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VOLUME X, NUMBER 18 SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 Federation alert Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund established The following memorandum on the We know that several Jewish communal County’s 1,800 square miles has been volunteers from partner groups like the establishment of the Hurricane Harvey institutions that flooded two years ago flooded. The police chief reported that Jewish Response to Disaster. The actual Relief Fund was issued from the Jewish have flooded again, but communities in authorities have received about 70,000 rebuilding and renovating will come in Federations of North America by e-mail the affected areas won’t be able to start as- calls for help. Houston’s Mayor Sylvester the months ahead. on August 28 to the presidents of each and sessing the scope of damage to institutions Turner says the city’s focus now is on Sincerest thanks for your support. every Jewish organization in Lackawanna, and members of their communities until rescue and not on damage assessment or Mark Silverberg, executive director Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties as well the rain stops and roads become passable. recovery at the moment. Jewish Federation of Northeastern as by e-mail to each member of the Jewish Should members of the Jewish commu- The Houston Jewish Community has Pennsylvania communities of NEPA. It was also posted nities of Northeastern Pennsylvania wish been hit especially hard by the storm. The UPDATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 5 on the front page of the Federation’s to donate to the mounting toll of the storm devastation is unimaginable, and the Jew- While the JFNA is keeping an eye on website (www.jewishnepa.org). by contributing to the Hurricane Harvey ish Federation of Houston and Houston’s South Florida and Hurricane Irma, its work The Jewish Federations of North Amer- Relief Fund, visit www.jewishnepa.org Jewish Family Service facilities, as well as with Houston continued throughout the ica has opened an Emergency Relief Fund or www.jewishfederations.org/Hurricane- at least one large Orthodox synagogue, are weekend. The central area of the sprawl- to support communities and individuals in HarveyRelief, or send a check payable to flooded, but the full extent of the damage ing Houston region is in the “mucking Houston, San Antonio, Galveston, Corpus JFNA to the Jewish Federations of North is not yet known. Seventy-one percent of out phase” (clearing out furnishings and Christi and other areas that have been America, Wall Street Station, P.O. Box the Jewish community (including nearly damaged plaster). hammered by Hurricane Harvey. With 157, New York, NY 10268. 12,000 elderly members) lives in areas None of it can be removed from in record-breaking volumes of rain having We will continue to update you as the that have seen massive flooding. front of a house until insurance adjusters fallen, extensive damage is continuing storm subsides and the needs in the affected JFNA’s Emergency Committee met and FEMA representatives have come to to mount. communities become clearer. on August 31 and approved the first grant verify the damage. Other parts of Hous- Lee Wunsch, CEO of the Houston Sincerest thanks for your support. of $500,000 to the Houston Federation ton are still under water and inaccessible. Federation, reports that the amount of rain Mark Silverberg, executive director to support the immediate relief and re- For that reason, JFNA doesn’t have and resulting flooding has surpassed that of Jewish Federation of Northeastern covery efforts of the local community. much information about the damage to the massive storm two years ago. Bayous Pennsylvania The funds will be used to assist displaced the four congregations and JCC annex and tributaries are flooding beyond their UPDATED AS OF AUGUST 30: families with temporary housing, food located in West Houston because they banks and roads are impassable. People HURRICANE HARVEY RELIEF and supplies to clean up an estimated are still inaccessible. whose homes are flooding are being ad- FUND ESTABLISHED 1,000 homes of Jewish community JFNA’s Emergency Committee has vised to go up to their roofs so they can In parts of the Houston area, Hurricane members that sustained severe flood allocated an additional $250,000, which be evacuated; emergency workers were Harvey has set a record for the most rainfall damage. The Jewish Federations of brings total allocations to $750,000. evacuating stranded residents through from a single storm anywhere in the U.S. North America has convened the same These funds cover cash assistance to the night. It is reported that 25-30 percent of Harris network of disaster response organiza- flood victims (distributed through the tions that helped coordinate the overall local Jewish Family Service), extended Jewish response to Hurricane Katrina day camp for programs that provide safe (2005) and Superstorm Sandy (2012). places for children, grants to rabbis for Its focus will be to maximize resources congregant families in need, a grant to the and minimize duplication of effort. For Houston Hebrew Free Loan Association now, JFNA is coordinating all donated to supplement the loan pool for hurri- goods and volunteer offers. cane-specific needs and matching dollars JFNA’s priority is to provide support pledged by four other large Hebrew Free that the Houston community most needs. Loan Associations. Funds will be deployed to address im- GEARING UP FOR WHAT COMES mediate relief needs like locating and NEXT relocating residents, and ensuring they JFNA anticipates the following items have the basics: food, blankets, clothes will be significant parts of what it is and a satellite phone to reach their loved See “Harvey” on page 3 ones. It will also provide emergency cash grants from donated funds to assist fam- ilies who have been displaced and need temporary housing, food, shelter and other Federation basic needs. Funding will be allocated to local and national agencies, as well, that need addi- on Facebook tional resources to provide critical services, The Jewish Federation of Northeast- such as trauma counseling and logistical ern Pennsylvania now has a page on support to victims of the hurricane. Facebook to let community members When the scope of the damage and know about upcoming events and keep needs have been assessed, it will broaden connected. its focus to include aiding individuals and families who require short-term or Candle lighting W ! longer-term assistance with housing, r is a helping local Jewish institutions resume September 20...... 6:45 pm h e operations, and mobilizing and supporting in Y September 21...... after 7:44 pm g volunteers who are coming to Houston w September 22...... 6:41 pm yo e to help. u l N September 29...... 6:29 pm a fu The next step will focus on homes: ha ce October 4...... 6:21 pm ppy pea removing water, mud and furniture; , healthy & ripping out drywall; and pulling out October 5...... after 7:20 pm floorboards – a process that, for just one October 6...... 6:18 pm home, means several days of work for 10 October 11...... 6:09 pm October 12...... after 7:09 pm October 13...... 6:06 pm INSIDE THIS ISSUE October 20...... 5:56 pm Jewish food scene Holiday round-up PLUS The new Jewish Food Society aims to A look at Ethiopian Rosh Hashanah customs and an Israeli Opinion...... 2 archive Jewish recipes; a pastry chef shofar factory; a d’var on Shabbat Shuvah; twists on traditional Personal Greetings...... 7 starts a knish company. holiday rituals; and a Yom Kippur traidtion in Amsterdam. D’var Torah...... 8 Stories on page 4 Stories on pages 7-11 Community Institutions...... 10-11 2 THE REPORTER ■ SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 A MATTER OF OPINION “Judenrein” The following article was originally leaned forward and, looking the grand he added, “They and their ideas rule the pire in southern Spain produced leaders, published in 2003 at a time when duke directly in the eyes, replied, “Well sir, world by proxy.” philosophers, mathematicians, chemists antisemitism was raising its ugly presence perhaps you and I should visit Japan, that This is not a man who is especially and astrologers who encouraged their in many countries around the world. way, they would have a sample of each!” interested in inter-faith dialogue! followers to experiment and to challenge The passage of time has not altered History tells us that the level of an- Yet, even his crudely antisemitic re- established norms; scholars who coined these events. If anything, they have only tisemitism in any society is a barometer marks aren’t the real problem. The real the terms al-gebr-wa (or algebra) and worsened. But beyond this irrational of that society’s health. If so, I would say problem is that 57 other world leaders al-kamiya (or alchemy – the forerunner of hatred, there are that the United States is in pretty good applauded him. A politician making such chemistry); who created the first celestial certain truths about shape, that Europe is developing a serious remarks about Jews at an international map (check the names of the stars and note the Jewish people summit is a man with a prob- that many are in Arabic); who adapted and Israel that time lem. But when 57 Muslim Hindu numerals (now known as “Arabic cannot erase and the FROM THE DESK OF THE world leaders applaud him, numerals”) to mathematics; and who laid antisemites of the world that’s a clash of civilizations the foundations for the European Renais- cannot ignore. These EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR because a mindset that dwells sance. Moorish Spain was the greatest truths were expressed on the hatred of Jews and economic and military power on earth, in this article and bear MARK SILVERBERG infidels leads directly to a a symbol of the greatness of the Islamic repetition given the rejection of Western values world at a time when Europe was lost in events unfolding today case of Alzheimer’s and that the Islamic and Western civilization. medieval feudalism. where a recent survey world is about as pathological as one could These events should give us cause for Today, that same Islamic world has disclosed that 33 percent of British Jews possibly imagine. concern because most of the 1.3 billion descended into a stagnant cultural abyss are contemplating aliyah as are 43 percent Several recent incidents have occurred Muslims in the world have never even met whose social and economic development of French Jews – and these percentages are that should be cause for concern. a Jew. For example, there are 70 million is about where Europe was in the 11th expected to increase in the years to come. In early November, two suicide bomb- Egyptians today, 95 percent of whom century. They are a sorry group of failed In 1862, the lord mayor of London ers attacked the two major synagogues in have never come within a mile of a Jew states that have not produced one single hosted a dinner in honor of the visiting Istanbul, Turkey killing 24 persons who (unless they were in the Egyptian Third manufactured product of sufficient quality grand duke of Russia and among the were attending a bar mitzvah. Army that was surrounded by the Israelis to sell competitively on world markets; invited guests was the famous Jewish Last month, Joe Lieberman was in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, in which whose national productivity is the lowest philanthropist Sir Moses Montefiore – hissed by an Arab-American audience in case they would have seen plenty of Jews in the world with the possible exception sheriff of London and president of the Dearborn, MI, when he briefly explained under less than pleasant circumstances). of sub-Saharan Africa; whose capitals do British Board of Deputies. Israel’s defensive wall in terms not unlike But that aside, one of the highest-rated not contain a single world-class university; The grand duke was a rabid antisem- those used by Howard Dean and the other Egyptian television programs in recent and whose countries do not host a single ite and being true to his pathology, he Democratic candidates. The problem was memory was a 41-episode series aired true democracy that respects human rights, could not let the moment pass without not so much what he said. He was hissed last Ramadan on the Jewish conspiracy or permits a responsible media, or encour- commenting to the lord mayor in a voice even before he spoke – because he was to take over the world and the methods ages the rights of women or minorities. loud enough to be heard by the assembled a Jew. used by “that accursed, wicked race” to So, for the leader of a Muslim nation to guests that on his last visit to Japan, he At about the same time, a Gallup poll use Christian or Muslim blood to bake into condemn Jews because they are the found- noted that the country was unique in that was taken by the European Union to de- their Passover matzot and hamantashen ers of human rights and democracy, and it had neither Jews nor pigs! termine the countries that Europeans felt for the Purim holidays. to attack them as “a people who think” The assembled guests were clearly represented the greatest threat to interna- It is amazing that the greatest hatred can only be perceived as a compliment embarrassed, but Montefiore casually tional peace. Israel placed number one; of Jews today exists in a country where by any sentient human being. America came in a close second. only 28 Jews actually remain. The prime minister is wrong when he Now understand, over the past decade, The 57 countries present at the Islamic says that Jews rule the world, but he is the North Korean regime has starved an Summit did not notice, however, that the right when he implies that we have made estimated three million of its own peo- prime minister was insulting them more a difference in it. The Arab Muslim world ple; established thousands of slave labor than the Jews for he was addressing the may weave conspiracy theories about “ The Reporter” (USPS #482) is published bi-weekly by the camps, developed nuclear weapons in vio- leadership of a group of failed states whose Jews, and cover its newspapers with ex- Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania, 601 Jefferson lation of every agreement it has ever made, total gross domestic product constitutes cerpts from the Protocols of the Elders of Ave., Scranton, PA 18510. and is seeking to sell them to the highest less than the GDP of Spain. Zion and stories of Jewish blood libels, President: David Malinov bidder. North Korea has lobbed ballistic He was speaking to a collection of aging but the truth remains that, as a people, the Executive Director: Mark Silverberg missiles over Japan threatened a nuclear jihadists, dictators, kings and emirs who ideas and concepts that Jews formulated Executive Editor: Rabbi Rachel Esserman war of annihilation against its southern would probably be the only audience on have changed the face of virtually every Layout Editor: Diana Sochor neighbor and supports itself primarily by earth to applaud the damning of Jews for civilization known to man and from a Assistant Editor: Michael Nassberg dealing in drugs and counterfeit currency. establishing human rights and democracy. people who represent less than one quarter Production Coordinator: Jenn DePersis Graphic Artist: And yet, 60 percent of Europeans regard Ironically, these nations are hardly in of one percent of the world’s population, Advertising Representative: Bonnie Rozen Israel as more threatening than either a position to condemn human rights and I’d say that was pretty damn good. Alaina Cardarelli Kathy Brown Bookkeeper: North Korea or Iran – the second largest democracy since they have never tried Ideas are the engines of history, so if the funder of terrorism in the world next to them! In fact, their only achievement has Arab Muslim world wishes to foster this OPINIONS The views expressed in Saudi Arabia. been that they have stolen their nations’ oil cult of Jew-hatred, it is shortsighted if it editorials and opinion pieces are those So, if ever there was proof that there wealth and plundered the human capital believes that human rights and democracy of each author and not necessarily was something sinister lying behind Eu- of their own people. So, there’s something are the only things that can be “blamed” the views of the Jewish Federation of rope’s constant criticism of Israel and its pathetic about a culture that is so ignorant (so to speak) on the Jews. Northeastern Pennsylvania. support of Israel’s enemies other than pure and ill-prepared for the challenges of Truth be told, the Jews have contrib- LETTERS The Reporter welcomes antisemitism, this poll now answers it. the 21st century that even its pathologies uted much more than that to mankind. letters on subjects of interest to the Jewish community. All letters must be Antisemitism has evolved from an (like antisemitism) have to be imported In the pagan era, it was religion; in the signed and include a phone number. irrational hatred or jealousy of Jews to an from Europe because the truth is, by not Greco-Roman era, it was humanism; in The editor may withhold the name irrational hatred or jealousy of the Jewish introducing human rights and democracy the Islamic era, it was philosophy; and, in upon request. state – Israel. Last month, Prime Minister into their nations, the Arab/Persian world the modern era, the Jews gave the world ADS The Reporter does not necessarily Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia summed has doomed itself to live forever in the the principles of theoretical science. endorse any advertised products and up the world’s problems with his buddies shadow of the greatness that was once While Romans worked man and beast services. In addition, the paper is not in the Organization of Islamic Nations. the Moorish Empire of Spain. Bin Laden seven days a week until they died, it was responsible for the kashruth of any According to the prime minister, Jews says he wants it back. The problem is, the Jews who introduced the concept advertiser’s product or establishment. should be condemned for having invented he can’t deliver, and only the West can of the Sabbath and, for this, they were DEADLINE Regular deadline is two (among other things) such concepts as show him how. condemned as heretics. From the Jewish weeks prior to the publication date. human rights and democracy – and then A thousand years ago, the Islamic Em- See “Judenrein” on page 6

FEDERATION WEBSITE: www.jewishnepa.org LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

