What’s InsideUpcoming Events...................p. 2President’s Message................p. 3JFS: Making a Diff erence.......p. 4 Israel Experience....................p. 4Cook’s Corner........................p. 5Jewish Food Experience.........p. 5 Endowments..........................p. 6 Director’s Corner....................p. 7Jewish Book Council..............p. 7Practical Rabbi.......................p. 8Local Synagogues...................p. 8

The Newburgh Jewish Community Center and the Orange County Ballet Theater Company invite the public to a one-of-a-kind ballet, “The Secret Annex.” Every year, the

Newbugh Jewish Community Center, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County and the Religious & Philosophy Studies Department at Mount St. Mary College host an event, open to the entire community, to commemorate Yom Hashoah or Holocaust Remembrance Day.

While this is their fi rst time working together on a project, the Newburgh JCC and the OCBT will have the pleasure of working with the Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra and choreographer Mandy Clifford. This Three Act Ballet, written by Richard Masloski, will be performed on Sunday, May 1st at 2PM in the Aquinas Hall Auditorium

of Mount St. Mary College. Ticket prices for advanced purchases are; $25 for VIP, $15 for general admission, $10 for seniors and children over 5, children 5 and under are free. Add $5 for any tickets at the door. To become a sponsor or place an ad in the program journal, please contact Debbie Sanford at 845-561-6602, option #4, or email debbiesjcc@aol.com.

ONE-OF-A-KIND HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE PROGRAMSPECIAL FEATURE

A publication of

292 North St., Newburgh, NY 12550

SPRING 2016 | ADAR II TAMMUZ 5776

NON-PROFITUS POSTAGE PAIDNEWBURGH, NY

PERMIT #135

A MESSAGE FROM THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER ORANGE COUNTY: With great sadness we must tell you that due to budget restraints, this will be the LAST PRINTED ISSUE of the We Are One newspaper. Begining in August, 2016, the newspaper will be ONLINE ONLY three mes a year. For those of you who do not use a computer, we will gladly print a paper for you and put it in the mail. Please call 845-562-7860 to order a printed copy. We will also have copies available at our Orange County synagogues.

Rabbi Garry Loeb has been a teacher and spiritual leader at Monroe Temple Beth-El for over thirty-two years. He has made himself available to every congregant for counseling and guidance on religious matters and other issues. He has

worked closely with numerous Cantors, temple leadership and auxilliary groups, offi ce staff, Torah School principal, Mentsch Makers pre-school, and temple committees. He has guided his congregants in the conduct of worship services and life cycle events.

Rabbi Loeb came to Monroe Temple Beth-El in the summer of 1985 with his wife, Jewish educator Sorel Goldberg Loeb, and their son and daughter. Prior to hiring a Cantor in 2000, Rabbi Loeb served in the dual capacity of rabbi and Cantor, encouraging congregational participation in all services, including Tot Shabbat and Young Peoples’ Congregation. In 2003, he was honored by the congregation with a gala weekend celebration in honor of his Chai Anniversary with the temple. In 2005, he was elected President of the Regional Rabbinic Association and to a seat on the Board of Trustees of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. In 2010, Rabbi Loeb was once again honored with another gala weekend celebrating his 25th or Silver Anniversary with the Temple. A native of Toronto, Canada, Rabbi Loeb was ordained in 1981 at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. After 25 years of service as a rabbi, the college awarded him an honorary doctor of divinity degree in 2006. As Reform Judaism changes and grows, he has kept the congregation at the forefront of the Reform movement’s re-embracement of tradition; he has encouraged us to develop a thoughtful balance between Reform philosophy and traditional custom and ritual.

These special events are lined up, with something for everyone:Friday, May 13th 7:30PM - Erev Shabbat Service led by BETY with an elegant oneg to followSaturday, May 14th 7:00PM - Lavish hors d’ourves and cocktails with dessert and dancing. $40 per personSunday, May 15th 9:00AM - Mentsch Maker and Torah School programsSaturday, June 4th 7:00PM - Cafe Kol and Havdalah with Master of Ceremonies, Jake Ehrenreich. Entertainment includes Monroe Temple mixed choir, Garry Gregory, Nina Rubin, Barton Schindler, Chip Murray, Fred Gerber, The Band Upstairs, Dovey Ehrenreich & Elana Lipkin and more! $12 in advance / $15 at the door.

All events will be at 314. N. Main St., Monroe. For more information, please call 845-783-2626 or email rglparty@gmail.com.

CELEBRATE THE RETIREMENT OF RABBI GARRY LOEB SPECIAL FEATURE

Families who are expec ng or have recently celebrated the arrival of a baby can receive a Complimentary Gi Basket, which includes special baby items from the Jewish Federa on and our Jewish community partners. We thank Roberta Nakagawa who lovingly puts the baskets together for us.

REGISTER YOURSELF REGISTER A FRIEND

Call 845-562-7860or email joyce@jewishorangeny.org

The Massey family of Warwick with their Shalom Baby Basket; Will is holding Magen, Honey is holding Elliot and Charlie is about to read a PJ Library book.

We Are One |SPRING 2016ADAR II TAMMUZ 57762 www.JewishOrangeNY.org

SPRING 2016ADAR II - TAMMUZ 5776

Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County

292 North St. Newburgh, N.Y. 12550

845-562-7860www.JewishOrangeNY.org

PRESIDENT: Leslie GreenEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Joyce WaschitzPROGRAM COORDINATOR: Sharon BallOFFICE MANAGER: Georgia Mason CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Sharon Ball

WE ARE ONE, the newspaper of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County, is published three times a year and is available at temples, libraries, YMCAs, doctors’ offi ces, and other locations throughout Orange County. It can also be viewed on our website, JewishOrangeNY.org

WE ARE ONE does not accept ads or copy that we perceive to be anti-Semitic, anti-Israel, Holocaust-denying or in any way defamatory to the Jewish people. We reserve the right to reject an advertisement that is detrimental to any organization, institution, individual, or contrary to the interest of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County.

For more information regarding advertising opportunities, or to contribute a story, letter or photo, please follow our submission guidelines in the news section of our website, JewishOrangeNY.org

Since 1977, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County has been working together with community members to build and support a strong Jewish community - enriching people’s lives, helping those in need, and embracing new Jewish families. Each year, our recipient organizations in Orange County, subsidized by generous Federation funding, help tens of thousands of people here at home. As part of the Jewish Federations of North America, we support hundreds of thousands more with our humanitarian initiatives around the world. For additional information, visit JewishOrangeNY.org

If you are not receiving WE ARE ONE please contact our offi ce.

Donations to support the Jewish Federation mission are appreciated.

APRIL 2016April 9: Cong. Beth Hillel Paint and Sip Fundraiser, 6PM at Wallkill River SchoolApril 10: Visit Yiddish Farm, 1PM in New HamptonApril 10: Coffee House, 6:30PM at Cong. Eitz ChaimApril 14: JFS Volunteer Appreciation Dessert, 7PM at Glen Arden, GoshenApril 15: Sim Shalom Jazz Service, 7PM at Temple Beth ShalomApril 17: Imma, Abba & Me, 10AM at Temple Beth ShalomApril 17: Temple Tots, 10AM at Temple Beth ShalomApril 17: Model Seder, 11AM at Cong. Beth HillelApril 17: Meet Author Paula Shoyer, 2PM at Temple SinaiApril 17: TBS Gala Celebration, 3PM at the Eagles NestApril 18: JFS Friendly Visitor Volunteer Training, 10AM in Port JervisApril 20: JFS Friendly Visitor Volunteer Training, 10AM in NewburghApril 20: JFS Caregiver Support Group, 1PM at Kol YisraelApril 23: Sisterhood 2nd Night Seder, 5PM at Temple Beth ShalomApril 23: Community Seder, 6PM at Monroe TempleApril 23: Passover Seder, 6PM at Cong. B’nai TorahApril 23: Passover Seder, 6PM at Temple Beth JacobApril 24: Free Movie- Serendipity, 7:30PM at Cong. B’nai Torah

MAY 2016May TBA: Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Weintraub, 12PM at Allan’s FalafelMay 1: A Ballet in Three Acts, 2PM at Mt. St. Mary College Aquinas HallMay 4: Yom HaShoah Program, 7PM at Temple SinaiMay 4: Book Club-The Boys In The Boat, 7:30PM at Cong. Agudas IsraelMay 5: Holocaust Rembrance Program, 3PM at the Orange County Courthouse, GoshenMay 5: Joint Yom HaShoah Service, 6:30PM at Cong. Eitz ChaimMay 5: Yom HaShoah Service, 6:45PM at Cong. Beth HillelMay 5: Kabbalah: Jewish Mysticism, 7PM at Temple Beth JacobMay 5: Daughters of Agudas Meeting, 7PM at Cong. Agudas IsraelMay 6: Teacher Appreciation Shabbat, 7:30PM at Monroe TempleMay 7: Sisterhood Shabbat, 9AM at Temple Sinai May 11: JFS Friendly Visitor Volunteer Training, 10AM in MontgomeryMay 12: Kabbalah: Jewish Mysticism, 7PM at Temple Beth JacobMay 12: Observant Life Readings-Repentance, 7PM at Cong. Agudas IsraelMay 13: JFS Friendly Visitor Volunteer Training, 11AM in Blooming GroveMay 13: Rabbi Loeb Farewell Weekend, 7:30PM at Monroe TempleMay 14: Rabbi Loeb Farewell Dinner, 7PM at Monroe TempleMay 15: Imma, Abba & Me, 10AM at Temple Beth Shalom

May 15: Mitzvah Day/BBQ, 10AM at Temple Beth ShalomMay 15: Visit 5 Spoke Creamery, 2PM in GoshenMay 15: Whiskey & Wisdom for Men, 7PM at Temple Beth JacobMay 15: Wine & Women, 7PM at Temple Beth JacobMay 22: Lunch in the Garden, 11AM at the Spector homeMay 18: JFS Caregiver Support Group, 1PM at Kol YisraelMay 22: Annual Meeting/School Awards Breakfast, 9:30AM at Cong. Beth HillelMay 22: Federation Annual Meeting, 10AM at Monroe TempleMay 22: Free Movie- Exodus, 7:30PM at Cong. B’nai TorahMay 25: JFS Friendly Visitor Volunteer Training, 10AM in Middletown

JUNE 2016June TBA: Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Weintraub, 12PM at the WaterfrontJune 2: Daughters of Agudas Meeting, 7PM Cong. Agudas IsraelJune 5: Celebrate Israel Parade in NYCJune 9: JFS Annual Meeting, time TBA at Monroe TempleJune 11: Tikkun Leil Shavuot, 7PM at Temple Beth JacobJune 12: Confi rmation, time TBA at Monroe TempleJune 15: JFS Caregiver Support Group, 1PM at Kol YisraelJune 16: Observant Life Readings- the Environment, 7PM at Cong. Agudas IsraelJune 22: Temple Sinai Open, 9AM at Mansion Ridge Golf CourseJune 26: Meet Author Karen Gooen, 2PM at Kol YisraelJune 26: Free Movie- Dances with Wolves, 7:30PM at Cong. B’nai Torah

JULY 2016July 17: Yard Sale, 9AM at Cong. Beth HillelJuly 20: JFS Caregiver Support Group, 1PM at Kol YisraelJuly 24: Free Movie- TBA, 7:30PM at Cong. B’nai Torah

AUGUST 2016August 17: JFS Caregiver Support Group, 1PM at Kol YisraelAugust 28: Free Movie- Hero, 7:30PM at Cong. B’nai Torah

Stay in the loop with our weekly WE ARE ONE eNews Edi on email blasts. We feature news and upcoming events for the en re Orange County Jewish community. Send your email address to sharon@jewishorangeny.org.

We never share your email address with anyone!

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR COMPLETE LISTINGS VISIT www.jewishorangeny.org

ONGOING:

• Scrabble: Tuesdays; May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 & June 7, 14, 21, 28 11AM at Congregation Agudas Israel

• Coffee with Rabbi Weintraub: Wednesdays 9AM at Two Alice’s Coffee Lounge

• Learning Liturgy: Thursdays; May 5, 12, 19, 26 & June 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 10AM at Congregation Agudas Israel

Recently a new wrinkle has developed among those who aim to deny the legitimacy of Israel and Zionism with pseudo-historical arguments.

Despite countless Jewish archeological discoveries and copious scholarly research, these anti-Israel pundits assert that Jews have no connection to Israel and are interlopers from Europe and Asia. This, despite the fact that Jews have a distinct language, culture, a liturgy that expresses thousands of years of yearning to return to the land of Israel and notwithstanding the presence of Jewish colonies all over Israel and in Jerusalem continuously for 3,300 years. Those who espouse such fraudulent views of history are not our concern; their minds are made up. However, the majority of the public is woefully uninformed and that is where educational efforts need to be directed.Before I go on, it is most important to remember that one of the unique aspects of Judaism is its rejection of religion as a biological entity. Being Jewish is not a genetic condition, but a complex blend of identity and choice. It is the fi rst religion to recognize and praise those who voluntarily choose to identify themselves with Judaism and the Jewish people.Nevertheless, there is a need to refute this growing trend to delegitimize the connection of the Jewish people to the land of Israel. Recently, I sat in on a fascinating lecture by Bennett Greenspan, founder of Family Tree DNA. Recent DNA advances prove without a doubt that most Jews are directly related genealogically to Jews of Biblical times. Y-DNA SNP tests are able to trace ancient anthropological migrations and show that 75% of Jews trace back to Israelite strains of J and E and other haplotypes. Two major groups of Jews have been identifi ed, Middle Eastern Jews (Iranian and Iraqi) and European/Syrian Jews. This is all consistent with our tradition of the Jewish people descending from ancient Hebrew and Israelite residents of the Levant.

The split between these two groups of Jews began over 2,500 years ago in Eretz Yisrael, around the time that Jews were successively dispossessed of their ancient lands, fi rst by the Assyrians, then the Babylonians, Romans, Christian crusaders, Muslims, Ottomans, and other conquerors, each bringing waves of oppression, expulsion and enslavement. Look at the amazing similarities in the haplotype distributions of Ashkenazi Jews hailing from Europe and those of Sephardic Jews with roots in North Africa, Spain and Arab countries. Now look at and compare those haplotype distributions to non-Jewish Arabs in the Middle East.

Palestinians deserve a sovereign state, but surely Jews, deprived of their aboriginal lands have an equal claim to them. Recognition is a two-way street and recognition of Israel as the historical home of the Jewish people is the key to resolving the confl ict. Until that time, negotiations will never lead to peace.

I see countless reports in the media of ad hominem attacks with the victim being called a Zionist, or the label Zio being attached to some other pejorative as a slur, as in Zio-colonialist, Zio-fascist, Zio-supremacist, etc. This is simply rhetoric used by anti-Israel activists to delegitimize Israel and her advocates. Zionism and Zionist are not dirty words. They are badges of pride. It is simply the Jewish family’s self-determination to create a state on the site of its ancestral kingdom. Herzl understood that no matter where in the world we live, Jews constitute not merely a religious community, but a nationality and a people. Despite what others who seek to delegitimize Jewish nationalism may say, we are a family. And family looks after each other. Whether you live in Petach Tikvah or Paris, Middletown or Miami, Tel Aviv or Taipei, if you are part of the Jewish community, you are part of our global family. As our tradition teaches us, “all Jews are responsible for one another.” The Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County works every day, with your help, to provide for the needs of our people here in Orange County, in Israel and the world over. I hope you will join us in this great cause.

www.JewishOrangeNY.org 3We Are One | SPRING 2016ADAR II TAMMUZ 5776

ARE JEWS INDIGENOUS TO PALESTINE? BY LESLIE GREENPRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

ABOUT LESLE GREEN

Leslie Jakoby Green grew up in Brooklyn, the daughter of Holocaust survivors. She moved to Orange County when she married Glenn, who was born and raised in Newburgh and whose family was among the founding members of Congrega on Agudas Israel. Leslie graduated from Boston University School of Medicine and prac ces ophthalmology in Warwick, Goshen, Monroe and Port Jervis. She lives in Chester and is the proud mother Sarah, Michael and Beth.

THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER ORANGE COUNTY WISHES TO THANK THE FOLLOWING FOR MAKING OUR MOVE DOWNSTAIRS EASIER AND MORE AFFORDABLE: PAUL HOFFNER & JOHN HERBERT COMPANY, MARK LEVINSTEIN & NORTH POINT CARPET SALES,

THE ENTIRE MASON FAMILY, IAN RIEGER & RIEGER HOMES AND KOL YISRAEL.

“THE SPIRITUALITY OF LAUGHTER” RAISES FUNDS FORJEWISH FAMILY SERVICE’S FAMILY CONNECT PROGRAMSPECIAL FEATURE

The standing room only crowd in the Kol Yisrael social hall on Saturday, March 26th, proved once again that our Orange County Community comes out to support a good cause. This year, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County

will proudly donate all Sponsorship funds to Jewish Family Service’s Family Connect Program, providing support for families and children with physical, medical, emotional special needs and disabilities.

After a brief slide show highlighting the childen in the Family Connect Program, opening comedian Scott Rosmarin of Monroe had the audience in stitches with his “Borscht Belt” humor. Comedienne Nancy Levine of Highland Mills, owner of Laugh Out Loud Productions, went on with her own brand of stand-up comedy. The headliner of the evening was Rabbi Bob Alper, making his second appearance in Orange County. Rabbi Alper’s latest presentation, “The Spirituality of Laughter: A Comical Jewish Look at the Holiness of Humor,” explored humor in ancient and modern Jewish tradition and why laughter has been such an integral part of Jewish culture.

