The Publisher’s Perspective - 12/26/19

The following is my piece in the December 26, 2019 edition of the Philadelphia Jewish Link:

When gunshots rang out in Jersey City, New Jersey on December 10, for many people it was merely yet another deadly shooting that they read about in the news. There was no personal connection; it was “just another shooting.” The tragic loss of life that we hear about on what seems to be a regular basis has left far too many people immune to the fact that this is an epidemic that must be stopped.

However, the Jersey City shooting hit closer to home for many of us than some of the other shootings that we read about, and I’m not only referring to the relative geographic proximity of Jersey City to the Greater Philadelphia area and Cherry Hill.

The Jersey City shooting claimed the lives of several members of the city’s Orthodox Jewish population as they were gunned down in the JC Kosher Supermarket, as well as the lives of an employee of the supermarket and a member of the Jersey City Police Department.

The victims included 39-year-old Detective Joseph Seals, a 13-year veteran of the force and a father of five, 24-year-old Moshe Deutsch, 33-year-old Mindel Ferencz, the owner of the supermarket and a mother of three, and 49-year-old Douglas Miguel Rodríguez, an employee of the supermarket.

The senseless violence that cut their lives short is hard to process and is something that will haunt their grieving families and communities for quite some time.

Yet, the story doesn’t end there. It was some of the troubling events that unfolded in the aftermath of the shooting that left the greater Jewish community contemplating what transpired and wondering, what next? Where do we go from here?

A disturbing video was circulated after the shooting in which bystanders were seen angrily shouting anti-Semitic comments, blaming the Jews for the shooting, and expressing a desire for the Jews to get out of Jersey City. Watching the footage and listening to the expletive-laden diatribes sent shivers down my spine.

In addition, a Jersey City Board of Education member was under fire after she posted inflammatory comments on social media which denigrated Jews and seemed to imply that there was value in the twisted message the gunmen were trying to send to the Jewish community. While Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop and NJ Governor Phil Murphy both called on the Board of Education member to resign, the fact remains that she had no qualms about posting such incendiary anti-Semitic sentiments in the public realm.

These incidents are a stark reminder that anti-Semitism is alive and well in our own backyard and throughout the United States. As comfortable as we may feel in American society, we must never forget for a moment that there are people who resent us solely because we are Jewish.

However, we can find solace in the fact that the Jewish community is able to find light even in the darkest of times and we have the innate ability to illuminate our lives and generate inner strength and resolve when the world around us may seem bleak and cold.

The notion of bringing light to darkness was on full display at the recent menorah lighting alongside the JC Kosher Supermarket in Jersey City. A crowd gathered to light the Chanukah menorah at the very scene where shots rang out just a few short weeks ago. People, young and old, joined together not just to remember those who perished in the deadly attack, but also to celebrate life.

“The first night of Chanukah at the very place of this shooting, which created so much darkness and negativity, can bring light and positivity,” said Rabbi Moshe Schapiro, one of the organizers of a menorah lighting.

Although we may live in turbulent times, it is imperative that we always keep things in perspective and never forget the power of positivity, the power of prayer, and the power of the Yad Hashem.

May the lights of the Chanukah menorah continue to inspire us, reinforce our faith, and light up our lives.

JRA: Helping Those Who Need it Most

The following is my cover story in the December 12, 2019 edition of the Philadelphia Jewish Link about the Jewish Relief Agency (JRA) and the important work it does in the Greater Philadelphia community:

JRA: Helping Those Who Need it Most

As we get caught up in our daily lives, it can be very easy to forget that there are people in our local Jewish community who may be less fortunate than we are and in dire need of our help. Fortunately, there is an organization in our midst that spends its time serving as a lifeline for thousands of individuals and families throughout the Greater Philadelphia area.

When Merion Station resident Marc Erlbaum worked with Rabbi Menachem Schmidt in the summer of 2000 to rent a U-Haul truck and deliver food to 19 Russian-speaking families who needed help, little did they know that their efforts would beget what has since become the Jewish Relief Agency (JRA).

A lot has happened over the past 19 years. They have gone from helping 19 families to delivering to 3,246 households last month, they have outgrown two warehouses, and their volunteer base has swelled to approximately 1,000 per month. In short, the JRA has become an indispensable part of the community and one of the area’s leading chesed organizations, and it has built a vast network of dedicated volunteers along the way.

“Directly connecting the volunteer and the recipient was the magic of JRA’s model from the beginning,” said JRA Chairman of the Board Daniel Erlbaum. “At a time when people were really motivated to touch and feel the good they were doing, JRA was a vehicle for exactly that.”

“While feeding individuals and families in need will always be our North Star, activating an empathetic, kind and unified community in its own right has become central to our mission,” Erlbaum added. “The vision of over 1,000 volunteers in the JRA warehouse on distribution Sundays, representing all ages, means, affiliations and geographies within Greater Philadelphia, working arm-in-arm to do good, is as gratifying as it gets.”

While the majority of JRA’s clients are Jewish, they don’t turn anyone away and they feed some non-Jewish clients as well. “It’s very inclusive,” said Marianna Salz, JRA’s Director of Client Services.

All of the food delivered by JRA is not only non-perishable and nutritionally balanced, but it is also strictly kosher, with the kashrut supervision under the guidance of Rabbi Menachem Schmidt. All of the food included in JRA’s packages is pareve.

While JRA’s primary programs center around delivering boxes of food to those who need it, they also have a program called Everyday Essentials, through which they deliver toiletries to families. In addition, they have a partnership with an organization called Cradles to Crayons that delivers clothing to children 12 and under. JRA also partners with an organization called Tools for School to provide backpacks to clients who could use them, and they also distribute materials for the Philadelphia Diaper Bank.

JRA works in partnership with a number of social service agencies, area hospitals and other Jewish institutions who refer clients to them. In addition, JRA works with a number of individuals in Rhawnhurst and Wynnewood who help facilitate anonymous food drop-offs for people who wish to maintain anonymity.