HOW TO SUBMIT ARTICLES: Mail: 601 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, PA Reader believes both sides to blame in Charlottesville 18510 To the Editor: turned up, armed for battle and looking to free speech. Therefore, the JFNEPA E-mail: [email protected] In response to the “Spotlight” comment for a fight. Without the presence of these should also condemn the actions of the Fax: (570) 346-6147 by Executive Director Silverberg, published “counters,” there would have never have “Counters.” The failure to do so is an Phone: (570) 961-2300 in the September 7, issue of The Reporter, been a problem. abhorrent misstatement of what JFNEPA relating to the events at Charlottesville, VA, The right to free expression, no matter is, or should be, all about. HOW TO REACH I would like to affirm Mark’s comments and how rancid that expression, is embedded In view of the foregoing, it is my THE ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE: add my personal additional reflection on in our Constitution and guaranteed by opinion that the statement made by Mr Phone: (800) 779-7896, ext. 244 the events: The original event organizers the First Amendment. What happened Silverberg, on behalf of the JFNEPA E-mail: [email protected] applied for and were given a permit to hold in Charlottesville was legally permitted should be amended to condemn those who SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: their disgusting demonstration. They were free speech. What happened thereafter participated on the counter-demonstration Phone: (570) 961-2300 a relatively small group, as it turned out, was legally indefensible violence against side of the event, as well. as thousands of “counter-demonstrators” people exercising their constitutional right Gerald M. Serlin SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 3 French Jewish family beaten in antisemitic home invasion BY JTA STAFF The Pintos were taken to hospital for treatment. They family in Creteil near Paris. One of them raped a young (JTA) – A French Jewish leader and his family were suffered some minor injuries and were “deeply trauma- woman there while another guarded her boyfriend, assaulted in their home near Paris in what representa- tized,” the report said. whom they took prisoner. A third took the couple’s tives of French Jewry said was an antisemitic attack. In The incident, one of several cases in France in recent credit card to extract cash from an ATM machine. They, the attack September 7, three men, two of whom were years in which criminals apparently singled out Jews too, allegedly said they targeted the couple because wearing masks, broke into the home of Roger Pinto, the based on the belief that they have money, provoked they are Jewish. president of Siona, a group that represents Sephardic condemnations from the CRIF umbrella group of French Occurring amid a “major increase” in antisemitic Jews. The attackers beat Pinto’s son and wife in the home Jewish communities and the National Bureau of Vigilance violence in France accompanying Israel’s war with in the northeastern suburb of Livry Gargan, the Dreuz Against Anti-Semitism. Both groups said the incident Hamas in Gaza that year, the Creteil incident echoed for news website reported on September 10. was an antisemitic attack. many the murder and torture in 2006 of Ilan Halimi, a One of the attackers said: “You Jews have money,” Bernard-Henri Levy, the French Jewish philosopher, Jewish phone salesman who was abducted by a gang led according to the family members. agreed, writing on Twitter on September 10: “Shocked by by a career criminal with a history of targeting mostly The family members told police that the attackers, the anti-Semitic attack Friday night [sic] in Livry-Gargan. Jewish victims. who they said were black men in their 20s or 30s, took Solidarity with Roger Pinto and his family, the victims.” Some French Jews regard Halimi’s murder as the their credit cards and jewelry, interrogated them for hours In an unusual move, the Israeli ambassador to France, turning point in the emergence of a wave of violence about additional items they could steal and threatened to Aliza Bin-Noun, also condemned the incident on Twitter against Jews in France and Belgium, in which more than kill them. The men ran away after Roger Pinto managed and asserted it was an antisemitic attack. 12 people have died since 2012 in at least three jihadist to discretely call rescue services on a mobile phone. In 2014, three men broke into the home of a Jewish attacks on Jewish targets. Israeli rescue teams deployed to South Florida BY JNS STAFF Texas, including severe flooding for Jewish families (JNS.org) – Israeli emergency rescue teams departed and institutions in Houston. the night of September 9 for Miami ahead of Hurricane Florida is home to the third-largest Jewish community Irma’s arrival in Florida that weekend. – an estimated 655,000 people – in the U.S. Many Jewish The delegation, coordinated by the umbrella organi- residents evacuated in advance of the storm. zation Israel Rescue Coalition, includes Israel’s United Ahead of Irma’s arrival, Israel’s Foreign Ministry Hatzalah emergency response group. They will deploy issued a warning to Israelis residing in areas expected to search-and-rescue teams, as well as EMS and psychotrau- be hit by the hurricane, and evacuated its diplomats from ma units in South Florida where the hurricane hit hard. the region, as the massive storm approached the Florida “Our job as volunteers will be to help the community Keys and the entire state of Florida. As of September and deal with the situation as best we can in the absence 11, Irma’s path is expected to cause heavy storm surges of American officials, until they arrive,” said Moti Elma- in Georgia and South Carolina as well. liah, a spokesman for the IRC, reported Yediot Achronot. Additionally, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said on Hurricane Irma made landfall in Florida on September September 10 it would send aid to Mexico after an 10 as a Category 3 storm near Naples. It was downgraded 8.2-magnitude earthquake – the strongest to hit Mexico to tropical storm as of the morning of September 11 Members of United Hatzalah and the IRC trained in a century – struck 75 miles off the country’s Pacific and has left millions without power. It comes on the for disaster response scenarios in Israel. (Photo by Coast on September 7, causing “tremendous damage” heels of Hurricane Harvey, which wreaked havoc in United Hatzalah) and killing at least 90 people. Jewish summer camps are reopening to host Houston victims BY BEN SALES a number expected to rise, and more than 3,000 have Ten families were expected to arrive starting August 29 and (JTA) – In early August, Lauren Laderman left Camp had to be rescued. more were anticipated once families were able to leave the Young Judaea-Texas after serving as the unit head for Young Judaea e-mailed parents and alumni on August flooded city, where the roads were closed. 14-year-olds this summer. Then Hurricane Harvey hit 28, three days into the storm, opening its doors to families “We don’t have a lot of money, but we have a great the Texas coast, and Laderman was back at camp, this that had evacuated Houston, about a three-hour drive away. staff, so we said, ‘Let’s open it up,’” said camp Director time preparing the cabins for evacuees in need of a place Frank Silberlicht, who had evacuated his Houston home to live. On August 29, families began moving into the See “Camps” on page 8 180-acre facility outside of Austin. Harvey Continued from page 3 “I want to keep the families in high hopes, knowing that looking to fund and support next: they’re going to go back to Houston and [have to] figure ‹‹ Help relieve communal workers (day school faculty, things out,” said Laderman, 23, a recent college graduate human service agency personnel, clergy, etc.) hit by DEADLINES who grew up in Houston. “But we can give them a few days flooding balance their work and personal crises. The following are deadlines for all articles and of relaxation knowing they’ll have somewhere to sleep and ‹‹ Repair major communal facilities that have experi- photos for upcoming Reporter issues. good food.” enced major damage including the JCC, Seven Acres DEADLINE ISSUE As Tropical Storm Harvey continued to barrage the nursing home, Beth Yeshurun Day School, Torch and Texas coast – deluging the Houston area, destroying three synagogues. Monday, September 18, early...... October 5 property and filling convention centers with evacuees – ‹‹ Offer mental health support to families that have now Tuesday, October 3, early...... October 19 Jewish summer camps were mobilizing to aid families been flooded two or three times in less than three years. Thursday, October 19...... November 2 by sheltering them or supervising their children. ‹‹ Assist victims who have been displaced and require Thursday, November 2...... November 16 At least 10 people had died as a result of the storm, temporary housing, transportation, legal services, etc.

ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 4 THE REPORTER ■ SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

On the Jewish food scene The Jewish Food Society wants to preserve your grandma’s recipes – before they’re lost forever BY JOSEFIN DOLSTEN The project, which launched officially the world, good food was out of reach.” TENAFLY, NJ (JTA) – Ayala Hodak in March and receives financial support But as a young girl, she would urge her usually cooks the way her mother taught from several Jewish foundations, has parents to take her to Tel Aviv’s Carmel her: adding a pinch of spice here or relying added over a dozen recipes to its online Market or a nearby Yemenite neighbor- on her eyes – never a measuring cup! – to archive, and more are on the way. Along hood to try different types of cuisines. “It judge how much liquid to add. But on with the recipes are photographs and sto- became my life’s passion,” Shefi said. “At a recent Tuesday, she was being much ries of the cook’s family history, as well the beginning just because it tasted really more precise. as how he or she learned to make the dish. good, but later because I realized it tells a At her home in this suburban town Each week, Shefi, 36, who lives on fantastic story about families and people less than 15 miles from New York City, New York’s Lower East Side, interviews and cultures.” Hodak, 52, who grew up in an Iranian a chef and takes down his or her story. If In 2008, when she took the consulate family in Israel, measured the amount of distance permits, Shefi or an Israel-based job, she could use that passion in a pro- salt and pepper she added to a stew. She employee will meet with the cook in fessional way. Having just graduated from also paused to demonstrate how thickly person; if not, they communicate long the New School with a master’s degree in to cut a piece of beef. distance. All ingredients are measured, film, Shefi was tasked with promoting -Is Her reason for the accuracy: Hodak’s and dishes are then re-created in a test raeli culture. She decided to do so through recipe was being recorded by a new non- kitchen and adjusted accordingly. food, hosting Israel-themed dinners, wine profit, the Jewish Food Society, which Though some participants work in the tastings and panels in New York. She also aims to be an archive of Jewish recipes food industry – Hodak is the manager and Ayala Hodak showed Ghormeh Sabzi, a organized trips to the Jewish state for from around the world. Its kibbutz-born co-owner of Taboon, a Midtown Manhat- Persian dish she cooked with the Jewish American food writers. founder, who once promoted Israeli cul- tan restaurant serving Middle Eastern and Food Society, at her home in Tenafly, NJ, In 2013, Shefi launched the Kubbeh ture as an employee of the Israeli Consulate Mediterranean-inspired food – others are on August 15. (Photo by Josefin Dolsten) Project, a three-week pop-up in Greenwich in New York, was inspired by the diversity home cooks. Village serving kubbeh soup, an Iraqi of food traditions in Israel and her desire Shefi came up with the idea after a sweet memories. It was just moving, so Jewish dish featuring meat-filled semo- to preserve them in the Diaspora. Shabbat meal in 2005 at the home of her I told him, let’s just spend a day with her lina dumplings in vegetable broth. The “I realized there is an urgency in now-husband’s grandmother, who was try to capture a few recipes. It was just project received wide media coverage and capturing these stories because the older born in Turkey, but also lived in Greece really inspiring.” had people lining up for hours for a taste generation is about to leave the world, and South Africa prior to immigrating to Shefi has always had an interest in food, of the delicacy. “The first day I came to and many of these recipes are labor- and Israel with her family. “The flavors really though she did not get it at home. “Good the venue at 2 pm, I saw this line around time-consuming in a way that we should represented all of their previous immi- food wasn’t part of my childhood,” said the block, almost like a ‘Shakespeare in really protect them,” the society’s founder, gration stories and journeys, and some Shefi, who grew up on Kibbutz Givat the Park’ line,” she said, referring to the Naama Shefi, told JTA. “These are skills worlds that do not even exist anymore,” Hashlosha in central Israel. “Between the popular free performances in Central Park. that would just disappear if no one could she said. “It was such a vivid expression [kibbutz’s] communal dining room and the “And I was just amazed that these people capture them in a methodic way.” of disappearing worlds, and of bitter and fact that my mom is not the best cook in See “Food” on page 5 Michelin star pastry chef started her own knish company her knishes in its stores. Raphael’s flavors range from the classic potato-onion knish BY JOSEFIN DOLSTEN to inventive new takes such as mushroom NEW YORK (JTA) – Larissa Raphael Gruyere and poblano jalapeno cheddar. was sick of eating knishes that packed Prior to launching Riss’ Knishes, all in plenty of potatoes, but no punch. “I with her own money, Raphael was the head was like, ‘why does the knish need to pastry chef at Telepan, whose owner-chef be bland?’” she said. “I want it to taste Bill Telepan she met when the two worked really good.” As the former pastry chef at Judson Grill. Telepan, a farm-to-table of a restaurant that earned a Michelin restaurant on Manhattan’s Upper West star, she decided to take matters into her Side, was awarded a Michelin star three own hands. In February, Raphael, 47, Top, clockwise, potato onion knish, years in a row, but closed in 2016 due to launched her one-woman knish business, Larissa Raphael showed off her potato- poblano jalapeno cheddar knish and financial reasons. Riss’ Knishes. Raphael starts her day early, waking Raphael started cooking up the idea onion knishes in Brooklyn on August 2. mushroom Gruyere knish (Photo by (Photo by Josefin Dolsten) Josefin Dolsten) up at about 3 am to get from her Lower last year when an acquaintance suggested East Side home to Runner and Stone, a she make the doughy pockets with roots Brooklyn restaurant whose owners lend in Jewish Eastern Europe. She tested so smitten that at his encouragement, she are not your grandfather’s favorite deli’s her the kitchen a few times a month. She various recipes, and gave them to friends decided to make it a business. knishes, and they look different, too: In- goes through some 36 pounds of potatoes and family members. One neighbor was Raphael’s savory, flavorful creations stead of dough that completely wraps the to produce around 300 knishes a month, filling, Raphael treats the dough as more of which she sells frozen for $3.50 each or a crust, shaping it in a rose-like pattern with $12 for four. Effective please the smooth filling peeking from the center. The daughter of a Jewish father and a immediately, send “I took my pastry chef skill and mixed it Unitarian Universalist mother, Raphael note! with my love for potatoes and created a grew up celebrating both Christian and all articles and ads to knish that’s a little more artisanal,” Ra- Jewish holidays at home. She remembers our new E-mail address, phael recently told JTA in Brooklyn after eating Jewish food, including knishes jfnepareporter@ finishing up a batch of knishes. (though they were – gasp! – store bought) Raphael, who grew up outside Philadel- at the home of her paternal grandparents jewishnepa.org. phia and studied to become a pastry chef at on Long Island. the South Seattle Community College, is While working at Telepan, the restau- selling her wares at Fulton Stall Market, an rant hosted a squash and sweet pota- upscale food hall in downtown Manhattan to-themed dinner, and Raphael wanted to that offers locally made food and produce. make sweet potato knishes. Though they She is in talks with Whole Foods to sell See “Knish” on page 7 To getEffective Federation immediately, updates via email, please send rregisterall articles on our & website ads to our new E-mail address, Jewish Federation of NEPA [email protected]. www.jewishnepa.org Pledge or Donate online at www.jewishnepa.org/donate Facebook ® is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 5 When American Jews fought Nazis – in New Jersey BY JOSEFIN DOLSTEN with violence is not a new topic of con- Nazis also screened movies with an- reported them, fearing the use of violence (JTA) – The Nazi punching debate versation. The question was debated in the tisemitic messages and hung anti-Jewish would lead to an increase in antisemitism. (is it OK to punch a Nazi?) went viral in 1930s among American Jews, who were posters in the city, Grover told JTA. At a In Newark, however, the Minutemen January after a liberal protester slugged faced with both the rise of Adolf Hitler in local election in bordering Irvington, they took hold, aided by another Jewish gang- white supremacist Richard Spencer in the Germany and Nazi sympathizers at home. plastered posters across the city urging ster, Abner “Longy” Zwillman, and led face during President Donald Trump’s One hotbed for the debate was Newark, residents not to vote for Jewish candidates. by former professional boxer Nat Arno. inauguration. It was reignited recently NJ, home to a large German-American In response, Jews started organizing On October 18, 1933, JTA reported on a following brawls between far-right nation- population and a fair share of supporters to defend themselves. Across the country, typical clash, outside a Nazi meeting at a alists gathered in Charlottesville, VA, and of the Nazi cause. Though only around 5 Jews would fight Nazis on an ad hoc basis. German auditorium: “The meeting, at the counterprotesters, including some associ- percent of the city’s German-American But in Newark, a more organized group Schwabenhalle, under the auspices of the ated with the combative antifa movement. population of some 45,000 sympathized emerged: the Minutemen. Jewish mobster Friends of the New Germany... was the Although most eyewitness accounts with the Nazis, they made it known, said Meyer Lansky had started the group in New target for stones and stench bombs thrown of the events in Charlottesville pin much Warren Grover, a historian and the author York, but the Minutemen were shut down by the anti-Nazis in the crowd of about of the blame for the violence on the far- of the 2003 book “Nazis in Newark.” there by the authorities after some Jews See “Nazis” on page 18 right marchers, and a counterprotester Following Hitler’s rise to power in was killed by a car driven by a suspected 1933, Jews in Newark saw Nazi-sympa- white supremacist, critics like attorney thizers marching down their city’s streets. Alan Dershowitz disapproved of the “an- “The threats they faced were physical be- ti-fascists” who showed up at the rallies. cause the Nazis were marching in uniform. “They use violence, and just because Many of them were armed. They broke they’re opposed to fascism and to some of windows, and they attacked merchants, but these [Confederate] monuments shouldn’t never with fatal consequences,” Grover make them heroes of the liberals,” he said said of residents of the city’s Third Ward on “Fox and Friends.” neighborhood, where many Jews and Nazi But whether it’s OK to confront hatred supporters lived side by side.