WE THANK THESE GENEROUS SPONSORS:PLATINUMLeslie & Glenn GreenGOLDJack, Suzanne, Bryant & Adam BerkowitzRaena & Alan KorenmanPKF O’Connor Davies, David Marks, Partner

Jefry RosmarinMarsha & Morris SobelSILVERAstar Heating & A/CFink, Waschitz, Bachrach, Levine & Schaeffer

BRONZE SPONSORSHIPS5 Spoke CreameryBlustein, Shapiro, Rich & BaroneAbbe & Joe DistelburgerHeather & Elliot FriedmanDr. Gunther B. Goldsmith,Dr. Ellen J. Solomon& FamiliesJeffrey & Rachelle HarmerBonna Horovitz & Joel FinkelsteinSenator William LarkinFred & Josephine Lauriano

Suzy & Lon MerinMid-City Transit Corp.Mona & Ian RiegerRoshko-Solomon FamilyStacey & Scott RosmarinSue & Howard RosenRI Suresky & SonCynthia & Joel WeintraubRabbi Philip & Rebecca WeintraubDeidre & Brad Wiener

LEFT TO RIGHT:Federa on President Leslie Green, Rabbi Bob Alper, Nancy Levine, Sco Rosmarin

To see all the pictures from this evening, please visit our website,jewishorangeny.org/photo-gallery/comedy-show-3-26-16

www.JewishOrangeNY.org4 We Are One |SPRING 2016ADAR II TAMMUZ 5776

CONNECTING LIVES, STRENGTHENING TIES: JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF ORANGE COUNTY AWARDED A NEW OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE SURVIVORS OF THE HOLOCAUST AND THEIR CAREGIVERSBY ELISE GOLD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTORSPECIAL FEATURE

MY JOURNEY TO EASTERN EUROPE AND ISRAELBY DOVY EHRENREICHJUMPING INTO LIFE

3 AM is not a fun time to wake up. Surrounded by a chorus of groans and moans and “BOKER TOV,” I lay in my sleeping bag trying to open my eyes. I’d almost forgotten I stayed the night in a Bedouin tent, in the desert, in Israel, sleeping on

the fl oor with about 50 other Reform Jewish teenagers from around the country. We had been traveling together for weeks, and after enduring the horrors of the concentration camps and the beauty of Eastern Europe and Israel we found ourselves riding camels at the Bedouin tents the night before, learning all about the Bedouin people, and literally presented with a homemade feast. As I fi nally found the energy to get up and put my hiking shoes on, I grabbed my toothbrush and duffel bag and rushed onto our bus, slowly witnessing all of my exhausted friends slump on and into their chairs, throwing their bags in the aisle. We soon arrived at our destination, well before 5AM. As I wondered what my friends back in America were doing at 10PM their time, I hopped off the bus and started to hike up Masada.My journey to Eastern Europe and Israel this past summer truly changed my life. With the immense generosity of the Jewish Federation and their Youth to Israel Scholarship, my summer became an absolutely unforgettable and personal journey, ironically fi lled to the brim with the multitude of new friends and long-lasting relationships that I created along the way. Simply walking away indifferently from a 6 week trek across sand and sea, across devastating horrors and ultimate magnifi cence, and across the history of your heritage, is not an option; the intense and enlightening feelings that you experience linger. Israel, the beautiful and pure Holy Land, a place I am connected to and consider a home for myself and all people alike, effortlessly opened my eyes to the world and invited me to embrace my Judaism even more than I had previously thought possible. Despite the intense darkness and the unbearable pain in my entire body that morning, I found myself stepping onto the top of the unbelievably beautiful plateau, passing by ancient ruins as I wondrously followed the enormous herd of teenagers. As we gathered at the top of the lookout point we silently gazed upon the magical view that was before us, watching the sun rise from the top of Masada, the desert underneath us stretching out for miles and miles, and I prayed for everyone who wishes it to be able to experience the beauty that I did in Israel.Joseph “Dovy” Ehrenreich is a senior at Monroe Woodbury High School. He is the son of Jake and Lisa Ehrenreich and the grandson of the late Jonah Ehrenreich and 96 year young Bubbe Ruth Sussman. Dovy is an accomplished musician and singer, and is a 3rd Dan Black Belt in tradi onal Tae Kwon Do. He will be returning to Israel with the Young Judea gap year course next year.

PHOTOS, CLOCKWISE:

• Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentra on Camp, Poland

• Town Square, Krakow, Poland• Hebrew University, Jerusalem• On a camel with a friend• Sunrise atop Masada

If an agency were to have a feeling, the feeling of honor is what Jewish Family Service of Orange County would be expressing right now. What an honor it is to be the recipient of a grant from the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA). JFNA received 45

applications. JFS Orange was one of 23 agencies that were awarded a grant for this valuable program. The Jewish Federations of North America, the parent organization of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County, launched the Center for Advancing Holocaust Survivor Care in the fall of 2015, following an award from the United States Department of Health and Human Services for up to $12 million over 5 years to advance innovations in person-centered, trauma-informed (PCTI) services for Holocaust survivors in the United States. PCTI care is a holistic approach to service provision that promotes the dignity, strength, and empowerment of trauma victims by incorporating knowledge about the role of trauma in victims' lives into agency programs, policies and procedures. Of the more than 100,000 Holocaust survivors in the United States, nearly one quarter are aged eighty-fi ve or older, and one in four lives in poverty. Many live alone and are at risk for social isolation, depression, and other physical and mental health conditions stemming from periods of starvation, disease and torture.At Jewish Family Service of Orange County, we will incorporate elements of the PCTI approach to offer case management and a variety of in-home services to Holocaust survivors and their caregivers living in the village of Kiryas Joel and in the general Orange County community. Case managers will assist in coordinating a variety of services, some of which will be provided by trained volunteers. These include supportive visits, grocery shopping, transportation, reassurance telephone calls, social model day programs and fi nancial aid. We will expand our volunteer recruitment to enlist volunteers who will receive additional training in the PCTI approach and the culture of the Kiryas Joel community. Counselors will visit caregivers to provide education and training in order to enhance their coping skills. We will develop a PCTI informed and culturally sensitive outreach program to inform the community of the increased services available to Holocaust survivors and their caregivers.These grants mark the fi rst time in history that the United States federal government has provided direct funding for Holocaust survivor services. When combined with matching

funds, this award will enable $30,000 in new programming for survivors. Matching funds of $10,000 to make this opportunity possible in part come from the Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County. It is through our local Federation’s ongoing support, that this program and others are made possible. “Taking care of Holocaust survivors, ensuring that they have their physical and emotional needs met, is of the utmost importance and a fully attainable goal if we continue to work together,” said Mark Wilf, chair of Federations’ National Holocaust Survivor Initiative. The grant money is a combination of federal dollars and philanthropic dollars raised by Jewish Federations as part of JFNA's National Holocaust Survivor Initiative, which seeks to raise $45 million to support the Survivor community.

