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VOLUME IX, NUMBER 21 NOVEMBER 3, 2016 Facebook censors Ukraine Jews for “Escape the Daily Grind” criticising Holocaust collaborators BY SAM SOKOL on Nov. 12 JNS.org Eric and Angela Weinberg, have invit- JERUSALEM – A Jew- ed the community to a Jewish Federation ish figure in Kiev found of Northeastern Pennsylvania event, of his Facebook account which they are co-chairs. A program that suspended after a post de- has been called “challenging and fun” tailing Ukrainian collab- will be held on Saturday, November 12, oration in the Holocaust at 7:30 pm, at the Electric City Escape, was flagged as violating 507 Linden St., Scranton. the social networking The event will feature an adventure site’s terms of service. game where participants will be locked Eduard Dolinsky, director in a room and have to find clues, break of the Ukrainian Jewish codes and open locks in a series of Committee, an advocacy puzzles within 60 minutes in order group, told JNS.org he Monument to the murdered in Babi Yar, Kiev. (Photo to win. These puzzles are designed to Angela and Eric Weinberg found himself locked out courtesy of Wikimedia Commons) challenge one’s wit, patience and prob- of his account on October lem-solving skills to beat the clock. “It org or call 570-961-2300, ext. 2. For 20 after posting an old video of a Soviet a post discussing the responsibility of will be a great evening and we hope confirmation, make a $20 paid -reser trial of two members of the Ukrainian World War I era Ukrainian leader Simon you can join us,” said organizers of vation. Space will be limited and those Insurgent Army who participated in the Petliura for a series of pogroms against the the program. interested have been urged to RSVP as murder of Jewish civilians during World country’s Jews. The post, which contained To register, visit http://jewishnepa. soon as possible. War II. a Russian epithet for Jews, was removed Dolinsky is an outspoken critic of the from both journalists’ timelines. Ukrainian government’s alleged support “I felt there is anti-Jewish censorship on for revisionist history. This wasn’t the Facebook,” Briman said. While he didn’t Bob Dylan awarded 2016 first time he was censored by Facebook believe the government had any involve- after expressing his views online. Over ment, he does believe its passage of the bill the past several weeks, two other posts honoring OUN and UPA had emboldened Nobel Prize in Literature critical of Ukraine’s past politics have online trolls targeting his posts. “We are BY JTA STAFF also been removed by the social media talking about a well-organized community (JTA) – American singer and songwriter site. “I believe that this is an orchestrat- of Ukrainians, who well understand what Bob Dylan has been awarded the 2016 ed attack of Holocaust deniers here in they are doing,” Kogan added. Nobel Prize in Literature. Dylan, 75, was Ukraine, the post was absolutely correct,” Unequivocally, experts say freedom recognized for “having created new poetic Dolinsky said. He was careful to avoid of speech is restricted in Ukraine. Pro- expressions within the great American song foul language or any other objectionable fessor John Paul Himka, a Canadian tradition,” the Swedish Academy, which is content, which would have resulted in a researcher who focuses on the Holocaust responsible for choosing the Nobel laure- prompt takedown, he added. in Ukraine, said while he was unaware ates in literature, announced on October 13. Dolinsky had previously expressed of any arrests related to such issues, he Born Robert Allen Zimmerman and disapproval of a sign placed at the Babi pointed to the recent government ban raised Jewish in Minnesota, Dylan wrote Yar ravine in Kiev on the 75th anniver- on the Polish film “Woyln,” which de- some of the most influential and well- sary of the two-day massacre of 33,000 tailed the WWII mass murder of Poles known songs of the 1960s. His hits include Jews by the Nazis. The sign memori- by Ukrainian nationalists during the “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “Like a Rolling alized members of the Organization war, as proof of stifling free expression. Stone” and “Times They Are a-Changin’.” of Ukrainian Nationalists, who were The Simon Wiesenthal Center ques- Dylan is the first American to receive Bob Dylan onstage at the 17th Annual later killed at the site. The OUN, and tioned the propriety of Facebook removing the prize in more than 20 years; novelist Critics’ Choice Movie Awards at The its offshoot UPA, were both implicated Dolinsky’s post. “It’s a very sad day and Toni Morrison won in 1993. He will re- Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles on in the murder of Jews and Poles during a very serious matter if any criticism of ceive the $927,740 prize in Stockholm on January 12, 2012. (Photo by Christopher the war. While the groups were initially the efforts of the Ukrainian government Saturday, December 10, which is Alfred Polk/Getty Images for VH1) supportive of the Germans, later they to distort the history of World War II and Nobel’s birthday. turned against their erstwhile allies over the Holocaust are taken down by Face- Dylan is the first artist seen primarily as he wants to attend the December 10 prize the issue of Ukrainian independence. book,” said Dr. Efraim Zuroff, director of a songwriter to win the award, a fact that ceremony in Stockholm. The Swedish Similar signs at the Kiev municipal- the Wiesenthal Center’s Jerusalem office. has stirred a “divisive debate” in literary Academy said on its website that it had ity also aroused the Jewish leader’s ire. “Such a ridiculous policy basically gives circles. Many writers have called for him not yet been decided whether Dylan will Dolinsky commented on his Facebook the Ukrainian government a green light to turn down the award. attend any events during the Nobel Week in account about both of the sign postings, to continue to glorify individuals who “The news about the Nobel Prize left Stockholm ahead of the awards ceremony. which were subsequently removed as participated in the mass murder of Jews me speechless” Dylan told Sara Danius, Dylan told The Telegraph that receiving violations of Facebook’s terms of ser- during the Holocaust.” permanent secretary of the Swedish the Prize “is hard to believe.” vice. Last year, the Ukrainian parliament Asked about the Facebook incidents, Academy, according to a statement on passed a bill making the denigration of Volodymyr Viatrovych, director of the Nobel Prize’s website. “I appreciate the OUN and UPA illegal, although it Ukraine’s state-sponsored Institute for the honor so much.” Federation failed to establish a specific penalty for National Memory, told JNS.org he did Dylan contacted the Swedish Academy violators. Academics and human rights not believe that “Ukrainian politics of himself the week of October 28 and said activists around the world condemned the decommunization has some influence on he would accept the prize, Danius told on Facebook law for censoring historical debate and politics of Facebook. There are no cases Sweden’s TT news agency. Danius also told The Jewish Federation of Northeast- establishing an official state narrative of of censorship or limitations of freedom of Swedish Radio that Dylan is not obliged to ern Pennsylvania now has a page on the Holocaust. speech in the laws of decommunization.” attend the prize ceremony, but is required Facebook to let community members Like Dolinsky, Ukrainian Israeli jour- Neither Facebook nor other repre- to deliver a lecture or perform a song. know about upcoming events and keep nalists Shimon Briman and Alex Kogan sentatives of the Ukrainian government Dylan told the London-based The Tele- connected. have also complained about Facebook responded to requests by JNS.org for graph in an interview posted on its website censorship. Briman and Kogan had shared comment. on October 28 that, “if it’s at all possible,” Candle lighting INSIDE THIS ISSUE November 4...... 5:35 pm Buhkarian Jews November 11...... 4:28 pm Breast cancer research Fighting violence November 18...... 4:22 pm Central Asia’s Bukharian Jews Hadassah Medical Center A black rabbinical student leads are thriving in Israel, Moscow continues its leading-edge re- an “Army of Moms” in fighting PLUS and the West. search in breast cancer detection. Chicago’s gun violence. Opinion...... 2 Story on page 3 Story on page 4 Story on page 7 D’var Torah...... 8 2 THE REPORTER ■ NOVEMBER 3, 2016 A MATTER OF OPINION How Jacob Neusner brought Jewish studies into the mainstream BY ALAN J. AVERY-PECK according to the same norms of anal- The last point is perhaps the most place within the academy, benefitting (JTA) – Jacob Neusner, the famed ysis that were routinely applied to the significant. Through critical examina- from critical study while also demon- scholar and almost mythically prolific Bible and New Testament. tion, massive projects of translation strating how Jews and their literary author who died on October 8 at age In his earliest writings, Neusner and commentary, and his application and intellectual legacy contribute to 84, almost singlehandedly created the showed conclusively that rabbinic of disciplines ranging from literary human learning overall. modern study of Judaism, and in doing books – the Mishnah, the two Talmuds, study to anthropology, Neusner In this work, Neusner defied so he revolutionized our understand- collections of midrash – expressed brought the study of Judaism – and entrenched religious and academic ing of the history of Judaism and our distinctive ideologies uniquely suited the university-trained scholar of Juda- monopolies, whose approach to perception of what Judaism can mean to the time and place of their authors ism – into dialogue with scholarship these texts and commitment to a tra- to Jews today. and editors. This meant that ditional reading of Jewish His career, which spanned more Jewish history, just like Is- Through critical examination, massive projects history and religion was than 50 years and famously included raelite and early Christian of translation and commentary, and his now challenged exactly as, the publication of hundreds of books, history, could not be ex- application of disciplines ranging from literary a century before, academic pressed in terms of what had study had challenged reg- brought him national and international study to anthropology, Neusner brought the recognition. But most important, it cre- actually happened, but only nant, fundamentalist read- ated a model of Jewish life and learning as the history of the ideas study of Judaism – and the university-trained ings of the Hebrew Bible. that both adheres to the heritage of Torah and ideologies of those who scholar of Judaism – into dialogue with Strikingly, today, just as and tradition, and with intellectual and compiled and edited the later scholarship throughout the academy. Talmudic a critical approach to the st historically honesty is at home in 21 literary evidence. literature, previously viewed as neither Hebrew Bible has begun A first implication of this to enter even the world of century America. accessible nor, because of its superficially By the early 1960s, when Neusner discovery was that we could Jewish Orthodoxy, Neus- was first beginning to publish, Bible no longer speak simply of arcane content, as worth accessing, would now ner’s critical methodology scholars had long questioned and sought some single and monolithic contribute to the work of humanists and social is standard, even among methods of analyzing everything from “Judaism.” Individual rab- scientists throughout the academy. scholars who no longer are the Hebrew Bible’s account of the history binic books, rather, needed conscious of where these of early Israel to the New Testament’s to be understood in the con- approaches came from and claims regarding what Jesus had said and text of the specific and diverse Judaic throughout the academy. Talmudic who take issue with Neusner’s spe- done. But it remained routine in Jewish systems in which they arose. literature, previously viewed as nei- cific conclusions. history simply to accept as fact what Second, talmudic texts could not be ther accessible nor, because of its Whether he wins or loses on the Jewish texts, written hundreds of years studied as they always had been, with superficially arcane content, as worth details, Neusner won the battle over after the events they reported, said had every text, early or late, being used to accessing, would now contribute to how talmudic texts would be studied happened or claimed what certain rabbis illuminate every other text. the work of humanists and social and how they would be regarded in the or other figures had said. And third, accurately interpreting scientists throughout the academy. contemporary academy. Instead, Neusner insisted that an- this literature required academic meth- This had another important im- Alan J. Avery-Peck is the Kraft- cient Jewish writings be examined ods. This meant that the Talmud, to be plication. Even as Jews and Judaism Hiatt Professor in Judaic Studies in the truly understood and for it to take its came of age and became increasingly Department of Religious Studies at the rightful place among the world’s great at home in the America of the 1960s College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, literatures, could no longer be in the and beyond, Jacob Neusner assured MA. He is the co-editor of “A Legacy sole purview of the yeshiva and yeshi- that Jewish history, literature and of Learning: Essays in Honor of Jacob va-trained scholars. tradition would take their rightful Neusner” (Brill, 2014).

