Jewish Federation of NEPA Non-profit Organization 601 Jefferson Ave. U.S. POSTAGE PAID The Scranton, PA 18510 Permit # 184 Watertown, NY Change Service Requested Published by the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania VOLUME XI, NUMBER 9 MAY 3, 2018 How a Jewish civil rights group became a villain on the far left civil rights,” wing racism and for statements targeting Muslims or praising ANALYSIS said Rebecca bigotry. It has far-right demonstrators. Greenblatt recently BY BEN SALES Vilkomerson, released reports urged scrutiny of his pick for secretary of (JTA) – When Starbucks announced executive di- and statements state, Mike Pompeo, for his anti-Muslim that it would close its U.S. stores for rector of Jew- on far-right ex- activities. one day to conduct anti-bias training for ish Voice for tremist activi- In May, the ADL will take part in the employees, seeking the expertise of the Peace, which ty and filed an Starbucks training, which comes in response Anti-Defamation League seemed unsur- supports boy- amicus brief to the outcry over the arrest of two black prising. It’s the most prominent group in cotting Israel. against the men at a Philadelphia branch of the coffee the country fighting antisemitism, and it “They tend to Trump admin- giant who were waiting to start a meeting. also opposes bigotry of all kinds. Its web- defend Israel istration’s travel Along with the ADL, the training will also site says it has conducted anti-bias training and its actions. Tamika Mallory, ban. It has con- be led by the NAACP’s Legal Defense in schools, workplaces and elsewhere for There seems Jonathan Greenblatt, national co-chair- vened mayors Fund, the liberal think tank Demos and the 60 million people. to be a double ADL CEO (Photo woman of the Women’s to fight hate and Equal Justice Initiative, a civil rights group. But when far-left activists look at the standard they courtesy of the ADL) March (Photo by Robin opened a center But along with its work on bias, the ADL, they don’t see a civil-rights group. impart on Mus- Marchant/Getty Images in Silicon Val- ADL engages in pro-Israel activism that They say the ADL supports domestic insti- lims and in particular Palestinians.” for Hulu) ley to combat has pit it against groups that share its do- tutions perpetuating racism (like the police) The ADL declined to comment for this cyberhate. mestic agenda. In 2016, the ADL called while defending what the activists call Israeli article, but the positions it has taken in re- Its CEO, Jonathan Greenblatt, who out the Movement for Black Lives after oppression of the Palestinians abroad. cent years make it an unlikely target of some came to the ADL in 2015 after a stint at it published a platform accusing Israel of “They have a track record of being se- left-wing organizations. The group has been the Obama White House, has not been shy apartheid and genocide. It has sparred with lective in the way in which they approach an outspoken Jewish voice against right- about criticizing President Donald Trump Linda Sarsour, the Palestinian-American liberal activist and an organizer of the Women’s March, over her anti-Zionism. th It welcomed the adoption by Congress of the Taylor Force Act, which conditions Scranton Hebrew Day School’s 70 certain American aid to the Palestinian Authority on ending the Palestinian Lib- eration Organization’s practice of paying anniversary celebration on May 6 families of jailed and deceased terrorists. Details have been finalized for the celebrated with a video produced by In conjunction with the recent 18th And as opposition to Israel has become Scranton Hebrew Day School’s 70th An- Abish Seiff highlighting the school’s yahrzeit of Rabbi Yitzchok Werbin, increasingly common in leftist activist cir- niversary Gala Reception and Dinner, to legacy. The legacy chairman is Dr. former dean and executive director, the cles, the ADL’s talking points supporting be held at the Hilton Conference Center David Horowitz. Junior Congregation/Auditorium will be Israel have made it a target. IfNotNow, on Sunday, May 6, beginning with a re- Guests of honor at the event are Yonah rededicated in his memory. a grassroots group opposing Israel’s oc- ception at 4:30 pm, Mincha at 5 pm and and Miriam Holland, parents of the year To make reservations for the event, call cupation, has staged sit-ins in the lobby the dinner at 5:30 pm. are Dr. Joel and Leah Laury, and alumnus the Scranton Hebrew Day School office of the ADL’s office building. In March, This milestone achievement will be of the year is Dr. Daniel Fink. at 570-346-1576. after the ADL criticized Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and his backers, IfNotNow accused it of downplaying the SPOTLIGHT threat of white supremacy. The left-wing attacks on the ADL Israel’s hottest night out is a chance to sing old gained a wider audience recently when Women’s March co-organizer Tamika Mallory, who recently came under fire songs with 12,000 of your closest friends for supporting Farrakhan, an antisemite, BY ALAN D. ABBEY to create a social choir, full denounced Starbucks for cooperating TEL AVIV (JTA) – I’m of hope and optimism.” with the Jewish group. “So you are aware, not sure where she got this, It’s the kumsitz updated Starbucks was on a decent track until they but our daughter believes for the 21st century, with enlisted the Anti-Defamation League to American Jews imagine Israeli tech, glitz, media build their anti-bias training,” Mallory that Israelis work in the refet savvy and the positive vibes tweeted. “The ADL is CONSTANTLY (cowshed) all day and then we need. attacking black and brown people.” gather for a kumsitz, sitting On April 9, Israeli Pres- See “Rights” on page 6 around the campfire at night ident Reuven Rivlin joined to sing Naomi Shemer songs. Koolulam at a mass singing After our experience at the of Shemer’s “Al Kol Eleh” to Federation recent Koolulam gathering honor Israel’s upcoming 70th in Tel Aviv, I’m inclined to anniversary. A cute video he say her perception is closer made convinced my wife to on Facebook to reality than stereotype. get us tickets for the event at The Jewish Federation of Northeast- Koolulam is a year-old Tel Aviv’s basketball arena, ern Pennsylvania now has a page on social phenomenon that has a shed where shouts from Facebook to let community members gathered thousands of Israelis Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball know about upcoming events and keep to sing everything from songs Attendees at a Koolulam event. (Photo by Koolulam via Facebook) fans and the wail of electric connected. by Sia and Imagine Dragons guitars from overseas rock- to Naomi Shemer, perhaps Israel’s greatest to enjoy the feeling of togetherness ers are more common than a mass rendition songwriter. According to its Facebook through a deep communal experience – of a classic Hebrew folk song. Candle lighting See “Sing” on page 12 page, “The project enables its participants our sounds and voices coming together May 4 ............................................ 7:45 pm INSIDE THIS ISSUE May 11 .......................................... 7:53 pm May 18 ................................................ 8 pm Kosher in DC Dispelling myths Israel news in brief... May 19 .......................................... 9:02 pm Several restaurants in Washington, A historian’s new book is dispelling A new Hebrew U. medical study; May 20 .......................................... 9:03 pm DC, have been certified kosher by some long-running myths spawned Netanyahu delays vote on court PLUS the clergy of Ohev Shalom. by the Kishinev pogrom. “override clause”; and more. Opinion .......................................................2 Story on page 4 Story on page 11 Stories on page 13 D’var Torah ...............................................8 2 THE REPORTER ■ M AY 3, 2018 A MATTER OF OPINION “Engaging” millennials is all the rage, but is it the best use of Jewish philanthropy? BY JACK WERTHEIMER In response to these developments, a Younger Jews are also taking the engagement programs to remediate for the (JTA) – Engaging young people in number of the largest foundations with initiative by founding dozens of startups shallow education most have encountered their 20s and 30s, the so-called millennial Jewish interests are investing heavily in designed to appeal to their peers. Often in their Jewish schooling and informal generation, is a high priority for Jewish initiatives designed to kindle what in a with the help of funders, startups meet Jewish education. philanthropists. Some funders have previous time was described as the “pintele in unconventional spaces, such as clubs, To be sure, local funders are supporting banded together to create new initiatives, Yid,” the little flicker of Jewishness waiting bars, performing art spaces, lofts and Jewish education, as are a few national including free trips to Israel, with the to be lit. The most ambitious – and best- bookstores. They may offer a Friday night foundations, but for the most part the big express purpose of drawing members of known – such effort is Birthright Israel, social gathering, a musical program or dollars are going for millennial engage- this generation into Jewish life. Others the 10-day free trip to Israel. Since its lecture series. Meeting in offbeat venues ment. It’s not as if the field of Jewish have gravitated to the so-called innovation inception in 1999, it has sent more than is part of the allure. education presents no large systemic sector, supporting millennials who dream 600,000 young people from around the Events designed for millennials usually challenges requiring ambitious funding up new programs to entice their peers into globe at a cost nearing the billion-dollar are free or require only a modest admission and creativity.