Westport's Temple Israel Welcomes Ehud Barak, 10th Prime Minister Of The State Of Israel
Prime Minister Ehud Barak, center, was interviewed by Conservative Synagogue Senior Rabbi Jeremy Wiedehorn, left and Temple Israel Senior Rabbi Michael S. Friedman, right.
A historic event in Westport’s Temple Israel took place on Monday with the visit of former Prime Minister Ehud Barak. Israel's tenth Prime Minister. Barak's career spanned decades in both politics and the IDF, the Israel Defense Force. He commanded units in battles in the Six-Day War in 1967 and the Yom Kippur War in 1973. He eventually became leader of Sayaret Metkal, an elite special forces unit which is roughly analogous to our Navy Seals or Army Rangers. He was involved in the commando raid of an airliner hijacked by Palestinian guerrillas at Lod International airport in 1972, freeing all the hostages. He rose from humble beginnings, being born at a Kibbutz founded by his father, an immigrant to Israel from Lithuania. Rising through the ranks he eventually came to lead Israeli military intelligence, then the Israeli military as IDF Chief of Staff. He retired from the military in 1995 as a Lt. General, the army's highest rank.
His exceptional intellect is more than apparent, holding degrees in physics, and mathematics from Hebrew University of Jerusalem and in economic engineering systems from Stanford. He is also a classically trained pianist but avoided the stage's grand piano at the event. Barak was instrumental in peace negotiations at Camp David in 2000 and had previously participated in talks resulting in an important peace accord with Jordan in 1994.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
Security for the night was vigorous, with the former Prime Minister's own security detail with their noticeable earpieces and microphones joined by multiple members of Westport PD and security staff from Temple Israel.
The event came to fruition about thanks to the generosity of TI members Justin & Ellen Mondshine, who have a longstanding relationship with PM Barak.The evening began with a reception attended by more than one hundred guests including our First Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Police Chief Foti Koskinas, who were delighted to meet, speak briefly with and be photographed with Ehud Barak. From there, the guests assembled in the Temple's sanctuary where a crowd estimated at about 400 were joined by another 375 viewers streaming the event online.
Barak spoke at length in in great detail, responding to questions from moderators and others submitted earlier by guests which were posed to the Prime Minister by Temple Israel Assistant Rabbi Zachery Plesent. Barak covered topics including Israeli issues, such as the Palestinian situation, prospects for peace and his support for a two-state solution. Beyond areas pertaining directly to Israel Barak discussed the war in Ukraine, Iran and the nuclear threat to Israel and the region and other matters of world affairs. He spoke of his trip to North Vietnam and of his visit to the Hanoi Hilton where U.S. Senator John McCain was imprisoned and tortured and said that 30 years earlier he could hardly have imagined that one day he would board a United Arab Emirates airliner and fly from Hanoi to Abu Dabi and then on to Israel, a story he recounted with obvious amusement, drawing laughter from the audience. His knowledge of the issues and insight into world affairs of state kept the audience in rapt attention for his nearly one and one half hour discourse.
The night came to an end with everyone in the sanctuary singing Hatikvah a 19th century poem which is the National Anthem of the State of Israel led by Julia Cadrain, Senior Cantor of Temple Israel and Cantor Louis Cattan, of the Conservative Synagogue.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
Westport Police, EMS Mourn Death of Longtime EMS Crew Chief Mark Blake
Press Release
The Westport Police Department and Emergency Medical Services are mourning the death of EMS Crew Chief Mark Blake. Crew Chief Blake passed away on Tuesday, September 20.
Crew Chief Blake was hired in May of 1990 and had a long and rewarding career serving the Westport community. He was a representative for the Southwest EMS Council for over ten years and was most recently the organization’s president. Also, Crew Chief Blake was a certified child safety seat instructor and helped organize numerous car safety seat clinics throughout Fairfield County.
In addition to dutifully serving the town of Westport, Crew Chief Blake was a volunteer with Weston’s fire department and emergency medical services for over thirty years. During his tenure he served as the department’s vice president and obtained the rank of lieutenant. Even in his off time, he wanted to serve.
Those who knew Crew Chief Blake quickly realized that his passion was to help anyway he could. Whether it be organizing a child safety seat clinic, treating a sick patient, or helping at the scene of a fire in Weston, Crew Chief Blake was there. His dedication and passion will most certainly be missed.
Deputy Chief Sam Arciola who oversees Westport EMS said that “Mark was an incredibly dedicated public servant as well as a widely respected EMT and he never hesitated to put the needs of others above his own.” First Selectwoman Jen Tooker stated, “I was saddened to hear of the passing of Crew Chief Blake. On behalf of the Town, I want to extend my condolences to his friends and family as well as express how appreciative the town is for all his years helping our community.”
