September 11, 2014 edition of The Reporter by Becky Schastey

Jewish Federation of NEPA 601 Jefferson Ave. Scranton, PA 18510

The

Non-profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit # 184 Watertown, NY

Change Service Requested

Published by the

Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania

VOLUME XII, NUMBER 18

SEPTEMBER 11, 2014

NEWS ANALYSIS

Why the U.S. and Israel are not getting along By Uriel Heilman (JTA) – All is not well in the U.S.Israel relationship. Somehow, the 50 days of fighting between Israel and Hamas frayed ties between Washington and Jerusalem. How did this happen? In part, the contretemps stems from the divergent ways that the Israeli and U.S. administrations view the Gaza war. Here’s where each side is coming from: In the eyes of the U.S. administration – While Israel’s security concerns vis-a-vis Gaza are legitimate, the ferocity of Israel’s response against Hamas in Gaza went too far. Furthermore, Israel’s diplomatic behavior during the crisis – especially leaks of private communications from Secretary of State John Kerry – undermined U.S. trust in Israeli officials.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and President Barack Obama met in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 3. (Photo by Andrew Harrer-Pool/Getty Images) If the United States is to continue to come to Israel’s defense in international arenas – to say nothing of sending arms to Israel and pressing Iran on the nuclear

issue – the Israeli government is going to have to play ball and demonstrate it really wants a two-state solution. Israel’s recent seizure of 1,000 acres of West Bank

land does precisely the opposite – buffeting the argument made by some U.S. officials in May that the Israelis, rather than the Palestinians, deserve the blame for the breakdown of peace negotiations in April. Let’s start with Israel’s assault in Gaza. Despite Israeli claims, the civilian death toll – including some 500 Palestinian children – and Israel’s apparent use of regular artillery shells rather than just precision munitions belied Israel’s claims that it was doing its utmost to limit Palestinian civilian casualties. There were just too many Palestinians dead and too much infrastructure destroyed – not to mention those strikes on U.N. schools sheltering civilians, bombardment of hospitals and the shooting of kids playing on the Gaza beach. Israel See “U.S.” on page 14

Facing Islamist threats, Arab nations tilt toward Israel By Uriel Heilman (JTA) – Between the war in Gaza and gains by Islamic militants in Iraq, Syria and Libya, there’s plenty of cause these days for pessimism about the Middle East. But amid all the fighting, there’s also some good news for Israel. If it wasn’t obvious before, the conflagrations have driven home just how much the old paradigms of the Middle East have faded in an era when the threat of Islamic extremists has become the overarching concern in the Arab world. In this fight against Islamic militancy, many Arab governments find themselves on the same side as Israel.

A generation ago, much of the Middle East was viewed through the prism of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Then, during the Iraq War era of the 2000s, the focus shifted to the Sunni-Shi’ite divide and the sectarian fighting it spurred. By early 2011, the Arab Spring movement had become the template for the region, generating excitement that repressive autocratic governments might be replaced with fledgling democracies. Instead, the Arab Spring ushered in bloody civil wars in Syria and Libya, providing openings for violent Islamists. Egypt’s experiment in democracy resulted in an Islamist-led government, prompting a backlash and coup a year ago and the

Iraqi families who fled ISIS fighters near the Iraqi city of Mosul prepared to sleep on the ground near the Khazair temporary displacement camp in a Kurdish-controlled part of Iraq on July 3. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty)

restoration of the old guard. After witnessing the outcomes of the Arab Spring, the old Arab order appears more determined than ever to keep its grip on power and beat back any challenges, particularly by potent Islamist adversaries. The confluence of events over the summer demonstrates just how menacingly Arab regimes view militant Islam. A newly declared radical Islamic State, known by the acronym ISIS, made rapid territorial gains in Syria and Iraq, brutally executing opponents and capturing Iraq’s secondlargest city. In Libya, Islamic militants overran the Tripoli airport, while Egypt and the United Arab Emirates carried out airstrikes against them. Concerning Gaza, Arab governments (with one notable exception) have been loath to offer support for the Islamists who lead Hamas. Let’s consider the players. Egypt: Having briefly experienced a form of Islamist rule with the election and year-long reign of President Mohamed Morsi, a leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, the pendulum has swung back the other way in Egypt. The Egypt of President Abdel Fattah al Sisi, who seized power from Morsi, is far more hostile to the Muslim Brotherhood than Hosni Mubarak’s was before the coup that toppled him from the presidency in 2011. Sisi’s Egypt has outlawed the Brotherhood, arrested its leaders and sentenced hundreds of Brotherhood members to death. The Brotherhood’s pain has been Israel’s gain. During the Morsi era, Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula became a staging ground for attacks against Israel and a conduit for funneling arms to Hamas, a Brotherhood affiliate. But after Sisi took charge, he all but shut down the smuggling tunnels between Egypt and Gaza, clamped down on lawlessness in the Sinai, and ended the

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Campaign chai-lights

Biblical archeology

A look at the programs run by the Biblical archeology is seeing a Jewish Agency for Israel that are golden age in Israel; sites are supported by Campaign funds. being destroyed elsewhere. Story on page 5 Story on page 10

News in brief...

discord that had taken hold between Cairo and Jerusalem. When Hamas and Israel went to war this summer, there was no question about where Cairo stood. For weeks, Egyptian mediators refused to countenance Hamas’ cease-fire demands, presenting only Israel’s proposals. On Egyptian TV, commentators lambasted and mocked Hamas leaders. With its clandestine airstrikes in Libya over the last few days, Egypt has shown that it is willing to go beyond its borders to fight Islamic militants. Saudi Arabia: It may be many years before Israel reaches a formal peace agreement with the Arab monarchy that is home to Islam’s two holiest cities, but in practice the interests of the Saudis and Israelis have aligned for years – particularly when it comes to Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah. See “Threats” on page 12

Federation on Facebook

The Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania now has a page on Facebook to let community members know about upcoming events and keep connected.

Candle lighting September 12.............................. 6:59 pm September 19...............................6:47 pm September 24.............................. 6:38 pm September 25................... after 7:38 pm September 26............................. 6:35 pm October 3...................................... 6:23 pm October 8.......................................6:15 pm October 9.......................................7:14 pm October 10....................................6:12 pm

French aliyah is up; Arab League PLUS to fight ISIS; IDF saves Irish U.N. Opinion........................................................2 peacekeepers; and more. Jewish Community Center News.........6 Story on page 19 D’var Torah................................................8

THE REPORTER ■ september 11, 2014

a matter of opinion After Gaza war, helping traumatized Israelis heal By Chelsea Polaniecki JNS.org “You know what’s worse than being stabbed 13 times? Being stabbed 14 times. It can always be worse.” In 2010, Kay Wilson, a Jerusalem tour guide who had emigrated from London, was brutally attacked by a terrorist in the Jerusalem Forest. After being stabbed 13 times, she fooled her attacker into thinking that she had passed on, and he left her for dead. In the moments that followed, Kay watched in horror as he murdered her best friend, Kristine Luken, right before her eyes. Four years later, Wilson has a new lease on life and an impossibly positive attitude. She truly feels that “it could have been worse,” and she motivates others with those words. This summer, I interned at OneFamily, Israel’s leading national organization solely dedicated to the rehabilitation of victims of terror attacks and their families. In a few short weeks on the job, I met hundreds of victims of terror, most of whom appeared courageous and strong. Slowly, I learned that they – like Wlson – underwent a slow and painful process that brought them peace, clarity, and ultimately, strength. The road from trauma to resilience is a long and arduous journey that requires extensive therapy and the constant support of a family, whether biological or one born out of tragedy. My experiences at OneFamily this summer taught me that caring goes a long way. In fact, becoming the “family” that a victim of terror needs to heal

“ The Reporter” (USPS #482) is published bi-weekly by the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania, 601 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, PA 18510.

President: Michael Greenstein Executive Director: Mark Silverberg Executive Editor: Rabbi Rachel Esserman Layout Editor: Diana Sochor Assistant Editor: Michael Nassberg Production Coordinator: Jenn DePersis Graphic Artist: Alaina Cardarelli Advertising Representative: Bonnie Rozen Bookkeeper: Gregory Senger

Opinions The views expressed in editorials and opinion pieces are those of each author and not necessarily the views of the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Letters The Reporter welcomes letters on subjects of interest to the Jewish community. All letters must be signed and include a phone number. The editor may withhold the name upon request. ADS The Reporter does not necessarily endorse any advertised products and services. In addition, the paper is not responsible for the kashruth of any advertiser’s product or establishment. Deadline Regular deadline is two weeks prior to the publication date. Federation website: www.jewishnepa.org How to SUBMIT ARTICLES: Mail: 601 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, PA 18510 E-mail: jfnepareporter@jewishnepa.org Fax: (570) 346-6147 Phone: (570) 961-2300 How to reach the advertising Representative: Phone: (800) 779-7896, ext. 244 E-mail: bonnie@thereportergroup.org Subscription Information: Phone: (570) 961-2300

can make all the difference – without a and their families once again fades into should never underestimate the power strong support system, the victim may the background, it is our responsibility to of love and support. When someone’s stand with these individuals so that they life is changed forever by a violent act, never find strength. Over the course of the summer, I can begin to heal. We must help them there is no telling how long it will take did everything I could to empower develop the positive outlook required for for that person to find peace and regain strength. But one thing is these brave but broken clear: the involvement of individuals. I held a mother’s hand Due to the extreme devastation brought about by a loving family is a crucial as she called home to check war, thousands of injured and traumatized Israelis element of the healing that her husband and chil- require our support. We must help them come to process. As I return home, I will dren were all right after terms with what they have lost and prepare them continue to do everything several sirens had sounded for what still lies ahead. We must share their I can to empower these in their hometown. I played with children trauma and help shoulder their burdens in order traumatized individuals, and I encourage you to do who had not been out of to keep them moving forward. the same. We cannot altheir local bomb shelter low them to get lost in the for days. I sang and danced with bereaved true recovery and enable them to realize shuffle simply because the news cycle has moved on to other things. We must mothers as they taught me how to that “it could have been worse.” Due to the extreme devastation always be there for them because they prepare the recipes that their children – fallen soldiers and victims of terror brought about by war, thousands of are our family. injured and traumatized Israelis require Chelsea Polaniecki is a resident – had enjoyed the most. I listened to story after story, provided our support. We must help them come of Woodmere, NY, and a junior at unlimited hugs and gave away as much to terms with what they have lost and Brandeis University. She is spending of my own strength as I could muster prepare them for what still lies ahead. the summer interning at OneFamily so that those affected by terror could We must share their trauma and help (www.onefamilytogether.org), an shoulder their burdens in order to keep Israeli organization dedicated to the find their own. rehabilitation of victims of terror attacks As the war in Gaza reaches its conclu- them moving forward. This summer, I learned that one and their families. sion and the plight of the victims of terror

When burning Jews isn’t news throwers attacked an Israeli automobile of them permanently disfigured? Three By Stephen M. Flatow traveling near the Yitzhar junction. An more anonymous, forgotten victims of JNS.org On August 30, Palestinian terrorists 11-month-old baby was wounded. Med- Arab terror. On September 1, the rock-throwers set a Jewish man on fire in Jerusalem, ics on the scene were quoted as saying and on September 1, other Palestinian that it was a “miracle” she survived, chose the northern Jerusalem neighborterrorists tried to set an entire bus full of since the rock that hit her was the size hood of Pisgat Ze’ev. Spotting an Israeli bus coming down Uzi Narkis Street, Israeli Jews on fire. Yet I couldn’t find of a fist. Three days later, Yedaya Sharcha- from Pisgat Ze’ev to the adjoining Arab any mention of these horrific attacks in The New York Times, The Washington ton, his wife, Hadassah, and 1-year- neighborhood of Shuafat, the would-be Post, or any other major American news old daughter Nitzan were driving in killers attacked. The rocks smashed the outlet. Why is it that news about burning the Gush Etzion region. Arab rocks windows, one striking and injuring a 3smashed through the front windshield, year-old girl. The Magen David Adom Jews is not considered fit to print? The first of the firebomb attacks causing Yedaya to lose control of the paramedics who rushed to the scene to took place in Jerusalem’s City of Da- car. It flipped over. All three family provide emergency treatment knew that vid neighborhood. A Molotov cock- members were injured; Yedaya suf- the difference between life and death for that little girl was tail – a flaming just bad aim. bottle of gasoline So once again, they are burning and stoning Jews. Yet The So once again, which explodes upon contact – was New York Times and the others are not interested. Why? they are burning hurled through the Because it doesn’t fit their preferred narrative. ...[W]hen you and stoning Jews. window of a his- report about Palestinians burning and stoning Israelis, that Yet The New York toric 19 th-century changes everything. Americans – from the average person Times and the others are not interested. house known as Beit Meyuhas. One in the street to members of Congress – regard such behavior Why? Because it of the residents, a as barbaric. They naturally conclude that giving a state to doesn’t fit their pre45-year-old man, such violent extremists is crazy. Telling the truth about ferred narrative. Most of the ediwas struck by the Palestinian behavior makes it harder to mobilize pressure tors and reporters firebomb and set on fire. He suffered on Israel to give in. That’s why in the editorial offices of in the mainstream first and second- The New York Times and so many other newspapers, news media subscribe to a narrative of the degree burns to his about burning Jews isn’t fit to print. Israeli-Arab conflict face and head. Secin which the Israelis ond-degree burns often result in permanent scarring and fered internal bleeding.  It turns out are the aggressors, and the Palestinians that my family was on the same road are the victims. That narrative supports require skin grafting. Burning one Jew is not enough to as the Sharchaton’s just a few days the political outcome that most edisatisfy the appetite of Palestinian ter- before as we headed to celebrate my tors and reporters personally endorse: rorists. On September 1, two firebombs granddaughter’s bat mitzvah by serving an Israeli retreat to the 1967 lines, a were thrown at an Israeli bus traveling hot dogs to Israeli soldiers at a base in division of Jerusalem and the rise of a Palestinian state. on Route 505, between the towns of the Hebron hills. On August 29, a mob of Palestinians But when you report about PalestinMigdalim and Kfar Tapuach. The attackers’ goal was to set the entire bus emerging from prayers in the Al-Aqsa ians burning and stoning Israelis, that on fire and burn all of its passengers Mosque on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount changes everything. Americans – from alive. They almost succeeded. The flam- threw rocks at Israeli police officers. It the average person in the street to meming bombs exploded as they crashed would be interesting to know if anything bers of Congress – regard such behavior through the front windshield of the in the sermons they had just heard en- as barbaric. They naturally conclude that bus. Flying glass slashed the driver. It couraged them to try to murder Jews. giving a state to such violent extremists was only by a miracle that he was able Two of the rock-throwers were arrested; is crazy. Telling the truth about Palestinto stop the bus without crashing – and they were minors. One wonders what ian behavior makes it harder to mobilize that the flames did not spread through they are learning in school about the pressure on Israel to give in. That’s why idea of stoning Jews to death. in the editorial offices of The New York the entire vehicle. The next day, Palestinian rock- Times and so many other newspapers, Palestinian terrorists sometimes use rocks instead of firebombs. Stoning throwers targeted Israeli policemen in news about burning Jews isn’t fit to is, after all, a time-honored method of another section of Jerusalem. Three of print. Sadly, it’s that simple. Stephen M. Flatow, a New Jersey execution in that part of the world. Re- the officers were injured. Their names were not mentioned by the Israeli media. attorney, is the father of Alisa Flatow, cently, they certainly have been trying Nor were the extent of their injuries. who was murdered by Palestinian to do just that. On August 20, Palestinian rock- Did one of them lose an eye? Was one terrorists in 1995.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2014 ■

