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As the High Holidays approach, the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati announced a significant new investment by providing – for the first time ever – grant funding to local congregations. The Foundation’s initial investment will focus on synagogue-based education. “The Cincinnati Jewish community we see today is built upon a history of strong and vibrant congregations, which have provided many of Cincinnati’s most influential Jewish leaders,” said Jewish Foundation President Michael R. Oestreicher. “At the beginning of the Foundation’s new era, our Trustees articulated a strategic vision for this community in which congregational life thrives. This initial investment represents a first step for us to assist in fulfilling that vision, and will also help ensure that the individual members of our community continue to have a diverse array of excellent choices for congregational education and engagement.” Education was selected as the first area for investing in congregations because of the fit within the Foundation’s overall focus on
Jewish Education, and also because of the degree to which congregation-based religious school education is so heavily subsidized by synagogue budgets. Thus, this round of grant funding will support the nine local congregations that house religious schools and employ full-time senior rabbis. Since none of the Orthodox synagogues have religious schools within their congregations – and the Foundation has invested more than $3 million in Orthodox community
day school education in the past decade – local Orthodox congregations will be included in future phases of the Foundation’s support for congregational life. Each recipient congregation in this first stage is customizing its own plan for deploying the new grant dollars in its education space. Some will upgrade professional development and madrichim training along with classroom technology; others will plan new educational retreats for individual grade lev-
els; still others will improve the quality of their Hebrew curriculum and social action programming. All of the enhancements will be implemented with a view to heightening the religious school experience for students and their families. In the coming year, the Foundation, in coordination with the Jewish Federation, will partner with congregations to design a broader, multi-year project of strengthening congregational life in Cincinnati. This will involve engaging national synagogue experts to consult with rabbis and lay leaders as they devise new ways to further develop and make sustainable all facets of their congregations. Added Oestreicher: “We intend for this first investment in our congregations to have a positive impact on what, and how, our children learn Jewishly, and to lead into a longer-term process during which each of our congregations, across all denominations, will be supported in their efforts to create new models of engagement and sustainability.”
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Cincinnati Hillel Interns Are Ready for the New Year Cincinnati Hillel has launched a new program designed to connect a larger number of Jewish students to the campus Jewish community. Students wishing to work as paid interns at Hillel participated in a formal application and interview process. Five applicants were selected as Engagement Interns and two as Marketing Interns for the 20132014 academic year. Two of these interns – Brett Musick and Gabi Schneider – are back for a second year as student leaders. Thanks to a gift from Dick Weiland, Cincinnati Hillel was able to send four engagement interns and their supervisor, Programming and Engagement Associate Paula Harlan, to the national Hillel Institute at Washington University in St. Louis. For four days at the
Institute, they received intensive training in effective outreach and engagement of students on college campuses. Engagement Interns Hannah Henschel, Molly Leavitt, Michael Levy, Brett Musick and Luci Simon will each meet one-on-one with at least 25 unengaged students each semester to learn about their interests and accompany them to Jewish events on campus that match those interests. Marketing Interns Alex Ryb and Gabi Schneider will promote Hillel to students using fliers on campus, the Hillel website and Facebook and other social media. “Students are the most effective communicators of the benefits of Hillel to their peers,” observed Paula Harlan. “This new program will significantly increase our ability to
reach more students and to have a powerful impact on campus.” Cincinnati Hillel helps students build personal relationships and enduring commitments to the Jewish people and to Jewish values. It also connects Cincinnati college students and college graduates with personal growth and career opportunities in Cincinnati that encourage them to live here, to raise their families here and to be part of tomorrow’s model Jewish community. “Adding seven paid interns to our staff required a significant financial commitment,” noted Hillel Executive Director Sharon Stern. “But this is an investment in our core mission of engaging a broader range of students and empowering our future Jewish leaders.”
A cappella group from Indiana University perform at Valley Temple Hooshir A Cappella, Indiana University’s premiere co-ed a capella group with Jewish roots will be performing at the Valley Temple on Saturday, August 31 at 8 p.m. The group will travel to Cincinnati preceding the Selichot High Holy Day preparatory service at 10 p.m. "We are very excited to wel-
come this accomplished group to our Temple," said Rabbi Sandford Kopnick. "We are looking forward to both the Jewish and secular music they are preparing," Kopnick added. Founded in 2006, Hooshir has grown exponentially, producing multiple CDs and touring around the country. The group has partic-
ipated in a cappella competitions as well as been hired for private performances in Chicago, Washington, D.C., New York City, Los Angeles, and much more. The name "Hooshir" is a play on the word Hoosier and Hu shir, Hebrew for he/it sings. For more information, contact the Valley Temple.
Young families prepare for a special Rosh Hashanah celebration at Wise Temple Your children may not be ready for full High Holiday services just yet and you may be seeking an age-appropriate meaningful experience for your family. At Isaac M. Wise Temple, a YoFI Rosh Hashanah service and celebration is for young families (those with children ages 0-5 and their older siblings, parents and grandparents) to experience joy and community at this High Holiday season. YoFI stands for “Young Family Involvement.”
On Thursday September 5, young families are invited to Wise Center for a brief ageappropriate service which includes music, storytelling, prayer and the shofar blast! In addition, children will be invited to participate in one, two or three pre-service holiday crafts—each with an end-product your child will take home and treasure. The crafts will have elements accessible to all ages, even those youngest babies. Post service,
there will be a variety of sweet and savory apple snacks, including a take home apple dessert. Doors open for meeting and activities at 3:30p.m. The brief service begins at 4 p.m. Wise Temple is proud to invite members and non-members to come together on this first and special occasion of the New Year. There will be many more young families events this 5774. L’Shanah Tovah!
Golf Manor gears up for the High Holiday Season Golf Manor Synagogue is getting geared up for what will prove to be an amazing High Holiday Season. With Rabbi Pinchas Landis offering inspirational sermons and insights throughout, and Rabbi Hanan Balk serving as chazan, it should be quite unforgettable. “Rabbi Landis is an engaging and inspirational speaker,” says Jeffrey Harris. “For anyone who has not heard him before, I would strongly encourage you to attend one of his services. You will not get your average boring
sermon, but instead will encounter an enlightening experience.” “I am delighted that Rabbi Balk will serve as chazan for the Holidays,” says Shmuel Plotsker, Chairman of the Board. “His expert knowledge of the traditional tunes, coupled with contemporary melodies, delivered in a powerful voice will surely uplift the congregation.” The holiday season will get underway with a sushi, sweets and Slichos program at 11 p.m. Saturday August 31. Rabbi Landis
will be speaking before Slichos. He will deliver the sermon after the Torah reading each day of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur (around 10:30 a.m.), and he will also offer explanatory insights throughout the Musaf services. Rabbi Balk will lead the Slichos and the Musaf services all three days of the Holidays. All are welcome. No tickets needed. For more information, contact Golf Manor Synagogue.
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CBS News focused on civil rights leader Rabbi Joachim Prinz in its coverage of the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
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The American Israelite “LET THERE BE LIGHT” THE OLDEST ENGLISH-JEWISH WEEKLY IN AMERICA - EST. JULY 15, 1854
VOL. 160 • NO. 6 THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013 23 ELUL 5773 SHABBAT BEGINS FRIDAY 7:55 PM SHABBAT ENDS SATURDAY 8:56 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 RABBI ISAAC M. WISE Founder, Editor, Publisher, 1854-1900 LEO WISE Editor & Publisher, 1900-1928 RABBI JONAH B. WISE Editor & Publisher, 1928-1930
Just prior to Dr. Martin Luther King's speech at the "March on Washington, August 28, 1963," Rabbi Joachim Prinz tells the crowd that the most urgent, disgraceful, and shameful issue is "silence."
PHYLLIS R. SINGER Editor & General Manager, 1985-1999 MILLARD H. MACK Publisher Emeritus
After the success of the "March in Washington" in August 1963, the JCRC urges all Jewish individuals and organizations to join together with other communal leaders for an interfaith "March and Vote for Jobs and Freedom" that will take place in Cincinnati in late October, 1963.
NETANEL (TED) DEUTSCH Editor & Publisher GABRIELLE COHEN JORY EDLIN Assistant Editors YOSEFF FRANCUS ALEXIA KADISH Copy Editors JANET STEINBERG Travel Editor MARIANNA BETTMAN NATE BLOOM IRIS PASTOR ZELL SCHULMAN PHYLLIS R. SINGER Contributing Columnists BONNIE ULLNER Advertising Sales Manager JENNIFER CARROLL Production Manager ERIN WYENANDT Office Manager
August 1963 -- Joachim Prinz with President Kennedy and other civil rights leaders in the White House.
Jewish Archives and Professor of the American Jewish Experience at the Cincinnati campus of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. “The respositories of the AJA hold photos, recordings and other materials that illuminate this important aspect of America’s Civil Rights history.”
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“In the aftermath of the Holocaust, American Jewry continued its activist stance, assisting Jews both at home and in foreign lands – while also committing themselves to the fight for Civil Rights,” said Dr. Gary P. Zola, former President of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Coalition, and Executive Director of the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American
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past week. In addition to a number of images and documents from the Prinz collection, the American Jewish Archives also holds a number of other significant documents from the Civil Rights era in Cincinnati. These include documents from Cincinnati’s Jewish Community Relations Committee that worked with several local organizations to convene a local “March and Vote for Jobs and Freedom” on Oct. 27, 1963 at Fountain Square. The AJA also hold the records of former NAACP President Kivie Kaplan, and B’nai B’rith International, an organization which advocated strongly for Civil Rights and civil liberties. Rabbi Joachim Prinz (190288) came to the U.S, in 1939 after the Nazi government formally expelled him from Germany. In addition to his congregational work, Prinz was active in national and world affairs, joining the executive board of the World Jewish Congress in 1946. He also served as president of the American Jewish Congress from 1958-1966. Prinz was active in the civil rights movement through the 1960s. Earlier, in April 1960, Prinz led a picket line in front of a Woolworth store in New York City, protesting discrimination against African Americans at lunch counters in Southern states.
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August 28 marks the 50th anniversary of the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. On that date in 1963, nearly 300,000 people converged on the Washington mall, calling for civil and economic rights for African Americans. In the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his now iconic “I Have a Dream” speech that passionately and emotionally advocated for racial harmony. As part of its coverage of the 50th anniversary, the CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley focused on Rabbi Joachim Prinz, who spoke immediately before Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that day in Washington. Many American Jews, including a number of promient theologians such as Rabbi Prinz and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, joined the Civil Rights movement, making public demonstrations of their support for figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Rabbi Prinz had a long history of speaking out against hatred and discrimination as one-time rabbi in Berlin when the Nazis came to power. In fact, Prinz was one of ten founding chairmen of the 1963 March on Washington. Though the CBS News story was about Prinz, it also served to remind Americans of the vital and active role that Jewish Americans played in the Civil Right movement. It aired this
HENRY C. SEGAL Editor & Publisher, 1930-1985
THE AMERICAN ISRAELITE (USPS 019-320) is published weekly for $44 per year and $1.00 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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A tradition of cooperation and creativity permeates B’nai Tzedek and Beit Chaverim High Holiday services The congregational building on Kugler Mill Road in Kenwood will again be the site of remarkable High Holiday services. Within the same building, both the Conservative B’nai Tzedek congregation and the Reform Beit Chaverim congregation will be holding their separate yet parallel Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services. Participants may move between services if they so choose. The continued, creative cooperation between the congregations allow families in which one member prefers a conservative and another a reform approach, to pray in the same building. Such options are not available elsewhere in the Cincinnati area and are uncommon
elsewhere in the country outside of campus Hillels. During these Days of Awe, the services and programming aim to inspire with relevance and meaning, beginning with a slichot program August 31 on “Reimagining Teshuvah.” The program will explore Jewish concepts of teshuvah (return/repentance) and forgiveness, including practical tools to strengthen skills in these areas. The first day of Rosh Hashanah at B’nai Tzedek will include a contemplative shofar service that provides an opportunity to experience the call of the shofar as a direct personal call, as well as a Musaf service containing participatory and creative elements. The
B’nai Tzedek choir encourages everyone to sing along, adding beauty and meaning for all. As in the past, services of both congregations will be conducted by members of the congregation, expressing their strong egalitarian and participatory ethos. Congregants, women and men, will lead prayers, chant and read Torah, deliver sermons and read additional readings. Both congregations welcome new members of the Cincinnati area Jewish community and visitors to worship together with the members. For additional information about Congregations B’nai Tzedek and Beit Chaverim, contact them. No tickets are required.
Marc Fisher accepts JCC CEO position The Mayerson JCC Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Marc Fisher has accepted the position of CEO of the Mayerson JCC, after serving as Interim CEO for the past 8 months. During that time, Fisher has led many significant initiatives to help achieve the JCC’s mission of providing excellent services and programs for the community, as well as partnering with other community organizations to help coordinate and strengthen their engagement programs. According to JCC President Debbie Brant, “We are thrilled that Marc Fisher accepted the CEO position, to continue the forward momentum that the JCC has built over the past year. Our outstanding fitness program continues to grow, and JCC membership is at an all-time high. We have a phenomenal lineup of fall programs for all ages. Ticket sales are already strong for our 2013 – 2014 Wolf Center for Arts & Ideas, which kicks off with Peter Sagal on Tuesday, September 17. Israel@65, the six-month community celebration of Israel’s 65 years of independence coordinated by the JCC and the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, was a huge success. “We’re excited to again collaborate with more than 40 organizations for the upcoming ‘Under One Roof’ community sukkah project, featuring artwork created by these organizations. Marc Fisher played a big role in making all these things happen, and we have great confidence in his ability to lead the JCC over the years ahead.” Fisher also was instrumental in working with The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati and the Manuel D. and Rhoda Mayerson
Foundation to establish their recently announced innovative partnership with the JCC to enhance Jewish engagement and programming in the community. According to Michael R. Oestreicher, Jewish Foundation President, “Marc Fisher has demonstrated a vision and leadership that can take the JCC to the next level in its role of serving our Jewish community. We are proud to be a part of this latest initiative and are confident that Marc and his team – supported by the JCC Board – will develop and execute on first class programming and engagement initiatives that will enable the J to broaden its own offerings, as well as its collaboration with other organizations in our community.” Fisher has actively encouraged closer integration of the agencies housed on The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati Campus, enabling new partnerships and synergies between the JCC, Jewish Federation and Jewish Family Service. Beth Schwartz, Executive Director of Jewish Family Service, noted “It is a pleasure collaborating with Marc Fisher and the JCC. He sincerely cares about bringing our community together, and looks for opportunities to offer JCC staff and facility resources to support key partnership projects that will benefit everyone.” Shep Englander, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, said, “The JCC serves almost everyone—seniors, families, children, teens and young professionals—and is the hub of our community, where we gather to celebrate, to learn and to stand together. Therefore, the JCC has long been chosen by our hundred plus Allocations volunteers as the
largest local investment of funds raised through the Community Campaign.” He added, “Marc has taken calculated risks and worked closely with us to build the mutual trust needed for true collaboration, which allows us to continually improve our effectiveness and create innovative initiatives that will benefit not just our two agencies, but the entire community.” CEO Fisher and President Brant will provide more information about upcoming JCC programs and partnerships at the JCC FISHER on page 19
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Parents sue Mass. school district for anti-Semitic bullying of son By JTA Staff Jewish Telegraphic Agency The parents of a 13-year-old boy are suing their Massachusetts school district for ignoring verbal and physical attacks on their son by other students for being Jewish. Jennyfer Sordillo and Robert Groezinger filed the lawsuit late
last month against the Carver public schools in U.S. District Court in Boston. It was first reported in the Boston Globe over the weekend. They claim their son was subjected to daily anti-Semitic attacks by a group of boys at his school. The abuse included religious slurs and Nazi salutes, having pennies thrown at him, and being punched
and kicked. Most recently, the abusers drew a swastika in chalk outside the family home, the Boston Globe reported. The lawsuit claims the abuse has been occurring for two years and school officials “have done nothing to stop it,” according to the newspaper.
