Maccabees on Trial at Kol Ami in White Plains

The sanctuary of Kol Ami will become a live courtroom as Mattathias and Son Judah Maccabee stand accused of murder, mayhem and religious hate crimes. Two verdicts will be issued: a vote of the congregation by ballot and a verdict to be issued by the Honorable Stephen C. Robinson. The trial is preceded by study (lawyers can separately register for 2 hours of CLE ethics credit), as all prepare for an incredible night.

Stephen C. Robinson, former U.S. District Court Judge, Southern District of New York (White Plains), will be presiding over the synagogue's third trial – "The People v. The Maccabees," at Congregation Kol Ami in White Plains on Friday, May 9, 2014 at 8:00 p.m.

The trial of Mattathias and Judah Maccabee of the Hasmonean family (of Hanukkah fame) for murder and mayhem will be a highlight of Synaplex, a series of monthly Friday night events that explore the Jewish experience. "People think the Bible is too holy to wrestle with, but Jews have always wrestled with the texts of the Jewish people," said Rabbi Shira Milgrom of Congregation Kol Ami. "Sometimes it can be hard to reconcile our beliefs with the texts, so we jump into the ring and wrestle with them." The Synaplex trial is very much in that tradition, she noted.

The presiding judge, Stephen C. Robinson, Litigation Partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP focuses on a range of litigation matters, including corporate internal investigations, government enforcement matters, commercial disputes and monitorships. Prior to joining Skadden in 2010, Judge Robinson served as a federal judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. He was nominated by President George W. Bush in 2003. While on the bench, Judge Robinson handled a full range of civil and criminal cases. Prior to serving on the Southern District bench, Judge Robinson held several positions in government. In 1998, President Bill Clinton nominated Judge Robinson as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, where he served for three years. Judge Robinson spent three years (1993-1995) as principal deputy general counsel and special assistant to the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, where he participated in espionage matters and the Oklahoma City bombing investigation. From 1987 to 1991, Judge Robinson was an assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, where he prosecuted white collar matters, securities fraud and narcotics cases. In 1990, he was awarded the Department of Justice's Di- rector's Award for Superior Service.

Defending The Maccabees will be Michael P. Zweig, litigation partner at Loeb & Loeb. The prosecutor will be Scott D. Musoff, litigation partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.

The other members of the trial (as Simon; an observer from Modin; Rebecca; Isaiah; Judah; and Mattathias, respectively) will be Dan Horowitz , Ben Zoffness, Alison Bern- stein, Rob Feinstein, Jonathan Flaks and Paul Schwarz.

A 2-hour New York Continuing Legal Education Credit (including .5 ethics credit) will be offered for all interested attorneys.

Synaplex's flexible format includes music, spiritual exploration, children's programming, films, and other activities. The evening's schedule opens at 5:00 pm with Explorations in Music with Cantor Mo Glazman and special guest Cantor Yitzy Spinner, from the Hebrew Institute in White Plains, who has been heard on some of the world's most illustrious stages. From soulful Chuppah to powerful dance music – his vocals are smooth and refined, yet always energetic.

In addition, there will be a Shabbat service for families with young children at 5:30 pm and a hors d'oeuvres get together in Kol Ami's main building at 5:45 pm. At the heart of Synaplex at Kol Ami are the Friday night religious services ushering in the Sabbath. They will be in the main sanctuary at 6:15 pm. Religious services are followed by teen, family, young-professional, adults-only dinners at 6:45 p.m. After dinner, at 8:00 pm, will be the main event, "The Maccabees on Trial".

Synaplex events are open to both temple members and non-members. All events are free with the exception of the dinner, which costs $25 for adults and $15 children and teens. Reservations are necessary for dinner. For more information or to make a dinner reservation, please call Ilene Miller at 949-4717 ext. 111.