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Jewish camps review safety measures in wake of Ramah tragedy
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Have Gatsby-style fun at Access’ Bootleggers’ Ball The Roaring 20’s will be all the rage when Access hosts “Cin City’s” hottest soiree of the summer for the 21-35-year-old set. Young professional are invited to “swing” by The Bootleggers’ Ball on Saturday, July 9 at 8:30 p.m. on the grounds of the magnificent Greenacres estate in Indian Hill. It’s free for anyone 2135, but beware…no one can get into this prohibition-themed party without the password. The only way to gain entrée to this Gatsby-inspired event is to locate the “X” upon entering the tree-lined drive leading up to the mansion. Once they get the goods, guests will be whisked back in time to world taken right from the pages of an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel, featuring lush gardens with fountains and cobblestone pathways, jazz music, a makeyour-own specialty martini bar and other cocktails, croquet on the lawn, a chance to star in a Framester photo shoot and much more. “The event is a nod to the fun and frivolity of days gone by,” explains Access Event Coordinator, Rachel Plowden. “We anticipate that hundreds of Jewish young professionals from all over the region will turn out for this rare chance to attend a party at one of the most spectacular mansions ever built in this area,” she adds. Guests are encouraged to dress the part in ‘speakeasy chic’ or other Gatsby-era garb, but any type of cocktail attire with do. Valet parking is also included. The event is made possible thanks to the generosity of The Mayerson Foundation and is free with advance reservations or payment at the door. Those who RSVP by July 5 will receive one free drink ticket. Desserts will be served and there will be a cash bar. No credit cards will be accepted. For more information or to RSVP please call or visit the Access website. Access’ contact information can be found in the Community Directory
away in the middle of winter featuring 20,000 square feet of sand and all the fun of a tropical vacation without ever leaving home, DIVE, a private event at the Newport Aquarium featuring an oxygen bar, appetizers, drinks, DJ and a 20 foot wall of sharks and other sea creatures, Wild, Wild MIDwest, lots of line dancing, horse drawn hay rides, kegs and country western fare, and The White Party, where guests arrived in style in chauffeur-driven white stretch Escalade limos for an all white night under the stars.
“The event is a nod to the fun and frivolity of days gone by.” Rachel Plowden
Get your fedoras and flapper dresses for Access’ Bootleggers’ Ball.
listing located in this issue. Access aims to provide a “no strings attached” way for Jewish young professionals to connect with one another and to the Jewish community. From social events to social action and everything in between, Access offers something to suit just about every Jewish young professional between the ages of 21-35 and puts
on 4-6 programs each month at some of the most popular venues in town, often attracting as many as 300-400 people to its larger Main Events. Other Main Events have included: The World’s Biggest Bar Mitzvah Party, a flashback to days gone by with a grownup twist, Saturday Night Staycation, no planes, no passports, no packing… an indoor island getACCOMMODATIONS FOR UP TO 350 GUEST LARGE OUTDOOR PATIO SEATS 150
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“I attend as many Access events as I can because I enjoy the activities and they help deepen my relationships with my current friends, and present great opportunities to make new ones,” says Dan Sharff, a frequent Access participant. “Going to these events has helped make Cincinnati feel like a small town within a big city,” he explains. “Now I can go almost anywhere and run into someone I know from the Jewish community!” This event is being sponsored by Access, an initiative of The Mayerson Foundation. It is open to Jewish young professionals, 21-35 and their non Jewish friends and significant others. To RSVP please consult the community directory in the back of this listing for Access’ contact information.
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The American Israelite
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THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011
AI website is projected to gain more unique visitors The American Israelite website has so far had an increase over the month of May in the month of June. Each month, the website has grown in popularity
and users. A unique visitor is counted only once no matter how many times they have visited a site. This method is measured by a computer’s IP address
(Internet Protocol Standard), which are akin to online fingerprints. Each of these unique visitors span a wide audience from young professionals to families
to teens, baby boomers, senior adults and others. Remember to stick with the oldest for what’s new. Also, congratulations to
Michael A. Thomas, this week’s new Facebook Fan of the Week. Don’t forget to “like” us, for your chance to be the Fan of the Week!
Adath Israel seniors gain Abrom and Sarah Dombar Award The Abrom and Sarah Dombar Award for Excellence in Mercaz Studies is given on Shavuot to the Adath Israel Congregation graduating senior who best exemplifies the three criteria of this award: attendance, attitude, and enthusiastic participation in our high school program. This years Mercaz graduating class had 21
students and 16 of them were Adath Israel Congregants and competition was tough. Adath Israel was proud to award Lainey Paul and Rose Mervis the Abrom and Sarah Dombar Award for Excellence in Mercaz Studies. Lainey Paul had very good attendance over her time at Mercaz, she always strolled into
the building with a big smile on her face, many times coming even after a long weekend away at a USY convention. She participated in class, and had a great attitude about being in school Sunday evenings. She has been a good role model for others at Mercaz and at Adath Israel with all she has been involved in.
Rose Mervis had amazing attendance; she was present over 97% of the time during her five years at Mercaz. She came in each week with a smile on her face and participated in her classes. Her attitude was very good and she was always willing help out with a project if asked. This past year Rose realized she need-
ed a class in a curricular area that was not offered for her age group, she asked to do an independent study. It was easy to find a project for Rose to complete when you know about her passion for art. She created several pencil drawings that were beautiful and displayed them at graduation this year.
Wise Temple confirmands celebrate accomplishments After a year of intense study and activity, nearly forty 10th Graders took their place on the Plum Street Bimah and declared their commitment to the Jewish faith and community during Isaac M. Wise Temple’s Confirmation ceremony on Saturday, June 4, 2011. As part of the curriculum, the students explored many pertinent issues and themes, including their relationship to G-d, their under-
standing of Reform Judaism, their interpretation of Torah, and their appreciation of the Jewish community. In addition to the classroom sessions on Sunday evenings, students participated in other activities, such as working in the Overthe-Rhine Soup Kitchen and the Free Store Food Bank. They also convened for a social event in which the students had the opportunity to get to know each other better
and share a Middle Eastern themed dinner at the Taz Restaurant. On Friday, June 3, the Confirmands and their families attended Shabbat evening services at Plum Street Temple, where the students were invited to the bimah for individual blessings. On Saturday, June 4, the group reconvened for the service that the students had compiled. Each Confirmand took part in leading the
liturgy. Following the worship, the Confirmation class and guests celebrated with a luncheon. The Confirmation Class of 5771/2011 included: Alexandra Abel, Molly Bernfeld, Mitchel Bie, Sara Boyle, Jena Buck, Randall Buka, Jay Burgin, Phoebe Chaiken, Marc Czulewicz, Graham David, Lainie Eichner, Anna Fagin, Brian Goodman, Malena Hirsch, Sarah Jobalia, Danielle Johnson, Laine
Kolesar, Asher Koreman, Margaret Lazarus, Lilly Lefton, Jayne Lester, Carly Levick, Daniel Manion, Rachel McCoucha, Peter Mintz, Rebecca Morris, Genevieve Pecsok, Hannah Pennington, Austin Post, Jessica Rose Rabin, Matthew Roth, Tessa Rothfeld, Graham H. Segal, Emma Silverman, Jonathan Sussman, Jill Tochtermann, Sophie Weinstein, Elana Wetzler and Noah Zelkind.
Adath’s David Gershuny receives Walter Hattenbach Award Adath Israel Congregation is pleased to announce that our seventh grade teacher, David Gershuny, was recognized as this year’s recipient of the Walter Hattenbach Award for Excellence in Teaching. The award was presented during Shavuot services on June 8, 2011. The Hattenbach Award, named in memory of Walter Hattenback, is given each year to a teacher who exemplifies a positive attitude toward the
Jewish educational experience. David is a valued member of the teaching staff at Jarson Education Center at Adath Israel Congregation. David has taught for several years and his enthusiasm for the curriculum he teaches is infectious. He can regularly be found in the school lobby on weekday afternoons greeting not only his own students but others as well. He truly cares about each individual student and the class
as a whole. In addition to being a strong teacher he is also a role model to our students. David can be seen at Shabbat morning services most weekends and is often found helping out at USY events. He goes above and beyond the classroom walls and responsibilities to reach the students. Each year he has taught the seventh grade he also has a very special goal for his students, to ensure 100% matriculation into Mercaz the next
year, showing how much he values continuing Jewish Education. David is also a very active member in the Jewish Community and has leadership roles in Jewish National Fund and the Jewish Federations Partnership 2000. As the Hattenbach award winner this year David will have the opportunity to participate in a professional growth course during the year. The Hattenbach Award was
established in 2001 by Walter’s wife and children as a way to remember Walter’s love of teaching. Past Award winners include: Zahava Rendler, Gail Jacobs, Toby Samet, Debbie lempert, Marlene Beraha, Scott Kabakoff, Rae Levy, and Rabbi Eli Garfinkel. For additional information on how to contribute to the Walter Hattenbach Education Fund, please contact Adath Israel Congregation.
New Summer Melton Adult Class at the J Adults interested in Jewish learning have a special opportunity this summer with a 6-week supplemental course of The Florence Melton Adult Mini-School. This summer class will be held at the Mayerson JCC on Wednesday evenings 7 to 8:30 p.m., beginning July 13. No previous Melton participation is necessary; this class is open to everyone and J Members receive a discounted price. Advance registration is required by calling Elizabeth Woosley at the J. During this new six-week summer class, students will explore how Jewish tradition seeks to provide answers to suffering, loss, and devastation. The course, “The Role of G-d in Human Suffering” taught by Rabbi Hanan Balk, will allow students to study and discuss a range of views as to how a loving G-d allows evil, pain, and suffering to be present in the world.
“This is a topic which everyone must confront and deal with at some point in their lives,” said Rabbi Balk. “The goal of this course is to present numerous views of Jewish tradition that students can integrate into their own lives.” Melton core classes for adults will begin in September at the J. Melton is a university-quality, two-year program of Jewish study. It challenges adult learners to engage in Jewish learning in a serious and comprehensive way. There are no exams, no homework, and no pre-requisites – other than completing Year 1 before enrolling in Year 2. The dynamic faculty of educators and rabbis create an engaging classroom environment of high level thinking and discussion that encourages dialogue between people of different backgrounds and affiliations. “Melton gave me the opportuni-
ty to connect with members of the Jewish community and also to feel more connected with G-d, my history and my family,” said Miriam Parker, a recent Year 1 student. “It was a personally rewarding experience to rediscover many things about theology and my sense of G-d. The class included people from a range of ages and professions, which I really enjoyed because it provided diverse opinions and allowed me to broaden my own perspectives.” Those interested in Melton classes should plan to attend one of the “Taste of Melton” short programs offered this August. “Taste of Melton” is a sample class of this interactive, pluralistic and engaging classroom environment. “Taste of Melton” is being offered: Wednesday, August 24 at 7 p.m.; Thursday, August 25 at 10 a.m.; Tuesday, August 30 at 9:30 a.m.; and Wednesday, August 31 at 7
p.m. To register, contact Elizabeth Woosley at the J. “The Melton program provides extensive education for adult learners to make a deep connection with the rich treasure trove of Jewish texts and religious expression,” said Rabbi Ilana Baden, an instructor. “The curriculum and class discussion aims to teach from pluralistic perspectives in hopes that the students will have an incredibly profound experience with the subjects at hand, as well as with one another in the context of the community we create each session.” There is also a Scholars
Curriculum for graduates of the core classes of the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School. Building on the two core years of text-based study of Judaism, the Scholars Curriculum focuses on a deeper examination of selected Jewish texts, from Biblical to modern. Scholars’ classes meet for 90 minutes a week in 10-week sessions. Anyone interested in the Scholars Curriculum must have completed both Core’s 1 and 2. More information about the Melton summer class starting July 13, core classes, and the “Taste of Melton” sessions, is available on the JCC website or by calling the J.
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National Briefs Jewish groups mixed on N.Y. approval of same-sex marriages (JTA) — Jewish groups came down on both sides of the New York State government’s vote to approve same-sex marriages. The Anti-Defamation League called the Marriage Equality Act “a significant step forward in the pursuit of individual liberty and freedom from discrimination for New Yorkers.” The Orthodox Union said in a statement, however, that it was “a mistake” to enact the legislation in New York. “Consistent with our tradition and Jewish religious principles, we oppose the redefinition of marriage and the state sanction of same-sex marriages,” the OU said. The measure approved June 24 included exemptions for religious organizations, which would protect nonprofit organizations, businesses and individuals from being forced to acknowledge same-sex marriages. It passed the New York State Senate by a vote of 33-29 and the Assembly by a vote of 36-26. A key vote was cast by state Sen. Stephen Saland, a Jewish Republican. The OU said in its statement that it was “grateful” for the exemptions. “Just as we, in a democratic, pluralistic society do not seek to impose our religious beliefs on others, same-sex marriage, now the law in New York, must not infringe on anyone’s religious liberties,” the OU said. “Sadly, in too many states, those acting on their religious beliefs have seen government benefits withheld, government funds, contracts and services denied and privileges such as tax exemptions revoked. New York’s law ensures that will not happen here and employers, social service providers and houses of worship are free to uphold their faith. “We are particularly thankful to the well-meaning and passionate advocates on both sides of this issue who recognized the need for such far reaching exemptions.” Ron Meier, ADL’s New York regional director, said the bill's impact will resonate far beyond state lines. “All citizens should be entitled to the same rights, protections and benefits, regardless of their sexual orientation,” Meier said in a statement. “That includes the right for same-sex couples to marry. At the same time, we are pleased that this decision leaves intact the right of religious communities to decide for themselves what relationships they will recognize.”
The American Israelite “LET THERE BE LIGHT” THE OLDEST ENGLISH-JEWISH WEEKLY IN AMERICA - EST. JULY 15, 1854
VOL. 157 • NO. 49 THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011 28 SIVAN 5771 SHABBAT BEGINS FRIDAY 8:50 PM SHABBAT ENDS SATURDAY 9:51 PM THE AMERICAN ISRAELITE CO., PUBLISHERS 18 WEST NINTH STREET, SUITE 2 CINCINNATI, OHIO 45202-2037 Phone: (513) 621-3145 Fax: (513) 621-3744 publisher@americanisraelite.com editor@americanisraelite.com production@americanisraelite.com Courtesy of U.S. Supreme Court
Among the cases the Supreme Court will consider in the fall is whether an American born in Jerusalem may list his birthplace as Israel in his passport.