If you are interested in the services provided by this new initiative, please contact Paula Blumenau at (845) 341-1173 ext. 305. As a member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County, please share with us the feeling of honor as we offer services to Holocaust survivors and their families.

Stacy Ocko-Lulkin (le ) provides case management services to Holocaust survivors and their

caregivers. Paula Blumenau (right) off ers outreach, le ng Holocaust survivors and their caregivers know of our programs. Paula also recruits and trains volunteers to help deliver needed services to Holocaust survivors.

5www.JewishOrangeNY.org We Are One | SPRING 2016ADAR II TAMMUZ 5776

PASSOVER POSSIBILITIESFROM ESTHER SCHUSTER, VIA JEWISHFOODEXPERIENCE.COMCOOK’S CORNERMushroom and Caramelized Onion White Passover Pizza Crust4 matzah sheets1 large bowl very hot water2 eggs2 tablespoons oil or melted butter1 teaspoon salt¼ teaspoon black pepper1 teaspoon dried basil (optional)Toppings2-3 tablespoons oil/oil and butter for sautéing1 sweet onion, sliced into thin wedges12 ounces mushrooms, any variety, sliced1 teaspoon sugar (optional)Salt and pepper to taste2½–3 cups mozzarella cheese, gratedTruffl e oil (optional)PreparationPreheat oven to 400 degrees. Break the matzah into pieces and soak in the bowl in hot water for about 5 minutes or until soft. Drain the matzah in a colander and dump the water. Place the drained matzah for the crust in the large bowl and mix together thoroughly with the remaining dough ingredients. The mixture should be moist and thick, but spreadable. For a thicker crust, use a 12- to 14-inch nonstick pizza pan. For a thinner crust, use a 16-inch nonstick pizza pan. Grease pan lightly and spread the matzah mixture to the edges of the pizza pan, being sure to cover the bottom of the pan entirely. Start in the center and spread outward to the edges of the pan with a spatula.Place the pizza pan in the 400-degree oven and bake for about 15 to 25 minutes (depending on thickness) or until crust is dry on the top and the bottom. Remove from oven and set aside.While the crust is baking, heat a large sauté pan over medium heat with a little oil or oil and butter. Add the sliced onions, allowing them to cook slowly until browned and soft, but not mushy. Add a little salt after about 10 minutes of cooking. A little sugar can also be added to aid in the caramelization process. When done, after approximately 20 to 30 minutes, remove them from the pan and set aside.Place the sliced mushrooms in the same pan and sauté until they are done, adding oil or butter if needed and salt and pepper to taste. Remove from pan when done and set aside.Sprinkle the grated cheese over the baked matzah crust and top with the mushrooms and onions. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is crisp. Remove from oven and lightly drizzle a few drops of truffl e oil over the pizza, if desired.Tips and variationsThe dough can be made ahead of time and topped at a moment’s notice. Consider topping with tomato sauce, mozzarella and leftover roasted vegetables. Experiment with different cheeses and fresh herbs, like basil and oregano and any other toppings you enjoy on a regular pizza.This pizza reheats well in a toaster oven the next day and is a nice treat for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

ABOUT ESTHER SCHUSTER, PASSOVER PIZZA RECIPEEsther is a recently re red social worker and the former execu ve director of Collat Jewish

Family Services in Birmingham, AL. She now enjoys having me for grocery shopping and cooking in daylight hours, mahjong and other new pursuits. Esther thrives on throwing dinner par es for 40 + people, which “ain’t no thang” in Alabama. She is the mother of one daughter, three refrigerators and four freezers. Crucial in-stock food items for her include canned tomatoes, shelled walnuts and pine nuts, Ghirardelli dark chocolate chips, EVOO, black beans and Jarlsberg cheese. She loves Costco and olives.

JEWISH FOOD EXPERIENCE CONTINUES TO DRAW A CROWDSPECIAL FEATURE

CHALLAH BAKING WORKSHOPJANUARY 10, 2016

A wonderful time was had by all who attended this workshop led by The Challah Fairy, Chanalee Fischer. The attendees made a round challah and an oblong challah with and without toppings, which they took home to bake.

Above: Dr. Ellen Solomon and Be y Grossman show us their braided challah.

Right: Peter Anello, Lorraine Wernow and Carol Packer work hard at braiding their challah.

GLUTEN FREE BAKING WORKSHOP FEBRUARY 21. 2016

Marcia Horowitz, owner/baker of “OMG RU Sure Its Gluten Free?” facilitated this workshop hosted by Congregation Eitz Chaim in Monroe. The women made mandel bread, often referred to as Jewish biscotti. Needless to say, the mandel bread was delicious and a great time was had by all.

Marcia Horowitz Diane Soss and the fi nished product.

UPCOMING JFE EVENTS

VISIT YIDDISH FARM - SUNDAY, APRIL 10TH 1PM

Join your Federation friends to learn about shmura matzah as we tour the Yiddish Farm in New Hampton and meet director Yisroel Bass. Yiddish Farm aims to expand the role of the Yiddish language, serve as a bridge between Yiddish speakers of various backgrounds and to promote environmental

stewardship through organic farming. Suggested donation $10 per person. RSVP to sharon@jewishorangeny.org or call 845-562-7860.

