Jewish Federation of NEPA • Annual Report

Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania 2017-2018 Annual Report JEWISH FEDERATION OF NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA Perspectives on the Federation and the Jewish World Dear Friends, parliament of our Jewish communities but to attract the many unaffiliated Jewish families of Northeast Pennsylvania. That Mission, throughout our region into the Jewish community. At the Jewish Federation of Northeastern simply stated, is “to rescue the imperiled, Pennsylvania, a key part of our mission care for the vulnerable, support Israel, In that regard, in the recent past, the Federation is tikkun olam (repairing the world). We and perpetuate Jewish life in Lackawanna, has provided emergency and capital grants to help people in need and we mobilize the Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties, and Congregation Beth Israel (Honesdale), the Scranton Jewish community to become a source of throughout the world.” Hebrew Day School, the Scranton Ritualarium care and comfort that embraces us all. (mikvah), Yeshiva Beth Moshe/Milton Eisner Institute As such, we have a broad mandate that and the Jewish Discovery Center (Chabad) which Our support also offers a safety net for transcends the interests of any one of allowed each of them to effect major structural repairs Douglas Fink, President the communities’ most vulnerable here Jewish Federation our agencies, synagogues or affiliates. to their synagogues and centers or to protect their in NEPA, in Israel and around the world. of Northeastern We plan for the future well-being of our students and teachers by providing funds to increase Through our network of agencies, we feed Pennsylvania Jewish communities, and we recognize the security of their schools and institutions... and this the hungry, help the unemployed, and extend a that our responsibility as the Jewish Federation does not include grants for innovative and creative compassionate and caring hand to the aging. of Northeastern Pennsylvania is to manage “the programs and projects sponsored by Temple Israel garden,” while our UJA-funded recreational, cultural, of the Poconos (Stroudsburg), Congregation B’nai In cases of natural and other disasters, such as after educational, religious and social service agencies and Harim (Pocono Pines), Temple Israel (Scranton), 9/11, the massive flooding in Louisiana, and in the synagogues represent the “flowers” in that garden. Temple Hesed (Scranton), and the Jewish Discovery aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, Harvey, Center (Chabad). Irma and Maria – not to mention the devastating These responsibilities include allocating our UJA earthquakes in Mexico this year alone, we, as a Campaign funds raised each year to secure Israel Each of these grants was funded from the income Federation, assisted these devastated communities and enhance Jewish overseas needs (which are paid from our Unrestricted Endowment Funds. by contributing thousands of dollars to the Jewish to the Jewish Agency for Israel (or JAFI) and the Federations of North America (JFNA) to alleviate American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (or This is what being Jewish is about. the pain and suffering of the millions affected by JDC) for these purposes (as you will see throughout these natural disasters. this year’s Annual Report), and to assist our own While most of us continue to live the lives our Jewish agencies and religious and educational parents dreamed for us, many here at home, in Our Mission continues to define our role as the institutions here in Northeastern Pennsylvania Israel, and around the world are struggling to by allocating funds to assist in offsetting the cost survive or flee persecution. We are fortunate to of their operations. These educational, family live in freedom, but many of our people do not MISSION service, social, religious and recreational agencies and it is on their behalf we sincerely thank you and institutions of higher learning include, and for assisting us in reaching $975,646 in this year’s STATEMENT have included in past years, the: annual UJA Campaign. • Scranton Jewish Community Center (Scranton) • Jewish Family Service of Northeastern IN MEMORIAM Pennsylvania (Scranton) MARY LIL WALSH • Scranton Hebrew Day School (Scranton) With much sadness, the • Jewish Resource Center of the Poconos Jewish Federation of (Stroudsburg) The Mission of the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania • Chabad of the Abingtons/Jewish Discovery extends its condolences to Northeastern Pennsylvania continues to Center (Waverly) define our role as the parliament of the Jewish the Walsh family on the • Yeshiva Beth Moshe/Milton Eisner Institute passing of Mary Lil Walsh communities of Northeastern Pennsylvania. (Scranton) That Mission is to “rescue the imperiled, care on February 2. A longtime • Congregation B’nai Harim Religious School employee of the Jewish for the vulnerable, support Israel and world (Pocono Pines) Jewry and to revitalize and perpetuate the Jewish Federation, Lil served as its • Temple Hesed Religious School (Scranton) communities of Pike, Wayne, Monroe and bookkeeper from April 1, • Temple Israel Religious School (Scranton) Lackawanna counties.” 1985, until her retirement • Temple Israel of the Poconos Hebrew School on April 1, 2012, during which time she As the parliament of the Jewish communities of our (Stroudsburg) provided excellent professional services for region, the Federation has a broad mandate that • Bais Ya’akov (Scranton) and on behalf of this Federation. transcends the interests of any one of its agencies • Bnos Yisroel (Scranton) She was a fine and caring person who brought or affiliates. Its role is to plan for the future well- • Scranton Ritualarium (Mikvah) (Scranton) honor to our Federation and continually being of our greater Jewish community – both • Jewish Fellowship of Hemlock Farms Religious demonstrated love and respect to her large here and abroad. As such, our responsibility is to School (Lords Valley) family based primarily in Scranton. Her enhance the quality of Jewish life throughout our • Jewish Heritage Connection (Scranton) presence and her many kindnesses are a loss for region, Israel and the Jewish world by providing all who knew and respected her. She will never the UJA funding and the guidance necessary to And this does not include program, capital and be forgotten and she will be deeply missed. May deliver the highest quality programs and services emergency grants awarded each year by our Grants her memory forever be a blessing, as was her through our local, national and internationally- Committee to our agencies, synagogues and presence among us, and may she rest in peace. funded agencies and affiliates. institutions for creative and innovative programs – programs designed not only to retain their members 2 Annual Report • Jewish Federation of NEPA 2018 UJA CAMPAIGN LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVES We Made It - $975,646! We are living in a time of participation and support of our extraordinary change. Our world 2018 UJA Campaign but viewing 2018 UJA Campaign video and communities in Northeast just a sample of what your gift https://drive.google.com/file/ Pennsylvania are rapidly evolving makes possible is incredible. d/0B2g428_1KfYTQTRfaDU0TTV1MFU/view and creating new and diverse issues to address each and every • Financial assistance to Endowment Funds with our Federation to day. In the midst of this dramatic the educational, religious, continue their legacy for generations to come, change, our community has social service, cultural and continue to designate UJA Campaign gifts consistently risen to meet the recreational agencies that through our Philanthropic Funds to our annual challenges we face to secure comprise the Jewish Federation UJA Campaign, as well as non-Federation-owned our future here in Northeastrn of Northeastern Pennsylvania private Foundations, and have dedicated hundreds Pennsylvania. Dr. Joel Laury and Leah Laury • Funding the costs of aliyah of volunteer hours to ensure the future viability 2018 UJA Campaign Co-Chairs through the Jewish Agency for of our Jewish communities here in Northeastrn As a 2018 UJA Campaign donor, participant, Israel and the Joint Distribution Committee for Pennsylvania, as you will see below. volunteer, or more likely all three, you have the threatened Jewish communities of Europe. ignited positive changes in our community and • Elderly, disabled and vulnerable Jewish citizens Our successful 2018 UJA Campaign has had and beyond. You have exemplified the strength of worldwide have received nutritious meals, financial continues to have a great impact on improving our people and demonstrated the power that our assistance, medical aid, health care, transportation Jewish lives and communities here and abroad community has to help so many others. You have services, and friendly, attentive visitors at Hesed and is helping to secure a future where Jews feel supported, educated, uplifted, and strengthened Centers funded by our UJA dollars around the world. safe, accepted, and able to thrive. our communities here, in Israel, and in Jewish • Children whose families otherwise couldn’t communities worldwide through your donations afford it received scholarships for universities and Our thanks is extended to each of you for being to our annual UJA Campaign. Jewish summer camps from the Federation. part of our extraordinary community. • Jewish youth in other countries, including You have forged connections within our Israel, are receiving educational advantages from Without exaggeration, your gift to the Jewish community and beyond and given crucial care our UJA Campaign allocations through the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s 2018 to Jews everywhere both by your involvement in Agency for Israel and the American Jewish Joint UJA Campaign was a gift to the future of our People. community life and by your UJA gifts. As a result, Distribution Committee. As you know, we cannot do what we need to do you have met the challenge and assisted our • Effective outreach and education programs without the help of community members like you. community in securing its future. are strengthening the bonds between Jews of all Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference backgrounds in Northeastern Pennsylvania. right now, right here, and all over the world. In short, thank you for your support for our 2018 • Israel advocacy and support for Jewish causes UJA Campaign. We would never have achieved is extended throughout the Jewish communities Campaign update our goal without you. of Scranton and the Poconos from both the Community Relations Committee and the NEPA As of May 15, 2018, our UJA Campaign – including Helping Those in Need branch of the Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition. income received from our donors, our Perpetual As you will see throughout this year’s Annual • The Holocaust Education and Resource Center Annual Campaign Endowment (P.A.C.E.) Funds, Report, as a direct result of your gift to our 2018 UJA (or HERC) of the Federation continues to combat from Philanthropic Fund designated gifts and from Campaign, the Jewish Federation of Northeastern hatred and intolerance through its innovative and non-Federation owned Foundations that support Pennsylvania has allocated critically-needed funds effective annual Holocaust Symposiums attended our efforts – closed at $975,646! to our partner agencies, organizations and Hebrew this year by more than 2,000 teachers and students schools that provide social, financial, educational, from Northeastern Pennsylvania and upstate New To put it another way – It’s been a record Campaign recreational, cultural and emergency services to York high schools; and year. Jews and others in need – here in Northeast PA, • a wide variety of Federation-sponsored in Israel, and around the world. programs including Holocaust Remembrance The Federation thanks each and every donor and Day, Israel Independence Day, participation in the Foundation that made this achievement possible. Celebrate Israel Day Parade in New York, and bus Your gift has enriched and touched the lives of so Empowering Jewish Identity trips to numerous sites of Jewish interest including many Jews and others, in our community, in the Your gift has positively impacted Jewish educational, the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York. United States, in Israel, and around the world. Your social and networking opportunities, encouraged support enabled us to meet the challenges of today, public support for Israel, and prompted actions Many donors have contributed significant UJA while securing the future of our communities for consistent with Jewish values and responsibilities. dollars, established Perpetual Annual Campaign years to come. Your support for the Federation’s annual UJA Campaign has allowed our area Hebrew schools to provide Jewish education to our children and A Tribute to Our Volunteers assisted several of our major Jewish agencies in covering a portion of their budget deficits. Truth is, we could not have succeeded in this seeking to make aliyah to live in a Jewish state free mission without the time, energy and commitment from persecution, threats or worse because of their Globally, more than 550,000 young adults from 60+ of our UJA Campaign solicitors without whose religion; and there would be no funds for Jewish countries around the world have been to Israel on efforts, this Campaign achievement would not have education to carry forward our traditions into the the hugely popular and free Taglit-Birthright Israel been possible. They reviewed lists, made phone future. We are here because of those traditions, trips since 1999 – and that includes many from our calls, arranged meetings, and made certain that while our historical contemporaries – the Hittites, own communities in Northeastern Pennsylvania. A their assigned Campaign pledge cards were covered the Ammonites and the Canaanites – have long Joint Distribution Committee run camp in Romania as efficiently and effectively as possible. For this, since been relegated to the dustbin of history. provides Jewish learning and empowerment for our community expresses its sincerest gratitude. hundreds of children, giving them the opportunity We are honored to recognize all our Campaign For all this, we owe a great debt of gratitude to to make friends and learn about Jewish values and solicitors below. those who assisted us in soliciting UJA gifts this traditions, and Federation’s support of JDC activities year. This Campaign could never have achieved in Israel allowed hundreds of families last year an Without their support, there would be no annual its successful conclusion without their dedication opportunity to receive individual and family services UJA Campaign; there would be no funds raised and commitment. These UJA Campaign solicitors directly impacting their overall development. for the Jewish poor and vulnerable; there would (and we apologize if anyone has been accidently be no funds for assisting Jews in Israel or those omitted from this list) include: In fact, the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Esther Adelman Moshe Fink Leah Laury Rabbi Samuel Sandhaus Pennsylvania has, for decades, allocated almost Jim Alperin Shlomo Fink Iris Liebman 30% of its UJA Campaign dollars to Israel and Ben Schnessel Phyllis Barax Joe Fisch Jill Linder world Jewish needs (as you will read later in this Elliot Schoenberg Richard Bishop Nancy Friedman Dale Miller Report) – one of the highest percentages in the Richard Schwartz Phyllis Brandes Alex Gans Ann Monsky U.S. Federation system. Maggie Bushwick Dassy Ganz Ed Monsky Steven Seitchik Charlie Cahn Alan Glassman Sam Newman Alma Shaffer It represents a statement of our commitment to James Connors Bonnie Green Barbara Nivert Margaret Sheldon Israel and to our People everywhere. We are indeed Susan Connors Ken Green Lou Nivert Mark Silverberg our brothers’ keeper. Lainey Denis Michael Greenstein Sheila Nudelman Abdo Alan Smertz David Dickstein Seth Gross Peter O’Donnell Rebecca Tschampel 2018 UJA Campaign benefits Don Douglass Sheryl Gross Paulette Okun Marcia Ufberg Joyce Douglass Dolores Gruber Howard Pachter Your gifts, your time, your compassion and the Esther Elefant Susan Herlands Lynn Pearl Paula Wasser impact of your gifts have been extraordinary - to Jim Ellenbogen Janet Holland Helen Pinkus Millie Weinberg say the least. We cannot list every mitzvah that was Rosalie Engelmyer Dr. Sanford Holland Filmore Rosenstein Jerry Weinberger and continues to be accomplished through your Richard Fine Susan Jacobson Dr. David Rutta Jay Weiss Jewish Federation of NEPA • Annual Report 3 UJA COMMUNITY DIVISION For almost six decades, The Federation’s Community Division was the each day of every year. It has been an honor Christians and Jews in forerunner of those which have since developed to serve and to follow in the footsteps of Peter Northeastern Pennsylvania throughout the country. It reflects what a O’Donnell who held this position for almost have worked together to assure community of concerned people is all about; two decades. I look forward to many more a better quality of life for not just talking, but practicing brotherhood, years of service. all residents, irrespective of race or religion. This year’s Community Division of the 2019 UJA Campaign Co-Chairs Named UJA Campaign raised $11,133 Finally, it gives us great chair of the Federation’s not just for Jewish-related Jim Connors, Chairman, causes here in Northeastern UJA Community Division pleasure to announce that Community Relations Pennsylvania, in Israel and the co-chairs of next year’s Committee – the Report of around the world, but for local charitable 2019 annual UJA Campaign which for 2017-2018 appears organizations that, over the years, have included will be David and Rhonda in this Annual Report. St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen, Ronald McDonald Fallk – both respected leaders House, Friends of the Poor, WVIA, Scranton Area of the Jewish community who We are honored that they Community Foundation, United Way, Make-A- have dedicated their lives have agreed to Co-Chair our Wish Foundation, Allied Services, Mayor’s Prayer to the betterment of our forthcoming UJA Campaign. Breakfast, Christmas Holiday Bureau, Bread community and the interests A detailed article on their Basket, United Neighborhood Center Food Drive of our people here, in Israel contributions and lifetime David and Rhonda Fallk, and Jewish-Catholic Interfaith programs as part of and around the world for 2019 UJA Campaign Co-Chairs achievements will appear its charitable donations. many years. David is also shortly in The Reporter. Pocono UJA Campaign Opening Program Featured the Film “Denial” As has been the custom for many years, Federation’s the Holocaust did not occur. Irving represented his treatment of the Jews. He felt that Irving had annual Pocono UJA Campaign opening program himself.” “significantly” misrepresented, misconstrued, took place on September 17 at Temple Israel omitted, mistranslated, misread and applied (Stroudsburg) and featured the award-winning Background to film: In 1993, Lipstadt, of Emory double standards to the historical evidence in film “Denial,” which covered Professor Deborah University, wrote “Denying the Holocaust: The order to achieve his ideological interpretation of Lipstadt’s legal battle in Britain “to prove the Growing Assault on Truth and Memory” to history. Gray also found that Irving was an “active Holocaust occurred” against David Irving, who had expose the lies, distortions and political agendas Holocaust denier; that he is antisemitic and racist, accused her of libel when she declared him to be that drive Holocaust denial. In her book, she and that he associates with right-wing extremists a Holocaust denier. The civil trial that took place discussed a number of specific Holocaust deniers, who promote neo-Nazism.” in the early 2000s received extensive international including Irving, whom she called a “dangerous media coverage. spokesperson” for Holocaust denial. Following the film, Mark Silverberg, executive director of the Federation, expressed his The evening was “well-attended” by members of the In 1996, Irving sued Lipstadt and her British appreciation to those who organized the Pocono Jewish communities and was introduced publisher, Penguin Books Ltd., for libel, saying his program. He also thanked those who attended by Sandra Alfonsi, president of Temple Israel of reputation as an historian was defamed. The suit and contributed to the Federation’s current the Poconos, and Doug Fink, president of the was filed in the U.K. where libel laws are considered UJA Campaign, which funds not only regional Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania. to favor plaintiffs. Jewish organizations, agencies and institutions The film was introduced by Dassy Ganz, of the in Northeastern Pennsylvania, but hundreds of Federation, and a dinner was catered by Colfax The trial started on January 11, 2000, and ended on Hesed Centers that provide food, medicines, Avenue Enterprises of Wilkes-Barre. April 11, 2000, when Judge Charles Gray handed social assistance and cultural programs to isolated down his judgment. Lipstadt and Penguin Books Jewish communities around the world, and helps “It was the film that enthralled the audience,” said had won their case and court costs in excess of $3 cover the cost of aliyah and absorption into Israel organizers of the program. “In the English legal million were ultimately assessed against Irving. for Jews who feel under threat and fearful of the system, in cases of libel, the burden of proof rests Gray found that Irving had “for his own future, including in Europe. on the accused! Therefore, it was up to Lipstadt ideological reasons persistently and deliberately and her legal team led by Richard Rampton, misrepresented and manipulated historical Silverberg also wished everyone a happy Rosh Q.C., Anthony Julius and James Libson to prove evidence” in order to portray Hitler “in an Hashanah and best wishes for a healthy, happy that Irving knew he was lying when he claimed unwarrantedly favorable light” particularly in and safe new year. Journalist Gil Hoffman Provided Insight into the Issues Confronting Israel at UJA’s Major Gifts Program The Jewish spectrum, has been interviewed by top media on of the event. “Hoffman provided the group with a Federation six continents and is a regular analyst on CNN, behind-the-scenes look at the intrigue and humor of Northeast Al-Jazeera and other news outlets. in the Israeli political arena and has lectured Pennsylvania’s in every major English-speaking country in the annual Major Gifts “His intimate knowledge of Israeli affairs both world, more than half the Canadian provinces, program was held national and international interspersed with and recently made history by becoming the first on October 23 at elements of humor was an insight to those who speaker to have lectured about Israel in all 50 the home of Dr. attended this fascinating evening,” said organizers states.” Shaya and Phyllis Barax in Scranton and hosted as its speaker Gil Hoffman, the chief political correspondent and analyst for The Gil Hoffman showed a page Jerusalem Post. featuring the members of the Israel Knesset. Connected to both Israeli and Palestinian leaders, Hoffman has interviewed major figures across the Israeli political L-r: Mark Silverberg; Dassy Ganz; Phyllis and Shaya Barax, hosts for Sheila Cutler listened to the speaker. the program; and Gil Hoffman.

L-r: Jeff Ganz, Lou Nivert, Doug Sheldon, David Fallk and Rabbi Samuel Sandhaus attended the Gil L-r: Alan Sare, Jeff Ganz and Lou Nivert concentrated Gil Hoffman used a map to explain a point. Hoffman presentation. on the presentation. 4 Annual Report • Jewish Federation of NEPA 2018 UJA CAMPAIGN OPENING EVENT Evasons fascinate audience at Federation’s 2018 UJA Campaign Opening Program on October 21 On Saturday evening, October 21, the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania held a sold out communitywide UJA Campaign program at the Scranton Jewish Community Center featuring world-famous mentalist duo Jeff and Tessa Evason who performed their incredible brand of mind power at a show that generated absolute amazement! Since 1983, the Evasons have astounded audiences the world over. At the presentation, people reacted with wide-eyed wonder when Tessa and Jeff demonstrated their psychic entertainment abilities with ESP, intuition, prediction and second sight. Their slick blend of interactive demonstration, comic relief and spellbinding entertainment was definitely not a magic show. There were no wires or hidden communication devices. Nothing was prearranged with secret assistants or audience members. In fact, the Evasons offered $100,000 to anybody who could prove otherwise. The experience defied explanation. And maybe that’s why those who attended went wild at the show. Tessa appeared rather serene and her voice never went above a conversational pitch while Jeff entertained the crowd and asked for volunteers. Everyone who participated in the program was absolutely floored when Tessa revealed their name, their birth date, serial numbers on bills in their wallets and purses, the types of cars they own, the number of keys on their key chain and even the name of loved ones in photos they held in their hands. On numerous occasions, her intuitive gifts made the audience gasp with surprise. Following the performance, several members of the audience commented that they were leaving with the feeling that nothing is safe in your mind! The Evason’s 34 years of experience afforded them a soft-spoken yet Vegas- style stage presence that had the audience on the edge of their seats. All who attended the program left with the view that the Evanson reputation as mentalists was well deserved. Nor were they alone. On NBC’s “World’s Greatest Magic V,” they were called “The finest act of its kind in the world,” while on their performance on Fox’s “Powers of the Paranormal,” they were touted as “The most amazing mind reading act you will ever see.” In fact, the Discovery Channel hailed them as “A new generation of mentalists.” It’s no wonder that Siegfried and Roy named the Evasons their favorite act, presenting them with the Sarmoti Award at the World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas. They are recognized by their peers and fans alike as one of the world’s top mentalist acts. Their stylish presentation and stunning showcase of talent has also earned them the distinction of receiving the Psychic Entertainers Association’s most prestigious honor for distinguished professionalism. “Many times during our show, people are totally speechless because they’ve never seen anything like this before,” said Jeff Evason. “The experience of wonder is not only magical and mysterious, it can also be empowering and enlightening.”

Volunteers thanked The Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania wishes to acknowledge the efforts of its 2018 UJA Campaign Opening Event organizers and volunteers. They include the Organizing Committee consisting of Rhonda Fallk, Jennifer Novak, Charlene Scott and Dassy Ganz, and the efforts of the volunteers who assisted in making this program the success that it was. They include Shmuel Bushwick, Ross Novak, Lou Nivert and students from the University of Scranton.

Photos by

SUPER SUNDAY Super Sunday and “Mop- Up Monday” Called “Successful Events” Nivert Metal in Throop, was the site People from Scranton and the for the annual phone-a-thon for the Poconos received phone calls and Jewish Federation’s UJA Campaign responded with pledges that help on November 5. the Federation serve the needs of the Jewish communities of Northeastern Gathering for a brunch, the group Pennsylvania, as well as Israel and of volunteers listened as Federation around the world. Executive Director Mark Silverberg briefed everyone as to the mission For those donors who were not of the phone-a-thon and handed out available on Sunday, another group of the pledge cards of potential donors. volunteers met at the Scranton Jewish

Vera Epshteyn made phone calls during Charlene Scott made phone calls during the Monday night Mop-up. the Monday night Mop-up.

A group of volunteers during the orientation session held before the Super Sunday phone-a-thon. Jewish Federation of NEPA • Annual Report 5 Community Center on November 6 to make a second round of phone calls to maximize the response from the communities.

The Jewish Federation thanks Louis Nivert for his continued participation in this endeavor as the host at Nivert Metal.

The Federation also thanks its volunteers: Esther Adelman, Bernice Ecker, Esther Elefant, Vera Epshteyn, Madelyn Fink, Gilda Franceze, Seth Gross, Dassi Laury, Campaign Co-Chairwoman Leah Laury, Barbara Nivert, Charlene Scott and Mildred Weinberg made phone calls A group of volunteers during the orientation session held before the Super Sunday Mildred Weinberg. during the Monday night Mop-up. phone-a-thon.

We are a lifeline. People just like us, our children, our parents or grandparents, desperately need our help. Fragile Holocaust survivors who can’t handle basic daily tasks. Families reeling from job loss. People who can’t attend a Shabbat service because climbing even a few steps to their synagogue is an impossible feat. Help us remove obstacles and bridge gaps. With your help, we can deliver hot meals to homebound seniors. Offer emergency loans to struggling families. Build ramps that open up Jewish life for people with disabilities. That's why there's UJA and the Federation. And that’s why we need you. The mission of the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania is to rescue the imperiled, care for the vulnerable, support Israel and world Jewry, and revitalize and perpetuate Jewish life in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Name:______Address: ______City:______State: ______ZIP: ______THE WORLD IS Home phone: ______Work phone: ______Cell phone: ______E-mail address: ______

____ I’m enclosing a gift of $ ______I’ll pledge $ ______* OUR BACKYARD You could say that we encompass the entire global Jewish village. Federation is there supporting Jewish cultural festivals in Bulgaria. Children’s services in Cuba. *_____One-time * _____ Quarterly installments (1/4 of total) *______Monthly installments (1/12 of total) And aiding our elderly in the former Soviet Union. Wherever there’s a need to rebuild or a longing to reconnect you’ll find Federation. 2018 UJA Campaign Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania In Israel, where we gathered three million Jews from all corners of the Earth, today we’re ensuring that everyone can achieve the Israeli dream. From a head start for 601 Jefferson Avenue, Scranton, PA 18510 disadvantaged preschoolers to scholarships for gifted teens and job-skill programs Telephone: 570-961-2300 (ext. 3) for their parents. Payment options Federation is caring for our community at home and in more than 70 countries _____ Please bill me at the above address. around the world. _____ Enclosed is my check payable to “UJA/Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania”. _____ PayPal or credit card (www.jewishnepa.org – “DONATE” – “Make an Online Donation”). _____ On-line banking (designate your payments through your bank auto-draft account to “UJA/Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania”). _____ My company ( ______) has a matching gift program. I’ll obtain the form and forward it.

