Trump again decries lack of US Jewish appreciation for him, as Zionist group prepares to fete him

RON KAMPEAS | JTA

Donald Trump, the former U.S. president, has once again said he is baffled by the lack of appreciation he feels coming from American Jews.

“No president has done more for Israel than I have,” he said on Truth Social, the social media platform he owns. “Somewhat surprisingly, however, our wonderful Evangelicals are far more appreciative of this than people of the Jewish faith, especially those living in the U.S.”

He added, “U.S. Jews have to get their act together and appreciate what they have in Israel — before it is too late!”

It’s not clear what prompted the posting, but it echoes comments that he made multiple times as president.

The posting comes days after the rightwing Zionist Organization of America announced that it would bestow on Trump a rare honor, listing his multiple initiatives that aligned U.S. policy more with Israel’s hawks, including moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, cutting funding to the Palestinians, exiting the Iran deal and recognizing Israelis sovereignty in the Golan Heights.

The announcement came the same day that the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol voted unanimously to subpoena him to testify about his role in stoking the event, which the committee has learned was substantial.

Trump’s frustration over his reception among American Jews was a preoccupation for him during his presidency. Depending on the exit survey, Trump scored between 21% and 30% of the Jewish vote in 2020, reflecting the tendency for decades of Jewish voters to favor Democrats by about 70%. He found some significant support among Orthodox Jews, who have grown more politically conservative on average in recent decades. But he also drew particular revulsion in some Jewish quarters because of his willingness at times to accept the backing of antisemitic extremists.

Nonpartisan Jewish groups condemned Trump’s comments on Sunday, Oct. 16.

“Support for the Jewish state never gives one license to lecture American Jews, nor does it ever give the right to draw baseless judgments about the ties between U.S. Jews and Israel,” the American Jewish Committee said in a tweet. “And to be clear, those ties are strong and enduring.”

“We don’t need the former president, who curries favor with extremists and antisemites, to lecture us about the US-Israel relationship,” said AntiDefamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, also in a tweet. “It is not about a quid pro quo; it rests on shared values and security interests. This Jewsplaining’ is insulting and disgusting.”

In Israel, where Trump is indeed popular, his message drew attention for appearing to contain a threat against American Jews who do not share his outlook on Israel.

“Nothing to see here,” tweeted Yaakov Katz, editor of the Jerusalem Post. “Just a former US president using threatening language about American Jews at a time when antisemitism is on a global rise.”

It’s not the first time Trump has appeared to take personally his low polling among Jews.

“I saw a poll that in the last election, I got 25% of the Jewish vote and I said here I have a son-in-law and a daughter who are Jewish, I have beautiful grandchildren that are Jewish,” Trump said in 2020 in a White House Rosh Hashanah call with Jewish leaders. “I have all of these incredible achievements. I’m amazed that [polling] seems to be almost automatically a Democrat.”

In 2019, Trump said Jews who voted Democratic showed “great disloyalty,” although he apparently meant the disloyalty was to Israel and not to him personally. In reported remarks, he has told colleagues that he believes that Jews are loyal above all to themselves.

The ZOA said it would award Trump the Theodor Herzl Medallion, previously bestowed on Lord Balfour, the British leader who drafted the document envisioning a Jewish national home in Palestine; Winston Churchill, the World War II-era British prime minister; Harry Truman, the U.S. president who recognized Israel at its founding against the counsel of some of his top advisers; David Ben Gurion, the first Israeli prime minister; Golda Meir, Israel’s prime minister during the 1973 Yom Kippur War; Menachem Begin, the prime minister who made peace with Egypt; and and Sheldon Adelson, the late casino magnate and backer of Republican and pro-Israel causes.

Trump will receive the medallion in person in New York on Nov. 13, Morton Klein, the ZOA president, told the Jewish

Telegraphic Agency. The group has faced criticism from others in the Jewish community over Klein’s embrace of ideas espoused by many of Trump’s supporters. But coalitions of Jewish groups have so far not acceded to calls to eject ZOA over that embrace. JN

Adl Arizona Hires New Community Manager

On Oct. 19, Sarah Kader joined ADL Arizona as Community Manager — an entirely new role for the region. Sarah brings with her a keen knowledge of the Jewish community of Arizona. Born and raised in Arizona, Sarah attended University of Arizona for her undergraduate education with a foray outside of the Southwest to attend Syracuse University for law school.

After obtaining her law degree, Sarah worked as a staff attorney at the Arizona Center for Disability Law for eight years, representing people with disabilities in federal litigation and administrative appeals. For as long as she can remember, Kader takes pride in supporting marginalized communities.

“I have long known the good and irreplaceable work of ADL locally and worldwide,” said Kader. “I care deeply about our Arizona community and am thrilled that my career of public service has led me to this moment; to join ADL and work toward its mission of securing justice for all. It is truly a dream come true and feels particularly poignant at this time of year, as we begin 5783 — the new year on the Jewish calendar.”

