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Vayechi • Friday, December 29, 2017 • 11 Teves 5778 • Luach page 19 • Torah columns pages 18 – 19 • Vol 16, No 49

By Adam Abrams, JNS Last week’s inauguration of the Guangdong Technion Israel Institute of Technology—the first Israeli university campus in China—represents a fusion of the Jewish state’s innovation with the Asian giant’s abundant resources and comes amid developing ties between the two nations.

GTIIT “will serve as a reminder to China of Israel’s unique assets such as excellence in advanced education and the ability to innovate,” said Carice Witte, executive director of Sino-Israel Global Network and Academic Leadership, an institute working to advance Israel-China relations.

“Depending on how the university evolves, it could also provide an ongoing platform for Chinese to become acquainted with Israelis and for Israelis to learn how things are done in China,” she said.

The new campus, near China’s Shantou University, spans 1 million square feet and houses 13 buildings, 29 classrooms, 14 teaching laboratories and 55 research laboratories. Three-thousand students are expected to attend the school during its first decade and engage with a broad curriculum ranging from marine biology and coastal planning to medical science.

Currently, 216 undergraduate students are studying at the school in the fields of chemical engineering, materials engineering, biotechnol-

The campus of the Guangdong Technion Israel Institute of Technology. ogy and food engineering. These students are slated to become the first graduates in 2021.

Graduate-level studies will commence soon.

GTIIT was initiated through the collaboration of the Haifa-based Technion – Israel Institute of Technology with several Chinese institutions, including the Guangdong Provincial Government,

GTIIT

the Shantou Municipal Government and the Li Ka-shing Foundation. The foundation donated about $130 million towards the project.

Kevin Hattori, associate director of communications for the American Technion Society, told JNS that GTIIT serves as a “bold indicator See Israel’s China punch on page 4

New Zealand pop star falls to BDS, drops TLV

Dreidels at YOSS Yeshiva of South Shore filled with Chanukah cheer as students put their special spins on the holiday.

Pre 1a talmidim in the Hollander Early Childhood Center embarked on a Mitzvah Macabee program,wearing badges shaped like shields, to remind them to behave with good middos. Fourth graders built a six-foot-tall menorah to greet visitors. Boys also created edible menorahs, read Chanukah-themed stories and played dreidel. Mechina division shared special divrei Torah and enjoyed chagigos in the homes of talmidim and their rebbes.

By Combined Sources Pop star Lorde has cancelled a summer concert in Tel Aviv announced less than a week ago after pro-Palestinian fans in her native New Zealand criticized her.

Producer Eran Arieli, in a post on Facebook, apologized to fans, adding that “I was naive to think an artist of her age could handle that pressure.” Lorde is 21.

“It’s important to me that the end of the day we will thank her for considering us and giving us the opportunity in the first place, and also apologize to her,” he said.

“She doesn’t deserve all the [staff] she’s been through in the last week since the an-

Super SpecialS Pages 10-11

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Commentary by Daniel Laufer, International Spokesman, NGO Monitor In a video that has gone viral, a young Palestinian approaches two Israeli soldiers.

She hits, prods and slaps them. She is trying to provoke a reaction that will be caught on camera and show the ugly violence of the Israeli army. The soldiers respond with professionalism and restraint, and ignore her attack.

The Palestinian in question is Ahed Tamimi, best known from a 2015 video showing her biting and hitting a IDF spokesperson soldier as well as from video screenshot regular demonstrations in Nabi Saleh. News reports have variously identified Tamimi as 16- or 17-years-old, although a number of observers on social media have pointed to documents from 2011 that would put her current age at 18.

Following release of the video, Tamimi was arrested for assault. Despite the ambiguity about her age, this triggered a widespread Twitter campaign calling for her release, under the hashtag #NoWayToTreatAChild.

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nouncement. The last thing she needs on her comeback tour is the army of globalist anti-Semites weighing down on her head.”

“This is not the first cancellation we’ve experienced and it won’t be the last,” Arieli also wrote.

Following her announcement of a Tel Aviv concert date, New Zealanders Nadia Abu-Shanab (Palestinian) and Justine Sachs (Jewish) wrote that Lorde’s performance in Israel “sends the wrong message.”

“Playing in Tel Aviv will be seen as giving support to the policies of the Israeli government, even if you make no comSee New Zealand on page 4

Leaders laud Trump doctrine: Don’t blame Israel

By Rafael Medoff, JNS Leaders of major American Jewish organizations are applauding the Trump administration’s new global strategy doctrine, which rejects the notion that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the main cause of Mideast turmoil and says any solution must be acceptable to both sides.

The doctrine was presented in a 68-page document titled “National Security Strategy of the United States of America,” which was released by the White House on Dec. 18.

The Trump administration’s global strategic approach, as described in the document, places American interests ahead of global concerns, strengthening the U.S. military position around the world and fighting the war against terrorism with no holds barred.

The report contains two references to Israel. The first notes that while in the past, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was often seen “as the prime irritant preventing peace and prosperity in the region,” today it is widely recognized that the actions of Iran and terrorist organizations, not Is-rael, are “the cause of the region’s problems.”

The second mention of Israel states, “We remain committed to helping facilitate a comprehen-sive peace agreement that is acceptable to both Israelis and Palestinians.”

This is a change from the approach of the Obama administration, which promoted specific terms for an agreement. President Obama declared in a May 19, 2011, speech that “the United States believes that negotiations should result in … a sovereign and contiguous” Palestinian state “based on the 1967 lines.” He made no reference to the question of whether or not such an out-come was acceptable to Israel.

Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman and CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, told JNS he considers the Trump stance to be “a positive change from the positions of the Obama administration.” Hoenlein said he agrees that Iran and terrorist groups “are the real threats to peace,” and that any Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement needs to be acceptable to both sides, “not imposed by the United States.”

B’nai B’rith International told JNS that the actions of Hezbollah and Hamas, and “Iran’s growing presence and influence in Syria, which already effectively controls Lebanon,” are the main threats to peace and “should be a cause for alarm among those who seek stability, not chaos in the region.” B’nai B’rith said that “rather than spending time on Jerusalem resolutions at the U.N., the in-

President Trump meets Prime Minister Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Amos Ben-Gershom/GPO May 22.

ternational community should be focusing on Iran and its proxies.”

The B’nai B’rith statement also praised the Trump doctrine’s rejection of the idea of imposing a Palestinian state on Israel. “The Palestinian side has perfected the art of evasion, obfuscation and procrastination, while all the while working overtime to delegitimize and demonize Israel,” B’nai B’rith noted. “After decades of this, questions about the Palestinian Authority’s sincerity is seeking an agreement needs to be asked.”

Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, called the Trump doctrine’s references to Israel “extremely important” and said he hopes “they are embedded in every aspect of U.S. policy.” He said that the Wiesenthal Center’s

experiences in building relations with Arab Gulf kingdoms, including its recent hosting of a 25-member delegation to Israel from Bahrain, “are proof that more and more Arabs also agree that the Palestinian issue is not the most important when the region faces existential threats from Iran.”

AIPAC spokesman Marshall Wittmann said the pro-Israel lobby group has “long believed that the central threat to the stability of the region is the dangerous behavior of the Iranian regime and terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas,” not the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Wittman said AIPAC agrees “that direct, bilateral negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians are the best path to a durable peace.”

Betty Ehrenberg, executive director of the World Jewish Congress in North America, said the Trump administration is correct to recognize that the Middle East is “plagued by a myriad of issues that have been festering” for many decades and have nothing to do with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, such as “corruption and exploitation by Arab governments of their countries, without regard for the needs of their populations.”

The Arab regimes “cannot continue to hide behind the distraction of blaming Israel for all the ills in the region,” Ehrenberg told JNS. Left-of-center American Jewish groups are less enthusiastic about the Trump doctrine.

Ori Nir, spokesman for Americans for Peace Now (APN), told JNS that the Trump administration’s professed commitment “to facilitating an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement is definitely positive,” although in APN’s view, the administration’s actions so far “don’t suggest to us a serious commitment to a viable peace settlement.” At the same time, Nir said, APN agrees that an agreement should not be imposed but rather “would have to be the result of direct negotiations by the leaderships of Israel and the Palestinians.”

Paul Scham, co-president of Partners for Progressive Israel— the U.S. affiliate of the left-wing Israeli political party Meretz— told JNS that Saudi Arabia, not Iran, is “perhaps the most significant exporter of state terrorism in the region,” and that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is indeed one of the causes of regional instability, but not “of higher priority than Yemen or Syria.”

Two major Jewish organizations — the American Jewish Committee and Anti-Defamation League — have so far not responded to requests for comment from JNS on the Trump doctrine.

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December 29, 2017 • 11 Teves 5778 THE JEWISH STAR

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Analysis by Ron Kampeas, JTA Why did President Donald Trump commute the sentence of Sholom Rubashkin, the former CEO of Iowa’s Agriprocessors kosher meat plant sentenced to 27 years in prison for bank fraud?

The official line is that the bipartisan support for Rubashkin’s cause made cutting short his sentence a no-brainer. The first sentence of the White House statement calls the commutation “an action encouraged by bipartisan leaders from across the political spectrum, from Nancy Pelosi to Orrin Hatch,” referring respectively to the liberal Democratic leader in the House of Representatives and the conservative Republican senator from Utah.

Uncharacteristically, the announcement is pronouncedly hedged and goes out of its way to note that others who are not the president wanted Rubashkin freed.

One of those others is Alan Dershowitz, the constitutional lawyer from whom Trump has solicited advice since becoming president. Dershowitz directly counseled Trump to free Rubashkin, the attorney told various media outlets.

Dershowitz may also have reached the president at a time when he is inclined to think favorably about Orthodox Jews. His son-in-law Jared Kushner and daughter, Ivanka Trump, are Orthodox Jews, as are some of his closest advisers. A majority of Orthodox Jews voted for Trump, compared to the non-Orthodox majority who voted for Hillary Clinton.

“During the course of the campaign, he identified the Orthodox as the segment of the Jewish community most likely to be supportive of him,” said David Zweibel, executive vice president of Agudath Israel of America.

“My impression is that Donald Trump is much more receptive to the interests and concerns of the Orthodox Jewish community, maybe because of the association with his son-

Sholom Rubashkin, in Postville, Iowa, in December Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images 2004.

in-law,” said Nathan Lewin, a top Washington lawyer involved in Jewish causes.

Lewin, who for a number of years represented Rubashkin, said prosecutorial and judicial misconduct made Rubashkin’s case an easy sell when he and Paul Clement, a former U.S. solicitor general, did the rounds of Congress seeking support for Rubashkin. “I would offer the draft of a letter, and more often than not they would say ‘I’m going to write my own letter’,” Lewin said in an interview.

About 100 top former Justice Department officials, Democratic and Republican, also joined drives to persuade courts to reconsider Rubashkin’s sentencing.

The commutation, in any case, was exceptional. Trump has used his executive power to

free someone from a prison sentence only one other time: In August, he pardoned Joe Arpaio, the former sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona.

Arpaio, who had been convicted of criminal contempt, had yet to begin his one-year sentence. Arpaio was a prominent Trump backer in the 2016 presidential race, and the White House was unapologetic in its pardon statement.

“After more than fifty years of admirable service to our Nation, he is worthy [sic] candidate for a Presidential pardon,” the statement said.

The Rubashkin decision seemed to be based more on its merits than on Trump’s loyalty to an ally.

Trump in the statement said Rubashkin’s sentence was one “many have called excessive in light of its disparity with sentences imposed for similar crimes.”

Rubashkin’s Agriprocessors plant was targeted by a major immigration raid in 2008 that led to the arrest of nearly 400 undocumented Guatemalans and Mexican workers. Facing charges for employing the undocumented workers, including children, he tried to sell the company.

Federal prosecutors warned potential buyers that the government would seize the company if anyone in Rubashkin’s family retained a stake in it. That scared away buyers, and when Rubashkin declared bankruptcy, banks were in a $27 million hole.

Rubashkin was convicted for masking the company’s declining fortunes from the banks that had lent money to the company. His advocates claim that prosecutors’ actions drove down the value of Rubashkin’s business.

After prosecutors asked for a 25 year sentence, Rubashkin was sentenced to 27 although he had no prior record and was known for his charitable contributions to Jewish causes. According to one sentencing study, in 2012, the range for financial crimes between $20 million and $50 million hovered around 10 years.

Additionally, the judge who imposed the sentence, Linda Reade, had presided over the crackdown on illegal immigrant workers. Attorneys for Rubashkin argued that she did not reveal what could have been construed as a bias against Rubashkin at the trial’s outset. Prosecutors dropped the immigration charges, citing Rubashkin’s long bank fraud sentence. A year later, Rubashkin was acquitted of child labor charges.

In 2008, federal prosecutors convinced a magistrate to deny Rubashkin bail, arguing that because he was Jewish, he posed a flight risk — he could immigrate to Israel. The prosecutors did not provide any evidence that Rubashkin had any plans to move to Israel, claiming only that he had “de facto dual citizenship.”

That sparked widespread outrage among his supporters. Reade overturned the ruling, and Rubashkin was free on bail during his trial. Still, Zweibel said, a bad aftertaste lingered.

“The implications of that is that if you are a Jewish American you will be denied bail, you will be a flight risk,” he recalled. “To the community, this gave more exposure to questioning how a Hasidic Jew in Iowa could get a fair shake.”

Some Jewish observers of the case agreed that Rubashkin’s sentence was excessive and the commutation fair, but also insisted that he didn’t deserve a hero’s homecoming.

Rubashkin’s business model “was built on the exploitation of his immigrant labor force, indifference to the environmental damage caused by his plant, and unnecessary pain and suffering for the animals that he slaughtered,” Morris Allen, an advocate for ethical values in kosher slaughter, wrote in the Forward.

“Indeed, as many inside his piece of the Jewish community celebrate his release, many others are wondering when the Jewish community as a whole will come to grips with the ethics demanded of us in the production of kosher food.”

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Israel’s China punch…

Continued from page 1 of the increased global reach and stature” of the Israeli institution. The new campus was inaugurated during Chanukah with a shehecheyanu blessing and with numerous Israeli and Chinese dignitaries in attendance.

Regarding the broader trajectory of Israel-China ties, Witte of the Sino-Israel institute said that bilateral relations are “in large part led by China,” mostly due to a lack of Israeli understanding of the Chinese culture and mentality.

“Israel and its government will need to gain a much deeper understanding of Chinese culture, how things work there and what it takes to establish long-term mutually beneficial relations,” said Witte, whose organization recently conducted a survey on the subject of Israeli views on China.

“The [survey] results showed that while Israelis like China and Chinese culture, their knowledge and understanding remains extremely limited. If

this continues in key areas of Israeli society, China’s long-standing Middle East policies could become a serious challenge for Israel,” Witte said.

Witte’s cautionary tone regarding Chinese expansion in the Middle East comes as Beijing has been actively pursuing a larger role as a mediator in IsraeliPalestinian peace talks. China hosted a conference on the peace process Dec. 21, and earlier this year urged the international community to support its president’s four-point plan to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and establish an independent Palestinian state.

The inauguration of GTIIT “marks a new era of cooperative research between Israel and China in science, engineering and the life sciences,” said the American Technion Society’s Hattori.

“The GTIIT,” he said, “combines the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of Israel and the Technion with the unbelievable scale and resources of China to form a major research institute that will help Israel, China and the world at large.”

Terror child support...

Continued from page 1 The use of this hashtag is not accidental or random, and like the video, it reflects the cynical manipulation of children’s rights that is emerging as a dominant theme in anti-Israel activism.

“No Way to Treat a Child,” or NWTTAC, is a campaign coordinated by Palestinian, Israeli and international NGOs, many of which also promote the BDS movement against Israel. Through concerted efforts to falsely accuse the IDF of violating the rights of Palestinian minors, they seek international sanctions against the Jewish state.

The leading group behind the campaign is a Palestinian NGO, Defense for Children International –Palestine (DCI-P). The agency, reportedly tied to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine terrorist group, has joined with U.S.-based pro-BDS organizations such as the American Friends Service Committee and Jewish Voice for Peace to lobby the U.S. government to “use all available means to pressure relevant Israeli authorities to end the detention and abuse of Palestinian children.”

Last month, NWTTAC convinced Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) to propose legislation that would “to prevent United States tax dollars from supporting the Israeli military’s ongoing detention and mistreatment of Palestinian children.” The bill itself recycled a host of NGO claims without independent verification, at times copying DCI-P materials word for word.

An employee of Human Rights Watch even claimed that Israel has no reason to arrest minors— regardless of the fact that some minors are perpetrators of violent terror attacks, including murder.

Israeli NGOs have a role to play in this exploita-

tion of children. First, videos produced by B’Tselem have featured prominently in the campaigns, including the AJ+ video. Second, B’Tselem and another Israeli group, HaMoked, published a joint report in October alleging that detention of Palestinian minors in Jerusalem reflects “systematic” and “extensive” abuse of children. As with other NWTTC materials, the context of heightened Palestinian violence and terrorism, including attacks by children, is completely missing.

NGO Monitor research shows that campaign participants also make numerous false and misleading allegations about the IDF and Israeli military courts.

One brazen NWTTAC distortion is the claim that Palestinian minors are subject to solitary confinement. In actuality, Israel’s separation of minors from adult detainees stems from international standards and Israeli law geared toward protecting children.

Contrary to NGO claims, Israeli procedures are consistent with international norms and the rule of law, and balance the rights of children with the need to stop violence and punish perpetrators.

The video of Ahed Tamimi attacking a soldier, as well as the disingenuous social media campaign on her behalf, crystallizes the cynical calculus that lies at the heart of “No Way to Treat a Child.”

Namely, Palestinian minors are encouraged to endanger themselves in the hopes of provoking a violent response that will help demonize Israel.

For those orchestrating these efforts, and the NGOs that try to advance a political agenda, a detained or injured Palestinian teenager is far more valuable than ensuring their safety and wellbeing.

See “Standing there and taking it: Non-stop clicks,” by Tehilla Goldberg, on page 20.

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Continued from page 1 ment on the political situation,” they wrote.

In response, the singer said in a tweet, “Thank u for educating me i am learning all the time.” “i pride myself on being an informed young citizen, and i had done a lot of reading and sought a lot of opinions before deciding to book a show in tel aviv, but I’m not too proud to admit i didn’t make the right call on this one,” she said in a statement on social media. “tel aviv, it’s been a dream of mine to visit this beautiful part of the world for many years, and i’m truly sorry to reverse my commitment to come play for you. i hope one day we can all dance. L x” The Simon Wiesenthal Center in a statement condemned the singer’s decision to cancel.

“This is a classic example of the world’s singular obsession with one country, the State of Israel,” said Rabbi Marvin Hier, founder and dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in the statement. “The fact that Lorde still intends to perform in Russia, and has no issues with that country’s multiple human rights abuses in the Ukraine, is a clear example of the hypocrisy the international community applies to the Middle East’s only democracy,” he also said.

“This double standard smacks of anti-Semitism.

Not performing in Israel will only embolden extremist groups like Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad,” Hier concluded.

Earlier this year, former Pink Floyd frontman

Roger Waters clashed with Thom Yorke, the singer of the British band Radiohead, and Australian rocker Nick Cave over their performances in Israel.

Waters, a leading proponent of the BDS movement, urged Yorke and Cave to cancel their concerts in Israel. Both refused — Yorke called the BDS campaign “offensive” and Cave said Waters subjects musicians to “public humiliation” over the issue.

“We are deeply disappointed that Lorde has succumbed to a small but loud group of extremist bullies. Boycotts of Israel will not lead to peace.

Those who advocate them are not interested in negotiations between the two sides to this conflict or a two-state solution,” said Juliet Moses, spokesperson for the the New Zealand Jewish Council.

“By cancelling her show, Lorde has sided with those who support the isolation and demonization of the one Jewish state in the world. She has ignored the moderate voices, including the vast majority of Jewish Kiwis, who believe in dialogue and co-existence, and the leading musicians like Radiohead, Nick Cave, Guns N Roses and Justin Bieber who have performed in Tel Aviv in the last year.

She will still be performing in Russia, but no one accuses her of complicity with Putin, the occupation of the Crimea or chemical warfare in Syria.”

Lorde co-wrote her latest album “Melodrama” with Jewish producer Jack Antonoff, who wore a visible Jewish star to the MTV Video Music Awards in August.

holding it, caressing it and sleeping next to it at night. The friendship, which was documented in August, appears to be mutual; after all, the chicken can easily slip out of the monkey cage but chooses to stay.

While 2017 wasn’t a year for forging lasting peace between Israel and its neighbors, at least this pair found a way to put their differences aside and live in harmony.

After surviving Hurricane Harvey, a woman distributes mezuzahs Houston resident Chava Gal-Or was lucky: Though flooding from Hurricane Harvey reached her door, her home survived the storm unscathed. But that wasn’t the case for many of the members of Temple Sinai, where she works.

So Gal-Or wanted to do something to help those families in need — along with assisting scores

of others who had been affected by recent natural disasters.

“I can’t rebuild their houses,” Gal-Or told JTA. “I don’t have the money to do much. There was this increasing awareness that there was nothing I could do.”

Then she realized she could help by collecting mezuzahs, the small scrolls traditionally affixed to the doorposts of Jewish dwellings, and distributing them for free to Jewish people in need. She started the unofficial organization Door L’Door — a play on the biblical phrase “l’dor v’dor,” which means “from generation to generation” — raising money and soliciting donations for mezuzahs, with the goal to to dispatch them to Jews in need.

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By Josefin Dolsten, JTA Political turmoil, terror attacks and natural disasters around the world: 2017 had plenty of people feeling down, for good reason.

But there were also notable moments of light. As this year draws to a close, here is a chronology of some of the more heartwarming stories distributed by JTA this year.

Orthodox Jew builds bridges with Yemeni Muslim neighbors After President Trump issued his first executive order banning immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim countries, Alexander Rapaport, a Hasidic Jew who is executive director of the Masbia kosher soup kitchen network, wanted to show his support for his neighbors in Brooklyn. So when New York bodega owners from Yemen went on strike in February in protest of the ban, Rapaport organized community members to put Post-it notes with messages of support on the storefront of a local store owned

by Yemeni immigrants.

“I made a point of walking in there today — I actually live a mile away,” Rapaport told JTA. “I just learned that they were Yemenite, and I was looking to do something in solidarity with the people affected by the executive order.”

6-year-old girl sends painted rocks to decorate vandalized cemeteries When 6-year-old Ayel Morgenstern learned that her great-great-grandmother’s headstone was among the 100 toppled at a Jewish cemetery in St. Louis in February, she sprung into action.

Ayel, who lives in Florida, decided in March to paint rocks to decorate headstones at the St. Louis cemetery, as well as for additional grave sites that were vandalized at a Philadelphia cemetery. In the end, Ayel painted more than 250 rocks, which she sent to the cemeteries — plus an additional 100 stones that she sent to the family of Adam Krief, a Jewish father of three who died after a highly publicized struggle with blood cancer.

Dog saves couple from fire at kosher supermarket Daisy, a 3-year-old spaniel, helped avert disaster when fire broke out at a London kosher supermarket in June. The dog’s barking roused Alex Gibson and Charlotte Perren, who were sleeping in their apartment above the store.

Fortunately, the couple was able to make it out on time — but Daisy, who belongs to Gibson’s mother and whom the couple was taking care of, died of smoke inhalation.

“Daisy was our hero,” Gibson told The Jewish Chronicle. “It was fate she happened to be staying with us that night. She saved both of our lives and our neighbors.”

Jewish woman comforts distressed child with autism on an airplane During a transatlantic flight in July, Rochel Groner noticed an autistic boy crying and shrieking. The atmosphere on the flight grew increasingly tense and and she felt she had to do something. Groner, a Chabad emissary in North Carolina, who with her husband runs two groups for young adults with special needs, approached the child and comforted him for about two hours.

“I put out my hand, and he took my hand.

It was such a surreal moment, and he just took it, and he stopped crying,” she said. “He kind of just followed me into the aisle. I walked to the bulkhead, and I sat down and I put him in my lap, and I gave him a gentle but firm hug and I just started to rock him. He calmed down.”

Social media users were touched by the story. Photos of Groner holding the boy, along with a post by her husband detailing the account, were shared on Facebook.

In Israel, a monkey and a chicken become best friends At the Ramat Gan Safari Park near Tel Aviv, Niv, an Indonesian black macaque, was having a bit of trouble finding a mate. So he got creative.

When a chicken wandered into his enclosure, the monkey cozied up to it — and an inseparable friendship was born. Niv has been hanging out with the bird on a regular basis,

THE JEWISH STAR December 29, 2017 • 11 Teves 5778

7 heartwarming stories from the past year

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December 29, 2017 • 11 Teves 5778 THE JEWISH STAR

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By Eliana Rudee, JNS When thinking of the words “refugee” and “Middle East,” many displaced groups come to mind. But some of the original refugees of the region were a million Middle Eastern and North African Jews whose history often entails hangings, imprisonment and finding refuge in Israel.

