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VOLUME XIII, NUMBER 10 MAY 14, 2020 As ’s Supreme Court Campaign contributors weighs in on unity gov’t, how thanked BY ERIC AND ANGELA WEINBERG much power should it have? The Jewish Federation of Northeastern from citizens,” he said. Pennsylvania expressed its thanks to those “There is no judiciary in any proper de- who made a financial pledge in support of NEWS ANALYSIS mocracy as powerful as Israel’s Supreme its annual 2020 UJA Campaign. BY ISRAEL KASNETT Court,” said Taub. “In its own opinion, The 2020 UJA Campaign Honor Roll (JNS) – In a landmark ruling, Israel’s there is no limit to its power; there is will be published during the summer in Supreme Court rejected all petitions nothing it does not believe is judicable, the pages of The Reporter as a token of against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin and it has the last word on everything.” the local community’s appreciation. Netanyahu forming a new government While it’s true that Israel is faced In addition, the forthcoming 2019-2020 while under indictment, and against the with an unprecedented rotation deal that Annual Report will be issued in June. It emergency unity government deal signed includes significant changes to Israel’s will show how Campaign gifts benefit Eric and Angela Weinberg by Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Basic Laws to accommodate the terms of the Jewish institutions that comprise the Benny Gantz. However, the court did leave the unity deal signed by Netanyahu and Jewish communities of Northeastern eration thanks the community again for open the possibility of intervening in future Gantz, the central question is whether Pennsylvania (specifically, Lackawanna, its generosity. legislation concerning the unity deal that it is up to Israel’s judicial or legislative Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties), as Eric and Angela Weinberg are the co- is currently being debated in the Knesset. branches to represent the will of the well as Israel and world Jewry. The Fed- chairs of the 2020 UJA Campaign. With much of Israel’s media focused people. Israel’s left sees the Supreme on the recent court hearings, the current Court as a bulwark against the right and situation has brought to the forefront a defender of democracy. The right sees Community notice: ongoing debates about the role the court this as another example of tyranny of should play in Israeli democracy. the courts and its effort to wrest away Despite the ruling in favor of the democracy from the people. government, Gadi Taub, a senior lecturer Taub pointed to a recent court ruling Annual Meeting at the School of Public Policy and the that overturned a legislative decision to Due to restrictions im- later date when circum- Department of Communications at the ban illegal immigration as an example posed as a result of the stances permit. Hebrew University of Jerusalem, told of the Supreme Court’s overreach. “The coronavirus pandemic, the I pray that you and your JNS that the very fact the court accepted court believes everything is judicable,” Annual Meeting of the - loved ones remain safe and the appeal for discussion is “outrageous,” he said. “[Former Chief Justice] Aharon ish Federation of Northeast- healthy during these diffi- “mind-boggling” and an “amazing feat Barak thought everything was under his ern Pennsylvania that was cult times. of audacity.” authority, and he would have made [for- scheduled to be held at the Esther Adelman “In agreeing to adjudicate this issue mer U.S. Chief Justice] John Marshall Scranton on President in the first place, the court is behaving as [widely considered the most important Thursday, June 11, at 7 pm, has been Jewish Federation of Northeastern if it feels it needs to protect democracy See “Court” on page 3 cancelled and will be rescheduled at a Pennsylvania SPOTLIGHT Jewish resources to occupy your family during social distancing – part 3 BY REPORTER STAFF found at http://tiferetjournal.com/. Due to jump around to the cities and sites that most more information, visit, www.tabletmag. A variety of Jewish groups are offering COVID-19, there will be no print version interest you. In addition to photographs and com/sections/news/articles/tablet-live- online resources – educational and recre- and the online version is being offered free. descriptions of the places you’ll visit, we’ve web-series. ational – for those who are not allowed ‹ All 70 Faces Media publications, in- added a host of links to articles, documents See “Resources” on page 4 out of the house. Below is a sampling of cluding My Jewish Learning, the Jewish and other materials that will help you learn those. The Reporter will publish additional Telegraphic Agency, Kveller, Alma and more about your destination.” listings as they become available. The Nosher, are offering new online expe- ‹ The World Zionist Organization is 2020 UJA ‹ The website Alive!, featuring riences to connect people through Jewish offering live daily e-sessions on Israel Campaign Update the work of Shlomo Einhorn, offers rituals, food, books and more. To sign up and related topics. To sign up, visit www. Our sincerest thanks podcasts, audio classes, music and more. for daily reminders of what is available, tfaforms.com/4811742. to each of you for For more information, visit http://www. visit www.myjewishlearning.com/sign- ‹ Hadassah@Home Online Activities, making this rabbieinhorn.com. up-for-daily-reminders-of-zoom-events- www.hadassah.org/belong/member-en- achievement ‹ The Milken Archive, www.milkenar- livestreams-and-other-online-resources/. gagement.html#programs, offers a variety possible! chive.org, offers music, essays, interviews, ‹ Friends of IDF are offering a variety of live and recorded activities and classes. documentaries, virtual exhibits and more of Zoom classes. More information and ‹ The Pardes Institute for Jewish Stud- about . to register for events, visit www.fidf.org/ ies is offering online learning resources. ‹ Reboot, www.rebooters.net/rebooth- covid19/engage. There is information and discussion of the For information or to make a donation, ‹ ome, calls itself “an arts and culture The Institute for Jewish Spirituality weekly parasha. Others “relate to illness, please call 570-961-2300 nonprofit that reimagines, reinvents and is offering free classes, including week- hope, resilience, community and more.” ext. 3 or send your gift to: reinforces Jewish thought and traditions.” day daily meditations and weekly For more information, visit www.pardes. Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania, It is offering three podcasts about life in study. For more information, visit www. org.il/strength-courage. 601 Je erson Ave., quarantine and three video series: series jewishspirituality.org/get-started/resourc- ‹ Tablet Magazine has launched “Tablet Scranton, PA 18510 “Dispatches From Quarantine,” “Coming es-for-challenging-times. Live!,” a new weekly series of live events of Age” and “The Joy of Quarantine,” ‹ The , a project of that can be accessed on Zoom. The series and podcasts “Kasher vs. Kasher,” “In AICE, offers virtual tours of Israel at www. will include concerts, culinary experi- Quarantine” and “Closening.” For more jewishvirtuallibrary.org/about-vie. The site ences, performance art happenings, and     information, visit the website. notes that “the tour is self-guided. You can talks with artists, writers, political leaders, ‹ The spring/summer edition of Tiferet either choose to follow the tour we’ve creat- and rappers. Viewers will be able Journal was released online and can be ed for you or create your own itinerary and to send in questions before the events. For Candle lighting INSIDE THIS ISSUE May 15...... 7:57 pm May 22...... 8:04 pm “Porch minyans” News in brief... May 28...... 8:09 pm May 29...... 8:10 pm The rise of coronavirus correlates With shuttered, Israeli researchers make a to a rise in antisemitism in NY and “porch minyans” are growing in COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough; PLUS NJ Jewish communities. and other communities. and more. Opinion...... 2 Story on page 3 Story on page 5 Stories on page 8 D’var Torah...... 