Individuals and families wishing to receive provisions from JRA have to fill out an application with the organization and must fall within 150% of the federal poverty guidelines in order to qualify, although each situation is evaluated individually. In addition, applicants have to live within JRA’s delivery zone, which currently includes 97 zip codes in the Greater Philadelphia area, including Montgomery County, Southern Bucks County, and parts of Chester and Delaware Counties. They also deliver to Cherry Hill as well as some other areas in South Jersey.

“It’s a fairly simple process,” Salz said referring to the application procedure. “There is almost no waiting period, and within a month, someone could receive a box.”

Under JRA’s guidelines, a family of four gets one food box while a family of five or more gets two boxes. Anyone who has children 16 and under also gets a family friendly box, which includes snacks for school.

“I am so thankful for what JRA does,” said Maralyn, a JRA client. “I feel cared for. Around the Jewish holiday time, it’s like a portable family that you unpack in a box.”

“Words cannot express my appreciation for the JRA food box,” said Gloria, another JRA client. “I look forward to the food box every month. The food is so nourishing and delicious. The Jewish Relief Agency is a total blessing to me. I also want to thank you for the birthday cards you send me every year – I am overjoyed! I also want to thank the nice people who deliver the food.”

While they thoroughly enjoy their work and relish the opportunity to deliver food to people in need, the JRA staff recognizes how wonderful it is when a client’s situation changes and they don’t require JRA’s help any longer.

“Sometimes people call us and say thank you so much, we no longer need your services, and that’s a great phone call to get,” said Elvera Gurevich, JRA’s Program and Communications Manager.

Although JRA’s main distribution takes place on Sunday, they have expanded that to a pre-distribution Friday, at which time they pack the family friendly bags, the toiletry bags, and the first approximately 300 boxes of food because some people pick up boxes early on Sunday and they need to be ready ahead of time.

With an average of 1,000 men, women and children in the JRA warehouse every month packing and distributing the boxes for the community, there is no question that the volunteers play an invaluable role in JRA’s day-to-day operations. “Without our volunteers, we can’t function,” Salz remarked.

As a result, JRA has unveiled a number of innovative programs over the years that are designed to make the packing and distribution easy, fun and meaningful for their volunteers.

For example, there are people designated as “Route Owners,” which are individuals who have been delivering the same routes for months and years. “These individuals have built significant, real relationships with the recipients that are getting the food,” Gurevich said. “It’s pleasant for a recipient to see the same face every week and know that someone is really caring for them.”

In addition, there is the “Yellow Capper Program,” through which longtime volunteers serve in more of a leadership role in the JRA warehouse. These 25-30 individuals are there every month and are essentially an extension of the staff. With just seven full-time staff members at JRA, the “Yellow Cappers” offer much-needed help in handling 1,000 volunteers and 3,000 boxes. There are also “Junior Yellow Cappers,” which are high school students who perform similar functions.

Several years ago, JRA started its “Tiny Tots Program,” in which children age six and under come to the warehouse with their parents at 8:30 on Sunday morning and they’re the only ones there. The children get a cart, they put a box on the cart, and they go down the assembly line and put one item in the box at a time. “It gives them the opportunity to do the food packing at a pace that’s comfortable for them,” said Gurevich. “It’s a great hands-on experience,” noted JRA Program Specialist Rachel Loonin Steinerman.

“A culture of kindness starts by sensitizing children to societal needs and the value of giving from the earliest ages,” Erlbaum said.

At any given distribution at the JRA warehouse, there are parents who come with their children and grandparents who come with their grandchildren. It is truly a multi-generational experience and a great bonding experience for families.

“JRA’s monthly food packing and distribution is an incredible sight to see,” said Ilana and Mitch Appleson of Bala Cynwyd, who have been volunteering regularly at JRA with their children. “People from all different age ranges and backgrounds come together to pack and deliver boxes each month for those in need. Our experience at JRA has helped our children understand the importance of helping others and making a difference in our community.”

While the majority of the volunteers spend their time in the warehouse packing boxes, the delivery aspect of the operation is equally critical, and there is always a need to get more volunteers to help in that area.

While discussing how impactful the distribution is for the volunteers, Gurevich noted that, “the delivery component is the more meaningful component of the distribution because you actually see the person who is getting the food.”

“It’s part of the foundation of JRA,” said Loonin Steinerman. “It’s that hand delivering with a smile.”

JRA’s volunteers come from all walks of life, and they include a wide variety of groups who come to participate in the packing and distribution. This past year, JRA had approximately 150 groups come, including shuls, schools, camps, corporate groups and families. Churches come, as do fraternities and sororities from local colleges. Corporate groups come as well, including CVS and Target. They also work with special needs organizations who are really key in helping with the distributions.

“We do a lot of outreach to many different aspects of the community and we really rely on them,” said Loonin Steinerman.

Among the other programs offered by JRA is a B’nai Mitzvah program, where the goal is for students who are in their Bar or Bat Mitzvah year to do 10 hours of community service, packing and delivering on three food distributions. There is also a birthday card making program, where volunteers make birthday cards that get sent to every single JRA client in the month of their birthday.

In 2017, JRA established its “Leadership Academy,” which according to Gurevich, “is a non-profit boot camp for young professionals to get involved to volunteer and to understand how a non-profit organization really works.” There are currently 11 young professionals involved with this program.

JRA also has a grant from “Seed the Dream Foundation” to provide food for Holocaust survivors. They presently feed approximately 350 survivors through this remarkable initiative. JRA is working with Drexel Hillel on this program, and the students have a specific delivery route and their mission is to establish relationships with the survivors on that route.

While discussing the numerous programs that JRA oversees on a daily basis, Erlbaum noted the vital role that the organization’s lay leaders play and the synergy between them and the dedicated staff members, each of whom is integral to JRA’s success in serving the community.

