SPRING 2016 BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

A PUBLICATION OF BROOKLYN REGION OF HADASSAH Hadassah: The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc.

Invite tear-offs on p. 11

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Barbara Katz

WHY WE CARE On the 5th of Iyar, May 12, 2016 Jews around the world joined together to celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel Independence Day. As we enjoy the sweet fragrances of spring, we rejoice on the anniversary of the rebirth of the State of Israel. Israel is a reality today, but what if there were no anniversary to celebrate. What if this year, there were no Israel? Would you care? Would it impact your life? We each have our own personal lens through which we see Israel. Vision and memory may vary from those who remember the world before 1948 and those who have never known a world without the state of Israel. Even before the establishment of the state, Jews found their destiny linked with the land of their ancestors. Hadassah is no exception. Hadassah was there before there was a state and our history is tied to the rebuilding of the land. For 104 years our paths have been intertwined. As the Nazis swept across Europe in 1939, Hadassah opened Mt. Scopus hospital in Jerusalem which was evacuated in 1948 after a brutal terrorist ambush. Two years later Hadassah committed to build a new hospital at Ein Kerem. After the terrorist attacks of the late 1950s and early 1960s Hadassah opened that hospital. In 1975 Hadassah rededicated the rebuilt hospital on Mount Scopus. And today those hospitals and the Sarah Wetson Davidson Tower at Ein Kerem serve the people of Jerusalem and all Israel with the most advanced medical care. In calm and crisis Hadassah is there. For 68 years Israel has preserved and triumphed. Israel has built a viable economy and a strong democracy. As we celebrate Israel’s 68th anniversary, we acknowledge our ongoing support for Hadassah because we cannot imagine our secure life here in the United States without a strong Israel. Jews all over the world have long understood that the strength and continuity of Jewish life is inexorably tied to the State of Israel. This year show your support of Israel by marching with Hadassah at the Israel Day Parade on June 5th. I hope to see you there.

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BROOKLYN REGION EXECUTIVE BOARD President Barbara Katz Treasurer Brenda Rosenbaum Corresponding Secretary Florence Manglani Fundraising VP Ethel Gold Membership VP Ilene Shapiro Caryn Tanditash Programming/PRAZE VP Marlene Lempert Honorary VPs Gail Hammerman Roni Schwartz Judi Silversmith Shirley Ugelow Janet Young Area VPs Enid Benezra Harriet Sayer

BULLETIN STAFF Editor-in-Chief Irene Stundel Associate Editors Marilyn Cranney Carol Dachs Margaret McDonough Design Editor Esther Lefkowitz Reporters Enid Benezra Adele Cohen Carol Dolman Gail Fier Barbara Gershuny Ethel Gold Laura Goldberg Diane Hunt Roz Kirschenbaum Cecelia Kramer Marlene Lempert Sarina Roffé Ilene Shapiro Sheila Silverman Caryn Tanditash Janet Young

Spring 2016

MEMBERSHIP

Ilene Shapiro and Caryn Tanditash, Co-VPs

We would like to acknowledge all the Hadassah new, reactivated, and transferred in members to the Brooklyn region and its chapters for the period of January 2015 through December 2015. Our organization consists of an extremely dedicated group of women supporting Israel and our Hadassah Hospital where groundbreaking medical research is ongoing. We would like to remind members that joining Hadassah is only the first step. Becoming active and involved is the next key step. We urge all members to attend the myriad Hadassah events which are enjoyable, entertaining, and educational. Your participation and support are necessary to continue the wonderful work of Hadassah. Thank you to our new, reactivated and transferred in members: Cheryl Adler Morabito Tia Adler Claire Ahren Liana Alvarez Anna Amchislavska Marilyn Anteiis Tsipora Baer Abbe Bershatsky Arlene Birnbach Deborah Blaustein Leila Bloomfield Rae Ellen Blum Sheila Blustein Green Janni Branciforte Katie Brenner Elana Buczyner Delores Bushinsky Amanda Caplin Susan Carbone Shula Charles Saryn Charney Rosenthal Marilyn Chernin Geri Cohen Tamara Cohen Leona Amelia Cranney Tracy Czik Marcia Dahan Rosaria Dalbis Joyce Davis Ruth Decalo Ida Druker Eileen Eisenberg Josephine Eisenberg Tehilah Eisenstadt Abby Everett Gladys Feigenbaum Sarah Field Marjorie Flicker Alyssa Frank Bonnie Friedman

