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April 2017 | Nisan-Iyar 5777, Vol. LXXII, No. 3 Facing Hate & Anti-Semitism in 2017 While the number of criminal in- The SPLC cidents remains difficult to quantify, attributes the there can be no doubt that overt an- rise to a signif- ti-Semitism is on the rise in the Unit- icant increase ed States. The New York Police De- in 2015 in the Candle Lighting Times partment, which does have numbers number of readily available, reports that for the Ku Klux Klan Friday, April 7 7:31pm first six weeks of 2017, hate crimes chapters and Monday, April 10 7:33pm against Jews in their jurisdiction black separat- Tuesday, April 11 8:29pm more than doubled from the number ist hate groups. Friday, April 14 7:35pm reported in the same period last year. They say the Sunday, April 16 7:37pm FBI hate crime data for 2016 are not Klan was in- yet available. vigorated by Monday, April 17 8:34pm Police dust for fingerprints on a toppled headstone at The Southern Poverty Law Cen- pro-Confeder- Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Philadelphia Friday, April 21 7:40pm ter (SPLC), reports that the number ate battle flag Friday, April 28 7:45pm of hate groups operating in the U.S. rallies that took place after South groups did not stop at demands for rose, for the second year in a row, to Carolina removed the flag from its police reforms and an end to struc- 917 in 2016, after declining for four Capitol grounds following the mas- tural racism. Instead, they typically consecutive years from an all-time sacre of nine black churchgoers by a demonized all whites, gays and, in high of 1,018 in 2011. That number white supremacist flag enthusiast at particular, Jews. is up almost 17% in those two years. Charleston’s Emanuel AME Church. The continued increase in the The SPLC maintains a ‘hate map’ On the other end of the political number of hate groups in 2016 was on its website showing where the spectrum, SPLC says black separat- attributable to what SPLC called various hate groups are based. For- ist hate groups were fueled by the “the enormous leap in anti-Muslim tunately, Savannah and the imme- explosion of anger fostered by highly hate groups,” the number of which 2017 diate surrounding Low Country do publicized police shootings of black grew 197% in one year, driven they not appear to be home to any of the men. But unlike activists for racial said, by radical Islamist attacks in- groups tracked on the map, though justice such as the Black Lives Mat- Campaign they can be found close by. ter movement, the black separatist continued on page 4 Update rd $1,062,579 Yom HaShoah Observed April 23 Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remem- els throughout the year on as of March 15, 2017 brance Day, will be commemorated behalf of Jewish Federa- this year on Sunday, April 23rd. The tions, the Anti-Defamation from 568 donors community observance program, League and others speaking which begins at 5pm at the JEA, will to schools, churches and feature Jeannie Opdyke Smith, who community events about will tell the story of her mother, Irene her mother’s commitment Gut Opdyke, a Catholic Polish nurse and the message that faith, who rescued Jews from the Nazis love and hope can triumph during World War II. over evil. She is part of the PAID Like so many of her generation, next generation of Holo- the day. Members of the community U.S. POSTAGE NONPROFIT ORG Irene (born Irena) did not tell her sto- caust speakers who share their par- will read these names in the lobby of PERMIT NO. 2840 JACKSONVILLE, FL ry for many years, but once she did, ents’ first-hand experiences. the JEA from 9am to 5pm. We speak she wrote a book, In My Hands: Mem- The local Yom HaShoah Commit- and hear their names, and we recall ories of a Holocaust Rescuer, which also tee is pleased to again oversee the them as full human beings, not just became a Broadway play, Irena’s Vow, Savannah Jewish Federation’s An- as “victims.” To participate in this starring Tovah Feldshuh. Among the nual Yom HaShoah Art and Writing meaningful tradition please sign up many accolades she received since Contests for middle and high school at www.savj.org. telling her story, Irene has been rec- students as part of this year’s obser- The Yom HaShoah Commemora- ognized as one of the Righteous Among vance. tion Ceremony begins at 5pm at the the Nations at Yad Vashem and her On Yom HaShoah we remember JEA on Sunday, April 23rd. The cere- story is part of a permanent exhibit the six million Jews who perished mony also will include the lighting of A Publication of Savannah Jewish Federation Federation Jewish Savannah of A Publication Street 5111 Abercorn Georgia 31405 Savannah, www.savj.org ServiceAddress Requested