AI2010_03_18

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010 3 NISSAN, 5770 SHABBAT: FRI 7:30 – SAT 8:30 CINCINNATI, OHIO VOL. 156 • NO. 34 SINGLE ISSUE PRICE $2.00

‘It’s psychological warfare’ AJC’s Isaacson discusses Iran, Palestinians, and economic relations

by Avi Milgrom Assistant Editor

NATIONAL Communications activist silenced in Cuban jail cell Page 10

Earlier this month, on the eve of Vice President Biden’s trip to Israel, American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) director of government and international affairs, Jason F. Isaacson, sat down for an interview with the American Israelite newspaper.

Isaacson maintains relations between AJC the White House, Congress, federal agencies, foreign

governments and a host of other organizations as he seeks to ensure the welfare and security of Jews globally.

Before assuming his present position in 1991, the Vassar graduate was Senator Christopher Dodd’s (Conn.) chief of staff, after a substantial career in journalism.

Isaacson was in town to speak at the J about three key threats facing the Jewish people and Israel: Iran, the Palestinian situation and Jihad. Of the three, the most significant is Iran. Peace with the Palestinians, on the other hand, is a serious threat to Israel but is not of the international stature as Iran or perhaps Jihad.

In his interview, Isaacson gave AJC’s view of the international relations problems on his agenda.

Isaacson’s highest priority is Iran’s nuclear capability. The key question is:How close is Iran to becoming an actual nuclear threat?

The Israelis may be the only ones who know the answer.

In an interview reported here one year ago with Yaakov Katz, who covers military matters for the Jerusalem post, Katz offered a timetable followed by Israel: Israel believed then that Iran would have the capability of launching a nuclear weapon on a missile into Israel by 2010 or 2011. They would wait until the fall of 2009 for the Obama administration to play their hand and reach a stalemate with Iran. Then they would seriously consider a military option.

If this plan is still being followed, Isaacson does not see signs.

Isaacson supports the strategy now being implemented by the Obama administration to crush Iran’s will for a nuclear option through sanctions.

The plan seeks sanctions through three channels: a UN council resolution, new sanctions from the Europeans and continuation of those in place and sanctions — or some level of cooperation — from other countries such as India, South America, Gulf States, and countries in North Africa.

Sanctions have been tried before but failed, according to Isaacson, because they were unilateral. The problem with just the US implementing sanctions has been that another country would step

ISAACSON on page 21

Made in G-d’s image beauty panel

by Melissa Reiser Editorial Intern

ISRAEL Salam Fayyad: The Palestinian with a plan for statehood Page 11

DINING OUT KT’s to offer free cake for BarBe-Q’s 1st ‘birthday’ Page 14

“The average woman is 5 feet 4 inches and weighs 140 pounds, while the average model stands at 5 feet 11 inches and weighs in at 117 pounds,” said Beth Schwartz, executive director of Jewish Family Services, at B’nai Tikvah’s Beauty Panel discussion held last month.

The audience gasped.

The event, “Made in G-d’s Image,” was held at B’nai Tikvah and brought together women from around the community to discuss different aspects of feminine beauty. A discussion panel of seven

Lyrics by Cincinnati’s David Goldsmith in ‘Imagine This’ Page 20

destructive behaviors like eating disorders and self mutilation. There are 10 million women with eating disorders,” continued Schwartz.

“There is no question about women being under pressure on TV,” Sheri Hammel of Channel 9 said. “It only takes one woman to give an image and that’s what people remember.” Society has misunderstood this image and turned it into an “ideal.”

Advertising has constructed this image of underweight, overly tall, and airbrushed models to catch the public’s attention in a minimal amount of time in order to sell a product.

This point was emphasized by Dr. Molly Katz, gynecologist, “Media creates a thin, fit society that we have morphed to. It is important to keep it from becoming an obsession.” More women are turning to plastic surgery, not for medical needs, but as a cosmetic procedure to fill this obsession.

Opinions of the panel differed on this controversial topic.

Emphasis on the psychological well being of a prospective patient before being able to receive a plastic surgery procedure was the common concern.

PANEL on page 19

Amid furor, Weiss backs away from ‘rabba’ title for women

by Ben Harris Jewish Telegraphic Agency

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

women from varying professions discussed their experiences personally and within their workplaces regarding this topic.

Negative effects of this physical beauty culture are manifested in self destructive behaviors in various forms like eating disorders, controversial plastic surgeries, and the growing competition among women regarding their physical appearance according to Schwartz.

“Many women find themselves in a position where they are attempting to achieve unattainable beauty standards and this can lead to distorted body image, self-hatred, depression, and even sometimes

NEW YORK (JTA) — On the eve of a conference marking the expansion of leadership roles for women within Orthodoxy, the trend’s most prominent rabbinic proponent has backtracked from his near-ordination of female rabbis amid intense criticism.

Rabbi Avi Weiss promised he would not ordain any more women with the title “rabba,” a feminized version of “rabbi” that had drawn

widespread condemnation when it was conferred in January on Sara Hurwitz, a longtime member of the clerical staff at Weiss’ synagogue, the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale in New York City.

The announcement, made in a letter to the president of the Rabbinical Council of America and distributed by the council March 5, followed weeks of buzz in Orthodox circles as well as rumors that the association of Orthodox rabbis was preparing to rescind Weiss’ membership.

In an accompanying statement, the RCA expressed satisfaction at the controversy’s resolution and support for “appropriate” leadership roles for women.

“We are encouraged by the RCA’s recent statement asserting its ‘commitment to women’s Torah education and scholarship at the highest levels, and to the assumption of appropriate leadership roles within the Jewish community,’” said the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance, whose conference this Sunday in New York will promi-

nently feature Hurwitz in several sessions.

“At the same time, we are saddened that so many leaders remain unsupportive of a title commensurate with the critical roles that women perform in the synagogue and greater Orthodox community.”

With the announcement Weiss, an activist rabbi known for not backing down from a confrontation, has privileged intra-communal harmony over his commitment to pushing the

RABBA on page 22

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THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010

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‘Our Soldiers Speak’ founder, Gaza veteran speaks at Miami Israeli soldier Sgt. Benjamin Anthony will speak at Miami University of Ohio on March 18.

Sgt. Anthony served behind enemy lines in Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza 2009 (Operation Cast Lead) as a member of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Frustrated by the imbalance that Israel’s soldiers face in the inter-

national media, he founded “Our Soldiers Speak” to bring the IDF’s “proud truth from the front line of Israel’s battlefields to people everywhere.”

Anthony will share his firsthand insight into the humane practices of Israel’s soldiers, the decisions they make in times of war, and the moral code to which they

proudly adhere. He recounts the hardships he saw, the sacrifices made, and the triumphs achieved by the people and soldiers of Israel.

The talk will be in the Shriver Multipurpose Room at Miami.

Admission is free. Contact Miami University for more information.

Volunteers needed to deliver Passover meals to low income families For the 12th year, volunteers are needed to help Jewish Family Service deliver Passover meals to low-income families.

Passover meals are scheduled to be delivered Sunday, March 28 to over 400 people.

“The high cost of Kosher for Passover food makes observing the weeklong holiday of Passover difficult for many low-income individuals and families,” said Beth Schwartz, executive director of Jewish Family Service. “The rising costs of medical care along with rising unemployment force many to choose between buying food and paying for other necessities such as utilities or medicine.”

In addition to the actual delivery, donations of food and money are also needed to make this annual community-wide event a success.

Pre-packaged bags of Passover food can be purchased and donated at the Highland and the Mason bigg’s locations.

“We are determined that our Jewish friends and neighbors enjoy the Passover holiday – and every day — free from hunger,” said Schwartz. “Unfortunately, the needs continue beyond the holiday throughout the year at Jewish Family Service Food Pantry. Our fundraising goal is to raise $50,000 for all food needs this year.”

The food pantry, located in space donated by Golf Manor Synagogue, is the only kosher food pantry in the region. Cincinnati Hebrew Day School donates the storage and set-up facilities.

Area congregations are collecting the non-perishable foods such as matzah, matzah ball soup mix and macaroons. A lead sponsorship cash gift from The Rockwern Charitable Foundation together with donations by individual community members help purchase fresh produce, meats, and additional food to make the Passover meal complete.

Contact Jewish Family Service for details.

Fitness day at the J features Wineberg, Huber and Coffman As part of a community wide “Fit-Fun Day” at the J on Sunday, March 21, guest Mary Wineberg, track star and 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist, will speak, answer audience questions and present awards.

Also, Cincinnati Bengals players, Kevin Huber and Chase Coffman will be special guests as well as available for meet-andgreets and autograph signings.

Native Cincinnatians, Huber and Wineberg, were both collegiate athletes at the University of Cincinnati.

Huber earned first-team AllAmerican honors, helped lead the UC Bearcats to the Orange Bowl in 2008 and won Special Teams Player of the Year at the Big East Conference in 2007.

In college, Coffman was the record-holder for most career touchdowns at any position, and his 247 receptions shattered the NCAA career record for tight ends.

Other special presenters include representatives from Jewish Hospital, Children’s Hospital and Christ Hospital.

Bishop’s Bicycles will provide seminars about bike riding techniques and bike maintenance.

Throughout the event there will be activities for all ages.

For adults there will be informational booths on nutrition, weight loss, triathlon training, fitness apparel and shoes, and more.

Stress, spinal, and hearing screenings will be available at no cost as well.

Pilates Reformers and virtual ATVs with the JCC Cateye GameBikes™ will be available to try out as well as free chair massages and mini facials.

In addition, there will be exercise demonstrations, healthy cooking presentations and the Hoxworth Blood Center mobile unit in the parking lot.

Bike helmet fittings and several raffles for free mountain bicycles and bike helmets will be available for older kids and adults.

For younger kids, a moon bounce and giant slide, face painting, temporary tattoos, and a broad array of games (with prizes) will be in the gym.

For toddlers there will be a special play area with hands-on NASA astronaut activities provided by iSPACE (Interactive Space Programs and Career Exploration), as well as “Animal Yoga” and “Flying Pig” games presented by the Cincinnati Museum Center.

An interactive fire truck exhibit and an ambulance exhibit will be on display for kids and adults.

The event is free and open to everyone. A picnic lunch wßill be available for a small fee.

For more information, contact the J.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010

Wise hosts congregational Passover Seder Wise Temple will host a Congregational Passover Seder on Tuesday, March 30 at Wise Center.

The catered Passover meal

will include gefilte fish, matzo ball soup, Mediterranean chicken or grilled salmon, potato kugel, asparagus bundles and flourless

chocolate torte with raspberry sorbet for dessert.

Vegetarian dinners will be available by request. For children,

chicken tenders will be substituted for the main meal.

For more information, including prices, contact Wise.

2010 Workum Scholarship recipients announced The recipients are: Sara Coyle, daughter of Tim and Merle Coyle, a student at Miami University, majoring in Business, who will intern at Cedar Village.

Samuel Lindner, son of Bob Lindner and Debra Dreyfus, a Pre-Medicine major at the University of Pittsburgh who will intern at the Center for Holocaust

& Humanity Education.

Sarah Perlman, daughter of Scot and Amy Perlman, majoring in Human & Organizational Development at Vanderbilt University and interning in the Marketing Department of the Jewish Community Center.

Samantha Rheingold, daughter of Marc Rheingold and Judy Levy, a Political Science major at

Ohio State University who will intern at Hillel.

Benjamin Robinson, son of Malcolm Robinson and Margalit Tal, majoring in Economics & Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh, will intern at the American Jewish Archives.

Sarah Ungar, daughter of Steven and Margaret Ungar, is on a Pre-Medical track at Vanderbilt

University, and will intern at Jewish Family Service.

Jacob Warren, son of Ray and Nancy Warren, an Economics and Math major at the University of Maryland will intern for the Jewish Community Relations Council at the Jewish Federation.

For more information call the Workum Scholarship Fund.

Family Seder at Chabad Jewish Center A family Seder will be held on the second night of Passover, March 30 at Chabad Jewish Center in Blue Ash. There will be Passover services followed by the Seder. The evening will include a special children’s Seder led by Rabbi and Mrs. Berel and Tziporah Cohen.

“Chabad Jewish Center invites the entire Jewish commu-

nity regardless of affiliation or background,” said Rabbi Yisroel Mangel of the center. “The evening will include the recitation of the Mah Nishtanah, traditional hand-made matzah, the Four Cups of wine, lively dialogue, and an exquisite kosher for Passover meal, along with spirited song.

The evening will be integrated with Chassidic tales, spiritual

insights and Jewish humor and an inviting atmosphere of warmth and acceptance.”

“The Seder is the most opportune and exciting time to bring unity to the community, to get people to meet each other and enjoy great food, and to enjoy each other’s company,” said Chana Mangel.

“The Seder has kept families

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VOL. 156 • NO. 34 Thursday, March 18, 2010 3 Nissan, 5770 Shabbat begins Fri, 7:30 p.m.

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and communities together for thousands of years.” Chana added.

Part of the evening will include a special children’s Seder led by Rabbi and Mrs. Berel and Tziporah Cohen, Chabad Jewish Center’s family and youth programming directors.

There is an admission fee.

Call the center for more information.

LET THERE BE LIGHT

The oldest English-Jewish weekly in America Founded July 15, 1854

by Isaac M.Wise

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CINCINNATI

For a FREE copy of the Vaad Hoier Passover Guide, go to our website, www.cincinnati-kosher.org or call (513) 731-4671, extension #2

JANET STEINBERG Travel Editor ROBERT WILHELMY Restaurant Reporter MARIANNA BETTMAN NATE BLOOM RABBI A. JAMES RUDIN RABBI AVI SHAFRAN Contributing Writers CHRISTIE HALKO Office Manager

To join our Kosher Alert e-mail list, please e-mail your request to VaadHoier@aol.com Have a Kosher and Happy Passover!

Rabbi Yacov Toron, Rabbinic Administrator Dr. Ned Mehlman, President

The Beis Din of Cincinnati Rabbi Hanan Balk Rabbi Meir Minster Rabbi Dovid Spetner

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In visit to Israel, Latina women see themselves

by Marcy Oster· Jewish Telegraphic Service WASHINGTON,D.C. (JTA) – For Sindy Benavides, a Hispanic community organizer from Virginia who was visiting Israel last week, the Jewish community is a newfound friend.