6 2 THE REPORTER ■ M AY 14, 2020 A MATTER OF OPINION Toward a coronavirus vaccine: Jewish ethical questions BY RABBI JASON WEINER approach, everyone in a challenge study To save the Jewish people, two innocent serve as a participant in a challenge study This article was first published in the is deliberately exposed to the contagion. brothers, Lilianus and Pappus, stepped associated with rapidly developing a vac- Jewish Journal. Researchers then compare the two groups: forward and falsely confessed to the cine for coronavirus and, indeed, would (JNS) – The coronavirus pandemic has the vaccine versus the control. Running a crime. Only they were executed by the be a very pious act. This even according given rise to some of the most complex study in this manner could save months, Romans, sparing the rest of the Jewish to the stricter opinion, since the level of and significant medical-ethics dilemmas and thousands if not millions of lives. community. Many rabbinic authorities risk for those in such a study is relatively in recent history, namely the question of However, deliberately exposing people to have permitted voluntary self-sacrifice to low – only young, healthy people would triaging ICU care and, by extension, de- the coronavirus involves risk: some may rescue the broader community, based on be accepted, and would receive careful ciding who shall live and who shall die. get very sick, and some may die. Esther and the talmudic praise for these medical oversight – and because everyone As society begins to contemplate how to How do Jewish law and values guide righteous brothers. in the world is at risk for contracting the readjust to the new normal and eventually us in this? When it comes to taking risks On the other hand, other rabbinic coronavirus; the participants were already lifts isolation measures, new and similarly in general, Judaism obligates us to attempt authorities argued that although saving at some risk just by living in society. challenging ethical questions will arise. to help those in need, such as for instance the community is a very high value and Participating in the study simply One such question that has not yet jumping into a river to save a drowning some level of risk is acceptable to this transfers the risk to a controlled setting, received much discussion, but which I person. But the degree of risk one is re- end, these stories do not prove that one while at the same time potentially sig- believe requires our community’s atten- quired (or permitted) to take to save life who is not currently in any danger may nificantly benefitting all of society, and tion, revolves around the rush to develop is a matter of debate. opt to risk his or her life for the sake of thus is a . a vaccine. While it could take well over The general consensus is that although the community, since the brothers in Lod, The Jewish community should endorse a year before a vaccine is available, the one is not obligated to put his or her and Esther, would have died along with such protocols, and if a Jew has the op- associated ethical issues will likely arrive life at risk to save another person, it is their community anyway. portunity to enter such a study, he or she much sooner. praiseworthy to do so – unless there is a This brings us back to the “challenge should enthusiastically do so. One reason developing a vaccine significant risk, in which case doing so study.” Rabbi Jason Weiner is senior rabbi and takes so long is that researchers have to may be forbidden. The rabbis encourage I believe that the lesson here is that it director of spiritual care at Cedars-Sinai randomize test subjects into two groups. us to make a cost-benefit analysis of the certainly would be permitted for a Jew to Medical Center. Group A gets the vaccine; group B gets a level of risk versus the potential good. For placebo. Researchers wait to see if more example, kidney donation, which carries people from group B get sick than those some risk, is encouraged but not required, in group A. If that happens, it is a sign whereas bone-marrow donation, which Day 31: Like clockwork that the vaccine is effective. However, it carries negligible risk, may be viewed as BY CARIN M. SMILK to the Oranges in , while I can take months before researchers get obligatory when performed to save a life. (JNS) – As the skies move into that walked the 15 blocks home to my place. their answer because, in its simplest form, For that reason, I believe once plasma dusk-like hue on Fridays, it almost feels She stopped by my office to drop off this kind of study depends on waiting for donations from those who have recov- like time slows down. some copy and turned her head to look people to be naturally exposed to the vi- ered from the coronavirus are shown to I start to relax after another crazy-busy outside. She commented on how nice it rus – which takes even longer with social be safe and effective in treating current week. I realize that for some, these corona was every week that the couple across the distancing measures in place. coronavirus patients, it can be seen as an times have been dull, lonely or frustrating street would light candles and set the table To speed up things, an alternative is expectation of Jewish law that those who being all cooped up, but not for me. Not for a fancy dinner. I must have looked at something called a “challenge study.” have recovered must make such blood for us. In an odd way, it has become more her too long because she asked, “What?” In a challenge study, just like the tra- donations if they are able to. hectic as we bump into each other on the “It’s . That’s what they’re ditional study above, some people are In Jewish law, hatzalat harabim, or steps, turn the volume up or down on our getting ready for. It starts after sundown, given an experimental vaccine and some “saving the many,” is given more weight devices and answer our respective phones. like clockwork,” I replied. are not – but unlike with the traditional than saving the individual when it comes Soon, though, I’ll be sitting at the din- Ah. She nodded and got it. She isn’t to risk. For example, in the Purim story ner table with all of my favorite people, Jewish and grew up in Washington state recounted in the book of Esther, Queen sharing bread and wine, and conversation (and now lives in bucolic Oregon), but Esther was permitted to risk her life by from the week. We sit longer, talk more she’d been in City long enough approaching Ahasuerus since it was to and think less. to observe all the Jewish life. She smiled, save the entire community. I’m always reminded of something a liking it for what it was and what she Similarly, the relates that in former work colleague (and good friend) thought it to be. “ The Reporter” (USPS #482) is published bi-weekly by the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania, 601 Jefferson the city of Lod, the Roman emperor’s said one Friday while we were still in our That memory brings extra light to my Ave., Scranton, PA 18510. daughter was murdered and the Jewish newspaper office finishing up. We both Fridays. President: Esther Adelman community was blamed. The emperor had rare window seats and looked directly It’s funny – and always revealing – Executive Director: Mark Silverberg threatened the with mass execution into an apartment building in Midtown when we have moments to peek back unless they could produce the murderer. Manhattan. She would take the bus back See “Day” on page 4 Executive Editor: Rabbi Rachel Esserman Layout Editor: Diana Sochor Advertising Representative: Bonnie Rozen Bookkeeper: Kathy Brown Production Associate: Christi Sturdevant My guardian angels OPINIONS The views expressed in BY ELI BEER who made sure I was getting the best editorials and opinion pieces are those Reprinted from Israel Hayom treatment and kept my family updated. Dr. of each author and not necessarily (JNS) – I caught coronavirus in the Miriam Adelson, whom I know personally, the views of the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania. , of all places. Far from Israel a doctor who saved many people over LETTERS The Reporter welcomes and my family. A few days after Purim, I the course of her life and the publisher letters on subjects of interest to the was feeling unwell. My temperature rose, of Israel Hayom, extended her kindness Jewish community. All letters must be so I entered self-quarantine. Two days to me, prayed for me and ensured that I signed and include a phone number. later, I was hospitalized at University of got the treatment and medicine that quite The editor may withhold the name Miami Hospital with a serious case of simply saved my life. upon request. pneumonia, barely able to breathe. When When I had recovered sufficiently, she ADS The Reporter does not necessar- the test results came back, it was official: brought me back to Israel on a private ily endorse any advertised products I had COVID-19. United CEO Eli Beer arrived at plane belonging to her and her husband, and services. In addition, the paper A few days later, my doctors told me Ben-Gurion International Airport near Sheldon. When I got off the plane, I met is not responsible for the kashruth of they would need to induce a coma and put by private jet after recovering my wife and children with great excite- any advertiser’s product or establish- me on a ventilator. from COVID-19 at a hospital in Miami ment. The first step was hard. I realized ment. For 30 years, I’ve been working in on April 21. (Photo by Yehuda Haim/ it was the first step of my long road to DEADLINE Regular deadline is two emergency medicine as a paramedic. I Flash90) independence. weeks prior to the publication date. founded United Hatzalah, whose volun- This Independence Day, my wish was that the state of Israel and all its citizens FEDERATION WEBSITE: teers have saved many lives. The terms world, who took care of me. I discov- www.jewishnepa.org “coma” and “ventilator” are familiar to ered that when I was told what had been can continue standing on our own, both me, and I was very scared. happening around me all that time. as individuals and as a nation. That we HOW TO SUBMIT ARTICLES: When I woke up, a month had passed. They told me about Yosef Chaim continue to close ranks, take it upon Mail: 601 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, PA At first, I didn’t know where I was. Kadosh, who celebrated his bar mitzvah ourselves to help each other and worry 18510 The doctors explained my situation and recently. A cancer patient fighting for his about people other than ourselves. That E-mail: [email protected] what had happened. They said I was at life, twice a day he read psalms for my re- is how we will grow stronger, and that’s Fax: (570) 346-6147 the start of a long road to recovery. I was covery. They told me how 6,000 Hatzalah how we’ll beat the coronavirus. Phone: (570) 961-2300 sad to find that I’d missed Passover, my volunteers – Jews, Muslims, Christians I thank God for healing me, the doc- favorite holiday, but I was very happy to and Druze – had, each in their own way, tors who treated me and my angels, who HOW TO REACH talk to my family, my wife and children. prayed for me. I heard about the prayers enveloped me in prayers, love and mercy, THE ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE: Phone: (800) 779-7896, ext. 244 “Dad, what did you dream about while of members of the Jewish community in up close and from afar. E-mail: [email protected] you were asleep?” my youngest daughter Miami and across the United States, of a Eli Beer is the founder of United asked me in our first conversation. group of American Christians I’d spoken Hatzalah of Israel, a volunteer-based SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: “I think I dreamed about angels,” I to, of an Indian group and many others. emergency medical services organization, Phone: (570) 961-2300 answered. But it was no dream – there There were also angels close around and president of U.S.-based organization were angels, angels from all over the me. Dr. Joel Sandberg and his wife, Adele, Friends of United Hatzalah. M AY 14, 2020 ■ THE REPORTER 3 With synagogues shuttered, “porch minyans” grow in Brooklyn BY DOVID ZAKLIKOWSKI With synagogues shuttered in communities worldwide, (JNS) – The streets of Crown Heights in Brooklyn, praying on the porch – or “porch minyan,” as it’s been NY, were eerily empty at 7 pm on a recent Thursday. dubbed – has become the new norm in many Orthodox Normally, children are out playing and parents rushing communities across the globe. The one leading the prayers, home from work or errands, with crowds of people out known as the chazzan, says them in a booming voice so now that the days are getting longer. But since mid-March, the words can be heard in other places farther away. when local doctors advised the community to shut down For the most part, such services have been received by because of the spread of the deadly coronavirus, this is non-Jewish neighbors with appreciation. “Our neighbours the way it has been in the neighborhood, which has been just delivered this lovely gift to all homes on our street,” inundated with cases of COVID-19. Jennifer Dorner posted on Facebook, about those who With few cars on the road, other sounds can be heard were praying on the porches on her Montreal, Quebec, during the day, such the murmur of prayer services. For block, “as a token of appreciation since they’ve been the Orthodox, communal prayer services are like praying coming out onto their porches to pray. But the singing in . Theoretically, they can be held anywhere Jewish residents in the Crown Heights neighborhood and prayers have already been such a gift!” (think El Al flights to Israel), as long as it has a minyan of Brooklyn, NY, participated in a “porch minyan” on Using only his first name so as not to draw attention, – a quorum of 10 Jewish males over the age of 13. April 30. (Photo by Dovid Zaklikowski) Michel [last name held on request], 71, an administra- tor at a local boys’ day school in Crown Heights, prays all three daily prayer services with a minyan. “This is davening for me,” he said, using the word for Court Continued from page 1 praying, saying that without a minyan, his prayers don’t and influential Supreme Court feel real. “That is the way I was trained from childhood, justice in U.S. history and and that is the way I feel most comfortable doing it.” credited with establishing the From his porch, there is no minyan that he could pray U.S. Supreme Court’s role in with, so he goes to nearby ones mostly on other blocks. federal government] look like Michel rattles off the times and locations of several places a blushing virgin.” where an afternoon prayer service can be found these On May 5, the Likud and days. He notes that for his own safety, some locations will Blue and White parties both not let him join since he is over the age of 65, and others made a few concessions in the say that only those who are on their own porch can join. coalition agreement between Rabbis across the globe have banned the porch minyan them and agreed to include on various grounds. In March, the Beit Din, or rabbin- policy guidelines; to allow for ical court, of Crown Heights made it clear that even an more bills to be passed; and to outdoor minyan is prohibited, saying “it is our opinion allow for senior appointments that individuals should daven alone in their houses at to be made. Mandelblit told this time.” (One of the three rabbis who signed the letter the Supreme Court later that succumbed to COVID-19.) day that in his opinion, there Despite this, as week upon week of staying home is no reason for it to intervene has started to wear people down, the “porch minyan” or disqualify the revised coa- phenomenon has increased in the neighborhood. lition unity deal. “I can’t wrap my head around it,” says Eli Uminer, “The Supreme Court is Israelis watched a Supreme Court session on petitions filed against the proposed who himself has been sick with the coronavirus. “If it is a supported by a very liberal government, outside the Knesset on April 3. (Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90) question of life or death, one is allowed to even desecrate press that cheerleads it to rule Shabbos [the Sabbath]. In Jewish law, it states that you in direct opposition to ‘Basic Law: Government,’ which tions in court are linked to a political struggle between do this even if there is less than a one out of a thousand says explicitly that you cannot rule out a prime minister left and right, not to mention Netanyahu’s own legal percent chance of dying.” who is indicted until he is convicted and after the last troubles. “Everything is interconnected,” said Sandler. He says that while many remain on porches, some appeal has been heard,” said Taub. “The Supreme Court is hesitant to create a precedent come from other streets and stand close to the home of He added that the press, which is “overwhelmingly ruling because of all of the implications.” the prayer leader. “I think that in terms of the virus, if liberal,” has been “instrumental in shaping a very strange According to Sandler, the current legal and political done right it could be OK. But in reality, it never ends narrative in which we are being told that the essence of crisis taking place will be “a stepping stone for the up that way; therefore, they should be banned.” democracy is the protection of human and civil rights by the study of the relationship between the judiciary and See “Minyans” on page 7 courts, and the elections are just a procedure of democracy.” the government.” Shmuel Sandler, a professor of religion and politics at Taub noted how Menachem Mautner, former dean Israel’s Bar-Ilan University in and a senior of Tel Aviv University’s law faculty who identifies with research associate at the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Israel’s political left, wrote in his book, “Law and the Studies, told JNS that he agreed this is a precedent-setting Culture of Israel,” that since the left has largely been DEADLINES case. “There are legitimate arguments since the unity unable to win at the ballot since 1977, it has decided to The following are deadlines for all articles and deal sets a precedent,” he said. entrench itself in the Supreme Court and increasingly photos for upcoming Reporter issues. Sandler pointed to a number of factors that make hand it more powers. DEADLINE ISSUE this situation complicated. First, he noted the tension The leftist approach, as he sees it, is to attack democra- Thursday, May 14...... May 28 between Israel’s right and left over how much power cy “by moving political power from elected to appointed the judiciary should be allowed to have. Second, after institutions – from the parliament to the court.” Wednesday, May 27, early...... June 11 three consecutive elections within the course of a year, Taub said that Israel needs “a strong Supreme Court,” Thursday, June 11...... June 25 there was the possibility of a fourth one, which added an and that if it overreaches its authority “it skews the Thursday, July 9...... July 23 additional level of urgency. Third, all of these delibera- balance of powers.”

For information, contact Bonnie Rozen at 1-800-779-7896, ext. 244 or [email protected] ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 4 THE REPORTER ■ M AY 14, 2020 Resources Continued from page 1 ‹ The Torah-com, www.thetorah.com, School.” For more information or to hear ‹ The Jewish Museum of -FIU, on Tuesdays at 3:30 pm. The genealogy seeks to make “academic biblical schol- the episodes, visit https://www.tabletmag. https://jmof.fiu.edu/, is offering a variety discussion is led by a librarian from the arship accessible and engaging to readers com/podcasts/hebrew-school/episode-1- of online programming, including virtual Genealogy Institute at the Center for Jew- from all backgrounds.” Articles and essays class-is-in-session. tours led by museum curators and the ish History. Videos of previous meetings include those about the weekly parasha, ‹ YIVO’s 2020 Summer Program will new program “Thursdays at Three with are also available for review. Visit www. , biblical criticism, mod- take place online this year. The six-week Jacqueline Goldstein,” which will feature facebook.com/watch/centerforjewishhis- ern faith, archaeology, morality, ethics and summer intensive offers Yiddish language conversations with artists. Visit the web- tory/501317183869918/ to take part in the more. People can subscribe to a weekly classes from beginner to advanced levels site for more information. live program or view the videos. e-mail that lists new articles of interest. and a wide variety of cultural enrichment ‹ Jewish Insider is now offering Zoom ‹ Pardes scholars and Ramah Dar- ‹ The Jewish Council for Public Affairs activities. Conducted via Zoom from June programs with politicians, actors and om educators will hold a Pardes Beit is holding webinars on advocacy and ed- 29-August 7, YIVO’s 2020 Summer Pro- more. For more information or to sign B’Darom Yom Iyun (Day of ucation during COVID-19. They focus on gram will run in full, with a number of in- up for the site’s daily update, visit https:// Learning) on Sunday, May 17, from “Jewish Values During the Pandemic” and novations and additions to meet the needs jewishinsider.com/. 11 am-3 pm. The theme this year is “Jewish Advocacy During the Pandemic.” of the virtual classroom. The application ‹ Lilith Magazine’s blog writers continue “Holy Relationships: Exploring Our To learn about upcoming webinars or deadline has been moved to Monday, May to add new material, some about dealing Spiritual Identity.” Pardes says, “We view those that have already taken place, 29. To learn more or to apply, visit https:// with COVID-19. The blogs can be found will examine the current state of our visit https://www.jewishpublicaffairs.org/ summerprogram.yivo.org. at www.lilith.org/blog/. relationships with the Divine, what it covid-19-videos/. ‹ Chabad offers a variety of videos and ‹ The Hadassah-Brandeis Institute is means to inhabit holiness and how to ‹ Be’chol Lashon offers short videos classes online at www.chabad.org/mul- offering images from its current exhibition own our spiritual identities and more.” highlighting the “diversity of Jewish life” timedia/video_cdo/aid/2530155/jewish/ at www.brandeis.edu/hbi/artist-program/ For more information, visit www.face- at https://globaljews.org/videos/. Courses.htm. Topics include Talmud, exhibition.html. book.com/events/663576081059631/. ‹ The is offering an prayer, prayer book, Tanya, ‹ Jewish community organizations ‹ The Yiddish Book Center now has a ongoing series of mental health programs and more. are bringing the power of “Collective web page dedicated to its almost week- on Monday and Thursday nights. To ‹ Hashivenu is a podcast about Jewish Compassion” to National Mental Health ly virtual events. Most events will be learn about upcoming programs or view teachings and practice around resilience. Awareness Month. Created by Jewish available to a small number of people previous programs, visit www.ou.org/ It believes that “cultivating resilience in Teens Thrive, a project of the Jewish on Zoom, but open to all on the center’s mental-health-live-programming. The challenging times, both individually and Teen Education and Engagement Funder Facebook page. For more information, programs will also be available on the collectively, is an essential path to personal Collaborative, Collective Compassion is a visit www.yiddishbookcenter.org/visit/ OU Facebook page: OU Fb Live. renewal.” Visit https://hashivenu.fireside. national response to the growing wellness calendar-events. ‹ Chabad.org is offering “Coronavirus fm/ for more information and to sign up needs of teens. “Dozens of events and ex- ‹ Limmud, https://limmud.org/, is hold- Cooking” recipes, many with ingredients for e-mails from the site. periences, many in partnership with artists ing a variety of virtual events. The site people might already have in their homes. ‹ The Middle East Forum calls itself “an and organizations, draw on the power of says its mission is to “make accessible For these recipes and more, visit www. activist think tank, deals with the Middle Jewish creativity, culture, learning and some of the world’s most dynamic Jew- chabad.org/recipes/default.htm. East, Islamism, U.S. foreign policy and values to support teens – and the adults ish educators, performers and teachers, ‹ The Jewish National Fund is offering related topics, urging bold measures to that care about them,” according to the working in a variety of educational styles a variety of virtual programs, including a protect Americans and their allies.” It Collective Compassion website. For more – lectures, workshops, text-study sessions, virtual Shabbat experience, educational holds webinars on these topics. Informa- information, visit www.collectivecompas- film, meditation, discussions, exhibits and programming about Israel and more. For tion about upcoming webinars and tapes sion2020.com. performance.” Events take place across a listing of programs and how to join of past webinars can be found at www. ‹ The Center for Jewish History offers a the world. To learn more, click on events them, visit www.jnf.org/menu-3/videos/ meforum.org/webinars. “Genealogy Coffee Break” on Facebook and pick events by region. ondemand. ‹ offers virtual conversa- ‹ Yachad, an organization for those with tions about a variety of subjects, including special needs, is offering “Yachad On arts, politics and health. To listen to or Demand” at www.yachad.org/yachadon- view the programs, visit https://forward. Day Continued from page 2 demand. Visit the site for live events, a com/tag/events/. into our lives. When we’re reminded of Fourth Be With You.” (And yes, I once video library, resources and more. ‹ The National Museum of American a saying or joke, an old song that dredges met “Chewbacca” at an elementary-school ‹ Tablet Magazine is now offering the Jewish History is looking for children up bits of the past and those people asso- function on my big day.) podcast “.” According to to be clothing curators of their “stay at ciated with it. This stay-at-home period Last year, my husband and I had Tablet, “hosted by Unorthodox’s Steph- home” fashion. The museum offers -in has come with that as I’ve picked through dinner out, just the two of us, and a late- anie Butnick and Liel Leibovitz, Hebrew formation at www.nmajh.org/wp-content/ old clothes and photos, kid drawings and night coffee and long walk. The weather, School is a new weekly game show, uploads/2020/04/Kid-Curator-Exhibi- all the other thousand things you don’t near-perfect at the start of spring, was, featuring real kids answering questions tion-Clothing-lesson-042920.pdf about usually have time for. well, near-perfect. about all things Jewish! There are songs, how to help students understand “what Still, I’m ready to get back to normal, This year, I’m thinking of pizza. quizzes and so much more. The show is clothes can tell us about history.” Children whatever that may be. I could really use Baking some cupcakes and letting the designed for kids 7-12, but fun for all are asked to take pictures or videos of a movie, a trip to the library, a bagel with boys decorate them with sprinkles. And ages. It doesn’t matter if you’re a their “exhibition” and share them using a friend. sitting round the table with my all of student or someone with no formal Jewish the hashtags #NMAJHOR or #History- There’s a new awareness, but also an my favorite people, talking about the education; all are welcome at Hebrew AtHome! old longing. year to come. I said this as I approached my birthday Carin M. Smilk is the managing editor on May 4. You know, that day – “May the of JNS.

ewish Federa To get Federation updates via email, the J tion on ’s e u ma yo il re lis rregister on our website A t? We send updated announcements and special www.jewishnepa.org event details weekly to those who wish to receive them.

Send Dassy Ganz an email if you would like to join the list. Pledge or Donate [email protected] online at www.jewishnepa.org/donate M AY 14, 2020 I THE REPORTER 5 Rise of coronavirus correlates to rise in antisemitism, especially in Jewish areas of New York and New Jersey BY FAYGIE HOLT arrested and charged with making a terrorist threat. “In this (JNS) – As 2019 came to close, the New York met- particular case, the arrest was based on a bomb threat,” ropolitan region recorded “extremely high” numbers of the Ramapo Police Department said in an online posting. antisemitic incidents. Lawmakers, community leaders, “No one should use COVID-19 as an excuse to pro- law enforcement and ordinary citizens expressed the mote antisemitic conspiracy theories or stereotypes,” importance of tolerance and respect for all people. New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal told JNS. It seemed to work for a short time, anyhow. Then the “The virus does not discriminate in who it aff ects, and COVID-19 outbreak began, and as fears of the novel people must not use the virus as an excuse to discriminate coronavirus ramped up, so, too, did antisemitism. This or to foster hate.” time, though, with people locked in their homes, people While there have certainly been Jews in Monsey took to the Internet to spread their hate. and Lakewood who have violated stay-at-home orders “Since the beginning of March 2020, we have been – some have even been arrested or issued summons by receiving disturbing information on accusations on Jews, local authorities – the vast majority of residents have Zionists and Israelis, as individuals and as a collective, been following mandates and staying home, and have for causing and spreading the coronavirus,” noted a report become increasingly concerned about the hate they are on global antisemitism issued on April 27 by the Kantor seeing being spewed online. Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry at Joel Petlin, a resident of Monsey who also serves as Tel Aviv University and the European Jewish Congress. the superintendent of the Kiryas Joel School District, Among those charges, many of which are surfacing a Chasidic town some 25 miles away, says it’s as if online, are allegations that Jews have poisoned water Image of an antisemitic Twitter user advocating for the someone “set up to play this gotcha game because they wells – an accusation, the report notes, that has been heavily Jewish town of Lakewood, NJ, to be “nuked.” think if one Chasidic Jew is doing something, it’s the end around since medieval times—that Jews or Israel is us- (Photo courtesy of Screenshot) of the world. I think it’s latent antisemitism that comes ing the virus to destabilize the world economy and gain out at this time, and it doesn’t refl ect that we are all in control; Jews or Israelis have already produced a vaccine the things that happen online and eventuality of things we this together as one county… and we should be helping to the virus and will sell it to the rest of the world for a may see expressing themselves in the real world because people rather than using this as an opportunity to attack. large profi t; the virus is punishment because Jews have you may have individuals taking these statements and “There will always be a few outliers who don’t repre- not accepted Christ; and that Jews created the virus as acting on them.” sent the group,” continued Petlin, “and because of those a weapon against Muslims and Iran. In at least two incidents, law enforcement believed few bad actors, we are attacked online unfairly for those “During times of crisis, people too often turn to scape- the online threats crossed the line of what is acceptable. few random acts that don’t represent us.” goats, and such a troubling trend is beginning to emerge A 43-year-old man from Howell, NJ, was arrested for Rabbi Avi Schnall, the New Jersey director of Agudath with COVID-19,” says Jennifer Rich, executive director making terroristic threats after he sent direct messages Israel of America, agrees. “To say we are not listening of the Rowan Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies threatening to go into Lakewood and assault members to the rules because 10 people or 20 people got together, at Rowan University in New Jersey. “Antisemitism is up, of the Jewish community with a baseball bat. A 56-year what about everyone else? There are 150,000 people and we can expect that battles over reopening the coun- old-female from Suff ern, NY, in Rockland County, was See “Rise” on page 6 try and how the virus spread will conjure up old tropes. As people note that this is the worst international crisis since the Second World War and as we just marked Yom Hashoah, it is a reminder that we need to be especially vigilant in combating antisemitism wherever it arises.” Rich adds that the rise in antisemitism related to P A C E the virus “seems to be part of a broader trend in this instance. The ‘anti-other’ – antisemitic, anti-Chinese, Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment racist, xenophobic – rhetoric is everywhere.” A survey by the Anti-Defamation League, which was taken in January and released recently, had identifi ed online Your gift to the Annual Campaign antisemitism as an already troubling trend even before the coronavirus outbreak. It found one in seven Jews have DOES A WORLD OF GOOD. experienced harassment online, and more than one in 10 has experienced a “severe form of harassment such as Endowing your gift allows you to be there for the being physically threatened as a result of the religion.” Jewish community of NEPA forever. Online antisemitism has only increased in recent weeks and taken various forms, including “Zoombombing,” where an online programs being conducted by Jewish A Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment (PACE) is a permanent fund that endows groups are interrupted by neo-Nazis or white supremacists your Jewish community Annual Campaign gift as a lasting legacy. A PACE fund will who managed to log into the virtual program. continue to make an annual gift in perpetuity on your behalf. In the heavily Jewish towns of Monsey, NY, and Lakewood, NJ, people have taken to Facebook and To determine the amount you need to endow your entire campaign gift, multiply your current Twitter almost daily to protest what they believe are annual gift by 20. mass violations by members of the Jewish community You can fund your PACE by adding the JEWISH FEDERATION OF NORTHEASTERN of local stay-at-home orders. Regardless of the original PENNSYLVANIA to your will, or by making the Federation a benefi ciary of your IRA. All poster’s intentions in these claims, those who comment contributions to establish a PACE are tax deductible. on these posts often ratchet up the tension. In some cases, posters have threatened to take matters Let your name be remembered as a blessing. into their own hands. Just what that means, however, is left up to the imagination and leads to fear and concern Endowments can be created through a variety of vehicles, some of which do not necessitate among residents. funding during your lifetime yet still provide your estate with considerable tax benefi ts. “We’ve seen this type of veiled threat that walks right They also enable you to perpetuate your commitment to the Annual Campaign in a way that up to the line and stops just short, and leaves it up to best achieves your own personal fi nancial and estate planning goals. the interpreter to determine what they mean by that,” says Alexander Rosemberg, deputy regional director New York/ New Jersey region for the Anti-Defamation Examples Of Ways To Fund Your Pace Gift Are: League. “But many in the community, when they see that, will be afraid and will see it as a direct threat much * outright contribution of cash, appreciated securities or other long-term more than a veiled threat.” * capital gain property such as real estate Rosemberg says that while it is up law enforcement * charitable remainder trust and prosecutors to determine the nature of a criminal * gift of life insurance off ense, the concern centers on “the connection between * charitable lead trust * gift of IRA or pension plan assets * grant from your foundation * reserved life estate in your residence * bequest Using appreciated property, such as securities or real estate, a ords you the opportunity to eliminate the income tax on the long-term capital gain, will in some instances generate a full income tax charitable deduction and will remove those assets from your estate for estate tax purposes.