An attorney for the school district, which is approximately 50 miles from Boston, told the newspaper it would respond to the charges in court. According to the lawsuit, which was brought under the Massachusetts Anti-Bullying Law, the boy was called names such as “stingy Jew,” “dirty Jew,” and “Jew
boy” and was told after being saluted with the Hitler salute that he needed to “get in the oven.” The parents, according to reports, complained repeatedly about the school bullying. There is only one other Jewish student in the class of 155, according to the lawsuit.
ADL open letter to Roger Waters: Your animostiy towards Israel colored by anti-semitism JTA / JPRWire NEW YORK, NY – The AntiDefamation League (ADL) issued an open letter to Roger Waters, a founding member of Pink Floyd, strongly criticizing his outrageous July 25 letter to the Rock and Roll community which endorsed the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement and called on fellow musicians to join him in refusing to perform in Israel. ADL pointed out that Water’s views on Israel are colored by offensive and dangerous undercurrents of anti-Jewish sentiment. The following is the text of the open letter to Mr. Waters from Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director: Dear Mr. Waters: Your recent statements about Israel and advocacy for BDS have garnered significant condemnation,
National Briefs Hundreds of Egyptian Christians rally in Washington to protest U.S. policy and media (JNS) A group of hundreds of Egyptian Christians from around the U.S. held a series of rallies in Washington, DC, on Thursday to protest U.S. policy in Egypt and Western media coverage. “We are against the Muslim Brotherhood,” protestor Ramez Mossed told the Washington Free Beacon. “He [Obama] supports the Muslim Brotherhood. He has a big hand in Egypt and the mess in Egypt. We’re trying to tell him, ‘Don’t support the terrorists. Please be fair.’” Al-Jazeera America’s first interview features anti-Israel author Stephen Walt (JNS) The newly launched television news network Al-Jazeera America featured noted anti-Israel author Stephen Walt, a professor of international affairs at Harvard University, as its first guest. In his interview on Al-Jazeera
with some going as far as to label you an anti-Semite. This is not the first time you have encountered such allegations. Over the past few years, you have incorporated Jewish imagery into your concert performances, painting a Star of David on your famous floating pig alongside other symbols, including a dollar sign and the sickle and hammer. You repeatedly rejected accusations of a malicious subtext to the use of the Star of David, assuring fans that you were in no way equating Jews with money or communism. We took you at your word, and defended your actions as artistic expression void of anti-Semitic intent. In recent months, however, your relentless attacks against Israel and calls for a boycott of the Jewish State have caused us to reexamine your attitude towards Jews. In your July 25th letter to your “Colleagues in Rock and Roll” you
offered full-throated unambiguous support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, writing that their goal is “to bring international attention to these Israeli polices [of ‘occupation of the West Bank and violations of international law and Palestinian human rights’] and hopefully, to help bring them to an end,” and imploring other musicians to join you in refusing to perform in Israel. Important details are omitted from your letter, which is a classic propaganda technique. Why didn’t you point out that one of the stated objectives of the BDS movement, promoting a complete right of return for all Palestinians classified as refugees and the creation of a binational state, would result in the end of the Jewish character of the State of Israel and destroy Jewish national self-determination? Your writing also makes no mention of Palestinian terrorism, nor does it
provide any context to the complex nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Hamas, a terrorist organization which continues to advocate for Israel’s destruction, is entirely absent from your letter. You accuse the Israeli government of committing ethnic cleansing by physically evicting non-Jewish families from East Jerusalem to make way for Jewish occupants, yet provide zero evidence for this frivolous claim. You argue that Israel is akin to Apartheid South Africa, despite the complete and equal rights enjoyed by Arab citizens of Israel. Most disturbing of all is your decision to single out Israel for a boycott, while ignoring real human rights abusing countries around the world. Where is your voice calling for a boycott of China for their persecution of Buddhists, or the persecution of Muslims by Buddhists in
Myanmar? Why not Russia for its ongoing suppression of government opposition figures, and recent enactment of homophobic legislation? Not only have you never called for boycotts of those countries, you actually played concerts in both China and Russia during the past few years. You also seemed to have no qualms about preforming earlier this month in Istanbul, despite Turkey’s questionable human rights record in dealing with its Kurdish population, as well as the previous month’s brutal government crackdown on protesters at Taksim Park. By the way, Freedom House’s country index ranks both China and Russia as “not free” and Turkey as “partly free.” Israel, by contrast, is ranked as “free.” Your single-minded obsession with trying to convince others to boycott the Jewish state, while
America posted on YouTube by the Washington Free Beacon, Walt was critical of Egypt’s past and current rulers – Hosni Mubarak, the Muslim Brotherhood and the Egyptian military – calling them all “stupid.” He concluded his interview by noting that the U.S. provides military aid to Egypt mainly to protect Israel. Al-Jazeera America is a new venture by the Qatar-based television network Al-Jazeera. In January, Al-Jazeera announced it had purchased former Vice President Al Gore’s struggling Current TV to serve as a distribution network for its foray into the American media.
are being attacked. And once again, the world is largely silent,” David Brog, executive director of CUFI, said in a statement. CUFI is the largest pro-Israel organization in the U.S. with more than 1.2 million members. More than 5,000 pro-Israel Christians attended its annual summit in Washington, DC earlier this summer.
time in her dealings with trust departments. The Cleveland native came to New York in 1954, remaining there until her death.
Florida school board reviewing Peter Deutsch’s Ben Gamla schools (JTA) A Florida school board is reviewing whether the Ben Gamla Hebrew charter school network violates the law by mixing religion with public schooling. The review was prompted by a JTA story published July 17 in which Ben Gamla founder Peter Deutsch described the publicly funded charter schools as builders of Jewish identity.
Attacks on Christianity in Egypt condemned by Christians United for Israel (JNS) Christians United for Israel (CUFI), the largest proIsrael organization in the U.S., condemned the recent antiChristian violence in Egypt and urged the U.S. government to do more to aid Christians there. “Events in Egypt this week highlight yet again the tragedy facing the Christians of the Middle East. Once again, Christians are being targeted for murder. Once again, Christian schools, businesses and churches
Muriel Siebert, first woman on N.Y. Stock Exchange, dies (JTA) Muriel Siebert, the first woman to buy a seat on the New York Stock Exchange, has died. Siebert, who also became the first woman to head a member firm of the exchange as well as many other firsts, died Saturday in Manhattan from complications of cancer. She was 80. Siebert also was the first woman to be appointed as superintendent of banking for New York State, a position she held for five years beginning in 1977. Siebert testified before government bodies about the discriminatory practices of many New York clubs, where much of her business’ networking took place. She also encountered antiSemitism in her profession, according to the Times – Siebert said it wasn’t uncommon at the
NYC freezes Met Council funding pending probe of Rapfogel NEW YORK (JTA) Nearly $1.6 million in New York City funding to the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty was frozen pending an investigation into the financial scandal involving the social service agency’s fired CEO, William Rapfogel. City officials suspended at least 30 grants that comprise approximately 13 percent of the Met Council’s annual government aid, the Forward reported. Yosemite Rim Fire damages Tawonga Jewish summer camp SAN FRANCISCO (JTA) The largest wildfire in California’s history has led to the evacuation of a Jewish summer camp and destroyed at least one of its buildings. The Yosemite Rim Fire triggered the cancellation of Camp Tawonga’s annual Keshet LGBTQ Family Camp, San Francisco’s j. weekly reported.
ADL on page 20
Anti-Semitic, racist incidents at Oberlin College were ‘joke,’ student told police (JTA) Two students committed a series of racial and anti-Semitic incidents at Oberlin College to provoke a reaction, according to police in the Ohio city. According to a police report released late last week, one of the students said he meant the acts as a “joke,” as well as to show how students and college staff overreacted to earlier racist and antiSemitic fliers found around the campus with which he denied involvement. The later incidents spurred the college to cancel classes for a day.
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Arguments of heart and mind: CAMERA gives students tools to counter anti-Israel bias By Diana Burmistrovich JNS BOSTON – Lighting up the screen at Boston University Hillel is a progression map of Israel titled “Palestinian Loss of Land.” The image isn’t surprising to the students attending the annual Student Leadership and Advocacy Training Conference of the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America (CAMERA). Similar sights are frequent at their own schools. “During Israel Apartheid Week, there are a lot of skits and performances. Students wrap keffiyehs around their heads and people mock Israel while dressed as IDF soldiers,” said Beata Samel, a CAMERA Campus Activist Project (CCAP) student representing City University of New York (CUNY) Brooklyn. Highlighting the growing need to combat anti-Israel campaigns on campus, and equipping pro-Israel students with the tools to motivate others to action, is the focus of the student conference of CAMERA, the Boston-based media watchdog that seeks to promote accurate news coverage and commentary about Israel and the Middle East. In attendance from Aug. 18-20 were students ranging from native Israelis, to those that have never been to the Jewish state, those planning their Birthright trip experience, and those that have already served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Some pro-Israel students at the conference – like CAMERA Fellow Abraham Mercado, who was the only Jew among 8,000 students at Morgan State University before transferring to Florida Atlantic University – have faced significant isolation on campus. After finishing his IDF service, Scott Ehrenberg, a CCAP student at CUNY Queens, asked himself how he could support Israel despite being back in the United States. “The least we can do is to advocate for Israel,” said Ehrenberg, “to hold events on campus wherever we go to college in order to protect and support Israel’s name.” Twenty-six of CAMERA’s yearlong Fellows joined the organization’s CCAP participants for the three-day conference to learn skills they can bring back to their campuses. According to CAMERA Regional Campus Coordinator Gilad Skolnick, “arguments of the heart and arguments of the mind are the best weaponry” in defense of Israel. For the CAMERA Fellows, the
Courtesy of Leeron Ofer/CAMERA
Participants of the Aug. 18-20 CAMERA Student Leadership and Advocacy Training Conference in Boston.
conference marked the beginning of their yearlong program. Chosen for their commitment to countering anti-Israel activity at their schools, 53 students representing 39 colleges partake in a series of events meant to help them organize proIsrael events like CAMERA’s “Less Hamas, More Hummus” campaign. The campaign, which all Fellows are required to run on their campus, was inspired by student Ellie Rudee, the current president of Claremont McKenna College’s CCAP initiative, who drew on Hamas’s own materials to educate students on her campus about the biases against Israel in the media. During the presentation, CAMERA Campus Director Aviva Slomich cued up a clip of a Hamas kindergarten graduation ceremony where children brandished automatic weapons and sang of their aspirations of death on behalf of Allah. “Conflict continues because of hateful indoctrination,” Slomich said. A graphic of a child in tattered clothes being stabbed in the neck by a Jewish star is just one example of the propaganda many students are presented from Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) or other anti-Israel groups on campus. “The SJP has risen up and become pretty prominent on campus,” said a CAMERA Fellow from Duke University. “I remember waking up one Monday morning and seeing they had posted an eviction notice on my door. It said something along the lines of, ‘You have 48 hours to get out of this dorm room.’” The CAMERA conference’s itinerary was designed to present effective techniques to counteract the rise in SJP activity; Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement campaigns; and the proliferation of Israel Apartheid Week around college campuses in North America. Presentations included
“How to Plan An Effective Event,” “How to Educate Yourself and Others,” and “Standing Up for Israel on Campus.” Other events included talks from Boston Globe columnist Jeff Jacoby, Twitter software engineer Danny Hertz, and a seminar in Krav Maga (Israeli martial arts) from Israeli Museum of Martial Arts inductee Gershon Ben Keren. “It’s not enough for Israel to defend herself,” said Michelle Soicher, a CAMERA Fellow at Concordia University in Montreal. “We need advocates internationally. It is important to fund people who want to educate themselves and the people on their campuses. It’s the idea of perseverance: it’s not enough to just be okay, we have to help Israel thrive and grow, and we have to change the, unfortunately, declining view of Israel internationally.” Despite their accounts of antiIsrael sentiment on campus, the students seemed hopeful for the upcoming school year. Their ideas about increasing the integration of Jewish and Israel education in campus life bounced around the conference room. Many of these ideas were based on the use of social media outlets like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest to draw attention to facts about Israel and the Middle East. “One of the biggest ways to get people to attend your event is to partner with other groups on campus,” said Eliana Butler, a CCAP student from the University of Chicago. The consensus among the students was that establishing cooperation and communication with other groups on campus could act as a steppingstone to changing anti-Israel sentiment. “You never know,” said CCAP student Chloe Valdary of the University of New Orleans, “some people that don’t necessarily agree with your politics may just end up your strongest supporters.”
