Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage E PAID Norwich, CT 06360 Permit #329 TH RETURN TO: 28 Channing St., New London, CT 06320 Serving The Jewish Communities of Eastern Connecticut & Western R.I. CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED VOL. XLII NO. 3 PUBLISHED BI-WEEKLY WWW.JEWISHLEADERWEBPAPER.COM FEBRUARY 5, 2016/26 SHEVAT 5776 NEXT DEADLINE FEB. 11, 2016 16 PAGES

HOW TO REACH US - BY PHONE 860-442-8062 • BY FAX 860-443-4175 • BY EMAIL [email protected] • BY MAIL: 28 CHANNING STREET, NEW LONDON, CT 06320 Western Wall compromise Hamas is warned matters...and doesn’t TUNNELS A THREAT TO ISRAEL By Ben Sales, JTA - By Edgar Asher, Ashernet to 2014’s failed conversion re Sunday, January 31, after- form — achieved this level of decades of conflict, leaders of- consensus. - rime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a harsh Judaism’s three major denom But the agreement won’t warning to Hamas at an ambassadors’ conference at inations reached a compro mean much until it’s imple the Foreign Ministry on Sunday, January 31. The Prime- mise on the future of prayer- mented, which is why … PMinister was responding to recent statements by at the Western Wall, and got I’ll believe in the expansion Hamas saying that the building of tunnels from Gaza towards Is the Israeli government’s back when I see it. rael will continue. Netanyahu responded that, “if we are attacked ing. The deal comes with a few Construction in Jerusalem from the tunnels in the Gaza Strip, we will act with immense force- important unknowns and will can be a nightmare — even against Hamas, much more than we used in Operation Protective take a while to implement. when it’s not at a sacred site Finishing touches Edge.” The Prime Minister continued, “We are working methodi Here’s why it matters, even that gets 10 million visitors cally and level-headedly against all threats, including that from though it might not seem to. a year. Beyond the inevitable- to Harvesting Stones Hamas, using both offensive and defensive measures.” - The deal’s provisions aren’t obstacles that will come with- Internationally acclaimed story- Prime Minister Netanyahu said that he has spent only six- historic — but the deal itself planning, delegating and bud teller Peninnah Schram record- hours in negotiations with Palestinian Authority President Mah is. geting a public project, the ex- ing the soundtrack to the film moud Abbas over the last seven years. “Abbas is on the interna What is agreed on in the pansion will have to contend Harvesting Stones earlier this tional frontlines. But apart from Sweden, there is almost no state Western Wall deal actually with working in an archaeo week. The movie will have its that supports him. Palestinian children are fed on hatred and the doesn’t change much. logical site with remains from premiere at the 22nd Annual In- desire to destroy Israel. If this was solely a matter of settlements, Right now, at the Western the Second Temple. ternational Film Festival of East- the conflict would be over.” Wall, there’s a large gender- The government may also ern CT presented by the Jewish separated prayer area under run into opposition from the Federation of Eastern CT some- Haredi Orthodox control, next Waqf, WALL the Islamic CONT. ON religious PG 15 time in May. to a smaller non-Orthodox area run by non-Orthodox Sanders jubilant after Iowa leaders. Under the deal, that BY AFP, AP and Times of Israel Staff will still be the case. - Yes, the non-Orthodox space will double in size. Yes, Democratic White House hopeful Bernie Sanders told sup it will be physically upgraded porters his “virtual tie” in Iowa had “astounded the world” and and gain a more prominent- vowed to repeat the feat again as attention shifted from the US- entrance. But in the end, non- Midwest to New Hampshire. Orthodox leaders have sim Hillary Clinton narrowly eked out victory in the state, garner- ply won a makeover of their ing 49.9 percent to Sanders’s 49.6% with 99.9% of precincts in prayer space. The Orthodox Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu addressing a conference of Iowa reporting, but the surprisingly strong showing by the Jew area of the site and the plaza Israeli ambassadors and overseas representatives in Jerusalem on ish candidate seemed to put the wind at his back. - behind it — what people have Sunday, January 31. Sanders was jubilant as he took the stage in a packed hotel historically meant when they ballroom close to Des Moines airport Monday night, where en referWhat’s to the historic Western here Wall are — thusiastic supporters waved signs saying “A future to believe in” notwill barely the particulars change. of the and chanting “Bernie! Bernie!” - A senior IDF officer warned that Hamas in Gaza is once again- deal but the fact that it was Later on, on his campaign plane, he said, “What Iowa has prepared for a military campaign against Israel. “The group has made. - begun tonight is a political revolution,” the Politico website re rebuilt the tunnels, its rocket systems, intelligence collection, re ported. - connaissance, and it is essentially prepared for war,” said the IDF For nearly three de He said the Iowa results had “kick-started” his campaign. officer. - cades, a coalition of women’s The result further strengthens Sanders’s hand in the upcom The Prime Minister wanted to see more contact with the Arab- rights advocates and non-- ing contest in New Hampshire — which neighbors his Vermont- world, noting that Israel will be able to put forward practical so Orthodox Jews waged a fight constituency. lutions regarding the Palestinians. Many Arab countries under against Israel’s Haredi Ortho- “The reason that we have done so well here in Iowa, the rea stand Israel now and realize the veracity of Israel’s message. dox establishment. Now, the son I believe we’re going to do so well in New Hampshire, and in Leader appeal off to good start sides have signed a peace trea- the other states that follow, the reason is, the American people ty — with the government’s Thank you to all who have responded to the 2016 are saying no to a rigged economy,” Sanders said. imprimatur. Save for a break Annual Appeal letter that was sent out in mid-Janu- “We do not represent the interests of the billionaire class, away faction of Women of the ary. To all who have given, thank you for your gener- Wall Street or corporate America,” said the self-proclaimed Wall, every party involved has osity. For those who have added the appeal letter to Democratic Socialist. endorsed this deal. - Although Clinton said she was “breathing a big sigh of relief,” your stack of bills, please don’t forget about sending When it comes to Israeli and her campaign said it had won an outright victory, the neck-- in your check. Your contribution is essential to keeping religion and state, that’s re- and-neck contest was a blow, evoking the setback she faced in the Leader in top operating form. ally rare. No recent religious SANDERS CONT. ON PG 15 2008 after her upset loss to then-Sen. Obama. Given the close legislation — from the expan sion of military conscription 2 THE JEWISH LEADER, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 She is the author of “Swords Into Dow Shares: The Liberation of Eilat Mention & Menschen Governing the Decline of the Military Indus- By Edgar Asher, Ashernet trial Complex” and co-editor of the “Oxford Preservation work has just been completed by the Council NADINE LIPMAN Handbook for Urban Planning.” Rachel gradu- for the Preservation of Israel’s Heritage Sites of the mud-brick [email protected] ated from East Lyme High School in 1985 and guard station that was built in 1933 by the British. The station attended Brown University, receiving her Ph.D. overlooked the Red Sea and is situated near the present Eilat Welcome to the World: from Cornell University in 1998. She spent her Airport. In March 1949 Eilat was liberated by Israeli forces and Grayson Miller Kapp junior year of college in Benares, India, and was - a Fulbright Scholar in Calcutta in 1992. Rachel membered by a sculpture outside the renovated station. Jeannette Gershowitz called me to share the is married to Dr. John Slocum and is the proud a hand-madeIn January 1994flag was the hoistedsite was over declared the station. a national This heritage event is site. re wonderful news that that she is a great-grand- mother of Estelle and Ruby. The family resides © ASHERNET mother for the SIXTH time! Brian and Marnie in Oak Park, Illinois. Kapp New England Patriots wide receiver Julian birth of their second child, Grayson Miller, Edelman has never been elected to a Pro Bowl weighing of Westfield, in at 7 lbs New 14 oz; Jersey, his older announced brother the is — the NFL’s all star game — but he can now add Logan Mark. Grandparents are Sandra and a Jewish honor to his resume. He is the fourth- Martin Kapp of Manalepan, NJ and Boynton best Jewish football player ever, the American Beach, FL; they are the parents of three chil- Jewish Historical Society announced recently. dren, with each having two of their own. Jean- Here is the American Jewish Historical Soci- nette, of New London, and I reminisced a little; ety’s full list: she and her late husband Sydney used to sit Sid Luckman, QB, Chicago Bears (1939 near my parents at Ocean Beach, and I went to -1950) New London High School with both Sandy and Ron Mix, OL, Los Angeles/San Diego Char- gers, Oakland Raiders (1960 – 1971) met the the Gershowitz girls through a Jewish Benny Friedman, QB, Cleveland Bulldogs, Elaine,High School who passedSorority away that a hadfew ayears local ago. chapter... I first Detroit Wolverines, New York Giants, Brooklyn does anyone remember the name???? Dodgers (1927 – 1934) Dr. Rachel Weber, daughter of David and Julian Edelman, WR, New England Patriots Corinne Weber of East Lyme, has published (2009 – current) her second book, “From Boom to Bubble: How Lyle Alzado, DL, Denver Broncos, Cleveland Finance Built the New Chicago,” published by Browns, Los Angeles Raiders (1971 – 1985) The restored mud-brick hut on the Eilat shore where the liberation The University of Chicago Press. Using the Great Ed Newman, OL, Miami Dolphins (1973 – of Eilat took place in 1949. Recession as her focus, Dr. Weber discusses how 1984) Harris Barton, OT/G San Francisco 49ers Candle Lighting for Eastern CT area and local property markets change and fail and (1987 – 1996) Harry Newman, QB, New York Giants (1933 Friday, Feb 5 • 4:51 pm construction booms develop and global finance in this case, Chicago, leaving a glut of vacant – 1945) Friday, Feb. 12 • 5:00 pm howspace these and economicoccurrences distress negatively in their affect wake. cities, She Jay Fiedler, QB, Philadelphia Eagles, Minne- sota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dol- Friday, Feb. 19 • 5:09 pm studies this phenomenon from historical, socio- logical, and geographic perspectives. phins, New York Jets (1995 – 2005) Friday, Feb. 26 • 5:16 pm Rachel is a full professor in the Urban Plan- Kyle Kosier, OT/G, San Francisco 49ers, De- ning and Policy Department at the University troit Lions, Dallas Cowboys (2002 – 2011) of Illinois, Chicago, and is a faculty fellow in the Great Cities Institute at the university. She Remember to send in your was appointed to the Tax Increment Financ- ing Reform Task Force by Chicago mayor Rahm subscription today Emanuel and has been active in local politics. National Award Winner of the Council of Jewish of Jewish Federations as the Outstanding Small Cities Jewish newspaper. Published every other Friday for the dissemination of Jew- ish 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...... Forrest Sklar Social Editor...... Nadine Lipman President ...... Romana Strochlitz Primus Executive Director...... Jerome Fischer Mailing Volunteers...... Ruth & Henry Dunkerley, Jr, Mimi & Milt Seed, Irving Siegel, Marty Yavener Advertising: Call Mimi Perl 860-442-7395 or [email protected]. Advertising Deadline: Wednesday, February 10 for February 19 issue. Editorial Content: Preferred receipt of editorial material is via email to mimiperl@ gmail.com. 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 [860-443-4175] 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, February 12 for February 19 issue. Printing: Chronicle Printing Co., 1 Chronicle Rd., Willimantic, CT 06226 Postmaster: Send address changes to Jewish Leader, 28 Channing St., New 567 Colman Street • New London, CT • 860-442-4575 • www.ez2party.com London, CT 06320 Monday through Friday 8:30 a m to 5:30 p m • Saturday 8:30 a m - 5:00 p m THE JEWISH LEADER, FEBRUARY 5, 2016, 2016 3 Cartilage regeneration on the way A note From Artie Dean By Abigail Klein Leichman, ible on MRIs and X-rays,” says Hello Everyone, Israel21c Altschuler, who founded the Thanks to all who were able to make the book launch party Agili-C, a revolutionary car- company in 2009. “Most of the in November for my collection of short stories, “My Two Cents.” tilage regenerating technology - Knowing that friends, family, and the Jewish community here in from Israeli startup CartiHeal cant improvement in pain level greater New London supports me has meant a lot, and I don’t that could revolutionize treat- patientsand return are to reporting normal function, signifi take it for granted. ment for cartilage damage and including sports.” Having a publisher seek to publish my work is a heady brew, but this development catapulted me out of my comfort zone. Now osteoarthritis, is preparing for Only six months after his I meet people around town who ask me, “So, how many copies a 2017 launch in the European operation in June 2011, he have you sold? Do you have a blog and Facebook page? Don’t you market. was back on the ski slopes, realize you have to have an author page on Amazon otherwise In addition to its original in- and during the following how will people know about your book? dication for patients with knee year even completed a Oiy!!! Such pressure. So now that I’m in the game I don’t want cartilage damaged by traumatic 180-km cycling marathon. to drop the ball! I now have the following: - CartiHeal CEO Nir Altschuler. $15m investment Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ArtieDean- injury,ness in thecertain biological cases ofscaffold osteoar is- CartiHeal is now expanding ShortStories/ thritis.now being This tested would for widen effective its potential market clinical trials due to a recent $15 million fund- Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Arthur-Dean/e/ ing round led by Johnson & Johnson Innovation B019GE3AYI - and its development corporation, JJDC, along book appearances. (The next talk will be at the Waterford Public significantly.lutionary technology two years ago generated with all previous investors. Library on Tuesday,, filled March with new29th) stories, videos, and upcoming muchISRAEL21c’s interest from first around report theon CartiHeal’s world – not revo sur- So far, nearly 200 patients have received the Blog page: http://mytwocents18.wordpress.com/feed/ (I implant in 12 centers throughout Europe, says will be posting my new stories on a blog every two weeks, acces- cartilage degeneration have few options. Altschuler. The ongoing studies will determine sible from all the sites) prising, considering that patients suffering from- if the novel implant could also be used in other For those who want to read the story, and don’t receive ions joints – especially in the knee – cannot joints such as the ankle and the big toe. the Jewish Leader newspaper because they live at a distance, I self-healCartilage, once the damaged, flexible because soft tissue it lacks that blood cush “Today, patients with osteoarthritis have two will send you a biweekly email. Certainly, if this is too intrusive vessels. potential treatments: a conservative approach, let me know at [email protected] and we will take you The Agili-C surgical implant is a biological such as HA injections and physiotherapy on one end, and knee replacement on the other If you’ve liked any of my Jewish Leader stories in the past, or grow and regenerate the damaged bone and end,” says Altschuler. you’veoff our purchased list. “My Two Cents,” may I ask you to write a re- scaffoldcartilage onto naturally. which Gradually, the body’s over own sixstem to cells 12 “There is nothing really in between, so if the view of the book on Amazon? Two or three lines will do, and of condition of the joint is not severe enough to of hyaline cartilage and a bottom layer of bone justify replacement and the patient is not re- I will be donating my royalties to the J.F.E.C., a wonderful or- months,identical the to thescaffold body’s is ownreplaced tissues with in aa top normal layer sponding to conservative treatment, doctors courseganization giving that it enrichesfive stars thewould lives go of a solong many way. in our community. joint. You can write your review (anonymous if you prefer) at Ama- this gap with the Agili-C.” zon.com (please enter “Arthur Dean” in the search box as this 47-year-old Slovenian former athlete whose haveIn nothingaddition, else CartiHeal to offer. is planningWe will try to toscale bridge up will make it much easier to locate my page). kneeThe cartilage first patient was damaged treated withdue to Agili-C a volleyball was a the manufacturing facility at its headquarters The book is available at Amazon.com and the publisher’s injury. in Kfar Saba and is preparing for preliminary web site, LittleRedTree.com. Only six months after his operation in June discussions with the US Food and Drug Admin- Thank you in advance for your support. 2011, he was back on the ski slopes, and dur- istration. Artie ing the following year even completed a 180-km cycling marathon. He remains very active today, on the market to regenerate hyaline cartilage, Readers Connect with CartiHeal CEO Nir Altschuler tells ISRAEL21c. as Agili-C opposed could to “hyaline-like”potentially be cartilagethe first product that is Artie Dean’s cartilage and bone formation, as clearly vis- explains. “Our clinical results to date confirm rapid actually a non-lasting fibrous tissue, Altschuler MY TWO CENTS You can too!

Copies of MY TWO CENTS by Arthur Dean are available at the Jewish Federation office 28 Channing St., New London. PJ Library and SSA Cost is $20 per copy Team Up to... Cash/check/credit card accepted.

Celebrate Shabbat! For those who missed the book launch party you can see it at Friday, February 26th from 1-2:30 p.m. https://youtu.be/wa9e7KBDcpU

In the Pre-K classroom at SSA Marc Goldsmith writes: “...Here, regard- Please RSVP to Laura or Jennifer at [email protected] less of your background and experience, you will find real life full of hopes, fears, dreams, humor, joy, sadness and longing." 4 THE JEWISH LEADER, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 Israeli dads get eight paternity days By Times Of Israel Staff before becoming a law. Fathers in Israel will soon be eligible for eight days of pater- Agriculture Minister Uri Ar- Senior Offerings nity leave, if a bill green-lighted by a ministerial panel becomes iel (Jewish Home) said fathers Reservations are necessary for all events. When making your res- law. deserved to be with their ba- ervation, let us know if you need a ride. Reservations can be The leave, to run parallel to that granted to mothers, will com- bies after birth, while women made by calling Beth at 860-444-6333x112. If Beth is deserved to have their part- not available, leave a voice mail message, she’ll check them the plus another three at his own cost. ners by their side. following business day. priseSince five May days 1998, on the fathers account have of thebeen father’s allowed sick-pay to take allocation, paternity Last week, the Economy leave instead of — rather than in addition to — their wives, as Ministry came out in oppo- Winter Outings (Weather permitting) Wednesday, February 10, Luncheon @ Juniors in Foxwoods. well as one day of leave when the baby is born and a second day sition to the bill, saying that Cost $5/$8. -- for a circumcision if the baby is a boy. while it supported the prin- 2 seats in the van are left! Don’t miss out on The OK from the Ministerial Committee for Legislation means ciple of the legislation, the this fun outing! Time is running out to sign up for this it will now receive government backing. The legislation must practice would hurt small event. still go through other committees and pass three Knesset votes businesses because it would Wednesday, March 9, Lunch at Hideway Restaurant in Old Lyme. Cost $5/$8. This outing has just been scheduled -- 11 replacements for eight days. If Kosher Hot Lunch seats on the van are available as we go to press. The New London Hebrew Senior Club and the Norwich/ bethe difficult state wanted for workers it, the to state find Colchester Jewish Senior Club continue to enjoy weekly Kosher should pay, the ministry said, according to Channel 2 news. Upcoming Shows Hot Lunches. These meals are sponsored by the Jewish Federa- Wednesday, April 13, “Back Home Again: On the Road with tion of Eastern CT and TVCCA. Adults 60 years and older are eli- By the time Sunday’s (Janu- ary 31) vote came around, John Denver” @ Ivoryton Playhouse. This CT premier event is gible to attend and qualify for the suggested donation of $3 per a celebration of folk musician John Denver’s life and music. This person. agreement had been reached between the sides. Reservations are a must for these lunches as Beth (860- stories behind the songs. Cost $45/$48. NO LONGER SOLD OUT 444-6333) from the Federation’s Senior & Community Services In December 2015, the Knesset approved the pre- --show We hadoffers a cancellation, a rare glimpse so of as the we mango to behind press the there music is 1 andticket the must call in a count to TVCCA the Thursday prior to the lunch to available. ensure enough food is provided for Nancy and Norm to prepare liminary reading of a separate bill, proposed by Kulanu party Wednesday, April 27, “Anything Goes” @ Goodspeed. A on Mondays and Tuesdays the following week. brassy nightclub singer, a starry-eyed stowaway and Public Ene- The Monday luncheon is held at Congregation Beth El, 660 MK Rachel Azaria, to change “nursing hour” — which al- my Number 13 are booked on a transatlantic luxury liner bound Ocean Ave. in New London beginning at 12:30 p.m. The Tuesday for romance and laughter. Hum along with an easy-to-love score luncheon is held at Beth Jacob Synagogue, 400 New London hour from the working day packed with hits including “I get A Kick Out Of You”, “You’re The Tpke. in Norwich beginning at 12:30 p.m. Here are the menus for Top”, “It’s De-Lovely”, and more. Cost $63/$66. As we go to press both venues during January and February. lows women to take off one after returning from maternity we are SOLD OUT. New London Schedule duringleave — the to first “parenting four months hour,” Wednesday, May 11, “Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks” @ February 8 – Baked Ritz Flounder letting both parents use that Ivoryton Playhouse. An aging but formidable woman hires a February 15 – Roasted Chicken time, if the mother of the child dance instructor to give her lessons in her home. What begins February 22 – Meatloaf consents. as an antagonistic relationship gives way to friendship as they FebruaryMarch 29 – 2016Baked Salmon- Brotherhood Notes The term “maternity leave” swing dance, foxtrot, tango and cha-cha while sharing their se- Scott Zettler 860-439-0676 [email protected] crets, fears and joys. This is a comedy with music and dance about NorwichAlvin Schedule Sher 860-460-0491 [email protected] will also be replaced by the February 9 – Baked Ritz Flounder term “childbirth and parent- friendship. Cost $45 As we go to press we are SOLD OUT. FebruaryWe continue 16 – Roasted Brotherhood Chicken Bagels on Religious School Sundays throughouthood the year. time.” Please join us as Wednesday, June 22, “Play It Again Sam” @ Newport Play- Februaryoften 23as you – Meatloaf can. Follow the Religious School Calendar - that’s our clue for Coffee and Bagels. Weather house. Allan has this thing about Humphrey Bogart. If only he permitting, we will be serving bagels and coffee every Sunday in March. had some of Bogart’s technique. Bookish and insecure with women, Allan’s hero, Bogey comes to the rescue, with a bevy of beauties played out in hilarious fantasy sequences. Fixed up by Annual Brotherhood ‘Italian Nite’ Dinner friends with gorgeous women, he’s so awkward even Bogey’s Eggplant parmesan, pasta, homemade sauce, salad, and bread, patience is tried. Allan mostly resembles a disheveled, friendly dog, and this is what charms his best friend’s wife into bed. Cost freshly made and served by the Temple Brotherhood $59/$62. As we go to press we are down to 4 tickets remain.

Sunday, March 6, 5:00 PM AND ALSO… Social Hall @Temple Emanu-El Wednesday, July 6, “Chicago” @ Ivoryton Playhouse. Cost $48/$48. As we go to press we are down to 1 ticket. Wednesday, July 13, “Cheatin’” @ Newport Playhouse. Cost Advance Family charge is $35.! $59/$62. As we go to press we are down to 5 tickets. and Wednesday, August 10, “Rent” @ Ivoryton Playhouse. Cost Advance Individual charge is $15. $45/$48. As we go to press we are down to 2 tickets. Payment at the door for either Family or Individual is $5. more. Wednesday, August 31, “Bye Bye Birdie” @Goodspeed. Cost $63/$66. Please RSVP for planning by Thursday, March 3, As we go to press we are down to 5 tickets. Wednesday, September 14, “Man of La Mancha” @ Ivoryton early reservations are discounted and appreciated. Playhouse. Cost $45/$48. As we go to press we are SOLD OUT. Call Temple Emanu-el at 443-3005 to make Reservations. Wednesday, September 21, “Chasing Rainbows” @ Goodspeed. Cost $63/$66. As we go to press we are down to 5 tickets. Wednesday, October 5, “Plaza Suite” @ Newport, SURF N As we go to press we are down to 3 tickets. TURF Buffet. Cost $77/$80. ! Stuff you need to know about our trips For those attending, we will be conducting a 50/50 raffle Our ticket policy requires that a $25 deposit accompany your and a raffle for various gift certificates. reservation. These deposits MUST go through Beth. Just writ- SENIOR OFFERINGS CONT. ON PG 7 March Cards Our monthly card games are on Sunday afternoons. This month we will play at Nathan Shafner’s home. Contact Nathan or Scott Zettler for details. The game will start at 3:30 in the afternoon on March 6 th. The stakes are very modest and the hilarity is high. Come join us, what have you got to lose? See Scott Z. or Murphy. THE JEWISH LEADER, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 5 reer, when I should have focused on my child? By After an hour of recriminations he resolved to but then, as the succulent morsels sent waves make changes. He’d stop working on weekends, enedof pleasure with memory. through Lisa her ate mouth, cautiously she ateat first, rav- enously, as she hadn’t in months. As the days and above all, visit the organic supermarket the passed Lisa gained weight. She looked forward Artie spendnext morning every penny for help he hadwith to the find recipe. a cure for Lisa, to her meals, which Marge and Robert prepared At Fiddleheads market Robert showed the fresh daily, always making extra for themselves, Dean recipe to the produce manager. for pirogues with melted butter are hard to re- “Vegetables that can hear must be ears of sist. Robert and Marge often had Lisa supervise The library of unfulfilled wishes - part 2 corn,” he said with authority, as he scratched from a rocker in the kitchen as they cooked to- the back of his head. “And only potatoes have gether. As the day of Lisa’s follow up blood tests Continued from last issue… eyes,” he said, jerking a thumb in the direction neared, her father dared to hope for a miracle.

After Lisa fell asleep Robert leafed through the short story to cheese, that’s easy, isle three. Faith, and an in- *** ofgredient fingerlings money imported can’t buy?—ya from Idaho. got me,” “Farmer’s he said “To help the princess: Boil a vegetable that can see, and puree Two weeks later Marge headed for Fiddle- as he shrugged. heads to pick up the ingredients for a week of thea vegetable end and that found can the hear. first Sauté recipe: with melted farmer’s cheese, se- Robert gathered the items and rushed back quester in homemade dough, sprinkle with pepper, salt, tincture Lisa’s meals. She pondered ‘the ingredient one to Lisa. Marge normally refused to work on can’t buy’ as she reread her shopping list. As of time, faith, and then most importantly, add the one ingredient Saturday—a day of rest she usually said—but that cannot be bought. Boil in water for two minutes, and serve she walked she marveled at how comfortable on this day she made an exception. He tiptoed she felt in the Pratt household, and how often hot.” up to his daughter’s room, and, seeing her still Robert scratched his head absentmindedly. Certainly he real- she prayed for Lisa’s health, despite knowing soundly asleep, he showed Marge the recipe that Lisa’s recovery would mean the end of her and asked if she might help him in the kitchen. wishful delusion. But so many things had gone wrong since his time with the Pratts. She stopped at the New Robert boiled a pot of water, peeled and then London Library, intent on seeking a book of her izedwife thatleft 4finding years aago cure and for Lisa Lisa got when sick. the Unable doctors to couldn’toverlook was any a- dropped in the potatoes, perhaps the only cook- own. When she approached the main entrance, thing that might help his precious Lisa, he tiptoed down to the ing task he had ever really mastered. Then he kitchen, took out a pot, and looked in the cupboard for the neces- a side door opened and the elderly librarian motioned her inside. sary supplies. At least I’ll try something. What could it hurt? preparing dough. “Here, let me help,” Marge of- He searched through the shelves, normally the territory re- “This is for special patrons,” the old lady fumbledfered after with Robert a cup had of flourproduced and water, a pasty intent curdled on said. They walked down a long corridor. Marge served for Marge Rubinstein, their fulltime nurse’s aid and part lump, the consistency of paper mache, while in- time cook, a woman of 35 who because of her dress and de- advertently coating his clothes with a dusting of - descended“Chose carefully,” a flight of the stairs librarian and was said introduced and shut She helped him wash up, and he was sur- the door. Marge ran her hand over the ancient meanoretables thatappeared might muchtrigger older. some He gastronomic found pepper, epiphany salt, and to solveflour. to a room filled with leather bound books. flour.prised at the way his breath caught in his throat tomes. She reached down to the lowest shelf Thenthe riddle. he looked He pushed in the asiderefrigerator bags of crisper,organic hoping kale, carrots, to find spin veg- and found a book that seemed to jump into with a dab of a dishtowel. her hands, “Recipe for Love.” The briefest im- diet designed to boost her immune system. Robert checked the whenMarge she brushed shucked speckles the corn of and flour cut off awayhis cheek the ach,hospital broccoli, recommended and cauliflower, menu forall Friday,part of aLisa’s diet henew ate vegetarian as well to kernels with a knife, gathering them into a pan diminish Lisa’s protests. He set aside the sealed plastic container her mind. A warm sensation grew in her chest. of melted butter and setting them on a low ageShe ofsmiled, Robert’s but facethen speckled blushed, with for she flour had rose long in greens and kale that made his lips curl, and a spinach smoothie ago banished such thoughts from her mind, she’d done it all her life, and began to knead the convincing herself that caring for sick children thatfor desert. contained What Marge’s I wouldn’t dinner give preparations—a for some real food. soufflé of collard flame. Then she mixed the flour and water, as if The next day was Saturday; normally he worked at the of- was enough. She tried not to envy her married her eyes with a toss of her head and a blast of air friends, but truth be told, the trauma of waiting doughfrom her with lips. strong Robert hands, watched flipping her thework hair admir from- st man’s got to outwork the competition,” he was fond of saying of at the chuppah, alone on her 21 birthday had never left her consciousness. Still, as she car- fice,his schedule. despite his He youththought spent of the worshipping words in the at recipe,his father’s faith, side. and an“A stood out beneath the frumpy uniform she al- ried the book up the stairs, her eyes twinkled ingredient that money can’t buy. Certainly he knew the recipe for ing,ways almost wore whileagainst attending his will, to the Lisa. way I neverher figure real- healing in the book was merely a writer’s ruse to entertain gull- with hope. ized she had such a nice smile.Before long Rob- “You’ve chosen well,” the librarian whis- ible readers, not something a rational man would take seriously. ert mashed the potatoes and mixed in the corn He trudged up the stairs to check on Lisa, his mind conditioned pered as she reached the door. Here’s your li- brary slip, no expiration date. by a life spent analyzing charts. No one in their right mind would all as Marge instructed. Then Marge rolled the To be continued believe in something so hokey. Just the same, as Robert lay in the anddough farmer’s into thin cheese, sheets preparing and used a smooth a glass filling,to cut cot set up outside Lisa’s room, he listened to her labored breath- ing and ruminated. What if she never recovers? Then he pictured the dough and pinched the edges, creating cres- Peres released the librarian’s cryptic smile when she led him to the subterra- roundcent shaped segments. dumplings, Robert a folded painstaking the filling process into By JTA nean room of books. He cringed at the sound of his daughter’s that accelerated once Marge lent a hand. Soon JERUSALEM — Former Israeli President wheezing. Why did I so willingly devote all my energies to my ca- they had a pile prepared. Shimon Peres was released from the hospital Then he boiled them for precisely two min- for the second time in less than two weeks af- utes, just as the recipe stipulated, scooping them ter returning with chest pains and an irregular up and coating them with melted butter. He car- heartbeat. ried them in a bowl up to Lisa, who struggled to Peres was released Tuesday, January 26, sit up, a puzzled expression on her face as she from Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer contemplated this most unusual meal. Marge Since 1919 Southeastern Connecticut’s Oldest and Most Respected Jewelers two days after being readmitted with a slight stood in the doorway, her arms crossed, the hint Diamonds


Watches


Crystal heart arrhythmia, his spokesman said in a of a smile creasing her face. statement. He remained in the hospital for an Fine Contemporary & Antique Jewelry “Eat, Munchkin,” Robert said, beseeching extra day for observation at the request of the


Custom Jewelry Design Expert Jewelry & Watch Repair medical team, according to the spokesman. Estate Jewelry Bought & Sold picking with a fork, taking in the aroma. Then All the test results were normal, according Lisa to try a bite. At first she shook her head no, to Peres’ doctors. 44726 and put it to her lips. She smiled weakly and the Peres was taken to the hospital on Jan. 14 she touched one of the pierogis with her finger 262 Boston Post Road • Utopia Centre Waterford, CT • (860) 442-4391 “Pirogues, just like my Bubby used to make,” - softestRobert ofmuttered. sighs filled As hethe always room. did, Robert sam- afterwent sufferinga cardiac aangioplasty mild heart toattack open and a blockedwas sent





Monday - Thursday 10:00-6:00 Friday 10:00-7:00 Saturday 10:00-4:00 pled her lunch as encouragement, his eyes wid- homeartery. five days later. During his stay, he under Upcoming Shows Please call Beth at (860) 444-6333 to reserve your spot for these great shows. There is a $25 Non-Refundable deposit for all shows. Cost for shows scheduled at Goodspeed & Ivoryton includes transportation and ticket with lunch or your own. The first price listed is for paid members; the second price is for non-paid members.

6 THE JEWISH LEADER, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 Schechter celebrates Tu B’Shevat SSA students celebrated Tu B’Shevat, a holiday marking the new year of the trees, on January 25, 2016. By using re- cycled plastic bottles, the children created beautiful painted flowers and flower pots full of freshly planted seeds. Stu- dents and staff then enjoyed a delicious Tu B’Shevat Seder with a variety of fruits and nuts. Students in these pictures are in grades kindergarten, 2nd and 3rd grades. Head of School, Barbara Wolfe is also pictured.

Eastern Conn. Hadassah receives award for excellence By Sheila Horovitz, special to the Leader the chapter sent a delegation to a Once again, Eastern Connecticut Hadassah meeting with Congressman Court- has shined brightly as one for the most active ney to lobby for Hadassah’s goals - At the annual Connecticut Region meeting on der equity in medical research, andDecember effective 6, EasternHadassah Connecticut chapters in was the awarded State. forequal American pay for affairsequal work, issues legisla - gen-

The chapter was recognized for its spring domestic violence, voting rights withDonor two dinner prestigious with guest certificates. speaker Elise Meyer, tionand againstwomen’s human reproductive trafficking health and the daughter of the fashion innovator, John Meyer, and the creator of a vibrant exhibit at The delegation also lobbied Con- the Slater Museum about the history of the John rightsgressman and Courtney affordable to continuechild care. Meyer Company in Norwich. The chapter was his support for Israel’s security also honored for exceeding its goal for contri- through intelligence sharing and butions to the completion of the Sarah Wetsman continued military assistance. Davidson Tower facility at Hadassah Hospital in And the ultimate award - the Jerusalem. It was also honored for participat- “Metzuyan” - Chapter of Excel- Hadassah’s Day in the District program where we sent a delegation to meet with ing in the Day in the District program, where lence Award was given to only two Congressman Courtney. chapters in the state, Hartford and the Eastern Connecticut Chapter. President Carol Curland was thrilled to continue the chapter’s stellar record, hav- ing earned the prestigious Henrietta Szold Custom Tub & Shower Award last year as the “best” chapter in Con- Ruby Glass Enclosures necticut. CO., INC • Design & Installation • All-Glass Enclosures “I am so proud of our chapter and our SERVING SOUTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT members who are constantly amazing me FOR OVER 60 YEARS with their dedication, innovation and cre- Expert Mirror Design & ation of wonderful programs that inspire FULLSERVICE GLASS SPECIALISTS Installation us, educate and enlighten us and help us • Visit Our Showroom raise needed funds. We go from strength to strength, increasing our membership and 151 Jefferson Avenue • New London, CT 06320 devotion to our causes here in Connecticut Phone (860) 442-0373 • Fax (860) 442-1356 and in Israel.” THE JEWISH LEADER, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 7 Schechter Academy basketball program engages kids SSA students had a great home basketball our children basketball has inspired him to pur- game with Fishers Island School on January 28, sue a career in education. We are very grateful 2016. At the end of the game, our students pre- to Coach Tyler and Mrs. Filippetti for running a sented Coach Tyler with thank you cards and an wonderful basketball program this year. SSA T-shirt. Coach Tyler remarked that teaching

Mary Seidner honored By Marcia Reinhard, special to the Leader On Monday, January 25, Mary Seidner, an Old Lyme resident and Youth Coordinator in that town, was honored with the Best Citizen Award. Mary did not know anything about the award. She was asked to attend the town meeting so she could vote on a particular topic. The last item on the agenda was naming the recipient of the Best Citizen Award. When Mary’s name was an- nounced, she was totally taken by surprise. At the end of the meeting and ceremony, Mary was greeted by her daughter Liby Seidner and quite a few people from her synagogue, Temple Emanu-El including Rabbi Aaron Rosenberg, Scott Wolfe, Marcia Reinhard, and Myra Gipstein to name a few.

Two of Mary Seidner’s friends from Temple Emanu-El who attended the ceremony on January 25. Scott Wolfe, on the left and Rabbi Aaron Rosenberg. SENIOR OFFERINGS CONT. FROM PAGE 3 ing down your name will no longer be sufficient or accepted. Please make sure your phone number is provided so we can call you with a pickup time for the event. Payment in full is required three (3) weeks prior to the event. mail or a phone call. If there is no response, then your ticket Youwill be will forfeit. be notified If at the that last your moment final you payment are unable is due, to either attend by a performance, the responsibility for your ticket rests with you. If we have a wait list we will be happy to make a call. Because we have already paid for your ticket we are unable to refund your enforced. Policymoney orchange put it toward another show. This policy will be firmly A trip MUST have at least 5 persons per car to happen. If there is an outing in which you are interested, make sure you get to go by asking a few friends to join us. Our policy has always been “the more the merrier”. Most transportation will be by van, as our numbers don’t al- low for a bus. For this reason, if you are handicapped, or must have a front seat, please mention this when you make your res- ervation. We will attempt to accommodate your needs. 8 THE JEWISH LEADER, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

UnusualBy Edgar Asher, Ashernet inscriptionsfrom funerary inscriptions in Bet She‘arim revealed and in dig hree 1,700 year old funerary inscriptions, elsewhere and means that the deceased’s burial written in Aramaic and Greek, were recently place will remain his forever and that no one revealed in Moshav Zippori in the north of Is- will take it from him. Both inscriptions end with the Hebrew blessing – ‘shalom’”. from residents of the moshav which resulted in The Greek inscription mentions the name Trael. The find followed information received Jose, which was very common amongst Jews liv- out by researchers of the ‘Kinneret Institute for ing in Israel and abroad. uncoveringGalilean Archaeology’ the inscriptions from thein a Kinneret joint effort Academic carried So far, seventeen funerary inscriptions were College and the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA). documented in the Zippori study, most of them An inscription in Greek. The two Aramaic inscriptions mention individ- written in Aramaic, which was the everyday lan- in the Late Roman period. uals referred to as ‘rabbis’ who were buried in the guage of Jews in Israel at that time. Contrasting this The inscriptions will be studied by a team of western cemetery of Zippori. So far their names are the funerary inscriptions found in Tiberias – the researches consisting of Dr. Motti Aviam, Aharoni have not yet been deciphered. second capital of the Galilee – which were mainly Amitai and the historian Dr. Jacob Ashkenazi of the written in Greek. Several of the Kinneret Institute for Galilean Archaeology and ancient inhabitants from Zip- Miki Peleg, the Lower Galilee District Archaeologist pori are mentioned in these inscriptions, which include the new discoveries soon. Upon completion of their re- names of rabbis and often have ofsearch the IAA. the IAAThis and joint the effort Kinneret is also Academic likely to College lead to the names of the professions will present the inscriptions to the general public. they were engaged in. Aramaic © ASHERNET was the everyday language used by the Jews in the period of the Jerusalem gets snow, Mishnah and Talmud, but some of them also spoke and read 19” on Mt. Hermon Greek, and thus there are also funerary inscriptions in that lan- By Haaretz, reprinted in the Forward - The stormy weather continued on Monday, Janu- ital of the Galilee from the time ary 25 across Israel, with snow falling in Jerusalem, guage.of the Hasmonean Zippori was dynasty the first untilcap Gush Etzion and Mount Hermon. the establishment of Tiberias On Mount Hermon, some 19 inches of snow have accumulated at the lower station of the ski slope continued to be central and im- cable car. The site was, however, still closed to visi- inportant the first later century on and CE. was The where city tors. Plows were working to clear the routes in the One of the newly discovered Aramaic inscriptions being cleaned. Rabbi Yehuda Ha-Nasi resided Golan Heights. In the villages of Majdal Shams, and also compiled the Mishnah. Buq’ata and Masadeh only all-terrain vehicles could “The importance of the epitaphs lies in the fact The Jewish life in the city was rich and diverse as in- navigate the snow-blocked roads. School activities dicated by the numerous ritual baths discovered in in the Golan and the upper Galilee were operating Zippori and their cultural world,” according to Dr. as usual. School day in the Mateh Yehuda Regional thatMotti these Aviam reflect of the the Kinneret everyday Institute life of forthe GalileanJews of Council (near Jerusalem) and Gush Etzion in the Archaeology. “Researchers are uncertain as to the thein the excavation; design of whilethe town at the with same its timepaved the streets, influence col- West Bank, as well as in Kiryat Arab, were to end meaning of the term ‘rabbi’ at the time when Rabbi ofonnaded Roman mainculture roads, was also theater quite and evident bathhouses. as reflected The earlier. In Majdal, schools were closed due to the Yehuda Ha-Nasi resided in Zippori together with wealth of inscriptions from the cemeteries attests to celebration of Prophet al-Khader’s Day. the ‘Tannaim’ and after him by the ‘Amoraim’ – the the strong Jewish presence and the city’s social elite Highway 90 was closed down in the Dead Sea large groups of sages that studied in the city’s places of learning. The storm was expected to subside later on One of the surprises in the newly areaMonday, due to but flooding. the temperature will remain low in discovered inscriptions is that the coming days, with rain falling mainly in the cen- one of the deceased was called ter and south. Snow will continue to pile up on the ‘the Tiberian’. This is already the northern mountains and around Jerusalem. second instance of someone from The Jerusalem municipality has been preparing Tiberias being buried in the cem- in recent days for snowfall. The Jerusalem Police etery at Zippori. It is quite pos- said they were working with the municipality, the sible that Jews from various parts rescue service, the Israel Electric Corporation and of Galilee were brought to Zippori the army, and would beef up its forces in the capi- to be buried in the wake of the im- tal if necessary. Drivers who get stuck in snow are portant activity carried out there instructed by police to call 100 and wait near their by Rabbi Yehuda Ha-Nasi. An- cars. other possibility is that the man Citipass, the company that operates Jerusalem’s moved to Zippori and died there, light rail, called on drivers not to abandon their but wanted to be remembered cars on the rail tracks, as has happened in the past. as someone who originally came The company said the rail was operable in accumu- from Tiberias. In the second Ara- lations of up to two inches of snow, but that service maic epitaph the word ‘le-olam’ would stop if the snow was heavier than that. Various events in the capital to mark Tu Bishvat, time in inscriptions found at Zip- the Jewish Arbor Day, which fell on Monday, Janu- (forever)pori. The term appears ‘le-olam’ for is the known first Aharoni Amitai near the inscriptions that were uncovered. ary 25 were canceled due to the weather. THE JEWISH LEADER, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 9

NewBy Edgar Asher, Ashernetcenter for Bedouin womendegrees students unsure what they want to study On January 21, at the Ben-Gurion and are in need of academic guidance. University of the Negev (BGU) a special The Bedouin women also face addi- student center serving Bedouin women tional cultural pressures, such as a reluc- students was dedicated. The dedication tance to ask for help, close scrutiny from was attended by the main benefactor of Bedouin society, and other unique social the project, Joshua Arnow of the USA. pressures. There are about 1,200 Arab students Due to all these exceptional circum- who study at BGU. Of that number some stances, the university realized there was 450 of them are Bedouin and 70% of a need for such a unique center. As an ex- the Bedouin are women. The center ample the center will grant access to only was created to provide a solution for those with specially programmed student some of the unique challenges facing cards in order to increase their sense of these women. security. It was noticed that women Bedouin students were often to be found sit- ting in the lobby of the student center handA socialas an workerolder guiding from theand staffsupportive of the early in the morning, and during the Office of the Dean of Students will be on day were seen hanging around out on able to rest between classes and wait for the grass with nothing to do. There had figuretheir rides at the home, center. to The study, students and meet will forbe been several attempts to create inter- joint activities, such as empowerment workshops, women’s health lectures, so- as an all-women’s sports lesson, a sup- cial activities and more. estport groups group, specifically a handcraft for workshop them, such etc. Joshua Arnow (center) listening to a presentation by one of the Bedouin wom- At the beginning of the university year, The attempts did not succeed, primar- en students who will be using the new student center at Ben Gurion University. during the orientation seminar for Bedou- ily because of lack of participation and On Arnow’s right is BGU President Professor Rivka Carmi. in students, the students will be invited, because of the lack of trust the young along with their parents, to visit the cen- Bedouin students have in the university system. of them arrive immediately after high school and this ter, with the aim of encouraging cooperation from Thus, at the joint initiative of BGU President Prof. - Rivka Carmi and the Arnow family, the center was demic study. The knowledge that the students have established. Many of the Bedouin are very young, isand their writing first experienceHebrew, which with makesindependent it harder living. to inteAlso- thea safe parents location in to supporting rest, and to their wait daughters’ for transporta aca- relative to other Israeli university students, and are manygrate academicallyof them still haveand socially.difficulty Many speaking, who studyreading in tion home, will alleviate the worries of the parents the humanities and social sciences often begin their and encourage their support. © ASHERNET experiencingHonda independence seeks for the first time.Israel’s Most help to make cars collision-free By Nicky Blackburn, Israel21c “We wanted to come upstream, to the source of Nick Sugimoto, senior program director of the Honda Silicon Valley Lab, makes no bones about younger and not quite ready for Silicon Valley,” ex- it. By 2020, he says, Japanese automotive manu- theplains flow Sugimoto. to meet interesting “We are ready tech companiesto help them that come are

percent fewer collisions. A decade later, Honda’s Honda is looking for startups developing vehicle facturersafety features Honda willwill take offer into smart account cars notthat just have oth 50- tointelligence Silicon Valley; technologies, we have theapps financial and software resources.” such er vehicles, but also road users and pedestrians, as human-machine interfaces that help machines and by 2040, Honda’s connected vehicles will be understand a user’s intent. The multinational has collision-free. also been in discussions with leading cybersecurity It’s an ambitious goal, and to do it 68-year old Searching for Israeli technologies. Honda’s Nick Sug- automotive companies in Israel and is looking for Honda needs smart technology – and that’s why imoto speaks to attendees at the OurCrowd Global anything from acquisitions to joint ventures and li- the largest car manufacturer in the world has an- Investor Summit on January 25. Photo courtesy censing deals, according to Sugimoto. nounced its formal move into Israel. “Israel is particularly well positioned to produce “Traditional cars were big hardware products has engaged crowdfunding equity platform com- companies relevant to the auto industry given its with a cabin, engine and tires, but going forward pany OurCrowd to access its portfolio companies and strengths in embeddable devices, machine vision the car is a big computer, and the connected car is facilitate introductions to relevant innovators and and related algorithm development and cyberse- becoming a more and more intelligent machine,” entrepreneurs. curity,” said Jon Medved, OurCrowd founder and Sugimoto tells ISRAEL21c. “They will be our eyes and ears in Israel,” Sugimo- CEO. “Honda has been very strong in our initial R&D to tells ISRAEL21c. “They are already well networked “Israel is an interesting country with very inter- with engines, but when it comes to that connec- esting technologies,” says Sugimoto. “It has a strong tivity and intelligence, Honda needs help. We need an industry startup that might be interesting, they technology background coming from the defense partners to work with. The product is changing, withinwill make the an tech introduction community, to andHonda.” whenever they find industry and we see many disruptive technologies industry is changing, and customer expectation is Coming upstream to the source emerging from there. changing and that’s why we are now in Israel.” Sugimoto, who has visited Israel several times, “Also, the investment community is very strong Sugimoto was speaking yesterday at the says that Honda has met many Israeli companies here, and they are eager to support a wide variety OurCrowd Global Investor Summit in Jerusalem. working in Silicon Valley, and is already working with of technologies,” he adds. “In Silicon Valley, inves- The car manufacturer, which sells some 10,000 Israeli companies like Waze and VocalZoom. The lat- tors tend to focus on one area. When clean-tech cars a year in Israel and 5 million cars a year world- ter has developed a robust speech interface for cars was hot several years ago, everyone in the invest- wide, announced at the event that it is looking for and motorbikes, and could be integrated into cars by ment community there was looking at clean-tech new opportunities for collaboration, and 2018. deals. It’s faddish. 10 THE JEWISH LEADER, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 Israeli app to revolutionize bike sharing wordwide The Moovit crowdsourced transit app assists users in finding Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, México, the nearest rental bike in 130 locations around the world. New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Tur- By Abigail Klein Leichman, Israel21c key, United Kingdom and Unit- The Moovit crowd-powered transit app is already making ed States. public transportation a more accessible option for millions of Meydad said he expects the commuters in cities across the globe. It gives users real-time list to grow in the near future. info on which bus or train will get them to their destination and The Moovit app makes when it is due to arrive at their station. public transportation a better option. Photo: courtesyThe DISCOVER the Moovit app makes public transportation a better option. World Within You Photo: courtesy The previous Moovit up- with REGINA MAGNUS Photo by Brendan HowardShutterstock.com date, 4.0, was released last Now the green-thinking Tel Aviv company has added anoth- April and features a suite of new En Route and person- ALIGN your subconscious & er weapon in its anti-pollution arsenal: a bike-sharing feature available to users in 130 locations around the world. alization controls and a new conscious mind for more Launched January 11, Moovit’s Version 4.8 for Android and re-engineered user interface effective goal setting iOS works like this: Find your preferred location on the map and that empower riders to share you’ll see the number of available rental bikes noted on the map and receive live community re- MARCH 19-20, 2016 icon. Tap the icon to review the available bikes or to see how ports about conditions of lines many empty slots are open to return your bike at the location. - A 2-Day, 1-Night Event Tap “Get Directions” and Moovit will guide you step-by-step to cal transit routes and poten- your bicycle. andtially stations those of affecting other riders. their lo The Spa at Norwich Inn Moovit has been down- 607 West Thames Street, Norwich pedestrians walk by faster than your bus is inching along? For loaded by approximately 20 million people in more than Regina Magnus will help you discover the ways your sub- days“You like know this, andthose also days when when you’d you’re rather sitting enjoy in thetraffic, nice watching weather out than sit on a bus, or you’re in the mood for a little extra exer- 600 cities in 55 countries, in conscious mind holds you back from achieving desired goals. cise, Bike Sharing in Moovit will help you get around,” a Moovit 36 languages. The community Regina is a spiritual teacher, coach, and mentor, who has blogger explains. of users grows by about 1 mil- been studying, teaching, and living by the principles of the “The bike program is a part of our promise to the users to lion every month. The com- ancient sages. She is a skilled psychiatric nurse who holds be the omnisearch for any means of transit that can get them to pany, founded in 2012, has 60 employees in six countries and degrees in biology, science education, and specialized train- - vit’s VP of Product Jay Meydad (formerly of Pixplit and HitPad) has won several awards for its ing in neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) to help you tap app. into a positive state of mind as you get past the past and theirtold Geektime. destination, in the quickest and most efficient way,” Moo - move positively forward into the future. velopers access to data about public transit, as well as bikes. New Attorney Regina also offers Reiki and hypnotherapy services to help This“More way, anddevelopers more cities can createunderstand unique the and benefits useful ofapps giving to help de General you balance your energy for greater productivity and to en- By Edgar Asher, Ashernet hance your performance. making it greener and less congested.” peopleThe eco-friendlynavigate,” Meydad integration continued. is available “The cityin all benefits or parts as of well, Ar- REGINA will WOW you and at the same time gentina, Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Co- today a new attorney-general, AvichaiIsrael Mandelblit. welcomed to Mandel office- EMPOWER you with her magical stories and give YOU lombia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, the tools you need to: served for the past two years blitas cabinet takes office secretary after inhaving the  ENHANCE your communication to get in touch with Netanyahu government. Man- your true self and desires. delblit’s predecessor, Yehuda  MAKE your dreams come true. Weinstein, served at attorney-  ALLOW Reiki’s pure love energy to help you general for the past six years. Mandelblit said today after CONNECT to the DIVINE. -  ENTER a natural state of deep relaxation to enable fend all human rights of every the body to heal itself. takingcitizen office and also that defendhe will thede foundation of Israel as a Jew- HOW DO I SIGN UP? ish and democratic state. How- ever Mandelblit pointed out Contact Regina at TML Coaching — 860.326.1513 or Chuck and Romana Primus, Owners that he will be uncompromis- [email protected] in Israel. Cost is $250* per person and includes: ingThe in fighting former organized attorney-gen crime-  5 life transforming presentations eral did not always see eye to  1 dinner and 1 lunch plus 2 snacks eye with the present Justice  Guests can avail themselves of all the activities at Minister Ayelet Shaked, how- ever the new attorney-general the Inn. is thought to be more in tune Want to stay over? Mention you are registered for the Come in! We’d like to meet you! with her thinking on law and TML Event and receive a special room rate. order matters. ©ASHERNET *Sign up by March 1 and pay only $240. 475 Broad St., New London CT • 860-443-CITY THE JEWISH LEADER, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 11 American Reform/Conservative Jews hail ‘Wall’ decision By Naomi Zeveloff, Jewish Daily Forward have its own governance com- Some of the loudest cheering for Sunday’s historic deal to mittee. It will be chaired by create an egalitarian prayer space at Judaism’s holiest site, the Natan Sharansky, head of the Western Wall, came from 7,000 miles away. Jewish Agency for Israel, with Reform and Conservative leaders in America called it the Is- representatives from the Re- form and Conservative move- in Israel, where the ultra Orthodox largely control Jewish expres- ments, Women of the Wall and sionraeli ingovernment’s the public sphere. first serious step to honor religious plurality others. “It is a statement that at the holiest site in Judaism there is room for everyone no matter what your beliefs or your practices 27 years. We were single when are,” said Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform we“We started, have we been are grandmoth fighting for- Judaism. “This will be for the historians to determine whether or not president of Women of the this was a watershed event,” said Rabbi Steve Wernick, the chief ersWall, now,” at a said press Anat conference Hoffman, - near the Western Wall on Sun- ism. “For us living in this moment now, today we celebrate, to- day afternoon, January 31. executivemorrow we officer get back of the to work.”United Synagogue of Conservative Juda “What we have done is lib- The Israeli government plan invests some 35 million shekels Susan Silverman and other members of Women of the Wall cel- erate another part of the wall (near $9 million) into the creation of a plaza that will be open to ebrate Kotel deal Sunday. Image: Naomi Zeveloff that will be open to all and tol- worshippers regardless of gender. tors to choose freely where to worship. erant and friendly.” It will be located just south of the existing Orthodox prayer The government approval follows more than three years of “I want to say what an ex- area at the Kotel, which is divided into male and female sections, discussion with the Reform and Conservative movements, the traordinary day this is for bat and will be about 10,000 square feet, half the size of the Ortho- Jewish Agency for Israel and the Women of the Wall, an activist mitzvah girls who will have a dox section. group that has been protesting for women’s prayer rights at the place where they can celebrate The site’s entrance is just as crucial as the plaza itself. Western Wall since the 1980s. in dignity and honor, and for From the main security entrance, the Orthodox section of the While the Orthodox area will continue to be maintained by the mothers and grandmoth- wall and the pluralist plaza will be equally visible, allowing visi- the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, the pluralistic site will ers who can pray with them and not be pushed aside, and for their fathers who can stand U.S. envoy sorry only for ‘timing’ of comments there and take pleasure,” said By JTA, reprinted in the Forward that raised the ire of the Israeli government and its supporters. Batya Kallus, one of the found- JERUSALEM — U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro says “I began with condemnations of the terror attacks in Otniel and ers of Women of the Wall. he regrets the timing of his criticisms of Israel’s policies in the Tekoa. There were only one or two controversial sentences, and Women of the Wall will not West Bank. if it hurt the Meir family or those mourning her, of course I regret stop its weekly protest to al- Shapiro in a speech at a Tel Aviv conference organized by the that.” low full religious expression Institute for National Security Studies on Monday, Jan. 18, said Shapiro also told Army Radio that the current lack of com- for women until the site is fully that “at times it seems Israel has two standards of adherence to munication between Israel and the Palestinians is bringing the built, members said. It’s un- rule of law in the West Bank — one for Jews and one for Pales- region closer to a binational state. clear just when that will hap- tinians.” He also said: “Too much Israeli vigilantism in the West He told both Army Radio and Israel Radio, also in an inter- pen. According to members of Bank goes on unchecked.” view on Monday morning, that with each settlement expansion Women of the Wall, the gov- or Palestinian attack on an Israeli civilian the prospect of a two- “at times it seems Israel has two standards ernment has 45 days to come state solution is getting more distant. up with a comprehensive plan of adherence to rule of law in the West Bank for the site. — one for Jews and one for Palestinians.” Shapiro’s Jan. 18 remarks condemning them as “unacceptable In the meantime, Jewish He also said: “Too much Israeli vigilantism andPrime incorrect.” Minister’s Office of Israel issued a statement following leaders in America are cel- in the West Bank goes on unchecked.” “The words of the ambassador, on a day in which a murdered ebrating. mother of six is buried and on a day in which a pregnant woman “It is being received as an His comments came the same day as the funeral of Dafna Meir, is stabbed — are unacceptable and incorrect,” the statement - who was stabbed to death by a teenage Palestinian assailant in said. “Israel enforces the law for Israelis and Palestinians. The tween the Jewish people in her West Bank home the day before. Her funeral was attended by Palestinian Authority is the one responsible for the diplomatic affirmationIsrael and the of diaspora,”the bonds said be hundreds, including several government ministers. freeze, and continues to incite and refuse talks.” Jacobs. “I understand the timing was not ideal,” Shapiro told Army Radio on Monday morning, January 25, a week after the remarks Energy Saving Windows & Doors! Still interested in Order Factory Direct! going to Israel? Vinyl Replacement & New Construction Windows JFEC is bringing a small group Storm Windows & Commercial Aluminum the beginning of April Professional Installation Available Railings & Fences of Many Styles Contact Jerry Fischer at 860.848.9258 • www.alltimemfg.com 860.442.8062 or [email protected] Since 1946 12 THE JEWISH LEADER, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 Top general praises Iran deal as strategic By J.J. Goldberg, Jewish Daily Forward weapons removed the second; and the collapse of the the Syrian state. Remember the nuclear agreement between Iran Syrian state and its military removed the third. Sec- Eisenkot named two other threats that he de- and the West? You know — the one that Benjamin ond, the job of the IDF is to preserve the space that scribed as “rising.” Neither is an existential threat, Netanyahu insisted was the biggest danger to Israel makes Israeli democracy possible and to guarantee a although both are causes for concern. That is, they and the Jews since time immemorial? normal life to Israeli and Palestinian civilians. Third, threaten the lives of Israelis, but not the existence - in a little-noticed jab, he said that a worldview that of Israel. One is the threat from “subnational” forces, gious defense conference last week that always assumes “the worst-case scenario” is “no less mainly Hezbollah, Hamas and the Islamic State group. Well, Israel’sfar from military being a chief mortal of threat, staff told the deal a presti has dangerous” than excess optimism. The other is the threat of cyber warfare. actually removed the most serious danger Eisenkot said there were two “existential threats” He said Hezbollah is currently the IDF’s “main con- to Israel’s existence for the foreseeable fu- to Israel, and both are currently “declining.” One was ture. the threat of nonconventional weaponry, including the organization has embedded within Shi’ite civilian both Iran’s nuclear program and Syrian chemical cern,”villages given in southern the extensive Lebanon fortifications “to challenge and therocketry IDF’s Gadi Eisenkot, was addressing the two- weapons. The other was the conventional military air and ground superiority.” dayThe annual chief conference of staff, of Lieutenant the Institute General for threat of the Syrian army. Israel has a vast superiority compared to other National Security Studies in Tel Aviv on Syria began handing its chemical weapons over to forces in the region in air, sea, intelligence and cy- January 18. His 45-minute talk (video in an international monitoring agency for destruction ber warfare, he said. “But this superiority is lessened - in 2013, following a U.S.-Russian initiative that has when confronting organizations that operate in built- dress since taking command of the Israel been widely criticized by conservatives. Eisenkot’s up areas with its defenses embedded in the civilian Hebrew)Defense Forces was his11 months first formal ago. policy ad - population.” It was also the most direct public chal- knowledgement that Israeli intelligence believes the “This raises a serious question: How do you estab- lenge yet posed by Israel’s security ser- remarksarrangement appear has to liftedbe the thefirst Syrian authoritative chemical Israeli threat. ac lish deterrence against an organization that has no vices to the repeated claim by Netanyahu - governmental obligations, no legal obligations and that the Iran nuclear agreement threatens tent,” Eisenkot said. no ethical obligations?” Israel’s survival. “TheAs chemicalfor the Iranian threat nuclearto Israel agreement, is effectively he saidnonexis it is Later in the conference Israel’s defense minister, There have been numerous indications “a strategic turning point” that includes “many risks Moshe Yaalon, a close ally of Netanyahu, presented in the past that Israel’s defense and intel- but also opportunities.” the prime minister’s position on threat assessment. ligence branches don’t share Netanyahu’s In what could be seen as another subtle dig at In what might have been a direct reply to Eisenkot, dire view of the Iran deal. However, Eisen- Netanyahu, he added that it’s “naturally the task of he said that “Iran has been our chief enemy since the the army, and my task, is to view situations from a revolution in 1979, and it remains so.” the army’s contrary assessment has been perspective of both risks and capabilities, and in that kot’spresented speech formally appears in a to public be the forum. first time manner to make a judgment. And not from an as- the threat is ISIS,” Yaalon said. “But if the choice is be- In fact, the 45-minute speech as a whole sumption of the worst-case scenario, because I think tween“There Iran are and voices ISIS, I prefer that say ISIS. differently, ISIS doesn’t that have today the can be read as a point-by-point refuta- that is no less dangerous than to project an overly op- capabilities that Iran has. If the diplomatic process in tion of Bibi-ism. First, he said Israel faces timistic scenario.” Syria should result in the entrenchment of Iran as the no existential threats right now, because The other “declining” existential threat, the con- hegemon there, it would be a challenge for us.” Editorials • Opinions Letters Obama’s Iran nuclear deal has removed ventional military threat once posed by the Syrian On the other hand, he added, “it’s hard for me to the greatest threat to Israel’s existence; army, is also receding. That’s because of the civil war, see how the talks in Vienna will bring any sort of the Obama-Putin deal on Syrian chemical which has tied down Syria’s military and weakened resolution.” Left & right: both do Israel no favors By Stuart J. D. Schwartzstein rael’s existence in attempting to de-legitimize Israel. CONSIDERING THE ISSUES The late Lucy Dawidowicz, whose magisterial That’s deeply unfortunate. Stuart J.D. Schwartzstein work, The War Against the Jews, was a great con- On the other end of the spectrum, unfortunately tribution to Holocaust history, once quipped to me the Netanyahu government and right-wing allies Schwartzstein is a retired 20+ year U.S. diplomat. Dur- that far better than the Conference of Presidents of seem not to understand how continued occupation of ing that time he was posted to Iraq for several of those Major Jewish Organizations would be an organiza- years. Stuart now makes his home in Eastern CT. tion called “Conference of Vice Presidents of Minor owned land, expansion of settlements and favoring Jewish Organizations.” Perhaps now that the CPMJO thesettlement West Bank, activity increasing help attract confiscation support of toPalestinian- extremist Suggested reading has yet again conducted itself shamefully by inviting groups like JVP. Nor does the Netanyahu government convicted spy Jonathan Pollard to speak to them (at a (and, unfortunately, some Jewish American groups Before his untimely death (at the age of 58) the es- meeting that was to have been kept secret) that orga- which blindly support Netanyahu policies) seem to teemed Jewish historian, David Cesarani completed Fi- nization should, indeed, be superseded by something understand that serious negotiating a two-state solu- nal Solution: The Fate of the Jews 1933-1949. Note- else. (Let’s remind ourselves that some months ago worthy is that he doesn’t end that tragic chapter in that organization quite shamefully voted to exclude stemming of BDS movements and other attempts to Jewish history in 1945. (And, indeed, it can be argued the liberal group J-Street.) To honor Pollard is nei- tionde-legitimize is the only Israel. way in which there can be effective that even now that chapter can’t be closed.) An ex- ther appropriate nor smart. Pollard was an embar- Netanyahu also does not seem to understand that cellent review by noted historian Michael Marrus rassment to American Jews and, particularly, those it should not be surprising that the continued occupa- appeared in the Financial Times of 23-24 January. It Jews in sensitive government positions. While I was tion – as well as expansion of settlements and other can be read online through Google – David Cesarani, one of those who thought that his punishment was policies which are seen as deeply unjust to Palestin- Michael Marrus (or try through www.ft.com.) too harsh, I do not now want to see the conditions ians – will naturally lead, from time to time to unfor- Many (if not most) American Jews were appalled of his parole (which include him remaining in the tunate instances of violence. The various murders of (or should have been!) at one of Netanyahu’s former Israelis that have taken place, while deeply unfortu- aides calling U.S. Ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro a I do not want to see the spectacle of Israelis honoring nate for both Israelis and Palestinians – are not so “little Jew boy.” Shapiro evidently irked that individual Unitedhim. States for at least another five years) changed. much terrorism as indications of deep frustration, if by saying what is crystal clear to anyone who’s been That extremist group “Jewish Voices for Peace” not hopelessness. (Histories of the Nazi occupations paying attention: that Is rael has been applying two claims not to be anti-Semitic. Perhaps it’s not. But, of European countries, for example, are replete with standards, one for Israelis and one for Palestinians, in as I see it, it is opposed to Israel existing as a Jewish instances of violence against the occupiers, as acts of how the law is administered. Read Roger Cohen’s ex- state. Its advocacy of BDS (boycott, divestment and resistance, however futile they may have been at the cellent op-ed piece in the January 28, 2016 of the New sanctions) isn’t just limited to Israel’s occupation of York Times entitled “Israel’s Image Issue”. Here is the the West Bank, but joins with others opposed to Is- LEFT & RIGHT CONT. ON PG 13 link: http://nyti.ms/1ORAu98. THE JEWISH LEADER, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 13 Open letter to U.N. Sect. General Ban Ki-Moon (part 2) By David E. Weisberg, Jerusalem Post of the PA when you write that, “Palestinians must virtual certainty is that your message will ultimately In Part 1 of this open letter, I discussed what Mr. make political compromises to bring Gaza and the be ignored by Israel and its supporters, because it Ban had to say in his NY Times op-ed (“Don’t Shoot West Bank under a single, democratic governing au- is so hopelessly biased in favor of Palestinians and the Messenger, Israel,” Feb. 1, 2016) about violence overtly Islamist Hamas terrorist organization come countries in the UN, comprising more than one-quar- I’m going to turn to his suggestions as to steps each thority[.]”together to How form will a single,the ostensibly democratic secular governing PA and theau- againstter of the Israelis. member There states. are There fifty is only Muslim-majority one Jewish- and terrorism in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Now thority? I think that can be ‘accomplished’ only if majority member state. Perhaps it is not surprising You write, Mr. Secretary General, that “Israeli au- Palestinians pretend that Hamas has abandoned its that, as the head of the UN, you might not be a model thoritiesside should need take to towards unequivocally resolving support the conflict.] the Pales- Islamist goal of destroying Israel, and organizations of even-handedness. tinian Authority and Palestinian institutions.” Does like the UN pretend to believe that that charade is a The bias inherent in your position is highlighted by that mean that Israeli authorities are ob- reality. Why would any Israeli government, or any Is- the concluding sentence in your op-ed, which reads: ligated to deny reality? Mahmoud Abbas, raeli citizen, ever believe otherwise? the ‘president’ of the PA, is currently in You also write that the Palestinians must take undermines the security and future of both Israelis the eleventh year of his four-year term as “preventive action to end attacks on Israelis, includ- “Keepingand Palestinians.” another people Clearly, under this placesindefinite the occupationblame un- president. That is a fact. He and his sup- ing an immediate stop to Gaza tunnel construction.” equivocally on the Israelis. You could just as well have porters are unwilling to hold another elec- written: “Subjecting another people to waves of ter- tion, because they fear with good reason come from Gaza, as do the tunnels that extend into Is- rorism undermines the security and future of both that a candidate of the secular Fatah par- Therael. The rockets PA has that lost Islamist all control terrorists over Gaza, fire and into it Israellacks Israelis and Palestinians.” This would have placed the ty—whether Mr. Abbas or anyone else— either the force or the will, or both, to re-establish its blame unequivocally on the Palestinian terrorists. would be defeated by a Hamas candidate. control over that territory. There is absolutely no rea- Or, as an alternative to either of the foregoing, you In fact, in 2007 Hamas violently and son to believe that, in the foreseeable future, the PA could have written: “Keeping another people under successfully revolted against PA control of will acquire either the requisite force or the will to accomplish that goal. All the diplomatic conferences to waves of terrorism, undermines the security and and resolutions in the world will not make the PA a indefinitefuture of both occupation, Israelis and or subjecting Palestinians.” another This peoplewould Gaza;set foot a number in Gaza of since PA officials the putsch. were killed He is single, democratic authority governing both the West have been the most even-handed formulation of all, inobviously the fighting. afraid Mr. that, Abbas if he has goes never to Gaza,even Bank and Gaza—it will take force and will on the part but it is not one you chose. Hamas or other Islamists might well as- of the PA, just as it took force and will for Hamas to Respectfully, sassinate him. These are the facts on the seize control from the PA. What evidence do you have David E. Weisberg ground, and they cannot be altered by all to support a contrary conclusion, Mr. Ban? the UN resolutions in the world. Are the Mr. Ban, the message you’ve presented is not one See article below Israelis supposed to pretend that the PA that Israel will embrace with any enthusiasm, but I controls Gaza, when in fact it does not? - You allude indirectly to the incapacity cials. That is not likely to happen. Rather, what is a CONT. FROM PAGE 12 don’t think you need fear being shot by Israeli offi LEFT & RIGHT time.) UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon clearly un- Ban claims his criticism was ‘twisted’ derstands this and said that “it is human nature to re- Sect. General condemns terrorism, continued. “Ignoring this won’t make it disappear. No act to occupation.” Sadly, Bibi’s reaction just showed one can deny that the everyday reality of occupation more obtuseness when he accused Ban Ki-moon of but warns of Israel occupation “giving terrorism a tailwind.”

Editorials • Opinions Letters provokes anger and despair, which are major drivers By Adiv Sterman, Times of Israel of violence and extremism and undermine any hope There is now the question of how products made UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on of a negotiated two-state solution.” in settlements in the West Bank should be labeled. Monday stood by his harsh criticism of Israel’s poli- Ban further criticized Israel’s expansion of Jewish Apparently, there is some legislation in progress in cies in the West Bank, but stressed that his words settlements in the West Bank, as well as the demoli- the Congress which would mandate that the US con- — which have been maligned by a battery of Israeli tion of illegal Palestinian homes. sider such products as “made in Israel.” That would be deeply unfortunate, as it would confer a degree over 150 new homes in illegal settlements in the oc- of legitimacy on settlements, as well as erase an im- officialsIn Israel — underand the no occupied circumstances Palestinian amounted territories, to a cupied“The West [Israeli] Bank. government Last month, has 370 approved acres in plansthe West for portant distinction. Fortunately, the Obama adminis- justification2016 has begun for terror much attacks. as 2015 ended — with unac- Bank were declared ‘state land,’ a status that typically tration understands well that such legislation would ceptable levels of violence and a polarized public dis- leads to exclusive Israeli settler use,” he said. pose serious problems. The White House released (in course,” Ban wrote in a New York Times op-ed piece. “At the same time, thousands of Palestinian homes an email message to this writer) the following state- “That polarization showed itself in the halls of the in the West Bank risk demolition because of obstacles ment: United Nations last week when I pointed out a simple that may be legal on paper but are discriminatory in Every U.S. administration since 1967 – Democrat truth: History proves that people will always resist practice. Palestinians — especially young people — and Republican alike – has opposed Israeli settlement occupation,” he said. are losing hope over what seems a harsh, humiliat- activity beyond the 1967 lines. This Administration is In a thinly veiled jab at Prime Minister Benjamin ing and endless occupation,” he said. “Israelis are also - Netanyahu, who on Tuesday accused the United Na- reeling from near-daily attacks and losing sight of the ed or supported Israeli settlements and activity as- tions chief of “stoking terror,” Ban argued that he had possibility of a comprehensive peace with the Pales- nosociated different. with themThe U.S. and, government by extension, has doesnever not defend pur- been misrepresented by critics. tinians.” sue policies or activities that would legitimize them. “Some sought to shoot the messenger — twist- Ban said he “will always defend Israel’s right to ex- - ist,” as well as “the right of Palestinians to have a state That, of course, applies to labeling of products. lence,” the U.N. head wrote. “The stabbings, vehicle of their own.” He added that the UN was committed Let us keep in mind that the settlements are, quite ingrammings my words and into other a misguidedattacks by justificationPalestinians fortarget vio- to promoting peace and democratic values in the re- rightly seen as both unjust taking of Palestinian land ing Israeli civilians are reprehensible. So, too, are the - most to Israel to continue “lashing out” at those who American “Nothing excuses terrorism. I condemn it categori- gion,have thebut Jewishstressed state’s that it best was interests damaging in first mind. and fore andJews making can help a two-stateIsrael by solutiondiscouraging significantly any efforts more incitementcally.” of violence and the glorification of killers. “Criticism of the United Nations — or attacks difficult,to erase distinctions if not impossible, between to what achieve. is made in Is- Ban added, however, that it was “inconceivable” against me — comes with the territory,” the UN chief rael and what is made on the West Bank. that violence would be curbed solely through height- wrote. “But when heartfelt concerns about short- ened security measures. sighted or morally damaging policies emanate from Schwartzstein is a retired 20+ year U.S. diplomat. “As I warned the Security Council last week, Pales- so many sources, including Israel’s closest friends, During that time he was posted to Iraq for several of tinian frustration and grievances are growing under it cannot be sustainable to keep lashing out at every those years. Stuart now makes his home in Eastern CT the weight of nearly a half-century of occupation,” he well-intentioned critic.” and can be reached at [email protected]. 14 THE JEWISH LEADER, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 NANCY PRAGUE Abe Vigoda ‘Fish’ dies at 94 Boynton Beach, FL -- Nancy S. Prague 89, of Boyn- By Reuters immigrants from Russia. ton Beach, Florida passed away peacefully at the home be Vigoda, an American actor best known for His father was a tailor. of her son Rabbi Yerachmiel Seplowitz in Monsey, New roles in “The Godfather” and the 1970s sitcom York, on January 8, 2016. “Barney Miller,” died on Tuesday at the age of on stage at age 17 and, Born Nesya Silversmith on June 22, 1926, Nancy 94, after spending three decades jokingly refut- droppingHe had the his “H” first from role grew up in Montreal, Canada where she met and mar- ing rumors of his demise. his last name along the ried Harry Seplowitz of Coventry, CT. They settled in Vigoda’s daughter, Carol Vigoda Fuchs, said way, had modest suc- Norwich, CT, where they raised their four children un- her father died at her home in New Jersey. “He cess in theater and on til Harry’s untimely passing left Nancy a young widow. died in his sleep, of natural causes. He was not television through the In 1963, Nancy married Norman Prague of Willim- sick,” she told Reuters. 1960s.

Obituaries antic, CT, and they added a daughter to the family. Vigoda, who was adept at drama and com- Vigoda was already Nancy was deeply committed to Jewish life and tra- edy with a hang-dog face, slouched posture and past 50 when he got dition and was considered a “Pillar of the Community” slow delivery, played mobster traitor Salvatore his break in “The God- in Norwich. She was an active and cherished member - father.” In an interview of Brothers of Joseph Synagogue, often volunteer- ited movie role. His character was doomed for with CNN, Vigoda recalled being summoned to ing and performing mitzvot including Tessio in “The Godfather” in 1972, his first cred Tahara, “Chesed Shel Emet” (truest act open casting call. of kindness), with the Norwich wom- betrayingGodfather thePart CorleoneII” two years family later. in the film but the“It office seems of directorhe’d seen Francis me in aFord play Coppola or plays,” in Vian- en’s Chevra Kadisha. hadHis a cameo most famous role in therole flashback was as the scenes grumpy of “The and goda said, adding that one of the reasons Cop- In recognition of her years of dedi- deadpan Detective Sergeant Phil Fish in the pola “was interested in me was that nobody cation to Hadassah, Nancy was hon- “Barney Miller” police comedy series. He picked knew my face.” ored with the “Woman of Valor” award, up three supporting-actor Emmy nominations Vigoda said the role opposite stars like Mar- and for her long-standing service to for the part. lon Brando, Al Pacino and James Caan in one of the local Jewish community. Nancy was Vigoda spent years amiably proving he was Hollywood’s greatest movies changed his life. a long standing member of the Jewish still alive after People magazine mistakenly de- From there, Vigoda moved to the “Barney Federation of Eastern CT. She also re- clared him “the late Abe Vigoda” in 1982, when Miller” series. ceived the Hebrew Day School of East- he was 62. The question of his mortality became “I got the role because the producer thought ern, CT “30 years of outstanding ser- a running gag that he learned to live with. I looked tired,” Vigoda said. “But I looked tired vice” award. Nancy also for thirty years was the “go to” person To disprove the People report, he posed for a because I had been jogging earlier that day.” for planting trees in Israel for the Jewish National Fund. In a typical line from “Barney Miller,” Fish be- Nancy was known for her warmth, compassion, generosity of became an often-revisited joke in his appear- spirit, strong values, and unwillingness to speak ill of anyone. photoances onsitting Conan in aO’Brien’s coffin. His late-night alive-or-dead show andstatus in it feels like to be running down 43rd Street and She was well respected and a beautiful woman inside and out. a skit on David Letterman’s show, he curtly ad- moanedyour partner the effects is cornering of age: a“Do guy you on know 52nd? what Do With unwavering devotion to her family, Nancy was so proud of vised the host, “I’m not dead yet, you pinhead!” you know how I found out what happened? I her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. asked a reporter. Four radio stations beat me to Nancy Prague is survived by her daughter Barbara Seplowitz longevity was the joke and appeared with the the scene of the crime.” Schumer and son-in-law Marvin Schumer, son William Seplow- equallyVigoda well-seasoned also had roles actress in filmsBetty White where in his a Unlike the creaky, lethargic Fish, Vigoda was itz, son Rabbi Yerachmiel Seplowitz and daughter-in-law Sheera, commercial during the Super Bowl in February a vigorous man who played handball regularly 2010. and was still jogging into his 80s. Dana Prague Meeks and son-in-law Dale Meeks, 14 grandchil- The website www.abevigoda.com was set up Vigoda worked in TV and movies well into sondren Jeffrey , many great Seplowitz grandchildren and partner and nieces Becky and nephews. Gustafson, daughter simply to give his status - “Abe Vigoda is alive” She is also survived by her sister Bluma and brother–in-law - above a photo of the actor and a date/time “Good Burger,” “Joe Versus the Volcano,” “Look Ben Stolow of Montreal, sister-in-law Harriet Berkman Silver- stamp. On Tuesday, that was changed to “Abe hisWho’s 80s. Talking” His other and “Cannonball work included Run.” the He filmsalso smith, also of Montreal and pre-deceased by her brother Sam Vigoda is dead.” appeared on television series such as “Soap,” Silversmith. Born in New York City on Feb. 24, 1921, “The Rockford Files,” “Wings” and the vampire She will forever be missed by all who knew and loved her. Abraham Charles Vigodah was the son of Jewish soap opera “Dark Shadows.”

AUTO | HOME | COMMERCIAL | MARINE MARVIN MINSKY AI PIONEER DIES AT 88 By Reuters single process. Instead, he argued, intelligence Marvin Minsky, the arises from the interaction of numerous pro- Levine Insurance Group LLC - cesses in a “society of mind” - a phrase Minsky neer who helped make used for the title of his 1985 book. Andrew J. Levine artificialmachines intelligence think, leading pio to computers that under- isn’t a thing but an embarrassing mess of dumb stand spoken commands things“Marvin that work basically together, figured as outin a thatsociety,” thinking said 221 Boston Post Rd. 860-739-4444 Office and beat grandmasters at Danny Hillis, a former Minsky student and now P.O. Box 339 860-739-6861 Fax chess, has died at the age co-chairman of the Applied Minds technology East Lyme, CT 06333 [email protected] of 88, the Massachusetts company. Institute of Technology Minsky’s insight led to the development of said. smart machines packed with individual mod- Minsky, who died on Sunday, January 24, computers that play grandmaster-level chess, school said. ulesrobots that that give build them cars, specific programs capabilities, that analyzesuch as 2016,Minsky suffered had “a monster a cerebral brain,” MIT hemorrhage, colleague the DNA and software that creates lifelike dino- - saurs, explosions and extraterrestrial worlds 136 Sachem Street ligence and computer science, said in a 2012 for movies. Memorial Norwich CT 06360 Patrickinterview. Winston, He could a professor be intimidating of artificial without intel 860-889-2374 meaning to be because he was “such a genius,” almost every computer function, from web Winston said. Artificial intelligence is also essential to- Fax 860-886-2396 Minsky’s greatest contribution to computers tering spam email, focusing cameras, translat- searching documents to video and games, giving and voice tasks commands such as filto neither human nor machine intelligence is a MINSKY CONT. ON PG 15 and artificial intelligence was the notion that THE JEWISH LEADER, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 15 TEDDY WEINBERGER The art of downplaying © 2015, Teddy Weinberger n the last week of January, the violence that some are call- answer is downplaying. I was socialized by my be 100% certain that ing the “Third Intifada” came to the Givat Ze’ev area. On father Lenny Weinberger, the King of Downplay- nothing bad will hap- Monday January 25 at around 5:00 p.m., just 2 miles down ers. His golden rule: You can be too careful. pen to you. In America, the road in the small Beit Horon settlement, a 24-year-old My father’s immediate reaction to danger is my father saw that the womanI was mortally wounded and a 60-year-old woman was to downplay it. Nothing is as serious as “they” authorities in charge moderately wounded. Then on Wednesday night January 27 at make it out to be (“they” being the people in of one’s security and around 11:00 p.m., a 36-year-old man was stabbed in the back charge of your well-being). This approach serves health were so clearly in the shopping strip at one of Givat Ze’ev’s gas stations. This be- as a healthy antidote to the anxieties of every- aiming for this mythi- ing Givat Ze’ev (which still has the feel of a small town), it’s not day Israeli life. Because the fact is that there cal 100% security that surprising that I am friendly with two of the people who were at are many tempting ways to be overly careful in they had to be counteracted with an “it’s not the scene. Israel. One can decide never to go to a certain so serious.” Israel, on the other hand, seems to Twenty-seven-year-old Hillel Hagar, who works at a pastry gas station again, one can decide never to ride a do a good job in weighing the risks and avoid- shop a few doors down from the stabbing, was one of the men bus; one can avoid malls, movie theaters, open- ing unnecessarily inconveniencing the civilian who wrestled the attacker to the ground. Though Hillel is newly air markets and restaurants; one can avoid trav- population. married and might have thought twice before he acted the way eling upon certain roads in the territories, and It’s true that I sometimes resented the ex- he did (Sarah and I and our daughter Rebecca went to his wed- one can avoid traveling to the territories at all tremes to which my father’s downplaying could ding a few months ago), here is what he told the media before attain. As a kid, for example, all of my illnesses he was taken away in an ambulance (he sustained two minor oneself living inside the territories). Clearly, life were of course downplayed. In order to stay cuts to his leg): “I heard screams and I started running, without (althoughin Israel challenges this is a bit the problematic position that if one“one finds can home from school, I had to prove I was sick; said knowing where I’m running or why I’m running.” When some- never be too careful.” If one tries to live by this proof had to be with a minimum thermometer one told Hillel that he is a hero, he said: “I’m nothing of the kind.” motto, one may very rapidly discover that one temperature of 102 degrees; for accuracy, said Also at the scene was my friend Dudi Gur (about whom I wrote has ceased to function normally in Israeli soci- thermometer had to be rectal. But Dad, now a column a few years ago entitled “My Israeli Doppelganger”), ety. that I live in Israel, all is forgiven. Your down- a volunteer paramedic who happened to be coming home from It’s all about risk assessment, and about giv- playing really comes in handy here. the theater. For Dudi, who does regular rounds in Jerusalem, the ing up on the hope that one can do things to incident was fairly routine medically. Like Hillel, he objected to making a big deal about what he did, and though the next day WESTERN WALL CONT. FROM PAGE 1 he was bombarded with media requests, he refused to be inter- body that controls the adjacent Temple Mount site in a city some Israelis rarely visit just isn’t viewed and play the hero. Dudi’s home is located about half a and has opposed physical changes to the area. as relevant. mile from the attack. When I asked him if that gave him pause, A bridge to the mount threads between the Or- This is good for Benjamin Netanyahu. he said: “You often have to pay a price for living where you live. thodox and non-Orthodox areas of the wall — The Western Wall compromise might not be In Russia, many people pay the price of frigid cold, here you pay right next to where the construction is slated to central to the everyday Israeli, but it’s a boost the price of an incident like this.” happen. for Israel’s prime minister. American Jewish Unlike Hillel or Dudi, I was not born in this country, and yet According to a document from Sunday’s Cab- leaders who support Netanyahu’s policies, in inet meeting, the project will cost NIS 35 mil- Washington, D.C. and nationwide, have pushed equanimity. How do I do it, not having been socialized here? The lion, or $8.8 million. Of that, only NIS 25 million him hard on women’s prayer at the Western I also find myself reacting to incidents of terror with relative of funding has been arranged. Wall. Now, he has a concrete achievement to MINSKY OBIT. CONT. FROM PAGE 14 Where will the rest of the money come from? show them at a holy site they care about. smartphones. What happens if there’s an early election, and - - SANDERS CONT. FROM PAGE 1 ties? What if there’s another war, taking a chunk ness of the Democratic caucuses, the AP did not capableMinsky of learningwas co-founder through in connections 1959 of the that now-legendary mimic human Artifi neu- aout new of Israel’sgovernment budget? forms What with if haredi different lawmaker priori declare a winner. cialrons. Intelligence Group at MIT. He also built the first computer - That did not stop Clinton’s supporters from Minsky lent his expertise to one of culture’s most notorious ship of the Knesset Finance Committee to hold claiming victory on Tuesday. Matt Paul, Iowa thinking machines - the HAL 9000 computer from the book and Mosheup funding? Gafni In finds response a way to to the use deal his today, chairman Gafni state director for the Hillary for America cam- called Reform Jews “clowns.” Twice. paign, said in a statement that “statistically, masters. Minsky served as an adviser for the movie, which he It took nearly three years to move from an there is no outstanding information that could film “2001: A Space Odyssey” that turned against its astronaut - change the results and no way that Senator Minsky, who was born in New York City in 1927, was drawn sensus. Implementing it could take even longer. Sanders can overcome Secretary Clinton’s ad- calledto science “the and most engineering awesome film as a I’d child, ever enthralled seen.” by the works of outlineIsraelis of thedon’t deal, really in April care about2013, thisto a issue.final con vantage.” Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. A range of American Jewish organizations The Iowa Democratic Party, however, said He also composed music in the style of Bach - an interest he campaigned for this compromise and released the results from one precinct had not yet come pursued into his later years. statements praising it Sunday. But for many Minsky graduated from Harvard in 1950 with a degree in Israelis, the Western Wall barely shows up on Hampshire. mathematics and in 1954 earned a Ph.D. in math from Princeton their list of policy priorities. in, Nearly even asall thethe candidatescandidates flewplanned out to for return New University. A poll by the Ruderman Family Foundation to New Hampshire by midday Tuesday after - port space for non-Orthodox Jews at the wall. COMPANION SERVICE SundayBut just foundbecause that Israelis four outsupport of five change Israelis doesn’t sup hoppingon February overnight 9. flights from Iowa. Voters Sensitive, mature, honest, reliable woman to provide mean they’ll push for it. Compared to national willEight hold yearsthe first ago, primary Clinton’s of the victory season in Newhere companionship for elderly/disabled individuals. security or economics, Israelis don’t care very Hampshire breathed fresh life into her cam- much about religion and state. Religious issues paign. But New Hampshire is also familiar ter- Evenings/Nights Preferred didn’t even register in a poll about the most im- ritory for Sanders, who represents neighbor- portant issues ahead of last year’s election. ing Vermont in the Senate and is well known Covering all of New London County And even within the realm of religious re- among the state’s voters. Sanders’ sizable lead Experienced/References Available form, the Western Wall ranks pretty low. Israelis over Clinton in New Hampshire polls has held are much more likely to campaign for changes steady or increased in recent weeks.

Call 860.446.8602 in Israel, a liberalization of conversion policy or Remember to send in your subscription thatan expansion would affect of military their lives, conscription. like civil marriage A holy 16 THE JEWISH LEADER, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

EASTERN CONNECTICUT’S AUTOMOTIVE LEADER FOR OVER 32 YEARS

2015 CADILLAC CTS 2015 BUICK ENCORE

2015 CHEVROLET 2015 HYUNDAI TRAVERSE SONATA

www.mjsullivanauto.com d5 592

CORNER OF BROAD & COLMAN STREETS • NEW LONDON, CT • 860.443.8432 47