Supreme Court to consider Jerusalem passport question, minister exception cases By Ron Kampeas Jewish Telegraphic Agency WASHINGTON (JTA) — Among the issues the U.S. Supreme Court will consider when it reconvenes next October is whether an American born in Jerusalem may list his birthplace as Israel in his passport. That case probably will garner the most Jewish attention in a fall docket that includes several cases of interest to the Jewish community, court watchers say. Another is a case involving church-state issues that already have divided Jewish organizations. This week the court announced a few of the cases it will hear in the fall session. In Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) the court will consider the breadth of how religious institutions apply the “ministerial exception” from discrimination laws in hiring decisions. A federal appeals court ruled that a teacher dismissed from the Michigan school was not subject to the exception, which allows institutions deciding whether to hire or fire ministers to ignore laws like those protecting the disabled, for instance. So far, a wide array of different Jewish groups are split three different ways already are preparing briefs, although the case will not be heard until October at the earliest. The Orthodox Union is join-
ing Mormon, Roman Catholic and Episcopalian bodies in a brief that argues “the right of religious institutions to select their ‘ministers’ extends to all who perform religious functions, and this right is not limited to those who exercise purely or primarily religious duties.” The teacher in the HosanaTabor case was able to show that her secular instruction occupied a majority of her work time. “This is a crucial issue for the liberty and autonomy of religious institutions — including synagogues and parochial schools — in the United States,” Nathan Diament, the OU’s Washington director, said in a statement. “Religious institutions must be able to determine and abide by their religious principles and be able to select who will lead and teach their members without second guessing or interference by secular courts.” A similar brief filed on behalf of Agudath Israel of America and a number of other Orthodox groups cites Jewish law in arguing that Jewish religious courts are the proper venue for considering employment-related disputes in Jewish religious institutions. The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and the American Jewish Committee are joining in a brief that upholds the EEOC’s determination of whether some employees are subject to the ministerial exception but objects to the quantitative standard applied in the Hosanna-Tabor
case. Instead, the AJC and the RAC want the EEOC to consider whether religious duties are essential to the job, however minimal they may be in terms of time consumed. “We’ve taken the position that the quantitative test is wrong,” said Marc Stern, the associate general counsel to the AJC. “The important issue is whether it is integral to the job.” The Anti-Defamation League is not taking a position on the underlying case but is instead arguing that the burden of proof should be on the employer, not the employee, in assessing the ministerial exception, said Steve Freeman, ADL’s director of legal affairs. “The question is whether she gets to make her case, or whether she gets thrown out the door,” he said. The Supreme Court has not yet announced all the cases it will hear when it reconvenes, but two other church-state cases considered recently by appellate courts may make it in, according to Stern. Both involve crosses as symbols of service — one involving a cross that dominates a war memorial in San Diego and another involving Utah’s practice of memorializing state troopers killed in the line of duty with massive roadside crosses. The lead litigant in the San Diego case is the group Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America. PASSPORT on page 20
RABBI ISSAC M. WISE Founder, Editor, Publisher, 1854-1900 LEO WISE Editor & Publisher, 1900-1928 RABBI JONAH B. WISE Editor & Publisher, 1928-1930 HENRY C. SEGAL Editor & Publisher, 1930-1985 PHYLLIS R. SINGER Editor & General Manager, 1985-1999 MILLARD H. MACK Publisher Emeritus NETANEL (TED) DEUTSCH Editor & Publisher BARBARA L. MORGENSTERN Senior Writer NICOLE SIMON RITA TONGPITUK Assistant Editors ALEXIA KADISH Copy Editor JANET STEINBERG Travel Editor STEPHANIE DAVIS-NOVAK Fashion Editor SONDRA KATKIN Dining Editor MARIANNA BETTMAN NATE BLOOM IRIS PASTOR RABBI A. JAMES RUDIN ZELL SCHULMAN RABBI AVI SHAFRAN PHYLLIS R. SINGER Contributing Columnists LEV LOKSHIN JANE KARLSBERG Staff Photographers JOSEPH D. STANGE Production Manager MICHAEL MAZER Sales ERIN WYENANDT Office Manager
THE AMERICAN ISRAELITE (USPS 019-320) is published weekly for $44 per year and $2.00 per single copy in Cincinnati and $49 per year and $3.00 per single copy elsewhere in U.S. by The American Israelite Co. 18 West Ninth Street, Suite 2, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-2037. Periodicals postage paid at Cincinnati, OH. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE AMERICAN ISRAELITE, 18 West Ninth Street, Suite 2, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-2037. The views and opinions expressed by the columnists of The American Israelite do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the newspaper.
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THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011
Peter Falk, 84, TV’s ‘Columbo’ passes away By Alan D. Abbey Jewish Telegraphic Agency Actor Peter Falk, a four-time Emmy winner as the rumpled TV detective on “Columbo” who also won acclaim as an actor in indie films by John Cassavetes and others, died at his home in Beverly Hills, Calif., on June 23 at 84. Falk’s portrayal of Lt. Frank Columbo was lauded by film critics both during the series’ heyday in the 1970s (it ran periodically in the form of made-for-TV movies until 2003) and in the wake of his death. “He invested the shabby, preoccupied detective with so much credibility that the show became one of the most successful detective series in the United States,” one critic wrote. “Few actors were as linked to one role for so long as Mr. Falk, whose cockeyed glare from a glass right eye and slightly disheveled appearance hid a compelling intelligence he brought to the part,” wrote another. Falk received the ultimate popculture encomium of the day in 1973 when Time magazine put
him on its cover. Describing what are now iconic Columbo traits — the rumpled coat, stub of a cigar and slow turn before leaving an interview with a suspect to say “Just one more thing,” Time said, “Such antics have made Columbo conceivably the most influential, probably the best and certainly the most endearing cop on TV.” Writers who fancy themselves as more sophisticated praised Falk’s work in Cassavetes’ early independent film productions. “The dryly caustic humor he brings to his roles … is that of a quietly calculating intelligence that keeps that passion under pressure, and it’s the genius of Cassavetes to recognize, to reveal, and to deploy the tension and the heat that Falk — the actor and the man — gives off,” the New Yorker wrote. Falk’s nearly 50-year career in films, stage and TV pre-and postdated “Columbo.” He received a Best Supporting Actor nomination in 1960 for his role as Abe “Kid Twist” Reles, the vicious real-life gangster, in the film “Murder, Inc.,” about the largely Jewish New York gang. New York Times
film critic of the day, Bosley Crowther, dismissed the movie as “an average gangster film,” but singled out Falk’s “amusingly vicious performance.” In 1968, Falk played another Jewish ne’er-do-well in the World War II flick “Anzio.” Critics vary on the film itself, but Falk’s performance as Cpl. Jack Rabinoff, based on a real Jewish soldier who ran a brothel in occupied Italy, also stood out. Falk himself apparently had a lot of say in creating the character. Producer Dino De Laurentiis sought to keep Falk in the film and gave him billing above the title, and Falk himself eventually wrote the character’s lines. In later years, along with the occasional “Columbo” TV film, Falk acted in a number of films as an overtly or covertly Jewish character, including, the “Princess Bride,” a 1996 TV remake of “The Sunshine Boys”; “Checking Out,” as a famed Jewish stage actor who gathers his whole family to say goodbye before he commits suicide; and as the voice of flatulent gangster shark Don Feinberg in the animated “Shark Tale.”
Falk’s road to Hollywood prominence was different from most. He grew up in Ossining, N.Y., in the shadow of Sing Sing prison. His right eye was removed at age 3 because of cancer, and his glass eye provided him with a unique perspective and look. The glass eye kept him out of the military during World War II, but he served in the Merchant Marine. According to his 2006 autobiography, “Just One More Thing,” Falk was third cook on a ship to France: “My specialty was pork chops … My duties on the return trip (from Marseilles) were to cook each day 400 pork chops for lunch. This was more than enough. It was winter and the seas were very high. The remaining 2,000 soldiers were not interested in food — too busy barfing.” After the war, Falk apparently sought to volunteer to fight for Israel, presumably in the War of Independence, leading several writers to tout Falk as a big fan of Israel. Falk’s own account in his autobiography not only puts cold water on that but even raises doubts as to his knowledge of the conflict at all.
“I signed up to go to Israel to fight in the war with Egypt. I wasn’t passionate about Israel. I wasn’t passionate about Egypt. I just wanted more excitement,” he wrote. “Joining the Israeli Army was illegal for American citizens, but I found out you could sign up at the Hotel Roosevelt in Manhattan. I did get assigned a ship and a departure date. However, the war was over in the blink of an eye — eight days to be exact. The ship never sailed.” Falk’s father objected to his interest in acting, and he received a master’s degree in public administration from Syracuse University after the war and worked for the state of Connecticut as an efficiency expert. His first role was as Rocky the bartender in a 1956 production of Eugene O’Neill’s “The Iceman Cometh.” IMDB, the Washington Post and London’s Telegraph all offer extensive summaries of Falk’s acting career. After publishing his autobiography, Falk underwent serious dental surgery and slipped into dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. He was a ward of his daughter when he died.
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Jewish camps review safety In Iraq, Guardsman measures in wake of Ramah tragedy encounters his Jewish roots
By Sue Fishkoff Jewish Telegraphic Agency
SAN FRANCISCO (JTA) — It's the nightmare of every parent — and every teacher, youth leader and camp director. When a child dies in an accident while in someone else’s care, the agonizing questions begin: Could we have done anything different? Were all the proper procedures followed? And above all, how can we keep children safe while still ensuring that they have a fun and meaningful summer? The Jewish camping community is asking such questions with the death of Andrew Silvershein, 16, of Davie, Fla., who drowned June 19 on a whitewater rafting trip during his first week at Ramah Darom, a Conservative movement summer camp in northern Georgia. “For all of us in the business, this is the No. 1 thing on our mind,” said Len Robinson, executive director of the New Jersey Y Camps. “At the end of the summer, when the last child is delivered home to their parents, you feel the weight of the world lifted from your shoulders. Unfortunately, things happen.” Everything was done correctly in this case, camp professionals say: A trained guide was in every raft, and every child was wearing a life jacket and helmet. The current was strong, the raft overturned and Silvershein was wedged under a rock. He was pulled out, but it was too late. He was buried three days later. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Andrew’s family and friends, and with the Ramah Darom community,” said Jeremy Fingerman, CEO of the Foundation for Jewish Camp. “It’s clear that camps are tremendously safe places. This was just a senseless and tragic accident.” Nevertheless, Jewish camp directors have been reviewing their safety measures. Rabbi Paul Resnick, the longtime director of Camp Ramah in the Berkshires, said his staff immediately began re-checking the camp’s standards to make sure that they comply with the regulations of the American Camping Association, as well as of the New York Board of Health. And this summer’s programming does not include whitewater rafting. “We certainly believe in outdoor adventure, and although there is always some risk, we believe we have a very welltrained staff, use reliable trip providers and that we are following all safety protocols,” Resnick said, adding that he also offers his sympathy and support to the Ramah Darom community.
For Jean-Paul Le, a military ‘minyan’ leads to new ‘home’ By Elaine Durbach New Jersey Jewish News
Courtesy of Union for Reform Judaism
Lake safety training is a regular focus during staff week at Union for Reform Judaism Crane Lake Camp in West Stockbridge, Mass.
Many camps had not started their seasons and were still running training weeks for counselors and other staff when the Darom tragedy occurred. Safety, which is always stressed, camp directors say, was underlined yet again. Although many families of Ramah Darom campers were in touch right after the accident, some asking about particular safety protocols, Rabbi Mitch Cohen, director of the National Ramah Commission, says that none withdrew their children or canceled their registration. National Ramah is the umbrella organization for eight overnight camps, three day camps and Ramah Israel programs. Directors of other Jewish camps say the number of calls from parents concerned about the safety of their children has not increased. Those calls come anyway, they say. “Parents are more involved in asking questions today,” said Robinson, who has been in the Jewish camping business for 45 years. “Industry standards have remained at the same high level since the 1970s. It’s the parents’ concerns that have changed.” Some practical changes have been made in the past few decades, he says. Diving boards were taken out of camp pools, for example, for fear of accidents. Campers now wear life jackets, not just life belts, while water skiing. And lifesaving and rescue techniques are constantly being upgraded as knowledge increases. Even the materials used in some equipment is different. Life jackets used to be filled with a material that became unusable if waterlogged, Robinson says. The newer jackets are more resistant, and buckle easier and more securely. “We have better and stronger materials today, some from the space program,” he said, mentioning nylon as one NASA-developed material now in wide use. Paul Reichenbach, the director
of camping and Israel programs for the Union for Reform Judaism, says the union has made nearly $750,000 worth of security upgrades to its camps over the past decade. URJ camps have new fences and 24-hour guards, and have installed gates and security lights. An Israeli security firm runs training sessions for its camp directors and staff every summer to teach them how to evacuate buildings and look for a missing child, as well as other emergency tactics. “We have never had a serious incursion, but it’s what we do for the health and security of our children,” he said. The URJ isn’t alone, Reichenbach stresses. “Lots of camps have significantly upgraded their security,” he said. “Things have changed. It’s part of our commitment to families and to ourselves.” Still, he says, children are killed virtually every summer, whether in Jewish or non-Jewish programs. A branch might fall from a tree and hit a child. In a private camp in upstate New York, a child jumped into a flooded river, three friends jumped in to save him, and all four drowned. Seven years ago at a Jewish camp, Reichenbach recalls, someone was killed while rock climbing. “It’s the reality we live in,” he said. “We have active programs. It doesn’t mean you stop swimming. After a tragedy you redouble your protocols and ask yourself the tough questions: Are we doing everything we can?” Ramah Darom has “incredibly high standards,” Reichenbach noted, and they work with “an excellent company” to ensure that they get the best safety training and preparation. Transparency is key, say those interviewed. Parents want to know the risks, how safety will be ensured and how emergencies will be handled. CAMPS on page 20
(WHIPPANY, NJ) — Baghdad might seem like an odd place for an American to discover his Jewishness, but, as Jean-Paul Le pointed out, “It’s where the Talmud was written.” As for waiting until he was 26 to explore his religious roots, that was just fine, too. “I grew up without any Judaism, and I was quite thankful for that,” he said. Growing up as“a Spanish-speaking Asian in Summit was complicated enough.” Le, a 29-year-old consultant in health-care supply chain management, now based in New York City, was the keynote speaker at the annual MetroWest UJA Campaign fundraiser at Crestmont Country Club in West Orange on June 15. The event, chaired by Rita and Harvey Cohen, drew around 75 people. In place of the usual golf outing, it featured a dinner with seven courses, each paired with selected wines provided by club member Eric Perlmutter, the owner of Allied Beverages. Le told the audience his father came from Vietnam at 20 in 1975 and his mother from Peru about the same time. They met while working at an insurance company. He was Buddhist, and she came from a Jewish family who had emigrated from Morocco, but neither placed much emphasis on religion for themselves or their three children. His parents were willing to pay for his college education, he said, but he chose to cover the cost by joining the Army National Guard. That involved doing military service one weekend a month and two weeks a year while he completed his undergraduate degree and then his MBA at Rutgers University. He later served one year of active duty. Posted to Baghdad in 2008, he didn’t see action, but it was still stressful. When a friend invited him to a Sabbath get-together, he found it a refreshing change. “This guy was from Puerto Rico, and it turned out that his family was also Jewish, though he also hadn’t grown up in an observant home,” Le said. “He asked me what my mother’s maiden name was, and when I told him it’s Sara Cohen, he said, ‘Dude, you’re Jewish.’” There were too few Jews for a minyan, but about four people would do the best they could. Their group included a woman who was one of the few remaining
Jewish residents of the city. “We called ourselves ‘B’nai Baghdad,’” Le said. He enjoyed discovering the ritual, history, and values “that my family had been involved with for generations.” During that year, he also heard about Birthright Israel, which provides 10-day, all-expenses-paid trips to Israel for Jews ages 18 to 26. Just before turning 27, he applied. “I just thought it would be a chance to see Israel and to see my two uncles who made aliya from Peru in the late 1990s,” he said. He was accepted, and went to Israel in June 2009, two weeks after his return from Iraq. The trip, he said, “was absolutely amazing.” At the Western Wall, a rabbi asked if anyone in their group had not had a bar mitzva ceremony. He spoke up, and — with the uncles he was seeing for the first time in a decade — he found himself welcomed into Jewish adulthood. “I knew that I had found a home, or a second home, for the rest of my life,” Le said. Six months later, he was chosen to represent the 2009 Birthrighters on an alumni trip. While settling into working life, Le has also been delving deeper into Judaism, taking a series of courses through the Jewish Enrichment Center in Manhattan. “I’ve been making up for not having gone to a Solomon Schechter school,” he said. Playing to her audience’s interests, UJA Campaign chair Paula Saginaw likened the campaign’s support for Birthright to sharpening a crucial aspect of one’s golf game. “But our much larger goal,” she said, “is to help any Jew in need and to ensure Jewish continuity in MetroWest, and Israel, and around the world.” The past few years, she said, have been “very tough,” but there is the hope this year that supporters will give enough to raise allocations to the 20 local and three overseas agencies supported by the campaign. In addition to Crestmont, three other country clubs in MetroWest — Mountain Ridge, Green Brook, and Cedar Hill — hosted events in June to support the UJA Campaign of MetroWest NJ. Together, more than $150,000 was raised to benefit efforts to help Jews in need and build Jewish community. The clubs’ events included golf tournaments, tennis matches, Israeli craft projects, barbecues, and presentations from United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ partner agencies and from Middle East experts. Reprinted with permission of New Jersey Jewish News (njjewishnews.com).
