Fact and Fiction: Liz Rosenberg Talks About “Indigo Hill” TI Sisterhood

December 21-27, 2018 Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton Volume XLVII, Number 51 BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK In wake of attacks, settlers ratchet up pressure on Netanyahu government By Sam Sokol in an interview with JTA. “We can’t be JERUSALEM (JTA) – Hundreds of Is- free from terror until we strengthen the raeli settlers, mostly high school students, checkpoints. We need a war on terror to took to the streets on the morning of De- break their [will]. We need to build more cember 16, heeding a call by leaders of the settlements. That’s the real solution.” settlement movement to protest outside of Speaking at the rally, Samaria Settlers’ the weekly Cabinet meeting at the prime Committee Chairman Tzachi Dickstein minister’s office in Jerusalem. called for the re-establishment of Unit Waving placards bearing the slogan 101, a disbanded IDF unit that carried “We’ve finished being quiet because we are out cross-border retaliatory raids during fed up to death,” the settlers vented their the mid-20th century in response to Arab rage at the government after a wave of terror fedayeen attacks on Israeli civilians. “The attacks rocked the capital and West Bank IDF needs to avenge our dead. We need the over the previous week, wounding more death penalty for terrorists and to expel their than 10 and leaving three dead. families,” Dickstein said. The violence and the settlers’ rage is Demanding that Israel also disband the ratcheting up the pressure on Prime Minister Palestinian Authority, Dickstein, too, was Benjamin Netanyahu and his government, met with loud calls of “death to the terror- which is simultaneously pro-settler but ists.” The “Zionist answer” to terrorism, he wary of inflaming what has been called an called out, was “building more settlements.” already tense situation. Likely responding Nine separate members of Prime Minister to that pressure, both among the populace Benjamin Netanyahu’s Cabinet came out to and within his own coalition, Netanyahu address the demonstration and express their announced on December 16 that he had solidarity with its goals, in effect protesting ordered the acceleration of the demolition of Hundreds of settlers, joined by members of the Israeli Cabinet, protested outside of the against themselves as the framers of Israeli terrorists’ homes and revoked work permits prime minister’s office in Jerusalem on December 16, 2018. (Photo by Sam Sokol) government policy. Several members of the for their clans. Cabinet, including Tourism Minister Yariv “I have directed that the status of thou- bellowed right-wing Likud MK Oren flock to the capital to demand “harsh action” Levin and Science Minister Ofir Akunis, sands of homes in settlements in Judea Hazan, referring to Palestinian Authority against the Palestinians. echoed the settler leaders’ call for increased and Samaria be legalized, that two new President Mahmoud Abbas. “For every “It’s important not to be quiet anymore,” construction in the territories, with Akunus industrial zones be established near Avnei dead soldier, we will spill the blood of said Hananel Dorani, who chairs Yesha, the calling for a “war on barbaric terror” and Hefetz and Betar Ilit respectively, and that one thousand terrorists.” umbrella body for West Bank settlements, See “Pressure” on page 7 82 new residential units be approved in “Death to the terrorists!” the crowd Ofra. There will be other steps,” he said. chanted in response. Meanwhile, the Ministerial Committee Incidents the week of December 14 in- for Legislation voted to advance a bill to cluded two drive-by shootings at bus stops TI Sisterhood game legalize dozens of West Bank settlements, outside of the Ofra and Givat Asaf settle- and settlers set up mobile homes at the ments, a car ramming near Ramallah, the previously evacuated Amona outpost. stabbing of two police officers in the Old City afternoon on Jan. 8 But the protesters are demanding more: and the knifing of a soldier guarding Beit El. On Tuesday, January 8, from 12-3 pm, which includes a light lunch and one entry a more aggressive military response, much In response, the leaders of several local Temple Israel Sisterhood will host a card into a raffle drawing. Advance reservations wider settlement construction and even the councils in the West Bank called for a and game afternoon in the synagogue’s are requested and should be phoned in to dismantlement of the Palestinian Authority. municipal strike on December 16, shutting social hall. Tammy Kunsman in the temple office at “We demand Abu Mazen’s head,” down schools and encouraging residents to The cost of admission to the event is $5, 723-7461 by Wednesday, January 2. Spotlight Fact and fiction: Liz Rosenberg talks about “Indigo Hill” By Rabbi Rachel Esserman interview, she noted, “I certainly honor the survivors of the actual novels and “Indigo Hill” is no exception. This December marks the 50th anni- had the secrets and rivalry