Friday, December 25, 2020
The Jewish Press
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Florida SHELLEY BENVENISTE FLORIDA EDITOR IT’S MY OPINION
‘We Just Didn’t Know’ I am part of a generation born in post-World War II America, a baby boomer. As I grew up and became aware of the unspeakable Holocaust that had occurred shortly before my birth, I was horrified. How could this have possibly happened? I lived in Miami Beach and we had many survivors in our area. I saw the blue numbers tattooed on their arms. I was a witness. I questioned my parents as to why the Jews in America had not rallied for their brothers and sisters in Europe. Certainly more of them could have been saved. I will never forget their haunting answer: “We just didn’t know.” The New York Times, the quintessential source of information at the time of the Shoah, routinely avoided an essential point: Hitler’s “Final Solution” was aimed at the total annihilation of the Jewish people. Coverage of the attempted genocide was rarely highlighted. There were only six times in the entire period from 1939-45 that the Times gave front-page coverage to Hitler’s plans. Generally, the Jewish component was reported in the back pages and not treated differently than
any other story about the many victims of the war. The grave situation was downplayed and with it the urgency that would create the type of call to action which might have made a difference. “What you don’t know can’t hurt you” is an oft repeated but flawed maxim. Withholding information on what is going on can be quite dangerous and, as we have seen, in some cases even deadly. Recently, the American public experienced a shocking news blackout. The timing was especially ominous. The infamous incident, which was revealed in October, involved a laptop that had been left and seemingly forgotten at a computer repair shop in Delaware by Hunter Biden, thenpresidential candidate Joe Biden’s son. The unsettling contents of the computer were reported to include explicit information regarding Hunter’s business dealings in Ukraine, Russia, and China, implications of payoffs, influence peddling, and the appearance that Hunter’s father, Joe Biden, was knowledgeable of and profiting from what seemed to be illicit deals. One would think that a possible scandal of this caliber, so close to the election, would result in a barrage of coverage and attention. However, the opposite was true. There was no attempt by mainstream media to even investigate the story. This shameful lack of journalistic integrity went on despite credible witnesses coming forward to attest to the veracity of these claims. Hunter’s former business partner, Tony Bobulinski, a former Navy officer, stated unequivocally that he had been there with the
group that included Hunter, his brother James, and Joe Biden, and was an eyewitness to the fact that Joe was involved and knowledgeable about it all. Mainstream media completely blocked the story on their TV cable channels. The one newspaper that ran it, The New York Post, was banned from Twitter and Facebook. No other well-known publication reported on the bombshell event. This issue needed to be addressed before the November election. If the charges proved to be true, it might create problems for a president who had financial dealings with foreign countries and could be compromised. However, Joe Biden was not compelled to give straight answers to the allegations, and the few references involving the issue were dismissed as a desperate right-wing ploy. Amazingly, the story surfaced after the election. We have now learned that Hunter Biden is under scrutiny for tax evasion and possible criminal charges. The investigation is reported to have been going on for two years. Deniers are saying that a laptop never existed and that this is just a case of potential tax evasion. We will see what develops. The laptop debacle is a single incident, but it stands for much more. Individuals gain perception from trusted sources. This deception was a cooperative effort to block information. The motivation doesn’t matter. Mainstream media should not be the arbiters of what is in the greater Continued on p.54
41st Annual South Florida Chanukah Festival – A Chanukah Miracle sors, visit Chanukahfestival.com. For more information about Chabad of South Broward and its many programs and activities, visit www.ChabadSouthBroward.com or call 954-458-1877.
By Joseph Obermeyer After many months of struggling with how to host the 41st Annual South Florida Chanukah Festival safely and in person, Chabad of South Broward staged an incredibly successful Chanukah Festival of miraculous proportions. The program took place in the parking lot of The Big Easy Casino in Hallandale Beach. Thousands of men, women, and children attended the outdoor, socially distanced event, taking the opportunity to free themselves of the isolation and desolation of the Covid-19 situation. Some families sat on top of their vehicles while others danced next to theirs. Police reported 950 automobiles present for more than two hours during the event. Singing sensation Mordechai Shapiro entertained the crowd, a spectacular light show took place during most of the evening, Rabbi Yossi Lebovics and sons sang Haneiros Halalu as the giant menorah symbolized the light that will follow the darkness of Covid, and 2,500 children received real Chanukah gelt and other goodies. Many attendees commented that the open-space format should be repeated even after the pandemic, as they felt this was the most fun-filled and inspiring Chanukah Festival in the event’s 41-year history. Rabbi Raphael Tennenhaus said that the only super-spreader at the Chanukah Festival was the super spreading of light, hope, joy, and the anticipation of the end of the pandemic and golus with
41st Annual South Florida Chanukah Festival.
