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VOLUME XIV, NUMBER 6 MARCH 18, 2021 Pro-Israel, Jewish groups react to ICC decision to investigate Israel for purported war crimes BY JNS STAFF investigation of Israel.” stands to handicap law-abiding nations’ (JNS) – Pro-Israel and Jewish groups President of B’nai B’rith International abilities, rights and fundamental duties to weighed in on the recent controversial Charles Kaufman and CEO Daniel Ma- combat the brutal asymmetric warfare of decision announced by the International riaschin said that there is “no moral or legal terrorist organizations,” they said. Criminal Court that it would open its equivalence whatsoever between Israel, Rabbi Jonathan Guttentag, interna- investigation into alleged war crimes a democratic state seeking responsibly tional liaison of the Coalition for Jewish conducted by Israel and the Palestinians to protect the lives of its diverse civil- Values, said the “ICC said nothing while since 2014. ian population, and Palestinian terrorist Hamas lobbed thousands of missiles at AIPAC said that the ICC investiga- groups openly committed to indiscrimi- Israeli cities, awakening only once Israel tion into Israel represents “significant Close-up view of the sign of the nate atrocities and the very destruction of responded. By ‘investigating’ defense overreaches of the ICC’s mandate and International Criminal Court (Photo by the Jewish state. against terrorism, the International Crimi- jurisdiction that must be condemned by Friemann/Shutterstock) “Above all, the acquiescence of the nal Court is openly encouraging terror and the administration and Congress.” The prosecutor to politicize the ICC and exploit the murder of [Jewish] civilians, while also lobby group called on Biden to maintain sistance to the Palestinian Authority and it as a propaganda tool not only batters calling it a crime for Jews to live in Judea.” sanctions on the ICC. It also pushed the maintenance of a Palestine Liberation the standing of the court and distracts it Guttentag added: “The inherent mor- that “the administration must continue Organization office in Washington due from truly grievous and systematic crimes al equivalence of an ICC investigation to enforce U.S. law which prohibits as- to the P.A.’s active support for the ICC’s around the world, but also intolerably See “ICC” on page 3 Landmark decision recognizing non-Orthodox conversions performed in Israel sparks fierce debate BY ISRAEL KASNETT and within the Jewish Diaspora, with between Orthodox and secular communi- the state of Israel’s character as a Jewish, (JNS) – Israel’s Supreme Court handed some saying it crossed a red line while ties, which have reached a “fever pitch” Zionist and liberal state.” down a decision on March 1 recognizing others affirming that it is a decision that during the pandemic, as well as the role Previously, Israel recognized Reform Reform and Conservative conversions is long overdue. of the Supreme Court and calls on the and Conservative conversions as part of for those seeking to obtain citizenship. The decision touches on some hot-but- Israeli right to reign in its powers. More the citizenship process and only if they The result has caused an uproar in Israel ton issues in Israel, including tensions so, coming just weeks before Israelis head were performed overseas. Now, this to the polls, it adds yet another contentious decision allows such conversions even if issue into the political arena. performed in Israel. Israel’s highest court Indeed, politicians on the religious claims that it was compelled to make this right quickly condemned the decision decision, rather than the Knesset, since the by the court and vowed to introduce leg- issue had been debated for years with a Happy Passover islation to overturn the decision. Aryeh pronouncement never forthcoming. Deri, head of the Sephardi ultra-Orthodox See “Landmark” on page 6 party Shas, lambasted the ruling as “a fatal blow to Israel’s Jewish character and a complete destruction of the status 2021 UJA quo in matter of religion and state that have existed for more than 70 years.” Pay it forward & give to Other right-wing parties highlight- the 2021 Jewish Federation ed the political ramifications. Likud of Northeastern Pennsylvania condemned the ruling, saying that Annual Campaign! “the High Court made a decision that endangers the Law of Return, which is a cornerstone of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. Only a vote for Goal:

Likud will ensure a stable right-wing For information or to $970,000 government that will return sovereignty make a donation call 570-961-2300 ext. 1 or $920,010 to the people and the Knesset.” send your gift to: as of March 10, 2021 Yamina leader Naftali Bennett accused Jewish Federation of Northeastern the High Court of “intervening in govern- Pennsylvania ment decisions and forgetting its role.” 601 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, PA 18510 However, on the other side, secular (Please MEMO your parties, including those in the center, pledge or gift 2021 left and even right, praised the decision. UJA Campaign) “Israel must have complete equality of rights for all streams of Judaism – Ortho- dox, Reform, Conservative,” opposition leader Yair Lapid said. “We all need to live here together with tolerance and mutual respect.” Similarly, Avigdor Lieberman of Yisrael Beitenu, a right-wing nationalist party, hailed it as a “historic” decision and Candle lighting promised that his party will “continue to March 19...... 5:24 pm battle religious coercion and to preserve March 26...... 7:04 pm INSIDE THIS ISSUE March 27...... after 8:06 pm March 28...... after 8:06 pm Israel envoy on tour Passover Science news April 2...... 7:11 pm The new Israeli ambassador to Online resources for Passover An Israeli-Swedish ocean-wave April 3...... after 8:13 pm the U.S. embarks on a “personal include musical offerings; holiday energy producer wins award; a PLUS journey” along civil-rights trail. recipes; and more. robot uses a locust ear to hear. Opinion...... 2 Story on page 3 Stories on page 5 Stories on page 7 D’var Torah...... 8 2 THE REPORTER ■ MARCH 18, 2021 A MATTER OF OPINION Turning my back on my ugly, antisemitic teenage tweets BY ADAM ELAYAN helped me realize how misguided my reading someone else’s words. It filled munities, something those of us in these (JNS) – When I was a teenager six to anger at the Jewish community was. me with disgust to be associated with communities are responsible for address- nine years ago, I tweeted horrible antise- In 2015, three Muslim students were words that I saw to be hateful and wrong. ing. I recognized Mr. Aboubakr’s internal mitic statements. I made generalizations assassinated in North Carolina in an Is- I spoke with my college and was advised struggle of learning to reject what he was about Jewish people; I promoted stereo- lamophobic hate crime. Learning about not to respond to the publication. When taught, think critically about the hatred he types about Jews; and I blamed Jewish people like me who were murdered be- these tweets were brought to my dental once espoused and come to terms with people for bad things in my life. cause of their religion made me realize school’s attention in 2019 and 2020, I was ugly truths about who he had been. Since 2017, various groups have been how harmful bigotry – like the kind I again advised not to respond, and again I One portion of his story truly resonated circulating my old tweets, which long ago expressed online – could be. followed that advice. with me. After participating in a protest ceased representing my true thoughts and One victim was Deah Barakat, a dental I am truly sorry for the pain my words in Cairo, Mr. Aboubakr sought refuge in feelings. One tweet was a photo of a shirt student organizing a trip to provide dental have caused. I have wanted to publicly an orphanage. Seeing the distraught Mr. with a picture of Palestinian terrorist Leila care to Syrian refugees. His death inspired apologize for, and disavow, my teenage Aboubakr, the orphanage director told him, Khaled, of whom I didn’t have a good me to become a dentist. I vowed then tweets for years now. Perhaps I should “Don’t live for anger, but live for love.” understanding. that if I reached my goal, I would use my have taken this step earlier, against the That advice put into words what I felt I have never supported terrorism, but training to provide care to refugees in the advice I received. when I realized that I no longer believed many people saw my past statements and Middle East, regardless of their faiths, as I recognize that the things I said years the hateful things I had once written, and understandably assumed the worst about Barakat had wanted. ago were hateful, and for the last six years, I instead decided to focus on improving me. I was advised by university admin- During one trip to Jerusalem, I and have been committed to making a positive the lives of those around me. While I still istrators not to respond to the exposure my cousin played basketball with some impact in my community and showing that feel anger and sadness at the hardships of my posts, so for years, I stayed silent. Israeli teenagers whom we met in a park. those tweets do not represent who I am. I that my community faces, I no longer I am now publicly turning my back We talked about our experiences, and am someone who had misguided beliefs, live for that anger. I choose, instead, to on those statements and sharing my path the obstacles we each faced because our who through education and self-reflection live for the love I have for my family and away from hate and antisemitism. nations’ leaders have not made peace. has come to recognize that those beliefs my community, and to be someone who During my childhood, every other sum- Everyone expressed a desire to live were wrong, and who is trying to lead a supports the people around me. mer I went to Jerusalem to visit family. without fear of one another. I recognized life that will help others. I cannot take back the horrible things As I grew older and started to realize my that the hatred I voiced online had no place Recently, I spoke with Hussein Abou- that I tweeted. What I can do is make clear family’s difficult circumstances, I started in the life I wanted to lead. I did not want bakr, author of “Minority of One: The that they do not represent who I am today. feeling guilty that I was living more com- to be consumed by anger and resentment Unchaining of an Arab Mind,” and an I can listen to, and learn from, people I fortably than they. My guilt at my privilege because people like me were suffering; educator with StandWithUs. In that au- harmed with those tweets. I can continue and my anger at their living conditions I wanted to take action to alleviate that tobiography, he discusses how education to treat all people respectfully. And I can left me looking for someone to blame. suffering whenever I saw it. I removed all transformed him from an antisemitic ex- hope that someone reading my story, who As a teenager, I directed my frustration at my tweets from my profile because I no tremist in his youth to a vocal advocate for may harbor the kind of prejudice that I the Jewish people, posting comments on longer supported the hateful things that I acceptance of Israel and the Jewish people. used to, will see that hatred toward others Twitter that were ugly and hateful. had said in the past. His story helped me understand my is a choice we make, and like me, decide My views changed as I matured and A year later, my past antisemitic situation in a broader context, where the to make better choices. learned more about the world, including statements were collected and published kind of rhetoric I used against Jewish Adam Elayan is a dental student at the complex issues in the Middle East. online. By that time, it felt like I was people is prevalent within Arab com- Tufts University. With education and self-reflection, I learned that I was unjustly blaming and demonizing an entire group of people. Throughout college, my experiences A meltdown at The New York Times BY DAVID SUISSA eroning high-school students. At the time, After McNeil apologized and then was (Jewish Journal via JNS) – When the the paper reprimanded but chose not to forced to resign, Baquet changed his tune top editor of the world’s newspaper of fire him because there was no malicious on intent and declared: “We do not tolerate record flips and flops and flips again on intent: McNeil allegedly was referring to racist language regardless of intent.” a subject as sensitive as the use of the the