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Reva Friedman Yael Galena Beth Garbow Alyssa Gilbert Betty K. Glickman Erica Goldberg Renee Goldenkrantz Inna Goldina Aleah Goldman Amy R. Gordon Miriam Gordon Rachel Gorman Gwendolyn Graham Rhonda Greenberg Andrea Greenblatt Alice F. Grimaldi Rachelle Grossman Helen Grotell Marisa Harford Judy Helrich Wendy Herbert Sondra Hochfelsen Miriam Hyams Holly Sue Jacobovitch Rachel Jaffe Lyudmila Kacher Leah Kalipetes Ellen Kantor Renae Kaufman Linda Keltz Lisa Kirstenberg Solomon Joanne Klayman Emily S. Klein Meryl Kovins Jenny Kroll Caroline Lagnado Miller Evelyn Lagnado Rochelle Lehrer Julie Levey Leah A. Levin

Anita B. Levine Fran Levine Pearl Levine Sarah Levine Ruth Lichtman Ora Lidsky Marissa Lieberman Broman Sue Lieberman Nina Livingston Lissa Lyons Aileen Magolis Mallory Marder Ashley Mark Eliana Meirowitz Nelson Sharon Messer Alexandra Metz Marie I. Mingino Joyce Mishan Jennifer Moczan Layla Grace Morabito Elaine T. Moss Rita M. Murray Dr. Joyce Nachbar Hindy Naparstek Wilansky Adina Nasar Rena Nasar Elsa Newman Barbara Nicholas Carol Nicholas Marisa Nikas Liat Olenik Debra Pagnoni Rosalin Polesino Ethel Pollack Karina Polonskaya Irene Prager Karen Price Suzanne Reich Estelle Ross

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Leah Rotler Helen Russo Lorraine Safdie Karen T. Salva Harriet Schagren Linda Schain Abigail Scheck Pat Schecter Jean Scheines Phyllis Schiffer Franci D. Schwartz Lois Schwartz Mindi I. Schwartz Jennifer Seltzer Selina Siegel Judy Soffian Dr. Georgette Somjen Taryn Spivack Harrisse Stein Elisabeth Steinber Rosalind Stendig Sadie Phillipa Swersky Sharon Talia Joanie Terrizzi Rachel Thompson Joyce Tobman Susan Triguero Ellen Turk Marina Unanskaya Grace Vogel Jill Vogel Abby Wasserman Rose Wiener Arlene Weisbrod Devorah Weiss Gorkin Amelia Wolf Ethel Wolvowitz Nancy Wood Ruby Zilberzweig

Spring 2016

PROGRAMMING

FUNDRAISING

Marlene Lempert, Programming & PRAZE Vice President

Ethel Gold, Fundraising VP Adriane and George Adam have once again offered their beautiful home to host our upcoming October, 2016 Major Donor Event. We are very excited to report that Dr. David Kaylie, Otolaryngologiist/Surgeon @ Duke University Hospital will be our guest speaker. Recently, Dr. Kaylie in collaboration with Hadassah Hospital, designed a program whereby residents from Israel spend three months at Duke University learning otology/neurology techniques for a certain type of surgical procedure performed as an otolaryngologist. We look forward to learning more about this wonderful joint venture in October. To enhance this event, our Committee is also looking into having an additional speaker from National to round out the program. Please take this opportunity to be a part of this event by becoming or renewing your membership in the Chai Society in any of 3 categories: Chai $360; Silver - $536; or as a Keeper - $1,000. Your contribution can be made in one payment or in installments. Coupons are available in the bulletin. As always, your commitment and generosity to Hadassah's ongoing projects exemplify….."The Power of Women Who Do".

Hadassah Brooklyn Region plans programs that enrich, inspire and engage our members and 2016 has sure been off to a great start. We have had some great events including our Annual Purim Celebration and Women Who Learn Book Series. Join us at the end of June for our annual Spring Concert with the Hadar Foundation on June 27th (See Cover). I hope to see you all at our upcoming events and don’t forget to stay tuned in with the Hadassah Brooklyn Region Monthly Digest Emails. Join us for special Hadassah moments of learning and bonding.

