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VOLUME X, NUMBER 19 OCTOBER 5, 2017 Federation alert Hurricane Relief Funds established Hurricane Harvey Relief needed emergency cash assistance grants been impacted. It will take an effort that cy Fund and directed to the Hurricane to help with transportation, clothing, food, reaches across all boundaries to help ev- Harvey Relief Fund. Fund (as of September 20) supplies and temporary housing. Camps eryone get back on his or her feet. Should members of the Jewish com- As of September 20, more than $14 opened to provide beds and a safe place OFFERING TRAUMA SUPPORT munities of Northeastern Pennsylvania million has been raised of the estimated for children. Later, grants and loans will ($800,000) wish to donate by contributing to the $30 million needed to rebuild. This in- be given to help rebuild homes and com- Families that have been flooded out of Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, visit the cludes $5.8 million raised in Houston, pensate for other financial hardships. their homes – some two or three times in following sites www.jewishnepa.org or $5 million from Federations across North REBUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE less than three years – require assistance www.jewishfederations.org/Hurricane- America, $2.2 million from national Jew- ($9 MILLION) from expert therapists. HarveyRelief, or send a check payable ish foundations and $1 million from the Seven facilities that form the backbone of RESTORING SYNAGOGUES to “JFNA” to The Jewish Federations of government of Israel. the Houston Jewish community were devas- ($3.4 MILLION) North America, Wall Street Station, P.O. These funds – from Federations, foun- tated. These critical institutions are needed to Three of the largest synagogues in Box 157, New York, NY 10268 with dations and the government of Israel – are educate children, engage teens, care for the Houston incurred catastrophic damage, “Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund” on the already being put to work. Of the 51,000 elderly and sustain a vibrant Jewish spirit. and many others are flooded and have memo line. Jews who live in Houston, 71 percent SUPPORTING SCHOOLS leached toxins. Thousands of congregants Hurricane Irma Relief Fund live in areas affected by flooding, 1,000 ($1.3 MILLION) had no place to go for the High Holidays (as of September 20) people have been displaced from their Hundreds of day school families are im- and other religious and life cycle events. homes, 14 percent of Jewish day school pacted by flooding and struggling to meet ACTIVATING VOLUNTEERS Funds are urgently-needed for basics students and 20 percent of day school staff basic needs. Maintaining a commitment ($250,000) like food and medicine, and long-term have confirmed flooding. Seven major to Jewish education is out of their reach Volunteers from Houston and around needs like trauma counseling. One hun- Houston Jewish institutions have suffered without substantial scholarship support. the world have come to remove debris dred percent of funds raised will be used catastrophic flood damage, including three MAINTAINING JEWISH LIFE and offer comfort. to help those impacted by catastrophic of the largest synagogues and a day school. ($ 4.5 MILLION) INCREASING CAPACITY flooding and damage caused. Seven Acres, which was one of the largest The Evelyn Rubenstein JCC’s oper- ($25,000) Of particular concern are the following: ‹‹ Major flooding in Naples, Jacksonville Alzheimer’s care units in the country, ating revenue loss threatens the sustain- Rotating teams of experienced Feder- and the catastrophic damage in the U.S. experienced complete flooding on its first ability of this crucial Houstonian Jewish ation staff from around the country are Virgin Islands and Key West has heavily floor. Residents had to be relocated. hub, which once supported a vast campus providing holistic and integrated support impacted individual families. The draft breakdown of anticipated with multiple facilities and an impressive for Jewish community institutions and ‹‹ Physical damage from the storm is costs is as follows: array of programs. their leaders. uneven, but there are a number of Jewish AID TO FAMILIES ($5.3 MILLION) BOLSTERING RECOVERY A check in the amount of $2,000 was communal institutions that have sustained In the first few days after the hurricane, ($3 MILLION) issued to JFNA from the Jewish Federation severe damage – in Key West, Miami, displaced and affected families urgently Hundreds of thousands of people have of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s Emergen- Naples and St. Augustine. ‹‹ The prolonged power outages have left tens of thousands of seniors isolat- Pocono UJA Campaign opening program ed in apartment buildings throughout Florida, with a big concentration in Broward County. Emergency outreach and wide-scale distribution of meals, featured the film “Denial” water, and ice have been provided with As has been the custom for many prove that Irving knew he was lying when particularly in his treatment of the Jews. Federations, Jewish Family Service years, Federation’s annual Pocono UJA he claimed the Holocaust did not occur. He felt that Irving had “significantly” agencies and Chabad are active on this Campaign opening program took place on Irving represented himself.” misrepresented, misconstrued, omitted, front. Risks to seniors and others who September 17 at Temple Israel (Strouds- Background to film: In 1993, Lipstadt, mistranslated, misread and applied double are already dealing with respiratory burg) and featured the award-winning of Emory University, wrote “Denying standards to the historical evidence in issues is called “enormous.” film “Denial,” which covered Professor the Holocaust: The Growing Assault on order to achieve his ideological inter- While the overall impact of Hurricane Deborah Lipstadt’s legal battle in Britain Truth and Memory” to expose the lies, pretation of history. Gray also found that Irma on communities will not reach the “to prove the Holocaust occurred” against distortions and political agendas that Irving was an “active Holocaust denier; scale of Houston, emergency resources to David Irving, who had accused her of libel drive Holocaust denial. In her book, she that he is antisemitic and racist, and that help affected communities and families when she declared him to be a Holocaust discussed a number of specific Holocaust he associates with right-wing extremists recover is needed. A check in the amount denier. The civil trial that took place in deniers, including Irving, whom she who promote neo-Nazism.” of $2,000 was issued to JFNA from the the early 2000s received extensive inter- called a “dangerous spokesperson” for Following the film, Mark Silverberg, See “Funds” on page 3 national media coverage. Holocaust denial. executive director of the Federation, The evening was “well-attended” by In 1996, Irving sued Lipstadt and her expressed his appreciation to those who members of the Pocono Jewish com- British publisher, Penguin Books Ltd., for organized the program. He also thanked munities and was introduced by Sandra libel, saying his reputation as an historian those who attended and contributed to Federation Alfonsi, president of Temple Israel of was defamed. The suit was filed in the the Federation’s current UJA Campaign, the Poconos, and Doug Fink, president U.K. where libel laws are considered to which funds not only regional Jewish of the Jewish Federation of Northeastern favor plaintiffs. organizations, agencies and institutions on Facebook Pennsylvania. The film was introduced The trial started on January 11, 2000, in Northeastern Pennsylvania, but hun- The Jewish Federation of Northeast- by Dassy Ganz, of the Federation, and and ended on April 11, 2000, when Judge dreds of Hesed Centers that provide food, ern Pennsylvania now has a page on a dinner was catered by Colfax Avenue Charles Gray handed down his judgment. medicines, social assistance and cultural Facebook to let community members Enterprises of Wilkes-Barre. Lipstadt and Penguin Books had won their programs to isolated Jewish communities know about upcoming events and keep “It was the film that enthralled the au- case and court costs in excess of $3 million around the world, and helps cover the cost connected. dience,” said organizers of the program. were ultimately assessed against Irving. of aliyah and absorption into Israel for “In the English legal system, in cases of Gray found that Irving had “for his own Jews who feel under threat and fearful of libel, the burden of proof rests on the ac- ideological reasons persistently and delib- the future, including in Europe. Candle lighting Silverberg also wished everyone a cused! Therefore, it was up to Lipstadt and erately misrepresented and manipulated October 5...... after 7:20 pm her legal team led by Richard Rampton, historical evidence” in order to portray Hit- happy Rosh Hashanah and best wishes Q.C., Anthony Julius and James Libson to ler “in an unwarrantedly favorable light” for a healthy, happy and safe new year. October 6...... 6:18 pm October 11...... 6:09 pm INSIDE THIS ISSUE October 12...... after 7:09 pm October 13...... 6:06 pm U.S. military in Israel Shemini Atzeret Jews in Puerto Rico October 20...... 5:56 pm The first permanent U.S. military One writer reflects on her efforts Puerto Rico’s Jews are helping October 27...... 5:46 pm base has opened in Israel, further to understand the holiday of their neighbors after Hurricane PLUS tying the countries together. Shemini Atzeret. Maria’s devastation of the island. Opinion...... 2 Story on page 3 Story on page 4 Story on page 7 D’var Torah...... 8 2 THE REPORTER ■ OCTOBER 5, 2017 A MATTER OF OPINION Point/counterpoint Why rabbis like me oppose Israel’s Objections to Israel’s BDS law are ban on BDS activists overwrought and hypocritical BY LAURIE ZIMMERMAN in their perspectives: Some are adamantly BY ANNE HERZBERG acknowledge Israel’s efforts to resolve the (JTA) – In March, the Israeli Knesset opposed to the BDS movement, others (JTA) – In July, five leaders of the conflict, NGO attacks, U.N. initiatives passed a law that denies entry to foreigners advocate boycotting and divesting from virulent BDS groups Jewish Voice for like the Goldstone report, lobbying of the who support the Boycott, Divestment and the settlements only, and some support Peace and American Muslims for Pales- International Criminal Court to accuse Sanctions movement, or BDS. BDS in full. We are united, however, in tine were barred at Dulles International Israel of war crimes, and BDS efforts At the time, the law felt so insidious our belief that banning Rabbi Wise from Airport from boarding a flight to Israel. to demonize and isolate the Jewish state because it introduced a political litmus test entering Israel “desecrates our vision of The move reportedly was the result of only intensified. designed to exclude those who object to a diverse Jewish community that holds an amendment to Israel’s Law of Entry Thus, the amendments to the Entry Law, Israel’s policies. It served to stifle legitimate multiple perspectives.” denying admission of senior activists as well as other legislation addressing political debate. But it was all so theoretical. For me, the issue is not about Rabbi of leading BDS organizations to the these campaigns, were the foreseeable Until last month, that is, when Rabbi Wise herself, nor is it about the BDS country. end result. Alissa Shira Wise, who was part of an movement. While the image of a rabbi Predictably, the incident raised the On the one hand, NGO Monitor gen- interfaith delegation that had planned to being prevented from boarding an airplane usual hysterical chorus that Israel was erally opposes such legislative measures. meet with Israeli and Palestinian peace to Israel is disturbing, and the Jewish attacking free speech, banning dissent The revised law has given BDS activists activists, was banned at Washington’s community’s hysteria about the BDS and no longer a democracy. unwarranted publicity, allowing them to Dulles Airport. I was stunned. movement is frustrating, the incident re- Despite these exaggerated charges, the position themselves as martyrs and deflect After speaking with a few colleagues flects something even more distressing: the decision to deny these BDS militants entry the conversation from their destructive who shared my alarm, we decided to craft suppression of dissent in our community. and the amendments to the law must be goals. Moreover, we believe a systematic a rabbinic letter that would oppose Israel’s For a community that prides itself on a seen in context. and intensive diplomatic process with travel ban. We were concerned, however, tradition that honors varied and opposing From its very inception, Israel has government officials and international that we would not be able to convince even ideas, and upholds a strong commitment been faced with conventional and asym- organizations, along with naming and 50 rabbis to sign it. We thought that too to debate, I am disgusted by its refusal to metrical military and political threats shaming of funders, is a more constructive many rabbis would not publicly stand with tolerate divergent voices. from its neighbors, coupled with orga- way to impact change. Rabbi Wise, the deputy director of Jewish From Hillel International’s Standards nized economic and diplomatic boycotts We also think it is more effective in Voice for Peace, because of her support of Partnership that prohibit students in any spearheaded by the Arab League and the fighting BDS for Israeli politicians to for the BDS movement. We thought it was local Hillel from inviting speakers who Organization for Islamic Cooperation. educate and, where necessary, confront a professional risk that too many rabbis, are sympathetic to the BDS movement, to The Arab-Israeli conflict is unique, European counterparts about absurd NGO even if they did agree with the letter, would the refusal of Jewish Community Centers