N-word as part of a debate, not using it This triggered yet another firestorm for N-word, you know things are getting as a slur. So Editor-in-Chief Dean Baquet the simple reason that it’s hard to justify the “ The Reporter” (USPS #482) is published bi-weekly by the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania, 601 Jefferson messy at The New York Times. And when gave him a “second chance.” notion that intent shouldn’t matter. Liberal Ave., Scranton, PA 18510. a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist claims But when the story resurfaced re- columnist Jonathan Chait explained that President: Esther Adelman that the paper “spiked” his column on the cently in The Daily Beast, an internal distinction in New York Magazine in a Executive Director: Mark Silverberg subject, well, it just gets messier. firestorm erupted at the Times, with 150 piece titled, “Describing a Slur is Not the This sad story started when longtime outraged employees writing a joint letter Same as Using it.” Executive Editor: Rabbi Rachel Esserman New York Times science reporter Donald to management saying that “intent is That is so self-evident that Baquet Layout Editor: Diana Sochor McNeil was accused in 2019 of using a irrelevant” and demanding an apology himself flip-flopped yet again recently Advertising Representative: Kathy Brown Bookkeeper: Kathy Brown racial slur while on an overseas trip chap- and further investigation. by acknowledging in a staff meeting: Production Associate: Christi Sturdevant “Of course intent matters when we’re talking about language in journalism. OPINIONS The views expressed in LETTER TO THE EDITOR Intent matters.” editorials and opinion pieces are those Maybe he was influenced by the of each author and not necessarily canceled Bret Stephens column, which, the views of the Jewish Federation of according to reports, began as follows: Northeastern Pennsylvania. Target misplaced “Every serious moral philosophy, LETTERS The Reporter welcomes letters on subjects of interest to the In response to an anti-Israel letter- in those areas Palestinians are forbidden every decent legal system, and every Jewish community. All letters must be to-the-editor published in the Scranton from selling land to a Jew. ethical organization cares deeply about signed and include a phone number. Times-Tribune in late February, attorney The irony of these two contrasting situa- intention. It is the difference between The editor may withhold the name David Fallk, chairman of the Community tions perpetually seems to escape Dominic murder and manslaughter. It is an upon request. Relations Committee of the Jewish Saadi (“Israeli apartheid,” February 20), aggravating or extenuating factor in ADS The Reporter does not necessar- Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania, who labels Israel with the apartheid slur, judicial settings. It is a cardinal con- ily endorse any advertised products published the following editorial in the while turning a blind eye to decades of sideration in pardons (or at least it was and services. In addition, the paper March 3 edition of that paper. Palestinian authoritarianism and attempts until Donald Trump got in on the act). is not responsible for the kashruth of This month, Israel will conduct its to delegitimize Israel and to bar Jews from It’s an elementary aspect of parenting, any advertiser’s product or establish- fourth set of elections in two years for its their ancestral homeland. friendship, courtship and marriage.” ment. parliamentary Knesset and prime minister. Failed Arab wars of annihilation against The columnist added: “A hallmark of DEADLINE Regular deadline is two All Israeli citizens, whether they are Israel have cost Palestinians territory while injustice is indifference to intention.” weeks prior to the publication date. Jewish, Christian, Muslim or Druze, have creating death, suffering and refugees. What I find especially noteworthy about a vote, and the Arab bloc of parties forms Repeated peace talks invariably have this brouhaha is how tedious it is. Does a FEDERATION WEBSITE: www.jewishnepa.org one of the largest coalitions in the Knesset. met with the “Palestinian veto” and turn Pulitzer Prize winner really need to invest As in America, the electorate is closely to more violence. Nevertheless, Israel a whole column on an idea as obvious as HOW TO SUBMIT ARTICLES: divided, making governance difficult, but has continued to grow and modernize, the value of intent? Mail: 601 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, PA democracy still prevails. and now the Arab world seems to have But this is The New York Times, so it’s 18510 In contract, Palestinian Authority moved past Palestinian rejectionism with hard to look away. The drama of a top E-mail: [email protected] leader Mahmoud Abbas, currently in the the Abraham Accords. See “Times” on page 3 Fax: (570) 346-6147 16th year of what was supposed to be a It’s time for Palestinian supporters Phone: (570) 961-2300 four-year term of office, and Hamas, like Saadi to stop firing disparaging and Gaza’s ruling terrorist regime, have distorted shots against multiethnic Israel HOW TO REACH THE announced legislative elections for May and instead demand that Palestinian lead- About the ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE: followed by a July presidential vote. ers deliver democracy and peace to their Phone: (800) 779-7896, ext. 244 E-mail: [email protected] These elections, which may yet be can- own people, and end their fanatical dream cover celed as have all other Palestinian votes of destroying the only true democracy in This year’s Passover cover was SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: since 2005, will not have any Jewish the Middle East. illustrated by Katherine Sochor of Phone: (570) 961-2300 voters, since Jews are not allowed to live David I. Fallk Vestal, NY. in Palestinian-controlled areas. In fact, Clarks Summit MARCH 18, 2021 I THE REPORTER 3 In fi rst U.S. tour, Israel’s envoy embarks on “personal journey” along civil-rights trail BY LARRY BROOK project said it is “honored to host the L’Simcha Synagogue mass (Southern Jewish Life via JNS) – For ambassador and eager to help usher in a shooting in Pittsburgh in his fi rst American tour after being named positive relationship between Israel and October 2018, related Erdan. Israel’s ambassador to the United States, the African-American community.” The The church and the local Gilad Erdan said he wanted to make a goal, it added, was to bring Erdan “face Jewish community still par- “personal journey, listening and learn- to face with individuals who are on the ticipate in joint programs. ing about the history and the incredible ground making positive changes within Among the stops was the contribution of the African-American the African-American community.” McLeod Plantation Historic community to this country.” That led him In addition to Erdan, offi cials from the Site, where Erdan toured to tour Charleston, SC, and Montgomery Philos Project and Consul General Anat slave cabins and was struck and Selma, Ala., during a three-day visit Sultan-Dadon from the Israeli Consulate by the impressions of child- that ended on February 23. in Atlanta were part of the delegation. size fi ngerprints in bricks “You can go visit museums and read The journey began in Charleston made by enslaved children. books, but it won’t be the same as when with Erdan visiting the Emanuel African “No one should suff er such you really hear the personal stories of Methodist Episcopal Church, where a inhumanity, anywhere, any- people and their ancestors,” he said. white supremacist killed nine people at a time,” he refl ected. His visit was coordinated by the Philos Bible-study class in 2015. “I was moved to At Magnolia Plantation, Project, which “aims to promote positive hear about the community’s resilience fol- guide Joseph McGill respond- Christian engagement in the Near East.” lowing the terrible shooting” and how they ed to a question from Erdan In its announcement of the visit, the off ered support after the Tree of Life*Or by saying that slaves there Israeli Ambassador to the United States Gilad Erdan “persevered so we could be talked with David Jackson of the Philos Project while here today and live the lives crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge, site of the 1965 they couldn’t live, and tell the “Bloody Sunday” civil-rights demonstrations. (Photo Times Continued from page 2 stories they couldn’t tell. We courtesy of Southern Jewish Life) editor who gets an obvious thing right the for the self in question.” are their voices.” fi rst time, but then panics when bullied by McWhorter, who is Black and has Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) welcomed Bridge in Selma, the site of civil-rights a mob, and then panics again and redresses written often on these issues, adds that “it Erdan to Charleston, and Mayor John confrontations in 1965 that ultimately led himself, is endemic of how low and fearful is only a certain mob who are making this Tecklenburg presented the ambassador to the Selma to Montgomery March in our discourse has become. ‘determination’ [and that] the idea that it with the key to the city in “a gesture of 1965. “The events that took place on this In a cancel culture run amok, one of is inherent to Black American culture to friendship and as a pledge of hope and bridge have inspired countless people in the biggest fears in America today is fl y to pieces at hearing the N-word used future collaboration.” Israel and everywhere around the world. the fear of saying the wrong thing. I can in reference is implausible at best, and There were gatherings where a number They have inspired me,” he said. understand that impulse if the “wrong slanderous at worst.” of African-American leaders in Charleston Selma Mayor James Perkins thanked thing” is insulting someone because of The more important point, he writes, is spoke of their personal stories, and Erdan Erdan for his visit, noting that the Israeli was their race, religion, gender, ethnicity or that “insisting on this taboo makes it look said a highlight was learning from Aunt helping Selma by bringing attention to the otherwise. I’d love to live in a world where like Black people are numb to the diff erence Pearlie Sue, a Gullah-Geechee storyteller, city’s story. He urged, “Let’s continue this people are extra careful before unleashing between usage and reference, vague on the who sang and spoke about the history of conversation. It is a very important one.” such insults, even as I appreciate that the notion of meta, given to overgeneralization slavery and the struggle for freedom. Robert Nicholson, president of the insults are generally protected by the laws rather than to making distinctions.” “We have a lot in common,” said the Philos Project, said one can’t understand of free speech. It would be useful to see more report- Israeli ambassador. “They, too, like us, America without understanding American But when we become afraid to even ing and courageous commentary on this were persecuted and murdered, and their history, and one can’t understand Amer- mention a word to describe something, subject. New taboos that are silencing rights were denied for many years. I looked ican history without African-American when we’re petrifi ed that the cancel mob people through fear of losing their jobs in their eyes when they told me how their history, and one can’t understand Afri- will come after us and our livelihood, I’d is not just a “problem” – it is an alarming family suff ered and I saw their deep pain, can-American history without Selma. say we’re due for a sober reckoning, or at trend and condition that must be exposed and today I understand better their ongoing In Selma, Erdan said the Jewish and least some candid analysis. through maximum sunlight. struggle for equality.” African-American communities have a lot As Columbia linguistics professor And speaking of exposure, I would He then continued on to Alabama, in common, “as a community that holds the and author John McWhorter wrote on hope the Times will fl ip-fl op yet again where he walked across the Edmund Pettus See “Envoy” on page 9 Substack, “My own observation of this and decide to publish Stephens’ column. sort of thing… is that the people hunting Even a meltdown can use some sunlight. down McNeil are swelling with a certain David Suissa is editor-in-chief and pride in claiming that ‘We decide what we publisher of Tribe Media Corp, and the DEADLINES will tolerate,’ as if this constitutes what Jewish Journal. He can be reached at Black nationalists would term ‘self-deter- [email protected]. The following are deadlines for all articles and mination.’ But the issue is whether what This article was fi rst published by the photos for upcoming Reporter issues. is being determined for the self is good Jewish Journal. DEADLINE ISSUE Thursday, March 18 ...... April 1 Thursday, April 1 ...... April 15 Continued from page 1 ICC Thursday, April 15 ...... April 29 targeting both Hamas, an internationally Pro-Israel Christian groups generally recognized terror organization with geno- condemned the ICC decision. CUFI Thursday, April 29 ...... May 13 cide enshrined in its charter, and the IDF, founder and chairman Pastor John Hagee an army recognized for its high moral said it’s clear that the ICC is focused standards in warfare, has dark overtones squarely on fi nding fault with Israel and May this Passover of classic Jew-hatred.” absolving Palestinian terrorism. “The be a time of Chairman Arthur Stark, CEO William only thing more predictable than today’s peace & joy for you Daroff and Malcolm Hoenlein, vice chair- ICC announcement is the outcome of and all those you love. man of the Conference of Presidents of that investigation,” he said. “The ICC Webster Towers Major American Jewish Organizations, has already shown its hand. It conferred said in a statement that “by continuing jurisdiction upon itself and is limiting its these eff orts to weaponize a judicial insti- investigation to events that took place one tution for political purposes, the Palestin- day after three Israeli boys were kidnapped ian Authority infl ames existing tensions and murdered by Hamas terrorists. Like and obstructs the path to peace. The only the Goldstone report and so many inter- solution to the Israeli-Palestinian confl ict national examinations of events in the is direct, bilateral negotiations between region, the ICC will undoubtedly seek to the two parties involved. We call on the fi nd fault with every Israeli act of defense international community to speak out in and seek to forgive every Palestinian act forceful objection to this disgraceful action of aggression.” by the ICC.” International Christian Embassy Jeru- The left-wing Jewish group Americans salem President Jürgen Bühler noted that for Peace Now did not condemn the de- “this indefensible move by the outgoing cision, saying instead that it highlighted ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda is the need for Israel to “end its occupation.” a shocking display of a vanishing moral The group, it said, “sees these develop- conscience within the international com- ments as a sobering reminder for Israel’s munity. This probe completely under- leadership and for the Israeli public that mines the credibility and impartiality of the occupation, the settlements and the the International Criminal Court and only ongoing military rule over a large civilian draws comparison to some of the past population are untenable.” blood libels against the Jewish people.” Check out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or fi nd it on Facebook 4 THE REPORTER ■ MARCH 18, 2021 Jewish resources to occupy your family during social distancing – part 22 BY REPORTER STAFF lori-weintrob-and-rokhl-kafrissen/. ity,” an online discussion with Cantor Identity” that will explore how the new A variety of Jewish groups are offering ‹ The Jewish Book Council will hold Matthew Austerklein, on Thursday, April and the old, Brooklyn Jewish identity online resources – educational and recre- a “Virtual Unpacking the Book: Rachel 15, at 7:30 pm (www.jtsa.edu/cantors-con- spirals back to the Diaspora and forward ational – for those who are not allowed Bloom and Tovah Feldshuh – A Conver- troversy-compassion-austerklein?). to the digital. Speaking will be Bruce out of the house. Below is a sampling of sation Between a (Television) Daughter ‹ Pardes has new classes beginning Feiler, New York Times reporter Joseph those. The Reporter will publish additional and Mother” on Thursday, April 29, in April, including “Opening the Heart Berger, Yiddish performer Eleanor Reissa listings as they become available. from 7-8 pm. The event will include dis- with the Tanya – The book of the Tanya and Rabbi Matt Green of Congregation ‹ Kibbitz Online features classes and cussions of Rachel Bloom’s “I Want to as a guide to harmony of body and soul, Beth Elohim. For more information or events for older adults. Visit https://kib- Be Where the Normal People Are” and of earthliness and spirituality”; “Parsha, to register, visit https://bklynlibrary. bitz-online.myjewishlearning.com/ to see Tovah Feldshuh’s “Lilyville.” It will be Midrash and the Rabbinic Imagination”; zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IU7-tTI- the list of online classes. moderated by Stephanie Butnick, host of “Destruction and Rebirth: The Jewish WTm-5SZgtevJfKQ?ct=t(January+Pro- ‹ The Museum of Jewish Heritage will Tablet’s “Unorthodox” podcast. For more Story from 1938-1948”; “The Long Walk grams+Week+2+(01092018)_COPY_01)&- hold its annual Gathering of Remembrance information or to register, visit www. to Freedom: Pesach to Shavuot, Holocaust goal=0_556fa60cc0-7cc739583b-. on Monday, April 19, at 2 pm, as a vir- jewishbookcouncil.org/events/virtual-un- and Independence Days, through classic ‹ Zivug will hold the virtual class tual event this year. It will be shown on packing-the-book-rachel-bloom-and-to- and modern sources”; “The Writings and “Western Ethics and Jewish Law on the the museum’s Facebook page, YouTube vah-feldshuh-a-conversation. Philosophy of Rabbi Sacks: Arguments 21st Century’s Hardest Questions” on channel and website homepage. For ‹ The Center for Jewish History will for the Sake of Heaven”; “Rabbinic Tuesdays, April 6, 13, 20 and 27, May 4, more information, visit https://mjhnyc. hold “Family Affairs: Writing Parents’ Responses to the Pandemic: Season 2”; 11 and 25, and June 1, from 8-9:30 pm. org/events/new-yorks-annual-gather- Stories,” featuring Bernice Lerner and “A Time to Work on Ourselves: Loving The cost is $120 per person. The class ing-of-remembrance/. Susan Jacobowitz, on Wednesday, April 7, More, Complaining Less; Wisdom from is being offered through Open Circle at ‹ The Hadassah-Brandeis Institute will at 4 pm. Lerner, author of “All the Horrors a Modern Mystic – Rav Kook”; “Jew- Hebrew College. For more information hold several virtual events in March and of War: A Jewish Girl, a British Doctor ish Identity Through Modern Art”; and or to register, www.zivugtogether.org/ April, including “Suffering, Stereotypes, and the Liberation of Bergen-Belsen,” and “The Great Hebrew Poets Series: Leah events/conundrums. and Psychosis: The Representation of Jacobowitz, author of the manuscript “Far Goldberg and Uri Zvi Greenberg.” For ‹ The Collecting These Times website Jewish Femininity in the CW Series from Childhood: A Holocaust Memoir,” more information or to register, visit connects American Jews to Jewish institu- ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’” on Monday, will discuss with Natalia Aleksiun their www.pardes.org.il/program/community/ tions and other collecting projects that can March 22, from 12:30-1:30 pm; “Virtual parents’ interrupted childhoods during the pardes-community-education/. gather and preserve their experiences of Artist Lecture: Camille Eskell | The Fez Holocaust in the Carpathian Mountains. ‹ JScreen, a national public health initia- the pandemic. Individuals can find relevant as Storyteller” on Wednesday, March For more information or to register, tive based out of Emory University School collecting projects through the portal and 24, from 12:30-1:30 pm; “Taking Over visit https://programs.cjh.org/event/ of Medicine’s Department of Human easily contribute materials such as images, the Crown: Camille Eskell’s ‘The Fez as family-affairs-2021-04-07. Genetics, announced a new program that videos, audio recordings, documents and Storyteller’” on Thursday, April 1, from ‹ Hazan has launched The Shmita Prizes, will offer at-home testing for more than oral histories to collecting institutions in 2-3:30 pm; “Books and Babies: Repro- which will award artists and creatives 60 cancer susceptibility genes associated different parts of the U.S. For more infor- ductive Literacy among Haredi Women in – from all levels of experience and age with hereditary risks for breast, ovarian, mation, visit https://collectingthesetimes. Israel” on Tuesday, April 6, from 2-3 pm; groups – for works of art that bring into prostate, colorectal, skin and many other org/s/collecting-these-times/page/home. “Conceiving Motherhood: The Reception focus the relevancy and application of cancers. To learn more about testing op- ‹ The National Museum of Jewish Amer- of Biblical Mothers in the Early Jewish shmita values in the contemporary world. tions, visit https://jscreen.org/. ican History will hold “The Ninth Annual Imagination” on Monday, April 12, from There are five different categories for sub- ‹ The Congress for Jewish Culture will Freedom Seder Revisited: Stories Through 12:30-1:30 pm; “Indomitable Woman: missions. For complete information, visit offer a four-meeting course led by Shane the Years” on Wednesday, March 31, at Feminism in the Poetry of Rosita Kalina https://shmitaproject.org/about-prizes/. Baker exploring the prose works of Av- 8 pm. The event is free with a suggested of Costa Rica” on Wednesday, April 21, ‹ The Jewish Theological Seminary rom Sutzkever, drawn primarily from his $10 donation. The communal event will from 12:30-1:30 pm; “The Crooked and will hold several programs and classes in collection “Di Nevue fun Shvartsapl” feature commemoration, stories, perfor- the Straight: Queer Theory and Rabbinic April, including “All the Horrors of War: (“Prophecy of the Inner Eye”). The mances and a community exploration of Literature” on Monday, April 26, from A Jewish Girl, a British Doctor, and the texts will be read aloud in Yiddish and freedom in America today. The event will 12:30-1:30 pm; and “On Jewish Women’s Liberation of Bergen-Belsen,” an online students will be able to follow along in be available on the museum’s Facebook Writing, HBI Virtual Conversations with conversation with author Dr. Bernice Le- either Yiddish or English translation. The page, its NMAJH website and, for a limited Dr. Nora Gold” on Wednesday, April 28, rner, on Tuesday, April 6, at 7:30 pm (www. classes will take place on Sundays April number on Zoom. (Registration is required from 2-3 pm. For more information, visit jtsa.edu/all-the-horrors-of-war?); “New 11, 18 and 25, and May 2. The class is to receive the Zoom link, but not for the www.brandeis.edu/hbi/events/index.html. Perspectives on Abortion and the Jewish for intermediate to advanced or intrepid other viewing options.) For more informa- ‹ The Museum of Jewish Heritage will Community,” an online mini-course with beginners, and the cost to attend is $100. tion, visit www.nmajh.org/events/9th-an- hold “Heroines of the Holocaust with Lori Dr. Michal Raucher, on Wednesdays, April To register or for more information, e-mail nual-freedom-seder-revisited/. Weintrob and Rokhl Kafrissen” on Wednes- 7, 14 and 21, from 8-9 pm (www.jtsa. [email protected]. For additional resources, see previous day, March 31, at noon. For more infor- edu/new-perspectives-on-abortion?); and ‹ The Center for Brooklyn History will issues of The Reporter on its website, www. mation, visit https://mjhnyc.org/events/ “Cantors, Controversy, and Compassion: hold a virtual talk “Jewish Brooklyn: thereportergroup.org. mjh-live-heroines-of-the-holocaust-with- Searching for God in Musical Complex- NEWS IN BRIEF From JNS.org MyHeritage genealogy website adds millions of Lithuanian Jewish records The Israeli genealogy website MyHeritage announced on March 9 that several millions of Lithuanian Jewish historical records have been added to the website’s database as part of its partnership with a U.S. nonprofit organization. LitvakSIG is the primary online genealogy resource site for Lithuanian Jews, also known as Litvaks. The records in the collection now published by MyHeritage were originally translated and indexed by LitvakSIG and represent almost all of LitvakSIG’s body of work over more than 20 years. The Lithuanian Jewish records are currently searchable for free on the MyHeritage platform; however, a subscription is required to view the full records and access record matches. MyHeritage, the world’s leading platform for discovering family history, has billions of historical records and family-tree profiles. It also has one of the largest consumer DNA databases with 4.8 million customers.