“One of the things that makes JRA incredibly special is the way the professional staff and volunteer leadership work together,” he said. “As JRA was run for many years purely by volunteers, led by my brother Marc, our Board has always been involved in even the nitty-gritty. That dynamic is evolving somewhat as our small but mighty staff gets stronger and tighter, under Jodi Roth-Saks’ leadership and thanks to the institutional knowledge and loyalty of long-time team members, Julie Roat and Marianna Salz. Given the unusual level of commitment on the part of both lay and professional leadership, JRA gets more done with less than most nonprofits.”

JRA is currently planning “Day School Day at JRA,” which will take place on March 22, 2020, during the distribution for the Pesach food. They hope to get as many local Jewish day schools as possible, including elementary, middle, and high schools, to participate by bringing a group of people to represent their respective school and take part in this very important packing and distribution before Yom Tov.

People interested in taking part in “Day School Day at JRA” or volunteering at any other point during the year, can contact Madeline Levine-Wolf, JRA’s Volunteer Program Manager, at 610.660.0190, x104.

“Jewish unity and a culture of kindness are two conditions the world desperately needs,” Erlbaum remarked. “We believe JRA is a unique agent of both and we’re looking to scale it as much as we can with the result of massively reducing the pangs of poverty and otherwise bettering the world.”

The Publisher’s Perspective - 12/12/19

The following is my piece in the December 12, 2019 edition of the Philadelphia Jewish Link:

I got to reminisce a little bit this week. When Rabbi Ephraim Epstein shared with me some photos of Rabbi Berel Wein during his recent visit to Cherry Hill, it turned back the clock for me and I was instantly transported back to my high school years.

Rabbi Wein was the Dean and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Shaarei Torah in Suffern, New York, which is the high school I attended decades ago. An extraordinary personality whose breadth of knowledge seems endless, Rabbi Wein is someone who commands respect not because he craves it, but because his standing as a Talmid Chacham and scholar warrants it.

His status as a Jewish history maven is well-known. People around the world are familiar with his Jewish history tapes, CDs and MP3s, which captured over 1,000 of his lectures during the past quarter-century, and his numerous literary works on the subject are renowned. I used to marvel at how Rabbi Wein would walk into our Jewish History class without a sheet of paper or a single note, ask us where he left off at the end of the last class, and then pick up from that very point in history without skipping a beat.

In addition to his status as a preeminent historian and Torah sage, what always struck me about Rabbi Wein was the path he took to get to the rabbinate and the secular knowledge he acquired along his journey. He was a practicing attorney before taking a pulpit in Miami Beach and subsequently in Suffern. The vast experience he garnered during his various professional careers manifested itself in both his public and private interactions. As a high school student, Rabbi Wein always impressed me. As I grew a bit older, Rabbi Wein also inspired me. He epitomizes what it means to successfully meld the secular and religious spheres, without compromising his Judaism one iota.

Thinking of Rabbi Wein in this way reminded me of the story of Chanukah, which we’ll be celebrating shortly. The Jews became far too comfortable with Greek culture, and the Seleucids tried to compel the Jews to forsake their Judaism and adopt the Greeks’ beliefs. A large swath of Jews who became known as Hellenists embraced the Greek way of life and took tangible steps to renounce their Judaism. It wasn’t until Matisyahu and the Chashmonaim stood up to the Greeks and rejected their bold attempts to destroy the Jews through assimilation that the tide was turned, and the Jewish people ultimately persevered.

Now, over 2,000 years later, Jews face the same danger yet again. Assimilation threatens to destroy our people, and the willingness of far too many Jews to abandon their religion for the allure of modern culture is alarming. However, people like Rabbi Wein remind us that Judaism and modernity are not mutually exclusive. We can be Talmidei Chachamim and worldly all at the same time. We can be proficient in Gemara and Halacha, while also being knowledgeable about literature and philosophy. We can be committed Jews while also living in the real world. Yes, we must establish boundaries and ensure we are duly insulated from external forces that seek to weaken our resolve and undermine our faith. We have to focus on not getting too complacent, lest we become vulnerable. However, we don’t need to live in a bubble and shut everyone and everything out. We just have to stay true to the tenets of our faith and have the good sense to always remember where our real priorities lie.

If more of us could strive to be like Rabbi Wein, it wouldn’t take an army like the Chashmonaim to defeat those who wish to dilute our Judaism. We’d be armed with the confidence and conviction necessary to rebuff those who attempt to poke holes in our beliefs and ensure that the lights of the Chanukah menorah illuminate our hearts and souls for generations to come.

The Publisher's Perspective - 11/28/19

The following is my piece in the November 28, 2019 edition of the Philadelphia Jewish Link:

When the colonial Pilgrims enjoyed a feast in 1621 celebrating the harvest, little did they know that meal would beget an annual tradition which would be celebrated by families across the United States for generations.

While Thanksgiving brings with it a strong focus on delectable delicacies, including turkey, stuffing, cranberries, and pumpkin pie, as well as the sacrosanct tradition of watching football, there is another essential element of the day.

The concept of “giving thanks” is central to the Thanksgiving holiday. In fact, many families have a tradition of going around the Thanksgiving table, one by one, to declare what each person is thankful for. “I am thankful for my family,” says Grandma. “I am thankful for my toys,” says the young boy. “I am thankful for the new bicycle I got for my birthday,” said the young girl. “I am thankful for the wonderful vacation we were able to take this year,” says Mom. “I am thankful that the Sixers are playing well,” says the teenage boy.

This ritual of “giving thanks” is often replete with a degree of formality and seriousness as each family member nods in approval as their parent, child or sibling bares his or her soul while the turkey is sitting on the table getting cold.

While I agree that there is something noble about this tradition that has taken hold in many homes, I take exception to the fact that “giving thanks” in this fashion is something that is limited to a once-a-year experience for far too many people.