Authorized signature Date 601 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, PA 18510 • (570)961-2300 www.jewishnepa.org DR. JOEL AND LEAH LAURY, CO-CHAIRS OF OUR 2018 UJA CAMPAIGN THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT JEWISH FEDERATION PARTNER AGENCIES AND SCHOOLS 2018-2019 Allocations Report Special thanks to Allocations Committee Our gratitude is also extended to each and Local/Regional/Israel & Overseas Allocations every member of our Allocation Committee who Local and regional Jewish agencies, organizations and religious schools receiving funds from our 2018 UJA reviewed their assigned agency budgets, met with Campaign include: agency representatives to clarify any issues that Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania (salaries, benefits & administrative expenses)...... $242,431.00 may have arisen during their deliberations, paid Israel/Overseas Allocation (JAFI and JDC – for Israel and world Jewish needs*)...... $271,354.00 site visits to their assigned agencies’ schools and/ UJA Campaign expenses...... $6,800.00 or institutions, and ultimately recommended an Uncollectible pledges...... $20,400.00 allocation for each of their assigned agencies at the Scranton Jewish Community Center (JCC)...... $155,000.00 Final Plenary Session of the Allocations Committee Jewish Family Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania (JFS)...... $80,000.00 Scranton Hebrew Day School (SHDS)...... $64,000.00 held at Penn Paper and Supply Co. in Scranton Jewish Resource Center of the Poconos (JRC)...... $23,000.00 on Tuesday, May 22. Chabad of the Abingtons/Jewish Discovery Center...... $12,000.00 Yeshiva Beth Moshe/Milton Eisner Institute...... $18,000.00 Our Allocations Team members included the Temple Hesed Religious School...... $6,000.00 following persons: Bais Ya’akov (Scranton)...... $15,000.00 Bnos Yisroel (Scranton)...... $8,356.00 Team 1: Esther Adelman (team leader), Leah Scranton Ritualarium (Mikvah)...... $3,750.00 Laury and Lynne Fragin Jewish Fellowship of Hemlock Farms Religious School...... $2,000.00 Team 2: Gary Beckhorn (team leader), Natalie Jewish Heritage Connection...... $9,000.00 Gelb and Jay Okun Contribution to Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment (P.A.C.E.) account...... $38,556.00 Team 3: Dan Marcus (team leader), David Malinov and Elliot Schoenberg TOTAL...... $975,647.00 * Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) Team 4: Seth Gross (team leader), Marian Goldstein Beckhorn and Irwin Wolfson Our sincerest gratitude is extended to each and every donor and volunteer, and to every one of our community Team 5: Eric Weinberg (team leader), Stan partners who made this achievement possible. Rothman, Ann Monsky and Phyllis Brandes 6 Annual Report • Jewish Federation of NEPA American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) The Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) received funding from our 2018 UJA Campaign, enabling it to carry on its services to Jews in need in Israel and around the world as defined below. Commonly known as the Joint and serve pressing welfare needs, Holocaust survivors through restitution sources the JDC, its official name is the particularly those of Holocaust such as the Conference on Material Claims against American Jewish Joint Distribution survivors and Jewish children, and Germany (Claims Conference), the Swiss Banks Committee. Whatever the name, strengthen communities through Settlement, ICHEIC, the German Government and this organization’s life-saving innovative programming concepts, the Fondation pour la Memoire de la Shoah, who mission is the same: to serve the networking and exchange. Helping work in partnership with the JDC. needs of Jews throughout the world, particularly communities toward self-sufficiency in all aspects where their lives as Jews are threatened or made of communal life is JDC’s overarching aim. JDC is also working to transfer more programmatic more difficult. Jewish values and Jewish solidarity are its guiding and financial responsibility to local communities as principles; technical assistance and the transfer they become increasingly capable. The following Since 1914, JDC has served as the overseas arm of of know-how and leadership and professional services are provided – food packages, meals-on- the American Jewish community. The JDC sponsors development are its modus operandi in this new wheels, kosher canteens, warm homes, medications programs of relief, rescue and renewal, and helps and changing Europe. and medical consultations, home care, winter Israel address its most urgent social challenges. It is relief, SOS emergency support, rehabilitation “committed to the idea that all Jews are responsible Connections to Jewish life and respite care, old age homes, and Jewish and for one another.” JDC supports Jewish life programs and opportunities community activities. throughout Europe. Considered of critical In addition, in times of crisis – natural disasters, importance are the many unaffiliated Jews in the Disaster relief war or famine – JDC offers aid to non-Jews to region, particularly those in the middle generation JDC’s role as a non-sectarian disaster relief agency is fulfill the Jewish tenet oftikkun olam, the moral who grew up in an era when organized Jewish motivated by the spirit of tikkun olam, the traditional responsibility to repair the world and alleviate community life was either dormant or suppressed. moral obligation of Jews to improve conditions suffering wherever it exists. for the entire human family. Working with local Regional or inter-community programming is a partners, JDC has provided emergency aid and JDC adheres to three operating principles: hallmark of JDC’s work in the region, and this focus long-term development assistance to communities • It remains non-partisan and apolitical. will continue to play an increasingly important devastated by such catastrophic events as the • It seeks to empower local communities by role in the years to come. Kashmir earthquake in 2005, and the South Asia creating model programs and training local tsunami in 2004. leadership to run the programs. JDC currently supports Jewish Community Centers • It builds coalitions with strategic partners who in Lithuania, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary, More recent relief efforts include: ultimately assume responsibility for the programs. the Ronald S. Lauder/JDC International Summer • 2008 Pakistan earthquake – On October 29, Camp in Szarvas, Hungary, local Jewish summer 2008, a 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck southwest JDC in Europe and how UJA dollars are camps for more than 3,000 participants, informal Pakistan, northeast of the provincial capital Quetta. enhancing Jewish life Jewish education, seminars such as Limmud Baltics JDC collected funds to directly assist victims of the JDC has been a presence in Europe from the outset and lectures by leading scholars, regional youth quake and partnered with the International Blue of the First World War, helping to rebuild shattered gatherings, such as Weinberg Black Sea Gesher, Crescent to deliver much-needed food, bedding, lives and fragile communities. JDC provided aid family camps and retreats and Jewish holiday and hygiene kits, and warm clothing to those hit hardest. during World War I, rescued Jews during World religious activities. • Russia-Georgia conflict – Following the eruption War II, cared for survivors in European Displaced of hostilities on August 7, 2008, JDC partnered with Persons camps in the post-war period and has the Georgian Red Cross and MASHAV, the Center continued to support Jewish life until today – even for International Development of Israel’s Ministry during the communist years. of Foreign Affairs, to coordinate the shipment and deployment of critical medical supplies and other emergency assistance. JDC continues to assess the The JDC is needs of the region and develop a strategy for long- helping Jews term assistance to those displaced by the conflict. in Ukraine and • The 2008 China earthquake – China’s worst Moldava who earthquake in more than 30 years devastated are in crisis. Sichuan and eight additional provinces on May (Photo courtesty 12, 2008, killing more than 70,000 people and of JDC) leaving 1.39 million homeless. JDC supported a partnership between The All-China Federation of Judafest, JDC’s signature street festival in Budapest, Supply and Marketing Cooperatives (ACFSMC) Today, European Jewry comprises the world’s third regularly attracts crowds of nearly 10,000 to a and the Negev Institute for Strategies of Peace largest concentration of Jews, after Israel and the multifaceted Jewish cultural event: street festival, culinary and Development (NISPED) that led an ambitious U.S., and is a major player in the Jewish world. demonstrations, musical performances, film screenings, reconstruction effort in the region. Over the last few years, however, the European family day, picnic and much more. (Photo courtesty of JDC) • The 2008 Myanmar cyclone – JDC was among Jewish reality in both Western and Eastern Europe the only aid organizations to enter Myanmar’s has changed dramatically with a dramatic rise in Community development Irrawaddy Delta following Cyclone Nargis, which antisemitism affecting both the external and internal JDC’s community development strategy now struck on May 2, 2008. The disaster affected an environments of the continent’s Jewish communities. focuses on fostering lay and professional leadership estimated 2.4 million people. JDC coordinated as well as furthering organizational capacity and with other nongovernmental organizations to Externally, the European Union has expanded and communal growth. Its tools include training, immediately provide water, food, and medical now includes 12 members from Central and Eastern institutes for advanced learning, community supplies and supported efforts to rebuild schools, Europe and the Baltic States. Internally, there is consultations, networking events and web-based homes, and embankments destroyed by the a generational change in Jewish communities in learning, such as: cyclone. Eastern Europe. Now, decades after the collapse • The April 2015 Nepal earthquake–- Following of Communism, a new generation that has tasted • The JDC International Center for Community the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that had devastated democracy is coming of age and taking the lead in Development at Oxford University; the country of Nepal, the JDC leveraged its expert community life. The opportunity for developing • Jewishprograms.org; disaster response team and coordinate with the communal leadership is supported by potential • Strategic European Loan Fund (SELF); local authorities in order to assess the situation and benefits of property restitution and the prospect • Property management seminars and training; provide for survivors’ needs. They brought bring of eventual financial independence. • The Center for Jewish Leadership (Leatid); medical supplies, distributed shelter supplies, food • Buncher Community Leadership Program; To complement these changes, particularly • Pan-European gatherings, such as the significant in Central and Eastern Europe and European General Assembly; and the Baltic States, JDC is working to redefine its • Innovative community development concepts operations. Since the post-World War II period, and models. JDC’s role in Western Europe has focused solely on providing technical assistance and community Welfare development, building leadership and maintaining JDC continues to provide support for an estimated self-sufficient Jewish communities. However, in 38,000 Holocaust survivors in Central and Eastern Central and Eastern Europe and the Baltic States, Europe and the Baltic States. As these survivors JDC’s focus has been on providing services to the become aged and frail and are trying to cope with needy – primarily Holocaust survivors – while economic and political change, the social services maintaining the overall mission to help revive they receive play an increasingly important role. JDC sent medical equipment to the IDF field hospital Jewish communal life in countries that lived under in Nepal following a devasting earthquake, including communist rule until the late 1980s. Through the local Jewish communities, JDC provides two neonatal incubators. Above: Israeli soldiers the care these elderly need to live out their lives in worked to establish a field hospital together with the Today, working in partnership with local dignity, with knowledge that they are not alone. Nepalese army on April 29, 2015, in Nepal. (Photo by European Jewish communities, JDC strives to Communities are assisted in funding programs for IDF Spokesperson/Flash90) Jewish Federation of NEPA • Annual Report 7 kits and oral rehydration salts, as well as addressed the needs of children, providing them with shelter, water and nutrition. • The July 2017 Montenegro forest fires – Israeli firefighters in two planes from the Air Force’s Fire Squadron completed a five-day mission in Montenegro to put out wildfires throughout the country and dropped thousands of tons of fire retardant in 36 sorties. • The September 2017 Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria Relief efforts – JDC has provided food, medical aid and direction for the victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria as well as to the government of Mexico in the immediate Houston residents and rescuers made their way out of aftermath of two major earthquakes devastating a flooded neighborhood after it was inundated with Flood damage from Hurricane Harvey at United large segments of the country. rain following Hurricane Harvey on August 29, 2017. Orthodox Synagogue of Houston. (Photo by Robert (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) Levy via Facebook) Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) received funding from our 2018 UJA Campaign, enabling it to carry on its services to Jews in need in Israel and around the world as defined below. foundations and donors from Israel and around to deepen their Jewish identities. These programs For almost 90 years, the world. The dozens of programs it supports or include: the Jewish Agency operates benefit well over a million Israelis and • Taglit-Birthright Israel, which provides 10-day has been the Jews worldwide every year. educational trips to Israel for Jews ages 18-26 from champion of the around the world, completely free of charge. The Jewish story. Once Aliyah Jewish Agency is the largest organizational partner JAFI achieved its The Jewish Agency facilitates the aliyah of in this initiative and is directly involved in bringing original goal of thousands of Jews from around the world suffering thousands of Jewish participants on Taglit-Birthright establishing a persecution or economic distress. each year, with a special focus on facilitating Taglit- secure homeland • Rescue – The Jewish Agency’s aliyah Birthright experiences and related programming in Israel, it turned to helping Jews in peril come infrastructure brings Jews to Israel. for communities in need and for Russian-speaking home. As the needs of the Jewish people continued • Aliyah services are provided by the Jewish Jews in the former Soviet Union and Germany. to change, so did JAFI’s response. JAFI’s mission Agency to prospective immigrants around the • Onward Israel was created by the Jewish today is to ensure that every Jewish person, no world. Agency shlichim, or emissaries, give guidance Agency and organizes six-to-10-week professional matter where they are in the world, feels an on issues such as education, housing, health and internships in Israel for students and young unbreakable bond to one another and to Israel. employment opportunities in Israel. Additionally, professionals who have previously visited Israel JAFI is responsible for verifying that each potential on Taglit-Birthright or another group tour. Whether it’s making aliyah possible or connecting immigrant is eligible for aliyah under Israel’s Participants come in groups, all from the same people in Israel with communities overseas, or Law of Return and, once eligibility is proven, for community or organization. caring for our brothers and sisters to honor Herzl’s facilitating the receipt of the aliyah visa via the • Masa Israel Journey is a public-service vision of a model society in Israel, JAFI brings our local Israeli embassy or consulate. organization founded in 2004 by the Government fellow Jews together. Through its wide range of • Absorption Centers around the country offer of Israel’s Office of the Prime Minister, together program experiences, JAFI offers ways for Jewish temporary housing for new immigrants and with The Jewish Agency. It includes a portfolio of people to get to know one another by working, provide space for Hebrew instruction, preparation more than 200 programs in Israel for Jews aged living, and studying together. for life and employment in Israel, events, activities 18-30 including study programs, service programs, and cultural presentations. Seventeen of JAFI’s 23 and career development. Programs last from two-12 The Jewish Agency for Israel is the largest Jewish Absorption Centers cater specifically to Ethiopian months. It sponsors more than 10,000 participants non-profit organization in the world and is funded olim and provide services tailored to the needs of per year. Masa provides significant scholarships to by our UJA dollars. the Ethiopian community. The other six house participants, performs high-impact outreach and immigrants from around the world –primarily the operates alumni activities. It is best known as the primary organization FSU, North America, South America, Europe and • Israel Tech Challenge is a partnership between responsible for the immigration (aliyah) and the Middle East. the Jewish Agency, the Government of Israel’s absorption of Jews and their families from the National Cyber Bureau and other partners and Diaspora into Israel. Since 1948, the Jewish Agency JAFI is contitnuing donors. It offers trips to Israel of varying lengths for Israel has been responsible for bringing more its efforts to resettle for students and young professionals (aged 18-30) than three million immigrants to Israel and offers Ethiopian Falash with knowledge in the field of computer science them transitional housing in “absorption centers” Mura.(File photo and programming. The programs offer visits throughout the country. The Jewish Agency by Brian Hendler/ with Israeli hi-tech professionals and academics, also played a central role in the founding and JTA) along with experience or training in coding, cyber the building of the state of Israel, including the security and/or data science. establishment of about 1,000 towns and villages, • Machon Le’Madrichim trains Jewish counselors and continues to serve as the main link between • Centers for Young Adults provide ulpan classes, of Zionist youth movements around the world to Israel and Jewish communities around the world. accommodations and a range of services to ease give them tools for conducting educational, Zionist absorption for olim ages 18-35. These Centers programs in their home communities when they Today the Jewish Agency operates and/or funds include Beit Brodetzky in Tel Aviv; Ulpan Kinneret return to them. It was founded in 1946 by the World programs worldwide that: in Tiberias for high school graduates looking for Zionist Organization. Traditionally, thousands of job or army preparation; kibbutz ulpans, which alumni from South America, the United States, (a) bring Jews to Israel on “Israel Experiences” combine Hebrew instruction with volunteer South Africa, Australia, North Africa, and Europe trips, such as Masa Israel Journey, Birthright Israel, work on 10 different kibbutzim; and the Ulpan participate in the program annually. and Onward Israel, Etzion network for college graduates and young • Na’ale allows Jewish teenagers from the Diaspora professionals. to study and earn a high school diploma in Israel. (b) brings “Israel to your community” through a • Ulpans (intensive Hebrew language programs) Students start the program in ninth or 10th grade variety of Jewish education and communal programs are arranged for new immigrants include five hours and graduate after the 12th grade with a full Israeli such as shlichim (emissaries), Partnership2Gether of immersive language instruction, five days a week and programming for Jews in Russian-language for five months. The programs are offered free of countries, charge to all new immigrants. Ulpan instructors are certified by the Ministry of Education. (c) encourages “Jewish Social Action,” such • TAKA combines ulpan studies with pre- as Youth Villages, Youth Futures and Amigour academic preparatory courses for immigrants subsidized housing, and headed to Israeli colleges who wish to polish their skills. (d) facilitates aliyah and helps immigrants integrate • Wings encompasses an array of services into Israeli society through intensive Hebrew- including practical guidance and personal language immersion programs in Israel and mentorship for young immigrants who join the residential programs for immigrants ages 18-35. Israel Defense Force as lone soldiers far from their families. Amid a backdrop of antisemitic violence that has It is a non-governmental organization (NGO) and garnered headlines in France, Denmark, and Belgium, does not receive core funding from the Israeli Israel Experiences right-wing extremism has been gaining political government. Rather, it is funded by the Jewish The Jewish Agency’s Israel Experience programs traction in a number of European nations -- perhaps Federations of North America, Keren Hayesod, also bring thousands of young Jews from around most dramatically in Hungary (above). (Photo major Jewish communities and Federations, and the globe to Israel to get to know the country and courtesty of JDC) 8 Annual Report • Jewish Federation of NEPA matriculation certificate. During the first year, usually as part of a P2G partnership. Students students follow an intensive Hebrew language share projects and communicate via Skype and program so that by the end of their first year Facebook. Last year, the Network included 1,200 they are able to speak, read and write in Hebrew. schools serving about 78,000 children and teens. The program is fully subsidized by the Israeli • Jewish People Policy Institute was established in government. The Na’ale scholarship includes fully 2002 by JAFI as an independent professional policy subsidized tuition, a free air ticket to Israel, room and planning think tank to promote the identity, culture, board, health insurance, trips, and extracurricular prosperity, and continuity of the Jewish People. activities. Na’ale offers different types of schools all Every year, Jewish leaders participate in JPPI’s over Israel for candidates to choose from, including conferences and meetings that forecast the Jewish secular, national religious, ultra-Orthodox, kibbutz condition. Participants have included Dennis Ross, and urban boarding schools. Shimon Peres, Natan Sharansky, Malcolm Hoenlein • Israel in your community (Jewish and Zionist and Tzipi Livni. The Institute conducts meetings, Israelis gathered in a public bomb shelter in the education outside Israel) – In its mission to publishes reports and position papers, and produces southern city of Ashkelon on July 18, 2014. (Photo strengthen the ties between Israel and worldwide contingency plans that help the development of by Miriam Alster/Flash 90) Jewry and to promote Jewish culture and identity, Jewish communities around the world. Emergency Projects/Relief for Victims of the Jewish Agency sends out shlichim (emissaries) • Jewish Social Action – An integral part of JAFI’s Terrorism to Jewish communities across the globe, establishes mission is to assist populations in need in Israel During the 2006 Lebanon War, the Jewish Agency partnerships between Israel and Diaspora and around the world. moved 50,000 children from northern Israel to 50 communities, and operates and/or funds Jewish • Youth Futures is a JAFI-sponsored community- residential camps out of the rocket range – 12,000 educational programs for Russian-speaking Jews based initiative for mentoring at-risk pre-teens children went to Jewish Agency-equipped camp- and their children. It also supports Jewish inclusion and adolescents. Last year, approximately 800 style day cares held in community centers. After a and diversity programs. trained Youth Futures staff members worked with number of absorption centers were hit by rockets, • Israel Fellows to Hillel involves Israeli young 15,000 students and their families in communities the Jewish Agency moved 2,100 new immigrants to adults who have completed army service and around Israel. safety and distributed 2,700 bomb shelter kits. The university study. The Campus Fellows travel for • Youth Villages provide safe, cost-effective Jewish Agency also established a micro-business two years to North American university campuses boarding school settings for almost 1,000 young loan fund in the north to boost the local economy. with the goal of empowering student leadership people ages 12-18 with severe emotional, behavioral and promoting positive engagement with Israel. and family problems. The four Jewish Agency Youth During Operation Cast Lead in 2009, 300 educators The aims of the Israel Fellow program are to Villages help them succeed in and complete high were trained to work with children living through “create an ongoing Israel presence for Jewish school and enter the Israeli army with their peers. trauma, supplemental educational activities have students and the broader community, partner • Project TEN brings together young Israelis and been offered to more than 2,000 students; the S.O.S. with student organizations, campus study abroad their Jewish peers from across the globe to work Emergency Fund for Victims of Terror helped more offices, Jewish and Israel studies departments, on sustainable projects in developing regions. than 200 people whose lives were directly affected by local Jewish Federations, Israeli consulates and • Derech Eretz is an army preparatory program the Kassam rocket attacks, 100 bomb shelters were Jewish Community Centers, and to follow through for young people from Israel’s outlying regions with renovated, and 500 students received scholarships with Taglit-Birthright trip alumni via one-on-one few educational or professional opportunities. The to study at Sapir College in Sderot. meetings and special programs and events to keep program helps launch them on a path of engaged them active and to encourage them to continue citizenship and lifelong success. During Operation Protective Edge in Gaza in their Jewish journeys while in college.” Last year, • Kol Ami is an army group that brings together 2014, the Jewish Agency arranged for children 90 Israel Fellows were sent to campuses in North Israeli and Diaspora Jews and delves into issues of from Israeli areas in the line of fire to enjoy America, South America and other regions. Jewish peoplehood and Israel engagement. “days of respite” for fun activities in regions less • Shlichim, or Jewish Agency emissaries, are • Young Communities are groups of idealistic likely to experience air raids. According to the active in communal organizations, Jewish schools, young Israelis who commit to settling long-term organization’s Annual Report, they provided 73,500 community centers, synagogues and youth in Israel’s high-need areas and creating social such experiences. Additionally, they provided 2,000 movements. There are also Summer Shlichim development programs that increase local quality hours of therapy for new immigrants, provided who serve in Jewish summer camps. They serve of life. The Jewish Agency provides program mental health intervention and financial support as a central resource for Israel education in local grants and professional expertise, and, in some to 340 “lone soldiers,” gave 120 grants from the communities. Last year, the Jewish Agency sent cases, helps the groups build self-sustaining social- Fund for the Victims of Terror, and distributed 1,570 short-term emissaries to summer camps and entrepreneurship enterprises. 1,300 scholarships in March 2015 to students who 383 long-term emissaries to countries around the • Net@ gives high-performing teenagers an lived or studied near the Gaza border. world (not including the Israel Fellows). opportunity to rise above their families’ socio- • Programs for Russian-speaking Jewry –Twenty- economic backgrounds by training them in seven years after the collapse of the Soviet Union marketable computer skills, leading to certification only an estimated 20% of the 800,000 Jews across as computer and network technicians through the broad expanse of what is now the FSU are Cisco Systems. The program is in addition to the meaningfully engaged in Jewish life. Around participants’ high school course load and also the world, Russian-speaking Jews are estimated increases their English comprehension skills. to comprise more than million people, but • Loan Funds assist entrepreneurs and business their participation in local “mainstream” Jewish owners in Israel to open or expand their businesses, communities is exceedingly low.” JAFI therefore through JAFI loans with highly attractive conditions. runs programs for them (in the former Soviet The Jewish Agency acts as a partial guarantor for Dusa Hadad sat with children in a bomb shelter in the Bat Union, North America, Germany, Australia, and the loans to support those businesses that otherwise Galim neighborhood of Haifa on July 18, 2006. Hezbollah Israel) that fall into 4 strategic areas of priority: (1) would have a difficult time qualifying for loans or continued to fire rockets at northern Israel resulting in one camping, youth education and counselor training, presenting the necessary collateral for them. death and many injuries. (Photo by Brian Hendler/JTA) (2) leadership training, (3) visits to Israel, and (4) the facilitation of aliyah from the former Soviet Union and Germany. • FSU Summer and Winter Camps introduce COMMITTEE REPORTS young Russian-speaking Jews in the former Soviet Union to their Jewish heritage. Staffed by trained BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE local counselors and Russian-speaking Israeli counselors, participants are introduced to Jewish REPORT history, Jewish customs and practices, and Israel. The camps are followed up by year-round Jewish My thanks is extended to SPECIAL THANKS TO THE HARRY AND educational activities. members of our Budget and JEANETTE WEINBERG FOUNDATION • Partnership2Gether or P2G (previously Finance Committee for the The Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania known as Partnership 2000) connects some 550 time and effort they spent in is indebted to the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg communities around the world in 45 partnerships. determining the Federation Foundation for having awarded it a three-year • The Global School Twinning Network connects budget for the 2018-2019 general operating expense grant in the amount schools in Israel to Jewish schools around the world Fiscal Year. Our members of $450,000, payable at $150,000 per year for each included Alan Glassman, of the next three years. Seth Gross, David Malinov, Elliot Schoenberg, Richard These funds will be applied directly to reduce Schwartz, Eric Weinberg Steven Seitchik, Chairman, Budget and Finance the Federation’s general operating expenses and Irwin Wolfson. Committee over the next several years. The cost savings to the Federation will result in a corresponding The Committee met on Tuesday, March increase in funds available to be allocated to its 27, and after a detailed analysis of the many social, recreational, cultural, educational projected Federation budget for FY 2018- and religious agencies in Lackawanna, Monroe, 2019, it recommended a Federation budget Pike and Wayne counties. (subsequently approved by the Budget and New immigrants at a conference in Jerusalem on Finance Committee, the Executive Committee, The Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania affordable communities in Israel in November 2017. and the Federation Board of Trustees) of is sincerely grateful to the Harry and Jeanette (Photo by Yonit Schiller) $242,431. Weinberg Foundation for its financial support. Jewish Federation of NEPA • Annual Report 9 COMMUNITY RELATIONS REPORT Federation Leaders Meet with Senator Toomey’s Chief of Staff Daniel Brandt and Regional Manager Frank Mazza to Discuss the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017 and the Proposed Devastating Cuts to Medicaid Representatives from Statistically speaking, it was average annual increase in real health Medicaid will become uninsured the Jewish Federation of pointed out that American care costs and will not adjust enough and will turn increasingly to more Northeastern Pennsylvania Jewish nursing homes, to offset these costs. Because the expensive emergency rooms for care; met on July 5, 2017, at service centers, group cap will not reflect the real cost of • states will be forced to cut back the Federation office in homes and residences health care inflation and additional on crucial Medicaid services, such Scranton with Daniel serving the disabled receive risks, the bill will cause far deeper as home and community-based Brandt (Washington Chief $6 billion a year in U.S. cuts (estimated at 40%) in the years services, effectively forcing people of Staff for Republican funding. Without such after 2026. with disabilities and older adults Senator Pat Toomey) and financial assistance, care who are capable of living in the Frank Mazza (Regional will be slashed. The CBO thus concluded that the community with proper home and Manager) to discuss the Better Care Reconciliation Act will community-based services into implications of the Better The Senate bill (as currently shift significant costs and risk to state nursing homes; David Fallk, Esq. Care Reconciliation Act Chairman, Community worded) seeks to end and local governments, providers, • states will be forced to curtail of 2017 (currently being Relations Committee (CRC) the federal government’s and patients, thus exacerbating the their mental health and substance debated in the U.S. Senate) on long-standing commitment since existing strain on the program. abuse treatment services, which we Medicaid recipients. Medicaid’s inception to match know from the raging opioid crisis the Medicaid costs of the states. In short, due to these reductions are needed now more than ever; Those invited to this important private It was noted that taking this step in funding, states will be left with • states will be forced to reduce meeting included Rabbi Samuel reneges on the federal government’s no choice but to either commit already low provider payment Sandhaus (Jewish Home of Eastern promise to states and to Medicaid more state funds to make up the rates, thus further decreasing the Pennsylvania), Sheila Nudelman beneficiaries that the program will difference (which they cannot pool of providers serving Medicaid Abdo (Executive Director of Jewish remain flexible to adjust for economic afford to do), reduce Medicaid beneficiaries and increasing waiting Family Service of Northeastern downturns, unexpected health care enrollment, eligibility for Medicaid times for critical services; and Pennsylvania), Doug Fink (President cost increases, and emergencies and, benefits, and payment rates, or (in • healthcare providers and entities of the Jewish Federation of unfortunately, the bill caps federal a worst case scenario) watch its that care for vulnerable populations Northeastern Pennsylvania), Mark Medicaid payments starting in 2020 service institutions close. In fact, the will suffer significant financial Silverberg (Executive Director of the with a growth rate that is lower than Budget Office found that by 2026, for losses. As a result, these agencies Jewish Federation of Northeastern the real cost of health care. people under age 65, enrollment in will be forced to lay off staff or close Pennsylvania) and me as CRC Chair. Medicaid will fall by 16%. If true, then their doors altogether, resulting in Moreover, after five years, it was noted converting Medicaid to the proposed significant job losses and further While grateful to Senator Toomey that the bill would make even deeper per capita cap will cause irreparable straining state economies. for his unswerving political support cuts by changing to a lower growth rate harm not only to the millions who for the State of Israel, concern – even lower than the House-passed depend on the program, but also to Documentation supporting the above was expressed that the services bill. This lower rate most certainly will the entire network of providers who points together with detailed analyses performed by both the Jewish Home not keep pace with the rising cost of care for them. provided by the Jewish Home and JFS and Jewish Family Service would be health care, nor will it adjust for major on the potential effect of this bill on significantly affected by significant demographic changes that are coming Those attending the meeting with their operations was also provided cuts to Medicaid funding should the across the country such as the aging Mr. Brandt and Mr. Mazza expressed to Senator Toomey’s representatives. Better Care Reconciliation Act of of the baby-boomers who will begin to their concern that this legislation as 2017 become law. turn 80 years old just as the deepest indicated by the points raised above For these many reasons, those who cuts take effect. would roll back years of progress in attended the meeting requested that Documentation in that regard was caring for vulnerable populations they convey to Senator Toomey this presented both to Brandt and Mazza Toomey’s staffers were also told by and promote perverse consequences. Federation’s opposition to the Better together with other position points the group that the cap on Medicaid In short: Care Reconciliation Act as currently recommending the bill be vetoed as not only restructures the program • people who desperately need worded. worded and significantly modified. and limits federal spending but does not lower the cost of caring for The group expressed disappointment Medicaid beneficiaries, nor does it Federation Responds to Charlottesville, that the legislation retains the improve the care being provided. It devastating cuts to Medicaid first passed simply passes costs and fiscal risks by the U.S. House of Representatives from the federal government to the VA, Racist Riots in the American Health Care Act states. The end result will be millions On August 12, chaos erupted in at the rally, and by the deaths and of 2017 (H.R. 1628) and – in the more without health insurance, Charlottesville, VA, at a “Unite the injuries caused by the act of terrorism long run – makes them substantially fewer benefits and services, and Right” rally as neo-Nazis, skinheads, they have inspired. We send our worse. It was noted that these cuts will lower provider payments. These cuts Ku Klux Klan supporters and other condolences to the families of those dramatically restructure Medicaid’s will hurt low-income and vulnerable white supremacist groups arrived for who have lost their lives and wish a federal financing commitment and children, older adults, and people a rally waving Confederate and Nazi speedy recovery to others who have roll back coverage for millions of with disabilities who have nowhere flags to protest the removal of a statue been injured. people covered by state Medicaid else to turn when health care of Confederate General Robert E. expansions. providers such as Jewish hospitals, Lee from a local park. Mark Silverberg, Executive Director nursing homes, group homes, and Jewish Federation of Northeastern As we all know, Medicaid is a health family and children’s agencies Counter-protesters were also on Pennsylvania lifeline for more than 80 million cannot maintain the necessary level hand, and the two sides clashed, with 601 Jefferson Avenue Americans, including low-income of staffing to provide quality care, people throwing punches, shoving, Scranton, PA children, pregnant women, older or are forced to turn Medicaid taunting, outright brawling, hurling adults, and people with disabilities recipients away, or even worse - close water bottles, unleashing pepper nationwide, and these cuts would their doors. spray and screaming racist and affect our nursing homes and antisemitic slogans. The crowd was family and children’s agencies here Concern was expressed as well by estimated at well over 1,000 and, in in Northeastern Pennsylvania and the findings of the Congressional the end, three persons died and 34 indeed around the country – Jewish Budget Office (CBO) that by 2026 were injured. and non-Jewish alike. the Better Care Reconciliation Act will result in $772 billion in federal In response, the Jewish Federation of It was noted that 37 million children budget reductions (or 26% percent) Northeastern Pennsylvania published nationwide are covered by Medicaid to Medicaid funding and lead to a the following Letter to the Editor of – more than half of Medicaid loss in coverage for 22 million people the Scranton Times: recipients. Medicaid also covers poor overall, including 15 million from pregnant women in most states and Medicaid specifically. The Jewish Federation of Northeastern pays for almost half of all births in Pennsylvania is appalled and saddened our nation. Medicaid also pays for a As the Budget Office noted (and as by the violence in Charlottesville, VA. Hundreds of white supremacists and far- good deal of the mental health and pointed out to Senator Toomey’s This display of hate, bigotry, racism, rightists on the outskirts of Emancipation substance use treatment provided in representatives by the group), the xenophobia, and antisemitism by Park during the Unite the Right rally our country - a need that cannot be federal share of Medicaid spending white supremacists has no place in Charlottesville, VA, on August 12, highlighted more than by the raging under the Senate bill eventually in America. We are horrified and 2017. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/ opioid crisis. will be substantially lower than the sickened by the messages spewed Getty Images) 10 Annual Report • Jewish Federation of NEPA The Taylor Force Act (U.S. humanitarian aid to the Palestinian and Robert Casey regarding the According to a recent study by the incarceration to determine the level Authority being used to pay “salaries” to misuse of U.S. humanitarian aid Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, of compensation paid. The Secretary terrorists and their families) provided to the Palestinian Authority the Palestinian Authority budget has of State will also have to certify that and replies were received from both committed $154 million for salaries the PA has terminated payments for On December 5, the U.S. House Senators affirming their desire to see of imprisoned and released terrorists acts of terrorism against American of Representatives overwhelmingly the Taylor Force Act passed in the and $192 million for the families and Israeli citizens after being fairly passed a bill that would reduce U.S. U.S. Senate as well. of those “martyred” in their war to tried and who have been imprisoned funding for the Palestinians unless murder Israelis and to exterminate for such acts of terrorism, including their official bodies stop subsidizing In March, the Senate did in fact Israel, for a total expenditure of the family members of the convicted families of killers of Israelis in what pass the Act. As noted above, the bi- $346 million! This figure amounts to individuals. Finally, the P.A. will has been termed a “pay-to-slay” policy. partisan bill will cut off U.S. economic 49.6% of all foreign aid received by have to take credible steps against The Taylor Force Act, named for an assistance to the Palestinian Authority the Palestinian Authority by the end incitement to violence against Israelis American stabbed to death in Tel until they cease payments to terrorists of 2017. The P.A. has also earmarked and Americans. Aviv in 2016, passed in a voice vote, and their families. President Trump $158M of its 2018 budget for “pay-to- with lawmakers from both sides of signed it into law. The bottom line slay” benefits for terrorists. In short, the Palestinians must choose. the aisle saying it was long overdue. is simple. U.S. taxpayers’ money will Realistically speaking however, as not be used to incentivize terrorism, In order to retrieve U.S. funding, the long as Palestinian political culture Earlier, representatives of the including terrorism directed P.A. would have to revoke any law, prioritizes violence against Israelis Jewish Federation of Northeastern against U.S. citizens although funds decree or document authorizing a above nation-building and economic Pennsylvania had contacted allocated to security cooperation and compensation program for prisoners development for Palestinians, there Pennsylvania Senators Pat Toomey humanitarian relief were exempted. that uses the sentence or period of will be no peace. Jerusalem’s Centrality (Op-Ed published in the Scranton Times that plagues the Middle East. from precluding a Palestinian capital that all religious groups may pray as on January 5 in response to Rev Michael there, subject to negotiations. they wish at a united Jerusalem’s holy Azar’s Op-Ed of December 22 that attacked When King David made Jerusalem sites. Control over the Temple Mount the decision of the U.S. government to his capital some 3,000 years ago, that Since 1936 there have been numerous was ceded to Muslim authorities. recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the city became eternally and inexorably proposals to effectuate a two-state State of Israel.) connected to Israel and the Jewish solution for the region and for control Judaism, Islam and Christianity BY DAVID FALLK, ESQ. people. It was in Jerusalem that Jewish over Jerusalem. The Arab world has all have thrived in the city. More temples stood, Jewish kings ruled, and rejected every one, resorting instead churches, mosques and synagogues For at least two millennia the world biblical prophets preached. Jews such to violence by spawning repeated exist in the Old City of Jerusalem than has engaged in an enduring struggle as Jesus gathered there during Jewish riots, wars, and intifadas. anywhere else in the world. to separate Israel from Jews and festivals as Jews do today. its Jewishness, and Jerusalem from After the 1948 war, while Israel For peace to come, Palestinians must Israel. Jerusalem appears 669 times in provided citizenship rights to its decide that they have more to gain by the Old Testament and 142 times 20 percent Arab minority, Jordan recognizing Israel and its capital than Whether it was the forced diaspora in the New Testament. Jews pray illegally annexed the West Bank by perpetuating the conflict until by the Roman Empire and its facing Jerusalem, and major Jewish and East Jerusalem and ethnically Israel has been annihilated. renaming Judea as Palestine, rituals, including the Passover Seder cleansed all Jews from its midst. The centuries of invaders, or the three and the Yom Kippur service, end Jewish Quarter of East Jerusalem was But that has proved problematic. The wars of attempted extinction by with the affirmation, “Next year in destroyed and the Mount of Olives annual Palestinian Authority budget Arab nations against Israel (1948, Jerusalem.” In the Quran, Jerusalem Cemetery desecrated. commits almost $350 million for 1967, 1973), the concept of a Jewish is not mentioned. Muslims pray facing salaries of imprisoned and released nation in the ancestral homeland Mecca. The 1964 PLO charter claimed terrorists and for the families of those of the Jewish people, or Jewish neither the West Bank nor Gaza “martyred” in their war to murder control over Jerusalem, has proved Despite many efforts over centuries or mentioned Jerusalem but was Israelis and to exterminate Israel. To disconcerting to segments of the by colonial powers and Arab pressure aimed at destroying the entire Jewish the south, Hamas continues to spend non-Jewish world. to curb Jewish migration back to the state. In refusing to accept any final tens of millions of dollars on deadly Holy Land, Jerusalem contained a plan for peaceful coexistence, the rockets and building tunnels from Rev. Michael Azar’s op-ed (Dec. 22) plurality of Jews for generations, and Palestinians, including Yasser Arafat which terrorists can strike. commenting on President Trump’s has had a Jewish majority since the and Mahmoud Abbas, have resorted declaration regarding Jerusalem is 19th century. to denying history, including that a If Jerusalem is to live up to its another example of the agita the Jewish temple existed in Jerusalem. definition as “City of Peace,” those idea of Jewish sovereignty over any President Trump’s action merely who profess an interest in such peace piece of land or city has produced. reinforces the right of the Jewish Israel’s Declaration of Independence must stop dwelling on questioning His parsing of geography, history, and people for self-determination and for promised freedom to all religions and the rights of Jews. Instead they should the Bible, while ignoring the reality the Jewish state to choose its capital. protection of all holy places, and since work on getting the Palestinians to say of Arab enmity and intransigence, Although Trump affirmed Jerusalem 1967, the rights of all faiths have been “yes” to something other than denial inevitably leads down the same path as the capital of Israel, he refrained respected and protected to ensure and violence. PENNSYLVANIA JEWISH COALITION REPORT PJC Applauds Trade Agreement Between Pennsylvania and Israel PJC Mission Statement: The on November 6, 2017, at Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition a ceremony at Thomas (PJC), working individually Jefferson University. and collectively with others, represents Pennsylvania’s For several years, the Jewish communities before Pennsylvania Jewish state government and with communities, Philadelphia other Pennsylvanians. Jewish Israel Chamber of values guide the PJC’s focus Commerce and the on issues of importance to these Pennsylvania Jewish communities, including public Joe Fisch, Esq., Coalition have been social policies and funding and PJC Chairman working with the DCED, Above and below: Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic regulation of the delivery of human service. the IIA, and the Israeli Consulate’s Development Secretary Dennis Davin signed the Memorandum of Understanding office to encourage companies for Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition based in Israel to broaden their (PJC) commends the Pennsylvania operations to communities within Department of Community and the Commonwealth, and vice versa. Economic Development (DCED) and Through this agreement Israeli and the Israel Innovative Authority (IIA) Pennsylvania companies will now on the signing of a Memorandum of have research opportunities, financial Understanding (MOU) to encourage support and other resources to expand cooperation in industrial research and improve their businesses to the and development and innovation benefit of Pennsylvania as well as Israel. between Israeli and Pennsylvania companies. The MOU was signed And the results are already Jewish Federation of NEPA • Annual Report 11 becoming apparent. Noveome currently untreatable back of the damaged or diseased tissue. the nasal device. They have already Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Pittsburgh) eye conditions including glaucoma SipNose has developed a unique completed preclinical studies. A has been awarded a significant and optic neuritis, and for a type device that can deliver ST266 Phase 1 clinical safety trial is scheduled grant from the Commonwealth of brain damage known as chronic non-invasively through the nose to begin later this year. of Pennsylvania to begin clinical traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. to protect nerves in the affected trials for eye and brain diseases. Noveome intends to conduct the areas of the eye or brain. This development attests to the The $500,000 grant comes from trials in collaboration with SipNose, growth potential for partnerships the Pennsylvania Department of Ltd. of Yokneam, Israel. Noveome The two companies entered into between the thriving tech community Health. The clinical trials will has developed a proprietary a formal collaboration agreement in Pennsylvania and the ‘startup focus on potential remedies for product, called ST266, for healing in February for using ST266 with nation’ of Israel. Holocaust education Successfully Reaches 93% of the Public and Charter Schools in Pennsylvania The Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition their schools. The Board likewise subjects effectively, assess schools’ use of its passage. It is laudable that (PJC) also applauds the Pennsylvania made recommendations for the of these resources, and assure that the Commonwealth has exceeded Department of Education and the Commonwealth to continue to every school district is offering these this goal. Act 70 of 2014 Task Force (comprised update resources and training on subjects to their students. of professional educators focused these subjects. As a society, we need to continue on the Holocaust, genocide and The goal in implementing Act educating our students about crimes human rights violations) on reaching Over the past three years, the 70 of 2014 was also to ensure against humanity so they will foster their goal of having guided 93% of Pennsylvania Department of that Pennsylvania students would tolerance and speak out against Pennsylvania public and charter Education has worked with the Act receive a solid introduction to the bigotry and hatred in all its corrosive schools to offer instruction on the 70 of 2014 Task Force to develop lessons of the Holocaust and its forms. As political philosopher Holocaust, genocide and human guidelines for schools to teach implications for fighting genocide Edmund Burke once wrote: “Those rights violations and related issues these subjects, create free resource and human rights violations who fail to learn from history in their curriculum. This includes materials for teachers and offer free in the future. The guidelines are doomed to repeat it.” With more than 2,000 Pennsylvania training for teachers. The objective and curricular resources were successful legislation such as Act teachers who have been trained was to create tools and resources to developed by experts in the field 70, the Commonwealth, supported to date to teach the Holocaust in help all school districts teach these who also were involved in teacher and encouraged by the PJC, has training. The Act set a goal to have demonstrated its commitment to 90% of the schools teaching this guarding against the repetition of Bill Expanding FEMA to Houses of course material within three years these tragic chapters of world history. Worship Signed into Law Immigration Reform In February, a new law was passed was introduced and passed with by Congress that makes houses of overwhelming bi-partisan support Due to a recent $50 million fine assessed • removing verification for worship eligible for disaster relief in the House of Representatives by the federal government upon the “pass through agencies” receiving funds from the Federal government. although it stalled in the Senate Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and allocating the funds (only It addresses a policy that excluded after the Obama administration for allocating public assistance to directly from the state agency – synagogues, churches, mosques and signaled its opposition to offering undocumented individuals during Unemployment Compensation, the like, as well as many religious FEMA aid to houses of worship. the Governor Ridge and Rendell Workers’ Compensation, etc.) educational facilities, from receiving That has now changed. One of the terms, the Pennsylvania Senate • exempting victims of domestic grants from the Federal Emergency many institutions that could stand has revived Senate Bill 9 (SB 9). violence Management Agency (FEMA). to reap the benefits of the new law SB 9 enables the state to request • exempting victims of human is Houston’s largest shul, the United verification to assure that recipients of trafficking The issue was brought to the Orthodox Synagogue, which was state funds are United States citizens. • exempting refugees fore by the damage caused by flooded by up to seven feet of water • exempting children and senior Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. In in August 2017 during Hurricane The PJC has been working on SB 9 citizens the wake of Superstorm Sandy Harvey, rendering most of the for the past seven years. Since that • exempting individuals with in 2012, a nearly identical bill building unusable. time, it have been successful in: mental or physical disabilities Wolf Administration Holds Community Forum at Scranton JCC to Help Older Pennsylvanians Avoid Being Scammed. On April 9, Pennsylvania Secretary Governor Tom Wolf. Secretary Hassell outlined the warning money to the criminals. of Aging Teresa Osborne and signs of several prevalent scams including Revenue Secretary Dan Hassell Secretary Osborne shared with the one that involves cyber criminals stealing The Department of Revenue has traveled to the Scranton JCC to lead audience that older adults are less client data from tax professionals and issued tips to avoid being victimized a community discussion on steps the likely to report financial fraud. Often filing fraudulent tax returns in the and has published tips online to Wolf Administration has taken to they don’t realize they have been name of identity theft victims. Rather help Pennsylvanians protect their protect older Pennsylvanians from scammed or they don’t know who to than routing fraudulent tax refunds to identities and personal information. scams and financial exploitation. report it to. In other cases, they may a separate account, the criminals direct In addition, if you are a victim of be too ashamed or embarrassed to the refunds to the taxpayers’ real bank identity theft or discover a fraudulent The town-hall style event also report it, in part because they worry account through a direct deposit. Then Pennsylvania personal income tax afforded those in attendance the that their relatives or friends will they use threatening phone calls to return was filed using your identity, opportunity to ask questions and think that they no longer have the trick taxpayers into “returning” the contact the Department of Revenue’s discuss their own experiences with mental capacity to take care of their refunds, and unsuspecting victims Fraud Investigation Unit at 717-772- two Cabinet secretaries working for own financial affairs. in some cases have forwarded the 9297 or [email protected]. GRANTS COMMITTEE REPORT The guidelines established Fragin, Natalie Gelb, Alan Israel and the world. Over the past several years, multi-year by the Grants Committee Glassman, Leah Laury, capital grants have been awarded to currently cover program, David Malinov, Dan Marcus, Within these parameters, the the Scranton Mikvah for major repairs capital and emergency Ed Monsky, Stan Rothman, guidelines currently provide that and renovations ($80,000 payable at grants, and the funds for Richard Schwartz, Eric the Federation may award program $20,000 per year for four years), the these grants are made Weinberg and Irwin Wolfson. or capital grants for: Scranton Jewish Community Center available from the income • emergencies or other for major renovations to its 60-year-old generated from the Based on the amount of funds extraordinary situations relating facility ($300,000 payable at $37,500 Federation’s Unrestricted available to the Committee, to the welfare of our Jewish per year for eight years), and the Endowment Funds on an the Jewish Federation of communities; Jewish Discovery Center/Chabad of annual basis. Esther Adelman, Northeastern Pennsylvania • a single innovative and creative the Abingtons as a multi-year capital Chairwoman, Grants program, service or project that Committee provides seed money for grant designed to offset construction Before reviewing our creative and innovative enhances the quality of Jewish life costs of its new facility in Waverly activities this past year, I would be programs, projects or services that in Northeastern Pennsylvania, has ($75,000 capital grant payable over remiss if I did not acknowledge further its Mission of rescuing the strong Jewish content, and is not part five years). There was also a capital those members of our Committee imperiled, caring for the vulnerable, of the organization’s regular program grant of $7,500 to the Jewish Heritage who dedicated so much time and and revitalizing and perpetuating the budget; and Connection located in the Scranton effort to the work described below. Jewish communities of Lackawanna, • matching grants (including JCC and numerous program grants They include Gary Beckhorn, Lynne Pike, Wayne and Monroe counties, capital grants, if appropriate) to various agencies and synagogues 12 Annual Report • Jewish Federation of NEPA throughout Northeasetrn Pennsylvania – just to Temple Israel of Scranton membership application to include congregant name a few. Program Grant of $4,000 Awarded areas of Jewish interest so as to address these interests. In addition, it issues many monthly During our last fiscal year (September 2017- Another program grant was awarded to Temple newsletters and e-mail bulletins to make the May 2018), the Grants Committee met to review Israel of Scranton in the amount of $4,000 to congregation aware of various classes and programs several grant requests designed to assist our major further their Family Education Program Series being conducted. Congregants and the general agencies in overcoming emergency situations and and to make attendance at the programs more community are also integrated into the initiative to fund creative and innovative program initiatives affordable for the 80% of Temple Israel’s members through multi-media, newspapers, bulletins, flyers designed to engage community members and who are on fixed incomes. and e-mails. As a result, those attending have become to attract unaffiliated Jewish families into their engaged in congregational leadership by assuming congregations, agencies and institutions. They The program grant will reduce the costs of the roles including outreach and membership chair, were as follows: following programs: fund-raising chair, and chesed committee chair. In • Scholar-In-Residence Weekend ($1,500) addition, the congregation gained five new families EMERGENCY GRANT • Israel Independence Day celebration ($500) as members in the past six months, all of whom had Congregation Beth Israel (Honesdale) • A trip to the New York City and the Jewish heard of the congregation’s activities through its Emergency Capital Grant of $5,000 Awarded Museum ($1,000) outreach programs. • A Family Shabbat Retreat at Camp Ramah in Two weeks prior to Rosh Hashanah last year, one the Poconos ($1,000) The initiative has many different facets to it. These of two fuel oil tanks in Congregation Beth Israel’s include: basement started to leak. Not only did this create • A Library Program – The congregation has a problem with heating the building, but the dedicated a room for its library, and this past spill was on the synagogue basement’s dirt floor year it has added a computer and hooked into and the odor in the sanctuary was overwhelming. the Internet, enabling communication with Clearly, the synagogue could not celebrate its 161st the congregation’s snowbirds on Skype and by High Holy Day services under such conditions. streaming programs. Two members of the congregation pumped • A Women’s Torah Study Group the remaining oil out of the broken tank, and a • A Yiddish Club concrete pad was poured in preparation for the • A Monthly Book Club installation of a new tank which was subsequently • Library Holy Day Programs featuring story installed and brought up to code. Rabbi Moshe Saks in Temple Israel of Scranton’s time, crafts, games and holiday foods presented sanctuary. at the area’s six public libraries In addition, on the advice of the synagogue’s • A Jewish Film Series featuring the latest insurance agent, a further capital grant was Congregation B’nai Harim (Pocono Pines, PA) award-winning films from the Florida Jewish awarded to repair and level the flagstone sidewalk Program Grant of $2,500 Awarded Film Festival in front of the social hall’s entrance for safety • A Lox Academy featuring outside experts reasons and to avoid a loss of insurance liability A further program grant was awarded to speaking on varied topics of Jewish interest, coverage. In addition, the sidewalk was sloped up Congregation B’nai Harim in Pocono Pines in including Jewish calligraphy, Jewish ghost stories, slightly to make access to the building for elderly the amount of $2,500 to assist the congregation in creating personal prayers, Sephardic music, a and disabled congregants easier. developing and expanding its Intergenerational sofer, a discussion on ethical and living wills, and Learning Initiative programs. a seminar on stress management. PROGRAM GRANTS • A Shabbat-Across-America program created by The Jewish Discovery Center/Chabad The Intergenerational Learning Initiative began the National Jewish Outreach Program to stimulate Program Grant of $1,500 Awarded as it became obvious that neither the congregation a love of Shabbat in one’s congregation or in the nor its religious school was finding new students. wider community. A program grant of $1,500 was awarded to offset With the firm conviction that Jewish education is • A Community Passover Seder, a Community its estimated deficit in presenting a five-part adult not only for children and that Jewish continuity Chanukah Luncheon, a traditional Yom Kippur education lecture series on Israel each Tuesday in depends as well on knowledgeable adults, the Break-the-Fast and Pizza in the Sukkah, which are November 2017 on the subject of “The Six-Day congregation established this initiative and opened open to all Jews in the community. War – Fifty Years Later” and its modern-day moral its classes to any congregant, friend or neighbor • A Music Program held twice per month at and political implications. who wanted to learn the history and culture services (including holidays, values, Torah and language) The course, which was open to the public, of our people. investigated the historic implications of the events that led up to the war, the war itself and In addition, this initiative brought cultural its aftermath. Its goal (in addition to marking exposure to the surrounding Jewish community the 50th anniversary of the Six-Day War) was to through the outreach facet of adult education. In determine the ways in which the lessons gleaned 2017, the congregation hosted approximately fifty from the war continue to be relevant today and members of neighboring churches and mosques how the pertinent dilemmas it generated might at its synagogue. The program included holiday be effectively tackled. Its purpose was to cultivate foods, stories, and traditional religious articles for a deeper sense of personal identification with the each Jewish holiday. The congregation’s rabbi (Peg Land of Israel and its citizens, and to provide a Kershenbaum) spoke briefly about each holiday. platform to discuss and debate a wide variety of issues that Israel continues to contend with today. The congregation also recently updated its Congregation B’nai Harim in Pocono Pines