however, in that in conjunction with funding policies. Education has proven choose not to take. to host speakers, musicians or actors who this state action targeting the country, highly successful in exposing BDS and Our colleagues proved us wrong: More advocate BDS, to the organizations that an army of political activists is provided has led to positive legislation and court than 230 rabbis, cantors and rabbinical condone or even fund right-wing organi- tens of millions of euros, dollars and rulings in Switzerland, Spain, Germany students have now signed on, and the list zations like the AMCHA Initiative, which francs by the European Union, Euro- and France. In the U.S., a majority of states continues to grow. The signers are diverse maintains a blacklist of professors who pean governments, the United Nations, have passed laws countering BDS, with support boycotting Israel, our communi- churches and private foundations to many more bills pending at both the state ty is shunning a growing percentage of produce rank propaganda, harass and and federal level. Jews who are increasingly questioning seek arrest warrants of traveling Israeli On the other hand, the breast-beating the Israeli government’s policies, along officials and advance economic warfare and condemnations regarding the legis- with its official version of history. against the state of Israel. lation, particularly from Europe, are also “ The Reporter” (USPS #482) is published bi-weekly by the This goes beyond supporting BDS, as These campaigns go far beyond a overwrought and hypocritical. It is hard to Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania, 601 Jefferson became apparent when the Jewish Nation- think of any other country, including every Ave., Scranton, PA 18510. critique of specific Israeli policies but al Fund of Canada pulled out of a Yom are aimed at the country’s very existence. democracy, that would countenance such President: David Malinov Ha’atzmaut event that featured left-wing In several cases, the organizations active campaigning to deliberately harm Executive Director: Mark Silverberg Israeli musician Achinoam Nini, who involved in these campaigns advise the state. Nor would any country – again Executive Editor: Rabbi Rachel Esserman opposes BDS, but supports the human their members to game Israel’s border every democracy included – tolerate a Layout Editor: Diana Sochor rights organization B’Tselem. Or when controls and lie about their purpose for mass influx of foreign protesters to engage Assistant Editor: Michael Nassberg J Street U, which advocates a two-state coming to the country. Many of these its military and police forces in an active Production Coordinator: Jenn DePersis solution and opposes BDS, is denied space Advertising Representative: Bonnie Rozen political warriors also come to Israel and conflict zone. Bookkeeper: Kathy Brown at the Center for Jewish Life in Princeton the Palestinian Authority to riot, destroy In addition, under international law, for an exhibit by an Israeli NGO critical property and engage the police and mili- all countries have the express right to OPINIONS The views expressed in of Israel. Those who express criticism of tary in violent confrontations and directly control their borders and bar entry to editorials and opinion pieces are those Israel in any way are increasingly being participate in hostilities. Networking with anyone, at any time, for any reason. of each author and not necessarily targeted as anti-Israel and pushed away NGOs and other organizations affiliated European countries do this routinely for the views of the Jewish Federation of from our communal institutions. with terrorist groups like Hamas and the ideological and public safety reasons. Northeastern Pennsylvania. We need not support the BDS move- Popular Front for the Liberation of Pal- For instance, the United Kingdom barred LETTERS The Reporter welcomes ment to recognize that these institutions estine is a regular staple of these visits. for three to five years two U.S. activists letters on subjects of interest to the are succumbing to leaders and donors who The International Solidarity Movement from the organization Stop Islamization Jewish community. All letters must be uphold and promote a very narrow version is perhaps the best known of the groups of America on the basis that it was a hate signed and include a phone number. of acceptable discourse in our community. engaged in this activity. group and their presence would “not be The editor may withhold the name Israel’s travel ban is just one component of For years, the Israeli government ex- conducive to the public good.” The group upon request. this curtailing of debate in our community. cannot appeal. ADS The Reporter does not necessar- pressed extreme frustration in response ily endorse any advertised products Rabbis from across the movements have to these campaigns, registering countless Similarly, thousands of soccer hooli- and services. In addition, the paper declared forcefully that even if they dis- complaints with their European counter- gans are barred from traveling to prevent is not responsible for the kashruth of agree with the goals of the BDS movement, parts and other funders. trouble at international matches. Just as any advertiser’s product or establish- they still see boycott as a legitimate tactic Unfortunately, Israel’s objections these countries have acted to maintain ment. with a long history of creating justice for went largely ignored, and the funding order, so, too, has Israel. DEADLINE Regular deadline is two marginalized communities. and political support continued. The The law and its implementation will weeks prior to the publication date. As I watch a generational shift occur- Israeli public was angered by the inva- continue to evolve, and policy to be clar- ring in our communities, with increasing sion of these political combatants, the ified, including with vigorous checks and FEDERATION WEBSITE: numbers of young Jews appalled by Israel’s input from Israel’s independent judiciary. www.jewishnepa.org false and disproportionate attacks on harsh policies toward the Palestinian people, their country under the guise of human What type and level of activity is sufficient HOW TO SUBMIT ARTICLES: I have noted how many of them are baffled rights, and the double standards applied to block entry? How and when will such Mail: 601 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, PA by the larger community’s unwillingness to the Jewish state. This outrage was not determinations be made? Who will make 18510 even to discuss nonviolent approaches to confined to the right but by the majority such determinations? What avenues are E-mail: [email protected] create social change. They read about Pales- of the Israeli public. Centrist politicians available to challenge a denial? Fax: (570) 346-6147 tinian suffering in Gaza, with extreme water like Yair Lapid and journalists such as At the very least, the amended law Phone: (570) 961-2300 and electricity shortages, malnutrition and Ben Dror Yemini began to highlight the has forced a necessary and long-over- HOW TO REACH starvation, and preventable illnesses killing impact of these damaging campaigns due debate on foreign interference and THE ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE: residents because they cannot get adequate and funding. funding in the Arab-Israeli conflict. If it Phone: (800) 779-7896, ext. 244 medical care due to Israel’s blockade of Resentment and exasperation further took a controversial action to spark this E-mail: [email protected] Gaza, and are horrified. But they won’t be increased in the wake of intensive Pales- conversation, it may have been worth it. silenced. They are speaking up, and older tinian terrorism and wars emanating from Anne Herzberg is the legal adviser SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: Jews are beginning to listen. Lebanon and the Gaza Strip after Israeli to NGO Monitor, a Jerusalem-based Phone: (570) 961-2300 See “Ban” on page 8 withdrawals and peace offers. Rather than research institute. OCTOBER 5, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 3 Building on “strong” bond, U.S. opens first-ever permanent military base in Israel BY YAAKOV LAPPIN to medium-range rockets and was used heavily during JNS.org Israel’s conflict with Gaza in the summer of 2014 to de- Amidst Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fend Israeli cities from projectile attacks launched from declaration that the U.S.-Israel alliance has “never been Gaza. Cornicus said the two Iron Dome battalions will stronger,” the two countries recently made history by See “Base” on page 8 opening of the first permanent American military base on Israeli soil. The base, which is located inside the headquarters of the Israeli Air Force Air Defense School in southern Israel, will house dozens of U.S. military COMMUNITY NEWS personnel who make up a task force designed to assist Israel’s air defense missions, IDF Spokesman Lt.-Col. Jonathan Conricus said. Professor David “[The American military] will assist and improve the ability of the state of Israel and IDF’s air defenses,” Conricus told JNS.org. “They will strengthen the IDF’s A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the first-ever permanent Myers honored defensive capabilities” and their assistance would be U.S. military base inside an Israeli Air Force base. The Jewish Federation of continuous and felt during “routine times.” L-r: Maj. Gen. Josh Gronski, deputy commanding Northeastern Pennsylvania ex- The task force will also help Israel “improve de- general for the U.S. Army National Guard, and Brig. tends its congratulations to David tection, interception and deployment in aerial defense Gen. Zvika Haimovich, commander of the IAF’s Aerial Myers on his recent appointment while strengthening cooperation,” Brig.-Gen. Tzvika Defense Division. (Photo courtesy IDFblog.com) as president and CEO of the Center Haimovich, commander of the IAF’s Air Defense Array, for Jewish History in New York said. “This extends to day-to-day life for the task force Situated at the Masha’vei Sade base south of Beer- City. He was formerly the Sady and as well – the American facility is a U.S. military zone sheba, the new base will house a few large-size tents to Ludwig Kahn Professor of Jewish that will operate under IDF guidelines and regulations.” accommodate dozens of American military personnel. History in the UCLA History De- The close ties between Washington and Jerusalem that Several hundred Israeli military personnel are housed partment; is a former director of the forged the base opening were apparent recently when Israeli at the facility as well. UCLA Center for Jewish Studies; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with President The IAF’s Air Defense Array was once known as a published scholar, editor and Professor David Donald Trump in New York to discuss key issues ahead of the anti-aircraft branch, but has since changed its name author on subjects that deal with the United National General Assembly. After the meeting, Myers (Photo by to reflect its modern mission, which has evolved from numerous key themes in modern Scarlett Freund) Netanyahu said, “I want to say that under your [Trump’s] focusing on shooting down enemy aircraft to intercepting Jewish history; and an instructor leadership the alliance between America and Israel has enemy rockets and missiles. for the Wexner Heritage Foundation. Myers is the son never been stronger, never been deeper.” The Lebanese terror group Hezbollah is estimated to of community leaders Morey and Sondra Myers of The committed partnership of both countries is key to possess around 120,000 projectiles in Lebanon, while the Scranton. “His appointment brings honor not only to his enabling the U.S. base to function smoothly in an Israeli Palestinian terror group Hamas is producing thousands family, but to our entire community. We wish him well military facility, Haimovich said, adding, “I appreciate of projectiles in Gaza. Iran is believed to have hundreds and continued success,” said a Federation representative. the way the Americans respect the state of Israel.” of ballistic missiles that place Israel in striking distance. Establishing the base is really a continuation of the In February 2016, the U.S. and Israel militaries held long trend of U.S.-Israeli military cooperation, the IDF a first-of-its-kind missile defense drill involving six air spokesman said. “What we are seeing here is an expres- defense systems in a single, computer-simulated exercise. sion of this alliance tightening, its power and the level of The drill was part of the Juniper Cobra joint exercise, DEADLINES commitment by both sides. This is the first time that U.S. where 1,700 U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine The following are deadlines for all articles and [military] will be present here permanently,” Conricus said. Corps personnel trained alongside 1,500 IDF personnel. photos for upcoming Reporter issues. Maj. Gen. Josh Gronski, deputy commanding general During the exercises, the U.S. European Command linked DEADLINE ISSUE for the U.S. Army National Guard, during a visit to the its Aegis, THAAD and Patriot air defense networks with Tuesday, October 3, early...... October 19 base, said that he believes it “symbolizes the strong Israel’s Arrow 3, David’s Sling and Iron Dome systems. bond that exists between the United States and Israel.” Meanwhile, a new development marking the evolution Thursday, October 19...... November 2 Jewish groups in the U.S. were supportive of the new of Israel’s air defenses took place when the IAF, in recent Thursday, November 2...... November 16 military base opening, with the Conference of Presidents days, deployed a second Iron Dome battalion, Lt.-Col. Thursday, November 16...... November 30 of Major American Jewish Organizations calling the Cornicus said. Iron Dome is designed to intercept short- development “historic.” You look at it... no matter ho w bo at Fo pl