As Jews, we give thanks every single day of our lives. Our spiritual being and entire religious experience are predicated on the notion of “giving thanks,” whether it be to God or to our fellow man. We thank Hashem for everything we have and everything we are able to do. We thank Him for allowing us to wake up each morning and we thank Him for the food He provides us with. We thank Him for keeping us healthy or helping us recover from an illness and we thank Him for the privilege of living life as Jews.

As Jews, we begin each day by uttering the words “Modeh Ani Lefanecha,” a tefillah through which we thank Hashem for restoring our soul within us, even before we venture out of bed. Each time we recite Shemoneh Esrei, we say “Modim Anachnu Lach,” we give thanks to You. The list goes on and on, and the ways in which we give thanks to God are virtually endless.

Giving thanks is at the very core of our existence as Jews, and it is something we do habitually and assiduously. While it is nice that people put their annual Thanksgiving feast on hold for a few moments so each family member can announce with great fanfare what he or she is thankful for, it simply is not enough.

Our world would be a far better place if people took more time to regularly reflect on what they have, ruminate on the precious gifts they have been given in life, and say “thank you” for all of it. It should not merely occur once a year on the fourth Thursday of November.

For Jews, every day is Thanksgiving.

PA Creates Nonprofit Security Grant Fund

The following is my cover story in the November 14, 2019 edition of the Philadelphia Jewish Link about the establishment of a $5 million Nonprofit Security Grant Fund in Pennsylvania:

PA Creates Nonprofit Security Grant Fund

One of the many byproducts of the synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh one year ago is the increased attention being paid to the importance of safeguarding houses of worship from future attacks. In that vein, the Pennsylvania State Legislature recently took a significant step to address the issue of the potential vulnerabilities of religious institutions.

With a flourish of the pen on the afternoon of November 7, 2019, Governor Tom Wolf signed into law House Bill 859, which establishes a $5 million Nonprofit Security Grant Fund to provide funding for safety and security improvements to facilities used by faith-based nonprofits in Pennsylvania.

“Schools and other community institutions should be a safe place for every child and resident,” said Governor Wolf. “I thank the bipartisan efforts that helped ensure safety and security funding was available for these non-profit, community institutions where people gather and should have peace of mind.”

While the legislation was originally part of Senate Bill 676, the Senate recently amended it onto House Bill 859. The Senate passed it unanimously on October 23 and the House overwhelmingly passed it on October 28. It was then presented to the Governor for his signature.

The Nonprofit Security Grant Fund, which will be administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), would provide funding for security enhancements, including planning, threat awareness, and response training; equipment and technology such as metal detectors, lighting, surveillance, communications systems, locksets, deadbolts, trauma kits, and anti-theft devices; vulnerability and threat assessments; specialty-trained canines; and other upgrades to existing structures that enhance safety and security.

Grant awards will range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $150,000. PCCD will select awardees in consultation with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and the Pennsylvania State Police. The Nonprofit Security Grant Fund will begin accepting applications in March 2020.

“Just over a year ago, the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in our nation’s history took place right here in Pennsylvania,” said state Senator Andrew Dinniman (D-Chester), who originally introduced the measure as part of Senate Bill 676. “We must never forget, but we also must act. And that is why we worked together across party lines to pass this bill. Because by standing up to protect the rights of freedom of religious expression, we’re protecting the right to worship of all… regardless of faith or background, everyone deserves to feel safe in their place of worship.”

“This is about taking the next step to do what needs to be done by making available resources to protect our communities and those who want to worship freely in a safe way,” said state Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), one of the original sponsors of the bill.

“Houses of worship are places of refuge for many, and we must do everything we can to ensure that Pennsylvanians can feel safe in their spiritual homes,” said state Representative Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny), whose district includes the Tree of Life Synagogue where the deadly attack took place. “Our constituents – particularly those who were affected by last year’s horrifying attack – have a right to feel secure as they go about their lives. This funding is one of several ways we are working to protect that right.”

The Orthodox Union joined its subsidiary, Teach PA, in thanking state officials for taking a significant step that aligns Pennsylvania with other states such as New York, New Jersey, California and Maryland in creating safety programs for houses of worship and nonprofits.

“Jewish institutions across the country face an increased threat and we thank the Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition and Senators Jay Costa, Andrew Dinniman and Representative Dan Frankel, among others, for championing this,” said Teach PA Executive Director Arielle Frankston-Morris. “The Jewish community is hopeful that continued advocacy will yield more safety, tolerance and unity in the Commonwealth.”

Teach PA, which is a leading advocate for equitable funding for Pennsylvania’s nonpublic schools, noted that houses of worship, including synagogues, churches and mosques, which until now could not access Pennsylvania state safety grants, will be able to apply for this critical funding. Schools, community centers, camps and others will also be able to apply for these grants.

The Publisher's Perspective - 11/14/19

The following is my piece in the November 14, 2019 edition of the Philadelphia Jewish Link:

It may sound crazy, but I love politics. In today’s politically charged environment, where bitterness has replaced bipartisanship and contempt has supplanted camaraderie, I admit that my affinity for politics may have you questioning my sanity.

Allow me to explain. Over the years, I have been involved in many political campaigns and worked in state and local government. My work has spanned the gamut – public policy, issue advocacy, drafting legislation and political communications. That feeling of helping a constituent who comes to you for assistance when they have nowhere else to turn is amazing and the sense of fulfillment you get when helping to effectuate legislative change that benefits the Jewish community is incredible. If we can put aside our cynicism for just a moment, it is very possible that more members of our community will recognize the importance of staying abreast of, and active in, the political sphere, both as Americans and as Jews.