THE REPORTER

community news community spotlight

The temple in the town By Eleanor Weber Dickman Congregation Beth Israel, located on Court Street in Honesdale, is housed in a small white building, with a steeple that makes it look like a country church. It sits on a bank overlooking the Lackawaxen River. Its plain wooden ark, which houses the synagogue’s Torahs, juts out from the wall with confidence that even an overflowing river in times of flood will not damage the holy scrolls. The faith, optimism and dedication of the small congregation that sustains this building also sustains its members as it has done so since its founding in 1849 by German Jews. It is the oldest temple in Northeastern Pennsylvania and the second oldest temple standing in the same location in the United States. There is a collegial relationship between Beth Israel and the churches in the community. All houses of worship in the town were built on land donated by the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company, which served the local anthracite coal mining industry, one of the major industries of the area at the time. Many of the congregation’s founders came to Honesdale in the mid-19th century, working in the area’s developing textile industry and establishing strong retail establishments that defined Honesdale’s Main Street. Today, the congregation of longtime members (descendants of the founders), are joined by the many who originally came to Honesdale as a vacation destination and now make the town their second permanent home, as well as young families that have moved to the area as their primary residence. Cheryl Badner – congregation administrator, wife of congregation treasurer Stuart Badner and mother of two children who attend the religious school – said, “Since

Rabbi Allen Smith led a service at Congregation Beth Israel in Honesdale.

days, the services combine the use of some of the most poetic language and music of those days, usually called Classical Reform, with the traditional Hebrew prayers of the Eastern European traditions and the most modern of faith expressions of the 21st century. The experience tends to be one of high emotion, which takes each of our members back to their own roots and allows them to express their particular theological beliefs of today.” Liza Roos Lucy, daughter of longtime synagogue leader William Roos, delights in Smith’s “love of history and his ability to connect today’s world with historic Judaism. He is a brilliant storyteller.” Lucy is passionate about her spiritual home: “This simple, intimate building compels us to be devoted. I think there is no ornate cathedral that can match its beauty. People feel See “Temple” on page 8

DEADLINE

The following are deadlines for all articles and photos for upcoming Reporter issues.

DEADLINE

ISSUE

Thursday, September 11.......... September 25 Tuesday, September 23, early........October 9 Tuesday, October 7, early............October 23 Thursday, October 23.................November 6 Congregation Beth Israel in Honesdale. my husband and I found Congregation Beth Israel five years ago, we have gained a deep understanding about our congregation’s humble beginnings and its growth during Honesdale’s heyday, and an appreciation for the special people that have helped define our congregation throughout the years. I am honored to have been given the opportunity to be part of building a strong sense of community for our congregation’s future and feel very fortunate for the friendships our family has made.” Beth Israel is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism, formerly the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, an umbrella organization serving Reform congregations throughout the United States. The Reform movement parallels, in both time and direction, the development of synagogue practice at Congregation Beth Israel. In its early years, Beth Israel was served by a succession of visiting rabbis, both student and ordained, until Rabbi Allan Smith became its regular rabbi more than 43 years ago. He leads with both religious knowledge and personal warmth, writing on Beth Israel’s website, www.congregationbethisraelhonesdale.org, “The walls of our synagogue, small and most beautiful, seem to ever expand to breathe new life into the community. There is a very welcoming invitation for everyone to join in the embrace of Congregation Beth Israel. “What enhances the uniqueness of the services at Beth Israel,” said Smith, “is the abiding respect that all the membership, both new and old, have for the long traditions of the synagogue. Out of respect for those early

READY FOR THE NEW YEAR?

no matter how You look at it... Your ad should be here!

For information, please contact Bonnie Rozen at 1-800-779-7896, ext. 244 or bonnie@thereportergroup.org

Please Join Us At Our FREE COMMUNITY ROSH HASHANAH SERVICE Friday, Sept.26 at 10:30 am CONGREGATION BNAI HARIM A REFORM JEWISH CONGREGATION 5349 Pocono Crest Rd., Pocono Pines, PA Celebrate the holiday with others looking for a connection. Families, individuals, those seeking meaning: all are welcome. RSVP 570 646-0100 We are located at the intersection of Rt. 940, Pocono Crest Rd. & Sullivan Trail, Pocono Pines, PA

ÊVisit the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania on the web at www.jewishnepa.org or on Facebook

THE REPORTER ■ september 11, 2014

Israeli company ReWalk going public

By JTA staff JERUSALEM (JTA) – The Israeli company ReWalk Robotics, which builds exoskeletons to help people with spinal cord injuries stand and walk, is going public. The company, which changed its name recently from Argo Medical Technologies to the name of its signature product, announced the week of August 28 that it will be listed on the NASDAQ

exchange in September. The company recently received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the ReWalk device, a 44pound exoskeleton that allows individuals with spinal cord injuries to walk, stand and sit with minimal exertion. ReWalk is already in use in Europe and was featured in 2010 on the popular television drama “Glee”while ReWalk was undergoing

clinical trials in the United States. Released in September 2012, ReWalk is the brainchild of Amit Goffer, an Israeli computer scientist and inventor who became paralyzed after a 1997 car accident. Although he cannot use the ReWalk himself because he lacks the use of his arms, he began designing the device with the help of a $50,000 grant from the Israeli government because, he said, he

was frustrated at the lack of alternatives to a wheelchair. The device functions through motors attached to the legs that can propel a disabled person at a slow walking speed. A tilt sensor, the same technology used on Segway electric transporters, can sense whether the user wants to move forward or back, and stand or sit. Poles are used for added support.

Yiddish tango links time, space and musical styles By Anthony Weiss LOS ANGELES (JTA) – The music that packs the Skirball Cultural Center’s stately courtyard – Yiddish tango – is a musical hybrid twice over. On the tango side, it is a blend of African-born rhythms and a potpourri of European music styles. On the Yiddish side, it combines mournful liturgical melodies with folk songs. Tango, too, is famous for its sensual dance, while Yiddish music is rooted in the festive freylekhs of traditional wedding bands. In combination, the two prove irresistible, as the concert crowd stands and sways to the tangled rhythms. For Gustavo Bulgach, 47, band leader of Yiddish Tango Club – the star attraction at a recent Skirball concert – the music is also a reminder of his childhood in Buenos Aires in the 1970s and ‘80s. Born to a family of Russian Jewish immigrants, Bulgach grew up in Argentina learning Jewish folk music at the feet of his grandfather, a passionate music lover, and in the synagogue founded by his grandfather. At the same time, he says, “Tango is more than the music you hear in Buenos Aires, it’s something you breathe.” Bulgach is far from the first to combine Jewish music and tango in a heady combination. Tango music was born in late 19th-century Argentina in communities of newly arrived Euro-

L-r: Gustavo Bulgach, Divina Gloria and Cantor Marcelo Gindlin performed at the Skirball Cultural Center. (Photo courtesy of Skirball) pean immigrants, many of them Jews. As Jewish musicians learned to play in the increasingly popular style, they added their own musical and linguistic flourishes – not only joining major tango orchestras, but also composing new tangos in Yiddish. Max Zalkind, for one, composed both in Yiddish

Effective immediately, send all articles and ads to our new E-mail address,

please note!

jfnepareporter@ jewishnepa.org.

Effective immediately, Jewish Federation of NEPA

please send all articles & ads to our new E-mail address,

jfnepareporter@jewishnepa.org. Facebook ® is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc ish Federatio n’s e he Jew t n o ma u o il l y e ist Ar ? We send updated announcements and special event details weekly to those who wish to receive them. Send Dassy Ganz an email if you would like to join the list. Dassy.ganz@jewishnepa.org

(“Odesa Mama”) and Spanish (“Mi Quinta in Castelar”). At the same time, as tango music became an international sensation, the genre swept across Eastern Europe. Records and music journals filtered into cities and shtetls, and created a new tango style even in places never visited by touring Argentine orchestras. For example, as Lloica Czackis, a musician who has researched the history of Yiddish tango, noted in an article written for the website of World ORT, Poland “quickly became one of the capitals of European tango at a time when most of its musicians, both in the classical and popular scenes, were Jewish.” The result was a pre-World War II profusion of Yiddish tango in Argentina, Eastern Europe and even America, as Yiddish-speaking Jews joined in the tango craze and made it their own. The Holocaust also created its own grim chapter in the history of Yiddish tango, as the Nazis encouraged concentration camp orchestras, or lagernkapellen, to play tangos, which they considered less encouraging of rebellion than American jazz. Indeed, as Czackis notes, Paul Celan’s poem on the concentration camps, “Death Fugue,” was originally titled “Death Tango.” Bulgach’s own renditions of Yiddish tango draw on these traditions and, at the same time, offer a fresh take on the genre. In some cases, Yiddish Tango Club plays traditional klezmer songs, but with elements of tango, such as using the Argentine bandoneon rather than an accordion. In other instances, Bulgach combines tunes and rhythms from both genres more freely, as in his self-composed “Librescu Tango.” And in other pieces still, the combination is already inherent in the music – for example, Bulgach notes that legendary tango composer Astor Piazzolla often said his favorite 3-3-2 rhythm was influenced by the Jewish music he heard as a child in Brooklyn. Jewish tango music also has experienced something of a revival. Bulgach says it has become common practice at Jewish concerts in Argentina for the musicians to perform an old Yiddish

tango as part of the repertoire. At the same time, documentaries and concerts of Jewish tango music have sprung up across the United States, and Jewish tango music has even reappeared in Eastern Europe, repeating the patterns of nearly a century ago. Above all, though, Bulgach says tango is more about a feeling than a specific harmony or rhythm. “To me, the tango is like the blues,” he says. “It’s an attitude. It’s darkly lit. It’s ecstatic. It’s out of control.” Likewise, in both tango and klezmer, Bulgach says the test of success is whether people are inspired to get up and dance. By the end of the Yiddish Tango Club concert, the Skirball courtyard is crowded with dancers swept up by the spirit of Yiddish tango. A few dance experts tangos in pairs, while most bop and bounce informally to the music. As the evening comes to a close, Bulgach leads the band and his audience in a tango-ized version of “Hatikvah,” turning the anthem of hope into a lilting, dance-like melody.

Lower East Side walking tour

The Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy will present “Ethnicity, Place and Time on the Lower East Side: A Public Walking Tour” on Sunday, October 5. The tour will highlight the cultural institutions, ethnic markets, funeral homes and worship sites of the many different immigrant groups that lived in the area during the 19th and 20th centuries. These include the Irish fleeing the great famine, Jews from Eastern Europe, Italians, Hispanics and Asians. Barry Feldman, who will lead the tour, will speak about the social history of New York City and the interaction between ethnicity, time and space. The tour will meet at 10:30 am at Ludlow and Canal streets (in front of Chinese Funeral Home). The cost is $20 for adults and $18 seniors and students. There is an additional $2 registration fee for tickets purchased on the day of the tour. For more information about the LESJC, call 212-374-4100 or visit www. nycjewishtours.org.

Domestic architecture walking tour

The Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy will present “O! Multitudes!: Three Centuries of Domestic Architecture on the Lower East Side Walking Tour” on Sunday, October 19. The tour will explore the different types of housing available in the New York City immigrant neighborhood, and include information about cultural, social and religious institutions. The three-hour tour will meet at 10:45 am in front of HSBC Bank, 58 Bowery, corner of Canal Street. The cost is $20 for adults and $18 seniors and students. There is an additional $2 registration fee for tickets purchased on the day of the tour. For more information about the LESJC, call 212-374-4100 or visit www. nycjewishtours.org.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2014 ■

THE REPORTER

UJA Campaign Chai-lights

Your 2015 UJA Campaign gift does a world of good! Compiled from Jewish Agency dispatches by Mark Silverberg Of last year’s UJA Campaign – $895,029 – 31 percent, or $279,553, was allocated to Israel and overseas Jewish assistance – one of the highest percentages in the nation. The Jewish Agency for Israel The Jewish Agency for Israel’s role in the development of the state of Israel has been called “the consummate achievement of 20th century Jewry.” The Jewish Agency pursues this mission by: Forging strong connections to Israel through a sequence of Israel experiences for teenagers and young adults, from Birthright’s visits to Israel to Masa’s live and learn experiences for five months to a year. Facilitating aliyah for those who choose to make Israel their home. Engaging young Jews from Israel and around the world in social activism, providing them with Jewish purpose and connecting them to one another, while addressing the needs of vulnerable populations in Israel. Reconnecting Jews from the former Soviet Union to their Jewish roots from which they were forcibly separated by more than 70 years of communist rule. Rescuing Jews from countries of distress and resettling them in Israel, as is happening in the Western European Jewish exodus today. Serving as first responder to crises in Israel – as is the case in the current Israel conflict in Gaza – and around the Jewish world. In more than 500 Jewish communities around the world, since 1929, the Jewish Agency has worked with its partners to create Jewish history. Today, the Jewish Agency continues to cover: The cost of aliyah from anywhere in the Jewish world where Jews are in peril and vulnerable, most notably today from Western Europe and the exodus of Western European Jewry to Israel. Aid, assistance and support to the victims of terrorism and their families.

Long-term immigrant absorption into Israeli society – especially from Argentina, the former Soviet Union, France, Hungary, the Netherlands and Ethiopia – including the provision of subsidized housing, interest-free loan assistance, job hunting, job retraining if necessary and free medical care and financial assistance for those who come to Israel destitute. The construction and maintenance of youth aliyah centers for the education, training and absorption into Israeli society of disadvantaged children who come from throughout the Jewish world. Housing needs for the Jewish poor and elderly. Financial support of hundreds of educational institutions. Financial support for the educational institutions, kibbutzim and programs of the Reform, Conservative and Orthodox movements in Israel. The establishment of day care centers and regional colleges throughout the country. The funding of numerous agencies that assist battered women. Hundreds of Partnership 2000 projects spread across the length and breadth of Israel, one of which – the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Partnership 2000 group – is facilitating the purchase of bomb shelters by the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania for Kibbutz Sa’ad in southern Israel. Actual costs A five-month Hebrew language class for a new immigrant – $120. One month of preschool for an at-risk Ethiopian Israeli child – $365. One year of after-school activities for one Israeli child – $850. One year college scholarship for an Ethiopian Israeli – $2,750. A year’s rent and basic expenses for one new immigrant family – $5,000. One dropout prevention program for 15 at-risk immigrant teenagers – $7,500.