8 • INTERNATIONAL
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Record numbers flocking to Budapest Jewish festival By JTA Staff Jewish Telegraphic Agency Budapest’s largest-ever Jewish Summer Festival was attracting record numbers in its first two days amid fresh warnings of antiSemitism in Hungary. Some 100,000 Jews from across Europe are expected to attend the weeklong cultural festival, which opened Saturday. The festival is being hosted for the 16th consecutive year by the Federation of Hungarian Jewish
Communities, or Mazsihisz, and coorganized by the Israeli Jewish Congress. “Part of the reason for recordbreaking attendance at this year’s Summer Jewish Festival is a large Israeli contingent, which includes politicians, performers and high school pupils who came to strengthen ties with Israel and at the same time show solidarity with Hungarian Jews’ fight against anti-Semitism,” said Arsen Ostrovsky, director of research for the Israeli Jewish Congress, an Israeli nonprofit estab-
lished last year. Among the Israelis are Meir Sheetrit, deputy speaker of the Knesset, and Yoel Razbozov, chair of the Knesset’s Diaspora Affairs Committee, as well as singers Ivri Lider and David D’or. Last week, Mazsihisz raised the alarm about the apparent rise in antiSemitic rhetoric observed in Hungary in recent years. In a statement on its website, the group noted an Aug. 21 soccer match in which Hungarian fans held up a sign praising Laszlo Csatary, a
war criminal who died earlier in the month at 98 while awaiting his second trial for torturing and deporting thousands of Jews in present-day Slovakia. “It is no coincidence that Jews were targeted during the game,” the statement said. “It is no coincidence that some of the fans paid tribute to the commander of the Kosice ghetto. The fact that this incident was broadcast on television adds to the ignominy [of this] racist, antiSemitic expression.” Last year, soccer fans in
Budapest chanted about Auschwitz at a friendly match with an Israeli team. A few months later, a Jobbik lawmaker for the ultranationalist Jobbik party said Hungarian Jews should be registered as a national risk. On Sunday, the Centre for Monitoring and Combatting AntiSemitism in Romania warned in a statement that Jobbik was “exporting extremism, racism, antiSemitism and revisionist Magyar ideology to Romania.”
Anti-Semitic undertones help galvanize support for convicted Russian teacher By Cnaan Liphshiz Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Courtesy of Zhekov.ru
Ilya Farber during his trial in Tver, Russia, July 2013.
International Briefs Jordan and Israel will trade water in new venture (JNS) Jordanian Prime Minister Abdalla Ensour and his cabinet approved a new plan to trade water with Israel. In a new Red Sea desalination project expected to cost $1 billion, Jordan will sell part of the resulting water to Israel in exchange for water from the Tiberias reservoir. Report: Israeli, U.S., Jordanian commandos operating in Syria (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS) American, Israeli and Jordanian commandos are currently deployed on the ground in Syria, training and operating alongside the rebels trying to topple Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the French daily Le Figaro reported on Saturday. The report has not been corroborated by any official American, Israeli or Jordanian source. The newspaper said that according to its sources, the joint operation, led by the CIA, began on Aug. 17, when the commandos joined some 300 Syrian rebels near the southwestern city of Deraa, just north of Syria’s
MOSCOW – Clutching the bars of the defendant’s cage, Ilya Farber assumes the posture of a crucifix as he proclaims his innocence and pleads for freedom with characteristic thespian flare. “I implore the judge to rule in favor of the children,” the Moscowborn Jewish artist begs the court, having denied he took $13,000 in bribes from a contractor near the backwater village where he moved in 2010 to become a teacher and culture club director. The Ostashkov District Court, however, finds Farber guilty and hands down a seven-year prison sentence, as well as a fine of nearly border with Jordan. Palestinian Fatah on Facebook glorifies violence by children, suicide bombers, Saddam Hussein (JNS) The Palestinian Fatah party’s official Facebook pages recently glorified violence by children, female suicide bombers, and Saddam Hussein. Palestinian Media Watch reported Aug. 22 that Fatah posted a photo on Aug. 11 featuring young Palestinian boys holding rifles, accompanied by the text, “The children of Palestine – this is how they celebrated their holiday.” On Aug. 2, Fatah posted a collage of four female Palestinian suicide bombers, describing them as “stars who sparkled in the sky.” Additionally, a Fatah Facebook page on Aug. 8 posted a photo of Saddam Hussein along with the caption, “How many people love this hero?” Anti-Israel British MP Galloway’s ‘theory’: Israel gave Al-Qaeda chemical weapons (JNS) Anti-Israel British Member of Parliament (MP) George Galloway accused Israel of giving Al-Qaeda terrorists in Syria chemical weapons in a recent interview with Iranian Press TV. “If there has been use of chemical
$100,000. The guilty verdict on Aug. 1 is the second against Farber; the first was dismissed pending a retrial. But instead of settling the case once and for all, the verdict has galvanized a protest campaign in support of the charismatic bohemian led by opposition activists, journalists, intellectuals and members of the Jewish community. And while not all agree on Farber’s innocence, they are united in viewing his trial as a symbol of injustice in a country with a government descending into disrepute, besieged by charges of corruption, discrimination and undemocratic practices. As Russian corruption scandals go, the Farber case is fairly drab. In 2010, the unemployed Farber took a job as a teacher in Moshenka,
a tiny village of 200 souls midway between Moscow and St. Petersburg. He wowed some there and alienated others with his talent for opera, kung fu skills and fluent Chinese, not to mention his unorthodox teaching methods. Farber sometimes would teach in total darkness to help children overcome their fears, take his charges on environmentalist garbage-collecting trips and lecture to his classes while lying on a table. In 2011, he was arrested for pocketing a kickback from Yuri Gorokhov, a building contractor who needed Farber’s signature to collect a government check for renovations he had performed at Moshenka’s humble culture club. Farber says he demanded the money
weapons, it was Al-Qaeda,” Galloway said. “Who gave al-Qaida chemical weapons? Here’s my theory: Israel gave them the chemical weapons.” Galloway, the Respect Party MP for Bradford West, this February stormed out of a debate at Oxford University after learning that his opponent was an Israeli citizen. Consistently outspoken in his views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in 2009 Galloway received a Palestinian passport from Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
bomb attack on Israeli diplomats in Bangkok. Saeid Moradi, 39, was sentenced Thursday to life in prison, and Mohammad Kharzei, 43, was given a 15-year term. Moradi lost both his legs in the blast from a hand grenade that he threw at police as they pursued him following the home explosion. He did not throw the bomb far enough and was caught in the blast, which tore off his legs.
Report: Efforts to normalize Turkey-Israel relations fail (JNS) Government officials have signaled that Israel’s efforts to normalize its diplomatic relations with Turkey have failed, Israel Hayom reported. A compromise could have been reached over the sum to be paid, a source said, but the root of them problem was Turkey’s insistence on calling the payments “punitive damages” and not “compensation,” which carries different legal ramifications to which Israel could not agree. 2 Iranians convicted in Thailand of bomb plot against Israelis (JTA) Two Iranians were convicted in a Thailand court for plotting a
Remove provocative cross, chief Ukraine rabbi urges Uman authorities (JTA) A crucifix placed near the Uman grave of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov should be removed, the chief rabbi of Ukraine said. “Ukraine is not a Jewish country and Ukrainian Jews respect Christian symbols like crosses,” Rabbi Yaakov Bleich told the Jewish Ukrainian news site Evreiskiy.kiev. “However, the cross raised in Uman, in the immediate vicinity of the tomb of Rabbi Nachman, is a clear provocation.” Referring to an estimated 30,000 Jewish pilgrims expected to arrive in Uman for Rosh Hashanah, Bleich said they would not be able to pray at the site this year. He told JTAthe cross would prevent the pilgrims from performing tashlich.
as recompense for making up-front payments for repairs. Farber’s lawyer, Elena Romanova, says he plans to appeal. Yet the small-stakes affair has generated a media frenzy that many credit with a decision this month by the Kremlin’s human rights watchdog to review the Farber case. Moshenka, which had received only a rare mention even in the district weekly, has seen dozens of journalists fill the bleachers for Farber court appearances. Front-page articles have appeared in Novaya Gazeta, among other papers, and two television channels already have produced specials about the case. “To many, Farber’s harsh senANTI-SEMITIC on page 21
Canadian Jewish groups in bid to quash white supremacist’s will TORONTO (JTA) Canadian Jewish organizations are joining the effort to overturn a will that leaves $250,000 in ancient artifacts and investments to an American neo-Nazi group. B’nai Brith Canada and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, or CIJA, will attempt to convince a court in the Canadian province of New Brunswick to quash the will of Robert McCorkill, who died in 2004 and bequeathed the items to the National Alliance, a white supremacist group in the United States. Death in Dutch royal family nixes plans for party on Yom Kippur (JTA) A farewell party for former Queen Beatrix scheduled on Yom Kippur was canceled due to the death of her son. The Dutch Royal House postponed the Sept. 14 gala until early next year, according to a report Thursday by the NRC Handelsblad daily. Prince Johan Friso, 44, died Aug. 12 as a result of injuries he suffered in a skiing accident in Austria. He had been in a coma for a year and a half.
ISRAEL • 9
THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013
Is Hamas the loser in game of Middle East upheaval? By Sean Savage JNS
Courtesy of Uriel Sinai/Getty Images
Israelis pick up gas masks at a distribution center in Tel Aviv on Aug. 26, 2013.
For Israel, U.S. response on Syria may be harbinger on Iran By Ben Sales Jewish Telegraphic Agency TEL AVIV – Following reports of what was almost certainly a chemical weapons attack in Syria, the White House has made moves indicating it may be inching closer to military intervention in the 2 1/2year civil war there. Among the moves: moving warships toward the eastern Mediterranean and updating military options. In Jerusalem, Washington’s resolve in Syria is seen as a crucial litmus test for its readiness to confront another looming Mideast showdown over unconventional weapons. “[Syrian President Bashar] Assad’s regime has become a full Iranian client and Syria has become Iran’s testing ground,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday following a meeting with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius. “Now the whole world is
watching. Iran is watching and it wants to see what would be the reaction on the use of chemical weapons.” The attack last week in the suburbs of Damascus reportedly killed hundreds of civilians and, given the number of casualties, witness reports and other available facts, left “very little doubt” that a chemical agent had been used, according to a senior Obama administration official quoted by The New York Times. Although he has called for Assad’s resignation, Obama thus far has resisted direct U.S. involvement in the Syrian civil war. Polls have shown that Americans oppose becoming embroiled in another Middle East conflict. But Obama also has said that if Assad used chemical weapons, it would cross a “red line” that would necessitate a response. “This will make the U.S. do something, but it will be something ISRAEL on page 20
Ahead of High Holidays, Bennett unveils new platform for egalitarian prayer By Ben Sales Jewish Telegraphic Agency TEL AVIV – Israel’s religious services minister, Naftali Bennett, has unveiled a temporary platform for non-Orthodox prayer at Robinson’s Arch, the archaeological site adjacent to the Western Wall plaza used by egalitarian groups. The platform, which will include Torah scrolls, prayer books and prayer shawls and be open at all hours, does not reach the Western Wall itself. A ramp leads from the 4,800-square-foot platform to a smaller area adjacent to the wall. Bennett’s office described the new platform “as an interim but primary place of worship for
Jewish egalitarian and pluralistic prayer services.” “The Kotel belongs to all Jews no matter who they are and what stream of Judaism they come from,” Bennett said. “This new platform, built ahead of Rosh Hashanah, will help unify the Jewish people and enable all Jews to pray freely at the Kotel.” The new platform was unveiled as face-offs continued at Judaism’s holiest site between haredi protesters and the feminist group Women of the Wall, which conducts a monthly service at the women’s section of the Western Wall Plaza. The women’s group has fought for the right to wear prayer shawls BENNETT on page 20
In the shifting sands of the tumultuous Middle East, Hamas, the Palestinian terror group in control of the Gaza Strip, has found itself in an increasingly precarious position. Feared for its massive arsenal of rockets and trained jihadis, the terror group is today also facing isolation and internal discord. With its Muslim Brotherhood allies on the run in Egypt, strained relations with former benefactors in Iran and Syria, and an increasingly technologically savvy Israeli enemy, the terror organization – while still dangerous – is facing a perfect storm of problems that threatens to undermine its power. “While one cannot currently say Islamist groups like Hamas are completely down and out, the removal of [Mohamed] Morsi’s government in Egypt and the subsequent crackdown on Muslim Brotherhood leadership, as well as the Muslim on Muslim fighting in Syria, together create serious problems for Hamas,” Matthew Levitt, senior fellow and director of the Stein Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence at the Washington Institution for Near East Policy, told JNS. For many years, Hamas relied on Iran and its partners, Syria and Hezbollah, for military hardware such as rocket missiles, terrorist training, and financial support. It is estimated that Hamas at one point received up to $250 million annual-
Courtesy of Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash 90
Palestinians gather during a demonstration in support of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi in the Hamas-controlled southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah on August 23, 2013. The removal of Morsi – a president from Hamas’s parent group, the Muslim Brotherhood – creates “serious problems for Hamas,” Matthew Levitt of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy said
ly from Iran. But all that changed following exiled Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal’s decision to close the Hamas office in Damascus in early 2012 and to pursue support from Sunni powers such as Turkey, Qatar and the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, all of which were on the rise at the time. Today, analysts believe Iran’s aid to Hamas has been significantly reduced following the two parties’ fallout over Syria. The relationship between Sunni Hamas and Shi’a Iran has always been united around their mutual hatred of Israel. In a region that is increasingly split between Sunni and Shi’a forces, Hamas somehow man-
aged to bridge the deep theological divide between the two major Islamic sects. But in today’s increasingly polarized Middle East, with Sunni and Shi’a forces squared off in a bloody battle for the future of Syria and further tensions in Lebanon, Iraq, and in the Persian Gulf, Hamas has become the odd man out. “They [Hamas] are now largely isolated. They don’t have Egypt or Syria and their relationship with Hezbollah and Iran is deeply strained, though not completely broken,” Levitt told JNS. But in light of the changes in the HAMAS on page 22
10 • ISRAEL
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Egyptian Jews: We support military’s fight against ‘terrorism’ By Ben Sales Jewish Telegraphic Agency TEL AVIV – When Magda Haroun was out on the streets during the unrest now rocking Egypt’s capital, she saw someone standing over the body of a dead soldier. “Not even a Jew would do this,” she heard him say. Haroun, the president of the Egyptian Jewish community, doesn’t enjoy hearing anti-Semitic slurs on the street. She gets nervous when she hears Egyptians are burning the churches of Coptic Christians, a much larger religious minority than the country’s tiny Jewish community. She assumes that most of her
compatriots have forgotten there are any Jews left in Egypt. But when protesters filled Cairo’s Tahrir Square at the end of June calling on President Mohamed Morsi to step down, she was right there with them. “The amount of people in Tahrir was breathtaking,” Haroun told JTA. “The unity between people was breathtaking. Some of the people recognized me because I was on TV. They were shaking my hand and telling me, ‘God bless you. You are a real Egyptian.’ “ Haroun, 61, is the youngest of the 14 women who make up Cairo’s dwindling Jewish community. Most are now in their 80s, living off char-
ity and rental income from properties the community has owned for generations. But though small in number, Haroun says the community is proud of its country and, like many Egyptians, supportive of the army’s campaign to quell Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood. The latest round of unrest in Egypt began last month after mass protests in Tahrir Square led the army to depose Morsi, the country’s first democratically elected leader, and install a new government. The Muslim Brotherhood denounced the move as a coup and confrontations raged between its supporters and the military, leaving more than 1,000
Egyptians dead in just the last week alone. Jews have lived in Egypt for millennia. Around the time of Israel’s founding in 1948, the community was estimated to number 75,000, but in the decades that followed the vast majority fled. Those that remain are happy to call Egypt home, Haroun says. Although she has relatives in several European countries, she vows to “never, never, never” leave. “I’m very proud to be here,” she said. “I want to do whatever I can to help. We are a strong people. I am very happy now that people [are] in EGYPTIAN on page 21
Courtesy of Bassatine News
Magda Haroun, president of the Jewish community in Egypt, says she is “very confident of the future” in her country and vows to “never, never, never” leave.