Naturally, I am closely following the 2020 presidential race. As the jockeying among the candidates increases in intensity, each person is trying to make themselves stand out in the hopes of getting a bump in the polls. As a result, much of what it is said has to be taken with a grain of salt, in that policy positions sometimes fluctuate as much as the stock market does. What is said today may not hold true tomorrow.

That being said, I was deeply perturbed when several candidates recently stated their readiness to use U.S. aid to Israel as leverage to pressure the Israeli government. Although it is possible that they were merely pandering to a particular audience, the fact that they would present themselves as willing to condition military aid to Israel is terribly alarming.

The $3.8 billion in security assistance that Israel receives annually from the U.S. resulted from a 2016 Memorandum of Understanding entered into between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu, which has a ten-year term.

This aid is absolutely critical to Israel’s safety and security and the well-being of a close American ally. It is a vital tool in Israel’s efforts to maintain a qualitative military edge and ensure that it has the wherewithal to defend itself against the existential threats that it regularly faces. Military aid to Israel cannot and should not be used to score cheap political points, and the fact that certain presidential candidates, or any government official for that matter, would so cavalierly use it as part of the proverbial carrot and stick approach to induce Israel to accede to their political will is infuriating.

The U.S. made a commitment to Israel for a reason and they should stick to it, irrespective of politics. As presidential candidate and former VP Joe Biden said, the notion that the U.S. would cut aid to Israel on the condition that they change a particular policy is “absolutely outrageous” and “a gigantic mistake.”

Yes, I still love politics. It is because I love politics that I recognize the danger in candidates making these types of statements, and it is because I love politics that I recognize the importance of our community speaking out against political pronouncements and positions that could adversely impact Israel. The apparent lack of understanding by some of the significance of U.S. aid to Israel is appalling, and it is up to the American Jewish community to vociferously object to any effort to backtrack on the United States’ commitment to Israel.

Reflecting on the Pittsburgh Attack One Year Later

The following is my cover story in the October 31, 2019 edition of the Philadelphia Jewish Link about the first anniversary of the deadly shooting in a Pittsburgh synagogue:

Reflecting on the Pittsburgh Attack One Year Later

When a gunman armed with an assault rifle and several handguns entered the Tree of Life - Or L’Simcha Congregation in Pittsburgh at 9:50 a.m. on Saturday, October 27, 2018, and began shooting while shouting anti-Semitic slurs, the lives of countless people changed forever.

For the families of the eleven congregants who tragically lost their lives on that fateful day, the pain is still palpable. For the worshipers and law enforcement personnel who sustained serious injuries, the memory of what happened is still fresh. For anyone who has ever prayed in a synagogue or other House of Worship, the realization of what happened in Pittsburgh is at the forefront of their minds.

As we mark one year since what is perhaps the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in the history of the United States, in which a congregation was instantly transformed into a combat zone, the question is, now what? Where do things stand one year later?

According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), American Jews continue to face significant threats one year after the attack. Since the deadly shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue, at least twelve white supremacists have been detained by law enforcement for their alleged roles in terrorist plots, attacks or threats against the U.S. Jewish community.

Moreover, white supremacists have targeted properties that house Jewish institutions more than fifty times since the Pittsburgh attack. The ADL Center on Extremism found that there were twelve occasions of vandalism using white supremacist symbols and thirty-five distributions of white supremacist propaganda. We have also seen white supremacists demonstrating outside AIPAC offices and Israeli consulates. In the first half of 2019, there were approximately 780 anti-Semitic incidents throughout the United States.

Yet, despite the rise in anti-Semitism and the reverberations of the Pittsburgh attack one year later, there is a sense of optimism and the recognition that the Jewish community must endure, as well as a need to continue reflecting on what occurred.

Adam Hertzman, the Director of Marketing at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, recalled gathering with his Federation colleagues shortly after the news broke that there was an active shooter situation at Tree of Life and working diligently to organize and bring people together in the aftermath of the attack.

“We didn’t know all of the details yet, but my first reaction was the reaction of every Jew to hearing something like this – ‘oy,’” Hertzman told the Philadelphia Jewish Link. “I was in work and help mode, and I don’t know that I thought a lot about it until I got home that evening and hugged my kids. It was awful. I think my first reaction was shock.”

Citing the Federation’s good working relationship with the various Jewish agencies in Pittsburgh, Hertzman spoke about the collaboration among the various organizations.

“It was a seamless collaboration between JFCS, JCC, and Federation trying to notify all of the other synagogues and Jewish organizations and to make sure they had their security lockdown procedures in place. We worked on setting up a place for the families of the victims to wait that was comfortable for them and away from the media, on trying the keep the community calm at a time when there was understandably high anxiety, and on trying to get information out as quickly as possible in a sensitive way.”

One of the most incredible things to happen following the Pittsburgh attack was that people from all over the world and from all walks of life essentially came together to offer all kinds of assistance, whether it be financial, spiritual or physical, to the victims’ families and the greater Pittsburgh community.

For example, members of the Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, where a white supremacist opened fire and killed nine people in June 2015, traveled to Pittsburgh in order to spend time with the survivors of the synagogue attack and comfort them.

In addition, there was an interfaith prayer vigil held the night after the attack, where people of different faiths joined to remember the victims. Wasi Mohamed, the Executive Director of the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh, electrified the crowd when he announced that the Islamic Center raised more than $70,000 for the Jewish community in the 24 hours since the shooting.

“We just want to know what you need,” he said during his remarks at the vigil. “If it’s people outside your next service protecting you, let us know and we will be there. If you just need someone to come to the grocery store because you don’t feel safe in the city, we’ll be there and I’m sure everybody in the room would say the same thing.”

Following his address, the video of which went viral, an additional $168,000 was raised.

“The outpouring of support from the entire city of Pittsburgh and from people around the world was really overwhelming and so meaningful to the Jewish community here,” Hertzman said. 

