

OUROFUUARRMFOFAAUMMSOOUUORPFSAAUMPSOAUSSPSPOASASVSOSOVVESERERO15 RVE
SALE HAS BEGUN! The Jewish Week | New Jersey Jewsih News ■ ISRAEL N✡W ■ June 2020
SALSEASLAHELAHESAHBS AEBSEGGUBUNENG!!Over 600 Kosher Wines & Spirits on Salewww.skyviewwine.com888.SKY.VINO
www.columbuswines.com 212.865.707

CeleObUraRteFAIsMraOeUl S PASSOVERwww.skyviewwine.com888.SKY.VINO
Lowest Prices Guaranteedwww.columbuswines.com 212.865.7070

OUR FAMOUS PASSOVER
Over 60OO0vvKeerro66s0h00e0Kr oKWsohiesnrheWesri&nWesSin&peiSsrip&tisriSotsnpoinSriaStlaseloe nLowest Prices GuaranteedSALE HAS BEGUN!OveOrv6Ae0lr0l6IKs0ro0asSOheKelWAvoriesWWLrhiLsieiE6nnorhL0eweoWisHs0ewns&DteiAKfgnsPitaSesroPSpiycsmcrsioeio&rhcsBuiieuGetslSnsEryuGptaoaueWGinraanrdariSnUaditZtannsetlNeieeyedesFsodr!se&ueeDrneSlivPperieyrsitascohn. Sale

Lowest PLroicweessGt uParricaenstGeeudaraOrder fromLowHNeeoswtmYPorerki,ces Guaranteed
WishinfgaymoiWulyaiansG“dchZooiyinosntonsaluegcintrnefyrPaeonee”dusdaleecatlihuvLwansne.oitdrndphygWrm.Ioesiysnlvatiicmondhdueeumsterprurchase
Wi shWiWnifgsiahsymihnoifgiuanl yymfgaoaianuylmydoaZiaunilyysdZoasiuyanesornsduZernPiyseoPssueeasrnacchPh.e.The street artist Dede Bandaid began

illustrating facemasks on real Israeli bills.

COU RTESY OF DEDE BAN DAI D/VIA JTA

One of Teddy Cohen’s
family a Zissen Pesach.Free Delivery New YorSkh,iLpopninggIAslvaanildable
and WFNreeewestDYcoehrlikev,setreyr with Tmhirnoiumguhmout the
purchLaosneg Island
United States

SUhniiptepawSdnihintdihSpgWtpmaaieintvsnegtaicsmiAh*luvaeamsbitllepaerubtrlhechraosueghoutFLNtroheewneegDYIoesrllaikvn,edry
by law, rualnesdaWndestchester
and selectwiointh minimum purchase
Free Delivery*reSshtirpicpUTtihninorigtnoeuswdgahShpeotpraueltytea.tslhP*loerwiceesd
may vary.
IDSDSeeUrlOviEviNceFNTerLyOOYr&enCeOlCyOwPu!eVrEbmaNINsDDYnide-Oi1eodnweN9PiLIrTlWCmIHiYkKNvEouEUe,eSPsmrLTNFrtkSTUOcyrhohn,RpeirihepEtoLnuwepueedigrognsShcgDntYotahAuIegtvtoesaeratsihIrlsllweaasiekbvllinae,tednhLrdyo
storefront photos. and WestchaensdteWr wesitchhePlease allow a minimum of 4 hours to

COU RTESY OF COH EN/VIA JTA process curbside orders.

uncertain tone,” he said. “But a lot 5681 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx, NY 10471 miniSmhuipmpipnmgurAicnvhiamailsauebmlepur
of the signs are also written with an Shipping ASvhailpapbilneg Ava888.SKY.VINO (759.8466)

optimistic tone — ‘we’ll get through Throughout theHours: Monday-Saturday: 11AM-7PM | Sunday: 12PM-6PM
this together,’ ‘we’ll see you soon,’ United StatesSkyviewwines.com (Free Parking)
‘it’ll be OK’ — with love and a ThroughouTt hthroeughout
yearning for the business’ custom- SQaUluEtEeNsSIsJErWaeIlSoHnChOeMrM72UnNdUITAYnnnCiiOtvUeeNrdsCaISLrytaUtensited State

ers, which is fun to see.”

For the past few years, screen-

writer Noa Berman-Herzberg (also Skyview Wines & Spirits Columbus Avenue Wines & Spirits
known as @serialpickler on Insta-
gram) has collected people’s stories S1t2o:8rS0e8k508Hy6S.Pv8oSBkMi1uKe•••F••ryrRowMvaYHYASPs–nii:.oVmhevefoWxa96tuewae,lIer::irtiNi30Nwdrrlrdhnoli0S0aOaySiYeSmna1tylgAsuPce2eao(t1e7p&MOBsMh0:8rARn50.pe4ocuCa8v9iS5d0o–os(7oety8.oHSp68r1kmr9nilS.uPYeust4i8oS:uMBCrn0oa:nkGM61euiK(ors0dtyc6ueHrFrRoseuavYho)snP–rtanylnii:u.ehitVMveP)pxnos9e6pewpr,IgerP::roPNi30yNwldnriga00nOgiaoYr7rCSngalA3kgPeteo(1m0oi7MsMrl0nAru51.Case4gc2mv9om–o)(7:He.0Slb81mu9nNCo0usu4m:uuoePs0n6rwelb(Msu0Ad26u:m1Yva)s-1P2eoy80bA)nMr)::u8kv00use,600ewnN5PAWui-nYM7eM7eSi0@n31st7(0.te0Soc0o0s9uor1C261e&mn205tod:Hh:0Sl0auNCSoyp00m)tuioePPrrrwelb(iMMsu2teu:smt1Ys-12o80bA)r::u8kv00se,600wnN5PAui-nYM7eMe0@1s7(0.tSc0o09uo261mn05tdh:0aSy0)tPreMet
of opportunities gone sour, usu- *S(•hFiTrpaepexinPAgaswrskhiiesnrtgea)anlcloewed by law, rules and restrictions apply.
ally over evenings spent eating her Prices and selection may vary.
homemade pickles. These days, she
compiles a list of stories of prospects Protecting our EEldaechrlsytore indeIpmenmdeingtrlyanowt nSeedravnicdeosperated. Prices and selection may vary.
lost to the effects of the coronavirus • CMHaPEn,aaFcgHhePsd,toMCreaeirdneidcFeaapiecdni,lditeanttiloyno:wned a••ndFCaiotmpizeierlyantsCehdrii.psPi/srAicAcecssusailnstudtarsanetclieoecntion
pandemic, and she’s developing an • may vary.
English-language podcast to show-
case the sour stories. Medicare, and EPIC. Skyv• iEenwtitlWeminenetss:&SSSIp, HirEiAtsP,

“Everyone, everyone is missing • Counseling 568S1CRRiIvEeArdCaClEeSAS-vAe-nRuIDeE Columbus Avenue Wines & Spirits
something during this time,” she • Caring for the Homebound 730 Columbus Avenue @ 96th Stree
says. •BLroownxIn,cNomYe1H0o4u7s1ing
• Lifeline Communicators 888.•SWKoYm.VeInNPOre(-7J5o9b.T8r4a6in6in)g New York, NY 10025
This extends to her personally, as • Medicare Part D Store H•oEuSrsL:c9la:3ss0eAs M –9:00 PM (212) 865-7070
well, since her weekly radio show is Enrollment Facilitation 12:00 P• MLeg–al6S:0er0viPceMs (Sunday)
currently on hiatus, and she’s home • Holocaust Transportation S• kSyinvgielewSwtoinpes.com Store Hours: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
ers missing their happy customers, from teaching at the Screen-Based • Home Energy Assistance (Free Parking) 12:00PM-8:00PM (Sunday)
being out of eggs or even practical Columbuswines.com

things, such as the fact that not more Arts Department at Jerusalem’s Beza- Advocacy Cultural Events Combating Hunger
than one customer is allowed in at lel Academy of Arts and Design.
• Uniting the voice • “Music Under the Stars” • Food Pantry/packages
of Queens Jewry • CLEeocnatccuehrretssSt/SoeprrieeecsiinaldEevpeenntsdently••oFCwoaosndheSVdtoaaumcnphdserosperated. Prices and selection may vary
a time. Called “Dear Customers,” Instead, Berman-Herzberg hosted • Action on behalf of Israel • Women in Judaism Series • Nutrition Education
the project (now with a designated a public Zoom session on sour sto- • Task Force on Youth at Risk

website) documents the current his- ries last week. • Against Domestic Violence • Cultural Club • Meals on Wheels
toric moment. His website filters the “Sharing sour stories is espe- • Housing

images by keywords, such as: love, cially meaningful to people during

understanding, gloves, take away, this time,” she notes. “The feeling 119-45 Union Turnpike • Forest Hills, NY 11375 • (718) 544-9033

instructions, masks, routine. that we’re all in this same hard situ-

“It’s obviously sad to see closed ation together and the opportunity to

businesses, lots of the signs are writ- hear what other people have missed
ten in a sad, apologetic and a mostly is very comforting.” ✡

16

SPONSORED CONTENT
The Jewish Week | New Jersey Jewsih News ■ ISRAEL N✡W ■ June 2020
Meir Panim Food Relief Provides
a Lifeline During the Covid Crisis

The group’s global development director
reflects on its work.

