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Jewish Community News www.jfedps.org The Publication of the Jewish Federation of the Desert Tevet/Shevat 5780 - February 2020 Run | Hide | Fight The actions implied in these three terrorism and violent attack. While words saves lives. It was proven 16 the Coachella Valley is not a large months ago, when the Tree of Life enough Jewish community to afford Synagogue in Pittsburgh was the site a full-time security director, our of the worst anti-Semitic attack on Jewish Federation is dedicated to American soil. As horrible as the attack helping agencies prepare, mitigate, on that Shabbat morning was, the and respond to a crisis as part of our security training given the leadership (CSI), Communal Security Initiative. and members of the Pittsburgh Jewish We are committed to the continuation community in the preceding eighteen of efforts to help train and educate in months unquestionably saved lives. safety and security awareness. On January 15, 2020, our Jewish Secure Community Network has Federation, in partnership with Secure Patrick Daly, SCN; Jewish Federation Board Chair Roberta Nyman, SCN’s Brad Orsini, and Jewish become a proven, critical partner Community Network, hosted a session Federation CEO Bruce Landgarten with three members of the Riverside Sheriff’s Department. for Jewish Federation of the Desert, “Before and After the Tree of Life: As devastating as were the eleven at Tree of Life Synagogue made a working with our Federation and in Lessons Learned” with Brad Orsini. deaths, it could have been far worse. practice of not carrying his cell phone training with our local law enforcement Orsini, a former FBI agent, was the The training given to Pittsburgh’s on Shabbat. Appreciating that without agencies. Security Community Director of Jewish Community Security Jewish community may have been his phone he couldn’t contact law Network has also become our for the Jewish Federation of Greater prompted by rising anti-Semitism but enforcement in case of an emergency, “community insurance policy.” When Pittsburgh, and had implemented it included basic survival techniques he began carrying his phone … and conflict in the Middle East heats up or security training protocols, beginning and the rethinking of priorities The his call to 911 on October 27, 2018, the terrorism level rises in the United in 2017, for Pittsburgh’s extensive community learned that a moving was the first call to reach police. States, we rely upon SCN to keep us Jewish institutions (synagogues, JCCs, target is much harder to hit, and on It is a matter of record that Jewish informed and assist us with taking the schools, etc.) servicing the area’s that horrible morning it was those institutions, Federations, synagogues, necessary measures and precautions 50,000+ Jews. were able to run that survived. JCCs, camps and day schools have to secure our facilities and people. The training made a difference. Before the training, the Rabbi been the target of hatred, extremism, US Congress Debate Response to Rising Anti-Semitism, Domestic Terrorism By Algemeiner Staff Two separate hearings at the on Intelligence & Counterterrorism been coming to America since media platforms. The time for US Congress in mid-January have titled “Confronting the Rise in Anti- before it was even called America thoughts and prayers has passed — examined potential measures that Semitic Domestic Terrorism.” in order to freely practice their the time now is for action.” legislators can take in response “The horrific rise in anti-Semitic religion, escape persecution, and Experts addressing the hearing to the recent rise in anti-Semitic domestic terrorism is an issue that build a better life for their families. included Nathan Diament — the rhetoric and attacks across America. has deeply affected my district, Yet now we are under assault by executive director of the Union of On January 15, freshman Rep. Max my community, and the whole extremists, many of whom are Orthodox Jewish Congregations of Rose (D-NY) chaired a session of the New York City area,” Rose said in emboldened to act and often America — who argued that the Homeland Security Subcommittee a statement. “Jewish people have encouraged by content on social continued on page 2 OF THE DESERT 2019 Federation Campaign Donors See Pages 23-28 2019-2020 JEWISH FEDERATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Roberta Nyman, Board Chair Lori Fritz, Campaign Chair Arnie Gillman, Vice Campaign Chair Phil Glass, Treasurer Stephanie Ross, Secretary Allan Lehmann, Past Co-Chair Celia Norian, Past Co-Chair continued from page 1 Bruce Landgarten, because of social media,” Miller proposed legislation, the FASTER Chief Executive Officer recent spate of violent attacks on remarked. “For these reasons, a Act — the Freezing Assets of visibly Orthodox Jewish targets had lasting solution to bigotry and Suspected Terrorists and Enemy Elliott Cohen Margie Kulp been “amplified and accelerated by hatred will never be grounded Recruits Act — currently being Jackie