Victims of terrorism The former president of Iran has proclaimed to the world his intention to “wipe Israel off the map” and the current president has referred to Israel as a “wound on the Islamic world that must be removed.” Fully 50 percent of world Jewry now lives in Israel, so unlike the rest of the world, Israel knows this threat to be true – especially as Hamas rockets continue to fall on the Israeli civilian population. Furthermore, a recent Palestinian poll confirms that almost 70 percent of Palestinians will not be satisfied with a separate state on the West Bank and Gaza until Israel becomes Islamic. The Palestinian Authority continues to incite hatred of Jews, Israel and Zionism in their media, schools and summer camps, which name tournaments, host rallies and build monuments to Palestinian “martyrs” whose “claim to fame” was their having slaughtered innocent men, women and children at Passover seders, in discotheques, in day cares and nurseries and on buses... in the name of Allah. Such is the currency of their realm. Such is the sword under which Israel lives. A substantial portion of UJA/Federation Campaign funds are directed to the surviving victims of terrorism and their families, as well as toward the integration and absorption of Jews from lands of distress. These funds are allocated by the Jewish Agency for: Direct aid to victims of terror and their families, including relief for the survivors of terrorist attacks, as well as their physical, psychological, financial and other immediate needs; Upgraded protection for Israeli school children – keeping children safe by providing armored school buses and vans for school children, emergency alert systems, intercoms, security guards, bullet-proof windows, security gates and playground enclosures for kindergartens, preschools, daycare centers, community centers and for regular, after-school and summer programs; See “Campaign” on page 6

ÊVisit the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania on the web at www.jewishnepa.org or on Facebook

THE REPORTER ■ september 11, 2014

jewish community center news Farewell to Sara Morris More than 60 people attended a senior luncheon held on August 18 in honor of Sara Morrris. A lifelong resident of Scranton and Dunmore, Morris has made the decision to move to Boston. She said, “This is one of the hardest things I have ever done, but I must be near my family, I want to watch my grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up.”

L-r: Sara Morris and Carol Fishbein examined Morris’ gift from the Senior Adult Club members.

At the luncheon, both Dan Cardonick and Mark Silverberg noted that Morris’ contribution to the growth and development of many of both the Jewish Community Center and Jewish Federation programs “helped keep the doors open.” A number of people spoke, telling Morris how much she will be missed and how much her friendship has meant to them. The Senior Adult Club presented her with a framed picture with blessings for her new home, both in Hebrew and English. Attendees also stopped to wish her well. Morris, who is a member in perpetuity of the JCC, has been a volunteer since her teens. Both her sons spent their youth at the JCC. She is a past president of the Senior Adult At a senior luncheon held on August 18, community members wished Club and has chaired many committees, as Sara Morris well in her new home. L-r: Emily Trunzo, Morris, well as serving lunch for many years. She Carol Fishbein and Eileen Baine. has been a volunteer and board member of a number of Scranton organizations, and served as mem- nizers thanked Eileen Baine for her table decorations, as bership chairwoman for the Jewish Home Auxiliary and well as Louise McNabb and Leah Gans for their efforts. “We all wish her good health and happiness in her treasurer for Temple Israel Sisterhood. The luncheon was called “lovely” by attendees. Orga- new home,” said organizers of the luncheon.

Campaign

Continued from page 5

Upgraded facilities for medical emergencies resulting from acts of terrorism – trauma emergency kits, upgrading equipment for existing ambulances, improved trauma capabilities at regional hospital emergency rooms and training new personnel to use new medical equipment; Funding basic social service budgets – healthcare, social services and resettlement of new immigrants – that have been slashed by billions of dollars as Israeli government funds are diverted to defense. Upgraded security equipment for volunteers, including bullet-proof vests, gas masks, sealed rooms, loud speaker systems, flash lights and patrol cars for increased numbers of mostly volunteers in the Civil Guard.

Children’s services The Jewish Agency Enables 260,000 children to attend hundreds of summer camps, keeping them off the streets and out of harm’s way. Creates an after-school program for 42,000 children in dozens of Israel’s most vulnerable communities, including Sderot, Netivot, Beersheba, Jerusalem, Netanya, Hadera and Afula. Provides hot meals to 27,000 of these children as growing numbers face poverty at home, and Strengthens Israel’s ability to deal with the widening circle of trauma and stress that afflicts terror victims and their families.

Friends of The Reporter Dear Friend of The Reporter, Each year at this time the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania calls upon members of our community to assist in defraying the expense of issuing our regional Jewish newspaper, The Reporter. The newspaper is delivered twice of month (except for December and July which are single issue months) to each and every identifiable Jewish home in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

columns that cover everything from food to entertainment. The Federation assumes the financial responsibility for funding the enterprise at a cost of $26,400 per year and asks only that we undertake a small letter writing mail campaign to our recipients in the hope of raising $10,000 from our readership to alleviate a share of that responsibility. We would be grateful if you would care enough to take the time to make a donation for our efforts in bringing The Reporter to your door.

As the primary Jewish newspaper of our region, we have tried to produce a quality publication for you that offers our readership something on everythingfrom opinions and columns on controversial issues that affect our people and our times, to publicity for the events of our affiliated agencies and organizations to life cycle events, teen columns, personality profiles, letters to the editor, the Jewish community calendar and other

As always, your comments, opinions and suggestions are always welcome. With best wishes, Mark Silverberg, Executive Director Jewish Federation of NE Pennsylvania 601 Jefferson Avenue Scranton, PA 18510

I WILL SUPPORT CONTINUATION OF OUR EXPANDED FEDERATION REPORTER BY CONTRIBUTING $36

$54

Assisting the vulnerable The Jewish Agency has also helped Israel’s authorities to respond to other needs of vulnerable populations by providing: Sealed rooms in old age homes and institutions for children and adults with special needs, and customized gas masks for autistic and other Israelis who cannot use standard-issue equipment. Training of caregivers in such facilities on rapid response systems. Emergency information tailored for immigrants, the elderly and the disabled. Together, through donations to the 2015 Annual UJA/Federation Campaign, the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania aims to send the message to all Israelis, “We are with you in your hour of need. We are one family. You will not be forgotten.” “Please be part of this critical effort when you are asked to contribute this year,” said a Federation representative. To make a UJA gift by mail, direct it to the Federation at Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania, 601 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, PA 18510. Write in the memo section “2015 UJA Campaign.” Alternatively, to make a pledge to this year’s 2015 UJA Campaign, call the Federation office at 570-9612300, ext. 3, to be assisted. “Thanks for being part of our effort,” said a Federation representative.

$100

OTHER AMT $

Name (s) (as you wish to appear on our list of “FRIENDS”) _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Address:________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone:_________________________________________________________________________________________ __Check here if you prefer your name not to be published Please write and send tax deductible checks to Jewish Federation, 601 Jefferson Avenue, Scranton, PA 18510

Notice to our Pocono Readers 911 Emergency Management Services has been updating mailing addresses in Monroe County and Lehman Townships in Pike County. Please don't forget to notify the Federation so you will continue to receive The Reporter. Thanks, Mark Silverberg, Executive Director Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania

SEPTEMBER 11, 2014 ■

THE REPORTER

Wishing You A Sweet New Year L’Shana Tova Tikatevu 2014-5775

In Our Kosher Meat Dept. 10-22 Lb. Avg. Wgt.•Frozen

Empire Kosher Whole Turkey

Our Challah Bread is made from scratch and baked fresh daily in our in-store bakery. These traditional round Challahs are made just for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur using the finest and freshest ingredients.

In Our Kosher Grocery Dept. 64 oz.•Light White, Light Concord, White or

Kedem Concord Grape Juice

In Our Kosher Meat Dept.

Teva 1st Cut Kosher Brisket In Our Kosher Meat Dept. 39 oz.

In Our Produce Dept. U.S. #1•“New Crop”

Fresh NY State Red Apples

lb.

13 99 10 99 2 99 lb.

Meal Mart Stuffed Cabbage

3 LB. BAG

FREE BUY 1, GET 1

In Our Seafood Dept. 4 oz.•Gravad Lax or

Admiral’s Smoked Salmon

In Our Kosher Grocery Dept.•24 oz.•Regular, No Sugar, No Salt, Old Jerusalem Gefilte Fish or

Mrs. Adler’s Pike’n Whitefish

In Our Kosher Grocery Dept. 4.5 oz. Matzo Ball & Soup Mix or 5 oz.

Manischewitz Matzo Ball Mix

2 ¢ Coupon Savings 50

AdvantEdge Price

FINAL PRICE WITH & COUPON

2 $ /

/150

MANUFACTURER’S COUPON | EXPIRES 10/31/2014

Buy 2 and Get

50¢ OFF

Plain or Raisin Challah Bread In Our Kosher Grocery Dept. 8.8 oz.•Marble or

Osem Honey Cake

In Our Kosher Grocery Dept. 12 oz.

Price Chopper Honey Bear In Our Kosher Dairy Dept. 8 oz. Tub

Temp Tee Whipped Cream Cheese In Our Kosher Dairy Dept. 8 oz. Tub•Unsalted or Salted

Breakstone’s Whipped Butter In Our Kosher Grocery Dept. 12 oz.•Fine, Medium, Wide, Extra Wide or Large Bow Ties

Manischewitz Egg Noodles

1 Lb.

2 Lb.

3 5 2$ / $

4 29 3 2$ /4 2$ /5 2 ¢ Coupon Savings 50

AdvantEdge Price

FINAL PRICE WITH & COUPON

Any Variety of Manischewitz Brand Matzo Ball Mix

RETAILER: We will reimburse you for the face value of this coupon plus 8¢ handling, provided you and the consumer have complied with the offer terms. Coupons not properly redeemed will be void and held. Reproductions of this coupon is expressly prohibited (ANY OTHER USE CONSTITUTES FRAUD). Mail to: The Manischewitz Company, CMS Dept. #72700, 1 Fawcett Drive, Del Rio, TX 78840. Cash value .001¢. Void where taxed or restricted. LIMIT ONE COUPON PER PRODUCT PURCHASED. ©2014 The Manischewitz Company MAY NOT BE DOUBLED OR TRIPLED

Manischewitz Chicken Broth In Our Kosher Grocery Dept. 2.75 oz.

Goodman’s Onion Soup & Dip Mix In Our Kosher Frozen Dept. 14.5-15 oz.

Tabatchnick Soup

In Our Kosher Frozen Dept. 13-15 oz.•Blueberry, Potato, Cherry or

Manischewitz Cheese Blintzes In Our Kosher Grocery Dept. 1 Ct.

/150

Rokeach Yahrzeit Candle

/4 4$ /5 2$ /3 2$ /5 2$ /1

2 $

6 Coupon Savings 1

AdvantEdge Price

In Our Kosher Grocery Dept. 25.4 oz.•All Varieties

Kedem Sparkling Juice

MANUFACTURER’S COUPON | EXPIRES 10/31/2014

50¢ OFF

72 CT.

ROKEACHS SHABBO S CANDLE $4.99

2 $ /

Buy 2 and Get ®

In Our Kosher Grocery Dept.•32 oz. Vegetable, Beef, Reduced Sodium Chicken or

FINAL PRICE WITH & COUPON

2 $ /

2 $

MANUFACTURER’S COUPON | EXPIRES 10/31/2014

Buy 2 and Get

1.00 OFF

Any Variety of Manischewitz Brand Noodles

Any Variety of Kedem® Sparkling Grape Juice 25.4 oz. Void if sold or transferred. Consumer pays CRV and sales tax. Misuse constitutes fraud. RETAILER: We will reimburse the face value plus $.08 handling provided you comply with our coupon redemption policy, available upon request. Submission of coupons signifies compliance. Send to: Kedem Foods, P.O.B. 407, MPS DEPT. 482, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077

Prices effective Sunday, August 31 thru Saturday, October 4, 2014 in in our NY, PA, VT, NH, MA and CT stores only. All varieties may not be available in all stores. We reserve the right to limit quantities and substitute items. Not responsible for typographical errors.

THE REPORTER ■ september 11, 2014

ABINGTON TORAH CENTER

Rabbi Dovid Saks President: Richard Rutta Jewish Heritage Connection 108 North Abington Rd., Clarks Summit, PA 18411 570-346-1321 • Website: www.jewishheritageconnection.org Sunday morning services at 8:30 am Call for other scheduled services throughout the week.

BETH SHALOM CONGREGATION

Rabbi Yisroel Brotsky 1025 Vine St., Scranton, PA 18510, (corner of Vine & Clay Ave.) 570-346-0502 • fax: 570-346-8800 Weekday – Shacharit: Sun 8 am; Mon, Thurs. & Rosh Chodesh, 6:30 am; Tue, Wed & Fri, 6:45 am; Sat & Holidays, 8:45 am. Mincha during the week is approx. 10 minutes before sunset, followed by Maariv.

BICHOR CHOLEM CONGREGATION/ CHABAD OF THE ABINGTONS Rabbi Benny Rapoport President: Richard I. Schwartz 216 Miller Road, Waverly, PA 18471 570-587-3300 • Website: www.JewishNEPA.com Saturday morning Shabbat Service 9:30 am. Call or visit us online for our bi-weekly schedule

CHABAD LUBAVITCH OF THE POCONOS Rabbi Mendel Bendet 570-420-8655 • Website: www.chabadpoconos.com Please contact us for schedules and locations.

CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL

Affiliation: Union for Reform Judaism Rabbi Allan L. Smith President: Henry M. Skier Contact Person: Cheryl Badner, Congregation Administrator (570) 253-2222 615 Court Street, Honesdale, PA 18431 570-253-2222 • fax: 570-226-1105

CONGREGATION B’NAI HARIM

Affiliation: Union for Reform Judaism Rabbi Peg Kershenbaum President: Alan S. Wismer P.O. Box 757 Sullivan Rd., Pocono Pines, PA 18350 (located at RT 940 and Pocono Crest Rd at Sullivan Trail 570-646-0100 • Website: www.bnaiharimpoconos.org Shabbat Morning Services, 10 am – noon; every other Saturday Potluck Shabbat Dinner with blessings and program of varying topics, one Friday every month – call for schedule.

JEWISH FELLOWSHIP OF HEMLOCK FARMS

Rabbi Steve Nathan President: Steve Natt Forest Drive 1516 Hemlock Farms, Lords Valley, PA 18428 570-775-7497 • E-Mail: jfhf@enter.net Friday evening Shabbat service 8:00 pm, Saturday morning Shabbat Service 9:30 am.

MACHZIKEH HADAS SYNAGOGUE Rabbi Mordechai Fine President: Moshe Fink 600 Monroe Ave., Scranton, PA 18510 570-342-6271

OHEV ZEDEK CONGREGATION

Rabbi Mordechai Fine 1432 Mulberry St, Scranton, PA 18510 Contact person: Michael Mellner - 570-343-3183

TEMPLE HESED

Union of Reform Judaism Rabbi Daniel J. Swartz President: Ken Miller 1 Knox Street, Scranton, PA 18505, (off Lake Scranton Rd.) 570-344-7201 Friday evening Shabbat, 8 pm; Saturday Morning , when Shabbat School is in session, at 11 am

TEMPLE ISRAEL OF DUNMORE

President: Isadore Steckel 515 East Drinker St., Dunmore, PA 18512 Saturday morning Shabbat 7:30 am; also services for Yizkor

TEMPLE ISRAEL OF THE POCONOS

Affiliation: United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Rabbi Baruch Melman President: Dr. Sandra Alfonsi Contact person: Dr. Sandra Alfonsi 570-223-7062 711 Wallace St., Stroudsburg, PA, 18360 (one block off Rte. 191 (5th Street) at Avenue A) 570-421-8781 • Website: www.templeisraelofthepoconos.org E-Mail: tipoc@ptd.net Friday evening Shabbat, 7pm; Saturday morning Shabbat, 9 am

TEMPLE ISRAEL OF SCRANTON

Affiliation: United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Rabbi Moshe Saks 918 East Gibson St., Scranton, PA, 18510 (located at the corner of Gibson & Monroe Sts.) 570-342-0350 Fax: 570-342-7250 • E-Mail: tiscran@epix.net Sunday, 8 am; Mon & Thurs, 7:15 am; Tue, Wed & Fri, 7:25 am; Rosh Hodesh & Chagim weekdays, 7 am; Shabbat Morning Service, 8:45 am; evening services: Sun – Thurs, 5:45 pm; Friday Shabbat and Saturday Havdalah services, call for times.

d’var torah

Mirror vs. motor neurons by RABBI DANIEL J. SWARTZ, TEMPLE HESED, SCRANTON Ki Tavo, Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8 In recent years, researchers have sought out new knowledge about a very odd piece of our brain wiring: mirror neurons. They have this odd name because that is part of what they do: they help us to “mirror” the world around us. In part, that enables us to understand and interpret actions happening around us and to empathize with others, because mirror neurons cause us to feel that what we are witnessing outside of us is actually happening to us. These responses probably evolved to protect us – after all, it used to be an issue of survival when our ancestors had to figure out if that facial expression meant “I’m glad to see you” or “I’m looking forward to killing you.” But, especially in modern society, they can confuse us, because they make us feel like we’re participating in something when we’re only passively watching it. That’s great if you’re in the entertainment or professional sports industries – if we didn’t get involved in movie plots, horror films wouldn’t scare us and tear-jerkers wouldn’t jerk our tears. Listen to a fan after a game “their” team won – they say “we were great today,” not “this team that I was only a spectator to and did not contribute to in any way won, which they would have done if I wasn’t watching.” But spectating is not the same as participating, and mirror neurons create illusions, not the actual action of motor neurons. Our sages didn’t know from neurons, but they understood perfectly the human tendency to spectate instead

of participate. They also knew that if Judaism became a spectator sport – where we watch the “professional Jews” do their thing on the bima while we are a completely passive audience – that it would cease to be truly alive, that it would no longer play a vitally important role in our lives. So when they sought out the key texts around which to build the Passover hagaddah, they didn’t choose any from Exodus, which would tell the story, but leave us as an audience witnessing past events. Instead, they chose a text from this week’s portion, Ki Tavo. It is as participatory as a text can be: a narrative we not only say in the first person singular – I did this and so on – but one that recites past events as if they took place in the present, to us directly, and which has us not only speaking but bringing our own “first fruits,” the best we ourselves have produced, forward. Suddenly, Passover shifts from “history” to “my story.” And having been freed myself, I am obligated to take certain actions in gratitude. We live in a time when more and more things mirror reality, but fewer and fewer are real. The examples are endless. “Friending” someone on Facebook is only another form of spectating. Really befriending someone requires participation. Real experiences require effort – they are much more difficult and require more focus, time and energy. But while friending someone might bring in return a virtual “thumbs up,” real friendship, like all real experiences, is so much richer and more rewarding. The same is true of our Judaism. The more we participate, the more we make it “our story,” the more it will stir our souls, enrich our lives and fulfill our very real needs.

Save the stress: Planning an easy and pleasing Rosh Hashanah menu By Shannon Sarna MyJewishLearning.com When the Jewish New Year comes around, many people stress for weeks leading up to the holiday and break out their most complicated recipes to impress guests. But when I entertain around the holidays, I prefer to rely on a few go-to dishes that are simple to prepare, pack a delicious punch and still impress my friends and family despite my lack of stressing. Forget the chicken soup and start the New Year on a sweet note with a Sweet and Spicy Sweet Potato Soup. It doesn’t require a million ingredients or lots of time, but people will be asking for the recipe as soon as they taste it. Made with dried peppers, coconut milk and roasted sweet potatoes, this soup is one of my favorites to make, serve and eat. A perfect roasted chicken marinated with citrus and herbs is a wonderful counterpoint to a rich brisket on the table. Marinating for at least several hours will ensure a moist chicken everyone will talk about. And while challah should be served to start the meal, Balsamic Apple Date Challah is so delicious you may want to serve it as the grand finale. Rosh Hoshanah has a late start this year, so enjoy those last few weeks of late summer, don’t stress about menu planning and instead make a menu of simple, delicious delights that people will only think consumed your September. Sweet and Spicy Sweet Potato Soup 10 medium sweet potatoes 3 Tbsp. olive oil plus extra 1 medium onion, diced 2 carrots, diced 2 quarts chicken or vegetable stock

Temple comfortable at Beth Israel.” Beth Israel is growing and evolving with the times, with live streaming of services available to connect friends and far-flung members with one another and to this historic place. One of Beth Israel’s vital strengths is its commitment to education. The congregation has always offered religious school without charge to the children of its members. “It may be an old-fashioned belief, but one held strongly by this congregation,” says Liza, “that it is the duty of the elders to educate the next generation.” When Lucy was young, the religious school was taught by members and the class size was small. Smith teaches the school now and enjoys the participation of many more youngsters. The Jewish community in Honesdale extends beyond the synagogue, engaging members in Sisterhood, reflecting a sense of civic duty and pride that

1 14-ounce can coconut milk ¼ cup brown sugar 1 tsp. cayenne pepper 1 tsp. paprika 2 tsp. coarse sea salt 2-3 dried chili peppers (small; if using medium-sized dried chilis, just use one) Creme fraiche (optional) Olive oil for finishing (optional) Candied pecans or walnuts (optional) Pre-heat oven to 400°F. Mix brown sugar, cayenne pepper, paprika and salt in a small bowl. Cut sweet potatoes in half and place on foil-lined baking sheet. Spread brown sugar spice mixture all over sweet potatoes and drizzle with olive oil. Roast sweet potatoes for 35-45 minutes or until completely soft. Set aside and let cool. In a medium to large pot, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil and saute onions and carrots until translucent and soft, around 4-6 minutes. Add 2-3 cups of stock and simmer for 5 minutes. Add sweet potato flesh and, using an immersion blender, blend all vegetables until smooth. Add remaining stock and dried chilis. When the soup is heated through and flavors have blended, around 20-30 minutes, add coconut milk. Remove the dried chilis before serving. Note: the longer you let the chilis sit in the soup, the spicier the soup will be. If you are making this soup dairy, you can serve with a dollop of creme fraiche or sour cream. If you are serving this soup pareve, drizzle with good quality olive oil and some chopped candied pecans or walnuts. Yield: 6-8 servings See “Menu” on page 9

Continued from page 3

combines participants’ sense of identity with a strong sense of service. However, it is the little synagogue on the banks of the Lackawaxen River that is at the heart of Jewish identity in this small town in northeastern Pennsylvania. Its changing member families and the initiatives of its dedicated leaders are committed to maintaining the legacy received from the congregation more than 160 years ago. The warm memories of members old and new keep Congregation Beth Israel a cornerstone of Jewish identity, not only for the folks who still live in Honesdale area communities, but also for the far-flung former members and the descendants of our forebears for whom Beth Israel remains a vibrant symbol of Jewish identity and a strong sense of community. Eleanor Weber Dickman, a longtime devoted member of Beth Israel, now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2014 ■

THE REPORTER

Continued from page 8

Shannon’s Perfect Roast Chicken 1 whole chicken, rinsed 1 orange, zested and sliced 1 lemon, zested and sliced 1 Tbsp. fresh chopped rosemary 6 cloves garlic ½ Tbsp. fresh chopped thyme 3 Tbsp. olive oil ¼ cup white wine Salt and pepper to taste In a small mixing bowl, whisk together rosemary, thyme, olive oil, wine, orange zest, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Add the chicken to a large plastic bag that seals and pour the wet mixture Marinating matters in making over the chicken. Add Shannon’s Perfect Roast the orange and lemon Chicken. (Photo by Shannon slices, as well as the Sarna) whole garlic cloves. After you seal the bag, make sure the entire chicken is covered with the marinade. Refrigerate for 2 to 24 hours before roasting. Preheat the oven to 400°F. If you like, you can stuff some of the garlic cloves and citrus slices under the skin or in the cavity of the chicken. Roast the chicken for 45-55 minutes, or until a meat thermometer reads 165°F. Yield: 4-6 servings Balsamic Apple Date Challah for Rosh Hashanah For the challah dough: 5 cups flour ½ cup sugar 2 Tbsp. honey ½ Tbsp. salt 2 tsp. vanilla 1 tsp. cinnamon ¼ tsp. nutmeg ¼ cup vegetable oil

1½ Tbsp. yeast 1 tsp. sugar 1¼ cups lukewarm water 2 whole eggs 1 egg yolk For the filling: 3 gala apples, peeled and diced 1 cup pitted dates, chopped ½ tsp. salt 1 cinnamon stick ¼ cup water ¼ cup red wine 2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar 1 Tbsp. sugar For top of challah: 1 egg 1 tsp. water 1 tsp. honey 1 Tbsp. sanding sugar 1 Tbsp. thick sea salt 2 tsp. ground cinnamon In a small bowl, place yeast, 1 teaspoon sugar and lukewarm water. Allow to sit around 10 minutes, until it becomes foamy on top. In a large bowl or stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, mix together 1½ cups flour, salt, sugar, honey, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. After the water-yeast mixture has become foamy, add to flour mixture along with oil. Mix thoroughly. Add another cup of flour and eggs until smooth. Switch to the dough hook attachment if you are using a stand mixer. Add another 1½ cups flour and then remove from bowl and place on a floured surface. Knead remaining flour into dough, continuing to knead for around 10 minutes (or however long your hands will last). Place dough in a greased bowl and cover with damp towel. Allow to rise 3-4 hours. To make the filling, place apples, dates, salt, cinnamon stick, water, red wine and sugar in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Continue to simmer on medium heat until the mixture is reduced. Add the balsamic vinegar and simmer another 2-3 minutes. The mixture will cook

around 10-15 minutes in total. Remove from the heat and allow to cool 5 minutes. Remove cinnamon stick. Place mixture in a food processor fitted with a blade attachment and The dough in the Balsamic pulse until smooth. Apple Date Challah for Rosh After the challah Hashanah is sweet, laced with is done rising, cut the cinnamon, vanilla and just a dough in half. To be touch of nutmeg. (Photo by as precise as possible, Shannon Sarna) use a scale to measure the weight. Roll out the first ball using a rolling pin into a rectangle. Spread around half, perhaps slightly less, of the apple-date mixture in an even layer, leaving a ½ inch all around without filling. Working quickly, start rolling up the dough toward you. Try and keep the roll relatively tight as you go. Pinch the end when you finish. Create a pinwheel shaped-challah by snaking the dough around and around in a circle around itself. When finished, tuck the end under the challah neatly and pinch lightly. This doesn’t have to be perfect – remember, as long as it tastes good, almost no one (except maybe that judgmental great-aunt) will care what it looks like. Repeat with other half of dough. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Allow challahs to rise another 30-60 minutes, or until you can see that the size has grown. Beat 1 egg with 1 teaspoon water and 1 teaspoon of honey. Brush liberally over each challah. Combine sea salt, sanding sugar and cinnamon, and sprinkle over challah. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until middle looks like it has just set and the color is golden. Yield: 2 medium loaves Shannon Sarna is editor of The Nosher blog on MyJewishLearning.com, where these recipes originally appeared.

Rosh Hashanah celebrate with our selection of Kosher foods

Manischewitz Noodles Selected Varieties, 12 oz. pkg.

Kadem Grape Juice

Yehuda Memorial Candle

Selected Varieties, 64 fl. oz. btl.

1 ct. pkg

99¢

GIANT Honey Bear

Tabatchnick Frozen Soup

Tabatchnik Broth

Selected Varieties, 14.5–15 oz. pkg., Excludes Organic

Selected Varieties, 32 oz. cont.

2/$

$ 99

Manischewitz Matzo Ball Mix, Matzo Ball Soup Mix,

12 oz. squeeze btl.

Selected Varieties, 4.5–6 oz. pkg.

2/$ Kedem Apple Juice 64 fl. oz. btl.

4 2/$ 4 2/$

Lipton Recipe Soup & Dip Mix Selected Varieties, 1.9–2 oz. or Noodle, 2 ct., 4.9 oz. box

Mrs. Adler’s Gefilte Fish Selected Varieties, 24 oz. jar

Manischewitz Tam Tams Crackers

Selected Varieties, 9.6 oz. box

2/$

$ 69

Empire Fresh Kosher Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts

$ 99

Kedem Sparkling Juice 25.4 fl. oz. btl., Excludes No Sugar Added

Golden Blintzes

Selected Varieties, 13 oz. box

Frozen

/lb.

2/$

Empire Kosher Roasting Chicken

$ 99

Ungar’s Gefilte Fish 22 oz. pkg.

Season’s Sardines

Selected Varieties, Skinless, Boneless, 4.37 oz. cont.

$ 79

Premium Gold Apples Crisp and Juicy

/lb.

5 $ 99 2

$ 99

Osem Cake Honey or Marble, 8.8 oz. pkg.

Golden Frozen Potato Pancakes All Natural, All Varieties, 10.6 oz. pkg.

$ 49

/lb.

2/$

$ 69

Use your card and save on items on this page. We sell both kosher and non-kosher foods. Some items not available in some stores. While supplies last. Prices good August 31–November 1, 2014.

ÊVisit the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania on the web at www.jewishnepa.org or on Facebook

THE REPORTER ■ september 11, 2014

Biblical archaeology sees golden age in Israel, dark age in rest of Middle East

By Sean Savage JNS.org At a time when many archaeological sites and antiquities throughout the Middle East are being looted and destroyed, the City of David Foundation on September 4 hosted its annual conference to enable the general public to experience some of the most important archaeological discoveries in Jerusalem in recent years. A portion of this year’s conference was devoted to the theme “Jerusalem of Gold,” highlighting several never-before-seen golden artifacts. “The people in ancient times, like today, used gold for the most important things in life. It shows what they held dear and what was most important to them,” Ahron Horovitz, senior director of Megalim, the City of David’s Higher Institute for Jerusalem Studies, told JNS.org. The main themes of the artifacts on display related to war, beauty and holiness or sanctity. Among the golden artifacts is the largest cache of gold coins ever discovered in Jerusalem, comprising 264 coins that date back to the end of the Byzantine period in the 7th century C.E. The coins were found in the “Givati Parking Lot dig” conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority in the City of David neighborhood. The coins are unique in that they were minted in Jerusalem, not in Constantinople – the Byzantine imperial capital – and were likely made in preparation for the Byzantine war against the Persians. “The coins were found stacked one on top of another and were never dispensed,” Horovitz said. “There may be a story of intrigue here as to why they never were used, such as it being stolen.” Additionally, a golden medallion featuring inscriptions of a menorah, shofar and Torah scroll is on display for the very first time. The medallion was found in

This golden medallion featuring inscriptions of a menorah, shofar and Torah scroll was on display for the very first time during the the City of David Foundation’s annual conference. (Photo by Eilat Mazar/City of David Foundation) the Ophel excavation south of the Temple Mount and was believed to have been hung on a Torah scroll as a breast plate. The discovery of the Jewish medallion, dating back to the time of upheaval in Jerusalem during the Persian-Byzantine wars, was a surprise for archaeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar, who unearthed the artifact. There are normally not many Jewish items found from that period.