By April Zion continue to thrive and stay healthy.”
The organization is working
Meir Panim, a non-
around the clock, and around the
profit organization in Israel, has been country. The restaurant-style soup
providing kosher hot meals in restau- kitchens are located in Safed, Ti-
rant-style soup kitchens and home- berias, Or Akiva, Jerusalem and
Dimona. Before Covid-19, clients
would visit these locations, sit at ta-

delivered kosher food packages to bles and be served hot meals by vol-

individuals and families for the past unteer waiters and waitresses. Now

decade. Now, coping with the coro- these volunteers are helping to cook

navirus crisis, Meir Panim (meaning the food and are packaging it for take-

“brightening faces” in Hebrew) has out, since dine-in is not an option yet.

more than tripled their services to Food preparation is also done by paid

keep up with the demand for much- staff and community service people.

needed food. “There are three things we are

Their life-saving programs provide changing, to keep up with the situ-

food for the elderly (including Holocaust ation and with societal needs,” says

survivors), the disabled and people who Rozmaryn. “The first one is, all of

lost their jobs due to this global crisis — our restaurant-style soup kitchens

people who would have no other means changed to take-away meals. Each of

of getting hot, nutritious food. our clients can come to the restaurant

“We have a lot of people who are and receive a tray of food, sealed and

in isolation, who might have been ready to take home. The second thing

exposed to the virus, and they are we are doing is that we have an in-

being mandated to stay at home for crease of Meals-on-Wheels. The third

two weeks,” says Mimi Rozmaryn, thing is, we are responsible for cater-

H HHHHHHHHHdHirHecHtoHrHoHfHglHoHbaHlHdHevHeHloHpHmHeHntHfHorHtHheHHHinHgHtHhHe HfoHoHdH. IHnHthHeHpHaHstH, HwHe’HdHgHoHttHenHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Meir Panim Relief Center. “This could so much food and rescued food from
QQRuaeuliftaiynliFitsuyhrniFintuugrren&ituRreepair Quality FurnitureHHEEFFHssHRtRtiHmiEmHEaEHtaeEHtsHeHsHHhhltiHnaheoHrcallmHlptyuHetdcthHosoeeHmfgcyHoleeHirnteH(etnttHwhoetsHedooHomutHwforHotelhHbuoeeHrecksHafsitotHs,hiooHotahdlnHtaesHwst)yHeo,odHbnutHuhelidHnteeHgydrteHihvcogHeaeuuHinnr-rHHHiTbdwHnoeHhigentHihnsaHotHffeiwooHnhoanHaodssHbtteHfetlrhleHdosadH.mtaHHNunwHHhsodHHoowHHtetuoeHH,vlldHwesfEFHenshaiHeRtttnaihdHmhdvEHateaoeEhHltvuoleeHsesrtH,hsnHchwetHlurhiewHetatHanlielsHrtrsees-H. HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Refinishing & Repair Refinishing & RepairHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
taylitFyurFnuirtunriteure QRuEaSlTAitOyTRLFAAurTNnITiOtIuCNreCO.HHHEHFsHRtiHmEHaEHteHsHRHOHEvHeHrSH75HTAYHeHOaTOHrsHvRLOHefrHPAAH7rH5ofTNHeYsHseiIHToaHnOraHsIlHEOCNHxfpHePHrCirHeonHfcOHee!sHsH.ioHnHaHlHEHxHpHeHrHieHnHcHeH! HHHHHHHHHHbrHeeHsepMHnoHneaHnsailbismRl-eopOfEnovoer-rrStWac75anTAhtYteeepOraTeiarnslrgRstLOofthhPAAfairMsosfTNefesoasioiIlTrowdnOPa.Ia”laEyCNnxs-perCiencOe! .HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
fsinhiisnhgin&g R&epRaepiraRirefinishing & Repair im’s services, but with the coronavi- HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
0-702-792-1941-13-1843-038030-702111-QR9---7188e-8uQR10-02f08aei40u0n090lf-3ai-ii7-t0sn7-37ly2h1i-i2t2s79iyF94nh9-2u1-gi-F391nr41un-g4&3341ri33tn34&uR3i33treuRe3preeapiar i1r -800-729-1433YouPrQrCuoCoafEemlListEspyiBloeFRntueAarTlnInIFiNtu-HuGrrnoeIimStRuRereAefaiEnnSLdeisArhIvTniin-c7Seg2h!&opRepairpHCHcneeooiHrTtnrteiarlcaitrstHntilHsIoRigatytrHthi•qysitieclbtnbo,agHeFoaHfHiauluDnorlolrPOfrfd&dveHyteahaoiu-•EHn•eHSivtresuvecrevHhrsHaiugnteiaHaetcfAsrreis•etIHecirHcreoAooeTytHSn•trrlntnoaconsnleoHIRiBH7rwrSsHil•oysciotcsoun5dlohgiFHToBvimswHSsYuHFAnilruePeDrrPoOortfsseYteHhiuh-EafHinwneriSgutruuHovuFeHieePhoslbciHOgotvolCaHeerttr•faceaysrT/eerecon!-HrHrswinriCibySHnunkunoaiitnoilonKlbsacnsoueHnv7lriaHmrHtoPccyRoihaatouLypO5gnrd-orAitTHv-iimissiHiiAneurhertuHnHnnmktnUsfcrYoaHte.inHcnoSafgiHgNnongu:viHuProACApmoe•HHisncHsOhiCnntenespHtr•fVgcEar-dnHeeT/tewenaH!edrHoioorHoMCebeuehxiHfugiHloiKtUwicstfcl&srHTuNeptrw•HaleoiewsnsHieHRaha/NHaoLoy:mOenroIlsHAp!viH•RcinliiiAHnsVEratlnErsVbPnnnsEVnmeJHnHfttw.tvi•ICcnHEeSTwehiaDegoxHginxbvduufPiAnFaiesAiHixMpibHoiwpinsH-hHcsssOosolcpCnss•Hndra.idnwyeeetcS&srrtpHeteaiiaR•tH•aaHooiekwevIweetslsHioiiiulHsgoralgatbAhythoHfnq•iermeTtHNtorwehHlcrtAieE-Enro•,tHeClrr/NAHEfnoiiaoHgtieIlalsrlHuui!nlvrJHRfoBnxnF&aowuvvns•HytladataoolEnBsaDHuwaSs•pHHiiilICeHotpTfnvecrseroneggurHiRaYuFtuhnAeeoeiwdHrbitHfYuFnip-cemrCPHsOcIAHniroow.•tHemasreooirrCSsTvutnteHaEyedi&HraslwwolnwraHieIulsenHIiitiliHslolbbohrgBa•vHelarysweynitHchcvirltc-hqcEyHnEsogrF!CHeolontuN-utoecbsii,iiHHeOuiDDYnuFkruPHPrnoaexffnicineoaHbPheSoluirui-nrsnifnHpe!m&SHtPrrivstnHHyiiaeaoHeeutpgheiegiH-sisrgottlbudfeaHtilaYP••••UerHpseutrhecHyeucrecru.rtrUrHcHerilo-iCnyesrnCHoiivtso•HntNnntiokoufH:sraarocnriernC:ospeIAKCMHo•nrienvinHiioHnnenncoooeHPToutooHninwdoMetwepiriHvf-li:rdmtsOchueioMnsHriOnlteryiHfHeuihn•tuHgsesetriotewtUlcs•&Hrafysti•awtficmeHora!whgousHiuonacroH:agroHmosCcpAoHo•tfevFnCNysetr•HfluniDeAHihn/v•wrPllloHrs.nfJenw!erHwypiiurv•HCabhinCesoMHaDspiHifinlonKrHefeSsStnregsuCe.tpcH&nhaoiwnew•hrHeiaHTCtiwhaassHgnaty.aaHnaorsrmAgneteiailioHaongistaietiehHlqectiinlAHsnimoeganlHHsiy.holqncnHgyPrwfJvSn•emlgciotgaHnnaDavt,Huen&Cracnifvni&troseashHHptlurniwrhnnsfrhaH&odCvneeHyctinroaaoue.naoueeciteirdHaoiaeeicseatHcvogecrHptcirlHsaoItognnserrIyierrhtesrwqbaHtfienarneslscTItneHtine/,iHlHleeooIlyTalttfinl!vioraHRIRrllulngiflnu•Haos&snesovienlHIeRtieaosncrnH•CngysFHiAtCifceuatr•n•ifeHrcouugsFHrrioa/POnobentF-ecu!CeHDhtwnHrtuPOia-rrEsfCIboaHrvHSsrhieuir-vEoiTHeAtnnloeiKHeSrttlrubtlastavuegfHaHsaaHhebaiaHhIRirgteareDis•haeysHihtrslrcaeeynnoSyencnnlHatogFHA/nrerinoiiiHlySnInieiu,Hhn7niCntnor•lPOrttacnnnHoocsmctHnn7hnriAoua5-E.cofinicoeTecHHSiremoug5ivdagoHAnHecgeioTnitaHvivgmttBssaYwqbApnreare-iHisortetsshHnceYHtoednrguHnrsHatfyseSinnuegHuoOCulnutnoCoaa.een•Hesaco.HOT/H7reioCuenetro•fraccsHgT/rCiounlesyo5nHt!eriTHviirltrCbKmelswaHAnreoe!rHiailornKtstssYHsugR/eaHaatLOomafiliRhaHg!um-eauLyiHORneHAtcmiHOm/afinCi•fiietr•atcnHnnTm/SRnfnnC.HeHrcnHPiASrACgigenvhHuSiPloAAKnssPsisHurbdesheHaHnsrRdHnhoaUeeeaLOanagieHAsHiooseifeiTgNaarHtHnmtennflfrTH.Nhrw/nVcEHcnbSiernhIgsvnH/vRenPAoAnIlssHiHx!vnshHRivinsisiIalCrHdneepiTinlotoaiHsiICueHooTHnednoeign-HucisOtcfbrTHagiNnr-scHrSsOiaecnaHttHt/eeSsIgaiIlsHlvbHeRhbIlaIeslahHbnhEHoelCHiINhCntdHieTiEoCi•HNunxinisvbsHounH-cHnxOnpioa-HSsecgAapH•trHeeSIelgHoeplHbehrteHphCHlrEBitsCwSsHhNilCHieiissHHnhxnenoHYuFePnpoHoHoecHeOgHcwenreiOuHpiHolbHer!tvlpHrtCcy!isHroH-esiHHnku.oainnHH.nimHPciHOtpHg-HrteHeuhu!HUcrHHoHNo:rCpHo•Hn.nneHeweHdoMiHfiwHtc&t•ewsHiaomHolAHnlsJHttmptlDathicmarlqtwv•aDohHeiohesfunessoHpauovoiwveCaeaHnuee.srrhnmsteiaimeatarnrevDailHscno,hgaaoyhsrdqeeelrvtlek,mHeieevtmfCius,lyaMlunwtrfohh&vldbHytaaoi,yrityoiieal”naeiecrnhlierHoahtuneesnatecfssmarsgIireHosubenooaT.tntrsgcrlnlbafsinhHgIlenitIyaerap•yrsdiotsdecynentogicFHe,rodns-heeursDoerPhesrfooiHhtwiiatu-roeneenSotrapovdodeHmhdRniHgttafxpanhsereceoemiecdoa-lHcdyofpnleruonoWtnonacnirofetoHtritezteeochoxpisoouadit’MinHviccmmsonlsoinhrseehrulktsistetHouehuasfniieverguit,ueoelarsce.HulnyetoC,eetir•feIi/tprns!evrocrHlItliusCblytrihophltodoKsnbsrauweeoHaPeyinaheaaol.uymnursAfiH,auioimie,netpnrtnomF,ntpy.nacnHeStltiog“egnrvoiniophoricanishlHopb.snsofmdnoeedg”arnaaefdHoioevuenghcrgstrryrerowHpooiistnahtwwe/rdIlxtc!viuaHRdfvivceaoaanceothaicCrH.fevamenisuumoikibr-cHcstoa“neldsalreSshkeaeotHeaIillpahbohgsuneeidtsethrmhHnlcehaxsueinloieeiiHninnhgyeeossss--r--tt,HegpHtsHsdlhHiuoanHnyteHeriHvlusoHipeslHuettHoeanmctbehepemorrseroaasdrrtniayliryntfogctorloatptsherMeedpI.esaAirrraenePdlfaiosneovwidmehra’oystHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

collectibles to showroom condition for a fraction of the cost of buying new!
PicSke-ruvipng&NDewelJievresreyy fSoreDrveiccaedeAs!vailable

VisHiHtHoHuHHr HwHeHHbHsHitHeH:HwHHwHwHH.HaHtlHaHnHtHiHcHreHHsHtoHrHaHtHiHoHnH.nHeHHt HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Expert advice is only a phone call away, for restoring your furnishings or

collectibles to showroom condition for a fraction of the cost of buying new!