“The thing that strikes me in retrospect is although there’s certainly a rise in anti-Semitism around the world, I also feel like this is a time in history like no other time in the history of the world, in which there would be this overwhelming outpouring of support,” he added. “You can imagine a time 100 years ago, where if something like this happened to the Jewish community, the rest of the community would shrug. Knowing that the world has changed in that way really helps with the healing in Pittsburgh.”

There is no question that one year after the attack, members of the Jewish community in Pittsburgh are still healing. There are people whose struggles persist as they continue down what could be a very lengthy path to recovery.

“Healing is different for different people and isn’t a linear process,” noted Hertzman. “There are people who have really gathered strength from being around others and from all the support that we’ve gotten, and then there are people who haven’t recovered at all, and everything in between.”

“The unintended consequences of this horror are so incredibly positive and uplifting – something no one could have anticipated,” said Rabbi Jeffrey Myers of the Tree of Life - Or L’Simcha Congregation. “People thrust together by this heinous act continued to find ways to help each other on a healing path. People discovered strength that they didn’t know they had, and some found new purpose in their lives. The evil intentions of one person continued to sprout positive acts in ways that one cannot imagine.”

“We will always be in the process of healing, for, unlike a physical wound, this wound never fully heals,” added Rabbi Myers. “Reminders of that horrific day surround us. Each day, we must integrate the trauma of that day into our beings. To emerge and engage in our new reality, we must develop the necessary tools we need to face the challenges that each day brings. I am fueled by two things – faith and hope.”

In addition to healing, there is also the question of rebuilding. That issue recently appeared to gain some clarity following an address by Tree of Life President Sam Schachner during Kol Nidre on Yom Kippur, when he announced to the congregants that the synagogue will proceed with rebuilding plans that reflect resiliency, strength, and community collaboration.

The building, which was home to three congregations who all lost members in the attack – Tree of Life, New Light Congregation, and Congregation Dor Hadash – has not reopened since the attack one year ago. Tree of Life has since promised to return to the building in a demonstration of its faith with a pledge to fight anti-Semitism and all types of discrimination.

“We are poised to become an incredible center for Jewish life in the United States,” said Rabbi Myers. “When we reopen, and we most certainly will, I want the entire world to say, ‘Wow. Look at what they have done.’ To do anything less disrespects the memory of our 11 martyrs.”

While describing the plan to eventually reopen the synagogue, Barb Feige, Tree of Life’s Executive Director, stated that Tree of Life will be patient and deliberate about planning its future. Immediately following the shooting, the primary focus was on the needs of the victims’ families and survivors. The plan took time to develop as the synagogue dealt with helping its congregants to heal as well as settling into their new temporary space in Rodef Shalom, and the new daily demands of dealing with investigators, insurers, the numerous requests and extensive outpouring of support from across the country and throughout the world.

“We are a resilient community,” said Schachner. “When something bad happens, we have three choices. We can either let it define us, let it destroy us, or we can let it strengthen us. We will not let this attack destroy us. And we will not let this attack define us as a congregation.”

“We will start by engaging in a rebuilding effort in a victim-centered, collaborative, sensitive and caring manner,” Schachner continued. “We will build a cooperative and collaborative space located on the current Tree of Life - Or L’Simcha site that brings together stakeholders in a shared environment. Our buildings are too old and damaged for a narrow, limited vision. We will create a place that is alive with a balance of the future and the past; a place that has the flexibility to change with the times.”

Before the attack last October that left the synagogue unsuitable for worship, the 60-year-old building had mostly outlived its usefulness and needed hundreds of thousands of dollars in deferred repairs. Prior to the shooting, Tree of Life was already working to expand its “metropolitan model,” where three congregations shared space, expenses, and programming under one roof, while retaining individual identities and assets.

“This model is now being broadened and we have developed a vision for what we’re calling a ‘Community Collaborative/Cooperative,’” said Feige.

This expanded model will include worship spaces for Tree of Life and other interested congregations, along with the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh and Chatham University – two organizations that have signed on to explore the collaboration – along with other community stakeholders interested in renovating and rebuilding with Tree of Life. “Having the Holocaust Center and Chatham share space with us would give us an educational component that we wish to provide as well,” Feige noted.

The vision plan also includes a memorial to the eleven lives lost in the attack.

“Our future is not about being the synagogue that was attacked, it is about being the synagogue that survived, thrived and remembered who we are,” said Schachner. “We will turn tragedy into triumph, loss into life and love. We will be resilient, and we will be strong.”

In conjunction with the one-year anniversary of the shooting, Governor Tom Wolf signed a proclamation declaring October 27, 2019, a day of remembrance and ordered state flags to fly at half-staff. The proclamation extends the city of Pittsburgh’s resolution declaring the day “Remember. Repair. Together. Day” statewide to include all Pennsylvanians.

“A year has passed, but I continue to carry sorrow for the victims and their families of this heinous attack,” said Governor Wolf. “We must honor them by remembering, and through our thoughts, prayers, and actions. Pittsburgh is a city of bridges, and so it is a fitting tribute to commemorate this occasion with a day of building bridges of understanding, welcome, and friendship.”

As the community rebuilds, Adam Hertzman noted the importance of Jewish institutions being vigilant and cognizant that there are people out there who might view the Jewish community as a target. He stressed the critical role that community security plays on a regular basis and remarked that security outside a synagogue or a school is not just about the building and the guard; it is also about communication and training. Hertzman observed that “Run Hide Fight” training actually saved lives during the Tree of Life attack because a number of the congregants were well-versed in the protocols and knew they needed to run away from the shooter and hide.

On the issue of general preparedness, Hertzman believes that “it’s incumbent on synagogues and Jewish organizations to reach out to each other and coordinate on what to do in the event of an emergency.”

Notwithstanding what took place in the Tree of Life synagogue on October 27, 2018, Hertzman considers Pittsburgh to be a safe haven for Jews.

