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VOLUME XIII, NUMBER 8 APRIL 16, 2020 JFNA launches national effort for nonprofits in crisis BY JNS STAFF that receive Medicaid funding, would “The Paycheck Protection Program JFNA hosted another webinar on March (JNS) – Following the enactment receive $349 billion in forgivable loans is an unprecedented resource in helping 30 for Jewish organizations interested of the Coronavirus Aid Relief and from the Small Business Administration. to ensure that Jewish Federations, com- in learning more about eligibility and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the This would include $10 billion through munity centers, synagogues, Jewish day application requirements. Participants largest emergency aid package in U.S. the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster schools, Jewish Family Service agencies were advised on how to calculate potential history, the Jewish Federations of North Loans; nonprofits and small businesses and others are able to continue their critical loan amounts and how to best prepare to America has announced a national pro- with no more than 500 employees would work to help vulnerable populations and apply for a loan. gram to help Jewish nonprofits access be eligible. safeguard Jewish life across America,” JFNA has also set up a national resource financial support made possible through JFNA is also helping small businesses said Eric Fingerhut, JFNA president and bank of professionals and volunteers who the legislation. and nonprofits access the SBA’s Paycheck CEO, in a statement. “We are grateful can assist nonprofits with the process. While large companies, such as air- Protection Program, which provides loans for this opportunity and strongly urge all Interested organizations can contact the lines, are set to receive $500 billion in intended to help small businesses keep Jewish organizations to apply.” JFNA SBA loan hotline at 212-284-6625 loans and other investments, small busi- workers employed amid the pandemic On March 29, more than 17,000 people or e-mail questions to SBALoans@ nesses and nonprofits, including those and economic downturn. joined information webinars on the loans. JewishFederations.org. Israeli defense companies are turning radars into coronavirus symptom detectors BY YAAKOV LAPPIN At right: The Defense Team, which is led by DDR&D Director, (JNS) Two major Israeli defense Ministry announced that Brig. Gen. (Res.) Dr. Dani Gold, who companies have developed cutting-edge its National Emergency was instrumental in the past for setting coronavirus symptom detectors that will Team, together with IAI up Israel’s Iron Dome air-defense system. allow doctors to remotely pick up on and Elbit, have developed “The combination of the technological suspicious symptoms of COVID-19. The the prototypes to measure capabilities of the defense industries and sensors were created by adapting radar the vital signs of patients, the extraordinary capabilities of the offi- and camera technology that come from including pulse, respiratory cers in the DDR&D enables us to adapt the defense and homeland security world. rate and temperature, and systems developed for security purposes The program, initiated by the Defense pick out patterns that to fulfill medical needs in light of the Ministry’s Directorate of Defense Re- indicate a likely coronavirus coronavirus,” said Col. A, of the DDR&D. search and Development, has seen Israel infection. (Photo courtesy Dr. Yossi Shaya, of the Beilinson Hos- Aerospace Industries and Elbit Systems of Elbit Systems) pital, stated that “the DDR&D turned to us rapidly take radars and elecro-optic with the idea of monitoring patients using (camera) sensors and convert them into or even from another room by viewing the ing at ways to use artificial intelligence radar. These are systems that we don’t highly sensitive sensors that will enable results on a screen. to allow doctors to generate automatic normally work with, but they asked us medical teams to screen patients from Once they receive the signs, said insights based on the readings. “We can what our needs are in the hope that these another room, thereby greatly enhancing Cohen, the doctors can decide whether let the networks produce insights,” said systems may be adapted to fulfill them. their safety. more comprehensive checks are needed, Cohen. The system will be installed at the They asked what vital signs should be In recent days, the Defense Ministry and if so, to move the patient to a more Beilinson Hospital in the Rabin Medical monitored among corona patients at the announced that its National Emergency sterile area with the appropriate protective Center as of Monday, and doctors will See “Radars” on page 3 Team, together with IAI and Elbit, have gear to continue the care. “This is a very be able to run it without any outside developed the prototypes to measure the important requirement,” he said. help, as they build up experience in vital signs of patients, including pulse, Working with the Defense Ministry’s using the sensor. 2020 UJA respiratory rate and temperature, and DDR&D and the Rabin Medical Center Meanwhile, IAI has also developed pick out patterns that indicate a likely in Petach Tikvah, Elbit will deliver its its own prototype using a radar origi- Pay it forward & give to coronavirus infection. first prototype to that hospital before nally designed to protect perimeters and the 2020 Jewish Federation “I don’t know of any adaption of de- examining ways to expand its program, detect people walking or crawling, or fense technology or homeland security of Northeastern Pennsylvania including installing machines at drive- vehicles moving. “We took the smallest Annual Campaign! radars for this purpose until now,” said through test facilities and at the entrances of our radars and place the ability to Goal: Yossi Cohen, vice president and chief to military bases. measure pulse and breath rates on it,” $989,000 technological officer at Elbit Systems’ The system is based on radar tech- said Israel Lupa, executive vice presi- C4i and Cyber Division. “Until now, the nology that “allows us to identify, in a dent and chief technological officer of civilian world didn’t have this need.” very precise manner, small changes,” Elta, a division if IAI. For information or to Now, however, and likely in the near fu- said Cohen. The radar uses a very low frequency, make a donation call ture, there will be a need for remote sensing 570-961-2300 ext. 1 or This ability was modified to allow the meaning that it is safe to use in close send your gift to: that protects medical personnel from the radar to detect minute body movements proximity to people, he stressed. “A radar Jewish Federation $871,314 risk of infection. “This development came of Northeastern as of April 8, 2020 created by the pulse and breath, and of this type was built to detect slow, small Pennsylvania as a result of a capability that we want to measure patterns. The system can even movements,” said Lupa. “The system can 601 Jefferson Ave., give doctors at the entrance to Emergency scan for the ratio of inhalations and ex- already detect minor movements. We Scranton, PA 18510 (Please MEMO your Rooms to distinguish [between] patients halations, allowing for conclusions to be adapted this to tracking body movements pledge or gift 2020 that have a respiratory and have a chance drawn about the likelihood of a respiratory caused by the breath and pulse.” UJA Campaign) of [contracting] coronavirus from patients disease like coronavirus to be involved. Within seconds, the system, which also suffering from other patients,” said Cohen. The second component of the machine, includes an advanced thermal camera Currently, medical teams have to exam- an advanced thermal camera, can take a for detecting fever, can deliver an alert ine patients directly through close contact highly precise temperature reading and (though not a final diagnosis) to -medi and at longer intervals, putting them in employs advanced algorithms to achieve cal teams of an indication of a possible danger of infection. The remote-sensing that precision, said Cohen. COVID-19 patient. solutions give doctors the ability to check Two successful trials of the prototype The initiative was launched by the patients from more than two meters away have been completed. Elbit is now look- Defense Ministry’s National Emergency Candle lighting INSIDE THIS ISSUE April 17...... 