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Pledge or Donate online at www.jewishnepa.org/donate MARCH 18, 2021 ■ THE REPORTER 5 Paula Shoyer’s gift this Passover: “The Instant Pot Kosher Cookbook” BY MARSHALL WEISS 3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil at least 10 minutes. Add the oil, celery, green onions, (The Dayton Jewish Observer via JNS) – Just in 1 stalk celery, chopped into ¼-inch pieces parsley, lemon juice, cumin, salt, pepper and walnuts. time for Passover, kosher cooking maven/author Paula 4 green onions, sliced thinly on an angle Mix well. Shoyer’s “The Instant Pot Kosher Cookbook” is now in 2/3 cup roughly chopped Italian parsley Serve at room temperature. print from Sterling Epicure. With 46 kosher-for-Passover 1 Tbsp. lemon juice, from half of 1 lemon WHOLE PERUVIAN SPICED CHICKEN (MEAT) recipes alone, from soups and salads to appetizers, sides ½ tsp. cumin Serves 4-6 to main courses and desserts – a number of which are ¼ tsp. salt This super-easy spice combination is easy to double vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free – this is the time to ¼ tsp. black pepper or triple, and to have on hand for chicken, steak or fish. pull out that Instant Pot you received as a gift and were 1½ cups walnut halves, chopped roughly The mix of spices comes from our wonderful nanny, Betty afraid to use. Place the quinoa, water and beets into the inner pot Supo. She is from Arequipa, Peru, and has nourished our A pastry chef who trained in France, Shoyer is the and stir. Secure the lid, ensuring that the steam release family for many years. author of “The Kosher Baker,” “The Holiday Kosher handle is in the Sealing position. Press the Pressure Cook Hands-on time: 17 minutes Baker,” “The Healthy Jewish Kitchen” and “The New button and set the cooking time for 0 (zero) minutes. Time to pressure: 10 minutes Passover Menu.” When the cooking time is complete, let sit for 10 Cooking time: 25 minutes She calls the Instant Pot revolutionary – “ideal for minutes to naturally release the pressure. Turn the steam Release type: Natural Release for 15 minutes anyone who wants food fast with less cleanup.” Shoyer release handle to the Venting position to release any Buttons to use: Sauté and Pressure Cook adds that it’s especially helpful “when you already have remaining pressure. Advance prep: May be made two days in advance every burner going and three more pots waiting to take Press Cancel and remove the lid. Stir and then place 4 tsp. cumin See “Cookbook” on page 10 their turn. Now I can check off items on my cooking ‘To the quinoa and beets into a large bowl and let cool for Do’ list much faster with equally fast cleanup in between.” Recipes that used to take hours, she says, now take a fraction of the time. In “The Instant Pot Kosher Cookbook,” Shoyer pro- Online Passover information, music vides detailed directions for how to handle the apparatus, in addition to safety rules and insider tricks. Each recipe indicates Instant Pot pressure time, which buttons to use and events and release type. BY REPORTER STAFF ‹ Tablet Magazine at www.tabletmag.com/sections/ For those who keep kosher, Shoyer says you’ll need Many websites offer information about the Passover holidays/articles/tablet-passover-playlist. at least one pot just for Passover. For year-round use, holiday: ‹ The P. J. Library at https://pjlibrary.org/be- opinions vary among rabbis about whether an Instant ‹ The Orthodox Union at www.ou.org/holidays/. yond-books/pjblog/april-2019/learn-the-songs-in- Pot may be used for both dairy and meat. Though she ‹ Chabad at https://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/ the-passover-haggadah. has different ones for dairy and meat year-round in her default_cdo/jewish/Passover.htm. ONLINE PASSOVER EVENTS: kitchen, she notes that “you should always consult your ‹ Union for Reform Judaism at https://urj.org/ ‹ The organization 18Doors will hold “Seder Cocktails: own rabbinic authority on matters of kashrut.” site-search?search_api_fulltext=Passover. A Treat You Can’t Passover” on Tuesday, March 23, at Here is a full kosher-for-Passover (and gluten-free) ‹ The Jewish Theological Seminary at www.jtsa.edu/ 7:30 pm. The virtual event is aimed for interfaith couples menu from “The Instant Pot Kosher Cookbook.” search/index.php?findtext=Passover. in their 20s and 30s. It will feature two kosher-for-Pass- GEORGIAN QUINOA WITH BEETS AND ‹ My Jewish Learning at www.myjewishlearning. over cocktails inspired by the flavors of the seder plate: WALNUTS (VEGAN/PAREVE) com/?s=Passover. Charoset Sangria and a Karpas Margarita. There is no Serves 6-8 ‹ RitualWell offers readings for the seder at www. cost to attend. For more information or to register, visit In the summer of 2018, food writer Jessica Halfin ritualwell.org/passover. https://18doors.org/event/national-2021-03-seder-cock- took me on a kosher street food tour of Haifa, Israel, and ‹ Kveller offers articles for families with children at tails-a-treat-you-cant-passover-online/. we shot a video of the tour. She took me to bakeries, a https://www.kveller.com/?s=passover. ‹ Artists Standing Strong Together will host a live boureka place and a fruit shop. My favorite savory stop PASSOVER MUSIC SUGGESTIONS FOR THE virtual storytelling event, “Food and Freedom: Passover was Baribcek, a small restaurant where I tasted this salad. HOLIDAY: in Stories,” on Thursday, April 1, at 6:30 pm. The event They also serve a sabich bowl of warm hummus, fried ‹ Google at www.google.com/search?client=fire- features storytellers Cindy Rivka Marshall, Mark Binder, eggplant, chickpeas and tahini that rocked my world. fox-b-1-d&q=passover+music. Muriel Horowitz and Dr. Harriette E. Wimms, among Hands-on time: 5 minutes, quinoa and beets need 10 ‹ Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/playlist/59gxfh- others. To register for the event, visit www.artistsstand- minutes to cool QTeSsaXg4FaYc2px. ingstrongtogether.net/passover-show. Time to pressure: 8 to 9 minutes ‹ Youtube at www.youtube.com/results?search_que- Cooking time: 0 minutes ry=passover+songs. Button to use: Pressure Cook ‹ The Reform Movement at https://reformjudaism.org/ Release type: Natural Release for 10 minutes jewish-holidays/passover/song-playlists-your-passover- Advance prep: May be made two days in advance seder. 1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained ‹ Chabad at www.chabad.org/multimedia/media_cdo/ May you and 1½ cups water aid/255527/jewish/Passover-Songs.htm. your family have 1 medium beet, peeled and cut into ¼- to 1/3-inch ‹ Milken Archives at www.milkenarchive.org/articles/ a joyous Pesach pieces (wear gloves) view/passover-music-for-the-favorite-family-ritual/. ON THE JEWISH FOOD SCENE Coconut cookies for Passover Happy Passover BY RABBI RACHEL ESSERMAN company, Absolutely Gluten Free, offers gluten free, -Doris Koloski and family Several years ago, I attended a Passover dessert cook- kosher (certified by the Orthodox Union as kosher ing class at my synagogue. We broke into small groups pareve for Passover), dairy free, vegan and all natural to make three or four different desserts, all of which we “Grain Free Coconut Chews,” which are made in a Have a Joyous Passover tasted afterward. The chef who taught us looked at me peanut-free facility. The individually wrapped chews a little strangely when I said I was never going to make contain sulfite-free raw coconut and are dipped in semi- any of the recipes at home. (She probably wondered why sweet chocolate. The new flavors are key lime (which I was there if I wasn’t interested in cooking. If she’d offered a very strong blast of key lime) and blueberry asked, I would have told her that I enjoyed spending time (which, although I didn’t get a great deal of blueberry with the women in my Sisterhood and certainly wasn’t flavor, were my favorite). The original flavors, which I going to complain about an event that included food.) have not tried, are cranberry and chocolate. Rabbi Rachel The dessert my group made was coconut macaroons and, What’s fun is that the chews remind me of one of my Esserman while they were pretty tasty, I’ve never made them again. favorite childhood foods. My grandparents spent a few That means if I want a dessert with my Passover meals, months every winter in Florida. Of course, they sent us I either have to depend on the kindness of friends who the obligatory package of citrus fruit. While I love oranges bake or look for ready-made desserts in the grocery store. and grapefruit, we always had those in our refrigerator When I was young, there were two kinds of desserts on so they weren’t a special treat. What we didn’t have, the table: canned macaroons or my mom’s kosher for though, were the coconut patties that were included with Passover sponge cake. (I have no idea where the recipe each shipment. Those patties consisted of a flat coconut for that cake is.) My older brother’s birthday sometimes cookie dipped in dark chocolate. These new chews are fell during the holiday so that was his birthday cake. Over basically a healthier variation of those patties. the past decade, there have been an increasing number So, if you don’t make your own Passover desserts and of kosher for Passover desserts available in stores that are looking for something a little different, these coco- mimic regular non-Passover desserts. And each year, nut chews are a nice change of pace from the standard companies compete to make new and interesting ones. canned macaroon. Anyone who needs a dessert with no So, I was pleased to get an e-mail about two new dairy, no eggs and no gluten, and which is all natural, variations of kosher for Passover coconut cookies. The will find these cookies a great match. ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 6 THE REPORTER ■ MARCH 18, 2021 Landmark Continued from page 1 A 2005 petition put before the court accept the rulings of the private courts demanded citizenship for several of other streams. If Israel, as a liberal non-Israeli nationals who converted in state, takes equality as a value seriously, Israel and wished to claim citizenship it must give equal weight to different under Israel’s “Law of Return.” The streams of Judaism.” Knesset could not arrive at a conclu- Rabbi David Stav, co-founder and sion due to disagreements between the chairman of the Tzohar Rabbinical ultra-Orthodox and non-ultra-Ortho- Organization, seemed to agree with dox lawmakers. Stern, telling JNS the decision “is not Nevertheless, while the political and dramatic,” and only applies to those social ramifications of the decision are Israeli Supreme Court President Esther Hayut and Supreme Court justices arrived to petition who are already married and living in significant, the Reform and Conserva- against the Jewish Nation-State Law at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem on December 22. Israel. “We are talking about maybe tive movements in Israel, unlike in the (Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90) 30 to 40 people [per year],” he said. Diaspora, are relatively small. “Nothing much is going to change as Yedidia Stern, president and CEO of the Jewish nine million citizens are widely diverse and many are a consequence of the decision. People Policy Institute and a member of the Faculty of not Jewish. “What will change is the direction,” he said. “The Law at Israel’s Bar-Ilan University, told JNS that “from a Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef said the court’s Supreme Court is telling the state it has lost patience practical point of view, this decision is almost negligible decision “is very unfortunate and seriously undermines and is not waiting for it to make a decision.” because we are talking about 30 to 40 people a year. It’s the integrity of Israel.” The court has signaled that because lawmakers have not a big deal.” “What the Reform and Conservative call ‘conversion’ failed to act for 15 years on a law regarding non-Ortho- The Union for Reform Judaism welcomed the de- is nothing but a falsification of Judaism,” he said, warning dox conversions. The problem, according to Stav, is that cision, saying it “reflects the diversity and vibrancy of that this decision could lead to thousands of non-Jews the haredi parties “want the authority for conversion Jewish life in Israel and around the world. ... We hope considering themselves Jews when according to Jewish given to very few people who belong to [their] fold and this ruling establishes a precedent that will lead to further law, they would not be. do not accept any diversity among the rabbis carrying recognition of the Reform and Conservative movements For haredi Jews in Israel, the decision is problematic out conversions.” in Israel,” it said in a statement on its website. since they believe that converts and their descendants Tzohar blamed the haredim for their refusal to relin- Similarly, Masorti Movement head Rakefet Ginsberg would not be considered Jewish; as such, it could cause quish their monopoly on conversions, saying “we will praised the court’s decision, describing it as “just, un- future problems if they want to marry a Jewish person have no one else to blame but those who were opposed derstandable and clear. There is more than one way to who, according to halachah (Jewish law), can only to dialogue for allowing this to occur. be a Jew in Israel.” marry another Jew. “Those very power-brokers who seek control over Yet there are concerns that the decision could lead to Stern, who said that the decision was a “necessary Israeli conversions completely based on their limited an increase in non-Jews seeking conversion to Judaism and obvious ruling for Israel as well as for the Jew- worldviews without any desire for dialogue are the ones as a means to gain citizenship in Israel. ish people,” also told JNS that “the important thing completely responsible for this decision,” the rabbinical The decision has caused a furor among Israel’s hared- is the Supreme Court made a decision symbolically organization said in a statement, adding, “this process im, who maintain that only their representatives in the recognizing the authority of non-Orthodox rabbis to must be open to accepting the wider approaches to religious courts who abide by their stringent approach decide who is a Jew for the purpose of the Law of conversion that are wholly possible within the norms to Judaism should be allowed to perform conversions. Return. Symbolically, it is important. Practically, it of” Jewish law.” Israel’s Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi David Lau said that is not a big deal. Stav suggested opening conversion to different types those who converted to Judaism in a Reform conversion “As the nation-state of the Jewish people,” continued of rabbis with local city rabbis and rabbinical councils and the like “are not Jews. No High Court decision of Stern, “anyone who is willing to become a Jew and con- being given the ability to carry out conversions. He also any kind will change this fact. It is unfortunate that vert by any recognized stream – Reform, Conservative noted that this would alleviate a bigger problem in Israel. the court in its decision approves the flooding of the or Orthodox – must be allowed to gain citizenship. “Instead of talking about these 40 people,” said Stav, “we state of Israel with immigrants who have nothing to “The Supreme Court has already accepted conversion should talk about the 400,000 Russian immigrants who do with Judaism.” by private Orthodox courts,” he noted. “Once the state are still waiting for their conversion since most do not It remains unclear what he meant by that, as Israel’s accepted the legitimacy of one private court, it must want to convert under the current situation.”