the revelation of Moshiach. Event coordinator Dorit Antian was assisted by a committee of 20 staff members and volunteers from Chabad of South Broward headquarters. The committee was headed by Rabbi Moshe Schwartz, Rabbi Mordy Feiner, Rabbi Mendy Tennenhaus, Rebbitzen Goldie Tennenhaus, and Sruly Meyers. In addition, 25 students of the Chaya Aydel Seminary assisted before and during the event and were truly the life of the party. Numerous Commissioners of Broward County attended, as well as editors of local newspapers. The entire evening was broadcast and can be seen on Chabad.org, along with event photography by Mendel Mish. For background about this special event, which was made possible thanks to numerous generous partners, donors, and spon-
SUNDAY MORNINGS 9:30 -11:00AM ON WWNN 1470AM & WWNNradio.com
WWW.ShalomSouthFlorida.com
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The Jewish Press
Friday, December 25, 2020
Florida South Florida Lone Soldier Celebrates Chanukah In Israel Hallandale Beach native Lt. Ari- new Chanukah campaign aimed at el, 22, who is currently serving as a assisting these soldiers. Supporters combat officer in the infantry unit of who donated to the program were the Nachal Briinvited to FIDF’s gade in Israel, is “Global Jewish one of some 93 Unity” virtual native Floridians candle-lighting celebrating Chaseries, celebratnukah as a lone ing more than soldier, one who 6,500 lone soljoins the Israel diers currently Defense Forces serving in the (IDF) with no IDF. Coming immediate famifrom 70 counly in Israel. Lt. Ariel lighting Chanukah Candles tries, they leave On February in Israel. behind their 25, 2021, the homes, friends, Florida chapter of Friends of the Is- and family, and join the IDF. There rael Defense Forces (FIDF) will hold are currently about 1,000 active lone a virtual donor recognition event soldiers from the U.S. with Lt. Ariel as the featured guest. FIDF provides guidance and supAriel will also talk about the expe- port to all IDF lone soldiers, includriences of his two sisters, who also ing flights to visit family and friends served as lone soldiers. in their countries of origin, fun and This past week, FIDF launched a recreation days, a 24-hour call center for soldiers and their parents, grants and financial assistance, holiday gift packages and vouchers, Shabbat and holiday meals, social networks, and post-service scholarships to eligible soldiers throughout Israel. According to FIDF Florida’s Southeast Regional executive director Dina Ben Ari, “We greatly admire all IDF lone soldiers, our modern Maccabees, who left everything behind to join the Jewish people’s army and protect the State of Israel. We at FIDF make all efforts to make their army service as successful and beneficial as possible.” For more information about FIDF, please visit www.fidf.org.
Hebrew Academy Middle School Students Place In Prestigious Competition
Ariela Jaimovich and Mendel Hazan with a picture of their prototype.
For the third year in a row, students from the Hebrew Academy Miami Middle School represented the State of Florida in the Social Entrepreneurship CADENA Initiative Competition. The event, which had been scheduled to take place last May but was canceled due to the pandemic, was rescheduled for November 22, 2020. Students from ten different countries (Mexico, Brazil, United States, Argentina, India, Peru, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Venezuela) showcased their ideas through a virtual competition. Ariela Jaimovich and Mendel Hazan achieved third place for their invention that they created last year as eighth-grade students. Under the guidance of their science teacher, Javier Gonzalez, Ariela and Mendel developed a project titled “Let There Be Light.” They
Benveniste Continued from p.55
good of any cause and certainly they should not be allowed to hide the truth from the public. If a story is not reported, then it
created a solar lamp that costs only 86 cents and uses a flexible solar panel, energy-efficient LED light, and reused water bottles. With this idea, they hope to provide much needed illumination to communities that lack electricity, while at the same time to create a micro-business that will allow the community to build and sell their lamps. As third-place winners, the young entrepreneurs were awarded a $250 prize to start developing their project. CADENA will provide a local mentor to guide them through the process as well as counseling sessions with two emergency engineers to assist them in the execution of the project. On December 10, the team will have the chance to present their idea and prototype to all CADENA Initiative leaders. Mazel Tov to Ariela and Mendel on this achievement.
is easy for people to believe that it never happened. I share this saga as an alert and warning. My decision to speak out on this issue reflects a lifelong reaction to the revelation that I received as a child: Not knowing what is happening can have serious consequences. Our efforts to become well-informed through the usual methods have become compromised. Much of the “news” that we receive is, in actuality, editorial content. The impact of news coverage is shaped by many techniques that include the words and photos that are used, placement of the story, and selection
of what will be put in and sometimes, more importantly, what will be left out. As citizens, it is our responsibility to examine our own efforts to get to the truth. Many of us have gotten used to relying exclusively on just a few conventional sources. We fear being labeled in disparaging terms if we dare step out of the genre of mainstream media and groupthink. Perhaps it is time to leave our comfort zone and consider some reliable additional avenues. The mainstream media have shown their limitations. We never again want to say, “We just didn’t know.”
