Members of the TRIBE  gather at a recent function, from left, Bradly Morris, Marcus Domfort, Rachel Burnetter, Andrew Ross Abramowitz, Charlie Fishbaum, Emily Handelman, Lauren Bushnell, Sara Cooper, Rafi Mills, Madison Laks, Michael Baruch, Joel Ehrlich, and Caitlan Swyer.

ALBANY–Congregation Beth Emeth’s newest community organization, the TRIBE will offer programming and opportunities to young Jewish professionals throughout July. Organizers report that the group has now formally organized a board and is planning  a variety of summer activities.

Among the peer-organized social events, community action programs and professional development opportunities in July will be Israeli dance and sushi on Thursday, July 6; a bonfire at a TRIBE member’s  home on Saturday, July 15; Hudson River Rafting in collaboration with the Beth Emeth Brotherhood on Sunday, July 16, and a Mel Brooks night at a TRIBE member’s home on Saturday, July 29.

Information may be obtained from www.bethemethalbany.org, or  Andrew Abramowitz,  andrew.ross.abramowitz@gamil.com.

The Maccabeats

ALBANY–The Maccabeats, a Jewish music and a cappella group will be the headliner act at the opening ceremonies for the 2017 Capital Region Maccabi Games. Opening ceremonies are set for  the Times Union Center at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 6.  The Maccabi Games will be Aug. 6-11. The Maccabi Games is an Olympic-style sporting competition for Jewish youth from around the world. It is being held locally, one of three locations, for the first time. The games are the second largest organized sports program for Jewish teens in the world. The Sidney Albert Albany Jewish Community Center and the Robert and Dorothy Ludwig JCC of Schenectady jointly brought the games to this region.

Originally formed in 2007 as Yeshiva University’s student vocal group, the Maccabeats have a fan base, which includes 10 million views on YouTube. The Maccabeats’ ideology and identity play an important part in what they do. Strongly committed to the philosophy of Torah u-Madda, the integration of traditional Jewish and secular knowledge, the Maccabeats perform an eclectic array of Jewish, American, and Israeli songs. According to some, the group’s piece, Lecha Dodi, is the epitome of this synthesis, combining beloved words of Jewish liturgy with Leonard Cohen’s melodic Hallelujah music.

 This summer, the games will be held in three U.S. locations: Miami, Fla., Birmingham, Ala. and in this area. Approximately 700 teen athletes from around the world, along with their coaches, delegation chairpersons, parents and other spectators will be this region’s guests for the games. Athletes from as far away as Mexico and Israel will attend the games and participate.

Information about  hosting youth, becoming a sponsor, or volunteering in another capacity may be obtained at www.CapitalRegionJCCMaccabi.org. The events will rely on volunteer support, according to organizers.

Tickets for the opening ceremonies are free for area residents (although they must register online first).

 The 2017 Capital Region JCC Maccabi Games co-chairwomen are  Lauren Finkle, Joanna Goldberg, Debbie Gordon, Lauren Iselin and Michelle Ostrelich. U.S. Congressman Paul Tonko is the honorary chairman of the games.

The presenting sponsor of the 2017 Capital Region Maccabi Games is Albany Medical Center.

Rabbi Silton’s reflections on concluding a cycle of Talmud study

Rabbi Paul Stilton.

By JAMES R. CLEVENSON
Is there a “Jewish soul” that is different from a Gentile soul? No, but we have a great literature, as well as world literature, from which to derive inspiration— “whoever does that—his soul is enhanced.”

Learning is the key to spiritual advancement, according to Rabbi Paul Silton, who noted in a recent discussion that Yehudah HaNasi, the chief redactor of the Mishnah, affirmed in the second century the value of studying secular knowledge.

Rabbi Silton quoted Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel: “When a Jew prays, he speaks to God; when he studies, God speaks to him.”

The former pulpit leader of Conservative Temple Israel in Albany, serving there from 1974 to 2009, Rabbi Silton is marking the completion of his first cycle of Daf Yomi Talmud study. The page-a-day study of the 2711 pages of Talmud takes about 7-1/2 years. The rabbi said that his practice has been to attend early morning Daf Yomi sessions, daven (pray) Shacharit, and retire to Starbucks on Western Avenue near the University at Albany for a couple more hours of study.

He and educator and materfamilias Faye Silton were married just before Israel’s Six-Day War in 1967, and celebrated this past weekend 50 years of marriage, with a ceremony on Shabbat and a Sunday Talmud siyum (completion of study) party at Beth Abraham-Jacob Synagogue in Albany.

These paragraphs record a wide-ranging June 27 discussion including some of his experiences in the “sea of Talmud,” where he learned about business and other things that he never expected.

Openness In The ‘Sea’
On Jewish and non-Jewish souls, the rabbi pointed out that Adam and Eve weren’t Jewish, and that all humans are created “in God’s image.”

Those who think Orthodox religious people, “black hats,” charedim, are narrow-minded, might benefit from looking into the Talmud.

Studying Talmud is a spiritual experience, as well as stimulating the intellect’s curiosity about all subjects. Rabbi Silton said, “I’m amazed at the openness of the rabbis.” He pointed to some key conclusions of the creators of what we now call “rabbinic Judaism,” the instrument of which is the Talmud and the thousands of discussions and debates over 700 years that gave rise to this physical record.

The rabbis concluded that prophecy is ended, God does not speak to man, and it is our responsibility, using our reason, to make rulings both interpretative and new.

In the famous argument on “The Oven of Akhnai” in Bava Metzia 4, 59a, Rabbi Eliezer calls on heaven to validate his argument, which heaven does. Nevertheless, the rabbis conclude that since Torah is already given, we don’t need heavenly decrees—we need to work things out using our human resources. To resolve questions we are instructed in Deuteronomy 17 to go to the judges of our day.

Rabbi Silton pointed to the creativity and “democracy” of the Talmud sages even in finding ways to get around Torah commands that are impractical, such as the requirement to forgive debts every seventh year, when the land is to lie fallow. The rabbis reasoned that with such a rule lenders wouldn’t lend, which could cripple business. The rabbis ruled that courts may collect for lenders.

Jesters In Heaven
The often-stern Elijah is asked in Taanit 22a who will be guaranteed a place in the “world to come”—he points to two comedians! because they console sad people. And the jailer who prevented prisoners from molesting the female prisoners—even though the man does not wear tzitzit (ritual fringes)! But these people do good.

What about terrible Torah commands like sending gluttonous and drunken young men to the village elders to be stoned? The Talmud rabbis created rules that make this impossible. Then why have the law? Rabbi Silton said, “So you should study it and understand why it shouldn’t happen!”

A contemporary example: On Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israel Independence Day), the Hallel (praise) service is said, with a brochah (blessing). But blessings include the phrase “asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu” (“who sanctified us  with your commandments, and commanded us…”) — yet this holiday clearly is not mentioned in the Torah—God couldn’t have commanded it. Rabbinic Judaism arrogates (one may say, without prejudice) to itself the authority to order religious practice.

While the rabbis have a set of rules for interpretation, in fact there are three different sets, promulgated by three rabbis. (I am reminded of the saw “Two Jews, three opinions!”) Minority opinions are recorded—why? For the future. While “there is nothing new under the sun,” things do change, and the rabbinic approach ensures flexibility. For example, there has been a transition from regarding all non-Jews as idol-worshippers.

Be Responsible
As people have become God’s partners in legislating, the rabbis emphasize personal responsibility. It is up to us to us, for example, to prevent injuring other people and their property—this extends to our oxen, our cars, pits on our property.

Similarly, the Nazi Holocaust was not an “act of God.” Rabbi Silton rejects the attitude of rabbis who told the persecuted, “Don’t run, it’s the will of God.” The Holocaust was created by human evil, he said; it was not a punishment from God. And illness is natural, due to the fragility of human life, of nature.

Rabbi Silton has been involved in seeking justice for Nazi criminals—he believes we have to stand up for doing the right thing, for truth, for ourselves as Jews. Growing up in a non-observant but proud Jewish family near anti-Semitic neighborhoods in Dorchester, Mass., his police officer father told him, “If you’re ever attacked and you don’t fight back, I’ll give it to you!”

Rabbi Silton quoted Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein, a student of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, who ruled that Israel’s Orthodox should serve in the army: “Let us not be victims,” he said; referring to an Israeli soldier he said, “that man’s uniform is the garment of the high priest!”

Though there were survivors all around in the 1950s, Rabbi Silton said no one talked about the Holocaust. He said he asks himself every day, “How could this have happened?” He said that to forget would be to desecrate the memory of the victims.

Summarizing his Talmud study, he said, “The Talmud teaches us to be practical.” He noted that in Eden, Adam and Eve were instructed to work in the garden and to tend it.

For Albany Daf Yomi study times, Rabbi Silton, 469-6727

On “The Jewish View” cable TV program Rabbi Nachman Simon and Marc Gronich in 2016 interview Daf Yomi participants the late Salo Steper, and Stan Rosenberg, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEhPsMPENVo.

Benjamin “Ben” and Ruth Mendel

Ruth and Leo Phaff

The Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York presented three awards at its June annual meeting. The Jewish Federation honored Leo and Ruth Phaff with the Sidney Albert Community Service Award, Benjamin and Ruth Mendel with the President’s Award, and Daniel Bernstein with the Samuel E. Aronowitz Young Leadership Award.

Ruth and Leo Phaff, recipients of the Sidney and Albert Community Service Award, were among the founders and creators of Temple Israel in Albany and The Hebrew Academy of the Capital District.

The Federation established the Sidney Albert Community Service Award for those leaders within the Jewish community who have demonstrated a lifetime of Jewish community involvement.

At the outset of their relationship, Ruth and Leo agreed that both wanted a large family, and that both were committed to helping to make the local Jewish community welcoming and flourishing.

Leo would be the president of Temple Israel twice, and spearheaded fund-raising initiatives to ensure the stability of the congregation and to support the Temple’s education center. Ruth became the Temple’s secretary and was on its building committee.

For decades, Leo raised money for Israel Bonds, The Hebrew Academy, Temple Israel, and the Federation. He served on the boards of the Albany Jewish Community Center and the Federation, and was vice president of the Solomon Schechter Day School Association. Ruth is a Hadassah life member.

Both have been honored for their work by the Hebrew Academy, B’nai B’rith, Maimonides Hebrew Day School School, State of Israel Bonds, and by Temple Israel.

The Phaffs had six children, 19 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren.

The President’s Award was established to recognize individuals for their substantial contributions to the Jewish Federation and to the community. Benjamin “Ben” and Ruth Mendel, recipients of The 2017 President’s Award, are members of Congregation Beth Emeth in Albany. Ben is a past president and Ruth is a former board member.

Ruth is a former member of Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy Board and Steering Committee. She participated in the Melton Adult Jewish Education Program.She shares her Holocaust family history with student groups as a presenter for the Holocaust Survivors and Friends Education Center. She also volunteers for the Capital Region Jewish Coalition for Literacy ROAR program.

Ruth is a founder of Person to Person, a high school mentorship program in the Bethlehem school district. She is a former board member of The American Red Cross and a Girl Scouts of the USA life member and former troop leader.

Ben is a past chairman of the board for the Union for Reform Jewish Camp Eisner and Crane Lake Camp. He is a former treasurer of the Federation’s board and has served on several committees for Congregation Beth Emeth.

Ben is a member of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Committee for the Capital Area Council of Churches and is a former board member of Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Various community awards have included the State of Israel Bonds Scroll of Honor and Congregation Beth Emeth’s Sisterhood Award. Ben was honored with the B’nai B’rith Covenant Award, Four Chaplains Brotherhood Award, and named Jewish Family Services Volunteer of the Year. Ruth was honored by Bethlehem High School for her years of involvement with the PTA.

Ben is a retired architect and Ruth worked in publicity for Voorheesville Central Schools.

Ruth and Ben have two daughters and five grandchildren.

The Samuel E. Aronowitz Young Leadership Award was established to acknowledge an individual who has demonstrated leadership qualities. The award includes a stipend to assist the recipient in attending an appropriate conference or mission. The award recipient this year was Daniel Bernstein.

Bernstein is an attorney with Iseman, Cunningham, Riester & Hyde LLP, practicing in labor and employment, health care, and litigation. Bernstein grew up in Albany, and graduated from the Hebrew Academy.

He was the president of the Cardozo Society Jewish student organization while attending Albany Law School, and worked with other area organizations to bring pro-Israel speakers to the school to combat the rhetoric of vocal and prevalent anti-Israel students and organizations. He has continued his philanthropic work in the Jewish community and has been on the board of directors of a variety of local Jewish organizations, including the Jewish Family Services, Daughters of Sarah Nursing Center, and the Federation. In 2016, Bernstein attended a Jewish Federation mission to the Eshkol Regional Council in Israel, which included the presentation of grants to assist infrastructure and support in the border region. Bernstein is also a volunteer teacher at the Mifgash Jewish Community High School program at Temple Israel.

Noah Wein, son of Andrew and Melissa Wein gets into the spirit of the games with a practice torch for the Maccabi.

The Capital Region JCC Maccabi Games is a torch-relay away from the opening ceremonies at the Times Union Center in Albany, which will kick off an Olympic-style sporting competition for Jewish teens, 13 to 16 years old. Held each summer at several sites in North America, the games are the second largest organized sports program for Jewish youth in the world.

United States teams from along the East Coast and from as far as away as Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Los Angeles, Calif. and international teams representing Israel, Canada, and Mexico will convene for the Capital Region games from Aug. 6-11. This region is expecting 21 delegations of comprised of more than 750 athletes, in addition to coaches, delegation chairpersons, parents and other spectators.

The games are expected to generate an economic impact for area of more than $4 million (as estimated by the Albany County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau) including hotel accommodations for the athletes’ families, delegation members, coaches, and spectators.

Variety Of Sports
Athletes at the Capital Region games will compete in the table tennis, ice hockey, basketball, swimming, soccer, dance, tennis, golf and baseball. Venues for the games are throughout the greater Capital Region and include Guilderland High School, Voorheesville High School, Colonie Country Club, Western Turnpike Golf Club, Bethlehem YMCA and Keenholtz Town Park Dutchmen Field.

When not competing, at evening events or with host families, athletes will be at the Central Hub (Guilderland High School) for “Hang Time,” an important aspect of the games that gives the teens a safe and secure place to relax, play games, do crafts and, most importantly, socialize with the other athletes from around the world. Hang Time will be led by visiting Israeli emissaries.

Tickets for the opening ceremonies are free for area residents (though they must register online prior to attending at www.CapitalRegionJCCMaccabi.org).

Opening ceremonies will include a Parade of Athletes, remarks from dignitaries including the games Honorary Chairman U.S. Congressman Paul Tonko, a ROTC Color Guard, and a torch lighting ceremony. The national anthems for the U.S., Israel, Canada, and Mexico will be performed. Brian Cody from WGNA, Albany’s #1 station for new country, will be emcee for the evening. The opening ceremonies will also include the reading of the Prayer for Peace by Anna Weiskopf and a schehecheyanu, a Hebrew blessing said at the outset of a special/first occasion offered by the evening’s featured entertainers, the Maccabeats, a Jewish music and a cappella group. The Maccabeats with a massive fan base and more than 20 million views on YouTube were originally formed in 2007 as Yeshiva University’s student vocal group. The Maccabeats are committed to the philosophy of Torah u-Madda (the integration of traditional and secular wisdom) and perform an eclectic array of Jewish, American, and Israeli songs.

