The Jewish Journal Non-Profit Org. Monthly Magazine U.S. Postage PAID Youngstown, OH MM Permit #607 JJ Youngstown Area Jewish Federation January 2018

The Declaration on Jerusalem Read inside on pages 8-9. Local commentary on page 2.

Chloé Valdary: All-Terrain The Israel 70 Speakers’ Series Vehicles are continues with an evening with Chloé Valdary, a prominent, Saving Lives in African American, pro-Israel, Western Galilee: international advocate. Local Leaders Announce New View details on page 5. Fundraising Initiative Read inside on page 16.

Volume 15, Number 1 ◊ Jan. 2018 ◊ Tevet/Shevat 5778 Commentary What’s in this month’s Jewish Journal? Musings with Mary Lou cess that you know about? If anything gether to celebrate. Normally, I return at this stage of my life, the most impor- home to get myself a small glass of wine New Year’s Eve Celebrations— tant resolution I make is to wake up the and watch the ball drop on Times Square. next morning. Maybe this year is the one Sometime Beth and Diane are home then Then and Now just being together, bringing in the New to make resolutions to be more tolerant too, so we toast the New Year in together. Year with a little wine and good food. of those less fortunate than I am. I don’t Now the married kids much prefer to stay By Mary Lou Finesilver Then the topper was in 1984 when just mean only those with less income home by themselves, maybe have some So we just celebrated we brought in the New Year with about and poor health, but those that tend to Chinese food and just relax. I’m sure that Celebrations...... 21 the coming of the New 100 family and friends at Marshall and disagree with me in any area. Tolerance has its merits, but I like being out and Year. How did this tradi- Candy’s wedding in Boston. The wedding is the word, or maybe it is patience that I about and then home. I’m just so grateful Commentary...... 2 Candle Lighting Times tion get its start? To go - need—not to jump to conclusions about for having those I love around and close back a few years to 45 works at midnight. I would have to say someone’s life. Not everyone can see by. 2017 was a pretty good year, mostly. Culture...... 7 Jan. 5 4:50 p.m. BC, that is when they ac- thatwas latewas onthe the topper 31st whenand ended it came with to firecel- a glass half full instead of half empty. A Some things I would like to change, but Jan. 12 4:58 p.m. tually started celebrat- ebrations. kind word or gesture is maybe all it will just glad to be able to be here again to say Declaration on Jerusalem...... 8-9 ing the New Year on January 1st. Before How many of you remember the year take to make someone feel good. happy, healthy New Year to my friends Jan. 19 5:06 p.m. that, it was, I believe, celebrated at the 2000? Such carrying on from the govern- The last few New Year’s Eves, I have and family. Wishing you all good things International Jewry...... 19 end of the harvest, then it moved to ment to the man on the street. What will been going out to dinner with friends to for the year of 2018. Till we speak again, Israel...... 16 Jan. 26 5:14 p.m. sometime in October, then January 1st at happen when the clocks strike midnight? Station Square. Naomi & Sam Fine make Shalom! the beginning of the Gregorian and Julian Will the banks fail? Will the government the arrangements and a few of us get to- JCC activities...... 12-15 calendars. I’m not really too sure when be able to continue? Will the clocks turn exactly, but then, contrary to some be- over properly? I do believe we were all a Synagogues and Sisterhoods...... 4 liefs, it was before my time. little nuts. It made for interesting reading My Take on the Jerusalem But I do love to welcome the New Year at the time. “What will happen when we with friends and family. Al and I used to transition from 1999 to 2000?” Nothing! Announcement celebrate with friends and family, some- Yoy!! Life goes on. By Gon Erez times at parties, and many times meeting How many of you make New Year’s Community Shaliach Jerusalem might be divided in the future at a restaurant for a late dinner. For many resolutions? I used to try, usually to lose President Donald Trump’s recent his- in order to achieve peace. years, the two of us would go to Abruzzi’s weight. After all, during the holiday sea- - The state of Israel and the Jewish About the Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine Café 422. At that time they didn’t take son most of us gain at least 7 pounds, rusalem is the capital of the State of Israel people have been awaiting such an an- reservations, and we would sit for 2 or 3 according to statistics. I never had really istorical important announcement for several affirming reasons. that Je nouncement for a long time, and Presi- hours in the banquet room in the base- been ever able to follow through on any dent Trump himself has stated that it is ment waiting for a table. The idea was promises to myself. Anybody have suc- time an American president formally past time and that he was merely stating Publisher: Andrew L. Lipkin JJMM Mission Statement acknowledgedFirst and foremost, Jerusalem this as isthe the capital. first the obvious. Even though there have been numerous There has been much criticism of this Advertising Director: The Youngstown Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine, a publication of the Response to US Recognition of diplomatic meetings and visits in the city, decision, mainly due to concerns that it Phyllis Friedman Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, strives to — the leaders of the western world, includ- will hinder peace talks between Israel Office: Kathy Schell • Provide a major tool of community communication for the Youngstown Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital ing from the U.S., England, France, and and the Palestinian Authority. Although Area Jewish Federation and its affiliated agencies; others, have refrained from making this we may see a period of instability in the By Rabbi Dario Hunter acknowledgment due to political reasons. near future shoved forward by militant The Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine is a publication of the Youngstown • Present current local, national and world news of Jewish interest; Ohev Tzedek- Shaarei Torah Jewish State. The facts on the ground are President Trump also announced the groups in the Arab world, I ultimately be- Area Jewish Federation and has received major grants from the Schermer • Offer timely commentary, interpretation, analysis and authentic back- ‘beginning of the process’ of moving the lieve that this decision will become part Trust, The Maurice and Florence Lipscher Charitable Trust and ZOA. ground on events of the day for the purpose of encouraging the concern How we view history is often shaped as and effectively functions as the capi- American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jeru- of the status quo in any future peace pro- and response vital to our responsibilities as Americans and Jews; by politics, religion and human emotion. talclear of –Israel. Jerusalem However, is officially the argument designated over cesses, including in the Arab world. The Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine is sent monthly to members of the salem. In fact, although the U.S. made the • Enrich the cultural interest of individuals and the community through Jerusalem’s history as the capital of a internationally recognizing Jerusalem as We have seen some terrorist groups Jewish communities in Columbiana, Mahoning, and Trumbull counties in decision to move the embassy some 22 articles, features, reviews and other material of both local and national Jewish state stretches back centuries (al- the capital has become less of a factual trying to stir chaos in recent weeks, but Ohio, and Mercer County in Pennsylvania. years ago, all presidents since then have Jewish content and interest; though with substantial interruptions). It one or religious one and more of an emo- postponed it. the general agreement moving forward is was the capital of David’s kingdom over tional one. The U.S.’s recent declaration That being said, we must apprehend that this will not lead to a serious escala- • Provide a communication tool to enable all members of the Jewish com- 3,000 years ago and the site of succes- recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital the meaning behind this decision. In- tion against Israel or the USA. Of course To contact the JJMM : munity to express their viewpoints on issues of Jewish importance and sive Jewish Temples. But the Jerusalem stead of moving the embassy to the cur- only time will tell. interest; of 2018, with its sprawling neighbor- Phone 330-746-3250 policy objective; it is an effort to appeal rent consulate building in Jerusalem, The upcoming time period will test • Demonstrate commitment to the progress and continuity of Jewish life hoods and high-rise apartment buildings, is not simply the fulfillment of a foreign to the emotions of a certain political base. Trump decided to “take his time” and our unity and trust, but I wholeheartedly Fax 330-746-7926 in the U.S., especially our local area, Israel and around the world. bears the effects of many changes from It does nothing to achieve the larger aims build a new structure which will take at believe that we are moving forward to- The JJmm does not assume the responsibility for the Kashruth of any product - - ward something better and that we will Email [email protected] or service advertised on its pages. ish neighborhood of Jerusalem outside of ing the long-standing territorial dispute who knows what will happen? We might pass turbulent times together. the Jerusalem of antiquity. The first Jew Mail: 505 Gypsy Lane, Youngstown, OH 44504-1314 the walls of the roughly kilometer-square betweenof diplomacy Israelis in the and region, Palestinians chiefly and resolv ad- haveleast athree new yearspresident to finish. who would By that halt time, the January 15 is the deadline for articles and ads for the Old City was built in 1860, initiating the vancing the cause of peace. move. I am always here for any questions you modern transformation of the city. As a Jew, I am proud of our capital of While this announcement is an im- may have, and would love to discuss this February issue. Since the founding of Israel in 1948, Jewish nationhood that has been a focal portant show of solidarity with Israel further. secular and religious Israelis have taken and the Jewish people, it did not come pride in Jerusalem as the capital of the (continued on page 5) without caveats, as it acknowledges that [email protected] 2 The Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine January 2018 January 2018 The Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine 3 El Emeth Ohev Tzedek

abbreviated service will Love it Out “I will redeem you with an outstretched - What’s happening at El Emeth? begin at 9:30 p.m. fol- arm and with great judgments.” (Exo- sponse to say ‘love it out.’ Love yourself dus 6:6) There is an implied call for pa- ply say ‘wait it out.’ It is a more fitting re group, is off this month and will return lowed by a Tu B’Shevat By Rabbi Dario Hunter and allow yourself to envision the road (Pirkei Avot 5:7) American recognition Jewish-Christian Dialogue tience as not every work of divine justice February 19. Seder at 11:30 a.m. A Kid- Ohev Tzedek- Shaarei Torah beyond the pain. Develop enough of a lov- offirst Jerusalem things first as and the to capital latter thingsof the later.”State Temple El Emeth will start the new dush Luncheon will fol- is amenable to a human timeframe. But ing, personal relationship with Hashem of Israel is not quite as pressing a matter year off with Jewish Christian Dialogue, “O Lord! Why have You harmed this PJ Library Holiday Event low at noon. Reservations in ultimately asking Moshe to speak to to see the possibility of a stronger you on as advancing the goal of forging a lasting on Wednesday afternoon, January 3, people?” (Exodus 5:22) Those are the Temple El Emeth will host a PJ Library may be made by calling Pharoah, Hashem calls for something the other side of a moment of vulnerabil- peace in the region. I pray that all leaders 2018. Refreshments are served at 12:30 words of Moshe’s anguished and yet bold event on Wednesday evening, January 24 else – an exercise of human capabilities ity. And although not every painful situa- involved will give that cause the priority p.m. and the study session begins at 1:00. cry to Hashem in Parshah Shemot, which at the Synagogue. Activities are at 6:00 330-759-1429 by January to move forward the cause of justice in tion is man-made, love your fellow man it deserves. - This year’s theme is “Setting the Record p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Children 8 and under 25.the There Synagogue is no charge office for at the face of evil. and woman enough to share and advo- ary 2018. The cry comes in the midst of Straight—Misconceptions about Juda- and their parents are invited to come cel- lunch but reservations are Expecting only good things to happen cate for their pain– as Moshe did. awe dark will time read for on thethe Jewishfirst Shabbat people, of down Janu- ism and other Religions.” Rabbi Joseph ebrate the New Year of the trees with all necessary so we can plan removes human choice and free will from trodden and enslaved at the hands of the Schonberger will present “Clearing up their friends from PJ Library. There will accordingly. the equation. There are those who use Jerusalem Response Egyptians. misconceptions about Judaism.” All are be crafts, stories and special activities to their free will for good and others, as in Moshe’s question in this parshah re- (continued from page 2) welcome to attend. celebrate the holiday. Services the case of the slaveholding Egyptians, minds one of a question later posed by PJ Library is a Jewish family engage- Daily Minyans take for gross injustice. We must work to be point of Jewish religious devotion for Minyan, a Meal, and a Movie Jeremiah: “Why has the way of the wick- ment program implemented on a local place Sunday through Fri- the agents of the justice and healing we centuries. As an Israeli, I am proud of the Minyan, a Meal and a Movie will take ed prospered, all who deal with treachery level throughout North America. Jew- day evening at 5:45 p.m. hope to see in the world. history – both ancient and modern – of place on Saturday evening, January 13 have peace? (Jeremiah 12:1) There is the ish children 6 mos. to 8 years of age are and on Saturday, January We all struggle to understand why we the city of Jerusalem, a world-class city with Minyan beginning at 5:15 p.m. A implication behind these questions that mailed free, high quality Jewish literature 6 and 13 at 5:15 p.m, Jan- that represents a dynamic crossroads of light supper will follow at 6:00 p.m. Fol- Hashem’s intervention is sorely needed on a monthly basis. Our JCC and local uary 20 at 5:30 p.m. and adversity or why things don’t turn out faiths and civilizations. That pride would lowing dinner, the movie “City Slickers” to bring about justice. sometimes find ourselves surrounded by Synagogues rotate hosting family pro- January 27 at 5:45 p.m. the way we planned. There have been not be diminished by a respectfully nego- will be shown. Comic Genius Billy Crystal Some commentators see Moshe’s grams for the children. Please RSVP to Friday morning minyans times when we have cried out, question- tiated international agreement over the stars in this hilarious movie about cow- question as expressing a lack of faith and Emily Blau at the JCC 330-746-3250 ext. are at 7:00 a.m. and Satur- ing Hashem, the source of all creation, as future of the city. boys, careers and mid -life crises. Reser- rebuke him for it. Others see in his ques- 152. day