7:28 pm Judaism online Study says... News in brief... April 24...... 7:35 pm May 1...... 7:43 pm A parents’ guide for engaging The latest Pew study shows the U.K. Jewish newspapers fold; Jewishly online; more Jewish pandemic has prompted prayer Russian Jewish philanthropists PLUS online resources. at home and online. helping seniors; and more. Opinion...... 2 Stories on pages 2-3 Story on page 5 Story on pages 7-8 D’var Torah...... 6 2 THE REPORTER ■ APRIL 16, 2020 Online Judaism: A parents’ guide on engaging Jewishly in the time of corona BY DEBORAH FINEBLUM and opportunities to interact with such (JNS) – It wasn’t so long ago when life superstars as Lord Rabbi Jonathan Sacks was so over-the-top busy that you longed and NBA legend Amar’e Stoudemire, for some quiet, unstructured time with who now lives in Israel. The platform your children. The coronavirus pandemic also enables individual university Hillels has granted that wish. And then some. to customize content for their students. With no end in sight of QT (Quality With such an unprecedented avalanche Time), many schools have come to a par- of online resources keeping the Jewish ent’s rescue with online classes through world engaged and close, Chabad Rabbi a range of technologies many of us had Mendel Sharfstein co-director with his never heard of two weeks ago. wife, Dini, of the Center for Jewish Life Ironically, those screens that were in St. Johns, a town near Jacksonville, FL, once the bane of a parent’s existence – says that, even without them, this time of the computers, lap tops, cell phones and enforced isolation is a potent reminder that tablets guilty of commandeering their the Jewish home is the central address of children’s minds and bodies – are the Judaism. lifeblood for keeping the kids learning, “The shul is important, to pray with a productive and feeling some sense of minyan, but the purpose of a shul is what structure and normalcy in these unpre- Ellie Kay, a sixth-grader at the Solomon Rabbi Michael Beals led daily services happens when you leave the shul and go dictable times. Schechter Day School in West Hartford, alone in the sanctuary of Congregation home,” he says. “It’s the effect it has on But with many synagogues locked CT, wss doing her learning and prayers Beth Shalom in Wilmington, DE. your marriage and your relationship with up, religious schools and day schools online these days. (Photo courtesy of (Photo courtesy of Congregation Beth your kids; that’s where Jewish life really in abeyance, with JCCs shuttered and Solomon Schechter Day School) Shalom) happens.” Shabbat meals now intimate (nuclear) Indeed, he adds, learning Torah, family affairs, how can parents keep the keeping up their learning and socializing, going like we can today.” educating your kids Jewishly, keeping Jewish flame alive? too, starting the day with doing morning At a time when the world’s synagogues Shabbat, eating kosher food (and soon, For Andrea Kasper, head of school prayers together.” are either closed for the duration or where celebrating the Passover holiday), “the at Solomon Schechter Day School of Jason Kay is one Schechter parent only 10 people can enter (just enough purpose of it all is to bring the Divine into Greater Hartford in West Hartford, CT, whose kids are settling quickly into their to make a minyan), or where people are your life and your work, but especially seeing how her parents and students have new routine, including long-distance praying outdoors with plenty of space your home.” rallied has made her “the proudest I’ve learning, prayers, phys ed and more. between them, attendance is dramatically At her home in Hadera, Israel, Isabelle been in my five years at Schechter.” And “The older kids are engaged in course- curtailed. Dalia Fitoussi is with her four kids, ages the school’s Jewish curriculum has been work or hanging out with their friends At Congregation Beth Shalom in 10 to 20 pretty much 24/7, along with her a big part of this – from the preschoolers on their Chromebooks between classes, Wilmington, DE, Rabbi Michael Beals husband when he’s not at work. And it’s to the eighth-graders – classes delivered they’re not fighting, and by 7:30, our has been live streaming his daily and going surprisingly well, she says. “We now through Google Classroom, Zoom 4-year-old is ready to see what his teach- Shabbat services from an empty sanc- do tefillah together as a family each and Seesaw. er’s posted for the day, “ says Kay, who tuary, one designed to seat 250 with the morning and watch Torah classes for “For the 2-year-olds, it really makes has children in sixth and fourth grades, siddur available to worshippers on PDF. kids (mostly in French), with math and a difference that they can hear the songs as well as in preschool. Weekdays of late “We got 24 for Sunday-morning minyan, history and more classes,” she says. In and see their friends and teachers,” she start with online morning prayers and more than usual,” says Beals. “People who addition, there is daily outdoor play and says. “And for the big kids, it means songs, “and it helps that they can hear never daven in the morning are davening ulpan (Hebrew classes) for the kids and all the kids singing and saying tefillot with me.” the parents alike. (prayers) together.” And since he is saying Kaddish for And, thousands of miles away, in Ethan Simon, an 11th-grader at the both his father and mother-in-law, though West Hartford, CT, Jason Kay says even Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy in it’s by no means a bona fide minyan, on though there are currently no Shabbat Bryn Mawr, PA, participates in a virtual weekdays Beals glances at his cell phone guests and no synagogue, “we’re still minyan every morning at 9 am before the to see if more than 10 people have checked making Shabbat meals a special time to “ The Reporter” (USPS #482) is published bi-weekly by the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania, 601 Jefferson beginning of class. “Of course, it doesn’t in. “I make sure I greet every one of them do the blessings, and sit and talk about Ave., Scranton, PA 18510. really count as a minyan, but we’re act- by name,” he says. “It’s good for them, our week.” They also joined an online and it’s strengthens me because all of this Havadalah with JTConnect (Jewish Teen President: Esther Adelman ing like it’s one,” he says. “It helps us Executive Director: Mark Silverberg remember that just because you’re away is so evolutionary right now.” Learning Connection), a Jewish learning from school doesn’t mean you’re away Though his leadership offered to let program, which the Connection followed Executive Editor: Rabbi Rachel Esserman from Judaism. And it’s not so hard for us him broadcast services from