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VOLUME X, NUMBER 9 MAY 4, 2017 As Marine Le Pen advances in French election, Jewish leaders express alarm BY ADAM ABRAMS Pierre Raffarin and defeated presidential in public and fight radical Islam in France. JNS.org contender Benoit Hamon have all called “The struggle against radical Islam should Jewish leaders inside and outside on voters to rally behind Macron. be a joint struggle and everyone should say, France expressed alarm after far-right Many French Jews consider Le Pen a ‘There, we are sacrificing something,’” she populist Marine Le Pen’s strong showing threat to their community, and the CRIF told Israel’s Channel 2. “Maybe [Jews] in the first round of the French presidential umbrella group for French-Jewish or- will do with just wearing a hat, but it election on April 23. ganizations has referred to the far-right would be a step in the effort to stamp out Pro-Europe centrist Emmanuel Macron politician as a candidate “of hatred.” radical Islam in France.” of the En Marche party and Le Pen, head CRIF President Francis Kalifat recently She has also stated that if elected, she of the National Front party, emerged said Le Pen’s growing popularity is “a would bar dual citizenship with non-Eu- victorious in the election’s initial phase. real danger to our country’s democracy.” ropean Union countries, distressing many Macron gained 23.7 percent of the vote to Russian Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar also French Jews who also hold Israeli citi- Le Pen’s 21.7 percent, according to Harris French presidential candidate Marine weighed in, saying in an address orga- zenship and would be forced to renounce poll estimates. The candidates will face Le Pen. (Photo by JÄNNICK Jérémy nized by the Limmud FSU educational it. “Israel is not a European country and off in the final round on May 7. via Wikimedia Commons) organization, “If Marine Le Pen is elected doesn’t consider itself as such,” Le Pen According to a poll from Ipsos/Sopra president of France, the Jews must leave.” told France24 in February. Steria released on April 23, Macron is French Prime Minister Bernard Ca- Le Pen has previously called on French At the same time, some Jews support projected to win the final round with 62 zeneuve, Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Jews to give up wearing yarmulkes as part Le Pen specifically because of her com- percent of the vote. Ayrault, former Prime Minister Jean- of her initiative to ban religious symbols mitment to fighting radical Islam, and are willing to look the other way on her nationalistic agenda’s implications for matters such as Jewish ritual. “In 2002 and 2007, surveys show that less than 5 Dr. Shaya and Phyllis Barax to be guests percent of Jews voted for the FN (National Front), for Jean-Marie Le Pen. In 2012, th Marine Le Pen drew about 14 percent of of honor at SHDS 69 anniversary dinner this electorate,” Jérôme Fourquet – an The 69th anniversary dinner of the on the board of the day school and the See “Le Pen” on page 5 Scranton Hebrew Day School will be Jewish Home. held on Sunday, May 7, at the Jewish Phyllis has been chairwoman of the 2017 UJA Community Center, 601 Jefferson Ave., Secular Board of Education at the day Scranton. It will begin with a reception school and lends her talents in the field paign Upd Cam ate at 4:30 pm, followed by Mincha at 5 pm of special education to the day school’s Pay it forward & give to and the dinner at 5:30 pm. resource room. Phyllis is also known for the 2017 Jewish Federation The guests of honor will be Dr. her “creative talents,” which are said to Shaya and Phyllis Barax. Called “rel- have “greatly enhanced” many of the of Northeastern Pennsylvania ative newcomers” to the area, having school’s more formal events, such as the Annual Campaign! moved to Scranton in 2000, the Baraxes annual dinners and Chinese auctions. have reportedly “quickly immersed” A video presentation will be shown themselves in Jewish communal life. during the dinner in their honor. Reser- Shaya has served as president of Con- vations can still be made by calling the $847,594 as of April 27, 2017 gregation Machzikeh Hadas, as well as school office at 570-346-1576. Dr. Shaya and Phyllis Barax For information or to make a donation call 570-961-2300 ext. 1 or Goal: send your gift to: Jewish Federation $896,000 SPOTLIGHT of Northeastern Pennsylvania 601 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, PA 18510 This young chef is trying to make (Please MEMO your pledge or gift 2017 Ashkenazi food cool UJA Campaign) BY BEN SALES matzah that resembled a tea cracker and, CHICAGO (JTA) – The platter, served as guests noted approvingly, didn’t really during Passover, contained a green, a bitter taste like matzah. herb, an egg and matzah. But it was no seder Aviv had taken over what was usually plate. Instead, it was the appetizer served the synagogue social hall, with guests seat- during a six-course prix fixe meal at Aviv, ed at long tables covered with disposable a pop-up, kosher-for-Passover restaurant white table cloths. The courses, served on housed for one night at Rodfei Zedek, a biodegradable dishes, included a shaved Federation Conservative synagogue in the Hyde Park Brussels sprouts salad with lemon-gin- neighborhood on this city’s South Side. ger dressing and micro-herbs, as well as The course, a pickle platter, featured whole-roasted spiced cauliflower with on Facebook pickled cucumbers, pickled asparagus tips seared haloumi cheese, parsley gremolata The Jewish Federation of Northeast- and beet-pickled eggs, along with olive Jonathan Posner, right, with co-chef and marinated Fresno chilies. ern Pennsylvania now has a page on tapenade, citrus-carrot horseradish and – Garrett Skyhardt at Aviv, Posner’s The pop-up restaurant was the latest Facebook to let community members de rigueur for a Passover meal – Tam Tam Passover pop-up restaurant in Chicago creation of Wandering Foods Productions, know about upcoming events and keep crackers with everything topping. The first on April 13. (Photo by Aleya Cydney a kosher food caterer that aims to create connected. course also came with a soft gluten-free Photography) See “Chef” on page 10 Candle lighting INSIDE THIS ISSUE May 5...... 7:47 pm Jewish Home honorees A futuristic peace plan News in brief May 12...... 7:54 pm May 19...... 8:01 pm The Jewish Home will honor A proposed regional railway Israeli teens help Shoah survivors Marion Glassman and Patti system and island could reshape with the Internet; 10K new homes PLUS Schwartz for their volunteerism. the Mideast in Israel’s favor. planned in Jerusalem. Opinion...... 2 Story on page 3 Story on page 4 Stories on pages 6 and 15 D’var Torah...... 8 2 THE REPORTER ■ M AY 4, 2017 A MATTER OF OPINION NY Times blasted for hiding Palestinian author’s terrorist murder convictions BY THE TOWER AND UNITED In an interview with IDF Radio, former tah, which carried out multiple terrorist NOT A PALESTINIAN MANDELA WITH ISRAEL STAFF Israeli ambassador to the U.S. Michael attacks against Israeli civilians, including Barghouti has throughout the years Reprinted with permission of United Oren said Barghouti’s op-ed “was full of children. He also helped establish Fatah’s sought to portray himself as a proponent with Israel, www.unitedwithisrael.org lies” and noted it was published during al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade in 2000, which of a two-state solution between Israel and The New York Times came under fire the Jewish holiday of Passover, prevent- has been blacklisted as a terrorist organiza- the Palestinians who opposes violence on April 17 for publishing an opinion ing the Israeli government from formally tion by the United States, Canada, Japan, against civilians. piece by imprisoned Palestinian terrorist responding to its claims. New Zealand, and the European Union. In a 2001 interview with journalist Marwan Barghouti without mentioning The Coordinator for Government Ac- Under Barghouti’s leadership, the Jeffrey Goldberg, he was asked whether that he is convicted of multiple murders. tivities in the Territories, an Israeli military al-Aqsa Brigade helped escalate the the conflict would end if he received “one Barghouti, who announced in a Sunday unit that manages day-to-day operations second intifada by launching numerous hundred per cent” of his demands from Is- op-ed that he was launching a hunger strike with Palestinians in the Palestinian Au- terrorist attacks against civilians. These rael. Barghouti tellingly responded, “Then with other Palestinian prisoners in Israel, thority and the Gaza Strip, also denounced included the January 2002 bat mitzvah we could talk about bigger things... I’ve was described by the Times only as “a the Times’ characterization of Barghouti. massacre, in which Palestinian terrorists always thought that a good idea would be Palestinian leader and parliamentarian.” “By referring to him only as a political killed six people at a birthday celebration one state for all the peoples.” No mention was made either in the figure, the Times failed to point out that for a 12-year-old Jewish girl, as well as Barghouti was elected to Fatah’s Cen- op-ed or by the Times that Barghouti, after a fair trial in 2004, Barghouti was the March 2002 Yeshivat Beit Yisrael tral Committee in December, winning who sought to portray himself as a polit- convicted of murder and carrying out massacre, in which a Palestinian sui- more votes than any other candidate. Polls ical prisoner and a “victim” of the Israeli terrorist acts and was therefore sentenced cide bomber killed 11 Israeli civilians, consistently show that he is one of the judicial system, was in fact sentenced to to five life sentences and an additional 40 including two infants, three children and most popular Palestinian political figures. multiple life terms for his central role in years in prison. Barghouti is a murderer of two teenagers. In “The Myth of the Palestinian Man- several suicide bombings. Israeli civilians,” COGAT stated. Barghouti was arrested by Israel in dela,” published in the April-May 2017 Yair Lapid, leader of Israel’s Yesh Atid Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan April 2002 and charged in relation to issue of The Tower Magazine, media political party, blasted the Times’ omission Shapiro echoed these criticisms, writing suicide bombings and shooting attacks analyst Dexter Van Zile criticized efforts as “an intentional deception.” on Twitter, “It’s debatable if Marwan that claimed the lives of hundreds of Is- to whitewash Barghouti’s terrorism con- Writing in a Times of Israel op-ed, Barghouti has a political future. Pals & raeli civilians and soldiers, and wounded victions and portray him as a “Palestinian Lapid said “the reality is that a convicted Israelis debate it. But NYT was wrong not hundreds more. He was convicted in May Nelson Mandela.” terrorist is inventing stories about those to cite his terrorism conviction.” 2004 of his involvement in three terrorist The NYT finally published a clarifi- who imprison him, as prisoners do all over The failure was also noted by the Amer- attacks in Israel that killed five people: cation on April 17, saying, “This article the world, including in the United States. ican Jewish Committee, which tweeted Greek Orthodox monk Tsibouktsakis explained the writer’s prison sentence Instead of saying to him – as a responsible that the Times “must have forgotten to Germanus; police officer Sergeant-Major but neglected to provide sufficient con- newspaper should – that if he doesn’t have mention that Marwan Barghouti is a Salim Barakat, 33; Yoela Hen, 45; Eli text by stating the offenses of which he a shred of evidence to support his stories, convicted terrorist, responsible for the Dahan, 53; and Yosef Habi, 52. was convicted. They were five counts then they can’t be published, The New murder of innocent civilians.” He was acquitted on charges of 33 other of murder and membership in a terrorist York Times published them in its opinion A LEADER OF TERRORISM murders due to lack of evidence of direct organization. Mr. Barghouti declined to pages and didn’t even bother to explain to Barghouti gained prominence during involvement, with the court noting, “he did offer a defense at his trial and refused to its readers that the author is a convicted the second Palestinian intifada as the not have direct control over the terrorists recognize the Israeli court’s jurisdiction murderer of the worst kind.” leader of Tanzim, the armed wing of Fa- but did wield influence.” and legitimacy.” Intersectionality’s demonization of Jews BY JOSHUA SHARF Intersectionality, however, isn’t about from such a movement. It’s to walk away “ The Reporter” (USPS #482) is published bi-weekly by the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania, 601 Jefferson JNS.org fairness or rights. It’s about group power. from it entirely. Ave., Scranton, PA 18510. In the Venn diagram of intersectionality, Intersectionality promotes group rights The genius of America is to recognize President: David Malinov one group doesn’t intersect the others. based on group grievances. It’s a tool for only individual rights while promoting Executive Director: Mark Silverberg “Intersectionality” is the left-wing dividing our country by focusing on our dif- voluntary communities. The genius of word of the day. Academically, it means ferences rather than on our commonalities. Israel is to take that to the national level. Executive Editor: Rabbi Rachel Esserman various identity-based “oppressions” It inevitably turns politics into a hate-fueled Our post-Holocaust history validates Layout Editor: Diana Sochor overlap and interact to reinforce each group shoving match, and we’re always the those ideas and repudiates everything Assistant Editor: Michael Nassberg Production Coordinator: Jenn DePersis other. Practically, it means various “op- smallest group in the room. intersectionality stands for. Advertising Representative: Bonnie Rozen pressed” groups must stick together. History shows that we lose when so- Intersectionality is a step backwards Bookkeeper: Kathy Brown Having graduated from the academy to cieties fragment into warring tribes. In for Jews. In “Making It,” his professional the street, it has become the social justice a country where Jews have thrived, and memoir of Jewish intellectual life in the OPINIONS The views expressed in warrior version of the early labor move- in a world where Israel is an economic, 1950s and ‘60s, Norman Podhoretz con- editorials and opinion pieces are those ment’s One Big Industrial Union. technological and military marvel, it’s no trasts the more radical first generation of of each author and not necessarily Skeptics argue that a coalition or- wonder we don’t fit in. the 1930s and ‘40s with the generation the views of the Jewish Federation of ganized around identity-group power Gladstone’s argument that the inter- that followed. The buzzword of the first Northeastern Pennsylvania. would eventually come to tears over sectionality movement should deal with generation was “alienation” – alienation LETTERS The Reporter welcomes conflicting grievances. After all, there anti-Zionism and antisemitism falls flat. from and hostility to America. The sec- letters on subjects of interest to the are only so many redistributed taxes, His appeal is to fairness, not to interest. ond generation, liberal, but not radical, Jewish community. All letters must be political appointments and endowed Most other groups don’t really care about sought acceptance of Jewish culture as a signed and include a phone number. chairs to go around. fairness, and the Palestinian activists legitimate American construct. The editor may withhold the name So far, though, it’s mostly Jews who detest Jews. Walking away from intersectionality upon request. are getting shut out by progressives and Some on the left have attempted to cir- doesn’t mean walking away from allies and ADS The Reporter does not necessar- their anti-Israel supporters who post fake cumvent the problem through traditional friends who are in trouble. It means inviting ily endorse any advertised products eviction notices and decry “Jewish privi- liberal means. They propose to continue them to succeed on the same terms that we and services. In addition, the paper lege.” Beginning with the Ferguson riots, looking for allies among other identity have – the way Americans have always is not responsible for the kashruth of the Black Lives Matter movement has been groups, as Jews always have, but to do succeeded – and helping them to do so. any advertiser’s product or establish- so outside of intersectionality. They aim It may even mean finding new allies, ment. infiltrated by militant anti-Zionists, who to recreate the old civil rights alliance like the white working class described in DEADLINE Regular deadline is two have now used Black History Month as weeks prior to the publication date. a platform for their hate. Linda Sarsour, with new Asian, Hispanic and Muslim J.D. Vance’s “Hillbilly Elegy” – a demo- a lead organizer of the Women’s March, membership. Both Mark Yudof, president graphic that comprised a substantial por- FEDERATION WEBSITE: seeks to isolate Jews from feminism, call- emeritus of the University of California tion of President Donald Trump’s voting www.jewishnepa.org ing it incompatible with Zionism. system, and David Bernstein, CEO of bloc. Such an alliance isn’t as bizarre as Unsurprisingly, liberal Jews have re- the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, it might seem at first blush; Podhoretz HOW TO SUBMIT ARTICLES: sponded with weakness and confusion. champion this approach. notes that during his U.S. Army service, Mail: 601 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, PA Days before the Women’s March, The Though superficially more politically his best friends were hillbilly southerners. 18510 Forward published an op-ed literally astute, they offer nothing more than Glad- Among activist groups and on hostile E-mail: [email protected] stone. Practical intersectionality is about college campuses, this formula may be a (570) 346-6147 titled “Why Jewish Feminism Should Fax: power, and neither Yudof nor Bernstein tough sell. But they aren’t our friends, any- Phone: (570) 961-2300 Embrace, Not Fear, Intersectionality.” The Anti-Defamation League, having offer any compelling incentives for these way. The best way to rob intersectionalists HOW TO REACH written glowingly of intersectionality other groups to abandon their Muslim and of their power is to demonstrate just how THE ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE: and the Women’s March on its official anti-Israel allies. Neither do they offer little they have to offer the communities Phone: (800) 779-7896, ext. 244 blog, appears not to have any response any mechanism aside from “education.” they ostensibly represent. E-mail: [email protected] at all. Benjamin Gladstone, like any true Instead of recapturing their movement Joshua Sharf is a fellow with the Haym believer, argued in the Tablet that the fault from antisemites, they merely put Jews Salomon Center and head of the PERA SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: lies not with intersectionality, but with in a bidding war for friends. project at the Independence Institute. Phone: (570) 961-2300 flawed intersectionalists. The right answer isn’t to beg for scraps Follow him on Twitter @joshuasharf. M AY 4, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 3 COMMUNITY NEWS Glassman and Schwartz to be honored by the Jewish Home for volunteer efforts The Annual Volunteer Recognition luncheon of the ongoing membership assured that the support of the has motivated her to share her busy day with them.” Said Jewish Home, scheduled for Thursday, May 18, at the residents never waned,” according to a representative to be “an accomplished and highly recognized musi- Jewish Home of Eastern Pennsylvania, 1101 Vine St., of the Jewish Home. Her “enthusiasm” for the Jewish cian,” Schwartz has entertained Jewish Home residents Scranton, will highlight two individuals, Marion Glass- Home has been called “a family tradition,” as her late on many occasions. She often has her students perform man and Patti Schwartz, whose work on behalf of the husband, Aaron, served on the board for decades and, at the Home. residents of the Home for many years has been called more recently, her son Alan served a three-year term as Schwartz is also involved with residents on a “one- “truly exemplary.” The cost of the luncheon will be $10. president of the Jewish Home. to-one” basis, reportedly “doing many kindnesses” for Reservations can be made by calling Lynn Klemick at “Marion’s devotion to the auxiliary continues in her them. When possible, she has invited residents to her 570-344-6177, ext. 109. unique style of getting the business done in a timely and home for a home-cooked meal. Known as “a superb The Auxiliary of the Home has selected Glassman, who efficient manner,” said a Jewish home representative. baker,” she has arranged for the residents of the Home and has served on the board of the auxiliary for many years Glassman also serves on the Honorary Board of other charitable organizations to be served her cooking. in a variety of capacities, to be a recipient of the award. Directors of the Jewish Home. The luncheon will honor Glassman and Schwartz Ellen Goodman, president of the Auxiliary, highlighted “Marion has an abiding love of the residents and along with several other volunteers at the Jewish Home. Glassman’s various accomplishments in her selection welfare of the Home, and is a worthy recipient of for the recognition. Among them, Glassman served in the auxiliary’s recognition,” concluded a Jewish the role of chairwoman of the membership committee Home representative. for an extended period of time, guaranteeing the conti- Schwartz has been called “a most talented and hard- nuity of “a vibrant corps of auxiliary volunteers whose working volunteer, whose enthusiasm for the residents DEADLINES The following are deadlines for all articles and photos for upcoming Reporter issues. DEADLINE ISSUE CBH first art show to be held on Thursday, May 4...... May 18 Thursday, May 18...... June 1 June 3 Tuesday, May 30, early...... June 15 Thursday, June 15...... June 29 BY LEE EMERSON for free to enjoy and purchase artwork displayed and to Congregation B’nai Harim has announced that its enjoy light refreshments. first art show will be held on Saturday, June 3, from 10 Applications for artists to exhibit their work are being am-4 pm, at the synagogue, 5349 Pocono Crest Rd., off accepted until Wednesday, May 10. For the application Rt. 940 at Sullivans Trail, Pocono Pines. The show will form, call 570-646-0519. The booth size will be eight- feature local and recognized regional artists of all types. by-eight, and the cost will be $20 per booth. For a The show will include paintings, prints, jewelry, metal reservation, send a check for a booth to P.O. Box 757, work, pottery and more. The public has been invited Pocono Pines, PA 18350. Federation participates in “Face the Nation: A Webinar on Camp Security” Mark Silverberg, executive director of the Jewish enforcement; preparedness in having a tool set for Federation, and Dassy Ganz, assistant to the executive creating a secure environment for staff and campers; director, participated in a webinar on April 6 held at WVIA and communication, having a system in place for TV in Pittston on the subject of “ Creating a Culture of notifying the camp, parents, law enforcement and Safety and Security for Jewish Camps.” media in case of an incident. The program was created by the AMSkier Insurance To watch the webinar in its entirety, visit https://youtu. Company of Hawley, PA, which is considered one of the be/beNT56CQOpE. largest insurers of summer camps in the United States today. AMSkier’s concern for the camp population it serves was said to be the impetus of this webinar, which was hosted by Lisa Champeau. Please support The panel included members of the AMSkier team, our advertisers... as well as the president of Secure Community Network, the Foundation of Jewish Camps, Pennsylvania State tell them you saw Police and an Incident Preparation specialist. their ad The webinar addressed the rise of antisemitism around here in the world and how Jewish camps can be kept safe this coming camp season. The speakers discussed three main points: iden- tifying the resources available, such as local law The Scranton Hebrew Day School’s Annual Shavuos YOUR “Special Order” Bake Sale AD is now underway! COULD Homemade items such as: • quiches • cheesecake • lasagna BE • parve kugels • soup HERE! • assorted desserts, etc. For information will be available on advertising, please contact in limited quantities. Bonnie Rozen at For more information, call 1-800-779-7896, Rachelle at the school office at ext. 244 or 570-346-1576, ext 2 bonnie@ before May 11. thereportergroup.org

ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 4 THE REPORTER ■ M AY 4, 2017 A futuristic Israeli peace plan – minus the peace BY ANDREW TOBIN regional railway system and an artificial have accused him of putting the cart before TEL AVIV (JTA) – Gaza is rebuilt. The island off the coast of Gaza. the donkey. The regional and international West Bank is flourishing. And the trains “These big initiatives, as opposed to support that such projects would need, they run from Tel Aviv to Riyadh, the Saudi the proposed short-term stopgap solu- have said, will never be forthcoming unless Arabian capital. tions, can be game changers,” Katz, who Israel makes progress toward peace. This is the peaceful future being pitched is also the transportation minister, told Katz presented the railway and island by Israeli Intelligence Minister Yisrael JTA.”[They] are part of a regional concept initiatives, versions of which have been Katz. In recent months, he has been shop- or vision which includes three layers: floating around for decades, to President ping around a pair of ambitious economic regional security, regional economic ini- Donald Trump’s special envoy, Jason initiatives that he says could reshape tiatives and in the future, based on these Greenblatt, during his visit to Israel last Israeli Cabinet Minister Yisrael Katz the Middle East to Israel’s advantage: a first two layers, peace.” month. He said Greenblatt expressed presented his initiatives to journalists at Katz, a leading member of the ruling openness to the initiatives. “Advancing the Transportation Ministry in Jerusalem Likud party who wants to be the next economic initiatives in cooperation with on April 5. (Photo by Miriam Alster/ prime minister, is among many right-wing countries in the region, with American Flash90) politicians who have argued it is high tailwind and leadership and assistance time for Israel to look past the two-state from other international and regional ac- from sand dredged from the bottom of the solution toward other possible futures. tors in planning financing and execution, Red Sea. The island would span four square But he has distinguished himself with a is the best way forward now,” Katz said. miles and house a commercial seaport along detailed vision of what could be on the The White House has said it as yet has with electricity and desalination facilities. other side – illustrated by maps, graphs no position on the initiatives. The Pales- A three-mile bridge would connect it to the and PowerPoint presentations. tinians have not been consulted. Gaza coast, allowing international authorities Katz has won supporters in high places, Katz recently unveiled plans for the to provide security, he said. including the political right, who praise railway to journalists at the Transporta- After a decade of trade and travel re- A rendering of Yisrael Katz’s proposed him for fresh thinking. Some, though, tion Ministry in Jerusalem. The initiative strictions, he said, the island would answer island off the Gaza Strip. (Photo by have doubted the initiatives are feasible, would link to Israel’s growing network Gazans’ needs for infrastructure and a Yisrael Katz/Facebook) and Palestinians and other critics to his left of tracks eastward to the border with portal into the world. It would provide Jordan, which already has railway links to economic and humanitarian relief to the Saudi Arabia. The West Bank would also enclave and help prevent another Israeli be included via train tracks through the war in Gaza – there have been three in the To get Federation updates via email, northern Palestinian city of Jenin, he said. past eight and one-half years. Katz said the railway would bolster According to Israeli media reports, senior economic and strategic ties between Israel Israeli defense officials have backed Katz’s rregister on our website and its Sunni neighbors. Also, he said, it island plan. Defense Minister Avidgor Liber- would give West Bank Palestinians greater man and the Shin Bet security service have www.jewishnepa.org access to regional trading partners other reportedly opposed it for security reasons, than Israel, and Jordan and Saudi Arabia and other ministers have doubted its feasibil- would earn more secure overland trade ity. Benjamin Netanyahu has not embraced routes and access to the Mediterranean either initiative and may not welcome Katz’s Pledge or Donate Sea. Ideally, the United States would growing public profile as the prime minister step in to sweeten the deal with political, faces two corruption probes. logistical and economic backing. Gabi Siboni, a retired army colonel who online at As for the island initiative, which Katz has provides consulting on military technology, advocated before, unspecified foreign powers said initiatives like Katz’s are the only realistic www.jewishnepa.org/donate would pay for it to be built off the Gaza coast See “Plan” on page 6