17

SPONSORED CONTENT The Jewish Week | New Jersey Jewsih News ■ ISRAEL N✡W ■ June 2020

These days, Meir Panim volunteers are helping Three Real-life Dr. Galia Barkai, left, Prof. Galia Rahav
to cook the food and are packaging it for takeout, ‘Wonder Women’ and Prof. Gili Regev-Yochay.
Battling Covid-19
since dine-in is not an option yet. at Sheba Medical mediately that if people without symptoms are con-
Center tagious, it would spread like wildfire. The Germans
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MEIR PANIM were wise to immediately test anyone who had come
By Ken Stephens into contact with the Chinese visitor and place them in
distribution centers. isolation. The tests were the critical elements in treat-
Rozmaryn’s work with Meir Panim embodies When the ominous specter ing the outbreak.”

her dedication to Israel. A native New Yorker who of the coronavirus came into view earlier this year, Prof. Regev-Yochay was instrumental in helping
was raised on the Upper West Side, Rozmaryn was three highly respected doctors at Sheba Medical Sheba construct the first Corona Isolation Compound
always interested in Jewish community service. Center in Israel banded together for the sake of a in Israel at an off-campus site, to allow the daily work
She worked for Hillel and Birthright Israel after common cause — to treat virus-stricken patients of the regular hospital to continue without fear of
college. “Israel was always what I learned was our within a unique, groundbreaking environment and spreading the virus.
homeland. I have never taken that for granted,” she to use the hospital’s advanced scientific facilities to
says. Two and a half years ago, she moved to Israel discover ways to attack, and hopefully destroy, this Dr. Galia Barkai, director of the Pediatric Infec-
with her husband and their three young sons. global scourge. Meet Professors Galia Rahav and tious Diseases Unit at Sheba Medical Center, was
Gili Regev-Yochay and Dr. Galia Barkai. already working on a first-in-the-world telemedicine
Describing Meir Panim’s programs, Rozmaryn homecare program for psychiatric patients, as well
says, “Every week is a different game plan, depend- Prof. Galia Rahav, director of the Infectious Dis- as other telemedicine applications when Covid-19
eases Research Laboratory at Sheba Medical Center presented her with the ultimate challenge — treating
ing on the changing circumstances. We are continu- Tel Hashomer, is one of Israel’s leading experts in corona patients from a distance, without exposing
ing to keep the needy in Israel fed, in accordance this field. She has dealt with pandemics in the past, doctors and nurses to the virus. She was the first face
with Israel’s health and safety regulations. This is but none that spread so quickly. seen by the returning travelers from the Diamond
our commitment.” ✡ Princess, when they were sent to Sheba’s ground-
“We were introduced to corona on Dec. 31, 2019. breaking isolation complex (located off-campus).
Within three weeks, China already had hundreds of
patients and several deaths,” she said. “Two and a half “We had to organize the technology in order to re-
months later, it was clearly an epidemic, with very duce interaction with patients to zero, in order to protect
disturbing images coming out of China and Italy.” the staff,” she recalled. “The next day, I enlisted all the
high-tech companies I know and I told them, ‘This is
The game-changer (for Israel) came in the form what we need, see what you can do for us.’All the start-
of 15 Israeli passengers on board the Diamond Prin- up companies we chose were Israeli. Juniper, which
cess cruise ship in Japan. “When we learned that contributed all the equipment, developed technology
they were about to come home, Prof. Yitshak Kreiss, that connects to a television and turns it into your cell
Sheba’s director general, shouldered the overwhelm- phone, so that you can conduct group calls in the easiest
ing responsibility of treating the patients, and we and most accessible way. We did this because we feared
sprang into action to prepare an isolation compound that some of the older patients were not sufficiently
for them,” Prof. Rahav recalled. “We appointed a adept at using more sophisticated methods. We use this
clinician to treat the patients and to track them. On platform to talk with them and care for them, and we
site, my job was to make clinical decisions — which also added landline and cellular telephones for backup
tests to run, what treatment to administer and to for- in case they were unable to manage and wanted to talk
mulate procedures. I also had to be the psychologist with us or with family members.”
— to talk to people and calm them down. Several
weeks later, after everything was running smoothly, She added: “In the room of each isolated patient,
I switched jobs and established the frontline Critical we also installed a TytoCare tablet that facilitates
Corona Care Unit at Sheba Medical Center, in order performing physical examinations at a distance, as
to separate the severely ill patients from the others.” well as EarlySense sensors under the mattresses
to monitor heartbeat, breaths and movement, with
Prof. Gili Regev-Yochay, director of the Infectious a smart algorithm that can predict a deteriorating
Disease Epidemiology Unit at Sheba, predicted the condition. We also have an InTouch robot that can
outbreak of the epidemic. “In mid-January there was communicate with the medical staff and can enter
a workshop in Germany for 30 participants, one of the patient’s room in an emergency.”
whom was from China,” she said. “When the Chinese
participant returned home, she didn’t feel well, and it The success of the corona telemedicine pro-
transpired that she had corona. At the end of January, gram sparked a global impact. Dr. Barkai was in-
when it was revealed that six German participants terviewed by many major media outlets. As a result,
had also been infected with corona, I immediately hospitals in the U.S. and around the world have
predicted exactly what is now happening. I knew that inquired about incorporating her telemedicine pro-
we were facing an epidemic with which we were not gram into their own systems. ✡
familiar. I told the Ministry of Health that we have to
prepare for something entirely different.”

Prof. Regev-Yochay explains, “I understood im-

18

The Jewish Week | New Jersey Jewsih News ■ ISRAEL N✡W ■ June 2020 Reopening erations.” Even those without strong “I think we’re all a bit scared,” said workers need to take public transporta-
family ties found it difficult to remain Limor Aharonson-Daniel, head of tion to get to their jobs and it’s a recipe
continued from page 6 isolated, she said. the Prepared Center for Emergency for disaster.”
Response Research at Ben
them, maintaining personal hygiene in- But the ability to get together, albeit Gurion University. “We know the The newfound freedoms are giving
cluding using masks, and stricter mea- in masks and standing six feet apart, consequences [of reopening] aren’t people “a false sense of confidence,”
sures for the high-risk population, then doesn’t mean that everyone is ready immediate.” Nadav said.
almost always there can be no general to re-enter.
closure for the entire population,” the that a customer will get exposed to “Israelis need to be prepared to
April 2020 study stated. “I think we’re all a bit scared,” the virus are low but the chance that make serious changes, perhaps move
Aharonson-Daniel said. “We know the store worker will get exposed is or cut their expenses. They need to un-
The then-director general of Israel’s the consequences [of reopening] aren’t high,” she said, citing studies related derstand the gravity of what we are go-
Health Ministry, Moshe Bar Siman- immediate. We’ll know in about two to viral load exposure. “Public trans- ing through and not be buoyed by false
Tov, defended the strict measures. He to three weeks, and in the meantime portation brings many people together hope, which will lead them to put off
compared the coronavirus death toll in we’re kind of holding our breath” to into an enclosed space with circulating making important financial decisions.
Israel, 300, to the 7,000 people who see whether there will be a second air from an air conditioner, which is
by that time had died in Belgium, a wave of infections. also problematic. Then add to this that Leiah Elbaum agrees. She said she
similarly sized country. resents being called overly cautious for
Nadav is feeling that sense of debating whether to send her five kids
Mental health professionals seem to anxiety. back to school.
agree that the gradual end of lockdown
here — including the opening of gyms “There are no clear guidelines, no- “The implication that anyone
and the green light for socially distant body knows what is or is not allowed concerned about reopening or send-
outdoor events of up to 50 people — is anymore and there is no way to track ing [children] back to school is just a
good for the public. what is safe or unsafe. If there was ‘nervous Nelly’ from the quaking-at-
a slow reopening that happened in their-shadow-tin-foil-hat brigade does a
“I think there’s a huge positive im- stages, we’d need to stagger events grave disservice to many very thought-
pact to the ability to go back and lead a every two weeks and we’d be able to ful and serious parents who are quite
social and family life,” Limor Aharon- see what caused the numbers to go up, calmly and carefully studying the exist-
son-Daniel, head of the Prepared Center or if they remain low. At this point, ing research and statistics,” she said.
for Emergency Response Research at we have no idea what would be driv-
Ben Gurion University of the Negev. ing a spike because it could be one of “Even if one is not high risk, given
many things.” the unpredictable nature of this new
Family connections play a “cen- disease it is not unreasonable for many
tral role” in Israel, so being separated Nadav said she is worried about the to urge caution, because so little is still
“caused a lot of stress, across the gen- health of the country’s workers. known about longer-term consequences
of this illness.” ✡
“If you open a store, the chances

Respect.
Tradition.
Compassion.

