Editorials ..................................... 4A Op-Ed .......................................... 5A Calendar ...................................... 6A Scene Around ............................. 9A Synagogue Directory ................ 11A News Briefs ............................... 13A WWW.HERITAGEFL.COM YEAR 43, NO. 27 MARCH 8, 2019 1 ADAR II, 5779 ORLANDO, FLORIDA SINGLE COPY 75¢ Bibi’s scandals explained Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing cor- ruption charges as he gears up for his re-election. By Ben Sales free, thanks to funding from the American casino mogul (JTA)—Israeli Prime Min- Sheldon Adelson. ister Benjamin Netanyahu is Case 2000 alleges that Ne- going to court on corruption tanyahu made this deal with Local students from CTeen Altamonte Springs, CTeen Longwood, CTeen Maitland and CTeen South Orlando converge charges—he says he’s in- Yediot’s publisher: Netanyahu with thousands of teens at the 11th annual CTeen International Shabbaton in New York. They were accompanied by Rabbi nocent. would support a law banning Mendy Bronstein of CTeen Altamonte Springs and Rabbi Nissan Zibell of CTeen South Orlando, Netanyahu was indicted in free daily papers—that would three cases Thursday pending hurt Israel Hayom. In return, a court hearing. It’s the first Yediot would give Netanyahu time in Israel’s history that a positive coverage. Local teens connect with others at the sitting prime minister faces Case 4000: Netanyahu is criminal charges. Oh, and accused of supporting looser elections are in fewer than regulation of Israel’s telecom CTeen International Shabbaton six weeks. giant, Bezeq, in exchange What exactly is Netanyahu for favorable coverage from Thousands of teens from around the a traditional Shabbat experience in the of teens who have found their voices and accused of? How is he defend- a news website Bezeq owns world celebrated Jewish unity, heritage, heart of Crown Heights, the Hasidic personal missions through their involve- ing himself? Does this mean called Walla. and pride at the 11th annual CTeen In- neighborhood of Brooklyn; meaningful ment in CTeen. he’ll lose the election? Sounds like Netanyahu ternational Shabbaton. The convention, hands on workshops and lectures about “There are things that every teenager Who is Benjamin Netanya- really wants positive news which drew in over 2600 participants, was Judaism; and the ever popular Times goes through, but that we rarely talk hu, and what is he accused of? coverage. the most electrifying and meaningful Square takeover, featuring world re- about. Watching my fellow CTeeners Netanyahu, Israel’s prime Allegedly. But Netanyahu event to date. From world class guest nowned Jewish popstar, Yaakov Shwekey. on stage was like a breath of fresh air. minister for a decade, is up and the Israeli press don’t speakers, to a life changing closing cer- The theme of the historic Shabbaton Hearing their stories reminded me that for re-election on April 9. He’s really get along. Like his ally, emony with a surprise guest appearance was I-Matter. The aim of the theme was I am not alone; none of us are,” shared running for his fifth term. President Donald Trump, Ne- by Adam Neumann, founder of WeWork, to empower teens to recognize and use 12-grader Meira Borsody. He was first elected in 1996 tanyahu says the local press CTeen left the teens exhilarated and ready their inherent, true value that is not de- “The Times Square concert was amaz- for one term, then returned is out to get him. He accuses to share their Jewish pride with the world. pendent on achievements or status. It is to office in 2009 and hasn’t the media of being left-wing The inspirational weekend included a message that resonated with thousands CTeen on page 14A left. He leads the right-wing and dishonest, and likes to Likud party. use the term “fake news” a But he could be in trou- lot. He doesn’t translate it: ble. After years of investiga- He just says “fake news” while Two Jewish agencies unite fundraisers tion, his country’s attorney speaking Hebrew. general charged Netanyahu That’s a big part of his de- in three separate corruption fense: Since the investigations to better serve community cases. Two have to do with began a couple of years ago, he Netanyahu buying himself has attacked the media again For the first time ever in Central Florida Hillel and positive press, and the third and again for accusing him our community, two Jewish Jewish Academy of Orlando. alleges that he received illegal of corruption—seeking to organizations are coming The organizations will com- gifts from a rich donor. The depose him in court because together to create a unified bine forces to host what will Israeli Police have numbered he keeps winning elections. fundraiser to support both be the largest Casino Night them Case 1000, Case 2000 Netanyahu does have a few and Lady Luck event in Or- and Case 4000. (Don’t worry allies in