For more information contact Mark Silverberg at [email protected] or call 570-961-2300, ext. 1. Check out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or fi nd it on Facebook 6 THE REPORTER ■ M AY 14, 2020 D’VAR TORAH What’s truly radical BY RABBI DANIEL SWARTZ, SPIRITUAL LEADER What was radical was the reason given in 25:23: “The OF TEMPLE HESED; EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR land is Mine; you are but strangers resident with me.” OF THE COALITION ON THE ENVIRONMENT Remember, the “land” in question was the “promised AND JEWISH LIFE land,” the land the Torah describes again and again as Behar-Bechukotai, Leviticus 25:1-27:34 first promised from the very beginnings of our people, Behar-Bechukotai contains an idea that has often been the land that serves as the destination for the people at portrayed as radical. However, it is the reasoning behind the end of their long desert wanderings. If ever one could it that is so radical that it can still be transformative to- imagine a land that would be “owned,” surely it would be day, thousands of years after it was first written. What’s this long- and oft-promised land! But no, this land – and, more, this radical reasoning could serve us well today the implication clearly is, all other land as well – belongs were we to follow it as our society begins to reopen from to God, not humans. Now, that was, and is, radical! (By social distancing. the way, George realized that this was the reason behind The idea is the Sabbatical (shmitah) and Jubilee (yovel) the debt cancellation/land redistribution biblical laws, system, outlined in Leviticus 25:1-22 (with related texts and they were his motivation, as well, but his followers in Exodus 23 and Deuteronomy 15). Every seven years emphasized the policies and generally forgot about the the land is be given a rest. Concomitantly, according to reason behind them!) Deuteronomy, debts are to be forgiven and slaves freed. What a different world we would be living inif After counting off seven sets of seven years, in the 50th people had in general followed the notion that God is year, release (d’ror) is to be proclaimed to all the inhabi- the ultimate owner, that “private property” is in reality tants of the land. (This phrase, by the way, with “liberty” a trust that we hold for God to benefit the world itself, used as the translation for d’ror, is what is embossed on other people and future generations. Instead of putting the Liberty Bell.) All land is to be redistributed, so that the economy first, we’d put the health of people first. no one owns too much and no one is landless. Instead of seeking out short-term profit, we’d think on These ideas have sometimes been portrayed as radi- God’s timescale and build a sustainable society. We’d cal, both by their supporters and their detractors. Their prioritize economic stimuli that shifted us from fossil supporters include the American economist and philos- fuels to clean, safe forms of energy. Because the land opher Henry George, particularly in his landmark work isn’t ours: it belongs to God. “Progress and Poverty.” George was a major inspiration for global progressive and social movements and leaders, ranging from Theodore Roosevelt to Franklin Delano NEWS IN BRIEF Roosevelt to early socialists. George put these ideas at From JNS.org the center of his progressive agenda, contributing to a wide variety of social changes in dozens of countries, Western Wall reopens to worshippers including such well-accepted policies as social security with strict social-distancing limitations and the use of the secret ballot in voting. The Western Wall Plaza in Jerusalem re-opened to Detractors range from the railroad barons of George’s worshippers on the morning of May 5 after the Israeli day to “supply side” economists today. Almost uniform- government announced a softening of its social-distanc- ly, they declare the Levitical declarations to be utterly ing orders across the country. Prayer at the Western Wall impractical, the idle dreams of prophets who had no since the start of the coronavirus pandemic was limited to President: Dr. Meredith Stempel idea how to actually run a nation or economy. Ironically, those living in the Old City of Jerusalem, and to groups many of the provisions of Leviticus 25 have stronger of only 10, and then 19, people at any one given time. archaeological evidence than almost any other biblical The Western Wall Heritage Foundation, which manages laws, including parallel traditions throughout the ancient the site, confirmed that worshippers can return to visiting Middle East, as documented by Michael Hudson in “The the sacred site and pray in front of it “while keeping to Lost Tradition of Biblical Debt Cancellations.” Indeed, to the Health Ministry restrictions. .... The Western Wall the ancient world, such ideas were not in and of themself prayer plazas will be divided into as many prayer areas radical. They just made sense to anyone trying to design as possible in the given area and in accordance with the a just society. regulations,” the Foundation explained on its website. President: Dan Marcus “For the next few days, up to 300 worshippers will be allowed to come to the Western Wall plaza simultane- ously, contingent on them wearing masks. Should the prayer areas all get full, worshippers will be requested to wait outside the entrances to the Western Wall, with the required distances between them, until space becomes available.” Celebrations at the Western Wall, such as bar and bat , can be held “in accordance with regulations.” The Western Wall Tunnels, however, remain closed until further notice.

