A CONRIBUTION TO OUR SIMCHA FUND IS A MEANINGFUL WAY TO MARK YOUR SMACHOT. SIMILARLY, A DONATION TO OUR MEMORIAL FUND IS A THOUGHTFUL WAY TO COMMEMORATE THE PASSING OF A LOVED ONE. Make checks payable to: B'nai B'rith, and mail to: P.O. Box 51 , Woodmere , NY 11598-0051 www.bnaibrith.org AsherJmat@Aol.com 516-374-2958 Mobile : 369-5799
Centrally-located, in Astoria, store to let, with reasonable rent and a long lease. For Nina, contact: 516-374-2958 or 516-369-5799
BBI co-sponsored a program organized by the American Zionist Movement on the situation in Beit Shemesh. The speaker at the event was Miri Shalem, who organized a flash mob in Beit Shemesh to protest the mistreatment of women and girls in Beit Shemesh. Shalem is part of the “faces of Israel” delegation sent by the Ministry of Public Diplomacy to locations throughout the world to discuss life in Israel. BBI Honorary President Joel Kaplan represented B’nai B’rith.
GLAD TIDINGS TO SHARE: Moshe Franses was guest cantor at the famed Magen David Synagogue in Deal, NJ … Dr. Howard Ruderman and Robert Samson are co-presidents, with Steven Moss treasurer, of North Hills/Park Hills Lodge #1875, B'nai B'rith … Sam Matathias is sales executive for the Jos. A. Bank clothier at Olney, MD … Sandra Rose completed the NYC Marathon, running for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundations … Five Towns Legislator Howard Kopel has been elevated to Majority Whip and the Alternate Presiding Officer of the Nassau County Legislature … Congregation Beth Sholom honored Drs. Lisa & Sheldon Feit, Helen Friedman, Barry Gurvitch, and Neil Osrof at the 60th annual testimonial dinner … Tzipora Long Beach of Hadassah held a successful Stories to Share, Recipes to Savor program with presenters Terri Frankenberg (Paraguay), Rachel Gatenio (Mandate Palestine), Lea Kaplan (Germany), Jolanda Kinzer (Czechoslovakia), Grace Levie (Cuba), Anna Matathias (Greece), and Loulou A. Zonenshine (Egypt) … Anna & Philip Cohenalong with Matt & Zora Franses enjoyed a winter vacation in Hawaii; Elliot H. & Sandy Goldberg, Irving & Sylvia Kaminetsky, Rabbi Arnold B. & Zipporah Marans cruised the Caribbean isles; Alvin "Eppy" & Laura Epstein, Ellie & Jack Klein, and Rabbi Sholom & Batya Stern spent time in Florida; Esther Gaines visited children and grandchildren in California … An Orthodox Minyan is ensconced at the Shalhevet HS in Temple Hillel … Michelle & Scott Sulzberger, Avi & Miriam Kestenbaum, and Rabbi Dr. Gilbert Klaperman were honored at HAFTR's 34th annual dinner … Rabbi Shlomo Aidelson has published his memoir … And Then There Was One …Dr. Ruth Westheimer was an Oneg Shabbat speaker on Sexuality in the Jewish Tradition the Park East Synagogue … Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano was a Shabbat speaker at Temple Hillel … Marc & Natalie Sellouk and Heidi Goldmintz were honored by The Brandeis School, celebrating its 82nd anniversary … Kostas Hatzistefanidis and Demitrios Chatzis serve as the Supreme President and