Three years ago, Benavides said, she had the “frightening” experience of seeing the number of anti-immigration bills introduced in the Virginia House of Representatives triple to 148 -- a reaction, she said, to the influx of Latino immigrants in the area.

With funding and training from the American Jewish Committee, Benavides and her fellow Latino community members mobilized to defeat about 100 of the bills in the 2006-07 legislative session – all those whose passage ran counter to the interests of their community.

Benavides, now 27, called the help she received from the organized Jewish world “invaluable.”

The collaboration is an example of the alliances Jewish groups are forming with the U.S. Hispanic community, now the largest minority community in the United States.

Last week, Benavides was one of about a dozen or so prominent Latina leaders who came to Israel under the auspices of Project Interchange, an educational institute of the AJC, in cooperation with the National Council of La Raza,

the largest Hispanic advocacy organization in the United States.

“There is a great deal of commonality between the Hispanic and Jewish communities," Latina political consultant Ana Navarro told JTA in Jerusalem. "It would do us all good to get to know each other better.”

For decades, the American Jewish and Hispanic communities have been indifferent to one another, says Dina Siegel Vann, director of AJC's Latino and Latin American Institute. But the two communities share the common history of immigration, and their domestic interests often dovetail, particularly on civil rights issues. It behooves the Jewish community to seek a deeper relationship as the Latino community grows in numbers, she said.

The visit to Israel was a way to introduce Israel to several key Latina community leaders. The participants also met with women leaders in Israel, including Bank Hapoalim owner Shari Arison, and government leaders.

The Latina women traveled all around Israel, meeting Ethiopians in an absorption center in Safed, talking with Palestinians in Jerusalem, visiting religious sites in Jerusalem’s Old City, and taking in a tour highlighting the strategic value to Israel of the Golan Heights.

In a visit that had resonance for many of the Latinas, the group also

visited Beit Hatfutsot, a Tel Aviv museum focusing on the Jewish Diaspora where they learned how Jews have kept their culture in exile while integrating into their host countries.

The Jewish state does not get a great deal of coverage in Hispanic media, Navarro said, and the trip enabled her to learn firsthand about Israel.

Navarro — who was born in Nicaragua and emigrated to the United States with her family during the Nicaraguan revolution in 1980 — said she was particularly interested in learning how Israel has assimilated Jewish refugees from so many countries around the world. She said she was struck by how Israelis are accustomed to living in “survival mode,” and that they are so dedicated to the defense of their homeland.

“Israelis are staunch, strong and educated,” Navarro, 38, said.

The trip underscored the need for Hispanic and Jewish communities in America “to foster further the understanding of each other's experiences and challenges,” she said.

Benavides, who came to the United States from Honduras at the age of 1, echoed that sentiment.

She said she was impressed at how Israel and the Jewish community found “a place at the table, a place in the world,” and believes the Jewish and Hispanic communities have a lot to learn from each other.

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NATIONAL

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010

Communications activist silenced in Cuban jail cell

by Ron Kampeas Jewish Telegraphic Agency WASHINGTON (JTA) — Alan Gross has been about communications all his life: The call-momeveryday son, the family newsbreaker, the message guy for Jewish groups, the get-out-thevote enthusiast for candidate Barack Obama, the technology contractor who helped the U.S. government bring the world’s remotest populations into the 21st century.

Now, however, Gross, 60, of Potomac, Md., has been languishing for three months in a Cuban high-security prison and his rare conversations are monitored by Cuban officials.

“He spoke with my sister-inlaw on a few occasions with someone standing by him,” Bonnie Rubinstein, his sister, told JTA in an interview Monday. “He was guarded, he tried to impart that he was OK.” In fact, not so OK, Rubinstein said, correcting herself: Gross’ call last week to his wife, Judy, was to ask for the medication he needs for his gout and that is unavailable in Cuba.

“We’re hoping he got the medication,” said Rubinstein, a director of early childhood education at Temple Shalom in Dallas. “He lost 52 pounds. We’re very worried about him.”

Gross was arrested Dec. 3 as he

Courtesy of the Gross family

Alan Gross, with wife Judy at the Western Wall in spring 2005, is being held without charges in Cuba, where he was on contract for the U.S. government connecting the tiny Jewish community to the Internet.

prepared to return from Cuba, where he was completing work on behalf of the U.S. government. He has not been charged, but leading Cuban figures — including President Raul Castro — have accused him of being part of a plot to undermine the government.

After weeks of taking a quiet approach to secure Gross’ release, his family and friends launched a public campaign that is spreading to Jewish communities across the United States, attracting the support of U.S. lawmakers and highprofile media outlets. It kicked off last month when Judy Gross issued

a video appeal for the release of her husband of 40 years. The Grosses have two adult daughters.

“Alan has done nothing wrong and we want him home,” she said in the Feb. 18 video. “We’re hoping that U.S. officials and Cuban officials can get together and mutually agree on a way to get him home.”

Up to that point, Judy Gross added, she had only been able to have three brief conversations with her husband.

The video marked the family’s decision to go public after several weeks of hoping to secure his

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release behind closed doors.

Remarks by Cuban leaders suggesting that Gross was a spy were a factor in the change, said Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), the chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Latin America subcommittee, who has met with the family.

“I’m going to continue to make noise about it, it’s the only thing that can get him released,” said Engel, who raised the matter last month with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton when she testified before the Foreign Affairs Committee.

The campaign emphasizes Gross’ Jewish commitment.

“He is helping the Jewish community [in Cuba] improve communications and Internet access,” Judy Gross said in the video.

Later, after outlining his antipoverty activism, she added that “Alan also loves the Jewish community. He’s been involved for as long as I can remember.”

Gross was active as a young man in the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization and worked several years in the 1980s for the Greater Washington Jewish Federation.

In a statement, the State Department said Gross was working on “a program designed to play a positive constructive role in Cuban society and governance by helping Cuban citizens to gain access they seek to information readily available to citizens elsewhere in the world.” Such projects are banned in Cuba.

The State Department did not specify work with the Jewish community, but a backgrounder distributed by Gross’ family, business associates and supporters said he worked only with “with peaceful, non-dissident, Jewish groups” in Cuba. El Nuevo Herald, the Spanish language daily published by the Miami Herald, quoted one Cuban Jewish leader as saying she had not heard of him.

Cuba’s once thriving Jewish community was substantially depleted after Fidel Castro’s 1959 rise to power. Much of the community moved to Miami. Israel struck a deal with Cuba in the late 1990s that allowed the emigration of all but about 1,500 Jews.

“His work was humanitarian and non-political,” the backgrounder says. “Alan was helping Cuba’s tiny Jewish community set up an Intranet so that they could communicate amongst themselves and with other Jewish communities abroad, and providing them the ability to access the Internet.”

Friends said he was organizing access to Wikipedia, Encyclopedia Britannica and Jewish music sites.

Gross’ plight has galvanized at least two communities: the greater

Washington area, where he lives and is active in Am Kollel, a Jewish Renewal community in suburban Maryland; and in Dallas, the home of his sister and mother.

Gross’ mother, Evelyn, 87, is ailing from her concerns for Alan, who called her every day before his arrest, Rubinstein said.

“This is the kind of brother he was,” the sister said, her voice cracking. “If anything was going on with our parents, he would be the one to call. He is fun loving and sociable, everyone loves him.

He’s a ‘gut neshama’” — a good soul.

Last month, Gross’ congressman, Rep. Chris Van Hollen (DMd.), and both of Maryland’s Democratic senators — Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski — wrote to Clinton expressing their “overwhelming concern” about Gross. Van Hollen also is circulating a similar letter to his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Ron Halber, who directs Washington’s Jewish Community Relations Council, said his JCRC is asking its counterparts nationwide to urge lawmakers to sign the letter.

“This man’s career has been marked by humanitarian efforts,” Halber said.

The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal have weighed in with editorials.

“Only in the ancient, crumbling regime of the Castro brothers could this ridiculous charge be leveled,” the Post said Feb. 22, referring to the insinuations of espionage. “That’s because Cuba is virtually alone, even among authoritarian countries, in trying to prevent most of its population from using the Internet even for nonpolitical purposes.”

Rubinstein said Gross had been to Cuba several times prior to the most recent visit, and that for the first time in his career he seemed apprehensive.

“He was concerned that whomever he spoke to in Cuba, he couldn’t trust anyone there,” she said. “He had never felt nervous, not even in Iran or Iraq.”

A statement by Gross’ company, Joint Business Development Center, on a Web site promoting voluntarism, said that it “has supported Internet connectivity in locations where there was little or no access. In the past two years JBDC has installed more than 60 satellite terminals, bringing Internet access, email, VoIP, fax and the like to remote locations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Armenia, and Kuwait.”

JBDC was subcontracting from Development Alternatives Inc., which itself had won a bid for the Cuba contract from the U.S. Agency for International Development.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010

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With Oscar win, time to U.S. anti-Semitism envoy wants revisit Hans Landa and to bring non-Jews into the fight ‘Inglourious Basterds’

by Melissa Apter Jewish Telegraphic Agency

by Ami Eden Jewish Telegraphic Agency NEW YORK (JTA) — This year’s Academy Awards belonged to “The Hurt Locker,” but the festivities started out with a nod for “Inglourious Basterds,” as Christoph Waltz took home the best supporting actor statue.

It turned out to be the only victory of Sunday night for Quentin Tarantino’s World War II revenge fantasy about a Nazi-scalping band of Jewish GIs that ends up assassinating Hitler and the rest of the German high command.

Maybe that’s the way it should be.

For even though Tarantino’s directing and screenwriting were masterful, the film belongs to Waltz and his portrayal of Hans Landa, aka “The Jew Hunter,” the terrifyingly and hilariously meticulous German colonel.

His win provides an opportunity to revisit the film, looking at it through the lens of his performance.

Since the film’s release in August, critics, pundits and Jewish leaders have reflected on the question of whether it’s a healthy thing for American Jews to sit back with a bucket of popcorn and take pleasure in the on-screen brutalization and murder of German soldiers and civilians. As interesting/tedious (you decide) as the discussion has been, it’s important to keep in mind that this line of debate has everything to do with the hang-ups of American Jews and nothing to do with Tarantino’s creative agenda.

“Inglourious Basterds” is not “Munich” or “Defiance,” two other recent films that featured Jewish tough guys, but ones who are struggling with the morality of Jewish revenge. Tarantino’s Jewish soldiers — the Basterds — are not at all conflicted about terrorizing their Nazi prey. Fretting over violence and revenge just isn’t their thing. Or, for that matter, Tarantino’s (just watch a few minutes of any of his other films).

Despite the hype, “Inglourious Basterds” is not about the morality of Jewish revenge but the definition of German evil.

And in this film, Hitler and his maniacal ravings about the Jews are just a punch line. Evil is Hans Landa, and he doesn’t hate the Jews at all.

“If one were to determine what attributes the Jews share with a beast, it would be that of the rat,” Landa calmly explains, drinking a cup of milk as he politely questions dairy farmer Perrier LaPadite about whether he is hiding Jews.

JTA Photo

Christoph Waltz walks the red carpet shortly before winning an Oscar for his portrayal of SS Col. Hans Landa in “Inglourious Basterds,” March 7, 2010.

“The Fuehrer and Goebbels’ propaganda have said pretty much the same thing, but where our conclusions differ is I don’t consider the comparison an insult.”

Hans considers the hatred of Jews irrational and displays a measure of admiration for their ability to persevere.

“What a tremendously hostile world a rat must endure,” the SS officer says. “Yet not only does he survive, he thrives. Because our little foe has an instinct for survival and preservation second to none. And that, Monsieur, is what a Jew shares with a rat.”

A few moments later the dairy farmer breaks, admitting that he is hiding a Jewish family beneath the floorboards. Hans calmly orders the Jewish family to be killed.

No hatred, no regret.

For “The Jew Hunter,” hunting Jews is just a job — one that he happens to be particularly good at.

Whether intended or not, Tarantino is weighing in on one of the most profound debates about the motives and impulses that drove the Holocaust. On the one hand there is Daniel Goldhagen, with his thesis that Germans were willing executioners because they carried a particularly German brand of anti-Semitism. On the other is Christopher Browning’s just-following-orders view that most Germans were driven by peer pressure and obedience to authority.

Landa is his own blend, an independent-thinking, somewhat sadistic German officer who is going along to get along; he’s just as happy eating strudel as killing Jews. When the war is over, he will happily take off his SS uniform and move on with his life.

But that’s something Lt. Aldo Raines, the non-Jewish leader of the Basterds, cannot abide.

Which is why the film ends not with a Nazi being scalped or Hitler being assassinated, but with Hans Landa having a swastika carved into his forehead.

WASHINGTON (JTA) — President Obama’s special envoy on anti-Semitism wants to recruit nonJews to make her case.

Hannah Rosenthal outlined her goals in her new role during a recent address in Dallas to the annual plenum of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the public policy umbrella she once led as president.

To combat anti-Semitism, the Jewish people need more non-Jews on their side, said Rosenthal, who spoke at a panel on anti-Semitism alongside Abraham Foxman, the Anti-Defamation League’s national director.

Everyone expects Foxman to be on the case, she said, “but if we have the messenger be someone who’s not Jewish, who’s willing to be a spokesperson condemning anti-Semitism, it comes with much more power.”

To that end, Rosenthal said she will incorporate the annual antiSemitism report into the State Department’s annual human rights report instead of the separate breakout authored by her predecessor, Gregg Rickman. That brings the issue to a larger audience.

“If I want to infuse this into every annual report, the people on the ground better know what antiSemitism is,” Rosenthal said.

Additionally, she will introduce a daylong module into training at the Foreign Training Institute; modules at the prep school for diplomats usually last only a few hours.

Rickman favorably views his successor’s attempts to bring nonJews into the fight, but cautioned that Rosenthal needs to be wary of

Ross Skeegan

Hannah Rosenthal, the U.S. State Department envoy to combat and monitor anti-Semitism, speaking about eradicating antiSemitism at a session of the Jewish Council of Public Affairs plenum in Dallas, Feb. 22, 2010.

how she views criticism of Israel.