“ The Reporter” (USPS #482) is published bi-weekly by the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania, 601 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, PA 18510. What I wish synagogues knew about President: David Malinov Executive Director: Mark Silverberg Executive Editor: Rabbi Rachel Esserman single parents Layout Editor: Diana Sochor Assistant Editor: Michael Nassberg BY ELIANA SALZMAN When I was married, I was a congregation let me down. Production Coordinator: Jenn DePersis Advertising Representative: Bonnie Rozen (Kveller via JTA) – I’m not sure super-volunteer at my synagogue I still feel committed to Judaism and Bookkeeper: Kathy Brown where to begin. I first want to say that and loved being involved. I knew living Jewishly, but I am conflicted about my synagogue – and I think synagogues well the rabbi, cantor and religious Jewish institutions. I don’t feel like my OPINIONS The views expressed in in general – have done a really great school director. When they asked me synagogue has a place for people like editorials and opinion pieces are those job of welcoming congregants who to take leadership roles in various me, and I also feel that there is little of each author and not necessarily have converted, are intermarried, or areas of synagogue life, I was happy compassion or understanding for single the views of the Jewish Federation of are in non-traditional marriages. My to contribute. parents. I don’t need a support group; I Northeastern Pennsylvania. synagogue also welcomes adopted Then I divorced. My ex-husband met need support. LETTERS The Reporter welcomes children and Jews of color. It is still with the cantor to discuss his feelings There is an unspoken stigma regard- letters on subjects of interest to the mainly an Ashkenazi population, but about the split, so it clearly wasn’t a ing divorce in the Jewish community. Jewish community. All letters must be it quickly is becoming more diverse. secret. Yet for all the time and energy The failure of a marriage implies that signed and include a phone number. something is “wrong” – The editor may withhold the name The rabbi, cantor and Board abuse, addiction, affairs, upon request. of Trustees have worked hard I still feel committed to Judaism and living and continue to work to make mental illness. In addition, ADS The Reporter does not necessar- Jewishly, but I am conflicted about Jewish ily endorse any advertised products the synagogue inclusive. success in the Jewish world and services. In addition, the paper But there is one population institutions. I don’t feel like my synagogue has is almost always defined as is not responsible for the kashruth of that seems to be left out: sin- a place for people like me, and I also feel that highly educated, capable any advertiser’s product or establish- gle parents. I think I speak for there is little compassion or understanding for of self-support and able to ment. maintain a functioning fami- most single parents when I single parents. I don’t need a support group; DEADLINE Regular deadline is two say we didn’t marry with the ly. So when my marriage fell weeks prior to the publication date. intention of divorcing. Un- I need support. apart, it was logical that I felt like a failure. FEDERATION WEBSITE: fortunately, divorce happens www.jewishnepa.org for all sorts of reasons, which A phone call from the oftentimes are private and painful. I had generously devoted to the syn- rabbi or cantor acknowledging the HOW TO SUBMIT ARTICLES: And as welcoming as synagogues have agogue, no one called or reached out challenges my family and I were facing Mail: 601 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, PA become of non-traditional families, to me. The group that arranges meals would have gone a long way in easing 18510 the one thing they have in common is and transportation for sick congregants my frustration and disillusionment. As E-mail: [email protected] they remain two-parent households. never called to see if I wanted a few it stands now, since I am outside the Fax: (570) 346-6147 Many single parents have fewer meals delivered. I had to apply for normative two-parent family, I’m not Phone: (570) 961-2300 financial and emotional resources reduced dues since my ex-husband sure what or where my next steps will be. HOW TO REACH than married parents and less time was the main breadwinner. Eliana Salzman is the pen name of a THE ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE: to volunteer. And while the divorce I was already feeling ashamed single mom of two teenagers. Phone: (800) 779-7896, ext. 244 papers may have been signed, single and embarrassed due to my divorce, Kveller is a community of women E-mail: [email protected] parents are often dealing many years and I felt the synagogue, my second and parents who convene online to later with uncooperative ex-spouses home, was ashamed of me and my share, celebrate and commiserate their SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: and the shifting landscape of chil- failed marriage. Instead of lifting me experiences of raising kids through a Phone: (570) 961-2300 dren’s custody. up when I needed the most help, the Jewish lens. Visit Kveller.com. NOVEMBER 3, 2016 ■ THE REPORTER 3 Dwindling at home, Central Asia’s Bukharian Jews thrive in Diaspora BY CNAAN LIPHSHIZ The women used to sit apart from the men in the TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (JTA) – As a new immigrant synagogues, on an elevated balcony, but have since with little savings and no guaranteed income, Mikhail moved downstairs with the men because climbing the Davidov had no hope of getting a mortgage to buy the stairs became too difficult for elderly congregants. $900,000 house in Queens, NY, he now calls home. The only growing Jewish institution in Bukhara is the Luckily for Davidov, a 42-year-old hairdresser who community’s walled-off cemetery. “This community immigrated to New York six years ago from Uzbekistan, has no future here,” says Shirin Yakubov, a 33-year-old he never needed a mortgage. mother of three. Instead, he borrowed the money, interest free, from Yakubov is one of the few young members of Bukha- his extended family of Bukharian Jews – a tight-knit ra’s Jewish community of 150. Her three siblings all community whose members have excelled both in making live in Israel, where she and her husband, Arsen, plan money and preserving their traditions even after most to immigrate as soon as his elderly parents also agree to of them left their ancestral homelands in Central Asia. leave. Meanwhile, their children attend a Jewish school “Banks are for Ashkenazim,” Davidov said, referenc- where only a few of some 200 students are Jews. ing European Jews, during a visit to his native city of Both synagogues feature pictures from the 1997 visit A Bukharian Jewish woman presented her cooking at Samarkand in September. “When I’m established and to Bukhara of Hillary Clinton when she was first lady a community event in Kiryat Gat, Israel, on November done paying back my family members who are already – part of an eclectic display of ornaments hanging on 3, 2014. (Photo courtesy of Bukharim.com) established in Israel and the States, I’ll lend money to a the walls that include china vessels, portraits of com- relative. It’s how we succeed.” munity sages and, somewhat depressingly, an array of This emphasis on preserving Bukharian culture and lan- Davidov’s story is typical of the tradition of mutual nonfunctioning clocks. guage (many community members speak Bukhori, a dialect assistance that experts of Bukharian Jewry say is key Whereas time seems to be running out for the Bukharian of the Tajik-Persian language) has created an environment to the community’s remarkable success in business and Jews of Central Asia, their communities have produced conducive to preserving intimate traditions, according to maintaining their unique customs and lineages long after for themselves a new and extraordinary lease on life in Pozailov. One such custom involves the exchange of per- most Bukharian Jews left their homelands in Uzbekistan, Russia and the West. Despite arriving with meager funds sonal greetings between couples on Passover. They serve Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan in competitive societies where Jewish communities are one another the first of four cups of wine drunk during the following the Soviet Union’s collapse. fast assimilating, Bukharian Jews have managed to rebuild Passover seder and present their wishes for one another. By the 1990s, the vast majority of approximately congregations that stand out in their level of prosperity, The Queens Bukharian museum, located at the 100,000 Bukharian Jews had left Central Asia, where robustness and cohesiveness, according to Pozailov. Leviev-funded yeshiva in Queens, includes traditional they have lived at least since the 15th century, for Israel, Among the best-known and most successful Bukhar- garb such as the jumah – a gold-threaded, colorful plaid the United States, Austria and Moscow. Today, only ian Jews is billionaire diamond magnate Lev Leviev, an kimono-like robe worn by men on major Jewish holidays. 3,000 of them remain in Central Asia. Israeli philanthropist who has spent millions of dollars While significant, Leviev’s help is “but one of several Concentrated mostly in the three Uzbekistani cities in donations to institutions that experts on Bukharian factors that make Bukharian Jews a unique community, of Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara, Central Asia’s Jews say keep the community from falling apart outside which has managed to re-create itself and prosper in Bukharian Jewry is a graying community with hope its homeland. conditions that broke most other Jewish communities,” neither of replenishing their numbers nor the social status Leviev is funding predominantly Bukharian schools, Pozailov said. Nestled among predominantly Muslim they enjoyed up until the previous century. At one time such as the Ohr Avner Jewish School in Elmhurst, NY, populations that even Joseph Stalin did not want to they dominated the region’s textile and dye industry, which opened in 2002 and “where young members of alienate unnecessarily, Bukharian Jews suffered less according to Giora Pozailov, a historian at Israel’s Bar- the community can meet spouses and study about their See “Bukharian” on page 4 Ilan University specializing in Bukharian Jewry. heritage,” Pozailov said. Thanks to donations from Bukhara once was considered a major stop along the Leviev and others, the community in the United States Silk Road, which in ancient times connected Europe with has several newspapers, including the Russian-language Asia. Now the southern desert city has so few Jews that Bukharian Times weekly. The Queens community even its two synagogues almost never open simultaneously to has a museum – an amenity that the remnant community DEADLINES in Uzbekistan lacks. ensure at least one has a minyan, the obligatory quorum The following are deadlines for all articles and of 10 men required for some Orthodox prayers. In Vienna, where hundreds of Bukharian Jews settled Even so, Shabbat prayers stretch on for hours as a in the 1970s, members of the community now dominate photos for upcoming Reporter issues. handful of congregants wait for suburbanites and late the kosher food and catering business. And in Israel, their DEADLINE ISSUE risers to arrive on foot. Draped in prayer shawls, the outsize stake in the country’s $6 billion diamond industry, Thursday, November 3...... November 17 men practice their deep, guttural singing of scripture as among other sectors, has turned them into the quintessential Thursday, November 17...... December 1 Zionist success story. Living on the Silk Road “has exposed they sit in pews in the main synagogue’s yard – a cooler Thursday, December 1...... December 15 alternative to the stuffy interior, which can reach 104 Bukharian Jews to international skills, principles of trade, degrees Fahrenheit in summer. different cultures and perspectives that mean that, today, Thursday, December 29...... January 12 business runs in their blood,” Pozailov said. Zeev Levin, the head of the Hebrew University’s Central Asian Research Unit, takes such assertions with a grain of salt, citing the lack of scientific research Office space for rent on Bukharian Jews’ levels of income and their alleged available as of November 1, 2016 immunity to assimilation. Others cite the experience of 922 North Washington Ave., Scranton similar ethnic “niche” groups whose economic success depends on mutual support, not cultural inheritance or 800 sq. ft. includes three rooms, kitchenette genetic advantages. & restroom. Currently used as an insurance Yet there is little doubt that compared to other Jewish office. $850.00 rent includes utilities. communities, Bukharian Jews have done a good job in preserving their heritage. In communities as far-flung as For further information, Australia, young Bukharian Jews are taught the commu- please call 570-342-6065 nity’s distinct customs and history, like the controversial Lev Leviev, center, wrote in a Torah scroll with Rabbi 18th-century exchange of the Persian prayer style for the Eliyahu Yaakov, right, and Israel’s then-Defense Sephardic one. Bukharian Jews are originally thought Minister Moshe Yaalon, left, in Jerusalem on March to have arrived in the region as exiles from Persia and 23, 2014. (Photo by Israel Barddougo/World Congress perhaps, according to community lore, as Israelites of Bukhara Jews) expelled from the Holy Land.

ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 4 THE REPORTER ■ NOVEMBER 3, 2016 Hadassah continues leading-edge research in breast cancer detection BY ROBERT GLUCK for the BRCA1 mutation. With whether other genes were involved, and JNS.org the knowledge acquired from this is one of the points of the research One of the leaders in the fight BRCA genetic research, we we are doing today.” against breast cancer is said to realized I could have passed New studies show that other genes be Dr. Tamar Peretz Yablonski, it on to my children. So, when should not be ignored in the diagnosis of the daughter of a Holocaust they were in their 20s, it was breast cancer. survivor, whose tenacity and suggested each one be tested. “If we look at the prevalence of any determination to find a cure is Both daughters tested BRCA1 mutations in women who develop breast said to inspire her and countless positive; my son was spared. cancer on a background of genetic pre- others. Hadassah developed the blood disposition, only 40-50 percent will have “My parents always taught test that can detect if a healthy the BRCA,” Yablonski said. “The rest will me to fight, to look on the bright Dr. Tamar Peretz woman carries the BRCA have other genes that are involved. It may side,” Yablonski, director of Yablonski (Photo mutation. When my 23-year- be a mistake to test only for BRCA. In the Hadassah Medical Center’s by Renee Young, old daughter felt a lump in last two years, we’ve researched other Maxx Schube (center) with her daughters Sharett Institute of Oncology Hadassah) her breast, she wasn’t taken genes that are involved in the development Rochelle (left) and Alana. (Photo by in Israel, told JNS.org. seriously until she revealed she of breast cancer. We identified specific Renee Young, Hadassah) As Hadassah continues its research was BRCA positive. I shudder to think she mutations in the gene, called p53 [a tumor work in finding a cure, the organization is might have been overlooked.” suppressor protein], which predisposes serious illness. celebrating 20 years since its researchers When Schube speaks at Hadassah’s to the development of breast cancer at “We should be very cautious in deciding discovered that the risk of carrying the breast cancer awareness campaign events a very young age. We know there are at to give therapy or not and be very precise BRCA1 gene mutation – which is tied – including those in October, which is least 26 genes that are involved in the and personal on what kind of treatments to increased cancer risk – is 1 in 40 for Breast Cancer Awareness month – she tells predisposition of breast cancer.” to give, the dosage, the possibility of Ashkenazi women, compared to 1 in 100 audiences that cancer doesn’t discriminate Yablonski stressed treatment, too. side effects, close follow-up and when to for the rest of the population. based on a woman’s age. “How genetic predisposition affects stop,” Yablonski said. “Newly diagnosed Following this discovery, Hadassah “We emphasize that even in college, treatment is important,” she said. “Those patients and those carrying the mutated Medical Organization developed a simpler when you are busy with school or focusing with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 are more gene face a bewildering array of treatment blood test to detect the presence of these on your future, there is no future unless you sensitive to a specific chemotherapy drug options and opinions. This will change. genes, the organization reported. keep up with your health, medical checkups [platinum-based]. If a woman is suffering Treatment will become increasingly Hadassah’s findings have had a major or do a thorough breast self-examination,” from breast cancer, we know this drug personalized, structured according to the impact on breast cancer management, ac- Schube said. “For us, genetics is our cure. should be used and is effective.” many factors involved, from genetic to cording to Yablonski. “We now know this Having the knowledge of our strong While breast cancer is no longer an emotional. Decisions will be easier and mutation in the BRCA gene predisposes to BRCA genetic family history saved my automatic death sentence, it remains a results will be better.” the development, not only of breast cancer, younger daughter’s life. With that BRCA but also to the development of ovarian, knowledge, my older daughter underwent a colon, pancreatic, prostate in males and prophylactic mastectomy at age 28, so she other diseases,” she said. does not have to wait for the ax to fall.” Bukharian Continued from page 3 Genetic testing has potentially saved While detecting breast cancer early is of the anti-religious and antisemitic brothers reached a near monopoly of the the lives of an untold number of women part of the battle against the disease, more persecution that befell their European cotton industry before they were dispos- whose examples are often highlighted in research is needed, Yablonski said, and coreligionists living in the former Soviet sessed of their fortunes following the news accounts, such as Hollywood actress the current testing model that detects the Union, he noted. Bolsheviks’ rise to power. Angelina Jolie, who in 2013 touted the gene mutation needs to change. Before that, the social isolation of Jews To Elyahu Ludayev, a Samarkand-born benefits of genetic testing and surgery to LOOKING AHEAD under the region’s Muslim rulers – they dentist and amateur historian from Tel prevent hereditary breast cancer. “There were many questions on how imposed special taxes for Jews, forbade Aviv, this unique history is responsible POTENTIALLY LIFE SAVING we should proceed, since about half of them to ride horses and made them wear for making Bukharian Jews “one of the Breast cancer survivor Maxx Schube, the women diagnosed with breast cancer a patch on their clothes – cemented Bukh- few non-haredi Jewish communities that who lives in Atlanta, GA, and her two in Israel are non-Ashkenazi,” Yablonski arian identity by the middle of the 19th is not at risk from assimilation,” he said. grown daughters, Rochelle and Alana, said. “The general thought was women of century, when czarist Russia took over But, Ludayev added, “it’s more com- all tested positive for the BRCA genetic any ethnic origin should be aware of the the area and freed its Jews. The takeover plicated in Israel, where unfortunately mutation, which helped them individually possibility of developing breast cancer on ushered in a golden age for Bukharian you can’t really prevent your child from decide their best course of action. the background of genetic predisposition. Jews, when capitalists like the Vadyaev marrying a non-Bukharian Jew.” “After my sister’s death from ovarian It was suggested the medical [insurance] cancer and my breast cancer diagnosis, coverage, as it exists today, will allow my doctors suggested I undergo genetic women from all ethnic groups to be tested testing,” Schube said. “I tested positive for BRCA. There was also the question of At right: Shirin Yakubov stood in front of Bukhara’s Jewish cemetery on September 9. She says the Jewish community “has no future” in the Uzbekistani city. (Photo by Cnaan Liphshiz)

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To get Federation updates via email, rregister on our website JewishEffective Federation immediately, of NEPA www.jewishnepa.org please send all articles & ads to our new E-mail address, Pledge or Donate [email protected]. online at www.jewishnepa.org/donate Facebook ® is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc NOVEMBER 3, 2016 ■ THE REPORTER 5 Children of fallen Israeli soldiers, and an American, celebrate b’nai mitzvahs BY SAM SOKOL the youngsters, accompanied by Chief of JNS.org the General Staff Gabi Eizenkot, Defense JERUSALEM – Dozens of orphans Minister Avigdor Liberman and other of fallen Israeli soldiers, and the son of senior officials. an American serviceman who died in “I know that all of you will continue Afghanistan, celebrated their bar and bat to be a source of hope to make the world mitzvahs in Jerusalem on October 13 in a better and more peaceful place,” Rivlin a mass ceremony conducted by the IDF said. “We will accompany you always Widows and Orphans Organization. as you continue to grow and make your The children, between ages 12 and 13, families and the people of Israel proud.” met with the Israeli Army’s Chief Rabbi on While the event was billed as a bar/ the morning of October 13, ahead of the bat mitzvah ceremony, not all of the kids event. Boys received pairs of tefillin, leather were Jewish. Among those clapping and boxes containing scriptural passages that laughing as an IDF choir sang classic Israe- Jewish men wear on their arms and heads li pop songs was Asool Naserladen from during prayer when they reach adulthood. the Druze village of Daliyat Eal-Karmel. The organization, which provides sup- Asool, now 12, was only 4-years-old port for army widows and orphans, makes when her father Lutfe, an infantryman in an “extra effort to be there at important the Golani Brigade, was killed in the line junctions in the lives of children who lost of duty. She recalled his laugh, how he parents, and one of these is the bar mitzvah would buy her presents and “when he took year,” said Shlomi Nahumson, director me to Luna Park.” Since losing him, she of the group’s youth department, at a feels that “this organization is my home. celebratory concert for the young orphans. I feel that everyone loves me and thinks The participants in the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization’s mass bar and “A child should be able to begin this about me,” she said. bat mitzvah ceremony with Israeli leaders. (Photo by Sam Sokol) journey with the hand of their father on Among the Israeli children was Ameri- their shoulder and with their presence can A.J. Voelke, 13, from Springfield, VA. news, Voelke’s wife, Tami, said, “It was were invited to take part in the bar mitzvah when they make their choices on becom- Slight and blond, A.J., an avid sportsman, kind of like in the movies when officers ceremony, an experience that A.J. said was ing adults,” Nahumson said. “There’s no worried constantly about his father when come to your house and you see them “incredibly meaningful.” way we can bring their fathers back to he went overseas and recalled how sad he standing there and you know what it Staying with an Israeli army widow them. But we can put our hands on their felt when his father deployed for the fifth means. They [military officials] asked during their visit has been “incredibly shoulders, so they know they’re not alone, time to Afghanistan. me to come in and I said, ‘No.’ And then special,” Traci Voelke explained, saying and that we appreciate the sacrifices their U.S. Army Maj. Paul C. Voelke, 36, was I finally got to my senses and said, ‘Come she felt an “instant connection.” Visiting parents made.” killed on June 22, 2012, when he was run on in.’ They brought in a chaplain and then Israel during the High Holidays has been As multicolored strobe lights illumi- over by a military vehicle in an accident life changed.” “very spiritual,” she said, and sharing nated the room during the evening gala, on the American base in Afghanistan. “It was the worst day of my life,” A.J. experiences and pictures have “helped us Israeli President Reuven Rivlin addressed Describing her initial reaction to the remembered. all through this big event for A.J.” Connected with the Israeli widows “It feels pretty good to be bar mitzvahed in and orphans organization by an American Israel with children who know what I’m going group with a similar mission, the Voelkes through,” A.J. said. “It’s been pretty great.”

An IDF choir member sang at the event. (Photo by Sam Sokol) Save the Date! Temple Hesed and Ellen Katz Invite You to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Fiddler on the Roof Sunday, November 13th at 2pm at Temple Hesed Ellen Katz, a renowned entertainer, teacher, and storyteller will regale us with an engaging Power Point and video presentation of the show’s evolution from page-to-stage & script-to-screen in a remarkable story – a Miracle of Miracles! Ellen performs the favorites – join in and sing along! DON’T MISS A NOTE! Ellen’s presentation will be followed by a special Oneg: A “Chai” tea, featuring scones, crumpets, finger sandwiches, pastries and an assortment of delicious teas (including Chai). This special event is only $18 (Chai) p/p, payable to: Temple Hesed, 1 Knox Road, Scranton, PA 18505 (Please write “Fiddler” in the memo line of your check) The paid reservation deadline is November 4th For more information, contact Michael Krakow at (570)698-9815 or Temple Hesed at (570) 344-7201 ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 6 THE REPORTER ■ NOVEMBER 3, 2016 BOOK REVIEW Kosher food and Yiddish food BY RABBI RACHEL ESSERMAN “under traditional kosher law, bitul provides that when kosher meat industry faces, including challenges from Kosher food and Yiddish food: Are they the same a small amount of a nonkosher ingredient accidentally the animal rights organizations. thing? That question was raised after reading two recent ends up in a mixture its [kashrut] is not affected. As the “Kosher USA” does an excellent job showing how works, “Kosher USA: How Coke Became Kosher and most prevalent cases of bitul apply when the offending Judaism has adapted to American culture and how Other Tales of Modern Food” by Roger Horowitz (Co- ingredient is no more than one-sixtieth of the mixture and American culture has accepted or rejected parts of Ju- lumbia University Press) and “Rhapsody in Schmaltz: does not affect it materially (known ofbitul b’shishim), daism. Horowitz also portrays the different personalities Yiddish Food and Why We Can’t Stop Eating It” by its intent was to address simple mistakes in the kitchen.” involved, especially during the early era of certification. Michael Wex (St. Martin’s Press). While all Yiddish food Although some rabbis had said that Coke was kosher In addition, he notes the struggle to make kosher food is kosher (otherwise it wouldn’t qualify as Yiddish), not because of this principal, the final ruling noted the addi- easily and cheaply available when dealing with not only all kosher food is Yiddish. The term kosher is a legal tion of glycerin was not accidental and therefore affected complicated manufacturing processes, but the realities one, which requires that food strictly follow Jewish law; the product’s status. Fortunately for the manufacturer, a of a market economy. While the overarching discussion Yiddish food, on the other hand, is based on the cuisine kosher source of glycerin – cottonseed oil – was found is interesting, the most fun is in the details, at least for developed by Central and Eastern European Jews, and and Coke became kosher. those of us fascinated by the intricacies of Jewish law. refers to recipes that originated in that area. Horowitz shows how many of the arguments about While Horowitz wrote a serious, journalistic work, Having read several other works about kosher food kashrut occurred because local rabbis were certifying Wex takes a more humorous approach in his latest book. in the past few years, I debated whether or not to read products and most of them were not trained in chemical He sees food as a way of expressing Jewish identity – at “Kosher USA.” However, Horowitz takes a different analysis. What changed in contemporary times is that least for those whose Jewish ancestors came from Central approach in his reporting: “Creating this account re- national kosher certification organizations became more and Eastern Europe, and who spoke some version of Yid- quired a research strategy that departed from the focus powerful and were seen as the final standard. As people dish. The author portrays the importance of food by noting of previous books on a set of usual suspects, largely accepted only those certifications, the organizations that after being released from slavery, “the first task of contemporary kosher food industry leaders and insiders. were in a better position to convince food