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rg Funds Continued from page 1 Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s Emergency Fund and directed to the Hurricane Irma Relief Fund. Should members of the Jewish communities of North- eastern Pennsylvania wish to donate by contributing to the Hurricane Irma Relief Fund, visit www.jewishnepa. org or www.jewishfederations.org/hurricane-irma-re- lief-fund, or send a check payable to JFNA to The Jewish Federations of North America, Wall Street Station, P.O. Box 157, New York, NY 10268 with “Hurricane Irma Relief Fund” written on the memo line.

ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 4 THE REPORTER ■ OCTOBER 5, 2017 Figuring out what Shemini Atzeret is. Finally. BY CARLA NAUMBURG The midrash basically says that Shemi- has happened, to integrate what we have (Kveller via JTA) – I know something ni Atzeret is like God’s after-party with the struggled with and learned. I don’t know about most Jewish holidays. I can tell you Jewish people. We’ve just been through about you, but that makes my little social that Chanukah is about miracles, Passover the World Series of Jewish holidays and work heart soar. is about slavery and freedom, and Shavuot we were seriously busy. We were eating It turns out it is just an extra day after is about cheesecake. (I have no idea why, too much, not eating at all, praying our all – just the kind of extra day that most but when it comes to matters of cheese- little tushies off, building our sukkahs of us need. cake, it is not mine to question.) and then welcoming everyone in town I’m not sure how, or even if, we’ll honor The one holiday that has baffled me for to come dine with us. There are so many Shemini Atzeret this year in my house. It’s years is Shemini Atzeret. I can’t remember Shemini Atzeret is a day to take it easy messages, so many ideas, so many lessons true that my girls don’t have school, but the first time I became aware of it, and to near the end of Sukkot. (Photo by Pexels) and learnings that happen through all of I’d already planned to take them to visit be honest, I didn’t care much about it until this – about gratitude and blessings and their great-grandmothers in New York. But last year when my older daughter started In Israel, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat the errors of our ways and the joys of I can tell you this: Shemini Atzeret has attending Jewish day school. Torah fall on the same day. In the Dias- redemption and the transitory nature of gone from two words that meant nothing I understood why we needed two days pora, Simchat Torah is celebrated on the life and the importance of welcoming to me to a day that will forever remind me off for Rosh Hashanah and to get out of day after Shemini Atzeret. neighbors, all the while celebrating the that sometimes I do need to stop doing school early on the day before Yom Kippur. You follow? crazy, chaotic, unpredictable beauty of and just be for awhile. I was even willing to accept the days off I also learned there are a few ways in this world we live in. Maybe our family will enjoy one last during Sukkot and Passover. which Shemini Atzeret is different from Needless to say, it’s a lot. meal in the sukkah under the changing But Shemini Atzeret? What exactly Sukkot, several of which are related to Shemini Atzeret is the vacation to leaves of fall. That I can definitely do. is this holiday, and why does it merit yet the ancient Temple service and no longer recover from the holiday. (If you’ve ever (And in case you were wondering, you another day off from school, another day relevant. The other ones have to do with gone on a trip with kids, you know exactly can still eat in your sukkah, but please in which I have to scramble for child care subtle differences in the liturgy, such as what I’m talking about.) But in this case, don’t shake your lulav and etrog, and in hopes of getting a little work done while saying the “Shehechiyanu,” reciting the we’re not doing laundry and shopping for don’t say the Sukkot blessings. Shemini feeling guilty for not spending the day prayer for rain for the first time in the groceries. We’re just taking it all in. The Atzeret might get jealous.) with my girls? season and saying the Yizkor prayers. story is that after we just spent seven days Carla Naumburg, Ph.D., is a clinical I started asking around, and I heard a Other than that, there are no specific rejoicing in the beauty of nature during social worker and writer. Her writing has variety of fairly uninspiring responses, rituals or objects mentioned other than Sukkot (after all, what’s more welcoming appeared in The New York Times and The most of them about Shemini Atzeret being avoiding work. than building a little house with no door on Washington Post, among many others. She the eighth day of the seven-day holiday And that’s where it gets interesting. it?), now God wants one more day with us, is the author of two books: “Parenting in of Sukkot. Most Jewish holidays have a fairly clear the Jewish people, to just be together. To the Present Moment: How to Stay Focused I didn’t buy it. Judaism is all about reason for their existence (commemo- just chill and take it all in, to stop, pause, on What Really Matters” (Parallax, 2014) narratives and meaning and symbolism. ration of a historical event, redemption, hold back and keep in. and “Ready, Set, Breathe: Practicing I just couldn’t believe that we would have etc.) and a fairly clear set of activities According to my friend Rabbi Ariel Mindfulness with Your Children for Fewer a holiday that was nothing more than an we’re supposed to engage in to honor Burger, this is a day of just being, an Meltdowns and a More Peaceful Family” extra day. the holiday (eat matzah, light the me- opportunity to process everything that (New Harbinger, 2015). A little online research gave me some norah, etc.). Shemini Atzeret doesn’t more information about the holiday, all of have any of these. What it does have which was helpful but not entirely clear. is a word – “atzeret” – which many BOOK REVIEW Shemini Atzeret is clearly connected to people define as “assembly,” although Sukkot (“shemini” means “eighth” in as Rabbi Paul Steinberg notes, “The Hebrew), but according to the Talmud, inherent problem is that no one really it is also its own independent holiday. In knows exactly what atzeret means.” It Passion and ink the Diaspora, a second day is added to all is possible it comes from the Hebrew BY RABBI RACHEL ESSERMAN plished. The papers are her last hope for Jewish holidays except Yom Kippur, so “atzar,” which has been variously The passion for writing, the ecstasy of an important discovery, but she needs help Shemini Atzeret coincides with the eighth translated as to stop, to pause, to hold knowledge, the joy of learning – the sheer due to an illness she’s kept hidden from day of Sukkot everywhere except Israel. back or to keep in. pleasure of thought and understanding her colleagues. That help comes from an underlies scholarly research. Whether it’s American graduate student, Aaron Levy, scientists unlocking the codes of biology, whose research for his dissertation has hit Effective please archeologists discovering secrets of the a dead end. The two clash: Aaron finds immediately, send note! past, historians reading words hidden for Helen cold and can’t help but wonder all articles and ads to centuries or philosophers searching for why the non-Jewish scholar specializes in our new E-mail address, truth and meaning – this intellectual work Jewish history. Helen finds Aaron impa- creates an emotional experience unlike tient and unprofessional. However, their jfnepareporter@ any other. Yet, the path of discovery is differences matter less when they realize not equally open to all. In the past, wom- the papers may contain information about jewishnepa.org. en were often forbidden to read, write an unknown chapter of British Jewish or study. Even today, women may still history. This discovery forces Helen to feel forced to choose between a schol- revisit an earlier part of her own life – arly career or having a family. Rachel compelling her to understand what really Kadish’s brilliant novel “The Weight of occurred. As for Aaron, he faces a crisis Ink” (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) focuses of his own between work and love – one Effective immediately, on the lives of two women and one man that makes him consider his own legacy. Jewish Federation of NEPA as they balance their desire to learn with The history they discover is outlined please send all articles & ads to the possibility of earthly love. By looking in the sections of the novel that take place at life in London during the 17th century in the 17th century. Ester Velasquez is an our new E-mail address, and contemporary times, Kadish shows orphan from Amsterdam who was sent how the desires and contradictions of to London in the care of Rabbi Moseh [email protected]. the human heart have not changed over HaCoen Mendes. Mendes is blind and, the years. since Ester can read and write in several The impetus for the novel is the languages, she serves as his scribe. Ester discovery of old papers hidden in the burns with a desire for knowledge, but house of a former student of Helen Watt, unfortunately, it’s considered unseemly Facebook ® is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc a professor of Jewish history. Helen is for Jewish women to study. The only nearing the end of her career and feels suitable occupations are wife or servant dissatisfied with what she has -accom See “Ink” on page 12 To get Federation updates via email, rregister on our website www.jewishnepa.org

Pledge or Donate online at www.jewishnepa.org/donate OCTOBER 5, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 5 NEWS IN BRIEF FROM ISRAEL Scranton Reporter 5 x 15 7/8 From JNS.org Wyoming Valley 5 x 15 7/8 Jewish, Israeli groups provide emergency relief to hurricane-stricken Puerto Rico Jewish and Israeli organizations are providing relief for hurricane-stricken Puerto Rico. “To see the utter devastation first-hand and so close to home is shocking,” Rabbi Mendel Zarchi, co-director of Chabad of Puerto Rico, told Chabad.org. “Thousands of homes are locked in by the filthy floodwaters, even six days post-storm. With gratitude to the Almighty, we were able to locate the families we were looking for, and bring them food and water.” More than a week after powerful Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico, the U.S. territory is facing a massive humanitarian crisis amid complaints that the American government has lagged in its response. According to various media reports, nearly half Puerto Rico’s 3.4 million residents remain without drinking water, while hospitals are struggling to stay open amid gas shortages, food is scarce and 97 percent of the island has no power. To address the situation, Chabad-Lubavitch has sent private planes full of essentials such as canned food, bottled water, medical items and other supplies to affected areas. Two planes loaded with 4,000 pounds of food and supplies arrived in Puerto Rico earlier the week of Sept. 29. Meanwhile, the American Featuring the largest kosher selection of fresh meat, poultry, Jewish Committee announced it is partnering with IsraAID, an Israeli humanitarian relief organization, to providence emergency assistance to Puerto Rico. “Our tradition dairy, frozen, grocery & baked goods! commands us to help those who are in need, and the people of Puerto Rico are in a desperate situation,” said Dina Siegel Vann, director of AJC’s Belfer Institute for –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Latino and Latin American Affairs. “In this Jewish New Year period of introspection and renewal, we are committed to the recovery and rebuilding of Puerto Rico.” With Grocery bb Including a large selection of Kosher Dairy & Frozen items. AJC’s assistance, IsraAID is providing emergency relief including water, food and ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––21.16 oz. hygiene items as well as psychosocial trauma support. (See related article on page 7.) 7 oz.•All Varieties Where Available Where Available Hamas says it agrees to prisoner swap and that “ball is in Garden Lites Osem Tri-Color Israel’s court” Soufflé Pearl Couscous (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) – Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar declared that the Palestinian terror group has accepted an Egyptian outline for a prisoner exchange 2 $ 99