morning Shabbat ser- to the need for the pain we experience. Pirkei Avot (the Ethics of the Fathers) vation forms are in the Temple bulletin vices at 9:30 a.m. tion the inherent expression of faith in- Sometimes that pain is individual and tells us that one of the characteristics Tu B’Shevat Celebration volved in recognizing that Hashem is in personal and sometimes, as in the case of of a wise person is that “he responds to by January 10. Our Congregation will celebrate Tu control and an earnest, conscious desire the enslaved Jews of Egypt, it is commu- and must be in to the office with payment to better understand Him and the world Shmoozing with Shmulik B’Shevat on Saturday morning, January nal. Moshe asks his question out of pain. 27, at our Shabbat morning service. An He has created. But he also asks it out of love and hope Shmoozing with Shmulik, our Yiddish Hashem proceeds to remind Moshe – both for his people and for Hashem’s of his special relationship with the pa- mercy. triarchs and with the Jewish people as a whole, culminating in the statement, by pain and suffering, it is callous to sim- El Emeth Sisterhood – January 2018 To those who find themselves engulfed Recently, the Sisterhood had a lovely “Golden Girls” will be honored and Chi- and the Jewish Theologi- lunch with Kravitz’s catering and a fun co’s clothing store will be hosting a fash- cal Seminary. Rabbi Dario. Please contact Ohev Tzedek afternoon with Bingo for the entertain- ion show. Adult Education – Winter 2018 for dates and times. ment. We want to thank Lenore Acker- Please mark your cal- Some classes may require a text to be man, Paula Ferguson and Ellen Weiss The Interfaith Tea will be February 6, endars with these dates so purchased in addition to the registration Birkhot Hashachar — Using Rabbi for being our Honorable Mensch for 2018 at 1:30 and is sponsored this year that you will also be able fee. Unless otherwise noted, all classes Lawrence Hoffman’s excellent volume the month. You too can help sponsor a by the Catholic women, and will be held to participate. will be held at Ohev Tzedek. All of the in the My People’s Prayer Book series as lunch with a minimum donation of $54. at St. Columba Hall. More information classes are open to the entire Jewish a guide, we will explore these traditional will be coming. community. morning prayers to discuss tefilla, Jewish items and recipients were: Mussar — The study of Mussar is a prayer, as a whole, and how Jews have Our annual raffle was held and the raffle An Open Board meeting will be held Jewish ethical, educational practice that ever understood our ongoing, evolving Cowl donated by Lori Mirkin: February 13th at 10:30 AM at the Temple. studies personal character traits (mid- Liberty Food Pantry Volunteers Needed relationship with G-d. (The registration Florence Mirkin dot), such as humility, patience, anger, fee of $25 includes book.) Please contact $50 Giant Eagle gift cards: Our Sisterhood has been assigned the and jealousy, and their relationship to liv- Volunteers will be needed for the January food distribution Ohev Tzedek for dates and times. Sherri Clayman & Phyllis Perlman following dates at Heritage Manor for the at the Liberty Food Pantry. Set up will take place Thursday ing a meaningful life. Its goal is to align Jewelry donated by Lori Szoke: birthday celebrations: January 11 and evening, January 4 from 7-8 p.m. and the distribution will be individual actions and intentions with Louise Kline May 10 of 2018. Volunteers are needed Friday, January 5 from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Jewish values. While this class has been Handel’s gift card donated by Holly Small: to mingle with the residents and their ongoing for some time, our study is at a Services Ellen Weiss families. point where we will revisit each of the Morning Minyan services will be held Youngstown Playhouse season pass & V2 The Pantry is located at the Church Hill United Methodist middot; there is still time to join the class the third Thursday at 7:30 am. gift card donated by Paula Ferguson: Last but not least, please send your Church on Church Hill near Belmont Ave. Please call the if you have been wondering but worried Lucille Vegh donations for Torah Fund, made out to Temple office at (330) 759-1429 to volunteer and we will pass about joining mid-class. Mussar class will Shabbat services are held every Sat- Torah Fund, to the Temple. They will your name on to the Pantry Chair. be reconvening under the leadership of urday at 9:45 am. Dario Hunter leads a Sisterhood Donor will be brunch on then be mailed to New York. This is a Torah study session after each service. Sunday, April 22nd. At this Donor our very important part of our Sisterhood

4 The Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine January 2018 January 2018 The Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine 5 Rodef Sholom ish “science” of gematria, the number 18 President’s Message Akiva Academy Fourth Grader Thomases Family Endowment Art Sexual Misconduct: From Hollywood stands for “chai”, which as we all know Recently, Congregation Rodef Sholom means “life”. May the year 2018 be a year Goes Green Gallery Upcoming Exhibition was honored to host Music Director Ran- and private schools, thirteen winners to the Halls of Congress of health, blessing, healing and life, for all dall Craig Fleischer, vocalist Tania Grubbs, Over 300 kids got to show their inner will have their art featured in the upcom- victims of sexual harassment. May it be a By Rabbi Frank Muller, D.D. if there were any materials or a curricu- and members of the Youngstown Cham- super hero while creating drawings for a ing year’s calendar. good year for all of us. Congregation Rodef Sholom lum on this topic, and not to my surprise, ber Orchestra under the majestic dome 2018 calendar with the theme: “Zap out Cameron Silverman, a 4th grader at there was nothing available. of our Sanctuary for the third concert littering.” Akiva Academy, had her drawing selected Rodef Sholom Tzedek Committte at The avalanche of Knowing I was on my own for this one, this season of their Stained Glass Concert The coordinator of the Youngstown for the month of January. Cameron, the Liberty Food Bank Friday, January 5, allegations, accusa- I contacted Audrey Schwebel, member series. If you were one of the more than Green Team, Jennifer Jones, believes the daughter of Phillip and Laura Silverman, 9:30am-12:00pm. tions, admissions of of our Board who is in private practice 200 who attended, you enjoyed a lyric contest was a great way to get kids and was honored along with the other win- guilt and apologies as a social worker and has worked with Services performance of “Funiculi, Funicula”, the their families involved with recycling. ners at a luncheon recently at the Green with regard to acts adolescents in multiple settings, to lead Strauss “Emperor Waltz”, Autumn from “Kids have to start thinking about it, Saturday, January 6 at 10:00am of sexual miscon- the discussion. I entitled it, “Sexual Mis- Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons”, Brahms’ “Hun- what does recycling mean? Why is litter is shown in the photo receiving her Shabbat Service led by the Miller family duct perpetrated conduct: From Hollywood to the Halls of garian Dance No.1”, Dvorak’s “Slovanic bad?” says Jones, “and then they draw awardYoungstown from Mayor offices McNally. in Youngstown. She by well-known TV Congress”. Starting out with an overview Friday, January 12 at 6:00pm Dance no.1”, Saint Saens’ “Swan”, from these great pieces of art... they really have personalities, Hollywood moguls, politi- of Judaism’s great respect for the woman, Shabbat Service “Carnival of the Animals”, Honegger’s cians, media stars and a whole host of Judaism’s core ethical principle derived Friday, January 19 at 6:00pm “Pastorale d’ete”, Tchaikovsky’s “Waltz” The theme this year encouraged kids Save the Date others has shaken our society to its core, from the opening words of Genesis that to think about... What can I do to fix it?” Shabbat Service from “Swan Lake”, and in conclusion to think of solutions for littering, rather launching a new social movement. To we were all, male and female, created Maestro Fleischer’s stirring composition than just focusing on the problem. Annual Women’s Interfaith Tea me, it represents a watershed moment “b’tselem Elohim”, in God’s image, and Friday, January 26 at 6:00pm “Coming to Youngstown” with vocalist Of the hundreds of creative entrees Beginning in 1946 with the women of in American culture that will change our particularly Reform Judaism’s ground- Shabbat Service Tania Grubbs, all resounding within the from Youngstown area public, charter, Rodef Sholom Sisterhood, the annual self-perception forever. Like the Civil breaking strides in advancing women’s marvelous acoustics of our Sanctuary event has aimed to promote a better Rights movement in the 1960’s, or the rights and equality both in synagogue Sisterhood with our own beautiful stained glass win- understanding among faiths, help over- Watergate scandal in the 1970’s, or the and Jewish institutional life, I then turned New Year 2018 come religious prejudice, and create Gay Rights movement in the 80’s and things over to Audrey who led a wonder- To My Sisterhood Members, downstairs to Strouss Hall for conversa- bonds of fellowship among the women in 90’s, there is a sense that another layer ful and productive discussion with the I am very much looking forward to the tiondows. and Musicians wonderful and cakes audience and pastries. then filed It the Youngstown community. About the Exhibition: young people. beginning of another New Year with my was a great event. Of incidence we raised B. Martins graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in 2008, and been exposed. It was a good beginning to what I hope Congregation Rodef Sholom Sisterhood. I $625.85 in donations for the Youngstown Interfaith Women of the Valley: A Tap- earned his MFA the New York Academy of Art. Martin’s watercolor paintings, based of It the is Americanhigh time that underbelly those responsible has finally will be more time and attention devoted believe it will be a year of creativity and Symphony’s educational programs for estry for Building Community is a new- on found black & white photographs from strangers’ past, come together as “half-re- for these horrible and inexcusable acts of to this critical issue. excitement. It is always an honor that I children. ly formed group which includes local membered dreams” from a different generation, made new as bright yet eerie works sexual violence which have gone on far Every year since 1927, TIME magazine begin another year with such a dynamic synagogue sisterhood leadership. These on paper. too long are being brought to justice. has named a Person of the Year, recogniz- group of women—my Sisters. May we If you were one of the 185 guests who women will plan and sponsor two inter- Last month during the URJ Biennial ing the person or group of people who together continue our Giving and our attended the Hanukkah party in Strouss faith programs each year, including the convention, the largest gathering of Re- Friendships. Hall last month, you enjoyed a truly spe- Interfaith Tea. form Jews from North America ever, our year, for better or for worse. In the year Greetings for the New Year 2018 cial event. The Rabbis from the three Movement announced a series of proac- 2000most influencedthey named the Hitler news duringas the thePerson past Wishes for a happy New Year area congregations joined forces with a Hosting of this event rotates annually tive steps to ensure that sexual harass- of the Century, which was certainly ap- May you and your family have a New display of foot-stomping musical talent between the women of a different faith ment and assault do not occur in its palling, but when you recognize that this - on stage to perform a rousing medley community in the Mahoning Valley. All workplace or in its congregations and dubious distinction is not necessarily a ness, peace, laughter and hope. of holiday inspired music with soprano women in the area are invited to attend. that its leaders--lay and professional- badge of honor, but simply recognizes Year “It filled is not with what good you health, look atlove, that happi mat- saxophone, guitar, and percussion. There -are trained and committed to making the person who had the greatest impact ters, it’s what you see.” -Anonymous were wonderful performances by the When: sure everyone is safe. on the world during that time period, combined children of our congregations, Tuesday, February 26, 2018, 1:00 p.m. URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs an- whether for good or for bad, then you can With Love & Sisterhood, - Where: nounced these steps, saying: begin to put it in its proper perspective. ation locally is on its way. Our Sisterhood Your Sisterhood President, Sally M. Blau St. Columba Cathedral “As religious leaders, it’s necessary to TIME’s 2017 Person of the Year cover andsignificant Brotherhood for the factcoordinated that the next by generKandy 159 West Rayen Avenue voice outrage and pain at the ubiquity of - Save the Date Rawl outdid themselves with preparing Youngstown, OH 44503 sexual harassment and assault, making ing celebrities Taylor Swift and Ashley Congregation Rodef Sholom Sisterhood some delicious latkes and assorted food features the faces of five women, includ clear that sexual harassment and assault Judd, representing “The Silence Break- Meeting: items. This was more than a party. In are not just illegal. They are immoral. ers” ---the thousands of people from Sunday, February 11, 2018 keeping with the spirit of Hanukkah, the They are repugnant in every way. They across the world, the great majority of Place: JCC Adult Lounge three congregations combined to pro- are in direct opposition to Reform Juda- them women, who have come forward Time: 10:00 AM duce a wonderful event, and in doing so, ism’s values and the URJ’s commitment with their experiences of sexual harass- Program by Marcia Levy to create a world of wholeness, justice, ment and assault. Hail to these brave, un- Health: “Eat Your Way To A Healthy Life” of keeping the candles burning. I suggest and compassion.” sung heroes. thatwe fulfilled we organize the mission, more events at least of afor similar now, Weeks before his speech, I had re- Let’s hope that 2018 will bring an sort and that this mission is continued. ceived a request from a parent of one of end to the sordid evil of sexual harass- Mushroom Barley Soup for Sale: $10 our upper grade students at the MSJS to ment which has been disgustingly toler- L’Chayim, conduct a special session on this topic in ated, accepted and swept under the rug 330-744- 5001 to pick-up. Arthur Greenbaum, M.D. Sunday school. I called the Jewish Educa- for far too long. If you permit me a bit a quartThank - Pleaseyou!! call the Temple office at tion Teacher Center in Cleveland to see of poetic license with regard to our Jew-

