<<

Jewish Federation of NEPA Non-profit Organization 601 Jefferson Ave. U.S. POSTAGE PAID The Scranton, PA 18510 Permit # 184 Watertown, NY Change Service Requested

Published by the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania

VOLUME X, NUMBER 23 NOVEMBER 30, 2017 Super Sunday and “Mop- Up Monday” called “successful events” Nivert Metal in Throop, was the site pledge cards of potential donors. volunteers met at the Scranton Jewish at Nivert Metal. for the annual phone-a-thon for the People from Scranton and the Poco- Community Center on November 6 to The Federation also thanks its volun- Jewish Federation’s UJA Campaign on nos received phone calls and responded make a second round of phone calls teers: Esther Adelman, Bernice Ecker, November 5. with pledges that help the Federation to maximize the response from the Esther Elefant, Vera Epshteyn, Madelyn Gathering for a brunch, the group serve the needs of the Jewish commu- communities. Fink, Gilda Franceze, Seth Gross, Dassi of volunteers listened as Federation nities of Northeastern Pennsylvania, The Jewish Federation thanks Laury, Campaign Co-chairwoman Leah Executive Director Mark Silverberg as well as and around the world. Louis Nivert for his continued par- Laury, Nivert, Charlene Scott and Mil- briefed everyone as to the mission of For those donors who were not ticipation in this endeavor as the host dred Weinberg. the phone-a-thon and handed out the available on Sunday, another group of

A group of volunteers during the orientation session held before the Super Sunday phone-a-thon.

A group of volunteers during the orientation session held before the Super Sunday phone-a-thon.

Vera Epshteyn made phone calls during Charlene Scott made phone calls during the Monday night Mop-up. the Monday night Mop-up. 2018 UJA paign Upd Cam ate Pay it forward & give to the 2018 Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania Annual Campaign! Goal: $910,000

For information or to Mildred Weinberg made phone calls make a donation call during the Monday night Mop-up. 570-961-2300 ext. 1 or send your gift to: Jewish Federation of Northeastern $436,429 Pennsylvania as of Nov. 21, 2017 601 Jefferson Ave., Federation Scranton, PA 18510 (Please MEMO your pledge or gift 2018 on Facebook UJA Campaign) The Jewish Federation of Northeast- ern Pennsylvania now has a page on Facebook to let community members know about upcoming events and keep connected.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Candle lighting December 1...... 4:16 pm Chanukah History unearthed Making their mark December 8...... 4:15 pm Why Chanukah is popular in the A trove of 170,000 Jewish A look at seven Israelis who have December 15...... 4:16 pm U.S.; an Italian town celebrates documents hidden from the Nazis made an impact on life in America, year-round; recipes; and eight and Soviets in has been from economics to food, to films PLUS new Chanukah children’s books. discovered. and music. Opinion...... 2 Stories on pages 2, 7, 12, 14 Story on page 5 Story on page 9 D’var Torah...... 8 2 THE REPORTER ■ NOVEMBER 30, 2017 A MATTER OF OPINION From Rome to Charlottesville, a statue is never just a statue BY STEVEN FINE II, for example, was hardly unequivocal. across America, the Civil War is very landscapes, to change how we relate to (JTA) – French historian Pierre Nora Hitler did, after all, celebrate his own much with us. our places of memory. spent his life describing and explaining victory there, and France did not exactly Each place and time since then has The ceremonial – the liminal – moment “places of memory,” sites commemorating emerge victorious by its own power. thought about and reimagined the war of removing a place of memory is always significant moments in the history of a One of the more enduring photographs – “The War of the Rebellion” to many laden and significant. It is a shorthand, a community that continue to resonate and of the liberation shows American troops Northerners, “The War of Northern Ag- summary statement and dramatic enact- transform from generation to generation. marching under the arch. gression” to some in the South – in com- ment of the ways that those present un- For the French Republic, the Arc de The Arch of Titus, too, is a complex plex and differing ways. The meanings derstand the place and encode its memory. Triomphe is one such “place of memory.” monument whose meaning shifted over of these places of memory are not stable. The march of the neo-Nazis, the texts Begun by Napoleon and completed in time. Titus had not defeated a foreign They shift and transform as essential they recited, the torches and flags they 1836, the Arc is a place of French pride power, but put down a pesky rebellion elements of our social fabric and civil carried, and the violence they instigated and memory, where war dead from the by a small province. For Christians, the religion from generation to generation. are essential to understanding who these Revolution to the present are recalled and Arch became a place to celebrate Christian Conflicting visions often inhere in the people are and what values they see in the military triumph exalted. triumph over Judaism and the imperial same sculpture, much as and Classi- statue of Robert E. Lee in Charlottesville. Part of the power of this central place of power of the Catholic Church. For Jews, cists often “see” very different messages Reading this event, one can tease memory resides in the architecture itself. the arch was a symbol for their own defeat in the Arch of Titus. out their entire worldview – and it is The Arc de Triomphe is a larger version and exile, even as some took solace by In a pre-civil rights era, a statue of a horrifying. of another triumphal arch, the Arch of claiming that its magnificence was proof Confederate general was seen by many as In the meantime, each community and Titus. This arch, located on the Sacred that Israel had once been a “powerful a tribute to military bravery and regional locale will act and respond as we play out Way in the ancient center of Imperial nation” and formidable foe. loyalty. Today the tide has shifted, and a this distressing drama and rehearse the Rome, commemorates the victory of the In modern times, the Arch of Titus consensus regards them as reminders of repercussions of this tragedy in our lives. Roman general Titus in the Jewish War became a symbol both of newfound a racist past and an ignoble cause. Some Confederate statues will come down of 66-74 C.E. Jewish rootedness in Europe and a place Tearing down a place of memory is a – as in Baltimore and at the University of Built circa 82 C.E., its deeply carved of pilgrimage where Jews, religious and serious matter. The act of iconoclasm, of Texas, Austin. Some will be contextual- reliefs show the general, soon emperor, not, could proclaim, “Titus you are gone, tearing down or transforming a place of ized or moved. Others, alas, will be left parading through Rome in a triumphal but we’re still here. Am Yisrael chai.” Or memory, is never neutral. The list of such undisturbed and continue looking down procession. The spoils of the as Freud put it, “The Jew survives it!” events is long and includes the Macca- on us contemptuously. These once mostly Temple, including its menorah, are borne Where once Mussolini had celebrated the bees’ destruction of idols in the second forgotten monuments are again potent and aloft by Roman soldiers. Napoleon and Arch as part of the heritage of fascism, century B.C.E.; the midrashic account complex places of memory. those who came after him borrowed the Jews after the war assembled there to of Abraham breaking the idols; late an- Faced with similar provocations, tal- design of this Roman triumphal arch, demand a Jewish state. Others imagined tique Christians and Muslims smashing mudic rabbis would avert their eyes from transferring the glory of Rome to the exploding the Arch and thus taking final Roman religious images (and burning Roman imperial sculpture, placed in the French nation. retribution against Titus for his destruction synagogues); Orthodox Christian icono- cities of ancient Israel as tools of control. Subsequent events have complicated of Jerusalem. Instead, the state of Israel phobes destroying sacred icons during Some would spit in their imperial faces. the meaning of the arch, which was in- took the Arch back unto itself, basing the the eighth century; Protestants ravaging When they could, others would tear down tended to commemorate French military design for its state symbol on the menorah Church art during the Reformation; Nazis the statues of the hated emperors and their prowess. French victory in World War carved into its surface. torching synagogues during Kristallnacht; colonial regime. In modern times, Jews I tell these stories of Paris, Rome and the Taliban destroying giant sculptures of avoided walking beneath the Arch of the Jerusalem as parallels to debate that has the Buddha; or Eastern Europeans tearing Evil Titus. been intensified following the horrible down sculptures of Lenin and Stalin after In the case of Charlottesville, the statue events in Charlottesville. The sculptural the fall of communism. of Lee will continue to cast a shadow for tributes to the Civil War, North and South, Such transformations of our visual decades, perhaps centuries, to come. “ The Reporter” (USPS #482) is published bi-weekly by the are still living places of memory. Whether cultures mark major transitions and often Steven Fine is the Churgin professor of Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania, 601 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, PA 18510. in the Soldiers and Sailors Monument culture wars. They are attempts to change Jewish history and director of the Center in Brooklyn, also modeled on the Arch our memory by obliterating or shifting for Israel Studies at Yeshiva University. President: David Malinov Executive Director: Mark Silverberg of Titus, or in the thousands of statues what we see and expect on our social He is director of the Arch of Titus Project.