“Despite the rise in anti-Semitism, Jewish Pittsburgh was one of the safest communities in the country before this attack, and frankly it’s still one of the safest communities.”

As we reflect on the lives that were cut short due to a senseless act of violence and ruminate on how the broader Jewish community was impacted by the anti-Semitic attack, we can all take solace in the fact that the healing persists, our faith is powerful, and the rebuilding is proceeding.

The Publisher's Perspective - 10/31/19

The following is my piece in the October 31, 2019 edition of the Philadelphia Jewish Link:

The Publisher’s Perspective

The word of the day is perseverance. The quality of being able to put forth a sustained effort to accomplish a goal regardless of the challenges and complexities that we may face is one of the core characteristics that defines us human beings and as Jews.

Throughout our history we have faced numerous obstacles which may have appeared insurmountable at the time, yet our faith never wavered, and we persevered despite the overwhelming odds.

The truth is, perseverance does not have to be solely associated with global trials and tribulations that posed a direct threat to our Jewish identity and the very existence of our people. Of course, there are dark chapters in our history that pushed the Jewish community to the brink, including the persecution by the Nazis during the Holocaust and the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492. There were pogroms against the Jews in Russia in the late 19th century and early 20th century, as well as the Crusades in medieval times, which left a trail of death and devastation in their wake, including the destruction of the Jewish communities of Speyer, Worms, Mainz, and Cologne. It took a tremendous amount of perseverance, as well as the Yad Hashem, to overcome those monumental struggles.

We also face adversity in our everyday lives which tests not just our patience, but our ability to persevere. For example, think about the high winds that blew through our region over Chol Hamoed Sukkot. Did the schach blow off your sukkah? Did your sukkah decorations get ruined? Did your sukkah come down? None of those things are pleasant, nor are they ideal. The natural response to each of those scenarios would be to get angry and perhaps come up with a reason why there is no need to rebuild your sukkah with the chag nearing completion. However, the proper response would be to shrug it off, pick up the pieces (literally and figuratively), and reconstruct your sukkah so your family could enjoy Sukkot accordingly.

Perseverance is also an apt description for the Jewish community in Pittsburgh. One year after a heinous attack at the Tree of Life synagogue that left eleven people dead, the community has pledged to rebuild and emerge from the attack more united and stronger than before. It is the incredible resolve of a community that was the target of anti-Semitism and sustained unimaginable losses and pain that truly epitomizes what perseverance is all about.

When it comes to the importance of dogged determination in order to have a real shot at being triumphant throughout the journey of life, Vince Lombardi, Jr., an attorney, former football executive and motivational speaker who is the son of legendary NFL coach, Vince T. Lombardi, may have said it best: “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will.”

As Jews, we do not have the luxury of lacking tenacity. Our inner sense of steadfastness is what enables us to emerge from the darkest of days with our faith intact and our special status as a nation unscathed. Regardless of what each day may bring and despite our enemies’ best efforts, we can and will persevere. The word of the day is perseverance.

The Publisher's Perspective - 10/10/19

The following is my piece in the October 10, 2019 edition of the Philadelphia Jewish Link:

The Publisher’s Perspective

I only had to buy a lulav and etrog once in my life. It was in 1991, when I was learning in yeshiva in Israel for the year following my graduation from high school. Before Sukkot, I traveled to Yerushalayim with a bunch of my friends in search of the perfect set of Arba Minim. Having never purchased them on my own prior to that experience, I relied on the advice of my friends and the various merchants that we visited, and I ultimately chose a set that seemed to be satisfactory.

You may be asking; how could it be that a grown man has gone through life having purchased a lulav and etrog on just one occasion, 28 years ago? Don’t we celebrate Sukkot each and every year? Does he not annually fulfill one of the primary mitzvot associated with this special holiday?

The answer is that I have indeed been the proud owner of a set of Arba Minim from as far back as I can remember. In fact, not only do I own a set of Arba Minim each year, but they are always first-rate. The lulav is tall and majestic, the etrog is consistently exceptional, and the hadassim and aravot are unfailingly verdant. And that is all because my father would have it no other way.

For my father, buying the Arba Minim was one of the highlights of his year. I remember going with him as a young child to pick them out, and I recall the amount of time and care that he took to inspect each one in his quest for the perfect set. When I got older and was no longer living in my parents’ house, my father would take my mother with him and engage in the same methodical and meticulous process on an annual basis.

For many years, my parents came to our house for the first days of Sukkot. Not only did my father bring for me a top quality lulav and etrog; he also brought one for each of my children. It was a mitzvah that he took extremely seriously, and I would venture to say that the time he spent sitting with my children while assembling each set of the Arba Minim and teaching them about every facet of the mitzvah was perhaps the highlight of his chag.

This year is going to be different. It will be the first Sukkot that I am going to spend without my father. There have been many moments when I have felt that searing pain and intense sense of loss since he passed away five months ago. Those deep feelings of grief manifest themselves in different ways and at different times. They may be linked to a particular event or sometimes to a fleeting thought. Either way, the ache is real, and it is something that I am learning to live with.

However, as we prepare for Sukkot, I am dreading the void that I will inevitably feel. We will miss having my father with us in the Sukkah and I will miss having him sit next to me in shul. 

Yet, I think that I will miss his presence most when I stand in shul and hold the Arba Minim aloft during Hallel and the Hakafot. And that is because for the first time in a very long time, my father will not be bringing me a lulav and etrog.

As I look around my Sukkah this year and see my beautiful family all around me, I will thank Hashem for all that I have, and I will remember my beloved father, who will be deeply missed.

The Publisher's Perspective - 9/26/19

The following is my piece in the September 26, 2019 edition of the Philadelphia Jewish Link:

The Publisher’s Perspective

Rosh Hashanah is a time for reflection and introspection. We ruminate on our personal and public actions, our relationship with Hashem, and our sense of inner worth. The period of the Yamim Noraim is an opportunity to ponder life in a manner in which we do not often do during the balance of the year.

