Page 22 THE JEWISH PRESS  Friday, July 8, 2011 Community Currents

Upcoming events… nity in order to maximize attendance and make this Maimonides Medical Center. a true community kollel program. Scheduled to coincide with the 100th anniversa- “The Kindertransport Journey” describes, through The opening program will be held on Sunday eve- ry of the medical center’s founding in June of 1911, documents and photographs, the experiences of the ning, July 31, and will feature Feldman, who the event was part of the year-long centennial cele- approximately 10,000 Jewish children who were will present a very timely and practical lecture on bration at Maimonides. Over 500 community lead- brought to safety in Britain from their homes in Ger- “Real Halacha for the Virtual World,” in which he will ers, elected offi cials, and residents were on many, Austria, Czechoslovakia, and Poland. The ex- discuss what Jewish law has to say about e-mail, so- hand to participate in this occasion. hibit, which opens July 15, will run through August cial networking and other matters relating to cyber- Mayor Bloomberg pointed out that Maimonides 30 and will be on view at the Holocaust Memorial space. This free lecture will be held at the Young Isra- has partnered with his administration and the pub- and Tolerance Center of Nassau County, locat- el of Stamford at 7:45 p.m., and is open to the public. lic hospital system on many initiatives that promote ed at 100 Crescent Beach Road, Glen Cove. For in- For more information about the Stamford Kollel a healthy , including screening and pre- formation and directions call 516 571-8040 ext. 100 Program, visit www.stamfordkollel.org. vention programs for Brooklyn residents. The mayor or visit www.holocaust-nassau.org. also mentioned that Maimonides delivers more ba- * * * bies than any other hospital in the state. * * * The second Advanced Those in attendance were able to view the archi- The Five Towns Jewish community is holding Seminar for Women will take place Monday, August tect’s renditions of the modern, light-fi lled new lobby an evening of inspiration with Rabbi Jonathan Ri- 29-Friday, September 2. The seminar, part of the and visitors’ center that will open next year. The new etti and Rabbi Dovid Weinberger. A project of Mish- ASK OU program sponsored by the Harry H. Beren entrance will provide easier access and a safer, more meres HaShalom, “The Key To Shalom” will take Foundation of Lakewood, will feature lectures on a attractive entry point for patients, visitors and staff. place on Monday, July 18, at 7:30 p.m. at Congrega- wide variety of aspects of kashrut as well as indus- One million dollars has been raised so far to cover tion Shaaray Tefi la, 25 Central Avenue in Lawrence. trial plant and hotel kitchen tours, with instruction the costs associated with the new entrance and lobby, provided by a faculty of OU experts. The only cost including a substantial contribution from the medical * * * is a $75 registration fee. For more information or to staff of Maimonides. (See pictures on facing page.) The Young of Stamford is sponsoring its apply and set up an interview, contact Avigail Klein fi rst annual Stamford Community Kollel Program, at 212-613-8279 or [email protected]. New President of the Conference open to men and women, from July 31 through Au- of European gust 14. This formal study program, which is being In recent news… organized with the assistance of Universi- Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, chief rabbi and av ty and spearheaded by the Young Israel’s Sefer To- Mayor Joins Maimonides beit din of Moscow, is the new president of the Con- rah Committee, will allow youngsters from grades At Centennial ference of European Rabbis. 3-8 to participate in a formal learning pro- Rabbi Goldschmidt was elected by the CER’s gram over a two-week period. There will also be To- Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently joined Mai- Standing Committee meeting in London at the end rah classes for adults (teens are invited, too) in the monides President and CEO Pamela Brier and Mai- of June and succeeds the former chief rabbi of France evenings. The classes will rotate among various syn- monides Board Chair Martin Payson for the centen- (1987-2009), Joseph Hayim Sitruk, who had held the agogues and locations within the Stamford commu- nial celebration and new lobby groundbreaking at post since 1999. Rabbi Sitruk becomes chairman of the CER Presidium. Only the fourth president of the CER in its 54- ZOA Blasts Anti-Semitism At Rutgers year history, Rabbi Goldschmidt is the fi rst to hold the post from outside Western Europe. The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has publicly targeted.” Following his election, Rabbi Goldschmidt has demanded that Rutgers, The State Universi- The ZOA has strongly urged Rutgers Presi- pledged to continue the legacy of his three predeces- ty of New Jersey, rectify the hostile anti-Semitic dent Richard McCormick to take several steps to sors; the late British chief rabbis, Sir Israel Brodie environment on its campus, which, it argues, has eliminate the hostile anti-Semitic environment and Lord Immanuel Jakobovitz, and Chief Rabbi of had a detrimental effect on Jewish students who on campus. France Joseph Sitruk. have been physically threatened and made to feel In response, President McCormick stated that “I am humbled to be given such a position among intimidated and unsafe. “[t]he university has already addressed each of the hundreds of esteemed rabbis across the European On a regular basis, an extremist anti-Israel incidents that you have identifi ed . . . [and is] con- continent,” Rabbi Goldschmidt said. student group called BAKA has been sponsoring fi dent that we have satisfi ed our obligations under and promoting events on campus that demonize both Title VI and the First Amendment.” and Israel. ZOA National President Morton A. Klein em- Last January, at a BAKA event entitled “Nev- phasized how troubling Rutgers’ response was, er Again for Anyone,” speakers analogized the Na- stating, “There’s no doubt that if a university of- zis’ treatment of the Jews to Israel’s policies and fi cial engaged in bigoted and hateful name-calling practices toward the Palestinian Arabs. The event against a gay student or an African American stu- was advertised as free and open to the public. But dent, or threatened and tried to provoke a physi- when many Jewish and pro-Israel students and cal fi ght with a gay or African American student, community members showed up in protest of the Rutgers wouldn’t tolerate that behavior for one event, an admission fee was suddenly imposed and second. And it shouldn’t. selectively enforced: BAKA members and others “Rutgers needs to start affi rmatively address- deemed friendly to BAKA’s cause were observed ing the problems that are plaguing the campus getting in for free. Those perceived as Jewish and and harming Jewish students. It’s not only Pres- pro-Israel had to pay to be admitted to the event. ident McCormick’s moral duty to eliminate the The ZOA also claims that stud- anti-Semitic harassment and intimidation; it’s ies classes at Rutgers are so biased against Isra- also his legal obligation under Title VI. The Of- el that Jewish students are intimidated to enroll fi ce for Civil Rights has made it clear that Jewish in them. When they do enroll, they go in expect- students are entitled to the kind of college expe- ing that the professor will be biased against Isra- rience that every student needs and deserves: one el and are reluctant and uncomfortable to speak that’s physically and emotionally safe and condu- up in defense of Israel. cive to learning. The Rutgers Hillel reported in the Targum “We call on all Jewish organizations, includ- that “Jewish students have been threatened with ing the Anti-Defamation League and the Amer- violence, made to feel unsafe in their dorms and ican Jewish Committee – to demand that Presi- sought formal counseling because of physical dent McCormick take action and address the cam- threats as well as emotional and verbal attacks pus hostilities that are affecting and harming Jew- on them. This includes individuals who BAKA ish students.”