You Lif – You Legac... Wha ’ i You Hear

You have poured your heart and soul into our Jewish community and made a di erence. Whether your greatest passion is your congregation, an organization, or a school, that commitment stands as a testament to your values.

Now is the time to take the next step in making it an enduring part of your Jewish legacy. As you plan for the future, think about what your Jewish legacy means to you. And please consider the institutions closest to your heart in your will or estate plan.

Pleas joi th Jewis Federatio o Northeaster Pennsylvani€ i ‚ecurinƒ th futur o th Jewis communit. Please contact Mark Silverberg at 961-2300 or [email protected] for more information. M AY 4, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 5 Rabbi Marvin Hier and Michael Steinhardt to be first non-citizens honored on Israel’s Independence Day BY JTA STAFF Jewish people all over the world have in the Jewish state. founded and serves as the dean of the Nishmat institute, (JTA) – Rabbi Marvin Hier, founder of the Simon This year’s theme for the ceremony is the 50th anniversary a Jewish learning institution that was one of the first to Wiesenthal Center, was slated to become the first non-Is- of the reunification of Jerusalem, “Jerusalem: the Eternal teach women Talmud and Jewish law. The Henkins’ son raeli to light a torch during Israel’s main Independence Capital of the State of Israel and the Jewish People.” Eitam and his wife were killed in an attack on a West Day ceremony on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, which was During his two-minute prayer at the inauguration, Bank road by Palestinian gunmen in October 2015. scheduled for May 1. Hier, who in January delivered a Hier recited the Psalm 137 passage reading, “If I forget Other torch lighters were to include Amnon Shashua, prayer during the inauguration of President Donald Trump thee, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. a computer science professor at the Hebrew University in Washington, DC, is one of three individuals selected The doer of all these shall never falter.” Hier founded in Jerusalem and co-founder of the Mobileye and OrCam for the honor by the Ministry of Culture and Sport, the the Simon Wiesenthal Center in 1977 as an organization startups; Yehoram Gaon, 78, a Jerusalem-born singer, Calcalist financial supplement of the Yediot Achronot devoted to fighting antisemitism, bringing Nazis to justice actor, director and producer, as well as a TV and radio daily reported on April 14. It was later announced that and promoting tolerance through the Los Angeles-based host; Uri Mammalian, considered one of Israel’s most Jewish-American investor and philanthropist Michael Museum of Tolerance. Longstanding plans to build an- famous former soccer players and a Jerusalem native; Steinhardt was also selected to light an official torch. other museum in Jerusalem have foundered, in part over Arab-Israeli Dr. Ahmed Eid, the head of the Department of Steinhardt is the co-founder and major funder of Ta- objections that is to be located on land that includes part General Surgery at Hadassah University Hospital, Mount glit-Birthright Israel. of a historic Muslim cemetery. Scopus; Eli Mizrahi, who has led the revitalization of Culture Minister Miri Regev decided last year to include Another torch lighter with American roots was to be Jerusalem’s Mahane Yehuda market; and Yaakov Hetz, non-Israeli Jews in the Independence Day torch lighting, Rabbanit Chana Henkin, who moved to Israel from the who fought in the battle for Ammunition Hill during the saying their participation would symbolize the stake that United States in the 1970s with her husband, Yehuda. She Six-Day War in 1967.

