Scranton Hebrew Day School to Hold Prize Extravaganza on Jan. 14
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Jewish Federation of NEPA Non-profit Organization 601 Jefferson Ave. U.S. POSTAGE PAID The Scranton, PA 18510 Permit # 184 Watertown, NY Change Service Requested Published by the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania VOLUME X, NUMBER 24 DECEMBER 14, 2017 After recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, Trump delays moving embassy, Palestinians riot BY JTA STAFF Trump referred to this history in his House officials said Trump signed the as Israel’s capital. I have no doubt than when (JTA) – Hours after ordering prepa- speech announcing the historic shift in waiver to avoid a legally stipulated cut in the U.S. Embassy will move there, and even rations for a U.S. embassy in Jerusalem, U.S. policy on Jerusalem on December 6. State Department funding until the new before that, many embassies will relocate to President Donald Trump delayed moving “Presidents issued these waivers under the embassy is actually opened. They told the Jerusalem,” he said at the Foreign Ministry the diplomatic mission to the city by an- belief that delaying the recognition of Jeru- newspaper that previous presidents used in Jerusalem. “It’s about time.” other six months. Trump signed a procla- salem would advance the cause of peace,” the waiver to avoid moving the embassy, Israeli officials said they expected mation at the White House on December he said. “Some say they lacked courage, whereas Trump instructed the start of Czech President Milos Zeman to recog- 6 saying the United States sees Jerusalem but they made their best judgments based practical work on the mission. nize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. They as Israel’s capital and directing the State on facts as they understood them at the Israeli officials who spoke anonymous- said both the Czech Republic and the Department to start planning an embassy time. ...While previous presidents have ly on December 7 downplayed the threat Phillipines were eager to move their in the city. Soon thereafter, he signed made this a major campaign promise, they of a diplomatic backlash to the American embassies to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. another presidential waiver of a 1995 law failed to deliver,” Trump said. “Today, I move. Israel said it expects other countries The Czech Republic’s Foreign Ministry requiring the embassy to be moved from am delivering.” to follow America’s example and recog- said on December 6 it considers Jerusa- Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Trump said the decision should not nize Jerusalem as its capital, even as much lem to be “in fact the capital of Israel in Under U.S. President Bill Clinton, Con- impinge on his administration’s efforts to of the world decried the U.S. decision to the borders of the demarcation line from gress passed the Jerusalem Embassy Act bring about a peace agreement between move toward relocating its embassy to the 1967,” meaning only the city’s western recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and Israelis and Palestinians. He said the proc- city. Speaking at a diplomatic conference part. But the ministry said it would not stating that the embassy should be moved lamation does not presume the outcome of on December 7, a day after the historic move the embassy prior to a negotiated here. However, presidents ever since – from Jerusalem’s status in negotiations and he shift in U.S. policy, which he welcomed, Israeli-Palestinian deal. Although the Clinton to George W. Bush to Barack Obama urged continued Muslim administration Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Czech parliament already recognized – have invoked a waiver written into the law of the Temple Mount, a site holy to both he was in contact with countries interested Jerusalem as Israel’s capital earlier this that allows them to postpone the move for Jews and Muslims, and a flashpoint in the in such actions. year, the country’s embassy has remained reasons of “national security.” As a result, Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “We are holding contacts with other in the Tel Aviv area. the law has never gone into effect. According to The Guardian, White countries who will also recognize Jerusalem See “Jerusalem” on page 4 2018 UJA Scranton Hebrew Day School to hold paign Upd Cam ate Pay it forward & give to the 2018 Jewish Federation prize extravaganza on Jan. 14 of Northeastern Pennsylvania The Scranton Hebrew Day School drawings for prizes, including two domes- per couple. Early bird prize packages are Annual Campaign! will hold its Gala Prize Extravaganza tic airline tickets, silver Judaica, diamond available. Goal: fund-raiser on Sunday, January 14, at jewelry, a handwritten megillah and case, For further information or to receive $910,000 POSH @ The Scranton Club, 404 N. and gift cards to Target, Amazon, etc. A a prize brochure, call the school office at Washington Ave., Scranton, at 6 pm. dairy buffet and dessert will be served. 