A Wave of Progressives Shows Israel Criticism Isn't Taboo Anymore
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Jewish Federation of NEPA Non-profit Organization 601 Jefferson Ave. U.S. POSTAGE PAID The Scranton, PA 18510 Permit # 184 Watertown, NY Change Service Requested Published by the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania VOLUME XI, NUMBER 14 JULY 26, 2018 A wave of progressives shows Israel criticism isn’t taboo anymore an “intersectional feminist” table criticism, the general trends it notes ANALYSIS and Israel an apartheid have been shown elsewhere. regime. In Virginia’s 5th Some credit Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) BY CHARLES DUNST Congressional District, with normalizing such criticism of Israel. NEW YORK (JTA) – After Alexan- Democratic nominee Leslie While the 2016 Democratic presidential dria Ocasio-Cortez shocked the political Cockburn is the co-author, candidate defined himself as “100 percent world by defeating longtime New York along with her husband, of pro-Israel,” he recently called on the U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley in a Democratic “Dangerous Liaison: The to adopt a more balanced policy toward primary in June, Democratic National Inside Story of the U.S.-Is- Israel and the Palestinians. In late March, Committee Chairman Tom Perez quickly raeli Covert Relationship,” Sanders’ office posted three videos to Ilhan Omar at the premiere aligned himself with the former political a scathing 1991 attack on social media criticizing Israel for what outsider, saying on a radio show that “she the Jewish state. of “Time For Ilhan,” a film he deemed its excessive use of force in Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez about her congressional represents the future of our party.” “It seems to me that some appeared on “Meet the Gaza and the Trump administration for If so, that future appears to include criticism of Israel is part of a seat run, during the 2018 not intervening during the border clashes. Press” on July 1. (Photo the kind of sharp criticism of Israel once package among young pro- Tribeca Film Festival. Last year, Perez appointed as his DNC by William B. Plowman/ considered taboo in both major parties. gressives along with health (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/ deputy Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota, Ocasio-Cortez ran on a platform of care for all and jobs for all,” NBC/NBC NewsWire via Getty Images for Tribeca who, in addition to being dogged by ties Medicare for all, fully funded public Democratic strategist Brad Getty Images) Film Festival) to the antisemitic Nation of Islam leader schools and a universal jobs guarantee. Bannon told Newsweek. Louis Farrakhan, implied that U.S. foreign But she has also been critical of Israel, That puts Democrats who are both they sympathize more with Israel than the policy in the Middle East is “governed” by calling its military’s killing of Palestinian liberal and pro-Israel in a bind. Whether Palestinians has declined from 38 percent considerations of what is good or bad for protesters in May a “massacre.” The Dem- the result of “intersectionality,” which in 2001 to 27 percent in 2018 – the lowest Israel. (Ellison, who was the first Muslim ocratic Socialists of America, of which links Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians level of support on record. Support for Israel elected to Congress, is running for attorney Ocasio-Cortez is a member, supports to other left-wing causes, or a willingness further decreased among self-identified general in Minnesota and is not seeking the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions to call out its right-wing government, “liberal” Democrats from 48 percent in re-election. Omar is seeking his seat.) movement against Israel. Ocasio-Cortez progressive criticism of Israel may make 2001 to 19 percent in 2018. In the same Left-wing activists have also drawn has remained silent on the issue. for some hard choices come Election Day. time period, their support for Palestinians Democratic politicians into Israel con- In Minnesota, Democratic congres- According to a Pew Research Center rose from 18 percent to 35 percent. troversies. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of sional candidate Ilhan Omar calls herself survey, the percentage of Democrats saying Although the Pew survey received no- See “Progressives” on page 4 NEPA’s largest annual Jewish cultural event expands to week-long festival Jewish Food Festival to be held at Nay Aug Park in Scranton The annual Jewish Food Festival in through Thursday, August 2, at Nay Aug offer 100 percent all-beef hot dogs, spicy Scranton will be held Sunday, July 29, Park in Scranton. Opening day hours on Moroccan burgers and more, while the July 29 will be from 11 am-7 pm. From bakery tent will serve up chocolate babka, Monday through Thursday, hours will fresh-baked apple strudel and funnel cakes be 11:30 am-2 pm for lunch and 4-7 pm to complement the celebration of ethnic for dinner. kosher food. Organized by the Jewish Discovery The festival at Nay Aug