Food Continued from page 4 are waiting for us. This line never stopped for these three weeks and people stood hours and hours in the snow.” Now the Jewish Food Society, for which Shefi works full time, provides a way to combine her two passions: food and story- telling. “For a while I was really interested in storytelling through filmmaking,” she An anti-Nazi protest in front of the German legation in New York in 1933. (Photo said. “Still my main interest is storytelling, by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images) but the medium changed to food.” In addition to the weekly cooking session, the nonprofit puts on larger-scale events, such as a Passover seder that show- Jewish Food Society founder Naama cased three Mexico-born Jewish chefs, Shefi, right, and program director Ellie and Schmaltzy, a yearly storytelling event Backer in Tenafly, NJ, on August 15. Alan where people share the stories behind fam- They conduct weekly cooking sessions in ily recipes. A Moroccan-style Mimouna, a order to preserve Jewish recipes. (Photo bread-filled celebration held the day after by Josefin Dolsten) Glassman Passover, is in the works, Shefi said. Her family are Polish Jews, not Sep- inviting window to engage and to explore hardi, but said such distinctions blur in their identity,” she said. Israeli kitchens. “Israel is a not just a Food also provides a lens through which melting pot, it’s a pressure cooker, so a to understand Jewish history, she added. “I Polish girl like me considered kubbeh as feel that recipes really carry our cultural my own,” she told The New York Times. DNA because they tell stories not just about Shefi’s long-term goal for the Jewish a particular time in history, but also about Food Society extends beyond the archive how people used to live, how people used of recipes. She wants to establish a center to celebrate, how people used to mourn, for Jewish food in New York, where visi- how people used to get together,” Shefi tors would be able to take cooking classes said. “It’s not just about the flavor and the –Providing Wealth Management for Generations– and learn about their family’s culinary food, it’s really about the experience.” histories. Shefi describes her vision as “the For her part, Hodak is excited to have T: 1.800.373.3383 F: 570.823.3416 James Beard Foundation for Jewish food.” her mother’s dishes – including Ghormeh www.riggsadvisors.com For now, the Jewish Food Society Sabzi, a herb beef stew that her family provides a way for Jews to engage with would eat for Shabbat dinner, and a yogurt their culture, Shefi said. “These [recipes soup with cucumber and mint eaten on and stories] are just huge parts of our lives, Shavuot – recorded for future generations. of our history as a people, and I feel that “I thought it’s a great opportunity to spread for many people that are less connected to my tradition,” she said, “to talk about my Wishing Everyone a Jewish culture and Jewish life, it’s a very mother’s food and to keep it alive.”

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SERVING EIGHT COUNTIES IN PENNSYLVANIA 318 East Drinker Street Lackawanna • Lehigh • Luzerne • Monroe Jewish Federation of NEPA Montgomery • Susquehanna • Wayne • Wyoming Dunmore, PA, 18512 & BROOME COUNTY, NEW YORK Phone: 570.343.6013 www.ScrantonJewishFunerals.com Sidney R. DeSantis, Supervisor Facebook ® is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 6 THE REPORTER ■ SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 Judenrein Continued from page 2 prophets arose the concepts of the right to trial, the from the Jewish Talmud came the principles of tort law, loose from superstition and mysticism, and opened the right to confront one’s accusers and the right to present trade regulations, civil damages, real estate, commerce, the path to rationalism and modern science. evidence on one’s own behalf. These principles were principles of credit and negotiable securities, the sanctity Albert Michelson discovered the speed of light and part of our culture from the time of Deborah and the of oaths, and the enforceability of civil contracts. won America’s first Nobel Prize in 1907. judges, a thousand years before the Common Era. These The Chinese have a saying “be careful what you wish; Selman Waksman isolated streptomycin. concepts were carried throughout the millennia by the it may come true.” So if the antisemites of the world are Casimir Funk discovered vitamins, and Jonas Salk Jews while what is now the Western world floated on a to condemn the Jews, let them imagine a world that is introduced polio vaccine that saved my life when I was sea of superstition. Judenrein – a world without Jews. a child and billions of other since then. From the Jewish people sprang a Jewish Essene who In the 1850s, Jewish medical researchers argued So to the antisemites of the world, I say beware what became the messiah for Christianity. From the Jewish that micro-organisms caused contagious diseases; laid you wish for, for this world would be a lesser place, but people came Saul of Tarsus, the organizer of the Chris- the foundations of modern heart therapy, bacteriology, for the contributions of the Jews. tian church. Even the Mormons today claim they are clinical pathology and endocrinology. In truth, these contributions pale in the face of the the descendants of the Lost Tribes of Israel. So, if the It was the Jews who suggested serum immunity for contributions made by scientists of other faiths, but these Arab-Muslim world chooses to wallow in self-pity and contagious diseases, who pioneered the chemistry of contributions are no less significant when one takes into Jew-hatred, they should understand the whole picture. muscles, and who made blood transfusions possible account that they come from a religious/cultural group Ask historians like Arnold Toynbee and they will tell through the discovery of different blood types. of negligible size. you that, by all historical standards, the Jewish people It was Jewish scientists who measured the distances Jews are hated by the bin Ladens, the Khaddafis, the should be footnotes to history. They should not exist today. to the stars in the heavens, who contributed to the study Khomeinis, the Assads, the Ahmedinejads and the petty Technically, they should have died out thousands of years of the internal combustion of stars and who discovered dictators of the Arab Muslim/Persian world not because ago with the Hittites, the Ammonites, the Canaanites, the planet Uranus. of who they are, but because of what they have achieved. the Philistines and their historical contemporaries. These It was Jewish chemists who created the modern chem- Jewish heritage has always respected learning and educa- great nations of antiquity left behind a record of their ical and dye industries; who worked out the theory of tion, has always imparted justice and has always taught history in material things like tablets, monuments and atomic valences; developed molecular theories; classified its doctrines in abstractions, and never absolutes like ruins. But the Jewish people survived the eons of time organic compounds based upon their molecular structure; the jihadists whose greatest “contribution” to mankind because of the ideas they taught and continue to teach, determined the composition of chlorophyll and the role has been to restore the pagan ritual of human sacrifice and the impact these ideas have had upon other peoples of enzymes in the chemical processes of life. (suicide bombers) to the modern era. and other civilizations. Unlike the ancient tribes, we have The antisemites want a world that is Judenrein, but So if the bin Ladens of the world believe that by mur- survived because Judaism contained the seeds of its own it will cost them. Let them remember that it was Jewish dering Jews in synagogues, on buses, in restaurants and at rebirth and evolved as the world changed. Alternatively, physicists who delineated the theory of relativity, dis- Passover seders, they are killing their ideas – they are wrong. Islam has never had a Renaissance. covered the photoelectric effect and discovered gamma CONCLUSION The Malaysian prime minister condemns Jews because rays that now scan for weapons of mass destruction in In the early 1980s, a letter appeared in the Colorado (as he says) “they think.” And because “they think,” the the millions of foreign cargo containers that arrive each Gazette Telegraph, which is not a Jewish newspaper nor Jews survived and prospered in Babylon, in the Hellenic day into America from foreign ports. was the author of this piece Jewish. It was written by a world and during the Roman Empire, flourished in the It was Jewish physicists who isolated isotopes; worked World War II veteran in response to some antisemitic graffiti Islamic era, emerged from a 1,200 year darkness known in electron kinetics and pried open the secrets of the atom. that was scrawled on the walls of a Denver synagogue. as the Middle Ages, and have risen to new intellectual If Jews are to be hated for these contributions, then The graffiti consisted of a swastika and under it was writ- heights in the 21st century. they must be hated for all their contributions. ten the words “Jews Go Home” and the letter went like this: But we have paid dearly for these contributions. In fact, if In the 20th century, Sigmund Freud lifted the lid off the “Jews go home” pain and suffering could ennoble, the Jews could challenge human mind, and with psychoanalysis revolutionized our Well there’s nothing really new in this. You’ve heard the aristocracy of any nation on earth. In their eagerness concept of ourselves and the relationship of mind to matter. it all before. But suppose, just this once, you took the to eradicate all vestiges of Judaism from the world, the Three hundred years earlier, Baruch Spinoza was out- advice of these people, and actually packed your bags Nazis of yesterday and the antisemites of today forget that cast and excommunicated because he pried philosophy and left for parts unknown. Before you go, would you do me a favor? Would you leave your formula for Salk vaccine be- hind? After all, you wouldn’t want my child to die from polio would you? And would you leave your genius for science and physics and mathematics behind because if it wasn’t for your Einsteins, your Fermis and Steinmetzs, we would be looking up from our chains to see a happy, aging Hitler drive by in one of our Cadillacs. And would you leave your talent for humor and music and entertainment behind because I’m not too sure that I would want to live in a country where you weren’t here to share your genius with us. You see if you go, if these foolish people force you to leave, then freedom goes with you, democracy goes with you, and everything my buddies and I fought for in World War II goes with you. So when you go, would you do me a favor? Would you slow down in front of my house and honk, because, so help me God, I’m going with you, too. About the cover This year’s Rosh Hashanah cover was designed by Jenn DePersis, production coordinator for The Reporter. SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 7 Hug a chicken and four other twists on traditional High Holidays rituals BY BEN SALES But Rabbi Jeremy Fine of the Conser- – and she hopes to do it again this year. NEW YORK (JTA) – Picture services vative Temple of Aaron in St. Paul, MN, “A lot of times the funeral is closure,” for the High Holidays: A roomful of could never get people to come to the she said, regarding the families of victims. congregants sitting with heavy books in Mississippi River for the ritual after they “It’s not like their loved ones are spoken their laps listening to a rabbi sermonize had sat through a long service. So this of after that and they’re definitely not or a cantor chant is what likely comes to year he’s involving the congregation’s prayed for.” mind. Baking pizza? Embracing a chicken kids. The Sunday before Rosh Hashanah, At the Yizkor service, she said, “You under a tree? Not so much. about 100 Hebrew school students will get to remember, you get to pray.” But those are some of the things that come to the synagogue and bake pizza for ‹‹ Atonement by meditation and perfor- Jewish clergy, educators and activists want lunch. Then they’ll eat the pizza, but not mance art Jews to do during their holiest days of the the crusts – they will go in bags marked For Ashkenazi Jews, the kickoff to the year. Aside from attending synagogue or with the kids’ names to be stored in the High Holidays happens this year on the dipping apples in honey, the extensive synagogue refrigerator. After services on Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah, body of High Holidays traditions includes the first day of the holiday, the kids will when congregations gather to say Selichot, rituals that are participatory, intricate retrieve their crusts, head with their parents or prayers of atonement. Depending on and even acrobatic – but also obscure, to the river and chuck them in. Last year, a congregation’s tradition, the prayers inaccessible and sometimes distasteful. Fine got about 50 worshippers to Tashlich. range from a lively call-and-response to In recent years, Jewish educators have This year he expects 150. long, complex poems muttered almost tried to reclaim these rituals – changing Sarah Chandler leads a twist on the “If we just did a little piece of bread, we silently. But this year, two people are and innovating them to be more engaging, kapparot ritual in which participants don’t know if it’s so important,” Fine said. doing it differently. understandable and relevant. hug chickens rather than swinging “But when the kids see the crust cut off, At Lab/Shul, an experimental Jewish Here are five ways Jews are getting them over their heads. (Photo courtesy it’s like there’s actually something we’re congregation in Manhattan, Rabbi Ami- creative with the High Holidays this year. of Chandler) giving away.” chai Lau-Lavie noted that Rosh Hashanah ‹‹ To merit forgiveness, hug a chicken. ‹‹ Yizkor for gun victims this year coincides with the beginning of If you walk into a haredi Orthodox confessional prayers, known as the Viddui Yizkor, the memorial service for the Muslim year – so the synagogue’s neighborhood the day before Yom Kippur, (Hebrew for confession) each begin “For deceased relatives, is among the most theme for the High Holidays is interfaith don’t be surprised to see men swinging the sin we have sinned before you...” The well-known and attended parts of the High worship. The congregation will be praying live chickens above their heads. The laundry list of transgressions, covering Holidays service. But what to do if you with Muslims throughout the holidays, ritual, called kapparot, aims to symbol- everything from eating impure foods to live in a place where people are regularly but for the Selichot service, it will partner ically transfer a person’s sins onto the berating a friend, is a central piece of the getting killed? That’s the challenge con- with the New York Zen Center for Con- chicken, who then is donated to the poor day’s liturgy and is repeated eight times. fronted by Tamar Manasseh, a rabbinical templative Care, a meditation space. The and slaughtered for food. Some obser- Worshippers are supposed to gently beat student and anti-gun violence activist on service will intersperse Selichot prayers vant Jews, unable or unwilling to gain their chests at each line. Chicago’s South Side. Manasseh runs from a range of traditions with meditation possession of a live chicken, now swing Kalman had trouble identifying with Mothers Against Senseless Killing, a practices. money over their heads that then goes to the prayers, finding the confessions to be group of moms that patrols a street corner “It’s a way to begin the season by taking charity. Others have taken to protesting overly general and prescriptive. They’re in the violence-plagued neighborhood of responsibility and accountability for who communities that still use chickens. the sins the liturgy says you should feel Englewood. Given the local strife affecting you are in front of God,” Lau-Lavie said. But at the Isabella Freedman Jewish sorry for, not necessarily the ones you the largely non-Jewish neighborhood, “The liturgy and the assumption of saying Retreat Center, Sarah Chandler has a actually committed. So in 2013, he created Manasseh felt a service focused only on sorry to God feels a little challenging, different response: Instead of grabbing AtoneNet, a bare-bones Tumblr where relatives who passed would be inadequate. so we feel that scaffolding and pairing the chicken and whipping it through the people can anonymously post the sins So last year, Manasseh organized a [that] with introspection and the tools of air, just give it a hug. they would like to confess and receive Yom Kippur service on her street corner meditation and contemplation are every- Chandler, who was ordained as a He- forgiveness for. While the response rate that along with a shofar blast and prayers one-friendly. They don’t assume faith.” brew priestess at the Kohenet Institute and has tapered off in the four years since it included a reading of the names of Chica- Another take on Selichot is happening also goes by Kohenet Shamira, will take launched, the past couple of weeks have go’s gun violence victims that year. Just in Providence, RI, where musician Noraa a group to the Center’s chicken coop on seen a fresh batch of posts regarding reading the list, she says, took 15 minutes See “Twists” on page 11 the Sunday before Yom Kippur and begin “sins,” such as not giving enough charity to recite the kapparot prayers. Then, if or getting angry. the chickens agree, the assembled will One post reads, “For caring more about take them, retreat to a shaded area and being perceived as woke or the least racist individually embrace them while com- than about the actual impact I have on the pleting the prayers, confessing their sins people of color around me.” Or another: or meditating. “for taking housemates’ food that isn’t At the end of the ritual, the worshippers mine without asking.” eet, hap sw py will simply let the chickens walk free. Kalman prints out the entire site each a & Whin th Communit e h v e Although Chandler is a vegan, she ap- year as a booklet and ships it to those who a a H l t  Happ, Health an preciates the parts of ancient Jewish rituals order it for use on Yom Kippur. He hopes h

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that involve connecting to animals. This the booklet allows them to atone for sins N e Swee New Year!

