PAGE 1 | APRIL 22 , 2021 THE HEBREW WATCHMAN | hebrewwatchman.com

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HEBREWWATCHMAN.COM 10 Iyyar, 5781 April 22, 2021 VOL. 99, NO. 31 ‘Kids need camp this summer more than ever before’: What Jewish summer camp will look like this year By Shira Hanau (JTA) — Last year at this time, to eat in the hall at a reduced capacity. the message out of Jewish summer “The last thing you want to do is to camps was one of doom and gloom. have a superspreader event at camp,” Co- In April 2020, the Union for Reform hen said. “We don’t need that. We can go Judaism announced that COVID would one summer without everyone davening force a closure of its camps for the sum- [praying] together or singing together.” mer, affecting some 10,000 kids. In May, Most camps will be able to aggres- Shoshana Cenker and her children Lyla, Aiden and Kivi Cenker, 3rd and the Conservative movement’s Ramah sively test their campers and staff, and 4th generation Survivors, lit the Yom HaShoah memorial candles this year, camps across the country followed suit. receive results quickly enough to iso- accompanied by Diane Zelickman Cohen (violin) and Claire Julian (piano). This year, the outlook could not be late and prevent the spread of the virus. more different. Vaccinated staffers will add another Memphians Join 59th Annual Camps in the United States are open- layer of protection, ensuring that the ing again with a combination of testing adults at camp, who are more vulner- Yom HaShoah Commemoration and vaccinations, along with a better un- able to death and serious illness from derstanding of how COVID-19 spreads. COVID than children, will be protect- Margo Gruen, chair of Memphis Jew- live to a Zoom audience, while safely so- “It’s absolutely exhausting but incred- ed. And with increased understanding ish Federation’s Holocaust Memorial cially distancing. This years’ theme was ibly exhilarating,” said Rabbi Mitchell of how COVID spreads and preven- Committee, served as emcee of Fed- Rescue: Challenges, Choices & Conse- Cohen, national director of the National tative measures — namely through eration’s 59th Annual Yom HaShoah quences, which featured a presentation Ramah Commission, which runs the Ra- mask wearing, social distancing and Commemoration, April 8, 2021. A small by Susan Goldstein Snyder, a curator at mah camps across the U.S. and Canada. activities held outdoors or in buildings group of rabbis, cantors, musicians and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Cohen’s exhaustion has to do with the with improved ventilation — keeping speakers gathered in the MJCC’s Belz Hundreds of households tuned in to join extra planning involved in fitting camp- the virus under control seems doable, Social Hall to broadcast the program in the communal commemoration. HW ers into existing space while allow- even if it does require extra preparation. ing for social distancing and keeping Helping to cover some of the extra campers in pods and outdoors as much costs for camps to buy tents, upgrade lance testing throughout the summer. Co-director Howard Salzberg plans as possible. And while most of Ra- buildings and increase capacity is $3.8 While the camp won’t be bringing ev- to follow the same playbook this mah’s 10 overnight camps are expect- million in funding from the Founda- eryone together in one room for singing year, though at a significantly reduced ed to open without issue, the group’s tion for Jewish Camp. Its grants are set the way it usually might, OSRUI has cost now that testing has become Canadian camp may have trouble due to add capacity for 4,000 campers and ideas about gathering the entire camp. cheaper and more widely available. to Canada’s sluggish vaccine rollout will help the camps recoup some of the “Something like a Friday-night “We learned a lot last year, so we don’t and rising infection rates in Ontar- money that was lost last year. (Jeremy song session, instead of being all need to reinvent the wheel,” Salzberg said. io, where the camp is located. (Cohen Fingerman, the foundation’s chief ex- together [inside], we’re in a soc- Modin campers will be asked to get said the camp is exploring options for ecutive officer, said Jewish overnight cer field with kids sitting in pods a COVID test in the days before camp a new U.S. campus to serve campers camps lost about $150 million last year, and wearing masks,” Kane said. and will be tested on the first day — from New York and Ohio who would the vast majority of which was covered But no matter how much testing and possibly again with a rapid antigen typically attend the Canadian camp.) by loans, cost reductions, donations has to be done and how many events test before boarding buses to camp. At most Ramah camps, campers will and tuition rolled over to this year.) have to be reconfigured to work out- “We have the ability to test, test, test,” be kept in pods of one or two cabins for “We’re estimating that as a result side, the most important thing to Salzberg said. “That is so much more most of their activities. Spaces like the of this grant, it’ll raise more than $16 Kane is to get the kids back to camp. than we even had at our disposal last dining hall, where hundreds of camp- million of revenue that will drop to “It’s been a hard last year for every- year and costwise it’s now affordable.” ers and staff would come together for the bottom line,” Fingerman said. body,” Kane said. “Kids need camp Still, Salzberg is worried that par- meal times, will be subdivided with At the Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Insti- this summer more than ever before.” ents this year may be less on guard temporary walls or plastic sheeting to tute, a URJ camp in Wisconsin more Camp Modin in Belgrade Lakes, than they were in 2020, when par- separate pods. Where birkat hamazon, commonly known as OSRUI, camp di- Maine, was one of the few Jewish ents were overjoyed to be able the blessing after meals, was once a rol- rector Solly Kane is looking forward to camps to open last year, hosting about to send their kids to camp at all. licking campwide songfest, some camp- welcoming back about 900 campers af- 300 children for one five-week session. “The thing that was most effective ers will have to step outside the dining ter closing last year. Staffers, including The camp asked families to quarantine was that the parents were partners with hall to a tent to say the blessings this about 35 from Israel, will be required to before camp, and tested campers and us and they really, really locked down year to allow another shift of campers be vaccinated, and there will be surveil- staff multiple times in the first weeks. and they tested negative,” he said. HW Starting April 18, Israelis won’t be required to wear masks outdoors By Ben Sales meted along with its successful vac- an average of a couple hundred cases a cided to enable taking them off.” (JTA) — Israel has reached a mile- cination drive. At certain points last day among more than 9 million Israelis. Masks will still be re- stone in its return to normalcy: Start- year, Israel reported case numbers “The masks are intended to pro- quired in indoor public spaces. ing Sunday, Israelis will no longer that were among the highest in the tect us from the coronavirus,” Health The change in mask protocols is one of be required to wear masks outside. world, but the country since has vac- Minister Yuli Edelstein said, accord- a few ways that Israeli society is reopen- The announcement April 15 from cinated more than half its population. ing to The Times of Israel. “After ing. Schools will fully reopen next week, the Health Ministry comes as Isra- The rising vaccination rates have professionals decided this was no and starting in May, vaccinated tour el’s COVID case numbers have plum- pushed the COVID numbers down to longer required in open spaces, I de- groups will be allowed to visit Israel. HW PAGE 2 | APRIL 22 , 2021 THE HEBREW WATCHMAN | hebrewwatchman.com Memphis Jewish Home & Rehab’s new Philanthropy and Community Engagement Established September, 1925 Associate Editor Emeritus Director By Leo I. Goldberger (1902-1989) ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Memphis and Mid-South $36 By Shoshana Cenker MAILING ADDRESS Call for out-of-state rate A longtime Memphis family member 1138 N. Germantown Pkwy. Ste.101 Payable in Advance has returned to her hometown, bringing P.O. Box 353 Cordova, TN 38016-5872 Submissions passion and energy with her to the piv- Office: 901.763.2215 Send editorial submissions otal new role she proudly holds. Kate Direct: 901.827.7244 (calendar items, news releases, Menke is now happily serving as Mem- event photos, and letters to the phis Jewish Home and Rehab’s (MJHR) [email protected] editor) at least 9 days prior to director of philanthropy and commu- publication date to Susan C. Nieman [email protected] nity engagement. Her excitement can Editor and Publisher even be felt over our Zoom interview. Advertising “I was floored and honored to be of- Rebecca Miller For advertising rates and specs, Social Media Director contact Larry at 901.299.7376 or fered this incredible position. I’ll be Web Development meeting with donors, processing in- [email protected] coming donations, and growing and Larry Nieman Simchas maintaining those important relation- Advertising Sales Director Weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, ships,” explains Kate about the main birthdays, engagement, Holly Marks focus of her position. “Though around Kate Menke CommunicationsManager/ anniversaries 70% of MJHR’s patient population Editorial Assistant [email protected] a fun idea called ‘Pupdates’ with our is not Jewish, most of our donors are Obituaries resident dog Ginger. And, I’m going Herman I. Goldberger Jewish. And it’s Bobby [Meadow’s] Editor and Publisher Emeritus 901.763.2215 vision to bring youth and vitality to to create a way to show a day in the [email protected] Barbara B. Goldberger the role, so I can engage my genera- life of our residents. I believe donors The Hebrew Watchman is a tion more, as well as non-Jewish Mem- want to see where their money goes Member of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, phians, to grow our sphere of donors.” here and how their dollars are mak- and Jewish News Service While Kate’s enthusiasm is palpa- ing a difference in our residents’ lives. THE HEBREW WATCHMAN PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT ble and even contagious, she freely Families want to see that their loved (USPS #807-360) is published THE HEBREW WATCHMAN must acknowledges that she has big shoes ones are safe, protected, and happy.” weekly every Thursday for $36 per give permission for any material year byJEWISH LIVING OF THE contained herein to be copied or to fill. Those shoes belonged to Joel It’s not just donors and new reproduced in any manner without folks who Kate will connect with. SOUTH, Inc. Ashner, who held the role for 16 years. 