his home with a family trivia game. Layout Editor: Diana Sochor to get used to this because our generation – their cantor conducted Havdalah re- Says mom Orah Moshe in Pardes Han- Advertising Representative: Bonnie Rozen Bookkeeper: Kathy Brown is used to electronics.” cently from her place via Zoom – “for na, Israel, she and her husband and their Production Associate: Christi Sturdevant After-school religious schools are services, there’s something more power- two kids are having long conversations also jumping on the bandwagon. Over at ful doing it from the synagogue; there’s a they would otherwise not have had the OPINIONS The views expressed in Temple Israel in Sharon, MA, principal real sense of kedusha, of holiness here,” time for. “They miss their friends (they’re editorials and opinion pieces are those Rabbi Mordechai Rackover says his says the rabbi. teenagers), but being home we’ve had of each author and not necessarily teachers have picked up where they left Even so, he’s planning on moving his discussions about both the science and the views of the Jewish Federation of off courtesy of Zoom. “We’re talking live-streaming apparatus into the chapel: religious issues behind this illness, and Northeastern Pennsylvania. with the students, and they’re talking “It’s just a lot more intimate in there.” the fact that uncertainty is a part of life. LETTERS The Reporter welcomes For many teens, youth group is where We’re able to take a breath from our frantic letters on subjects of interest to the with each other and seeing each other; they turn for Jewish contact in the years Jewish community. All letters must be this way, we can make sure we all stay in lives,” she adds. “I made my kids French signed and include a phone number. each other’s lives,” says the rabbi, who between bar/bat mitzvah and college. toast today for the first time in a long time.” The editor may withhold the name says one recent class had 20 students “A lot of people think of it as a second “Now that we finally have the time, upon request. show up remotely, almost perfect atten- home, as a chosen family,” says Arielle we can spend it with our husband or wife ADS The Reporter does not necessar- dance. “It also makes us an address that Shofman, president of the youth group and our children; we can learn the Torah ily endorse any advertised products families can go to whenever they could at Temple of Aaron, a Conservative we never had time for and dip into all and services. In addition, the paper use some support.” congregation in St. Paul, MN. Thanks to the online Torah learning, even if we’ve is not responsible for the kashruth of Across the ocean in Israel the same Zoom, members will be able to take part never done it before,” says Sharfstein in any advertiser’s product or establish- technologies are allowing students to stay in the youth group’s upcoming Passover Florida. “In times of so much darkness in ment. engaged. At the Tanakh Yeshiva School in program. “We need to stay connected to the world, it’s in our homes where we can DEADLINE Regular deadline is two Zikron Yaakov, founding principal Rabbi each other,” she says. “Youth group is create light by elevating our relationships weeks prior to the publication date. Shimon Rapport says the online capacity where we talk about Judaism and every- with the people we love and with God.” to keep his 180 high school boys focused thing else in our lives.” Jewish Community Centers are offering FEDERATION WEBSITE: on their schoolwork is a huge gift. Most college-aged students have by online programs, even exercise classes. www.jewishnepa.org “We get them up for 9 am classes be- now been sent home from university See what your local JCC is doing at HOW TO SUBMIT ARTICLES: cause teenagers would happily sleep till mid-semester or from Israel programs https://jcca.org/virtual-jccs-online-en- Mail: 601 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, PA 11,” says Rapport. “We know they need that were supposed to last the year, and gagement/. 18510 the structure.” still others who were looking forward to Chabad is offering videos, activities E-mail: [email protected] The online curriculum includes Tanach, being in Israel on Birthright and other and learning opportunities for youngsters Fax: (570) 346-6147 Jewish studies and secular classes, includ- trips this spring are disappointed. And on https://chabad.org/kids, as well as the Phone: (570) 961-2300 ing English, all conducted through Google while college students may be getting Online Hebrew Academy, geared to help Classroom, Zoom and Google Meet. The their coursework online, many are Hebrew and day schools teaching a wide HOW TO REACH kids also have a good hour’s worth of missing the Jewish piece. To fill this variety of Jewish children, especially now. THE ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE: homework each day with opportunities gap, Hillel International has launched an Other online resources for Jewish Phone: (800) 779-7896, ext. 244 online platform to meet college students’ families include /www.jewishinteractive. E-mail: [email protected] for feedback on the chat function. “Ev- eryone – students and teachers alike – has educational, spiritual and social needs org/, www.torahtots.com/, https://jewish. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: learned,” he adds. “It’s amazing that, if this during this difficult time. On Hillel@ momsandcrafters.com/ and the Facebook Phone: (570) 961-2300 had happened five years ago, we would Home students will find such online page “Corona Jewish Home Education not have this ability to keep the education experiences as video meet-ups, courses Tips & Resources.” APRIL 16, 2020 ■ THE REPORTER 3 More Jewish resources to occupy your family while self-distancing BY REPORTER STAFF programs available on Youtube. Visit www.youtube.com https://urj.org/; and United Synagogue of Conservative A variety of Jewish groups are offering online - re and search for Center for Jewish History. Judaism, https://uscj.org/. sources – educations and recreational – for those who ‹ YouTube, www.youtube.com, has a wide variety of ‹ Rabbi Bob Alper is offering to send “A Quick Laugh” are not allowed out of the house. Below is a sampling Jewish music available. There is everything from reli- a day via e-mail. For more information, visit https:// of those. The Reporter will publish additional listings gious songs to contemporary Israeli pop. Use the search bobalper.com/, e-mail [email protected] or as they become available. feature to find music by song title, artist or musical genre. call 802-362-5151. ‹ The Jewish Federations of North America, www. ‹ Ami Magazine is offering free activities for children. ‹ Camp Ramah is offering events and concerts through jewishfederations.org, has opened a resource page, Visit www.amimagazine.org/ and click on the box that its Facebook page, www.facebook.com/NationalRa- www.jewishtogether.org, that offers a videos, resources says “AIM! Click here for free fun activities.” mah/. Camp Ramah Ba-Bayit (Camp Ramah at Home), to do with the difficulties of self distancing and “virtu- ‹ The Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy will host www.campramah.org/ramah-ba-bayit, offers additional al meetups.” The organization is planning to hold “A a virtual book talk by Paul Kaplan about New York’s resources. Global Celebration of on Israel’s Independence Day” on Penn Station on Tuesday, April 21, from 7-8 pm. Inspired ‹ For college students, Hillel@Home, https://welcome. Wednesday, April 29, at 2 pm. More information will be by Rome’s Baths of Caracalla and