Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Norwich, CT 06360 Permit #329 Serving The Jewish Communities of Eastern Connecticut & Western R.I. CHANGE SERVICE RETURN TO: 28 Channing St., New London, CT 06320 REQUESTED VOL. XLVII NO.12 PUBLISHED BI-WEEKLY JUNE 25, 2021/15 TAMUZ 5781 NEXT DEADLINE JULY 2, 2021 16 PAGES HOW TO REACH US - PHONE 860-442-8062 • FAX 860-540-1475 • EMAIL [email protected] • BY MAIL: 28 CHANNING STREET, NEW LONDON, CT 06320 Biden to host President Rivlin at White House By Jewish News Syndicate Staff U.S. President Joe Biden will host Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin in Washington on June 28, said the White House. “President Rivlin’s visit will highlight the enduring partnership between the United States and Israel, and the deep ties between our governments and our people,” White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement. The visit will take place shortly before Rivlin is due to end his seven-year term in July. Jewish Agency chairman Isaac Herzog was elected as Israel’s new president earlier this month in elections that also marked the end of Benjamin Netanyahu’s role as Is- Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin with U.S. raeli prime minister. Vice President Joe Biden before delivering Psaki said that as Rivlin “approaches the end of his joint statements at the President’s Resi- term, this visit will honor the dedication he has shown to dence in Jerusalem on March 9, 2016. Photo strengthening the friendship between the two countries by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90. over the course of many years.” What you should know about Israel’s new government The coalition headed by Naftali Bennett includes a spectrum of lawmakers – Orthodox, Arab, female, gay, 2021 JCHS Graduates and even Israel’s first The 2020-21 school year has come to a close and Jewish Commu- deaf Knesset member. nity High School was thrilled to issue graduation certificates to five seniors who stayed the course for four years and are now ready to By Abigail Klein Leichman, move on. Marcia Reinhard, JFEC Ass’t Director and JCHS Coodinator Israel21c was honored to present certificates to l-r seated Hannah Linder, Ga- brielle Zettler, l-r standing Jack Haynes, Regan Kaye, and Amanda Israel’s Likud Party and its head, Rowe. See page 9 for additional photos. BenjaminFor the Netanyahu,first time in will 12 years,move from the prime minister’s seat New leadership likely to put to the opposition in the Knesset, Palestinian issue on backburner Israel’s parliament. The new government, sworn The newly sworn in Israeli government poses for a group photo at By Ariel Ben Solomon, JNS the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, June 14, 2021. Photo by Yo- Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid is scheduled to travel to the into power a broad coalition of natan Sindel/Flash90 eightin Sunday political night, parties June 13,spanning brings became the country’s top diplomat. left to right. United Arab Emirates next week, marking his first visit there since he - and bringing change to Israel. common ground on mutual issues. While both have expressed a desire ernment is Yamina Party leader this 36th Knesset, formed with the intention of unseating Netanyahu to expandThe visit the comes Abraham as Israel Accords, and the key Biden differences administration are likely seek to remain to find Heading Israel’s 36th gov world, having headed and sold two successful software on issues such as the Palestinians and Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Naf- prime minister. 1. Bennett, 49, is the first prime minister from the high-tech tali Bennett, like his predecessor, is opposed to the United States re- NaftaliBennett Bennett, was thesworn 13th in Israelialong kippah, a traditional Jewish skullcap. joining the Iranian nuclear deal, and the new government is unlikely with Yesh Atid Party leader Yair 2. Thecompanies, ruling coalitionCyota and includes Soluto. anHe Arabalso isparty the first– the to Islamist wear a Lapid, who will serve as alternate the Palestinian front. prime minister and foreign min- percent Arab minority chose to remain in the opposition. to possessThe international the political move willpower to offer Iranto make concessions any significant has put movescountries on ister until becoming