/ –––––––– deal with Israel, media outlets affiliated with Hamas reported on Sept. 28. The reports 6 3 did not detail the specifications of the Egyptian proposal. It was noted, however, that ––––––––––––––––10.58-12 oz.•All Varieties –––––––––––––––––4.7-4.9 oz.•Select Varieties the group’s leadership accepted the prisoner exchange outline during a recent visit to Where Available Cairo. The proposal has supposedly been passed on to Israel by Egyptian intelligence Nature’s officials. “The ball is in Israel’s court and the decision whether to make a deal is in its Pereg Gourmet Earthly Choice hands,” a senior official with the terror group told Hamas-affiliated media. According Quinoa Canisters Quinoa Medleys to the reports, Sinwar’s announcement was accompanied by a warning directed at Israel. “I can launch in 51 minutes the same amount of missiles that I launched over 99 2 $ the course of 51 days during Operation Protective Edge,” he said, referring to the 4 –––––––– / 2014 war between Israel and Hamas, in which nearly 70 Israelis were killed. In July, 5 Arabic-language media reported Israel and Hamas were holding secret negotiations ––––––––––––––––10 oz.•Italian or California –––––––––––––––––8-12 oz.•Select Varieties meant to yield a prisoner exchange deal that would see the Gaza-ruling terrorist group Style•Where Available Where Available release several Israeli civilians and return the remains of two soldiers in exchange Dr. Praeger’s Tofutti Cream Cheese, for the release of Palestinian security prisoners. Hamas is believed to hold the bodies Veggie Burgers Sour Cream or Cheese of Staff Sgt. Oron Shaul and Lt. Hadar Goldin, who were killed in Gaza in separate battles during Operation Protective Edge. Ethiopian Israeli Avera Mengistu and Bed- 2 $ 99 ouin Israeli Hisham al-Sayed, who both reportedly suffer from mental illness, crossed / into Gaza voluntarily in 2014 and 2015, respectively, and are believed to have been 6 –––––––– 2 captured by Hamas. Another Israeli, Jumaa Abu Ghanima, crossed the border into –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Gaza in 2016, and his fate remains unknown. Meat b Including a selection of Glatt Kosher Fresh and Frozen Beef, Chicken & Turkey. World Zionist Organization celebrates 120th anniversary –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 28 oz. of first congress Buffalo Style or Plain Empire Kosher (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) – At the foot of the grave of the state’s Empire Kosher Fresh Chicken founder on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, the World Zionist Organization on Sept. 27 held a ceremony marking the 120-year anniversary of the First Zionist Congress. The Party Wings Leg Quarters First Zionist Congress was held in Basel, Switzerland, in August 1897. The event was attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, members of Knesset, 49 49 lb. mayors and regional council heads from around the country. “[Theodor] Herzl was the 8 –––––––– 2 modern savior of our people,” the prime minister said in a speech. “He had a genius ––––––––––––––––33 oz. –––––––––––––––––16 oz.•White Ground Turkey $5.49 or in him that seems to have come from nowhere.” Netanyahu told the crowd, “Herzl’s Meal Mart Empire Kosher ingenious prophecies continue to serve me as a road map and compass. Herzl’s vision says, ‘We are a people; we are also a nation.’ We are all walking on the bridge from Meat Balls With Fresh 85% the First Zionist Congress to today. We established a free, strong, progressive country. Marinara Sauce Ground Turkey Israel is a rising global power. Truly a light unto the nations. Until 240 and beyond for all eternity. The strength of Israel will not lie and Herzl’s memory will forever 99 99 remain.” WZO Chairman Avraham Duvdevani said, “Zionism doesn’t end here. We –––––––– must continue to pursue the Zionist enterprise that is the basis of our existence.” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––9 3 World Economic Forum lauds Israeli competitiveness bb Including a selection of Salmon Fillets & Steaks. (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) – Israel was ranked 16th on the World Fish Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report, released on Sept. 27, which –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– shows the Jewish state moving up eight positions from the previous year. This is 8 oz. 6 oz. the first time Israel ranks among the index’s top 20 nations. The annual report ranks Acme Smoked Pier 33 the competitiveness of 137 countries. The listing is based on dozens of market Salmon Salmon Portions competition drivers, including economic and fiscal policies that determine the level of productivity in the country, which assesses countries’ ability to provide high lev- 99 2 els of prosperity to their citizens. “Global competitiveness will be more and more $

–––––––– / defined by the innovative capacity of a country,” Klaus Schwab, WEF founder and 11 8 executive chairman, said in a statement. Switzerland was named is the world’s most –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– competitive economy for the ninth consecutive year. The U.S. was ranked second, Westside Mall, Edwardsville • 287-7244 Singapore was ranked third and Israel drew 16th place. The report noted the two elements jeopardizing the Israeli economy’s growth were government bureaucracy 1228 O’Neill Highway, Dunmore • 346-4538 and high tax rates. Israel’s overall score on government bureaucracy dropped to 21.6, compared to 18.6 last year, indicating an increase in the burden regulation and bureaucracy impose on the economy. The report states that Israel maintained its position among world’s top three innovative countries. It noted that the Jewish state earned its reputation as a startup nation due to a large number of inventions and innovations since it became a sovereign nation in 1948 despite the many challenges it faces. “We see the rise in the competitiveness ranking as official recognition for the efforts by the Israeli government to improve the business environment, but the main problems, the burden of regulation and bureaucracy, are still here,” Manufacturers Prices effective Sunday, October 1 thru Saturday, October 28, 2017. Association of Israel President Shraga Brosh said. 6 THE REPORTER ■ OCTOBER 5, 2017 Album of photos of Holocaust survivors from the SS Exodus to be sold BY ANDREW TOBIN the Nazi camps, they continued to languish in Europe TEL AVIV (JTA) – In the summer of 1947, when the under guard and behind barbed wire. British turned away the SS Exodus from the shores of Gary was an American Jewish reporter who JTA sent Palestine, the world was watching. Before the eyes of the to Europe to cover the aftermath of World War II. He international media, British troops violently forced the detailed the living conditions in the camps more than a ship’s passengers – most of them Holocaust survivors – year before the Exodus journey: inadequate food; cold, onto ships back to Europe. The resulting reports helped crowded rooms; violence by guards; and mind-numbing turn public opinion in favor of the Zionist movement and boredom. But he reported in September 1946 that the against the pro-Arab British policy of limiting Jewish greatest concern among Jews was escaping Europe, immigration to Palestine. preferably for Palestine. But much else was happening in the aftermath of “Certainly the DP’s are sensitive to the material things World War II, and attention soon shifted elsewhere. One and sound off when things go bad (which is as it should of the few journalists to stick with the story was Jewish be), but above all this is their natural desire to start a new Telegraphic Agency correspondent Robert Gary, who life elsewhere for the bulk in Palestine, for others, in the filed a series of reports from displaced persons camps U.S. and other lands,” he wrote. “Get any group of DP’s in Germany. Seventy years later and decades after his together and they’ll keep you busy with the number one death, Gary is again drawing attention to the “Exodus question: When are we leaving?” A 1947 photo of the fake certificate identifying Robert Jews,” albeit mostly in Israel. In July 1947, more than 4,500 Jews from the camps Gary as a passenger of the SS Exodus. (Photo courtesy An album of 230 of his photos will be sold at the boarded the Exodus in France and set sail for Palestine of Kedem Auction House) Kedem Auction House in Jerusalem on October 31, without legal immigration certificates. They hoped and a number of the images reveal the reality inside the to join the hundreds of thousands of Jews building a arrived, Gary said the dark running joke in the camp was camps, where the Jews continued to prepare for life in pro-Jewish state. that the alternative to Palestine was simple: “Everyone Palestine under trying conditions. Organized by the Haganah, a Zionist paramilitary would choose a tree from which to hang himself.” Some of the photos, which have little to no captioning, force in Palestine, the mission was the largest of dozens “The Jews of Germany demand and expect a chance capture the similarities of the DP camps to those in which of mostly failed attempts at illegal Jewish immigration to start life anew under reasonably secure circumstanc- the Nazis interned and killed millions of Jews during the during the decades of British administration of the ter- es,” he wrote. “They feel these places exist mainly in Holocaust, including images of Exodus Jews repairing ritory following World War I. The British largely sought Palestine and the U.S. And they are determined to get barbed-wire fences under the watch of guards. But others to limit the arrival of Jews to Palestine out of deference there, either by legal or illegal means, or just by plain show the Jews participating in communal activities and to the often violent opposition of its Arab majority. old-fashioned patience.” preparing for their hoped-for future in Palestine. In one The Haganah had outfitted and manned theExodus in Pnina Drori, who later became Gary’s wife, was photo, Zionist emissaries from the territory – young hopes of outmaneuvering the British Navy and unloading among the emissaries that the Jewish Agency for Israel women dressed in white T-shirts and shorts – appear to the passengers on the beach. But near the end of its week- sent to the camps from Palestine to prepare the Jews lead the Exodus Jews in a circular folk dance. long voyage, the British intercepted the ship off the shore for aliyah. As a kindergarten teacher, she taught the Shay Mendelovich, a researcher at Kedem, said he of Palestine and brought it into the Haifa port. Troops children Hebrew and Zionist songs. Other emissaries, expects there to be a lot of interest in the album, which is removed resisting passengers there, injuring dozens and she said, offered military training in preparation for the being sold by an anoymous collector who bought it from killing three, and loaded them on three ships back to Europe. escalating battles with the Arab majority in Palestine. the Gary family. Mendelovich predicted it could be sold Even after two months on the Exodus, the passengers “In the photos, you see a lot of young people in shorts for as much as $10,000. “The photos are pretty unique,” resisted setting foot back on the continent. When the and kind of Israeli clothes,” she said. “We were getting he said. “There were other people in these camps. But British finally forced them ashore in September 1947 and them ready for Israeli life, both good and bad. You have Robert Gary was one of the few who had a camera and into two displaced persons camps in occupied northern to remember Israel was at war at the time.” knew how to take pictures.” Germany – Poppendorf and Am Stau – many sang the Gary was one of the few journalists who continued Between 1945 and 1952, more than 250,000 Jews Zionist anthem “Hatikvah” in protest. An unexploded visiting the DP camps in the weeks after the Exodus lived in displaced persons camps and urban centers in time bomb, apparently designed to go off after the pas- Jews returned to Europe. Somehow he even obtained Germany, Austria and Italy that were overseen by Allied sengers were ashore, was later found on one of the ships. a fake certificate identifying him as one of the former authorities and the United Nations Relief and Rehabilita- The widely reported events won worldwide sympathy passengers of the ship. But by late September 1947, tion Administration. Despite having been liberated from for European Jews and their national aspirations. An JTA reported that British authorities had tired of Gary’s American newspaper headlined a story about the Exo- critical coverage and barred him from entry. dus “Back to the Reich.” The Yugoslav delegate from “The fact that Gary and [New York newspaper PM the United Nations Special Commission on Palestine reporter Maurice] Pearlman were the only correspondents called the affair “the best possible evidence we have for still assigned to the story, and had remained at the camps, allowing Jews into Palestine.” aroused the authorities, who charged that they ‘were Later, the Exodus achieved legendary status, most snooping about too much,’” according to the report. famously as the inspiration and namesake of the 1958 Israel declared independence in May 1948, and after best-seller by Leon Uris and the 1960 film starring Great Britain recognized the Jewish state in January 1949, Paul Newman. Some, including former Israeli Foreign it finally sent most of the remainingExodus passengers to Minister Abba Eban, credited the Exodus with a “major the new Jewish state. Nearly all the DP camps in Europe role” in the foundation of the state of Israel in May 1948. were closed by 1952 and the Jews dispersed around the Gary, who was stationed in Munich, had close ties to world, most to Israel and the United States. Zionist activists; he reported early and often on the continu- Gary soon immigrated to Israel, too. He married ing plight of the Exodus Jews in the camps. His dispatches Drori in 1949, months after meeting her at a Chanukah Children posed for a photo in hats that read “Exodus highlighted their continued challenges, including malnu- party at the Jewish Agency’s headquarters in Munich, 1947” in a displaced persons camp in Germany in trition, and unabated longing to immigrate to Palestine. and the couple moved to Jerusalem, where they had two September 1947. (Photo by Robert Gary) In a report from Poppendorf days after the Exodus Jews See “Photos” on page 8