“If she fails to see how antiIsraelism can be parlayed into antiSemitism,” then her efforts to train and work with diplomats will be in vain, he said.

Rosenthal said she would maintain existing practices, including using Jewish nongovernmental organizations like the ADL and pressing U.S. diplomats to report on anti-Semitic acts around the globe.

Rosenthal also committed to utilizing the United States’ role as a superpower through quiet diplomacy. She pointed to the recent referendum passed in Switzerland that would prohibit minarets from being built on new mosques. Buried in the same referendum was a call for the end of Jewish cemeteries.

“Very quietly, we dealt with the Christian Democratic People’s Party and in fact they apologized and that policy is not happening,” she said. “You didn’t read about it and that policy was taken care of.”

Rosenthal, who was sworn in last November, was a controversial choice by Obama. Jewish insiders questioned her lack of

diplomatic experience. At the time she readily acknowledged that after a career of advocacy, she wasn’t about to switch to anodyne niceties overnight.

She has made waves with criticism of Israel’s ambassador to Washington, Michael Oren, for refusing to deal with J Street, a liberal pro-Israel group that Rosenthal helped to found.

That drew a rebuke from Alan Solow, the chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, who said her remarks “could threaten to limit her effectiveness in the area for which she is actually responsible.” The Obama administration stood by Rosenthal.

The position Rosenthal holds was created in 2004 by legislation sponsored by U.S. Reps. Tom Lantos (D-Calif.) and Chris Smith (R-N.J.) and Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio).

Lantos, a Holocaust survivor, saw a need for Western democracies to speak out on the rise of anti-Semitism globally. Rickman was its first appointee.

8

NATIONAL

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010

Groups to White House: What about Palestinian incitement?

by Ami Eden Jewish Telegrpahic Agency NEW YORK (JTA) — In response to the Obama administration’s stepped-up criticism of Israeli building plans in Jerusalem, Jewish groups are slamming the White House for failing to speak out more against Palestinian incitement.

Particularly galling, several Jewish organizational leaders said, is that the administration has ratcheted up its criticism of Israel while failing to utter a word about the decision of the Palestinian Authority to go through with plans to name a public square in Ramallah after Dalal Mughrabi, a terrorist who led a 1978 bus hijacking in which 37 Israelis, including 12 children, were killed.

In the middle of last week, pro-Israel organizations, including the watchdog group Palestinian Media Watch, pointed out that the official naming ceremony —timed to coincide with the anniversary of the terrorist attack —- was set to take place March 11, during U.S. Vice President Joe Biden’s visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories. It was quickly announced that the ceremony would be canceled, but a scaleddown version of the event did end

up taking place that day, with the youth division of Fatah, the faction of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, playing a lead role.

The White House and leftwing Jewish groups say they are as concerned with Palestinian actions that undermine the peace process, especially the issue of anti-Israel incitement, as they are with Israeli settlement policies. But several centrist and right-wing pro-Israel groups have pointed out that U.S. criticism in recent days has been focused exclusively on Israel.

“This monstrous spectacle” — the ceremony for Mughrabi —“took place while Vice President Biden was visiting the region,” said the executive director of the American Jewish Committee, David Harris, in a statement echoing the sentiments of several Jewish organizations, including the Zionist Organization of America and the Orthodox Union.

“Unfortunately, we have not heard a single word of condemnation from the U.S. administration.

“While the administration has focused its ire on Israel for clearly misguided steps taken by the Ministry of the Interior, and later apologized for by Prime Minister Netanyahu, the glorification of this terrorist sends a clear signal that

Fatah, conventionally regarded as a moderate party, has no serious commitment to securing a peaceful resolution of the conflict.”

J Street, which supports the Obama administration's recent criticisms of Israel, also issued a statement condemning the decision to memorialize Mughrabi.

In addition to the flurry of statements from Jewish groups, the Israeli government also is promising to launch an official effort to monitor Palestinian incitement. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly briefed the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee about his plans, promising regular reports on the issue.

“We will set parameters by which to measure the level of incitement," Netanyahu told the committee, according to Haaretz.

"People must know exactly what is happening on this issue because for a peace agreement, education toward peace and acceptance of Israel are needed.”

The issue has taken on added urgency in recent days, and not just because of the unrelenting U.S. criticism of Israeli building plans in Jerusalem.

On Tuesday, Palestinians rioted in Jerusalem as part of a "day of rage" declared by Hamas, in part to

protest the rededication Monday night of the ancient Hurva Synagogue in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. But the Israeli decision to rededicate the synagogue also was seized on

by PA officials with ties to Fatah, who attempted to portray it as part of a plot against Muslim holy sites on the Temple Mount.

Khatem Abd el-Kader, the Fatah official responsible for Jerusalem, encouraged Palestinians to “converge on al Aksa to save it” from “Israeli attempts to destroy the mosque and replace it with the [Jewish] temple.” He called the synagogue rededication a “provocation,” cautioning that Israel is “playing with fire.”

The unfinished Hurva Synagogue, whose name means ruins, was destroyed in an Arab riot in 1721. It was rebuilt in the 1860s, but destroyed again after Jordan took control of the area in the 1948 war.

“At this very moment, 3,000 Israeli security officials are protecting Jerusalem because extremist Arabs are using the re-dedication of the Hurva Synagogue as an excuse to incite violence,” Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, president of The Israel Project, said in a statement.

“Not once did we hear Biden ‘con-

demn’ the fact that Palestinians were planning -- during his trip there -- to honor a terrorist by dedicating a town square in her name.”

On Monday, U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley did use part of his daily media briefing to criticize Palestinian leaders over their comments regarding the Hurva Synagogue.

“We’re deeply disturbed by statements made by several Palestinian officials mischaracterizing the event in question, which can only serve to heighten the tensions that we see. And we call upon Palestinian officials to put an end to such incitement,” Crowley said, without prompting.

In answer to a subsequent question, he said the concerns had been conveyed to Palestinian officials but declined to offer more details.

The briefing appeared to validate at least one administration lament -- that its efforts to focus attention on perceived Palestinian misdeeds are often ignored by the media. Reporters appeared to have trouble comprehending that the State Department's concerns related to the Palestinian reactions, not the Israeli decision to rededicate the synagogue.

brings it up repeatedly.

Stephen P. Cohen, a former Princeton University scholar who is close to the Obama administration and helped draft the Cairo speech, said Biden’s speech was not the last word on U.S. closeness to Israel.

“The parallel to the Cairo speech will eventually come from the president himself at the right time,” said Cohen, who has just authored “Beyond America’s Grasp: A Century of Failed Diplomacy in the Middle East.”

“There has been a good deal of talk that Obama has put a lot of emphasis on the Holocaust as a predisposing element in the creation of the State of Israel. I think this is an important addition to that thinking,” he said, referring to the Biden speech, “a correction to that thinking.”

Most pronouncedly, Biden earned applause when he said that Iran must not achieve nuclear weapons capability.

“The United States is determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, period,” he said. “I know that for Israel, there is no greater existential strategic threat. Trust me, we get that.”

Notably, however, Biden only spoke of Iran’s isolation and did not include the “all options on the

table” euphemism for the possibility of military engagement. Obama and his predecessor, George W. Bush, have used the phrase, and Israel still favors it, most recently in a New York speech by Lt. Gen. Gaby Ashkenazi, the Israeli military chief of staff.

Biden was forced into detours from his prepared remarks by Israel’s announcement this week that it had authorized 1,600 housing starts in disputed eastern Jerusalem.

“That decision undermined the trust required for negotiations,” he said, and under instructions from President Obama, “I condemned it immediately and unequivocally.”

He added, to applause: “Sometimes only a friend can deliver the hardest truth.”

Biden seemed galled, especially that Israel made the announcement while he was meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad — Palestinian leaders deemed moderate both by Israel and the United States.

“Israeli leaders finally have willing partners who share the goal of peace between two states and have the competence to establish a nation,” he said.

Breaking down the Biden speech

by Ron Kampeas Jewish Telegraphic Agency WASHINGTON (JTA) — U.S. Vice President Joe Biden’s attempt to reassure Israel of American steadfastness survived a steadfast Middle East tradition of self-sabotage.

Biden’s intended message in a much ballyhooed speech Thursday — that the United States would stand by Israel in thick and thin — was unequivocal. Yet it was clear that he and his speechwriters tweaked the text to encompass references to the Israeli settlement building and Palestinian incitement that almost marred his trip.

Biden started by reaffirming the “unbreakable bond” between Israel and the United States, as he had following his arrival earlier this week. The bond was “impervious to any shifts in either country and in either country’s partisan politics,” he said to applause.

He added that it was critical for the international community to understand the bond.

“Every time progress is made, it’s been made when the rest of the world knows there’s no space between the United States and Israel when it comes to Israel’s security, none — no space,” the

vice president said.

Biden’s speech was an opening salvo in rolling back Israeli and Jewish insecurities stoked by President Obama’s speech last summer to the Muslim world.

Jewish community leaders in the United States and some Israeli leaders were unsettled by Obama’s sharp parallels in that speech between Israeli and Palestinian suffering. And some objected to how Obama emphasized the sequence of the Holocaust and the establishment of Israel. The concerns were exacerbated a few weeks later when Obama met with the Jewish leadership and said he would make public disagreements with Israel.

The White House, which insisted Obama had emphasized the Holocaust to scold the Arab world for allowing its denial to flourish, was frustrated by Jewish unhappiness with a speech that was supposed to have been about outreach to Arabs and Muslims — a point that Biden made in his remarks Thursday.

“We’re absolutely convinced this approach will improve not only our security but, as a result, your security,” Biden said of outreach to the Muslim world.

Nonetheless, it was clear that Biden took care to hit all the

marks that Obama missed in his Cairo speech.

“Incitement against Israel continues, as do the attacks on the legitimacy of Jewish ties to this ancient land,” he said, a deliberate nod to Israeli anger that Obama had not referred to the Holy Land’s Jewish religious roots in his Cairo address.

Earlier in the speech, Biden recalled his working-class IrishCatholic dad “who often spoke passionately about the special connection between the Jewish people and this land.”

Biden also mentioned Israel’s high-tech sector, a point of national pride, and recognized those in the university audience who had “made aliyah.” He underscored increased military cooperation between Israel and the United States under Obama, particularly in the area of missile testing. U.S. officials have wondered why the improving military relations have not made as many headlines as the heated rhetorical exchanges over settlements.

The Netanyahu government has done its part in citing the closeness — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned it Tuesday after his meeting with Biden, and U.S. Ambassador Michael Oren

INTERNATIONAL

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010

International Briefs Polish concentration camp memorial vandalized BERLIN (JTA) — Holocaust monuments at a former Nazi concentration camp in Poland were defaced with spray-painted antiSemitic slogans.

The vandalism at the Plaszow camp outside of Krakow, which read “Juden Raus” and “Hitler Good,” was discovered Saturday, on the 67th anniversary of the Nazi liquidation of the Krakow ghetto. The Plaszow camp was featured in the movie “Schindler’s List.”

The vandalism came eight days after suspected far-right vandals defaced the former Mauthausen concentration camp with anti-Jewish and anti-Turkish graffiti.

“The progeny of Muslims are for us what the Jews were to our fathers. Be on your guard. A third world war – an eighth crusade,” read the graffiti, spray-painted in large letters on the outer wall of the Mauthausen camp near its entrance.

“There is an active far-right scene in Upper Austria that does not even shrink away from vandalizing a former concentration camp,” Willi Mernyi, head of the committee that oversees the camp, said in a statement.

About 100,000 people died at Mauthausen.

Is Austrian presidential challenger a Nazi sympathizer?

BERLIN (JTA) — Austrian politics is roiling over the question of whether the lone challenger to Austria’s president in the upcoming election is a Nazi sympathizer.

Barbara Rosenkranz, 51, was nominated last week as a presidential candidate from Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPO) to oppose President Heinz Fischer of the Social Democratic Party in his re-election bid on April 25.

Earlier this week, Rosenkranz announced that contrary to rumors, she never has questioned Austria’s law banning Nazi organizations and ideology, and Holocaust denial. Rather, she said, she condemns Nazi crimes.

But according to the daily Tages-Anzeiger, only a week earlier Rosenkranz called for the law to be repealed.

Asked if she believed that the Nazis killed victims in gas chambers, she did not answer.

9

An Argentinean beach town goes Jewish

by Diego Melamed Jewish Telegraphic Agency MIRAMAR, Argentina (JTA) — It is said that there are two kinds of religious people in Miramar: the surfers who pray for the fantastic waves for which the Argentine beach town is known, and the Jews who flock here in the summer and turn Miramar into something resembling a shtetl.

And then there are the Jewish surfers.

Daniel Pezzente, who recently opened a bed and breakfast surfing school in town, said that four of his first students were observant Jews who kept kosher and took breaks from surfing to pray.

Two were locals, but two came all the way from California.

In January and February, Miramar is to the Jews of Buenos Aires what Miami Beach during Passover is to the Jews of New York.

This country of 40 million has some 200,000 Jews, making the Miramar phenomenon rather rare.

Located about 250 miles south of Buenos Aires and about a halfhour’s drive from the famed beach town of Mar del Plata, Miramar has become a favorite summer spot for the country’s Jews.

Mezuzahs are common on doorways here and restaurants in town offer Jewish fare such as kasha varnishkes and knishes. On the beach, families play Jewish games and sport Chai necklaces; even a few kipahs can be spotted there.

At night, some resorts organize Israeli dance performances.

“Jews are more than tourists here,” said Maria Eugenia Bove, secretary of tourism in Miramar.

“They are part of the history and the future of this city. They are honorary citizens.”

The Jewish connection to Miramar dates back to the 19th century, when a ship full of Jews fleeing persecution in Europe arrived at Argentina’s shores in 1891. Financed by Baron Hirsch, the Pampa first landed at the port of Buenos Aires. The refugees were supposed to be housed in the province of Entre Rios, but their housing complex was not ready and the ship was ordered to sail farther south.

Eventually the Pampa’s passengers were put up at the Atlantic Hotel near Miramar, a city that had been founded only three years earlier.