6 The Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine January 2018 January 2018 The Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine 7 The Declaration on Jerusalem The Declaration on Jerusalem What Israel and the Palestinians Why these experts say Trump’s contours of peace negotiations, he added. for millennia,” read a statement by the White House, with Vice President Mike Editor’s Note Jewish groups, meanwhile, largely Anti-Defamation League, which has not Pence standing behind him. make of Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem recognition will help praised the move as a recognition of Jew- shied away from criticizing Trump’s ac- On December 6, 2017, President Donald “While previous presidents have made it in a meeting last month with European ish historical and religious claims to the tions in the past. Trump signed a proclamation recogniz- this a major campaign promise, they Jerusalem foreign ministers in Brussels. He likened the peace process city, long overdue, as well as an acknowl- One week after Trump announced ing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, but em- failed to deliver. I today am delivering.” the Palestinians’ opposition to recogniz- edgement of Jerusalem’s status in mod- the decision, any peace prospects do ap- phasized that he was not pre-empting Trump in the proclamation also di- By Andrew Tobin By Ben Sales lysts, mostly on the right but stretching negotiations over the final status of the ing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital with their to the center, says the opposite: Trump’s ern Israel as the seat of government. But pear to have dimmed: Protests did take rected the State Department to start JERUSALEM (JTA) – Amid the glob- city. refusal to accept the existence of a Jewish NEW YORK (JTA) -- When President recognition of Jerusalem is a strategically many of them, too, reiterated their sup- place in Jerusalem and Palestinian areas, planning an embassy in Jerusalem. The al controversy over President Donald “It is time to officially recognize Je- state, which he has long maintained was Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as savvy course correction of American for- port for the two-state solution and urged though they were far milder than antici- U.S. Embassy is currently in Tel Aviv. Trump’s recognition last month of Jeru- rusalem as the capital of Israel,” Trump the primary obstacle to peace. Israel’s capital, many foreign policy ex- eign policy. It has not hurt prospects for Trump to double down on that cause. pated. Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat salem as the capital of the Jewish state, said in a televised address from the “I think we should give peace a chance. perts called it a blunder. peace, they say, and there’s a good chance - called on his people to now pursue equal Israeli and Palestinian leaders actually I think we should see what is presented - it will help. knowledges reality: Jerusalem is the po- rights within Israel rather than a state of found rare consensus: They agreed that and see if we can advance this peace. But lence in the city, they said. It would alien- “U.S. recognition of Israeli sovereign- litical“This capital is a of significant the country step and has that been ac the development was a win for Israel and (continued on page 17) if we have to begin it, I would say it’s one ateIt Palestinians could spark who a conflagration revere the city of vioand ty over Jerusalem might contribute to the spiritual heart of the Jewish people Following Trump’s declaration, a loss for the Palestinians. place: Recognize the Jewish state,” he ice any remaining hopes of a peace pro- peace,” Douglas Feith, President George To be sure, Trump’s concession was said Monday morning in Brussels. “It’s al- cess. It could be the death knell for an in- W. Bush’s undersecretary of defense, European Union doubles down on not a major one. Israel was always ex- ways been about the Jewish state. And it’s creasingly elusive two-state solution. wrote in Foreign Policy. It teaches Pales- pected to get a recognized capital in Jeru- time that the Palestinians recognize the “Raising this the way he has done tinians, he wrote, that “[t]here is a price its Jerusalem policy salem under any Middle East peace deal, Jewish state and also recognize the fact doesn’t advance the cause of peace, it and the president did not reject Palestin- By Cnaan Liphshiz ment’s possible repercussions and reit- that it has a capital. It’s called Jerusalem.” doesn’t advance the cause of stability in Life goes on, the Israelis create new reali- ian claims to have their capital in the city, eration of its neutral position on the city. Palestinian leaders, meanwhile, ac- the region, it doesn’t make Israel safer, ties,to be and paid the for world perpetuating in general the adjusts conflict: to too. AMSTERDAM (JTA) -- Following Presi- In Britain, another key ally of Israel cused Israel of having no interest in mak- and it doesn’t make the United States those new realities.” However, the change in two decades of dent Donald Trump’s recognition of Je- within the EU, Prime Minister Theresa ing peace on terms they could ever ac- any safer,” James Cunningham, a former Trump’s declaration showed that the American policy on Jerusalem cemented rusalem as Israel’s capital and pledge to May also rebuked the Trump statement, cept. By giving Israel something it wants ambassador to Israel who served under United States would not be cowed by the impression on both sides that the move the U.S. Embassy there, Israeli Edu- - for free, they suggested, Trump signaled Presidents George W. Bush and Barack extremism, tweeted Amos Yadlin, who United States was tilting toward Israel. cation Minister Naftali Bennett said Jews cial position that the Israelis and Pales- that he would not even try to oppose its Obama, told the Atlantic Council. “It rais- heads the centrist Israeli Institute for all over the world “expect the rest of the tinianselaborating should on decide her Foreign in a peace Office’s agree offi- With Trump’s team working on a peace continued settlement of eastern Jerusa- deal, Israeli and Palestinian leaders de- world to follow suit.” ment on Jerusalem’s status. lem and the West Bank, which they said as far as I can see.” with the center-left Zionist Union party. bated how his decision would affect the If that’s true, they has made nearly impossible the creation es aBut significant a countervailing risk with verychorus little of upside ana- ResistingNational Securitythreats of Studies violence and changes affiliates the may be in for some- effort. of the state the Palestinians demand as thing of a wait — es- The Israelis said their country still part of a peace deal. wants peace and Trump was only recog- pecially when it comes In an op-ed Thursday in The New York Israel’s ambassador to the U.N., Danny nizing the obvious: Israel already con- UN General Assembly rejects US recognition of to Israel’s other close Times, Hanan Ashrawi, a Palestinian law- Danon, called the fact that the meeting trols all of Jerusalem, has treated it as its allies in the European maker and a member of the Palestine was taking place “shameful.” He said the capital for 69 years and was never going Jerusalem as Israel’s capital Union. Liberation Organization’s executive com- called Trump’s threat to withhold devel- United States “simply stated a fact” when to settle for anything less than an ac- European lead- (JTA) — The United Nations General opment money from countries that vote it recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capi- knowledgement that Jerusalem is its cap- ers’ harshly worded to rest the dream of a two-state solution, Assembly passed a resolution rejecting through negotiations in line with rele- for the resolution “bullying.” tal. ital. Whether the Palestinians can also rebukes of the recent whichmittee, has said been Trump on lifemay support have “finally for years put any recognition of Jerusalem as the capi- vantlem isUnited a final Nations status resolutions.”issue to be resolved “We will not be intimidated. You can “Jerusalem is the holiest place on earth claim parts of Jerusalem as their capital Trump declaration sug- already.” tal of Israel in the wake of the pronounce- General Assembly resolutions are be strong but that does not make you for the Jewish people. This is a fact that remains an open question, but that was gested that they view it “By rewarding its claim on Jerusa- ment by President Donald Trump last nonbinding, but are intended to carry right,” he said. simply cannot be refuted,” he said. “King as his latest contribu- month. moral weight as an expression of the in- Haley said a vote for the resolution David declared Jerusalem the capital of issues” at the heart of negotiations. tion to a growing list is giving Israel a free hand to accelerate The vote at the emergency session ternational community. would show “disrespect” to the United the Jewish people 3,000 years ago.” alwaysIsraeli one Prime of the Minister so-called Benjamin “final-status Ne- of disagreements on itslem policies with official of creeping recognition, annexation Mr. Trump of the was 128 in favor and 9 against, with 35 The Permanent Observer of Palestine States by other U.N. countries. Danon produced a coin dating to 67 tanyahu said recently during a visit with foreign policy. Some occupied Palestinian territories and its abstentions. The United States had ve- to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, “When we make generous contribu- A.D. reading “Freedom of Zion” that he French President Emanuel Macron that EU states see the U.S. deliberate attempts to erase the Pales- toed a similar resolution by the U.N. Se- called the U.S. decision to recognize Je- tions to the U.N., we also have expecta- said provides clear evidence of the Sec- Jerusalem was as much Israel’s capital as government’s declara- tinians’ historical, political, cultural and curity Council favored by the 14 other rusalem as Israel’s capital “an aggres- tion that we will be respected. What’s ond Temple and “proves the ancient con- Photo/ Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Paris was France’s, and that recognition tion as an incentive to double down on its demographic presence in historic Pales- countries. sion towards the Palestinian people” and more, we are being asked to pay for the nection of Jews to Jerusalem.” of this fact was necessary for peace. tine,” she wrote. Yemen and Turkey drafted the General added that it “affect(s) the status of the dubious privileges of being disrespect- “Those who support today’s resolu- “I think that what peace requires is to pending the result of peace talks between In a statement, May also added a vi- Saeb Erekat, the Palestinian Author- United States as a mediator of peace.” ed,” Haley said. tion are like puppets. You are like pup- be built on the foundation of truth, on the theofficial Israelis neutral and positionPalestinians. on the Holy City sion of her own: “Jerusalem should ulti- ity’s chief peace negotiator, on Thursday “any decisions and actions which pur- “History records names, it remembers “If our investment fails, we have an ob- pets pulled by your Palestinian masters,” facts of the past and on the present,” Ne- One of the most outspoken rebukes mately form a shared capital between the portAssembly to have resolution, altered, the which character, affirms status that names, the names of those who stand by ligation to spend our investment in other he said. tanyahu said. “This is the only way that came from one of Israel’s closest allies in Israeli and Palestinian states.” a separate Palestinian state and instead or demographic composition of the Holy what is right and stand up to peace, and it ways,” she added. “This vote will be re- Prior to the meeting, Israeli Prime you can build a pluralistic and successful the European Union: the Netherlands. As had been the case with the U.S. pri- pushingfor the first for atime binational endorsed state giving shared up onby City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are remembers those who speak falsehoods,” membered.” Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “To- future.” Foreign Minister Halbe Zijlstra told or to Trump’s declaration, the European Jews and Arabs -- an outcome unthink- null and void and must be rescinded in Mansour said in a reference to U.S. Am- Haley questioned why Israel remains day is a very important day in Israel and More important, Israeli leaders con- Union and nearly all its member states do able to most Israelis. compliance with relevant resolutions of bassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley saying in the United Nations. very important outside of Israel. Jerusa- tended, Trump gave the Palestinians a Trump’s move was “unwise and counter- not recognize Israel’s claim on Jerusalem “Now is the time to transform the the Security Council.” earlier in the week that she would “take “To its shame, the United Nations has lem is the capital of Israel, whether or not long overdue reality check. They said the productive,”U.S. officials accordingin Brussels to last the monthNOS public that as its capital. That’s because in 1947, the struggle for one state with equal rights It also calls on the United States “to re- names” of the countries that vote for the been a place that is hostile to Israel,” she the U.N. recognizes it. It took 70 years un- president showed that he would not in- broadcaster. His language went further city had been designated by the United for everyone living in historic Palestine,” frain from the establishment of diplomat- resolution. said. “Israel has chosen to remain in this dulge the Palestinians’ attempts to deny than the European Commission’s expres- Erekat told Israel’s Haaretz newspaper. ic missions in the Holy City of Jerusalem.” The Turkish ambassador to the U.N., institution because it is important to Israel’s existence. sion of “serious concern” over the state- (continued on page 18) The resolution also noted that “Jerusa- stand up for yourself.” til the United States(continued officially on recognized page 20) Netanyahu made that equation explic- (continued on page 11) 8 The Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine January 2018 January 2018 Foreign Minister MevlütThe Jewish Çavuşoğlu, Journal Monthly Magazine 9 discussion here, and it goes way beyond despite Arab and international protesta- Israel & the Palestinians Israel from Gaza, where Hamas governs. Israel’s only liberal arts college the usual political debate.” tions: eastern Jerusalem, the West Bank, (continued from page 8) However, by Tuesday, the status quo Jewish groups find small victories Symon has also grappled with critical the Gaza Strip and the Golan Heights. At the same time, Palestinian leaders seemed to remain in effect. To ease pres- has a Zionist mission and anti-Zionist perspectives at Shalem. Polisar said Shalem’s location and said Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem sure on Trump over his Jerusalem an- in a tax bill they otherwise hate As part of her Middle Eastern and Islamic as the capital of Israel showed once and limestone and glass building on a leafy nouncement, Netanyahu quietly delayed revenues endanger programs such as By Andrew Tobin studies major, she has read works by the agenda. He and Shalem’s other leaders for all that the United States was not an campus in southeastern Jerusalem. What By Ron Kampeas Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Secu- likes of Palestinian-American author Ed- saidonline the map college do not had reflect shed thean ideologicalpolitics of honest broker for peace. Palestinian Au- JERUSALEM (JTA) – From the rooftop makes it unique is its large, humanities- bill that would make it harder for Israel WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Most Jewish rity by triggering rules that would force ward Said and Israel’s New Historians, a the Shalem Center other than a commit- thority President Mahmoud Abbas said the final votes, slated for this week, on a of Shalem College, students have a sweep- rich core curriculum spanning four years. to hand over any part of the city under a groups decried a massive tax reform Congress to make up for shortfalls in in a statement Friday that the United ing view of the Old City of Jerusalem. The Most of Israel’s 60-plus universities and future peace deal, Israel’s Hadashot TV package for what they said were cuts in the standard narrative about Israeli in- faculty members, speaking anonymously, golden-topped Dome of the Rock, an