For details regarding services please follow this link: https://www.hardingfuneral.com/obituaries/Mark-A.-Blake?obId=25922840#/celebrationWall
Morning Weather Report
Today
Sunny, with a high near 76. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight
A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 2am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 66. South wind around 9 mph.
Tomorrow
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 8am and 2pm, then a chance of showers after 2pm. Temperature rising to near 71 by 10am, then falling to around 67 during the remainder of the day. Southwest wind 7 to 11 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tomorrow Night
A 30 percent chance of showers before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. Northwest wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
High Tides
8:46 AM / 9:02 PM
Low Tides
2:42 AM / 2:58 PM
Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Artist Mark Naftalin Brings The Blues To the Westport Library
A new concert series at the Westport Library's Trefz forum "Blue Sunday" was launched on Sunday to a large cheering crowd who gave these very talented artists a standing ovation after enjoying two hours of simply outstanding Blues music.
Westport's Mark Naftlin, famed keyboardist, noted producer and radio host assembled a tremendous pool of talent, some of whom are very familiar to Westport music lovers including Chris “Otis” Cross Smokin’ Joe Najmy of Otis and the Hurricanes, percussionists Matt Moadel who has performed with Mystic Bowie, sax master Crispin Cioe who has played with James Cotton,and many others including Naftlin himself, who played piano on multiple numbers with the band.
For more information on Sunday's show and this exciting new series, visit: Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Mark Naftalin Coming to The Westport Library for New Blues Series | The Westport Library
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
Japan Comes To Jesup Green To Celebrate Fall
The Japan Society of Fairfield County located in Ridgefield once again brought it's annual Fall Festival to Westport's Jesup Green on Saturday to celebrate Japanese culture with traditional music, dancing and crafts. Visitors enjoyed performances of Taiko drumming and even were invited to join in traditional bon odori folk dance. There was also a martial arts demonstration.
Vendors offered kimono, beautiful tengui, a traditional thin cotton hand towel used as tapestries, and information on meditation.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
Banning Books At Public Libraries? Not In Westport!
Most Westporters are aware of the growing movement to ban certain books from public and school libraries by some groups based on content they find objectionable for a variety of reasons.
The Westport Library has responded with a resounding no, not in our library.They have been clear, saying:
“Banned Books Week kicks off today (Monday) as a celebration of the freedom to read! To commemorate, we have a dedicated display in the Library and have a series of readings of passages from banned books from our board, patrons, and staff. Enjoy the videos, and please stop in sometime this week and check out your favorite banned book!”
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
They have provided WestportLocalPress a link to their Vimeo showcase featuring all the readings: https://vimeo.com/showcase/9826600.
They did an Instagram post yesterday introducing the series and driving back to the showcase.
That post can be found here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CiqLaY7DOOs/
They will also be posting one video per day to their Facebook page and will post all 15 videos to Twitter during the week.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Northwest wind 7 to 11 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. Northwest wind around 7 mph.
Tomorrow
Sunny, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.
Tomorrow Night
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, then a chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southwest wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
High Tides
7:56 AM / 8:13 PM
Low Tides
1:51 AM / 2:08 PM
Ellen B. Wisser, 92, Died; Moved to Westport in 1960, ”defeated unbeatable odds”
Ellen B. Wisser, age 92 of Norwalk, CT (formerly of Westport) passed away this Friday, September 16, 2022, at Norwalk Hospital. Mrs. Wisser was born in Brooklyn, NY, the daughter of the late Samuel and Esther Borenstein. She attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts along with classmates and friends Grace Kelly and Vince Edwards. She then attended Brooklyn College where she met her future husband and lifetime love, Allen Wisser, who himself attended Brooklyn College after performing with the Broadway show Showboat’s National Tour, having initially attended Julliard. Upon marrying, Ellen and Allen moved to Indianapolis where Allen served in the Army during the Korean War. After the war they returned to Brooklyn, where Ellen taught at James Madison High School while Allen attended Brooklyn Law, and began his lifetime career in real estate.
Ellen and Allen moved their young family to Westport, CT in 1960. Ellen continued commuting to Brooklyn, then began teaching at Harding High School in Bridgeport, CT, teaching English, Speech and Drama, where she also produced and directed the annual school play, influencing the lives of so many teachers and students, some of whom continued to stay in touch for decades. Ellen was a political activist in the Bridgeport and Connecticut Educational Associations, as well as nationally within the National Education Association, where she ran for the NEA Presidency in 1976. She was an advocate of the Women’s Liberation Movement at both local and national levels. Ellen changed careers in her 50’s, attending Bridgeport Law (now the Quinnipiac School of Law), following which she practiced Family and Worker’s Compensation Law until age 88. Ellen recently survived 3 different types of cancer, forcing her retirement, and defeated unbeatable odds, until now.
