Even More Jewish Resources to Occupy Your Family During Social Distancing Ins and Outs of Israel's Unprecedented National Emer
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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 XIII, NUMBER 9 APRIL 30 2020 News analysis Ins and outs of Israel’s unprecedented national emergency unity government BY DOV LIPMAN Knesset member Yariv Levin, lead The deal was to be formally signed after (JNS) – Israel’s 15-month political negotiator for the Likud now slated to Yom Ha’aztmaut, Israel’s Independence stalemate, which led to three election serve as speaker of the Knesset in the new Day, celebrated this year on April 28-29. cycles within the course of a year, has government, told JNS that “this emergency The first order of business will be to pass come to a close with the signing of a government is the right thing at the right legislation to set the Netanyahu-Gantz unity government deal between Israeli time. We need unity to deal with the coun- rotation in motion. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, try’s health and economic challenges.” While Israeli law allows a prime min- head of the Likud Party, and Blue and The unity deal, which is structured as ister to serve while under indictment, it White Party head Benny Gantz. The two six months of an “emergency government” prohibits a minister from doing so. A law sides are calling it a “national emergency to be followed by a more permanent one, will be passed to enable Netanyahu to serve government” in large part to manage established Netanyahu as prime minister Election posters hung by the Blue and as vice prime minister (the official title the ongoing coronavirus crisis, which for the first 18 months, during which Gantz White Party show candidate Benny is “acting prime minister”) when Gantz has stymied Israel along with the rest will be vice prime minister and minister of Gantz and Likud candidate, Israeli becomes the prime minister, despite the of the world. defense, followed by Gantz taking over the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on fact that he may be in middle of his trial Both leaders posted tweets upon the premiership for 18 months, during which February 18. (Photo by Miriam Alster/ on corruption charges at the time. signing. Netanyahu wrote that the deal Netanyahu will be vice prime minister. Flash90) A law will also be passed that says that is a fulfillment of his promise to form Knesset member Moshe Ya’alon, of if either of the two decides to leave and a “national emergency government that Yesh Atid-Telem, which used to be part of with checks and balances between its collapse the government, the leader of will work to save lives and the liveli- Blue and White but split off due to Gantz’s branches. Instead, we now have a dicta- the other party becomes prime minister hoods of the citizens of Israel.” Gantz partnering with Netanyahu, attacked the torship of one person: Netanyahu. Israel automatically, with new elections being tweeted that “we prevented a fourth deal, telling JNS that “this government is needs a leader who sets a personal example delayed for six months. This law addresses election. We will protect democracy. bad for Israel.” with no corruption. But now, we have a the fear in Blue and White that in order We will fight the coronavirus and care He insisted that “Israel needs leadership leader who only cares about himself and to prevent Gantz from becoming prime for all Israeli citizens.” that will rehabilitate Israeli democracy not the people.” minister, Netanyahu will simply pull Likud out of the government as the first 18 months come to an end, which would SPOTLIGHT leave the coalition with a Knesset minority and lead to an election. The agreement dictates that the emer- Even more Jewish resources to occupy gency government won’t move forward with any significant legislation not related to the coronavirus crisis, with one ex- your family during social distancing ception: Israeli sovereignty over Jewish communities in the West Bank. BY REPORTER STAFF The Jewish Journal offers the David the 75th anniversary of the end of World Levin told JNS that “we have a histor- A variety of Jewish groups are offering Suissa Podcast “Pandemic Times” every War II. The exhibition’s online collection ic opportunity to apply our sovereignty online resources – educational and recre- weekday. New and old episodes can be of artifacts relating to liberation cam be See “Unity” on page 4 ational – for those who are not allowed out found at https://jewishjournal.com/pod- found at www.yadvashem.org/artifacts/ of the house. Below is a sampling of those. casts/the-david-suissa-podcast/. featured/liberation.html. The Hadassah-Brandeis Institute is Jewish Women, Amplified, https://jwa. Reconstructing Judaism is offering 2020 UJA providing myriad resources on Jewish org/blog, is a blog found on the Jewish “Resources for Living in the Time of women’s and gender studies