“The first testimony of the relationship between our city and the Jews was marked by a devastating tragedy: a high number of children

were infected with a disease transmitted by birds and died here,” said Carlos Pagliardini, Miramar’s director of tourism. “After this incident, most of the parents moved to Entre Rios province, and while there was no Jewish cemetery in Miramar, many returned to see the graves of their children.”

During the boom times in the 1950s, many of these immigrant families rose out of poverty to become middle class. For the first time they could afford to buy houses, send their children to college and enjoy a luxury that might have seemed impossible to their progenitors: vacations by the sea.

While Mar del Plata was the most popular resort destination in Argentina, it was not very welcoming of Jews.

“It was an expensive place, where the Argentinean upper class vacationing there didn’t always look favorably upon the arrival of Jews,” said Anita Weinstein, director of the Jewish community’s documentation center.

So the Jews began moving to Miramar, a beach town 27 miles down the coast from Mar del Plata and less expensive. The first set of buildings in Miramar was named for the Jewish Belmes family — the entrepreneur investors who developed modest buildings for sale while keeping some apart-

ments for their own personal use.

Miramar quickly soared in popularity among the country’s Jews.

Ricardo Gaudini, owner of the Tiburon resort, said 85 percent of his February clientele is Jewish.

The numbers are only slightly lower in January. Other resort owners report similar numbers.

“Even 35 years ago, my first clients were Jews,” Gaudini said.

“Today, most families are also my friends. I was even invited to the bar mitzvah of many of the boys.”

Miramar has grown considerably more Jewish over time. In 1998, the city opened its first kosher store, selling falafel, the Sephardic specialty lahmajun and other delectables.

“I make the best knishes in Argentina,” boasted the store’s cook, Gladys Linares, who is not Jewish. “In the recent seasons we sold more than 30,000 meals, 2,200 pounds of meat and more than 1,000 pounds of chicken. We also offer kosher wine imported from the United States.”

Jacobo Simantov, who owns the store, also is in charge of the city’s synagogue. Beit Yaakov, which is open only during the summer months, makes Miramar the only beach town in the country with a summer synagogue.

On Jan. 15, anti-Semitic graffiti appeared on the street near the synagogue, and a meeting was

arranged hastily with Miramar’s mayor. The crime remains unsolved, but it marks the exception rather than the rule in the town.

An event that took place on Feb. 6 was more typical: The Jewish community organized a street festival of Israeli dance in solidarity with the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

As with past Israeli dance festivals in Miramar, the city offered public space and diverted traffic for the event.

“We really care for the Jewish community, which is critical to the development of our city,” Bove told JTA. A monument in the city’s central square is dedicated to the victims of the 1994 AMIA Jewish community center bombing in Buenos Aires.

Recently the ultra-Orthodox, or haredi, presence in the city has been growing. To accommodate them, the beach spa Maui offers two rows of beach tents pitched in opposite directions so men and women cannot see each other.

Next year the Tiburon resort will open a kosher grill. Coexistence is the rule in Miramar.

The prestigious La Nacion newspaper recently dubbed Miramar the star of the Argentine coast. If Miramar is a star, it’s a Star of David.

10

ISRAEL

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010

Salam Fayyad: The Palestinian Tel Aviv high-rises, Ben and Jerry’s is back with a plan for statehood

Najeh Hashlamoun / FLASH90

Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad says he is attempting to point his people toward statehood.

by Leslie Susser Jewish Telegraphic Agency JERUSALEM (JTA) — Pundits and politicians have taken recently to comparing Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad to Israel’s founding father, David Ben-Gurion.

No less a figure than President Shimon Peres, one of Ben-Gurion’s foremost disciples, is the latest Israeli leader to offer the accolade.

The reason is simple: Like BenGurion, Fayyad is building institutions of statehood.

In the 1920s, the Jews of Palestine under the single-minded Ben-Gurion established institutions for what they called the state-inthe-making: the Haganah with the idea of a single armed force; the Histadrut Trade Union, with a department for workers’ rights, a sick fund, a bank and the Solel Boneh construction company; and the Jewish Agency dealing with immigration, schools and hospitals.

Now Fayyad is doing something similar.

Last August he announced what has come to be known as the “Fayyad Plan” under the heading: “Palestine — Ending the Occupation, Establishing the State.” The idea is to build a de facto Palestinian state by mid2011, with functioning government and municipal offices, police forces, a central bank, stock market, schools, hospitals, community centers, etc. Fayyad’s watchword is transparency, and his aim is institutions that are corruption-free and provide an array of modern government services.

Then, in mid-2011, with all the trappings of statehood in place, he intends to make his political move: Invite Israel to recognize the well-functioning Palestinian state and withdraw from territo-

ries it still occupies, or be forced to do so by the pressure of international opinion.

In February, at the 10th Herzliya Conference, an annual forum on Israel’s national security attended by top decision-makers and academics, Fayyad, the lone Palestinian, gave an articulate offthe-cuff address, leaving little doubt as to what he has in mind.

“This is not about declaring a state. It is about getting ready for one,” he explained. “The program we have embarked upon was not supposed to be in lieu of a political process. It was supposed to reinforce it.”

“The political process track,” Fayyad added later, “is absolutely necessary because that is what is going to bring an end to the occupation.”

Fayyad went on to speak about creating a critical mass of positive change on the ground that by mid2011 would persuade the world that the Palestinians were ready for statehood, and that it was time for the Israeli occupation to be rolled back.

“If by then we succeed, as I hope we will,” he declared, “it’s not going to be too difficult for people looking at it from any corner of the world to conclude that indeed the Palestinians do have something that looks like a wellfunctioning state in just about every facet of activity, and the only anomalous thing at the time would be that occupation which everyone agrees should end.”

Fayyad has been working closely on the economic and institutional elements of his plan with Tony Blair, the former British prime minister and the international Quartet’s special representative to the Middle East, and on the law enforcement aspects with U.S. Gen. Keith Dayton.

The results on the ground have been impressive.

Palestinian security forces trained by Dayton’s troops have been deployed in West Bank cities, creating new levels of law and order and enabling Israel to remove dozens of roadblocks and checkpoints. The aim from the outset was to secure a major principle of modern statehood: a single armed force, subordinate to the elected government, with no rival militias roaming the streets. For all intents and purposes, this is the case already in the West Bank today.

At the Herzliya Conference, Fayyad suggested that Israel could help further augment this facet of his state-building by handing over more West Bank territory to Palestinian security control.

The law and order and the opening up of the West Bank to free movement of people and goods has led to a dramatic change in the economic climate, which also augurs well for Fayyad’s state-building project. The upturn in trade, tourism and consumer spending was reflected in economic growth of 7 percent last year, one of the highest figures anywhere in the world. Fayyad also is working on Palestinian budgetary independence. More than half of this year’s Palestinian Authority budget of approximately $3 billion will be raised in taxes.

There have been significant institutional achievements as well: A functioning stock market is operating in Nablus, Fayyad has been building government and municipal offices, and the nucleus of a central bank is in place.

Over the past two years, Fayyad has completed more than 1,000 communal projects, investing more than $100 million in schools, clinics, libraries and community centers. He is starting work now on a new phase to improve existing infrastructures: roads, electricity, water and sewage. Most of the money has come from the United States, the European Union and the oil-rich Gulf States.

The American-educated Fayyad, 58, was born in the village of Dir Rasun near the West Bank city of Tulkarm. After earning his doctorate in economics at the University of Texas in 1986, he conducted research at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis before joining the World Bank in Washington, where he worked from 1987 to 1995.

Then, in the wake of the Oslo agreements, he was appointed International Monetary Fund representative in the Palestinian territories from 1995 to 2001.

FAYYAD on page 19

by Marcy Oster Jewish Telegraphic Agency JERUSALEM (JTA) — Here are some recent stories out of Israel that you may have missed.

Tel Aviv skyline Some Tel Aviv residents are angry that they were not consulted over plans to double the city’s housing capacity by eschewing city blocks lined with low-rise apartment buildings for high-rise blocks.

The city last week released a plan, dubbed “T.A./5000,” which recommends lining Tel Aviv’s main streets with apartment buildings up to 14 stories in place of the current four-story buildings, Ha’aretz reported.

Residents are upset because the municipality claimed that the new plans were drawn up in consultation with city residents.

As of 2008, Tel Aviv had 178,000 living units and now plans to build 83,000 more, according to the newspaper. Eventually, under the new housing push, the city could boast 460,000 living units by 2025.

Couples and young families often struggle to find affordable housing in Tel Aviv.

Another section of the wall Archeologists have discovered a section of an ancient city wall of Jerusalem that may have been built

by King Solomon.

The wall, which dates back to the First Temple-period based on potsherds found in the vicinity, is located on the hill between the Temple Mount and the village of Silwan.

Also uncovered in the city wall complex: an inner gatehouse for access into the royal quarter of the city, a royal structure adjacent to the gatehouse and a corner tower that overlooks a substantial section of the adjacent Kidron valley.

The dig, led by Hebrew University’s Eilat Mazar and funded

by Daniel Mintz and Meredith Berkman, a New York couple interested in biblical archeology, is a joint project of the school, the Israel Antiquities Authority, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, and the Company for the Development of East Jerusalem.

“The city wall that has been uncovered testifies to a ruling presence,” Mazar said. “Its strength and form of construction indicate a high level of engineering. We can estimate, with a high degree of certainty, that this was built by King Solomon toward the end of the 10th century BC.” Artifacts found near the excavation, including clay seals with Hebrew names on them, are indications that the wall was part of the royal structure, the team said.

Now made in Israel: Chunky Monkey Ben & Jerry’s ice cream company is set to open a new factory in southern Israel.

The factory will open in northern Kiryat Malachi — in a facility that formerly served as a soup factory — at a cost of about $2 million. The company also will open 16 restaurants in spots throughout the country.

Ben & Jerry’s once had 16 stores in Israel, but the outbreak of the second intifada affected business and the company shut down its Israel operations until now.

Beyond Hadera to Gadera Israel’s Cabinet approved a $7 billion plan to create a transportation network that would construct highways and lay train tracks in the north and south of Israel.

The plan would connect the center of the country to both Eilat in the south and Kiryat Shemona in the north.

“The time has come to open the bottleneck and join the State of Israel in one country,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

“There will no longer be three countries, no longer a greater Tel Aviv metropolitan area country, which is also stuck, and others in the distant Galilee and the even more distant Negev. We will take our small country, one of the smallest in the world, and will allow Israelis to travel quickly, without bottlenecks, and in comfort.”

Nineteen ministers voted for the 10-year plan; four opposed and one abstained.

It is not yet clear whether the money for the plan would be taken from other ministries’ budgets or if new money can be found.

Helping Jewish Juliets dump their Arab Romeos The Tel Aviv municipality has launched a program to help Jewish girls get out of relationships with Arab boys, Ma’ariv reported.

The municipal finance committee allocated about $66,000 to “an aid program for immigrant girls at risk” run by the Tel Aviv Municipality, the Absorption Ministry and the World Congress of Bukharan Jews, according to an article in the Ma’ariv-Tel Aviv weekly magazine.

The program will work with up to 120 women below the age of 22.

“This is a war against the trend of scores of Jewish girls getting together with minority men and with migrant workers, and then getting into trouble with their families and the families of the minority men, that often ostracize them for being Jewish,” said an unnamed senior official in the municipality, according to Ma’ariv.

SOCIAL LIFE

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010

11

A N N O U N C E M E N TS BIRTH hani and Dan Kadis of Columbus, Ohio proudly announce the birth of their son, Spencer Benjamin, born November 19, 2009, at Riverside Hospital. Spencer arrived into this world at 22 inches in height and weighing 8 1/4 pounds. The Brit Milah was held on Thanksgiving Day at Tifereth Israel Synagogue.

The maternal grandparents are Cherie and Stuart Rosenstein Of Dayton, Ohio; Libby Moskowitz of Cedar Village in Mason, Ohio is the maternal great-grandmother.

Marilyn Kadis of Beachwood, Ohio and Rick and Marilyn Kadis of Tucson, Arizona are the paternal grandparents.

Abe and Estine Kadis of Beachwood, Ohio are the paternal great-grandparents.

S

GRADUATION ack Fesman and wife Michelle Cohen-Fesman announce the graduation of their son David Fesman from The University of Cincinnati College of Business. He was on the Dean’s List.

J

ENGAGEMENT ohn and Gwen Heilbrun and Cindy and Harold Guttman are proud to announce the engagement of their children, Lauren Barclay and Seth Guttman.

J

The bride-to-be is a 1999 graduate of Indian Hill High School, a 2003 graduate of Indiana University, and currently works in marketing for LPK. The groom-to-be is a 1999 graduate of Tilton School in New Hampshire, a 2003 graduate of Lynn University and currently

works in real estate for Hills Communities.

Lauren and Seth were engaged in October and an August wedding is planned.

WEDDING he wedding of Cindy Seid and Michael J. Freeman

T

took place November 8, 2009 at Drees Pavilion in Devou Park. Rabbi Gary Zola officiated. A dinner dance and reception followed.

Cindy is the daughter of Dr. Allan and Sheila Seid of San Diego, California. Cindy is the granddaughter of the late Dora and Bennie Penn and

the late Fanny and Harry Seid.

Michael is the son of Edward and Sheila Freeman of Cincinnati, Ohio. He is the grandson of the late Bertha and Gerald Charkins and the late Helen and Bernie Freeman.

The couple reside in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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Zip

Message

2” = $168

3x

Size Price

3” = $252

Check Credit Card #

4” = $336 5” = $420

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Signature Mail to: The American Israelite Passover Ad 18 W. Ninth Street, Suite 2 Cincinnati, OH 45202 For more information on Passover Greetings Contact Ted Deutsch (513) 621-3145 publisher@americanisraelite.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010

CINCINNATI JEWISH LIFE

13

2010 PASSOVER COVER

COLORING CONTEST SIZE: Art must be no larger than 8.5" Wide x 11" High.

MATERIALS: Anything that shows up bold and bright.

AGE CATEGORIES: Open to children of all ages.

All entries must be received by

FRIDAY, MARCH 19TH

MAIL TO: THE AMERICAN ISRAELITE, 18 W. NINTH ST, STE 2, CINCINNATI, OH 45202 Entries must have a completed entry form attached to the back. Please print clearly.