As is tradition at every recent JCC Maccabi Games, the evening will include a tribute to honor and remember the Munich 11 athletes, the Israeli athletes and coaches who were assassinated by Palestinian terrorists at the Munich Olympics in 1972.

The JCC Maccabi Games began in 1982 and has united hundreds of thousands of Jewish teens through sports. Under the leadership of the JCC Association, the annual Maccabi Games take place in three cities throughout the country. This year, the games are being held in: Miami (Florida), Birmingham (Alabama) and in this region.

Community Volunteer Effort
In addition to the spirit of international athletic competition, the JCC Maccabi Games are intended to promote community involvement, teamwork, and pride in Jewish heritage.

Athletes will have the opportunity to earn a medal for modeling the midot— the values that embody the spirit (ruach) of being a JCC Maccabi participant. These include repairing the world (tikkun olam), respect (kavod), joy, (rina), pride (ga’ava), big hearted (lev tov), and Jewish Peoplehood (amiut yehudit).

At press time 845 area volunteers, many under 30, had been recruited to help administer the games and have attended training sessions. Opportunities to volunteer continue as 1,305 volunteer positions are needed, according to organizers.

Adam Chaskin, left, executive director of the Albany Jewish Community Center, and Mark Weintraub, executive director of the Schenectady Jewish Community Center, anticipate the success of the 2017 Maccabi games.

 In addition to volunteers helping to facilitate the games and evening activities, all of the athletes are hosted by Capital Region Jewish families to help provide a local link, and extend the community connections.

Volunteers Lauren Finkle, Joanna Goldberg, Debbie Gordon, Lauren Iselin and Michelle Ostrelich are the cochairpersons of the 2017 Capital Region JCC Maccabi Games

Bringing the 2017 JCC Maccabi Games to the community was a joint effort of the staff and volunteer leadership of the Sidney Albert Albany JCC and the Robert and Dorothy Ludwig Schenectady JCC.

Registration to participate, or to volunteer is still open and available at www.CapitalRegionJCCMaccabi.org. 

Make sure to check here every day this week for daily updates at the Maccabi Games. Click here to see each day’s edition of The Daily Torch.

SARATOGA SPRINGS– Temple Sinai will join with the Saratoga Immigration Coalition, a network of civic groups, faith communities and concerned individuals, in sponsoring a walk and vigil to educate the public  about the positive role of immigrants in society on Thursday, Aug. 24, from 6-8 p.m. in downtown Saratoga. The walk will start from three locations. Union Avenue near the track entrance, Beekman Street, and North Broadway near the City Center and Temple Sinai. The locations were chosen for their current and historical connections to immigrants, according to organizers. The track is home to immigrant backstretch workers; Beekman Street was once a hub of Italian and Irish immigrants; and Broadway signifies the impact immigrants have on daily life in Saratoga. It will conclude at the The Spirit of Life” statue in Congress Park with a vigil program.

Individuals are welcome to walk from any location they choose, and if they wish they may attend the vigil in Congress Park only. Walk participants are encouraged to register in advance at www.signupgenius.com/go/508084caeac29a2fd0-allare.

“The purpose of the “All Are Welcome Here Walk & Vigil” is to educate the public about the unseen, yet vital part immigrants play in our lives and to show support of and gratitude to those immigrants,” said organizer Maxine Lautenberg, a member of Temple Sinai in Saratoga Springs. “The walk and vigil is to be quite different from a protest, or an event to express disapproval of current policies and procedures directed at immigrants.” Lautenberg added.

The coalition, which includes the Presbyterian New England Congregational Church, Saratoga Friends Meeting, Saratoga Unites, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs, the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church, and event sponsors Saratoga Springs Human Rights Task Force, BEST -Back Stretch Employee Service Team and the MLK Project of Saratoga seeks to raise awareness and appreciation for the contributions of the immigrant community.

The vigil will be non-political, calling on local artists, immigrants and concerned individuals to share with spoken word and song. All planning to attend are asked to bring an electric votive candle or other electric light.
“Saratoga Immigration Coalition volunteers will assist participants along the route.
Volunteers wanting to participate in a sign making session prior to the walk can join the coalition, hosted by the Temple Sinai Social Action Committee, at the temple, 509 Broadway on Monday, Aug. 21, from 5-8 p.m. Those planning to attend are asked to bring art supplies.

Information is available at https://www.evensi.us/all-are-welcome-here-walk-and-vigil-congress-park-downtown/219915747 or contact the “All Are Welcome Here Walk & Vigil” committee organizer Maxine Lautenberg at 518-951-0702.

Join the crowd walking to enable research on pancreatic cancer.

ALBANY– The annual Capital District Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk to benefit The Lustgarten Foundation will be held on Sunday, Sept. 10, at the Elm Avenue Town Park in Delmar. Registration begins at 8 a.m. for the 10:15 walk.

The goal of the 14th annual walk is to raise awareness of the disease and to help fund Lustgarten Foundation-supported research for a cure.

Neil and Shari Piper, congregants of Ohav Shalom Synagogue in Albany, and their committee, are hosts of the walk.

Pancreatic cancer claimed the life of Neil’s mother, brother, sister and uncle. The Pipers decided to turn their grief into action and started the walk in association with the Lustgarten Foundation, which directs 100% of all funds raised to research.

The 1.2-mile handicap accessible, stroller friendly, pet friendly walk will honor the memory of those lost, celebrating their lives, and by fund-raising. The family program will include a pick-a-prize auction; a 50/50 raffle; a pet parade; free donuts  and beverages; an information area; purple hair extensions; 10-minute  chair massages; entertainment by The Puppet People; and live music by Code Blue. The program ends at noon.

Neil, Shari Piper

The Pipers told The Jewish World that pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in men and women in the

United States. It is more common in Jews than in the general population. According to Johns Hopkins,the Pipers report, this increased risk is greater in Ashkenazi Jews than it is in Sephardic Jews. While this could be due to a variety of factors such as diet and cigarette smoking, evidence suggests that a significant portion of the increased risk in individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish descent has a genetic basis. Scientists at Johns Hopkins are working to identify these genes  and are developing therapies that specifically target cancer cells with mutations common in pancreatic cancers in the Ashkenazi Jewish population.

Information on the foundation is at www.lustgarten.org/.

Registration for the local walk is at Albany Capital District Walk.

The Pipers at info@albanypcrwalk.org can provide details. Shari Piper may be reached at 518-475-1200.

Natasha Sheffer, winner of 11 gold and two silver medals, on her way to winning the 100 meter Freestyle.

Golfer Nathan Gach won the silver in low net, and the gold in longest drive and the 2-man scramble.He was awarded 3 gold and 1 silver.

Brogan Monroe, winner of five gold, six silver and one bronze medals, closes in on a second place finish in the 200 Backstroke.

200 meter backstroke medalists: from left, David Berin (bronze, Albany-Schenectady), Elijah Feret (gold, Albany-Schenectady), Dylan Suckerman (silver, Boston)

The Albany/Schenectady delegation won 87 medals (40 gold, 31 silver, 16 bronze) during the recent Capital Region Maccabi Games. This was a record number of wins for the delegation.

Local winners in the Games were: Yannai Arazi (1 Silver, Tennis; Ballston Lake), Ben Berin (1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze, Swimming; Delmar), David Berin (2 Gold, 7 Silver, 3 Bronze, swimming; Delmar), Elijah Feret (11 Gold, 2 Silver, swimming; Niskayuna), Nathan Gach (3 Gold, 1 Silver, golf; Loudonville), Elah Ginsburg (2 Gold, 3 Silver, 3 Bronze, swimming; Troy), Danille Huli (1 Gold, tennis; Delmar), Yam Hararah (2 Bronze, swimming; Israel), Adina Kligerman (1 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze, swimming; Albany), Rebekah Kuschel (1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze, swimming; Albany), Ethan Lampert (1 Silver, tennis; New Hartford), Brogan Monroe (5 Gold, 6 Silver, 1 Bronze, swimming; Albany), Eva Sheffer (2 Gold, 3 Silver, 4 Bronze, swimming; Clifton Park), and Natasha Sheffer (11 Gold, 2 Silver, swimming; Clifton Park).