The lectures included: • “People of the Land” – The Jewish claim INVESTMENTS/ENDOWMENT to Israel. The 1967 conflict resulted from the argument, espoused by Egypt’s Abdel Nasser and most leaders in the Arab world, that Israel’s DEVELOPMENT COMMMITTEE REPORT existence was illegitimate, having been founded The Federation’s Investments Committee Campaign. In total, there are well over on stolen Arab territory. is responsible for the management 100 Funds in the Federation’s Endowment • “Lightning Strike” – As Arab armies mobilized, of $11,165,954 in assets (as of March Fund – Funds established by individuals Israel faced immense international pressure not to 31, 2018) of which $6,920,747 are who believed it was their responsibility launch a pre-emptive strike. Israel ignored those Federation-owned Funds. to support Jewish life in Northeastern warnings and struck first. Pennsylvania long after their deaths. • “Occupied with Peace” – After the war, Israel As such, it manages the Federation’s offered to return its newly acquired territories in endowment portfolio to ensure that We thank them and their families for exchange for peace, but the Arab world rejected the Federation achieves the maximum their generosity and foresight, and these the offer. Subsequent attempts at exchanging return possible on its investments while legacies are published below as a token land for peace have failed to resolve the issues still maintaining the integrity of the of our appreciation. funds for the future. Income from the Margaret Sheldon, surrounding these territories. Chairwoman, Investments • “Israel in Perspective” – The Six-Day War Federation’s Unrestricted Endowment Committee Gifts can be made to the Federation’s had a profound impact on Diaspora Jewry. In its Funds has allowed the Federation Endowment Fund during a donor’s immediate aftermath, waves of new immigrants to provide grants for capital projects and for lifetime or by bequests, which include an outright arrived in the Jewish state, while countless others innovative and creative programs (see Grants contribution of cash, securities, real estate or other experienced a spiritual reawakening. When the Committee Report) and has ensured the survival property, life insurance, IRA or pension plan assets, euphoria wore off, however, extreme diversity in and long-term stability of existing programs, which establishing a charitable trust, or by way of a grant perspective and reaction emerged. supplement agency needs. from a private foundation. • “A Nation That Dwells Alone” – In staggering disproportion to its size, Israel receives almost In addition, income from the Federation’s Investment Committee members meet quarterly constant coverage in international media and Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment Funds to review the Funds’ performances and asset foreign forums, with the majority of this coverage and other Federation and non-Federation owned allocations which include large growth, large value, highly uncomplimentary. Funds provided $312,871 to our 2018 annual UJA mid value, small cap, non-U.S. equity, fixed income Jewish Federation of NEPA • Annual Report 13 and cash/short-term investments. received from the Lester G. Abeloff According to the terms of these of each Fund as computed as of Foundation in Stroudsburg, resulting P.A.C.E. Agreements, distributions December 31 of any given year, There were several significant in the establishment of the Lester shall not exceed 4.5% of the principal and 100% of the income must be Endowment Funds established and Clementine Abeloff Perpetual over the past few years. In October Annual Campaign Endowment 2016, the Federation received a gift (P.A.C.E.) Fund, and in November resulting in the establishment of the 2017, the Foundation added a further “Legacies for Life” Endowment Program Samuel W. and Maryjane Newman $226,000 to that Fund. Every generation builds on the work of the Perpetual Annual Campaign previous generation, and every generation Endowment (P.A.C.E.) Fund. In In addition, on May 4, 2017, a gives its resources to the one that follows. November 2016, a $251,506 gift was $100,000 gift from Lewis Sare led to The Jewish Federation of Northeastern received by the Federation from the establishment of the Lewis and Pennsylvania has been blessed with many the Harry and Helen Mack estate Gerry Sare and Family Perpetual generous bequests and lifetime gifts that have that led to the establishment of the Annual Campaign Endowment been received over the years by the Federation Harry and Helen Mack Perpetual (P.A.C.E.) Fund, and on February as Unrestricted Endowment Funds, Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment 1, 2018, the Irwin Adler Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment Funds, Restricted Funds and Donor-Advised (P.A.C.E.) Fund. In November Annual Campaign Endowment Philanthropic Funds. 2016, grants totaling $281,500 were (P.A.C.E.) Fund was established. But the overriding principle that motivated the generosity of these benefactors was the simple premise that as our parents planted for us, so must we, in our turn, plant for those who will follow us. It is that tradition Legacies For Life Program that has sustained the Jewish people throughout the eons of time. Lewis and Gerry Sare’s charitable giving in establishing a $100,000 Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment (P.A.C.E.) Fund with the For more information on our Legacies for Life Program, please call Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania says a lot about them Executive Director Mark Silverberg at 570-961-2300 (ext. 1) or e-mail him Lewis and Gerry Sare (of blessed memory and a UJA “Lion at [email protected] if you have any questions. of Judah” benefactor for decades) of Scranton are part of America’s “greatest generation.” For our Community Their charitable causes over the years have included the For our Posterity Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach (Florida), Jewish Home of For Israel Eastern Pennsylvania (Scranton), Hospice of Palm Beach Forever County (Florida), Jewish Family Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania (Scranton), Anshe Emuna Congregation of The following list of endowed gifts to the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Delray Beach, Florida, Congregation Beth Shalom (Scranton), Scranton Jewish Community Pennsylvania is published in recognition of the debt owed by the Jewish Center, Temple Israel (Scranton), Florida Atlantic University Foundation (Boca Raton, Florida), St. communities of Northeastern Pennsylvania to those whose legacy is sustaining Joseph’s Center, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism, Temple of Israel (Dunmore, PA), Jewish War Veterans, Hadassah, Jewish National Fund, World our people and our faith here, in Israel, and throughout the world. Jewish Congress, Tifereth Israel Congregation (Judy Sare Nursery School, Bensalem, PA), Jewish Heritage Connection, The ARC, Scranton Area Foundation, Geisinger-Commonwealth School of This list does not include donations to the Federation’s annual UJA Medicine, Elan Gardens, Maccabi USA and the Jewish Agency for Israel, North America. Campaign from non-Federation-owned Funds, a list of which will appear A portion of the income from their new P.A.C.E. Fund will be added in their names to the on our UJA Campaign Honor Roll published during the summer of 2018. annual UJA Campaign of the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania each year in Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment Aileen & David Epstein Century 21 Legacy Fund perpetuity and will be used to perpetuate Jewish life in Northeast Pennsylvania, sustain our Funds (P.A.C.E. Funds– Federation-owned) Fanny & Irving L. Epstein Century 21 Legacy Fund many Jewish institutions and support Israel and our People in 57 countries around the David Fink Century 21 Legacy Fund Lester & Clementine Abeloff Family Fund Dr. Alan Firestone Century 21 Legacy Fund world - wherever Jews are in need or under threat. Revocable Trust Sheldon & Morton Friedman Century 21 Legacy Lester and Clementine Abeloff Perpetual Annual Fund Our community is eternally grateful to Lewis and his late wife Gerry for their Legacy. Campaign Endowment Fund Mae Gelb Century 21 Legacy Fund Irwin Adler Perpetual Annual Campaign Write your prescription today for a better Jewish future by remembering the Jewish Gelb Family Fund Endowment Fund Norman & Arlene Gevanthor Century 21 Legacy Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania in your estate planning. A.B. & Dora Cohen P.A.C.E. Fund Fund Moe Cohen P.A.C.E. Fund Alan, Laurel, Steven & Adam Glassman Century For more information, please call Mark Silverberg, Executive Director at 570-961-2300 (ext. 1) Leni Eiseman P.A.C.E. Fund 21 Legacy Fund or e-mail him at [email protected] if you have any questions. Joseph & Regina Friedman P.A.C.E. Fund Aaron Glassman Memorial Fund Morris Gelb P.A.C.E. Fund Marion Glassman Century 21 Legacy Happiness For our Community. Jerome E. Giles P.A.C.E. Fund Fund For our Posterity. Betty Goldsmith P.A.C.E. Fund Samuel & Mildred Harris Century 21 Legacy Fund David & Betty Greenberger P.A.C.E. Fund For Israel. Susan & Scott Herlands Century 21 Legacy Fund Bea & Jerry Jaffe P.A.C.E. Fund Forever. Ruth & Joe Hollander Century 21 Legacy Fund Irving & Frances Kaufman P.A.C.E. Fund Leonard Krieger Memorial Fund Leon M. Levy Memorial P.A.C.E. Fund Rose & Irving Levy Century 21 Legacy Fund Paul & Ann Levy P.A.C.E. Fund Saul & Sharon Levy Century 21 Legacy Fund Harry & Helen Mack P.A.C.E. Fund James & Marilyn Levy Century 21 Legacy Fund Samuel W. and Maryjane Newman P.A.C.E. Fund Esther & Scott Margolis Century 21 Legacy Fund Nivert Family P.A.C.E. Fund Millie Myers Century 21 Legacy Fund Herb & Sylvia Rosen P.A.C.E. Fund Samuel Myers Memorial Fund P A C E Ida Rosenbluth P.A.C.E. Fund Sondra & Morey Myers Century 21 Legacy Fund Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment Milton & Lillian Rosenzweig P.A.C.E. Fund Charlotte Plottle Century 21 Legacy Fund Lewis and Gerry Sare and Family P.A.C.E. Fund Leah Rosenbluth Century 21 Legacy Fund Ada & Phillip Schwartz P.A.C.E. Fund Michael & Judith Roth Century 21 Legacy Fund Bessie Todres Starr P.A.C.E. Fund Your gift to the Annual Campaign Molly & David Rutta Century 211 Legacy Fund Dora Troy P.A.C.E. Fund Julie & Richard Rutta Century 21 Legacy Fund Morris J. & Esther Waldman P.A.C.E. Fund Savad, Seiff, Glassman, Rubel & Fine Century 21 DOES A WORLD OF GOOD. Anne Wertheimer P.A.C.E. Fund Legacy Fund Pearl Weinberger P.A.C.E. Fund Endowing your gift allows you to be there for the Allen Schwartz Memorial Fund Alvin Ziegler P.A.C.E. Fund Jewish community of NEPA forever. Richard, Burt & Robert Schwartz Century 21 Legacy Fund Unrestricted Endowment Funds David Myers & Nomi Stolzenberg Century 21 A Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment (PACE) is a permanent fund that endows Legacy Fund your Jewish community Annual Campaign gift as a lasting legacy. A PACE fund will (General Funds) Meyer Barnett Endowment Fund Steve Seitchik Century 21 Legacy Fund continue to make an annual gift in perpetuity on your behalf. Maximilian Bresch Endowment Fund Gary & Lynnie Siegel Century 21 Legacy Fund David Steinman Century 21 Legacy Fund To determine the amount you need to endow your entire campaign gift, multiply your current Fanny & Irving L. Epstein Endowment Fund Dr. Moses Fragin Endowment Fund Dr. & Mrs. Seymour Steinman Century 21 Legacy annual gift by 20. Jean R. Friedman Endowment Fund Fund You can fund your PACE by adding the JEWISH FEDERATION OF NORTHEASTERN Alan Goldstein Endowment Fund Milton & Arlene Swartz Century 21 Legacy Fund Ethel K. Grand Endowment Fund Marcia & Howard Ufberg Century 21 Legacy Fund PENNSYLVANIA to your will, or by making the Federation a beneficiary of your IRA. All Edwin & Elaine Utan Century 21 Legacy Fund contributions to establish a PACE are tax deductible. Ruth Leeper Endowment Fund Tillie Miller Endowment Fund Howard Wimmer Century 21 Legacy Fund Let your name be remembered as a blessing. Maude M. Perlin Endowment Fund RCO Endowment Fund Philanthropic Funds Endowments can be created through a variety of vehicles, some of which do not necessitate Samuel Samter Endowment Fund Naomi & Paul Alamar Philanthropic Fund funding during your lifetime yet still provide your estate with considerable tax benefits. Muriel Survis Endowment Fund Bernard Dubin Philanthropic Fund They also enable you to perpetuate your commitment to the Annual Campaign in a way that Irving L. Swartz Endowment Fund Arnold & Patricia Cembalest Philanthropic Fund William H. Tamres Endowment Fund Joseph & Claire Dubin Philanthropic Fund best achieves your own personal financial and estate planning goals. Philip Ungar Endowment Fund David M. & Aileen E. Epstein Philanthropic Fund Franef (Irwin & Francine Alperin) Philanthropic Examples Of Ways To Fund Your Pace Gift Are: (Century 21 Legacy Funds) Fund Naomi & Paul Alamar Century 21 Legacy Fund JDM Philanthropic Fund (Jennie Levy) * outright contribution of cash, appreciated securities or other long-term Irwin & Francine Alperin Century 21 Legacy Fund Leonard & Rosalind Marks Philanthropic Fund * capital gain property such as real estate James Alperin Century 21 Legacy Fund Jacob & Mary Levy Philanthropic Fund * charitable remainder trust Prof. Anita Appleton Century 21 Legacy Fund Lewis & Gerry Sare Philanthropic Fund TP Corporation Philanthropic Fund * gift of life insurance Harlene & Eli Arenberg Century 21 Legacy Fund * charitable lead trust Barbara C. & Robert Ballot Century 21 Legacy * gift of IRA or pension plan assets Fund Restricted Endowment Funds Shirley & Herb Barton Century 21 Legacy Fund Myer & Shirley Alperin Providence Cemetery * grant from your foundation Marcia & Mark Berger Century 21 Legacy Fund Perpetual Care Fund * reserved life estate in your residence Faye & Richard Bishop Century 21 Legacy Fund Deferred Compensation Trust Fund * bequest Yvette & Albert Brauner Century 21 Legacy Fund Friedman Family of Taylor Fund for the Poor & Kathy & Seymour Brotman Century 21 Legacy Indigent Using appreciated property, such as securities or real estate, affords you the opportunity to Fund Rabbi Henry Gutterman Fund for Education eliminate the income tax on the long-term capital gain, will in some instances generate a full income Janice & Harris Cutler Century 21 Legacy Fund Helen & Rubin Rabinowitz Trust Fund for the Poor tax charitable deduction and will remove those assets from your estate for estate tax purposes. Ignatz Deutsch Century 21 Legacy Fund and Indigent Gail & David Dickstein Century 21 Legacy Fund Sam and Olga Rosen Family Holocaust Education For more information contact Mark Silverberg at Bernard Dubin Century 21 Legacy Fund Fund Bernice Dubin Memorial Fund [email protected] or call 570-961-2300, ext. 1. Providence Cemetery Fund Lois Dubin Century 21 Legacy Fund WR/CC Philanthropic Fund 14 Annual Report • Jewish Federation of NEPA distributed on or before January 31 of year in receiving two additional grants the following year to the Federation’s from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation annual UJA Campaign. The low which is administered by the Scranton Create a Legacy for distribution percentage is designed Area Community Foundation. The to ensure that these Funds will first grant in the amount of $20,000 our Jewish Future continue to produce income for the will be used to offset the annual Federation’s annual UJA Campaign landscaping expenses incurred in in perpetuity. maintaining Scranton’s historic in NEPA Providence Cemetery, located on TYPES OF GIFTS In November 2017, the Federation Main Avenue. A second grant from Your charitable gifts to the Federation can result in was informed by Robert Kelly, the Spitz Foundation in the amount Chairman of the Harry and Jeanette of $10,000 was awarded to the immediate and/or future benefits for you and your family. Weinberg Foundation, that the Holocaust Education and Resource PERPETUAL ANNUAL CAMPAIGN Weinberg Foundation had approved Center (H.E.R.C.) of the Federation. ENDOWMENTS (P.A.C.E.) a final three-year $450,000 general The funds will be used to offset the operating expense grant to the expenses incurred for H.E.R.C.’s There are considerable tax advantages in establishing a P.A.C.E. Federation that would be paid out at 30th Annual Teen Symposium on the gift to the Federation outright or as part of your estate planning. the rate of $150,000 per year over the Holocaust, which was held in May In doing so, you can perpetuate your annual UJA Campaign gift next three years to offset Federation’s 2018 at the Hilton Conference Center in your name, the name of your family, in memory of a loved one general operating expenses. In the in Scranton. or in celebration of a significant event in your life or the life of future, the Weinberg Foundation will be focusing its funding on direct My thanks is extended to the members another. On average, the annual income normally calculates out services provided by non-profits that of our Committee, who include Don to 5% of the amount of your P.A.C.E. endowment. The corpus specifically deal with job development Douglass, Doug Fink, Natalie Gelb, of your Fund would not be affected, and only the income would services, services for the aging and Alan Glassman, Michael Greenstein, be used for the annual UJA gift – in perpetuity. That is, a P.A.C.E. capital projects. Seth Gross, David Malinov, Mel endowment of $100,000 would normally produce an annual gift Mogel, Ben Schnessel, Eric Weinberg The Federation was also fortunate this and Irwin Wolfson. of $5,000 to future UJA Campaigns. IMMEDIATE GIFTS OF CASH LONG RANGE STRATEGIC Cash contributions are deductible as itemized deductions in the year you make the donation(s), up to 50% of your adjusted gross. Excess PLANNING REPORT charitable deductions can be carried forward for up to five years. While there are many the responses to these approaches to be questions for our leaders GIFTS OF SECURITIES considered in the area to consider. The best stocks to donate are obviously those with increased of strategic planning value. However, depreciated securities are not necessarily including analyzing the Three priority areas were unworthy of charitable contributions. In order to preserve the strengths, weaknesses, identified for strategic opportunities and threats planning work and best tax advantages, with regard to appreciated and depreciated facing our community and further exploration in securities, please contact the Federation. its agencies (“S.W.O.T.” future: approach), defining the MATCHING GIFTS critical issues facing our 1. Leadership If you work for a company that participates in a Matching Gift community and dealing Douglas Fink, Chair development, leadership Long Range Strategic Program (see details in this issue of The Reporter), then the company with them (“critical Planning Committee succession planning and will match your gift to the Jewish Federation. Please check with your issues” approach), or the strategic engagement Human Resources Department for more information. establishing a common vision on of potential leaders under 50 years how we would like the Federation of age. (Two lists of prospects were GIFTS OF MUTUAL FUNDS to look two to five years from now developed.) and how to get there (“visioning” Contributing mutual fund shares can provide the same tax approach), it was decided to begin 2. Streamlining the allocations and advantages as appreciated stocks. Due to the great complexities our long-range strategic planning grants process to make the process involved with the transfer of mutual fund shares, please begin the process by asking Debbie Stein more efficient and more equitable. transfer process well before December 31st. (the Jewish Federation of North America’s experienced Senior 3. Jewish communal consolidation GIFTS OF REAL ESTATE Director for Consulting and and cooperation (where A charitable contribution of property is most attractive when there Community Development) to come appropriate) to maximize is no mortgage balance and the property is increasing in value. to our Federation to speak with our communal potential and best Strategic Planning Committee, and steward local human and financial Based upon the fair market value, you may claim an income to suggest possible short-term and resources. tax deduction, avoid all capital gains taxes, and remove that long-term approaches that would property from your taxable estate. You may transfer real estate assist us in resolving these issues. In addition, it was felt that a to the Jewish Federation at any point, but please consult your tax visioning effort would help the professional or financial advisor prior to a real estate transaction. Ms. Stein has assisted many small community make strategic decisions and intermediate-sized Federations based on what the community DEFERRED/PLANNED GIFTS around the country in carrying out needs, wants and is willing to work these objectives for many years and toward. At the February 27, 2018, Deferred gifts are often called “planned gifts” because they are on December 4, she conducted a meeting, focus was given to the integrally connected to your financial and/or estate plans. They workshop with the Federation’s three priority areas set out above by may range in size from very small bequests to multi-million dollar Long-Range Strategic Planning developing a long list of questions trusts. They are deferred gifts because, even though they are given Committee to assist in defining for further exploration, and it was today, the Jewish Federation will not realize their benefit until and resolving the issues that will recommended that the Committee confront our communities in be broken down into three sub- some time in the future. Please contact the Federation for more general and the Federation in committees to accomplish these information regarding various planned giving options. particular in the future. tasks.

GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUNDS This first workshop involved The Federation wishes to extend The Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania expresses Committee members writing down its sincerest appreciation to the its gratitude to those who have made a commitment to our on a sheet of paper their responses members of our Long-Range Endowment Fund. These very special contributions represent a to questions posed by Ms. Stein, Strategic Planning Committee for commitment to maintain a high quality of Jewish life in our region including: “Where are we now,” the time, effort and leadership “Where do we want to be” and “How they provided (and continue for the decades that lie ahead. are we going to get there.” A second to provide) to our community. CONTACT series of papers asked each member The members include Esther For further information, please contact Mark Silverberg, of the Committee to delineate Adelman, Marion Goldstein “What should we start doing?,” Beckhorn, Dan Cardonick, Don Executive Director, Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania, “What should we stop doing” and Douglass, Natalie Gelb, Alan 601 Jefferson Avenue, Scranton, PA at 570-961-2300 (ext. 1) “What should we continue doing.” Glassman, Michael Greenstein, Seth Gross, Leah Laury, David The subsequent discussion on these Malinov, Stan Rothman, Rabbi topics by Committee members Samuel Sandhaus, Margaret was highly enlightening and Ms. Sheldon, Steve Seitchik, Eric Stein later provided a summary of Weinberg and Irwin Wolfson. Jewish Federation of NEPA • Annual Report 15 NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT This year, our Trustees that will be submitted to the 30, 2021, include Gary Beckhorn, • David and Rhonda Fallk – 2019 UJA Nominating Federation for approval at its Annual Shlomo Fink, Alan Goldstein, Leah Campaign Co-Chairs Committee Meeting on Thursday, June 7: Laury, Ann Monsky, Barbara Nivert, consisted of Esther Eugene Schneider and Ben Schnessel. On behalf of our Federation, I wish to Adelman, Phyllis President: Douglas Fink express our appreciation to those of Brandes, Lynne Administrative Vice President: Esther Trustees whose 3-year term of office is our Trustees whose terms are expiring Fragin, Alan Adelman continuing to June 30, 2019, include this year and whose service we now Glassman, Michael Vice President: Elliot Schoenberg Marian Goldstein Beckhorn, Phyllis recognize. Although they will be off Greenstein, Vice President: Eric Weinberg Brandes, Richard Fine, Esq., Alex the Board for a year, they will be David Malinov, Treasurer: Jerry Weinberger, Esq. Gans, Stan Rothman, Jay Schectman, asked to continue their participation Dan Marcus, Assistant Treasurer: Dan Marcus Anne Silverman and Irwin Wolfson. and involvement on our many Seth Gross, Chairman, Ann Monsky, Ed Nominating Committee Assistant Secretary: Donald Douglass, Federation committees. We consider Monsky, Elliot Esq. Trustees whose 3-year term of office is their continuing participation and Schoenberg and Irwin Wolfson. continuing to June 30, 2020, include experience essential to the success BOARD OF TRUSTEES Joe Fisch, Esq., Natalie Gelb, Phyllis of our Federation. They include The Committee met on Thursday, Trustees nominated for a 1-year term Malinov, Mel Mogel, Ed Monsky, Esq., Susie Blum Connors, Mark Davis, March 15, and reviewed the names on the Federation Board to June and Geordee Grable Pollock Eli Deutsch, Lynne Fragin, Dale and backgrounds of all candidates for 30, 2019, include Michael Barber, Miller, Larry Milliken, Gail Neldon nomination as Officers and potential Pat Taylor Bernstein, Bernie Driller, In addition, there are two designated and Molly Rutta. Each represents a members to our Board of Trustees. Murray Glick, Jay Okun, Lewis Sare, positions on the Federation Board of valuable asset to our community, and Barry Tremper and Suzanne Tremper. Trustees. They are: the Federation intends to capitalize In accordance with the Bylaws of on their expertise and experience our Federation, the following is Trustees nominated for a 3-year term • David Fallk, Esq. – Chairman of our as we begin establishing our new the proposed slate of Officers and on the Federation Board to June Community Relations Committee committees for the coming year. FEDERATION PROGRAM INITIATIVES 2017 Celebrate Israel Parade - Israel Together On June 4, 2017, close to 40 tribute to the 50th Thank you goes to from the Greater Scranton area, Dan members of the Jewish Federation anniversary of Mark Silverberg, Cardonik, Rika Shaffer, Joe and Marge of Northeastern Pennsylvania walked the reunification Dassy Ganz and the Hartnett and friends – Marion Macinek, down Fifth Avenue in New York City, of Jerusalem. Jewish Federation Miriam Litvak, Gilda Franceze, Brian joining more than 40,000 other Flags, streamers for underwriting Masters, Hannah Minarchik, Paula Jewish schools, synagogues and and the Parade the cost of this Minarchik, Charlene Scott, Dr. Joel organizations celebrating the State T-shirt enhanced trip ,which is and Leah Laury, Rachel, Shira and of Israel’s 69th birthday. the Federation’s a highlight Dassy Laury; and from the Poconos, presence. After Mark Silverberg Dassy Ganz, for so many in Bernie and Lois Driller, Jane and Members of the group carried banners the Parade, Executive Director, Assistant to the Director, Northeastern Veronica Kupselaitis, Martin Weiss, Jewish Federation of Jewish Federation of announcing the Jewish Federation the Federation NEPA NEPA Pennsylvania. Gene Schneider, Irene Stolzenberg, of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the contingent Thank you as well Esther Clarke, Shirley Golphin, and Mr. Scranton JCC and the theme banner, travelled to Teaneck, NJ, to enjoy to our participants who included, and Mrs. Lucas Gonzales. Israel Together. The banner was a shopping and dinner.

Scranton and Pocono community L-r: Hannah Minarchik carried the members carried the Federation banners full size Israel flag while Rika Shaffer Scranton and Pocono community members carried the Federation banners for for the Celebrate Israel Parade. looked on. the Celebrate Israel Parade. Historic Providence Cemetery in Scranton Awarded $20,000 General Maintenance Grant by Robert H. Spitz Foundation In August 2017, the Jewish Federation had rusted away and fallen onto many many of the gravestones (and maintenance expenses, a grant was of Northeastern Pennsylvania applied of the gravestones; large tree branches continues to do so), rebuilt the requested from the Spitz Foundation. to the Scranton Area Community had also fallen and done extensive surrounding fence, constructed a new On December 11, 2017, the Foundation Foundation (administrator of the damage to the gravestones as well. concrete retaining wall along North awarded the Federation a $20,000 grant Robert H. Spitz Foundation) for The cemetery was overgrown with Main Avenue, de-weeded and re- to assist it in defraying the cemetery’s financial assistance in maintaining the weeds and the grass was so high that seeded the entire property, removed annual landscaping and gravestone Jewish Federation’s historic Providence in many sections, it was impossible to numerous dead trees that had fallen repair costs. Cemetery on North Main Avenue in see the gravestones themselves. Adding onto the cemetery over the decades, Scranton. Many founders of Scranton’s insult to injury, when the Federation’s completed a Burial Registry; and The cemetery has now been completely Jewish community are interred there. Restoration Committee began its work, retained the services of a professional restored, and it is with the utmost beer bottles were strewn everywhere. landscaper to maintain the property. sincerity that the Federation thanks Over the decades, the cemetery had the Robert H. Spitz Foundation fallen into a terrible state of disrepair The Federation, with the support of In order to assist the Federation in and the Scranton Area Community – the fence surrounding the cemetery many Jewish organizations, repaired offsetting the estimated $5,800 in annual Foundation for their generosity. Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation Awards Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania a Three-Year $450,000 General Operating Expense Grant In late November, the Federation three-year, $450,000 general The grant will be paid in three annual December 31, 2019 and December was informed that the Trustees of operating grant request submitted installments of $150,000 during each 31, 2020. the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg by the Federation to the Foundation of the Weinberg Foundation’s fiscal Foundation had approved a final during the summer of 2017. years ending December 31, 2018, It should be noted as well that this 16 Annual Report • Jewish Federation of NEPA annual reduction in the Federation’s general religious schools in Northeastern Pennsylvania as The Federation extends its sincerest thanks to operating expenses frees up an equivalent amount well as through the Joint Distribution Committee the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation of funds for the Federation’s annual UJA Campaign. (JDC) and the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) for their historic generosity to our Federation, to These funds will be allocated to our many local to assist Jews in Israel and imperiled Jewish our community, and to our people in Israel and and regional Jewish organizations, agencies and communities around the world. around the world. Jewish Federation of NEPA Establishes Emergency Fund through JFNA to Assist Victims of Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria During the late summer and fall of 2017, the Jewish – require assistance from expert therapists. beyond the U.S. border – Puerto Rico, the U.S. Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania together Virgin Islands, the Florida Keys, Cuba and others with its national office (Jewish Federations of North RESTORING SYNAGOGUES ($3.4M) – Three by Hurricane Maria. America – JFNA) opened an Emergency Relief of the largest synagogues in Houston incurred Fund to support communities and individuals catastrophic damage, and many others were The Jewish Federations of North America’s in Houston, San Antonio, Galveston, Corpus flooded and have leached toxins. Thousands Emergency Committee continues to focus on the Christi and other areas that had been hammered of congregants had no place to go for the High U.S. communities affected, while the American by Hurricane Harvey in addition to the massive Holidays and other religious and life cycle events. Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (AJDC) is destruction to Florida, Key West and Georgia supporting Cuba and other island nations. The wrought by Hurricane Irma and the devastation ACTIVATING VOLUNTEERS ($250K) – major focus however has been in Puerto Rico and caused to Puerto Rico and many islands in the Volunteers from Houston and around the world St. Thomas, which are both characterized by small Caribbean by Hurricane Maria. came to remove debris and offer comfort. Jewish communities deeply affected amidst a sea of misery well-documented in the news media. Hurricane Harvey INCREASING CAPACITY ($25K) – Rotating teams By January 2018, Houston and the other areas of experienced Federation staff from around the None of these communities have communal affected by Hurricane Harvey were still in the country continue to provide holistic and integrated infrastructure beyond individual synagogues and fairly early stages of recovery. With more than support for Jewish community institutions and Federation support has primarily been directed 2,000 Jewish homes flooded, and eight major their leaders. to affected individuals through the various institutional facilities in the Jewish community congregations and supporting the work of IsraAID sustaining catastrophic damage, the scope of issues Hurricanes Irma and Maria and the AFYA Foundation who continue to provide facing the Houston Jewish community remains The impact on mainland Florida from Hurricane humanitarian assistance to the Jewish communities enormous. Irma was less severe than anticipated, especially and on a significant non-sectarian basis. for the larger concentrations of Jewish population As of late fall 2017, $17.9 million had been raised on Florida’s east coast. through the Jewish Federation system: • $6.5M raised by Jewish Federations across While the larger communities in South Florida North America (Miami, Broward County, South Palm Beach • $9.1M raised by the Jewish Federation of and Palm Beach) were generally able to address Greater Houston the issues in their own communities and extend • $1.3M contributed by Jewish Foundations (does assistance to other communities, there was heavier not include foundation grants to local Federations impact on some of the smaller communities or the Houston Federation, which are incorporated further north (Collier County, Jacksonville and St. in the figures above) and Augustine). A unique role was fulfilled by Chabad • $1M committed by the government of Israel across numerous Florida communities in providing congregate and home-delivered meals to seniors Of this amount, more than $12 million was and others affected by prolonged power outages. Rescue workers and volunteers helping residents make allocated through the Houston Federation and the their way out of a flooded neighborhood after it was national Emergency Committee process to provide The biggest impact of these storms has been felt inundated with rain following Hurricane Harvey in direct relief to flood victims (trauma counseling, in the islands off the coast of Florida, within and Houston on August 29, 2017. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) case management and financial assistance) to help these individuals and families to stay connected to Jewish life and community, and to address Tzedakah Tzeason 2017 institutional sustainability and repair issues. (Kosher Food Drive for the JFS Pantry) The focus of the Jewish Federations’ national funding was and remains primarily in the area of This year the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Sheila Nudelman Abdo, Executive Director relief to flood victims. While the primary focus is Pennsylvania finished its Tzedakah Tzeason of Jewish Family Service of Northeastern on the enormous impact of the flood in Houston, successfully donating cases of food as well as smaller Pennsylvania, noted: “JFS is very grateful for the the Federations’ Emergency Committee has also donations of kosher canned goods, dry goods and support and donations that we receive for the worked with the small communities in Galveston other household items to Jewish Family Services’ Mae. S. Gelb Kosher Food Pantry. Along with and Beaumont to assist those communities. Mae. S. Gelb Kosher Food Pantry. There were donations from the Gelb Foundation, we rely on drop-off points at the Scranton JCC, the Scranton generous community members, synagogues and Taking everything into account, the $23 million Hebrew Day School and the Jewish Resource organizations like the Jewish Federation to help in anticipated costs from Hurricane Harvey are Center of the Poconos as well. keep the pantry stocked so that we can assist those estimated as follows: members of our community who are experiencing food insecurity. For them being able to come to the REBUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE ($9M) – pantry makes a significant difference in their lives.” Seven major facilities that form the backbone of the Houston Jewish community were devastated. These critical institutions are needed to educate children, engage teens, care for the elderly and sustain a vibrant Jewish spirit.

SUPPORTING SCHOOLS ($1.3M) – Hundreds of day school families were impacted by flooding and struggling to meet basic needs. Maintaining a commitment to Jewish education is out of their reach without substantial scholarship support.

MAINTAINING JEWISH LIFE ($4.5M) – The Evelyn Rubenstein JCC’s operating revenue loss from the Hurricane threatens the sustainability of this crucial Houstonian Jewish hub which once supported a vast campus with multiple facilities and an impressive array of programs.

BOLSTERING RECOVERY ($3M) – Hundreds of thousands of people have been impacted. It will take an effort that reaches across all boundaries to help everyone get back on their feet.

OFFERING TRAUMA SUPPORT ($800K) – Families that have been flooded out of their homes Dassy Ganz (l), Jewish Federation, and Sheila – some two or three times in less than three years Nudelman (r), Executive Director of Jewish Family Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania Jewish Federation of NEPA • Annual Report 17 Yom Hashoah Memorial Service (April 12, 2018) The Federation’s annual Yom taken by the Nazis and killed in a Hashoah service was held in the mass execution. His moving story Koppleman Auditorium on April of hardship and survival brought 12 at the Scranton JCC. The annual many in the audience to tears, but his Memorial is co-sponsored with the survival and his subsequent success Scranton Jewish Community Center as a businessman in the jewelry and this year, more than 100 members business in the U.S. is a tribute to the of the community attended. Esther man and to the spirit of survival and Adelman chaired the program. success of our People throughout the centuries. The speaker was Holocaust survivor Mark Schonwetter who, as a young Mr. Schonwetter also participated as a child in Poland during World War Holocaust survivor in the Federation’s II spent the war years in hiding 30th annual Holocaust Symposium in with his mother and sister in the early May at the Hilton Conference Holocaust survivor Mark Schonwetter addressed the audience at the Scranton Polish countryside. His father was Center in Scranton. JCC at its annual Yom Hashoah program. Yom Ha’atzmaut Celebration in Honor of Israel’s 70th Birthday (April 15, 2018) On April 15, the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania and the Scranton JCC presented a magnificent pre-Yom Ha’atzmaut event in the Koppelman Auditorium of the JCC.