2010 Passover Cover Coloring Contest Entry Form

Ad sponsored by Bradford David Berman in honor of his beloved fiancĂŠ, Regina Appatova.

14

DINING OUT

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010

KT’s to offer free cake for BarBe-Q’s 1st ‘birthday’

by Bob Wilhelmy Restaurant Reporter So happens that Passover and the “birthday” of BarBe-Q, the voluptuous mannequin attracting customers outside KT’s BBQ, are on the March calendar in close proximity. Both provide advantage at KT’s for the Jewish community.

First, let’s talk birthday celebration, which occurs on Wednesday, March 24. On that day, KT’s will be giving out free pieces of flourless chocolate cake with each order. BarBe-Q has been drawing attention, both of passers-by and in the courts, for the past year. The mannequin is a traffic-stopper, and so much so that the local court tried to ban her.

Turns out, they can’t. Not legally, at least, so she’s stayed.

The attention BarBe-Q has generated has been a boon to KT’s business. “We average three to five customers a day who stop in because of BarBe-Q,” claimed Kenny Tessel, owner/proprietor of KT’s. “That’s been really good for the business. You still have to get the customers, and she helps me do that.” So, free chocolate cake to celebrate the mannequin’s first anniversary as the KT mascot.

Having tried the cake, I can vouch for its decadent deliciousness. Yum! Regarding the cake, Tessel said: “It’s gluten-free for people who don’t want wheat or flour in their diets; very rich, very chocolate. That cake has turned into a good complement to the barbecued chicken and more, for which KT’s has become famous in the past few years.

Next, Passover: for this holy day, KT’s again is offering the brisket dinner special. “We’re doing the sliced brisket dinner for carryout, which is very popular with our Jewish customers,” said Tessel. “They can have their brisket either smoked or roasted, with the potatoes and carrots and onions and gravy, for $10.99 a person. Nobody likes to do the brisket, so this way makes it easy for everybody.”

Also, Tessel has added a chicken plate dinner for Passover carryout. The entrée features a quarter chicken, white or dark meat, that can be had roasted or smoked, with the potatoes, carrots, onions and gravy, for $10.99.

For more than a year now, Tessel has been making brisket dinners for Shabbat. “For the brisket dinner, people need to call in by Wednesday and they can pick it up on Friday. That’s really big for us right now,” he said. “For Passover, call a few days ahead and we’ll get all the dinners ready to go for pickup.”

“Another big seller for us has been the brisket and bean bowl, which is a pint of our baked beans

Kenny Tessel, owner/operator of KT’s Barbecue, stands next to Barbe-Q, the blonde siren mannequin who encourages passersby to come in and try the barbecue, greens and other homemade specialties available inside.

“We average three to five customers a day who stop in because of BarBe-Q. That’s been really good for the business. You still have to get the customers, and she helps me do that.”

Kenny Tessel

with the brisket mixed in, for $6.50. People love the brisket and bean bowl, and a pint will serve four people easy.”

On the soup front, Tessel has been hard at work again. Yours truly bought a sizeable cup (enough for two small bowls) of his Cuban black bean soup, a vegetarian variety, hearty and tasty, with a cilantro kick to it. The black beans are pureed to enhance thickness, and the soup can be eaten with a spoon or served over rice, if desired. It’s delicious, and homemade from scratch ingredients. It’s $2 for a small portion, and $4 for a larger size container.

Also, in the soup kettle, on given days, is a roasted vegetable soup, again of Cuban origin. In that country, tired vegetables are roasted and then placed into a stockpot and simmered into soups. These can be meat-enhanced or made with chicken or beef stocks or made as vegetarian meals. The soups can be broth or cream based as well. The roasting brings out unique flavors in the vegetables, according to Tessel, and the selection of herbs further improves the flavor profile of the end product.

He’s had a broccoli and cauliflower version in the pot some days, and having tried it, that too was a winner in the taste category.

Another new item offered at KT’s is the black-eyed pea salad, with onions and bell peppers and herbs in a mild Dijon vinaigrette dressing. “Black-eyed peas are good luck, and they are good for you, really healthy and my bean salad that I make with them is very tasty,” he said, and he is correct.

The salad has an onion-pepper flavor to it, and a small cup of it is a good complement to a barbecue meal or one of the hearty soups.

“In the catering, I’m doing a lot of Jewish functions, and we can work the menu out the way the customer wants. The smoked chicken is very popular. So I’m making that, and party tray and whatever, and people really like the change of pace,” he said.

As to the menu, for all the soups and other items, the barbecue is still the real star-power of the selections. The chicken is wonderful.

The smoked beef brisket and the other smoked items are finger-licking good. The pulled chicken barbecue sandwich is a meal in itself.

If you wish to do your own barbecuing, Tessel has the sauce available by the 1/2-pint ($3) and the pint ($5.25). Also there is the roast turkey breast, done by hand, and available on request. So there is a lot going on in the smoker-barbecue area at KT’s.

KT’s Barbecue 8501 Reading Road Cincinnati, OH 45249 513-761-0200

DINING OUT

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010

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OPINION

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010

Point of View

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

by Rabbi James A. Rudin

(RNS) — Accusations that members of an Idaho-based Baptist missionary group tried to smuggle 33 Haitian children out of the earthquake-ravaged country have attracted wide media attention. The case, still pending in a Haitian court, raises serious legal, ethical and religious questions: Are the youngsters (ranging in age from 2 to 12) actually orphans? CNN reported 20 of the children had at least one living parent in Haiti.

Did the missionaries engage in child kidnapping, intended or otherwise?

Is removing children, whether orphaned or not, from a povertystricken country just another form of religious imperialism?

The missionary leader, Laura Silsby, explained to a Haitian judge that her team was “trying to do what’s best for the children,” but also admitted that the Americans had not asked for permission to move the children to an orphanage in the Dominican Republic.

Missionary activity is not without its risks, or rewards. The New York Times described tensions between missionaries who have been active in Haiti for years and those who only arrived following the Jan. 12 catastrophe that killed more than 200,000 people.

In another sign of religious friction, evangelical Christians have reportedly attacked a Portau-Prince voodoo memorial service. Max Beauvoir, the country’s voodoo leader, accused evangelicals of trying to “buy souls” with the lure of needed food and medicine. “I would like to see each one of them tied up in ropes and thrown in the sea,” he said.

Although Beauvoir may be an extreme, few people are neutral about missionary activity. For Christians, it is the fulfillment of Jesus’ “Great Commission” to “go and make disciples of all nations.”

To their credit, Christian missionaries throughout the world have established hospitals, colleges and universities, medical clinics, training schools, hospices, orphanages and other institutions.

For many Christians, the term “mission” is less about saving souls and more about saving lives.

Rabbi Rudin is the American Jewish Committee’s senior interreligious adviser.

Do you have something to say? E-mail your letter to editor@americanisraelite.com

Dear Editor, With meticulous timing, just as Vice President Joe Biden’s plane touched ground in Jerusalem, the Israeli government chose to announce a large settlement expansion in violation of previous agreements. The reason for the Vice President’s visit was, among many issues, to help resuscitate some semblance of

the tattered Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

It is unclear as to the timing of that announcement. What is clear is the present Israeli government has no interest in peace talks or for that matter, peace! It is also clear that United States efforts spent to revive peace talks are but a waste of effort. If the truth be known, peace talks and peace itself will only be realized

when the people and the leaders of both Israel and Palestine decide enough is enough!

If we have learned anything over the last half century it is that third party interference is often as much of a hindrance as a help. When exactly will enough be enough…. all ready?

Gerald Schwartz Amberley Village

Have something on your mind?

Write a letter to the editor and let your voice be heard.

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editor@ americanisraelite.com

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE of this week’s Torah portion This Week’s Portion: Vayikra (Vayikra 1:1—6:30) 1. When making a sacrifice, which part of the animal does a person press his hands on? a.) Head b.) Neck c.) Torso 2. What happens when he places his hands on the animal? a.) He sanctifies the animal for a sacrifice b.) He is preparing the animal for slaughter c.) He achieves an atonement

3. Is the animal sacrificed via ritual slaughter (Shechita)? a.) Yes b.) No 4. Where is the blood sprinkled after a sacrifice? a.) Floor b.) Door c.) Altar 5. Are birds sacrificed via ritual slaughter? a.) Yes b.) No

Written by Rabbi Dov Aaron Wise

1. A 1:4 2. C 1:4 At this point, a person would confess his sin 3. A 1:5 4. C 1:5 5. B 1:15 Birds are slaughtered with the finger of the priest at the back of the neck instead of a knife in the front of the neck

The problem with missionaries

While recognizing those humanitarian efforts, the term “missionary” triggers resentment, and even rage, among Jews. For nearly 2,000 years, zealous Christians in their quest for converts have assailed Jews with hostile proselytizing campaigns and forced conversions.

There were also humiliating public religious debates in medieval Europe. Such rigged “disputations” sought to prove Christianity’s spiritual superiority over Judaism. In some cases, the so-called debates were sponsored by the Christian ruling authorities who acted as “judges.” There was little doubt Christianity would always win and Judaism would lose, often with dire consequences for the local Jewish community.

In recent years, many Christians have muted or even abandoned active missionary activities, especially those aimed at Jews. The late Protestant theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, for one, condemned attempts to convert Jews as theologically unnecessary, incompatible with Christianity and spiritually insulting to Jews.

Before his death two yeas ago, Swedish Bishop Krister Stendahl, who also served as dean of Harvard Divinity School, often spoke about making others “jealous” of one’s own spiritual life and faith. Stendahl promoted the creation of “holy envy” between Christians and Jews to improve the quality of their family lives, personal ethics, social justice concerns, and prayer lives. That, he felt, was the best form of “missionary” activity.

“In the eyes of God, we are all minorities,” he said in a 2003 interview. “That’s a rude awakening for many Christians, who have never come to grips with the pluralism of the world.”

For Niebuhr and Stendahl, there’s a difference between “mission” and “witness.” Mission is frequently an act of insensitivity, even coercion, directed to adherents of another faith community.

Witness, meanwhile, is the living out of authentic religious beliefs without attempting to proselytize another person.

In authentic witnessing, there are no hidden agendas, no strongarming, and certainly no court cases involving alleged kidnapping.

Answers

16

JEWISH LIFE

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010

17

Sedra of the Week

by Rabbi Shlomo Riskin

SHABBAT SHALOM: PARSHAT VAYIKRA LEVITICUS: 1:1-5:26

Efrat, Israel — “And He called to Moses and the Lord spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting, saying: ‘Speak to the Children of Israel and say to them, anyone who brings a sacrifice to the Lord, from the animals, from the cattle and from the sheep you shall offer your sacrifices.’” (Lev. 1:1,2).

The opening words of this third book of the Bible, the Book of Vayikra, tells us that G-d first called to Moses and then communicated to him a specific message concerning the sacrificial offerings of the Sanctuary.

Why this double language of “calling” first and then “speaking” afterwards? Why not cut to the chase: “And the Lord spoke to Moses from the Tent of Meeting”?

The Talmudic sage Rabbi Musia Rabbah, in the Tractate Yoma (4b), explains that the Bible is giving us a lesson in good manners: before someone commands another to do something, he must first ask permission to give the order.

He even suggests that before someone begins speaking to another, one must ascertain that the person wishes to hear what he has to say.

With great beauty, the rabbis suggest that even G-d Himself follows these laws of etiquette when addressing Moses; asking his permission before speaking to or commanding him.

The Ramban (Nahmanides) takes a completely opposite view, limiting this double language of addressing to the Sanctuary specifically: “this (seemingly superfluous language of first calling and then speaking) is not used elsewhere (where G-d is addressing Moses); it is only used here because Moses would not otherwise have been permitted to enter the Tent of Meeting, would not otherwise have been permitted to be in such close proximity to the place where the Almighty was to be found.” (Ramban ad loc).

From this second perspective, it is Moses who must first be summoned by G-d and receive Divine permission before he dare enter the Sacred Tent of Meeting of the exalted Holy of Holies.

This latter interpretation seems closest to the Biblical text; since the very last verses in the Book of Exodus specifically tell us that whenever a cloud covered the Sanctuary, Moses was prevented from entering the Tent of Meeting

and communicating with the Divine (Ex. 40:34, 35). Hence, the Book of Leviticus opens with G-d summoning Moses into the Tent of Meeting, apparently signaling the departure of the cloud and the Divine permission for Moses to hear G-d’s words.

This scenario helps us understand G-d’s relationship – and lack thereof – with the Israelites in general and with Moses in particular.

You may recall that the initial commandment to erect a Sanctuary was in order for the Divine Presence to dwell in the midst of the Israelites (Ex. 25:8); such a close identity between the Divine and the

(Rashbam on 33:13).

G-d then responds that indeed “My face will lead, I, Myself and not an angel-messenger, and I shall bring you (you, Moses, but not the nation) to your ultimate resting place” (33:14). Moses is not satisfied, and argues that G-d Himself — His “face” and not His angelmessenger must lead not only Moses but also the nation!

Otherwise, he says, “do not take us (the entire nation) out of this desert.” And finally G-d agrees that although He cannot be in the midst of the nation, He can and will lead them, stepping in whenever necessary to make certain that Israel will never disappear and will eventually return to their homeland.

G-d may not be completely manifest as the G-d of love in every historical experience of our people, and will not yet teach the world ethical monotheism. Israel remains a “work-in-progress” with G-d behind a cloud and “incommunicado.” Our nation, albeit imperfect, still serves as witnesses that the G-d of love and compassion exists, and orchestrates historical redemption through Israel. G-d is “incorporated,” incorporealized, in Israel, the people and the land.

What G-d leaves behind even when He is in a cloud are the two newly chiseled tablets of stone – His Divine Torah with the human input of the Oral Law – as well as His 13 “ways” or attributes, G-d’s spiritual and emotional characteristics of love, compassion, freelygiven grace, patience, kindness, etc.

(Lev. 34:1-7). And when individuals internalize these attributes– imbue their hearts, minds and souls with love, compassion, kindness, grace and peace – they cause G-d to become manifest enabling them to communicate with G-d “face to face” like Moses. Then the cloud between Moses’ Active Intellect and G-d’s Active Intellect disappears, and Moses is enabled to teach and understand G-d’s Torah.

And so Vayikra opens when G-d perceives that Moses has reached the highest spiritual level achievable by mortals, the cloud is removed from the Tent of the Meeting and G-d invites Moses to enter it and receive more of those Divine Emanations which comprise our Bible…

With great beauty, the rabbis suggest that even G-d Himself follows these laws of etiquette when addressing Moses; asking his permission before speaking to or commanding him.

Israelites on earth would signal the period of redemption. This would have been a fitting conclusion to the exodus from Egypt.

Tragically, Israel then sin with the Golden Calf and G-d immediately informs them that “I cannot go up in your midst because you are a stiff-necked nation, lest I destroy you on the way” (Ex. 33:3). Only if the Israelites are worthy can G-d dwell in their midst. If they forego their true vocation as a “sacred nation and a Kingdom of priestteachers” while G-d is in such close proximity to them, then this G-d of truth will have to punish and even destroy them. He will therefore now keep His distance from them, retaining His “place,” as it were, in the supernal, transcendent realms, and sending His “angel-messenger” to lead them in their battles to conquer the Promised Land (Ibid 33:2,3).

As a physical symbol of the concealment – or partial absence – of the Divine (hester panim), Moses takes the Tent of Meeting and removes its central position in the Israelite encampment, to a distance of 2000 cubits away. (33:7). He then remonstrates with G-d arguing that the Almighty had promised to show His love by means of His Divine Name, to reveal to him His Divine attributes; and to accept Israel as His special nation (33:11,12). In other words, Moses argues that He, G-d – and not an angel-messenger – must reveal His Divine ways and lead Israel

Shabbat Shalom Shlomo Riskin Chancellor Ohr Torah Stone Chief Rabbi — Efrat Israel

3100 LONGMEADOW LANE • CINCINNATI, OH 45236 791-1330 • www.templesholom.net Richard Shapiro, Interim Rabbi Marcy Ziek, President Gerry H. Walter, Rabbi Emeritus March 19 6:00 pm Shabbat Nosh 6:30 pm Shabbat Evening Service

March 26 6:00 pm Shabbat Nosh 6:30 pm Shabbat Evening Service 6:30 pm Family Shabbat

March 20 10:30 am Shabbat Morning Service

March 27 10:30 am Shabbat Morning Service

Sincere Sympathy To: Linda Chambers on the death of her father, Robert Robbins Ralph Weil on the death of his mother, Cecile Levy Weil

18

JEWZ IN THE NEWZ

Jewz in the Newz

by Nate Bloom Contributing Columnist HEARTLESS REPO MEN “Repo Men,” which opens on Friday, March 19, is a futuristic action thriller. A company called “The Union” invents and sells expensive artificial organs that can extend human life. However, if a customer doesn’t make his payments — nasty repo men grab back the organ. Jude Law stars as Remy, a Union repo man who gets one of his company’s hearts and cannot make his payments.

Forest Whitaker plays Remy’s former partner, who is sent to repossess Remy’s artificial heart.

LIEV SCHREIBER, 42, has a supporting role as Remy’s boss.

The first time director is Miguel Rosenberg-Sapochnik. My guess is that he is a Jew from Latin America; but there’s little bio available on him.

CHANGIN’ HOSTS; FISHER RUN-DOWN Model BROOKE BURKE, 38, has been named as co-host (with Tom Bergeron) of the hit ABC series, “Dancing with the Stars.” She replaces SAMANTHA HARRIS, 36, who has cohosted since 2006. Harris says she is leaving to concentrate on her work as a correspondent for “The Insider” and “Entertainment Tonight.” Burke (whose mother is Jewish) was the winner of the 7th season (fall 2008) of “Dancing.”

The 10th season of “Dancing” starts on Monday, March 22, at 8PM. LAINIE KAZAN, 67, and RICHARD LEWIS, 62, guest star on the Fox series, “’Til Death,” (Sunday, March 21, at 7PM). Kazan plays the overbearing mother of starring character Joy Stark (Joely Fisher), while Lewis plays a publisher who is interested in a book written by Joy’s husband, Eddie (BRAD GARRETT, 49.)

Joely Fisher, 42, is the daughter of Jewish singer EDDIE FISHER and his 3rd wife, singer/actress Connie Stevens.

She was raised in her mother’s faith and is a practicing Christian.

Joely’s half sister, actress/writer CARRIE FISHER, 53, is the daughter of Eddie’s first wife, actress Debbie Reynolds. Carrie, who occasionally attends synagogue with her teenage daughter, identifies as Jewish.

Eddie, now 81, had a talent for marrying beautiful women, and he fathered talented daughters — but he had no talent for fatherhood — he paid little child support; hardly saw his children; and he embarrassed them with several “tell-all” memoirs.

SADLY NOTED The last few weeks have seen the tragic deaths of two Jewish actors best known for their adolescent roles: ANDREW KOENIG, 42, who was found dead on Feb. 25, an apparent suicide — and COREY HAIM, 38, who died on March 10. Early reports say that his death seems drug-related.

Koenig, who starred as Richard “Boner” Stabone on the ‘80s sitcom “Growing Pains,” was the son of actor WALTER KOENIG, 73, (Chekov on “Star Trek”) and Walter’s wife of 44 years, actress JUDY LEVITT KOENIG. Andrew had a substantial postadolescent career as a writer and film editor. It appears that he was suffering from long-term clinical depression.

Haim was born and raised in Toronto, the son of a Canadian Jewish father and an Israeli-raised Jewish mother. He was a talented young actor with hits like “Lucas” and “Lost Boys.” But he got into drugs at a young age and never was able to stay clean for a sustained period.

BRIEFLY NOTED Congrats to FISHER STEVENS, 46, who was the cowinner of the Oscar for best documentary feature. Fisher was the producer of “The Cove,” a film about a semi-secret dolphin killing ground in Japan. Fisher shared the Oscar with the film’s director, Louie Psihoyos. The film’s footage was gathered by several environmental activists with diving skills, including Psihoyas.

Fisher, a diver himself, was brought in to produce the film and help shape the raw footage into a film. He also promoted the documentary at many film festivals.

Born Steve Fisher in Chicago, Fisher’s father is Jewish and he describes himself as a “thin, white Jewish guy.” He’s had a multifaceted career as a film, TV, and stage actor and as a theater and TV director.

GWYNETH PALTROW, 37, has reportedly signed-on to play German screen legend Marlene Dietrich (1901-1992) in a bio-pic to be shown on the BBC. Dietrich, whose father was a Prussian army officer, was among the most adamant opponents of the Nazi regime. She helped many Jewish friends escape from Germany and she entertained thousands of allied troops during WWII. Many are questioning casting Paltrow in this role: Dietrich had a much deeper singing voice than Paltrow and her sex appeal was very earthy—while Paltrow’s beauty is ethereal.

It will be a real triumph for Paltrow if she surprises the pundits and pulls this role off.

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010

FROM THE PAGES 100 Years Ago Mr. and Mrs. Ben Salinger of Stanton Avenue entertained in honor of their 20th anniversary. The out-oftown guests were Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Salinger, Shelbyville, Ky.; Mr. and Mrs. Gus Salinger, Parkersburg, W.V.; Mr. and Mrs. Mose Schwartz and son, Princeton, Ind.; Mrs. Pauline Karnow, New York; Jos. Karnow of Alexandria, Ind.; and Simon Goodman, of Wheeling, W.V. The satisfaction of knowing that you are wearing absolutely the right thing, that you can feel well dressed

anywhere, is one of the advantages of buying your apparel at the Gidding establishment, West Fourth street, between Vine and Race. Coats, gowns, dresses, wraps — everything that goes to complete the welldressed woman can here be found in endless variety and of perfect workmanship. The latest models, domestic and imported, the novelties and conceits of the day — everything that human ingenuity has devised and money can buy, is found in The Store Beautiful.

Louis Schloss, 59, telegraph editor of the “Freie Presse,” died at the City Hospital of pneumonia, superinduced, it is thought, by an accident which befell him six weeks ago. At that time, Scholss was run over and injured. He became unconscious Friday and his landlady seized the opportunity to send the aged man to the hospital. He never recovered consciousness. Schloss was a brother–inlaw of Judge Frederick Spiegel, and also has a brother, Herman Schloss.

— March 17, 1910

75 Years Ago Mr. and Mrs. Harry Katz, 819 Hutchins Avenue, announce the engagement of their daughter, Miss Sally, to Mr. Ralph Hoffman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Hoffman, 3543 Wilson Avenue.

Mr. and Mrs. Mose Cohen, of Betula Avenue, will return Friday, March 22, after a two-month visit in Miami Beach, Fla. From there they will motor to New York City to visit their son and duaghter, Mr. and Mrs. Harry C. Weiss (Beatrice Cohen).

Miss Dorothy Becker, a student at Wellesley and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Becker, 503 N. Ft. Thomas Avenue, Ft. Thomas, Ky., will arrive Friday, March 22 for the Spring recess. She will be home until Monday, April 1.

A collection of the work of Dr. Josef Warkany is on display at Closson Galleries this week. Dr. Warkany, an artist in his leisure time, is on the Children’s Hospital staff.

Mr. Nathan Milstein, violin

soloist of the Matinee Musicale club, last week, was feted at several gatherings during his brief visit in Cincinnati.

Mrs. S. Marcus Fechheimer has returned to her home on Rose Hill Avenue after a winter vacation at Daytona Beach, Fla. Master John Grossman, whose parents live in the Engter Building on Reading road, is in critical condition at the Jewish Hospital as the result of a fall Saturday, March 16.

— March 21, 1935

50 Years Ago James Levine, 16-year-old Cincinnati pianist, has been asked by the Music Associates of Aspen to give a benefit recital for its scholarship fund.

James, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence M. Levine, has been attached to the Music School and Festival in Aspen, Colo., three summers as a piano student of Madame Rosina Levinne and assistant to Felix Popper, conductor of the opera workshop there.

Cincinnatians will remember James as a soloist with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra under Thor

Johnson and Max Rudolf at various occasions, his solo recitals at the Taft Museum, his “subbing” at the Cincinnati Zoo opera, and appearances at the College-Conservatory in chamber music ensembles.

Two “ham” radio operators from Avondale, Miss Frances Pressman and Mr. Fred Schwartz, who together have given 12 years of Red Cross volunteer service as members of the Queen City Emergency Network, will be among 72 honored Friday, March 18, at the Red Cross Building.

William Hilb, passed away Friday, March 4. Mr. Hilb was first president of the Iron Institute, and was an active member of the Cincinnati Association for the Blind, Big Brothers Association, Cincinnati Advisory Committee for Brandeis University, and was a member of Cuvier Press Club, B’nai B’rith, Masons, Cincinnati Club, Losantiville Country Club and the old Phoenix Club of Cincinnati.

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Hallie Hilb, and a sister, Miss Alma Hilb.— March 17, 1960

25 Years Ago Ellen Greenberger will be honored by the Women’s Division for Israel Bonds at a luncheon, Monday , April 29, Winifred Barrows, chairman of the Women’s Division, announced.

“Ellen has been a very special person in the Israel Bond family of Cincinnati,” Mrs. Barrows said. “Her contribution and dedication to Israel and the Bond program has been total.”

Mr. and Mrs. David Seltzer announce the marriage of their daughter, Robin Sue, to Mr. Mark Moler, son of Ms. Paula Moler of Brookville, Ohio, on

Sunday, Feb.17. The wedding and lunch took place at Rockdale Temple. Rabbi Howard Simon officiated.

Robin is the granddaughter of Mrs. Gus (Celia) Cohen and the late Mr. Cohen, and Mrs. Harry (Rose) Seltzer and the later Mr. Seltzer.

Leah L. Schlan of 7610 Reading Road passed away March 4.

Miss Schlan was active in the Jewish community as a social worker for 51 years. From 1919 to 1929, she was a clerk, registrar and case worker for the Jewish Social Service

Bureau and the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation. From 1930 to 1971 Miss Schlan worked with The Jewish Hospital. For 23 years she was intake worker, executive secretary and director of the Beckman Dispensary which helped settle Jewish refugees after WWII. Miss Schlan is credited with initiating and organizing many programs devoted to the problems of aging and the chronically ill including Sheltering Oaks and Drake Hospital. — March 14, 1985

10 Years Ago To perpetuate the legacy of their beloved parents, Rabbi Joel Schwartzman and Judith Palay established the Dr. Sylvan D. & Sylvia Schwartzman Distinguished Visiting Lectureship in Practical Rabbinics. Rabbi Sylvan D. Schwartzman was a former dean and professor at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. He believed education was the core of Jewish religion and

often lectured on its behalf. His children, in keeping with their parents’ commitment to Judaism, education and HUC-JIR, established this program to bring nationally recognized speakers to HUC to address future rabbis, educators and the community about current trends and occurrences in today’s society.

Jurek Werthaiser, 73, passed away on March 10, 2000 in Boca Raton, Fla. Mr. Werthaiser was

born in Poland. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Werthaiser, as well as his children: Dr. Marc and Ginger Werthaiser of Boca Raton, Fla.; and Gail and Gary Shottenstein of Cincinnati, O. Surviving grandchildren are: Adam and Chase Werthaiser; and Samuel, Melinda and Allison Shottenstein.

Mr. Werthaiser is also survived by a sister, Ester Werthaiser of Phoenix, Ariz. — March 16, 2000

CLASSIFIEDS

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010

COMMUNITY DIRECTORY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS Big Brothers/Big Sisters Assoc.