Mazar estimated that the medallion originates from the Persian conquest of Jerusalem in 614 C.E. That year, many Jews helped the Persians conquer Jerusalem from the Byzantines, only to have the Persians turn against the Jews and ally with the Byzantine Christians later on, leading to the Jews’ expulsion once again. “These finds tell us about the Jewish presence in Jerusalem in the late Byzantine period, which we didn’t know much about,” Israeli archaeologist Dr. Gabriel Barkay, who spoke at the City of David conference, told JNS.org. “The artifacts help us understand that there was a strong messianic desire of the Jewish people at that time; many of them likely came from abroad in hopes of construction of the Third Temple,” he said. Horovitz said the artifacts highlight the bond Jews have with Jerusalem, as well as Jewish continuity in the holy city. “It shows us that the Jews have a very special bond and connection with Jerusalem that continues to today,” he said. “So when modern day Israelis come and see these artifacts, they can feel that they are part of Jerusalem from a long time ago.” Another golden artifact on display was an earring made of gold inlaid pearls and emeralds that dates back to the Roman period. A copy of this earring was given to first lady Michelle Obama by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when she visited Israel in 2013. Finally, one of the “most unique and rare” items on display was a golden bell discovered by Eli Shukron, an Israeli archaeologist and former director of City of David excavations for the Israel Antiquities Authority. Throughout the years, Shukron has made a number of “very significant” finds from the period of the Second Temple of Jerusalem in and around the City of David, including the Pool of Siloam (mentioned numerous times in the Old and New Testaments), tunnels leading from the Western Wall, an ancient pilgrim road to Jerusalem, and the legendary citadel captured by King David when he conquered the city from the Jebusites. One of the items Shukron discovered during his excavations of one of the Western Wall tunnels was a golden bell believed to have been part of the official vestments of the high priests of the Jewish Temple. Described in Exodus 28:31-35, the priestly robe, also known as the “ephod,” was a sleeveless purple-blue or violet garment worn by the high priests that was fringed with small golden bells alternating with pomegranateshaped tassels of blue, purple and scarlet wool. The golden bells were a necessary part of the ephod and needed to ring when the high priest entered the Holy of Holies. “At first, I just thought it was a ball and didn’t realize it was the golden bell from the high priests until I shook it and heard the ringing,” Shukron told JNS.org. “No other artifact from the high priests like this has ever been discovered before.” The City of David conference came amid a perilous time for Middle East archaeology, as sites from North Africa to Iraq have come under assault by Islamic fundamentalists and looters taking advantage of the breakdown of central governments. “I think it is an atrocity,” Horovitz said. “Islamic fundamentalist groups are on an ongoing crusade to destroy antiquities because they consider it against their religion, or they fear that their religion will be undermined by excavations that will show things that they are not happy about.” The situation for artifacts is particularly dangerous in Syria and Iraq, where the Islamic State jihadist group See “Golden” on page 14

The recent unearthing of the largest cache of gold coins ever discovered in Jerusalem, comprising 264 coins that date back to the end of the Byzantine period in the 7th century C.E. (Photo courtesy of the City of David Foundation)

september 11, 2014 ■

THE REPORTER

weis L’Shana Tova! quality since 1912

Weis Markets extends to you and your family a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!

David Elliot Fresh Kosher Whole or Cut-up Chicken

2.69 $2.99 $13.99

$ per pound

Whole Frozen Kosher Turkeys

Chicken Breast Fillet $4.99 per lb

per pound

Rokeach Memorial Candles

Each

Round Challah

3.29

Fresh Beef Brisket

Manischewitz Potato Pancake Mix - 6 ounce

2/ 6 $

Medford Farms Honey Bear

Manischewitz Gefilte Fish

8.99 2/ 6 12 ounce

24 ounce

Plain or w/ raisins - each

Kosher Parve Kedem Apple Juice

PAS YISRAEL

Tabatchnick Soups

Golden Blintzes

Kedem Tea Biscuits

2.79 4.49 2/ 6 2/ 1

64 ounce

Frozen - 15 ounce

Frozen - 13 ounce

4.2 ounce

Weis Proudly Accepts

Prices Effective September 14 through October 18, 2014. 1070 N. 9th St. Stroudsburg • Route 739, Hawley Route 415, Dallas • Tannersville Plaza, Tannersville 1020 Northern Blvd., Clarks Summit • Route 590, Hamlin 695 N. Courtland Street, East Stroudsburg

We reserve the right to limit quantities. Not responsible for typographical or pictorial errors. MANUFACTURER’S COUPON | EXPIRES 9/15/2014

weis

MANUFACTURER’S COUPON | EXPIRES 10/05/2014

Buy 3 and Get

$1.00 OFF

Buy 3 and Get

Any Variety of Manischewitz® Brand Noodles.

Any Variety of Season® Sardines.

$1.00 OFF

CLIP &

SAVE!

THE REPORTER ■ september 11, 2014

Threats

Continued from page 1

Saudi and Israeli leaders are equally concerned about Iran – both are pressing the U.S. administration to take a harder line against Iran’s suspected nuclear weapons program. With Iran’s Shi’ite leaders the natural rivals of Saudi’s Sunni rulers, the kingdom is concerned that the growing power of Iran threatens Saudi Arabia’s political, economic and religious clout in the region. Saudi antipathy toward Iran and Shi’ite hegemony accounts for the kingdom’s hostility toward Hezbollah, the Shi’ite terrorist group that serves as Iran’s proxy in Lebanon. After Hezbollah launched a cross-border attack that sparked a war with Israel in 2006, Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal blamed Hezbollah for the conflict. Hezbollah’s actions are “unexpected, inappropriate and irresponsible,” Saud said at the time. “These acts will pull the whole region back to years ago and we simply cannot accept them.” More surprising, perhaps, was Saudi criticism this summer of Hamas, a fellow Sunni group. While former Saudi intelligence chief Turki al Faisal condemned Israel’s “barbaric assault on innocent civilians,” he also blamed Hamas for the conflict overall. “Hamas is responsible for the slaughter in the Gaza Strip following its bad decisions in the past, and the haughtiness it shows by firing useless rockets at Israel, which contribute nothing to the Palestinian interest,” Saud told the London-based pan-Arab newspaper A-Sharq Al-Awsat.

Saudi rulers oppose Hamas because they view it as an affiliate of the Muslim Brotherhood, which they believe wants to topple Arab governments. Likewise, when ISIS declared earlier this summer that it had established an Islamic caliphate, al-Faisal called ISIS “a danger to the whole area and, I think, to the rest of the world.” The Wahabbis who rule Saudi Arabia may be religiously conservative, but they’re not so extreme as to promote overtly the violent export of their fundamentalist brand of Islam through war, jihad and terrorism. Of course, just because their interests are aligned doesn’t mean the Saudis love Israel. The Saudi ambassador to Britain, Prince Nawaf Al-Saud, wrote during the Gaza war that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “will answer for his crimes before a higher authority than here on earth.” But common foes increasingly are bringing Saudi and Israeli interests together. Qatar: At first glance, Qatar may seem like a benign, oil-rich emirate of two million people living in relative peace, spending heavily on its media network, Al Jazeera, and planning to wow the world with construction for the 2022 World Cup. But Qatar is also a major sponsor of Islamic extremism and terrorism. The country funnels money and weapons to Hamas, to Islamic militants in Libya and, according to Ron Prosor, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, to groups in Syria affiliated with

JFS VEHICLE DONATION PROGRAM

Support JFS with a donation of your car, truck, RV, boat or motorcycle • Fast, Free Pick-up and Towing • Receive a Tax Deduction for your Donation • All Vehicles Accepted Running or Not! Visit Us on the Web at:

www.jfsoflackawanna.org

Jewish Family Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania

To Donate, Call Today Toll Free: 1-877-537-4227

al-Qaida. In an Op-Ed column a recent New York Times, Prosor disparaged Qatar, which is home to Hamas leader Khaled Mashal and serves as a base for Taliban leaders, as a “Club Med for Terrorists.” “Qatar has spared no cost to dress up its country as a liberal, progressive society, yet at its core, the micro monarchy is aggressively financing radical Islamist movements,” Prosor wrote. “Qatar is not a part of the solution, but a significant part of the problem.” Syria: When the uprising against Syrian dictator Bashar Assad began, champions of democracy cheered the revolution as yet another positive sign of the Arab Spring. It took a while, but the Obama administration eventually joined the chorus calling for the end of the Assad regime. In Israel, officials were more circumspect, fretting about what might come next in a country that, despite its hostility, had kept its border with Israel quiet for nearly four decades. Three years on, the conflict in Syria is no longer seen as one of freedom fighters vs. a ruthless tyrant. Assad’s opponents include an array of groups, the most powerful among them Islamic militants who have carved out pieces of Syrian territory to create their Islamic State. Now the Obama administration has ordered airstrikes to limit the Islamists’ gains and is trying to figure out if there’s a way to do so without strengthening Assad’s hand. For Israel, which has stayed on the sidelines of the Syrian conflict, the prospect of a weakened, but still breathing, Assad regime seems a better alternative than a failed state with ISIS on the march. Iran: Where is the Islamic Republic in all this? Compared to the newest bad boy on the block, this one-time member of the “axis of evil” looks downright moderate. Iran is negotiating with the United States over its nuclear program, and both views ISIS as a foe and a threat to the Iraqi government (which Iran backs as a Shi’ite ally). State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf recently indicated that the United States may be open to cooperation with Iran in the fight against ISIS, which is also known by the acronym ISIL. “If they are interested in playing a constructive role in helping to degrade ISIL’s capabilities, then I’m sure we can have that conversation then,” Harf said. Whether working with Iran is good or bad for Israel depends on one’s view of the Iranian nuclear negotiations. If you think the talks have a realistic chance of resolving the nuclear standoff with Iran diplomatically, the convergence of U.S.-Iran interests may ultimately serve the goal of addressing this existential threat to Israel. If you think Iran is merely using the negotiations as a stalling tactic to exploit eased sanctions while it continues to build its nuclear project, then Iran-U.S. detente may distract from the larger issue. Where all this turmoil will leave the region is anyone’s guess. One thing is certain, as made clear by the U.S. decision to intervene against ISIS: Ignoring what’s happening in the Middle East is not an option.

A U.S. soldier dropped humanitarian aid bundles over Iraq to provide food aid to thousands of Yazidis under siege by ISIS, the group that has declared an Islamic state in Iraq and Syria, on August 9. (Photo by U.S. Air Force via Getty)

SEPTEMBER 11, 2014 ■

THE REPORTER

PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER PURSUING JUSTICE REPAIRING THE WORLD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ONE FOR THE OTHER

Times have changed. Our responsibilities haven’t.

Federation and its agencies work together to rescue Jews and to transform lives. Federation is your connection to Jews in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Israel and around the world. It’s the safety net for our local and global Jewish community. No gift touches more lives.

Campaign 2015 FEDERATION/UJA CAMPAIGN

It’s never been more important to support the Federation/UJA Campaign.

If you haven’t yet pledged, do it today. Please give generously to the 2015 Campaign. Contact Mark Silverberg at 961-2300 or mark.silverberg@jewishnepa.org

601 Jefferson Avenue, Scranton, PA 18510

THE REPORTER ■ september 11, 2014

U.S.

Continued from page 1

either deliberately struck some civilian targets or was negligent in taking the necessary precautions to prevent civilian casualties. In July, the White House took the extraordinary step of halting delivery of U.S.-made Hellfire missiles to Israel. Why? For one thing, the Obama administration did not want to be seen as abetting the killing of Palestinian innocents. (The $225 million bill providing extra funding for Iron Dome, which President Barack Obama signed, was considered kosher because it was for defense rather than offense). For another, the Obama administration was angry over the Israeli treatment of U.S. officials during the conflict. When in mid-July Kerry sent Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a confidential draft of a document outlining Hamas and Israel’s demands for ending the conflict, the Israelis misrepresented the draft as an American cease-fire proposal, put it up for a Cabinet vote (unanimously rejected) and leaked it to the press. One Israeli editor called it an “American betrayal.” This infuriated the Americans. The breach of diplomatic protocol represented merely the latest obstruction in the long-troubled relationship between Netanyahu and Obama. The Americans have serious doubts about Netanyahu’s commitment to a two-state solution. Rather than aggressively pursuing a deal with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, arguably the most moderate leader the Palestinians have ever had, Netanyahu has undermined him at every turn, looking for excuses to avoid advancing the peace track with the Palestinian Authority. The war should be a lesson to Israel of the perils of the failure to pursue peace. Netanyahu should strengthen Abbas’ hand as a counterpoint to Hamas to demonstrate that diplomacy yields more fruit than violence. Instead, he’s scuttling the two-state solu-

tion. Case in point: the 1,000-acre land grab in the West Bank, which the Israeli organization Peace Now called Israel’s largest seizure of Palestinian land since the 1980s. “We are deeply concerned about the declaration of a large area as ‘state land’ to be used for expanded settlement building,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said on September 2. “We have long made clear our opposition to continued settlement activity. We call on the government of Israel to reverse this decision.” In the eyes of the Israeli government – The Americans just don’t get it. The Middle East is burning. Islamic terrorists are on the march everywhere from Iraq and Syria to Libya. Hamas is Israel’s ISIS, and for Israel the threat is immediate and constant. What nation should tolerate the firing of thousands of missiles on its citizens by a radical Islamic terrorist group on its doorstep? But Israel is held to an impossible standard when it comes to its fight against these radical Islamists, and Hamas is treated as an equal party rather than the terrorist organization that it is. One of the main reasons the casualty count in Operation Protective Edge was so lopsided is because Israel spent its money on a missile defense system and building bomb shelters while Gaza’s rulers spent the Palestinians’ money on terror tunnels and rockets. Moreover, Hamas is to blame for the Palestinians’ civilian casualties. Hamas hid behind civilians not just to make it more difficult for Israel to target Hamas fighters, but because every Palestinian civilian death bolsters the international isolation of Israel. As for specific errant strikes in Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces cannot provide details that might reveal sensitive operational affairs or expose Israeli soldiers to prosecution by international bodies known to have an axe to grind with Israel. The Gaza conflict drove home two more salient points

P A C E

Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment

Your gift to the Annual Campaign DOES A WORLD OF GOOD. Endowing your gift allows you to be there for the Jewish community of NEPA forever. A Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment (PACE) is a permanent fund that endows your Jewish community Annual Campaign gift as a lasting legacy. A PACE fund will continue to make an annual gift in perpetuity on your behalf. To determine the amount you need to endow your entire campaign gift, multiply your current annual gift by 20. You can fund your PACE by adding the JEWISH FEDERATION OF NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA to your will, or by making the Federation a beneficiary of your IRA. All contributions to establish a PACE are tax deductible.