Dan Cardonick (JCC Executive Director), Leah Laury and Rika Schaffer created a beautiful array of children’s games and activities that were both educational and fun. Children visited cities of Israel with their “passports” and won prizes and an appreciation for the Jewish state.

Meanwhile, the delicious smells of barbeque wafted through the JCC courtesy of Jake’s Kosher Smokehouse of New York City. Jake and his wife, Jennifer, brought a delectable selection of ribs, smoked brisket and chicken as well as high-end lamb and pepperoni beef sausage with various toppings. Jake thanked our own Jeff Ganz, Sue Severe, Jay Weiss and Shanie Davidson-Dunn for their help in bringing this new addition to our program. The sandwiches were delicious and piled high.

The Festival was capped by a concert by Israeli singer Yoel Sharabi. His joyous and varied song selection kept everyone tapping their toes and clapping their hands along with him. It was no conclusion of his show. Thanks go to the Jewish Dassy Ganz, for organizing and sponsoring this surprise that he was given a standing ovation at the Federation, Mark Silverberg and his assistant, truly wonderful Israeli musical event. Mission to Harrisburg and EITC Appreciation Rally (May 2, 2018) Two hundred Jewish day school activists including Many representatives parents, students, educators and community from the Scranton leaders rallied on the steps of the capitol in Hebrew Day School, Harrisburg on May 2, 2018 as part of Teach PA’s Yeshiva Beth Moshe and annual Mission to Harrisburg. Teach PA is part Bnos Yisroel High School of the Teach Advocacy Network – a project of the were in attendance. Orthodox Union. The focus of this year’s efforts included strengthening the Education Investment The lobby day began Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship with dozens of small programs as well as pushing for additional security group meetings with and health funding for non-public schools. legislators. Teach PA was a sponsor of Scranton group members who attended the Teach PA Rally on the steps of the capitol The EITC and OSTC programs provide over the “Birthday Rally” in Harrisburg. $135 million in aid to kindergarten-12 non-public organized by the Pennsylvania-based EITC which advocates for equitable funding in non- schools in Pennsylvania. The two scholarship Foundation and advocacy group and the REACH public schools. In collaboration with coalition programs combined provide nearly 1,500 students Foundation in celebration of the “birthday” of the partners, grassroots activists and community in Pennsylvania with scholarships to attend Jewish EITC program. leaders, Teach PA has successfully advocated for day schools and yeshivas. $254 million last year in aid for scholarships, security Jewish day school students from Harrisburg’s Silver funding, textbooks, instructional equipment, and Academy led the 800-student rally in the Pledge materials for non-public schools. of Allegiance and were cheered on by the Teach PA delegations from Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, The Teach Advocacy Network operates in New Allentown, Greater Scranton and Yardley. After tours York, New Jersey, Florida, Pennsylvania, Maryland of the capitol, the day culminated with Teach PA’s and California and covers 186,000 children. It is program in the Capitol Rotunda featuring remarks a project of the Orthodox Union. by Jewish Day School of the Lehigh Valley’s middle schooler Mikaela Garber and Teach PA Co-Chairman Elliot Holtz, and it ended with a keynote address by L-r: Rabbi Yosef Guttman (Yeshiva Beth Moshe and Representative Mike Schlossberg (D-132). Bnos Yisroel HS, Scranton), Rabbi Pinny Landow (Philadelphia), Rabbi Ariel Sadwin (Agudath Israel Schlossberg, a day school parent himself, inspired of MD and PA), Rabbi Dovid Rosenberg (Scranton students to stay vocal and active and reiterated his Hebrew Day School), Elliot Holtz (co-chairman, commitment to the EITC and OSTC programs Teach PA), Rabbi Yosef Prupas (representative from and school safety initiatives. Girls from the eighth grade of the Scranton Hebrew the Yeshiva of Philadelphia) and Rabbi Sholom Aryeh Day School and Bais Yaakov High School with their Greenfield (Scranton Hebrew Day School). Teach PA is part of the Teach Advocacy Network chaperones, Esther Elefant and Leah Laury. 18 Annual Report • Jewish Federation of NEPA Trip to the Museum of Jewish Heritage: A Living Memorial to the Holocaust (May 16, 2018) On a rainy May 16, close to 30 groups and headed off to experience Banicky; Joe and Norma Fisch; Ann people from Scranton and the the museum, which is divided by floor Monsky; Laney Denis; Al Tragis; Poconos headed to New York City into pre-war Jewish life, the Holocaust Seth and Sheryl Gross; Merwyn and to the Museum of Jewish Heritage: and post- Holocaust. Harlean Blatt; Aryeh Rosenberg; A Living Memorial to the Holocaust Rhoda Mellner; Shirley Friedman; and the outdoor memorial at the The rain deterred many from Jay Roseman; Myra Goldberg; Stanley, 9/11 museum sponsored by the venturing over to the 9/11 outdoor Donna and Stan Shimko; and Michael Jewish Federation of Northeastern memorial, but some did go and spent and Phyllis Weinberg. Pennsylvania. time there as well.

The tour group was greeted at the Participants thanked Dassy Ganz door by museum representatives, and the Jewish Federation for At right: Among the museum exhibits who led the group to a private area coordinating and sponsoring this is a Hungarian hand-painted tapestry where a pre-ordered lunch (paid by trip to New York City. Federation sukkah wall covering adorned with the individuals) was prepared for thanks those who participated in the Jewish prayers for the sukkah and a some while others had lunch at other trip, including Katherine Burkavich; biblical and familial motif. It was buried venues. The 28 members were divided Barry, Michelle and Alana Linson; during the Holocaust and retrieved in into smaller, more intimate tour Neil and Arlene Weinberg; Miriam “excellent condition.” American Joint Distribution Committee Representative Shaun Goldstone Spoke to Jewish Federation of NEPA (May 17, 2018) Shaun Goldstone of the American or JDC, in Eastern Europe. He the role of the JDC throughout the financial and educational means. branch of the Joint Distribution informed all assembled that this video Jewish world during times of chronic Committee spoke to a group of was just viewed at a private gathering poverty, such as in the former Soviet Currently, 28 percent of the Jewish Federation members from Scranton with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at Union, and during times of crisis Federation’s fund-raising UJA and the Poconos on May 17. Goldstone the U.S. Supreme Court. no matter where, including the Campaign goes to help JDC and opened his program by screening a aftermath of earthquakes and other other agencies in their mission to brief video on the work of the “Joint,” He then continued to further explain natural disasters. help Jews all over the world.

Goldstone further explained how the “All who attended found it an JDC helps the Jews in Israel through informative evening,” said organizers.

At right: Shaun Goldstone (center) was welcomed by Mark Silverberg (left) and Irwin Schneider (right).

View of the community members who attended the presentation by Shaun Goldstone. Jewish Film Lending Library Following the success of organization, affiliate or this entertainment bonanza to has now been transformed into the Federation’s NEPA agency at absolutely no cost. Northeast Pennsylvania. In doing so, a tangible and lasting asset for Jewish Film Festival chaired Carol and her volunteers brought our community. Purchased and by Carol Nelson Dembert The establishment of honor to our community, to our administered by Dassy Ganz, the and her many Committee our Film Loan Library People and to Israel for which she NEPA Jewish Film Loan Library volunteers, the Federation is a tribute to Carole’s has our deepest gratitude. currently houses a wide variety of established a NEPA Jewish efforts and those of the feature films and Jewish Film Festival Film Lending Library that 20 working Film Festival The Film Library is continuously award winners. It is an honor for the is available to each and Committees that she maintained and updated with the Federation to provide this service to every NEPA Federation Carol Nelson Dembert managed in bringing latest films on Jewish subjects and our community. Federation’s Jewish Film Lending Library Appreciated To the Community: locations in Wayne and Pike counties. My name is Maggie Augugliaro and I am the Senior Citizen Program I have been meaning to write and At right: Shmuel (Jack Scanlon) and coordinator for the Jewish Resource thank you so much for the use of your Bruno (Asa Butterfield) in “The Boy Center of the Poconos. In addition to Jewish Film Lending Library! Just in the Striped Pajamas,” which is The Lunch Club, which meets every this past week we borrowed the film available through the Jewish Film Thursday in Stroudsburg, we also run “Deli Man” and showed it to both of Lending Library. (Photo by David the Cultural Outreach, Socialization our senior groups. Not only was the Lukacs) and Education for Retirees Program main story about Ziggy Gruber very for the Jewish Home in Scranton, entertaining, but there were so many which meets on Tuesdays in various interesting nostalgic storylines that I know really touched our seniors. This is not the only movie we have borrowed. In the past, we have viewed “Hava Nagila (The Movie),” “Footnote” and “Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story.” Each film, although different, was enjoyed by our seniors and we very much look forward to borrowing Pascal Elbe (as Alon), Emmanuelle Devos (as Orith), more from your library Jean-Marie Lustiger (Laurent Lucas) Géza Röhrig as Saul in “Son of Saul,” Areen Omari (as Leila) and Khalifa Natour (as Said) in the future! in “The Jewish Cardinal,” which is which is available through the Jewish star in “The Other Son,” which is available through Sincerely, available through the Jewish Film Film Lending Library. (Photo courtesy the Jewish Film Lending Library. Maggie Augugliaro Lending Library. of Sony Pictures Classics) Jewish Federation of NEPA • Annual Report 19

May 2018

Feature Films *A Tale of Love and Darkness - Academy Award-winning actress Natalie Portman directs and stars in the emotional and thought-provoking story about Fania, a young wife and mother in war-torn Jerusalem, during the early years of the State of Israel. Stifled in her relationship and weary from the tedium of her new life, Fania creates fantastical stories for Amos, her 10-year-old son, amazing him with tales of adventure and beauty— stories that would influence the boy to become a writer himself. Based on the international best-selling memoir by Amos Oz. Denial - Based on the acclaimed book Denial: Holocaust History on Trial, Denial recounts Deborah E. Lipstadt’s legal battle for historical truth against David Irving (BAFTA nominee Timothy Spall), who accused her of libel when she declared him a Holocaust denier. In the English legal system, in cases of libel, the burden of proof is on the defendant, therefore it was up to Lipstadt and her legal team, led by Richard Rampton, to prove the essential truth that the Holocaust occurred. *Fanny’s Journey- In 1943, 13-year old Fanny and her younger sisters were sent from their home in France to an Italian foster home for Jewish children. When Nazis came to Italy, their caretakers organized the departure of the children to Switzerland. Based on a true story. Hidden in Silence- During the Nazi occupation of Poland,Catholic teenage Stefania Podgorska chooses the role of a savior and sneaks 13 Jewish into her attic. *Loving Leah: A Hallmark Hall of Fame Classic - A handsome Washington, D.C. doctor and a young New York woman fall in love at an unusual time...after they get married. Leah Lever is married to an Orthodox rabbi, Benjamin Lever, whose brother, Jake, is a successful cardiologist and a non-practicing Jew. Jake is stunned when Benjamin dies suddenly, but not as stunned as when he is told that, under an ancient Jewish Law, he is expected to marry the childless Leah to carry on Benjamin’s name. The only alternative is to go through a ceremony where Jake must deny his brother’s existence. For Jake, that’s unthinkable, so impulsively he suggests to Leah that they get married and maintain a secretly platonic relationship. Eager to pursue her own dreams, Leah gladly accepts. Their oversimplified plan to live separate lives under the same roof proves challenging when Leah’s suspicious mother shows up unexpectedly. The harder they try to disguise their “pretend” marriage, the more their appreciation for each other’s worlds grows - and out of understanding, a real love develops. Loving Leah is a heart-warming story. Munich - Inspired by real events, Munich reveal the intense story of the secret Israeli squad assign to track down and assassinate the 121 Palestinians believed to have planned the 1972 Munich massacre of 11 Israeli athletes. ( The Jewish Film Library also owns the movie “Twenty One Hours in Munich” about the massacre at the Olympics). Music Box - In this intense, courtroom thriller, Chicago attorney Ann Talbot agrees to defend her Hungarian immigrant father Mike Laszlo against accusations of heinous war crimes committed 50 years earlier. *Norman - Norman Oppenheimer (Richard Gere) lives a lonely life in the margins of New York City power and money, and strives to be everyone’s friend. His incessant networking leads him nowhere until he ends up befriending a young but charismatic politician, Micha Eshel at a low point in his life. Three years later, the politician becomes the Prime Minister of Israel. Norman uses Eshel’s name to leverage his biggest deal ever: a series of quid pro quo transactions linking the Prime Minister to Norman’s nephew ,a rabbi, a mogul, his assistant and a treasury official from the Ivory Coast. Norman’s plans soon go awry, creating the potential for an international catastrophe he must struggle to prevent. Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer is a comedic and compassionate drama of a man whose downfall is rooted in a human frailty all too easy to forgive—a need to matter. Remember - Remember is the suspense-filled story of Zev, an Auschwitz survivor who discovers that the Nazi guard who murdered his family some seventy years ago is living in America under an assumed name. The Devil’s Arithmetic - Sixteen year old Hanna Stern was a typical American teenager who ignores her family’s heritage until a mystical Passover seder takes her back in time to German-occupied Poland on an emotional journey of life, death and survival. The Impossible Spy - The story of the life and death of Israel’s most celebrated spy, Elie Cohen. *The Last Butterfly - This World War II drama stars Tom Courtenay as the famous French Mime Antoine Moreau. Ordered by the Nazis to provide ‘the greatest show of his life’ for use as propoganda showing the kinder side of the Nazis as the war draws to a close, Moreau decides to risk everything to tell the world the real truth behind this monumental lie, and although as a mime he is pledged to keep his lips sealed, his voice must be heard. *The Women’s Balcony - Discover Israel’s #1 film of the year! An accident during a Bar Mitzvah celebration leads to a gender rift in a devout community in Jerusalem. *The Wedding Plan - A poignant and funny romantic comedy about love, marriage and faith in life’s infinite possibilities. *The Zookeeper’s Wife - In 1939 Poland, Antonina Zabinska (two-time Academy Award nominee Jessica Chastain) and her husband successfully run the Warsaw Zoo and raise their family in an idyllic existence. Their world is overturned, however, when the country is invaded by the Nazis and they are forced to report to the Reich’s newly appointed zoologist (Daniel Brühl). To fight back on their own terms, the Zabinskis risk everything by covertly working with the Resistance and using the zoo’s hidden tunnels and cages to save families from Nazi brutality. Non-Feature Films Above and Beyond - In 1948, just three years after the liberation of Nazi death camps, a group of Jewish-American pilots answered a call for help. As members of Machal- “volunteers from abroad”- this ragtag band of brothers not only turned the tide of the war; they also embarked on personal journeys of discovery and renewed Jewish pride. *Body and Soul: The State of the Jewish Nation - A powerful documentary sets the record straight eloquently and comprehensively. It not only shows the undeniable historical connection between the Jewish People and the Land of Israel, but also succeeds in debunking propaganda, myths and misinformation that have become accepted as truth by many people. Follow Me - The story of the fantastic rescue at Entebbe and the loss of Yonatan Netanyahu (brother of the Prime Minister). The Jewish Film Library also owns an Israeli film about the rescue at Entebbe entitled “Operation Thunderbolt” Hava Nagila (the Movie) - Hava Nagila is a documentary romp through the history, mystery and meaning of the great Jewish standard. *I’m Still Here - Real Diaries of young people who lived during the Holocaust. Jews and Baseball (narrated by Dustin Hoffman) Israel: The Royal Tour - A delightful tour headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and travel correspondent Peter Greenberg. Nicky’s Family - The amazing story of Sir Nicholas Winton who created, on his own, a Kinder-transport in Czechoslavakia saving 669 children from the Nazi inferno. No Place on Earth - The harrowing story of Esther Stermer and her family and friends who escaped extermination by the Nazis by hiding in an underground cave is unearthed by accident when cave explorer, Chris Nicola stumbles upon remnants left behind by the cave dwellers. *Rosenwald - Rosenwald tells the incredible story of Julius Rosenwald, the son of an immigrant peddler who never finished high school, who rose to become the President of Sears. Influenced by the writings of the educator Booker T. Washington, this Jewish philanthropist joined forces with African American communities during the Jim Crow South to build 5,300 schools, providing 660,000 black children with access to education in the segregated American South. The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg *The Prime Ministers: The Pioneers and Soldiers and Peacemakers - A two disc-set based on the international best-seller by Ambassador Yehuda Avner (New films denoted with an asterisk *)

20 Annual Report • Jewish Federation of NEPA The Reporter The Reporter is the primary communications and columns on controversial issues that identifiable Jewish household in the organ of the Jewish communities of Northeastern affect our people and our times, to region at an annual cost of $26,400 Pennsylvania. Supplementing synagogue and publicity for the events of our affiliated to the Federation – a cost temple newsletters and bulletins, it reaches agencies and organizations, to life cycle partially offset by a percentage out to 905 Jewish families in Lackawanna, events, personality profiles, letters to of the revenues received Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties as well the editor, holy day recipes, a Jewish from businesses advertising as a large number of unaffiliated Jewish community calendar, and other in the newspaper as well as an households. It is also posted online and on columns that cover everything annual “Friends of The Reporter our new Federation website. from food to entertainment to Campaign” that raises an estimated events affecting Israel and world $4,500 from the Jewish households of As the primary Jewish newspaper of our Jewry. Northeastern Pennsylvania. Without region, the publication offers our readership that generosity, this newspaper could something on everything – from opinions The Reporter is provided to each and every not exist. HOLOCAUST EDUCATION & RESOURCE CENTER The 30th Annual Teen Symposium on the Holocaust Extended to a Three-Day Event Record Setting Numbers for 2018 – 1,900 Attendees! (May 7-9, 2018) The event was the best attended Annual Teen Symposium on the Holocaust in our 30-year history!

Students and teachers, who were able to participate in the 30th Annual Teen Symposium on the Holocaust at the Hilton Scranton and Conference Survivors (l-r) Sol Lurie, Dorothea Szczesniak, Lois Flamholz, Ronnie Breslow and Michael Herskovitz. Center were given a rare Mary Ann Answini, Holocaust Symposium educational opportunity. The Director Hilton served as the setting, bustling with activity on May 7-9, as we welcomed eager students and teachers from both parochial schools and public-school districts. Participants traveled from twenty-eight school districts in five counties, including two schools from Sullivan, New York. Teachers and students were willing to ride Survivors (l-r) Mark Schonwetter, Ruth Gruener, Gabriella Major, Sonia Goldstein and Peter Stern. the busses in excess of two hours in order to meet and listen to fourteen survivors and two liberators. Such willingness is an outstanding tribute to the program!

The 30th Annual Teen Symposium on the Holocaust was extended an additional day in order to provide educators with an enlightening professional development opportunity which addressed the implementation of Act 70 of 2014 Holocaust, L-r: Paul Beller (survivor), Ruth Hartz(survivor), Walter Ganz (liberator), Ely Gross (survivor) and Alan Genocide, and Human Rights Violation Education. Moskin (liberator).

The program was specifically designed for teachers Education Credit (CLE) hours. Holocaust, the causes, the development and the of English, Reading, Language Arts and Social consequences. The overwhelming highlight for all Studies (grades six-12) and was coordinated by the On the morning of May 8, the Symposium had a attendees was the personal face-to-face meetings Holocaust Education Resource Center, NEIU 19 satellite program at Tunkhannock Area Middle with survivors of the Holocaust and soldiers of and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. School. Michael Herskovitz spoke with more the liberation. than 400 attentive middle school students who The course was divided into two parts. welcomed him with a song and original poems. Intimate group settings were created rather Special thanks is extended to Sara Ergott (middle than large venues for the students to hear the Part 1 school language arts teacher) and Jim Timmons testimonies of the survivors, who candidly shared Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Violations (Tunkhannock Area Middle School principal) for their experiences and followed up with answers to Education was offered for three Continuing having arranged this wonderful event. audience initiated questions. The program provided Education Credit (CLE) hours on May 7 from 6-9 all participants with the increasingly rare ability to pm at the Hilton Scranton and Conference Center. Credit must also be extended to area superintendents, principals, teachers and school This session provided information for educators board members who collectively made every and administrators concerning the implementation effort to work around the budget issues and of Act 70 of 2014 Holocaust, Genocide, and Human testing windows for the PSSA and the Keystone Rights Violation Education. Tests in order to provide their students with the opportunity to become witness to the Holocaust. Sally Flaherty, the Social Studies Content Advisor We are humbled and extremely grateful for for the Pennsylvania Department of Education, their outstanding support, which allowed addressed the curriculum guidelines and materials students to participate in the Annual Teen to support meeting the goal of Act 70 which is “to Symposium sponsored by the Jewish Federation provide children with an understanding of the of Northeastern Pennsylvania and the Hilton importance of the protection of human rights Scranton and Conference Center. and the potential consequences of unchecked ignorance, discrimination and persecution....” The 30th Annual Teen Symposium on the Holocaust Pennsylvania Public School Code of 1949 Act of reached a total of more than 1,900 students, June 26, 2014, PL 776, No. 70. teachers, and special guests with a program that works to enhance the teaching and learning of the Mary Ann Answini, Director of the Annual Teen lessons of the Holocaust, to promote the right of Symposium on the Holocaust of the Jewish all people to be treated with dignity and respect, Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania, hosted and to encourage students to speak up and act the event and Pam Weiss served as the Facilitator. against all forms of bigotry and prejudice. As Albert Einstein said: “The world is a dangerous place. Part 2 Not because of those who do evil, but because of The Symposium also welcomed educators, who those who stand by and do nothing.” could not attend with their students, and gave them the opportunity to experience the events of the Our 30th Annual Teen Symposium on the Holocaust th 30 Annual Teen Symposium on the Holocaust on was a two-day program that was scheduled from Students arrived at the 30th Annual Teen Symposium either May 8 or May 9, and to earn four Continuing 8:50 am-1:45 pm with programs focused on the on the Holocaust. Jewish Federation of NEPA • Annual Report 21 experience “living history” in a very Department of Education in response personal setting, rendering a moving to Act 70 of 2014 amending the Act and emotional impact. Each guest of March 10, 1949 (P.L. 30, No. 14) speaker has his/her unique testimony, in July 2015. which often encompasses memories • Survivor/Liberator Biographies of close family and friends. Some were also in the teacher education remained sole survivors; others were packets to continue the discussion lucky to survive and reunite with one of the testimonies in the classrooms. or more surviving family members. • The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum donated the DVD Many teachers were overwhelmingly “Days of Remembrance” packed impressed that despite great trauma with pertinent information for Jim Ware and East Stroudsburg High School North students. and private pain, each speaker tried each educator. The United States to impress on their young listeners Holocaust Memorial Museum is anything previously encountered in Stein, a Jewish teenage girl, and her the need to shy away from prejudice, the United States’ official memorial the worst of combat. He described best friend Dora Krause, a German bullying, labeling, and negative to the Holocaust adjacent to the the compassion and care they tried teenage girl. Lida’s parents were behavior towards their peers and National Mall in Washington, DC. All to offer to all of the victims, who forced by Nazi decrees (which were other individuals. These survivors books and teaching materials were barely looked human after their announced throughout the play by a built new lives after living through gathered into beautiful tote bags mistreatment. He credited the many Nazi officer) to give up their daughter unimaginable hardship, and they designed and graciously donated by medics with doing the greatest job. to the Krause family, who agreed to became contributing members of Susie and Jim Connors. His talk was candid, moving and hide her. Lida continued to learn her society, who share messages of hope extremely well received. He also school lessons from Dora’s mother. and light. Each of the speakers truly 30th annual Holocaust Symposium enumerated and stressed positive Gradually, Dora became a staunch served as a positive role model for Program actions people can take to prevent Hitler Youth supporter and became these young adults in a very personal The Holocaust program began such atrocities from occurring. extremely racist and antisemitic setting, creating a close connection with a warm welcome by Susie The presentation was followed by against her once best friend. and making a powerful impact on Connors and the recitation of many interesting questions and the students. the Pledge of Allegiance. Mrs. concluded with a thunderous ovation The play probed poignant issues Connors, who graciously served as of appreciation for Mr. Moskin. during exceedingly difficult times Holocaust materials distributed to the Master of Ceremonies for the from the perspective of teenagers, educators Holocaust Symposium, is a retired Break-out Sessions both Jewish and non-Jewish, who were A major highlight of the day was the Scranton School District teacher and Next, participants were divided into swept up in life-altering decisions distribution of kits for each teacher dedicated Director of the Planning small breakout groups. They were about friendship, politics and family and student to utilize when returning Committee for the Holocaust guided by facilitators to various loyalty. to their classrooms. Teachers were Education Resource Center. conference rooms of the Hilton Hotel, gifted with two books made possible where they were introduced to their The audience discussion that through the generosity of Jerry Setting the tone for the day, the guest speakers. On May 8 and May 9, followed addressed two key aspects and Phyllis Chazan. Together: A poignant film “Children Remember there were a total of 13 separate groups, of the Holocaust era: the gradual Journey for Survival, along with the the Holocaust” was then introduced with students from each participating intimidation and eventual segregation corresponding teacher materials and viewed by the audience. Narrated school represented in the various of the Jewish community from the as well as Essentials of Holocaust by Keanu Reeves, the film began venues. Student attention and emotion larger society, and the characters, Education: Fundamental Issues and with life prior to the Holocaust, were clearly evident in every room. motivations, and consequences of the Approaches were presented. and continued through the post- Sessions concluded with applause, decisions of friendly and non-friendly liberation period. It is a film that hugs and pictures with survivors. German adults and youth. It is our sincere hope that these books uses photographs and footage from The survivor testimony sessions were will enrich the Holocaust curriculum the Holocaust years with voice-overs followed by lunch for attendees The closing commentary focused and classroom libraries. They include: that are strictly words of children in the Casey Grand Ballroom, the on peer pressure and its impact on • PRISM: The Interdisciplinary and teenagers taken from personal Electric City Ballroom and the Casey decision-making, family loyalty, and Journal for Holocaust Educators, diaries and memoirs. In the last part, Prefunction Area. Survivors, liberators personal responsibility and personal published by the Rothman it touches on survivor guilt syndrome, and facilitators enjoyed lunch together safety versus moral strength and Foundation, was also distributed. how difficult it was to find and reunite in Trolley’s Bistro. commitment. Strong people stand The beautiful periodical is filled family members, the hospitalization up for themselves. But the strongest with stories and poetry, designed to and recuperation of the ill, and the Play – “Lida Stein and the people stand up for others. enhanced Holocaust lessons written immediate vow made by many who Righteous Gentile” by teachers for their students. survived to tell the story for those who The closing event, also known as Wrap-Up • The Guidelines for Holocaust, did not survive. The audience was the Abe Plotkin Memorial Lecture The wrap-up at the conclusion of Genocide and Human Rights silenced by the impact of the words on the Holocaust and Social Justice, the day by Mrs. Connors included Violation Education. This document and images of the film. As Elie Wiesel was the moving performance of the a reminder to all participants to fill was designed by the Pennsylvania once said: “What hurts the victim most play, Lida Stein and the Righteous out the evaluation forms, which are is not the cruelty of the oppressor, but Gentile. The 50-minute play followed exceedingly important as a source of the silence of the bystander.” “ordinary” people from “ordinary” feedback to the planning committee families, who were caught up in the from the Holocaust Education Introductory Speaker extraordinary political and social Resource Center. The Hilton The first presenter was Alan Moskin, upheaval of the Nazi era. It focused Scranton nd Conference Center a World War II combat veteran, on the relationship between Lida and the Jewish Federation were who served in the 66th Infantry, warmly thanked for their dedication, 71st Division of General Patton’s generosity, and commitment to this 3rd Army. Beyond serving in heavy program, which has reached some battles, Alan became a liberator of the 25,500 young people over a period Gunskirchen Concentration Camp - of 30 years. As survivors die and a sub-camp of Mauthausen. Alan is the third generation slowly drifts particularly skilled in transporting out of the Holocaust’s shadow, his listeners back in time to feel and education must be buttressed with see what he is describing, whether an understanding of the applicable telling stories of his war buddies or of lessons and principles that must be the horrors the soldiers encountered derived from the Holocaust. when they entered the Camp. Teacher materials for educators These were, he said, unmatched by In order to preserve the lessons, their The play “Lida Stein and the Righteous voices, and the moving testimonies of Gentile.” our survivors, on May 8 and May 9 of