The Federation is asking members of its communities to support its “Friends of The Reporter” Campaign which seeks to raise $5,000 to assist in funding the newspaper. 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. The Reporter is the primary intercommunal newspaper of the Jewish communities of Lackawanna, Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties. Supplementing synagogue newsletters, bulletins and e-mails, The Reporter is issued to hundreds of Jewish households throughout our region. Over the past several years, the publishing cost of the newspaper has increased dramatically although the newspaper continues to be provided at no charge to members of our Jewish communities in northeastern Pennsylvania. The Federation has assumed the financial responsibility of funding the newspaper at a cost of $23,990 per year and asks only that its readers assist it in raising $5,000 as part of its “Friends of The Reporter” Campaign to offset a small share of these expenses. Your gift to fund our regional Jewish newspaper matters a great deal to our readers and we would be very grateful for your finan- cial support. 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 MARCH 18, 2021 ■ THE REPORTER 7 Israeli-Swedish ocean-wave energy producer wins UAE Global Innovation Award BY ISRAEL HAYOM STAFF clude three new categories, each dedicated to a different (Israel Hayom via JNS) – Swedish-Israeli wave sustainable development goal: Sustainable Cities, Re- energy developer Eco Wave Power won the public sponsible Consumption and Production, and Life Below voting for the Global Innovation Award in the “Life Water, which EWP won. Under Water” category at Abu Dhabi Sustainability A total of 113 applicants from 23 countries have Week for its solution to generate clean electricity from been chosen to proceed to the next round, based on their the ocean and sea waves, the company announced on companies’ ability to present innovative solutions to February 22. pressing sustainability challenges; their alignment with EWP is recognized as a “Pioneering Technology” the sustainability objectives of the UAE Vision 2021; and by Israel’s Energy Ministry and has been designated an how relevant the solutions are for the UAE. Six entries “Efficient Solution” by the Solar Impulse Foundation. Eco Wave Power technology in action. (Photo by Eco have been shortlisted for the main award. An EWP project in Gibraltar received funding from the Wave Power) Emirati Climate Change and Environment Minister European Union Regional Development Fund and from Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi said: “The UAE is firmly the European Commission’s HORIZON2020 framework Water. Under its redefined scope, the ministry has taken committed to innovation and sustainability. Innovation program. The company has also been given the United on a dual mandate, aiming to strengthen the UAE’s ef- plays a vital role in delivering on the eight pillars of UAE Nations’ Climate Action Award. forts in preserving the environment and promoting food environmental policy. Therefore, we welcome innovators Sponsored by the United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of diversity, and to take part in combating climate change and entrepreneurs whose creativity and experience can Climate Change and Environment, the award is designed on the global level. go a long way in advancing the country’s sustainable to attract innovations from around the world to the Unit- A record number of entrants applied for the 2021 development, and the Global Innovation Award provides ed Arab Emirates. The UAE established the ministry award – more than 1,200 candidates from 65 countries. an ideal platform to highlight this approach.” in February 2006 as the Ministry of Environment and This year, the scope of the award was expanded to in- This article first appeared in Israel Hayom. In tech first, robot uses dead locust’s ear to hear BY NAAMA BARAK the sense of smell, for example, where the challenge is (Israel21c via JNS) – In a scientific breakthrough, much greater,” explained TAU researcher Ben M. Maoz. Israeli researchers have for the first time succeeded in “Our task was to replace the robot’s electronic microphone using a locust ear as a robot’s sensor. The result: a robot with a dead insect’s ear, use the ear’s ability to detect the that moves forward when you clap once and back when electrical signals from the environment – in this case, you clap twice. vibrations in the air – and, using a special chip, convert The researchers from Tel Aviv University sought to the insect input to that of the robot.” examine how biological systems could be integrated The principle they demonstrated can be used and into technological ones. They first built a robot that can applied to other senses, such as smell, sight and touch, respond to signals it receives from the environment. Then he added. “For example, some animals have amazing they isolated a dead locust’s ear and kept it functional A locust’s ear integrated into a technological system abilities to detect explosives or drugs; the creation of a long enough to connect it to the robot. Finally, they were to allow a robot to hear. (Photo courtesy of Tel Aviv robot with a biological nose could help us preserve human able to pick up the signals received by the locust’s ear University) life and identify criminals in a way that is not possible in a way that could be used by the robot. today. Some animals know how to detect diseases. Others Their findings were recently published in the Sensors “We chose the sense of hearing because it can be can sense earthquakes. The sky’s the limit.” journal. easily compared to existing technologies, in contrast to This article was first published by Israel21c.

