WESTCHESTER April 2017 -- Nisan-Iyar 5777, Volume 23, Issue 4 JewishWESTCHESTER COUNTY’S ONLY MONTHLY JEWISHLife NEWSPAPER Cuomo Launches NY-Israel Commission During Economic Development and Unity Trip to Israel In early March, during a whirl- the King David Hotel. strong ties that exist between New wind trip to Israel, Governor Andrew “New York and Israel have always York and Israel. Under Governor M. Cuomo announced the launch shared a deep cultural, social and eco- Cuomo, New York has shown its un- of the “New York-Israel Commis- nomic bond and I am proud that we wavering commitment to the Jewish sion,” which will be responsible for are working to make our partnership community and this initiative will creating a framework to strengthen stronger than ever before,” Governor continue to strengthen both our cul- economic and cultural ties between Cuomo said. “These individuals will tural and economic ties and ensure New York and Israel. Mort Zucker- help continue to strengthen our re- both partners will grow together well man will serve as honorary chair of lationship with the Jewish commu- into the future, “ Co-Chair Malcolm the 22-member commission and Al- nity and reaffirm our commitment Hoenlein said. len Faigin, Malcolm Hoenlein, Linda to Israel, and I look forward to seeing The Commission is made up of Mirels, and President, CEO and Com- the impacts of this partnership reso- the following individuals: Mort Zuck- missioner of ESD Howard Zemsky nate across the state and the globe for erman (Honorary Chair) Former CEO, will serve as co-chairs. The Governor years to come.” Boston Properties and Owner & Pub- made the announcement during his “I am pleased to co-chair Gov- lisher of the New York Daily News and economic development and unity trip ernor Cuomo’s New York-Israel Com- the U.S. News and World Report; Al- to Israel following a meeting with Nir mission. This trip is an important len Faigin (Co-Chair), Executive Vice Barkat, the Mayor of Jerusalem and step in exploring new ways we can President, Orthodox Union; Malcolm key international business leaders at continue to grow and expand the continued on page 4 New Unity Torah Brings Community Lowey Hosts Roundtable with Jewish Leaders on Anti-Semitic Threats Against JCC’s Together Before Passover Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey BY STEPHEN E. LIPKEN (D-Westchester/Rockland), Ranking Member of the House Appropria- A joyous procession of tions Committee, hosted a round- the Unity Torah, written in table discussion with local Jewish response to global anti-Sem- leaders at the Jewish Community itism, took place from Dobbs Center (JCC) on the Hudson in Tar- Ferry High School to Chabad of rytown in early March to discuss Rivertowns House, 303 Broad- the wave of 120 bomb threats made way, Dobbs Ferry on Sunday, against JCCs and Jewish schools March 26, following a “Macca- across the country. JCC on the Hud- beats” concert, attended by ap- son was one of two JCCs in West- proximately 500 community chester that received bomb threats. members. Chabad Hebrew School students witness Sopher Rabbi Yochanan Klein As Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Task- The Torah was conceived inscribe the next to the last Torah letter force for Combating Anti-Semitism, in agony, following the settle- against his former employer, BNPP competitor bank with Congresswomen Lowey sent a letter ment of a law suit brought in BNP Paribas North America, Nazi soldiers as competitor to President Trump demanding that the Southern District of New alleging that he was “discrimi- bank executives. When he ob- the Department of Justice (DOJ) have York, instigated by Jean-Marc nated against on the basis of jected, Jean-Marc was threat- access to the necessary resources to Orlando, 47, in 2014-2015 his religion, subjugated to a ened with his job. fully investigate these threats and Left to right: David Kirschtel, Chief Executive Officer of JCC Rockland, Con- hostile work environment and Orlando’s Tunisian anti-Semitic acts. gresswoman Nita Lowey, Karen Kolodny, Executive Director of JCC of Mid- retaliated against for making grandmother was abducted by “The recent threats against Westchester and Frank Hassid, Executive Director of JCC on the Hudson complaints…” when forced to the Nazis, narrowly escaping Jewish Community Centers in West- watch a scathing “training” deportation. He donated a por- chester and across the country are horrifying and unprecedented,” said Lowey. “As Co-Chair of the Bi- video in Amsterdam, portray- tion of his settlement to com- partisan Taskforce for Combating Anti-Semitism, I call on the Department of Justice to use its full power ing Adolf Hitler as CEO of a continued on page 2 continued on page 18 HAPPY PASSOVER! Visit www.westchesterjewishlife.com 2 • April 2017 • Nisan-Iyar 5777 • Westchester Jewish Life www.westchesterjewishlife.com Astorino Speaks Out Against Recent JCC Bomb Threats BY STEPHEN E. LIPKEN our Jewish schools, Temples and other times we are doing it in the police officer on the street