Executive Editor: Rabbi Rachel Esserman Layout Editor: Diana Sochor Production Coordinator: Jenn DePersis A holiday for Jews without religion Advertising Representative: Bonnie Rozen Bookkeeper: Kathy Brown BY JONATHAN S. TOBIN proximately 33 percent – in the number of good will that has replaced the original JNS.org Jews who claim Jewish identity, but don’t religious content of Christmas. To the To the generation of European Jew- embrace Judaism as a religion. PRRI calls contrary, the Chanukah story is about a OPINIONS The views expressed in ish immigrants who came to the U.S. these people (who don’t answer “Jewish” conflict in which Jews had to fight to retain editorials and opinion pieces are those in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when asked their religion, but give other not just their independence against Syrian of each author and not necessarily Chanukah was only a minor festival in answers indicating their identity) “cultural Greek invaders, but also their religious the views of the Jewish Federation of a Jewish calendar with no shortage of Jews.” I think that term is less useful than identity as a popular and all-consuming Northeastern Pennsylvania. holidays. But for their descendants who the one that used to describe the same secular Hellenist culture threatened to LETTERS The Reporter welcomes make up the overwhelming majority of group in the Pew Research Center study overwhelm Judaism. letters on subjects of interest to the those who currently identify as Jewish, it published in 2013: Jews of “no religion.” Though aspects of this history are re- Jewish community. All letters must be is the most popular and widely observed Jews of no religion are proud of their pellent to those who see universal values signed and include a phone number. religious holiday. identity. But their conception of what it as more important than parochial Jewish The editor may withhold the name The reasons for this are obvious. means to be a Jew has more to do with food ones, Chanukah is an inspiring tale of upon request. To an increasingly assimilated Jewish and even comedy than essential elements something that ought to be both popular ADS The Reporter does not necessar- population, a holiday that involves no of Judaism and Jewish peoplehood. Thus, and familiar to 21st-century Americans. ily endorse any advertised products restrictions on food (unlike Passover) or for Jews of no religion, a holiday with a few The Maccabees were doing something lib- and services. In addition, the paper any required time in synagogue (unlike parochial elements, like lighting candles eral Americans are supposed to applaud: is not responsible for the kashruth of and food (latkes or jelly donuts) and no fighting to preserve their culture against any advertiser’s product or establish- Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) has burdens, is an easy way to take part in the the majoritarian impulse. Unless you think ment. an edge. But the most important factor DEADLINE Regular deadline is two is its proximity to Christmas. Since the Christmas spirit of giving. everyone has a right to their own identity, th weeks prior to the publication date. 25 of the month of Kislev in the Jewish That leads people to complain about faith and homeland except Jews – which is calendar generally coincides with mid-to- incorporating the vapid materialism of the essence of an antisemitic BDS move- FEDERATION WEBSITE: late December, Chanukah is the Jewish the American holiday season into Jewish ment that targets Israel – Chanukah is a www.jewishnepa.org Christmas. That’s why the tradition of a culture. From their point of view, we’d be good way to educate young Jews to think small gift of gelt to children on Chanukah better off with no December holiday at all it’s OK to be Jewish and proud. HOW TO SUBMIT ARTICLES: became a full-blown Jewish component of than one that is just a blue-tinseled version Above all, Chanukah’s message is that Mail: 601 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, PA the mass marketing end-of-year splurge. of Christmas. But I think they’re wrong, refusing to bow down to the idols of pop- 18510 For some observant Jews, this is and not just because exchanging gifts is ular culture in any era is the duty of every E-mail: [email protected] fun no matter what the excuse might be. Jew. That’s not as warm and fuzzy as Santa Fax: (570) 346-6147 just one more sign of the demographic Phone: (570) 961-2300 apocalypse that threatens the non-Or- That’s because if the true message of Claus, but it ought to resonate with young thodox population. Chanukah can somehow be insinuated people who tell us they want something HOW TO REACH Each national Jewish population study into our observances, it can be an effica- more idealistic than materialism. THE ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE: that has come out in the course of the last cious antidote to the decline of a sense of The lights we kindle on Chanukah may Phone: (800) 779-7896, ext. 244 three decades has illustrated the growing belonging to the Jewish people and what commemorate a miracle that secular Jews E-mail: [email protected] toll of assimilation. In the most recent Judaism means. may disdain as a fairy tale, but they are also survey conducted by the Public Religion Contrary to the marketing pitches, a reminder that it takes the extraordinary SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: Research Institute, the numbers tell of a Chanukah is not a Jewish version of the efforts and faith of ordinary Jews to keep Phone: (570) 961-2300 precipitous rise – from 22 percent to ap- same anodyne non-sectarian message of See “Holiday” on page 3 NOVEMBER 30, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 3 COMMUNITY NEWS Bais Yaakov High School of Scranton begins new year Bais Yaakov began its new year with an orientation every opportunity to learn. The program continued with its volunteer base to have other members of the com- program with guest speaker Rabbi Avrohom Goldstein. a bowling trip. munity, outside of the school, help with the volunteer Goldstein emphasized different areas of introspection, The Bais Yaakov students began their daily rotation programs as well. including how one must improve character traits, par- of feeding residents at the Jewish Home. They also did The school recently held a pizza sale and visited ticularly during the days before Rosh Hashanah and an activity with the residents making sukkah decorations Roba’s Tree Farm on a fall trip. Yom Kippur. He encouraged the students to keep on and then returned the following week to decorate the Information on an upcoming bake sale will be an- working on themselves and grow, taking advantage of sukkah with the residents. Bais Yaakov has expanded nounced soon. What unites and divides Israeli Americans and their fellow Jews: A conference takes a look Israelis from across North America at the four-day con- breakout session, in Hebrew: The Israelis who berated ference described their frustrations in trying to assimilate Hotovely had come to see the wall as Americans do: ANALYSIS into the American Jewish community. not merely a site for traditional (read: Orthodox) prayer, BY RON KAMPEAS There was the visceral resistance that Israelis have but as a powerful symbol of their love for Israel – even WASHINGTON (JTA) – Not long ago Yahel Epel, to organizing community life around the synagogue, a if their attachment to it was not quite, well, American. a volunteer with the Israeli American Council, fulfilled mainstay of organized Jewish life in America. Others “I don’t want to celebrate the wall as Reform or Con- her assigned mission: She assembled 200 Jews, half of spoke of the pronounced differences between Israelis servative,” Amit Tirosh of Delray Beach, FL, shouted at them Israeli American, in a room in Denver on a Friday and American Jews over what is a threat to Jews. And Hotovely. “I do want to celebrate there in the company evening for a potluck dinner and a Shishi Yisraeli program. some had the nagging sensation that American Jews care of my three daughters.” The Orthodox Chief Rabbinate Shishi Yisraeli, a program launched by IAC that less and less about Israel – and that those who do pay controlling the wall imposes strict gender segregation. means “Israeli Friday evening,” seeks a happy medium attention are hypercritical of the country. Ofra Mor of Tenafly, NJ, described a limbo for Israelis in between what those with and without Israeli roots or But there also were issues and anxieties that Israeli See “Unites” on page 6 backgrounds would enjoy on a Friday night. The idea: Americans shared with their Jewish brethren that did Get them together. Create community. not exist a generation ago. One was support for reli- How did it go? “It was nice,” she said at the council’s gious pluralism in Israel. Merav Michaeli, a Knesset fourth annual conference in Washington, DC, a four-day member from Israel’s opposition Zionist Union, earned DEADLINES event November 3-6 that attracted some 2,500 participants. cheers and applause during a plenary session when she Epel, a realtor, paused. “It was hard. The Americans condemned the Netanyahu government’s retreat from an The following are deadlines for all articles and couldn’t do the Israeli singing,” the sing-along that for agreement that would have assured greater equality for photos for upcoming Reporter issues. generations have been a staple of secular Israeli life. “The non-Orthodox prayer at the Western Wall. DEADLINE ISSUE Israelis didn’t do the Kiddush,” the blessing over the And the crowd booed Tzipi Hotovely, a Knesset Thursday, November 30...... December 14 wine, a religious ritual that is synonymous with Shabbat. member of Netanyahu’s Likud Party, who said secular Thursday, December 28...... January 11 Shishi Yisraeli was among an array of programs Israelis did not care about access to the wall. touted at the conference as a means of, as CEO Shoham Until now, the issue has not resonated among Israeli Thursday, January 10...... January 25 Nicolet put it in his opening remarks, making Israeli Americans. The change was explained in a follow-up Thursday, January 25...... February 8 Americans “the ultimate living bridge between Israel You look at it... no matter how bo at Fo and the Jewish people.” pl