the Gare d’Orsay in hillel.org/hillelathome/, offers writers, actors, singers, released closer to the date. Paris, Penn Station was called “one of the most beautiful athletes, politicians and more covering a variety of topics, ‹ Jewish Fiction Net, https://jewishfiction.net, has stations in the world” at its opening in 1910. To sign from ethics to keeping in shape while self-distancing. uploaded its spring issue early. The issue contains 16 up for the talk, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/new-yorks- ‹ Jewish Teen Learning Connection, https://jtconnect. stories, including some translated from Hungarian and penn-station-a-virtual-book-talk-about-an-american- org/, seeks to give teens the opportunity to continue their Hebrew. There is no charge to read the stories. landmark-tickets-100827407490. Those who sign up Jewish education by examining their religion, history and ‹ Rabbi Simon Jacobson will be offering “Daily Spir- will be sent a link and instructions how to connect. a traditions through classroom study, volunteer projects itual Antidotes” on YouTube. Visit www.youtube.com day or two before the talk. and special events. and search for his name. ‹ For educational material, visit the websites of dif- ‹ The TogetherWeRemember Coalition, https://togeth- ‹ The Yiddish Book Center, www.yiddishbookcenter. ferent Jewish movements: ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish erweremember.org/events, will hold a variety of virtual org, offesr a wide variety of material online. Sign up for Renewal, https://aleph.org/; Chabad, www.chabad.org; events throughout April to commemorate Genocide the weekly update that will now offer information about Orthodox Union, www.ou.org; Reconstructing Judaism, Awareness Month. items found in its collection. www.reconstructingjudaism.org: Society for Humanistic ‹ Pardes is offering resources for “uncertain times” ‹ The Center for Jewish History has made videos of past Judaism, https://shj.org/; Union for Reform Judaism, at www.pardes.org.il/strength-courage/. These include resources on the parasha of the week, halachah, prayer, parents/children and more. ‹ Torah Tots, www.torahtots.com/, offers information White supremacist disrupts webinar for children about Jewish holidays, the Torah portion of the week, Hebrew, music and more. ‹ The Jewish Museum of Florida. http://jmof.fiu.edu/, for Jewish teens is offering some of its exhibits online. Visit the site for links to the virtual tours. BY JACKSON RICHMAN For more resources, see the last issue of The Re- (JNS) – A recent webinar on the video conferencing porter or visit https://jewishnepa.org/wp-content/up- platform Zoom about antisemitism, featuring U.S. Deputy loads/2020/03/scr0402_.pdf. Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Anti-Semi- tism Ellie Cohanim, was disrupted by a white supremacist and hacker – an example of what the Anti-Defamation League has called “Zoombombing.” Continued from page 1 The Greater Boston chapter of NCSY, a Jewish youth Radars group, hosted the hour-long webinar on March 24 with point of diagnosis and during treatment – and aimed to Cohanim, who told the group of 20 to 30 high school do so without the involvement of medical staff. students about her role; about the rights college students “The idea is that our medical teams are at the forefront have when it comes to dealing with Jew-hatred; and how of this fight and should be protected,” he continued, the United States is working to battle antisemitism at White supremacist and hacker Andrew Alan Escher “and the way to do so is to reduce direct contact with home and abroad. Auernheimer disrupted a Zoom webinar hosted by the corona patients. Thanks to the creative thinking of the That included through the executive order that Greater Boston NCSY on March 24. (Photo courtesy DDR&D – of using technology that is normally used U.S. President Donald Trump signed in December of JNS) against enemies – I hope we will be able to win in the to combat antisemitism in education, especially on fight against the COVID-19 virus.” college campuses. anything, nor did any of the participants speak since As the webinar concluded, Andrew Alan Escher Au- their microphones were muted by default on via gallery ernheimer – also known as “weev,” who has a history of view. Neither Leib nor Cohanim saw Auernheimer’s expressing antisemitic and other bigoted views – appeared face, they said. Auernheimer’s microphone was muted, DEADLINES in the video conference and pulled down his shirt collar Leib told JNS. to show a swastika tattoo on his chest. Two teenage participants filed a report with the Newton The following are deadlines for all articles and The incident lasted for about a minute, participants Police Department in Massachusetts, which declined to photos for upcoming Reporter issues. on the call told JNS. comment, citing that the investigation is ongoing. DEADLINE ISSUE One of the teenage participants snapped a screenshot The webinar was advertised on the NCSY chapter’s Monday, April 13, early...... April 30 of Auernheimer on the video chat, while another sent website and on Facebook and Twitter. Participants who Thursday, April 30...... May 14 the picture to Bryan Leib, former national director of were on the video conference that spoke with JNS be- Americans Against Antisemitism, who helped facilitate lieved that Auernheimer knew of the event because it Thursday, May 14...... May 28 the Zoom discussion. was publicized on social media. Wednesday, May 27, early...... June 11 The participants didn’t hear Auernheimer saying See “Teens” on page 7

For information, contact Bonnie Rozen at 1-800-779-7896, ext. 244 or [email protected] ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 4 THE REPORTER ■ APRIL 16, 2020 Jewish organizations, leaders see relief in bill passed by Congress offering assistance to nonprofits BY JACKSON RICHMAN and other investments, small businesses standard deduction under the 2017 tax law religious-school tuition, which runs any- (JNS) – Following a week of frantic and nonprofits, including those that re- ($12,400 for individuals and $24,800 for where from $5,000 to $15,000 per child,” negotiations, Congress passed an un- ceive Medicaid funding, would receive married couples filing jointly). according to Honig. precedented spending bill to provide $2.1 $349 billion in forgivable loans from More than three-dozen nonprofits, “The stimulus income threshold of trillion in assistance to Americans and the Small Business Administration. This including JFNA, had sent a letter to con- $150,000 a couple does not account for businesses affected by the coronavirus would include $10 billion through the gressional offices, requesting $60 billion the number of children in the household,” (COVID-19) pandemic. The Coronavirus SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans in relief funding due to the outbreak. he continued. “So a couple with eight chil- Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, in which nonprofits and small businesses On March 25, Trump held a conference dren that earned $151,000 in 2018 starts or the CARES Act, passed unanimously in with no more than 500 employees would call with more than 140 leaders of non- seeing a reduction in benefits and receives the U.S. Senate on March 25 and passed the be eligible. profit organizations, when he “thanked the nothing if they earned over $198,000 two U.S. House of Representatives on March The provision to allow nonprofits nonprofits for their tireless acts of service years ago.” 27 in a voice vote. U.S. President Donald that receive Medicaid