The Jewish National Edition Post &Opinion Presenting a broad spectrum of Jewish News and Opinions since 1935. Volume 84, Number 2 • March 7, 2018 • 20 Adar 5778 www.jewishpostopinion.com • https://go.usa.gov/xn7ay

Cover Art by Carolyn Frankel (see About the Cover on p. 2)

2 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT March 7, 2018 About the Cover Seen on the Be Like Miriam Israel Scene By Carolyn Frankel

This art depicting Miriam from the BY SYBIL KAPLAN Passover story is from the book, Be From Masada to Like Rachel: Lessons of Character from Kibbutz Ketura Women of the Bible written and beau- Masada is about two hours from Methuselah in the Arava Institute research tifully illustrated by Kibbutz Ketura but its connections are a park on Kibbutz Ketura. Photo by Dr. Stolowey Carolyn Frankel. lot closer. London-born Dr. Sarah Sallon, Frankel, a writer Director of the Louis Borick Natural University of Zurich, Switzerland for radio and artist, was an Medicine Research Center at the carbon dating.They were also tested to see elementary school Hadassah Medical Center, Ein Karem, if they were anti-bacterial, anti-viral, educator teaching through the arts for 38 Jerusalem is friends with California-born anti-cancer, anti-fungal, anti-malaria, years in the Ohio public schools. She botanist of the Arava Institute for anti-oxidant, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and wrote this book to teach children not only Environmental Studies at Kibbutz Ketura, immune regulatory. about the Matriarchs of the Bible but as a Dr. Elaine Solowey. The date palm was one of the best vehicle to teach good character. She According to Dr. Sallon, “in 2005 we medicinal trees, domesticated over 6,000 believes this is a lifelong task for everyone were interested in rejuvenating lost flora years ago. It can be male or female, and the world is in need of of Eretz Yisrael. One of the lost flora is the and the babies are dates. Medicine of the seeing more examples of Judaean date. I was discussing with some date palm was used for lung disease, this now. scientists about their work, trying to extract colds, heart disease, hair growth and In order to achieve DNA from ancient seeds.” She asked, “if other things. “enduring external success we had ancient seeds, why couldn’t we After eight weeks, in March of 2005, one we must continue to build grow them?” seed successfully germinated and was a strong moral core,” she Masada came up in the conversation. named Methuselah, the biblical person writes. “I want readers to C. Frankel The fortress, built by King Herod over who was said to have lived 969 years. think about how they can contribute to 2,000 years ago, between 37 and 31 BCE, Initially, the first leaves had white spots something larger than themselves, which was home to almost a thousand zealots because of a lack of chlorophyll. At 15 can only come when we answer the ques- until the Romans breached the wall in 72 months, the seedling was transferred to tion of what qualities of character each of CE and found the bodies of the Jews. a larger pot. After 26 months, the plant us want to work on.” From 1963 to 1965, archaeologists showed normal development. In the book, Frankel gives background Yigal Yadin and Ehud Netzer excavated Dr. Sallon says it is in the Guiness Book information on each biblical woman fol- Masada and found date palm seeds at of Records as the oldest cultivated seed. lowed by helpful lessons one can glean from the approach to the Northern palace. In 2011, I was permitted to see a still the good character traits they all demon- They became part of the custodianship of photograph of Methuselah on the strated. Then hopefully one will strive to Netzer, stored at Bar Ilan University. computer when its exact location was emulate these traits in his or her own life. Dr. Sallon had the idea to plant the being kept a secret. At that time, it was Below are the women in the book with seeds and see if they would grow. two meters high (about 6-1/2 feet) and the good character traits they exhibit. Each Hadassah asked her what the seeds had in a “protected quarantine site,”due to its woman is stunningly, artisically portrayed to do with them and she replied, “we scientific and financial value. by Frankel helping the reader feel a study natural therapies.”Hadassah agreed In April 2011, a white flower appeared kinship with her. to let Dr. Sallon become involved on on the inner part of the tree, indicating Eve – Be Responsible & Accept Consequences; three conditions – “don’t ask us for money, that Methuselah was, indeed, male. Naamah – Protect the Planet; Sarah – don’t ask us for anything and don’t On Nov. 24, 2011, the tree was planted Believe in the Power of Your Dreams; Hagar embarrass us!” at Kibbutz Ketura, in the presence of the – Determination; Rebekah – Promise Dr. Sallon directs a research center which National President of Hadassah, Marcie Keeper; Rachel – Kindness; Leah – Faith; studies complementary alternative and Natan, and Lord David Wolfson of England. Miriam – Inspiration; The daughters of integrated medicine through the Middle Today, Methuselah has a permanent Zelophehad – Cooperation; Deborah – Eastern Medicinal Plant Project. After home in the Arava Institute research park Leadership; Ruth – Devotion & Loyalty looking at medicine of Tibet, as an intro- on Kibbutz Ketura. At the time I wrote Hannah – Gratitude; and Esther – Courage. duction to the ancient world of traditional this, there was hope for Methuselah, a Every classroom should have a copy of medicine, they began to look at the male tree, to be bred with a female to this book and it also makes a great coffee medicinal plants of Eretz Yisrael, of which produce the same date variety eaten table art book, as well. Even though it was there are approximately 2,900 species. commonly in ancient Judea, where it was written for children, adults appreciate the Dr. Sallon asked Professor Netzer if valued as much for its delicious flavor as message this book communicates. they could have a few seeds, and they for its medicinal properties. For more details or to purchase the were given five palm seeds. Dr. Sallon Solowey continues to work with palms book, go to her website: carolynfrankel took them to her colleague, Dr. Solowey. and has grown other date palms from .com, or email: [email protected], Dr. Solowey took three of the 2,000-year- ancient seeds found in archeological sites or on Facebook: facebook.com/Author old seeds and planted them in January around the Dead Sea, as well. CarolynFrankel 2005. Other seeds were sent to the (see Kaplan/Israel, page 17) March 7, 2018 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT 3 about myself. I wanted to offer him, too, Editorial the chance to give something and feel Inside this Issue good about himself. In the end, he gave me so much – a About the Cover ...... 2 Over winter break, my brother moment of netzach, of eternity – a moment Sybil Kaplan: (Seen on the Israel Scene) Benzion’s oldest son and his wife traveled that I will never forget. Our souls are From Masada to Kibbutz Ketura...... 2 by van for a one day visit from Buffalo, wired to give. That’s how the Creator Jennie Cohen (Editorial)...... 3 N.Y., with six of their seven children for a created us. Sometimes the kindest act we Rabbi Moshe ben Asher & Magidah family reunion. See what my brother can do is to receive – to allow someone Khulda bat Sarah (Gather the People) wrote about this on page 6. In a conversa- else to give to us. Miraculous manna from heaven...... 4 tion with my niece, I told her about this Aryeh Ben David founded and directs Amy Lederman (Jewish Educator) column below that we had published. Ayeka (www.ayeka.org.il) Center for Soulful Passover: Faith and Hope...... 5 Education. Rabbi Herbert Horowitz (Maggid) On the Subway by Aryeh Ben David God’s second chance...... 6 I am taking the Broadway #1 train from After the column came out, I saw the Rabbi Benzion Cohen (Chassidic Rabbi) Penn Station to Van Cortlandt Park in the following quote by Shlomo Carlebach: A beautiful story ...... 6 late afternoon. Van Cortlandt Park is the “You are not doing a favor to those in need Rabbi Benjamin Sendrow last stop on the line. About 3 stops from [when you give them charity]; they do you Fear of God verses in awe of God ....7 the end, everyone in my car exits. I’m left a favor by turning you into a benefactor.” Rabbis Dennis & Sandy Sasso alone. The door opens from another car. (Found on p. 218 of the book, Kol Chevra: Revisit purpose of 2nd Amendment ...... 8 Enters a 30-something year old guy, big, Love & Healing, published on the 22nd Rabbi Jon Adland (Shabbat Shalom) and obviously drunk. I’m at the other end anniversary of his yahrzeit.) Terumah, Exodus 25:1–27:19...... 8 of the car. This column reminded my niece of a Jim Shipley (Shipley Speaks) He stumbles over to me. I’m getting a story which is appropriate for this bridal Therefore, choose life...... 9 bit nervous. He’s bigger than me, and I’m edition. I will tell it as I remember it and not Rabbi Sandy Sasso a worrying kind of guy. He leans over necessarily as it is written (Talmud Bavli, Culture drives sexual harassment...... 9 close to me, about 5 inches from my ear, Shabbos tractate, Page 156, second side). Susan Weintrob and whispers: “Tzedakah. You know what When Rabbi Akiva was blessed with a Permission to speak...... 10 tzedakah is?” baby girl, he was told by an astrologer that Melinda Ribner Surprised and amused, I answer “yes.” she would die when she gets married. As #MeToo...... 11 He waits. I pause. Then I take a dollar she grew closer to the age for marriage, Rabbi Irwin Wiener (Wiener’s Wisdom) out of my pocket and give it to him. He he got more and more anxious and kept The past is prologue...... 11 begins to stumble away. I don’t know putting off finding a suitable mate for her. Olga Gilburd: (Book Excerpt) what happened to me, but I call after him, Finally one day he realized he couldn’t wait Happiness The Jewish Way (Chp. 21)....12 “Hey. I gave you something. Now you give any longer. He reluctantly found a match Rabbi Israel Zoberman (Opinion) me something.” for her and a ceremony was planned. President’s Jerusalem declaration ...... 13 He looks back at me, not understanding. On the day of her wedding the bride Miriam Zimmerman: (Holocaust Educator) I say it again,“Give me something.”I call out, was getting ready for the ceremony. After Calling “to remember” ...... 14 “I gave you tzedakah.You give me a blessing.” she put on her dress, she was looking for a Rabbi Elliot B. Gertel: (Media Watch) He looks puzzled. way to keep her hair off her shoulders. She Jewish Superhero-in-training ...... 16 I say, “I have a kid who just had two found a hair pin and by twisting her hair Professor Arnold Ages (Book Review) knee operations. Do you have a blessing?” around and pulling it up, she was able to Disarmed...... 18 He says, “I bless you that your kid will keep her hair up by inserting the pin. Recipes from A Taste of Pesach 2...... 19 be healthy.” After the wedding, a lovely reception Nine Bnei Menashe couples marry ...... 19 Then he takes a step to walk away and was held. At these celebrations, it was the BBYO International Convention...... 20 stops. [He] puts his hand on the subway custom to have a table for poor people to Portman awarded Genesis Prize ...... 20 pole, turns back to me and says, “And come and sit for a nice meal. They had all I give you a blessing, that whatever done this, but a little later the bride looked The Jewish happens to your kid, God will give you over and saw that one poor person had the strength to handle whatever it is.” come late and no food was left. She Post &Opinion Wow. I was overcome with emotion. I looked around and saw no one else Jewish News and Opinion since 1935. had given him a dollar from my pocket. noticed this so she went over herself and 1389 W 86th St. #160 He gave me a blessing from his heart. made sure this person had plenty to eat. Indianapolis, IN 46260 The train stopped. We said goodbye to That night when she was getting ready email: [email protected] each other. “Goodbye friend, thank you.” for bed she took the pin out of her hair phone and fax: (317) 405-8084 “Goodbye friend, have a good day.” and was looking for a place to put it down. website: www.jewishpostopinion.com At the moment, I didn’t know what She saw a hole in the wall so she stuck the publisher & editor: Jennie Cohen propelled me to ask him for a blessing. pin in it telling herself she would find a graphic designer: Charlie Bunes Looking back, I understand it like this: better place for it later. The next morning Asking for something – a cigarette or when she pulled the pin out a dead snake virtues that can save one from death. Her money – can be a very degrading and was on the other end. life had been spared. humiliating experience. He had given me She was alarmed by this so she went to Then I told my niece her story reminds the chance to be a giving person – to give tell her father. He asked her to tell him in me of the Unetaneh Tokef prayer from the to him. detail everything she had done the day High Holy Day liturgy that says,“On Rosh Though I hesitated and didn’t give with before. When she told him about feeding Hashanah it is written and on Yom Kippur a full, open heart or smile, after giving the poor person who came late, he was it is sealed who will live and who will die, something to him – I actually felt good very relieved because charity is one of the (see Editorial, page 7) 4 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT March 7, 2018 in life from the acquisition of position, manna rained from the sky, but that it Gather the People prestige, power, possessions, and physique continued to do so except for one day in – marks the virtually certain demise of the week, and that the Israelites were their prospects to create and sustain lives always at the right place at the right time of moral spirituality for themselves and to benefit from such an extraordinary gift. future generations. Certainly, if one was entering the desert BY RABBI MOSHE All of which argues for making the with no prospect of a reliable source of BEN ASHER,PH.D. investment necessary to understand and food, nutritious seeds falling from heaven AND MAGIDAH apply the wisdom of the Torah in all things would seem like a gift – so the Hebrew KHULDA BAT SARAH – and, certainly, nonetheless in the matter name for manna, man, from the root mem- of manna from heaven. To do so, however, nun-hey, makes sense, because it’s related Miraculous manna requires that one jettison the misguided to mem-nun-chet, a cognate descended from notion that we should judge the Torah by the same ancestral root, meaning to give from heaven the standards and methods of science, something willingly. Incidentally, the women because doing so makes no more sense first recognized it as a gift from God. Manna from heaven – there’s a light- than to judge science by the Torah’s What does the tradition understand to hearted, feel-good film by that name. It’s a standards and methods. Were we to take up have been the “nature”of the gift? fable about what happens when a group the latter cause, we would – nonsensically, The people received enough each day to of people get a “gift from God” (i.e., a to be sure – reject science because it teaches satisfy that day’s needs, and they gathered financial windfall), but many years later us virtually nothing about justice and it according to the needs of their house- find out it was simply a loan. On some level, compassion or courage and humility, holds. If one tried to gather more than a this film implicitly reflects our modern without which human social life, including day’s requirement to keep it for the view that miracles, like that of the manna, science, would be no more than pointless following day, the surplus putrefied. On ought to be unalloyed, ought not to entail chaos. Science and religion in our view are the sixth day, one could gather a double any quid quo pro. Windfall, something