processing the Israelites, the first action they are ordered to perform, Instead I went looking for the silences and the stories companies to accept their standards in order to be cer- is to make dinner. God gives them an annotated menu, that the kosher food’s ‘success’ narrative squelched by tified. What also helped is that by the 1990s about 40 specifying ingredients, side dishes, methods of cooking, its cohesiveness.” What struck me was the difference percent of all food purchases were bulk purchases made treatment of leftovers, dining time and dress code – no between the success stories – for example, the large through institutional buyers – hotels, restaurants, school sandals, no stick, no divine service – and tells them to number of corporations manufacturing processed kosher cafeterias, etc. – that served both kosher and nonkosher get cracking and do it. The first national Jewish activity food – and the difficulties people now face finding fresh customers. Since much of the food sold is made by is also the first recognizably Jewish meal.” According to kosher meat outside of major metropolitan areas. Plus, the same company – with different labels on the same Wex, food still remains central to Judaism – even when the sometimes heated discussions between rabbinical product – kosher food created a larger market for the other ritual aspects have disappeared. authorities about whether or not certain additives and manufacturer, even if some of the individual labels did Several chapters feature information about the devel- chemicals are kosher made for very interesting reading. not show the certification. opment of kashrut, looking at the laws from the Bible and One argument concerns the addition of glycerin, rennet The two areas where creating kosher products have then showing how they not only became more complex and gelatin to many manufactured foods. Whether or not been as successful are kosher wine and kosher meat. over time, but generated numerous arguments about the not they are kosher depends on the products from which There have recently been an increased number of kosher correct way to keep kosher. One of the chapter headings they are made, for example, whether they are byproducts wines that also qualify as fine wine. However, there clearly shows the author’s approach to the subject: “If from animal sources (and whether or not those animals are a decreasing number of sources of kosher meat, You Have to Ask, It’s Treyf.” This becomes even clearer are kosher) or vegetable sources. Some debate centered particularly for those that live in smaller communities. in his discussion of whether or not a particular bird is around the discussion of a Jewish concept known as bitul One cause of this is the move to a more strict version of kosher: “We know that a bird is kosher because a Jew (nullification). This played a role in the original discus- kashrut (the demand for glatt kosher meat, rather than of unquestionable piety has eaten it or seen it eaten by sion of Coca Cola’s status. Coke contains glycerin and just traditional kosher meat). While there’s not enough other equally reliable Jews, who all have their own Jews, the original source came from animals – their bones, fat, space in this review to go into details, the author does an and so on all the way back to the conquest of Canaan. etc. – that were not kosher. However, Horowitz notes that excellent job explaining the difficulties and problems the When it comes to chicken, for example, those trustworthy Jews were probably your parents; the fact that chickens are mentioned in the Talmud (though not in the Bible) proves nothing. Names can change over time, and what was called a chicken in first-century Jerusalem might have nothing in common with what Colonel Sanders or your bubbie cooks up.” This is just one example of how his discourses on Jewish law are offered with a side dish of humor. The majority of “Rhapsody in Schmaltz” focuses on the particular cuisine of Yiddish-speaking Jews. Wex notes that the schmaltz of the title – which is usually either goose or chicken fat – serves as a “condiment, dip, or spread... Sammy’s Roumanian Steakhouse on New York’s Lower East Side makes something of a shtick Each year at this time the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania calls upon members of our The Reporter out of having a syrup dispenser filled with schmaltz on community to assist in defraying the expense of issuing our regional Jewish newspaper, . every table so your waiter can lubricate your chopped The newspaper is delivered twice of month (except for December and July which are single issue liver while you watch. What you do with the schmaltz months) to each and every identifiable Jewish home in Northeastern Pennsylvania. after he leaves is entirely up to you.” Many of the dishes discussed have their origin in meals for the Sabbath, a As the primary Jewish newspaper of our region, we have tried to produce a quality publication for you day when cooking was not allowed. This includes such that offers our readership something on everythingfrom opinions and columns on controversial issues traditional dishes as gefilte fish, cholent, tsimmes, challah that affect our people and our times, to publicity for the events of our affiliated agencies and and kugel. In addition to talking about how the foods organizations to life cycle events, teen columns, personality profiles, letters to the editor, the Jewish were made, Wex shows how the terms came into greater See “Food” on page 8 community calendar and other columns that cover everything from food to entertainment. The Federation assumes the financial responsibility for funding the enterprise at a cost of $26,400 per year and asks only that we undertake a small letter writing mail campaign to our recipients in the hope of raising $10,000 from our readership to alleviate a share of that responsibility. We would be grateful if you would care enough to take the time to make a donation for our efforts in bringing The Reporter to your door. As always, your comments, opinions and suggestions are always welcome. With best wishes, Mark Silverberg, Executive Director Jewish Federation of NE Pennsylvania 601 Jefferson Avenue Scranton, PA 18510 NOVEMBER 3, 2016 ■ THE REPORTER 7 Black rabbinical student leads “Army of Moms” in fighting Chicago gun violence BY BEN SALES proud to be Jewish and black. But gun vi- Chicago has become a hotbed of gun At right: Rabbi CHICAGO (JTA) – The same week olence, which has surrounded the 38-year- violence in recent years – especially on Capers Funnye is Tamar Manasseh’s African-American old since she was a kid, has accentuated the South Side. Nearly 6,000 people have part of a coalition son was going to become a bar mitzvah, both the tensions and connections between been shot since the beginning of 2015, and of Chicago faith gang violence killed two 13-year-old black the two parts of her identity. While most Chicago experienced 78 homicides in Au- leaders that boys who were also from Chicago’s South South Side Jews lived in the relatively gust alone, making it the deadliest month helps combat Side. As she picked out the bar mitzvah affluent neighborhood of Hyde Park, she the city has seen in nearly two decades. gun violence by suit for her son, Manasseh couldn’t shake grew up in nearby Englewood, an area that Some residents have nicknamed the city engaging with the image of the slain boys’ mothers, who she described as “Afghanistan.” “Chi-raq,” a portmanteau of Chicago and young men on the were likely also picking out suits – for “I was always taught that Jews were Iraq, because it can feel like a war zone. streets. (Photo by their sons to be buried in. survivors,” Manasseh told JTA. “The Manasseh, however, has found some Ben Sales) Manasseh, a lifelong Chicagoan who Holocaust happened, and Jews survived success in curbing the violence, and she’s attended Jewish day school and is now that, right? Black people were never taught looking to build upon it. She founded a Before Manasseh was born, her mother studying to be a rabbi, has always been that we were survivors. If anything, we’re nonprofit, Mothers Against Senseless had “reverted,” in Manasseh’s words, pretty much taught that we were born to Killings, which has raised approximately to Judaism. die. Being Jewish, I was never able to $20,000 to fund the street corner presence Although she was born and raised look at things like that.” and support cash-strapped young men who Jewish, at age 30 Manasseh decided to Manasseh – a mother of two children, might otherwise turn to crime. undergo a confirmation of her Judaism, ages 18 and 20 – has taken it upon herself Following a dispute with the landlord which involved immersion in a ritual to stop gun violence in Englewood. During of the building next to their usual spot, bath, supervised by Rabbi Capers Funnye, the summer months, when programs to the group, known as MASK, is raising who leads Beth Shalom B’nai Zaken. Her keep kids off the streets are scarce, she and more money to buy the vacant lot across children underwent similar processes at several other parents – who she dubs an the street, where they can set up a per- the time of their bat and bar mitzvahs. “Army of Moms” – spend hours sitting on manent play area for kids. MASK has Last year, Funnye was appointed head the corner of 75th Street and South Stewart spawned offshoots in Staten Island, NY, of the International Israelite Board of Avenue chatting to passers-by and offering and Evansville, IN. Rabbis, an African Hebrew Israelite body. them barbecue. The food and talk, she said, “When your parents are home watch- Although the Hebrew Israelite movement has been enough to stop gun violence there. ing every move you make, would you is usually considered outside the main- And the statistics back her up: The corner, and your siblings set the house on fire? stream by Judaism’s main denominations, in the middle of a violent neighborhood, Probably not,” she said. “All it took was Funnye has undergone a conversion by has seen zero shootings this year. people being there. Some of these kids, Conservative rabbis and is a member of “I felt like if I didn’t do something, it they’ve never had anybody there looking the Chicago Board of Rabbis. would come for my kids eventually,” said out for them.” Manasseh is pursuing her rabbinic Manasseh, who sells real estate and stud- Manasseh grew up attending Beth ordination at the Israelite Academy, the ies for her ordination in her spare time. Shalom B’nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Hebrew Israelite rabbinical school, where Tamar Manasseh, on the corner of 75th “So I’m more afraid of what happens if Congregation, an African-American He- she’s been studying part-time for seven Street and Stewart Avenue on Chicago’s I don’t get out there and do something brew Israelite congregation on the South years. Should she graduate next year, she South Side, gathers mothers at the than I am if I do. I’m more afraid of one Side, as well as Akiba-Schechter, a local will be the first woman to receive ordina- intersection to prevent violence there. of my kids being shot than I am of me Jewish day school that was affiliated with tion from the academy. But though she was (Photo courtesy of Manasseh) being shot.” the Conservative movement at the time. See “Chicago” on page 10

ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 8 THE REPORTER ■ NOVEMBER 3, 2016 D’VAR TORAH Who was the first Jew? BY RABBI RACHEL ESSERMAN, EXECUTIVE God spoke to his great-great-great-great-great-great-great- EDITOR, THE REPORTER grandfather Noah. Commentators assume that Noah’s Noach, Genesis 6:9-11:32 descendants became idol worshipers, but the text never How we understand the meaning of a story depends says that. They probably worshiped the same God as their on where it begins or ends. The rabbis who divided the ancestors and, like Noah, obeyed God’s commands. Why Torah into different parshiot knew this and carefully doesn’t the Torah say that God called to Terah? Probably chose which parts of the biblical stories they wanted to because he failed at his mission. He was supposed to emphasize. For example, next week’s parasha, Lech take the family to Canaan, but, for reasons the text never Lecha, begins with God telling Abram to leave his fa- mentions, was either unable or unwilling to do so. The ther’s home and travel to the land of Canaan. Numerous family mission then fell to the next in line, Abram. midrash discuss why God chose Abram and rabbis for The assumption that God was Abram’s family god, centuries have praised Abram’s bravery in not questioning and that it was not unusual for God to speak to family God’s word. However, when we consider a verse in this members, makes it easier to understand why Abram week’s parasha, Noach, it’s possible to view the events obeyed God’s command and moved to Canaan. Just as of next week’s through a very different light. when God told Noah to build an ark and Noah built an Parashat Noach closes with a genealogy that ends ark without questioning God’s will, God tells Abram with the death of Abram’s father, Terah. The second-to- to move to Canaan and Abram moves to Canaan with- last verse contains a detail that usually goes unnoticed, out questioning God’s will. Abram was just following because we rarely connect it to the events that follow. family tradition. In fact, the genealogy usually is considered important This explanation frees us from the need for elaborate only in learning Abram’s family history. midrash explaining how Abram came to know there The last two verses of the parasha state, “And Terah was one God, or risked his life to worship God. The took Abram, his son; and Lot, the son of Haran, the son biblical text doesn’t explain this in more detail because of his son; and Sarai, his daughter-in-law, the wife of there was no need. What Abram did was completely Abram, his son; and they went out from Ur of the Chaldes understandable in the context of his family’s history and to go to the land of Canaan and they came to Haran and relationship to God. they lived there. And the days of Terah were 205 and he Does this make Terah the first Jew, since it was he died in Haran.” (Genesis 11:31-32) Most commentators who began the journey? I would argue against that, since only concern themselves with the last verse, which states he was deflected from his task and failed to complete when Terah died. In chapter 12:5, the reader learns that it. The text follows the story of Abram because he did Abraham was 75 when he left Haran; that means that succeed. I would suggest, however, that we stop thinking Terah was still alive when he left. Why does this fact of Terah as an unworthy idol worshiper. Even if he did bother them? Rashi says that the Torah speaks of Terah’s not make the final leg of the journey to Canaan, it was death first so that people won’t think that Abram broke he who first risked leaving the land of his ancestors for the commandment of honoring his father by leaving the promise of a new land. him. In addition, Rashi assumes that Terah was wicked, since he says that the wicked are called dead even when they are alive; therefore, Abram could not be blamed for following God’s call. Midrash confirm this opinion of Terah by calling him an idol maker who didn’t appreciate his son’s vision of one God. However, verse 32 contains a fact that rarely receives comment. It is not Abram who first leads his family toward Canaan. The verse clearly states that Terah left Ur and Play about Holocaust in NYC was headed to Canaan. Somehow he never managed to A cast of nine women led by Karen Lynn finish the trip, but settled in Haran. Why did he leave his Gorney explore the generational effects of the homeland? The Torah doesn’t tell us. However, it’s not Holocaust in “From Silence,” a new play by unreasonable to assume that he also received instructions Anne Marilyn Lucas. The play examines how from God telling him to travel to the new land. After all, such trauma is inherited even without being spoken of, seemingly as a genetic or behavioral legacy. The piece then seeks to illustrates that speaking