Jewish Federation of NEPA Non-profit Organization 601 Jefferson Ave. U.S. POSTAGE PAID The Scranton, PA 18510 Permit # 184 Watertown, NY Change Service Requested Published by the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania VOLUME X, NUMBER 5 MARCH 9, 2017 Four Jewish takeaways from Trump’s big speech to Congress From the very first paragraph: “To- country that stands united in condemning to reporters who asked him to respond to night, as we mark the conclusion of our hate and evil in all its forms.” the spike in antisemitic incidents – that ANALYSIS celebration of Black History Month, But what actually reminds us that we are raised hackles. BY RON KAMPEAS we are reminded of our Nation’s path united are the responses to such acts, like 2. What’s not in the passage WASHINGTON (JTA) – President toward civil rights and the work that still the thousands of dollars raised by Muslim A mosque near Tampa, FL, was set Donald Trump’s speech to a joint meeting remains. Recent threats targeting Jewish activists to rebuild a vandalized Jewish ablaze recently. Another in Texas was of Congress is getting rave reviews for Community Centers and vandalism of cemetery, a labor union’s pledge to pitch burned down in January and one in Florida, the subdued, “presidential” style of his Jewish cemeteries, as well as last week’s in to fix damaged gravesites, a strongly where the killer in the Orlando massacre delivery, and positive feedback from the shooting in Kansas City, remind us that worded statement from the White House. had occasionally worshipped, suffered a Jewish community for opening remarks while we may be a Nation divided on It was the lack of the last item that had similar fate in September. denouncing antisemitic acts as examples policies, we are a country that stands riled Jewish groups in the weeks after the Why not include a reference to bias of “hate and evil.” But there ensues the united in condemning hate and evil in first spate of JCC bomb threats and the first crimes against Muslims? It would be espe- inevitable Trumpian conundrum: What all its forms.” cemetery attack. In both instances, com- cially apropos given Trump’s overarching did he actually mean? That second sentence – the one that’s bined with Trump’s failure to comment theme of unity because Muslims have Here are four takeaways from the been getting the plaudits – gets thorny for six days on what appears to be the indeed raised funds to refurbish vandalized speech and what it says about bias and once it’s held up to the light. According bias killing in late February of an Indian Jewish cemeteries and Jews are contribut- the Jews: to the logic of the sentence, it is the “re- worker in Kansas, it was Trump’s failure ing to the rebuilding of the Tampa mosque. 1. What did he condemn exactly? cent acts” that “remind us that... we are a to respond at first – indeed, his hostility See “Speech” on page 10 Scranton Hebrew Day School’s 69th Anniversary Dinner to pay memorial tribute to Malca Shapiro The Scranton Hebrew Day School will cently passed away. Shapiro and her late Malca and Howard’s four sons – El- journal to be distributed at the dinner, or celebrate its 69th anniversary with a gala husband, Howard, were “powerhouse liot, Sandy, David and Norman – are all to make reservations, call the school office reception and dinner on Sunday, May 7, at workers for all things associated with alumni of the school and are “carrying at 570-346-1576. the Scranton Jewish Community Center, the day school,” organizers noted. “From on their parents tradition of service in 601 Jefferson Ave., Scranton. the PTA to picnics, school banquets to the communities in which they reside,” During the event, memorial tribute bazaars and all activities in between, said organizers. 2017 UJA will be paid to Malca Shapiro, who re- Malca was always involved.” To place an ad in the commemorative paign Upd Cam ate Pay it forward & give to SPOTLIGHT the 2017 Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania Female Israeli lone soldiers may finally Annual Campaign! get their home away from home $828,902 as of March 2, 2017 For information or to BY LORI LOWENTHAL MARCUS comprise 2,000 soldiers. Previously, wom- make a donation call 570-961-2300 ext. 1 or Goal: JNS.org en could pursue combat roles through units send your gift to: Part of the widely admired strength of such as the IDF’s nearly two-decade-old Jewish Federation $896,000 of Northeastern the Israel Defense Forces comes from the coed Caracal battalion. Pennsylvania military’s many “lone soldiers,” who leave “When people think of the IDF, they 601 Jefferson Ave., picture a guy with a gun in a combat unit, Scranton, PA 18510 their homes and families abroad in order (Please MEMO your to help protect the Jewish homeland. Now, but they have no idea what happens behind pledge or gift 2017 some women in this group may receive a