Volume XXII, Issue XII | www.thejewishvoice.org Serving Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts
13 Elul 5776 | September 16, 2016
ROSH HASHANAH
5776: A review of the major events in the Jewish world BY BEN HARRIS (Part one of two) JTA – A stabbing and car-ramming epidemic in Israel that some called a third intifada was among the most dominant Jewish stories of the past year. But 5776 was also notable for the release of spy Jonathan Pollard after 30 years in prison, the communal fallout from the Iran nuclear deal, a historic (and unfi nished) agreement on egalitarian worship at the Western Wall and continuing clashes between pro-Israel students and the BDS movement on college campuses. Below is a timeline of the Jewish year’s major events – the good, the bad and, in the case of the deaths of some Jewish giants, the very sad.
September 2015
• Some 53 major American Jewish groups issue a call for
1985
2015
Jonathan Pollard released after 30 years in prison unity and recommitment to American and Israeli security following the Sept. 17 deadline for Congress to reject the Iran nuclear deal. Overall, 19 of 28 Jewish members of Congress support the deal, which is vigorously opposed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Ne-
tanyahu and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. • T he Re c on st r uc t ion i st Rabbinical College reverses a longstanding ban on accepting rabbinical students with nonJewish partners. The move proves to be controversial, 5776 REVIEW | 12
5 feel-good stories from Israel that will echo into the Jewish New Year BY ANDREW TOBIN TEL AVIV (JTA) – The Jewish state has nearly made it through another Jewish year and, as always, there was plenty to kvetch about in 5776. But Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a time to take stock and celebrate. Before the shofar blowing begins, here are five Israeli stories from the past year worth trumpeting. Expect them to echo into 5777 and beyond.
The Olympics gave Israelis reason to hope.
For Israel, the margin between Olympic disappointment and glory can be a single medal. The country came up empty in 2012, but two Israeli judokas grappled and leg-swept their way to bronze at the Rio games in August. Their fellow citizens rejoiced: Waving flags and singing patriotic songs, hundreds thronged Ben Gurion Airport
to give Yarden Gerbi and Or Sasson a hero’s welcome. The athletes were showered with flowers and hugs, and were immortalized in countless selfies. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later met with the judo team. The Olympics have special meaning in Israel, where BY GERALDINE S. FOSTER everyone remembers the 1972 The month of Elul is here, the Munich massacre of 11 athletes time for reflection, penitence, and coaches by Palestinian and asking forgiveness of those STORIES | 26 we may have wronged. We greet
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Rosh Hashanah greeting card, Germany, early 20th century, Collection of Yeshiva University Museum
REMEMBER THE PAST From the Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association
New Year’s greetings, from then to now
people we meet with wishes for a good year. To family and friends near and far, we send greetings. GREETINGS | 20
Happy Rosh Hashanah