ea 1- r in IAC has recorded impressive growth – the group, nni 800-779- se

th fo e@

established 10 years ago, just opened its 16 office, in co rmat Your ad should be here! th Atlanta. Claiming to represent between 400,000 and a nt er ac 7896, ex million Israeli Americans, it offers a range of programs io e t por n, targeting children, teens, college students, young adults, Bo nni

te Alan families and businesspeople. (Other estimates put the rgro t. e 244

number of Israelis in the as low as 200,000.) Ro up ze Yet there are times the bridge to American Jews that Ni- or Glassman .org n colet longs for seems to be going nowhere, despite the best effortsof the IAC and its principal backers, Sheldon and Dr. Miriam Adelson – the billionaire casino magnate, a giver to pro-Israel causes and Republicans, and his physician wife. In often anguished and raucous exchanges over shared meals and during breakout sessions organized as circles,

Holiday Continued from page 2 the flame of Jewish civilization alive. That’s something we should hope the growing numbers of American Jews of “no religion” would embrace. –Providing Wealth Management for Generations– Jonathan S. Tobin is opinion editor of JNS.org and a contributing writer for National Review. Follow him T: 1.800.373.3383 F: 570.823.3416 on Twitter at: @jonathans_tobin. www.riggsadvisors.com

Personal Banking | Business Banking | Wealth Management Wishing Everyone a Happy Chanukah

“May love and light fill your home and heart at Chanukah” – author unknown

Sidney R. DeSantis - Supervisor 318 East Drinker Street, Dunmore, PA

Member 570-343-6013 psbt.com | 888.868.3858 FDIC www.NEPAFuneralhome.com Serving the entire Jewish community of Northeastern, PA ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 4 THE REPORTER ■ NOVEMBER 30, 2017 Israel’s “culinary DNA” made up of innovation and multiculturalism, festival shows BY ELIANA RUDEE for the traveler, whether international JNS.org or domestic, an experience of exploring What can unite Jerusalem, a holy and learning through food,” said Weiss. city for the three Abrahamic faiths, and Israel’s “culinary DNA,” according often the site of high-profile religious to Weiss, is a mix of contrasting voices and political conflicts? Food might be and forces that create a balanced, mul- a good start. ticultural food scene. “You can find in Bitemojo, a provider of smart- every city in Israel east and west, Jewish phone-guided food tours, offered a journey Appetizers at the Open Restaurants food and Arab food, high-end food and dubbed “Between East and West” during urban culinary festival in Jerusalem. street food, old and new,” he said. “It’s the rent Open Restaurants urban culinary (Photo by Tomer Foltyn) always under a constant change and festival in Jerusalem. that’s part of the beauty of the nation “We believe that food creates bridges A coffee drink created by Ripples, an on a journey through a community’s in general.” between religious faiths, people and Israeli company that uses 3-D printing history, identifying key points of in- Festival organizer Oren said, “The culi- cultures, which is why it was very im- technology to produce images on froth, terest en route to iconic local cuisine. nary scene unites people. We have people portant for us to emphasize a specific at the Open Restaurants urban culinary “What we are trying to do inside a here from all over the world and we have tour that starts in the east side of the festival in Jerusalem. (Photo by Tomer destination is find the culinary DNA chefs that are Jews, Arabs, Christians, city, allowing you to taste three tradi- Foltyn) that compounds each place and create other religions, and I think it’s amazing.” tional dishes like hummus and pita, but then go by foot to the western side and with coffee extract as the “ink.” have more western dishes,” Israeli en- “Using coffee as a canvas, Ripples NEWS IN BRIEF FROM THE U.S. trepreneur Michael Weiss, Bitemojo’s allows retail and hospitality companies to From JTA co-founder, told JNS.org. engage more intimately with their loyal Facebook still lets housing ads discriminate against Jews, Open Restaurants returned to Jerusa- customers, enhance the experiences of lem for a second year from November coffee lovers, and bring smiles to peoples’ others 14-18, highlighting Israel’s culinary faces,” Eyal Eliav, co-founder of Ripples, A year after Facebook vowed to stamp out discriminatory advertising, landlords innovations and cultural diversity. Jeru- told JNS.org. can still exclude specific races, minorities and other categories of people from seeing salem’s top chefs opened their kitchens Merav Oren, founder and CEO of rental ads on the social media site. ProPublica bought dozens of rental housing ads to the public for special workshops Open Restaurants, curated this event the week of Nov. 17 and had no issue filtering out Jews, African-Americans, Spanish and dinners, while natives and tourists to tell the story of Israel as the “start- speakers and many more groups from viewing them, the news site reported on Nov. alike explored, saw, heard and most up nation” – with food as the lens. “I 21. One ad excluded Facebook users with “interests” such as “Judaism,” “Chasidic importantly, tasted the stories behind think Israel, the start-up nation, has Judaism,” “Orthodox Judaism” and “Reform Judaism.” “This was a failure in our the Israeli capital’s food scene. something in our DNA that makes us enforcement and we’re disappointed that we fell short of our commitments,” Ami The festival kicked off with a food entrepreneurs. Because of Israel’s size Vora, Facebook’s vice president of product management, said in a statement to Pro- and cocktail event for journalists and and lack of natural resources, we have Publica. “The rental housing ads purchased by ProPublica should have but did not bloggers from around the world, hosted to invent ourselves all the time, and trigger the extra review and certifications we put in place due to a technical failure.” at Jerusalem’s new boutique hotel, Villa that’s how Open Restaurants started,” Under the Fair Housing Act, it is illegal to publish housing advertisements that in- Brown, followed by a walking tour of the she told JNS.org. dicate “any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, city’s top restaurants. Bitemojo’s Weiss believes the world sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.” In September, ProPublica reported Leon Avigad, founder of Brown is changing and that food is a central that Facebook’s ad buyers could reach “Jew haters” and other antisemitic categories Hotels, lauded Open Restaurants for part of that change. “A start-up nation of people. Facebook said it would hire thousands of more employees to improve its embodying Jerusalem as an innovative and culinary nation are one and the same anti-discrimination monitoring. and fun city. At the event, guests were if you look at it from the focal point Four Penn State students charged in menorah vandalism invited to have their selfies (or any of food. More people travel through Four Penn State University students are being charged with stealing a 9-foot me- other design of one’s choice) printed food, and that makes entrepreneurs ask norah from the home of the campus Chabad rabbi and leaving it damaged outside on a coffee drink by Ripples, an Israeli themselves how they can influence this a traditionally Jewish fraternity. The students, who were caught on surveillance coffee branding technology company. cycle by supporting it with technology camera footage in late October placing the damaged menorah on the porch of the Ripples uses 3-D printing technology and combining it with business models Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity, reportedly are members of other campus fraternities. to produce images that are uploaded by that can also be profitable,” Weiss said. State College Police said on Nov. 20 that they had filed charges against the students, mobile software in real-time, on froth, Bitemojo’s application takes the user including misdemeanor counts of theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen proper- ty and criminal mischief. They are scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 20. Rabbi Hershy Gourarie, co-director of Chabad of the Undergrads at Penn State, told The Daily Collegian that the menorah was too damaged to be repaired and would cost about $1,800 to fix. “I hope that this is a time of introspection for the four suspects. At the right time, I would like to meet with them to educate and heal,” Gourarie said in a statement that also thanked the State College police. “In response to this act of ignorance, we have resolved to take steps to raise awareness of Jewish history and traditions to the broader campus community and to increase the pride of our Jewish heritage among the Jewish student body,” the statement also said. The Penn State Chabad has launched a “Light with Love Campaign,” which will host campus events to “promote peace and diversity” and place menorahs around campus. Funding is planned through a GoFundMe campaign. Sigma Alpha Mu, which was founded as a strictly Jewish fraternity and still has a large Jewish membership on campuses across the country, also is planning to light a menorah in front of its house on Cha- nukah. University officials released a statement in reaction to the menorah theft as well as other recent hate acts on campus. “In the last few weeks alone, actions such as stealing and damaging a Jewish menorah, reports of racial slurs, and activity by white supremacy groups have occurred on or near our campuses,” according to the statement. “We condemn these actions and will hold students and others involved accountable where we can, including restitution for damage. We do not support nor do we condone racist, misogynistic, antisemitic, homophobic or other discriminatory messages or actions. Nor will we allow our University community to become a place where offensive words and behaviors take root. We will continue to condemn hate- filled speech and action by any individual or group that aims to incite fear or create divisiveness.” the statement also said.