Is- colleges offer three-year specialized de- news reported Saturday. Pleased but not taxes that would savage entitlements, al- since revenue increases would be off the nocenceloosely defined and infallibility group that in has its punctured founding saidment that to Zionism,as political broadly liberals defined. they felt Two en- peace process. The next day, Abbas’ dip- lamic shrine, sits atop the Temple Mount, grees, many of which prepare students ecstatic over Trump’s decision, Israelis though some groups celebrated discrete tablethose when programs the tax by bill slashingbecomes benefits,law,” the years. tirely at home at Shalem. States was no longer fit to oversee the where the ancient Jewish temple once eager to start careers after mandatory continued their daily routines. victories in portions of the massive bill. group’s CEO, Nancy Kaufman, said in a Through an intensive Arabic program, “Young Israelis are sophisticated and president canceled plans to meet with stood. army service. In eastern Jerusalem, Gaza and the The Republican-led Senate and U.S. statement. politically engaged, much more so than Vicelomatic President affairs adviserMike Pence confirmed this month that the in Downstairs in their classrooms, stu- Shalem is also one of the few Israeli West Bank, a wave of Palestinian dem- House of Representatives passed the bill The Reform movement and B’nai the language. She said she speaks frankly I’ve seen in other countries, and if some- Ramallah, the Palestinian Authority’s de dents study the mount from a variety of institutions of higher education with an onstrations petered out and schools and last month, and President Donald Trump, B’rith also decried the removal of a tax aboutSymon politics said she with is “gainingher Arabic fluency” instruc in- body tries to preach to them, it just won’t facto capital in the West Bank, because of perspectives. They discuss the clashing explicitly Zionist mission. In addition to businesses that had closed reopened. who hungered for a legislative victory in penalty for those who fail to buy health tors, who include Arab Israelis and Pal- work,” he said. At this point, Bartal added, the announcement on Jerusalem. Jewish and Muslim claims to the site, of teaching the Western greats, from Plato Abbas’ foreign affairs adviser on Sunday insurance, which had been a feature of estinians. “I think Shalem is really strengthening “There will not be a meeting with course. But they also examine the intra- to John Stuart Mill, the college makes sign it before the weekend is out. the Affordable Care Act, the signature law However, Symon has not had the op- the level and quality of the humanities in Pence. The matter is bigger than a mere - sure students understand their Jewish Palestinians had no plans to cut ties with hisThe first bill, year which in office, goes has into promised effect for to passed by Trump’s predecessor, Presi- portunity to speak with Arab students this country.” meeting because the United States, in clarified to The Times of Israel that the cance of the holy site that get at funda- heritage. That means both being familiar the United States. - dent Barack Obama. at Shalem because the college has yet to Nir Levenberg, a 29-year-old a junior its decisions on Jerusalem, crossed red- mentalJewish questions disagreements about overthe very the purpose signifi with the poetry of Jewish national poet “We are not cutting our relationship “Last year 3.3 million people between admit any. Aside from the handful of Ara- at Shalem who is majoring in philosophy lines,” Majdi al-Khalidi told the P.A. radio of Zionism. Hayim Nahman Bialik and getting the with America. We are protesting the the2018 corporate tax filings, tax institutesrate from some35 percent moder to the ages of 55 and 64 received insurance bic instructors, Shalem’s only non-Jewish and Jewish thought, described himself as station. - biblical references. Acknowledging Isra- move of Mr. Trump,” Nabil Shaath said. 21ate percent,cuts for individualwhich Republicans filers and sayslashes will through the Affordable Care Act market- faculty member is a Druze Middle East- a secular leftist and said his views were Palestinian leaders warned that with eral arts college, are betting that a broad el’s geography, Shalem also emphasizes “We think Mr. Trump has acted in a way spur business. It purports to simplify tax place,” B’nai B’rith said. “Repealing the ern Studies scholar, Yusri Hazran. well represented on campus. Ahead of Is- the two-state solution no longer viable, courseThe leadersof study of will Shalem, help studentsIsrael’s first — andlib Islamic history and thought. that makes it impossible for the United individual mandate, according to the Shalem’s leaders said they were ac- rael’s 2015 election, he noted, the center- their people would turn to violence. The ultimately Israel itself — make sense of “How Jewish should this country be, States to act as an honest broker. We are cuts. One nonpartisan analysis predicts it tively recruiting more faculty and stu- left Zionist Union had won a mock vote Palestinian Authority urged protests, and the Jewish national project. While a lib- and how should it be Jewish? Those are just expressing that.” filing by replacing deductions with tax premiums to increase by 10 percent.” dents from Israel’s Arab community, by the student body. the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas eral arts education, with its universal, really important questions,” said Daniel Meanwhile, the world awaits Trump’s the next decade. CongressionalCharities also Budget fear that Office, the will new cause tax On the other hand, cautioned Leven- called for a new intifada, or uprising -- humanist approach, might seem at odds Gordis, an American-Israeli rabbi and au- plan for what he branded as the “ultimate willThe increase Reform deficits movement, by $1.4 in trilliona statement over code will discourage charitable giving by country’s population. They dismissed berg, who is from a village near Tel Aviv, granted, a call they make habitually. A se- with Zionism, they say they are drawing thor and Shalem’s senior vice president. deal” between Israel and the Palestin- before the Senate vote on Tuesday, said doubling the “standard deduction,” which thewhich suggestion accounts that for the about college’s a fifth Zionist of the left-wing politics are not the same in Is- ries of rockets was launched at southern on the best of both traditions. “I think that what Shalem affords Israel is ians. the law “will impose a massive addition does not require itemization from $6,350 identity was a barrier. Rather, they ex- rael and the United States. He was struck “You want to educate students to, on a place where some of its most talented to the debt and threaten effective anti- to $12,000 for individuals and $12,700 to plained, young Arab Israelis tend to be by the contrast last year when he joined the one hand, have a commitment to their students can sit around and read great poverty programs, including Medicaid $24,000 for married couples. less interested in liberal arts education a Shalem delegation that traveled to nation, and at the same time have a very books, encounter profound ideas and and SNAP.” Medicaid subsidizes health “These provisions will greatly de- San Francisco to meet with local Jewish powerful commitment to the truth and to have that exact conversation. Where else care for the poor, and SNAP, formerly crease the number of taxpayers that admission standards than their Jewish groups, including the University of Cali- the very best of what the academic world in the country is that happening?” known as food stamps, provides nutri- - counterparts.and less qualified to meet Shalem’s high fornia, Berkeley, chapter of Jewish Voice can offer,” said Daniel Polisar, Shalem’s Alissa Symon, a 25-year-old religious tional assistance to the poor. duction for charitable giving) as well as At the same time, no one denies that for Peace, which supports the Boycott American-born co-founder and execu- Zionist from Jerusalem and Shalem se- “It makes the tax code more regressive ‘increaseitemize (and the costthus of benefit giving’ from for those a tax who de Shalem has roots in Israel’s right wing. Divestment and Sanctions movement tive vice president. “And far from being nior, said she has encountered a diversity and less fair, deepening our country’s continue to itemize,” the Jewish Federa- The college emerged from the Shalem against Israel. in contradiction, serving your nation and of political and religious views among the tions of North America said in an analy- Center, a conservative-leaning think tank Levenberg said he knows of no one at having a profound passion for the truth faculty and students. Whether in class or the Reform statement said. sis. founded in 1994 by a group of American Shalem who holds such views. over weekly Shabbat dinners, she said, already-significantB’nai B’rith International, economic whichinequality,” runs Groups pointed to some wins wrapped Jewish Ivy Leaguers. Its stated objective “Maybe it’s because I’m Israeli, but Shalem opened in 2013 in a two-story “There is a very high level of academic a network of homes for the elderly, de- into the reforms -- although in many cas- was “strengthening the Jewish people I think it’s OK to have a certain identity fit together.” cried the risks it said the tax bill posed es, the victories involved the preserva- and Israel by developing the ideas need- and to be yourself,” he said. “I can accept to Medicaid as well as to Medicare, which tion of long-existing provisions that Re- ed to sustain Judaism and a Jewish state.” everyone in the public sphere, but that subsidizes health care for Americans 65 publicans had at various points sought to In 2000, the Shalem Center’s founding doesn’t mean I lose myself. We can agree and older. remove. director, Yoram Hazony, argued in a book to disagree.” “B’nai B’rith International is deeply The bill preserves deductions for med- that the New Historians were sapping Polisar said tension between the uni- disappointed that Congress has passed ical expenses for at least two years. There Israeli morale and that Israel’s schools versal and the particular isn’t unique to a tax reform plan that does not consider had been talk of removing them, and were ‘’dejudaizing’’ their curricula in fa- a Zionist institution — it has been part the negative long-term consequences JFNA and B’nai B’rith said the elderly es- vor of “purely universal values.” of liberal arts education from the start. to Medicare and Medicaid — the social pecially would be adversely affected. Also Shalem College rents its building and He pointed out that the Greeks came up safety net programs that are a hallmark preserved was the Low Income Housing other classrooms on a campus owned by with the model not just to broaden young of this nation’s commitment to those in Tax Credit, which B’nai B’rith says is an The Jewish Agency, Israel’s promoter of people’s thinking, but to prepare them to need,” it said. incentive to build affordable housing for Jewish immigration. The site is part of participate in civic life. It was later tai- The National Council of Jewish Wom- the elderly. what was a no man’s land between Israel en also reserved its most pointed attack Orthodox groups, usually to the right and Jordan until the 1967 Six-Day War. Romans, the British and even the Ameri- for the reform package’s potential to slice of other Jewish groups on domestic is- On Shalem’s website, an illustration of a cans,lored Polisar to the specificsaid, including social needs at his of alma the funding for Medicare, Medicaid and So- sues, found reasons to praise and criti- map of Israel includes, without delinea- matter, Princeton University. cial Security. tion, territories captured by Israel in that (continued on page 17) “Perhaps most egregious, the cuts to (continued on page 20) war and to varying degrees still controls 10 The Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine January 2018 January 2018 The Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine 11 JCC JCC utes) Camp JCC Open House and Pool Party! ADULT Return to the JCC: 7:30 p.m. (approx.) PERFORMING ARTS Our Programs JCC Winter Pickleball Tournament 2018 PROGRAMMING Cost: $71/Member | $95/Non Member Want to learn more about what we’re offering for Infants – 6 weeks to 12 months Dates: summer 2018? 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You will also have a chance to win $150 at 330.509.0891 or coaching@ School-age care available after school and during Cost: First Event: $25/per person | Second Event: formation about our Jewish community, please con- lizrubino.com. school breaks. $15/per person Lifelong buddies Willie (Morgan Freeman), Joe (Mi- off of your camp fee! tact Senior Outreach Coordinator Darlene Muller at chael Caine) and Albert (Alan Arkin) decide to buck Features: Skill Levels: Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Doubles 330.942.6270 or [email protected]. Camp registration will be available for an initial de- Private Sessions retirement and step off the straight-and-narrow • 6 weeks to pre-kindergarten events include 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 skill levels. The tour- posit of $100 that will go towards the cost of your when their pension funds become a corporate casu- • age-appropriate curriculum nament director may limit or combine levels based JCC Journeys camp fee. 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Each expects to be in charge; what they don’t Wellness Program: Stem Cell Therapy expect is to fall in love. A breathtakingly romantic Camp JCC Registration Location: El Emeth precisely organized in the R.I.P.P.E.D. class format thriller, this show features a host of irresistible clas- Opens In January! provide the basis for the One Stop Body Shock Sys- 3970 Logan Way EARLY LEARNING CENTER Dr. Mennow with Pinnacle Integrated Health will dis- sics including Queen of the Night, One Moment in cuss the new breakthrough in medicine using stem tem, by stimulating both, different energy systems Camp JCC provides quality care and experiences Time, I Wanna Dance with Somebody, and one of Youngstown, OH 44505 cells to regenerate and repair damaged tissues in and muscles in each workout segment, changing the to the greater Youngstown community and 2018 focus and activities every 6 to 9 minutes. the biggest selling songs of all time – I Will Always Register at jccyoungstown.org For more information on the Early Learning Center, your body due to age, disease and defects. Love You. Price includes orchestra seat, transporta- is set to be another stellar summer. Housed at the JCC of Youngstown, we provide our campers with a contact Jennifer Bracken, Coordinator of Early Learn- Date: Tuesday, Jan. 16 Date: Monday tion and tip for the bus driver. Dinner will be on your Save the Date: Purim Carnival at the JCC ing, at 330.746.3250 ext. 125 or jbracken@jewishy- safe, fun environment to build lifelong friendships Time: 5:30–6:20 p.m. own. Space is limited and seating location is on a first Date: Sunday, Feb. 25 oungstown.org. Time: 12:00-1:00 p.m. come first serve basis. through unforgettable adventures. Camp JCC is de- signed for campers entering grades 1-8 and is open 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Location: JCC Multi-Purpose Room Date: Sunday, Mar. 4 Time: Hours: Monday–Friday 6:45 a.m.–6:00 p.m. (continued on next page) to everyone. Location: Pittsburgh, PA Location: JCC Multi-Purpose Room & Gymnasium Featuring newly renovated infant, toddler & pre- Register by January 12 at jccyoungstown.org or with Leave JCC: 11:00 a.m. school classrooms and pre-kindergarten readiness the JCC Bursar’s Office at 330.746.3250 ext. 195 Showtime: 1:00 p.m. (run time is 2 hours and 10 min- program.