Jews danced in a DP camp in Germany in September Jews repaired fencing at a DP camp in Germany in 1947. (Photo by Robert Gary) September 1947. (Photo by Robert Gary)

you saw their ad here in ... our hair done To our readers vertisers know that you go to get y AD ou to let our ad I SAW YOUR I want to remind y ou say THE REPORTER! It is so important to remember when or buy something at their store or use w.their services that y TER! They want to kno IN THE REPOR e Thank you, Advertising Executiv Bonnie Rozen, OCTOBER 5, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 7 Puerto Rico’s Jews turn to helping neighbors ravaged by Hurricane Maria BY BEN SALES (JTA) – After he managed to bribe three van drivers to load their vehicles with aid supplies and drive him and his crew from the San Juan airport, Eli Rowe felt his humanitarian mission was off to a good start. Gas was scarce in Puerto Rico, but now all the food, medicine and At right: Eli Rowe’s team hygienic supplies he had flown over from the mainland of 12 delivered supplies to was making it into the Caribbean island’s capital. Then the San Juan Chabad, as he laid eyes on the city. It was devastated. well as to vulnerable areas “We saw sheer destruction everywhere,” said Rowe, throughout Puerto Rico’s the CEO of Jet911, a service that arranges emergency capital, on September 25. medical flights. “Roofs were off, buildings -were de (Photo courtesy of Rowe) stroyed, houses were destroyed, there was flooding in the middle of the street, stores were abandoned.” Rowe’s crew of 12 paramedics and emergency medical technicians was one of a few Jewish aid missions trying to help Puerto Rico begin recovering from the impact of Hurricane Maria, which recently hit the island directly. The storm created what aid workers and residents describe San Juan neighbors – avoided destruction because their was a drop in the bucket,” he said. But for their mother, as a post-apocalyptic scenario: Power is out for much of buildings are built with concrete and other reinforced he added, “it was lifesaving.” the island, cellphone service is hard to find, gas is even materials. But the community is still suffering, he said, IsraAid, the Israeli disaster relief group, sent a team more scarce and food supplies are dwindling. Roads are from the same lack of power, fuel and infrastructure as of five that is stationed in Haiti. The team landed on crumbling. Hospitals are on the brink. the entire island. Mendelbaum said it could take 14 hours September 26 in San Juan and is focused on providing On September 28, President Donald Trump waived to get gas and six hours waiting in “eternal lines” to buy physical and psychological first aid, and distributing a law called the Jones Act, allowing international aid food at one of the few functioning supermarkets. “Every- filters that can purify contaminated water. The workers shipments to offload on the island. FEMA has more one has difficult problems here,” he said. “There’s other are also distributing food and training local social work than 600 workers on the island, a U.S. territory with 3.4 people whose buildings don’t have a power generator, students to provide post-trauma care. But the filters, said million residents. or they did have a generator, but it broke. Other people team leader Natalie Revesz, might make the biggest Puerto Rico’s Jewish community of 1,500, living have to go up and down stairs and can’t do it. People difference, as they have a capacity of 400 gallons a mostly in San Juan, has largely been spared the worst are trying to leave the island.” day and can make public canal water drinkable. “They of the damage, says Diego Mendelbaum, community With the Jewish community’s buildings intact and were shocked that I was drinking dirty water from their director at the San Juan Jewish Community Center, population healthy, its members have turned to helping buckets,” Revesz said. which shares space with a Conservative synagogue. The more vulnerable neighbors. The JCC had collected sup- Rowe, who also volunteers in New York for the city is also home to a Reform synagogue and a Chabad. plies to help the Virgin Islands recover from the impact Jewish paramedic service Hatzalah, received a call for The JCC’s fence and two of its gates were knocked of Hurricane Irma earlier in September, then took the aid on September 24. He’d already gone on missions down and its roof sustained damage, but it fared much surplus it had stored and distributed it among shelters in to Houston and the Florida Keys following the recent better than synagogues in Houston, which were ruined San Juan. Jewish volunteers distributed clothing, canned natural disasters there. He and his team spent the night by Harvey. Even so, the synagogue canceled services food and 2,000 gallons of water from the JCC’s cistern. of September 24 gathering food and medical supplies, on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, when the storm hit. In one instance, Mendelbaum saw twin babies sleeping and obtained a large private plane, free of charge, from Mendelbaum said the Jews’ homes – like those of their on the floor of a shelter and brought them cribs. “That See “Helping” on page 11

Each year at this time the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania calls upon members of our community to assist in defraying the expense of issuing our regional Jewish newspaper, The Reporter. 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. As the primary Jewish newspaper of our region, we have tried to produce a quality publication for you that offers our readership something on everything from opinions and columns on controversial issues that affect our people and our times, to publicity for the events of our affiliated agencies and organizations to life cycle events, teen columns, personality profiles, letters to the editor, the Jewish 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.

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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 8 THE REPORTER ■ OCTOBER 5, 2017 D’VAR TORAH Achdut: Jewish unity BY RABBI EVAN SHORE, SHAAREI TORAH who is lacking both Torah knowledge and good deeds. ORTHODOX CONGREGATION OF SYRACUSE The Torah is calling out, screaming out, for all Jews Sukkot (Shabbat Chol Hamoed), Exodus 33:12-34:26 to come together, regardless of level of observance and All of the Jewish holidays have unique aspects and knowledge. The ultimate joy that we can experience is names attached to them. The holiday of Sukkot is no the realization that we are one: one nation, one people, different. Our rabbis refer to the holiday of Sukkot united together in the service of Hashem. All Jews are simply as Hachag: the holiday. What makes the yom needed for this to become a reality. If any are left out tov of Sukkot so outstanding that it is known as “the or excluded, we will not be successful. On the holiday holiday”? Sukkot possesses a trait that is manifested of Sukkot, if we are lacking one of the four species, more on this holy day than all the others. This trait is or if they are not tied together as one, the mitzvah is one of achdut: Jewish unity. not fulfilled. In Leviticus 23:40, the Torah commands us, “You It is my hope and prayer that this year for Sukkot shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of a may all of klal Yisroel come together as a united people. citron tree, the branches of date palms, twigs of a plaited Please God, may we all merit rejoicing before the Lord tree and brook willows, and you shall rejoice before our God and truly experience Hachag on its highest level. Hashem, your God, for a seven day period.” The Torah is commanding the Jewish people to take what is known as the arba minim, the four species: the etrog, lulav, willow branch and myrtle branch. We are to bind them together as one and wave them in all four directions, up and down. By fulfilling this command we will rejoice before Hashem. How are we driven to rejoicing by taking these four species, aside from the fact that God Exhibit on Jews in the fashion commanded us to do so? Our saintly rabbis have taught us that the four species scene reflect four different types of Jews in regard to Torah The Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU in knowledge and good deeds. The etrog possesses both Miami Beach will hold the exhibit “Hot traits. By virtue of its taste and aroma, the etrog sym- Couture: Florida Jews on the Fashion Scene” bolizes the Jew who has both knowledge and deeds. The through November 5. The exhibit looks at how Floridian lulav bears delicious fruit, but lacks aroma. This is like Jews have been involved in the fashion industry from the Jew who has knowledge of the Torah, but lacks good designing, manufacturing and dressing and influencing deeds. The myrtle branch has the aroma, but lacks taste. the local and international scene in all types of clothing There are Jews who have good deeds, but are lacking from beachwear to ball gowns. It looks at people from Torah knowledge. Finally, we have the willow, which is the now 95-year-old Sylvia Whyte, a designer whose devoid of both taste and aroma. This symbolizes the Jew children’s clothing brought the likes of Debbie Reynolds, Frank Sinatra and Zsa Zsa Gabor to her Miami Beach store in the 1950s, to an 11-year-old entrepreneur now Base Continued from page 3 embarking on her first clothing line incorporating her “provide us with more flexibility and a smarter division grandfather’s artwork into her designs. Featured are between northern and southern fronts.” climate-influenced guayaberas, golf shirts and Florida The creation of the second battalion is a result of les- furriers, wearable art, bikinis and belts made out of sons learned from the 2014 conflict, and an assessment local snakeskins. of “the different threats we face, and will face in the For more information, visit www.jewishmuseum. future,” he said. “There is a wide range of threats facing com or contact the museum at info@jewishmuseum. the state of Israel,” he said. “We need a comprehensive com or 305-672-5044. reply for them.” Holocaust encyclopedia online The first two volumes of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s “Encyclopedia of Camps and Ban Continued from page 2 Ghettos, 1933-1945” are now freely accessible in their Our rabbinic letter opened with a quote from Pirkei entirety on www.ushmm.org/research/publications/ Avot: “A controversy for the sake of Heaven will have encyclopedia-camps-ghettos/volumes-i-and-ii-avail- lasting value, but a controversy not for the sake of able-online as part of the museum’s commitment to Heaven will not endure.” Whether we support boycott is increasing the visibility of the field of Holocaust studies a controversy for the sake of heaven. It is a controversy in the United States and abroad. Printed editions of the that could lead to vigorous discussion and deep self-re- “Encyclopedia” will still be offered through the publisher, flection about the obligation of American Jews to speak Indiana University Press. out against Israel’s policy toward the Palestinian people. The remaining volumes, of a projected seven, will also More than 230 rabbis have spoken out in favor of this be available online after the printed editions appear. When debate. It’s time for the rest of our community to follow. complete, it hopes to be the most comprehensive survey Rabbi Laurie Zimmerman of Congregation Shaarei available of all known Nazi sites of incarceration across Shamayim in Madison, WI, is the author of “Reframing occupied Europe. Museum researchers have identified Israel: Teaching Kids to Think Critically About the more than 44,000 such sites, several times more than Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.” anticipated at the project’s outset. For more information, visit ushmm.org. Exhibit on Eichmann capture and trial Photos Continued from page 6 The Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial daughters. Robert Gary took at job at The Jerusalem Post to the Holocaust is holding the exhibit “Operation Fina- and later worked for the British news agency Reuters. le: The Capture and Trial of Adolf Eichmann” through Pnina Gary, 90, continued her acting career. She said her December 22. The exhibit includes recently declassified husband always carried a camera with him when he was artifacts and immersive multimedia presentations that reporting, and their home was filled with photo albums. reveal the secret history behind the capture, extradition Decades after Robert Gary died in Tel Aviv in 1987, and trial Eichmann, who has been called “one of the at the age of 67, Pnina Gary wrote and starred in a hit world’s most notorious war criminals.” It explores the play, “An Israeli Love Story.” It is based on her real-life story of Eichmann’s life in Argentina, living under the romance with the first man she was supposed to marry, name Ricardo Klement, until he was discovered by a who was killed by local Arabs in an ambush on their Holocaust survivor and captured by Israeli agents. kibbutz. “We knew life wouldn’t be easy in Israel,” she For more information, visit http://mjhnyc.org or con- said. “That’s not why anyone comes here.” tact the museum at 646-437-4202 or [email protected]. OCTOBER 5, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 9

2018 Is(Frebruaraely 4 to Februar Miy 15) ssion Northeast Pennsylvania is going to Israel next February!

Here’s some of what we’ll see:

Day 1 - Sunday, February 4 ...... We depart and begin our journey that will take us 11,000 miles and back in time thousands of years to our ancient homeland.

Day 2 - Monday, February 5...... We arrive in Israel and travel by bus to our hotel in Tel Aviv where we’ll have dinner and take a walk along the Tel Aviv beachfront. Day 3 - Tuesday, February 6...... We leave Tel Aviv and head north, up the coast of the Mediterranean to ancient Caesaria – an ancient seaport built by King Herod which became the largest port city in the region. After our tour, we’ll head to Haifa, head east, and nally arrive in Tiberias where we’ll check into our hotel and have dinner that evening.

Day 4 - Wednesday, February 7...... We’ll travel into the mountains to the ancient city of Safed. This is the city where the Kabbala had its beginnings and is home to an outstanding artists’ colony. From there, we’ll journey to the Golan Heights and visit the cities of Katzrin and Har Ben Tal on the eastern side of the Golan Heights which will provide us with an opportunity to look directly into Syria. We’ll then visit the western side of the Golan Heights where we’ll have the view the Syrians had prior to the 1967 Six-Day War from where they red rockets daily into the Israeli towns below.