Jewish Federation of NEPA

Facebook ® is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc NOVEMBER 30, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 5 Five discoveries from a trove of documents hidden during the Holocaust BY JOSEFIN DOLSTEN this opens up to is it was so much more than that, that 3. Agreement between a water carrier union and the NEW YORK (JTA) – In October, the YIVO Institute indeed the Jews had a real civilization that flourished.” Ramayles Yeshiva, Vilna, 1857 for Jewish Research made an astonishing announcement: The Lithuanian government found the documents In the document, the group of carriers promises to the discovery of 170,000 Jewish documents thought to in 2016 and told YIVO about them earlier this year. donate a Torah scroll and raise money to purchase a have been destroyed during the Holocaust. The papers, Most of the material remains in Lithuania, but 10 items Talmud set for the yeshiva in exchange for using a room which date from the mid-18th century through World are being shown through January at YIVO, which is for religious services. War II, survived destruction attempts by both the Nazis working with the Lithuanian government to archive Water carriers, workers who ferried water to people’s and the Soviets. and digitize the collection. homes, were “the lowest economic rung of society, and In 1941, as part of a program to loot Jewish museums Here is a look at a handful of the documents dis- the fact they had a contract with the yeshiva was signif- and institutions, the Nazis raided YIVO, which is now played at YIVO and what they teach about Jewish life icant,” Brent said. “What this modest document shows based in New York, but then was headquartered in Vil- in Eastern Europe. us is that this community functioned in such a way that na. A group of Jewish slave laborers called the “Paper 1. Communal record book, Lazdijai, Lithuania, 1836 the very top of the community and the very bottom Brigade” smuggled some books, papers and artwork The book, called of the community communicated with each other and into the Vilna ghetto – risking their lives in the process. a pinkas, was written helped each other.” After World War II, a non-Jewish Lithuanian librarian, for a Talmud study 4. Ten poems by Avrom Sutzkever, Vilna, 1943 Antanas Ulpis, hid the collection in the basement of a association and used The Yiddish poet wrote these on top of old docu- church amid a campaign by the Soviet government to to record information ments, creating a makeshift book for his poems in the rid the country of religion. about its members, such Vilna Ghetto, where paper was scarce. These are the In 1991, the Lithuanian government said it found as births, deaths and earliest-known versions of the poems Sutzkever wrote 150,000 documents that Ulpis had kept in the church, business transactions. It in the Vilna Ghetto, which he reproduced several times but the new discovery appears to surpass that collection is decorated with ornate Se “Five” on page 8 both in terms of size and the condition of the documents, illustrations and states said Jonathan Brent, YIVO’s executive director. that in order to be a part Together, the two discoveries make up “the largest of the group, members This communal record book SAVE THE DATE collection of material about Jewish life in Eastern Europe must study a full page lists the regulations for being that exists in the world,” Brent told JTA recently at YIVO’s of Talmud together. part of a Talmud study group in downtown headquarters here. Brent said the documents “What you see here Lazdijai, Lithuania. (Photo by SCRANTON shed new light on the lives of Eastern European Jews, in the way it’s decorated Thos Robinson/Getty Images HEBREW DAY SCHOOL’S whose history is often told as a series of persecutions. is the pride and the care for YIVO Institute for Jewish “It was nothing but pogroms,” Brent recalled of being that they felt about their Research) taught about Ashkenazi history as a child. “And what life and their desire to Illuminations memorialize it for generations,” Brent said. YIVO announced the 2. Letter written by Sholem Aleichem from a health Chinese Auction discovery of 170,000 resort, Badenweiler, , 1910 Sunday, January 14 • 6pm Jewish documents that The Yiddish author had health problems and would were thought to be spend time in health resorts far away from friends and POSH@ The Scranton Club destroyed by the Nazis. family. In this note, Sholem Aleichem made fun of Leon 404 N. Washington Ave. (Thos Robinson/Getty Neustadt, a leader in the Warsaw Jewish community, Images for YIVO Institute writing that a biblical verse referring to non-kosher Scranton, Pennsylvania for Jewish Research) animals forbidden to Jews actually refers to Neustadt. Details to follow

ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 6 THE REPORTER ■ NOVEMBER 30, 2017 Unites Continued from page 9 the United States who would have thought you into the mood for Yom Kippur, like That was followed by a speech by Nikki were likely aware of the Charlottesville of themselves as secular in Israel, but seek ‘Ein Nora Alila.’” Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United march, but were more exercised about BDS religious expression here. She wants her So Mor said she goes to Chabad, “but it’s Nations, warmly welcomed because of her because it was a more insidious form of three daughters to marry Jews when they not for me. I want my daughters learning outspoken advocacy of Israel. The evening antisemitism. “It’s very easy to define the become adults. from women, about strong Jewish women.” culminated with a round of community Nazis; they have the flag, they’re Nazis,” In Israel, with its vast Jewish majority, Epel, the IAC volunteer from Denver, singing that had virtually everyone in the he said. “When you have a gray area, and Hebrew language and Jewish calendar, agreed. “We don’t want to look for a reli- hall on their feet and swaying. people talk about human rights and ethnic Jewish identity is a given, Mor said. But gious base, we are looking for a commu- There are other aspects of American cleansing, from a gut feeling I’m worried.” in the United States, Jewish identity must nity base,” she said of Israeli Americans. Jewish self-identity that are jarring for Anxieties about whether American be sought out either in the synagogue or “Here if you want to be part of it” – the Israelis. Sivan Benisty of Boulder, CO, Jews are growing distant from Israel also other Jewish institution. “I don’t connect American Jewish community – “you have discovered over lunch that she was sit- permeated the conference. Ruth Calderon, with Reform or Conservative prayer, I to go to synagogue.” ting across from a non-Jew who worked a former Knesset member for the secular don’t want to invent a new Judaism,” she Nicolet said in an interview that it closely with Jews – Lindsey Horvath, a Israeli party Yesh Atid who writes about said. “I want the Sephardic songs that get was critical to get across to Israelis that city councilor from West Hollywood, FL, incorporating talmudic teachings into organized religion was a means of pre- a heavily Jewish enclave. Benisty, who secular Jewish education, said the diktats serving Jewish identity. “Think about a works for an Israeli startup in Colorado, of Israel’s Orthodox could cause a schism. conference that starts with Havdalah, it’s grilled Horvath, a Catholic, about how she She led a session that transitioned also a message for us,” as Israelis, he said, dealt with Jewish notions of chosenness. between Hebrew and English. “At some referring to the Saturday evening prayer “When I hear ‘Jewish people, chosen point, the Jews in the world will say to that signifies the end of Shabbat. “It’s a people,’ no matter how open and liberal Israel, ‘you know what – tistadru lavad,’” Bronfman prize message to Israeli Americans that ‘Listen the person, it comes across in a patronizing figure it out for yourself. guys, it’s not sustainable without being way,” Benisty said. also recoil at the notion of nominations connected to Jewish roots.” Horvath said she sees those expressions even tolerating the minority of American The Charles Bronfman Prize The formal launch of the conference the as a means of grounding oneself in one’s Jews who reject Israel. “I don’t think the called for nominations from around the evening of November 4 was illustrative of identity in a multicultural society. She sees undoubted support that American Jews had world for its 2018 award. Each year, the divide between the conference-goers correlations to Jewish chosenness in her for Israel 30 years exists anymore,” said the prize celebrates the vision and en- and American Jewish norms. The crowd own identity as a Catholic and as a feminist. Yaara Oren, a postdoctoral biology student deavors of an individual or team under shifted nervously during the extended Another gap between Israeli and American at Harvard. “We have a Reform shul” in the age of 50 whose humanitarian work, Havdalah prayer sung by Cantor Netanel Jews was in defining antisemitism – an om- Brookline, MA, “doing naqba events,” informed by Jewish values, contributes Hershtik of the Hampton Synagogue in nipresent theme throughout the conference, she said, using the Arabic for “catastro- to the betterment of the world, inspiring New York, and then silently waited out but solely in its perceived manifestation phe,” which is how Palestinians describe future generations. The deadline for the American national anthem. in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Israel’s founding. “I couldn’t step foot in nominations is January 12. Nomination It was when a young woman in the movement against Israel. The rare mention a synagogue that doesn’t support Israel.” forms and guidelines can be found at uniform of Tzofim – the Israeli Scout of the rise of the American “alt-right” drew Some also feel Adelson’s leadership has http://thecharlesbronfmanprize.com/ movement – mounted the stage that the expressions of nonplussed bafflement. imposed on the IAC a stringent standard nomination-process. An internationally cavernous hall in the Washington Con- That was the reaction when Michaeli, of support for Israel that doesn’t gibe with recognized panel of judges will select vention Center filled with sure voices, the Zionist Union member of Knesset, the more diverse and self-critical Amer- the 2018 Prize recipient announce the suffused with tangible relief. This was complained about how Netanyahu was ican Jewish outlook. He told the group $100,000 award in early fall of 2018. “Hatikvah.” This was a known quantity. handling the relationship with the Ameri- that he had switched allegiance from the can Jewish community. She singled out his American Israel Public Affairs Committee reaction to the white supremacist and an- because he preferred “unequivocal” sup- tisemitic demonstration in Charlottesville, port for Israel – a reference to AIPAC’s VA, in August, when a counterprotester willingness to work with the Obama was killed by a car driven by a suspected administration, which Adelson reviled. racist. “The prime minister did not say a That stringency alienated some of the hanukah Greetings from word,” Michaeli said. Israelis at the conference. During a breakout C Neither did anyone in the room, and session called “American Sabra: A Com- the moderator, Emily Amrousi, a report- plex Identity,” a Brooklyn man confronted er for the Adelson-owned Israel Hayom Miriam Adelson, who was a panelist, saying daily, shifted the subject back to BDS that his inclination to criticize some Israeli even though the topic had already been government policies made him feel like an exhausted. Just mentioning Charlottesville outsider at the conference. in nearly any other American Jewish as- In response, Adelson insisted that right- sembly would have triggered concerns, wing Jews were likelier to be marginalized much discussed in the community, about in the American Jewish community, but the boldness of antisemitic expression offered this: “The fact that there are people during the presidency of Donald Trump. who hate you because of your opinion is Nicolet in the interview said Israelis very, very bad.”

