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.

Lanesborough ZBA Member Mark Siegars Resigns

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Heated Zoning Board of Appeals meetings, which have already led to two lawsuits against the town, have now resulted in the resignation of a board member.

The board's former chair, Mark Siegars, resigned from his position on Monday, after being removed as chair by the Select Board for his conduct a month prior, The Berkshire Eagle reported. 

iBerkshires has reached out to the town administrator for confirmation. 

Emotions have run high following contentious ZBA meetings held over the past several months, culminating in both businesses involved filing lawsuits against the town. More information here.
 
The rift started to develop in January during a meeting to determine whether the Lanesborough Local Country Store's sign on its vintage pickup truck violated town bylaws. The board ultimately voted to uphold the building inspector's citation.
 
The meeting resulted in two complaints to the town, following the nearly 40-minute discussion that had short bursts of yelling in between. 
 
The meeting was not recorded by the board or by LCATV and the town requested iBerkshires share its recording to provide the Select Board additional context surrounding the few complaints. 
 
It is not iBerkshires.com's policy to share unpublished recordings or meeting notes. However, iBerkshires.com did write an article outlining the argument.
 
According to The Eagle, all Zoning Board of Appeals meetings will now be recorded to ensure transparency. 
 
View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories