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WWW.HERITAGEFL.COM YEAR 42, NO. 23 FEBRUARY 9, 2018 24 SH’VAT, 5778 ORLANDO, SINGLE COPY 75¢ Choices 2018 is coming this spring

The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando’s annual Women’s Philanthropy event will be held Monday, March 26, on the Maitland Jewish Community Campus. This Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images year’s theme is “Women Transforming Lives.” Invitations is hosting the in PyeongChang, which begin tonight, Feb. 9, and end on Sunday, will be hitting mailboxes soon, but event organizers and Feb. 25. Please see an article about the Jewish Olympians participating in the Games on page 16A. ambassadors have been busy sending “Save the Date” cards to women in the community. Choices 2018 co-chair Judy Kahan Davis, left, and Event coordinator Leslie Collin were among the women who personalized hundreds of the cards Kosher food and at the recently on the Maitland campus. (Not pictured is co-chair Shira Spector). For more information on Choices 2018, visit Olympics thanks to Chabad www.jfgoorg/choices. By Josefin Dolsten Chabad, a Hasidic Orthodox outreach South Korea, according to Litzman. movement that sends emissaries to Most are U.S. service members, English Poles: ‘We did (JTA)—Though the Jewish community countries around the world, will also teachers, diplomats or students from the in South Korea is small, visiting the teach Torah classes and put on Shabbat United States or who come to country to compete in or watch the Win- programming for tourists, journalists the east Asian country for a year of two. ter won’t have to skimp and other visitors, as well as deliver food Litzman and his family hosts Shabbat not kill Jews’ on kosher food or Shabbat programming. to athletes inside the Olympic Village. dinners at the Chabad house in Seoul, The country’s Chabad emissary is “We have big events that we host at drawing some 40-50 attendees weekly, setting up a pop-up restaurant in Py- Chabad with hundreds of guests, but this and High Holidays programming, which eongChang County, the site of the 2018 is our first time to be able to cater for attracts over 200 participants. Chabad Winter Olympics. During the Olympics, so many Jews all at once,” Rabbi Osher also operates a kosher store and restau- which start tonight (Feb. 9), the tempo- Litzman, told JTA from Seoul, where he rant in Seoul and ships kosher food all rary eatery will serve three meals daily, has served as Chabad’s emissary since over the country via an online shop. including Korean-style bulgogi beef, 2008. schnitzel, hot dogs and vegetarian items. There are about 1,000 Jews living in Chabad on page 14A Jewish Book Festival

hosts award-winning authors Christopher Furlong/Getty Images The main gate of the former Auschwitz extermination Learn and laugh with four camp in Oswiecim, Poland. award-winning Jewish au- thors at the literary event of By Katarzyna Markusz could result in up to three the year. On Feb. 25, Writer’s years in prison. It contains a WARSAW, Poland (JTA)— provision to exclude scholarly The Polish Senate passed or academic works. legislation that criminalizes Israeli lawmakers, Yad accusing the Polish state of Vashem, the U.S. Holocaust the crimes committed by the Memorial Museum and schol- Germans during World War II. ars have criticized the law. The amendment to the Act On Sunday, Poland’s presi- on the Institute of National dent, Andrzej Duda, said in a Remembrance was adopted statement that he would care- early Thursday morning by fully review the legislation. a vote of 57-23, with two “Everyone whose personal abstentions. memory or historical research The legislation, designed speaks the truth about the to make it clear that Nazi crimes and shameful behavior Germany is responsible for that occurred in the past with the crimes against humanity the participation of Poles has Shown here (l-r): Authors Paul Goldberg, Pam Jenoff, Michelle Edwards and Justin Loeber that took place in the camps, full right to this truth,” he said. headline Central Florida Jewish Book Festival. was approved last week by The same day, Israel and the lower house of the Pol- Poland announced that they Block Bookstore is partner- Florida Jewish Book Festival Jewish Book Award; “Max ish Parliament, or Sejm. The ing with The Roth Family from 11:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Makes a Cake,” illustrated by legislation must still be signed Poles on page 15A Jewish Community Center event will be held at The Roth Charles Santoso; and “Room by the country’s president. of Greater Orlando and the Family JCC. for the Baby,” illustrated by The law would make it ille- Jewish Book Council to host Michelle Edwards is the Jana Christy. A lifelong knit- gal to use terms such as “Pol- authors Michelle Edwards, author of numerous picture ter, Michelle has also written ish death camps” to describe Paul Goldberg, Pam Jenoff and books, including “Chicken the camps set up by the Nazis Justin Loeber at the Central Man,” winner of the National Authors on page 14A in Poland. Violation of the law PAGE 2A HERITAGE FLORIDA JEWISH NEWS, FEBRUARY 9, 2018 Mega Shabbat meal at UCF to give nod to the undefeated UCF Knights dozens of students and orga- of students coming together Hillel, Alpha Epsilon Pi, Alpha nization that have dedicated to celebrate an undefeated Epsilon Phi, Zeta Beta Tau, hundreds of hours to make experience at our undefeated Gamma Phi Beta, and Knights the event possible. University—what could be for Israel. “Shabbat of Champions is better than that?” Becca Co- The event is open to the an opportunity for the entire ven, president of the Chabad entire community and spon- UCF Jewish community to Jewish Student Group. sorship opportunities are come together. It is a chance to Shabbat of Champions still available. Please contact make new friends, experience is co-sponsored by Student [email protected] or call Jewish culture and of course, Government Association, 407-310-8876. To rsvp visit eat amazing food—hundreds Judaic Studies at UCF, UCF jewishucf.com/shabbat. Hear ‘A Soldier’s Students attending last year’s “Mega Shabbat,” which is traditionally known as Shab- bat 1000. Story’ at JOIN Orlando Hundreds of students, fac- world as a symbol of Jewish sundown on Friday night, and ulty and community members, faith and unity. According to concluding after nightfall on On Feb. 25, 7 p.m., JOIN the importance of educating along with players from the Rabbi Chaim Lipskier, director Saturday evening. Shabbat, Orlando is hosting David Suss- people about Israel. He gradu- Undefeated UCF Knights will of Chabad at UCF, there will a day of rest, is a spiritual man, a former IDF soldier, who ated from the Archeological partake in a “Shabbat of Cham- be appetizers, introductory oasis and often serves as an will tell his first-hand account Seminar’s two-year course in pions,” in the Pegasus Ballroom speeches and a chance to mix island of calm at the end of a of the Second Lebanon War 2009 and became a licensed on Feb. 23 in what is expected and mingle at 5:30 p.m. and a busy week of school and work. in 2006. tour guide from the Israel to be the largest Shabbat dinner candle-lighting ceremony at Throughout the 25-hour During this war, Sussman Ministry of Tourism. Sussman ever held at UCF. 6 p.m. followed by a catered period, Jewish people gather almost lost his life in the cross- has his own TV show on the During the event, the stu- Kosher meal, with singing and at synagogues and homes for hairs of Hezbollah. This was cable network Daystar called dents will celebrate the tra- dancing beginning at 6:30 p.m. prayers and festive meals of a wake-up call for Sussman “Land of the Bible.” ditional Sabbath ceremonies Shabbat, the Jewish Sab- wine and , , and led him on a path of per- This event is open to the and meal, which are observed bath is celebrated weekly by and chicken soup. sonal self-identity, in which he community and free of charge. weekly by Jews around the Jews worldwide, beginning at “Shabbat is one of the discovered the true meaning The JOIN House is located centerpieces of Jewish life, of roots, family, community at 109 Water Oak Lane in and has been so since the and Israel. Altamonte Springs. Desserts infancy of our nation,” said Since then he has im- and drinks will be served. To Rabbi Lipskier. “Shabbat of mersed himself in the land RSVP, visit davidsussman. Champions will be a chance and culture. Sussman realized eventbrite.com David Sussman for Jews from across campus Custom Printing Invitations & Announcements to connect with each other in Digital & Offset Printing Brochures & Booklets a meaningful way.” Direct Mail Services Forms & Letterheads Special celebrations Envelopes Business Cards “It’s thrilling to see so many students proud of their Jewish 407-767-7110 identity with a willingness to 205 North Street • Longwood, FL 32750 show it,” said Rivkie Lipskier, of Purim at CRJ www.elegantprinting.net co-director of Chabad. “It was Bring in this ad and receive 18% Discount also very moving to see the On Saturday, Feb. 24, and pre-show reception, and The cost is $22 for CRJ Congregation of Reform Ju- may be purchased online at members; $25 for community daism will celebrate Purim www.crjorlando.org. members. Tickets include all with a night of music and Purim Carnival rides, interactive entertain- fun as they host “Esther: A Congregation of Reform Ju- ment, games, Purim crafts Persian Musical,” by Can- daism is hosting a Purim Car- and a meal ticket for a hotdog, Beth Shalom Memorial Chapel tor Jamie Marx, music (by nival on Sunday, Feb. 25 from hamburger or veggie burger, based on the music of the 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the chips and a drink (additional Broadway hit “Hamilton”) synagogue. The event, which meal tickets are $6) Proudly Serving Our Community Lin-Manuel Miranda and is open to the community, CRJ is located at 928 directed by Cantor Jacque- will include Bounce Houses, Malone Drive in Orlando. line Rawiszer. Doors open ridges, carnival games, prizes, Proceeds will benefit CRJ For Over 35 Years at 6:30 p.m. and the show a dunk tank, photo booth and youth engagement and temple starts at 7 p.m. costume parade. programming. L’dor v’dor ... Tickets are $8, seniors; $10 There will be Hamantashen For more information, visit CRJ members; $18 general ad- (of course), popcorn, cotton crjorlando.org or call 407- From Generation to Generation mission; $25, reserved seating candy and snow cones for sale. 645-0444. • Traditional Jewish Funerals Ongoing events at • Non-Traditional Services Congregation Beth Am • Interstate Shipping New ‘Mommy and Me’ First time attendees who The club got off to a strong class mention they read about start last month with numer- • Pre-Arranged Funerals Join Cantor Nina Fine as K’tanim in the Heritage ous attendees both young she leads a Mommy and Me can attend their first class and young at heart. Their Shalom Assurance Plan class at Congregation Beth for free. next event is Tuesday, Feb. Am, Monday mornings, 10 Pages & Pastries Book 20, and the subject book is to 11:30 a.m. K’tanim, as the Club The Other Einstein by Marie • Headstones, Grave Markers class is also called, is only $7 Congregation Beth Am has Benedict. Dinner is at 6:30 per family and free for CBA begun a Pages & Pastries Book p.m. followed by discussion members. Club. The group meets at 7 at 7. Contact the CBA office at p.m. on the third Tuesday of Contact the CBA office at 407-599-1180 407-862-3505 or shalom@ every month at Panera Bread 407-862-3505 or shalom@ congbetham.org for more on 434 across from the Publix congbetham.org for more 640 Lee Road • Orlando, Florida information. at Springs Plaza. information. W.E. “Manny” Adams, LFD Scout Shabbat celebration Samuel P. (Sammy) Goldstein, Exec. Director The Children of Abraham Troop 641 and Pack 641 will enjoying family camping and Foundation, Inc., the charter be celebrating its 40th year of programs with lots of fun,” organization for the local being part of Scouting in the said Ed Calish, executive Jewish Boy Scout Units Troop Orlando area. All past alumni director of The Children of www.bethshalommemorialchapel.com 641, Pack 641 and Crew 641, of the Troop and Pack are in- Abraham Foundation, Inc. is holding the celebration of vited to celebrate an event that All Jewish Scouts, families Scout Shabbat at the The Roth is being planned for the fall. and friends of Scouting in Family Jewish Community This coming August, the Central Florida are invited to Center in Maitland of Feb. Cub Scout Pak will be inviting celebrate this Scout Shabbat. 16, at 7 p.m. and recruiting girls to join To RSVP to the Scout Shab- There are many exciting the Pack. bat, email info@childrenofab- events coming up during the “We look forward to bring- rahamfoundation.com or call year for the Troop and Pack. ing more families together 407-389-9272. HERITAGE FLORIDA JEWISH NEWS, FEBRUARY 9, 2018 PAGE 3A In the State of the Union, Trump vows to punish countries that criticized his Jerusalem decision By Ron Kampeas countries more than 20 bil- referring to ongoing Iranian bor before returning him to was Rep. Joseph Kennedy concerts and congrega- lions of dollars in aid every anti-government protests. America last June—horribly III, D-Mass., a scion of the tions.” WASHINGTON (JTA)— year. That is why, tonight, I “America stands with the injured and on the verge of Kennedy clan. He addressed Also delivering remarks President Donald Trump am asking the Congress to people of Iran in their coura- death. He passed away just the divisions that Democrats was Sen. Bernie Sanders, called on Congress to pass a pass legislation to help ensure geous struggle for freedom. days after his return,” Trump say Trump has sown among I-Vt., the first Jewish candi- law that would extend foreign American foreign-assistance I am asking the Congress said. Americans with fraught at- date to win major party nomi- assistance only to “friendly” dollars always serve Ameri- to address the fundamental “We need only look at the tacks on minorities and by nating contests when he ran nations, a dig at the countries can interests, and only go flaws in the terrible Iran depraved character of the not robustly repudiating the last year in the Democratic that voted in the United Na- to friends of America, not nuclear deal.” North Korean regime to support of white suprema- primaries. tions to censure the United enemies of America.” Trump wants the deal, understand the nature of the cists. Much of Sanders’ speech States for recognizing Jeru- In the General Assembly which swaps sanctions re- nuclear threat it could pose “Many have spent the past was focused on income equal- salem as Israel’s capital. vote last month, 128 coun- lief for Iran’s rollback of to America and our allies. year anxious, angry, afraid,” ity, but he also addressed the “Last month, I also took tries voted to censure the its nuclear program, to be Tonight, we pledge to honor he said. “We all feel the fault divisiveness. an action endorsed unani- United States, nine voted expanded to include restric- Otto’s memory with total lines of a fractured country.” “I want to offer a vision mously by the Senate just against and 35 abstained. tions on missile development, American resolve.” Among the “fault lines” of where we should go as a months before: I recognized Among the majority were as well as to remove “sunset” The applause extended Kennedy described, he listed nation which is far different Jerusalem as the capital of many U.S. allies, includ- clauses allowing Iran to lift by Congress to the Warm- “Hatred and supremacy than the divisiveness, dishon- Israel,” Trump said Tuesday in ing some—like Egypt and some restrictions on the en- bier family was among the proudly marching in our esty and racism coming from his State of the Union address Jordan—that the Trump richment of fissile materials lengthiest of the evening. streets, bullets tearing the Trump administration to Congress to a standing administration has cultivated in a decade or so. Delivering the response through our classrooms, over the past year,” he said. ovation from Republicans, as to combat terrorism and Among those on hand at well as his Jewish daughter, which receive substantial the State of the Union as Ivanka, and her husband, U.S. assistance. guests of Trump were the Jared Kushner. Trump also repeated his parents, brother and sister Polish Holocaust bill may “Shortly afterwards, doz- call on Congress to amend of Otto Warmbier, a Jewish ens of countries voted in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, American student impris- the United Nations General which he has reviled as one oned by North Korea who was have ‘repercussions’ Assembly against America’s of the worst deals in history. returned to his family last sovereign right to make this “When the people of Iran year as he was dying. (JTA)—The U.S. Embassy “We are also concerned education are the best means recognition,” he said. “In rose up against the crimes of “After a shameful trial, in Poland said it was “con- about the repercussions this of countering inaccurate and 2016, American taxpayers their corrupt dictatorship, I the dictatorship sentenced cerned about the repercus- draft legislation, if enacted, hurtful speech.” generously sent those same did not stay silent,” he said, Otto to 15 years of hard la- sions” for bilateral relations could have on Poland’s stra- Separately on Wednesday, after the Polish Senate passed tegic interests and relation- 85 Jews and non-Jews of Pol- legislation that criminalizes ships—including with the ish descent, including promi- accusing the Polish state of United States and Israel,” it nent Holocaust researchers, Shira Goodman steps the crimes committed by the said. “The resulting divisions published an open letter Germans during World War II. that may arise among our condemning the bill. The bill passed Wednesday allies benefit only our rivals.” “This unfortunate bill down as CEO of Staples in the upper house of the Polish officials have cited has made major news in Polish parliament days after use of the term “Polish death Poland and internationally, (JTA)—Staples CEO Shira munity. She is a member passing in the lower one, camps” as a major reason for raising logical, moral and Goodman abruptly departed of the board of directors of the Sejm. To become law, the legislation by a member legal concerns,” wrote the as head of the retailer after Combined Jewish Philan- the president must sign the of the ruling Law and Justice co-signatories, including the a year and a half on the job. thropies of Greater Boston measure, which prescribes party. The Nazis built several American journalist Anne The company announced and past president and ex- up to three years in prison for death camps in Poland, which Applebaum, Holocaust re- Friday that Goodman was officio trustee of the Solo- “whoever claims, publicly and they occupied and whose searcher Jan Tomasz Gross, stepping down. Her succes- mon Schechter Day School. contrary to the facts that the sovereignty they dismantled poet Ryszard Krynicki and sor was later announced as A mother of three, she has Polish Nation is responsible” during World War II. Sergiusz Kowalski, head of former Coca-Cola executive been active in promoting for Nazi crimes or “grossly “The history of the Holo- Poland’s B’nai B’rith Jewish Alexander Douglas. Boston-area day schools for diminishes the responsibility caust is painful and complex. organization. Staples went private less more than a decade. of the true perpetrators.” We understand that phrases “The intention behind this than a year ago after it was She is married to Rabbi Among its critics are Israeli such as ‘Polish death camps’ bill was to defend the good acquired by Sycamore Part- Wes Gardenswartz of Temple lawmakers, Yad Vashem, the are inaccurate, misleading, name of Poland,” they added, ners for $7 billion. Emanuel, a Conservative U.S. Holocaust Memorial and hurtful,” the statement but it “goes further than Goodman worked for the synagogue in Newton, a Museum and scholars. read. “We are concerned, that—it assumes the Poles’ company in various execu- Boston suburb. The embassy statement is however, that if enacted complete innocence, framing tive roles for 26 years She Prior to Staples, she unusual in that it suggests this draft legislation could them as the only guiltless was named CEO in Septem- worked at Bain Capital, a the United States would sanc- undermine free speech and nation in Europe. This is not ber 2016 after serving three Staples CEO private venture capital firm tion Poland for the bill if it academic discourse. Open the way to reclaim Poland’s months as interim CEO. Shira Goodman based in Boston that was becomes law. debate, scholarship, and collective dignity.” “Shira has played a criti- founded by Mitt Romney, the cal role in the evolution of last 26 years and she departs Republican presidential can- North American Delivery, having led this organization didate in 2012 and a former from its earliest days as just with the highest level of Massachusetts governor. an idea to its current market integrity.” Goodman is a graduate leadership,” Mark Cautela, a The company’s corporate of Princeton University and spokesman for Staples, said headquarters are located in Harvard Law School. She Friday in a statement. “We Framingham, a suburb west also earned a master’s degree are immensely grateful for of Boston. in management science from the contributions she has Goodman is a leader in the Massachusetts Institute made to Staples over the the Boston Jewish com- of Technology. Obama defends 2016 absention on anti-Israel UN resolution By JNS.org “Voting against the reso- that his decisions on the lution would have damaged Jewish state were reflective Former President Barack our credibility on affirming of the strong bonds between Obama this week defended his human rights only when it’s the countries. controversial decision to allow convenient, not when it has “To be a true friend of a December 2016 United Na- to do with ourselves and our Israel it is important to be tions Security Council reso- friends,” the former president honest about it, and the HEALTHY EYES WEAR SUNGLASSES lution condemning Israel’s said. politics of this country presence in eastern Jerusa- At the time, the Obama sometimes do not allow for lem, Judea and Samaria to administration refused to it,” Obama said. Every day that you’re outside, you’re exposed to dangerous, but invisible, ultraviolet (UV) pass in the waning days of his use US veto power in the Obama pointed to the sunlight. Left unprotected, prolonged exposure to UV radiation can seriously damage the eye, administration, blaming the Security Council to block September 2016 signing of leading to cataracts, skin cancer around the eyelid and other eye disorders. Protecting your eyes “skyrocketing” pace of Israeli Resolution 2334, breaking a historically large $38 bil- is important to maintaining eye health now and in the future. construction. with decades of American lion US military aid package “The pace of settlement policy of defending Israel to Israel as a sign that he is Shield your eyes (and your family’s eyes) from harmful UV rays. construction skyrocketed, against one-sided UN mea- a staunch supporter of the Wear sunglasses with maximum UV protection. making it almost impossible sures targeting the Jewish country. to make any kind of Palestin- state. “It is not a subject for dis- For more information, visit www.thevisioncouncil.org/consumers/sunglasses. ian state,” Obama said during Obama also downplayed pute,” Obama said, explaining A public service message from The Vision Council. a talk at Temple Emanu-El in America’s relatively strained that his staff joked often that New York City on Wednesday, relationship with Israel under he was “basically a liberal the Daily Mail reported. his administration, arguing Jew.” PAGE 4A HERITAGE FLORIDA JEWISH NEWS, FEBRUARY 9, 2018 Why the Reconstructionist movement is rebranding By Deborah Waxman A critical path forward is shifting from a focus especially the non-Orthodox, are moving away our commitment to Jewish life that is deeply on “being” Jewish—important but insufficient from being a community of descent (that is, rooted and boldly relevant. (To be clear, we have PHILADELPHIA (JTA)—“I don’t know any for providing substance and structure—to a defined by biology) to a community of consent. renamed the central organization of the Recon- Jews who go to temple.” focus on “doing” Jewish. Jews today have countless opportunities to seek structionist movement, but not the movement The line is from a remarkably poignant scene In the 1930s, Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, the meaning and define their identities. Anyone who as a whole.) We remain anchored in the sweep in the 2004 film “Garden State,” in which Zach founding thinker of Reconstructionism, fa- identifies as Jewish today chooses to be Jewish, of Jewish texts, observance, liturgy, history and Braff’s character explains to his love interest, mously introduced the metaphor of Judaism regardless of their parentage or background. culture. At the same time, we are continually played by Natalie Portman, a few things that as a “civilization.” It was, in part, a response There are two imperatives that emerge from reconstructing Judaism by training rabbis to be most non-Orthodox American Jews know to the ongoing debate about whether Jews this unprecedented reality. First, Jewish organi- entrepreneurs and changemakers, cultivating about large suburban synagogues. constituted a nation, a religion or a culture. The zations must convince anyone who encounters Jewish experiences in existing congregations “The Jews I know,” Braff continues, “they civilizational concept resonated most deeply them that being Jewish is a means to being and new venues. They are deploying digital go on one day, on Yom Kippur, the day of in scholarly circles, and among educators and deeply human, not simply an end in and of itself. networks to tackle the pressing challenges of repentance. Did you know that most temples ideological Reconstructionists. The point of being Jewish is that we are here on Jewish life, investing in startup projects, and are built with moveable walls so that on the It was the related idea of peoplehood articu- earth to live lives of meaning and connection taking our values and approach to the public one day of the year, when everyone comes to lated by Kaplan and his disciples in the 1940s to each other, Jews and non-Jews alike. square through podcasting and other mediums. repent, they can actually make the room big that seemed to speak to the North American To do this, we need to shift our preoc- With our new identity, we are shifting the enough to hold everyone?” Jewish imagination. Peoplehood—the sense cupations away from being Jewish, which is emphasis from Reconstructionist, a way of be- The Pew Research Center’s 2013 Portrait of being part of a diverse people spanning significantly a conversation about boundaries ing, to Reconstructing, with its focus on doing. of Jewish Americans, which was issued the geography, history and practice—dovetailed and authority, and which leads us to infighting The Reconstructionist movement prides itself same week that I was appointed leader of the neatly with how North American Jews came to and name-calling. on being the research and development arm of Reconstructionist movement, was seen by see themselves as a group in the postwar years. Instead, we need to focus our energy to- North American Judaism. We’ve introduced many in the American Jewish community as The concept provided a particularly Jewish way ward doing Jewish. countless innovations in North American evidence that the sky was falling, for precisely of combining religion, culture and ethnicity Reconstructionist Judaism has always held Jewish life and show no signs of slowing down. the reasons articulated by Braff’s character. into one identity. an expansive view of what it means to be and But we know we are not alone. Actors within Many American Jews proudly identified as Jews Many people have idealized the postwar to do Jewish. Doing Jewish may mean observ- the other non-Orthodox denominations—as but did not meaningfully take part in most period as the “golden years” of American Jew- ing Jewish law, attending synagogue or shar- well as those outside of any denominational expressions of organized Jewish life, except ish life. In the 1950s and 1960s, Jews moved to ing a Shabbat meal. Doing Jewish may mean structure—are opening doorways to new for once or twice a year on holidays. the suburbs, leaving behind the dense urban studying texts or history, learning Hebrew or Jewish experiences and widening the tent of Today, I am reminded of that evocative scene neighborhoods of the immigrant generations . Doing Jewish may mean immersing participation in Jewish life. All of our efforts as the organization I lead adopts a new name where they expressed their identities through a oneself in social action and political engage- are welcomed and needed. and doubles down on its mission to empower rich ethnic tapestry of Jewish religious, cultural ment or preparing ecologically conscious meals For the sake of our children and the Jewish North American Jews with a very different and organizational life. In the suburbs, they according to eco-kashrut principles. Each future, all of us must find ways to be relevant. understanding of Jewish life. The new name, built and joined large houses of worship. They person will find their path, their community Let’s make sure that in the coming-of-age sto- Reconstructing Judaism, is, on a practical belonged—to the synagogue, to the Jewish and, hopefully, their sense of purpose. ries of the future, Jewish protagonists recount level, a welcome change from the cumbersome people—but as the years went by, they engaged This conceptual shift from being to doing a very different kind of Jewish childhood, one in Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and Jew- less and less. Indeed, according to Pew, 94 must prompt a change not only across the which Judaism was not a once-a-year commit- ish Reconstructionist Communities, which we percent of those they surveyed said they were breadth of North American Jewish life, but also ment but a year-round source of sustenance. created after our seminary and congregational proud to be Jewish, but only one-third say they within the Reconstructionist movement itself. Let’s make sure our children can tell their union merged in 2012. belong to a synagogue, and only one in five Rabbi Ira Eisenstein, Kaplan’s son-in-law and non-Jewish friends, family members and life Far more important, Reconstructing Juda- belongs to other kinds of Jewish organizations. protege, and one of my predecessors, explained partners how Jewish organizations opened ism reflects a subtle but profound evolution The decline of ethnicity and the increasingly the Reconstructionist commitment to people- pathways to engagement. in Reconstructionist thinking about how and unclear sense of Jewish peoplehood represent hood by saying that belonging to the Jewish Let’s create lasting memories of spirited why to be Jewish in the 21st century. a challenge of our times, in addition to op- people preceded believing (that is, dogma or prayer, inspired social action, intimate meals With our name change, we are saying to portunities. As the Pew study confirmed, Jews doctrine) or behaving. Speaking in a moment and sustaining communities. Braff’s fictional characters—and to so many today are less obligated to join, less moved by defined by ethnicity, Eisenstein insisted that Or, better yet, let us empower the next gen- real people like them—that we have the tre- the traumas of the past and less likely to think the diverse experiences of the Jewish people eration to create experiences and expressions mendous opportunity to reconstruct Jewish of themselves as part of an ethnic group defined took precedence over strict halachic—ritual we have not yet imagined. life to create the Jewish community of today by food, culture and common values—with a and legal -- expressions. In our post-ethnic Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D., is president and tomorrow, so that we inspire people and smattering of religion. moment, we are reclaiming all affirmative of Reconstructing Judaism. help them find meaning. This is ongoing We are moving from the ethnic moment expressions of Jewish behavior as generative The views and opinions expressed in this work and, hopefully, as much about joy and in North American Jewish life—powerfully and full of promise. article are those of the author and do not nec- connection as it is about repentance, struggle articulated by the concept of peoplehood—into By adopting the name Reconstructing Ju- essarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent and soul-searching. a post-ethnic moment. North American Jews, daism, the organization I lead is crystallizing company, 70 Faces Media. Does the Obama-Farrakhan photo matter? Does anything? By Andrew Silow-Carroll senator from Illinois could be photographed he caught on camera smiling near Farrakhan? shown that if you flood the zone with enough with a wildly anti-Semitic black nationalist, If you are inclined to exculpate Obama, gaffes, distractions and downright lies, they all (JTA)—“Nothing matters.” You hear that and other members of the Congressional Black you might ask what the Congressional Black but cancel each other out. Twitter users love a lot these days. Caucus would suppress the photo so as not to Caucus was doing hosting Farrakhan at all. to use the “Can you imagine if” construction You hear it when The Wall Street Journal sink his presidential chances. The New Yorker’s Vinson Cunningham notes to point how any one of the daily outrages reports that the president’s personal lawyer That photograph, of Barack Obama and that “it’s a sign of Farrakhan’s oddly lasting associated with Trump would have sunk a paid a porn actress $130,000, at the height of Louis Farrakhan, surfaced last week when the hold on popular influence that he was even normal politician. Can you imagine if it were the presidential campaign, so she would stay photographer who took the shot released it to invited to clink drinks with the members” of a Democratic president attacking the FBI? Can silent about an alleged affair she’d had with Politico. Many agree that had the photo seen the caucus. Like Wright, the obscenely flawed you imagine if Hillary had won the election Donald Trump. Or when the president uses the light of day before the 2008 election, there Farrakhan represented a constituency that and there were unmistakable signs that the a vulgarity to refer to African countries. Or would have been no President Obama. It may politicians felt could not be ignored. Russians had gamed Facebook in her favor? when the president is credibly reported to have have cemented later accusations that he had Or you might be inclined to reject the photo (It works the other way, too: Can you imagine, demanded the firing of the man investigating consorted with radicals, including his own as mere guilt by association. There is a style ask Trump’s defenders, if Hillary had protected obstruction of justice claims concerning the pastor, who was a Farrakhan apologist and a of gotcha journalism and opposition research a campaign adviser accused of sexual harass- president’s firing of another man investigating racist in his own right. Although Obama the that turns dumb gestures or sloppy planning ment—oh wait, that actually happened.) obstruction of justice claims. candidate was eloquent in distancing himself into political felonies. Last week, Rep. Lou Had the Farrakhan photo come out before That was the premise of a “Saturday Night both from the Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Far- Barletta, R-Pa., took heat when it was learned the election, it just might have ended Obama’s Live” skit last week in which Jessica Chastain rakhan, a picture is worth, as the saying goes, that in 2006, he gave an interview to a publi- presidential ambitions, and there’s a strong hosted a putative game show called “What thousands of beautifully crafted words. cation that peddles in Holocaust denial, and case to be made that it should have: Even if Even Matters Anymore?” When a contestant Of course, there is plenty we don’t know that a year later he headlined a rally that also he shared none of Farrakhan’s ideas, Obama suggests that Trump’s Africa comment must about the circumstances of the photo. Al- heard from a musician with his own interest- would have lent the Nation of Islam leader— matter, an exasperated Chastain responds: “Ac- though reportedly taken at a Congressional ing theories about the Shoah. Barletta was a and by extension his penchant for anti-Semitic tually, it does not matter. Zero consequences Black Caucus event in Chicago, we don’t know small-town mayor at the time, and last week scapegoating —a senatorial hechsher. It may and everyone moves on.” who else attended, and whether the room was he blamed his staff for bad vetting. I’d want to have confirmed an impression of Obama as I bring this up not to vilify Trump, but to filled with other clergy and African-American know a lot more before dismissing Barletta as opportunistic, transactional and, perhaps remember with wistfulness a faraway time— power brokers, or if it was some sort of tete-a- soft on Holocaust denial. worst of all, hypocritical. 2005—when things still mattered. When a U.S. tete. Is Obama smiling with Farrakhan, or was Whether events like these do, or should, Yet had one photo done him in, America sink a politician’s career depends on a number may have been denied a gifted leader who was THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PAGE ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE VIEWS OF HERITAGE MANAGEMENT. of things. Fairly or unfairly, bad things stick able to embody, on the largest possible stage, to politicians if they somehow reflect some- a daily rebuke to Farrakhan’s hateful, racially ✡ ✡ ✡ CENTRAL FLORIDA’S INDEPENDENT JEWISH VOICE ✡ ✡ ✡ thing that the public has suspected all along. polarized version of minority empowerment. ISSN 0199-0721 Winner of 46 Press Awards Editor/Publisher When Mitt Romney griped about a parasitic There has to be a way of thinking about Jeffrey Gaeser “47 percent,” it matched his image as an out- our leaders that falls somewhere between

Editor Emeritus Associate Editor News Editor of-touch one-percenter. When John Kerry overreacting to an inexpedient gaffe and ignor- Gene Starn Kim Fischer Christine DeSouza flip-flopped on his support for the use of force ing a pattern of disqualifying behavior—the HERITAGE Florida Jewish News (ISN 0199-0721) in Iraq, it sealed an impression, pushed by his middle of a scale between, let’s say, Howard is published weekly for $37.95 per year to Florida ad- Society Editor Office Manager opponent, that he’d say anything to win. And Dean’s “Scream” and James Traficant’s “Entire dresses ($46.95 for the rest of the U.S.) by HERITAGE Gloria Yousha Paulette Alfonso Central Florida Jewish News, Inc., 207 O’Brien Road, when George H.W. Bush checked his watch Career” (look it up). One can only hope that Suite 101, Fern Park, FL 32730. Periodicals postage Account Executives during a debate with Bill Clinton, it provided an Trump hasn’t inured us to outrage, or lowered paid at Fern Park and additional mailing offices. Kim Fischer • Marci Gaeser unfortunate—and unfair—contrast between the bar to a degree that a politician’s bad, boor- POSTMASTER: Send address changes and other the sturdy if unexciting Washington insider ish or unethical behavior just doesn’t matter. correspondence to: HERITAGE, P.O. Box 300742, Contributing Columnists Fern Park, FL 32730. Jim Shipley • Ira Sharkansky and the energetic if sometimes undisciplined Andrew Silow-Carroll is the editor in chief David Bornstein • Ed Ziegler challenger. of JTA. MAILING ADDRESS PHONE NUMBER Trump, it has been noted time and again, has The views and opinions expressed in this P.O. Box 300742 (407) 834-8787 Production Department obliterated the whole idea of the political gaffe. article are those of the author and do not Fern Park, FL 32730 FAX (407) 831-0507 David Lehman • Gil Dombrosky Starting with his “Mexican rapists” campaign necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its par- email: [email protected] Joyce Gore launch, gaffes have become his brand. He’s ent company, 70 Faces Media. HERITAGE FLORIDA JEWISH NEWS, FEBRUARY 9, 2018 PAGE 5A Why polls on a Palestinian state are a mirage By Stephen M. Flatow out the real story. In this has rejected the idea of de- 4. “The Palestinian state It’s not hard to understand 2. If a Palestinian state is case, the real story is the militarization. Even if they will fight terror against Is- why advocates of the Palestin- established, a terrorist with (JNS)—Ever wonder why wording that the Steinmetz signed an agreement saying raelis.” What a joke. The heart ian cause are so enamored a shoulder-fired missile, polls consistently show that Center used. The question it would be demilitarized, and soul of the Oslo Accords of the Steinmetz Center. standing inside the borders a large portion of the Israeli that got the 47 percent fig- what’s the likelihood they was that the PA would stamp The center’s website reports of “Palestine,” will be able to public supports creating a ure was loaded with false would abide by that? If a out terrorist groups. Yet here that its polls of Israeli public shoot down a plane taking Palestinian state? assumptions and completely “demilitarized” Palestinian we are, 25 years later, and opinion are undertaken “with off from Ben Gurion Airport. How can it be that despite unrealistic expectations. In state started importing tanks the PA has never disarmed or funding from the European Do you believe the PA can the Palestinian Authority’s other words, the poll offered that it claimed were needed outlawed any of the terrorist Union and the Netherlands be relied upon to stop such support for terrorism, viola- a fantasy. for self-defense, Israel would groups, never extradited any Representative Office in Ra- attacks? tions of the Oslo Accords and The Steinmetz Center face international condemna- terrorists to Israel, never even mallah.” I guess the EU and 3. The PA has never hon- non-stop anti-Israel incite- asked respondents if they sup- tion and sanctions if it tried expelled terror factions from the Dutch government, both ored its Oslo obligations to ment, so many Israelis seem ported a “two-state solution” to intervene. the PLO. But now, when they of which are passionately pro- disarm or outlaw terrorist to be in favor of establishing that would include: 3. There would be “family have a state, they will suddenly Palestinian, see the center’s groups. Do you believe that a a Palestinian state next door? 1. It would be a “permanent unification in Israel of 100,000 “fight terror”? work as helpful to the Pales- Palestinian state would take Could it be that the answer is settlement.” In reality, of Palestinian refugees.” Notice So there you have it: The tinian cause. those actions? found in the asking? course, nobody can guarantee the use of the sympathetic “Palestinian state” that 47 You can bet the EU and Any chance of the Stein- Just last week, newspaper that any settlement would be term “family unification.” percent of Israeli Jews would the Dutch would be mighty metz Center ever asking such headlines announced that “permanent.” The Palestinian What cruel person would op- favor is a creature of the unhappy if the Steinmetz questions? I’m not holding according to a new poll, 47 leader who signs an agree- pose unifying families? More Steinmetz Center’s imagina- Center asked questions that my breath, and you shouldn’t percent of Israeli Jews still ment could be overthrown important, the PA’s position tion. A permanently peaceful, included factual statements either. support Palestinian state- the next day. Arab leaders are has always been that millions totally demilitarized, terror- about Palestinian statehood. Stephen M. Flatow, a vice hood. The poll was carried out constantly being ousted and of Palestinian “refugees”— fighting Palestinian state How about questions such president of the Religious by the Tami Steinmetz Center replaced by arch-rivals. not a mere 100,000—must be that won’t insist on flooding as these: Zionists of America, is an for Peace Research, at Tel Aviv 2. The agreement would allowed to settle in Israel. The Israel with “refugees.” Who 1. If a Palestinian state is attorney in New Jersey. He University. include “demilitarization 100,000 figure is an illusion wouldn’t want such a neigh- established, Israel will be nine is the father of Alisa Flatow, But as with most news of the Palestinian state.” that Jewish supporters of the bor? Frankly, I’m surprised miles wide at its midsection. who was murdered in an about Israel, you need to dig This, despite the fact that Palestinians trot out to try only 47 percent of Israeli Jews Is that a risk you are willing Iranian-sponsored Palestin- behind the headlines to find every Palestinian leader to sell their imaginary deal. voiced their support. to take? ian terrorist attack in 1995. The heroic legacy of the 35 By Jonathan Feldstein In reading the newspaper, I fought and lost their lives. We 70 kg up a rocky mountainous invaded, and local Arab tribes sustain themselves, a valiant was proud and excited to see have them to thank for the fact terrain in the cold and some- were rallied into rudimentary operation was undertaken This past week Israel com- that my 12-year-old son rec- that the Jewish communities times rainy January night. combat forces to fight against in January 1948 to provide memorated the 70th anniver- ognized the picture of Danny of this region were able to hold Long before the 1947 parti- their Jewish neighbors. reinforcements. Thirty-five sary of one of its most heroic, Mass, the commander of that on as long as they did defend- tion plan where the UN voted Where weeks earlier Jews young men among the most sad, and yet pivotal battles in battle, while standing next to ing themselves then, and as to create a Jewish and Arab were inviting Arabs to share elite of Israel’s early combat its early struggle for inde- me looking at the paper upside a southern line of defense to state in the Land of Israel, in community celebrations, forces, set out in the middle pendence, among ongoing down. It was a yet another prevent Jordanian and other early pioneers established four suddenly Arab neighbors were of the night for a hike under battles to defend itself until reminder of what a blessing it Arab forces from entering thriving Jewish communities. galvanized by anti-Semitic cover of darkness carrying today. I was reminded of the is to raise my children in the Jerusalem in 1947-48. The communities lived by in incitement and profound hate, bags with weapons, plasma, anniversary when I drove by Land not just of our biblical Underscoring the signifi- large at peace with neighbors and the Arabs with whom and other supplies that were a pristine Judean mountain forefathers, but of brave and cance of this battle, every in the Arab villages nearby, the Jews once had cordial critically needed. At daylight location known as “Battle inspirational heroes in the year Israeli teens from across conducting business together, relations willingly joined the they were spotted by two Hill.” But had I forgotten modern era who paved the the country gather to reenact and even invited one another battle against the Jews, under Arab women gathering wood that it was the anniversary, way for us to be here today. the overnight march from the to their community celebra- promise of the opportunity to who ran to the nearest Arab I’d have been reminded with Making this battle all the valley below to the site of the tions. After the Holocaust, loot the Jewish communities village galvanizing a massive the weekend newspapers re- more poignant for us is that battle dozens of kilometers many survivors joined these following their destruction. military response. The 35 men counting the story of heroism we live in Gush Etzion, the away. My five oldest children communities. Yet in 1947, Because of the siege that sought high ground to defend then, and reminding us today Judean mountain region in have done this and understand following the Arab rejection prevented the delivery of themselves. how pivotal the battle was 70 which battle took place, where the bravery and the challenges of any Jewish state in the weapons to defend them- years earlier. the brave Jewish soldiers of carrying supplies weighing Land of Israel, Arab armies selves and basic food to The 35 on page 15A Donald Trump and Team Kushner sure sound like they want to make a Mideast deal By Ami Eden sure sound like they want to to put together,” he said. “If Palestinian leader says he’s for years that he thinks his embassy decision, it doesn’t get a deal done. I can do that, it would make had it with U.S.-led talks, best play is to sidestep U.S.- mean Trump is trying to fire (JTA)—Donald Trump is At his joint news conference me so happy” claiming Trump’s embassy sponsored bilateral talks with the Palestinians. You could just the man to get an Israeli- with Netanyahu in Davos, Since then, Trump has got- decision proves Washington Israel in favor of some sort just as easily point to signs Palestinian peace deal done. Trump made clear that the ten in step with key constitu- is incapable of serving as an of international forum. He that he’s still itching to host Just ask Benjamin Netan- embassy decision was not encies (like Jewish Republi- honest broker. halted direct, public negotia- a Mideast version of “Let’s yahu. a freebie but an advance can donors and evangelical But blaming Trump’s Je- tions with Israel since 2014, Make a Deal.” The Israeli prime minister payment for future Israeli Christian voters) by dropping rusalem move for the lack back when Barack Obama Ami Eden is the CEO and was gushing last week about concessions. the neutral talk in favor of of Israeli-Palestinian talks is was in the White House and executive editor of 70 Faces Trump’s negotiating team, “You win one point,” Trump unabashedly pro-Israel talk- like saying today’s rainstorm Trump was still on “The Ap- Media, the parent company which is led by his son-in-law, said to Netanyahu. “And you’ll ing points. But he hasn’t is responsible for the ocean. prentice.” of JTA. Jared Kushner. give up some points later on in backed off the push for Israeli- Abbas has been signaling Whatever you think of the “The thing the people don’t the negotiation if it ever takes Palestinian negotiations and realize is that these people place. I don’t know that it ever a final deal. have made their mark in will take place.” In fact, he signaled just how the markets, in real estate,” Trump coupled that com- important it is to him by put- Netanyahu said in an inter- ment with a promise to slash ting Kushner in charge and view in Davos, Switzerland, U.S. aid to the Palestinians adding Trump Organization with CNN’s Fareed Zakariah. unless they come back to the lawyer Jason Greenblatt to “Now this is not only a real negotiating table. the team. Sources on all sides estate deal, it’s fundamentally The president isn’t looking have praised Greenblatt for his not a real estate deal but a to kill the peace process; he’s tireless efforts and willingness problem recognizing Israel’s looking to get the negotiations to listen existence, the problem of not started. And that shouldn’t be Just days before Trump’s recognizing a Jewish state in surprising. Jerusalem announcement in any boundary. But it also has When he showed up for the December, Kushner—who its real estate elements and Republican Jewish Coalition’s almost never speaks public- they are, I have to say, very candidate forum in December ly—appeared at the Brookings creative.” 2015, Trump could have hit Institution’s Saban Forum in Odds are you’re snicker- a grand slam by sticking to Washington, D.C. His mes- ing—because you think bash-Obama talking points, sage: “If we’re going to try and Trump’s recent decision to declaring Jerusalem the eter- create more stability in the move the embassy to Jeru- nal, undivided capital of Israel region as a whole, you have to salem shows the president and telling the Palestinians to solve [the Israeli-Palestinian] is only interested in doing take a hike. But he demurred issue.” right by Israel, not getting the when asked about Jerusalem’s As Kushner acknowledged, Israeli-Palestinian negotia- status and stressed the need none of this means a deal is tions back on track. The only for the United States to be close, or even possible. question is if you think that’s seen as evenhanded. And he These days, Mahmoud a good thing or a bad thing. talked about his desire to get Abbas would throw shade on Just one problem: Donald a deal done. the idea that Trump is serious Trump and Team Kushner “The hardest deal in history about getting a deal done The PAGE 6A HERITAGE FLORIDA JEWISH NEWS, FEBRUARY 9, 2018 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9 What’s A COMPREHENSIVE Ahavas Yisrael—Kabbalat, 30 minutes before sundown. COMMUNITY Congregation Beth Sholom—Celebrate Shabbat with Rabbi Karen Allen, 7 p.m. The synagogue LIGHT is located at 315 North 13th St., Leesburg. Happening CALENDAR AT For inclusion in the What’s Happening Calendar, copy must be sent on sepa- SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11 rate sheet and clearly marked for Calendar. Submit copy via: e-mail (news@ FEB. 19 Kehillah: A History of Jewish Life in Greater Orlando—Ongoing exhibit at the Orange County orlandoheritage.com); mail (P.O. Box 300742, Fern Park, FL 32730-0742); 5:53 p.m. Regional History Center, 65 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, and will continue through Feb. 20, 2018. fax (407-831-0507); or drop it by the office (207 O’Brien Rd., Ste. 101, Fern FEB. 26 Park) Deadline is Wednesday noon, 10 days prior to publication. 5:58 p.m. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12 Israeli Folk Dancing—7:30-8:15 p.m. instruction, 8:15-10 p.m., requests. Cost: Free for JCC members, $5 nonmembers. Info: 407-645-5933. MORNING AND EVENING MINYANS (Call synagogue to confirm time.) Congregation Beth Am—Mommy and Me class with Cantor Nina Fine, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. $7 Chabad of South Orlando—Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. and 10 minutes before sunset; Saturday, per family; free for CBA members Info: 407-862-3505. 9:30 a.m.; Sunday, 8:15 a.m., 407-354-3660. Legal Lunch and Learn—With Rabbi David Kay, noon, at Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell Congregation Ahavas Yisrael—Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m.; Sunday, 9 & Berkowitz, PC SunTrust Center, 200 S. Orange Ave., Orlando, Suite 2900. Cost: $25. a.m., 407-644-2500. Congregation Chabad Lubavitch of Greater Daytona—Monday, 8 a.m.; Thursday, 8 a.m., 904- TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13 672-9300. JLI Teens—Course on ‘Living your Dreams,’ 7 p.m.—8 p.m. at the Roth Family JCC Youth Congregation Ohev Shalom—Sunday, 9 a.m., 407-298-4650. Room. Second session: Well-being. Info: Rabbi Eddy, 407-435-6950. GOBOR Community Minyan at Jewish Academy of Orlando—Monday—Friday, 7:45 a.m.—8:30 a.m. Temple Israel—Sunday, 9 a.m., 407-647-3055. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14 Temple Israel—Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Neely, noon—1 p.m. A parashat discussion class. Open to the public, no RSVP needed. Info: 407-647-3055.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15 Congregation Beth Sholom—The Rabbi’s Torah Roundtable discussion group with Rabbi Karen Allen, 11 a.m. The synagogue is located at 315 North 13th St., Leesburg. Info: 352-326-3692. Congregation Ohev ShalomSisterhood—Dinner at Sakura Sushi in Winter Park Village, 6:30 p.m. RSVP to Nancy Faracchio at [email protected]

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16 Ahavas Yisrael—Kabbalat, 30 minutes before sundown. Scout Shabbat—Troop 641, Pack 641 and Crew 641 will celebrate Scout Shabbat at The Roth Family JCC, 7 p.m. All Jewish Scouts, families and friends of Scouting in Central Florida are “I’m lost welcome to attend. without it!” Quote of the Week “We should never forget that everything Adolf Hitler did in Germany was ‘legal’... It was ‘illegal’ to aid and comfort a Jew in Hitler’s Germany. Even so, I am sure that, had “It’s I lived in Germany at the time, I would have aided and comforted my Jewish brothers.” inexcusable!” — The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., from Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963

Manageable puzzle “Children’s Literature” by Yoni Glatt “My week is not [email protected] Across 73. Dead and Red England) 1. Not tzniut, perhaps 29. Some priestly garb complete without it!” 5. “See My ___” (“The Simp- Down 31. Opposite of plus, at sons” parody of “Be My 1. Given a G, e.g. Bloomingdale’s Guest”) 2. Big name in Halva 34. Cultural values “I can’t live 9. Illegal job 3. Clapton band with the 35. Will, Biblically 14. City in Israel that’s a piece album “Disraeli Gears” 36. Book in the Bible (but not of land? 4. “Amen!” the Torah) without it!” 15. Home to Honolulu 5. Adam Levine or David Lee 38. Capone and Michaels 16. First name in cosmetics Roth, e.g. 40. Mascot of Kellogg’s Honey 17. Book about Eden’s where- 6. Bring home (inedible) Smacks abouts? bacon 42. Pressings 20. Green of “Casino Royale” 7. Kind of music or lightning 43. Practice that often led to 21. Rooftop rooster, e.g. 8. Young relative of Israelite family problems in the Bible 22. Benet’s “___ to Walt enslavers 49. Tommie of the Miracle Whitman” 9. Certain orthodontic device Mets “How in the world am I supposed to 23. One “in distress” 10. Shemoneh ___ 51. Meshuganeh 25. Book about a macher? 11. “___be an honor” 53. First-stringers know what’s going on?” 30. Birthright, e.g. 12. What Stan Lee’s Daredevil 54. Israel has one to exist 32. Hebron to Ein Gedi dir. can’t do 56. California/Nevada lake 33. Phrase at a less-traditional 13. Minyan men 57. Iran deal participant Jewish wedding 18. Perpetually 58. Anne Rice creatures, for 34. Modern day award Koufax 19. “Here ___ nothing!” short would probably win 24. Isaac Mizrahi is known 61. On the Mediterranean These are some of the comments we receive from readers 37. One often seen swimming for it 63. NBA team owned by Joe when they miss an issue of Heritage Florida Jewish News. around San Francisco 26. Moon of Saturn with a Lacob, on the scoreboard What are you missing out on?... Subscribe today! 39. Sacha Baron Cohen does Troy-like name 64. Chabad org. it very well live 27. City of a famous Gaon 65. Eat the forbidden fruit, e.g. 41. Book about young Solo- 28. ___ of Expulsion (when 66. Petrol YES! I want to be informed. Start my subscription at once. mon? the Jews were thrown out of 67. MLB rally killers Please: ❏ enter ❏ extend my subscription for: 44. Detractor 45. “There ___ there there” ❏ 1 year at $37.95 52 issues 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ❏ (Gertrude Stein) 2 years at $69.95 104 issues 46. Gangsters’ guns 14 15 16 ❏ ❏ 1 year out-of-state at $46.95 or 2 years out-of-state at $87.95 47. Possible cry at an IFA 17 18 19 match MAIL SUBSCRIPTION TO: 48. Granola bit 20 21 22 50. Fanning in Abrams’ Name ______23 24 25 26 27 28 29 “Super 8” Address ______52. Book about one the Torah 30 31 32 33

says to be especially nice to 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 City/State/Zip ______(with “The”) Phone______55. AKA yontif 41 42 43 59. No-win situation ® 44 45 46 # ______60. Disney bird voiced by expiration date______Gilbert Gottfried 47 48 49 50 51 62. Org. for Dershowitz 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 63. Book about breakfast for Fill out coupon and mail, If different from above, fill in your: one of Noah’s sons? 59 60 61 62 with check or credit card information to: Name______68. Gaunt guy 63 64 65 66 67 69. Alternative to “Slicha HERITAGE Florida Jewish News Address______P.O. Box 300742 b’vakasha” 68 69 70 City/State/Zip______70. Ceremonial splendor Fern Park, FL 32730 71 72 73 Phone______71. Microwaves, perhaps (407) 834-8787 72. “...and ye shall ___ no longer” (Exodus 9:28) See answers on page 14. HERITAGE FLORIDA JEWISH NEWS, FEBRUARY 9, 2018 PAGE 7A A Trump nominee makes Jewish groups choose between Israel and sexual harassment

Hillel would not address assaulting nearly 200 women harassed her; Hillel cut off the The committee approved Marcus’ views on federal in his care. donor. In 2016, it suspended a Marcus on party lines, and he policy and sexual harassment. Also opposing the Marcus U.S. tour by Israeli author Ari is likely to be approved by the Marcus endorses the decision nomination is Jewish Women Shavit when he was accused full Senate, also on party lines. by Education Secretary Betsy International, which has de- of sexual assault. The American Jewish Com- DeVos to remove the Obama- veloped programs in partner- Announcing a review last mittee also has recommended era guidelines that advocates ship with Jewish fraternities month aimed at enhancing Marcus, despite whatever dif- said made it easier for victims and sororities to counter its sexual harassment and ferences it may have with him to level sexual assault charges sexual assault on campus. assault policies, the group said on an array of other issues. Its on campus. The guidelines “We are deeply concerned that “Hillel has long stood up general counsel, Marc Stern, discouraged universities from by the answers given during against rape culture on cam- said in an interview that even allowing an alleged assaulter his confirmation hearing last pus, partnering with It’s On if Marcus’ pro-Israel record to directly cross-examine his week supporting Secretary Us nationally, and supporting did not come up in the hear- accuser, and discouraged what DeVos’ rescission of impor- students through incidents ing, it has become enough until then was the common tant guidance clarifying the of sexual harassment and of an issue—The New York Kenneth Marcus practice of requiring that responsibilities of colleges and assault.” Times made pro-Palestinian the accused and the accuser universities in cases of sexual It’s On Us, a national cam- opposition to Marcus a focus By Ron Kampeas Kenneth Marcus, the first attempt to resolve the assault,” Jewish Women Inter- paign combating campus of a story on his nomina- founder and president of the issue face to face or through national said in a statement sexual assault, ran an ad tion—that it is incumbent WASHINGTON (JTA)—If Louis D. Brandeis Center for mediation. last month. that featured former Vice on pro-Israel groups to rally there’s overlap between Hil- Human Rights Under Law, As leverage, the Obama “It is very troubling that he President Joe Biden speaking to his defense. lel and the National Council has been at the forefront of administration made the will not commit to continuing out against DeVos’ proposed “It’s our perception that of Jewish Women, it’s in two efforts to counter pro-BDS rules under Title IX, a law that to publish the list of colleges changes. this has become a fight over areas: defending Israel and activity on campus. He led prohibits federal funding for and universities currently In fact, most of the Demo- Israel,” Stern said. “If you take combating violence against efforts to get states and federal schools that allow discrimina- under investigation regarding cratic opposition to Marcus the view that Israel criticism women on campus. governments and universities tion against women. sexual assault,” the statement was focused on the sexual is sometimes anti-Semitic and Leaders of the campus Jew- to recognize a definition of Feminists said that before said. “These actions demon- assault issue. Some pro-Pal- that’s disqualifying, pro-Israel ish organization took a look at anti-Semitism that includes the Obama guidelines, the strate a lack of commitment to estinian groups have made an groups have a hard interest in the record of Kenneth Marcus, hostility toward Israel. process revictimized assault protecting students from sex issue of his anti-BDS activity, seeing that it is not disquali- President Donald Trump’s “Hillel has worked closely victims. DeVos has said that discrimination as is required but the issue did not come fying.” nominee to run civil rights at with Kenneth Marcus on is- Obama’s rules instead made under Title IX of the Educa- up once in hours of hearings AJC’s endorsement of Mar- the Department of Education, sues related to anti-Semitic victims of the accused. tion Amendments of 1972, as on Dec. 5. The Health and cus came in the wake of op- and liked what they saw. NCJW activity and anti-Israel activ- That was the nomination well as turn back the clock on Education Committee’s chair- position to the nomination by leaders decidedly did not. ity on college campuses,” killer for the NCJW, said Faith the advances made during man, Sen. Lamar Alexander, an umbrella body AJC helped Now the groups are on the Hillel International said in Williams, the group’s senior the previous administration R-Tenn., did read from a letter found, the Leadership Con- opposite sides of a nomination a statement to JTA. “He has legislative associate. to ensure greater transpar- from Hillel endorsing Marcus ference on Civil and Human that has set off a quiet intra- been an excellent partner and “In light of growing num- ency and accountability on at the hearing’s outset. Rights. Among its objections Jewish argument over what collaborative leader on these ber of #MeToo moments and this issue.” Among the other issues to Marcus, the Leadership matters more: the hostilities issues of critical importance the scandal at Michigan State Hillel has been at the fore- raised by Democrats were Conference included an allu- that some Jewish students to Jewish students. In our University, we need these Title front within the community Marcus’ view that the depart- sion to his anti-BDS activism, on campuses say they face experience, he has been a sup- IX protections,” she said, of advancing protections for ment should only target bias which civil libertarians say for their pro-Israel activity, porter of Hillel’s pluralistic, referring to the explosion of women on campuses. The when intent is in evidence, and infringes on free speech. or the Trump administration inclusive values and a leader sexual assault allegations by group recently made head- his past comments opposing Rabbi Abraham Cooper, rollbacks of Obama-era pro- in fighting discrimination in women and the recent convic- lines when it backed a Hillel LGBTQ rights. (He said he the associate dean of the tections for female students an analytical and impartial tion of a sports therapist at the director in Portland, Oregon, has “evolved” on the LGBTQ who allege sexual harassment. manner” university who was accused of who reported that a donor had issue.) Nominee on page 15A