Preparations were made for the easing of • President: Merle Turitz coronavirus restrictions at the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City on May 5. (Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90) 570-421-8781 • Website: www.Templepoconos.org

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Affiliation: United Synagogue of Cantor: Vladimir Aronzon • President: Ann Lebowitz Monsky 918 East Gibson St., Scranton, PA 18510 (located at the corner of Gibson & Monroe Sts.) 570-342-0350 E-mail: [email protected] Mon. & Thurs. 7:15am; Tues., Wed. & Fri. 7:25am Rosh Chodesh & Chagim weekdays, 7 am; Shabbat Morning Service 9:30am M AY 14, 2020 ■ THE REPORTER 7 First person To my Holocaust-survivor grandmother, who had a penchant for Wimbledon BY JACKSON RICHMAN the Swiss border, where they were told she arrived at their home. TV with her, an activity she (JNS) – My grandmother, Reggie that the children couldn’t enter. The daughter who saved her loved, especially witnessing Richman, passed away on April 10 at the The father of the home gave his oldest would visit her when she was Rafael Nadal and Roger Fed- age of 92 from complications due to the daughter, who was 17, money and told not working and teach history erer face off in a legendary coronavirus (she also had pneumonia). her to go with the children to southern to my grandmother, whose Wimbledon match. She was a Holocaust survivor, a teacher, France. Their journey consisted of them studies had obviously been In her final days, my a mother, grandmother and great-grand- scrounging for whatever food they could interrupted. grandmother was in a New mother. Those titles complimented each while staying in a hotel room with one bed; The family was eventually Jersey hospital, and my other as she went through life, relaying half of the kids slept on it one night, while recognized as the Righteous aunts were only able to see her experiences, knowledge and love to the other half slept on floor. They would Among the Nations by Yad her twice while dressed in those she knew. switch positions the following night. Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Hazmat suits. My father, She was born in Munich, Germany, After entering the unoccupied zone, the remembrance museum and Reggie Richman, who lives with my mother in children ended up in a Jewish orphanage, memorial in Jerusalem. , was in touch only by and was 5 years old when Hitler rose to grandmother of Jackson where a strict director was replaced with After the war, my grand- phone, due to the restrictions power. She was 10 when the Germans Richman, Washington, one who was more friendly. After one of mother was reunited with her imposed everywhere amid took her into custody on a Shabbat and put DC, correspondent for her in jail, followed by transporting her the children was almost picked up by the family and learned that her the coronavirus pandemic. JNS. (Photo courtesy of to the Polish border. Once there, an order Nazis, who said that they didn’t have a older brother perished at Aus- Despite the circumstances, Jackson Richman/JNS) came from Hitler for the train to go back train for her at the moment to be deported, chwitz. The family moved her children and the rest of to Germany with her still on it. the orphanage worked to get the children to Minnesota, where she her family wanted her to As my grandmother recalled, after into hiding. My grandmother alone was resumed her studies with the ninth grade. know that she was beloved and not alone. Kristallnacht in November 1938, she es- adopted by a loving Catholic farm family A few years later, a cantor who visited The burial on April 12 consisted of caped by train with her older sister to the in central France after their professor her synagogue saw her and thought that my aunts, one of their spouses (the other French border and lived in an aunt’s house, daughter took her out of the orphanage. his brother would be a good match for is a kohen and therefore was not allowed and later in a children’s home, where she The family on the farm, where she lived her, which came to be true. They moved to be near the site) and a rabbi saying hid with six others. Years later, when the for two-and-a-half years until the war to Illinois and raised their three children, goodbye to her temporarily (the plan is for Germans, who had already invaded France, ended, did not make her go to church. My including my father, giving them the her body to be eventually exhumed and sought to pick them up, the Swiss Jewish grandmother, who knew she was Jewish, blessed childhood that my grandmother moved to Israel to be finally rested next people who ran the home asked to request would identify as Protestant to stay safe sadly never had. to her husband, who wanted to be buried to the consulate they be released. The group in what was a Christian country. She was My grandmother was a foreign-lan- in the Jewish state). My father, unable to was escorted back to their home and then loved and cared for from the moment guage teacher at a public school. She knew be there in person, saw the procession on English, French, German and Spanish. She FaceTime, while seven of her grandchil- taught not only those languages, but also dren (plus the spouses of my two married Minyans Continued from page 3 how to have a kind and tolerant tongue. cousins) saw it on Zoom. Uminer says that even without those board (who did not sign the original letter). My memories of her include hearing Despite my grandmother’s end coming conditions, for many, especially those in Rabbi Berel Bell, a member of the rab- her story of surviving as a hidden child in a circumstance where we’re socially homes that are small and crowded with fam- binical court in Montreal, initially wrote and raising her children with her husband, distanced from one another, her passing ily members, “it’s more about cabin fever.” to his community in March, advising that Jack, whom I’m named after. Her chil- was a moment that exemplified the crux of The issue of crowding came to the they not to hold outdoor minyans. More dren raised their own children and taught her values. That she would not be alone in forefront this week after a funeral for recently, however, he has joined one them the values they were taught by her, her goodbye as she was laid to rest, even if a rabbi in the nearby neighborhood of himself, and under certain conditions has including being friendly to one another the family couldn’t be together in person. Williamsburg drew hundreds of Ortho- permitted others to do the same. and to not let anyone feel lonely, as she Her story was one of togetherness, joy and dox Jews from the Satmar community, In Crown Heights, which runs along was growing up. love even amid the hardship. leading to a stern rebuke from Mayor Eastern Parkway – where on a spring day I remember the precious times I had May her memory be for a blessing. Bill de Blasio on Twitter. De Blasio thousands might be walking – Michel says with her, including teaching her how Jackson Richman is the Washington, later apologized for his remarks, which about health concerns, “I am not near to check e-mail and watching tennis on DC, correspondent for JNS. were widely condemned as antisemitic people, there is social distancing, you are for singling out the Jewish community. standing six feet away from people, and Under orders signed by New York you cannot even have a conversation.” NEWS IN BRIEF Gov. Andrew Cuomo in March, public Just before the afternoon prayer ser- From JNS.org gatherings of any size or any reason are vices on one street, Dr. Reuben Ingber Celebrities raise funds for meals for strictly forbidden. notes that it was wonderful to have the Rabbi Yosef Braun, one of the three possibility to pray from his porch with homebound in New York rabbis in Crown Heights who signed the a minyan. “I don’t see anything wrong A group of celebrities helped fund-raise on May 5 to deliver meals for Holocaust original letter prohibiting the minyans, with it,” he says. “Do you want to join?” survivors living in who cannot leave their home amid the coronavirus spoke about the topic in a Zoom class in Detective Vincent Martinos of the pandemic. The group included New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman; April, saying that nothing changed from Crown Heights Police Department, agrees. actor and singer Skylar Astin; NBA Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas; and actress Dolores the ruling in March. He notes that it is too He says the porch minyans have been fine Catania. They teamed up with 333 Charity and the UJA-Federation to teach a virtual complicated and too difficult to keep social according to the city’s ordinances. From workout class on total body conditioning with Trooper Fitness. A minimum $20 dona- distancing, even on the porch. This is es- what he has seen, people have been staying tion to 333 Charity’s website was required in order to participate in the Zoom workout. pecially true during morning prayers, and on their private property, wearing masks “Watching New York and the rest of the world get hit by the COVID-19 pandemic has on the Sabbath and holidays, when prayers and keeping to social-distancing rules. been extremely difficult,” Thomas told Page Six ofThe in a statement. are longer. During those times, he explains, While he acknowledges some issues “Myself and my family are happy to work with 333 Charity and other organizations it’s hard to keep a face mask on, people have occurred in