the media, including lando history. Central Florida about 3000—that investiga- Israel Hayom, which has con- Hillel and Jewish Academy of tion was dropped.) sistently supported him since Orlando are both nonprofit Case 1000: Netanyahu is it was founded by Adelson, a organizations supporting accused of accepting ille- Netanyahu ally, in 2007. (Yes, students throughout our gal gifts from Hollywood this is the same paper he al- community producer Arnon Milchan, legedly said he’d hurt through This incredible night out including Cuban cigars and legislation. Kind of ironic.) on the town will take place pink champagne. The gifts And this year, as part of at MLounge (2000 N Orange totaled about $200,000. In his re-election campaign, Ave, Orlando FL 32804) on return, Netanyahu allegedly Adelson launched a pro- April 4 at 6:30 p.m. The night helped secure a U.S. visa for Netanyahu TV channel. will include a Poker Tourna- Milchan and supported a law How else is Netanyahu ment, cocktails, food catered that would give tax breaks to defending himself? by Arthur’s, casino games, the billionaire if he moved Defiantly. Since the in- shopping vendors, a silent Alan Rusonik, JAO head of school, practices his gambling back to Israel. vestigations began in 2016, auction and much more. game with previous participants of Lady Luck. Case 2000: Netanyahu is Netanyahu has insisted that The poker tournament accused of advancing a law “Nothing will happen—be- grand prize, generously do- be awarded to the additional this event will ensure that that would have hurt one cause nothing happened.” nated by Luxury Trips is a nine other final poker tourna- Orlando’s Jewish community newspaper in exchange for fabulous five-star, five-day ment winners. will thrive, from preschool to positive coverage from a rival Bibi on page 14A trip to Spain, including luxury Both CFH and the JAO college, and beyond. Students paper. In Israel, the two lead- hotel stays, customized pri- know the importance of that went to JAO are now ing papers are Yediot Achar- vate tours, cooking classes nurturing Jewish communi- active students at UCF and onot and Israel Hayom. Yediot for the discerning palate, and ties throughout the ages, Rollins College, and others is generally anti-Netanyahu. much more. An assortment of from preschool to college, Israel Hayom is almost always sought-after other prizes will and beyond. Your support of Casino Night on page 14A pro-Netanyahu—and it’s also PAGE 2A HERITAGE FLORIDA JEWISH NEWS, MARCH 8, 2019 Who would’ve thought, a Jewish prison? By Christine DeSouza The Otisville prison caught among Jewish white-collar the media’s attention when offenders, including Sheldon Imagine Lawrence Michael Cohen, President Silver, former lawyer and Dressler’s surprise when fel- Trump’s former lawyer who Democratic Party politician low inmates at the Federal was sentenced to three years who was arrested on federal Correctional Institution in in federal prison on fraud corruption charges. Sholom Otisville, N.Y., told him that charges, requested to be Mordechai Rubashkin—CEO he was mentioned on the Bill placed at the resort-like of Agriprocessors, a now- Maher show the night before. facility. bankrupt kosher slaughter- “At the time the show aired Inmates, often referred house and meat packing plant I was eating gefilte fish and to as the “gold-chain gang,” in Postville, Iowa—was sen- lokshen kugel with fellow have access to free weights tenced for bank fraud, and sent Sabbath observant felons,” and machine weights, boccie to Otisville but serves in the Dressler posted on his blog courts, horseshoe pits and section relegated for people (larrynoodles.com), which even soccer. They can watch with longer sentences. Ber- is about the lives of wealthy, HBO, Showtime and Cinemax nie Madoff, who received 150 powerful men he lived in close as late as 2 a.m. years for his Ponzi scheme, quarters with at Otisville. Otisville boasts a full- had his request for Otisville “I was honored to be men- time Chasidic chaplain, daily denied. tioned on a show that is hosted minyanim, weekly Shabbat Otisville is known for its by a fellow Jew.” services, and kosher kitchen well-attended Passover sed- Federal Correctional facility at Otisville, N.Y. Maher was talking about and vending machines in the ers. On April 19, about 48 one of America’s “10 Cushiest visiting room. The prison prisoners will observe a seder the Bureau of Prisons “kind chairman of Jewish Prisoner Earl Seth David, 54, a former Prisons” according to Forbes commissary sells yarmulkes complete with a Haggadah, of unofficially” designated Services International. “The inmate who attended kosher magazine. Also called a “castle for $6 and offers a kosher kosher-for-Passover chicken, Otisville as a prison to meet Haggadah has a line that meals, religious classes and behind bars,” the prison is a low- selection that includes matzo, potatoes, and the seder plate.