to the com- Women’s Archive website. The blog COVID-19” at http://evolve.reconstruct- Pay it forward & give to munity. All of the resources found at http:// features interviews, historical information ingjudaism.org/covid19resources. It also and more. offers a variety of other pandemic resourc- the 2020 Jewish Federation blogs.brandeis.edu/freshideasfromhbi/ of Northeastern Pennsylvania The Shalom Hartman Institute, https:// es, including a “Virtual Shabbat Box,” at hot-topic-of-the-week/ are free. Click on Annual Campaign! the links provided to read the articles. updates.hartman.org.il/, is presenting www.reconstructingjudaism.org/connect/ The Jewish Agency for Israel is of- Hartman@Home, which features online pandemic-resources. fering events and classes online. To find offerings, including virtual lectures and YIVO has announced a new initiative out more, visit www.jewishagency.org/ classes. The Israeli Rabbanut Program of to collect first-hand accounts of the effects coronavirus-activities-and-things-to-do/. the Shalom Hartman Institute is running of the COVID-19 pandemic on Jewish life. For information or to “The Western Wall Tunnels 360 LIVE,” a virtual Beit Midrash (in Hebrew). To The online form can be found at yivo.org/ make a donation call Goal: 570-961-2300 ext. 1 or $989,000 sponsored by the Western Wall Heritage find out more information, visit https:// share-your-story. send your gift to: Foundation, can be found at https://youtu. rabbanutbogrim.wixsite.com/website. Jewish Women Archive has a new sec- Jewish Federation $918,478 of Northeastern as of April 23, 2020 be/MccQtsHDWvY. The video, which Jewish Book Week has videos and tion of interactive tools for students and Pennsylvania is a hour and a half long, combines film podcasts of past events. They can be adults, https://jwa.org/teach/activities. 601 Jefferson Ave., found at https://jewishbookweek.com/ The worksheets can be downloaded and Scranton, PA 18510 clips and illustrations alongside a “real” (Please MEMO your three-dimensional tour. videos-and-podcasts/. printed. Answer keys are also included pledge or gift 2020 To learn about Jewish films available Masa Israel Journey, for young adults where applicable. New worksheets will UJA Campaign) online, visit www.youtube.com and search age 18-30, is offering virtual events on be added periodically. for “Jewish films online.” The videos its website. Visit www.masaisrael.org, Respectability, an organization that seeks feature trailers and full films. Some are scroll down and click in the box that says, to ensure children and adults with disabil- free, while there is a charge for others. “Masa Onlne.” ities receive education, training and em- The Charles and Lynn Schusterman Yad Vashem is offering a new online ployment opportunities, has been holding Family Foundation offers a variety of exhibition marking the 75th anniversary to virtual events. For more information, visit resources at www.schusterman.org/ the liberation of the Buchenwald Concen- www.respectability.org/category/events. covid-19-recommended-resources. tration Camp by U.S. Armed Forces and See “Resources” on page 3 Candle lighting INSIDE THIS ISSUE May 1 ............................................ 7:43 pm Aid for nonprofits Fiscal news News in brief... May 8 ............................................ 7:50 pm May 15 ...........................................7:57 pm Jewish philanthropies create an Israel sells record $25B in bonds; Israeli math team wins medals $80 million fund for nonprofits “HoloCoin” cryptocurrency users in international event; “Celebrate PLUS during the pandemic. buy/sell ashes of Shoah victims. Israel” parade canceled; more. Opinion .......................................................2 Story on page 3 Story on page 5 Stories on page 8 D’var Torah ...............................................6 2 THE REPORTER ■ APRIL 30, 2020 A MATTER OF OPINION How COVID-19 has sparked antisemitic conspiracy theories BY FIAMMA NIRENSTEIN European Union in Brussels that Israeli of the blue, that “not unilateral action” outlet, for example, a man in a medical This article was first published by the rabbis were telling settlers to do the same (namely, the annexation of territory in gown and hood, wearing a mask and Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. – and received a standing ovation. Judea and Samaria, and the Jordan Valley gloves, embraces a map of Palestine in (JCPA via JNS) – It’s easy to see how It is my opinion that such accusations that the U.S. peace plan foresees) but which there is no Israel, accompanied by the coronavirus pandemic has sparked can have dire political consequences and cooperation is needed to fight the virus. the text: “Stay at home so you can protect antisemitic conspiracy theories. They are must be fought politically. Yet there is no connection between the the homeland.” a part of the classical paradigm; the Jews The accusations coming from the P.A.