VISIT 5 SPOKE CREAMERY - SUNDAY, MAY 15TH 2PM

Our hosts, Barbara and Alan Glustoff will give you a tour of their farm and cheese making facility followed by a sampling of their specialty cheeses. Proud owners of a 100+ year old dairy farm in Goshen, the Glustoffs brought dairy farming back to the property. Last year, the farm became 100% solar powered - in keeping with their mission to promote

sustainable agriculture and environmentally friendly practices while encouraging eating farmstead raw milk cheese as part of a healthy lifestyle. And they are proud to say that their cheeses are certifi ed Kosher! Suggested donation $20 per person. Space is limited. RSVP by May 12th to sharon@jewishorangeny.org or call 845-562-7860.

This year, 2016, marks the Centennial Celebration of Temple Sinai. It was incorporated in 1916 when it was called the Middletown Hebrew Association.More than 50 years before the Middletown Hebrew Association was created there

were Jewish people living in Middletown. German Jewish peddlers started to arrive in Middletown in the mid 1850s. During and after the Civil War, Jewish businessmen opened up clothing stores. Some Jewish merchants left after a few years but others remained in the community. Eventually, the Jewish merchants overcame any prejudice that fi rst existed and the newspapers showed no anti-Semitic bias. In fact, newspapers often carried detailed articles on Jewish holiday observance even though the Jewish population was small. The celebration of Purim was an important event in the community and was celebrated by the Jewish and non-Jewish families with a “Purim Ball.” City offi cials were invited. By the 1880s, Jews from Poland moved to Middletown. Soon after, they took an active part in the life of the community. B.V. Wolf was one of the organizers of the Eagle Hose Company and many others joined in the different volunteer fi rehouses. Jews participated in civic life and made many contributions to Middletown’s charitable organizations.From 1850 until 1878, there was no organized form of Judaism. In 1878, the Middletown Hebrew Union was organized and B.V. Wolf was its fi rst president, but it only lasted four years. In 1884, it was reorganized and renamed Congregation Beth Israel. There was a congregational plot in Hillside cemetery and early funeral services were lead by laymen. In the early 1900s, other Eastern European Jews began to settle in the area. They did not feel comfortable in Congregation Beth Israel and in 1916, formed the Middletown Hebrew Association and purchased their own cemetery. In 1917, property was purchased in Circleville. In order to be buried in this cemetery you had to be a member of the congregation but over the years patients in the Middletown Psychiatric Hospital and other state hospitals who had no family were buried there. In the beginning there were more meetings than religious services. Many simply joined the congregation to be part of the Jewish community. They came to a service or meeting because they wanted to be with other Jews. The High Holidays were celebrated with a very traditional service. It is not known whether services were held regularly from 1916 to 1926. In 1922, Rabbi Herman Beck was hired as its fi rst spiritual leader. At the Shavuot service of 1922, nine girls were confi rmed. In 1926, the MHA dedicated its’ fi rst synagogue and center on Linden Ave. During the late 1920s and early 1930s, the congregation was split on whether MHA was primarily a synagogue or a social center since the gymnasium and social hall were completed fi rst. Wedding ceremonies could now take place in the synagogue and Friday evening Shabbat services were begun in 1931. There were special religious ceremonies in 1936 and 1941 for the presentation of Torah scrolls. Several years later the sanctuary was fi nished. In the late 1930s, MHA became a synagogue. During the 1960s the name was changed to Temple Sinai.

6 www.JewishOrangeNY.orgWe Are One | SPRING 2016ADAR II TAMMUZ 5776

Harold Levine Endowment ProgramMake your memory last. Create an endowment by calling 845-562-7860.

EVELYN & MARVIN ABRAMOWITZ

DDDDDDDDR. MARTIN ALTCHEK

GGGGGGGGGGEORGIA & DR. IRVING ANDERMAN

DR. JACOB & JACQUELINE BARIE

JESSICA B. & JACK N.BLINKOFF

CELIA & BERNARD BRICKMAN

PEARL COHN

ROSE COHEN

TTTTTHETTTTTTTTT DLUGATZ FAMILY

ANDREA DUBROFF

THE ENDICK-KORENMAN FAMILY

TRUDY & LEO FLAX

THE GITTELSOHN FAMILY

AAAAALFRED GOLDBERGER

THE GUTTERMAN- GOLDBERG FAMILY

LESLIE A. HANDLER

ELLIS HECHT

LILLIAN & NORMANHECHT

IRV KAPLAN

JUNE & GERALD KREISBERG

MARION R. & LAWRENCE LEVIN

MARION RIDER LEVIN

ESTHER & FALK LEVINE

FLORENCE & JACQUES LEVINE

CAROL & HAROLDLEVINE

HARRIET & JACK LEVY

ALLA & BORIS LIPKIN

DR. PAUL LIPSCHULTZ

LORE & RABBI DR. KURT METZGER

SYLVIA & MURRAY MINTZ

GERTRUDE & DR. REUBEN MOKOTOFF

EDITH & EUGENE MULLIN

LEONA & HAROLDNADLE

PEARL & NATHANOLIVER

PAUL ORNSTEINEDNA & SHEPARD

PRYLUCK

RACHEL & EMANUEL REISER

PATRICIA & DAVIDRIDER

THE RIEGER FAMILY

STELLA RUBINSKY

LIBBY & MAT SCHLEIFER

CHARLOTTE & JOSEPHHHHHHHHHH SCHULHOF

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FLORENCE & LEOSUSSMAN

CREATE YOUR RRFAMILY’S

LEGACY HERE TODAY!

ABOUT ENDOWMENTS

The Harold Levine Endowment Program of the Jewish Federa on of Greater Orange County currently has more than forty endowments and con nues to grow, ensuring our benefi ciary agencies the ability to con nue to enrich our community’s future and to be there to help Jews facing hardships here and abroad.

A legacy gi to the Harold Levine Endowment Program is your way to leave fi nancial resources to Jewish ins tu ons, enabling them to provide rescue, relief, support and educa onal services here and in 60 countries worldwide.

A philanthropic advisor from the Jewish Federa on can be your partner in planning a legacy gi that is consistent with your other estate plans; or, you can contact a tax advisor or estate-planning a orney for informa on specifi c to your situa on.To arrange for a confi den al mee ng, please contact Mark Fink at 845 782-7651.

THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF TEMPLE SINAIBY LINDA DUBINSPECIAL FEATURE

ABOUT LINDA DUBINLinda Dubin graduated from Brooklyn College with a BA and MA in Educa on and Social Studies. She has been happily married for 5l years to Edward. They are the parents of Steven, a Lieutenant in FDNY EMS and Adrienne who is married to Dr. Richard Day. They are proud grandparents of Jeff rey and Mason. Linda and Edward became members of Temple Sinai soon a er they moved to Florida, NY in 2000. Linda, a member of the Board of Trustees and Adult Ed Chair, has presented many programs at the temple. Linda is a member of the Centennial Celebra on Commi ee.

Joan AugelloJack BerkowitzEd Bloomfi eld Josephine Bloomfi eldPaula BlumenauJanet Davis

Linda DubinJudy GreenNancy JonasLisa MillerJoyce MizrachiRabbi Marcus Rubenstein

THE CENTENNIAL COMMITTEEEileen Sinkowitz, Chairperson

7We Are One | SPRING 2016ADAR II TAMMUZ 5776 7www.JewishOrangeNY.org

JEWISH BOOK COUNCIL PAST AND FUTURE EVENTSSPECIAL FEATURE

ELISSA ALTMAN, author of “Poor Man’s Feast - A Love Story of Comfort, Desire and the Art of Simple Cooking” came to our community on February 28th. She shared many anecdotes from her book which is fi lled with twenty-six delicious recipes. Elissa’s book demonstrates how all of our stories are bound up with how we feed ourselves and those we love.

REBECCA ALEXANDER, a remarkable woman and author of “Not Fade Away - A Memoir of Senses Lost and Found” spoke to our community on March 20th. The audience was enthralled as Rebecca explained how her rare Jewish genetic disorder, Usher Syndrome Type III, will ultimately leave her blind and deaf. Her spirit and determination refuses to let her disease get in her way. Rebecca is a psychotherapist who lives and inspires others to live life with strength, profound gratitude and boundless joy.

GERALYN LUCAS, author of “Then Came Life: A Memoir of Living with the Same Courage, Spirit, and Humor That Helped Me Survive Breast Cancer” spoke to our community on April 3rd. Her previous book was “Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy,” Ms. Lucas’s funny and moving story of leaving the traumatic experience of cancer behind, and learning to survive all the challenges of a life she thought she would not have. She is an award-winning TV producer, author, lecturer, and women’s health advocate, living in New York City.

COMING UP...PAULA SHOYER - “THE HOLIDAY KOSHER BAKER”SUNDAY, APRIL 17TH 2PM AT TEMPLE SINAI

Paula received her pastry diploma from the Ritz Escoffi er Ecole de Gastronomie Francaise

in Paris, France in 1996. She owns and operates Paula’s Parisian Pastries Cooking School in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and teaches Jewish cooking classes all around the U.S. Paula’s articles have appeared in Washington Jewish Week, Kosher Inspired Magazine, Joy of Kosher magazine, and Hadassah Magazine.

KAREN GOOEN - “SEARCHING FOR BUBBE FISCHER: THE PATH TO MAH JONGG WISDOM”SUNDAY, JUNE 26TH 2PM AT THE NEWBURGH JCC

Mah jongg is more popular than ever in the Jewish community. The mere sound of tiles being called out (“One bam, two crak!”) evokes childhood memories of late-night living rooms or afternoons at the swim club, linking the past and present generations. Novice player Karen Gooen loved the game and wanted to take her skills to the next level. She hoped to fi nd the ultimate

Mah Jongg Maven-the mythical Bubbe Fischer-and learn all her secrets. This memoir and manual shares Gooen’s quest and the wisdom that she found along the way. Told with self-deprecating humor and a great deal of insight, this book will appeal to players at any skill level, from the beginner to the seasoned expert, and even to Bubbe herself!

Our Orange County Jewish Federation was founded more than 50 years ago to help people faced with diffi cult circumstances. The historic generosity of our community has helped thousands of people right here in Orange County and

hundreds of thousands of people in Israel and around the world and we continue to make a positive impact on more lives each day. In our formative years, just as today, our ability to help others was largely dependent upon the success of our Annual Campaign. The Campaign, simply stated, is one Jew asking a second Jew to help a third Jew. Our Jewish community always responds, gives generously, and provides leadership and staff with the funding and tools necessary to carry out our mission with the compassion our founders envisioned.Our 2016 Federation Campaign, currently in progress, will ultimately decide how many lives we can touch during the coming year. After working on the Campaign for several years, I’ve learned that those who understand the depth of what we do as a Federation both locally and throughout the world, consider it an honor to support our campaign and do so generously and without hesitation. Many, however, don’t truly get all that we do. Many give generously anyway, while the others have chosen not to participate in previous campaigns. I challenge everyone to take the time to understand more about our Federation and how we carefully use each precious donation to ensure we complete our historic mission. Right here in Orange County, our Federation sponsors many diverse, interesting and outstanding programs such as a Jewish Film Festival, the PJ Library program for our children 6 months to 8 years and inclusion programs for people with physical and intellectual challenges. Concerts and holiday celebrations also bring together people from throughout the county. We are a force that brings together the Jewish community. And that is good…Our Federation helps support Jewish Family Service and they provide social services to those in need. Our religious schools and nursery schools also benefi t from Federation dollars. And this barely scratches the surface of our Federation’s local activities. And that is good too…Half of our campaign dollars are sent to our overseas partners; The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC). JAFI brings Jews to Israel, helps the immigrants adjust to their new lives and educates youth in the Diaspora about life in Israel. JAFI brings 12,000 to 15,000 Jews each year to Israel, many of whom are considered at risk because of conditions where they lived. The JDC’s mission