that compatible, but their usefulness depends portion, because they could not gather it simply falls out of the wind, is the right in large measure on comprehending their on the seventh day. word. We want no obligations – no limits unique objectives, methods, and limitations. Apart from the obvious purpose of the on our freedom to do completely as we What, then, does our religious tradition manna to feed the people, we might ask: please, no rein on our autonomy – in teach us about the manna from heaven? What did the manna come to teach the exchange for any of the gifts we receive The people had experienced the people – including us? from the Creator. extraordinary crossing of the Reed Sea, The manna confirmed that Moses and If one is living a mostly secular life, it’s which was particularly miraculous, because Aaron had not misled them; by following easy to trivialize the gift of the manna their arrival at the sea and its opening their lead the people found themselves in the described in the Torah, to imagine that occurred simultaneously, allowing them to right places at the right times to benefit it’s of a piece with what many regard as escape Pharaoh’s army. from an unimaginable gift in the wilderness. biblical nonsense, the wonders and It was less than two months since they had Ironically, however, the gift of the manna miracles they find incomprehensible in left Egypt, and they were in the wilderness also taught kavod Adoshem, the infinite the light of history and modern science. between Elim and Sinai. The food they power and glory of the One masterminding Although this view is seemingly had brought from Egypt was running out. creation, and thus that Moses and Aaron harmless, it’s inherently problematic, No longer was their sustenance assured, were not essential to the miraculous events. even spiritually poisonous, especially for as it had been in Egypt, provided there by As Rabbi Samson Rafael Hirsch (1808– those who seek in the Torah a vision and masters who had an interest in their 1888) teaches, the people came to under- path for their lives.This is true because the continuous work for the state. Presumably, stand the manna as a gift from God of that trivialization of any part of the Torah, fear that they would starve in the wilderness which was due and sufficient to each law- often from ignorance, has the predictable dominated their consciousness. abiding person. In effect, if they followed the effect of incrementally alienating us from Then God said to Moses: “Look, I am law, they would miraculously find them- conviction that the Torah has any about to make it rain bread from heaven selves at the right places at the right times compelling usefulness as an uplifting for you; the people shall go out each day to ensure their survival against all odds. lifelong vision and path. and gather the amount for a day, so that I But what might the people think of the As we are more alienated from that may test them whether they will walk in God whose laws, if accepted and followed, vision and path, we become ever more My Teaching or not.”(Exodus 16:4) would lead to such wondrous outcomes in distanced from its elevating purpose – to Our commentators teach that the manna nature, outcomes that would seemingly bring every moment of our day-to-day was a cake-dough, like fine flour mixed offer assurance, however dim, of their own existence in contact with the holiness of with honey. The Torah (Numbers 11:7) future history? the Shechinah, making God palpably tells us it was like coriander seed, which Here was a God capable of providing present in all our earthly affairs – moving immediately removes both its character precisely what they required to fulfill their us instead closer to the devaluing and and means of delivery from the realm of the daily food needs, with the ability to deliver demoralizing effects of secular life. To the supernatural. That is, the wind commonly every day the necessities of their continued extent we become more secularized, our picks up seeds and carries them distances existence. But it was the manna delivery capacity to create meaning and fulfillment, before dropping them back to earth. And schedule that revealed the most compelling to do more than satisfy our sensory and since midbar is not a wilderness or desolate lessons about their own deliverance in the material appetites, diminishes to nothingness. place per se, but an expanse of uncultivated unseen future. Manna only came on six And, most troubling, our inability to guide land, including grassy pasturage, it could days; there was no manna on the seventh the lives of our children towards meaning certainly serve as a continuing source of day. As Rabbi Hirsch teaches, that God did and fulfillment based on the Torah’s vision seeds. Moreover, as a single source of not provide the manna on the seventh day and path – an alternative to the popularly nutrition, seeds have very high food value. confirmed that God gave it as a free-will-gift shared conviction that we derive fulfillment So, the miracle is not that the seed-like (see ben Asher/bat Sarah page 5) March 7, 2018 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT 5 BEN ASHER/BAT SARAH any other future place of habitation) into a Jewish (continued from page 4) paradise, a return to Gan Eden (Garden of Eden), which they lost through their loss on the other six days, because it demon- of its moral spirituality. Educator strated that God not only had the power So, in providing the manna we see an to start creation, but to stop it as well. So, instance of Adoshem’s wonderworking – BY AMY HIRSHBERG LEDERMAN the sole reason for working on the seventh the feleh or revelation of God in directing day ceased – recall that the people learned the laws of nature. While it may arguably Passover: A Story about Shabbat before mattan Torah (giving be true that seed falling from the sky is and receiving of the Torah) – revealing the itself not beyond the laws of nature and of Faith and Hope seventh day not as a burden, but a gift observable natural phenomena, that from the Creator: six days work would do it – following the laws of God places a people I was born and raised in northern New they could rely on God on the seventh day. at the right locations and right times for 40 Jersey but haven’t lived there since 1976, By observing God’s law, they could years to benefit from such gifts we would when a college degree, combined with ensure their national deliverance, since hardly describe as anything but miraculous. wanderlust, led me to Arizona where I’ve they could transform the wilderness (or It presages all the subsequent history of happily remained ever since. the Jewish people – from the return to I’ve listened to many jokes over the j i the land following the Babylonian exile to years about being a “Joisey girl.”I’ve tried suggest that it is often through doing that the reestablishment of the state of Israel desperately to lose my Jersey accent, we can acquire a deeper sense of knowing. after the Holocaust – in which, surely, although I never quite succeeded as my In Hebrew, the word for faith is emuna, abandonment of the Torah would have children remind me every time I “tawk”to which means “to believe.” Having faith undermined survival. my parents on the phone – proving, it means that we believe and trust that there We have here a teaching moment showing seems, that “you can take the girl out of is a greater order to the world although we the Creator’s free will transforming the New Jersey, but you can’t take the New may not be able to perceive or understand world through the laws of Creation, which Jersey out of the girl. it. Faith can give us a sense of hope in a confirms the power of God over both It might appear like a stretch but I think despairing world; it can help us respond to nature and history. It was then and there’s a metaphor here that is instructive events and life circumstances which seem remains now a model for humankind. We when thinking about the Passover story. senseless and unfair – like the death of a are to use our free will, in the image of God, As a leader, Moses was tasked not only child, a horrific accident or an act of terrorism. to similarly perform acts that transform the with taking the Hebrew slaves out of Faith is often the portal to hope. It world, confident that the Law of God connects Egypt but of taking the “Egypt”out of the provides an inner buoyancy that keeps to our experience of nature and our history. Hebrew slaves. In fact, the Hebrew word us afloat when we are ready to sink. And The daily miracle of the manna introduced for Egypt, or Mitzrayim, stems from the hope is what keeps us moving forward. the people to Shabbat. It was the first in a root meaning to bind, shackle, or imprison. Hope is what inspired the Hebrew series of lessons showing that Divine For the Hebrew people, living in Egypt slaves to give up all they knew for the idea Providence continues up to the present meant over 400 years of bondage, poverty that they could live a better life in the moment and far into the unseen future, a and powerlessness. The midnight escape Promised Land. A Midrash teaches us that potentially infinite uplifting and perfecting may have been treacherous but the real when the Hebrew women left Egypt, they of humankind’s spiritual and social condi- challenge was liberating the Hebrew left everything behind except the copper tion – which requires nothing more for its psyche so that generations of slaves could mirrors they had used to entice their full realization than using the bread we’ve become free-thinking men and women. husbands to have children. Because those received as a gift to sustain us in the vision Back then, there were no seminars on mirrors represented hope in the future, and path of the Torah. self-empowerment or self-help websites. they were used to create the priestly basin The manna storage container and the Enter Moses, commanded by God, to in the Tabernacle. In this way, Passover luchot (Tablets of the Testimony), kept in become the first community organizer to teaches us that hope may be the single one location in the wilderness, serve as a inspire independent thinking and action. greatest act of defiance against the politics continuing reminder that God gives us our What tools did Moses have to take the of powerlessness. daily ration of what we need to survive – “Egypt” out of the Jewish people? The The story of Passover encourages us to all the means of our sustenance – to sustain two key ingredients in the Passover recipe examine two very Jewish values: faith and us for God’s objectives. From this we may of redemption through Revelation were hope. It teaches us to examine what learn that our possessions – that which simply these: faith and hope. enslaves us in our daily lives and gives us may serve to fuel our godliness, which in Perhaps the best “self-help”book of all the courage and inspiration to leave that turn is the means of sanctifying our times is what the 600,000 slaves received behind and move towards something possessions as more than mere material seven weeks after their escape as they better. And like our ancestors, if we put objects for our individual gratification – stood together for the first time at the our faith in that inner voice that guides are to further our national mission as a foot of Mt. Sinai. In a moment which can us along the way we can hope that if we mamlechet kohanim (nation of priests) and only be described as formative as well as make the journey, we too, may find our a goy kadosh (holy nation). transformative, the Jewish people entered own “promised land.” © 2017 Moshe ben Asher & Khulda bat Sarah into the Covenant with God with the Amy Hirshberg Lederman is an author, Rabbi Moshe ben Asher and Magidah ultimate words of faith: “We will do and Jewish educator, public speaker and attorney Khulda bat Sarah are the Co-Directors of we will understand.” who lives in Tucson. Her columns in the AJP Gather the People, a nonprofit organization Those words are the words of a barely have won awards from the American Jewish that provides Internet-based resources for formed, fledgling belief that indicate that a Press Association, the Arizona Newspapers congregational community organizing and ragtag group of ex-slaves could become, Association and the Arizona Press Club for development (www.gatherthepeople.org). as the Torah instructs,“a kingdom of priests excellence in commentary. Visit her website at and a holy nation.”They are the words that amyhirshberglederman.com. 6 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT March 7, 2018 utterly destroy humanity I have created on Maggid the face of the earth”. “Ki Nechamti, Ki Chassidic Rabbi Assitm” (“For I have reconsidered having made them.”) God then sends a great BY RABBI BENZION COHEN B.H. flood to destroy all humanity and all living things on earth except one family and a BY RABBI HERBERT HOROWITZ sampling of all the creatures. Why did he A beautiful story save this specific family? “Ki Noach God’s second chance Matzah Chen B’Ainai” (“Because only For many years our family has a custom to Noah finds favor in my eyes”). organize a family reunion in Bloomington, The following article in italics appeared Rabbi Emanuel Jakovitz raises a Ind., during the winter vacation. For me in the Wall Street Journal on Oct. 18, 2017: profoundly disturbing question. Was there this is a happy occasion, but it involves a an admission of failure on God’s part? The lot of traveling and effort, as I live in Israel. Fugitive Hoofs It to Prospect Park destruction of the earth challenges more This year I was not able to travel, but I did By Zolan Kanno-Youngs than God’s justice. It raises the question participate in the reunion over the phone. A runaway calf raced along a Brooklyn concerning the whole design of the Amazing! When I first came to Israel highway and into Prospect Park, knocking Creator in bringing the universe into 50 years ago it was very difficult and a toddler out of a stroller before it was existence in the first place. expensive to make a phone call to America. captured following a standoff with police Our sages, according to Rabbi Jakovitz, Now I just pressed a few buttons, and I was Tuesday, authorities said. connect the rituals of Rosh Chodesh to this able to spend a few special hours talking The chase began at about 11:25 a.m., when question. The major part of the new moon to my relatives gathered in Bloomington, the male calf was seen running north on the ceremony on Rosh Chodesh, the start of the and it didn’t cost me even one penny! I Prospect Expressway between exits 2 and 3, new month, is the sacrifices that are pay $8 a month to my cell phone company, police said. brought. The list of sacrifices is found in and then I can call anywhere in Israel and The bovine ran into a two-year-old girl the Book of Numbers. They are all called in 30 other countries and talk as long as I being pushed in a stroller by her mother at Chatat – sin offerings. One of these want for no additional charge. Prospect Park West and Park Circle, a law- sacrifices stands out, “And one young goat In addition, one of my sons, his wife and enforcement official said. The child was for a sin offering to the Lord”. This sacrifice six of my grandchildren were at the reunion. jolted form the stroller and was treated at the is the only one that is “unto the Lord”. They live in Buffalo, NY. They borrowed a hospital for a cut on her lip, the official said. Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveichik in his minivan to make the 10 hour drive, even The New York Police Department deployed commentary on Numbers explains; “The though the weather was very cold. its Emergency Service Unit and officers sun and moon were to be the same size at Now, I will let my son tell you about mounting on horses to Prospect Park after creation. Yet, the moon was diminished to a their trip: learning the calf had entered the area, Officer smaller size”. The Rav (Rabbi Soloveichik) “Ten minutes before we arrived we got a Arlene Muniz said. explains “the goat sacrifice is an atonement flat tire. Oy Vey! This was not my van and By 12:45 p.m., dozens of onlookers for God reducing the moon’s size, symbolizing I could not find where the spare tire was surrounded a field in Prospect Park to watch that God didn’t complete creation”. It seems hidden. Then some very nice policemen the police contain the calf. that God requires an atonement on Rosh stopped and helped us. Instead of rushing to engage the animal, Chodesh. On every Rosh Chodesh, we are “Finally we arrived. I helped my Uncle members of the Emergency Service Unit who reminded that something went wrong in Larry to put on tefillin, and then put them are trained to de-escalate tense situations the creation of the world. The lesson on myself. Then I had to find a place to fix with suspects, watched as it trotted around humanity can learn from these two events the flat tire. The only place that was open the field until about 1:20 p.m. is that we have comfort that even the that Sunday, New Year’s Eve, was Walmart. “They want to make sure it doesn’t get hurt Almighty had to start over a second time. I left them the van to fix, and went shopping. as well,” Officer Muniz said. “It’s a baby.” We live in an imperfect world fraught with “While I was doing this my father The young bull was “in custody” shortly mistakes both intentional and unintentional. called, and asked me to put tefillin on with after 1:30 p.m., Officer Brian Magoolaghan Some mistakes are innocuous and can be my cousins. said. Authorities said the animal was overlooked. Other mistakes take their toll “Wow! After driving 10 hours and tranquilized and then put in a horse trailer. on us personally and leave wreckage in its changing a flat tire in the freezing weather, The calf was taken to the Animal Care Center path. If God can be given a second chance I was not happy to take on this project. I of New York City facility on Linden Boulevard to make it right, we must ask for forgiveness told my father that I am sorry, but right now in East New York, Brooklyn. An ACC spokes- and point ourselves in the direction to I am shopping. By the time that I return to woman said the runaway – now nicknamed repair the damage we are responsible for. the reunion, the sun will have set, and Jimmy K. – was transferred to Skylands It took ten generations from Noah to then it will be too late to put on tefillin. Animal Sanctuary & Rescue in New Jersey. Abraham for God to give humanity a “My father asked me to take a break and The young calf (bull) was given a second second chance. His choice was born out go back to help my cousins put on tefillin. chance to live in an animal rescue sanctuary in the covenant with Abraham. Humanity Then I could finish shopping. Well, it is a in New Jersey. Once the young bull was needs to be granted a second chance in mitzvah, a good deed, to honor your tranquilized it couldn’t be slaughtered. the 21st century to restore trust through father. Therefore I should try to fulfill his The Torah describes in great detail the acts of forgiveness, kindness and love. request. I left my shopping cart and went first generations that walked the earth. Are we any less worthy of a second chance over to see if they had finished fixing the The generations from Adam to Noah lived than that young bull? van.The van was fixed! I drove it around to long lives. By the tenth generation, Herbert Horowitz is Rabbi Emeritus of the food department. There I would check humankind’s urges were only evil all the Shore Parkway Jewish Center, Brooklyn, NY. out, and go back to the reunion. days. “And God reconsidered man on earth, He can be reached at [email protected]. He “I was thinking by the time I waited in he had heartfelt sadness”. is available to serve as a scholar-in-residence line and checked out, it would be too late What did God decide to do? “I will or to officiate at services. (see Benzion, page 7) March 7, 2018 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT 7 EDITORIAL BENZION Fear of God (continued from page 3) (continued from page 6) verses in who will perish by fire and who by water…. to put tefillin on my cousins, but what else With Teshuvah (Repentance) and Tefillah could I do? Well, Hashem, our G-d, had awe of God (Prayer) and Tzedekah (Righteous Acts) we other plans for me. BY RABBI BENJAMIN SENDROW can transform the severity of the decree.” “I went back to where I had left my I am thankful for such a meaningful shopping cart. It had disappeared! My I have no adjectives to describe the conversation with family I rarely see and heart said to me: Hashem wants you to put intensity of our reactions to the horrific for so briefly this time! tefillin on your cousins. Leave everything story that has been in the news of late, the Jennie Cohen, March 7, 2018 and go do these mitzvahs! I quickly looked story of the 13 children who had been around the whole store, but could not find kept in conditions to which none of us j i my cart. I looked around again. I realized would subject an animal, let alone a Let me share a famous Jewish story with that Hashem wanted me to go back human being. I have to admit, it has had a you. When the great Talmudic sage Rabbi already, to help my cousins to put on profound effect on me on several levels. Yochanan ben Zakkai was dying, his tefillin. That is why my shopping cart had One of those levels is how I understand an students asked him for a final blessing. mysteriously disappeared! idea in the Torah. He said,“May your fear of God be as great “Amazing! I drove back, and three of my On Rosh HaShanah, we read the story of as your fear of man.” The students were cousins put on tefillin!” the binding of Isaac. In that story, an angel confused. “Rabbi, surely you mean may What are the lessons that we learn from says to Abraham,“Do not raise your hand our fear of man be as great as our fear of this story? Do mitzvahs! Put on tefillin! against the boy, or do anything to him. For God.” But Yochanan ben Zakkai said no. Light Shabbos candles! Make people happy! now I know that you fear God, since you “When you are about to do wrong, do you Drive 20 hours to make your uncles, aunts, have not withheld your son, your favored not look to make sure no one is watching? and cousins happy. (They were so happy one, from Me.” I have never liked the But you forget that God watches all that to see my children and grandchildren.) translation “fear God.”I did not like the idea you do.” Help your family, friends, readers and that Abraham was afraid of God; I did not The moral of this story, that which may whoever else you can to do more mitzvahs! like the idea that I should be afraid of God. be more important than doing good in the Every mitzvah that we do brings holiness I preferred to translate the phrase as world, is preventing evil in the world. and happiness into our lives and into our “…now I know that you are in awe of Abraham was afraid of evil in a place world.The time I spend praying is the best God…”I far preferred the idea of being in where no one feared God. Yochanan ben time of every day. I am communicating awe of God to the idea of being afraid of Zakkai knew his students worried more and coming closer to our Father, our God. I knew I was on solid ground in about whether a wrongdoing would be Creator. Then I can spend the rest of the translating the Torah that way, because the witnessed by another person, not about it day doing His will, His commandments, standard Biblical Hebrew dictionary used in being seen by God. to make my life better and my part of the seminaries offers “reverence”as a possible So let me ask you a question. Mao was world better. And when my little part of translation for that particular Hebrew word, one of the most heinous people who ever the world gets better, then the whole and one of the best English translations of lived. He was the cause of the deaths of world is getting better! the Torah, the one I think best captures the between 60 and 80 million people, more Do your part. Make your life better essence of the Hebrew, translates this than Hitler and Stalin combined. What if and make the world better. This will bring verse using the phrase “in awe of God,” Mao, or Hitler, or Stalin believed that us to the time that the world will be not “fear God.” However, I want to there was a God who would judge them completely good. acknowledge that the verse I quoted is the by their actions and they were afraid of We are now about to celebrate Pesach, second time this phrase appears in the that God? What if the parents of these 13 our redemption from Egypt. We wish all of Torah. Let’s take a look at the first time. children [confined in California] were you a kosher and happy Pesach. And just as The first time it appears is when afraid the consequences of their actions our forefathers were redeemed, so too we Abraham and Sarah were in the city of because they feared God, or if those who hope and pray that Hashem will redeem us Gerar, and Abraham told Sarah to pretend murder schoolchildren in cold blood already from our present exile, now! We to be his sister, not his wife. Why? Because feared God? Fear of God prevents evil. want Moshiach now! he feared for his life. He was afraid that Fear in general prevents wrongdoing. Rabbi Benzion Cohen can be reached by the men of Gerar would kill him so that Why do police patrol the roads? Are there email at [email protected]. someone else could marry Sarah. As not signs posted telling us the speed limit Abraham explained to Avimelech, the on a road? But some people still speed, Read recent digital issue online at: king of Gerar,“I thought,” said Abraham, while others do not speed because they www.jewishpostopinion.com “surely there is no fear of God in this are afraid of getting a ticket.Yochanan ben place, and they will kill me because of my Zakkai was right. Far too many of us fear Follow us on Facebook at: wife.” This goes to the heart of my new human authorities and do not fear God. If Jewish Post & Opinion, newspaper perspective regarding the fear of God. more of us did fear God, there would be Follow us on Twitter at: Why did I prefer that idea of being in awe less evil in the world. So I have changed #JewishPostOpin of God, or revering God? Because feeling a my mind. sense of awe about God, because revering Fear of God, not only awe of God God, because loving God, can lead us to and reverence for God and love of God, Rabbi Benjamin Sendrow has been chesed, to the highest level of kindness one but fear of God is an important force in the spiritual leader of Congregation Shaarey can imagine. When one loves God, one is decreasing evil in the world. I now echo Tefilla in Carmel, Ind., for seven years. moved to do good in the world. Is there the sentiment of Rabbi Yochanan ben Read more of his writings and listen to his anything more important than doing good Zakkai. May our fear of God be as great as sermons at www.shaareytefilla.org. Follow in the world? There may well be. our fear of human authorities. him on Twitter at twitter.com/CSTRabbi. 8 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT March 7, 2018 certifiably mentally ill, though I would like Revisit purpose of Shabbat to think that anyone who takes an AR-15 or a handgun and points it at another Second Amendment Shalom human being and pulls the trigger is mentally ill, but it just isn’t so. Yes, there are knives that kill people and cars that BY RABBI JON ADLAND kill people, but it is mainly guns, and the Feb. 16, 2018, Terumah trigger of all the guns used in murdering Exodus 25:1–27:19, 1 Adar 5778 is pulled by a human being. BY RABBIS Before God inhabits this earthly sanctuary, DENNIS C. AND Many of us believe that God exists we need to do some work. We need the SANDY E. SASSO everywhere. God doesn’t belong to any one members of congress to do something religion, any one country, any particular to control the easy access to guns. There There have been many attempts to religion, or any particular people. There is is a video on Facebook that comes around make sense of the events in Parkland, Fla. a verse in our Torah portion this week, a periodically showing a man walking The explanations divert attention from famous verse that is often seen inscribed through an office carrying the type of gun gun ownership to mental illness, violent above an Ark in a Jewish sanctuary which that existed when the Second Amendment video games and missed warnings. reads, “Make Me a sanctuary that I may was written. He raises the muzzle loader Then, there is the pious effort to attribute dwell among them.”Many believe that this and shoots. Everyone in the office runs the increase in gun violence to the lack means literally to build God houses of around screaming. Meanwhile the shooter of Bible readings and prayer in the public worship with sanctuaries. needs to reload his gun which just takes schools. IndyStar columnist Gary Varvel After the events of the last few days in some time. claims that the shootings are, in part, a result Parkland, Fla., I started thinking about That is the type of gun our founding of the Supreme Court decisions of 1962 another interpretation of this verse. Maybe, fathers knew. They had no idea about and 1963 that declared school-sponsored just maybe, God didn’t mean a small, semi-automatic rifles that could blast prayer and Bible reading unconstitutional. physically limiting space, but maybe God through doors like those that were heard If this were the case, we would then expect wanted this whole world to be God’s in some of the kid’s videos from Douglas the 1950s to have been times reflecting the sanctuary. Maybe, just maybe, God wanted High School. I heard that there are about high moral fiber of America. Here is a us to create a world that this transcendent, 8,000,000 of these guns out there, and brief overview that proves the contrary: up-in-the-heaven God, could finally come 99.99% will never be pointed at another In 1955, we were reading the Bible in down to and inhabit. God wasn’t speaking human being, but that .01% can kill so many public school when 14-year-old African- about my Temple’s sanctuary or my friend’s people. We need real leaders to make this American Emmett Till was lynched in church’s sanctuary, but the whole world. earth a safe place and get these guns out Mississippi after a white woman falsely Before God inhabits this earthly sanctuary, of the hands of people who shouldn’t have accused him of offending her in her we need to do some work. That work them, and we need common sense, gun family’s grocery store. includes figuring out how to make this a safe and secure laws to protect not just our In 1956, children prayed in classrooms safe place for children to learn, people to school children, but all of us. when the largest Ku Klux Klan rally took worship, people to party, people to go to Before God inhabits this earthly sanctuary, place on Stone Mountain, Ga. One year work, or simply people to live. And yes! we need to do some work. We all need to later, the Klan terrorized black bus riders This means figuring out a better way to take a breath and begin to ask what kind in Montgomery, Ala., and murdered Willie live with guns. of world do we want to live in and what Edward, Jr. In case you haven’t figured it out, children kind of world do we want our children or While children prayed “Thy will be have died in a place where they learn. grandchildren to grow up in? Just like I done,” Sen. Joseph McCarthy blacklisted People have died where they worship. have so many times, I read the beautiful actors, composers, poets, playwrights and People have died where they party. words written about those who were philosophers, including Leonard Bernstein, People have died where they work. murdered. They had hopes and dreams Langston Hughes and Albert Einstein. People have died where they live. It is and talents and families and friends. One While children read the Biblical verse, guns doing the murdering. man with an assault rifle ended all of that. “Love your neighbor as