For four generations, New York’s Jewish Happy 72nd Isr
Community has turned to Sinai Chapels for HapFpHrytaoopm7FSp2rytSorntm7edr2nSeIngtsndrtrgeIh
guidance and comfort in their time of need.
BeFrwoemll, tsSottaSrytesrnaegnfe
We honor and respect all Jewish traditions toBSe wtrelel,nstgayths
and customs, attending to every funeral detail
according to each family’s personal and Be well, stay safe
religious preferences.
Join ouJorinmoaunr ymaenvyeenv
To learn more, contact us today: Call 60C9al8l 9606948967749f7o7r

718.445.0300 | 800.446.0406 CJaollin60o9ur8Am916da9na45yA9th178deL97avaIL5teswfh8oanrrrIt
AdLaatwh rIweswrna
19w58wLwa.w
Lawren
www.a

public transporta- Spirit of 19The Jewish Week | New Jersey Jewsih News ■ ISRAEL N✡W ■ June 2020
s and it’s a recipe Innovation
BE Virtual! Check out our
edoms are giving continued from page 5 online services & programs!
e of confidence,”
www.bethel.net
be prepared towearing a mask and who needs to go Transport aides at Sheba Medical Center wheel 609-443-4454
es, perhaps moveinto quarantine. a patient from one end of the hospital to another
They need to un- Healthcare command posts: soft- within a mobile isolation stretcher. The stretcher 50 Maple Stream Rd.
f what we are go-ware systems that connect all the data prevents whatever germs or microbes are within East Windsor, NJ
e buoyed by falserelated to various patients, including vi- the device from getting outside. Inset: a mobile
d them to put offtal signs and ventilator measurements, isolation stretcher in Sheba’s lobby. CELEBRATING
ancial decisions. and allows it to be seen from a remote
ees. She said shecommand post. COURTESY SHEBA MEDICAL CENTER, TEL HASHOMER ISRAEL
verly cautious for Robotic assistants: technology @ 72!
send her five kidsdeveloped before the advent of Co- As Israel reopens its economy in a measured way,
one of the country’s healthcare reporters, Michal Hal- Yom Huledet
vid-19, but put to use during the pan- perin, offered an assessment, while acknowledging Sameach
on that anyonedemic to enable doctors and nurses to that much about the virus is still a mystery. “I don’t (‫)יום הולדת שמח‬
opening or send-treat their patients from afar. think it’s a mistake,” she said of the reopening. “But
o school is just a Even some of Israel’s regional hospitals have you’ll have to ask me in a few weeks and we’ll see.” ✡ With love and dedication,
m the quaking-at-made what could be lasting contributions. At the Temple B’nai Abraham
hat brigade does aGalilee Medical Center, a teaching hospital serv- CELEBRATING The Early School & The Jewish Learning Program
any very thought-ing 600,000 Israelis in the Western Galilee, an oral
nts who are quiteand facial surgeon teamed up with researchers from ISRAEL 300 East Northfield Rd
tudying the exist-the Technion and the Ministry of Defense to create @ 72! Livingston, NJ, 07039
stics,” she said. an anti-viral sticker that enhances surgical masks, 973-994-2290
t high risk, givenadding an extra layer of protection. Pilot trials of tbanj.org
ature of this newthe sticker are now being conducted at GMC and
sonable for manyfive other hospitals around the country, said Dr. Tsvi 72 YEARS
use so little is stillSheleg, the center’s deputy director-general.
erm consequences Meanwhile, Israeli scientists and physicians OF PERSEVERANCE
AND
are involved in research regarding potential tests, INNOVATION
treatment protocols and vaccines to defeat the vi-
rus. Hadassah’s Yoram Weiss said in late May that Perseverance and Innovation
his hospital was working on 17 different clinical Like Israel, that’s what we do at
trials. One of many trials at Sheba involves testing
a sensor chip created by the Israeli start-up Na- Temple Beth El of Somerset
noScent to see if a simple nasal breath test could
identify Covid-19 — technology that could be Shabbat and Havdalah Services
used to screen people en masse at stores, airports Daily Morning Minyan
and border entry points. Adult Education Classes
Book Discussion Group
At the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot,
more than 50 projects were underway by the end of Even Funerals and Shiva Visits
April. Researchers have developed an epidemio- All on Zoom!
logical model showing how it might be possible to
suppress the coronavirus while allowing for “sustain- Our Building is Closed But Our Temple is Open
able, albeit reduced, economic activity,” a magazine [email protected]
published by the institute recently reported. The 732-873-2325
model suggests five days of lockdown, followed
by two days of work, every week. Another model www.templebethelsomerset.org
suggests that people can work in two-week cycles

—Hfoaurpdpayys a7t w2onrkd, fIosllrowaedebly 10 days at home.

HapFpHrytaoopm7FSp2rytSorntm7edr2nSeIngtsndrtrgeIhsntaghretahlel

BeFrwoemll, tsSottaSrytesrnaegnfegt!thh

toBSe wtrelel,nstgaythsafe!

Be well, stay safe!

Join ouJorinmoaunr ymaenvyeenvtesnotsnonZoZooomm!!
Call 60C9al8l 9606948967749f7o7rfZoroZoomomeennttrry

CJaollin60o9ur8Am916da9na45yA9th178deL97avaIL5teswfh8oanrrrItLwaessZanerrowoacleneoerCnlmevZCcnoiolelcoenoenen,mvgtvgNrir!irlylJleleeegg0Ra8Rato6tioao4iaodn8dn
AdLaatwh rIweswrnawcee.alvdCialoltehni,sgNrraJeegl0naj8.to6iro4gn8
19w58wLwa.wadreanthciesvrialleelnRjo.oardg
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
www.adathisraelnj.org

Editorial 11

Standing up for Israel, and with NJ Jewish News ■ njjewishnews.com ■ June 16, 2020
the marchers

Before Black Lives Matter was the name of declaration that black lives do matter. have written letters to the editor or tweets suggesting
an organization, it was a slogan meant to But because Black Lives Matter is also the name that if African Americans are to receive Jewish sup-
identify a very specific problem: the dis- port in their calls to justice, they must first repudiate
proportionate extrajudicial killing of and violence of an organization — one that has taken some dis- the BLM platform.
directed at people of color, mostly but not always tressing stands against Israel — some have tried to
by law enforcement. The term came to wide pub- discredit the protests as another manifestation of The energy of the current marches is drawn from
lic attention in 2013, after the acquittal of vigilante anti-Israel and anti-Semitic radicalism. The leader the left, which has seen within its own ranks a trou-
George Zimmerman in the shooting death of African- bling, faddish rise of anti-Israel sentiment. In pro-
American teen Trayvon Martin. Like “Never Again” ‘Justice, justice gressive circles, there have been ugly and off-base
or “MeToo,” “#BlackLivesMatter” is a pithy phrase comparisons between the plight of Palestinians and
meant to capture and expose the flagrant disregard thou shalt pursue’ the struggles of black Americans. Unfounded charges
of the rights and lives of a particular class of people. of complicity have been leveled against Israel be-
— full stop. cause of exchange programs in which police here
On one level, the phrase addresses the painful learn counterterrorism techniques from their Israeli
statistic that black people are twice as likely to be of one vocal pro-Israel group has made this a mis- counterparts.
killed by a police officer while unarmed, compared sion. Not satisfied with recalling the official BLM
to a white individual. On another, it is about ending platform that slandered Israel by saying it perpetrated The Jewish community needs to stand up to the
the radical disparities of health and wealth that lead “genocide” against Palestinians, the same leader has people who spread these kinds of slanders, but also
to what Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw, the founder sought to deny the kinds of systemic discrimination stand with the people who are demanding safety, dig-
and executive director of the African American faced by blacks in nearly all walks of life. Others nity, and equality for people of color. Their demands
Policy Forum, calls the “stealth victimization” of are a call for justice, one that is familiar to Jews who
black bodies. just a few months earlier took to the streets demand-
ing awareness of and protection for people and insti-
The protests happening around the country and tutions singled out, attacked, and in some cases killed
the world in response to the killing of George Floyd for no reason other than the fact of their Jewishness.
by a police officer who knelt on his neck for over
eight minutes are a broad, multiracial, multi-agenda The biblical precept “Justice, justice, thou shalt
pursue” is not conditional. ■

Rabbi Norman Lamm, 1927-2020

In the 1970s, while the United States was sister school, Stern College. Lamm’s powers of persuasion, and the growth of
mired in a recession, the only university in Under his tutelage, YU established the Sy the business school, serve as testimony that he
the country under Orthodox Jewish auspices was on the right path.
was awash in red ink. Syms School of Business, which offered young
Orthodox Jews the tools to compete in a com- Prior to coming to YU, he served for 25
Because of poor financial procedures in the petitive employment market. He expanded the years as spiritual leader of the Jewish Center
previous years, Yeshiva University (YU) was fac- on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. In an earlier,
ing an uncertain future, with an uneven academic He embraced little-known footnote to his life, he, as a college
reputation and a total endowment of $25 million, student majoring in chemistry in 1948, helped
a pittance compared to most universities. and proclaimed a form contribute to Israel’s success in the 1948 War
of Independence by devising a formula for am-
Rabbi Norman Lamm, elected as YU’s third of Modern Orthodoxy munition for Jewish soldiers’ firearms. “It was
president in 1976 — the first American-born one of the highlights of my life,” he recounted
leader of the school — is widely credited with for thousands of young years later.
not only saving the university from bankruptcy
but setting it on a path of prosperity. His Torah men and women. A misstep that the rabbi admitted he had taken
U’Maddah philosophy and personality, combin- in his first decade in the YU presidency clouded
ing a strict commitment to both halacha (Jewish Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, the his reputation. Ten years after he retired as presi-
law) and advanced secular knowledge, helped Wurzweiler School of Social Work, and Talmud dent, accusations surfaced that he had failed to
persuade a wide range of benefactors, many from study for women at Stern College. take seriously enough sexual abuse allegations
beyond the Orthodox community, to support and against several faculty members of the YU high
advance the institution and secure its future. Some of his ideas, like a business school at a school. At the time, he had the faculty members
yeshiva, drew criticism in some Orthodox circles. dismissed but took no further action. When in
Lamm, who died May 31 at 92, fortified YU’s 2013 he stepped down from his positions as chan-
endowment and advanced its academic stand- cellor and rosh yeshiva, he sought forgiveness.
ing as well as its reputation within and beyond “I acted in a way that I thought was correct, but
the Jewish community. As a skillful administra- which now seems ill conceived,” Lamm wrote.
tor, pulpit rabbi, Talmud scholar, author, orator,
academic, and rosh yeshiva of YU’s rabbinical His willingness to admit his mistakes, like the
school for six decades, he embraced and pro- words of praise he earned from so many, under-
claimed a form of Modern Orthodoxy for thou- score Lamm’s long life of leadership and com-
sands of young men and women at YU and its mitment. May his memory be a blessing. ■