1138 N. Germantown Pkwy. express permission of THE HEBREW Kate certainly gleaned loads of helpful She’s also passionate about work- WATCHMAN. The publication of any Ste.101 P.O. Box 353, Cordova, TN advertisement in this edition does information from Joel and is full of her ing with seniors, which comes from 38016-5872. not constitute an endorsement of own plans to reignite donors and make her unique upbringing in Memphis. Periodical postage paid at the advertisers’ product, kashrut new connections. With a degree from “I lived with my grandmother, Stel- Cordova, Tenn. or services by this publication. The opinions of contributors do not la Menke, while I was in high school. Southern Methodist University in Dal- POSTMASTER: necessarily reflect those of THE las, Texas, she’s utilizing her profes- My grandma was the coolest lady, and Send address changes to: HEBREW WATCHMAN. Nor can the sional background in fundraising, non- all of her friends became my friends THE HEBREW WATCHMAN, PO publishers be held responsible for any errors. profits and health sciences, coupled with too! Some of them are donors here. It’s Box 770846, Memphis, TN 38177- 4/22/2021 a huge dose of creativity and spunk. been wonderful recognizing so many 0846. “I feel like all my past work expe- donor names,” says Kate, who started rience led to this role. I love working at MJHR in March. “I’m fortunate to with people and building relation- have had such positive exposure to se- ships,” says Kate with a smile. “I’m niors growing up. I want to be an advo- looking at new ways to network with cate for them and protect them – here Erev Shabbat, Fri. April 23, 2021 / 11 Iyyar, 5781...... 7:21 p.m. at MJHR and out in the community.” younger communities and non-Jewish Havdalah, Sat. April 24 / 12 Iyyar, 5781 ...... 8:22 p.m. communities. Memphis was built on “Kate joining our team has already relationships through small business- proven to be impactful,” notes Bob- es, so I plan to make new connections, by Meadows, MJHR executive di- very involved in the arts community and “Kate’s enthusiasm, caring attitude, find new sponsorship establishments rector. “Her professional experience Memphis philanthropy – his motto was, and positive spirit were apparent the for our golf tournament, start an Ins- combined with her inspiring original- “Give where you live,” and that’s always first time we met her,” remarks How- tagram account, look to partner with ity, warmth, and family’s remarkable hit home for me. I’m so grateful to be ard Hayden, MJHR board chair. “She Theatre Memphis, hold auctions, col- Memphis history will undoubtedly en- here and carry on my family’s legacy,” is already busy implementing fresh laborate with local restaurants and able her to be successful in this role. says Kate. “I’m so excited to find new ideas and interacting with residents breweries, host a 5k/10k race, put on an We’re thrilled to have her on board.” ways to get the MJHR name out there and staff. We are fortunate to have outdoor summer concert series, Happy And it’s that special family connec- more. We have a 77-acre campus, so I’m Kate as a valuable part of the team and Hours, and because our patients and tion to Memphis that helps guide Kate. brainstorming COVID-friendly events. are confident she will be successful.” residents are huge Memphis Tiger fans, “I was looking at my family’s histo- I want to make it fun. After all, we can Interested in becoming a donor, spon- we would love to team up with Penny ry here in Memphis, especially my have both – fun, while offering the sor, volunteer or participating in MJHR Hardaway and the Memphis Tigers.” great-grandma Hilda Menke, and our highest level of care and professional- events? Get in touch: Kate Menke, Di- And if you can believe it, that’s only involvement with MJHR, Temple Isra- ism – to me that’s the best combination. rector of Philanthropy and Community a fraction of the ideas Kate has. “I have el, and the B’nai B’rith Home. Hilda’s We have so much life here at MJHR, Engagement, KMenke@memphisjew- son, my grandfather Hubert, was also and I want the community to see that.” ishhome.org or 901.756.3273. HW

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Official Real Estate Agent of The Memphis Tigers [email protected] hebrewwatchman.com | THE HEBREW WATCHMAN APRIL 22, 2021 | PAGE 3 Yom Ha’atzmaut 2021 On its 73rd Independence Day, Israel’s population hits 9.3 million (JNS) — Ahead of Israel’s 72nd 137,000, or 1.5 percent. A total of 167,000 Independence Day, the Central Bu- babies were born, while 16,300 new im- reau of Statistics (CBS) has published migrants arrived and 50,000 Israelis died. the nation’s latest population figures. The state has a young popula- The Jewish state is home to 9,327,000 tion with 28.1 percent of Israelis be- people, among them 6.894 million Jews ing between the age of 0 and 14, (73.9 percent of the population), 1.966 and only 12 percent being over 65. million Arabs (21.1 percent) and 467,000 CBS data shows that at the end of 2019, citizens of other ethnicities (5 percent). a total of 46 percent of Jews in the world Demographic growth projections in- lived in Israel and that 78 percent of the dicate that in 2030, Israel’s population Jews in Israel were born in the country. will stand at 11.1 million, and in 2040 When the state was founded, its popu- at 13.2 million. By the time Israel marks lation stood at 806,000 with 82.1 percent NASA sign at Cape Canaveral, Kennedy Space Center. its 100th Independence Day in 2048, its of the population being Jewish and 17.9 Credit: L. Galbraith/Shutterstock population is projected to be 15.2 million. percent Arab. Since 1948, 3.3 million Since Independence Day last year, the immigrants have arrived, 44.7 percent of NASA names two asteroids after country’s population has increased by whom made aliyah in 1990 or later. HW Israeli student who discovered Rocket fire from Gaza them triggers sirens at end of Israeli (JNS) — NASA, the National Aero- tition, but NASA insisted that I recruit nautics and Space Administration, is a team of three people,” she said in a Independence Day naming two recently discovered as- statement. “I explained that I wasn’t teroids after an Israeli student who able to recruit anyone else, but that this (JNS) — Terrorists in the Gaza On March 23, during Israel’s last na- found them during an asteroid-hunting is my dream. Finally, I convinced them Strip fired at a rocket at southern Is- tional elections, a Gazan terror faction project, it was announced on Friday. to let me compete. It turns out I was rael on Thursday evening, trigger- fired a rocket at Beersheva, soon after Aseel Nama, a biomedical engineer- the only one-person team and the only ing warning sirens at the end of Yom Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Net- ing student at the Technion – Israel Israeli among 116 teams worldwide.” Ha’azmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. anyahu had campaigned in the south- Institute of Technology, grew up in Her studies involve mastering A statement by the Israel Defense ern Negev city. That rocket set off lo- the Arab town of Deir al-Asad in the segmentation – the division of im- Forces said alerts went off in the city calized warnings nearby the city. There Galilee and is now based in Haifa. She ages into sections – a skill that she of Sderot and the surrounding area. were no reports of damage or injuries. participated last month in the Interna- credits for the asteroid discoveries. The IDF confirmed a few minutes- lat Defense officials estimated that the tional Astronomical Search Collabora- “I got a set of photos and videos er that a rocket had been launched. Iranian-backed Palestinian Islamic Ji- tion, a project co-sponsored by NASA from NASA to search for new as- The projectile landed in an open area had was responsible for the election that invites the public to search for teroids,” said Nama. “I called my and did not cause damages or injuries. day attack, according to Israel Hayom. asteroids using data provided to them. ‘team’ ANI (Aseel Nama Israel) and There were no details immedi- Hours afterwards, the Israel Air Force “I really wanted to take part in this the asteroids I discovered will be ately available on the identity of bombed a rocket-production site and a campaign, which is a kind of compe- called ANI1801 and ANI2001.” HW the armed faction behind the attack. military post belonging to Hamas in Gaza. It released a statement holding Hamas responsible for “all events transpiring in the Gaza Strip,” adding that Hamas “will bear the consequences of terror ac- Belle Meade tivity against Israeli civilians.” The attack was the sole incident of projectile fire from Gaza in March, while no rockets were fired in Febru- 42 South Goodlett ary, according to data from the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency. HW Hank Hill, Oscar Menzer, Carson Looney, Ben Page & NY judge A Little English Interiors all played a part in the design and killed in hit building of this magnificent and run while Federal Style in Belle Meade. vacationing in If you or someone you know is Florida thinking of selling, talk to 2-3 Contract Pending real estate Brokers but make By Andrew Silow-Carroll sure that I am one of them. (JTA) — Sandra Feuerstein, a feder- Remember what people say… al judge from Long Island, New York, was killed Friday by a hit-and-run driver while vacationing in Boca Raton, Florida. Feuerstein, 75, was struck while When you want the job DONE, call Shel-DONE! walking on a sidewalk near the beach. The driver, a 23-year-old woman, re- Sheldon Rosengarten, REALTOR Emeritus* mained jailed Sunday on $60,000 Broker *Awarded by the National Association of Realtors bond, the Sun-Sentinel reported. for 40 Years of Service. Feuerstein was appointed to the East- ern District of New York by President George W. Bush in 2003 after serving as a New York state judge for 16 years. The New York native worked as a schoolteacher before earning a law degree from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in 1979. Feuerstein and her late mother, Judge Annette Elstein of the Immigration Court Life Member, Multi-Million Dollar Club Office 901.682.1868 • Cell 901.483.0546 in New York, made history as the first Memphis Area Association of Realtors [email protected] mother and daughter in the United States to serve as judges at the same time. HW PAGE 4 | APRIL 22 , 2021 THE HEBREW WATCHMAN | hebrewwatchman.com Representatives Cohen and Ocasio-Cortez Urge Biden Administration to Reevaluate Byhalia Pipeline Permit over Memphis Drinking Water Aquifer Lead 26 colleagues in asking fast-track permitting of oil pipelines in environmentally sensitive areas be reconsidered