yourself,”the law Not every one of these murderers is We will mourn and cry and shake our allowed gay and lesbian federal employees fists, but will we get any closer to making to be fired. j i this a sanctuary for God to dwell upon us? Thus, it appears that forced religious nearly one gun per each person residing in We didn’t after Newtown or Orlando or affirmation in schools does not diminish the United States. Since 1968 more people Texas or Las Vegas. Will Parkland finally acts of hate and violence. H. Richard in the United States (1,516,853) have died be the place? Or, again, is it just too soon Niebuhr reminded us that “Religion from gun-related incidents than have for us to bring God and create a place makes good people better and bad perished (1,396,773) in all American wars where God will be able to rest and dwell? people worse.” It all depends who are its since the founding of our nation. When you light your Shabbat candles practitioners and interpreters. We are a country senselessly submerged this week, light one for each of the There is one important difference in an arsenal of weaponry. Of what families in pain and suffering. They need between mid-20th century and the early necessity and to what good purpose is our light. Light the other candle for those 21st century. In 1950 fewer people owned this? How long will the political influence who can make a difference in this world. guns. As of 2017, 42 percent of house- and monetary interest of a death industry We need them now. holds in the United States possess at least dominate American culture and define the Rabbi Jon Adland has been a Reform one gun. There are today twice as many Second Amendment? How many children rabbi for more than 30 years with pulpits in guns per capita in America as there were must die needlessly, heartlessly, and Lexington, Ky., Indianapolis, Ind., and in 1968, more than 300 million in our tragically in the classrooms and yards of currently at Temple Israel in Canton, Ohio. nation’s homes. This is, on the average, (see Sassos, page 9) He may be reached at [email protected]. March 7, 2018 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT 9 SASSOS Shipley (continued from page 8) Culture drives sexual Speaks the schools to which parents send them to be educated? harassment It is time for reasonable people to revisit BY JIM SHIPLEY the intent and purpose of the Second BY RABBI SANDY SASSO Amendment. Assuredly, the real insanity Therefore, choose life is to believe that our Founders meant it to The increasing number of sexual legitimize limitless and unhampered harassment accusations is shocking Here are some late night thoughts as I access to all kinds of weapons, with its |and appalling. Holding perpetrators approach my 89th year. God knows (he or tragic consequences. accountable is essential. But what is she, assuming of course...) that I am not a Prayer and sympathy will change missing from the conversation is a serious theologian, or for that matter – in the eyes nothing. We need the concerted effort of examination of the underlying causes of of many who are – a religious person. A mind and heart of our citizens and elected sexual intimidation and the consequences Jew? Oh yes. First and foremost and for at officials to recognize that liberty is not of intensified vigilance. least the last two thirds of my life. liberty if it is not responsive to life and On the one hand, heightened awareness If I am a Jew, certain things become self- the pursuit of happiness. is beginning to lead to better, safer work evident. I have a DNA that is consistent Sandy Sasso is senior rabbi emerita of environments. Women are the beneficiaries. with millions and millions of people both Congregation Beth-El Zedeck and director of On the other hand, according to a study living and dead. Many of those dead of the Religion, Spirituality and the Arts by the Center for Work-Life Policy, men are course, not of natural causes. I am a Initiative at Butler University. Dennis now more likely to avoid solo interactions descendent of a people who in essence Sasso has been senior rabbi at Congregation with and mentorship of women. invented a belief system which became a Beth-El Zedeck in Indianapolis for 40 years. Women are experiencing a double bind. religion. I am a minority. I have a respon- Reprinted with permission from The In the past, to progress in a profession, sibility to my fellow man – that is to see Indianapolis Star March 5, 2018. some women had to endure unwanted that at least in my life to do what I can to sexual advances and stay quiet. Now see that each and every human being has j i some men have decided to avoid close an equal shot at respectability, responsi- to cherish and protect those closest to me. contact with women. As the majority of bility and success. I feel there is a need to develop and senior professionals are male, women are As a Jew, I have a DNA that makes it distribute life-saving drugs. I appreciate being denied the benefit of mentorship natural for me to disagree with many, to the amount of time and money spent by that leads to career advancement. take every “truth”with a respectively sized pharmaceutical companies to bring a new The issue is power, who has it and who grain of salt. I don’t believe that Lot’s wife life-saving drug to market. does not. Anna Kirkland, a professor of was turned into a “pillar of salt”– although I also believe that our government with Women’s Studies at the University of I’ve seen the mythical location of that stark our money has a responsibility to keep Michigan, stated,“it’s not… that men need result of a lady disobeying her husband. those costs “within reason”. Not the to be taught special skills and ways of I don’t believe that Methuselah lived company’s – the patients. It is just stupid talking to avoid accusation; it’s that sexual 900 years. I do believe the earth is at least that our government is prohibited by its harassment comes from gender inequality a few million years older than we know it own doing from negotiating prices for and cultures that support sexism.” to be at this point in our lives. I do believe “we the people”. Harassment is bound up with economic, in evolution in almost all its forms. “Choose life.”It states in the Torah that business, media and political hierarchies. I believe that any Jew with this DNA “he who saves one life it is as if he has There is gender disparity in the halls of knows that in his deep background there saved the world.”Well, we Jews are famous government. In 2017, 104 women serve in was a personal connection to the State of for overstatement – but that is a good start. Congress, comprising 19.4% of the 535 Israel in one of its first two Commonwealths. When Jews are murdered simply members. Women make up less than 25% I believe that if indeed the head of J Street because they want to live in peace in their of state legislators, 18% of mayors and really said that if the Jews want to stop own land I believe that “an eye for an eye” 12% of governors. It matters who gets to Anti-Semitism they should dissolve the comes into play at that point. As a Jew make our laws and set policy. State of Israel he should be struck by through DNA I know that while I was Having more women in political lightning – but I don’t believe he said it. born in Brooklyn I have a stake in Israel. (see S.Sasso, page 10) I find certain sections of the Torah and That is not “Dual Loyalty”. I served in the the various religious observances, stories armed services of the U.S. Our oldest son j i and philosophies ringing true to me.There served in the IDF. We spread it around and bullets should be illegal. “Hunting and is a section in the High Holy Day services salute both flags. Neither of us has ever sport”does not mean the rush from firing that tells of God speaking to the Jews. “I taken a knee – but we can empathize with off 50 rounds in a row – even at a target. set before you death and life...therefore those who have. Jews know all these things if they take choose life...” I learned how to shoot in the U.S. Coast the time to think them through – you do, That’s an easy one to believe and follow Guard. The U.S. was at war in Korea. I don’t you? – unless you dig behind the words and never felt I would fire a shot in anger and Jim Shipley has had careers in broadcasting, seek their true meaning. “Choose Life” – I didn’t. Our son learned how to shoot in distribution, advertising, and telecommuni- does that mean our own life or the lives of the IDF and in Lebanon he heard a lot of cations. He began his working life in radio others as well? shots fired in anger – but it was a war. in Philadelphia. He has written his JP&O We are directed to “Choose Life”– and I I see no reason why a weapon like an column for more than 20 years and is director interpret that to mean to choose life over AR-15 is allowed to be manufactured for of Trading Wise, an international trade and death for every human being. Where any buyer except the military of the United marketing company in Orlando, Fla. This possible. If it comes to a choice, I am going States.A magazine holding more than seven column was submitted on Feb 15, 2018. 10 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT March 7, 2018 Hebrew and yet still I did not write any S.SASSO Permission papers on Jewish topics. (continued from page 9) In the summers, I took classes in education to speak to also receive a teacher’s certification. office not only makes government more Graduating early, I needed to student representative of the population, it also teach to complete the requirements and influences priorities. Female legislators BY SUSAN WEINTROB snagged a position in my old high school. are more likely to be actively involved I received a letter from the college with in issues relating to women’s health, During all my years of public school, the name of my supervising teacher: reproductive rights, child care and the I never wrote an essay or assignment on Mrs. Hoffman. economy. They deliver about 9% more a Jewish topic. While it’s true that few I was determined it would work and funding to their districts. They care more classroom opportunities came, I lacked apparently so was she. She was the perfect about policies that support working mothers, confidence. There were several Jews in supervisor – welcoming and supportive, many of whom agree that being a mother my grade level, but we were clearly a small she allowed me to teach what I wanted. makes it harder for career advancement. minority. None of the content I chose was Jewish. There is gender inequity in the workplace. In my senior year of high school, I took Happy during student teaching, I kept a Women earn just 80% of what men a special Honors Humanities, where the reserve when with her although I figured receive in comparable jobs with equal topics would be “wide ranging.”That and she had forgotten all about that incident. experience and education. Women aren’t belonging to a Jewish youth group and By the semester’s end, I had fallen in expected to reach equal pay with men spending two summers at a Zionist camp love with teaching and much had to do until 2059; the more conservative estimate helped me decide – I would write about with Mrs. Hoffman, who truly extended is 2119! In the S&P 500 companies, women Jewish topics in this class. herself. I went to see her that last day, to currently hold 5.2% of CEO positions, Our first assignment was on theatre and thank her. She handed me a beautifully hold only 21.2% of board seats and occupy I picked the Yiddish Theatre. I wrote the wrapped package. I was surprised – usually 26.5% of senior level positions. It matters paper and received an A-. My hand was the student teacher gave the supervisor who controls the wealth. up for every question and I participated the present, not the reverse. I carefully In the journalism and the film industries enthusiastically. I couldn’t wait for the unwrapped what I could feel was a book. we see a similar disparity. In 2016, women next topic! My face must have shown my astonish- comprised 7% of all directors working on Poetry was the next unit and I wrote down ment when I unwrapped the Hebrew the top 250 domestic films. While women Modern Hebrew poetry for my topic. My Illuminated Manuscripts published by the hold more than two-thirds of the journalism teacher, whom I will call Mrs. Hoffman, Encyclopedia Judaica in Jerusalem. It was or communications degrees, the media asked me to see her after class. I walked to an expensive book filled with exquisite industry is only one-third female. Men still the front of the classroom, smiling at the Medieval and Renaissance illustrations. A receive 62% of bylines and other credits in thought of researching this paper. little note fell out and I picked it up. print and online. It matters whose story is “Susan,” Mrs. Hoffman said gently. My “I hope you enjoy this book and continue being told, and who gets to tell it. stomach fell. The teacher was not smiling. your reading on such a rich subject. We should be shedding a brighter light “I want you to choose the topics you like Patricia Hoffman.” on these issues of power imbalance. The for your papers.” I nodded uncertainly. Mrs. Hoffman smiled. So she had problem is not just about individual men “But I don’t want you to limit your choices remembered. harassing women; it is about an entire to such a narrow topic.”I felt my face redden I don’t know why she said those words culture. It is about how we define what it and my hands turn to ice. She meant to me that day after class or even what she means to be a man. Jewish topics, didn’t she? had meant. I had left the classroom Recognition of improper behavior, rules My mind flashed back to elementary without asking her to clarify and without about reporting and holding accountable school, when my 6th grade teacher made sharing what I felt. Both of us should have those who engage in sexual harassment me stand in front of the classroom when I cleared up the matter. and abuse are extremely important. didn’t recite the Lord’s Prayer in our Morning While we never discussed what had However, for real change to occur, we Exercises.