As we engage in spiritual contemplation, one of the things that we ought to consider is the world in which we live. We are privileged to dwell in a nation where we are given the freedom to practice our religion without the fear of reprisal, and we are afforded liberties that Jews in other countries are not necessarily granted.

However, as we consider how fortunate we are to live in a society where freedom of religion is sacrosanct, we cannot ignore the fact that there are individuals in our midst for whom anti-Semitism, racism, and hatred are ingrained in their very being.

Sadly, we are reminded of this frightening fact all too often. Last October, a man walked into the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh during davening on Shabbat morning and murdered eleven people. Last April, a shooting at Chabad of Poway in California on the last day of Pesach left one person dead and several others wounded. This past July, a member of the Young Israel of Greater Miami was shot as he stood outside the shul waiting for minyan to begin.

The notion that a House of Worship could be an attractive target for individuals with deep-seated hatred is extremely disturbing. The fact that someone could somehow rationalize walking into a place of prayer and transforming it into a bloody battleground is incomprehensible. Yet, we have tragically seen that our shuls, which we consider to be sanctuaries, are in fact susceptible to heinous acts of bigotry and violence.

As a community, we must not ignore the chilling reality of this growing threat. That is not to say we should feel a sense of trepidation when we walk into shul. On the contrary, we should feel a sense of exhilaration and exuberance when we walk into a Beit Knesset. However, amidst the spiritual elation we should enjoy while at shul, we must always be cognizant of the need to remain vigilant.

As we spend a great deal of time in shul during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, in addition to thanking Hashem for the wonderful blessings that He mercifully bestows upon us, we should also remember to thank the security guard who may be standing outside the shul and the Shmira volunteers who give of their time to help keep us safe.

We cannot pretend that the vulnerabilities do not exist. Nevertheless, we cannot let fear consume us and deprive us of the wonderful feeling that should permeate our heart and soul while we are davening in shul. It behooves all of us to have both kavanah and a degree of caution while at shul. We do not need to be fearful; rather, we simply need to be mindful of what is happening around us.

Wishing everyone a ktiva v’chatima tova. May the year 5780 bring peace, prosperity, health and happiness to our entire community and to Jews around the world.

The Publisher's Perspective - 9/12/19

The following is my piece in the inaugural edition of the Philadelphia Jewish Link, which came out on September 12, 2019:

The Publisher’s Perspective

It sometimes feels like our world is descending into chaos. We are witnessing a degree of political strife that dominates the news cycle on a daily basis, and all too often we find ourselves discussing yet another mass shooting and mourning lives that were tragically cut short. The frightening rise of anti-Semitism is foremost on our minds and anti-Israel animus is becoming all too prevalent.

With the degree of dissension in the world today reaching dangerous proportions, we must do our due diligence and strive to overcome the discord that is tearing the fabric of our society apart. In the face of tremendous and sometimes terrifying challenges, it is imperative that we maintain our focus and not lose sight of what is most important.

As Jews, one of the most fundamental elements of our faith is the importance of community. The notion of kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh, that all Jews are responsible for one another, ensures that community perpetually remains a constant and central force in our lives.

Building communities is one of the hallmarks of Judaism, and it is a critical exercise that binds us together and provides us with the spiritual nourishment needed to survive. Jewish day schools, shuls, institutions dedicated to limud Torah, and community-wide organizations are key elements of any religious Jewish community. We are extremely fortunate that the Greater Philadelphia area and South Jersey are blessed with an abundance of these types of entities.

We are a vibrant and robust community, one which is replete with everything we need to maintain our Jewish lifestyle and ideals. There is a plethora of engaging educational opportunities, pertinent programs, and exciting activities, all of which are offered on a regular basis. As a Jewish community, we have it all.

That is precisely why I am so thrilled to be launching the Philadelphia Jewish Link. We will serve as a medium through which schools, shuls, and community-based institutions can broadcast all their wonderful programs and happenings to a larger audience in one unified publication. We will provide full-color news coverage, event photos, relevant ads, exciting features, columns, opinion pieces, and divrei Torah written by contributors with strong connections to our Jewish community.

The Philadelphia Jewish Link is committed to highlighting the best of our dynamic Jewish community by actively promoting a sense of achdut, unity. By bridging the gap between like-minded neighborhoods that may be separated solely by geographic distance, we will be bringing people together in a new and exciting way.

My hope is that the paper will be able to accurately convey what makes the Greater Philadelphia area and South Jersey unique and play a pivotal role in further building and strengthening our community in the future. Let us work together to make the bond that links us stronger than ever.

My letter in The New York Times about Quebec’s ban on religious symbols in the workplace

The following is a letter to the editor that I wrote regarding Quebec’s decision to ban public employees from wearing religious symbols at work, which appeared in The New York Times:

Quebec Errs on Freedom of Religion

June 19, 2019

To the Editor:

Re “Critics Vow to Fight Quebec Ruling Banning Religious Symbols at Work” (news article, June 18):

Quebec’s disturbing decision to prohibit certain public-sector employees from wearing religious symbols while at work is a major infringement of its citizens’ religious rights and a stinging repudiation of the ethnic diversity that exists in the Canadian province.

Rather than celebrating its pluralism, Quebec’s government unjustly singled out Catholics who wear crosses, Jews who wear head coverings, Muslims who wear head scarves and Sikhs who wear turbans, subjecting them to ostracism and racism.

While working to safeguard the separation of religion and state is a lofty goal, using that laudable tenet to needlessly and shamelessly trample on multiculturalism and suppress civil liberties is an indefensible assault on religious tolerance.

At a time when xenophobia and religious-based hate crimes are on the rise, adding fuel to the fire by means of bigotry masquerading as legislation is wholly imprudent and improper.

N. Aaron Troodler

Bala Cynwyd, Pa.