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the relationships between people and ani- “A lot of people have specific regrets about a r ! Advertising mals while causing the animals no harm. the way they treated a family member in Executive “How can we include these chickens in our the time of illness,” said Kalman, a doctoral Jewish life?” she asks. “I want the ritual student in Near Eastern languages at the Doris, Chuck & Brian to be so embraced that people really really University of Pennsylvania. “You don’t Koloski believe that this chicken, and this moment see a recognition of that in the traditional looking into the chicken’s eyes, will help confession.” them be written in the Book of Life.” ‹‹ Casting away pizza crusts Happy and Healthy Sweet New Year ‹‹ The crowdsourced confession One of the more physical rituals of from Rabbi Benny & Chany Rapoport Every year on Yom Kippur, no matter Rosh Hashanah is Tashlich – literally, “cast where he’s lived, David Zvi Kalman has away” – a ritual where people take bread joined other congregants at synagogue in to a natural body of water and throw it May the sound of standing through a long list of communal in, representing the casting away of their sins recited by the entire congregation. The sins. (Sensing a theme here?) the shofar bring a year of peace. Linda & Steve Knish Continued from page 4 Strauchler didn’t pan out, she found herself coming make a knish filled with kasha, or buck- back to the idea last year. “I’d like to ex- wheat. “If a lot of people are going to pose the culture of Jewish food to more want to buy a kasha knish, I’m going to May this New Year people,” she said. “I think food brings make it,” she said. “But if I do something be a time of people together. I think there’s always that traditional, then maybe the next one peace & joy for you that saying of when you break bread with I do can be a little more playful. I kind and all those you love. somebody, you form a relationship. of want to satisfy the traditionalists and “Not that the knish is going to save look to open up the ideas of what a knish Eileen the world – it’s just one step of sharing can be.” Baine something and bringing people together.” No matter the filling, Raphael is con- & Rabbi When it comes to flavors, Raphael vinced that knishes can please anyone’s Family tries to balance tradition with modernity. palate. “It seems to me anyone would like Rachel Esserman Lately she has been fielding requests to a knish,” she said. “Who wouldn’t like it?” ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 8 THE REPORTER ■ SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 D’VAR TORAH God grants us time to apologize to those we’ve wronged BY RABBI PEG KERSHENBAUM, CONGREGATION – weigh in on the positive results awaiting us if only B’NAI HARIM OF THE POCONOS we turn in the work, if only we come back to our true Haazinu (Shabbat Shuvah), Deuteronomy 32:1-52 relationship with God. Their words come as we struggle Last spring, I taught a course in biblical Hebrew. The to make amends with one another and as we gear up to students were diligent, inquisitive and motivated in class, make amends with God. but one didn’t hand in his work. I reminded. I cajoled. Difficult as it is to express our mistakes to those Finally, on the last day of class, I actually chased the humans we’ve hurt, at least we see the results of our students down a flight of stairs and begged him to apply to apologies or admissions of error or guilt. Family or the dean for an incomplete. This would give him time to friends or co-workers or other associates will either act get the work in and prevent him from failing – something surprised (what you thought was a big deal, they didn’t neither of us wanted! Nothing arrived the first month, so even notice!) or embrace you again as you both begin to I sent an encouraging note. Nothing arrived the second improve (your admission may bring their willingness to month. One day before the deadline, the student e-mailed share the problem!) or reject your approach (well, you all his assignments. I was overjoyed! I breezed through tried... now try twice more to make sure). But how do the corrections, awarded the far-from-failing grade and we know where we stand in our relationship with God? praised the student for getting everything together, even The words of this week’s haftarah reassure us that at the last second. Teachers want students to succeed. God will be overjoyed, reward us and praise us and love The haftarah from Shabbat Shuvah, the Sabbath that us. But we have to hand in the work. Now. always falls between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, G’mar chatimah tovah. May you end up with the traces the extension that God has granted us to get our knowledge that you are once again in harmony with work done. Three prophets – Hosea, Micah and Joel God and with humans.

Camps Continued from page 3 after living two days without power. “For people to have some kind of normalcy, that’s what camp provides.” Greene Family Camp, a Reform overnight camp north of Austin, also offered space for families to stay. But staff realized that families would be better served by an impromptu day camp for kids in Houston, freeing up their parents to go back home to survey property damage. As of August 29, the camp was looking for space at dry Jewish institutions in the area and aimed to open on August 31. The camp also provided canned goods and clothes to those in need, and a few families have taken shelter at the overnight camp, where there was staff to care for them. “We’re going to do everything we can to support them emotionally as well as physically, keep them occupied and Rescue workers and volunteers helped residents make try to take their minds off of what’s going on,” said Loui their way out of a flooded neighborhood after it was Dobin, the Greene Family Camp’s executive director. inundated with rain following Hurricane Harvey in In both cases, the camps hoped to re-create the “fun, Houston on August 29. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty relaxed atmosphere” they provide each summer. Dobin Images) expected a couple of hundred kids to attend the day camp once it opened, where they would receive meals and do connection. When families were not eating or sleeping, activities like relay races or movie time. He hoped to arrange counselors like Laderman put on programing for kids and a pickup point for families so they didn’t all have to figure adults, from sports and trivia games to swimming and – out how to maneuver to the camp. given the right instructor – a ropes course. Young Judaea housed families in private guest rooms “Families will be there, but they can come and go,” that usually serve as space for retreats or conventions. Silberlicht said. “People there, they want to participate. So The camp had bed linens, towels and about a week of people can help set the table, clear the tables, help in the food for 100 people – it’s far enough from the flooding kitchen. People want to feel useful as well.” to buy more. In addition to beds, the camp has provided Jewish institutions were damaged by the flooding, the families three meals a day and snacks. and the Houston Jewish Federation estimated that the Camp staff also met families’ special requests, from por- vast majority of local Jews lived in affected areas. The table cribs to a few sets of dry clothing, and was planning Federation is raising relief funds and coordinating Jewish to open a business center with computers and an internet service agencies. Meanwhile, Chabad is importing certain kosher foods that had become scarce due to the flooding; and IsraAid, an Israeli relief agency, was preparing teams to deploy to the area. A few families had taken shelter at the Robert M. Beren Academy Orthodox Jewish day school. Both the Greene and Young Judaea camps have sheltered families in previous floods and storms, and expected to remain open at least until September 5, the earliest date that Houston schools might reopen. School was slated to begin August 28. Neither camp knew how many people would need help, but they hoped to provide safe haven, physically and emotionally, at least for a few days. “It was hard for us to watch it from afar, so now we Campers at Camp Young Judaea-Texas prior to Hurricane can be proactive and help families,” said Julia Paeglis, the Harvey. The camp has opened its doors to evacuees from director of year-round programs for Young Judaea-Texas. Houston, promising food, shelter and activities for kids. “We want to provide a relief and escape a little bit before (Photo courtesy of Young Judaea-Texas) they have to go back and deal with their houses.” SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 9 This factory makes thousands of shofars each year BY ANDREW TOBIN consists of a denim apron and a black leather cap, was GIVAT YOAV, Golan Heights (JTA) – Shimon Keinan rummaging through boxes of shofars in the back of the has a business to run. He doesn’t have time to teach you factory. “According to your skin color, you probably how to blow the shofar. But if you come all the way to want a Yemenite shofar,” Keinan said, offering Yoggev his Kol Shofar factory here, Keinan is going to make a spiraling, unpolished kudu horn, the type traditionally sure you walk away with the horn that’s right for you. used by the Yemenite Jewish community. (A kudu is a “What should I do?” he explained to JTA. “If someone type of African antelope.) is going to blow one of my shofars on Rosh Hashanah, Yoggev explained that while his parents are from I have to make sure he doesn’t fail.” Yemen, he would be blowing the shofar at the Ashkenazi Even now, in the busy weeks ahead of the Jewish New synagogue of his wife’s family and thus was looking for Year, Keinan spends much of his day helping customers the kind of shiny ram’s horn preferred by European Jews. pick a shofar – and how to make it sound just right. It “So yalla,” Keinan grunted, heaving a box of dozens may not help his financial bottom line, but it keeps him of ram horn shofars onto the table in the storage room. attuned to a higher calling. “If it takes more than 15 minutes to pick one, you’re On a recent weekday morning, Keinan, 70, was re- doing something wrong.” Over the next couple of hours, Yoggev blew shofars viewing shofar orders when a family of seven showed Shimon Keinan and his son Hanan posed for a photo while Keinan offered guidance and criticism: “Chin up. The husband, Dror Yoggev, took the day off from at their Kol Shofar shofar factory in Givat Yoav, Golan work and made the several-hour drive from central Israel up. Chest out. Blow from the center of your mouth, not Heights, on September 6. (Photo by Andrew Tobin) to buy his firstshofar . “My father-in-law said not to go the side.” anywhere else,” he said. In the end, Yoggev settled on a medium-sized ram Sorry, Keinan said, but he could not possibly find horn with a small mouthpiece. the turkey farm into a shofar factory. the time to help at the moment. Why didn’t Yoggev “It suits that strange game you play with your lips,” Today, Kol Shofar, which still looks a bit like a farm, call ahead? Keinan said. “Now I have to get back to work.” with thin metal walls and concrete and dirt floors, is one Yet minutes later Keinan, whose work uniform For Keinan, running Kol Shofar is the fulfillment of a of just two in Israel – the other being the much older lifelong obsession. He likes to say he was born with a shofar Bareshet-Ribak Shofarot Israel, which has locations in in his hand. But in reality, his parents, who immigrated to Haifa and Tel Aviv. Keinan said he sells about 7,000 Israel from Morocco in 1949, when Keinan was a baby, shofars a year, at least 90 percent of them mail orders. never had enough money to buy him one. He learned to Half are sold to Israelis, he said, while most of the rest blow the shofar as a child at his Orthodox synagogue in go to Jews in the United States and Europe. Among his Tiberias, a small, working-class city on the Sea of Galilee, clients are famous Israeli rabbis, he said, including current and he built his own out of a funnel and tubing. Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef. The months between Dropping out of school at 16, Keinan worked as a Tisha B’Av and Sukkot are his busiest time of year. welder and was finally able to save enough money to According to Keinan, the hardest part of producing buy a real shofar, which he blew every Rosh Hashanah shofars is obtaining the raw materials. Every two or at his synagogue as well as at the nearby Ashkenazi one. three years he travels to Africa to buy ram and ibex After marrying, he moved to Givat Yoav in the 1970s, horns. He gets the ram horns – by far the most popular where he built a metal workshop that doubled as a turkey shofar material because of their recommendation by the farm, and raised four children. In the 1990s, Keinan got Jewish sages – from his native Morocco, where millions a chance to turn his passion into a profession when his of the animals are ritually slaughtered every year for the rabbi introduced him to an elderly shofar maker in Jaffa Muslim festival of Eid. Dror Yoggev blew a shofar while Shimon Keinan who wanted to retire. For two years, Keinan drove to At the moment, the shofar factory is packed with watched at his Kol Shofar factory in Givat Yoav, Golan the man’s factory twice a week, more than two hours thousands of horns. They fill boxes, shelves and shop- Heights, on September 6. (Photo by Andrew Tobin) each way, to learn his techniques. In 1998, he turned See “Shofars” on page 18

ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 10 THE REPORTER ■ SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 Ethiopian Rosh Hashanah blends unique customs with a yearning for Jerusalem BY ADAM ABRAMS the holiday… Villages that had more of the religious JNS.org leaders would have a much deeper understanding Despite relative isolation from their Jewish of the holiday and its laws,” Malessa said. brethren around the world for millennia, Ethiopian In Amharic, which is rooted in the Ge’ez dialect Jews have coveted the same dream of celebrating and is the official language of Ethiopia, Rosh -Ha Rosh Hashanah “next year in Jerusalem.” Though shanah is called “Brenha Serkan,” which essentially unique, the Jewish New Year festivities in Ethiopia means “the rising of the dawn,” said Malessa. In bear many similarities to the holiday’s observance keeping with the meaning of holiday’s name, the in the broader Diaspora. kessim “would rise before dawn on the holy day, Limor Malessa and five of her siblings were to begin the first prayer service of the day before born and raised in a small Ethiopian village near sunrise,” she said. the Jewish community of Gondar. She left the In Ethiopia, Rosh Hashanah was – and still is – village at age 13 and traveled to Ethiopia’s capital observed during the course of one day, in contrast of Addis Ababa, along with her parents and five to the two days observed in the rest of the Jewish siblings, in anticipation of emigrating to Israel – Diaspora and in Israel. The Ethiopian Rosh Hasha- the “promised land” that Ethiopian Jews longed nah is comprised of three prayer services: before to return to for thousands of years, unaware that Ethiopian Jews were greeted by family members as they arrive at dawn, in the afternoon and in the evening. There the holy temple in Jerusalem had long since been Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, as part of an aliyah flight arranged by are four prayer services in the broader Jewish world destroyed. (Gaps in access to modern technology the Jewish Agency for Israel and sponsored by the International for Rosh Hashanah, and none begin before sunrise. and their distance from other Jewish communities Christian Embassy Jerusalem, in June 2017. (Photo by Miriam “The holiday also has another name, ‘Zikir,’ which meant many Ethiopian Jews, up until about 20 Alster/Flash90) is similar to the Hebrew word for remember, ‘zach- years ago, lacked some basic knowledge about or,’” Malessa said. major episodes in Jewish history.) verbally disseminated wisdom of the elders, who were the Similar to the custom in other diaspora Jewish In 1991, at age 15, the aliyah for Malessa and her only people in the village capable of reading Jewish texts communities, “everyone in the village wears new clean family officially began when Israel’s Mossad intel- written in the ancient Ge’ez dialect. “The kessim would white clothes” for Zikir, she said, while it is “also cus- ligence agency privately smuggled the family out instruct everyone in the villages on how to prepare for tomary for affluent people in the village to have very of Ethiopia’s capital city to the Jewish homeland by large feasts and invite others in the village to join in the way of Italy. festivities.” The festivities are meant to remind people The family arrived in Israel just a month before of the day’s holiness, and to “make sure that during the Mossad conducted a massive clandestine airlift the holiday not a single Jew is left without food and operation, dubbed “Operation Solomon,” which saw enjoyment,” according to Malessa. some 14,000 Ethiopian Jews secretly airlifted out of “People serve lamb – the most expensive meat Ethiopia aboard 35 non-stop flights to Israel in 36 available – and have special meals to observe the hours. Malessa has now lived in Israel for more than mitzvah of feeding their Jewish brothers and sisters,” 30 years, building a family of eight children in the she said. city of Ashdod and becoming thoroughly integrated Malessa’s mother, Esther Lakau, who lives in the into Israeli society. Israeli coastal city of Ashkelon, said she “remembers Due to the small size of Malessa’s village in hearing the kessim sound the shofar on the holiday.” comparison to other Jewish Ethiopian townships, “Everyone in the village prepared the food for the not many “kessim” – elder religious leaders with holiday a day in advance,” Lakau told JNS.org. knowledge of oral Jewish law and the equivalent of “The kessim would read from the holy scripts in Ge’ez rabbis – resided in her home village. This “would and tell the history of the Jewish people,” she said. “They make my childhood memories of Rosh Hashanah New immigrants from Ethiopia arrived at the Ibim would speak of Abraham, Yitzhak and Yaakov, our great less vivid than of those who grew up with many Absorption Center in Jerusalem in October 2012, as patriarchs and matriarchs, and the lessons we could learn kessim in their villages,” Malessa told JNS.org in part of aliyah and absorption efforts facilitated and from them in the present… Most importantly, the kessim Ethiopian-accented Hebrew. funded by the International Fellowship of Christians would emphasize our long-held aspiration to celebrate The Ethiopian villagers were entirely dependent on the and Jews. (Photo by Moshe Shai) Rosh Hashanah ‘next year in Jerusalem.’”

Congregation Beth Israel A Cherished History Since 1849

Members of Congregation Beth Israel in Honesdale celebrate the High Holy Days and our 168th year serving the Jewish Community. Shana Tova congregationbethisraelhonesdale.org

The Jewish Fellowship Best of Hemlock Farms Wishes wishes for a The Pocono Jewish Communities Healthy & Happy New Year and all Northeast All welcome – no membership required Pennsylvania 711 Wallace Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360 Federation members Phone: 570-421-8781 A Happy, Healthy & Peaceful www.templeisraelofthepoconos.org New Year. President: Dr. Sandra Alfonsi SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 11 A Yom Kippur tradition in Amsterdam dates back to the invention of electricity BY CNAAN LIPHSHIZ But you don’t need a personal connection to appreciate “You have artifacts from many corners of the world.” AMSTERDAM (JTA) – As one of Europe’s oldest and the historical dimensions of Yom Kippur services at the Nowhere else in 17th-century Europe were Jews al- most impressive Jewish buildings, Amsterdam’s Portu- synagogue, according to Bart Wallet, a University of lowed to build a synagogue quite as large and impressive guese Synagogue is known far and wide for its majestic Amsterdam historian and author of the book “History of as the Portuguese Synagogue, Wallet added, which makes beauty. Built in 1675 for the descendants of Jews who Jews in the Netherlands,” which was published in Dutch the building a testament also to the relative tolerance fled religious persecution on the Iberian Peninsula, the this year. “There is growing interest in attending on Yom that Jews had enjoyed in the Netherlands for centuries, Portuguese Synagogue today sees some 200,000 tourists Kippur and, in response, the community only a few years before the Nazis and local collaborators nearly wiped annually. Inside its vast sanctuary, a Torah ark made of ago started assigning pre-ordered tickets,” he said. out the community. Brazilian Jacaranda wood towers over 17th-century furni- Some Jews, including Lipika Pelham, a London-based With so much history in view, folklore inevitably grew ture and a multitude of low-hanging golden chandeliers author and journalist with Indian roots, travel with their around almost every aspect of the synagogue – even the hang among 12 stone pillars. families especially to attend the Yom Kippur service fine sand that is strewn on its floor, which some believe Its architect is said to have drawn inspiration from here. Tickets cost just $22, but need to be ordered well is a reference to the desert that the ancient Hebrews Solomon’s Temple, and the synagogue would be Europe’s in advance. crossed on their way to Canaan. In truth, though, the largest and most ornate, according to historians. While On Yom Kippur, the service is essentially conducted use of sand on wooden floor was a common cleaning the Portuguese Synagogue was later eclipsed by even by the community’s men, who are seated around the and maintenance method in the 17th century that has larger and “more magnificent” shuls – like the one on bima, or pulpit, in the central section of the main hall. disappeared almost everywhere else. Dohany Street in Budapest – the Amsterdam building Male guests sit in pews surrounding the central section. The Yom Kippur service also features prayers by Santo remains a “spectacular sight” on any day of the year. Women sit upstairs, in the women’s section, “where we Servicio, the synagogue’s resident choir, which curates Yet most of the synagogue’s visitors are not around struggle to follow the reading of the text below, which the tunes that have evolved here over the centuries. Sung on the day when its beauty shines brightest: Yom Kip- is not easy because of the acoustics,” Voet said. See “Tradition” on page 21 pur. On the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, the hall Still, while it may be less than ideal for reading is packed to capacity as worshippers pray by the light prayers, the acoustics at the Portuguese Synagogue work of hundreds of candles – a tradition that dates back to beautifully for musicians and singers – something that the invention of electricity – accompanied by cantorial was key to the synagogue board’s decision 10 years ago Twists Continued from page 7 melodies that resemble operas. to host occasional concerts here. During those events, Kaplan is turning the service into a concert. Kaplan has “It’s one of European Jewry’s most profound and non-Jewish audiences can get a taste of the Yom Kippur invited fellow musicians to perform, and is ending the beautiful sights,” according to Esther Voet, a regular atmosphere because all the candles are lit. night with a piece of performance art that challenges a visitor to the synagogue and the editor-in-chief of the The candles are illuminated as well when important range of Jewish rituals. It will include her parodying a Dutch-Jewish Niw Weekly. On Yom Kippur, entering the dignitaries visit, including Dutch royals and world leaders bad bar-mitzvah DJ, as well as swinging a rubber chicken candlelit synagogue “has a cleansing effect – which is such as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel over her head. what Yom Kippur is all about,” she said. and the late President Shimon Peres. The event will be a benefit for charity, but Kaplan is It’s also like “stepping into a time machine,” she On Yom Kippur, the men of the community put on going to let the crowd decide where the money goes at added. “You feel that you are a link in a very long chain the traditional Portuguese Jewish top hats, an article the end of the night. To her, there’s not a lot of difference of Jewish tradition.” worn by Jews who immigrated here from Portugal, between traditional Selichot and a weekend show. Few congregants experience this intergenerational Spain and their colonies when they adopted the church’s “Selichot is supposed to happen in this late-night dimension more than Ronit Palache, whose ancestors anti-Jewish Inquisition as policy. The wood used for setting, and in many communities you see these Jewish were among the early leaders of the synagogue. “Coming the Torah ark was brought from Recife by Jews who people gathering at midnight or later,” she said. Playing there means being a part of history, and it’s my history,” fled the Brazilian city for Amsterdam. Flanking the ark a DJ, she plans to “ask people to clap their hands, and said Palache, whose great-great-grandfather was a chief are two 16th-century sofas from the Middle East. “The then ask them to clap their hands if they’ve ever wronged rabbi of the Portuguese Jewish community. interior makes for a very cosmopolitan mix,” Wallet said. someone.”

Wishing the entire community a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year. Rabbi Dovid and Malky Saks and family Jewish Heritage Connection

May you be inscribed Congregation B’nai Harim in the Book of Life wishing your family a for good health, Healthy and Peaceful New Year! peace, and prosperity. Rabbi Peg Kershenbaum President Barbara Feman Sandy Weissberger & Leon Kaplan Pocono Pines (570)646-0100 Post #165 Jewish War Veterans of America bnaiharimpoconos.org

Wishing you Health & Happiness We Wish You a for the New Year! Happy, Healthy and Sweet New Year!

601 Jefferson Avenue Scranton, Pennsylvania 18510 chabadofthemountains.org (570) 961-2300 ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 12 THE REPORTER ■ SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 13 2018 UJA/FEDERATION CAMPAIGN HOW ARE OUR ANNUAL UJA DONATIONS & THE ANNUAL HERE’S HOW THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF INCOME FROM OUR PERPETUAL ANNUAL CAMPAIGN NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA BRINGS US TOGETHER ENDOWMENT (P.A.C.E) FUNDS SPENT? WHO...who we are… The Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania is the parliament of the Jewish communities of Northeastern PA Your gift to the Federation’s 2018 UJA Campaign, together with the income received annually from our endowed UJA Campaign gifts whose Mission is to rescue the imperiled, to care for the vulnerable, to support Israel, and to revitalize and perpetuate provide funds to meet the ongoing humanitarian and social service needs of our local and global Jewish communities and Israel. Jewish life in Lackawanna, Monroe, Wayne, and Pike counties. It is comprised of many devoted volunteers whose Regionally, the agencies funded for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 from our 2017 UJA Campaign ($908,770) include the ….. efforts are supported by the contributions of more than 800 generous financial donors and endowment benefactors. YOU can join us by attending any of our events or programs or by bringing us an idea to enhance the quality of • Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania • Bais Yaakov of Scranton Jewish life in our communities. • Scranton Jewish Community Center • Jewish Fellowship of Hemlock Farms Religious School • Jewish Family Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania • Chabad of the Abingtons/Jewish Discovery Center • Scranton Hebrew Day School • Bnos Yisroel of Scranton • Scranton Ritual Association (Mikvah) • Jewish Resource Center of the Poconos • Temple Hesed Religious School • Temple Israel of the Poconos WHAT…what we do… • Yeshiva Beth Moshe • Jewish Heritage Connection Federation is a regional Jewish philanthropic organization created to fulfill the social service needs of Jewish Internationally, a significant portion of our total UJA Campaign dollars, 28% - one of the highest percentages in the American Federation system, was transferred to the Jewish Agency community members of all ages in Lackawanna, Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties. It oversees local community for Israel (J.A.F.I.) and the Joint Distribution Committee (J.D.C.) to meet the social, humanitarian, cultural, and emergency needs of our People in Israel, and from Paris to Munich, from relations issues and through its membership in the Jewish Federations of North America, it shares a portion of its Singapore to Santiago; from Brussels to Budapest, and to the far reaches of the former Soviet Union – wherever Jewish communities are imperiled, threatened, or struggling to survive funds to sustain, improve and enrich the lives of Jewish people in Israel and throughout the world through its annual and retain their Jewish heritage - specific details of which will appear in future Reporter issues. UJA Campaign and the income from its Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowments. OUR ANNUAL UJA DONATIONS AND THE ANNUAL INCOME FROM OUR UNRESTRICTED ENDOWMENT FUNDS ALSO SUPPORT… • The Reporter newspaper - Issued (free of charge) to each and every identifiable Jewish household in Lackawanna, Monroe, Wayne and Pike counties WHERE…where to find us… • NEPA Jewish Film Festivals - NEPA Federation-sponsored Jewish Film Festivals (2007, 2009 and 2016) The Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania is located in the Jewish Community Center of Scranton, 601 • NEPA Jewish Film Lending Library - available at no cost to Federation agencies to assist them in their local programming needs Jefferson Avenue, Scranton, PA 18510. You can also find us and pledge to our annual UJA Campaign on-line at www. • NEPA Federation Missions to Israel - Sites have included Caesarea (the ancient Roman port built by Herod the Great on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea), Rosh Hanikra (on the Israeli- jewishnepa.org or simply call 570-961-2300 (ext. 4). Lebanese border), Tiberias (on Lake Kinneret), Safed (where the Kabbala had its beginnings) and the Golan Heights in the north. In Jerusalem, sites have included the Western Wall of our ancient Holy Temple, a visit to the Byzantine Cardo, Yad Vashem (Israel’s Holocaust Memorial Museum) and shopping at Machane Yehuda (Jerusalem’s largest open-air market). In the Judean Desert, sites have included the ancient Roman fortress of Masada, the Dead Sea, archeological excavations (finding several ancient artifacts including a 2,000-year old amulet during one of our digs), planting trees, visiting the Machal Monument near Jerusalem, visiting a secret underground bullet factory in Rehovot that was built during the War of WHEN…when we started… Independence, and attending a talk at Independence Hall in Tel Aviv in the very room where the modern Jewish State of Israel was declared by David Ben Gurion on May 14th, 1948 The Federation formed in the aftermath of World War II when a group of Scranton’s Jews decided to help rescue Jews • NEPA Federation Missions to Harrisburg (in coordination with the Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition) that involved discussions with our State representatives on matters affecting our striving to escape the perils of Hitler’s ravaged Europe. Dozens of thankful refugees came to Northeast Pennsylvania Jewish communities such as senior health care issues, passage of anti-hate legislation, social security benefits, and funding Holocaust education in PA public schools to find jobs and a place to live. As other communities in Northeast Pennsylvania joined forces and shared financial • Israel Emergency Campaigns - Conducted during times of crisis in Israel (Operations Defensive Shield (2002), the Second Lebanon War (2006), Operation Cast Lead (2008-2009), resources, Federation grew into an extended family of caring volunteers. In 2000, the Scranton-Lackawanna Jewish Operation Pillar of Defense (2012) and the Stop the Sirens Campaign (2014) in Gaza Federation expanded into the Jewish communities of Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties and became the Jewish • Celebrate Israel Parades - Participation in New York’s annual Celebrate Israel Parade along NY’s 5th Avenue (the only Pennsylvania Federation that participates in this Celebration) Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania. We are now one family united in a common cause – the perpetuation of • Teen Holocaust Symposiums – For the past 29 years, these 2-day Symposiums have been held in Scranton each May and host an average of 1,400 middle and high school students Jewish life in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Israel, and in many countries around the world where Jews are vulnerable, from Northeast PA and Upstate New York schools each year – students who learn of the Holocaust through films, plays, and discussions with survivors and death camp liberators imperiled and in need. • Disaster relief efforts in Northeast Pennsylvania, Israel, the U.S. and around the world – Efforts have included fundraising for the Louisiana Flood Relief Fund (2016), Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, Harvey and Irma, earthquakes in Nepal and Haiti, as well as the Israel Wildfire Relief Campaign in northeastern Israel. • Capital grants provided to our agencies and Hebrew Schools – Federation capital grants are paid from the Federation’s unrestricted endowment fund income to cover major capital WHY…why we’re needed… repairs undertaken by our agencies including the Scranton Jewish Community Center, the Scranton Ritualarium (Mikvah), the Jewish Fellowship of Hemlock Farms Hebrew School (Lords Valley), the Jewish Heritage Connection, the Jewish Discovery Center/Chabad, Congregation Beth Israel (Honesdale) and the Scranton Hebrew Day School The Jewish Federation represents not only our communities in Northeast Pennsylvania, but it is a branch of national and international Jewish organizations. We communicate and translate the needs from these umbrella organizations • Program grants provided to our agencies and Hebrew Schools – Grants for creative and innovative programs have also been issued to Temple Israel of the Poconos (Stroudsburg), to our community and back. Our membership in the Jewish Federations of North America system fulfills our the Jewish Fellowship of Hemlock Farms (Lords Valley), Jewish Family Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Congregation B’nai Harim, the Scranton Jewish Community Center, the Scranton Hebrew Day School, Temple Israel (Scranton) for Family Life Education programs, and other NEPA Jewish agencies responsibility for offering a dedicated and responsible connection to Klal Yisroel…our Jewish brethren worldwide. It is truly the parliament of the Jewish communities of Northeast PA, and its Board of Trustees reflects this. Community Relations (CRC) initiatives - CRC initiatives have included the development and coordination of Letters to the Editors of local and regional public newspapers in support of Israel and Israeli actions during times of war; hosting community rallies in support of Israel; arranging private meetings on political and economic matters between visiting Israeli officials and state and federal-elected representatives, participating in radio talk shows involving Israel (during Israel emergency situations), featuring seminars on Israel-related subjects at local universities (Marywood University) and synagogues, sponsoring Buy Israel Goods Day each March 30th, publishing pro-Israel editorials and articles in NEPA general circulation newspapers countering any pro-BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) letters published, Jewish and general community support for Israel through community lectures HOW…how you can help… on “Textbook Bias in America” & “Machal” - U.S. and Canadian volunteers who contributed to the birth of the modern State of Israel The Federation provides opportunities to volunteer and participate in many arenas. Give of your valuable time for a • Co-sponsorship of programs with our affiliated agencies in the Poconos - including co-sponsoring Men’s Club programs with the Jewish Fellowship of Hemlock Farms (Lords Valley) one-time or ongoing volunteer experience. Have your voice heard by considering being active on one of our many and the Jewish Resource Center (JRC) in Stroudsburg …in addition to the Northeastern Pennsylvania Artists Street Fair (Stroudsburg); the Matisyahu “Festival of Light” Concert at the Federation committees (from disaster relief programs like Hurricanes Sandy and Katrina to emergencies involving the Sherman Theater (Stroudsburg), and the Poconos Musical Tribute Evening – “From Shtetl to Broadway to Israel - A Celebration of Jewish Peoplehood” at Stroudsburg High School survival of the State of Israel; from community relations to UJA to a wide variety of Federation-sponsored programs, • OU Job and Relocation Fair - Financial support for NEPA Jewish Federation participation in the NY-based OU Job and Relocation Fair designed to attract Jewish families and business and the raising and allocating of funds to over 15 local and regional educational, social service, recreational and persons to our region cultural organizations and agencies that comprise the organized Jewish communities of our region. • Co-sponsorship of programs for Purim, Chanukah, Teen Leadership trips to Israel, Kristallnacht and Yom HaShoah (Israel Independence Day) with the Jewish Community Center in Scranton Your Campaign contributions allow Federation to respond to the many service and programming needs in our • Sponsorship of goodwill programs including Breast Cancer Awareness Programs and Tzedakah Tzeason (the collection of warm winter coats for the needy) and Koshertroops.com – providing Chanukah gift baskets for Jewish soldiers in the armed forces community, the U.S., Israel and worldwide. Our Mission is to build community, and each person who gives of their time as a volunteer or donates money, contributes immensely to that goal. • Innovative programs designed for community outreach including the Women’s Art Program – Spirited Art; The Great Escape and funding for PJ Library • Planning - Conducting research on Jewish demographics in Pike, Wayne, Monroe and Lackawanna counties and sharing the data with Federation’s agencies • Security seminars relating to anti-Semitic threats and vandalism to Jewish summer camps in the Poconos Your involvement makes us strong. The Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania has earned a reputation as a trusted, effective Jewish charity that makes a significant impact on our region. Your support through our annual UJA Campaign and/or through the establishment of a Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment (P.A.C.E.) Fund sustains a caring, compassionate community that unites in good times or bad to take care of each other and to celebrate Jewish life together. 601 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, PA 18510 • (570)961-2300 • www.jewishnepa.org 14 THE REPORTER ■ SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 Cello goddess Maya Beiser wants classical music to rock like Janis Joplin BY GABE FRIEDMAN sic software platform] and make a really NEW YORK (JTA) – There’s a small good cello that can play a lot faster than music room in the basement of cellist me and a lot more accurate than me. But Maya Beiser’s large, kempt house in the who cares? It’s not interesting. What we leafy Riverdale section of the Bronx. It’s love about art is the human expression, pretty spare – a few cellos, some basic which always has imperfections in it.” recording equipment and posters from past When Beiser was 15 – having not heard concerts. Against one wall, though, rests much else besides the classical music from a cherry red Gibson SG guitar, the kind her cello lessons and what was played in the made famous by AC/DC guitarist Angus kibbutz bubble – her boyfriend played her Young. Beiser – a tall, auburn-haired a Janis Joplin album. The Texas-born rock Israeli-American – smiles when asked singer’s “raw expression,” as Beiser once put about it. “I play around with it sometimes,” it, blew her mind. Since then, Beiser says, she she said. has tried to play cello the way Joplin sings. She also owns several foot pedals, “Classical training teaches you how to which alter and distort the sound of her play... but what if I want to play it the com- cellos, but those are housed in a different plete opposite way?” she said. “At some space upstate, she explains. Most cel- point if you’re actually going to become lists – most classical musicians, for that Maya Beiser performed an orchestral version of David Bowie’s “Blackstar” album at an artist, as opposed to a student, then matter – don’t experiment with guitars the L’Auditori in Barcelona, Spain, on July 13. (Photo by Robert Marquardt/Redfern) you have to start creating your own way.” and distortion pedals. But Beiser isn’t Beiser served in the Israeli military your typical cellist, even if she’s had a favors an eye-catching high-fashion look everybody else does, and I was a rebel and and studied music at Yale before moving successful 30-year career playing classi- – think part Anna Wintour, part ‘80s-era I wanted to do my own thing.” to New York City. She became a key cal music. She has performed solo at the Madonna, usually with a pair of extremely Jewish violinist Isaac Stern quickly player in the creation of the contemporary world’s “most prestigious” venues and high heels. Her Twitter handle is @Cello- discovered her during one of his trips to avant-garde collective Bang on a Can as a featured soloist on scores in some Goddess. Yet despite her accomplishments, Israel through the America-Israel Cultural along with founders Julia Wolfe, Michael M. Night Shyamalan films. as the 52-year-old Beiser prepares to release Foundation, which he founded. Stern, who Gordon and David Lang – who, she noted, On top of all that, she is known as one her 10th solo album early next year, she is not mentored several Israeli musicians through are all observant Jews (as is Reich). of the “most inventive” cello players in a household name like fellow Israeli virtu- the organization, wanted to bring her to Although she is more spiritual than the avant-garde music world. Minimalist osos Itzhak Perlman or Pinchas Zukerman. the United States to ramp up her classical religious, Beiser says she is interested in composer Steve Reich wrote his only solo Asked if her decision to pursue exper- music studies, but Beiser’s mother wanted Jewish tradition and its sense of morali- cello piece specifically for her in 2003. In imental music is the reason, she gets a her to stay in Israel through the years when ty. She draws inspiration from Abraham 2014, Beiser released an album of covers focused look in her eyes and immediately she would be required to serve in the army. Joshua Heschel and says she often talks of classic rock songs by the likes of Jimi answers: “It is.” (Her father pushed her from an early age to with Wolfe about “what it means to be Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and Nirvana, all Beiser has been a self-described bucker aim for Carnegie Hall; her mother was an Jewish today.” Wolfe wrote a piece titled arranged for cello. She has collaborated of trends since her childhood in Gazit, an advocate for a more “normal life.”) “Emunah” – “faith” in Hebrew – for Beis- multiple times with Philip Glass and Brian arts-focused kibbutz in Israel’s southern Also, Beiser began to tire of classical er’s last album, “TranceClassical.” Lang’s Eno. This year, she has taken an orches- Galilee region. Locals suggested that she training, which dictated how every single opus “World to Come,” which he wrote tral arrangement of David Bowie’s final play the violin, as it was a common instru- note of a piece of music should be played. for Beiser more than a decade ago, was album, “Blackstar,” on tour in the U.S. ment in the community. “Nobody played “I don’t think art is about perfection,” she inspired by the 9/11 attacks, but is based and Europe. the cello,” she said. “The thing about the said. “I don’t think perfection is interesting on Judaism’s concept of the afterlife. When Beiser performs, she usually kibbutz is that you kind of had to do what at all. I can go on Ableton Live [the mu- See “Cello” on page 18 Your Campaign 2018 Headquarters!