Le Pen Continued from page 1 analyst at FIFG, an organization studying French public dic studies in their curriculum. “Religion cannot be the National Front, led by Marine Le Pen, did expel opinion – told i24news in April. “There has been a rise present in school. But I hear few people becoming Jean-Marie Le Pen from the party in 2015. in insecurity since the early 2000s in the Jewish com- concerned by the consequences of this phenome- French-Jewish public opinion also favors Macron’s munity, that is, a rise in delinquency aimed specifically non, more and more children being sent to religious stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which includes at Jews, and also a feeling, that is quite justified, that schools which teach them to hate the Republic and support for a two-state solution. “My line is clear: We the Republic and French society looked away and did teach mainly in Arabic, or in other places (Jewish are friends of the state of Israel and partners for Israel’s not want to see.” schools) teach the Torah more than general studies,” security. We will always be in this camp.. .At the same Approximately 70,000 Israelis are eligible to vote in Macron said. time… I would like to advance with the recognition of France’s election. French Israelis turned out in droves Despite these comments, Macron is viewed as the two states,’’ he said. to cast absentee ballots, presumably against the far-right preferable candidate by French Jews who are repelled Macron has condemned the BDS movement, calling candidate. Fourteen polling stations were set up on April by Le Pen’s Holocaust revisionism and direct affili- anti-Israel boycotts “profoundly antisemitic” and stating 23 in six Israeli cities known to have large French ex- ation with known antisemites such as her father. Yet that anti-Zionism “leads directly to antisemitism.” pat populations – Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Netanya, Haifa, Ashdod and Eilat. “The four candidates are offering very different pro- grams, so it’s hard because it’s different from other elec- tions. I can’t say whom I’ll vote for, but I will certainly vote,” French Ambassador to Israel Hélène Le Gal said on April 23. Yediot Achronot reported. Le Pen’s political party, the National Front, was founded by her father Jean-Marie Le Pen, a convicted Holocaust denier who has been charged multiple times for inciting racism and antisemitic hatred. In mid-April, Israel’s Foreign Ministry condemned Marine Le Pen for her comments on the Holocaust that “contradicted historical truth,” when she stated France bears no responsibility for implementing a Ger- man-ordered roundup of 13,000 Jews for deportation to Auschwitz in 1942. Former French President Jacques Chirac and current President Francois Hollande have both apologized for France’s role in the roundup, which is known as the “Vel d’Hiv.” Prior to the first round of the French election, Le Pen’s challenger Macron said her comments on the Holocaust were “a serious mistake.” Macron, a 39-year-old former banker, has built up a centrist political movement called En Marche and has stated he is “neither of the right, nor the left.” He incensed French Jews when he stated in 2016 that France’s Jewish schools must de-emphasize talmu-

ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 6 THE REPORTER ■ M AY 4, 2017 NEWS IN BRIEF FROM ISRAEL From JTA Gaza already suffers from a severe power shortage, with Israel’s population. In the last year, there were 174,000 Teens studying technology teach residents only receiving electricity for a few hours a day. births and 44,000 deaths. The population also increased The World Bank said on April 27 that the power cuts have some 30,000 by new immigrants from around the world. Holocaust survivors to surf the Web led to a “humanitarian crisis” in Gaza. Hamas spokesman Seventy-five percent of the current population was born in Nearly 700 Israeli teens studying in science and technol- Sami Abu Zuhri called the decision “a dangerous escalation Israel, compared to 35 percent who were born in the area ogy schools in Israel are teaching Holocaust survivors to and a fit of insanity” and blamed Israel. “We warn Israel in 1948. Some 54.3 percent of Israelis are between the use computers and the Internet. The students meet weekly against taking this move,” he said, according to the Times ages of 19 and 64. Those aged 65 and over make up 11.1 in pairs with survivors in 22 cities across Israel through of Israel. Private individuals or international donors will percent of the population and 18 and under make up 34.6 a program called Mechubarim, which means connected. be needed to restore electric power to Gaza, though none percent. Some 45,000 people are 90 and older. Forty-four Students have helped the survivors to search for family have stepped forward. percent of Jewish Israelis consider themselves secular, with members lost during the Holocaust and research other Israel’s population is 8.68 million on 24 percent identifying as traditional but “not so religious.” Eleven percent say they are religious/Orthodox and 9 percent aspects of their lives in Europe. Many of the students th and survivors have typed the survivors’ stories into the eve of 69 birthday say they are haredi Orthodox. Of the country’s non-Jews, computer as part of their work. The stories have been Israel’s population stands at 8.68 million on the eve of 52 percent call themselves religious, 21 percent secular, uploaded to the program’s website. The program, which Israel Independence Day. The figures released by the Central 23 percent “not so religious” and 4 percent very religious. will start with new pairings in May, has nearly doubled Bureau of Statistics on April 27 ahead of the nation’s 69th Under the heading of “how is it to live in Israel,” 89 per- since last year, which organizers attribute to the students birthday on May 1 show that the country’s population is cent of Israelis age 20 and up say they are “satisfied with learning more about the importance of honoring elderly growing by nearly 2 percent a year and that there are 10 their lives”; 59 percent say they are “satisfied with their Holocaust survivors. Many of the students continue to visit times as many Israelis today as there were when the state economic situation”; 52 percent “estimate that their lives their survivor even after they graduate from high school was founded in 1948. Some 6.48 million residents of Israel will be better in the future,” and 44 percent “believe their and go on to the army and higher education. “I am writing are Jewish and account for 74.4 percent of the population, economic situation will improve.” Jerusalem is identified my own story,” said Dov Zorni, a Holocaust survivor living and 1.8 million Arabs make up 20.8 percent, according to as the largest city with 865,700 residents. Israel’s smallest in Ramat Gan. “And I’ve learned to read the newspaper the bureau. Non-Arab Christians and other ethnic groups town is Neve Zohar, located at the southern tip of the Dead and play games on the computer. The Internet helps me make up the remaining 388,000 people, or 4.4 percent, of Sea, with 71 residents. to search for my family that was spread out during and following the Holocaust. My (student) friend Eldar has helped me learn how to do all of this.” The program was Plan Continued from page 4 established by the Israel Sci-Tech Schools, a network of way to improve Israel’s relations with the Palestinians. “There Shapiro told JTA. “The fact that it’s under way would 206 science and technology educational institutions in is no chance to move in one step to a final peace agreement,” actually become kind of incentive to achieve that change.” Israel educating 100,000 students. Siboni, a former commander for the elite Golani Brigade, told By contrast, Shapiro said, connecting Israel’s railway P.A. to stop paying Israel for JTA. “Only this kind of bottom-up economic development to Jordan’s would require Arab states to normalize rela- will relax a little the Palestinian economic situation and gain tions with the Jewish state in a way that would only be electricity used in Hamas-run Gaza some stability. Maybe one day they will allow for the next likely after progress was made on the Palestinian issue. The Palestinian Authority will stop paying Israel for the generations to move somewhere else.” “While Israel is seen as opposing a two-state solution and electricity it provides to the Gaza Strip, which is run by the Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro said an independent Palestinian state, and there’s no progress Hamas terror organization. In a move seen as a way for the he was briefed on the artificial island initiative before in that direction, I think politicians will discover there Palestinian Authority to pressure Hamas to relinquish control leaving his post in January. He described it as a “creative are limits to how much they can advance their country’s of Gaza, the P.A. informed the coordinator of government and very promising solution” that could potentially get integration in the region,” he said. “Those two processes activities in the territories, Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai, on off the ground even without buy-in from Arab states or have to move together in parallel, and not in sequence.” April 27 that it would stop the payments effective immedi- Hamas. But he said the Gazan government, be it Hamas Shlomo Brom, a retired brigadier general and now ately. Hamas seized power in Gaza from the Palestinian Au- or another entity, would have to consent before the island head of Israeli-Palestinian research at the Institute for thority in 2007. Israel provides Gaza with about 30 percent could be opened for business. National Security Studies, said that while there is some of its power at a cost of about $11 million a month, which “If you developed a plan now to build it and finance merit to both initiatives, they are at this point distractions comes out of the taxes that Israel collects for the Palestinian it, you could even start the world knowing to complete from Israel’s unwillingness to make tough compromises. Authority. Egypt provides about 6 percent of Gaza’s power. it you would need some change of governance in Gaza,” He said there are more realistic ways Israel could help the Palestinians, like using Cyprus as a port or easing freedom of movement in the West Bank. To take Katz’s initiatives from fantasy to reality, Brom suggested, Israel would have to pay a price. “The benchmark for seriousness is what you’re willing to pay for it, and the coin we’re expected to pay is flexibility in talks with the Palestinians,” Brom told JTA. “The current government is clearly not willing to use this coin.”