You are invited to a Chanukah Story Time Party with members from Congregation B’nai Harim! You are invited to a Chanukah Story Time Party with members from Congregation B’nai Harim! from Listen and learn about the Jewish Holiday of Chanukah; play dreidel, eat latkes and sing songs, and create holiday crafts. This free event is shared in friendship with the entire Pocono Mon., Dec. 4 at 6:30pm - The Friendly Community Center 6683 Route 191, Mountainhome, PA Wed., Dec. 6 at 1pm – The Western Pocono Community Library 2000 Pilgrim Way, Broadheadsville, PA Sat., Dec. 9 at 1:30pm – The Pocono Mountain Library 5500 Municipal Drive, Tobyhanna, PA Tues., Dec. 12 at 10am – The Eastern Monroe Public Library 1002 North 9th St., Stroudsburg, PA Tues., Dec. 12 at 6pm – The Clymer Public Library 115 Firehouse Road, Pocono Pines, PA Wed., Dec. 13 at 10:30am – The Barrett Friendly Library 6500 Routes 191 & 390, Cresco, PA

Dates and Times 10:30am - 12:30pm – Pocono Family YMCA 809 Main Street, Stroudsburg, PA NOVEMBER 30, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 7 It’s always Chanukah in this picture-perfect Italian town BY RUTH ELLEN GRUBER CASALE MONFERRATO, (JTA) – It’s always Chanukah in this picturesque town in northern Italy’s Piedmont region. Jews have lived in Casale Monferrato for more than 500 years, with the community reaching its peak of 850 members at about the time Jews here were granted civil rights in 1848. The town still boasts one of Italy’s most ornate synagogues, a rococo gem that dates to the 16th century. These days, only two Jewish families live in Casale. Above: This menorah is The synagogue, which is part of a larger museum com- part of the year-round plex, is now a tourist attraction – and not only because display at the Museum of of its opulent sanctuary with huge chandeliers, colorfully Lights. (Photo courtesy painted walls and lots of gilding. The former women’s of Foundation for Jewish section has been transformed into a Judaica and Jewish Art, History, and Culture history museum. And the synagogue’s basement, formerly at Casale Monferrato a matzah bakery, is now home to the Museum of Lights. and in Eastern Piedmont Chanukah here is commemorated nonstop with a year- - Onlus) round exhibit featuring dozens of menorahs, or chanu- kiyot, created by international contemporary artists. The At right: An inside view of collection has some 185 menorahs, according to Adriana the synagogue in Casale Ottolenghi, whose husband, Giorgio, has been president Monferrato, Italy. (Photo of Casale’s Jewish community since the 1950s. There is courtesy of Wikimedia no other museum in the world quite like it. Commons) “We receive more every year, and each year at Chanu- kah there is a public ceremony, where we light menorahs shown in its entirety was at Casale’s centuries-old castle, friends, describes as an “homage to the story of Chanu- and welcome the new pieces,” she said. part of an event connected to the 2015 Milan Expo. kah” and its message of the triumph of light over darkness. Only 30 to 40 can be displayed at a time in the vaulted The Museum of Lights’ chanukiyot come in a variety They conceived the project as a way to highlight underground chambers. The only time the collection was of shapes, sizes, colors and media. Many resemble tradi- Jewish culture as a source of artistic inspiration, promote tional menorahs: a straight line of candles or a candelabra creativity based in Jewish tradition and underscore the with eight branches, with a ninth branch for the shamash vitality of Jews in contemporary society. candle used to kindle them. Some of the menorahs can “The idea was born to show that Jews, though small be lighted and used on the holiday. in number, are determined,” said Carmi, who is the vice But other menorahs on display are more fanciful president of the Casale Jewish community, “and to use sculptural works created from the likes of metal, ceramic, interpretations of the Chanukah menorah to demonstrate, plexiglass and wood. symbolically, the continuity of the community.” “Artists were given a completely free rein to create At Chanukah, Jews light menorahs for eight days to a functional object or a purely evocative one,” curator recall the defeat by the Maccabees of Syrian tyrants in This is one of the nearly 200 menorahs at the Museum Maria Luisa Caffarelli wrote in the collection’s catalog. the second century B.C.E. According to legend, when the of Lights in Casale Monferrato (Photo courtesy of Each menorah is what designer Elio Carmi, who Maccabees reclaimed the Temple, the eternal light miracu- Foundation for Jewish Art, History, and Culture at co-founded the collection in the mid-1990s with the lously burned for eight days rather than the expected one, Casale Monferrato and in Eastern Piedmont - Onlus) non-Jewish artist Antonio Recalcati and other artist See “Italian” on page 8

CELEBRATE HANUKKAH

WITH GIFTS OF ISRAEL BONDS israelbonds.com

Development Corporation for Israel Invest in Israel Bonds israelbonds.com Harold F. Marcus, Executive Director This is not an offering, which can be made only by prospectus. Susan Schiffrin, Registered Representative 1500 Walnut St., Suite 1302 • Philadelphia, PA 19102 Read the prospectus carefully before investing to fully evaluate [email protected] • 215.545.8380 • 800.752.5671 the risks associated with investing in Israel bonds. Member FINRA ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 8 THE REPORTER ■ NOVEMBER 30, 2017 D’VAR TORAH Taking responsibility for past actions BY RABBI MARJORIE BERMAN, SPIRITUAL In a paradoxical way, his wounding is what makes him DIRECTOR, RECONSTRUCTIONIST whole. In wrestling with his past, he comes face to face RABBINICAL COLLEGE IN PHILADELPHIA with who he has been and the consequences that have Vayishlach, Genesis 32:4-36:43 followed. He chooses to look, and see, who he was and In this week’s parasha, we find Jacob anticipating a who he has become. We might even posit that once he meeting with his brother Esau, whom he has not spoken has taken responsibility for his past actions, he begins to in 20 years. They have not seen each other since Jacob to be able to forgive himself. From this newfound place undermined his father’s wishes and took his brother’s of peace with himself, he is able to approach his broth- blessing, a crime for which Esau had sworn to kill him. er from a place of true submission, reconciliation and In those 20 years, Jacob has had his own life. He has had openness. The result is redemptive. The text states: “And four wives and many children, but we can only guess that Esau ran toward him and embraced him, and he fell on this narrative of separation from his brother – the fear his neck and kissed him, and they wept.” Jacob has lived of him, and possibly guilt over what he has done – has for 20 years with some part of himself shut down. His been an ever-present reality for him throughout that time. connection to his brother remained fossilized that whole As he looks toward the moment of meeting, there are time, frozen in place from the moment of their parting. two possibilities. On the one hand, if he can act with a In choosing to wrestle with his past and to sustain the sense of trust, coming to terms with himself and what injury of coming face to face with its implications, Jacob he has done and moving forward with the hope of a clears out the ossified remains of his broken relationship. good outcome, there is the potential for reconciliation. With strength and courage and humility, he rises to greet On the other hand, if he gives in to fear, he may spark the possibility of healing. And he is rewarded. the smoldering embers of their youthful animosity and create a conflagration. He may even lose his life and the lives of his family. On the verge of this fateful meeting, Jacob goes off by himself and encounters a being. We are not sure from the text who this being is. A man? An angel? A messenger of God? Is it Jacob confronting himself? Perhaps all of these at the same time? It seems almost as though Jacob Yiddish Book Center has elected (or that God has elected him) to have it out with himself, to face his shadow self. In this encounter, fellowships we can imagine that Jacob is struggling with both what The Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, is beyond him and what is within him. MA, is now accepting applicants for three In the end, the blessing he receives – or demands – from programs for recent graduates, college the messenger-angel is one of both power and intimacy. students and high school students: the 2018 Steiner He is given the name Yisrael, “wrestled/contended with Summer Yiddish Program, the 2018-19 Yiddish Book God.” Nothing can be more intimate than the changing Center Fellowship Program and the 2018 Great Jewish of one’s name. And yet, in the Bible, when one names Books Summer Program. The fellowship offers recent another, it gives the namer power over the named. Ja- graduates with backgrounds in Yiddish and Jewish cob has wrestled with God, held his own and required studies the opportunity to gain professional experience a blessing of God, and then he gives in. It is as though working as full-time Center staff members. Fellows he finds his power in submission – rename me, remake spend a year learning professional skills and contrib- me, God. And he walks away limping, calling the place uting to the Center’s major projects – bibliography, Penu-el – the face of God. communications and publication, digital collections, educational programs, translation and Yiddish ed- ucation. They receive a $30,000 stipend as well as Italian Continued from page 7 healthcare coverage. symbolizing the survival of the Jewish people. The 2018–19 Yiddish Book Center Fellowship Each menorah in the museum is a personal interpre- Program runs from September 2018 to August 2019. tation of the Festival of Lights and its symbolism. The Applications are due January 7. More information can Italian artist Stefano Della Porta, for example, used be found at yiddishbookcenter.org/fellowship-program. ceramics and steel to create a menorah that appears to be made from giant burnt matches. American-born artist Robert Carroll created his menorah from olive wood, red Verona granite and brass. It has a sinuous, trunk-like base Five Continued from page 5 that supports eight branches that open out like a flower, and knew by heart. He composed some of them while each supporting a candle. living in the woods as a partisan fighter. Writing the Carmi and his friends provided the firstchanukiyot for poems in the book helped give other ghetto residents the project – Carmi’s was a silver-plated metal bar with greater access to them. small cups for the eight candles and the shamash – and 5. Autobiography of Bebe Epstein, Vilna, 1933-34 then reached out to others for contributions. Epstein was 12 when Other artists – Jews and non-Jews, mainly from Italy she wrote this book and but also from other countries – soon began making their submitted it to YIVO for own menorahs and presenting them to the growing col- a youth autobiography lection. All of the works are donated, most of them by contest. The fifth-grader the artists themselves. writes about the day-to- “It was like a chain of artists,” Carmi said. “And day happenings of her well-known artists began to be attracted.” childhood, such as dealing Among those is Arnaldo Pomodoro, one of Italy’s with a strict teacher: “At leading sculptors. His menorah, presented in 2013, is first, he was good to us. a horizontal metal girder that supports the nine candles Later he got strict, and and is decorated with abstract symbols. even stricter.” Epstein also “I tried to bring out a series of abstract, imaginary detailed various illnesses signs to create a story that would connect, on a general she suffered from and Vilna resident Bebe Epstein level, with the idea of thought, experience and memory; complained about having was 12 when she wrote without, however, wanting to enter into the multi-faceted too much homework. Ep- this autobiography. (Thos complexities of the symbology of the Jewish world,” stein was later forced to Robinson/Getty Images for Pomodoro describes in the catalog. live in the Vilna Ghetto and YIVO Institute for Jewish Ultimately, Carmi said, the Museum of Lights is about in concentration camps, Research) “Judaism, art and identity.” but she survived the war and moved to the United States. NOVEMBER 30, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 9 10 THE REPORTER ■ NOVEMBER 30, 2017 M AY 8, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 11 2018 UJA CAMPAIGN Together, we can do extraordinary things! Dear Friends, At the Jewish Federaon of Northeastern Pennsylvania, we believe that no child should go to bed hungry, that every senior has the right to live with dignity, and that all Jews should be able to live - anywhere in the world - without fear of persecuon. That’s why our UJA work focuses on helping people in need here in Northeast Pennsylvania and around the world, rescuing those in danger and keeping Jewish life strong. Together, we feed the body and nourish the soul. With economic woes connuing all over, food banks everywhere are struggling to keep up with the growing demand. In Israel, more than 200,000 families don’t have 2017-2018/Local/Regional/Israel & Overseas Allocations Israel/Overseas Allocation enough to eat. (J.A.F.I. & the A.J.D.C. - for Israel and world Jewish needs)* ...... $252,657.00 Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania In and other Eastern European countries, home to the world’s poorest Jews, (salaries, bene ts & administrative expenses) ...... $288,743.00 thousands of families and elderly people are forced to choose between paying rent UJA Campaign expenses ...... $5,500.00 Uncollectible pledges...... $20,250.00 and buying food. Scranton Jewish Community Center (JCC) ...... $155,000.00 Jewish Family Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania (JFS)...... $70,000.00 So we’ve made fighng hunger a priority abroad…and here at home as well. Scranton Hebrew Day School (SHDS) ...... $64,000.00 Jewish Resource Center of the Poconos (JRC)...... $17,500.00 Chabad of the Abingtons/Jewish Discovery Center ...... $4,500.00 Together, we will help seniors age gracefully and safely. Yeshiva Beth Moshe/Milton Eisner Institute ...... $5,000.00 Temple Hesed Religious School ...... $7,120.00 Seniors are among the most vulnerable during an economic crisis, so we support Temple Israel of the Poconos Hebrew School ...... $4,000.00 Bais Ya’akov (Scranton) ...... $3,500.00 local programs that help older adults maximize their benefits, receive vital services Bnos Yisroel Inc...... $2,000.00 and parcipate in social and educaonal programs. Scranton Ritualarium (Mikvah) ...... $3,500.00 Jewish Fellowship of Hemlock Farms Religious School ...... $2,000.00 In Israel, where 100,000 Holocaust survivors live below the poverty line, our UJA Jewish Heritage Connection ...... $3,500.00 dollars fund more than 200 supporve communies for the elderly, offering an array TOTAL...... $908,770.00 * Jewish Agency for Israel (J.A.F.I.) and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (A.J.D.C.) of essenal services. And in Russia and Eastern Europe, Federaon’s UJA-funded Hesed Centers (through the JDC) provide life-saving medical care, home care and winter relief to 168,000 impoverished older Jews. Yet, tragically, the need is so great that over 60,000 others have been turned away due to a lack of funds. We’re determined to change that. Together, we respond in mes of crisis. When natural disasters and humanitarian crises strike, IsraAid is o en the first on the ground with aid, comfort and support. Israel can respond so quickly because it works closely with local and overseas partners to raise funds and coordinate relief. Over the past few years, our UJA donaons to Israel and overseas needs have assisted vicms of tornadoes and hurricanes in the States and the massive earthquakes in Hai, Japan, Nepal and Ecuador as well as Israel’s Carmel Forest fires. And we’ll always be there to help in emergencies anywhere in the world whenever Israel, the Jewish people, or any naon on earth is threatened by natural disasters. Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania Together, we will build Jewish identy and invest in our future. 2018 UJA Campaign Jews are feeling renewed excitement about their own Judaism and about celebrang our ancient heritage. In our own communies, WE CAN MAKE THE WORLD BETTER BY WORKING TOGETHER Federaon allocates funds for our preschools, day schools, family life educaon programs in our synagogues, Jewish Resource Center of the 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. Poconos, Chabad and our JCC – all represenng centers for Jewish life and learning in our area. Name: ______Plus, since 1999, more than 350,000 young adults from 54 countries around the world have been to Israel on life-changing Birthright trips – including those from our own community. And over 20,000 have studied or volunteered in Israel. Address: ______And since 2001, more than 250 members of our own Jewish communies in Northeast PA have parcipated in our annual Israel Missions City: ______State:______ZIP:______and returned with a beer understanding of who we are and why our ancient homeland is so much a part of our everyday lives. Home phone: ______Work phone: ______Cell phone: ______In Eastern Europe, our UJA donaons are nurturing a resurgence of Jewish identy. Not long ago, few Jews overseas felt secure enough to pracce E-mail address: ______