In Memoriam CHARLOTTE LUKIN Before joining Medinah, Charlotte, a member for over 60 years, was a President of the Judea Bensonhurst Group of Highway West Chapter. She also served on the board of the Naomi Hannah Yassky Chapter. Charlotte participated in and supported all Hadassah activities. She held various Chair positions throughout her membership years. Hadassah meant a great deal to Charlotte and Charlotte meant a great deal to us. May her memory be for a blessing.

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Spring 2016

BROOKLYN REGION PURIM SPIEL 2016 Enid Benezra A very festively decorated Fersko Room greeted a packed house for our annual Purim Celebration. Our hostess and table designer extraordinaire, Marlene Lempert, wowed us with a colorful feast for the eyes. We started off with what is now our traditional eat and shmooze, always a pleasant half hour of chatting and chewing with our Hadassah Sisters and a sprinkling of their husbands. At approximately 12:30 PM Marlene Lempert, our Region Program Chair, greeted us and introduced Jack Benezra, who led us in the singing of Hatikvah and The Star Spangled Banner with his beautiful Bass voice. Our past Region President, Janet Young, read a very moving and relevant invocation, following the anthems. Our new Region President, Barbara Katz, brought us up to date with an informative and heartfelt speech on many of the new discoveries and projects that Hadassah is working on. Our hard work and generous donations are making a real and positive difference for many people worldwide. Barbara also presented lovely certificates to Marlene Lempert and Enid and Jack Benezra for their continued hard work, talent and dedication to Hadassah Brooklyn Region. The highlight of the afternoon was a performance of the second act of A.R. Gurney’s play, “Love Letters.” Although the love story depicted in the play through the lifelong correspondence of the two main characters does not end happily, as does the Purim story, it was a fitting “Spiel” for Purim. It is more than a bit awkward for me to review this afternoon’s performance since I was one of the performers. However, both Jack and I enjoyed preparing and performing the segment of the play we did. We knew from the absolute silence of the audience and their appropriate reactions to certain lines in the script that everyone was quite wrapped up in the story. From the applause,

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bravos, and a few tears at the end of the play, we knew we had a hit! The afternoon came to a close with the drawing for a batch of lovely raffle gifts by our raffle chairs Eleene Schwartz and Myra Schwartz, donated by Barbara Katz, Enid Benezra, Eleene Schwartz and Myra Schwartz. Thank-yous go to Edith Maiman and the East Midwood Jewish Center for their cooperation in making today’s event possible, and to EMJC for the use of their P.A. System. A very special thank you to the EMJC Maintenance Staff: Anderson Waithe, Bernard Jenkins, and Tommie Stephens for their patience and expertise in setting up the tables, chairs, coffee service, stage setting and sound system. They did a wonderful job, as always. Hadassah women and men do great teamwork. Thanks, in no particular order, go to the following shoppers, schleppers, and set-uppers for a job well done: Enid and Jack Benezra, Marlene Lempert, Esther Lefkowitz, Diane Hunt, Jay and Janet Young, Eleene Schwartz, Myra Schwartz, Barbara Katz and Judi Silversmith. Here’s hoping that everyone had a freilichen Purim!

Spring 2016

HADASSAH SHABBAT ZACHOR AT EAST MIDWOOD JEWISH CENTER This March, for the third year, East Midwood Jewish Center partnered with Hadassah to present a special Shabbat Zachor service. Shabbat Zachor holds particular importance for us, as Hadassah was founded during Purim and was Esther’s Hebrew name. Hadassah Shabbat celebrates Parshat Zachor, reminding us how evil can be transformed into good, focusing on the victory of Israel over Amalek and of Esther and Vashti over oppression and discrimination. Thank you to Cantor Sam Levine for organizing the service, to Rabbi Matt Carl for his entertaining and meaningful presentation at the Kiddush luncheon (sponsored by Brooklyn Hadassah) and to the women and men of Hadassah who participated in the serviceBarbara Katz, Emily Pariente, Marlene Lempert and Mel Klein. We especially thank Rebecca Grossman, a Hadassah life member and upcoming Hadassah Year Course participant, for her haftorah reading which has become an annual tradition at EMJC. She makes her Hadassah sisters proud.