More Than Athletics

In addition to winning gold, silver, and bronze medals for athletics, some participants earned medals for modeling the midot —the values that embody the spirit (ruach) of being a JCC Maccabi participant. See story on Page 16.

According to organizers of the games, the JCC Maccabi Games serve a broader purpose than just medaling. They promote community involvement, teamwork and pride in Jewish heritage. Many of the 700 Maccabi participants gave back to this community through JCC Cares, a day dedicated to acts of tikkun olam — repairing the world. As part of JCC Cares Day, participants packed lunch bags for homeless adults at Capital City Rescue Mission; decorated cards to accompany the annual Equinox Thanksgiving day meals provided to homeless and homebound individuals; packed literacy bags and weekend grocery bags for children served by Girls, Inc., Trinity Alliance and Catholic Charities Sunnyside Child Development Center; created Rosh Hashanah gift bags and decorated Purim Shalach Manot bags for residents of the Daughters of Sarah Senior Community; and packed welcome bags for children in the Equinox Domestic Violence Shelter and for homeless and runaway teens at the Equinox Youth Shelter.

Volunteers Impress
The Capital Region JCC Maccabi Games, which were held Aug 6, to 11, were presented by Albany Medical Center. The Olympic-style sporting competition for Jewish teens, 13 to 16 years kicked off with an energy-filled and emotional opening ceremony at the Times Union Center in Albany that included a parade of athletes, remarks from dignitaries including the games’ Honorary Chairman U.S. Congressman Tonko, an ROTC Color Guard, a torch lighting ceremony, a performance by The Maccabeats, and a tribute to the Israeli athletes killed at the Munich Olympics in 1972.

Twenty-one delegations from a variety of communities including Mexico, Canada and Israel took part in the Games competing in ice hockey, basketball, swimming, soccer, tennis, golf and baseball at venues throughout Albany County.

Most of the Israeli participants were first time JCC Maccabi Games attendees and for many, this was their first trip to the U.S.  “(Capital Region) people are lovely and they make everyone feel at home,” said Ari Iny, the Israeli delegation head.  “I’m so impressed that the entire community came out to support the Games and that so many volunteers have put in so many hours of the day to make sure that the athletes have a good time.”

“I have never felt more proud of be a part of our local Jewish community,” said Eric Medved, 2017 Capital Region JCC Maccabi Games sports commissioner. “We were able to play all of the originally scheduled competitions without fail! I cannot tell you how impressed I am with all of the sports management and sports administrative volunteers for how tirelessly they worked all week in making the meet look so effortless and professional.”

Bringing the 2017 JCC Maccabi Games to the community was a joint effort of the staff and volunteer leadership of the Sidney Albert Albany JCC and the Robert and Dorothy Ludwig Schenectady JCC. Five hundred seventy-five volunteer host families and 700 event volunteers helped make the Games happen.

The Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau has estimated that the Games generated more than $1.5M in direct spending in the region.

Check out who (and from where) received other medals here: Photos from the 2017 Capital Region JCC Maccabi Games may be purchased from the photographer. Click here to visit his site. Follow instruction : “Click here to enter store” and enter access code: 4774222.

Teen athletes amass medals at Capital Region Maccabi Games

Medals were won from members of the 21 delegations, including U.S. teams from along the East Coast and as far as away as Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and Los Angeles, Calif. and international teams representing Israel, Canada and Mexico. Competitions were in ice hockey, basketball, swimming, soccer, tennis, golf and baseball at venues throughout Albany County.

The Jewish World was told that medal winners included:

Baseball (Boys U14)

East Hills-Sid Jacobson (GOLD), Fort Lauderdale (SILVER), South Jersey/Central New Jersey (BRONZE)

Basketball (Girls)

Central New Jersey (GOLD), Fort Lauderdale (SILVER), Israel (BRONZE)

Basketball (Boys U14)

JCC on the Hudson (GOLD), Fort Lauderdale (SILVER), Israel (Blue) (BRONZE)

Basketball (Boys U16)

Greater Washington (GOLD), Kings Bay Y (White) (SILVER), JCC on the Hudson (BRONZE)

Golf (Boys)

Low Gross:                    Gabriel Schulefand (GOLD, Buffalo)

Low Net:                       Eitan Wernick  (GOLD, Fort Lauderdale), Nathan Gach (SILVER, Albany-Schenectady), Ari Hilibrand (BRONZE, Philadelphia)

Closest to the pin:           Eitan Wernick (GOLD, Fort Lauderdale)

Longest drive:                 Nathan Gach (GOLD, Albany-Schenectady)

2-man scramble:              GOLD: Gabriel Schulefand (Buffalo) and Nathan Gach (Albany-Schenectady);

SILVER: Eitan Wernick (Fort Lauderdale) and Ari Hilibrand (Philadelphia)

Ice Hockey (Boys)

Fort Lauderdale (GOLD), East Hills-Sid Jacobson (SILVER), Greater Washington (BRONZE)

Soccer (Boys U16)

LA Valley (GOLD), Boston (SILVER), East Hills-Sid Jacobson (BRONZE)

Soccer (Boys U14)

Mexico (White) (GOLD), LA Valley/ JCC on the Hudson (SILVER), Mexico (Blue) (BRONZE)

Swimming

50 Freestyle (Girls 12 -14):

1. Sheffer (GOLD, Albany-Schenectady), A. Jaffe (SILVER, Pittsburgh), E. Sheffer (BRONZE, Albany-Schenectady)

50 Freestyle (Boys 12-14):

1. Sultanik (GOLD, Philadelphia), D. Berin (SILVER, Albany-Schenectady), J. Gorgush (BRONZE, Buffalo)

50 Freestyle (Girls 15-16):

1. Difabrizio (GOLD, Central New Jersey), B. Monroe (SILVER, Albany-Schenectady), R. Rouff (BRONZE, Cherry Hill, NJ)

50 Freestyle (Boys 15-16):

S, Welks (GOLD, Harrisburg), N. Andriyets (SILVER, Buffalo), D. Donaldson (BRONZE, Central New Jersey)

100 Freestyle (Girls 12-14):

1. Sheffer (GOLD, Albany-Schenectady), A. Jaffe (SILVER, Pittsburgh), H. Woren (BRONZE, Harrisburg)

100 Freestyle (Boys 12 -14):

1. Sultanik (GOLD, Philadelphia), D. Berin (SILVER, Albany-Schenectady), D. Suckerman (BRONZE, Boston)

100 Freestyle (Girls 15-16):

1. Gery (GOLD, Cherry Hill, NJ), R. Difabrizio (SILVER, Central NJ), E. Ginsburg (BRONZE, Albany-Schenectady)

100 Freestyle (Boys -15-16):

1. Welks (GOLD, Harrisburg), A. Abrams (SILVER, Stamford), M. Yoffe (BRONZE, Harrisburg)

200 Freestyle (Girls 12-14):

1. Sheffer (GOLD, Albany-Schenectady), H. Woren (SILVER, Harrisburg), A. Jaffee (BRONZE, Pittsburgh)

200 Freestyle (Boys 12 -14):

1. Feret (GOLD, Albany-Schenectady), J. Sultanki (SILVER, Philadelphia), B. Gendron (BRONZE TIE, Philadelphia), J. Gorgush (BRONZE TIE, Buffalo)

