Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage E PAID Norwich, CT 06360 Permit #329 TH RETURN TO: 28 Channing St., New London, CT 06320 Serving The Jewish Communities of Eastern Connecticut & Western R.I. CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED VOL. XLI NO. 10 PUBLISHED BI-WEEKLY WWW.JEWISHLEADERWEBPAPER.COM MAY 22, 2015/4 SIVAN 5775 NEXT DEADLINE MAY 29, 2015 16 PAGES HOW TO REACH US - BY PHONE 860-442-8062 • BY FAX 860-443-4175 • BY EMAIL [email protected] • BY MAIL: 28 CHANNING STREET, NEW LONDON, CT 06320 Remembering The challenge of a Jewish Eli Cohen By Edgar Asher, Ashernet democratic state - - It was fifty years ago May he past Elections on March 2015 have risen in full force 18 that the Israeli spy Eli Co the demon of mutual racism and stereotypes among Isra hen was executed in Syria Tel’s Jews and Arabs, amid the complex relations between- for being one of Israel’s best- the nations. Every fifth citizen in Israel belongs to the known spies. He was forty Arab minority. This group’s integration in Israeli society consti years old at the time. Today a tutes a not always easy challenge given that their fellow Arabs in commemoration was held at the Middle East are in fact in a state of war against the country of- the Presidential Residence, their residence, Israel. This coupled with the collective memory in the presence of President of the events of 1948 are a central motif in the Palestinian narra- Reuven Rivlin, Prime Minister JCHS Wraps Up Another Year tive in Israel and the surrounding region. Binyamin Netanyahu and Eli Jewish Community High School (JCHS) concluded the 2014-15 Thursday,To address June these 4 at challenges, the Zachs the Hillel Jewish Federation of East Cohen’s widow Nadia Cohen school year Monday night, May 18 with a festive supper enjoyed Houseern CT is presenting a free program open to the community on and his three children, Sophie,- by the students and their parents. Pictured from L-r are Emissary 7:30 p.m. Irit and Shai. Ron Peleg, graduate Casey Mazzella, Tracy Todd, JCHS Director, on the campus of Connecticut- Eli Cohen was born in Al and Emissary Noa Brosh. College beginning at This 90- exandria in 1947. In 1956 he minute program will allow for a ques was forced to leave Egypt and tion and answer period at the end of the he came to Israel via Italy. In JFEC Annual Meeting presentation. Egypt he was already involved This presentation will focus through- with some covert activities Thursday, June 18 at 7:00 p.m. at Beth Jacob personal stories of Ulfat Heidar and Asaf before leaving the country. In Synagogue,The Annual Meeting of the Jewish Federation of Eastern CT Ron as well as their mutual work expe 1957 Cohen joined the IDF will take place on rience at Beit Ha’Gefen – Arab Jewish where he worked in military- 400 New London Turnpike in Norwich. - Cultural Center, on the memory of the Asaf Ron intelligence. For the next two In addition to electing officers and directors, attendees will events of 1948: Independence versus years Cohen worked in vari- hear annual reports on the state of the Federation from Presi ‘Nakba’, i.e., the event of 48, deal with the ous office jobs in Tel Aviv and- dent Romana Primus and Exec. Director Jerry Fischer. Our Young question of Arabs defining their identity - in 1959 met and married Na Emissaries Noa Brosh and Ron Peleg will wrap up their year in in their own eyes as well as those of the Jewish majority; raise a dia Majald, an Iraqi Jewish im our community with a presentation on their accomplishments. - number of key questions concerning shared life of Jews and Ar migrant. Shortly after Cohen Another highlight of the meeting will be the presentation of- abs in Israel, with an attempt to examine the answers from both was recruited by the Mossad a community service award to Roz Etra of Norwich in apprecia points of view and understand the complexity of living within CHALLENGE CONT. ON PG 13 with the view of infiltrating tion of her many years of providing music to the Jewish commu a common space. Presenters Heidar and Ron will focus on the the Syrian government. - nity for events both celebratory and solemn. Most recently, Roz Eli Cohen was given a false Mission has two spots left COHEN CONT. ON PG 13 accompanied Cantor Jen Wolnick as she performed at the State identity as a Syrian business Holocaust Commemoration in the Senate Chamber of the State Flags placed for Capitol. Roz organized and leads the Klezmenschen, a group that has brought Klezmer music to local and state audiences. A very small group is travelling to Israel from June 28-July 9, Memorial Day East Lyme High School teachers Matt