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Spring 2016

A Jew in the Newsroom Cecelia Kramer Close to two hundred people attended the March 27th conference, A Jew in the Newsroom, held at East Midwood Jewish Center and cosponsored by the Institute for Living Judaism in Brooklyn and Brooklyn Region Hadassah. Panels featured the Executive Editor of Hadassah Magazine, as well as reporters from CNN, Bloomberg News, The Wall Street Journal, and the Daily News. Ari Goldman, Professor of Journalism at Columbia University School of Journalism drew comparisons between journalism and Judaism. As a student in a Crown Heights yeshiva, he’d learned that “Torah is truth.” Both good and bad are recorded in the Torah, and the stories aren’t “cleaned up.” Also, Talmud “tells you all sides of a story...There isn’t just one way to see the world.” While spending two recent days studying Talmud in Lakewood, its hubbub, arguments and debates reminded him of his early days in the NY Times newsroom. He also shared that “Jews consume news in greater volume than other peoples of the world,” and tend not to use just one paper or news channel. Larry Cohler-Esses, assistant managing editor of the Forward, presented us with several intriguing real life reportorial situations he’d encountered and asked us what we would have done: When the first Jewish Ugandan, a man who was also a Rabbi, was elected to Parliament, a court case was going to contest his election. During The Forward’s interview with him he was asked about his stand on homosexuality, which is strongly condemned in Uganda. He answered that gay people deserve to

Brooklyn Region News

be treated with respect and accorded the same rights as anyone else. However, the next day he asked that his quote not be published because of prevailing attitudes and for his own security. Ultimately, his quote was published, because he is a public figure, a politician, and his constituents should know his views. In another case, a prominent Egyptian-born, Jewish entrepreneur was in the news because of a recent success, and the Forward wanted to include his family history as part of its profile. He asked them not to, because many relatives are still in Egypt where they are quietly but not publicly trying to live as Jews. The Forward assented, for the sake of their safety. In another instance Cohler-Esses was visiting a small Jewish community in a Moslem country. Although alcohol is prohibited, his hosts wanted to bring out drinks for a toast to his health. As a reporter, he wanted to be able to relate this community’s sense of freedom to his readership. On the other hand, he didn’t want to jeopardize this freedom. Several panelists addressed objectivity in the press. For Lisa Hostein, Hadassah Magazine’s Executive Editor, “objectivity is a misnomer,” since everyone has their own lens, and no one disagreed. Ethan Bonner, senior editor at Bloomberg News, added that nomenclature varies from press to press, depending upon its point of view. For example the Israeli press uses “barrier,’ the Palestinians “wall,” and the NY Times “barrier.”

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Spring 2016

AROUND THE REGION PARK SLOPE CHAPTER’S MINDFUL EVENING OF HEALTH Sarina Roffé, President We gathered for a relaxing and informative evening of nutritional awareness, gentle chair exercising, and guided meditation with Elaine Sarfati and Sally Hipscher. Chaired by Shelli Feldman, we enjoyed a beautiful and inspirational program complimented by a healthy light pot luck supper. Shelli gave a beautiful Invocation that tied the evening together perfectly. Chapter President Sarina Roffe, with members and guests, participated in muscle tension relieving gentle stretches led by Sally Hipscher. Sally’s extensive knowledge and expertise was greatly apparent as she offered countless individualized suggestions and corrections for healthy/proper form. Moving to stress reducing, relaxing music, we all came away with enough info to do safe exercises on our own at home. Sally even gave us a great

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hand-out with many of the movements we used. Elaine discussed a myriad of diet plans – past, present and future. She explained which ones work or don’t and why. She spent time discussion the DASH diet and the Paleo Diet, explaining how soluble fiber is better than non-soluble. Now we all know to jump-start our metabolism for the day, by having “whole grains” and healthy protein in the morning, while keeping away from sugared juices. The program closed with a beautifully relaxing guided meditation directed by Sally. Following raffle drawings for three great packages (spa, movie and wine) is was time to head home. Todah Rabah to Ethel Gold for providing our Hadassah goody bags, and to all the women who graciously came early and stayed afterwards to setup and clean-up.

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MEDINAH CHAPTER Diane Hunt and Roz Kirschenbaum, Co-Presidents This year has had a sad start for our Chapter. The deaths of Charlotte Lukin in February and Edith (Edie) Katz in March were a big shock to us. Neither was anticipated. Edie was like a little leprechaun! She always had a twinkle in her eye and would bring second hand costume jewelry to our meetings and donate any monies she was able to sell them for to Hadassah. Both women were active members. We shall miss them dearly. May their memories be for a blessing. We've reconnected with several members and hope to see them at future meetings. We are looking forward to our Spring Luncheon on Tuesday, May 3rd, 1pm at Mirage Diner, 717 Kings Highway, couvert $35.00. Contact Joan Rosof evenings at 718 372 6566 for reservations. All are welcome.