the past six weeks at on Giving Tuesday to support meal deliveries for Holocaust survivors living in poverty naturally begin to gather around each Chabad World Headquarters on Eastern during this difficult time.” An estimated 36,000 Holocaust survivors live in New York. other, and he has even seen worshippers Parkway, they were taken care of quickly. According to 333 Charity, about 40 percent of them live below the poverty line. bring children – meaning a father could “Our community has done exceptionally have to chase after them and mistakenly well with social distancing,” he reports. come dangerously close to others. Michel says that even with the porch Rise Continued from page 5 Braun says his home has a porch, and minyans, he is craving for more normal he could easily join a minyan. Neverthe- times, when everyone can go back to [in Lakewood] and everything’s empty. the wonderful things are doing.” less, he won’t do it because “besides the normal prayer services. He is especially The shopping plazas are shut down, the Among those initiatives are food drives health concerns, there’s a host of halachic looking forward to being called to the schools are shut down, the synagogues to minority communities, including His- [Jewish law] concerns.” Torah, to look inside and kiss it, as is are shut down. It shows a certain amount panic families, who have been out of work Other rabbis have permitted these customary. “It is weird,” he offers. “A lot of irresponsibility” to just report on Lake- since the outbreak began with no pay- prayer sessions, including one of the local of things are weird today. But you have to wood and suggests an “underlying bias checks and no way to feed their families. rabbis on the Crown Heights rabbinical live with the current situation.” for people to buy into it. “This pandemic has the capacity to bring “If you’re going to report on Lakewood out the best and the worst in people, and it when 10 people are gathering,” he con- has done so already,” says Grewal, “but we tinued, “then you need to balance it by all will get through this if we join together.” At left: An Orthodox Jewish man in the Crown Heights neighborhood YOUR AD COULD BE HERE! of Brooklyn, NY, joined For information on advertising, please contact a “porch minyan” on Bonnie Rozen at 1-800-779-7896, ext. 244 April 30. (Photo by Dovid or [email protected] Zaklikowski)

ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 8 THE REPORTER ■ M AY 14, 2020 NEWS IN BRIEF From JNS.org peacekeeping force is meant to maintain peace between the terrorist group Hezbollah Book on rescuers, liberators, survivors of World War II gets and Israel, but its effectiveness has long been questioned because Hezbollah is limiting its activities. According to the report, Danon added that “we proved in the past that new tech for new generation Hezbollah are digging tunnels, they are bringing weapons to the border, and in the To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II and the liberation last few weeks, we have had a few incidents on the border. ... We are not calling to of Europe from Nazi Germany on May 8, a book about the era just got an upgrade, or shut down the mission tomorrow morning, but we are saying if they cannot change, rather, an upload. With help from the USC Shoah Foundation founded by film director if they cannot function, why you are spending so much money?” said Danon. and producer Steven Spielberg, the latest edition of the book “Witness: Passing the Torch P.A. banks close terrorist-related accounts in response to new of Holocaust Memory to New Generations,” is embedded with invisible barcodes to literally make a living history of . In the updated edition, each photograph Israeli legislation of a survivor, rescuer or World War II liberator is embedded with a barcode. Pointing a Banks operating in the Palestinian Authority have been closing accounts belonging smartphone at the image, enabled with the free Digimarc app, connects the reader to the to Palestinian terrorist prisoners after Palestinian Media Watch sent a letter warning vivid and full video testimony of the individual pictured. Overall, 75 videos housed on them that failing to do so could result in potential criminal and civil action. Israeli the March of the Living or USC Shoah Foundation websites can be accessed with just legislation is set to come into play regarding payments to terrorist prisoners by the P.A. a mobile device. “The lessons of the Holocaust are timeless. Now more than ever, we In recent days, Arab media outlets have reported that some banks active in the P.A. need to hear and internalize the stories of survivors, in order to truly understand what can are rushing to close the accounts of terrorist prisoners and released prisoners before happen when antisemitism, hatred and discrimination are allowed to go unchecked,” said the new law takes effect, according to PMW. The letter sent by PMW informed the Eli Rubenstein, “Witness” author and March of the Living director of education. “This banks of the new Israeli law that explicitly criminalizes the P.A.’s salary payments latest edition brings to life for anyone with a smartphone the incredible personal stories of to terrorist prisoners, as well as prohibits facilitating the payment of these rewards survivors, rescuers and liberators. As the generation that witnessed, survived and defeated for terror. The letter also warned the banks of specific legal repercussions. Based on the greatest evil in human history dwindles, this book could not be more timely.” Originally how quickly the P.A. banks are responding, it seems that PMW accurately identified published in 2015 and translated into Spanish, Hebrew and Polish, Witness in its 2020 the banks as the weak link in the P.A.’s terror reward program. Many of these entities iteration is being launched to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the end of World War are foreign banks that conduct business internationally and are reluctant to be tainted II. It has been enriched with an entire section of new liberation stories in print and video, by the threat of criminal or civil proceedings for supporting terrorism. In fact, PLO along with content honoring those who rescued Jews during World War II. The featured Commission of Prisoners’ Affairs spokesman Hassan Abd Rabbo reported that families survivors, rescuers and liberators come from around the globe, including the United States, of terrorists are already complaining that their bank accounts have been closed. He , Europe, and Israel. There is also an afterword by Spielberg, while the also confirmed that the P.A. is discussing the issue and how to proceed. preface features Pope Francis and Pope John Paul II. Spielberg directed the award-winning Israeli researchers make “significant breakthrough” in 1993 war drama “Schindler’s List,” which brought the Holocaust to general audiences the world over. In the afterword, Spielberg addresses the survivors, saying, “Your stories developing corona vaccine are safe with us. They remind not only of your unwavering courage, but also that the days Researchers at the Israel Institute for Biological Research have successfully isolated ahead are going to be filled with light and hope.” a key coronavirus antibody, which is a significant step toward developing a vaccine for the virus, Israeli Defense Minister Naftali Bennett announced on May 4. Bennett Israel insists on “major changes” to operations of UNIFIL in visited the institute on May 4, where he was briefed on “a significant breakthrough in southern Lebanon finding an antidote for the coronavirus.” The antibody “monoclonal,” which means Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon said on May 6 that “major it is derived from a single cell taken from the blood of a patient who recovered from changes” need to be made in the operations of the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission in COVID-19, can neutralize the disease-causing coronavirus inside carriers’ bodies, southern Lebanon. “We have seen that slowly there [are fewer] places that the troops explained Bennett. Antibodies from those who have successfully overcome the coro- in the peacekeeping operation can actually travel in southern Lebanon. So we want navirus are widely considered key to developing a possible cure for the virus. Bennett them to have full freedom of movement,” said Danon according to an AP report. “I said he was proud of the institute staff, and that “Jewish creativity and ingenuity have discussed it with the commander of the force, and we tell them, ‘You are there, brought about this amazing development.” Institute director Shmuel Shapira said the you cannot move, and you can’t inspect, so why you are there?’” posed Danon. “‘You antibody formula was being patented; afterward, an international manufacturer will have to be more active, you have to move freely and you have to inspect all sites.’” be sought to mass produce it. Another Israeli research team at MigVax, an affiliate of The Israeli ambassador insisted that any time the peacekeepers are blocked, the U.N. MIGAL Galilee Research Institute, is reportedly close to completing its first phase Security Council must be immediately informed. The mandate for the UNIFIL mis- of developing a COVID-19 vaccine and recently received an injection of $12 million sion near the Lebanese-Israeli border is set to be renewed in the coming months. The to accelerate research.

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