“Here is the girl who will not say happened, her gift was eloquent, cleared need more women in politics drafting the Lord’s Prayer,”she announced to the class. the air, and we both embraced it. legislation, as CEOs of large companies, I was too humiliated to even tell my parents. Mrs. Hoffman’s gift changed me. In my on the boards of big corporations and with The 5th grade teacher kept me after first teaching position at a large public positions of power in the media. Women’s school each time I had Hebrew School high school, I explained politely to my control of their own bodies, equal pay for and the 4th grade teacher didn’t pick any department chair that I would not put up equal work and policies that support Jewish kids for the coveted Crossing a Christmas bulletin board, but would be working mothers are essential. If we want Guards. Christmas caroling each year left happy to do one on authors we were to transform what is happening, then we me to decide between caroling and feeling studying. In graduate school at Ball State have to change a culture that privileges uncomfortable or sitting alone in my class, University in Muncie, Ind., and after as one gender over another.You don’t have to feeling even worse. an instructor, I wrote papers and spoke be a woman to want this to happen; you I nodded at Mrs. Hoffman and left on Israel, Jewish writers and my Jewish just have to be a human being. without another word. I stopped raising experiences. And more than that, I learned Sandy Sasso is rabbi emeritus of my hand in class and wrote my papers on to explain my feelings when confronted with Congregation Beth-El Zedeck and director of other topics. I graduated high school and something that did not feel right Jewishly. the Religion, Spirituality and the Arts spent the summer in Israel, feeling secure Today, it seems that my student teaching Initiative at Butler University. Reprinted there – I could talk about anything Jewish with Mrs. Hoffman was bashert, fated. Life from the Indianapolis Star Dec. 5, 2017. that I wanted. doesn’t always give us a second chance In the fall, I began college, led a Young and we had a redo, in a sense. When I Judaea group, joined an Israeli student visited my hometown after that, I stopped group, majored in English, minored in (see Weintrob, page 11) March 7, 2018 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT 11 WEINTROB #MeToo (continued from page 10) Wiener’s BY MELINDA RIBNER by the high school to see her. Her book Wisdom I join with most women remains in our library, a gift that gave me and some men who have confidence and helped me find my voice. BY RABBI IRWIN WIENER, D.D. experienced sexual harass- This experience eventually taught me ment and abuse as well as with many something I should have known – that I women who have experienced abduction, didn’t need anyone’s permission to speak The past is prologue and even violence at the hand of discon- or write about who I was, what was nected, insecure and selfish men who important to me or even what made me In Shakespeare’s play The Tempest, we seek power rather than love. I have been feel uncomfortable. I had to discover this read about intrigue, but with the under- betrayed by rabbis, supervisors, therapists, for myself – how to communicate, not standing that all things happening are a so called “orthodox” men on first dates with silence or anger, but with the passion prelude to things that will happen. Perhaps who I met at synagogue, and by strangers that had been inside all along. that is what we are witnessing today as we who lurched at me in the dark or grabbed I didn’t need permission to speak. I display a strong sense of xenophobia that me in the street, in a subway, even when I already had it. has permeated our society. was wearing my long skirts and dressing Susan Weintrob is a retired educator We witness daily the savage destruction modestly. I could write a book just on this who writes full time in Charleston, S.C. She of human life; the senseless murder of subject alone. It is a little scary and unset- can be reached at [email protected]. innocents because of some misguided tling for me to acknowledge this past pub- She wrote a regular column for The Jewish belief that through this sacrifice, salvation licly, as I have kept it hidden. But I feel the Post & Opinion from 1995–2002. will be achieved. We are experiencing fear Me Too campaign has brought us closer – the fear of total annihilation – a present and made us realize how widespread this j i day Armageddon beginning in the very experience is. I want to participate in the think that exploiting beautiful women area scripture tells us will feature the healing conversation. May we bring dark- would make him feel better about himself. beginning of the end. ness to the light. I end with a quote from my book, The The past has played a significant part in Unlike the beautiful actresses who Secret Legacy of Biblical Women which what is transpiring today.The philosopher, allowed themselves to be exploited and features a conversation with each Biblical George Santayana (1863–1952) eloquently also exploited their beauty to advance woman. This conversation occurs in the described present day events – “Those their career, most of us did not receive any Miriam chapter. who cannot remember the past are external benefit from our experiences of “When men are disconnected from God, condemned to repeat it.” sexual harassment or abuse, no money they dominate and oppress women. Any The history of our country is replete with nor fame. Not only that, we felt tarnished, man who is truly rooted in God honors and incidents that have, as a result, condemned disgraced, ashamed, punished for our own respects the wisdom of women. How a many to perish. At the onset and during sins, so we kept our experiences hidden. person treats a woman or women in general World War ll, immigration restrictions We were wounded, our lives may even is a measuring stick of the Godliness of a resulted in tens of thousands walking into have been shattered, but we also learned person. The laws of Torah were made to the fiery furnace of death.This was not the to draw deeper inside ourselves for healing. safeguard women from the aggressiveness work of a president, but rather the direct result We grew spiritually. We became stronger inherent in the nature of men. Her sanctity of the establishment of congressional quotas. and deeper. We actually became more as a woman must be protected. When the There was an exception. Executive Order loving. We became healers. Many of us sanctity of women is violated, the society 9066 issued by President Franklin D. have emerged like the phoenix representing is in danger of losing its divine blessing for Roosevelt established the interment camps the month of Cheshvan. sustenance and even survival.“ in which Japanese Americans were forced In the Torah portion of Noah, we read “Women, do not see yourself through to reside because they were classified as a about the flood. We are taught that the the lens of weak and insecure men who threat to the safety of the country.This was flood was a result of sexual impropriety. are actually afraid of your womanly power. a very difficult time in our history, and I We are also taught that sexual purity As a woman, you are so beautiful and would venture a guess that this could creates angels that protect a culture. We all radiant. You are an embodiment of the never occur again. have to create our internal arcs of prayer Shechinah, Never forget that. No one can That is until our present President, in and blessing to protect ourselves from the take that away from you. You must know effect, created a similar environment with floods around us. From hurricanes, to fires, this as your deepest truth. I strongly his Executive Order curtailing emigration to acts of terrorism, we have experienced recommend that each woman join or form from various countries considered to many challenges. Our world is crying out a group with other women who will reflect support and dispatch terrorists, albeit for for healing. back to you the beauty and wisdom of a short period of time. The destruction of What made this experience with Harvey who you are as a woman. Your strength the World Trade Center Towers was the Weinstein so morally bankrupt is that lies in community with other women.” instrument leading us to this very day. everyone knew about it and said nothing. Melinda Ribner L.C.S.W. is also the When things become difficult it is natural He even had a clause in his contract to author of Everyday Kabbalah, Kabbalah for those affected to withdraw into a shell protect him from his actions of sexual Month by Month and New Age Judaism, of safety. Burying ourselves in an atmos- abuse. But as repulsive, disgusting and and The Secret Legacy of Biblical phere of self-containment seems to be the creepy as Harvey Weinstein is, it now Women: Revealing the Divine Feminine. (see Wiener, page 13) seems like he is being crucified for the Internationally known for her pioneering sins of so many others who are unnamed, work in kabbalistic meditation and healing, j i for the sins of a culture that allowed and she is also a spiritual psychotherapist and newsletter on meditation, healing, kabbalistic encouraged these kinds of experiences to for more than 30 years has used kabbalistic energies of the months, holidays, and more. take place. How foolish of Weinstein to wisdom as part of treatment. She offers a free www.kabbalahoftheheart.com. 12 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT March 7, 2018 of the placebo effect in the treatment of feel that everything always goes wrong Book depression found that when people who and the universe is conspiring against you, were given “fake” pills not containing a say to yourself,“I am in a bad mood and Excerpt therapeutic substance were convinced getting annoyed at everything.”Or instead that they were taking real medication, of complaining that someone hurt your their symptoms improved almost as feelings, realize that you care too much BY OLGA GILBURD much as with actual antidepressants. New about the words or actions of others. physics experiments are forcing scientists Correlate your reaction with Happiness The to acknowledge that consciousness creates the importance of the situation. reality and we can change our lives Adjust your overly negative reactions to Jewish Way through the way we observe ourselves unpleasant circumstances and interactions Chapter 21. Master of Your Happiness and the world. with other people by considering how Psychiatrist Gerald Epstein says that we much importance you attach to them. If Imagine living with a nagger who can change our minds at will. Just as we your car gets scratched or your husband stresses your inadequacies, diminishes decide what to let into our homes and leaves dirty socks on the floor, weigh how your strengths, predicts a gloomy future, what to keep out, so we can choose which important this is and how much negative fills you with worry and anxiety, and thoughts to cultivate and which to curtail. reaction it warrants. And if you find points out the negative qualities in every- The thoughts we choose have the power yourself in a bad a situation that is truly thing you see, experience, and do. He or to change the flow of our lives: important, ask yourself how helpful a she would constantly make you feel Our thoughts shape our actions; highly negative reaction would be then. miserable and deprived of all enjoyment. Our actions shape our habits; Stop predicting the future. On the other hand, someone who always Our habits shape our character; Sometimes we get upset over small supported you and Our character shapes our destiny. things because we think they may become directed attention You and only you have the power to make big things. For example, running late for to all the great yourself happy, joyful, and content. In any work may be not earth shattering in itself, things that were given situation, you can choose whether but we get very upset because we think happening to you to be depressed or hopeful, stressed or we might get reprimanded or fired. In would make you excited, sad or content, condescending case like this, it helps to remind ourselves feel great. or encouraging, distracted or mindful. that we are just imagining worst-case Indeed, you have When things don’t go as planned, it is scenarios for a future that we cannot such a powerful up to you to decide whether to think of predict. Stay focused on the present, and person affecting yourself as failing or as gaining valuable do not make a mountain out of a molehill. the quality of your life experience. Choose wisely, because Believe in your power. life. Allow me to your life depends on it. Finally, do not doubt your ability to make introduce the master of your happiness, PUT IT INTO PRACTICE yourself happy. You live with yourself 24 the one who defines how much joy It is very liberating to realize that our hours a day, and you have tremendous you are allowed in any circumstances and happiness does not depend on other power to improve your happiness. Be kind how happy you are going to be. This people or things, and this realization in to yourself, be positive, and do not let person is you. itself contributes to happiness. Suddenly others have more control over your That is right: your happiness depends the world of happiness is ours to master! thoughts than you have. completely on you. So much so that even But this also means that we have to assume Praise yourself for every little improve- the Hebrew word for “to pray,”lehitpalel, is full responsibility for our happiness or ment and every little victory, for every time a reflexive verb, which means it describes lack thereof. Here are some tips to help you could have slipped into a bad mood doing something to the self, not to God. you take on the role of master of your but didn’t. Rabbi David Aaron teaches that we do not own happiness: Repeat this mantra to yourself: “Nothing pray to inform God of our misfortunes and Assume responsibility. can ruin my day without my permission or implore Him to change the world and “The girl who can’t dance says the band make me happy without my blessing. I am make us happy. Instead, when we pray, can’t play,” observes a Yiddish proverb. capable. I can control my reactions.” we have a chance to change our whole Sometimes we too blame outside circum- Olga Gilburd is an author, speaker and situation by hearing ourselves express stances for our shortcomings and emotional blogger on the subject of happiness. Her book our current view of our circumstances and states. But if you are to successfully master Happiness the Jewish Way was selected for changing our thoughts about them. He happiness, you must shift responsibility a COJECO BluePrint fellowship. She is also instructs us not to ask, “Is God listening for your happiness from circumstances a nurse and a cancer survivor. Born in to my prayers?”but rather,“Am I listening and other people to yourself.To paraphrase Russia, she lives in Brooklyn, N.Y., with her to my prayers?”God and fate may arrange another Yiddish proverb, if you don’t want husband and two daughters. Olga likes to for different circumstances, but they do not to be happy, one excuse is as good as figure skate, sing karaoke, crochet, and arrange our response to these circumstances. another. Don’t pin your happiness or practice happiness every day. Our reactions are totally up to us. In a way, unhappiness on the events of the day, “The idea of this book was born out of we pray to ourselves, because we are the your spouse, your coworkers, your kids, or trying to teach my daughters to stay positive masters of our happiness. strangers.You do not have to be a victim of and find joy in everything while familiarizing Hasidic philosophy maintains that every- the universe’s whims. You are the one them with their Jewish heritage. I looked, but thing comes from the mind, including all responsible for your mood. I didn’t expect the Jewish culture to offer a happiness and suffering. Modern science has Every time you catch yourself rationalizing lot on the subject of happiness, especially to gradually come to a similar conclusion. your bad mood by blaming it on some people who are not religious”, says the Psychology demonstrates that the power outside cause, restate your thought in a author. “But I was amazed by what I found of the mind is real and highly effective in way that places the responsibility for your and how it changed my views on happiness changing our levels of happiness. A study feelings with you. For example, when you and the Jewish identity.” ~ Olga Gilburd March 7, 2018 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT 13 counteracting Iran’s worrisome posture. WIENER Opinion How is it that the Arabs in general and (continued from page 11) the Palestinians in particular “have never missed an opportunity to miss an oppor- instrument used for self-preservation. tunity,” to quote the late Abba Eban, We search the newspapers, listen to Israel’s eloquent Foreign Minister and the media, and wonder where is the third RABBI ISRAEL ZOBERMAN statesman. They unwisely rejected United branch of government? There is an Executive Nations 181 Partition Resolution of Nov. Order issued by the Executive Branch of President Trump’s 29, 1947, whose 70th anniversary was just government. There is a Federal Judge who celebrated by the Jewish people and still then established a restraining order. Where Jerusalem declaration (!) protested by Palestinians blind to is congress? The third branch of our history’s opportunities and facts. The republic has, over the years, relinquished its The Trump Jerusalem Declaration is the Palestinian leaders have been lacking the responsibilities and has become a bickering first recognition by a U.S. President since courage to confront their bitterly divided and complaining body of insults and