The critically acclaimed documentary “Remember Baghdad,” released this year on the 100th anniversary of the British-Ottoman battle over that city during World War I, is the untold story of Iraqi Jews—filmed through their eyes.

Their story is not one of simply fleeing to arrive in the Jewish state. About half of the Iraqi Jews fled to countries outside of Israel and still yearn for what once was. Many of them long to return to Iraq and have even applied for citizenship, voted in elections or purchased a home in Baghdad.

“There is unfinished business there,” Edwin Shuker, one of the film’s four protagonists, told JNS. “To say we are gone, finished, and that we’ve left forever is unbearable for me. Nobody should be required to cut his roots or lose ancestry.”

Shuker says Israel is the eternal physical and spiritual Jewish homeland, while the U.K. is “the country and people that gave me physical and financial security, the freedom we never had, a beautiful family, and the opportunity to rebuild my life after escaping Iraq.” Yet he believes that due to changing geopolitical conditions in the Arab world, states like Iraq might be ready for a new relationship with Jews that includes business ties and tourism.

“There is a big change in the mindset of the Arab street towards Jews — the gates are being breached in a big way,” he says.

Shuker has gone as far as buying a house in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil, and visits frequently.

David Dangoor, one of the film’s other leading protagonists, fled Iraq for the U.K. 50 years ago and says that Iraq’s Jewish past is “like a distant bell ringing in the back of our heads, always reminding us where we came from.” He speaks of

Film featured at UK Limmud fest

A photo of Iraq’s former vibrant Jewish community that appeared in the “Remember Baghdad.”

fond memories in Baghdad involving Jewish festivals, outdoor gatherings and other elements of a vibrant community.

“Until the 1951 evacuation of the Iraqi community, Iraqi Jews would go abroad to make their fortune in Europe or America but would always come back to marry an Iraqi,” he recalls.

Dangoor, who has not been back to Iraq since 1959, was hopeful for change following the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, and even applied for Iraqi passports and voted in the subsequent elections with his father. “But unfortunately, things have regressed,” Dangoor tells JNS. In Dangoor’s estimation, the “prospect of Jews going back to Iraq has been deteriorating over the last few years and the Middle East has been sliding backwards for the whole 20th century.”

But he says there is still room for hope, considering that “the darkest hour is just before daybreak and I do feel there are intellectual Iraqis

who feel they have lost part of the country’s soul when the Jews left.”

He continues, “My dream is that Iraqi Jews and Israel will be that link to Iraq, to help provide friendly leadership to the Middle East and show the way they can transform themselves to positive contributors in the way Israel has done in the short 70 years of its existence. It is a strong dream of mine that I feel one day Iraqi Jews will be welcomed in bringing advancement to Iraq.”

But this change, he says, must be linked to recognition of Israel—and even if the Iraqi government embraces the Jewish state, Dangoor argues that the former vibrancy of Iraq’s Jewish community would still be a key missing element.

“The thing that was most precious about Iraq is now very much manifested in Israel,” he says.

Supporting Israel is not just sentimental, but practical for Dangoor. Four years ago, he bought a house in Israel and has traveled there nine times

Among the most popular of the 1,000 sessions on offer during the five-day Limmud Festival that kicked off Sunday was the screening of “Remember Baghdad.”

About 200 people attended the screening of the documentary that follows the story of Shkuer’s family and that of businessman David Dangoor and other families, filling the room to capacity with some standing and others sitting on the floor.

“We’re breaking the silence of our parents, who did not really speak about their forced exile amid violence, and we’re doing this with urgency because in 20 to 30 years, we won’t be around to tell it,” Edwin Shuker, who is featured in the documentary. Shuker, 62, is a member of the executive committee of the Board of Deputies of British Jews who fled Iraq with his family in 1971. this year. His charitable foundation is a contributor to Bar-Ilan University’s medical school, the Weizmann Institute of Science, and various educational and heritage-based projects in Israel.

“I am conscious of the fact that most of my ancestry would have given nearly everything to live in Israel with an army, parliament, technology and the universities we have now,” says Dangoor.

“All my ancestors prayed for a return to Israel.

When we talk about a homeland, I don’t think either Iraq or Britain approaches Israel. Iraq is history and community, Britain is refuge, and Israel is homeland.”

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‘Remember Baghdad’ eyes Jews’ unfinished biz

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December 29, 2017 • 11 Teves 5778 THE JEWISH STAR

8

The JEWISH STAR

School News

Send news and hi-res photos to Schools@TheJewishStar.com • Deadline Mondays at Noon

HAFTR chumash party Second graders at the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway received their first chumashim last week. They performed songs highlighting their love of Torah and pride in becoming the next generation of talmedei chachomim. Together they recited a shehechiyanu and held their chumashim for all to see.

The party continued as students and their families engaged in in-

teractive activities, with students personalizing their chumash covers. They played a Torah game using iPads, recorded in writing their thoughts about this special day, and looked inside a Torah scroll.

On returning to school the next day, second graders were treated to the Tzivos Hashem Sefer Torah Workshop, learning the intricate process of writing a sefer Torah.

Shulamith literacy week Literacy Week at the Shulamith School for Girls included visits from three several speakers.

Elizabeth Kurtz, author of the cookbook, “CELEBRATE Food, Family, Shabbo,.” explained how, as a blogger, she uses emojis and abbreviations and writes as if her readers are her friends. She also discussed the process of writing a cookbook.

Chaim Schneider (left photo), parent of seventh grader Lani, presented “From Concept to Consumer” to fifth graders who hears hear how an idea becomes a book. With his experience

at Judaica Press, Schneider was able to delineate all of the steps in the publishing process.

Rabbi Dovid Fohrman spoke to the eighth graders about a writer’s relationship with his readers.

In the Lower Division, guest speaker Rabbi Michael Levy (right photo) discussed his struggles with blindness and the tools he uses to have a successful life.

Lower Division students went of a shopping spree at a book fair and celebrated their new picture books with book buddies.

Rambam back in Israel For the past 20 years, Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman, Rambam’s rosh mesivta, has made it a point to spend a special shabbos with Rambam alumni learning in Eretz Yisroel.

This year’s program was hosted

by Yeshivas Migdal HaTorah in Modiin, just two days after President Trump proclaimed American recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, confirming a long-held Jewish reality. Although security was especially tight in and around Yerushalayim, virtually all the talmidim came from near and far to join.

Shabbos was ushered in with a beautiful tefila and sumptuous seuda replete with divrei Torah.

Rabbi Friedman provided an update on the latest goings on at Rambam. The alumni cheered when they

heard of their alma mater’s latest attempts to rid the U.S. of the Nazi living in Queens. They recounted their own experiences when just last year they rallied outside his house in Jackson Heights chanting, “Your hands are drenched in blood” and “Just get out.”

A tisch with followed a meal. After Shacharis and kiddush, the boys were treated to a shiur from Rabbi Ginsburg, Migdal’s co-rosh yeshiva.

Lunch, zemiros and divrei Torah by talmidim set the tone for the afternoon.

The kesher that talmidim form with their Rambam rebbeim begins in high school continues in Eretz Yisroel and eventuates in so many engagements, weddings and life cycle events having Rambam rebbeim at the side of their talmidim.

YU highs honor Five Towners

Cahal YOSS at Nautilus Miriam Chopp

curriculum. They have four children: Zachary ’19YC, Elizabeth ’18S, Emily ’17YUHS and Jordana ’19YUHS. “Our honorees are each a true reflection of the distinctive features of a YU high school education,” said CB Neugroschl, head of school at YUHSG. “Michael and Amy Berger have been active partners and proud ambassadors of Central as a school that’s invested in nurturing and supporting each student both academically and extracurricularly.”

Chopp, of Lawrence, has been a member of the YUHSG Science Department for 22 years. She teaches chemistry and mentors the science teams

Amy and Michael Berger

for competitions. She is a graduate of Brooklyn College and holds master’s degrees in chemistry, secondary school education and teacher education in science. She currently mentors new teachers following their completion of a two-year training course sponsored by the Jewish New Teacher Project.

“When you talk to Mrs. Chopp’s students you get that we’re about so much more than just a classic curriculum,” said Neugroschl. “Mrs. Chopp is one of the most dynamic teachers whose love of learning propels her to be teacher, mentor, life coach and personal role model all at once for faculty and students alike.”

The CAHAL Yeshiva of South Shore sixth grade class enjoyed a day of simcha and chessed with the residents of the Nautilus assisted living facility in Atlantic Beach.

Rabbi Chananya Grinberg, Rabbi David Nagarpowers, Elaine Brenner and Justin Lepolstat accompanied the boys and helped to create a memorable experience for both the class and residents.

The boys had the opportunity to introduce themselves and share their

backgrounds. Together with their rebbeim and teachers, they sang songs and danced, spreading simcha to all the men and women who attended the program.

The highlight of the event was when the boys were able to connect with residents in one-to-one conversations. Many of the residents shared their own stories, and the students listened attentively and asked questions.

Afterward, the boys enjoyed a special lunch at Carlos and Gabby’s.

Shalhevet’s DebateStars From left: Elana Flaumenhaft, Shira Manne, Shifra Schapiro, Helen Spirn, Mina T. Levenson, Hena S. Diamond, and Evelyn Wolgin.

SKA: successful M’States review The Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls has received its third Middle States accreditation.

Over the past year and a half, SKA’s faculty and staff completed a comprehensive self-study which culminated in a challenging four day visitation from representatives of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools during the week of Dec. 4.

This detailed self-study, assisted by board members, parents and

students, suggested ideas and created objectives to improve our student learning, focusing on areas of strength and improvement. Participants took part in surveys, collaborated and completed Standards Reports, and opened classrooms and hallways to observations and critical eyes.

The Middle States visitation team deemed the administration, faculty and staff of SKA true to the school

The Midreshet Shalhevet DebateStars made their way to the Yeshiva University High School for Girls for the second debate competition of the season. The debaters rigorously fought on the subject of whether or not smartphone and social media app developers have the legal responsibil-

ity to disable certain apps in a fast moving vehicle. Captains of the team, seniors Hadassah Fertig and Ariella Kutoff, sophomore Staci Steinfeld, and freshman Elisheva Conway. all participated in the competition. The girls debated strong and hard, leaving two of their rounds victorious.

mission. The team’s oral report, delivered by it chairperson, reflected positively taken on the sense of family that permeates the school.

Among those from SKA who worked closely on the accreditation were Associate Principal Elana Flaumenhaft, faculty member Shira Manne, Head of School Helen Spirn, General Studies Principal Bluma Drebin, and Associate Principal Deena Kobre.

Jewish Ed prize for app to MDSers Mixing it up at YCQ Two Manhattan Day School seventh graders, Alexis Eichel and Jem Hanan, were awarded a prestigious microgrant to produce a Jewish Studies app, from the Jewish Education Project and the Avi Chai Foundation.

The creative app allows students and teachers to create educational games that help students learn and study in an engaging and individualized way.

The MDS team competed against students in grades 7

through 12 from various day schools. Project Insert, conceptualized by Eichel and Hanan under the guidance of Director of Educational Technology Elisha Hus, allows teachers and students to insert Judaic Studies information into a database will arranged in popular game templates. Once a game is created, students can play against themselves or compete against their classmates to review information or learn new content.

By Hannah Zakry Yeshiva of Central Queens opened its anti-bullying program with its first Mix It Up Club lunch program. The entire junior high school body had a Mix It Up lunch run and organized by the club.

The students sat at different tables than the ones they usually sit at. Candy was handed out, and each student at a special table according to the candy received. This enabled the students to “mix up” their usual seating arrangements, so they could make new friends from other grades.

Once students were seated and had lunch, they all participated in an icebreaker to get to know each other.

“This program is about anti-bullying, and it’s very important because people can get very hurt by words,” said Grade 7 ELA teacher Melisa Maisel, adviser of the Mix It Up Club.

She showed the students a video about a boy who gets cyber-bullied.

As a result, the boy wanted to stop attending school. Later on in the video, the boy learns that the bullies want to be his friends.

THE JEWISH STAR December 29, 2017 • 11 Teves 5778

Three residents of the Five Towns will be among those honored on Jan. 3 by the Yeshiva University high schools. Amy and Michael Berger of Woodmere will be Guests of Honor; Miriam Chopp of Lawrence will be presented with the Ethel Dworetsky Morrow z”l Faculty Award.

The Dinner of Tribute, at Marina del Rey in the Bronx, will also salute Guests of Honor Gila and Dovid Weinstein. Rabbi Rafi Pearl will receive the Faculty Award from the Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy/Yeshiva University High School for Boys (YUHSB). Tribute will be paid to past chairs of the YU High Schools Joint Board of Trustees: Jack Bendheim, Elliot Gibber, Dr. Felix Glaubach, Henry Rothman, Irwin Shapiro, and Dr. Edith Zwillenberg z”l.

This year’s dinner theme is “What’s Next.”

The Bergers, of Woodmere, have been very active in Samuel H. Wang Yeshiva University High School for Girls (YUHSG), from opening their home for events to serving on the parent council. Amy graduated Stern College for Women in 1990 and works as a special education teacher specializing in Early Childhood Itinerant Teaching. Michael is a senior managing director at Colliers International Real Estate in New York City and once served as an advisor to the Sy Syms School of Business real estate

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December 29, 2017 • 11 Teves 5778 THE JEWISH STAR

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Huckabee delivered an impassioned speech highlighting the Biblical and historical connection between the land of Israel and the Jewish people, and deriding recent anti-Israel actions of the U.N. and Obama administration. Huckabee told an alliance dinner at the King David Hotel on Wednesday that Israel does not “occupy” Judea and Samaria. “They don’t occupy, because

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tivity to its concerns.

Darchei board member Alon Goldberger spoke of the financial plight of many parents, including those earning a decent livelihood who nevertheless cannot meet yeshiva tuition costs. As strapped as they are, said Goldberger, these parents continue to give their children a quality yeshiva education at great personal sacrifice.

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In a Yeshiva Darchei Torah beis medrash on Sunday (from left): Rabbi Baruch Rothman, Darchei’s director of institutional advancement; Rabbi Shmuel Lefkowitz, Agudath Israel’s vice president for Community Affairs; state Senator John Flanagan; Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, Agudath’s executive vice president; Rabbi Yaakov Bender, Darchei rosh ha yeshiva; and Chaskel Bennett, an Agudath trustee.

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Leaders of Agudath Israel, board members of Yeshiva Darchei Torah, representatives of local yeshivas, and community activists from Far Rockaway and the Five Towns met with state Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan at a well-attended breakfast hosted by Darchei at its Far Rockaway campus on Sunday.

Rabbi Yaakov Bender, rosh ha yeshiva, thanked the senator for being a partner to the Jewish community and showing sensi-

Senate chief upbeat at Darchei in Far Rock

Prime Minister Netanyahu was to meet President Trump on Wednesday, in the wake of Trump’s backpedling on some Israel-related issues. On Thursday, the Senate holds

a confirmation hearing for Trump’s ambassador-to-Israel designee, Long Islander David Friedman. Updates at TheJewishStar.com and Facebook.com/TheJewishStar.

Bibi meets Trump, Friedman faces the Senate

Parsha Yitro • February 17, 2017 • 21 Shvat • Five Towns Candlelighting 5:15 pm, Havdalah 6:16 • Luach page 23 • Vol 16, No 7

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After a week in which he declined to directly condemn an apparent rise in anti-Semitic hate crimes in America, President Trump said on Tuesday, that “the anti-Semitic threats targeting our Jewish community at community centers are horrible and are painful and a very sad reminder of the work that still must be done to root out hate and prejudice and evil.” See story on page 10.

w W w

Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander

Rosh Yeshiva, and Rabbi Henry H. Guterman Chair in Talmud, RIETS

Rabbi Avi Anderson Rabbi Jacob Berman Rabbi Dan Cohen Rabbi Meir Cohen Rabbi Yoni Danzger Rabbi Daniel Elsant Rabbi Joshua Elsant Rabbi Natan Farber Rabbi Aaron Fleksher Rabbi Yechiel Fuchs Rabbi Noach Goldstein Rabbi Jason Grossman Rabbi Scott Hoberman Rabbi Raphael Karlin Rabbi Nuriel Klinger Rabbi Simcha Lauer Rabbi Bradley Lipman Rabbi Ari Lipsky Rabbi Joshua Maslow Rabbi Mordy Prus Rabbi David Roth Rabbi Moshe R

RIETS is proud to honor more than 130 musmakhim, many of whom have strong connections to our community, including:

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Rabbi Eli Baruch Shulman

Rosh Yeshiva, RIETS

Rabbi Daniel Stein

Magid Shiur, Irving I. Stone Beis Medrash Program

Rabbi Etan Schnall

Max and Marion Grill Dean, RIETS

Rabbi Menachem Penner

Senior Vice President, Yeshiva University

Rabbi Josh Joseph, EdD

Program Coordinator, RIETS

Rabbi Zev Goldberg

Vice President of University and Community Life, Yeshiva University

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WASHINGTON (JTA and JNS) — The Trump administration has yet to decide on when to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, its spokesman said on Monday.

Press Secretary Sean Spicer, in his first Q&A with reporters, said that President Trump had not yet made a decision about the embassy move.

“There’s no decision,” Spicer said when he was asked about whether the administration had considered the strategic consequences of a move. “We’re at the very early stages of that decisionmaking process.”

Later, asked whether Trump would order the move through executive action, Spicer said: “It’s very early in this process. We’re at the beginning stages of this decision-making process and his team will continue to consult with stakeholders there.”

Finally, a third reporter asked Spicer whether he meant there was no decision yet — not just on when, but whether to move the embassy.

“If it was already a decision, we wouldn’t be going through the process,” Spicer said.

Trump said while he campaigned and reportedly as recently as last week that he planned to move the embassy from Tel Aviv. Last week, Spicer said there would be an announcement “soon.”

The Palestinian leadership has said in recent days that an embassy move could bury any vestiges of the peace process, which

Rabbi Elchanan Adler

ANSHEI CHESSED GOLDMAN Rabbi Elchanan Adler ROOFING

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(Mincha 5:25 p.m.)

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Noah Lederman

kids as best they could, often falling back on their Holocaust stories. But because of these grim bedtime tales, my father slept with a packed suitcase beneath his bed. The Nazis, he assumed, would inevitably storm his Brooklyn apartment. My aunt developed an eating disorder. Nightmares were constant.

But Poppy and Grandma learned from their mistakes — by the time the grandchildren were around, their Holocaust stories were reduced to whispers. Discussions about Otwock, Karczew, the ghettos and the camps were off the table. Though I constantly pressed them for stories, they kept silent.

In 2004, however, I traveled to Otwock. I discovered the four synagogues had been dismantled, the town hall had no records, Grandma’s street had vanished from the map, the supposed “Jewish Center” had no Jews.

While the trip was disappointing, my visit broke Grandma’s silence. For the next six years, Grandma shared her stories. I also interviewed other survivors, pored through texts, wrote to tracing services, begged for records and watched my grandparents’ Shoah Foundation testimonies. See Uncovering on page 7

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BAIS EPHRAIM YITZCHOK Rabbi Elchanan Adler

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IRVING PLACE MINYAN Rabbi Zev Goldberg Drasha (Shacharit 9 a.m.)

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Seudah Shlishit (Mincha 5:15) The Gift of Change: Our National Undoing Project

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Ayelet HaShachar - The Dawn’s Early Light

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Mishkan: Double Entendres, Double Standards

SHAARAY TEFILA Rabbi Etan Schnall

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Rabbi Eli Baruch Shulman

Rabbi Daniel Stein

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YOUNG ISRAEL OF NORTH WOODMERE Rabbi Noach Goldstein

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WOMEN’S SHIUR WITH RABBI MENACHEM PENNER FINDING MEANING IN MUSAF

Hosted by Rabbi Shay & Rina Schachter 430 Forest Ave, Woodmere • Friday Night, 8:30 p.m.

MEN’S ONEG SHABBAT WITH RABBI HERSHEL SCHACHTER

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KEHILLAS BAIS YEHUDAH TZVI Rabbi Elchanan Adler

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Dedication opportunities are available at many levels. Sponsors at the $1,000 level and above will have the privilege of filling in letters of the Sefer Torah. For more info and to RSVP, please email yulongisland@yu.edu or visit yu.edu/chag

Rav Schachter will be receiving a special award at the Chag HaSemikha and a Sefer Torah is being commissioned in honor of the occasion. Please join us in Lawrence at the home of Lance and Rivkie Hirt for this special event.

Rav Schachter will present a shiur, followed by filling in letters in the Sefer Torah.

In celebration of Rav Hershel Schachter’s 50 years of teaching at Yeshiva University – Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary

6 days 50 yea s ago ha changed eve y h ng

NY celebrates Israel

The JEWISH STAR

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The Mystery of Esther’s Identity

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BAIS TEFILAH Rabbi Moshe Watson

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BAIS MIDRASH OF WOODMERE Rabbi Yoni Danziger

Pre Mincha (4:40 p.m.)

The Two Readings of the Megillah: How Do They Interrelate?

The JEWISH Rabbi Avi Anderson Rabbi Jacob Berman Rabbi Dan Cohen Rabbi Meir Cohen Rabbi Yoni Danzger Rabbi Daniel Elsant Rabbi Joshua Elsant Rabbi Natan Farber Rabbi Aaron Fleksher Rabbi Yechiel Fuchs Rabbi Noach Goldstein Rabbi Jason Grossman Rabbi Scott Hoberman Rabbi Raphael Karlin Rabbi Nuriel Klinger Rabbi Simcha Lauer Rabbi Bradley Lipman Rabbi Ari Lipsky Rabbi Joshua Maslow Rabbi Mordy Prus Rabbi David Roth Rabbi Moshe Rube Rabbi Ashie Schreier Rabbi Elliot Schrier Rabbi Eli Wagner Rabbi Moshe Watson Rabbi Michael Weingarten Rabbi Eli Wiesenfeld Rabbi Daniel Zuckerman

RIETS is proud to honor more than 130 musmakhim, many of whom have strong connections to our community, including:

Rosh Yeshiva, and Rabbi Henry H. Guterman Chair in Talmud, RIETS

Rabbi Eli Baruch Shulman

Rosh Yeshiva, RIETS

Rabbi Daniel Stein

Magid Shiur, Irving I. Stone Beis Medrash Program

Rabbi Etan Schnall

Max and Marion Grill Dean, RIETS

Rabbi Menachem Penner

Senior Vice President, Yeshiva University

Rabbi Josh Joseph, EdD

Program Coordinator, RIETS

Rabbi Zev Goldberg

F ve Towns ma ks Yom HaShoah Sunday n e

Vice President of University and Community Life, Yeshiva University

Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander

Rabbi Elchanan Adler

The Jewish Star / Ed Weintrob

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CELEBRATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF RABBINIC LEADERS

Chag HaSemikhah 5777

Gov vows fast(er) fix for route 878

Achiezer’s 5th gala: ‘Just 1 call’ JCC threats

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Ronald Lowinger, Yeshiva Darchei Torah president and dinner chairman, speaks at Sunday’s gala that drew 1,500 supporters to the school’s Far Tsemach Glenn Rockaway campus. See page 18.

1,500 at Darchei

WOODSBURGH MINYAN Rabbi Scott Hoberman

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Af Hen Hayu B’Oto HaNes Viva Le Difference

The Jewish cemetery in Otwock.

KNESETH ISRAEL (WHITE SHUL) Rabbi Eli Baruch Shulman

Friday, Jan. 27, is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which commemorates the liberation of Auschwitz by Red Army troops in 1945. As Noah Lederman discovered, not all sites of the Shoah are remembered.

By Noah Lederman, JTA rowing up, I had always heard the names Otwock and Karczew. Both are neighboring towns near Warsaw.

Before the Holocaust, Otwock was home to some 14,000 Jews. Karczew had about 500 Jewish residents and became home to a Nazi forced-labor camp during World War II. While both places may have little name recognition around the world, in my family the names loomed large. They were as common to all of us as the names of Poppy and Grandma’s murdered siblings.

My grandparents had grown up in Otwock.

They fled to the Warsaw Ghetto following the summer of 1942, when they were teenagers, after the Nazis had murdered 12,000 of the 14,000 Jews living in their town.

Years later, having survived the war and immigrating to the United States, my grandparents had children. They raised their two

Seudah Shlishit (Mincha 5:20 Pre Mincha Shiur (4:40 p.m.)

Rabbi Avi Anderson Rabbi Daniel Stein p.m.)

Rabbi Jacob Berman The Challenges of Spirituality Ed Weintrob The TwoByReadings of the Shiur Following Mincha (5:25 p.m.)

Rabbi Dan Cohen More than 1,500 potential olim attended York’s annual aliyah “mega event” on YOUNG ISRAEL OF KEHILLAS BAIS Megillah:New Rabbi Meir Cohen Sunday.

The day-long Nefesh B’Nefesh fair, at John YOUNG ISRAEL OF Rabbi Yoni Danzger How Do JayThey HEWLETT CollegeInterrelate? on Manhattan’s West Side, adYEHUDAH TZVI dressed the opportunities and challenges that WOODMERE Rabbi Daniel Elsant accompany a permanent move to the State of Rabbi Scott Hoberman Rabbi Elchanan Adler Israel. More than four-dozen sessions, and a BAIS MIDRASH OFsuch issues as Rabbi Joshua Elsant like number of vendors, tackled Rabbi Aaron Fleksher Drasha (Shacharit 9 a.m.) where to live, employment opportunities, lanSeudah Shlishit guage challenges, integrating into Israeli sociRabbi Natan Farber WOODMERE Chumash Shiur (8:15 a.m.) ety, health care, shipping, insurance and more.

(Mincha 5:20 p.m.)

The day’s theme was “Imagine Greater Rabbi Aaron Fleksher Rabbi Yoni Danziger Possibilities.”

Rabbi Menachem Penner Reflections on Zayin Adar: In the 15 years that Nefesh B’Nefesh has Rabbi Yechiel Fuchs been facilitating the return to p.m.)

Israel of Jews Pre Mincha Shiur (4:40 Drasha following Main Minyan from North America and the United KingRabbi Noach Goldstein The Legacy of Carmel Moshe A visitor to the vandalized Mount JewishRabbeinu Cemetery in Phildom, making aliyah has never been easier, adelphia views toppled tombstones on Sunday.

(Shacharit 8:45 a.m.)

Rabbi Jason Grossman BAIS TEFILAH See Aliyah on page 8 Rabbi Scott Hoberman Rabbi Ashie Schreier MEN’S ONEG SHABBAT WITH RABBI HERSHEL SCHACHTER Rabbi Moshe Watson Rabbi Raphael Karlin Drasha before Musaf at the Leon Hosted by Rabbi Shay & Rina Schachter Drasha (Shacharit 9 a.m.)

Rabbi Nuriel Klinger

By The Jewish Star 430 Forest Ave, Woodmere • Friday Night, 8:30 p.m.

Mayer Minyan (Shacharit 9 a.m.)

The Simcha go-to community resources organization in the Five Towns Rabbi Zev Goldberg Rabbi Lauer and Far Rockaway emphasized its all-emcompassing scope on Sunday The Art of Jewish Survival night, filling the formerLipman BestBuy space in the Bar Harbour Mall with WOMEN’S SHIURgraves WITH RABBI MENACHEM PENNER Rabbi Bradley Pre Mincha Shiur (4:40 p.m.)

Vandals hit Philly 1,700 supporters under the banner, “Just One Call.”

Achiezer and President Rabbi Boruch Ber Bender said the Rabbi AriFounder Lipsky Rabbi Hershel Schachter FINDING MEANING INComMUSAF The weeks-long wave of bomb threats targeting Jewish greatness of the community centered on the fact that it is made up of The Mystery of Esther’s Identity munity Centers in several states reached Long Island on Monday, givers who “can’t relaxMaslow when somebody else is in need.”

Rabbi Joshua Lawrence Cedarhurst (4:30 p.m.)

Shiur Following Mincha (5:25 p.m.) with aYoung threat beingIsrael phoned inof to the Mid-Island Y JCC- in Plain“Whether you are a rebbe in Far Rockaway, an electrician in Baysview. As was the case with the other threats, including at least water, a lawyer in Woodmere, a plumber in Queens or a healthcare Rabbi Mordy Prus 21 on Monday alone, no meanacing objects were found at the professional from Lawrence, it makes no difference because what center, which was briefly evacuated. bands us together is the inherent need to do for each other,” he said.

Rabbi David Roth Rabbi Anchelle Perl of Chabad of Mineola said the threats See Achiezer on page 17 would not succeed in sowing fear, and in fact JCCs around the Rabbi Moshe Rube country reported thatof very few membersHershel were staying away. Schachter’s 50 years of teaching at In celebration Rav “We will redouble our efforts in friendship and appreciation Rabbi Ashie Schreier with all of our friends and neighbors of all walks of life, with all faith communities, to counter a world of darkness and evil with Yeshivaour University – Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary ‫תנו כבוד לתורה‬ Rabbi Elliot Schrier acts of goodness and kindness,” Rabbi Perl said.

In five waves of calls in less than two months, 89 bomb threats Rav Schachter will be receiving special award at the Chag HaSemikha and a Sefer Torah is being commissioned Rabbi Eli Wagner were received by 72 Jewish institutions in 30a states and one CanaSUNDAY, province, according to the JCC Association of North America.

Rabbi Moshe Watson in honor ofdianthe occasion. usSecure in Lawrence at the home of Lance and Rivkie Hirt for this special event.

The threatening calls seekPlease “to wear us join down,” said

By Jeffrey Bessen Community Network Director Paul Goldenberg. “But we are back MARCH 5 Gov.Michael Andrew Cuomo’s familiarity with the roads around Rabbi Weingarten in our schools, are back in our a JCCs.” Rav Schachter willwepresent shiur, followed by filling in letters in the Sefer Torah.

Southeast Queens and the Five Towns might have helped him Meanwhile, more than 100 gravesites were disturbed in a understand State Senator Todd Kaminsky kept bringRabbi Eli why Wiesenfeld Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia, one week after over 150 headCommunity Service Award recipients Joel and Cheryl Baruch. Joel 9:30 a.m. ing up repairing the Nassau Expressway every time the Long stones were overturnedare and damaged in St. Louis. operates Gotta Getta Bagel in Woodmere, Cheryl Dedication is an adminisopportunities available at many levels. Sponsors at the $1,000 level and above will have the privilege of filling in letters Rabbi DanielsawZuckerman Beach Democrat the governor.

See 878 on page 6 trator at Kulanu Academy in Cedarhurst.

Related stories on pages 3 and 24. of the Sefer Torah. For more info and to RSVP, please email yulongisland@yu.edu or visit yu.edu/chag Yeshiva University – Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary

1,500 whet their appetite for aliyah at ‘mega event’ Pre Mincha (4:40 p.m.)

Seudah Shlishit RIETS is proud to honor (Mincha 5:30 Parsha Terumah • March 3, 2017 • 5 Adar 5777 • Candlelighting 5:31 pm, Havdalah 6:32 pm •p.m.)

Luach page 19 • Vol 16, No 9 more than 130 musmakhim, many of whom have BAIS EPHRAIM strong connections to our YITZCHOK community, including: Rabbi Elchanan Adler

Rosh Yeshiva, and Rabbi Henry H. Guterman Chair in Talmud, RIETS

Rabbi Eli Baruch Shulman

BEIS HAKNESSES OF NORTH WOODMERE Rabbi Daniel Stein

Seudah Shlishit (Mincha 5:15) The Gift of Change: Our National Undoing Project

Rabbi Josh Joseph

STAR

Drasha (Shacharit 9 a.m.)

BAIS AVROHOM ZEV Rabbi Yechiel Fuchs

Magid Shiur, Irving I. Stone Beis Connecting with Har Sinai Medrash Program LI’S FASTEST-GROWING JEWISH NEWSPAPER

Rabbi Etan Schnall

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BETH SHOLOM Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander Nachum Segal during a broadcast last year.

(465-3626)

AISH KODESH Rabbi Hershel Schachter

be Cedarhurst resident Aryeh Kunstler.

“The location is befitting a Super Bowl type celebration — a sports bar, very exciting and welcoming for a Jewish music environment,” Segal said.

The show will be taped before a live audience at 9 pm on motzei Shabbos Jan. 28. Everyone is welcome, Segal said, but since space is limited it would be best to come early — and hungry.

Kunstler, a hot ticket on the Jewish music scene, recently arranged and sang 130 songs featured on the new NCSY iPhone Bencher App. “The idea is that you can listen to the app during the week and learn the songs, then introduce them at the See Halftime on page 3

Drasha (Shacharit 8:45 a.m.)

Senior Vice President, Yeshiva • goldmanroofing.com University 718-Goldman (465-3626) 718-GOLDMAN Rabbi Ashie Schreier goldmanroofing.com Rabbi Menachem Penner Seudah Shlishit Max and Marion Grill Dean, RIETS

Rabbi Josh Joseph, EdD

Program Coordinator, RIETS

Rabbi Zev Goldberg

ViceAryeh President of University and Kunstler Facebook Community Life, Yeshiva University

Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander

Rosh Yeshiva, and Eva, Morris, and Jack K. Rubin Memorial Chair in Rabbinics, RIETS

bubbe’s cheeks red. But for footballloving frum Jews, there’s a choice.

It will be the fourth Super Bowl during which Jewish radio superstar Nachum Segal will play mashgiach, hosting a Kosher Halftime Show on the Nachum Segal Network (NSN).

And for Super Bowl LI (that’s 51 in Roman numerals — or maybe LI stands for Long Island), Segal’s bringing the show home, to the Courtside Grill in Cedarhurst, where the headliner will

Rosh Kollel and Rosh Yeshiva,By Celia Weintrob When Lady Gaga enters NRG Staand Nathan and Vivian Fink dium in Houston for the halftime show on Super Distinguished Professorial Chair in Bowl Sunday, Feb. 5, she’s likely to be showing way too much and using language that could turn your Talmud, RIETS

Rabbi Hershel Schachter

FEATURING

Students from Midreshet Shalhevet High School in North Woodmere demonstrated outside the United Nations last week. See story on page 16.

Uncovering hidden Holocaust Five Towns Community Shabbaton

CELEBRATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF RABBINIC LEADERS

Trump has said he would like to advance. MSNBC reported Monday that Trump believes that advancing peace is a greater priority than moving the embassy. Jordan, a close U.S. ally, has also warned that the move could destabilize the region.

Congress in 1995 passed a law mandating a move to Jerusalem, but allowed presidents to waive it every six months for national security reasons; successive presidents have done so. Trump would need to issue a waiver by the end of May if he chooses not to move the embassy.

At Tuesday’s press briefing, Spicer said that when Prime Minister Netanyahu visits Washington next month, President Trump would raise the issue of recently announced settlement expansion plans.

“We’ll discuss that,” Spicer said.

“He has asked his team to get together” and study the settlement question, Spicer said. “Israel has continued to be a huge ally of the United States … he wants to get closer with Israel.”

On Tuesday, Israel approved construction of 2,500 new homes in Judea and Samaria, which was the largest announcement in several years. While most of these homes are within main settlement blocs, according to Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman, approximately 100 units are in the Jewish community of Bet El near Ramallah, to which the Trump Foundation donated $10,000 in 2003.

Trump’s son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner has also donated to the community. Trump’s choice for ambassador to Israel, David Friedman of Long Island, also has close ties with Bet El.

Embassy move to Jerusalem will wait, again

Shabbat Terumah • March 3-4, 2017 Super Bowl LI goes kosher in Parshat Cedarhurst G

Rabbi Hershel Billet of the Young Israel of Woodmere greets Boro Park Assemblyman Dov Hikind at Thursday’s protest outside the French mission to the U.N. in Midtown Ed Weintrob / The Jewish Star Manhattan as Avi Posnick of StandWithUs looks on.

President Donald Trump reading the first of three executive orders he was preparing to sign in the Oval Office on Monday. Action on an embassy move to Jerusalem was not among them. Ron Sachs/Pool/Getty Images

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egular readers know that I am a HUGE supporter of President Trump. However, when he’s wrong, good reporting requires the president and his administration get a swift kick in the assets.

The administration’s statement commemorating Holocaust Remembrance Day last Friday, which omitted any mention of the Jewish people, was stupid and insensitive. Worse was fact that the administration has been doubling down on the omission ever since.

When first noticing the “de-Jewdification” of the Holocaust on Friday, my reaction was that it must have been an accident, a rush job and somebody screwed up. And then White House spokesperson Hope Hicks announced: “Despite what the media reports, we are an incredibly inclusive group and we took into account all of those who suffered. … It was our honor to issue

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a statement in remembrance of this important day.”

As Commentary Editor John Podhoretz wrote about Hicks comment on Saturday night: “The Nazis killed an astonishing number of people in monstrous ways and targeted certain groups—Gypsies, the mentally challenged, and open homosexuals, among others. But the Final Solution was aimed solely at the Jews. The Holocaust was about the Jews. There is no ‘proud’ way to offer a remembrance of the HoloSee Trump on Shoah on page 12

Holocaust survivor showing her tattoo. Christopher Furlong/Getty

Take it from a pal, Pres.

Trump, you done wrong

The JEWISH

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Cedarhurst resident Aryeh Kunstler performed motzei Shabbos for the Nachum Segal Nework’s annual Kosher Halftime Show, taped before a live audience at the Courtside Grill for broadcast during the Super Bowl next Sunday. See page 3.

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Sephardic sage visits Darchei Rav Yaakov Moshe Hillel, shlita, addresses queries from Sephardic talmidim at Darchei Torah in Far Rockaway. A posek, kabbalist and author of sefarim who heads Yeshivat Hevrat Ahavat Shalom in Jerusalem, Rav Hillel discussed achieving greatness in Torah.

He has visited Darchei most years since 2004. Pictured with Rav Hillel are Rav Shlomo Avigdor Altusky, center left; Rav Hillel’s son; and Rav Yaakov Bender. Courtesy Darchei Torah

Dr. Henry Abramson, dean of sistant rabbi, as well as Abramson.

Touro’s Lander College of Arts and “When we learn Torah, it is imSciences, resumes his Jewish his- portant to understand content and tory lecture series in the Five Towns context,” said Rabbi Trump. “Most of community this week. us were schooled in a conAbramson’s free six-sestent-heavy environment sion series, on Wedneswith little context. But day evenings from 8:30 sometimes that leaves the to 9:30 at the Young IsTorah in a vacuum. The rael of Lawrence-CedarRashi that will be learned hurst, begins Feb. 1. in these sessions will reflect what was discussed The lectures combine previously in a histori30 minutes of historical cal context. Appreciating overviews and 30 minutes the context enriches our of in-depth textual study.

Abramson will deliver Dr. Henry Abramson understanding of where information belongs in the the overviews and the indepth study will be taught by Rabbi grand scheme.”

Moshe Teitelbaum, Morah d’Asra The series will spotlight the folof Young Israel of Lawrence Cedar- lowing Torah commentators: hurst, and Rabbi Yaakov Trump, asSee Cedarhurst talks on page 12

C’hurst talks mesh history and Torah

Parsha Bo • February 3, 2017 • 7 Sh’vat 5777 • Five Towns Candlelighting 4:58 pm, Havdalah 5:59 • Luach page 20 • Vol 16, No 5

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Trump hits ‘pause’

Parsha Vaera • January 27, 2017 • 29 Tevet 5777 • Five Towns Candlelighting 4:49 pm, Havdalah 5:58 • Luach page 20 • Vol 16, No 4

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Yeshiva University – Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary

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pro-Israel advocacy, massed in Dag Hammarskjold Plaza outside the U.N. (See story on page 16.)

The next day, several hundred protesters from throughout the tristate area, including many Long Islanders, congregated on Second Avenue across from the French mission to the U.N. to demand the the U.N. “target Islamic terror, not Israel.”

“By showing up here today we are sending a message to the world that we will not be silent as the U.N. and member countries continue to spread lies against Israel,” said Avi Posnick of StandWithUs. Posnick is a graduate of Rambam Mesivta.

“Four weeks before his departure from the White House, [President] Obama has intentionally and maliciously chosen to ignore the ever-present, always imminent and daily dangers facing Israelis by imposing a new threat to Israel,” said Lauri Regan of EMET (the Endowment for Middle East Truth).

“What part of ‘from the river to the sea,’ ‘free free Palestine,’ ‘long live the intifada,’ and ‘go back to the ovens’ do Obama, [U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Samantha] Power and [Secretary of State John] Kerry not understand?”

See LIers rally on page 3

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Israel’s friends were called to action, staging two demonstrations in Midtown Manhattan.

On Wednesday, students from Midreshet Shalhevet and Rambam Mesivta high schools, two Five Towns institutions with long traditions of

LIers rally against UN, France

By Ed Weintrob After last month’s United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, and in anticipation of a new anti-Israel assult at this week’s “peace” conference in Paris involving 70 countries and international organizations,

Rosh Yeshiva, and Eva, Morris, and Jack K. Rubin Memorial Chair in Rabbinics, RIETS

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Rosh Kollel and Rosh Yeshiva, and Nathan and Vivian Fink Distinguished Professorial Chair in Talmud, RIETS

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However, “One day I walk into the living room, and she was thumbing through a magazine, reading the big print headlines aloud, correctly,” he recalled. “Mom can still read!’”

Sobel said he headed to the local Barnes & Noble to get her a picture book for dementia patients.

“It seemed like the most obvious thing in the world,” he said.

Instead, he learned that such a thing didn’t really exist. After unsuccessful trips to bookstores and searches online, Sobel called the National Alzheimer’s Association.

He said the librarian he spoke with on the phone was stumped at first — she said that while there were more than 20,000 books for caregivers, she didn’t know of anything for the patients themselves.

See Yiddishkeit on page 16

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those with memory-loss issues to enjoy and engage with each image on its own terms.

“L’Chaim: Pictures to Evoke Memories of a Jewish Life,” by Eliezer Sobel, is probably the first book of its kind — a Jewish-themed book created explicitly for adults with dementia.

“There’s such a richness to Jewish content and imagery and history and culture,” Sobel, 64, told JTA. “There are so many Jewish people in Jewish nursing homes, and Jewish families with loved ones who have dementia.”

Sobel’s family is among them. The author took inspiration from his mother, Manya, 93, a refugee who fled Nazi Germany and has suffered from Alzheimer’s for 17 years. As her memory deteriorated, her language slowly disappeared with it, Sobel said. Eventually, a few years ago, it seemed gone for good.

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Eliezer Sobel’s mother, Manya, reading his first book for adults with memory loss, “Blue Sky, White Clouds.”

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By Lisa Keys, JTA The book is large and fits comfortably on a lap. The color photographs nearly fill each page. Each image depicts real people doing everyday Jewish things — a young girl eating matzah ball soup; a bubbe and her grandchildren lying in the grass; a man wearing tefillin, praying. The sentences are in large print; they are simple (“Mother says the blessing over the candles”) and easy to read.

But the book is not for young children learning how to read, nor is it for parents to introduce Judaism to their preschoolers.

Rather it is designed for those suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive type of dementia that causes a slow decline in thinking, memory and reasoning. The book — a series of independent pictures and captions — requires no memory to read and follow along, allowing

Yiddishkeit lives in book for dementia patients

Ambassador-designee David Friedman testifying at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last Thursday.

Five Towners rooted for a hometown hero last Thursday, as the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held its confirmation hearing for ambassador to Israel-designee David Friedman, a Woodsburgh resident. During testimony in response to questions that ranged from hostile to softball, he calmly addressed the senators’ concerns.

WCBS TV sent a crew to Rambam Mestivta in Lawrence to record the reaction of students as they watched the hearings.

Friedman appeared contrite when called to account for the coarse nature of comments he directed at critics of the Jewish state before and during the presidential campaign. He had refered to members of J Street, the Washington policy group hostile to Israeli policies, as “worse than kapos” and to the Anti-Defamation League as “morons,” and he likened Sen. Charles Schumer to Hitler-appeaser Neville Chamberlain.

“These were hurtful words and I deeply regret them,” he told the senators.

Senator Marco Rubio criticized those feigning horror over Friedman’s J Street descritiopn, pointing out that the group had invited to its conference Saeb Erekat, a senior Palestinian official “who has justified the murder of Jews as self-defense.”

The ZOA urged the Senate to confirm Friedman, referring to J Street as a “radical, extremist” group and praising Friedman’s “realistic and flexible approach to achieving peace.”

North Woodmere resident Cindy Grosz, who’s known Friedman for nearly 50 years, said that “David will be a great ambassador because he is real. … David’s first loves are just like his mom and dad and his siblings and their families. Their love of traditional Judaic values and customs, their time together with close friends and family, their belief in charity, and love of Israel.”

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Trump rips anti-Semitism

Parsha Mishpatim • February 24, 2017 • 28 Sh’vat 5777 • Candlelighting 5:23 pm, Havdalah 6:24 pm • Luach page 19 • Vol 16, No 8

Friedman, 5 Towns hero, faces Senate

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Parsha Shemot • January 20, 2017 • 22 Tevet 5777 • Five Towns Candlelighting 4:41 pm, Havdalah 5:50 • Luach page 21 • Vol 16, No 3

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Clockwise from top left: Yael Yekutiel, Shira Tzur, Shir Hajaj, Erez Orbach. May their memories be a blessing.

The Jewish Star Editorial When terror struck in Jerusalem on Sunday, the world paid attention. News of the murder of four young Israelis spread quickly, along with messages of sympathy for a country in mourning.

The New York Times didn’t get the memo.

On Monday, America’s leading newspaper, long a reflexive voice against the Jewish state (and frequently a problematic voice on issues concerning Orthodox Jews) downplayed the story online and buried the news in its print edition. The Times report ridiculed Prime Minister Netanyahu’s assertion that the terror facing Israel “is part of the same ongoing battle against this global scourge of the new terrorism.” It linked the killings to talk of a U.S. embassy move to Jerusalem and it softpeddled the jubilant reaction of Palestinians to the murders.

On Tuesday, most of the “above the fold” page-one real-estate in the Times was turned over to a followup story headlined, “Israel Buries 4 Soldiers, but the Mourning Is Marred by Discord.” After dispatching with the humanity of the slain Israelis in one paragraph, the article focused on the convicton of IDF Sgt. Elor Azaria.

Last Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelming denounced the U.N. Security Council’s recent anti-Israel resolution. The House vote was a major rebuke to the outgoing Obama administration, with most Democrats joining Republicans, and the Senate is expected to take similar action. To the Times, this support for Israel was not fit to print. It posted an AP story online and ran nothing in its print edition.

Sometimes stories run, or don’t run, for inexplicable reasons. But the Times has been tried and convicted often for the deliberate and repetitive insertion of bias against our people. While many in the Orthodox community have given up on the Times, the continued respect afforded it by the larger community requires that we call it to account. What the Times prints and posts has real consequences; we need not go back as far as the Shoah to recognize just how serious those consequences can be.

On Monday, the Times announced the appointment of Ian Fisher as its new Jerusalem bureau chief. We wish him yasher ko’ach. We’ll be watching.

Jewish blood is cheap, Israeli blood: worthless

As Am Yisroel mourns, NY Times buries the news

Parsha Vayechi • January 13, 2017 • 15 Tevet 5777 • Five Towns Candlelighting 4:33 pm, Havdalah 5:42 • Luach page 23 • Vol 16, No 2

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they’ve owned it,” he said. “The only occupiers have been the Babylonians, the Assyrians, the Turks, the Brits.” Top left: Huckabee (flanked by chamber VP Dr. Joe Frager of Jamaica Estates) points to tiny Israel on a regional map. Bottom: Huckabee smiles as the session’s host, MK Micki Zohar, makes a point. Right photo, from left: MK Sharen Haskell (Knesset’s youngest member), MK Yoav Kisch, Zohar, MK Betzalel Smotrich; chamber President Duvi Honig, Huckabee, MK Moti Yogev, chamber vice presidents Dr. Paul Brody of Great Neck and Odeleya Jacobs of Kew Gardens Hills; MK Shuli Moalev, MK Yehuda Glick, and Frager. Dov Yarden

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By Jacob Kamaras, JNS.org The onset of 2017 comes just three weeks before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, ushering in a new era in the U.S.-Israel relationship. The new year and new administration bring intrigue and unanswered questions on a number of major storylines that could shape the complexion of American-Israeli ties both this year and for years to come. JNS.org presents five potential major developments to watch for this year.

Embassy to Jerusalem?

Trump and his ambassador-designate to Israel, Five Towns resident David Friedman, have pledged to move America’s Israeli embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Will they follow through?

Typically, any country’s foreign embassies are located in capital cities. Israel set up its capital in Jerusalem in 1948, but many nations, including the U.S., have established their embassies in Tel Aviv; since 1967, this has been part of a refusal to recognize Israel’s annexation of See NEXT! on page 21

5 Israeli issues unfolding in ’17

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The 7:18 am LIRR train out of Far Rockaway crashed through an end-of-the-line bumper at the Atlantic Terminal station on Wednesday, injuring 103 passengers.

Eleven people were transported by ambulances to Brooklyn hospitals, but none of the injuries were life threatening, according to the New York City fire department.

LIRR officials said the six-car train carried 430 passengers, many from the Five Towns.

As a result of the impact, the lead wheel assembly derailed as did one additional axle.

“The train was supposed to stop at a bumper and didn’t, but glad to report there were no deaths,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said at the scene. “The most serious injury was a broken leg.”

“We need to make sure we determine what happened, and why it happened, so the matter is still under investigation,” said MTA Chairman Thomas Prendegast.

103 hurt in LIRR crash

Paulina Khayumov and Skyler Vines colored T-shirts at Chabad of Hewlett’s Chanukah on Ice event in Grant Park. More Chanukah on p. 2.