funds to receive to Americans in need, such as delivering The United Synagogue of Conservative Trump signed it into law that afternoon. loans was a “huge development for the meals to children and hosting blood Judaism applauded the SBA part of the The Jewish community, specifically its Jewish community because all of our drives and donation drives for medical bill that would aid nonprofits. nonprofit sector, is expected to receive human-services agencies do receive Med- supplies,” according to a readout from While the Religious Action Center of assistance from the legislation. icaid, as well as philanthropic support,” the White House. Reform Judaism declined to talk about The Jewish Federations of North said Fingerhut. Fingerhut stressed the importance of the specifics of the bill, RAC Director America, which has been helping Jewish The EIDL funds, which can’t have loans nonprofits, including Jewish ones, in Rabbi Jonah Pesner told JTA, “We’re not communal organizations and individuals that exceed 4 percent, would convert into American society. “Just as the country separate. There will be Jewish people who navigate the crisis, applauded the bill. grants that don’t need to be repaid for mon- doesn’t want [to lose] its major industries, get fired, Jewish small businesses who will “It’s very significant, and it will benefit ey spent on payroll, mortgage payments, so it does not want to lose its world-class go under, Jewish elderly, Jewish people the Jewish community in many ways, and rent, utilities or other items through the nonprofit infrastructure and the Jewish with disabilities. This is about the Jewish we’re very appreciative of the work that end of June. They cover annual wages up community is at the front of that world- community and about the other. There’s the Congress did,” Eric Fingerhut, JFNA to $100,000. The grants would be reduced class status,” he told JNS. no dichotomy.” president and CEO, told JNS. when workers are terminated. The Orthodox Union expressed ap- Fingerhut said that ahead of Passover, Individuals earning up to $75,000 Most Jewish nonprofits will be eligible preciation, but also some criticism, in which began at sundown on April 8 and annually and heads of household (often, under EIDL, as the vast majority of them response to the bill. “As the coronavirus ends at nightfall on April 16, the legisla- single parents with children) earning up have fewer than 500 employees, according pandemic strikes communities across the tion “will give people reassurance… that to $112,500 annually would receive a to Fingerhut. Those that do, such as a United States, we are grateful that the everything that could possibly be done is $1,200 check, while couples earning up handful of Jewish health-care facilities, Senate passed this legislation, and we are being done. to $150,000 annually would earn $2,400. would be eligible for the funds that big particularly thankful to Majority Leader “It won’t change the fact that we’re Those who exceed the income caps would businesses are set to receive. Mitch McConnell and Democratic Leader all in our own homes, we’re not together, have their benefits reduced by $5 for Nonprofits would also receive unem- Chuck Schumer, the primary architects of we’re not traveling, we’re not sharing every $100 in additional income. Those ployment insurance expansion, employee the CARES Act, who ensured it contains our seders,” he continued. “But I do ineligible to receive a check would be retention tax credits, payroll tax-credit important aid to nonprofit organizations,” think people will see the response of the individuals who earn at least $99,000; deferrals, assistance for nonpublic schools said OU Executive Director for Public community.” $146,500 for heads of household; and and FEMA disaster loans. Additionally, Policy Nathan Diament in a statement. $198,000 for couples. hospitals and community health centers, “We also thank [Oklahoma Republican] While large companies, such as airlines, including Jewish ones, would get $100 Senator [James] Lankford and [Democrat- are set to receive $500 billion in loans billion. Some $65 million is set to be al- ic Delaware] Senator [Chris] Coons and located for housing for seniors and those other legislators who tirelessly advocated with disabilities, including a number of to ensure that it contained provisions to those linked to the Jewish community. help the charitable sector. Online course on Federation In a statement, B’nai B’rith Interna- “At the same time, we are disappointed tional said it supported the bill for the that Congress did not include a number of avant-garde literature provisions related to small businesses and provisions in earlier drafts that would have YIVO will hold an eight- on Facebook nonprofits and senior housing. offered much greater and much needed week, free online course, “Fantastic The Jewish Federation of North- Moreover, the bill would allow indi- assistance to nonprofits, and those we Journeys,” taught by Executive Director eastern Pennsylvania has a page on viduals to deduct up to $300 in charitable serve, especially during this uncertain and Jonathan Brent starting April 20. Con- Facebook, www.facebook.com/Jew- contributions only made this year even if precarious time,” continued Diament. “We ducted online via Zoom over eight weeks ishNEPA/, to let community members they do not itemize on their federal tax are committed to continuing to work with (Mondays/Wednesdays, 1:30-3 pm), the returns; usually, taxpayers must itemize our elected leaders so that we can serve as course will investigate the historical tran- know about upcoming events and keep th connected. in order to receive such a deduction. The a safety net for those who most need us.” sitions and transformations of the late 19 2020 tax break would be in addition to the Duvi Honig, founder and CEO of the and early 20th centuries in Eastern Europe Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, and Russia through the avant-garde liter- an umbrella organization of various-sized ature of those lands that may be called the businesses based in New York and New literature of the “fantastic.” Not realism, Jersey – two of the hardest-hit areas in nor fantasy, nor science fiction, the genre of the United States by the outbreak – told the fantastic that sprang to life throughout JNS that Jewish businesses, like others this part of the world in Poland, Russia, throughout the United States, “are in a Czechoslovakia, Ukraine and elsewhere standstill,” particularly kosher establish- brought about a radical questioning of ments, including caterers. “Many restau- experience, “values,” the nature of human rants I know are struggling in debt and consciousness, tradition, language and under no circumstances will be approved norms of logic. Of special interest to this for any loan, even from the SBA.” class will be the Jewish dimension of this Moreover, many Orthodox Jewish literature and the signal role that Jewish families stand to not benefit from the U.S. thinkers and writers played in its devel- spending package considering that they opment. The course will cover works by “tend to be large, with five to eight children Kafka, Ansky, Capek, Schulz and more. or more being the norm. An Orthodox To learn more and register for the course, lifestyle is costly, especially considering visit https://yivo.org/Fantastic-Journeys.

ewish Federa To get Federation updates via email, the J tion on ’s e u ma yo il re lis rregister on our website A t? We send updated announcements and special www.jewishnepa.org event details weekly to those who wish to receive them.