For African migrants in Israel, a life in legal limbo By Ben Sales Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Courtesy of Yonatan Sindel/Flash90
Eritrean refugees gathering outside Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem for a demonstration against the deportation of refugees from Israel, June 9, 2013.
Israel Briefs Israeli police come under attack during anti-terror raid, three Palestinian rioters killed (JNS) Israeli border police on a raid to apprehend a terror suspect in the Palestinian refugee camp Qalandia near Ramallah were attacked by more than 1,500 Palestinian rioters, resulting in deadly clashes that left three Palestinians dead. The Israeli Border Police were in Qalandiya to arrest Omar Al-Khatib, a Palestinian terrorist freed in the Gilad Shalit prisoner swap, Israel Hayom reported. Bar Refaeli to Pink Floyd BDS activist Roger Waters: “Take my picture off of the video art” (JNS) Israeli supermodel Bar Refaeli tweeted a request to Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters to remove her photo from art work in his concerts if he is truly planning to boycott her native country. “Roger Waters, you better take my picture off of the video art at your shows. If you're boycotting – go all the way,” she posted on Twitter in Hebrew.
Peace talks not canceled over deadly incident at Palestinian refugee camp, U.S. says JERUSALEM (JTA) – The U.S. State Department denied Palestinian claims that a scheduled meeting between Israeli and Palestinian peace negotiators was canceled over clashes in a refugee camp that left three Palestinians dead. The clashes in the Qalandiya refugee camp, which also injured 15, took place on Monday morning. The meeting reportedly had been scheduled for that evening in the West Bank city of Jericho. Drilling firm sees signs of new gas, oil in well near Ashdod JERUSALEM (JTA) – An Israeli oil drilling company said it has found “significant signs” that there is natural gas and oil in an offshore well near the port city of Ashdod. Shemen Oil and Gas Resources Inc. made the announcement on Monday, clarifying that these are only “preliminary indications” and that “the size and economic worthwhileness of the reserve cannot yet be determined,” the Israeli business daily Globes reported. Abramowitz bid for Better Place fails
TELAVIV – Hanging by his feet in a torture cell in the Sinai Desert, Dawit Demoz knew he had only one way to escape a nearly certain death: He would have to make good on his captors’ demand of a $3,500 ransom to buy his freedom. Demoz, 23, tells a harrowing tale of escaping mandatory conscription in the Eritrean Army and following a desperate journey through Sudan, Libya and finally Egypt, where a human trafficking gang captured him in 2010 as he made his way toward the Israeli border. TEL AVIV – Israeli green entrepreneur Yosef Abramowitz failed in his bid to buy the bankrupt electric car company Better Place. Abramowitz’s company, Green EV Operation, on Sunday could not make a monthly payment of $1 million to Better Place’s liquidator. As a result, the Lod District Court approved the sale of Better Place to Tzachi Merkur, CEO of Success Parking, an Israeli parking garage company, according to The Marker, Haaretz’s business publication. Merkur will pay approximately $3 million for Better Place. Rockets fired from Lebanon do damage in northern Israel JERUSALEM (JTA) – Four rockets were fired at northern Israel, causing damage to homes and cars. Two of the rockets fired Thursday afternoon landed in the residential areas of northern Israeli cities. In Nahariya, seven houses and three cars were damaged; several homes and cars were damaged in Acre as well. At least one rocket was intercepted by an Iron Dome anti-missile battery deployed in the area, according to the Israel Defense Forces. PLO leader: U.S. envoy has not participated in peace talks JERUSALEM (JTA) – American
For three weeks, Demoz claims, he was beaten, electrocuted and hung from the ceiling until his family was able to come up with the money to buy his freedom. Demoz then was smuggled across the border into Israel, following a path that tens of thousands of Eritreans had followed before. He had hoped his struggles might finally be over. But as soon as he crossed the border, he was thrown in jail. “I heard that Israel is a democratic country with Jewish people who know what a refugee is because they suffered before,” Demoz said. “So I thought Israel could save our life. But it’s not what I expected.”
Demoz is one of an estimated 62,000 migrants who have illegally crossed into Israel since 2006 – most of them Eritrean men driven from their homeland by an oppressive dictatorship that drafts them into the military as teenagers and can keep them there indefinitely. According to the United Nations, there are more than 300,000 Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers worldwide. In Israel, they live without fear of torture and death. But their rising numbers have led to a backlash here, prompting a government crackdown that has nearly eliminated the cross-
negotiators have not participated in the renewed peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, a Palestinian leader said. “The Americans did not participate in any negotiating session so far in spite of assurances that they will play a direct role,” Yasser Abed Rabbo, secretary of the Palestine Liberation Organization, said Thursday. Rabbo made his statements to the Voice of Palestine radio, the WAFA Palestinian news agency reported.
Mubarak was freed on Thursday to a waiting helicopter, which took him to a military hospital. He will remain under house arrest after spending more than two years in prison.
Right-wing prisoner sends death threat to Netanyahu JERUSALEM (JTA) – An Israeli right-wing activist in prison for illegal political activity was arrested for sending a threatening letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The prisoner, who was not identified in Israeli media reports, is in a central Israel prison and is 22 years old. He has been accused of involvement in “price tag” attacks and issuing threats to left-wing leaders. Israeli lawmaker Ben-Eliezer: Egyptian street longing for Mubarak (JTA) – The people of Egypt have been longing for Hosni Mubarak, Israeli lawmaker Benjamin BenEliezer said as the ex-Egyptian president was released from prison.
AFRICAN on page 22
Alleged Syrian chemical attack against civilians ‘terribly disturbing,’ Netanyahu says JERUSALEM (JTA) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Syria “Iran's testing ground” in the wake of the reported use of chemical weapons against Syrian citizens. The use of chemical weapons in Israel's northern neighbor against “innocent civilians” is “terribly disturbing,” Netanyahu said in remarks released by his office on Thursday. Auschwitz survivor crowned Miss Holocaust in Haifa JERUSALEM (JTA) – Shoshana Colmer, 93, a survivor of Auschwitz, was crowned Miss Holocaust at a contest in Haifa. The second annual Miss Holocaust Survivor Beauty Contest was held Aug. 22 at the Municipal Sports Complex before an audience of thousands. More than 300 women from Israel and around the world applied to participate in the contest, according to Haaretz.
SOCIAL LIFE • 11
THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FAMILY CAMP DAYCATION
SOCIAL ANNOUNCEMENT Nearly 250 children and their parents left the hustle and bustle of city life behind for some fresh air and family fun when Shalom Family and Camp Livingston presented the first annual Family Camp Daycation on Sunday, June 9th. This “mini getaway for just the day” was jam-packed with nonstop activities, perfect for kids and parents too. Whether they drove to camp on their own, or enjoyed the convenience of riding the Shalom Family Shuttle (which included live entertainment right on the bus), families were greeted by friendly Camp Livingston staff the second they got to the front gate! Guests got the chance to use all of the camp’s amazing amenities including the 100ft. water slide, zip line, canoes, paddle boats and kayaks, and of course the water trampoline and other bigger than life inflatable water activities. And what would a day at camp be without arts and crafts? Kids got to tie dye and make lanyards at the outdoor Art Pagoda, and everyone got to partake in some traditional camp fare consisting of grilled hotdogs, hamburgers, baked beans, watermelon and more! Photos continued on Page 12
dam Miller (son of Judi and Charles) of Cincinnati played for Team Israel in the 19th Maccabiah Games and defeated Team USA. He belonged to Wise Temple and went to Sycamore schools. He now lives in Raanana Israel and is entering his junior year of high school.
A
12 • CINCINNATI JEWISH LIFE
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FAMILY CAMP DAYCATION Photos continued from Page 11
THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013
CINCINNATI JEWISH LIFE • 13
14 • DINING OUT
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Carlo & Johnny Steakhouse features “Jewel” in Cincinnati restaurant crown By Bob Wilhelmy Dining Editor Few restaurants have “swagger.” Carl & Johnny, a Jeff Ruby steakhouse, might be one of them. The place comes with a reputation of having been “connected.” That’s connected in the vernacular of the gangster scene of the 1930s. Cincinnati was little more than an outpost of big-time crime of the type found in Chicago, where Al “Scarface” Capone called the shots—literally. But there is that in the history of the building, now named after the two police officers—Carlo & Johnny—who closed down the clandestine gaming house reputedly run there by the mob. But restaurant “swagger” needs to come from the food and the service and the ambiance. Those variables are what count, and Zagat, a restaurant rating service, is the counter in many cases. “We have a higher Zagat rating than steakhouses in Chicago, New York (city) and LA,” said Ricky Tindell, GM of Carlo & Johnny. “I talk to many of our guests who travel all over the United States, and all over the world, too, for that matter, and they say this is the place; this is it; the best place for steaks of anywhere they have eaten.” So, favorable ratings; but what about the steaks? Carlo & Johnny restaurant enjoys a distinction among Jeff Ruby steakhouses, according to Tindell. There are more steak options on the menu than at any other restaurant in the Ruby chain—13 in all (one is a bison strip steak, instead of beef). The steaks are USDA prime beef. The gem in the crown of steak options is an on-the-bone number called Jeff Ruby’s Jewel. It’s a 22ounce rib steak, dry-aged for 65 days, chili-rubbed, grilled to order, and served with squat, sweet, succulent cipollini onions and shiso peppers. From the kitchen, the word is that beef dry-aged for 65 days is so tender, you’ll be able to cut it with a fork, but the steak “has really good texture and taste.” For the uninitiated, the dry-aging process enhances beef in two ways. First, moisture is evaporated from the muscle that forms the beef, which results in less volume, along with a concentration of beef flavor and taste. Second, the beef’s natural enzymes go to work as the days pass, breaking down the connective tissue in the muscle. The end result is more tender beef. Dry-aging of beef is rare in the United States today, due to the significant loss of weight in the aging process. For a steakhouse to dry-age, it must buy premium beef
Ricky Tindell, GM, standing in the bar area standing amid memorabilia of the Golden Age of show biz, when Frank Sinatra and others called the tune
Signage at the head of the drive leading to the restaurant.
Jeff Ruby’s Jewel steak available at Carlo & Johnny
to start, and then lose some of the volume of the beef to the aging process. All that aging is factored into the cost of the entrée, which of course is higher than for a normal cut of beef that is wet-aged or not aged at all. Diners interested in some other aspects of Carlo & Johnny will find another gem in the salad list,
according to Tindell: the Peter Frampton (the guitarist) salad, featuring mixed greens, asparagus, Maytag bleu cheese dressed in a pistachio vinaigrette. Or try the steakhouse tomato, fresh mozzarella and sweet onion salad, with basil vinaigrette and balsamic reduction. In the course of this interview,
the chef brought out a new salmon presentation, and it looked delicious. Other non-steak entrée selections include seared Gerber Farms chicken, with wild mushrooms; and sea bass forte (hold the crabmeat) done up with leeks, shiitake mushrooms and asparagus in a lemon-butter sauce. Also, don’t forget the sides,
which GM Tindell says are the best: “Personally, I believe our sides are the best in the city—the best creamed corn, and the creamed spinach is just as good,” he said. There are 11 sides from which to choose. Another feature of Carlo & Johnny is the patio dining available in warm weather months. Since the al fresco area is not visible from most of the dining rooms in the restaurant, many diners may not realize it’s there. But the patio has undergone a recent renovation and is a great place to relax over a meal, Tindell said. Carlo & Johnny 9769 Montgomery Rd. Cincinnati 936-8800