MENTALIST DUO SATURDAY OCTOBER 21, 2017 JCC Koppelman Auditorium 601 Jefferson Ave, Scranton, PA 18510 DOORS @ 8PM • SHOWTIME @ 8:30PM Reserve a table for 10 - $100 Advance Purchase Single Ticket - $15 General Admission (at door) - $20 Online: evasons.eventbrite.com By Phone: 570-961-2300 x 4

See why FOX Television called The ost aan nrean at yo wll ever see! Committee members met to discuss final plans for the Federation’s main event - The Evasons Mentalist duo- to be held on October 21, 2017 at the Scranton JCC

"This act is so good! Just breathtaking! (l-r) Dassy Ganz, Jennifer Novak, Never seen better." Rhonda Fallk ~ Penn & Teller (missing from photo Charlene Scott) SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 15

2018 UJA Campaign I am:

HUNGRY LOST IN DEBT WORKING PART TIME UNEMPLOYED COLD SICK LAID OFF SINGLE MARRIED HOMELESS DOWNSIZED ADDICTED ALONE A FATHER PROFESSIONAL SCARED AN IMMIGRANT A REFUGEE ESTABLISHED BROKE JEWISH

ough the economic crisis may have aected each of us dierently, the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania is the one place we can all turn to for help. In fact, more of us are relying on the services of Federation-funded agencies to help make ends meet, feed our families, and pay our mortgages than ever before. Yet for every story of hardship and despair, there are countless stories of love and hope that you can be a part of. You can help. You can make a dierence. You can make the world a better place.

Yes, I can help. I want to make a donation and learn more at www.jewishnepa.org or call (570)961-2300

www.jewishnepa.org 601 Je erson Ave., Scranton, PA 18510 • (570)961-2300 16 THE REPORTER ■ SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 Deciphering the past Byzantine-era Christian mosaic uncovered near Jerusalem’s Old City BY JNS STAFF reads. According to the IAA, the building (JNS.org) – Israeli archaeologists was likely used as a hostel for Christian have uncovered a rare 1,500-year-old pilgrims during Justinian’s reign. Byzantine-era Christian mosaic near Je- “The emperor was one the most import- rusalem’s Old City, the Israeli Antiquities At left: The ant rulers of the Byzantine period, and was Authority said. The mosaic includes a rare Byzantine- one of the most colorful and charismatic Greek inscription citing the 6th-century era Christian rulers of antiquity,” said David Gellman, Byzantine Emperor Justinian, as well as mosaic that was the director of the excavation. a reference to Constantine, who served as discovered near Gellman said that it was a “miracle” an abbot of a church founded by Justinian Jerusalem’s Old that the mosaic survived through the in Jerusalem. City. (Photo by centuries. “We were about to close the “The most pious Roman emperor Fla- Israel Antiquities excavation, when all of a sudden, a vius Justinian and the most God-loving Authority via corner of the mosaic inscription peeked priest and abbot, Constantine, erected YouTube) out between the pipes and cables,” said the building in which [this mosaic] sat Gellman in a statement. “Amazingly, it during the 14th indiction,” the mosaic had not been damaged.” Hebrew seals from Judean kingdom unearthed in Jerusalem excavations BY JNS STAFF thousands of years ago. The findings were (JNS.org) – A collection of First Tem- discovered during excavations overseen ple-period seals has been discovered by the Israel Antiquities Authority in during excavations in Jerusalem’s City of the City of David National Park. The David. Several of the seals are emblazoned excavations were funded by the Ir David At right: First Temple- with Hebrew inscriptions, and dozens of Foundation. The artifacts will be displayed period seals discovered the ancient seals reference the names of at the City of David’s annual archaeology during excavations officials from the Judean kingdom who conference the week of September 5. in Jerusalem’s City lived before the Babylonian destruction “Through these findings, we learn not of David. (Photo by of Jerusalem, including “Pinchas” and only about the developed administrative Eliyahu Yanai, City of “Achiav ben Menachem.” systems in the city (Jerusalem), but also David) The seals, which are small pieces of clay about the residents and those who served used to close letters, were well-preserved in the civil service,” said Ortal Chalaf due the raging fires ignited in the holy and Dr. Joe Uziel, excavation directors city by the invading armies of Babylon for the IAA. Ritual baths excavated at destroyed Great Synagogue of Vilna BY ISRAEL HAYOM STAFF/ the 17th century in Renaissance-Baroque EXCLUSIVE TO JNS.ORG style, was a large community center The sections of the ritual baths that the mension to the understanding of the archaeologists uncovered date to the daily lives of the Jews of Vilna, and A team of Israeli, Lithuanian and Amer- and a hub for Torah study. The facility th ican archaeologists has unearthed the included 12 different synagogues and early 20 century, and feature tiled walls will certainly provide a new focus for remains of two mikvahs (ritual baths) used study halls; mikvahs; the community and floors, steps leading to a pool, and an understanding the lost cultural heritage by congregants at the Great Synagogue in council building; kosher meat stalls; and auxiliary pool in which water is collected of the Jewish community of Vilna, the Vilna, which is the modern-day capital of the school of Rabbi Elijah ben Solomon for the mikvah. ‘Jerusalem of Lithuania,’” the research- Lithuania. The synagogue, which was at Zalman, who is more commonly known “These discoveries add a new di- ers explained. heart of Vilna’s large Jewish community as the “Vilna Gaon.” for hundreds of years, was completely During the Holocaust, Germans looted destroyed in the Holocaust, but evidence and burned the synagogue complex. Any of underground spaces discovered in a remains were completely obliterated after study carried out last year led to the ex- the war by the Soviets, who built a modern cavation of the site and the exposure of school at the site. the ritual baths. The Israeli-Lithuanian-American The Great Synagogue of Vilna, built in team discovered the mikvahs in July.

Remains of a newly excavated mikvah that was used by congregants at the former Great Synagogue in Vilna. (Photo by Israel Antiquities Authority)

ewish Federa the J tion on ’s e u ma yo il re lis A t? We send updated announcements and special event details weekly to those who wish to receive them.

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For information on advertising, contact Bonnie Rozen at 1-800-779-7896, ext. 244 or [email protected] SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 17

2018 Is(Frebruaraely 4 to Februar Miy 15) ssion Northeast Pennsylvania is going to Israel next February!

Here’s some of what we’ll see:

Day 1 - Sunday, February 4 ...... We depart and begin our journey that will take us 11,000 miles and back in time thousands of years to our ancient homeland.

Day 2 - Monday, February 5...... We arrive in Israel and travel by bus to our hotel in Tel Aviv where we’ll have dinner and take a walk along the Tel Aviv beachfront. Day 3 - Tuesday, February 6...... We leave Tel Aviv and head north, up the coast of the Mediterranean to ancient Caesaria – an ancient seaport built by King Herod which became the largest port city in the region. After our tour, we’ll head to Haifa, head east, and nally arrive in Tiberias where we’ll check into our hotel and have dinner that evening.

Day 4 - Wednesday, February 7...... We’ll travel into the mountains to the ancient city of Safed. This is the city where the Kabbala had its beginnings and is home to an outstanding artists’ colony. From there, we’ll journey to the Golan Heights and visit the cities of Katzrin and Har Ben Tal on the eastern side of the Golan Heights which will provide us with an opportunity to look directly into Syria. We’ll then visit the western side of the Golan Heights where we’ll have the view the Syrians had prior to the 1967 Six-Day War from where they red rockets daily into the Israeli towns below.

Day 5 - Thursday, February 8 ...... We’ll leave Tiberias and head to Jerusalem, but rst, we’ll stop at Beit Shean - the largest excavation in the country. From there, we’ll travel to a kibbutz in the Jordan valley - Sde Eliyahu. This Kibbutz has some unusual characteristics. First, it is one of the few religious kibbutzim. Second, this kibbutz pioneered organic farming in Israel, and we’ll hear of their achievements that have changed the entire agricultural world. Day 6 - Friday, February 9 ...... We’ll travel to Yad Vashem - the very moving National Holocaust Museum that was opened in 2008. We’ll then go to the Children’s Memorial and the Avenue of the Righteous Gentiles. We’ll end our day at Jerusalem’s open-air market on Ben Yehuda Street, and mix with the locals as they prepare for Shabbat. Shabbat Dinner will be in the Hotel. Day 7 - Saturday, February 10 ...... We’ll spend Shabbat in Jerusalem with the opportunity to go to the Great Synagogue. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Day 8 - Sunday, February 11...... We’ll travel from our hotel to the Western Wall in Jerusalem. First, we’ll get an overview of the city and then a brief history lesson as we sit outside the Jaa Gate - the main entrance into the Old City. Then, we’ll walk through the Jewish Quarter to view the Byzantine Cardo, pray at the Western Wall, and descend deep into an underground tunnel that runs parallel to the Wall to see the massive foundation stones of the original Temple Mount built King Solomon. Finally, we’ll sit on the original Southern Steps of the Temple Mount for a brief presentation by our guide Lee Glassman. In short, it will be an amazing day in Jerusalem. Day 9 - Monday, February 12 ...... We’ll start our day with an opportunity for each of us to leave a bit of ourselves in Israel by planting a tree in honor or in memory of a loved one. Then, after lunch, we will head o to an active archeological dig and join in the excavation. In the past, members of our Israel Missions have uncovered ancient pottery, coins, an amulet, and even a magni cent oil lamp – each of which had been hidden deep within the sand for centuries! This will be one of the most memorable days of our Mission. Day 10 - Tuesday, February 13 ...... We’ll leave Jerusalem and enter the Judean Desert on our way to the Dead Sea and what is arguably Israel’s most inspiring historic site - the ancient mountain fortress of Masada where our ancestors made their last stand against the Romans in 70 CE. Masada was also the winter palace of King Herod and one can still see the incredible opulence of what he built on that mountain-top in the desert. This will also be your chance to swim in the Dead Sea (the lowest point on earth and the saltiest body of water in the world) where you will oat like a cork. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss!