national secretary of the Pan-Macedonian Association … Park East Synagogue and Rabbi Arthur Schneier Park East Day School celebrated their 122nd anniversary dinner-dance, honoring Martin & Ronnie Foont, Yocheved Mitchell, and Debbie Rochlin; Rabbi Schneier celebrated 50 years as the synagogue's spiritual leader ... Yom Iyun at Woodmere Young Israel featured Rabbi Yona Reiss, Tolerance in Halacha & American Law, while Rabbi Yehuda Turetsky addressed Tzeniut & Tolerance Today: The Current State of Religious Zionist Halacha; WYI is active in T.G.I. Thursdays, featuring Torah learning a la carte: Halacha from the Parasha with Rabbi Shalom Axelrod (eat and learn at Traditions Restaurant); Hashkafa with Rabbi Noam Weinberg; Contemporary Halacha with Meir Kotowitz; Chavrusa Learning supervised by Rabbi Eliyahu Wolf, and after 9PM Arvit, chulent and kugel at 10 PM … Harvard University's Prof. Jorge I. Dominguez discussed the potentially transformative changes in Cuba at a New School for Social Research forum … Films of note: Jewish Soldiers in Blue & Grey at Woodmere Young Israel, with Rabbi Evan Hoffman's commentary; at Beth El, with Helen Pollack facilitating and Rabbi Stern commenting, The Debt, For My Father, Walk on Water, Left Luggage, and Steal a Pencil for Me … British composer Michael Omer had a successful debut at The Metropolitan Room piano-jazz-cabaret with "Unwritten, Unplugged & Unsigned" … Hadassah Carlebach, along with Rabbi Zalman Schneerson & family were honored by ADL of BB's Hidden Child Foundation at the Eighth International Rescuers' Day … Twin celebrations at Temple Hillel: Sherman Rothblum's 90th birthday, and an Oneg Shabbat Across America … Rabbi Raphael Benchimol received the Medal of Knight of the Order of the Throne from His Majesty Mohammed VI, King of Morocco … Jeffrey S. Weisenfeld hosted a luncheon at Alliance Bernstein, LP, where former Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Arens and Israel's former Ambassador to Japan Eli Cohen spoke engagingly about the crisis with Iran and related matters … Prof. Asher J. Matathias was interviewed by Tampa-based http://www.greekvoice.us/
CONTRIBUTIONS
"I am sending you a check in honor of you for your great work and also for my brother Richard's continued good health in his recovery," Marty Levi of O.S.I. Oil Services … David Marks … Arlene & Dr. Howard Ruderman (see letter) … Binnie Stein (see letter) …
Matza Fund: Marlene & Memos Baharlias, Joan & John DeRiso, "The very best to all," Alvin & Laura Epstein, Benjamin & Elnaz Ghodsi, Edward R. & Stefanie D. Gottlieb, Nathan & Pearl Halegua of Jonis Realty Management, "Best wishes!" Rebecca & Dr. Zevi W. Isseroff, Cynthia & Seymour D. Reich, Renee & Sherman Rothblum, Linda & Sheldon Swirsky, Rae Yamali
The Haggadic injunction invites "Whoever is hungry let him come and eat …" Join in fulfilling this mitzvah, the need is greater, by sending a donation to our Matza Fund. Mail to: L.I. Lodge #1353, B'nai B'rith, Post Office Box 51, Woodmere, NY 11598.