The colors of Chanukah in Hewlett

The Jewish Star / Michael Cohen

Parsha Vayigash • January 6, 2017 • 8 Tevet 5777 • Five Towns Candlelighting 4:25 pm, Havdalah 5:34 • Luach page 21 • Vol 16, No 1

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Friedman in Feb. 2010 by Getty Images • Trump and Netanyahu meeting in Sept. 2016 by Kobi Gideon/Israeli GPO

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A whole lotta Trump…

of female clergy in the national organization’s member synagogues. This committee of lay leaders selected the panel of rabbis and presented them with the aforementioned questions. The OU said that the committee chose rabbis who each have “an exceptional national reputation for scholarship and integrity.”

Last summer, the OU invited feedback from a number of community leaders—both men and women—so that the rabbis writing the study could hear different perspectives on the issues. The rabbis reportedly heard from a wide array of women on the topic.

In his reporting on the subject, Jewish Week editor-publisher Gary Rosenblatt indicated his belief that the OU committee on female clergy was formed fully or partially in reaction to the 2010 See Women on page 23

There’s plenty of President Trump in this week’s Jewish Star, including: •Has Trump flipped on settlements and Iran? (p.2) •Despite Amona, settlers expect to win (p.4) •U.S. mum on new Israeli settlement law (p.10) •Two views on the refugee ban (p.11), and •Jeff Dunetz on Trump as the most pro-settlement POTUS (p.22). Visit TheJewishStar. com for online-only features including •Stephen Bannon and the Jews •What to expect when Bibi meets Donald, and •Unease over the perception of Jewish power in Trump’s inner circle. Pictured: Trump and Bannon at the White House. Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

kov Neuburger, Michael Rosensweig Hershel Schachter, Ezra Schwartz, Gedalia Schwartz and Benjamin Yudin.

The OU posed two questions to this panel: “Is it halachically acceptable for a synagogue to employ a woman in a clergy function?” and “What is the broadest spectrum of professional roles within a synagogue that may be performed by a woman?” The rabbis responded with a 17-page paper exploring their nuanced analysis of the issues in question.

The OU had commissioned the rabbinic study in the aftermath of a resolution passed last year by the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA) that forbade the RCA’s member rabbis from ordaining women as clergy. At that point, the OU appointed a committee to determine a process for how to address the issue

Orthodox Union encourages leadership roles, up to a point

By Elizabeth Kratz, JNS.org The Orthodox Union has issued an unprecedented statement announcing the establishment of a far-reaching policy regarding women and leadership positions in synagogue life.

Citing extensive research by a rabbinic commission, the OU concluded that its member synagogues may not employ women as rabbis, but strongly encouraged other types of leadership positions for women. The organization noted that it has established an office of women’s initiatives to advance this agenda, and distributed the statement widely to its hundreds of affiliated synagogues.

The full text of the OU’s statement is published on page 20.

In addition to stating outright that women can and should teach Torah, including on advanced and sophisticated levels, the OU statement also encourages women to lecture on Torah topics and share Torah insights; to assume communally significant roles in pastoral counseling, in bikur cholim, in community outreach to the religiously affiliated and unaffiliated, and in youth programming; and to advise on issues of taharat hamishpacha, in conjunction with local rabbinic authorities, when a community’s local rabbinic and lay leaders deem that step to be appropriate.

According to the statement, “The failure to fully embrace the talents of women and encourage women to assume greater lay and professional roles is a tragic forfeiture of communal talent. We should focus on creating and institutionalizing roles for women that address the needs of Orthodox Jews today, by removing barriers that impede women from further contributing to our community, in halachically appropriate ways. We should fully utilize their talents and commitment, thereby fostering shmirat hamitzvot, enhancing limmud Torah and expanding the richness and vibrancy of Jewish life.”

The statement followed an intensive study of the subject by a panel of seven influential American Orthodox rabbis, including Rabbis Daniel Feldman, Yaa-

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By Alina Dain Sharon, JNS.org The Midrash in Kohelet Rabbah teaches that G-d told man, “Be careful not to spoil or destroy my world—for if you do, there will be nobody after you to repair it.”

For more than a century, Keren Kayemet LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) has followed that tenet by protecting and preserving nature in the land of Israel, this year embarking on a monthslong nationwide campaign of planting events to commemorate the holiday of Tu B’Shvat, which is celebrated this Shabbat, Feb. 11. More than half a million people are expected to participate in more than 130 Tu B’Shvat-themed planting events in Israel through Feb. 17.

While Tu B’Shvat is now popularly known as the New Year for Trees, this was not originally the case. In the Rosh Hashanah section of the Mishnah relating to the fruit tithes that Israelites brought to the Temple in Jerusalem, signaling the beginning and end of the crop year; any fruit that blossomed after Tu B’Shvat was considered produce from a new year.

In 1890, Rabbi Ze’ev Yavetz, a school teacher in Zichron Yaakov, took his students to plant trees on Tu B’Shvat. In 1901, the Fifth Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland, established KKL-JNF to purchase plots of land as a foundation for a future Jewish state. The organization acquired its first acres in the land of Israel in 1904, and later began a decadelong process of forestation across a landscape that had been largely stripped bare by its inhabitants at that time.

Over time, “Israeli culture adopted tree planting as a tradition” and later as part of the celebration of Tu B’Shvat, and “KKL-JNF followed suit,” said Hagay Yavlovich, director See Trees on page 8

holiday of fruits; thanks, JNF

Yossi Aloni

Tu B’Shvat How trees entered Israel’s

Planting in Israel in advance of Tu B’Shvat.

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Parsha Beshalach • Tu B’Shvat • February 10, 2017 • 14 Shvat • Five Towns Candlelighting 5:06 pm, Havdalah 6:07 • Luach page 23 • Vol 16, No 6

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The JEWISH

2017: The Year In Review

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Andrew Harrer/Pool/Getty Images • February 15 in the White House

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carpet to the promised land, said she’s wanted to do this for a long time. Her love of Israel emerged through family, friends, community, repeated visits to the holy land, and her school, Shulamith in Cedarhurst, she said.

Danit Tayri of Kew Gardens Hills said “we’ve always wanted to go, but now it’s finally time.”

Her parents left Israel “on a 30 year-long trip” and now it’s time, through her family’s journey as olim, to come home.

“Hopefully, everyone will follow,” she said.

While the excitement of boarding NBN’s El Al’s charter was palpable for many of the olim, for others the move to Israel See. 201 olim on page 16

out. Thirteen-year-old Elishevah Feinberg of Woodmere (with mom Leah in second photo) had been a student at the Shulamith School for Girls in Cedarhurst.

“Part of my love for Eretz Yisroel came from there,” she said. More photos on The Jewish Star / Ed Weintrob page 16.

By Jeffrey Bessen, Herald Community News When Peninsula Hospital closed five years ago and St. John’s Episcopal Hospital became the hospital on the Rockaway Peninsula, the Far Rockaway medical center experienced a 35 percent jump in patients using its emergency services.

St. John’s officials last week celebrated obtaining a $10.15 million grant from the New York State Department of Health to help complete emergency services renovations that will also include creating primary care space in a building right across the street. The 111-year-old hospital also operates an off-site ambulatory center at 275 Rockaway Turnpike in Lawrence and similar sites on the peninsula.

See St. John’s on page 14

St. John’s 5T role

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Second graders at Yeshiva Darchei Torah in Far Rockaway, talmidim of Rabbi Nachum Nachumson, were learning about the Arba Minim last week in preparation for the Sukkot holiday, which begins Wednesday night. MHB

Samaria and a two-state solution, and in their political affiliations — they’re about evenly split between Republicans and Democrats.

These are some of the findings of a Nishma Research survey published on Thursday in which nearly 4,000 Modern Orthodox Jews participated last June. It divided the respondents into five sub-groups according to the respondents’ self-definition, from left to right: Open Orthodox (12 percent), Liberal Modern Orthodox (22), (just plain) Modern Orthodox (41), Centrist Orthodox (14) and RightCentrist Orthodox (11). The survey has a 1.7 percent margin of error.

While the Jewish firm that conducted the poll did not provide an explicit definition of Modern Orthodoxy, the term tends to indicate Orthodox Jews who seek synthesize Orthodox observance with modernity, and more often than not have connections with Yeshiva University and its related institutions. Respondents were reached through synagogues “primarily” associated with the Rabbinical Council of America, the largest Modern Orthodox rabbinic organization. (Haredi Orthodox Jews, who tend to be more insular and less likely to engage in secular education or culture, were excluded from the survey.)

The survey, citing a 2013 Pew Research Center study, says that among the country’s 500,000 Orthodox Jews, 220,000 identify as “Modern” in one way or another.

Here are five key takeaways from the survey.

See Modern Orthodox on page 2

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forces, consisting of about 420 combat aircraft, all of them Soviet-built and with a heavy quota of top-of-the line MiG-21s capable of attaining Mach 2 speed.

Of particular concern to the Israelis were 30 Tu-16 “Badger” medium bombers, capable of inflicting heavy damage on Israeli military

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all over Israel, the IAF launched Operation Focus (Moked). All but 12 of its nearly 200 operational jets left the skies of Israel in a mass attack against Egypt’s airfields. Most of the Israeli warplanes headed out over the Mediterranean Sea, flying low to avoid radar See Changed on page 23

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2 THURSDAY, AUGUST 3 FRIDAY, AUGUST 4 SUNDAY, AUGUST 6

communities,” said Dr. Henry Abramson, dean of Touro’s Lander College of Arts & Sciences, who will be overseeing this new Touro location.

Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe, rosh yeshiva of Mesivta and Beis Medrash Ateres Yaakov, where the classes will be held, said his school was “pleased to be part of this groundbreaking initiative.”

For more information or to register contact Meir Weiss, director of enrollment management at 718-535-9347.

Dem coun y exec va ag ee on an BDS ac

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ing” the break fast so that no one would feel distressed or uncomfortable at 9 pm.

I did make a simple apple cake for dessert and there was my signature zucchini leek soup and whole wheat challah and plenty of food, but not the foods that my family has expected for years and years.

We ended the meal with tea, See Remember when on page 16

Some feel that any mashup of two differing traditional dishes is a crime against all that is holy in See Matzah ball on page 16

imagination to have any fun.

Born out of desperation, they began playing a game called WAR. Jerry’s oldest cousin, Harold Altman, aka Big, basically ran the show, made all the rules and picked all the teams. Jerry called Harold “Big” because he was five years older than he was and twice his size. Harold’s sidekick, Sandy Zlonick, was four See Judy on page 17

By Rafael Medoff, JNS American Jewish leaders are denouncing plans by a New York University-affiliated theater to host a play that portrays Palestinian terrorists as heroes.

“The Siege,” which opens Thursday night — on Simchat Torah — for 10 performances at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in Greenwich Village, focuses on the Palestinian terrorists who, in order to avoid capture by the Israeli army, seized Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity in the spring of 2002 and occupied it for 39 days.

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The play was created by the Freedom Theater of Palestine, based in the Palestinian Authority-controlled city of Jenin. Among those promoting it on YouTube is Ibrahim Abayat, one of the leaders of the church occupation. The Israeli government has identified him as the killer of New York City native Avi Boaz, in Bethlehem in early 2002.

The play was first performed overseas, in England, in 2015. The Board of Deputies of British Jews charged that it “promoted terrorism as positive and legitimate,” and the See NYU on page 2

NYU play glorifies Palestinian terror

As we celebrate Simchat Torah…

While there may be no better place to celebrate Sukkot than in Jerusalem, this might be the next-best thing: A sukkah lined with panoramic photos of Israel’s famous and holy sites. It’s the creation of Andy “Eliyahu” Alpern, a photographer specializing in 360-degree images, who says that by providing an immersive, inside-Israel experience, his Panoramic Sukkah is “a way of sharing Eretz Yisrael with people all over the world who can’t be here.” Alpern, a 50-year-old Chicago native who now lives in Safed, is marketing his 5779 sukkahs — priced from $1,080 —at PanoramicSukkah.com. Read more at TheJewishStar.com.

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Jerusalem in the sukkah

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By Judy Joszef y husband Jerry has always had a strong sense of right and wrong. When Jerry and his extended family attended the Turkins bungalow colony in the Catskills, there was no day camp or any other organized activities for kids — there were really no facilities at all, except for an outdoor pool. Thus, the kids really had to use their

For Jerry, 50-year-old wrong is made right

P

By Sonya Sanford ho (pronounced fuh) is a traditional Vietnamese soup that was popularized around the world by refugees fleeing the Vietnam War and its aftermath. Pho Ga is the chicken noodle variety.

For me, pho is a perfect meal: a big bowl of rich, aromatic, sweet, salty broth filled with satisfying rice noodles and tender meat, and balanced by toppings of fresh herbs, crispy bean sprouts and tart lime juice.

Matzah ball meets pho in Jewish-Viet mashup

A

By Joni Schockett s we broke fast this year, my family commented on the light meal I was serving and wanted to know where was the kugel and the salmon mousse and the cranberry walnut cake and bagels and lox and frittata and more. I had forewarned them that this year was going to be even lighter fare than last year, that we were “downsiz-

When our ‘appetizers’ made a dinner deluxe

Wine & Dine

Sinchat Torah • Friday, October 13, 2017 • 23 Tishrei 5778 • Luach page 21 • Torah columns pages 20–21 • Vol 16, No 38

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Chapter; Suri Kufeld of Great Neck, Shalhevet Chapter; and Mona Stern of Long Beach, from the Daroma Chapter.

Haft, a member of the Midreshet AMIT class of 2017, will present a dvar Torah. Midreshet AMIT in Jerusalem is a post-high school program that combines a year of intensive Jewish studies and working with foster children.

The Long Island Gala is co-chaired

by Debby Gage of Merrick; Risë and Harvey Kaufmann of Woodmere;

Reva and David Kirshblum; Faye and Steven Krawitz of West Hempstead; Zipporah and Rabbi Arnold Marans of Cedarhurst; Barbara and Jules Nordlicht or Long Beach; Esther and Donald Press of Long Beach; Betty Atlas and Owen Rumelt of West Hempstead; Sami Schindelheim of Long Beach; Ellen and Joseph Tuchinksy of Great Neck; Barbara and Mark Weinblatt of Great Neck; and Sharon and Joseph Wiesel of West Hempstead.

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By The Jewish Star The internet exploded over the weekend after Mayim Bialik, in a New York Times op-ed titled “Being a Feminist in Harvey Weinstein’s World,” said — as she’s said before, but at less politically-charged moments — that she dresses and acts in a modest manner.

An actress on the long-running CBS sitcom “The Big Bang Theory,” Bialik, 41 and the mother of two sons, frequently speaks positively about Orthodox Judaism

and has said that she does her best to maximize her observance.

Bialik said in her op-ed that under the influence of her immigrant Jewish parents, she has long made decisions that she considers “self-protecting and wise.”

“I have decided that my sexual self is best reserved for private situations with those I am most intimate with,” she wrote. “I dress modestly. I don’t act flirtatiously with men as a policy.”

See Bialik on page 18

Bialik’s suggestion inflames the internet

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Mayim Bialik at PaleyFest 2013 for the TV show “Big Bang Theory.”

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Six distinguished Long Islanders will be honored for their longtime service to AMIT and its 34,000 children at this year’s Greater Long Island Gala, on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 6:30 pm at the Sephardic Temple in Cedarhurst.

Regional Honorees include Debra and Daniella Haft, of Cedarhurst, representing Sabra Massada Chapters; Aviva Hoschander Sulzberger, of West Hempstead, from the Shoshana Chapter; Ilene Feldstein of Plainview, the Batya

Five of AMIT’s LI honorees, from left: Mona Stern, Ilene Feldstein, Aviva Hoschander Sulzberger, and Debra and Daniella Haft.

Amit salutes 6 LIers

It was show-and-tell at the Woodmere firehouse on Sunday. Among Five Towners taking part: Meyer Ginsberg, 11, tires on an authentic firefighter hat, and Ora Mandelbaum, 3, finds plenty of free space in the firefighter gear. Jewish Star / Monica Rzewski

Woodmere kids size up fire station

The commemoration of the centennial of the Balfour Declaration begins on Long Island this Thursday, Oct. 19, when author Edwin Black launches a national “Balfour 100” lecture tour at Rambam Mesivta in Lawrence.

The Nov. 2, 1917, letter by British Foreign Secretary Arthur James Balfour to Lord Rothschild, a leader of Britain’s Jewish community, was a “declaration of sympathy with Zionist aspirations,” the first such statement by a major world power.

In his talk, Black will explore the historical underpinnings of the declaration, which was issued in the midst of World War I, and Israel’s position in international law. He will explain what the Balfour declaration is and what it is not.

The public is invited to the Rambam event, starting at 5:30 pm at 15 Forest Lane. Black’s series continues on Friday in Manhattan before moving to Washington, DC, Maryland, Flordia, and California.

Numerous other Balfour-related events are planned for coming weeks in various locations, including a talk at Yeshiva University’s Stern College for Woman by Dr. Daniel Gordis on Monday, Oct. 30.

“His Majesty’s Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object,” Balfour’s letter stated, “it being clearly understood See Balfour on page 18

‘Balfour 100’ tour opens at Rambam

Noach • Oct. 20, 2017 • 30 Tishrei 5778 • Luach page 25 • Torah columns pages 24–25 • Vol 16, No 39 • TheJewishStar.com

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of the Young Island of West Hempstead, who delivered the yahrtzeit shiur. “He knew how to translate the Torah for a modern generation.”

Addressing Rebbetzin Lamm and her children, Rav Kelemer said, “I am the product of the Torah of your husband and father.

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cluding The Jewish Way of Death and Morning, which sold over 1 million copies. He was also a pulpit rabbi and an acclaimed professor.

Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz, mora d’asra of the North Woodmere shul, spoke warmly of Rabbi and Rebbetzin Lamm as members of the shul.

TheJewishStar.com

kept away from,” and he did so with great humility and in words that were poetry.

“He gave Torah as Matan Torah was originally given and those memories will never dim as we recall his illumination, his chachma, See Rabbi Lamm’s yahrtzeit on page 8

A view of the Psagot Winery.

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the other Israeli litigants who have joined the suit say the 1789 Alien Tort Statute allows them to sue the bank for facilitating terrorist attacks between 1995 and 2005.

That argument, rejected by lower courts, reached the Supreme Court in part because it addresses a divide between the court’s conservative and liberal justices over the modern application of a law initiated by events of 1784. That’s when the top French diplomat in the country at the time, a nobleman named François BarbéMarbois, allegedly was assaulted by an adventurer named Charles Julian de Longchamps.

A disagreement arose as to whether Longchamps was to be tried in Pennsylvania or France. The French government was not happy that Barbé-Marbois lacked the means of civil redress. A Pennsylvania court sentenced Longchamps to two years in prison, and the controversy is believed to have led to the passage of the Alien Tort Statute, allowing a U.S. court to consider lawsuits between non-U.S. parties if the issues “touch and concern” the United States. Congress appeared eager to show that the baby nation was ready, as the statute put it, to consider tort, or civil wrongs, “committed in violation of the law of nations or a treaty of the United States.”

The statute lay dormant for nearly two centuries, but was revived in the 1980s when human rights advocates used it to sue Latin American torturers on behalf of their victims, also Latin Americans.

On Oct. 11, the high court’s liberal justices seemed sensitive to arguments advanced by the human rights community, as well as an array of former counterterrorism officials, that the United States should continue to play a robust role in policing human rights abuses wherever they occur.

The conservative justices worried about judicial overreach, in this case into matters best left to the foreign policies of the administration of the day.

In oral arguments, both concerns kept circling back to the 1784 encounter in Philadelphia.

Conservatives wondered whether the writers of the 1789 law would have considered corporations like the Arab Bank as individuals.

“I mean, we passed this statute to avoid foreign entanglements because we wanted to provide a forum for someone like the French ambassador in the Longchamps affair,” Chief Justice John Roberts said to Jeffrey Fisher, the attorney appearing on behalf of the plaintiffs, “but I’m wondering if extending it to corporate liability is, in fact, going to have the same problematic result of increasing our entanglements, See Terror on docket on page 5

Manhattan Day School students stand behind Orthodox Union Executive Vice President Allen Fagin during a City Hall rally. They asked Mayor deBlasio to include Jewish and Muslim students in the city’s “Free Lunch for All” program, which does not yet offer kosher and halal options. See page 9.

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First graders at Shulamith School for Girls got close to some of the animals Noach brought into his tayva, at Green Meadows Farm in Queens. They enjoyed hay rides, pony rides, milking the cows and feeding the goats. Each girl also picked a pumpkin to take home. See Noach’s kid-rainbows on p. 10.

Noach’s delights: The colors of fall

By Ron Kampeas, JTA WASHINGTON — The case of Joseph Jesner v. Arab Bank is a bid by about 6,000 Israelis who were harmed by Palestinian terrorism to get redress from Jordan’s Arab Bank, which delivered money to the groups that carried out the acts.

Yet when the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in the case on Oct. 11, the event most often cited was a fistfight between a French official and a French adventurer in Philadelphia in 1784.

The Jesner case is an important test of corporate liability abroad for acts of terror. Lawyers for Jesner, the father of a 19-year-old man murdered in a Tel Aviv bus bombing in 2002, and

P’stinian terror on docket of US Supreme Court

Lech-Lecha • Oct. 27, 2017 • 7 Cheshvan 5778 • Luach page 21 • Torah columns pages 20–21 • Vol 16, No 40 • TheJewishStar.com

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Ceda hu s emembe s

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A shopper browses in book-lined Westside Judaica, which is set to close.

Ben Sales, JTA

By Ben Sales, JTA Yaakov Seltzer remembers a different world, when he would sell his customers prayer books, then hand them an invitation to his daughter’s wedding.

When they would come in to Seltzer’s store to order a kippah for their new grandson, then ask him to attend the bris.

Or they would stop in on a Friday afternoon with nothing to buy, just to wish him a good Shabbat.

But though the Upper West Side of Manhattan is still heavily Jewish, the world Seltzer longs for has disappeared. And soon, so will his store, West Side Judaica, which Seltzer plans to close sometime next year.

When it shutters, after 83 years in operation, the neighborhood will be bereft of a Jewish bookstore. Only one Jewish bookstore, J. Levine Books and Judaica, will remain in all of Manhattan.

“I miss the people I used to have come into the store every week,” Seltzer said. “The new generation doesn’t support us. They

Judaica folds on the UWS

Shabbos Nachamu, Vaeschanan • Aug. 4, 2017 • 12 Av, 5777 • Five Towns candles 7:49 pm, Havdalah 8:56 • Torah columns pages 20–21 • Vol 16, No 28

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about consolation and thanks on Sunday night, at a shiur to mark Rabbi Lamm’s first yahrtzeit.

“Thank you so much for helping me through a terrible time,” Rebbetzin Shirley Lamm said at the Beis Haknesses of North Woodmere. “After 61 years of marriage, it’s really hard to let go.”

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Touro College said this week that it would begin to offer mens division classes in the Five Towns on Sept. 11.

Sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings will include psychology, business management and public speaking. Students interested in a fuller course load can take additional classes online or at Touro campuses in Queens or Brooklyn.

“We are thrilled to be launching this new location in one of the major metropolitan Jewish Dr. Henry Abramson, dean of Touro’s Lander College.

— including terms of a Syrian ceasefire negotiated with Russia that Israeli leaders believe may threaten the Jewish state.

Some of these issues are addressed inside, in columns on pages 4, 10 and 18.

Visit TheJewishStar.com on Thursday and Friday for more news reports, opinions and analysis.

Palestinian rioters in Jerusalem’s Old City protested Israel’s Temple Mount metal detectors, after Friday prayers on July 21. The detectors’ removal on Tuesday failed to satisfy protesters.

Yonatan Sindel/Flash90

lims persisted in refusing to enter the al-Aksa Mosque, instead praying outside.

Palestinian officials said they were not satisfied with Israel’s capitulation.

Meanwhile, concern was expressed even

by Jewish allies of President Trump over his and administration officials’ response to the slayings as well as other troubling actions

Touro opening in 5 Towns

During the nine troubling days leading up to Tisha B’Av, we mourn our latest victims in the Holy Land as well as our Temple.

Unrest, purportedly related to the installation of metal detectors near the Temple Mount after the assassination of two Israeli officers, continued on Tuesday despite removal of the devices. Mus-

ZAKA volunteers, including its chairman, Yehuda Meshi Zahav (right), clean the scene of Friday night’s deadly Palestinian terror attack at the Salomon family home in Halamish. Yehezkiel Itkin/ZAKA

CEDARHURST 29th ANNUAL SUMMER SIDEWALK SALE

By Tyler Marko, Herald Community News Hillel Day Campers were treated to a day of fun with a pair of New York Mets players when infielders Wilmer Flores and T.J. Rivera visited on July 21.

This was the third year that the camp, affiliated with HAFTR, hosted members of the Mets.