is to rescue Jews in threatened countries, provide relief from hunger, renew Jewish communities and help vulnerable communities in Israel and around the world. Our Federation dollars, combined with the efforts of other Federations around the world, made this happen and will continue to enable our partners to rescue any Jew at risk anywhere in the world.Another fantastic, life-changing program funded through our Federation campaign is Taglit-Birthright Israel. Through the Birthright Foundation, every Jewish young adult in the world between the ages of 18 and 26 has the opportunity to take a free ten-day trip to Israel, airfare included.Locally, our Federation supports scholarships to many local families so that children can go to Jewish summer camp or visit Israel on a program other than Birthright. Many people have put themselves on a stricter budget these days, and I ask that the Federation remain part of that budget. The Federation makes it easy to give monthly, with a credit card (Discover, Visa, Master Card and, coming soon, American Express). We can help you set up a monthly payment. This automatic payment option makes it easy to give more than in past years, even in tougher times. A $200 gift to the Federation right now, for example, might be diffi cult, but do you think you can afford $20 a month? Your $20 a month is now a $240 yearly gift and Federation will do the work for you by charging your card once a month. It’s that simple! There are many wonderful and worthwhile organizations and charities that can and should benefi t from your gifts. Although other charities deserve your support as well, I ask that the Jewish Federation be a top priority in your giving. The phrase, “Give ‘til it hurts” is not my favorite. That is not what giving is all about. One should not hurt from giving, people should give out of a desire to make the world a better place, to help the community and the needy. “GIVE ‘TIL IT FEELS GOOD.”If you would like to meet with me, or anyone on our campaign team, just let us know. If you are in the game, we want to keep you there; if you are on the bench, I challenge you to get into the game. You’ll be glad you did. I can be reached through the Federation offi ce at 845-562-7860.

YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY JOYCE WASCHITZ WITH THE HELP OF GAIL OLIVERDIRECTOR’S CORNER

Joyce Waschitz is the Execu ve Director of the Jewish Federa on and past president of Monroe Temple Beth El. Joyce and her husband Gary have lived in Orange County for over 30 years and have two children.

8 www.JewishOrangeNY.orgWe Are One | SPRING 2016ADAR II TAMMUZ 5776

LOCAL SYNAGOGUESThese are the synagogues that serve greater Orange County’s thriving Jewish community. To help you find the congregation that best suits your lifestyle, we have provided a brief overview. For more detailed information, we invite you to contact each synagogue directly.

Ahavas Torah Congrega onLoca on: MonroePhone: 845-783-7565Affi lia on: Orthodox

Congrega on Agudas IsraelLoca on: NewburghPhone: 845-562-5604 Affi lia on: Conserva vecongrega onagudasisrael.org

Congrega on Beth HillelLoca on: WaldenPhone: 845-778-7374 Affi lia on: Conserva vecongrega onbethhillel.org

Congrega on B’nai TorahLoca on: Greenwood LakePhone: 845-477-3716Affi lia on: Conserva vebnaitorahgwl.org

Congrega on Eitz ChaimLoca on: MonroePhone: 845-783-7424 Affi lia on: Conserva veeitzchaim-monroe.org

Monroe Temple of Liberal JudaismLoca on: MonroePhone: 845-783-2626Affi lia on: Reformmonroetemple.org

Temple Beth ElLoca on: Port JervisPhone: 845-856-1722Affi lia on: Conserva vetemplebethelpjny.org

Temple Beth JacobLoca on: NewburghPhone: 845-562-5516Affi lia on: Reformtbjnewburgh.org

Temple Beth ShalomLoca on: Florida, NYPhone: 845-651-7817Affi lia on: Reformtbsny.org

Temple SinaiLoca on: MiddletownPhone: 845-343-1861Affi lia on: Conserva vetemplesinaimiddletown.com

RABBI FREEDMAN PRESENT FOR HISTORIC MOMENT AT KOTELBY RABBI LARRY FREEDMANPRACTICAL RABBI

It had been six years since I had last been in Israel so I was excited to return for my annual rabbinic conference. One of the highlights was shachrit celebrating the soon to be new

worship site at the Kotel. In this very short space let me share some highlights.

Women of the Wall started out with and continues to have Orthodox women who want to enjoy a full expression of prayer at our most holy site. It is not a program of the Reform Movement. Women of the Wall has had monthly davening for 27 years. They have been hit, screamed at, spit at, called whores and arrested all for the crime of wanting to have a women’s minyan on the women’s side of the Kotel plaza. In January there was an historic agreement with the rabbi of the Kotel that agreed to have a third area built along the Western Wall that was dignifi ed, open and, this is important, fully accessible to visitors equal to how the current spaces are. It will take some very creative architecture to make that happen as there are issues with grade, sightlines, the ramp to the Temple mount and so forth. The space is currently accessible through the southern wall excavations but not via the current prayer areas.

The current prayer areas will become an offi cial ultra-Orthodox synagogue, meaning that those Orthodox women who want to lead women’s minyanim and read Torah (halachically permissible and don’t let anyone fool you about that) have lost out. There will be, in the new area, a mechitza so that Orthodox women who need it for women only minyanim can fi nally say their prayers in peace.

Even more exciting is that the back of the plaza where tourists mingle is no longer subject to the rules of the ultra-Orthodox. Military and civic ceremonies are often held there and for some time now the rabbi of the Kotel forbade women to sing. This means that a woman in the uniform of the State of Israel was banned from singing the national anthem at an offi cial State event. This agreement returns the plaza to a national site for all the citizens and no longer under the thumb of the rabbinate.

Why does all this matter? Other than school trips, millions of Israeli Jews never set foot there. The issue is about the nature of the State of Israel. It is about the promise that Israel should be a haven for Jews to be free to express themselves in all ways. It means that families can stay together for a powerful spiritual experience. It means that we can be who we are at the holiest site for Jews. The issue is that the State of Israel and the Jews of the world just need to accept that there is more than one way to be Jewish, that non-Orthodox Jews love their heritage, want to express their love of God through prayer and won’t accept an ever stricter version of Judaism. It means Jews, all Jews, can rejoice. Finally.

ABOUT RABBI FREEDMAN

Rabbi Larry Freedman began his tenure at Temple Beth Jacob in July 2008. He serves in the NY Air Na onal Guard as a chaplain holding the rank of major. Rabbi Freedman is an 11-year veteran of Eisner Camp and served as faculty at Kutz Camp, Camp George in Ontario and Goldman Union Camp in Indianapolis. Rabbi and his wife Deborah have two sons.