Students arrived at the 30th Annual Teen Symposium on the Holocaust. A large crowd attentive to liberator Alan Moskin. 22 Annual Report • Jewish Federation of NEPA the Symposium, survivors were taped and the 50 children set sail in May by Mark Migliori for ECTV and the 1939 on the USS President Harding and After many weeks adrift at sea, Ronnie HERC Archives. It is our hope that arrived in New York Harbor on June and her mother wound up in Holland. they will be utilized as an educational 3. During the voyage, the children They were placed in Rotterdam West, tool for our community. For this were prepared for their new home a detention camp, where children education to have any meaning, with lessons in American citizenship stayed in separate buildings from their those mechanisms that allowed the and culture and English, but still had parents, and were always cold and Holocaust to take place must be fully free time. hungry. Ronnie’s mother discovered understood. History must empower that the Camp Commander was an pupils with the understanding of The youngsters spent the summer avid stamp collector and gave him her Survivor Lois Flamholz various choices they must make and at Camp Brith Shalomville, run by daughter’s collection to gain passage the ultimate impact of their choices the Brith Shalom, a benevolent for both of them to the United States come to the U.S. in 1948. Lois moved on society. association in Philadelphia, which where Ronnie’s father was waiting. to New York where she met her future supported the Krauses. After the husband, Sol. The two were married Perhaps the following can provide summer, Beller went to live with Philip After they left, others at that camp and raised two sons and a daughter. insight into the breadth of the and Emily Amram in a Philadelphia were moved to the Westerbork, a experiences for students and teachers suburb for a year until his mother transit camp, were deported and Lois remains active in the Monroe in attendance. It is our sincere hope arrived with his grandparents. His died. The stamp collection had saved Township Jewish community, and that all of the participants continue father, a Polish citizen, had gone their lives. regularly speaks about her Holocaust to share the knowledge, wisdom, into hiding and was later detained experience at schools and other and testimonies of the seventeen by the British as he tried to sneak Ronnie now speaks to students and institutions. survivors and liberators with their into Palestine. However, he was able adults about her experience and says, peers, siblings, and parents. to join his family in 1946. “If we forget the lessons of the past, SONIA GOLDSTEIN – SURVIVOR we are surely to allow history to repeat Sonia Goldstein was born Sosia A Tribute to Our “The Amrams treated me like a son itself, if not with the Jews, the Irish, the Aronowicz in Vilna, Poland (now Presenters and I’m still in contact with their two Italians, the Africans, the Americans. called Vilnius and the capital of children,” said Beller, who moved Let us not forget.” Mrs. Breslow is Lithuania). At the time, Vilna was PAUL BELLER – SURVIVOR with his family to Manhattan and a member of the Speakers Bureau a very prosperous and cultured Paul Beller escaped the fate of the nearly attended the City University of New of the Jewish Community Relations city of about 200,000 people – 1.5 million children killed by the Nazis York and graduate school at New York Council of Greater Philadelphia, and about 55,000 of whom were Jews. when he was included among 50 Jewish University. He worked in Medicare a senior member of the JCRC Board Her father was a furrier and her children rescued by a Philadelphia administration in Baltimore for 40 of Directors. family lived comfortably. Sonia was couple whose story was told in a recent years and now volunteers as a Medicare educated in private schools and HBO documentary, narrated by Alan counselor at senior centers. LOIS FLAMHOLZ – SURVIVOR attended a gymnasium, with plans Alda, “50 Children: The Rescue Mission Lois Flamholz (nee Weiss) was born to become a pharmacist. When the of Mr. and Mrs. Kraus.” He and his wife, Glenda, have been in Zdenova, Czechoslovakia, where war began, Vilna came under Russian married 56 years and have three she lived with her parents, sister and control and everything became In 1939, Gilbert and Eleanor Kraus children, seven grandchildren,and two brothers. In 1939, the Hungarians “nationalized.” Sonia’s father’s store traveled to Europe, found the three greatgrandchildren. took over control of the surrounding was taken over and he began to work youngsters, arranged visas for them, area and in 1944, German SS soldiers in a factory. and brought them from Vienna to RONNIE BRESLOW – SURVIVOR entered the town and ordered the the United States, where the couple Ronnie Reutlinger Breslow, formerly Hungarian police to round up all In 1941, the Nazis occupied Vilna. placed them with foster families. Of known as Renate Reutlinger, was born the Jews. They were sent to a ghetto Schools and stores were closed, and those children, who ranged from 5 in Kircheim, Germany. She lived a in an abandoned brick factory in Sonia’s family, along with all the to 14 years old, was Paul Beller. “They normal life with her parents, who Munkach, where they stayed for six Jews of Vilna had to endure harsh picked 25 girls and 25 boys,” said owned and operated a dry goods weeks, after which the Jews, including laws and restrictions, the wearing Beller. “The criteria were that you store located below their home. In Lois’s family, were loaded into cattle of the yellow star, and the constant had to be mentally and physically in April 1933, the Nazis passed the Law cars and transported by train to fear of being snatched up and taken good health, and you had to be willing Against Overcrowding in German Auschwitz. When they exited the to the Ponary Forest to be shot. In to travel without fear and emotional Schools. The law stated that Jews train, Dr. Mengele was there. As each September of that year, Sonia and attachment to your parents.” could not attend school with non- person exited the train, he pointed at her family were forced into the Vilna Jews. Ronnie’s friends abandoned them to go left or right. Lois was sent ghetto, and by the end of October, Beller, who was born in 1931, said her. The Nazis also passed laws that in one direction and was separated the ghetto had been reduced down his family had a relatively good restricted non-Jews from buying from the rest of her family forever. to one small area. life – his father was in the plywood goods at Jewish stores. Nazis marched business – until the 1938 Anschluss back and forth in front of her parents’ After five weeks at Auschwitz- After enduring many hardships, Sonia between Germany and Austria, when store and the business suffered greatly Birkenau, Lois was sent to a nearby and her family were transported out the Jews had their rights taken away for the soldiers’ presence. work camp. In late January 1945, as of the ghetto. Sonia and her mother overnight, followed soon afterward the Russian army approached, the survived the notorious Stuthof by deportations to the death camps. With no business and no school, entire Auschwitz camp complex was Concentration Camp and a grueling Ronnie’s family knew they had to evacuated. On February 1, 1945, death march. Sonia was liberated by Antisemitism and political leave Germany. Passports were hard to Lois’s work camp was evacuated and the Russians in May of 1945. maneuvering led to a death of the kind obtain and passage on a ship became she and her fellow prisoners were of courage that was needed to effect even more difficult to obtain since forced to join the “Death March” to the rescue of Jews in Europe, but the thousands were fleeing the country. A Bergen-Belsen in Germany, which Krauses, who were Jewish themselves, single ticket to Cuba became available began a six-week ordeal. somehow seized the notion that they and the family decided that Ronnie’s should go to Nazi-occupied Austria father should go since men were in In April 1945, British troops liberated and attempt to extract as many Jewish the most danger. Ronnie and her the camp. The Red Cross sent Lois children as they could. mother would follow on the next and three surviving cousins to boat. They boarded a ship called the Sweden. Through a remarkable set Gilbert Kraus transferred to the St. Louis on May 13, 1939, and sailed of circumstances, Lois’ uncle, then children visa numbers that had been for Cuba with 936 other Jews. Cuba living in New York, managed to locate issued, but never used by their original refused to allow the St. Louis to dock. her in Sweden and arranged for her to Survivor Sonia Goldstein spoke to recipients. The couple then assumed Symposium attendees. legal guardianship and personal responsibility for the children. They ELLY GROSS – SURVIVOR found foster parents who would Elly Gross has blonde hair and blue agree to adopt the youngsters if their eyes, but she is a Jew. She grew up parents didn’t survive. The Krauses in Romania in the 1930s during a depression where jobs were almost nonexistent, and people were looking for someone to blame. In 1940, Hungary invaded and took over Romania, and the Jews were blamed for the shortage of food, clothing, and shoes. Everything the Jews owned was taken away and given away to loyal Hungarians. Harsh new laws were enforced including restrictions on travel and schooling, curfews were implemented, and men were forced into labor camps. Survivor Paul Beller spoke to Symposium attendees. Survivor Ronnie Breslow spoke to Symposium attendees. Elly, her mother, and her 5-year-old Jewish Federation of NEPA • Annual Report 23 brother were loaded into cattle cars “To a child’s ears, it was just horrible.” t’appelles Renée.” She is also the the Jews had to wear yellow stars on with many other terrified woman director and producer of “A Legacy of the front and back of their clothes and children. They were packed in Ruth spent most of her eight months Goodness,” a DVD about her rescuers. and they were not allowed to walk so tightly it was almost impossible at the Zalucka home just sitting in on the sidewalks. Lurie said one of to breathe. There was no food, no a chair, afraid to even look out the MICHAEL HERSKOVITZ – his cousins disobeyed that order and water, and no bathroom. The train window from Joanna’s bedroom. SURVIVOR was beaten to death. didn’t stop for seven days. When Joanna, who was 18, was in charge of Michael Herskovitz was born in it did and the doors of the cars keeping an eye on the girl. Zalucka Botfalva, Czechoslovakia, in 1929. In The Luries were staying in the stables opened, lives changed in an instant. would likely have faced the death March 1944, the Germans invaded his with the horses, and the children, The sick, the old and the injured penalty if she had been caught small town. Within weeks, his father included Lurie, his cousin, her were pushed in one direction. The harboring a Jew during the war. lost his grocery store. 7-month-old baby and two other mothers, young children and the rest, When visitors came, the 8-year-old cousins. They hid in the stable’s holes, a much smaller group, were pushed would hide under Joanna’s bed or Forced to wear yellow Jewish stars on which were used to store food in the in the other. Those pushed to the duck into a trunk. Ruth spent so their clothing, Michael, his parents, winter. The holes were covered by left would die immediately; those much time silent and immobilized and four siblings were transported wheat and hay. pushed to the right would be allowed that she had to relearn how to walk to a ghetto. to live in the Nazi concentration and speak normally. “My cousin came up for air as the camp – Auschwitz/Birkenau. Elly In April 1944, the Nazis placed Germans came in, and they saw the was pushed to the right. Sleeping, After eight months, Ruth was brought 15-year-old Michael and his family on lid open and close… they yelled for eating and bathing conditions were to the home of another Christian cattle cars. They were not told where them to come out,” he said. “This unimaginable. There were two roll family who also hid her parents for they were going. Then they arrived caused her 7-month-old baby to cry.” calls a day, and anyone who was sick another two years. at Auschwitz. Michael’s family, along or hurt was taken away, never to be with other families, was selected for Lurie said he watched in horror as seen again. Once World War II was over, Ruth either immediate death or for the the Germans snatched up the baby, and her family went to Munich and labor camp. “All you could hear were threw him up in the air and caught Elly says she survived because of a then to Brooklyn. Ruth eventually soldiers hollering, dogs barking, him with the bayonet. series of miracles. She survived the married another Holocaust survivor, gunshots, and people screaming and camp because of which direction she Jack Gruener, and started a family. crying” he recalls. “My mother was taken from me when went, she survived the factory where I was 12 years old, but I still remember she was forced to work because of Jack Gruener, Prisoner B-3087, had In late 1944, Russian troops advanced her,” he said. the decision of one person, and she a much more traumatic path to on Poland. After six months in survived the war. She was liberated freedom. His parents were murdered Auschwitz, Michael was transferred From that time on, until Allied armies at Salzwedel by the Allies on April in the Krakow Ghetto when he was to Mauthausen and Gunskirchen, closed in on the Nazi concentration 14, 1945. 13. He then spent time in a series of work camps in Austria. camps and liberated the camps in concentration camps before being 1945, Jews and members of other liberated at Dachau in 1945. None One day in May 1945, Michael awoke groups suffered at the hands of the of his other relatives lived. “To this to gunshots and shouting. The Nazis. day, I can’t figure out how I survived,” German guards had disappeared he said. and within a few hours the British However, Lurie was shuffled to and liberated him. Michael contracted from various concentration camps, Ruth lost her beloved Jack in April typhoid fever and was sent to a including Dachau in Germany, 2017. hospital to recuperate. AuschwitzBirkenau in Poland, and Buchenwald in Germany on death RUTH K. HARTZ – SURVIVOR Michael moved to Israel where he marches. Ruth Hartz was a 4-year-old, hidden lived, worked and fought for the child during the Holocaust in Israeli Army. Later, Michael married Prisoners were forced to march Survivor Ely Gross emotionally related southern France. During that time, in Israel and had two children, and long distances in the bitter cold, her story. she had to change her name to Renée then decided to move to America in with little or no food, water or rest to hide her Jewish identity. 1959. He has written two books about and forced to travel on railroad RUTH GRUENER – SURVIVOR his experiences and survival: “Early boxcars, where prisoners were Ruth Gruener was born in Lvov, In addition to being sheltered by One Saturday Morning” and “Our crammed in like sardines. He Poland. In 1941, the Germans an ordinary French farm family, she Cherry Tree Still Stands.” received a tattoo – B-2858 – on invaded and the Jews were forced to spent six months in a small Catholic August 1, 1944, which still remains wear arm bands. The deportations convent to avoid capture by both the on his left forearm. began first with the children. In Vichy French Police and the Gestapo. the family home there were two When informants told the authorities Toward the end of the war, he was part bathrooms, so her parents hid her that the nuns were hiding Jewish of Block 66 at Buchenwald, which also in one and put a cupboard in front children, the Mother Superior was included Elie Wiesel, who wrote the to conceal it. When the Germans forced to lie to keep Ruth and the book “Night” about his experiences came, they told them that she had other children safe. Only the Mother in the war. Allied armies closed in on been taken. Superior knew that the children were the Nazi concentration camps at the Jewish. The other nuns thought they end of March and early April. The The family was later placed in the were just orphans. Ruth remembers Soviets approached from the east, and ghetto, where they hide in a hole that the convent had blue windows so the British, French and Americans under the floor. Their father reported authorities could not see inside, and from the west. to work outside the ghetto, but decided that the chapel had a trap door where he needed to get her out of there. He the children would hide when hunted. On the afternoon of April 11, 1945, smuggled her out under his overcoat Lurie’s 15th birthday, U.S. Gen. and placed her with Joanna Zalucka’s Through unusual good fortune, Ruth Survivor Michael Herskovitz spoke at George Patton’s Third Army liberated family because he expected to be and her parents survived the war and the Symposium. Buchenwald. slaughtered. Ukrainian nationalists returned to Paris shortly thereafter. had already begun ransacking Jewish Ruth eventually graduated from the SOL LURIE – SURVIVOR A year after liberation, Lurie found homes at night. Sorbonne University with a degree in Sol Lurie was just 11 years old when the out that his father and three brothers biochemistry. In 1958, she came to the Germans invaded the Soviet Union’s had survived and were liberated from Families disappeared in waves, United States where she married and territory on June 22, 1941, uprooting the Dachau concentration camp. presumably taken away to raised a family. She became a teacher many Jews out of their homes and His mother’s side of the family had concentration camps. “I heard of French language, literature and occupying the towns. Lurie was the all been killed. The United States is screams every evening,” Gruener said. culture at the Springside School in youngest of four brothers born on where Lurie remained. He served Philadelphia, where she worked for April 11, 1930, in Kovno, Lithuania, in the United States Army from 22 years. which is now known as Kaunas. His 1952-1954. He lost his first wife to father owned a lumber business. cancer in 1993. He remarried, a In 1999, she published her childhood woman named Raja, but sadly he memoir, “Your Name is Renée,” and He said once the Germans came in, lost her to cancer in 2014. Lurie has in 2005, a French translation, “Tu three children, two stepchildren and several grandchildren.

It is because he loved his nuclear family so dearly, and he lost all of them that he initially agreed to speak at a grandchild’s school. Since then, he travels all over the United States spreading messages of respect and love for parents, and all people. His Ruth Gruener held a photograph of motto is “Love, don’t hate.” herself as a child during her presentation. Survivor Ruth Hartz Survivor Sol Lurie 24 Annual Report • Jewish Federation of NEPA GABRIELLA MAJOR – SURVIVOR hardship and danger. Nothing more from Germany to a holding camp in Gabriella Major, a 2½-year-old than hunted prey, she relied on her Latvia that was surrounded by frozen survivor of the Holocaust, was born inner strength and indomitable will water, though no fences, with guards in Hungary. In 1944, when the to keep her children alive. But would patrolling the perimeter. In the spring Nazis invaded Hungary, Gabriella, it be enough? One thing she knew for of 1942, they were transferred to her mother and her grandmother sure, she and her children would live the Riga ghetto and were crammed were herded into the newly-created or die together. into a room with other families. He ghetto in her home town, Debrecen. remembers always being cold and Her father was taken separately to Manek (Mark) was 6 years old when from his window he could see people perform forced labor in a labor camp. his world collapsed. At first, he failed being moved onto trucks. Within a few After a few months of horrible living to see it, but reality came into focus weeks, they moved to a small building Survivor Dorothea Szczesniak conditions in the ghetto, they were when his loving mother was forced outside the ghetto and this is where squeezed into cattle cars heading to to beat him to save his life. Suddenly Peter tried to learn his ABCs, but at family. The landlord willingly agreed Auschwitz as the final destination. thrust into a new role as man of the the same time learned about fear to hide them there. Her parents had Through a stroke of luck, their house, would he be able to keep his and death. He was 6 years old. His the room downstairs and Dorothea transport was diverted, ending up family safe? father continued to work as an auto and her sister (Daisey) had the small instead in a concentration camp mechanic for the Germans, though room right next to their friend’s in Strasshof, Austria. Gabriella and As a young Jewish boy in Poland he was not paid. apartment. her mother miraculously survived during World War II, he spent the through very tough times of disease, war years in hiding with his mother In the beginning of 1943, they were “One morning the Gestapo came hunger and filth. Her grandmother, and sister in the Polish countryside. transferred to a work camp deeper and apprehended her parents. They unfortunately, did not survive. Most As a war of nations thundered in Russia. One day while working on proceeded upstairs, speaking German of her family perished in the gas around him, Mark’s story displays the a damaged electricity transformer, to the young sisters. Though she chambers of Auschwitz. magnificent strength of a mother’s the Russian army attacked the camp knew German, Dorothea pretended love and the incredible courage of and Artur saved a German officer’s not to understand. It was then that After liberation, Gabriella and her good people during the worst times. life. This changed the course of the their friend opened her door, saying, mother found their way back to family’s experience. The officer “These are my grandchildren. I take Hungary and were reunited with After the war ended, the family arranged for the Stern family to be care of them because my daughter is her father. Soon they returned temporarily stayed in Poland before hidden in the Riga prison, rather working and they are late for school.” to their home in Debrecen and emigrating to Israel in 1957. Due to a than be returned to the ghetto. In The neighbor grabbed their school started to rebuild from the ashes. lack of job opportunities, Mark decided January 1944, the family was once bags, placed them in their hands However, Communism set in and to move to the U.S. in 1961 with the again put on a truck and deported and pushed them out the door. once again the family was persecuted backing of his mother’s relatives and back to Germany, where Artur was Because the Nazis believed them, due to their background and just only five dollars to his name. imprisoned in the Buchenwald they walked out past their parents, because they were Jewish. During concentration camp, where he took the trolley car and went to a the Hungarian Revolution in 1957, Unable to speak English, he died. Karolina, Sam and Peter friend’s house. They stayed one week Gabriella prevailed on her family to nonetheless obtained work at a were transferred to Ravensbruck before being placed in hiding, Daisey flee their country. They escaped to jewelry factory, where he swept floors concentration camp and then, in the with one family and Dorothea with Austria and eventually were able to under the supervision of a man who face of an Allied advance, moved to another family. Though living in the enter the United States, where they spoke Yiddish. He soon learned Bergen-Belsen. They were liberated same community, the young sisters started a new life. Soon after her English and rose through the ranks by the British on April 15, 1945, and were now separated. Dorothea,13, high school graduation, Gabriella in five years to become the factory were moved to buildings previously was taken in by Michael and Tanya got married to a physician, also a manager. Within five more years, occupied by German soldiers. Schugalte, a kindly couple, who’d survivor from Debrecen, Hungary. he had the opportunity to purchase lost a child; while her sister, 11, was Together, they built a beautiful family another company, Lieberfarb. Mark Peter, Sam and Karolina were moved moved from family to family. of children and grandchildren. turned it into a successful wedding back to Nuremberg, Germany, in the ring and bridal company, which he fall of 1945 and lived in a building March 15 was the last time they Gabriella became a social worker owned and ran for more than 40 years. that was once a home for the Jewish saw their parents. They were sent helping people with mental, He took the “American Dream” to elderly. From there, they moved to a to Maline, Belgium, a temporary emotional, cognitive and physical heart and built a life in his adopted displaced persons camp in Munich, holding area, before being put on a disabilities.Several years ago, Gabriella country. Mark feels blessed to have Germany, and then another camp in “death train” to Auschwitz in Poland, became a docent at the Museum of had a lifetime. Bremen. On January 7, 1947, they an extermination camp. According Jewish Heritage, A Living Memorial were able to immigrate to America to information from the Red Cross, to the Holocaust in New York City, with the help of distant relatives who Dorothea’s mom died two months where she educates young people lived in Atlanta, GA. They arrived in later at 43, and her dad, a mere 39 about the horrors and the lessons of New York City on January 27. In 1954, years old, died shortly afterward in the Holocaust. She also speaks about Peter graduated from high school, November. her experience to students of all then attended University of Missouri ages, as well as adults to ensure that and received a degree in metallurgical The arrival of British and American we “Never Forget” this most horrific engineering. He is married and has soldiers changed everything. It was time in our history and do not allow two sons and grandchildren. Peter their liberation! It was a wonderful history to repeat itself. and his wife Julie recently moved to day for the 16-year-old and so many the Philadelphia area. others. Dorothea stayed with her She is grateful (especially after the foster family until she was 21, when Holocaust) to have a large family of DOROTHEA SZCZESNIAK – she moved into her sister’s home, children and grandchildren, who give SURVIVOR renting a downstairs room. her much joy and happiness. Survivor Mark Schonwetter A little girl of 6 smiled at the camera, marking her first day of school, but She found jobs cooking and cleaning, PETER STERN – SURVIVOR it was a fleeting smile, covering a before becoming a girl Friday in a Peter Stern was born in Nuremberg, multitude of fear and uncertainty. tailor shop. Dorothea followed her Germany, in March 1936. His father, Dorothea was unable to attend public heart and began studying voice. Artur, was an auto mechanic and a school and was forced to attend a She attended the Conservatory of vocational school instructor. His mother, Jewish school wearing a Star of David. Brussels, where she studied for four Karolina, helped raise Peter and his Children would try to hide the star years, becoming an accomplished younger brother, Sam, in a building that out of fear of the Hitler Youth, who opera singer. housed four other families and shared a would chase them with stones. They kitchen. One of his first vivid memories lived in constant fear and humiliation. Her love of music is how she met was walking home with his father and her Ukrainian husband, Orest. She stones were being thrown at them by a Survivor Gabriella Major It was in 1938, when Dorothea was 9, was applying for a singing job at group of young boys not much older that her family fled from Germany. a Ukrainian night club. He was a MARK SCHONWETTER – than him. Peter couldn’t understand “We sneaked into Belgium illegally. displaced person, who had run away SURVIVOR why this was happening nor why people We were not rich. We had no money. from the Communists. Both were The only way they would survive, was stood by and watched it happen. We had no papers,” she said. They like survivors. if they stayed together. fled only with whatever they could In 1941, his family was deported carry, running for their lives. They “I could not speak a word of French, Sala Schonwetter lived the perfect discovered the wonderful and so we communicated in German. He life. Married to the man of her welcoming Belgian people as they had already filed his papers to come dreams, mother to two beautiful made it their new home. to America because his brother was children and a member of one of a sponsor. When we got engaged, he the most respected families in town, However, their reprieve was short said, ‘I want to get married and then she had it all. The year was 1939, and lived, because the German invasion put your name on my papers.’ Waiting the world was about to change. In a began. An elderly woman, whom they for a Russian, Ukrainian and Polish heartbreaking instant, she traded her had befriended, found two rooms visa took at least two or three years. secure life for one of unspeakable Survivor Peter Stern in the house where she lived for the No one wanted to go back to the Jewish Federation of NEPA • Annual Report 25 communist country,” Dorothea remembers. “When soldiers, who discovered the train and opened I went with him to the American Consulate to put its doors saw horrors they had not encountered my name on the paper, a lady asked me, ‘Where before – “people packed in like sardines” – and were you born?’ I said, ‘In Germany.’” The wait immediately called for medics to set up a field list was much shorter. Luckily, there was a new law hospital and tend to the sick and dying. Young that the husband could go to America on his wife’s Walter was among the medics who treated these visa. “I teased him all my life, saying you married survivors for seven weeks. First, they were tended me for the quota ... I got my visa right away. So, to at the train site, then in a building in a nearby within a year, we came to America,” Dorothea says. town that was converted into a hospital.

The couple arrived in Long Island, NY, in 1953 ALAN MOSKIN – LIBERATOR with their 6-week-old son, Michel. Orest settled in Alan Moskin was born in Englewood, NJ, on May as an auto mechanic, while Dorothea continued 30, 1926. He attended Syracuse University both singing with the Long Island Opera Showcase. before and after his military service in World War Liberator Alan Moskin spoke to Symposium attendees. II and graduated in May 1948. He then attended Many years have passed since that dark day when the New York University Law School, graduating with Fairfield counties, and elsewhere about his Gestapo came for her parents. Time has not dimmed a J.D. degree in June 1951. He practiced law as a experiences as an infantry combat soldier and a the sorrow felt by a 13-year-old little girl who loved and civil trial attorney in New Jersey for more than “Concentration Camp” liberator. lost her mom and dad. “I tell you honestly sometimes 20 years and subsequently worked in the private I think about that little girl that I was at that time. business sector until he retired in 1991. Alan has two grown daughters and six grandchildren. And I cry for that little girl, because of all the things He presently serves on the Board of Trustees of that I was deprived of: my parents, an education, a Alan presently resides in Nanuet, NY, and speaks the Holocaust Museum and Study Center and is normal life of freedom. But it could have been much extensively to middle school and high school also commander of the Rockland/Orange District worse. I could have been in a camp,” Dorothea says. students as well as a variety of other audiences Council of the Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. “How fortunate I was that my life was saved. I don’t in Rockland, Westchester, Bergen, Orange and forget it. It’s part of my life, part of my past, but I will not let it destroy me. I’m not going to let the Nazis destroy my life twice.” H.E.R.C. perspectives and tribute to our volunteers The Holocaust Education Resource Center of the DR. MICHA TOMKIEWICZ – SURVIVOR Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania has Marcelli Robert Tomkiewicz was born on May 25, a very specific goal: to combat prejudice, bullying, 1939, in Warsaw, Poland. He lived in the Warsaw bigotry, and antisemitism happening all around us Ghetto with his family until the Germans sent them by translating the horrors of the Holocaust into a off to Bergen-Belsen. lesson that can make this world a better and safer environment for everyone. America, as a society, Tomkiewicz was one of the young children packed is comprised of people of diverse religious, ethnic, on a train with their mothers, traveling for most cultural and racial backgrounds. Education is the of a week with very little food and water, unaware first step toward understanding the complexity that they were headed toward Theresienstadt. that is human diversity and creating social change. When the Germans heard that the Americans were approaching, they simply abandoned the Holocaust education is of enduring significance train and took off. Gantz, a medic with the 95th to the world as a whole because there are infinite Attendees viewed the film “Children Remember the Medical Battalion, traveling with the 30th Infantry lessons to be learned from it regarding human Holocaust” Division, discovered the abandoned train. rights. It is important to not only concentrate on educating today’s youth of the calculated mass Executive Director of the Federation: Mark Micha Tomkiewicz is a professor of physics at murder of a people, but also to develop their Silverberg Brooklyn College; professor of physics and understanding of this horrific era, one that cannot chemistry in the School for Graduate Studies be obtained from text books. It is a rare program Federation staff: Mary Ann Mistysyn, Dolores of the City University of New York; and director that allows students and Holocaust survivors to Gruber and Dassy Ganz of the Environmental Studies Program and the not just interact, but also impact each other. Electrochemistry Institute at Brooklyn College. This program does both. This program actually Planning Committee: Esther Adelman, Kathryn He has published regularly in science publications integrates historical testimonies from Holocaust Bekanich, Bill Burke, Carol Burke, Jerry Chazan, and recently published a book on climate change. survivors, who not only want to share their painful Phyllis Chazan, Jim Connors, Susie Connors, Mark knowledge of their experiences, but also impart Davis, Dennis Dougherty, David Fallk, Christina their collective wisdom. Finn, Dassy Ganz, Seth Gross, Sheryl Gross, Dr. David Malinov, Phyllis Malinov, JoAnn Martarano, It is imperative that we continue to nurture the Gail Neldon, Marion Poveromo, Laura Santoski Annual Teen Symposium and develop additional and Pam Weiss. educational experiences that establish the relevance of Holocaust and genocide studies for Hilton Scranton and Conference Center: Robert future generations of a diverse and multicultural Trotta, General Manager; Victoria Rogers, Director population. It is not only our plight, but our of Sales and Marketing: Paul Junas, Director responsibility, to preserve this historical memory, of Conference Services; Abbey Merker, Sales Survivor Dr. Micha Tomkiewicz and continue to awaken the conscience of the Manager; Nick Miller of JP Lilley; and Steve Wesley, young. It is our duty to not let indifference Director of Technology at the Hilton Scranton WALTER GANTZ – LIBERATOR and desensitization toward one of the world’s andConference Center for JP Lilley. A very special Toward the end of the war, the Nazis invested a worst horrific periods, the Holocaust, affect the thank you is also extended to the Hilton dining, lot of effort in frantically moving Jewish prisoners education of today’s youth. This program strives reception and bell staff for their professionalism from various concentration camps further into to make the mandate of “Never Again,” not just a and assistance. Together, they made the experience Germany. In the hopes of covering up some of mandate, but a hopeful, life-long reality. at the Hilton a stellar event for survivors, liberators, their crimes, they moved prisoners by rail and faculty, students and adult participants. with forced marches. The success of the Annual Teen Symposium on the Holocaust is attributed to the dedication Photographer at the Holocaust Symposium: Walter Gantz was an 18 year old American and generosity of a great number of individuals, Andrea Rosar medic, newly shipped overseas, when his troop organizations, institutions, corporations and encountered a train abandoned by the Nazis foundations. Security: Chief Carl Graziano and the Scranton during this time. It was filled with survivors of Police Department Bergen-Belsen, discovered on April 14, 1945, about There are many thanks due to many people: a month before the end of the war. The American Guest Speakers: Paul Beller, Ronnie Breslow, Coordinator: Mary Ann Answini Lois Flamhoz, Sonia Goldstein, Elly Gross, Ruth Gruener, Ruth Hartz, Michael Herskovitz, Sol Lurie, Gabriella Major, Mark Schonwetter, Peter Stern, Dorothea Szczesniak and Micha Tomkiewicz, all survivors of the Holocaust, as well as World War II veteran and medic Walter Gantz and liberator Alan Moskin.