Let your name be remembered as a blessing. Endowments can be created through a variety of vehicles, some of which do not necessitate funding during your lifetime yet still provide your estate with considerable tax benefits. They also enable you to perpetuate your commitment to the Annual Campaign in a way that best achieves your own personal financial and estate planning goals.

Examples Of Ways To Fund Your Pace Gift Are:

* outright contribution of cash, appreciated securities or other long-term * capital gain property such as real estate * charitable remainder trust * gift of life insurance * charitable lead trust * gift of IRA or pension plan assets * grant from your foundation * reserved life estate in your residence * bequest

Using appreciated property, such as securities or real estate, affords you the opportunity to eliminate the income tax on the long-term capital gain, will in some instances generate a full income tax charitable deduction and will remove those assets from your estate for estate tax purposes. For more information contact Mark Silverberg at Mark.Silverberg@jewishnepa.org or call 570-961-2300, ext. 1.

for the Israeli government. One, it would be foolhardy to withdraw from the West Bank the way Ariel Sharon withdrew from Gaza, lest the same terrible outcome of Hamas conquest, rockets and terrorism occur in the West Bank, which is much closer to Israel’s major population centers. This is why in any final settlement the Palestinian state must be demilitarized and Israel must maintain the strategically vital Jordan Valley. Two, the worldwide reaction to the conflict underscores more than ever the need for Israeli self-reliance. Hamas, a radical Islamic group that oppresses its own people, publicly executing alleged collaborators and with a history of suicide bombings against civilians, seemed to come under less public criticism than Israel, a democratic state with an army that does more than any military in the world to avoid civilian casualties. The antisemitic surge in Europe and widespread condemnation of Israel show that criticism of Israel has more to do with logic-defying hatred of the Jews and Israel than anything else. Even Israel’s best friend and closest ally, the United States, cannot be relied upon. The Obama administration took the highly unusual step in July of halting a weapons shipment to Israel – in the midst of a war, no less. In May, U.S. officials blamed Israel for the breakdown of Israeli-Palestinian talks when it was the Palestinian Authority that had just signed a unity agreement with Hamas, a terrorist organization. And the United States continues to make what Netanyahu called a “historic mistake” by pursuing talks with Iran while the Islamic Republic continues its clandestine march toward nuclear weapons. (As far as the spat over the leaked Kerry cease-fire document in July, it’s not clear whether Israeli officials deliberately misrepresented the document so they could prolong the campaign against Hamas, leaked the document to take a swipe at Kerry or genuinely believed the United States was floating a cease-fire that backed Hamas demands.) As for the recent land appropriation, it’s in an area of the West Bank near the Gush Etzion settlement bloc, which Israel plans on keeping as part of any final deal with the Palestinians. And after the traumatic kidnapping and killing in June of three Israeli teens in that same West Bank area, there’s a message here to the Palestinians: Violence against Israel will be punished, not rewarded. Finally, and this is no small point: If the world is going to condemn Israel no matter what it does, then Israel should do what it believes is in its best interests, international opinion be damned.

Golden

Continued from page 10 has taken over large swathes of territory. According to a report by The Guardian in June, Islamic State looted about $36 million in antiquities from the al-Nabuk region in Syria. Reports indicate that much of the illegal smuggling, which is taxed by the Islamic State, is done by local Syrians and Turkish nationals, who then smuggle the artifacts across the border into Turkey and sell them to international antiquities traffickers on the black market. Meanwhile, in the Iraqi city of Mosul, which was conquered by the Islamic State in June, the terror group has already destroyed religious sites such as the Tomb of Jonah (the biblical prophet who was swallowed by a whale), and has threatened the Mosul Museum, which contains numerous artifacts from the nearby ancient city of Nineveh. “These areas are where human culture began; they are the cradle of civilization. [Islamic State] is destroying the heritage of mankind,” Horovitz said. The situation in the Middle East stands in stark contrast with Israel, which has one of the most robust and highly regulated antiquities departments in the world and works to preserve the country’s diverse past. Nevertheless, the City of David Foundation, which works with the Israel Antiquities Authority in excavating areas in Jerusalem, has come under intense scrutiny from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (or UNESCO), which has called on the City of David to halt historical excavations. “We should think about proper care of the cultures of the past,” Barkay said. “Instead of condemning these acts of looting that go on all the time in these Arab countries, UNESCO is obsessed with excavations and acts of preservation in Jerusalem because of political reasons.” He added, “UNESCO should deal with salvaging the heritage of mankind instead of political matters.”

SEPTEMBER 11, 2014 ■

THE REPORTER

Where Jews of color go to “feel normal” at summer camp By Rebecca Spence PETALUMA, CA (JTA) – On a cool Sunday evening, Jewish campers with nervous smiles took to the stage one by one to perform poems they had composed on the theme of identity. One girl riffed on being taunted for having “fuzzy eyebrows” and “bushy hair.” Another rhymed about being told “You don’t look Jewish” too many times to count. If this doesn’t sound like your typical summer camp fare, it’s because Camp Be’chol Lashon has a markedly different mandate than most Jewish camps. Nestled in the misty hills of Marin County, the northern California camp is the country’s only Jewish sleepaway camp geared to Jews of color. “Part of the goal is to make these kids feel normal in a Jewish context,” said Diane Tobin, the founder and executive director of the camp’s parent organization, the San Francisco-based nonprofit Be’chol Lashon, which promotes racial, ethnic and cultural diversity in Jewish life. Tobin, 61, and her late husband, the Jewish demographer Gary Tobin, founded the nonprofit in 2000, three years after adopting an African-American son. Now entering its sixth season, the organization’s camp integrates traditional Jewish practice with educational activities that speak to the diversity of Jewish life around the globe. Each morning, after the more typical fare of Wiffle ball and field sports, campers gather clues about the country they will “travel” to that day before going through “Customs” and having their makeshift passports stamped. Throughout the day, between kayaking and swimming in the pond, campers make food and crafts inspired by the particular country they are “visiting.” During a JTA visit to the camp, campers spent an afternoon writing poems in an art room decorated with cultural items they had made, including woven baskets from Mexico and feathered raffia masks from Colombia. Aaron Levy Samuels, a New York-based black-Jewish performance poet, had flown in for the day to facilitate the poetry workshop. Samuels, 25, whose first poetry collection, “Yarmulkes & Fitted Caps,” was published last fall by Write Bloody Publishing, said that growing up in Rhode Island, he and his brother were the only two black kids at their local synagogue. The son of an African-American, Samuels said he identified with the struggles that Be’chol Lashon campers were going through and wished he could have attended such a camp. Maia Campbell, 14, of San Francisco, who has attended Be’chol Lashon since its founding, echoed that sentiment. “It’s been really cool because my synagogue is basically all white people,” said Campbell, whose mother is African-American. “So I saw that there are other people like me.” The camp is not just for Jews of color, as evinced by one white camper’s poem about her identity as a “nerdy Jewish girl.” It’s also very much a family affair. Tobin’s son, Jonah, is a junior counselor and her daughter, Sarah Spencer, serves as the camp’s co-director. “The kids all come with very different stories about who they are and where they’ve come to be,” said

Sarah Spencer, right, the co-director of Camp Be’chol Lashon, with counselors Andrea Pressman and Reece Pressman. (Photo by Rebecca Spence)

Savannah Henry, left, a counselor at Camp Be’chol Lashon, with camper Jeremy Johnson. (Photo by Rebecca Spence)

Spencer, 38, a marriage and family therapist who is also the mother of two biracial children. “Here they get to practice explaining who they are to one another and we help them to feel good about whatever that is.” Savannah Henry, a 21-year-old counselor whose father is African-American, said that before her rabbi at Congregation Shir Hadash in Los Gatos, CA, told her about Be’chol Lashon, she had spent a miserable

summer at a more mainstream Jewish camp. “I was the only Jew of color,” she said of her experience at a Reform Jewish summer camp in Santa Rosa. “I just didn’t connect that well.” When she discovered Be’chol Lashon four years ago, Henry’s outlook changed completely. “If I had been a camper here, I would have fit in perfectly,” she said. “It’s definitely made me more of a proud Jew.”

h a l a l n a d H , Hone d e s y He Continuing a Rosh Hashana fundraising tradition started by Roseann Smith Alperin (O.B.M.), as we begin 5775. • Proceeds benefit Youth Religious Education •

Gift Bag $20 • Mums $22

• The Gift Bag — contains a challah, container of honey, yom tov candles, an apple and candies. ——$20 delivered • Flowering Plant — A beautiful Mum in a basket. Perfect for those who cannot ac-cept gifts of foods. ——$22 delivered To order: Please make checks payable to “Temple Hesed Sisterhood”. Specify plain or raisin challah or the flowering mum. Mail to: Carol Leventhal, 125 Welsh Hill Road, Clarks Summit, PA 18411. For more information, call Carol at 570-587-2931 or email jeff@graphicsart.net.

We are delivering the gift bags and plants on Erev Rosh Hashanah: Wednesday, September 24. DELIVERIES WILL BE MADE TO ANY ADDRESS IN SCRANTON OR THE ABINGTONS All Orders Must Be In By September 17, 2014

Volunteers Needed! To assemble gift bags at 1 pm, Tuesday, Sept. 23 at the Leventhal residence located at 125 Welsh Hill Road in Clarks Summit. To make deliveries on Wednesday morning, September 4 Call Carol or Jeff at 570-587-2931 to volunteer.

Hesed, Hallah and Honey Order Form Order before Sept. 17 • Delivered September 24

Israel Sustainable Food Tour

Hazon will hold the Israel Sustainable Food Tour from October 29-November 3. Its focus is on touring Israel and experiencing its sustainable food movement first-hand. There will be information on how Israelis farm and meetings with food activists. Included will be visits to food growers and producers across the country, microbreweries, wineries and a tour of Machane Yehuda, an open-air shuk. For more information, visit http://hazon.org/calendar/israel-sustainable-food-tour/ or contact Hazon at liz.traison@hazon.org or 212-644-2332, ext. 326.

Address__________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Phone___________________________________________ Name___________________________________________ Address__________________________________________ ________________________________________________

Enclose check, made payable to: Temple Hesed Sisterhood Mail order to: Carol Leventhal 125 Welch Hill Road Clarks Summit PA 18411

¨ Challah______ = $20/each ____ Plain _____Raisin ¨

Mums_______= $22/each

Phone___________________________________________ GETTING G IFTS

The Jewish Community Center in Manhattan has partnered with The Greenhouse at Ein Shemer, an Israeli ecological learning ground, to hold the exhibit “Incubating Ideas and Cultivating Connections: The Greenhouse of Ein Shemer” through November 1. It features the work of Avital Geva, Atar Geva and Frédéric Brenner. The multidisciplinary project seeks to offer an opportunity to learn about Israel through the lens of science, ecology and the arts. Additionally, the walls of the JCC’s rooftop sukkah have been reimagined by the Ein Shemer team and will be built with materials that include reused plastic bottles filled with varying amounts of algae. For more information, visit www.jccmanhattan.org or call 646-505-4444.

YOUR NAME

Jewish ecological exhibit

Name___________________________________________

Name___________________________________________ Address__________________________________________

¨ Challah______ = $20/each ____ Plain _____Raisin

________________________________________________

Mums_______= $22/each

Phone___________________________________________ Name___________________________________________ Address__________________________________________

¨ Challah______ = $20/each ____ Plain _____Raisin

________________________________________________

Mums_______= $22/each

Phone___________________________________________

ÊVisit the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania on the web at www.jewishnepa.org or on Facebook

THE REPORTER ■ september 11, 2014

Fifty years after Freedom Summer, civil rights volunteers reflect on activist lives

By Dina Weinstein (JTA) – At the Freedom Summer anniversary conference in Jackson, MS, the activists who registered black voters and taught in Freedom Schools under the threat of violence 50 years ago stood up to introduce themselves. It took three hours to hear what they did in the Magnolia State back in 1964 and have gone on to do in the half-century since. “Almost everyone had a social justice connection,” said Heather Booth, who went to Mississippi as a college freshman from New York before moving on to a career as a nationally prominent liberal activist. “The former volunteers went on to work as teachers, environmental activists and in the field of health care.” Organized by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, or SNCC, Freedom Summer sent mostly white college students to Mississippi to confront the violent racism in the state. In the summer of 1964, some 1,500 volunteers worked registering blacks to vote, teaching in Freedom Schools and organizing the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, which aimed to challenge the state’s all-white delegation at the Democratic National Convention that year. Jews were represented among the young civil rights volunteers in numbers far exceeding their share of the population. Debra Schultz, the author of “Going South: Jewish Women in the Civil Rights Movement,” said that like other SNCC activists, Jewish Freedom Summer

Tension and danger lurked throughout volunteers were motivated by a desire the summer. to hold the country to its full promise There were another four people critiof democracy. Many were inspired as cally wounded, 80 activists beaten, 1,000 well by their Jewish and often leftarrests, 37 churches and 30 black homes leaning backgrounds. or businesses bombed or burned. “Among particularly ‘Jewish’motivaBooth recalls feeling frightened all tions, we can cite: an identification with the time that summer. “But it was also another racialized people and a passion very exhilarating,” Booth said. “There for racial justice, born of the recent exwere nightly meetings at black churches, perience with the Holocaust,” Schultz with a lot of singing.” told JTA via e-mail. In Shaw, MS, where blacks were Booth said that she came to Missisneglected, Booth said she felt honored sippi a year after visiting Israel, where she that her hosts generously gave up their made a commitment at the Yad Vashem beds for her and three other volunteers. Holocaust memorial to struggle for jus“In the black part of town, there were no tice. Schultz noted that her synagogue toilets, no sewers and no street lights,” had funded the $500 bail money required Booth said. to participate in Freedom Summer in the Booth continued her activism after case of an arrest. Freedom Summer. She became involved The first days of Freedom Summer in the women’s movement, founding saw the murder of three civil rights Jane, an underground abortion counselworkers – Jewish New Yorkers Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner and Heather Booth protested for ing and referral service in Chicago. She black Mississippian James Chaney, who voting rights in Mississippi went on to serve as the founding direchad been investigating the burning of a during the 1964 Freedom tor of the NAACP National Voter Fund black church. During the weeks-long Summer. (Photo by Wallace and Americans for Financial Reform. She also coordinated grass-roots efforts search for the workers, the bodies of Roberts) to win passage of President Barack eight murdered black men were found in the Mississippi countryside before the discovery of Obama’s first budget. Based in Washington, DC, she Chaney, Goodman and Schwerner’s remains. See “Freedom” on page 17