200 Freestyle (Girls 15-16):

1. Gery (GOLD, Cherry Hill, NJ), R. Difabrizio (SILVER, Central NJ), A. Kilgerman (BRONZE, Albany-Schenectady)

200 Freestyle (Boys -15-16)

1. Abrams (GOLD, Stamford), M. Yoffe (SILVER, Harrisburg), S. Gavrilov (BRONZE, Kings Bay Y)

500 Freestyle (Girls 12-14):

1. Sheffer (GOLD, Albany-Schenectady), E. Sheffer (SILVER, Albany-Schenectady), A. Abrams (BRONZE, Stamford)

500 Freestyle (Boys 12 -14):

1. Feret (GOLD, Albany-Schenectady), D. Berin (SILVER, Albany-Schenectady), J. Gorgush (BRONZE, Buffalo)

500 Freestyle (Girls 15-16):

1. Gery (GOLD, Cherry Hill, NJ), E. Stein (SILVER, Harrisburg)

500 Freestyle (Boys -15-16)

1. Abrams (GOLD, Stamford), M. Yoffe (SILVER, Harrisburg), A. Polak (BRONZE, Philadelphia)

50 Breaststroke (Girls 12 -14):

1. Jacobson (GOLD, Harrisburg), A. Oppenheim (SILVER, Boston), I. Rubin (BRONZE, Buffalo)

50 Breaststroke (Boys 12 -14):

1. Berin (GOLD, Albany-Schenectady), J. Sultanik (SILVER, Philadelphia), D. Suckerman (BRONZE, Boston)

50 Breaststroke (Girls 15-16):

1. Monroe (GOLD, Albany-Schenectady), E. Wexler (SILVER, Buffalo), E. Ginsburg (BRONZE, Albany-Schenectady)

50 Breaststroke (Boys 15-16):

S.Welks (GOLD, Harrisburg), A. Arthur (SILVER, Stamford), S. Gavrilov (BRONZE, Kings Bay Y)

100 Breaststroke (Girls 12 -14):

1. Jacobson (GOLD, Harrisburg), E. Sheffer (SILVER, Albany-Schenectady), A. Oppenheim (BRONZE, Boston)

100 Breaststroke (Boys 12 -14):

1. Sultanik (GOLD, Philadelphia), D. Berin (SILVER, Albany-Schenectady), D. Suckerman (BRONZE, Boston)

100 Breaststroke (Girls 15-16):

1. Monroe (GOLD, Albany-Schenectady), A. Gery (SILVER, Cherry Hill, NJ), E. Wexler (BRONZE, Buffalo)

100 Breaststroke (Boys 15-16):

1. Arthur (GOLD, Stamford), D. Donaldson (SILVER, Central New Jersey), S. Welks (BRONZE, Harrisburg)

200 Breaststroke (Girls 12 -14):

1. Jacobson (GOLD, Harrisburg), A. Oppenheim (SILVER, Boston), I. Rubin (BRONZE, Buffalo)

200 Breaststroke (Boys 12 -14):

1. Sultanik (GOLD, Philadelphia), E. Feret (SILVER, Albany-Schenectady), D. Suckerman (BRONZE, Boston)

200 Breaststroke (Girls 15-16):

1. Monroe (GOLD, Albany-Schenectady), A. Kilgerman (SILVER, Albany-Schenectady), E. Wexler (BRONZE, Buffalo)

200 Breaststroke (Boys 15-16):

1. Arthur (GOLD, Stamford), S. Welks (SILVER, Harrisburg), B. Gochin-Lyon (BRONZE, LA Valley)

50 Backstroke (Girls 12 -14):

1. Sheffer (GOLD, Albany-Schenectady), H. Woren (SILVER, Harrisburg), H. Friedlander (BRONZE, Pittsburgh)

50 Backstroke (Boys 12-14):

1. Feret (GOLD, Albany-Schenectady), D. Berin (SILVER, Albany-Schenectady), B. Gendron (BRONZE, Philadelphia)

50 Backstroke (Girls 15-16):

1. Gery (GOLD, Cherry Hill, NJ), R. Difabrizio (SILVER, Central New Jersey), R. Rouff (BRONZE, Cherry Hill, NJ)

50 Backstroke(Boys 15-16):

1. Polak (GOLD, Philadelphia), D. Donaldson (SILVER, Central New Jersey), A. Abrams (BRONZE, Stamford)

100 Backstroke (Girls 12 -14):

1. Sheffer (GOLD, Albany-Schenectady), I. Jacobson (SILVER, Harrisburg), E. Sheffer (BRONZE, Albany-Schenectady)

100 Backstroke (Boys 12-14):

1. Suckerman (GOLD, Boston), D. Berin (SILVER, Albany-Schenectady), E. Ginsburg (BRONZE, Toronto)

100 Backstroke (Girls 15-16):

1. Gery (GOLD, Cherry Hill, NJ), R. Difabrizio (SILVER, Central New Jersey), R. Rouff (BRONZE, Cherry Hill, NJ)

100 Backstroke(Boys 15-16):

1. Polak (GOLD, Philadelphia), L. Cohain, (SILVER, LA Valley), G. Giterman (BRONZE, Kings Bay Y)

200 Backstroke (Girls 12 -14):

1. Jacobson (GOLD, Harrisburg), E. Sheffer (SILVER, Albany-Schenectady), H. Freidlander (BRONZE, Pittsburgh)

200 Backstroke (Boys 12-14):

1. Feret (GOLD, Albany-Schenectady), D. Suckerman (SILVER, Boston), D. Berin (BRONZE, Albany-Schenectady)

200 Backstroke (Girls 15-16):

1. Gery (GOLD, Cherry Hill, NJ), B. Monroe (SILVER, Albany-Schenectady), R. Rouff (BRONZE, Cherry Hill, NJ)

200 Backstroke(Boys 15-16):

1. Cohain, (GOLD, LA Valley), G. Giterman (SILVER, Kings Bay Y)

50 Butterfly (Girls 12 -14):

1. Sheffer (GOLD, Albany-Schenectady), A. Jaffe (SILVER, Pittsburgh), A. Abrams (BRONZE, Stamford)

50 Butterfly (Boys 12-14):

1. Sultanik (GOLD, Philadelphia), E. Feret (SILVER, Albany-Schenectady), D. Berin (BRONZE, Albany-Schenectady)

50 Butterfly (Girls 15-16):

1. Difabrizio (GOLD, Central New Jersey), B. Monroe (SILVER, Albany-Schenectady, E. Ginsburg (BRONZE, Albany-Schenectady)

50 Butterfly (Boys 15-16):

1. Arthur (GOLD, Stamford), M. Yoffe (SILVER, Harrisburg), S. Gavrilov (BRONZE, Kings Bay Y)

100 Butterfly (Girls 12 -14):

1. Abrams (GOLD, Stamford), N. Sheffer (SILVER, Albany-Schenectady), A. Jaffe (BRONZE, Pittsburgh)

100 Butterfly (Boys 12-14):

1. Feret (GOLD, Albany-Schenectady), J. Sultanik (SILVER, Philadelphia), V. Chukhanenko (BRONZE, Buffalo)

100 Butterfly (Girls 15-16):

1. Difabrizio (GOLD, Central New Jersey), B. Monroe (SILVER, Albany-Schenectady, R. Rouff (BRONZE, Cherry Hill, NJ)

100 Butterfly (Boys 15-16):

1. Arthur (GOLD, Stamford), M. Yoffe (SILVER, Harrisburg), D. Donaldson (BRONZE, Central New Jersey)

200 Butterfly (Girls 12 -14):

1. Sheffer (GOLD, Albany-Schenectady), A. Abrams (SILVER, Stamford), A. Jaffe (BRONZE, Pittsburgh)

200 Butterfly (Boys 12-14):

1. Feret (GOLD, Albany-Schenectady), E. Ginzburg (SILVER, Toronto), M. Liebermann (BRONZE, Central New Jersey)

200 Butterfly (Girls 15-16):

A Kligerman (GOLD, Albany-Schenectady)