Friday, December 25, 2020
The Jewish Press
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Florida Miami’s Victor Center For The Prevention Of Jewish Genetic Diseases Expands Its Services To New York Area Miami’s Victor Center for the Pre- nated to convey understanding and vention of Jewish Genetic Diseases, address questions. which offers preconception screenThe Victor Center was founded ing and counseling for prospective in 2002 by Lois B. Victor in partnerparents, has recently expanded its ship with Einstein Healthcare Netservices to offer virtual consults to work in Philadelphia. Victor lost two couples and individuals in New York, children to a Jewish genetic disease New Jersey, and Maryland. before a test for the disorder became The center, which also serves available. That experience galvaFlorida, Massachusetts and Pennsyl- nized her commitment to ensuring vania, helps future parents identify that no family endures the heartache whether they are at risk of passing of a preventable illness by making on genetic diseases, including those certain that Jews of childbearing age common among people of Jewish an- are screened and get the information cestry. “Not everyone knows their they need to have healthy children. full ancestral heritage, so we encour- Nicklaus Children’s Hospital was age anyone planning to start a fami- appointed the national office for the ly to undergo screening,” says Debbie Victor Center in 2017, maintaining Wasserman, outreach coordinator/ the center’s important nationwide genetic counselor for the Victor Cen- work. ter. There is a fee for Victor Center Jewish genetic diseases are a screening services. However, most group of recessive, inherited dis- medical insurance plans cover the orders that occur with significant service. For more information, please frequency in the Ashkenazi Jewish call 786-897-9587 or visit www.viccommunity (those of Eastern or Cen- torcenter.org. tral European descent). Individuals of Ashkenazi descent have higher carrier rates for diseases such as Tay-Sachs, Canavan, familial dysautonomia, and Gaucher. Many of the diseases are severe, and some are fatal in Thornhill Green 5 bedroom 3 bath pool home. Home is updated childhood. and move-in ready. $949,000.00 One in two people of Palacios Ashkenazi descent is a PRICE REDUCED! 2bedroom 2 bath with an carrier for at least one amazing kitchen plus pool and a den. $649,000.00 Jewish genetic condiBoynton Beach tion. Sephardic and MizIndian Spring rachi Jews are also at inLARGE! Gorgeous bright 2 bedroom 2 bath condo on gorgeous block – on stunning golf creased risk for certain course !! Only $159,000.00 genetic disorders. More Majestic Isles than half of participants 3 bedroom 2 bath move-in ready home the in the Victor Center largest model, 2CG steps to shuls. $399,999.00 screening program are PRICED TO SELL! 3 bedroom 2 baths tile throughout carriers for one or more 2CG. Not to be missed! $359,000.00 of the 225-plus condiFOR RENT ON THE CIRCLE tions on the expanded Lago Del Mar 3 bedroom 2 bath updated kitchen screening panel, which Boca Patio Village also includes disorders 3 bedroom 2 bath updated villa found in other ethniciPalmetto Place ties. 2 bedroom 2 bath apartment in East Boca The Victor Center offers a convenient screening process during this time of social distancing. Upon a couple’s request, a genetic counseling session is scheduled and a screening kit is mailed to the home. Recipients provide saliva samples and return the kit to a lab for processing. Once results are available, a video consult is coordi-
Jewish Federation’s Kosher Food Drive-Thru Helps Feed Thousands More than 8,000 pounds of kosher meat and over 3,000 boxes of fresh produce have gone to 7,500 recipients in the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s recent food drives. These numbers tell the story of the difference the Federation is making in the lives of the most vulnerable who are facing food shortages during the pandemic. Since the crisis began, the Federation, working with its primary human service agency, Jewish Community Services of South Florida (JCS) and various other groups including Farm Share, Repair the World, Kosher food bags ready for distribution. Miami-Dade County and the Sol Taplin Charitable Foundation, have organized seven addition to food and other staples, kosher food distribution drive-th- to make the holiday special. Contact the Jewish Federation ru events. The Chanukah distribution in- of Miami at 305-576-4000 for more cluded latkes, sufganiyot (jelly do- information and the date of the next nuts), and toys for Chanukah, in kosher drive-thru distribution.