the coun- Ra’am Party – while other parties representing Israel’s 21 like Saudi Arabia and the UAE on edge—not to mention Israel—and - openly gay Knesset member to head a major party (Meretz). decreases their willingness to take diplomatic risks. As a result, the 3. Incoming Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz was the first- Saudis and Emiratis are again engaging with Tehran because they oftry’s the 14th term prime – if all minister goes according in Au want to contain the damage of the revival of the nuclear deal, Reuters togust plan. 2023 for the final two years 4. KarineThe 36th Elharrar, Knesset a veteranincludes MK two who longtime has muscular disabilities dystrophy, activ reported earlier this month. asists: Minister Shirley of Pinto, Energy. Israel’s first deaf Knesset member; and ABOUT CONT. ON PG 13 NEW CONT. ON PG 14 Here are nine notable firsts in 2 THE JEWISH LEADER, JUNE 25, 2021 Gaining perspective through Farewell and welcome our Young Emissaries By Marcia Reinhard, JFEC Ass’t Director Throughout this year, I have written about our Yachad BBYO chapter’s zoom events, in person After events, services, fundraisers and more, keeping seeingWhen so Israel much found negative itself, press, once again,posts underon social rocket media fire fromand uneduHamas- our community up to speed on all the teens are do- between May 10 to May 21, it also found itself alone in the world. ing. This past year was not the ideal way to end my from hearing from the people we know, trust and love. Our past career in BBYO, but nevertheless I am happy to say emissaries.cated bias, II feltcontacted our community a handful (at of emissariesthe very least) and wouldasked thembenefit if that I had a great year as Yachad’s Mazkir, or VP of they would be interested in being on a call with us to share their Communications. I am passing the baton to incoming feelings, their experiences and help us to understand their perspec- senior, Simone Lerner, who I am positive will shine tive of what was happening. I felt it would be a safe place for our as Yachad’s new Mazkirah. From writing articles to community members to ask questions, voice any concerns and even creating posters to taking photos to posting on social objections, if they had any. media, Simone will be amazing, and I hope she enjoys Five of our past emissaries were on the Zoom with us. Others the position as much as I did. Here’s to a new board, wanted to participate but the timing did not work for them. Our em- new programs, and a new year! - Thank you all! issary participants were Einat Kiper-Winter (2006-07), Hadar Elya Jack Haynes, (2009-10), Bar Halgoa (2013-14), Guy Carmi (2016-17) and Roy Su- VP of Communications limani (2018-19.) We listened to their experiences from the outside ment with the navy at the time and heard about it upon returning 2020-2021 (Mazkir) Simone Lerner, Yachad BBYO’s 2021-22 VP of fromin starting a day atwith sea Bar from Halgoa his Commander. who was away in Germany on assign Communications. thatWe he moved experienced onto Guy through Carmi others, who livesone of in which Givat wasElla, our a moshav very own in Ericathe region Weiner. just Erica above lives Afula/Gilboa in Tel Aviv who and spoke had never about before three aspectsexperi- enced rockets raining down on them. It was terrifying for her. TECHNOLOGY. TRADITION. TORAH. Then Einat Kiper-Winter spoke about having family members Congregation Beth El is welcoming new members. During this time of pandemic our congregation is more active than ever through the GAINING CONT. ON PG 5 safety of Zoom and offers a wide variety of options for everyone. Candle Lighting for Eastern CT area Friday, June 25 • 8:07 pm Rabbi Earl Kideckel joined Beth El as its spiritual Friday, July 2 • 8:07 pm leader last summer and has rapidly become a Friday, July 9 • 8:05 pm beloved part of the congregation. He has provided innovative ways to vitalize the Friday, July 16 • 8:01 pm synagogue despite the pandemic and has initiated diversity to our services while respecting our traditions. Rabbi Kideckel has officiated at life cycle events for many decades and enjoys National Award Winner of the Council of Jewish of Jewish Federations as the Outstand- collaborating with other area synagogues and ing Small Cities Jewish newspaper. 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