Each year at this time the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania calls upon members of our community to assist in defraying the expense of issuing our regional Jewish newspaper, The Reporter. The newspaper is delivered twice of month (except for December and July which are single issue months) to each and every identifiable Jewish home in Northeastern Pennsylvania. As the primary Jewish newspaper of our region, we have tried to produce a quality publication for you that offers our readership something on everythingfrom opinions and columns on controversial issues that affect our people and our times, to publicity for the events of our affiliated agencies and organizations to life cycle events, teen columns, personality profiles, letters to the editor, the Jewish community calendar and other columns that cover everything from food to entertainment. The Federation assumes the financial responsibility for funding the enterprise at a cost of $26,400 per year and asks only that we undertake a small letter writing mail campaign to our recipients in the hope of raising $10,000 from our readership to alleviate a share of that responsibility. A map of Israeli Cabinet Minister Yisrael Katz’s We would be grateful if proposed regional railway. (Photo courtesy of the you would care enough Intelligence Ministry) to take the time to make a donation for our efforts in bringing The Reporter to your door. As always, your comments, opinions and suggestions are always welcome. With best wishes, Mark Silverberg, Executive Director Jewish Federation of NE Pennsylvania 601 Jefferson Avenue Scranton, PA 18510 M AY 4, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 7 Save the Date!

ea Ia Pad Sunday, June 4, 2017 This year’s theme: Celebrate Israel All Together! 8 THE REPORTER ■ M AY 4, 2017 D’VAR TORAH What is holiness? BY RABBI MOSHE SAKS, TEMPLE ISRAEL OF Nazis, but very few people spoke out to oppose them. Too SCRANTON many people stood idly by the blood of their neighbors. Acharai Mot-Kedoshim, Leviticus 16:1-20:27 This is as important a lesson as any other from the The second section of our double Torah reading for Holocaust. We support the very important work of the this week, though one of the shortest Torah portions American Jewish World Service because we remember there is, gives us some of the most precious and repeated that the world doesn’t become a nicer place just because commands of the Torah. It opens with, “You shall be we are careful not to make it worse. If we really care, holy, because I the Lord your God am holy.” We have we have to be among those who try to make it better. to read what follows carefully, because if we read this We support the work of Mazon. Mazon helps people remarkable text superficially, we might get the impression who are hungry. Its work isn’t overseas like American that pursuing holiness involves, more than anything else, Jewish World Service. Mazon helps people in the U.S., a series of negatives. You shall not take advantage of including our own community, because in a land of great various people who can’t fight back, you shall not curse abundance it isn’t OK to have people around us going the deaf nor place a stumbling block before the blind, hungry every day. Now that we have concluded Passover, you shall not worship other gods, or mix different kinds it would be a small but meaningful gesture for each of us of seed, nor shall you steal or violate the Sabbath, and to send something to an organization that, on our behalf, much more. You can get the impression that these mitzvot helps people who can only dream of a Passover feast. could fulfilled by being a very holy hermit. And there is much more we need to do. Others have understood holiness this way. We have One of the most powerful uses of Torah text I have a long history of people removing themselves from the ever seen was on the wall of the memorial room in Poland community to be holy. Interwoven with all this are re- at the Auschwitz concentration camp. The verse quoted, minders that at least as we see it, you can’t do that. This in Hebrew and in English, is from the book of Genesis, is the unique and special message of the whole Torah. Chapter 4, verse 10. God says to Cain: “What have you We are taught, in a stirring passage in today’s reading, done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to me a passage so often quoted from another Testament that from the ground.” It’s a very powerful line. Anyone who many people forget it originated here: “You shall love knows a little Bible, or takes the time to look, realizes your neighbor as yourself,” something you can’t do if the purpose of this verse is not to make us think so much you don’t have, or don’t interact with, neighbors. We are about what it says, but rather about what it follows: God taught to revere our parents. We are taught here that we said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” And Cain must reprove someone – that is, speak out and take issue said: “I don’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” with someone – who has wronged us, which isn’t easy. This is the question. God help us if we forget the answer. All this leads to what is perhaps as powerful as anything else in the Torah portion: “You shall not stand by, or over, the blood of your neighbor.” A more popular translation reads, “You shall not profit by the blood of your fellow” (Leviticus 19:16), however I think this distorts the plain sense of the text. Older translations say, “You shall not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor,” and I think that’s the point. What is being condemned is not profit, but passivity. It’s confusing, because here again, something Exhibit on “1917” is stated in the negative. But this negative is a positive. It The National Museum of American Jewish says you are not allowed to do nothing, meaning you have History in Philadelphia will hold the exhibit to do something. You cannot be holy by doing nothing. “1917: How One Year Changed the World,” A lot of the Torah teaches things we aren’t supposed until July 16. The exhibition will look back to do, things we aren’t supposed to eat and things we 100 years to explore how the events of a single year aren’t supposed to do on Shabbat and holidays. What brought about changes in American politics and culture we avoid doing says a lot about the kind of people we that reverberated throughout the world and still impact are. However, what makes the world a better place, what the world today. It looks at how America’s entry into really has an impact on others, what brings justice and World War I, the Bolshevik Revolution and the issuing decency, is what we do, not what we avoid. of the Balfour Declaration, in which Great Britain Most people aren’t violent or evil. Most people don’t indicated support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine, do terrible things. Still, most people have allowed those brought about political, cultural and social changes that who were bent on doing awful things get away with it, reshaped the United States’ role in the world and directly because no one stopped them. affected everyday Americans. We recently observed Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Me- The exhibit will feature approximately 130 artifacts, morial Day. It is said repeatedly, and correctly, that there including an original draft of the Balfour Declaration were lots of Germans who weren’t Nazis. Most Germans (to be exhibited in the U.S. for the first time), composer weren’t Nazis, and most people in Eastern Europe, where Irving Berlin’s draft registration card, a decoded copy of most of the killing took place, didn’t murder Jews. There the Zimmermann Telegram and Justice Louis Brandeis’s were many heroic people, of all nationalities, who risked judicial robes. Through uniforms, letters, photographs, their lives, in many cases forfeited their lives, to save and posters, as well as films, music, and interactive media, Jews and other victims of the Nazis. “1917” takes visitors on a journey into the trenches of However, the overwhelming majority of people did WWI, revolutionary Russia, and debates over the future nothing to stop it. Yes, they were terrified and often of Britain’s colonial empire in the Middle East. terrorized. In the face of Nazi terror, it took a great deal For more information, visit www.nmajh.org/ or contact of courage to speak out. Most people did not support the the museum at 215-923-3811.

you saw their ad here in ... our hair done To our readers vertisers know that you go to get y AD ou to let our ad I SAW YOUR I want to remind y ou say THE REPORTER! It is so important to remember when or buy something at their store or use w.their services that y TER! They want to kno IN THE REPOR e Thank you, Advertising Executiv Bonnie Rozen, M AY 4, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 9 Deciphering the past Archaeologists discover “gigantic” dolmen in Israel’s Upper Galilee BY JNS STAFF several drawings engraved on its under- dolmen’s discovery, “This is the first art ever little archaeological evidence of cities and (JNS.org) – Archaeologists are stunned side, reported Fox News. documented in a dolmen in the Middle East. large settlements. “The gigantic dolmen… by the uncovering of what they described The discovery is one of more than 400 …No parallels exist for these shapes in the is without doubt an indication of public as a “gigantic” dolmen in Israel’s Upper large stones found in a field adjacent to a engraved rock drawings of the Middle East, construction that required a significant Galilee region, saying the stone’s discov- nearby kibbutz, and is the first dolmen un- and their significance remains a mystery.” amount of manpower over a considerable ery contradicts current theories regarding earthed in the Middle East featuring artistic The dolmen’s discovery challenges period of time,” said Prof. Gonen Sharon the sophistication of the Bronze Age. The engravings. It was uncovered as part of an existing theories regarding civilization of Tel Hai College’s Galilee Studies Pro- dolmen – a 10-foot-wide, 6-foot-long archaeological initiative headed by the Israel during the Bronze Age, which had left gram, according to Fox News. flat stone weighing 50 tons – was found Antiquities Authority, in partnership with by archaeologists laid flat across several Hebrew University and Tel Hai College. upright stones like a tabletop, and features IAA archaeologist Uri Berger said of the At right: The Hundreds of WWI-era British troops’ view from inside a dolmen that was discovered liquor bottles unearthed in Israel in Israel’s Upper BY JNS STAFF Galilee. (Photo (JNS.org) – Among several other by Shmuel discoveries, hundreds of liquor bottles Magal/Israel belonging to British soldiers from World Antiquities War I have been excavated in a find near Authority) the Israeli city of Ramla. The bottles were found in early March in excavations conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority, prior to the con- struction of the new Highway 200. The discovery was made in the fields of Kib- The assemblage of liquor bottles butz Netzer Sereni, according to the IAA. belonging to British soldiers that was “The written historical evidence re- revealed in an Israeli excavation. garding the soldiers’ activities in the Brit- (Photo by Clara Amit, courtesy of Israel ish army in Israel usually consists of ‘dry’ Antiquities Authority) details, such as the number of soldiers, direction of attack, and the results of the IAA’s glass department, noted that the exca- battle,” said the excavation’s director, Ron vation marks “the first time in the history of Toueg. “The discovery of this site and the archaeology in Israel in which an assemblage finds in it provide us with an opportunity of hundreds of glass bottles from a British for a glimpse of the unwritten part of his- army camp from World War I was uncovered.” tory, and reconstruct for the first time the Also unearthed in the same excavation everyday life and leisure of the soldiers.” were several 250,000-year-old flint tools Brigitte Ouahnouna, a researcher in the dating back to the Middle Paleolithic period.

Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania 2017 UJA Campaign WE CAN MAKE THE WORLD BETTER BY WORKING TOGETHER 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:______Home phone: ______Work phone:______Cell phone: ______E-mail address: ______J I’m enclosing a gift of $ ______J I’ll pledge $______* * J One-time * J Quarterly installments (1/4 of total) * J Monthly installments (1/12 of total)

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ALAN SMERTZ AND SUSIE BLUM CONNORS, CO-CHAIRS OF OUR 2017 UJA CAMPAIGN THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook 10 THE REPORTER ■ M AY 4, 2017 Chef Continued from page 1 kosher fine dining experiences that fuse artisanal Montreal-style Jewish food and synagogues didn’t use their kitchens, traditional Jewish recipes with other cui- conducts culinary walking tours of Mile which are usually large, industrial and sines. Wandering Foods is the brainchild End, the Canadian city’s Jewish neigh- kosher, to do something beyond serving of Jonathan Posner, a lanky, 26-year-old borhood, complete with tastings of bagels kugel on Saturday afternoon.” rabbinical student with a baritone voice and smoked meat. Zak Stern, aka Zak the Posner was raised in an observant Jewish and five years of experience working in Baker, a kosher deli owner in an artsy Miami family and was trained as a chef in down- upscale Chicago restaurants. neighborhood, makes his sandwiches with town Chicago’s fancy restaurants. As he “How to rethink what Passover is like fresh-baked sourdough bread. The Pickle Platter at Aviv included returned to Jewish observance as an adult, and what it means to eat on Passover” is Despite the accolades garnered by pickled cucumbers, pickled asparagus he knew that working Friday and Saturday how Posner, dressed in a black T-shirt with a these food entrepreneurs, Posner still tips, beet-pickled eggs, olive tapenade, nights – the busiest times for restaurants pinstriped apron, described Aviv as he wel- feels that Ashkenazi foods like brisket and citrus-carrot horseradish, Tam Tams – would prevent him from keeping the comed 35 people to the first of two sold-out kugel get short shrift. He asks why other and matzah. (Photo by Aleya Cydney Sabbath. So he left the restaurant scene and seatings on April 13, the holiday’s fourth international cuisines, from Italian pasta Photography) two years ago founded Wandering Foods. night, for $54 a head. “This is a meal and to Chinese stir-fry, have become common Last year, he entered rabbinical school a pop-up restaurant that celebrates spring. in a home cook’s repertoire, but traditional According to Liz Alpern, the Gefilteria’s at the Conservative movement’s Jewish The food will be green, the food will be American Jewish food – even among co-founder, she and other Jewish foodies Theological Seminary in New York. bright and it will be delicious.” American Jews – is generally relegated are merging their generation’s culinary In addition to elevating the quality While success stories like Michael to Rosh Hashanah and Passover, if at all. sensibilities with Jewish culture. Just like of Ashkenazi recipes, Posner aims to Solomonov and Einat Admony may have “The base for most Jews in America is previous generations cared about low-fat fuse them with other cuisines, from made Israeli food all the rage in the U.S., that Jewish food at best is bland, except diets, these young Jewish chefs are buy- Sephardi dishes to other American and Wandering Foods is one of several recent the one or two things that someone does ing their ingredients at farmers’ markets, global culinary traditions. The matzah enterprises that are aiming to make Ash- really well, that someone does once a year,” avoiding processed foods and making sure ball soup, for example, included shiitake kenazi food hip. There’s the Gefilteria, Posner said. “Jewish food is really holiday their dishes have color. “A lot of people we mushrooms; for dessert, the flourless which has resurrected traditional recipes for food and doesn’t exist in the daily kitchen knew really loved cooking locally sourced, chocolate cake was accompanied by green gefilte fish, horseradish and borscht with of most American Jews. In what ways can high-quality meat, but when it came to Jew- tea ice cream and espresso. “It’s not just an emphasis on local, seasonal ingredients. Jewish food have a cuisine the way we have ish cooking, like when it came to making a Sephardic-Ashkenazic mashup,” said There’s the Wandering Chew, which creates French cuisine or Italian cuisine?” a brisket, they didn’t care, really,” Alpern Posner, who will also be hosting a regular said. “The ways this is different is it’s a supper club on the Upper West Side of coming together of our values as a gener- Manhattan beginning in May. “It’s taking ation around food, and our love of Jewish specific items, specific techniques, specific cooking and authenticity and tradition.” ingredients, understanding them in their ewish Federa the J tion Plus, tasty food can be an accessible own contexts and then making something on ’s e u ma entry point for many into other modes of that’s greater than the sum of its parts.” yo il re lis Jewish life. More events like this, Posner Posner isn’t sure what he’s going to A t? We send updated announcements and special said, could draw young Jews to large syn- do after rabbinical school or how long agogues that may fail to attract them to he can sustain Wandering Foods with a event details weekly to those who wish to receive them. Shabbat services. David Minkus, rabbi of full course load. But he said working in a Rodfei Zedek, which hosted the Passover kitchen and behind a pulpit aren’t all that pop-up, agreed that a synagogue can, for different. In both cases, he said, Posner Send Dassy Ganz an email if you would like to join the list. various reasons, be the right place for a feels he’s leading “a life in service. Jewish culinary event. “I thought it was “People seek out rabbis for a lot of [email protected] an opportunity to reshape the way people the reasons they go to restaurants,” he think about having kosher food, how they said. “They go for the most momentous think about eating in a synagogue,” he occasions of their lives. People want ex- said of Aviv. “I didn’t understand why periences. People want to feel cared for.” P A C E Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment Your gift to the Annual Campaign DOES A WORLD OF GOOD. Endowing your gift allows you to be there for the Jewish community of NEPA forever. A Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment (PACE) is a permanent fund that endows your Jewish community Annual Campaign gift as a lasting legacy. A PACE fund will continue to make an annual gift in perpetuity on your behalf. To determine the amount you need to endow your entire campaign gift, multiply your current annual gift by 20. You can fund your PACE by adding the JEWISH FEDERATION OF NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA to your will, or by making the Federation a beneficiary of your IRA. All contributions to establish a PACE are tax deductible. Let your name be remembered as a blessing. Endowments can be created through a variety of vehicles, some of which do not necessitate funding during your lifetime yet still provide your estate with considerable tax benefits. They also enable you to perpetuate your commitment to the Annual Campaign in a way that best achieves your own personal financial and estate planning goals. Examples Of Ways To Fund Your Pace Gift Are: * outright contribution of cash, appreciated securities or other long-term capital gain property such as real estate * charitable remainder trust * gift of life insurance Using appreciated property, such as securities or real estate, * charitable lead trust affords you the opportunity to eliminate the income tax on the * gift of IRA or pension plan assets long-term capital gain, will in some instances generate a full * grant from your foundation income tax charitable deduction and will remove those assets * reserved life estate in your residence from your estate for estate tax purposes. * bequest

For more information contact Mark Silverberg at [email protected] or call 570-961-2300, ext. 1. M AY 4, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 11 CAPA Alan Smertz and Susie Blum Connors General Campaign Co-Chairs

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Please mail to: Jewish Federation of NE Pennsylvania, 601 Jeff erson Ave., Scranton, PA 18510 or call 570-961-2300 (ext. 1) 12 THE REPORTER ■ M AY 4, 2017 BOOK REVIEW The golem – past and present BY RABBI RACHEL ESSERMAN writings, the creature began to resemble him. Later, the golem became attached to well to wartime and postwar depictions Is the golem a soulless, unthinking mon- its current version in later Jewish mystical one specific rabbi: the real life Rabbi Judah of violence and injury associated with ster or an intelligent being craving human works. The author notes that it was not Loew, also known as the Maharal of Prague, technological power. In the post-World connection? Stories about this powerful only Jews who wrote about the golem: who lived in 17th century. War II period, the golem continued to creature created out of mud and brought to Christian authors composed their own Barzilai looks to popular culture – the be linked with mass destruction and the life by magic have appeared for centuries. versions of the story. However, there were golem as portrayed in books, films, comic threat of nuclear weapons, as well as with Some of these writings are concerned only common elements to all these tales: “By books, newspapers, etc. – to show how cybernetic systems, both disembodied with relating an exciting tale, while others the early twentieth century, there existed the creature has come to represent the computers and hybrid cyborgs.” The por- take a more ideological outlook – teach- several versions of the golem story that chaos of contemporary warfare. The spe- trayal of the actual character changed to ing lessons about human arrogance and located the golem either in central or cifics of this representation have changed fit the morality lesson each writer, author pride. In her “Golem: Modern Wars and in eastern Europe. What they all had in throughout time due to the technological or artist sought to teach. Monsters” (New York University Press), common was the presence of a rabbi who advances that occurred during the 20th While it’s difficult to discuss all the differ- Maya Barzilai, an assistant professor of artificially molds a clay anthropoid and century: “While the figure’s clay substance ent ways the golem has been portrayed, it’s Hebrew literature and Jewish culture at magically brings it to life through Hebrew linked it metonymically to the mud of the possible to make some general observations: the University of Michigan, explores why writing, either engraved on the body or on trenches during World War I, more broadly ‹‹ In post-World War I Europe, the golem stories and films about the golem grew in a parchment. Though it exhibits extraordi- and metaphorically, the golem lent itself See “Golem” on page 15 popularity in the 20th and 21st centuries. Fo- nary strength, its lack of intelligence and cusing on tales that examine the creature in its inability to speak mark the golem as light of increasingly violent technological inferior to the human being.” The golem “The Golem of Prague” warfare, Barzilai discusses how the golem was created to either protect its creator or the BY RABBI RACHEL ESSERMAN has been portrayed in European, American local Jewish community, but, in most tales, The story of the golem continues to fascinate and Israeli culture. the creature becomes violent and must be writers and artists. The recent “The Golem of Prague” To place the contemporary stories in stopped before he destroys those who sought – story by Irène Cohen-Janca with art by Maurizio A. context, Barzilai begins by describing his protection. In some early versions, the C. Quarello (Annick Press) – is aimed at the tween traditional versions of the tale. Although rabbi dies after stopping the golem; his now audience, although adults will also enjoy the tale. the word golem appeared in early Jewish inanimate creation falls on him and crushes The 40-page work straddles the borders between a picture book and a short story with illustrations. It opens in 1892 Prague, when the city still contained a large Jewish community. Young Franz is fascinated Jewish Federation of NEPA by the tale of the golem and one night sneaks into the attic of the Prague synagogue that rumor says holds its innate body. Once in the attic, something magical occurs and the story moves 300 years into The cover of “The Golem of the past, when the Jewish community was threatened Prague.” with destruction. The story then continues in the traditional mold, except for a wonderful twist that returns the tale to 1892. Cohen-Janca has crafted a sweet, heart-warming story that was surprisingly moving. Quarello’s black-and-white drawings create an eerie mood that fits the text. The book also contains a helpful glossary for those unfamiliar with Jewish Facebook ® is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc terms and concepts. It serves as an excellent introduction to the golem, one that may intrigue tweens and adults to learn more about this fascinating creature.