12 The Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine January 2018 January 2018 The Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine 13 JCC JCC (continued from previous page) Wednesdays | 3:30-4:00 p.m. (Learn to swim only) About the Speaker: Haya Khaldy is from Nazareth, brew teacher at Akiva Academy. He has a bachelor’s cy” supply. Volunteers wrap 10,000 diapers into 400 an overhead motorized projection theater screen, Israel. She will discuss the daily struggle for Bedouin degree in Jewish Philosophy and received his teach- packs a month! Thursdays | 6:30- 7:00 p.m. (Learn to swim only) state-of- the-art audio visual system, movable mod- women in Israel who are torn between traditional ing license from Tel-Aviv University in Israel. Matan AQUATICS Dates: Jan. 12 | Feb. 9 | Mar. 9 | Apr. 13 | May 11 ule stage, and commercial kitchen. Catering pack- Saturdays | 8:55-9:25 a.m. or 10:05-10:35 a.m. Bedouin and Western Democratic cultures. A light also served seven years in the Israel Defense Force. ages are available for up to 250 guests. $30/Member | $40/Non Member dinner will be provided. Times: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Cost: Date: Wednesdays, Jan. 10 – Apr. 25 (No classes on For more information on Aquatics, contact Shawn 7178 West Blvd, Ste E, Youngstown, Ohio Our highly versatile Adult Lounge will accommodate Date: Tuesday, Feb. 20 Feb. 14, 28 & Apr. 4) Location: Chrystal at 330.746.3250 ext. 112 or aquatics@jew- Private Swim Lessons 44512 50 guests and provides a relaxing atmosphere. An ishyoungstown.org Time: 6:30-8:00 p.m. Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m. in-house kosher caterer is available upon request for Private swim lessons provide the greatest flexibil- events in this room. Learn-to-Swim ity among lesson options. The one-on-one attention Location: Multi-Purpose Room Cost per Session: $37/Member | $50/Non Member RENTALS The JCC offers meeting room packages for small provided through these lessons creates a personal- Cost: $8/Member | $11/Non-Member Location: JCC Library or Adult Lounge or large business meetings and events. Our small The JCC Aquatics department offers swim lessons ized setting for learning. Private lessons are great For more information on Rentals. contact Kelli McCor- conference room, which will seat up to 10 guests, is throughout the year in private and small group set- for swimmers of any age from the rookie swimmer Register at jccyoungstown.org or with the JCC Bur- Register at jccyoungstown.org or with the JCC Bur- mick at 330.746.3250 ext. 284 or kmccormick@jew- located in a quiet setting. Our boardroom seats 35 tings. Classes are taught by trained Learn-to-Swim trying to learn the basics to the seasoned swimmer sar’s Office at 330.746.3250 ext. 195 by February 15. sar’s Office at 330.746.3250 ext. 195. ishyoungstown.org and is equipped with a built-in projector and screen. Instructors. All swim lesson monthly fees are au- looking to improve their skills. Private lessons are Refreshments and snacks are available upon request tomatically deducted from your account on file. In also great for adults who want to learn-to-swim or JCC Scholar Series Conversational Hebrew Course Let us host your next party, meeting or event at the for an additional charge. We are offering discounts order to cancel your lessons, you must contact the even triathletes looking to improve their skills. JCC! This winter, we invite you to a series of educational Israeli community members, Gon and Shai Erez, will JCC Bursar’s Office two weeks before you would like Our spacious Multi-Purpose Room is equipped with on business meetings hosted during the week. lectures from scholars at Youngstown State Univer- teach a conversational Hebrew course this winter. your lessons to end. Private ELC and Akiva swim lessons available sity and Westminster College. The subject matter You will learn conversational phrases, enrich your To enroll in any of our group or private swim lessons 1:1 student/teacher ratio | 4 lessons @ 30 minutes will vary in topic and a light lunch will be provided at vocabulary and practice reading the language. All of visit jccyoungstown.org or contact the JCC Bursar at each program. the above will be taught with fun methods which in- 330.746.3250 ext. 195. Cost: $82/Member | $110/Non Member clude games, songs and discussions. Hope in Prison: Reflections on Research and Volunteer- ing at a Prison TV Channel Date: Thursdays, Jan.11 – Apr. 26 (No classes on Apr. Group Lessons $109 / ELC or Akiva pick up 5 & Apr. 19) All group Learn- to-Swim classes run monthly and To enroll in private swim lessons visit jccyoungstown. Hope is a powerful motivator for many, particularly Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m. for incarcerated individuals who often lack access to start on the first Saturday of each month. org or contact the JCC Bursar at 330.746.3250 ext. Cost per Session: $37/Member | $50/Non Member 195. structured programming and activities within prison. You & Me Baby The Hope Channel, a television station whose content Location: JCC Library or Adult Lounge Instructor’s Choice is filmed and edited by inmates, provides 35 hours This is a monthly class where parents assist their chil- of original content per week in prisons in Northeast Register at jccyoungstown.org or with the JCC Bur- dren in the water. Children will learn how to float and It is a fun energetic class for all fitness levels. This Ohio. Professor Robison will provide reflections on sar’s Office at 330.746.3250 ext. 195. improve their water skills. Recommended ages: 6-36 class will bring diversity to your morning workout by her experiences with The Hope Channel. She has con- months. Swim pants or swim diapers are required. combining several types of activities such as low im- ducted focus groups with media team and audience pact, tabata, H.I.I.T. or even line dancing. members to better understand the ways that hope is FEDERATION Date: Saturdays | 9:30-10:00 a.m. created through The Hope Channel. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Cost: $30/Member | $40/Non Member Date: Wednesday Time: 7:45 - 8:30 a.m. About the Speaker: Kristenne M. Robison, PhD, is Volunteer Opportunities Learn-To-Swim Ages 3 & Up an Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminal Aqua Strength Training Justice Studies at Westminster College. Dr. Robison Social Action Committee of the Jewish Community Children will be placed into the appropriate level by received her PhD in Sociology from The Maxwell Relations Council the swim instructors. Aqua strength and conditioning is a total body rou- School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse 330.746.3250 ext. 123 tine filled with high intensity cardio for ultimate fat Level 1: University, her M.A. in Education at The Ohio State [email protected] burning, and aquatic weight training for sculpting University, and her B.A. in Psychology at Baldwin Children will be taught basic swimming skills such as and body reshaping. Churchill United Methodist Food Pantry floating, blowing bubbles and the correct body posi- Wallace University. Date: Tuesday/Thursday The CHUM Food Pantry aims to feed families in Lib- tions for freestyle and backstroke. Date: Friday, Jan. 12 Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m. erty Township that are in need of extra assistance. Level 2: Time: 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. Since first starting in 2016, the pantry now feeds over Children will be taught the arm motions for freestyle Location: JCC Multi-Purpose Room 70+ families. Volunteers will help distribute food and and backstroke as well as the correct breathing pat- make guests feel welcome during their visit. CULTURAL ARTS Cost: $5/Member | $7/Non Member terns for both strokes. Dates: Jan. 5, Feb. 2, Mar. 2, Apr. 6, May 4 Register at jccyoungstown.org or with the JCC Bur- Level 3: For more information on Cultural Arts, contact Gon Time: 9:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Erez at 330.746.3250 ext. 159 or gerez@jewishy- sar’s Office at 330.746.3250 ext. 195. Children will be taught the basics of breaststroke, oungstown.org Location: 189 Churchill Rd, Youngstown, OH 44505 butterfly, and diving as well as refining freestyle and Adult Jewish Learning Course backstroke techniques. Diaper Packing with Making Kids Count Bedouin Concept Night Our Jewish Educator, Matan Norany, will share his The Making Kids Count Diaper Bank Volunteers re- Level 4: knowledge of the Jewish world from his unique Join us for a unique experience learning about the pack diapers in quantities of 25 diapers per size with Children will continue to refine the four swim strokes point of view. Our studies will cover life dilemmas, Bedouin society in Israel, their history and connec- saran wrap and labels. This ensures that more people and diving. family and interpersonal relationships and many tion to the land, while enjoying a traditional Bedouin are able to receive a pack of diapers and that the dia- more interesting topics. Matan is a Judaic and He- meal. pers are being distributed as more of an “emergen- 14 The Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine January 2018 January 2018 The Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine 15 Israel Peace Process in three minutes or less throughout Is- in funding already and hope to complete (continued from page 9) All-Terrain Vehicles are Saving rael. Their medics, if you will, are “rovers this sponsorship as soon as possible. The vs. station-based” and their deployment Greater Youngstown Friends of United their own, while Palestinian Authority Lives in Western Galilee is much like “uber.” In turn, United Hatza- Hatzalah, will be inscribed as the dedica- President Mahmoud Abbas said the U.S. tion on the vehicle and regular reports of no longer has a role to play in brokering By Cari Immerman, Jim Pazol talks. and Bruce Sherman make a huge difference in the outcome of - its good work on behalf of our friends in those injured. lah has become Israel’s first on the scene the Western Galilee will be shared with “The intention is to disabuse the Pal- estinians of the notion that the U.S. is We are excited to share information You may be asking yourself, who is incidentfirst responders, and call forable additional to begin triage assistance dur the community. neutral between them and our demo- about a new initiative, one where we can United Hatzalah of Israel, and how do –ing medics, those ambulances,critical first fewhelicopters, minutes whatof an- Only United Hatzalah operates ATV’s cratic, pro-Western, tolerant, free-market make a difference in the lives of those they work with Magen David Adom and ever the situation calls for, from any of - ally Israel,” wrote Shoshanna Bryan, se- living in our Israel Partnership area, the the other organiza- es are always free to those in need. And, nior director of the Jewish Policy Center, Western Galilee. The campaign is to spon- tions. By 2020, Unit- 100%as part of of yourtheir donationrescue fleet. goes Their directly servic to a conservative group, in the Daily Caller. sor an All-Terrain Vehicle (Ambutractor), ed Hatzalah plans Israel as Friends of United Hatzalah re- “American support for Palestinian’s aspi- operated by United Hatzalah of Israel, to have more than ceives underwriting from its board chair rations is not withdrawn, but hinges on like the one shown here, that is designed 6000 medics so that to cover all overhead expenses. Palestinian behavior.” to reach those in need in various off-road national response One ATV is currently posted in the “Because Trump is viewed as very pro- conditions, such as high in the hills on a rates will be 90 sec- Western Galilee and another is desper- Israel by the Israeli public, it will be more hiking/biking trail or on a very dense, onds or less! ately needed. To help us reach our goal, sandy beach. There, traditional vehicles, United Hatza- you may contribute by going on-line at requests from the president for compro- like ambulances, cannot traverse the ter- lah has pioneered www.israelrescue.org/Youngstown or mises,”difficult wrote for Netanyahu Jonathan toRynhold, say no todirec any- rain and medics need a vehicle that can a variety of inno- by sending your contribution to Cari Im- tor of the Argov Center for the Study of climb off-road, go over rocks, and wade vative vehicles to merman, Regional Director of Friends Israel and the Jewish People at Bar-Ilan through sand. And, that’s where the Unit- augment Israel’s of United Hatzalah at 2682 Green Road, University. “It was easy for Bibi to say no ed Hatzalah All-Terrain Vehicle comes in - Suite 101, Shaker Heights, OH 44122. to Obama, since there was no domestic to play. It carries all the equipment of an work, including the For additional information or questions, political price; not so with Trump.” ambulance and a portable stretcher that All-Terrainfirst responder Vehicle. net Cari can be reached at 216 544 3010 or can transport the patient to a waiting am- the other members of Israel’s health, They are the only ems organization with [email protected]. bulance roadside. welfare and security network such as the ATV’s and these innovative vehicles are A few years back, we as a community - essential when those in need are in chal- Thank you, in advance, for your partic- Liberal Arts came together to sponsor an ambulance lah is also a member of this network and, lenging locales. The sponsorship of this ipation. Together, we will do much good (continued from page 10) IDF, police, fire and more. United Hatza for Magen David Adom. That vehicle is in a country that does not have a “911,” vehicle is $75,000 which includes mainte- for the people of the Western Galilee. - based in Nahariya and continues to do they team with all other members to care nance, insurance, and medical equipment Cari, Jim and Bruce ton in the nation’s service,’” he recalled, great work on behalf of the people of the for the people of Israel. As each member for 3 years. We would like to purchase though“Our Princeton unofficial added slogan the was words ‘Prince “and Western Galilee. This All Terrain Vehicle has a primary role, United Hatzalah’s is the All-Terrain Vehicle All extra monies in games held on European soil. But Per- the service of humanity” in 2016. would serve as a complement to our am- speed - they utilize 4000 volunteer, highly raised will go towards supporting