The kids split off into two groups and had either Flores or Rivera pitch to them. After taking their swings the kids formed a line for autographs. The camp provided photos of the two players, but many campers brought their own memorabilia — hats, baseballs and shirts — that they asked the players to sign.

Despite an even mix of Yankee and Mets fans among the campers, there were smiles all around. Jacob Grossman, one of the Hillel coaches and a self-described hardcore Mets fan, said the kids have been looking forward to this day. “100 percent, they’ve been very excited about it, meeting the players every year is really great for them,” he said.

Coby Agamie, 9, has met other Mets in previous years but was excited nonetheless.

His favorite part was “ getting the autograph and then getting to hit,” Agamie said.

Cooper Sobel, also 9, was especially excited to meet Rivera and Flores, as he said his father was getting them tickets to a game very soon. His favorite player, Yoenis Cespedes, may not have been there, but Sobel was still beaming after getting an autograph.

Camp Director Ari Solomon believes that everyone gets something out of events like this.

The children have “a great time, they love seeing the stars come out [and] I think the stars like to come out to play with the kids as well.”

It would appear that Solomon is right.

“It’s giving the kids something to smile about,” Rivera said, “it’s really for the kids, just let them enjoy some time with the players.”

Flores agreed. “It’s the smiles on their faces, it’s really cool,” he said. “Whenever I was growing up I never had this in my schools, so I really like doing this for the kids.”

Campers batter up!

Hillel meets Mets

Hillel campers lined up to get an autograph from Mets player T.J. Rivera. Coby Agamie, 9, was the first on line.

Tyler Marko

Death, riots in Israel; worries in D.C.

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The JEWISH STAR Mournful week

This week on pages 12-13

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Egyptian army imminent, the Israeli Air Force launched a preemptive strike, destroy-

Parsha Devarim • July 28, 2017 • 5 Av, 5777 • Five Towns Candlelighting 7:56 pm, Havdalah 9:04 • Torah columns pages 20–21 • Vol 16, No 27

War, Israel changed the world. It moved the Arabs from pan-Arab nationalism to every country for itself and established that underdog Israel was no longer the underdog — she was going to be around for a long time.

Fifty years ago, with an attack by the

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list,” including 160 rabbis from 24 countries whose letters confirming the Jewish identities of immigrants were rejected by the chief rabbinate in 2016. The list contains the See Orthodox ‘blacklist’ on page 4

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in Israel — and did so, legally, with no problem.

Herman’s case illustrates the bureaucratic confusion that has accompanied the publishing of the chief rabbinate’s so-called “black-

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The letter was declared invalid.

But several months later Herman, spiritual leader of the Orthodox West Side Jewish Center in Manhattan, obtained a license from the chief rabbinate to conduct that wedding

CEDARHURST 29th ANNUAL SUMMER SIDEWALK SALE

By Ben Sales, JTA In 2012, Rabbi Jason Herman wrote a letter to Israel’s chief rabbinate certifying that a friend of his who wished to get married was Jewish and single.

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Among presenters (from left): Judith Cohen of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, Rabbi Ahron Lopiansky of the Yeshiva of Greater Washington, Project Witness Director Ruth Lichtenstein, and Museum of Jewish Heritage CEO Dr. Michael Berenbaum.

Shoah resource center that combines scholarship with cutting-edge media to provide thought provoking, educational resources to schools, shuls and communities at large.

The conference will include a lecture on shaalos and teshuvos surrounding the Holocaust, by Rabbi Moshe Tarashansky of Michlalah in Jerusalem, and an in-depth discussion on the propaganda war that the Nazis waged against European Jewry — by Dr. William Meinecke See Shoah on page 6

Chief rabbinate ‘blacklist’ puzzles Orthodox rabbis

By Zachary Sharfman As the generation that bore witness to the Shoah is dying, Project Witness will host a three-day holocaust education conference next week on topic of “Transmitting Memory: Commemorating Heroism.”

The conference, which opens in Mahattan on Monday, July 24, will consider how the Jewish world can keep alive, after they’re gone, the legacy of those who lived through the terrors of the Holocaust.

Project Witness is a Brooklyn-based

Shu s a k u on h s Shabbos

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Fireworks marked the opening ceremony of the 20th Maccabiah Games in Jerusalem on July 6. The Maccabiah Games yielded “positive connections” to Israel for Yonatan Sindel/Flash90 athletes worldwide. See story on page 4.

Mac games spell unity

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the Nassau Coliseum on Sept. 15 and 16 — a few days before Rosh Hashana — “offends the sense of decency held by our residents,” said Legislator Howard Kopel of Lawrence. Hempstead Town Councilman Bruce Blakeman wrote to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson asking that Waters’ visa to be revoked.

Waters is an outspoken supporter of BDS, the boycott, disinvestment and sanctions movement against Israel, and has pushed his political agendas at his concerts.

Waters “maintains that he is not anti-Semitic, yet one of his primary images is an inflatable pig that floats above his concerts emblazoned with the Star of David,” Kopel said. Over the years, the pig has featured a wide range of political assaults in addition to those interpreted as being anti-Israel and anti-Jewish.

The Nassau County Legislature passed a law earlier this year that prohibits the county from doing business with anyone lending support to the BDS movement.

See Waters on page 6

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Joyous chag not optional

By Ben Sales, JTA Mark Zuckerberg wrote last December on Facebook that for him, “religion is very important.” Looks like he meant it.

The Facebook co-founder has been invoking Judaism a lot lately.

In May, he quoted a Jewish prayer at Harvard’s commencement. Two weeks ago he posted a picture of his daughter with a family kiddush cup. And on Saturday night, he posted a public apology at the end of Yom Kippur (see story on page 4).

It’s quite a transformation for a public figure who once defined himself as an atheist.

Although he was a member of the Jewish fraternity AEPi before he dropped out of Harvard, Zuckerberg didn’t discuss his Judaism much before 2015.

Replying to a comment last year, Zuckerberg wrote that he “went through a period where I questioned things, but now I believe religion is very At Sukkot, joy is not an option, it’s a important.” requirement.

Zuckerberg’s rePeople continue to suffer from natucent string of Jewish ral disasters, repression and genocide, affirmations began and America is reeling from the unfathnearly two years ago onable act of a man who took at least following then-pres59 lives and injured several hundred idential candidate people in Las Vegas on Sunday night.

Donald Trump’s call None of these tragedies can be unfor a ban on Muslims done, but our role is not to do nothing. entering the United We can comfort the bereaved and States. Being raised help them rebuild their homes and as a Jew, Zuckerberg their lives; members of our communiwrote, made him senties did more than contribute money to sitive to attacks on all the hurricane victims, many — includminorities. ing students in our day schools — gave “After the Paris of themselves, rushing to Houston to attacks and hate lend a hand and offer a shoulder. this week, I can only Amidst all of this we are commandimagine the fear Mused — particularly on Sukkot — to be lims feel that they will joyous. And when we sit in our Sukbe persecuted for the kahs on Wednesday night, that’s exactactions of others,” ly what we will be, remembering HashZuckerberg wrote, reem’s myriad blessings and believing, as ferring to that year’s our forebears did while they wandered terror attack in the in the midbar for 40 years, that HashFrench capital. em will keep his word and that we will, “As a Jew, my parin fact, enter the promised land. ents taught me that As we await the arrival of Mochiach, we must stand up we have our marching orders. And we against attacks on all should execute them with joy. communities. Even if —Ed Weintrob See Mark on page 12

TheJewishStar.com

The Newspaper of our Orthodox communities

As witnesses die, ‘Project’ keeps history alive

Roger Waters’ pig at the Gelredome in Arnhem, the NetherMork nl via WikiCommons lands, in 2005.

By Ed Weintrob It might be just one more brick in virulently antiSemitic rock superstar Roger Waters’ wall of hate, but for several Nassau County elected officials, it’s one step too far onto the dark side.

Allowing the former Pink Floyd frontman to play

Pols rip Nassau Coliseum appearance by anti-Semitic rocker, Roger Waters

Up against the wall

Parsha Matos-Masei • July 21 2017 • 27 Tamuz, 5777 • Five Towns Candlelighting 8:02 pm, Havdalah 9:10 • Luach page 19 • Vol 16, No 26

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By Rafael Medoff, JNS Jewish college students returning after their summer break encountered a wave of swastika daubings and anti-Israel activity on campuses across the country—and there are signs the hostility may intensify.

The latest incidents coincide with a new campaign See Campus anti-Semitism on page 10

Fresh wave of anti-Semitism hits campuses

By Ben Sales, JTA While the vast majority of Modern Orthodox Jews believe in G-d, send their kids to Jewish day schools, and make incomes well above the national average, they are less than unanimous in their views on whether women should be rabbis or synagogue presidents, on settlements in Judea and

What does it mean to be Modern Orthodox?

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Facebook CEO reasserting Jewish roots

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Sukkos • Friday, October 6, 2017 • 16 Tishrei 5778 • Luach page 21 • Torah columns pages 20–21 • Vol 16, No 37

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Jack Rybsztajn holds his great-grandson, Isaac.

Years earlier, in inset below, he holds his grandson, Marc, who is Isaac’s father.

Last March, The Jewish Star reported on the 70th wedding anniversary of Woodmere residents and Shoah survivors Bonnie and Jack Rybsztajn. On the occasion of Jack Rybsztajn’s 93rd birthday on July 12, his story continues.

By Celia Weintrob After the war ended, Jack Rybsztajn was desperate to get from Stuttgart to Brussels, where a few relatives were located.

Through two daring voyages on cargo trains, during which he was discovered and arrested, then ultimately given legal residence in Brussels, the couple and their future sister-in-law finally completed the journey. They had headed to Brussels to meet Jack’s sister Cyla, who to their dismay had left for Palestine one day before they arrived.

While in Brussels, the Rybsztajns ate at a kosher restaurant, where they saw a placard on the wall stating that a Mr. Jacobs, with a Brooklyn address, was looking for anyone named RYBSZTAJN who survived. Rybsztajn wrote to this man, saying he is the son of Yechiel Rybsztajn, who had been Mr. Jacobs’ nephew. Not long afterwards, a package containing a tallis and a pair of tefillin was received in Brussels, plus papers authorizing his travel to the United States.

However, “we stayed in Belgium for five years,” Rybsztajn recalled. “The gentile people of Brussels were so nice, which was such a relief after what we went through in Poland. So we stalled coming to America.” He mentioned the Shaydels, a well-to-do couple who welcomed the Rybsztajns into their See Shoah on page 7

He’s 93, and we can’t forget $10M ER rehab ups

By Ed Weintrob For Chani Newman of Far Rockaway, making aliyah with her husband and children, the answer to the question, “Why now?” was obvious. “We’re Jewish!” she said.

Thirteen-year-old Elishevah Feinberg of Woodmere, joining 201 other olim on board Nefesh B’Nefesh’s July 3rd magic

Here are some of the smiling Long Islanders who flew Nefesh B’Nefesh’s magic carpet ride on July 3, going “all in” and making aliyah to the promised land. Jonathan Yehoshua of Kew Gardens Hills (left) said he’s waited long enough to fulfill the dream — he retired from teaching on July 1 and was boarding the first flight

Join 201 olim on Nefesh B’Nefesh’s 56th charter

Parsha Pinchas • July 14, 2017 • 20 Tamuz, 5777 • Five Towns Candlelighting 8:07 pm, Havdalah 9:15 • Luach page 19 • Vol 16, No 25

The JEWISH STAR LIers go all in with Israel

This week on pages 16-17

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Video art is projected onto the walls of Jerusalem’s Old City during a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Jerusalem’s reunification in the Six-Day War.

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by President Trump and celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem.

During a ceremony in the presidential residence, Rivlin identified himself as a seventh-generation Jeru-

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tion in West Hempstead on Monday.

They each contributed at least eight inches of hair, which will be delivered to Zichron Menachem to make wigs for children with cancer. Twenty-two ponytails were donated, including six from students and parents who had previously cut their hair and See West Hemp hair on page 13

This week in centerfold

Children from HALB’s kindergarten last week visited HALB’s Woodmere campus — Big HALB, they called it. The annual end-of-year visit enables our kindergartners to experience firsthand what it means to be a first grader. They met HALB administrators, including their principal, Richard Altabe, who entertained the kindergartners with an amusing story of his first day in HALB’s kindergarten when he was their age. The high point of the visit was spending time with the first grade teachers, Morah and Rebbe.

From little HALB … to big HALB

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to meet growing demand.

Oded Revivi, the mayor of Efrat (one of Israel’s largest settlements) and foreign spokesman of the Yesha Council, a coordinating body for Judea and Samaria’s muSee Israel on page 4

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Britain Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn— who in 2009 called Hezbollah and Hamas his “friends” — said he would not attend a dinner commemorating the centennial of the Balfour Declaration. Prime Minister Theresa May she would attend “with pride” and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu would be her guest.

“We are proud of the role we played in the creation of the State of Israel and we will certainly mark the centenary with pride,” May said. “I am also pleased that good trade relations and other relations that we have with Israel we are building on and enhancing.”

Corbyn boycotts B’four event

SEE PAGE 27

Niveen Rizkalla working with IsraAID in Santa Rosa, Calif., in the wake of deadly wildfires there.

By Ron Kampeas, JTA WASHINGTON — For 17 years, the Israeli NGO IsraAID has been performing search and rescue, purifying water, providing emergency medical assistance and walking victims of trauma back to psychological health in dozens of disaster-hit countries.

But no season has been busier than this past summer and fall, its co-CEO Yotam Polizer said in an interview — and nowhere more than in the United States.

“The last few months have been unbelievable,” he said, listing a succession of disasters that occupied local staff and volunteers since August: Hurricane Harvey in Texas, Hurricane Irma in Florida,

Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, and then the wildfires in northern California.

Polizer recalls that he was wrapping up a visit to IsraAID’s new American headquarters in Palo Alto on Oct. 8 and was on his way to a flight to Mexico to oversee operations after a devastating earthquake there when he got word of the wildfires. “I literally had to do a Uturn,” he said this week in an interview at the Israeli embassy in Washington.

Polizer spoke with the exhilaration of an executive whose team has come through a daunting challenge. “We’re the people who stay past the ‘aid festival’,” he said, grinning, describing the See IsraAID on page 5

IsraAID brings relief to U.S. disasters

Arthur James Balfour

t was a minor news story when it broke in the summer of 2016. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas announced he was suing Great Britain over the Balfour Declaration, issued on Nov. 2, 1917. But as we observe the centennial of the document this week, it’s important to understand that although his lawsuit was a stunt, Abbas was serious. More than that, the symbolism of his See Tobin on page 22

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To Abbas and Hamas, it was ‘original sin’

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or the Palestinians, the year zero is not 1948, when the state of Israel came into being, but 1917, when Great Britain issued, on Nov. 2, the Balfour Declaration—expressing support for the establishment of a “Jewish national home” in Palestine.

So central is the Balfour Declaration to Palestinian political identity that the “Zionist invasion” is officially deemed to have begun in 1917—not in 1882, when the first trickle of Jewish pioneers from Russia began arriving, nor in 1897, when the Zionist movement held its first congress in Basel, nor in the late 1920s, when thousands of German Jews fleeing the rise of Nazism chose to go to Palestine.

The year 1917 is the critical date because that is when, as an anti-Zionist might say, the Zionist hand slipped effortlessly into the British imperial glove. It is a neat, simple historical proposition upon which the entire Palestinian version of events rests: an empire came to our land and gave it to foreigners, we were dispossessed, and for five generations now, we have continued to resist. Moreover, it is given official sanction in the Palestine National Covenant of 1968, in which article 6 defines Jews who “were living permanently in Palestine until the beginning of the Zionist invasion” as “Palestinians”—an invasion that is dated as 1917 in the covenants’ notes.

As the Balfour Declaration’s centenary approached, this theme is much in evidence.

There is now a dedicated Balfour Apology See Cohen on page 22

Viewpoint

Ben Cohen

To British, Palestine just another colony

At declaration’s centennial, a source of joy and derision

Vayera • Friday, November 3, 2017 • 14 Cheshvan 5778 • Luach page 21 • Torah columns pages 20–21 • Vol 16, No 41

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ister Benjamin Netanyahu to “hold back on settlements for a little bit.”

Yet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on June 6, “Alongside our desire to reach an agreement with our Palestinian neighbors, we will continue to protect the settlement enterprise and strengthen it.”

This week on pages 8-9

Eytan Feiner of The White Shul, “When Yitzchak met Rivkah: Torah’s first mention of martial love”; Michal Horowitz, “Ahavas Yisrael: In theory or in prac-

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Reuven Taragin, founder and director of Yeshivat Hakotel Community Education Conferences, “Torah tips on how to build and maintain a strong marriage”; Rabbi tice?”; Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum, mora d’asra, Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst, “Raising successful children”; Rebbetzin Lisa Septimus, yoetzet halacha of the Five Towns and of the Great Neck Synagogue, “Where do babies come from — addressing grown up matPhotos by Doni Kessler ters with children.”

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But this year, observant and non-observant Jewish girls and women broke down barriers and stereotypes about one another, in a way not fully experienced previously.

While showing a table how to braid a six-strand challah, event volunteer Nechama Schechter struck up a conversation with an attendee who identified as a Conservative See Challah on page 4

Larry David, who did Shoah comedy on SNL, at the Tribecca Film Festimval in 2009. David Shankbone

A school district in Pennsylvania is investigating social media posts from students on a senior class trip that mocked exhibits at the U.S. Holocaust Museum.

Most of the students from the Forest Hills School District visiting the Washington museum on Nov. 1 were respectful, the class president, Gabe Singer, told the Associated Press. But he said some others reportedly made disrespectful statements next to a photo of a pile of shoes taken from prisoners at a Nazi concentration camp that

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were posted on Snapchat.

Those students “made a mockery of what they saw,” Singer told AP. In a public letter, he apologized on behalf of his classmates and called their actions “unacceptable,” according to AP. Singer said he hoped the students who come after his class will still be able to visit the museum.

Forest Hills School District Superintendent Edwin Bowser told AP that school officials are looking into the students’ conduct.

HSers find laughs in Shoah

By The Jewish Star With history being rewritten to spin the Holocaust as just another bad day, and as political differences with the government of Israel provide anti-Semites with cover to spread the vilest of Jew-hating canards, comedian Larry David crossed yet another red line on motzei Shabbat, inserting sexually-charged Holocaust humor into his opening monologue on NBC’s hugely popular “Saturday Night Live.”

“I’ve always been obsessed with women, and I’ve often wondered if I’d grown up in Poland when Hitler came to power and was sent to a concentration camp, would I be checking women out in the camp?

I think I would,” he said.

The SNL in-studio audience appeared to greet David’s “jokes” with some usease, and the Jewish creator and star of the HBO comedy “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and co-creator of “Seinfeld” was rapidly slammed across the internet.

While SNL was still on the air on Saturday night, ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt wrote on Twitter that David “managed to be offensive, insenstive and unfunny all at the same time. Quite a fear.”

On Monday, the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County said in a statement: “Memorializing the millions of victims of the Holocaust and cherishing the remaining survivors of this most terrible period in human history are sacred responsibilities. Sadly, there are those who would make light of what these men, women and 1.5 milSee Red line on page 5

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This display greeted participants in Challah Bake Long Island Style on Nov. 1. The Jewish Star / Celia Weintrob

By Celia Weintrob The 2017 Challah Bake Long Island Style accomplished a second goal on Wednesday evening, Nov. 1. Yes, dough was made and braided, challah samples were tasted, recipes were shared, and education about the mitzvah of taking (and baking) challah was imparted among 1,350 participants at the Sands Atlantic Beach.

Time to make the challah

HANC High Schoolers prepared challah as part of the school’s Shabbos Project participation.

See story on page 9. Pictured, from left: Rebecca Linder, Rebecca Cohen, and Sarah Levian.

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Red line falls as NBC jokes about Shoah

Chayei Sarah • Friday, November 10, 2017 • 21 Cheshvan 5778 • Luach page 21 • Torah columns pages 20–21 • Vol 16, No 42

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Presenters at Sunday’s conference, from left: Elisheva Kaminetsky, SKA director of religious guidance, limudei kodesh, “Empowering choices”; Rabbi

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Wine & Dine

Gluten-free by necessity or choice? Tasty deserts!

JONI SCHOCKETT kosher kitchen

Celiac disease is a common autoimmune disease that affects the ability to digest gluten, the protein found in wheat, rye and barley. The issue is the chemical, gliadin, to which patients form an intolerance. People with Celiac who eat these products get sick with symptoms ranging from severe intestinal pain and suffering to symptoms so mild that many don’t recognize a problem until something more serious crops up.

The only way to deal with Celiac disease is to avoid gluten, which means all wheat, rye and barley products and, some research thinks, oat products, also. There are no meds to treat the disease, but there are some meds to treat the symptoms until a wheat-free diet is firmly established.

Many people have believed that Celiac disease is more prevalent in Ashkenazic Jews.

Some research still says this is true, but new research, as recent as May of 2016 (by the American Gastroenterological Association in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology) has found that this is not the case (“the rate of celiac disease among patients of Jewish and Middle Eastern ethnicities was similar to that of other Americans”). In fact, the group in America that suffers most from this illness is those who originated from the Punjab region of India. This may be one disease that does not, in fact, strike the Ashkenazic population at increased numbers.

Still, for those who have Celiac, this research is no comfort. For decades, finding foods that were completely gluten-free has been a challenge. Luckily, that is no longer the case, perhaps because so many people have joined the GF population, many by choice. While Celiac disease is a serious, but manageable, condition, many others believe that they are gluten intolerant or gluten sensitive. There has been a lot of research on this and, so far, there is no consensus. Some feel that Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity, or NCGS, is a real condition, while many medical specialists believe that only a very tiny fraction of people have a sensitivity to gluten without having Celiac. Many people report that they feel better when they avoid gluten. This has translated into a demand for clear labeling and more GF products The bottom line is that if you have Celiac, you must refrain from eating anything with glu-

ten. If you think you are gluten sensitive, and you feel better avoiding gluten, then avoid it.

If you feel that avoiding gluten will help you stay on a lower carb diet, then do it. Happily, avoiding gluten is not as hard as it once was, and there are lots of cookbooks to help you and delicious recipes that you can make to keep you healthy and happy.

NOTE: Many companies make GF flour. I like King Arthur.

GF Banana Bread (pareve)

1-3/4 cup King Arthur GF Flour (for other flours, use 9.5 ounces) 1 Tbsp. baking powder (GF) 1 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. xanthan gum 5-6 large, very ripe bananas 9 Tbsp. butter or trans-fat-free pareve margarine, melted and cooled 2 large eggs 3/4 cup firmly packed golden brown sugar 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract 1/2 cup walnuts or other nuts (omit if desired) 1/2 to 3/4 cup mini-chocolate chips (omit if desired) 2 Tbsp. Turbinado sugar Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a bread pan and set aside.

Place the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and xanthan gum in a large bowl. Whisk gently to blend.

Peel the bananas, cut into pieces and place in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 2 minutes. Let cool for 30 seconds and microwave for 3 minutes. Let cool for 1 minute. Pour the bananas into a strainer over a bowl and let sit for 15 minutes. Stir several times to release more liquid. Scrape the bananas into a medium bowl and pour the liquid into a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer. Reduce liquid to 1/4 cup. Pour

the liquid over the bananas and mash with a potato masher until smooth. This step increases the banana flavor and moistness of the bread.

Add the melted margarine, eggs, sugar and vanilla and whisk until smooth.

Pour the liquid into the flour mixture and whisk until blended and smooth. Add the nuts and chips and mix.

Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle with the Turbinado sugar. Bake until golden and a tester comes out clean, about 60 to75 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes and then remove from the pan. Serves 10+ Sweet Enough Cornbread for Dessert or Tea (dairy) Corn is naturally gluten-free, but many cornbread recipes include flour. This one does not.

Adding the sugar and a bit of maple syrup adds a delicious sweetness to this, making it perfect for a light dessert or with tea on a cold winter afternoon. Making this in a skillet ensures a crisp crust and a moist interior.

2-1/4 cups yellow cornmeal 1-1/2 cups sour cream 1/2 cup whole milk or almond milk or almond coffee creamer 1/4 cup canola oil 5 Tbsp. butter 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract 1 Tbsp. sugar 1 Tbsp. golden brown sugar 1 Tbsp. pure maple syrup Pinch salt 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. baking powder 2 large eggs Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the cornmeal, sour cream and milk in a bowl and whisk to blend. Set aside to soften the cornmeal.

Heat an oven-proof, 10-inch skillet for about 2 to 3 minutes. (A cast-iron skillet is perfect for this, but any oven-proof skillet will do.) Add the oil and heat over medium heat until it just barely begins to smoke. Add the butter and hold the pan off heat until the butter is melted. Pour into the cornmeal mixture and whisk to blend. Place the skillet back on very low heat. If it begins to smoke, remove from heat, let cool a minute, and place back on heat. The goal is to keep the pan hot.