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Authorized signatureDate MARK SILVERBERG AND DASSY GANZ, CO-CHAIRS OF THE 2021 UJA CAMPAIGN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 8 THE REPORTER ■ MARCH 18, 2021 D’VAR TORAH ABINGTON TORAH CENTER Rabbi Dovid Saks President: Richard Rutta The secret of the small aleph Jewish Heritage Connection BY RABBI BARUCH BINYAMIN HAKOHEN words, yes, Hashem wishes us to draw close via animals. 601 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, PA 18510 MELMAN, TEMPLE ISRAEL OF THE POCONOS Just as lighting the menorah on Shabbat was a positive 570-346-1321 • website: www.jewishheritageconnection.org Vayikra, Leviticus 1:1-5:26 commandment only for the Temple Mount, but not any- Sunday morning minyan 8:15 am at Elan Gardens, where else, so, too, the drawing near to God via animals 465 Vernard Rd., Clarks Summit, PA What are the real measures of greatness? How is true character understood? Is leadership defined solely should be taken literally only on the Temple Mount. BETH SHALOM CONGREGATION by power or, more importantly, by moral example? The Anywhere else we should use animals only through the Rabbi: TBA word for general or chieftain in Hebrew is aluph. The emulation of their nature in our everyday Divine service. 1025 Vine St., Scranton, PA 18510 (corner of Vine & Clay Ave.) elephant is so called that on account of him being the So, let us learn from the elephant that true nobility is 570-346-0502 • fax: 570-346-8800 aluph (elephant) of the jungle. exemplified in acts of caring, compassion and concern. Weekday - Shacharit: Sun. 8am; Mon., Thurs. & Rosh Chodesh While the lion may in fact be the king of the jungle, This is the overarching message of the prophets of Israel. 6:30 am; Tue., Wed. & Fri. 6:45 am; Sat. & holidays 8:45 am. the elephant, by dint of his huge size, is indisputably the It is also said that the small aleph alludes to the necessary Mincha during the week is approx. 10 minutes before sunset, chief. And more than his size accounts for his greatness. quality of humility in leadership. Arrogance only invites following by Maariv. His capacity for kindness and concern for the members repugnance, and is the least admirable quality in a leader. CHABAD OF THE ABINGTONS/ of his extended family are the real measures of his great- Elephants don’t travel in flocks. They travel in dis- JEWISH DISCOVERY CENTER ness. If one stumbles or falls, the herd rallies around the tinct family units within larger clans. This is the way Rabbi Benny Rapoport wounded comrade and nurses him to health. No one is of Israel, emphasizing the core centrality of the loving President: Richard I. Schwartz left behind. Rare is the elephant who is abandoned to fate. family unit within the idea of loyalty to the larger tribe 216 Miller, Rd., Clarks Summit, PA 18411 In this week’s parasha, Vayikra, we are struck by the (or people). Just as the elephant radiates love from the 570-587-3300 • JewishNEPA.com/minyan fact that the finalaleph in vayikra, the opening word of inside to the outside, from the family to the clan to the Weekly service for Shabbat and all Jewish holidays the parasha, is smaller than the other letters. The para- herd, so, too, may we come to radiate our love for God Kabbalat Shabbat at sundown (summer at 7 pm) sha so overtly consumed with the details of sacrificial and His creatures from the inside to the outside. Saturday mornings: 9:30 am, Kiddush 11:30 am offerings, it is subtly telling us in code that if we are More than God seeks sacrifices, He seeks that we Call for more information. looking to the animal kingdom to search for conduits to follow His Torah and teachings regarding real concern CHABAD LUBAVITCH OF THE POCONOS connect with divinity, we should really look no further for the children and for the welfare of the poor and the Rabbi Mendel Bendet than the beginning – to the letter aleph. disenfranchised. The haftarah reminds us how God 570-420-8655 • website: www.chabadpoconos.com Adam, who named all the animals, deeply saw their es- actually despises meticulous rituals and sacrifices when Please contact us for schedules and locations. sential natures when giving them their names. Puk chazi! they are accompanied by a disregard for His teachings of kindness, compassion and morality. CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL Go and see! See how the animals live. The elephant can Affiliation: Union for Reform Judaism strongly stand his ground and yet be gentle and caring. May we first love and heal ourselves and our families. Rabbi Elliott Kleinman There is a talmudic concept called sagi nahor, by Only then can we love and heal the whole world. As the President: Liza Roos Lucy which a thing is suggested by referring to its opposite. great sage Hillel taught, “Im eyn ani li mu li, us’she’ani Contact person: Cheryl Badner, Congregation Administrator Sagi nahor means “abundant light,” a delicate reference l’atzmi mah mi, ve’im eye achshav eymatai?” “If I am 615 Court St., Honesdale, PA 18431 to one who is blind. Similarly, the repugnant notion of not for myself, then who will be for me. But if I am only 570-253-2222 • fax: 570-226-1105 cursing God is only referred to by its opposite. Therefore, for myself, then what (kind of person) am I? And if not in talmudic literature, cursing God is usually referred to now, then when?” CONGREGATION B’NAI HARIM as “blessing” Him! So perhaps, then, the parasha, which In other words, perhaps the greatest strength is kind- Affiliation: Union for Reform Judaism ness. Shabbat Shalom! Rabbi Peg Kershenbaum is teaching us to reach God via affinity with animals, is President: Stacy Mitgang referring to the largest of animals all the while using the © 2021 by Rabbi Baruch Binyamin ben Yisrael P.O. Box 757, Sullivan Rd., Pocono Pines, PA 18350 (located small form of the aleph to suggest its opposite. In other Yehoshua HaKohen Melman at Rt. 940 and Pocono Crest Road at Sullivan Trail) 570-646-0100 • website: www.bnaiharimpoconos.org Shabbat morning services 10 am-noon; every other Saturday, King David-era fort unearthed in Golan Potluck Shabbat Dinner with blessings and program of varying topics, one Friday every month - call for schedule. BY JNS STAFF (JNS) – A fortified building complex from the time of JEWISH FELLOWSHIP OF HEMLOCK FARMS King David has been discovered in the southern Golan Rabbi: Johanan Bickhardt Heights, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced on President: Dan Marcus November 11. The archaeologists who uncovered the 540 Forest Dr., 1516 Hemlock Farms, Lords Valley, PA 18428 complex during IAA excavations in Moshav Haspin 570-775-7497 • e-mail: [email protected] assess that it was a fort built by the Kingdom of Geshur Friday evening Shabbat service 8 pm (Iron Age, 11th-10th centuries B.C.E.). Saturday morning Shabbat service 9:30 am The excavation – conducted ahead of the construc- MACHZIKEH HADAS SYNAGOGUE tion of a new neighborhood in Haspin – was carried out Rabbi Mordechai Fine predominantly by residents of Haspin and nearby Nov, President: Moshe Fink in addition to youth from the pre-military academies at 600 Monroe Ave., Scranton, PA 18510 Natur, Kfar Hanassi, El Rom, Metzar and Katzrin. It was 570-342-6271 funded by Israel’s Housing and Construction Ministry OHEV ZEDEK CONGREGATION and the Golan Regional Council. Rabbi Mordechai Fine According to IAA excavation directors Barak Tzin and Ofri Eitan of the Kfar Hanasi pre-military academy 1432 Mulberry St., Scranton, PA 18510 Enno Bron, the fortified structure was built strategically on sat next to the engraved stone at the site of the ancient a hilltop above the Nahal El Al Reserve and encompassed fortified building complex uncovered in the Golan TEMPLE HESED by 5-foot-thick walls made of basalt boulders. “In the ex- Affiliation: Union for Reform Judaism Heights in November. (Photo by Tidhar Moav/Israel cavation, we were astonished to make a rare and exciting Antiquities Authority) Rabbi Daniel J. Swartz find: a large basalt stone with a schematic engraving of Co-Presidents: Esther Adelman, Cheryl Friedman & Steve Seitchik two horned figures with outspread arms,” they said. 1 Knox St., Scranton, PA 18505 (Off Lake Scranton Rd.) the House of David and that one of David’s wives was 570-344-7201 • website: www.TempleHesed.org The IAA noted that a similar horned figure with Maacah, the daughter of Talmi, king of Geshur. E-mail: [email protected] outstretched arms was discovered on a cultic stone According to the IAA, while cities of the Kingdom First Friday Shabbat 6pm, other Fridays 8 pm; Chanting stele – uncovered last year during the Bethsaida Expe- of Geshur, such as Tel En Gev, Tel Hadar and Tel Sorag, Circle Saturdays at 11:30 am dition Project, just north of the Sea of Galilee – next are known to have existed along the shores of the Sea to a raised platform adjacent to the city gate. Since the of Galilee, hardly any such sites from the Iron Age have TEMPLE ISRAEL OF DUNMORE Haspin stone was situated on a shelf next to the fort’s been found in the Golan Heights. The discovery of the Contact person: Jay Schectman, 570-954-9354 entrance, with two such horned figures depicted on it, Haspin complex is thus spurring new research in the area. 515 East Drinker St., Dunmore, PA 18512 the archaeologists speculated that “a person who saw The discovery has also led to changes in the construc- Saturday morning Shabbat 7:30 am, also services for Yizkor the impressive Bethsaida stele [may have] decided to tion plan for the new neighborhood in Haspin, to prevent TEMPLE ISRAEL OF THE POCONOS create a local copy of [it].” damage to the ancient complex – the surroundings of Affiliation: United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism The IAA explained that Bethsaida, a fortified city, is which will be developed along the El Al River’s bank Rabbi Baruch Melman • President: Shell Farber considered by scholars to have been the capital of the for open-air educational archaeological activities. This 711 Wallace St., Stroudsburg, PA 18360 Aramean Kingdom of Geshur, which ruled the central endeavor aligns with the policy that “learning the past (one block off Rt. 191 (5th Street) at Avenue A) and southern Golan 3,000 years ago. The Bible recounts through experiencing work in the field strengthens the 570-421-8781 • website: www.templepoconos.org that the kingdom enjoyed diplomatic relations with young generation’s bonds with their roots,” said the IAA. E-mail: [email protected] Friday evening Shabbat 6 pm; Saturday morning Shabbat 10:30 am TEMPLE ISRAEL OF SCRANTON Affiliation: United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Rabbi: Rabbi Miriam Spitzer Cantor: Vladimir Aronzon • President: Howard Spizer 918 East Gibson St., Scranton, PA 18510 (located at the corner of Gibson & Monroe Sts.) 570-342-0350 • e-mail: [email protected] Mon. & Thurs. 7:15 am; Tues., Wed. & Fri. 7:25 am; Rosh Chodesh & Chagim weekdays, 7 am; Shabbat morning service 9:30 am MARCH 18, 2021 ■ THE REPORTER 9 U.S. NEWS IN BRIEF From JNS.org District Court, Toms River will modify its zoning code the episode “South ParQ Vaccination Special,” which Blinken says Abraham Accords are to reduce the “minimum acreage” required for a house launched on March 10, characters are seen trying to get a of worship from 10 acres to two acres; treat houses of COVID-19 vaccination. One man who is tired of waiting “something we want to build on” worship comparable to other nonreligious places of as- says that “you now in Israel they vaccinate everybody. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on March 10 sembly, including funeral homes and private clubs; and Israel is way cooler than this lame place,” to which he is complimented the Trump administration for the Abraham train township officials and employees about RLUIPA told, “so then go to Israel.” “I tried,” the man responds. “I Accords that normalized relations with Israel and several requirements and how to respond to RLUIPA complaints. couldn’t get in.” Later in the episode, an “Israel Airlines” Gulf states and Muslim nations. Blinken was testifying Attorney Marci Hamilton, who is an expert in RLUIPA plane lands in front of the “South Park” school. When the before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on the Biden litigation and had been retained by Toms River to deal doors open, a man starts throwing out boxes full of the administration’s foreign-policy agenda when U.S. Rep. with the Justice Department’s complaint, addressed the vaccine. Characters, including one wearing a yarmulke, Darrell Issa (R-CA) asked him what he thinks his predeces- Township Council on March 9 prior to their vote on are then seen injecting themselves with the vaccine. sor, Mike Pompeo, did correctly. In his response, Blinken entering into an agreement with the DOJ. As Hamilton UCLA student gov’t passes resolution referenced technological advances and the U.S.-brokered told the council members, “the Justice Department was Abraham Accords. “Trying to help bring the State De- right – 2017 was not Toms River’s best moment.” She accusing Israel of “ethnic cleansing” partment into the 21st century, the use of technology and added that the DOJ “was going to come down with The student government at the University of California, empowering some of our people with technology, [which hammer” on the township based on its findings. Not ev- Los Angeles passed a resolution on March 3 that claimed Israel is] something we really want to follow through,” he said. eryone is pleased with the agreement. Town Councilman is engaged in the “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians. Titled “A “And as we were talking about earlier, I think the initiatives Daniel Rodrick, who was the only council member to Resolution Calling for the UC to Divest from War,” it urged that led to steps by countries to normalize relations with vote against the agreement, told a local newspaper that the academic institution “to sever itself from companies that Israel were a very good thing and something we want to the township should have continued its fight against the engage or aid in the oppression of any people” and called on build on.” The U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords between DOJ. On the other side, a group called the Toms River the school to divest from Israel’s “war industry.” It also stated Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain were signed Jewish Community Council issued a statement claiming that divestment is a tactic in fighting against injustices, such as on Sept. 15 in Washington, DC. Sudan and Morocco that the settlement “falls short” of its goal to “alleviate “South African apartheid” and the alleged “ethnic cleansing in followed suit just months afterward. the burden on the Orthodox Jewish community’s ability Palestine by the Israeli government.” The resolution supports Justice Dept. reaches agreement with NJ to freely exercise its religious freedoms” because it does an older resolution passed by the UCLA student government in 2014 that promotes the BDS movement. Aaron Ahdoot, town over religious zoning bias not account for those areas where the community cannot find large-enough parcels of land to build synagogues. president of Bruins for Israel Public Affairs Committee at The U.S. Department of Justice reached an agreement Residents of “South Park” get vaccinated UCLA, told the Jewish Journal that the resolution was passed on March 9 with the township of Toms River, NJ, stem- unanimously. “We had no idea this resolution was coming ming from allegations that the town’s zoning laws had for COVID, courtesy of Israel up and were not alerted by anyone ahead of time,” he said. unfairly targeted Jewish houses of worship and violated the Just weeks after “Saturday Night Live” aired a “news” “The language of the resolution was not released ahead of federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons segment that said Israel was only vaccinating the “Jewish the council meeting, making it impossible for any of the Act. The Justice Department had put Toms River officials half” of the country, another comedic television program, students to speak out on it.” Rabbi Aaron Lerner, executive on notice back in September that they had completed an “South Park,” is being praised for its take on Israel’s director of Hillel at UCLA, wrote in an e-mail to community investigation into allegations that the town’s zoning rules vaccination program. “Hey NBCSNL, this is how you members that the resolution “follows the familiar pattern of placed unreasonable burdens on the growing Orthodox do pandemic humor when it comes to Israel,” tweeted seeking to delegitimize Israel within broader language. The Jewish population in the township. Particularly problem- Gilad Erdan, Israel’s ambassador to the United States resolution was deliberately hidden from Jewish students, atic was a 2017 change to the zoning requirements that and the United Nations, with a clip from the cartoon. In preventing them from engaging in the debate.” houses of worship needed to be built on properties of at least 10 acres. “Federal law protects religious communi- ties against unequal treatment and unwarranted burdens,” said Rachael A. Honig, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey. “Zoning regulations that impose unreasonable restrictions or prevent religious faiths from having a place to worship violate RLUIPA. Through the resolution entered today, this office takes another step to put an end to unlawful zoning practices and vindicate the civil rights of minority religious communities in … New Jersey.” Orthodox Jews from the heavily populated town of Lakewood, NJ, have been migrating to neighborhoods in Toms River in recent years. However, they have been largely unable to build Jewish institutions in the township because of the existing zoning requirements. As part of the agreement, which needs to be approved by the U.S.