DINING OUT • 15
THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013
RESTAURANT DIRECTORY 20 Brix
Gutierrez Restaurante
Phoenician Taverna
101 Main St
Mexican Grill
7944 Mason Montgomery Rd
Historic Milford
1191 Montgomery Rd.
Mason
831-Brix (2749)
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612 Main St • 241-6246
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7625 Beechmont Ave • 231-5550 Andy’s Mediterranean Grille
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16 • OPINION
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Use tikkun olam to bridge Diaspora—Israel gap By Nurit Canetti Jewish Telegraphic Agency Everyone knows that an ocean separates Israel and the United States. Yet after three days in New York recently, I realized just how big that ocean really is. Along with five Israeli journalists, I participated in a seminar organized by the Ruderman Family Foundation meant to help us understand the diverse U.S. Jewish community. But as we met with more and more Jewish leaders whose Judaism is their passion – and for some their profession – I realized just how wide and absurd the gap is between American Jewry and Israel. We met two kinds of Jews. One group I would define as “classic Jews” – warmhearted Americans whose loyalty to Israel is unwavering, who believe the State of Israel is the national home of the Jewish people, who consider Israel’s scenic desert South and northern parks to be more fascinating than the Grand Canyon or Yosemite Park, and for whom the sight of Israeli soldiers in uniforms brings tears to their eyes. The classic Jews love Israel and Israelis, and if they have criticism of the Israeli government’s policies or are offended sometimes by the arrogance with which some Israelis treat them, they will not let anyone know. They are loyal Americans with an extra Israeli soul. The other type are Jews whose Jewishness may be an important component of their identity and personality, but is not necessarily related to Israel. To some, Israel is more important, to some of them less and to others not at all. But the common thread is that Judaism is very significant to their way of life. Although I knew that U.S. Jewry is no longer a homogenous community of donors, and that the consensus about the direction Israel is headed is coming undone even among its supporters in the United States, it was interesting and surprising to discover just how much people living in Israel do not understand what is going on with their brothers and sisters in the Diaspora. For most Israelis, Jews in the U.S. are the same as those who were living in America after the victory in 1967 or the Yom Kippur war for survival in 1973. I must admit that even now, after the seminar, I personally feel that U.S. Jewry “has our back” when necessary, especially if Israel’s security is threatened. But I also understand that if, for example, the government of Israel decided to attack Iran in opposition to the U.S. administration, I’m not sure that U.S. Jewry would have Israel’s back in the same manner. If during the recent American election we spoke of U.S. Jews tending to favor a specific party, while senior Israeli politicians took sides without shame or fear, I understood after a series of meetings in Manhattan just
how wrong Israelis were. Community, peoplehood, even support for Israel is decided upon by the individual Jew. U.S. Jews are no longer the “long arm” of the government sitting in Israel. The State of Israel is an important reference point but not central to their daily lives. Judaism and its ties to Israel have undergone a significant change. What impressed me most were the social activists we met, people who volunteer and stand at the head of large organizations, who attribute their humanitarian work to their Jewish upbringing and core Jewish values. Certainly in Israel this exists, especially in religious circles where gemilut chasadim (acts of kindness) and tzedakah (charity) are emphasized. But these Jews see their work in Africa or South America as a direct result of the words in the Torah that every person is created in the image of God. Their work is the clearest expression of their Judaism, but it does not manifest itself when Israel is discussed. As the seminar progressed, it became apparent that Israel’s treatment of American Jewry remains stuck somewhere between 1967 and 1973, while American Jewry has spread its wings and evolved. Diaspora Jewry is important to Israel and Israelis, and vice versa. The Ruderman Family Foundation seminar is a drop in the ocean in an attempt to connect the two worlds and understand each other; even Birthright Israel is insufficient in bridging this ocean. I want to propose a model that can help bridge the gap. If tikkun olam (repair of the world) is the way to the hearts of young Jews, Israel should generate opportunities for Diaspora Jews who are seeking self-realization via humanitarian activities. Israel could create a center that would send young Jews on social missions around the world. It should not be institutionalized nor a government program, but should be centered in Israel. This can attract young Jews who otherwise may have no interest in Israel to come to Israel and join programs that already exist around the world or in their country of origin. If Diaspora Jews see tikkun olam as a first-rate Jewish value, why shouldn’t Israel contribute and invite Jews everywhere to visit there – not just for Birthright or Masa trips – and then join humanitarian missions around the globe? Imagine what a wonderful contribution to the world it would be if Israel were to become a beacon of humanitarianism. More important, it could help bridge the gap with those who no longer view Israel as central to their Jewishness. Nurit Canetti is a publicist, columnist and editor of “Ma Boer,” a popular program on Army Radio. This Op-Ed was translated from Hebrew by Ephraim Gopin.
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The American Israelite
Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters and his #BDSFail By Ben Cohen Jewish Telegraphic Agency Back in 1976, when the burgeoning punk movement began transforming the rock’n’roll landscapes of London and New York, a young man named John Lydon scrawled the words “I Hate...” on his Pink Floyd tshirt. With this one stroke, Lydon, aka Johnny Rotten, the lead singer of The Sex Pistols, demarcated the past from the future: eschewing the lengthy and ponderous compositions of Floyd’s frontman, Roger Waters, Rotten and his mates set about delivering sharp, angry tunes in a compact three-minute format. Almost 40 years later, popular music has undergone numerous other transformations, but Rotten (who now calls himself Lydon again) and Waters have remained polar opposites. And as Israelis know better than most, that’s true both inside and outside the recording studio. Back in 2010, Lydon rounded on critics of his decision to play a gig in Tel Aviv by telling them, “I have absolutely one rule, right? Until I see an Arab country, a Muslim country, with a democracy, I won’t understand how anyone can have a problem with how they (the Palestinians) are treated.” By contrast, Waters – outwardly, a much more refined and eloquent fellow – has firmly hitched himself to the movement pressing for a campaign of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel. Waters’s support for BDS is thought to be the reason that his scheduled appearance at the 92nd Sreet Y in New York City was canceled back in April, while more recently, he tussled with the Simon Wiesenthal Center over an accusation of anti-Semitism that stemmed from a feature of his live show, in which a Star of David is projected onto a flying inflatable pig. In his response to the Wiesenthal
Center, Waters stridently denied that he was an anti-Semite, coming out with the standard response that hating Zionism and hating Jews are completely distinct. But a subsequent letter written in August to “My Colleagues in Rock’n’Roll” – as you can see, his legendary pomposity remains unaltered – is certain to revive the charge. This time, it’s hard to see how Waters can wriggle around it. The letter begins by citing another British musician, the violinist Nigel Kennedy, who slammed Israeli “apartheid” during a recent concert that was recorded by the BBC. “Nothing unusual there you might think,” Waters wrote, “then one Baroness Deech, (Nee Fraenkel) disputed the fact that Israel is an apartheid state and prevailed upon the BBC to censor Kennedy’s performance by removing his statement.” Why did Waters think it necessary to point out the maiden name of Baroness Ruth Deech, a noted academic and lawyer? The answer’s obvious: before she was Deech, a name that resonates with English respectability, she was Fraenkel, a name that sounds positively, well, Jewish. And much as she might try to hide her origins, the intrepid Waters is determined to out her, along with her nefarious Jewish – sorry, I mean, Zionist – agenda. Sarcasm aside, this is antiSemitism of the ugliest, most primitive kind. Appropriately, Waters’s letter appeared first on the website of the Electronic Intifada, a resolutely anti-Semitic U.S.-based outfit that has emerged as one of the prime organizing platforms of the BDS movement. The Waters letter ends as follows: “Please join me and all our brothers and sisters in global civil society in proclaiming our rejection of Apartheid in Israel and occupied
Palestine, by pledging not to perform or exhibit in Israel or accept any award or funding from any institution linked to the government of Israel, until such time as Israel complies with international law and universal principles of human rights.” In case it’s not clear, in the BDS movement, such elaborate formulations are code for “until such time as the State of Israel, which was born in a state of original sin, is finally eliminated.” Here’s the rub, though: 10 years ago, when the BDS movement was a relatively new phenomenon, statements like these would have set off a minor panic in the Jewish world. These days, we’re far more sanguine, and we’ve learned that the State of Israel can survive and flourish no matter how many graying prog-rockers like Roger Waters dedicate their lives to removing the world’s only Jewish state from the map. A hashtag on Twitter that’s popular with pro-Israel activists, #BDSFail, neatly encapsulates my point. Responding to Waters, the Israeli model and actress Bar Refaeli, who normally sets pulses racing for other reasons, demanded that the singer remove her picture from the multimedia show that accompanies his live set. “If you’re boycotting,” she teased, “go all the way.” ATimes of Israel blog by a writer who uses the name “Brian of London” helpfully listed the artists who have defied the intimidation of the BDS movement by playing in Israel. Among them: Depeche Mode, Julio Iglesias and the inimitable Pet Shop Boys. Not mentioned: Morrissey, the former lead singer of The Smiths, one of my favorite bands, who asked his Tel Aviv audience in 2012, “Mah Nishmah?” (“How Are You?” in Hebrew), and wrapped himself in the Israeli flag.
JEWISH LIFE • 17
THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013
SHABBAT SHALOM: PARSHAT NITZAVIM VAELECH DEUTERONOMY 29:9- 31:30
Sedra of the Week
by Rabbi Shlomo Riskin EFRAT, Israel – These two Biblical portions of NitzavimVayelech always precede Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year of G-d’s universal majesty (Malkhuyot) – and this by Rabbinic mandate: “Ezra decreed for Israel that the chastisements of the Priestly Book of Leviticus (Behukotai) be publicly read before Shavuot, and that the chastisements of the Book of Deuteronomy be publicly read before Rosh Hashanah” (BT Megillah 31b). There are two places in the Bible where the text warns the Israelites of the horrific causes of exile, persecution and suffering they will be forced to endure if they do not properly observe the Divine commands: in the portion of Behukotai in the Book of Leviticus and in the portion of Ki Tavo – which we read last week – in the Book of Deuteronomy. Nachmanides (the Ramban) teaches that the first instance of “curses” refers to the destruction of the first Temple and the second to the destruction of the Second Temple. Furthermore, it certainly seems logical that we read one portion of chastisements before we celebrate the Festival of the Giving of the Torah (Shavuot) – in order to emphasize the importance of maintaining the Torah, in order to highlight the exis-
tential stake every Israelite has in seeing to it that the entire nation remain true to the teachings of the Torah. But why read chastisements before the Festival of Rosh Hashanah, when we declare the universal majesty of the Almighty G-d? Rosh Hashanah is the time when we pray to “perfect the world in the kingship of the Almighty,” when we commit ourselves to “turn all the wicked of the earth” to the ideals of ethical monotheism, when we anxiously await the period when “every creature will know that You created him, every formed being will understand that You formed him.” What has this universal message to do with the frightening warnings to the Israelites of the dire consequences in store for them if they neglect the Divine commands? And even more to the point, we read the curses of Ki Tavo last week; this week we read Nitzavim-Yayelech, and this Sabbath is the Sabbath before Rosh Hashanah! There is yet one more fundamental issue we must ponder before we can begin to gain clarity. The chastisements of Ki Tavo conclude with the Biblical words, “These are the words of the covenant (brit), which the Lord commanded Moses to establish with the Israelites in the land of Moab in addition to the covenant which He established with them in Horeb” (Deuteronomy 28:69). We have already seen the establishment of two covenants, the first one with the paterfamilias Abraham at the very dawn of Jewish history (the Covenant between the Pieces, Genesis 15:9-21), and the second with the Jewish nation at
Sinai (Exodus 24:1-9); the covenant with Abraham established the nation-state of Israel and the covenant at Sinai established the religion of Israel. What is the significance of this third covenant at Moab, before Israel’s entry into the Holy Land? Why do we require an additional covenant – and what does it teach us? The Talmud (Tractate Sotah), in a fascinating play on the Hebrew phrase Arvot Moab (literally, the Plains of Moab), maintains that this was the covenant of “co-signership,” of mutual responsibility and the inter-dependence of every Jew with every other Jew (arevut Moab, an arev being a co-signer or countersigner to a legal obligation). But was this not the case as soon as we became a nation-state (at least in potential) at the time of Abraham? Do not family members share mutual responsibility, with each serving as guarantor for the other? I believe that a careful reading of the Biblical text will provide the answer. The introduction to the chastisements – covenant of Ki Tavo emphasizes the fact that the Israelites are about to cross the Jordan River and take their place as a functioning nation-state amongst all other nation-states (Deuteronomy 27:2). They are then to set up large plastered stones upon which the words of the Torah – according to most interpretations, the Ten Commandments – are to be written, “clearly explained” (ba’er heitev); the Talmudic Sages interpret this to mean that they are to be translated into the 70 languages of the world SEDRA on page 19
T EST Y OUR T ORAH KNOWLEDGE THIS WEEK’S PORTION: NITZAVIM-VAYELECH (DEVARIMT 29:9—31:30)
2. How will the destruction happen? a.) Flood b.) Fire c.) Drought 3. Which sin will bring about the destruction? a.) Idolatry
b.) Theft c.) Immorality 4. What will happen after the destruction? a.) The Children of Israel will be poor b.) Exile c.) The Children of Israel will be slaves 5. What should the attitude be towards doing mitzvot? a.) Doing them quickly b.) Without delay c.) Can do attitude
Sforno. 2. B 29:22 3. A 29:24,25 The children of Israel followed idolatry even though they never had a positive Written by Rabbi Dov Aaron Wise
ANSWERS 1. C 29:22 The destruction will be clear it happened from Hashem like the destruction of Sodom was clearly sent down by Hashem.
1. Moshe compares a potential destruction of the Children of Israel to the destruction of which nation? a.) Egypt b.) Seven nations of Canaan c.) Sodom and its environs
LITTLE KNOWN CINCINNATI FACTS Why is Beth Tefyla Cemetery also known as Schachnus cemetery? The cemetery was founded by Rabbi Schachne Isaacs (1811 – 1887. He immigrated from Lithuania and arrived in the Cincinnati area by way of New York in 1856. He opened a general store in Darrtown, later moving to Cincinnati where he entered the wholesale dry goods business. He was vigilant in the observance of Orthodoxy. When his congregation failed to include plans for a mikvah in a proposed building, he resigned in protest and started his own congregation, Beth Tefyla, in 1869. The cemetery followed soon thereafter. This quiz provided by Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati.