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Tickets.CrayolaExperience.com Enter Code: HeritageFL The Florida Mall • 407.757.1700 PAGE 8A HERITAGE FLORIDA JEWISH NEWS, FEBRUARY 9, 2018 The best vegetarian matzah ball soup recipe By Vicky Cohen and Ingredients: Ruth Fox For the soup: 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (The Nosher via JTA)—Let’s face it: There’s just something 4 tablespoons tomato paste wonderfully soothing about seeing a steaming bowl of matzah 16 fresh shiitake mushrooms, thoroughly washed, stems and ball soup with its pillowy-plump dumplings swimming in a caps separated and caps sliced bath of golden broth. 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (adjust to taste) This healing vegetarian matzah ball soup delivers all the 1/2 teaspoon turmeric “ah” of its traditional cousin with precisely the right amount 1/4 teaspoon black pepper of goodness (and good-for-you-ness) thanks to a clever use of 3 medium carrots, cut into chunks shiitake mushrooms, tomato paste and a pot full of seasonal 1 large parsnip, cut into chunks vegetables. Whether you add our healthy matzah ball soup 1 yellow onion, unpeeled, quartered to your Friday night dinner routine or prepare a large pot for 1 red onion, unpeeled, quartered lazy Sunday afternoons for the family, this soup is certain to 3 celery stalks, cut into chunks satisfy the stomach and soul. 1 head of garlic, unpeeled, cut in half width-wise When we first considered a vegetarian alternative to chicken 1 bunch of fresh dill soup, we knew that we didn’t want to use bouillon cubes, 1 bunch of parsley powders or vegetable broth. The question was, how could we For the matzah balls: create a deep, rich taste that would satisfy our family? The first 1 pack of matzah ball mix, prepared according to directions thing we did was caramelize some tomato paste with olive oil (or make homemade) ander with a bowl underneath. Squeeze as much liquid as you in order to enhance the flavors of the tomatoes and oil; then Directions: can from the cheesecloth and pour it into the soup pot (the we added fresh shiitake mushroom tops for their chicken-like 1. Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot. liquid will be hot, so use a wooden spoon or another utensil). texture and rich almost-smoky flavor. 2. Add the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes over medium Discard vegetables. Additional depth came from a cheesecloth bag filled with high heat, stirring constantly. Add the sliced shiitake mushroom 8. Prepare matzah ball according to directions on the box, delicious ingredients—red and yellow onions (skins still on caps, stir well and cook for another minute and chill in fridge for 30 minutes. Or, you can make a home- to create a rich-colored broth), carrot, parsnip and celery, dill, 3. Add 10 cups water, salt, turmeric and pepper (don’t add made version. parsley and a whole head of garlic. We also cooked the matzah all the salt at once here, you can adjust to taste later). 9. Place the matzah balls directly into the broth and cook, balls in the vegetable broth instead of cooking them separately, 4. Place the shiitake stems, carrots, parsnip, onions, celery, covered, for 20 minutes Serves 6. so they could absorb the flavor of the broth. The result was a garlic, dill and parsley in a cheese cloth. Tie it well with kitchen Vicky Cohen and Ruth Fox are sisters who were raised in rich, deep-flavored broth where the chicken was not missed. twine and place it in the soup pot. Bring to a boil and let it Barcelona, Spain. Their parents are Syrian-Lebanese Jews This soup is easy to make and can be dressed up or down. cook for 5 minutes. but now they live, cook and blog from the East Coast of the Try serving it in an elegant china bowl with a steamed bundle 5. Cover, reduce heat to medium low and simmer for an hour. U.S. about their family recipes and healthy eating at MayI- of julienned carrots, zucchini and yellow squash for a sophis- The broth should be ready and should be flavorful. If it’s not, HaveThatRecipe.com. ticated first course to a formal dinner. You can also cut plenty continue cooking for another 15-20 minutes. The Nosher food blog offers a dazzling array of new and of root vegetables (sweet potato, turnips, butternut squash) 6. While soup cooks, prepare the matzah balls following the classic Jewish recipes and food news, from Europe to Yemen, into a large dice and cook together in the soup for a delicious package instructions. from challah to shakshuka and beyond. Check it out at www. more rustic soup. 7. Remove cheesecloth from the soup and place it in a col- TheNosher.com. Louvre puts Nazi-looted art on display in bid to find owners (JTA)—The Louvre Mu- The Associated Press re- Tuesday that most of the art- Ways to prove ownership work during World War II. French authorities have seum in Paris has put 31 ported. works were stolen from Jewish include old family photos, The French Culture Ministry also designed a National Mu- Nazi-looted paintings on Some 296 Nazi-looted families during World War II. receipts or testimonies. has formed a committee in seums Recovery catalog that permanent display in an at- paintings are stored at the “Beneficiaries can see these The Louvre initiative is charge of locating the original is available online. The catalog tempt to find their rightful Louvre and remain unclaimed. artworks, declare that these the latest effort by French owners of the paintings. Only can help owners identify their owners. Sebastien Allard, the head artworks belong to them and authorities to find heirs of about 50 artworks have been items without traveling to the The works were installed in of the paintings department officially ask for their return,” families who lost their art- returned since 1951. 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c Shown here (l-r): Samantha Keimach, Paige Keiner, Livia Smith, Tony Moreno, Samantha t o r Trattner, and Eric Levine. On Sunday, Dec. 17, the was dramatic and the program biggest annual fundraiser, the Kanner Store, 1905 Al Morrell, grove owner 1941 Jewish Academy of Orlando was fantastic,” says Robyn proceeds from which have en- celebrated its 40th anniver- Eichenholz, parent. riched curriculum advances, Exhibition of 150 Years sary in style. Its annual gala Five alumni were invited to provided scholarship funds for honored both Dr. Jordan and sing as part of the program. students and most recently Nov 12, 2017 - Feb 20, 2018 Nathalie Steinberg and gave a Each alumnus selected and contributed to the creation lifetime achievement award to performed a song, accompa- of the Innovation Lab. Dr. Edward Zissman. nied by Eric Levine, the music For more information All of the attendees enjoyed director of the school. The about the Jewish Academy of the evening at the Dr. Phillips audience proudly watched Sa- Orlando or to arrange a visit Center for the Performing mantha Trattner, Livia Smith, to the school, please contact 65 E. Central Blvd. Arts. Paige Keiner, Samantha Kei- Amy Polacek, admissions co- Orlando, FL “It was a great move to this mach and Tony Moreno. ordinator, at apolacet@myjao. location. The feel of the event The Gala is the school’s org or 407-647-0713. HERITAGE FLORIDA JEWISH NEWS, FEBRUARY 9, 2018 PAGE 9A Scene AroundAround By Gloria Yousha—Call 407-657-9405 or [email protected] can be purchased at the following locations: ORANGE COUNTY JCC, 851 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland • JCC South, 11184 South Apopka-Vineland Rd., Orlando • Kinneret, 515 South Delaney Not “fake news”... tion for the sake of justice, rule Ave., Orlando • SOJC, 11200 S. Apopka Vineland Rd., Orlando Recently, I watched the movie “Fiddler on the Roof” (for the of law, and human rights and • Brown’s New York Deli, 156 Lake Ave., Maitland • Most Publix third time) on television. This time was particularly strange as freedoms. We do not expect Supermarkets • All Winn Dixie Supermarkets I felt that I was in Russia and while watching. It just any miracles among UNESCO happens that my ancestry comes from Russia and Ukraine. voting states overnight, but SEMINOLE COUNTY (Could it be a sign?) we are confident that change Heritage News, 207 O’Brien Rd., Fern Park • Barnes and Noble New Director-General... is indeed possible.’” Booksellers, 451 E. Altamonte Dr. Suite 2317, Altamonte Springs “World Jewish Congress (WJC) CEO AND Executive Vice Jewish Pavilion news... & 1260 Oviedo Marketplace Blvd., Oviedo • Bagel King, 1472 President ROBERT SINGER congratulated former French A very special event has Semoran Blvd., Casselberry • Kosher Kats, 744 W. S.R. 434, Culture Minister, AUDREY AZOULAY on her recent appoint- been planned for women who Longwood • Central Florida Hillel, 4250 Alafaya Trail, Ste. ment as Director-General of the United Nations Educational, contribute a minimum of 212-363, Oviedo Most Publix Supermarkets • All Winn Dixie Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and expressed $500 to the Jewish Pavilion. Supermarkets hope that she would push for much-needed reforms to address GAY HARRISON will be the ongoing politicization of UNESCO. opening up her home for a tea VOLUSIA COUNTY on Tuesday, Feb. 20. She will Federation of Volusia/Flagler, 470 Andalusia Ave., Ormond discuss new trends in jewelry. Beach • Most Publix Supermarkets • All Winn Dixie Supermar- Participants will receive a kets • Barnes & Noble, 1900 W. International Speedway Blvd., sneak preview of her Spring Daytona Beach • Perrys Ocean Edge Resort, 2209 South Atlantic Collection. Gay Harrison Ave. Daytona Beach • Debary City Hall • Debary Library • Vienna All donors of $1000 will re- Coffee House, 275 Charles Richard Beall Bl • Starbucks, 2575 ceive a 35-inch strand of blue-black pearls that can be doubled. Enterprise Rd • Orange City City Hall • Orange City Library • Donors of $500 will receive an 18-inch strand. Dunkin Donuts, 1296 S Woodland • Stetson University Carlton (I really want my cookies. Oh wrong event!) Union • Deland Chamber of Commerce • Sterling House, 1210 JCC 39ers... Stone St • Temple Israel, 1001 E New York Ave • Beth Shalom, The next Meet and Mingle Monday will be presented by Dr. 1310 Maximillan St • Deltona City Hall • Deltona Library • TERRIE FINE, PhD on Feb. 12th in the JCC Senior Lounge. Temple Shalom, 1785 Elkam Dr. • Temple Israel, 1001 E The subject is “The informal powers of Congress.” The program New York Ave, Deland • College Arms Apt, 101 Amelia Ave, starts at 1 p.m. and is followed by refreshments. (I really want my cookies. Again, wrong event!) Deland • Boston Gourmet Coffee House, 109 E. New York Ave, Shout-Outs... Deland • Stetson University Carlton Union, 421 N Woodland Once again, I passed out after performing at a memorial. Ave, Deland • Family Bookstore, 1301 N Woodland Ave, Deland This time it was for the fabulous clarinetist, Syl LaFata. I was • Deland Chamber of Commerce, 336 Woodland Ave, Deland • Deland City Hall, 120 S Florida Ave, Deland • Beth Shalom, Audrey Azoulay taken by ambulance to Florida Hospital Altamonte. My first stop was the ER where I was wonderfully cared for 206 S. Sprng Garden Ave, Deland • Orange City Library, 148 UNESCO, as too many other international bodies, has been by TOM SHAUGHNESSY of the Emergency Department staff. Albertus Way, Orange City • Boston Gourmet Coffee House, hijacked by the political agendas of some of its member states, Then I was assigned a room on the third floor where the nurs- 1105 Saxon Blvd, Deltona • Deltona Library, 2150 Eustace Ave, resulting in the adoption of egregious decisions, including ing staff was fabulous, especially RN POLINA RUBABNOVA. She Deltona • Temple Shalom, 1785 Elkam Dr., Deltona • Deltona the attempts to rewrite history and deny the historic Jewish was so kind and very beautiful! (I can’t handle competition!!!!) Community Center, 980 Lakeshore Dr, Deltona • Debary City link to its ancient homeland. This relentless bias and double One for the road... Hall, 16 Colomba Rd, Debary • Debary Library, 200 Florence standard against Israel must come to an end. Izzy has taken to flying kites, but he’s not very good at it. K. Little, Debary Singer said, ’We are hopeful that Ms Azoulay will maximize In fact, today he’s having trouble controlling his kite—it’s her position to address the issues of concern for Israel and the bobbing and weaving all over the sky. OSCEOLA COUNTY Jewish world, and push for the reforms so deeply needed to His wife Sarah, observing the scene from the window, calls out Cindy M. Rothfield, P.A., 822 W. Bryan St., Kissimmee • Most return UNESCO to its core mandate of contributing to peace to him, “Izzy, I think it would be better if you had a piece of tail.” Publix Supermarkets • Verandah Place Realty, 504 Celebration and security in the world by promoting collaboration among Izzy replies, “I told you that a while ago, but you told me to Ave., Celebration • All Winn Dixie Supermarkets • St. Cloud nations through education, science, culture and communica- go fly a kite.” City Hall, 1300 9th St, St. Cloud • St. Cloud Library, 810 13th St, St. Cloud • Southern Oaks, 3865 Old Canoe Creek Rd, St. Cloud • Plantation Bay, 4641 Old Canoe Creek Rd, St. Cloud • Osceola Chamber of Commerce, 1425 Hwy 192, St. Cloud • Polish TV host mocks Jewish critics of new law Valencia College, 1800 Denn John Ln, Kissimmee • Kissimmee City Hall, 101 Church St, Kissimmee • Kissimmee Library, 211 E. Dakin, Kissimmee • Robinson’s Coffee Shop, 114 Broadway, by suggesting use of term ‘Jewish death camps’ Kissimmee • Osceola County Courthouse, 2 Courthouse Sq, WARSAW, Poland (JTA)— that took part [in the Holo- deathcamps.info website in because of a few scabby or Kissimmee • Barnies, 3236 John Young Pwy, Kissimmee • The debate over a Polish law caust], Jews also were part Polish, German and English, greedy people, I feel like an Reily’s Gourmet Coffee, 3831 Vine St, Kissimmee • Shalom that would criminalize the of their own destruction,” which includes documentary idiot,” he wrote in his tweet, Aleichem, 3501 Oak Pointe Blvd, Kissimmee • Books-A-Million, use of the term “Polish death Ziemkiewicz said. evidence that death camps on which was later deleted. 2605 W. Osceola Pwy (522), Kissimmee • Lower East Side Deli, camps” in referring to Aus- Wolski responded: “Using Polish soil were operated by He was criticized by David 8548 Palm Parkway, Lake Buena chwitz and other sites took a this terminology, linguistically, Nazi Germany. The website Wildstein, deputy director of nasty turn when a television we could say these were not had been in the works for TVP1. host joked that they should be German or Polish camps, but several months. “Using the term scab is Sudoku (see page 14 for solution) called “Jewish camps.” were Jewish camps. After all, The legislation passed on extremely nasty,” Wildstein The comment comes amid who dealt with the crematoria?” Friday by the Polish parlia- tweeted. “This word is dis- tensions between Poland and Wolski was apparently ment’s lower house, or Sejm, gusting,” Israel over the legislation, referring to Jewish inmates calls for prison sentences of Ziemkiewicz replied: “You which is meant to assign sole who were forced to dispose of up to three years for the use are right David, a nasty word responsibility for atrocities on gas chamber victims at the of the banned term. It now will associated with all the nega- Polish soil to the German Na- death camps. be taken up by the Senate and tive traits attributed to the zis who occupied the country. Krzysztof Czabanski, chair- also must be approved by the stereotype Jews, which is Author Rafal Aleksander man of the National Media president. precisely why (I used it).” Ziemkiewicz, during the TVP2 Council in Poland, on Wednes- Earlier, Ziemkiewicz on Ziemkiewicz and Wolski show TVP Info, mocked crit- day called for an explanation Twitter called Jews opposed also discussed a scandal in ics of the legislation during from the president of Polish to the changes in Polish law Germany in which car com- a discussion with show host Television, or TVP, Jacek “scabs,” a term often used in panies tested the effects of Marcin Wolski, who is also Kurski. anti-Semitic slurs in Poland. exhaust fumes on monkeys the director of TVP2. Meanwhile, the public “For many years I have and humans. “If we look at the percentage broadcaster Polish Radio convinced my people that we “It’s an old German tradi- of involvement of countries has launched the german- must support Israel. Today, tion,” Ziemkiewicz said. Democratic-Republican split on Israel WASHINGTON (JTA)—The with Israel more than Pal- ians more and 25 percent of and 39 percent unfavorable. gap between how Republicans estinians. Democrats sympathize with With Independents, it was and Democrats view Israel is The drop among Democrats the Palestinians more. Over- 31 percent favorable and 28 widening, a Pew Research was especially sharp in recent all, 46 percent of Americans percent unfavorable. Center poll found. years; in April 2016, 43 per- sympathize more with Israel, Netanyahu openly clashed The poll posted Tuesday cent of Democrats said they about the same amount it has with President Barack Obama, showed 79 percent of Re- were likelier to sympathize been since 1978. a Democrat, and has warmly publicans sympathize with with Israel. The rise among Differences were also sharp welcomed the presidency of Israel over the Palestin- Republicans has also been in how the respondents view Donald Trump, a Republican. ians whereas 27 percent of sharp since 2001: In that year, Israeli Prime Minister Ben- The telephone poll reached Democrats sympathize with 50 percent of Republicans jamin Netanyahu. Among 1,503 adults between Jan. 10 Israel over the Palestinians. said they sympathize more Republicans, 52 percent view and 15. The margins of error Pew said this was the widest with Israel the Israeli leader favorably were 2.9 percentage points divide since 1978. The poll This year’s poll showed and 15 percent view him un- overall, 5.7 points for Republi- showed that 42 percent of 6 percent of Republicans favorably. Among Democrats, cans, 5.1 points for Democrats Independents sympathize sympathize with Palestin- it was 18 percent favorable and 5 points for Independents. PAGE 10A HERITAGE FLORIDA JEWISH NEWS, FEBRUARY 9, 2018 Jewish Pavilion’s Gems & Jeans Gala shines light on seniors

The Jewish Pavilion’s Nancy Ludin (3rd from left) flanked by Sponsors and Support- The Bromberg Family (l-r) Deborah Bromberg Seltzer; Rachel Leibowitz; Gala honoree, ers from Brookdale Senior Living—Mark Pulaski, Susie Goebeler, Ludin, Annie Lee, Joe Marian Bromberg; Edward Bromberg, and Sharon Bromberg. Germain, Chad Ballard and Courtney South.