NJ Jewish News ■ njjewishnews.com ■ June 16, 202012Opinion

Our holy obligation to make
black lives matter

Rabbi Avi S. Olitzky placard, I shuddered at death shook me something fierce. are to be a “light unto the nations.”
the anti-Zionist and anti-
Special to NJJN Semitic themes it raised For me, it was a haunting image that But when we spend all that time shin-
for me. It evoked a gen-
Ibelieve in equality erations-old rift between rocked me to my core. And still, my ing and speaking and teaching, we
and equity. I fight the Jewish and the black
against racism. I be- community, one that black friends and neighbors told me simply aren’t doing enough listening.
lieve every human being Dr. Martin Luther King
is created in God’s holy Jr. and Rabbi Abraham they saw something more than that. And I am very much guilty of that. I
image. And yet, I previ- Joshua Heschel so ve-
ously grimaced when hemently tried to repair They saw a history of police brutal- know that I need to listen more.
I heard the rallying cry over 50 years ago. A rift
“Black Lives Matter.” I that I worked to repair during my ity. They saw hundreds of years of Just like not all white people are
grimaced really for one reason only: time with the Jewish Community Re-
the stance the Movement for Black lations Council of New York when I neck-kneeling oppression. They saw evil and not all cops are bad cops,
Lives platform took on Israel back in was a college student.
2016. The comprehensive document But something changed for me white privilege leaving the black not all members of the black commu-
referred to Israel as an “apartheid over the past couple of weeks. St.
state” and condemned the United Louis Park, Minn., has been my community behind. They saw a so- nity are anti-Israel or anti-Semitic.
States for its “alliance with Israel home for the past 12 years. St. Louis
and [being] complicit in the geno- Park was George Floyd’s home, too. ciety and country that has repeatedly When those around me say “Black
cide taking place against the Pales- But we lived in, and related to, two
tinian people.” Such rhetoric broke different worlds. Tragically, that was failed them. Lives Matter,” they don’t mean
my heart. because of the color of our skin.
Watching George’s senseless And then I realized I was thinking “cursed be Israel.” They don’t mean
For the past four years, every
time I saw a “Black Lives Matter” “they” and not “we” — an implicit Jews are the enemy or that Israel is

communal divide. an apartheid state. They mean: “We

Growing up in South Brunswick, people of color have been oppressed

I had friends from all walks of life, for centuries. And you have not put

diverse races, and religions. I was us on your priority list of urgent

raised in a home where we wel- changes in this world. And we are

comed all peoples and treated every- hurting and suffering — and our

one equally. But equality is not the children are dying. Why don’t we

same as equity. matter to you? Why does it seem like

Living here in Minnesota I notice we only matter to us?”

the disparity even more. I see that To my black brothers and sisters:

my children’s circle looks different I see you now, I hear you now. Black

than mine did growing up, simply lives do matter. George Floyd’s

because of the geographic makeup life mattered. “Black lives matter”

of our communities. And part of that doesn’t mean that other lives don’t

is the intrinsic racial matter or that all

divide in this state. lives don’t matter.

The Twin Cities But all lives cannot

were once a hotbed It’s on matter unless we
for racially restrictive work to ensure that

deeds and covenants. black lives matter.

For Those Who Value Community Mapping Prejudice all of us In eight minutes
has revealed in its and 46 seconds, the
research over 30,000 world changed. Now

racist property deeds it is on us to make

dating back to 1910. to bridge certain that George
A once racially inte- Floyd’s death will

grated state became a not be in vain. We

center for segregation a historic can argue and joust
and anti-Semitism and cry about Israel

alike. The creation another day. Today,

of Olsen Memorial divide. we have a categori-

Highway, and sub- cal moral imperative
sequently Interstate to hear the pain of

94 in the 1970s, de- our black brothers

stroyed and isolated and sisters. We have

neighborhoods on the to recognize the holi-

north side — and the black commu- ness in their struggle and their plight.

nity that thrived there. And I know in my heart of hearts

And that really is just a glimpse that I have to stand with them. We

into the systemic historic divide. By have to stand with them. And so now

The preferred career resource nearly all measures — poverty, un- and evermore we must all say Black
for the Jewish community.
employment, at-risk youth, home- Lives Matter. And it is high time for
[email protected] | 973-739-8113
ownership — the disparity between the world to wake up to that reality,
those with white skin and those with welcome it, and assimilate it. ■

brown bodies is one of the largest in

the country. Rabbi Avi S. Olitzky is a senior rabbi

Jewish tradition teaches that we of Beth El Synagogue in Minneapolis.

Opinion13 NJ Jewish News ■ njjewishnews.com ■ June 16, 2020

Our silence equals consent

Former defense attorney remembers too many clients roughed up by police

Johanna Ginsberg whites, according to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Brooklyn. At that time in my life, I could walk
Statistics. That same year they comprised 27 away from a world of violence in policing by
NJJN Senior Writer percent of all individuals arrested, double their changing jobs. Anti-Semitism is not institu-
proportion of the U.S. population, according to tionalized, and I am the beneficiary of white
Hearing descrip- the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program. privilege. People who are black never get to
tions of po- walk away.
lice brutality If there was a charge of resisting arrest, I
and seeing people’s knew almost certainly there would be bruises But some experiences stay with you, no
and a description of being roughed up. That’s matter how long ago they happened. Even now
bruised bodies was how it worked. “Resisting arrest” had a pshat my stomach sometimes drops when I see a po-
and a drash: respectively, a literal meaning and lice officer, vestiges of the dread I developed
a regular feature of deeper-level meaning. The pshat was that it for them during my time at Legal Aid. They
could be true that a person resisted arrest; but had a lot of power over me and my clients,
my work nearly 30 the drash was that it was also the cover story and I had to learn how to act around a cer-
for brutality. When the violence was one-sided tain swagger that some, though not all, of the
years ago when I was and perpetrated by police, this charge was the guards displayed in jails: just the right amount
system’s clever, built-in way to cover it up. of deference, never let them see you bristle.
a criminal defense at- They could arbitrarily decide to allow us to see
We did not have smartphone video back our clients or not, make us follow every last
torney for the Legal Aid Society in Brooklyn. then, in the early 1990s. But it seemed to me rule to a tee or not, let us stay until we were
that, in certain cases, we didn’t need a record- finished or cut our meetings short. They called
Reporter’s I almost got used to it. ing to grasp what happened. I vividly remem- us “counselor.” Some used the word matter-
ber one young man in particular who was of-factly, as a show of respect, or because they
I’d go into the area be- beaten to a pulp by police, spent a long time in didn’t know our names. Others used it instead
Notebook hind the courtroom where the hospital, and had what were likely life-long of our names, as if to erase them, with just a
injuries. He spoke softly, limped, had photos of hint of a sneer. Some used their position to
our incarcerated clients were his many injuries, and carried around a thick communicate that in my taking on this role, I
file detailing what had happened to him. The had made myself another person they needed to
waiting to speak with us. Some were confused only charge against him was resisting arrest. If control, and that I was powerless. The intimi-
there was no underlying criminal charge, why dation was built into their jobs.
about why they’d been arrested. Some knew. was he arrested? Whatever led to his unlucky
interaction with the police, it was not criminal. Today if I get pulled over for something
Many complained about their treatment at the routine, I sometimes panic. Then I remember
Yet the prosecutor would not drop the I’m a 50-something white woman and so I am
hands of the police. There was a black eye, charge because my client had filed a complaint most likely safe. A tall black man with an ath-
with the Civilian Complaint Review Board, an letic build? He should probably worry. Under
a punched shoulder, a bruised rib, a twisted independent body tasked with investigating 40? Shake a little more.
charges of police misconduct and then issuing
hand, a broken bone, a sprain. its findings and recommendations to the police Almost 30 years have passed, and despite
commissioner. His case dragged on and on. If all the different policies and trainings, the only
Police brutality did not begin with Eric Gar- the system could not act quickly to dismiss a change with regard to violence in policing, it
case with trumped-up charges, how could it seems, are the civilian video cameras. If these
ner or Sandra Bland or Tamir Rice. George be relied upon to do justice in more nuanced witnesses are not able to save lives, at least
cases? they are helping to share what is happening
Floyd — murdered May 25 by a Minneapolis with a broad audience, finally. No wonder the
When I left that job and started writing in simmering rage is breaking the surface. Some-
police officer — is just the most recent name the Jewish world, the contrast was stark. To- times it feels like my only response is, what
day’s Jewish world is a mostly safe, mostly took so long?
on a horrifyingly long list of black people dy- affluent, mostly white haven, especially
among its established institutions where I have It is heartening that the Jewish community
ing at the hands of police officers, a list which worked. Sure, as a people we carry scars and is paying attention. The Orthodox Union, Ha-
trauma from the past, but most of us, as a com- dassah, National Council of Jewish Women,
goes all the way back to the beginning of law munity, are not afraid, every day, for our lives the Central Conference of American Rabbis,
or for the lives of our brothers or fathers or and many local rabbis and Jewish organiza-
enforcement in the United States. (Accord- husbands or sons or mothers or sisters or wives tions are issuing statements condemning the
or daughters. For us, police are people we learn racism built into our system. But words need
ing to “The History of Policing in the United to trust and rely upon, especially in a climate to be followed by actions. As individuals and
of rising anti-Semitism. They protect our insti- as a community we have to engage in the diffi-
States,” policing in the South began as slave tutions and our families. They are our partners, cult work ahead. We have to become allies and
not the enemy. supporters. We have to speak out and act out.
patrol; in the North it began as a way to con-
I don’t watch the videos as they go viral. We have reached a moment where silence
trol disorder in urban areas, but the police I can’t watch murder. I don’t even like vio- equals consent, and we can never consent to
lent movies for entertainment — because I brutality. ■
were notoriously corrupt and violent, and the don’t find it entertaining. I’m sure it isn’t good
for the soul, and it always brings me back to [email protected]
definition of disorder changed depending on

who was in power at the time. Either way,

there were few African Americans doing the

policing.)

There were moments as a defense attorney

when I would allow myself to think the vio-

lence was too much, too frequent to be real. It

was suffocating if I thought too much about it.

But I knew the story writ large, told over and

over and over again, was true. Of course not

all cops are bad and not every person arrested

is subjected to violence. Many officers offer

nothing but selflessness and bravery and are

in it for all the right reasons. Others are just

trying to make a living and feed their fam-

ilies. But the system they are working in is

flawed.