experience with it. Rashi 4. B 29:27 5. C 30:13
18 • JEWZ IN THE NEWZ
JEWZ
IN THE
By Nate Bloom Contributing Columnist Franco is French Fried On Labor Day Comedy Central will premiere a roast of actor/writer JAMES FRANCO, 35. The 90minute show will air at 10PM, with a repeat starting at 11:30 PM. The roast master will be SETH ROGEN, 31, who has known Franco since they co-starred in short-lived, but much loved TV series “Freaks and Geeks” (1999). Roasters include JEFF ROSS, 47; SARAH SILVERMAN, 42; JONAH HILL, 29; and ANDY SAMBERG, 35. Franco is the secular-raised son of a Jewish mother (originally from Cleveland) and a non-Jewish father. I don’t think he’ll ever identify in a religious sense as a Jew, although in years past he expressed regret that he didn’t have a Jewish education or a bar mitzvah. Certainly, he’s had many hits as a both a comedic and dramatic actor (“Spiderman”, “Pineapple Express” and his Oscar nominated performance in “127 Hours”). However, other parts of his life and career offer meaty roast material, including: his “stoner” look; his almost manic pursuit of college degrees while still acting; and his disastrous “sleepwalk” turn as the cohost of the Oscars in 2011. By the way, I just learned that Comedy Central advance critiques the “roast script” of, at least, some roasters to see if they are funny enough or if they breach the “taste” line. AMY SCHUMER, 32, who now has her own Comedy Central Show, recently said that she was a virtual TV unknown when she was invited to roast ROSEANNE BARR, 60, last August. She was happy with the exposure, but wasn’t surprised when the station “vetted” her routine in advance. Also, I’ve long known that “roasted” celebs are allowed to put a few topics off-limits. For example, JOAN RIVERS, 80, vetoed any jokes about her daughter, MELISSA, 45. Kvell and Laugh In 1975, the late founder of CBS, WILLIAM S. PALEY, founded the Museum of Broadcasting to preserve TV and radio programs and make them available to the public. It was re-named the Paley Center for the Media in 1997. In recent years, NBC has been showing “Paley Center Media Specials” and one dedicated to the funniest moments of the last sixty years airs on Sunday, Sept. 1, at 9PM. All the programs included in the special save one (“The Carol Burnett Show”) have a Jewish creator or co-creator and all except “Modern Family” and “I Love Lucy” had a Jewish co-star(s). Here are the shows, with the creator (s) names first – then the Jewish co-stars: “Seinfeld” (JERRY SEINFELD/LARRY DAVID; Seinfeld
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NEWZ
& JASON ALEXANDER); “The Big Bang Theory” (CHUCK LORRE; SIMON HELBERG & MELISSA RAUCH); “The Simpsons” (JAMES L. BROOKS; HANK AZARIA & HARRY SHEARER); “Friends” (MARTA KAUFMAN; DAVID SCHWIMMER/LISA KUDROW); “Will & Grace” (DAVID KOHAN/MAX MUTCHNICK; DEBRA MESSING); “Everybody Loves Raymond” (PHILIP ROSENTHAL; BRAD GARRETT); “Cheers” (JAMES BURROWS; RHEA PERLMAN); “Saturday Night Live” (LORNE MICHAELS; original cast: LARAINE NEWMAN & the late GILDA RADNER); “The Cosby Show” (ED. WEINBERGER; LISA BONET); “Modern Family (STEVE LEVITAN); “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” (JAMES L. BROOKS/ALLAN BURNS; ED ASNER); “The Dick Van Dyke Show” (CARL REINER; the late MOREY AMSTERDAM); “I Love Lucy” (the late JESS OPPENHEIMER); “All in the Family” (NORMAN LEAR; ROB REINER); and “Carol Burnett” (co-staring the late HARVEY KORMAN). She Left Her Heart in Jerusalem The San Francisco Bay Area Jewish paper, JWeekly, recently reported that ANTONIA BENNETT, 39, the daughter of famous singer Tony Bennett, 87, is a recent convert to Judaism. Here’s an edited excerpt from the article: “It’s been a wonderful experience for me on many levels. It’s given me a lot of confidence and spirituality in my music. Having a connection to God and the community has been wonderful for me...” One of her teachers has been Rabbi YOSEF LANGER of Chabad of San Francisco. Bennett says that: “Rabbi Langer was instrumental [in my conversion process]… I don’t consider myself a Chabadnik, but they resonate with me, because everything comes from a very spiritual place.” Accompanying Bennett on her spiritual journey has been her husband, RONEN HELMANN, whom she married in April. Helmann is Israeli, and the couple have visited Israel several times. “Going to the Western Wall,” she said, “was completely overwhelming and awesome. There are no words to describe the feeling of standing there.” When it came to becoming a Jew-by-choice, Bennett said her family has been nothing but supportive. Her Catholic ItalianAmerican father and Christian mother left it to her to find her own spiritual path. Bennett, an attractive woman, has considerable formal musical training and has performed all over the world. She frequently does gigs with her father.
FROM THE PAGES 150 Y EARS A GO J. M. Brunswick & Bro.. Billiard Table Manufacturers, Office – No. 8, Sixth street; Factory – Corner of Elm and Canal street Cincinnati, Ohio. This being the largest Billiard Table Manufactory the United States, the proprietor’s being enabled from their great facilities, offer goods in their line two per cent lower than prices elsewhere. Keep constantly on hand an improved assortment of Billiard Tables, with Marble and Cherry Tops, passed by any establishment in the Country. Goods warranted. Also BilliardCloths, Cues, Cue Leathers, and other trimmings in this line. Wholesale and Retail. Repairing done satisfactorily at short notice. The subscribers inform the public that WM. RESOR & CO. have sold their Kitchen Range business to us. – September 18, 1863
125 Y EARS A GO With the first Sabbath of September the organist and choir of the U. H. Temple re-enter on their duties. The services on Rosh Hoshona evening will commence at 6:30, and in the morning at eight o’clock. Friday evenings, as usual, at 7:30, and Sabbath mornings at ten. Prof. Poppin has been hard at work in composing and selecting new music, and he promises that his part of the services during the approaching holy days shall excel all his former efforts. Mr. Trangott, recently from London, England, is to assist Dr. Messing as Reader on Rosh Hoshona and Kippur Day. The Ladies’ Aid Society, with Mrs. Messing, as the untiring President, have had the office of in the vestry beautifully papered, and provided new floor covering for the two vestibules and the halls in the vestry of the temple. Beginning October, 1st the Rev. H.J. Messing, rabbi of the United Hebrew Temple, Twenty-first and Olive Streets, will deliver Friday evening lectures in connection with the regular temple services throughout the fall and winter. At the last meeting of the Nest of the Owls No. 1 several of our prominent young business men were initiated into the mysteries. – August 31, 1888
100 Y EARS A GO Dr. A Brill of Wheeling, W. Va., now stopping at the Forest Park Hotel, Forest Park, Pa., on his vacation, with his family, was agreeably surprised at the close of services on Saturday, August 16, when one of the gentle-
men present requested the congregation to remain in their seats for a few moments. This request somewhat startled the doctor and particularly so when one of the members present, on behalf of the guests of the hotel, presented him with a beautiful platium chain and locket with his name and date of presentation inscribed thereon, and stated that the guests tendered this to him as a token of his unselfishness and kindess toward all of them, and in particular for the Sabbath Services which Dr. Brill had conducted during his stay at the hotel. The suprise was complete and for a moment the Doctor was apparently nonplused and then showed his appreciation in his usual able manner. – August 28, 1913
75 Y EARS A GO Dr. Cyrus Adler will observe his 75th birthday Tuesday, Sept. 13th. He is one of the world’s most widely known Jews. He is president of the Americn Jewish Committee, of the Jewish Theological Seminary and of Dropsie College, member of the Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America. He has made important contributions as editor, author, scholar and citizen. NBC will broadcast his birthday program Sept. 13th at 6:30 p.m. Ralph W. Mack will observe his 60th birthday Friday, Sept. 9th. A native of Cincinnati, Mr. Mack has occupied one of the world’s chief Jewish lay-offices, chairman of the Board of Governors of Hebrew Union College, since Feb. 16, 1937. He is past president of Cincinnati’s Rockdale Temple and is a life insurance and estates counselor. Relatives and friends have learned of the engagement of Miss Marian Feld and Mr. Carl Goodman, both of El Paso, Tex. Miss Feld is the niece of Mr. and Mrs. Fisher Bachrach, of Vernon Manor, and has many friends in Cincinnati. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hauser, 308 Northern Avenue, announce the engagement of their daughter, Jean, to Mr. Mayer Kahn, son of Mr. and Mrs. Emanuel Kahn, of Piqua, O. – September 8, 1938
50 Y EARS A GO Major and Mrs. William Ferguson, of Fort Bragg, N.C., announce the marriage of their daughter, Phyllis Irene, to Lieut. Daniel M. Collier Jr. Lieut. Collier is the sone of Mrs. Alfred Lustberg and the late Mr. Daniel M. Collier. The marriage was solemnized in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, Aug. 21. A garden shower in honor of the forthcoming marriage of Miss Helen Debra Benjamin to Dr. Sanford Zussman was held Tuesday evening, Aug. 20, by Mrs. Marvin Rosen, Mrs. Franklin Chickering and Mrs.
Norman Waspe. 60 guests were at the home of Mrs. Rosen, Crowden Drive, Finneytown. The wedding is planned for Oct. 13 at the Continental Room at the Netherland Hilton. – August 29, 1963
25 Y EARS A GO Robert W. Fisher has recently been appointed to the United Jewish Appeal’s Young Leadership Cabinet. Fisher, who is the president of Texo Corporation, serves as co-chairman of the Jewish Federation’s Acharai Division and on the Jewish Community Center’s board of directors. Membership in the cabinet is open to young leaders who have demonstrated commitment in their local Jewish communities. Fisher recently returned from the annual cabinet retreat, held this year, in Colorado Springs. The three-day meeting featured seminars and workshops on an array of issues related to the future of the American Jewish community. “This was undoubtedly one of the most meaningful Jewish experiences of my life,” said Fisher. “We had the chance to hear from leaders at every level of the Jewish community. I was impressed with the people I met and I look forward to utilizing much of what I learned at the retreat, here in Cincinnati.” Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Handler (Mara Lear) announce the birth of a daughter, Allison Sara, Aug. 26. Paternal grandparents are Myron and Phyllis Handler of Plainview, N.Y. Maternal grandparents are Jean and Jerry Lear of Roselawn. – September 8, 1988
10 Y EARS A GO David and Judy Dombar of Cincinnati announce the engagement of their son, Jason Evan, to Julie Hope, daughter of Donald and Connie Berg of Meadowbrook, PA, and Longport, N.J. Jason is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Abrom Dombar of Cincinnati, OH, and Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Grossman of Forest Hills, NY. Julie is the granddaughter of Shirley Garfinkel and the late Alfred Garfinkel of Elkins, PA, and Esther Berg and the late Tony Berg of Seattle, WA. Jason attended Indiana University and is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati School of Business. He is an owner of the Melting Pot Restaurant of Coral Springs, FL. Julie, a graduate of Indiana University, earned a master’s degree in clincial social work from N.Y.U. She is a social worker with Family Central of Broward Country, FL. The couple is planning an April, 2004 wedding in Philadelphia, PA. – September 4, 2003
COMMUNITY CALENDAR / CLASSIFIEDS • 19
THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013
COMMUNITY CALENDAR September 17 8 p.m. - Peter Sagal Mayerson JCC 8485 Ridge Rd. (513) 722 -7226
August 29 6 p.m. – ‘Who Gets Promoted, Who Doesn’t and Why’ The Carnegie Center3738 Eastern Ave. (513) 936 - 9675
September 22 Sukkah City Sunday - Schoolhouse Restaurant Camp Dennison 8031 Glendale Milford Rd. (513) 703 - 3343
September 11 1:30 p.m. – Matt Snow “The Cincinnati Sinatra Tribute Singer” Seasons in Kenwood 7300 Dearwested Dr. (888) 779 - 5810
October 9 5:30 p.m. - AJC Community Service Award honoring Jay Price Mayerson JCC 8485 Ridge Rd. (513) 621-4020
DO YOU WANT TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED? Send an e-mail including what you would like in your classified & your contact information to
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COMMUNITY DIRECTORY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS ORGANIZATIONS Access (513) 373-0300 • jypaccess.org Big Brothers/Big Sisters Assoc. (513) 761-3200 • bigbrobigsis.org Camp Ashreinu (513) 702-1513 Camp at the J (513) 722-7258 • mayersonjcc.org Camp Chabad (513) 731-5111 • campchabad.org Camp Livingston (513) 793-5554 • camplivingston.com Cedar Village (513) 754-3100 • cedarvillage.org Chevra Kadisha (513) 396-6426 Cincinnati Community Kollel (513) 631-1118 • kollel.shul.net Cincinnati Community Mikveh (513) 351-0609 • cincinnatimikveh.org Eruv Hotline (513) 351-3788 Fusion Family (513) 703-3343 • fusionnati.org Halom House (513) 791-2912 • halomhouse.com Hillel Jewish Student Center (Miami) (513) 523-5190 • muhillel.org Hillel Jewish Student Center (UC) (513) 221-6728 • hillelcincinnati.org Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati 513-961-0178 • jcemcin.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) 214-1200 Jewish Information Network (513) 985-1514 JVS Career Services (513) 936-WORK (9675) • cincinnaticareer.net Kesher (513) 766-3348 Plum Street Temple Historic Preservation Fund (513) 793-2556 Shalom Family (513) 703-3343 • 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 CONGREGATIONS Adath Israel Congregation (513) 793-1800 • adath-israel.org Beit Chaverim (513) 984-3393 • btzbc.com Beth Israel Congregation (513) 868-2049 • bethisraelcongregation.net B’nai Tikvah Chavurah (513) 284-5845 • rabbibruce.com Congregation Beth Adam (513) 985-0400 • bethadam.org Congregation B’nai Tzedek (513) 984-3393 • btzbc.com Congregation Ohav Shalom (513) 489-3399 • ohavshalom.org Congregation Ohr Chadash (513) 252-7267 • ohrchadashcincinnati.com Congregation Sha’arei Torah shaareitorahcincy.org Congregation Zichron Eliezer 513-631-4900 • czecincinnati.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
EDUCA 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 Kulanu (Reform Jewish High School) 513-262-8849 • kulanucincy.org Regional Institute Torah & Secular Studies (513) 631-0083 Rockwern Academy (513) 984-3770 • rockwernacademy.org Sarah’s Place (513) 531-3151 • sarahsplacecincy.com Yeshivas Lubavitch High School of Cincinnati 513-631-2452 • ylcincinnati.com ORGANIZATIONS 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 BBYO (513) 722-7244 Hadassah (513) 821-6157 • cincinnati.hadassah.org Jewish Discovery Center (513) 234.0777 • jdiscovery.com Jewish National Fund (513) 794-3307 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
FISHER from page 5 Annual Meeting on Monday, September 23. The meeting will also include award announcements and the election of new members to the JCC Board of Directors. Recommended for election to the JCC Board are: Jack Rubin and John Silverman (both nominated for 3-year terms), and Barry Morris and Renee Roth (both 1-year presidential appointments). Nominated as SEDRA from page 17 (Deuteronomy 27:8, Commentaries ad loc). A sacrificial altar to G-d is to erected, “an altar of unhewn stones which iron shall not touch” (Deuteronomy 27:5). The picture being presented is that of Israel, just about to join the world community of nations, establishing as its “calling-card” – the ten commandments of morality – placed at the entrance to the Holy Land and written in languages that every Gentile can understand. The prohibition of lifting iron to the stones of the altar is reminiscent of “turning swords into ploughshares; nation shall not lift up sword against nation and humanity shall not learn war any more” (Isaiah 2, Micah 4). I would submit that this covenant is that of mutuality, interdependent co-signership, but not necessarily between Jew and Jew – that was already incorporated into the previous covenants – but rather between Israel and the other nations of the world. After all, when Abraham was originally elected, Gd commanded that “through you all the families of the world will be blessed” – through the message of Ethical Monotheism, the vision of a G-d who demands justice, compassion and peace, which Abraham’s descendants must convey to the world. This is the true mission of Israel, imminently critical in a global village, wherein every nation is dependent upon every other nation, wherein a terrorist nation — oblivious to the G-d of freedom who punished the totalitarian Pharaoh and commanded “Thou shall not murder” — can destroy the world if it has the nuclear capability to do so. This third covenant is the covenant