WASHINGTON – Congressman wrought by new large-scale fossil fuel and ensure that they have access to It’s time for the Biden administration Steve Cohen (TN-09) and Congress- infrastructure makes the Corps’ use clean drinking water and a livable cli- to put its commitment to correcting woman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY- of NWP12 an inappropriate tool, par- mate. As your Administration contin- environmental injustices into action.” 14) led a letter with 26 of their Con- ticularly in a growing climate crisis. ues its work to center environmental “It defies common sense for the fed- gressional colleagues asking the Biden “The proposed Byhalia crude oil justice in our nation’s response to the eral government to allow private com- Administration to reconsider the U.S. pipeline is an unfortunate case in point. climate crisis, we believe you should panies to fast-track risky projects, es- Army Corps of Engineers use of Na- The pipeline route cuts through the his- immediately reevaluate the recent per- pecially for a high-pressure crude oil tionwide 12 (NWP12) authority to con- toric Boxtown community, which got mit issued by the Army Corps for the pipeline that could impact the drinking struct fossil fuel pipelines over sensitive its name after formerly enslaved peo- Byhalia Pipeline project and reevaluate water source for millions of Memphis aquifers and historic Black neighbor- ple used scraps of materials and wood the propriety of the use of Nationwide area residents,” said Ward Archer, Pres- hoods. Specifically, they ask the Admin- from train boxcars to build homes there Permit 12 for new oil and gas pipe- ident of Protect Our Aquifer. “Repre- istration to reevaluate the Nationwide in the late 19th century. The southwest line infrastructure across the country.” sentative Cohen and other Congressio- Permit 12 for the Byhalia Connection Memphis community—including Box- See the entire letter https://cohen. nal leaders understand the importance Pipeline Project planned in Memphis. town—is already burdened by dozens of house.gov/sites/cohen.house.gov of protecting our drinking water. This The project has generated significant industrial facilities, and community can- “We applaud the Congressional lead- crude oil pipeline proposal highlights community opposition and has re- cer rates are four times the national av- ers who clearly recognize that we need a the need for a more comprehensive ceived national attention as an example erage. The pipeline would cross through better process in place to protect vulner- process that protects people’s drinking of egregious environmental injustice. a municipal wellfield that provides able Americans from unnecessary and water rather than allow for-profit-com- The letter, signed by Alan Lowenthal, this community’s drinking water. Sub- risky pipeline projects,” said Amanda panies to put it at risk for their profit.” Ann McLane Kuster, Ayanna Pressley, jecting this Black community to more Garcia, Director of SELC’s Tennessee “Nationwide Permit 12 is a crutch to Barbara Lee, Bonnie Watson Coleman, environmental degradation is wrong. Office. “The Biden administration has prop up the oil and gas industry in order Carolyn B. Maloney, Cori Bush, Earl “The Corps’ February decision to ver- made it a priority to put environmental to move antiquated, harmful infrastruc- Blumenauer, Eleanor Holmes Norton, ify the Byhalia pipeline’s use of NWP 12 justice at the forefront of its response to ture projects forward without involving Emanuel Cleaver, II, Grace Meng, perpetuates an unfair approach to siting the climate crisis, and we believe this the communities that would be directly Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr., Ilhan fossil fuel infrastructure by cutting com- project is a prime example of why feder- affected,” said Axel Ringe, Water Qual- Omar, Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D., Jerrold munities out of the permitting process. al action is required to protect commu- ity Chair for the Tennessee Chapter Si- Nadler, Jesús G. “Chuy” García, Jim The Corps purports to have satisfied all nities that have been taken advantage by erra Club. “The U.S. Army Corps of En- Cooper, Marie Newman, Mondaire public participation obligations for use oil and gas interests for far too long.” gineers ignored the effect that spills and Jones, Nanette Diaz Barragán, Nydia of NWP 12 on the Byhalia pipeline in “We are thankful that members of leaks from this dangerous pipeline would M. Velázquez, Pramila Jayapal, Rashida 2016—years before the pipeline was Congress are speaking out against the pose to surface waters and drinking wa- Tlaib, Raúl Grijalva, Robert C. “Bob- proposed. We must provide forums for environmental injustices that the Byha- ter in Memphis and North Mississippi.” by” Scott and Ted W. Lieu, reads in part: communities across the country such as lia Pipeline imposes on Black residents In addition to the Southern Envi- “The nationwide permitting process Boxtown. Their concerns must be heard of southwest Memphis,” said Justin J. ronmental Law Center, the following allows applicants to obtain fast-track and heeded. We believe the Corps must Pearson, leader of Memphis Commu- organizations endorsed the letter: The permission to cross rivers and streams, require an individual permit for large nity Against the Pipeline. “This is the Climate Reality Project, Natural Re- avoiding public input as well as proj- fossil-fuel pipelines, so that specific moment for values to matter and voic- sources Defense Council (NRDC), ect-specific scrutiny of environmental environmental and community con- es to matter in Memphis and through- Memphis Community Against the harm. While such a process might be cerns with each project are addressed. out our country, to choose people over Pipeline (MCAP), Repairers of the appropriate if a project truly has lim- “Your leadership is instrumental to profit. It is not enough to wish for jus- Breach, Protect Our Aquifer, and Ten- ited impact, the threat to communities protect the rights of our communities tice. We must work for it—together. nessee Chapter of the Sierra Club. HW

Letter to the Editor Editor’s note: We are thoroughly disappointed to story like this. Some in the community Your newspaper serves a small com- We want YOUR letters and see the Goldfeder commentary on p7 will undoubtedly seize on the letter and munity, but it is more influential than opinions. As a locally owned of your latest edition [April 15, 2021]. spirit of the piece (by a very conserva- you realize. This week, you have di- newspaper, we do not have the We appreciate articles that bring us to- tive writer, if you look at his previous vided the community and undermined resources to personally report gether as a community and feed our work) to criticize liberals and Dem- the peace process more than you know. on national, international or common interests. This article de- ocrats (their own family and friends Please find more productive things to Israeli news. Therefore, we rely monizes the Biden administration in our community, in reality), and to publish. on paid news sources such as the (which many in the community sup- “other” Palestinians further. This hap- Jewish Telegraph Agency (JTA) port) in its headline and content, but it pens at Shabbat tables, conversations at Sincerely, and Jewish News Syndicate (JNS). is not that to which we object, though. Shul, and in the digital spaces that have Dr. Anne and Ellis Reef MD Send us your letters and opinions What concerns us is the results of a replaced them during the pandemic. for consideration to: [email protected] Largest Selection ANDREW of Kosher Wines BOSHWIT See Us for New Brands (901) 202-8648 Direct and All Styles of Kosher Wines From (901) 335-8709 Mobile Argentina, France, Australia, Chile, Italy [email protected] and Israel www.irmllc.com CASE DISCOUNT AVAILABLE

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That, he said, leads to less Jews able to live openly and freely as reporting – a “trap we have to avoid.” Jews, in whatever manner they wish?” He added that the Jewish commu- The sizes of the Jewish commu- nity’s lack of trust in their local au- nities ranged from 1,500 in Norway thorities is another “critical” issue. 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State Farm Bloomington, IL 2001878 PAGE 6 | APRIL 22 , 2021 THE HEBREW WATCHMAN | hebrewwatchman.com School News Bornblum Jewish Community School students Margolin Hebrew Academy students participate in Genius Hour remembered those lost in the Holocuast and By Jill Cross, director of honor Israel’s Fallen Soldiers instruction & curriculum at Bornblum Jewish Community School In our Enrichment Program, we are working on refining our classes to en- courage exploration, creativity, intrin- sic curiosity and lifelong learning. The Enrichment Program is designed to provide challenging, thought-provok- ing activities for all of our students. The program works on many levels including schoolwide activities and programs available to all, enrichment projects for those who like a chal- lenge, and pull-out enrichment classes for students who meet school criteria. Students in enrichment classes are working on an individualized plan of instruction based on their academic goals and ability level. This year, they are also participating in Genius Hour each week. Genius Hour is a teaching practice that is student-directed and gives students the time and space to explore a passion or learn something Yom HaShoah Yom HaZikaron new. Genius Hour is most notably as- sociated with Google, where employ- 4th-12th graders joined together on To honor Israel’s fallen soldiers, ees can spend up to 20% of their time Zoom for a meaningful Yom HaSho- 5th-12th grade students gathered for a working on projects they are inter- ah Commemoration, which was led by socially distanced ceremony to com- ested in and passionate about. Gmail Rabbi Wende, Torah Mitzion Mem- memorate Yom HaZikaron. Through- and Google News are both products phis, and several students. Throughout out the meaningful program, students of 20%-time initiatives. With