(513) 761-3200 • bigbrobigsis.org Beth Tevilah Mikveh Society (513) 821-6679 Camp Ashreinu (513) 702-1513 Camp at the J (513) 722-7226 • mayersonjcc.org Camp Livingston (513) 793-5554 • camplivingston.com Cedar Village (513) 336-3183 • cedar-village.org Chevra Kadisha (513) 396-6426 Halom House (513) 791-2912 • halomhouse.com Hillel Jewish Student Center (513) 221-6728 • hillelcincinnati.org Jewish Community Center (513) 761-7500 • mayersonjcc.org Jewish Community Relations Council (513) 985-1501 Jewish Family Service (513) 469-1188 • jfscinti.org Jewish Federation of Cincinnati (513) 985-1500 • shalomcincy.org Jewish Foundation (513) 792-2715 Jewish Information Network (513) 985-1514 Jewish Vocational Service (513) 985-0515 • jvscinti.org Kesher (513) 766-3348 Plum Street Temple Historic Preservation Fund (513) 793-2556 The Center for Holocaust & Humanity Education (513) 487-3055 • holocaustandhumanity.org Vaad Hoier (513) 731-4671 Workum Summer Intern Program (513) 683-6670 • workum.org CONGREGATIONS Adath Israel Congregation (513) 793-1800 • adath-israel.org Beit Chaverim (513) 335-5812 Beth Israel Congregation (513) 868-2049 • bethisraelcongregation.net Congregation Beth Adam (513) 985-0400 • bethadam.org Congregation B’nai Tikvah (513) 759-5356 • bnai-tikvah.org Congregation B’nai Tzedek (513) 984-3393 • bnaitzedek.us Congregation Ohav Shalom

(513) 489-3399 • ohavshalom.org Golf Manor Synagogue (513) 531-6654 • golfmanorsynagogue.org Isaac M. Wise Temple (513) 793-2556 • wisetemple.org Isaac Nathan Congregation (513) 841-9005 Kehilas B’nai Israel (513) 761-0769 Northern Hills Synagogue (513) 931-6038 • nhs-cba.org Rockdale Temple (513) 891-9900 • rockdaletemple.org Temple Beth Shalom (513) 422-8313 • tbsohio.org Temple Sholom (513) 791-1330 • templesholom.net The Valley Temple (513) 761-3555 • valleytemple.com EDUCATION Chabad Blue Ash (513) 793-5200 • chabadba.com Cincinnati Community Kollel (513) 631-1118 • kollel.shul.net Cincinnati Hebrew Day School (513) 351-7777 • chds.shul.net HUC-JIR (513) 221-1875 • huc.edu JCC Early Childhood School (513) 793-2122 • mayersonjcc.org Mercaz High School (513) 792-5082 x104 • mercazhs.org Reform Jewish High School (513) 469-6406 • crjhs.org Regional Institute Torah & Secular Studies (513) 631-0083 Rockwern Academy (513) 984-3770 • rockwernacademy.org

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PANEL from page 1 “Beauty comes from the inside out but is assaulted from the outside in,” said Schwartz.

This fear of not being accepted seems to have consumed American society. Sandy Sykes, health food store owner, said, “What we want is love and acceptance and what we find is limitation.”

The focus on the distinction between attraction and beauty kept surfacing throughout the discussion.

Physical attraction is short lived while beauty relates to more than physical appearance. Personality holds a large role in this. “It comes down to who the person is,” said Barbara Fischer, nutrition advocate.

Beauty disappears with a bad personality according to Fischer.

An individual only has so much control over their physical appearance. What they can control is who they are.

“Take a step back and appreciate the reality,” Hammel closed.

The discussion panel consisted of (L to R) Barbara Fischer, Allison Vodnoy, Sheri Hammel, Beth Schwartz, Sandy Sykes, Vicki Markowitz and Molly Katz.

ORGANIZATIONS American Jewish Committee (513) 621-4020 • ajc.org American Friends of Magen David Adom (513) 521-1197 • afmda.org B’nai B’rith (513) 984-1999 Hadassah (513) 821-6157 • cincinnati-hadassah.org Jewish National Fund (513) 794-1300 • jnf.org NA’AMAT (513) 984-3805 • naamat.org National Council of Jewish Women (513) 891-9583 • ncjw.org State of Israel Bonds (513) 793-4440 • israelbonds.com Women’s American ORT (513) 985-1512 • ortamerica.org.org

FAYYAD from page 10 The following year, desperate for a modicum of transparency in funding for the Palestinians, the United States and other donor nations forced his appointment on Yasser Arafat as the Palestinian leader’s technocrat finance minister. Fayyad, a small but very determined and self-confident man, bravely took on the corruption rife in Palestinian affairs, sacking thousands of superfluous bureaucrats and closing down social institutions serving as fronts for terrorist activities.

Unlike most of his generation of Palestinians leaders, Fayyad never joined the Palestinian resistance, never took part in terror and never spent a single day in an Israeli prison. This accounts for the fact

that despite his internationally acclaimed success, he has only a small domestic political base. He never joined the West Bank’s ruling Fatah party, and when he ran in the 2006 elections, the Third Way party he founded, dedicated to fighting corruption, won only two seats.

A recent survey by leading Palestinian pollster Khalil Shikaki showed that although 40 percent of Palestinians rated the Fayyad government’s performance as good or very good, only 13 percent supported him as prime minister.

Fayyad was appointed prime minister by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in June 2007 after the Hamas takeover of Gaza, and was reappointed last March. Fayyad also has been serving a second term as finance minister since March 2007.

20

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010

Heroes, heartbreak and hope, a new play in Cincinnati A new play based on the group of Jewish men, led byJerry Siegel, who created Superman will receive its world premiere at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park April 3 through May 2.

The Man of Steel was born on the planet Krypton. He was sent from his dying planet into space by his parents and landed on earth as an infant with incredible strength.

He had only one weakness: kryptonite. Upon exposure to the mineral, his strength was sapped and his extraordinary abilities were rendered useless.

But Superman was also born of the imagination of Jerry Siegel, who was susceptible to so much more. Juxtaposed against the superhero he created, the scrawny Cleveland native was infinitely more vulnerable to the world around him.

Along with a small group of Jewish men in the ’20s and ’30s including Stan Lee (Spiderman and Incredible Hulk) and Bob Kane (Batman), Siegel created his own superhero as a way of dealing with the horrors besieging his counterparts in Europe.

Director Michael Evan Haney said that “The History of Invulnerability” is a complex look at the nature of the creative relationship between creator and created, about the little man versus the corporation in America and about exploring the collective unconscious of a society when there are challenges in the world.

The story of Jerry Siegel’s life and the pitfalls and triumphs of Superman’s creation play out alongside the tragic events of World War II and the Holocaust.

As Siegel squares off against

bullies in the comic book business, we meet Joel, a 13-year-old boy living in Auschwitz in 1944. A fellow prisoner has managed to salvage a tattered Superman comic book for the boy, who finds great hope in the idea that a man could be capable of bending the steel of the Nazi machine guns and granting freedom to the captives of Auschwitz.

According to Haney, “Superman changed with the scientific times. His powers increased as the world harnessed atomic energy.

Perhaps most intriguingly, there is the treatise suggesting that the creation of Superman — at the same moment in history as the rise of Fascism and the beginning of the Holocaust — expressed the secular, unconscious fulfillment of the need for a savior of the Jewish people.”

When playwright David Bar

Katz heard the story of Superman’s creator he wanted to help vindicate Jerry Siegel. According to Bar Katz, “I relate to the feeling that all artists experience of losing control of your creations. Putting them out in the world and losing control and ownership and the intimacy that took place when it was just you and a piece of paper and your initial idea. And Jerry’s creation was literally taken from him and then became something that everyone in the world relates to and feels they own. The ultimate compliment for an artist, but a double-edged sword.

And of course, there’s the issue of the most powerful man that ever existed being created by two Jews in the midst of the Holocaust.”

The set design tells as much of a story as the script. Projection designer, David Gallo, along with Steve Channon (associate projec-

tion designer) and Joe Staton (original artwork), has created comic book images to be projected onto the set as the play progresses, so that the audience sees the story happening in comic book form as the actors act or react in front of these projected stories.

“We can’t really bring Superman storming a Nazi bunker on stage, but we can show that projection and have the actors voice the lines,” says Haney.

According to Haney, Bar Katz doesn’t pull any punches with the brutality of the era — how it relates to the Holocaust and how it affects the human emotions of those involved. The story is powerful and challenging and the audience should be prepared to go on an adventure — “better than anything they ever saw in a Superman comic book.”

Lyrics by Cinti’s David Goldsmith in ‘Imagine This’

by Avi Milgrom Assistant Editor “Imagine This” garnered a number of nominations for awards including Best Musical at the What’s on Stage Awards, after a successful run in the West End of London at Andrew Lloyd Webber’s New London Theatre in 2008.

A three-camera filmed production of a live performance was later submitted to PBS for consideration, who accepted the project for distribution to various markets.

This is the film that Cincinnati audiences will be able to watch on April 7, as part of the nationwide broadcast schedule on PBS television.

Should the response be as strong as it has been, the magic carpet this show has enjoyed thus far may yet deliver it to Broadway — London’s West End is England’s equivalent of Broadway.

In an interview with The American Israelite newspaper, Cincinnati born and bred lyricist, David Goldsmith said the musical production fought steep odds, “Every step of the way this has been a real gift.”

In October, less than a month before its Nov. 19, 2008 opening, Bruce Dessau of The Times in London asked the killer question: “…can an unknown new musical – set in the Warsaw ghetto in 1942 – with no big star be a hit as the West End copes with the recession?”

In the show, the denizens of the ghetto know their odds are grim and, to rally morale, they put on a play about Masada. Thus, the plot is submerged in the images of Masada—the story about Jews 2,000 year ago who climbed the “snake path” to the fortress of Masada atop an enormous, isolated rock where they held out against the

David Goldsmith, who wrote the lyrics for “Imagine This,” with daughter Maddy.

Romans for three years.

In the end they committed suicide rather than lose their freedom – the men first killing their wives and children and then one another.

With Dessau, the show’s director, Tim Sheader discussed the inherent difficulty of putting on a play with a Holocaust centered plot, “…there have been plenty of movies that covered this are – ‘Schindler’s List,’ ‘The Pianist,’ ‘Life is Beautiful’ – so we are following in the footsteps of commercial work.”

But as Dessau notes, stage is very different from film; theatre doesn’t have the luxury of film. “We have to work really hard covering a very long time-span very quickly and still hit the gut. The very first song, ‘The Last Day of Summer’ starts with freedom in 1939 and ends in imprisonment in 1942.”

Continued Sheader, “It’s a gamble, but it has to work on the strength and integrity of the subject matter. It is a celebration of the human spirit.”

According to Goldsmith, another major impediment for this show was the lack of source material — no book or other work on which to base details of the characters and plot.

Scriptwriter, Glenn Berenbeim explained to Dessau how he got interested in such a disquieting subject. He was approached by Israeli composer, Shuki Levy, who shared with him his lifelong dream of telling the Masada story.

“When I met him I said, ‘There are 35 subjects that would interest more if you want an audience to watch a bunch of people killing themselves.’ Then I listened to his music and was frustrated to find it so appealing – because I really wanted to walk away.”

But Berenbeim continued to think the concept through, “Who wants to pay $100 to see characters kill themselves unless it’s opera?

But then I had a flash, the idea of ghetto actors putting on a play about Masada, and I was suddenly interested in the story for its

metaphorical value, not its robes and sandals.”

Goldsmith, on the other hand, told Dessau he wanted to be involved from the start. “It is rare to get the chance to do serious theatre material as a lyricist,” he said. “You invest your heart and soul in it.”

Goldsmith’s involvement in this improbable project began in 2001. The road to a $10 million production on the West End of London had its own curious plot twists.

In 2004 everyone thought the show was ready and so preBroadway tryouts were scheduled.

But unexpected financial difficulties grounded their efforts.

According to Goldsmith, this was really good luck in disguise – they weren’t ready to put the show before audiences.

Finally, in 2008 when it began its run a schism opened between the critics and the audiences in London.

Complained Dessau, “Excerpts from the show’s Web site vary from the cheesily soaring to the cornily sentimental.”

Then there was the London Evening Standard’s Nicholas de Jongh who attached a “bad-taste warning” to this “unfortunate” new musical. Complimenting director, Sheader and his “ardent, forceful actors and dancers” he sunk the painfully sharp end of his pen into the music. The actors “struggle valiantly to rise above the offensively banal, soft-pop music that limps in train with the fatuities and ineptitude of David Goldsmith’s trivial lyrics.”

Bringing Berenbeim into the bloodletting, de Jongh wrote, “But the closing number of ‘Imagine This’ sprays the wasteland of the Warsaw Ghetto in 1942, from which thousands of starving, penning in Jews were deported for

extermination camps in far-away gas chambers, with the glucose balm of optimism and romantic fantasy.”

The audiences roundly disagreed—while de Jongh gave the show a rating of two stars, the audience gave it four.

The acceptance of the show into the PBS schedule, lifting it from a small theatre audience to millions of television viewers, suggests the critics may have gotten it wrong as well.

Goldsmith, whose work seems to lie at the heart of the schism, has a long list of credits including singer/songwriter/lyricist/bookwriter (scripts) for theatre and a producer/screenwriter for television and film.

It was at the JCC in Cincinnati that Goldsmith got his start at a very young age under the tutelage of his mother, who was an executive there.

“Mom used to write and direct teenage musicals,” he explained.

By the time he was 7 or 8, Goldsmith wanted to sing and dance on Broadway.

His career quickly advanced to the Cincinnati Opera Company, where Goldsmith holds the record as the youngest opera tenor to perform there. He was 15 when he began.

A 1980 graduate of the School for Creative and Performing Arts in Musical Theatre, Goldsmith continued his education at the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, graduating in 1985 with degrees in Opera and Musical Theatre.

Goldsmith is looking forward to “Imagine This” airing in Cincinnati. “Knowing people who I grew up with and helped shape my work will be watching is very gratifying,” he said.

NEWS

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010

ISAACSON from page 1 into the void, thus offering Iran a way out.

By seeking a comprehensive array of sanctions with a large group of countries, the hope is to create a true stranglehold.

The sanctions are aimed at anything from which Iran can derive money with the hope that the people of Iran will become sufficiently upset to affect a change internally. For this reason the policy seeks to block existing business deals as well as insurance, reinsurance and export credits. For example, one of the lines of attack has been to quarantine Iran from the international bank system.

But Iran has long borders that can be breached, lots of money and many “ex-pats” living abroad to help Iran duck the effort. So it will be hard to stop trade completely.

But this is the most comprehensive effort yet tried. Said Isaacson, “Then we’ll see if that works.”

The bottom line is that there is no way to foretell the outcome of the effort and there is no way to be certain of how Israel will react.

Within this problem lies a core consideration: At what point is Iran’s threat to be acted upon militarily? By whom?