Day 5 - Thursday, February 8 ...... We’ll leave Tiberias and head to Jerusalem, but rst, we’ll stop at Beit Shean - the largest excavation in the country. From there, we’ll travel to a kibbutz in the Jordan valley - Sde Eliyahu. This Kibbutz has some unusual characteristics. First, it is one of the few religious kibbutzim. Second, this kibbutz pioneered organic farming in Israel, and we’ll hear of their achievements that have changed the entire agricultural world. Day 6 - Friday, February 9 ...... We’ll travel to Yad Vashem - the very moving National Holocaust Museum that was opened in 2008. We’ll then go to the Children’s Memorial and the Avenue of the Righteous Gentiles. We’ll end our day at Jerusalem’s open-air market on Ben Yehuda Street, and mix with the locals as they prepare for Shabbat. Shabbat Dinner will be in the Hotel. Day 7 - Saturday, February 10 ...... We’ll spend Shabbat in Jerusalem with the opportunity to go to the Great Synagogue. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Day 8 - Sunday, February 11...... We’ll travel from our hotel to the Western Wall in Jerusalem. First, we’ll get an overview of the city and then a brief history lesson as we sit outside the Jaa Gate - the main entrance into the Old City. Then, we’ll walk through the Jewish Quarter to view the Byzantine Cardo, pray at the Western Wall, and descend deep into an underground tunnel that runs parallel to the Wall to see the massive foundation stones of the original Temple Mount built King Solomon. Finally, we’ll sit on the original Southern Steps of the Temple Mount for a brief presentation by our guide Lee Glassman. In short, it will be an amazing day in Jerusalem. Day 9 - Monday, February 12 ...... We’ll start our day with an opportunity for each of us to leave a bit of ourselves in Israel by planting a tree in honor or in memory of a loved one. Then, after lunch, we will head o to an active archeological dig and join in the excavation. In the past, members of our Israel Missions have uncovered ancient pottery, coins, an amulet, and even a magni cent oil lamp – each of which had been hidden deep within the sand for centuries! This will be one of the most memorable days of our Mission. Day 10 - Tuesday, February 13 ...... We’ll leave Jerusalem and enter the Judean Desert on our way to the Dead Sea and what is arguably Israel’s most inspiring historic site - the ancient mountain fortress of Masada where our ancestors made their last stand against the Romans in 70 CE. Masada was also the winter palace of King Herod and one can still see the incredible opulence of what he built on that mountain-top in the desert. This will also be your chance to swim in the Dead Sea (the lowest point on earth and the saltiest body of water in the world) where you will oat like a cork. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss!

Day 11 - Wednesday, February 14 ...... We head back to Tel Aviv. First, we’ll visit the Machal Monument dedicated to those seless Americans and others who came to Palestine after WWII to help ght for the re-birth of the Jewish State in 1948. We’ll then visit a secret underground factory that existed under the nose of the British police for over two years - an amazing story! And nally, we’ll head o to Independence Hall where the State of Israel was declared by David Ben Gurion on May 14th, 1948. We’ll sit in the very room where the invited guests sat that day, and hear what they heard as Ben Gurion called into being the rst Jewish state in nearly 2,000 years. We’ll then go to dinner at a restaurant in Tel Aviv and head to the airport for our return home. Day 12 - Thursday, February 15 ...... We arrive back in the U.S. lled with the most wonderful memories of this trip of a lifetime!!!

Join us on our 2018 Israel Mission • February 4-15

The land cost is $3,350, and land and air is $4,475.

Please call Mark Silverberg at the Federation o ce for information - 570-961-2300, ext. 1 10 THE REPORTER ■ OCTOBER 5, 2017 Mark Feuerstein dishes on his Jewy new sitcom, “9JKL” BY CINDY SHER tually moved back to Los Angeles. It was when he had CHICAGO (JUF News via JTA) – A grown man some space – literally – from his parents that Feuerstein moves into a New York apartment sandwiched between decided his former living situation would be perfect his meddlesome, boundary-less parents on one side and fodder for a TV comedy. His wife, former “Friends” his brother, wife and their newborn baby on the other. writer Dana Klein, executive produces and writes the Sounds kind of like a sitcom, right? It is. But the premise show with Feuerstein. But “9JKL” isn’t the couple’s also happens to be inspired by the real life of Jewish actor only baby: they have three children, ages 11, 9 and 7. Mark Feuerstein – of “Royal Pains,” “Prison Break” I interviewed Feuerstein by phone between rehearsals and “West Wing” fame. for the show. While filming a show in New York a few years ago, JTA: What was it like living next to your mom and dad? Feuerstein found himself living in an apartment on Man- Feuerstein: Every morning my father would come hattan’s Upper East Side next to his mom and dad. And, over in his tighty whiteys and go [using a thick New yes, soon after he took up residence there, his brother York accent], ‘Mark, what do you want for break- moved into the apartment next door. fast, scrambled eggs or French toast?’ And then at The sitcom, which was scheduled to premiere on night, I would come home after a 15-hour day and October 2 on CBS, features the cleverly cryptic title my mother would say, ‘Would you like to come in L-r: Mark Feuerstein as Josh, Liza Lapira as Eve, “9JKL,” – the apartment units 9J, 9K and 9L where for a salad?’ So I would go into their apartment and David Walton as Andrew, Linda Lavin as Judy and Feuerstein and family lived mere inches apart. Just have a salad at, you know, midnight, to hear about Elliott Gould as Harry in a scene from “9JKL.” (Photo like in real life, Feuerstein’s character, Josh Roberts, how many blocks she walked on Madison Avenue by Cliff Lipson/CBS Broadcasting Inc.) is a practicing Jew, a New York native and an actor. that morning. But unlike in real life, Feuerstein plays a newly di- JTA: Will “9JKL” feel Jewish – either explicitly or because it was already disgusting. vorced guy who is between acting gigs. His on-screen in tone and feel? JTA: How do you like working with your wife? parents are played by veteran actors Linda Lavin, star Feuerstein: There’s so much that feels Jewish, like Feuerstein: I’m so lucky that she agreed to take this on of TV’s “Alice,” and Elliott Gould, who has appeared “Seinfeld” or any other great Jewish comedy... There’s with me. She’s incredible in the writers room; she does in myriad films such as “M*A*S*H” and TV shows no question when a holiday is celebrated or some life it with grace and style. I think we have a nice chemistry like “Friends.” moment happens that it will be the Jewish version of it. working with each other. We have a mutual respect and After his stint living in New York, Feuerstein even- When, and if, we can get it in there, we will be celebrating love, and our kids are so happy, except for when it keeps everything from Chanukah to Lag B’Omer. us from putting them to bed. JTA: Do you feel the weight of representing a Jewish JTA: How do you like working on a traditional sitcom family on the show? format, especially at a time when so few TV comedies Feuerstein: I am constantly torn, [but] the only true these days still follow that model? marching order is to write a show that feels grounded, Feuerstein: Everybody is so focused on innovation and real and funny. With that directive, there is no religious doing something cool and new, but we wanted to bring affiliation that is essential to making a TV show that [this show] back in time. We love shows like “Everybody feels real and funny. But, that being said, I myself am Loves Raymond” and “Seinfeld.” There is something a proud Jew. I also want to tow a line that allows us to about the format that hearkens back to a different time. reach the widest audience possible. So you’re constantly There are real people in our studio audience, who are navigating that. really reacting to the jokes and the story lines. JTA: Do you have a favorite Jewish tradition? In today’s [political climate], it’s nice to have a show Feuerstein: I love the High Holiday ceremony of out there about a loving family, albeit dysfunctional, Tashlich, of casting away our sins [in the water] in the where you can escape from the political diatribe in L-r: Mark Feuerstein, Linda Lavin and Elliott Gould spirit of teshuvah, atonement. In New York, I would the media these days and just watch a loving family at the CBS Studio Center in Los Angeles onAugust 1. love going to the East River with my whole congre- that likes to make fun of each other and get in each (Photo by Sonja Flemming/CBS Broadcasting Inc.) gation – and we knew we weren’t polluting the river other’s way. OCTOBER 5, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 11 Where Israeli-American college students gather to speak Hebrew and connect with their roots BY JOSEFIN DOLSTEN Most, but not all, IAC Mishelanu chapters operate (JTA) – Being involved with Jewish life was not a under the Hillel umbrella. priority for Shai Ben David when she arrived at the Uni- Yoni Hirschberg, a 21-year-old film student who versity of Georgia. The 23-year-old, who moved to the leads the IAC Mishelanu chapter at the University of United States from Israel at age 4, had few Jewish friends Southern California, said Israeli-American students and was not interested in being involved in a religious have a different identity than their Jewish-American community. Besides, her science-heavy course load as peers. “You’re not really Jewish American,” Hirschberg, a pre-veterinary student filled up most of her time. “It who moved to the U.S. from Israel with his family at really wasn’t a priority for me to try to be a part of the 3, told JTA. “You’re not not Jewish, and you’re also an Jewish community here with Hillel,” she told JTA. “For American, you’re also Israeli. But you don’t really fit me, being Israeli is more about the cultural part of being in because there are barriers of [being from] a different Israeli, not really the religious part.” background, so there is a level of alienation.” Yet Ben David now finds herself a leader of a campus Ben Avrahami, a 25-year-old biology major at the Uni- group for Israeli Americans that she helped to found. She versity of Massachusetts Amherst, said he relates to the is a fellow for IAC Mishelanu, an initiative that seeks to friends he made through IAC Mishelanu in unique ways. engage Israeli-American college students – Israelis who “I feel very comfortable with them, they understand me moved to the U.S. as well as the children and grandchil- in some aspects that other people don’t,” said Avrahami, dren of Israelis living here. who moved to America from Israel with his family at 12, The program recognizes that Israelis in America have Lee Setty, holding pot, and Shai ben David, in plaid shirt, later returning to the Jewish state to serve in the military an identity distinct from their American-born peers. IAC with other IAC Mishelanu members at the University before attending college. “It’s kind of like home,” he said. Mishelanu aims “to give Israeli-American students on of Georgia. (Photo courtesy of IAC Mishelanu UGA) See “Connect” on page 13 campus a safe home where they are comfortable enough to speak in Hebrew and to share their hybrid identities,” said its program director, Tal Zmiri-Willner. “They’re all holding lots of identities: being Jewish, being Israeli, being American.” The Los Angeles-based Israeli-American Council runs the program, which has 90 chapters nationwide and some 1,000 student participants. IAC Mishelanu was launched in 2011 by Israeli parents in the Silicon Valley looking to connect their kids with each other and form a community, and joined with the IAC as a larger nationwide campus initiative the following year. Chapters are led by student fellows, who receive 2018 UJA Campaign mentoring from regional managers and an $800 yearly stipend. They organize monthly social and cultural events, such as Israeli movie nights and Israeli-style Shabbat dinners, as well as approximately five larger events per year that showcase Israeli culture to the wider campus I am: community. IAC Mishelanu also organizes a yearly conference and leadership retreats. Most members are secular and not necessarily inter- HUNGRY ested in the religious experiences traditionally offered on LOST campus, Zmiri-Willner said. “Hillel is considered to be IN DEBT more Jewish, and they are looking for the cultural side of being Israeli,” she said of IAC Mishelanu participants. WORKING PART TIME UNEMPLOYED COLD Continued from page 7 Helping SICK Ralph Nakash, a fashion mogul who also went on the LAID OFF aid mission with two of his sons. The team dropped supplies at the San Juan Chabad, SINGLE then drove around the city distributing to Sanjuaneros of MARRIED all religions everything from pita bread to toothbrushes HOMELESS to Tylenol. At one point, Rowe went door to door giving out food and cases of water. DOWNSIZED Though he is proud of the work his volunteers have ADDICTED done, he could see that difficult days remain ahead. ALONE “For us to bring a ray of light was really humbling and A FATHER a beautiful experience,” he said. “At the end of the day, we’re going back to our homes with a roof over our head, PROFESSIONAL and these people could be for weeks or months without SCARED electricity or food.” AN IMMIGRANT A REFUGEE ESTABLISHED BROKE JEWISH

ough the economic crisis may have aected each of us dierently, the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania is the one place we can all turn to for help. In fact, more of us are relying on the services of Federation-funded agencies to help make ends meet, feed our families, and pay our mortgages than ever before. Yet for every story of hardship and despair, there are countless stories of love and hope that you can be a part of. You can help. You can make a di erence. You can make the world a better place.