Ge- the day the 6th-grade students read shared stories of fallen Israeli soldiers, nius Hour, study and work are moti- the names of children who perished watched videos about their lives, and vated intrinsically, not extrinsically. in the Holocaust, as they do each year mourned and stood in solidarity with Learning Spanish, studying exhi- in MHA’s hallways. This year, they our brothers and sisters in Israel. HW bition design and museum studies continued the tradition at home on to create an art exhibit, and learn- Zoom. With the help of their families, ing about law to participate in a the kids read aloud over 5,000 names. mock trial are just a few ideas our students are exploring. It is also a wonderful opportunity to engage alumni as the students will need to Hollywood Feed University interview professionals as part of the learning process and present their ideas to an audience this spring. Presents Free, Online Genius Hour is another example of the forward-thinking, dynamic and Course: “Pet Emergencies” innovative education students receive at Bornblum. HW WHEN: Thurs., April 29, 8 to 9:30 a.m. Amy completed training at Cornell Thurs., April 29, 12 to 1:30 p.m. University Veterinary School in ca- Thurs., April 29, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. nine and feline basic and advanced life support, earning a certification Bornblum student brings WHERE: by the American College of Veteri- https://hfu.hollywoodfeed.com/ nary Emergency and Critical Care. live-event-page/pet-emergency- Most of her career has been dedicated joy to veterans education-amy-dandrea/ to working in veterinary clinics and Chandler King, a 10-year-old stu- AGES: All ages teaching at AVMA Accredited Veter- dent at Bornblum Jewish Communi- COST: Free inary Technology college programs. ty School, completed a project with While teaching in higher education, family to bring joy to military person- If your pet has an emergency, Amy became a nationally renowned nel at the Memphis VA Hospital. The knowing how to react before get- speaker, authored various publications, project began eight years ago as Chan- ting to a vet clinic can make all including five textbooks, and became one dler was able to fill individual bags the difference for your pet’s life. of the industry’s leading subject matter ex- with candies, foods, as well as tooth- Join veterinary technician Amy D’An- perts in veterinary technology education. brush/toothpaste or later with socks. drea as she discusses the basics of ani- Amy has earned a multitude of awards This year, they did 130 bags – 100 reg- mal first aid and how to use the materials including the Teaching Excellence ular bags plus 30 for diabetic patients. in a pet first aid kit. She’ll also explain Award, Distinguished Alumni Award, Each bag had a personally signed card. how to perform CPR on dogs and cats and the Hill’s Scholarship. Amy served When completed, they were delivered and how to respond to common medi- for many years on the Executive Board to Catherine Austin and then proceed- cal emergencies such as severe wounds, of the National Association of Veteri- ed to Deb Burns, director of volunteers poisoning, burns, choking, and more. nary Technicians in America where she at the Memphis VA Medical Center. Sign up today at https://hfu.hollywood- was the President in 2006. Additionally, “It is a good feeling when I help feed.com/live-event-page/pet-emer- Amy served on the organizing commit- those men and women who have kept tee for the Academy of Equine Veterinary Chandler with Memphis VA gency-education-amy-dandrea/ our country safe,” said Chandler. “At Nursing Technicians and was the chair- Medical Center volunteer ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Amy this time, our class has learned about D’Andrea has been a credentialed vet- person for the Committee on Veterinary HW Catherine Austin World War l and World War ll.” erinary technician for over 28 years and Technician Specialties for three years. holds registrations and certifications in She is the proud co-owner of Pet multiple states. She is a graduate of the Emergency Education, which she Subscribe Now — Don’t Miss An Issue Mount Ida College Veterinary Technol- founded over 10 years ago. Her mis- sion was to teach pet owners and ani- Intown $36 • Out-of-State $50 ogy program where she completed both her Associates and Bachelors Degrees in mal professionals the fundamentals of Veterinary Technology before going on animal first aid and how to perform life The HEBREW WATCHMAN to receive her Master’s in Education from saving skills so that more pets would Phone 901.763.2215 American Intercontinental University. survive a medical emergency. HW hebrewwatchman.com | THE HEBREW WATCHMAN APRIL 22, 2021 | PAGE 7 First Place, Memphis Jewish Federation’s 12th Annual Holocaust Essay Contest The Importance of Allies and Questions for Tragedy By Chana Rovner 10th Grade, Goldie Margolin School for Girls During the Second World War, a great people who were willing to hide or pro- ure out the best way to keep everyone perceptions to change. After all of this, tragedy happened to us and others like tect them until they could leave. They safe and hidden while thinking about are they willing to wait for as long as it us in Nazi Germany. The Nazis put had to have plans for every situation. if getting the refugees out quickly was takes to gain acceptance? If they can’t people they thought were lesser in con- They had to plan for the possibility of the most important thing. Was it safer handle the trauma and possible PTSD, centration camps in an attempt to “pu- getting caught, endangering the people to wait and hide? Is it worth it to put is throwing their life away a morally rify the Aryan race.” We would like to who helped them, and what happens your own family at risk for another good option? Other people sacrificed assume most people in Nazi Germany after they get out. They had to wrestle person? They had to weigh the risks of themselves so they could go on living, didn’t agree with Hitler and were forced with moral dilemmas associated with everything while outwardly pretend- do they owe it to them to keep living? to further their cause as a consequence getting out. They had to choose what ing everything was fine. True allies are After going through a traumatic ex- of living in a fascist police state, but was important to take with them across the most important thing to have, they perience, such as that, a person has given recent events, empathizing with borders. They had to think about leav- have helped us get through the tough- to question everything. They have people who stand by when terrible ing their friends and family behind estPresident of times Josephwith no Bidenhope of payment. to figure Credit: out Wikimedia a way to Commons move on from things are happening is much harder. and find a way to go on knowing that Once they had found allies to protect possibly losing everyone and every- This is where allies are important, they they could have saved someone else. them and get them out, what do they do? thing. They have to thank the people didn’t passively stand by, they tried Did they have a moral obligation to How do they go on knowing that you that helped them along the way. They their hardest to get us out of Germany. help as many other people as possible could have done more? Did they feel have to deal with everyone’s precon- Allies are important for any margin- right then, or should they simply hide? responsible for other’s deaths? Do they ceived notions of them since the Nazi alized group, but they were responsi- The allies had many things to wres- thank their allies? If so, how? Now that propaganda is still used today. They ble for our continued existence today. tle with as well. They had to take into they are outside of it and it’s all over, had to wrestle with humanity and mo- There were many challenges that account their own family’s health and they have to think about how others per- rality and they did. We got through. arose for the people trying to escape safety and actively choose to fight and ceive them. Will they try to hurt them We survived and we can continue to Germany at that time. They had to find help other people. They had to fig- more? It may take years for people’s survive thanks to all of our allies. HW Memphis Jewish Federation to close Mental The City We Share Series with program Health on education Awareness Month at the MJCC Fogelman Jewish Family Service and the Memphis Jewish Communi- ty Center are partnering to facilitate three programs in May for Mental Health Awareness Month. Each pro- gram has a unique twist and opportuni- ty to learn about mental health and the prevalence in our current lives. Due to COVID-19, people are feeling more Dr. Samantha Alperin Rabbi Jeremy Simons Professor Daniel Kiel isolated and anxious than ever before. Mental health services have been diffi- Memphis Jewish Federation (MJF) 2017. Professor Kiel's scholarly work Award by the University of Memphis. cult to obtain due to closures and loss of announced the concluding session of its centers on inequality in the educa- “This series exploring complex issues income. We are excited to educate and three-part virtual series, The City We tion system, particularly along lines of in Memphis has been incredibly well re- unite our Memphis community over Share: Community Conversations through race. His research examines efforts to ceived by the community. And we are a very important topic. Join us for our a Jewish Lens, with a program on Equity reduce educational disparities, includ- so pleased to wrap it up both with an is- opening program on May 2 at 10 a.m., in Education on Wed., April 28 at noon. ing both the historical era of desegre- sue that is so near and dear to the Mem- “The Demons Inside.” We are honored The program will be moderated by gation and more modern efforts to re- phis Jewish community and featuring a to have Geoff Calkins for an intimate Dr. Samantha Alperin, professor of ed- form the structure of public education. member of our own community who is conversation with Memphis Grizzlies ucation at Christian Brothers Universi- Professor Kiel has written op-eds a nationally recognized and highly re- broadcaster Rob Fischer as he shares ty where she has served in the roles of for the Washington Post, USA Today, spected expert in the field,” said Bluma his struggle with suicidal depression. department chair and director of teacher and the Memphis Commercial Appeal Zuckerbrot-Finkelstein, MJF’s execu- On May 2, we will also be hosting licensure over the past 19 