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THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011
New momentum for bill to allow lawsuits against Holocaust-era insurance companies By Ron Kampeas Jewish Telegraphic Agency WASHINGTON (JTA) — It’s becoming a D.C. perennial: Every two years, a new Congress is ushered in and lawmakers from Florida herald a bill that once and for all will bring insurance companies to account for swindling Holocaust survivors. And every two years, congressional staffers and Jewish community professionals who negotiate Holocaust restitution say the bill’s chances of passage are nil. But this year, proponents of the bill say, the stars are aligned differently: A passionate congressional advocate is now in a position of considerable power. And for the first time, the bill has bipartisan Senate backing. “The survivors are determined to speak for themselves,” said Sam Dubbin, the lawyer who for years has shepherded versions of the bill into Congress only to see them disappear into a twilight zone of parliamentary procedure. “They have an irrefutable legal and moral claim to have their rights restored.” At issue is whether Holocaust survivors and their families should be allowed to sue European insurance companies for failing to pay on the policies of Jewish policy-holders killed at the hands of the Nazis. Except in extraordinary cases, such as lawsuits against state sponsors of terrorism, Americans cannot use U.S. courts to sue foreign entities. In the late 1990s, Jewish groups including the Claims Conference reached settlements with European insurance companies that resulted in some $306 million being disbursed for survivors and survivor institutions through the International Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims, known by the acronym ICHEIC (pronounced EYE-check). These groups, including the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, B’nai B’rith International, the World Jewish Congress and the World Jewish Restitution Organization see protecting the insurance companies from individual lawsuits as key to the strategy of getting European nations and institutions to agree to negotiated restitution settlements that result in money for needy survivors. But Dubbin and some survivor groups, like the National Association of Jewish Child Holocaust Survivors, say the ICHEIC agreements never legally precluded individual lawsuits, and that legislation allowing such lawsuits
against the insurance companies would correct a historic injustice. They say the ICHEIC process, which officially ended in 2007, was irredeemably weighted toward the insurers. Opponents say that if Congress passed a bill that would allow individual U.S. lawsuits against the insurance companies, it would upend the executive branch’s exclusive control over foreign policy. Essentially, they say, it’s a jurisdiction issue. “It would be a cruel and unrealistic increase in expectations to have people go to court to try to sue companies against whom they would have great difficulty getting jurisdiction,” said Stuart Eizenstat, the Clinton administration’s special representative for Holocaust issues at the time the ICHEIC settlements were being negotiated. Today, Eizenstat is a top negotiator for the Claims Conference. The battle between the two sides abounds with allegations of bad faith and greed, and even the threat of elderly survivors picketing a fundraiser for a politician once seen as sympathetic to their cause. The new bill, sponsored by Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) and Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) in the U.S. House of Representatives and Sens. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) in the U.S. Senate, would allow courts to proceed over executive branch objections in litigating claims aimed at insurers. Ros-Lehtinen, who has championed similar bills for years, is now able as chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee to expedite the bill. Leo Rechter, president of the National Association of Jewish Holocaust Survivors, a group that is associated with Dubbin, told JTA that he wants courts to compel insurers to produce documentation that litigants believe to be secreted away. “Survivors were children during the Holocaust years, and we do not have information” about parents’ claims, he said. Advocates of the legislation say billions are potentially at stake. Some survivors say ICHEIC denied claims even when they had evidence. “Even though I have papers showing this policy existed, the ICHEIC commission allowed Generali to deny my claim without giving any proof,” Suzanne Marshak wrote to JTA, referring to a policy she says her uncle had with the Italian insurer. LAWSUITS on page 20
Delta Saudi flap leaves questions of openness to Jewish flyers By Ron Kampeas Jewish Telegraphic Agency WASHINGTON (JTA) — The Saudi government wants you to know: It doesn’t ban visits by Jews. Whether the Saudis make travel difficult for Jews, particularly when it comes to those who have Israel stamps on their passports or come carrying religious items like tefillin, is another question entirely. The issue of Saudi policy vis-avis Jews emerged last week after World Net Daily, a conservative website, reported that Delta Airlines was enforcing a Saudi ban on Jewish visitors by partnering with Saudi Arabian Airlines. The report sparked a round of angry demands directed at Delta and at the Saudi Embassy in Washington. “Rumors being circulated via the Internet regarding passenger flight restrictions on Saudi Arabian Airlines are completely false,” the Saudi Embassy said in a two-sentence statement sent last Friday to JTA and other news agencies. “The Government of Saudi Arabia does not deny visas to U.S. citizens based on their religion.” Yet Jewish defense organizations say that in practice, Saudi authorities make it very difficult for Jews to visit the country. The Delta flap began when a Jewish passenger, Washington attorney Jeffrey Lovitky, asked Delta what the implications were for Jewish passengers of Saudi Arabian Airlines joining the Sky Team Alliance on Jan. 10. The alliance, which includes Delta, facilitates flights on multiple carriers. The arrangement is not unusual: Other alliances mix U.S. and Saudi carriers. But Delta’s response touched a nerve when the airline appeared to shuck off any responsibility for Saudi Arabia’s allegedly discriminatory policies. “While we fully understand and sympathize with your concerns, Delta has no control over the actions of the United States or any foreign country,” Kathy Johnston, a customer care staffer, wrote to Lovitky in an April 28 letter. “If the government of Saudi Arabia engages in discriminatory practices in the issuance of travel documents to U.S. citizens, this is a matter which must be addressed with a local embassy as appropriate or with the U.S. State Department.” Jewish organizations wondered whether that meant Delta staffers were asking passengers with Jewish-sounding names if they had properly obtained visas to visit the country. “They’ve joined in this policy of discrimination,” Kenneth Bandler, a spokesman for the American Jewish Committee,
Courtesy of Matthew Wilkinson via Creative Commons
The U.S. State Department warns that travelers to Saudi Arabia have reported that Israeli entry stamps such as this one may result in a denial of entry. The Saudis deny having such a policy.
told JTA. On the Huffington Post, Rabbi Jason Miller of Detroit excoriated the airline for attempting to pass the buck. “No, it’s not Delta’s fault that the Saudi government is antiSemitic, but it doesn’t have to go along with it,” he wrote. “It’s as if the Saudis are telling Delta that when it comes to Jewish passengers, it’s name should become an acronym: “Don’t Even Let Them Aboard.” As other media, including Religion News Service, picked up the story, Delta tried to do damage control. “We, like all international airlines, are required to comply with all applicable laws governing entry into every country we serve,” Trebor Banstetter, a Delta spokesman, wrote in a blog post. “You as passengers are responsible for obtaining the necessary travel documents, such as visas and certification of required vaccinations, and we’re responsible for making sure that you have the proper documentation before you board.” No one was mollified, and Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) asked the Federal Aviation Authority to investigate. “I request your investigation into this matter to determine whether Delta Airlines violated U.S. law or regulation and to ensure no U.S. citizen is denied their right to fly solely on the basis of their religion,” he wrote in a letter last Friday. Within hours, Delta came out with its third statement, this time noting that its arrangement with the
Saudi airline was commonplace. “Delta’s only agreement with Saudi Arabian Airlines is a standard industry interline agreement, which allows passengers to book tickets on multiple carriers, similar to the standard interline agreements American Airlines, US Airways and Alaska Airlines have with Saudi Arabian Airlines,” it said. “All of the three global airline alliances — Star, which includes United Airlines; Oneworld, which includes American Airlines, and SkyTeam, which includes Delta — have members that fly to Saudi Arabia and are subject to that country’s rules governing entry.” Religion News Service subsequently retracted much of its earlier story, noting that it is not Saudi policy to deny entry to travelers with an Israeli stamp in their passports. The U.S. State Department’s travel advisory for Saudi Arabia warns that reports of such denials persist. “There have been reports by U.S. citizens that they were refused a Saudi visa because their passports reflected travel to Israel or indicated that they were born in Israel,” it said. The State Department website also includes lengthy warnings to Americans of Arab origin that they may be subject to intensive questioning by Israel at its crossings and may even be turned away. It also notes that these policies derive from security considerations, and from Israel’s complex customs and entry agreements with the Palestinian Authority. DELTA on page 22
8 • NATIONAL
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Young Jews volunteer, but don’t connect it to Judaism By Sue Fishkoff Jewish Telegraphic Agency SAN FRANCISCO (JTA) — Most young Jews do some kind of volunteer service, but few do it through Jewish agencies or connect it to Jewish values. Poverty, the environment, education and illiteracy are the areas that draw most young Jewish volunteers, with Israel-related work at the bottom of the list. These are among the findings of a new study on Jewish young adult volunteerism commissioned by Repair the World, a national organization that promotes service as a defining element of Jewish life and learning. “This is an idealistic, civically engaged population, and there are a lot of things to be done to deepen their involvement and connect it to Jewish values and the Jewish community,” said Jon Rosenberg, CEO of Repair the World. The study, which surveyed some 2,000 Jews aged 18 to 35, could provide guidance to Jewish organizations seeking ways to involve young Jews in Jewish volunteer service, and for those that run service projects outside the Jewish community but wish to strengthen awareness of the work’s Jewish elements. Respondents to the study, titled “Volunteering + Values: A Repair the World Report on Jewish Young Adults,” were drawn from a list of
more than 300,000 applicants to the Birthright Israel program and a national online research panel. Forty-five percent of those contacted responded. The study, conducted by Brandeis University’s Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies and Gerstein/Agne Strategic Communications, found a very high level of volunteerism among its demographic. About 70 percent said they have volunteered in some capacity during the past year; 31 percent said they volunteer every few months; and 29 percent volunteer at least once a month, with 10 percent engaging in volunteer work weekly or more often. More than one-fifth have taken part in an intensive service project of one to 12 weeks, such as an alternative college break project. Those who defined themselves as Orthodox had the highest volunteer rate (86 percent), with 77 percent of Reform, 66 percent of Conservative and 63 percent of those identifying as “Just Jewish” reporting some level of volunteer activity. About 22 percent said they had volunteered through a Jewish organization, with 56 percent of the Orthodox respondents saying they did so. The study showed that young Jewish volunteers are motivated by universalist values; “making a difference in people’s lives” was cited as the most important moti-
Courtesy of American Jewish World Service
participants in a 2011 Yeshiva University Alternative Break program in Nicaragua, run through the American Jewish World Service, learn to connect volunteer service to their Jewish values.
vating factor. About 78 percent of respondents said it did not matter whether the organization for which they volunteer is Jewish or non-Jewish, while 27 percent said their volunteer work was related to Jewish values. Rosenberg opined that many young Jews do not volunteer through Jewish organizations because they don’t always know about the opportunities, and also because of the misperception that Jewish groups serve narrowly parochial interests. Fern Chertok of the Cohen Center, the lead researcher on the study, said getting more young Jews to see the connection between their
volunteer work and Jewish values is important, particularly for those who are not religiously observant. “It allows them to see the work as a Jewish act,” she said. The study showed a high correlation between one’s level of Jewish education and future volunteer work, as well as how clearly one views his or her service as being in line with Jewish values. “The more service learning is incorporated into Jewish education, the more that connection will be made,” Rosenberg said. Jonathan Woocher, chief ideas officer of the Jewish Education Service of North America, said that “There are too many people who
come away from their Jewish education with the sense that ‘doing Jewish’ is about doing particular rituals in particular places, and if these are not attractive to them, they may not see a Jewish connection to their volunteer work.” Ruth Messinger, president of the American Jewish World Service, which runs projects in the Third World in which participants also learn about the Jewish values underlying their work, said Jews are interested in Jewish service learning, but the community needs to provide more opportunities. Jewish organizations, she noted, don’t ask for volunteers often enough. The study provided material that Jewish organizations could use to develop more volunteer opportunities that correspond to the actual interests of younger Jews. While just 1 percent of survey respondents reported doing Israelrelated volunteer work, 9 percent said they would like to perform such work. And while 13 percent already volunteer in the field of education and literacy, mainly tutoring or mentoring, 37 percent said they would be interested in such service. “If you can interest more young Jews who want to volunteer with quality programs in the Jewish community,” Messinger told JTA, “they’ll get a deeper sense of their Jewish identity and will feel further invested in their Jewish community.”
In N.Y., debate over religious exemptions at issue in gay marriage bill By Alex Weisler Jewish Telegraphic Agency NEW YORK (JTA) — When it comes to passing a gay marriage bill in New York State, even many supporters acknowledge that widereaching religious exemptions are crucial. After all, this is the state with the nation’s second-largest number of Catholics and largest number of Orthodox Jews, and many say including exemptions is a legitimate way to address concerns of the religiously observant. “I’m keeping my fingers crossed that if we’re going to recognize same-sex marriage, we do it in a way that is nuanced,” Robin Fretwell Wilson, a law professor at Washington and Lee University in Virginia, told JTA. Though robust protection of religious liberties already exists in both New York and federal law, Wilson said she understands why religious groups are pushing to reiterate and strengthen these guarantees. “You don’t want to put them through a test of violating their conviction or violating their law,” she said. Exemptions could protect nonprofit organizations, businesses and individuals from being forced to
acknowledge same-sex marriages — perhaps so that, for instance, a kosher catering business or a Catholic florist could refuse to provide services for a same-sex wedding. But some same-sex marriage supporters argue that specifically including exemptions in the bill isn’t necessary because existing law already makes allowances for religious freedom. They charge that the debate over exemptions really is a smokescreen for those who want to defeat the bill. Ultimately, New York’s experience may serve as a lesson for other states seeking to legalize same-sex marriage through state legislatures, as opposed to the court mandates in states like Iowa. The question now is whether the focus on religious exemptions derails the bill or whether it allows the bill to overcome religious objections. Gov. Andrew Cuomo strongly supports same-sex marriage, and he reportedly is just shy of the votes he needs in Albany. Much of the debate over exemptions has centered around private individuals, like bakers or photographers, and businesses like banquet halls. In other states, businesses or individuals refusing to work at same-sex weddings were sued or lost tax-exempt status,
Courtesy of Tim Schapker via CC
While some religious groups, like the Presbyterians seen here at Albany's 2009 gay pride parade, support same-sex marriage, organizations like the Orthodox Union have launched robust campaigns against same-sex marriage.
opponents of gay marriage say. Jennifer Pizer, a law professor at the University of California, Los Angeles and an expert on sexual orientation and discrimination, says that’s par for the course in America: You can’t let religious beliefs affect commercial decisions. “People are free to hold these views — they’re not just free to hold those views, they’re protected.” But, she said, “the current legal system does not permit people engaged in
business to discriminate based on the proprietors’ own religious views.” Pizer said the New York debate over exemptions hearkens back to a time when religious views were used to justify racial segregation and opposition to equal-pay-forequal-work legislation. On the other side, Marc Stern, the associate general counsel for legal advocacy at the American Jewish Committee, which has not taken an official stance on the
same-sex marriage bill, said the fight for equality does not trump the right to free exercise of religion. While some religious groups, including the Orthodox Union, Agudath Israel of America, the Catholic League and others have lobbied against New York’s samesex marriage bill, Stern says their time would have been better spent pushing for more robust religious protections across the board. “I think they’ve made a major tactical blunder. The handwriting was on the wall on gay rights,” he said, suggesting that the legalization of samesex marriage is inevitable. “The thing to do is to give up that fight and fight for a broad religious exemption.” Strictly religious Jews, however, feel they have an obligation to fight back against a bill that would “promote the notion that all intimate relationships are equally acceptable,” said Avi Shafran, director of public affairs at the haredi Orthodox Agudath Israel of America. “The Jewish religious tradition is emphatic and unambiguous about the wrongness of same-sex relationships,” Shafran said. “Religious organizations cannot impose their will on society, but neither can they — at least Orthodox Jewish ones — shirk their duty to proclaim what is proper and what is not.”