Day 11 - Wednesday, February 14 ...... We head back to Tel Aviv. First, we’ll visit the Machal Monument dedicated to those seless Americans and others who came to Palestine after WWII to help ght for the re-birth of the Jewish State in 1948. We’ll then visit a secret underground factory that existed under the nose of the British police for over two years - an amazing story! And nally, we’ll head o to Independence Hall where the State of Israel was declared by David Ben Gurion on May 14th, 1948. We’ll sit in the very room where the invited guests sat that day, and hear what they heard as Ben Gurion called into being the rst Jewish state in nearly 2,000 years. We’ll then go to dinner at a restaurant in Tel Aviv and head to the airport for our return home. Day 12 - Thursday, February 15 ...... We arrive back in the U.S. lled with the most wonderful memories of this trip of a lifetime!!!

Join us on our 2018 Israel Mission • February 4-15

The land cost is $3,350, and land and air is $4,475.

Please call Mark Silverberg at the Federation o ce for information - 570-961-2300, ext. 1 18 THE REPORTER ■ SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

Nazis Continued from page 5 one thousand who waited outside the hall.” said, not everyone was enthusiastic. Yet the mostly Jewish group, which also had a few The following May, JTA reported on a melee in Irving- Some Jews, especially those affiliated with Reform Irish and Italian members, became a powerful tool to ton: A “Nazi meeting terminated in fisticuffs, a miniature synagogues, “felt it gave Jews a bad name to be engaged fight Hitler sympathizers. “The Minutemen were ready riot, arrests and injury to many persons.” in brawling, and they felt the government would take for them. The Minutemen had clubs and stink bombs, Though the Minutemen were “cheered and accepted by care of it,” he said. Those who opposed the group tended and they attacked the participants of the event,” Grover the majority of the Newark Jewish population,” Grover not to live in the Third Ward. said of one Nazi mass demonstration in 1933. “Police came, and there were some arrests, and people said later that the Jews, the Minutemen, had no right to attack a Continued from page 14 peaceful gathering in a Newark hall.” Cello The Minutemen boosted Jewish morale. “Physical Israeli-Palestinian coexistence is another important she said. “New York is this incredible place that doesn’t prowess as exhibited against the Newark Nazis, Irvington topic for Beiser. For “TranceClassical,” she commis- really have a nationality. What I think drives all of us [in Nazis, was a matter of pride for the Eastern European sioned a half-Palestinian, half-Egyptian Muslim to write New York] and what connects all of us is the idea that Jews who came because of the pogroms in Russia in the a song inspired by Kol Nidre, the invocation chanted the we want to live creative lives.” 1880s,” Grover said. “They took pride in it because they night of Yom Kippur. She said the composer, Mohammed Of all of the memorable performances and projects saw the newsreels coming from Germany [showing] Fairouz, was “fascinated” with the idea. thus far, the moment that stands out most distinctly for how the Jews in Germany were being treated and all the Although she still considers Israel her homeland, Beis- Beiser was her appearance at a TED talk conference in different anti-Jewish legislation.” er says she now feels equally, if not more, tied to the U.S. 2011. In between playing pieces by Reich and Lang, she Ultimately, Grover said, the group served its purpose: She says she never set out to become an American – her spoke of the cello’s “endless possibilities.” Afterward, deterring Nazis from organizing in Newark. “Just the goal was simply to leave the kibbutz, which despite all some of the audience members, such as Bill Gates and thought of having Minutemen present at any of their of its liberal principles felt small and restrictive. Once Al Gore, praised her performance. meetings discouraged a lot of the Nazis from holding here, New York City was the place to be for an up-and- “It felt like anything could happen,” she said. “Like public meetings,” he said. “They were successful because coming experimental musician. yeah, I have the platform to speak and to communicate a lot less propaganda was brought out by the Nazis be- “This is my home, New York is really where I belong,” my art.” cause of fear of the Minutemen.”

Shofars Continued from page 9 ping carts; some are heaped in huge piles on the floor. are family secrets, but they involve treating the horns to Keinan estimated that he has 20,000 ram horns, 2,000 remove the gamey smell and applying heat to straighten kudu horns and a few ibex horns on hand. The ibex horns them. After that, the narrow end of the horn is sawed are rare because they come from Israel, where the wild off, a hole is drilled in the end and a special tool is used goat is protected. An ibex horn shofar costs about $1,000, to expand the hole into a mouthpiece. The last step is compared to about $100 for a ram horn. buffing and shining the exterior. Some 15 years ago, Keinan’s son, Hanan, 42, start- Hanan Keinan has also pushed to expand the factory’s ed accompanying his father on his Africa trips. Soon tourist business – in recent years, he and his father paved thereafter, he returned to Givat Yoav with his wife and the driveway and built a visitors center, parking area and children to join the family business full time. Along with restrooms. Some 7,000 people took tours of the factory his father, he handcrafts every shofar the factory produc- last year, which at about $9 per person is a significant es. Three other employees help run the factory and the new revenue stream. office. While the younger Keinan acknowledged that he But while his son may have a head for business, Shi- cannot match his father’s passion for shofars – and he’s mon remains the heart of the factory. “He’s not afraid to also not religious, he added – Hanan has helped upgrade give visitors a hard time, but when it comes to shofars, Kol Shofar’s production process with new techniques he has a serious desire to deliver knowledge and perfec- Some of the thousands of horns lying around the Kol and machines. tion,” Hanan Keinan said. “I think that is a big part of Shofar factory in the Golan Heights on September 6. Kol Shofar’s first two steps for producing shofars the reason our shofars are really the best.” (Photo by Andrew Tobin) SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 19 Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania 2018 UJA Campaign

WE CAN MAKE THE WORLD BETTER BY WORKING TOGETHER The mission of the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania is to rescue the imperiled, care for the vulnerable, support Israel and world Jewry, and revitalize and perpetuate Jewish life in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

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2018 UJA Campaign Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania 601 Je erson Avenue, Scranton, PA 18510 Telephone: 570-961-2300 (ext. 3)

Payment options J Please bill me at the above address. J Enclosed is my check payable to “UJA/Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania” J PayPal (www.jewishnepa.org – “Donate” – “Donate Online”) J Stock sales (www.jewishnepa.org – “Donate” – “Donating with stock”) J On-line banking (payment designated through my bank to “UJA/Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania”) My company (______) has a matching gift program. I’ll obtain the form and forward it to the Federation

Authorized signatureDate DR. JOEL AND LEAH LAURY, CO-CHAIRS OF THE 2018 UJA CAMPAIGN THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT 20 THE REPORTER ■ SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 NEWS IN BRIEF From JNS.org in Syria to keep Iranian forces away from the border with Israel’s Golan Heights. Trump administration declares “strong support” for Taylor During talks preceding a July ceasefire agreement, Israel asked both Russia and the United States to block an Iranian presence near the Golan Heights border, but Russia Force Act refused, Haaretz reported. According to the report, the Israelis demanded a buffer zone The Trump administration on Sept. 14 declared its “strong support” for the Taylor in Syria from 60-80 kilometers (37-50 miles) from its Golan Heights border, but the Force Act, which seeks to cut off aid to the Palestinian Authority over its payments to Russians promised only to keep Iran and its allies from not coming any closer than convicted terrorists or their families. “The Trump administration strongly supports the 5 kilometers (3.1 miles). While the report said no Iranian presence has been detected Taylor Force Act, which is a consequence of Palestinian Authority and Palestine Liber- along the border region over the past few months, Israeli officials are concerned about ation Organization’s policy of paying terrorists and their families,” a State Department a gradual buildup of Iranian or Hezbollah forces in the region. The week of Sept. 8, spokesman said, the Associated Press reported. The spokesman added that President Israel purportedly conducted an airstrike against a “Scientific Studies and Researchers Donald Trump “raised the need to end any part of this program that incentivizes vio- Center,” believed to be producing chemical weapons and precision missiles in central lence against Israeli and American citizens with President Mahmoud Abbas last May Syria. Following the strike, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman said Israel in both Washington and Bethlehem.” The announcement comes several weeks after will not tolerate Iran and Hezbollah’s actions in Syria. the Senate Foreign Relations Committee beefed up the legislation, named after a U.S. Israel’s envoy to U.N. begins term as General Assembly vice Army veteran killed by a Palestinian terrorist in Jaffa last year. The Taylor Force Act’s new provisions add stricter conditions on American and European aid to the P.A., urging president donor nations to “cease direct budgetary support until the Palestinian Authority stops all Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon began his term as vice presi- payments incentivizing terror.” The bill would cut off all U.S. aid to the P.A. until the dent of the U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 13 as the body’s 72nd session got underway. State Department confirms that salaries paid to convicted terrorists have ceased. The new Danon, who was elected as a representative of the Western European and Others regional provisions also obligate the P.A. to revoke “any law, decree, regulation, or document group, will take part in the planning agenda for the session. He is also expected to preside authorizing or implementing a system of compensation” to terrorists and their families. over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to the UNGA in late September. “I Israel expresses solidarity with London after train terror attack am proud to represent Israel in this important role that reinforces our position as an equal partner at the U.N.,” Danon said. “We have proven once again that there is no role we Israeli officials expressed solidarity with the people of London following a terror cannot fulfill in the world’s most important international organization.” Last year, Danon attack on the London Underground the morning of Sept. 15. A crude explosive de- became the first Israeli to chair a permanent U.N. committee when he was elected by vice went off, injuring at least 22 people. “This was a detonation of an improvised 109 member states to chair the Legal Committee (also known as the Sixth Committee). explosive device,” Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley of the London Metropolitan Police said at a press conference, as police began a manhunt for the attackers. “Israel British PM marks Rosh Hashanah holiday with vow to combat stands in solidarity with the people of London. Our thoughts are with #ParsonsGreen antisemitism victims & their families at this difficult time,” Israeli Ambassador to the U.K. Mark At a reception held earlier this week to mark the upcoming Rosh Hashanah holiday, Regev wrote on Twitter. Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely also condemned British Prime Minister Theresa May reiterated her government’s pledge to combat the attack on Twitter, saying “Israel condemns the #terror attack in London. We stand antisemitism amid an uptick in the U.K. “Through our new definition of anti-Semitism with you and our prayers for a quick recovery go out to the injured.” we will call out anyone guilty of any language or behavior that displays hatred towards World’s top cycling race opens in Israel next year Jews because they are Jews,” May said, vowing to “actively encourage the use of this In a historic first, the prestigious Giro d’Italia race, one of cycling’s top events, definition by the police, the legal profession, universities and other public bodies.” will open in Israel next year. The Giro, which began in 1909, has previously opened May added that the best weapon against antisemitism is “to create an environment only 11 times outside Italy and has never opened outside Europe. The race is viewed that prevents it happening in the first place.” She noted this led her government to as one of the top cycling events, known as the Grand Tour, along with the Tour de create “a proper National Memorial to the Holocaust, together with an accompanying France and the Vuelta a España. More than 175 of the world’s top cyclists are expected educational center to teach future generations to fight hatred and prejudice in all its to arrive in Israel for the event, which is likely to be the biggest sporting event ever form.” May also told the audience of Jewish leaders she was looking forward to the held in Israel, drawing tens of thousands of tourists and cycling enthusiasts. “This 100th anniversary of the 1917 Balfour declaration, which supported a Jewish national is a hugely exciting moment for cycling and for Israel,” said Daniel Benaim, CEO home in Palestine. “Born of that letter, the pen of Balfour, and of the efforts of so and owner of Comtec Group, the Giro’s Israeli production company, the Associated many people, is a remarkable country,” she said. A survey released this week by the Press reported. “An event of this magnitude is something that the country will always U.K.-based Institute for Jewish Policy Research found that around 30 percent of the remember.” A delegation from the Giro d’Italia is currently in Israel finalizing loca- British public hold at least one antisemitic viewpoint. The JPR survey follows reports tions for the opening stages. Organizers are expected to announce the precise route in August that one in three British Jews have considered leaving the U.K. over safety the week of Sept. 18 at a ceremony attended by Italian and Israeli officials along with concerns related to antisemitism. In July, police data acquired under British freedom retired Spanish cyclist and two-time Giro winner Alberto Contador. of information laws detailed a 45-percent increase in antisemitic hate crimes in the In historic meeting, Netanyahu, Mexico’s president agree to U.K., including verbal and physical abuse as well as vandalism. bolster relations Cornell-Tech campus opens in New York City Cornell University opened its new Cornell Tech campus, home of the Jacobs Tech- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Mexican President Enrique nion-Cornell Institute, on Sept. 13 on Roosevelt Island in New York City. “Today’s Peña Nieto in Mexico City on Sept. 14 as the two countries agreed to deepen relations Cornell Tech campus opening marks the beginning of a new chapter in the Jacobs Tech- on a number of fronts. “This is a milestone,” Netanyahu said a joint press conference nion-Cornell Institute’s ongoing work to foster innovation in New York and beyond,” with Peña Nieto, noting the first-ever visit by an Israeli prime minister to the country. Technion President Prof. Peretz Lavie said at the Sept. 13 campus dedication event. “I would say it’s an unpardonable lapse, but we want a pardon. We’re here,” Netanyahu With the first phase of the institute’s construction complete, Cornell Tech relocated continued. “We think we correct now a historic lapse, because Mexico is a great country. to Roosevelt Island in August, after being temporarily based at Google headquarters It’s one of the world’s great economies. It’s great nation, a great people, a great culture. in Manhattan since 2012. The $2 billion campus, which features some of the world’s We want to be close, even closer, to Mexico. And this is what this meeting signifies.” most energy-efficient buildings, will source its staff, research and resources from both Peña Nieto said the two countries agreed to update their free trade agreement, which the Technion and Cornell. Construction of the entire campus slated for completion was originally signed in 2000. Since then, Mexico has become Israel’s second largest by 2043. Some 30 faculty members and 300 graduate students will move to the new trading partner in Latin America after Brazil. The Mexican leader added that Israel Roosevelt Island campus this fall. When the initiative was announced in 2011, then- and his country also agreed to bolster cooperation on cyber security as well as in other New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the campus would generate $23 billion areas of cooperation including “water, entrepreneurship and agriculture.” Earlier that in economic activity and create hundreds of new jobs in the city. Recent estimates week, Israel announced it would provide humanitarian aid and assistance to Mexico show the campus will generate up to 8,000 permanent jobs. following an 8.2-magnitude earthquake – the strongest to hit Mexico in a century. Ne- tanyahu also met with 16 local business leaders in Mexico City to gain investment and Israel and Colombia to deepen bilateral ties attended an economic event with the Mexican Economy Secretary ldefonso Guajardo Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu embarked on a short visit to the Colom- Villarreal, an Israeli business delegation and Mexican businessmen. Mexico is the last bian capital of Bogota on Sept. 13, to discuss collaboration with leaders of the Latin stop on Netanyahu’s historic Latin America tour. The Israeli leader was to go to New American country. Netanyahu was welcomed with an honor guard ceremony upon York on Sept. 15 and was scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump on Sept. 18 arrival and met privately with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos at Bogota’s and deliver a speech to the U.N. General Assembly the following day. presidential palace. “Your country has been a friend and ally of Colombia and recently Russia reportedly rejected Israeli demand to keep Iranians a great ally in the construction of peace in the country,” Santos said. “We would like to strengthen this magnificent relationship.” The leaders discussed deepening bilateral from border cooperation in the fields of agriculture and water technology as well as cyber defense and Russia reportedly rejected a demand by Jerusalem for an extended buffer zone innovation. They also signed bilateral agreements in the fields of science and tourism.