years. Rabbi and has given numerous presenta- tive vice president. “Our goal has been a virtual run. Get your families and Jeremy Simons, assistant Rabbi and di- tions on issues of race and education, to present the complexities and nuances friends together to participate. Each rector of the Youth Program at Temple both locally and nationally. During the of the difficult issues facing Memphis adult that signs up will receive a special Israel, will offer a Jewish framework for merger of school districts in Shelby so that community members gain a swag bag, including a T-shirt, mental looking at the issue of educational parity. County, he was appointed to the Tran- deeper understanding of and apprecia- health information and other fun sur- Featured panelist is Professor Dan- sition Planning Commission charged tion for the challenges facing our city.” prises. This event costs $18 per per- iel Kiel, professor of law at the Ce- with crafting a plan for that merger The Federation Coordinating Commit- son. Participants can complete the run cil C. Humphreys School of Law at and served as co-chairperson of the tee for this series includes Janis Finan, Cin- any time on May 2. Photos requested. the University of Memphis. Professor group's Education Committee. For dy Finestone, Jamie Johnson, Jeri Mosko- Proceeds from this event will be do- Kiel has been a member of the faculty his work on schooling in Memphis, vitz, Eileen Posner and Karin Rubnitz. nated to Fogelman Jewish Family Ser- since 2008. He teaches Property, Con- he has been cited in The New York Pre-registration is required. To access vice’s counseling fund to assist those stitutional Law, and Education & Civil Times, The Atlantic and Education the Zoom registration link, please call who are unable to pay for services. Rights, and was awarded the Universi- Week and was awarded the 2013 Dr. 901-767-7100 or email crichardson@ On May 11 at 7 p.m., Judy Book- ty's Distinguished Teaching Award in Martin Luther King, Jr., Human Rights jcpmemphis.org. HW man will be moderating a panel of guest speakers from our Memphis Jewish community. These individuals Help Keep Memphis will share their stories of living with addiction, Bipolar Disorder, Panic and Jewish journalism Anxiety, and the suicide of a child. You will gain a greater understanding alive. of these conditions and learn how you can help yourself or someone you love. To advertise or For any questions on the Tikvah Debbie Rosenthal LUXURY SPECIALIST subscribe, call Mental Health Awareness event, contact 901.682.5600 Rashki Osina, FJFS therapist, at rosi- [email protected] 901.763.2215 [email protected] / 901-767-8511 or Josh Wright, assistant fitness director, /debbierosenthaldreamvacations [email protected] at [email protected] / 901-259- www.dreamvacations.com/drosenthal 9241. HW PAGE 8 | APRIL 22 , 2021 THE HEBREW WATCHMAN | hebrewwatchman.com Masa Israel Journey visa Orthodox Union holders can enter Israel launches $100k challenge grant to stimulate return to and reimagination of synagogue life NEW YORK — One of the most pro- The OU hopes to partner with found ways the COVID-19 pandemic communities to remind communi- impacted the Jewish community over ty members of the many vital as- the past year was the initial closure of pects of Jewish life that only hap- and the subsequent limitations on syn- pen in a synagogue community. agogues. Now, as more congregants “We are looking to spur thoughtful have been vaccinated and individual conversations within synagogues as to state regulations on indoor public gath- how to restore and enhance their vibran- erings have eased, the Orthodox Union cy and remind our communities’ mem- (OU), the nation’s oldest and largest bers of the many spiritual, education- Courtesy Masa Israel Journey umbrella organization for the North al, communal, and social dimensions American Orthodox Jewish community, of our synagogues. The synagogue is JERUSALEM — Masa Israel Jour- navirus-fighting efforts, vaccinating its is launching a new $100,000 challenge the halachic and historic hub of Jew- ney, founded by The Jewish Agency and population faster than any other country. grant. The grant is designed to support ish life and this program is designed the government of Israel, announced “During this challenging time for congregations who create innovative to highlight that,” said OU Executive this week that Israeli skies have re- many young people around the world, programs and services that will invig- Vice President Rabbi Moshe Hauer. opened for Masa Fellows arriving in we are proud to offer immersive op- orate synagogues and stimulate con- “Beyond the awarding of grants itself, Israel from abroad, with special precau- portunities for personal and profession- gregants to re-embrace synagogue life. our goal with this program is to create tions to ensure the safety of its Fellows al development in Israel. While career Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded a repository of ideas and share them as and communities. This announcement and travel options may continue to be to the programs selected and will be ad- broadly as possible so that the broader came shortly after Israel’s Ministry limited internationally, Israel remains ministered through the OU’s Department Jewish community can benefit from the of Interior confirmed it will approve an accessible bridge for youth seeking of Synagogue Initiatives. Synagogues wisdom and creative ideas of others,” entry for travelers with Masa visas. growth, experience, and knowledge. interested in applying for a grant can said OU Synagogue Initiatives Direc- During April, the organization expects Our ability to re-open Israel’s skies to apply via https://www.ou.org/grant21/. tor Rabbi Adir Posy. “We are trying to to welcome more than 1300 Fellows Masa Fellows is the culmination of hard Applications are due April 30 and spur innovation and make everyone the from around the world for long-term, work and coordination with Israel’s awards will be announced on May 14. beneficiaries of these innovative ideas.” immersive experiences in Israel, with government and The Jewish Agency, “With the pandemic keeping so Founded in 1898, the Orthodox Union, more than 1/3 of participants arriving our program providers, and communi- many community members away from (OU), serves as the voice of American from North America. Masa intends to ties abroad,” said Ofer Gutman, Masa their synagogues, it is imperative that Orthodox Jewry, with over 400 congre- work closely with Israel’s government we think together as a community to gations in its synagogue network. As to help participants obtain visas while Masa opens re-imagine the synagogue experience the umbrella organization for American adhering to health and safety guidelines. programming for in a way that excites and motivates Orthodox Jewry, the OU is at the fore- Masa is successfully adapting its members to return,” said OU Presi- front of advocacy work on both state programs in real time to improve par- more than 1300 new dent Moishe Bane. “It is important to and federal levels, outreach to Jewish ticipant safety and provide support international Fellows focus on engaging all segments of our teens and young professionals through for participants on the ground. It is arriving in Israel community, including youth, women NCSY, Israel Free Spirit Birthright, Ya- one of the only organizations that and seniors who have had even few- chad and OU Press, among many other continued operating without pause er outlets over the course of the pan- divisions and programs. For more infor- throughout the pandemic, support- demic to re-engage in synagogue life.” mation, visit https://www.ou.org/. HW ing thousands of Fellows who stayed Israel Journey’s Acting CEO. “We will in Israel for long-term experiences. continue this coordination to ensure the As economies fluctuate, universi- safety of participants, as we look for- ties adapt, and the job market changes, ward to welcoming thousands of new Israel’s Foreign Ministry Masa programs offer an unparalleled Fellows to Israel and the Masa family.” opportunity for Fellows to prepare Masa ensures safe and comfortable plays Jimmy Fallon’s for the post-Pandemic world with gap 10-day quarantine conditions for all year and study abroad opportunities, incoming Fellows. Those who bring ser-vice learning and internships in official documentation of vaccination hashtag game — very Israel’s renowned high-tech and bio- from their home countries and receive tech sectors. A majority of Fellows a negative PCR test upon landing in Is- badly arriving in Israel are participating rael are exempt from quarantine. During in Masa Gap and Masa Career pro- quarantine, Fellows can stay engaged By Gabe Friedman grams, the highest ever recorded, with and active through virtual enrichment (JTA)—#TwitterFail. Israeli show, so I don’t really know if a steep rise in registration for gap year activities like orientations, Hebrew-lan- Israel’s Foreign Ministry tried to this is funny or not. But let’s laugh at it.” (40%) and internship (33%) programs. guage courses, and educational sem- impress viewers of Jimmy Fallon’s He started to read the tweet, which Daniel Loevy, 23, from Philadelphia, inars. Additionally, Masa’s Leader- show by participating in one of his begins with “Fauda,” and some started his internship as an analyst at ship and Impact Center has innovated Twitter hashtag games this week, in the audience cheered. “Do you Equitech Financial Consulting through unique products to support the Masa but its joke fell flat. And the late- know ‘Fauda’?” he asked, to more the Masa Careers program. Loevy said: community throughout quarantine, in- night host added to the confusion. cheers. Then he showed the tweet: “I knew I wanted to return at some point cluding customized content packages The NBC show has a recurring seg- “Fauda meets Edward Scissorhands to live here, then Covid happened, and with activities, digital tools to over- ment that asks viewers to use a certain meets West Side Story.” Which an opportunity arose for me. The fact come obstacles posed by social distanc- hashtag and come up with humor- does not make any sense on its own. that Tel Aviv is the start-up capital of the ing, and health and wellness courses. ous tweets. Wednesday’s was “#De- “I love it, thank you for play- world and hosts the 2nd best FinTech About Masa Israel Journey: Masa Is- scribeAMovieBadly” – participants ing,” Fallon said before moving on. scene in the world was the cherry on top.” rael Journey is the largest immersive, were to sum up the plot of a movie A different account run