tirades. the 1948 establishment of the Jewish State people with historical truth and reality Congress was established to create laws, of Israel, with President Truman’s support, that the Jewish state is deeply rooted, the Executive Branch to enforce them, that Jerusalem is indeed its rightful capital. longer than anyone else, in its ancestral and the Judiciary to determine the consti- How ironic and telling that both homeland. The Holocaust, unfortunately, tutionality of the law. Therein lies the Presidents Truman and Trump were is not a figment of Zionist imagination as fundamental safeguard against abuse of opposed by their State Department when some Palestinian,Arab and Iranian leaders power. This, in effect, separates us from taking their critical moves. The United claim. East Jerusalem and the West Bank the rest of the world and brings a sense of States, the world’s only superpower and were lost to Jordan in the 1967 Six-Day balance and purpose. Israel’s major ally, reached out to the War, after King Hussein was warned not We have seen, just a short seven world’s only sovereign Jewish state to to attack Israel. decades ago how extremism leads to the assure its questioned authentic narrative An active movement to delegitimize undermining of the inalienable rights at a time of fateful crossroads in the Israel, perceiving it as a European colonial guaranteed by our Constitution. Millions Middle East and beyond. invader, is emboldened by the numerical of American lives were sacrificed for this Israel has the anomaly of being powerful and material influence of the 57 (!) ideal and its preservation. Over sixty yet vulnerable given its limited geography Muslim nation-states, including 22 Arab million people, worldwide, died because and sworn enemies. If Israel’s Jerusalem countries, all represented in the United we lost sight of our responsibility to narrative were false it might unravel its Nations. Coupled with hypocritical Europe’s remain a beacon and a deterrent to the bond with the entire Land of Israel. No fading guilt for the monumental Holocaust, nightmare of human suffering. wonder that both the Israeli government there is a preposterous charge that the The first obligation of our leaders is to ruling coalition and opposition have Israeli-Jewish saga has no leg to stand on secure the safety of our citizens.The second applauded President Trump’s forthright with Jerusalem ever a Muslim entity and is to ensure the viability of our democracy. action.The Trump Declaration is flexible the Temple Mount/Noble Sanctuary void However, I believe that if we look to the enough concerning actual arrangements of vital Jewish memories of a great biblical past as a learning instrument we would yet to be made by the Israelis and past. Totally disregarded are unbroken understand that humaneness does not Palestinians. In a so far moribund and Jewish presence, millennial prayers and sacrifice our future, and that the opposite stagnant Peace Process, Trump’s shuffling efforts to fully return to the physical and will surely intensify our ignorance for the of the cards and providing a “reality spiritual birthplace of “Zion and Jerusalem.” values that united us. We seem to have check,”particularly to the Palestinians, will It is a non-starter for peaceful coexistence made insanity the norm and sanity has hopefully gather fruitful momentum. to reject Jewish peoplehood represented been driven from our collective reasoning. Israel knows that its Palestinian problem is in the Jewish state. Israel has turned into a Rabbi Wiener is spiritual leader of the not going away, threatening its Jewish and collective target, being demonized and Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation near Democratic character.The Palestinians dehumanized with never-dying anti- Phoenix, Ariz. He welcomes comments may finally realize now that time is not Semitism, Western civilization’s oldest at ravyitz @cox.net. He is the author of necessarily on their side. disease that Israel’s rebirth sought to two books: Living With Faith, and a Israel’s past Prime-Ministers Barak and cure. Given that Israel is perhaps the modern and contemporary interpretation of Olmert offered generous concessions only nation whose very existence is the Passover Haggadah titled, Why is This that were nonetheless rebuffed by the being challenged and living in a hostile Night Different? Palestinians whose expectations are environment, it is a wonder that Israel always higher. The late Prime-Minister created a robust democracy protecting j i Sharon’s painful return of Gaza with a human rights in a region abhorring them, Palestinian education sans honoring its flourishing Israeli community has been rejecting progressive ideas. terrorists and ceasing hatred for Israel is a rewarded with Hamas and Islamic Jihad Rather than the Palestinians despairing, wise prerequisite. rockets and terror tunnels. Arab leaders a two-state creative solution is within Even Egypt and Jordan who signed have historically paid lip-service to their reach with joint arrangements in Jerusalem, peace treaties with Israel have neglected Palestinian brethren, while Israel absorbed however with a de-militarized Palestinian to teach their populations basic facts close to a million Jewish refugees from state friendly to both Israel and Jordan. A concerning Israel, welcoming its eager Arab lands. The Sunni Arab world is future confederation involving Israel, friendship. In this sacred season of the currently preoccupied with an aggressive Jordan, and Palestine is not farfetched. lights of Chanukah and Christmas, we Shia Iran with nuclear ambition, whose Surely both sides can find in their separate remember that Jews and Christians are at menacing presence is growing close to and even conflicting narratives meeting risk in the Middle East. Jerusalem and Israel’s borders. Israel, characterized by points and common agendas for an the hills of Judea and Samaria, once Iran as “little Satan”and the United States assured bright future, for both peoples are the setting for inspiring prophecies, have as “big Satan, “is a credible partner in destined to forever be neighbors. (see Zoberman, page 15) 14 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT March 7, 2018 Hawaii and indirectly, about a mother’s hear their memories. On Jan. 14, 2018, Holocaust letting go of maternal control, an issue she did just that at Mercy High School each mother must confront within herself. (“Mercy”) in San Francisco.The high school As we laughed together, I felt like I was a has been the home of the Helen and Joe Educator part of Helen’s inner sanctum, included, Farkas Center for the Study of the Holocaust wanted, loved. in Catholic Schools for the last ten years. BY DR.MIRIAM L. ZIMMERMAN I steered the conversation back to Inspired by Helen’s work as a tireless Germany.“You know how I feel about the speaker throughout the S.F. Bay Area, Passionate about Germans,” Helen reminded me gently. It Mercy instructor Jim McGarry started was in her 1995 the Center “to honor Holocaust survivors their calling – memoir, Remember and to bring them together with today’s the Holocaust.A students….to educate both students and “to remember” required text for their instructors about social justice and my Holocaust class moral courage.” From Einsatzgruppen to extermination at Notre Dame de Amber told Adrian Schrek of the Farkas camp, Helen Farkas and Father Patrick Namur University, Center Board not to wait until February for Desbois share a calling: Zachor (Hebrew) – I was embarrassed the party. In less than two weeks, Adrian, “Remember!”At age 97, Helen had a lot to that I did not with the help of the Board, planned a lovely remember: the love of her large family remember.At home, luncheon and program at Mercy. Seventy growing up in Satu Mare, Romania; the I quickly found the of Helen’s nearest and dearest paid tribute ghetto, a labor camp, an extermination relevant passage in to this self-described housewife and mother, camp, a death march, liberation, communist her book. whose story touched over 10,000 students oppression, escape, liberation once again. After liberation, Helen and her sister in the San Francisco Bay Area, as they “The feeling of liberation, it’s impossible Ethel, who, together, survived Auschwitz raptly listened to her speak. to understand…. [there is] no higher feeling and a death march, found themselves in Decorating the table of Helen’s certificates of pleasure and hope, to be free from….” Susice, in what is now the Czech Republic. and awards from all over the country, Helen’s voice trailed off. Seated in her The mayor of the town invited the two was a sculpture by her artist-daughter. comfortable living room in the Magnolia, women to the prison, where a young SS Amber’s sculpture is titled,“Remember,”in an assisted living facility in Millbrae, Calif., officer languished. “The mayor said that homage to her mom’s book. Helen is very on Jan. 11, 2018, we reminisced. we could do anything we wanted to him. proud of the Center that bears her name. Helen remembered when she first met He suggested that we could hit him, kick She is also proud of the new “Helen Farkas me, just after my him, spit on him, abuse him…whatever Scholarship,”recently created by the Center own mother, z”l, we wanted. My sister and I just looked at and named in her honor. passed away,22 each other and we said, ‘No’. Then we years ago. I asked walked out. We had seen enough suffering Helen about my (Remember the Holocaust, p. 107).” daughter’s recent Helen is on a mission,“trying to preserve move to Munich. the memories and to help protect the world Even though I from another holocaust (p. 148).”After her have been overtly school presentations, she is often asked by supportive, I am students,“Do you hate the Germans?” still “processing” the fact that two of my “I always answer,‘No, I don’t hate them. grandchildren will grow up in Germany I can’t hate a nation. If I did, I would not and speak German like natives. As a be any better than the Nazis were (p. 149).” survivor, Helen might be able to shed light I asked Helen what she wanted her on how my own father, z”l, a 1937 German- legacy to be.“To let the world know what Jewish refugee, might feel about having this word means, ‘Holocaust,’ because I great-grandchildren growing up in Germany. lived it…. I told students from 7th grade “You are a mother; you cannot tell your up my experiences. We don’t need wars. (L-R) Mercy student and Farkas Center daughter what to do.”Helen surprised me Wars haven’t proven a thing, [bringing] more Board member Sydney K., Helen, and by speaking mother-to-mother, not as a orphans, widows, and misery…. We have winner of the first Helen Farkas survivor to a daughter of a survivor. to learn how to understand each other and Scholarship, Litsy C. Photo courtesy of the Her daughter Amber came into the room to negotiate with each other. It is easier to Farkas Center. just then, smiling, having overheard us. love than hate. Hate is destructive to your In Broad Daylight We talked about Amber’s moving away to own health. This is my theory and what I Unlike Helen, Father Patrick Desbois, hope future generations will learn.” born almost a decade after World War II, did Helen sighed, but did not seem sorrowful. not experience the Holocaust. His calling “I was given two choices,” she explained, derived from the haunting experience of “aggressive treatment (for recently diag- his grandfather during World War II, as a nosed stage four cancer) that might have French soldier imprisoned in a German given me six more months, or just to ‘fade camp in Rawa Ruska, in German-occupied away.’ The treatments would have been Ukraine. The silence of his beloved grand- horrible, and for what? The outcome will father about those years motivated the be the same; we know what it is.” future priest to confront his grandfather, Helen did not want to wait for her normally the outgoing family comedian. (L-R) Helen, her daughter Amber Aguirre; funeral to celebrate her life; she wanted to “What did you do at Rawa Ruska? Why Amber’s daughter, Kailei Jackson. be there with friends to share a meal and don’t you talk about it?” March 7, 2018 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT 15 Claudius Desbois finally told his grand- I began with a focused question – why ZOBERMAN son, “Patrick, we were locked in a camp had he used only the last initial of people (continued from page 13) with nothing to drink, we ate grass and interviewed by him and his team? He dandelions, but outside the camp, for the replied that there are strict privacy laws ironically and tragically been deprived of others, it was worse” (In Broad Daylight, in Europe. In their recorded interviews, shalom’s universal promise of the divine p. 7). Unlocking the silence around “the many of the villagers often confessed to gifts of genuine peace. others”became a calling for the priest. He their role as enablers of the genocide, The British Foreign Secretary Lord discovered that “the others”were the Jews, even though many times they were Balfour Declaration on Nov. 2, 1917 (100th gunned down by mobile killing squads “requisitioned” or forced to do so by the Anniversary!) which empowered the known as the Einsatzgruppen. Nazi’s. He did not want to be vulnerable Zionist movement, is now reinforced by From Paris, Father Desbois graciously to a lawsuit by the families. President Trump Jerusalem Declaration on made time to Knowing that he has expanded his Dec. 6, 2017. Both declarations are discuss with me his research to encompass other genocides, I nuanced to allow for compromise by both new book, In Broad asked what made the Holocaust unique. sides whose historic kinship, as well as Daylight: The Secret He replied that there was no reason [in rivalry, cannot be denied. Procedures Behind Nazi ideology] to let one Jew live; man, Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman is the found- the Holocaust by woman, or child. He is convinced that if ing rabbi of Congregation Beth Chaverim in Bullets. In a phone Hitler had won the war, it would have Virginia Beach, and Honorary Senior Rabbi interview on Feb. resulted in the total extermination of the Scholar at Eastern Shore Chapel Episcopal 12, I explained that Jews. The implication was that other Church. He is past national Interfaith Chair I taught a course genocides are not so thorough. of JCPA (Jewish Council for Public Affairs). on the Holocaust Every spring break, the priest takes Column submitted Dec. 26, 2017. in a Catholic uni- students from Georgetown University versity, and that to Eastern Europe. In 2016, it was the j i we had met at the San Francisco Jewish Ukraine; in 2017, Belarus and Auschwitz; “There is always a profit motive” when it Community Center when he was on a in 2018, Moldavia and Auschwitz. The trip comes to genocide, Fr. Desbois asserted. speaking tour for The Holocaust by Bullets: “is life changing for the student. The I asked about the implications of his work A Priest’s Journey to Uncover the Truth Jewish students decide to be [more] for today.