By Pamela Ruben back to the Pavilion here in Orlando,” she said, adding, On Sunday, Jan. 28, honor- “One of the first residents I ees and guests of The Jewish visited at Solaris Health was Pavilion’s Gems & Jeans Gala Roslyn Stenzler, who looked demonstrated the impact that so much like my mother, it just one person can make on was uncanny. Visiting her an entire community. Co- substituted for the fact that I chairs Marci Gaeser, Sharon could no longer visit with my Littman, and Susie Stone own mother, was extremely delivered opening remarks comforting me.” and warmly welcomed the Bromberg has continued more than 200 guests who to visit elderly residents for had gathered at the Sheraton almost a decade. Orlando North in Maitland to A.J. Kronenberg credited celebrate gala honorees, and the Bornstein Leadership to make a difference in the course through the Jewish lives of residents of senior Federation of Greater Orlando living communities served for introducing him to the by the Pavilion. Littman Jewish Pavilion. Placed at the commended the evening’s Jewish Pavilion as a Board honorees, Marian Bromberg intern, he now continues to and Alan ‘A.J.’ Kronenberg, serve in his fifth year as a full for helping the Jewish Pavil- Board member. Kronenberg ion maintain a caring and shared while he has always cultural connection with supported the Pavilion’s mis- seniors in elder-care. sion, it wasn’t until his first Both honorees sent audi- visit to a senior facility that Gala keynote speakers Susan and Pearl Bernstein, with ence members reaching for the good works of the agency Nancy Ludin, Jewish Pavilion executive director. tissues during their heartfelt really hit home. On his first presentations. Bromberg room visit with a resident, he Keynote speaker and Bernstein’s daughter, Susan, remarked that both she and wife, Olivia, brought along Brookdale Island Lake resi- lauded the nonprofit’s staff Gala honoree, Alan ‘A.J.’ Kronenberg with wife, Olivia. and husband, Edward, were their dog to bring an extra bit dent, Pearl Bernstein, con- and volunteers for bringing strong believers in the com- of cheer. In this case, dog was curred with the honorees smiles, holidays, special “The Jewish Pavilion’s Ludin, Jewish Pavilion execu- munity of Israel. For that truly man’s best friend, as the sentiments, agreeing that programs, as well as a con- 2018 Gems & Jeans Gala was tive director. reason, the couple supports senior resident was having a visits by the Jewish Pavilion nection to the traditions and a huge success because of You can personally make a just about all the Jewish orga- difficult start to his day, until hold a special place in her community that have been a each person who came out to difference in the life of a se- nizations in town including the pup bounded into the heart. Energetic and spritely part of her mother’s life for make a difference in the life nior. Become a fan www.face- their local synagogue, SOJC, room (with permission). The at 92 years of age, Bernstein almost a century. of a senior. Everyone present, book.com/jewishpavilion or and of course, the Pavilion. resident quickly brightened, shared how the Pavilion has The festive evening fea- as well as those behind the visit www.jewishpavilion,org Bromberg shared that her welcoming the dog with an af- touched her life, creating tured a silent auction, a scenes, contributed to an eve- or call 407-678-9363 for mother-in-law, who lived fectionate squeeze, and began a Jewish connection year- gourmet meal, and toe- ning that will help us remain volunteer opportunities or to the age of 106, received reaching for his breakfast and round for herself and her tapping musical numbers by the Jewish connection for the to make a donation. volunteer visitors while a interacting with his company. neighbors. Though she no Paul Stenzler and his band, elder-care residents for many Connecting elder-care resident of a senior home in Kronenberg reported that longer drives to synagogue, Rhythm Release. A rollicking years to come. Presenting community residents and Rockville, Maryland. as they left the room, the Bernstein eagerly joins in version of the hora pulled sponsor, the Harper Family their families with a car- “While I could not give hall was suddenly filled with a weekly Shabbat service guests from their seats, as Foundation, was integral in ing Jewish community that back directly to the group seniors, wanting to share in brought right into her social they grasped hands and our efforts to bring ‘Arts to provides life-enhancing re- in Rockville, I could give the connection. hall by the Jewish Pavilion. twirled into the evening. our Elders,’” stated Nancy sources and experiences. A present-day Shabbos in Kissimmee By Marilyn Shapiro “Shanda!” I said. “Are you... at City College in New York as in the neighborhood. He Vazquez started mowing pered the conversations of errrr... are you Jewish?” well as a high school teacher remembers his friends and lawns for his neighbors. He his neighbors. They flowed As I settled into my chair “No,” he said. “Better than at Park West on 50th St. him using the yarmulkes as made more friendships and off his tongue as easily as at the Shalom Club table at that! I was a Shabbos goy on Manhattan. His mother, Gilda Frisbees. “The adults would learned more about the “black those who spoke the lan- Solivita Club Expo, I put my Long Island!” Vazquez, was a supervisor at not have been happy if they hats.” And they began to rely guage of the “Old Country” pocketbook on the empty For those who are not fa- the Bank of America at the realized our game,” he said. on him. regularly. He not only avoid- chair from the Bellisimo Hair miliar with the term, a “Shab- World Trade Center. Vazquez also began learn- One Saturday, one of his ed sharing his sandwiches, Salon which was next us. A bos goy” is the Yiddish term When Ruben was six, his ing the complexities of the friend’s mothers knocked on but also understood the few minutes later, a young for a non-Jew who performs family moved to Bayswater dietary laws. One day, he wan- the Vasquez’ door. “Ruben, traditions that governed his Hispanic man asked me to certain types of work which in Far Rockaway, Queens, dered into a friend’s garage Moishe left the television set community. move it so he could sit down. Jewish religious law prohibits on the border line of Long while munching on a roast on in the upstairs bedroom. When Vazquez was going “Hope you don’t mind,” the Jew from doing on the Sab- Island. At first, the Vasquez beef and cheese sandwich. Do you think you could take into his senior year of high he said. bath. And Ruben Vazquez, the family was apprehensive “Do you want half my care of it for me?” school, his father asked him “No problem!” I said, “it’s son of Puerto Rican parents when they realized they were sandwich?” Vazquez asked Vazquez gladly went over what he would like to study your chair.” And I put the bag who came to New York in the only Hispanics—the his friend. to turn off the set. Soon after, after graduation. on the floor. the 1960s, is a self-acclaimed only non-Jews—in a modern “No thanks,” his friend other Jews in the neighbor- “Cosmetology,” was “It would be a “shanda” to proud Shabbos goy! Orthodox neighborhood. The replied. “We don’t mix milk hood were knocking on his Vazquez’s quick reply. He put that nice bag on the floor!” Vazquez’s parents were first week they lived there, with meat.” door, discreetly hinting at had a great uncle and an aunt he exclaimed. born in Yabucoa Puerto Rico, however, Mrs. Weiss brought Vazquez took the cheese off some task that Vazquez could who were in the business, and I took a closer look at the and came to the Bronx in 1952 them a pie. “Welcome to the half the sandwich and offered “remedy.” His reputation as Vazquez had spent a great speaker. He certainly looked . Their only child, Vazquez neighborhood,” the rabbi’s the revised snack to his friend. the Shabbos goy was set. deal of time in their shops. Hispanic, not someone who is was born in 1972. His father, wife exclaimed. “Err…no thanks, Ruben,” Meanwhile, Vazquez was “You can do anything you familiar with the Jewish word Ruben Vazquez Baez, was a Vazquez became friends said his friend. “I’ll pass.” picking up many of the Yid- for shame or disgrace! professor of Administration with many of the children In order to earn money, dish expressions that pep- Shabbos on page 15A HERITAGE FLORIDA JEWISH NEWS, FEBRUARY 9, 2018 PAGE 11A OBITUARIES Central Florida Synagogues