by the Foreign Benjamin Bercovitch, 23, from Mon- long-term educational experience for or show in a counterintuitive way. Ministry later cleared up the mystery, ex- treal, came to work for a startup in a busi- young adults ages 18-30. On its pro- For example, one read “Harry Pot- plaining that the tweet mistakenly omit- ness development role. “For me, Israel grams that range from two months to ter – 11-year-old orphan gets kid- ted the film it was describing: “You Don’t is so important because it’s the home- a year, Masa offers an authentic, un- napped, sent to magic camp, and ends Mess With the Zohan,” a 2008 Adam land of my people. When I was thinking mediated, and challenging journey into up murdering one of his counselors.” Sandler comedy about an Israeli Mos- about what I wanted to do this summer Israeli society, culture, politics and his- The @Israel Twitter account, which sad agent-turned-New York City barber. and where I wanted to work, Israel was tory – and acts as the largest pipeline for is run by the Foreign Ministry, failed https://twitter.com/Israel/sta- the first place in mind, so I applied for the Jewish Diaspora to access the finest to note any movie or show – so Fallon tus/1383068064107917321 the [Masa] program,” Bercovitch said. Israeli businesses, social enterprises and took it to be about “Fauda,” the hit Is- Regardless, the ministry The organization remains in regular academic institutions. Since its 2004 raeli thriller about counterterrorism got the screen time it wanted. contact with Fellows, their parents, and founding by the Israeli Prime Minister’s agents, which the tweet mentioned first. Watch the Israel part of the alumni to share new public health in- Office and The Jewish Agency, Masa “Let’s help them out on this because I segment at the 2:35 mark here: formation, regulations, and precautions. has served over 160,000 young peo- don’t understand this one,” Fallon said. https://www.youtube.com/ Israel stands at the forefront of coro- ple from more than 62 countries. HW “I think it’s a show, or a movie, like an watch?v=iprgQJkw76Y HW hebrewwatchman.com | THE HEBREW WATCHMAN APRIL 22, 2021 | PAGE 9 Khamenei US landmarks SERVICES AVAILABLE lit up blue dismisses • Driver—Courteous and reliable person to take and white proposals made you anywhere you need to go in Memphis and sur- for Israel’s during nuclear rounding areas: Dr’s appointments, Shopping, Er- Independence talks in Vienna rands, Airport. Available weekdays and weekends. (JNS) — Iran’s Supreme Lead- Day er Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dis- • House Sitting and Dog Sitting— missed proposals made so far Responsible adult available to stay with your dogs By Ron Kampeas during indirect talks with the Unit- ed States in Vienna last Wednesday. while you are away. I love dogs! (JTA) — Landmarks in Boston, Los “The offers they provide are usu- Angeles, Las Vegas and other ma- ally arrogant and humiliating, [and] Contact Rick Danzig: 901-337-6009 jor U.S. cities lit up in the blue and not worth looking at,” said Khame- white colors of Israel to mark that na- nei in an address for the Muslim hol- tion’s Independence Day on April 14. iday of Ramadan, reported the AP. Chapters of the Israeli-American “The talks shouldn’t become talks of Executive Assistant Council, an advocacy and communi- attrition. They shouldn’t be in a way that at the Memphis Jewish Community Center (MJCC) ty outreach organization, worked with parties drag on and prolong the talks. local authorities to light up town halls This is harmful to the country,” he said. This position represents the President/CEO and provides and landmarks in areas with large Is- Iran announced that it will begin administrative support for the MJCC senior management raeli-American concentrations. Other enriching uranium to the 60 percent staff. This position also interacts with MJCC Board of blue-and-white light exhibits were seen purity level – its highest level yet – Directors as needed and attends MJCC Board of Directors in Cleveland, Houston, Orlando, At- two days after it accused Israel of be- meetings. lanta, Denver and Hollywood, Florida, ing behind a blast at a key nuclear as well as a number of municipalities site that reportedly caused extensive Qualifications: in New Jersey, and Rockville, Mary- damage to Iran’s nuclear program. • High School Diploma required (Bachelors preferred) land, a suburb of Washington, D.C. The current dialogue is meant to al- The coordinated event was a first low America to re-enter the 2015 Iran • 1-3 years of related work experience in a JCC or similar for the Israeli-American Coun- nuclear deal that the Trump administra- environment is preferred cil and was a means of celebrat- tion withdrew from in May 2018. HW • Excellent Microsoft Office Skills ing Independence Day, or Yom Haatzmaut, under pandemic conditions. To Apply: There will be follow-up events Have a wedding, Please send your resume to [email protected] throughout the weekend, including drive- bar/bar mitzvah, through celebrations in a number of cit- 6560 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38138 ies, culminating in the broadcast of a con- special birthday jccmemphis.org • (901) 761-0810 cert from Jerusalem on Sunday evening. or anniversary? One of the events will be a street fair Sunday in New York City’s Times Tell us all about Square with blue and white featured it! 901.763.2215 throughout the famed area, including NEW WEEKLY DEADLINE AT NOON [email protected] a car parade with the vehicles dec- on Wednedsay Week Prior to Publication orated in those colors, confetti and 73 balloons for Israel’s birthday. On the council’s website, the Hebrew teaser for the midday event prom- ises a “wild and crazy” time. HW Considering purchasing a new home

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In-Home Caregiver Looking for Work Over 18 years Scott Sorin (901) 378-2244 | NMLS#40975 healthcare 7465 Poplar Avenue | Germantown experience. [email protected] Full time or www.iberiabank.com/mortgage Part Time IBERIABANK NMLS #403179. All loans subject to approval, including credit approval. Some restrictions apply. IBERIABANK NMLS #403179. All loans subject to approval, including credit approval. Some restrictions apply. Other programs available. Programs subject to change or termination withoutCall notice. 901-299-6277 Other programs available. Programs subject to change or termination without notice. PAGE 10 | APRIL 22 , 2021 THE HEBREW WATCHMAN | hebrewwatchman.com The Dybbuk Strikes Again Israel, Greece, sign $1.6 billion defense Editor’s note: liever and claimed that she was afflicted. call a “wireless mouse”. This clev- agreement This story is And the big D, she said, ruined her er device beats any trick those Las being reprinted Luchen Kugel, not her. Not that we need Vegas magicians have pulled for the in memory of a Dybbuk to wreck our attempts to partic- last 50 years. He sits there “UNCON- Ted Roberts in ipate in the technology of the 21st centu- NECTED” and bosses your computer appreciation of ry, which is a lot more complicated than around. I guess it’s the same kind of his longtime Luchen Kugel. We can make a mess of it magic that motivates your TV remote service as a without Dybbuks dabbling in our affairs. – an activity that our fiendish friend newspaper My Bubbe and her kind worried avoids. It’s only my computer he’s after. columnist. about these bizarre creatures taking Wait, the computer, via the desktop is over their body and soul. We 21st-cen- talking to me. “Connect mouse (why is Ted Roberts tury technical ignoramuses worry it called a mouse – no mouth, no tail) to about those evil spirits inhabiting – I USB port.” Well, I’m no ignoramus. I IDF Brig. Gen. (res.) Yair Kulas We artistic folk flunk technology should say polluting – our comput- know all about USB ports. It’s a little slit (right) and Theodoros Lagios, every time, and we seem to be haunt- ers, our iPads, and our smart phones. in the back of the machine. But how do director-general of the Greek ed by the ever-present Dybbuk who Like the other day this creative artis- I cram this lumpy curvy thing they call General Directorate for Defense hides, when he’s not befouling our tic soul (I mean me) is going through a the mouse into that slot? Ah, it’s time to Credit: Hellenic Ministry of Defense. life, in our left-hand coat pocket. simple computer process that creative consult my staff, as I call my few tech- (JNS) – Israel and Greece announced You know about Dybbuks – malevolent artistic souls must do to make a living. I nocratic friends. They explain I need a the signing of a defense coopera- creatures that jump inside you and take open a story, select and copy it. I intend special wire. No not an old coat hanger, tion agreement worth approximate- charge of your life. My Bubbe was a be- to paste it into an e-mail and send to but a wire with two ends – one to fit the ly 5.4 billion shekels ($1.6 billion). an editor. No Way! The Dybbuk in my gray thing referred to as a rodent and the The agreement includes the estab- Ted has a new left-hand pants pocket pollutes transac- other that slips neatly into the USB port. lishment of a flight training center tions. The copy of the document bears In the old days the Dybbuks would for the Hellenic Air Force, to be built revised book little resemblance to the document it- jump into a body and ruin his life. and operated for 22 years by Israe- 50% new stories self. The computer devil strikes again. But today they have modernized li defense company Elbit Systems. In other words, I do the copy thing and their attack. They still ruin your life, The training center will be modeled The scribbler the result is not related to the original. but they are much more subtle. They after the Israeli Air Force’s own flight Spooky how could it be? I’ve called jump in your computer – to the same academy, and it will be supplied with 10 on The roof upon my computer several thousand end. You write a beautiful, spar- M-346 training aircraft made by Italy’s by Ted roberts times for this piece of magic. It’s one of kling, imaginative story and they de- Leonardo company. The aircraft will be his more reliable features: until the com- lete it! That’s their next dirty trick. an Israeli variant known as the “Lavi,” The best of Ted’s puter Dybbuk scrambles the typed lines. The syndicated humor of Ted, the Scrib- which, according to Elbit, are equipped work—a collection But that impish destroyer was just bler on the Roof, has appeared in news- with “unique avionics and embedded of stories designed warming up. His next target was what papers around the US, on National Pub- training solutions.” These aircraft are to make you laugh my technical, but non-artistic friends, lic Radio, and numerous web sites. HW also used by the IAF for training cadets. and cry Within the framework of the agree- Help Keep Memphis Jewish Journalism alive. ment, Elbit Systems will also provide $10.95 To advertise or subscribe, call 901.763.2215 or kits to upgrade and operate the Hel- available at lulu.com email [email protected] lenic Air Force’s Beechcraft T-6 Tex- an II training aircraft, as well as train- ing, simulators and logistical support. NEW DEADLINES FOR STORIES AND ADS “In the future, the parties will WEDNESDAYS AT NOON also consider areas of cooperation NO EXCEPTIONS! between the Israeli flight acade- AND WE ARE HAPPY TO ACCEPT YOUR STORIES IN ADVANCE. my and Hellenic Airforce Acad- emy,” the joint statement added. Greece approved the Israe- li bid for the contract in January. Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz described the agreement as a reflection of “the excellence of Isra- el’s defense industry and the strong relations between the defense es- tablishments of Greece and Israel.” Brighton Bank will help you weather the storm . IDF Brig. Gen. (res.) Yair Kulas, the head of the Israeli Defense Ministry’s . 50% on both your checking and savings accounts! International Defense Cooperation Di- EARN EARN rectorate, called the deal “the most ex- Brighton PLUS pansive and one of the most significant Brighton Savings defense agreements to date.” The agree- Brighton PLUS Brighton Savings Consumer Checking ment “further cemented” the “strategic Consumer* Checking partnership” between the Israeli and .50% APY* .50% APY .50% APY* * Greek Defense ministries, he added. Greece and Israel have held sever- .50% APY al joint military training exercises in ✓ FDIC✔ Insured $250,000 recent years. 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The • Go "Green": Help save our planet by opting into eStatements. Choose to receive your monthly chiefs of staff discussed “opera- statement electronically and we'll waive your monthly service charge. tional developments in the region.” During an official visit to Is- • Security You Can Count On: 2-Step Secure Authentication and SSL Encryption. rael in June, Greek Prime Min- ister Kyriakos Mitsotakis point- • The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 05/20/2020 and based on a deposit of $100. The interest rate and corresponding APY for savings and checking accounts are variable and are set at our discretion. Interest rates may change as often as daily without prior notice. Maintenance or activity fees may reduce earnings. ed to Ankara as a regional threat. Federal regulations limit certain types of transfers from a savings account to a combined maximum of six per month. If transfers exceed this limit more than occasionally, we will convert the account to a type not subject to transfer limits or close the account. A fee is assessed for each excess transfer paid against the account. See our Deposit Account agreement and Disclosures for details. “Turkey is undermining stability in the region. It aims to control political- ly and militarily the entire area of the Member @""""DUS'"' eastern Mediterranean,” Mitsotakis OPPORTUNITY FDIC told Ynet at the time of his visit. HW hebrewwatchman.com | THE HEBREW WATCHMAN APRIL 22, 2021 | PAGE 11 What Bernie Madoff proved about Blinken: US commitment to America and the Jews Israel ‘ironclad,’ He pulled off the greatest scam in history by welcomes more networking among his normalization fellow Jews. But contrary to the fears of many, his crime aggreements didn’t set off a wave of anti- (JNS) – U.S. Secretary of State Ant- Semitism or destroy the ony Blinken said that America’s com- community. mitment to Israel is “ironclad,” and that he – and the Biden administration – sup- ports more normalization agreements. more in fictional profits. Sadly though, Blinken appeared as part of a virtu- many victims sold off their claims to al event hosted by Israel’s embassy in speculators for pennies on the dollar Washington for Israeli Independence Bernie Madoff. Source: Screenshot. in order to survive the post-2008 cri- Day, which also featured U.S. Sen- sis, long before restitution was made. ate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer By Jonathan S. Tobin Those Jewish institutions who were (D-N.Y.) and Minority Leader Mitch (JNS) – On Dec. 11, 2008, one of squandered, the anguish he caused lives hit hard staggered, though most, includ- McConnell (R-Ky.), and was viewed the worst events to rock the organized on with their anger – perhaps all the ing Hadassah, have survived and even- by more than 20,000 people online. Jewish world was revealed on the greater because they hadn’t been taken in tually can be said to have fully recov- “In your 73rd year of freedom, we sa- front pages of the nation’s newspa- by a common criminal or a sleazy Inter- ered. Of the small groups, some were lute Israel’s determination, bravery and pers. Few outside of the financial world net scammer. Madoff was a pillar of the wiped out, but the Robert Lappin Foun- ingenuity, which have made possible had ever heard of him before that day. New York financial world and a former dation, which had done so much for your country’s prosperity and hard-won But when news broke that Bernard president of the Nasdaq stock exchange. Jewish education, adapted and learned security,” said Blinken. “The United Madoff’s Wall Street investment firm More than that, he was also a major to fundraise rather than merely existing States commitment to Israel’s security is was a Ponzi scheme and that some of player in Jewish philanthropy, a trea- on their principal donor’s largesse since ironclad, and together, we work strength- the Jewish community’s richest and surer of Yeshiva University and chair- he had lost most of his money as well. ening all aspects of our partnership, just most respected individuals, as well as man of its business school, and active If any good came out of all this, it’s like we’ve been doing since the United philanthropies and educational institu- in many other communal institutions. that many small groups, especially the States first recognized Israel in 1948.” tions, had been the victims of a gigan- Indeed, Madoff recruited his marks boutique philanthropies that have grown We send our warmest wishes to tic fraud, the impact was devastating. by networking within the Jewish com- by leaps and bounds in recent decades, the people of Israel as you celebrate More than $64.8 billion had disap- munity. At Jewish country clubs in New which had handled their money in a your Independence Day. Our commit- peared when the impact of the 2008 York, Florida and Minnesota, he con- somewhat cavalier fashion managed ment to Israel’s security is ironclad, financial crisis finally undid Madoff’s vinced people that he was doing them to change their ways. Savvier inves- and we look forward to strengthening decades-long scheme and forced his a favor by letting them give him their tors and institutions with more checks all aspects of our partnership. Yom firm into collapse, although most of money as if it were an exclusive club. and balances set up in their operations ha’atzmaut sameach! pic.twitter.com/ that was actually the fictional profits He also utilized his connections with had stayed clear of Madoff because Dzz70DQbXb – Secretary Antony his clients thought he had earned them. legitimate Jewish Wall Street operators they felt his numbers never added up. Blinken (@SecBlinken) April 14, 2021 Madoff was once the toast of the Jew- like Ezra Merkin, who, according to a They were ultimately proved correct. Blinken noted that the past year cop- ish philanthropic world. He died last report in The New York Times, direct- Just as important, the fears that re- ing with the coronavirus has been dif- week in the hospital at the federal prison ed more than $1 billion of funds from vulsion over Madoff would set off ficult, but it has “allowed Israel once in Butner, N.C., still as widely reviled a fellow congregants at Manhattan’s Fifth a revival of anti-Semitism in the again to demonstrate its resilience, figure as he was once his crime was ex- Avenue Synagogue into Madoff’s hands. United States proved overblown. strength and compassion, wheth- posed. Last year after his condition was It was precisely because Madoff was In the wake of the 2008 collapse, er by leading the world in your vac- judged to be fatal, his lawyers asked for so well-connected and active in the Jew- Americans were searching for scape- cination rate or making new friends early release to live out his last months ish philanthropic world that so many in- goats. Smearing Jews as inveterate from Morocco all the way to Bhutan.” stitutions entrusted him with their mon- fraudsters who steal the money of “The United States welcomes and It was precisely because ey. The list of Jewish groups that woke unsuspecting gentiles is one of the supports the recent normalization agree- Madoff was so well- up to discover their assets were a mirage primary themes of classic anti-Semi- ments,” he continued. “We will contin- connected and active in the was staggering. They included Yeshiva tism that has been repeated through- ue to urge more countries to normalize Jewish philanthropic world University, Hadassah, the American out the history of modern Europe. relations with Israel, and we’ll look for that so many institutions Technion Society as well as smaller or- Though the Anti-Defamation League other opportunities to expand coopera- entrusted him with their ganizations like the Robert Lappin Foun- published a full accounting of Mad- tion among countries in the region. As a money. dation, the Elie Wiesel Foundation for off-inspired attacks on Jews, their re- result, I expect Israel’s group of friends Humanity, New York’s Ramaz School port on the issue didn’t amount to much to grow even wider in the years ahead.” and Boston’s Maimonides School. since it was largely limited to stray com- In his remarks, Schumer applauded outside of jail. But the same judge who Adding to the pain is the fact that some ments posted on websites. Perhaps it is Israel for overcoming so many different had sentenced him to 150 years in pris- of those who thought of themselves because it was known that Madoff had challenges since its founding, includ- on denied the request, citing hundreds of as victims – thanks to Madoff’s false stolen more from his fellow Jews than ing “threats from the outside; violence his victims who had written