Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Norwich, CT 06360 Permit #329

Serving The Jewish Communities of Eastern Connecticut & Western R.I. CHANGE SERVICE RETURN TO: 28 Channing St., New London, CT 06320 REQUESTED

VOL. XLV NO. 19 PUBLISHED BI-WEEKLY OCTOBER 11, 2019/12 TISHRI 5780 NEXT DEADLINE OCT. 18, 2019 16 PAGES

HOW TO REACH US - PHONE 860-442-8062 • FAX 860-540-1475 • EMAIL [email protected] • BY MAIL: 28 CHANNING STREET, NEW LONDON, CT 06320 Local Jewish Pizza, Pasta & Party teen stars as with Tal & Roi Many people have asked recently if the Jewish Federation will be Anne Frank having its Harvest Supper and Emissary Welcome. We will absolutely be having our Emissary Welcome however, in this year of changes, in- WATERFORDrama, the drama club stead of the Harvest Supper we will have an evening of Pizza, Pasta and at Waterford High School, is proud to Party with the Young Emissaries. Mark your calendars for Thursday, present The Diary of Anne Frank. The Nov. 7 beginning at 6pm at Temple Emanu-El in Waterford. shows will take place Thursday-Sat- We will have salad along with the pizza and pasta and a gluten free urday, October 17 -19 at 7:00pm in alternative. And back by popular demand will be our traditional Har- the Waterford High School Audito- vest Supper Apple Cider and Cider Donuts for dessert and a few other rium. surprises. The show, which kicks off WA- th Some of you may have already met Tal and Roi so come join us for TERFORDrama’s 16 season, features an evening to get to know them even better. If you’ve not yet met them, Amanda Rowe as Anne Frank, David don’t miss this evening for a “Meet and Greet.” Sugrue as Mr. Frank, Nina Pezzello as Amanda Rowe portrays Anne Frank and Jack Lange portrays Admission for this fun evening is $15 per adult 13 and up; $5 per Mrs. Frank, Madison Gates as Margot Peter Van Daan in WATERFORDrama’s THE DIARY OF ANNE children 5-12, free for kids under 5; $45 maximum for families of 4 or Frank, Jack Lange as Peter Van Daan, FRANK, Oct. 17-19, 7:00 pm in the auditorium of Waterford more. Payment in advance would be appreciated. Make checks payable Jameson Kelly as Mr. Van Daan, Alicia High School. to JFEC and remit to 28 Channing St., New London, CT 06320. Hensley a Mrs. Van Daan, Justin Wujte- To help us have the right amount of food, please let us know you wicz as Mr. Dussel, Liam Ward as Mr. Kraler and Julie Anne Frank was discovered in hiding and it is dis- Friday, Nov. 1 at Morrison as Miep Gies. heartening to see that in recent years anti-Semitism 860-442-8062 or [email protected] Looking forward to seeing every- and hate crimes continue to grow. I think it is so The Diary of Anne Frank is a stage adaptation of onewill there!be attending by contacting Mimi at the office by the book Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. Anne important to keep having conversations about so- Frank’s writings chronicle both her time in hiding cial justice and activism and to inspire our young during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands and people to remember that their voices matter and also her hopes and dreams for the future. Though they have the power to create positive change. This Anne died in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp show – and Anne’s story – does just that.” in 1945, her diary survived and was published by People in need find help her father. The book has sold over 30 million copies How to get your tickets and has been translated into 70 languages. Tickets for The Diary of Anne Frank are on sale “We live in a world in which the passion and pow- during school hours at Waterford High School. Re- er of youth activism is growing while at the same served seating tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for time, division and hatred are also sadly on the rise. I students if purchased in advance or $15 for adults believe that Anne’s story – and it’s incredible legacy and $10 for students if purchased at the door. For – is such an important reminder about the positive more information or to reserve tickets please call impact we can have on others,” said Shane Valle, WA- 860-437-6956 x. 7407. TERFORDrama Director. “It has been 75 years since LOCAL CONT. ON PG 13 Central Europe Jewish

Heritage Tour #Get on the Bus Tal Amar and Roi Refaeli, this year’s Young Emissaries. The Jewish Heritage Tour: Bu- its to their ancestral cities. -- Stockbridge -- dapest, Krakow, & Prague, May We begin in Budapest with a 4-14, 2020 will be led by the Jew- visit to the UNESCO world Heri- Oct. 27 -- see pages ish Federation’s Executive Direc- tage sites of the banks of the Dan- 2 and 3 for details tor, Carin Savel and Jerry Fischer. ube, the Chain Bridge, and Hun- Your gift will be matched Ashkenazic Jewish culture is garian Parliament. one of three post-Exilic Jewish The next day we visit the Charter Oak Federal Credit It’s simple – Charter Oak gives civilizations. Some say it was and Dohany Street Synagogue, with Union (COFCU) will match all back because it is part of the is the dominant Jewish culture of its Raoul Wallenberg Memorial #Get on the Bus foundation from which credit the modern world. Park, and Jewish Museum, and you make between now and unions were built on… people We will visit three cities where then visit the Pava Street Syna- -- Auschwitz -- Wednesday,qualified charitable November donations27, 2019. helping people – and it is proud that culture thrived, and visit gogue with its new Holocaust Charter Oak is committed to to offer its members the opportu- two places, Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Centre. Dec. 22 -- see pages giving back to charitable entities nity to maximize their charitable and Theresienstadt, where that On our third day we will a visit 3 and 4 for details donations through its Matching culture was destroyed. In the the UNESCO sites of Andrassy Av- well as charities elsewhere that Gifts Program. process we will also share with arewithin meaningful its field of to membership, its members. as members of our community, vis- CENTRAL CONT. ON PG 13 GIFTS CONT. ON PG 13 2 THE JEWISH LEADER, October 11, 2019 Celebrate Sukkot and #Get On The Bus Shabbat at Beth Jacob JOIN HADASSAH & THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF EASTERN CT ON SUNDAY, OCT. 27, 2019 TO ENJOY GREAT ART & GREAT FOOD The entire Jewish com- munity is cordially invited to celebrate Sukkot and Shabbat at Beth Jacob Syna- Norman Rockwell Museum gogue, Friday, October 18, & Red Lion Inn 2019, at 6:00 p.m. as we welcome our newest East- ern Connecticut Young Em- Enjoy luxury bus ride, boxed lunch, issaries, Tal Amar and Roi Refaeli to Norwich. and exhibit tickets — Join our Beth Jacob Com- $75 per person

Dinner of the New Year. The costmunity is $15 for ourper firstadult; Shabbat $8 for Followed by dinner on your own children under 10, and free at the iconic Red Lion Inn for children under 5. (Choice of 3 entrees - includes Please contact Barbara at the synagogue by Mon- appetizer, entrée, dessert, tax & tip) day, Oct. 14, to let her know your attendance plans so enough food can be pre- Depart at 10:30 AM 860-886-2459 or bethja- New London Shopping Young Emissaries Tal Amar and Roi [email protected]. Synagogue. office: Refaeli. Center Parking Lot near Town Fair Tire, Candle Lighting for Eastern CT area 282 South Frontage Road, Friday, Oct. 11 • 5:55 pm New London & at Friday, Oct. 18 • 5:44 pm 11 AM Commuter Parking Lot across from the Holiday Friday, Oct. 25 • 5:34 pm Inn, 10 Laura Blvd., Norwich Call Mimi Perl at 860-442-8062 at the JFEC Friday, Nov. 1 • 5:25 pm to reserve your seat, dinner, and for PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF PICK UP LOCATION IN NORWICH. updated details by Mon, Oct. 21. A Joint Program of

National Award Winner of the Council of Jewish of Jewish Federations as the Outstand- ing Small Cities Jewish newspaper. Published every other Friday for the dissemination of Jewish news and views by the Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut, 28 Channing Street, New London, CT 06320, 860-442-8062. Managing Editor...... Mimi Perl Layout Editor...... Jen Gault Social Editor...... Freida Katz President ...... Romana Strochlitz Primus Executive Director...... Carin Savel Mailing Volunteers...... Mimi & Milt Seed, Marlene Siegel ...... Gerald & Marilyn Rubin Advertising: Call Mimi Perl 860-442-8062 or [email protected]. Advertising Deadline: Wednesday, October 16 for October 25 issue. Editorial Content: Preferred receipt of editorial material is via email to [email protected]. Photo(s) submitted via email should be separate attachment(s) from article. Preferred photo format is a .jpg format; resolution should be a minimum of 200 dpi. Material sent via fax [860-540-1475] or first class mail [28 Channing St., New London, CT 06320] should be typed/double spaced or neatly printed. If you submit a hard copy of a photo and wish the photo returned, include a stamped, self- addressed envelope. Editorial Deadline: Friday, October 18 for October 25 issue. Printing: The Gazette Press, Northhampton, MA Postmaster: Send address changes to Jewish Leader, 28 Channing St., New London, CT 06320 THE JEWISH LEADER, October 11, 2019 3 Community Simchat Get on the Bus – 2 exciting trips Torah Celebration Hadassah and the Jewish Federation are excited to announce two Sunday, October 20, 6:30 at exciting trips for October 27 and December 22. Look on pages 2 -4 for Beth Jacob Synagogue The Sunday, October 27 trip FALL IN STOCKBRIDGE replaces the Museumflyers of each of Jewish of these Heritage excursions. trip AUSCHWITZ. NOT LONG AGO. NOT This year Congregation Beth El of New London, Temple Emanu- FAR AWAY. which has been rescheduled to Sunday, December 22. El of Waterford, Temple Bnai Israel of Willimantic, Ahavath Achim of FALL IN STOCKBRIDGE will be a special trip to the Berkshires Colchester, and Beth Jacob Synagogue of Norwich will come together where we may catch some late color on our way to tour the Norman for a joint Simchat Torah celebration to be held at Beth Jacob Syna- Rockwell Museum and then proceed to the iconic Red Lion Inn for and gogue (400 New London Turnpike, Norwich) on Sunday, October 20 early dinner. While best known as an illustrator for the Saturday Eve- at 6:30 p.m. Melrod Congregations will be bringing their Torah scrolls to this commu- chronicled the details and humor of everyday life and culture in Amer- nity event for the traditional hakafot (Torah processionals). icaning as Post, well Rockwellas the great was movements much more: of awar, prolific civil rights,painter space whose explora works- To add a special personal note to the festivities, we are inviting all Lecture tion, and world peace. those who want to participate to select a favorite verse from some- at Connecticut A deluxe motor coach will depart locations in New London and where in the Chumash (The Five Books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Le- Norwich starting at 10:30 AM. Please note that there is a change in the viticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). Perhaps you have a verse from College departure location in Norwich. The bus will pick up in the commuter your Bar or Bat Mitzvah Torah portion. Maybe you have a particular James L. Young, Distinguished lot across from the Holiday Inn, 10 Laura Blvd. Tickets are $75 and story in the Bible, and you want to pick out one verse from it. If you University Professor of English include the motor coach, a boxed lunch on the bus, and exhibit tickets. have any questions talk to your Rabbi so that she/ he can identify it in and Judaic Studies Emeritus, and Following the museum tour, the bus will drive the group over to the Torah for that evening. Founding Director of the Insti- the Red Lion Inn for a chance to browse through their gift shop and Send your submission, “chapter and verse”, to your congregational tute for Holocaust, Genocide, and freshen up before we enjoy an early dinner in the inn’s dining room rabbi. We will then compile a list of “personal favorites” and partici- Memory Studies at UMass Am- on your own. pants will be invited to read or chant their verse aloud – in English or herst, will give the 2019 Melrod Due to the expected number of people signing up for this trip, the in Hebrew – as part of our communal celebration. Singing and danc- Lecture at Connecticut College on Red Lion has restricted us to three entrees -- prime rib ($58), roasted ing and of course refreshments will make up this fun evening. Thursday, Oct. 17 at 4:30 in Zachs turkey ($48), or vegetarian ($48) options. Each meal will include, ap- Hillel House, Connecticut College. petizer, entree, and dessert along with tax and tip. We should be home In this slide-lecture based on between 9-9:30 PM. Call Mimi at the Federation – 860-442-8062 – before Monday, Octo- his most recent book, The Stages ber 21 to reserve your seat and for any updated information. of Memory: Reflections on Me- AUSCHWITZ. NOT LONG AGO. NOT FAR AWAY. arrived in New morial Art, Loss, and the Spaces York City after the exhibition completed a successful run at Madrid’s Between, James Young will trace Arte Canal Exhibition Centre, where it was extended two times, drew what he calls an “arc of memo- more than 600,000 visitors, and was one of the most visited exhibi- rial vernacular” from Maya Lin’s tions in Europe last year. The exhibition explores the dual identity of Vietnam Veterans Memorial, to the camp as a physical location—the largest documented mass mur- Germany’s Holocaust counter- der site in human history—and as a symbol of the borderless manifes- monuments, to Berlin’s Denkmal tation of hatred and human barbarity. for Europe’s Murdered Jews, to A deluxe motor coach will depart the New London Shopping Center the 9/11 Memorial in NYC. His near Town Fair Tire, 282 South Frontage Road, New London, promptly at 9:30 AM. We should be home around 9:30 PM. on his experiences as a juror for Lunch will be on your own before touring the exhibit. Following bothtalk willBerlin’s also includeDenkmal reflections and the 9/11 Memorial competition. shadow of the Statue of Liberty which is across the river from the Mu- seumthe tour, on Elliswe will Island. gather Hadassah and light member, the first Carol candle Curland of Chanukah said, “There in the is Hadassah “Wear Pink” October 20 no better way to commemorate the tragedy and triumph of the Jewish Invitations have gone Our guest speaker will be Chanukah candle.” out to Members and As- Courtney Studwell, a licensed experienceTickets arethan $75 to visitand includethe Auschwitz luxury Exhibitbus ride, and exhibit then lighttickets the and first a sociates of Hadassah of Genetic Counselor. She will speak healthy snack on the ride home. Eastern Connecticut for on “Your Jewish “Genes” and How Call Mimi at 860-442-8062 to reserve your seat no later than Fri- “Wear Pink” happening They Fit.” Courtney Studwell day, December 13. on Sunday October 20 works at Brigham and Women’s at Langley’s in Water- Hospital in Boston, MA where she ford, beginning at 9:30 splits her time between counsel- am. This signature event ing patients in the Center for Fe- includes a dairy brunch tal Medicine and helping to facili- and the opportunity to tate the development, launch and Since 1919 Southeastern Connecticut’s Oldest and Most Respected Jewelers bid on a wealth of pink- management of new genetic test- Diamonds ❖ Watches ❖ Crystal themed gift baskets and ing platforms in the laboratory. Fine Contemporary & Antique Jewelry some special prizes. All are welcome to attend: Custom Jewelry Design ❖ Expert Jewelry & Watch Repair October is Breast Hadassah members, Associates, Estate Jewelry Bought & Sold Cancer Awareness guests, and the general public. Month, and Hadassah Mark your calendar now for an 44726 remains at the forefront occasion not to be missed: Please of research and treat- respond by October 12. For more 262 Boston Post Road • Utopia Centre ment of this cancer, which has a genetic link to women of Ashkenazi information, call Faye Ringel at Waterford, CT • (860) 442-4391 Jewish ancestry. Funds raised through this event are earmarked for 860-608-3494. Monday - Thursday 10:00-6:00 ❖ Friday 10:00-7:00 ❖ Saturday 10:00-4:00 the Hadassah Medical Organization. 4 THE JEWISH LEADER, October 11, 2019 The Forgotten Kingdom GAMES 1936, Berlin. When Jewish - Sand Stories - athlete Helene Mayer is selected On November 1, 7:30 pm at Evans Hall on the campus of Connecti- Ottoman villages to bustling for the Nazis’ Olympic Squad, she cut College International sand art superstar Kseniya Simonova (US Mediterranean ports like premiere) and Guy Mendilow Ensemble team up on an extraordinary Salónica circa 1944. The En- more than gold. Based on a true realizes she is fighting for much show bringing to life Sephardi women’s voices and stories lost to war. semble adds a sweeping, cine- story, GAMES is a cautionary tale Simonova creates, morphs and obliterates sand imagery in real-time, matographic score drawing on for our times. traditional tunes, techniques, A multi-award-winning, sell- and radio-drama-style storytelling. For tickets and information call and tales but in elegant ar- out success, the show won the 860-439-2787crafting a flowing or visitnarrative [email protected]. driven by the Ensemble’s evocative music rangements and with radical Adelaide Fringe Weekly Award Weaving together early 20th-century women’s songs from Sep- reframing. The bittersweet and received an astonishing 14, hardic enclaves of the former Ottoman Empire, the show evokes a pan- rawness of Tango, gorgeous - orama of the unraveling of an older Mediterranean world — not with vocal harmonies and the rhyth- inburgh where it was called: “Breathtaking and powerful, Henry Nay- five and four-star reviews in Ed the distant textbook hindsight we have today, but with the visceral - lor’s GAMES is sharp, funny and poignant, a must see.” EdFest Maga- experience of ordinary people caught in the extraordinary upheaval, - zine; “A truly genius piece of writing.” Voice Mag. unaware of how the dots will connect. alitymic fireof Western of classical classical Arabic music. per GAMES is playing at the SoHo Playhouse, 15 Vandam St. in New Audiences traverse breathtaking landscapes of sand, from ruined cussion intensifies the emotion York now through November 24. Go to their website for dates, times, and ticket prices -- https://www.sohoplayhouse.com/soho-play- house-events. Temple Emanu-El Community Tag Sale

Temple Emanu-El is holding a Community Tag Sale on October 27, 2019 from 12 noon to 3:30 p.m. The sale will be held in the temple parking lot located at 29 Dayton Rd. in Waterford. To participate $40 will get you a parking lot space, table and two chairs or if you want to bring your own table and chairs the cost is only $36 for a parking lot space. There will also be a BBQ Lunch and bakes sale held in conjunction with the tag sale. If the day turns out to be rainy, the tag sale will move #GET ON THE BUS inside. JOIN HADASSAH & THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF EASTERN CT The deadline to reserve your space is October 6. Please contact Deb Linder at [email protected] with the following infor- ON SUN., DEC. 22 FOR THIS EXTRAORDINARY EXHIBIT mation: Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away. arrived in New York City after the 1. Name: 2. Email and physical street address: exhibition completed a successful run at Madrid’s Arte Canal Exhibition Centre, 3. Phone number: where it was extended two times, drew more than 600,000 visitors, and was one of 4. Number of Parking Spaces: the most visited exhibitions in Europe last year. The exhibition explores the dual 5. Payment Amount (Check): identity of the camp as a physical location—the largest documented mass murder 6. List of Items for Sale: site in human history—and as a symbol of the borderless manifestation of hatred Call Deb Linder, Fundraising Coordinator at 860 877-4255 to and human barbarity. schedule time to drop off check payment. Check Payment to: “TEMPLE EMANU-EL” “Re Line:2019 TAG SALE” No returns will be permitted so no electronic equipment to be sold A deluxe motor coach will depart unless buyer signs acknowledgment of no return policy. the New London Shopping Center, 282 South Frontage Road, RETIRED & SENIOR VOLUNTEER New London, near Town Fair Tire PROGRAM promptly at 9:30 AM. SANTA BOOT DRIVE Lunch will be on your own before RSVP Volunteers distribute the exhibit. Tickets are $75 and winter boots to children include luxury bus ride, exhibit referred by schools & social tickets and a healthy snack on the workers throughout ride home. New London County. Call Mimi at 860-442-8062 to Call Georgia James, RSVP Coordinator reserve your seat by Fri., Dec. 13. at 860-425-6617 for more information. Donations of new boots or checks accepted A Joint Program of through mid-December. Make checks payable to TVCCA-RSVP and remit to 83 Huntington St., New London, CT 06320 THE JEWISH LEADER, October 11, 2019 5 JFACT advocates Israel Is Quietly Rooting for all of us for Egypt’s Sisi By Lily Galili, Middle East Eye-UK Israeli politicians are playing down the outbreak of protests against By Michael Bloom Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, yet there is deep concern The Jewish Federation Association of Connecticut (JFACT) ad- about the future of a man often labelled as “the most pro-Israeli Egyp- vocates for the seven Connecticut Jewish Federations and their tian leader ever.” Israelis also recognize that any expression of concern Jewish Service Agencies across Connecticut. JFACT lobbies city, to that effect is bound to do Sisi more harm than good. state and federal governments for legislation that affects Con- “I certainly hope Sisi survives this round of protests,” said Zvi Ma- necticut’s Jewish community and Israel. JFACT is a community relations extension of the Connecticut research fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS). Jewish Federations and works in collaboration with a variety of Undergen, a Sisi, former military Israeli cooperation military intelligence with Israel officer in Sinai and has now reached a senior un- precedented levels, with both countries identifying Islamic State- and al-Qaeda-linked militants as a common threat. While Egyptian forces interfaith and secular nonprofit organizations. year JFACT had. In the past year, JFACT’s advocacy has directly led are waging the war there on the ground, Israel is providing crucial in- As 5779 came to a close, I wanted to reflect on the tremendous to securing tens of millions of dollars for Jewish institutions and telligence. built relationships with statewide organizations. Efraim Halevy, the former head of Israel’s Mossad, noted, “The se- help us reach our goal of raising curity of Egypt and its political system - certainly now the security of Legislative Victories President Sisi - are a vital security interest for Israel. Egypt has the • JFACT led the effort to secure $25 million to increase security at $30,000 by the end of October. JFACT is deeply grateful for largest population in the Arab world and a long border with Israel and various institutions$5 million for Houses of Worship, $10 million for Sinai.” schools - $1 million of which will be dedicated to private schools. your past support. We hope you • JFACT secured $66,000 which will go to several Jewish and Refu- gee organizations around the state to run Citizenship classes. and perhaps consider joining us Lessons from the U.S. will confirm your contribution • Helped pass legislation which mandates Black and Latino studies at our Night at The Theatre Event. in all schools across Connecticut. You can purchase tickets by call- Withdrawal in Syria • Convened a meeting with 50 Jewish leaders from across the state ing 860-727-5770. Of course, any gift you make is appreciated. Dr. Jonathan Spyer, Israel Hayom and United States Senator Chris Murphy to discuss his April trip to the If a Turkish invasion of Kurdish-controlled northeast Syria is Middle East. To donate online, please go to http://jfact.org/support-jfact/. launched, this will likely deliver the area into the hands of the Assad regime and its Iranian allies. The Syrian Kurds, if faced with a choice Community Relations • Led an Interfaith Civil Rights mission to Alabama with the Hart- Michael Bloom is the Executive Director of the Jewish Federation ford Jewish Federation and two churches from Hartford. allbetween independent Assad or Kurdish the Sunni political jihadi andforces cultural currently activity, fighting but under they willthe Association of Connecticut. • JFACT was honored by the Urban League of Southern CT for our notTurkish carry flag, out wholesale will choose ethnic Assad. cleansing He and of the Kurdish Iranians populations. will suppress The work on the Black and Latino studies mandate bill. Turks and their Sunni Islamist allies cleansed 200,000 Kurds from • Held a wonderful event at the CT Historical Society with 4 Jewish their homes in the Afrin Kurdish enclave, which Turkey destroyed in Federations, NAACP, Urban League of Southern CT and the ADL in sup- Every gift makes January 2018. port of the Black and Latino studies legislation. The U.S. is not interested in heading an alliance of regional forces • JFACT convened a meeting with the Governor with leaders of the a difference. against Iranian expansionism or Sunni political Islam. Rather, it is in Muslim and Jewish community to discuss our shared concerns around the business of managing imperial decline. security and the rise in hate in our state and country. Get involved. • Held Legislative Breakfasts with local legislators and the Stam- The writer is director of the Middle East Center for Reporting and ford Federation, Hartford Federation and New Haven Federation. Donate. Analysis. Your support would be appreciated We have lots in store this coming year, but we will not be able to Volunteer. yourself. As you may know JFACT Fund, a 501c3 organization, was es- It’s what being tablishedfulfill our yearsmission ago without to accept generous tax deductible contributions contributions from donors to support like Jewish feels like. JFACT’s educational and community outreach programming. Please

Energy Saving Windows & Doors! ORDER FACTORY DIRECT! Vinyl Replacement & New Construction Windows Storm Windows & Commercial Aluminum Chuck and Romana Primus, Owners Professional Installation Available ~ Duralite warm edge spacer stays warmer and keeps you cozy. 860.848.9258 ~ When you’re cozy you save energy and money! ~ Saving energy is also good for the environment. CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE ~ Stay comfortable and keep moisture out. www.alltimemfg.com ~ Duralite glass space is the best in the industry! Come in! We’d like to meet you! Since 1946 475 Broad St., New London CT • 860-443-CITY 6 THE JEWISH LEADER, October 11, 2019 What it’s like to grow up as a Jew in Iraq

By Ben Sales, JTA mother and her parents had a meeting with the principal. Soon after The Jewish community in Iraq they moved homes and she switched schools. Following the episode, dates back millennia, and the her parents did not talk with her about Israel or Judaism. principal edition of the Talmud taking.When Ceen Gabbai argued with her first-grade teacher about the Gabbai has had a dangerous life. Born a Jew under an Iraqi dicta- originated in study halls in what Palestinian-IsraeliThe year was 2000 conflict, and students she didn’t across realize the how world big held of a riskstrong she opin was- torship, she endured constant anti-Semitism from a young age, then then was known as Babylon. ions about the Second Intifada, an outbreak of violence that claimed survived the American invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the years of war Jews held prominent positions in thousands of lives and began in September of that year. But Gabbai’s that followed. government and business until situation was different: She was one of the few Jewish students in Sad- In 2015, Gabbai received asylum in the United States. She is now the 1930s, and there were some dam Hussein’s Iraq. Standing up for Israel in a Baghdad elementary living in an Orthodox neighborhood in Brooklyn, raising a child, teach- 150,000 Jews in Iraq before the school was not an advisable move. ing elementary school and writing children’s literature. She does not State of Israel was established in “Saddam was all crazy about Palestine,” she told the Jewish Tele- look back fondly on the hardships she endured, but feels they taught 1948. graphic Agency. “I go to school and they’re talking about what a hor- her to persevere no matter the situation. But conditions deteriorated in rible thing that is and how Israel was horrible. And I go and I’m like, ‘I “I was born as an Arab Jew for a reason: to take this thing — the fact 1941, when Iraqis attacked their think that’s a lie.’” that I’m an Arab Jew — and make the best out of it and be good at it,” she said. “That’s what I do, be good at things that I’m in.” IRAQ CONT. ON PG 10

Gabbai was called to the school office, took a letter home to her  Israel in the Spring — March 8-19, 2020

Mission Highlights: 1. Encounters with Israelis, especially in our Partnership region of Afula and the Gilboa,  2. Visits to important archeological sites including Caesarea, Acre, Beit She’an, and the Western and Southern Walls of the Temple Mount  3. Curated visits to the Israel and Tel Aviv Museums, Kibbutz Ein Harod Museum, Yad V’Shem, Israel’s Museum and Monument to the Holocaust.  4. Home meal in a Druze village just outside of Haifa 5. Meal in an Ethiopian Absorption Center,  The Ancient City of Akko 6. Falafel at Golani Falafel in Afula, and a  7. Tasting tour of the Carmel Market in Tel Aviv.  8. Visit Masada, and if the weather allows, go for a swim in the Dead Sea.  9. A surprise or two!  Mission Pricing is $5,750 pp/dbl occupancy; Single Supplement is $1350 and  includes: R/T Airfare, four & fiveͲstar hotels, all breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 6 dinners,    tips for porterage at the hotels and meals included Yad V’Shem Pricing does not include transportation to and from US airport, tips to the driver, or trav- el insurance.  Mission Extension March 19Ͳ22 Options & Pricing: 1. Eilat/Wadi Rum/Petra (overnight Wadi Rum) is $1,495 pp dbl occupancy. Single supplement is $275. 2. Eilat with day trip to Petra is $1,100, single supplement $200. 3. Eilat only $750, single supplement $150. Transfer fees, guide and horse boy tips in Jordan are not included and must be paid in cash at the border. They total approx. $140.

Home hospitality in a Druze Village Contact Carin Savel at 860-442-8062 or [email protected] THE JEWISH LEADER, October 11, 2019 7 Jr Youth Group Sets Sail for Kick-off Realtor Corner By Marcia Reinhard, JFEC Ass’t Director Things Sellers should It was a usual Sunday morn- ON THE BAY ing. Or was it? Well, not exactly. not do Most Sunday mornings, Temple Emanu-El’s religious school By Geoff Hausmann starts at 9:30am. However, this - FOR ALL YOUR past Sunday morning, Oct. 6, the spections, then start the mortgage process and then it happens! This students and staff (including articleI work was hard written to find with the the perfect assistance home of KCM,for my with buyer their clients, permission. do inREAL ESTATE NEEDS the teen aides and Young Emis- Below is a list of Things You Shouldn’t Do After Applying for a saries) from the religious school Mortgage. Some may seem obvious, but some may not. arrived at 8am at the Crystal 1. Don’t Change Jobs or the Way You Are Paid at YourDirect: Job. Your 860 -443-4400 Cell: 860-625-5255 Mall to participate in the Safe Email: [email protected] Futures’ walk to show support nual income. If possible, you’ll want to avoid changing from salary to and raise funds for this amazing commissionloan officer mustor becoming be able self-employedto track the source during and this amount time as ofWebsite: well. your an www.CallTheHausmann.com organization. 2. Don’t Deposit Cash into Your Bank Accounts. Lenders needBlog: CTHouseMan.com Following the walk, the stu- to source your money, and cash is not really traceable. Before you de- dents and staff returned to Tem- posit any amount of cash into your accounts, discuss the proper way to ple Emanu-El for the last hour or so of religious school. Was 3. Don’t Make Any Large Purchases Like a New Car or Furniture that the end of their busy day? fordocument Your New your Home. transactions New debt with comes your withloan officer.it, including new monthly Not for the 5th through 8th graders who are active in our JFEC Com- ger sailboat for a two hour cruise. munity Junior Youth Group, some parents and even some of our teens. However, Mother Nature had oth- new debt have higher debt to income ratios…higher ratios make for Including myself, we had 26 people on our adventure. er plans for us that day. Instead of obligations. New obligations create new qualifications. People with At 12noon, following religious school, eleven 5th through 8th grad- a relaxing sail, we cruised mostly 4. Don’t Co-Sign Other Loans for Anyone. When you co-sign, you ers, four teens, eight adults, two Young Emissaries and I drove up to via the motor and stayed out areriskier obligated. loans…and As we sometimes mentioned, qualified with that borrowers obligation no comes longer higher qualify. ra- Mystic to Harbor Cruises and boarded The Mystic Pearl, a 28 passen- of the sound due to the intense tios as well. Even if you swear you will not be the one making the pay- winds and small craft ments, your lender will have to count the payments against you. advisory. We did get to 5. Don’t Change Bank Accounts. Remember, lenders need to have the sails up for a short time, thanks to consistency among your accounts. Before you even transfer any mon- Ryan, the First Mate and source and track assets. That task is significantly easier when there is a few of our teens and 6. Don’t Apply for New Credit. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a Roi, our Young Emissary. newey, talk credit to your card loan or aofficer. new car. When you have your credit report run Once we got back to mortgage, credit card, land, we walked through auto, etc.), your FICO® score will be affected. Lower credit scores can town and headed for determineby organizations your interest in multiple rate financial and maybe channels even (your eligibility for ap- Pizzetta, one of the best proval. Pizza restaurants in 7. Don’t Close Any Credit Accounts. Many clients erroneously be- Mystic and around East- lieve that having less available credit makes them less risky and more likely to be approved. Wrong. A major component of your score is your the day with ice cream length and depth of credit history (as opposed to just your payment fromern CT. The We Mystic finished Draw out- history) and your total usage of credit as a percentage of available bridge Ice Cream shop, credit. Closing accounts has a negative impact on both of those deter- also the best ice cream minants in your score. shop in Mystic at the Bottom Line very least. Any blip in income, assets, or credit should be reviewed and ex- Everyone had a ecuted in a way that ensures your home loan can still be approved. The great time and the best advice is to fully disclose and discuss your plans with your loan day proved to be a wonderful kick- guide you through the process. off to our year. It officerPlease before remember you do anything you can financialsearch for in nature.homes Theyat www.CallThe are there to- was exciting to see HouseMan.com. so many returning Do you have a question about real estate? Are you an Eversource faces and quite a Customer? How about getting an energy audit on me? few new ones. With Advice/responses will be made by Geoff Hausmann, RE/MAX on any luck, our Junior the Bay, 860-443-4400, Youth Group will be [email protected] as successful and as active as our high school group. Stay Snowbirds – Let us know tuned for infor- when you leave mation about our November event For Leader readers who travel south for the winter, coming out soon please contact the office – 860-442-8062 – and let us know in email and snail when you are leaving and your return date in the spring. mail. We are happy to have the paper follow you during your time away so you can keep up with the local Jewish news. 8 THE JEWISH LEADER, October 11, 2019 Reliving the massacre every minute: How Pittsburgh survivors are struggling a year later

By Ben Sales, JTA Every month, survivors of the Tree of Life shooting get a congregant who was killed and remembered as a As this city’s Jewish community celebrated Rosh together in a room to process their feelings. Many of them devoted grandfather, passionate baseball fan and en- Hashanah this week, the Tree of Life synagogue stood live next to each other in Squirrel Hill, and they can relax ergetic community volunteer. “That’s survivor’s guilt. closed, its doors blocked by a chain-link fence. and schmooze about everyday life. “I go through these scenarios in my mind, and I A brown, wilted wreath hung on a tree near the syna- At the meeting last week, however, the conversation think a lot of other victims do, too, about I could have gogue, where a gunman killed 11 worshippers last year turned to the mechanics of getting past October. Some done more, I could have saved people, why did this in the worst anti-Semitic attack in American history. survivors attended Rosh Hashanah services in the neigh- person choose to do x, y and z, why did they turn the Jewish stars bearing the names of the victims are taped borhood and will go to memorial events. Others will not, other way. And it’s part of the trauma, and it’s part of to a glass door at the front en- being human. You trance, behind a fence and un- carry those kinds of things with you.” Dor Hadash met makeshiftder an Israeli wooden flag andsign a onsign a for Rosh Hashanah barricadethanking firstnext to responders. the building A in the local Jewish reads “No day shall erase you community center, from the memory of time.” with survivors of the The synagogue is built to shooting in atten- welcome hundreds of Jews. dance but a new per- But the only person to enter son blowing the sho- regularly now is a custodian far. The usual shofar who maintains the building blower, Jerry Rabi- while the three congregations nowitz, was killed that meet there decide what in the attack. Daniel to do. Tree of Life has been Leger, who was in- shuttered since the attack. jured, will be speak- “I hope it’s torn down,” ing to the congrega- said Ellen Surloff, who was tion on Yom Kippur. president of one of the con- Surloff, the Dor gregations, the Reconstruc- Hadash president, tionist Dor Hadash, at the was not at the syna- time of the shooting. “I don’t gogue when the gun- think that I could ever go back man entered: She in that building and not be The doors of the Tree of Life synagogue feature memorials surrounding the building nearly a year after the attack was feeling sick and continually reminded of what there that killed 11 worshippers. (Grace Yagel) came late. She recalls took place there.” seeing a row of police Signs of the attack remain everywhere in Squirrel concerned that the communal prayers will be too painful. cars surrounding the building. Hill, the quiet, warm, tree-lined community that has One person decided to leave home and rent an Airbnb for When Surloff told a policewoman, “I have to go, been the home to Pittsburgh’s Jews for more than a cen- the weekend of Oct. 27 to avoid reporters who might come tury, and which otherwise feels idyllic as summer turns knocking. did not let her pass. The synagogue leader later found into fall. There have been signs of progress, too. One survivor outthat’s that my Rabinowitz, synagogue,” a themainstay officer ofgave the her congregation, a hug and Local businesses display a sign created shortly after had been killed. the attack that reads “Stronger than Hate” alongside a “Not only was he such an integral part and member yellow Star of David and blue and red diamonds — the didn’trealized feel that the 11 need months to constantly after the monitorattack, they those could who finally were of the congregation, but he was also a really important city’s traditional colors. The kosher supermarket hangs enteringrelax — aand little. exiting For the room.first time that year, the survivor part of the congregation at the time of the High Holi- a banner with the names of the 11 victims. The local “One of the people there had this aha moment and said, days,” Surloff said. “Jerry was in charge of the greeting Starbucks has three large hearts painted on its windows ‘I need to tell you all something: I am sitting with my back and ushering. You walk in the door and there was Jerry with the words “love,” “kindness” and “hope” painted in to the door,’” said Lulu Orr, the clinical specialist and care with his smiling face.” Hebrew and English on each one. navigator from the Jewish Family and Community Servic- Some community members and survivors said that es of Pittsburgh, who did not discuss the survivors’ per- amid the stream of commemorative events, logistical - sonal details in order to respect their privacy. “They’re the decisions and media interviews, they have not had ing’sAs survivors the first anniversaryand the rest of of the the Oct. community 27 attack are nears, just only ones who experienced what they experienced. They time to even begin processing the shooting. A few refer bearingtrying to up get has through become the especially High Holidays difficult. — theThe busiest shoot support each other. They laugh with each other.” to the day as “10/27,” giving it a name similar to 9/11. time of the Jewish calendar, when Jews are traditionally Beyond the circle of survivors, the congregations that Surloff said that the four months after that day called to account for their souls. were consumed with meetings on everything from in- move forward. - time, what to do,” said Rabbi Jeffrey Myers of Tree Of livedAs throughneeded, thethey shooting are training are also people figuring for outthe how ritual to ing thank-you notes to those who had reached out af- Life*Or“We’re L’Simcha figuring Congregation it out an hour at a at recent a time, news a day confer at a- chanting and prayers that used to be led by those who tersurance the shooting. claims to finding a new prayer space to writ ence organized by the community. were killed. Rabbi Jonathan Perlman, who leads the Con- “They’re all feeling anxious about the upcoming As the shooting began, Myers dialed 911 from his servative New Light Congregation and survived the attack, High Holidays, as well as the commemoration,” Orr of cellphone and then rushed to protect his congregants. composed a prayer in remembrance of the victims to be Jewish Family and Community Services said about the “I live with Oct. 27 every minute of every hour of ev- read during a section of the Yom Kippur service that com- attack survivors. “This past year has been very public, ery day, and I will for the rest of my life,” he said. “Each memorates Jewish martyrs throughout history. and they really believe that Oct. 28 of this year will be “Like all the others, he did not deserve to die,” Perl- happened into our beings, to move forward.” man said at the news conference speaking of Melvin Wax, of us finds the strength and courage to integrate what the first day of their grief journey.” THE JEWISH LEADER, October 11, 2019 9

Sukkot as a Model“serve the Eternal with forjoy!” And RebbeRenewed Nachman says 4. Sukkot Judaism is spiritual. The book of Ecclesiastes, “it is a great mitzvah to be joyful always.” Guilt, fear, and which is traditionally read on this holiday, asks us to sorrow all have their legitimate place, but from both a confront the most basic of existential questions: how do theological point of view and a practical “marketing” view, we lead joyous and meaningful lives when everything, they cannot be at the core of Jewish life. Joy should be. - 2. Sukkot is universalist. The sukkah is the place tice of Sukkot is a deeply spiritual practice of joyously, where guests, both spiritual and actual, gather. There is faithfullyincluding eachanswering individual that life,question. is fleeting? Renewed And theJudaism prac a tradition that the 70 sheep that were offered in the an- must address our deepest existential questions and cient Temple over the course of Sukkot were offerings for spiritual yearnings. the wellbeing of all the 70 nations that our ancestors con- I hope this season of renewal, culminating in Sukkot, sidered the whole of humanity. Young people are rightly will inspire us to renew Jewish life on the model of Suk- wary of solid walls dividing people from one another. kot: joyous, universal, environmentally conscious, and They’re not interested in ghettos or even in Jewish conti- deeply spiritual. nuity for its own sake. They’re proud of being Jewish but want Judaism to be their particular gift to the universal Rav Jeremy is the spiritual leader of Temple Bnai Israel human community as citizens of the world. A Judaism in Willimantic. By Rav Jeremy Schwartz that’s outward-looking, like the sukkah, is attractive and The Jewish world is changing. We hope, and ought to be directing our efforts at ensuring, that it’s renew- 3. Sukkot is an environmental holiday. It’s the most ing itself, as it has over and over through the centuries. physicalis fulfilling and the earthy Jewish of missionour holidays. of tikkun. The open-roofed suk- Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are days of spiritual kah, the prayers for rain, the green lulav, mytle, and wil- renewal that, in ancient times, were preparatory for low, the yellow and fragrant etrog, all remind us of our Sukkot. It seems to me that the holiday of Sukkot well connection to the earth and our dependence on its holy represents four characteristics of the renewed Judaism natural cycles. Our youth, Jewish and not, have been tak- sought by younger generations: ing to the streets because they understand that a return 1. Sukkot is joyful. In fact, in our prayers, it’s called to care for the earth is essential to their future. Sukkot re- “the season of our joy – z’man simhatenu.” Joy is an ex- minds us that Judaism views that caring relationship with cellent Jewish attitude, even a mitzvah. Psalm 100 says the earth as a holy and joyous one. Kickoff in Confined Quarters – Yachad BBYO

By Trevor Fornara we had no choice – it had to be done. cleaned, then covered in blankets to hide any fraying We were all ready. The plans were made, the date an- The night before kickoff, I went to Marcia’s house fabric. Bed sheets were hung from the ceiling to cut off nounced, and the anticipation was overwhelming. Our where the event would be held. She and I scouted the lo- the living space from the rest of the basement, and the cation, looking for the best room in which to run our ac- old TV set moved to the corner so we could add seating. weeks away, and the board was bracing for what we an- tivities. We landed on the basement, which was the only After 4 hours (plus an hour for dinner), we had the place ticipatedchapter’s to 6th be annual the best kickoff attended bonfire event was in only Yachad a couple history. of That is until we received a text from our advisor Marcia On the day of the event, Sept. 28, the board arrived Reinhard about the mosquitoes. Because of the threat of indoor/outdoorroom big enough carpet. to fit between The walls 20 wereand 25 bare teens. concrete, It was looking like a room at the Ocean House, fit for royalty. the EEE virus, we had to stay indoors around sunset. We anda half-finished wooden cross basement, beams madewith aup few the old ceilings. couches The and space an twenty-four teens, and there was only seating for nine had two weeks to redesign the event to be indoors. The hadn’t been utilized as a living area since Marcia’s kids whenearly toI left bring Marcia’s in additional the night seating. before. The As beanfinal bags,count yoga was (now well out of college) were in high school. so many years, so we weren’t sure how our members We went to work tidying up and vacuuming to re- began the other preparation. Marcia started chopping wouldbonfire respond had been to such this anbreak essential from parttradition. of the However,event for storing the room to its former glory. The couches were balls, and beach chairs slowly filled up the space, we BBYO CONT. ON PG 10 10 THE JEWISH LEADER, October 11, 2019

BBYO CONT. FROM PAGE 10 tomatoes for the taco bar, Hannah Linder took her position at the front door to welcome guests and direct them down- stairs, and I helped Ella- nora Lerner prepare for the night’s activities. Then everyone be- gan to arrive. It seemed

in the blink of an eye. I feltlike energy the room radiating was filled in the room, bouncing off

meeting space. We could the walls of our confined- son in that circle. We werenot have full fitand another excited per to Ceen Gabbai was born and raised as a Jew in Iraq, and received asylum in the United States in 2015. She welcome both our re- now lives in Brooklyn. (Courtesy of Gabbai) turning members and many new faces. IRAQ CONT. FROM PAGE 6 After piling into the Jewish neighbors in what is called the Farhud, a two-day pogrom in lum in the United States with the which some 180 Jews were killed. By the early 1950s, most Iraqi Jews help of HIAS, an American Jewish started the night with had left in an Israeli mass-emigration operation. refugee aid group. She now lives introductionsbasement, we and officially ice- “There’s a huge amount of nostalgia from Muslims and Christians amid Brooklyn’s Syrian Jewish breakers, including in those countries for the joint life that Jews and non-Jews shared in community and loves seeing the meeting our two new Israeli emissaries, Roi Refaeli and Tal Amar. Af- Arab countries,” said Elhanan Miller, a rabbi who interviewed Gab- things she missed out on — big, ter a few games that taught us about Jewish holidays and BBYO, as bai for a series he’s conducting with Jews from the Arab world. “[For happy Jewish families hanging an organization, and moving around the room, we headed upstairs Jews], it’s a mix of nostalgia and a lot of hurt.” out freely with their neighbors to enjoy a taco bar put together by the members of the board, with Gabbai said that though Iraqis purport to be opposed to Zionism and cousins. some help from Mike Reinhard. During dinner we spread out through- but tolerant of Jews, she never felt accepted for who she was. Teachers After coping with so much in out the upstairs, with teens ending up seated at multiple tables, and would give her a hard time in class despite her good grades. One even Iraq, she said the move has not gave her a copy of “Mein Kampf,” Adolf Hitler’s manifesto. been so hard on her . She said a by Havdalah and a high holidays program, two fantastic programs “It was hard being Jewish because I felt like, if you’re Jewish, you number of Americans have apol- fromeven oura few new in Vicea circle President on the ofliving Jewish room Heritage, floor. Dinner Ethan Novick.was followed These don’t really have anywhere to belong to,” she said. “Wherever you go, ogized to her for the Iraq War. brought us closer together as a chapter and got us thinking about the people ask you to leave. If you’re in the Middle East, people ask you to “I think it was OK for the most year ahead. After this we moved into a BBYO tradition, the business leave. In America, you have anti-Semitism. Wherever you go, people part,” she said of her move.”I meeting, which is an important part of our democratic process. During ask you to leave.” learned how to adapt with this meeting we voted on important motions including the adoption of Gabbai’s family hid their Judaism from friends and neighbors, let- change. Change wasn’t a shock our very own mission statement. After the action-packed meeting we ting others believe they were Christian or agnostic. When her peers for me.” ended the night with ice cream sundaes, along with whoopie pies pro- Gabbai now teaches fourth vided by member Gabrielle Zettler, and milled around saying L’hitraot grade and is a published chil- to our new and old friends. did“I find was out, always they saying,would mockgive meher. a While chance Gabbai to do wassomething growing bad up, andthe dren’s book author. Her work I’d like to offer a special thanks on behalf of the entire chapter to thenfamily hate had me,” to move she said. five times“I would because be OK of about anti-Semitic that, but harassment. don’t just hate focuses on upending stereotypes. Marcia and Mike Reinhard for hosting us and for all the hard work they me for no reason. … It was about me personally, about something I In one of her stories, a girl put into making this event such a huge success. We couldn’t have done don’t have a say in.” becomes a knight, but instead of it without them. There were bright spots. Gabbai was scared of telling one of her slaying a dragon, she realizes the For me, the build up to one of our events is the most enjoyable part. close friends, a devout Muslim, that she was Jewish. But when she did, dragon is nice and befriends it. There’s something about working behind the scenes to turn a concept the friend accepted her, and the two remain close (though Gabbai nev- “If the world tells you you’re into a reality that motivates me. Then the event hits and all that hard er revealed her religion to her friend’s parents). And soon before Gab- bad and you’re wrong, maybe the work pays off, just like I knew it would. The smiles on people’s faces, bai left, her friends recorded themselves in private singing “Hatikvah,” world is wrong,” she said. “Maybe the conversation and bursts of laughter in the air—it reminds me why Israel’s national anthem, as a way of telling her they loved her. you’re not the wrong one, maybe I volunteer my time for this organization. “I felt comfort in that because I knew they’re not using me as pro- they’re the wrong ones. Maybe Trevor Fornara is President of the 2019-20 BBYO Chapter Board. paganda,” she said. “They’re not being like, ‘Hey, we’re friends with a you should be proud of who you Trevor is a senior at Stonington High School with strong interests in Mu- Jew, we’re OK with a Jew.’ No, they were OK with me being Jewish, with are.” sic and Technology. This is Trevor’s third year on the board. me belonging to Israel in one way or another. So they did something for me. The fact that it was dangerous made it even more beautiful.” Along with anti-Semitism, Gabbai had to deal with another danger DVDs Available Affordable Advertising The Federation has just received a limited number of 30-min- from that time: huddling with her grandmother and family in a base- Competitive Rates while growing up: the Iraq War. She has a string of terrified memories ute DVDs of Jerry’s Retirement Dinner held on August 13. For those who didn’t attend or had to leave early, this DVD captures the building bombed out, and riding a taxi with her father as a bomb Call us for information ment during the American invasion, coming to school one day to find the highlights of the evening and provides a permanent memento blew up right in front of them. 860-442-8062 for those who are not on good terms with the internet. There is a “I don’t really remember much about that day,” she said. “I remem- nominal charge of $20 to purchase the DVD. To pick up a copy stop ber the glass from the window in the car all breaking, and I remember there was blood coming out of my dad’s head, and I think he fainted.” SUPPORT THE For those of you who want to view the event online, here is the As the war raged, Gabbai managed to get a bachelor’s degree in LEADER law at age 19, the youngest in her class. Soon after, she was given asy- linkin to on the uTube Federation -- https://youtu.be/sYgLTqiqOMM office M-Th 9-4:30 or Fridays 9-3. THE JEWISH LEADER, October 11, 2019 11 How My Visit to Auschwitz Made Me a Better Mom By Louise Scodie, Kveller possible that the effect will wear I’d suggest that the opposite is true: Being a better parent is an im- I recently visited Auschwitz. It was an experience so profound, so off as I tackle the exhausting portant way to bring about positive change in the world. We have the upsetting, and so mind-blowing that I still cannot quite process that I mom business of getting through valuable chance to raise a good human, a mensch who’s good to the was even there. I am still coming to terms with what I saw and learned each day. people around them. We can also lead by example, raising our own there and I will be for some time. Millions of innocent people But one thing I do know already: My visit to Auschwitz has made were murdered in the Holocaust. to our families and communities. me a better mother. Is it self-centered to think of your standards,I have my while child, influencing I have time, our children’s,and I have by freedom. contributing And positivelythat’s far Auschwitz is like no place I have ever been to before, and no place I own life, and to look at your own more than any Jewish person who was sent to Auschwitz had. After ever want to see again. I was there on a trip with my shul, and our tour response and behavior, after vis- what I saw in Poland, I feel a keen sense of responsibility as parent to guide, along with our rabbi and rebbetzin, did a remarkable job of tell- iting a site of mass destruction? try to make the best of what I have. - ers torn away from their children. A woman forced to give birth in ing us the gut-wrenching, horrific stories of those in the camps. Moth Astronaut Jessica Meir’s Lifelong families decimated in the most dehumanizing way. silence in a filthy latrine, only for her newborn to die instantly. Whole- Dream Just Came True der of children and babies. We also visited a mass grave in a haunting andIt desolate wasn’t just forest the just camp outside itself thethat city brought of Tarnow. home Hundredsthe horrific of murchil- By Chelsea Gohd, Space.com dren and babies were murdered there, shot dead by drunken Nazis Emirates. before their lives had a chance to begin. space on Sept. 25 to begin a six-month mission aboard the Internation- firstUnited astronaut Arab of Emiratesthe United astro Arab- Just typing that sentence brings tears to my eyes. Being in the al SpaceNASA Station. astronaut Meir Jessica lifted Meiroff from launched Kazakhstan on her in firstthe Soyuz journey MS-15 into naut Hazza Al Mansouri (left) and freezing forest where so many children were murdered was a viscer- spacecraft at 9:57 a.m. EDT (1357 GMT) alongside fellow astronauts Expedition 61 crewmates Oleg ally devastating experience. I wept at the site, and thinking of it still Skripochka (center) of Russia upsets me. Oleg Skripochka, a Russian cosmonaut. and Jessica Meir of NASA post for I grew up with knowledge of the chilling facts of the Holocaust — HazzaaThe spacecraftAli Almansoori, successfully the first docked United with Arab the Emirates space stationastronaut, at 3:42 and a crew portrait with their Soyuz as so many of us did — and I educated myself where I could. But as EDT (1942 GMT) much as I cried all the way through Schindler’s List, or cursed David this afternoon. Meir is ready to begin her Visiting the sites of each massacre brings home the inhumane and in- mission with Expedi- dustrialIrving while scale watching of the Holocaust. Denial, nothing The scale touches of the being genocide there first-hand.is so vast, tion 61/62, where she and the crimes committed so cruel, that you need to see the sites for will work on a variety yourself to begin to understand what happened. I was standing on - grounds where, just 80 years ago, children and babies screamed as gations and perform they were killed before being buried in mass graves. How could I not maintenanceof scientific on investi the be moved? ship alongside eight Throughout my two-day trip, I thought a lot about my 18-month- other astronauts on old daughter, Amber. That’s not my usual style when I’m away from the station. her. I really value my own space, and when we’re apart, I’m more than “I’m incredibly ex- happy to focus on myself for a change. But here I was, standing on the cited. It’s something bleakest of sites, where so many children had suffered unimaginable that I’ve been dream- torture. My mind went towards Amber instinctively and often. ing and thinking As I walked along Auschwitz’s foreboding train tracks, I conscious- about for my entire ly resolved to be a better mother. I knew that I would be free to walk life almost since I was 5 years old, so, still a children who went straight from these tracks to the gas chamber. I little bit surreal right realizedaway from that this I’d horrific always takenplace, ourbut freedommy mind for went granted, to the but mothers now I andun- now to imagine that derstood that I had to make the most of it — to make the most of the MS-15 spacecraft ahead of a Sept. time that Amber and I have together. Soyuz MS-15 launches for the International Space Station from the 25, 2019 launch. Things have been a little different since I returned home three Baikonurit’s finally Cosmodromecoming true,” inMeir Kazakhstan, told Space.com Wednesday, in the videoSept. 25,above. 2019. United Arab Emirates astro- weeks ago. I have been surprised by the renewed strength of feeling Soyuz MS-15 crew members Oleg Skripochka, Hazzaa AlMansoori naut Hazzaa Ali Almansoori (left) I’ve experienced for Amber — and that’s even as simple as wanting to and Jessica Meir wave from the base of their Soyuz-FG rocket prior to and Expedition 61 crewmates hold her more. When I drop her off at nursery school, I take longer to boarding the vehicle at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Oleg Skripochka (center) of Rus- say goodbye; I cling to her for a cuddle, while she pushes away from Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019. sia and Jessica Meir of NASA post me in a bid to get to the toys. Soyuz MS-15 crew members Oleg Skripochka, Hazzaa Ali Alman- for a crew portrait with their Being a working mom to a lively toddler is relentlessly hard work, soori and Jessica Meir wave from the base of their Soyuz-FG rocket Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft ahead of especially when the child in question starts to have tantrums. Of prior to boarding the vehicle at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakh- a Sept. 25, 2019 launch. stan on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019. “I think what I’m looking for- also noticed that I’ve had more patience and understanding. Only to- The arms of a mobile gantry close around the Soyuz rocket that will ward to the most is, as a scien- night,course Amber I’ve been had frustrated a huge screaming and angry tantrum when Amber at bath fights time me, — but appar I’ve- launch three Expedition 61 crewmembers to the International Space tist, understanding more about ently, she really wanted to bring her security blanket into the tub. Station, shortly after the rocket was erected on the pad at the Baikonur all of these different effects of But instead of shouting back and getting hugely annoyed as I usually Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. On Wednesday (Sept. 25), this rocket will would, I seemed to access a feeling of calm from somewhere as I got launch the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft with NASA astronaut Jessica Meir, environment, and participating on with the task at hand. It was a peace borne out of a deep-seated Russian cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka and Hazza Ali Almansouri, the asmicrogravity both an operator in the and spaceflight a subject appreciation that Amber and I are actually free to be together, even for a wide variety of investiga- when things are fractious. The arms of a mobile gantry close around the Soyuz rocket that will tions,” she added. “I’m also really In no way am I saying that I have now been transformed into the launchfirst astronaut three Expedition of the United 61 crewmembersArab Emirates. to the International Space looking forward to the potential perfect mother. But what I am is a more appreciative mother, and Station, shortly after the rocket was erected on the pad at the Baikonur to do a spacewalk since that’s re- that’s leading me to moments of more understanding and patience Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. On Wednesday (Sept. 25), this rocket will ally what I’ve always envisioned — and that’s no mean feat for somebody as impatient as I am. While launch the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft with NASA astronaut Jessica Meir, myself doing really my whole I hope that this feeling of renewed appreciation endures, I realize it’s Russian cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka and Hazza Ali Almansouri, the ASTRONAUT CONT. ON PG 12 12 THE JEWISH LEADER, October 11, 2019 Elevating Jewish Education in an Era of Hate By David Bryfman, eJewishPhilanthropy.com allowing Jewish identity and education to be dictated by ed on bathroom stalls, Jews being attacked while out for As the grandson of Holocaust survivors, I external forces like anti-Semitism, then we have no chance a leisurely walk, and even shootings in synagogues, many never thought I would have to write this ar- of long-term success. young Jews today do not feel like their lives are under im- ticle. mediate threat. As an optimistic Jewish educator, I never 3. Changing Time, Changing Realities. As the “lockdown generation,” they are more scared of wanted to write it. going to our schools than going to our shuls. As the new CEO of The Jewish Edu- Jewish teens repeatedly told us that the suggestion cation Project, I never dreamed I would that Jews are persecuted more than other minorities is have to write it. just wrong. They resent seeing Jewish persecution as But with anti-Semitic incidents on the any more important or salient than the persecution of rise, and particularly, in the aftermath of other minorities in our midst. the tragedies in Pittsburgh and Poway, GenZ Jewish teens are pained by historic Jewish Jewish educators and Jewish youth pro- suffering and feel connected to Judaism’s unique his- fessionals cannot ignore the changing tory, culture and tradition. They see our history as a climate here in America and around the calling for us to stand up as upstanders and ensure world. that “Never Again” means never again for us or any This, however, is not going to be an other human being. Finally, today’s Jewish youth are proud Jews and do photos of swastikas. It is, however, a call not see that as, in any way, contradictory to their com- toarticle Jewish filled educators with scaryand all numbers of those who and mitment to humanity and ensuring that they strive to care about Jewish youth to better under- make this world a better place. stand that, in this dark moment, we must I understand that people are alarmed and even remain true to the tenets of good edu- scared because of the recent uptick in anti-Semitic in- cational practice. I believe the following cidents in the United States and beyond. Jewish edu- educational principles, are more relevant cation cannot be a place sounding only alarm bells than ever. and modeling defensive posturing. It must be a bas- Editorials • Opinions Letters tion of deep commitment to core educational values 1. Fear is not a good pedagogy. that ensure the positive development of our students, I understand American Jews’ personal fears at children, and grandchildren. If Jewish educators and - educational institutions do this well amidst the rise of classrooms, youth groups, and summer camps is not go- adoxes, some of which manifest themselves in the very anti-Semitic hatred, the Jewish community will continue ingthis tomoment be an ineffective time. Yet, pedagogy filtering – these not inanxieties the short-term into our Today’s younger generations are filled with many par to thrive. and certainly not in the long-term. It is totally appropri- ate for Jewish educators to communicate to students that themselvestrends that definethat has them lead as some a generation. sociologists But toit islabel precisely them David Bryfman is CEO of The Jewish Education Project, they are aware and concerned about rising anti-Semitism. astheir “Plurals.” ability to fluidly move between different versions of conveners of the upcoming Jewish Futures Conference on However we cannot allow children to believe that their Over several years, The Jewish Education Project has December 4th in NYC titled, ‘Pride & Prejudice: Jewish Edu- world is so saturated with violence that it paralyzes them. uncovered many surprising trends in American Jewish cation’s Battle Amid Growing Anti-Semitism.’ For growth to occur, human beings must understand life. You might agree with them or vehemently disagree their threats, but more importantly be engrained with the with them – but as Jewish educators, ignoring these To explore the impact of anti-Semitism on Jewish edu- knowledge and skills to overcome threats. trends is to avoid the changing realities taking place be- cation, subscribe to The Thought Experiment with Malka fore our very eyes. Fleischmann, Director of Knowledge and Ideas for The Jew- 2. Intrinsic motivation trumps extrinsic motivation. ish Education Project. We all know that people are motivated to do certain today, included in our latest GenZ Now research include: things because of external societal pressures. Educators AmericanSome of these Jewish trends, teens specifically live in the amongst freest country many Jews and The views and opinions expressed in these ar- understand that at a certain point, short-term change for time that the world has ever known, and they do not be- ticles are those of the authors and do not neces- lieve that the world is out to get them. No matter how sarily reflect the views of the Jewish Leader or its motivation – the person has to want to change. If we start many times people tell them about swastikas being paint- publisher, the Jewish Federation of Eastern CT. a learner can only be solidified if it is linked to an intrinsic

ASTRONAUT CONT. FROM PAGE 11 More Lessons from the physiology experiments to combustion experiments to the second stage in progress! We can’t wait to welcome U.S. Withdrawal in Syria protein crystal growth. Really any type of science — you you onboard, crew of Soyuz 61! name it,” Meir said. She noted that the many experiments When asked about NASA’s Artemis program and how By Herb Keinon, Jerusalem Post she will work on will include an investigation of how The U.S. decision to remove its troops from northern Syria must be seen within the context of the Iranian-backed This research “will be pivotal for our longer duration she would feel about being the first woman on the moon, attacks last month on the Saudi oil facilities, and the deaf- missionsspaceflight in affects the future human when arteries. we return to the moon and ItMeir is time replied for usdefinitively: to go back “I to would the moon, absolutely and I thinklove to that be thewe ening lack of an American response. This is driving home to when we go to Mars,” Meir said. willfirst bewoman able toon do the that moon. in the That near would future be myand ideal I would mission. love Israel’s strategic planners that while the U.S. under a very NASA astronaut Christina Koch, who is on board the to be the one on that mission,” she said. friendly administration will support Israel at the UN; while space station, shared her excitement about the Soyuz crew Meir has a varied and accomplished history. Before it will offer assistance with aid for weapons; and while it launching to the station alongside a stunning photo of the this mission, she had earned a bachelor’s degree in biol- will give it moral backing and defend it against internation- journey as seen from space, on Twitter. “What it looks like ogy, a master’s in space studies and a doctorate in marine al pressure - when it comes to the use of force, Israel must from @Space_Station when your best friend achieves her biology. She has worked in human physiology research at be willing and ready to defend itself by itself. lifelong dream to go to space. Caught the second stage in Lockheed Martin’s Human Research Facility and partici- There was a long-held idea that in the Middle East, there progress! We can’t wait to welcome you onboard, crew of were things that the Americans would simply take care of. Soyuz 61!” she said. has also studied bar-headed geese, and has worked as an That may have been true once, but not lately. The Saudi and What it looks like from @Space_Station when your best aquanautpated in reduced-gravity at the NASA Extreme research Environment flights with Mission NASA. Meir Op- now Kurdish experience shouts: “Maybe yes, maybe no, but friend achieves her lifelong dream to go to space. Caught erations (NEEMO) analog mission. Israel cannot rely on this.” THE JEWISH LEADER, October 11, 2019 13