Future session of AARP's Defensive Driving Class with Prof. Asher J. Matathias
Wednesday, May 2 & 9, 2012, Peninsula Public Library, 280 Central Avenue, Lawrence, NY 11559-1526 516-239-3262
Wednesday, June 13 & 20, 2012, Peninsula Public Library, 280 Central Avenue, Lawrence, NY 11559-1526 516-239-3262
The third annual 5 Towns 5K Run/Walk in support of Friends of Israel Disabled Veterans-Beit Halochem will take place Sunday April 29, 2012 in North Woodmere Park. The goal for this year is 1000 run/walkers for disabled Israeli veterans. For info: http://www.5towns5k.org/
CAMPUS NEWS
Gabriel Polinsky, Laura & Eppie Epstein's grandson … The Brandeis School Eighth Grade spent a fortnight in Israel … Educator Demosthenes Triantafillou was celebrated for his efforts on behalf of Greek-American education by the bilingual newspaper National Herald …
BIRTHS
A son, for David & Jasmine Brafman; Ben & Lynda, along with Evelyn & Stanley Bienefeld are the grandparents … Meira Rebecca (Jordan & Paula) Rosenfeld … Hadar Ori (Ari & Rabbi Aviva) Fellman … Harry (Alex & Amy) Kontorovich … Devorah (Chana & Dovid) Perl; Rabbi Anchelle & Bluma, along with Rabbi Mendel & Rivka Eidelman are the grandparents … Samantha (Dr. Bryon & Jennifer) Butts … Marlo, a granddaughter, for Barbara & David Schoenfarber … Brian (Deborah & Steven) Spiro, Elliot & Madeline's grandson … Emily (Abby & Zachary) Smith … Chaya (Estee & Jeremy) Lavitt … Lola (Eric & Tamar) Lifshitz … A son. for Binyomin & Meira Tepfer; Rav & Rebbetzin Moshe Weinberger are the grandparents … A granddaughter for Stella Bacolas …
BAR / BAT MITZVA
Dr. Horace Herbsman's 2nd … Efrat (Shari & Rabbi Shmuel) Klammer … Shmuel (Ilana & Nachum) Dinowitz … Alex (Jacqueline & Mitchel) May … Noah and Rose (David & Elana) Schwartz … Adiv (Amy & Moshe) Cederbaum … Michal (Ari & Ruthy) Jungreis … Craig (Steven & Tammy) Sippin … Isaac M. (Mitchell & Nancy) Greebel … Maya (Doreen & Jarret) Tipiere … Yoni (Deborah & Uri) Samuni …
BIRTHDAYS / ANNIVERSARIES
Barbara & Philip Altheim (50), Bernei & Ellen Schreiber (40), Diane Linett, Sherman Rothblum (90), Technion (100), Thessaloniki reunited with Greece (100), Dimitri Shinas (53), Dr. John Siolas (63), Rabbi Dr. Sholom Stern (73), Alana Antin (47), Alan David (66), Doris Weiss, Shirley Lieberstein, Rosa Misrahi (88), Neal Neumann, Anna Jaffe, Rabbi Arthur Schneier (82), Aaron Avdelas (57), Misty Chamberlain, Nancy Pelosi (72), Joyce Ehrlich (84), Gary Katz, Jack Hettena (65), Michael Thayer, Ronni David, Benjamin Lerner (29), Maya Angelou (84), Dean Sirigos, Cantor Gadi Elon (67), Sheila Thayer, Tel Aviv (103), Peri & Joy Avitan (7), Baruch "Bari" & Anat Cohen (7, Karen & Merik Aaron (28, Renee Nir (72), Louiza Kones-Shinas, Alfred D'Auria (73, Lee-Lev Thayer (35), Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County (20)
ENGAGEMENTS / WEDDINGS
Dahlia (Andy & Irene) Goldberg wed Steven Kramer … Chani (Rav Moshe & Rebbetzin) Weinberger betrothed Yissi (Sara & Shlomo) Yavne … Meredith (Steven & Susan) Schlaff, Connie & Norman's granddaughter, wed Jason Menkes … Rogério and Bernardete de Mendonça Mendes, in Cascais, Portugal ... Adina Engel wed Joshua Frumer ... Rebecca (Karen & Dr. Steven) Yager betrothed Mike (Leah & Yehuda) Madar ... Aviva Goldhaber betrothed Yehuda Stepen ... Ethan (Sandra & Scott) Mandelup wed Elana Mayerfield ... Eitan (Mosh & Paula) Weinstein betrothed Elizabeth Goldstein ... Eric (Dr. Marvin & Symma) Fiedler wed Courtney Baer ... Dr. Aliza (Dr. Ira & Susan) Weg wed Daniel Gluck ... Flash! Harris (Barry & Marcia) Ringelheim is betrothed!