INTERNATIONAL/ISRAEL • 9
THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011
International Briefs Jewish bones found in medieval well in England BERLIN (JTA) — Bones found in a medieval well in England are probably the remains of Jews murdered in the 12th century, forensic scientists say. The burial site in Norwich is the only one of its kind ever found, according to the BBC, which in July will broadcast a documentary on the discovery. Workers preparing the ground for construction of a shopping center discovered the bones of 17 individuals, including 11 children, in 2004. Archaeologist Giles Emery was called in to excavate the bones. A team of scientists led by forensic anthropologist Sue Black of the University of Dundee’s Centre for Anthropology and Human Identification analyzed the bones, and DNA expert Ian Barnes determined that the victims were all related, most probably coming from one Ashkenazi Jewish family. “We certainly know about the persecution of the Jewish population that went on in that period, but it wasn’t certain that it had happened in this particular area in Norwich,” Caroline Wilkinson, who works in cranio-facial identification, told JTA. Wilkinson has reconstructed the faces of one adult and one child. The scientists, who along with archaeological investigations also work on contemporary crimescene forensics, have speculated that the individuals were thrown into the well — victims of Jewish hatred that was rampant at the time. Wilkinson said the well was discovered at the center of a known area of settlement. “There are records of Jewish people being forced out of the area and of murders being blamed on Jews,” she said, “but there was no concrete evidence of persecution until now.” Billionaire Mashkevich quits Euro-Asian Jewish Congress presidency (JTA) — Israeli-Kazakh billionaire Alexander Mashkevich has resigned as president of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, a spokesman confirmed to JTA. Mashkevich, whose fortune is tied to his stock in the Eurasian Natural Resources Corp., stepped down because of “the need to focus on his business questions,” spokesman Roman Spektor said. “EAJC continues to work normally,” he added. The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress is a subsidiary of the
World Jewish Congress. Mashkevich had been the group's head for 10 years. The billionaire occasionally has drawn scrutiny for his outsized public statements and lavish expenditures. Last October, Mashkevich was said to be detained on a Turkish sex yacht, though he denied being arrested in the breakup of an alleged prostitution ring aboard the boat. Spektor said the incident in Turkey is unrelated to Mashkevich’s resignation. In April, he announced his intention to found a “Jewish Al Jazeera” during an address at the Keren Hayasod-United Israel Appeal conference in Washington, D.C. Some news reports have suggested that Mashkevich’s decision to resign is tied to his desire to focus his efforts on that endeavor. A new president will be elected in September, Spektor said, following procedures in the EAJC’s by-laws. Awareness campaign on AMIA attack wins awards BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (JTA) — A campaign to create awareness in Argentina about the 1994 attack against the Jewish community center in Buenos Aires won two awards at the prestigious Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. “Silhouettes of Memory” — the installation of 30 human-size figures with the facial images of the bombing victims in places throughout Buenos Aires where they were traveling before arriving at the AMIA center on the day of the attack — earned two Lion awards at the weeklong event for international advertisers. The installation was made for the July 18, 2010 memorial on the 16th anniversary of the bombing, which killed 85 and wounded hundreds. “Silhouettes of Memory” won a Silver Lion in the category Charities, Public Health & Safety, Public Awareness Messages, and also a Bronze Lion in Best Use of Ambient Media: Large Scale. The festival ended June 25. “These two lions are a reward for the creativity and also the production of a great idea, but also is recognition of the intense fighting for memory,” Gaston Bigio, general creative director of Ogilvy Argentina, which created the pro bono campaign, told JTA. More than 24,000 entries from all over the advertising world were showcased and judged at the festival, according to the festival website. Ogilvy, an international advertising, marketing and public relations agency, said in a letter of presentation to Cannes that its campaign aimed to “make the entire Argentina society understand that it was a terrorist attack against Argentina.”
Five years on, Shalit’s imprisonment an open wound for Israel By Linda Gradstein Jewish Telegraphic Agency JERUSALEM (JTA) — Michal Naamani traveled to Jerusalem from her home near Kfar Saba to hand out yellow ribbons to passersby and bumper stickers to motorists reading “Gilad is alive.” Naamani, a high school teacher, felt that she wanted to do something to help captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. “I’m a mother. I have a younger brother doing reserve duty,” Naamani told JTA on Friday, the day before the fifth anniversary of Shalit’s capture in a raid on the Gaza-Israel border that left two other soldiers dead. “I’m here because if it was my son, I would want someone to support me as well.” Shalit’s family members have done practically everything they can think of to keep Gilad in the public eye. Last year they marked the anniversary of his capture by marching from their home in northern Israel to Jerusalem, with thousands of Israelis joining them for part of the way. This year Gilad’s older brother, Yoel, disrupted Israel’s state ceremony on Israeli Independence Day. “We say to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, you have no mandate to sentence Gilad to death,” Noam Shalit, Gilad’s father, said during a news conference Sunday morning outside the prime minister’s official residence in Jerusalem, where the family announced a new campaign to garner more tangible public support for striking a deal to bring home Shalit. Shalit family members chained themselves together outside the residence in Jerusalem on Saturday night, as hundreds of supporters gathered in support. Others protested outside Netanyahu’s home in Caesarea. Meanwhile, dozens of Israeli celebrities and politicians marked 24 hours beginning Saturday night at Herzliya Studios, Israel’s largest TV facility, with each spending an hour in “solitary confinement” in solidarity with the captured soldier. Netanyahu, meanwhile, announced that his government had accepted a German-mediated deal to free Shalit. “This proposal was harsh; it was not simple for the State of Israel,” Netanyahu said Sunday in a statement released after the weekly Cabinet meeting. “However, we agreed to accept it in the belief that it was balanced between our desire to secure Gilad’s release and to prevent possible harm to the lives and security
Courtesy of Miriam Alster/FLASH90/JTA
Noam Shalit, father of captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, sits beneath a banner depicting his son and Ron Arad, the missingbut-assumed-dead Israeli airman, in a protest tent near the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem, June 2, 2011.
of the Israeli people. As of now, we have yet to receive Hamas’s official answer to the German mediator’s proposal.” Netanyahu did not specify the terms of the proposal, but said that “The State of Israel is ready to go far, more than any other country, in order to secure Gilad’s release but it is my responsibility, and the responsibility of those who are sitting here, to see to the security and lives of the Israeli people.” Five years on and without a clear sign that a prisoner-exchange deal with Hamas is in the offing or even that their son is still alive, the Shalits have become a symbol of what Israelis — whose children are subject to mandatory military service — fear most. “Gilad Shalit is every Israeli parent’s worst nightmare,” Israeli journalist Stuart Schoffman told JTA. Some Israelis say that Shalit also has become a symbol of Israelis’ frustration with Hamas, the terrorist group that rules the Gaza Strip and is believed to have authority over Shalit’s captors. A few Israeli military officials have expressed concern that Shalit’s capture might sap motivation among young Israelis to sign up for combat units in the Israel Defense Forces. But Meir Elran, an expert on the Israeli army at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, says motivation remains high. “Thousands and thousands of people were killed in battle in the last 63 years,” he said. “People who go to combat units know that this is a dangerous business and you take a risk of not coming back.” Shalit was 19 when he was taken captive. Assuming he is alive, he is now 24. Despite repeated requests, including one this
week, the Red Cross has never been allowed to visit Shalit. He is believed to be held somewhere in Gaza, probably in an underground bunker. His face has become ubiquitous in Israel — seen on posters, balloons, T-shirts and bumper stickers. The Israeli public has not received any sign of life of Shalit since September 2009, when a video was released showing him looking wan but unharmed. Hamas has rejected an appeal by the Red Cross for a new video. For several years, Israel has been negotiating with Hamas indirectly over Shalit. Hamas’ demands have not changed: the release of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, among them dozens of men convicted of murdering Israelis. Netanyahu announced this week that because Hamas would not allow Shalit a Red Cross visit, Israel would be stiffening conditions for Palestinians in Israeli jails convicted of terrorism, among other things eliminating their ability to obtain an academic degree while in prison. A survey released this week found that 63 percent of Israelis support a deal to free Shalit. There has been a flurry of diplomatic activity in recent weeks and even rumors that the deal was on the verge of being signed. Some Israeli analysts say that Hamas needs the PR boost that a largescale prisoner release would provide, especially if Palestinian elections take place in the next year. Support for Hamas in Gaza has dropped; recent polls show Hamas trailing far behind the more moderate Fatah. Yet unless Hamas significantly softens its demands, the chances of a deal appear slim. SHALIT on page 22
10 • ISRAEL
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Pressure mounts on Palestinians to abandon U.N. statehood gambit
Israel Briefs
By Leslie Susser Jewish Telegraphic Agency JERUSALEM (JTA) — The pressure on Mahmoud Abbas to back down from plans to seek recognition of Palestinian statehood at the United Nations in September is intensifying. Squeezed by a combination of concerted American pressure and intense Israeli diplomacy, some top Palestinian leaders are urging the Palestinian Authority’s president to drop his September plan. Abbas, however, says he still intends to go ahead with the U.N. move, unless key international players can get serious peace talks going before then. “If the Americans, the Europeans and Israel don’t want us to go to the U.N., they must show me an alternative,’ he said in an interview on Lebanese TV on Monday. The P.A. president repeatedly has declared that he prefers negotiations with Israel to the U.N. gambit, but he insists on a negotiating framework with clear terms of reference. So far, the United States and others have been unable to produce a formula acceptable to both sides. At least for now, Abbas is saying he won't abandon his U.N. strategy in the absense of such a framework. But the pressure is growing. By far the strongest source has been President Obama’s firm opposition to any Palestinian U.N. move. Obama’s promise to veto any bid in the Security Council for
Courtesy of Abed Rahim Khatib / Flash 90 / JTA
An Arab man passes graffiti in the Gaza Strip town of Rafah that expresses Palestinian aspirations for statehood, May 14, 2011.
Palestinian U.N. membership means that the best the Palestinians can hope for is symbolic recognition by the U.N. General Assembly, not full membership in the world body. And Obama has been exerting heavy pressure on the Europeans to oppose the Palestinians recognition push. Obama’s position has been reinforced by several congressional initiatives. In December, Congress passed a resolution “condemning unilateral measures to declare or recognize a Palestinian state.” Last week, Rep. Steve Chabot, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Middle East subcommittee, urged the administration to withhold U.S. contributions to the United Nations if it recognizes a Palestinian state.
There is also a looming Congressional threat to cut off $513 million in U.S. funding for the Palestinian Authority if it goes ahead with plans to bring Hamas, a designated terrorist group, into the Palestinian government. The specter of U.S. economic pressure backed by widespread Western diplomatic opposition has been having a sobering effect on the Palestinians. A pro-Western wing of the Palestinian leadership, led by P.A. Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and including former Palestinian envoy to the U.N. Nasser al-Kidwa, is advising Abbas to drop the U.N. initiative mainly for the sake of good relations with the United States. GAMBIT on page 19
Activists, Israeli Navy prepare for flotilla bound for Gaza By Marcy Oster Jewish Telegraphic Agency JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel’s Navy is preparing to intercept the pro-Palestinian flotilla due to set sail for the Gaza Strip from Mediterranean ports later this week. Commandos from the Israeli Navy’s elite Shayetet 13 unit have spent weeks preparing to stop the flotilla from reaching Gaza, including practicing new ways to quickly board the ships’ upper decks and how to use water cannons and other non-lethal riot control methods. The Navy wants to avoid a repeat of the violence that occurred when Israeli commandos boarded a ship in last year’s flotilla to Gaza. Nine Turkish activists, including a dual Turkish-American citizen, were killed in clashes with the commandos aboard the Mavi Marmara in May 2010. This year’s flotilla activists, whose stated goal is to break
Israel’s maritime blockade of the Hamas-run coastal strip, have attended workshops on the use of passive resistance tactics. The activists also have been trained to transmit information from the ships until the last minute and keep video chips hidden from boarding Israeli soldiers, according to a blog post by flotilla participant Medea Benjamin. Unnamed Israeli officials told Israeli media outlets that some flotilla participants hope to kill Israeli soldiers and are planning to bring aboard bags of the chemical sulfur to pour it on soldiers as they attempt to board the ships. Israeli officials have identified at least two participants in the flotilla as having ties to Hamas. However, a flotilla organizer, Israeli expatriate Dror Feiler, told journalists that flotilla participants have signed a declaration of nonviolence. Feiler said that dangerous chemicals would not be allowed on board flotilla vessels.