Quickly, add the vanilla, sugars and maple syrup to the cornmeal mixture and whisk to blend. Add the salt, baking powder and baking soda and whisk. Add the eggs and whisk until smooth.

Carefully scrape the batter into the hot pan

Slow cooker pot roast recipe

By Jennifer Stempel, The Nosher via JTA As someone who runs her life a million miles per minute, but still values the fruits of a homecooked meal, the slow cooker is a mainstay in my kitchen. Because of this favorite small appliance, my family gets to enjoy rich, hearty meals that taste like they’ve been simmering all day, even on those days when I’ve got just a few minutes to get dinner on the table.

I especially love making this savory slow cooker pot roast for a festive Shabbat meal. Any good starchy side like rice, potatoes or noodles will sop up the juices in a fabulous way. Plus, if you’re lucky you’ll have leftovers, which I have been known to turn into pot roast tacos the next day.

Do the prep work the night before and set the slow cooker in the morning. By the time dinner rolls around, your neighbors will be knocking on your door to join your Shabbat table. I use a slow cooker liner to make cleanup easier.

Ingredients: 5-lb boneless beef chuck roast 1-1/2 tsp. kosher salt (or more, to taste) 1 tsp. fresh ground black pepper (or more, to taste) 2 Tpbs. olive oil 2 large sweet onions, diced 2 large carrots , diced 4 cloves of garlic, finely minced Large sprig of rosemary 12 ounces cremini mushrooms, chopped 15-ounce can low sodium beef broth 28-ounce can diced tomatoes 1 dried bay leaf Directions: Pat the beef chuck roast dry, and season with salt and pepper. In a large saute pan, heat the olive oil, and brown the beef on all sides (about 3 minutes per side).

While the beef is browning, layer the onions,

carrots, garlic, rosemary and mushrooms in the bowl of a slow cooker. Once the beef is browned on all sides, place the beef on top of the vegetables in the slow cooker.

Deglaze the saute pan with the beef broth, making sure to scrape up any dark spots from the pan. Pour the broth in the slow cooker. Pour the diced tomatoes over the beef and tuck in a dried bay leaf. Cover and cook on low for 7 hours.

Remove the beef from the slow cooker using kitchen tongs, and set on a carving board. Shred or slice, and serve with a starchy side dish. Or, you can remove the sprig of rosemary and the bay leaf and blend the vegetables into a thick sauce that can be used as a gravy.

Note: Steps 1 to 4 can be done the night before.

Store the bowl of the slow cooker in the refrigerator overnight, and continue from step 5 in the morning.

Jennifer Stempel blogs about her experiments in the kitchen at TheCubanReuben.com.

and smooth the top. Place in the oven and bake, rotating the skillet once, for about 13-20 minutes, until golden, the top begins to crack, and a tester comes out moist. Carefully remove the skillet from the oven and let cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove the cornbread from the skillet onto a plate or serve from the skillet. Serves 6 to 10. Great with butter and/or really excellent preserves.

Amazing Almond Cookies (Pareve)

These can be made either with toasted or plain almonds.

1 pound almond flour or ground almonds or grind 2-2/3 cup blanched almonds 4 large egg whites at room temperature 1-1/3 cups sugar (you can cut this a bit) 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract 1/4 tsp. pure almond extract 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate melted and cooled.

Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. If using whole almonds, finely grind the almonds using a food processor. Set aside. Beat the egg whites until foamy. Add the sugar two tablespoons at a time beating until stiff peaks form. Add the vanilla and almond extracts.

Remove the beater and add the nuts, gently folding them into the whites. Mixture should be thick. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto the prepared cookie sheets.

Bake at 350 degrees for 7 to 10 minutes.

Cookies will look dry and white, a bit light golden at the bottom. Let cool.

Melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler. When just melted, remove the top of the pan from the water base and set aside to cool for a minute or two. Mix often. Dip half of a cooled cookie into the chocolate and let the excess drip back into the pan. Place on a clean parchment lined baking pan and let cool or refrigerate until chilled. Makes about 18 to 24 cookies.

Judy JoSzef

WHO’s IN THE KITCHEN

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osts has has happened since I wrote my last article on the second day of a 12 day cruise.

On the ship for the first three nights of Chanukah, we were almost certain that we would not be allowed to light a menorah anywhere on board. But listed in the daily schedule was a self-led Chanukah lighting in a meeting room, between 5 and 6pm. Not sure what to expect, Jerry and I were pleasantly surprised when we entered. There was an electric menorah set on the table along with kosher wine and dozens of plastic wine glasses. Let’s give the Norwegian Cruise Line credit; after all, Jews are usually drinking wine during holiday celebrations, so they weren’t far off.

Within 15 minutes there were over 70 people in the room. Some Orthodox, some not, some who hadn’t lit candles since they were little kids.

Everyone came together. Jerry waited about 20 minutes to be sure that all the stragglers who wanted to be part of the candle lighting were present. He then lit the menorah and recited the brachot. After, he asked if others wanted to light a menorah themselves. A few were hesitant, as their Hebrew was a little broken, and they didn’t have a yarmulka. Jerry took off his baseball cap (he had a yarmulke underneath) and lent it to those who didn’t have one. For those who needed help, he guided them through the brachot.

On the second night of Chanukah, Jerry came prepared with seven extra yarmulkas. He brought no dress slacks for dinner, no decent shoes, but he overcompensated with the yarmulkas. The second night brought more people and the kitchen staff caught on and served kosher doughnuts and potato latkes. Of course everyone fell in love with Jerry, especially the over-80 crowd.

By the third night, there were well over 100 people packed into the room, it was standing

room only. Right before the candle lighting started, a non-Jewish Asian women came into the room and politely asked if she could witness the lighting of the Chanukah candles and listen to the accompanying Chanukah songs which she heard were beautiful. Jerry and a handful of Orthodox men leading the singing joyfully welcomed her.

Without warning, an apparently religiously devout women, standing in the front, demanded that the Asian woman leave the room. She asserted that she couldn’t stay, because she was not Jewish. Another man, who was Jewish, angrily yelled that he too was leaving, as this was not the way Jewish people should behave. What began as a beautiful moment began to deteriorate in divisive hostility, recriminations and accusations. The non-Jewish woman, in tears, left the room embarrassed, feeling rejected by her Jewish fellow travelers.

The Asian woman, it turns out, had visited Israel and was taken with the Jewish customs. When Jerry saw the man storm out of the room and the non-Jewish woman begin to leave, he ran after them and said to the man, ”You did the right thing and now you must return, as you did a kiddish Hashem.”

Jerry then deeply apologized to the woman for the inappropriate manner in which she was treated and said, “You are our most honored guest,” and insisted that she was the most important person in the room. He then loudly responded assertively to the irate woman, that if the non-Jewish woman wasn’t qualified to witness the Chanukah service, then he too wasn’t sufficiently Jewish to stay in the room and would leave along with everyone else.

Everyone began to clap and cheer in agreement and the candle lighting commenced in peace.

After the candle lighting and Maoatzur, Jerry thought it would be a nice idea to sing the Hatikvah. An Israeli woman didn’t like the idea because many people weren’t standing, and she began to scream, “You can’t sing the Hatiktvah

because everyone is not standing.” Jerry explained to her that was because some were elderly and didn’t hear well. Within a minute, all in the room were standing and singing the Israeli national anthem. I had tears in my eyes, as I remembered my dear friend, Debbie Shafran’s dad, Harry Engleman, a”h. He used to be incensed, when at Holocaust remembrance commemorations, or any other Jewish assemblies, when they didn’t play the Hatikvah. I thought he would be looking down at this eclectic group of Jews from all over the globe, standing together singing the Hatikvah. Jerry, standing all the way in the front, nodded to me, all the way in the back … we both were thinking the same thing.

And talking about cruises, here is a deliciously decadent recipe from the Holland America cruise line.

Holland America’s Bread and Butter Pudding With Vanilla Sauce Ingredients For the pudding:

1 quart milk 6 eggs, beaten 3 egg yolks, beaten 6 oz sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 1-1/2 lbs day-old bread 3 oz butter, melted 4 oz raisins For the sauce: 1 pint milk 1 pint heavy cream 1 vanilla bean 8 oz sugar 9 oz egg yolks Instructions If you don’t have custard cups, serve it family style in a large casserole dish. This recipe yields 15 servings of bread pudding and three pints of sauce. To make a rum sauce, add 1/4 cup of rum per every pint of vanilla sauce.

1. To make the custard, combine milk, eggs, egg yolks, sugar and vanilla; mix well.

2. To prepare the bread, cut in cubes, drizzle with butter and toast in the oven.

3. Combine custard, bread and raisins; fill buttered custard cups.

4. Bake in a water bath in a 325-degree oven for 45 minutes or until custard is set.

5. To make the sauce, heat milk, heavy cream, vanilla bean (cut in half lengthwise) and half of the sugar until it boils. Remove the vanilla.

6. Combine egg yolks and the rest of the sugar, then temper with part of the boiling milk while stirring constantly.

7. Pour tempered mixture into the remaining milk and return to the heat.

8. Stirring constantly, cook to 180 degrees.

Remove immediately from stove and strain into a bowl.

9. Cool using an ice bath — simply place the bowl in a larger bowl filled with icy water, being careful not to let the sauce get wet.

White bean soup with a secret Israeli ingredient

By Sonya Sanford, The Nosher via JTA I recently stumbled upon a Yemenite Jewish cookbook from the early ’60s called “Yemenite & Sabra Cookery,” by Naomi and Shimon Tzabar.

The first page features a recipe for zhug, a classic Yemenite hot sauce, and a few pages later there’s one for a very simple white bean soup. I’ve been a longtime fan of topping white bean soup with homemade pesto or herb sauce; creamy rich white beans are well complemented by fragrant earthy fresh herbs.

These two recipes jumped out at me, calling to be combined.

Zhug (or skhug; pronounced s-kh-oo-g) is found throughout the Middle East, and was brought to and made popular in Israel by Yemenite Jews. It is used to add heat to many dishes, from falafel, to shwarma, to schnitzel, to sabich.

There are countless recipes for zhug, but it is always made with a combination of hot green or red peppers and cilantro/coriander. Often you’ll find it includes spices such as cardamom and caraway. Zhug is spicy, vibrant and complexly flavored with the combination of these herbs and spices. It’s not your average hot sauce.

This white bean soup is simple at its core and made with leeks, carrots, celery and just a few other ingredients. You can use chicken broth or vegetable broth for the liquid — even water will work.

If you have the time, or an Instant Pot (yes!), making the white beans from scratch will make the soup significantly better. For one, you can infuse the beans as they cook and soften with extra flavor from garlic and bay leaf. Then, the infused cooking liquid can also be added to the soup.

You can cook the white beans and make the

zhug several days in advance. Once everything comes together, and the soup is served and topped with the herby zhug, it makes this dish that much more impressive.

My first spoonful instantly warmed me. The spice and heat from the zhug, and the comfort of the creamy white beans, somehow elicit the feeling of heat from strong sunlight somewhere very far away.

Ingredients: For the soup: 1 cup dry white/cannellini beans, or 2 (15-ounce) cans (about 3 -1/2 to 4 cups) Oil, as needed 1 large onion, diced small 1 large leek, white part only, diced small 1 carrot, diced small

1 rib of celery, diced small 1 Roma tomato, chopped small (or 1 tablespoon tomato paste) 6 cloves garlic, peeled and divided 2 large bay leaves, divided 3 sprigs thyme, leaves removed 10 cups (2-1/2 quarts) chicken broth, vegetable broth or water A spoonful of finely chopped parsley or cilantro stems (leftover from the zhug) Salt and pepper, to taste Juice of 1/2 a lemon, or to taste

For the zhug: 5 to 10 small jalapeno peppers (5 for mild, 10 for hot), sliced in half and deseeded 1 bunch cilantro 1 bunch parsley 1 large clove garlic, peeled 1 Tbsp. ground cardamom 2 tsp. caraway seeds (optional) 1 tsp. kosher salt Juice of 1/2 a lemon 1/4 cup oil (a mild neutral oil: sunflower, canola, grapeseed, etc.)

Directions: 1. If using dry beans: Soak the beans overnight. In a large pot or in an Instapot, cover the dried beans with 3 to 4 inches of water. Add a

large bay leaf and 4 peeled cloves of garlic to the pot. Simmer beans until tender.

2. To a large pot add a generous drizzle of oil over medium heat, and add the diced onion, leek, carrot and celery. Sauté the vegetables until softened, about 6-8 minutes. Add the chopped tomato (or tomato paste), 2 peeled garlic cloves, 1 bay leaf, thyme and chopped herb stems to the pot. Stir and sauté for another minute.

3. Add the liquid to the pot. If I’ve made the beans from dried, I like to add a few cups of the bean cooking liquid in addition to broth.

4. Add salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer and allow to simmer for 20 minutes.

5. Add the cooked or canned beans to the pot and simmer for another 20-25 minutes. Taste and season as needed. Turn off the heat and add the lemon juice.

6. At this point, you can serve the soup as is.

However, I prefer to remove about a third from the pot. I blend the remaining soup until light and creamy, using an immersion blender. I add the remaining soup back to the pot. This makes the soup satisfyingly smooth, with pops of beans and vegetables.

7. To make the zhug: To a food processor add the de-seeded jalapenos, parsley, cilantro, garlic, cardamom, caraway and salt. Pulse until finely chopped. If you don’t have a food processor, you can also chop the ingredients finely by hand.

Transfer the chopped mixture to a bowl. Add the oil and lemon juice, and stir until combined.

Zhug will last up to 2 weeks in a well-sealed container, or it can be frozen for up to 3 months.

8. Serve topped zhug to your taste. Serves 4 to6.

Sonya Sanford is a chef, food stylist and writer at sonyasanford.com.

THE JEWISH STAR December 29, 2017 • 11 Teves 5778

On our Chanukah cruise, am yisrael echad

15

Report: Rebbe among celebs baptized by Mormons

By Josefin Dolsten, JTA A researcher says Mormons have posthumously baptized the late Lubavitcher rebbe, the grandparents of Carrie Fisher and Steven Spielberg, and hundreds of Holocaust victims, violating an agreement to halt the practice.

Helen Radkey, a Salt Lake City-based independent researcher who has been looking into the Mormon practice of posthumous baptisms for two decades, said there are hundreds of examples of Jewish Holocaust victims being baptized in Mormon churches around the world since 2012. In a report released this week, she shared names of 20 such people who had been baptized.

“There are at least hundreds, probably more,” Radkey, a former Mormon who was excommunicated from the church in 1978, told JTA on Thursday.

The names cited by Radkey refer to Holocaust victims baptized from April 2012 and onward. In March 2012, the Mormon church, formally known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sent a letter to its congregations reiterating a 1995 policy that members should only do posthumous baptisms on their own ancestors and forbidding baptisms of Jewish Holocaust victims and celebrities.

In addition to hundreds of Holocaust victims, Radkey claims to have found other examples of famous Jews being baptized. For example, she says the late Chabad-Lubavitch leader Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson and his father, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, were baptized in 2015. So were philosopher Martin Buber in 2016, and the grandparents of Spielberg and Fisher in 2015 and 2017.

Radkey found the names in FamilySearch, a website used

by Mormons to trace family lineages and submit requests for proxy baptisms. Her study was first reported by The Associated Press.

The practice of proxy baptisms is a controversial one. Mormons are instructed to perform baptisms on dead relatives who did not have the opportunity to convert to the church.

However, in the 1990s it was discovered that Mormons had performed such rites on hundreds of thousands of Jews who died in the Holocaust. This angered Jewish groups, which said the practice disrespected the victims’ religious beliefs.

In 1995, the Mormon church reached an agreement with Jewish leaders to cease the practice, and it was emphasized in

Salt Lake Temple and the world headquarters of the Mormon church in Salt Lake City.

George Frey/Getty Images

the 2012 letter.

Radkey also says she found examples of family members of famous politicians, including Presidents Donald Trump, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, as well as relatives of celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, being posthumously baptized.

Eric Hawkins, a spokesman for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said the church was doing its part to ensure there were no posthumous baptisms.

“The Church cares deeply about ensuring these standards are maintained,” he said in a statement. “Each month, we re-

ceive a list of names of Holocaust victims from the [Simon] Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles. These are added to our database of names that require a direct family connection before temple work can be requested or performed.”

Four full-time employees at FamilySearch monitor the site for names of Holocaust victims and others that should not be added, Hawkins added.

The Anti-Defamation League, which has worked with the Mormon church on the issue, said the church was doing its part to prevent Holocaust baptisms.

“My sense is that they are making every good faith effort to first of all block these before they happen, [and] if in the case that something slips through and they become aware of it, they then remove it and reverse it,” ADL’s director of interfaith affairs, Rabbi David Sandmel, told JTA on Friday. “I’m satisfied that they take this seriously and that they are doing the best they can to fulfill the commitment they made on this.”

However, Gary Mokotoff, a Jewish genealogist who has been involved in the issue, begged to differ.

“If the problem still exists, whatever the church is doing to prevent it is not working” Mokotoff told JTA on Friday.

“A single person called Helen Radkey can find hundreds, if not thousands, of examples of Holocaust victims being submitted for posthumous baptism, then why can’t the church, which claims they actually have people working on it, find the very thing that Helen is finding?” he asked.

Mokotoff, who has relatives that died in the Holocaust, said the baptisms of Nazi victims were particularly jarring.

“These people died because they were Jews,” he said, “and here you are bringing them into a second religion even though these people are not related to you.”

The Simon Wiesenthal Center said the idea that Jews needed to be baptized was offensive. The parents of the center’s namesake, famed Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal, have previously been baptized by Mormons.

“We were sure that these baptisms were removed but we’re seeing that they’re not,” Rabbi Marvin Hier, the center’s founder and dean, said in a statement emailed to JTA. “We reiterated yet again the reasons we protested that it’s insulting that the People of the Book whom G-d made a Covenant would need the assistance of a group of Mormons to gain entrance to Heaven.”

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By Cnaan Liphshiz, JTA AMSTERDAM — Two weeks ago, a 29-year-old man waving a Palestinian flag smashed the windows of a kosher restaurant with a wooden club, stealing an Israeli flag there. Police arrested the suspect on the spot.

The Dec. 7 incident, which occurred the day after President Donald Trump declared that the United States officially recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, triggered an outpouring of condemnations by Dutch leaders. Prime Minister Mark Rutte called it “terrible,” and 15 lawmakers ate there that evening as a gesture of solidarity.

Yet just 60 hours later the suspect — identified in the media as Saleh Ali — was free. Authorities never divulged details about his identity and origins despite the absence of a gag order, and reports that Ali was a former combatant in Syria’s civil war in the Netherlands on an asylum-seeker visa.

The lack of clarity on these issues is feeding a growing resentment among the Jewish community here regarding the authorities’ handling of the attack itself, along with the aftermath. Some point to the police’s apparent inaction during the attack — in a video, authorities appear to witness the violent incident without interfering — as problematic. But to many Dutch Jews, perhaps the most disturbing aspect is that the draft indictment against Ali mentions only vandalism and theft.

In other words, Dutch officials don’t consider Ali’s actions a hate crime. And that, according to Jewish leaders, is a problem.

During the trial, which began here Wednesday, Ali declined to answer the judge’s questions and “kept going on about the Palestinian cause,” according to Saskia Belleman, the court correspondent of De Telegraaf daily, who reported the suspect has been assigned a psychiatric evaluation.

It also emerged in court that Ali told an officer after his arrest that the attack was “only the first step.”

Asked about the next step, he said: “I will tell you later, no one needs to know.”

Such statements are “chilling,” said Ronny Naftaniel, who spent 40 years at the helm of the Netherlands’ main anti-Semitism watchdog group, CIDI. “I have never encountered a case like this,” added Naftaniel, who retired in 2013. “And I am one of many Dutch Jews whose confidence in the judiciary has been compromised here.”

By contrast, police held a Dutch Jew named Michael Jacobs

A man waving a Palestinian flag smashed the windows of the HaCarmel kosher restaurant in Amsterdam on Dec. 7.

Ginopress B.V./AFP/Getty Images

for a week this summer for repeatedly standing near anti-Israel protesters while wearing an Israeli flag, even though there are no laws prohibiting it.

“Apparently the judiciary does not see any parallels” between Jacobs and the kosher restaurant attacker, Esther Voet, editor in chief of the NIW Dutch Jewish weekly, wrote in an op-ed published last week. “Far-right violence is swiftly punished. But this, that’s different. The Jews were asking for it.”

The Public Prosecution Service declined to tell JTA anything about the suspect but his age and city of residence in the Netherlands, which is Amsterdam. A spokesman declined to say why other details are being withheld. He said the suspect was released because “there were no grounds to detain him” any longer.

In the background of how authorities are handling the case, Voet said, is fear that the incident may help the Netherlands’ rising populist right wing — led by the anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders of the Party for Freedom.

“Authorities attempt, out of fear from further polarization in society, to sweep everything under the carpet, but it’s having the opposite effect,” she told the Metro daily. “We are not the Jews of past decades, we will not sit quietly as this happens to us. We will speak out.”

This reference to a past in which 75 percent of Dutch Jewry was murdered in the Holocaust is unusual for such a prominent representative of Dutch Jewry. But it’s not the only one. Frits Barend, one of the country’s best-known Jewish journalists, told De Telegraaf daily after the attack: “It reminds of me Kristallnacht” — the name for the 1938 pogroms organized by Nazis against Jews.

CIDI under its current director, Hanna Luden, called the suspect’s release “shocking.”

Coupled with the scaling back this year of police protection for Jewish-owned buildings in Amsterdam — a precaution that was taken after the 2015 slaying of four Jews in Paris by an Islamist — the incident at the HaCarmel kosher restaurant and its handling by authorities “are making Dutch Jews feel less safe,” Naftaniel said.

Earlier this year, similar complaints were heard from many French Jews. They vocally and persistently protested the absence of a hate crime charge from the indictment of a 27-yearold Muslim man who on April 4 killed Sarah Halimi, his 67-yearold Jewish neighbor, while shouting about Allah and calling her a demon. The man, Kobili Traore, had a history of anti-Semitic rhetoric.

Traore was not arrested but was hospitalized for weeks in an institution for treating mental illnesses, although he had no record of such problems. Police refused to disclose his whereabouts and the conditions of his detainment for months.

The Halimi attack occurred just weeks before presidential elections, which brought the far-right National Front party closer to power than ever. As such, the case was “covered up” by the judiciary, charged Francis Kalifat, the president of the CRIF umbrella of French Jewish communities, including during a public address before President Emmanuel Macron.

Amid local and international pressure, French prosecutors added hate crime charges in September.

But the Dutch Jewish community, which on Sunday held a Hanukkah ceremony in Amsterdam to thank police and the justice minister for their protection, has not yet reached their “Sarah Halimi moment,” Naftaniel said, referring to the silent marches that French Jews held to protest the affair.

“But the kosher restaurant has definitely caused many Dutch Jews to pause, look around and ask tough questions of the authorities,” Naftaniel said. “That’s a good thing.”

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THE JEWISH STAR December 29, 2017 • 11 Teves 5778

Dutch Jews irate over handling of latest attack

17

SHAbbAT STAR

‫כוכב של שבת‬

Read The Jewish Star’s archive of Torah columns at TheJewishStar.com/category/torahcolumns/browse.html

In Vayechi, an introduction to Biblical kissing O

ne striking note is that in a bunch of the Torah-kisses, it is unclear who kissed whom.

This leads Netziv to suggest that perhaps in some cases, they kissed each other. Another striking note is when a hug accompanies the kiss.

Under vayishak, we have these kisses: •Bereshit 27:27: Yaakov is pretending to be Eisav when Yitzchak asks him to give him a kiss.

Yaakov comes close, but it is unclear who kisses whom. There is no hug exchanged.

•Yaakov kisses Rachel in 29:11, and he does not hug her.

•Eisav hugs Yaakov at their reunion in 33:4, and then he kisses him.

•It seems that Yaakov kisses his grandsons Ephraim and Menashe (though the verse could be read that Yosef is kissing his sons) before Yaakov hugs them in 48:10.

•Yosef kisses his father’s dead face immediately after his father’s passing (50:1). There is no hug.

•Moshe and Aharon exchange a kiss, though it is not clear who kisses whom, in Shmot 4:27.

There is no hug.

•There is a kiss exchanged between Moshe and his father-in-law in Shmot 18:7. No hug.

•Shmuel kisses Shaul as he anoints him king in Shmuel I 10:1.

Under vayinashek: •We have Lavan hugging then kissing Yaa-

Rabbi avi billet Parsha of the week

T

he act of a kiss appears twice in our parsha, Vayechi. The first time is when Yosef presents his sons to Yaakov for a blessing.

The second time is immediately after Yaakov dies, when Yosef “falls on his father’s face and kisses him.” (50:1) The way that kisses are described in the Torah is either with the word vayishak or vayinashek.

The difference in the Hebrew spelling is the presence or lack of the letter nun. Is there a difference between these two kinds of kisses?