HERMAN M. DISLER forter in Altamonte Springs was also a guidance coun- Orlando Weekday Morning Minyan (Conservative/Egalitarian), services Monday- Written by the family on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Born selor, principal and a school Friday 7:45 a.m. (9 a.m.—national holidays); 2nd floor Chapel—Jewish Academy of Orlando; Herman Milton Disler, in Queens, New York, he was psychologist for the Newton 851 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland. For information call 407-298-4650. age 88, of Lake Mary, passed one of two children born to Township Public Schools until away peacefully at his home the late Herman and Bertha his retirement in 1992. He and Celebration Jewish Congregation (R), services and holiday schedules shown at www. on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, Davis Goldman. Ruby then moved to Orlando, JewishCelebration.org; 407-566-9792. surrounded by his family and Following high school, Jack Florida, where they enjoyed Chabad Lubavitch of North Orlando (O), 1701 Markham Woods Road, Longwood, friends. One of four children, attended technical schools their retirement. 407-636-5994, www.jewishorlando.com; services: Friday 7:00 p.m.; Saturday at 9:30 a.m. he was born on Feb. 18, 1929, earning several certifications. Jerry was a true entre- in Chelsea, Massachusetts, to He was married to the late preneur and was involved in Chabad of Altamonte Springs (O), 414 Spring Valley Lane, Altamonte Springs, 407- Myer and Mary Forman Disler, Barbara Goldman who passed starting many businesses, 280-0535; www.jewishaltamonte.com. of blessed memory. An educa- away in 1990. The family including a Dunkin Donuts Chabad of South Orlando (O), 7347 Sand Lake Road, Orlando, 407-354-3660; www. tor for many years, Herman lived for many years in South in Ledgewood, N.J. jewishorlando.com; Shabbat services: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. and 10 minutes before sunset; served in the US Army, at- Florida where Jack owned and Jerry loved to travel and Saturday, 9:30 a.m.; Sunday, 8:15 a.m. taining the rank of Lieutenant operated a telecom business, was most excited about the Colonel in the Reserves. He Unitel of South Florida. He many cruises that he and Chabad of the Space & Treasure Coasts (O), 1190 Highway A1A, Satellite Beach, earned his bachelor’s degree relocated to the Orlando area Ruby were able to sail on, as 321-777-2770. from Providence College. On in 2015, due to illness. well as their trip to Israel. In Congregation Ahavas Yisrael/Chabad (O), 708 Lake Howell Rd., Maitland, 407-644- June 23, 1955, in Boston, he Jack is survived by his addition to traveling, Jerry 2500; www.chabadorlando.org; services: Sunday, 9 a.m.; Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.; Shabbat married the former Elaine daughters—Felicia (Mitch) loved history, geography, services: Friday, 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m.; Family service, 4th Friday of the month. Palman, his wife of over 62 Baum of Orlando, Jodi (Jeff) photography, telling jokes years, who survives him. Marin of Sunrise and Robin and attending temple services. Congregation Bet Chaim (R), 181 E. Mitchell Hammock, Oviedo, 407-830-7211; www. A resident of Lake Mary (Ron) Barber of Davie. He is Jerry was also a big fan of the betchaim.org; Shabbat services: Friday, 8 p.m. for two years, Herman and also survived by his grandchil- Orlando Magic and his social Congregation Beth Am (C), 3899 Sand Lake Road, Longwood, 407-862-3505; www. Elaine lived in the Boston dren—Brooke, Gavin, Aimee, life revolved around when the congbetham.org; Shabbat services: Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m. area for many years, before Robert, Ilise, Erica, Cheryl, Magic played. Congregation Beth El (C), 2185 Meadowlane Ave., West Melbourne, 321-779-0740; a sojourn in Southern Cali- Robert and Evan; and his Jerry was preceded in death fornia for six years. Herman great-grandchildren—Riley, by his beautiful wife Ruby Shabbat services, 1st & 3rd Friday, 8 p.m.; 2nd & 4th Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. also leaves behind his devoted Jordyn and Joshua. He was of 55 years; as well as his Congregation Beth Emeth (R), 2205 Blue Sapphire Circle, Orlando, 407-222-6393; children—Michael (Dorothy) predeceased by his sister, three sisters—Mildred Myron, Shabbat service: monthly, 8 p.m. of Lake Mary, Richard of Ips- Beverly. Muriel Rosberger and Janet Congregation Beth Israel (Rec), Collins Resource Center, Suite 303, 9401 S.R. 200, wich, Mass., David (Robin) of A graveside service was held Rosenbloom. Ocala, 352-237-8277; bethisraelocala.org; Shabbat service, second Friday of the month, 8 p.m. Richmond, Va., Mark of Lake at Lakeside Memorial Gardens He is survived by three Mary, and Gregory (Carolyn) in Doral, Florida. In memory sons—Scott (Hildy Winter) Congregation Beth Sholom (R-C), 315 North 13th St., Leesburg, 352-326-3692; www. of Avondale, Penn. He was of Jack B. Goldman, the fam- of Orlando, Florida, Allen bethsholomflorida.org; schedule of services on website. the very proud grandfather ily requests contributions to (Loreen) of Sarasota, Florida, Congregation Beth Shalom (Progressive Conservative), Orange City congregation of Jennifer (Matthew), Kelly Hospice of the Comforter, and Robert (Dean Hanson) of holds services at 1308 E. Normandy Blvd., Deltona; 386-804-8283; www.mybethshalom. (Stephen), Matthew, Em- 480 W Central Parkway, Al- Tampa, Florida. Jerry is also com; Shabbat services: Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. ily and Michelle; and great- tamonte Springs FL 32714. survived by his four grandsons grandfather of Bradley. He Arrangements entrusted to whon he adored: Richard, Congregation B’nai Torah (C), 403 N. Nova Rd., Ormond Beach, 32174, 386-672-1174; was predeceased by his sib- Beth Shalom Memorial Cha- Connor, Kevin and Westin. www.mybnaitorah.com; Shabbat services: Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. lings—Henry, Blanche and pel, 640 Lee Road, Orlando Services were conducted Congregation Chabad Lubavitch of Greater Daytona (O), 1079 W. Granada Blvd., George. 32810. 407-599-1180. on Thursday, Feb. 1, at Family Ormond Beach, 386-672-9300; Shabbat services Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. A funeral service, with full GERALD WILLIAM Funeral Care, 13001 S. John military honors, was held on STEINFELD Young Parkway, Orlando, Congregation of Reform Judaism (R), 928 Malone Dr., Orlando, 407-645-0444; Friday, Jan. 26, 2018, in the Gerald William Steinfeld, of FL 32837. In lieu of flowers, www.crjorlando.org: Shabbat services, 7 p.m. 1st, 2nd and 3rd Fridays; 6 p.m., 4th and 5th pavilion at Cape Canaveral Orlando, Florida, passed away the family requests that you Fridays; Saturday: 10 a.m. National Cemetery with Rabbi on Jan. 28, 2018, following a donate to planting a tree in Congregation Mateh Chaim (R), P.O. Box 060847, Palm Bay, 32906, 321-768-6722. Arnold Siegel of Jewish Fam- short illness. He was born on Jerry’s Memory at usa.jnf.org/ ily Services officiating. In March 11, 1937 in Jersey City, jnf-tree-planting-center. Congregation Ohev Shalom (C), 613 Concourse Parkway South, Maitland, 407-298- memory of Herman M. Disler, N.J., to the late Ruben and 4650; www.ohevshalom.org; Shabbat service, Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m. the family requests contribu- Rose Steinfeld. Congregation Or Chayim (Rec), Leesburg, 352-326-8745; [email protected]; services tions to the American Cancer Jerry graduated from Sny- 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month at Providence Independence of Wildwood. Society, PO Box 22718, Okla- der High School in Jersey City, Congregation Shalom Aleichem (R), 3501 Oak Pointe Blvd., Kissimmee, 407-935- homa City OK 73123-2718. N.J., and received his bach- Arrangements entrusted to elor’s degree from New Jersey 0064; www.shalomaleichem.com; Shabbat service, 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month, 8 p.m. Beth Shalom Memorial Cha- State Teachers College and his Congregation Shomer Ysrael (C), 5382 Hoffner Ave., Orlando, 407-227-1258, call for pel, 640 Lee Road, Orlando master’s degree from Lehigh services and holiday schedules. 32810, 407-599-1180. University. Jerry began a Congregation Sinai (C/R), 303A N. S.R. 27, Minneola; 352-243-5353; congregation- long and rewarding career JACK BERNARD sinai.org; services: every Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Shabbat Service evert Saturday, 10 a.m. GOLDMAN in education as a teacher in Jack B. Goldman, age 84, Rockaway Township Public Orlando Torah Center (O), 8591 Banyan Blvd., Orlando; 347-456-6485; Shacharis- of Altamonte Springs, passed Schools where he met the Shabbos 9 a.m.; Mon.—Thurs. 6:45 a.m.; Sun. and Legal Holidays 8 a.m.; Mincha/Maariv away at Hospice of the Com- love of his life, Ruby. Jerry Please call for times. Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation/Ohalei Rivka (C), 11200 S. Apopka- Vineland Rd., Orlando, 407-239-5444; Shabbat service, Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m. JFS seeks committee and Temple Beth El (R), 579 N. Nova Rd., Ormond Beach, 386-677-2484. Temple Beth Shalom (R), P.O. Box 031233, Winter Haven, 813-324-2882. Temple Beth Shalom (C), 40 Wellington Drive, Palm Coast, 386-445-3006; Shabbat board members for the 2018 service, Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. JFS Orlando Executive Di- board members who care the JFS website—http://www. Temple Beth Sholom (C), 5995 N. Wickham Rd. Melbourne, 321-254-6333; www. rector Eric Geboff, announced about the clients served by jfsorlando.org/volunteer/. mytbs.org; Shabbat services: Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday: 9:30 a.m. Minyan, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.; that the nearly 40-year-old JFS Orlando and are willing to “Volunteers are at the heart Thursday, 10:00 a.m. social service agency is seek- make a commitment of time, of JFS Orlando’s work in the Temple Beth Shalom (R), 1109 N.E. 8th Ave., Ocala, 352-629-3587; Shabbat services: ing volunteers to serve on treasures and talents to help community. They work in Friday, 8 p.m.; : Saturday, 10:00 a.m. its committees and Board of the agency grow to serve more cooperation with the profes- Directors for the 2018 pro- in need in the Central Florida sional staff and help serve over Temple B’nai Darom (R), 49 Banyan Course, Ocala, 352-624-0380; Friday Services 8 p.m. gram year. community.” 10,000 individuals, families Temple Israel (C), 50 S. Moss Rd., Winter Springs, 407-647-3055; www.tiflorida.org; Annually, JFS Orlando re- Committees in need of and children that utilize JFS Shabbat services: Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m.; Sunday 9:00 a.m. plenishes its committees and volunteers include: Program Orlando services each year,” Board of Directors with new Services, Development and added Geboff. Temple Israel (R), 7350 Lake Andrew Drive, Melbourne, 321-631-9494. members who bring knowl- Marketing, and Finance. For more information, Temple Israel (C), 579 N. Nova Road, Ormond Beach, 386-252-3097; Shabbat service, edge, expertise, passion and For more information about please go to the JFS Orlando Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday: 10:30 a.m. experience to help the agency the committees including website (www.jfsorlando. Temple Israel of DeLand (R), 1001 E. New York Ave., DeLand, 386-736-1646; www. attain its mission of provid- member responsibilities and org) or contact Eric Geboff at templeisraelofdeland.org; Friday Shabbat service, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10:00 a.m. followed by ing services to stabilize and volunteer application, please 407-644-7593 or eric.geboff@ enhance the quality of life for go to the volunteer section of jfsorlando.org. Torah study. individuals and families in cri- Temple Shalom (formerly New Jewish Congregation) (R), 13563 Country Road sis, available to all people in the 101, Oxford, 352-748-1800; www.templeshalomcentralfl.org; Shabbat services: Friday, 7 Central Florida community. p.m.; last Saturday of the month, 9:30 a.m. “The purpose of the com- , 1785 Elkcam Blvd., Deltona, 386-789-2202; www. mittees is to investigate Temple Shalom of Deltona (R/C) current trends and evaluate shalomdeltona.org; Shabbat service; Saturday: 10 a.m. services and programs that Construction, Remodels, Additions, Handyman Temple Shir Shalom (R) Services held at Temple Israel, 50 S. Moss Rd., Winter Springs, are provided by JFS Orlando, does most anything 407-366-3556, www.templeshirshalom.org; Shabbat services: three Fridays each month, making recommendations 7:30 p.m. to the JFS Orlando Board Mount Dora, 352-735-4774; www. of Directors of the direction Ricardo Torres — Handyman Traditional Congregation of Mount Dora (T) tcomd.org; Shabbat services: Saturday, 9:30 a.m. sharp. it takes for the 2018 year,” 407-221-5482 said Geboff. “The board is (R) Reform (C) Conservative (O) Orthodox (Rec) Reconstructionist (T) Mehitsa looking for committee and Available in Central Florida Area • References Available PAGE 12A HERITAGE FLORIDA JEWISH NEWS, FEBRUARY 9, 2018 Nevada welcomed this Israeli marijuana scientist— US immigration threw him out of the country in love with him is a real desire April 2016 and lived in an said cannabis industry analyst to improve people’s quality of apartment rented by Tikun John Kagia, executive vice life when they have chronic Olam. Between then and president of industry analytics illnesses.” January 2017, when he mar- at New Frontier Data. “Given Asked about Abta’s case, ried, Abta made seven or eight that it’s not recognized at USCIS spokeswoman Maria round trips between Las Vegas the federal level would raise Elena Upson said, “While and Israel on behalf of his eyebrows and additional many states have changed employer, he told JTA. Each scrutiny.” their laws to make the sale and time he entered the United On Sept. 30, Abta had his possession of marijuana legal States on a B-1 visa, issued U.S.-issued travel document, under certain circumstances, for work purposes, he told called an advance parole, immigration law requires the border patrol agents he was stolen from a Las Vegas hotel. agency to apply federal law an agronomist for an Israeli He filed a police report. in adjudicating these cases... medical cannabis company. In December, his brother- [A]s a federal agency, we are “It was never a problem,” in-law contracted a life- legally unable to make special Abta said. threatening neurological considerations in these cases A few months into his life disease and Abta rushed to unless or until federal law is in the U.S., one client, CW Israel to be with his family. He changed.” Nevada, which has licensed wasn’t supposed to leave the Abta’s immigration lawyer, Tikun Olam’s cultivation country without the advance Ed Prudhomme, told JTA that technologies and intellectual parole card. He had a police “to threaten to file a traffick- property, told Abta he needed report but had not replaced ing felony charge against this a Nevada state medical mari- the card. guy was just unconscionable,” juana staff identification card Upon returning to the Shimon Abta and his wife, who asked not to be named, visiting the Western Wall in adding that ‘having the charge to be able to come into their United States on Dec. 14, Jerusalem in happier times. of felony trafficking would facilities. About a month after Abta was questioned for sev- be a forever bar” to Abta’s re- filling out a simple form, Abta eral hours by officials at the By Debra Nussbaum let him answer the phone as is the only person they know turning to the United States. received a state-issued medi- San Francisco airport but Cohen his wife called repeatedly— of who has been caught in the Prudhomme has filed an cal marijuana staff ID. CW eventually released. The next “frantically,” she told JTA. breach between federal and appeal and asked that Abta’s Nevada is listed as a cultiva- day was his first Green Card NEW YORK (JTA)—It Eventually they walked state law. case be reopened. tion facility and his employer, interview. Five days later the shouldn’t have been compli- Abta through the airport “I haven’t heard of anyone That, experts say, will be an though he was never an em- government issued its letter cated. Shimon Abta, an expert to his connecting flight. being deported for that,” said uphill battle. ployee there. of denial. Israeli cannabis agronomist, Other passengers stared as the Saul Kaye, founder and CEO of “Now that he has left the Abta and Prudhomme are “I haven’t heard of another was sent by his employer to bearded Israeli, surrounded iCan: Israel-Cannabis, which U.S., it becomes much more trying to get a letter from CW case like this,” Kagia said. consult with American com- by uniformed officers, was promotes Israel’s industry difficult for him to get permis- and one from Tikun Olam “The lack of familiarity with panies in states where medical ushered to the gate. overseas. sion to return,” said Angie making clear his relation- legal cannabis within immi- marijuana is legal. He was Now Abta is in Israel while Abta’s “voluntary” removal Junck, supervising attorney ship with each, they told JTA gration enforcement agencies living in Las Vegas and met his wife remains in Las Vegas comes at a time when the at the Immigrant Legal Re- in separate interviews. But coupled with the proactively an American Jewish woman finishing a master’s degree Trump administration has source Center, which advises both companies are worried aggressive approach that the on JDate. They married last that will, ironically, equip demonstrated great zeal for lawmakers and attorneys on about legal trouble and thus Department of Justice is tak- year and together started be- her to counsel opioid addicts. deporting foreign citizens. immigration policy. “It con- far have left Abta out to dry, ing means that participation coming more religious. Both They desperately want to be The U.S. Citizenship and cerns me that he accepted Prudhomme said. in this industry will be looked in their 30s, they are eager to reunited, both told JTA in Immigration Service, or his own removal. ... You’re Abta said he quit Tikun at with greater scrutiny than start a family. separate interviews. USCIS—the Department held to higher standards once Olam in August. According under previous administra- But on Jan. 8, U.S. im- Abta appears to be the lone of Homeland Security arm you leave.” to Prudhomme, the company tions.” migration officials told Abta cannabis industry worker ex- tasked with processing Green Abta’s case illustrates said he was fired. Eitan Weiss, deputy chief of to withdraw his application pelled from the United States Cards—sent Abta a letter “overreach and overcrimi- No official from CW Nevada, mission at Israel’s Los Angeles for permanent residency due to a gap between federal dated Dec. 20 denying his nalization [of marijuana] at Tikun Olam Israel or Tikun consulate, said the consulate status and leave for Israel and state law. Federal U.S. application for a Green Card. the federal level, using it as Olam USA responded to mul- cannot help Abta. that very day or face arrest on law deems any involvement According to the letter, the leverage against individuals,” tiple requests for comment “This entire story is some- felony charges of illicit drug in the marijuana industry “USCIS has determined that Junck said. This is “a very sent over 10 days by email, thing we have no jurisdic- trafficking. He was given illegal, while Nevada is one you are an illicit trafficker of difficult case. He has many direct message and phone tion over,” Weiss told JTA. “I two hours to pack and say of 29 states and the District controlled substances. There- hurdles to overcome.” message. can’t come to the American goodbye to his wife, who did of Columbia where creden- fore, you are inadmissible to U.S. Customs and Border Once Abta married and administration and say they not want her name used in tialed doctors can prescribe the United States. There is Protection spokesman Jaime knew he would apply for a have mistreated him.” this article. cannabis. Israel is a world- no waiver for this inadmis- Ruiz said that Abta can file a green card, he returned to He added: “The only thing Though he left voluntarily, wide leader in research on sibility.” complaint online about his Israel to close his apartment Israeli consulates can do is if under pressure, when he its medical uses and Abta’s His wife, who asked not treatment by CBP officers or because once individuals ap- help Israelis in case of emer- landed in San Francisco to former employer, Tikun Olam to be named to preserve her at the U.S. Embassy in Israel. ply, they cannot leave the U.S. gencies. We can’t help them change planes, uniformed Ltd., is one of Israel’s largest privacy, said she nor her CBP “officers treat all until they are issued travel more than that.” border patrol agents boarded suppliers of medical cannabis husband want him arrested, travelers with integrity, re- documents. Now Abta is stuck in Israel his flight and escorted him and a major presence in the “and definitely not on false spect and professionalism. Abta also claims he received rather than living with his off, handcuffing him in full U.S. market, providing its charges.” CBP officers follow strict legally compromising counsel wife of just a year Both say view of other passengers, Abta technology and expertise to “Everything he was doing national standards regarding from a woman he thought was they want only to be reunited. told JTA. They confiscated growers and manufacturers was legal,” she said. “He was the transport and detention an immigration lawyer. Abta Last year they bought a five- his passport, cellphone and here. basically defamed, calling of travelers deemed inadmis- heard about Eugenia Schall bedroom Las Vegas house cigarettes, and refused to tell Specialists in immigration him a drug trafficker. He’s a sible in the U.S.,” Ruiz wrote from an Israeli he met at a Las hoping to fill it with children. him where they were taking law and in the U.S. and Israeli scientist. in a statement. “The use of Vegas restaurant, he told JTA, But that doesn’t seem likely him, Abta said. They wouldn’t cannabis industries say Abta “Part of what made me fall restraints on detainees during and entrusted her to submit anytime soon. Neither under- transport is conducted in a his Green Card application. stands why. manner that is safe, secure, Public records list Schall as His wife said she has started humane, and professional. president of Coast to Coast the process for making aliyah Without compromising their Visa & Immigration Service with Nefesh B’Nefesh, an safety, CBP officers remain in Valley Village, California. agency that facilitates moves cognizant of an individual’s Abta said Schall told him to Israel, but doesn’t really religious beliefs while ac- he needed to submit a gov- want to go. complishing an enforcement ernment-issued ID with the “I have to finish my studies action in a dignified and re- paperwork. The only one he here,” she told JTA. “And this spectful manner. If a traveler had was the Nevada state is my country.” believes that CBP officers medical marijuana staff ID. She has started a Change. acted unprofessionally, they She submitted it. org petition addressed to can file a complaint. CPB But Schall is no attorney. President Donald Trump and tracks and records all com- The company website, which other elected officials. More plaints and resolves them if is mostly in Cyrillic, says than 850 people signed the possible.” it gets people visas to Rus- petition in its first four days Another CPB employee told sia, Ukraine, Belarus and online. HEALTHY EYES WEAR SUNGLASSES JTA that handcuffing foreign Armenia. At his immigration in- nationals deemed inadmis- “We are not attorneys and terviews, Abta “kept saying Every day that you’re outside, you’re exposed to dangerous, but invisible, ultraviolet (UV) sunlight. Left unprotected, prolonged sible is “standard operating are not a law firm. We do not he worked for a company in exposure to UV radiation can seriously damage the eye, leading to cataracts, skin cancer around the eyelid and other eye disorders. procedure. You don’t know give legal advice,” the website Israel, didn’t do anything in Protecting your eyes is important to maintaining eye health now and in the future. how they’re going to react. says. America,” his wife said. “He Shield your eyes (and your family’s eyes) from harmful UV rays. Wear sunglasses with maximum UV protection. They might try to flee. Use of The company did not re- was an expert witness on restraints does not mean that spond to several phone and multiple cases for the police For more information, visit www.thevisioncouncil.org/consumers/sunglasses. A public service message from The Vision Council. you have committed a crime. email inquiries from JTA. in Israel cracking down on It is a preventative measure.” Had Abta “been working illegal marijuana. Abta -- whose name in with immigration attorneys “If my husband is being la- Hebrew is pronounced Avta of good standing, they would beled a drug trafficker because and is occasionally spelled have advised him to provide he had a marijuana staff card, that way by family members proof of status other than a then what is everyone in the -- first came to the U.S. in medical marijuana ID card,” state of Nevada?” HERITAGE FLORIDA JEWISH NEWS, FEBRUARY 9, 2018 PAGE 13A Weekly roundup of world briefs from JTA