“If Israel suspects anyone, it should provide us with information so we can stop him,” he told Israel Army Radio Tuesday morning. “Violent people are not permitted to take part in the flotilla.” The flotilla is expected to be a smaller version of last year’s, with some 10 ships, including two cargo ships, carrying about 500 activists reportedly set to take part, instead of the at least 15 ships carrying thousands of activists originally planned. Earlier this month, the Turkish Islamic charity IHH, which helped organize last year’s flotilla with the Free Gaza Movement, withdrew the participation of the Mavi Marmara in this year’s flotilla. The IHH, which is considered a terrorist organization by Israel and the European Union, said the ship did not gain necessary approval from Turkish port authorities for technical reasons. FLOTILLA on page 21
Iran tests missiles capable of reaching Israel, U.S. bases (JTA) — Iran reportedly tested medium and long-range missiles that are capable of reaching Israel and U.S. bases. Tuesday’s firing of the missiles came on the second day of the Revolutionary Guards’ war games. The day before, Iran’s military displayed on national television underground missile silos programmed to hit predetermined targets with medium- and long-range missiles, including Israel and U.S. bases in the Middle East, in the event of an attack. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the Revolutionary Guards Air Force, told the English-language semi-official Iranian news service Fars that the United States and Israel were Iran’s only enemies, “and other than that we are not threatened by any nation. Our missile range is designed according to the location of the American bases in the region and that of the Zionist regime.” Hajizadeh called the war games, code-named “Great Prophet 6,” a "message of peace and friendship to countries of the region.” State Department says Israel not preventing human trafficking WASHINGTON (JTA) — Israel is not in full compliance with the minimum international standards to prevent human trafficking, but is making efforts to bring itself up to par, the U.S. State Department said. Israel’s rank in the U.S. State Department’s annual report on human trafficking released Monday remained unchanged, The State Department classified Israel as a “tier two” country, the second ranking out of a possible four categories. This is the fifth year in a row Israel has received a tier two ranking, after increasing its rank in 2007. According to the report, men and women, mostly migrants, are subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking in Israel. Workers from Thailand, China, Nepal, the Philippines, India, Sri Lanka and Romania legally and voluntarily come over for temporary work in construction, agriculture and as home health care providers. Some, the report said, “subsequently face conditions of forced labor, including through such practices as the unlawful withholding of passports, restrictions on movement, inability to change or otherwise choose one’s employer, nonpay-
ment of wages, threats, sexual assault and physical intimidation.” The report also said many agencies that recruit laborers to come to Israel require them to pay between $4,000 and $20,000, putting them at risk for trafficking practices until the debt is paid off. Citing Israel’s Interior Ministry, the report said 14,000 migrants crossed into the country through the Sinai in 2010, up from 5,000 the previous year. The report said Bedouin groups in the area kept many of the migrants captive in the Sinai and “an unknown number of them were forced into sexual servitude or labor to build homes and serve as domestic workers.” Additionally, the report found that women from the former Soviet Union and China are forced into prostitution, but noted that the number has gone down since Israel passed an anti-trafficking bill in 2006. The report recommended Israel “significantly increase prosecutions, convictions and punishment of labor trafficking offenders,” while noting it kept up its strong law enforcement progress against sex trafficking. The government also runs two shelters for male and female trafficking victims, although international organizations said both lacked a sufficient number of beds for the total number of victims in the country. The report analyzed 184 countries and identified 23 nations as failing to comply with international standards, up from 13 in 2010. Palestinians make it official: They’ll ask U.N. for statehood JERUSALEM (JTA) — The Palestinian leadership officially decided to ask the United Nations for recognition as an independent state. The decision was made Sunday during a meeting in Ramallah called by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Following the meeting, the PA announced that it would bring its statehood request to the U.N. General Assembly in September, as planned. The announcement also reportedly said that a reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas would be completed and a unity government formed. The Palestinian leaders also asserted that a declaration of statehood could bring about the resumption of peace negotiations with Israel. Israel’s military on Monday began a two-day exercise to prepare for violence and other possible scenarios in the weeks leading up to the September General Assembly meeting and in the wake of a vote on Palestinian statehood. ISRAEL on page 22
SOCIAL LIFE • 11
THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011
Dr. Samuel S. Rockwern Passover Delivery of JFS
ANNOUNCMENTS
Dr. Samuel S. Rockwern Passover Delivery of Jewish Family Service Sunday, April 17, which had 140 volunteers deliver boxes filled with Passover food throughout Greater Cincinnati to about 400 individuals experiencing financial difficulties. CONTINUED ON PAGE 12
Eli Herbert
BIRTH BIRTH r. Stanley and Miriam Elfenbaum are pleased to announce the birth of their grandson, Eli Herbert (Eliyahu Chayim), on April 21, 2011 in Chicago,
D Jess Price and Felix Pastron
Ethan and Tom Glassman
Ben, Eli, and Terry Barnett
Holly Robinson
Diane and Howard Yasgur
Andi, Alex, and Aaron Levenson
Ronn Mervis, Jacob Zimmerman, Jeff Haas
Sam Knobler
Illinois. Eli's parents are Amy Elfenbaum and Scott Kramer. His paternal grandparents are Martin and Caroline Kramer of Shoreham, New York. May the young boy grow to acquire Torah, chuppah, and good deeds.
12 • CINCINNATI SOCIAL LIFE
WWW.AMERICANISRAELITE.COM
Dr. Samuel S. Rockwern Passover Delivery of JFS
Bruce Ente, Keith Bookbinder, Larry Osky, Mark Lillenstein, Barry Gibberman and John Barron
Emma and Ron Shapiro
Charlie Gentry, Sarah Burg, Felix Pastron, Joel Phillips, Jess Price, Marisa Phillips, Rachel Plowden, Jonas Kirk-Bowman, Rachel Rothstein, Natalie Tinish, Alex Dal, Andrea Nadel, Victoria Matsukevich, Josh Rothstein, Max Yamson, Chelsea Golding, Julie Kursh, Sabrina Niyazov
Bob and Sue Juran, Jessa Perrin
Leon, Alma and Claire Rechnitzer
Marina Rivin, Edward Rivin, Jacob Zimmerman
Barb Hoffman
Baylee, Mike and Eden Weisman
Zak, Debbie and Hannah Lempert
Steve Albert, Herschel Albert, Amy Schur
Peggy Shaw, and Tori Shaw
CINCINNATI JEWISH LIFE • 13
THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011
Gabe, Hayley, Jacob, Harriet, Lila, and Shep Englander
Bob and Diane Steele
Susan Shorr and Denny Mitman
Skip Greenberg
Kathy, Fred, Jeremy, and Irina Kanter
Skip Greenberg
14 • DINING OUT
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Tony’s — highest quality By Sondra Katkin Dining Editor I had that feeling that something was definitely protesting against its restraints. Oh yes, it was my belt, but it was so worth it. After my husband and I and some friends dined at Tony’s, we all agreed that the food was superb. I sampled my husbands huge portion of perfectly prepared filet, and it was worth breaking my no meat regimen. I had a three inch thick tuna and it reminded me of my husband’s filet. It’s an achievement to serve fish that is as juicy and full of flavor as a top cut of steak. Obviously, Tony’s selections are top quality. I asked Tony how it was possible to keep the quality consistent. “It’s like being on Broadway, night after night. You gotta do it.” he said. Being in the restaurant business gives him a lot of pleasure because he enjoys, “putting a product on the plate, simple in preparation and rich in flavor.” When my friend commented on the salad, she noted that it was simple but tasted crispy fresh. To achieve that result, he has extra staff to prepare the salads to order, fresh, crisp, and cold. Tony has had a long career in restaurant service. He was general manager and managing partner at the Precinct for 22 years. Judging from the thickness and succulent taste of my husband’s filet, this man knows his beef. He chooses grain fed American cattle because of the way they are fed and bred. This business comes naturally to him because he “loves to be hands on, watching people having a good time, eating good food.” He stated that “perception, value, and flavor are three words I live by.” He is a courteous gentleman who frequently consulted with other members of his staff when answering my queries, and who opened the doors for me when I left. Perhaps it’s part of the old world charm he inherited from Italy, where he spent his first nine years. My friends and I had a wonderful meal and were well looked after. Our server, Troy Becker, looked familiar. We realized that he was our favorite waiter from another restaurant. We enjoyed his sense of humor and efficiency. Troy could always “out quip” me which is no easy task. He told us he wanted to work for Tony because he knew his reputation would ensure excellence. To maintain that high caliber, seafood is ordered in small quantities from the best sources in Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Chicago. Along with a raw bar, he features tuna, sea bass, salmon and his newest addition scallops. My friend ordered the scallops. She has previously told me that she doesn’t feel that most restaurants have much to offer her. Both of us were surprised when she declared the
(Clockwise) Tony Ricci at his restaurant; Plated filet mignon; Outside Tony’s.
scallops the best she had ever eaten. She said that they were seared on the outside, yet still buttery inside. Since she cooks scallops frequently, and is an excellent cook (I choose my friends carefully), she knows the difficulty of that type of preparation.
When you order a meal at Tony’s, you will get a terrific value for your money with the generous salad and baked potato included. Oh, and what a potato! I have a friend who always describes to bewildered waiters that she wants a fresh potato that just came out of
the oven. Needless to say, that rarely happens. One of the many frustrations in her life. She would love this potato. It’s huge and has the kind of skin you want to eat because its just crisp enough but still chewy. Why bother with the inside? In addition, there is also a
sour dough bread from Chicago baked in a Tuscan oven. Tony describes it as not as pronounced as San Francisco sour dough but with a wonderful crust. Believe me, you can tell it’s sourdough, unless you use eau de vinegar behind your ears. They have a new menu including the special cut of fillet, tuna and scallops. The added pasta entrees are very tempting. In addition, a new bar menu features happy hour prices from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, with all bottles of wine at the bar and patio discounted 20 percent. Bar food may be ordered as well as food from the regular menu. The wine list is selected to compliment talented chef Kevin Kleist’s sublime creations. Adjacent to the bar is a stage with live music. Tony designed it so that people could listen to live music in a background format. On Wednesday and Thursday, jazz piano, begins at 6 p.m. My friend’s husband’s avocation is playing jazz trumpet. He recognized the piano player, Mike Darrah, and said he’s one of the best in town. Tony agreed and they discussed the other excellent local musicians who play for his patrons, including Phil Burkhead, Jim Connerly, Aaron Jacobs, John Zappa and Phil DeGreg’s jazz trio. Elegance defines the interior, with lovely chandeliers, art deco sconces, comfortable booths and beautiful tables and chairs, arranged in an uncrowded, spacious design. For those patrons who are seeking the minimum background noise, the rear of the restaurant would be the best choice. On the night we dined at Tony’s, the noise level was comfortable, and conversation was easy, even with the piano in the background. To close a perfect dining experience with a sweet, Tony urges you to choose one of the best desserts in town, all homemade except for the opera cream. A beautiful strawberry shortcake is among the selections along with the cannolis, his mother’s recipe. I recently returned from a trip to Boston where the North End, a little Italy, features these small bits of homemade heaven. When you can get them, don’t miss out. All four of us agreed that we loved this restaurant and will return soon. We were pleased to hear that they celebrated their first birthday in May. Tony credits succeeding in this economy to the positive word of mouth generated by his many satisfied patrons. Tony’s takes reservations and has a beautiful, private party room which seats 40 to 60, and can be divided for smaller parties. Tony’s 12110 Montgomery Road Cincinnati, OH 45249 (513) 677-1993
AMERICAN CUISINE WITH AN ITALIAN FLAIR
DINING OUT • 15
THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011
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Izzy’s 800 Elm St • 721-4241 612 Main St • 241-6246 5098B Glencrossing Way 347-9699 1198 Smiley Ave • 825-3888 300 Madison Ave Covington • 859-292-0065 Johnny Chan 2 11296 Montgomery Rd The Shops at Harper’s Point 489-2388 • 489-3616 (fx) K.T.’s Barbecue & Deli 8501 Reading Rd Reading 761-0200 Kanak India Restaurant 10040B Montgomery Rd Montgomery 793-6800 Marx Hot Bagels 9701 Kenwood Rd Blue Ash 891-5542 Mecklenburg Gardens 302 E. University Ave Clifton 221-5353 MEI Japanese Restaurant 8608 Market Place Ln Montgomery 891-6880 Morton’s 441 Vine St (Carew Tower) Downtown 621-5111 Oriental Wok 2444 Madison Rd Hyde Park 871-6888 Padrino 111 Main St Milford 965-0100
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Stone Creek Dining Co. 9386 Montgomery Rd Montgomery 489-1444 Sugar n’ Spice 4381 Reading Rd Cincinnati 242-3521 Sukhothai Thai Cuisine 8102 Market Place Ln Cincinnati 794-0057 Sultan’s Med. Cuisine 7305 Tyler’s Corner Dr West Chester 847-1535 Tandoor 8702 Market Place Ln Montgomery 793-7484
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Tony’s 12110 Montgomery Rd Montgomery 677-1993
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16 • OPINION
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Be sure to read the warning labels
(RNS) It’s hard to escape the barrage of TV ads that praise the benefits of various medications and then conclude with a rapid-fire list of the drug’s potentially harmful side effects. But one widely used drug needs no advertising. Its use has spiked religious fanaticism throughout the world — an unregulated medication driving people to commit acts of physical and psychological violence in the name of religion. The pill is called FAITHAGRA. Produced in shadowy undisclosed locations, the tablet comes in three easily recognizable shapes: a Star of David for Jews, a cross for Christians, and a crescent for Muslims. Users of FAITHAGRA need to be warned of the risks of this mysterious and dangerous medication. A tiny dose of FAITHAGRA can cause a decent caring person to suddenly utter selfish prayers demanding material, sexual or professional rewards at the expense of family, colleagues and friends. In some cases, the drug has caused otherwise sensible people to utter a torrent of bigoted and hateful words against members of “spiritually inferior” faith communities. The risks associated with FAITHAGRA intensify with heavy usage. FAITHAGRA can be habitforming, and heavy users have publicly hallucinated about being a biblical prophet, or a messianic figure with divine power to reverse the laws of nature, including the ability to levitate. A person’s immune system of rationality and reason, which usually fights off religious extremism, can be permanently damaged by repeated and unsupervised use of FAITHAGRA. Spiritual ecstasy is another documented reaction to FAITHAGRA including tingling, constant mood changes, physical numbness, and belief in one’s omnipotent power. Adverse reactions are especially acute when FAITHAGRA is taken during periods of fasting when psychological and physical resistance is at a low point. Heavy FAITHAGRA users visiting Jerusalem for the first time are sometimes overcome with wild
Dear Editor, Thanks for running the positive article “Jews on Motorcycles? Yes, and they’re Ridin’ Chai!” (June 23). Your readers will be interested to know that there is a Jewish motorcycle club in Cincinnati as well, the Motorcycle Mentshen. Three of our members -- Sheldon Davis, Marshall Goodman and Mitch Harris — participated in the recent Jewish Motorcyclist Alliance annual Holocaust Ride to Remember in Virginia Beach, VA. This past Sunday we organized a mid-Ohio ride-in to Clifton Mill and Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve, meeting
up with fellow Jewish riders from Dayton and Columbus as well. The article you printed about the Ridin’ Chai club in Northern California noted that bikers “raise a ton of money.” That is true in Cincinnati, too. The Motorcycle Mentshen Riding Club charges its members no annual dues. Instead we expect every member to make a contribution to the local Jewish Family Service or another Jewish organization of their choice. To show support for JFS, six of our members participated in this year’s Dr. Samuel Rockwern Passover Food Delivery project, bringing kosher-for-Pesach food boxes to JFS clients on the back
of our motorcycles. We shared fun, camaraderie and did a mitzvah all at the same time! Jewish bikers in the tri-state area are invited to join us for breakfast and bike-schmoozing every Sunday morning, 9:30 a.m. at Rascal’s Delicatessen. Many Sundays we have an impromptu ride through the beautiful Ohio or Kentucky countryside afterwards, so come on by and check out the Motorcycle Mentshen. We welcome women and men on every size and make of scooter, trike or motorcycle! Bruce Ente, President Loveland, OH
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T EST Y OUR T ORAH KNOWLEDGE THIS WEEK’S PORTION: CHUKAS (BAMIDBAR 19:1—22:1) 1. Where was “Arnon”? a.) A border of the kingdoms of Sichon and Moab b.) In Edom c.) In Canaan 2. Haftorah: How does the Prophet describe Yiftach? a.) Rich Man b.) Righteous c.) Brave warrior 3. Who did Yiftach do battle against? a.) Moab 3. B Judges 11:4,5 4. C Judges 11:15-22 5. A Judges 11:30 He promised that if the first thing that came out of his house would be sacrificed to Hashem if it were fit for sacrifice or dedicated for Hashem if not. After he defeated the Ammonites, his daughter walked out. He did not absolve his vow, and she never married.