Recycling his roots By Matt Robinson JNS.org Having started his career playing on his family’s pots and pans, Jewish musician Billy Jonas has maintained this homemade performance ethic while spreading his messages of simple living and environmentalism to a shared home throughout the world. After beginning in the kitchen, Jonas soon moved to the music room, where he picked up the piano, guitar and trombone. These days, the multi-talented multiinstrumentalist plays on with pretty much anything he can find, including cans, bottles, buckets and other recycled-object instruments of creativity. When fans come to Jonas’ concerts, they often find a stage strewn with what at first appears to be a pile of refuse. From oil drums to an empty soda can to five-gallon water bottles, Jonas takes pride in making treasures out of others’ trash. “I can’t help but smile and get happy when I hear a frying pan played well,” he says, noting his passion for “sounds, forms and subject matters that are off the beaten track.” But soon after Jonas and The Billy Jonas Band take the stage, the novelty wears off. “I find that the spectacle appeal of these instruments disappears, wears off, after about 10 minutes,” Jonas tells JNS.org. “Then, people tend to focus on the songs and stories that I’m presenting, which is the heart of what I do. The goal of the songs, and my concerts, is to connect people – to themselves, to others and to the great beyond.” Jonas also aims to weave a connection to the natural world into his songs and shows. “I think everybody now understands the importance of environmental stewardship and recycling,” he says. “Instead of singing about that directly, my instruments broadcast that implicitly. This leaves room to address other aspects of tikkun olam (repairing the world), soul-mining and spiritual spelunking.” Jonas and his band also love to explore the fundamental

roots of Jewish music. “We like finding the essence of a song, or a prayer,” he says. “This is often best revealed through the most simple, primal musical elements of voices and drums.”  While his musically inclined family encouraged his early explorations of music, Jonas also credits his childhood cantor with inspiring his inspiring path. “I remember going to synagogue during this time and listening to Cantor Abraham Lubin, and being awestruck by the beauty and power of his voice,” Jonas says of the chazzan of Congregation Rodfei Zedek and Anshe Emet Synagogue, both in Chicago, as well as Congregation Beth El of Bethesda, MD. Lubin’s melodies, many of them part of a weekly Hebrew school repertoire, “went to a very deep place” and became “an intimate part” of Jonas’s future music, he says. Jonas also says the structure of Jewish liturgical music had a profound impact on him – so profound that his latest project is a collection of liturgically inspired songs called “Ten Days: Songs for a Jewish Vision Quest,” to be released in the spring of 2015. In addition to songs and musical reinterpretations of prayers like “Modeh Ani” and “Ma’ariv Aravim,” Jonas takes his turn at Shlomo Carlebach’s “Return Again” and offers a few originals such as “Holy Man” and the illuminating anthem “Let There Be Light.” As usual, Jonas’ words and music borrow elements from his environs. “I’m inspired by everything, but what excites me most is finding a way to amplify the sacred dimensions of even the most mundane experiences,” he says. Jonas says a further “sacred dimension” is added to the music when a live audience is listening. “With certain participatory songs, as the audience sings along or calls out, they spontaneously become an organism and experience the dissolution of their separateness from each other,” he says. “I love that!” Asked what inspired this particular collection, Jonas

To get Federation updates via email, rregister on our website

www.jewishnepa.org Pledge or Donate online at

www.jewishnepa.org/donate

The Billy Jonas Band (Billy Jonas is third from the left) (Photo courtesy of billyjonas.com) goes back to the synagogue – not in Chicago, but in his current home. “I have enjoyed working with my local synagogue,” says the resident of Asheville, NC, who participates in and often co-leads prayers at Congregation Beth HaTephila in that city. “In doing that, I began to create my own versions of songs and prayers that felt closer to my heart than some – though not all – of the traditional, more standard versions.” Through working with bar and bat mitzvah students as well as other congregants at Beth HaTephila, Jonas discovered his own passion for prayers that he and others felt were not engaging with as seriously strongly as he felt they could. He describes finding places in services “where there were some missed opportunities for a deeper connection to, or understanding of, a particular moment. “I’ve been having fun filling in the gaps in prayers as I perceive them,” Jonas says.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2014 ■

Freedom

THE REPORTER

Continued from page 16

Later, in ninth grade, she and a friend currently consults for and advises a variety organized pickets of Woolworth’s in New of liberal advocacy groups. York City in support of sit-ins at segregated At the anniversary conference in late lunch counters in the South. Once when she June, Booth was one of more than 200 was picketing, Popkin said, a woman shouted former Freedom Summer volunteers in at her, “You’ll make my husband lose his attendance. They met with nearly 2,000 job, and that’s not nice of you!” younger activists. “I realized I was not going to be a nice Larry Rubin, a veteran labor movement 1950s girl,” Popkin said in a telephone activist who came to the reunion from interview from her home in Portland, OR, Takoma Park, MD, worked on the SNCC where she works as a counselor. staff as a young man from 1961-65, first in By the time of her Freedom Summer orisouthwest Georgia. In early 1964, he went entation in Oxford, OH, Chaney, Goodman to Mississippi to set up the infrastructure for Jewish civil rights volunteers Heather Booth, Mark Levy and Larry Rubin and Schwerner had already disappeared. Freedom Summer. th Rubin said that when he trucked do- participated in a panel in Jackson, MS, in June to mark the 50 anniversary of Freedom Summer organizers feared the worst. But Popkin remembers feeling nated books to the Freedom Schools, he Freedom Summer. (Photo by Institute of Southern Jewish Life) optimistic as hundreds of black and white was pulled over, roughed up and arrested SNCC volunteers locked arms, held hands and sang by police who expressed antisemitic sentiments. space to discuss Jewishness.” (But when he came back to Mississippi later as a Bob Moses, the well-known black civil rights leader “We Shall Overcome.” “Just imagine if everyone in the country could feel labor organizer, he recalled, a policeman who had and Freedom Summer organizer, told JTA that he was once threatened to kill him if he ever again showed not aware at the time of participants’Jewish identities. this spirit and see this vision. Wouldn’t people want to his face in his town praised his efforts to unionize “I didn’t know if Freedom Summer people were Jew- end segregation?” she recalled thinking. Popkin calls her optimism naive. “It was so moving a local business.) ish,” he said. When local blacks faced harassment, he said, all the At the anniversary gathering, however, it was a topic to be part of the embodied vision of beloved community civil rights workers could do was offer to report it to the of discussion, with a breakout session focused on Jew- we were creating in working together, singing together, federal government. ish participation. Also, concurrent with the reunion, the risking our lives together, believing together,” she said. Rubin left the SNCC in 1965 as it was turning toward Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life “We knew what was right, and we spent our days and Black Power and whites were being pushed out of the organized events on Jewish involvement in civil rights nights organizing for it.” She went to Vicksburg, MS, where she gathered sigorganization. Rubin recalls feeling a sense of relief, like and social justice activism. he was dismissed and could go home. Freedom Summer volunteer Annie Popkin said her natures for the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. He returned to university studies to learn more about family was very aware of discrimination because her She witnessed the threats and reprisals – economic and his Eastern European Jewish roots, just as the Black father was shut out of Harvard Medical School due to physical – that kept blacks from attempting to register Power movement was encouraging African-Americans quotas that limited the numbers of Jewish students. At to vote. “We got to see the strong consequences of what to embrace their heritage. times her family embraced their Jewishness. Other times we were doing,” Popkin said. Popkin, who went on to become involved in the Rubin, who grew up in Philadelphia, said his civil rights they turned away from it, seeing it as a painful liability, work was influenced by his parents, who taught him to she said. She said she was “so ready to go” south when women’s movement and teach women’s studies at fight for social justice because of what his grandparents organizers recruited students like her at Radcliffe Col- various universities, pointed to the value of recalling the experiences of rank-and-file civil rights activists went through fleeing Europe. lege in Cambridge, MA. But while many volunteers were Jewish, their backPopkin started early in her activism. When she was like her. “There’s been a media emphasis on leaders in grounds were not necessarily at the forefront within 12 or 13, Popkin said, her mother took her to a picket the civil rights movement and not the individuals who the movement. “In the 1960s, we didn’t discuss being line to demand fair housing in her hometown on New participated,” Popkin said. “All of our stories can be Jewish and we didn’t bring up our motivation for getting York’s Long Island after a black family who moved into inspiration. If we could make change at 18, 19, 20, so can others today.” involved in the movement,” Rubin said. “There was no the white section had their house burned.

ÊVisit the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania on the web at www.jewishnepa.org or on Facebook

THE REPORTER ■ september 11, 2014

U.S. NEWS IN bRIEF From JTA

New sergeant is highest-ranking Chasid in NYPD history

September 2014

• Non-Feature Films •

*NEW* Everything is a Present: The Wonder and Grace of Alice Sommer Hertz - This is the uplifting true story of the gifted pianist Alice Sommer Hertz who survived the Theresienstat concentration camp by playing classical piano concerts for Nazi dignitaries. Alice Sommer Hertz lived to the age of 106. Her story is an inspiration. Follow Me: The Yoni Netanyahu Story - Yoni Netanyahu was a complex, passionate individual thrust into defending his country in a time of war and violence. The older brother of Benjamin Natanyahu, the current Israel Prime Minister, Yoni led the miraculous raid on Entebbe in 1976. Although almost all of the Entebbe hostages were saved, Yoni was the lone military fatality. Featuring three Israeli Prime Ministers and recently released audio from the Entebbe raid itself. Hava Nagila (The Movie) - A documentary romp through the history, mystery and meaning of the great Jewish standard. Featuring interviews with Harry Belafonte, Leonard Nimoy and more, the film follows the ubiquitous party song on its fascinating journey from the shtetls of Eastern Europe to the kibbutzim of Palestine to the cul-de-sacs of America. Inside Hana’s Suitcase - The delivery of a battered suitcase to Fumiko Ishioka at the Tokyo Holocaust Museum begins the true-life mystery that became the subject of Karen Levine’s best-selling book Hana’s Suitcase. The film follows Fumiko’s search to discover the details of Hana’s life, which leads to the discovery of her brother George in Toronto. *NEW* Israel: The Royal Tour - Travel editor Peter Greenberg (CBS News) takes us on magnificent tour of the Jewish homeland, Israel. The tour guide is none other than Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The viewer gets a chance to visit the land of Israel from his own home! Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story (narrated by Dustin Hoffman) - This documentary portrays the contributions of Jewish major leaguers and the special meaning that baseball has had in the lives of American Jews. More than a film about sports, this is a story of immigration, assimilation, bigotry, heroism, the passing on of traditions, the shattering of stereotypes and, most of all, the greatest American pastime. *NEW* Nicky’s Family - An enthralling documentary that artfully tells the story of how Sir Nicholas Winton, now 104, a British stockbroker, gave up a 1938 skiing holiday to answer a friend’s request for help in Prague and didn’t stop helping until the war’s beginning stopped him. He had saved the lives of 669 children in his own personal Kindertransport. *NEW*Shanghai Ghetto - One of the most amazing and captivating survival tales of WWII, this documentary recalls the strange-but-true story of thousands of European Jews who were shut out of country after country while trying to escape Nazi persecution. Left without options or entrance visa, a beacon of hope materialized for them on the other side of the world, and in the unlikeliest of places, Japanese-controlled Shanghai. The Case for Israel - Democracy’s Outpost - This documentary presents a vigorous case for Israel- for its basic right to exist, to protect its citizens from terrorism, and to defend its borders from hostile enemies. *NEW* The Jewish Cardinal - This is the amazing true story of Jean-Marie Lustiger, the son of PolishJewish immigrants, who maintained his cultural identity as a Jew even after converting to Catholicism at a young age, and later joining the priesthood. The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg - As baseball’s first Jewish star, Hammerin’ Hank Greenberg’s career contains all the makings of a true American success story. Unmasked: Judaophobia - The Threat to Civilization – This documentary exposes the current political assault against the State of Israel fundamentally as a war against the Jewish people and their right to self-determination.

• Feature Films •

Fill the Void - This is the story of an eighteen-year-old, Shira, who is the youngest daughter of her family. Her dreams are about to come true as she is set to be married. Unexpectedly, her sister dies while giving birth to her first child. The drama of the story reaches its peak when the girls’ mother proposes a match between Shira and the young widower. Shira will have to choose between her heart’s wish and her family duty. Footnote - The winner of the Cannes Film Festival (Best Screenplay) is the tale of a great rivalry between a father and son, two eccentric professors, who have both dedicated their lives to work in Talmudic Studies. Each has a need for recognition in his chosen field and the day comes when father and son must look deeply inside themselves for the truth- advancement of his own career or of the others. Hidden in Silence - Przemysl, Poland, WWII. Germany emerges victorious over the Russians and the city comes under Nazi control. The Jews are sent to the ghettos. While some stand silent, Catholic teenager, Stefania Podgorska, chose the role of a savior and sneaks 13 Jews into her attic. Noodle (compatible only on PAL – DVD players - Hebrew with English subtitles) This film was a beloved entry in the Jewish Federation of NEPA’s Jewish Film Festival. It tells the heartwarming story of an Israeli stewardess, Miri, whose personal life as a war widow leaves her without much joy. Everything changes for Miri when her Oriental housemaid disappears one day leaving her with her young Oriental child! The Boy in the Striped Pajamas - Based on the best- selling novel, this movie is unforgettable. Set during WWII, the movie introduces us to Bruno, an innocent eight-year-old, ignores his mother and sets of on an adventure in the woods. Soon he meets a young boy and a surprising friendship develops. *NEW* The Concert - Andrei Filipov was prodigy- at 20 he was the celebrated conductior for Russia’s renowned Bolshoi Orchestra. Thirty years later, still at the Bolshoi, he works as a janitor. Ousted during the communist era when he refused to fire the Jewish members of the orchestra, a broken Andrei now cleans the auditorium where he once performed in front of thousands. The Debt - In 1966, three Mossad agents were assigned to track down a feared Nazi war criminal hiding in East Berlin, a mission accomplished at great risk and personal cost- or was it? The Other Son - As he is preparing to join the Israeli army for his national service, Joseph discovers he is not his parents’ biological son and that he was inadvertently switched at birth with Yacine, the son of a Palestinian family from the West Bank. This revelation turns the lives of these two families upsidedown, forcing them to reassess their respective identities, their values and beliefs. *Just added to the Jewish Federation’s Film Lending Library!

A Chasidic New York Police Department officer was promoted to sergeant, making him the department’s highest-ranking Chasid ever. Joel Witriol of Brooklyn attended the Sept. 5 promotion ceremony in traditional Chasidic garb, according to the New York Post. His Sabbath observance will be accommodated at his new post in the 13th Precinct in Manhattan. Witriol joined the force in 2006 at age 24, becoming the first Chasidic officer, the Post reported. He started as a volunteer auxiliary officer in 2003. His brother also is a member of the NYPD, which has many Jewish officers, but few Chasidim, according to the NY1 television station.