“It is not only in the U.S. where Behind the Murder of 1.5 Million Jews. He Jewish. All realize what genocide is.” antisemitism no longer feels taboo,”he began. said he remembered me; we both laughed. His first book, The Holocaust by Bullets,” “In Iraq, Hitler has a strong presence. Every Since our first encounter about seven reads as if the process of finding eye- bookstore has ten books about Hitler.” years ago, The Holocaust by Bullets became witnesses to the shootings, discovering Recently, he pointed out to an audience required reading for my course. The text the mass graves, and documenting the in Boca Raton, Fla. that they live in an details the evolution of the priest’s onsite genocide with archeological evidence, was artificial bubble. “If we go on dreaming, research into the Einsatzgruppen, whose unfolding as he wrote it. In Broad Daylight we wake up in a nightmare – not only a murderous rampage began in 1939. is an update. In the eight years between national one, but a planetary one. By 1941, the Einsatzgruppen advanced the copyright dates, his team has learned “The next generation is ready to learn deep into Soviet territory behind the how to locate the remaining few eye- the Holocaust in a new way; not just the advancing front lines of the Wehrmacht witnesses, to ask the right questions, Holocaust, but teach the legacy of the (German army), murdering all racial or and how to reassure the witnesses so that Holocaust. It must be learned. [We can political enemies of the Third Reich in a full testimony can be recorded. They have] a planet without shootings, help the every town, village, or hamlet. With the SS perfected their research methodology. young people heal the planet. [Create] in charge and supported by local police In Broad Daylight consists of five leaders in new directions – teaching the and villagers, the death squads mowed chronological parts: “The Night Before,” Holocaust is an emergency.” down all men, women, and children so “The Morning,”“The Day,”“The Evening,” Fr. Desbois does not have to convince designated. Mass graves dug by the “The Day After.” Individual chapters me. He was speaking days before high townspeople or by the victims themselves describe a specific task or personnel needed school students from Parkland, Fla., dot the landscape of Eastern Europe. to accomplish the murders. I “heard” the bussed to the state capitol to lobby priest’s anguished voice throughout, politicians on gun control. juxtaposing the complicity by most I wished him well on his journey and villagers with examples of villagers forgot to tell him that I would be adopting who helped the Jews. “It seemed to me his excellent new text for my class. We did you were asking the same question not have time to talk about the organization throughout – why did some of the he founded in 2004, Yahad – In Unum villagers participate willingly and perhaps (Hebrew: Together – Latin: as One), a voyeuristically, while some avoided the global humanitarian organization “dedicated scene, and a few went home and wept?” to identifying and commemorating the He replied, “I interview in so many sites of Jewish and Roma mass executions Fr. Desbois in front of an Einsatzgruppen countries.”Tomorrow, he would be going in Eastern Europe during World War II.” execution site in Eastern Europe. to Iraq.“Neighbors – the Yazidis – Christians As I exited from WhatsApp, our channel are being persecuted all over the world.” of communication for a conversation It is Fr. Desbois’calling to find every last We were nearing the end of our agreed without cost to either of us, I realized the unmarked mass grave of these unfortunate time limit. The implication was that the many connections between Father Desbois victims, and to document who, how, same dynamic exists across genocides. and Helen Farkas. Both felt passionate where, and when these mass murders Some neighbors care, yet others cannot about their calling, to teach young people took place. His team of 29 has interviewed get beyond their own exploitive interest in about the Holocaust so that they will more than 5,700 people in 15 years. the goods and homes of those murdered. (see Zimmerman, page 16) 16 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT March 7, 2018 ZIMMERMAN distress of the shooters. Evidently, the Media (continued from page 15) day-after-day shooting at close range of defenseless mothers clutching their be equipped to make different choices. children, took a toll on the shooters. Watch Both have spawned organizations that What was needed was a faster process will enlarge and carry on their work. Both that provided aesthetic distance for the BY RABBI ELLIOT B. GERTEL have written books, which I require for murderers. Thus, the need for a “Final my Holocaust class. Implicit in their Solution,” formalized in January 1942 at Justice League’s message: the legacy of the Holocaust can the Wannsee Conference, to speed up the be transformative and healing. process and preserve the psychological Jewish Superhero- The work of each bookend the genocide, health of the perpetrators. 1939–1945. Himmler, the number two By the time Helen arrived at Auschwitz in-training Nazi, realized the limitations of the on May 24, 1944, the Hungarian genocide Einsatzgruppen. One bullet, one body, as was in full swing. According to the website In Justice League, the Marvel cartoon- executed by the Einsatzgruppen, was far of Yad Vashem, the Israeli institution based movie, both good and evil super- too slow and resulted in psychological dedicated to Holocaust research, memory, heroes are after “mother boxes”which can and education, in just 56 days, the Nazis be misused to “reshape the planet.”Two of j i murdered 440,000 Hungarian Jews at these three boxes have been sealed and world. At one point he observes that it is Auschwitz-Birkenau. The Nazis had guarded by Amazons and Atlantis folk, rude for Superheroes to simply vanish perfected assembly line techniques of and one was buried.The well-produced and without a word. genocide and overcame all the obstacles capably acted movie exults in its special Barry represents in many ways the faced by the Einsatzgruppen shooters. effects and in its comic book plot and pacing. awkwardness of youth – whether childhood, I spoke with Helen one more time, on The good superheroes, convened by Bruce teenage years, or even one’s 20’s when one Jan. 27; fitting, because that is the date in Wayne/Batman (Ben Affleck) will decide is trying to establish oneself. His “civilian” 1945 on which the Russian army liberated to use box power to resurrect Superman job in a crime lab is more important to him Auschwitz. Helen was no longer able to so that he can do battle with the box- (and to his incarcerated father) than are speak, but I knew she could hear me. I energized super-villain Steppenwolf. the cover jobs of the other Superheroes to stroked her forearm, unmarred by tattoos. The latter is intent on dominating the them. An unabashed nerd, and an earnest By the time Helen reached Auschwitz, world with the help of bug-like iron one at that, he opens up that he has not the Nazis no longer tattooed victims, not warriors. He is violently and sadistically quite been able to master the “rhythm” wanting to impede the slaughter. seizing the boxes in order to reduce the that most people find in their lives. Yet In the adjacent dining area, her daughter world to a hellish state which is his utopia. he complains that people are too slow Amber and longtime Holocaust educator Steppenwolf seems like an insurmountable (especially compared with his lightening Lissa Schumann Thiele serenaded us on enemy. The film is about hope against speed) and that brunches are a waste of ukulele and guitar. Both had played pro- hope, or belief against despair. time during which one is forced to wait an fessionally in bands.Amber sang an original When Steppenwolf meets the courageous hour for lunch.The writers knowingly give song, accompanied by Lissa. Their upbeat, Wonder Woman/Diana Prince, played by him quirks related both to youth and to almost jazzy music elevated our spirits. charming Israeli actress Gal Gadot, he his speed or giftedness. Helen had no control over what happened blurts out: “I don’t believe it. What are Perhaps the most human of the super- to her as a young girl in Auschwitz, but you?”“A believer,”she responds, prepared heroes, Barry admits fears along the way. she was leaving this world on her terms. to defend the world from this would-be When first recruited, he confesses that he Surrounded by her family and close destroyer of her beloved Amazonian is afraid of guns, bugs, and of formidably friends and infused not by a feeding tube, heritage. She becomes, in many ways, tall people. Later, in the face of raging waters, but by the love of those closest to her, the moral and spiritual center of the fight he adds: “Also, one of my fears is drowning.” Helen’s departure was of her choosing. for goodness. Batman advises him to start by saving Two days later, she was gone. May her In this film we are introduced to a 20- one person, and not to think. And Barry memory be for a blessing. something young man named Barry Allen takes immediately to spontaneously saving For a previous article about Helen by this (Ezra Miller), also known as “The Flash,” lives – a talent and grace that is clearly author, browse to jewishpostopinion.com/ who devotedly visits his dad in prison, within him. He is also a bit of an ethicist, ?p=3453. For more about the Farkas convinced that his father was unjustly worrying about the rightness of exhuming Center: www.farkascenter.org/. For a prosecuted for murdering Barry’s mother. Superman’s body even as he awkwardly description of Helen’s party, www.jweekly. Barry has a rare gift of speed. When he is tries to bond with a fellow superhero working com/2018/01/17/holocaust-survivor-adds- recruited and shown a photograph of with him who happens to be African American. legacy-early-100th-birthday-s-f/. For Helen’s himself, he jokes about seeing “a very Barry saves civilians with speeding final message to the world: www.youtube. attractive Jewish boy.”This makes him the bullet velocity, but Superman is even more com/watch?v=En9E47BXnw8. To order only Jewish Marvel-type superhero character impressive by pulling entire apartment Helen’s book: www.farkascenter.org/ of which I’m aware, unless one includes buildings through the air. After some of remember-the-holocaust-by-helen-farkas. Magneto, the Holocaust-survivor-turned- the credits at the end of the film, we catch To order Fr. Desbois’book: arcadepub.com/ bitter-monster of the X-Men series. a glimpse of Barry challenging Superman arcadepub/arcadepub/titles/12963-978162 Once recruited, Barry wastes no time. to a race. Barry claims that this is “not a 8728576-in-broad-daylight. For Yahad In “I’m in,”he says.“I need friends.”Barry is macho thing,” just a friendly contest. But Unum, www.yahadinunum.org/. like the Robin of the iconic TV Batman the point is that Barry is a superhero in Dr. Miriam Zimmerman is professor series who is in constant wonderment over training, and a very focused and dedicated emerita at Notre Dame de Namur University Batman’s exciting causes and impressive one at that, and that he needs to be appre- (NDNU) in Belmont, Calif., where she hardware. That sense of wonder keeps ciated as a work in progress, as a paradigm continues to teach the Holocaust course. She him considerate of the civilians of the (see Gertel, page 18) can be reached at [email protected]. March 7, 2018 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT 17 KAPLAN/ISRAEL children. No hands went up. subject of peace, organized by the head (continued from page 2) 3. The Prime Minister then asked if of Women’s International Zionist our newspapers called Iran’s leadership Organization (WIZO) from Tel Aviv and “I’m trying to figure out how to plant an “moderate” for the past year. No hands reported in “WIZO Women Display ‘Art ancient date grove,” she says. “And if she went up.“The only way to advance peace, for Peace’”. can reach her magical green thumb back is to advance the truth,”he exclaimed. Only the top journalists in their fields into time and succeed in bringing forth a When asked by one of the journalist’s were permitted entry to places where modern grove of ancient trees, it might about Israel’s relationship with UNWRA, Sadat would visit, so the rest of us provide for a unique insight into history.” the Prime Minister said they need to wandered around the Communications “We would know what kind of dates they address the real needs of real refugees. Center looking for story ideas. Suddenly, ate in those days and what they were like,” “UNWRA has the great-great grand- I had an angle. I would find an Egyptian she says.“That would be very exciting.” children of refugees listed....There needs journalist to interview. He was wearing a In December (2017), I wrote to Dr. to be a conversion of all funds to other red colored tag, distinguished looking, Solowey and asked for an update on agencies that deal with refugees.” He in his 50s or 60s, and he represented Methuseleh and she wrote: added, “If you want to negotiate peace, Egypt’s major newspaper. He graciously “I attach a picture of Methuseleh. He is you’ve got to negotiate.” consented to an interview, “Meeting My a big boy now. He has flowered several First Egyptian Journalist”. times and his pollen is good. I hope to 40 years since the visit of Anwar Sadat A couple of months later, Milton have some good news about companions Looking back at my stories of November Firestone (z”l), The Kansas City Jewish for him.” 1977 from my book, Witness to History – Chronicle editor, wrote that he had been to Ten Years as a Woman Journalist in Israel,I Morocco and Egypt, attending the Netanyahu meets the Foreign Press found this passage: Christmas day summit at Ismailia.“While in Jerusalem Late November, it happened very quickly. at Ismailia, an amazing thing happened. Each year the Israel Government An announcement was made that I sat two seats away from the Egyptian Press Office (GPO), from whom we and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat was correspondent whom you interviewed other foreign correspondents secure our coming to Jerusalem. For the first time in and photographed in Jerusalem. He was credentials, sponsors a New Year’s toast 30 years, the head of an Arab country unmistakable from his ‘naturally curly for the foreign press and the diplomatic would visit Israel and talk face to face on hair.’ I started to tell him that we ran a corps and others. our soil. Witness to the Making of History story and picture of him, but it got too In January, the program explained how within 48 hours the hectic and I never got to speak to him. was held at the newly entire city of Jerusalem was transformed However, I would have given a lot at that opened Orient Jerusalem physically and emotionally. point to have had with me a copy of with appetizers and Stores placed welcome signs in Arabic Mike’s picture of him in Jerusalem. He drinks, a program and fea- in their windows, and Jerusalem’s flag would probably have dropped over.” tured speaker, Prime maker worked full speed to provide The behind-the-scenes story of the Minister Netanyahu. B. Netanyahu Egyptian flags to hang side by side on Sadat visit was part of a speech given by The prime minister opened his remarks streets and public buildings. Nearly 2000 Zev Hefetz, American director of the Israel asking the foreign correspondents three members of the media, from every corner Government Press Office, before the questions: of the world, poured into the capital to Association of Americans and Canadians 1. How many in that room reported the find an exceptionally well-organized in Israel. The story, “Sadat’s Visit – A story of the father of six, who was brutally communications center at the Jerusalem Participant’s Impressions” covered the murdered the night before in a drive-by Theatre. hectic time between Nov. 12, 1977 when shooting? President Sadat said he was prepared to He then asked how many of us added accept the invitation of Prime Minister that Abbas’s government is paying $350 Begin through the visit, Nov. 19–20. million dollars a year to these murderers “Reactions of Canadians in Israel to in Israeli jails and to their families? Very Sadat’s Visit” was my story of Toronto- few hands went up. He praised the tweets born, Canadian Broadcasting Company of US Ambassador David Friedman for man in Israel, Jim Lederman. Jim was the articulating the “unvarnished” truth that first person to broadcast outside Israel the terrorism and the Palestinian reaction to news that Sadat was coming on Saturday it are the reasons there is no peace. The night. Prior to, during, and after the visit, killers were praised by Hamas, and they Egyptian President Anwar Sadat arrives in Jim coordinated ten CBC radio and televi- will receive financial awards. Jerusalem in 1977. Photo by: Reuters/GPO. sion people from Canada and London. The Taylor Force Act, currently in the Nov. 19, Israelis waited in near-freezing Compared to American TV network, CBS, US Congress, threatens a dramatic cut temperatures at the entrance to Jerusalem which had 160 people in Israel for the in aid to the Palestinian Authority if it and along the route to clap, wave flags and event, what emerged was one of the continues to compensate families of shout welcome. Throughout the visit, longest radio specials Canada had Palestinians convicted of murder and Jerusalem traffic was practically at a stand- produced. It lasted five hours plus another terrorism through the “martyrs”fund. still, yet Jerusalemites took it in stride if 3-1/2 hours of broadcasts across Canada. 