Some of my clients were white and some

were women, but mostly they were black and

brown men, because they were the ones who

lived in neighborhoods heavily patrolled by

police. It’s no secret that African Americans

are overrepresented in the criminal justice

system. In 2016, African Americans were

5.9 times more likely to be incarcerated than

14Our Towns
NJ Jewish News ■ njjewishnews.com ■ June 16, 2020
American Jewish Committee program
develops tomorrow’s leaders

Hayden Masia Leaders for Tomorrow (LFT) students in 2019 with a banner during AJC’s rising senior at Princeton Day School. “I
#ShowUpForShabbat weekend commemorating the first anniversary of the am grateful for all I have learned and the
Special to NJJN mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. COURTESY AJC NEW JERSEY wonderful people I have met through the
program.”
W hat do you do when you’re and assistant director, respectively, I works in both directions. Calling some-
a ninth grader and a boy in learned so much more than that. thing anti-Semitic when it isn’t can be I look forward to carrying all that I
your class tells you that the just as harmful as failing to call out Jew learned from LFT with me when I go to
Holocaust was not as bad as the Jews One highlight was when our cohort of hatred when it occurs. We all have a re- college (hopefully not on Zoom). Aaron
say it was? What about when a teacher Central New Jersey students analyzed the sponsibility to understand how to make Orshan, an LFT participant who gradu-
questions your right to talk about Jew- International Holocaust Remembrance that distinction. ated from Pennington School and will be
ish history because you weren’t there to Alliance (IHRA) working definition of attending Colorado University, Boulder,
see it happen? What if your classmates anti-Semitism and used it to determine This activity seemed to be one of the in the fall, shares my sentiments.
whether certain rhetoric or events were most impactful among LFT students.
openly criticize anti-Semitic. I found this exercise fasci- “Through LFTI learned how to recognize “LFT taught me that despite my age I
First Person Israel? When nating, particularly during our subsequent and stand up against anti-Semitism,” said can have the ability to have a large influ-
conversation about how mislabeling Brooke Littman, an LFT participant and ence on the Jewish community both close
these things hap- to my home and far away,” he said.
pened to me, I was enraged, frightened,
and deeply confused. LFT taught me how to approach my
Jewish identity, fight anti-Semitism, and
What frustrated me most was my lack support Israel while having productive
of tools to approach the situation, ren- conversations with people who may not
dering me silent. In the spring of 2019, share my opinions.
I learned about the American Jewish
Committee (AJC) Leaders forTomorrow Through LFT I connected with other
(LFT) program. LFT teaches high school Jewish students in my area, an experience
students how to advocate for Israel and I would not trade for anything. I look for-
the Jewish people through constructive ward to continuing to work closely with
dialogue by forming coalitions. AJC and the LFT program during my
senior year and beyond.
LFT taught me much more than I ex-
pected. Walking in, I was convinced that For information on the next LFT co-
the program would only focus on Israeli hort, please visit ajc.org/LFT or contact
politics and the ongoing Israeli-Palestin- Dena Dubofsky at [email protected]. ■
ian conflict, but through the programming
of Rabbi David Levy and Dena Dubof- Hayden Masia is a rising senior at
sky, AJC New Jersey regional director
Princeton Day School.

Teens work together (virtually) through challenging times

ON MARCH 13, as schools started to Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Mercer County continued through the Students Rebuild Hunger
close and after-school programs were their teen programming virtually throughout the pandemic. Challenge. They also created Notes for
being cancelled, Jewish Family & Nurses and Signs for Seniors. The signs
Children’s Service (JFCS) of Greater nected to Jewish values. service, attracted more than 60 Jewish were distributed to residents at Abrams
Mercer County implemented a mul- Residence in Ewing and to recipients of
tifaceted plan to make sure all of its In addition, on April 19 a virtual J- teens from grades six-12. JFCS Kosher Meals on Wheels.
constituents, including teens, would
continue receiving services and partici- Serve, international day of Jewish youth Participants raised more than $234 The teens created two additional
pating in programs. virtual J-Serve programs and are now
partnering with the United Way’s sixth
JFCS’ flagship teen programs, annual Strike Out Hunger event ben-
Gesher LeKesher Jewish Peer Leader- efitting the Mercer Street Friends Food
ship and the Jewish Community Youth Bank. Families can drop off non-perish-
Foundation, continued online. able food to JFCS before June 18.

Teens have continued meeting virtu- “Summer Serve Series,” for stu-
ally for the last 11 weeks to share their dents entering grades 6-12, will begin
perspectives on coping with the pan- July 7. Participants will discuss how
demic and other topics such as how to Covid-19 has increased the need for
celebrate Passover, summer plans, cop- service in the community and how they
ing with stress, and more. can help. JFCS will also be offering
career exploration and high school/col-
Through anonymous surveys, par- lege mentoring programs.
ticipants revealed that these meetings
helped them feel connected to other For more information, visit jfcson-
people, stay positive, learn techniques line.org or contact Celeste Albert at
to minimize boredom, and remain con- [email protected].

LifeCycle 15

Obituaries Daniel Hoppenwasser; three nieces, Judith After his retirement, he enjoyed traveling NJ Jewish News ■ njjewishnews.com ■ June 16, 2020
Axelrod, Sharon Streem, and Shelley Wolinsky; with his wife in Asia, South America, the
Mildred Taksler and many great- and great-great-nephews and Middle East, and Australia. In New York, he
-nieces. enjoyed going to the opera and museums, and
Mildred (Millie) Taksler, 96, of Monroe sharing meals with his grandchildren.
Township died May 1, 2020. Private services were held with arrange-
ments by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel, Predeceased by his wife of over 50 years,
Mrs. Taksler was one of the first employ- Ewing. Memorial contributions may be made to Liesel (Roth), in 2009, he is survived by his
ees of the United Nations, where she worked Greenwood House. son, Ralph of New York City; his daughter, Amy
as a proofreader and was one of only a dozen (Aron) of Morristown; a brother, Fred; and five
employees to be offered a lifetime contract. Her Charlie Brunswick grandchildren.
career also included time at the War Department,
a detective agency, and in the New York public Charles (Charlie) Brunswick, 98, of the Bronx Private services were held with arrangements
school system. died May 24, 2020. Born in 1922 in Berlin, he by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel, Ewing.
remained there until 1941, leaving Germany Memorial contributions may be made to HIAS,
Predeceased by her husband, Arthur J., she with his parents and brother on the last train which assisted Mr. Brunswick after he arrived in
is survived by two sons, Stephen (Sharon) and departing from Berlin and coming to the the United States as a refugee.
Alan (Barbara); four grandchildren; and three United States, settling in New York City. He
great-grandchildren. later lived in Scranton, Pa.; Schenectady, N.Y.; David Friedman
Burlington, Vt.; and Monroe Township before
Private services were held May 3 with arrange- moving to Manhattan after his wife’s death and David Aaron Friedman, 87, of Lawrenceville
ments by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel, later to the Bronx. and Boynton Beach, Fla., died June 6, 2020. He
Ewing. Memorial contributions may be made to was born and raised in Trenton, and for the last
Tara’s Starfish Foundation (TarasStarfishFdn.org). Mr. Brunswick enlisted in the Navy and later 40 years spent winters in Boynton Beach.
attended City College of New York, earning a
Miriam Lichter degree in mechanical engineering. He worked He graduated from Trenton Central High
for over 30 years at General Electric as an engi- School, where he excelled on the swim team, in
Miriam Lichter, 79, of Tinton Falls died May neer and later as a manager. 1951. He graduated from Duke University and
6, 2020.
Continued on next page
Ms. Lichter had a long career as a special edu-
cation teacher in the Eatontown school system. 1534 Pennington Road Take comfort
Trenton, NJ 08618
She is survived by three sons, Glen (Yana) 609.883.1400 knowing you have a plan.
Newman, Jay (Lynn) Newman, and Scott
(Annie) Newman; and four grandchildren. OrlandsMemorialChapel.com Know your wishes will be honored upon
your passing. And lessen the stress for
Private services were held May 8 with Member of KAVOD: your grieving family during this difficult
arrangements by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Independent Jewish Funeral Chapels time. Let us help you preplan your final
Chapel, Ewing. arrangements today.

Irving Hoppenwasser Our third generation of family ownership.

Irving (Irv) Hoppenwasser, 87, of Ewing died AT-HOME CONSULTATIONS | SERVING ALL COMMUNITIES
May 17, 2020. He lived in Brooklyn until 2007,
when he relocated to Stein Assisted Living in Joel E. Orland, Senior Director | NJ License No. 3091
Somerset and then to Greenwood House in Max J. Orland, Director | NJ License. 5064
Ewing in 2011.

Mr. Hoppenwasser graduated with an art
degree from The School of Industrial Arts in
Manhattan and as a young man worked as a
printer. Later on, he worked for many years as
a security guard in a New York City elementary
school.

Throughout his life, he was an artist who
especially loved painting landscapes in acrylics
on canvas, as well as an accomplished photog-
rapher. He was also a connoisseur of seashells;
he had been an active member of the New York
Shell Club and had amassed a collection. His
painting, “The Tetons,” was featured on a writ-
ing card collection from the Stein Residence and
later he was featured with two of his paintings
on the cover of the Fall 2019 Greenwood House
Gazette. He loved to travel and visited many
places that inspired his art and photography,
from Israel to Europe to Canada and throughout
the USA.

Predeceased by a nephew, David Bernstein,
he is survived by two nephews, David and