by Rabbi A. James Rudin
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b.) Ammon c.) Philistines 4. What history does Yiftach review? a.) Giving of the Torah b.) History of the Book of Joshua c.) Story of the children of Israel's wandering in the desert 5. What did Yiftach do before he went to battle? a.) Make a vow to Hashem b.) Pray to Hashem c.) Count his troops ANSWERS 1. A Bamidbar 21:13,24 When Edom and Moab did not permit The Children of Israel to pass thru their lands, so The Children of Israel traveled south then east of their borders. Arnon was the northern tip of Moab and south of the Emorites. Then they made war the two Emorite kings Sichon and Og. Rashi 2. C Judges 11:1
Point of View
religious fantasies. Such outbursts, called “The Jerusalem Syndrome,” can only be cured by intensive counseling and immediate withdrawal from FAITHAGRA. Repeated use of FAITHAGRA creates spiritual tyrants who demand total physical and emotional slavery from gullible supporters. Some people, after taking FAITHAGRA in excess, have emerged as violent terrorists who kill and maim innocent people in brutal acts of religious absolutism. In some cases, large amounts of FAITHAGRA have resulted in: bloody physical torture of people believed to be G-d’s enemies; murderous suicide bombings of civilians; and attacks fueled by hopes of immediately entering the world to come. There are disturbing reports of the drug being administered in huge quantities to unknowing people by unscrupulous spiritual leaders who seek to dominate a society by creating cadres of loyal followers who will assault apostates. Mass distribution of the heady pill endangers not only an individual’s spiritual well-being, but has also been shown to energize entire communities and organizations, allowing them to believe their murderous actions committed against others will hasten the onset of the End of Days when their own religious group, will control the world. If you have concerns about FAITHAGRA, ask your rabbi, pastor or imam. Some professionals have launched public campaigns calling for abstinence from FAITHAGRA. Some reports, however, indicate such campaigns have not been effective as more and more people seek the religious “highs” associated with FAITHAGRA that promise instant contact with the divine, assurances about the absolute truth of one’s faith and the sinful lies of other religious communities. In extreme cases, FAITHAGRA has been known to result in the justification to use every means necessary to annihilate the wicked enemies of the one true faith. In most cases, research has indicated that FAITHAGRA is actually a placebo, that is, nothing more than a compound of completely inert ingredients. In many cases, FAITHAGRA users have been found to use the pill to unleash ugly latent beliefs and lethal actions that qualify as a pre-existing condition. Hatred, bigotry, prejudice and the physical destruction of others are excused and defended by employing the modern medical version of “The devil made me do it!” After taking the pill, religious bullies and bigots believe every transgression is excusable. Despite warnings from professionals, heavy users have been known to say “I am not responsible for my actions. FAITHAGRA made me do it!”
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Written by Rabbi Dov Aaron Wise
JEWISH LIFE • 17
THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011
Sedra of the Week
Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Hukat Numbers 19:1-22:1
by Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel — One of the profoundest mysteries of the Torah is the law of the red heifer, in which an individual who has become ritually defiled by contact with a corpse is purified by a Kohenpriest, who sprinkles him with a mixture of burnt ashes of a red heifer with water, into which must be thrust a piece of cedar wood, branches of hyssop and a scarlet thread of wool. (Numbers 19:1-6). The strangest aspect of this ritual is the fact that while the impure person upon whom the mixture is sprinkled emerges purified, the Kohen-priests involved in the purification all become defiled. How can the very same heifer simultaneously be a purifying agent and a defiling instrument? It is no wonder that our Talmudic Sages applied the words of King Solomon, wisest of all mortals, to the mystery of the red heifer. “I attempted to be wise, but it only moved further away from my understanding” (Kohelet 7:23). Further, why does the Torah record this particular ritual here, at the conclusion of the desert sojourn of the Israelites? Rav Abraham Ibn Ezra explains that these laws were also given at Sinai, but were included in this context because the ritual must be prepared and performed by the Kohen-priests. But the rules of the Kohen-priests belong much more to the books of Exodus and Leviticus than the book of Numbers. Why is the ritual of the red heifer sandwiched between the sins of the scouts and of Korah in the two previous portions and the transgression of Moses striking the rock in the segment immediately following? Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik suggested that the ritual of the red heifer may be compared to a hapless individual who is drowning in thick mud. Certainly, he must be rescued, but the rescuer who lifts the victim from the quagmire, will be soiled in the process. Likewise, those who prepare the mixture of purification are themselves defiled by it! My revered teacher went one step further. “Is it fair”, he asked, “that those who attempt to purify, themselves become impure in this fashion?” He explained that if we understand that it is the religious
leadership who are responsible for purifying society, then had the priest-kohanim uplifted humanity to higher spiritual and ethical attainments, people would not have become contaminated by impurity in the first place. Therefore, it is only right that this same religious leadership take the risk of becoming defiled; when the nation as a whole is alienated from Torah and sanctity. The leaders must leave the ivory tower of the Bet-Midrash (Study Hall) and reach out to the masses of Jews wherever and in whatever state they may be. As G-d tells Moses, spiritually ensconced in the ethereal realms of the heavens receiving the Oral Law, “Go down, descend from your supernal heights, because your nation is acting perversely with the golden calf; if your nation is sinning, what do I need you for?!” (B.T. Berakhot 32a). Religious leadership must assume responsibility for the defection of the masses of Jews. The heifer or cow, usually a symbol of maternal concern, commitment and nourishment, is changed from the purity of white to the sinfulness of blood red in the detail of this ritual. Death in the pristine and primordial period of the Garden of Eden, is the result of transgression, a punishment for straying beyond the proper boundaries of conduct set by G-d. The materialistic and hedonistic worship of the golden calf, the lazy and apathetic sin of the scouts in the desert, are all acts of impurity which lead — at the very least — to spiritual death. And this is the destiny of the desert generation. Why did these freed and empowered slaves who refused to conquer the Promised Land, opt to remain in the desert? First and foremost, because they did not wish to assume responsibility. Their lives in the desert were virtually free of responsibility; food in the form of manna descended from heaven, divine rays of splendor provided them with shelter, and a “cloud by day, pillar of fire by night’ told them when to journey and where to settle. They lived free of worries and obligations. Conquering Israel meant grow-
ing up, taking risks and assuming responsibility for our national destiny and mission to the world. Some thought they were on too high a spiritual level to get their feet dirty in the trenches (symbolized by the tall cedar tree); others thought they were incapable of acting with such courage and strength in the face of the unknown (symbolized by the lowly hyssop). Both groups are guilty of sin symbolized by the scarlet wool. Moses who had courageously struck a threatening Egyptian task-master at the beginning of his career is now reduced to striking an inanimate rock in displaced anger against his complaining and rebelling nation. The timeless message of the red-heifer to every Jewish leader in every generation is that you must learn to assume the risks of responsibility! The Luubaviche Rebbe took responsibility for Jews all over the world. He inspired hundreds, if not thousands of his disciples to become his emissaries in communities throughout the world, each one assuming a small share of the enormously heavy burden carried with such grace and faith by their revered Rebbe. The Rebbe provided a magnificent addendum to Rav Soloveitchik’s interpretation of the ritual of the Red Heifer. Yes, those who prepare the mixture of purification become defiled in purifying those who are impure. However, the one who actually sprinkles the mixture upon the defiled individual and thereby effectuates the actual purification, himself remains pure. Hence the Rebbe made a promise to each of his shlichim (emissaries) all over the world — to those individuals who did the actual purifying themselves, the junior partners of the Rebbe who took responsibility to perform G-d’s work of purification that they and their families were guaranteed to remain pure, no matter how isolated they may be. It is through these emissaries that the Rebbe’s legacy lives on. Shabbat Shalom Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Chancellor Ohr Torah Stone Chief Rabbi - Efrat Israel
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By Nate Bloom Contributing Columnist TRANSFORMERS III “Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” the 3rd installment in the fantasy/sci-fi movie series, opened yesterday, June 29, and for the 3rd time, SHIA LABEOUF, 25, stars as Sam Witwicky. The basic plot: a mysterious event from Earth’s past so threatens the present-day Earth that even the Transformers may not be able to save us. The film is directed by MICHAEL BAY, 46, who directed the previous two films (they cost $350M and made $1.5 billion in theaters, alone). Bay was adopted at birth by a Jewish couple. An almost life-time supporter of animal-related charities, he donated his bar mitzvah money to an animal shelter. His cousin, SUSAN BAY, 68, is the wife of actor LEONARD NIMOY, 80. Nimoy provides the voice of Sentinel Prime, one of the main Transformer characters in this flick. LaBeouf says that “Dark/Moon” is his last “Transformers” movie. Megan Fox, who played the female lead in the first two films, has been replaced in this film by British model Rosie Huntington-Whitely (who has some remote Jewish ancestry). Fox was plucked out of obscurity by Bay to star in the first film (2007) and that film made her very famous. Then, in 2009, Fox told the press that Bay “ran the set like Adolf Hitler.” This comment so outraged producer STEVEN SPIELBERG, 64, that he said, “Get rid of her,” and they did. CELEBS IN ISRAEL Six American TV stars toured Israel earlier this month as guests of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, and El Al Airlines: Sarah Drew and Kevin McKidd from ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy”; Gregory Smith and Travis Milne from ABC’s “Rookie Blue,” and Shannon Woodward and LUCAS NEFF, 25, from “Raising Hope,” the Fox series (Neff’s father is Jewish). Drew, 30, is the daughter of a Protestant minister, and the wife of a (Christian) UCLA history professor who specializes in Second Temple-era Judaism. She said at a press conference: “There’s so much history here, so I would encourage people to make the trip out. I felt completely safe the entire time I’ve been here — I think it’s a good thing to let people know not to be afraid to come.” Pop star Shakira (who is of
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Columbian and Lebanese background), comedian SARAH SILVERMAN, 39, and Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales were among the celebrities at the Israeli Presidential Conference in Jerusalem, presided over by Israeli president SHIMON PERES, 87. The four-day conference, which began on June 22, attracted 4,000 Jewish and world leaders. JACK JACOBS RETURNS On June 15 and 16, NBC Nightly News ran segments about the return to Vietnam of retired Army colonel JACK H. JACOBS, 65, a Medal of Honor winner and retired banker who currently works as a military analyst for NBC. The most dramatic moment of Jacob’s trip was when he met with the former Vietcong officer who led the ambush (1968) of a South Vietnamese unit that Jacobs was attached to as a military adviser. Jacobs was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during that ambush, which included saving the lives of 14 men, despite being heavily wounded himself. The two segments, plus many extra features, like essays about the trip by Jacobs, can be found on the MSNBC website. I’ve only seen Jacobs before sitting behind a news desk and I was surprised to learn from the broadcast that he is only 5’4” tall. True, he was a very muscular young man and is still in great shape. Still, a short, bespectacled, retired Jewish banker from Brooklyn doesn’t exact fit the stereotypical image of a Medal of Honor winner. GYLLENHAAL VS. WILD Actor JAKE GYLLENHAAL, 30, is the guest star on the Discovery Channel series “Man v. Wild.” His episode airs on Saturday, July 11, at 9 p.m. The show’s host is British survival expert Edward “Bear” Grylls. In this episode, Gyllenhaal and Grylls are dropped in a remote area of Iceland dominated by rugged mountains, glaciers, and volcanoes. For two days, in the midst of harsh weather, they trekked the rugged landscape and subsisted on very little. Not many details of the episode were released, other than “Jake stood up to challenges like horizontal hail.” For the squeamish, I might note that the last time Gyrlls did a survival episode in Iceland (alone, that time) — he scavenged a dead sheep for its eyeballs and mutton fat. Before dining on this “treat,” he cooked and disinfected the sheep parts in a natural hot water geyser.