the scenes,” said former lone soldier Dana UJA Campaign) boost to their ability to serve. Grob, a native of New York’s Long Island Significant media attention has focused Dana Grob (left), a former Israeli lone region who made aliyah at age 22. on Israeli lone soldiers in recent years, soldier from New York, and Natalie Adjei. What isn’t apparent to most observers, particularly after two American-born (Photo by Dana Grob) she explained, is the Israeli military’s soldiers (Max Steinberg of California and vast combat support system – comprised Sean Carmeli of Texas) were killed in the functioning army without its female sol- largely of female soldiers. “I was a search- 2014 Gaza war. There are currently three diers,” said Josh Flaster, national director and-rescue instructor. I taught guys in “homes” that provide lone soldiers with of The Lone Soldier Center – In Memory combat units. The girls get overlooked, communal living quarters, camaraderie of Michael Levin, a nonprofit that assists although our role is critically important,” and support. lone soldiers before, during and after their Grob said. Federation Yet there is one large segment of this army service. “Every soldier is taught to Lone soldier Nechama (whose last group that doesn’t receive the same atten- shoot or is taught other essential aspects name cannot be published because she is tion – nor some of the same resources – as of combat or military preparedness and still serving), who will be 22 next month, on Facebook the rest of their peers. Until now, female fitness by female instructors.” is part of a missiles unit in the Israeli Air The Jewish Federation of Northeast- lone soldiers have not enjoyed the same Female soldiers’ existing key support Force. Originally from London, she made ern Pennsylvania now has a page on type of group residential facilities as their role in the IDF was amplified during the aliyah in 2014. “I’m an Israeli with a Brit- Facebook to let community members male counterparts. But that is likely about past 18 months upon the creation of two ish past, not a British person,” Nechama know about upcoming events and keep to change. new combat divisions that almost com- responds when asked if she plans to return connected. “The IDF would not exist today as a pletely consist of women. The divisions See “Home” on page 6 Candle lighting INSIDE THIS ISSUE March 10 ...................................... 5:46 pm Purim Bashert at camp Arrest in bomb threats March 17 ......................................6:54 pm March 24 ......................................7:01 pm Nine things you may not know Four siblings found their spouses A St. Louis man has been arrested about Purim; and a look at at the same Jewish summer camp for threatening eight Jewish PLUS people’s fascination with villains. in Canada. institutions to frame ex-girlfriend. Opinion .......................................................2 Stories on page 4 Story on page 12 Story on page 15 D’var Torah .............................................10 2 THE REPORTER ■ MARCH 9, 2017 A MATTER OF OPINION The real obstacle to peace: Jew hatred and terrorism Antisemitism continues to be rampant across Palestinian society Reprinted with permission of the Simon main obstacle to peaceful coexistence. The Palestinian Authority continues to spreading antisemitic hate. A new U.N. Wiesenthal Center THE LEADERSHIP OF THE promote terrorists as role models, naming Watch report has highlighted teachers As President Benjamin Netanyahu met PALESTINIANS sports venues, schools and streets in honor and principals posting online and say- with President Donald Trump on February Hamas, whose founding antisemitic of Palestinian terrorists who murdered ing, “God bless Hitler”; celebrating 15, there will be much discussion about charter calls for the destruction of the Jews. Teachers’ lessons and imams’ Hamas rocket fire on Tel Aviv to hit “the keeping alive the “Two-State Solution.” Jewish people. That founding principle sermons online and on television all re- Jews”; and even glorifying terrorists Israeli communities, also known as continues to inculcate each new generation inforce the lie that their Jewish neighbors who murdered four rabbis praying in “settlements,” on the West Bank are often with genocidal hate of Jews, through the are interlopers who stole Tel Aviv, Haifa a Jerusalem synagogue. depicted as the main obstacle to peace. mosques and schools, online and by the and Jerusalem. Israel cannot and should not be expect- In reality, it is the unending hatred of the continuous threats to launch 100,000 mis- Many educators at UNRWA, the ed to “negotiate” its future with partners Jewish people, and the ongoing terrorist sile and cross-border terror attacks using United Nations institution teaching who preach Jew-hatred to its children and targeting of innocent Israelis, that is the sophisticated tunnel networks.