200 Butterfly (Boys 15-16):

1. Yoffe (GOLD, Harrisburg)

200 Individual Medley (Girls 12-14):

1. Sheffer (GOLD, Albany-Schenectady), H. Woren (SILVER, Harrisburg), E. Sheffer (BRONZE, Albany-Schenectady)

200 Individual Medley (Boys 12-14):

1. Feret (GOLD, Albany-Schenectady), J. Sultanik (SILVER, Philadelphia), D. Suckerman (BRONZE, Boston)

200 Individual Medley (Girls 15-16):

1. Monroe (GOLD, Albany-Schenectady), A. Kligerman (SILVER, Albany-Schenectady), E. Stein (BRONZE, Harrisburg)

200 Individual Medley (Boys 15-16):

1. Abrams (GOLD, Stamford), M. Yoffe (SILVER, Harrisburg), S. Gavrilov (BRONZE, Kings Bay Y)

400 Individual Medley (Girls 12-14):

1. Sheffer (GOLD, Albany-Schenectady), I. Jacobson (SILVER, Harrisburg)

400 Individual Medley (Boys 12-14):

1. Feret (GOLD, Albany-Schenectady), J. Slack (SILVER, Central New Jersey)

400 Individual Medley (Girls 15-16):

1. Monroe (GOLD, Albany-Schenectady), A. Kligerman (SILVER, Albany-Schenectady)

400 Individual Medley (Boys 15-16):

1. Abrams (GOLD, Stamford), M. Yoffe (SILVER, Harrisburg)

Tennis (Boys U16)

Jordan Soifer (GOLD, Stamford), David Missry (SILVER, Pittsburgh), Sammy Nayhouse (BRONZE, Pittsburgh)

Tennis (Boys U14)

Aaron Liebskind (GOLD, Stamford), Stefan Schiff (SILVER, Ohio), Eli Boshak (BRONZE, Central Jersey)

Tennis (Girls)

Erica Wang (GOLD, Greater Washington), Sadye Boshak (SILVER, Central Jersey), Chloe Freedman (BRONZE, Boston)

SCHENECTADY– Congregation Agudat Achim announces the 39th annual Carrot Festival will be held on Sunday, Sept.10, on the grounds of the synagogue, 2117 Union St., Niskayuna, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.  The event, which will be held rain or shine, is open to the entire community.

The festival will showcase foods and desserts, local produce, music and entertainment, vendors and crafters, and activities for children. A community service tent will highlight a variety of community-based agencies serving area residents. A pet adoption clinic and car show are will also be featured again this year. Ellis Medicine will distribute commemorative tote bags to the first 1,000 people to visit its booth.

The farmer’s market will offer produce and mums from Schoharie County.

As in years past, attendees will have an opportunity to experience foods tzimmes, Israeli salad, hummus, falafel, and brisket sandwiches. Hamburgers and hotdogs will be cooked on the grill. Children’s meals will also be available. Various carrot cakes will be available for dessert and to take home, including a gluten-free variety.

Activities to keep the younger festival-goers busy will include crafts, pony rides and a petting zoo. miSci-The Museum of Innovation and Science and Reptile Adventure will have booths. The Schenectady County Sheriff’s Department will provide safe child ID cards.

For the first time at a Carrot Festival, representatives from DKMS (formerly Delete Blood Cancer) will be signing up festival-goers as potential donors for the international bone marrow registry. “All they will have to do is swab their cheek and complete a form.  Registering is simple, and I am excited that not only are we able to provide a great opportunity for our guests, we are able to perform a mitzvah for people around the world,” said Hillary Fink, Carrot Festival chairwoman.  DKMS is an international not-for-profit organization dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and blood disorders by: creating awareness; recruiting bone marrow donors to provide a second chance at life; raising funds to match donor registration costs; supporting the improvement of therapies through research; and supporting patients from day one of their diagnoses.

Information, about the festival is available from the synagogue’s office at 518-393-9211, or from the website at www.agudatachim.com.

SCHENECTADY–In celebration of fall and the new year, the Schenectady Jewish Community Center, 2565 Balltown Rd., Schenectady will host the Apple and Honey Festival on Sunday, Sept. 17, from 2 – 4 p.m.

The event will feature Rosh Hashanah-inspired activities including challah making, an apple/honey tasting, and Rosh Hashanah greeting card making and birthday cake areas. Programming will also include face painting, pony rides, a petting zoo, a bouncy house, an apple blaster, games, and food.

Information may be obtained by calling 518-377-8803.

ALBANY–Two Israel Defense Force veterans of the Six-Day War, Eitan Evan and Ephy Carmel, will share their memories of the 1967 war, and the days that led up to it and the days that followed, at a 50 years commemoration event to be held for students and community. The program, at the Shabbos House, 320 Fuller Rd., Albany, will be on Monday evening, Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m.

In addition, Rabbi Israel Rubin, director of the Chabad of the Capital District, will share his memories and perspectives of that time including memories of the late Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson’s words of reassurance and encouragement during the tense days leading up to the war. He will also discuss the rebbe’s launch of a tefillin campaign as a result of the war.

Parking is available at the nearby Dutch Quad Student Lot, at the University ofAlbay  in the first few rows closest to Shabbos House.

The Shabbos House at  518-438-4227 or  by e-mail: mail@shabboshouse.com,

http://www.shabboshouse.org/six-day-war-memories-50-years/ can provide details.

Jesse Paikan

ALBANY–The Tribe, Congregation Beth Emeth’s organization for area young Jewish professionals, will sponsor an evening of worship and a learning session about the High Holy Days led by Jesse Paikan, rabbi intern, on Saturday, Sept. 23. The Shabbat Shuvah Dinner and Learn, which will be held at Beth Emeth, 100 Academy Rd., Albany, will begin at 6 p.m. with a havdalah service. Dinner will follow. The meal will include gluten-free and vegetarian options and beverages. Those planning to attend are encouraged to bring desserts to share. The program will follow at 7 p.m.

     The cost of the dinner is $13 for members and $15 for non-members. Those interested in attending may register on the Beth Emeth website, bethemethalbany.org. Brad Morris at bamorris1991@gmail.com can provide details.

Benjamin Berin hopes to swim away with the gold at the August meet.

Fifty teen athletes from 19 local communities are scheduled to compete in The Capital Region JCC Maccabi Games set for Aug. 6 through 11.  More are desired! The local delegation, organized by the Albany and Schenectady Jewish Community Centers, have a need for more area teen athletes (12-16) to join them, according to Andrew Katz, delegation head.

He reports that: Four spots for 16U Boys Baseball, three Spots for 16U Boys Basketball, three spots for 16U Girls Basketball, three spots for 16U Co-ed Ice Hockey, three spots for 14U Boys Soccer, and 12-16 spots left for tennis, golf, swimming, and a “Star Reporter” (sports journalist) are still to be filled. Registration deadline is May 31. Katz at 518- 438-6651, ext. 113 or AndrewK@albanyjcc.org by e-mail, is eager to be in touch with anyone interested in competing.

The Maccabi Games here begin with opening ceremonies at the Times Union Center featuring a parade of athletes and Munich 11 tribute. During the week teens will compete and participate in the JCC Cares mitzvah projects during the day. Evening social activities during the week will be held at the Sefcu Arena, Lucky Strike Social, and Guilderland High School (the hub for the Games). Seven hundred visiting teens are expected to join in the Games.