Judaism – or even to talk about it with their children. Today, more than 10,000 children aend Jewish day schools and Jewish camps and Hillels. J I’m enclosing a gift of $ ______J I’ll pledge $ ______*

So can we count on you this year? Please be part of our Federaon’s 2018 Annual UJA Campaign? * J One-time * J Quarterly installments (1/4 of total) * J Monthly installments (1/12 of total) Payment options 2018 UJA Campaign Sincerely, J Please bill me at the above address. Jewish Federation of Dr. Joel and Leah Laury, J Enclosed is my check payable to “UJA/Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania” Northeastern Pennsylvania Co-Chairs, 2018 UJA Campaign J PayPal or credit card (www.jewishnepa.org – “Donate” – “Donate Online”) 601 Je erson Ave., Scranton, PA 18510 Telephone: 570-961-2300 (ext. 3) J Stock sales (www.jewishnepa.org – “Donate” – “Donating with stock”) J On-line banking (payment designated through my bank to “UJA/Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania”) P.S. We believe that helping people in need and nurturing the Jewish community My company (______) has a matching gift program. I’ll obtain the form and forward it to the Federation is both our privilege and our historic responsibility. Please join us today and take a stand for what you believe and together, we can connue to do extraordinary things! Authorized signatureDate DR. JOEL AND LEAH LAURY, CO-CHAIRS OF OUR 2018 UJA CAMPAIGN THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. 12 THE REPORTER ■ NOVEMBER 30, 2017 A Chanukah menu with a lighter touch BY MEGAN WOLF 1. In a food processor or blender, pulse cauliflower the lid and flip skin side down. Immediately top with the (JTA) – The holidays are a wonderful time to share florets to resemble rice. Do this in batches and set aside. lid again. Turn down the heat. meals with friends and family – but must they be heavy 2. In a large nonstick skillet, heat olive oil and cook 5. Continue to cook until your desired temperature. and calorie filled? garlic, ginger and onions until soft and fragrant. In this preparation, I like my salmon cooked all the For Chanukah, this simple and tasty Asian-inspired 3. Add cauliflower, broccoli and carrots, stir way through, which takes about 8 minutes, depending menu uses oil per the holiday tradition, but it’s low in and continue to cook until soft. Add water 2 table- on thickness. calories and rich in flavors, colors and textures. My bet spoons at a time if needed (this will help to steam 6. Serve immediately. is, your guests won’t even know the difference between the vegetables). Note: This sauce is spicy and wafts into the air. Always regular fried rice and your version of this cauliflower 4. Add peas, then stir to combine. Make a well in the make this dish with your range’s fan on. fried rice. Cauliflower, by the way, is an excellent stand- center of the vegetable mixture and scramble in the egg. TOASTED CASHEW ASPARAGUS in for many popular carbohydrates – potatoes (mashed 5. Add sesame oil and soy sauce. Stir to combine and 1 bunch asparagus cauliflower), rice (as prepared here) and pizza crust season to taste. ¼ cup salted cashews (you’ll never believe how delicious cauliflower pizza is). 6. Top with sesame seeds and sliced pickled radish. 1 Tbsp. toasted sesame Gochujang is a thick Korean sauce, similar to a spicy 7. Serve immediately. oil barbecue sauce. It’s wonderful on chicken, vegetables or SPICY SEARED SALMON Juice of 1 lime here with meaty fish. It’s also lovely stirred into rice (or 2 Tbsp. olive oil 1. Steam asparagus until cauliflower rice) dishes to add an extra bite. It’s easily 4 salmon filets bright green and tender, purchased at many Korean restaurants, Asian specialty 4 Tbsp. Gochujang about 5 minutes. markets or traditional grocery stores. sauce 2. While the asparagus Your guests will love to celebrate with you without 1. In a large nonstick steams, toast cashews worrying about derailing their healthy eating habits. I skillet with a lid, heat olive Spicy Seared Salmon over medium heat until mean, why can’t we eat healthfully before January 1? oil until hot. (Photo by Megan Wolf) warm and fragrant, about Want a little decadence? A little chocolate gelt never 2. While the oil heats, 3 minutes. hurt anyone and would be a perfect way to round out prepare the salmon by brushing each filet with Gochujang. 3. Top asparagus with Toasted Cashew Asparagus this spicy and savory menu. 3. Place salmon sauce side down (skin side facing up) cashews, sesame oil and (Photo by Megan Wolf) CAULIFLOWER RICE in the skillet. Immediately top with the lid. fresh lime juice. 1 Tbsp. olive oil 4. Cook for about 2 minutes on high heat, then remove 4. Serve immediately. 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced 1 tsp. minced ginger 1 onion, sliced 1 head cauliflower, Jewish Bow Tie Cookies: An old world treat of cleaned and stems removed 1 cup chopped broccoli fried dough 1 cup shredded carrots 1 cup peas BY RONNIE FEIN babka. But the kichels? 1 egg (The Nosher via JTA) – My mother was a first-class Not so much. Not only 1 Tbsp. sesame oil Cauliflower Rice (Photo by baker, and there were always homemade goodies for were my mother’s kichels 2 Tbsp. soy sauce Megan Wolf) dessert at our house. So when I went away to college world class and nearly Sesame seeds and needed a nosh to remind me of home, I went to a impossible to top, but Pickled radish (I always purchase at a local Korean nearby bakery for a little something. what the bakery called restaurant – they are easy to make, but even easier to buy.) It was mostly good: Chinese cookies, hamantashen, kichel wasn’t at all what I was used to. Bakery kichels, as I learned, are thick, bow Jewish Bow Tie Cookies, or tie-shaped pastries that kichel (Photo by Ronnie Fein) are sometimes sprinkled with sugar. They can be crumbly and dry, or hard and dry, depending on the bakery. They are the kind of cookie a kid, especially one who’s homesick, would never choose. Especially a kid whose mother made world-class kichels. Here’s why my mom’s kichels were so amazing: They were soft and crispy at the same time, and they would melt in your mouth before you even had a chance to chew or even realize they were on your tongue. They were paper thin, but developed air bubbles that were fun to pop with my front teeth, especially because a feathery dusting of confectioners’ sugar would fall from the top of the bubble into the crevice and give a faint but definite sweet to all parts. We didn’t need milk to dunk and soften these kichels. They were as light as a helium balloon; fried (it is Cha- nukah, after all), but never greasy; sugar sprinkled, but never cloying. The big trick for fabulous kichels is rolling the dough as thin as possible. It takes some time and patience, but the result – crispy, puffy, delightfully light cookies with just a sprinkle of sifted confectioners’ sugar – is so worth it. JEWISH BOW TIE COOKIES 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/8 tsp. salt 2 large eggs, beaten ¼ tsp. white vinegar Vegetable oil for deep frying Confectioners’ sugar 1. Place the flour and salt in a bowl. 2. Add the beaten eggs and vinegar, and mix thor- oughly until a smooth dough has formed (you can use an electric mixer or food processor). 3. Let the dough rest, covered with plastic wrap, for at least 30 minutes. 4. Roll out portions of the dough on a lightly floured surface until the dough is very thin, almost like paper. 5. Cut the dough into squares or rectangles or odd shapes. 6. Heat about 2 inches vegetable oil in a deep saute pan (or use a deep fryer) over medium-high heat until the oil reaches about 375°F. (A bread crumb or tiny piece of dough will sizzle quickly when you drop it into the oil.) 7. Drop the cutouts, a few at a time, into the oil (they will puff up) and cook briefly on both sides until they are crispy and faintly browned. 8. Drain on paper towels. Sift confectioners’ sugar on top. Makes 30. NOVEMBER 30, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 13 14 THE REPORTER ■ M AY 8, 2017 Here are eight new children’s books for Chanukah BY PENNY SCHWARTZ recipe for her mouth-watering, sizzling potato pancakes, (JTA) – Move over, potato latkes. Make the traditional fried food eaten during the holiday’s room for dosas. The savory fried Indian lentil and rice celebrations. Her husband, Shmuel, races over to the pancakes take center stage in “Queen of the Dosas,” a village rabbi for advice. But what does the rabbi know gem of a new Chanukah book by the award-winning about making latkes? children’s writer Pamela Ehrenberg. This ticklishly fun adventure, set in the fictional Old It’s among eight new Chanukah books for kids – World town of Chelm – the source of enduring Jewish one for each night of the holiday – sure to kindle the storytelling – will have kids laughing as they wonder flames of imagination in young readers. The bounty how Faigel and Shmuel solve their problem. Aleksandar of this season’s books travel the globe, from city life Zolotic’s large format, animation-style illustrations are to wooded forests, with engaging – and many humor- perfectly paired for the lively story, which echoes the “The Itsy Bitsy Dreidel” “Grover’s Eight Nights of ous – stories and dazzling illustrations that reflect classic “Strega Nona” stories by Tomie dePaola about (Photo courtesy of Simon Light” (Photo courtesy of the diversity in how Jewish families celebrate the magical pots of pasta. and Schuster) Random House for Young popular holiday. Old World traditions mix it up with “LITTLE RED RUTHIE: A HANUKKAH TALE” BY Readers) new rituals taking root in today’s modern American GLORIA KOSTER; ILLUSTRATED BY SUE EAST- Jewish families. LAND (ALBERT WHITMAN; AGES 4-8) But will Ruthie’s clever schemes outsmart the hungry, These new reads showcase the many ways Jewish This uplifting spin on “Little Red Riding Hood” but foolish, wolf, who has fun dressing up in bubbe’s families from all walks of life celebrate the Festival features a spirited young girl named Ruthie setting off colorful clothing? This is a perfect read-aloud for those of Lights, which this year begins on the evening of on the eve of Chanukah to visit her bubbe, Yiddish for wintry Chanukah nights, and Sue Eastland’s bright and December 12. grandmother, so they can cook up potato latkes for the humorous illustrations bring the warmhearted story to life. “WAY TOO MANY LATKES: A HANUKKAH IN holiday. In the snow-packed forest Ruthie, bundled “QUEEN OF THE HANUKKAH DOSAS” BY CHELM” BY LINDA GLASER; ILLUSTRATED BY up in a bright red hooded parka, meets a not overly PAMELA EHRENBERG; ILLUSTRATED BY ANJAR ALEKSANDAR ZOLOTIC (KAR-BEN; AGES 3-8) menacing-looking wolf. Ruthie summons her courage SARKAR (FARRAR STRAUS GIROUX; AGES 4-7) Oy vey! It’s the first night of Chanukah and Faigel, and smarts as she recalls the brave Maccabee heroes of In this humor-filled tale, an endearing school-age the best latke maker in the village of Chelm, forgot the Chanukah who fought for religious freedom for the Jews boy in a multicultural Indian-Jewish family can hardly in ancient Israel. contain his enthusiasm for his family’s special Chanukah celebration of making dosas, Indian fried pancakes made with lentils, called dal, and rice. But his younger sister, Sadie, who can’t resist her urge to climb on everything, may spoil the fun. Anjar Sarkar’s colorful, cartoon-like illustrations add giggles and put readers in on the action. The end pages are embellished with illustrations of Indian groceries, chutneys and spices that will tempt the family foodies. Recipes for Dosas and Sambar, a vegetable-based filling or dip for the dosas, are included. “THE MISSING LETTERS: A DREIDEL STORY” “Way Too Many Latkes: “Little Red Ruthie: A BY RENEE LONDNER; ILLUSTRATED BY IRYNA A Hanukkah in Chelm” Hanukkah Tale” (Photo “Queen of the Hanukkah “The Missing Letters: A BODNARUK (KAR-BEN; AGES 4-9) (Photo courtesy of Kar- courtesy of Albert Dosas” (Photo courtesy Dreidel Story” (Photo Wooden dreidels come to life in this heartwarming Ben) Whitman) of Farrar Straus Giroux) courtesy of Kar-Ben) page turner. On the eve of Chanukah, in a dreidel maker’s shop, there are some bad feelings among the Hebrew letters painted on the four-sided spinning toy. The nun, hey and shin are jealous of the gimel, considered the favorite letter in the game of chance, and decide to hide all of them. But later they overhear the dreidel maker See “Books” on page 16