There is no answer. But the military option is on many minds.

According to Isaacson who has discussed the matter with our military, including the 5th fleet in the Mideast, Iran poses no serious military threat without a nuclear bomb.

According to Katz’s assessment last year, Israel was seeking better bombs with which to “bust the bunkers” in Iran, and they have been methodically increasing the fuel loads of their jets in order to extend their air force’s reach, but without the U.S.support they are reluctant to strike militarily.

One key component of such an attack is to gain permission from the U.S for Iraq fly-overs in order to lessen the flying distance in and out of Iran. Without such permission the range is at the outer limits and thus risky.

But no one knows whether Israel will or will not attack, and if Israel is not today in a much stronger position for successful military than they were last year.

Said Isaacson, “The people who really know what Israel is capable of doing are not saying a word to anyone.”

This uncertainty creates another tool for the U.S.– the threat of “instability.” China and Iran, each for their own reasons, are the targets.

Isaacson explained China’s susceptibility this way, “China has vast energy needs and little loyalty to the U.S and our allies, but at the

same time is frightened of instability and can be sufficiently concerned about the threat of instability in the gulf that they might be moved to join a concerted economic and diplomatic effort against Iran just to avert that kind of instability that will come from a military confrontation.”

With respect to Iran, “Israel wants Iran to worry — every time some bad guy has an accident, and every time there is a report on some new, extremely sophisticated piece of military hardware that is suddenly being produced, and every time the U.S. shifts around its forces in the region or brings in a new carrier group…

“Everyone is being very tricky in the way they are trying to build the pressure on Iran and make them… just make them worry.

“We have to play on their anxieties, we have to play on the economic uncertainties and concerns of their people, we have to play on the paranoia of despots, who are obviously a little bit on the ropes in terms of public sentiment in their country.We have to play on international public opinion; we have to play on the shifting allegiances and perceptions…

“It’s psychological warfare and it’s also preparation for the eventuality of a military confrontation, and if that is the only choice that we are left with. In the mean time tighten the screws economically and diplomatically.”

With respect to the Obama administration, Isaacson offered this view: “It is fair to say there was a certain degree of let down and a certain degree of justified concern about some signals that were sent on Israel. In particular the very public confrontation on the settlements issue, and I think there was also some concern that was expressed that was felt in the Jewish community...[the way] parts of the outreach to the Muslim world was conducted In June of last year…the Obama administration made some mistakes out there.

I think the very public expressions about settlements while keeping in that it really wasn’t inconsistent with U.S. policy going back …[several administrations] the way it was expressed by Obama and Secretary Clinton jarred people. And it seemed to be the U.S.separating itself from the Israeli government — the brand new Israeli government at the time.

“If the objective is a negotiating process that leads to peace, it didn’t work. And it had the opposite effect. It drove a new Israeli government into a corner where it had no choice but to defend its democratic process and its coalition and to disallow outside interference in internal Israeli decision making. It gave signals to the

Palestinians that they could just sit on their hands and let Washington deliver Jerusalem, which wasn’t going to happen but the Palestinians didn’t know that so they just didn’t do anything. So they refused to do anything. And the signals to the Arab world were we are going to take care of all this…But the months go by and the negotiating process does not begin and Israel does not stop settlements. The Arab states then say, ‘Do you want us to make gestures here. You’re not delievering the Israelis. And we’re not going to do anything’...You know all the way around the circle we lost. It was a bad mistake.”

Isaacson observed, on the day before Biden’s trip to Israel, that the administration had learned its lesson and had lowered the volume of that language.

“We realize what’s achievable, and we realize who our friends are and we realize that it doesn’t profit us to publicly denounce our friends.

I think that will register with the American Jewish community.”

The final topic was Isaacson’s work on building cooperation between the Arab states and Israel.

He explained that there are Arabs who are curious about Israel.

There is an obvious reason: While Israel’s economy is “going like gangbusters,” Israel’s neighbors and other Arab states have large populations who are uneducated and subjected to little sharing of power and wealth.

21

Jason Isaacson spoke at the J this month.

“Great curiosity by businesspeople, connected to the ruling families, journalists academics about Israel. And profound degree of humiliation that this small pipsqueek country is world class in science, in medicine in so many aspects of economic life. And what do they have? They got their money coming up out of the ground but their people are uneducated, and it is pathetic the sad distribution of wealth, and narrow distribution of power.”

They use the internet and develop a more global perspective.

They’re on the internet, their kids are going to school in Europe or the U.S.

It is from this “elite,” as Isaacson refer to them, from which hope for a new Mideast flows.

“There is a recognition that they’re at a dead end. And they recognize there has to be a different reality and that Israel is going to be part of their future. But getting from that realization to challenging their publics and leading their publics and informing their publics on everything they have been misinforming them about for the last 60 years and reordering their societies in a way that is more democratic and is more open is a mammoth undertaking.

“In tiny ways they are starting…”

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OBITUARIES

DEATH NOTICES ARENSTEIN, Leo, age 83, died on March 8, 2010; 22 Adar, 5770.

MARGOLIN, Shirlee G., age 76, died on March 9, 2010; 23 Adar, 5770.

SHAPIRO, Sylvia R., age 86, died on March 10, 2010; 24 Adar, 5770.

KAPLAN, Eugene H., age 90, died on March 12, 2010; 27 Adar, 5770.

TSEVAT, Matitiahu, age 96, died on March 13, 2010; 27 Adar, 5770.

TROY, Roslyn, age 91, died on March 13, 2010; 27 Adar, 5770.

OBITUARIES KURTZMAN, Tome Freedman Tome Freedman Kurtzman, age 57, passed away on March 3, 2010 – the 17th day of Adar, 5770. Born on October 20, 1952 in Lewiston, Maine, she was a daughter of the late Fay Diamond Freedman and Arthur Merton Freedman.

Surviving relatives include her sons, Arthur and Julian Kurtzman, her sister, Michal (Jack Schwartz) Freedman, and her niece and nephew, Ana and Ari Schwartz.

Prior to college, Ms. Kurtzman lived in the metropolitan Philadelphia area; she was educated at the University of Pennsylvania and State University RABBA from page 1 envelope on women’s religious leadership. Sources close to Weiss say the rabbi misjudged the extent of opposition to calling Hurwitz rabba; it’s not hard to see why.

For more than a year, Weiss has been calling Hurwitz a rabbi in everything but name. Last March,

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010

of New York at Stoneybrook, where she was awarded a B.A. in Theatre Arts. She subsequently received an M.A. in Communication Arts from the University of Michigan.

Ms. Kurtzman held television broadcasting positions as a reporter and investigative reporter in Twin Falls, Idaho, Cedar Rapids and Des Moines, Iowa, Norfolk, Va. and Cincinnati. She was given numerous awards for her investigative reporting.

Through the years, Ms. Kurtzman was treated for three cancers and numerous other illnesses, along with complications resulting from the grueling therapies she underwent. Many friends said she was the bravest person they knew; she became their personal inspiration when they were undergoing difficulties. She was quoted in Cincy Jewish Living in 2004: “For yourself, you know you don’t have control of your body, but you do have control of the situation…I tried to maintain my life as best as possible and treat my friends and family with honesty. Some people get reclusive when they get sick – I believe the best way is to get it out front and in the open.”

Ms. Kurtzman was the president of the Chabad Women’s Chavura for two terms and was honored at the Chabad Jewish Center Tribute Dinner. She was an accomplished chef, having studied at the Midwest Culinary Institute. She was also a certified pilates instructor and had taught pilates classes for more than 12 years to a devoted group of students, regardless of how ill she was.

Her steadfast courage was her tribute to her sons, Arthur and Julian, whom she loved fiercely and who brought her tremendous joy. She was committed to guiding them to be honest, caring, honorable men, the legacy she wanted dearly and so fully deserves. As one friend wrote to her, “I am in awe of your faith and good spirits.”

Funeral services were held at Weil Funeral Home on Thursday, March 4, 2010, with Rabbi Yisroel Mangel of Chabad Jewish Center of Blue Ash officiating. Interment was at United Jewish Cemetery in Montgomery.

Contributions in Ms. Kurtzman’s memory can be made to Rockwern Academy, 8401 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236; The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Tri-State Chapter, 2300 Wall St., Suite H, Cincinnati, Ohio 45212; or the Humane Society of the U.S., 2100 L Street, Washington, D.C. 20037.

Weiss ordained her as a “maharat” — an acronym meaning Torah, spiritual and halachic leader — and subsequently established a seminary known as Yeshivat Maharat to train others.

But in January, Weiss announced that the title maharat had failed to catch on and he was replacing it with rabba. As he has before, Weiss

Shirlee Green Margolin, age 76, an inveterate volunteer in community activities, passed away on March 9, 2010, after a protracted illness. It had been said of her that “no one can sit down at a gala until being seated by Shirlee Margolin.” She served on the gala committees most recently of the Alzheimer’s Association and the American Cancer Society, where she was largely responsible for the seating arrangements and the table placement. Her particular involvement, however, was as an officer and board member of the Auxiliary of the Jewish Hospital

where she served for the past 51 years. She was to have been honored by that organization in November for her longtime involvement, the affair having been postponed because of her illness. A large Chagall painting, “Ceiling of the Paris Opera House,” purchased by the Auxiliary and identified as recognition of these years of voluntary service, was recently hung on the wall of the Oncology Outpatient Department of the Jewish Hospital. Mrs. Margolin had been a faithful attendee in this department for more than a year, continuously extolling the outstanding service rendered to her in this unit.

Having overcome a number of adversities in her life, Mrs. Margolin displayed unusual fortitude and a positive outlook.

Despite progressive loss of muscular strength in her legs due to a remote bout of polio, she was often heard to remark in the later course of her final illness, “I’m still kicking.” She was recognized for her perseverance, her loyalty and her determination. Her highly organized processes were often tapped into by her friends and acquaintances who sought her out for her recognized solid judgment and for her help in decision-making. These capabilities were manifest in her beloved game of bridge, where she eagerly displayed these skills of judgment and tenacity.

Mrs. Margolin was born and raised in Cincinnati, the daughter of the late Morris and Sylvia Green. She was married to Dr. E. Gordon Margolin for 53 years.

They have two children, Susan of Redondo Beach, Calif. and

Eugene H. Kaplan, age 90, passed away March 12, 2010 – the 27th of Adar, 5770. He was the beloved husband of the late Helen D. Kaplan, devoted father of Laura and Ron Berman of Long Beach, Calif., Andy and Elaine Kaplan, and Amy and Arnold Mindell of Portland, Ore., dear brother of Dr. Stanley Kaplan and Calvin Kaplan, loving grandfather of Sarah Berman, Aaron(Jennifer), Nate & Josh Kaplan. Services were held at Weil Funeral Home on Sunday, March 14, with Rabbi Gary Zola officiating. Shiva was observed at the residence of Andy and Elaine Kaplan. The family would appreciate memorial contributions to Hospice of Cincinnati, 4410 Cooper Rd., Cincinnati, Ohio 45242; or Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery, Ala. 36104.

stressed that regardless of title, Hurwitz was the functional equivalent of a rabbi and a full member of the synagogue clergy. And yet only when he moved to call Hurwitz by a title that so closely resembled rabbi did the maelstrom ensue.

The governing religious council of the haredi organization Agudath Israel of America, known as the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah of America, said the move “represents a radical and dangerous departure from Jewish tradition” and that Weiss’ congregation could no longer be considered Orthodox.

On his blog, Rabbi Steven Pruzansky, a vice president of the RCA, said the notion of female clergy is “a throwback to pagan ideologies and a perennial challenge to religious establishments.” The RCA’s president, Rabbi Moshe Kletenik, denied a news report claiming that the council was considering ousting Weiss.

“My humble opinion is the reason there was such a fuss about it is the so-called Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah attack,” said Rabbi Marc Angel, one of the few Orthodox rab-

bis who has publicly supported Weiss. “The RCA got a little nervous. If the Agudath attacks, the RCA gets defensive.”

The one thing all parties to the controversy agree on, however, is that Hurwitz’s title, which she will keep, is not the central issue; it’s the role she performs that matters, both to Weiss’ supporters and detractors.

“If she’s functionally a rabbi, regardless of the title, that’s a problem,” Kletenik said.

As if to underscore the point, Agudath Israel said Tuesday that the arrangement with the RCA was “superficial” and did not change the group’s belief that “placing women in traditional rabbinic positions departs from the Jewish mesorah.”

The only problem is, there’s little clarity on what constitutes a traditional rabbinic position.

Agudath spokesman Rabbi Avi Shafran said the problem is one of modesty and Judaism’s view of the proper roles for women. Angel, Weiss and others counter that with the exception of certain ritual functions, nothing prevents women from performing the overwhelming

majority of functions traditionally associated with the rabbinate.

Kletenik declined to specify where the boundaries of women’s leadership should be drawn, saying it would be a matter of discussion at the RCA’s conference in April.

Yeshiva University, which has strong ties to the RCA, runs an advanced Talmud program for women and has helped place several graduates in positions at prominent Modern Orthodox synagogues — but without conferring a specific title on them.

The issue will be discussed Sunday when Hurwitz takes part in the JOFA conference’s opening plenary on women’s leadership. That will be followed by several sessions on related topics, including one titled “Why the Rambam was Wrong: Women in Leadership,” led

by Rabbi Daniel Sperber, whose name appears alongside Weiss’ on Hurwitz’s ordination certificate.

Audrey Trachtman, JOFA’s vice president for advocacy, declined to say whether the organization could declare victory on women’s leadership without securing the rabbi title.

MARGOLIN, Shirlee Green

Murray (Anjali) of Bethesda, Md., and two grandchildren, Justin and Sarina. She is also survived by her brothers Herman (Lynn) of Lake Worth, Fla., and Sam of Cincinnati.

Funeral services were held for Mrs. Margolin on Friday, March 12, 2010 at Weil Funeral Home and were officiated by Rabbi Sigma F. Coran of Rockdale Temple. Memorial contributions to Jewish Hospital Auxiliary, 4777 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236; Hoxworth Blood Center, 3130 Highland Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267; or Hearing, Speech & Deaf Center of Greater Cincinnati, 2825 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45219 would be appreciated.

KAPLAN, Eugene H.

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