Volume XXII, Issue VIII | www.thejewishvoice.org Serving Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts
PASSOVER
7 Nisan 5776 | April 15, 2016
North of Paris, a beleaguered Jewish community dares to seder BY CNAAN LIPHSHIZ SAINT-DENIS, France (JTA) – After three firebombs hit the synagogue in this poor and heavily Muslim suburb of Paris, municipal authorities advised the local Jewish community to lower its profile. Like dozens of attacks on French synagogues since 2000, the January 2009 incident at the Chabad House of Saint-Denis, which did not result in any injuries, was believed to have been Islamist extremists’ retaliation for Israel’s actions – that year against Hamas in Gaza. “We were told by the mayor from the Communist Party that it would be prudent if we tone down our activities at least until things calm down in the Middle East,” recalled Yisroel Belinow, who runs the Chabad House here with his wife, Rivky, and his brother, Mendel. “We had absolutely no intention of complying,” he said. Instead of laying low, the Belinows that year produced Saint-Denis’ first public community Passover seder, starting an annual tradition. Members of this besieged congregation say it succeeded because it reflects their unity in the face of rising anti-Semitic violence. Each year since 2009, the Beth Chabad of Saint-Denis – a small building under constant army protection – welcomes about 100 congregants for a group seder. It is led by Belinow, an introverted and soft-spoken man, PARIS | 26
Community greetings.
Raising a tent and bridging cultures at Torat Yisrael BY FRAN OSTENDORF fostendorf@jewishallianceri.org
EAST GREENWICH – There was a lot of activity at Temple Torat Yisrael on Sunday as the greater community built “Abraham’s Tent.” The event was a shared celebration between neighbors, including an even mix of Jews and Muslims, and a few Christians. More than 100 people of all ages TENT | 36
PHOTOS | FRAN OSTENDORF
Making rugelach.
Baseball’s back – with 8 Jewish major leaguers and a manager BY HILLEL KUTTLER JTA – Will Joc Pederson rebound from his second-half struggles of last season? Can Kevin Pillar build on his strong 2015 campaign? Will injuries derail onetime MVP Ryan Braun? These are some of the questions to be answered as these Jewish players and others take the field for the Major League Baseball season.
Outfielders Pederson (Los Angeles Dodgers), Pillar (Toronto Blue Jays) and Braun (Milwaukee Brewers) will all start for their teams. They will be joined by second baseman Ian Kinsler, of the Detroit Tigers, which also has a Jewish manager, Brad Ausmus. And Danny Valencia, a solid hitter, appears to be the starter at third base for the rebuilding Oakland Athletics.
Among pitchers, right-hander Scott Feldman will be part of the Houston Astros’ starting rotation. And the Miami Marlins’ bullpen will include Craig Breslow, who for 10 years has mostly made his living as a lefty specialist, the last three with Boston. With the Red Sox, he earned a World Series championship ring in 2013, then last year achieved a fi rst: He started
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a game after making 522 appearances in relief. In Oakland, outfielder Sam Fuld joins Valencia to make the Athletics the only team with multiple Jewish players. Fuld is injured and will start the season on the disabled list. Boston had been “the” Jewish address of late: The Red Sox had Breslow, catcher Ryan BASEBALL | 33
Craig Breslow
“From our Jewish Home family to yours, best wishes for a Happy Passover” Howard Freedman, President