Yes, I can help. I want to make a donation and learn more at www.jewishnepa.org or call (570)961-2300

www.jewishnepa.org 601 Je erson Ave., Scranton, PA 18510 • (570)961-2300 Eli Rowe, second from left, with members of his volunteer aid team from New York on September 25 standing in front of the airplane that was donated to make the trip to San Juan. (Photo courtesy of Rowe) ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 12 THE REPORTER ■ OCTOBER 5, 2017 Deciphering the past Neanderthal remains discovered in Israel may rewrite history BY JNS STAFF A joint study of the findings, published from the Neanderthal remains, and also (JNS.org) – A rare archaeological dis- on June 7, was conducted by researchers to remains of lower limbs from a second covery of 60,000-year-old Neanderthal from Israel’s Ono Academic College, He- Neanderthal body. bones in northern Israel may result in brew University of Jerusalem and the IAA, “A number of researchers have re- anthropologists rewriting history. The in collaboration with Germany’s Museum cently claimed that Neanderthals were Neanderthal remains were uncovered in for Human Behavioral Evolution. adapted to life in rugged mountainous Ein Qashish as part of an archaeological “The discovery of Neanderthals at terrains whereas modern humans adapt- dig coordinated by the Israel Antiquities open-air sites during the late MP (Me- ed better to flat and open landscapes. Authority, prior to major road construction sozoic Period) reinforces the view that The finds from Ein Qashish show that in the area. Neanderthals were a resilient population Neanderthals inhabited sites in diverse The bones were found in an open-air in the Levant shortly before Upper Pa- topographic and ecological contexts,” site – the first such discovery in the Levant laeolithic Homo sapiens populated the the IAA said. A Neanderthal tooth discovered at the region – and contradict previously held region,” the study states. In addition to the Neanderthal bones, Ein Qashish archaeological site in assumptions that Neanderthals dwelled Researchers applied advanced imaging flint tools, animal bones and other items northern Israel. (Photo by Erella Hovers/ primarily in caves. techniques to a single upper molar tooth were discovered at the archaeological site. Hebrew University of Jerusalem) Unearthed 7,200-year-old vessel in Israel shows rituality of food storage BY ISRAEL HAYOM STAFF “Until now, discussions of the early on a scale not previously documented at (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) transition to complex societies in this sites from that period. The researchers – A 7,200-year-old pottery vessel recently area have focused mainly on later periods noted that the desire and ability to store unearthed at the prehistoric site of Tel and on the connection between the devel- food was an “important step” in humans’ Tsaf in Israel’s Jordan Valley is the first opment of socioeconomic elites and the transition to more complex social struc- evidence of the ritualistic and political ability of certain individuals or families to tures, and pointed out the relevance of significance of large-scale food storage store large quantities of food, beyond their the site’s location by the Jordan River, a in the ancient Near East, the University own needs for survival,” Rosenberg ex- major water source. of Haifa reported on September 6. plained. “The findings at Tel Tsaf provide Prof. Danny Rosenberg, of the Zin- first-hand evidence of the early connection man Institute of Archaeology, heads the between food storage on a large scale and research project at Tel Tsaf along with the observance of a ritual associated with At right: Prof. Danny Rosenberg of the Dr. Florian Klimscha, of the German Ar- the successful storage and preservation of Zinman Institute of Archaeology at the chaeological Institute in Berlin. The site is agricultural yields.” University of Haifa holds the seven- considered notable for its preservation of The findings from Tel Tsaf include millennia-old vessel unearthed at Tel architecture, organic materials and other numerous silos used for large-scale grain Tsaf. (Photo courtesy of the University types of material culture. storage, evidence of the storage of food of Haifa)

Ink Continued from page 4 – both of which would leave her little to hardship, Ester notes that “only a single that one was more perfect and therefore Aaron with awe and fear, and a kind of no free time to pursue her interests. Plus, desire remained to her: To be amid [the must be victorious? Did God determine excitement.” Even the cold, seemingly Jewish life in England is precarious. The rabbi’s] books. To hear the quiet scratch before each storm that either the wind or emotionless Helen is moved by history, Jewish community is new to the country of quill on paper. To find, amid these the oak tree must prevail, one being more by the idea of “picking up each piece of and tries not to draw attention to itself. consolations, some slim filament that dear to Him?” This leads to a troubling, evidence, retrieving the neglected minu- Men and women try to fit in – dressing had once been hers, and to follow it to but promising, thought: “Perhaps... the tiae of long-ago lives. Reconstituting a like their fellow Britains and not strictly its unseen destination.” When asked to storm itself is God. And God was only the vessel shattered by a violent hand.” following Jewish law. When Ester is choose a more traditional life path, Ester endless tumult of life proving new truths The beauty of “The Weight of Ink” is drawn into intrigue by the daughter of a considers her situation. She notes that and eradicating old.” that all three main characters share similar rich supporter of the rabbi, she’s forced “nature gave a woman not only body but This heretical thought helps Ester hopes and fears. They fear connection and to make even more difficult choices about also intelligence, and a wish to employ it. choose her life path. When her thoughts pain; at the same time, they long to open her own future. Was it then predetermined that one side of and ideas are discovered in the 21st cen- their hearts to those they love. What’s Kadish does a wonderful job describing Ester’s nature must suffocate the other? tury, they have a profound impact on amazing is that Kadish manages to make the characters’ feelings and emotions. If two of God’s creations were opposed, Helen and Aaron. As they race to trans- the stories of Helen, Ester and Aaron For example, after facing yet another must it be that God decided in advance late the papers before another scholar equally interesting. Then there is the in- can publish the material, the two look triguing intellectual puzzle that underlies for clues to prove that the scribe they’re the plot, whose solution is only revealed reading was really a woman – an idea in the book’s final pages. The novel is ewish Federa other historians might dismiss. This best read slowly, though, in order to savor the J tion on ’s e discovery shows why they both became its prose and insights. By its concluding u ma yo il fascinated with history in the first place. pages, there did come an impulse to read re lis A t? For example, Aaron loves “cracking the more quickly to discover the final secret, We send updated announcements and special spines of history books... to learn the but, even then, it was impossible to skip deaths of entire worlds, the sowing or a phrase or sentence. “The Weight of Ink” event details weekly to those who wish to receive them. defeat of ideas, millions of lives rising ranks as one of the best novels – Jewish and falling in the surf of time... all filling or non-Jewish – of the year. Send Dassy Ganz an email if you would like to join the list. [email protected] OCTOBER 5, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 13 Connect Continued from page 11 At meetings, IAC Mishelanu members speak a mix they do not necessarily want to speak about hasbara. But Participants also value the distinctions. “It was nice to of Hebrew and English, Avrahami said. “If you would they do [hasbara] in a very informal way when they speak be able to have that community,” Hirschberg said. “There step outside and look at it, it’s like another language,” about Israel with other students, when they share their own is a difference between the general Jewish-American he said. “I can’t even tell you exactly how it works.” memories and their own feelings about Israel.” community here and the Israeli-American community, Ben David has seen her Hebrew improve significantly Zmiri-Willner estimated that some 40 percent of IAC and it’s important that there is a space for us.” since being involved with IAC Mishelanu. “My reading Mishelanu members are involved with Israel advocacy Ben David said being part of the group has contributed level was like that of a third-grader,” she said. “Even groups on campus. The extent, if any, of a chapter’s positively to her identity. “It makes me feel proud to be though I went to private [Jewish] school, I was very bad.” political involvement varies. Israeli American,” she said. She hopes to one day teach the language to her children. Lee Setty, a 20-year-old marketing major who is an IAC IAC Mishelanu straddles the line between a cultural Mishelanu fellow at the University of Georgia, said her group and an advocacy group. Its website describes the group is careful not to get too politically involved. “Yes, group as “a pro-Israel campus program that fosters leaders students in our group are involved in Israel advocacy,” she and provides a home for Israeli-American students.” said, “but where Mishelanu comes in is more cultural.” Organizers, however, were careful to clarify that it is Meanwhile Avrahami, who is a campus fellow for not political. “It’s not an advocacy group,” said Shoham the pro-Israel group the David Project in addition to Nicolet, the founder and CEO of IAC. “Our approach is IAC Mishelanu, said he was considering planning a that this is a group that is pro-Israel, but it is a pro-Israel joint event for the two groups. Political or not, IAC beyond politics. You can see so many students from Mishelanu helps Israeli Americans connect with each different political views, from different political orga- other and non-Israeli Jews. nizations, coming to Mishelanu.” IAC Mishelanu aims to provide “a living bridge be- Zmiri-Willner said many students are not interested in a tween Israeli-American and Jewish-American students,” political group. “We do find out that some of our students Zmiri-Willner said, adding that Israeli-American students don’t want to see Mishelanu as an advocacy group, as a want to show their peers that there are more sides to Ben Avrahami, second from left, standing, participated hasbara group,” she said, using the Hebrew term for Israel the Jewish state than what is on the news. “They want in a hike with other members of IAC Mishelanu at the advocacy. “On many campuses there are many other orga- to show what Israel is all about, what the culture is in University of Massachusetts. (Photo courtesy of IAC nizations to do specificallyhasbara . At our regular events Israel, what the music in Israel is all about,” she said. Mishelanu UMass Amherst)

ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 14 THE REPORTER ■ OCTOBER 5, 2017