Send Dassy Ganz an email if you would like to join the list. Pledge or Donate [email protected] online at www.jewishnepa.org/donate APRIL 16, 2020 ■ THE REPORTER 5 Pandemic prompts prayer at home, online through America, according to latest Pew study BY FAYGIE HOLT Christians at 82 percent. The survey also (JNS) – On a recent Wednesday found that of those who regularly attend morning, East Coast time, thousands of worship services – four in 10 – have re- Orthodox Jews stopped what they were placed in-person attendance with virtual doing to recite a series of psalms all at the attendance. same time. They prayed from their homes Jewish groups of all denominations in Jerusalem, New York, Scottsdale and have also shifted to online platforms to Los Angeles. The goal, said organizers, reach out to their communities. The Wom- was to storm the heavens with pleas for en’s League for Conservative Judaism, the end of the COVID-19 outbreak. for instance, hosts a daily recitation of “While we are prevented these days psalms and Kaddish via Zoom each day, from joining together in space, we can at while the Orthodox Union holds a daily least endeavor to come together in time, recitation of psalms via conference call. as an expression of our unity of collective “Participating in public prayer forums soul,” said Rabbi Avi Shafran, director of most certainly benefits the participants,” public affairs for Agudath Israel of Amer- said the Agudah’s Shafran. “Firstly, be- ica, one of the groups that participated in cause it inspires them to know that they the simultaneous prayer service. are praying together – if at a distance Coming together in prayer in a time of – with others. And secondly, because crisis is nothing new for the Jewish people. the Talmud says that one who prays for What is different now is that the “coming A man prayed at the almost empty Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest prayer site in another’s welfare becomes the beneficiary together” is being done while people are the Old City of Jerusalem, on March 27. (Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90) of [God’s] help himself.” physically apart. While many find solace in traditional, On April 5, for instance, Masorti and personal plea. to something to provide some of comfort, established prayers, others are also find- the Conservative Judaism movement “Personally, I found passages from some sense that everything will be OK, ing comfort through guided reflections were scheduled to host the online “Global Tachanun, from the daily prayer, are very that things will get better. I think that’s or meditations. “Many of our rabbis Gathering for Healing.” The 30-minute powerful,” he continued. “The psalms what prayer does traditionally. are offering daily minyans or chanting virtual program was to include leading that are a part of that, ‘Out of depth, I “If you look at psalms, that’s a lot of services, where you focus on a specific clergy and community leaders from the call you,’… those are very powerful what that is,” she continued. “People are pasuk [‘passage’] or phrase, and repeat it United States, the United Kingdom, South words and remind us, especially when turning to that. They are looking for that.” over and over to focus on the meaning of America and Israel. we recite the psalms, that we are not the Across the United States, people are the text,” said Rabbi Deborah Waxman, “Judaism encourages two kinds of first generation that faces adversity … turning to religion, according to a Pew president of Reconstructing Judaism, the prayers,” explained Rabbi Jacob Blu- and that many psalms express hope and Research Study on the impact of the coro- central organization of the Reconstruc- menthal, chief executive of the Rabbin- confidence in the future.” navirus on the habits of Americans. The tionist movement. “It’s a very accessible ical Assembly, the rabbinic arm of the Rabbi Hara Person, chief executive study, released on March 30, found that way for people who don’t know the lit- Conservative movement, “prayer in the of the Central Conference of American 55 percent of all U.S. adults say they have urgy, rather than going through an entire community with a minyan that requires Rabbis, which represents rabbis within the prayed for an end to the spread of virus. services, to go deep with just a little bit.” a set liturgy and written prayer, and Reform movement, said, “I think prayer More than one-third of Jews surveyed, 35 However you pray, Blumenthal of the personal prayer, whether that’s a simple brings people comfort especially in times percent, have done so. The largest group Rabbinical Assembly, has some advice: ‘barush Hashem’ [thank God] or a more of crisis and times of worry. People look who reported doing so are evangelical “Just do it. We all need it.”

The Federation is asking members of its communities to support its “Friends of The Reporter” Campaign which seeks to raise $5,000 to assist in funding the newspaper. The newspaper is delivered twice of month (except for December and July which are single issue months) to each and every identifiable Jewish home in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The Reporter is the primary intercommunal newspaper of the Jewish communities of Lackawanna, Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties. Supplementing synagogue newsletters, bulletins and e-mails, The Reporter is issued to hundreds of Jewish households throughout our region. Over the past several years, the publishing cost of the newspaper has increased dramatically although the newspaper continues to be provided at no charge to members of our Jewish communities in northeastern Pennsylvania. The Federation has assumed the financial responsibility of funding the newspaper at a cost of $23,990 per year and asks only that its readers assist it in raising $5,000 as part of its “Friends of The Reporter” Campaign to offset a small share of these expenses. Your gift to fund our regional Jewish newspaper matters a great deal to our readers and we would be very grateful for your finan- cial support. As always, your comments, opinions & suggestions are always welcome. With best wishes, Mark Silverberg, Executive Director Jewish Federation of NE Pennsylvania 601 Jefferson Avenue Scranton, PA 18510 ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 6 THE REPORTER ■ APRIL 16, 2020 D’VAR TORAH Limitations, gratitude and holiness BY RABBI MARJORIE BERMAN, SPIRITUAL will have devastating consequences worldwide, and we DIRECTOR, RECONSTRUCTIONIST have yet to begin to see the extent of them. RABBINICAL COLLEGE But if we pay attention, there is something else to be Shemini, Leviticus 9:1-11:47 seen as well. When we have limitations placed on us, In parashat Shemini, this week’s Torah portion, the we begin to see more clearly what makes our lives holy. Israelites are instructed regarding which species are per- When we must maintain a distance of six feet, we yearn missible and which are forbidden for consumption. Land to be closer. When we cannot touch others, we yearn to animals may be eaten only if they have split hooves and be held. When we cannot gather to support each other in also chew their cud, and fish must have fins and scales. mourning or join each other in celebration, we begin to Birds of prey and certain others are forbidden, and the remember the irreplaceable value of community. four admissible kosher insects – all of which are types As a rabbi, I’ve noticed something interesting, and of locusts – are listed. so have my colleagues. As we have moved our services For more than 2,000 years, commentators have sought and classes online, our attendance has doubled, tripled or to understand the reasoning behind which animals we are more. Many people have more time on their hands, it’s allowed to eat and those we are not. Some cite health and true, and people are also anxious and afraid. But over- hygiene as the driving force; others argue that it was a whelmingly, people have said, “I just want to be with my means of separating us from the “pagan nations.” Modern community.” Before the pandemic, in the increasingly anthropologists have suggested that the biblical laws were fast pace of the modern world, we were sacrificing the concerned with categorization, and that the permitted very things that made our lives meaningful. We were animals reflected those species that were understood to sacrificing the things that make them holy. be the most “complete” examples of their classification. In the 21st century, if one has even a modest means, Upon close examination, however, none of these there are very few limits placed on us. We can have what answers fully explain the laws of kashrut. The famous we want, whenever we want it. At the touch of a button, 12th century physician and scholar Maimonides adds we can stream the entertainment we desire, or order another explanation. He posits that the laws of kashrut, in goods from the other side of the world. If we live in the addition to other benefits, also develop our spiritual and U.S., we have about 40,000 products to choose from for moral selves by inculcating habits and traits of self-re- dinner, just at our neighborhood grocery store. We can straint. In a much older source, a collection of halachic travel to most places in the world. It is incredibly easy midrashim (early rabbinic commentary) on the book of to forget our obligations to family and to community, or Leviticus known as Sifra1, Rabbi Elazar ben Azaryah simply to be unable to fulfill them as we try to keep pace. has a similar view. He says: “One should not say I do In this time of severe limitation, it pays to notice what not desire... to eat the flesh of a pig. I do desire it, but the gifts of those limits placed upon us might be. With what can I do? My God has forbidden it.” fewer choices of food, are you appreciating it more? With In both of these last two explanations, there is a sense fewer choices of activities, are you reconnecting with that when we have a limitation placed on us, it increas- nature, and noticing the slow unfolding of the spring? Are es our experience of holiness. By having many things you finding more time to check in on those you love, and which are forbidden to us, the act of eating becomes one to tell them what they mean to you? Are you finding that which focuses our attention and our intention. Clearly, you are grateful for your communities, or wishing that you this is true in other areas of Judaism as well – among were better connected? Are you finding time to just sit, President: Dr. Meredith Stempel many examples, Shabbat comes most clearly to mind. or meditate, or pray, or read, or do yoga or go for a run? By not spending money or using tools, by leaving the Are there ways in which you are finding that less is more? world alone for a day, we move into a different kind of As we are learning the lessons of self-restraint to try time, a holy time. Because of the limitations placed upon to keep ourselves and our communities as healthy as us, we do not seek to have an impact on the world, but possible, as we are experiencing the constraints of the rather to let it impact us. current moment, we might pause and ask ourselves, “In We are currently living in a time of stark limitations. what way does my life feel more holy in this moment?” Because of a tiny molecule known as a virus that is mak- And then, we might move to ask the much bigger ques- ing its way into every community on the planet, we are tion. When we have made it, b’ezrat Hashem (with the President: Dan Marcus trying to avert the severest decree by maintaining social help of the Infinite) to the other side of this, will we be distance, by staying in our homes, by not attending gath- willing to choose limitations that “inculcate habits and erings or celebrations, or even school and work unless it traits of self-restraint?” Our spiritual, physical and mental is absolutely necessary. Clearly, these limitations pose health, as well as the health of our communities and, hardships. And they are felt most acutely by those with most importantly, the health of our planet will depend the least means. No one can argue that the coronavirus on it. Can we choose the path of holiness? You Lif – You Legac... Wha ’ i You Hear You have poured your heart and soul into our Jewish community and made a di erence. Whether your greatest passion is your congregation, an organization, or a school, that commitment stands as a testament to your values.