M AY 4, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 13

D D ­e Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania presents “My Brother’s Keeper - e 911 of the Jewish People” How the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (AJDC) is changing the Jewish world Scranton Jewish Community Center Thursday, May 18 at 7pm Given the importance of the work done by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (AJDC) to assist imperiled and threatened Jewish communities around the world, a special program will be presented on ursday, May 18th at 7:00 PM in the Koppelman Auditorium of the Scranton JCC and will be open to our entire Jewish community - at no charge.

Our guest for the evening will be Shaun Goldstone, Global Development Ocer for the JDC who has participated in JDC’s worldwide international disaster relief e
orts in Haiti and Ethiopia and is currently responsible for raising the prole of JDC’s Eastern European and Asian humanitarian and Jewish renewal e
orts as well as fostering collaborations between the JDC and its partner organizations.

The program is open to the entire Jewish community and a dessert reception will follow. An RSVP to Mary Ann Mistysyn at either 961-2300 (x4) or [email protected] would be appreciated in order to facilitate food arrangements. We hope you can join us for this wonderful program. Mark Silverberg, Executive Director Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania D D 14 THE REPORTER ■ M AY 4, 2017

Feature Films (as of September 2016) NEW Dough - An old Jewish baker (Jonathan Pryce) takes on a young Muslim apprentice to save his failing kosher bakery. When TO THE his apprentice’s marijuana stash accidentally falls in the mixing dough, the challah starts flying off the shelves! DOUGH is a warmhearted and humorous story about overcoming prejudice and finding redemption in unexpected places. (Shown at the LIBRARY! 2017 UJA campaign opening event) Everything is Illuminated - “Everything is Illuminated” tells the story of a young man’s quest to find the woman who saved his grandfather in a small Ukrainian town that was wiped off the map by the Nazi invasion. What starts out as a journey to piece together one family’s story under absurd circumstances turns into a meaningful journey with a powerful series of revelations -- the importance of remembrance, the perilous nature of secrets, the legacy of the Holocaust, and the meaning of friendship. (Donated by Dr. and Mrs. David Malinov) Europa Europa - Based on the autobiography of Solomon Perel, this movie recounts the severe actions a young boy must take in order to survive the Holocaust. (Donated by Dr. and Mrs. David Malinov) Hidden in Silence - Przemysl, Poland, WWII. Germany emerges victorious over the Russians and the city comes under Nazi control. The Jews are sent to the ghettos. While some stand silent, Catholic teenager, Stefania Podgorska, choose the role of a savior and sneaks 13 Jews into her attic. Inspired by real events, Munich reveals the intense story of the secret Israeli squad assigned to track down and assassinate the 11 Palestinians believed to have planned the 1972 Munich massacre of 11 Israeli athletes - and the personal toll this mission of revenge takes on the team and the man who led it. Music Box - In this intense courtroom thriller, Chicago attorney Ann Talbot (Jessica Lange) agres to defend her Hungarian immigrant father against accusations of heinous war crimes committed 50 years earlier. Remember - With the aid of a fellow Auschwitz survivor and a hand-written letter, an elderly man with demntia goes in search of the person responsible for the death of his family. (shown at the 2017 UJA campaign opening event) Munich - Inspired by real events, Munich reveals the intense story of the secret Israeli squad assigned to track down and assassinate the 11 Palestinians believed to have planned the 1972 Munich massacre of 11 Israeli athletes - and the personal toll this mission of revenge takes on the team and the man who led it. Son of Saul - October 1944, Auschwitz-Birkenau. Saul (Géza Röhrig) is a Hungarian member of the Sonderkommando, the group of Jewish prisoners forced to assist the Nazis. While working, Saul discovers the body of a boy he takes for his son. As the Sonderkommando plans a rebellion, Saul decides to carry out an impossible task: save the child’s body, find a rabbi to recite the mourner’s Kaddish and offer the boy a proper burial. (shown at the 2017 UJA campaign opening event) The Book Thief - THE BOOK THIEF tells the inspirational story of a spirited and courageous young girl who transforms the lives of everyone around her when she is sent to live with a new family in World War II Germany. The Jolson Story - THE JOLSON STORY is classic Hollywood biography at its best; a fast-paced, tune-filled extravaganza following the meteoric rise of legendary performer Al Jolson. THE JOLSON STORY was nominated for six 1946 Academy Awards , winning two, (Best Musical Scoring and Best Sound Recording). The Other Son - As he is preparing to join the Israeli army for his national service, Joseph discovers he is not his parents’ biological son and that he was inadvertently switched at birth with Yacine, the son of a Palestinian family from the West Bank. This revelation turns the lives of these two families upside-down, forcing them to reassess their respective identities, their values and beliefs. Woman in Gold - Based on the true story of Maria Altman, played by Helen Mirren, who sought to regain a world famous painting of her aunt plundered by the Nazis during World War II. She did so not just to regain what was rightfully hers but also to obtain some measure of justice for the death, destruction and massive art theft perpetrated by the Nazis. (Donated by Dr. and Mrs. David Malinov) Non-Feature Films 2016 Above and Beyond - In 1948, just three years after the liberation of Nazi death camps, a ragtag group of skilled American pilots - both Jewish and non-Jewish, answered a call for help. In secret and at great personal risk, they smuggled planes out of the U.S., trained behind the Iron Curtain and flew for Israel in its War of Independence. This band of brothers not only turned the tide of the war, they also embarked on personal journeys of discovery and pride. (Shown at the 2016 UJA campaign opening event) Everything is a Present: The Wonder and Grace of Alice Sommer Hertz - This is the uplifting true story of the gifted pianist Alice Sommer Hertz who survived the Theresienstat concentration camp by playing classical piano concerts for Nazi dignitaries. Alice Sommer Hertz lived to the age of 106. Her story is an inspiration. Follow Me: The Yoni Netanyahu Story - Yoni Netanyahu was a complex, passionate individual thrust into defending his country in a time of war and violence. The older brother of Benjamin Natanyahu, the current Israel Prime Minister, Yoni led the miraculous raid on Entebbe in 1976. Although almost all of the Entebbe hostages were saved, Yoni was the lone military fatality. Featuring three Israeli Prime Ministers and recently released audio from the Entebbe raid itself. Hava Nagila (The Movie) - A documentary romp through the history, mystery and meaning of the great Jewish standard. Featuring interviews with Harry Belafonte, Leonard Nimoy and more, the film follows the ubiquitous party song on its fascinating journey from the shtetls of Eastern Europe to the kibbutzim of Palestine to the cul-de-sacs of America. If These Knishes Could Talk tells the story of the New York accent: what it is, how it’s evolved, and the love/hate relationship New Yorkers have with it. It features writer Pete Hamill, director Penny Marshall, attorney Alan Dershowitz and screenwriter James McBride, along with a cast of characters from Canarsie to Tottenville. In between, it explores why New Yorkers eat chawclate and drink cawfee, and how the accent became the vibrant soundtrack of a charming, unforgiving and enduring city. Israel: The Royal Tour - Travel editor Peter Greenberg (CBS News) takes us on magnificent tour of the Jewish homeland, Israel. The tour guide is none other than Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The viewer gets a chance to visit the land of Israel from his own home! Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story (narrated by Dustin Hoffman)- This documentary portrays the contributions of Jewish major leaguers and the special meaning that baseball has had in the lives of American Jews. More than a film about sports, this is a story of immigration, assimilation, bigotry, heroism, the passing on of traditions, the shattering of stereotypes and, most of all, the greatest American pastime. Nicky’s Family - An enthralling documentary that artfully tells the story of how Sir Nicholas Winton, now 104, a British stockbroker, gave up a 1938 skiing holiday to answer a friend’s request for help in Prague and didn’t stop helping until the war’s beginning stopped him. He had saved the lives of 669 children in his own personal Kindertransport. The Case for Israel - Democracy’s Outpost - This documentary presents a vigorous case for Israel- for its basic right to exist, to protect its citizens from terrorism, and to defend its borders from hostile enemies. The Israel Course - A 7-part Israel education series that sheds light on the Holy Land through the ages. Featuring biblical scholars and Middle East experts, including Harvard professor Alan Dershowitz, Emeritus Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, Ambassador Dore Gold, Princeton professor Bernard Lewis and many others. The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg - As baseball’s first Jewish star, Hammerin’ Hank Greenberg’s career contains all the makings of a true American success story. Unmasked: Judaophobia - the Threat to Civilization – This documentary exposes the current political assault against the State of Israel fundamentally as a war against the Jewish people and their right to self-determination. M AY 4, 2017 ■ THE REPORTER 15 NEWS IN BRIEF From JNS.org years since the Balfour promise will be held on time,” said Hassassian. A spokesman Lieberman to Russia: Israel “won’t allow” Iran and Hezbollah for the British Foreign Office confirmed there will be no apology and called the -Bal four Declaration a “historic statement,” Reuters reported. “We continue to support in Golan Heights the principle of a Jewish homeland and the modern state of Israel, just as we support Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman told Russian officials that Israel “won’t the critical objective of a viable and sovereign Palestinian state,” said the spokesman, allow concentrations of Iranian and Hezbollah forces on the Golan Heights.” Lieberman adding that the U.K. will mark the centennial “in an appropriate and balanced manner.” met with Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Last year, the Palestinians said they planned to the sue the U.K. for issuing the Balfour in Moscow on April 26 while attending the International Moscow Security Conference. Declaration, which they see as the direct cause of the “nakba,” the Arabic term meaning The gathering drew officials from 24 countries, including Iran and Syria. Saudi Foreign “catastrophe” that Palestinians use to describe Israel’s creation. The Balfour Declaration, Minister Adel al-Jubeir, who also attended the conference, echoed concern over Iran’s written by U.K. Foreign Secretary Arthur James Balfour to the second Baron Rothschild, regional activity in his own meeting with Lavrov, saying Saudi Arabia “would like to put Lionel Walter Rothschild, who was the leader of the British Jewish community at the an end to Iran’s involvement in the region. We believe that they have no place in Syria time, stated that the British government would “view with favor the establishment in or in any other part of the world. These groups influence the situations in Iraq, Syria, Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people.” The declaration is considered to Lebanon, the Gulf countries, Yemen. Hezbollah is carrying out its operations in various be the first documented legal legitimization of the state of Israel. Middle East regions and follows Iran’s agenda.” Responding to Jubeir’s comments, Tombstones vandalized in Romanian Jewish cemetery Lavrov said Russia does not see a problem with Iranian and Hezbollah forces in Syria. “We don’t see Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. We believe that both of them (Iran Some 10 tombstones in a Jewish cemetery in the Romanian capital of Bucharest and Hezbollah) – like Russia’s air force – came to Syria following the request of the were vandalized April 23 as Israel marked Holocaust Remembrance Day. Aurel legitimate government,” said Lavrov. Despite Israel’s disagreements with Russia on Iran Vainer, president of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Romania, confirmed and Hezbollah, Lieberman said Israeli coordination with Russian forces in Syria has gone the vandalism in a post on his Facebook page, saying the incident was “a serious smoothly. To date, he said, “there have been nine meetings between representatives of act of vandalism and antisemitism. ...The aggravating circumstance that the violent the IDF and representatives of the Russian military. This mechanism has proven itself destruction of the 10 funerary monuments occurred precisely on the day when Jewish to be an effective mechanism that prevents unnecessary friction.” people around the world commemorate the deaths of the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust cannot be explained by a mere coincidence,” he said. The Israeli Embassy Israel to build 10,000 homes in new Jerusalem neighborhood in Romania also condemned the vandalism, expressing its “sorrow and revolt on the Israel’s Housing Ministry has revived a plan to construct 10,000 homes in a new brutal antisemitic act aimed at destroying the funerary monuments in the Jewish cem- neighborhood in Jerusalem. The plan for the new neighborhood was established by etery in Bucharest.” While Bucharest police identified three suspects in the vandalism, the Jerusalem municipality several years ago, but was frozen due to the Obama ad- aged 13-16, no arrests have been made, the state news agency Agerpres reported. ministration’s strong disapproval of Israeli construction beyond the 1967 lines. The Red Cross head says Israel not an “apartheid state” construction plan was brought back following President Donald Trump’s inaugura- tion in January and is due to be made public in May, Israel’s Channel 10 reported Jacques de Maio, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross delegation to the week of April 28. The new neighborhood is slated to be built near the security Israel and the disputed territories, asserted in a rare interview the week of April 28 that fence close to the Qalandia checkpoint, at the abandoned Atarot Airport, which was Israel is not an “apartheid state.” The ICRC leader detailed the Palestinian Authority’s deserted during the Second Intifada due to fears that Palestinian terrorists would attempts at political manipulation, including accusations that Israel is an apartheid state shoot down airplanes. Additional sites designated for construction under the plan that carries out “extrajudicial killings.” “There is no IDF order to shoot suspects to kill, include Jewish-owned areas west of the airport in Judea and Samaria. The proposed as political officials tried to convince us,” de Maio toldYediot Achronot. “The Red Cross neighborhood is intended to provide housing for haredi Israelis, yet leaders of that was very familiar with the regime in South Africa during apartheid… there is no apartheid community have cited concerns regarding the neighborhood’s close proximity to here [in Israel]. ...There isn’t a regime here that is based on the superiority of one race over areas with large Palestinian populations and its distance from the center of Jerusalem. another; there is no disenfranchisement of basic human rights based on so-called racial inferiority,” he added. According to de Maio, the Red Cross has worked with the IDF to U.K. refuses to apologize to Palestinians for Balfour Declaration clarify “the issue of shooting assailants who carry out terror attacks, and we reached an The United Kingdom has rejected a request by the Palestinians to apologize for the unequivocal conclusion that there is no IDF order to shoot suspects to kill, as political 1917 Balfour Declaration, which helped pave the way for the founding of the state of officials tried to convince us.” De Maio said that when the ICRC rejected the Palestinians’ Israel. “The answer came in a written letter to the [Palestinian] Foreign Ministry that accusation of “extrajudicial killings,” there were “immediately those who claimed we were the apology is refused,” Manuel Hassassian, the Palestinian ambassador to the U.K., covering up war crimes committed by the IDF, and that we were serving the Zionists.” told Voice of Palestine Radio on April 25. “It means the queen and the government of Britain will not apologize to the Palestinian people and the celebration marking 100