Mrs. Wisser was predeceased by her beloved husband, Allen Wisser, who succumbed to melanoma in 2008, and is survived by her devoted children, Dr. Jamie R. Wisser and his wife Natalie, Atty. Kerry M. Wisser and his wife Debbie, R. Ilise Gold and her long-time companion Fritz Heilbron, adored grandchildren, Davin Gold, Alanna Dayton and her husband Greg, Evan Wisser and his wife Jessica, Caitlyn Wisser, Ryan Wisser, Leah Wisser and her husband Manuel Reinert, as well as her cherished great grandchildren, Jack, Sam & Beck Dayton, Claire & Penelope Wisser, her sister-in-law Gladys Floch and her husband Dr. Martin Floch, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. Mrs. Wisser was predeceased by her beloved husband Allen Wisser, cherished grandson Tyler Wisser, and dear brother, Marvin Borenstein and his wife Laurie.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at 1:00 PM at The Abraham L. Green and Son Funeral Home, 88 Beach Road, Fairfield, CT, 06824, with interment following at Temple Israel Cemetery on Richards Avenue in Norwalk. People are asked to begin gathering at the Funeral Home at 12:30 PM.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Connecticut Education Foundation – Children’s Fund, (Connecticut Education Foundation – Connecticut Education Association (cea.org).
“Back to the Playhouse!”: Gala Celebrates the Westport Country Playhouse
Westport Country Playhouse’s 2022 Leadership Award was presented to Barbara K. Streicker, second from left, by, L-R, Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director; Michael Barker, managing director; and Anna Czekaj-Farber, board of trustees chair. Photo contributed by Coppola Photography. Press ReleaseMulti-award-winning Broadway star Renée Elise Goldsberry, perhaps best known for her role as Angelica Schuyler in the musical “Hamilton,” headlined Westport Country Playhouse’s 2022 Gala, “Back to the Playhouse!,” on Saturday evening, September 17. The evening featured Goldsberry’s high-energy concert of Broadway, pop, and soul, backed by a seven-piece band, along with a pre-show cocktail party, live auction, and an after-party with a DJ and dancing—all while providing generous philanthropic support to the Playhouse.
Three-time Tony Award-nominated actor Robin de Jesús served as gala host. Barbara K. Streicker, former chair of the Playhouse board of trustees, received the Playhouse’s Leadership Award at the event.
Executive Committee included Tom Coppola, co-chair; Tracey Knight Narang, co-chair; Anna Czekaj-Farber, board chair; Mary Ellen Marpe, development chair; Carin Freidag, auction chair; Judy Phares, gala fundraising chair; Jessica Caldwell; Paige Couture; Marjorie Jacobson; Maggie Lehnerd-Reilly; Ellen Petrino; and Tricia Schwartz. Benefit committee includes Athena and Daniel Adamson; Alisyn Camerota and Tim Lewis; Diane DelVecchio; Terry Nardozzi; Barbara Streicker, honoree; Diana and Scott Metro; Amy and Carl Wistreich; MJ and Terry Hogan; Preetika and Ashok Narang; Jane and Rami Leshem; and Holly McCarthy.
Gala proceeds benefit the non-profit, professional producing theater, now in its 92nd season - its work on stage, with schools, and throughout the community.
For Westport Country Playhouse information, visit westportplayhouse.org. Westport Country Playhouse is located at 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. Stay connected to the Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse), follow on Twitter (@WCPlayhouse), and on YouTube (WestportPlayhouse).
ABOUT WESTPORT COUNTRY PLAYHOUSE
The mission of Westport Country Playhouse is to enrich, enlighten, and engage the community through the power of professionally produced theater of the highest caliber and the welcoming experience of the Playhouse campus. The not-for-profit Playhouse provides this experience in multiple ways by offering live theater experiences of the highest quality, under the artistic direction of Mark Lamos; educational and community engagement events to further explore the work on stage; the New Works Initiative, a program dedicated to the discovery, development, and production of new live theatrical works; special performances and programs for students and teachers with extensive curriculum support material; Script in Hand play readings to deepen relationships with audiences and artists; the renowned Woodward Internship Program during the summer months for aspiring theater professionals; Family Festivities presentations to delight young and old alike and to promote reading through live theater; and the beautiful and historic Playhouse campus open for enjoyment and community events year-round. Charity Navigator has recently awarded its top 4-star charity rating to the Playhouse in recognition of its strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency.
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 9 over Weekend; State Positivity Rate Down
The State Department of Public Health reported 9 more COVID-19 cases in Westport over the past day. The State positivity rate was down to 9.33%.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 5,833 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 40 deaths
State Daily Test Positivity: 9.33% [up from 10.25%]