To try to get to the bottom of this conundrum, I took the liberty of finding all examples of both in the Torah (plus one in the books of prophets). It is worth noting that with only two exceptions, the kisses are always between men (who are usually very close relatives). Also, the only times a woman initiates a kiss in the Bible are in the Book of Ruth, first when Naomi kisses her daughters-in-law, and then when Orpah kisses her mother-in-law before returning to Moab.

The two exceptions, when a man kisses a woman, is when Yaakov kisses Rachel when he first meets her in Parshat Vayetze and, at the end of the same parsha, when Lavan kisses his daughters and grandchildren before he departs from them.

kov on his arrival in Charan (29:3), a kiss which Netziv says was returned.

•Lavan kisses his daughters and grandchildren before departing from them in 32:1, but he does not hug them.

•After revealing himself, Yosef cries on Binyamin, kisses all his brothers, then cries on each of them (45:14-15) before speaking to them once again.

In that there are all of three hugs in these exchanges, Netziv explains the difference between the order of how Lavan kisses Yaakov at first (and how Eisav kisses him at their reunion) versus how Yaakov kisses his grandsons. He says that when people are running towards each other, the first instinct is to catch each other in an embrace, and then to kiss. That accounts for Lavan and Eisav hugging first, then kissing. In the case of Yaakov with Ephraim and Menashe, on the other hand, since they were already right next to each other, the kiss came first, followed by the embrace.

Looking at the hug, however, is not helpful as an indicator, because it accompanies both kinds of kiss.

Using a verse from Mishlei 24:26, the claim is made in Mesechet Kallah Rabati (3) that vayinashek is a kind of kiss which is done with the whole body (or perhaps that the kiss could be planted anywhere on the body, such as the

No man can justify even a social kiss to any woman not his wife.

forehead, cheek, arm, shoulder, etc), while vayishak is done with the mouth (presumably the kiss is planted on or very close to the mouth), though it is a light kiss. n his Alei Tamar (Brachot 1), Rabbi Yissachar Tamar notes that there are different kinds of kisses. Most kisses are silly/meaningless, but there are exceptions. One of greatness — the kind Shmuel gives to Shaul. One of separation/ departure – the kind that takes place in the Book of Ruth. One that is periodical — such as when Moshe and Aharon reunite. Some say there is also a kiss of closeness — the kind that took place between Yaakov and Rachel.

He then goes on to describe how people kiss in different cultures (Rabbi Tamar lived from 1896 to 1982). Lithuanian rabbis might engage in the kiss of departure, or the kiss of greatness, in the quick manner we might see today at some weddings. The custom to kiss the hands of rabbis was more Middle Eastern and Hungarian, where they would specifically not kiss the face. In Poland, kissing someone else’s hand was “strange,” so much so that once when someone tried to kiss the hand of the Sfas Emes (following the Sephardic custom), the Rebbe pulled his hand back and did not allow for it to be kissed.

In the end, I conclude that I am not sure. Lavan utilizes vayinashek twice, and while I might therefore put that word in one category, the fact that Yosef also utilizes that form with his brothers indicates that the Torah’s choice of words in each context remains unclear to me.

See Vayechi on page 19

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December 29, 2017 • 11 Teves 5778 THE JEWISH STAR

18

AlAn JAy Gerber Kosher BooKworm

H

e was one of the greatest leading rabbinic figures of the last century; learned and polite, well versed in the codes; brave, direct and an effective communicator of G-d’s sacred teachings. His name, Rav Chaim Yisroel HaLevi Belsky, zt’’l. This week’s essay is devoted to his life’s sacred mission and purpose.

The book under review is “Rav Belsky, The Life of a Multi-dimensional Gadol: Rosh Yeshivah, Rebbi, Posek, Genius, Adviser, and Friend” (Artsroll-Masorah), written by the leading biographer and historian, Rabbi Shimon Finkelman.

What follows are the biographer’s replies to a series of questions I submitted. The first query was direct and to the point: What is your take of your book?

“Some people contend that all gedolim biographies are basically the same. I do not believe that is true, and certainly not in the case of Rav Belsky. As the subtitle of the book states, he was

a ‘multi-dimensional gadol.’ He was an absolute genius who was absolutely down-to-earth, friendly, warm, caring. His chesed, his great heart, was something incredible.

With regards to his Torah learning, he did not rely on his genius; rather, he studied diligently, reviewing his learning again and again throughout his life. He was a rebbi, a rosh yeshivah, a great posek and av beis din and, perhaps, the greatest expert of his time in the field of kashrus.

“He was the rav of a summer camp where he would devote himself heart and soul to leading and teaching a large group of bachurim who dedicated much of their summer vacation to limud haTorah. He took them on hikes, to Niagra Falls, played paddle ball with them … certainly not the typical gadol biography.”

My next question: What do you intend to accomplish with this book?

“It is said in the name of the Chazon Ish that a biography of a gadol is a mussar sefer, it is an

instruction manual for how to live as a Jew in this world in accordance with the Torah’s teachings. In the case of Rav Belsky, who was born and bred in America, his story is especially instructive for our generation.

“Yes, he was a genius, but that does not preclude our learning from his selflessness, his ahavas Yisrael, his love of G-d and his Torah, his constantly seeking to see the greatness of Hashem in this beautiful, wondrous world that He created. In a nutshell, reading about Rav Belsky should inspire us to become better people and better Jews.”

Now, my final questions. First, what role in our people’s history has Rav Belsky played, and what will be his lasting legacy?

“A number of today’s great askanim in klal Yisrael are talmidim of Rav Belsky. His impact in the field of kashrus, his innovations and rulings in that area will have a positive effect for generations to come. But as he once said in the last years of his life, his greatest legacy will be through the scores of talmidim who passed through Room 206 in Mesivta Torah

Vodaath in the half century that he was rebbi of his talmidim. Each talmid, whatever his walk of life, impacts on his family and community and in that sense, Rav Belsky and his teachings live on. And my hope is that through this book, thousands who never knew this great gaon and tzaddik will learn from his ways as well.”

In their heartfelt dedication to this sacred work, Yaakov and Ilana Melohn shared with us the following sentiments, which will conclude this week’s essay.

“For over 42 years, Rav Belsky, zt’’l, was not only my beloved rebbe, chavrusa, best friend, and confident, he was also like a father to me, and a grandfather to my children. … He made us what we are. No family could have had a greater privilege. …

“He did not have a free moment — but for anyone in need, he had endless time. He was a precious treasure of klal Yisrael — who can replace him?

“The story of Rav Belsky’s life will inspire generations to increase their ahavas Yisrael, study of Torah, and their service to G-d and of all klal Yisrael.

“May He be a meilitz yosher for all his family and our entire nation.”

Joseph’s reassuring words: ‘Am I instead of G-d?’ rAbbi dAvid etenGoff

S

efer Bereishit contains the only instances in Tanach of the phrase, “Am I instead of G-d?” One of these appears in our parasha, Vayechi (50:19), and the other in parashat Vayatze (30:2). This week, the context is the dialogue that ensued between Joseph and his brothers following the burial of Jacob in Eretz Yisrael: “So, shall you [the brother’s messengers] say to Joseph, ‘Please, forgive now your brothers’ transgression and their sin, for they did evil to you. Now please forgive the transgression of the servants of the G-d of your father.’ Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also went and fell before him, and they said, ‘Behold, we are your slaves.’ But Joseph said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid, for am I instead of G-d’?” (50:17-19) The Midrash Sechel Tov (Buber) on our verse notes that Joseph’s question is really a rhetorical device, and not a question at all: “Joseph spoke to his brothers in a declarative manner (literally, “expression of certainty”). For in this case, ‘for am I instead of G-d’ is an expression [of the truth]. It is as if Joseph said: ‘I have within me one of the ethical characteristics that is similar

Vayechi...

Continued from page 18 However, there is one thing that I am sure about. With the exception of Yaakov kissing Rachel, and of Shmuel and Shaul, all of these kisses took place between close relatives (with Shmuel and Shaul being close as teacher/protégé) and between people of the same sex.

Public kisses between spouses are not present. And certainly they’re not present between people who are not spouses to one another.

I know it is old-school, and meaningless to many people, but I still cannot fathom how any man can justify even a social cordial kiss to any woman who is not his wife. And vice versa.

The kiss might sometimes be meaningless, either to the giver or the receiver, but as perceived by others it is never meaningless. May we use the kiss with discretion, appropriately, and when intimate, in a modest, private fashion.

in kind to that of the Holy One Blessed be He, namely, just as the Holy One Blessed be He is willing to overlook sin, so, too, I am willing to overlook sin’.”

In sum, according to this interpretation, Joseph is emulating Hashem and his statement of, “for am I instead of G-d,” emerges as the ultimate reassurance to his brothers that he will not retaliate against them for their grievous sin of having sold him into Egyptian slavery. This approach is strongly supported by the succeeding two verses: “Indeed, you intended evil against me, [but] G-d designed it for good, in order to bring about what is at present to keep a great populace alive. So now, do not fear. I will sustain you and your small children. And he comforted them and spoke to their hearts.” (50:20-21) arashat Vayatze’s use of our phrase, “Am I instead of G-d?” is very different than the way it is employed in our parasha. Therein, Rachel Emeinu undergoes intense psychological pain resulting from her infertility: “And Rachel saw that she had not borne [any children] to Jacob, and Rachel envied her sister, and she said to Jacob, ‘Give me children, and if not, I am dead’.” (Bereishit 30:1) Although the Torah informs us that Jacob “loved Rachel more than Leah,” he answered her in an exceedingly harsh manner: “And Jacob became angry with Rachel, and he said, ‘Am I instead of G-d, Who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?’”

(30:2) It should be noted that Rashi explains Jacob’s words as connoting, “Am I in His place?”

The previous Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Chafetz Chaim, Rabbi Alter Chanoch Henoch Leibowitz zatzal, was deeply disturbed by Jacob’s marked insensitivity to his beloved wife and asked: “Why did Jacob not speak to her in a gentle [and consoling manner]?” In his answer, Rav Leibowitz sheds light on the psychological factors that cause one to sin: “In the case of Ya’akov Avinu there were no personal reasons or powerful desires to sin [that would lead to his mistreating Rachel]. Therefore, he should have practiced the direct opposite behavior, especially since his very nature was to act mercifully toward his beloved wife. [Had he done so,] he would have been able to understand her depressed and downtrodden spirit, instead of admonishing her for her feelings!”

Why, then, did Jacob rebuke Rachel in such a deliberately hurtful manner?’

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av Leibowitz suggests the following interpretation and in so doing asks another question in his quest to clarify Jacob’s actions: “The reason as to why Jacob so callously chided her was because he consciously suppressed his feelings of mercy, for he thought in so doing he was serving Hashem (l’shame shamayim). As the Seforno states in his commentary on our verse: ‘Jacob was angry in his zealousness for the honor of his Creator, as such, he [intentionally] did not look toward the love he had for her [Rachel] concerning this matter.’ All of this remains quite difficult, however, for how is it possible that Jacob came to the point of actually performing a sin instead of reproving [his beloved wife] in a gentle [and supportive] manner — after all, were not his actions dedicated solely to serving the Almighty?”

Rav Leibowitz answers his question by noting that Jacob did not grasp the extent of Hashem’s kindness and mercy, and willingness to forgo His own divine honor rather than cause pain and suffering to the psychologically downtrodden.

As King David so powerfully declared in Psalm 34:18, “The L-rd is near to the broken-hearted, and He saves those of crushed spirit” — even when their abject misery leads them to cry out in seemingly disrespectful ways.

In contrast, Jacob, who was zealous for Hashem’s glory, believed that Rachel’s statement, “Give me children [Jacob], and if not, I am dead,” impugned the stature of the Almighty in an unforgiveable manner. According to Rav Leibowitz, Jacob’s fundamentally incorrect assumptions regarding the true extent of Hashem’s kindness and mercy led him to sin by responding harshly, rather than supporting Rachel in her hour of need. ne of Rav Leibowitz’s hallmarks was the application of his chidushei Torah to reallife scenarios in order to help his students refine their middot (ethical characteristics) and behavior. He uses our story of Ya’akov Avinu and Rachel Emeinu as just such a teaching moment: “It is entirely possible that we may undertake a particular action wherein our thoughts and intentions are completely l’shame shamayim.

Moreover, we may push ourselves to the ultimate limits (b’mesirut nefesh) in order to fulfill the will of Hashem. Yet, in truth, we will be considered as sinners and be punished for this action. This is

Why did Jacob rebuke rachel in such a deliberately hurtful manner?

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the case, since we have erred in our understanding of the overarching principles of the Torah (b’hashkafat haTorah).”

In his inimitable fashion, Rav Leibowitz notes that we are most likely to err in this way in situations wherein we criticize our fellow Jews: “We are particularly predisposed to sin when we think that there is a reason to admonish and distance ourselves from our fellow Jews. We do not recognize that if Ya’akov Avinu was able to err because he failed to understand the extent of the Holy One Blessed be He’s love [for the Jewish people], all the more so is it the case that we are likely to sin [in such matters] — since we, too, very likely will be unable to perceive the extent of Hashem’s kindness and mercy. Therefore, we must be conscientious in the examination of our actions — even when our intentions are purely l’shame shamayim — since we, too, are so easily able to come into the grips of sin.”

I believe that Rav Leibowitz has taught us a profound lesson as to how we should treat our fellow Jews. Not too surprisingly, it dovetails with one of Rabbi Akiva’s most famous declarations, as found in Pirkei Avot III:14: “Beloved are Israel, for they are called children of G-d; it is a sign of even greater love that it has been made known to them that they are called children of G-d, as it is stated, ‘You are children of the L-rd your G-d’.” (Devarim 14:1) With Hashem’s help and our heartfelt desire, may Rabbi Akiva’s words become etched upon our hearts and guide our actions today, tomorrow and in the future. V’chane yihi ratzon.

Luach

Fri Dec 29 • 11 Teves Parsha Vayechi Candlelighting: 4:17 pm

Havdalah: 5:27 pm

Fri Jan 5 • 18 Teves Parsha Shemos Candlelighting: 4:24 pm

Havdalah: 5:34 pm

Fri Jan 12 • 25 Teves Parsha Va’rira Shabbos Mevarchim Candlelighting: 4:31 pm

Havdalah: 5:41 pm

Five Towns times from the White Shul

THE JEWISH STAR December 29, 2017 • 11 Teves 5778

Rav Yisroel Belsky: Multi-dimensional gadol

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December 29, 2017 • 11 Teves 5778 THE JEWISH STAR

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Let’s stop shooting blanks at Senator Schumer EZRA FRIEDLANDER

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n the aftermath of the release of Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin, we’ve seen much jubilation. But that was followed quickly by speculation from members of our community regarding the role or lack thereof of Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer in the advocacy pertaining to the president’s commutation of Rubashkin’s sentence. In the blogosphere especially, there have been efforts urging people to contact Senator Schumer’s office to express their “outrage” and calling him out on this issue. These recommendations were generally accompanied by lots of chest-pounding and inflammatory language.

There have been those who suggested that even Nancy Pelosi, the non-Jewish woman who represents California’s 12th Congressional District, expressed her written consent for a commutation of Mr. Rubashkin’s sentence — and yet, Chuck Schumer, who calls himself the “shomer yisroel,” refused to write a letter.

I’m always amazed at how our community manages to shoot ourselves in the foot and display our political immaturity to the world. Or perhaps the right verbiage here might be “political suicide.”

There’s an old expression — those who know don’t speak, and those who speak don’t know.

Dear readers: Do you think for one moment that Nancy Pelosi, the House Democratic leader, is not in contact with Schumer, Democratic leader of the Senate, on a daily basis? Do you think they don’t work together to formulate the official policy of the Democratic caucus?

Wouldn’t you think that Schumer had given her the green light of approval before she decided to write a letter as sensitive as this to President Trump? Are we really so immature not to realize this? In my opinion, this proves that those who are writing these opinions have zero understanding of the governmental process. ome may counter by asking why Schumer didn’t write his own letter as well? I don’t have the answer to that question. But I can assure you of one thing: Nancy Pelosi would never write a letter of advocacy for Rubashkin without Senator Schumer’s advance notification and tacit approval.

Let me reiterate that I am not privy to inside information on this issue.

I am just surmising what must have occurred based on my understanding of the political process. As a consultant who has been in similar situations in the past, this is my conclusion.

The Rubashkin case was very important to our community and I was as outraged as everyone else about the travesty of justice, and I was elated at the news of his commuted sentence.

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We all have tremendous hakoras hatov to President Trump and appreciate this commutation.

But we need to understand that there is also a tomorrow. There was also a yesterday. And that yesterday included Senator Schumer coming out against the Iran deal.

It’s never a good idea to try to convince an elected official that he is not our friend.

I’m not just addressing the Schumer issue on this; it’s something we have to realize when it comes to other officials as well. Because guess what happens. When you declare someone as your enemy, that is eventually what he will come to be. Once we write him off, this is how he will come to be perceived. And that is not responsible politics for our Jewish community. he community must internalize that Chuck Schumer is as powerful as they come. In his capacity as Senate Democratic leader, there are a myriad of issues that the community approaches him on for support. And in many cases he responds positively. The day might come when he will be even more powerful as Senate majority leader.

Is it really in the best interest of our community to be in a situation where he views us as confrontational?

We need to conduct ourselves more pragmatically. For example, I personally supported

When you declare someone an enemy, that is what he will come to be.

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Hillary Clinton for president. Yet the moment that Donald Trump was elected, I accepted him as my president and work with the White House accordingly. I treat the office of the presidency with the respect and honor that it deserves, and I’ve publicly condemned anyone who did otherwise. There is a time, a place, and a season for everything.

We as a community need to internalize the larger picture. Yes we are a vibrant and growing community, boruch Hashem, and we have much to be proud of. But our numbers are minuscule in the grand scheme of things. And we tend to shoot blanks. We sometimes declare war on an elected official, and when that happens outside of our local districts, we become marginalized. Elected officials at the highest level will pass us over and won’t even invite us to sit down at the table with them because of the immaturity with which we conduct our political and governmental relationships.

I say this as someone who is professionally engaged as the CEO of a public affairs consulting firm. I am in no way a community leader.

But I see the handwriting on the wall and I feel it’s time for us to take stock of our actions and add real value to all of our political interactions and relationships.

As far as the wonderful news of the president’s commutation of Mr. Rubashkin’s sentence is concerned — now that’s something we can all be proud of!

Ezra Friedlander is CEO of the Friedlander Group, a public policy consulting firm based in New York and Washington.

Standing there and taking it: Non-stop clicks TEHILLA R. GOLDBERG view from central park

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ast week, a video of IDF soldiers on duty in the Arab village of Nebi Salach went viral.

It showed teens repeatedly provoking the soldiers — the soldiers are pushed, slapped, screamed at and kicked. And the solidiers did not respond.

Most of the people I was exposed to responded to this video cringing with shame; some posted it with great reluctance, only to highlight problems that IDF soldiers face.

The soliders absorb the abuse with the physical limpness of a rag doll, with zero response.

Of course, some have heralded these IDF

soldiers for their valiant restraint. Certainly the wisdom of the IDF soldiers’ lack of response can be debated.

What stuck me, however, was that these teens were comfortable enough to not only invade the personal space of the IDF soldiers, Uzi guns in hand, but to make contact and hit them! If this is not a twisted testament to the restraint of the IDF and the depth of the utter safety and security the Palestinians feel in the presence of the patrolling IDF, I don’t what is.

Granted, the hitting of a soldier does not, G-d forbid, warrant his using a gun to kill. But where was the tear gas? There’s a non-fatal way of setting an immediate boundary for unacceptable aggression. arrating the video is the calm, mature grown-up voice of a woman. She is clearly validating and encouraging these teens’ behavior.

To be sure, this type of video is not a first.

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One of the teen girls pictured is from the Tamimi family of Nebi Salach.

Sadly, ever since she was a little girl she has been starring in videos, screaming or hitting IDF soldiers. Her mother is a Dutch woman who married a Palestinian Arab. The girl has sadly been used ever since she was a little girl. She boils over in hate.

Word is that over the years, the Tamimi home has been host to various anarchists, NGOs, media, and even Israeli organizations such as B’Tselem and Breaking the Silence.

Over the years there have been many videos, such as this one, starring this Tamimi daughter (I don’t know her first name). In one that I noticed, as you see her as the little girl

provoking IDF soldiers, the weird thing is that you hear non-stop clicks of cameras, presumably of European photojournalists just waiting for the moment when they can snap a picture of an IDF soldier being caught red-handed, so to speak, acting aggressively toward a Palestinian child, erroneously painting the IDF with the brush of aggression. Of course, when this happebns, the defensive context is unseen in the cold, stop-action snapshot.

This video exposed the complexity of the situation the IDF soldiers are continuously facing.

Overwhelmingly, it was just sad.

Copyright Intermountain Jewish News

Over the years, there have been many videos such as this one.

STEPHEN M. FLATOW

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ow should Yeshiva University respond when a prominent faculty member takes public positions—against Israel—that directly contradict what the university espouses?

Does the principle of academic freedom protect saying literally anything, even when it undermines the basic principles of an Orthodox, and avowedly Zionist, institution?

These are the some of the painful questions that YU, the flagship institution of modern Orthodoxy, needs to address, now that the associate director of its Center for Israel Studies has signed a petition denouncing U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and challenging Israel’s “occupation” of the city.

When President Donald Trump made his announcement, there was rejoicing in nearly the entire Jewish world. Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, the new president of YU, was so enthusiastic that he posted a video message on YouTube declaring, “We celebrate when other nations recognize Jerusalem’s status as the capital of the Jewish state,” adding that Trump’s announcement “speaks to our hearts and sings to our souls.”

But Jess Olson, an associate professor of Jewish history at YU and associate director of the

university’s Center for Israel Studies, was not singing.

Olson was part of a group of Jewish studies scholars who signed a petition announcing their “dismay” that America has “endorsed sole Jewish proprietorship over Jerusalem.” There are 165 signatories on the petition. And there, at #106, is “Jess Olson, Yeshiva University.” he petitioners would prefer if part of the city would be under the Palestinian proprietorship instead. They reject Israel’s liberation of eastern Jerusalem in 1967. They reject the reunification of the city. The city is in a “state of occupation,” they charge. They call for “the rights of … Palestinians to Jerusalem” and “Palestinians’ legitimate stake in the future of Jerusalem.”

Olson and his fellow petitioners also trot out discredited accusations by the radical group B’Tselem, falsely claiming Israel does not permit Palestinian Arabs to have “equal access” to Jerusalem. Their “proof” is that “Palestinians in the West Bank, unlike Jewish Israelis resident in that territory, require a special permit to visit Jerusalem’s holy sites.”

Apparently the petitioners believe Israel should be the only country in the world that permits foreign citizens to cross its borders without any kind of documentation. Every other country requires a non-citizen to have passport and a visa.

But the minute Israel requires a permit, the critics accuse it of “denying equal access.” Outrageous.

If YU was an ordinary secular university, there would be nothing to discuss. Secular universities

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do not have an ideological or religious mission.

Any faculty member can advocate anything he or she wants.

But Jewish colleges and universities are different. They have agendas. The mission statement of the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) says its purpose is “educating intellectual and spiritual leaders for Conservative Judaism.”

Obviously the JTS administration hires faculty whom it expects will advance that goal. Likewise, Hebrew Union College calls itself “the center for professional leadership development of Reform Judaism.” And YU’s mission statement declares, “We bring wisdom to life by combining the finest, contemporary academic education with the timeless teachings of Torah.” o doubt there are a range of views regarding Israel among YU’s faculty members.

Nobody is saying that every faculty member must march in political lockstep, or that dissidents should be fired. But there are parameters. YU professors who teach subjects related to Judaism have to be committed to “the timeless teachings of Torah.” Is redividing Jerusalem and spreading falsehoods about Israel consistent with “the timeless teachings of Torah?”

A group calling itself the Coalition for Jewish Values argued in a letter to President that Olson’s participation in the divide-Jerusalem declaration is so far outside the Jewish community consensus that he is “harming the university’s reputation in the eyes of the Jewish community.” The rabbis also asked whether the YU administration is

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keeping tabs on “what revisionist history he may be espousing in the classroom.”

Under ordinary circumstances, a university administration does not monitor what a professor teaches in his classroom. But if a university celebrates and advocates undivided Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, while one of its professors (the associate director of its Center for Israel Studies, no less!) announces that he opposes U.S. recognition and considers Jerusalem to be under “occupation”—well, that is a different story. YU must consider whether such positions are consistent with the university’s mission.

Parents who send their sons or daughters to YU no doubt assume their children will not be subjected to anti-Israel professors, as is common at other universities. Therefore, parents of YU students have the right to know if Olson is teaching his students that Jerusalem is under Israeli “occupation,” or feeding them falsehoods about Israel “denying equal access.” How will the university assure parents that none of Olson’s extremist beliefs are seeping into his classroom remarks or influencing the syllabi he designs for his courses?