FROM THE PAGES 100 Y EARS A GO Twenty-three boys left here last Sunday for summer school in Maine. Among those were Julius Frankel, Albert Harris, Myron Kahn, Robert Livingston, Lawrence Rauh, Stanley Rauh, Hugo Stein, Jr., Fritz Stix, Richard Stix, Thomas Stix and Levi J. Workum. Among the Cincinnatians who sailed from New York for a summer abroad during the past week were Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Hessberg, Mr. and Mrs. Sigmund Haas, and Mr. and Mrs. Louis Marx and daughters. Dr. and Mrs. Sigmar Stark and Mr. and Mrs. Louis T. Block and their daughter, Kathrine, sailed during the present week. The new buildings of the Hebrew Union College are rapidly progressing. The first story of the Administration Building is up and the Library Building is practically ready for the roof. The commanding position of the building will make them among the most striking in the city, and they will add greatly to the splendid “Educational Group” in the vicinity of the University of Cincinnati. Victor Abraham, William Ornstein, Abe Block, Abe Trost, Dr. Gotthard Deutsch, A. L. Frank, William Hill, Morris H. Tobias, Max D. May, Jacob Mielziner, Samuel S. Einstein, Harry J. Levy, Moses Schwab and J. M. Ray are attending the annual convention of the District Grant Lodge No. 2, Independent Order B’nai B’rith. The corner-stone of a new building to be used for training school purposes, in connection with the National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives, will be laid during the convention. — June 29, 1911
75 Y EARS A GO Louis B. Siebler, 56, of 3445 Wilson Avenue, passed away Friday, June 26th, in Mercy Hospital, Monroe, Mich., of injuries received in an auto accident June 1st in that city. Raphael Price of Norwood, also lost his life in this accident. Mr. Siebler leaves his widow, Mrs. Mabel Siebler; a daughter, Mrs. Nathan Rosen, and a son Jack Siebler. Services were held from Weil Funeral Home Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. H. DeLeon Kahn left last week for the National Music Camp at Intterlochen, Mich., where Mr. Kahn will be instructor in accordion. This is the first year this instrument has been taught at the music camp, and Mr. Kahn was chosen from a nationwide list. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Steiner of 710 N. Crescent Avenue will be at home in the evening of Friday, July 10th, in honor of the birthday of their father, Mr. H. S. Livingston. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher Bachrach, with Mr. and Mrs. B. Schaengold and their son, Mr. Richard Schaengold, sailed from New York, Saturday, June 27th, aboard the S.S. Paris, for Spain
and northern Europe. Mr. Victor Sedacca, executive assistant manager of the Hotel Sinton, and Mrs. Sedacca left Cincinnati Monday, June 29th, for a two-week trip through the East. When the Cincinnati Reds celebrated their 50th anniversary in the National Baseball League with the League’s observance of its own 60th birthday Thursday, July 9th, the Old Timers’ Committee will include Messrs. SidneyWeill, chairman; Gus Hilb, Sol H. Freiberg, Sig Freiberg. — July 2, 1936
50 Y EARS A GO While participating in the sixth Maccabiah Games in Tel Aviv, Israel, Gerald Sapadin placed third in the 100 Meter Free Style. The marriage of Miss Toby Y. Strikman, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Max Strikman of Amberley Vilage, to Mr. Sanford M. Franklin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Franklin of this city, took place Sunday, June 18, at the Netherland Plaza. Rabbi Greenfield officiated. Former Judge Philip C. Joslin of Rhode Island Superior Court passed away Monday, June 19, at Bay Harbor Island, Fla., at the age of 75. Mrs. James A. Salinger, 2601 Section Road, Amberley Village, is his daughter. Mr. Joslin is survived by his wife, Mrs. Dorothy Aisenberg Joslin; their daughter, Mrs. James A. Salinger, Cincinnati; two sons, Alfred of Providence and Robert of Larchmont, N.Y.; four sisters, Mrs. Philip Gordon, Mrs. Ellis Gordon, Mrs. Edward Kestenbaum and Mrs. Louis Berman; a brother, Archie; and seven grandchildren. Miss Nancy Ellen Raab, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sigmund Raab, was married Sunday evening, June 25, to Dr. Howard K. Starnbach, son of Mr. and Mrs. Morris S. Starnbach. The ceremony was held in the Continental Room of the Netherland Hilton, Dr. Samuel Wohl officiating. — June 29, 1961
25 Y EARS A GO Congregation Beth El in Traverse City, Michigan presented a Megillat Esther to Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion during a service celebrating the Temple’s 100th anniversary. Rabinnic student David Wolfman, who has served as the student rabbi at Congregation Beth El for the past two years and who is also the student body president of the Cincinnati campus, accepted the scroll on behalf of the College. Ms. Lois Kowalsky, president of the congregation, noted that HUCJIR had “made it possible for our small Jewish community to not only keep our Jewish heritage alive, but to thrive and grow.” Congregation Beth
El is the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the state of Michigan and is listed as an historic landmark. The congregation includes 35 families. Sanford G. Weiner, a group vice president of Proctor & Gamble, passed away June 27 in Houston, following an extended illness. Mr. Weiner worked for Proctor & Gamble for 24 years. A native of Detroit, Mr. Weiner held degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was a trustee of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and the Jewish Hospital and a member of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Dean’s Advisory Committee. Mr. Weiner was also on the board of directors of the Soap and Detergent Association and the Wharton Graduate Executive Board, the Wharton School. Previously, he served as a board member of Cancer Family Care and Junior Achievement among others. He is survived by his wife, Judith Stein Weiner; two children, Michelle and Susan; his parents, Leo and Betty Weiner of Farmington Hills, Mich.; a sister, Doreen Sabin of Birmingham, Mich.; and nieces and nephews. — July 3, 1986
10 Y EARS A GO After a prolonged illness, Rev. Manfred Rabenstein, 89, Hachover Moshe Ben Naftali, renowned cantor, teacher and spiritual leader of Congregation New Hope, passed away in Baltimore June 21, 2001. Robert Maltz was elected board chair of the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati at its annual meeting May 9. The Amberley Village resident is director of the department of otolaryngology at Jewish Hospital. He is past president of the executive council of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and is on the board of trustees for the Cincinnati Art Academy, and he is also past president of the Cincinnati Academy of Medicine. The UC College of Medicine graduate is also past president of the UC Alumni Association and the Doctors’ Division of the Jewish Foundation. Ben Schottenstein, 89, passed away June 13, 2001 in his Amberley Village home. Mr. Schottenstein was born in Columbus, OH, the youngest child in a large and well-known family. His parents were the late Herschel and Sarah (Freedman) Schottenstein. He was the husband of the late Dorothy Schottenstein. He is survived by his children, Sylvia and Ralph Heyman of Dayton, OH and Gloria and Myles Haffer. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Dr. Harlan and Leslie Krumholz, Susan and Dr. Paul Riddker, Lynne and Barry Handwerker, Julie Krumholz, Beth and Gregg Paradies and Stephen and and Lisa Haffer. — June 28, 2001
THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011
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COMMUNITY DIRECTORY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS Access (513) 373-0300 • www.jypaccess.org 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) 754-3100 • cedarvillage.org Chevra Kadisha (513) 396-6426 Fusion Family (513) 703-3343 • www.fusionnati.org 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 Shalom Family (513) 703-3343 • www.myshalomfamily.org The Center for Holocaust & Humanity Education (513) 487-3055 • holocaustandhumanity.org Vaad Hoier (513) 731-4671 Workum Fund (513) 899-1836 • workum.org YPs at the JCC (513) 761-7500 • mayersonjcc.org
CONGREGATIONS Adath Israel Congregation (513) 793-1800 • adath-israel.org Beit Chaverim (513) 984-3393 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
Congregation Ohr Chadash (513) 252-7267 • ohrchadashcincinnati.com Congregation Sha’arei Torah shaareitorahcincy.org Golf Manor Synagogue (513) 531-6654 • golfmanorsynagogue.org Isaac M. Wise Temple (513) 793-2556 • wisetemple.org 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 Chai Tots Early Childhood Center (513) 234.0600 • chaitots.com Chabad Blue Ash (513) 793-5200 • chabadba.com 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 Kehilla - School for Creative Jewish Education (513) 489-3399 • kehilla-cincy.com 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
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 Discovery Center (513) 234.0777 • jdiscovery.com Jewish National Fund (513) 794-1300 • jnf.org Jewish War Veterans (513) 204-5594 • jwv.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
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production@ americanisraelite.com GAMBIT from page 10 They also fear that a U.N. resolution which fails to change anything on the ground could spark a new cycle of violence and retaliation, destroying years of statebuilding achievements, especially in the Palestinian economy and security forces. To soften U.S. opposition, Palestinian supporters of the U.N. gambit, like Abbas and his chief negotiators Saeb Erakat and Nabil Shaath, are proposing sending an accompanying letter to the U.N. recognizing Israel in the 1967 borders and committing to resume negotiations immediately on a state-to-state basis. That, however, is unlikely to cut much ice. Meanwhile, the Israeli Foreign Ministry has launched a worldwide campaign against U.N. recognition of a Palestinian state, instructing Israeli embassies across the globe to leave no stone unturned. Even in countries considered lost causes, diplomats have been ordered to do all they can to turn things around. The aim of the intense Israeli diplomatic activity is twofold: First, to prevent the Palestinians from winning a two-thirds majority in the 192-member General Assembly. Then, if that fails, at least to win what Israeli officials are calling a “moral minority” — in which most Western countries, with their moral authority as democracies, vote against recognition of a Palestinian state. “There is no possible configuration in which Israel wins the vote,” a senior aide to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told JTA. “But if we can get that ‘moral minority,’ then the resolution will be reduced to nothing more than another U.N. anti-Israel piece of paper.” As part of the campaign to win over the European democracies, Netanyahu has been warning European leaders that a U.N. resolution which enshrines the 1967 borders will kill off the peace process. He argues that no Palestinian leader will be able to accept anything less, undermining the longaccepted principle that in any peace treaty the 1967 lines will have to be modified. “It will have the same effect as the 1948 U.N. General Assembly Resolution 194 had on the refugee issue,” the Netanyahu aide insisted, referring to the resolution that
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(513) 531-9600 stipulated that Palestinian refugees wishing to return to home should be permitted to do so, and that compensation should be paid to those who do not. “Everyone understands that in a peace treaty Palestinian refugees will return to Palestine, not to Israel,” the aide said. “But because of 194, you have a situation in which no Palestinian leader is ready to say so in public.” Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman goes further. In a mid-June meeting in Jerusalem with the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, he warned that if the Palestinians made a unilateral approach to the United Nations, they would be in violation of the Oslo agreements, and Israel would no longer consider itself bound by them. Lieberman was picking up on the opinions of several leading Israeli legal experts, including former foreign ministry legal adviser Alan Baker. Baker, who was closely involved with the Oslo negotiations, claims that by trying to get the international community to unilaterally impose Palestinian positions on Israel, the Palestinians are in breach of the 1995 Oslo interim agreement, which set up the Palestinian Authority and its presidency and parliament on the understanding that all remaining differences would be resolved through negotiations. “The Palestinian approach to the U.N. violates the interim agreement and, in so doing, undermines the legal basis of the P.A. and all the other Palestinian institutions, creating the potential for legal chaos,” Baker told JTA. Israel’s legal and diplomatic arguments have apparently struck a chord in some European capitals. Germany, Italy and the European Parliament have all made their opposition to a unilateral Palestinian U.N. move clear. Clearly, Abbas is trying to use the specter of September as a stick to get a resumption of peace talks on his terms. But as long as Hamas is part of the Palestinian government, the chances of talks being renewed are slim. And unless Abbas is persuaded to back down at the 11th hour, the diplomatic battle is more likely to shape up over what comes next: Does U.N. recognition of Palestine isolate Israel, or does it backfire and leave the Palestinians worse off than before?
20 • FASHION
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Essentials for spring and summer Fashionably Late
by Stephanie Davis-Novak Every season it is easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer number of trends and choices in stores. To develop a stylish but uncluttered wardrobe, take an inventory of your closet and plan your shopping list based on the gaps. Here is an edited list of the essential spring and summer “it” pieces to help plan your shopping. If nothing else this season comes home with you in a shopping bag, the best piece to maximize your spring and summer wardrobe is a brightly-colored statement piece that pops. Trade in that tired little black dress for a PASSPORTS from page 4 Aside from the church-state issues involved, Jewish groups will be paying close attention because such cases will test what has become an overarching theme of the John Roberts court: denying standing to those not directly involved in an issue. The court routinely has dismissed cases that once were considered simply because a litigant’s clam to standing in a case was as a taxpayer. The denial of standing favored by the court’s conservative majority allowed Arizona, in a landmark case last year, to continue to offer tax breaks to parochial schools because the litigants were not directly affected by the practice. CAMPS from page 6 Immediately after the Silvershein tragedy, Ramah Darom staff alerted the families of the other campers by e-mail and phone. Grief counselors were called in to supplement the camp’s LAWSUITS from page 7 Eizenstat says ICHEIC’s standards were “relaxed,” in that applicants were not required to provide legal standards of proof that they were beneficiaries. The latest dustup between the two sides followed a June 1 story in The New York Times that alluded to allegations by Dubbin, who is based in Florida, that Jewish groups backing the ICHEIC
bold cobalt-blue dress, such as Cynthia Steffe’s easygoing silk flutter dress. For fuller-figured women who think that bright colors might be unflattering, David Meister’s royal blue sheath dress proves otherwise with an eyecatching asymmetrical neckline and slight shirring in the right places. Even in conservative cuts and silhouettes, a vivid hue can inject some life into a stuffy work wardrobe. Another “it” piece this spring and summer is a floral item, and there is something for everyone. For women who are not keen on a head-to-toe floral print dress, keep the look scaled back to a single article, such as St. John’s silk tiefront blouse. For a tailored, professional look, Armani’s crisp, tailored abstract floral blazer is a perfect way to wear the floral trend without looking like a walking flower garden. If this is still too much flower power, try a floralthemed accessory, such as a scarf or handbag. Stella McCartney’s floral faux-leather hobo bag has chain shoulder strips and trim. No matter how you prefer to wear the trend, a floral piece should be in
your closet this season. The nautical look is usually a reliable spring and summer style, and this season is no exception. Stripes are the key to this trend. A navy and white striped top, such as Tory Burch’s simple boatneck cotton jersey striped top, will give you many styling options. It pairs equally well with a skirt or trousers, and the crisp navy and white stripes can be worn with a variety of colors. For those who want the look but are nervous about the horizontal stripes, simply choose another striped piece, such as Michael
Kors’ striped sandals, and build the rest of the outfit to highlight that piece. Keep in mind that the key to the nautical look is not to get carried away – limit yourself to one striped piece at a time. Of course, every season deserves to have a really great new pair of shoes! This season’s shoe is a sandal with a chunky block heel. Jimmy Choo’s wooden platform biker clog sandals are very edgy with metal studs. There are dressier options too, such as Swedish Hasbeens’ retro-inspired red leather slingback sandal with a
light wooden platform and heel, that would be appropriate for daytime wear in most offices. For men, one item to have in the closet this season is the unlined blazer. While the jacket should be unstructured, it should still be tailored, and it should have a slightly rumpled, casual feel. Rag & Bone’s cotton seersucker blazer and L.B.M.’s soft linen and cotton jacket are two options. This relaxed blazer is just well dressed enough without looking too fussy, and is the perfect weight for summer. Every man should have a pair of sandals and this summer, look for a dressier pair with leather straps that is a toned-down version of the gladiator style. Some good example of this trend are Gucci’s simple, stylish 4-strap leather sandal with an espadrille sole, and Salvatore Ferragamo’s rich calfskin leather sandals. Leave the flipflops at home and invest in a pair of these elegant and stylish shoes. They can be worn with just about anything, and they look just as good with casual jeans as they do with more upscale belted trousers. They will definitely be the go-to shoe in your wardrobe.
In the Utah case, for example, the atheists group that is objecting to the crosses would not have standing unless it represented the family of a memorialized trooper — an extremely unlikely eventuality, because the state checks first with the late trooper’s family. Simply taking offense because one drives by the cross may not be sufficient, under this standard — and it is an issue Jewish organizations are watching closely because it would negate much of their work. “Even on Establishment Clause issues where the Jewish community is not united, groups agree you should have easy access to the courts,” Stern noted. The case on the docket likeliest
to attract the greatest Jewish attention is that of 9-year old Menachem Zivotofsky, whose parents Ari and Naomi want his birth country listed as Israel on his passport — a right according to a law passed by Congress in 2002. Zivotofsky was born in Jerusalem, which the United States has not recognized as sovereign to Israel. The State Department has objected because it says Congress has no role in what is a foreign policy matter. A case pitting Congress against the executive branch, the State Department said in one of its briefs, is not a matter for the courts, “particularly where, as here, the case involves an exceedingly sensitive foreign policy concern.”
The case has been bouncing back and forth between the courts for years. In May, the Supreme Court said it wanted to consider whether Congress has the authority to pass such a law. That has set off a panic among some Jewish organizational officials who are worried that a broad ruling by the Supreme Court against congressional authority effectively would nix the proIsrael community’s most effective leverage: Passing laws in Congress that push back against White House policies seen as unfavorable to Israel. In recent years, such laws have helped stiffen sanctions against Iran and have required greater controls over how Arab recipients of U.S. aid spend
their money. Alyza Lewin, Zivotofsky’s lawyer, told JTA that such fears are misplaced. “I believe we will win, but if we don’t, it will be on narrow grounds,” she said, having strictly to do with which branch of government authorizes what appears in passports. “This is not going to prevent AIPAC from passing whatever.” In a brief, the ADL will argue that the law, narrowly defined, does not impinge on executive branch privilege because it applies only at the request of the petitioner, Freeman said. It will further argue that the court should not consider Jerusalem’s status in its decision.
rabbis and social workers as part of an ongoing healing process. Fingerman says he is “tremendously impressed” with how Ramah Darom has been handling the tragedy, and with how the rest of the camping world has reached out to the camp.
More than 800 mourners attended the funeral, he notes, and many of them hugged the camp director and board chair to show support, even as they were trying to support the grieving family. Instead of turning away from the camp, the Silversheins have
created a scholarship fund in Andrew’s memory, so other Jewish children can attend camp. And their daughter, Andrew’s younger sister, is expected to return to Ramah Darom after the shiva, or week of mourning. “The family stated how impor-
tant camp was in his life,” Fingerman said. “They said he’d never want this tragedy to destroy the joy other kids could have at camp.”
process have profited from opposing the legislation. The Jewish groups fired back with a June 13 letter to Nelson and Ros-Lehtinen outlining their arguments against the bill: It would raise unrealistic expectations among survivors; reopen a negotiating process that a number of Western European nations had presumed was closed and “call into question the U.S. ability to abide by its commitments.” Such uncertainties, they said, would
inhibit Eastern European nations now negotiating to settle Holocaustera claims. Roman Kent, a survivor and treasurer of the Claims Conference, says the legislation gets in the way of helping needy survivors now, noting Germany’s recent commitment to increase its funding of home care for elderly survivors to $180 million in 2012. This year, the figure is $156 million. “Litigation is costly and pro-
longed, and there are negotiations going on that will actually produce benefits for survivors now,” he said. On June 17, the Holocaust Survivors Foundation, which supports the legislation, said in response that separate negotiations should not impinge on the right of individuals to litigate claims and that Western European nations are unlikely to renege on separate agreements. The largest and more estab-
lished survivors group, the American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors, also has weighed in supporting the bill, with a caveat: Cap lawyers’ fees. Max Liebmann, the group's senior vice president, said an overriding consideration was a recent spate of scandals that exposed lawyers ostensibly representing survivors as making unseemly profits. “Dubbin is trying to cut in on this and make money,” he said.