Envoy Continued from page 3 words of the Bible so close to its heart and has experienced extreme persecution and prejudice over many centuries, but remained resilient, and most importantly, hopeful.” He also met with Ronnie Leet, coordinator of the Selma Jewish community that is now down to three members working to preserve their 121-year-old historic synagogue building. In Montgomery, stops included the Rosa Parks Museum, the Equal Justice Initiative and the Lynching Memorial. Erdan said the trip “moved me profoundly, and I hope it will allow me to better engage with the community and build stronger ties on behalf of the state of Israel.” His goal was “to listen, learn and connect with all parts of American society, and I believe that God guides us to these points in our lives.” He recalled his bar mitzvah Torah portion, which included the section where God created humanity in his image, saying “the understanding that all people are created equal has guided me through my life.” Added Erdan: “Uniting Jews and black Americans, and getting to know one another better, will empower the holy struggle against racism and hatred.” During the visits, Erdan also met with Govs. Henry McMaster of South Carolina and Kay Ivey of Alabama, discussing “ways to increase cooperation between Israel and their great states.” Ivey told him that since she visited Israel several years ago, “my Christmas and Easter celebrations have more meaning than ever.” Erdan became Israel’s ambassador to the United States in January, adding to his continuing role as ambassador to the United Nations, which he assumed last September. “Our connection with the African-American commu- nity must be strong and deep, and I believe it will have great meaning in the common fight against racism and anti-Semitism,” Erdan announced at the end of the trip. “I’ll do anything for this to happen.” ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 10 THE REPORTER I MARCH 18, 2021 Cookbook Continued from page 5 1 Tbsp. paprika SPAGHETTI SQUASH WITH FRESH CHERRY When the squash cooking time is complete, turn 2 tsp. garlic powder TOMATO SAUCE (VEGAN/PAREVE) the steam release handle to the Venting position ¼ tsp. salt Serves 6-8 to quickly release the pressure. Press Cancel and ¼ tsp. black pepper I try very hard not to waste produce. This recipe remove the lid. 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided was created when I had fading cherry tomatoes in my Use a large fork to lift up the squash halves into a 1 whole chicken, about 3-4 lbs. fridge that needed to be used up. Try to fi nd ways to colander and let cool for 2 minutes, or until you can 1 cup boiling water cook ingredients you already have before going out to handle them; I lift them with a dishtowel. Use the fork 1 Tbsp. potato starch buy more. I realize that this recipe has a step outside of to scrape the threads of the squash into the frying pan. In a small bowl, combine the cumin, paprika, garlic the Instant Pot, but my goal was to have the sauce ready Turn the sauce back on to medium heat. Use a fork to powder, salt and pepper. Drizzle one tablespoon of the by the time the squash was cooked. mix the squash into the sauce. oil over the chicken and rub to coat. Shake the spice Hands-on time: 15 minutes When it is all mixed in, cook for 2 minutes. Taste and mixture onto the chicken and rub all over. Time to pressure: 6 minutes add more salt, if needed. Press Sauté and when the display reads “Hot,” add Cooking time: 9 minutes MOCHA LAVA CAKES (DAIRY OR PAREVE) the remaining oil. Place the chicken into the inner pot, Button to use: Pressure Cook Serves 6 breast-side down, and cook for four minutes or until Release type: Quick Release Lava cakes are probably one of the most popular browned. Turn over and brown for another 4 minutes. Advance prep: May be made two days in advance desserts served at events I attend. Everyone loves the Remove the chicken to a plate. 1 cup water cake outside and gooey inside. Because most recipes are Add the boiling water to the pot and use a wooden 1 spaghetti squash, about 2½ lbs., cut in half horizon- designed for the cakes to be eaten very soon after they spoon to scrape the bottom of the pot clean. Place the tally and seeds scooped out come out of the oven, lava cakes aren’t Shabbat-friendly. steam rack into the pot and place the chicken on the 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil Purely by accident, I created these. I unmolded one and rack, breast-side up. Secure the lid, ensuring that the 3 large cloves garlic, fi nely minced found it much too gooey, which meant I had to test it steam release handle is in the Sealing position. Press 2 lbs. cherry tomatoes, diff erent colors preferably, again. I left the others on my counter and unmolded them the Pressure Cook button and set the cooking time for halved the long way after dinner, many hours later, and found the texture 25 minutes. ¼ tsp. kosher salt perfect. You can make these before Shabbat and enjoy When the cooking time is complete, let the pot sit Generous pinch Aleppo pepper or freshly ground them for dessert or make them in advance of any dinner for another 15 minutes to naturally release the pressure. black pepper party or event. Turn the steam release handle to the Venting position to Place the water into the inner pot and insert the steam Hands-on time: 12 minutes to cook in batches, plus release any remaining pressure. Press Cancel. rack. Place the squash halves on top of the rack. 30 minutes to cool Remove the lid, take out the chicken and place onto Secure the lid, ensuring that the steam release handle Time to pressure: 7 minutes a serving platter. Press Sauté and cook the drippings for is in the Sealing position. Press the Pressure Cook button Cooking time: 7 minutes 4 minutes or more to reduce the sauce. and set the cooking time for 9 minutes. Button to use: Pressure Cook To thicken the sauce further, you can scoop up about Meanwhile, in a large frying pan, heat the oil over Release type: Quick Release ¼ cup of the drippings into a small bowl, add the potato medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for one minute or Advance prep: May be made 4 hours in advance starch, mix and return to the pot and stir. until a few pieces start to color. Add the tomatoes and 7 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped Cut the chicken into serving pieces. Pour some sauce continue cooking for 7 to 9 minutes, or until most of the ½ cup coconut oil, margarine or butter over the chicken and serve the remaining sauce in a tomatoes break down and you have a sauce. 2 Tbsp., plus 1 tsp., instant coff ee granules bowl alongside. If you make this the day before you Stir occasionally. The mixture should bubble the 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract are serving it, you can remove the fat from the reserved entire time. Add the salt and pepper, and turn off 1 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa sauce before reheating. the heat. 2 large eggs, plus 2 yolks ½ cup sugar 1/3 cup potato starch Spray oil 1 cup, plus 2 Tbsp. water, divided You will need six 6-ounce ramekins. Place the choco- P A C E late and coconut oil into a heatproof bowl and microwave for 1 minute, stir and then melt for another 45 seconds, Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment stir and then melt for 30 seconds, if needed. Add the instant coff ee, vanilla and cocoa, and whisk in. Place the eggs, egg yolks and sugar into a large mix- Your gift to the Annual Campaign ing bowl. Use an electric mixer to mix at low speed to combine and then turn the speed up to high and beat for DOES A WORLD OF GOOD. 3 minutes. Add the potato starch and beat at low speed to just combine. Add the melted chocolate mixture and Endowing your gift allows you to be there for the whisk gently until combined. Jewish community of NEPA forever. Spray the ramekins with spray oil. Divide the batter among the prepared ramekins, a heaping half-cup for each mold. A Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment (PACE) is a permanent fund that endows Place the water into the inner pot and insert the steam your Jewish community Annual Campaign gift as a lasting legacy. A PACE fund will rack. Place three of the ramekins in a circle around the continue to make an annual gift in perpetuity on your behalf. rack. Secure the lid, ensuring that the steam release handle To determine the amount you need to endow your entire campaign gift, multiply your current is in the Sealing position. Press the Pressure Cook button annual gift by 20. and set the cooking time for seven minutes. When the You can fund your PACE by adding the JEWISH FEDERATION OF NORTHEASTERN cooking time is complete, press Cancel. Turn the steam PENNSYLVANIA to your will, or by making the Federation a benefi ciary of your IRA. All release handle to the Venting position to quickly release contributions to establish a PACE are tax deductible. the pressure. Carefully remove the ramekins from the pot. Add Let your name be remembered as a blessing. another two tablespoons of water to the pot and cook the remaining three cakes as you did the fi rst batch. It Endowments can be created through a variety of vehicles, some of which do not necessitate will take about 2 minutes for the Instant Pot to return funding during your lifetime yet still provide your estate with considerable tax benefi ts. to pressure. They also enable you to perpetuate your commitment to the Annual Campaign in a way that Let the cakes cool for at least 30 minutes before unmolding. To unmold, run a thin knife or small metal best achieves your own personal fi nancial and estate planning goals. spatula around the edge of the cake, place a plate on top and turn the cake onto the plate. Dust with confectioners’ Examples Of Ways To Fund Your Pace Gift Are: sugar if desired and serve with fruit. Melting the chocolate: * outright contribution of cash, appreciated securities or other long-term Place chocolate chopped into half-inch pieces into a * capital gain property such as real estate microwave-safe bowl, such as a large glass bowl. Make * charitable remainder trust sure you have discarded every tiny piece of foil that * gift of life insurance wrapped the chocolate. Heat for 1 minute at high power * charitable lead trust for 45 seconds to start if you have less than 10 ounces of chocolate. Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir * gift of IRA or pension plan assets well, mixing the melted pieces into the unmelted ones * grant from your foundation for about 30 seconds. Heat for another 45 or 30 seconds * reserved life estate in your residence and stir again for about 1 minute. If the chocolate is not * bequest fully melted, heat for another 30 seconds and stir. Repeat for 15 seconds, if necessary. Be sure to use oven mitts Using appreciated property, such as securities or real estate, a ords you the opportunity to to hold the bowl when you stir it. eliminate the income tax on the long-term capital gain, will in some instances generate a full income tax charitable deduction and will remove those assets from your estate for estate tax purposes. Your ad could be here! For information, e-mail [email protected] For more information contact Mark Silverberg at [email protected] or call 570-961-2300, ext. 1. MARCH 18, 2021 ■ THE REPORTER 11 NEWS IN BRIEF From JNS.org data shows that vaccinating nursing mothers promotes the production of important Czech Republic opens branch of its embassy in Jerusalem antibodies in breast milk, thereby protecting their babies from disease,” stated the new study conducted by Tel Aviv University and the Sourasky Medical Center (Ich- The Czech Republic opened a branch of its Israel embassy in Jerusalem on March ilov Hospital), according to i24 News. The study was aimed at discovering whether 11 in a ceremony attended by Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and Israel’s Minister the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine could produce antibodies in mothers who nursed and of Foreign Affairs Gabi Ashkenazi. “We, the Czech Republic, are opening here in analyzing the level of protection they could potentially pass on to their infants. The Jerusalem on Washington Street our diplomatic representation,” said Babiš. While research, which took place from January to February on a very small sample of 10 Babiš noted that the country’s official embassy remains headquartered in Tel Aviv, the vaccinated women, discovered an increase in antibodies in the blood and in breast development serves as an indication of the Eastern European country’s tacit acceptance milk 14 days after the first vaccine shot and seven days after the second. The research of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. “We will have a full-fledged diplomatic mission here also found that the antibodies in breast milk could possibly counter COVID-19. in Jerusalem,” he said. “It will deal with a lot, ranging from politics and economic cooperation to the consular agenda and other topics. It will have its permanent staff Singapore security detains man planning attack on synagogue and work under the lead of our embassy in Tel Aviv.” Babiš added that “it represents Singapore security officials have arrested a 20-year-old serviceman for planning to another milestone in our cooperation and gives evidence that we see the importance carry out an attack on Jews outside a local synagogue. Amirull Ali targeted Maghain of this great city.” The Czech Republic announced in December that it planned to Aboth Synagogue and had planned to travel to the Gaza Strip to join the military open the branch in Jerusalem. In 2018, Czech President Milos Zeman announced a wing of Hamas, the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, said Singapore’s Ministry of Home three-step plan to relocate the country’s embassy to Jerusalem. Zeman, who has limited Affairs in a news release on March 10. He was detained under the Internal Security powers as president, faced opposition from Babiš, who cited European Union policy Act. Ali was arrested on Feb. 5 while still serving in the Singapore Armed Forces, against opening diplomatic missions in Jerusalem. Nevertheless, the Czechs opened a according to local media reports. An ISA detention order was issued against him on cultural and economic office in November 2018, which has now been upgraded to the March 5. As part of his plot to stab Jews in front of the Maghain Aboth Synagogue, Jerusalem branch. Ashkenazi praised the opening, saying it shows “additional proof Ali apparently studied how to use a knife to cause massive bleeding. Reports say he of the depth and the scope of the friendship we share with the Czech people, and the even made two reconnaissance trips to the synagogue. The Maghain Aboth Syna- Czech Republic and government.” He also said he appreciates the Czech government gogue was built in the 1870s and is believed to be the oldest synagogue in East Asia. for “leading the change in Europe toward the city of Jerusalem as a whole and toward In a tweet on March 10, Jewish Agency of Israel Chairman Isaac Herzog noted that the connection with the state of Israel.” Jewish communities around the world must be vigilant: “Today, it was revealed that Israeli real-world data shows vaccine is 97 percent effective a serious terror attack on a synagogue in Singapore was averted a month ago. Last Friday, a terror attack on a school in Marseille was averted. I call on world leaders to The Israeli Ministry of Health, Pfizer and BioNTech said on March 11 that data understand that anti-Semitism is likely to increase as restrictions on travel are lifted from Israel’s national vaccination campaign demonstrates that their vaccine is 94 per- and to instruct their law enforcement to be on higher alert. ...The Jewish Agency will cent effective in preventing asymptomatic infections. They also said that Israeli data continue operating to increase security for Jewish communities around the world shows that vaccinations prevented symptomatic disease, severe cases and death with through our Security Assistance Fund.” 97 percent effectiveness, according to a statement released by the companies and the Health Ministry. More than five million Israelis, or about 55 percent of its population International Council of Jewish Parliamentarians evoked to of nine million people, have received the first shot of the vaccine, and nearly four four track antisemitism million, or 43 percent, have gotten the second shot. The analysis was derived from data World Jewish Congress and Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) announced on March collected by Israel’s Health Ministry from Jan. 17 until March 6. “Israel’s strong health 9 the re-establishment of the International Council of Jewish Parliamentarians to system and an unprecedented societal mobilization and awareness allowed us to achieve respond to the global rise in antisemitism. The newly relaunched ICJP will con- high national uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine in a short period of time. Thanks to our vene for its first consultation this spring in a lead-up to the World Jewish Congress comprehensive public-health surveillance program, we have been able to document the Plenary Assembly on May 25. A global network of Jewish legislators, government remarkable success of the nationwide vaccination campaign with the COVID-19 vaccine,” ministers and other elected officials, the ICJP “aims to promote dialogue and col- said Professor Yeheskel Levy, director of Israel’s Ministry of Health. “Incidence rates in laboration between Jewish parliamentarians; to support the principles of democracy, the fully vaccinated population have massively dropped compared to the unvaccinated the cause of human rights, and the rule of law; and to combat racism, antisemitism, population, showing a marked decline in hospitalized cases due to COVID-19.” xenophobia, terrorism and Holocaust denial by those means available to legislators German court rules former Nazi concentration-camp guard, and government ministers.” Rosen, the founding co-chair of the Senate Bipartisan 96, “unfit” to stand trial Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism, agreed to lead ICJP at the request of World Jewish Congress president Ronald S. Lauder. “In this role, I will work to A court in Wuppertal, Germany, ruled on March 10 that a 96-year-old former combat the evils of antisemitism, racism, bigotry and xenophobia,” she said. “I look Nazi concentration-camp guard is “unfit to stand trial,” though noted that there is a forward to working alongside Ambassador Lauder and Jewish parliamentarians “high degree of probability” that he is guilty of the crimes. The man, identified as from around the world in our shared mission to promote tolerance and fight back Harry S., was accused of having “aided and abetted [the] murder [of] several hun- against hate.” Lauder, former U.S. ambassador to Austria from 1986-87, said that dred [people]” at the Stutthof camp in Nazi-occupied Poland where roughly 65,000 “as we now witness an era of unfettered conspiracy myths, pervasive antisemitism people died during the Holocaust, court judge and spokesman Christian Lange told and xenophobia, a horribly disturbing recurrence of Holocaust denial and rising CNN. He was a guard at the camp between June 1944 and May 1945. There is also authoritarianism, the ICJP has a powerful role to play in serving as an incubator “strong evidence” that he oversaw the transportation of almost 600 prisoners to the and accelerator of best practices to counter these phenomena.” gas chambers at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. Lange said due to the defendant’s inability “to conduct the defense in an understandable and comprehensible Israel, Cyprus, Greece to link power grids via undersea cable manner,” the trial will not take place. The court also said in a statement that there is Israel, Cyprus and Greece signed a Memorandum of Understanding on March 8 “a high degree of probability” of his guilt and that he is ordered to pay his own legal regarding a project to link their power grids via the construction of the world’s longest fees, the BBC reported. There have been two cases in Germany recently related to the and deepest undersea power cable. The project, called the “Euro-Asia Interconnector,” Stutthof concentration camp. In July, Bruno Dey, 93, was found guilty of complicity will help Israel build on more options for renewable energy, contribute to energy in the murder of more than 5,000 prisoners and given a two-year suspended prison security and reduce energy prices, said Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz at the sentence. In February, 95-year-old Irmgard F., a former secretary at Stutthof, was signing ceremony in Nicosia. Steinitz called the MoU “great news for the citizens of charged with 10,000 counts of accessory to murder. Israel,” according to a ministry statement. “The Euro-Asia Interconnector underwater Israel Aerospace Industries, UAE weapons company to meld power cable will allow us to receive electricity backing from the power grids of the European continent in times of emergency, and more importantly will also support anti-drone system our ability to significantly increase reliance on solar power generation, and help us Israel Aerospace Industries announced on March 11 that it has signed a memo- meet the government’s 2030 solar energy targets,” he said. Cypriot Energy Minister randum of understanding (or MoU) with the United Arab Emirates’s weapons-maker Natasa Pilides said that the MoU marked “a decisive step toward ending the island’s EDGE to develop an advanced anti-drone defense system. The anti-drone system energy isolation and, consequently, our dependence on heavy fuels.” Once complet- would be “tailored to the UAE market,” with wide-ranging benefits to the Middle ed, the undersea power cable will be the longest and deepest in the world, according East and North Africa region and beyond, the state-owned IAI said in a statement. to the ministry. The cable, which will be laid at a maximum depth of 2,700 meters Israel and the UAE officially normalized relations on Sept. 15 as part of the Abraham (nearly 9,000 feet), will have a capacity of 1,000 to 2,000 megawatts. According to Accords. The system would include technology such as jamming and cyber-takeover the ministry, the project is expected to cost a bit more than $9 billion, part of which capabilities, in addition to guns, missiles, and electromagnetic and laser devices able is to be provided by the European Union, which has recognized the undertaking as to destroy a drone. The Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen has been launching a Project of Common Interest. missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia. A drone carrying explosives and a ballistic missile was launched on Monday by the Houthis at Saudi Arabian oil facil- ities, according to officials. The UAE is allied with the Saudis and had taken part in the Saudi-led military coalition intervention in Yemen. ewish Federa Israeli study finds vaccinated mothers pass coronavirus the J tion on ’s e u ma antibodies to newborns yo il re lis A new Israeli study found that breastfeeding mothers vaccinated against the corona- A t? virus are able to pass on antibodies to their babies through breast milk. “Encouraging We send updated announcements and special event details weekly to those who wish to receive them.

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For information, contact Kathy Brown at 1-800-779-7896, ext. 244 or [email protected] ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 12 THE REPORTER ■ MARCH 18, 2021