2. The Prime Minister then asked how it could mean peace. People walked with Sybil Kaplan is a foreign correspondent many of us did a story about the resolution transistor radios at their ears. Children for North American Jewish newspapers, a (the Taylor force Act)? How many of us wrote essays in school. Israel’s Arabic book reviewer, compiler and editor of nine added that Israel is investing 15 million radio broadcasts went through for the first kosher cookbooks, restaurant feature writer shkalim in health, education and welfare time in 25 years, not jammed by Egypt. for the Israeli website Janglo.net, feature to Palestinians, and that spoken Arabic Decorating the Communications Center writer for the website itraveljerusalem.net. is now being taught to Israeli school was an exhibit by prominent artists on the She lives in Jerusalem. 18 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT March 7, 2018 soldier, along with others who had been GERTEL Book Review injured by enemy fire. One of the most (continued from page 16) poignant parts of this journal is Izzy’s attempt to speak to his mother on the of youthful potential. Is it a special honor telephone in order to impart the news shown to him (albeit after some of the REVIEWED BY about the loss of his left arm without final credits) that the resurrected PROFESSOR ARNOLD AGES provoking hysteria on her part. Superman chooses to literally shoot the Part of the treatment the author breeze with this young Jewish superhero? Resilience of received from Israel’s medical cadres were Rabbi Elliot Gertel has been spiritual heavy doses of very powerful drugs leader of congregations in New Haven and injured IDF soldier including fentanyl, a narcotic, he notes, Chicago. He is the author of two books, which is a hundred times more potent than What Jews Know About Salvation and Disarmed. By Izzy Ezagui. Prometheus morphine, the first drug administered to Over the Top Judaism: Precedents and Books. 284 Pages. him when the severity of his injury was Trends in the Depiction of Jewish Beliefs This book is confusing, puerile, uneven, recognized. This is a relevant observation and Observances in Film and Television. exaggerated, chutzpadik, and strident – I because when Izzy Ezagui began to recover He has been media critic for The National loved it, every blessed moment involved in his sensibilities, he immediately declared Jewish Post & Opinion since 1979. reading this extraordinary Proust-like that he intended to return to his combat jumble of words and ideas associated unit but soon realized that he would j i memoir of an have to go “cold turkey” – the addicts` RECIPES Israeli soldier who nightmare – before he could think of (continued from page 19) lost his left arm in re-joining his comrades. This he did by a Hamas mortar dint of unbelievable discipline aligned to pepper, to taste shelling a decade incredible withdrawal suffering. 4 (6-ounce) skinless sea bass fillets ago when he was During this crisis period in his slow 1 Tablespoon oil on duty near Gaza. recovery Izzy was confronted by negative 1 avocado, diced just before serving The unlikely responses from army doctors, one of 4 Tablespoons avocado oil protagonist of this whom bluntly told him that his condition memorable saga is precluded the kind of camaraderie and Preheat oven to 450°F. Using a small a Sephardi Jew fraternity among Israeli soldiers who sharp knife, cut off all peel and white pith raised in Florida, depend on their peers to help them. That from fruit. Working over a medium bowl, Crown Heights kind of subtle yet direct rejection ironically cut between membranes to release segments (New York) and educated first in a public determined Ezagui in his pursuit of his into bowl. Squeeze juices from membranes school system and afterword in a former status as a soldier-sharpshooter. It into the bowl; discard membranes. Drain Lubavitch yeshiva before making Aliyah. did not help that he was continually fruit, reserving 1/2 cup fruit juices. Return His father and mother, whom he idolizes hounded by his “phantom”– the curious the 1/2 cup of reserved juice to the bowl in this book, were complex parents who physiological phenomenon when a severed with fruit. Season fillets with salt and decided while Izzy was still very young, to limb asserts it presence despite its absence pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over high become more serious about their Judaism. as an anatomical doppelganger. heat. Add fish; cook until golden brown This autobiography is among the few In his narrative the author gives us all and releases easily from pan, 6–8 minutes. books available on the intricacies and details the excruciating details of his re-training Transfer fish gently to a 9x13”pan, cooked of the Israeli army training procedures for in the army – this time with a limb side up. Bake until just opaque in the inductees into elite units as experienced missing. One of the greatest obstacles center, 5–10 minutes. Divide fruit and not once but twice by author Ezagui and he encountered was mounting a wall avocado between individual plates; top each as such provides an introduction to what it with a rope anchored to it. In his previous with a sea bass fillet. Spoon 2 tablespoons really means to become a member of incarnation, he had no problem; this time citrus juices and 1 tablespoon avocado oil Zahal – the Israeli Defence Forces. The he discovered that one arm was insufficient over the fish and fruit on each plate. rigors of that training are equal or superior to execute the onerous task. He finally Enjoy! And Happy Pesach! to American, British and Canadian Special realized that the contortionist skill was Forces cadres. required to perform the feat and through j i When Izzy’s tent was shattered by the the use of his legs and other body parts he GENESIS PRIZE mortar blast suffered by his unit was able to get over the wall. (continued from page 20) bivouacked near Gaza, the young soldier He encountered a similar problem with did not at first realize what happened to his rifle. It jammed regularly when he tried and to the Jewish people. Portman him, so great was the shock to his nervous to insert the shells into the rifle and over- becomes the fifth winner of the annual $1 system. The graphic description he came his frustration only when he realized million Genesis Prize. She will be honored provides of the wreckage to his left arm is that he had to dig his weapon into the at the Genesis Prize Ceremony in not easy reading because it lies outside ground anchor it solidly, and then, with Jerusalem in June 2018. See more at: our normal anatomical parameters but one arm, load the instrument! Izzy passed www.genesisprize.org. Izzy conveys quite adequately the physical all his re-training requirements and it was and psychic damage he endured. It took the doctor who had initially rejected his j i hours before the extent of his personal attempt to re-join his unit who certified Izzy Ezagui is one of the latter but has catastrophe was fully known even by him. his re-entry into the Israeli army. become a symbol of what the human His comrades were able, once the dust This book is a testimony to the resilience spirit is capable of accomplishing. had cleared, to transport him to an Israeli of one human being who beat the odds Professor Arnold Ages is “Distinguished medical facility, where doctors used and conquered the disability that would Emeritus Professor” University of Waterloo, life-saving methods to stabilize the young normally have sidelined ordinary mortals. Waterloo. Ontario, Canada. March 7, 2018 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT 19 Recipes from A Nine Bnei Menashe couples marry in Taste of Pesach 2 group ceremony Artscroll/Shaar Press/February 2018

Among the many delicious recipes in A Taste of Pesach 2 are: Duck Crepes with Apricot Sauce, Marrow Bones over Parsley Medley, Matzo Kugel, Apple-Apricot Kugel, Jalapeno Sole, Spicy Kani Cake, Praline Chicken, Miami Ribs, Brisket in a Bag, Osso Bucco, Doughless Potato Knishes, Ratatouille, Pears in Custard, Snowballs, and Melted Chocolate Cookies. Here’s a couple:

Pastrami Egg Rolls Meat (Yields 18 Egg Rolls) A new way to serve the ubiquitous crepe that is synonymous with Pesach. Baking it Nine Bnei Menashe couples (pictured uncovered gives it a real egg roll wrapper j i above), all of whom immigrated to Israel texture. shredded cabbage. Sauté until onions are from Manipur, India, Nov. 2017, married soft and cabbage is wilted. Add pastrami Dec. 19, 2017 in a group ceremony at strips and garlic powder. Sauté 5 minutes, Shavei Israel’s absorption center in Kfar stirring frequently. Hasidim under Jewish law in the wake of Make the egg rolls: Preheat oven to their formal conversion. 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment The nine couples were among 162 new paper. Place 1/3 cup filling at one edge of immigrants who arrived in Israel in a crepe. Fold top and bottom in, then roll, November thanks to the Jerusalem-based starting from filling. Place seam-side nonprofit Shavei Israel. They all hail from down on prepared baking sheet. Repeat the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, with remaining crepes and filling. Bake, on the border with Burma, and which is uncovered, for approximately 20 minutes home to the largest concentration of Bnei until crispy. Menashe in India. The new immigrants all plan to settle in Tiberias, Israel, after they Citrus Sea Bass leave Kfar Hasidim. Crepes: Pareve (Yields 4 servings) The Bnei Menashe are descendants of 8 eggs The stunning presentation is part of this the tribe of Manasseh, one of the Ten Lost 1 cup potato starch sea bass recipe. When eaten together, the Tribes of Israel. They came to Israel thanks 1 cup water citrus fruits and avocado complement the to Shavei Israel, which has made the 1/2 teaspoon salt subtle flavors of the fish. The bonus is that dream of Aliyah possible for over 3,000 oil, for frying its beauty will surely enhance your Yom Tov Bnei Menashe over the last 15 years and Filling: table. Easy to prepare and always gourmet, plans to bring more members of the 1 Tablespoon oil this is a must on your menu this year. community to Israel. Currently there are 2 onions, julienned 7,000 Bnei Menashe awaiting their return 1 (8-oz.) bag shredded green cabbage to the Jewish homeland. 8 slices pastrami The brides had their hair and makeup done 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and wore traditional white wedding gowns, and some of the grooms wore traditional Prepare the crepes: Beat eggs lightly; suits with Bnei Menashe tribal designs. add remaining ingredients. Don’t overbeat. Shavei Israel, founded by Michael Freund, Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 10” nonstick reaches out to and assists “lost Jews” frying pan. Pour a scant 3/4 cup batter into seeking to return to the Jewish people. It hot pan; swirl pan to cover the bottom works with various groups around the completely. As soon as batter is set, use a world, such as the Subbotnik Jews of Russia spatula to carefully flip over for 15 seconds. and the “Hidden Jews”of Poland from the Remove from pan. Continue until all time of the Holocaust. The organization batter has been used. You may need to also engages in the absorption of new olim re-grease pan in between crepes. 2 oranges in Israel, including providing assistance with Prepare the filling: In a large skillet, 2 pink grapefruits housing, employment, and professional train- heat oil. Add julienned onions and salt, to taste (see Recipes, page 18) ing. More information: www.shavei.org. 20 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT March 7, 2018 The Jewish Declaring “Together PRESORTED We Will,” thousands Post &Opinion STANDARD US POSTAGE of teens gather 1389 W 86th St. #160 PAID Indianapolis, IN 46260 INDIANAPOLIS, IN ORLANDO, FL – At a time when young PERMIT NO. 1321 people are socializing more online and interacting less in person, thousands of teens converged on here over Presidents Weekend February 15–19 to strengthen a movement of young Jews. With over 3,000 teens from 36 countries, and thousands of educators, thought and business leaders, celebrities, political figures and philan- thropists coming together for BBYO International Convention (IC), this epic event offered opportunities for Jewish teens to connect with their peers and consider how to make the future their own. The conference showcased the diversity of the BBYO community as delegates traveled from 49 states and for the first time, from Australia, China, Colombia, Mexico and Spain, enhancing BBYO’s celebration of Jewish culture. They came for the celebration of Jewish teen spirit. IC is one of the largest Jewish communal leadership events in North America and the single-largest gathering of Jewish teen leaders worldwide.

85-year-old Holocaust Survivor, Trudy Album (left-front), from New York shared her harrowing tale of survival at Auschwitz and other camps during several programs at U.S. gymnastic's Olympian, Aly Raisman, BBYO’s International Convention with delegates world-wide, with hopes that the next addressing the BBYO Convention. generation will carry on her story. Photos Credit: Jason Dixson Photography. Besides U.S. gymnastic Olympian Aly Raisman, and 31-year-old actor Josh Peck 2018 Genesis Prize known from Nickelodeon’s “Drake and Josh”show, several other prominent people The Genesis Prize Foundation (GPF) spoke.Two of those were Mike Signer, who announced in Nov. 2017 that world- served as the mayor of Charlottesville,Va., renowned actress, director and social during the rally and protests last August activist Natalie Portman has been selected that brought white supremacists to the as the 2018 Genesis Prize Laureate. forefront of international attention, and U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Nikki Haley, The annual $1 million award honors Susan Bro, whose 32-year-old daughter addressing the BBYO Convention. extraordinary individuals who serve as an Heather Heyer was killed when a car drove inspiration to the next generation of Jews into the crowd of counter-protestors. heard from two-time Olympic soccer gold through their outstanding professional The convention also featured learning medalist and LGBTQ activist Abby achievement, commitment to Jewish values labs, leadership activities, Shabbat and Wambach, and watched videos sent to (see Genesis Prize, page 18) Havdalah celebrations, and entertainment them from Canadian Prime Minister by Daya and Fetty Wap. Justin Trudeau and U.S. Ambassador to Firsthand accounts from Holocaust the United Nations Nikki Haley. survivors reinforced the responsibility of But before they got into the bulk of the remembrance, and off-site visits to local program, a moment of silence was held in nonprofits emphasized the importance of memory of the 17 people – 14 students and communal involvement for all ages. three staff members – killed in the mass Teens visited sites that included Clean shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas the World, Emeril Lagasse Foundation High School in Parkland, Fla., some 200 Kitchen House & Culinary Garden, and miles south of Orlando, on Feb. 14, the the Renaissance Senior Center. They also first day of the conference. Natalie Portman. Photo: Hadas Parush/Flash90.