LETTERS
Dear Asher, I have enclosed a check for $25 a subscription to your Lodge Bulletin which I've always felt was (and is) a reservoir of information about people and B'nai B'rith. You are a masterful contributor to our Order! I wish you, Anna and your loving family every happiness and good health for 2012! Congratulations to Joy on her award from JEP. Our North Hills Lodge is still a vital entity; we'll meet again in March. I wish you a healthy and most happy New Year! Howard (and Arlene) Ruderman, Bayside, NY
Dear Asher, Thank you for the Bulletin, and your work for our People everywhere, which is the talk of the community. May you be blessed with success, always! Added wishes for the B'nai B'rith Lodge No. 1353. I hope you fulfill your goals, given the current "climate"! Best regards, a-l-w-a-y-s! Binnie Stein, Woodmere, NY
P.S. Special wishes to Anna on her trip to Volos . B.S.
Dear Asher, I wanted to thank you for sending me the latest Bulletin of your Lodge
and to express my special gratitude for the insert on our forthcoming Cavafy tour. Pantelis, my incomparable collaborator in this project, and I look forward to seeing you in one of our concerts, if of course your busy schedule permits. I also wanted to congratulate your entire family for an impressive series of successes and recognitions over the last several weeks. I am ashamed to admit that I have never been to Volos but, judging from your writings and Pantelis' piano playing, I look forward to visiting soon such an eminent cultural center! Best, Vassilis (Dr. Lambropoulos, C. P. Cavafy Professor of Modern Greek, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor)
and to express my special gratitude for the insert on our forthcoming Cavafy tour. Pantelis, my incomparable collaborator in this project, and I look forward to seeing you in one of our concerts, if of course your busy schedule permits. I also wanted to congratulate your entire family for an impressive series of successes and recognitions over the last several weeks. I am ashamed to admit that I have never been to Volos but, judging from your writings and Pantelis' piano playing, I look forward to visiting soon such an eminent cultural center! Best, Vassilis (Dr. Lambropoulos, C. P. Cavafy Professor of Modern Greek, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor)
UN International Holocaust Commemoration Day Marked in NY
Constantine S. Sirigos, The National Herald
NEW YORK – Thirty three countries were represented by 63 diplomats at the Park East Synagogue in Manhattan on January 21, and although they were only a fraction of the UN’s membership of nearly 200 countries, the congregation and its honored guests were deeply moved as they marked what the world body established in 2005 as “an annual International Day of Commemoration of the victims of the Holocaust.”
The solemn and special ceremony that followed the morning Sabbath services was presided by the Upper East Side congregation’s leader of fifty years, Rabbi Arthur Schneier, himself a Holocaust survivor. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was present and addressed the gathering, as did Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, President of the UN General Assembly. Greece’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Anastasios Mitsialis, also participated as an honored guest, and spoke during the luncheon that followed.
BBI Co-Sponsors Program on Situation in Beit ShemeshConstantine S. Sirigos, The National Herald
NEW YORK – Thirty three countries were represented by 63 diplomats at the Park East Synagogue in Manhattan on January 21, and although they were only a fraction of the UN’s membership of nearly 200 countries, the congregation and its honored guests were deeply moved as they marked what the world body established in 2005 as “an annual International Day of Commemoration of the victims of the Holocaust.”
The solemn and special ceremony that followed the morning Sabbath services was presided by the Upper East Side congregation’s leader of fifty years, Rabbi Arthur Schneier, himself a Holocaust survivor. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was present and addressed the gathering, as did Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, President of the UN General Assembly. Greece’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Anastasios Mitsialis, also participated as an honored guest, and spoke during the luncheon that followed.