Laconti and Shannon with optional extensions to July 14 which can include a trip to Saglio will be presented with the Federation’s Hand in Hand Eilat and/or Petra, Jordan. Award for their participation in the Federation’s Encountering- The itinerary is shaping up to be an exciting and unusual The Jewish Federation of Survivors program. Shannon and Matt organized a school-wide one. Eastern CT thanks Henry and party to mark the 100th birthday of Holocaust Survivor Ray Ga Because of the small size of the group we will be visiting the Ruth Dunkerley and Jerry and wendo. Following the meeting everyone is invited to stay for a Druze village of Ussifia. The Druze have lost several members Marilyn Rubin for once again- dessert receptionInside in honor ofthis our Emissaries edition and awardees. of their community who serve in the IDF and the Police in the placing flags on the graves of past two years. We will have home hospitality and express our Page 4: Senior Year End Luncheon, reservations/ Jewish War Veterans in cem- appreciation for their participation in the defense of Israel. The eteries located in Waterford, check due Fri., June 5 Druze, until now, have had their own special unit in the IDF but Groton, and Norwich. The pur- Page 10: Lynda’s Farewell Party, Thurs., June 11 have asked for and received permission to disband that unit and chase of flags and Jewish War Page 6: Rabbi Rosenberg Retirement Weekend, continue to serve in the elite units of the regular IDF. Veteran markers is made pos RSVP - ASAP We will also spend an afternoon and evening in Afula and the - Gilboa, visitng Ha’Emek Medical Center, the Music Conservatory sible through the generosity Page 7: Special 60th Birthday Celebration, June 7 of the Harold Weiner Family and meeting with former Young Emissaries. Endowment Fund of the Jew Page 3: Art exhibit in NYC by Alvin Sher Our time in the Golan will include a jeep ride and kayaking ish Federation. Page 4: Hadassah Donor, reservations due June 1 down the Jordan River. If the grave of your loved Page 10: Authority on Jewish Cemeteries speaks In Jerusalem we will have an thopportunity to visit the Israel one was missed, please contact Page 3: Peace Walk wraps up with dinner at Beth Museum as it celebrates its 50 anniversary, and we will of course visit the Western Wall and tour the archeological dig that Mimi at the Federation (860- Jacob, May 29. 442-8062) with the name and surrounds the Temple Mount. location of the marker so a flag If you are interested in joining this Mission contact Mimi Perl can be placed next year. or Jerry Fischer right away at 860-442-8062. 2 THE JEWISH LEADER, MAY 22, 2015 Rare Siamang birth Mention & Menschen academic and athletic careers including partici- By Edgar Asher, Ashernet theirpating principal in an interscholastic for: demonstrating athletics; exemplary possess- A rare Siamang monkey was born in the Ramat Gan Safari NADINE LIPMAN about a month and a half ago. It has only just now been able [email protected] are a model to others; exhibiting outstanding - ing personal standards and achievements that Start spreading the news....Bubby Dot is cel- to see the baby clearly in the thick vegetation covering the is ebrating her pre-100th birthday!!!! She will actu- school;discipline and and community courage. service and carrying landZookeepers where the hadSiamang suspected monkeys that livethe inmother, the Safari. Jambi, Till was then preg the- ally turn 100 on March 3, 2016, but because of themselves*** with high levels of integrity, self- mother hid him with her body and it very difficult to see him. the potential weather issues and schedules, her with you all about recently-announced en- on weight. She was not interested in eating and was rather irri- family decided to celebrate on Memorial Day Hopefully,gagements I will (hint, have somehint!!!)*** news to share table some of the time. Her keepers The nant long before the signs became visible and she began to put Weekend this year. Bubby Dot is Dorothy Fried- Public Service part of the column: Mid- waited a few more weeks, and then is conducting a man and she currently resides in Bloomington, dlesex Hospital Cancer Center noticed her stomach expanding. Indiana, but was born in Philadelphia and spent study to see if Massage Therapy will help re- most of her adult life in Moodus, CT and also in Cancer Related Fatigue in breast cancer about three years ago. Jambi came Florida, with two years in Germany where her survivors. If you are a male or female breast from England, and Yan from France. Jambi and Yan arrived at the Safari late husband Bert Friedman was stationed as lieve - an Army dentist.