out, processing and Continued from page 6 understanding can bring healing to families. The world Food premiere will be presented by Theater for the New City, use in popular Yiddish culture. For example, tsimmes is 155 First Ave., New York, NY, from November 4-20. time consuming to make so the phrase maklhn a tsimmes, For more information about the play, visit www.jsnyc. “to make a tsimmes,” came to mean “to make a fuss, com/season/from_silence.htm. To purchase tickets. For a big deal... out of something.” When speaking about box office information, visit www.theaterforthenewcity. gefilte fish and khreyn (horseradish), Wex notes that net or contact the theater at 212-254-1109. “while horseradish is considered an integral part of the gefilte-fish experience, everyone knows that it’s really Exhibit on numbers just the icing on top of the fish cake and that gefilte fish The HUC-JIR Museum in New York is holding the will get you through times of no khreyn far better than exhibit “Paint by Numbers” through June 30. Numbers khreyn will get you through times of no gefilte fish. are considered to be integral to Jewish rituals, belief, significant historical dates and daily life. Numbers and Co-Presidents: Esther Adelman & Steven Seitchik Hence the ironic Yiddish idiom, ‘To give someone fish without khreyn’ – to let someone off with a slap on the numerology have been called the core of biblical un- wrist, a laughably light punishment for whatever crime derstanding since the Bible was codified and possibly he has committed.” before. In the exhibit, more than 50 contemporary artists Perhaps the most important point Wex makes is how illuminate the meaning of numbers and their symbolism this food became part of non-religious Jews’ ethnicity, through a broad range of artistic media. Artists include allowing them to feel and identify as Jewish, even if they Debra Band, Ed Baynard, Riva Bell Henry Bismuth didn’t observe any of the commandments. This becomes Matt Blackwell, Ariel Burge, Damon Davis, Dorit clear when he notes that “the less faith a Jew has in the Larry Frankel, Laurie Gross, John Hirsch, Tobi Khan Bible, the more Jewish meaning pastrami acquires.” and David Wander. Those who love food and enjoy a touch of sarcasm For more information, visit http://huc.edu/research/ with their learning will find “Rhapsody in Schmaltz” museums/huc-jir-museum-new-york or contact the diverting reading. museum at [email protected] or 212-824-2218. NOVEMBER 3, 2016 ■ THE REPORTER 9 The Jewish impresario behind the Ramones, the Doors and other rock legends BY GABE FRIEDMAN to publish John Lennon’s quote about the Beatles being (JTA) – If you’re a rock fan, no matter your age, you’ve “more popular than Jesus,” which spawned a massive probably heard of bands like the Doors, the Ramones backlash and discouraged the group from touring again and the Stooges. But chances are you haven’t heard of in the United States. Danny Fields. The film details all this and, perhaps surprisingly, also Fields, a Jewish guy from Forest Hills, Queens, NY, offers a glimpse into how Fields’ Jewish identity shaped deftly made the punk scene happen. He helped sign his view of the world and its music scenes. now-iconic groups to record labels, get them on maga- Fields grew up in a somewhat observant Jewish house- zine covers and, ultimately, etch them into the rock ‘n’ hold and had a witty sense of humor about it. Among roll lexicon. the several Jewish moments in the film, footage shows Born Daniel Henry Feinberg, Fields rose to promi- Fields watching a video from his bar mitzvah party and nence as the ultimate jack-of-all-trades. He was never remarking, “Isn’t this mortifying?” An image of his Har- a top executive, but with his myriad roles in the music vard yearbook shows that he drew blue Stars of David business – publicist, artist liaison and manager, among next to photos of his Jewish classmates. them – Fields pressed all the right buttons. Many of the While he may have embraced his Jewish identity, one musicians he mentored took decades to “make it,” yet of his biggest discoveries came from something Fields his forward-thinking taste is the stuff of legend among saw as the opposite. In September 1968, he traveled to industry insiders. Detroit to check out a new band called the Stooges and Danny Fields, center, without black jacket, with the “Danny is like the Zelig of punk – he’s everywhere was knocked out by their visceral, heavy and, in his opin- members of the Ramones. (Photo courtesy of Magnolia and he’s so important with so many things,” Steven Lee ion, non-Jewish sound. “Detroit is the most goyishe hub Pictures) Beeber, author of “The Heebie Jeebies at CBGB’s: A of civilization... That’s why I loved it so much,” Fields Secret History of Jewish Punk,” told JTA, referring to the says in Beeber’s book. “[The guys here] were tall and in the book. “And, like Jews, they were steeped in the chameleonic Woody Allen character. “We kind of live in big and butch, not like New York Jews.” showbiz tradition.” Danny’s world today... [No one else had] his sensibility Fields called them “macho men.” Singer Joey Ramone (who was born Jeffrey Hyman) or the pulse of what was really coming.” “I just thought the virility of it was something,” he and drummer Tommy Ramone (born Thomas Erdelyi to Now this unsung hero is having his own moment in said. “I mean, virility is not, shall we say, a characteristic Hungarian Holocaust survivors) were both Jewish. As the spotlight. “Danny Says,” a documentary named for of the Jewish community.” Michael Croland, author of “Oy Oy Oy Gevalt! Jews a song about him written by the Ramones, may be short Fields worked with the Stooges until the group’s and Punk,” points out, the band also consciously toyed on personal details, but is full of the sex, drugs and music first breakup in the early ‘70s. A few years later he with Nazi themes and imagery, as evidenced in songs that Fields navigated during rock’s golden age. discovered the Ramones – a black-clad group of scruffy, like “Blitzkrieg Bop” and “Commando.” Fields graduated from high school at 15 and earned his fellow Forest Hills natives that Fields found more “While he laments this lack of virility and toughness, bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. heimish. “They were like the MC5 and the Stooges he also loves the braininess,” Beeber said. He enrolled in Harvard Law School, but left after a year, except that they were funny and ironic,” Fields says See “Legends” on page 10 embedding himself in New York City’s hip Greenwich Village scene in the early 1960s. Over the course of that decade and the next, he befriended Andy Warhol and Lou Reed, publicized bands like the Doors and Cream, introduced Jim Morrison to the singer-model Nico, dis- covered MC5 as well as Iggy Pop and the Stooges, and managed the Ramones. Fields intuitively understood something about buzz. Before working in the music business, he was an editor of the teen magazine Datebook. There he was the first

Danny Fields, right, with Andy Warhol, left, and Lou Reed, center, at a David Johansen show at the Bottom Line in New York City on July 20,1978. (Photo by Ebet Roberts/Redferns/Getty Images)

ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 10 THE REPORTER ■ NOVEMBER 3, 2016 Chicago Continued from page 7 raised in the movement and is set In addition, Funnye is part of a to hold its rabbinic degree, she does coalition of faith leaders that helps not identify as a Hebrew Israelite. combat gun violence by engaging She identifies as a Jew – full stop. with young men on the streets Sholem Aleichem exhibit “If you have to look a certain way through local activist groups. While few black men on the South Side are The YIVO Institute for Jewish Research to be a Jew, that’s a bad thing,” she Jewish, Funnye – who incidentally is in New York City is holding the exhibit said. “I think if you have to look a a cousin of Michelle Obama – said “Laughter is Still Healthy: Sholem Ale- certain way to be a Hebrew Israelite, his religion doesn’t get in the way of ichem 100 Years Later” through Novem- that’s a bad thing. So no, I’m just a connecting with them. “Before they ber 30. Sholem Aleichem (Sholem Rabinovitsh) has Jew, I’m just Jewish. Because even see me being a Jew, they see me as been called one of the founding fathers of modern the Hebrew Israelite movement is being a black man, and they see me Yiddish literature and one of its outstanding humor- born out of the black nationalist Tamar Manasseh: “I was always as being a black man that’s interested ists. Sholem Aleichem invented towns like Boyberik movement, and it has something taught that Jews were survivors. ... in them, and then they see that I’m and Kasrilevke, and filled them with inhabitants like to do with race. And you cannot Black people were never taught that a rabbi,” Funnye said. “This is an Menakhem-Mendel and his wife, Sheyne-Sheyndl, as have race and religion occupying individual they can interface with.” well as Tevye the Milkman and his family, who would the same space.” we were survivors.” (Photo courtesy of Funnye remembers Manasseh become the main characters of “Fiddler on the Roof.” MASK isn’t explicitly Jewish, Manasseh) composing Jewish songs as a The exhibit features items from Aleichem’s career, but it is infused with Jewish themes 14-year-old in his congregation and isn’t surprised that including rare manuscripts, letters, photographs and and language. One of the group’s projects, which has she has applied her Jewish learning to community orga- posters, among other items. planted 10 Crimson King maple trees around Chicago nizing. “Her pulpit is on the corner,” Funnye said. “She For more information, visit www.yivo.org/ or contact in memory of gun victims, is inspired by the Jewish is practicing her rabbinate. I think that she is sincere and the institute at [email protected] or 212-246-6080. arboreal holiday of Tu B’Shevat, she said. The trees’ leaves are red to symbolize the blood of the victims. I think the people she approaches on the block feel the Genizah exhibit The group held a concluding service for Yom Kippur depths of her sincerity.” The American Jewish Historical Society in New that, along with traditional elements like the Amidah While more than two dozen Chicago Jewish clergy York City is holding the exhibit “Holy Trash: My Ge- prayer and shofar blowing, featured volunteers reading pledged to support the trauma center campaign, and some nizah” through December 1. It is a new project by fine out names of shooting victims. have spoken out against gun violence or attended events, arts and performance artist Rachel Libeskind created Manasseh isn’t the only Jewish activist working to Manasseh wants to see more of them on the street with especially for the AJHS exhibition space in the great fight gun violence. Last year, the Jewish Council on her. She met with JTA at a Hyde Park cafe surrounded hall of the Center for Jewish History. “My Genizah” Urban Affairs, a Chicago social justice group, joined a by greenery, upscale shops and University of Chicago presents a contemporary interpretation of the tradi- campaign to persuade the University of Chicago to build buildings. It’s just four miles from her intersection, but tional genizah. Crafted with texts and objects formerly a trauma center on its medical campus to better serve psychologically a world away. It felt like an incongruous belonging to the AJHS collections, “My Genizah” is shooting victims. The university broke ground on the place to talk about gun violence in a poor neighborhood. a personal commentary on the making of the Jewish center in September. But if Manasseh also felt the conversation was out of archive from the documents of the genizah, as well as “One of the ways we could add value was we had context, she wasn’t bothered by it. She wore a Chicago on today’s archival procedures of sorting, cataloguing access to people in positions of power,” said Judy Levey, Cubs hat and sweatshirt – risky apparel on the South and organizing history. JCUA’s executive director. “We’re not there to target the Side, which is White Sox country – and exuded confi- For more information, visit www.ajhs.org/ or contact Jews by any stretch, but in some campaigns, there are dence and focus. After a lifetime of sticking out – first the society at 212-294-6160. Jews in positions of leadership and that helps.” by virtue of being a black Jewish woman, and then by becoming the first woman to try for ordination in her movement – she feels other Jews could benefit by leaving their comfort zone. “It’s all smoke and mirrors,” she said, referring to some Jewish efforts against gun violence. “There are P A C E many Jewish social justice organizations that are able to do as much as they can to make themselves look good, Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment but nothing that will have impact in the long run. I want to see them be the Jews they claim they are.” Your gift to the Annual Campaign DOES A WORLD OF GOOD. Legends Continued from page 9 The author said that what Fields loved about the Endowing your gift allows you to be there for the Ramones when he saw them “is that they were like the MC5 and the Stooges, and yet they were also like a Jewish community of NEPA forever. self-conscious joke about those kind of bands.” “Danny Says” follows Fields’ exploits, from doing drugs A Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment (PACE) is a permanent fund that endows with Morrison, the Doors’ lead singer, to nearly getting your Jewish community Annual Campaign gift as a lasting legacy. A PACE fund will punched in the face by a co-worker at Elektra. Legends continue to make an annual gift in perpetuity on your behalf. like Iggy Pop, Alice Cooper and Patti Smith’s Jewish guitarist Lenny Kaye offer amusing personal anecdotes. To determine the amount you need to endow your entire campaign gift, multiply your current However, the film omits Fields’ post-Ramones life. annual gift by 20. He eventually fell from the industry’s inner circles and returned to journalism. Now 77 and still living in New You can fund your PACE by adding the JEWISH FEDERATION OF NORTHEASTERN York, Fields earlier this year released a book of Ramones PENNSYLVANIA to your will, or by making the Federation a beneficiary of your IRA. All photographs. He had vowed never to watch the final cut contributions to establish a PACE are tax deductible. of the film about him, but wound up viewing a DVD that director Brendan Toller left him. Let your name be remembered as a blessing. Though his peak years in the industry have passed, Endowments can be created through a variety of vehicles, some of which do not necessitate praise is still heaped on Fields. One could “make a con- funding during your lifetime yet still provide your estate with considerable tax benefits. vincing case that without Danny Fields, punk rock would not have happened,” The New York Times wrote in 2014. They also enable you to perpetuate your commitment to the Annual Campaign in a way that The dedication of rock journalist Legs McNeil’s 1996 best achieves your own personal financial and estate planning goals. book “Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk” reads: “This book is dedicated to Danny Fields, Examples Of Ways To Fund Your Pace Gift Are: forever the coolest guy in the room.” As Beeber puts it, Fields remains “forever at heart * outright contribution of cash, appreciated securities or other long-term a nice Jewish boy who embodied punk’s simultaneous * capital gain property such as real estate reaction against yet embrace of New York Jewishness.” * charitable remainder trust Not a bad reputation to have. * gift of life insurance * charitable lead trust * gift of IRA or pension plan assets * grant from your foundation * reserved life estate in your residence * bequest Using appreciated property, such as securities or real estate, affords you the opportunity to eliminate the income tax on the long-term capital gain, will in some instances generate a full income tax charitable deduction and will remove those assets from your estate for estate tax purposes.

