Jewish Federation of the Berkshires: Resilience and Renewal

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Thursday, March 12, at 7 p.m., Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will present "Resilience and Renewal: Forging the Jewish Future," featuring educator, writer, and advocate Aviva Klompas. 
 
This in-person event will be held at Temple Anshe Amunim, 26 Broad Street in Pittsfield. Register on the calendar of events page at jewishberkshires.org.
 
According to a press release:
 
In a moment marked by war, rising antisemitism, heartbreak, and profound uncertainty, Jewish communities are searching for language, meaning, and direction. Klompas will offer a timely "Jewish state of the union for our time," sharing frameworks to help communities process the challenges of the past two years and reflections on how we can summon the courage, clarity, and collective strength needed to meet this moment. The program will invite participants to reflect, connect, and envision a resilient Jewish future grounded in shared responsibility and purpose.
 
Aviva Klompas is the co-founder and CEO of Boundless, which partners with community leaders to revitalize Israel education and take bold collective action to combat antisemitism. She previously served as Director of Speechwriting for Israel's Permanent Mission to the United Nations and as a senior policy advisor in the Ontario government, supporting efforts to resettle Syrian refugees in Canada.
 
A writer, Klompas has contributed to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Foreign Policy, The Jerusalem Post, and other international publications. 
 
She is the author of "Speaking for Israel," reflecting on Israeli diplomacy and her work at the United Nations, and Stand-Up Nation: Israeli Resilience in the Wake of Disaster, which explores Israel's longstanding work in international development and crisis response.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Recent E. Coli Detection in Pontoosuc Lake Confined to Lanesborough

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Only Lanesborough's portion of Pontoosuc Lake had a bacterial exceedance last week. 

During the Lake Management Commission's second meeting on Thursday, members received an update on the situation. 

On July 22, the Lanesborough Board of Health closed the Sunrise Street and Narragansett Avenue beaches due to high E. Coli levels.  They have since cleared. 

"We didn't have any bacterial exceedance in Pittsfield, so there's no concern at all last week for any E. coli concerns in Pittsfield,” Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath reported. 

Regular monitoring for bacterial exceedances at swimming beaches across the Commonwealth is required.  Pittsfield's Board of Health tests Pontoosuc and Onota Lake weekly on Wednesdays throughout the summer. 

Lanesborough also conducts weekly testing through its Board of Health, and an exceedance was reported to the state at Sunrise Beach, at the very north end of Pontoosuc Lake. 

McGrath noted that he did not see Narragansett Beach on the state's dashboard. 

"The City of Pittsfield was made aware of the bacterial exceedance and we, of course, were concerned,” he said. 

"Our weekly testing happened the next day on Wednesday. Our results were returned Thursday morning. We did not have a bacterial exceedance at Pontoosuc Lake Park, where we test off of the wall on the north side of the channel, and also proximate to the boat ramp, at this point in time.” 

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories