Jewish Observer Newspaper

21 AV 5778 • AUGUST 2, 2018 • VOLUME XXXIX, NUMBER 15 • PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID, SYRACUSE, NY

Community’s teen philanthropists bring honor to Foundation

BY BETTE SIEGEL The Teen Funders Committee of the Jewish Community Foundation B’nai Mitzvah Program, led by Teen Funder Coordinator Jeffrey Scheer, met on May 6 to consider grant requests to charities from a pooled fund. The Teen Funders contribute a minimum of $250 from their bar or bat mitzvah gifts into a fund with the Foundation. That $250 is matched by the Pomeranz, Shankman, and Martin Charitable Foundation.

Over the past five years, the Teen Funders have made grants of more than $30,000. This year, there were 10 requests for money for a total of $9,449. After much consideration and negotiation, the group distributed a total of $2,500 to the following six programs: AccessCNY – $250. AccessCNY offers

person-centered services that empower individuals of all ages and abilities to reach their full potential as part of this shared community. This grant will provide the resources for four raised garden beds outside of AccessCNY’s 6666 Manlius Center Rd. office. This project will help these individuals learn life skills that will aid them in leading healthier and more independent lives.

Double H Ranch – $1,000. This grant will help sponsor a child with a serious illness for a week of summer camp. The mission of the Double H Ranch is to provide specialized programming and year-round support for children and their families dealing with life-threatening illnesses.

American Friends of Orr Shalom – $500.

Orr Shalom’s vision is to enable Israel’s See “Teen” on page 2

L-r: Jack Satterlee, Edwin Hirsh, Kassidy Hirsh, Hadar Pepperstone, Elise Beckman, Sophie Scheer, Nathan Sonnenfeld, Shayna Sikora, Rachel Alpert, Alethea ShirilanHowlett, Ella Kornfeld and Sarah Kornfeld. Among those who donated money, but were unable to attend the allocation meeting, were Rebecca Blumenthal, Abigail Charlamb, Max Charlamb, Rachel Elman, Alana Jacowitz, Caleb Jacowitz, Peri Lowenstein, Brooke Meltzer, Rachel Scheer and Eli Weiss.

“Double-Chai” Golf Tournament for Menorah Park still accepting foursomes

The 36th annual Menorah Park Golf Open is still accepting a limited number

of foursomes for its tournament scheduled for Wednesday, August 15, at Drumlins

Young Leadership ladies’ night out raises money for JMAC

BY LEAH GOLDBERG On June 27, the women of the Jewish Federation of Central New York’s Young Leadership group organized a “Ladies Night Out” at the Barre3 exercise studio in DeWitt. The hour-long class was donated by studio owner and instructor Jennifer Rubin. Each member of YLC was asked to bring a Jewish friend to

the event so as to expand the group’s ever-growing network. There was a modest donation fee to participate. The class was followed by cocktails and sushi, and the group all hung about for an hour.

To learn more about Jewish events for young adults, visit www.youngjewishsyracuse.com.

East. Registration and lunch will begin at 11:30 am, with a shotgun start at 12:30 pm, a new time this year. The format is captain and crew.

To register, visit MenorahParkofCNY. com or contact Susie Drazen at 315-4469111, ext. 141, or sdrazen@menorahparkofcny.com.

JMAC is this Sunday, August 5 The 19th annual Jewish Music and Cultural Festival is a month early this year and will be on Sunday, August 5, from noon-5:30 pm. Under the auspices of the Jewish Federation of Central New York, JMAC will take place at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center, 5655 Thompson Rd., DeWitt.

Highlights will include family en-

tertainment on the Price Chopper main stage by two-time Grammy Award nominees The Pop Ups, followed by the Susan Hoffman Watts Jewish Music Ensemble, featuring Susan Hoffman Watts on Trumpet.

All information about this year’s festival can be found at syracusejewishfestival.org.

Come celebrate our 100 year of service on October 14! th

Linda Alexander as our Guest of Honor, Presentation of the President’s Award to Mark Wladis, Entertainment by comedian Scott Blakeman

Front row (l-r): Jessica Malzman, Juliet Maloff, Mary Kielar, Aree Grunstein and Amira Goldberg. Back row (l-r): Rebecca Raphael, Rebbecca Oppedisano, Megan Sykes, Leah Goldberg, Rebecca Cohen, Elyssa Rosenbaum, Katie Jacobson and Shira Boschan.

C A N D L E L I G H T I N G A N D P A R AS H A

August 3.......................... 8:05 pm....................................................... Parashat Ekev August 10........................ 7:56 pm...................................................... Parashat Re’eh August 17........................ 7:46 pm.................................................. Parashat Shoftim

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Israel Scouts

Israel Fellow at Hillel Congregational notes

The Israel Scouts Friendship Hillel at Syracuse University has Local synagogues announce film Caravan spent a day at the JCC hired an Israel Fellow to create showings, a book discussion and teaching campers about Israel. Israeli programming for students. a High Holidays lunch and learn.

Story on page 3 Story on page 2 Stories on page 4

PLUS Women in Business.............4-5 Calendar Highlights............... 6 Obituaries..............................6-7 Classifieds................................ 8

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ AUGUST 2, 2018/1 AV 5778

A MATTER OF OPINION Thank you – from Federation’s president/CEO

BY MICHAEL BALANOFF On behalf of all connected with the Jewish Federation of Central New York, we wish to extend a sincere “thank you” to our board, donors and volunteers – and especially to Mark Wladis, who so ably led us for three years as Campaign chair.

The Federation’s fund-raising 2018 Campaign is successfully winding down, and this positive accomplishment is made possible thanks to the efforts and generosity of individuals, private businesses and corporations in Central New York.

opportunity. We need your dollars and support to continue to meet the needs of our Jewish community.

The Federation Board pledges to distribute and invest donated dollars wisely to support more than 25 effective local programs that make our community a better place to live for all who MICHAEL BALANOFF call Central New York home. Some and brings the community together to of the organizations and initiatives powaddress our Jewish priorities. ered by Federation include providing The 2018 Campaign currently stands Federation grants to more than 30 campers at $1,265,951 – breaking the record set to help pay for Jewish overnight camp; by last year’s Campaign. If you have the Epstein School’s shalshelet program not yet made your gift, now is your linking 25 Epstein students to the Sunday Your donation to the Jewish Federation of Central New York is a meaningful gift that gives back to the community.

Your support provides help for agencies locally, in Israel and around the world,

FROM THE DESK OF THE FEDERATION PRESIDENT/CEO

schools and the Syracuse Community Hebrew School, where many serve as madrichim/assistants; Temple Concord’s Open Libraries Project that digitized the synagogue’s library holdings so that they would be accessible to the entire Central New York Jewish community; and much, much more.

Federation means being a part of the community and working together to pool resources to maximize impact. Strong community support makes it possible for more to be done collectively to improve the quality of life for thousands within our community.

“Thank you” to all Federation supporters for the time, commitment and resources contributed to making the 2018 Campaign a success.

A MATTER OF OPINION Remembering Rabbi Paul Drazen

BY RABBI DANIEL FELLMAN Rabbi Paul Drazen, z”l, possessed a deep appreciation for tradition even as he sought to make Judaism more accessible in the modern world. His beliefs in inclusivity, egalitarianism and community guided him throughout his rabbinate, and now stand as a precious legacy. Whether on the pulpit in Syracuse, Omaha or the Twin Cities, or when working for the Conservative movement, Rabbi Drazen consistently taught and worked to bring wholeness to

others while honoring our Jewish faith.

At the end of shloshim, the 30-day period of mourning, Rabbi Drazen’s colleagues in Syracuse gathered to teach the values of community and civility in his honor. Rabbis Leah Fein, Daniel Fellman, Daniel Jezer, Andrew Pepperstone and Evan Shore joined after evening services to teach selections from our sages on the values held dear by Rabbi Drazen.

In coming together, the rabbis of Syracuse created a living memorial to Rabbi Paul Drazen, who saw value

and authenticity in sharing multiple views within a context of learning and community. During his all-toobrief three years in Syracuse, Rabbi Drazen worked with all his colleagues to strengthen the local community. He was an active and trustworthy partner, consistently seeking a middle ground, a place where all are welcome and all are viewed as holy.

On a personal note, I am most grateful for Rabbi Drazen and all he taught. He was my colleague in Syracuse for three

years, but he was my rabbi for nearly 36 years. I am a product of the community he envisioned and created, and I will forever treasure his influence in my life. He was filled with wisdom and encouragement, and he was always willing to experiment.

Paul Drazen’s soul was one of those great and holy souls who used his life to teach and instruct and empower all he encountered. He shared his gifts with his wife and children and with every community he served. May his memory always be for a blessing.

Israel Scouts bring a glimpse of Israel to the JCC

BY ANKUR DANG Yordanos “Yordi” Seid, 8, tried unsuccessfully to do the limbo twice. Each time, she missed by no more than an inch.

While she waited for another turn, she

reached for some of the Bamba, a peanut butter-flavored snack that’s popular in Israel, kept on the table. But just then, the music started playing again – she rushed to join her friends who were now

dancing to the song “Macarena.” It was almost the end of the day, but the energy levels among the children were still said to be high.

While each day at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center’s Camp Joe and Lynne Romano summer camp is filled with activities, July 18 was “more spe-

of Central New York

Syracuse Office

Israeli Scouts (Tzofim) sang during a July 18 performance exclusively for the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse Camp Joe and Lynne Romano campers.

Teen

children and youth at-risk to realize their potential and their right to grow up as individuals who are loved, protected, respected and made to feel special, in small therapeutic frameworks. This grant will help buy suitcases and prepare the contents: photo albums, clothing, toys and stuffed animals to go with the children when they go to their permanent foster families.

Samaritan Center – $365. The Samaritan Center is an interfaith effort of community members committed to serving the hungry and those in need in Central New York in order to promote their welfare, dignity and self-sufficiency. This grant will provide six months’ worth of baby wipes and would make an immediate difference in the lives of the 70 families who attend the center’s diaper distribution day.

Tag Foundation for Social Develop-

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ment – $235. Hoops for Kids is an international program serving more than 30,000 at-risk youth in Israel and Kenya. Its goal is to teach essential life skills to support children in becoming healthy, successful and community-oriented individuals through the sport of basketball. This funding can provide equipment, including basketballs and T-shirts, and coaching hours for an additional 210 children.

American Friends of Leket Israel – $150.

Leket Israel rescues thousands of tons of food every year from farms, caterers, hotels and more to help needy people. On average, it costs Leket Israel $1 to rescue and provide seven pounds of nutritious food to those in need. This grant award will enable the collection and redelivery of much-needed wholesome food directly to disadvantaged children and youth at risk.

Bette Siegel Syracuse Editor Publisher Jewish Federation of Central New York Inc. Ellen Weinstein Chair of the Board Michael Balanoff Federation President/CEO Alan Goldberg Vice President for Communications Editorial 5655 Thompson Rd. DeWitt, NY 13214

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cial” because on this day, the JCC hosted Israel’s Tzofim Friendship Caravan for a performance exclusively for the JCC’s summer campers.

After the show, the Scouts engaged with the campers in a number of activities.

These included dancing the hora, singing See “Scouts” on page 5

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AROUND CENTRAL NEW YORK Syracuse Hillel hires Israel Fellow

BY JESSICA LEMONS creating follow-through opportunities around Syracuse Hillel announced that Shany the Birthright Israel experience.

Ben-Tzvi will join Syracuse Hillel as its first Michelle Rojas-Tal, the director of Israel Jewish Agency Israel Fellow beginning in Fellows to Hillel, has been a “fierce advocate” August. The Jewish Agency Israel Fellows for the addition of the Jewish Agency Israel to Hillel program allows Syracuse Hillel to Fellow to Syracuse and said, “The Jewish Agenadd a qualified young Israeli as part of the cy for Israel Fellows to Hillel are the campus Hillel team, with the goal of strengthening compass for Israel. Through their diverse and and enhancing the relationship students have authentic backgrounds, they are bringing Israel with Israel. to thousands of students across North America, A former commander of a rocket system and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to team in the Israel Defense Forces, Ben-Tzvi Shany Ben-Tzvi bring this incredible program to Syracuse.” recently graduated from Ben-Gurion UniGila Fridkis (SU ‘19) looks forward to “sigversity of the Negev with a degree in political science, nificant growth” in Israel programming and engagement sociology and anthropology. She is looking forward to this year and said, “Having an Israel Fellow on our campus cultivating relationships with students and fostering will be very beneficial to our Jewish students and the connections to Israel. campus as a whole. I look forward to all of the amazing In this new position, Ben-Tzvi will create Israel conversations and widely impactful programming that programming, empower pro-Israel student leaders, Shany will bring to Syracuse as an Israeli. Shany will connect students with travel opportunities in Israel help us to think in a different way as we each develop and engage students in what she hopes are meaning- our own bonds to Israel.” ful conversations about Israel. Jewish Agency Israel This opportunity is made possible thanks to the Jewish Fellows are specially trained to work with college-age Agency for Israel, Seed the Dream Foundation and Hillel students, and are tasked with recruiting, staffing and International. Syracuse Hillel staff say they are grateful

to be selected as a campus with an Israel Fellow, and for a close partnership with Syracuse University and Hillel International, as its team and impact on campus continue to grow.

Ben-Tzvi’s first day at Syracuse Hillel was August 1 at a Hillel training for Israel Fellows to Hillels to prepare the fellows for working with students on college campuses across North America.

Syracuse Hillel seeks to enrich the lives of undergraduate and graduate students at Syracuse University and SUNY-ESF so that they many enrich the Jewish people and the world. Syracuse Hillel seeks to impact students through innovative engagement strategies, dynamic Shabbat and holiday experiences, vibrant social and Israel programming, tzedek (justice) initiatives and meaningful Jewish learning that make Judaism’s sacred tradition relevant to their lives as college students. These experiences are intended to empower students to become the next generation of Jewish leaders as they nurture and strengthen their Jewish identity, connection to the Jewish people and the State of Israel.

Syracuse Hillel seeks to cultivate the potential within every Jewish student to live a meaningful and productive life guided by Jewish values and wisdom.

JCC now accepts Optum gym membership program

BY WILLIAM WALLAK The Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center has started offering local seniors another option for working out at little or no cost. The JCC’s Neulander Family Sports and Fitness Center recently became a UnitedHealthcare Optum participating gym. Through some of Optum’s health plans for seniors, a gym membership with the

JCC is available as an insurance benefit, usually at no additional cost.

JCC of Syracuse Executive Director Marci Erlebacher said, “We’re excited to be part of the Optum program and to make our facility even more accessible to more local seniors. It’s a good fit for us and enhances our already strong position as a participating gym with other

JCC a weekly pick-up location for Main Street Farms CSA

BY WILLIAM WALLAK The Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center has again partnered with Cortland’s Main Street Farms CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) this year to be a weekly drop-off point for the farm’s deliveries of fresh, local organic veggies. Each week on Thursdays the farm’s subscribers can pick up their veggies from the JCC. Main Street Farms CSA runs for 22 weeks. It started in June and will run through November 10. They offer three types of organic veggie subscriptions, each at a

different price level. Each week subscribers receive a bag of fresh veggies straight from Main Street Farms.

The farm’s website provides great recipes and tips for cooking vegetables and makes it very convenient and easy to eat healthy.

This CSA program is very flexible. Customers may pay as they go or pay up front, and they can put their deliveries on hold if they are going out of town. To learn more and sign-up, visit http://mainstreetfarms. com/summer2018.

Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center senior dining menu AUGUST 6-10 Monday – dinner at 5 pm – brisket Tuesday – hot corned beef sandwich on rye Wednesday – spinach cheese quiche Thursday – chicken fried rice Friday – herb-roasted chicken AUGUST 13-17 Monday – dinner at 5 pm – panko-encrusted honey-mustard salmon Tuesday – beef stew over egg noodles Wednesday – baked ziti Thursday – imitation crab cakes Friday – birthday celebration – roast turkey The Bobbi Epstein Lewis JCC Senior Adult Dining Program at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center offers Va’ad Ha’ir-supervised kosher lunches served Tuesday through Friday at noon. Dinners are served on Mondays at 5 pm throughout the summer through August 28, thanks in part, to the Dr. Morton and Mrs. Libby Maloff Summer Senior Dinner program. Reservations for dinner are required by the Wednesday before each dinner.

Lunch reservations are required by noon on the previous business day. There is a suggested contribution per meal.

The menu is subject to change. The program is funded by a grant from the Onondaga County Department of Aging

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and Youth and the New York State Office for the Aging, with additional funds provided by the JCC. To attend, one need not be Jewish or a member of the JCC. For further information or to make a reservation, contact Cindy Stein at 315-445-2360, ext. 104, or cstein@jccsyr.org.

health plans. It also nicely complements the JCC’s other senior outreach programs such as our senior kosher meal program and Neighborhood Advisor program.”

UnitedHealthcare Optum is a comprehensive program designed to help keep individuals and families healthy.

The JCC Sports and Fitness Center is also a participating gym in the Silver & Fit and SilverSneakers programs for seniors, which are similar to Optum and offered through other health insurance companies.

For more information about Optum, and to see if you’re eligible, contact the JCC’s Nick Finlayson, membership director, at 315-445-2040, ext. 140, or nfinlayson@ jccsyr.org.

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ AUGUST 2, 2018/1 AV 5778

CONGREGATIONAL NOTES Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas CBS-CS B’IVRIT SUMMER FILM SERIES On Thursdays, August 2, 16, 23 and 30, at 7 pm, there will be a selection of Israeli films, including Nesher’s “The Matchmaker” and Burshtein’s “The Wedding Plan.” All movies are in Hebrew (b’ivrit) and subtitled in English. Screenings are free and open to the public.

Contact manager@cbscs.org for more information. Reservations are requested.

ANDREA SPEER IS THE NEW RELIGIOUS SCHOOL PRINCIPAL Andrea Speer has accepted the position of principal of the Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas Religious School for the coming year. She “hopes to help the CBS-CS teachers foster their Andrea Speer students’ pride in their Jewish heritage, thirst for Jewish knowledge, and engagement in the Jewish community.”

She is a native of Syracuse and at-

tended the CBS-CS Religious School.

Her parents were among the first members of the synagogue. She said that CBS-CS “played a strong role in her development as an educator, a leader, and a Jew.” As a teenager, she worked in the synagogue office, tutored other students and was active in Kadima and United Synagogue Youth, experiences that “helped cultivate a deep passion for teaching students of all abilities.”

She has since worked in the Syracuse area as a special education teacher and adjunct instructor.

Speer has been devoted to the Jewish education of the CBS-CS youth for many years. At CBS-CS, she developed and led programs for preschoolers, taught in the religious school, led High Holiday programs, advised Kadima, and served on the Youth Committee and as youth and education vice president. She is currently the special education teacher/ coordinator at the Syracuse Community Hebrew School.

She said she “looks forward to working with the CBS-CS leaders, faculty and families, and encouraging the CBS-CS children’s educational growth.”

Temple Concord HIGH HOLIDAYS LUNCH AND LEARN

BY CHANA MEIR Temple Concord will hold a series of mid-day classes on the High Holidays in August and early September.

The classes follow a Jewish custom of studying Pirke Avot, “The Ethics of the Fathers,” in the month leading up to the holidays. Classes will meet on four consecutive Tuesdays, August 14, 21, 28 and September 4, from 12:30-1:30 pm, in TC library. Rabbi Daniel Fellman will

discuss the significance of the holidays’ rituals and traditions and encourage participants to ask any questions they may have. He said, “I invite all to bring your lunch and your intrigue and study these ancient texts with me as a way of seeking guidance in preparation for the new year.”

The series is free and open to the community. Pre-registration is preferred, but not required. To pre-register, or for more information, call Diane Sacks at the TC office at 315-475-9952.

Temple Adath Yeshurun TAY SISTERHOOD BOOK DISCUSSION The Temple Adath Yeshurun Sisterhood will host a book discussion on Monday, August 13, at 7:30 pm, in the Muriel and Aaron Spector Library at TAY. The group will discuss Amor Towles’ “A Gentleman in Moscow.”

The discussion is open to the public, and there is no cost to attend. Participants are asked to enter through the center doors at the main entrance under the canopy. For more information, e-mail info@adath.org.

Gabriel Weinberg assisted in the garden at Temple Adath Yeshurun on July 6 during the Tot Shabbat in the Garden program, which was part of the community Hava Nagrilla barbecue.

SUMMER CINEMA – “THE INVISIBLES”

BY SONALI MCINTYRE Temple Adath Yeshurun continues its summer cinema series with the 2017 German film, “The Invisibles – We Want to Live,” directed by Claus Räfle. The film will be shown on Wednesday, August 15, at 7:30 pm, in the Muriel and Avron Spector Library.

The film is a combination of documentary and drama, intertwining real-life interviews with four survivors and dramatic re-enactments of their younger days.

Berlin was declared “Judenfrei” – “free of Jews” – in June 1943. At the same time, 7,000 Jews were hiding in attics, basements and warehouses. They were protected by Berliners while attempting to avoid deportation. Only 1,700 survived to liberation.

Four young Jewish people did what they needed to survive, living so recklessly that they became “invisible.” Cioma, an art student, used his talent to forge passports in exchange for food ration cards. Hanni got a haircut, dyed her hair blonde and attempted to pass as Aryan.

Ruth was taken in by a surprisingly protective Nazi colonel, landing steady work as a maid in his home. Eugen was carted from one Communist’s home to another, forming a bond with a daughter during his stay.

Executive Vice President at Beta Cinema Thorsten Ritter said, “The process of linking dramatizations, archival material and interviews allowed the viewer (to)

See “TAY” on page 7

Hebrew Interest-Free Loan

The Jewish Federation of Central New York has instituted the Hebrew Interest-Free Loan program to help Jewish people get past a temporary financial need.

To learn more about the program or to see if you qualify, visit the Federation’s website, www.jewishfederationcny.org.

L-r: TAY members Jeffrey Joseph, Stephen Halpern, Lon Lowenstein, Brad Ozinsky and Syd Tenenbaum did the grilling for approximately 250 people for the community Hava Nagrilla barbecue, a joint program with Temple Adath Yeshurun, Temple Concord and Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas.

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AUGUST 2, 2018/21 AV 5778 ■

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the choral version of “Let it Be” in Hebrew and English, showcasing Israel’s diversity through an “entertaining and educational” documentary, and sharing Israeli candy and snacks in between posing for pictures and accepting hugs from the campers.

For Yordi, the dancing was definitely the best part of the experience, followed by the limbo, which she finally managed to maneuver successfully on her third try.

“I knew I could do it,” she said with a big grin. “But I needed to warm up. And now I think I’m gonna go back and dance some more.”

She went back and joined the Israeli Scouts, who alternated between playing Disney numbers, such as Shakira’s “Try Everything” from the film “Zootopia,” and Israeli pop songs by artists such as Eurovision 2018 winner Netta Barzilai.

Israeli Scout Shir Zohar (center) taught dance steps to JCC school-age campers Noah Mowers (left) and Paul Manchester.

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Beth’s strengths include understanding color, space and design, as she taught art for many years. “My creative abilities extend into marketing and negotiating the best deal for you,” says Beth. “I will work hard for you in every detail and step of the way. I also have sophisticated photographic equipment to help show off the features of your property! Consider ‘interviewing’me if you’re thinking of buying or selling your home.”

“I’m so glad they enjoy dancing,” said Omer Ettinger, 17, a scout from a moshav (community-based town/ settlement) in central Israel. Ettinger’s main academic subjects at school are biology and dance. While she had no opportunity to discuss biology with the campers, she said she was elated to see that so many of them are passionate about dance and want to pursue it seriously.

Another Scout, Yoav Komissar, also 17, shed some light on how competitive the selection process for Tzofim is. “Seven thousand people applied from all over the country and only a hundred were selected after three rounds,” he said.

The three rounds are essentially levels – city, regional and national – which the participants must clear in order to be a part of the final group. Those who make it are then trained for six months in a variety of areas – from personal voice lessons and group singing, to public speaking and cultural activities to share with American children.

“But it is not like a talent hunt,” Komissar said with a chuckle. “They just want to make sure you’re a nice person, friendly and able to be a good role model for the campers.”

Yordi said she thinks the Scouts were definitely good role models and that they did an excellent job of getting her and her friends excited about Israel – a country thousands of miles away and which most of them have never visited. “But I want to go now,” she said. “And I definitely want to visit Jerusalem. It sounds like an amazing city because it is so old and has so many stories.”

Yordi wished the Scouts could have stayed longer.

She said she will miss them, but even then, her favorite Israelis at the JCC camp are Michal Dargatsky and Adi Rozenthal, the JCC’s summer camp Israeli Scouts who are staying the entire duration of the eight-week summer camp.

L-r: Michal Dargatsky and Adi Rozenthal, this year’s JCC summer camp Israeli Scouts.

JCC school-age camper Yordi Seid (center) posed with Israeli Scouts Avishag Baram (left) and Matan Ben Ami.

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ AUGUST 2, 2018/1 AV 5778

D’VAR TORAH

Monotheism: the balance of the universe

BY RABBI DANIEL A. JEZER Confidence and optimism permeate through sedrat Ekev. Moses encourages and prepares the people to enter the Land of Israel and assures them they will succeed in establishing a new society based on God’s laws.

He reminds them of God’s overwhelming love for his people. He also admonishes them, warning them of the pitfall and temptation of egotism, believing that their success was due to Israelite “exceptionalism.” Not so, says Moses, Israelites are not “exceptional.” God has brought them to the Land of Israel not because of their virtues, but rather because the current inhabitants have acted immorally. God expects that the Israelites will create a just and moral society based on the Torah that Moses is teaching them. If not, they, too, will suffer the same fate as the previous inhabitants. Moses assures the people that they are capable of living up to God’s expectations, a moral code.

In many sections of the Torah, as well as in the other sections of the Tanach, a barometer of morality is the treatment of the orphan, widow and foreigner, those who are in a weakened social and legal situation. Numerous times the Bible emphasizes the protection of these classes.

In this sedrah, Moses focuses on the foreigner. Protection of all three is mentioned, however regarding the “ger,” the foreigner. The Torah emphasizes “love the foreigner,” the “undocumented alien” who, in society, has few, if any, legal rights and protection. In Biblical Hebrew, “love” in this context means show loyalty, do not take advantage

Calendar Highlights

To see a full calendar of community events, visit the Federation's community calendar online at www.jewishfederationcny.org. Please notify

jstander@jewishfederationcny.org of any calendar changes.

Wednesday, August 1 Deadline for August 16 Jewish Observer Wednesday, August 15

Deadline for August 30 Jewish Observer

Friday, August 3 Temple Adath Yeshurun Totluck in the Garden, a dairy potluck and service for children from birth to five from 5:30 – 7 pm

Sunday, August 5

Jewish Music and Cultural Festival on the JCC campus from noon to 5:30 pm Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse

Tea and Torah at 5:30 pm Wednesday, August 8 TAY Hazak annual meeting and board installation at the Bistro at Menorah Park at 6:15 pm Thursday, August 9 TAY Sisterhood paint night at TAY in the Muriel and Avron Spector Library at 6:30 pm Friday, August 10 Temple Concord Shabbat in the Park at Ryder Park at 6 pm Sunday, August 12 STOCS Rosh Chodesh Elul program for women at 7:30 pm Tuesday, August 14 TC High Holy Day class with Rabbi Daniel Fellman at 12:30 pm Wednesday, August 15 Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas Sisterhood ice cream social at 7 pm Menorah Park Open Golf Tournament from 11 am – 8 pm TAY presents the movie, “The Invisibles” at 7:30 pm Saturday, August 18 TAY Shabbat L'Dor V’Dor at 9:15 am TC Havdallah at Sylvan Beach at 6:30 pm Sunday, August 19 Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse Tea and Torah at 5:30 pm Tuesday, August 21 Jewish Community Foundation of CNY annual meeting at 6 pm TC High Holy Day class with Rabbi Daniel Fellman at 12:30 pm Friday, August 24 TC – A Baseball Shabbat at the ballpark at 6 pm Saturday, August 25 TC Cinemagogue – “Humor Me” at 7:30 pm Friday, August 31 Blood drive at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center from 10 am – 4 pm TC Share-a-Pizza Shabbat at 6 pm

of, behave properly with the foreigner. Do not do unto the stranger what you would not want the stranger to do to you. The Torah concludes this section with the reminder, “remember that you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.”

Treatment of the foreigner is but one concern of the Torah. The Torah is insistent upon monotheism, an understanding of the world that preaches the radical view of a relationship of all. Every action affects everything else.

No action, no insight can stand independently only upon itself. Social policies, commerce policies, environmental policies, scientific, philosophic, religious insights all are interrelated. Focusing on one at the expense of all others is creating a false god. All have consequences, foreseen and unforeseen, as all are aspects of one universal God. Today, we are witnessing leaders elevating the importance of one aspect of the world above all others.

Commerce (dollars and cents) to them is paramount, at the expense of all else. Compassionate treatment of people – particularly foreigners, scientific insights, all other disciplines – is sacrificed on the altar of commerce.

This is immorality. Commerce is vitally important, but it needs to be understood in the context of the entirety of all other endeavors. Elevating it out of context is idolatry.

It is creating a false god.

The greatest challenge and perhaps threat to our civilization today is global warming. It can result in the

devastation of wide swaths of the earth, and destruction of entire civilizations. Yet we witness the sacrifice of responses to this threat on the altar of commerce, the altar of a false god. This is gross immorality.

The Torah is quite clear about the rewards that come to societies that live a moral life, based on the insights of monotheism, those that best balance the many facets of life. It is equally clear as to the result of those that pervert monotheism and create a false god. In very apt metaphors which could describe our current situation, Moses, in this sedrah, says, “If you serve God, and lead the type of life commanded, then God will ‘favor your land with rain at the proper season,’ that is, you will live a happy and secure life. However, if you do not live according to the precepts and do not live a moral life and turn to false gods, then God will shut up the heavens and hold back the rain.” Society falls apart.

Moses’ teachings of monotheism are radical. They demand a radical honesty and humility. They demand an adherence to the well-being and respect for all people, as well as for the world about us. Having these values, as taught to us in the Torah, will help us enjoy the blessings that are ours for the making. Moses taught the Israelites that they were capable of the challenge, and so are we.

Rabbi Daniel A. Jezer is rabbi emeritus at Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas in DeWitt.

OBITUARIES GILBERT TRACY MENTER

Gilbert Tracy Menter, 90, died on July 18 in Asheville, NC. Born in Syracuse, he attended Syracuse University and then settled in Westchester County, NY. He was the owner of GTM General Hardware, until retiring when he and his wife moved to eastern North Carolina. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge of New York City, and enjoyed golfing, boating, bowling and gardening. He and his wife raised their family in Westchester County.

He was a gentle soul.

He was predeceased by his wife, Thelma, in March 2015.

He is survived by his children, Ruthie (David Alberts) Cohen, Sandie (Bruce) Biondi, Carol (Steven) Wershaw and Larry (Ruth) Menter; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Burial was in Beth El Cemetery. Sisskind Funeral Service had arrangements.

Contributions may be made to Feeding America, 35 East Wacker Dr., Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60601 (formerly known as America’s Second Harvest). 

LEONA (NÉE LEVIN) PEARLSTEIN

Leona (née Levin) Pearlstein, 84, of Philadelphia, died on July 13.

Many satisfied customers knew Leona from her decades of service at the Leonard Shop.

She was predeceased by her husband, Sy, and her oldest son, Joe. She is survived by her children, Sam (Debra) Pearlstein and Bill (Donna) Pearlstein; two grandchildren; and her daughter-in-law, Roxanne Pearlstein.

Services and burial were conducted in Philadelphia.

Birnbaum Funeral Service had arrangements.

Contributions may be made to Wheels for Independence, 2417 Welsh Rd., Suite 202, Philadelphia, PA 19114. 

ANNE SHULMAN RAKIETEN

Anne Shulman Rakieten died on August 20.

She grew up in Syracuse, attending Ed Smith and Nottingham High School and graduated at the age of 16.

She was part of one of the earliest confirmation classes at Temple Concord. She attended Walnut Hill and Smith College, then Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School. She returned to Syracuse to work for the Council of Social Service Agencies, where she compiled the council’s agency directory.

She married Nathan Rakieten, then at Bristol, and moved to Islip, where she raised her family and developed beautiful gardens. They moved to New York City in the late ‘60s, and she contributed to the bike curb law and tutored new immigrants in English as a second language, endearing herself to many of the elite families she met.

She moved back to Syracuse to be near her family in the ‘80s and was one of the early Nottingham residents, where she built her own garden behind her apartment.

Next to gardening, she loved music and dance, and maintained her sense of rhythm to the end. While active in synagogue and Sisterhood affairs, she preferred the hands-on management of the plantings and landscapes from Bay Shore, NY, to Syracuse.

She was a consummate friend and confidante to those who knew her. She truly showed what “saging” was all about, putting aside life’s bitterness to always cheer up anyone in need.

She is survived by her son, Ralph (Joginder); two grandsons; and two great-granddaughters.

Burial was in the Shulman family plot in Woodlawn Cemetery. Arrangements were by Sisskind Funeral Service.

Contributions may be made to Wisdom Thinkers Network, 1736 State Rt. 5, Elbridge, NY 13060; Temple Concord, 910 Madison St., Syracuse, NY 13210; or a charity of choice. 

NEWS IN BRIEF From JNS.org

U.N. exhibit in NY shows fire damage in Israel from incendiary kites and balloons

An exhibition featured at the U.N. headquarters in New York the week of July 30 will show viewers the damage that Gazan terror kites and flammable balloons have caused inside Israel.An initiative of YeshAtid Party Knesset member Haim Jelin, the former head of the Eshkol Regional Council, the exhibit contains before and after photos of nature reserves, fields and agricultural lands before and after being attacked by Gazans, who have launched hundreds of flying arson weapons into Israel. The collection was curated by photographer Udi Israel, and displayed for ambassadors and diplomats from around the world. “The destructive fire terrorism not only threatens the lives of Israeli citizens, but destroys the entire ecological system in the south and causes irrevocable environmental damage,” said Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon, who submitted an official complaint three weeks ago to Amina J. Mohammed, the current deputy secretary-general of the United Nations and a former minister

of environment of Nigeria, asking her to condemn Hamas’ ecological terrorism, which has burned approximately 7,400 acres (or 11.5 square miles) of agricultural lands.

Banning Israeli girl, Tunisia may lose right to host world chess tournaments

Tunisia may lose the right to host world chess championships after refusing to grant a visa to Israel’s 7- yearold chess champion for the 2019 World Schools Chess Championship. Tunisia has no diplomatic ties with Israel and will not make an exception to authorize a little Israeli girl, Liel Levitan – the European School Individual Chess champion in her age group – to enter the country for the upcoming World Chess Federation (or FIDE) tournament.

If Levitan does not attend the tournament, she and the other Israeli contestants will be disqualified from the tournament.

FIDE Secretary Poline Tsedenova told the JPost that the organization has requested “an urgent explanation from the Tunisian Chess Federation” and demanded guarantees that the 2019 World Schools Championship would include Israelis – or else Tunisia would not be hosting the event.

AUGUST 2, 2018/21 AV 5778 ■

OBITUARIES

7

NEWS IN BRIEF

BENJAMIN SHAY RESNICK GERTZ

Upon his birth, Benjamin Shay Resnick Gertz was “immediately identified as an ‘old soul.’” He died on July 16 from cancer. He never lost hope, complained, or gave up. His character shone through at every stage of his life, and guided his quiet and principled way of moving through the world. He touched many people in his short life with his wisdom, determination, sense of humor and loving kindness.

He attended the Montessori School of Syracuse, and Manlius Pebble School, where he was recognized at graduation with a high honor given to the senior who “best represents the personal qualities of loyalty, courage, integrity, citizenship, and dependability.” He was generous with his technology skills, and for his senior project supporting younger students with reading disabilities to learn self-acceptance and to use the technology which he himself had utilized.

He advocated for himself and others, and never failed to speak up for what was right. He also knew the art of acceptance. He loved nature and was happiest outdoors when he wasn’t working. He loved biking and lacrosse, hiking, photography, and music. His studies in technology at Rochester Institute of Technology were central in his life, but his work at Innovative Technologies was at least as important to him. Shay thrived in settings where his knowledge and skills could be applied in community with others. He cherished his friends, co-workers and family, and was cherished and appreciated in return.

He is survived by his parents, Debra Lee Gertz, Carole Resnick and Richard Dorritie; his grandmother; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and loved ones.

Burial was in Frumah Packard Cemetery. Sisskind Funeral Service had arrangements.

Contributions may be made to Greenpeace, 702 H St. NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20001 or “Make It Happen Endowment 23900,” a family support endowment at Golisano Children’s Hospital for Pediatric Oncology, 750 E. Adams St., CAB326, Syracuse, NY 13210. 

ALAN H. WILSON

From JNS.org

Alan H. Wilson, 95, died on July 14 in Palm Beach, FL. He was a graduate of Nottingham High School and Syracuse University, and attended Syracuse University School of Law. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He was a former president of Lafayette Country Club and a board member of Menorah Park. He was the former president of Henry Wilson Jeweler, and a franchisee of The Red Barn. He lived in Palm Beach Gardens, where he was also a member of the Ballen Isles Country Club.

He is survived by his wife, Leona; their children, Robert (Kathleen) and Karen (Dave Cole) Amitrano; and five grandchildren.

Burial was in the Temple Concord section of Woodlawn Cemetery. Sisskind Funeral Service had arrangements.

Contributions may be made to Temple Concord, 910 Madison St., Syracuse, NY 13210. 

TAY

Thousands of North American teens gather in Israel for NCSY mega-event

On July 25, more than 2,500 Jewish teenagers from hundreds of communities in North America gathered at the Latrun Armored Corps Museum near Jerusalem for the annual National Conference of Synagogue Youth Israel summer mega-event. Affiliated with the Orthodox Union, NCSY is the largest Jewish youth movement in the Diaspora. Held under the stars, the event featured a barbecue, concert and talk from incoming Jewish Agency Chairman Isaac Herzog. The NCSY participants are high school students spending their summer vacation in Israel on various programs led by the organization. NCSY offers a number of tracks on tits Israel programs, giving teens an opportunity to tour the country, participate in Israeli summer camps and conduct volunteer work with nonprofit organizations. The goal for all is to instill a spirit of Zionism in youth, while teaching about their Jewish heritage and history.

Continued from page 4

realize that we are in fact seeing the real life stories of these four Jewish survivors on screen.” A statement from Beta Cinema read, “The two [elements] blend together into an intense, emotionally moving film, with its authenticity never allowing the viewer to forget that everything featured actually happened like this 70 years ago.” Beta Cinema is a world sales and co-financing company for feature films that combine commercial viability with artistic integrity.

In 2018, “The Invisibles” was screened at several Jewish Film Festivals, including the New York Jewish Film Festival, Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, Toronto Jewish Film Festival, National Center for Jewish Films

ABRAHAM SILVERBUSH

Abraham Silverbush died on July 20.

He was born in 1932 in Skala-Podilska, a small village in Poland (now part of Ukraine). He was educated

by Chasidim in his youth. He, his four siblings, mother, Gusta, and father, Sigmund, were separated. After his father and older brother, Benjamin, were murdered by Nazis, although only an adolescent, he became “the man of the family,” a particularly serious burden during wartime. It is somewhat due to his efforts, and largely through perseverance, that the remainder of the family survived. The surviving family members spent five years in Bergen-Belsen before being permitted to emigrate to the United States.

In 1950, he, his mother and younger brother, Itzak (Edward), were brought to an ocean liner in Hamburg.

After four days at sea, they arrived in Boston Harbor. A Jewish immigration organization brought the three from Boston to Syracuse, and he fell in love with America.

He loved the temperament of America, the people, the natural splendor of Central New York, the Atlantic Ocean, and the opportunity to live freely. He loved to make furniture the “old-fashioned way,” and taught night classes in furniture-making in Syracuse schools. He enthusiastically supported his mother and put his younger brother through Syracuse University. He enjoyed animals, chess and soccer. As a player, coach and referee, he was one of the organizers of the first amateur soccer leagues in Syracuse.

Just a few years after he came to America, he met CeCe Seigle. She loved singing; he loved classical piano.

They were married in 1955 and immediately started a family, eventually having six children. Music became a centerpiece of the family, as did Jewish identity.

He was committed to Jewish learning and the study of Torah. He and CeCe attended Temple Beth El and Temple Adath Yeshurun, where he sometimes chanted Torah at religious services, a special honor and a special skill.

Though self-taught, he loved to play the piano and compose music. He corresponded with Roger Williams regarding original compositions and instilled a love of music in his children.

He was a strong and beloved father, and a kind, giving and generous man.

He is survived by his wife, CeCe; their children, Bradley (Brett), Paula, Mark (Kelly), Jeffrey (Simone), Bnai and E.R. (Sandy); 11 grandchildren; and a sister, Zesala Biegun, of Kfar Saba, Israel.

Burial was in Adath Yeshurun Cemetery. Birnbaum Funeral Service had arrangements.

Contributions may be made to Temple Adath Yeshurun, 450 Kimber Rd., Syracuse, NY 13224. 

Ê

JEWISH OBSERVER

Annual Film Festival, San Diego Jewish Film Festival, Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival and, most recently, San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. It is the winner of the 2018 Audience Choice Award for Narrative Feature at the San Diego Jewish Film Festival and earned the Silver Award for Audience Favorite at the Mill Valley Film Festival in 2017. In 2017, “The Invisibles” was an official selection at the Hamburg Jewish Film Festival.

Film journalist and critic Michael Fox, with The Jewish News of Northern California (www.jweekly.com) and a member of the San Francisco Film Critics Circle, wrote, “‘The Invisibles’ leaves us inspired by the cleverness, resourcefulness and defiance of young people – and by the courage of the many non-Jews who hid and assisted them. A portrait of human beings at their best.”

The film is 110 minutes and is in German with English subtitles. Summer cinema is funded by the Abraham and Anita Altman Adult Education Fund. The free program is open to the community. For more information, contact the TAY office at 315-445-0002 or info@adath.org.

Moving any time soon?

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E-mail jewishobservercny@gmail.com with “JO Address change” in the subject line, or call 315-445-2040, ext. 116, to let the JO know about your new address. of Central New

TAY Hazak members (l-r) Sue Gordon, David Mizruchi, Arlee Baskin, Jeff Baskin, Cindy Goldstein, Dee Bluman and Asher Greenhouse were among those attending a pizza party prior to a concert at Ryder Park on July 12.

Your ad should be here!

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ AUGUST 2, 2018/1 AV 5778

Leading tech figures declare Israel the “epicenter of magic”

BY ISRAEL KASNETT (JNS) – Why sit behind a desk all day when you can explore Israel and meet experts in your field at the same time? That’s where REALITY Experience, an initiative by the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, comes in. The program, which offers 12 distinct journeys, each with its own focus, “brings inspiring influencers from around the globe on a transformative journey through Israel to reignite their passion and potential for repairing the world.”

JNS was invited to meet with some of the participants of Emerging REALITY, a program described on its website as “a transformative leadership experience in Israel specifically designed for leaders in the areas of augmented reality, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, robotics, computer vision, blockchain and immersive media creation who appreciate the value of collaboration, camaraderie and imagination.”

Ted Schilowitz, a futurist at Paramount Pictures, appeared full of energy and enthusiasm when he sat down with JNS. “This is quite a week. It’s like a summer camp,” he said. “It’s not just to see Israel, but to learn Israel, to really understand what makes it tick. And to see, from the particular bent of this group, why Israel is such a hotbed of innovation, startup culture, startup mentality and why the output of success is so high. I

L-r: Tyler Wunsch dnd Maddie Callander walked along Rothschild Boulevard in Tel Aviv. (Photo courtesy of the Schusterman Family Foundation)

LARRY METZGER Owner

L-M PAINTING Residential/Commercial

6340 Danbury Drive Jamesville, NY 13078-9729 (315) 446-0966 Fax (315) 446-1555 Email:LMPainting@aol.com

thought I had good insight on that, but now, after the first couple of days [on this trip], I have a much better insight on this.”

Schilowitz related a story from years ago when he was interviewed by a magazine in Silicon Valley. When asked where he thinks the best innovation in the world comes from, he replied, “I know you want me to say Silicon Valley, but I’m telling you it’s not Silicon Valley. It’s this little strip of desert in the Middle East that really has made the most relevant tech Ted Schilowitz and fellow participants herded goats to better understand their of our generation. And what roles as leaders at Neot Kedumim-Biblical Nature Reserve. (Photo courtesy of is ironic is that the countries the Schusterman Family Foundation) that surround that little strip Her best praise she saved for Israel: “It’s really impressive of desert are often trying to eradicate it from the planet using all the technology that was developed by that lit- that such a small country is such a big tech powerhouse.”

Toshi Hoo, director of the Emerging Media Lab, tle strip of desert… And it’s troubling to me that those [countries] don’t realize that this is a jewel. It has to be Institute for the Future, told JNS, “I’ve been to Israel treasured, regardless of your political dynamics, because before, and it blew my mind.

“What really drew me,” he said, “was that I wanted to you can’t execute anything without this little strip of desert. get out of Silicon Valley. I need to understand more about It’s fascinating, and it’s probably only getting started.”

Schilowitz expressed amazement that “most of the AI, and I’ve got incredible experts on the tour with me.”

Hoo said he was looking forward to all of the preeight billion humans on Earth are touching multiple things that came out of Israeli innovation every single sentations the program set up. “It’s so well-curated. It’s day, multiple times a day, for many hours a day, every not just interesting, enriching, tantalizing and delicious. single day of their lives – and they have no idea that it You really feel the sense of curation of the relationships, came from Israel… It’s just so extraordinarily relevant, and I feel the encouragement to self-actualize on this and it’s almost impossible to imagine that it all comes trip. They’re bringing all this outside stimulation and incredible new relationships, so it’s transformative.” from this [tiny country].”

Tyler Wunsch, head of sustainability at Tesla, found Amanda Goldfine, head of marketing partnerships at Oculus, was equally enthusiastic, telling JNS that out about the REALITY program while he was in Mothis was her first time in Israel. “I’ve been wanting to rocco at a fish market when an Israeli couple asked to come for a long time, so it’s exciting to be here… I’m join him at his table. When he admitted that he hadn’t yet been to Israel, they told him about REALITY tour. learning a ton.”

Asked what appealed to her about joining the pro- When he returned home, he Googled it and became gram, she mentioned a few reasons. “Obviously, it’s interested. “I’m here to learn about the companies and great networking to meet people who are in similar the technology and the overall culture that is Israel,” he industries with similar interests. We are learning a ton told JNS. “There’s a lot happening.”

Like Goldfine, Wunsch expressed his delight at being about each other and about ourselves in the process,” she said. “On the other hand, getting a chance to learn in Israel for the first time. “If I were Jewish, I would have about leadership, the industry in Israel, such a huge tech gone on Birthright. I’m not, so I wasn’t able to.

“This is a unique opportunity to come to a country and scene… being able to learn about all the different aspects of life and culture here… learning about different types experience the culture, the food, but yet be on this curated of leadership and how [people here] have been able to journey that allows you to meet with the locals, allows you to meet with people hustling in business, who are really thrive despite everything.”

Goldfine also expressed her appreciation for the pro- making things happen,” he explained. “It’s probably one gram. “Everyone on the itinerary looks really impressive, of the most unique experiences that I’ve had.”

Schilowitz summed it up best when he said: “If you and it’s sometimes the people you don’t expect that you think technology is magic, this is the epicenter of magic.” end up learning the most from.”

NEWS IN BRIEF From JTA

Netanyahu meets with Druze leaders angered by nation-state law

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held talks with lawmakers from the minority Druze community who objected to a controversial law declaring Israel the nation-state of the Jewish people. The meeting on July 26 came after Druze leaders, including three Knesset members, challenged the “extreme” law in the Supreme Court and said it discriminated against Israel’s minorities. The Prime Minister’s Office pledged “profound commitment” to the 100,000-strong Druze community, an offshoot of Islam whose members serve in the military and police. Netanyahu planned another meeting on July 27 with the Druze leaders.

Also attending the meeting with Netanyahu were Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon of the Kulanu party and Communications Minister Ayoob Kara, a Druze parliamentarian who voted in favor of the law. Kahlon told Army Radio that the law had been “passed in haste” and urged changes. “The last thing that we want is to harm the Druze community,” he said. On July 25, Education Minister Naftali Bennett of the nationalist Jewish Home party, who urged passage of the law during its years of incubation, said he had now realized that its passage was damaging to the Druze minority. “We, the government of Israel, have a responsibility to find a way to heal the rift,” he said. Defenders of the law, which has the weight of a constitutional amendment, say it restates the obvious in declaring Israel as the nation-state of the Jews.

Critics at home and abroad say it undermines the democratic nature of Israel, whose Declaration of Independence declared it a nation of all its citizens.

UK antisemitic incidents dip slightly since 2017

British Jewry’s main watchdog on antisemitism recorded 727 hate incidents in the first half of 2018, the second-highest six-month total on record. The report by the Community Security Trust, or CST, for this year’s first six months constitutes an 8 percent drop from the corresponding period last year, CST said in the document published on July 26. In the first half of 2017, CST recorded 786 incidents, constituting the highest total CST has ever recorded during any six months since the organization began monitoring incidents in 1984. During that entire year, a total of 1,414 antisemitic incidents were recorded – the highest tally so far. British media have devoted “unprecedented attention” to antisemitism since 2015, following the election of Jeremy Corbyn to lead the Labour party. Known as a hard left-wing politician, he has called Hezbollah and Hamas his friends and has defended an antisemitic mural in 2013, among other scandals involving his party’s policies on antisemitism. The previous leader of the Board of Deputies of British Jews accused Corbyn of having “views that are antisemitic” and the current leader has said Corbyn’s party is trying to whitewash its antisemitism problem, for which the board holds Corbyn partly responsible. Corbyn has vowed to kick out any Labour member caught making antisemitic statements. However, the issue of antisemitism in the Labour party appeared explicitly in only 34 incidents in the first six months of 2018, CST said. During that period, CST documented 59 physical antisemitic assaults. This figure is 26 percent lower than the 80 assaults recorded in the first half of 2017.