Cohen Ron Langus solely on law enforcement and considered as a discussion draft Judith Cohen Bernard Reiter the broader surge in antisemitism Bobbi Holland Gary Schahet we are experiencing in the United heightened security. That will only within the committee. States.” be achieved when every citizen The legislation would assist law John Miller — Deputy works collectively to educate each enforcement agencies in freezing Table of Contents Commissioner of Intelligence and other and to reinforce our shared the assets of “ISIS-inspired, lone- Vol. 46 • No. 7 Counterterrorism for the New values of tolerance and unity.” wolf terrorists or other extremists Community Calendar 13-14 York Police Department (NYPD) — The same day, Rep. Joshon our soil, to prevent these funds Federation 1-3 told the hearing that tougher law Gottheimer (D-NJ) — who sits from being used to carry out Annual Report 16-17 enforcement measures were not on the House Financial Services another attack by friends, family, or Honor Roll 23-28 a substitute for education against Committee’s Subcommittee onunknown accomplices operating in Lecture Series 118 prejudice and anti-Semitism. National Security, International a small cell,” Gottheimer said. Legacy 32 Development and Monetary Policy Gottheimer added that his bill Women's Philanthropy 6, 20-21 “Anti-Semitism in all its forms… Jewish Family Service 12 is steeped in ignorance and bred — addressed the growing threat of “also calls for a National Homegrown PJ Library 8 of muddled and incoherent the financing of domestic terrorism, Terrorism Incident Clearinghouse, Schools/School Listing 9 conspiracy theories, and while extremism, white supremacists for law enforcement to collect and Simchas & Classifieds 30 this has been the case for quite and anti-Semitism during a share information on incidents to Temples Listing 13 some time, it is more easily subcommittee hearing. help investigate and thwart future Tributes 11 spread and consumed these days Gottheimer highlighted hisattacks.” 2 • JCN • February 2020 • Tevet/Shevat 5780 • www.jfedps.com Addressing Hate ignorance is not bliss. as the histories of other persecuted We back up these sentiments by From the CEO Education is one of the best tools and marginalized groups. We educate striving even harder to imbue our we can have in our toolbox. While by teaching diversity, tolerance and communities with our values of I don’t see an end to anti-Semitism empathy. We watch our own words. tzedakah and tikkun olam — of anytime in the near future, we can We choose them even more carefully. restoring balance to society by Bruce utilize resources like the ones that And we use them to lead, to defend, actively helping the needy, caring with Landgarten JFNA ( Jewish Federations of North to challenge and to educate. compassion, and advancing the cause Jewish Federation America), JCPA ( Jewish Council on The common thread, sadly, in these of repairing the world. This is the daily Chief Executive Public Affairs), IAN (Israel Action atrocities is hate. Hate for certain work of Federation. By continuing Officer Network), ADL (Anti-Defamation religions, certain ethnicities, certain to build community through these League) and StandWithUS offers to beliefs, certain world views. In the principles, we play an essential role in help combat it. aftermath of Pittsburgh, one particular creating a future we seek for ourselves As we begin the year 2020, issues We cannot dismiss any inappropriate statement emerged – STRONGER and future generations. that seemed to be a thing of the past statement or anti-Semitic behavior as THAN HATE. While it can be hard This must be our response today. are not only still a part of our world childish pranks, or as no big deal. We to wrap one’s head around this Not to tear each other down, but to but growing in intensity. Jews are must call it out every time we see it, statement in the harsh throes of stand stronger in the face of baseless being targeted and attacked in cities whether that hatred is against Jews or grief, the response to the Pittsburgh hatred. We build community because around the world. The resurgence of other minorities. We have to demand shooting – and the other shootings – there is no better guarantor of the assaults in greater New York in recent that our lawmakers and leaders illustrates the power we possess as a future than a populace that sees months is appalling and frightening. condemn it; we urge them to follow collective community. Indeed, we ARE itself as sharing a common destiny. The anti-Israel BDS (Boycott, the example of Montana’s governor, stronger than hate. We devote ourselves to helping Divestment, and Sanctions) movement, attorney general, U.S. senators and We pay homage to victims who those in need because, as a sacred which promotes hate against Israel representative, who issued an open tragically have lost their lives for no responsibility, this defines who we are and its people, is rampant on college letter stating, “We stand firmly other reason than simply being who in a way that words cannot.