THE w their ad here in To our readers... ou sa ou to let our advertisers know that y our hair done or buy I want to remind y ou go to get y W YOUR AD IN THE REPORTER! It is so important to remember when y ou say I SA something at their store or use their. services that y REPORTER! They want to know hank you, e T vertising Executiv Bonnie Rozen, Ad

SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 21 Tradition Continued from page 11 Israeli satellite yields in Hebrew in the Portuguese inflection, Around the time the synagogue was built, the tunes are melodic because they were the community was split between follow- composed in the 16th and 17th centuries to ers and opponents of Shabbetai Zevi, the photos of Jerusalem please the ear and compete with Christian Turkey-born Jewish eccentric who divided choirs, Wallet said. the Jewish world with his claim that he BY ISRAEL HAYOM STAFF The Venus satellite was launched on It was part of a broader effort by was the Messiah before his conversion (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) August 1 in French Guyana, with its mis- community leaders to rehabilitate and under duress to Islam in 1666. Even this – The Venus research satellite, operated sion to last three and a half years. It is a preserve in Amsterdam what the Inqui- community’s founding father and rabbi by the Israel Space Agency at the Science joint project between Israel and France’s sition destroyed in Iberia. That effort is for 40 years, Isaac Aboab da Fonseca, for and Technology Ministry, transmitted its National Center for Space Studies. The also evidenced in the thousands of man- a while was a follower of the man who first images from outer space on August satellite was built by Israel Aerospace In- uscripts of the Ets Haim Jewish library, would be known as the “false messiah.” 23, among them images of the Jerusalem dustries and includes an Elbit Systems-de- the oldest institution of its kind still in Wallet said the debate on the issue was “a area. The state-of-the-art imagery makes it signed camera capable of snapping photos operation, which is part of the Portuguese crisis for the community,” but was largely possible to see Jerusalem and its environs on 12 different wavelengths, and a new Synagogue compound. “You can see in purged from its official records. with “unprecedented quality.” electric engine developed by Rafael Ad- the books their enthusiasm about being But the community’s ultimate test came The Jerusalem area is prone to brush vanced Defense Systems. able to reconnect with their Jewish tra- in 1940, when Nazi Germany invaded fires, particularly during dry seasons. Venus has also transmitted images of ditions openly and resume the study of the Netherlands, initiating racist policies The information Venus provides will Marseille in France, agricultural fields it,” said Ruth Peeters, a senior cataloger that ended with the murder of 75 percent help scientists develop new methods of near Phoenix and tropical forests in Peru. at the library. of the Netherlands’ Jewish population of characterizing the The library’s central role in the daily life 140,000. The Portuguese Synagogue was area’s ecosystem, of synagoguegoers is evident in the name sealed, its library and treasures looted. understand and that locals use for this house of worship: But while Amsterdam’s Ashkenazi syn- reduce risk factors Esnoga – a mashup of the Portuguese-lan- agogue was gutted, the Portuguese Syn- for the fires, and guage words for school, “escola,” and agogue remained essentially unharmed. study the effects of synagogue, “sinagoga.” “I think they didn’t quote know what to global warming. At times, enthusiasm led astray wor- do with it,” Wallet said. “Ultimately even “The beauty of shippers and even the community leaders. they didn’t dare destroy it.” Jerusalem can also be seen from out- er space,” Israeli Science and Tech- nology Minister Ofir Akunis said. “This is just the beginning. In the coming years all of humanity will benefit from these images, which will help trailblaz- ing research in the fields of environ- ment protection, Concertgoers enjoyed jazz music at Amsterdam’s Portuguese Synagogue on earth sciences, Jerusalem, as seen from outer space via the Venus research August 17. (Photo by Cnaan Liphshiz) water and food.” satellite. (Photo by Venus satellite)

Each year at this time the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania calls upon members of our community to assist in defraying the expense of issuing our regional Jewish newspaper, The Reporter. The newspaper is delivered twice of month (except for December and July which are single issue months) to each and every identifiable Jewish home in Northeastern Pennsylvania. As the primary Jewish newspaper of our region, we have tried to produce a quality publication for you that offers our readership something on everything from opinions and columns on controversial issues that affect our people and our times, to publicity for the events of our affiliated agencies and organizations to life cycle events, teen columns, personality profiles, letters to the editor, the Jewish community calendar and other columns that cover everything from food to entertainment. The Federation assumes the financial responsibility for funding the enterprise at a cost of $26,400 per year and asks only that we undertake a small letter writing mail campaign to our recipients in the hope of raising $10,000 from our readership to alleviate a share of that responsibility. We would be grateful if you would care enough to take the time to make a donation for our efforts in bringing The Reporter to your door.

As always, your comments, opinions & suggestions are always welcome.

With best wishes, Mark Silverberg, Executive Director Jewish Federation of NE Pennsylvania 601 Jefferson Avenue Scranton, PA 18510 ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 22 THE REPORTER ■ SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

Feature Films Denial - Based on the acclaimed book Denial: Holocaust History on Trial, Denial recounts Deborah E. Lipstadt’s legal battle for historical truth against David Irving (BAFTA nominee Timothy Spall), who accused her of libel when she declared him a Holocaust denier. In the English legal system, in cases of libel, the burden of proof is on the defendant, therefore it was up to Lipstadt and her legal team, led by Richard Rampton, to prove the essential truth that the Holocaust occurred. Denial is directed by Emmy Award winner Mick Jackson (‘Temple Grandin’) and adapted for the screen by BAFTA and Academy Award nominated writer David Hare. Producers are Gary Foster and Russ Krasnoff. Dough - An old Jewish baker (Jonathan Pryce) takes on a young Muslim apprentice to save his failing kosher bakery. When his apprentice’s marijuana stash accidentally falls in the mixing dough, the challah starts flying off the shelves! DOUGH is a warmhearted and humorous story about overcoming prejudice and finding redemption in unexpected places. (Shown at the 2017 UJA campaign opening event) Everything is Illuminated - “Everything is Illuminated” tells the story of a young man’s quest to find the woman who saved his grandfather in a small Ukrainian town that was wiped off the map by the Nazi invasion. What starts out as a journey to piece together one family’s story under absurd circumstances turns into a meaningful journey with a powerful series of revelations -- the importance of remembrance, the perilous nature of secrets, the legacy of the Holocaust, and the meaning of friendship. (Donated by Dr. and Mrs. David Malinov) Europa Europa - Based on the autobiography of Solomon Perel, this movie recounts the severe actions a young boy must take in order to survive the Holocaust. (Donated by Dr. and Mrs. David Malinov) Hidden in Silence - Przemysl, Poland, WWII. Germany emerges victorious over the Russians and the city comes under Nazi control. The Jews are sent to the ghettos. While some stand silent, Catholic teenager, Stefania Podgorska, choose the role of a savior and sneaks 13 Jews into her attic. Munich - Inspired by real events, Munich reveals the intense story of the secret Israeli squad assigned to track down and assassinate the 11 Palestinians believed to have planned the 1972 Munich massacre of 11 Israeli athletes - and the personal toll this mission of revenge takes on the team and the man who led it. Music Box - In this intense courtroom thriller, Chicago attorney Ann Talbot (Jessica Lange) agres to defend her Hungarian immigrant father against accusations of heinous war crimes committed 50 years earlier. Norman - Norman Oppenheimer (Richard Gere) lives a lonely life in the margins of New York City power and money, and strives to be everyone’s friend. His incessant networking leads him nowhere until he ends up befriending a young but charismatic politician, Micha Eshel (Lior Ashkenazi), at a low point in his life. Three years later, the politician becomes the Prime Minister of Israel. Norman uses Eshel’s name to leverage his biggest deal ever: a series of quid pro quo transactions linking the Prime Minister to Norman’s nephew (Michael Sheen), a rabbi (Steve Buscemi), a mogul (Harris Yulin), his assistant (Dan Stevens) and a treasury official from the Ivory Coast. Norman’s plans soon go awry, creating the potential for an international catastrophe he must struggle to prevent. Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer is a comedic and compassionate drama of a man whose downfall is rooted in a human frailty all too easy to forgive—a need to matter. Remember - With the aid of a fellow Auschwitz survivor and a hand-written letter, an elderly man with demntia goes in search of the person responsible for the death of his family. (shown at the 2017 UJA campaign opening event) Son of Saul - October 1944, Auschwitz-Birkenau. Saul (Géza Röhrig) is a Hungarian member of the Sonderkommando, the group of Jewish prisoners forced to assist the Nazis. While working, Saul discovers the body of a boy he takes for his son. As the Sonderkommando plans a rebellion, Saul decides to carry out an impossible task: save the child’s body, find a rabbi to recite the mourner’s Kaddish and offer the boy a proper burial.(shown at the 2017 UJA campaign opening event) The Book Thief - THE BOOK THIEF tells the inspirational story of a spirited and courageous young girl who transforms the lives of everyone around her when she is sent to live with a new family in World War II Germany. The Jolson Story - THE JOLSON STORY is classic Hollywood biography at its best; a fast-paced, tune-filled extravaganza following the meteoric rise of legendary performer Al Jolson. THE JOLSON STORY was nominated for six 1946 Academy Awards , winning two, (Best Musical Scoring and Best Sound Recording). The Other Son - As he is preparing to join the Israeli army for his national service, Joseph discovers he is not his parents’ biological son and that he was inadvertently switched at birth with Yacine, the son of a Palestinian family from the West Bank. This revelation turns the lives of these two families upside- down, forcing them to reassess their respective identities, their values and beliefs. The Zookeeper’s Wife - In 1939 Poland, Antonina Zabinska (two-time Academy Award nominee Jessica Chastain) and her husband successfully run the Warsaw Zoo and raise their family in an idyllic existence. Their world is overturned, however, when the country is invaded by the Nazis and they are forced to report to the Reich’s newly appointed zoologist (Daniel Brühl). To fight back on their own terms, the Zabinskis risk everything by covertly working with the Resistance and using the zoo’s hidden tunnels and cages to save families from Nazi brutality. Woman in Gold - Based on the true story of Maria Altman, played by Helen Mirren, who sought to regain a world famous painting of her aunt plundered by the Nazis during World War II. She did so not just to regain what was rightfully hers but also to obtain some measure of justice for the death, destruction and massive art theft perpetrated by the Nazis. (Donated by Dr. and Mrs. David Malinov) Non-Feature Films Above and Beyond - In 1948, just three years after the liberation of Nazi death camps, a ragtag group of skilled American pilots - both Jewish and non-Jewish, answered a call for help. In secret and at great personal risk, they smuggled planes out of the U.S., trained behind the Iron Curtain and flew for Israel in its War of Independence. This band of brothers not only turned the tide of the war, they also embarked on personal journeys of discovery and pride. (Shown at the 2016 UJA campaign opening event) Everything is a Present: The Wonder and Grace of Alice Sommer Hertz - This is the uplifting true story of the gifted pianist Alice Sommer Hertz who survived the Theresienstat concentration camp by playing classical piano concerts for Nazi dignitaries. Alice Sommer Hertz lived to the age of 106. Her story is an inspiration. Follow Me: The Yoni Netanyahu Story - Yoni Netanyahu was a complex, passionate individual thrust into defending his country in a time of war and violence. The older brother of Benjamin Natanyahu, the current Israel Prime Minister, Yoni led the miraculous raid on Entebbe in 1976. Although almost all of the Entebbe hostages were saved, Yoni was the lone military fatality. Featuring three Israeli Prime Ministers and recently released audio from the Entebbe raid itself. Hava Nagila (The Movie) - A documentary romp through the history, mystery and meaning of the great Jewish standard. Featuring interviews with Harry Belafonte, Leonard Nimoy and more, the film follows the ubiquitous party song on its fascinating journey from the shtetls of Eastern Europe to the kibbutzim of Palestine to the cul-de-sacs of America. If These Knishes Could Talk tells the story of the New York accent: what it is, how it’s evolved, and the love/hate relationship New Yorkers have with it. It features writer Pete Hamill, director Penny Marshall, attorney Alan Dershowitz and screenwriter James McBride, along with a cast of characters from Canarsie to Tottenville. In between, it explores why New Yorkers eat chawclate and drink cawfee, and how the accent became the vibrant soundtrack of a charming, unforgiving and enduring city. Israel: The Royal Tour - Travel editor Peter Greenberg (CBS News) takes us on magnificent tour of the Jewish homeland, Israel. The tour guide is none other than Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The viewer gets a chance to visit the land of Israel from his own home! Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story (narrated by Dustin Hoffman)- This documentary portrays the contributions of Jewish major leaguers and the special meaning that baseball has had in the lives of American Jews. More than a film about sports, this is a story of immigration, assimilation, bigotry, heroism, the passing on of traditions, the shattering of stereotypes and, most of all, the greatest American pastime. Nicky’s Family - An enthralling documentary that artfully tells the story of how Sir Nicholas Winton, now 104, a British stockbroker, gave up a 1938 skiing holiday to answer a friend’s request for help in Prague and didn’t stop helping until the war’s beginning stopped him. He had saved the lives of 669 children in his own personal Kindertransport. The Case for Israel - Democracy’s Outpost - This documentary presents a vigorous case for Israel- for its basic right to exist, to protect its citizens from terrorism, and to defend its borders from hostile enemies. The Israel Course - A 7-part Israel education series that sheds light on the Holy Land through the ages. Featuring biblical scholars and Middle East experts, including Harvard professor Alan Dershowitz, Emeritus Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, Ambassador Dore Gold, Princeton professor Bernard Lewis and many others. The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg - As baseball’s first Jewish star, Hammerin’ Hank Greenberg’s career contains all the makings of a true American success story. Unmasked: Judaophobia - the Threat to Civilization – This documentary exposes the current political assault against the State of Israel fundamentally as a war against the Jewish people and their right to self-determination. SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 23 NEWS IN BRIEF From JTA strategic adviser. Bannon had helmed Breitbart News, a right-wing outlet that Missouri school district votes to change Saturday high consistently stirred fears of Muslim violence. He has since left his White House post. The council said in its statement that Wittes “uses his platform to publicly school graduations oppose scapegoating communities in the name of national security.” Wittes is A public school district in suburban St. Louis changed the graduation date of two a graduate of the Jewish day school system. Also named was David Karp, who high schools from a Saturday following complaints by Jewish families with students founded the popular personal blogging site Tumblr. It’s not clear whether Karp in the schools. The Parkway School Board voted unanimously on Sept. 13 to change currently identifies as Jewish, but he has expressed pride in being a descendant of the graduations from May 19 to the Tuesday and Thursday before. The district’s other a Max Karp. He does not say which Max Karp, but the most prominent historical two graduations will remain on Saturday, according to reports. The evening of May figure with that name was a giant of Yiddish theater near the turn of the 20th 19 also is the start of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot. A petition circulated by students century. Karp used Tumblr to promote a petition against Trump’s temporary bans asking for the date to be changed garnered more than 2,000 signatures. Also at the on refugees and travel from seven Muslim majority countries. “Our honorees go meeting, the board said it would revisit having a Saturday graduation for all schools beyond simply acknowledging ‘the other’ to empowering communities’ civic and in the future and its president, Beth Feldman, apologized to the district’s Jewish stu- political engagement, ensuring America’s growth as a pluralistic and inclusive dents. The board had tabled a vote on the issue earlier in September. The Parkway society,” Rabia Ahmed, the Muslim council’s spokeswoman, said in an e-mailed district serves eight municipalities in western St. Louis County, MO. statement to JTA. “They improve public understanding and policies toward Amer- Muslim group honors Jews for empowering Muslims ican Muslims so that America continues to be enriched by the vital contributions The Muslim Public Affairs Council is honoring two Jews with an annual award of American Muslims.” Over the years, the council has partnered with Jewish given to those who “champion the political empowerment of American Muslims.” groups in a number of endeavors, recently in consulting with Jewish community The recipients of this year’s Empowering Voices award include Stosh Kotler, CEO experts on security for Muslim institutions. It also condemned a California imam of the liberal social action group Bend the Arc, and Benjamin Wittes, a senior who seemed to call for the annihilation of the Jews after recent tensions in Jeru- fellow at the Brookings Institution who helms the popular blog Lawfare, which salem. The council backs a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. covers national security law. In recognizing Kotler, the council noted among other In 2014, the Anti-Defamation League criticized the group for co-hosting events factors the petition co-organized last year by the two groups against President with anti-Israel activists. An ADL spokesman said the information in that state- Donald Trump’s “deeply troubling appointment of Stephen Bannon” as his top ment was no longer up to date.

ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 24 THE REPORTER ■ SEPTEMBER 21, 2017