As of press time athletes and adult staff include:

16U Girls Basketball – Susan Lord (parent Cheryl of Slingerlands), Nakayla Salem (parent Andrew of Slingerlands), Rebecca Schechter (parents Heather and Jesse of Niskayuna), Fiona Schlossberg (parents Michelle Ostrelich and Howard of Niskayuna), Alexandra and Anna Volynsky-Lauzon (parents Gina and Stephen of Cohoes)

14U Boys Basketball – Max Carothers (parents Linda and Chris of Schenectady), Eli Cloutier (parents Lisa Levine and James of Albany), Joshua Crellin (parents Ameera and Clint of Delmar), Alexander Fooy (parents Marcy Wang and Frederick of Saratoga Springs), Evan Marshall (parents Brandy and Steve of Glenmont), Jack Novak (parents Connie and David of Albany), Jack Schultz (parents of Jodi Sherman and Matthew of Latham), Sam Shurin (parents Jane and Art of Watervliet), Jared Wachenheim (parents Karen and Ron of Niskayuna)

16U Boys Basketball – Matthew Bloom (parent Aimee of Selkirk), Brady Rudnick (parents Paul and Gwen of Latham)

Golf – Nathan Gach (parents Karen and Rob of Loudonville)

16U Co-ed Ice Hockey – Joshua and Jeffrey Kent (parents Rebecca and Sean of Rexford)

14U Boys Soccer – Adam Kohn (parents Jodi and Matthew of Delmar), Elijah Gach (parents Karen and Rob of Loudonville), Noah Graber (parents Deborah Vasquez and Nathan of Albany), Noah Honsinger (parents Sandra and Scott of Troy), Nathaniel Snider (parents Louise and Adam of Niskayuna), Jack Toy (parents of Debra and John of Niskayuna), Tomer Zilberberg (parents Keren and Amir of Delmar)

16U Boys Soccer – Zed Fermon (parents Lori Petersen and Ivan of East Greenbush)

Swimmers – Adina Kligerman (parents Tom and Becky of Albany), Brogan Monroe (parents Cori and Charles of Albany), Natasha and Eva Sheffer (parents Marla and Eric of Clifton Park),

David Berin is in the swim with The Maccabi games!

David and Ben Berin (parents Yuriy and Jenna of Delmar), Elijah Feret (parents Jackie Rowen and John of Niskayuna), Yahm Harray (parents Tal and Roey of Israel), Rebecca Kuschel (parents Gail Weiss and Ernst of Ballston Spa), Elah Ginsburg (parents Adam and Evelynn of Troy)

Tennis –Yannai Arazi (parents Arianna and Doron of Ballston Lake), Danielle and Nata-Lee Huli (parents Shoham and Lior of Delmar), Ethan Lampert (parents Caroline and Fred of New Hartford)

Star Reporters – Eli Horwitz (parents Amy and Nate of Guilderland), Ben Goldberg (parents Joanna and Craig of Slingerlands), Emily Kurlander (parents Robyn Easton and Jerry Dorrman of Delmar), Elizabeth Volynsky-Lauzon (parents Gina and Stephen of Cohoes), Amitai Goldmeer (parents Sandra and Jeffrey of Latham)

Adult staff: Andrew Katz, delegation head from Albany JCC; Jon Green co-assistant delegation head; Rachael Hayden, co-assistant delegation head; Rossi Maldonado and Samantha Peltier, swim coaches from Albany JCC; Josh Wolin, soccer coach; Aaron Gordon and Theodore Pearce, 14U Boys Basketball Coaches; Phoebe Morse, tennis coach; Stephen Brown and Alex Goldberg, Ice Hockey coaches; and Eric Golderman, 16U Girls Basketball coach.

A major fund-raiser for the local Maccabi team will be a pancake breakfast on Sunday, July 30 ,at the Glenmont Applebee’s from 8-10 a.m.

Those interested in hosting at  visiting athletes or volunteering during the JCC Maccabi Games week, are asked  to contact  Amy Drucker, assistant games director, at AmyD@albanyjcc.org or 518-438-6651.

From left, Ken Segel, national vice president of campaign; Breakfast Co-Chairpersons Karen Setzen and Alan Lobel, Capital Region board member; Joe Hyams, CEO of HonestReporting, and program speaker; Robert Ganz, Capital Region president; and Sara Hefez, executive director of the New England and the NY Capital Region. Photo courtesy of Josh Crystal.

ALBANY–Ninety Israel supporters filled the room at the Albany Marriott to show their unwavering passion for the work of Jewish National Fund (JNF) during its annual Breakfast for Israel, according to JNF organizers.

“I am so proud of our community for their unwavering support of Israel and the work Jewish National Fund does every day on the ground to improve the lives of all Israelis,” said Capital Region Board President Robert Ganz. “Israel needs us now more than ever to battle for it. This battle is being fought and will be won with our words, hearts, and financial support,  he said.” Ganz added that he was proud to note that for the third year in a row, the Capital Region Breakfast for Israel had one of the highest percentages of people making a financial contribution, compared to similar events held throughout the nation.

The program featured guest speaker Joe Hyams, CEO of HonestReporting. Hyams has trained thousands of people to effectively identify and counter anti-Israel bias. Hyams has been the CEO of HonestReporting, a U.S. registered 501(c)(3) and Israeli non-profit organization, since 2005 and is dedicated to promoting fair and accurate media coverage of Israel. He provided the attendees with a framework to use in their everyday interactions with those who may harbor anti-Israel bias. Hyams noted that informing others of the positive work JNF is doing for all of Israel’s residents is a vital part of such an approach.

Attendees at the breakfast also watched a video that provided a glimpse into the vision of JNF. Among  JNF efforts to enhance the  quality of life to all of Israel’s residents is  the “greening” the desert with millions of trees, building thousands of parks across Israel, creating new communities and cities for generations of Israelis to call home, bolstering Israel’s water supply, helping to develop innovative arid agriculture techniques and educating both young and old about the founding and importance of Israel and Zionism, according to Sara Hefez, executive director of the New England and this region’s JNF.

Ken Segel, national vice president for JNF and an Albany native, presented a fiscal picture of JNF’s accomplishments and future plans. He spoke of the One Billion Dollar Campaign for the next decade. The campaign takes JNF through Israel’s 75th jubilee and pairs financial target with a comprehensive strategic vision.  The orgainztion is three years into the plan and has raised $425 million. The plan may be viewed online at: http://www.jnf.org/assets/pdf/thebilliondollarroadmap_digital_v-1.pdf.

Hefez, at shefez@jnf.org or 617-423-0999, ext. 811,  can provide information about involvement with JNF.

From left, Nofar Taub, Jen Steil, and Noa Katz met in Israel in April to review AJCC Camp program.

By JEN STEIL
In April, I was given the opportunity to travel to Israel for the Summer Schlichim Training Seminar at Kibbutz Shefayim.  Schlichim means emissaries. During the summer, the Albany Jewish Community Center has two schlichim come from Israel and work at its camp.  Every year the JCC Association offers a grant to 10 camp directors from across the United States to travel to this training without any cost to the director or their JCC. This year, I received the Israel Up Close grant and had the privilege of attending the conference in Israel and working with our 2017 summer schlichot, Noa Katz and Nofar Taub.  What an amazing opportunity! It was especially meaningful to me because I grew up at the Albany JCC, attending nursery school and day camp, and eventually working as a camp counselor, and as the Camp Olam site director for the last six summers. I teach in the Bethlehem Central School District, and my husband and I live in Delmar with our two children and attend Congregation Beth Emeth.

When I arrived at Kibbutz Shefayim, I met up with the other 9 grant recipients. We spent four intense days attending all the trainings with the 100+ schlichim, getting them ready to come to the United States. The schlichim learned about what to expect at day camps in America, how to fit in with their host families, how to bring Israeli culture to camp, what the various childhood ages and stages are, and many, many songs and dances. It was just like being at camp! We even had Maccabi/Color War games! I came away with many new ideas for my summer camp program. Each day, I had time to work directly with Noa and Nofar and to tell them what camp at the Albany JCC was going to be like. Noa Nissim and Amit Melchoir, our schlichim from summer 2016, wrote them long letters telling them about their experiences as well. At the end of the seminar, there were many tears and hugs, but no goodbyes; only le’hitra’ot, until we meet again!