Feature Films Denial - Based on the acclaimed book Denial: Holocaust History on Trial, Denial recounts Deborah E. Lipstadt’s legal battle for historical truth against David Irving (BAFTA nominee Timothy Spall), who accused her of libel when she declared him a Holocaust denier. In the English legal system, in cases of libel, the burden of proof is on the defendant, therefore it was up to Lipstadt and her legal team, led by Richard Rampton, to prove the essential truth that the Holocaust occurred. Denial is directed by Emmy Award winner Mick Jackson (‘Temple Grandin’) and adapted for the screen by BAFTA and Academy Award nominated writer David Hare. Producers are Gary Foster and Russ Krasnoff. Dough - An old Jewish baker (Jonathan Pryce) takes on a young Muslim apprentice to save his failing kosher bakery. When 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 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. 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. 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. Norman - Norman Oppenheimer (Richard Gere) lives a lonely life in the margins of New York City power and money, and strives to be everyone’s friend. His incessant networking leads him nowhere until he ends up befriending a young but charismatic politician, Micha Eshel (Lior Ashkenazi), at a low point in his life. Three years later, the politician becomes the Prime Minister of Israel. Norman uses Eshel’s name to leverage his biggest deal ever: a series of quid pro quo transactions linking the Prime Minister to Norman’s nephew (Michael Sheen), a rabbi (Steve Buscemi), a mogul (Harris Yulin), his assistant (Dan Stevens) and a treasury official from the Ivory Coast. Norman’s plans soon go awry, creating the potential for an international catastrophe he must struggle to prevent. Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer is a comedic and compassionate drama of a man whose downfall is rooted in a human frailty all too easy to forgive—a need to matter. 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) 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. The Zookeeper’s Wife - In 1939 Poland, Antonina Zabinska (two-time Academy Award nominee Jessica Chastain) and her husband successfully run the Warsaw Zoo and raise their family in an idyllic existence. Their world is overturned, however, when the country is invaded by the Nazis and they are forced to report to the Reich’s newly appointed zoologist (Daniel Brühl). To fight back on their own terms, the Zabinskis risk everything by covertly working with the Resistance and using the zoo’s hidden tunnels and cages to save families from Nazi brutality. Woman in 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 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. OCTOBER 5, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 15 NEWS IN BRIEF From JTA in a statement. “Sports have a long history bringing about positive societal change, and HIAS balks at Trump cap number on refugees we are excited to benefit from the expertise of a leading civil rights organization like ADL to help partner with the sports world to achieve meaningful progress.” Scott is a member President Donald Trump is “betraying” U.S. commitments to refugees for nearly of ADL’s National Commission and past recipient of ADL’s Americanism Award for his halving the number the country will allow in this year from 2016, the Jewish immigrant commitment to social justice. “This initiative follows a tradition at ADL of partnering with advocacy group HIAS said. Trump administration officials said on Sept. 27 that the the sports community to combat hate, bullying and discrimination,” ADL CEO Jonathan United States will cap the number of refugees at 45,000 for fiscal year 2018 – the lowest Greenblatt said. “The sports industry has the remarkable power to break down barriers and figure since 1980. The fiscal year begins at the end of September. The cap for fiscal year bring about social change. We have an opportunity to promote fairness, equality, inclusion 2017 was 54,000, and nearly 85,000 refugees from around the world legally entered the and mutual respect from the playing field to the classroom through our national network United States in 2016. In 1980, the year the Refugee Act became law, the United States across the country.” Professional football players have been under fire in recent weeks for accepted 200,000 refugees. Since 1980, the average annual ceiling has been set at 96,229 kneeling during the national anthem as a protest against the treatment of blacks by police refugees. Last year, the cap was set at 110,000, before the Trump administration attempted and other officials. President Donald Trump said the week of Sept. 22 that players who to lower it to 50,000 through two executive orders. The orders have been largely blocked do not stand should be fired and used an epithet to describe them. by federal courts after being challenged. HIAS called on Congress to “act urgently to pass legislation that demonstrates the strong support for refugee resettlement in the United Brandeis residence hall vandalized with swastikas States and rejects this shameful approach.” “President Trump has betrayed America’s Several swastikas were found drawn on message boards outside two dormitory rooms history and global leadership in providing safe haven for innocent human beings fleeing in the same residence hall at Brandeis University. Public safety officers removed the violence and persecution,” Mark Hetfield, the president and CEO of HIAS, said in a images, officials at the Jewish-founded nonsectarian university said the week of Sept. statement. “By setting the refugee number this low, this administration is betraying the 28 in a letter addressed to “Members of the Brandeis community.” Also, the letter said, commitments we made after World War II – followed by decades of bipartisan support posters targeting pro-Palestinian student groups were found on campus on the morning – to ensure that the world never again turns its back on innocent people seeking safety. of Sept. 27 and removed. The swastikas were drawn on Sept. 25 and Sept. 26, according During a period of unprecedented crisis, America has signaled it is a nation in retreat, to Edward Callahan, the university’s director of public safety, and Andrew Flagel, senior and as a result the outlook for refugees looks even more bleak.” vice president for students and enrollment. “These incidents remind us that Brandeis is Senate anti-BDS bill to be reviewed amid criticism not immune to the expressions of hate we see around the country and on other campuses,” the letter said. “We take such incidents seriously and these are being investigated; infor- A bill extending bans on Israel boycotts to those initiated by international organizations mation has been shared with local law enforcement. We are a community committed to is under review following criticism from civil libertarians, one of its authors said. Sen. Ben inclusivity, caring and respect. We will continue to strive together toward these ideals.” Cardin (D-MD), defended the bill, saying critics – including the American Civil Liberties Union – had it wrong. “The bill does not affect freedom of speech, it does not impose the Canada at long last opens national Holocaust memorial jail sentences they were talking about, it does not penalize individuals for their activities,” Canada has inaugurated a national Holocaust memorial in Ottawa. The National Holo- Cardin, the lead Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a briefing caust Monument – a stark, stylized Star of David in form – took a decade to complete at a on Sept. 27 for foreign policy reporters. “The criticisms are just wrong.” Nonetheless, he cost of $7.2 million split between private and public donors. “May this monument remind said, he was meeting with the bill’s co-sponsors to see if the bill could withstand “clarifica- us to always open our arms and our hearts to those in need,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tions” that would address concerns raised by the ACLU and others. “We can clarify certain said on Sept. 27 at the opening. The unveiling of the memorial, which is located across additions that do not change the function of the bill, but will give people more comfort,” he from the Canadian War Museum, is being seen as historic. Canada was the sole Allied said. Among other criticisms, there were concerns that the bill, which updates a 1970s law nation not to have a national Holocaust memorial. An Ottawa university student in 2007 targeting the Arab League boycott of Israel, would also replicate its stiff jail sentences, and noted the lack of a national Holocaust memorial and worked toward legislation that made that simple expressions of support for a boycott of Israel would be criminalized. Another the monument possible. According to news reports, some survivors were disappointed that criticism is that the bill extends penalties to entities complying with boycotts that target only at the monument’s official launch, Trudeau did not deliver a hoped-for formal apology for settlement goods and not Israeli goods overall. Cardin has said this is necessary to keep Canada turning away the M.S. St. Louis in 1939. Cuba and the United States also denied outside actors from imposing a final status solution on Israel absent a peace process. Sen. entry to the refugees and, after they returned to Europe, about one-quarter of those on Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) withdrew her co-sponsorship of the bill in August after meeting board died in the Holocaust. There is a memorial to the ship at a war museum in Halifax, with ACLU representatives and hearing from constituents at town hall meetings. She said near the harbor where it was not allowed to dock. Trudeau indicated in an interview with she would reconsider were the bill to more clearly address civil liberties concerns. Cardin The New York Times in June that his government would consider a formal apology, with appeared to rue having the ACLU as an adversary. “I’ve listened very carefully because other sources reporting that it was still working on it. some of the groups that had concerns – I’m almost always on the side they’re on,” he said. Netanyahu vows settlements here to stay At a controversial event in the West Bank marking 50 years of settlements, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Israel will not uproot any Jews or Arabs from their land. Thousands attended the event on Sept. 27 in a field outside Alon Shvut in Gush Etzion, but many officials boycotted the ceremony, including left-wing politicians and ambassadors to Israel from several countries. The U.S. ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, did not attend. It was the first state-funded event held in the West Bank, according to the Yesha Council, which advocates for settlements. “We have brought about magnificent settlement in Judea and Samaria that we are maintaining and strengthening – responsibly, wisely and persistently,” Netanyahu said. “Settlement is important to you my friends. It is no less important to me MENTALIST DUO and therefore, I tell you clearly and before anything: There will be no more uprooting of communities in the Land of Israel! ...It is not just a question of links to the homeland, though it is certainly that, but first of all, that is not the way to make peace. We will uproot neither Jews nor Arabs. We did not receive peace; we received terror and missiles! We will not go SATURDAY, back to this,” he said, referring to Israel’s pullout from the Gaza Strip in 2005. The president of Israel’s Supreme Court, Miriam Naor, ordered justices not to attend the ceremony, citing OCTOBER 21, 2017 its political nature. Members of the Peace Now organization protested outside the event, calling for the establishment of a Palestinian state on the West Bank. Evacuees of illegal outposts also demonstrated, demanding the government legalize outlying settlements and JCC Koppelman Auditorium outposts. In addition to speeches, the event featured music, dancers and fireworks. 601 Jefferson Ave, Scranton, PA 18510 Museum of Polish Jewry honored with EU heritage award DOORS @ 8PM • SHOWTIME @ 8:30PM The Polin Museum of the History of Polish Jews was recognized with a top honor from the European Union for a project promoting Jewish cultural heritage. The Europa Reserve a table for 10 - $100 Nostra Prize, or Our Europe, was presented on Sept. 27 at a ceremony at the Warsaw Advance Purchase Single Ticket - $15 museum. Twenty-nine laureates from 18 countries were honored. The project was made up of some 3,500 events. “Hundreds of thousands of people took part in the events we General Admission (at door) - $20 organized, and millions of people did it through the internet,” said the director of the Online: evasons.eventbrite.com museum, Dariusz Stola. “It would not have been possible without the hard work of our By Phone: 570-961-2300 x 4 museum staff and our Norwegian partners. This award belongs to them all.” The Europa Nostra is the top prize handed out by the EU for outstanding achievements in the fields of conservation, research, education, training and raising awareness of cultural heritage. See why FOX Television called A panel of independent experts analyzed 202 applications submitted by organizations "The most amazing and cultural institutions from 39 countries across Europe for this year’s prize. mind-reading act Amid NFL national anthem furor, ADL forms sports council to you will ever see!” push social change The Anti-Defamation League will work with sports leaders and athletes to promote “positive social change” as the controversy over some NFL players not standing for the "This act is so good! national anthem rages. On Sept. 28, the ADL announced the formation of a Sports Lead- Just breathtaking! Never seen ership Council, which it said will “work directly with key leaders in the sports world, better." including professional athletes, team owners, and other industry leaders to increase the ~ Penn & Teller sports community’s efforts to build bridges of understanding, unity and respect.” The 25 members of the council will be announced in November at the ADL’s annual meeting in San Francisco. Among the members already tapped are Robert Epstein, co-owner and managing partner of the NBA’s Boston Celtics, and Mark Wilf, the owner and president of the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings, as well as a board member of 70 Faces Media, JTA’s parent company. “As we have seen with recent events, sports are intertwined with today’s biggest social issues,” Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott, who will chair the council, said ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 16 THE REPORTER ■ OCTOBER 5, 2017

Yes, we can! Fewer Jews say they are attached to Israel and Judaism – yet 97% of American Jews state that they are “proud to be Jewish.” With your help, we can transform Jewish pride into true participation in Jewish life. Help us ease the cost of Jewish living so children and teens can connect with their Jewishness at school and summer camp. Send young adults on Birthright trips that transform their relationship to Israel. And reach around the world, to places where the Holocaust and Communism almost wiped out Jewish life, and nurture a core of inspiring young people who are reinventing Judaism. That's why there's UJA and the Federation. And that’s why we need you. The mission of the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania is to rescue the imperiled, care for the vulnerable, support Israel and world Jewry, and revitalize and perpetuate Jewish life in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Name:______Address: ______City:______State: ______ZIP: ______Home phone: ______Work phone: ______Cell phone: ______E-mail address: ______

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*_____One-time * _____ Quarterly installments (1/4 of total) *______Monthly installments (1/12 of total) 2018 UJA Campaign Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania 601 Jefferson Avenue, Scranton, PA 18510 Telephone: 570-961-2300 (ext. 3) Payment options _____ Please bill me at the above address. _____ Enclosed is my check payable to “UJA/Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania”. _____ PayPal - www.jewishnepa.org – “DONATE” – “Make an Online Donation” _____ On-line banking (designate your payments through your bank auto-draft account to “UJA/Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania”). _____ My company ( ______) has a matching gift program. I’ll obtain the form and forward it.

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DR. JOEL AND LEAH LAURY, CO-CHAIRS OF OUR 2018 UJA CAMPAIGN THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.