Golem Continued from page 12 came to represent the ordinary soldier, to destroy the Jewish people. However, someone who had lost all connection to other writers have concentrated on the pos- his innate humanity. The mud color of the sibility that super computers and cyborgs golem and the mud coating the soldiers might become a contemporary version of living in the trenches shows how changes a golem – a creature who will either wreak in warfare created soldiers who felt and havoc on humans or, as a sentient being, acted as if they were half-dead. refuse commands to perform acts of war. ‹‹ In post-World War I America, the golem Barzilai notes that the golem has man- raised questions about Jewish immigration aged to maintain its Jewish aspect in many and resettlement. This was of particular of these portrayals: “The golem’s violent concern due to the increasingly unsta- rebelliousness enabled artists to portray ble conditions in Europe. According to and comment on the Jewish participation Barzilai, the many golem texts and films in European wars and on Jewish political “emphasized the theme of persecution in causes and movements. The golem figure, exile in order to scrutinize the role of Jewish most often imagined as excessively strong leaders and their vision of how Jews should and large, provided a bodily template for the act when they possess a powerful golem.” imagined ‘makeover’ of the diaspora Jew ‹‹ In Israel, the golem was originally used into a ‘muscle Jew’ or else a literary ba’al to represent the powerful army formed by guf (strapping man).” At the same time that the League of Arab States, which threat- some Jews embraced this image, others ened the state’s existence. Later, Israeli warned of its possible dangers. That debate writers, such as S. Y. Agnon, used the still occurs in works being published today. golem to portray what constant warfare “Golem” is not a systematic look at has done to the psyche of Israeli soldiers all recent portrayals of the golem, since – encouraging readers to consider how the author isn’t concerned with works of the modern state molds its citizens into mostly literary interest. Instead, Barzi- destructive beings. lai focuses on those portrayals that ask ‹‹ In post-World War II America, the go- what it means to be human in a time of lem has been used several ways. As part dehumanized warfare. The basic question of a revenge fantasy, comic books of the underlying the story of the golem really 1970s and later works have focused on the hasn’t changed: Would such a creature golem’s ability to crush those attempting save the world or destroy it?

Effective please immediately, send note! all articles and ads to our new E-mail address, jfnepareporter@ jewishnepa.org.

ÊCheck out the Federation’s new, updated website at www.jewishnepa.org or find it on Facebook Effective immediately, please send all articles & ads to our new E-mail address, [email protected]. 16 THE REPORTER ■ M AY 4, 2017

You are cordially invited to the ANNUAL MEETING of the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania Please join us as we elect Officers and Trustees, celebrate the achievements of the past year and honor several individuals for their leadership contributions to our community and to Israel Thursday, June 8th, 2017, 7:00 PM Linder Room, Scranton Jewish Community Center, 601 Jefferson Ave., Scranton A dessert reception will follow the meeting. Dietary laws observed - RSVP to 961-2300 (ext. 4) Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania 2017 Annual Meeting Program Welcome & introductions...... David Malinov, MD, Federation President Dvar Torah...... Rabbi Moshe Saks, Temple Israel (Scranton) Federation Perspectives...... David Malinov, MD, Federation President Presentation of Presidential Award...... Mark Silverberg, Executive Director Presentation of UJA Campaign Awards...... David Malinov, MD, Federation President 2017 UJA Campaign Report...... Alan Smertz, Susan Blum Connors, Co-Chairs Nominating Committee Report...... Seth Gross, Chairman Installation of Officers and Trustees...... Rabbi Moshe Saks, Temple Israel (Scranton) Closing Remarks Douglas Fink, Incoming Federation President Dessert Reception Proposed Slate of Officers & Trustees 2017 - 2020 Officers* President...... Douglas Fink* Administrative Vice-President...... Esther Adelman* Vice-President...... Elliot Schoenberg* Vice-President...... Eric Weinberg* Treasurer...... Jerry Weinberger, Esq.* Assistant Treasurer...... Barry Tremper*

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 June 30th, 2018 30th, 2020 Michael Barber*, Patricia Taylor Bernstein*, Joe Fisch, Esq.*, Natalie Gelb*, Phyllis Malinov*, Mel Mogel*, Jay Okun* and Lew Sare* Ed Monsky, Esq.*, Geordee Grable Pollock* and Suzanne Tremper* *Trustees to be elected at the Annual Meeting *Trustees to be elected at the Annual Meeting • Continuing Terms • 3-year term ending on June 30,2018 3-year term ending on June 30th, 2019 Susie Blum Connors, Mark Davis, Lynne Fragin, Marian Goldstein Beckhorn, Phyllis Brandes, Richard Fine, Esq., Alex Gans, Dale Miller, Larry Milliken, Gail Neldon and Molly Rutta Stan Rothman, Jay Schectman, Anne Silverman & Irwin Wolfson In addition, two positions are designated on the Federation Board of Trustees: David Fallk, Esq...... Chairman, Community Relations Committee Dr. Joel and Leah Laury...... 2018 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, 2017. 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 Sandra Alfonsi, Phyllis Barax, Rhonda Fallk, Shlomo Fink, Susan Jacobson, Paula Kane, Dan Marcus, Ann Monsky, Barbara Nivert, Filmore Rosenstein, Eugene Schneider and Ben Schnessel, Esq.