In 2018, she joined the Arizona Statewide Independent Living Council as their director of operations, also serving as the chair of the Arizona Disability Coalition. In 2020, Kader joined Children’s Action Alliance and the Arizona Center for Economic Progress as its director of strategic campaigns and political affairs.

Kader is the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors and honors the memory of her family through her civic engagement in the Jewish community and beyond.

“We are thrilled to have Sarah join the team and serve as a key builder of communities in the state,” said Jolie

CENTER FOR JEWISH PHILANTHROPY OF GREATER PHOENIX AWARDS MORE THAN $1.4 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDING

The Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix (CJP) has awarded more than $1.4 million in its 2022 grant cycle to Jewish organizations, programs and services throughout the Valley, in Israel and other overseas locations. This marks the first combined grant cycle since the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix and Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix integrated in 2021.

The CJP awarded grants to 36 organizations that provide programs and services including community engagement, education, Holocaust awareness and senior and youth services. Nine of these organizations are in Israel and other overseas locations.

“The CJP recognizes the significant and valuable contributions that have been made in our community from both the Federation and the Foundation throughout the years,” said Richard Kasper, CEO of CJP. “With these grants, we continue to focus on supporting community needs and enriching Jewish lives in our community through the many programs and initiatives that touch the lives of thousands of individuals every year.”

This year’s grant recipients include:

Community Engagement

• East Valley Jewish Community Center, general support and Auschwitz Live, virtual tours for students, $83,000

• Hillel Jewish Student Center at ASU, general support and Hillel Co-Op, $80,500

• Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), expansion of JCRC work statewide, $20,000

• JewishPhoenix.com, community website, $83,000

• Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, general support, $433,000

Education

• Bureau of Jewish Education, general support, IGNITE – Inspire and Empower Today’s Jewish Educators, and Wise Aging, $62,000

• Shabbat Project Arizona, Life Purpose, Empowered Marriage and Parenting: How to Overcome Stress, Negativity and Anxiety, $2,500

• Valley Beit Midrash, education programs, $19,250

• Oasis School, $12,000

• Pardes Jewish Day School, $16,719

• Phoenix Hebrew Academy, $6,744

• Shearim Torah High School, $2,665

• Torah Day School, $17,114

• Yeshiva High School of Arizona, $1,758

Brislin, ADL Arizona’s regional director. “Her experience speaks for itself and knowing her deep passion for the work, I have no doubt she will do wonderful things when it comes to building coalitions and community outreach to fight hate, bigotry and antisemitism throughout Arizona.”

THE SHABBAT PROJECT’S GREAT ARIZONA CHALLAH BAKE CELEBRATES ITS NINTH YEAR

The concept behind the Shabbat Project is that Jews from across the world — religious, secular, traditional, young or old — unite annually to keep one full Shabbat together, in accordance with Jewish law. This year, The Shabbat

Holocaust Programming

• Arizona Jewish Historical Society, Life in Shadows: Hidden Children and the Holocaust $10,000

• ASU, Center for Jewish Studies, Genocide Awareness Week, $10,000

Seniors

• Chabad of Arizona, Smile on Seniors (SOS), $10,000

• Chabad House, Smile on Seniors West Valley, $10,000

• Senior Rides Program, $53,000

• Jewish Family and Children’s Service, Jewish community services, Virtual Center for Senior Enrichment, senior concierge, $266,500

• Kivel Campus of Care, Jewish services and programs, $5,000

SERVICES

• Chabad of Arizona, Friendship Circle, $10,000

• Ezras Cholim, Shabbat dinners for Jews in need, $13,000

• Gesher Disability Resources, general support and camp assistance for children with disabilities, $32,100

• Minkoff Center for Jewish Genetics, BRCA Positive Support Network, $8,500

Youth

• Lehadleek, Jewish youth outreach, $10,000

• West Coast NCSY, Take Away 2K, $6,000

ISRAEL & OVERSEAS

• American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, general support and humanitarian assistance for elderly Jews in the former Soviet Union, $14,000

• Hillel: The Right to Choose, support for Ex-Ultra-Orthodox women, single mothers and children, $10,301

• Itworks: Empowering people, single mothers from poverty to stability, $10,000

• Jewish Agency for Israel, general support and absorption of Ethiopian immigrants in Israel, $14,000

• Jewish Federations of North America, Ukraine relief, $50,000

• Mavoi Satum, A World Without Agunot, $10,000

• Orr Shalom for children and youth at risk, Beating the Odds, $10,000

• Shekel: Inclusion for people with disabilities, medical supervision at the Hettena School/Day Center, $9,052

• Women’s Spirit: Financial independence for women survivors of violence, Breaking the Bind, $4,366

Community Briefs

Project is happening Nov. 11-12, with more than one million Jews participating in over 1,600 cities in 101 countries across the globe.