Facilitators: Kathryn Bekanich, Bill Burke, Carol Burke, Phyllis Chazan, Jim Connors, Susie Connors, Mark Davis, Atty. David Fallk, John Farkas, Christina Finn, Dassy Ganz, Seth Gross, Sheryl Mary Ann Answini, Gross, Dr. David Malinov, Phyllis Malinov, JoAnn Liberator Walter Ganzspoke about his experiences as Master of Ceremonies Holocaust Symposium Martarano, Gail Neldon, Marian Poveromo, Laura survivor Dr. Micha Tomkiewicz listened. Susie Connors Coordinator Santoski and Pam Weiss. 26 Annual Report • Jewish Federation of NEPA Volunteers: Esther Adelman, Jerry Chazan, Susan Herlands, of My Mother’s Delicacies, for her Finally, as we close the page of the 30th Annual Teen Rebekah Conrad, Antanine Kane, Carol Rubel, generous donation. The mixed flavors of rugelach Symposium, the Holocaust Education Resource Mike Poveromo and Philip Answini embellished lunch for the students, facilitators Center and the Federation have recommitted to and survivors. Holocaust education which is and has always been, Facilitator Training Workshop Leader: Carol Rubel in a state of constant evolution. Unfortunately, a As always, a very special thank you to all school disconnect has formed between the understanding Drivers: Neil Weinberg, Alan McKay, Joe Stachnik, superintendents, principals and teachers who of the world’s worst mass-genocidal epidemic and Larry Holder, and Ron Kozak remain committed to this program. We are the educational understanding of this horrific level exceedingly grateful to the Hilton Scranton and of discrimination that has enabled American youth Support: The Schwartz Mack Foundation, The Conference Center and the Jewish Federation, toward desensitization. Elie Wiesel, in his preface Scranton Area Foundation/Robert H. Spitz co-sponsors of the 30th Annual Teen Symposium to the novel Night, wrote: “For the survivor who Foundation and The Pennsylvania Holocaust on the Holocaust, for their overwhelming support. chooses to testify, it is clear: his duty is to bear Education Council for generously funding the witness for the dead and for the living. He has no Abe Plotkin Memorial Lecture on the Holocaust We sincerely hope that we’ve given thanks to the right to deprive future generations of a past that and Social Justice; the Sisterhood of the Jewish many people who made this event possible. If a belongs to our collective memory. To forget would Fellowship of Hemlock Farms; and an anonymous name was inadvertently left out, please accept our be not only dangerous but offensive; to forget the donor from the Holocaust Awareness Museum most sincere apologies and our gratitude. dead would be akin to killing them a second time.” of Philadelphia.

Individuals who have rendered their support are Dennis Dougherty, Jerry and Phyllis Chazan, Jim and Susie Connors, Harris Cutler and Katheryn Bekanich.

The Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center along with its President, Chuck Feldman, and Geoff Quinn, Program Director. Facilitators Rebekah Conrad, Pam Weiss, Antanine Mary Ann Mistysyn, Michele Shulman, Program Coordinator of the Facilitator Mark Davis Kane and JoAnn Martarano. Federation Secretary Levine Institute on the Holocaust of United States Holocaust Museum, for DVDs for educators; and Evaluations My staff and students were once again awe-struck! The conversations were amazing on the ride back to school. Our students learned so much. Another year of appreciation for the survivors and the liberators! You planned and delivered a wonder-filled day! Mary Jo Walsh, Principal Fell Charter School Carbondale, PA In front: Facilitator David Malinov and liberator Alan Madeline Fink, Jacob Fink, Ally Fink and Doug Fink, Moskin. In the background is Facilitator David Fallk. Federation Board President. Thank you again for working with representatives from our Speakers Bureau. They had a meaningful Th experience with all of the students who attended, 2018 Reflections of the 30 Annual and they had nothing but positive things to say about the event’s mission and organization. Thank you for providing this opportunity to students who Holocaust Symposium served as witnesses to Ruth Gruener and Gabriella • “I got to look into the eyes of a survivor and forced to work in factories. I gained a great deal Major’s experiences. I hope they carry this with hear a first-hand account of a most abhorrent of knowledge from the field trip.” them forward as they emerge as our future leaders. situation. Wow!” • “I am very thankful for this experience.” Thank you! • “I found the Symposium enlightening and • “The film and the speakers taught me many Kind regards, insightful. It was a superb learning experience.” new things. I learned a lot of new information Joana Arruda, Museum Educator • “The seemingly never-ending struggle of the from every part of the day.” Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust survivors could not be adequately taught • “I enjoyed hearing first-hand accounts which Holocaust in a classroom. At the Symposium, I heard of you cannot learn in school.” New York, NY their experiences and shared in their emotional • “Thank you so much for telling your stories. journey.” It meant so much.” Everything ran smoothly, and the kids were great. • “I truly admire the strength of the survivors • “It was great to learn about the different The accommodations at the Hilton were excellent and their courage to speak about the trauma that perspectives and stories from those experiencing the food was very good - no complaints. they suffered at the hands of the Nazis.” the same event.” • “A fulfilling experience. It was great!” • “How awful the Holocaust was.” Of course, our reason for being there was to help • “I gained a much deeper knowledge of the • “I learned and loved this experience and I educate the students on a very complicated subject terrible events that occurred during the Holocaust. hope to come again.” the Holocaust and how it affected us. I hope that An excellent event.” • “Today was a moving and beautiful day. Very I have accomplished that by sharing my story and • “At times people down play or forget the events well put together.” the history of how it all began in Germany. If there of World War 2, and the Symposium put it into • “I have studied the Holocaust for two years and, is extra time, I would be delighted to meet with perspective. The tragedies that occurred during but I learned more in one day at the Symposium.” any students that want to learn more. I realize the Holocaust helped me to reflect and realize • “At the Symposium, I learned that there were they have a long day which includes the play, but I how much I take for granted.” hidden children. The speakers were very nice. would gladly spend time with any student or parent • “The Symposium was a wonderful and Incredible!” interested in the subject. I work with students in impressive experience for me.” • “Learning from real survivors was incredible. Philadelphia through Chabad and if Chabad would • ” I appreciate you allowing us to come today. I I think it was a wonderful experience.” like to send one or a few students to the Hilton, I really enjoyed learning about the Holocaust from • “I learned more about how horrible the would gladly discuss the Holocaust in general or first-hand accounts. “ conditions actually were. Informative and my story in particular with any interested student. • “I never knew that Jewish prisoners were interesting. Great job!” • “The film touched me to tears. They were I feel strongly if we don’t learn from history we are children like all of us.” doomed to repeat it. I deeply appreciate that you are giving the survivors a wonderful opportunity to share our stories with the students. Thank you for your interest and helping us share our stories with the students. Thank you for making our stay at the Hilton very welcoming. I realize there is a lot of work in setting up the Symposium and allowing so many students to attend.

I just want you to know I deeply appreciate your effort and thank you for allowing me to participate. Thank you and stay well. Survivor Mark Schonwetter, Facilitator Pam Weiss, Ronnie Breslow Ann Arnold, child of a survivor, and Faciltator JoAnn Facilitators Kathy Bekanich, Marian Poveromo and Speaker/Survivor Martarano. Phyllis Malinov Jewish Federation of NEPA • Annual Report 27 • “I learned what it was like to experience the • “This was an amazing experience! You did an Holocaust first hand. It was terrible and never awesome job gathering amazing speakers. Thank should have happened. “ you.” • “I never knew so many camps and subcamps • “I learned that other groups like the gypsies existed. The field trip was amazing, and I learned were target and persecuted. Thank you for having a lot.” me at this amazing event.” • “I loved getting to talk with the survivors. I • “The presentations were great and allowed both enjoyed the experience very much and thank you teachers and students to gain firsthand knowledge for having me.” of what occurred.” • “The conditions in the camps were horrible. • “Learning about the experiences of the No one deserves that treatment.” children was amazing. They needed to learn to • “I wanted to know about the treatment of twins survive without their parents. This was an eye- because I am one.” opening experience for me.” • “Learning about liberation was very interesting.” • “I learned that many good people resisted and • “I loved this trip and I cannot wait to share this Facilitator Carol Burke, Liberator Alan Moskin, guest fought against the Nazis.” information. It was really interesting.” Tonya Herskovitz and Survivor Michael Herskovitz • “I learned about 50 saved children from Mr. • “The Symposium really put the vast number (seated). Beller. This was very informational. Thank you for of people killed into perspective. The Symposium the experience.” was a great experience.” • “I would have loved a longer video and to hear • “So many camps and so many deaths. Wow. I • “I learned that Jews and many others were put more speakers. However, the day was amazing!” learned many new things today.” into concentration camps.” • “I learned about the Voyage of the St. Louis • “Keep doing the Symposium. It is a great • “Loved the story of Mr. and Mrs. Kraus saving and the challenges of the passengers. It was very teaching tool. It was truly a pleasure and an amazing the 50 children including Paul Beller. Amazing!” informative.” experience.” • “Although I knew a lot about the Holocaust, • “In school we learned impersonal and factual • “I learned a lot more from the first-hand hearing the stories from survivors and liberators information. Today was very different and very experiences of the survivors than I learned in was moving and emotional.” personal. It was incredible.” school. I think everything was planned brilliantly.” • “I learned in the Holocaust that many others • “It was powerful to interact with survivors and • “I was given a new perspective by coming here were captured, tortured and killed by the Nazis.” a liberator. Amazing and informative!” because we had the opportunity to listen to a • “There were many wonderful people that • “I really enjoyed hearing all of the speakers liberator and survivor.” helped and hid Jews because it was the right thing and thought it was very interesting.” • “I didn’t know that some people escaped and to do!” • “The Symposium is a great opportunity to learn survived.” • “What an amazing day! Many different things more about the horrible and gruesome time of • “Today gave me more insight from the about the Holocaust were covered. Thank you for the Holocaust. Every part of the day was perfect.” survivor’s perspective and taught me more about having me. “ • “The Symposium went more in depth into the the emotional horrors of the Holocaust. I learned • “Learning about the children during the lives of those who witnessed it. I enjoyed everything. a lot and had a wonderful day.” Holocaust was very sad but enlightening.” Thank you.” • “In history class, we learn the facts. So, it was • “The Symposium was overall a great experience • “I learned that we still have to make changes in cathartic being able to hear firsthand accounts.” and I loved the speakers. Thank you.” this world. This was a wonderful experience for us.” • “Today I learned real stories from first hand survivors. Thank you for sharing your life with us.” • “The Symposium showed me the unique experiences from survivors that you cannot get in school.” • “The Symposium was fantastic!” • “I learned about the survivors’ life altering experiences and a liberator’s traumatic experience which changed my perspective on the Holocaust.” • “I loved hearing from Dorothea Szczesniak and Volunteer Jerry Chazan, Liberator Alan Moskin and Alan Moskin. Thank you for having them speak Mark Silverberg, Executive Director of the Jewish Facilitators Bill Burke, Carol Burke and Susie Connors to us today.” Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania • “I learned a lot more today. Great job putting • “I was able to see a partial glimpse of the this together!” incomprehensible pain and agony that the Jews • “Getting to listen to the speech of a liberator • “I think a great deal was covered today, as I and others endured. It was heartbreaking but or a survivor on such a tragic historical event was learned about each personal experience.” educational. The day was powerful.” an honor.” • “Learning about the liberation of the camps • “The Keynote speaker, Alan Moskin, was • “I learned of the emotional toll that came and the struggles of the survivors after the enthralling.” with each experience. During the Holocaust. The liberation was very interesting. The Symposium • “Gabriella was incredibly sweet. The day was Symposium was eye opening, well planned and was informative and did a great job for us.” amazing and emotional.” amazing!” • “Although I learned about the Holocaust in • “The sessions were in depth and though • “An impressive and wonderful experience!” English and social studies, I learned a great deal provoking. The speakers were very nice and kept • “I loved Gabriella Major! This was an amazing more today.” us interested. It was a great day.” and educational day.” • “I learned of the torture of the Jews during this • “I have learned from the experiences of those • “I appreciated how the survivors showed the terrible time. I hope you run the Symposium for who have witnessed the Holocaust and learned how degradation of the Jewish people, inflicted by the as long as you possibly can for students.” extremely important it is to remember history’s Nazi Party, to remove their sense of self-worth. It • “The new thing that I learned was that the past mistakes.” really made me think about what we do to people, Nazi performed terrible experiments on their • “Thank you for this gathering at the Symposium. who are different, when we treat them wrongly. helpless victims.” It really makes history know to us.” Thank you.” • “I learned about the Holocaust in school but I • “After listening to the survivors, I am much • “The film, the speeches and the play were all really enjoyed sitting down with a survivor for the more appreciative of what I have in my life.” beautifully done and informative.” personal experience.” • “This was a great experience and I am glad • “Learning about the Kinder transport from • “Very informative and impressive! I learned a that I was a part of it today.” the power point was very interesting.” lot about the geography of the war.” • “This was an eye-opening experience. Thank • “I learned how big the Holocaust was. The • “Learning that the Holocaust actually happened you for the opportunity.” enormity of the event is staggering.” and about the horrors was moving. Our generation • “The Holocaust is an important part of history • “Powerful! Great time management.” is the last to be fortunate enough to meet survivors. that is often underestimated.” • The Symposium was exceedingly thorough in The event was very well put together.” • “I learned today that the Holocaust was bigger the explanation of the Holocaust and the long- • “I gained a much better understanding by and more serious than what I was lead to believe. term effects.” hearing directly from the survivors and a liberator.” I learned a lot of new information. It was truly a • “As always, the Symposium was exceptional!” • “I really didn’t know that there were survivors wonderful experience and thank you for having me.” • “This was my third year attending the still alive until today. I hope that I can come again • “These were real people in real trouble. I Symposium. I want you to know how important next year to hear more of them. “ learned how very hard it was for the Jews in Europe.” this has been to me and how much that I wish that • “The Symposium gave a better and more • “I thought it was a great learning experience. I could have heard every speaker. Thank you for detailed look into the events of the Holocaust. I feel that I have gained a great deal of new this amazing opportunity.” Today was wonderful.” information.” • “It was a very informative and emotional day!”