Expertise In Dance, Outdoor Programming
Noa will be working at Camp Olam as the dance specialist.  She has taken many years of various styles of dance and is excited to bring her expertise to our program.  She is serving in the Israeli army and will be heading back to the army after the summer ends.

Nofar will be working at the teen camp. She has experience working at outdoor programs with teens and is looking forwarding to spending the summer on the water! Nofar has finished serving time in the Israeli Army and will be traveling after camp is over.

Host Families Sought
It is up to the Albany community to help make the emissary experience complete. Host families have an opportunity to create a home away from home for these young women.

Please consider opening up your home to one or both of them for a few weeks this summer. Many of the group leaders at the seminar spoke about their past host family experiences in the United States. Most continue to stay in contact years later!

The remainder of my trip was a three-day tour of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv with the 9 other JCC camp directors. We had a walking tour of the Old City of Jerusalem and learned about the various religious groups surrounding it. We visited the Western Wall and the Southern Wall excavations. We stopped at Shiftech to learn about Jerusalem’s first Start Up accelerator, where entrepreneurs and early-stage start-ups come together to learn and grow. We had Kabbalat Shabbat in Tel Aviv-Jafa and had dinner with an amazing group of Lone Soldiers (young men and women who left their homes outside of Israel to join the Israeli Army).  And finally, we took a walking tour of Tel Aviv, learning about its history as well as the culture of graffiti art.

During this portion of the trip, the directors had a chance to bond, learn about one another, and talk about both Israel and their camp programs. It was so much packed into such a short amount of time, but I left with new friends and colleagues from across the United States.  I came back completely recharged and ready for the camp season to begin.  I cannot wait to take what I learned during both the schlichim training seminar and the tour of Israel, and turn it into new ideas for camp programming and staff training!  I especially look forward to seeing Noa and Nofar again.  I cannot thank Aaron Greenberg and David Ackerman from the JCCA enough for giving me this amazing opportunity.

The Albany JCC Summer Camps are in need of host families for Noa and Nofar from June 20 to Aug.22, If you are able to host one or both Israeli staff for a week or two, Andrew Katz, director of youth services at the Center at AndrewK@albanyjcc.org or 518-438-6651, ext. 113 can provide details.

Jennifer Steil has lived in Delmar her whole life.  She grew up at the Albany JCC, where she went to nursery school, day camp and eventually worked as a camp counselor. Jennifer, her husband and two children are members of Congregation Beth Emeth and the Albany JCC.  She teaches in the Bethlehem Central School District and has worked as the Camp Olam site director for the last six summers.

SARATOGA SPRINGS– The Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York recently hosted its 16^th annual North Country Event at the Saratoga City Center. Prof. Stephen Berk presented on, “Putin, Israel, and Foreign Policy in the Time of Trump.”  The evening raised over $65,000 for the North Country Jewish community. Pictured from left: Stephen Krakower, Saratoga campaign chairman; Rabbi Joseph Solomon; Rabbi Jonathan Rubenstein, former Saratoga campaign chairman and co-rabbi of Temple Sinai; Jack Zuckerman, Saratoga advisory committee; Phyllis Wang, vice chairwoman of grants, allocation and program review; Mayor Joanne Yepsen; Rabbi Dr. Linda Motzkin, former Saratoga campaign chairwoman and co-rabbi of Temple Sinai; Raizel and Rabbi Abba Rubin, recruitment committee and Saratoga Chabad directors; Dr. David Morrison, Saratoga event co-chairman; and Prof. Berk, keynote speaker, Union College.

Members of the TRIBE  gather at a recent function, from left, Bradly Morris, Marcus Domfort, Rachel Burnetter, Andrew Ross Abramowitz, Charlie Fishbaum, Emily Handelman, Lauren Bushnell, Sara Cooper, Rafi Mills, Madison Laks, Michael Baruch, Joel Ehrlich, and Caitlan Swyer.

ALBANY–Congregation Beth Emeth’s newest community organization, the TRIBE will offer programming and opportunities to young Jewish professionals throughout July. Organizers report that the group has now formally organized a board and is planning  a variety of summer activities.

Among the peer-organized social events, community action programs and professional development opportunities in July will be Israeli dance and sushi on Thursday, July 6; a bonfire at a TRIBE member’s  home on Saturday, July 15; Hudson River Rafting in collaboration with the Beth Emeth Brotherhood on Sunday, July 16, and a Mel Brooks night at a TRIBE member’s home on Saturday, July 29.

Information may be obtained from www.bethemethalbany.org, or  Andrew Abramowitz,  andrew.ross.abramowitz@gamil.com.

Individuals prepare doves for the mural.

SCHENECTADY–Schenectady County-area seniors and Schenectady Jewish Community Center (SJCC) tweens came together to decorate dove cutouts to create two murals, one at the B’nai B’rith House and the other, at the SJCC. The mural projects were inspired by, and in solidarity with the “Wings for Peace” mural located at the Neve Eshkol Culture and Leisure Center in the Eshkol region in Israel. The murals both here, and there were dedicated to the makers’ wish for peace in the area and worldwide.

While decorating the doves, the two generations had a chance for conversation and discussed peace.

Many of the seniors were part of the Center’s L*E*V—a monthly program that provides educational, social and community activities for senior citizens and for those with disabilities under the program’s three pillars—Learning, Enrichment, and Volunteering. Other senior participants were from the “Friendship Cafes” of the Catholic Charities Senior & Caregiver Support Services, the Cornell Cooperative Extension and Senior and Long Term Care of Schenectady County located at Ten Eyck Senior Dining Center, Scotia-Glenville Senior Center, and the Duanesburg Senior Dining Center.

Variety of doves on wall  express the artists’ hopes for peace.

The community is invited to help expand the murals by downloading the template of the dove cutout, and coloring and sending to: Judy Ben-Ami, SJCC, 2565 Balltown Rd., Schenectady. 

Information may be obtained at the website,  http://www.schenectadyjcc.org/main/wings-for-peace-project/.

Sarri Singer

Hadassah of the Capital District will focus on its commitment to healing humanity at this year’s Special Gifts brunch on Sunday, Oct. 15, at Agudat Achim Synagogue, 2117 Union St., Schenectady. Proceeds from the 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. brunch will benefit Hadassah Medical Organization’s stem cell research projects, according to organizers.

Keynote speaker will be Sarri Singer, a terror survivor, who founded the  “Strength to Strength” organization, which helps victims of terror deal with their experiences.

Singer, became personally familiar with both terrorism and Hadassah Hospital when, as a passenger on a bus in Jerusalem, she was grievously injured by a bomb detonated by a terrorist seated near her. Treated and saved at the Hadassah Hospital, Singer’s story became headline news. She has related her story on national TV and radio, and she has spoken before the Congress, the Senate, the United Nations and audiences throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, South America and Israel.

Attendance at the brunch requires a minimum donation over the year of $250 ($180 for first-timers or those under 40), plus an admission of $36. Reservations and information may be obtained by contacting Janet Deixler, chairwoman of the Special Gifts committee and a national Hadassah board member, at jdeixler@hadassah.org.

Hadassah stem cell researchers are developing treatments for previously untreatable diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig’s disease, and macular degeneration.

The Special Gifts committee also includes Dorothy Ganz, Yvette Gebell, Phyllis Hecker, Josie Kivort, Edith Kliman, Elaine Lowenberg, Sheree Mirochnik, Shari Rosenblum, Toby Sabian, Joyce Toub and Phyllis Wang.