“As Jewish women we have the DNA of our foremothers Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel and Leah. More than we have kept the Shabbat, the Shabbat has kept us! With the habitual ritual of making challah and lighting candles we are getting ready to immerse in the 25-hour spa for our body and soul,” said Robin Meyerson, director of Shabbat Project Arizona and Project Inspire Arizona.

Dr. Mel and Mim Bottner brought The Shabbat Project to Arizona nine years ago in memory of their daughter, Lauren Chaya Bottner.

In Phoenix, women and girls can gather ahead of The Shabbat Project for the Great Arizona Challah and Frumba Bake on Thursday, November 10 at 6 p.m. at Menachem Mendel Academy's auditorium at 6140 E. Thunderbird Road in Scottsdale. There are 300 seats available and the first free 200 registered attendees will receive a free gift.

A new program this year is Challah In A Bag Bake led by Rebbetzin Tzipora Gellman from Chicago. Gellman is a Zumba expert who will lead the challah bake and then get the women and girls up out of their seats while the dough is rising for a kosher Zumba work out.

In addition, Jordan Urnovitz, the 2016 Arizona Top Chef who appeared on Food Network’s Guy’s Grocery Games as a contestant, will demonstrate several savory and traditional Shabbat dips.

Award-winning author Judy Laufer, (J.E. Laufer) is co-chair of this year’s event and introduced the idea of honoring and recognizing Jewish preschool directors and teachers in the Greater Phoenix area. “They have such an important role in our community and their value has often been overlooked,” said Laufer.

All the Jewish preschools that send a representative to the challah bake will be recognized and awarded a signed copy of “Simply Sharing Shabbat” by Laufer for their school.

The community-wide event includes participation from nearly 30 local organizations and Shabbat Project Arizona is entirely run by volunteers. The community is invited to keep the worldwide Shabbat at their home or be placed in one of the many homes for dinners and lunches around town.

To be placed for Shabbat or to register for any of the programs, please call 602-469-1606 or visit shabbatprojectaz.com.

Vbm And Arizona Jews For Justice Present Teens With Jewish Changemaker Tzedek Award

Valley Beit Midrash and Arizona Jews for Justice present the 2022 Jewish Changemaker Tzedek Award for Excellence in Service and Character to Eliana Jaffee and Zachary Etzioni.

"Zachary and Eliana represent the best of our tradition as teen exemplars living the eternal Jewish values of chesed (kindness) and tzedek (justice). They have come into our office almost every week for over a year to serve homeless populations, refugees and asylum seekers, and have provided crucial and consistent relief and aid." said are in transitional housing over the past two months, knowing that I would distribute the donations appropriately,” Forsberg said. “Peter Quinn, PVA’s executive director for the state, felt that donating these items to Ashley’s Place would be the best use at this time.”

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, president and dean of Valley Beit Midrash.

Valley Beit Midrash (a global center for learning and action) is a pluralistic nonprofit organization rooted in Jewish ethics that is committed to improving lives in our communities through Torah learning, social action and leadership development.

An Initiative of Valley Beit Midrash, Arizona Jews for Justice (AJJ) is the fastestgrowing Jewish social justice organization in the Southwest. Guided by Jewish ethics, AJJ and AJJ’s volunteers take action in pursuit of a more just world.

Jennifer Gerwarges, program director of U. S. Vets-Phoenix, was all smiles as she accepted a $2,000 check from Jewish War Veterans, Post 619 (JWV) in Sun Lakes at their meeting on Oct. 16.

U. S. Vets is opening a new housing project, Ashley Place, on Nov. 1. The project, gifted by the Milanovich Trust in collaboration with the Habitat for Humanity, consists of two houses which can hold five women each. These residences provide a safe and sober living environment where women with children can receive treatment for sexual trauma, substance misuse, work re-entry counseling and assistance in receiving disability payments. Ashley Place will support female veterans working towards employment and permanent housing.

In addition to a monetary contribution from Post 619, members attending the JWV October meeting brought hygiene products to donate to the residents of Ashly Place.

JWV veteran and member Gabe Forsberg, who volunteers for many local veterans’ organizations, presented Gerwarges with half a truckload of personal items, including exercise and therapy equipment, on behalf of the Arizona Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA).

In keeping with its mission, JWV uses its funds raised from their poppy drives throughout the year to help veterans of support at transitional facilities.

JWV Post 619, which meets the third Sunday of every month from September through May, has members who represent a wide range of religious affiliations and participates in philanthropic activities to help veterans of all faiths.

To learn more about JWV activities and membership, contact Commander Chuck Wolin at 602-300-5913 or cjsunlakes@ msn.com. JN

Interest-Free Education Loans

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Application Deadline: November 1st

JFL offers a variety of interest-free loans to help you meet your long-term goals and immediate needs