Now is the time to take the next step in making it an enduring part of your Jewish legacy. • President: Merle Turitz As you plan for the future, think about what your Jewish legacy means to you. And please 570-421-8781 • Website: www.Templepoconos.org consider the institutions closest to your heart 6 in your will or estate plan.

Affiliation: United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Cantor: Vladimir Aronzon • President: Ann Lebowitz Monsky 918 East Gibson St., Scranton, PA 18510 (located at the Pleas joi th Jewis Federatio o Northeaster Pennsylvani€ corner of Gibson & Monroe Sts.) 570-342-0350 i ‚ecurinƒ th futur o th Jewis communit. E-mail: [email protected] Mon. & Thurs. 7:15am; Tues., Wed. & Fri. 7:25am Rosh Chodesh & Chagim weekdays, 7 am; Please contact Mark Silverberg at 961-2300 or Shabbat Morning Service 9:30am [email protected] for more information. APRIL 16, 2020 ■ THE REPORTER 7 Teens Continued from page 3 NEWS IN BRIEF FROM EUROPE Cohanim told JNS that she has been in contact with From JNS.org Vekselberg, is a major shareholder. The campaign is set to the FBI, which did not respond to a request for comment. U.K. Jewish newspapers folds in harsh last at least until the end of April. Despite the economic “This administration has made clear that we are not downturn that is hitting the aviation industry and airports in going to tolerate any forms of antisemitism. As [U.S.] economic climate particular, AR is trying to do its part to help in the public’s President [Donald] Trump has stated, ‘The vile, hate- The Jewish Chronicle and Jewish News in the United efforts to cope with the pandemic. AR is cooperating with filled poison of antisemitism must be condemned and Kingdom announced on April 8 that they will fold after associations of volunteers, as well as with social-service confronted everywhere and anywhere it appears,’” she their parent company has become financially insolvent as a agencies that are able to identify specific recipients and said. “We are currently working with law enforcement result of both the state of print newspapers, coupled with the assume responsibility for delivering the nutritious food to do exactly that.” coronavirus pandemic, which negatively impacted sales and packages, as well as addressing their need for any medi- Rabbi Yudi Riesel, NCSY Boston area director, re- revenue. The staff at both outlets, which merged in February in cines. Renova is also going to provide many regions in the ported the incident to Zoom. an effort to keep British Jewish journalism financially afloat, Russian Federation with more than 50,000 reagent kits to “We take the security of Zoom meetings seriously, will be laid off.The Guardian first reported on the closures conduct COVID-19 tests designed by the Russian company, and we are deeply upset to hear about the incidents and layoffs.The newspapers and their parent company, the Evotech Mirai Genomics. In an attempt by authorities in involving this type of attack,” a Zoom spokesper- Kessler Foundation, later confirmed the report with similar Russia to contain the coronavirus and protect seniors, citizens son told JNS. “For those hosting large, public group statements. “Despite the heroic efforts of the editorial and above the age of 65 in most regions have been obligated meetings, we strongly encourage hosts to review their production team at the newspaper, it has become clear that to remain in quarantine from the end of March until May settings and confirm that only the host can share their The Jewish Chronicle will not be able to survive the impact at their respective places of residence or in facilities like screen. For those hosting private meetings, password of the current coronavirus epidemic in its current form,” residential buildings and summer homes. protections are on by default, and we recommend that stated The Jewish Chronicle on its website in publicizing U.S designates Russian white-supremacist users keep those protections on to prevent uninvited the move. Both outlets stated that the liquidation of their users from joining.” respective papers will be completed in two to three weeks. group as terrorist organization NCSY’s international director, Rabbi Micah Green- Jewish philanthropist providin meals to For the first time ever, the United States has designated land, told JNS that “it is most disappointing that even a white-supremacist group as a terrorist organization. The during this time of great worldwide peril, when people Russia’s quarantined seniors U.S. State Department on April 6 designated the Russian should be joining together in solidarity, there are in- More than 3,000 free meals are being handed out three Imperial Movement (or RIM) as a Specially Designated dividuals with such hatred in their hearts that they are times a day to senior citizens over the age of 65 who are Global Terrorist (or SDGT) group, making it illegal for any harassing Jewish groups meeting via Zoom.” quarantined at home because of the COVID-19 pandemic. American to engage in any transactions with the group and Despite the incident at the end of the webinar, it was Secluded and isolated under mandatory home quarantine, freezes any assets the group has in the U.S. marketplace. “a very good, strong conversation,” said Cohanim. “And members of this populace need more help since they don’t The penalties can also include travel bans and apply to I was really proud of these young women and men who have close relatives who can support them at this time. non-Americans. RIM’s leaders – Stanislav Anatolyevich were on the call. The food distribution, which began the week of April 3, is Vorobyev, Denis Valliullovich Gariev and Nikolay Niko- “It’s very clear to me that when a white suprem- being overseen and made daily by catering services based layevich Trushchalov – were also listed as SDGTs. “These acist like this jumps on a webinar and flashes a hate in Koltsovo (Yekaterinburg), Kurumoch (Samara), Strigino designations are unprecedented,” said Nathan Sales, the State symbol, such as the swastika, he’s trying to intimidate (Nizhny Novgorod) and Platov (Rostov-on-Don) airports. Department’s coordinator for counterterrorism, in announcing the group, he’s trying to intimidate young Jews,” she The effort is made possible by the Airports of Regions the designations. “This is the first time the United States has said. “Our response to that is that we simply will not holding company (or AR), of which the Renova Group, ever designated white-supremacist terrorists, illustrating how be intimidated.” owned by Jewish businessman and philanthropist Viktor seriously this administration takes the threat.” According to the ADL, “While some of these reported ‘Zoombombing’ incidents can be attributed to Internet trolls without particularly malicious intentions, there is concern that extremists could exploit the increasing reli- ance on video-conferencing technology to target certain groups or advance their hateful messages.” The organization added that while “there has been limited online chatter among extremists about the specific strategy of abusing video-conferencing tech- nology, Auernheimer’s recent actions in Massachusetts demonstrate the potential for extremists to exploit these systems.” On March 31, Yeshiva University’s Zoom classes were interrupted by antisemites. “Last night, I was Zoombombed during my pre-Pesach talk with our student body as pictures of Nazis and other offensive material appeared throughout the scheduled time,” uni- versity President Ari Berman told JNS. “The experience highlighted to me how one’s true character is revealed during times of crisis. “Haters will hate, and a time of anxiety and pressure will bring that out even more. We respond, however, with love,” he continued. “Our goal is not simply to mute the hate, but is to add more goodness and kindness in this world.”

ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 8 THE REPORTER ■ APRIL 16, 2020 NEWS IN BRIEF From JNS.org swap will exact a big price” from Israel, he told Hamas’ Al-Aqsa TV, according to Israeli indicted for allegedly spying for Iran the report. He added that if Israel would begin by releasing prisoners that were sick, old and female, “we may offer something partial in return.” A 50-year-old Israeli man was indicted for allegedly being recruited by Iran to spy and carry out attacks on Israeli targets, the Shin Bet security service announced on April 7. Yeshivas distribute medical equipment, turn gym into field The man was found with encrypted communication device, according to Ynet. The first hospital for patients charge against him is that he was in contact on Facebook with a Lebanese man named Two yeshivas in New York state have found “unique approaches” to helping med- Khaled Yamani in 2018 and 2019. Yamani supposedly gave the Israeli the encryption device and trained him how to use it to contact his Iranian handlers, but the spy was unable ical professionals combat the coronavirus (or COVID-19) pandemic. Yeshiva Sh’or to operate the device. The Israeli man became scared that he would be discovered, and Yoshuv in Nassau County assembled what is being described as a “field hospital” allegedly discarded the device and burned a paper that had the email information of his for coronavirus patients inside its gym and other areas in the school, and is working Iranian handler. The second charge, according to the report, is that the Israeli traveled to with Northwell Health, New York’s largest hospital system, to make it operational, Hungary in February this year and held meetings with Yamani with two men who identified said health and local officials. A Northwell spokesperson said the hospital is nego- themselves as Iranian intelligence agents. The man was to look for other potential spies tiating with the yeshiva about opening the location for moderately ill, “low-acuity” and pass on information about security matters and how to create polarization in Israeli COVID-19 patients, and that state and local approvals are still needed before the society. The Iranians transferred 5,000 Euros to the Israeli, Ynet reported. facility can begin running, reported Newsday. Meanwhile, Beit Midrash of Great Neck, located in Long Island, has turned into a makeshift distribution center so that Israeli officials make wearing masks in public mandatory thousands of masks and hand sanitizer dispensers can be delivered, for free, to New The Israeli government announced on April 7 a new regulation requiring people to York City hospitals, Jewish Insider reported. “My feeling was that if we’re not go- wear masks in public in order to help stop the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). ing to help the people who are helping us, that’s just very callous,” said Rabbi Eitan Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Israelis a week earlier to wear masks Rubin, head of the yeshiva. Rubin and his business associate, Stephen Odzer, found in public, and that it would become mandatory as Israel entered a Passover-seder investors to help buy the masks and hand sanitizer. Odzer, who distributes janitorial lockdown, reported Reuters. Children under 6, the mentally disabled and people alone supplies and other products, also gave an initial charitable donation of $100,000 worth in their vehicles are exempt. The masks can be homemade. Government officials of supplies. Rubin has already delivered 35,000 N95 respirator masks and 4,000 hope that following the holiday, restrictions can slowly be eased. Defense Minister hand-sanitizer dispensers to hospitals in New York. Another order of 50,000 masks Naftali Bennett told Army Radio on April 7, “We will return to full routines within a and 8,000 dispensers was expected to arrive in New York the week of April 8, he said. year.” Separately, controversial phone tracking has identified 1,500 coronavirus cases, He added that he has also obtained two ventilators while raising money for his cause. according to the Shin Bet domestic-security service. Since late March, the Ministry On March 30, he set up a GoFundMe page that has already raised nearly $400,000. of Health has been passing the names of confirmed coronavirus patients to the Shin Bet, reported Ynet. The security agency tracked the phones and analyzed the data to Pakistan rearrests four men acquitted in Pearl murder case find out who was near them and sent them messages to enter into quarantine; some The four men acquitted in the 2002 kidnapping and murder of Wall Street Journal 1,500 of them eventually were found to have the virus. reporter Daniel Peal in Pakistan have been rearrested and will remain in custody pending Israel seeks negotiations with Hamas for release of four prosecutors appealing the ruling in the country’s Supreme Court, announced Pakistan’s interior ministry on April 3. Three were handed life sentences, and a fourth, Ahmed citizens held in Gaza Omar Saeed Sheikh, was awaiting execution. The Karachi court had earlier that week Israel is calling for negotiations over the return of four Israelis being held in the reduced Sheikh’s sentence to seven years for kidnapping following the hearing of an Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip after Hamas leaders said they could be willing to make a appeal in March. Following worldwide outrage to the overturning of the convictions, deal. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement on April the four have been rearrested and will remain behind bars “for a period of three months 7 that the national security team “stands ready to take constructive action with the pending filing of the appeal,” said the interior ministry. The statement emphasized the goal of returning the fallen and the missing, and of ending the affair, and are calling government’s “commitment to follow due process under the laws of the country to bring for an immediate dialogue via mediators,” according to a Reuters report. The week of terrorists to task.” A Twitter post on April 4 by the U.S. State Department Bureau of April 3, Israel said that any aid to Gaza for battling the coronavirus (or COVID-19) South and Central Asian Affairs, signed with the initials of Acting Assistant Secretary would be based on progress in recovering two soldiers who went missing during the for South and Central Asia Alice Wells, read: “We welcome #Pakistan’s April 3 state- 2014 war and two civilians who separately got captured there. Yahya Sinwar, Hamas ment and the Sindh government’s decision to continue to detain those responsible for chief in Gaza, has rejected linking coronavirus aid to talks, but said he saw “a pos- Daniel Pearl’s kidnapping and murder and to mount a strong appeal. The perpetrators sible initiative to revive this issue” if Israel frees Palestinian prisoners. “A prisoner of this horrific act of terrorism will not escape justice.”

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