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Spring 2016

AROUND THE REGION BAY RIDGE CHAPTER

DENA CHAPTER

Barbara Gershuny & Carol Dolman, Co-Presidents

Sheila Silverman, President

"You can find us everywhere" Bay Ridge Hadassah held a fundraising luncheon on March 13, 2016 at Fushimi Japanese Restaurant where those who attended enjoyed a very delicious vegetarian Japanese meal. Our program focused on the Jews of Japan. Yes, there is a viable Jewish community in Japan today and has been since the U. S. sent Commodore Matthew Perry to open up Japan to trade in 1853-54. The two thriving Jewish centers today are in Tokyo, the largest, and Kobe which is near the city of Osaka. Both communities have fully functional synagogues. Tokyo also has a very active Chabad that runs a kosher restaurant, a catering service and delivers meals to hotels for visitors to the Tokyo area who require kosher meals. With today's global economy, many businessmen and women, students, tourists etc. from all over the world arrive in Japan for short or long stays. We all know what happened to the Jews during WWII in Nazi Germany and in Fascist Italy. Did the Jews in the Japanese Empire, the third Axis power, face the same fate? Most interesting - they did not. Jews living in Asian areas under Japanese occupation were not persecuted and were treated the same as other foreigners. With the end of WWII, the U. S. occupied Japan and established many military bases that still exist today. Consequently, there are considerable numbers of Jewish personnel on some of the bases at any given time. Where needed, base chaplains perform Shabbat and holiday services. As usual, our raffles were a big success as was the sushi making demonstration. We are currently working on our next event and hope that you will join us. A Zissen Pesach to all on the Hadassah family.

As the days grow longer, we all welcome the appearance of magnolias, cherry blossoms and tiny green leaves on trees and bushes. It is certainly a time for new beginnings. Dena started to celebrate the new season with a first for us. Eleene Schwartz and Myra Schwartz, Fundraising Chairs, brought us something new in the way of fundraising. On the evening of March 14th over fifty women crowded the Fersko Room at EMJC for our first Chinese Auction and Supper. The room was decorated in red, white and black, thereby giving a nod to the colors of Hadassah and of China. Incidentally, a Chinese Auction has absolutely nothing to do with China. The supper was from Tov U Mativ and was delicious. The auction was lots of fun and laughs. Many of the attendees went home with prizes. It was a lovely way to spend a few hours with Dena members and friends. Congratulations to Eleene and Myra. We will hold our April meeting on the evening of April 18, 2016. At that time we will celebrate music with an exciting look back at Jewish men and women who were opera stars. This lovely program will feature sound bites of the Jewish greats of the opera world. We are particularly looking for to the evening because it will be brought to us by the incomparable Enid and Jack Benezra. Monday, May 2nd will find us in Coney Island at our Musicale, to be held at Gargiulo’s. The evening will be distinctive in that it will highlight Ambrose Boyd, a Broadway star who has been in several productions on the Great White Way. This night of musical treats is being chaired by Enid Benezra and will be a five star event. Dinner will be a full dairy meal. Our final event of the season will be our End of the Season Dinner at Il Fornetto’s in Sheepshead Bay. At that time we will honor our new members who joined Dena during the last six months of 2015. It’s wonderful to be with friends just before so many members take off for the wide blue yonder. Thank you to Janet Marcus for taking on the responsibility of this event again. Best wishes for a summer of good health and fun.

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Spring 2016

ARE YOU A MEMBER OF THE CHAI BIRTHDAY/ANNIVERSARY CLUB? Let’s talk about it: We all give birthday/anniversary gifts to loved ones, friends, etc. BUT we do not give presents to ourselves. Why not? So, we started the Chai Club. You write a check for $18 payable to Hadassah for your birthday and/or anniversary and send it to me. It can be sent to Gail Fier any time. In the month of your occasion, a card will be sent to you. The donation will go to Hadassah and credited to your chapter. Come on – join us – be a part of our “Chai Club”

A MITZVAH FOR YOURSELF ! !

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