to the court claims about the gains their investments anyone else. But if anti-Semitism has and terror; economic distress; and, of demanding that he be kept imprisoned. had made – were actually net winners grown in the last 12 years, it’s not be- course, the greatest health crisis the Madoff’s death should cause us to since they had withdrawn some of their cause Americans believe that Jews are world has seen in a hundred years.” ponder what it is that enables a person money over the years. Madoff had nev- stealing their cash. Rather, it’s because He also affirmed that the United to commit fraud on such an immense er failed to honor a withdrawal request many have either succumbed to left- States will continue to stand as Is- scale. It’s also an appropriate moment until the collapse of the Lehman Broth- ist, anti-Zionist and critical race theory rael’s friend, and is “ready to affirm to assess the broader consequences of ers firm set off a surge of demands that lies about Jews and Israel being white [our] decades-long alliance and to a crime that caused many to wonder forced him to finally confess his crimes. oppressors or because they bought into work together, to build a secure and whether at the time whether his actions Hadassah was one such “winner” more traditional right-wing conspiracy prosperous future for our two coun- would trigger a wave of anti-Semi- since it had withdrawn about $100 theories about Jews running the world. tries. The relationship between Israel tism rooted in traditional tropes about million from him over the years, a Bernie Madoff might have proved and the United States, as long as I am Jews and money, and how the Jewish sum far in excess of the $40 million that Jews are just as vulnerable to scam- majority leader, will remain like this.” organizational world would recover principle they had invested. Irving mers, especially when they appear so Similarly, McConnell noted that Isra- from the blow it suffered at his hands. Picard, a court-appointed trustee, has respectable, as anyone else. But he also el’s endurance “is a proud legacy for its Though the hurt he did to so many spent all these years seeking to “claw demonstrated that for all of the justi- people and for millions of friends around cannot be overestimated, it’s equal- back” some of those fictional profits fied concerns we have about anti-Sem- the world who celebrate alongside you.” ly true that Madoff’s misdeeds turned to make restitution to those who lost itism, even the most notorious crimes Israeli Ambassador to the United States out to be nothing more than a partic- everything. In a settlement, Hadassah committed by Jew won’t undermine and the United Nations Gilad Erdan said ularly egregious true crime story, not paid $45 million into that fund, which the position of the rest of the communi- that while America and Israel may occa- a turning point in American Jewish was not an indication of wrongdoing. ty – and that Americans recognize that sionally have disagreements, we “stand history. And though many of those To date, Picard has recovered some scammers can come from across the re- united on our guiding principles.” groups, institutions and individuals $14.4 billion of the approximately $20 ligious spectrum. That’s small comfort He added that he’s “certain that there never entirely recovered from what he billion that investors gave Madoff and for those who were hurt, financially and will be more countries in the region did to them, neither was his swindle redistributed to net losers. That means communally. But it also says something that will choose the path of peace and enough to topple the organized Jew- that some of those who were scammed good about America that we shouldn’t coexistence with Israel. And together ish world, which, to this day, still has were made whole, at least in terms of ignore, even as we recall such villainy. with this opportunity, we face the chal- far greater problems to cope with than their initial investment, even if they Jonathan S. Tobin is editor in chief of lenge of countering radical regimes, the thievery of a financial trickster. all thought that Madoff’s supposedly JNS—Jewish News Syndicate. Follow him especially Iran, and the murderous For those whose savings had been sound judgment had earned them far on Twitter at: @jonathans_tobin. HW terrorist groups they support.” HW PAGE 12 | APRIL 22 , 2021 THE HEBREW WATCHMAN | hebrewwatchman.com Jewish psychedelics movement gets a boost from a laid-off rabbi and a first-ever conference

for it. He founded Shefa, which means py: What Is Culturally Informed Care?” it would’ve been someone else.” “flow” in Hebrew; the organization’s Psychedelic substances – wheth- Ben, a 34-year-old graduate student tagline is “Connect With Divine Flow.” er organic, such as psilocybin (magic who didn’t want to use his full name, In less than a year, Kamenetz has mushrooms) or synthetic (such as LSD) is one of the many Jews who have used secured funding from Jewish do- – are illegal virtually everywhere in psychedelic substances. He’s attended nors, as well as Dr. Bronner’s Fam- the country, although some have been two Shefa integration circles, 90-min- ily Foundation (as in Dr. Bronner’s decriminalized to varying degrees in ute affairs that can include some Jewish Magic Soaps, the earthy brand with Oakland and Santa Cruz, California; chanting, brief text study and discussion Rabbi Zac Kamenetz is one of fine print all over the bottle) and the Denver, Colorado; Ann Arbor, Michi- of personal psychedelic experiences. the organizers of the landmark Riverstyx Foundation, which funds a gan; and the state of Oregon. But that He appreciates the open, nonhierar- Jewish Psychedelic Summit. number of “psycho-spiritual” projects. hasn’t stopped researchers and oth- chical vibe. Credit: J. the Jewish News of He also has begun to hold reg- er practitioners – some funded by “People are encouraged to share Northern California; background ular “integration circles,” support MAPS – from beginning to delve into about their experiences, ask ques- courtesy of Shefa/Shannon Levin group-like gatherings in which fellow the medical applications of these sub- tions, receive feedback,” Ben said. travelers discuss and come to terms stances, such as treating PTSD, anxi- “I have a significant and long-stand- with their psychedelic experiences. ety, depression and other conditions. ing psychedelic background. I have By David A.M. Wilensky Later this spring Kamenetz is stag- Kamenetz has had two experiences had a lot of conversations about ing a two-day event that promises to with psilocybin, and both were done it with similarly inclined Jews.” (J. the Jewish News of Northern put Shefa on the map — the first-ever legally as part of a Johns Hopkins Ben first heard about She- California via JTA) — Early in the Jewish Psychedelic Summit. It’s a col- University study of psychedelic expe- fa when Kamenetz was interviewed COVID-19 pandemic, while some laboration among Kamenetz; Madison riences in clergy of various religions. on the Judaism Unbound podcast. people were dabbling with new hob- Margolin, editor of the psychedelics Those experiences were among “I knew right away this is a conver- bies, Rabbi Zac Kamenetz was go- magazine DoubleBlind; and Natalie the most powerful of his life, he sation I want to be part of,” he said. ing all in on a lifelong fantasy. Lyla Ginsberg, director of policy and said, and convinced him of the “And I sort of got the same sense Kamenetz has a vision. He dreams of a advocacy at the Multidisciplinary As- need for psychedelic-assisted heal- from a lot of other people, a shared world in which the trauma of the Jewish sociation for Psychedelic Studies. ing in the Jewish community. sense that it was important to talk past can be healed through psychedelic Ginsberg’s group, MAPS, has deep “I’m one of the very few people about and do and explore this, to cre- experiences, a world in which chemi- Jewish roots. Its founder, Rick Doblin, who can say they’ve had a legal ex- ate spaces where we can talk about it.” cally assisted mystical encounters are was inspired by a dream about surviving perience with psychedelics in this When the Jewish Psychedelic Sum- a normative part of Jewish spirituality. the Nazis to devote his life to promot- country,” Kamenetz said. “To be able mit was announced, Ben didn’t even “Someday I see a space, maybe in ing psychedelics as a cure for human to speak freely about it without the bother looking at the list of speakers. the East Bay, where people can have ills and an insurance policy against an- stigma – because it’s not just people “I just saw the name [of the confer- safe and supported psychedelic expe- other Holocaust. The organization has talking about doing illegal things – it’s ence] and said sign me up,” he said, riences individually, and then integrate supported research and policy to ad- allowed people to start having a more though he admits he’s excited about those experiences in a community that vance psychedelics as a therapeutic tool. open conversation about it. When hearing from Rodger Kamenetz, the poet is invested in the application of mysti- Shefa’s summit will zoom in on there’s the opportunity to hear from and author of “The Jew in The Lotus.” cal experiences with other people,” he uniquely Jewish questions related to someone who did this in a legal en- Rabbi Kamenetz (no relation) is ex- told J. the Jewish News of Northern psychedelics. To be held virtually with vironment, people will listen more.” cited, too. California, in 2019. “This is total sci- four sessions each on May 2-3, the sum- And for Jews who have already “We’ve got this big Jewish fami- ence fiction because it doesn’t exist.” mit will bring together dozens of rabbis, been working with or using psy- ly of psychedelic enthusiasts who are It does now. After losing his job as scholars, artists and more for panels with chedelics, Kamenetz is proud to coming and contributing to making the director of Jewish learning and liv- topics such as “Did Psychedelics Play a be creating a platform where they this thing happen,” he said. “That’s ing at the Jewish Community Center of Role in Ancient Jewish Practice?” “What can talk about it more openly. why it feels so significant to me. I’ve San Francisco during a round of pan- Draws so Many Jews to India?” and “I think we’ve gotten ahead of the never been part of something that demic layoffs, Kamenetz decided to go “Jewish Trauma and Psychedelic Thera- market,” he said. “If it wasn’t me, really felt like a movement.” HW

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