CENTRAL CONT. FROM PAGE 1 LOCAL CONT. FROM PAGE 1 Building, Anhalter Everything to know about and as assistant stage manager Bahnhof Station, Amanda Rowe for Steel Magnolias. Her original the Berlin Wall Me- Inspired by her older brother play A Timepiece of Mind was morial, Checkpoint Nathaniel, who has performed in selected among 186 submissions Charlie, and the a variety of roles for WATERFOR- and produced by Eugene O’Neill Memorial to the Drama, Amanda wanted to follow Theater Center for their 12th An- Murdered Jews of in his footsteps. She participated nual Young Playwrights Festival Europe. as a vocalist in community vari- on May 14, 2017. We will have ety shows like Temple Emanu- Amanda juggles her busy aca- the opportunity El’s annual Cabaret Night and as demic and arts schedule with her to attend Shabbat an actress in Clark Lane Middle commitments as treasurer of the services at the lo- School plays, not to mention the BBYO Yachad chapter, as a faculty cal Pestalozzistras- memorable children’s spiels at assistant at Temple Emanu-El’s se Synagogue and Purim. The drama club at Water- Religious School and as a mem- then enjoy Shabbat ford High School is known for its ber of Jewish Community High dinner with local professional quality productions. School. Beautiful Prague community mem- Prior to being cast as Anne Frank In her spare time, Amanda bers and represen- in this year’s fall play The Diary of enjoys creating original charac- enue and the Castle Quarter and The next day will be dedicated to tatives from JDC Anne Frank, Amanda has played ters, using digital art tools and Castle Hill, as well as several oth- the Jewish Quarter, rich and deep and The Jewish Agency. Silly Girl and Madame D’Arque in exploring the use of other media. er important sites. in its Synagogues, cemeteries, The cost for the Berlin exten- Beauty and the Beast and Gary Her passion is storytelling and We will overnight train to and monuments, to, among oth- sion: including transfer from Coleman in Avenue Q: School Edi- design. As she has an apprecia- Krakow, a city that was not de- Prague, 3 hotel nights, 2 touring tion. She has also performed as tion for science and math as well stroyed by bombing during WW We will travel for a day trip days, one dinner and departure a singer in WATERFORDrama’s as the arts, she is exploring ca- II. Upon our arrival we will tour toers, the Franz famous Kafka. “model camp” of transfer is $1,600 per person. 2018 Spotlight Cabaret and is a reer possibilities in STEAM disci- the UNESCO designated Historic Theresienstadt, made known Single supplement $375. member of her school’s chamber plines, such as industrial or prod- Center, the Wieliczka Salt Mine, through the collection of chil- choir. Behind the scenes, Amanda uct design, creative writing & and the Kazimierz Jewish district. dren’s poems, “I never saw an- has also served on stage crew illustration or digital animation. The next day we will tour the for A Midsummer Night’s Dream sites important to the Jewish We will return to Prague GIFTS CONT. FROM PAGE 1 past and history, including the forother a butterfly”.closing dinner and return Alt Synagogue, the Remuh Syna- to the States the next day, or, if After a number of Jewish COPY CATS gogue and Cemetery, and the for- you choose, go on to Berlin for a Federation donors let the Fed- Printing Services mer Krakow Ghetto area, as well three-day visit to that city and its eration know about the Charter as Oskar Schindler’s Factory. In famous Jewish Museum. Oak matching gifts program, we www.copycatsnl.com • 860-442-8424 the afternoon we will visit the Cost for the Mission is $5,735 cities of Sosnowiec and Bedzin, pp/double occupancy. Single we were not a religious organiza- How to Get Erdogan Off the the original homes of members supplement, $1,500. You book tionclarified and should with Charter therefore Oak qualify that of our community. your own airline tickets (this al- as a recipient of any matching Temple Mount in Jerusalem We will dedicate a day to vis- lows you to use your points or funds. Charter Oak agreed with iting Auschwitz-Birkenau where make personal additions to the us so beginning this year anyone By Nadav Shragai, Israel Hayom more than 1 million people were trip). who is a Charter Oak member can Tens of millions of dollars have been funneled from Turkey to murdered by the Nazis. And Carin will lead us on a 3-day request to have their donation to mosques, religious organizations, and dozens of projects in and where Sigmund Strochlitz and extension to Berlin, where we the Federation matched using the around the Old City of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount in recent Elie Wiesel were held and man- will embark on a tour of Berlin’s criteria below from their website. years. Turkey supplied the funds to refurbish the Muslim cemetery on aged to survive. major historical sites, including “We hope our Matching Gifts the eastern slope of the Temple Mount, to replace the crescent at the After an overnight trip to the world-famous Jewish Muse- program will inspire you to do- top of the Dome of the Rock, and to rebuild a storehouse of Ottoman Prague we will visit the UNESCO um designed by Daniel Libeskind, nate to your favorite 501(c)(3) documents on the Mount, among other projects. sites of the Prague Castle, the the Willi Brandt Museum, and the charity, so they will be able to Charles Bridge and the Old Town. Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag further their meaningful mission - to positively impact the world poseThe Turkey’s best way ties to to fight Hamas. Turkish For Presidentyears, Turkey Erdogan, has served who is as hostile a haven to we live in. Donations must be at forIsrael Hamas and tryingterrorists to buy and influence commanders, in Jerusalem, and terror is attacksto continue have to been ex least $25 and will be matched in initiated and directed from Turkish territory. Dozens of Hamas cells increments of $25 ($25, $50, $75, handled from Turkey have been exposed over the past few years. and $100, etc.); our credit union will match up to a maximum of AUTO | HOME | COMMERCIAL | MARINE $500 per member ending Nov. ON THE BAY 27, 2019.” Here is a link to Charter L E V I N E Oak’s Matching Gifts program

FOR ALL YOUR -- https://charteroak.org/con- INSURANCE GROUP, LLC tent/matching-gifts/. REAL ESTATE NEEDS Federation donors, please note that if you work for a com- ANDREW J. LEVINE Direct: 860-443-4400 Cell: 860-625-5255 pany that has a matching gifts Owner, Producer, 40+ Years Experience Email: [email protected] program don’t forget to submit the paperwork to match your an- 221 Boston Post Rd. 860-739-4444 Office Website: www.CallTheHouseman.com nual gift. Help make your contri- P.O. Box 339 860-739-6861 Fax Blog: CTHouseMan.com bution go even further in helping East Lyme, CT 06333 [email protected] to repair the world. Getty Images) Getty 25,2012.(Manfredtenbau Schmid/ cinemainVienna onOctober Eric Pleskow inGar (right)attends Gala the50thViennale Opening Oscars andforgot why they camein.” had toand I And theythe ambulance. call cameinandthey sawthe County,was Conn. “I short of breath afew theother night, weeks ago, said in a2014 interview with theJewish Historical Society of Fairfield than Demme.Hebroke offto co-found Orionin1978. Jona- and Allen Woody as such directors with working by profile its hired asanexecutive atUnited Artists’foreign department. after the war with reviving a film studio in Bavaria. From there he was pany, andwas later drafted into theU.S. Army, where hewas tasked ington Post. was blocks away from Sigmund Freud’s office, according to The Wash- city withhis family in1939 after the SShadseized their home, which With Wolves” “Dances (1990)and“SilenceoftheLambs”(1991). (1986), “Platoon” (1984), “Amadeus” film: top for winners 14 THEJEWISHLEADER, October11,2019 “I have“I afew Oscarsinmydangerous,” andthat’s apartment, he Pleskow rose to become president of the studio in 1973 and raised com- film a at worked briefly he City,York New in arriving After Pleskow was bornErich Pleskoff in Vienna in 1924. He escaped the Later, astheco-founder of Orion Pictures, heoversaw four more Obituaries peat for amovie studio. 1976 and 1977, respectively —anunprecedented three- Over theCuckoo’s Nest,”“Rocky” and “Annie in 1975, Hall” when ittook home the bestpicture Oscars forFlew “One picture seven 1.Hewas times,diedonOct. 95. executive whose movies won theAcademy Award for best producer ofOscar-winning Pleskow was thepresident of the United Artists studio film a become to Nazis the escaped who Pleskow, Eric Memorial Holocaust refugeeand Eric Pleskow, films, diesat95 By BenSales, JTABy Norwich CT06360 136 SachemStreet Fax 860-886-2396 860-889-2374