“Hanukkah Harvie “Spies and Scholars” vs. Santa Claus: The (Photo courtesy of Christmukkah Kerfuffle” Jewish Children’s Book (Photo courtesy of David Club) Michael Slater)

May your Chanukah be filled with the miracles of the holiday Bonnie Rozen, Advertising Representative

Wishing the community a Happy Chanukah! Rabbi Rachel Esserman NOVEMBER 30, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 15 Seven Israelis who have made Create a Legacy for an impact on life in America our Jewish Future BY GABE FRIEDMAN couches, spacious café areas and air-hock- (JTA) – When was ey tables. named the 2018 winner of the $1 million Neumann and his business partner, in NEPA , known as the “Jewish No- Miguel McKelvey, clearly tapped into a bel,” it was in part an acknowledgment of big market: Today, the company has loca- TYPES OF GIFTS her Israeli roots. tions in 23 U.S. cities, as well as spots in Your charitable gifts to the Federation can result in While the Oscar-winning actress most- more than a dozen countries, and is worth immediate and/or future benefits for you and your family. ly grew up in the United States, Portman nearly $20 billion. The shared workspace – née Herschlag – is also Israeli. Her fa- model seems here to stay. PERPETUAL ANNUAL CAMPAIGN ther, Avner Herschlag, grew up in Israel, Neumann, 36, actually spent his first ENDOWMENTS (P.A.C.E.) and her mother married him there. The two years in Indianapolis before his mother There are considerable tax advantages in establishing a P.A.C.E. family moved to the U.S. when she was relocated to a kibbutz near the Gaza Strip. gift to the Federation outright or as part of your estate planning. After growing up there and serving in 3. Portman’s facility with Hebrew was on In doing so, you can perpetuate your annual UJA Campaign gift display when she directed and starred in the Israeli Navy for five years, he moved the Hebrew-language film “Tale of Love to New York to attend Baruch College. in your name, the name of your family, in memory of a loved one and Darkness,” based on the book by He dropped out with four credits left to or in celebration of a significant event in your life or the life of Israeli writer Amos Oz. graduate, but finished his degree earlier another. On average, the annual income normally calculates out this year. She earned the Genesis Prize for “her to 5% of the amount of your P.A.C.E. endowment. The corpus commitment to social causes and her – ACTRESS, MODEL deep connection to her Jewish and Israeli There are film of your Fund would not be affected, and only the income would roots,” said , the Genesis roles, and then there be used for the annual UJA gift – in perpetuity. That is, a P.A.C.E. Prize Foundation chairman. is Wonder Woman. endowment of $100,000 would normally produce an annual gift Portman is far from the only Israe- In male-domi- of $5,000 to future UJA Campaigns. li-in-America success story. Israelis have nated Hollywood, made significant contributions to just female superhe- about every industry and facet of American roes are few and IMMEDIATE GIFTS OF CASH life, from academics to pop music. Here far between. Play- Cash contributions are deductible as itemized deductions in the year are some of those who have had the biggest ing this iconic DC you make the donation(s), up to 50% of your adjusted gross. Excess impact in American society while living Comics character charitable deductions can be carried forward for up to five years. 5,000 miles away from their first home. Gal Gadot comes with myriad (Photo by Frazer DANIEL KAHNEMAN – ECONO- responsibilities and GIFTS OF SECURITIES MIST, PSYCHOLOGIST, AUTHOR Harrison/Getty pressures: be a role Human beings Images) model to women The best stocks to donate are obviously those with increased are not robots – and girls, toe the line between confidence value. However, depreciated securities are not necessarily sometimes they and sexiness, help the film succeed and unworthy of charitable contributions. In order to preserve the make irrational de- spawn sequels. best tax advantages, with regard to appreciated and depreciated cisions and they Gadot, a former who had are always com- previously had small roles in a few “Fast securities, please contact the Federation. plex. That idea and Furious” movies, pulled it off, turning might sound like “Wonder Woman” into a blockbuster while MATCHING GIFTS common sense, but inspiring woman around the world. Off If you work for a company that participates in a Matching Gift before economist screen, she has earned praise for refusing Program (see details in this issue of The Reporter), then the company and psychologist Daniel Kahneman to work with a producer accused of sexual will match your gift to the Jewish Federation. Please check with your in 2009. (Photo by misconduct. Daniel Kahneman Human Resources Department for more information. started his Nobel Sean Gallup/Getty Gadot, now 32, grew up near , Prize-winning work Images for Burda served in the Israeli army and only recently GIFTS OF MUTUAL FUNDS in the 1970s, eco- Media) moved to . Guest-hosting nomics plugged people into equations “Saturday Night Live,” she spoke briefly Contributing mutual fund shares can provide the same tax just as they would other sets of numbers. in Hebrew to her family back in Israel – advantages as appreciated stocks. Due to the great complexities Kahneman’s work with his Israeli research no small gesture in an era of anti-Israel involved with the transfer of mutual fund shares, please begin the boycotts. partner Amos Tversky (he died from cancer transfer process well before December 31st. in 1996) on concepts such as cognitive HAIM SABAN – MEDIA MOGUL, biases and prospect theory helped change PRODUCER, PHILANTHROPIST GIFTS OF REAL ESTATE that and effectively launched the field of How did a guy behavioral economics, which in turn has who wrote music A charitable contribution of property is most attractive when there influenced several other fields. His 2011 for cartoons become is no mortgage balance and the property is increasing in value. book “Thinking, Fast and Slow,” which one of the most pow- Based upon the fair market value, you may claim an income summarized much of his research, has sold erful media moguls, tax deduction, avoid all capital gains taxes, and remove that more than a million copies around the world. political donors and Few have had such an outsized im- pro-Israel forces property from your taxable estate. You may transfer real estate pact on multiple fields of knowledge as in the U.S.? The to the Jewish Federation at any point, but please consult your tax Kahneman, 83, a Tel Aviv native who grew answer begins with professional or financial advisor prior to a real estate transaction. up in France during the Holocaust and “Power Rangers.” returned to Israel for college. He became Saban, who was Haim Saban DEFERRED/PLANNED GIFTS a professor at the Hebrew University in born in Egypt but (Photo by Jason Deferred gifts are often called “planned gifts” because they are Jerusalem before moving to Canada in the grew up in Tel Aviv, Merritt/Getty late ‘70s and eventually settling at Princ- joined a band after Images) integrally connected to your financial and/or estate plans. They eton University in 1993. In 2002, he won serving in the Israel may range in size from very small bequests to multi-million dollar the Nobel Prize in Economics for “having Defense Forces. He then became a concert trusts. They are deferred gifts because, even though they are given integrated insights from psychological promoter and eventually immigrated to the today, the Jewish Federation will not realize their benefit until research into economic science.” U.S. in 1983, where he lived a comfort- ADAM NEUMANN – CO-FOUND- able life as a cartoon music composer. He some time in the future. Please contact the Federation for more ER AND CEO, WEWORK discovered the “Power Rangers,” which information regarding various planned giving options. The concept of the office space has was first a show in Japan, in a hotel room changed thanks during a business trip and instantly fell in GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUNDS in part to this Is- love with the campy teenage superheroes. The Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania expresses raeli-American He immediately bought the rights to its gratitude to those who have made a commitment to our entrepreneur. We- the show, but shopped the idea around Endowment Fund. These very special contributions represent a Work, co-founded to American executives for years before by Neumann in one – Margaret Loesch at Fox – bought commitment to maintain a high quality of Jewish life in our region 2010, offers an up- it. Since the show’s debut in 1993, for the decades that lie ahead. grade over the local “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers,” has CONTACT café to freelancers, netted billions of dollars in TV profits small startups and and merchandise. Saban grew his fortune For further information, please contact Mark Silverberg, others who don’t Adam Neumann by investing in other media ventures and Executive Director, Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania, work in an office. (Photo by Theo became one of Los Angeles’ most gener- 601 Jefferson Avenue, Scranton, PA at 570-961-2300 (ext. 1) A WeWork space Wargo/Getty ous philanthropists (among other things, usually looks like Images for a research clinic at Children’s Hospital a startup’s pipe iHeartMedia) Los Angeles bears his name). dream, often complete with colorful See “Israelis” on page 16 16 THE REPORTER ■ NOVEMBER 30, 2017 Israelis Continued from page 15 Saban, 73, has also poured millions into Democratic one of the big reasons why. Tube, where he plans to make the service compete in politics over the years – notably, he gave Hillary Clinton’s Admony, 46, is an Israeli chef who has revolutionized the streaming realm against giants like Spotify and failed presidential campaign $15 million. As a staunch the Israeli food scene in New York and plans on expanding Apple Music. Israel backer, he supports and hosts the annual Saban her brand across America and the world. She is in talks The son of Israelis, Cohen was born in New York, but Forum on Israel, which brings together political leaders to open outposts based on her falafel joint Taim, which spent five years as a child on a farm outside Tel Aviv from the U.S. and Israel to debate topics related to the puts a “hip spin” on the Israeli staple, in Los Angeles, before moving with his parents to Los Angeles. He has Jewish state. Chicago, Australia and Japan. shifted between American coasts ever since. Saban also was a supporter of what became the Is- But Admony, who moved to New York from Israel raeli-American Council, which aims to boost the Israeli in the ‘90s and worked at a slew of restaurants before and Jewish identity – and political clout – of Israelis opening her own, is not merely a falafel expert. Her other Continued from page 14 living here. New York eateries, Balaboosta and Bar Bolonat, have Books ITZHAK PERLMAN – VIRTUOSO VIOLINIST, made her one of the foremost ambassadors of Israeli explain that all the letters play a special role in celebrating EDUCATOR, DISABILITY RIGHTS ADVOCATE cuisine in the U.S., along with fellow Israeli-Americans Chanukah, a holiday of religious freedom. Perlman’s introduction to the international spotlight Michael Solomonov and Alon Shaya. Admony also plans Among Iryna Bodnaruk’s animated illustrations is a came in 1958, when the prodigy performed on “The Ed to open a restaurant dedicated to couscous in New York double-page spread that is like a puzzle; kids can follow Sullivan Show” at the age of 13. But he had already named Kish-Kash. clues to find where the gimels have been hidden. been playing the violin for about a decade – and had LYOR COHEN – MUSIC EXECUTIVE “HANUKKAH HARVIE VS. SANTA CLAUS: been living with paralyzed legs from a bout of polio for Run-DMC, Jay-Z, LL Cool J, A THE CHRISTMUKKAH KERFUFFLE” BY DAVID nearly the same amount of time. Tribe Called Quest, Kanye West. MICHAEL SLATER; ILLUSTRATED BY MICHELLE Fast forward several decades, and the New York- Those are just a few of the many SIMPSON (LIBRARY TALES PUBLISHING; AGES via-Tel Aviv native has earned 16 Grammy Awards, a rap artists Lyor Cohen helped 5-8) Presidential Medal of Freedom and the title of “world’s usher into the mainstream through On the first night of Chanukah, Hanukkah Harvie greatest living violinist.” As a performer, Perlman is not his many prominent roles over oils up his steampunk-like machinery to produce all the only known for his smooth tone and effortless finger three-plus decades in the industry, gifts he needs and climbs aboard his flying Hanukkopter speed – his energy and love of playing, usually commu- including a tenure as the head of to deliver eight nights of presents to children. Placing nicated through a signature wide grin, has helped make Def Jam Records and as chairman one family’s presents next to their Chanukah menorah, him an international music icon. He also fosters young of the Warner Music Group. Lyor Cohen Harvie bumps into a red-suited jolly Santa Claus piling musicians through the Perlman Music Program, which It has been argued that Cohen, (Photo by Jamie gifts under their Christmas tree. Harvey and Santa go on to discover some other homes with both menorahs and he founded with his wife in 1994. 58, was an integral part in rap’s McCarthy/Getty Christmas trees, and get into a rollicking present-giving Outside of music, Perlman has advocated for rights takeover of the mainstream pop Images) for people with disabilities. After being awarded the music universe. In the ‘80s, just competition, out to prove that their holiday is the best. Genesis Prize in 2015, he pledged his winnings toward as hip-hop began its ascent to the top of the charts, Co- A young girl who spies them in action puts the improving the integration of people with disabilities into hen worked as a manager and talent scout for Russell quarreling pair to shame, and let’s them in on the joy Israeli and American society – with a specific focus on Simmons’ Rush Artist Management. He worked out of celebrating the two holidays happening at about the his adopted hometown of New York. Run-DMC’s landmark endorsement deal with adidas, same time each year – thus the Christmukkah mashup. EINAT ADMONY – CHEF, RESTAURATEUR one of the first commercial pacts for a rap group, and Michelle Simpson’s colorful and playful animation-like Falafel is one of the most popular foods in Israel and has been seen as a trailblazer ever since. illustrations match the story’s spirited humor. the rest of the Middle East. Can it take the U.S. by storm Cohen left Warner Music in 2012 to start his own “THE ITSY BITSY DREIDEL” BY JEFFREY the way hummus has? If it does, Einat Admony will be label, and last year became the head of music at You- BURTON AND CHANI TORNOW; ILLUSTRATED BY SANJA RESCEK (SIMON AND SCHUSTER; AGES 2-4) A delightful read-aloud board book for the youngest kids who will enjoy the playful rhymes as the lively little dreidel celebrates Chanukah. This is the latest in the up- beat Itsy Bitsy board book series that includes the “Itsy P A C E Bitsy Pilgrim,” the “Itsy Bitsy Snowman” and others. Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment “GROVER’S EIGHT NIGHTS OF LIGHT” BY JODIE SHEPHERD; ILLUSTRATED BY JOE MATHIEU (RANDOM HOUSE FOR YOUNG Your gift to the Annual Campaign READERS; AGES 2-5) Young fans of Sesame Street enjoy a Chanukah party at Grover’s house along with their favorite Sesame Street DOES A WORLD OF GOOD. characters. The book features lighting the menorah, eat- Endowing your gift allows you to be there for the ing latkes and playing dreidel. Stickers, Chanukah cards and a poster with a Chanukah party game are included. Jewish community of NEPA forever. “SPIES AND SCHOLARS” BY YEHUDIS LITVAK (JEWISH CHILDREN’S BOOK CLUB; GRADES A Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment (PACE) is a permanent fund that endows 7-8) your Jewish community Annual Campaign gift as a lasting legacy. A PACE fund will “Spies and Scholars” is the latest entry in the Chanu- continue to make an annual gift in perpetuity on your behalf. kah-themed series – the first was “Swords and Scrolls.” The historical fiction adventure is set during the reign To determine the amount you need to endow your entire campaign gift, multiply your current of the Greek King Antiochus in ancient Israel where annual gift by 20. the Maccabees are fighting the Greeks. The 200-page teen read is geared to Orthodox Jewish teen readers and You can fund your PACE by adding the JEWISH FEDERATION OF NORTHEASTERN published by Jewish Children’s Book Club in conjunc- PENNSYLVANIA to your will, or by making the Federation a beneficiary of your IRA. All tion with Torah Umesorah-National Society for Hebrew contributions to establish a PACE are tax deductible. Day Schools. Let your name be remembered as a blessing. Endowments can be created through a variety of vehicles, some of which do not necessitate funding during your lifetime yet still provide your estate with considerable tax benefits. They also enable you to perpetuate your commitment to the Annual Campaign in a way that best achieves your own personal financial and estate planning goals.

Examples Of Ways To Fund Your Pace Gift Are: * outright contribution of cash, appreciated securities or other long-term * capital gain property such as real estate * charitable remainder trust * gift of life insurance * charitable lead trust * gift of IRA or pension plan assets * grant from your foundation * reserved life estate in your residence * bequest Using appreciated property, such as securities or real estate, affords you the opportunity to eliminate the income tax on the long-term capital gain, will in some instances generate a full income tax charitable deduction and will remove those assets from your estate for estate tax purposes.