So far, Berman has not responded to the CJV’s letter. I hope he will do so, and soon. YU students, their parents and the rest of the Orthodox Jewish community have a right to know the answers to the questions the CJV has raised.

Attorney Stephen M. Flatow, a vice president of Religious Zionists of America, is the father of Alisa Flatow, who was murdered in an Iranian-sponsored Palestinian terrorist attack in 1995.

Trump, Abbas exposed cluelessness of liberals JONATHAN S. TOBIN

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arlier this month, more than 10,000 Israelis turned out for demonstrations in Tel Aviv against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Their purpose was to draw attention to corruption charges lodged against the prime minister. If he winds up being charged with a crime it will almost certainly mean that his fourth, and third consecutive, term in office will be his last.

Or at least that is what his opponents are hoping, since if he does survive this latest threat to his hold on power, the events of the last three weeks are making it look as if he and or whoever it is that succeeds him as head of the Likud party and the coalition it leads is likely to emerge as the victor the next time Israelis head to the polls.

With Palestinians expressing “rage” about President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, it appears that security and the peace process rather than corrup-

tion or the plight of the middle class is what will continue to determine the outcome of elections in the Jewish state. And so long as that is true, those American Jews who think Israel should be pressured into making concessions rather than supported need to understand the impact of Trump’s move and the Palestinian reaction to it on the Israeli public.

Trump’s willingness to make good at least in part on his promise about Jerusalem provoked some curious reactions among American Jews, the vast majority of whom are fervently opposed to his administration. For some, like the leaders of Reform Judaism, the commitment to the antiTrump “resistance,” was more important than a president doing what generations of friends of Israel on both sides of the aisle had been hoping for. Their position—and that of many others on the Jewish left—was that nothing Trump did could possibly be good for the Jews. That makes sense to partisan Democrats, but it also puts them out of touch with the vast majority of Israelis who embraced the president’s announcement.

Yet the most important reaction to Trump came from the Palestinian Authority (PA) and its leader Mahmoud Abbas.

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o one expected the Palestinians to welcome Trump’s stand. But if Abbas were sincere about pursuing a two-state solution, he would have treated Trump’s carefully calibrated statement as a victory rather than a defeat. Trump did not endorse a united Jerusalem or preclude support for two states or even a re-partition of the city. Abbas could have used it as a jumpingoff point for an effort to persuade the U.S. to endorse a Palestinian capital in part of Jerusalem, which would have strengthened his position in negotiations that Trump hoped to restart.

But instead he doubled down on the same anti-Semitic denial of Jewish history that has characterized Palestinian discourse for the last century. In a speech to an Islamic conference held in Turkey to protest Trump’s statement, Abbas claimed that only Muslims and Christians had any rights to the holy places in Jerusalem. Abbas’s hateful rhetoric and the PA’s resolve to use its broadcast and print media to incite violence against Israelis in the wake of Trump’s speech may be what he needs to do to survive against his Hamas rivals. But it is also confirming the solid consensus of opinion in Israel that stretches from the left to the right that views Abbas and

the PA as opponents of peace, rather than potential partners as the country’s critics assert.

By trying to start another intifada and by doubling down on the notion that Israel has no rights in Jerusalem, Abbas has once again done something for Netanyahu that the prime minister could not achieve on his own. He has validated the Israeli right’s belief that, as bad as it is, the status quo is preferable than replicating Ariel Sharon’s 2005 withdrawal from Gaza. While many American Jews still believe Israel must be pressured to make territorial withdrawals for the sake of peace, Abbas’s conduct has convinced most Israelis such a policy would be insane. The fact that Netanyahu’s main rivals are more or less echoing his stands demonstrates that there is very little appetite in Israel for giving up more territory under the current circumstances. It also highlights the fact that so long as the alternatives to the Likud have nothing better to offer Israelis, it’s likely to stay in power.

What Trump did on Jerusalem gratified Israelis. But it also gave Abbas the opportunity to demonstrate to voters in the Jewish state that there is no viable alternative to Netanyahu’s policies.

That’s something that American Jewish critics of Trump and Israel would be foolish to ignore.

Good idea: A German anti-Semitism commissioner BEN COHEN

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here’s an intense debate in Germany now about whether to create a post for a federal commissioner to deal with the growing problem of anti-Semitism.

The proposal—originally floated by parliamentarians from the left-wing Green Party—has taken on an added urgency following the spate of demonstrations around Germany that accompanied President Trump’s decision on Dec. 6 to recognize Jerusalem as Is-rael’s capital. In several cases, including at a rally at Berlin’s landmark Brandenburg Gate, the mainly Muslim protesters burned Israeli flags while waving Turkish and

Arab ones, and chanted “death to the Jews.”

Many German politicians, including Justice Minister Heiko Maas, believe that the crea-tion of a commissioner’s post will send a clear signal that there is zero tolerance for anti-Semitism in modern Germany. Some members of the ruling CDU party are also calling for the burning of the Israeli flag to be made a criminal offense, with deportation as the punishment for any foreigner who defies the law on that point.

Both those views are to be applauded. From what I have seen in the German press, there is a laudable willingness, at least on the center-right and the center-left, to recognize that anti-Semitism—or “Judenhass,” as it is more evocatively called—has become embedded within Germany’s Muslim communities. This should not mean, as the head of Germany’s Jewish community Josef Schuster noted, that the problem of farright anti-Semitism, in the country that spawned

National Socialism, should be ignored or downplayed; rather, what needs to be understood is that we are dealing with two distinct challenges that fre-quently overlap.

Violence based on anti-Semitic belief is the most obvious common factor here, not just in Germany, but elsewhere in Europe. What else, other than a burning hatred of Jews, led the Islamist terrorist Mohammed Merah to enter the courtyard of a Jewish school in the French city of Toulouse in March 2012, brandishing a gun with which he murdered a teacher and three young children? What else, for that matter, lies behind the lesser, but still ugly, incidents that we read about from the Amsterdam rabbi whose windows were broken by Jew-baiting thugs to the anti-Semitic riots in the Swedish city of Malmö?

I feel it is necessary to be extra clear here.

Anti-Semitism is a distinct form of hatred—not

worse than, not better than, but distinct from.

For example, anti-Semitism is far more politically promiscuous than other forms of racism, settling with ease on both left and right. Or, to take another example, deep within the anti-Semitic worldview is a stress on “original sin” that is absent in other racist discourses. Jewish culpability for the death of Jesus is one ancient example, Zionist culpability for the dispossession of the Palestinians is a modern one.

That Jews feel a natural solidarity with the victims of other forms of racism doesn’t mean that we should compromise our analysis of the problem—which includes establishing why it is that European Muslims, themselves indubitably victims of racism, tolerate in their midst the merchants of genocide against the Jews? Finding credible answers to that question should be the first job of any minister or public official tasked with combating the longest hatred.

THE JEWISH STAR December 29, 2017 • 11 Teves 5778

What will YU do with prof who denounced Israel?

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The JEWISH STAR

CAlendar of Events

Send your events to Calendar@TheJewishStar.com • Deadline noon Friday • Compiled by Zachary Schechter Thursday December 28

sion” with Rabbi Y.Y. Jacobson. Open to men and women. 8 pm. 728 Empire Ave, Far Rockaway.

Halacha Shiur: [Weekly] Join Rabbi Yoni Levin at Aish Kodesh for a halacha shiur. 9:30 pm.

894 Woodmere Pl, Woodmere.

Parsha Shiur: [Weekly] Join Michal Horowitz at the YI of Woodmere for a special shiur on the parsha. 9:30 am. 859 Peninsula Blvd, Woodmere.

516-295-0950.

Iyun Tefilah: [Weekly] Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum at the Young Israel of Lawrence Cedarhurst.

9:45 am. 8 Spruce St, Cedarhurst.

Learn Maseches Brachos: [Weekly] Join Rabbi Eliyahu Wolf at the YI of Woodmere for a shiur on Maseches Brachos. 5:15 pm. 859 Peninsula Blvd, Woodmere. 516-295-0950.

Discover Your Mission: Meaningful Minute and the White Shul present “Discover Your Mis-

Saturday December 30

From the Avot to Matan Torah: Join Rabbi Dr. Ari Bergman at the YI of Woodmere for a special lecture series titled “From the Avot to Mattan Torah: A Deeper Understanding of the Genesis of the Abrahamic Religions & of Our Mesorah.” 7:30 pm. 859 Peninsula Blvd, Woodmere. 516-2950950.

Rabbi Daniel Travis: Chazaq and Havurat

Yisrael present Rabbi Daniel Travis speaking on the subject of “Eliminating Suffering from Your Life,” men and women are welcome. 7:30 pm.

106-20 70th Ave, Forest Hills. 718-285-9132.

Sunday December 31 Timely Torah: [Weekly] Join Rabbi Ya’akov Trump, assistant rabbi of the Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst, for a shiur on relevant Halachic and philosophical topics related to Parsha Moadim and contemporary issues. Coffee and pastries.

8 am. 8 Spruce St, Cedarhurst.

Learning Program: [Weekly] At Aish Kodesh led by Rav Moshe Weinberger following 8:15 Shacharis including 9 am breakfast and shiurim

d n la Is g n o L x o d o h rt O to y e he Jewish Star is your k …

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communities

5 Towns conferenc e with joy to sustai told: Deliver Torah n the next genera tion note remarks that nual Five Towns opened the fourth antive Conference Community Collaboraon Sunday.

“What is the Torah the kids need now?” he asked. “What necessarily work worked in 1972 won’t today.”

Rabbi Weinberg d’asrah of Congregaer, founding morah tion Aish Kodesh Woodmere and in mashpia at YU, the parents and reminded that Torah will educators in attendance not be received if it’s not

passed down according to the middah the time, emphasiz of ingredent needed ing that the primary in today’s chinuch simcha. is Twenty-six speakers, rebbetzins, educators including rabbis, , community ers and lecturers leadsue that challengeeach addressed a key isfamilies and schools in frum communi ties. The event, the Young Israel hosted at of Woodmere, was orgaSee 5 Towns hosts on page 15

STAR

Kessler

By Celia Weintrob Photos by Doni Kessler

While Torah is way for the mesorahforever true, the ideal to be conveyed children — and how an everlastin to our of Torah and g love Yiddishkeit is embedde their beings — d in changes “You’re still talking over time. about what for you in 1972 and insisting thatworked what should work that’s Moshe Weinberg for your kid,” Rabbi er, Shila”a, said in key-

• 24 Elul 5777

• Five Towns candles

6:46 pm, Havdalah

Rabbi Moshe Weinberger, of Kodesh in Woodmere Congregati , delivered keynote on Aish speech.

7:53 • Torah columns

pages 28–29

• Vol 16, No 34

TheJewishStar.

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communities

odmere as HALB There’s joy in Wo celebrates new home

Nitzavim-Vayeilech Presenting their topics, from left: Baruch Fogel of Rabbi Touro College, “Motivating our children to motivate themselves ”; Reb-

Photo by Doni

The JEWISH • Sept. 15, 2017

betzin Shani Taragin, Tanach coordinator and mashgicha ruchanit at Midreshet rah V’avodah, “Miriam: Meyaledet, ToMei-

nika, and Morah”; Rabbi Ephraim Congregation Polakoff, Bais Tefilah, “Teens and technology: What you know and what you

don’t”; Rabbi Jesse Horn of Yeshivat kotel, “Helping Hachildren balance and pleasure”; Esther Wein, “Howideology to rec-

Rabbi

Michal Horowitz, “Ahavas Yisrael: In theory of YI Lawrence- or in pracYaakov Trump director From left: Rabbi Shenker, executive Cedarhurst; MarvinWeitz; Dr. Herbert Pasternak; of YILC; Dr. Mott Lance Hirt; and Rabbi Aaron / Theresa Press HALB Board Chair The Jewish Star Fleksher of HALB.

Super Specia lS This

tice?”; Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum d’asra, Young , mora Israel of Lawrence-C darhurst, “Raising esuccessful children”; Rebbetzin Lisa Septimus, yoetzet hala-

cha of the Five Towns and of the Great Neck Synagogue , “Where do come from — addressing grown babies ters with children.” up mat-

et’ is The JEWISH YU prez: ‘Torat emSTAR value

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week on pages 8-9

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core school’s top titure follows formal inves

BALFOUR Vayera • Friday, November 3, 2017 • 14 Cheshvan 5778 • Luach page

21 • Torah columns pages 20–21 • Vol 16, No 41

TheJewishStar.com

Cedarhurst remembers

Star the loss,

By The Jewish to remember Cedarhurst pausedmiracles of 9/11, at the the on Sunday. the heroism, and commemoration Schachter village’s annual n, Rabbi Shay In his invocatio the Young Israel of Woodof the Master and (top right photo) pray that G-d, all the strength mere said, “we world, grant us Creator of the to stand firm together against of and the fortitude of extremism, of bigotry, all forms of terror, and of all evil that can be hatred, of racism, forms in our world.” who found in different obligation to those “We have a solemn on Sept. 11th to never injured Benjamin died or were ,” said Mayor forget what happened“We saw evil, but we also Weinstock (bottom).

America.” saw the best of n (middle), a 9/11 survivor re78,” of Ari Schonbur Fate “Miracle and was waitand author of es that day. He called his experienc on the 78th floor when elevators ing to change hit. nt Chief the first plane st Fire Departme Lawrence-Cedarhur during the playing of saluting David Campell, 9/11 victims. names of local Taps, read the

The Newspaper of our Orthodox communities

‘InvestFest’ fair

“Torat Emet ,” the first is shiva University Truth.” in to an Star — we believe investiture speech

By The Jewish in of Yeshiva UniversiDelivering his at YU’s Wilf Campus The fifth president on Sunday Berman, said assembly of 2,000 on Heights, with many ty, Rabbi Dr. Ari values that personify Ye, Washingt in by livestream that of the “five more listening spoke of the Rabbi Berman five central the or “Five Torot, institution.” teachings, of our believe in Tor“We do not just Chayyim — Torat at Emet but also and values must that our truths he said. live in the world,” teachings, YU’s other central Adam,” “Torat he said, are “Torat Tziyyon, the Chesed,” and “Toraton.”

Torah of Redempti formal cereFollowing the community parmonies, the YU st” street fair at an “InvestFe Am- tied Amsterdam Avenue. t” street fair on 11 was a along at the “InvestFes See YU on page

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STAR el in with’hs 56Isthrchaarter ll a o g s r Ie es L B’Nef on Nefesh

IsraAID brings relief to U.S. disasters

• Vol 16,

By Ron Kampeas, JTA Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, page and 19 WASHINGTON — For 17 years, the then the wildfires inlah 9:15 • Luach pm, Havda northern California.

Israeli NGO IsraAID has been perform- ng 8:07 Polizer recalls that he was wrapping elighti Candl ing search and rescue,Towns purifying water, up a visit to IsraAID’s new American 5777 • Fivemedical assistance headquarters providing Tamuz, emergency in Palo Alto on Oct. 8 and 2017 • 20 and walking victims of trauma back to was on his way to a flight to Mexico to psychological health in dozens of disas- oversee operations after a devastating ter-hit countries. earthquake there when he got word of But no season has been busier than the wildfires. “I literally had to do a Uthis past summer and fall, its co-CEO Yo- turn,” he said this week in an interview tam Polizer said in an interview — and at the Israeli embassy in Washington. nowhere more than in the United States.

Polizer spoke with the exhilaration “The last few months have been un- of an executive whose team has come believable,” he said, listing a succession through a daunting challenge.

“We’re of disasters that occupied local staff and the people who stay past the ‘aid festiNiveen Rizkalla working with IsraAID in Santa Rosa, Calif., in volunteers since August: Hurricane Har- val’,” he said, grinning, describing the the wake of deadly wildfires there. vey in Texas, Hurricane Irma in Florida, See IsraAID on page 5

• 1 Sivan,

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in secmom Leah urst. ere (with of Woodm Girls in Cedarh on Feinberg photos School for Elishevah the Shulamith said. More now t at n-year-old there,” she The Jewish Star / Ed Weintrob trip” and out. Thirtee had been a studen came from year-long home. sh’s magic “on a 30 as olim, to come ond photo) love for Eretz Yisroel Jonay Nefesh B’Nefe s left Israel of my rs who flew the promised land.to fulfill “Part Her parent h her family’s journe r was 16. a she said.

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Gemara Shiur: [Weekly] Join Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt at YI of Woodmere. 9:15 pm. 859 Peninsula Blvd, Woodmere. 516-295-0950.

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Chumash and Halacha Shiur: [Weekly] Shiur with Rabbi Yosef Richtman at Aish Kodesh.

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Israel’s 3, 000 year-o ld capiHtae’l s 93, an toasts 50 year

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Parsha Pincha

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Britain Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn— who in 2009 called Hezbollah and Hamas his “friends” — said he would not attend a dinner commemorating the centennial of the Balfour Declaration. Prime Minister Theresa May she would attend “with pride” and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu would be her guest.

“We are proud of the role we played in the creation of the State of Israel and we will certainly mark the centenary with pride,” May said. “I am also pleased that good trade relations and other relations that we have with Israel we are building on and enhancing.”

The JEWI mar • May

Sets

Corbyn boycotts B’four event

SH The JEWI

Arthur James Balfour

SEE PAGE 27

Parsha Bamid

• Etrog & Lulav

om LIsukkah.c

t was a minor news story when it broke in the summer of 2016. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas announced he was suing Great Britain over the Balfour Declaration, issued on Nov. 2, 1917. But as we observe the centennial of the document this week, it’s important to understand that although his lawsuit was a stunt, Abbas was serious. More than that, the symbolism of his See Tobin on page 22

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or the Palestinians, the year zero is not 1948, when the state of Israel came into being, but 1917, when Great Britain issued, on Nov. 2, the Balfour Declaration—expressing support for the establishment of a “Jewish national home” in Palestine.

So central is the Balfour Declaration to Palestinian political identity that the “Zionist invasion” is officially deemed to have begun in 1917—not in 1882, when the first trickle of Jewish pioneers from Russia began arriving, nor in 1897, when the Zionist movement held its first congress in Basel, nor in the late 1920s, when thousands of German Jews fleeing the rise of Nazism chose to go to Palestine.

The year 1917 is the critical date because that is when, as an anti-Zionist might say, the Zionist hand slipped effortlessly into the British imperial glove. It is a neat, simple historical proposition upon which the entire Palestinian version of events rests: an empire came to our land and gave it to foreigners, we were dispossessed, and for five generations now, we have continued to resist. Moreover, it is given official sanction in the Palestine National Covenant of 1968, in which article 6 defines Jews who “were living permanently in Palestine until the beginning of the Zionist invasion” as “Palestinians”—an invasion that is dated as 1917 in the covenants’ notes.

As the Balfour Declaration’s centenary approached, this theme is much in evidence.

There is now a dedicated Balfour Apology See Cohen on page 22

The Jewish Star

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Island Jonathan S. Dealer on Long Largest Sukkah toBin

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To Abbas and Hamas, it was ‘original sin’

ceremony, YU’s new president, after the investiture for a selfie. sterdam Avenue who happily posed sought-after celebrity

Ben Cohen

Weintrob

At declaration’s centennial, a source of joy and derision

To British, Palestine just another colony

facts

Kessler

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Presenters at Sunday’s conferenc from left: Elisheva e, director of religious Kaminetsky, SKA kodesh, “Empoweri guidance, limudei ng choices”; Rabbi

on subjects such as halacha, gemara and divrei chizuk. 894 Woodmere Pl, Woodmere.

Gemara Shiur: [Weekly] Join Rabbi Moshe Sokoloff at the YI of Woodmere for a gemara shiu.r 9:15 am. 859 Peninsula Blvd, Woodmere.

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Torah 4 Teens: [Weekly] Yeshiva program for high-school age boys & young adults with Rabbi Matis Friedman. 9:15 am-12:30 pm. 410 Hungry Harbor Rd, Valley Stream. Torah4teens5T@ gmail.com.

Bat Mitzvah Program: YI Woodmere invites all 6th grade girls to join Rebbetzin Ruchi Axelrod for a bat mitzvah program with raffles, projects and smoothies. 10:30-11:45 am. 859 Peninsula Blvd, Woodmere. Wolfadina@gmail.com.

Hashem in My Wallet: Sheefa invites all women and girls to a special Shiur by Rabbi Menachem Nissel on the topic “Hashem in My Wallet: Understanding money through the lenses of Shemoneh Esrei’s Birkas Bareich Aleinu.” $10. 8 pm.

894 Woodmere Pl, Woodmere. 516-6-SHEEFA. Community-Wide Learning Event: Camp HASC, NCSY and YACHA present a communitywide learning event at the YI of Woodmere with Shacharis, breakfast and shiurim by Rabbi Judah Mischel and Rabbi Moshe Benovitz. 895 Peninsula Blvd, Woodmere. 516-295-0950.

Women’s Shiur: [Weekly] Dr. Anette Labovitz’s women shiur will continue at Aish Kodesh.

10 am. 894 Woodmere Pl, Woodmere.

Seeing Things Clearly: [Weekly] Join Rabbi Shalom Yona Weis at Aish Kodesh for a shiur for women and high school girls titled “Seeing Things Clearly- Learning to View Our World and Our Lives Through Positive Lenses. 8:45 pm. 894 Woodmere Pl, Woodmere.

The Jewish Star is the newspaper of Long Island’s Orthodox communities — and the fastest-growing Jewish newspaper on LI.

ognize your bashert”; Rabbi Kenneth of Congregatio Hain n Beth Shalom, “When it’s A-OK to say yes.”

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Star

By The Jewish joined the Hebrew The Five TownsBeach on Sunday in Long at its new Academy of chanukat habayit Avenue in celebrating a on Church elementary school Reuven Taragin, e.

Woodmer and director ofhumble beginnings that Yeshivat Hakotel founder Eytan Feiner of the Community a small “From in The Education Conferences, White Shul, “When years ago “Torah tips on had over 50Yitzchak 8 met on page HALB how to build celebrat and maintain ionRivkah: Torah’s first mena strong marriage”; See HALB tion of martial love”;

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who gave them permission to fly on Shabbat The observant couple flew to Saudi Arabia for a government trip on a Friday night, stirring controversy in religious circles.

9. Why this Filipina is fighting for Israel Staff. Sgt. Joana Chris Arpon isn’t Israeli or Jewish, but she chose to serve in the Israel Defense Forces after an army team saved her grandmother from a typhoon.

10. Is Meghan Markle Jewish? The internet is confused As rumors — whoops, rumours — about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s engagement picked up steam, a British tabloid claimed that the mixed-race actress has a Jewish father. As it turned out, the story wasn’t that simple.

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6. Patriots star Julian Edelman’s 5 most Jewish moments In advance of Super Bowl LI — in which Julian Edelman went on to make an improbable and crucial catch — we looked back at the numerous times the New England Patriots wide receiver showed off his Jewish pride.

7. Swiss hotelier sorry for signs telling Jews to shower before entering pool “I have nothing against Jews, whom we regularly receive warmly here,” hotel manager Ruth Thomann said. As JTA’s Cnaan Liphshiz noted, the gaffe — a sign that instructed “Jewish guests” to shower before using a pool — and its consequent media frenzy turned out to be a big misunderstanding.

8. Jared and Ivanka’s rabbis don’t know

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on the site, which was known for popularizing the triple parentheses “echo” used to identify Jews online.

4. Adam Krief, Jewish father of 3 whose bone marrow search inspired celebrities, dies Krief’s devastating and rare form of brain cancer had moved Kim Kardashian to post about him on Facebook. After bone marrow drives were held for him around the world, Krief found a match -- but eventually he succumbed to complications from the cancer.

5. A New Yorker editor picks 7 of his favorite Jewish cartoons Before ending his 20-year run as cartoon editor for the New Yorker, Bob Mankoff spoke with JTA about his Jewish roots (“The Jews of the Bible aren’t funny”) and shared his favor-

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By Gabe Friedman, JTA Among the nearly 5,000 pieces JTA distributed online over the past 365 days, these are 10 that resonated with readers the most.

1. Some 30 Jewish institutions across the U.S. targeted in second wave of bomb threats Little more than a week after 16 Jewish community centers and other institutions were evacuated in a mass bomb-threat scare, a second wave of threats called in to even more JCCs rattled the Jewish world. The culprit turned out to be a Jewish teenager who carried out the calls from Israel, but the troubling phenomenon — which many saw as evidence of increasing anti-Semitism in the U.S. — persisted for months.

2. Gunshot fired through classroom window of Indiana synagogue Amid the rash of bomb threats made to Jewish institutions, a gunman shot a hole in the window of a Hebrew school classroom.

3. Popular neo-Nazi blogger resigns over revelation his wife is Jewish The founder of the popular right-wing blog The Right Stuff was outed as Mike Peinovich, a website developer from New York married to a Jewish woman. He resigned from working

THE JEWISH STAR December 29, 2017 • 11 Teves 5778

JTA’s most widely read stories during 2017

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December 29, 2017 • 11 Teves 5778 THE JEWISH STAR

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