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of Israel’s responsibility to the world! And so the covenant does not end with “These are the words of the covenant” (Deuteronomy 28:69), but continues to remind the Israelites how the Almighty punished Pharoah (Deuteronomy 29:1ff), and to define itself – in Nitzavim – as what G-d swore to the patriarchs (Deuteronomy 29:12), which I would take to mean that Abraham would be the Father of a multitude of nations (Genesis 17:1-3); that on Mount Moriah G-d would be revealed to the world and all nations of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 22:14,18); and that a nation and a congregation of nations would emerge from Jacob-Israel (Genesis 35:11). Hence G-d declares that “not with you alone do I establish this covenant... but rather with those who stand with us here today and those who do not stand with us here today.” (Deuteronomy 29:13,14). I take this to mean, both with the Israelites as well as with the Gentiles. And so the witnesses to this covenant are the heaven and the earth (Deuteronomy 30:19) – the entire world. And from this perspective, this covenant of our responsibility to all the nations extends to Nitzavim-Yayelech and most assuredly belongs before Rosh Hashanah, the day in which we reestablish our commitment “to perfect the world in the Kingship of Gd.” Shabbat Shalom Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Chancellor Ohr Torah Stone Chief Rabbi – Efrat Israel
20 • BUSINESS / TEEN HEROES
WWW.AMERICANISRAELITE.COM
Puzzling project: Max Wallack helps Alzheimer’s patients By Suzanne Kurtz Sloan Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Isaac Selya
Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra appoints Selya assistant conductor The Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra has a new local artistic presence in the person of Assistant Conductor Isaac Selya. Currently completing his doctoral studies in conducting at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), Selya recently conducted an acclaimed CCM mainstage production of Mozart’s Magic Flute. Selya, who grew up in Amberley Village, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Yale College, where he was principal cellist of the Yale Symphony and sang in Yale’s elite Schola Cantorum chamber choir. He completed his Master of Music in conducting at Mannes College in Manhattan. ADL from page 6 ignoring the world’s true human rights violators, must be driven by something other than a guilty conscience. Taking all this into account, one must conclude that your views on Israel are in fact colored by offensive and dangerous undercurrents of anti-Jewish sentiment. If you were truly interested in leading an honest human rights campaign, you could start by speaking out against policies of the above-mentioned countries, as well as many others that commit actual crimes against their citizens. And if you wanted to sincerely address the IsraeliPalestinian conflict, you could express your support for a twostate solution, and encourage your fellow musicians to
(JTA) – Max Wallack was 6 years old when his beloved greatgrandmother Gertrude came to live with him and his family in Natick, Mass. For four years he helped his parents take care of her and saw firsthand the effects of Alzheimer’s disease on her. But Wallack also noticed that when she and other Alzheimer’s patients would do simple jigsaw puzzles, their mood would lighten. The observation would change him forever. “Patients were so often depressed and agitated, but after they would do a puzzle, they were happy,” he said. In 2007, Wallack began researching the role these puzzles had in assisting those with Alzheimer’s disease. He discovered that not only did the puzzles help boost the patient’s selfesteem, but they also helped slow the progression of the disease. Wallack started collecting puzzles and eventually struck up a collaboration with Springbok Puzzles to design a line of puzzles specifically for those with Alzheimer’s. His bar mitzvah project ISRAEL from page 9 symbolic,” said Eyal Zisser, a senior research fellow at the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies at Tel Aviv University. “I don’t see American interest in a complex intervention, war or sending forces. They need to do something, but not something deep.” The Israeli government repeatembrace the notion of Israel living in peace and security with a Palestinian state. How about encouraging your fellow musicians to perform in both Tel Aviv and Ramallah, a gesture that would demonstrate the unifying force of music? Mr. Waters, having many Jewish friends and relatives does not give legitimacy to your hostile campaign against the Jewish State, and while painting a Star of David on your pig may have been free of anti-Semitic intent, your strong animosity towards Israel is indeed riddled with it. I hope you can recognize the flawed nature of your anti-Israel campaign, and use your artistic voice to more positively and constructively promote peace and tolerance across the Middle East and around the world.
became PuzzlestoRemember, a non-profit that provides jigsaw puzzles to patients at Alzheimer’s and veteran’s facilities internationally. Since its inception, the organization has distributed more than 23,000 puzzles to 2,000 facilities. Today the 17-year-old is a rising junior at Boston University, where he has been spending the summer working at the Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry in Aging at BU’s Alzheimer’s Disease Center. He hopes to attend medical school in a few years. Wallack, who skipped kindergarten and fifth grade, was recently awarded the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award for his service project. He plans to apply a little of the prize money toward his research and “a lot towards my tuition,” he said. Working with Alzheimer’s patients, Wallack said, “really is my calling; it’s really important to me.” JTA spoke to Wallack about his plans for the future, his biggest influences and how he still makes time to have fun.
Courtesy of Vernon Doucette
Max Wallack with Wendy Qiu, who heads the Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry in Aging at Boston University’s Alzheimer’s Disease Center.
ple with Alzheimer’s disease? Max: Usually puzzles that have bigger pieces but are the same dimensions of a large [500-piece] puzzle but in 12 or 36 [total] pieces, with colorful, vivid, memory-provoking scenes.
Scholars Program for gifted children. She started me on my path. And my great-grandmother for showing me what I’m going to do for others. (SK): What do you think you want to be doing when ”you grow up” or think you’d like to be doing professionally in perhaps five or 10 years? (MW): I want to be a geriatric psychiatrist, interacting with patients and their caregivers, but I
Suzanne: What sort of puzzles have you found are best for peo-
(SK): Who or what have been the biggest influences in your life? (MW): The two biggest influences in my life have been Jan Davidson from the Davidson Young
edly has broadcast concern about the possibility that the Syrian conflict could spill over and destabilize what has long been one of Israel’s quieter borders. As the war has intensified, Israel has taken steps to protect its northern frontier along the Golan Heights, where it recently built a security fence. The prospect of a nuclear Iran is viewed with much greater con-
cern in Israel, though Obama has declined to establish any similar red lines even as he has sought to assure Israel that he is not making empty threats about preventing Iran’s acquisition of a nuclear weapon. American action in Syria might be enough to persuade Netanyahu the Americans are serious about Iran, Zisser said. But Netanyahu’s comments at his
weekly Cabinet meeting on Sunday suggested that Israel is prepared to take action on its own. “The most dangerous regimes in the world must not be allowed to possess the most dangerous weapons in the world,” Netanyahu said. “Our finger must always be on the pulse. Ours is a responsible finger and if necessary, it will also be on the trigger.”
BENNETT from page 9
prayer, but such a statute would require Livni’s approval. Under the terms of Sharansky’s plan, first reported in April, the Robinson’s Arch area would be expanded and a unified entrance built offering access to both traditional and egalitarian places for worship. Sharansky welcomed the temporary platform as “a gesture of goodwill.” The months since the plan’s broad outline was revealed have seen increased haredi Orthodox protests at Women of the Wall’s monthly gatherings. In addition, a judge determined in April that the women’s group’s activities did not contravene a law prohibiting deviation from the wall’s “local custom.” Since the ruling, no women have been arrested and the group has prayed with police protection in the Western Wall Plaza. Given its legal victory, Women of the Wall considers the platform
a step backward. The group released a statement Sunday calling it “the very definition of separate, and not nearly close to equal.” “The plan will effectively exile women and all Jews who pray in a way that is not ultra-Orthodox tradition to Robinson’s Arch and away from the area of the Western Wall where Jews have prayed for generations,” the statement read. American liberal Jewish groups were more reserved in their judgments. The Union for Reform Judaism called the platform “at best, a very small step forward in the implementation of the full plan for full Jewish equality at the Kotel.” Rabbi Julie Schonfeld, executive vice president of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly, told JTA that the plan leaves several key questions unanswered
and read from the Torah at the wall, which the haredi Orthodox consider a provocation and an infringement on their religious rights. Egalitarian prayer, in which men and women participate equally, is permitted only at Robinson’s Arch. Following several arrests of Women of the Wall members, a compromise solution developed by Jewish Agency for Israel Chairman Natan Sharansky was promised by the government last December. A detailed version of the plan is due out this week. In the meantime, the fight has been a distraction for the government, sparking a conflict between Bennett, who favors reserving the main Western Wall Plaza for Orthodox prayer, and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, who supports Women of the Wall. Bennett hopes to institute a legal statute restricting the plaza to Orthodox
JEWISH LIFE • 21
THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013
Lainey’s blog Live from Israel
by Lainey Paul After weeks and weeks of nagging... this is for you mom :) There is so much to catch you up on, I don’t even know where to begin. Life in the army is crazy, with very little time to breathe. I guess I’ll just do my usual: go with the flow. The last time I posted was right before my family came for the Maccabiah games (the “Jewish Olympics’). I can’t believe that was already more than a month ago! For those of you that don't know, my brother, Jake, was on the USA Men’s Open Gymnastics team. I didn’t really comprehend what that exactly meant before he got here, but I can tell you now, it means he’s kind of a big deal! This
ANTI-SEMITIC from page 8 tence merely underlines the impunity enjoyed by others who are much more corrupt and more powerful than himself, and who even use the judiciary to frame and knock out competitors or critics,” said Michael Edelstein, a lecturer at Moscow State University and a writer for the monthly magazine L’chaim. Opposition leaders have seized on the Farber case as evidence of the corruption endemic to the regime of Russian President Vladimir Putin. At a rally in Moscow earlier this month, political activist and prominent Putin critic Alexei Navalny compared Farber’s treatment with that of Yevgeniya Vasileva, who is EGYPTIAN from page 10 the street. Instead of talking about football, they are talking politics. There is more awareness about the importance of our country.” On Tuesday, CNN reported that the White House was withholding some military aid to Egypt in protest of the military’s violent crackdown on Morsi supporters. But for Haroun, the army’s assertion of control is a welcome development she sees as “fighting terrorism.” Haroun says the Jewish community thus far has not experienced any anti-Semitism as a
thing was HUGE. Not gonna lie, it may have even compared to the olympics - and I went to London 2012, so I would know. Actually, opening ceremony was one of the craziest events I’ve been to, and I haven't even gotten to the closing ceremony... I was fortunate enough to get out of the army early to meet Jake at the airport and watch hundreds of participants descend, all decked out in Team USA gear. For most, it was even their first time in Israel. I met the team, accompanied Jake to his “base” on Kibbutz Shefayim near Netanya, talked him through some of his doubts about competing, and all in all just spent some good, much-needed quality time with my bro. While my family was here, though, I was going through an intense course in the army that allowed for very little time off, but my commanders were super sweet and let me out every second they could. My parents couldn’t have planned better timing since I needed every break I could get. The competition itself was also amazing. One of my commanders drove me there since I was running a little late. He made an exception to the rule and waited with me to meet my parents! It was very exciting. He gave me a
huge compliment, which was very moving and unexpected. I may or may not have fallen in love with him right then and there... just kidding :) My mom went crazy since after all this time of telling her she can’t meet anyone that’s connected to me in the army, she finally got to meet one of my commanders, no less. She was so happy! Anywho, Jake had the competition of his life! It was crazy to see my little brother looking so professional with all his collegiate teammates and competing against Israeli Olympians. He definitely held his ground and pulled off some incredible routines. I was an extremely proud sister (and still am, obviously). Saying goodbye was much harder than expected. I don’t know why I keep trying to trick myself into thinking it won’t be difficult, but it never works in my favor. There were tears, and there were hugs, and more tears and more hugs, but I finally pulled myself together and headed back to the army after an incredible closing ceremony, which proved to be more like one giant party, and three wonderful weeks of having my family in Israel (my dad for eight whole days!). That week in the army wasn’t
too interesting. We officially started with my new commander, though, which was nice. He’s truly amazing but I definitely miss my old one a lot. I’m sure it will just take a little time to adjust and everything will be back to normal. We closed Shabbat (meaning we stayed on base) last week, which was great since I hadn’t been with anyone from my unit the past three Shabbatot while my family was here. Last Saturday night, however, I did have a little bit of a breakdown, unfortunately. I honestly don’t know exactly what brought it on, but the basic gist was I had a moment of questioning what exactly am I doing with my life. Very rarely do I question the decision I made, until spending time with my family is at risk. I had had a conversation with my commader that morning about me flying home over Sukkot, and I don’t know if that was what triggered it, but he said something about not knowing exactly how much time I could miss in order to make the trip worthwhile. That’s where I got to thinking... who are they to tell me that this course I’m in is more important than seeing my own family? Where do I draw the line of how much I’m willing to give up on to be in this unit? Why would I commit four years to
something I don’t even know what I’ll be doing? And yeah... my head was spinning and I didn’t know what to do with myself. But I talked to my commander and he put everything back in perspective. I know I want to be here 100% and I honestly couldn’t picture myself in any other place in the army so looks like I’m stuck for a while! This past week was really really interesting, and unfortunately also a week I couldn’t even tell my parents about; but I can say I got through week one of two of the hardest weeks of my training. But that also means that I’m about to start week two which is supposedly harder... oy vey. Shabbat was very sepcial, though, since I got to spend it in Jerusalem with my cousin visiting from New Jersey. It was so amazing spending quality time with her and re-energizing for this coming week. If I don’t post again soon, you now know why. But seriously, I’ll keep you all posted as soon as I can and hopefully before the chagim!