at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Mu- in the Holocaust. So as not to forget memorial candles, benedictions from seum. the personal devastation of the loss our local Rabbis and recognition of Irene Opdyke died in 2003, but of each life taken, we will contin- the Art and Writing Contest win- her daughter Jeannie keeps her story ue our solemn tradition of reading ners. The ceremony is open to the and her mission alive. Jeannie trav- aloud names of children throughout public. Savannah Page 2 | April 2017 jewish news www.savj.org Have a joyous Passover. And share what it means to you. #PassoverPublix Savannah www.savj.org jewish news April 2017 | Page 3 What does PJ stand for? Who is eligible to register? What’s the cost? Pajamas! We know those special Families with children 6 months to Thanks to our generous local donors, times of reading, dancing and 8 years old and at least one Jewish PJ Library® is free when your child singing together happen when your parent in the household, currently is enrolled in the program. children are wearing their pajamas. residing in the Savannah area. One subscription per child. Sign up TODAY at www.savj.org April 7 Congregation Mickve Israel & PJ Library Shabbat Dinner and Services 6:00 p.m. at Congregation Mickve Israel April 30 Tiny Yeladim 10:30 a.m. at Congregation Agudath Achim Check out PJ Our Way™ the Newest Chapter of PJ Library® Sign up TODAY PJ Our Way offers the gift of exceptional books with Jewish at www.PJOurWay.org themes to kids ages 9-11 – Books that they choose themselves! Choose your FREE book each month What does Reviews and synopsis of authors and PJ Our Way books Leadership with creating kids quizzes, offer your child? polls, and video blogs The Savannah PJ Library is made possible through generous support from For more information about PJ Library, please contact Devra Silverman, the Savannah Jewish Federation, Jane Slotin, Nancy & Leon Slotin, and Community Engagement Coordinator at [email protected] or 912-355-8111. the Ceceile Richman JEA Fund. MISSION: To create a pluralistic community of Jewish high school teens. More Jewish Teens, More Meaningful Jewish Experiences. Beneficiary Agency Your Campaign Dollars at Work BBYO Year End Awards Banquet Wednesday, May 17 April 28-30 7:00 p.m. Spring Convention Jewish Educational Alliance Register at www.blinked.org 5111 Abercorn Street Please RSVP by Friday, May 5 to Devra Silverman at [email protected] or 912-355-8111 For more information about BBYO or BBYO Connect, please contact Devra Silverman, Community Engagement Coordinator at [email protected] or 912-355-8111. Sunday, April 2 8 For grades 5- MISSION: To create a community of Jewish 5, 6, 7 and 8 graders through social and meaningful experiences that will serve as a gate- way to continued involvement in Jewish life. Savannah Page 4 | April 2017 jewish news www.savj.org Anti-Semitism .......................from pg 1 Savannah Jewish News cluding the mass murder of 49 peo- HI$TORY” painted on the side of sent a letter to Sessions, Homeland Published by the ple at an Orlando gay nightclub, the Temple De Hirsch Sinai in Seattle. Security Secretary John Kelly and FBI Savannah Jewish Federation 5111 Abercorn Street unrelenting propaganda of a growing Senior Rabbi Daniel Weiner said Director James Comey asking them Savannah, GA 31405 circle of well-paid ideologues, and a neighbor saw the vandalism and to assist local law enforcement agen- (912) 355-8111 the incendiary rhetoric of President rushed to cover the graffiti with a cies in their efforts to protect JCCs, www.savj.org Trump. “Love Wins” sign. He thanked the synagogues and Jewish schools, and SJF President: Allan Ratner And while not yet part of any sta- neighbor, but took their message to help prosecute those responsible SJF Vice President: Harvey Lebos SJF Secretary/Treasurer: Matthew Allan tistics released by the FBI, there are down. for threatening or vandalizing these SJF Executive Director: Adam Solender the incidents with which the Amer- institutions. The letter says, “It has ican Jewish community is becoming What to do? become clear that threats of violence SJN Editor: Lynn Levine all too familiar. As of this writing, Jewish leaders have been quick against individual JCCs are not iso- The objectives of the Savannah Jewish since early 2017 there have been 156 to praise the efforts of local law en- lated incidents. These cowardly News are to foster a sense of community bomb threats at Jewish community forcement agencies in dealing with acts aim to create an atmosphere of among the Jewish people of Savannah by centers, religious schools, cultural the multitude of anti-Semitic threats fear and disrupt the important pro- sharing ideas, information, experiences and institutions and Anti-Defamation and incidents.