in fire in this book, and also the Michelle’s husband, Joe, is Jewish and his versary of the Indian Hill fire in Central mind. The background story, character of Worcester itself. It wife considers him her best friend. “I always Massachusetts that claimed the lives of around a fire, came in a bit later.” was a work of love.” include Jewish people in my fiction, partly five 17-year-olds when a fire exploded in a The author suggests that once That certainly seems to apply because of my own Jewishness, and partly cabin built by a group of young men from a writer puts words on paper, it to “Indigo Hill” since in the because I think they always represent the Worcester, MA. Five teens survived the fire, can be difficult to separate fact novel’s afterward Rosenberg outsider,” she said. “I also always include as did a few others who left the party early. from fiction. “Fiction is always mentions that her fiancé was one old people and children, because to me This fire serves as part of the inspiration for an amalgamation of the real and of those lucky enough to have left they represent the vulnerable and either Liz Rosenberg’s new novel “Indigo Hill.” the imagined,” she said. “Even the cabin before the fire began. experience or innocence. And I want to However, the book opens by observing the Harry Potter characters are based His experience is reflected in the include all three because too often they are relationship between two sisters, Louisa and on real-life people, according to Liz Rosenberg character of Louisa, who also marginalized by society.” Michelle, after they discover their mother, J.K. Rowling. Similarly, even leaves the cabin before the flames She is also hoping that “Indigo Hill” Alma Johansson, is dying from incurable if you start with an actual historical event, erupt. Although Rosenberg doesn’t go into will appeal to book clubs. “It has a lot cancer. Alma hints there is something she in the process of writing a novel you will detail about whether or not someone in her of powerful themes in it – memory and would like her daughters to know, but that inevitably change it in order to tell a better family has a secret like Alma’s, she writes secrets, family and friendship,” she said, secret is only revealed after her death. story. And sometimes, let me admit, when that “nearly every family has its secrets. also noting that “I love book clubs – Sky- Rosenberg’s novel features a variety of I look back later to someone based either in Mine is no exception.” ping with them, meeting whenever I can, themes, including parental secrets, sibling history or my own memory, I forget what’s Rosenberg is known for including a posi- and I am eternally grateful to the book rivalry and class differences. In an e-mail fact and what is fiction. But I did want to tive portrayal of Jewish men in many of her club members.” INSIDE THIS ISSUE Hanukkah around town Food and fashion News in brief... Special Sections Hillel Academy students and BU The Israel Museum in Jerusalem U.N. says Hezbollah tunnels Legal Notices ................................... 4 students at the Chabad Center is hosting an exhibit on “70 Years violate a resolution; Dutch gov’t Book Review .................................... 4 celebrated Chanukah. of Israeli Food and Fashion.” to cut funding to P.A.; and more. Personal and Business Services ..... 5 ........................................Page 3 ........................................Page 4 ........................................Page 8 Classifieds ....................................... 8 Page 2 - The Reporter December 21-27, 2018 JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE NOTES “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’s” Binghamton reunion ROZ ANTOUN, DIRECTOR When most fans of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” were that the hostess was inviting the extras to her home for a mothers who were actually young moms at the time that waiting anxiously for Amazon Prime Video’s release of get-together. Just bring yourself, no necessity of bringing Mrs. Maisel is depicting now. Season 2 on December 5, there were a bunch of us local food to share, and dress up in ‘50s attire if possible. Saturday Spying me on the screen set my heart pumping. There “extras” looking forward to not only seeing what Midge night, 6 pm. OK, I thought, I’ll let my other friend know I was, as my mom would have said, “My shy little Rozi, a was up to, but seeing ourselves on the TV screen – or maybe and we can check this out together. Why not? star.” It practically took a magnifying glass and Superman’s not. It was possible and most probable that our scenes, shot Friendly faces greeted me. People whose names I had vision for me to spot the gold flowered cap on my head as dozens of times on location in Deposit at the old Scott’s not even gotten to know from our acting gig were there and I sat at a Mah Jongg table in the background, but it was Family Resort, would end up on the cutting room floor.

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