Jewish groups launch fair trade network

A new partnership has launched to enable the purchase of kosher “fair trade” coffee, tea and chocolate while supporting Jewish communal efforts on human trafficking and worker justice. The Jewish Fair Trade Partnership allows individuals and Jewish institutions like synagogues to purchase fair trade products at wholesale prices while supporting Equal Exchange, Fair Trade Judaica and T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights. Fair trade products are designed to help farmers, primarily in developing countries, stay on their land, support their families, plan for the future and care for the environment. A portion of the proceeds from sales will support T’ruah and Fair Trade Judaica’s work promoting the end of modern-day slavery and protecting workers’ rights. “Jewish law goes to great length to protect low-wage workers, whom our tradition knows are vulnerable to exploitation,” said Rabbi Jill Jacobs, executive director of T’ruah, in a news release issued jointly by the partner organizations. “Through this project, our sacred spaces will reflect the values of our tradition.” A network of 1,800 rabbis and cantors, T’ruah (formerly Rabbis for Human Rights-North America) focuses on human rights issues globally and describes itself as the “leading Jewish organization working to end modern-day slavery.” Founded in 2007, California-based Fair Trade Judaica works to create a “Jewish-based ethical consumer model” and sells a variety of Judaica products meeting specific standards assuring fair and livable wages, no child labor, and healthy and safe working conditions. Since 1998, the Equal Exchange Interfaith Program has involved more than 10,000 religious institutions in purchasing fair trade products. Current partners include Lutheran World Relief, United Methodist Committee on Relief, Catholic Relief Services, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. The Jewish Fair Trade Project includes Equal Exchange kosher-certified coffee, tea and chocolate products. Most of the products are listed as kosher for Passover.

ADL joins plea to broadcasters to abjure Redskins

The Anti-Defamation League signed a letter initiated by Native American groups urging broadcasters to avoid saying the name of the Redskins, the NFL’s Washington franchise. “Some might argue that objectivity requires broadcasters to continue promoting the racial slur as long as Washington team owner Dan Snyder keeps denigrating Native Americans by using the epithet as his team’s name,” said the letter sent the week of Sept. 4 to broadcasters. “But in this particular fight for basic equality and mutual respect, there is no ‘objective’ position. Every time the slur is promoted on the public airwaves even in a non-critical way by a journalist, it is an endorsement of the continued use of this slur.” A number of broadcast journalists in recent days have said they have not used the name for years. Others upheld its use as benign. The Washington Post in August said that its non-sports coverage would omit use of the name. The ADL, which a year ago declared its opposition to “hurtful and offensive names, mascots and logos” in sports, was the only Jewish group of more than 100 organizations that signed the letter. In May, it joined a similar letter to NFL players urging them to campaign for a name change. The letter was initiated by the Oneida Indian Nation, which has spearheaded the campaign to get the team to change its name, and the National Congress of American Indians.

David Makovsky quits peace team

David Makovsky, a member of the State Department’s Middle East peace team, is returning to his think tank position. The departure of Makovsky announced on Sept. 4 by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy is the latest signal that the Obama administration is retreating from its intensive efforts to broker an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal. Talks collapsed in April and, over the summer, team leader Martin Indyk also quit and returned to the think tank that employed him before he joined the effort in 2013, the Brookings Institution. Other team members have left in recent months and not been replaced.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2014 ■

THE REPORTER

NEWS IN bRIEF From JTA

Abbas: Hamas unity pact is off if gov’t doesn’t run in Gaza

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said he would break his government’s unity agreement with Hamas if Hamas does not allow the unity government to operate in Gaza. “We won’t accept a partnership with them if the situation continues like this in Gaza where there is a shadow government running the territory,” Abbas said late Sept. 6 in Cairo, where he was scheduled to address the Arab League, according to the official Palestinian news agency Wafa. “If Hamas won’t accept a Palestinian state with one state and one law, then there won’t be any partnership between us. This is our condition and we won’t back away from it.” Abbas told reporters that the Palestinian leadership is making every effort to help the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, and is working to provide all forms of assistance. He estimated that it will take $7 billion and at least 15 years to rebuild what was destroyed in Gaza during Israel’s seven-week Operation Protective Edge. Some 461,643 people were displaced in Gaza, with at least 280,000 of them in United Nations shelters and schools, the P.A. leader said. Abbas said some 18,000 homes were destroyed and another 41,000 were damaged, and that 75 schools were destroyed and another 145 suffered damage. Dozens of public buildings, including mosques, also were destroyed.

Nigerian woman quarantined in Jerusalem found to be Ebola-free

A Nigerian nurse visiting Israel who was quarantined in Jerusalem for fear she may have contracted Ebola does not have the deadly virus. Doctors determined on Sept. 6 that the woman, a tourist who works in Nigeria’s public health system, had an infection of the digestive tract, which improved after she was given antibiotics, according to reports. She had arrived in Israel several days ago and was admitted on Sept. 3 to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem with a high fever. She was quarantined on Sept. 5. The World Health Organization said on Sept. 4 that more than 1,900 people have died in West Africa’s Ebola outbreak. There have been 3,500 confirmed or probable cases in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. More than 40 percent of the deaths have occurred in the last three weeks, WHO said, suggesting that the epidemic is fast outpacing efforts to control it, according to the BBC. Symptoms of the virus, which spreads through bodily fluids, include high fever, bleeding and central nervous system damage. The fatality rate can reach 90 percent, though the current outbreak has a mortality rate of about 55 percent.

Report: Israeli military prevented Irish U.N. peacekeepers’ deaths

Irish soldiers serving in the Golan Heights would have been killed or taken hostage by Syrian rebels if it weren’t for the military intervention of the Israeli army, an Irish newspaper reported. Israeli soldiers assisted the Irish troops the week of Sept. 3 as the latter attempted to rescue a contingent of Filipino peacekeepers who were surrounded and in a gun battle with the Islamist rebels, the Irish Independent reported on Sept. 7. Unnamed senior Irish sources told the newspaper that there would “almost certainly” have been U.N. casualties or deaths without the Israeli help, which was described as “decisive.” The Israel Defense Forces reportedly was able to assist during the Aug. 28 siege because it has military posts on high areas overlooking the United Nations bases in Quneitra, located on the border between Israel and Syria. The Israelis, according to the Independent, helped guide the Irish troops to avoid the rebels, and also may have fired at the rebel troops to halt their attacks on the Filipino and Irish soldiers. Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan said over the Sept. 7 weekend that he did not want to see his country’s U.N. troops “being drawn into a Syrian civil war.” He added, however, that he would not unilaterally withdraw Irish troops. “Support for the U.N. is a cornerstone of Irish foreign policy and any decision will be made in partnership with them,” he said. A detachment of 41 Fijian soldiers who surrendered to the rebels from the al-Nusra Brigade, which has ties to al-Qaida, remains in captivity, but where the captives are being held is unknown. The soldiers were captured after obeying a U.N. order to surrender.

first time called for Syrian opposition groups to meet with the state to form a reconciliation government. Journalists reportedly were ordered to leave the meeting on Sept. 7 shortly after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas started addressing the session. A live broadcast of the speech also was suspended.

France largest source of immigration to Israel in 2014

Reaching a 25-year high, immigration to Israel from France has become the largest single source of newcomers to Israel so far this year. Some 4,566 French immigrants arrived in Israel from January through Sept. 1, surpassing Russia, with 2,632 immigrants, and Ukraine, with 3,252 immigrants. The United States, whose Jewish population is more than 10 times that of France, has sent 2,218 new immigrants to Israel so far this year. The figures were published on Sept. 1 by Israel’s Ministry of Immigrant Absorption. The number of French immigrants in 2014 is the highest on record since 1989 and already has surpassed last year’s record-breaking number of 3,263 French newcomers. In 2004, another banner year for French aliyah, there were 2,948 French immigrants to Israel. Between 1989 and 2013, an average of 1,943 French immigrants arrived in Israel per year. Immigration from Ukraine – where government troops are fighting pro-Russian separatists in a conflict that has produced thousands of casualties and tens of thousands of displaced persons – also increased dramatically this year. The 3,252 immigrants who came to Israel from Ukraine since January constituted a 61-percent increase over the 1,270 Ukrainian immigrants who arrived in Israel during the corresponding months last year. Officials from the Jewish Agency for Israel, the quasi-governmental agency responsible for organizing Jewish immigration to Israel, said the increase in immigration from France is connected to rising levels of antisemitism in France, a stagnant French economy and strong levels of Zionist sentiment among French Jews.

Beit Shemesh removes partition between secular, haredi students

The Israeli city of Beit Shemesh ordered the removal of a wall that had been set up inside a local elementary school to separate secular and Orthodox students. The corrugated galvanized iron wall was erected in the yard of the secular Safot VeTarbuyot school to separate its students from girls attending the haredi Orthodox Mishekenot Da’at school, which recently began operating in a different section of the same building. The wall sparked protests. Some parents said it infringed on their secular lifestyle in Beit Shemesh, which has a large and growing haredi population. Mayor Moshe Abutbul told Army Radio he ordered the removal of the partition on Sept. 4 “as a gesture, which hopefully will help bring down another wall, which has grown taller and taller and divides the two parties.” Haredi schools separate girls and boys. One member of the city council was detained for questioning by police after writing with red paint on the wall: “Separation wall – a disgrace for Zionism.” The city of Beit Shemesh – a flashpoint for conflicts between haredi and secular residents over the role of religion in the public sphere – moved the haredi girls into the secular school because of space considerations and against the orders of the Ministry of Education, Channel 2 reported. On Sept. 4, the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court declined to rule on the ministry’s motion for an injunction against the opening of the haredi school inside the secular school. Judge Gad Arenberg said the matter was administrative and that his court was not equipped to deal with the issue. A source from the ministry told Channel 2 his office intended to appeal to a higher court.

Palestinian teen dies a week after being shot by Israeli troops at protest

A Palestinian teenager shot by Israeli troops during an eastern Jerusalem demonstration a week ago has died of his wounds. The teen, from eastern Jerusalem, died on Sept. 7 in Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital, the Palestinian Maan news agency reported. The father of Muhammad Abd Al-Majid Sunuqrut, 16, told Maan that his son was shot in the head with a rubber-coated bullet during the Sept. 1 rally in the Wadi Joz neighborhood. Abd al-Majid Sunuqrut claimed that his son was talking on his phone and not taking part in the demonstration. Israel Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told the Associated Press that the teen was hit in the leg with a sponge-tipped bullet while throwing stones during the demonstration. He then fell and injured his head, according to reports. Following news of the teen’s death, protests began in eastern Jerusalem. A Jewish man was injured at the entrance to Wadi Joz after Palestinians threw rocks at his car. Eastern Jerusalem has been the scene of demonstrations and violence since the beginning of July and the launch of Israel’s military operation Protective Edge.

Arab League ministers agree to join international fight against ISIS

The foreign ministers of the Arab League agreed to cooperate on an international and regional level to combat the Islamic State, or ISIS. The ministers, who met on Sept. 7 in Cairo, also said their countries would take all necessary measures to fight ISIS terrorists. “What is happening in Iraq, and the presence of an armed terrorist group that not only challenges the state authority but its very existence and that of other countries ... is one of the examples of the challenges that are violently shaking the world,” Nabil Arabi, the Arab League’s secretary-general, he told the gathering, according to the Associated Press. The Arab League also endorsed a United Nations Security Council resolution passed in August calling on member states to “act to suppress the flow of foreign fighters, financing and other support to Islamist extremist groups in Iraq and Syria,” according to reports. The final text of the meeting’s closing statement reportedly included a tacit agreement to endorse the U.S. campaign against ISIS. Secretary of State John Kerry was scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia and Jordan the week of Sept. 9 to discuss possible actions in the region against the jihadist group. The Arab League statement also for the

ÊVisit the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania on the web at www.jewishnepa.org or on Facebook

THE REPORTER ■ september 11, 2014

2015 UJA POCONO DINNER Please join the Jewish Federation of NEPA on Sunday, when internationally respected analyst, Micah Halpern, will address us.

Sunday, September 14 • Buﬀet Dinner at 5:30 PM • $15/pp at Temple Israel of the Poconos, 711 Wallace St., Stroudsburg, PA

Micah D. Halpern has a track record. He is a frequent analyst on network television and radio in the areas of terror, the Middle East and Muslim Fundamentalism. He is the author of the recently released, best selling, book THUGS. His voice is recognized by listeners to talk radio across America and to his weekly feature, A Safer World, on USA Radio Network. His face is familiar to viewers on CBS, FOX, MSNBC and to those who watch documentaries on PBS, The Learning Channel, The History Channel, Discovery and the Food Network. Following 9-11 he was the CBS-2 commentator on terror. On 9-11, 2003 he was the guest expert on ABC's The View. He is the author of What You Need To Know About: Terror (Toby Press, 2003) an accessible book that clearly and succinctly answers the questions we are afraid to ask. Halpern, a syndicated columnist, is also a well-known social and political commentator, educator, and historian. He lectures frequently, both in the United States and Israel, on issues relating to terror, foreign affairs, Israel and the Middle East, as well as wine history, and popular culture. In 1997, Micah Halpern was appointed Israel columnist for America Online and continues, until today, to write a weekly, now syndicated, column on foreign affairs, the Middle East and terror. Micah's weekly column is read by hundreds of thousands if not millions on the internet and in papers and websites around the world from the American Enterprise Institute to Israelinsider.com. His weekly radio spot is featured on 28 radio stations nationally on the USA Radio Network. An expert on terrorism, Halpern has been invited for consultations in the White House with terror analysts and has addressed conferences sponsored by the Justice Department. His expertise as a historian was called on by PBS for their 4 part series on Herod and by The History Channel for the documentary film entitled Masada in which he also appears. He has also contributed religious commentary for CNN and ABC television. His essays, published in book form, heralded the millennium and are entitled On-Line with Israel at the Millennium: Insights into Life and Religion (Urim, 2000). Halpern also conducted a weekly radio program entitled This Week in History for Jerusalem Radio. Micah was a lecturer at Yale University and a long-standing educator with Young Judaea. He has also taught at Brandeis University and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Halpern continues to lecture to student groups in the fields of political terror and world terrorism, Middle East dynamics, Jewish history, Holocaust, Zionism and philosophy and Israeli society and politics. For fun, Micah Halpern writes a column on Kosher wines. He is the only exclusively kosher wine reviewer in the Western world. A native of Annapolis, he currently divides his time between Jerusalem and New York City.

Please RSVP to 570-961-2300 x2 or dassy.ganz@jewishnepa.org

2015 UJA CAMPAIGN Major Gifts Event

An Evening With News Correspondent Linda Scherzer The Media and the Middle East: Biased or Balanced?

Thursday September 18, 7PM

At the home of Bob and Laney Ufberg, 1312 N. Abington Rd., Waverly, PA LINDA SCHERZER is a former Mideast correspondent for CNN and Israel Television with extensive experience covering the Arab-Israeli conflict. During her years with CNN, Linda covered the first Palestinian uprising or "intifada," the Gulf War and the Mideast peace process. She is probably best remembered for her interview with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu through a gas mask during an Iraqi scud missile attack. Linda was the only North American ever to work as an on-air correspondent for Mabat, Israel Television’s Hebrew news program, where she covered Arab and Palestinian affairs. She traveled to Damascus twice to report on Syrian attitudes towards the peace process and produced a one-hour documentary, "Through the Eyes of Enemies: Is the Middle East Ready for Peace" which explores opinion in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt towards Israel. Today, Linda is the director of a program called "Write On For Israel," which trains top high school students how to become defenders of Israel when they get to college. She is also a media and public relations consultant and advises the Jewish community on how to engage in constructive dialogue with the press.

For further information or to make your reservation please call 570-961-2300 x4