Pieces with nautical stripes, such as these Michael Kors sandals, are must-haves this summer.
Julie Wiener of The New York Jewish Week contributed to this report.
AUTOS • 21
THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011
The 2011 Porsche Boxter — engineered for magic The 2011 Porsche Boxster is one of the most desirable roadsters on the market today with superior handling and steering, powerful engines, impressive fuel economy, excellent transmissions, top-notch interior and highly customizable. The Boxster’s name is a blend of the word “boxer” and “roadster” — the former referring to the vehicle’s horizontally-opposed or “boxer” engine and the latter referring to the vehicle’s convertible top and two seat capacity. The 2011 Porsche Boxster is a two-seat convertible available in base, S, Black Edition and Spyder trims. The base model comes equipped with 17-inch wheels, a power soft top, cruise control, sixway adjustable seats (power backrest, manual fore/aft and height), a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, air-conditioning, partial leather upholstery, Bluetooth and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player and an iPod/USB audio interface. Stepping up to the Boxster S gets you a bigger engine, 18-inch wheels and redpainted brake calipers. The base Boxster is powered by a 2.9-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder (flat-6) engine that produces 255 hp and 214 poundfeet of torque. Like every Boxster, it is rear-wheel drive and comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission. Optional is a sevenspeed dual-clutch automated man-
ual transmission known as PDK. It’ll go from zero to 60 mph in about 5.5 seconds regardless of transmission. Fuel economy is 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined with the manual and an impressive 20/29/24 with PDK. The Boxster S boasts a directinjected 3.4-liter flat-6 that produces 310 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. It’ll hit 60 mph in about 5 seconds. Fuel economy is the same with PDK as the base Boxster and almost equal with the manual. The Boxster Spyder and Black Edition have a version of the S engine that produces 320 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. In performance testing, the Spyder hit 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. Fuel economy is the same as for the base Boxster. New options packages are affordably prices to make adding popular features easier. Standard safety features for the 2011 Porsche Boxster include antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, dual thorax and head side-impact airbags and rollover safety hoops above the headrests. In brake testing, the Spyder came to a stop from 60 mph in a superb 102 feet — the other Boxsters are likely to only take a few feet longer. The Boxster’s interior features premium materials and proper sports car seating, particularly if you ante up for the optional full-
FLOTILLA from page 10
if the flotilla ships are brought into an Israeli port. Israel also has secured an agreement from Egypt's interim government to allow the flotilla ships to unload their aid in the El Arish port and take it into Gaza, as the European aid group Miles of Smiles did last week, bringing 30 tons of aid into Gaza after landing in the Egyptian port. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Monday called the flotilla an “unnecessary provocation” and asserted that “there is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza.” The head of Israel’s Government Press Office had threatened to deny entry to the country for 10 years to any journalist who participates in the flotilla, but the Israeli government quickly backed away from the threat. Netanyahu on Monday ordered Israeli authorities to formulate a special procedure for journalists who are arrested on board the flotilla, saying that the policy for journalists covering the flotilla should not be the same as against infiltrators and those who enter Israel illegally. Several dozen journalists are registered to sail with the flotilla.
The flotilla ran into further problems this week. The departure date of flotilla ships from Greek ports was pushed off from the originally scheduled Tuesday launch due to a nationwide strike. Meanwhile, one ship’s propeller was cut off in what flotilla organizers are calling sabotage. Several other ships, including the American-flagged Audacity of Hope, do not yet have clearance to leave their ports after thorough port authority inspections — some say more thorough than usual — and in the case of the American ship, an accusation that it is not seaworthy. After two days of meetings, Israel’s Security Cabinet on Monday ordered the Israel Defense Forces to prevent the flotilla from reaching Gaza, and also directed the Foreign Ministry to continue its diplomatic efforts to stop the flotilla from setting sail. The decision echoes statements made in recent days by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in which he said that he would not allow flotilla ships to breach the blockade. Israel has said it will take any humanitarian aid directly to Gaza
www.porsche.com
2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder
power seats. The oversized centermounted tachometer conveys the Boxster’s high-performance DNA, although the analog speedometer's tiny numbers and huge range make it more decorative than functional — the trip computer’s digital speedo readout is more useful. The current center control stack is much friendlier than those in past Porsches. The base stereo’s sound quality is laughable, but the optional systems are worthy upgrades. The optional wind deflector mitigates buffeting at speed with the top down, but top-up motoring is marred by excessive wind noise
and gigantic blind spots. While the Boxster’s soft top keeps weight and complexity down, its competitors’ retractable hardtops are far more pleasant to live with. The Boxster’s cabin is average for a roadster, not too large, not too small. The Boxster’s midengine design spawns two trunks — one front, one rear — that can hold about 10 cubic feet of cargo between them regardless of whether the top is raised or lowered. For the Spyder, Porsche takes out some features to reduce weight. The air-conditioning and radio are options, the narrow sport
seats are thinly padded and have fixed backrests, the door handles are cloth straps and even the plastic hood that shields the gauges has been tossed. Most notably, though, the power-operated soft top has been replaced by a manual two-piece roof that requires practice, patience and the pity of Mother Nature. The 2011 Porsche Boxster comes with basic coverage for 4 years or 50,000 miles that includes drivetrain and roadside assistance. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the base model is $48,100, $58,100 for the S model and $62,800 for the Spyder.
22 • OBITUARIES
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Cemetery in Montgomery, with Rabbi Irvin M. Wise officiating. Donations may be made to Adath Israel Synagogue, Cedar Village or your charity of choice.
Edwin D. Grusd, age 84, of Loveland, Ohio, passed away on Friday, June 17, 2011; 15 Sivan 5771. Born to the late Julius and Fanny Grusd on June 7, 1927, Mr. Grusd grew up on Eaton Lane in the then predominantly Jewish neighborhood of Avondale in Cincinnati. Mr. Grusd bonded over baseball with the neighbor kids, many of whom became his lifelong friends. Mr. Grusd graduated from Walnut Hills High School in 1945 and immediately enlisted in the Navy. He served his tour of duty in San Bruno, Calif., just as WWII was drawing to a close. Upon Mr. Grusd’s discharge from the service, he enrolled in the University of Cincinnati and married his high school sweetheart, Rita Buchholz, in 1948. He graduated from U.C. in 1950, with a B.A. in business administration. Mr. Grusd began his career as a salesman at The Hirschfeld Printing Company. He advanced to become president of the company and, subsequently, bought the business, which later became known as EDGE Graphics. He
ran the company with dedication and integrity until his retirement. Throughout his life, Mr. Grusd belonged to numerous organizations, and was a leader of many. He was a proud “Sammy” (Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity member), a member of the Jaycees and a regular at the Rotary Club. Mr. Grusd was also an active member of Adath Israel Synagogue and Men’s Club, and served as president in both capacities. He helped organize quite a few reunions, bringing together old friends from both his grade school and high school classes. Mr. Grusd delighted in people and he enjoyed the simple pleasures of life: playing a game of bridge or poker; socializing with his various lunch groups; picnicking in the park; going out for breakfast, lunch, dinner or Graeter’s; relaxing with a good book; cheering on the Reds, Bengals and Bearcats; and skipping stones across Lake Michigan. Mr. Grusd adored his many trips to Petoskey, Michigan, his family’s hay fever-free vacation haven since 1935. Mr. Grusd is survived by Rita (Buchholz) Grusd, his beloved wife of 63 years; by his daughters, Sherry (Dr. Albert) Weisbrot and Sally Schneider; by his grandchildren: Dr. Jeffrey (Jamie), David, and Amy Weisbrot, and Nathan and Sarah Schneider; and by his two sisters, Bernice (Jerome) Mark and Elizabeth (Albert) Becker. Interment was Sunday, June 19, 2011, at United Jewish
Claire V. Rothenberg Grossman died June 22, 2011 in Nashua, New Hampshire. She was an avid collector of friends, teddy bears, hearts, jewelry and was a dedicated teacher by avocation. Claire was born in 1931 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She was the eldest of the two daughters of Dr. Jean W. and Dr. Robert C. Rothenberg of Cincinnati, Ohio. When Claire was three, her family returned to Cincinnati where she lived into her young adulthood. She was an alumna and counselor of Camp Runoia of Belgrade Lakes, Maine. She graduated from Hillsdale High School. She began her collegiate studies at Wheaton College and the University of Wisconsin before earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Bowling Green State University. She received her first Masters Degree in remedial reading from Boston University and her second Masters Degree in special education from California State University, Dominguez Hills. Claire was also a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority and was the first Jewish member of her chapter. In 1952 Claire married John Herman Grossman, having met in
1943, and remained married for 27 years. The couple moved to California and lived in Monterey (1956), Palo Alto (1960), and Santa Cruz (1961) before settling with their four children in Rancho Palos Verdes, California in 1966. Claire worked as a reading specialist in the public schools in Santa Cruz. Later, special education became Claire’s passion, and she taught for many years in the public schools in Rancho Palos Verdes. She was recognized as teacher of the year in the 1980s. After retiring she moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico in the early 1990s, where she taught part-time and became the president of the New Mexico Jewish Historical Society. In 2005 she moved to Nashua, New Hampshire. Claire will be remembered for
many things. She was an amazing mother with a vision for her family. She was a beloved friend who had the ability to make everyone feel special and important. Claire was active in her communities and always on one or more committees. She loved to travel in any form, including backpacking through Europe, cruising on luxury ships and staying at elder hostels with her grandchildren. She was very proud to have had an 80th birthday, having overcome several cancers throughout her life. She died with the same grace, passion and kindness with which she lived. Surviving Claire are her sister and brother-in-law, JoAnne and Alan Travis of St. Louis, Missouri, and her married children Cynthia “Cyndi” J. (Grossman) and Matt Merritt of Burbank, California, Deborah “Debbi” Anne (Grossman) and Dan Campbell of Lake Oswego, Oregon, Daniel Scott and Kasia Grossman of Nashua, New Hampshire, and Franklin “Frank” Charles and Kathy Grossman of Hollis, New Hampshire. Her seven beloved grandchildren are Suzi, Jenny, David, Robert, Gavriella, Matthew, and Elzashira. A graveside service was held on Sunday, June 26 at Walnut Hill Cemetery at 10 a.m. in Cincinnati, Ohio. Another memorial service will be held on Monday, July 25 at 4 p.m. at Temple Beth Abraham, Nashua, New Hampshire.
DELTA from page 7
SHALIT from page 9
The Anti-Defamation League said that the Saudi policies are especially burdensome for Jewish travelers. “Saudi Arabia’s past practice of banning travelers with an 'Israel' stamp in their passport from gaining entry into the country runs contrary to the spirit and intent of Delta’s non-discrimination policy,” the ADL said. “While this practice affects all travelers who previously visited Israel, it has a disproportionate impact on Jewish passengers. “Moreover, Saudi Arabia also bars anyone from bringing into Saudi Arabia religious ritual objects, including religious texts, from any faith other than Islam, effectively banning religiously observant Jews from entering the country.” The ADL wants all airlines that partner with those that fly to Saudi Arabia to make their practices clear. In a statement the ADL said, “We expect Delta, and any other American airline which flies to Riyadh or partners with an airline that flies there, to ensure that its passengers — whatever their faith — not be discriminated against, and that no American airline in any way enable, or facilitate this discrimination, whatever the regulations of Saudi Arabia.”
Schoffman says this has fueled public displeasure with Netanyahu. “It has exacerbated dissatisfaction with the current government, regardless of one’s political affiliation,” he said. “Most Israelis say, ‘make this happen already, this is outrageous.’ ” Israel has agreed to swap deals with terrorist groups twice in recent memory. In 2004, Prime Minister Ariel
Sharon agreed to a prisoner exchange for Israeli businessman Elhanan Tannenbaum, a reservist in the Israeli army who was lured to Lebanon for a prospective drug deal and then taken hostage by Hezbollah. Israel released 435 Lebanese prisoners in exchange for Tannenbaum and the bodies of three Israeli soldiers Hezbollah had in its possession. In 2008, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert agreed to release five prisoners, including a notorious
Lebanese man serving four life sentences for murder, in exchange for the bodies of two Israeli soldiers. The soldiers, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, were taken captive days after Shalit’s capture in a Hezbollah attack thought to have killed them and which sparked the 34-day war between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006. On Friday, Shalit’s parents, Noam and Aviva, spent the morning at a memorial ceremony for
one of the soldiers who was killed the day that Shalit was captured. Then they came to Jerusalem to spend Shabbat in the protest tent opposite the prime minister’s residence, a fixture now for several years. “We’re different from other countries that would never let 1,000 prisoners go for just one soldier,” said Naamani, the teacher. “He went to protect this country, and we owe it to him and his family to bring him back.”
Talansky allegedly gave Olmert envelopes containing thousands of dollars in cash over a period of several years. Talansky testified that Olmert would only accept cash donations. Making his first comments on the Talansky case in court, Olmert said he received money from Talansky in the form of political donations for his campaign, refunds for hotel expenses when he spoke at events organized by Talansky and $40,000 for legal expenses in 1996. Olmert is on trial in three cases: for allegedly paying for family vacations by double billing Jewish organizations through the Rishon Tours travel agency; for allegedly accepting envelopes full of cash from Talansky; and for
allegedly granting personal favors to attorney Uri Messer when he served as trade minister in the Investment Center case. The ex-Israeli leader is charged with fraud, breach of trust, falsifying corporate records and tax evasion. Olmert is the first former Israeli prime minister to stand trial. He resigned as prime minister in September 2008 after police investigators recommended that he be indicted.
Beck will discuss how to fight the delegitimization of Israel around the world during a July 11 meeting of the Knesset Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs Committee, at the invitation of committee chairman Danny Danon of the Likud Party, the Jerusalem Post reported Tuesday. The meeting reportedly will focus on the September meeting of the United Nations General Assembly, when the Palestinians say they will ask for recognition of a Palestinian state. Beck’s July visit, including his address to the Knesset committee, will be filmed for Beck’s on-line show, which will be used to promote his announced ‘Restoring Courage’ rally to be held in Jerusalem in late August.
D EATH N OTICES GROSSMAN, Claire V. Rothenberg, age 80, died on June 22, 2011; 20 Sivan 5771.
O BITUARIES GRUSD, Edwin D.
ISRAEL from page 10 Olmert denies accepting cash from U.S. businessman Morris Talansky J E R U S A L E M ( J TA ) — Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in testimony at his corruption trial denied accepting envelopes full of cash from American businessman Morris Talansky. As his multi-day testimony in Jerusalem Municipal Court moved to the Talansky affair, Olmert said Thursday that Talansky”s testimony was made up of “fantasies,” and that no cash was involved in Talansky’s campaign contributions and personal donations. He also said the rumors that Talansky lent him money were false.
GROSSMAN, Claire V. Rothenberg
Claire V. Rothenberg Grossman
Beck to address Knesset committee JERUSALEM (JTA) — Right-wing radio talk show host Glenn Beck will address a Knesset committee during an upcoming visit to Israel.
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