the Assaf Inbari, an Israeli writer who bulance and help ensure those in need trained medics, based out of their homes United Hatzalah medics working in the rule changes: The lone foreign player teaches a core course on modern Jewish can be reached quickly as minutes often and workplaces, to respond to calls with- Western Galilee. We’ve secured $45,000 couldry’s success now play ushered in games in the held first in of Israel,many literature at Shalem, said Shalem’s ap- too. Over the decades, the league contin- proach to education is also a throwback After researching the history of the ued to adjust the rules, allowing teams to to early Zionism. Many of the founding Why so many African-American league and interviewing dozens of for- stack foreign players on their rosters. fathers, he noted, were writers who read mer and current players over the span As Goldstein completed his decade widely, spoke multiple languages and pro basketball players love Israel of 10 years, Goldstein found that most of of research, the so-called “Russian rule” were comfortable in both traditional Jew- By Gabe Friedman That quickly changed, and Watson them professed a deep, genuine love for — named for the country where it origi- ish and modern European culture. stayed in Israel for more than 15 years, Israel, despite having grown up without a nated — was the operating standard: Israel lost much of that sophistication NEW YORK (JTA) — Chris Watson playing for several teams. He also mar- connection to the country. Teams could sign as many foreign players as it toiled to make the “miracle” of a Jew- played four standout years of basketball ried an Israeli woman, became an Israeli “Forty-something converted in the as they wanted, but two Israeli citizens ish state a reality, Inbari said, but young at Niagara University, where he became citizen and converted to Judaism. ‘70s and ‘80s … tens of players got citi- must be on the court at all times. Israelis are now eager to reclaim it. one of the upstate New York school’s all- As David A. Goldstein details in his re- zenship,” Goldstein told JTA. “Hundreds The teams tried to exploit the rule in “There is really a hunger, so many time leading scorers. So when the 6-7 cent book “Alley-Oop to Aliyah: African- are now kind of advocates or ambassa- the ‘70s and ‘80s, rushing foreign players young Israelis are hungry for humanis- forward-center went undrafted by an American Hoopsters in the Holy Land,” dors [for Israel] in the U.S. or internation- through hasty conversions to Judaism in tic education,” he said. “They want you NBA team in 1997, he set out to play on a Watson is far from the only black basket- ally.” order to quickly turn them into citizens. to teach them Homer and Sophocles and professional level internationally. ball player to do these things. In the book, Goldstein explores how But along the way, as Goldstein was sur- Shakespeare and Moliere and the Bible He played two years in Uruguay, then Since the 1976 arrival of Aulcie Perry the black players adapted to Israel, why prised to discover, an unexpected number and Maimonides and modern Hebrew his agent called and said, “You’re going to — a 6-10 native of Newark, New Jersey, they formed an attachment to the Jewish went through legitimate and meaningful literature and Zionist thought. They want Israel.” who led Maccabi Tel Aviv to two unex- state and how they impacted Israeli sport Orthodox conversions. Perry, for instance the real thing. They want whole-grain Watson, an African-American from pected EuroLeague championships — and society. — who was criticized by some for start- bread. They want intellectual nutrition.” suburban White Plains — who in his own more than 800 African-American play- Prior to 1976, the use of foreign play- ing the fad — has remained Jewish. (He words did not grow up “watching the ers have competed in the Israeli Premier ers was discouraged by a league rule has also talked about how his mother news” — said at the time he knew “noth- League, which formed in 1954 and is dictating that only one non-Israeli could ing at all” about the Jewish state. composed of the country’s 12 best teams. play at a time for an Israeli team, and only (continued on page 18)

16 The Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine January 2018 January 2018 The Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine 17 International Jewry Basketball But once they arrive, the players are said he learned from his interviews that it’s all love. But the moment you can’t For Israelis Breaking Boundaries Editor’s Note (continued from page 16) surprised by how many Israelis speak many players have actually felt less overt do that no more, it’s like, ‘Thank you, go By Dominic Boston The following article recently appeared in The Holcad, the official stu- does not fully accept his Jewishness). English and how welcoming and passion- racism in Israel than they did in the U.S. home.’” in Japan, the Featured Writer, The Holcad dent paper of Westminster College. Watson, 42, mainly converted to marry ate they are. (Basketball is still second to For example, Willie Sims, who played in The Israeli league is far from the only Breaking Boundaries is a function of the Partnership with Israel program, When I was in middle school, my his wife and has not been very observant soccer in terms of general popularity, but Israel for nearly 20 years, was once near- sports league with a coaching diver- supported by the Federation and the Thomases Family Endowment. North Korea school offered a program to communi- since they divorced. But, he said, he en- its reputation as a competitive league has ly arrested when he locked his keys in his sity problem. In the United States, the cate with other students from around fa. In order to keep discussions between good opportunity to interact with other joyed learning about Jewish texts and his- car and tried to get back into it. Israeli NBA boasts the most diverse set of head nuclear threat the world. I remember thinking to myself the younger students on track, the eight students from other backgrounds,” said tory throughout his conversion process. coaches — yet fewer than half the coach- how interesting of an opportunity that college facilitators from Westminster, the Peter. “Since the book is dealing with dif- “I didn’t get paid or try to pay anybody and handcuffed him. es are black in a league whose players are police officers knocked him to the ground is business as would be. Once I signed up, I got to know Arab Academic College and the Western ferences and not to judge others based on for my citizenship,” he said. “I didn’t take “I asked, ‘Did any of that make you about 75 percent African-American. a middle schooler named Francesco. Galilee College will work with the class- differences, the book helps to show how any shortcuts.” want to come back to the U.S.?’ And he Still, even though an unexpected num- usual Francesco was a student at Colegio Mari- room teachers local to them. people cope and experience others. This Despite the controversy fueled by the said, ‘Are you kidding? All they did was ber of African-Americans have stayed in anista Hermanos Amorós school in Ma- The support for this program comes experience and book will be excellent for league’s rules, basketball teams in other handcuff me. In the U.S., I could’ve gotten Israel after retiring from basketball, Wat- By Cnaan Liphshiz shot,’” Goldstein said. son and Goldstein both say many more drid, Spain and loved basketball. Over the from grants from both the Thomases students.” Breaking Boundaries offers countries have similar quotas for foreign- TOKYO (JTA) -- Outside this city’s larg- Yet while the players seem to be ac- would have created lives there if coach- span of a few weeks, we talked every Fri- Family Endowment of the Youngstown students an experience they will remem- ers in order to help foster local talent. est synagogue, a wailing siren drowns day, and we discussed our classes, our in- Area Jewish Federation and the Frances ber for their lives. I never forgot Frances- Watson, for one, understands the way the cepted on a societal level, prejudices re- ing positions had been available. main. No African-American has ever been Watson counts himself among them. terests and especially music. To this day, and Lillian Schermer Charitable Trusts. co and his differences, and I would like to Israeli league works. The cacophony alarms a boisterous He looks back fondly on living in Israel if I hear a song Francesco recommended The main coordinators of Breaking think he did not forget about me. “The Jewish people have fought so Photo/Carr groupout the of sounds students of traffic. headed to the nearby very few have had prominent coaching — it’s where he spent his 20s, it’s where to me, I think of him. Boundaries are Randa Abbas, the Aca- much to get their country,” he said. “They United Nations University. Fearing an grown exponentially in recent decades jobsa head in coachthe second in Israel’s and thirdfirst division,divisions. and In he reached his basketball-playing peak. The opportunity to communicate with demic Dean of the Arab Academic College want to see each other succeed, which is earthquake, they instinctively run into The Project offers a wonderful op- due in large part to the foreign players re- a speech to Israeli military members in These days, he works as an account man- other students around the world gave me in Haifa, an instructor at Western Galilee natural.” the middle of the small street in the busy, portunity for our students to engage cruited by a number of teams other than 2001, then-Maccabi Tel Aviv coach Pini ager at a Lifetime Fitness gym in White a glimpse into lives different from mine. College in Akko and Sherri Pataki, Associ- As Goldstein writes, notwithstanding upscale neighborhood of Shibuya. with, and experience, cultures different powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv.) - Plains. Not only did I get a new friend, but I also ate Professor of Psychology at Westmin- any of the public hoopla surrounding the But they relax and giggle nervously from their own. To actually hear what “The No. 1 thing that draws guys there er-skinned black players were smarter Would he have stayed in the Jew- recognized a different culture. A program ster College. The Chairs of the School of quickie conversions, African-American when they realize that the siren emanat- other young people, from a different is how easy it is to transition from Amer- thanGershon darker-skinned was fired for ones, saying who that he called light ish state had a promising opportunity two Westminster students are a part of Education at Western Galilee College will players over the years have had little ing from the Shiritsutokyojogakkan Ele- culture or religion, (and who may speak ica,” Watson said. “Guys that have been “dummies” and “slaves.” opened up? also shows the importance of world com- be supporting this new program. This trouble adapting rapidly to life in Israel. mentary School, opposite the synagogue, a different language), feel and think there for months, they’re like, ‘Wow, I “That makes you wonder what guys “100 percent,” he said. munication. The program is called Break- past July, a workshop took place to plan Like many, players with a passing knowl- has nothing to do with seismic activity. about things, allows our students to see love this place!’ And there’s a lot of guys are really thinking on the inside,” Watson ing Boundaries, and its goal is to create Breaking Boundaries. edge about Israel have typically expected Rather it is part of a nationwide series of the humanity and similarities that we that think about citizenship after that.” said. “I’ve heard guys say when you’re a dialogue between Israeli and American The main focal point for the students’ it to be a war zone where the people wear drills designed to ready the population of all share, while also noting the unique When it comes to racism, Goldstein putting the ball in the hole, it’s all good, students, centering their discussions discussions is the novel Wonder by religious garb. the decision of the president of the Unit- this island nation in the event of a missile differences. To be able to acknowledge around a book. The U.S school selected to Raquel J. Palacio. Published in 2012 with attack by its bellicose nuclear neighbor, differences, and still be able to live to- participate in the program is Sharpsville - In Prague, the spokesman for Czech Back in Brussels, however, Federica France a second home.” North Korea. gether and get along, is an important EU Jerusalem Policy ed States,” telling them “they will find in Middle School, while the other schools ber 17th of this year, the novel is based Prime Minister Charles Michel of Bel- “We really are not prepared for this,” lesson for everyone. Our students were (continued from page 7) taking part in this program are an Israeli ona film a true adaptation story Palacio premiering experienced. on Novem In Tweets within 10 minutes lauding the demonstrated how Trump’s declaration gium called the American decision on Riku Yushin, a post-doctorate student so pleased with the brief interaction Arab school and an Israeli Jewish school. the novel, August, a boy who suffers from Nations Security Council to remain an in- proclamation.President Milos Most Zeman were firedretweets off sixof mayMogherini‏, have simplythe EU’s entrenched foreign policy European chief, the Paris Accords “a brutal act,” assuring who was standing outside the Jewish that occurred with the Abu Snan pu- Eight college students will operate a severe facial deformity, enters public ternational zone, a demilitarized “corpus statements from the White House and Is- leaders’ determination not to cede any his readers on Twitter that his country is Community of Japan Conservative syna- pils during the movie Wonder, that they and monitor discussions between the separatum”— a separate body — gov- raeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanya- ground to Israel on Jerusalem. The bloc, “not forsaking commitment.” gogue, told JTA in October. have requested another joint outing, Such statements are unusual, even schools. Two Westminster students, Anna the boy’s journey through school and de- erned by U.N. troops. hu, but one tweet contained a quote from she wrote after the address, “will in- “Unlike you,” he said of Jews, “we’re school for the first time. The book follows this time