For more information contact Mark Silverberg at [email protected] or call 570-961-2300, ext. 1. NOVEMBER 3, 2016 ■ THE REPORTER 11 Scranton he Poconos ilkes-arre 2017 SAE Februar 19 March 1, 2017 You always wanted to do this, but . . . not in November; or the price was too high; or the trip was too long; actually… who remembers why we didn’t do this? So now . . . We’re going to Israel with folks from Northeast PA, on Sunday, February 19. We’ll be back on Wednesday morning, March 1. We’ll spend 8 nights in Israel and the land cost is only $2,970! With a non-stop El Al ight from NY, the cost is all of $3,665 per person! This is the lowest price we’ve had in many years. We hope you’ll join us! all arry eiss or Jay eiss of dyssey ravel for further details. 12 THE REPORTER ■ NOVEMBER 3, 2016 NEWS IN BRIEF FROM EUROPE From JTA on Oct. 13 by the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and European Parliament lifts Jean-Marie Le Pen’s immunity over Cultural Organization. It refers to the Western Wall and the Temple Mount only by their Arabic-language names. Similar language was passed on Oct. 26 by the World Heritage incitement against Jews Committee. In May, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls apologized for his country’s The European Parliament lifted the immunity of French far-right politician Jean-Marie support for an earlier resolution passed by UNESCO in April that also was seen as erasing Le Pen over charges of inciting racial hatred against Jews. The Legal Affairs Committee Jewish ties to Jerusalem. “We were shocked by the anti-Israeli obsession of UNESCO of the European Parliament stressed that parliamentary immunity “does not allow for and are now revolted by its disavowal of its own values,” CRIF President Francis Kalifat slandering, libeling, inciting hatred or pronouncing statements attacking a person’s wrote on Oct. 26 in his call for French Jews to rally outside Quai d’Orsay. Hundreds are honor” before voting on Oct. 25 in favor of taking away Le Pen’s immunity. French expected to convene there for the protest. “This indignation is compounded by a profound prosecutors want to put the founder and former leader of the National Front party on disappointment in France’s choice to abstain during the Executive Board vote,” he added. trial for comments he made in 2014 about Patrick Bruel, saying the French Jewish singer Noting that the street protest was not initiated by CRIF, Kalifat wrote: “Other groups should “go in the oven.” His comment, which he made during a filmed interview that decided to take this indignation to the street and I salute their initiative.” He also called he had posted on the National Front website, led to his exclusion from the party now on “all of CRIF’s member groups to join [the protesters] to make audible a loud voice, run by his daughter, Marine Le Pen, who plans to run next year for French president. faithful to historical veracity.” The Consistoire, which usually does not get involved in The Oct. 25 vote marks the fourth time that Jean-Marie Le Pen, 88, has had his immu- debates of a partisan nature or about foreign policy issues, was more laconic in its call to nity lifted. In 1998, Germany made the request after Le Pen called Nazi gas chambers rally. “Following the vote on Jerusalem by UNESCO, a demonstration of protest opposite “a detail of history.” Separately, also on Oct. 25, the European Parliament amended the Quai d’Orsay,” read the e-mail the Consistoire sent on Oct. 26 to its mailing list. a draft report on Iran to include a rebuke of Tehran’s Holocaust denial and anti-Israel British lawmaker suspended from party for anti-Israel rhetoric hate speech. The draft document, which set principles for normalizing European Union relations with Iran following the agreement to lift sanctions in exchange for the scaling British lawmaker Jenny Tonge was suspended from her Liberal Democrat party amid back of its nuclear program, originally had contained a single criticism of Iran regarding an outcry over her latest anti-Israel rhetoric. The party suspended Tonge, who serves in its use of the death penalty. It did not mention Iran’s sponsorship of terrorism, support the upper house of the Parliament, on Oct. 27 after she hosted an event earlier that week for Holocaust denial or threats to destroy Israel. With 590 in favor, 67 against and 36 at the House of Lords that featured critical observations about the Balfour Declaration of abstentions, lawmakers at a plenary in Strasbourg, France, overwhelmingly backed 1917, in which the United Kingdom committed to viewing favorably the establishment the amendment put forward by Dutch Liberal parliamentarian Marietje Schaake. The of a Jewish national home in what would later become the British Mandate on Palestine. Parliament “strongly condemns the Iranian regime’s repeated calls for the destruction According to reports from meeting participants, some in attendance made antisemitic of Israel and the regime’s policy of denying the Holocaust,” the final report read. “We statements, including blaming Jews or Zionists for the Holocaust. Participants also report- salute Parliament’s principled stand on this critical issue,” said Daniel Schwammenthal, edly drew comparisons between Israel and Islamic terrorists. “The party has suspended director of the American Jewish Committee’s EU Office, the AJC Transatlantic Institute. the membership of Jenny Tonge. We take her comments very seriously and have acted “Unfortunately, another crucial amendment calling for the immediate release of all accordingly,” The Daily Telegraph quoted a party spokesman as saying. In July, Tonge, political prisoners and an end to systematic torture and other improvements to the text who has hosted and participated in many anti-Israel events, said that “the treatment of the were rejected.” If passed in its original form, the draft risked dealing “a serious blow Palestinians by Israel is a major cause of the rise of extreme Islamism and Daesh,” using to the standing of the European Parliament as a defender of human rights, justice and the Arab-language acronym of the Islamic State terrorist organization. In 2012, Tonge freedom,” Schwammenthal had warned in an earlier statement. resigned as party whip, a task equivalent in the United States to speaker, after speaking about Israel’s demise at an event promoting a boycott of the Jewish state. “Beware Israel. French Jewish groups rallying to protest state’s silence on Israel is not going to be there forever in its present form,” she said at the time. “One day, UNESCO Jerusalem votes the American people are going to say to the Israel lobby in the USA: Enough is enough. The main Jewish groups in France urged members to rally in front of the headquarters Israel will lose support and then they will reap what they have sown.” The Board of Dep- of the country’s Foreign Ministry to protest its failure to oppose U.N. resolutions that uties of British Jews, which has called repeatedly for Tonge’s dismissal, welcomed her ignore Jewish ties to Jerusalem. CRIF, the political lobby group representing French suspension. “She is a repeat offender, propagating the worst antisemitic tropes over and Jewish communities, in a rare move was joined by the Consistoire, French Jewry’s or- over again,” Jonathan Arkush, the board’s president, said in a statement. Gideon Falter, gan responsible for religious services, in organizing a protest rally for Oct. 27 opposite the chairman of the Campaign Against Antisemitism charity, also called the suspension the Quai d’Orsay in Paris in reaction to the passing of two resolutions on Jerusalem a step in the right direction but called for Tonge’s expulsion from the center-left Liberal that month by UNESCO committees. France was among 26 countries that abstained Democrat party, which has eight seats among the 650 in the House of Commons, the British from voting during the first resolution, which the Palestinians initiated and was passed lower house, and 104 out of 813 in the upper house, the House of Lords. “Baroness Tonge specializes in baiting Jews,” Falter said, “and her ongoing membership in the House of Lords and the Liberal Democrats is a disgrace to both institutions.” CHANUKAH French, Dutch towns commemorate Alfred Dreyfus and Deadline: December 7 (December 15 issue) Holocaust survivor Jules Schelvis Once again this year, The Reporter is inviting its readers and local organizations to extend Chanukah A French municipality has honored the persecuted Jewish soldier Alfred Dreyfus with greetings to the community by purchasing a Chanukah greeting ad, which will appear in our December 15 a statue, and a Dutch town honored the Holocaust survivor and writer Jules Schelvis issue (Deadline: Dec. 7). Chanukah begins this year on the evening of Dec. 24. You may choose from the with a street sign. Dreyfus, a French army captain who was wrongfully convicted of designs, messages and sizes shown here - more are available. You may also choose your own message, as long as it fits into the space of the greeting you select. (Custom designs available upon request.) The price of the spying for Germany in 1894, was commemorated earlier in October in his native city small greeting is $18 (styles E & F), the larger one is $36 (styles A & D ) and the largest one (not shown) is $68. of Mulhouse in eastern France. On Oct. 9, the day Dreyfus was born in 1859, one of his To ensure that your greeting is published, please contact Bonnie Rozen at 1-800-779-7896, ext. 244 grandsons unveiled a statue of him at a local park during a ceremony attended by the or [email protected]. Checks can be made payable to TheReporter and sent to: The Reporter, mayor, France 3 reported. Paris, the city where his show trial was held and where he 500 Clubhouse Rd., Vestal, NY 13850. was eventually exonerated in 1906, has no street named after Dreyfus, who was exiled Wishing you a Happy Chanukah Style A - $36 • Actual Size: 3.22” x 1.975” to a French colony in South America for the false charges brought against him. On Oct. light • peace • love 19, the municipality of Amstelveen, south of Amsterdam, where several thousand Jews May the lights live, inaugurated a street sign bearing the name of Schelvis, who survived seven Nazi of Chanukah concentration and death camps. He died earlier this year in Amstelveen. The sign will shine in be installed in 2018 in a neighborhood that is still being constructed, according to the your hearts municipality’s official blog. The University of Amsterdam gave Schelvis an honorary doctorate in 2008 for his research of the Sobibor death camp in Poland, which he survived. forever His 1993 book “Extermination Camp Sobibor” is considered one of the most detailed Your Name(s) Your name(s) documents ever written on the death site, which fewer than 50 people are believed to have escaped and which the Nazis largely obliterated to cover up their atrocities. An amateur historian who has researched the near annihilation of Dutch Jewry during the Style D - $36 Holocaust warned the week of Oct. 14 that lacking documentation about the victims Actual Size: 3.22” x 1.975” CHANUKAH could lead to spelling errors and other mistakes in commemorative projects, including Deadline: December 7 (December 15 issue) a memorial wall planned to be unveiled in Amsterdam in 2018 with 102,000 victims’ Warm Chanukah wishes to Name______you and your family! names. Jim Terlingen said the Netherlands, which lost approximately 75 percent of its Address______Jews during the Holocaust – the highest percentage in Nazi-occupied Western Europe – has only kept partial lists of Holocaust victims. His op-ed published Oct. 15 in the City______Volkskrant daily was titled “Check war victims’ names before they are set in stone.” State______Zip______Phone______Greeting Style______Message______Your Name(s) e Jewish Federatio ______n th n’s Style E - $18 u o em Actual Size: o ai How you would like it signed______e y l l 1.5278” x 1.975” r ist ______A ? We send updated announcements and special ______We accept r Visa r Mastercard r American Express r Discover event details weekly to those who wish to receive them.