Republican Party in Il- California home, pleaded not Janet Yellen: I would as a victim of slavery or human arrested and sentenced to 15 belonging to an international linois rejects Holocaust guilty to murder charges. have liked to serve trafficking, and those who had years of hard labor for stealing crime organization was cap- denier nominee for Samuel Woodward, 20, of another term as head of requested asylum by the end a propaganda poster. After in- tured and extradited from Congress Newport Beach, California, Federal Reserve of 2017 but haven’t gotten a ternational outrage and over a Colombia. (JTA)—A Holocaust denier, was ordered held on $5 million (JTA)—Janet Yellen said she response, Haaretz reported. year of imprisonment, North Binyamin Cohen, 35, was ex- anti-Semite and white su- bail, after he issued his plea was disappointed that Presi- There currently are up to Korea released Warmbier in tradited on Sunday and will face premacist is about to become on Friday in Orange County dent Donald Trump did not 40,000 Eritreans and Suda- June, saying his health had trial in Israel on drug traffick- the Republican nominee for Superior Court. It was raised keep her on for a second term as nese living in Israel, including deteriorated after a bout of ing charges. He had been ar- an Illinois congressional seat. from $2 million after the Federal Reserve chairwoman. 5,000 children. botulism. Warmbier’s doctors rested in Medellin, Colombia’s Arthur Jones, a perennial judge determined that the “I would have liked to serve Human rights activists in said he suffered extensive second largest city, on crimes candidate since the 1990s for teen was a flight risk. If he an additional term and I did Israel and major U.S. Jewish brain damage. He died on including arms trafficking, the 3rd Congressional District makes bail he will be under make that clear, so I will say organizations have urged the June 19, 2017, in Cincinnati. car robbery, home burglary, representing parts of Chicago several restrictions, including I was disappointed not to be government not to go ahead The family had hidden human trafficking and smug- and its southwestern suburbs, GPS monitoring, a curfew reappointed,” Yellen told “PBS with the plan to force the Warmbier’s Jewishness dur- gling cocaine from the South in a political fluke is the only and a protective order for the NewsHour” on Friday. migrants to choose between ing negotiations for his re- American country to the Jewish Republican candidate on the Bernstein family. Yellen officially ended her jail and deportation. turn. Warmbier, whose moth- state, the local news website El ballot, the Chicago Sun-Times He will return to court on four-year term on Saturday. Meanwhile, Prime Min- er is Jewish, became active Caracol reported. reported Sunday. The primary March 2, according to reports. She had submitted her resig- ister Benjamin Netanyahu at the University of Virginia In 2013, Cohen was sen- will be held on March 20. Woodward was charged last nation from the board of gov- on Sunday reportedly told campus Hillel following a 2014 tenced to 392 days in prison Jones, 70, is a retired insur- month with murder. The fel- ernors of the Federal Reserve government ministers from Birthright trip to Israel. for attempted homicide but ance salesman. His website ony murder charge included in November after Trump, in his party that Jewish billion- Fred and Cindy Warmbier he reportedly did not serve for this congressional run, a sentence enhancement for a break with tradition, did not aire George Soros is funding attended President Donald the term. Art Jones for Congressman, using a knife. reappoint her. Trump instead a protest campaign against Trump’s State of the Union In November, another says by way of introduction: The Orange County Reg- nominated current Federal Israel’s deportation plan. address last week as guests Israeli was expelled from “I am not now, nor have I ever ister, citing a search warrant Reserve Governor Jerome “George Soros is also fund- of the president and first lady Colombia accused of run- been a follower of any political affidavit obtained by the news- Powell to take over as head ing the protests. Obama de- Melania Trump, where they ning illegal sex tourism. Assi party, though I am a registered paper, reported that Bernstein of the central bank. ported two million infiltrators received a standing ovation Ben-Mosh, 43, allegedly led Republican.” had been stabbed more than Yellen, 71, could have and they didn’t say anything,” during the speech a network that offered trips A section of the site headed 20 times, leading authorities chosen to remain a governor, Haaretz reported. Palestinian stabs Israeli with drugs and underage “Holocaust?” says that “The to investigate whether the since she was appointed to the Hungarian Prime Minister father of 4 to death in prostitutes. He is banned idea that ‘Six Million Jews’ teen was killed in an act of board by President Barack Viktor Orban last year ran West Bank from returning to Colombia were killed by the Nationalist rage. Bernstein was gay and is Obama for an unexpired term a government campaign JERUSALEM (JTA)—An for 10 years. Socialist government of Ger- believed to have been pursu- ending in 2024. However, The against Soros, accusing him Israeli father of four was fatally Colombia is home to some many in World War II is the ing a romantic relationship Wall Street Journal reported of lobbying to settle millions stabbed in the West Bank 3,500 Jews in a population of biggest blackest lie in history.” with Woodward. that she chose to leave for a of migrants in Hungary and settlement of Ariel. about 49 million. It also calls the Holocaust a Woodward was arrested position at a fiscal think tank. other European countries. Israeli security forces are Sam Bloch, a leader of “racket” designed to “bleed, after crime lab technicians Starting Monday, Yellen will Israel woos Walmart searching the area for the the Holocaust survivor blackmail, extort and terror- determined that blood found become a distinguished fel- with a promise of eased Palestinian assailant in the community, dies at 94 ize the enemies of organized on a sleeping bag in his pos- low in residence in economic ‘regulatory burdens’ Monday afternoon attack, the (JTA)—Sam Bloch, a Holo- world Jewry into silence or session belonged to Bernstein, studies at the Hutchins Center JERUSALEM (JTA)—Is- Israel Defense Forces spokes- caust survivor who commit- submissiveness to Zionism the Register reported. The on Fiscal and Monetary Policy rael appears to be wooing man said. An IDF officer who ted much of his life to ensuring and communism – both move- murder weapon reportedly at the Brookings Institution. Walmart. identified the attacker began that the murder of millions of ments founded, financed and has not been found. Wood- Ben Bernanke, Yellen’s Prime Minister Benjamin to pursue him in his vehicle Jews would not be denied and led by Jews. “ ward could face a maximum predecessor, also is a fellow at Netanyahu spoke to senior and hit him, but the attacker the lives they led would not be Jones is a former leader of sentence of 26 years to life in the Washington, D.C., center. Walmart Inc. executive John still was able to flee, according forgotten, has died. the American Nazi Party and state prison. During the 2016 presiden- Furner at a meeting on the to the IDF. Bloch, who was an ex- now heads a group called the Woodward is an “avowed tial campaign, Trump alleged sidelines of the World Eco- The attacker’s backpack was ecutive of the World Zionist America First Committee, Nazi” and a member of Atom- that Yellen kept interest rates nomic Forum last month in found on the scene containing Organization and the Jewish which he told the Sun-Times is waffen Division, an extremist low for political reasons to Davos, Switzerland, Bloom- a change of clothes and his Agency for 50 years, died “open to any white American neo-Nazi group, the ProPubli- benefit Obama. berg reported, citing Netan- identification card, as well Sunday. He was 94. citizen of European, non- ca news website reported. Yellen was the first woman yahu’s economic adviser Avi as personal items. Hebrew- He was one of the principal Jewish descent.” There was no evidence and the fourth Jew to serve as Simhon. language media later reported organizers of historic survivor Tim Schneider, chairman of that the two were friends at Fed chair. She and her hus- Netanyahu and Furner that the attacker, Ais Abed gatherings in Jerusalem, the Illinois Republican Party, the Orange County School of band, George Akerlof, a 2001 reportedly discussed the idea El-Hakim, 19, is an Israeli Washington, D.C., Phila- said in a statement to the Sun- the Arts, where they attended Nobel economics laureate, of Walmart opening a retail citizen and resident of Jaffa, delphia and New York. The Times: “The Illinois Repub- high school. were active in the Bay Area branch in Israel and also of the son of an Israeli mother New York Times published a lican Party and our country Bernstein had been visiting Jewish community when Ak- the company investing in from Haifa and a Palestinian lengthy article about Bloch have no place for Nazis like his parents’ home in Lake For- erlof taught at the University Israeli technologies, Simhon father from Nablus. and his family in 1981 as they Arthur Jones. We strongly est while on winter break from of California, Berkeley. told Bloomberg. The victim, identified as prepared to attend the World oppose his racist views and the University of Pennsylva- Israel begins distribut- Simhon, who was present at Rabbi Itamar Ben Gal, 29, Gathering of Jewish Holo- his candidacy for any public nia. His body was discovered ing deportation notices the meeting, said Netanyahu from the nearby settlement of caust Survivors in Jerusalem. office, including the 3rd Con- in a shallow grave in Borrego to African migrants offered to “ease regulatory Har Bracha, was stabbed mul- ”Memory strengthens our gressional District.” Park on Jan. 9, a week after JERUSALEM (JTA)—Israel burdens wherever possible to tiple times on his upper body humanity, makes us better In 2016, Jones was removed he went missing from there. began the process of serving make the market more acces- at a bus stop near the entrance persons to one another, to from the district’s GOP ballot Hundreds attended a candle- deportation notices to African sible to them.” to Ariel. Paramedics worked our children,” Bloch told The in legal actions engineered by light vigil in his memory after refugees from Eritrea and In November, reports sur- to resuscitate him on the way Times. “Maybe we don’t smile the Illinois Republican Party, the discovery was announced. Sudan. faced that Amazon was in to a hospital in central Israel, or laugh as others do, but we which determined that his The family announced on a The notices started being talks to lease at least 270,000 where he was pronounced cherish our lives; they were nominating petitions had website established in Blazes’ distributed on Sunday, ac- square feet of warehouses to dead. so hard won.” too many faulty signatures, memory that it will hold cording to reports. set up a retail shipping cen- The mayor of Ariel, Eli Bloch was a founder of Beit according to the Sun-Times. later this month “#BlazeIt- The first notices will be ter in Israel, and also had plans Shaviro, called on the Israeli Hatfutsot: The Museum of the This time, Jones was more Forward: A Tribute to Blaze issued to single men without to launch a targeted website government to impose sov- Jewish People (then known careful to have valid signa- Bernstein and a Communal children, a total of about for Israeli consumers. ereignty over Jewish settle- as the Museum of the Jewish tures and could not be thrown Call for Kindness.” The event 20,000 men. The men, who Otto Warmbier’s father will ments in the West Bank, Diaspora) and served as chair- off the ballot. scheduled for Feb. 25 in have to renew their residence attend Olympics opening with calling it the “answer to man of the American Friends The district is one of the Costa Mesa, California, will visas every two months, are Vice President Mike Pence Palestinian terrorism.” of Beit Hatfutsot and a mem- most heavily Democratic in include recognition of police receiving the deportation no- (JTA)—The father of Otto Israel’s Ambassador to the ber of its Board of Governors. the state, and Jones will most and volunteers who helped in tices with their visa renewal. Warmbier, the University of United Nations, Danny Danon, For many years he was also a likely be defeated in the No- the search for the teen; and They have been threatened Virginia student imprisoned calls on the Security Council member of the board of direc- vember race. The Republican readings of selected writings with indefinite incarceration by North Korea who died after to “unequivocally condemn” tors of the American Section Party does not invest heavily by Blaze. if they do not leave. being sent back comatose to the attack. “Instead of inviting of the World Jewish Congress. in fielding a candidate for the Blaze’s mother Jeanne Israel’s Cabinet last month the United States, will attend Mahmoud Abbas to address In addition, Bloch was district since he or she likely Pepper wrote in a first-person approved a plan and the the Winter Olympics opening the Security Council to dis- a founding member of the will lose, which is how Jones article last week that in the budget to deport thousands ceremonies in South Korea seminate lies and hate, the International Society for Yad came to be the only candidate. face of Blaze’s murder, she of migrants from Sudan and as a guest of Vice President Council should unequivo- Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Jones said last spring in a and her husband “realized Eritrea. Mike Pence. cally condemn this attack and remembrance authority, and speech to a National Socialist that we had an opportunity to Prior to that, the Popula- Pence will lead the U.S. demand that he stop paying a founder of the American Movement gathering that he set an example for people ev- tion and Immigration Author- delegation at the ceremonies stipends to terrorists,” he said Friends of the IDF. was sorry he voted for Presi- erywhere. To show them how ity notified migrants from on Friday in Pyeongchang in a statement. Abbas, the Bloch was born in Ivie, Po- dent Donald Trump, who has even in the face of tragedy and Sudan and Eritrea that as following his five-day trip president of the Paslestinian land, in what today is Belarus. “surrounded himself with loss, there is something better of Jan. 1, they must return to Japan and South Korea. Authority, is scheduled to He attended high school in Vil- hordes of Jews,” including his to concentrate on rather than to their own countries or to The Washington Post first deliver a speech to the council na, and was home on a school Jewish son-in-law Jared Kush- bitterness, revenge, self-pity, a third nation, or be sent to reported that Warmbier will later this month, addressing break when World War II broke ner, the Sun-Times reported, and regret. We wanted people jail until they are deported. accompany the vice president the United States’ recognition out, according to information citing a YouTube recording of to embrace love, tolerance, According to the government at the Olympics. of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. provided by his family. His the speech. and kindness; to do good. Our plan, migrants who choose to The vice president’s trip is Hamas reportedly praised father was murdered by the Blaze Bernstein’s high goal was to repair our broken leave by March 31 will receive part of a U.S. pressure cam- the deadly stabbing attack, Einsatzgruppen Nazi mobile school classmate pleads world one child at time, one a payment of $3,500 as well as paign on North Korea against calling it “proof that the al- killing unit, and Bloch, his not guilty to murder kind act at a time, one day at free airfare and other incen- its nuclear ambitions, accord- Quds intifada continues.” mother and brother escaped (JTA)—A former high time. For us specifically, we tives, according to reports. ing to the newspaper. Colombia extradites from the Jewish ghetto and school classmate of Blaze Ber- decided to use the platform we For now, deportation no- Warmbier, 22, a Cincin- Israeli for drug and hu- hid first with Christian farm- nstein, 19, the Jewish college were given as Blaze’s parents tices will not be issued to nati native, was traveling on man trafficking ers and then in the woods. student found dead in a park to fulfill his destiny to make women, children, fathers of a student tour of North Korea RIO DE JANEIRO (JTA)— near his parents’ Southern the world a better place.” children, anyone recognized in early 2016 when he was An Israeli citizen accused of JTA on page 15A PAGE 14A HERITAGE FLORIDA JEWISH NEWS, FEBRUARY 9, 2018 Meet the 90-year-old great-grandmother who is the new face of JDate Springfield, New Jersey, where know...’”—which happens to her co-stars stood out because she has lived for 65 years, she be her response to virtually of “their heart, their humor, talked more readily about her every question. style. They all had their own family (two sons, Mitch and It’s a principle she applies chutzpah and heimishe feel.” Jeff Slater; a daughter, Diane to herself as well as those The photographs for JDate Bedrin; four grandchildren; around her. A few years ago, were taken by Randal Ford, and six great-grandchildren), Slater persuaded her grand- a sought-after commercial but was content to answer daughter Fanny Slater to photographer. questions about how she is enter TV personality and Some 60 years ago, Slater enjoying her newfound fame. celebrity cook Rachael Ray’s and her husband helped “When my picture is up in “Great American Cookbook co-found their synagogue, the subway, then I’ll really be Competition.” Slater was in Temple Shaarey Shalom, the a star,” she said. the audience when Fanny was Reform congregation near Though she has never mod- named the winner, and in Feb- her home. It was a big part of eled professionally—and the ruary, both grandmother and their and their children’s lives. last time she did any acting granddaughter will appear on Going on without Jack was a was in eighth grade—posing “The Best Thing I Ever Ate,” a challenge, Bea acknowledged, came easily. Slater, who grew show on the Cooking Channel. and many of her friends are up in West Philadelphia, was A few months ago Mitch, gone, too, or not as youthful a much-pictured daughter of who has a wide circle of friends as she is. Still, she attends the a photographer. She became in showbiz, including Bruce temple’s Renaissance Club, a photographer herself when Springsteen and his cohort, drives (though not at night) she grew up, at least until she arranged for his mother to and keeps up an active social turned her focus to raising introduce Steve Van Zandt (of life. And now she’s audition- her kids. Almost every wall the Boss’s E Street Band) and ing for other advertising in her home is adorned with his band, Little Steven and the campaigns. Bea Slater in front of some ads in which she is featured. family photos, assembled Disciples of Soul, at a concert Asked what Jack would and collaged by her father on Staten Island. She admit- make of her celebrity, Slater By Elaine Durbach girls for senior dating. Rather, SE. Roth said grandmothers and, after he passed away, by ted to being nervous standing laughed. JDate is promoting their im- have labored forever to ensure her husband Jack, who died alone in the spotlight (with “He’d have said, ‘Do you WHIPPANY, N.J. (New Jer- ages to suggest that it is “yen- that young Jews meet and in 2009. the protective Mitch hovering know what you’re getting sey Jewish News via JTA)—If tas” like them who are work- procreate in order to sustain In November, a friend nearby). yourself into?’ He was much Bea Slater had ever been a ing out the site’s algorithms to the tribe. mentioned to her son Mitch “I didn’t want to disappoint more conservative than me,” shrinking violet, her sudden find that perfect match. One “Bea was an instant star,” that JDate was trying to find Steve,” she recalled. Later, to she said. celebrity might be uncom- ad, featuring Slater hard at he said. “She has one of the older women for a marketing her astonishment, Slater was As for using JDate herself, fortable. At 90, the great- work on a laptop, reads “Her most expressive and comedic campaign. He told his older mobbed by fans who wanted she is adamant that she has grandmother has her image dreidel game is filthy. But her faces I’ve ever seen. We had an brother, Jeff, a marketing to take selfies with her. “absolutely no interest in plastered on billboards and code is clean.” (Translation: embarrassment of riches—so executive, who initially dis- Slater was chosen by the meeting anyone. I’d never find bus shelters up and down She’s a great dreidel player, many funny photos of Bea missed the idea, sure their Donna Grossman Casting anyone as good as what I had.” Manhattan and in Brooklyn. and even better at writing to choose from. She was hi- mom wouldn’t be up for it. Agency. Speaking for Gross- But like so many Jewish There’s even one on the roof computer code.) larious on set and an absolute But the younger brother, a man and her team, Paul grandmothers, Slater is eager above Junior’s, the famous The “Powered by Yentas” delight to work with.” financial adviser, called back Bernstein said they auditioned to help others find love. cheesecake place. concept came from copy- Slater, not a coder though Jeff within minutes to let him approximately 40 women, “There should be more Along with three other writer and standup comedian a savvy computer-literate so- know that not only did he though many more applied. money next time, though,” women nearly as old as she, David Roth, who produced cial media user, is taking her decide to broach the subject They were looking for “au- she added, with exactly the she has become the face of the campaign with Hogarth celebrity status in stride, lov- with their mother, but Bea had thentic Jewish grandmoth- kind of twinkle in her eyes JDate, the Jewish matchmak- Worldwide for JDate’s parent ing every aspect and eager for agreed on the spot. ers in their late 80s to 90s,” that got her the JDate gig in ing site. They’re not poster company, Spark Networks more. Chatting in her home in “I said, ‘You never Bernstein said, and Slater and the first place. Chabad From page 1A “It’s a great pleasure,” to learn how to be able to Litzman said, “and others library that is open to the and, indeed, found it at most he said. “This is something host many people.” are thinking about the fact public. of the bookstores he visited.) For Litzman, the Olympics that we have been waiting Until the Chabad house that many Jews are successful “Israel Culture Center will Many South Koreans have serve as a way to reach more for. It’s a great opportu- opened in 2008, the only and in monetary areas they continuously work hard to be a positive view of Israel. Some people and expand Chabad’s nity for us to expand our Jewish services were at the are trying to figure out how a place where Israel’s unique 800 South Koreans live in the work in the country. services and to grow and U.S. Army base in the capital, to do it.” culture is introduced to Ko- Jewish state, with many more according to a website for ex- Others, he added, want reans and significant friend- going there to study Hebrew pats. Today, the Chabad house to learn about the Torah or ship is being birthed between and the Bible. Most of these serves as a resource not only , or come because they Koreans and Israelis,” the enthusiasts are drawn to to Jews but non-Jews as well. love Israel or have had posi- representative said. Israel because of their reli- “There are many Koreans tive experiences with Jewish South Koreans’ fascination gious beliefs as evangelical coming here on a daily basis. people. with Judaism has been widely Christians. Christianity is They want to learn about South Koreans who want documented. the largest organized religion Judaism, to buy kosher food, to learn about Hebrew and “Each Korean family has at in South Korea, with nearly ask questions, [receive] guid- Israel have another place to least one copy of the Talmud,” 30 percent of the population ance,” Litzman said. “We go as well: the Israel Culture the country’s then-ambas- identifying as Christians. invite them to come when- Center in Seoul. The venue sador to Israel, Young-sam Unlike many Chabad emis- ever they want during the teaches Hebrew and pro- Ma, told an Israeli TV host in saries, Litzman said he and weekdays.” motes Israeli culture, some- 2011. “Korean mothers want his family do not have to deal Non-Jewish South Koreans times holding events with the to know how so many Jewish with safety concerns and anti- have various reasons for want- Israeli Embassy. Founded in people became geniuses.” Semitism. ing to learn about Judaism, 2000, some 3,000 students (A New Yorker reporter who “We feel blessed to be in he said. have studied Hebrew—both followed up on the claim sug- such a country that there is “Some are just astonished modern and biblical—at the gested that he meant a one- admiration to Jews and espe- by the fact that we have so center, a representative told volume popularization of the cially to Israel,” he said, “and many enemies and we still JTA in an email. The center vast, multi-volume compen- in general Korea is a very safe survive and we thrive,” also has a Jewish studies dium of Jewish law and lore, country.” Authors From page 1A and publicity director at Pimps, Hos, Playa Hatas, and Way Guide to Life,” helps 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Judith Regan’s imprint, All the Rest of My Hollywood readers to overcome personal R A C Y V E S T H E I S T an adult title, “A Knitter’s ReganMedia/HarperCollins. Friends (Ecco) and Kenny obstacles, fear and stereo- 14 15 16 Loeber has spearheaded Loggins’ Footloose (Quarto). types and reach their goals. A C R E O A H U E S T E E Home Companion.” 17 18 19 Pam Jenoff is the author of publicity campaigns for a ton The day will feature the General admission tickets T H E S E C R E T G A R D E N several novels, including the of bold face names: Michael four Jewish authors in three are $10 per talk (open seating), 20 21 22 Jordan, Lawrence Taylor, time slots: PJ Library chil- with a VIP reserved seating in E V A V A N E O D E international bestseller “The 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Kommandant’s Girl,” which Cindy Crawford, Olympia dren’s book author, Michelle the first two rows ticket op- D A M S E L T H E G I V E R also earned her a Quill Award Dukakis, Tommy Lee, Pamela Edwards (11:15 a.m.—12:15 tion of $30 for all three talks. 30 31 32 33 Anderson, Anthony Bour- p.m). This is a free event Package price of $15 for two T R I P E S E I D O nomination. 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 Paul Goldberg is the au- dain, Ewan McGregor, Gloria featuring kid-friendly story sessions. E S P Y S E A L A D L I B thor of “The Yid” and two Allred, Marlo Thomas, Wanda time; a panel discussion Tickets can be purchased 41 42 43 Sykes, LeRoy Neiman, Blair with award-winning fiction at www.orlandojcc.org/book- T H E L I T T L E P R I N C E books on the Soviet human 44 45 46 rights movement, and has co- Underwood, Jon Gruden, authors Pam Jenoff and Paul fest. Any media questions can H A T E R I S N O G A T S authored (with Otis Brawley) Leon Uris, Celia Cruz, Bill Goldberg (1 p.m.—2 p.m.), be directed to Leah Sandler, 47 48 49 50 51 Blass, and Dr. Andrew Weil, who will give a behind-the- Cultural Arts coordinator O L E O A T E L L E the book “How We Do Harm.” 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 He is the editor and publisher Promoted key health and scenes look into a few of their for The Roth Family JCC of S T R A N G E R Y O M T O V of The Cancer Letter, a publi- wellness programs at The best sellers and a look into Greater Orlando. 59 60 61 62 cation focused on the business Kripalu Center for Yoga & the lives of an author; and There will be complimen- T I E I A G O A B A 63 64 65 66 67 and politics of cancer. Health, the largest retreat a discussion with self-man- tary babysitting at the JCC for G R E E N E G G S A N D H A M Justin Loeber is a self- center in North America. He agement expert and veteran children ages 2-12; advanced 68 69 70 made entrepreneur with was also instrumental in bro- publisher Justin Loeber (2 registration is required and S C R A G A H E M P O M P 71 72 73 a true American spirit. an kering book deals for many, p.m.—3 p.m.), who’s recent is done at the time of ticket W A R M S S T A Y S E A S SVP, Executive Marketing including John Leguizamo’s book, “Get out of Your Own purchase. HERITAGE FLORIDA JEWISH NEWS, FEBRUARY 9, 2018 PAGE 15A Jaki said that Polish citizens “No one was aware that Dziedziczak dismissed The U.S. State Department subject of attack by the Is- Poles tried to sue German newspa- Israel would protest at all,” comments by Israeli law- on Wednesday criticized the raeli elite and Jewish circles From page 1A pers for use of the term “Polish he said. “There was no signal maker Yair Lapid, the son of Polish legislation, which in the world for many days.” death camps,” but the courts over that last year that there a Holocaust survivor, who said it said “could undermine He said making it impossible would open an “immediate refused because citizens did would be a protest against this there was complicity by Poles free speech and academic to organize a demonstration dialogue” over the legislation. not have the right to appear law. How could we know? The in the Holocaust. discourse.” According to the next to the Israeli Embassy is Eight U.S. members of on behalf of the state. ambassador’s task was to sig- “This is the proof that this State Department’s state- to limit the “voice of citizens Congress signed a joint letter In January, a German court nal if she has any comments. law is essential,” said the Pol- ment, the bill “could have who wanted to defend Polish on the legislation to Duda. The in Koblenz issued a verdict Let us assume that if there is ish official. [repercussions] on Poland’s dignity.” Winnicki called the American lawmakers point ordering ZDF television to a dispute, Poland is not always The deputy speaker of the strategic interests and rela- decision “scandalous and out that Poland was one of apologize for using the term guilty. Let’s look at what words Senate, Bogdan Borusewicz, tionships—including with the unacceptable.” the countries that suffered “Polish death camps.” The Israeli politicians are using filed a proposal to reject the United States and Israel. The “It’s false that we had an the most during World War II, station had been sued by for- towards Poland now.” new law. He said that Jewish resulting divisions that may excellent relationship with and recall the merits of many mer Auschwitz inmate Karol Jaki said he was meeting organizations in the U.S. sup- arise among our allies benefit Israel,” he said. “We really Poles who, despite the threat Tendera. The court in Koblenz intensively with Israeli Am- ported Polish efforts to join only our rivals.” had a unilateral unrequited of the death, saved Jews. found that there had been a bassador Anna Azari, but they NATO and “fought with the Meanwhile, a demonstra- love of the Polish political “However, many cases have violation of Tendera’s personal were mainly talking about term ‘Polish camps’ with us.” tion of Polish national orga- class to Israel.” The lawmaker also been documented where rights and ordered publication reprivatization of Jewish “This is our most im- nizations planned Wednesday urged the Polish government Poles—directly or indirectly— of the apology. ZDF may ap- property and assets. portant ally. Now we are in front of the Israeli Embassy to “rise from its knees in its assisted the Nazis in murder- peal the judgment. Jan Dziedziczak, secretary entering into conflict with in Warsaw did not take place. relations with Israel.” ing innocent Jews. Punishing Jaki wants the Poles to show of state in the Ministry of the United States,” he said. The organizers canceled the Winnicki also said he re- anyone for talking about these their successes in saving Jews Foreign Affairs, said the new “This law makes the seams event after officials issued a sents that an amendment facts would be an injustice,” and talk about heroes, such as law is part of a struggle for of anti-Semitism that are in ban on closing streets near to the Act on the Institute the lawmakers wrote. Witold Pilecki, who informed Poland’s reputation on the the Polish nation come to the the embassy. The ban is valid of National Remembrance Patryk Jaki, the author of the world about Auschwitz, international stage. surface. The Polish govern- until Feb. 5. Nationalists said was reviewed with the Israeli the legislation, said during de- and publicize the Righteous “Our country always stood ment is responsible for this.” they would meet on social me- ambassador. He also called bate in the Polish Senate that Among the Nations who saved on the side of the weaker: We Senate Speaker Stanisław dia instead of at the embassy. Poland a “hostage” to the “Poland was the only occupied Jews and the Polish people first said ‘no’ to Hitler and did Karczewski said the legisla- Lawmaker Robert Win- United States. country in which no local SS who helped in deciphering not collaborate,” he said. The tion was written “to look after nicki, who heads an ultra- “We have a lot to do with group was active, there was Nazi code. Polish Underground State un- the good name of Poland.” nationalist organization in Arab countries,” he said. “It is no institutional cooperation Jaki said that no one could ambiguously decided to save “We want the Jews to be our Poland, in a news conference not our business to stand by with Hitler, which there was have predicted Israel’s reac- Jews. We know it, but now the friends. We will meet, debate, in the Sejm on Wednesday Israel’s side. We must behave in stronger countries.” tion to the legislation. world has a different picture.” talk,” he said. said that “Poland has been with dignity.” The 35 From page 5A even with rocks in their hand. While the battle was a with the Arab irregulars. On undermining claims that they Jonathan Feldstein was Many of the men’s bodies were tremendous physical loss and May 13, the day before Israel are somehow “occupied” or born and educated in the U.S. The battle lasted all day and mutilated beyond recognition diminished morale, the battle declared independence, all but Jews have no historical pres- and immigrated to Israel in it’s believed that the Jewish as part of the Arab “celebra- had a tremendous psychologi- a handful of the final defend- ence there. 2004. He is married and the soldiers were trying to hold tion” of their victory. cal effect on the Arabs. They ers of these communities were It’s incredible to live in father of six. He has a three- out until night when the Arabs Eulogizing the 35 brave resisted attacking the Jewish viciously slaughtered. this part of the Land of Israel decade career in nonprofit would have to retreat for rein- soldiers, David Ben-Gurion communities further citing After the 1967 Six Day War, where literally we follow in fundraising and marketing forcements. But they ran out of who would become Israel’s fear that more Jewish soldiers Israel was able to reclaim Gush the footsteps of our biblical and throughout his life and ammunition and were outnum- first prime minister said, “’If would be coming to provide Etzion where these communi- ancestors and modern day career, he has become a re- bered by the hundreds, so much there exists a Jewish Jerusa- reinforcements, and noting ties had thrived, and have now heroes. There’s a wonderful spected bridge between Jews so that they took to defending lem, our foremost thanks go to that based on how heroically been rebuilt and thrive again. book that chronicles much of and Christians. He writes themselves with stones. the defenders of Gush Etzion.” the 35 men fought, the Arabs Recently, after a long case, the history of the life and, ul- regularly on major Christian The following day, when Even Sheikh Ibrihim from the would never be able to win. Israel’s Supreme Court af- timately, destruction of these web sites about Israel and the bodies were recovered Arab village of Jab’a who took The Israeli communities firmed that the land on which communities called “Siege in shares experiences of living by then-occupying British part in the battle praised the were able to hang on until these communities were the Hills of Hebron.” as an Orthodox Jew in Israel. forces, they noted that some 35, “If I am to die, I want to they were overrun by well- founded and reestablished are Please be in touch and come He can be reached at FirstPer- of the Jewish soldiers died die like these heroes.” trained Jordanian forces along privately owned Jewish land, visit and be inspired yourself. [email protected].