Facilitator Phyllis Chazan and Survivor Survivors Dorothea Szczesniak and Master of Ceremonies Susie Connors Facilitator Gail Neldon and Survivor Ronnie Breslow Ronnie Breslow and Facilitator James Connors Sonia Goldstein 28 Annual Report • Jewish Federation of NEPA • “The Symposium gave me new knowledge of more about the Holocaust.” invitation to participate.” the atrocities of the Holocaust.” • “The most helpful part of the day was learning • “The play was helpful in demonstrating to • “I ever knew about the ghettos. What an history from those who lived it.” the students a timeline of events, as well as, peer amazing day!” • The video is most helpful in informing the pressure.” • “I learned to be more accepting of others and audience of the progression of hate on the most • “Powerful and Exceptional! The presentations that I should always remember the Holocaust.” innocent of all victims, the children.” were great and allowed both teachers and students to • “The Symposium was wonderful. It is so • “The raw honesty of Alan Moskin and the gain a true first-hand experience of what occurred.” important to inform our youth on the horrors of moving testimonies of the survivors had everyone • “The play did a fantastic job of demonstrating hate, bigotry and war.” engaged. “ the gradual decay of Jewish rights and freedoms.” • “Thank you for the enlightenment that • “Students really enjoyed hearing the stories • “I use all of the provided materials and I am so has been produced by the Symposium. It was from all of the survivors. It was the highlight of thankful that you provide such useful materials. educational and entertaining.” the Symposium for them.” Thank you so much!” • “I believe the first-hand insights and accounts • “As always, the Symposium is exceedingly • “I greatly appreciate participating in the on what happened was a really good way to learn informative, and we greatly appreciate the Symposium and my students loved it.” ODE TO ISRAELI INGENUITY David Ben Gurion, Israel’s first prime mister, video, Yassin slammed Kuwait’s anti-Israel policy and automatically to detect and alert nurses and probably said it the best: “In Israel, in order to be and said it was hypocritical for the country to physicians of any abnormalities, enabling them to a realist, you must believe in miracles.” How true. profess to boycott Israel while using many Israeli take necessary action. products. “Dear Kuwait,” he said. “If you want to • Alzheimer’s/memory loss – In May 2017, scientists Despite existential threats and political and boycott Israel, be my guest. Refuse me service. But from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and from economic isolation, Israel prospers and has also give me your USB flash drives, your phones, the University of Bonn in Germany announced that contributed proportionally more to the world your safe driving cars, your Viber, your Waze and they had restored the memory performance of lab than any other nation on the planet. In a broader your anti-virus. This is also Israel.” That says it all! mice to a juvenile stage by administering a small context, despite its tiny size, no people, pound for quantity of THC, the active ingredient in cannabis. pound, have contributed more to the world than the MEDICAL ADVANCEMENTS The report in Nature Medicine showed that after Jews. The fact that Jews are but .2% of the world’s • Israeli Arabs have highest life expectancy in Arab- giving low doses of THC to mice over a four-week population yet have received 23% of all Nobel Muslim world – Compared with the populations of period, the cognitive functions of 12-18-month-old Prizes since 1901 is just one of many examples of 21 Muslim and Arab countries, Arab Israelis have mice treated with cannabis were just as good as the the Jewish people’s disproportionate impact. the highest life expectancy. The life expectancy functions of 2-month-old mice in the control group. of Arab Israelis at birth in 2015 was 79, higher Clinical trials on humans are to follow. A study by With 8.5 million people, Israel has more companies than such wealthy countries as Qatar, the UAE Therapix Biosciences presented in September to on NASDAQ than almost any other country outside and Bahrain. It is also equal to that of the general the International Association for Cannabinoid North America (61). That’s more than Europe, U.S. population. Medicines’ Conference on Cannabinoids in Japan, Korea and China combined. • Israeli technology aims to replace doctor’s visits – An Cologne, Germany, similarly suggested that THC Israeli tele-medicine company is looking to replace can significantly reverse age-related cognitive Israeli startups receive nearly 20% of global private some doctor visits with a new device that allows impairment in old mice. investment in cyber-security. In addition, Israel patients an accurate self-examination from home. • Alzheimer’s – Professor Eitan Okun at Israel’s recycles 87% of its waste water and statistics show The Tytocare device allows patients to measure Bar-Ilan University has developed a vaccine that that Israeli cows produce more milk per animal their own vital signs – heart rate or temperature – primes the body to attack amyloid beta protein than those of any other country. Truth is, people as well as to conduct examinations of organs such accumulations in the brain, one of the signature everywhere benefit from Israeli innovations in as ears, throat and lungs. The TytoHome package signs of Alzheimer’s disease. He is also working their mobile phones, car navigation systems, life- can be used by parents of young children who find on early diagnosis using MRI detection of amyloid saving drugs, medical devices and even the cherry themselves arriving at a doctor’s clinic too often, protein in the brain. tomatoes in their salads! people with disabilities, or populations residing in • Autism – Screening newborns for autism – Israeli rural areas where health care services are scarce. engineer Raphael Rembrand developed a simple Equally, Israel’s intelligence services have helped In the U.S., the average cost of a primary care non-invasive way to screen newborns for signs of stop dozens of terrorist attacks in dozens of visit is $170, while a telemedicine visit costs $50. autism using the same instrument currently used countries including Jordan, Egypt and numerous Tele-medicine also eliminates the costs involved to test infants’ hearing. The SensPD diagnostic other Arab countries. in maintaining a physical clinic. The TytoHome test, now ready for clinical trials, uses optoacoustic package has FDA approval and is already marketed emissions as an indicator of the baby’s overall These successes are buttressed by world-class in the U.S. Israel’s Schneider Children’s Hospital sensory perception. It can be administered hours universities and research institutions – all of which compared the accuracy and quality of physical after birth, and because the inner-ear mechanism makes one of Nuseir Yassin’s Facebook posts so check-ups done by Tyto to those conducted by develops in the third trimester of pregnancy, one day intriguing. In October 2017, Yassin, an Israeli doctors and found almost no difference between it may even be possible to screen for autism spectrum Facebook star and a Harvard graduate who has two the two types of examinations. disorders prenatally. Some three million children million followers, was scheduled to fly from New • Israeli startup creates sensor-based tubes for better are diagnosed with autism every year. The earlier York to India via Kuwait when he was told at JFK patient monitoring – U.S.-Israeli medical device the condition is detected the better the possible Airport that he would not be permitted to travel firm ART Medical has developed a smart Sensor- outcome. Thirty years ago, Rembrand’s 4-year-old because Kuwait does not permit Israeli citizens Based Tubes Platform to monitor breathing tubes, son was diagnosed as autistic, but it was too late at to enter the country. In his Nas Daily Facebook feeding tubes, and urine catheters continuously this point for critical early-intervention therapies. “Applying interventions before the age of two results in better than 90% success rate in ingraining social skills for social integration,” says Rembrand. • “Smart” baby monitors –The Israeli startup Nanit has developed a “smart” baby monitor with a night- vision camera that beams real-time video feeds to a parent’s phone. At the same time, it documents the quality of sleep an infant receives by scoring Nanit’s smart baby how long it takes for a monitor, which utilizes child to fall asleep and what the company calls the number of times his or “computer vision” to her sleep was interrupted. document the quality of It further assesses indoor sleep an infant receives. environmental conditions (Photo courtesy of Nanit) such as room temperature, humidity, and nursery lighting. Parents also receive regular video highlights that enable them to replay important sleep milestones like the first time their baby rolls over. • Battlefield bandages – Israel’s Border Police will equip their medics in the Jerusalem area with Israeli-made Woundclot hemostatic bandages, which help save lives by making the blood flowing from wounds clot faster. The new bandages can stop bleeding from gunshot or stab wounds in 40 seconds or less, even in a wound to an artery or to the stomach. Medics tested the bandages during the Jewish Federation of NEPA • Annual Report 29 recent wave of terrorist attacks in Jerusalem, and the p53 gene play in causing cancerous tumors, level differently. That discovery was incorporated they proved efficient in stopping bleeding quickly and how a minor mutation in the RAD51 gene into a made-in-Israel app, DayTwo, which helps and keeping victims alive while they were being increases the risk of breast cancer in women with pre-diabetics and diabetics who are not insulin transferred to hospitals. The WoundClot bandage the BRCA2 gene mutation. It was scientists at the dependent choose dishes that can best balance is a plant based cellulose gauze that stimulates Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Hadassah their individual blood-sugar levels. the body’s coagulation process. The bandage can Medical Center who contributed to the platform The algorithm predicts blood-glucose response absorb more than 2,500% of its own weight and science that resulted in the development of Doxil, to thousands of foods based on gut microbiome can be applied in situations in which compression the first drug encapsulated in a microscopic fat information and other personal parameters. High can be harmful, such as with stab wounds and head bubble for direct delivery to a tumor site. blood sugar is linked to energy dips, excessive and neck injuries. It remains biologically active • Cancer – Cancer vaccine ImMucin shows promising hunger and weight gain as well as increased risk for 24-36 hours and breaks down naturally in the results after clinical trial – Researchers in Israel of metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. body within a week. have taken a truly innovative approach toward To use the app, which went on sale in the U.S. in • Blood count in five minutes – Israel’s HemoScreen treating cancer in their attempt to harness the 2017, users need to answer a questionnaire about performs a complete blood count in five minutes body’s own immune system to fight off the disease. their medical history, physical characteristics, – Israeli blood analysis startup PixCell has been Based on clinical trials for a cancer vaccine, called lifestyle and diet. awarded a 2.5 million euro grant by the European ImMucin, results look promising. According to A stool-sample kit is then FedExed to the Commission to accelerate commercialization of Vaxil BioTherapeurtics, ImMucin’s makers, in Nes user, who sends it on to DayTwo’s lab. There the its HemoScreen. The product is a portable, easy- Ziona, Israel, the cancer vaccine triggers an immune microbiome DNA is sequenced and the data is to-use, blood analyzer that can be operated by response in about 90% of all types of cancer. plugged into an advanced machine-learning anyone. It performs the most common blood test • Cancer – Cell therapies developed to fight cancer algorithm. In about six to eight weeks, users – a complete blood count – within five minutes, – A bio-pharmaceutical company (Kite) has receive a microbiome report and a six-month plan enabling physicians to diagnose and treat their developed cell therapies in which the patient’s of personalized meal recommendations to help patients during a single visit. HemoScreen’s own immune cells fight cancer. The company was balance blood sugar. performance has been comprehensively validated founded in 2009 by Israeli-American oncologist • Heart-related issues – Damaged cardiac cells in three clinical studies in the U.S. in which Arie Belldegrun, and the core technology was - Renewing damaged cells – Researchers from operators without any training have tested developed by Prof. Zelig Eshhar from Israel’s the Weizmann Institute of Science discovered thousands of blood samples, showing excellent Weizmann Institute of Science. a molecule in newborn hearts that appears to correlation to high-end lab analyzers. The product • Cancer – Compound kills energy generating system control the process of renewing heart muscle. has EU CE approval and is expected to be FDA of cancer – An Israeli researcher devised a synthetic The findings, published in June in Nature, point cleared during 2018. compound to disable the enzymes that allow cancer to new directions for research on restoring the • Bone tissue breakthrough – Human bone tissue cells to metastasize. When cancer cells leave the function of damaged cardiac cells. grown in lab used to repair Israeli man’s leg – “Game primary tumor and spread to other organs, they • Heart-related issues – Heart attack detection – changing” surgery to regrow part of a leg bone using reprogram their energy-generating system in order Israeli technology revolutionizes heart attack human tissue created in a lab has been undertaken to survive in harsh conditions with a shortage of detection with one drop of blood - Israeli technology at Emek Medical Center in Afula, Israel. The nutrients like glucose. Prof. Uri Nir of Bar-Ilan has changed the face of heart attack detection with man involved lost two inches of his shinbone in a University identified an enzyme called FerT in a kit so small it fits in the palm of your hand. The serious car accident. For the experimental tissue- the energy-generating mitochondria of metastatic results are available within minutes. Just one drop engineering technology, fat cells extracted from cancer cells – an enzyme normally only found in of blood can tell within minutes if a patient has the patient were used to create constituent parts sperm cells (which need to function outside the had a heart attack thanks to a revolutionary kit which were then grown on a biodegradable scaffold body they came from). When he targeted FerT developed in Israel that is already saving hospitals over the course of two weeks. Semi-solid live bone in lab mice, the malignant cells soon died. Using time and money. More important, it can save tissues that resulted were then placed back into the advanced chemical and robotic approaches, lives. A health professional needs only one drop patient’s body. Because the cells used to grow the Nir’s lab team developed a synthetic compound, of blood to let a patient know if a heart attack bones are from the patient, this helps to minimize E260, which can be administered orally or by has occurred. If two stripes appear on the kit, the the risk of rejection. injection, causing a complete collapse of the entire result is positive and the patient must immediately • Bone implants/cancer – World’s first bone implants mitochondria “power station. We have treated receive additional care. The test is easy, noninvasive – In August and December 2017, doctors at Emek mice with metastatic cancer and this compound and takes less than 15 minutes to perform. One in Medical Center in Afula performed rare bone completely cured them with no adverse or toxic three Israelis appears in emergency rooms across implants – one on a man missing part of his affect that we can see,” reported Nir, adding that the country convinced that he or she has had a arm bone and the second on a man missing five normal cells were not affected. Phase 1 clinical heart attack. Many people believe they can identify centimeters of his shinbone, both as the result of trials are planned over the next 18 months. classic heart attack symptoms, which include chest car accidents. Normally, the human body cannot • Cancer – The Rebif drug (marketed by Merck) pain, dizziness, nausea, pain traveling particularly restore bone segments, but revolutionary tissue- has helped decrease the frequency of relapse to the left arm, wheezing and extreme anxiety engineering technology developed by Haifa-based symptoms of multiple sclerosis and the Erbitux similar to a panic attack. In reality, these can be Bonus BioGroup enables growing semi-solid live drug for patients with cancer of the head and neck symptoms of heartburn, but until now, in order bone tissue from the patient’s own fat cells. The are based on Israeli technology. to find out, a patient would have to wait in an tissue is then injected back into the patient’s body • Corneas – An early-stage Israeli ophthalmic emergency room and undergo at least six hours in the expectation that the missing bone fragment medical devices startup developed a revolutionary of testing, including blood tests and an EKG. On will be regenerated in around six weeks without any artificial cornea implant that holds out hope to the other hand, less than 50 percent of heart danger of implant rejection or the complications millions of blind and visually impaired people. The attack victims experience classic symptoms. Many of traditional bone transplants. “This surgery is nanotech-based synthetic cornea by CorNeat Vision people have atypical symptoms such as shoulder truly science fiction; it changes the entire game of Ra’anana proved successful in initial tests on or stomach pain or exhaustion. By the time they in orthopedics,” said Dr. Nimrod Rozen, head animals. The company plans human implantations have finished with the classic tests, precious hours of orthopedics at Emek, who carried out the in Israel in mid-2018, and a larger clinical trial in will have passed, which can lead to unnecessary experimental procedure. In the future, the Bonus the United States. According to the World Health heart damage and even heart failure. Even better BioGroup regeneration technology could be used Organization, diseases of the cornea are the second news for heart attack victims is that this kit is for a variety of bone-loss conditions, including bone leading cause of blindness worldwide, affecting more sensitive than traditional tests. There have cancer, for which there is currently no solution. as many as 30 million people. “Unlike previous already been numerous heart attacks picked up • Cancer – Israeli scientists identify early breast cancer devices, which attempt to integrate optics into by this new miniature kit that went undetected more accurately – A screening method that detects the native cornea, CorNeat’s implant leverages a by traditional testing. The kit is already in use in breast cancer more accurately and earlier has been virtual space under the conjunctiva that is rich with Israeli hospitals and will be in Israeli emergency developed Ben-Gurion University and Soroka- fibroblast cells, heals quickly and provides robust rooms this week. The next step will be making it University Medical Center researchers, the journal long-term integration,” said CorNeat Vision’s available to consumers, who will be able to do the Computers in Biology and Medicine reported. Almog Aley-Raz. The surgical procedure takes simple test on their own. Researchers detected breast cancer with more just 30 minutes. The revolutionary new artificial • Heart-related issues – Israeli wearable radar can help than 95% accuracy using two different commercial cornea could one day restore sight to millions of track heart attack signs online – Ohio State medical electronic noses that identify unique breath patterns people around the world. researchers are conducting a clinical trial with in women with breast cancer. In addition, revamped • Diabetes – Israeli device banishes finger-pricking patients wearing a web-enabled vest that also features analyses of urine samples yielded 85% accuracy. for sugar levels in diabetes patients – Israeli startup radar technology that was first used by the military The approach utilizing urine and exhaled breath Cnoga Medical Ltd. has come up with a way to and rescue teams in Israel to see through walls and samples – analyzed with inexpensive, commercially track blood glucose levels without pricking or rubble in collapsed buildings. The vest, created available systems – is noninvasive.” pain. Its glucose meter, already approved for use by Israeli medical wearables developer Sensible • Cancer – Israeli scientists have helped develop in numerous countries worldwide, uses a camera Medical, allows radar to go through the chest wall life-saving cancer drugs – Israel has made to provide a diagnosis of blood glucose levels by and obtains an accurate measurement of water disproportionately large contributions to the observing the changing colors of the user’s finger. inside the lungs. This could be a new way to prevent fight against cancer. A breakthrough in the 1980s Prof. Andreas Pfutzner, who tested the technology repeated trips to the hospital for the nearly six by Israeli scientist Eli Canaani was critical to the in two clinical studies in Germany, said the device million patients living with heart failure in the U.S., development of Gleevec, a drug that has saved performed “with a surprising level of accuracy,” the says Dr. William Abraham, director of the Division the lives of millions diagnosed with leukemia. same as that of needle sensors. “It is a wonderful of Cardiovascular Medicine at Ohio State Wexner Velcade, a drug used to treat bone marrow cancer, device” and a “true alternative.” Medical Center. The results are promising, with was based on the research of Israeli professors • Diabetes – Personal menu to help avoid diabetes – In an 87% reduction in heart failure hospitalizations Avram Hershko and Aaron Ciechanover, and 2015, two researchers from the Weizmann Institute when using vest lung fluid monitoring. their collaborator Irwin Rose, who went on to of Science in Israel released a groundbreaking • Heart-related issues – The Agrin molecule win the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 2004. Israeli study showing that specific foods and food seems to “unlock” the renewal process and enable scientists discovered the role that mutations in combinations affect each individual’s blood-sugar heart-muscle repair – never seen before outside 30 Annual Report • Jewish Federation of NEPA the womb. Normally, after a heart attack the • New Israeli diagnostic system enables customized machines or sensors. The American Sleep Apnea damaged muscle cells called cardiomyocytes are antibiotic treatments – A diagnostic system developed Association estimates that 22 million Americans replaced by scar tissue, which cannot pump blood at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology suffer from the malady and that as many as 80% and therefore place a burden on the remaining enables rapid and accurate customization of the of moderate to severe OSA cases go undiagnosed cardiomyocytes. Following a single injection antibiotic to the patient. The system makes for faster Currently, patients are diagnosed using overnight of Agrin, damaged mouse hearts were almost diagnostics, earlier and more effective treatment polysomnography (PSG) to record brain waves, completely healed and fully functional. Scar tissue of infectious bacteria, and improved patient blood oxygen level, heart rate, breathing, and eye was dramatically reduced and replaced by living recovery times. In order not to leave a patient and leg movements via electrodes and sensors. heart tissue that restored the heart’s pumping with a threatening infection without adequate The new system, which does not require contact function. The research team has begun pre-clinical protection while awaiting test results, many sensors, could be installed onto a smartphone or studies in larger animals. doctors will prescribe a broad spectrum antibiotic other device that utilizes ambient microphones. It • Heart-related issues – The CorAssist technology in large doses. This facilitates the emergence of analyzes speech during waking hours and records was invented by Dr. Yair Feld, a cardiologist at infections with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and evaluates overnight breathing sounds using Rambam Health Care Campus in Israel, together and also affects the “good bacteria” in the human new technology that is simpler and significantly with Dr. Yotam Reisner and Dr. Shay Dubi. Heart body that protect it. The innovative SNDA-AST less expensive than PSG. The researchers have failure affects some 5.7 million people in the US system developed at the Technion quickly analyzes tested the system on more than 350 subjects and and some 20 million people worldwide. In July bacteria in urine samples from patients with are working toward commercialization. 2017, a 72-year old Canadian man became the infections and assesses their level of resistance to • Stroke – U.S. medical diagnostic firm to use world’s first recipient of an Israeli-developed specific antibiotics. This enables the healthcare Israeli technology to assist doctors in assessing stroke implant to treat diastolic heart failure – a fairly team to choose the most effective antibiotic a day – MedyMatch Technology of Israel, which has common condition for which there is no effective or two earlier than traditional methods. developed an artificial intelligence-based software long-term treatment. The minimally invasive • Obesity – An injection that melts fat – Jerusalem- to help clinicians assess head trauma or stroke surgery was performed at Rambam Health Care based Raziel Therapeutics has developed an where intracranial hemorrhage is suspected, has Campus, a medical center in Haifa. The CORolla injection that melts fat cells and postpones the entered a partnership with GE Healthcare, a implant was developed by cardiologists at Israeli proliferation of new fat cells. The medication subsidiary of General Electric that manufactures startup CorAssist Cardiovascular of Haifa. The generates heat to use up some of the free fatty CT image machines. elastic device is implanted inside the left ventricle acid that’s produced by fat cells in the body, which • Surgical advances – New Israeli technology replaces and applies direct expansion force on the ventricle in turn reduces fat tissue. Obesity has become surgeon’s knife with enzymatic “blade” – Researchers wall to help the heart fill with blood. The patient, a worldwide epidemic, and the World Obesity at Haifa’s Technion-Israel Institute of Technology Robert MacLachlan, had run out of treatment Federation predicts that by 2025, a third of the have developed a device that replaces the surgeon’s options in Canada for his diastolic heart failure. world’s population will be overweight or obese. knife with natural biological materials, significantly His wife read about CORolla on the Internet and Raziel’s technology, which targets specific areas reducing pain and accelerating tissue restoration. contacted Rambam. in the body, is now in clinical trials in the US. The “blade” is based on the intelligent use of • Hernias – Hernia surgery just got simpler – In June Preliminary results show a 30-50 percent reduction enzymes as well as nanoparticles and technology 2017, ISRAEL21c reported on a new tool developed in subcutaneous fat at the treated site after a single for controlled release of drugs. by Via Surgical for attaching mesh to tissue, allowing injection. Each treatment lasts between six and nine surgeons to treat hernias with fewer complications, months, but treatment could be more effective in AGRICULTURAL ADVANCEMENTS less pain and faster recovery. In the US alone, some those who change their lifestyle in parallel. • New Israeli app tests fruit for freshness – Israeli five million people have a hernia – a protrusion • Pain management – Innovative Israeli technology startup AclarTech has developed a mobile app of an organ or tissue through a weak spot in the to assist in pain management – A system created by that allows monitoring in real time, the ripeness, abdomen or groin — according to the National Israeli company Medasense Biometrics measures freshness and quality of fruit and vegetables. Center for Health Statistics. Traditionally, open physiological responses of patients under With the AclaroMeter, users scan the fruit with hernia-repair surgery involved stitching a mesh anesthesia, enabling doctors to assess and monitor their smartphone camera and with a portable patch, or surrounding tissue, over the weak tissue. pain levels “in an objective manner” and give more molecular sensor, the SCIO. This reveals the fruit’s Today, many hernias are repaired laparoscopically, effective pain relief. sugar content, acidity, firmness, weight and color. but because suturing through tiny laparoscopic • Parkinson’s Disease – Definitive test for Parkinson’s An algorithm then grades the scanned fruit for incisions is difficult, most surgeons use a less ideal Disease developed in Israel – Suaad Abd-Elhadi of the freshness, ripeness and quality within a few seconds. solution — screw-like tacks to secure the mesh to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has developed a The AclaroMeter combines two unique made-in- abdominal wall or bone. Via Surgical’s FasTouch test that detects Parkinson’s – a degenerative brain Israel tools: AclarTech’s proprietary algorithm cartridge system, which received FDA approval in disease – both definitively and earlier. Parkinson’s and Consumer Physics’ SCiO handheld molecular 2016, affixes prosthetic material to soft tissue. It disease, affecting seven to 10 million people sensor. AclaroMeter crunches that data from SCiO, is designed like sutures and delivered like tacks, worldwide, is characterized by stiffness, tremors along with smartphone camera images of external with the goal of providing the best of both worlds and shaking. Medication to control symptoms is attributes such as color and size, to display a quality for laparoscopic hernia repair. “Surgeons are very costly. Currently there are no standard diagnostic and ripeness “grade” for the fruit instantaneously. excited about it,” says Lena Levin, cofounder and tests for Parkinson’s other than clinical information • Israeli company helps increase Indian dairy yields – CFO of Via Surgical. “Hernia repair is one of the provided by the patient and the findings of a India has more than 100 million cows but relatively most common surgeries. neurological exam. Once Parkinson’s is revealed, low milk yields according to Saar Yavin, CEO and • Hip replacement – Israeli-developed steel substitute the neurodegenerative disease is usually already chief scientist at Israel’s Maxximilk Ltd. Scientists made for space travel now used for hip replacements – A progressing. Abd-Elahdi’s diagnostic tool detects at Maxximilk have produced “genetically superior” super-strong steel substitute invented in Israel that the alpha-synuclein protein closely associated with embryos to impregnate Indian heifers, which will was sent into space by NASA is now being used in Parkinson’s disease, and could lead to a minimally result in cows that are genetically predisposed to hip replacements. invasive and cost-effective way to diagnose the withstand hot weather conditions and produce • Hip protection – Hip-Hope cushions falls in disorder in time to improve the lives of patients. greater quantities of top-quality milk. Maxximilk elderly – Each year, nearly three million seniors Abd-Elhadi has demonstrated a proof of concept opened a production facility in the Indian state of worldwide are hospitalized due to hip fractures and is analyzing a large cohort of samples as part Maharashtra last August in partnership with the – many experiencing a drastic deterioration in of a clinical study. Through its Yissumtechnology Godrej Agrovet Ltd. animal feed company. quality of life. The direct annual cost of treating transfer company, Hebrew University has signed • Israeli solar power bringing light to African villages hip fractures exceeds $15 billion in the U.S. alone. an agreement with Integra Holdings for further – An Israeli nonprofit organization, Innovation: Rather than focus on better ways to treat the broken development and commercialization. Africa is bringing drip irrigation and solar power to bone, Israeli engineer Amatsia Raanan decided to • Paralysis (robotic exoskeleton suit) – Simon villages in eight African countries. The nonprofit use cutting-edge technology to avoid injury in the Kindleysides, 34, of has a local staff working in 147 African villages first place. He and three cofounders developed Norfolk, England, as well as a team in Israel, all working on water Hip-Hope, a smart wearable device designed as became the first surveys, drilling, construction, and solar power. The a belt. Once Hip-Hope’s multi-sensor detection paralyzed man to finish project is operating in Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, system senses an impending collision with a ground the London Marathon Ethiopia, Senegal, the Democratic Republic of the surface, two large airbags are deployed instantly in April 2018. He walked Congo, Cameroon, and South Africa, and there is from each side of the belt to cushion the hips, and the entire 26.2 mile a large list of villages waiting to be helped. a connected smartphone app sends an automatic course in 36 hours with alert message to predetermined recipients. The the help of the ReWalk 1-kilo (2.2-pound) device, due to go on sale shortly, robotic exoskeleton even has a built-in emergency call button that the suit, developed in user can activate in any situation of distress. Hip- Israel. In 2012, Claire Hope is certified by the CE (Europe), FDA (United Lomas became the first States), Health-Canada and AMAR (Israel). In paraplegic to complete studies carried out at a major Canadian lab, the the course (with the help Israeli device was proven to reduce impact by 90%. of ReWalk) in 17 days. • Muscle regeneration – Israeli firm granted U.S. • Sleep disorders patent for skeletal muscle regeneration – The U.S. Patent – Diagnosing sleep Office has issued a patent to Haifa-based Pluristem disorders while you’re Therapeutics Inc., which uses mesenchymal stem cells awake – An audio-analysis A patient used the ReWalk in skeletal muscle regeneration after muscle injury. technology developed at Robotics exoskeleton The patent has already been granted in Europe, Hong Ben-Gurion University system. (Photo by ReWalk Solar panels made with Israeli technology was installed Kong and Israel. Previous clinical studies showed a can assess sleep disorders Robotics) at the Natan School in Nawansekese Village, Uganda, as 300% improvement in muscle volume and a 500% such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) while the part of a project sponsored by the organization Jewish boost in muscle force six months after surgery. user is awake, at home and not hooked up to Heart for Africa. (Photo by Jewish Heart for Africa) Jewish Federation of NEPA • Annual Report 31 • Israeli tech to prevent pipe-clogging at Hoover Dam • Israeli “Eye in the Sky” drone can watch 10 miles in – Water purification technology developed by the real time – Israeli defense-tech firm Elbit Systems will Israeli firm Atlantium has been chosen for use at unveil the SkEye WAPS drone system at the 2017 Hoover Dam in Arizona to prevent an invasive Paris Airshow. The “eye in the sky” drone camera species of mussel from clogging the water-cooling can zoom into multiple regions of interest while system and interfering with the dam’s electricity still recording the surrounding area and capture production. Atlantium’s non-chemical UV water high-resolution images of areas up to 10 miles. The purification technology will kill off the organisms. system can show “back in time” footage within the • Israel has answer to India’s oriental fruit fly coverage area and up to 10 individual regions can menace – Biofeed, an Israeli company, says it be analyzed at once. If the camera spots something has developed a no-spray, environment-friendly unusual, it will alert commanders. “Elbit Systems’ solution that can protect Indian farmers from SkEye WAPS system is a game changer in homeland the deadly oriental fruit fly, the most destructive, security missions, enabling forces to analyze and invasive and widespread of all fruit flies that is found retrace the steps of terrorists and criminals in an in 66 countries in Asia, Africa and the Americas. extremely large area, providing them with timely Syrian refugees living in camps and tents in northern Biofeed “lures” hung on trees contain an organic, and valuable data in life-threatening situations. The Jordan are receiving aid from Jewish and Israeli customized mix of food and control agents. Israel Security Agency has used cyber-technology groups. (Photo courtesy IsraAid) Attracted by the odor, the fruit fly takes a sip and to prevent more than 2,000 terror attacks since the soon dies, without any chemicals reaching the fruit, beginning of 2016, agency head Nadav Argaman floods and mudslides that claimed at least 300 air or soil. Mango farmers on four Indian orchards told a conference at Tel Aviv University in June lives. Within 24 hours of hearing that the country saw an overall decrease of fruit fly infestation from 2017. He said Israeli intelligence agencies have also needed food for survivors, Israel had trucks with 95% to less than 5%, one report said. passed on information to stop terrorists elsewhere 20,000 portions of staples in the capital of Freetown • China signs deal for Israeli lab-grown vegan meat in the world. to distribute to those left homeless. Israel also – China has inked a deal with Israeli high-tech • New Israeli drone dome intercepts hostile UAVs provided antibiotics to deal with concerns of an vegan meat companies. Eight companies in the using laser beams – At the Paris Air Show in 2017, outbreak of cholera. world are working to produce high-tech, vegan Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems unveiled • Israel provides food aid to South Sudan – Six meat and three of them are in Israel – SuperMeat, its new laser-interception system designed to tons of food aid was distributed by Israeli medical Future Meat Technologies and Meat the Future. provide air defense against hostile drones – the personnel to residents of a village in a drought- Drone Dome. The system detects, identifies, and stricken area of South Sudan. TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS tracks hostile drones and uses laser technology to • Israel and private donors provide $32 milion in • Israeli app allows hands-free use of smartphones incinerate the drone. aid to Syrian civilians in 2017 – Israel and private – Open Sesame is an app that allows people to • Israel developing closed-hatch tanks for urban donors spent $32 million sending goods to Syrian control a touch-screen smartphone or tablet warfare – Israel will soon demonstrate a smart civilians in 2017 – $26 million from donations and hands-free. Instead of swiping with a finger, users helmet-mounted system that allows commanders $6 million from the IDF budget. These numbers do control the device with small head movements to essentially see through the walls of tanks for not include the cost of providing medical treatment or voice commands. The technology can help safe and effective ground-maneuvering combat. for Syrian civilians inside Israel. From August 2016 people who are paralyzed or have limited mobility Developed by Elbit Systems, the Iron Vision system to June 2017, transfers to Syria included 92 pallets due to diseases such as MS or ALS. The State of allows crews operating in urban environments to of drugs, incubators, ventilation machinery, two Maryland is now covering the cost of tablets with locate, identify, track and engage enemy forces ambulances, 600 meters of pipes, seven generators, the Open Sesame technology installed for low- without the commander being exposed to sniper 100 tons of warm clothing, 363 tons of food and income people with certain disabilities, much fire. “The important thing is to know what is 1,800 packets of diapers. like it does for text and braille telephones for the happening at all times outside of the tank, while • Specialists from Israel in Zambia to help with deaf and blind through its Maryland Accessible operating efficiently and safely from inside,” said cholera fight– A team of specialists from Israel were Telecommunications program. Brig.-Gen. Guy Hasson, chief armored officer for among the first to arrive in Zambia in January to • Infrared sensors for night-vision glasses, smartphones, the Israel Defense Forces. help deal with the cholera epidemic. Their main self-driving cars – Researchers at Ben-Gurion • New Israeli system can identify explosive devices task was the deployment of technology to deal with University of the Negev have developed low-cost from afar – Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has water purification and treatment. The five-person infrared sensors that can be used for night-vision developed a Counter Improvised Explosive Device team included water engineers and epidemiologists glasses, smartphones and self-driving cars. Prof. and Mine Suite (CIMS) mobile system, integrating who have been conducting tests and gathering Gabby Sarusi has developed a film half a micron optic sensors with radars to expose roadside charges information about the cholera epidemic in the in thickness which transforms infrared images into before military forces ever go near them. This country. The water treatment eliminated the visible images. The technology could help replace new Israeli innovation will protect soldiers against bacteria that causes cholera. heavy night-vision goggles used by soldiers with explosive charges in all weather conditions, at • Israeli emergency aid provided immediately lightweight, low-power consumption glasses. Such a night and even under cover of fog and dust. The in the aftermath of Papua, New Guinea’s massive device could be used on sensors for autonomous cars system is able to identify concealed or camouflaged earthquake – Following a devastating earthquake to improve vision in fog and darkness. Researchers at charges that may otherwise appear to be rocks or that struck Papua New Guinea’s highlands region the university’s Institute for Nanoscale Science and bushes to the naked eye, when in reality they’re on February 26, 2018, the Israel Ministry of Foreign Technology have also developed small, pollinating extremely powerful explosive devices containing Affairs’ Agency for International Development drones to make up for a lack of bees; wall-climbing, dozens of kilograms of explosives and shrapnel. Cooperation (MASHAV) delivered 40 generators spiderlike robots for search and rescue operations; • Israeli-made drones to deliver food in Iceland – to affected communities on March 8. With 150,000 and fruit-picking robots. Shoppers in Reykjavik, Iceland, will now be able to people in desperate need of emergency supplies, • Israel Aerospace Industries unveils system to receive food and other goods direct to their doors Israel was one of the first countries to send aid. neutralize mines and IEDs – Israel Aerospace via Israeli-made drones, which will significantly • Israeli doctors perform lifesaving spinal surgeries in Industries has unveiled a new system that safely speed up delivery times. AHA, Iceland’s largest Ethiopia – Eight doctors, two nurses, and one physical neutralizes land-based mines and improvised online marketplace, reports a 60% reduction in therapist from the Hadassah Medical Center in explosive devices (IEDs). The AMMAD MK II delivery costs and up to 20 minutes of reduced Jerusalem traveled to Ethiopia in late March to fix system, which can be easily adapted to any kind of transportation time during peak hours using Israeli severe spinal deformities in five young patients. armored vehicle, generates a magnetic field that Flytrex drones. activates the charge at stand-off range. • Alibaba to buy Israeli QR startup Visualead – • Weizmann Institute ranked sixth in global Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba has agreed contributors to innovation – The Nature Index ranks to buy Israel-based personalized QR code startup the world’s top institutions for inspiring new Visualead in a deal worth tens of millions of dollars. inventions, based on the number of cited articles Visualead has developed software that creates produced by their researchers. According to the personalized QR codes which users can scan with 2017 Nature Index, Israel’s Weizmann Institute their smartphones. Visualead codes differ from the of Science, ranked sixth, is the only non-U.S. typical black-and-white QR codes by incorporating institution listed in the top 10. colorful designs.

EMERGENCY AID • Hurricane Harvey – IsraAID was among the first international organizations to dispatch teams to help with clean-up and repair of flood-damaged homes and provide counseling for family members in need. Several Jewish summer camps in the area were re-opened to provide evacuees with a safe place to live and nourishing meals. • Hurricanes Irma and Maria – IsraAID and the AFYA Foundation were among the first to provide humanitarian assistance to Cuba, Puerto Rico and Unidentified medical personnel from Hadassah St. Thomas in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma Medical Center in Israel and the Ayder Comprehensive and Maria. Specialized Hospital in Mekelle, Ethiopia, confer • Israel was first to provide aid to Sierra Leone – during a Hadassah team’s mission in Ethiopia to The IDF’s Skylark Unit prepared one of its drones for Israel was the first country to provide food aid to perform spinal surgeries on young patients in March flight. (Photo by IDF) disaster-stricken Sierra Leone following devastating 2018. (Photo courtesy of Hadassah) 32 Annual Report • Jewish Federation of NEPA

You are cordially invited to the ANNUAL MEETING of the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania Please join us as we elect our Officers and Trustees, celebrate the achievements of the past year, and honor several individuals for their leadership contributions to our community and Klal Yisroel. Thursday, June 7th, 2018, 7:00 PM Linder Room, Scranton Jewish Community Center, 601 Jefferson Ave., Scranton A dessert reception will follow the meeting. RSVP to 961-2300 (ext. 4) Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania 2018 Annual Meeting Program Welcome & introductions...... Douglas Fink, Federation President Dvar Torah...... Rabbi Yehuda Salkow, Jewish Resource Center Federation Perspectives...... Douglas Fink, Federation President Presentation of UJA Campaign Awards...... Douglas Fink, Federation President 2018 UJA Campaign Report...... Dr. Joel & Leah Laury, Co-Chairs Committee Recognition...... Douglas Fink, Federation President Nominating Committee Report...... Dan Marcus, Assistant Treasurer Installation of Officers and Trustees...... Rabbi Yehuda Salkow, Jewish Resource Center Closing Remarks Douglas Fink, Incoming Federation President Dessert Reception Proposed Slate of Officers & Trustees 2018 - 2021 Officers* President...... Douglas Fink* Administrative Vice-President...... Esther Adelman* Vice-President...... Elliot Schoenberg* Vice-President...... Eric Weinberg* Treasurer...... Jerry Weinberger, Esq.* Assistant Treasurer...... Dan Marcus*

Assistant Secretary...... Donald Douglass, Esq.* *Officers to be elected at the Annual Meeting Board of Trustees Nominated to serve a 1-year term ending Nominated to serve a 3-year term ending June 30th, 2019 June 30th, 2021* Michael Barber, Pat Taylor Bernstein, Gary Beckhorn, Shlomo Fink, Alan Goldstein, Leah Laury, Bernie Driller, Murray Glick, Jay Okun, Lew Sare, Ann Monsky, Barbara Nivert, Eugene Schneider Barry Tremper and Sue Tremper and Ben Schnessel *Trustees to be elected at the Annual Meeting *Trustees to be elected at the Annual Meeting • Continuing Terms • 3-year term ending on June 30, 2019 3-year term ending on June 30th, 2020 Marian Goldstein Beckhorn, Phyllis Brandes, Joe Fisch, Natalie Gelb, Phyllis Malinov, Mel Mogel, Richard Fine, Alex Gans, Stan Rothman, Ed Monsky and Geordee Grable Pollock Jay Schectman, Anne Silverman and Irwin Wolfson In addition, two positions are designated on the Federation Board of Trustees: David Fallk...... Chairman, Community Relations Committee David and Rhonda Fallk...... 2019 UJA Campaign Co-Chairs The Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania expresses its gratitude to those Trustees whose terms of office will expire on June 30th, 2018. It is hoped that each of them will continue to serve the Mission of our Federation by participating in its many committees, programs and projects. Our appreciation is extended to Susie Blum Connors, Mark Davis, Eli Deutsch, Lynne Fragin, Dale Miller, Larry Milliken, Gail Neldon and Molly Rutta.