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Thousands gathered on Tuesday, the 3rd of Tammuz, at the Ohel of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, to mark the 17th anniversary of his petira.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Intelligence and Atomic Energy Dan Meridor (third from left) joins in paying tribute to Israel Bonds President and CEO Josh- ua Matza upon the conclusion of his almost 10-year ten- ure as president and CEO of State of Israel Bonds. Me- ridor declared that Matza’s achievements with Bonds – more than $11 billion in worldwide sales – “deserved the recognition of Israel’s government.” Also pictured at the event, held June 30 at New York’s St. Regis hotel are (L- R): Raquel Matza; Bonds Chairman of the Board Emer- itus Burt Resnick; Dan Meridor; Joshua Matza; Bonds National Campaign Chairman Fred Zeidman; New York Consul General Ido Aharoni; and Bonds Vice Chairman of the Board David Halpern. (Photo credit: David Karp)

For the second year in a row a group of Yeshiva University students descended upon the Kansas City Jewish community as part of the University’s Kansas City Summer Experience, hosted by Congregation Beth Israel Avra- ham & Voliner (BIAV). The program, which ran May 31 through June 26, offered participants the opportunity to integrate with the community, spending their days working at a variety of businesses and dedicating their nights to energizing and learning Torah with the Jewish community. This year, however, their plans changed after a tornado hit nearby Joplin, Missouri, on May 21, killing more than 150 people. The group of eight students, led by Tuvia Brander, a recent YU graduate and second-year RIETS student, worked with community members to organize a Red Cross-sponsored disaster relief mission to the devas- tated area on June 12.

Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt with the presidents of the European Parlia- ment, European Commission and Europe- an Council at a meeting for European faith leaders in Brussels last month. Page 24 THE JEWISH PRESS  Friday, July 8, 2011 Community Currents

The Midwood Mardi Gras recently its 34th annual Mardi Gras fair on Avenue M in Midwood. It featured a chess exhibit by Midwood resident and chess master Eric Fleishman and entertainment by Ken the Magician. The Midwood Development Corporation organized the event. The corpora- tion uses the revenue from the fair to support its programs, which include housing and mortgage counseling, supported employment, recreational programs for people with developmental disabili- ties, and youth programs.

Kulanu’s Annual Community Fair was once again held in Cedarhurst Park with food, game booths, carni- val rides, bouncers, pony rides, petting farm, and a live Eric the chess master. In the background are key MDC band. The fair, which was visited by thousands, featured staff members Jason Kellman (wearing a red shirt), director siblings and supporters of Kulanu students. of Project Sweep, and Boris Noble, housing director.

Guests at the centennial celebration and new lobby groundbreaking at Maimonides Medical Center.

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Board Douglas Jablon, vice president of patient relations Chairman Martin Payson, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and special assistant to the hospital president (second Maimonides President Pam Brier, NYC Council Member from left) with board members (L-R) Andrew Kohn, Dr. Mathieu Eugene and NYC Councilman Brad Lander. Renderings of the hospital’s new lobby. Moshe Wieder and Peter Rebenwurzel.