For more information contact Mark Silverberg at [email protected] or call 570-961-2300, ext. 1. M AY 8, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 17 Deciphering the past Ancient stone workshop uncovered near Israeli town where Jesus turned water into wine BY JNS STAFF The Galilee excavations – occurring just south of the (JNS.org) – Israeli archaeologists have uncovered a modern Israeli village Kafr Kanna, which scholars have rare 2,000-year-old stone quarry and workshop located identified as the site of the biblical town of Cana – revealed near the ancient Galilean town of Cana, which is recorded an artificially hewn cave where ancient workers quarried in the Christian Gospels as the place where Jesus turned raw materials for chalkstone vessels. The cave was found water into wine. with ancient chisel marks on the walls, ceiling and floor, as According to Dr. Yonatan Adler, senior lecturer at Ariel well as ancient industrial waste from stone mugs and bowls. University and director of the Galilee excavations for the Yardenna Alexandre, an archaeologist with the IAA Israel Antiquities Authority, the discovery of a Second who specializes in the study of the Galilee during the Temple-era stoneware workshop provides insight into Roman era, explained that the use of stone vessels by ancient Jewish religious rituals and observance. Jews at the time is well-documented in talmudic sources “In ancient times, most tableware, cooking pots and and in the Christian New Testament. In the “Wedding storage jars were made of pottery. In the first century at Cana” narrative in the Gospel of John, Jesus is said of the Common Era, however, Jews throughout Judea A stone vessel unearthed inside an ancient workshop in to have turned water into wine, which was held in six and Galilee also used tableware and storage vessels Israel’s Galilee, near what is believed to be the biblical jars made of stone. made of soft, local chalkstone,” said Adler. He said the town of Cana, which is recorded in the Christian Gospels “It is possible that large stone containers of the type choice of stoneware for materials was likely made due as the place where Jesus turned water into wine. (Photo mentioned in the ‘Wedding at Cana’ story may have been to religious reasons. by Samuel Magal/Israel Antiquities Authority) produced locally in Galilee,” Alexandre said. Decapitated toads found in 4,000-year-old Canaanite jug BY JNS STAFF left,” Kisilevitz and Turgeman-Yaffe said. likely planted intentionally as part of an (JNS.org) – Archaeologists with the Found along with the toads were orchard where funeral rituals were held Israel Antiquities Authority made a date palms and myrtle bushes, which do and offerings, such as the headless frogs, “surprising” finding – decapitated toads – not normally inhabit the area and were were made for the dead. within a nearly 4,000-year-old jug dating to the Canaanite period during a recent dig outside of Jerusalem. Effective please The dig’s site, located near the Jerusa- immediately, send note! lem Biblical Zoo, shed light on the burial all articles and ads to customs in the Canaanite period during the Middle Bronze Age. During excavations our new E-mail address, in the past few years, archaeologists have jfnepareporter@ uncovered two settlement sites, two tem- David Tanami, an Israel Antiquities ples and a number of cemeteries. Authority archaeologist, worked in a jewishnepa.org. “At that time, it was customary to bury narrow tomb opening to bring out a the dead with offerings that constituted a 4,000-year-old jug. (Photo by Shua kind of ‘burial kit,’ which, it was believed, Kisilevitz, IAA) would serve the deceased in the afterworld,” said Shua Kisilevitz and Zohar Turge- The bones were that of at least nine toads, man-Yaffe, the excavation’s directors for all of which had been decapitated. the IAA. “When we removed the stone that “For an archaeologist, finding tombs GiftingEffective immediately, Stock blocked the tomb opening, we were excited that were intentionally sealed in antiquity please send all articles & ads to to discover intact bowls and jars. In one of is a priceless treasure, because they are a time capsule that allows us to encounter Form the jars, to our surprise, we found a heap of our new E-mail address, small bones,” the archaeologists explained. objects almost just as they were originally [email protected]. stock to a charitable 501©(3) organization is a great way to make a donation. By gifting stock in which you have a large capital gain, you not only receive the benefit of making a sizable donation, but you also save the capital gains tax. Example: Gift: $2,000 (Stock: ABC @ $20 per share - Gift: 100 shares)

If you were to sell “Stock ABC” that you originally purchased at $10.00 a share, you would have a $1,000 capital gain and you would be required to pay at least $150.00 in federal taxes, etc. But by gifting the stock, you save the entire $150.00 and you’ve found a way to help the Federation accomplish its mission: “…to rescue the imperiled, care for the vulnerable, support Israel and world Jewry and perpetuate Jewish life in Northeastern Pennsylvania.” Your gift will not only assist our local and regional organizations and agencies, but you will have the satisfaction of helping those in need. You will be able to look back and say: “I’m just doing what my People have always done for each other.” For further information on gifting stocks in payment of your pledge to our Annual UJA Campaign, please contact the Federation at 570-961-2300 (ext. 3) for details.

ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 18 THE REPORTER ■ NOVEMBER 30, 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 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 . The viewer gets a chance to visit the land of Israel from his own home! Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story (narrated by Dustin Hoffman)- This documentary portrays the contributions of Jewish major leaguers and the special meaning that baseball has had in the lives of American Jews. More than a film about sports, this is a story of immigration, assimilation, bigotry, heroism, the passing on of traditions, the shattering of stereotypes and, most of all, the greatest American pastime. Nicky’s Family - An enthralling documentary that artfully tells the story of how Sir Nicholas Winton, now 104, a British stockbroker, gave up a 1938 skiing holiday to answer a friend’s request for help in Prague and didn’t stop helping until the war’s beginning stopped him. He had saved the lives of 669 children in his own personal Kindertransport. The Case for Israel - Democracy’s Outpost - This documentary presents a vigorous case for Israel- for its basic right to exist, to protect its citizens from terrorism, and to defend its borders from hostile enemies. The Israel Course - A 7-part Israel education series that sheds light on the Holy Land through the ages. Featuring biblical scholars and Middle East experts, including Harvard professor Alan Dershowitz, Emeritus Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, Ambassador Dore Gold, Princeton professor Bernard Lewis and many others. The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg - As baseball’s first Jewish star, Hammerin’ Hank Greenberg’s career contains all the makings of a true American success story. Unmasked: Judaophobia - the Threat to Civilization – This documentary exposes the current political assault against the State of Israel fundamentally as a war against the Jewish people and their right to self-determination. NOVEMBER 30, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 19 NEWS IN BRIEF From JNS.org and Laos. The announcement was made at the annual International Conference of Israeli minister looks to disqualify pro-BDS groups from Chabad-Lubavitch Emissaries in New York, where some 4,700 emissaries gathered for a dinner with about 1,000 supporters and guests. Chabad’s emissaries travel around national service program the world to establish religious centers for Jewish and Israeli travelers, including in the (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) – Israeli Strategic Affairs and Public Security most remote locations. Chabad centers are located in nearly 100 countries. In recent Minister Gilad Erdan on Nov. 20 sent a letter to Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel, who years, Chabad has established a presence in the Cayman Islands, Kenya, is in charge of Israel’s national service program, asking Ariel to rescind eligibility and . Last year, Chabad’s opening of a center in South Dakota marked quotas for organizations that boycott Israel or support the BDS movement. The the movement’s expansion to all 50 U.S. states. national service program functions as an alternative to mandatory military service Abbas freezes ties with U.S. over move to close Palestinians’ in Israel. The program allots quotas of national service volunteers to different insti- tutions and organizations deemed to be contributing to the state. “It is unacceptable mission in Washington that an organization working to harm the country with boycotts enjoys quotas [from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas announced that he has frozen all the government] that are intended for the betterment of the country and its citizens,” contact with the U.S. over the Trump administration’s move to shutter the Palestinians’ Erdan wrote. Erdan pointed to Amnesty International, which receives six national mission in Washington, DC. “In practice, by closing the office, they are freezing all service volunteers from Israel while waging a campaign that urges governments and meetings and we are making that official,” PA Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki told companies to boycott goods manufactured in Judea and Samaria. The minister also AFP. The Palestinians’ move comes after the U.S. State Department on Nov. 18 de- mentioned the Israel Social TV organization, which has supported suspending Israel clined to renew the operating permission for the Palestine Liberation Organization’s from FIFA, soccer’s international governing body, and has signed a petition calling Washington office for the first time since the 1980s. P.A. chief negotiator Saeb Erekat on Norway to “join our efforts and stop investing in the Israeli occupation.” called the move “very unfortunate and unacceptable,” and accused the Trump admin- istration of capitulating to Israeli pressure. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson informed Netanyahu denounces “incitement” against Israeli president the Palestinians that the decision came in response to statements made by Abbas at over Hebron shooter the United Nations General Assembly in September, when the P.A. leader called on (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Nov. 20 the International Criminal Court to prosecute Israeli officials. American law specifies condemned what he described as “incitement” against Israeli President Reuven Rivlin over that the PLO mission in Washington should be shuttered if the Palestinians initiate the latter’s decision to deny a pardon for Elor Azaria, the IDF soldier imprisoned for fatally legal action against Israel at the ICC. The State Department clarified that the office’s shooting a subdued Palestinian terrorist in Hebron in March 2016. Shortly after Rivlin’s closure could be waived within 90 days if President Donald Trump “determines the decision was made public on Nov. 19, photos of the president wearing a keffiyeh, the black- Palestinians have entered into direct, meaningful negotiations with Israel.” and-white headdress that is considered a symbol of Arab nationalism, began surfacing on German court rules in favor of discrimination against Israelis social media with various captions, including some reading, “Reuven Rivlin the traitor, by Kuwait Airways may he be damned.” Speaking at a Likud party meeting, Netanyahu said, “In a democracy, no one is immune to criticism – I should know – and not every criticism is incitement. A district court in Frankfurt, Germany, ruled in favor of Kuwait Airways in a discrimina- But criticism has to be relevant and it has to be respectful. No keffiyehs, no hangman’s tion case brought by an Israeli passenger who was barred from boarding his flight due to his noose and no Nazi uniforms. …It’s wrong when it is turned against the president or any nationality. The Frankfurt court noted that Kuwait bans all of its citizens and companies from other public official.” The prime minister said that “relevant criticism is not only allowed, doing business with Israelis. The court stated that while it didn’t evaluate whether “this law it is necessary. It’s a core of democracy. We can’t always label relevant criticism from the makes sense,” the airline would have risked repercussions that were “not reasonable” – such right as incitement and when it comes from the left as freedom of speech. ..We want an as such as fines or prison time for employees – for violating the Kuwaiti statute, the Associ- equal, respectful, businesslike approach. There’s no room for incitement, but [criticism] ated Press reported. In October, German Federal Minister of Transport Alexander Dobrindt ordered an investigation into whether Kuwait Airways violates air traffic laws through its can be as sharp as necessary. That’s the very basis of democracy and it has to work in all ban on Israelis. The Lawfare Project, a nonprofit that is providing legal assistance to the directions.” On Rivlin’s decision not to pardon Azaria, Netanyahu said, “My position on Israelis who were banned from traveling, called the Frankfurt court’s ruling an “obvious this issue is known. I called for a full pardon from day one. My position has not changed.” instance” of antisemitism. “This is a clear-cut case of bigoted, antisemitic discrimination,” Chabad centers to open in , Laos, Montenegro said Brooke Goldstein, executive director of The Lawfare Project. “To see a Jewish person (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) – The Chabad-Lubavitch Chasidic movement banned from exercising his freedoms in Germany in 2017 is chilling enough. To see that on Nov. 19 announced that it will open three new centers in Uganda, Montenegro discrimination whitewashed and legitimized by a German judge is grotesque.”

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. clipout form 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. here As always, your comments, opinions & suggestions are always welcome.

With best wishes, Mark Silverberg, Executive Director Jewish Federation of NE Pennsylvania 601 Jefferson Avenue Scranton, PA 18510 ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 20 THE REPORTER ■ M AY 8, 2017 weis wishes you a Happy Chanukah!

Streit’s Chanukah Candles 44 count $ 99 $ 49 ¢ U 4 U 2 Kosher Boneless & Skinless Fresh Kosher Whole or Cut Up 49 Chicken Breast Fillet - per pound Fresh Chickens - per pound

Raisin Challah Bread when you spend $100 in a FREE single transaction

U parve Golden U U Potato Pancakes Tabatchnick Frozen Soups Elite Milk Chocolate Coins Raisin Challah Bread 10.6 ounce 14.5 or 15 ounce 0.53 ounce each 2 $5 2 $4 3 $1 $349 Streits Tabatchnick Chicken Kedem Selected Potato Pancake Broth or Cream of Sparkling Elite Chocolate Mix Tomatoe Soup Juice Bars 6 ounce 32 ounce 25.4 ounce 3 ounce 2 $ 2 $ 2 $ 4 $ U 3 U 4 U 7 U parve 5

Osem Streits Lipton Kosher Savion or Streits Falafel Mix Egg noodles Soup Mixes Fruit Slices 6.3 ounce 8 or 12 ounce 1.9 or 4.09 ounce 8 ounce 2 $ 4 $ 2 $ 2 $ U U U parve 4 5 3 U parve 5 Weis Proudly Accepts Prices Effective November 30, 2017 through December 20, 2017 We also carry many of your favorite Kosher deli, dairy, frozen and grocery products. weis We reserve the right to limit quantities. Not responsible for typographical or pictorial errors.