NJ Jewish News ■ njjewishnews.com ■ June 16, 202016 LifeCycle

Continued from previous page Harold Broitman her children.
She was a graduate of Rice University.
its law school in 1957. Harold Broitman of Princeton died June 1, 2020. She was a member of Adath Israel
After graduating law school and moving back He was born in Brooklyn in 1927 and moved to
Princeton in 1970 from Queens. Congregation.
to Trenton, Mr. Friedman began practicing law She is survived by her husband, Marvin; two
with State Sen. Sido Ridolfi, forming the law Mr. Broitman was employed by a number of
firm Ridolfi and Friedman in the early 1960s. large companies, starting with The Burroughs sons, Harris “Hal” and Stephen (Wendy Heath);
His law career encompassed an extensive array Corp. From there he moved to Fairchild Camera, and a granddaughter.
of land use and development work, and he was where he worked on reconnaissance data anal-
involved in development and redevelopment ysis and design of reconnaissance cameras, Private services were held with arrangements
projects in Mercer County and throughout New among other technical military and defense proj- by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel, Ewing.
Jersey. He represented many local builders and ects. He developed a talent for reading requests
some national developers building apartments, for proposals from the government and turning Sondra G. Obstein
office parks, single family houses, and many them into successful projects for his company.
other land use real estate projects. He was given increasing responsibility for tak- Sondra G. Obstein (Lyons), 91, of Ewing died
ing projects from beginning to end, and man- May 14, 2020. She was born in Brooklyn and
One of his proudest career achievements aged increasingly large teams of engineers. The moved in 1971 to New Jersey.
was stewarding the approvals and advancing last large corporation he worked for was RCA
the development of Eggerts Crossing Village (Astro Division) in 1968. He eventually decided Ms. Obstein worked as a paralegal and
in Lawrenceville, which provides low-income to start his own company, and with Meyer reflexologist.
housing in an historically African-American Sapoff founded Thermometrics in 1970. It was a
section of Lawrence Township. Years later, major supplier of thermistors (temperature-sens- In 2005, she was honored in Washington,
Fred Vereen Jr., past president of Lawrence ing devices) to manufacturers and in medical D.C., with the Times 2005 Jefferson Award for
Non-Profit Housing, Inc., recognized him as applications. It was one of the early companies Public Service. She was honored as a founding
an integral component to the completion of the to take advantage of off-shoring, and he paid member of Women’s Space and P’nai Or of
project. many visits to plants in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Princeton. She worked to eliminate domestic
and China. Thermometrics was sold to a large violence with Project SARAH and other orga-
Among his additional professional accom- British conglomerate in 1995, but he continued nizations, and spent many hours comforting
plishments were developing low-income, senior- to consult with them for three years before full premature infants through the Angels Wings
citizen, and family apartment projects; extensive retirement. Program. She was a longtime volunteer for
involvement in several community banks; and Interfaith Care Givers and Community Without
serving as a leading force in bringing cable tele- He served in the military, where he learned to Walls.
vision to Hamilton Township. be a sharpshooter, in 1946.
Private services were held with arrangements
He played golf for much of his life, joining He graduated from Brooklyn Polytech with a by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel, Ewing.
the golf team at Duke and eventually winning B.Sc. in mechanical engineering. A celebration of her life will be held at a later
the club championship at Greenacres Country date. Memorial contributions may be made to
Club (now known as Cobblestone Creek) in He sat on various local boards, particularly Greenwood House, Ewing (greenwoodhouse.org/
Lawrenceville over five different decades. His in the Jewish community. Among the philan- giving).
involvement with Greenacres extended to serv- thropic projects he supported were Columbia
ing on the board and as president, and he spear- University research on Alzheimer’s and demen- Albert Klein
headed the recent land sale to construct housing tia, many mental health programs, support for
and renovate the golf course and clubhouse. seniors at home, and national and international Albert M. Klein, 92, of New Jersey died May
Jewish projects. 14, 2020.
He was an original member of Falls Country
Club in Lake Worth, Fla., and had the first Predeceased by his wife of 67 years, Adeline, Mr. Klein was an electrical engineer at
hole in one recorded at both the Falls and in 2016, he is survived by his son, Steven L. Lockheed Company before retiring.
Metedeconk National in Jackson, where he was (Barbara Wood); his daughter, Jessica (Gibor
also an original member. One of his crown- Basri); and three grandsons. He was a veteran of the Korean War, serving
ing golfing achievements was playing at over in the United States Navy.
1,000 golf courses around the world, including Private services were held with arrangements
in Scotland and Ireland, and even the Augusta by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel, Ewing. He was a member of The Jewish Center of
National while a member of the Duke golf Princeton.
team. He was also one of the original creators Margaret Shipper
and board members of The First Tee of Greater He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Rena;
Trenton, which provides golf opportunities and Margaret Ann Shipper, 90, of East Windsor died and nine children.
life skills to young people. He enjoyed travel, April 26, 2020.
especially to the south of France. Private services were held with arrangements
Mrs. Shipper’s family belonged to Adath by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel, Ewing.
Predeceased by a son, Eric, he is survived by Israel Congregation.
his wife of 63 years, Marilyn (Nelson); two sons, Leonie Menasche
Jeffrey (Kathy Lee) of Berkeley, Calif., and She was predeceased by her husband, Carl.
Steven (Heath) of Lawrenceville; daughter-in- Private services were held with arrangements Leonie Menasche, 90, of Skillman died May 20,
law Amy Gutmann of Seattle; a brother, Robert by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel, Ewing. 2020. Born in Egypt, she was a former resident
of Los Angeles; and seven grandchildren. of Princeton for 60 years.
Frances Kaplan
Private services were held with arrangements Mrs. Menasche was a librarian at Princeton
by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel, Ewing; Frances Kaplan (Lasser), 89, of Ewing died University.
a memorial service will be held at a later time. May 12, 2020. Born in Marlin, Texas, she was
Memorial contributions may be made to The a former resident of the Houston area, residing She was a congregant of The Jewish Center
First Tee of Greater Trenton (firstteegreater- in Sugar Land, Texas. For the past 13 years she of Princeton.
trenton.org/ways-to-give) or American Heart was a resident of Ewing.
Association (heart.org). Predeceased by her husband, Zaki, she is
Mrs. Kaplan worked as a Certified Public survived by her children, Isaac Menasche,
Accountant in Houston before retiring to raise Abraham Menashe, and Mary Kersten; and four
grandchildren.

Private services were held with arrangements
by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel, Ewing.

Continued on page 18

Agenda 17

Due to the outbreak of the coronavi- service and interactive teaching led by and advocacy conference, through June Business Briefs NJ Jewish News ■ njjewishnews.com ■ June 16, 2020
rus, most synagogues and organiza- Rabbi Benjamin Adler and Hazzan Ar- 18.The full program will be available free
tions have cancelled all in-person thur Katlin, will continue on Fridays, June of charge and can be accessed from any Organized and led by the Sie-
activities for the rest of the spring. 19 and 26, at 5:30 p.m. using the Kabbalat computer, tablet, or smartphone. gel family, owners of Ham-
Some are offering online learning Shabbat and Shabbat evening service in ilton Jewelers, the Princeton
opportunities or plan to reschedule. the Siddur Sim Shalom for Shabbat and Issues to be highlighted include the Community Auction, launched
Please email calendar@njjewish- Festivals, which can be downloaded at rise of anti-Semitism and hate in the era of on April 20, has raised nearly
news.com with online events open to rabbinicalassembly.org/form-download- the coronavirus, the 2020 U.S. presiden- $40,000 to support small busi-
the community. e-siddur-0. tial election, Israel’s quest for peace and nesses in the Princeton area.
security, and the future of the transatlantic Funds from the auction, which
College book awards Tales of the Rabbis on Zoom, an ex- relationship. closed on May 20, were allo-
Jewish Community Foundation of ploration of the sages of the Talmud, will cated among 25 eligible local
Greater Mercer is offering need- be held Thursday, June 18, 7-8 p.m. For more information, visit ajc.org/ businesses in need of assistance
based book awards to college- virtualglobalforum2020. with expenses, primarily pay-
bound Jewish students who reside Havdalah Together will be held via roll and rent.
in the Princeton Mercer Bucks Zoom on Saturdays, June 20 and 27, at Hadassah Magazine has launched its
community and surrounding ar- 9:15 p.m. new reading initiative, “One Book, One “One of Hamilton’s core
eas. Students must be accepted and Hadassah,” presenting author interviews, values is relationships, because
enrolled in a college or university For more information or to receive book reviews, and discussion guides for we don’t just do business in our
for the fall 2020 semester. Zoom invitations, contact 609-896-4977 local book groups. For more information, communities…we live in them,
or [email protected]. visit hadassahmagazine.org/books. and we cherish our strong ties
The foundation’s Albert Kahn to them,” said Hamilton Jewel-
Scholarship Fund supports the TheJewishCenter, Princeton, is offering Kosherwine.com is offering free live- ers president Hank Siegel. “We
book awards. “You Are Enough,” a program for teens streamed wine events in partnership with look at Princeton area busi-
and adults this month, with Scott Fried, the Israeli Wine Producers Association nesses as family. We knew that,
Applications for the 2020 Book a youth educator and author of “How to through July 5. Each event focuses on on the other side of this pan-
Awards have been extended to July Raise an ElegantTeen:TheABCs of Gen a different Israeli wine producer whose demic, we wanted every one
1. Contact Lara Livne at lara@ Z Parenting,” who has been living with products are widely distributed across of our Princeton neighbors to
foundationjewish.org. HIV for over 32 years. the United States and beyond, such as open back up strong and ready
Yatir, Nadiv, Zion Winery, and Binyam- to serve the community.”
Greenwood update The teen session, “No Talk But To- ina. For a full schedule, visit kosherwine.
Among the 2020 fund-raising day,” will be held Sunday, June 21, at 6 com/experiences.
events for Greenwood House, p.m. Fried will discuss how the AIDS
Ewing, to be rescheduled next pandemic can help inform us today. MOVING UP — Jewish Family & Children’s Service Gesher LeKesher
year due to the coronavirus are the Princeton Mercer Bucks’“Bridge to a Connection” Jewish Peer Leadership
Becky Levy Card Party, which will Fried will hold a session for adults, program held its annual Moving Up Ceremony on June 1 via Zoom.
be held May 6, 2021. Tickets al- “Love, Acceptance, and Forgiveness Eleventh- and 12th-grade peer leaders representing 12 high schools and
ready purchased for 2020 will be amid the Quarantine: Protocols from My seven synagogues were trained in Jewish values, leadership skills, and
honored; additional donations may Pandemic Playbook,” on Sunday, June facilitating peer groups through a Jewish lens. Gesher LeKesher is in part-
be directed toward the Greenwood 28, at 6 p.m. nership with Adath Israel Congregation, Beth El Synagogue, Congregation
House COVID-19 Emergency Beth Chaim, Har Sinai Temple, and The Jewish Center and is partially
Fund by contacting Christine Mc- RSVP to sdiamondstein@jewish- funded by Jewish Federation of Princeton Mercer Bucks. Contact Celeste
Cormick at cmccormick@green- center.org. Albert at 609-987-8100, ext. 210, or [email protected].
woodhouse.org.
Beth El Synagogue of EastWindsor will
The Battle of the Bands Signa- hold several Zoom programs this month:
ture Fundraising Event will take
place onApril 24, 2021, at the Princ- Tot Shabbat will be held on Fridays,
eton Airport Hangar. All pledged June 19 and 26, at 4:30 p.m. Go to zoom.
sponsorships made toward the us/j/9729253056; password 1234.
original date will be honored; addi-
tional sponsorships are available. To “Torah and Tea,” a discussion led by
become involved, email Neil Wise Rabbi Jay Kornsgold on the upcoming
at [email protected]. week’s Torah portion, will be held on
Monday, June 22, at 2 p.m. Go to zoom.
Adath Israel Congregation, Law- us/j/8970033588; password: 1234.
renceville, continues to hold programs
and events online through Zoom. Korngold will discuss the book “The
Observant Life: The Wisdom of Conser-
Morning Minyan on Zoom is held vative Judaism for Contemporary Jews”
Mondays and Thursdays at 7. on Monday, June 22, at 8:30 p.m. Go to
zoom.us/j/8970033588; password: 1234.
Sharing Shabbat, a Kabbalat Shabbat
Call 609-443-4454 or go to bethel.net.