Park will Center, the free-admission event will fea- continue all week featuring daily grill ture ethnic food, entertainment, kids-zone specials, including glazed beef ribs, play area, vendors and crafts. barbecue chicken, kosher sausages anad The menu will feature an assortment gourmet burgers. This year, the festival of traditional “Jewish favorites” such as will offer takeout orders with curbside corned beef on rye, stuffed cabbage, potato service. “Simply make your selections knishes and more. Lovers of Israeli and online or by phone and your order will Middle Eastern food will enjoy falafel and be ready within 30 minutes – brought to grilled shawarma made fresh on site, as your car,” said organizers of the event. Rabbi Yitzchok Goldberg sliced well as a “schnitzel” sandwich served on Nay Aug park, the city of Scranton’s shawarma off the vertical grill. a semi-hard roll. The barbecue grill will largest park, grants residents and vis- itors “a touch of nature” amid the city Richard Schwartz of Scranton prepared landscape. Walking trails, picnic areas, an order at the Jewish Food Festival. kid-friendly rides, playgrounds, Olym- pic-sized swimming pools and a waterslide At left: Festival complex are among the attractions. The patrons will be Everhart Museum is also located within Federation able to order the park. A gorge and waterfalls within the from a menu with park have been named a National Natu- a large selection ral Landmark. A pedestrian footbridge on Facebook of Jewish ethnic opened in 2007 to access parkland across The Jewish Federation of Northeast- foods. the Roaring Brook. ern Pennsylvania now has a page on For more information about the festival, Facebook to let community members to download an event map or to browse know about upcoming events and keep the menu, visit www.JewishFoodFest.com connected. or call 570-587-3300. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Candle lighting July 27 .......................................... 8:07 pm Beneath the surface Crete’s Jews News in brief... August 3 ...................................... 7:59 pm A look at some American arch- One of the last survivors of Crete’s Israel’s Nationality Law passes; August 10 .....................................7:51 pm eologists who have helped unearth Jewish community, destroyed in an Austrian state wants Jews to PLUS Israel’s history over the years. World War II, watches its rebirth. register for kosher meat; more. Opinion .......................................................2 Story on page 7 Story on page 9 Stories on pages 11-12 D’var Torah ...............................................8 2 THE REPORTER ■ JULY 26, 2018 A MATTER OF OPINION Any volunteers to be tomorrow’s Jewish doers and leaders? BY ELI OVITS Limmud Impact Study: curious about Jewish life and Judaism. leadership skills training and provides leader- (JTA) – “Ethics of the Fathers” includes Get them while they’re young Learning begets greater curiosity and ship opportunities, the deeper the impact on this bold advice from Rabbi Yishmael: It is essential to invest in younger people, more learning Jewish life. We found that the more senior “When we learn in order to act, we become including young families. The study affirmed Beyond creating a framework for learn- the leadership level in Limmud, the greater learners, teachers, preservers and doers.” the long-term value of attracting and investing ing throughout one’s lifetime, Limmud one’s Jewish life is impacted. Learning to act So many Jewish institutions are asking in younger people: 73 percent of volunteers also creates opportunities for relationships and acting to learn creates the preservers and how they might engage younger people, 40 or under agreed that “the Jewish life I live among an array of people. Indeed, volun- doers that Rabbi Yishmael promises. raise a new generation of leaders and is strongly impacted by my experience at teers made new friends (84 percent), met Of course, for volunteerism to thrive it appeal across age groups. How might Limmud.” Nearly 50 percent of those under Jews who were different from themselves requires us to hand over the keys to our com- they advance the Jewish journeys of their 40 were likely to report a change toward (82 percent) and deepened a sense of con- munity and share leadership opportunities. volunteers, followers and “users,” and take greater Jewish interest and commitment since nection to the Jewish people (68 percent). The bottom line: There are tangible them further toward greater interest in and their first Limmud. The earlier you become More than a third of Limmud volunteers benefits to volunteering. When your organi- commitment to Jewish life? involved in Jewish activism through Limmud, reported that Limmud had led them to be- zations hand over leadership, your activists Limmud, a global network of Jewish the deeper the impact on your life. come more involved in their communities. will be more committed to Jewish life and learning festivals, set out to find out from Yet we also found that for volunteers of all A full 20 percent reported that involvement their Jewish life will be richer.