- US State Departmentin Washington.marked It the rarein instance Minister Khalid binAhmed Al Khalifa during an event hosted by the Dhabi. Abu of Later that month, he shared a photograph withBahrain’scity Foreign Gulf the to visit a during official Emirati senior earlyJuly,unnamed In an twice: met least he at officials Arab senior cuss apossibleUS-Israel MutualDefense pact. Trump,ald who hadsaidearlierhe intendedthat month last to dis the UNgathering andmeetonthesidelines with US President Don ateThe primeministermajority coalition. a to hadplanned attend Netanyahu,Benjamin who remained inIsraelas heseeks to negoti- interests. economic advancing in terror,and against fight the in cooperation with otherpartiesagainst eachother. ity againsteach other;and to eschewany or securityalliance military ter and internationallaw; to prevent hostilityor incitement to hostil- “friendly relationsand cooperation” in accordance the UNchar with ment inWashington onJuly 17,2019.(Courtesy) Ahmed Al-Khalifabin (R) posefor photograph a the State at Depart- gression pactforward, theTV report said. meetings” inNewYork to setupworking teams to take thenon-ag- the Iranian threat” andaprocess for boosting“civilian cooperation.” not have formal relations,and saidthey discussed “ways to dealwith unnamed counterpart from anArabcountry withwhich Israeldoes and theGulfstates face anincreasingly belligerent Iran. eration in a variety of fields, and no war or as incitement, both Israel workings isdesigned to provide for friendly bilateralrelations, coop- potentially the of existence groundbreaking initiative. the revealed first which 12, Channel gion andaround theworld,” hepledged. said. outgoing specialenvoy for the peace process, Katz Jason Greenblatt, sembly. He alsodiscussed the proposalthe USadministration’s with sidelines of theUnited NationsGeneralAs- during his visit to NewYorkweek last the at toed hisplan severalArab foreign ministers Palestinian conflictremains unresolved. with theJewish state as longthe Israeli- towilling diplomatic relations establishfull no Arabedgement that country is currently in whatappeared toacknowltacit bea - of peaceagreements,”the signing til he said, civilianenable cooperationand un- conflict wrote onTwitter. agreements’ withtheArabGulf states,” Katz initiativelomatic to sign‘non-aggression of the prime the backingminister, adip- tween Jerusalem andthosestates. démarche he said could end the conflict be- eralArab countries in theGulf,a“historic” vancingnon-aggression treatiessev with ad- been has he that confirmed 6 October FM confirmsinitiativetosign‘historic’ non-aggression pactwithArabstates Katz, whoKatz, is also intelligence minister, haspreviously metwith attendedKatz theGeneralAssembly of PrimeMinister onbehalf Among other elements, the TV report said, the draft text specifies The draftclauses reportedly includecommitmentsto develop Foreign Minister Israelhis Bahrainiand Katz counterpart Khalid agreedKatz Arabhis Gulf with interlocutors series of during “a On September 23, Katztweeted he that hadheldtalks with an The TVreport,which quote didnot source, a in the saidthedeal tweetKatz’s tolink includeda report a aired Saturday nightby tocontinue will “I workto strengthen Israel’sin therestanding - present- he that confirmed further Katz a historic“It’s moveend the will that “Recently Ihave beenpromoting, with Foreign Minister Israelon Sunday,Katz By RaphaelBy Ahren andTOI Staff, Times ofIsrael

- in NewYork City. (Johannes EISELE/AFP) 26,2019attheUnited NationsHeadquarters September 74th sessionoftheUnited NationsGeneral on Assembly Foreign Israel Minister Katzdelivers duringthe aspeech - - - states withinafew years. deals withmoderate SunniGulf realistic to expectformal peace we did withEgyptandJordan.” ments between ourcountries,as lead to thesigningof peace agree- this cooperationhope that will help Israelas well,” henoted. “I havecan that of capabilities lot a states,Gulf statesthe Gulf and technology, which canhelpthe innovation,agriculture andwater in many areas,hi-tech, including ian initiatives,” hesaid. developingin as many civil joint - against theIranian threat aswell security of field the in interests Gulf states, andwe have common Arab GulfStates. the ties, andnormalizationwith “has aclearpolicyto advance month, Katzstressed Israelthat ture andmedicine.” irrigation,and salination agricul- offer when itcomes to water de the time.“Israel alsohas a lotto should be expanded,” he said at Israel andtheGulfstates can and my“In cooperation view between transportnational conference. eled to Omanto attend an inter nior Israeli figure. licly documentedse meetinga pub is official Arab top a which In August, Katzsaid it wasIn August, “Israelof capabilities hasalot the with conflict no have“We theUNlast In hisspeech at NovemberIn trav 2018, Katz - - - - -

THE JEWISH LEADER, October 11, 2019 15 TEDDY WEINBERGER Leaving Givat Ze’ev © 2019, Teddy Weinberger

On Sunday Oct. 6, we left the only home we have known in Israel. consider major existential questions, questions that were originally supposed Twenty-two years after making aliyah, we have moved from Givat Ze’ev you are more than happy to let alone as you live your to go to an absorption to Herzliya. Our children, who were ages 3, 5, 7, 8, and 9 in the summer day-to-day life. For our part, we have been telling center. There was a strike of 1997, have all grown up and are starting to have children of their our friends that the main reason we are leaving is at the center and we were own. Given the fact that none of them sees their future in Givat Ze’ev, unable to go there, and it that we found ourselves being pulled emotionally to was recommended to us son to our oldest child Nathan and his wife Avia. benot with because a grandchild we are dissatisfied on a fairly with daily Givat basis. Ze’ev In this, but that we go directly to the we Whenare moving we told to bepeople close that to our we first are grandchild,moving from Noam, Givat 10-month-old Ze’ev to Her- by the way, we are well within normative Givat Ze’ev community we had picked zliya, many of them said something like: “You’re in for a big change.” practice. Givat Ze’ev is full of grandparents who take out, Givat Ze’ev, and try Givat Ze’ev is a relatively small suburb of Jerusalem located in “the oc- upon themselves huge child-care roles. All over the to manage real Israeli life right from the start. My cupied territories,” whereas Herzliya is a city located just north of Tel town there are grandparents who bring and pick friends, you were our absorption center, and you Aviv. Givat Ze’ev’s population has grown increasingly religious these up their grandchildren from pre-school, and there did an incredible job.” past two decades, while Herzliya’s remains predominantly secular. are plenty of school-age kids What I am going to miss most is the small-town feel of Givat Ze’ev. who routinely go directly to their Anywhere I would walk in Givat Ze’ev, I was bound to run into some- grandparents from school, for a one who knew me by name, and that felt good. While Sarah and I both hot lunch, homework, and play. feel that a new area, with new routines and new people, will energize While Sarah and I have no plans us, we certainly did a lot of head-scratching these last few weeks, won- to assume daily childcare respon- dering: Why again are we doing this? Because rather than our children sibilities, we do look forward to gathering at their childhood home, after Sarah and I reach 120, laugh- seeing Noam on perhaps a daily ing and crying, sharing memories and expressing dismay at the huge basis. Thankfully, in anticipation mountains of “stuff,” Sarah and I did their job for them. And the job of our move, our daughter-in-law was even bigger than the 22 years since we last moved would suggest- said to us: “Besides giving birth to -because with 5 small children in 1997, who had time or energy to go Noam, your move is the second- through college papers and grade-school report cards? And so, as my best thing that has happened to children sorted through their school mementos, so did I. me since I got married.” One of the reasons for our family’s successful aliyah was the warm On our last Shabbat in Givat and supportive Anglo community that we found in Givat Ze’ev, and Ze’ev, our shul sponsored a kiddu- John T. Earnest stands at his arraignment hearing in San Diego several of our good friends have taken our move quite hard. When you sh in our honor. I spoke very brief- County Superior Court in San Diego, Calif., April 30, 2019. (Nelvin C. have so many shared experiences with people and those people move ly and this is what I said: “When Cepeda/Pool/Getty Images) away, it kind of pulls the rug out from under you and you are left to we made aliyah 22 years ago, we Accused Poway synagogue White supremacy is a global terror threat gunman pleads not guilty By Laura E. Adkins, JTA extremist acts – nearly 44 per- By Marcy Oster, JTA The Anti-Defamation League found that 3,044 total acts of hate, cent – and Islamist individuals The accused gunman in the deadly shooting at a San Diego-area extremism, anti-Semitism and terror were committed in the United were responsible for four, ac- synagogue pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and attempted States in 2018. 1,879 of these were anti-Semitic acts – including as- cording to the organization’s own murder. sault, vandalism and harassment. In addition to entering pleas on Thursday in a San Diego court for Of these 1,879 acts of anti-Semitism, 249 (13 percent) were attrib- Examining the ADL’s data go- - utable to known extremist groups or individuals inspired by extremist ingclassification back to 2002, system. JTA found that 2,633 – approximately 34 per- firing an assault rifle inside the Chabad of Poway synagogue, John Ear Segal, director of the ADL Center on Extremism, told the Jewish Tele- cent – of the 7,686 reported non- reported.nest, 20, also pleaded not guilty to arson charges for a fire a month graphicideology, Agency according that to all the 249 ADL’s acts classification that they were system. able toIn attributea call, Oren to anti-Semitic extremist incidents earlierOne atwoman, a nearby Lori mosque, Gilbert-Kaye, the ABC 60, affiliate was killed in San and Diego, three 10 people News extremists were carried out by white supremacists. have been attributed to perpe- were wounded, including an 8-year-old girl and the synagogue’s rab- According to the ADL, “this category includes people associated trators with right-wing ideology, with white supremacist groups or ideologies, including but not lim- compared to 137 attributed to Is- synagogue. ited to neo-Nazis, the alt right, racist skinheads, Christian Identity, lamists or those with a left-wing bi, who lost a finger, in the April 27 shooting at the Chabad of Poway- traditional white supremacists and white supremacist prison gangs.” ideology. nest eligible for the death penalty, though prosecutors from the San As for the remainder, Segal told JTA on the conference call that “Neither side of the political The murder charge has been classified as a hate crime, making Ear “most anti-Semitic incidents are carried out by average Joes and aver- spectrum is exempt from intoler- seek that punishment. ance. The idea that this is a prob- DiegoEarnest County is Districtbeing held Attorney’s without Office bail. Hehave is notdue said back whether in court they on willDe- The ADL also tracks other acts of domestic hate, extremism and lem with only one side is wrong,” cember 5, when a trial date will be set. terrorism.age Janes,” Right-wingnot by those individuals affiliated with were extremist responsible groups. for 1,328 of these ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt told JTA during a conference call. However, he added that “white federalEarnest case, also the faces Times more of San than Diego 100 reported.hate crime-related counts filed by Custom Tub & Shower supremacy is a global terror theEarnest U.S. Attorney’s told a 911 Office operator and could in the also moments face the after death the penaltyattack that in the he Ruby Glass Enclosures threat.” did it to save white people from Jews. CO., INC • Design & Installation However, Greenblatt noted About an hour before the synagogue attack, someone identifying • All-Glass Enclosures that many of the incidents the SERVING SOUTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT himself as John Earnest posted a link to an open letter on 8chan, an FOR OVER 60 YEARS ADL reports come in from re- anonymous message board that often features hate speech and con- Expert Mirror Design & - spiracy theories, that condemned and threatened Jews. FULLSERVICE GLASS SPECIALISTS Installation ers aren’t always certain of what • Visit Our Showroom gional ADL offices, so research Everyone counts: We are counting on you! might have. Here in Eastern Connecticut the JFEC works to 151 Jefferson Avenue • New London, CT 06320 other“We affiliationsdon’t know if perpetrators there might support, sustain and revitalize Jewish life. But we Phone (860) 442-0373 • Fax (860) 442-1356 be more [extremist perpetrators] can’t do it without you. Send in your donation today. out there,” he said. 16 THE JEWISH LEADER, October 11, 2019

Eastern Connecticut’s Automotive Leader for Over 35 Years

THE HOME OF MATCH POWER PLUS

2019 Cadillac XT4 2019 Chevrolet Equinox

2019 Buick Envision 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe

Thank You!

452 BROAD STREET | NEW LONDON, CT