The following national and international
organizations are offering various online
resources:

American Jewish Committee will hold
itsVirtual Global Forum, its annual policy

NJ Jewish News ■ njjewishnews.com ■ June 16, 202018

| SHABBAT CANDLELIGHTING | June 19: 8:13 p.m.

Reexamining the sins of the spies

Shelach Lecha “The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Send men (men). He writes:
to scout the land of Canaan, which I am giv- Our Rabbis said, the men hated the land and
Numbers 13:1-15:41 ing to the Israelite people....’” However, this were the ones who said, “let us head back
translation obscures an unusual feature of the for Egypt” [Numbers 14:4] and the women
Rabbi Joyce Newmark Hebrew. “Shelach lecha anashim” is not simply loved the land and said, “give us a hold-
“send men” but “send for yourself men.” ing among our father’s kinsmen” [Numbers
P arashat Shelach Lecha begins on a note 27:4, the story of the daughters of Zeloph-
of hope and ends in disaster. Not long Rashi quotes the Tanhuma to explain the echad, five sisters who asked that they be
after leaving Mount Sinai and coming significance of lecha (for yourself): given the share of the land that would have
to Paran, Moses sends 12 spies, one gone to their father who died without sons].
from each tribe, to scout the land of Canaan [God says] “As for Me, I do not command The Holy Blessed One said, “In My opinion
and bring back a report of the conditions the you; if you so desire, send ... I have told ... it would be better to send women who
Israelites will find there. them that it is good. As they live, I shall love the land for they will not defame it.
give them an opportunity to err through the But you, according to your opinion that they
The spies return after 40 days, bringing words of the spies, in order that they will are fit and that they love the land, want to
their report of the good land, but 10 of them not inherit it.” send men. This is the meaning of ‘send for
insist that the Canaanites are too powerful for This is the traditional explanation for the yourself men’ — according to your opinion,
the Israelites to conquer. The people panic and, tragedy of the spies. The people lacked faith men, but in my opinion it would be better to
despite the encouragement of Joshua and Ca- and therefore chose to rely on standard mili- send women.”
leb, they rebel and declare once more that they tary tactics (reconnaissance) rather than God’s So what was the problem? Was it lack of
want to return to Egypt. promise.
But there’s another explanation, an unex- faith or male chauvinist piggery? You’ll have
God’s patience is finally exhausted and He pected commentary of the type that makes To- to decide for yourself.
decrees that this generation will die in the wil- rah study such a joy. It’s from the Kli Yakar,
derness. It will be their children who will pos- Rabbi Shlomo Ephraim of Luntschitz, who Rabbi Joyce Newmark, a resident of River
sess the land. served as the rabbi of Prague in the early 17th
century. He looks at “shelach lecha anashim” Vale, is a former religious leader of congre-
How did things go so wrong? and sees the problem in the word anashim
The Rabbis search the text for clues and they gations in Leonia and Lancaster, Pa.
don’t have to look very far. The parasha begins,

LifeCycle

Continued from page 16 before attending medical school at the University surer Helaine Tootleman, 41 Honeyflower Lane,
of Louisville, where he was elected to the Alpha West Windsor, N.J. 08550.
Benjamin Sondak Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He went
on to train at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York Janet Lerner
Benjamin Sondak, 93, of West Palm Beach, Fla., City and both Kingsbridge VA and Montefiore
died May 22, 2020. hospitals in the Bronx. Janet Lerner, 85, of West Windsor died May 27,
2020.
Predeceased by his wife, Lillian, and his son, He practiced general internal medicine from
Gary, he is survived by his wife, Anita Ash, and a 1960 until his retirement in 2000. He was on the Mrs. Lerner is survived by her husband, Alvin,
nephew, David Sondak. staff of Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center and her children, Rachel and Matthew Lerner.
and St. Peter’s Hospital in New Brunswick. He
Private services were held with arrangements also served as medical director of the New Jersey Private services were held, with a later burial to
by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel, Ewing. Turnpike Authority and the school doctor for take place at Brigadier General William C. Doyle
35 years in North Brunswick and at Middlesex Memorial Cemetery, Wrightstown. Arrangements
Irene Linder County Vocational/Technical High Schools. In are by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel, Ewing.
addition, he maintained a private family practice
Irene Linder, 105, of Ewing died May 23, 2020. from his home in Highland Park. Obituaries must be received no later than
Mrs. Linder was a longtime member of four months after the funeral.
Throughout his retirement, he enjoyed gar-
Adath Israel Congregation in Trenton, and later dening, staying current on new medical devel- Submit at www.njjewishnews.com/lifecy-
Lawrenceville. opments, and spending time with his grandchil- cle, by e-mail to [email protected],
dren. He was also an active associate member of or by mail to Obituaries Editor, New Jersey
Predeceased by her husband, Norman, and the Village Grande chapter of Hadassah, where Jewish News, 1719 Route 10, Parsippany,
a son, Stuart, she is survived by her children, he was awarded “Husband of the Year” several NJ 07054-4515. There is no charge for
Roberta Silverman and William Linder. years ago. obituary listings; NJJN reserves the right to
edit for style and length.
Private services were held with arrangements He is survived by his wife of close to 60 years,
by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel, Ewing. Carolyn; two daughters, Rhonda Sherbin and A photo (color or black and white) can
Cynthia (David) Chait; his son, Joseph; and two be included with your listing for a $36 fee.
Arthur Sherbin grandchildren. For payment, please call editor Lori Brauner
at 973-739-8116 with your credit card infor-
Dr. Arthur B. Sherbin, 90, of West Windsor died Private services were held May 27 with arrange- mation or mail a check made payable to
May 24, 2020. He was born in the Bronx and later ments by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel, “JWMG LLC” to the address above.
lived in Highland Park. Ewing. Memorial contributions may be made to
Hadassah and sent to Village Grande chapter trea-
Dr. Sherbin graduated in three years from
Long Island University, and went on to earn
a master’s degree in biochemistry from New
York University. He then spent several years
at Sloan Kettering performing cancer research

ExitRamp 19

A wrinkle in time NJ Jewish News ■ njjewishnews.com ■ June 16, 2020

Merri Ukraincik talleisim swaying to familiar tunes and ker- our faith must as well.
chiefed women leaning over the balcony to I never found one, no matter how often
NJJN Contributor catch the words of the Torah portion.
Iiron only when I looked. Yet I fondly recall the day that a
absolutely I received an unexpected souvenir as a rabbi, another colleague from that era in my
necessary. But parting gift on the day of the actual visit: a life, sent me a package from the Romanian
washing the vintage iron, the kind heated by hot coals, countryside. I knew what history and holi-
white button-down that was in a box headed for the garbage. ness it contained even before I tore off the
The caretaker was pleased to part with it, brown paper packaging to reveal the “Tzena
shirts my husband though she insisted I’d be better off buying a Urena” I’d been seeking.
new one. I confessed either would be mostly
wears to synagogue Close to Home decorative. She also offered me the sign from It was easy enough to miss that pile of
on Shabbat is a the shuttered mikvah that would never have white shirts in the laundry basket, which
fit into the tiny car we were traveling in. is tucked deep into a corner. After all, my
household chore I husband has others to wear at home. But I
After I wrote to a colleague about the understand why its discovery launched this
enjoy. There’s quick gratification in Shout- dream, he sent photos of me with the care- flood of memories of old synagogues and
taker and confirmed my other memories of long-sought-after prayer books on forlorn
ing out the stains like Wonder Woman, and an our visit. I reminded him about the iron, shelves: I miss our shul.
which keeps company with my books in the
ease to smoothing out wrinkles (remove the den, and I shared my lingering regret that I Though I talk to God plenty from home, it
did not find a way to shlep the mikvah sign is in our synagogues that we have the chance
shirts from the dryer while still damp and hang home. to visit Him in His own house. It is where
we gather with other Jews to chatter together
immediately) that eludes me in the rest of my With the distance of time, my travel expe- in our ancient tongue, to travel back in time
riences have assumed the magical propor- while reciting the prayers we’ve uttered as a
everyday life. tions of a shtetl fairy tale, my sundry sou- people for millenia around the globe.
venirs symbolic meaning. I recall the way I
And yet, I was caught off guard when I would have to catch my breath, an emotional I know our current absence from syna-
reflex, each time I entered an old synagogue gogue is temporary, a loss that will hopefully
recently spotted a pile of those shirts in their — whether it was restored to its original be too short-lived for the pews to gather
splendor and remained in use, or if it echoed dust or the prayerbooks to feel abandoned. I
designated laundry basket in our room. That with the hush of ghosts in its emptiness and imagine them calling out from the dark and
disrepair. quiet, Have faith. We’re waiting for you. We
I’d forgotten about them in the more than hope to see you again soon. ■
Though I was eager to see the aron
two months since we last attended Shabbat hakodesh, the holy ark, the first tug on my Merri Ukraincik of Edison is a regular contribu-
heart was always the women’s section, where tor to NJJN. Follow her at merriukraincik.com.
services hit me with unexpected poignancy. I imagined myself praying in a former life. I
would climb up the often rickety steps, pull- Professional Directory
It was as if they were calling out from the ing prayer books off the shelves in the hope
of finding a copy of the “Tzena Urena,” a $ WE PAY $
past, reassuring me that we will return to our Yiddish rendering of Torah stories written
for women. I wanted to hear its former owner CASH FOR
old ways of talking to God while encourag- call out from the worn pages of the past,
whispering that the world persists and that Modern Art • Oil Paintings • Bronzes
ing me to keep the faith in the meantime. Silver • Porcelain • China
Mens & Ladies watches
The past continued to pop in for days Judaic Art and Silver

after that. Friends I had not heard from in Top Dollar for Any Kind of Jewelry
& Chinese Art & Porcelain
ages reached out. I also discovered the rough
Antique furniture • Modern furniture
draft of an essay I started a long time ago,
A N S ANTIQUES
about the way the ancient stones of the Kotel
We come to you • Free Appraisals
transport me thousands of years back in time.
CAll US!
What surprised me most, though, was 201-861-7770
201-951-6224
the vivid dream I had of an old Romanian
$ $Email: [email protected]
synagogue I once visited while traveling for Shommer Shabbas

work, which often took me to Jewish com-

munities throughout Central and Eastern

Europe. The pews were dusty from disuse in

a town with only a few remaining Jews. But

in my dream, they were filled with men in