New aid going to Greek Jewish community Jewish Telegraphic Agency February 28, 2012
JERUSALEM (JTA) -- The Jewish Agency will provide emergency aid to the Jewish community of Greece facing a serious financial crisis. The Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency for Israel voted to grant about $1 million over two years to help Greece's Jewish communal institutions continue operating, as well as to strengthen the community’s ties with Israel and to develop aliyah programs forthose who wish to immigrate to Israel. Other Jewish organizations have been offering assistance to the community. The Jewish Agency aid package will be funded by the agency and its partners, Keren Hayesod-United Israel Appeal and the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. There will also be a fundraising campaign for the Jews of Greece, and Hebrew teachers will be sent to local schools and summer camps in Greece to preserve Hebrew instruction in the community. For several months the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee has been assisting the Greek Jewish community, according to JDC CEO Steven Schwager, who visited Athens last month. The JDC has donated $330,000 for welfare and school scholarships to the Athens Jewish community, while other groups such as the Lauder Foundation and Leichtag Family Foundation, as well as the American Jewish Committee, also have provided funds, according to The Jerusalem Post. Some 5,000 Jews live in Greece, including 3,500 in Athens and 1,000 in Thessaloniki, according to the Jewish Agency. The Jewish community operates synagogues, a Jewish school, a museum and a soup kitchen. Community leaders told the Jewish Agency, as well as other Jewish groups, that the majority of Jewish communal institutions in the country are on the verge of closure due to the financial crisis gripping the country. Many members of the Greek Jewish community are now unemployed and falling below the poverty line, and some 70 elderly members of the community require financial support to pay for basic necessities such as food and shelter.
SICKNESS & DISTRESS: Refua Shlema (Get well wishes) to: Karen Bakst, Melvin Blau, Jamie Green, Susan Polansky, David Schoenfarber, Bob Seide, Binnie Stein, Sammy Stein, Madeleine Welner.
CONDOLENCES TO, Miriam Steinberg on the loss of father Rabbi Alvin Poplack … Chaoul Dabbah on the loss of sister Denise Abadie … Frances on the loss of husband Howard Schwartz, 89 … Vicki Bensdorf on the loss of sister Dafira Durros … Mark and Corey Steinbock on the loss of mother Bernice Kaufman … Shirley on the loss of husband Neal Boyarsky … Evelyn Schusscheim on the loss of father Wolf Peck … Rabbi Jacob on the loss of wife Ann Hack … Ivor on the loss of father David Braka … Mike, Saul, Mark, Ronnie, and Danny on the loss of wife and mother Lucy Safdieh … Chaim on the loss of grandmother Baila Puderbeutel … Frances on the loss of husband Ephraim Charles … Joseph Hess … Tony Blankley, 63 … Philip on the loss of father Barnard Kalban … Mitchell on the loss of father David Gelnick … Sharon Moskovic on the loss of father Abraham Muller … Rabbi Burton, Ayala, and Yehuda on the loss of wife and mother Roberta Cohen … Don on the loss of father Raymond Simon … Michelle Levi and Laurie Lieberman on the loss of mother Harriet Zorn, 81 … Daine Katz on the loss of sister Linda Nitti … Kevin White, 82 … Daniel Schrag on the loss of sister Gina Gottschalk … Claire Cohen on the loss of mother Helen Reich … Esther on the loss of husband David Woltman … Betsy Lopata on the loss of mother Esther Sicherman … Whitney Houston, 48 … Michelle Benesowitz and Nathan Grama on the loss of mother and sister Lillian Afromowitz … Molly on the loss of son Albert Lefkowitz … Shalom on the loss of father Bernard Miller … Andrew on the loss of father Arnold Levey … Shani Gelman on the loss of father Isaac Schachter … Vladimir on the loss of brother Aleksandr Gorbach … Elliot on the loss of mother Melanie Blumenthal … Lawrence on the loss of brother Jan Brenner … Remi Ochlik, 28 … Marie Colvin, 56 … Rabbi Herchel on the loss of mother Pearl Billet … Thomas Jefferson HS graduates: Michael Berkowitz, Dr. Leonard Davis, Lawrence Garden, Selma Greenberg, 86, Florence F. Indyke, Shelley Neiderbach, 71, and Larry Pollock.
Thee Nishmato B'Tzror HaChayim. May the souls be bounds up in everlasting bond of life; and may all who mourn be comforted in Zion. Amen.