suspected of embezzling $11 million from the defense ministry subsidiary while having an affair with Anatoly Serdyukov, then defense minister and now a suspect in a separate corruption case. Navalny noted that as Farber was preparing his defense from the prison cell he has occupied since 2011, Vasileva was photographed at a Moscow mall during her daily three-hour break from house arrest. But Farber is not only backed by opposition figures. Also in his corner is Yuri Kanner, the president of the Russian Jewish Congress, which has tried, like many Russian Jewish groups, to remain neutral through the years of polarizing struggle between Putin and his critics. The
congress has collected more than $30,000 in donations to cover Farber’s legal expenses and support his three children, according to Matvey Chlenov, the group’s deputy executive director. “We decided to start helping Farber because we believe that antiSemitism was present and played a role in the early stages of his prosecution,” Kanner said. The anti-Semitic element surfaced early in Farber’s trial when prosecutor Pavel Vereshchagin reportedly asked the jury, “How could a man named Farber voluntarily help villagers?” Vereshchagin, who has since been made a judge, denies making the comment, which was widely
interpreted as a reference to Farber’s Jewish origins. Yet many believe it helped convince the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation to grant Farber a retrial in 2012. The court did not mention Vereshchagin, but cited other “irregularities,” including the judge’s instruction to the jury “not to listen” to Farber. Dmitry Bykov, one of Russia’s leading journalists, penned a fiery piece in the Sobesednik weekly this month in which he likened Farber’s trial to two of the most infamous miscarriages of justice against Jews in modern European history: the trials of Menahem Mendel Beilis in Kiev and Alfred Dreyfus in Paris. “All three were Jews who invoked fierce hatred in certain parts
of society,” Bykov wrote. “All three processes are divisive and accompanied by a media storm around unjustifiably harsh sentences, with appeals retrials and backroom rumors.” For his part, Farber’s eldest son, Piter, 19, does not credit the opposition or any anti-xenophobic backlash with the intense interest that Russians have taken in the case. “People care about Ilya’s case because they think that if an artist who never broke the law could be convicted in Russia, then so could anyone,” Piter said. “Especially if they’re a bit different.”
result of the fighting – probably, she says, because it’s so small. Under Morsi’s rule, however, it was a different story. Soon after taking office, the government voted to end a monthly subsidy of $1,000 to the Jewish community for more than 20 years. “The way they wanted things to go, it’s a fascist movement,” she said. “I hope we’ll start a new era in Egypt where everyone will be equal regardless of political beliefs. I am very confident in the future.” Another believer in a more tolerant Egyptian future is Levana Zamir, whose family was expelled
from Cairo when she was 12. Now living in Tel Aviv, Zamir remembers an Egypt that strived to be open to the world. “I’m very proud of Egyptians that they want to go back to the secularism and cosmopolitanism of Egypt,” said Zamir, the president of the Association of Jews from Egypt in Israel. “They need someone like [former President Anwar] Sadat, who wanted to open the Arab world.” Haroun says that as much as the casual anti-Semitism she hears bothers her, she believes it comes from Egyptians’ unfamiliarity with Judaism.
“It’s all talking, there is no action,” she said. “The talk about anti-Semitism is ignorance. The Egyptians are loving. They love each other. It’s ignorance that pushes them to hate and to burn churches.” Egypt’s unrest will prevent the community from celebrating Rosh Hashanah together in a few weeks. In past years, the community has hosted festive meals and invited foreign dignitaries and non-Jewish Egyptians. Due to the curfew now being imposed by the army, however, they cannot meet in the synagogue. A rabbi set to fly in for the
holiday has canceled his trip. Still, the community is providing support to the army’s campaign. When a call went out for Egyptians to donate money to the government during the unrest, the 14 Jewish women in Egypt decided to scrounge together what they could. “We have no money, but do you agree we should contribute a small amount of money in the name of the Egyptian community?” Haroun recalled asking the women. “You know what they responded? ‘Yes, of course. We are not dead yet.’ “
Until next time... Shana Tovah! Lainey
22 • OBITUARIES
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D EATH N OTICES
HAMAS from page 9
DOLLIN, Marjorie J., age 84, died on August 26, 2013; 21 Elul 5773
Middle East, Hamas may be rethinking its strained relations with Iran. “Qatar, the Muslim Brotherhood and other Sunni allies are not capable of supporting Hamas like Iran,” Levitt said. Qatar reportedly pledged more than $400 million to Hamas in October 2012 during a visit to Gaza by Qatar’s ruling emir at the time, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani. Hamad, however, abdicated in June, and his son and successor, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has been less receptive to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood. Rumors are that he expelled leaders of both organizations, Mashaal and Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, in late June during the Egyptian protests against the Muslim Brotherhood. Turkey, another budding Sunni ally of Hamas, has also seen its fortunes fade under the leadership of Islamist Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The once-close Turkish-Israeli relationship has not recovered from the blow of the 2010 Gaza flotilla incident, as a result of Erdogan’s steadfast support of Hamas, strong criticism of Israel’s policies towards the Palestinians, and conspiracy theories such as his recent comment that Israel was behind the overthrow of Morsi in Egypt. But the tide has changed in Turkey. Popular protests against Erdogan and his Islamist Freedom and Justice Party in early June reduced the prime minister’s clout. Meanwhile, attempts by Erdogan to visit Gaza have been reportedly thwarted by Egyptian military authorities, who are upset over Erdogan’s criticism of the Muslim
O BITUARIES
COHN, Dorothy Dorothy Cohn nee Krish was born to Abe and Kate Krish in Indianapolis, Ind. in 1913. She attended Butler University and got a degree in teaching. She married Herschel Cohn in 1942 and then relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio. Dorothy and Herschel were married and loved and devoted themselves to each other for 62 years until his death in 2004. Dorothy worked as an elementary school teacher in both Indianapolis and Cincinnati. She had a strong sense of right and wrong and worked to instill that in her children and her pupils. Along with that she was a kind and gentle person and imparted that side of her personality as well. In Cincinnati Dorothy was an active member of Hadassah and a member of Isaac M. Wise Temple where she was active in Sisterhood. After her retirement she moved to the Cove Cay community in Clearwater, Florida where she continued to be active in Hadassah and was a member of Temple B’nai Israel where she was also an active Sisterhood member. In Clearwater she did volunteer work helping immigrants learn English and was presented with the Golden Rule Award for her efforts and accomplishments. Friends were important to her. Many of her other interests and hobbies - shopping, gold, bridge, canasta, and mahjong - were the kinds of activities that were best done with close friends. Although in later years she was hit hard by dementia she always remained a cheerful individual. Dorothy Cohn passed away at the age of 99 in Clearwater, Florida on August 16, 2013. She was the beloved wife of the late Herschel Cohn. Dorothy was the devoted mother of Steven Cohn and the late Richard Collier, loving grandmother of Brandon, Brooke, Gaby, and Nicky, and 7 great-grandchildren. Graveside services were held on Wednesday, August 21 at United Jewish Cemetery in Clifton, Cincinnati, Ohio. She will be greatly missed and always remembered. Donations may be made in her honor to Hadassah or the charity of one’s choice.
AFRICAN from page 10 border flow. In July, Israel sent 13 detained Eritreans back home and has been urging others to self-deport for more than a year. But though the influx has stopped, nearly 55,000 migrants remain in Israel, most of them in Tel Aviv. The government affords them limited rights and services, but does not recognize them as refugees, instead giving them temporary IDs they must renew every three months. For these migrants, who arrived in Israel with no money, no Hebrew and no work permit, daily life often is a challenge. “These are people who are here five years, and when they go to the Interior Ministry, they don’t know what will happen,” said Orit Marom, director of public activism for Assaf, a nonprofit that helps illegal migrants receive social services. “They’re always temporary.” Like many Eritreans who have crossed into Israel, Demoz spent his first three months in jail while Israel determined his status. Upon his release, the army took him to Beersheva and gave him a one-way bus ticket to Tel Aviv. His first three nights were spent
Brotherhood’s ouster. While deteriorating relations with Qatar and Turkey have been setbacks for Hamas, by far the hardest pill to swallow has been its jihadi parent company’s ouster from power in Egypt. Founded in 1988 as an offshoot of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas has always looked to the group for ideological inspiration. But Egypt’s former secular President Hosni Mubarak, and his predecessors Anwar Sadat and Gamal Nasser, considered the Muslim Brotherhood – and by extension, Hamas – a top enemy. With Mubarak’s removal in February 2011 and the election of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Morsi in Egypt, Hamas believed it finally had a partner next door. Under Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood promised Hamas that it would allow them to open an office in Cairo and ease border controls between Gaza and Egypt. But with Morsi’s ouster and the crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood by the Egyptian military, Hamas has been cut off. The Egyptian military is also deeply concerned with lawlessness in the Sinai Peninsula and has held Hamas accountable for the support of jihadi groups there. According to reports, Hamas has been careful in its response to the situation in Egypt. It has not held any large-scale rallies in support of the Muslim Brotherhood, despite the offensive recently launched against the group. Within Hamas, there has also been a debate over the future of the organization. Long-time exiled leader Khaled Mashaal sought to distance the group from Iran and align more with Sunni powers and the Muslim
Brotherhood, whereas Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh called for more focus on Gaza. Meanwhile, other Hamas leaders such as Hamas’s former envoy to Iran, Imad al-Alami, have insisted on a rapprochement with Iran. In late July, Hamas representatives met with Iranian and Hezbollah officials in Beirut, the London-based Arab daily Ashraq al-Awsat reported. “It is in the interest of Hamas today to revise its rapport with Iran and Hezbollah for many reasons,” Hani Habib, a political analyst based in the Gaza Strip, told Reuters. “At the end of the day, all the parties have an interest in this partnership.” Iran, however, has made it clear that Hamas needs to fully revise its stance on Syria if it would like to be welcomed back into the Shi’a resistance club. Domestically, Hamas may also be feeling the heat in Gaza. Despite its jihadist credentials, Hamas has long been a target of Islamic Jihad, another smaller Palestinian terror group, as well as ultraconservative Al-Qaeda inspired Salafi groups, who ironically consider Hamas too moderate and seek to replace Hamas with their own Islamic-style emirate in Gaza. Meanwhile, Tamarod, the Egyptian movement that led to the protests and eventual ouster of Morsi, has recently set its sights on Hamas. “It is time we rejected death forcibly under Hamas’ pretext of security. Our people, regardless of their political and even religious affiliations, have been targeted by their criminality,” a statement from the group declared. The group explicitly accused Hamas of murder, torture, sabotage, bribes, vandalism and
smuggling, Ma’an News Agency reported. Tamarod has called for Nov. 11 to be an official day of protests against Hamas. “There is lot of public discontent with Hamas in the Gaza Strip,” Levitt told JNS. With the restart of IsraeliPalestinian conflict negotiations, which are being conducted with Hamas’s archrival, the Fatah-controlled Palestinian Authority, Hamas may be able to play the role of spoiler, launching rockets or terrorist attacks against Israel in hopes of derailing peace – a familiar role harkening back to the 1990s. But last fall, Israel launched an eight-day air offensive known as Operation Pillar of Defense on Hamas in response to Hamas rockets that were terrorizing southern Israel. An Israeli airstrike at the beginning of the campaign left one of Hamas’s top operatives, Ahmed al-Jabri, dead. Unlike previous engagements with Hamas, Israeli ground forces did not enter the Gaza Strip. Many analysts credit Israel’s groundbreaking Iron Dome anti-missile system for reducing Israeli civilian causalities, and thus alleviating pressure on Israeli leaders to launch a more comprehensive ground campaign. The Iron Dome, according to the New York Times, has shot down more than 400 Hamas rockets with an 85-percent success rate, effectively neutralizing Hamas’s primary weapon against Israel. “It is not clear that Hamas is in the position to cause as much trouble as it once did. It has missiles and rockets to fire, but they also know it will be on the receiving end of strong Israeli response,” Levitt told JNS.
with other Eritreans in a park across from the Tel Aviv bus station. But then a friend from back home found Demoz and took him into a one-room apartment he shared with three other men. It’s crowded, Demoz says, but better than sleeping outside. “Some don’t have a place to sleep,” said Nordin Ishag, a Darfurian who came to Israel in 2007 and last year founded Darfur Friends Association, a social service organization. “They were sleeping in the park, the street. We cannot let them sleep outside. They are human beings.” Despite its refusal to grant them permanent residence, the Israeli government provides a range of services to the migrants. Children receive free education through high school and infants get free medical care. This year, the Health Ministry opened an emergency medical clinic for migrants at the Tel Aviv Central Bus Station, and a Tel Aviv municipal program provides child psychiatric services and access to government services to the migrant population. An array of community nonprofits also have sprung up to help. The Schoolhouse provides English classes and helps migrants qualify for employment, while the
Darfur Friends Association offers legal advocacy, health care and English classes funded almost entirely by local Darfurians. Ishag estimates the organization receives monthly donations of about $25 each from 300 donors. For many, $25 is a significant sum. Demoz’s first job in Israel, working seven days a week at a metal shop, paid him just about $6.50 an hour. He has found each of his subsequent jobs – pool cleaning, building platforms for construction and working at a Herzliya hotel – through employment contractors in south Tel Aviv. The contractors match asylum seekers with jobs and pay their salaries – often with fees attached, ostensibly for taxes. “There is one big problem here – we have no ID, no papers, no life,” said Sammy, 32, an Eritrean who worked 14 hours a day, seven days a week as a restaurant dishwasher before he was fired, with no severance, after three years. Sammy was interviewed recently at a health clinic for asylum seekers and migrant workers run by Physicians for Human Rights-Israel. The clinic, staffed by volunteer doctors with specialties ranging from gynecology to physiotherapy, treats
7,000 people a year. For many of them, it is their only realistic way to get health care. “It’s difficult to get a doctor beyond the human rights doctors,” said Ananwuna, 41, who said he owes nearly $10,000 to an Israeli health care provider for the 2010 removal of a uterine tumor. Some Eritreans have managed to achieve a measure of success. Habton Mehari, 31, who came here in 2007 and calls himself “the luckiest refugee in Israel,” is on a full scholarship at Ben-Gurion University. As of last year, he’s also a father, but the Interior Ministry won’t register his son in his name. He is also $3,000 in debt from his wife’s labor, he says, and often faces racism when he leaves campus. For Demoz, the future remains uncertain. He hopes to be able to return home at some point. Until then, he wants the Israeli government to recognize him as a refugee. “I want to be here and for the Israeli government to treat me like a human being,” he said. “All Eritreans who live in Israel want to go back to Eritrea, but we can’t go back now. These people have no other option.”
2013 Rosh Hashanah Cover
COLORING
CONTEST
DEAD IS TO LINE MORR OW Frida y, st 30 th
Augu
SIZE:
Art must be no larger than 8.5" Wide x 11" High. MATERIALS:
Anything that shows up bold and bright, such as markers, crayons, paint or cut paper. AGE CATEGORIES:
Open to children of all ages. All entries must be received by FRIDAY, AUGUST 30TH THE AMERICAN ISRAELITE 18 WEST NINTH, SUITE 2 CINCINNATI, OH 45202 Entries must have a completed entry form attached to the back. Please print clearly.
2013 Rosh Hashanah Cover Coloring Contest Entry Form