Print Name on Card______Card Number______Send Dassy Ganz an email if you would like to join the list. Expiration [email protected] Address, City, State, Zip (Registered billing address of card) ______Checks can be made payable to Style F - $18 The Reporter, Actual Size: 500 Clubhouse Rd., Vestal, NY 13850. 1.5278” x 1.975” NOVEMBER 3, 2016 ■ THE REPORTER 13 NEWS IN BRIEF FROM THE U.S. From JTA non-Jewish clergy. Among marriages where both spouses were Jewish, the study found Jewish Federations of North America board votes to allow that 91 percent were conducted by Jewish clergy only. The study found that among intermarried couples wed solely by Jewish clergy, 85 percent raised their oldest child some West Bank visits Jewish. Among intermarried couples wed by other clergy, the figure dropped to 23 per- The Board of Trustees of the Jewish Federations of North America voted to allow cent. According to the study, “On multiple measures of Jewish engagement, including some of its missions to Israel to visit the West Bank. “Today, the JFNA Board of Trustees synagogue involvement, intermarried couples whose weddings were presided over approved a number of appropriate and necessary protocols to support the advocacy and by a sole Jewish clergy officiant look very similar” to couples where both spouses are education trips of the IAN [Israel Action Network],” JFNA said in a statement on Oct. Jewish. The lead author of the study was Leonard Saxe, who heads the university’s 26 following a board meeting via conference call. “This vote ensures that IAN will Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies. A separate study released on Oct. 26 by the continue to travel to Israel and the surrounding areas not historically visited by JFNA Pew Research Center found that 21 percent of U.S. adults were raised by parents of two staff.” The meeting was led by the JFNA’s chairman, Richard Sandler, and was limited different religions. Most of those couples included one parent affiliated with a religion only to voting JFNA trustees, Haaretz reported. At issue are missions to Israel and the and one unaffiliated parent. The Pew survey did not separate data on Jewish Americans. West Bank of Partners for Peace, a program of the JFNA affiliate Israel Action Network, According to the 2013 Pew study of American Jews, the intermarriage rate among Jews which takes its delegations to Palestinian towns under the control of the Palestinian married after 2000 was 58 percent and jumped to 71 percent among non-Orthodox Jews. Authority in the West Bank. The Israel Action Network came under the management NY village, town to pay $2.9M to settle discrimination of JFNA six months ago and was set to leave on Oct. 30 on its first mission since the change in leadership. It was previously part of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. lawsuit against Chasidim It is not yet clear whether the vote is specifically for Israel Action Network trips or a An upstate New York village and its host town will pay a Jewish developer $2.9 wholesale change to JFNA policy, according to the Forward. In an e-mail sent to trustees million to settle a federal lawsuit alleging that they tried to stop new housing for Cha- and obtained by the Jewish Journal of Los Angeles, which first reported the possible sidic Jews. The Village of Bloomingburg and the Town of Mamakating agreed on Oct. policy change, JFNA CEO Jerry Silverman said that JFNA believes “authorizing the 21 to the settlement with Shalom Lamm and his Sullivan Farms II company. Under entry of IAN missions into the P.A. is in the best interest of the Federation system.” the settlement, the company will receive $1.595 million from Mamakating and $1.305 The vote raises concerns that participants on trips that travel to the West Bank would million from Bloomingburg. The insurance company for the locales will make the be exposed to one side of the story if they visited Jewish settlements in the West Bank payments. The trial was to begin on Nov. 8. The lawsuit, which was filed in September while avoiding Palestinian areas, according to the Jewish Journal. 2014, accused Bloomingburg and Mamakating of violating federal civil rights and fair Antisemitic graffiti found near U. of Virginia campus housing laws by trying to stop the development of 396 townhouses that cater to Chasidic Jews and marketed to that group. They allegedly also rejected the conversion of a nearby Local police are investigating antisemitic graffiti left on a building near the Uni- house into a mikvah ritual bath. Bloomingburg, which has 400 residents, is located in versity of Virginia campus in Charlottesville. Students discovered the graffiti on Oct. Sullivan County, in the Catskill Mountains area, about 75 miles north of Manhattan. 23 on the GrandMarc building, a private student housing complex, according to The Mamakating has 12,000 residents. In April 2015, Mamakating and Bloomingburg filed Cavalier Daily. The bright orange spray-painted image, which has since been removed, a federal lawsuit against Lamm accusing him of fraud, bribery, racketeering, voter showed a Star of David with the word “Juden” written underneath, a German term fraud and corruption of public officials. They claimed he bribed a former mayor, used for the Jewish people. “The graffiti references language used in the Holocaust and a frontman to help mislead the village about his intentions for Chestnut Ridge and en- is designed to target and intimidate individuals of the Jewish faith,” the university’s gaged in racketeering by promoting an enterprise that was corrupt on multiple levels. dean of students, Allen Groves, said in a statement, according to NBC. “Although the The lawsuit was later dismissed. In the case that was settled, the plaintiffs alleged that GrandMarc is private property, it also represents the home of a great many students,” the Mamakating and Bloomingburg had engaged in an ongoing campaign of religious statement said. “As a community, we categorically reject this type of hateful message, discrimination against the Chasidic Jewish community over the past three years. The which is anathema to our shared values of inclusiveness and trust.” A Jewish student settlement “should remind the public that bigotry has no place in America,” Lamm’s said she spotted two additional images on the building in the same color, including attorney, Steven Engel, said in a statement. “It is our hope that this ugly time is now a pentagram and the word “Satan,” The Cavalier Daily reported. behind us, and that all the residents of this beautiful region can live together in peace Jewish feminist magazine Lilith celebrates 40th year and mutual understanding,” he said. The settlement comes just months after the Sullivan The Jewish feminist magazine Lilith celebrated its 40th anniversary with a special issue County Board of Elections settled a lawsuit alleging that Board of Elections employees that highlighted past iconic articles. The publication’s Fall 2016 issue included excerpts had attempted to cancel the voter registrations of some 160 Chasidic residents. from a 1987 story about the JAP (Jewish American Princess) stereotype, a 1996 tribute to Barbra Streisand and a 2012 profile of three deaf Jewish activists. It also included a list of 40 Jewish feminist objects submitted by readers and writers. “This 40th anniversary issue charts women’s lives with affection, subversion and style,” Editor-in-Chief Susan Gifting Stock Weidman Schneider, who founded the magazine in 1976, said in a statement. “It dives deep into the changes you’ve witnessed and helped bring about, and points the way to a female-friendly Jewish future.” The magazine, which is named for the biblical Adam’s Form mythical first wife, features works of reporting, memoir, fiction and poetry, and bills itself as “the feminist change-agent in and for the Jewish community.” Gifting stock to a charitable 501©(3) organization Four Torah scrolls worth $240K stolen from Brooklyn is a great way to make a donation. synagogue by kippah-clad thief Four Torah scrolls valued at approximately $240,000 were stolen from a Brooklyn By gifting stock in which you have a large capital gain, you not synagogue during a holiday that honors the sacred texts. Surveillance video showed a only receive the benefit of making a sizable donation, but you man in his 20s wearing a kippah entering the Avenue O Synagogue in the Midwood also save the capital gains tax. section and leaving with the scrolls during Simchat Torah, according to local news reports. The scrolls were taken at about 1 am on Oct. 25. It is not known whether the Example: thief is Jewish. The Orthodox synagogue was locked at the time and it is not known Gift: $2,000 how the man got into the building, according to reports. New York City Councilman (Stock: ABC @ $20 per share - Gift: 100 shares) David Greenfield has offered a $1,000 reward to anyone that provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of “the despicable criminal who committed If you were to sell “Stock ABC” that you originally purchased at this crime,” Greenfield told WPIX-TV. “We will not tolerate this outrageous criminal $10.00 a share, you would have a $1,000 capital gain and you activity in our community,” he said. would be required to pay at least $150.00 in federal taxes, etc. Study: 1 in 4 intermarried couples wed exclusively by Jewish officiant But by gifting the stock, you save the entire $150.00 and you’ve Nearly one-quarter of intermarried couples were wed exclusively by a Jewish found a way to help the Federation accomplish its mission: clergy member, a new study has found. The study on rabbinic officiation in intermar- riages published the week of Oct. 26 by Brandeis University found that a majority of “…to rescue the imperiled, care for the vulnerable, support Israel and intermarriages including a Jewish spouse were conducted by a nonreligious officiant. world Jewry and perpetuate Jewish life in Northeastern Pennsylvania.” Twenty-four percent were conducted by a Jewish officiant only, while 11 percent were Your gift will not only assist our local and regional organizations and conducted exclusively by non-Jewish clergy. Five percent included both Jewish and agencies, but you will have the satisfaction of helping those in need. You will be able to look back and say: “I’m just doing what my People have always done for each other.” For further information on gifting stocks in payment of your pledge to our Annual UJA Campaign, please contact the Federation at 570-961-2300 (ext. 3) for details.

ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 14 THE REPORTER ■ NOVEMBER 3, 2016

Feature Films (as of September 2016) NEW Dough - An old Jewish baker (Jonathan Pryce) takes on a young Muslim apprentice to save his failing kosher bakery. When TO THE his apprentice’s marijuana stash accidentally falls in the mixing dough, the challah starts flying off the shelves! DOUGH is a warmhearted and humorous story about overcoming prejudice and finding redemption in unexpected places. (Shown at the LIBRARY! 2017 UJA campaign opening event) Everything is Illuminated - “Everything is Illuminated” tells the story of a young man’s quest to find the woman who saved his grandfather in a small Ukrainian town that was wiped off the map by the Nazi invasion. What starts out as a journey to piece together one family’s story under absurd circumstances turns into a meaningful journey with a powerful series of revelations -- the importance of remembrance, the perilous nature of secrets, the legacy of the Holocaust, and the meaning of friendship. (Donated by Dr. and Mrs. David Malinov) Europa Europa - Based on the autobiography of Solomon Perel, this movie recounts the severe actions a young boy must take in order to survive the Holocaust. (Donated by Dr. and Mrs. David Malinov) Hidden in Silence - Przemysl, Poland, WWII. Germany emerges victorious over the Russians and the city comes under Nazi control. The Jews are sent to the ghettos. While some stand silent, Catholic teenager, Stefania Podgorska, choose the role of a savior and sneaks 13 Jews into her attic. Inspired by real events, Munich reveals the intense story of the secret Israeli squad assigned to track down and assassinate the 11 Palestinians believed to have planned the 1972 Munich massacre of 11 Israeli athletes - and the personal toll this mission of revenge takes on the team and the man who led it. Music Box - In this intense courtroom thriller, Chicago attorney Ann Talbot (Jessica Lange) agres to defend her Hungarian immigrant father against accusations of heinous war crimes committed 50 years earlier. Remember - With the aid of a fellow Auschwitz survivor and a hand-written letter, an elderly man with demntia goes in search of the person responsible for the death of his family. (shown at the 2017 UJA campaign opening event) Munich - Inspired by real events, Munich reveals the intense story of the secret Israeli squad assigned to track down and assassinate the 11 Palestinians believed to have planned the 1972 Munich massacre of 11 Israeli athletes - and the personal toll this mission of revenge takes on the team and the man who led it. Son of Saul - October 1944, Auschwitz-Birkenau. Saul (Géza Röhrig) is a Hungarian member of the Sonderkommando, the group of Jewish prisoners forced to assist the Nazis. While working, Saul discovers the body of a boy he takes for his son. As the Sonderkommando plans a rebellion, Saul decides to carry out an impossible task: save the child’s body, find a rabbi to recite the mourner’s Kaddish and offer the boy a proper burial. (shown at the 2017 UJA campaign opening event) The Book Thief - THE BOOK THIEF tells the inspirational story of a spirited and courageous young girl who transforms the lives of everyone around her when she is sent to live with a new family in World War II Germany. The Jolson Story - THE JOLSON STORY is classic Hollywood biography at its best; a fast-paced, tune-filled extravaganza following the meteoric rise of legendary performer Al Jolson. THE JOLSON STORY was nominated for six 1946 Academy Awards , winning two, (Best Musical Scoring and Best Sound Recording). The Other Son - As he is preparing to join the Israeli army for his national service, Joseph discovers he is not his parents’ biological son and that he was inadvertently switched at birth with Yacine, the son of a Palestinian family from the West Bank. This revelation turns the lives of these two families upside-down, forcing them to reassess their respective identities, their values and beliefs. Woman of Gold - Based on the true story of Maria Altman, played by Helen Mirren, who sought to regain a world famous painting of her aunt plundered by the Nazis during World War II. She did so not just to regain what was rightfully hers but also to obtain some measure of justice for the death, destruction and massive art theft perpetrated by the Nazis. (Donated by Dr. and Mrs. David Malinov) Non-Feature Films 2016 Above and Beyond - In 1948, just three years after the liberation of Nazi death camps, a ragtag group of skilled American pilots - both Jewish and non-Jewish, answered a call for help. In secret and at great personal risk, they smuggled planes out of the U.S., trained behind the Iron Curtain and flew for Israel in its War of Independence. This band of brothers not only turned the tide of the war, they also embarked on personal journeys of discovery and pride. (Shown at the 2016 UJA campaign opening event) Everything is a Present: The Wonder and Grace of Alice Sommer Hertz - This is the uplifting true story of the gifted pianist Alice Sommer Hertz who survived the Theresienstat concentration camp by playing classical piano concerts for Nazi dignitaries. Alice Sommer Hertz lived to the age of 106. Her story is an inspiration. Follow Me: The Yoni Netanyahu Story - Yoni Netanyahu was a complex, passionate individual thrust into defending his country in a time of war and violence. The older brother of Benjamin Natanyahu, the current Israel Prime Minister, Yoni led the miraculous raid on Entebbe in 1976. Although almost all of the Entebbe hostages were saved, Yoni was the lone military fatality. Featuring three Israeli Prime Ministers and recently released audio from the Entebbe raid itself. Hava Nagila (The Movie) - A documentary romp through the history, mystery and meaning of the great Jewish standard. Featuring interviews with Harry Belafonte, Leonard Nimoy and more, the film follows the ubiquitous party song on its fascinating journey from the shtetls of Eastern Europe to the kibbutzim of Palestine to the cul-de-sacs of America. If These Knishes Could Talk tells the story of the New York accent: what it is, how it’s evolved, and the love/hate relationship New Yorkers have with it. It features writer Pete Hamill, director Penny Marshall, attorney Alan Dershowitz and screenwriter James McBride, along with a cast of characters from Canarsie to Tottenville. In between, it explores why New Yorkers eat chawclate and drink cawfee, and how the accent became the vibrant soundtrack of a charming, unforgiving and enduring city. Israel: The Royal Tour - Travel editor Peter Greenberg (CBS News) takes us on magnificent tour of the Jewish homeland, Israel. The tour guide is none other than Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The viewer gets a chance to visit the land of Israel from his own home! Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story (narrated by Dustin Hoffman)- This documentary portrays the contributions of Jewish major leaguers and the special meaning that baseball has had in the lives of American Jews. More than a film about sports, this is a story of immigration, assimilation, bigotry, heroism, the passing on of traditions, the shattering of stereotypes and, most of all, the greatest American pastime. Nicky’s Family - An enthralling documentary that artfully tells the story of how Sir Nicholas Winton, now 104, a British stockbroker, gave up a 1938 skiing holiday to answer a friend’s request for help in Prague and didn’t stop helping until the war’s beginning stopped him. He had saved the lives of 669 children in his own personal Kindertransport. The Case for Israel - Democracy’s Outpost - This documentary presents a vigorous case for Israel- for its basic right to exist, to protect its citizens from terrorism, and to defend its borders from hostile enemies. The Israel Course - A 7-part Israel education series that sheds light on the Holy Land through the ages. Featuring biblical scholars and Middle East experts, including Harvard professor Alan Dershowitz, Emeritus Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, Ambassador Dore Gold, Princeton professor Bernard Lewis and many others. The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg - As baseball’s first Jewish star, Hammerin’ Hank Greenberg’s career contains all the makings of a true American success story. Unmasked: Judaophobia - the Threat to Civilization – This documentary exposes the current political assault against the State of Israel fundamentally as a war against the Jewish people and their right to self-determination. NOVEMBER 3, 2016 ■ THE REPORTER 15 NEWS IN BRIEF FROM ISRAEL From JNS.org lifetime,” Birthright Israel CEO Gidi Mark said in a statement. Birthright will “have an IDF fortifies Lebanese border to protect against infiltration even greater impact on Israel in the near future as participants decide to work at Israeli The Israel Defense Forces is fortifying a stretch of the Lebanese border to prepare for companies or start businesses of their own in Israel,” Mark added. a possible infiltration by Hezbollah fighters in the next conflict. The 18.6-mile project Israel finalizing deal for three nuclear subs from Germany consists of a series of engineered barriers, including reinforced concrete panels several The Israeli Navy is reportedly close to finalizing a deal to buy three nuclear-ca- feet high, concrete blocks, fortified towers and upgrades to existing fences originally pable submarines from Germany for $1.3 billion. The purchase of the submarines is built in the 1980s, Yediot Achronot reported. The project is expected to stretch along expected be finalized in November in Berlin and will upgrade Israel’s existing nearly the entire 75-mile Lebanese border. Meanwhile, most Israeli resources are focused on 20-year-old submarine fleet, Maariv reported. “The new submarines are said to be beefing up the border along the Gaza Strip in the south. As a result, the IDF Northern more advanced, longer and equipped with better accessories,” the report said. The Command has used other methods. “We can’t dig everywhere, so we found other solutions, Israeli Navy’s Dolphin-class submarines provide the Jewish state with second-strike such as reinforcing the border fence, and we placed large boulders near Hanita to act nuclear capabilities, experts say. They have the ability to travel long distances from as an obstacle against possible infiltration,” said Col. Zaky Yeffet, of the IDF Northern Israel’s territorial waters and can reportedly carry long-range cruise missiles tipped Command. “The concrete panels we also placed in the areas guard against small-arms with nuclear warheads. Israel has already purchased five nuclear-capable Dolphin-class fire and anti-tank missiles,” he said. “Additionally, we cleared brush wherever we could submarines from Germany with a sixth sub due for delivery in 2017. along the border to allow us to see approaching threats easier.” Evidence: Jerusalem’s “Third Wall” breached 2,000 years ago Pope Francis says God promised the Holy Land to Jews Archaeologists have discovered evidence the Romans had breached Jerusalem’s Pope Francis declared that God promised the Holy Land to the people of Israel in a so-called “Third Wall” at the end of the Second Temple period in 70 C.E., the Israel An- speech at the Vatican in Rome on Oct. 26. “The people of Israel, who from Egypt, where tiquities Authority announced. Remains of a tower protruding from the so-called “Third they were enslaved, walked through the desert for 40 years until they reached the land Wall” that surrounded Jerusalem was found along with many ballista and sling stones that promised by God,” Pope Francis said, The Jerusalem Post reported. Francis made the the Romans had fired from catapults as Jewish guards defended the wall, the excavation statement shortly before meeting with Israeli Deputy Minister for Regional Cooperation found. The discovery was made last winter in the Russian Compound in the city center Ayoub Kara, where he thanked him for his work on behalf of Christians in Israel. The state- where construction was underway to build the new Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design ment by the pontiff came just hours after UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee passed a campus. “This is a fascinating testimony of the intensive bombardment by the Roman resolution ignoring Jewish and Christian ties to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City. army, led by Titus, on their way to conquering the city and destroying the Second Tem- UNESCO adopts another resolution ignoring Jewish, Christian ple,” IAA excavation directors Dr. Rina Avner and Kfir Arbib said. “The bombardment ties to Temple Mount was intended to attack the sentries guarding the wall and provide cover for the Roman forces so they could approach the wall with battering rams and thereby breach the city’s The United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization’s World Her- defenses.” The first-century Romano-Jewish historian Josephus, an eyewitness to the war, itage Committee adopted a controversial resolution on Oct. 26 that ignores Jewish and provided details about the construction of the “Third Wall” that was started by Agrippa I Christian ties to the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem. Meeting in Paris, the and designed to protect the new quarter of the city called Beit Zeita. It was completed 20 resolution titled “Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls” passed with 10 countries voting years later by the defenders of Jerusalem to fortify the city against the Great Revolt against in favor, two opposing and eight abstaining. Only eight votes were needed to pass the Rome. Josephus detailed how the wall started in Hippicus Tower, now identified with resolution. The resolution criticizes Israel’s actions around the Temple Mount, which David’s Citadel. From there, it continued north to the Psephinus Tower, which defended it refers to solely by its Muslim names “Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif,” and the northwestern corner of the city wall. Then, the wall turned east toward the Tomb of defines it only as “a Muslim holy site of worship.” The Temple Mount is the holiest site Queen Helena, which is now identified with the Tombs of the Kings. in Judaism as the place of the First and Second Jewish Temples. The Second Temple also plays a significant role in Christianity and is mentioned in the New Testament. Poll: 30 percent of evicted Israelis from Gush Katif still The World Heritage Committee’s decision comes less than two weeks after the body’s without permanent homes 56-member Executive Committee passed a similar resolution also ignoring Jewish and (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) – Eleven years after the unilateral disengage- Christian ties to the Temple Mount. That measure was only adopted by a plurality (24 ment from the Gaza Strip, nearly 30 percent of Israelis who had to leave their Gush votes) and not a majority, as the largest number of countries (26) abstained from the Katif homes have yet to find permanent residences, a survey released Oct. 18 showed. vote after intense lobbying by Israel. Later, Brazil and Mexico voiced regret over their Gush Katif was a bloc of 17 Jewish communities in the southern Gaza Strip. Residents “yes” vote and Italy, which abstained, also said it should have voted “no.” Israel’s Am- there were evicted and the homes razed in 2005, as part of Israel’s disengagement from bassador to UNESCO Carmel Shama-Hacohen called the resolution “absurd.” “This is the area. Some 50 percent of the evacuees still believe they will someday return to yet another absurd resolution against the state of Israel, the Jewish people and historical their homes, while 70 percent said they would return if Israel regained control of the truth,” he said. In a show of defiance, Shama-Hacohen threw a copy of the resolution area, according to the report that surveyed 248 former Gush Katif residents. More than in the trash. Despite defeat, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office noted 60 percent said they have returned to normal life following the disengagement, and again that “fewer nations were in favor of the resolution this year. More nations moved 82 percent reported being satisfied with their current community. The survey, by the this year from support to abstentions,” the statement said. Rafi Smith Research Center, also found that 14 percent of the 8,600 Israeli evacuees P.A. frees Palestinians arrested for attending Sukkot event are unemployed, compared to the low unemployment rate of 4.8 percent in Israel. (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) – Palestinian Authority security forces released The study also found that 30 percent still define themselves as Gush Katif residents, four Palestinians arrested on Oct. 20 for attending a holiday event at Efrat Mayor Oded while nearly half of the evacuees define themselves as “former” Gush Katif residents. Revivi’s sukkah in Gush Etzion. The prisoners were released after Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai, coordinator of government activities in the territories, intervened. Before their release, many in Israel spoke out on the prisoners’ behalf. A senior official in Palestinian Authority security services told Israel Hayom the arrests were in line with Palestinian Authority law, which classifies meetings with settlers as fraternizing with the enemy. The law exists to prevent them from being exposed to incitement, he said. Birthright has contributed more than $1 billion to Israeli economy, study finds Birthright Israel, the nonprofit educational organization that sponsors free 10-day trips to Israel for young Jewish adults, has contributed roughly $1.1 billion to the Israeli economy since it began, a new study by the firm Ernst and Young shows. The report found that Birthright directly contributed about $840 million to the Israeli economy through hotel stays, flights and tour group hires, while it indirectly contributed roughly $325 million through other expenses like food, souvenirs and trip extensions. Addition- ally, the study found that Birthright participants make up 12 percent of the total number of tourists from June to August and December to January, twice the annual average for overall tourism during those off-peak times. Since 2000, Birthright has provided no-cost trips to more than a half million Jewish young adults aged 18-26. “This new report validates the success of our program and reinforces one of our main goals: to have participants return to Israel and foster relationships with its people throughout their

... To our readers you to let I want toertisers remind know that our adv AD w their ad here in W YOUR you sa y I SA you sa THE REPORTER! It is so important to remember. when you go to get your hair doneey want or buy to know something at their store or use their services that ve IN THE REPORTER! Th rtising Executi Thank you, Adve Bonnie Rozen, ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 16 THE REPORTER ■ NOVEMBER 3, 2016

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