Nominee From page 7A they come with complaints of see as political dispute” are tion. An array of right-wing to school integration might the appointment of Chai anti-Semitism,” Cooper said anti-Semitism, said Eric Fus- Jewish groups wrote to disqualify a candidate, but Feldblum to the Equal Em- Simon Wiesenthal Center, in an interview. “Ken Marcus field, the group’s director of the committee urging his little short of that. ployment Opportunity Com- said his group might also is uniquely qualified to fill legislative affairs. “With Ken nomination, among them The officials at centrist mission. Feldblum, who is gay, oppose Marcus on discrete that gap.” Marcus, there’s no need to the Zionist Organization of groups that have endorsed angered the right by backing issues, but his position at the Marcus’ extensive ex- have that discussion because America, Americans for a Safe Marcus, like the AJC, the LGBTQ anti-discrimination forefront of a signature issue perience combating anti- he authored the book on anti- Israel and CAMERA. Wiesenthal Center and B’nai measures. for the center—advancing a Semitism also led to his Semitism.” Decades ago, conservative B’rith, decried the polariza- The NCJW’s Williams said definition of anti-Semitism endorsement by B’nai B’rith (Notably, Jewish Women or liberal credentials would tion that frustrated their coalitions matter and some- that includes some anti-Israel International. International, which is an not be a barrier to bipartisan efforts to increase bipartisan times one heeded allies in postures—made endorsing “We’ve communicated with offshoot of B’nai B’rith, has approval. Lawmakers once support for Marcus. (The decrying what they see as an him a no-brainer. Education Department offi- joined with another offshoot, agreed that a Democratic Anti-Defamation League assault on basic rights. “The problems that we cials in recent years and had BBYO, in developing anti- or a Republican president’s declined multiple requests “As a civil rights commu- have with the history of the to spend a certain amount of harassment programs.) choices should be considered for comment on the Marcus nity we stand together,” she [Education Department’s] time explaining the problem, Marcus is a conserva- based on their qualifications nomination.) Stern likened said. “It is not enough that civil rights division is its identifying manifestations of tive; he worked in similar and only in rare instances liberal opposition to Marcus Marcus would protect the civil failure to in any way, shape or anti-Semitism and explain- civil rights capacities for the ideology. In those days, the to a conservative swell against rights of one community and form take seriously kids when ing that some things they George W. Bush administra- AJC’s Stern said, opposition Trump’s decision to extend not another.” Shabbos JTA From page 10A also professors at Academy of was a shanda!” he said). That From page 13A II Memorial Sites in Lower as editor of the Bergen-Belsen Career Training and used their job fell to Peguero, worked Saxony, Germany, and served Memorial Press, and edited want—after college, his father expertise to become platform with the women to cut their They later joined the Bielski as a member of its board. numerous significant docu- told him. artists and educators around natural hair and fix their wigs. partisan brigade and were able In 1981, Elie Wiesel, then- mentary volumes. His first two years at Queens the world—including Paris, Ten years ago, Vazquez’s to survive the war. chairman of the U.S. Ho- “Sam was a giant, one of Borough Community College, England, Italy, Japan Thailand, parents retired and moved to He was the youngest leader locaust Memorial Council, the last of what was truly the Vazquez studied liberal arts South and Central America. Kissimmee, Florida. Ruben, of the Jewish Committee that appointed him as chairman ‘Greatest Generation’ who with a self-admitted minor In their shops in Wood- and Cindy and their two governed the Bergen-Belsen of the council’s Board of emerged from the devastation in “looking for girls.” By his mere, Vazquez and Peguero children were spending more Displaced Persons Camp, the Advisers as well as a member of the Shoah not with bitter- junior year, however, Vazquez catered to their modern and more time in Florida. The largest Jewish DP camp in of its Development, Days of ness and hatred, but with a realized that he was interested Orthodox clientele. Vazquez visits increased when Ruben’s Germany and a major center Remembrance, and Content determination to create new in religion. A Catholic raised became an expert at cutting mother was diagnosed with for the rehabilitation of 50,000 committees. families, and rebuild Jewish in a community of Jews, he the hair and beards of the cancer. The Vasquez’ decided survivors of the Holocaust, as Bloch was appointed by life, all the while devoting his completed a bachelor’s in Orthodox men. He knew how to move south to be close to well as the flight and rescue op- then-New York Mayor Ed energies to perpetuating Ho- theology. Over the next few to follow the Jewish rules on both their families. Ruben’s erations in Europe that brought Koch to the commission that locaust memory and strength- years, he was involved in shaving, which were based mother passed away in 2010. survivors to then-Palestine. created the Museum of Jewish ening Jewish identity,” said missionary work and even did on Leviticus: “You shall not Ruben’s father has since He met and married his Heritage-A Living Memorial to Menachem Rosensaft, Bloch’s some Pentecostal tent revival round the corners of your remarried. wife of 69 years, Lilly Czaban, the Holocaust. As chair of the son-in-law, who himself was meetings. In between all of head, neither shall you mar In 2016, Cindy and Ruben in the DP camp, from where Jewish section of the Swiss Hu- born in the Bergen-Belsen DP this, he got his certificate in the corners of your beard” opened up Bellissimo’s, a salon they immigrated to the United manitarian Fund, he assisted camp and was the founding Cosmetology from the State (19:27). This involved very down the street from a 55+ States. in distributing $180 million to chairman of the International of New York under an ap- specific guidelines on how community. They no longer Bloch served as president needy survivors. He continued Network of Children of Jewish prenticeship program. to shave the back of the neck are taking care of the modern of the American Gathering of to serve on the board of the Holocaust Survivors. “He He soon met Cindy Peguero, and under the chin. Although Orthodox, but people from So- Jewish Holocaust Survivors Conference on Jewish Material was a lifelong Zionist who a transplant from Florida who most of the men didn’t wear livita—many of them Jewish— and Their Descendants; presi- Claims Against Germany until dedicated himself to the unity also had a cosmetology de- payot, the long sidelocks, the have become their customers. dent of the World Federation his death. of the Jewish people with the gree. The two of them opened hair could not be cut above “Baruch HaShem!” said of Bergen-Belsen Survivors He published 30 volumes State of Israel at its core.” two salons in Five Towns, a certain spot on the cheek- Ruben Vazquez. With G-d’s Associations; chairman of of Holocaust memoirs, his- He is survived by his wife, Woodmere and Bensonhurst bone. Vazquez could not work help, my business will con- the Advisory Council of the tory and poetry, in English, two daughters, grandchildren (Ragtime Brooklyn). They were on the women’s hair (“That tinue to grow!” Foundation for World War Hebrew and Yiddish editions, and great grandchildren. PAGE 16A HERITAGE FLORIDA JEWISH NEWS, FEBRUARY 9, 2018 Winter Olympics 2018: 5 Jewish storylines to watch

Frederick Breedon/Getty Images Jonathon Blum playing for the Nashville Predators at the Tennessee city’s Bridgestone Arena, Feb. 19, 2013.

Adam Pretty/Bongarts/Getty Images A.J. Edelman of Israel competing at the IBSF World Championships in Innsbruck, Austria, Feb. 28, 2016.

Joosep Martinson/ISU/ISU via Getty Images Paige Conners skating with Evgeni Krasnopolski in Oberstdorf, Germany, Sept. 28, 2017.

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images Jason Brown competing at the U.S. Championships in San Jose, Calif., Jan. 6, 2018. By Gabe Friedman best chance to win a medal with Evgeni Krasnopolski, a (and like U.S. Jewish gymnast 29-year-old pairs veteran, and (JTA)—The world is about to Aly Raisman, Bychenko has in barely six months after Con- revolve around PyeongChang, been known to perform to ners adopted the new style, the a mountainous county in the “Hava Nagila”). duo performed well enough northern half of South Korea, The Jewish state is send- at the Olympic qualifiers in for the upcoming Winter ing another kind of skater, September to make the cut. Olympics. too—the faster kind. Vladislav “No one really believes it,” Jewish fans won’t have quite Bykanov, who won a bronze she told 13WHAM. as many standout athletes to medal earlier this month at Israel’s first skeleton cheer for this year as they did the European Champion- Olympian calls himself in 2016, when multiple Ameri- ships, will compete in speed the “Hebrew Hammer.” can members of the tribe won skating. Itamar Biran, a A few years ago, A.J. Edel- medals at the Summer Games 19-year-old born in London, man was an MIT graduate in Rio de Janeiro. But there will represent Israel in alpine who worked as a product are several compelling Jewish skiing. manager for Oracle. Now the stories to catch up on before This American never Brookline, Massachusetts, the action starts. thought she’d do pairs native will get a chance to Israel is sending its larg- skating—or compete for make history for Israel as he est team ever. Israel. becomes the country’s first Before this year, the larg- Paige Conners is having skeleton Olympian next week, est Israeli delegation at a her Olympic dream come steering a flimsy sled down Quinn Rooney/Getty Images Winter Olympics was five. true in about the last way she the track at the Pyeongchang Short track speed skater Vladislav Bykanov, lower left, leading the Israeli Olympic team That shouldn’t sound too expected. Sliding Center. at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, Feb. 7, 2014. surprising, given that over According to a video by “I want to challenge the 60 percent of the country’s 13WHAM, the ABC affiliate perception of what Jews and stok, Russia—a city so re- its players participate in the the U.S. team’s first alternate. landscape is desert, and it in Rochester, New York, the Israelis can do in sports,” he mote that flights of six hours Olympics to protect them But on the ice, the 23-year- isn’t the best place for winter 17-year-old Conners was ill told the Forward. or more are required to play from injuries. That opened old is known for skating to sports training. when she was supposed to He is also clearly a fan of 24 of its 26 opponents. It is the door for non-NHL play- music from “Riverdance” and This year, however, the try out for the U.S. figure the comedy film “The Hebrew closer to Alaska than it is to ers like Blum, a 6-foot-2 “Hamilton.” record will double. skating team. With her hopes Hammer,” since he goes by St. Petersburg. defenseman who has played And who would have Seven of Israel’s 10 repre- of competing in peril, her the protagonist’s nickname. Blum, a former first-round on the U.S. team before, to thought that a certified Krav sentatives will compete in mother, who has Israeli citi- While his teammates and NHL draft pick, played for the represent his native country Maga instructor would skate figure skating. That group is zenship, pointed out another friends love it, his mother Nashville Predators from 2010 in South Korea. for Canada and not Israel? anchored by , opportunity: skating for the apparently doesn’t. to 2012, again in 2012-13, Israel isn’t the only Dylan Moscovitch helped who in 2016 became the first Israeli team. A former NHL player and for the Minnesota Wild country sending Jewish Canada win a team silver skater to earn a medal for Conners jumped at the op- gets another chance to for stints in the 2013-14 and skaters. medal in Sochi four years ago, Israel at a European Champi- portunity, but Israel offered play for the U.S. 2014-15 seasons. Those cit- On the U.S. squad, look out and he’s back competing in onships event. Bychenko, 29, her a spot only if she competed Jonathon Blum probably ies are just a little closer to for Jason Brown if he gets a the pairs contest with partner who skated for Ukraine until in the pairs competition. She longs for the time he spent where he grew up in Southern chance to skate. After a disap- Liubov Ilyuschechkina. 2009 and has been ranked as had never tried it before and playing in the NHL. These California. pointing performance at the The 2018 Winter Olympics one of the top 10 male skaters figured she never would. days, the Jewish 29-year-old This year, the NHL de- U.S. Figure Skating Champi- figure skating will be held on in the world, is likely Israel’s But she quickly connected plays for a team in Vladivo- cided that it would not let onships this month, Brown is Feb. 8.