today community centers the opportu- background, undercover. is an anti-terrorism officer… Westchester County Execu- nity to get a direct feedback from “We have an Intelligence Training, prevention and intelli- tive Robert Astorino spoke before our law enforcement on how to Center that gives information in gence are the keys.” 17 Westchester Synagogue Execu- protect themselves, and secure real time and digs up threats that “WJC, representing the tive Directors at Shaarei Tikvah, their buildings,” Astorino stated. are happening plus a Joint Ter- Westchester Jewish community Scarsdale on Thursday, March 2 “Any ‘sicko’ who thinks that rorist Task Force which we sit on, condemns these nationwide anti- regarding recent bomb threats to it is funny to call in a bomb threat working in conjunction with FBI, Semitic phone calls and acts of Westchester Jewish Community should be condemned. If we State and local partners.” hatred that have reached West- Centers and hate crimes, reas- catch them we should be dealing The question was raised if chester and are designed to cre- suring the group that whether the with them as stringently as we there were any precedents deal- ate fear. We applaud our elected threats were pranks or in earnest, can… People shouldn’t have to ing with these issues. Longworth officials, the professionals in our the County would deal forcefully live in fear.” responded, “There is intelligence Westchester Intelligence Cen- and decisively with the perpetra- Asked what is being done gathering, the key issue in pre- ter, County Police and local law tors. to rectify the situation, Astorino venting events like this. The enforcement officials that have Also present were West- replied, “There are things that second action is the level of pre- responded quickly and thorough- chester Jewish Council Execu- we are doing that are visible that paredness. We train new recruits lyto investigate these incidents,” tive Director Elliot Forchheimer; Safety Investigative Services; Schlaff, Director, Office for -Wom are giving security assessments, to deal with all kinds of chemical, Forchheimer stressed. “We know John Hodges, Chief, Westchester Commissioner of Public Safety en. stepping up patrols…Sometimes biological and radiological explo- that by working together justice County Department of Public George Longworth and Robin “We offer specifically at we want our presence to be seen, sive devices to spot threats. Every will prevail...” New Unity Torah Brings Community Together Before Passover continued from page 1 mission a Safer Torah for Chabad. Orlando’s We’re Passing Out Over family was given the honor of writing the last letter on the Unity Torah with Sopher, {scribe} Rabbi Yochanan Klein. $100 In Savings... “Jews were not allowed in this region of Westchester and now we are going to celebrate ...so you won’t pass over Ben’s Catered Holiday Dinner. in the streets of Dobbs Ferry,” Orlando averred. “The Police have blocked the street. We are about Purchase Ben’s Complete Holiday Dinner by Wednesday, April 5, 2017 and get 4 to march with a chuppah (Torah/Marriage Cano- “BUY-1-GET-1 FREE” coupons in your Ben’s Friends Preferred Patron Club account py)….All this is based on a concept of unity, that — 1 coupon each month from May to August 2017. Total savings over $100! there should be no more anti-Semitism here in America and anywhere in the world.” Co-Chair of the House of Representatives COMPLETE HOLIDAY DINNER Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Sem- Catered for 10 Guests... including dessert! itism, Congresswoman Nita Lowey stated, “I am alarmed as you are to see hate everywhere, $ 99 to see people killing each other…. As a Jewish 349 woman and Member of Congress I just want to APPETIZER assure you that I will continue to act and rep- 10 pieces of Gelfilte Fish resented by this Unity Torah, we will overcome, 1 qt. Chopped Liver endure and teach the lessons of Torah…” SOUP “Regarding Passover, it is a time that is 4 qts. Chicken Soup with 12 Matzo Balls widely celebrated by the Jewish community,” Jean-Marc Orlando holding newly completed Torah. ENTREE (CHOOSE ONE) Chabad of Rivertowns Rabbi Benjy Silverman 5 Roast Chickens noted. “One of the beautiful aspects of Passover is the fact that it brings families together. Many Whole Roast Turkey (15 lb. avg.) - Add $10 families celebrate the Seder together and that is one of the traditions I believe that has kept the 4 lbs. Sliced Brisket - Add $10 Passover tradition so strong. SIDES (CHOOSE TWO) “That is really what our Unity Torah is all about. It is a Torah that is being written due to some- Broccoli Almondine • Matzo Farfel & Mushrooms one’s individual personal story as a Jew, presenting it to the whole community, inviting everyone Parsley Red Potatoes • Sweet Potato Pudding to participate by dedicating letters or words of this Torah so that it is truly a community Torah…to Potato Pudding bring the entire community together, very much in line with the theme of Passover…,” Silverman EXTRAS (ALL INCLUDED) stressed.