perhaps to a pizza restaurant! Israel captured the city’s west in its between the members of the uneasy alli- Brock and Peter McMaster, are the Amer- The Breaking Boundaries Project of- Zeman from earlier this year in which he crease its work with parties and partners not used to this sort of thing here in Ja- to his facial deformity. August faces bul- 1948 War of Independence; it captured ance that makes up the European Union. ican facilitators. The other six facilitators fers an opportunity for our small school said Jerusalem is Israel’s “eternal capi- to negotiate the status of Jerusalem as pan. We worry only about earthquakes.” lying,scribes ridicule the difficulties and harassment he encounters from duehis the eastern half in 1967 and annexed it In the traditionally polite and calculated are from Israel and are comprised of both to meet and mix with schools repre- tal.” The Czech parliament already recog- capital of two states.” Yushin may be partially right about peers, merely because he is different. The in 1980. Since then, Jerusalem has grown framework of transatlantic discourse, Arab and Jewish college students. These senting different cultures, and to learn nized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital earlier If this is the case, then the disparate the Jewish community’s relatively blase novel focuses on August’s self-realization considerably, nearly doubling its size such dramatic language had been un- students are from the Arab Academic Col- to know each other better. Even within this year, but the embassy of the Central - attitude. Japan’s Jews form an eclectic and acceptance of his uniqueness. Mean- geographically and more than doubling heard of in the decades prior to Trump lege in Haifa and Western Galilee College Israel – although geographically Abu European nation has remained in the Tel putes between EU leaders and Trump, in while, the characters around him learn its population, which numbers approxi- statements fit into a wider pattern of dis (continued on page 22) in Akko, just a few miles north from Hai- Snan and Ma’ale Tsvia are not very far Aviv area. which his departures from conventional to be open and accepting towards others mately 850,000. Of those, more than apart – in terms of knowledge of the In a statement Wednesday, the Czech foreign relations policies have prompted who may be different from themselves. 250,000 are Palestinians living mostly in viewassuming in October office in after January. Trump declined to other and an understanding of similari- Republic’s Foreign Ministry said it con- his counterparts in Europe to double Wonder’s clear message on under- the city’s east. ratifyYet the the Joint same Comprehensive defiant stance Plan was of Ac on- ties and challenges, we are each quite siders Jerusalem to be “in fact the capital down on them. standing difference pairs perfectly with While the Palestinians also claim Je- tion on Iran, which the United States had isolated. The Project also offers a contri- of Israel in the borders of the demarca- For example, when the United States the goal of Breaking Boundaries. The stu- rusalem as a capital, the European Union signed in July 2015, along with six other bution in that it can expand the contacts tion line from 1967,” meaning only the left the Paris Accord on global climate ear- dents in the course receive a unique op- recognizes neither assertion pending the counties and the EU central government. of our school, not just to Abu Snan, but city’s west. It will not move the embassy lier this year – arguably one of Trump’s portunity to understand people’s cultures reaching of a mutually accepted solution prior to a negotiated Israeli-Palestinian The deal, which offered Iran sanctions also to America – and this time, it is not regarding the city. relief in exchange for scaling back parts just to the American Jewish community. deal, the statement said. Macron promised he would work even Boundaries provides students the ex- Vowing to defend this longstanding most significant foreign policy upsets – of its nuclear program, “is clearly not in The Project can expand the borders of As of Wednesday afternoon, Bennett’s harder to implement the treaty’s limita- perienceas well as of reflect interaction on their as own.well asBreaking allow- policy, French President Emmanuel Ma- the hands of any president of any country the typical curricular learning, and con- statement — that Jews will expect the tions on gas emissions and other sources ing students to develop their discussion cron wrote on Twitter that his country in the world to terminate an agreement tribute something extra that lies outside world to follow the U.S. example — was of pollution. skills. Peter McMaster, one of the college “does not approve” of Trump’s statement. of this sort,” Mogherini told reporters. the usual parameters of what is offered met by one nation: the Philippines. Ac- “I can assure you,” Macron said in June, student facilitators, enjoys the experi- Of course, there was not uniform “The president of the United States has in school. It also indicates our school’s cording to Israel’s Kan public broadcast- ence of his position and believes the stu- agreement among the EU’s 28 member er, President Rodrigo Duterte sent a mes- He also addressed American “scien- many powers, but not this one.” interest and readiness to engage with states; Trump’s Jerusalem declaration “ France will not give up the fight.” others, and hopefully offer something sage to Israel that he wanted to move his tists, engineers, entrepreneurs, respon- feel that [Breaking Boundaries] offers the also received some support. positive into the future of Israel. country’s embassy to Jerusalem. sible citizens who were disappointed by studentsdents will involved all benefit a veryfrom interestingthe program. and “I 18 The Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine January 2018 January 2018 The Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine 19 Mazel Tov Tax Bill Orthodox groups also welcomed one Mazel Tov to Jaime and Rick (continued from page 11) new measure allowing parents to use a portion of tax-exempt savings for tuition, Sypert on the Nov 12th birth of cize the legislation. or 529 plans, to subsidize education in their twins, Greyson James and The Orthodox Union and Agudath Is- K-12 private schools. Emerson Claire. Proud grand- rael of America praised the preservation Agudath Israel of America decried the parents are David and Diane - removal of personal exemptions -- $4,050 Burda and Linda Sypert. ed primarily for graduate students whose of “qualified tuition reductions.” Intend university employment is paid in part by -- and reductions in deductions for state tuition write-offs, the measure exempts andper taxlocal filer taxes. and each of her dependents taxes on the tuition. Religious schools “As a high percentage of Orthodox use the reduction to subsidize tuition for Jews have large families, and reside in ar- the children of staff and are thus able to eas that are highly taxed, these changes attract quality teachers. There had been will likely have a dramatically negative proposals to end the exemption. effect on large numbers of our commu- “Many nonpublic schools – including nity,” said Agudah, an umbrella body for Mazel Tov to Lark Dickstein- the Jewish community’s day schools – haredi Orthodox Jewish groups. Reinerth on the birth of two utilize QTRs as an essential element to Groups across the Jewish spectrum granddaughters, Haleli Dick- recruit and retain teachers to work in also breathed a sigh of relief at the pres- stein-Haviv, born on July 31, their schools by offering tuition discounts ervation of the so-called Johnson amend- 2017 to Jacob Dickstein and for the teachers’ children to attend the ment, a decades-old ban on tax exemp- Mazel Tov to grandparents Orit Haviv of Beersheva, Israel school,” Nathan Diament, the O.U.’s Wash- tions for houses of worship that are di- Linda and Ron Kessler on the and Sydney Valerie Dickstein, ington director, said in a statement. rectly involved in electioneering. Trump birth of Sidney Monroe Siegel born on November 24, 2017. has campaigned to kill it, but the provi- on November 20th. Proud parents are Ben and Mi- UN General Assembly sion that would do so was removed at the Proud parents are Samantha chelle Dickstein of Cincinnati. Andy and Hilari Lipkin are pleased to announce the engagement (continued from page 9) last minute on a technicality. (Kessler) and Ben Siegel of Jer- Although some synagogues may have sey City, NJ. of their daughter Rachel to Scott Gleitman, son of Gary and Alyse this. and it will take years for the United welcomed the opportunity to endorse Gleitman, of Monroe New Jersey. Nations to recognize that as well.” candidates, most organizations believe “The attitude toward Israel from many the amendment draws an appropriate countries on all continents is changing line between church and state and re- outside the U.N. and will eventually seep lieves local clergy of the pressure to take into the walls of the U.N. House — the divisive political stands. House of Lies. The State of Israel rejects this vote out of hand even before it was accepted. Jerusalem is our capital, we will The top 10 moments that mattered to Jews in 2017 continue to build there, and embassies of countries, headed by the United States, By Josefin Dolsten alarmed some Jews, but Trump said the vandalized, prompting some to blame will move to Jerusalem.” (JTA) — The past year was not a quiet phrase had no connection to the earlier the rise of the “alt-right” — the move- Following the vote, Netanyahu posted one, to say the least. usage. Trump brought with him a cadre ment, some said, was legitimized follow- a statement on social media decrying the of Jewish advisers, including his daugh- ing Trump’s election — for the threats. resolution. Donald Trump’s presidency to a wave of ter, Ivanka Trump, and her husband, However, neither of the two men arrested Save the Date “Israel completely rejects this prepos- bombFrom threats the against tumultuous Jewish first community year of Jared Kushner. The couple, both of whom for making the threats turned out to be terous resolution. Jerusalem is out capi- are observant Jews, would take on critical motivated by far-right beliefs. One of the Alvin Weisberg, Director of Jewish Family Services, is retiring. tal. Always was. Always will be. But I do harassment allegations, Jews — like so roles in the administration as senior ad- accused, Juan Thompson, was arrested appreciate the fact that a growing num- manycenters others to the — flood found of ithigh-profile hard to take sexual their visers to the president, with Kushner in for making bomb threats against eight Join us in wishing him farewell on February 22, 4-6 p.m. in the ber iof coutries refuse to participate in eyes off the news in the past 12 months. charge of a thick portfolio that included Jewish institutions in the name of an ex- JCC Multi-Purpose Room. Hors d’ouevres and desserts will be this ‘theater of the absurd.’ As 2017 draws to a close, JTA looks brokering a peace deal between Israel girlfriend in a revenge plot. The main served. Details and invitations coming soon. He thanked Trump and Haley for their back at some of the moments that had the and the Palestinians. suspect, however, turned out to be an “stalwart support” of Israel and “the Israeli-American teenager, Michael Kadar truth.” by date. JCCs in U.S. and Canada are of Ashkelon, who was arrested for mak- Along with Israel and the Unites most significance for Jews, sorted below targeted with more than 100 ing hundreds of threats. Kadar report- States, the countries that voted against Trump takes office, bringing bomb threats. edly sold his bomb threat services online the resolution are Guatemala, Honduras, Ivanka and Jared with him. From January to March, Jewish com- and suffers from a brain tumor, according the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, - munity centers, Jewish schools and other to his lawyer. Palau and Togo. ing his unexpected victory over Hillary institutions were hit with more than 100 Among those that voted in favor are Trump shouts down reporters ClintonTrump in tookNovember, office pledging in January in followhis in- bomb threats. None of the threats, many the United Kingdom, Germany, France, of which were called in, turned out to who asked him about a rise in the Netherlands, Greece and Brazil. Aus- The use of the slogan — also the name be credible, but they forced evacuations anti-Semitism. tralia, Canada, Poland and the Czech Re- ofaugural an isolationist address toand put often “America anti-Semitic first.” and spread fear among local communi- public. movement leading up to World War II — ties. Several Jewish cemeteries were also (continued on page 23) 20 The Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine January 2018 January 2018 The Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine 21 North Korea UN General Assembly ons, “even if that’s not immediately true,” the infrastructure to protect the popula- of places where Jews had been able to live adviser, Gary Cohn, criticized Trump for evangelicals — but the rest of the world (continued from page 19) he said, noting that Iran does not actually tion in the event of an attack. For exam- threat-free lives – including during the (continued from page 20) his response, saying he was not doing his was less enthusiastic. Palestinian Author- have nuclear weapons. ple, at the Kamimatsuyama Elementary Holocaust. Jews came to this country for In February, the president shouted part to condemn hate. ity President Mahmoud Abbas said he group of several hundred people, with By contrast, the threat to Japan is con- School in Sakura, a city located 75 miles its safety and opportunities shortly after at two journalists who asked him about would refuse to meet with Vice President sizable American and Israeli contingents. crete and potentially immediate. Plus, north of Tokyo, a recent drill entailed fac- Japan ended its policy of isolation in the an increase in anti-Jewish sentiments Hurricane Harvey floods Mike Pence during an upcoming visit to And perhaps not surprisingly, the many adding to the mood of anxiety is the re- ulty and pupils running across the yard to latter half of the 19th century, according and incidents, and said he “hates” being Houston. the region and that he would no longer Israelis living here — raised in a climate cent decision by several local govern- the sound of a siren and the words “Mis- to Shmuel Vishedsky, the rabbi of Kobe. called an anti-Semite, although neither accept the U.S. involvement in peace ne- of constant security threats — are pooh- ments, including in the Tokyo area, to sile launched! Missile launched!” In the His city near Izumiotsu, in Japan’s west, reporter called him one. After asking for turned upside down as Hurricane Harvey gotiations. The U.S. vetoed a resolution poohing North Korea’s escalating mili- hold drills at schools. It may be neces- yard’s center, the students squatted low a “friendly” reporter, Trump interrupted hit HomesTexas in were August, flooded forcing and mass lives evacu were- at the United Nations Security Council — tary provocations. (The latest happened sary, Kunin said, but it’s especially stress- with arms covering their heads. settled here. a question by a haredi Orthodox journal- ations across the state. Over 70 percent supported by all other 14 member states last week: For the second time this year, ful for parents and children. “We haven’t got a nuclear shelter or wasKobe, one a of bustling the first port places city where that is Jews fa- ist — the president accused the journal- of the city’s Jews live in areas that expe- — to force Trump to rescind his decision. Pyongyang test launched a missile that In Israel, schoolchildren are regu- even strong buildings, so this is all we vored by many Western expats, is home ist of lying about his intentions — and Days later the U.N. General Assembly Photo/Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty Images landed inside Japan’s territorial waters.) larly drilled in procedures in the event to Japan’s oldest Jewish place of worship, claimed to be the “least anti-Semitic per- schools and other Jewish community passed a nonbinding resolution reject- But it’s a different story for the Ameri- of an attack. They practice evacuating Sakura City who helped to organize the which began in the early 1900s. The city’s son that you have ever seen in your entire bring Israel and the Jewish world closer rienced high flooding, and synagogues, ing any recognition of Jerusalem as the can Jews living in Japan. They say they classrooms quickly and calmly into on- missilecan do,” defense Nakamura drill, Takashi, told Time an magazineofficial of synagogue, Ohel Shelomoh, was built in life.” Trump’s response drew criticism Recovery from the hurricane is expected capital of Israel, with 128 votes in favor, - campus bomb shelters that are equipped in September. 1970 atop the storage basement where from Jewish groups, many of which had August, the Israeli Supreme Court said tobuildings take years, sustained but the significantdisaster also damage. served 9 against and 35 abstentions. together increasingly more difficult.” In cially in a country that has served as a to protect against chemical weapons “The government says you have a - already criticized him a month earlier for the government must either reinstate the as a rallying point for for the community, find the threat deeply disturbing, espe safe haven for Jews for the past 150 years. attacks. These drills often have a light- much higher survival rate if you crouch rope used to pray. With its wooden decor releasing a statement on International agreement or provide an explanation as as Jewish groups rallied to distribute do- Israelis may relativize the North Korea hearted approach — many students rel- rather than stand up,” he added. thatthe first marries Jewish Jewish settlers and from Japanese Eastern sym Eu- Holocaust Remembrance Day that nota- to why it had put a hold on it. nations and local Jewish camps offered threat with memories of Iraqi Scud mis- Poland to invest ish the activity as a welcome break from Because of Japan’s history as the only bols, it is also one of the country’s pret- bly did not mention Jews. His defenders Chicago Dyke March bans three housing to those with nowhere to go. siles raining down around their homes, the school routine. nation that was attacked with nuclear tiest, attracting non-Jewish visitors from said the president’s critics were politi- $28 million but it’s “very hard” for Americans “when But in Japan, such drills — combined weapons, the North Korea threat plays across Japan to the resident congregation cally motivated. women for carrying flags with Allegations against Harvey the Tokyo city government tells us that if Jewish stars. Weinstein open the floodgates with constant news about the North Ko- upon nightmares that remain very much of some 100 Jews. On his first overseas trip, to restore there’s a nuclear attack, we’ll have about rea threat — are making “people feel very alive in the national consciousness. Ja- The city’s earliest Jewish settlers In June, a Chicago lesbian march of sexual assault accusations. Trump visits Israel. worried” in a country without an army, pan’s defeat in World War II, following ejected three women for carrying gay In October, The New York Times and said David Kunin, the synagogue’s New Warsaw Jewish said Hidetaka Muto, a Tokyo father of the nuclear bombing by the United States Europe and explore the potential of the Trump paid a visit to the Jewish state The New Yorker published articles con- York-bornfive minutes rabbi. to go into the basement,” came here to flee persecution in Eastern three who works as the right-hand man of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, left its soci- newly opened market, Vishedsky said. - saying the march was “anti-Zionist” and taining allegations by more than a dozen Israelis are accustomed to hearing pride flags adorned with Jewish stars, Cemetery, for Binyomin Edery, one of the city’s two ety with a nuclear trauma reinforced in And they remained protected throughout dent, which also included stops in Italy “pro-Palestinian.” The move generated a women that Jewish Hollywood mogul Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu say in May on his first overseas trip as presi Orthodox rabbis. movies, comic books and popular culture, World War II, when their brethren were and Saudi Arabia. The two-day trip fea- heated debate, and the Jewish reporter Harvey Weinstein sexually harassed Iran may bomb Israel with nuclear weap- Polish Deputy Also, unlike Israel, Japan largely lacks Muto explained. butchered in their home countries. tured a stop at Yad Vashem and meetings or assaulted them. That report led to “So it’s particularly disturbing to come In fact, Japan is the only member of the with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanya- Chicago LGBTQ newspaper said she was who first wrote about the incident for a PM Glinski tells pro-Nazi Axis powers whose Jewish pop- hu and President Reuven Rivlin, as well removed from her reporting job as a re- of other allegations against prominent in almost 80 years,” he said. ulation grew during the Holocaust. That’s as Palestinian Authority President Mah- sult of the article. The Dyke March con- menWeinstein’s in the worlds firing ofand entertainment, prompted a flood poli- again under this threat for the first time World Jewish By contrast, the rabbi’s wife, Efrat Ed- largely thanks to Chiune Sugihara, a Japa- moud Abbas. Trump, accompanied by troversy — as well as similar debates tics and media. Newspapers around the ery, who was born in Israel and, at 40, has nese diplomat who in 1941 was serving Ivanka Trump and Kushner, also stopped about the role of Zionists in the feminist country published accounts of sexual ha- Congress CEO nine children, isn’t particularly worried. at the Western Wall for a private visit, movement and whether demonstrators rassment and assault, and social media “What, the North Korea thing?” she orders, he issued visas to thousands of could bring banners with Jewish stars to users shared their experiences using the in Lithuania. In defiance of his superiors’ Singer said. “I see it on the news but, to tell you - to visit the holy site and earning him high a Chicago feminist march — illuminated hashtag #MeToo. Prominent Jews were making him the first sitting U.S. president the truth, I’m not really concerned. I think vancing Nazis and survive the war in Ja- praise across Israel. A few months after a growing challenge for Zionist Jews who among the accused, including Sen. Al Jews who thus were able to flee the ad WARSAW – The Polish government it’s all talk and I don’t get the feeling that pan and its occupied areas in China. the visit, Trump dispatched a team of top feel unwelcome in liberal spaces. Franken, director and writer James To- Japanese people around me are particu- Despite this new threat from North aides, including Kushner, Jason Green- back, former New Republic editor Leon ($28 million USD) to restore the Warsaw larly worried about it, either.” Korea, Jews can still feel safe in Japan, ac- blatt and Dina Powell, to visit Israel and Neo-Nazis rally in Wieseltier, New York Times reporter Jewishhas decided Cemetery, to invest Polish 100 Deputy million Prime złoty Lior Pasternak, an Israeli father of two cording to Moshe Gino, a member of the other Middle Eastern countries in an at- Charlottesville. Glenn Thrush, producer Brett Ratner Minister Piotr Glinski personally in- from the western city of Izumiotsu, which Kobe Jewish community who settled here tempt to revive peace talks. Neo-Nazis and white supremacists and actor Jeffrey Tambor. The Conserva- formed World Jewish Congress CEO and is located just 500 miles from North Ko- in the 1990s and has two children with gathered in a Virginia park in August to tive Jewish youth movement, USY, also Executive Vice President Robert Singer rea’s southern border, was equally dis- his Japanese wife, who converted to Juda- Israel freezes pluralistic protest the removal of a statue of Con- grappled with allegations against former last month. missive. ism. Western Wall agreement. federate Gen. Robert E. Lee. The far-right staff members. The allegations ignited Glinski relayed the decision to Singer “I’m pretty sure this posturing by “That’s a constant,” he said. A June decision by Netanyahu’s Cabi- protesters chanted racist and anti-Se- conversations in Jewish homes around during a special meeting at the cem- North Korea will not lead to violence net to put on hold the establishment of mitic slogans, including “Jews will not the country, as well as in Israel, where etery itself. Singer was in Warsaw on a because even the loudmouth in Pyong- an egalitarian section of the Western Wall replace us,” and brawled with counter- women had been sharing similar stories short World Jewish Congress delegation yang doesn’t want to mess with Donald drew the ire of American Jewish lead- protesters. One counterprotester, Heath- for years. visit, as part of WJC President Ronald S. Trump,” he said in reference to dictator ers. Some leaders, also angered by the er Heyer, was killed when a suspected Lauder’s ongoing efforts to ensure the Kim Jong-un and America’s president. advancement of a bill to give the Ortho- Trump recognizes Jerusalem as white supremacist rammed his car into sustained revival of Jewish life in Poland. “Besides,” added Pasternak, a former dox Chief Rabbinate complete control of - Israel’s capital. Lauder has been instrumental in nu- combatant in the Israeli armored corps, conversions performed in Israel, warned ing the protest, calling out neo-Nazis The president reversed decades of U.S. merous projects to this regard, including “for a Jew and an Israeli, it’s never a good of a growing schism between American a crowd. Trump waffled on condemn and white supremacists in one remark, policy when he recognized Jerusalem deep involvement with the Auschwitz idea to get frightened by threats, or we Jews and Israel. (The decision negated a but blaming both sides for the violence as the capital of Israel, saying he would Museum, and the establishment of POLIN would have to leave or freak out pretty deal that had been struck in 2016.) Natan at other times, saying there were “some move the U.S. Embassy there from Tel Museum of the History of Polish Jews, as much everywhere we live.” Sharansky, the chairman of the Jewish Aviv. The decision earned Trump praise Yet Japan is precisely one of a handful Agency for Israel, also joined critics of the groups, lawmakers from both sides of the from the Jewish state and American (continued on next page) Photo/Cnaan Liphshiz decision, saying it “will make our work to aislevery fineand people”the president’s in both camps.top economic Jewish 22 The Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine January 2018 January 2018 The Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine 23 Warsaw Cemetery the Jewish Community of Warsaw. (continued previous page) The decision to restore the cemetery was adopted by the Polish parliament well Jewish schools and educational in- with a nearly unanimous vote of 416 stitutions across the country. in favor and four opposed. The govern- Singer welcomed the Polish govern- ment is expected to transfer the funds to ment’s decision on behalf of President Poland’s Cultural Heritage Foundation, Lauder and the WJC, and said: “The World which will implement the restoration Jewish Congress urges all European gov- in cooperation with the Warsaw Jewish ernments, including in Poland, to make Community. every effort to curb anti-Semitism and

Photo/World Jewish Congress xenophobia once and for all. It is critical The Warsaw Jewish Cemetery was es- that all minorities, and all people, living tablished in 1806; with approximately on this continent enjoy the basic human 250,000 graves, it is considered the most right of living in peace and security. We recognizable of the 1,400 Jewish cem- call on European leaders to prioritize eteries in Poland, and one of the largest putting the necessary legislation in place in Europe. to ensure that such manifestations of ha- tred are treated with utmost severity and About the World Jewish Congress penalty, and to unequivocally and loudly condemn every sign of anti-Semitism, The World Jewish Congress (WJC) is neo-Nazism and neo-fascism.” the international organization represent- The WJC delegation was joined in its ing Jewish communities in 100 countries visit to the Jewish cemetery on Monday to governments, parliaments and inter- by Anna Chipczynska, the President of national organizations.

24 The Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine January 2018