570-346-1576. All proceeds will benefit The evening will feature individual Admission is $18 per person and $30 the school’s scholarship fund. For information or to make a donation call 570-961-2300 ext. 1 or send your gift to: SPOTLIGHT Jewish Federation of Northeastern $525,661 Pennsylvania as of Dec. 11, 2017 601 Jefferson Ave., Jewish women showcase Israel’s Scranton, PA 18510 (Please MEMO your pledge or gift 2018 diversity for millions of followers UJA Campaign) BY ELIANA RUDEE JNS.org In the morning, 29 leading female en- tertainers and media professionals from North America explored the alleyways of Tzfat through the lenses of mysticism, art and Jewish history. Later, they visited Israeli doctors treating wounded Syrian refugees. In the middle of the afternoon, Federation they tasted the award-winning product of Israel’s Carmel Winery. By the evening, they enjoyed dinner in the 1868 historical on Facebook stone restaurant in Jerusalem. The Jewish Federation of Northeast- And it all happened in just their second ern Pennsylvania now has a page on day in Israel. Facebook to let community members The Israel trips organized by the Jewish know about upcoming events and keep Women’s Renaissance Project are often connected. referred to as “Birthright for moms.” But this particular trip carried some extra gravitas. From November 27-December Candle lighting 4, visitors described by JWRP as “Media Participants of the Jewish Women’s Renaissance Project’s “Media Magnets” trip December 15................................4:16 pm See “Women” on page 6 to Israel are pictured at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. (Photo by Aviram Valdman) December 22 ...............................4:19 pm December 29 .............................. 4:23 pm INSIDE THIS ISSUE January 5 .................................... 4:29 pm Campaign chai-lights Israel and technology Basketball in Israel January 12 .................................. 4:37 pm January 19 .................................. 4:45 pm A look at the American Joint Big data and robots are part of A look at African American Distribution Committee and how the Israeli military’s “new world”; basketball players in Israel who PLUS it aids Jews throughout the world. Amazon R&D in Israel. became Israeli citizens. Opinion .......................................................2 Story on page 5 Stories on page 9 Story on page 13 D’var Torah ...............................................8 2 THE REPORTER ■ DECEMBER 14, 2017 A MATTER OF OPINION The Shabbat revolution: a movement of unity, peace and connection BY RABBI DR. WARREN cial spirit of Shabbat. On a day in which constant feed of digital information. With As it turns out, one of the world’s latest GOLDSTEIN many of our routines are restricted – going marvels of modern technology at our fin- revolutions embodies the aforementioned JNS.org to work, writing, cooking, driving cars, gertips at any given moment, we remain core human values – unity, peace and tran- In a world that has experienced an in- turning on lights and activating electrical glued to our devices, and cling to social quility, and real interpersonal connection. ordinate amount of destruction in recent appliances, among other things – we can networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Since I introduced The Shabbat Project months, it might be difficult to appreciate discover that these restrictions are actually Instagram as if our lives depended on them. in 2013 in South Africa, this worldwide – or even think of – creation. liberating; that it is the things we can’t But Malcolm Gladwell, one of today’s call for Jews to keep a single Shabbat has Hurricanes wreaked havoc on Houston, do on Shabbat which free us up to do the most influential thinkers, asserts that grown exponentially. South Florida and Puerto Rico, among things we can. modern technology might not be the key From October 27-28, this year’s Shabbat other places. Earthquakes devastated Rather than impeding our enjoyment or ingredient to everyday success – or to Project drew more than one million partic- Mexico. Las Vegas endured the deadliest creating inconvenience, these regulations transformative social revolutions. Yes, ipants across 1,416 cities and 97 countries. mass shooting in modern U.S. history. actually create the magic and inspiration the “Arab Spring” upheavals in Tunisia, It has been nothing short of thrilling and In these times of crisis and pain, we have of the Shabbat experience. Day in and day Egypt and throughout the Arab world are deeply inspiring to watch this movement also witnessed some of mankind’s most out, in order to get by in this world, we widely believed to have been sparked by grow, as Jews come together across every admirable attributes: kindness, empathy,